O l i v e r B e n j a m i n
By now they had become world famous, instantly acquiring a higher
recognition factor than most rock stars or politicians. Of course this
did little to ease the intense anguish that each of them felt on that
stage, that uncertain hub from which many possible futures could
spin.
“Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the final episode of “The Human
Race.” Once again I, Zarathustra, will be your host. I hope you have
enjoyed the show. It certainly has been exciting so far, hasn’t it?”
The audience applauded predictably.
“It sure has. Let us review, shall we?
“On our first day, young Bob Rigmaroli was sent back to the
waning days of the Roman empire, a civilization that suffered from
an appetite too big for its own good. And did Bob ever fit right in! But
in the end, Bob showed that his waters ran deeper than those of his
effete Roman predecessors. Bob proved he understood that the sheer
weight of frivolous wealth could not be supported without an earthy
and natural foundation. Kudos to Bob!”
Again, more applause. Wade and Leonard screamed “Go Bobbo,
go!” Bob waved back to his friends.
“On day two,” Zarathustra said, “Mr. Muchoman traveled back to
the Aztec empire of ancient Mexico, and was mistaken for a god.
Obviously, people back then were a lot more gullible than they are
today, no offense to Muchoman. At first, he was pleased by the idea
of his superiority. That is, until he understood there was a big down
side. In the end he showed the strength of his convictions by
abdicating his status in favor of peace and innocence.”
Instead of raising his fists in the air, as had previously been his
wont, he executed gesture that was new to him. Muchoman bowed.
“Finally, yesterday, we had a setback,” said Zarathustra
somberly. “Johanness Barth, the acting CEO of Violence Television,
was sent back to the Asia of Genghis Khan. We had hoped that the
imposing figure could use his managerial talents to show the Khan
that ambition is not an end in itself. He didn’t. Of course, we might
have expected this outcome. What could one expect from a man who
not only runs a television station devoted only to violence, but who
framed his previous boss in order to do so?”
The audience gasped.
“That is slander,” Barth said, outraged, “You have no evidence.”
“I hate to break this to you,” Zarathustra said, “but we’re exempt
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