just keep things simple...but i\'d rather use this...

on 1:text:!8ball:#: {
var %8ball $r(1,$lines(8ball.txt))
msg $chan The Magical 8ball says \" $+ $read(8ball.txt,%8ball) $+ \"
}
menu {
.Add 8ball Message: var %a $?=\"8ball Message:\" | write 8ball.txt %a
}

but hell, i like yours too.