Gerbil Boy

Gerbil Boy was the Khai Tam nickname for Scott Campbell. Members of the club who were particularly active or noteworthy generally were given (or adopted) nicknames.

Origin

When travelling to out-of-town functions, especially Star Trek conventions, Khai Tam members often shared hotel rooms to keep costs low. This sometimes led to two people in each bed, people on the floor, etc. At one convention, several members shared a semi-suite and though it was late at night and after lights-out, people were still talking, sharing amusing anecdotes, etc.

In the bed were Kevin McNulty and Scott Campbell. Kevin was talking to others in the room while Scott was doing his best to stay awake but slowly losing the battle to maintain consciousness. Kevin was telling some story (the content of which is lost forever to the sands of time) but at some point during the tale, Kevin made reference to a gerbil.

Campbell sat bolt upright in bed and said, "Gerbil?!"

The rest of the room exploded in laughter. Why Scott picked that particular word to focus in on and why it caused him to instantly awaken with interest in the story was a subject of great conjecture for the next few hours and days.

The next day during the convention, as Scott was protesting his innocence in the matter, George Sumpter interrupted, "Hold on a minute gerbil boy..."

The nickname never washed off.