Catharsis, Legend of the Lemurians by Lada Ray Page A

large hardly
noticed the disappearance of all of the wild creatures. The truth
was, the entire planet was now clean and sterile, and no one could
argue that this wasn’t much better.
    Next, an ingenious company, called ELPET, introduced
the new electronic pet. Catharsians were tripping all over
themselves to purchase one for their household, because these pets
never ate, never made a mess and were (you guessed it!) beautiful.
Before long, every self-respecting Catharsian household had an
Elpet, one model more gorgeous than the next. ELPET stock went
through the roof, and the population returned to its happy
equilibrium. Harmony and beauty was restored.
    The whole planet was clearly basking in the rays of
its Golden Age, and it seemed nothing, absolutely nothing, could
spoil it.
    But wait, there was something of
which Catharsians were both afraid and ashamed. Something they
didn’t even admit to themselves. The thing was, not every
inhabitant of the planet was beautiful. Sure, there were degrees of
beauty. Not everyone could be strikingly, impossibly beautiful.
Some had to be plainer than others were. That was true. Although it
was never admitted publicly, some Catharsians were less attractive
than was socially acceptable. However, they would become more
beautiful with the adept help of plastic surgeons and
beauticians.
    No, the people we are talking about were not
beautiful by any stretch of imagination. In fact, they were truly
and exceedingly ugly. As ugly as one could get! The truth was…the
beautiful Catharsians had to share their planet with another race,
which they called the Uglies. Of course, the Uglies themselves
preferred to be called Lemurians. Alas, on beautiful planet
Catharsis no one cared what the Uglies preferred.
    The Uglies were as different from Catharsians as day
was from night. While Catharsians cared very much how exquisite
their gowns were, and how well their high-heeled shoes accentuated
their meticulously groomed feet, the Uglies ran around in simple,
home made outfits. And, oh horror of horrors, they often walked
around barefoot! When asked why they did so, they smiled serenely,
explaining that this is how they connected with Goddess Mu, the
Sacred Mother of All.
    Catharsians didn’t mind the Uglies
worshipping their Mu, as long as it distracted them from any
thoughts of rebellion, keeping them docile and submissive. Indeed,
it had been noted that the Uglies were especially meditative and
quiet after they’d prayed to Mu. In fact it seemed, thanks to their
prayers, they took their fate and abuse exceedingly well.
    Another thing that really bothered
Catharsians was the sheer openness of the Uglies’ smiles. They had
these very large mouths, and when they smiled their plump lips
would open wide to reveal their unnaturally white teeth. How
exceedingly ugly! Everyone on Catharsis knew that one’s mouth was
supposed to be small, with thin lips, and teeth—a lovely shade of
orange! Anything else was completely unacceptable, and the planet’s
plastic surgeons and dentists were hard at work to make sure
everyone’s mouths and teeth were in strict compliance with the
universally accepted standard of beauty.
    But that was not all, far from it. The
Uglies possessed very large, almond shaped eyes, which slanted
upwards, while it was common knowledge that the most beautiful eyes
should be round and small. Plastic surgeons had their job cut out
for them, as Catharsian women lined up to make sure their eyes were
that unattainable shape and size. One of the most irritating things
about the Uglies’ faces were their noses. While Catharsians prided
themselves in their long and sharp noses (the sharper the better),
the Uglies had these strange short noses, which made their faces
look eternally young. That was the last straw for many Catharsians,
who spent big chunks of their incomes on battling the relentless
aging process.
    And to add insult to injury, the Uglies were
significantly taller than natural,