Document:

Exhibit 10.5

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

         THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF  REORGANIZATION  (the  "Agreement")  is made
this 9th day of October  2003,  by and among  Prelude  Ventures,  Inc., a Nevada
corporation  ("Prelude");   Tri-State  Stores,  Inc.,  an  Illinois  Corporation
("Tri-State"),  GMG Partners LLC, an Illinois Limited  Liability Company ("GMG")
and SASCO  Springfield Auto Supply Company,  a Delaware  Corporation,  ("SASCO")
(Tri-State,  GMG and SASCO are collectively  referred to herein as "TSG"), based
on the following:

                                    RECITALS

         Prelude, through its subsidiary,  Tri-State Stores Acquisition Corp., a
Delaware Corporation ("NEWCO"),  wishes to acquire an option to purchase all the
assets and certain liabilities of Tri-State,  GMG and SASCO in exchange for FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000) shall hereby adopt.

                                    AGREEMENT

         Based  on  the  stated  premises,  which  are  incorporated  herein  by
reference,  and for and in  consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter  set  forth,  the  mutual  benefits  to the  parties  to be  derived
herefrom, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of
which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                 ASSET PURHCASE

         1.01 Asset  Purchase.  On the terms and subject to the  conditions  set
forth in this  Agreement,  on the  Closing  Date (as  defined  in  Section  1.05
hereof),  TSG shall  assign,  transfer,  and deliver to  Prelude,  the option to
purchase, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the option agreement,
all of the assets and  certain  liabilities  of TSG (the "TSG  Assets"),  as set
forth on the appropriate Schedule 1.01 annexed hereto.

         1.02  Further  Assurances.  At  the  Closing  and  from  time  to  time
thereafter,  the TSG Stockholders shall execute such additional  instruments and
take such other action as Prelude may reasonably request,  without undue cost to
the TSG Stockholders in order to more  effectively  sell,  transfer,  and assign
clear title and ownership in the TSG Assets to Prelude.

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         1.03 Closing and Parties. The Closing contemplated hereby shall be held
at a mutually  agreed  upon time and place on or about  October  9, 2003,  or on
another date to be agreed to in writing by the parties (the "Closing Date"). The
Agreement  may be closed at any time  following  approval  by a majority  of the
shareholders of Prelude Common Stock as set forth in Section 4.02 hereof and the
TSG  Stockholders  as set forth in Section 5.02. The Closing may be accomplished
by wire,  express  mail,  overnight  courier,  conference  telephone  call or as
otherwise  agreed  to  by  the  respective  parties  or  their  duly  authorized
representatives.

         1.06     Closing Events
         (a)  Prelude  Deliveries.  Subject  to  fulfillment  or  waiver  of the
conditions  set forth in Article IV, Prelude shall deliver to TSG at Closing all
the following:
                  (i) A certificate of good standing from the secretary of State
                  of Nevada,  issued as of a date within sixty days prior to the
                  Closing Date, certifying that Prelude is in good standing as a
                  corporation in the State of Nevada:
                  (ii) Incumbency and specimen signature  certificates dated the
                  Closing Date with respect to the officers of Prelude executing
                  this  Agreement  and any  other  document  delivered  pursuant
                  hereto on behalf of Prelude;
                  (iii) Copies of the  resolution  of Prelude board of directors
                  and shareholder minutes or consents  authorizing the execution
                  and  performance  of  this  Agreement  and  the   contemplated
                  transactions,  certified  by  the  secretary  or an  assistant
                  secretary of Prelude as of the Closing Date;
                  (iv)  The  certificate  contemplated  by  Section  4.02,  duly
                  executed by the chief executive officer of Prelude;
                  (v) The certificate  contemplated  by Section 4.03,  dated the
                  Closing  Date,  signed  by  the  chief  executive  officer  of
                  Preludeand;
                  (x) Prelude shall enter into  Consulting  Agreements  with New
                  Century Capital Consultants, Inc. Alpha Advisors LLC, National
                  Securities  Corporation and  Commonwealth  Partners NY LLC, on
                  the terms and conditions as agreed upon by all parties.

         In addition to the above  deliveries,  Prelude shall take all steps and
actions as TSG and TSG Stockholders  may reasonably  request or as may otherwise
be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (b) TSG Deliveries.  Subject to fulfillment or waiver of the conditions
set forth in Article V, TSG and/or TSG Stockholder's shall deliver to Prelude at
Closing all the following:
                  (i) The Option Agreement as specified in Section 1.01.

