Misfire

Part One

Mindy took Mork to the park on a pleasant summer afternoon. They couldn't have asked for a better day- the air was warm and still, the sky cloudless. The bright sunshine cast a beautiful glow, making the wildflowers look even more vivid than usual, and the scent of pine wafted through the gentle breeze that stirred on occasion.

"I'm so glad we could get away," Mindy said, holding Mork's hand as they walked. "I've been so busy lately I was beginning to worry that I was neglecting you."

"Oh, don't worry about me—I know how to keep myself busy," Mork said, smiling.

"Yeah, that's right, you have. Gina told me the other day that you were counting all the ceiling tiles in her restaurant."

"Well if I didn't, who would?"

Mindy laughed. "It's just nice that we get to spend some time together, that's all," she said, squeezing his hand.

"Yeah, it is nice," Mork said. He closed his eyes and felt the breeze caress his face. "I never realized how beautiful your planet really is."

"Especially on a day like today. I feel very fortunate to live here. I always have."

A red Frisbee sailed overhead, hitting Mork in the back of the head before resting in the grass at his feet.

"Shazbot! An invader!" He said, staring at the disk, perplexed by its sudden appearance. "Watch out, Mindy, they've come to attack!" He pushed her out of the way. "Don't worry—I'll protect you!"

He fired his finger at it until it melted, crumpling into a molten pile of misshapen red plastic. Some of the grass nearby sparked and caught fire, but he reacted quickly, extinguishing the flames by stomping them out with his feet. When he was finished, he smiled proudly at Mindy.

"There—you're safe now," he said. "I did well, yes?"

Mindy looked stunned, searching the park and hoping no one else saw the spectacle Mork had just made. She didn't want to rebuke him, especially when she saw the joy in his blue eyes and his beaming, childlike grin. He only meant well. After all, he thought he was protecting her. He didn't understand that it was merely a harmless child's toy. Still, she worried that one day his carelessness would cause trouble.

"Well yes Mork you did," she said, smiling awkwardly, "but you see, that wasn't really a flying saucer."

"Why was it shaped like a saucer and flew, then?"

"Yes, it flew and it was shaped like a saucer, but…" she sighed and rolled her eyes. "It's difficult to explain."

The owner of the Frisbee, a child of about six years old, came running up to them. When he looked down at the twisted wreckage of his once prized possession, tears filled his eyes.

"What did you do?" He asked, sobbing. "You wrecked it!"

"I had to, little one. You see, it was a ship from the Zimba galaxy from the looks of it. Those little buggers are vicious, too. If I hadn't intervened they would be crawling around right now sucking out your eyeballs," Mork said.

The boy, already upset about his loss, now began to bawl even louder in fear after hearing Mork's disturbing words.

"Mork!" Mindy said, glaring at him.

"What is it, Mindy? I don't understand why everyone is so angry with me. After all, I am merely stating the facts of the situation."

"No you aren't Mork! You don't know what you're talking about! Now will you please let me handle this?"

She was about to speak to the boy when his father, in response to his sobs, ran over to them.

"Martin, what is it? What's wrong?" He asked.

"They wrecked my frisbee!" The boy blubbered, staring forlornly at the ground and rubbing his eyes.

Martin's father looked down at the crushed plastic. His eyes then met Mork and Mindy.

"Is this funny to you? Destroying a young boy's toy?" He asked angrily.

"Pardon me, ignorant earthling, but that wasn't a toy, that was—

Mindy elbowed Mork sharply to quiet him. "It was an accident," she said, smiling nervously.

Martin's father watched Mork, his eyes filled with suspicion and contempt. "Listen, I came here with my son to have a good time," he said. "I don't appreciate pranks being pulled on us by stoned out hippies."

"It wasn't a prank, I swear," Mindy said. "We're very sorry this happened, aren't we Mork?"

Mork shrugged. "If you say so," he said. "I was just trying to save the planet."

"I'll pay for it," Mindy said, ignoring Mork. "How much do we owe you?"

"Five bucks."

"Five dollars? That's a little steep for a Frisbee, isn't it?"

Martin's father gave Mindy a searing, threatening glare that indicated he meant business.

"Okay, uh…five dollars it is," Mindy said, reaching into her purse and pulling out the money. She handed it to the man. "Here you go."

Unamused, the man yanked the bill out of her hands without thanking her. "Come on, Martin. Let's go."

"But, Dad!"

"Now!"

He took his son by the shoulders and forced him to turn away and walk with him. When they disappeared, Mindy turned to glare at Mork, who still seemed oblivious.

