Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 08:00:20 -0400
From: chris james <drmeta4@gmail.com>
Subject: Adam Conquers Earth, Chapter 8

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

	A bit more of an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes in a
television show. Some readers have expressed interest in these things, but
I won't overwhelm you with details. If the time spent in front of a camera
is the payoff for an actor, the time spent waiting to get there is the
harsh reality of the business. The devil is in the details, and there are
so many to contemplate in a production. Love is like that too, only the
rewards are greater. All comments welcomed. Chris James.

<drmeta@gmail.com>


				Adam Conquers Earth (M/B)

Chapter Eight

	"Action," Alan yelled.

	An explosion of sound, and kids poured off the school buses quickly
moving towards the entrance. Camera One was back, way back in the door to
the main office, shooting across the lobby and out the three sets of double
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.

	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 stepped through the doors and into the lobby. "Cut," Alan yelled.

	"God what a noise," Frank said. "OK, 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 six 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 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, OK?"

	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 for you to use when you make your big
entrance. We'll walk you through it and tell each of you an action to
perform, OK?"

	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, thirteen, fourteen and
fifteen year olds, what a day.

	Finally all sixty were equipped with a variety of sweatshirts,
sweaters, 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 them 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 of you 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, old 249.

	Alan picked up a bull horn and addressed the kids sitting on the
buses. "OK, 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.

	"OK, 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.

	"OK, 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, it's just an act. Then throw your sweatshirt inside
and remove a book you'll find in there. Toss the sweatshirt, 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 will be a camera down there, don't look
at it, chat with someone else if you can, act natural, OK?

	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.

	"OK, 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 Brain 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.

	"OK, 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, OK? Take your
places, please."

	The kids loaded on the buses and they waited.

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

	"OK...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 kids, 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 if 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 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 OK 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 now
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, maybe they never would.

	"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 OK 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 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."

	Brain 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 after their run in the morning. Rosie nodded; she imagined
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 four 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; 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 that they now felt. 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, this just confirms that," 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 slammed her locker. "No, Steve, I can't say I will."

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

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

	Beverly smiled and shifted 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, OK?"

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

	Beverly nodded. "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 watched Beverly walk away and heard the bell ring, now he was
late for class and he rolled his eyes. He shouldered his backpack and
walked down the hall towards his classroom. Puckett walked out of the Men's
room and Steve almost ran into him.

	"Why aren't you in class?"

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

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

	"But..." Steve began.

	"Now, young man," Puckett said.

	Steve hung his head and just at that moment Adam came bouncing down
the hall. Puckett watched the boy approach and slide right on past him
without a care. "Well I...I never," He said, and turned to follow
Adam. Steve grinned and ducked 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 said.

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

	Puckett signed. "Let me see that schedule." Adam handed it over.

	"You have Mr. Blake for science now, third door down on the left,"
Puckett said. Then he followed Adam down the hall. Behind him in the
distance Steve scurried out of the bathroom and ran the other way, ducking
into his classroom. Adam opened the classroom door and walked
through. "Cut" Alan yelled.

	Frank rolled the unit into the classroom and Mitch followed behind
with the Steadicam. Ten 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. Adam 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;
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 it on the
desk and picked up a piece of chalk, writing his character name on the
blackboard. Adam nodded, the man was in character.

	"OK, 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 Adam.

	Adam opened the door and heard Blake talking.

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

	Blake looked up at Adam's entrance and frowned. "Take a seat
please." He turned back to the board and began to write as Adam walked up
the aisle and slid 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 One zoomed in on Blake as he turned 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 said. "But the Nebula is one thousand
three hundred light years from this planet."

	Blake stared at him. "Yes...I believe it is, how do you know that?"

	Adam smiled. "I measured it."

	The kids in the class laughed and whispered, Adam never lost his
smile.

	"You...you measured it?" Blake said. He shook his head and laughed.
"And when did you do this?"

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

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

	Adam rose and walked to the front of the classroom where Bake
handed him the chalk.

	"Would you care to show us your math?"

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

	"Just the simple form if you would," Blake said.

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

	Adam began to write. Blake stood back and smiled, grinning at the
students, sure he was 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 lost that smug look and his mouth dropped open as Adam made
his way across the board writing a complex mathematical formula in front of
the class. He made it all the way across the board and walked back.

	"Wait, explain this please," Blake said.

	"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 said. "I don't know where you got
this but..." And that's where Adam touched his arm. Blake froze as Adam
closed his eyes and then the man blinked twice, snapping back with a smile.

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

	Adam walked back down the aisle and slid in beside Beverly. Her
eyes were on him now as Blake slowly erased what Adam had written.

	She leaned over the aisle towards Adam. "How did you do that?" She
whispered.

