"Action," Alan yelled.

An explosion of sound, and kids pour off the school buses, quickly moving towards the entrance. Camera One was back, way back in the doorway to the main office, shooting across the lobby and out the three sets of exterior doors which were propped open.

A side shot by the Steadicam showed the door opening on a bus, kids spilling out. The shot backed off showing two buses, then three and finally four. Kids popped out the doors like they were shooting from a Pez dispenser, a constant flow of color and movement.

Camera One caught the kids approaching the entrance, and zoomed back, keeping them in focus as they flooded the lobby. It stayed on the center set of doors as the kids went left and right out of the camera's view. From behind the moving kids Adam appeared, Beverly on one side, Steve on the other, walking slowly and deliberately.

Their slow quiet approach was in contrast to the others and then they step through the doorway and into the lobby. "Cut," Alan yelled.

"God what a noise," Frank said. "Okay, Alan?"

"Yeah that looked good."

"Reset," Frank yelled.

The kids were herded back out the entrance and stood on the wide front walkway. It was just about seven o'clock. By the time they captured the scene it would look like morning in the fading light, Alan liked that. Brian stood just inside the doors; the past two hours had been hell. Everyone had been working to get the kids ready.

It had all begun when Tina assigned the kids locker numbers and then had taken half of them inside to show where they were located. Thirty kids milled about and Tina warned them to remember the locations. "You're the red team," She told them. "That is your designation, got it?"

Thirty nods, it was a start. "So if you have locker twelve then you are red twelve, who is that?" Tina asked. A girl raised her hand. "Good," Tina said. "This is the south hall; your lockers will always be here unless we tell you different. Now I will take you back outside where the prop people will give you things to use when you make your big entrance. We'll walk through it and give you an action to perform, got it?"

Thirty nods and Tina sighed. She led them back outside and took the second thirty into the lobby, the blue team and this time into the north hall. Same speech, same nods ... progress. Sixty kids, all fifteen, sixteen and seventeen years of age, what a day.

Finally all sixty were equipped with a variety of sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, backpacks, and bag lunches, the latter being fakes. Each kid was asked if they needed a bathroom break and several raised their hands. Brian escorted the boys, Tina the girls. One to the south, the other the north, they weren't fools.

The boys all made racket in the bathroom, and Brian took them back outside where Alan had the rest all lined up. He did his little Patton speech walking before the troops.

"Thank you all for being here promptly," He said, looking up at the faces of the kids and the group of parents who stood a little ways off. "We are about to shoot an important scene. You will each be assigned a bus and a position to keep. You will be asked to file out of the bus in a certain order and you must do it just like you are told.

"The first time we run this it will be at a walk, slowly, confidently, until you understand the order we want. You will quickly step off the bus and walk towards the lobby doors, remembering in which hallway your locker is located and moving in that direction.

"Just remember, we are trying to create a little chaos here, but you must stay in line and not push the person in front as you get off the bus. This will be a safe, slow drill ... .Tina?"

"For bus number 321 the following from the red team, number 12 , 16, 17, 8, 23" ... and on she went until she ran out of red numbers, then she moved on to the blue. The teams were scattered amongst the four buses and all mixed up. Organized chaos at least.

"Now we will walk through it. Please enter the bus you've been assigned and take a seat," Alan said. The kids moved towards the buses and climbed the steps. Brian took a bus and had the kids sit singly, occupying the front of the bus. That was easy, there were only fifteen per bus, Adam and his sidekicks would be on bus number two, the old 249.

Alan picked up a bull horn and addressed the kids sitting on the buses. "Okay, on my command, when you hear me yell 'action' I want you to all stand up inside your bus and the person on the front seat will start moving up the aisle and down the steps. Each of you will then walk towards the front doors of the school and enter the lobby. Carry your props with you and don't drop them."

Frank stood in the middle of the lobby and tried to visualize what was about to happen. There was a crew person stationed beside each bus just outside the door. They were there to assure a smooth exit. Two men stood back by the parents and watched, their uniforms said they were paramedics. Triton was taking no chances with the kids.

"Listen up ... remember slow and easy this time, on my command and ... Action," Alan yelled.

The kids all rose in the buses and began to file out. Brian had said this was the easy part, they did it every day, and it was a well rehearsed bunch of kids. The stream of kids towards the doors was orderly just as expected and they went through the doors into the lobby where they packed up like sardines.

"Good job, back outside," Alan yelled. And they did it again, a little faster this time. Then Tina made it more complicated as she went from bus to bus.

