The misspelled message is to be removed at no cost to Beahm VIDEO CNN's Jeanne Moos takes a look at a tattoo that might get an A in art class, but flunks English. (August 24) Windows Media 28K 80K   FRINGE MAIL:   Would you like to receive a weekly summary of Fringe news in your inbox? Sign up for Fringe Mail.

August 26, 1999
Web posted at: 6:53 p.m. EDT (2253 GMT)

EDISON, New Jersey (CNN) -- A New Jersey dermatology center has agreed to remove for free a misspelled word from a tattoo on the back of a Woodbridge, New Jersey, man who is planning legal action against the artist who put it there.

Joseph Beahm, 21, will have the offending word -- which was supposed to have been "else" but turned out as "elese" -- removed Friday at The Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery of the Skin.

On August 7, Beahm paid $100 for the tattoo, which was done by artist James Kastel at a Boardwalk tattoo parlor called Body Art World. But what was supposed to read, "Why Not, Everyone Else Does," turned out, "Why Not, Everyone Elese Does."

Beahm wanted the tattoo parlor to pay $2,100 for laser surgery to remove the offending word, but Kastel offered only to cover it up. He contends that Beahm was shown a rendering of the tattoo -- including the mistake -- before it was applied.

Beahm still plans to sue the tattoo parlor for $20,000, alleging pain and suffering and breach of contract.

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