Dear Major Beef,
You may find that the keys on your computer that are failing to work have become contaminated with cigar ash, spilt whisky or the crumbs of your breakfast kedgeree - or someting similar.
As the two keys are adjacent to one another on the keyboard the contamination event may be from a single incident.
It is possible to remove the key caps and gently clean the keboard surface - if your eyesight is weak a watchmakers' eyeglass or Loupe will help because the parts are small and fiddly - perhaps a pair of fine tweezers too.
Detailed instructions with pictures can be found here...
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/03/20/key-fell-off-keyboard/
I wish you good luck in making the repair.
I have the honour to remain Sir Your obedient servant...
Peccavi
August 2009