Adam Conquers Earth
By Chris James
Author's Note
I wasn't sure this work would ever see the light of day again. It was written some years ago and posted to a site other than the one you are now viewing. I wasn't going back, but I have always loved these characters, and so I have returned to this story.
Characters brought this story back to life. Not the characters in ACE, but the ones in Exit Stage Left, my ode to the backstage people in theater, the ones who live in the dark.
The rebirth of ACE came about because the sequel to Exit Stage Left will soon be finished. I am calling it Exit Hollywood, and it will continue the lives of those original characters blended with those from ACE. Why create new characters when there are perfectly good ones waiting in the wings?
ACE began as a challenge to write two stories in one: the real life adventures of the characters and the scripted one featuring them as actors in a television series. I have included some production details to educate the reader, but wherever possible they have been simplified.
In summary, ACE is the story of two very different boys at work in the entertainment industry. The people they meet and the relationships they form are all important to their fictional lives. Many of the events they encounter are a matter of good fortune or fierce determination. The life of an actor is not always smooth sailing, and nowhere is that more apparent then in Hollywood.
As always I must tell you that this is a fictional story and none of the characters are meant to portray real persons. This is a love story with humor and sadness, much like real life. You won't need a television to enjoy this story, and better yet, there are no commercials.
My thanks to Wayne, Gary and Ted for the assistance in resurrecting this story. Old work is filled with errors and they worked hard to find them. We do not demand perfection as much as we like to read it. Enjoy!
Chapter One
"Camera Two, take a wide shot of Jeremy and Janice, and this time try to include a bit of the sofa behind them. I don't want it to look like they're floating in thin air when they kiss. Steady One, stay right on them just like you are. Three, move up left for a head shot on Jeremy after the kiss. Standby Two. Go Two. Ready Three in three, two...hold, Three. What do you mean there's a cable in the way? Somebody move the damn cable. Two, zoom in slowly and cover Three's shot. Is that cable gone yet?"
The director's droning voice grated in Brian's headset. The man sounded like he had been up all night chain-smoking and drinking scotch, his favorite pastimes. Oh, and he had probably been with the prop girl, he was sweet on the new one the union sent over last week.
Brian wondered why he couldn't get a gig running a camera on a game show. At least there was an audience to liven things up. No, he had to pull a gig on Camera One for Beacon's World, the lousiest soap opera on the air.
"Okay, Standby Three, take the close up, in three, two, one...Go Three. That's it, say the line, dummy...put the sweaty hand on her boob...slap to his face. Standby fade to black. Standby logo, execute fade black, go logo, go voiceover and credits. Okay, cut, that's a wrap for today. Ginny, get that head gaffer over here. I want to know who left that damn cable in the path of my camera."
The headset went dead as the studio lights came up. Brian pulled Camera One back to the startup position and hung his headset on the hook before putting the camera on standby. The maintenance tech would give it a once-over before shutting it down. Brian took his clipboard across to the stage manager's desk and signed out, noting that there were no problems with the unit today.
Beacon's World was in studio C - C for crap they all joked - with the oldest cameras in the building and the rattiest set BulletCom Studios owned. Martin Bullet would try and squeak by another season with this junk. At least he knew this show was destined for the trash bin. Lord knows why the sponsors stayed behind the damn thing. Inside information said that Janice was boinking the producer and the sponsor. Brian didn't believe that one bit. She was a lesbian.
Show business had introduced him to some strange people, but he liked most of them. Rafferty, the director, was a man on the way down in his field but you wouldn't know it. He treated the stagehands and cameramen as professionals. Either they made him look good or they all sank together, and jobs were hard to come by these days.
The core of this crew had been together for three years, cranking out Beacon's World five days a week. With a cast of fifteen actors and the occasional guest star it had hit the afternoon schedule with a bang. Competition was fierce in the two o'clock time slot, but for some damn reason this show had its share of loyal viewers. Brian wasn't one of them.
The overhead speakers of the studio intercom clicked on. "Good work this morning, guys," Rafferty boomed out. "Lunch break in ten minutes. Cast please be back promptly at one-thirty for the script changes and we'll go with the afternoon run-through at three. Technical crew call is at two-thirty. Thanks guys."
