Michel reached the edge of the desert, with the gendarmes less than a day behind. His only hope of escape was to cross the Desert of Frustration. He made a few discrete inquiries, and was consistently told that there was only one man to see for transportation across the desert: The Vagabond.
He located The Vagabond's tent. Before Michel could say more than "Bonjour," the Vagabond spoke:
"I assume you wish to cross the Desert."
Michel replied, "That is correct."
"I have one camel who is ready to go. The fee of 10,000 Francs (or should I say Euro, to make it more modern?) will get you across to the other side, including a stop for refreshment at the oasis. The camel knows the way. He will carry you directly to the oasis, and, when you are refreshed, on to Sodomorrah on the other side. You will receive packs with enough food and water. For this payment, you will receive everything that you need to make it across."
Michel had no choice. Without a word, he began to peel bills from the roll in his pocket. He handed the money to The Vagabond.
"Only one word of caution," added the merchant. "The sun in this area has a very unusual effect. As I said, I will supply enough food and water. The camel knows the way. But, there is one very great danger.'
He paused, giving his customer an odd smile. "I expect that you will, cough, experience a powerful need for sexual release. If you decide to, ahem, relieve yourself, you will not make it across. That is, of course, all the same to me. If you do not heed my warning, the sun will finish you off, and my camel will return to me. Indeed, he will then return to me sooner and be able to earn another fee. There will, of course, be no refund."
Michel set out immediately. His camel was strong, tall and healthy. On either side, it carried distinctive blue cloths with the logo of "The Vagabond."
At first, he found the journey remarkably relaxing. The camel seat was surprisingly comfortable. The camel seemed to know exactly which way to go, and he moved forward at a steady pace. While the sun beat down on him, his head was sheltered and he was well supplied. The bags at the sides of the saddle and behind were well stocked with food and water.
As the uneventful journey continued, Michel found his thought turning to sex. He did not find this to be particularly remarkable. He was, after all, alone and somewhat bored. There was little scenery: just miles of rolling sand. Occasionally, he would be passed by an empty camel, heading in the opposite direction, apparently returning to its owner.
When night fell, the camel walked to a sheltered ravine, filled with grasses and a few small bushes. Michel ate a small supper. The camel found some grasses to graze on and a small water hole. Michel wrapped himself into his blanket and closed his eyes to sleep. Before he could drift off, he found his hand moving toward his sex. He began to caress it, when the words of The Vagabond came back to him. "That's silly" he told himself. Nevertheless, he lost the urge. He rolled over and slept the night. The next day, as he resumed his journey, the sun seemed stronger than ever. However, Michel did not feel hungry, weak or tired. Instead, he felt sexually aroused. Images of the bodies of women he had known filled his consciousness. The more he traveled, the stronger the sun became and the more his mind was filled with images of sex.
There was nothing to distract him from his growing sexual arousal. The only break in the monotony was the occasional passage of a camel, passing on its way back to The Vagabond. He felt his member growing longer and harder. He could not resist caressing and rubbing it, but the movement of the camel and his position on its seat prevented him from getting a good handle on it. Nevertheless, when his hand touched his hardness, The Vagabond's warning came back to him. He laughed to himself, scoffing, but he was a little disconcerted by the strength of his arousal. He could not remember ever feeling so obsessed by sex when no one was around.
Then he saw it. A glimpse of naked flesh, off in the distance, straight ahead. As the camel moved closer, he could see more clearly. It was a woman! A beautiful, young, naked woman, lying in the sand, waiting for him. The closer he got the more clearly he could see her beauty. Her long dark hair. He full round breasts, heaving and she breathed, waiting for him. The smoothness of her thighs. The dark curls of her pubic hair. Her legs spread, waiting for him.
When the woman was only 100 yards or so away, Michel became impatient with the camel's steady pace. He leaped from the seat and ran toward the image of beauty before him, tossing his caftan aside as he ran. She was only a few feet away, when she suddenly shimmered out of sight. She was, indeed, only an image, an illusion, a mirage. Not a mirage of water, but a mirage of desire.
He stood stupidly, naked, staring at the spot on the sand where, moments before, he had seen an image of desire. His erection stood out in front of him, remaining completely hard, despite the sudden disappointment. He wrapped his hand around it, ready to pound away with reckless abandon, craving release.