Issue 21 was by experimental novelist Ben Marcus. The issue included a tin of Thompson Cream - a salve for people and things - as well as an accompanying booklet containing a short story by Ben. The story traced the disturbing origins of Thompson Cream: “A child was sick in Kansas.  He had fever.  His father prodded him awake, dressed him in gear, lead him outside in the dark morning for chores,” read the first few lines.

Our Thompson Cream was handmade with Metaphor Organic, an SF-based purveyor of fine soaps and salves. It was mixed and poured in Co-Editor Will Rogan’s backyard in Albany, California. It contained all natural ingredients including sunflower oil and beeswax, and a selection of herbs and supplements said to improve concentration including bacopa monnieri, gingko biloba, gotu kola, Spanish sage, 5-HTP, and coenzyme Q10.