The Truth about Mork

Part One

"Mindy, where are you going?" Mork asked, noticing that Mindy was wearing her jacket, a wrapped gift in her hands.

"My friend Jennifer and her husband Bob just bought a house," Mindy said. "They're having a housewarming party tonight."

Mork frowned. "Well if the house needs warming, why don't they just turn on the heat?" He asked.

Mindy smiled. "Their house isn't cold, Mork. You see, a housewarming party is something people have to celebrate a new home."

"You mean, they didn't have a home before?"

"No, they had an apartment. Here on Earth, owning a home is considered a big deal. It's a transition into adulthood, a symbol that you're successful and financially independent. A home means security. It gives you a place to belong, to create memories. It's something you can count on as you grow older and have children. Haven't you ever felt that way about your home on Ork?"

Mork looked down at the floor. He couldn't explain it to Mindy, but suddenly he felt tremendous sadness. She noticed his pensive expression and interpreted it to mean that he was either still confused about the concept of home ownership or feeling left out of the evening's festivities.

"I want you to come with me," she said.

He looked up at her, his eyes brightening, a beaming grin on his face. "Really?" He asked.

"Of course. It wouldn't be the same without you. Besides, it will give you a chance to study more of our customs."

"I thought you didn't want me to go."

"Now why would you think that?"

"I don't know," Mork said, shrugging. He looked down at the floor again. "I just thought that…that I'd embarrass you."

"Embarrass me? No, of course not. You won't embarrass me."

"And I won't get in the way?"

"Get in the way? Whatever on earth would make you think such a thing?" She gently placed her hands on his shoulders. "Listen to me, Mork. You're my friend. I wouldn't think of not inviting you. I want you to meet my other friends, get to know them. It will be fun, I promise."

"Do you think they'll like me?"

"Of course they will. I don't see why not. They're my friends. If I like you, then they'll like you."

The tension in Mork's body eased. A relaxed smile spread on his lips. "All right, I guess I'll go," he said. He looked down at his clothes. "I'd better go put on some fancier duds if this is a party."

"You don't have to. It's casual. What you're wearing is just fine."

"You mean—come as you are?"

Mindy nodded.

"Oh, okay. I just hope they like who I bring."

"I already told you they would. What's wrong with you, Mork? You usually aren't this nervous or self-conscious. Why are you so worried that my friends won't accept you?"

"Oh, it's nothing I guess," he said, laughing. "Let's go."

He offered his arm to Mindy and escorted her like a gentleman out of the apartment, once again looking like the relaxed, confident alien that she remembered. She wondered why he had suddenly battled with such crippling self-doubt. He never seemed to care before about other's opinions of him. Usually, he seemed to move blithely through his interactions with others, never once pausing to concern himself over what people would think of his sometimes offbeat and eccentric behavior. She couldn't fathom why he was now so preoccupied with appearances, unless he was trying to impress her. Either that, or he had learned enough through his interactions with humans and gained enough experience to not be as oblivious to their reactions to him as he had previously been. She hoped not. She hoped he wouldn't become uncomfortable or censor himself around others in order to win their approval. His spontaneity was one of the reasons she loved him. She knew that her friends would also fall in love with him if he behaved like his normal, genuine self. He was endearing, his point of view refreshing. That was the Mork she hoped would show up with her to the party, not the insecure, almost frightened alien that had briefly replaced him.

The evening seemed to be going well. The house was gorgeous, a brand new log construction in the foothills of Boulder, overlooking the city. It was sophisticated yet rustic, far enough removed from the confines of the city to feel as if it were in the country, surrounded on all sides by mountains and pine forests. It was a peaceful setting, and Mindy couldn't help but feel a little envious of her friend's good fortune. She hoped that someday she could share a beautiful home in a tranquil setting with someone special of her own. As for Mork, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself, being his usual gregarious, outrageous self, hamming it up for his audience. Mindy laughed uproariously at everything he said, and he seemed to take great delight in amusing her, increasing his antics just to keep her pleased and keep the mood of the party light and elevated.