	Adam grinned. "I saw it on Jeopardy," He replied.

	"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 Adam stood in the hall with Tina until she gave him his
cue. Adam walked through the door and Congreve nodded to him.

	"No more coming in late, people."

	Adam took an empty seat and waited. "Where was I?" Congreve
said. "Yes, Bennett?" And a boy raised his hand. Tina had kept it simple;
Congreve had a list of the kid's names in front of her. "Timmons?" Another
hand went up. Then there was silence.

	"Who are you?" She asked pointing at Adam.

	"Adam Vernon."

	Congreve looked 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 was laughter in the room. "Silence, do as I ask Adam, go get
your class schedule straightened out."

	Adam nodded and rose, walking back to the door and out into the
hall. "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 even Adam had to sit
around as things were set up, changes made, and the extras moved here and
there.

	"Are you doing OK?" 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, carried a stopwatch. 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 for 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; it's all just thoughts on paper. The
writers and I have this crazy game we play, like '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 just being an actor make you happy?"

	"Yes...and no. I 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 said. 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, OK?" Steve said. "I'm sorry about where we started."

	"That's OK, 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 do anything because you don't really know what there is to be
done, and you're thirteen."

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

	"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.

	Not that he needed to, but Mark figured he had the time. "I'm
coming with you," He said.

	Steve dropped his shorts and jock, sitting down on the toilet of
the handicapped stall. Roomy little place, Mark thought as he stood against
the wall. He just wanted to see Steve's cock in action; it was a total perv
move. For his part Steve seemed to enjoy the company, it was Mark after
all.

	The boy had all of a dozen pubic hairs, but his tool was good
sized. Mark looked at the equipment as Steve used three fingers to begin
stroking. OK, large hairless balls, four and a half, maybe five inches of
meat, the boy had enough to get the job done.

	Steve grinned and looked up. "Having you here is a turn on, this
won't take long."

	Mark smiled. "Maybe Tim would like a demo."

	"Oh God, yeah, " Steve sighed, his fingers sliding faster. His face
scrunched up as he concentrated. His tongue caught between his
teeth. Breath coming in short gasps. "I wish I was being fucked," He
groaned.

	"You want something long and fat up your ass? You want to feel the
burn as Tim slides into you?" Mark asked.

	"Oh yeah...keep talkin" Steve groaned.

	"His cock would feel like a bus parked up there, sliding back and
forth in all that slime from his cock." Mark grinned; he was warming up to
the task of turning Steve on. "Yeah, you'd feel the head of his cock
rubbing your butt hole and then the long slow burn as he pushed deep
inside."

	Steve groaned, he was panting now, his fingers moving a mile a
minute. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine the feelings Mark was
expressing. "He'd be slamming that cock into you so hard you're teeth would
rattle," Mark said.

	Steve was almost there, Mark could see the look on his face change,
he was about to cum.  "Then you'd feel his cum fill your gut, long hard
squirts of cum, blasting your insides like a fire hose." Steve gasped and
leaned back, arching his back and lifting his butt off the toilet. Mark was
surprised as the boy shot, two long ropes of cum pulsed out, a major event.

	Steve collapsed and let go of his cock, leaning back against the
toilet tank. Mark stared at the engorged cock that was still standing
straight up from Steve's crotch. Damn, it even looked bigger now. He'd only
seen it once or twice as they changed, but even then it had been behind the
fabric of the boy's underwear.

	OK, he'd misjudged Steve's level of maturity, and he watched as
that fat cock began to wither, bubbling out a few more drops before
lowering between the boy's legs. The two blobs of cum lay on the floor
glistening, Steve was a sperm making machine already, good deal.

	"Damn...that was hot," Steve said. "Thanks."

	"You show that to Tim and he might just change his mind," Mark
said.

	Steve smiled. "God, I'd love that." He grabbed some toilet paper
and wiped himself, then looked down at the results on the floor.

	"Leave it," Mark said," It will make the others wonder."

	Steve laughed and pulled up his jock and shorts. "Thank you," He
said, giving Mark a hug. It wasn't an over the top thing, just friends, and
Mark hugged back.

	They took their places back in the hall as if nothing had happened,
and nothing was. Tina finally walked up. "Sorry guys, the herd wasn'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. Now you all have a chance to do something right
here and make the show look real, because that's why you're here."

	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, I'm
waiting too," Mark said. "The crew is working hard to make it all work,
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, listen to Tina. We have speaking parts coming up;
good things are going to happen 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 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 person/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.

	"OK, is he available?"

	"Yes, I'll go find him for you...you can come inside you know, 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 if they fell
behind. Scheduling fell in Alan's department, they controlled the shooting
lists. If they got it all 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.