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         In  addition  to the above  deliveries,  TSG  shall  take all steps and
actions as Prelude may  reasonably  request or as may  otherwise  be  reasonably
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         1.04.    Termination
         (a) This  Agreement  may be  terminated  by the board of  directors  of
either Prelude or TSG at any time prior to the Closing Date if:
                  (i)  There  shall  be  any  actual  or  threatened  action  of
                  proceeding  before  any court or any  governmental  body which
                  shall  seek  to  restrain,   prohibit,   or   invalidate   the
                  transaction  contemplated  by this Agreement and which, in the
                  reasonable  judgment of such board of directors,  made in good
                  faith and based upon the advice of its legal counsel, makes it
                  inadvisable to proceed with the  transactions  contemplated by
                  this Agreement;
                  (ii)  Any  of  the   transactions   contemplated   hereby  are
                  disapproved  by any  regulatory  authority  whose  approval is
                  required to consummate such  transactions or in the reasonable
                  judgment  of such board of  directors,  made in good faith and
                  based  on  the  advice  of  counsel,   there  is   substantial
                  likelihood that any such approval will not be obtained or will
                  be obtained only on a condition or  conditions  which would be
                  unduly  burdensome,  making it inadvisable to proceed with the
                  exchange;

         In the event of  termination  pursuant to this paragraph (a) of Section
1.07, no obligation,  right, or liability shall arise hereunder,  and each party
shall bear all of the expenses incurred by it in contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE II
              REPRESENTATION, COVENANTS, AND WARRANTIES OF PRELUDE

         As an  inducement  to,  and to obtain  the  reliance  of TSG and/or TSG
shareholders, Prelude represents and warrants as follows:

         2.01  Organization.  Prelude  is, and will be on the  Closing  Date,  a
corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in good standing under the
laws of the state of Nevada and has the corporate  power and is and will be duly
authorized,  qualified,  franchised,  and licensed  under all  applicable  laws,
regulations,  ordinances,  and  orders of public  authorities  to own all of its
properties  and assets and to carry on its business in all material  respects as
it is now being conducted,  and there are no other  jurisdictions in which it is
not so qualified in which the  character  and location of the assets owned by it
or the nature of the material business transacted by it requires  qualification,
except where  failure to do so would not have a material  adverse  effect on its
business, operation, properties, assets or condition. The execution and delivery
of  this  Agreement  does  not,  and  the   consummation  of  the   transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement in  accordance  with the terms hereof will not,

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violate any provision of Prelude articles of  incorporation or bylaws,  or other
agreement to which it is a party or by which it is bound.

         2.02  Approval of  Agreement.  Prelude has full power,  authority,  and
legal  right and has  taken,  or will  take,  all action  required  by law,  its
articles of  incorporation,  bylaws,  and  otherwise to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to consummate the transaction  herein  contemplated.  The board of
directors of Prelude has authorized and approved the  execution,  delivery,  and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby; subject
to the  approval  of the  Prelude  shareholders  and  compliance  with state and
federal corporate and securities laws.

         2.03 Capitalization.  The authorized capitalization of Prelude consists
of 100,000,000 shares, of common stock, $0.001 par value, of which approximately
15,000,000  shares are issued and outstanding and 10,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $0.001 par value of which none are issued and outstanding. All issued and
outstanding shares of Prelude are legally issued,  fully paid, and nonassessable
and not issued in  violation  of the  preemptive  or other  right of any person.
There are no  dividends  or other  amounts due or payable with respect to any of
the shares of capital stock of Prelude.

