Prologue

Incorporated over 150 years ago, La Grange, Texas is a small town in southeastern Texas. With a population just under 5,000, and nestled up against the Colorado river, town folk (many of German and Czech heritage) enjoyed a relaxed way of life. 38 years ago, a landmark brothel known as the Chicken Ranch was closed down through the efforts of a Houston television reporter, and the state Attorney General.

The Chicken Ranch was located several miles outside of town. With so many years passing, nature had swept away the last remaining remnants of the place. But the land was still there. And land was what a man known as Mr. Horse was interested in. Through an attorney, he quietly purchased up one hundred acres, including the land that was once where the Chicken Ranch was situated. Within a few weeks, construction began and a multi-story structure arose. Townspeople paid little attention. With the economy being what it was, they had little time for foolishness outside of their own existence.

The mysterious Mr. Horse had spent years planning this venture. Having made his fortune in the stock market, he meticulously planned out a strategy for his newest venture. Local politicians were cultivated, their campaigns seeded with money from an anonymous source known only as Mr. Horse. Politicians in Austin, the state capital, were also sought out and coddled over the years. Key members of Congress received contributions, or had fund-raisers conducted for them. Many favors were being accumulated.

The coup de grace was a relationship built up by Mr. Horse and the leaders of the island nation of Palau over the past few years. He obtained dual citizenship, and was appointed Palau’s ambassador to the United States. No one in Washington really cared since Palau, with its population of about 20,000, was of little significance in the overall world stage. And when Palau quietly announced that it was establishing its embassy outside the small town of La Grange, Texas vs. Washington, DC, it was reported by the Washington Post, but on page 37.

Now, eleven years later...