my $finished_1, $finished_2; 
   # should be: my ($finished_1, $finished_2);
   # list context is needed for the "my" to apply to
   # both variables.
chomp $line1, $line2;
   # the chomp() does not operate on $line2. 
   # Again, list context is needed...
   # chomp ($line1, $line2); 
   # but that requires a change in the print
   #   # e.g., print "$line1 \t $line2\n";
   #
   # Of course code could be just:
   # chomp $line1; #leave $line2 out of it!
   # My coding preference would be to be symmetrical,
   #    i.e. # chomp ($line1, $line2); 
   # and add the extra $line2 line ending back in
   # during the print.
   #
   # instead of: print "$line1 \t $line2";
   # print "$line1 \t $line2\n";