So I called the number. The conversation that ensued went something like this:
Message: Hello Donald, this is [Omitted]. I just have a couple of questions for you. If you could give me a call back at [Omitted], it'd be much appreciated.
Sleepy voice: Hello Me: Hello. Is [Omitted] there? Sleepy: Who is this? Me: I'm returning a call he left on my answering machine. Sleepy: Well, ok.... (Muffled conversation: "[Omitted]... Someone returning your call. You left a message on his answering machine.")
[Omitted]: Hello? Me: This is Donald Watrous from Rutgers University. You left a message on my answering machine? [Omitted]: Hi, how are you doing? Me: Ok, how are you? [Omitted]: Good. Me: Would you mind telling me what this is about? [Omitted]: Yes. Just a minute. (pause -- perhaps a door closes)
Ok. First of all, let me tell you I'm not a cop.
Me: Ok.... [Omitted]: Well, I found your recipe on the internet. Me: What recipe? [Omitted]: It was in your html. Me: Yes? [Omitted]: It was a recipe for L... S... (long pause) Me: LSD? [Omitted]: Yes. I was wondering if you could help me with it. Me: Did you read it? [Omitted]: Yes. Me: Really? [Omitted]: Yes. Me: It's a joke. It's a parody of the "Make Money Fast" chain letter. [Omitted]: But when I looked at the chemistry, the chemical structure was very similar. Me: But it's a joke. [Omitted]: Oh. Ok. Sorry. Goodbye.
Me: Goodbye.
So I have to wonder. Did I just talk to a really thick kid -- or just a cop playing one on the internet?