         2.04     Financial Statements.
         (a) Included in the Schedules are the audited balance sheets of Prelude
as of December  31,  2002 and 2001,  and the related  statement  of  operations,
stockholder's  equity  (deficit),  and cash  flows  for the  fiscal  year  ended
December 31, 2002, and 2001,  including the notes thereto,  and the accompanying
report of AMISANO HANSON; independent certified public accountants.  At or prior
to the Closing  Date,  Prelude  shall  deliver the  un-audited  balance sheet of
Prelude  as of  June  30,  2003,  and  the  related  statements  of  operations,
stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the six months ended June 30,
2003,  together  with the notes  thereto and  representations  by the  principal
accounting  and financial  officer of Prelude to the effect that such  financial
statements   contain  all  adjustments   (all  of  which  are  normal  recurring
adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial
position  for the  periods  and as of the  dates  indicated  and such  financial
statements  shall not reflect any material  changes since the December 31, 2002,
financial  statements.  All documents referred to herein are available as public
disclosure  document pursuant to the Periodic Filing  Requirements and as listed
on the EDGAR system of the SEC.
         (b) The financial  statements of Prelude delivered  pursuant to Section
2.04(a) have been  prepared in accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles  consistently applied throughout the periods involved as explained in
the notes to such financial statements. The Prelude financial statements present
fairly,  in all material  respects,  as of their respective dates, the financial
position of Prelude.  Prelude did not have, as of the date of any such financial
statements,  except as and to the extent  reflected or reserved against therein,
any  liabilities  or  obligations  (absolute  or  contingent)  which  should  be
reflected therein in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles,
and all  assets  reflected  therein  presently  fairly  the assets of Prelude in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles

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         (c) Prelude has filed or will file as the Closing  Date all tax returns
required to be filed by it from  inception to the Closing Date. All such returns
and reports are  accurate and correct in all  material  respect.  Prelude has no
material liabilities with respect to the payment of any federal,  state, county,
local,  or other taxes  (including  any  deficiencies,  interest,  or penalties)
accrued  for or  applicable  to the period  ended on the date of the most recent
balance sheet of Prelude,  except to the extent  reflected on such balance sheet
and all such dates and years and periods prior thereto and for which Prelude may
at said date have been  liable in its own right or as  transferee  of the assets
of, or as  successor  to,  any other  corporation  or  entity,  except for taxes
accrued but not yet due and payable,  and to the best  knowledge of Prelude,  no
deficiency  assessment or proposed adjustment of any such tax return is pending,
proposed or contemplated.  To the best knowledge of Prelude, none of such income
tax returns has been  examined or is  currently  being  examined by the Internal
Revenue Service and no deficiency  assessment or proposed adjustment of any such
return is pending,  proposed or contemplated.  Prelude has not made any election
pursuant to the provisions of any applicable tax laws (other than elections that
relate solely to methods of  accounting,  depreciation,  or  amortization)  that
would have a material adverse affect on Prelude,  its financial  condition,  its
business as  presently  conducted  or proposed  to be  conducted,  or any of its
respective properties or material assets. There are no outstanding agreements or
waivers  extending  the  statutory  period of  limitation  applicable to any tax
return of Prelude.

         2.05  Outstanding  Warrants  and  Options.   Prelude  has  no  existing
Warrants,  options,  calls,  or  commitments  of  any  nature  relating  to  the
authorized and un-issued Prelude Common Stock.

         2.06 Information.  The information concerning Prelude set forth in this
Agreement is complete and accurate in all material respects and does not contain
any  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to  state a  material  fact
required to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances  under which
they were made, not misleading.  Prelude shall cause the schedules  delivered by
it pursuant hereto and the instruments  delivered to TSG hereunder to be updated
after the date hereof up to and including the Closing Date.

         2.07 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as set forth in this
Agreement or the  schedules  hereto,  since the date of the most recent  Prelude
balance sheet described in Section 2.04 and included in the information referred
to in Section 2.06.
         (a) There has not been (i) any material adverse change in the business,
operations,  properties,  level of inventory, assets, or condition of Prelude or
(ii) any  damage,  destruction,  or loss to Prelude  (whether  or not covered by
insurance)   materially  and  adversely  affecting  the  business,   operations,
properties, assets, or conditions of Prelude;
         (b)  Prelude  has not (i) amended  its  articles  of  incorporation  or
bylaws;  (ii)  declared  or made,  or agreed to declare or make,  any payment of
dividends or  distributions of any assets of any kind whatsoever to stockholders
or purchased or  redeemed,  or agreed to purchase or redeem,  any of its capital
stock; (iii) waived any rights of value which in the aggregate are extraordinary

