The Adventures of Max and Leo: An evening at Max's
Leo and Max were closing up the arcade after another busy day at work.
"Leo, how long has it been since you've been to my house?" Max asked.
"I've only been there to pick you up for vacations, but outside of that, it's actually been a little while," Leo said. "Why do you ask?"
"How would you like to have a sleepover at my house?" Max asked.
"I would like that very much," Leo said. "Maybe we'll do some cool stuff at your bedroom."
"Maybe so," Max said. "I did get some new games on my computer."
"That is awesome," Leo said. "Want to watch the movie based on that board game?"
"You mean Clue?" Max asked. "I'd love to watch that. That is such a cool movie."
"I know, right?" Leo asked. "That movie convinced me to buy the board game and the video games based on the board game."
"That's what we should do, too," Max said. "We should play the video game based on the board game as well."
"That would be so cool," Leo said. "Hey, we should play it while we watch the movie."
"We totally should," Max said. "That would be so much fun."
"Yeah, it will be like we're creating our own ending for the movie," Leo said.
"It sure will," Max said. "Let's get this place closed up so we can have some fun."
Max and Leo closed up the arcade and then left the arcade and went to Max's house. They both came in through the front door and went up to Max's bedroom.
"So, where do we start?" Max asked. "Want to play something on the computer first?"
"Sounds great," Leo said. "What new games did you get?"
"I got Mario is Missing," Max said. "This time, Luigi gets the spotlight."
"It's about time," Leo said. "Luigi does more than Nintendo gives him credit for."
"Yeah, almost makes you wish there were more games where Luigi was the main hero," Max said.
"I hope there are more games like that, too," Leo said. "It seems like you're collecting Mario games. You like Mario?"
"I love me some Mario," Max said. "I was really excited when Yoshi joined the fold."
"Yeah, Yoshi has been pretty good to Mario so far," Leo said.
"I also got a couple of other Mario games for the computer," Max said. "This is Mario Teaches Typing and this other one is Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up."
"So, you're learning to type from Mario?" Leo asked. "I'm learning to type from Mavis Beacon."
"Well, more power to you," Max said. "Mario makes learning fun."
"Well, at this point, I'm just glad you're learning," Leo said.
"Plus, I played Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up and thought about you," Max said.
"Oh, you did?" Leo asked.
"Yeah," Max said. "This game is basically a virtual coloring book and in one of the pages, Mario is a computer programmer."
"That does sound like something I do," Leo said. "In fact, that reminds me . . . I don't think I ever told you how computer camp went."
"I don't think you did, either," Max said. "Did you learn some really cool stuff like I hoped you would?"
"In fact, I created a program," Leo said and then got a floppy disk out of his pocket. "It's on this floppy disk . . . I hope these computer program making companies start making programs on compact disks soon . . . there's only so much you can put on a floppy disk."
"Should I go ahead and boot my computer?" Max asked.
"Go ahead, Max," Leo said and then Max booted his computer. Once the computer's desktop was fully loaded, Leo inserted the floppy disk of his program in the disk drive. Once the disk loaded, Leo opened up his program. Max and Leo watched the program load up.
"Is that supposed to be me?" Max asked, pointing at the computer.
"Yes, it is," Leo said. "You're a character in my program."
"I've actually been computerized?" Max asked. "Leo, that is so awesome."
"I figured you would like it," Leo said.
"So, what do I do with me?" Max asked. "Do I do anything in your program?"
"Well, right now, you're in your house," Leo said. "Here, you can control yourself with the arrow keys."
Max used the arrow keys on his keyboard to control the computerized version of himself.
"Wow, this is amazing," Max said. "Is this program a game you're working on or something?"
"It sure is," Leo said. "You can pick out your wardrobe. Go to your closet."
Max took his computerized self to the closet. The screen changed into his closet full of clothes.
"Whoa, that is so cool," Max said. "So, I can pick out what to wear?"
"You sure can," Leo said. "Did you want to wear some school clothes, work clothes, Captain Danger outfit, pajamas, swimming suit or what did you want to wear?"
"Hmm . . . I'll wear my pajamas," Max said and then selected that outfit for his computerized self. The screen changed back into Max's bedroom and computerized Max, whom was now wearing his pajamas.
"Alright, now, you can go from place to place . . . exit your room and it takes you to the hall that leads to the stairway," Leo said.