Brian wandered over to the office to see who was going where for lunch. Several of the cast members had gathered by the studio door backstage behind the set to sign out. He saw the new kid sitting on the desk talking on the studio phone.
The original boy on the show in the part of Brandon Beacon had been busted for possession two weeks ago and the producers fired him the same day. It was a bad for the image of the studio and all that. No one bothered to ask what a seventeen year old boy was doing in possession of six grams of cocaine.
So in the blink of an eye old Brandon was replaced with a new boy. No explanation was given in the script or in studio publicity. Zap and he was there. The new kid, Mark Harrison, seemed to slide right into place even though the ink on his union card and contract was probably still wet.
Mark was sixteen and came from one of the local casting companies. Not being a seasoned television actor, he stumbled around on the set a bit the first week. He'd played parts in several commercials and done some stage work, but he was a virgin in front of the studio camera lens. Still, he was a lot better looking than the original boy
Rafferty had pulled Brian aside the week before and put a hand on his shoulder. It could only mean that he wanted a favor and probably something Brian's union wasn't to know about.
"You're the youngest cameraman I have, Brian," Rafferty said. "The new boy needs a few pointers, and since Ginny is already overworked I was wondering if you would talk to the kid about camera etiquette. He'll take to you like an older brother."
Older brother? Okay, Brian owed the man a favor so he really had no choice. At least this boy wasn't snorting up in the Men's room. When presented with the idea, Mark was receptive to Brian's businesslike approach and agreed to spend a few minutes each day learning what the audience saw through the lens of a camera. Rule one was simple: Don't scratch any part of your body unless it's in the script.
Mark was just getting off the phone when Brian approached.
"Hey, Brian," he said with a smile.
Damn, he sure liked that smile and the audience seemed to take to the kid really fast when they saw it.
"Hello, Mark, going to lunch?"
"Naw, my aunt can't make it today so I'm stuck here until the run through."
Mark lived with his mother's sister, a sweet woman who always brought enough fresh baked cookies for the whole crew. The family situation was something Brian had never questioned since most actors liked their privacy off camera.
He remembered seeing Mark as a little kid in the cereal commercials once he was reminded about them. The boy was only ten or eleven back then. He'd grown considerably since those days, topping five feet now. Maybe he would stay short his whole life. Like a lot of kid actors his career might depend upon it.
But he was too skinny and needed nutrition. "So who's the official babysitter for you today?" Brian asked.
"I came in the studio car this morning and reported to Ginny," Mark replied.
"Let me talk to her," Brian said, and Mark smiled.
Damn, Rafferty had been right, the kid liked him. Brian worked his way across the set to where Ginny was standing by the control room door. She looked up and gave him a smile as she talked to the gaggle of assistants that surrounded her.
"Make sure that jacket fits him better, you know how Jeremy is." Ginny always talked about the actors using their character names because it saved time. Her whole world as production manager was about saving time, a tough job considering the pressures she endured from all sides. She gave Brian a nod, it was his turn.
"Can I take the brat to lunch?" Brian asked.
"No aunt today?" Ginny said as she signed several forms and handed them out to the waiting production assistants.
"Nope. Don't want the kid to starve, do we?" Brian asked.
"Big brother to the rescue, huh? Reading starts at..."
"One-thirty, I know, we'll be back."
"Good boy. Next," Ginny said and turned back to the gaggle.
Brian walked back to where Mark sat with his hoodie and hat already in place.
"I know she said yes, she always says yes when you ask," Mark said. "I think she has the hots for you."
"Not me," Brian said. "Can you imagine anyone getting that close to Ginny? She might give a boyfriend five minutes tops."
Both of them laughed as they went out the stage door. Mark followed Brian down the side of the building and into the lot where the technicians parked. His Jeep sat in the far corner, testimony to a low rank amongst his peers. The vehicle was white with tinted windows all around to keep out the hot California sun. Brian's real purpose was to keep rip off artists from seeing in and stealing the stereo.