"Is that how a father treats his hatchlings on this planet?" Mork asked, disgusted by how rough the man had been to his son. "I oughta go zap him, teach him a lesson."

"No, Mork! Don't you dare go zap him!" Mindy shouted. She looked around, embarrassed, hoping no one had heard her. "In fact, will you please stop zapping things in general?" She said, lowering her voice.

"But Mindy, I thought I was helping."

"I know you did, but that wasn't an invader from another galaxy. That was a boy's cherished toy, and you ruined it, along with his day."

"That was a toy? You're jiving my socks off. You mean that earthlings play with replicas of Zimba spaceships? Wow, talk about primitive."

"No, Mork—that was a Frisbee. It's something you throw in the air."

"Why?"

Mindy shrugged. "I don't know. For fun?"

"How is throwing a plastic disk around considered fun?"

"Well, I don't know…you see how far it can fly. Some people throw them to dogs and they catch them. It's supposed to be a game for the dog, you know. It's play for them, and exercise. The same goes for little children who play with them."

Mork looked confused. Feeling sympathetic toward him, Mindy gently took his hands in hers.

"Oh, I know you didn't mean any harm," she said. "Come on, let's go for a walk somewhere we can be alone. I need to talk to you."

They went deeper into the woods, removed from the glaring eyes and prying ears of the public, which was exactly what Mindy wanted. What she had to tell Mork was a private matter. She didn't want anyone to hear what she was about to say, since it had to do with Mork's alien powers, something that needed to be kept secret from the world at large.

"Look Mork, I hate to tell you this, but you need to know," she said, wrapping her arm around his to show that she was being supportive. "You really need to watch where and when you use your finger."

"I know. I made a real Grimlock of myself," he said, looking sadly at the ground. "I ruined a child's toy and made you lose money."

"It isn't just that. People…people might see you."

"Oh."

"Now it's fine if you use it around me, because I understand. But other people—I mean, people who don't know you're an alien—well, it could frighten them, you see? Remember I told you that most people on Earth have a hard time dealing with things they don't understand. They just aren't ready for it yet."

Mork nodded. "I understand," he said. "Orson told me the same thing." He looked at Mindy. "How come it doesn't bother you?"

"Well, it did at first. I had to adjust, and it took me some time. I think you would find most people would react the same way. People have to prepare before they'll accept something new and unfamiliar to them. You just have to be patient. One day, it will be safe to reveal your true nature to Earth. Right now just isn't the time."

"I see."

"Besides, you might not have as much control over your powers as you think you do, especially in a foreign environment. They could be dangerous to have on Earth, and unpredictable. You could cause real harm with them one day without intending to."

"Nonsense, Mindy. Do you think I was born on the turnip truck yesterday? I'm no pinhead. I know what I'm doing. Everything is under my control."

"If you say so. I just think a little caution might be in order. It wouldn't hurt."

"I've been here before and nothing happened. Why should anything bad happen when I use them now?"

A sudden gust of wind kicked up, causing the trees overhead to sway.

"A storm must be coming," Mindy said, looking up at the sky. "Come on, Mork. Let's go home."

Mork heard a loud snap. Watching in horror, he saw one of the trees break in half by the force of the wind, toppling to the ground right near where Mindy stood.

"Mindy, watch out!" He shouted.

She barely had time to look up at the impending danger when Mork used his finger. Aiming at the tree, he fired at it, trying to move it out of her way, but it was falling too quickly. He ended up hitting Mindy and the tree simultaneously. At the last minute, the tree moved inches away from her, but she fell backward from the force of the blow from his finger, her body striking the ground so hard that she lost consciousness.

"Mindy!" Mork shouted, running up to her to examine her.

A smoldering, gaping hole formed in her clothes near her abdomen. Around the burnt flesh he could tell she was bleeding profusely.

"Oh no Mind, Mindy please," he said, sobbing, gently taking her head in his lap and stroking her hair. "I don't know what to do. Please, wake up!"

Dark clouds formed overhead, and the ground shook with a rumble of thunder. Minutes later, it was raining. Mork briefly looked up at the sky, and then returned to Mindy. She remained unresponsive in his arms.

"Mindy, the sky's leaking," he said. "You've got to wake up now, please. You've got to tell me what to do to help you. Mindy! Mindy, I'm scared! Please! Please, don't leave me! Don't go! Mindy!"

He collapsed on her body, hugging her tightly as if to protect her from the rain. He remained that way, helpless and sobbing. She was right. His powers were dangerous, and now they may have killed her.