A few months ago I wrote a column discussing the "World Famous Clairvoyant", Marie Callas' free wish-list advertisement, which was published in a Sydney Sunday newspaper supplement. In the column I attacked the limited scope of wishes that Callas alleged she could make come true, and the absence of wishes that might make people genuinely happy. Unfortunately, Callas is a two-dimensional psychic. Her charms appear to help people become rich or popular. So if you're looking for World Peace or a cure for cancer, you're out of luck.

After I wrote the column, I filled out my free wish-list and spirited it to her via Australia Post. Sadly, I heard nothing in reply. This made me wonder whether Callas' might actually be psychic, with the ability to recognise cynical wishes. I had given up hope of hearing back from her until last week when I received an email letter from reader, who was seeking counsel on whether she should take the plunge and invest $80 to make her wishes come true. Here is her letter:

"I was one of the, I guess, many many many suckers who filled in Marie's questionnaire in my local paper and although I did not send away (as yet) for my instructions on how to become rich, rich, rich, I am still very tempted (out of curiosity of course!) and was wondering if you had as yet received your 'instructions' and of course Moonstone necklace ' very important.

I have received several photocopied letters from Marie since filling out my questionnaire and I have even written back to her to say I can't afford the $80 she is asking for, but I still keep receiving letters from her. Each one supposedly the last.

Anyway just wondering if you have any comments before I throw away $80.

Amanda
RINGWOOD, VIC"

Shocked that the cost of Callas' "free" wishes had blown out to $80, I contacted Amanda and encouraged her to send off for her instructions, and look forward to seeing if she becomes rich, rich, rich! I'll let you know what happens in a subsequent column.

I wonder if it will pan out like a few years ago, when a friend of mine answered a similar "Get Rich Quick" advertisement and sent off his $50. Weeks later he received a book of advice on how to get rich. What's the secret? Apparently, if you want to get really, really, ridiculously, wealthy...write a book about putting an ad in the local paper promising fast'money, and then put the ad in the local paper to sell the book!