Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 21:09:23 -0400
From: chris james <drmeta4@gmail.com>
Subject: Adam Conquers Earth, Chapter 6

Dear Reader: the following is a story of adult fiction, persons under the
age of 18 are not permitted to view this material.

	The world of gay men is not a place for young boys, and yet I've
seen them there, standing on the fringes, looking for recognition. It only
validates my personal feelings that a place needs to be made for them, only
something at their own level, something safe and kind. Every community
needs a center, a safe haven for gay youth, a place where they can join
with their peers so they don't feel alone in a world of men. For all too
soon a boy becomes one of those men, and if good values have been instilled
in their lives they will do us proud. Support gay youth, we need that
furure. All comments welcomed. Chris James.

<drmeta4@gmail.com>



			 Adam Conquers Earth (M/B)

Chapter Six

	Both Brian and Mark looked shocked, something that pleased Tim
immensely. He loved the reactions people had to the changes he'd made, for
the club was now a fantasy paradise four stories high.

	"Oh My God," Mark said, walking to the window.

	"Can they see us?" Brian asked, concerned that a fourteen year old
boy was looking out at...whatever it was, it was hard to describe.

	"One way glass, to them it's a mirror," Tim said.

	Now Brian stood and walked to the glass. "Lord, Tim....look what
you've created."

	Tim joined them. "It was the most fun I've had in years."

	They were at mid-level in the club which was surrounded on three
sides by balconies, two of them, all filled with tables and chairs. "Seats
eight hundred now, the rest is play space," Tim said.

	"How did you manage that, aren't we underground?"

	"No, that's an illusion of the elevator ride. Only the main floor
is at the basement level, the rest is above ground, we're on the first
floor, and you can see the other two above us."

	"I remember...well it doesn't matter what I remember, it's all
changed," Brian said.

	Below them the club floor was covered in dancing guys, and a few
women couples. The space was half the size of a football field at least,
except the balconies curved in at each corner. An elevated stage sat on one
end facing the club, and even that was part of the overall showcase.

	The club lighting flashed and spun, throwing patterns and spots on
the dancers, it was a disco on steroids, a huge playpen of color and sound.

	"You want to feel a part of it?" Tim asked. "I can turn on the
sound."

	"Just for a while, if you would," Mark said.

	Tim walked back to the table and retrieved the remote. The room
filled with sound, as if there was no wall whatsoever. It was more than
just the music, the sound of the people was mixed in, and it made them feel
a part of the club.

	Brian began to absorb the atmosphere and studied the
decorations. The lower walls were covered in film posters; great huge
reproductions of famous stars and starlets. Between them old silent films
were projected on the walls, it worked well, everything was in black and
white including the tables and chairs. The only color out there was in the
people and lighting overhead moving across the dancers.

	On stage there were acrobats performing amidst the chaos, six guys
in white outfits, lots of skin showing. Out on the floor amidst the dancers
were jugglers and clowns, engaging the clientele was all part of the
fun. Brian looked over at Mark and saw he'd spotted the handsome guys doing
their act on stage; at least the men weren't naked.

	"Gina Roland comes on in a while, we can watch during dinner," Tim
said. "I love lesbian comedians, they have an edge."

	"You have a lot of talent on the payroll," Brian said.

	"It takes sixty employees to service the place on average, eighty
on heavy nights. But we have a call in policy so we pretty much know who's
going to be here at any given time. The acts are booked weeks in advance,
Tony handles everything for me, I couldn't do it without him."

	There was a knock at the door and it opened, revealing a
waiter. "Good Evening, Mr. Real, may I serve you refreshment?"

	"Perrier for me," Brian said.

	"Two, Luigi, if you please, and Mark?" Tim asked.

	"I'll take iced tea, thank you."

	The waiter closed the door and was back moments later with their
bottles and glasses.

	"Do you wish to order now?" Luigi asked, producing small menus from
a side pocket of his uniform.

	"Brian?"

	"Yes, we better order, it's late."

	Luigi handed each of them a menu, there was only one page of items,
all enticing.

	"I recommend the prime rib," Tim said. "Unless you've gone
vegetarian on me."

	"No," Brian laughed. "Mark?"

	"Can I have the rib?"

	"Yes, with vegetables and a salad I hope," Brian said.

	"Sounds good," Mark said.

	"Three prime ribs, Luigi...house salad and the sides," Tim said.

	"Yes sir, coming up," The waiter said. Brian saw him glance at Mark
and smile before he left.

	"Is the staff gay as well?" Brian asked.

	"Luigi is, New Yorker, loves it out here," Tim said. "Tony has
drawn on a lot of his contacts for the people here. A great bunch, Luigi is
our most experienced."