"Here's what we're going to do," She said. "We need to mix it up a little, so after you get off the bus I want each of you to take about twenty steps straight ahead and then head for the door closest to your assigned locker, red to the left and blue to the right. Be considerate, no pushing to get to your door, just cut across the others to your assigned side. When you get in the lobby I want all the red on the left side and the blues on the right. Got it?"

Alan yelled "Action," and they stood back to watch. The lines filed off and the kids walked a bit before moving left and right ... progress. "Let's assign the business next, give them a break from the buses."

They had the kids stand in front of their lockers and Alan went down one hall and Tina the other. "Number 8, I want you do drop your backpack in front of the locker door and dial your combination, the locks have all been disabled, and it's just an act. Then throw your hoodie inside and remove a book you'll find in there. Toss the clothing, don't hang it up. Then when you are done I want you to walk back across the lobby and down to the second classroom. There is a camera down there, don't look at it, chat with someone else if you can, act natural."

That speech was repeated until every kid heard it and was assigned moves to make, most of them different. Some would cross the lobby others not, it was time for a break.

"Okay, break time, you have time for water and bathroom visits, go see your parents if you want, you have twenty minutes before we call you back," Tina said. The kids filed out of the building and stood around, some heading off to the bathrooms, others towards their parents.

"So what do you think?" Alan asked.

"Looks good, I say we try it," Frank said.

"One rehearsal at top speed, make the few changes we need and then shoot," Alan said. "Tina, you and Brian stay in the lobby and watch them with me, we'll shoot both runs, and they won't know it. We might be able to edit between the two, who knows. Someone get the stars in place."

Mark, Steve and Beverly walked out into the lobby and Alan asked them to go take their places on the bus before he called the kids back. Tina went around and told the kids to reassemble out front. They had to get to it soon; the light was just about right.

"Okay, we're back from break," Alan announced. "I'm asking you to board the buses once again; this will be a camera rehearsal. I want you to move quickly this time, you know the drill, no running ... I repeat no running, just move quickly into the lobby and hit your lockers. Try not to stare at the cameras, just do your business. Interact with one another, talk to each other; it's just another school day here. Take your places, please."

The kids loaded on the buses and they waited.

"Ready," Frank called, omitting the word 'rolling.'

"Okay ... Action," Alan yelled.

There was chatter amongst the kids as they moved off the buses, some faster than others. Brian saw the criss-crossing patterns, heard the noise, it looked good. Adam and friends brought up the rear and moved into the lobby where they stopped in the center. The cameras at the end of the halls shot the kids at their lockers, moving up and down, throwing stuff in their lockers, some slamming the doors. About the only thing Brian could say was that it looked real.

They did it a second time with no appreciable difference and Alan said "Cut."

Tina stood beside Brian and sighed. "Thank God, it worked."

Alan thanked the kids, reminded them it was a four o'clock call again tomorrow and dismissed them all. Tina stood around and answered questions. Tim slid up and spooked Brian.

"Where have you been?" Brian asked.

"Around," Tim laughed. "You didn't expect me to get in the middle of all your fun, did you?"

"I just played herder for all the little sheep, Baaa," Brian said. "I suppose we ought to take Mark home, Rosie will have to make it a late dinner."

"Already taken care of, I spoke with her around seven. There will be a six course Chinese dinner on the table when we get back, we can take my car."

"I have to get the kids back to the studio, Steve and Beverly at least, and Wayne too, damn, forgot about him," Brian said.

"He's been back in the dressing room telling stories to the crew, he's just fine. We'll put them in the limo and send them back," Tim said.

"Wait, the Ferrari is a two seater," Brian said.

"Then let Mark sit in your lap, he'll love it."

And so they were home by eight-thirty, almost an hour early. Rosie thanked Tim for the dinner and he sat down with them.

"So Brian, it went well?" Rosie asked.

"Definitely, the extras followed instructions very well, and Wayne Edwards seems to have taken on his role quite easily. What do you think, Mark?"

"Wayne is cool, we'll make it work. But the best part of today was making that scene change with Alan, he gets it, we have to stay flexible and adapt as we go," Mark said.

Tim nodded. "From what I see you have a lot of input on the creative side, Mark."

"Alan and I share the vision; otherwise this could turn into another Three Stooges episode with all the comedy. Tomorrow we get a bit of drama for contrast; Steve gets his first big moment."

