The sequel can never meet the standard set by the original.

Nonetheless, for those friends, colleagues and Minnesotans who want to know, I offer "Slimeball II--The Return to Duluth."

This piece is, I swear it now, the last on the subject and as I tap it out on the keyboard, please know that I relate the following story not to perpetuate my own absurd tale but rather to wrap up the proceedings for the curious.

In March, 1985, I went to Duluth to cover the men's hockey team's quarterfinal series with the University of Minnesota. One of my preview pieces was a column about the Bulldog mania then infesting Duluth. Some of the comments about Duluth were harsh.

Circumstances and editors beyond my control gave the Duluth paper permission to reprint the piece. Overnight I became the hottest topic in Duluth.

Banner Time

I was attacked in print, on the radio and on television. At the hockey games, I was derided on the electronic scoreboard, the subject of abusive chants by the 6000 fans present and the object of a banner reading, "Nick Wurf is uncouth."

While I was in Duluth, I got a speeding ticket. When that fact was later unearthed, the same paper ran a story all the way across the top of the front page, "Harvard Writer Contributes to Duluth Economy."

The Bulldogs beat the Crimson, I was out $35, and it seemed like Duluth had the last laugh. Or last laughs. There are nearly 100,000 of them and one of me.

Early this past week, my favorite newspaper called me up and asked me to reflect on my trip to the Northland. With some trepidation, I talked about my "growth" since then and told my side of the story.

They gave the resulting column big play and let the city know I was coming back for more.

And so I went.

When I arrived in town late Friday afternoon, it was a clear but chilly three. I kept my head down all afternoon and headed for the rink.

Five banners. Big ones. They hadn't forgotten. They'll never forget.

One of the banners, at least 35 feet long and in three colors, complete with spray-painted candy canes was touching. "Nick Wurf, you now seem couth, Merry Christmas from Duluth."