	Mark was back at the wall, glass in hand, fascinated at the sights.

	"I think he likes it here," Tim said with a smile.

	"Yes, I agree, this was a good idea. He works hard, the last two
months have been grueling," Brian said. They chose several comfortable
chairs and sat with only the coffee table between them.

	"You shoot for the season now, I imagine. About two months work
Rosie told me, and then what?" Tim asked.

	"Publicity tours, interviews, media events. Triton is going to want
to sell this in a big way, lots of public exposure," Brian said.

	"Then you break?"

	"We'll have to; Mark will need some recovery time. I thought about
getting him out of town."

	"And what about you? You're not immune to the stress. You're
committed to this venture, you ought to unwind and let me handle the daily
needs," Tim said.

	"We'll both need a vacation if that's what you mean."

	"It is, someplace to hide if nothing else."

	Brian nodded. "It hasn't hit us yet. I just don't want it to
overwhelm him; he's going to be standing at ground zero. I won't allow this
town to change him."

	"Then let me arrange a getaway, if his aunt agrees that is," Tim
said.

	"I don't think Rosie will stand in the way, she sees what's ahead,
and I keep her informed on my thoughts."

	"Will she approve, if she finds out?"

	"I don't know what she'll do; Mark has already told her he loves
me. Whatever it is, she'll think of his desires first." Brian smiled. "At
the moment I'm prepared to deal with it, I can't do without him."

	Their dinner arrived fifteen minutes later, three waiters wheeled
in a cart and they took their seats at the table to be served. Luigi and
his fellows laid out the meal from the covered dishes and fussed before
leaving them alone.

	Tim raised his glass for a toast. "Welcome to Hollywood's most
exclusive club, always glad to have friends over, both old and new."

	And just as they started the meal the sound in the club faded out
and the lights arose slightly. People returned to their seats as a tall
slender woman took to the stage and the lights shifted onto her.

	"Hey there," Gina said. "Glad you could come tonight. I'm Gina
Roland for those of you who don't know me. I'm a lesbian." There were
cheers from the balcony. "Hi girls," Gina waved.  "I had them bussed in
from Venice Beach, nothing like a few lesbians hot off the sand."

	There was some laughter at that crack. "So I was sitting on the
cross town bus the other day and there were these three high school aged
girls sitting in front of me. So we pulled up to a stop on Wilshire and
they looked out the windows at people sitting on the bench and one girl
turned her friend and said. "I hope that boy sitting out there is gay,
because I'll tell you, he is just so hot looking."

	Her friend seemed surprised. "Now why would you say that? I'd sleep
with him a minute if he was straight."

	"Yeah I would too, but my boyfriend would be upset," The first girl
said.

	The third girl turned around and laughed. "He is gay, I know him."

	"You do? But how do you know he's gay?"

	"He was making out with your boyfriend at Marcy's party the other
night, now that was hot looking."

	The audience laughed. "Girls, they always want what they can't
have. Gay guys are lucky, the harder it is the more they go after it." More
laughter. "So how do you tell if a lesbian is turned on? Not like there's
some kind of telltale bulge to look at. We'd all look pretty silly walking
around with our tongues stuck out." That was the punch line and the place
broke up.

	"She has some good jokes," Tim said. "Better jokes anyway, she
experiments a lot, I imagine she has to."

	"Mark understands humor better than I do, he's written a lot into
the show," Brian said.

	Tim's eyebrows went up. "Lord, you're writing it as well?"

	Mark chewed on his mouthful and held up a hand asking for
patience. Finally he swallowed. "I just throw out ideas, sometimes they
work. I like building situations that turn out funny and we work them into
the show. You should come see the pilot on Monday."

	Tim smiled. "You'll be there, so I will as well."

	"Are you like my personal bodyguard or something?" Mark asked.

	"No, we're going through an evaluation period. Until I discover all
your needs you'll see a lot of me. Generally the staff will rotate, I just
have a vested interest at the moment...besides, I like you."

	"I like you too. This is all great fun," Mark said.

	Gina's voice cut back in. "You know I heard this guy badmouthing
the President the other day, Obama is too liberal and all that crap. Well I
voted for him, I have to defend him, don't I?" There was some applause. "So
I walked up to this guy and got right up in his face and gave him a piece
of my mind. He groaned and shut up, and do you know why? Nothing like a
lesbian to give you a fierce tongue lashing and make you groan." That
caused a lot of laughs.

	"I think she's off kilter tonight, sorry," Tim said.

	"Comedy is so hard," Mark said, "She's pretty brave to stand out
there in front of all those people. But why all the lesbian jokes?"

	"It's her thing, something she understands I imagine," Tim
said. "The audience is lesbian and gay, that's what they want to hear."

