Tuesday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2002; Issue 1

WORLD REALLY WILL END THIS YEAR, SAY ASTROLOGERS

Dear Ethel...

Got a problem? Want to find a solution? Able to explain it without use of complex medical terminology?

Dear Ethel... is the column for you. Passenger’s very own agony aunt will try her damned utmost to solve life’s little queries, or even your big ones. We can’t guarantee that replies will be useful or on time, but what’ve you got to lose?

E-mail her if you’ve got a problem!

Professor Francis T. Bargle, the President of the World Astrology Society, has dramatically revealed that the world will indeed end in 2003, not 2000, 2001 or 2002, as had been previously predicted. “We’ve made a few mistakes in our previous calculations, but this time, we took away the number we first thought of, and we’re sure it’ll end before spring is out,” he told reporters.

Bargle is a respected man, whose credentials as a valid Astrologer have been certified by as many as three independent sources, including his mother, his accountant and - via a telepathic link - his cat. “However, we must look on the positive side,” he explained, “For example, my birthday is the 8th of February, but my wife

The Ouija board which was used to predict the End of the World As We Know It entering the charts
The Ouija board which was used to predict the End of the World As We Know It entering the charts

was born on the 14th of August. Owing to the end of all creation, I’ll get one present more that she does!”.

Offer!

Passenger, has therefore decided to make its November issue FREE to all those who can prove that they do exist. Philosophers will be manning the telephones - if there are any - from the 13th of December, and lines close at 1am last Thursday.

Pass your theory test first time, with full marks! Don’t take this test!

Shopkeeper Christmas Display Shock

In a dramatic move earlier today Marvin X. Wilcox, owner of a small commercial business, said that the festive Christmas displays “Will not be on show for at least five weeks!”

The announcement has caused shock in business

circles; however, Wilcox reasoned, “this allows me to hype Valentine’s Day, Easter, Bonfire Night, & the third Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings films prior to releasing my new Christmas range, some point in mid-February.”

Some business rivals have admitted that Wilcox may be onto something, but are sticking to their plans

for an all-year Christmas section, in keeping with “what the public loathe & expect”.

Whatever the outcome, it’s sure that customers at Wilcox’s store will at least have five weeks before hearing ‘Jingle Bells’ played by a tacky plastic Santa.

All material, including text and images are © Andrew Steele and John Trevor-Allen 2002, all rights reserved.
It may not be reprinted, redistributed or reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders.