Early that Wednesday afternoon, Andy Taylor and Barney Fife said hello to their friend, Gomer Pyle. They both had given Gomer the sheriff's car for an oil change.

"This place hasn't been the same ever since Goober died. When he was here, it was always joking around. I miss that," Gomer said sadly.

Neither of the police officers said a word.

To change the subject, Barney said, "Just call us when you're done with the car."

"I will."

Gomer watched them leave. Once back at the sheriff's office, both friends saw the mail had just arrived.

Andy watched as Barney opened an envelope.

"Where did that one come from, Barney?"

"It was sent all the way from Los Angeles. I don't know anybody there."

He took out a letter.

"Looks like a letter to me," Andy replied.

"Of course it's a letter! What else would you think it is – a gas bill?"

"Who sent this letter?" Andy asked.

"It says Mr. Ralph Furley. I hope I pronounced the last name right," Barney told him.

Andy took a peek of Ralph's letter.

"Barney, check out the date."

"What's wrong with the date?"

"That's what I want you to check out."

So Barney did what Andy had just pointed out.

"It looks like this Ralph person got the date confused, Ange. Its date say nineteen eighty – four. It's not even 1984. It's still in the 1960s here in Mayberry," Barney said.

He saw Andy nod. He could tell Andy seemed to agree.

"What does the letter say?" Andy asked with interest.

"It says:

Dear Mr. Fife,

My name is Ralph Furley. I happen to be a landlord out here in Los Angeles. For a very short time. I have been searching for some family members I have never known about until recently.

I would very much be very interested in meeting you for the very first time. I would like to describe myself. I am somewhat looking a bit like you. I happen to come across your name and picture when I was trying to look for long – lost relatives such as you. I didn't at first paid much attention that you and I are in different time periods. I will writer again and see what works for both of us.

Sincerely,

Ralph

"Are you interested in meeting this long – lost family member who lives in the 1980s?" Andy asked.

"I really can't answer that, Ange. I would probably vote no, but I would like to see what happens when this Ralph character and I get involved in a certain time frame," Barney answered.