	"That's where it flops; she needs to think beyond that. A straight
comedian wouldn't just tell one kind of joke. Put a straight guy up there
and he'll feel awkward in front of a gay audience, which in itself will be
funny."

	"He's right you know," Tim said. "We focus inwards entirely too
much, humor is universal."

	"Watch out, Tim, Mark will change a lot of things in your life, he
does that," Brian said.

	"Then I'm booking some straight comedians next month, I hope you
come back to see them," Tim said.

	Mark smiled. "You feed me like this and I will, but not like I can
sit out there and watch."

	Tim smiled. "You're welcome to dine in here any time you want, I'll
tell Tony. A few years from now it won't matter, if..."

	"Yeah, there is that," Brian said.

	"What?" Mark asked.

	Brian put down his fork and looked at the boy. "By the time you're
eighteen everyone will know that face, it will be hard keeping secrets. At
least now we have someplace to hide away and enjoy good food in peace."

	Mark frowned. "I don't want my life to become a circus, but I know
it will if I'm out there. Thank you, Tim, your offer is graciously
accepted. Until I get the chance to come out in public, I guess this is all
I get."

	"I'll try to make your life easier," Tim said. "I know a few secret
places where you can be yourself without worry. You just do your best to
focus on the work, Brian and I will take care of the rest."

	Mark smiled. "You know, I really do need to find you a boy, you
sure know how to treat one."

	James drove them back to Brian's condo around midnight; Mark was
exhausted by then and almost fell asleep in the car. Brian gave Tim a hug
and a kiss before they got out. Mark was half asleep by then and Tim kissed
his forehead.

	"You guys rest, I'll see you on Monday," Tim said "Don't worry
about anything, there will be security on your tail from now on, you'll be
followed discretely."

	"How will I know who it is?"

	"I'll give you our handbook to read, it explains everything. But
for now, if you're ever out in a crowd and feel uncomfortable just stand
still and place a hand on top your head. My man will step forward and
identify himself by saying 'I'm the Real deal, what can I do to help you?'"

	"Seriously?" Brian asked.

	"We don't joke, we protect," Tim said, and then he looked down at
Mark. "And you already know he's worth it. Call you tomorrow afternoon
about Monday's arrangements, OK?"

	"We'll be here or at Rosie's," Brian said.

	"I'll know where you are, we'll be watching. Good Night."

	Brian undressed the boy and laid him in bed, Mark was out a few
minutes later. He was tired too but still wound up. Tim had been awfully
nice to them this evening; a lot of it was directed at Mark as it should
be. The security angle seemed well covered once they went out. Both his
place and Rosie's were alarmed, and there were lots of locked doors.

	But the attention wasn't on them now, next week it would be
different. He did feel stress, Tim was right; it just hadn't quite sunk
in. He ought to go to bed, and then get Mark up for a run in the
morning. He wondered if their tail was a jogger, there was one way to find
out.

	Brian laid his clothes on the dressing chair and slid under the
sheets beside Mark. The boy sensed his warmth and slid over, cuddling up in
his arms without waking. Yes, Tim needed one of these affectionate
creatures, everyone ought to have one.

	The phone rang at eight o'clock and Brain cursed himself for not
turning it off the night before. But the caller ID said it was Rosie so he
answered.

	"Sorry, did I wake you?" Rosie asked.

	"That's fine, Rosie, time to get up and run anyway."

	"Alan, the director, called here about ten minutes ago, he wants to
talk to Mark. Are you coming over?"

	Brian looked over at the sleeping boy, so much for jogging. "Yes,
we'll be right there after I get Mark cleaned up."

	"Thanks, Brian....see you soon."

	Brian dropped the phone back in the cradle and leaned over to kiss
Mark. The boy moaned and Brian kissed him again.

	"What did Rosie want?" Mark mumbled.

	"Alan wants you, not sure why."

	Mark sat up. "He's doing the edit, there must be a problem."

	Brian shook his head. "Is there anything about this show that
you're not involved in?"

	"I just hope we don't have to re-shoot anything, there's no time."

	They showered and dressed, managing a little kissing under the
spray of water, but then they took a brisk walk over to Rosie's. Brian
looked around as they walked...the guy out with his dog? No, the one on the
bike. But he figured he would look pretty silly if he stood there with his
hand on his head just to find out, Tim might get pissed.

	Mark called Alan while Rosie made them some breakfast. After
exchanging pleasantries, Mark listened as Alan talked. After a few minutes
he laughed.

	"No, that will work; Frank won't mind I'm sure. You seen one
McDonalds you've seen them all, right?"

	Alan said something else and Mark grinned. "Then go back to it,
you've made incredible progress." A pause. "All right, tomorrow, bye." And
Mark hung up.