"Yeah, I gathered that," Tim said. "He spent a lot of time sitting around this afternoon chewing my ear about that scene with Beverly and the Principal."

Mark nodded. "It was written to counter the bully scene we took out, now it's a stand alone, that's why he's worried. But Beverly has to put him in his place, her love interest isn't him, and then Puckett sticks his nose in at the wrong time. The audience will go away feeling empathy for the boy."

Brian smiled. "Do we have to talk shop?"

"Nope," Mark said. "Can we talk vacations?"

"Vacations? Goodness, Mark, you're just getting started on the show," Rosie said.

"Not now, I mean in seven weeks when the shooting is done, I'll be a basket case by then," Mark said.

"I think he's remembering our conversation the other night," Brian said. "Tim said something about escaping to places unknown."

Tim nodded and put down his fork. "With Rosie's approval, I want to whisk you all out of the country for a few weeks. Rosie already has Mark's passport, I know Brian has one."

"You and Rosie seem to be doing a lot of negotiating behind my back," Mark said.

Rosie smiled. "I have an ally here; we both want to look out for your interests. It's not going to get any easier, is it?"

Brian shook his head. "No, intense is more likely. Marketing, publicity tours, interviews, all that's coming. Rosie, I believe you and Tim will stay very busy keeping up with Mark."

"I told Tim to take the lead," Rosie said. She looked first at Brian and then at Mark "Both of you will get worn down, I want you to take advantage of a rest period. You and Brian and Tim will disappear for a while, I will stay here to answer the calls. Todd Mason is about to come on board with our little enterprise, he'll need a lot of my time."

"Who's that?" Mark asked.

"Your new business lawyer, contract negotiator and your possible manager. This is all over my head, it's more than I can handle," Rosie said. "But he and I will work together; he's a very nice man."

"If he's taking over then you ought to come with us," Mark said.

Rosie laughed. "And what if Tim takes you mountain climbing, where would that leave me? No, sweetie, Rosie will stay home and guard the home front. It will be a man's vacation, you go off and see the world, Tim will be there to protect you and that makes it just fine by me."

Mark nodded but Brian could see the wheels turning in the boy's head. With dinner done, Rosie went about picking up and that was when Brian took Tim out to the pool deck. Inside the kitchen Mark slid up to Rosie and put his arms around her waist.

"I've never been away from you for so long, are you sure it will be all right?" He asked.

Rosie turned off the faucet and wiped her hands before embracing the boy and kissing the top of his head. "Yes, sweetie, I'll be just fine. We've been together a long time now; this is how family needs to be. But I understand, I don't want you to feel abandoned. You know that will never happen."

She sat him back down at the table and took a seat. "It's been a lot of years since you came into my life, the best years I've ever known. But this show, the responsibility of it all, you've become a young man before my very eyes. Don't be afraid to grow up, Mark. You handle things very well all by yourself.

"I want you to have time with your friends, Brian is a wonderful role model for you, and he loves you very much. Some men don't marry early, if ever at all, and in his relationship with us he finds a sense of family. That makes us important in his life. You're important in his life. He's dedicated to you and so is Tim, they only have your best interests at heart."

"Brian is the closest thing to me besides you," Mark said.

"Yes, dear, I understand that. I trust him to do what's best for you. I may not be aware of everything, I don't need to be, he'll never hurt you," Rosie said.

Mark frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I don't quite know yet, but Brian sees you differently and you return that feeling. It's fine to love someone, even if it's a man. I trust your instincts, Mark. Some things you'll never feel comfortable talking to me about, and that's where we have to trust one another to make the right decisions."

"I ... I don't ... " Mark began.

"No dear, stop right there," Rosie said. "I'm the closest thing you have to a mother, and mothers just know things. I can't deny what you feel inside, I probably wouldn't understand it. But I see how he affects you, and all I see is a wonderful, warm and loving relationship, what more could I ask? I just ask that you think about things before you make any hard decisions, Brian probably doesn't know I understand, he might worry if he found out."

"I don't know what to say," Mark said.

"Then say nothing. I don't need an answer, there is no question standing between us. You have your own life, Mark. I'm willing to support your decisions if you make good choices, and Brian is a good choice from all that I see. So let's leave it there, shall we?"

"I love you, Rosie ... how did I get so lucky?" Mark said, tears glistening in his eyes.

Rosie smiled. "I ask myself that question every day, how did I get lucky enough to have you in my life."

Brian stood on the deck looking up at the moon hanging in the night sky. Neither he nor Tim had any idea of the conversation going on in the kitchen.

