Dropping Out

Last October Richard Neumann, a Naperville, Ill., land developer, devised a promotional scheme for his new $15 million resort complex. He decided to hire a flagpole sitter to perch atop his resort's 45-ft. flagpole for a year. The perch was actually a 10-ft. by 10-ft. cabin complete with refrigerator, television, bed, stove, chemical toilet and telephone. The pay was not bad either: $1,000 a month, plus a $2,800 bonus if the sitter stayed up for the full year.

The job winner was Paul Jacobson, 23, a Chicago news photographer, who at first passed his time taking pictures from his perch, keeping a diary and watching TV. After three months and several news stories about his isolated existence, he found another diversion:

answering phone calls from a Chicago girl. The calls soon led to letters and finally to love. Two weeks ago Jacobson hoisted her atop the flagpole, and she moved in with him. Promoter Neumann ordered the girl down. The couple refused. Then he offered to have a wedding ceremony performed atop the flagpole, and even threw in a promise of a free honeymoon if the girl would come down after the ceremony. Jacobson would have none of it. After 156 days aloft, he gave up his perch and potential profits last week for the woman he loves. Neumann, already hunting for another sitter, was philosophical about Jacobson's departure: "Apparently he thinks a girl is more important than sitting on a flagpole."

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