EPILOGUE

A/N:

Inspired in part by broadwaybaby4205 my most faithful fan recently. I still owe you a formal one but in case I never get anything published I decided to do this.

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"December 26th 1993." Mark narrated quietly. "7:15 AM Eastern standard time. The experiment is OVER." The last word reverberated throughout his room.

He peeked out side the door to the living room hoping he hadn't woken Mimi or Roger up.

Nope. The lovebirds had fallen asleep almost exactly at 7 AM on the couch, a near perfect 24 hours after they'd given him the gift of their assistance and care.

Mark appreciated that gift, really and truly he did. But unfortunately, caring for people was to Mark what Heroin had been to Mimi and Roger. Around noon, when Collins had shown up with Stoli, that's when Mark had made the connection. Or rather, Collins made that connection for him.

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"Boy, sit your ass back down and just enjoy the day" The philosopher had said, as Mark made to clean up a little, and refill everyones glasses.

"I can't. I've been taken care of for 5 hours now, and I'm going crazy." Mark said, running his right hand up and down his left arm. It seemed vaguely familiar to something Roger had done...years ago. About 4 to be exact. He quickly sat down hoping no one had seen.

Of course, that was not to be.

"Mark?You okay, man?" Roger said. Turquoise eyes followed the film-maker's every motion.

"Yeah...I'm just ...I don't know...I just got the strangest sensation throughout my body...when Collin's wouldn't let me help just a bit."

"Mark...have you been feeling weird sense this morning?When we..." Roger gestured to Mimi,curled up beside him, "gave you our Christmas present?"

"No..." Mark said, growing quickly fascinated with the floor.

"You lie. I've been watching you, and you've been doing the arm thing and have been really jumpy,most of the morning. It's so similar to how...no way, it can't be...can it?" Roger looked at Collins, who was sitting there observing the whole thing from where he sat, rolling a joint on the metal table, over seeing the whole thing.

"Yes and no. I wouldn't call it exactly withdrawal, but Mark does feel much better when he's helping people, even just a little bit. So, giving you guys the right to be care-takers ..."Collins started

"I am in the room." Mark looked perturbed.

"Chill. Let me finish. Rog-man here asked me a question...sort of..and I'm sort of answering it. Anyway, you, Mark get pleasure out of helping others. Over the years , it has become somewhat like an addiction. So, I suggest you make a resolution for the New Year. Learn to give and take some. And relax more." Collins said, passing Mark a joint.

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"So, I, Mark Cohen, make this my early resolution." Mark narrated to his camera. "Get over my care-taker addiction and let other people pick up their own slack now and again." He opened the door to his room and walked out, carrying a blanket. He covered Mimi and Roger up, and began cleaning up a little from earlier. He again turned his camera to himself "Starting January 1st and not a moment before."

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HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE & ALL