The Veríssimo Project

The last time they had seen each other one was trying to bash the other over the head with a bat, while the other attempted to defend himself by throwing wild punches at the first. One yelled, “Communist!” and the other yelled, “Fascist!” But this was years ago. Now here they are, years older, at the same old dive bar. They had greeted each other discreetly. Embarrassed. After a few minutes of hesitation, the one invited the other to have a seat at his table. What the hell, it was ancient history.
The fight had occurred when they were both students. They were friends, but had different ideas. It was a tumultuous time. One day they found themselves on opposite sides of a political protest. One was against and one was in favor of something or other. They were young and impulsive. They cursed at each other. At which point the one attacked the other, bat in hand. Different times. Different hormones. They hadn’t spoken since.
- Are you still in that thing?
- Thing?
- Yeah, what was it? Castrated Christians against something or other.
- Christian Crusade against Communism. No.
- Does it still exist?
- I don’t know. You?
- Me, what?
- Are you still a communist?
- Ha!
It was an answer. The other asked:
- Does it still exist?
- Communist? There’s a couple. But the Russian police has their addresses already.
- Were you militant?
- See this right here? Police. Billy Club.
- It wasn’t me?
- No, you didn’t get me with that ridiculous bat. Christian Crusade… you’re nuts, man.
- And you? With all your fanaticism talk. Marx, Trotsky, Gorki.
- Gorki? What Gorki?
- I don’t know. That litany.
- Nope, litanies are your thing. You’re the fanatic. Religious fanatic.
- Was.
- You left the Church?
- Long time ago. Disillusioned. I was full of doubts. Lost my faith.
- That’s similar to what happened to me. The few certainties I had were lost with everything that happened in Eastern Europe. And Russia. You can’t believe anything these days…
- It’s better this way. We are mature. Rational. Regaining reason is one of the benefits of old age.
- What are the other benefits?
- Haven’t found them out yet.
Before they realized it they were toasting their renewed friendship and exchanging information about their families and discovering that their meeting at that bar had not been that much of a coincidence. They were both waiting to attend the talk given by Rangar Krisnamon on his first visit to Brazil. They were both Rangar Krisnamon’s disciples! Both had read “The Inside Eye” and “My Lives,” both possessed the Regenerative Amulet. They removed from their respective pockets the thin container which held a strand of Krisnamon’s beard, which they lightly dragged over their bodies, reciting the Millennial Prayer:
- Oam, patapai
- Oam, patapai.
Then the one looked at his watch and suggested they head towards the auditorium, which would soon be crowded, for they both longed to be close to Krisnamon and, if possible, touch his feet. For it is said that he who touches Krisnamon’s feet will be filled with Unique Truth, like a pitcher of Unique Truth, and they left the bar in each other’s arms.