What comes out when the soul sweats? Sisko experiences the hidden realities in those he meets, and learns about his own hidden reality.

"Steamy Realities" is reprised from Issue 21 to launch a short series.  Watch for future installments!
 

“Sir,” I looked up at the muscular man entering the steam house, “I don’t think you want to go in there. Why don’t you use one of the other steam houses in town?”

“What? Am I not good enough for your steam house? And who’s gonna stop me? You?”

“Whatever, just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He slung an extra towel over his shoulder, the other already securely wrapped around his chiseled waist. He stared at me for a brief moment, as if deciding whether he should waste his time on me. He turned and walked into the wood frame building. A cloud of steam puffed from the doorway into the freezing air; the solid oak door slammed shut behind him.

The pungent smell of pride wafted in his wake. I’d seen his kind often. The steam house had developed a reputation as a house of miracles. The sign over the door read, “Steamy Realities Steam House: Sweats out both body and soul. Warning: Only the pure of soul should enter. We are not liable for negative results.” Despite that warning, most believed purity flowed from their soul and expected a miracle. They would enter, often leaving with the opposite results.