open (FH, $f1) || die;  # open file 1 in a file handle
    chomp(@strings = <FH>); # take off the line breaks
--> close FH;

    open (FH, $f2) || die; # open file 2 in a file handle
    $text = join '', <FH>; # joins files 1 and 2? - I don't think I want to do this...
--> close FH;