"Walter, God is science, God is Polio and Flu vaccines, and MRI machines, and artificial hearts. If you are a man of science, then that’s the only faith we need." -- Fringe 

.......

*The Burning Man: Protesting war, the Vietnamese soldier, in saffron robes, assumed the lotus position in the middle of the street, and drenched himself with gasoline.

A Buddhist monk came out of the observing crowds, to try to reason with the Vietnamese soldier "Don’t do this brother.." The monk said "It won’t do us any good!"

The Vietnamese soldier said "But it might.." 

And lit oneself on fire.

......

Before we can eliminate poverty and hunger, we have to eliminate the obese accumulation of wealth. This ambitious idea must lead to the formation of one middle class.

This Middle Class will secure/support the current spineless human race for thousands of generations to come. Not only by eliminating the destructive/competitive nature of 2 Classes (High/Low) in a constant state of repulsion, but also by the subversion of loss.

Loosing a loved one to death is consolable, either by the confirmations of science/fact or the sedations of religion/fiction.

But loosing your soul to bondage is highly irreversible.

......

The Artist: "I have reached a state of equilibrium, I can never go back to the past, and I will not give a shit about the future.. My prime time is forever - Now."

......

The Cook of Al-Salam, as many of his close friends call him is walking through the streets of Old Sana’a. The evening is warm and the scenery is breathtaking. The streets are bathed by golden light. The sleek cobblestones beneath his sandals are reflecting gold, glowing like amber, indifferent to the humid air that is pregnant with the threatening promise of rain.

His ’other’ reminded him about the artist’s quote.

"Yes!" the Cook thought "We felt exactly the same way... International Laws?? Human Rights?? Equality?? Philanthropy?? Freedom?? Choice?? All bullshit... Nothing but dead weight to unbalance the scales of justice... Futile symbols of a terrified ideologist.. a perfectionist with a bleeding heart??"

"Anyways," his Other thought "we are better off alone without them, than alone with them."

"I’ll drink to that anytime!" the Cook thought The Other smiled.

NOTE: To know the Cook of Al-Salam better, i will be serving a series of appetizers/info all through this meal.

APPETIZER 1 - Bells of Cecile: The Cook of Al-Salam is a 43 year old Italian man. He has a phd in International Law. He left a life of corporate luxury and wealth to work as a Cook for Dar Es Salam Hotel In old Sana’a.

"Is this how it feels like to be human?" The other thought "Unjustified? Remorseless? Enslaved? Unwilling?"

"Pretty much generally speaking.." the Cook thought back

"I think the Gallery is this way!" The Other thought

APPETIZER 2 - Black Caviar: His ’other’ is a Higher Class being of intangible proportions. He is made out of pure memory.

The Cook turns right and down the street to reach the doors of the gallery. He steps in. He is browsing the many paintings and pictures, and in front of a piece entitled "The Ghost of Black" he is frozen.

The Ghost of Black portrays a 60 year old Worker, a man in orange uniform with his right leg amputated (missing).

He is sitting on a simple chair with it’s right wooden leg missing (removed).

The man and the chair are floating in semi darkness, and in the middle of a room made out of gray concrete.

The work uniform he wears is blooming with a constellation of small flowers, adorning his left upper chest, and the military Soviet Union medals of honor, decorating his right upper chest.

His hazard helmet is a crown of ivory, outlined with gold on a bed of hairy silver, and his spotlight.. his search light.... Is that the Sun??

No.. The Burning Man*, assuming the lotus position, shining through a triangular cave, like a crown jewel in the middle of poverty, war, and hunger.

With his mustache, thick eyebrows and owl like eyes, he sits suspended there, absorbing - beholding wonder.

The High Class man felt like he is standing in front of an alien energy source.

The Cook of Al-Salam whispers.. "My God..." he says

APPETIZER 3 - Bread & Butter: His Italian father is a Polio survivor. 
...

The High Class man thought "Quick, summon the artist.." 
The Cook submitted.

And here, the struggling artist appears, slowly, as if out of thick smoke.

Without introducing himself, the High Class man said"I will pay you 3.. No, make it 4 thousand dollars for this eccentric work of art, if you can define it, and convince me that its true!"

"That was a bit aggressive!" The Cook thought.

The Yemeni Artist realized the vaguely visible line between arrogance and insecurity, stroked it gently by saying:

"Its all about the missing part of oneself, and how to find it. But in order to do that, you are right, you need to define it.. This world or reality or even dream is in a constant war between a Class Conscious Society and a Gender Conscious society..

In a Class Conscious Society, the missing part is tangible, it can be seen, touched, tasted, smelt and heard. In a Class Conscious Society, the missing part can be possessed.. To find it, is to buy it.

But, in a Gender Conscious Society, the missing part is as intangible as thought. Submissive, dominating, high, low, dark, light, warm or cold.. In a Gender Conscious Society, the missing part is as intangible as the soul, it can only be felt.. To find it, is to own it.

The Artist abruptly stopped. Stunned when they saw the impression on the face of the High Class man, the same expression on the face of the Working Man... that sense of loss, that look of wonder..

In a flash, the Artist realized what’s missing.

"Anyways.." the Artist nervously said "This is the portrait of my father, who proudly found his missing part in one of your Class/Gender Conscious wars.. And its not for sale.." then thought "Not for a million dollars, you mother fucker.." while turning to leave.

Baffled. The Cook thought "You blew it again, ya ibn al-ga7bah.." and took over. 

The High Class man submitted.

"Wait please.." the Cook implored "not even for a copy!"

Turning back a bit irritated, the Artist said "Tell you what, I promise you a free copy if you can answer me 2 questions.."

Relieved, the Cook said "ask anything.."

"What is your definition of God, and what are you missing?" the Artist asked

"God is of clergy. Unbound by religious rules.." the Cook answered "a re inventive, regenerative and reproductive identity... A singular entity that is immaculately balanced, extremely protective and forever thoughtful.. God is the provocative.. God is the non conventional.. God is the profound.. always reflecting the furthest part of one - Sleeping beauty.."

Then he smiled with humility, extended his shaking hand, and said "I beg you to forgive my unforgettable ignorance.. but my ’other’ remains unavoidable, and undeniable.. Nonetheless, I just realized what I am missing.. My name is Leonardo Caputo.. I am a Cook, and i would love to take you out for dinner.."

After taking his hand, the Artist relaxed and asked "Are you asking me for a date?"

"That’s 3 questions.." the Cook answered "But, fuck yah.... I mean ’Da’.."

APPETIZER 4 - Vodka: Leonardo Caputo speaks 7 languages fluently. One of them is Russian.

"That was a bit hot!" The High Class man thought. 

Next Chapter: City of Gods