Dissolving magazines

A few years ago, my favourite author, Jonathan Carroll, was in Birmingham, doing his only UK book signing in the then wonderful Andromeda book shop. At the time, an issue of Playboy had just come out that contained one of his stories. I’d actually bought it, and had sat in the garden reading the story. Unfortunately, I hadn’t moved quickly enough with a sudden storm, and it got soaked. Because of which, it had fallen to bits.

Anyway, having requested that he signed the large pile of books that I’d brought up to the table – he asked if I had the Playboy edition.

“Yes,” I replied, “but I’d better get another copy because mine’s already fallen apart.”

Sometimes its true that you shouldn’t meet your heros, because you can end up saying something to them that makes you look like a wanker.