Ok people. Now is the time to get serious. The first week, I was kind of nice and kind and told you touching things about 826 CHI, this writing center that we’re all going to be supporting. The second week, I was a little timid about my growing ’stache, and I admitted that I hadn’t quite gotten into the spirit of things yet.

But that was then, and this is now.

And the time for silliness is over. Time to get out the wallets and start paying. As you can see, I have grown embarrassing facial hair, and will be wearing it around for another week and a half. I have endured the awkward looks of strangers, the stares of little children. Women believe, wrongly, that I have the conviction that what is on my face is good and decent. And even my parents, who visited me this weekend, hung their heads in shame that their oldest son dared to grow facial hair he clearly couldn’t pull off. I have grown my ’stache, and I have suffered for it.

And so now, it’s time for you, dear supporter, to pay up. Here is the link you must click, and once there I am asking you, from the bottom of my heart, to use your credit card and give a recommended $20 (or less if you must, or more if you can). You can learn more about the Moustache-o-thon if you like, but what more do you need to know? Quite frankly, I (or rather, 826 CHI) need your money, and I need it right now.

I don’t mean to be brusque (though I have to say, having facial hair does make me a little more swarthy, a little less tactful, and a little more forceful, so I may actually be brusque), but it’s crunch time. Now is the time to donate and get that money in. I’ve grown a moustache, and now I’ve got a contest to win. It’s a great cause, the link is right here — please donate now, and thanks very much for your support.