PROMISSORY NOTE

$2,500,000.00                                               Date:  April 4, 2000

         For value received the undersigned jointly and severally promise to pay
to PARAWON CORPORATION, or order, the payee, the principal sum of TWO MILLION
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($2,500,000.00) with interest thereon
from date, at the rate of eighteen per cent (18%) per annum. The said principal
and interest shall be due and payable on demand, at the office of Parawon
Corporation, which is located at 164 St. Francis Street, Suite 205, Mobile,
Alabama 36602.

         Each maker and endorser waives the right of exemption under the
Constitution and laws of Alabama, and each maker and endorser waives demand,
protest, and notice of protest, and all requirements necessary to hold them
liable as makers and endorsers.

         It is further agreed that the undersigned shall pay all costs of
collection, including a reasonable attorney's fee on failure to pay the
principal and interest of this note on the date due hereof.

         This note is to be construed according to the laws of the State of
Alabama, and exclusive venue for any lawsuit arising from or out of this
Promissory Note shall be in state or federal court having jurisdiction in Mobile
County, Alabama.

         Upon failure to pay any principal and/or interest when due the entire
principal sum at the option of the holder, shall become due and payable. Failure
to exercise this option shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise
the same in the event of any subsequent default.

                                             PLAYA Minerals & Energy, Inc.


                                              By:/s/ John N. Ehrman
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                John N. Ehrman, J.D.S.P.E.
                                                President

                                                 /s/ John N. Ehrman
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 John N. Ehrman, Individually







STATE OF TEXAS             )
                                    )
COUNTY OF HARRIS  )

                  I, the undersigned authority, a Notary public in and for said
County in said State, hereby certify that John N. Ehrman, whose name as
President, of PLAYA Minerals & Energy, Inc., a Texas corporation, is signed to
the foregoing instrument, and who is known to me, acknowledged before me on this
day that, being informed of the contents of the instrument, he, as such officer
and with full authority, executed the same voluntarily for and as the act of
said corporation.

                  Given under my hand and official seal this the __ day of
____________ 2000.

                                                     ---------------------------
                                  Notary Public

                                                     My Commission Expires: ----

(AFFIX NOTARIAL SEAL)


STATE OF TEXAS             )
                                    )
COUNTY OF HARRIS  )

                  I, the undersigned authority, a Notary public in and for said
County in said State, hereby certify that John N. Ehrman, whose name is signed
to the foregoing instrument, and who is known to me, acknowledged before me on
this day that, being informed of the contents of the instrument, he executed the
same voluntarily on the day the same bears date.

                  Given under my hand and official seal this the __ day of
____________ 2000.

                                                     ---------------------------
                                  Notary Public

                                                     My Commission Expires: ----

(AFFIX NOTARIAL SEAL)