There is a roadway to the Everglades in Florida
If you drive down it, day or night
You will suddenly have a feeling of being completely lost
Your radio will turn to static
Your CDs will skip
If you try to find the map in your car
It will have mysteriously vanished
If you continue down the road for more than a minute
You will find the road pitched black behind you
You cannot turn around and there are no other cars on the road
Continuing down the road you will find a fork
There are no sign posts,
but there is a man in the middle
He will be covered foot to toe
In various clothing from around the world
A turban, dark toga, moccasins, and overalls
The only flesh visible will be that around his eyes
On one side, a sweaty dark black
only found in the remotest African Tribes
On the other side, the fairest of white
only inherited from Scandinavia
You must get out of the car
but leave the engine running
and do not close the door behind you
It will begin to rain
You must approach the man
but stop 3 feet away
You must stand there silently
waiting for him to speak first
He will ask
what of him do you require
Tell him that you need to know
which road will bring you to your destination
He will then ask
what are you offering in exchange for his assistance
If you offer him a ride
him and your car will disappear
and you will become the guardian of the crossroads
If you offer him an umbrella
to shield him from the rain
he will take it
and stab it through your chest
If you offer him your love
he will take it, keep it
and never offer his in return
You must offer him your loyalty
Kneel down before him
It is the only thing any of us can do
and the greatest thing any of us can give
He will close his eyes
and bow in return
and point towards safety