	Mark smiled. "Did you know that Frank actually shot two McDonalds
for that traveling sequence? He passed by one and then shot until he got to
the other; they were both in the can. Alan needs the time though, so he's
splicing a bit more of my doggy imitation hanging out the window."

	"Aww, that was a cute bit," Brian said.

	Mark laughed. "It was so hot out there that my tongue actually
started drying out."

	"So that was the big crisis?" Rosie asked.

	"Yeah, silly, huh?" Mark said.

	"I can see the new credits for the opening season now," Brian
said. "Directed by Alan Dawkins and Mark Harrison, written by Mark
Harrison, edited by Mark Harrison and, oh by the way, starring Mark
Harrison."

	Rosie laughed. "Sounds like the truth."

	"Lord, now I'm nervous again," Mark said.

	"Just relax and eat your food, dear. You ought to take a swim and
rest up a bit," Rosie said. "Did you boys stay out late last night?"

	"Tim took us to dinner, and we talked about the security," Brian
said. "I guess we were both in bed by midnight."

	"Tim is a nice man, I didn't know his father was involved in the
studios," Rosie said.

	"Tim's dad is in movies?" Mark asked.

	"Yes, all the big money in town has a hand in that, I wasn't going
to tell you right away," Brian said.

	"Why not, is it a secret?"

	"No, you'll find out sooner or later, he owns a piece of Triton as
well."

	"I work for Tim's dad?" Mark said.

	"Indirectly I suppose, but I don't expect it will affect any film
work you take on, it just might help a little."

	Mark smiled. "Intrigue, I like that. You better jog home and get
your bathing suit; I'm headed for the pool."

	It was Brian's turn to smile. "I have one of those in the guest
room as well."

	"So what are we waiting for," Mark said, pushing back from the
table.

	"You boys have fun, I'm going to the hairdressers so I can look my
best tomorrow," Rosie said.

	"You look sexy everyday," Mark said, sliding by her and jumping to
avoid the swat she aimed at his bottom.

	Brian laughed and Rosie grinned. "Cheeky lad," She said. "Will you
stay for dinner?"

	"Yes, ma'am," Brian said.

	"I should be back by three, we'll grill some chicken."

	"Sounds good."

	"You relax, Brian, I know he wears you out," Rosie said. Oh if she
only knew.

	Brian changed and joined Mark by the pool. Mark lifted his sun
glasses and whistled at Brian's body. "Hey, sailor, nice abs."

	"Lazy lout, we didn't even run today, you got off easy. I need to
exercise daily to keep this shape you seem to adore."

	"Not my fault," Mark said.

	Brian went over to a corner of the deck and began to do stretching
exercises. He ended up doing a series of Tai-chi moves, slow methodical and
very focused movements, the ancient Chinese version of aerobics in slow
motion.

	Slowly he felt the body come under control, the movements became
fluid, flawless, and Brian closed his eyes. How many times had he allowed
the yin and the yang to blend within him, thousands maybe? The ancient
discipline gave him peace, power and most of all, a greater sense of being.

	His body was covered in sweat; his lungs inflated, his heartbeat
slow and steady. The concrete beneath his feet was too hard for a good
workout; he needed a mat or grass. Brian stopped his flow and stood erect,
breathing deeply as he felt the muscles relax, his body in repose.

	He opened his eyes and strode over to the shower nozzle on the side
of the house, turning on the cool water and standing under the spray. He
looked over at Mark and saw the boy laying there, glasses in place, eyes
turned towards him, and a huge bulge in his suit.

	"My God, that was erotic as hell," Mark said. "What were you
doing?"

	"Tai-chi, ancient exercise...and more," Brian said. "Want to learn
it?"

	"Oh hell yeah, I almost came in my suit."

	Brian laughed. "Well it won't teach you that, just the opposite."

	"I don't have any issues with the cumming part, I'm an expert
there. You looked so...so out there, like your mind was on a different
plane," Mark said.

	"Yes, I'm totally relaxed now; I should teach you how it works."

	"You mean now?

	"Maybe some basic movements, come over here and let me show you
something simple first." Mark got up and stood before him. Brian stepped
out of the spray and shut off the faucet. "OK, first off this is Yang
Style, simplicity itself. Here is the opening stance, you follow along."

	Brian stood up straight and relaxed his shoulders, raising his arms
and holding them out in front of him, palms facing outwards, elbows
bent. "Now you bend your knees slightly, raise the left leg a few inches
and step forward pushing up with your right leg as you slowly kick the left
leg forward."

	Mark was imitating him, wobbling a bit, trying to maintain
balance. "Now raise your left arm and slowly come down on that left leg,
shifting your weight from right to left. Turn your body to the left a bit
and raise your left hand as you bring your right arm across and then swivel
your body back to the right as you bring the left arm up and press down
with the right."