He hit the remote button on the key chain and the alarm beeped as the doors unlocked. Mark climbed in on the passenger's side and took off his hoodie and hat. Brian got in and started the engine before setting the air conditioning on high. The world outside through the glass seemed dark and yet the inside of the Jeep was blazing hot. Summer in Los Angeles was not Brian's favorite time of year.
"It's my treat today, isn't it?" Mark asked.
"You know very well it is, but I won't hold you to it."
This part of their relationship had only begun the week before and Brian was still amazed at what he had discovered about the boy. But then he had always enjoyed the unexpected ever since he was a child. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before.
It was the previous Thursday, an afternoon that up until that point had been memorable only because Rafferty threw a temper tantrum after shooting the same scene five times. Jeremy and Janice just couldn't make the chemistry of the scene work out. Rafferty had called for a script change twice, and they finally got it right.
After taking a half hour break, Brian had returned to the set for Mark's promised lesson in soap opera 101. The boy had watched himself on the monitor as Brian taught him about the prompt lights, how to shift focus from one camera to another without jerking his head around and anything else he could think of that might help the kid. It was Mark who shifted the direction of their professional conversation.
"What if I pop a boner when I'm on camera?" Mark had asked out of the blue.
"You're supposed to be wearing a cup," Brian said. "Rafferty made the last Brandon wear it on every shoot. He would have glued it in place if he could. That kid was always looking down Janice's cleavage and playing pocket pool."
"I sure won't be doing that," Mark said. "What a moron."
"If you forget then let's just hope the director notices the bulge and tightens up the shot. No crotch shot, no foul. If we see it first we're supposed to tell him."
"You mean like tell him I have a hard on over the intercom?" Mark said.
"Yep. I'm supposed to sing out, 'Brandon's got a fat one in his pants.'"
"No you're not, that's a lie," Mark said.
"What, you don't have a fat one?"
"It's big enough to get the job done," Mark said.
"Okay, just don't cum in your pants, wardrobe will kill you," Brian laughed.
Mark came down the steps of the set and grabbed Brian around the waist. He was feisty enough to try and wrestle the man to the floor, but he just wasn't strong enough. Brian allowed himself to topple over and lay there laughing as the boy sat on his chest and tried to hold him down.
Brian tried to ignore the fact that Mark had a stiff one poking into his thigh because he didn't understand what the boy was after. Was the kid turned on by this little wrestling match? Looking down at the boy's crotch, Brian saw the outline of a hard cock.
"If I didn't know better I'd say you have the hots for me, little man," Brian said.
Mark blushed but didn't get off Brian's chest. Wanting to find out more, Brian freed a hand and grasped the stiff cock through the fabric. Mark froze and looked down at his face.
"You like what you got there, big boy?" Mark asked.
"Would you freak out if I said I did?"
"No. But I'd suggest we do something about it in the next fifteen minutes before my aunt shows up," Mark said.
And so Brian took the boy across the stage into the prop room and locked the door.
"I guess you've done this sort of thing before?" Brian asked.
"I'm gay, is that what you want to hear? I imagine you are too, although I've never heard of a gay cameraman before," Mark said.
"So you don't make a practice of having sex with cameramen?"
"No, you're my first...cameraman that is, I've been having sex for years. How do you think I got those commercial spots when I was ten?"
"Shit," Brian said. "Does anyone know about that?"
"Who would I tell?" Mark said. "I trust you'll keep my secret."
"On my honor. But you're so young."
"Don't spoil my sex life, I like sucking cock. Give me a chance and I'll prove it."
"Okay, it's a deal. But we tell no one."
"Thank you, Brian," Mark said and hugged him tight. "Do what you want but tomorrow it's my treat."
And so their afternoon game had started. It was back-and-forth, first Mark and then Brian. They enjoyed satisfying each other. Timing had been critical since the boy's aunt showed up promptly at six to pick him up. This would be the first time they had a whole two hours alone and right in the middle of the day.
"I suppose we should eat," Brian said. "Fasten your seat belt."
"Got anything at your place?" Mark asked.
"I suppose I could find something. You really want to go there?"
