use strict;           
$|++;
my $parent_id = $$;    # Before forking, save the $parent_id
my $totalcounts = 0; 
for(my $i = 0; $i < 2; $i++)   # for loop to fork 2 procs
  {
      print "[$totalcounts == $i]\n";  # just to check...
 
      # if I am the parent...
      if ($$ == $parent_id) {          
          #...fork a proc and store the pid
          my $thispid = phork(); 
      }

      # I have now forked.  If I am NOT the parent...
      if ($$ != $parent_id) {   ## Note 'if'. An else/elsif 
                                ## WON'T work here! The 
                                ## kids would skip this.
          #...do whatever I want to do, but when done:
          exit; 

          # Now the children have been stopped 
          # before they could continue along the $i loop.
      }   
      $totalcount++;        #increment the fork count
  }