This true story is not for the "faint of heart."

Doubters will have only my word and possibly that of my beautiful wife Lorraine. I am almost ashamed to have it published but I cannot keep anything from my loyal readers.

Here goes!

We were guests at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. It is a resort hotel that features a beachfront property. Since Las Vegas is inland this is quite a bonus. A sandy beach on a man-made lake or pool with waves that are also manufactured is quite exciting and enjoyable. Every morning I gamboled on the fake beach and in fake waves.

Casinos in all Las Vegas hotels are similar, dark and noisy. On the third day, after some losses, I avoided the casino.

I bought The New York Times and opened to the crossword puzzle in the VIP room in the lobby. For an immense hotel there were no chairs or sofas in the lobby. I guess the philosophy was "gamble or get out!" The VIP room was comfortable and I started in on the daily Times puzzle.

As I attempted to match wits with Will Shortz (New York Times puzzle master), I noticed a gentleman across the room. He was wearing a black cowboy hat, black cowboy boots and he was adorned with enough turquoise jewelry to start a shop on an Indian reservation. He seemed quite agitated and he kept thumbing through this enormous book with a black leather cover. He exhibited a large amount of nervous energy.

After 45 minutes or so he crossed the room and sat down beside me. He asked me if I knew the capital city of New Zealand. I said I did know it. I now observed him even more closely. He had steel-blue eyes set in a leathery face with powerfully muscled jaws. I also now saw the black book was a well-used dog-eared Bible. As we sat and talked he thumbed through it and he quoted passages and read excerpts.

I gathered up all my Biblical knowledge and I managed to keep the conversation going. He said he enjoyed our conversation and wanted to offer me a position. When I asked about the position, he said he wanted to meet me again tomorrow. Same time, same place! I agreed.

I always like to hear people out and I try never to say no without hearing the whole story. Lorraine went bonkers when I said I was going to meet him again tomorrow. She said I was getting involved with a lunatic and it could be dangerous.

"How could it be dangerous, I am meeting him in the lobby with hundreds of people around," I stated defensively. "I just want to hear his proposition. I'm retired, maybe he has a great job opportunity. I don't like to preclude anything before I hear the whole story." Lorraine admonished me to "be careful!"

The next day, there he was, right on time. We sat and again we got into a biblical discussion. He then said that a space ship would be arriving in the near future. No specific date. When the space ship arrived, he would be in a position to take over the entire world. He had an inside station. He then made me the offer.

"Because I like you, I am giving you the continent of North America," he stated. "You will be in charge of all of North America." The light bulb over my head lit up brilliantly. This gentleman is "off the wall" and it is time to say goodbye.

I stated that I didn't think I could handle the job. He persisted. I kept declining but he kept insisting. His eyes kept getting wider as we negotiated. I hated to turn down North America but I really don't believe in space ships. I didn't even question him about salary. Finally, I said I was not worthy and would probably do a lousy job. I shook his hand and said goodbye. He seemed disappointed.

Lorraine was happy to see me return safe and sound. I had been offered a job and turned it down.

Incidentally, the capital of New Zealand is Wellington.