What neither Mork nor Mindy seemed to notice was how his maniacal performance was being received by the rest of the guests, including new homeowners Jennifer and Bob. While Mindy reveled in Mork's inspired madness, the others appeared to be uncomfortable and speechless, shifting in their seats and watching him with perplexed, bemused, and empty stares. Some of them looked annoyed, wondering when the craziness would end. They also seemed worried, as if Mork would suddenly become so out of control that he would send the entire party collapsing into chaos and mayhem. While they had come for a good time, they found Mork's zaniness a little too overwhelming, even for a party atmosphere. They released a collective sigh of relief and exhaustion when he was finished, excusing himself to the kitchen to retrieve another glass of punch, something Mindy assured him he could drink without getting drunk since it didn't have carbonation.

"Well, that was certainly different," one of the guests said, smiling awkwardly and doing his best to be diplomatic.

"What did the rest of you guys think?" Mindy asked, smiling as if she were a proud parent showing off her talented son. "Isn't he something else?"

Jennifer and Bob exchanged concerned glances. "Mindy, you're not…dating this Mork, are you?" Jennifer asked, her wide, almond-shaped eyes growing wider.

"Well no, not yet," Mindy said. "Gosh, I hadn't even thought of that, really." She blushed, wondering if she secretly was becoming attracted to him. "I mean…we're just friends."

"Oh," Jennifer said, looking relieved. She set her wine glass on her brand new dining room table, which was half crowded with gifts. "That's good."

Mindy noticed her friend's peculiar reaction. "What is that supposed to mean?" She asked.

"Oh no, it's nothing, really."

"She didn't mean anything by it, did you sweetheart?" Bob asked, looking down at his wife, who was a full foot shorter than he was.

"No, nothing at all," Jennifer said in agreement. "It's just…"

"Just what?" Mindy asked.

"You have to admit that he's a little…odd," Jennifer said, lowering her voice to be discreet.

"Well, I suppose he is, but that's why I like him. He's unique," Mindy said, doing her best to defend Mork.

"He's weird," another guest said, her voice a little louder and less tactful than Jennifer's, influenced partly by the two glasses of wine she had just consumed. "I mean, come on Mindy, what on earth possessed you to befriend someone like that? I thought you had more sense than to take in a crazy person. Did he just get released from the asylum or something?"

"Hey, I don't appreciate him being talked about that way you know," Mindy said, growing angry. "He's just as much my friend as you are, and if I may be honest with you, you're not acting much like a friend saying such hurtful things."

"Yeah, cut her some slack Bridget," another guest said.

"Thank you, Dave," Mindy said, looking for some support.

"You know Mindy," Dave continued. "That's just how she is—always taking in strays."

Bridget sniffed. "Well, I for one would never take in someone as witless and foolish as that," she said, "and I certainly wouldn't bring him to a party where he hasn't the sense of how to behave like a normal person. He ought to be institutionalized where he can receive proper care, that's all. Now I'm sure you meant well taking him in to your home, Mindy, but he could be dangerous. You should really give him to a home where he can be looked after."

"Mork is not crazy and he is not stupid!" Mindy shouted, her furor growing. "I can't believe you guys!"

"We were just trying to be supportive," Bob said, shrugging. "That's what friends do."

"We're just worried about you Mindy, that's all," Jennifer said. She lowered her voice again. "It's quite obvious that man has a serious problem."

"I know Mork better than any of you do," Mindy said. "He's fun, intelligent, and kind. He's been a good friend to me, which is more than I can say of any of you tonight. I came here hoping you would be as accepting of him as I am, that you would appreciate him as much as I do. I thought you would. I thought after all my years of knowing you that I could expect some ounce of compassion and understanding. I guess I was wrong."

She snatched her coat from the nearby closet and headed for the door.

"Wait a second, Mindy! Where are you going?" Bob asked.