"Steve has the hots for you," Brian said.

"Hero worship, that's all it is," Tim replied.

"Oh, I think he wants your body too."

Tim chuckled. "Too soon for him to be thinking like that, give him five years and I might consider it. He's just adorable now, a real cute puppy."

"Well I think the puppy wants to sleep with the dog," Brian said. "Would you if the chance came along?"

"Sex? No, he doesn't have anything to bring to the table, emotionally and physically he isn't ready. I like to hug him, if that's what you're asking."

"And if you were in bed together?"

"Jeez, Brian ... why all the questions?" Tim asked.

"His parents will be gone for a week, Steve is staying with Mark and I thought we might have a sleepover at your place next Saturday night, a boy's night if you will."

"And you think Steve will want to sleep with me? Yeah, he probably will. I'd be okay with it if all we did was cuddle and then sleep, he's an affection junkie," Tim said.

"He's mature enough to feel the need to satisfy his body," Brian said. "Maybe you ought to develop that part of him, get him focused with exercise like I'm doing with Mark. It would at least give him an outlet, a different way to approach life."

"Did that work for you? I mean after the tragedy with Brad, did the martial arts and the meditation help?"

"Yes, it gave me an outlet for the emotions, it brought me back."

"I don't regret a moment we've spent together," Tim said. "I just wish the circumstances had been different. Steve is just a diversion, someone to play with now, and maybe later on ... who knows. But I just can't seem to settle down."

Brian laid a hand on Tim's shoulder. "The right one will come along."

Tim nodded. "See that's the problem, he did and I fumbled the ball or called the wrong play. I'm just thankful that he's now my best friend."

And they hugged for a long time after that, it was something they both needed. Brian finally led them back inside and declared it was time to sleep. Mark looked at Rosie and said he was going home with Brian. They would be back for breakfast after their morning run. Rosie nodded in agreement, knowing Mark had some things to tell his man.

Tim and Brian gave her a hug, Mark a kiss, and they were off. She felt better now, the feelings expressed. If Mark were to grow up gay there would be no hesitation in the way she treated him, he was precious and always would be. In three years he could strike out on his own, he would be considered an adult. But Mark hadn't really been a child in a long time. It was one of the tragedies in the boy's life.

Rosie had sought help in making those business decisions because Brian had told her what was ahead. Todd Mason's name had come up through Loretta in her bridge group, she wondered if men networked in the same way. But Loretta's husband was in the business, Todd was a friend and damn good at what he did.

Rosie smiled. Todd was also a handsome man, and single like her. It had been too long, maybe it was time to get back into the game of life. He seemed to find her attractive and she did her best to appear so when they met. There seemed to be more than business on his mind, it was time she found out.

Tim followed them out and smiled at Mark as they stood in the driveway. "So you trying to set me up with Steve I hear."

"I ... no way, he's making all those decisions himself," Mark replied.

Tim chuckled. "Well, I won't mind having him over for a swim and some dinner, he might even get to sleep in my bed, but cuddles are as far as I'm prepared to go."

"And if he wants more?" Mark asked.

"He has wants I know, but don't you think his needs are more important?"

Mark nodded. "I do ... a wise decision. You hug him and I'll take care of his education on certain affairs. Deal?"

"A tag team, works for me," Tim said. "Good night, Gentlemen ... see you in the morning." The engine of the Ferrari shattered the solitude of the neighborhood. Tim leaned out the window and grinned. "You spot Miguel yet?"

Brian laughed. "Hell no, he must be a ghost."

"He's there, trust me ... have a safe walk home." And he roared up the street and vanished.

"Our shadow?" Mark asked.

"Yeah, it's becoming a game to see if I can spot him, I give up," Brian said.

"Wait until we get you home, then you can surrender," Mark laughed.

They showered and made love, the slow passionate kind ... the best kind. Brian could feel the changes in Mark; the body was stronger, more pliant. Their bodies were becoming more alike in function and need. And as the boy grew into manhood he would become an awesome lover, worthy of the passion. Sex was almost a spiritual journey, and Brian wanted them to arrive at the destination together.

They lay in the afterglow, breathing together as their minds shared the same cloud, staring up at the ceiling.

"Brian?"

"Yes?"

"Rosie knows about us," Mark said.

Silence. "She told you that? That she knows we sleep together?"

"No, she doesn't want to talk about that, she trusts you not to hurt me. She knows we're in love, it doesn't bother her."

