The Ruins of Our Lives Epilogue

"Or Can You?"

Randy's POV

'Randy, you have a phone call. It's some guy named Robert Iger' mom says.

'He's the president of Disney' I say, wondering what he wants to talk to me about.

'Hello' I answer.

'Is this Randy Taylor?' he asks.

'Yes it is' I respond.

'I'm not going to beat around the bush with you Randy. We'd like to know if and when you'll be able to return to production of Life and Stuff. It's the best new show that ABC has had since Home Improvement' Mr. Iger says.

'Wow, really? Uh, I don't know, I'd have to umm…you know, think about it. I don't know if anyone has told you, but I had a family emergency of sorts' I explain. I can't tell him that I need to get permission from mom and dad, since no one save Jonathan knows about what's going on.

'Just give me a call when you're ready. My number is 555-6526. Oh, and I understand it's a family emergency and all, but please don't take too long otherwise CBS will majorly kick our butts in the ratings' he says. I laugh at the CBS part.

'Alright, I'll do that' I say.

I walk into the living room where mom and dad are sitting on the couch watching....Life and Stuff.

'Mom, dad, can I talk to you two for a minute?' I ask.

'Sure, what is it?' dad asks.

'That guy that was just on the phone was the president of Disney, and he wanted to know when I would be able to return to production of Life and Stuff' I say.

'What'd you tell him?' dad asks.

'I told him that I would have to think on it for a day or two. He gave me his phone number to call him when I've decided' I explain.

'When are you going back?' dad asks. I think mom is remaining silent throughout all of this because she doesn't want me to go back to Los Angeles, but at the same time, she doesn't want to keep me from doing what she knows that I want to do.

'That's what I needed to talk to you two about' I say.

'I think your mom and I would need to discuss this in private' dad says.

'Okay, I'll be downstairs in my room if you need me' I say. I'm not worried, I'm already formulating a plan.

I grab the number that Robert Iger gave me, and head downstairs.

Once downstairs, I slide my door closed, and dial Jonathan Taylor Thomas' phone number.

'Hello' Jonathan answers.

'Jonathan, this is Randy Taylor' I say.

'What can I do for you Randy?' he asks.

'I've been thinking and wondering. It would be a bit of a pain, but I think the only way I'll be able to stay on Life and Stuff is if we shoot in Detroit. Do you have any objections to that?' I say.

'I don't, but I doubt ABC will even consider moving production to Detroit, but if you want to try to convince them, go for it' he says.

'Thanks. That's all I need for now. Right now I have to call Robert Iger and let him know about this' I say, then hang up.

'Hello, this is Robert Iger' he answers. Wow, he gave me his personal phone number. I figured I'd have to go through ten different people to get to him.

'Mr. Iger, this is Randy Taylor, we just spoke on the phone a few minutes ago. I've decided that I'm ready to return to Life and Stuff, under two conditons. One, I want to have the show shot in Detroit. That's the only way I think I'll be able to continue on with the show. And number two, there's this local TV show that's been off the air for about three years now, and I'd like ABC to consider bringing it back as a national show' I explain.

'Okay, okay, slow down. You want me to have production of Life and Stuff moved to Detroit. Even if I did that, how do you know the cast will be alright with the move?' he asks.

'I know because I've already spoke with Jonathan Taylor Thomas on the issue, and he says that it would be fine for everyone' I say.

'We'll consider it. After all, it has worked for the two Law and Orders. Now what was your next request, something about an old TV show?' Mr. Iger asks.

'Yes. See, my dad used to host this cable tool show here in Detroit, and I was wondering if you'd at the very least consider picking it up' I explain.

'We'd have to do a little research before we make a decision' he says.

'Now, when were you going to be able to begin production again?' he asks.

'Actually, I honestly haven't gotten that far yet' I admit sheepishly. I wasn't counting on him asking me that.

'Like I said before, let me know when you can. I have to go now' he says.

As I hang up the phone, I start wondering what kind of person Robert Iger must think I am. Some kid who's been with the network for four months asking the president of Disney to give his dad a show and to move production of the show the kid's on to Detroit to make things more convenient for him.

A Week Later

Randy's POV

Mom and dad decided after a couple of hours of discussion that I can go back to Los Angeles whenever I'm ready to. I haven't told either of them about my secret phone calls yet, and don't plan on doing it until Christmas Day. Robert Iger called me back yesterday afternoon to tell me that he and everyone else who needed to approved my two requests. I can't wait to see dad's face when he hears he gets to do Tool Time again. I just wonder what Tool Time will be like without Al.

And the best part is, both Life and Stuff and Tool Time have schedules that will allow me and dad to watch each other's shows.

Christmas Day

Randy's POV

'Mom, dad, there's one more gift left for both of you, but it's something that I have to tell you. All the calls I've been getting from Robert Iger have been about some new contract details for Life and Stuff. The first one is, after some lobbying by me, the Disney and ABC executives have granted me a request to have the production location of Life and Stuff changed from Los Angeles to Detroit.' I pause for a minute to let this news sink in for everybody, not just mom and dad. Mom and dad both look shocked, Brad and Mark look excited, and Wilson looks…suspiciously pleased. Hmm… I continue 'And the second piece of news is for you dad. My other request was for them to bring Tool Time back and make it a national show. They granted that request too.' Again I pause. 'They did however make two changes. They are going to take Tool Time from being a half hour tool show to being a half hour sitcom. And they found someone else they'd like to have cast as your assistant, since Al can't obviously do the show' I finish up.

'Who is it?' dad asks.

'They want to have some guy named Richard Karn play your assistant, whose name will be Glenn. All of this is pending your approval, of course' I tell dad.

Later That Day

Randy's POV

'Wilson, I think this is one of the best Christmases I can ever remember having' I say over the fence. 'You know, I didn't think it was possible to quote/unquote "go home again", but I sure came close today.

'Oh, Randy, anything is possible when you have a little faith' Wilson says.

'By the way, did you have anything to do with Robert Iger's decisions?' I ask.

'You noticed?' he asks. I nod my head.

'Well, I was one of Mr. Iger's professors in college, and he owed me a favor so…' Wilson says.

'I'd just like to know if things will ever go back to normal again, I mean, if this'll ever feel like home again' I remark.

'I'm reminded of a line from The Wizard of Oz. "There's no place like home"' Wilson quotes.

The End

A/N: Where to begin, where to begin.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me with this story, and everyone who has read and reviewed this story.

I have to say, in all honesty, this is my favorite story that I've written so far, and I'm sad to see it go.

This must be a first, but for once, I don't have a lot to say in one of these final author's note.

Anyways, please read and review, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks for reading both this chapter and all the others.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and whatever else kind of holiday you may be celebrating this time of year.

-Yours truly, for the final time here, Randy Taylor