"Home. Call me when you resemble the friends I remember. You can keep the gift."

"Mindy, wait! We're sorry! Please, don't leave it like this," Jennifer said.

"Come on, Mork! It's time to go home!" Mindy shouted, ignoring Jennifer's pleas. She heard no response. "Mork?"

She looked in the kitchen. It was in an alcove down a narrow hallway, detached from the living room. Sliding glass doors lead out to a balcony. They were partially open, a cool breeze drifting through the room. Even though he had been separated from the main activity by a wall, she knew that Mork had heard every painful word they'd said. He was nowhere to be found in the kitchen. Judging from the open glass doors, she knew he had escaped to the balcony. She hoped he was still there so she could try to talk to him, try to make him understand, if she could.

"Well I hope you're happy," she said in disgust, returning to the group. "He heard what you said, and now he's outside, sulking. I'm going to go see if I can reverse the damage you caused." She turned and left the room, not waiting to hear their protests. Nothing they could say would placate her at that point.

When she found Mork, he was leaning forward against the railing on the balcony, staring into the night. It was a full moon, the glowing orb casting the landscape below in a monochromatic, silvery shade, pine trees and mountains silhouetted in the distance. The sky was so clear that Mindy swore she could see every star in the sky, the limitless and vast expanse of the universe spread beautifully above them in a richly woven, cosmic tapestry. It was late spring, so the evening was alive with sounds of creatures emerging from hibernation. Crickets sang in the valley, creating a pleasant, soothing sound.

"Mork, I need to talk to you," she said.

He didn't respond. For a moment she thought he might have been contacting Orson, his body motionless as if in a trance, his blue eyes gazing into the distance. Then she realized that he wasn't meditating but just lost deep in thought. She had never seen him so still, so contemplative. She almost regretted disturbing him.

"What those people said in there," she sighed. "That in no way represents how I feel about you. I care deeply about you. I hope you know that. I defended you in there against their hateful words. I just hope you stayed long enough to hear me. I hope you believe me."

He was so still that she didn't want to disrupt his relative peacefulness by intruding upon his space, but she couldn't help but want to touch him, to comfort him. She approached him carefully and gently rested her hand on top of his, showing him that she supported and loved him.

"I don't understand how you can be friends with people like that," he said, acknowledging her presence but not looking at her, his gaze remaining fixed on the horizon.

"That's not how I remember them," Mindy said. "They're old friends. I haven't seen them in a long time. I thought I knew them better than that. I guess I was wrong. Believe me, if I knew they were going to be so judgmental and critical of you, I would never have come."

Mork nodded, as if he believed her. "They rejected me, just as I knew they would," he said.

"I know. I'm sorry. You were right. I guess along with your other powers, you must have a sixth sense about these things."

He frowned. "Not really," he said. "This isn't the first time this has happened to me. I guess I've just grown accustomed to it, come to expect it."

"What do you mean? People on Ork rejected you, too?"

Mork nodded solemnly.

"I didn't know that. I thought you were important to your planet."

"Not really. They just didn't know what else to do with me. That's what they do with Orkans who don't fit in. They send us away, hoping another planet will be able to deal with us."

"You mean, you're an exile?"

"Oh no, I can return any time I want to," Mork said. "I'm just not sure that there's anything worth returning to. After what happened tonight, though, maybe I should. I guess I just don't really have a home anywhere."

"That's not true. You have a home with me," Mindy said, squeezing his hand.

Mork grinned bitterly. "You're the only one who accepts me, though," he said. "No one else would even give me a chance."

"That's not true. My dad likes you. My grandmother likes you."

Mork shook his head. "They tolerate me," he said. "There's a difference."

"Well, it's their loss," Mindy said. She looked up at the sky, wondering if she could see Ork from where they stood. "I just honestly don't understand how anyone could reject you, especially your home planet. Is it because you have emotions?"

"There's some of that," Mork said. "I suppose I should tell you the whole story…"