The Fountain of Perpetual Motion

They say if you ever travel to the mines on the outer asteroid belt of Alpha Centauri, do not drink from the Fountain of Perpetual Motion.

I’m not one to follow orders. Plus I heard that the fountain is really what these locals call the fountain of youth. One dip in its waters and your soul, mind, body and spirit are restored anew. Your body is rejuvenated, your mind cleared and your soul enlightened.

I got to the mines. Nobody knows anything about the fountain. At least that is what they want me to believe. I finally find the waters after walking through underground tunnels for hours. Two security guards are patrolling. I push one of them aside, I get butt naked and jump into the fountain. The water ripples green glow spirals around me. I drink until my stomach is full. I feel just the same so I pinch my nose and submerge my head in the water. I hold my breath until my lungs are about to explode.

When I come out–naked and humiliated–the same guard I pushed aside is waiting for me. Confused, I let him take me into custody.

I think I faintly hear a miner walk past us in the elevator. “Why would anybody want to bathe in the waste waters is beyond my understanding,” I hear her say. Is only now that, for the first time, I think back about the drunk who told me the story of the fountain and really start to question his trustworthiness.