"My aunt is sitting down at a cattle call with my demo tape right about now. I arranged for her to get stuck in a waiting room with several dozen mothers whose kids want a spot on a new sit-com. Brian, I set this up so we could have time alone, and you ask if I want to go to your apartment?"
Brian laughed as they pulled out through the studio gate into light traffic. The kid was really amazing. Twenty minutes later they pulled into the townhouse apartment complex and parked in front of the door.
"I give us an hour tops," Brian warned. "Ginny will kill me if we get back late."
"A whole hour," Mark said, poking him in the ribs. "We better get moving."
The boy started to undress the minute the door was closed. Shedding his shirt and shoes, Mark shucked out of his jeans and underwear, leaving only his socks in place.
"Are we there yet? Come on slow poke."
Mark tugged at Brian's clothes and half a minute later they were both naked.
"Which way is the bedroom?" Mark asked, pulling Brian down the hall.
Mark was all over him the moment they lay on the bed. The boy wasn't kidding when he said he liked to suck cock, it was like sex with a vacuum cleaner. This went on for several minutes and then Mark pulled away. "I want you to fuck me."
"Whoa, I don't think you're ready for that."
"Yes I am," Mark insisted.
"I'll have to think about that," Brian said. "What's the hurry?"
"We may not have much longer. I'm surprised we've made it this far, you know Beacon's World is doomed. I expect we'll both be out of work in a few months."
Looking at the bedside clock Brian realized they were running out of time. "Come on, we have thirty minutes to shower, eat something and get back to work."
Mark tried to blow him again in the shower but Brian wasn't ready for that. He was thinking about sitting in the union office and wondering if there was another job out there with his name on it. They grabbed a ham and cheese sandwich, a handful of cookies and an apple before leaving the apartment.
"You going to invite me to your place again?" Mark asked.
"Lord, yes," Brian laughed. "We seem to do better here than in the prop room, don't you think?"
"It's just a matter of timing," Mark said. "My aunt keeps pretty close tabs on me."
"I would too if I were in her shoes."
They made the studio lot with three minutes to spare. Mark headed off to the green room for the read through while Brian wandered over to the office. Ginny was sitting at her desk crying, something he'd never seen her do before.
"We're in the toilet, Brian," she sniffled. "Mr. Bullet called about an hour ago and said Walco pulled their sponsorship. We all knew the ratings were going down, I just didn't expect it to happen so fast. They're telling the cast right now."
"How long before they pull the plug?" Brian asked.
"Today, now. Oh, you'll get credit for the week, but I'd call the union if I were you," Ginny said.
"Aw, shit. I'm sorry Ginny. You shouldn't worry. Lots of companies out there would hire you in a minute."
"Yeah, but I liked this gig. I've been here since the beginning," Ginny said.
"Rafferty probably went ballistic," Brian said.
"You got that right, he's over at Bullet's office right now," Ginny laughed. "Says he's had it, gonna kick some ass, but I know better. Uh, oh, here comes the cast."
Brian looked up as Jeremy and the others came walking out onto the set. Mark was standing there beside Janice who had her arm across the boy's shoulders. Brian wandered over to see what they were saying.
"Hey, Brian...did you hear?" Mark asked.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. You were just getting started here."
"He'll do just fine," Janice said. "Won't you, Marky?"
"Yes ma'am, but it won't be this much fun," The boy replied, looking up at Brian.
The cast sat around on the living room set waiting for Rafferty to arrive. Brian pulled the crew aside one by one as they arrived for the afternoon taping session and gave them the news. About half the crew walked out and headed across town for the union office, the others sat around in shock.
Rafferty arrived just before three and confirmed that Bullet had pulled the plug. Mark sat on a bench in the corner talking to Brian; both of them worried that this might be their last conversation.
"I don't want to lose what we have," Mark said. "Will you come see me?"
"I'd like that, but what do we tell your aunt?"
"I don't know, but I'll think of something. Will you get work again soon?"
"Don't know, maybe some remote assignment with a news crew, but the studio work is pretty well tied up," Brian said. "You have my number at home. Keep in touch and let me know what you're doing."
Mark was about to suggest they sneak off when his aunt walked through the studio door. Unlike the somber group on the set she was all smiles as she came across to where her nephew sat.