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or material  considering the business of Prelude;  (iv) made any material change
in its method of  management,  operation,  or  accounting;  (v) entered into any
other material transactions; (vi) made any accrual or arrangement for or payment
of bonuses or special  compensation  of any kind or any severance or termination
pay to any present or former  officer or employee;  (vii)  increased the rate of
compensation  payable  or to  become  payable  by it to any of its  officers  or
directors or any of its employees whose monthly  compensation exceeds $1,000; or
(viii) made any increase in any profit-sharing,  bonus,  deferred  compensation,
insurance,  pension,  retirement,  or other employee benefit plan,  payment,  or
arrangement made to, for, or with its officers, directors, or employees;
         (c)  Prelude  has not (i)  granted  or  agreed  to grant  any  options,
warrants,  or other rights for its stocks,  bonds, or other corporate securities
calling for the issuance thereof; (ii) borrowed or agreed to borrow any funds or
incurred,  or become subject to, any material  obligation or liability (absolute
or contingent) except  liabilities  incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(iii) paid any material  obligation or liability  (absolute or contingent) other
than  current  liabilities  reflected  in or shown on the  most  recent  Prelude
balance sheet and current  liabilities  incurred since that date in the ordinary
course of business; (iv) sold or transferred, or agreed to sell or transfer, any
of its material assets,  properties,  or rights (except assets,  properties,  or
rights not unused or un-useful in its business  which,  in the aggregate  have a
value of less than $5,000 or canceled,  or agreed to cancel, any debts or claims
(except  debts and  claims  which in the  aggregate  are of a value of less than
$5,000;  (v) made or permitted  any  amendment or  termination  of any contract,
agreement, or license to which it is a party if such amendment or termination is
material,  considering the business of Prelude;  or (vi) issued,  delivered,  or
agreed to issue or  deliver  any stock,  bonds,  or other  corporate  securities
including  debentures  (whether  authorized  and  un-issued  or held as treasury
stock); and
         (d) To the best knowledge of Prelude,  it has not become subject to any
law or regulation which materially and adversely affects, or in the future would
be  reasonably   expected  to  adversely  affect,   the  business,   operations,
properties, assets, or condition of Prelude.

         2.08 Litigation and Proceeding.  There are no material actions,  suits,
or administrative or other proceedings  pending or, to the knowledge of Prelude,
threatened  by  or  against  Prelude  or  adversely  affecting  Prelude  or  its
properties,  at law or in equity,  before any court or other governmental agency
or  instrumentality,  domestic or foreign, or before any arbitrator of any kind.
Prelude  does not have any  knowledge of any default on its part with respect to
any default on its part with respect to any judgment,  order, writ,  injunction,
decree,  award,  rule, or regulation of any court,  arbitrator,  or governmental
agency or instrumentality.

         2.09  Compliance With Laws and  Regulations.  Prelude has complied with
all  applicable  statutes  and  regulations  of any  federal,  state,  or  other
governmental  entity or agency thereof,  except to the extent that noncompliance
(i)  could  not  materially  and  adversely  affect  the  business,  operations,
properties,  assets,  or  conditions  of Prelude or (ii) could not result in the
occurrence  of any  material  liability  for Prelude.  To the best  knowledge of
Prelude,  the  consummation of this  transaction will comply with all applicable

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statures and  regulations,  subject to the  preparation  and filing of any forms
required by state and federal securities laws.

         2.10  Material  Contract  Defaults.  Prelude  is not in  default in any
material respect under the terms of any outstanding contract,  agreement, lease,
or other commitment which is material to the business,  operations,  properties,
assets,  or  condition  of  Prelude,  and  there is no event of  default  in any
material respect under any such contract,  agreement, lease, or other commitment
in respect  of which  Prelude  has not taken  adequate  steps to prevent  such a
default from occurring.

         2.11 No Conflict With Other Instrument. The execution of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not
result in the  breach of any term or  provision  of, or  constitute  an event of
default  under,  any  material  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  or other
material  contract,  agreement,  or instrument to which Prelude is a party or to
which any of its properties or operations are subject.

         2.12 Subsidiary.  Prelude does not own,  beneficially or of record, any
equity  securities in any other entity,  other than as previously  disclosed and
the NEWCO

         2.13 Prelude  Schedules.  Prelude has  delivered  to TSG the  following
schedules,  which are  collectively  referred to as the "Prelude  Schedules" and
which  consist  of the  following  separate  schedules  dated  as of the date of
execution  of this  Agreement,  all  certified by a duly  authorized  officer of
Prelude as complete, true and accurate:
         (a) A schedule  including copies of the articles of  incorporation  and
bylaws of Prelude in effect as of the date of this Agreement;
         (b) A schedule containing copies of resolutions adopted by the board of
directors  of Prelude  approving  this  Agreement  and the  transactions  herein
contemplated;
         (c) A schedule  setting  forth a  description  of any material  adverse
change in the business, operations, property, inventory, assets, or condition of
Prelude since the most recent  Prelude  balance  sheet,  required to be provided
pursuant to Section 2.04 hereof,
         (d) A schedule setting forth the financial statements required pursuant
to Section 2.04(a) hereof; and
         (e) A schedule setting forth any other  information,  together with any
required copies of documents,  required to be disclosed in the Prelude Schedules
by Sections 2.01 through 2.12.

