"BlackRaiser. Seven seals. MIB. Sixth seal."

(Universe Story Reproduced from People and Places in Mykonos, Summer 1998)

On a cool and misty morning north of the Nile, as I sat near the harbor of an ancient isle, he walked by the waterfront and watched me for a while.

The man in black arrived, looking absolutely normal, at twilight's top part. His attire was dark and formal, exclusively ported by a man with a cart.

His appearance was that of a wealthy young regent, a minister bridegroom or government agent. Embedded in the flagstone between us was a seal, the cap of an old well water pipe wheel.

From where I sat, a tarnished gear; the atom came to mind. I could, his voice in English hear, striding a space behind, tell me the flattened sphere design, of the seal, was "the universe."

I thought of the heavens, vast and diverse; the brilliance of stars, the comet's glowing hail. But I also wondered why the atom did entail world class weapons of mass destruction scale. A dictator's raiment, etched with bombs, in the cracks of broken pavement.

As I thought, the stranger moved to the edge of the enclavement. He then, standing by a church flagpole, introduced himself as granite - heir of man's failed cultural goal - beneficiary of a planet sired by Hitler's disclaimed soul. I was suspect of the man's stealth. What was his business, arriving like a thief, at this unexpected hour of the morning? I considered my own health and vainly sought relief from his sudden waterfront warning. But the stranger forestalled me, pacing closer to my chair. With six fingers pointed my way, he waved his fists like claws in the air, and assumed the upright stance of a lion appointed to slay.

Turning toward a distant bay... (EDITOR'S NOTE: Aerial phenomenon here - man in black opens seal with his mind - no physical explanation, yet.)

I was stunned by the calm of a rush of common sense. In an instance of blush, and quiet reverence, I bowed with a hush to the island's mighty guest. The bride was made ready, at her glorious best, to steer our hearts steady for the ultimate test. I knew, at that moment, just what he must do. I learned, on that morning, the bridegroom's last quest: to make good his warning of judgment, past rest.