Brian sighed. "God, I sure hope so. Did you confirm it?"

"Yes, but not in words. I'm so relieved, now that's out of the way and we can be secure around her," Mark said.

"She loves you very much," Brian said.

"She loves you too, called you warm and wonderful, my man."

"I'm stunned, but this is all because of who you are, she trusts us both. Wow, what a relief," Brian said.

"I thought you would see it that way," Mark said, and he cuddled up close. "Now we can sleep in peace."

Brian kissed Mark's neck and slid his arms in place around the boy's chest. Mark sighed, "I love you so much, I'm so very lucky."

Brian kissed again. "I love you too, we're both lucky to be in love and have Rosie behind us."

"Yeah," Mark said. He was soon fast asleep and Brian followed only minutes later. He could dream now, of Mark, of the future together. A major hurdle had been overcome and Brian hadn't even run the race.

"Action" Alan said. He didn't need to yell, the two of them were standing right in front of him.

Beverly slams her locker. "No, Steve, I can't say I will."

The hum of other students fill the hallways, some going to their lockers, others just standing in groups talking. It was a busy scene, but the camera lens was focused on just these two.

"I ... well, we've known each other for three years, I thought ... well, I thought it was time I asked you out," Steve says.

Beverly smiles and shifts the notebook under her arm. "I admire your confidence. Boys don't usually do this so directly. But I don't want you to think there's anything special between us. Just friends, okay?"

Steve looks crushed. "It's Adam, isn't it ... you like him."

Beverly nods. "Yes, I do like him, but ... but it's like he's off in his own world so much of the time. I don't think he gets it. Look, I'll be late for class ... I'm sorry."

Steve watches Beverly walk away and hears the bell ring, now he is late for class and rolls his eyes. He shoulders his backpack and walks down the hall towards his classroom. Puckett walks out of the Men's room and Steve almost runs into him.

"Why aren't you in class?"

"I have to use the bathroom first," Steve says.

"You had time for that, go to your classroom and be quick about it," Puckett says.

"But ... " Steve begins to say.

"Now, young man," Puckett says.

Steve hangs his head and just at that moment Adam comes bouncing down the hall. Puckett watches the boy approach and slide right on past without a care. "Well I ... I never," He says, turning to follow Adam. Steve grins and ducks into the bathroom.

The moment the bell rang the extras had disappeared into the classrooms, but the camera wasn't in the right place. "Cut," Alan yelled.

Puckett and Adam waited as they moved the unit. Finally Alan said "Action."

"Adam ... where are you supposed to be?" Puckett asks.

"I don't know, I have a pass."

Puckett sighs. "Let me see that schedule." Adam hands it over.

"You have Mr. Blake for science now, third door down on the left," Puckett says. Then he follows Adam down the hall. Behind them in the distance Steve scurries out of the bathroom and runs the other way, ducking into his classroom. Adam opens a classroom door and walks through. "Cut" Alan yelled.

Frank rolled the unit into the classroom and Mitch followed behind with the Steadicam. Two minutes later they were setup and Tina arrived with twenty kids, asking them to take a seat, moving a few here and there. Beverly walked in and took a seat. Mark stood in the hall and awaited his cue. He smiled as Leonard Avery scooted down the hall and slid into the room.

The man absolutely looked like a science teacher, tall and gangly, unruly hair. Alan had auditioned dozens of teacher types before choosing his three. Leonard paced back and forth as Tina gave the kids direction, he was studying the script and mumbling his lines. Finally he dropped the book on his desk and picked up a piece of chalk, writing his character name on the blackboard. Mark nodded, the man was in character.

"Ready, Adam?" Alan asked.

"Yes."

Alan walked in the classroom and took up his corner behind the Steadicam. Tina closed the door and stood aside. Alan's voice came through her headset and she nodded at Mark.

Adam opens the door and hears Blake talking.

"The Horsehead Nebula is a thousand light years away. Can anyone tell me how we measure a light year?"

Blake looks up at Adam's entrance and frowns. "Take a seat please." He turns back to the board and begins to write as Adam walks up the aisle and slides into an empty seat beside Beverly. The Steadicam was against the windows and moved down the wall and behind the students, passing through the line of sight on Camera One until it was behind Adam and Beverly. Now the camera zoomed in on Blake as he turns from writing Horsehead Nebula on the board.

"Light year? Anyone?"

"Constant motion at the speed of light for a period of three hundred and sixty five days," Adam says. "But the Nebula is one thousand three hundred light years from this planet."

