Looks like it's time for you to 'upgrade' to either Berkley DB files or a full blown database, because it only gets tougher from here. ;)

In the meantime, File::ReadBackwards might be of use to you.

jeffa

L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
-R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
F--F--F--F--F--F--F--F--
(the triplet paradiddle)