Another idea similar to your deleting but without modifying the hash would be to make the fetch function store the current position of where it is in the keys, then subsequent calls would start from that last position. Of course, you'd then need a secondary hash in the tie to keep track of this, and there would be no easy way to reset this short of a function call to trick it. Additionally, modification of the hash between subsequent calls would pose a problem.

Just tossing out ideas here in case something triggers insight....

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Dr. Michael K. Neylon - mneylon-pm@masemware.com || "You've left the lens cap of your mind on again, Pinky" - The Brain