"The Tip of the Crystal"

Aclamar, The Algae Pusher

  I was standing outside of Beverly's, a health food store I frequented, when a man approached me. He introduced himself as Aclamar and asked if I was interested in purchasing some super blue green algae. I wasn't sure what he was talking about. Algae has always made me think of sea sludge and biology classes. Why would someone want to sell it? I thought that he might be joking, but he seemed to be serious. His manner was reminiscent of that practiced by the drug connections I used to have in Hollywood. I thought him rather bold to be pushing outside of Beverly's, in broad daylight, but stranger things were known to happen in Sedona.

  "What's super blue green algae?" I asked. I looked over my shoulder, fearing that I was going to be the victim of entrapment. He began to tell me of an algae that grows naturally in a lake in Oregon. He said that the algae had all the minerals and vitamins that someone needs. He spoke of cancer and AIDS cures. His eyes were opened wide and he didn't blink. He looked like the bald guys dressed in white sheets that used to pawn off copies of the Baghavad-Gita in airports. He had an excellent pitch. He didn't know it, but he had a career in telemarketing if he grew bored with algae sales. I was interested in trying out the magnificent elixir which he made out to sound like the panacea to all of man's ills. I wanted a simple way to complete health, and thought that maybe the algae was going to be it. He pulled out two xeroxed sheets of information and gave them to me. He then opened up a bag and pulled out two capsules. He carefully placed them in my hand, along with his phone number, and insisted that I call him to place my first order once I experienced "the unmistakable benefits of this whole food." I returned to the house at about four in the afternoon. I opened up the capsules and poured the contents into a glass of water as I had been instructed. The color was striking and the smell was reminiscent of high school football games. I drank the potion quickly, fearing that it might taste foul, and then continued with my work. That evening I was plagued with insomnia and I was still awake at three in the morning. Since I hadn't had any coffee I could only attribute this excess energy to the algae. I liked the idea of feeling no fatigue, but the thought of paying seventy-five dollars for a month's supply of pills seemed excessive. I decided to forget about the blue green, as it was called by its users, until a time when money would no longer be an issue.

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