AMD athlon processor with no heatsink, HELP

[ZenithsPinnacle]

First of all, I would like to thank all of those who have helped me in the past week. I have found the heatsink that most of you have suggested and for a bargain of a price. I also plan on buying a larger case, my current one has the mobo behind the drives (thanks bestbuy).
PROBLEM ONE: I finally removed my processor, but realized that there is no heatsink(applause for bestbuy).
PROBLEM TWO: I don't think that it is possible for a processor, especially an AMD, to survive without one. Am I missing something?
Well, I am a bit confused right now. Any suggestions???

[thefly]

What is the processor in the machine. From your tag line it looks like a Slot a not a socket.

Slot at could be like my old pent 2 233 processor with just a plasic box and a small fan.

If it's a duron or a tbird, (socket a) the chip would last about 5 seconds without a heatsink and fan.