Blake stares at him. "Yes ... I believe it is. How do you know that?"

Adam smiles. "I measured it."

The kids in the class laugh and whisper but Adam never loses his smile.

"You ... you measured it?" Blake says. He shakes his head and laughs. "And when did you do this?"

"I was a Ranger, we all did the math," Adam says.

"Come up here with me, young man," Blake says.

Adam stands and walks to the front of the classroom where Bake hands him the chalk.

"Would you care to show us your math?"

"If I can remember it all," Adam says.

"Just the simple form if you would," Blake says, determined to put the boy in his place.

Mark had rehearsed this four times, and the formula he was about to write was written in black marker on the surface of the blackboard, the camera couldn't see that, all he had to do was write over it.

Adam begins to write. Blake stands back and smiles, grinning at the students, sure he is about to prove Adam wrong. The formula Alan had copied from a fax he got back from the folks at UCLA came to life on the board.

Blake loses that smug look and his mouth drops open as Adam makes his way across the board writing a complex mathematical formula with the chalk. He gets to the end of the board and walks back to continue.

"Wait, explain this please," Blake says.

"We have to establish that a light year measured in miles is the only reasonable way to explain distance. So this is the formula for that. Figuring that there are thirty one million five hundred and thirty six seconds of time in a year times the speed of light at one hundred and eighty six miles per second, and then since a parsec is three point two light years ... "

"Stop, please ... just stop," Blake says. "I don't know where you got this but ... " And that's when Adam touches his arm. Blake freezes as Adam closes his eyes. The man blinks twice, and then snaps back with a smile.

"That will be all, Adam. Thank you," Blake says. "You may go back to your seat."

Adam walks back down the aisle and slides behind the desk next to Beverly. Her eyes are on him now as Blake slowly erases what Adam had written. She leans over the aisle towards Adam. "How did you do that?" She whispers.

Adam grins. "I saw it on Jeopardy."

"Cut," Alan yelled. "Good, very good."

Tina came in and moved some of the kids around, changing the look. Beverly left as did Leonard, and Beth Schultz walked in, she was to play Adam's English teacher, Mrs. Congreve. They had a scene from yesterday's script to shoot.

Once again Mark stood in the hall with Tina until she gave him his cue. Adam walks through the door and Congreve nods to him.

"No more coming in late, people."

Adam takes an empty seat and waits. "Where was I?" Congreve says. "Yes, Bennett?" And a boy raises his hand. Tina had kept it simple; Congreve had a list of the kid's names in front of her. "Timmons?" Another hand goes up. And then there is silence.

"Who are you?" She asks, pointing at Adam.

"Adam Vernon."

Congreve looks at her roll book. "I don't see your name in my book, I don't even recognize you. Go to the office if you would please and ask them which class you're supposed to be in."

There is laughter in the room. "Silence. Please do as I ask Adam, go get your class schedule straightened out."

Adam nods, stands up and walks back to the door to make the exit. "Cut," Alan said.

They shot some time of kids playing hoops in the gym, more shots in the cafeteria, and that was the day. Tomorrow and Friday would be much the same; the work was repetitious and often boring. Today everyone had to sit around as things were set up, changes made, and the extras moved here and there.

"How are you doing?" Wayne asked, as he walked over to where Mark was leaning on the wall.

"Just bored, I hate the waiting," Mark said.

"I figured it out once by carrying a stopwatch on the set. I had an important part on a particular show, but every time I had to stop and wait I started that watch. In nine hours I waited exactly four hours and thirty two minutes, and that was on the payroll. It was sad; I should have brought a book."

Mark smiled. "You read a lot?" "I have, between jobs ... fiction mostly."

"I had you pegged as a non-fiction kind of guy," Mark said.

"That came first, and then I wanted the escape value, now I read scripts," Wayne said.

Mark smiled. "Next season our characters go on a field trip together, it runs two episodes."

Wayne smiled. "That will be fun." Then he laughed. "What do you do to me?"

"Hmm, a museum trip, just imagine all the trouble Adam can get into there."

"You wrote the script already, didn't you?" Wayne asked.

"No, it isn't complete yet. So far it's all just thoughts on paper. The writers and I have this crazy game we play called 'What if Adam found himself in ... ' We haven't become tired of that one yet."

"Can I ask you something? What do you want to do after this series ends?"

Mark nodded. "Fair question, acting more, films maybe. But I like the writing, maybe even directing."

