E-mail from Thomas Wayne

Man, when I built that wand I knew you liked to bang on your cups a bit, so I made it a one piece shaft with no joint. I couldn’t possibly have known, however, that you actually BEAT your cups with an enthusiasm that is better saved for an ex-wife - especially MY ex-wife! [Disclaimer: the forgoing analogy is meant to be humorous, and should in no way be legally misconstrued by anyone’s ex-wife - especially MY ex-wife].

Though there was no center joint, each ferrule end WAS jointed, to allow for the Silver rings. Little did I know that your own little form of therapy consists of excessively destructive behavior directed at your props. Silly me.

Accordingly, today I have sent a replacement wand, consisting of one continuous piece of Cocobolo, without joints of any sort and with your initials inlaid – in Ivory - into each end (as before). Cocobolo is one of the toughest exotic hardwoods around, its toughness matched only by its beauty. While I believe THIS wand able to withstand the rigors of your unbridled thumping, anything can be broken – given enough… um, enthusiasm. So you won’t hurt my feelings if you decide to lighten up a bit on the pounding; but you also won’t hurt my feelings if you DO break this wand. What you WILL have accomplished is to beat my best effort.

With best regards, and plenty of love for my misguided cup-thumping brother, I remain

Very truly yours,
Thomas Wayne