It may be possible to get this condition from within Perl if a signal handler runs at just the wrong moment. Another point for Chip... :-)

Well, you can implement a Perl peek() with unpack('P',...). Once you have that, there's only security through obscurity. :-)

As pointed out in a followup, Real Perl Programmers prefer things to be visually distinct.

To ordinary folks, conversion is not always automatic. It's something that may or may not require explicit assistance. See Billy Graham. :-)

I'd make people say 'use Fork;' if I thought I could get away with it.

I can never look now at the Milky Way without wondering from which of those banked clouds of stars the emissaries are coming. If you will pardon so commonplace…

We'll use a signal I have tried and found far-reaching and easy to yell. Waa-hoo!