And so our story ends, with Case completing his quest for world domination, yet trapped in white collar isolation, employing a staff of two dozen to answer his e-mail.

But shortly after the merger is announced in January, careful observers wonder if Case has found a secret way to make his dream come true. A rockabilly song appears at the squatter site StephenCase.com, taunting the world conqueror for having missed one crucial URL. "When you bought Time-Warner we were all impressed," singer Christopher Alan croons. "How come you didn't buy your web address?"

Or was it master-marketer Case himself, recording under a pseudonym?

courtesy of Destiny picturesTerry Colon

Destiny