Todd Crawshaw

Retreat Todd Crawshaw

Zackarius Hart is a successful and gifted charlatan, a man whose words carry more confidence than credibility. His followers call him Z. Mia Tar is his confidant, occasional lover, and partner in crime. Together they operate Z-Bliss, a remote hillside spiritual center in Wyoming, which features meditation circles, music therapy, spa and massage treatment, a topiary garden with a labyrinth, as well as a tennis court and a three-hole golf course. Z-Bliss is both Hart's home and venue where he hosts seminars for those seeking enlightenment, who can afford his prices. During a visit to San Francisco, Hart notices Natalie Brier, a lightning rod of beauty, looking distraught while seated on a bench in Golden Gate Park. He sees her as a delicious problem to surmount and approaches to offer his assistance. What follows is an emotionally- and sexually-charged encounter, ending with her abrupt departure, leaving Hart aroused and beguiled. In the aftermath, he realizes this woman not only mind-fucked him but stole his wallet. Continuing to haunt his thoughts, she becomes the catalyst for Hart to reexamine his life and purpose. Hart is determined to prove he is not a fraud. What he wants is a miracle. Experiencing a crisis in consciousness, Hart conceives of a unique three-day retreat in which all attendees are promised to achieve "extreme nirvana." This preposterous claim is stated in a brochure mailed and targeted to an exclusive list of recipients who are in a position to believe that money is no obstacle. The offer comes with a money-back guarantee. He tells Mia the retreat is a tough love approach. Mia tells Hart no one in their right mind will sign up and pay a quarter of a million dollars. Twelve people register. Surprising results unfold.