The Oasis

The Piper Malibu bumped and rocked as it touched down on the airstrip in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing around the 4000-foot concrete pad except a couple of hills, a whole bunch of desert and some mountains barely visible through the shimmering heat on the horizon.

The plane rolled to a stop and headed straight back up the runway and aimed at one of the large hills off to the side. As the plane came closer the front half of the hill slid apart to reveal a large hanger with several smaller planes parked inside.

"Why do you hide the hanger?" called one of the passengers from the back of the plane.

"The earth is the most energy efficient type of insulation," the pilot replied. "The camouflage is just a side benefit. This hanger stays between 68 and 72 degrees year round regardless of what's going on outside. Right now the outside temperature is 103 and the hanger is at 70."

"All of our construction at the Oasis is ultra energy-efficient. We are off the power grid so we have to produce all of our own power. We try to use natural light wherever possible and most of our electricity is wind generated. We have solar hot water systems and even some solar electric cells although they are not very efficient."

"Cool, but where are the buildings?" another passenger asked.

"You'll see," said the pilot.

As the propeller spun to a stop the door was opened from the outside by a large very fit black man wearing baggy drawstring pants and a tight linen t-shirt. "Welcome to the Oasis," he called into the plane with a thick accent. "Watch your step exiting the plane and come with me. Your bags will be delivered to your rooms later."

The large golf-cart shuttle pulled out of the hanger and followed a gravel path to a depression between two mounds and down a steep hill into what appeared to be a round crater approximately 100 yards across and 40-50 feet deep. The center of the crater was lush and green with palm trees and a large swimming pool. It looked like exactly what it was named ? an oasis in the middle of the desert.

"All the buildings here are built into the walls of the crater," the driver explained. "Each guest room is identical. They have a living room, bedroom and bathroom. I think you will find the accommodations very acceptable. Dinner is served in the main building from 5 to 7 each night; breakfast is from 6:30 until 8 every morning. Lunches will vary based on your individual activities and there are refrigerators with drinks and snacks located all over the facility. Tonight we will all have dinner together and then after that you are on your own for meals. There is no charge for anything here. There are also very few rules. Everything is clothing optional except meals and then you must wear something. Any questions?"

"Is there a safe in the room?" one of the passengers called out.

"No and there are no locks on the doors. Any doors." The driver answered. "You were instructed not to bring money and if you have valuables you can check them in the main building and we will return them when you leave."

"What about my laptop?" the passenger continued.

"I can dispose of it if you'd like," the driver said with a grin. "There is a hazardous waste disposal site near the airport where I picked you up. Here we are at the first room. Karen and Jim this is your stop. Jenny and Bill are next, then Lisa and Johnny and finally Amy and Lance."

The driver drove around the compound dropping the couples at their respective rooms with a reminder that dinner would begin at 6 and that they were on their own until then.

Karen