	"There, you went through four moves...how did it feel?" Brian
asked.

	"Awkward...how many moves are there?"

	"A couple dozen in this style, they come in differing combinations,
and I do all three major styles in my routine. It takes me three minutes to
do all the Yang moves, want me to show you?"

	Mark nodded. "Guess I better see what I'm up against."

	Brian went back to the opening position and ran the sequence. Slow
and steady, no hurry, feeling the shifts and turns, the flow of energy
returned, and he finally ended back at the starting position.

	"God, I'm gonna feel like a ballet dancer," Mark said.

	"Probably end up strong as one. This is a slow relaxing use of your
muscles, it teaches your body harmony. Then when I switch into the
Tae-kwan-do moves my body is ready for the abuse," Brian said.

	"You fought with Tim?"

	"Yeah, he kicked my ass regularly. The combat exercises are brutal;
I would be covered in bruises for days."

	Mark smiled. "Then why did you do it? Did it make you feel sexy?"

	Brian nodded. "Beyond sexy, I felt vital, alive."

	"OK, I guess we add Tai-chi to the lessons, I want to feel beyond
sexy too."

	They swam for a while, got out and lay in the sun, where Brian
lathered the boy in sunscreen. He was wondering if Tim's man was able to
observe their movements, if so they could never make love out here again.

	Finally lunch time approached and they retired into the coolness of
the house and hit the shower. Slippery sunscreen, warm skin and falling
water, Mark was turned on immediately. Brian lay on the bottom of the tub
and allowed the boy to ride his cock. Slow and deep, he plunged upwards
into the heat of the boy and felt Mark tremble. Each time their moves
became better and better, but the results were always the same.

	Brian finally groaned out his orgasm and then before Mark could
shoot he pulled the boy up and plunged that stiff young cock down his
throat as Mark let go, it was always a pleasure to receive that gift. Mark
plopped down on him and their tongues dueled, the best way to say I love
you.

	Mark finally giggled. "That Tai-chi stuff, it would make a great
sexual exercise. Slow and sensual."

	Brian laughed. "I'm sure the ancient Chinese figured that one out
too, look how many people they have, someone's been busy."

	"They need more gay guys, cut back on their population explosion
the fun way," Mark said.

	"You can tell them that when you get to be President."

	They ate soup and salad for lunch, and then walked up to the stores
just for something to do. Mark browsed the magazines; Brian looked through
the herbal teas. Two minutes later Mark came running up the aisle with a
magazine in hand.

	"We made the trades already," He said, holding out the magazine.

	The headline of the bit read: "Aliens Invade Television...Again?"

	A short piece, about Alan Dawkins, Triton and little about the show
itself, except they did say "newcomer Mark Harrison stars."

	"They don't have the facts yet, wait until after the preview,"
Brian said. "At least they mentioned your name."

	"I need some more of that Tai-chi; I 'm feeling nervous all of a
sudden."

	"Relax, sweetie, they're going to love it."

	Dinner was fun, it felt like a family cook out. Brian was mindful
of what Tim had said last night, what would happen when Rosie found out?
For someday she would, he could count on it. The way they felt for one
another would be observed, reported or discussed at some point, life like
this just never seemed to remain private enough.

	Brian remembered the college days, he was working steady for the
union by that point, and it was hard to always make classes on time. But he
had friends who took the notes and shared them; he managed to pass all the
exams at least. He was deep into martial arts by age nineteen; at least he
had the respect of his Phys Ed teachers at the school.

	Studying physical education was a no brainer, he had the union
work, and he didn't need a fancy degree. Besides he could always teach the
subject when he was done, if he ever got done. The health classes were
easier than the required English and sciences, but he dug in, he got that
paper...and then he shoved it in a drawer and got behind a camera.

	No one in the union knew he was gay; they were still a homophobic
bunch. But he'd played with boys here and there, some of them off the
street and working for cash. It was always risky, what if someone saw him
pick up the boys? But they were always one night stands, something just
didn't click. Mark had pushed all that aside, everything clicked with this
boy.

	Mark had homework, he was enrolled in the studio school and they
took him off the set three hours a day to meet the minimum
requirements. Triton was happy that Alan had decided to shoot the majority
of school scenes after four in the afternoon, they saved a lot of tutoring
expenses that way. But Mark and the core cast of kids met on the studio lot
for class, it was all pretty easy.

	After dinner Mark sat down and read his English assignment like a
good boy while Rosie and Brian watched 60 Minutes. A homey feel pervaded
the house until Tim called. Brian took the call in the kitchen.

