THE GREATEST DISILLUSIONIST

 

February 1977  

 

     “Speaking of illusions, who to you think is the greatest illusionist of them all?” I asked Raminothna.

     “I can’t answer this question without setting some parameters,” said Raminothna.

     “What parameters?”

     “What species are you talking about?”

     “Homo Sapiens, of course.”

     “What time period?”

     “Let’s say in this current millennium.”

     “Perhaps you can nominate a few?”

     “Dali?  Escher?  Henning?  Copperfield?”

     “They’re good, but not half good enough.”

     “I know it isn’t Michelangelo.”

     “But it is Michelangelo.”

     “I beg your pardon?”

     “Michelangelo is the greatest human illusionist of the Second Millennium.”

     “You must be joking.”

     “Have I ever joked?”

     “There’s always a first time.”

     “Not this time.”

     “Alright.  So where is Michelangelo’s masterpiece of illusion?”

     “On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, where else?”

     “You mean - the Six Day Creation?”

     “Beginning with the title.”

     “I see, and I agree.” 

     “Now let me ask you a question.  For those who believe in this illusion, what do they need?”

     “Disillusionment.”

     “By whom?”

     “By a… disillusionist?”

     “The greatest disillusionist.”

     “Who could that be?  You?”

     “No.  The same parameters apply.”

     “Who then?”

     “The First Omniscientist.”

     “What’s an Omniscientist?”
     “You’ll see,” said Raminothna.