         Prelude shall cause the Prelude Schedules and the instruments delivered
to TSG  hereunder  to be updated  after the date  hereof up to and  including  a
specified date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date. Such
updated Prelude Schedules,  certified in the same manner as the original Prelude
Schedules,  shall be  delivered  prior to and as a  condition  precedent  to the
obligation of the TSG to close.

         2.14     Additional Conditions.    Omitted

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                                   ARTICLE III
                REPRESENTATIONS, COVENANTS, AND WARRANTIES OF TSG

         As an  inducement  to,  and to obtain the  reliance  of,  Prelude,  TSG
represents and warrants as follows:

         3.01  Organization.  TSG Shareholders own all of the outstanding shares
of Tri-State, GMG and SASCO, and have the right to grant the option.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF TSG

         The  obligations  of  TSG  under  this  Agreement  are  subject  to the
satisfaction of TSG, at or before the Closing Date, of the following conditions;

         4.01 Shareholder Approval. Prelude shall call and hold a meeting of its
shareholders,  or obtain the written consent of a majority of its  shareholders,
to  approve  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  agreement  including  the
acquisition of the assets of TSG through the issuance of Prelude Common Stock.

         4.02 Accuracy of  Representation.  The  representations  and warranties
made by Prelude in this  Agreement  were true when made and shall be true at the
closing  Date with the same  force and  affect  as if such  representations  and
warranties  were made at and as of the Closing Date (except for changes  therein
permitted by this Agreement),  and Prelude shall have performed or complied with
all  covenants  and  conditions  required by this  Agreement  to be performed or
complied with by Prelude prior to or at the Closing. TSG shall be furnished with
certificates,  signed  by duly  authorized  officers  of  Prelude  and dated the
Closing Date, to the foregoing effect.

         4.03  Officer's  Certificates.  TSG  shall  have  been  furnished  with
certificates  dated the  Closing  Date and signed by the duly  authorized  chief
executive  officer of Prelude to the effect that to such officers best knowledge
no litigation, proceeding,  investigation, or inquiry is pending or, to the best
knowledge  of Prelude  threatened,  which might result in an action to enjoin or
prevent the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.
Furthermore,  based  on  certificates  of  good  standing,   representations  of
government agencies, and Prelude own documents and information,  the certificate
shall represent, to the best knowledge of the officer, that:

         (a) This Agreement has been duly approved by Prelude board of directors
and  shareholders  and has been duly  executed and  delivered in the name and on

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behalf of Prelude by its duly authorized officers pursuant to, and in compliance
with,  authority  granted by the board of  directors  of Prelude  pursuant  to a
unanimous consent;
         (b) There has been no  material  adverse  changes  in Prelude up to and
including the date of the certificate;
         (c) All conditions  required by this Agreement has been met, satisfied,
or performed by Prelude;
         (d) All  authorizations,  consents,  approvals,  registrations,  and/or
filings with any governmental body, agency, or court required in connection with
the  execution  and delivery of the  documents by Prelude have been obtained and
are in full force and effect or, if not required to have been obtained,  will be
in full force and effect by such time as may be required; and
         (e)  There  is  no  material  action,  suit,  proceeding,  inquiry,  or
investigation  at law or in  equity  by any  public  board  or body  pending  or
threatened against Prelude, wherein an unfavorable decision,  ruling, or finding
could  have an  adverse  effect  on the  financial  condition  of  Prelude,  the
operation of Prelude, or the acquisition and reorganization contemplated herein,
or any  agreement or instrument by which Prelude is bound or in any way contests
the existence of Prelude.

         4.04 No Material Adverse Change. Prior to the Closing Date, there shall
not have  occurred  any  material  adverse  change in the  financial  condition,
business,  or  operations of Prelude,  nor shall any event have occurred  which,
with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, may cause or create any material
adverse change in the financial condition, business, or operations of Prelude.

         4.05 Good  Standings.  TSG shall have  received a  certificate  of good
standing from the secretary of state of Nevada, dated as of the date within five
days prior to the Closing Date, certifying that Prelude is in good standing as a
corporation in the State of Nevada.

