Thank you for your comments, everyone. I appreciate them, especially given that this part was both unusually short and unusually evil.
Rivka asked:
No.
Jen, your questions will be answered shortly. Good luck with the time machine, though.
Maria, I hope you're feeling better. We'll see how you are after part 2.
Julia, your questions, too, will be answerd in part 2.
Wendy, you mean I have to fix it? Are you sure?
Tank, I'm glad you enjoyed.
Liz, I'm not sure what you mean by sneaky, but I'll take it as a compliment.
Roo, thanks for the rave review.
Rivka, I'm glad you liked the title.
Julie, I suppose it was rather mean, wasn't it? I couldn't resist that break, all the same. Just be glad that I was talked out of my earlier plan to post in more than 2 parts...
Oh, and I will take your request under consideration.
Jose, I guess this is angst. Not in the usual sense, but yeah... Huh. Well, at least you liked it. Thanks for letting me know.
Kathy asked:
ARGH!!! Are you insane?????
Yes (see Avatar image and text below, among other references), but that's another matter.
Kathy also asked:
You can't kill Lois! Lois can't kill herself! I mean, it's just not done!!!
It isn't? Hmm, that does seem to be the consensus. Darn. I guess that means I will have to fix it. Hmmm... <Edit, edit> No, can't use Hamilton's machine, that was broken... Er... Hmm... Nope. Sorry, it looks like part 2 will have to remain as written.
Oh, and why didn't you tell me about the punctuation sale? I had to get mine at full retail! (Though luckily periods were available in bulk. Handy for all those ellipses...)
Rivka also asked:
No, not quite... Of course, earlier today I got myself squeezed in for a repeat eye exam, since the new perscription has been giving me headaches and eye strain. It's before 3pm, which is pretty much first thing in my morning (thanks to my collection of sleeping disorders, I have my own personal time zone, which is currently roughly aligned with... let me check... New Zealand), and I'm not sure when I'll get back to the keys after that. It may not be until late, which wouldn't really be fair to you.
One moment, let me check with my sources in Asgard...
"ARISE, COMRADES! FATHER'S DAY HAS PASSED, AND IT BE THOR'S DAY! SUMMON FORTH THE VALKYRIES! LET THE MEAD FLOW! LET..."
"I can't believe we have to go through this every week..."
"Well, at least tomorrow is Freya's day..."
"Yeah, thank Woden for that..."
"YOU'RE WELCOME."
Yeah, I guess technically it is Thursday now. Okay, then...
Thanks again to everyone who posted comments! I hope you enjoy part 2!
Paul
ARUGH! Can't wait for Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sniffle* Lois....dead???!!! 
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