34PAGE
ON TRIODES, PENTODES & IRISHMEN: (Continued)
thescreengrid,theydiscover...there’salmostnothingthere.Thepaththey’reonhasthemalignedtozingstraightthroughthe
spacesBETWEENscreengridwindings.Soratherthanacloseandpersonalencounter,theyjustflyonpast-andoncethey’re
outthatfar,there’snostoppingthem.Theinfluenceoftheplatetakesoverand-beingsolidmetalandofthehighestpositive
attraction-itisatthisfinaldestinationthattheelectronscongregate.
Thusthepropercocktailwaitress-visiblethroughthelouvers-isscantilycladsoastobeallthemoreeffectiveatreinforcing
theattractiveinfluenceofherbarandbybeinglocatedinbetweenthedoorandthebar,sheservesasbaittolurecustomers
pastthedoor’snegativeinfluence.Oncethroughthedoorhowever,itistherareIrishmanwhoactuallycomesinpersonalcon-
tactwiththecocktailwaitressas,forallintentsandpurposes,she-likethescreengrid-turnsouttobeavanishingillusion.
Yet,havingcomethisfar,thesolidinfluenceofthebaritselfnowtakesoverandattractsthecustomerstocongregate,having
happilyreachedtheirdestination.
Ifyou’restillfollowingthisandhaven’tlosttrackofthecount,you’llknowwe’restilloneelementshortofthefiveneededto
makeaPentode.Thislastpartisapairofbeam-confiningshieldswhichbeingnegativelycharged,servetodirecttheflowright
towardtheplate.ThisismuchthewayashortentrancehalltothebarpreventswanderingaccidentallyintotheMen’sroom
ontheway.
Onceatthebarthough,thecircuitiscompleteandtheprocessofsoul-nourishingworksitsritualmagic.Biaseshavingbeen
overcome,illusorynightingaleshavingvanished,thespiritstrulysoarandtheoncesurlyIrishmennowarefilledwithwarmth,
witandkindredfriendship,enjoyingthemusicandglowingnicelywiththeirheaterson.
WithappreciativethankstotheinhabitantsoftheLandoftheLeprechaun,wehavenowconcludedourlittlediversionintothe
mechanicsofproperbarlay-out.
RandallSmith
Designer/President
MESA/BoogieLtd.