Which one is about to die? Will they both die? Can either of them come back to life? The World, Heaven and Hell continue to hold their breath, as Democracy and Corruption gasp for air.

Confusion over which one is the angel and which the devil has now reached epic proportions, and their final dialogue does not help to clarify their totally mixed-up identities:

Democracy: Now go to hell, you devil.

Corruption: Ha ha ha...A dying man's last illusion? Look what's happened. Look who's completely lost his soul.

Democracy: I don't care.

Corruption: Exactly what I'm talking about - you don't care. You allowed tanks to roll and depose an elected leader in a country where you were supposed to safeguard against such things. You've betrayed your own principles. You're dead.

Democracy: Let me ask you one thing: what is more important - my absence or your non-existence?

Corruption: Read the Washington Post and Asian Wall Street Journal, among others. They all prefer me to your absence. Show me a headline that says, "Political crooks defeated in Thailand". They are mourning your "death". They don't care one bit about me you fool, as long as you live.

Democracy: That's why I don't give a damn. If they don't care about your massive presence, then they shouldn't be bothered about me. They can mourn all they like, but if you manage to live and thrive within me, what should I live for? I'd be no different from a dictatorship or communism.

Corruption: We are going in circles here. I told you people tolerate me when it comes to you. You are the only "system" that I can slot into nicely. You give me perfect protection. What a pity. We could have been really great partners.

Democracy: You told me public leniency made you more powerful each day. Now, how does it feel like when tolerance abruptly ends?

Corruption: Don't worry. I'll bounce back stronger. As for you, it's double jeopardy. First you have lost your soul trying to kill me. Then people think my apparent death is your death. Democracy advocates worldwide are crying over what's supposed to be the end of my biggest era in this country. Now, how painful is that?

Democracy: What do you think is my real "spirit"? Elections? Or the absence of military uniforms in government? Sorry, my essence is more profound than that. People can go to the polls everyday but unless there's a collective yearning for transparency, checks and balances and accountability, evil like you will prevail.

Corruption: Try to tell that to the Western governments. I am the victim here and you are the villain. Oh wait, they even think I'm you and you are "my" enemy - your own enemy so to speak. You must be confused like hell at the moment.

Democracy: If they want to think that way, they can be my guests.

Corruption: Watch your mouth, my friend, for your own good. You are alienating your allies and pushing them toward me everyday. Even the US is saying the assets investigation has to be carried out in a transparent manner and according to due process. I'm just a poor boy being harassed by you, a big bully. That's what the world sees.

Democracy: With that kind of perception, future corrupt leaders who have happened to win elections will be laughing all the way to the bank every time they are dethroned.

Corruption: Aren't you listening? You have few friends left already, and who cares about that former British ambassador lauding the developments in Thailand? Whether or not I can fetch the money is not the issue. Whether or not I will die now is not the issue. If I'm to die right now, I will be reborn. I'm so damn sure of that, especially after seeing how the world is reacting to our fight. You've lost. That's the issue. And those tanks will come to my side sooner or later. They have done it in the past and they will do it again.

Democracy: Then I'll fight the tanks. Don't worry about that. Those who appreciate my real essence know deep in their hearts that I will. As of now, my priority is to send you to hell. And I'm doing it come what may. NOW, DIE!!!

And Heaven, Hell and the Earth continue to hold their breath....

Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation