THE 2006 VANITY FAIR ESSAY CONTEST

"Your judicious study of discernible reality.... is not the way the world really works anymore. We're an empire now. And when we act we create our own reality."

-Anonymous oide to President Bush, in 2002.

In a nation defined by video games, reality TV, and virtual friendships, with a White House that has perfected the art of politics as public relations, what is reality to Americans today? And did we ever have a grasp of it?

MONTBLANC

In 1,500 words or fewer, write an essay about the questions above. The grand prize is $ 15,000, a week at a writers' retreat in Tuscany, and a Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 fountain pen. Second prize is $5,000 and a Montblanc Boheme fountain pen. Third prize is $ 1,000 and a Montblanc StarWalker fine-liner. All entries must be received no later than September 30, 2006. For details, rules, and conditions, please visit www.vanityfair.com.