"You have a feel for the creative side, beyond acting that's where you should go," Wayne said.

"Did becoming an actor make you happy?"

"Yes ... and no. I've never played a lead. I'm the consummate character actor in everyone's mind which kept me busy. Too busy perhaps. Two marriages, no children. I'm single now and live with two other gentlemen. They keep me company, I can't complain."

Steve wandered up. "I'm bored," He said.

"Welcome to the club," Mark replied. Wayne left the two boys alone and wandered back towards the locker room. Mark looked around and saw no one near.

"Your parents get their trip all set up?" Mark asked.

"Yeah, it's cool, thanks for having me over," Steve said.

"You sleep in my room, when we're there."

"And where else would we be? Look, I'm not going to perv on your body," Steve said. "I'm sorry about where we started."

"That's okay, you're learning. Speaking of which, we might get a night over at Tim's, he has a wicked house and a cool pool."

"Oh? Now that might be fun," Steve grinned.

"You want to jump his bone, don't you? I don't think it will happen, Steve. Sleepover doesn't mean sex."

"Tim's good to me, and that's all I ask," Steve said. "Who knows what will happen if I get him in bed, I'm gonna bone up just thinking about it."

Mark smiled. "Look, I get it, you're horny ... nothing new there. But Tim won't get into anything because of your inexperience, and I'm sure he thinks you're too young."

Steve laughed. "So you want to explain to me what makes it so acceptable at your age?"

"Yeah, we're different people, and the guys we're into see us differently," Mark said. "You go pushing Tim into a corner and you might lose him."

Steve lowered his head. "Yeah, I know. If I can sleep in his arms I'll consider myself lucky. I didn't know I could be interested in an older guy but ... God, he turns me on."

Mark smiled, and then looked down. "Yeah, I can see that."

Steve blushed and covered his crotch; they were both wearing gym shorts as they awaited the next scene. The flimsy material did little to hide his erection. "Shit, I better go do something about that." He turned and looked down the hall at the Men's room. "Be right back," He said.

Tina finally walked up just as Steve returned from his mission. "Sorry guys, the herd isn't cooperating," She said, referring to the extras. It was Friday, the kids were getting restless.

"You want me to talk to them?" Mark asked.

Tina nodded. "I could use the help; we need to get that gym scene shot pronto."

"One speech, comin up," Mark said. He followed Tina down the hall and Steve trailed along, they could hear the noise in the gym already before they even walked through the doors. Kids were running up and down the bleachers, while against the wall Frank and his guys were working to fix a broken boom arm. The delay had made the kids wild.

"Guys ... Guys," Mark yelled and the kids turned to look at him. "Come and sit down," Mark commanded, and slowly the kids did as they were told.

"You wanna be out there standing in line for some frickin cereal commercial? Or do you want to be in a hit comedy show?" Mark's words made them all sit up and pay attention. "I started off selling corn flakes, it isn't any fun, believe me. You have a chance to do something right here with us and make the show look real so don't blow it."

Frank looked up at Mark's speech and grinned, the kid was on a roll. "I need you to cooperate, and I know it sucks having to wait, but I'm waiting too," Mark said. "The crew is working hard to keep things together and sometimes things break. But it all has to work perfectly if we're going to have a great show, give them a break.

"I want this show to be a success ... and so do you. Then you can tell all your friends to watch you, because each of you is important to the success of the show. I bet none of you knew how hard it was to make a television show, and now you do. You come here for maybe three, four hours a night, that's when you do your work.

"But these folks, the camera crews, the assistants like Tina and even the director, spend hours you don't see preparing for us. They work all day before you get here, and they don't stop once you're gone. Without those guys we're nothing. I've spent three months working on this show before you even arrived, and I'm glad to see each of you because I need the help.

"So chill out and listen to Tina. We have speaking parts coming up and good things are going to happen in the next five weeks. You want to be a star? You want to have your friends point and say there he is, there she is, I know that person on the show. Well give Tina your attention, she's a star maker, she's going to pick the ones for those little important speaking roles. I want each of you to be a star. Because once you are then I know all my work will mean something, we'll have a hit show. And then you'll be famous."

Mark smiled. "Thanks, and as Alan says 'Let's make television.'"

They applauded, the kids actually applauded, and that made Mark blush. Tina smiled gratefully and Frank laughed as the camera boom lifted back up the way it was supposed to.

"Ready," Frank yelled, and Tina went to fetch Alan.

