The days passed since that fateful meeting. Rick and Alex got into so much trouble. First it was the emptying of the trash can on the Principal's desk. Especially since the Principal's favorite food was a old bruise greasy banana. Leaving the peal on the desk was just poetic justice In Alex's way of thinking. Next was rigging the scoreboard in the gym to read Eat Me! Rick thought it was great touch since it came from Alice in Wonderland. Then the great water balloon caper was formed and put into action. The whole 6th floor was drenched. The general mayhem continued until Rick got caught. Alex had set him up! Alex laughed at Rick as he was led away. Once in the principal's office Martha was called along with her new rich boyfriend Eric.
"Richard, What Am I going to do with you?"
"You heard the principal you are going to be kicked out! Why?"
"Err Boys will be boys?"
"Richard, this is the last time. You will be sent away to a bordering school. I convinced Eric to pay for your room and board. However, You can not screw up again!"
Rick looked appropriately contrite. While gazing down at his feet he saw Alex smug face in the background.
That little traitor Rick's mind supplied he set this all up. I get the entire rap and he is Scot free. That is it! I will not deal with my brother for awhile. I wonder how he will feel about that!
Rick was led away and out of the school into the awaiting car. Inside he found his bags had been packed. He was going to be sent away,
Darn Alex. Rick thought in his misery.
Alex now felt free to do more mayhem. Switching the girls and boys school uniforms in their lockers was a crowning achievement. He had mastered the skill of lock picking. It was hilarious when Brandon Edwards the great football jock opened his locker to find two pairs of panties and a bra. The rest of the team was similarly picked on. Alex chortled to himself.
Alex still went to the agreed upon place behind the stacks on the 4th floor of the library. Rick however, was nowhere to be seen. Before this day Rick had gotten several clues to the identity of Alex's and His father by living in the estate with Fred. Fred was never helpful in even a description of such an important and busy man.
Likewise Alex got to see Martha in all her drunken glory. He even acquired the taste for single malt scotch. He would grab a glass from the wet bar which Martha seemed to have near her at all times. Eric the Dick as Alex called him was very much a bad influence on his mother. Alex never really got deep attachments to any people in his life. They were all interchangeable in his mind.
So when Alex had to face up that he went too far. It became a shock to him. His fun and games were over. Alex still a good student decided that he would excel in all sports. So he trained hard at the estate with Fred egging him to do harder. Finally, it was graduation day. Alex was very Lean and Mean from all those exercises and workouts. He was very confident in his abilities and had a very cocky attitude. He was also one of the more notorious womanizers at the school. He had slept with all cheerleader and most of the female population too. He had learned several ways of defending himself and was looking forward to college. His thoughts of his weaker brother were receding into past memory. The future was planned by his father. Alex went to the finest Ivy League school then after graduating joined his father's business. Just like his father wanted for his son. Rick however, was not part of this master plan. Rick was too weak and he liked to write. His Father had no use for a dreamer. He needed his son to be fit and strong. Alex fit his purposes perfectly.
Rick now 22 rarely even thought of his twin. He is now a Father with a young child Alexis. She is his pride and joy. Her mother was who knows where. Rick had gotten famous but was reluctant to leave his daughter. So one day Rick was alone with Alexis and the door knocked. Rick was typing away at the newest Derek Storm novel but he needed and in. Frustrated, he closed his laptop and pushed the crib where Alexis his pride and joy was giggling to herself. Rick moved to open the door. There stood his Brother Alex.
"Well Brother, will you let me in?"
"Why should I? You cause so much trouble for me the last time we spoke. Which was what 7 or 8 years ago?"
"I am so sorry but I was out of control back then but now I am much more responsible."
Rick could never hold a grudge and decided to let his brother in.
"Ok, Alex since we last met you had screwed up my life. So what happened to you?"
"Well the usual finishing High School. Banging the cheerleaders the same ol same ol."
"That is not what I meant
"Ok, Well I went to Harvard got a double degree in Law and International Relations."
"I joined the CIA following in the Old Man's footsteps. As if I had a choice. The Old Man had my life planned out for me. I became a spy but that life ended when you got famous. I could no longer be unrecognizable. Many places I had to impersonate you. I did get pretty good at it.
Rick felt a bit sad that his brother had his job jeopardized by his fame.
"I have a problem. I hate leaving Alexis to do Book tours and Parties which makes me famous. It is just I want to stay at home and be Mr. Mom. Alexis is so cute. But my wife well lets say she is a lot like Mother.
Alex sat on the couch and though he might have the answer to his brother's problems.
"Rick, since you do not like to do the partying circuit. I could do all those things for you. Since I have already impersonated you many times I know I could be good at it. Also as I looked over your prose you will need an in with the Agency. I know my ex partner would be a valuable source. I could call her if you would like."
Rick thought about his brother's offer.
Alex continued.
"It would be like old times we switching identities."
Rick started to agree with Alex.
"We did have fun back then. Fred was a hoot."
"Yeah, Brother, You taught me so much. I shudder to think how uncool I would have been without your constant bombarding me with trivial facts and culture. Remember when I had not even known about the Flintstones? I had the horrible British accent too."
Rick laughed at their first meetings and how Rick took him under his wing to prepare him for US popular culture.
"Alex do you remember when you tricked Fred to drop you off so we could sneak into the Angelica to watch your first Star Wars? Fred was so angry losing you. So you hid then he found me instead! Traitor I had to deal with an angry Fred. I still get nightmares from that one."
"Rick, did you know Fred was a dedicated operative for the CIA? He was a trained spy. We outwitted him time and time again. Kind of makes you wonder huh?"
"Yeah, it does make you wonder. Yeah let's do this. Alex you will need to read up on everything I have written. And you will need to come up with good explanations to the rabid fans. I will coach you. I suggest you read my fan mail. It would do you good to know what they are thinking."
"Ok Brother let us commence soon."
Alex arose and left.
Rick sat on the couch gently attending to Alexis. Soon baby Soon Baby Rick cooed to his daughter.
