This is a Bulwer-Lytton writing contest entry by Richard W. O’Bryan. The competition is run each year by the Department of English at San Jose State University, and the award is given to the worst lead-in to a wretched story. This is one of Stan Kegel’s favorite Bulwer-Lytton stories.

Although Sarah had an abnormal fear of mice, it did not keep her from eeking out a living at a local pet store.