#!/usr/bin/perl
use warnings;
use strict;

while (<DATA>) {
        my @line = split / /;  #nb.     "split $_" returns many unintialized values
        my $bit = shift @line;    #     "split" returns the a variation of that, 
        print "|$bit| @line";     #             but with no newlines
}                                 #     "split / /,$_" predictably returns the same
                                  #             as "split / /" 
__DATA__
holli: s/drowning/draining/
moritz steps out of the way, and watches a nice hole in the wall
moritz: time for a counter attack...
moritz takes his +5 Samurai Sword of Perl Monk Decapitation...
moritz: ... and throws a 1. Damned, I missded
holli writes a Perl 6 module to automate aiming
moritz: s/missded/missed/
holli laughs at [moritz], then slips over a globular dice
moritz throws a discontinued perl 6 compiler at [holli]
holli smiles as he sees hist watcher elemental tearing the compiler apart
moritz: why do I have to lose all the time?
holli: <c>try{ harder(); }</c> ;-)