"Mark, they want to see you," She said.
"Who?" Mark asked.
"They liked your audition tape. They want to interview you for the sit-com role tomorrow."
"Really? That's great," Brian said, introducing himself to the woman.
Mark explained to his aunt what had happened to Beacon's World and she shook her head.
"I'm sorry this was so short-lived, but now you have another chance."
"Go for it, Mark," Brian said. "You'll like comedy, it's a bigger challenge."
"Brian has been coaching me on the set," Mark told his aunt. "I was just starting to learn things."
"Well if Brian gets any free time maybe the lessons can continue? Would you like that?" She asked.
"Yes, I would," Mark replied.
Mark's aunt fished in her purse and handed Brian a business card. "Please call when you get some free time and we'll make the arrangements."
"Thank you," Brian said, looking down at the card. All it said was Mark Harrison and the home number. "I'll be sure to call."
Mark gave Brian a big hug. "Knock them dead tomorrow," Brian said, "You know you can."
"Call me," Mark said. He left with his aunt and Brian was sure the relationship was gone for good.
Like the rest of the crew, Brian headed across town to the union office and put his name on a list. Wait, they told him, just wait a while. He went grocery shopping and then went home to wait.
Brian went jogging the next morning, just like everything was normal. It took a lot to keep a twenty-four year old body in shape if all you did was sit around and worry. He cleaned the apartment from top to bottom, something he now had lots of time to accomplish. On the third day Brian went jogging and came home to find the message light flashing on the answering machine.
Brian hesitated and punched the button. Whoops of joy burst forth from the tiny speaker followed by Mark's babbling words. "I got the part, can you tell? My aunt is down working with their agency on a contract. Where are you? Please call me immediately."
Brian hit the return dial and waited for the ring. Mark picked up on the second tone.
"Brian, it's you. Oh, we have caller ID in case you didn't know."
"Congratulations on the part, I hope it's a big one," Brian said.
"Starring role. I mean big bucks. I still can't believe it, I keep pinching myself. What are you doing?"
"Waiting," Brian said.
"Oh, can you come over here?" Mark asked.
"I don't know if that's a good idea, your aunt might not like it."
"Don't see why not, it was her idea," Mark laughed.
"What? Uh, does she know about us?"
"Heavens no, I just have an idea I want to float past you, but I want you here so we can talk," Mark said.
"Uh, okay. Where do you live?"
Mark gave him directions and before hanging up Brian said he would be there in about an hour. What was the kid up to?
They lived in a nice suburban California-style home. The front yard was walled in and filled with palm trees. Brian parked in the drive next to a pool service van. Did Mark's uncle work for a pool service? The boy had never mentioned the man or what he did.
Mark leapt in his arms when the door opened. "Oh, Brian, it's so good to see you." He smothered Brian with kisses before being pushed off.
"What if someone sees us?" Brian said.
"There's no one here except the pool man out fixing the filter," Mark said.
"No uncle?"
"He's been dead for three years," Mark replied. "Sorry, I never got much of a chance to tell you about my family. It's just me and my aunt now."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"So come on, let me show you my room," Mark said.
If he hadn't known Mark was a teenager the room would have said it loud and clear.
"Sorry for the mess," Mark said. "I haven't been myself all day."
"When does your aunt get home?" Brian asked.
"She's gonna call me later and see where I want to eat dinner. We're going out to celebrate and I want you to come along."
"Oh, I didn't dress to go out."
"It won't be fancy, we're not that kind of people," Mark said. "Want to go for a swim?"
"I didn't bring a suit either," Brian said. "And what about that pool man?"
"He's probably done, we'll go check."
The guy was finished and just filling out his paperwork. He told Mark that he had replaced a leaky valve that was bleeding air into the filter tank. Mark thanked the man and locked the gate behind him.
"Ready for that swim?" Mark asked.
"You're sure your aunt won't be home any time soon?" Brian asked.
"She'll call first, trust me," Mark said.
It had probably been ten years since he'd been naked in a pool, but it all came back in a flash. Gary Larson's party! Six guys, all naked, in his pool. Brian didn't get laid but some of the guys had fun.