         4.06 Other  Items.  TSG shall have  received  such  further  documents,
certificates, or instruments relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as
TSG may reasonably request.

                                    ARTICLE V
                 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF PRELUDE

         The  obligations  of Prelude  under this  Agreement  are subject to the
satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of the following conditions;

         5.01 Shareholder Approval. Tri-State, GMG and SASCO shall call and hold
a meeting of its  shareholders,  or obtain through a majority written consent of
its shareholders, whereby the shareholders of Prelude authorize and approve this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

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         5.02 Other Items.  Prelude shall have received such further  documents,
certificates, or instruments relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as
Prelude may reasonably request.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                SPECIAL COVENANTS

         6.01     Activities of Prelude and TSG
         (a) From and after the date of this  Agreement  until the Closing  Date
and except as set forth in the  respective  schedules to be delivered by Prelude
and TSG  pursuant  hereto or as  permitted or  contemplated  by this  Agreement,
Prelude and TSG will each:

                  (i) Carry on its business in substantially  the same manner as
                  it has heretofore;
                  (ii) Maintain in full force and effect insurance comparable in
                  amount and in scope of coverage to that now maintained by it;
                  (iii) Perform in all material  respects all of its obligations
                  under material contracts,  leases, and instruments relating to
                  or affecting its assets, properties, and business;
                  (iv)  Use its  best  efforts  to  maintain  and  preserve  its
                  business organization intact, to retain its key employees, and
                  to maintain its relationships  with its material suppliers and
                  customers;
                  (v) Duly and timely file for all taxable  periods ending on or
                  prior to the Closing  Date all  federal,  state,  county,  and
                  local tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf of such
                  entity or for which such  entity may be held  responsible  and
                  shall pay, or cause to pay, all taxes  required to be shown as
                  due and payable on such returns,  as well as all  installments
                  of tax due and  payable  during the period  commencing  on the
                  date of this Agreement and ending on the Closing Date; and
                  (vi) Fully  comply with and perform in all  material  respects
                  all  obligations  and duties  imposed on it by all federal and
                  state laws and all rules,  regulations,  and orders imposed by
                  federal or state governmental authorities.

         (b) From and after the date of this  Agreement  and except as  provided
herein until the Closing Date, Prelude and TSG will not:
                  (i)  Make any  change  in its  articles  of  incorporation  or
                  bylaws;
                  (ii) Enter into or amend any material contract,  agreement, or
                  other instrument of any of the types described in such party's
                  schedules,  except  that a party may  enter  into or amend any
                  contract,  agreement,  or  other  instrument  in the  ordinary
                  course of business;  and Enter into any agreement for the sale
                  of TSG or Prelude securities without the prior approval of the
                  other party.

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<PAGE>

         6.02 Access to Properties and Records.  Until the Closing Date, TSG and
Prelude will afford to the other party's officers and authorized representatives
full access to the  properties,  books,  and records of the other party in order
that each party may have full opportunity to make such reasonable  investigation
as it shall desire to make of the affairs of TSG or Prelude and will furnish the
other  party with such  additional  financial  and other  information  as to the
business and  properties of TSG or Prelude as each party shall from time to time
reasonably request.

         6.03 Separate Counsel. In connection with the transaction  contemplated
by this  Agreement,  TSG and Prelude shall each file with the  assistance of the
other and their respective legal counsel, such notices,  applications,  reports,
or other  instruments as may be deemed by them to be necessary or appropriate in
an  effort  to  document  reliance  on  such  exemptions,  and  the  appropriate
regulatory  authority in the states where the TSG Stockholders  reside unless an
exemption  requiring no filing is available  in such  jurisdictions,  all to the
extent and in the manner as may be deemed by such parties to be appropriate.
         (b) In order to more  fully  document  reliance  on the  exemptions  as
provided  herein,  TSG,  the TSG  Stockholders,  and Prelude  shall  execute and
deliver  to the  other,  at or prior to the  Closing,  such  further  letters of
representation,  acknowledgment,  suitability, or the like as Prelude or TSG and
their respective  counsel may reasonably  request in connection with reliance on
exemptions from registration under such securities laws.

         6.06  Prelude  Liabilities.  Immediately  prior  to the  Closing  Date,
Prelude shall have no material assets and no liabilities in excess of $1,000 and
all expenses related to this Agreement or otherwise shall have been paid.