	"We'll pick you up at eleven, do lunch and make the studio by one,"
Tim said.

	"Fine, Mark has school from three to six tomorrow," Brian said.

	"Good, we'll go bother the old man for a while, unless you want a
workout. Tommy has you today, he might still be around, said you gave the
boy a Tai-chi lesson today, good thinking."

	"Yes, but how many sheets of toilet paper did I use when I wiped my
ass this morning?  Jeez, you guys are spying on us, I never saw the guy,"
Brian laughed.

	"With him you won't, ex-Seal. Tommy is one of my creative guys...he
might have been a bush and you'd never know it."

	"Just try not to spook us out, I don't want to talk to a bush if I
have to put my hand on top my head," Brian said. "How is your father doing
these days?"

	"He's taken a personal interest in Mark's new show, but let's not
tell the boy."

	"He already knows who your father is, Rosie spilled the beans this
morning," Brian said.

	"No harm, Dad won't get that close to it, but I'm sure he'd like to
see you after the viewing," Tim said. "He always admired you when we
sparred."

	"God, that almost sounds like he's gay," Brian laughed.

	"No, that's my thing, he's on wife number three...at the moment. My
mother is laughing it up in Hawaii on his dime; they had no pre-nup, so she
got half," Tim laughed.

	"You're enjoying his misery way too much for a good son, shame on
you."

	"Hell, I'm in both wills now, I get it all back." And Tim roared
with laughter now.

	"OK, I get the picture. So tomorrow then?"

	"Yeah, have a good night, Brian...Manuel will be on first thing in
the morning."

	"Ah, a clue...maybe I'll spot this one," Brian said.

	"Keep looking, you might, Good Night."

	"Same to you, sleep well," Brian said and hung up.

	Former lover to great friend, Tim had made the transition very
well. Brian went back in the living room and saw the television show was
over, now he would go home. Mark needed to sleep soon, so did he, just too
bad it wouldn't be together tonight.

	Brian kissed Rosie and Mark walked him out. "We dance at seven, so
you better get some sleep soon. I will Tai-chi you a bit more and then we
run," Brian said.

	"I'll try to sleep, see you in the morning," Mark said.

	"Good Night sweetie, love you."

	"Love you too, sexy man." And they parted.

	Brian took off walking, it was absurd to drive here and back every
time, it was only a quarter mile or so. He got to the corner and the light
was red so he waited as a guy came along on a bike, taking up the whole
sidewalk when he should have been in the street. Brian stepped off the curb
as the guy approached.

	The guy skidded to a stop and pulled a knife. "Give me your
wallet."

	Brian looked at the pocket knife blade, four inches, now that would
hurt. "Sure, whatever you say," Brian replied.

	He reached in his back pocket and extracted his wallet, holding it
in his right hand as he slowly bent his knees. He held the wallet low, and
the guy focused on it. A kid really, maybe twenty...a real novice. The guy
reached out for it as Brian held it out, and then he struck.

	His left hand shot out and pushed the knife arm off to the side as
his right hand dropped the wallet and his hand curled, the fist striking
the guy between the upper lip and the nose. The guy fell off the bike and
slammed to the concrete, the knife flying off into the street.

	"Feeling brave, I have more to show you," Brian said calmly.

	The broken nose must have been enough; the man got up and turned to
run. He made it about twenty feet away when an arm shot out from behind a
tree and clothes-lined him across the neck. The guy went down and smacked
his head, he was out cold. The arm was attached to a large black man, who
then stepped out on the sidewalk and looked over at Brian.

	"Tommy?" Brian asked.

	"The Real deal, you OK?"

	"Sore knuckles, that always happens."

	"Great punch, too bad you didn't go for the throat."

	"He didn't need killing, hate to mess up the sidewalk," Brian
said. "You still on duty? Tim said you might be out here."

	"I saw this guy earlier, he's been riding up and down looking for a
sucker, guess he got the wrong man," Tommy said. "I'm off duty now."

	"Can I buy you a beer? I live two blocks over," Brian said.

	Tommy smiled. "I know where you live, a beer sounds good."

	He walked over and picked up the bike one handed, tossing it into
the bushes. They crossed the street on the green light, leaving the mugger
out cold on the sidewalk. They got across the street and Tommy looked back.

	"He might be stupid enough to come back at you some other time; you
should have gone for the throat."

	"Yeah, you're a Seal," Brian laughed. "Do they always have to die?"

	"Just the jerks. What was that, a pen knife?" Tommy asked as they
walked quickly away.

	"Something long enough to hurt, I didn't need the distraction,"
Brian said.

	"You did some nice moves today, sorry, I got to watching," Tommy
said.

	"Your job, no apology needed."

	"You trained with Tim before...few years back."

