sub find_and_remove () {

	# pulls the referenced array into the subroutine and saves it in variable $reference
	$reference = $_[0];
	
	# selects a random number from array size. 
	$random_number = int(rand(@col2c));
	
	# saves that-numbered variable from the array as $nowvalue
	$nowvalue = @$reference[$random_number];
	
	# removes the variable from the array so it can't be selected again
	splice (@$reference, $random_number, 1);

	# returns the selected value
	return $nowvalue;
}