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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.48


                                PROMISSORY NOTE

Amount: $160,000.00                            Chicago, Illinois, March 16, 2001

QORUS.COM, INC., a Florida corporation, dba Aelix, Inc. ("Aelix" or "Maker"),
for value received, promises to pay to the order of

                      THURSTON COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS on or before the close of business March 19,
2001, at its office located at 190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1710, Chicago,
Illinois 60603, or such other place as it or any holder (collectively "Holder")
of this Note may from time to time designate in writing, together with interest
thereon, computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days
elapsed from the date hereof until paid at that rate of interest per year which
shall be equal to 6.6%. After maturity, whatever the case may be, interest
shall be payable at a rate of interest which shall be 5% per year more than
would otherwise be payable on this Note. The Maker shall have the right to
repay this Note in full or in part including all interest payable under this
Note at any time without penalty.

It is the intention of the Maker and the Holder to conform strictly to
applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if the interest payable hereunder would be
usurious under applicable law, then, in that event, notwithstanding anything
to the contrary herein, it is agreed that the aggregate of all consideration
which constitutes interest under applicable law that is taken, reserved,
contracted for, charged or received under this note or otherwise in connection
with this note shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount of
interest allowed by applicable law.

All principal indebtedness outstanding hereunder and accrued interest thereon
shall become immediately due and payable without notice or demand upon the
occurrence of any of the following events of default: (a) the Maker fails to pay
any amount payable on this Note upon demand; (b) the Maker makes a general
assignment for the benefit of its creditors, becomes or is adjudicated insolvent
or bankrupt or applies to any court for an arrangement or adjustment of this
debts; (c) a receiver, trustee or custodian is appointed for all or
substantially all of the Maker's property; or (d) a proceeding relating to any
of the foregoing is commenced against the Maker and not dismissed within 30
days, or commenced by the Maker.

The Maker agrees to pay all expenses of collection of this Note including
reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses. The Maker and all endorsers
hereby expressly waive presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, and notice of
any kind in respect to this Note, as well as any right to a trial by jury in
any action or proceeding to enforce or defend any rights under this Note, and
agrees that any such action or proceeding shall be tried before a court and
not jury. No renewal or extension of this Note, no release of any person
primarily or secondarily liable on this Note, no delay in the enforcement of
this Note, and no delay or omission in exercising any right or power under this
Note shall affect the liability of the Maker or any endorser hereof.

As additional consideration for advancing funds under this Note, Maker grants
Holder the right to purchase eight thousand (8,000) common shares of the Maker
at a price of one cent ($0.01) per share.

This Note and all rights and obligations arising hereunder shall be governed by
the laws of the State of Illinois and shall be binding upon the Maker's
successors and assigns.

QORUS.COM, INC.

By: /s/ THOMAS C. RATCHFORD
    ----------------------------
    Thomas C. Ratchford

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