--AUDIBLY AND IN REAL TIME this episode. Once again, after numerous failed attempts made in the previous weeks, it seemed as if the instrumentalities of Radio Valencia would not permit Ask Dr. Hal! to go on. And, in fact, as KrOB later discovered, a significant piece of equipment was inert-- lifeless. Remediation was beyond our ability, though naturally we tried everything possible. The hookup by person or persons unknown would not give us the access to our archival sources we need. Week after week, this snarled-up situation persisted, with always a different origin point-- the enormous difficulty of performing any show under these circumstances causes a feeling of futility, a dispiriting erosion of the will to persist. Nonetheless, here we attempt to do a show with no extras, until, like a Deus ex machina, KrOB appears, examines the equipment and immediately restores all control unto us. We couldn't do it alone. Three hours, including the stripped-down beginning and the lush sequel. But what of next week? The problems are not solved-- when we come in we have no idea what to expect...