	"Yes, I called him Sensei, he was tough." Brian reached the condo
and led Tommy up to his apartment. He punched in the alarm code and
unlocked the door.

	"Can I make a suggestion?" Tommy asked.

	"Sure, business?"

	"Yeah, open the door first and then disarm. If someone is waiting
for you then after forty-five seconds the alarm goes off, gives you the
edge. You have a keypad inside, so lock the door behind you and then
disarm."

	"Now why didn't I think about that?" Brian said.

	They sat at the kitchen counter on stools and Brian passed out the
beer. He didn't drink much, hardly ever. But Tommy was a big man; he
wouldn't even feel one beer. It was a friendly gesture; they had just done
combat together.

	"How long you been with Tim?" Brian asked.

	"Two years, I get the rap stars mostly. Blend in better."

	Brian smiled. "I'm surprised you can hide anywhere, big man."

	Tommy laughed. "I have my ways. Size is an issue though, I can't
make the moves like you, my muscle gets in the way. Tim tries to teach me,
I just don't flex in the right places."

	"What you do know is probably deadly enough," Brian said.

	"You going to teach the boy?"

	"What I can, limber him up some. We run now, he's developing good
habits. If I keep after it he'll get something from it," Brian said.

	"Don't know anything about actors; he seems like a smart kid. Just
keep him away from the parties. I've seen the shit those rappers get into,
it isn't fit for a dog."

	"Must be hard to be there and see nothing."

	"You got that right; some of it turns my stomach. Now like you, I
admire what you're doing for the kid and that lady. I know what you got
goin, that's your business. I got a boyfriend, he's all that to me and I
get what everyman needs...what else can we expect out of life?"

	Brian smiled. "A Seal and a philosopher, what a combination."

	Tommy left after an hour of pleasant conversation, they could be
friends now. It was hard to imagine a man that size being covert, but Brian
hadn't known he was around. A single mugger was no challenge; he just
wondered what might be ahead.

	He stripped down and slid into bed, setting the alarm for
six. Tomorrow he would begin to teach Mark's body how to be limber, and
then they could begin the real lessons. The boy would always remain small
of stature, no reason he couldn't stand tall and defend himself. It was
only a matter of knowledge; the boy had enough attitude already.

	Seven in the morning found them out beside the pool moving in slow
motion. Mark was beside him repeating the twenty-four moves of the
Yang. Brian took the boy through it five times and then they ran. Their
morning jog had gone from five miles to eight, and soon it would be
ten. But together with the exercises it was enough of a cardiovascular
workout to give Mark that much needed high; the boy was learning to
appreciate his body.

	Rosie was up when they got back, and Brian still hadn't spotted
their shadow. Whoever Miguel was he knew his business. He guessed all this
covert minding was Tim's way of making them feel normal, otherwise a
babysitter could just run along beside them and no harm done.

	They showered and dressed, back into suits once again, this was a
business day. Mark packed a gym bag with school clothes for later on, and
then they had to kill time. Rosie looked good too; she wasn't an
unattractive woman. But she was young enough to find herself another
husband, it only seemed that Mark was in the way, but that wouldn't last.

	Brian's parents had moved to Long Beach, still close enough for his
dad to work occasionally. He hadn't been over there in months, but he
needed to once the show got up and running. There was always something in
his mother's eyes when they met; she wanted him to settle down. The gay
thing she could accept, but she knew he didn't have a partner. Mark would
just be too hard to explain, it kept him from visiting.

	Tim was there on time and they went to Barringer's for lunch. A
business man's lunchtime hangout, their suited presence was hardly
noted. Mark ate little, his stomach held too many butterflies for him to be
hungry. Brian would have to make sure he snacked later on; a fourteen year
old ran on calories, he would need the fuel.

	The cast all met in the stage side greenroom, the target audience
came in off the street side of the theatre, and they could all blend in
just before the viewing. Mark got a much needed hug from Alan, who looked
like he hadn't slept a wink in two days.

	"Brian, good to see you," Alan said. "Ready for another week?"

	"Good to go, and so is Mark. Did you get any rest at all?" Brian
asked.

	"A little, enough. The final edit looks wonderful, but you know how
good the prelim looked. I'm going to enjoy myself today if it kills me,"
Alan laughed. OK, he was on edge.

	Rosie spent some time talking to Bonnie Cooper while Mark stood
with Beverly and Steve. The younger boy was dressed to kill and Brian still
thought he would soon be a real heart-throb amongst fans of the show.

	Brian had never been overwhelmed by the blonde look in boys,
although Steve was definitely the poster child for blonde glory, maybe it
was the blue eyes. He stood in contrast to Mark's brown hair and gentle
brown eyes; they made an attractive duo on screen. Beverly would be a
knockout in any situation; she fairly glowed with health and vitality
today.

