Bartholomew took a deep breath. He had finally done it! The realm of the gods were opened to him. Through the shimmering veil he could see shapes coalescing and dissipating at random. Bartholomew lifted his flask to his lips. Just a quick top off before he stepped through the threshold, gaining unlimited knowledge. His experiments and discoveries all led him to this exact moment. No one had believed him. Bartholomew lifted the flask again. Hmm, empty? That's strange. It was full a minute ago. Courage flared somewhere deep inside him. He shrugged his shoulders. Well, why keep the gods waiting? Twirling his cane in his hand, and adjusting his ascot, Bartholomew took the step into the beyond.