The next morning Stephen calls you, Eve and Tom into his makeshift office in the hotel. You look at each other with questions on your faces but no answers. Presently he comes in, bids you take a seat and, seating himself behind the desk begins to speak.

"Lets get a few things out of the way first. You all know a piece of the story here, but no one but me knows the whole story. Its time you were all informed about the situation.'

He shuffles papers on the desk.

"As of right now, the four of us are the newest and only citizens of the great Republic of Pleasure"

Everyone looks confused.

"Let me explain. I have been in negotiation with the government of the Island of Estanada. It is a realtively small island in the carribean. It is one of the few islands that are truely independent. Mainly because non of the global powers of the east or west found anything there that they wanted or needed. The island itself consists of one huge mountain and covers about 500 square miles, only about 50 of which are even habitable. There are at most about 250 full time residents on the island. They have a democratic government, what there is of it. The only income producing activity on the island is a small amount of tourist trade but even that is meager since there is no port and really no facilities. The island also has two outlying islands. The smaller of the two was leased to the French who, for years, used it as a gunnery range for their naval ships. It is a wasteland unfit for anything. The other island is actually quite nice. It is about 35 square miles in size. It has a small protected anchorage, not big enough for cruise ships but adequate for pleasure boats. It has several miles of beautiful beach. THe down side is that it has absolutely no fresh water at all except for what rain falls. That is why is has never been developed.

Bob knew I was negotiating to move to the island. What he didn't know is I was not just negotiating a lease, but the complete sale of the island. The real key to this whole plan was part of that deal. As part of the sale, the Republic of Estanada relinguished all right, title, and jurisdictional authority over the island. They, in effect, ceded control of the island to us, making us an independent island state. We are our own country."

Bob whistled. Apparently only he understood the full implications of what was just said.

"Now, we have to turn this island in to a working proposition. The big problem was water. The russian helped with that. The russians have been building desalinization plants for the arabs for years. Their technology is proven and realtivel cheap. So, as part of the deal I made with Demetri, the russians will be here in a week to start construction on a desalinization plant that will provide us with all the fresh water we could ever need. In fact, we will have enough to sell the excess to some of the other islands nearby."

Looking down at his notes he continued.

"There will be some personnel changes with this new organization."

Everyone paid attention to that statement.

"Bob, you are no longer my administrative assistant. You are now promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Pleasure Island , Inc. By the way, the job also comes with a 10% share in the company and the island."

"Eve, you will no longer be Abby's maid." Ever looked bewildered. A tear started to gather in her eye. She looked to Abby with deep concern on her face.

"As of today, you are the Chief Pleasure Officer for Pleasure Island, Inc. It will be your job to plan, design and manage the resort and its operations. Oh, and you get 10% as well."

A look of utter shock came over the girl.

And as for you Abby. Well, I am afraid all I have for you is a small change in your position."

You look at him and speak. "What ever you widh of me Sir."

Stephen smiles and looks at you. "Abby, your new position will be as my wife if you will agree to it."

Abby felt like someone had hit her in the gut with a baseball bat. She couldn't breath. All of sudden she realized that Eve was hugging her tightly, that Bob was shaking hands with Stephen, and that you hadn't said a word yet.