	Brian found himself gravitating towards Frank, the lone crewmember
in the room; it seems he wanted to know what his future was going to be
like.

	"Hello, Frank," Brian said, and they shook hands.

	"Hell of a thing," Frank said. "All this nonsense for something we
already know will be a hit; they ought to just get on with it."

	"You know it doesn't work like that anymore," Brian said.

	"I saw your dad the other day, Archie Simmons, right?"

	"Yes, that's him."

	"He looks chipper, all bronzed up like a surfer. He said he was
retired, boy do I envy that," Frank said. "I'm getting too old for these
gigs."

	Brian chuckled. "You can't be over fifty, give me a break."

	"I'm gonna hand over that Steadicam once we get rolling, that
sucker is too heavy for my shoulders. Wish you were back on active."

	"I may never sit behind a camera again; look at the mess I've
gotten myself into."

	Frank grinned. "Someone has to hold Dawkin's hand, might as well be
you. Oh Lord, here we go."

	Mark found him as they moved towards the door, Rosie waited for
them and they walked in together. The audience was already seated as the
cast slid into the rear seats of the large theatre. Brian sat with Mark and
Rosie on one side, and Steve managed to sit on the other. He was there with
his mother and she smiled gratefully at Brian as they took their seats.

	A publicity guy from Triton took the stage to explain to the
audience what they were about to see. From start to finish the pilot would
take twenty-three minutes to run, the other part of the half hour was
tagged for commercial time on television. Twenty-three minutes had taken
nearly three weeks to make, the weekly episodes would be assembled in a
week at most.

	After the pep talk was done the theatre dimmed, and Mark took
Brian's hand. He was surprised until he saw that the boy had also taken
Rosie's, clever lad. Out of the darkness there came the sound of Deodato's
music, and the story rolled on screen.

	Brian sat fascinated at the final edit; it was everything he'd
hoped it would be and more. He was shocked as the thirty second narration
explained why Adam had come to Earth, not by the words, but by the
audience's laughter. Yes it fit, it was funny.

	The music swelled as the sun rose and Adam stepped from the craft,
then he began the dance and the audience applauded as they laughed. God,
they'd done it. The only moment of silence was at the end of the opening
when Adam's voice rang out saying "McDonalds?" Yes, it was perfect, they
had all felt the plaintive cry, they had empathized with the boy
immediately.

	The episode opened with that walk across the sand and the audience
hung on that until the car arrived in the scene. Adam's mind control
business didn't phase them, they seemed to get it and laughed at Vera's
dead pan reactions, and Rick's silly responses. There was more laughter at
Adam's dog out the window bit, and then they hit McDonalds.

	Adam's business at the counter brought more laughter, which grew as
the character spoke and ordered the entire menu. There was a lot more
laughing as they saw the aftermath of the meal plastered on Adam's
face. Alan had spliced in one more bit as the Vernon's drove Adam to his
new home, the dog bit got another laugh, and it had been a repeat.

	The biggest laughs came in the confrontation between Adam and the
dog, it had been spliced perfectly, and Adam stole the scene from the cute
animal. But the dog got it back in the bathtub scene. It was uphill from
there, the surfer speech got laughs, the television bit got laughs and the
scene with Casey went over big. By then Steve was nervously holding Brian's
hand as well, but he relaxed when his lines got laughs.

	The most wonderful part of the episode rolled as Adam stepped out
the door into typical suburbia on his way to the bus. There were chuckles
at the bus stop confrontation with Beverly; she sold her attraction to Adam
very well. But Brian almost held his breath at the end when Adam took off
his headphones, but he laughed like crazy along with rest as the dust blew
out the windows of the bus. It was funny, damn funny.

	"Awesome." Beverly and Steve said, and then Adam's glorious smile
ended the pilot. The audience was still laughing as the final credits ran
and they began to applaud, there were even a few cheers and whistles, but
the applause lasted a good long while.

	They had been entertained, amused, and made to laugh. The Triton
man stepped back in front of them and explained the procedure, the audience
had one final responsibility and that was to fill out the questionnaire
before they left their seats.

	Brian and the cast filed out of their seats and went to stand in
the audience lobby; they had to thank those people. By one's and two's the
audience walked out of the theatre and saw them waiting. The majority
zoomed in on Mark and the other two kids; it was just what the Triton guy
in the corner wanted to see.

	The questions came about the work, the props and the costume. Mark
answered them all and Brian realized that the boy had sixty people standing
around listening to him speak He was the magnet of the show, and Brian saw
Alan with that silly grin plastered on his face. Yes, there was no doubt
now, they had a lot of work ahead, but their paychecks were now assured.