Paris:- Wednesday, 11. December 1996:- Four weeks ago I announced that Metropole would have a giant 'Paris Christmas Window Contest' and this created so little excitement that even I didn't realize I announced this tremendous event in issue number 1.39 - thereby continuing for four weeks to vaguely think I announced it last week.

This is what I wrote four weeks ago:

"How about this: as soon as I see this year's Christmas display-windows, I will photograph them and you can vote for the best one. They won't run all at once in Metropole, but they'll get a page of their own featuring the new ones each week, plus thumbnails of the ones featured in previous issues - and there will be some sort of 'vote' ballot-gizmo to make it easy for you to let us know your favorite choice.

"As it happens I have some brand-new never-used before original prizes with which the winners will be rewarded, who will be chosen by a method that I will figure out when I have time. Since I already have the unique prizes - they are small - there will be more than one winner, so everybody has a real chance.

"I know this means that you'll have to read Metropole for a few [now two more weeks] weeks in a row, but I am a bit unorganized and I can't help it. Otherwise, about the contest: 'the usual legal argle-bargle' and I hope everybody who enters it wins!"

From this grand design, we will scale it down to reality. Three Paris Christmas Windows this week and three next week. The winners will be announced in Metropole Paris in issue number 1.45 on Monday, 30. December.

The names of the windows are in the order as they are placed on this page. 'Select' the text of your favorite and copy it. Then hit my name below, and paste the name of the photo of your chosen window into the body of the e-mail form. Be sure to add your name and e-mail address, if they are not included automatically. If you have time, fill in the 'subject' line with 'Window Contest Part I'

1. Bon Marché - métro Sèvres-Babylone, Paris 7 - Eight decorated windows, with original animated scenes. Porches for little kids.

2. Samaritaine - rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 - on the rue du Pont Neuf side, several windows with original and elaborate still-live scenes.

3. Nain Bleu - 410. rue Saint Honoré, Paris 1 - two windows on the rue Saint Honoré and two around corner; all original toys, dolls and puppets.

How the winners will be decided - is a good question. Everybody who enters should be a winner, but because the number of physical prizes I have available is limited, this ideal contest form is not possible.

A. Let's suppose 'Window 4' -which will appear next week in part two - gets the most votes. I write out the names of all those who voted for it on little slips of paper, throw them into Max's Power Rangers hat, and let him draw three names. They are the winners.

B. Or, if you prefer, I could put all the entry names into his Power Rangers hat and let him draw three names. They are the winners. Concurrently, I would simply announce the Window which received the most votes. This way, every entrant would have a chance and it would not depend on how good, bad or murky the photos will probably seem to be.

It also means that you should vote for method 1. or 2. Above when you send in your favorite window choice.

That's it then. This is Part 1 of the Great Metropole Paris Christmas Window Contest. Look at the windows and pop the name into the e-mail form - and you will know if you are a Grand Winner before the end of the year; unless you go offline to go skiing or pursue some other holiday activity far far from the tangled World of the Web.

Enter Today! No-fraud contest! Small prizes and few of them, but really real! Read Metropole Paris next week for Part 2. of this fabulous contest! Enter now!

Do not call any '800' numbers and do not send any currency or cheques. Remember that this contest may be illegal where you live, so don't turn yourself in to the authorities.

*Special Note: each winner will receive their prize in a package franked with genuine French postage stamp(s) - a collector's dream! Only from Metropole Paris! Tell your friends and relations. Don't miss out; enter today, right now!