Indeed, Crews has led an eventful life. Agraduate of Williams College, he has been marriedfour times, published poetry and short stories andcomposed classical music.

He talks fast and sometimes goes to bed at 6a.m.

"I would love to get him back to one of ourreunions," Davis said.

But there isn't much chance of that:construction on New Utopia is set to begin in afew days and Crews said the tropical paradisemight lure him once it opens on December 31, 1999.

"One has to resist (the urge to live) in atropical paradise," he said. "It will be a veryattractive environment--financially as well asclimate-wise."

New Utopia was founded in 1996 by PrinceLazarus R. Long, an Oklahoma entrepreneur wholegally changed his name from Howard Turney.

He wrote to the Hague for the rights to theseamounts -- which were in international waters --and runs New Utopia from an office in Tulsa.

The city-state has a Board of Governors, anattorney general, secretaries of state andtreasury, and ministers of finance, foreignaffairs, interior, education, corporations,commerce, undersea research and development,public health and safety.

"Governments grow like octopuses," said Long,67. "By our constitution, government cannot exceeda certain size."

New Utopia boasts its own currency, has notaxes and has applied for membership to the UnitedNations.

"It has a lot of romance for a lot of people,"Long said. "We don't have any doubt at all that itwill be done."

"Come visit us," he added