Jim regarded the orchid again, with disbelief.

"You’re saying it comes from the flower?"

"Exactly. It seeps slowly, like a snail descending. Once you cut the stem it begins, and you must catch every last drop, or else it doesn’t work."

Jim looked over at the ship and then back to the flower. What Ponce de Leon would give for this moment. Here it was, the secret of everlasting youth, a treasure beyond imagination. He was still somewhat surprised to find it within a flower, and not a fountain.

He turned again to the old man.

"And you say you have waited here for thirty years, yet now you are willing to simply give it to me?"

The old man smiled, showing his large, white teeth and spread his hands wide.

"My friend, this is not the sort of prize that you can go halvers on."

He bowed his head. An acknowledgement for Jim to begin. He carefully cut the thick stem of the bloom and put his mouth to the wound. He suckled at the sap, holding out for the possibilities that lay before him, endless imagination.

The old man looked up discreetly and smiled to see the white man feeding from the poisonous plant. It would be quick and painless, he granted that much mercy. He cast an eye upon an insignificant daisy. Soon it would be his; he had waited so long now. Just a little longer and it would all fall into place.