From: THE SPECIALIST      
To: OPUS                
Subject: Your Dude      
Date & Time: 04/02/91 20:14:22
Message Number 14561

"I found myself washed up upon the shore just a few hours ago, with a
missing tail, none the less!  Perhaps you would know of a recent 
drowning/attack on furry sailors; I have never been in a boat before in 
my life, thus I am completely oblivious what could have happened!"
  I realize the man is talking to me.  
  "Pardon?"  I ask him.  Then I continue before he can repeat himself.
"I mean, I heard what you said, but I wonder if perhaps you aren't"
experiencing a case of amnesia...after all, to come to this island, you
must have arrived by boat.  Otherwise, you have been living here for 
a long time, and if this is so, then you must have relatives *somewhere*
who know you and are probably at this moment worried about you!"  I 
look behind him, and certainly there is a nasty spot where a tail should
have poked through his pants.  "Say," I say, "that's a pretty nasty...
eh," I look back up at him.  "Have you seen a doctor yet?"  He looks
blankly at me for a moment, and I look away.  "Hey," I call out.  "How
about that drink, please?"