         6.07     Sales of Securities Under Rule 144, If Applicable.
         (a)  Prelude  will use its best  efforts  to at all times  satisfy  the
current  public  information  requirements  of rule 144  promulgated  under  the
Securities Act so that its shareholders can sell restricted securities that have
been held for two years or more or such other  restricted  period as required by
rule 144 as it is from time to time amended.
         (b) Upon being  informed  in writing by any person  holding  restricted
stock of Prelude as of the date of this  Agreement  that such person  intends to
sell any shares under rule 144  promulgated  under the Securities Act (including
any rule adopted in substitution or replacement  thereof),  Prelude will certify
in writing to such person  that it is  compliance  with rule 144 current  public
information  requirement to enable such person to sell such person's  restricted
stock under rule 144, as may be applicable under the circumstances.
         (c) If any  certificate  representing  any  such  restricted  stock  is
presented to Prelude  transfer agent for  registration or transfer in connection
with any sales  theretofore  made under Rule 144,  provided such  certificate is
duly  endorsed for transfer by the  appropriate  person(s) or  accompanied  by a
separate  stock power duly  executed by the  appropriate  person(s) in each case
with reasonable assurances that such endorsements are genuine and effective, and
is accompanied by an opinion of counsel  satisfactory to Prelude and its counsel
that such transfer has complied with the  requirements  of rule 144, as the case
may be,  Prelude will  promptly  instruct its  transfer  agent to register  such

                                       65
<PAGE>

transfer and to issue one or more new certificates  representing  such shares to
the transferee and, if appropriate under the provisions of rule 144, as the case
may be, free of any stop transfer order or restrictive legend. The provisions of
this  Section  6.07  shall  survive  the  Closing  and the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement for a period of two years.
         (d) The  shareholders of Prelude as of the date of this  Agreement,  as
well as those  receiving  Prelude Common Stock pursuant to this  Agreement,  are
intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 6.07.

         6.08  New  Board  of  Directors  and  Officers.  Upon  closing  of  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and the simultaneous Agreement with
Alliance Petroleum, Inc., the current board of directors and officers of Prelude
shall resign and in their place nominees of TSG and Alliance shall be appointed,
subject to the approval of the suitability and qualifications of such nominees.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         7.01  Brokers.  Except as provided  herein,  Prelude and TSG agree that
there were no finders or brokers  involved in bringing  the parties  together or
who were  instrumental in the  negotiation,  execution,  or consummation of this
Agreement.  Further,  Prelude and TSG each agree to indemnify  the other against
any claim by any third person for any commission,  brokerage, or finder's fee or
other payment with respect to this  Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated
hereby based on any alleged  agreement or  understanding  between such party and
such third person, whether express or implied, from the actions of such party.

         The  covenants set forth in this section shall survive the Closing Date
and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated.

         7.02 No  Representation  Regarding Tax Treatment.  No representation or
warranty is being made by any party to any other regarding the treatment of this
transaction  for  federal  or state  income  taxation.  Each  party  has  relied
exclusively on its own legal,  accounting,  and other tax adviser  regarding the
treatment  of this  transaction  for  federal  and  state  income  taxes  and on
representation,  warranty,  or  assurance  from any  other  party or such  other
party's legal, accounting, or other adviser.

         7.03 Governing Law. This Agreement  shall be governed by,  enforced and
constructed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.

         7.04 Notices. Any notices or other communications required or permitted
hereunder  shall be  sufficiently  given  if  personally  delivered,  if sent by
facsimile or telecopy transmission or other electronic  communication  confirmed
by  registered  or  certified  mail,  postage  prepaid,  or if sent  by  prepaid
overnight  courier  addressed  or such other  addresses as shall be furnished in
writing by any party in the manner for giving notices,  hereunder,  and any such

                                       66
<PAGE>

notice or  communication  shall be  deemed to have been  given as of the date so
delivered  or sent by  facsimile or telecopy  transmission  or other  electronic
communication, or one day after the date so sent by overnight courier.

         7.05 Attorney's Fees. In the event that any party institutes any action
or suit to enforce this Agreement or to secure relief from any default hereunder
or  breach  hereof,   the  breaching   party  or  parties  shall  reimburse  the
non-breaching party or parties from all costs,  including  reasonable  attorneys
fees,  incurred in  connection  therewith  and in  enforcing or  collecting  any
judgment rendered therein.

         7.06 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement  represents the entire agreement
between  the  parties  relating  to the  subject  matter  hereof.  All  previous
agreements  between the parties,  whether written or oral, have been merged into
this Agreement. The Agreement alone fully and completely expresses the agreement
of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. There are no other courses
of dealing, understandings,  agreements, representations, or warranties, written
or oral, except as set forth herein.