Mark stripped right down and dove in, Brian was a lot slower. He couldn't keep his eyes off Mark's compact little body. A few wisps of hair in his armpits and a dark brown bush above his cock. The equipment looked huge on that small frame, but it suited him very nicely.
The boy didn't mind him looking either, posing every chance he got. At one point Mark lay back with an erection sticking up out of the water like a periscope.
"Like it?" Mark asked.
"You know I do. Bring it over here and I'll kiss it," Brian said.
Mark laughed and swam over. "I forgot to tell you, you're expected to have a chat with my aunt over dinner."
"You said we were going to have a chat. What about?"
"I want to make you a job offer," Mark said.
"Oh? I've never been paid for what we do," Brian laughed.
"No, seriously. I want you to coach me. I need a line coach and someone to help me with blocking on the set," Mark said.
"But I don't have any experience in doing that."
"I think you do, and I am trying to keep us together," Mark said.
"Look, you have a big part in this new show. Don't you think it will require a real professional? If all you want me to do is hang out with you I'll do that. But don't do yourself a disservice by hiring me and expecting to get what you need."
"Brian, you don't get it. I already know about blocking and memorizing lines. I've spent lots of time on the stage. I don't really need the help. But my aunt doesn't know that, she's overwhelmed by all of this. You'll be more of a minder, which in this case is little more than a professional word for babysitter."
"So all I do is sit around and look pretty?" Brian asked.
"Hell no, I'm gonna work your ass off and pay you for it."
Mark mentioned a figure that was considerably above what Brian had made the past three years. If the show crapped out he could always go back behind a camera, so what was making him hesitate?
"Will this interfere with us in any way?" Brian asked.
"You're asking if this will make you feel like a whore, the money I mean."
"Maybe, won't it change the way you feel about me?"
Mark's eyes bored into Brian's, and the boy's features softened. "I've only known you like two weeks, Brian. But I find myself thinking about you all the time. To you maybe I'm just a kid and you think I don't know what I'm doing. But I do know and...and I'm afraid of losing you."
He was close to tears and Brian pulled him close, hugging him tightly. He was just a kid, but this said he was telling the truth. The idea of working for Mark made Brian a little nervous.
Would they still share these feelings as they grew older? What if Mark met someone he liked better? Adolescents were anything but stable creatures. And as if sensing those doubts Mark raised his head and looked Brian in the eye.
"This scares you, doesn't it?" He asked.
"Honestly, yes it does. I've never had a relationship with someone so young."
Not exactly true, but Mark didn't need to know that. The others had been in it for the money. None of them had ever considered it love. But did he love this boy? Think Brian, it's really important. Yes they could have love, he's worth loving. They just didn't know each other very well.
"I won't always be sixteen," Mark said. "Would it have mattered if we had waited until I was older? I'm old enough for the kind of sex you want."
"But sex isn't always the most important thing in a relationship. The age isn't really a factor, I'm just a big kid at heart, you know that, and I don't want to grow up. But I guess you figured that out already," Brian said.
"I never knew my father," Mark said, "It's probably why I'm attracted to older guys."
"Probably. How much older?" Brian asked.
"Well, it's not like I'm sleeping around at the retirement home," Mark said. "It's more like you give me advice, you're my friend, and I respect you."
"Where is your mother?" Brian asked.
Mark sighed. "I haven't seen her since I was six years old. I don't know the whole story, but she's in some kind of hospital. My Aunt Rosie won't tell me why, but I think she had a mental breakdown. Rosie has been my only family for a while now. Uncle Fred was sick a long time and the two of us had to take care of him until he died. Rosie says I have cousins in Texas but she's lost touch with them."
"So I'm the chosen father figure and your lover. That puts a lot of pressure on me."
"I want you in my life, and Rosie understands at least part of that. We've never talked about my sexuality and I don't try to act like the little gay boy in front of her. I like being a regular guy and so do you. It's why this will work. Don't you want a boyfriend that will be around a long time?"
"Can you really be ready to commit yourself like that?" Brian asked.
