The Cone Issue #7 Fall 2015 - Food | Page 67

VIII. Day Nine…Secrets Revealed; Mysteries Unsolved (Wherein our correspondent becomes privy to curious and exotic practices and senses new threats on the horizon) Gary Johnson in Archaía Olympía, Ilia, Greece September 16 at 8:27am · The Sanctuary of Olympia, the sacred birthplace of the Olympic Games, where Alphios (Alph) the sacred river runs...Little-known facts about the ancient Olympics: Sadly Defunct Professions -- The ancients tested their athletes for performance-enhancing drugs. Certain herbs and the drinking of animal blood were forbidden. And who did the testing? Why, the professional urine taster, of course. (More later...or perhaps not.) * * * * Gary Johnson in Delphi September 16 at 1:33pm · Something's going on here. Not sure what, but this guy from New Jersey keeps popping up everywhere...and this couple who claim to be French...she looks Algerian to me.... I spotted them in Mycenae the first time, then at Olympia, now in Delphi.... Coincidence??? I doubt it.... I'm almost certain we're being followed....Why? Who knows?.... But I'll find out tomorrow.... I'm gonna hit up this broad in the temple here…. They call her the Oracle... • John: She's going to tell you that you're The One. • Jim: Try the code words: Have you eaten at Applebee’s? • Ray: Code word......TRUMP..... • Gary Johnson: Listen...I already got the code word...It cost me more than that damn cab ride in Athens...But the guy swore he was this Oracle chick's cousin... • Gary Johnson: [Later] After midnight here. Have to rest up for the Big Meeting in the morning...I'll let you all know if I get any solid info... • Gary Johnson: [Much later] I'm off to see the Oracle...Wish me luck!!! • Richard: Ooooo, an adventure. Spies and everything! IX. Day Ten…A Bitter Pill, Indeed (Wherein our correspondent lets drop for the moment his customarily objective and impartial demeanor while exhibiting a trace of frustration and understandable pique at the unanticipated vicissitudes of alien customs) Gary Johnson at Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi September 17 at 9:39am · The Oracle was a bust....Uh, let me rephrase that...I never got near her bust...and she wasn't spilling any secrets, to me or anyone else....Approaching the Sanctum by the Sacred Way, I finally came to the Sacred Entrance Ramp leading into the Sacred Temple of Apollo. However, the ramp was blocked by the Sacred Rope of Apollo...which in turn was guarded by the Keeper of the Sacred Police Whistle, a guy in a T-shirt and shorts. Now, I know that doesn't 67 THE CONE - ISSUE #7 - FALL 2015 6