The kids were all looking at Mark now. He was the star, they knew that, but he had made each of them feel a part of this and called them stars too. The gym scene went flawlessly, and Steve went through his blocking with the three other boys, falling to the floor on cue.

Interestingly enough Steve was a good basketball player, just not for the show. It was a moment Adam witnessed, watching the other boys laugh at Steve's clumsy attempts. The frown on Adam's face and his clenched fists told the audience that he wasn't pleased to see Steve treated like this. There was no doubt when the scene ended that Adam was going to do something about it, it just wouldn't happen until the next episode.

For along with building a silly adversarial relationship with Puckett, being oblivious to Beverly's adoring glances and maneuvers to get some time alone with him, Adam was a thoughtful alien. Steve was the first human to seek his friendship, and Adam was going to become that friend, no matter what it took. Episode Two would bring on the bully, and he was going right after Steve. It was time to introduce the audience to the other powers Adam possessed.

Wayne took the early van back to the studio to pick up his car, Bonnie was waiting for Beverly to change her clothes, and Jean was there for Steve.

"Is Rosie here?" Jean asked her son.

"Mark's aunt? Haven't seen her, he came in with Brian today," Steve said.

"Oh, our flight is at six in the morning, we switched airlines at the last minute. You know your dad, he saved a dollar. But I was hoping you could go home with Mark tonight, it will be a mess getting out of the house tomorrow morning," Jean said.

"I haven't packed, I need my stuff for the week," Steve said.

"I packed your bag, sweetie ... it's in the trunk. You think asking Brian would be all right?"

"He's like family to them, he makes the decisions too," Steve said.

"Okay, is he available?"

"Yes, I'll go find him for you ... come on inside, they won't mind." Jean followed Steve in the building, looking around at all the equipment and clothing hanging on racks. The costume people were pulling together their laundry pile, gym clothes had to be washed over the weekend.

For each actor that appeared on the television screen there were dozens of people working behind the scenes to assure the success of the show. Brian had been a part of that world, a place where fathers passed down jobs to their sons, mothers to daughters. The union crews often looked like one big family, but they were all there for a reason.

Just as Mark had said, their work never ended, they were in charge of the details. Often it was tedious and tiring work, but they were paid well for that discomfort. The union kept them working and the members became specialists at what they did, Frank was like that. But he liked what he'd seen and heard today, Mark was all right in his book and he shared that thought with Brian.

"Your boy did well today, made a mighty fine speech and straightened those kids right out," Frank said.

Brian had been checking the next week's shooting schedule when Frank cornered him in the little production office they had set up at the school. He smiled in return. "Yeah, Tina said Mark gave them what for."

"No, it was real smooth, he gave them something good to think about, and he all but said we were angels," Frank laughed.

Brian smiled. "Guess he likes you."

Mark walked in the office to see if Brian was ready to go. "Hey, there he is," Frank said.

"What's up?" Mark asked.

"Nothing, just thanks for what you said about us a while ago."

"You kick ass, Frank. Those brats needed to see that," Mark replied.

"Well we appreciate it, just wanted you to know. You guys have a good weekend. Lord knows how many of them we have left," Frank said.

That was a depressing thought. They might have to work weekends if they fell behind. Scheduling was in Alan's department, he controlled the shooting lists. If it all got done they had time off, otherwise ... no one wanted to think about that. Shows had demands placed upon them by the broadcasting networks, deliver or else were the usual messages.

"Thanks, Frank," Brian said, and about that time Jean and Steve walked in.

"Here he is," Steve said.

"Hello, Jean, were you two looking for me?" Brian asked.

"Yes," Jean said, and she explained the situation.

"No problem, we'll take him home with us tonight," Brian said. "You guys have a safe trip and enjoy yourselves."

Jean rolled her eyes. "With my sisters? I never know," She laughed. She kissed Steve good bye and was gone, the boy ran after her to get his bag from her trunk before she forgot.

"So you have him tonight, and Tim gets him tomorrow, might be an interesting weekend," Brian said.

Mark smiled. "Might be, you forget, tonight is Rosie's Bridge night ... that means we sleep at your place."

Brian laughed. "No threesomes planned, I hope."

"With us? Never, I don't like to share," Mark replied. Maybe Tim would come over, now Steve would like that. Somehow something would happen, Steve was one sexy little boy. Mark smiled to himself. Yeah, and he knew what sexy boys could do for a man.


On to Chapter Nine

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"Adam Conquers Earth" Copyright © 2011 Chris James. All rights reserved.
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