25

The pamphlet was nearly ready.

“I need one more anecdote, yo,” Justin said, pencil in hand. He held a sheet of ruled paper, the kind you’d find in an elementary school classroom. On it, was a list of nine key proverbs, all from the mouth of Adam.

Questions are more useful than answers.
The five senses are five devils through which the world enters and the spirit escapes
Advertising sells not a product but one’s soul.
Opposition is a force made not by two, but within one.
Spiritual enlightenment does not occur when one builds up one’s mind, like a bodybuilder.
Do not seek the elevated consciousness, but seek the subconscious. Because therein lies truth about self.
One can only help oneself. Then by consequence of experience can one help others.
The establishment of strong community identity is essential to survival.
Nine out of ten spiritual leaders agree, desire is the leading cause of suffering.

There was also a symbol sketched out on the page. Justin held it up for Adam to see.

“What you think, yo?”

“I think it’s a triangle,” Adam responded.

“Word,” Justin replied, “it’s sideways. That shit’s gonna be our symbol. It represents body, mind and spirit, motherfucker.”

Justin pointed with his finger to each point on the triangle, starting with the bottom and ending at the top, which he tapped for emphasis.

“Body. Mind. And Spirit.”

“What,” Adam asked redundantly, “you got a symbol now?”

“Word.”

“And what are you calling yourselves?”

“Adamites.”

It had gone too far.

“So, like,” Justin continued, “we need one more catchphrase. You got one?”

“Yeah,” Adam said, grabbing his jacket in a hurry, “don’t follow leaders, and watch the parking meter.”

Justin stood blank faced for a second, then a smile crept over his face, “word!”

Adam stood in the doorway and said, “it’s from Bob Dylan.”

“Oh yeah,” Justin said, “no, I gets that shit. It’s going in.”

Adam rushed out the door so that he could breathe again.