response 411 of 413:

Dec 19 05:36 UTC 2003

It was a false alarm; the company is called "Sheaffer".  I can even 
have my pen repaired.  (It's covered under a lifetime warranty.)  Yay!

Silly it may be.  I have very few attachments to objects, though.  I 
think the world can tolerate that I love my pen.  I use it constantly, 
all day, every work day.  It is obviously time I get a backup or two.

The Sheaffer Prelude ballpoint costs about $30.  They make fountain 
and roller ball pens, as well as ballpoint pens like mine, and they 
also make retractible pencils.  I got my first Sheaffer pen and pencil 
set several years ago, and then didn't use it for a few years.  Since 
I started using it, I really miss it when I have to use another pen.  
That first pen was stolen from my desk and I was unhappy when writing 
for several months before I obtained another.

When you find something that really suits you, you don't want to give 
it up.  My pen really suits me.