O l i v e r B e n j a m i n
The prophets looked at each other questioningly.
“You mean, where people try to play by the rules, figure out
answers, and everyone yells a lot?” Moses said.
“And if they’re good they get to come back again, richer?”
Krishna said.
“And on which are spun great wheels of truth?” Gautama said.
“And on which great families feud with each other?” Mohammed
said.
Barth laughed, then stretched his arms out wide and cocked his
head knowingly. “Well?” he said, smiling, “Is there any better
description for the human experience?”
“Yes. I see what you mean,” said Yeshua, stroking his beard
thoughtfully. “Perhaps these game shows are just the sad remnants
of the great Olympic games, where man tried to please the gods with
his cunning and spirit.”
“Oh, no. We have other sad remnants of the Olympic games. I
believe TV game shows are sad remnants of something far more
glorious. Namely, sacking and pillaging. But that’s another story.
Nevertheless, I agree with our ingenious Media Research Team that
the best way to put mankind to the test is by using the very forum
which he has devised in this modern day: The Game Show. What
could be more appropriate? If mass media is either man’s greatest
achievement or his greatest disgrace, then in order to evaluate him,
he must be examined under its own unforgiving spotlight, the same
way that we evaluate ancient societies—in the light of what they
accomplished.”
The six prophets nodded solemnly, then gradually began to crack
satisfied smiles at each other. “Marvelous,” said Moses, jumping to
his feet and bringing his hands together. “Simply marvelous. Who
are the visionaries who came up with this idea? I would love to meet
them!”
Barth batted his black eyelashes almost coyly. “That would be
me,” he lied, “But before we arrange any meetings, I believe we have
a few contractual arrangements to iron out.”
And so it came to pass that, in a macabre twist of fate, the
prophets of God entered into a covenant with a real devil of a guy.
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