Intermission

While the carpets are rolled up and floors swept, clearing the studio for the next production, let's look at what just happened.

Pink Floyd completed their moneylosing tour of "The Wall." David Lynch passed off "Eraserhead" as abstract art.

Laurie Anderson hit the charts with pop music.

Trees branched.

The Soviet Union met Ronald Reagan.

Chlorophyll shrank from view and leaves fell.

Afghanistan resisted another heartless, goalless invasion.

Japan enjoyed a lost decade.

Pinochet made his point.

More people lived and died than ever before.

The space shuttle, Mir, and Spacelab passed by.

Looks like the cleaning crew wants to turn off the lights. Time for me to stop recording thanks on this planet for an unspecified time and reconnect with my associates who have an offworld future to decide.

Events on this planet are back under automated control.

Will you recognise your children after their transformation to space-ready travelers? The first to volunteer will receive a heroic reception - the rest will step in line and follow orders well.

Time to suit up!