We can perhaps conjure memories that we would trade on the spot for two slabs and a bottle of Bacardi. But which memories can we truly afford to renounce: those that are repetitious (our daily commute), those that are substandard (some of the later 'Muppets' episodes) or those we'd like to experience over and over (first pet, first car, first love etc.)?

Since they comprise a record of what has and has not worked during our lifetimes, it could be said that memories are what make us. Bad memories could even be considered more important than good ones, since they teach us to avoid dangerous situations. What reminiscences, then, would you sell and for how much?

Piece of Mind's switchboard music is the theme from 'Men in Black'. Few recall that this is a rip off of 'Forget-Me-Nots' by Patricia Rushen and Freddy Washington. In light of this and other disturbing phenomena, Piece of Mind's detractors have accused the firm of stealing memories en masse from the public. The conspiracy is said to involve an ingenious synergy between mobile phones and fast food additives that exploits the brain's delicate electrochemical physiology.

Australia is the world's highest per capita user of mobile phones and a voracious consumer of fast food. Perhaps this is why crucial political promises containing the words: 'no child in poverty' and 'never ever GST' have been forgotten by voters. Were they to be remembered, surely neither of the parties involved could still claim the right to govern.

Barbra's take on the matter is philosophical, if not evasive. As far as she's concerned, 'memories may be beautiful and yet, what's too painful to remember we simply choose to forget'.

END

Thanks so much for your comments! Hats off to philbyh, who predicted the conspiracy angle. Next, 'The Random Breakfast Generator'.