The Curious Proposal for Prosperity, Nevada

  Prosperity had begun. Ella knew for sure when a nice looking man in his late twenties, walked in through her door the following week and inquired about renting a home.

  After escorting him around to several great listing at bargain prices, she found him a small home three days later. He was a carpenter by trade and he stated that after observing how much carpentry work was needed in town, thought he could possibly make a good living here when the rest of the country was in a downturn. He wasn't disappointed.

  Next an electrician purchased a storefront on Main Street and a home nearby. Then some hikers, who thought it might be fun to search for extraterrestrials, fell in love with the friendly town and bought one of the nicest listings near the lake as their second home.

  A once closed RV park opened up on the north side of town, to accommodate those who came to search for weeks at a time in their trailers, Winnebago and Bounders.

  It was another gold rush in the old west! Soon the motel was filled to capacity. Ella notified the townspeople that if anyone was interested in renting out their homes or even an extra room to fill the void, she'd screen the applicants for them to ensure they were legitimate clients. They jumped at the opportunity to make some extra money! As the weeks wore on but no spacecraft was discovered, amazingly Prosperity still prospered! A half million dollar reward has a way of bringing in countless curiosity searchers.

  Rosie and Pete hired the young carpenter to create seven souvenir racks where t-shirts, ball caps, key rings, bottle stoppers, shot glasses, postcards, paper weights and other items targeted toward tourists were sold. He in turn, purchased additional supplies at McPherson's.

  Ethel Jones opened her large Victorian home as a Bed & Breakfast and not long after that, finally purchased that red hat displayed at Murphy’s Dress Shoppe that she had been lusting after for months. New businesses began filling the empty store-fronts on Main Street and Tumbleweed Avenue; bakeries, a Starbucks, an antique gallery, a Sherwin Williams, a gun shop, a veterinarian and a camping store were hastily installed. A new Pizzeria and Chinese restaurant had just submitted permits last week.

  Ella felt like pinching herself as she sat at her desk and watched the flurry of excitement buzzing around outside her office, as people walked by with backpacks and binoculars, heading to the hills. She was getting busier by the day. This was great, but it was now time to begin part two of their scheme.

  It was time for another group meeting and, as before, was held at Ella's home. This time the window shades were drawn as the small group, which now included Travis, sat around her living room. They discussed the next phase of the plan: keeping the buzz going. Strategy, tactics and procedures were proposed.

  Finally they settled on the perfect course of action; simulating a crash.

  “It's all about the details,” Mayor Jefferson stated solemnly. Everyone shook their head in affirmation. “It’s got to look as legitimate as we can possibly make it. Special effects . . . it's all about realistic special effects.”

  “Okay, we're all agreed,” Nick confirmed,” then let's get started. Dan, you order the fireworks. Travis you find those heavy duty military lasers. Jim, since you have the media connections, you pick up the equipment we need and call the press. Beth, can you be ready with a press release?” Beth nodded. “Okay, we all know what to do, so let's get out there and do it.”

  Meeting outside, as they were getting into their cars, Jim turned to Nick and asked, “Are you sure this plan will even work? We'll look like fools if we can't get it off the ground, you know.”

  “That's why it's always good to have a back-up plan, old buddy.”

  Chapter Four