"If it's a partnership, yes I can. You become the man in my life and I'll bust my butt making a living for the both of us. Rosie has her own money as you can see but I want to help her out too."
"Maybe I'm crazy but when you put it like that I want to give it a try," Brian said. "But I'm worried about what Rosie might think of me if she found out. There are certain legal issues I don't want to get involved in."
"Rosie's the easy part; I'm probably the one you'll have to worry about. But I do well in school, I don't wipe my nose on my sleeve and I never fart in polite company."
"Okay, that did it, we can be partners," Brian said.
Mark kissed him for the longest time and made Brian realize there was a lot to love about this boy. They lay naked on the lounge chairs for a while and talked about the new show, which didn't even have a name yet.
Mark was to play an alien who landed on Earth to satisfy his curiosity. The rip off on Mork and Mindy, My Favorite Martian andThird Rock from the Sun was certainly apparent. Those shows had all been hits in their time, but this time the alien was just a kid on his own.
Mark's character was an alien adolescent assuming the role of human with all the problems a normal ninth grade human faces. With his size and level of development Mark would have no problem playing a younger character. So when he said the rough script for the pilot was a winner Brian believed him. The ground from this angle had to be fertile for a great comedy show.
As they talked Mark revealed that the producers and writers were leaning heavily upon him for suggestions about the character. Mark's first choice was his name: Adam.
"Think of Adam, like the one in the Bible, as the first human on the planet," Mark said. "Did he appear as a man or child? He has no previous experience, everything is new. He's really alien just like the character. Plop him down in a California high school environment and watch the fireworks. The writers totally loved the angle on life. I figure this will be good for about four or five years until the character has to graduate high school."
"Only the ratings will tell," Brian laughed. "Just think of all the girl actors that you'll get to kiss. And the little girl fans too."
"Yeah, well there had to be a down side. No one can ever find out I'm gay or the show goes down the toilet."
"You could have fun with the sexual identity thing, after all what do aliens know about sex?" Brian said.
"Good point, but let's get the ratings first, okay?" Mark said. "The pilot gets shot in two months on location. They already have a school and a house picked out, no huge sets in this one."
"Location stuff, quite a technical challenge for lighting and sound," Brian said.
"See, you do know things about this that can be useful. Have faith, Brian, we're gonna get rich. But right now I'm horny."
If a news crew had been flying overhead in a helicopter they would have had quite a story on their hands. But just as they finished and came up for air the phone rang. Rosie was on her way and any thoughts they might have about an instant replay were immediately dampened.
"Maybe we should shower before she gets here," Brian suggested.
"Good idea, I hate the smell of chlorine," Mark said.
Mark wanted to shower together, and showering with a boy had always been one of Brian's passions. Not knowing exactly when Rosie would arrive, getting clean became the sole objective.
Rosie arrived shortly after Brian got dressed and they sat down in the living room together while Mark dressed. A slight woman of about forty-five, she had worked in a law office until her husband got so very sick. There was family money and the insurance left by her late husband.
'"We never had children," Rosie said. "But Mark is like a son to me."
"He told me about his mother," Brian said. "Is there no chance that she will...?"
"No," she said, interrupting him. "Mary Anne has a degenerative brain condition and the doctors are surprised she's lasted this long. Mark is very lucky. He had a younger brother but the boy only lived a few weeks because of this condition. I've had Mark tested several times but there is no sign of the genetic defect that she has."
"This must be so hard for you both," Brian said.
"Mark has accepted it for what it is. I don't think he remembers her very much anymore."
"He has you, and from what I've seen he loves and respects you very much."
"He pushes me to the limit sometimes, but he's so talented. That's why I agreed to his plan regarding you, Brian. He needs someone in the business to guide him, but more than that he needs a role model."
"I've already told him that I'm not old enough to be a father figure, an older brother maybe, and he seems to accept that."
"Then maybe you can help me," Rosie said. "Mark seems to have quite a challenge ahead with this role he's accepted, but I don't want him to change. Too many child actors seem to end up in trouble and if I didn't trust him so much then I wouldn't have allowed this to happen. He respects you, Brian, he'll listen to you."
