The Product

“This product has the power to transform lives! We must never forget that what we sell is no mere beverage. This product is a real energy drink. It is the Holy Spirit distilled – miracle in a can!” The speaker addressed the conference attendees with passion and conviction, like a charismatic preacher before his congregation. The assembled crowd of employees, acolytes and adoring minions sat in rapt silence, completely enthralled and hanging on every word. They had gathered at this conference to hear the CEO deliver his vision of the company's future. There had been rumors and intimations of a radical new direction. The CEO continued his speech. He was really on fire now:

“We are on the threshold of a new era,” he said with calculated confidence and sincerity. “We in this beautiful family of investors, merchants, and consumers are well aware of the glorious power of this product. In one way or another, it has changed the lives of everyone in this room. The time has come for us – with God's help, of course – to take what we have experienced and share it with the world. The time has come to go global!” This inspired a raucous burst of applause from the audience. They were intoxicated on the speaker's words, gobbling them up like candied opiates.

“Many of you have been with us from the very beginning. You are familiar with the story of how I was chosen to lead this company. You have heard me speak often of the divine revelation I received, and how, using my formidable entrepreneurial spirit, I embarked on my mission to bring a faith-infused energy drink to the market. It has been a challenging journey, but with God's help, our product is now available nationwide...but it is to you, my foot-soldiers, my real warriors, that I owe the most gratitude. You are not simply salespeople, you are true disciples. Through you, the product reaches more and more consumers. The network expands, lives are transformed, and, let's be frank, we make money!” The last statement drew a delirious roar of approval from the crowd.

“There's nothing wrong with making money,” the CEO said earnestly. “Never let anyone convince you otherwise. Making money is a very good thing. It's good for us, our families, the economy...it's all good! Don't be ashamed of making money – it is a sign of God's grace and presence in your life. We must never forget that our product is a wonderful innovation in beverage technology. We are providing people with the world's first totally organic, faith-based energy drink. We are evangelists who have been charged with the duty of transforming lives.”

The CEO lowered his voice, now speaking in a hushed, serious tone. “I think the world is ready for us, I truly do. I think our time has come. Some of you have been speculating about what I am about to reveal. The truth is, that yes, our team of designers and beverage engineers have been working around the clock, to the brink of total exhaustion, on our new line of drinks. I am here today to announce the newest addition to our arsenal, the product that we will take to the masses on a global scale.”

The CEO paused, gazing out upon the captivated audience, and then, with great, dramatic effect, pointed to a large projection screen suspended on the wall behind him. “Introducing...” Triumphant music erupted from the auditorium speakers. The image of an over-sized black and red aluminum can appeared on the screen, filling it almost entirely. “Revelation!”

A collective gasp of astonishment from the audience. The effect of the unveiling was grand, the excitement of the crowd palpable, as if powerful currents of electricity pulsed among them. One of the conference attendees was particularly affected – a young, enthusiastic, true-believer salesman from some small, mid-western town. His name was Darryl, and he had traveled hundreds of miles to be at this event. He was a relatively new addition to the team – a recent convert, as it were – having joined the company only a few months previously. Darryl was extremely loyal, though, and fully dedicated to the company and its products. “This beverage changed my life!” he was fond of telling anyone who would listen. “I am living proof that miracles are real!”

Before discovering the company's brand of energy drinks, Darryl led an unfulfilled life. Single, under-educated, uninspired, unmotivated, and toiling away as a part time clerk at a convenience store. In his spare time, he played video games and watched DVDs at home in his tiny bachelor apartment. The occasional night out for drinks with his few friends was the highlight of his limited social life. He had not been unhappy, simply stagnant, uninspired, directionless.

The crucial turning point arrived unpredictably one typical evening at work. It was a slow night at the convenience store, the kind of night where the very nature of time seems to distort, stretching out each hour to an eternity. Darryl sat behind the counter, casually, mindlessly flipping through a magazine, and casting desperate glances at the clock. He was in agony, anxious for his shift to end. Time slowly passed like thick mud through a straw. Darryl felt the weight of infinite eons crushing his spirit. He began to feel very sleepy. “Ugh,” he groaned as he stood up to stretch. He wandered over to the cooler in search of something to drink. He spotted a beverage he had seen before but never tried. It was a popular energy drink in a large, gaudily colored can. The label promised “5 hours of vigor!”

“I could sure use that,” Darryl muttered as he popped the tab. He raised the can to his lips and guzzled the sparkling fluid. Instantly, a warm, pleasurable sensation surged in his chest. He could actually feel a strange energy enter his body, igniting each nerve as it spread to his limbs, culminating in an explosion of tingling vibrations and exquisite electricity in his head. He was invigorated. He felt powerful, confident, clear-headed, and simply wonderful. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “That is good stuff!”

As the days and weeks passed, he consumed more and more of the energy drink, until it was a constant presence in his life. The more he drank, the better he felt about himself and his place in the world. “You have got to try this stuff,” he told his friends. “It's great. Changed my life, actually. I've never felt so strong...and clear! I've got energy and clarity like never before. Wish I had known about it sooner!”

