Da Vinci and Me

    Leonardo DaVinci, not in complete accord with the Catholic religion, was charged as a heretic, and in line for some pretty nasty treatment if he did not confess to being otherwise.  Taking the word of a trivia master, I'm led to understand that Leonardo denied being an atheist (if that's possible),  when confronted with the instruments that would be used to torture him. 
     My beliefs may have grown somewhat tepid, and I am not famous enough for any religion to be interested in claiming my genius, and furthermore, I have committed no acts of heresy, so torturing me would gain nothing for anyone.  Nevertheless, I share with Leonardo the experience of impending torture. I don't know what instruments of torture they waved in front of him, but I know what would be effective in having me confess to anything.   While I was awaiting  what was purported to be relief from pain, a tray of menacing-looking instruments was positioned right in front of my face.  Not to the side, nor above, where it would be out of my line of sight, but at eye level, just inches away.  I could clearly see among the array the sturdy handles of at least  half a dozen large tools, which resembled those found in my father's old toolbox.  They were graduated in size, so if one didn't do the job, on to the next, and the next....shouldn't there be some realization of possible effects?  The torture maven commented if it was a bothersome sight to just close my eyes.  Too late--the image is forever emblazoned on my brain.