"I understand what you're asking, and I agree. Mark has a chance for a good career with this show. I won't let anything change that. As he gets older it may be more difficult, but we'll have to deal with it and I'll keep a steady eye on him."
They got no further in the conversation because Mark walked in the room.
"You two getting along?" He asked.
"Just planning your future, dear," Rosie smiled.
They went out to dinner at a little Italian place Mark said was Rosie's favorite. Mark put away a large plate of pasta and Brian told him for eating carbs like that he could join the morning jog circuit starting tomorrow. If Mark was to be under Brian's care then his physical health was part of the responsibility. Fortunately, the kid didn't have an ounce of flab on his body.
The three of them sat at Rosie's kitchen table and looked over Mark's contracts. At ten o'clock Brian suggested the boy should go to bed and he would go home.
"I'll be here at seven o'clock sharp for our morning run," Brian said.
"Seven? Why so early?" Mark groaned.
"Shooting starts in several weeks. You need to be in fighting trim for costume measurements. It will keep your brain sharp for all those script reading sessions and makeovers. Besides, I want the company."
Rosie chuckled and Brian saw her smiling at them both. "I'll make sure he's up," She said.
Brian got up to go but stopped and knelt down beside Mark's chair. "Make me a promise," He said. "If you listen to what Rosie and I tell you, and trust us to look out for your best interests, then I promise we'll do everything in our power to make you the next big star in this town."
Brian put a hand on Mark's head. "Fame is the hardest part of being an actor. So many people will try and change you to their image of success. Be true to yourself, Mark, resist change. Always remain the sweet intelligent boy you are at heart and the world will move over to make room for you. Remember, Rosie and I will be there to guide you because we care for you and nothing will change that."
"Amen," Rosie whispered.
Mark threw his arms around Brian's neck as he stood up, carrying the boy with him. Mark clung to him and the three of them stood there a minute before they realized Mark was crying. Rosie took the dish towel and blotted the tears from his cheeks. Mark took a deep breath and sighed. Brian held Mark in his arms as if he weighed nothing.
Mark looked at him and then at Rosie. "I love you both so much," He said. "I promise. Whatever it takes, I promise I'll do what ever you ask of me."
With that said Rosie leaned in and kissed them both on the cheek. She turned away with tears in her eyes and Mark planted a wet kiss on Brian's lips behind her back.
"I'll see you both in the morning, seven sharp," Brian said. He put a hand on Rosie's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Glad to be a part of your team, Rosie."
"I'll walk you to the door," Mark said.
"Good night, Brian. Drive carefully," Rosie called as they walked towards the front door. They stepped outside on the front porch and Mark closed the door behind them
.
Brian threw his arms around Mark and solidly kissed him on the lips. "So you just said you love me in front of Rosie, was that wise?" He asked.
"But I do love you. Rosie won't think of it in sexual terms. I'd love you even if we didn't have sex."
Brian stared into his eyes. "I believe you mean that and I'm flattered. Thank you. I can honestly say I love you too. You are the most amazing young creature I've ever met. I love you, Mark."
"Oh, you say that to all the boys," Mark replied, but Brian could see he was bursting with joy at the declaration.
"No, I don't. There has never been anyone in my life like you. This is going to be so much fun. We'll run a few miles tomorrow and we can talk about how love feels."
"It feels real fine," Mark said, and he kissed Brian deeply.
"You better go inside and get to bed," Brian said. "Rosie will be wondering what we're doing out here. Just be careful what you say to her, okay?"
"Good night, Brian, I love you."
"And I love you too. Go on to bed, and have sweet dreams," Brian said.
Mark turned to open the door and then looked back at him. "I'll be dreaming about you," He said, and gave Brian a wicked grin.
Brian drove home thinking about being in love with a boy. It felt like puppy love, adolescent fantasy mixed with adult sexual feelings. He had a new job that would either be the beginning of a wonderful career or his worst nightmare. Both would be the direct result of Mark's actions, it was going to be his choice.
Fame, money and bad habits always seemed to be thrown together in this town. Beacon's World had ruined one boy, and Brian was determined that nothing bad was going to happen to this one.
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