It wasn't long before he decided that he should graduate from consumer to vendor of the product he loved. The beverage was manufactured and distributed by a rather small but fast-growing company led by an enigmatic CEO who combined shrewd business tactics with a pseudo-religious approach. The CEO was adored by his employees, who were organized in a classic pyramid scheme model. Like Darryl, they all consumed the beverage.

Soon, Darryl had his start-up kit and was on the team, pitching the product – and the opportunity to join the company – to friends, family, local stores, and anyone who gave him a chance to speak. He made friends in the company, and eventually, even a little money. He felt a sense of purpose and belonging for the first time in his life. He even made the long drive to attend the annual conference, which is where we find him now, deliriously electrified by the unveiling of the new product.

The whole crowd was thrilled. They spoke in animated reverence:

“It's amazing! I love the name and the design of the can. Wow!”

“This is gonna be a real hit. I can't wait to start selling Revelation to the folks back home!”

“I'm so lucky to be part of this wonderful company...a family is what it is. Thank God for the product!” Many of the attendees were openly weeping with joy. The CEO spoke again:

“Oh yes, Revelation Energy is the real deal. Friends, we are on the cusp of an incredible victory. I predict that this product will rocket our beloved company into the stratosphere. This is the product that will help us not only compete with the major beverages, but some day dominate the market. Are you ready for that? Are you ready for the big leagues? Are you ready to go global?”

A roar of unanimous approval. The audience was near frenzy.

“Now, as you know, we are still a family...a family that values hard work and dedication. Each year, we recognize the contributions of a select few who exemplify these values. There is, among you who are gathered here today, one such individual – an employee of outstanding merit and integrity – who truly deserves recognition. I'd like to honor this person today, right now, in front of all of you.” Another of the CEO's trademark dramatic pauses. The anticipation in the audience grew. The CEO's intense gaze passed over the crowd. Finally, he spoke:

“Darryl, stand up please. Stand up and be recognized by your peers.” Darryl sat shocked, disbelieving. Me? he silently mouthed. “Yes, you, Darryl,” said the CEO. “Stand up and be acknowledged!” Darryl was dumbfounded. The lady sitting beside him placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. “Go ahead, honey,” she said, urging him to stand and bask in the applause. “You deserve it.” Darryl stood, and the applause grew to a crescendo, swallowing him up in its undeniable, irresistible force. Darryl grinned widely and waved, utterly ecstatic as he bathed in his moment of glory. This is the best day of my life, he thought.

“Congratulations, Darryl, and thank you for everything you have done for this company,” said the CEO from the stage. “We have prepared a special plaque for you. At the conclusion of this presentation, come see me. I'd like to personally present it to you.” The rest of the conference passed in a blur for Darryl. He felt like he was in a movie or a dream. When the presentations and speeches concluded, the attendees gathered in a large dining area for a celebratory meal. Darryl meekly approached the CEO, who was still lingering near the stage speaking to his assistants.

The CEO noticed Darryl as he neared and held out his hand, smiling warmly. “Darryl, it's a real pleasure to meet you..”

“Thank you, sir! It's an honor to meet you,” Darryl said as they shook hands firmly. “This company means everything to me, and I admire you so much. Thank you, sir. Thank you.”

Up close, the CEO looked even sharper than he appeared on stage – square-jawed, slick-haired, with unnaturally white teeth, bright eyes, and a huge, confident grin. His expensive suit was crisp and spotless. He wore gold and diamond-encrusted jewelry around his neck and on his fingers. The CEO looked almost too perfect, like a model or movie star. “Darryl,” the CEO said. “I'd like to talk to you in private. Care to join me for a drink in my private room? There's much I'd like to discuss with you.

“Of course!” Darryl gushed. “I'd love to. What an honor!” The CEO led Darryl away with a strong, assured hand on his shoulder. They left the conference room and walked the halls of the hotel.

“It is young men like you, Darryl, who make this company what it is. Without pure, uncorrupted souls like yours, we couldn't succeed in the highly competitive beverage market. In fact, we couldn't even manufacture this wonderful product that we, as a family, have grown to love and depend on.” Darryl thought that was a strange thing to say – pure, uncorrupted souls – but he remained quiet and respectful as the CEO continued, “You were chosen to be honored today, and you have also been chosen to contribute to the future of this company in a very real, tangible way. How does that make you feel?”

“Honored,” Darryl said. “I feel honored...and happy.”

“Excellent, Darryl. I'm glad to hear that. Here's my room. Let's discuss this further, shall we?” The CEO stopped at a room and used a card key to open the door. He encouraged Darryl to enter and then followed him in. The heavy door shut behind them and Darryl was confused by what he saw. It was if he had suddenly stepped onto the set of a low-budget horror movie. The room was lit entirely by candles, seemingly hundreds of them, placed on every surface and in clusters on the floor. Hooded figures in black and red robes stood motionless, lurking in the shadowy corners of the room. Darryl realized they were chanting in unison. It was the most eerie, otherworldly sound he had ever heard. On the floor, in blood-red color, a large pentagram had been painted, surrounded by weird symbols and glyphs. Darryl became frightened – seriously, enormously, mortally frightened. “Sometimes, Darryl,” said the CEO as he drew a dagger from a hidden sheath. “One needs to make sacrifices in order for the company to succeed.”