         7.07  Survival  Termination.   The  representations,   warranties,  and
covenants  of the  respective  parties  shall  survive the Closing  Date and the
consummation of the transactions  herein contemplated for a period of six months
from the Closing Date, unless otherwise provided herein.

         7.08   Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  multiple
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original  and all of which taken
together shall be but a single instrument.

         7.09 Amendment or Waiver.  Every right and remedy provided herein shall
be cumulative with every other right and remedy,  whether  conferred  herein, at
law, or in equity, and such remedies may be enforced concurrently, and no waiver
by any  party  of the  performance  of any  obligation  by the  other  shall  be
construed as a waiver of the same or any other  default  then,  theretofore,  or
thereafter  occurring or existing.  At any time prior to the Closing Date,  this
Agreement may be amended by a writing signed by all parties hereto, with respect
to any of the  terms  contained  herein,  and  any  term  or  condition  of this
Agreement may be waived or the time for performance thereof may be extended by a
writing  signed by the party or  parties  for whose  benefit  the  provision  is
intended.

                  [Signature Page to Agreement Follows]

                                       67
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  corporate  parties  hereto  have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written.

PRELUDE VENTURES, INC.
A Nevada Corporation

By:      __________________________
         Anthony Sarvuicci,
         President

Tri-State Stores, Inc.
An Illinois Corporation

By:      __________________________

GMG Partners LLC
an Illinois Limited Liability Company

By:      __________________________

SASCO Springfield Auto Supply Company
a Delaware Corporation

By:      __________________________

                                       68Exhibit 10.6

                               OPTION TO PURCHASE

This  Agreement  made as of the 9th  day of  October  9,  2003,  by and  between
Tri-State Stores, Inc., an Illinois Corporation ("Tri-State"), GMG Partners LLC,
an Illinois Limited  Liability Company ("GMG") and SASCO Springfield Auto Supply
Company,  a  Delaware  Corporation,  ("SASCO")  (Tri-State,  GMG and  SASCO  are
collectively referred to herein as "TSG"), and Prelude Ventures, Inc. ("Prelude"
or "Optionee").

IN  CONSIDERATION  of the payment by the  Optionee to the Optionor of the sum of
two  dollars  ($2.00)  and for other and good and  valuable  consideration,  the
receipt and  sufficiency of which is hereby  acknowledged,  the Optionor  hereby
grants to the  Optionee an option  (the  "Option")  to  purchase  the assets and
certain  liabilities  of TSG,  upon  and  subject  to the  following  terms  and
conditions:

1.            Exercise Price.  The purchase price for the exercise of the option
              to purchase the assets of Tri-State,  GMG and SASCO shall be Three
              Million  Dollars   ($3,000,000)   plus  assume  other  liabilities
              consisting  of accounts  payable,  to be designated by TSG, not to
              exceed  Five  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  ($500,000)  and  accrued
              expenses, of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).
2.            Option  Exercise  Period.  The  Option  may  be  exercised  by the
              Optionee at any time from the date hereof for 150 days, and may be
              extended by agreement of the parties.
3.            Exercise  of Option.  The  Optionee  shall,  for the  purposes  of
              exercising the Option, give the MPW Shareholders notice in writing
              thereof  (the  "Notice"),  accompanied  by payment of the purchase
              price.
4.            Non-Assignability  of  Option.  The  Option  is  specific  to  the
              Optionee.  Accordingly,  the  Optionee  may not  sell,  assign  or
              otherwise  transfer  the  Option or any of its  rights  under this
              Agreement without the prior written consent of the Optioner may be
              unreasonably or arbitrarily withheld.
5.            Entire  Agreement.  The Agreement  expresses the entire  agreement
              between  the parties  concerning  the  subject  matter  hereof and
              supercedes  all  previous  agreements,  whether  written  or oral,
              between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof.
6.            Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed
              in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

                                       69
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF the parties  hereto have executed  this  Agreement as of the
date first above written.

Prelude Ventures, Inc.

---------------------------
By:      Anthony Sarvucci

Tri-State Stores, Inc.
An Illinois Corporation

By:      __________________________

GMG Partners LLC
an Illinois Limited Liability Company

By:      __________________________

SASCO Springfield Auto Supply Company
a Delaware Corporation

By:      __________________________

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