"Like my real house?" Max asked.
"Yep, just like your real house," Leo said.
Max got computerized Max to exit his bedroom leading to the hallway.
"So, I go downstairs?" Max asked.
"Yep, it leads you to the living room," Leo said.
Max took his computerized self downstairs to the living room.
"Do I get to go out the house?" Max asked.
"Not yet . . . that's why I am hoping one day to put a computer program on a compact disk," Leo said. "Like I'm going to use eight floppy disks like the latest Windows operating system has done. I can't keep up with all these disks . . . I wish there was some kind of stick or something that can let me keep up with all my files and what have you."
"So, I can only go to rooms in my house right now?" Max asked.
"I'm afraid so," Leo said. "The disk didn't even have room for my character and I wanted to create it."
"Either way, this is so cool," Max said. "I look forward to see what more you're going to do with it."
"Yeah, I really want to make a game out of this based on our adventures that we have embarked on so far," Leo said. "It'll be called The Adventures of Max and Leo."
"That would be so awesome," Max said.
"Yeah, just think, our adventures immortalized in a computer game," Leo said.
"Yeah . . ." Max said. "Thanks, Leo . . . this is really making our sleepover special."
"You're welcome, Max," Leo said. "I'll keep working on it just for you, bud."
"So, are you ready to play and watch some Clue?" Max asked.
"Absolutely," Leo said. "Is your Genesis still in the basement?"
"It sure is," Max said. "Did you wanted to bring the Genesis and TV up here or do you want to bring the TV and VHS down there?"
"I'll bring them up here," Leo said. "We can set it up next to this TV so we can play while we watch."
"Sounds great," Max said. "I'll wait for you."
Leo left Max alone in the bedroom to go get the Genesis and TV from the basement. While Max was waiting, he got a phone and dialed his dad's number . . . and got the answering machine.
"Hey, Dad, it's me, Max. My best friend's spending the night with me. I was hoping you and him would meet over the phone and talk, but I guess you're busy doing your job. Maybe you can call me back. I'd love to hear from you. I miss you. Please call, okay, Dad? I love you and I want to talk to you."
Max hung up, went to his bed and sat down, once again saddened by his dad not picking up. When Leo came back with the Genesis, he saw Max's sad countenance.
"Hey, Max, what's wrong?" Leo asked.
Max didn't answer, but he felt himself beginning to cry.
"I thought you were having a good time," Leo said.
Max still didn't answer, but he wiped his misty eyes.
"Did you change your mind?" Leo asked.
Max again didn't answer, but he fell into crying.
"Is it your dad again?" Leo asked.
Max nodded yes, still crying, and then said, "I tried to call him . . . but, he wouldn't answer . . . I wanted to introduce you two over the phone . . . I wanted you to meet him . . . but, he didn't pick up."
"Did you leave him a message?" Leo asked.
"I did," Max said, crying. "I just hope he calls back . . ."
"I hope so, too," Leo said and then sat on the bed next to Max and gave him a side hug. Max leaned on Leo's shoulder, still crying.
"I'm really sorry this keeps happening to you, Max," Leo said. "I know it's heartbreaking no matter how many times this happens."
"It really is, Leo," Max said, crying. "Mom even has told me to stop trying to call . . . but, I just don't want to."
"And you shouldn't," Leo said. "I know you desire to have a relationship with your dad. Don't lose that desire."
"I won't, Leo," Max said, crying. "And I know you'll always be here to comfort me when he does this to me again . . ."
"Yeah, I will," Leo said. "You take as much time as you need . . . solving the mystery of Mr. Boddy's murder can wait."
Max cried on Leo's shoulder for a few minutes and then sat back up straight. Leo placed his arm that he had around Max down.
"Are you okay, Max?" Leo asked.
"I think so, Leo," Max said, wiping his eyes.
"Alright, I'll go get the TV from the basement," Leo said and then got up and left Max alone in the basement to get the TV. While Leo was gone, Max lied on his bed with his face on the pillow and resumed crying. Leo came back with the TV and saw Max on his bed crying. Leo sat the TV next to the other TV and sat back down on Max's bed. He put his hand on Max's back and said, "Let it all out, Max. I know it's upsetting that he won't talk to you."
Max cried for another ten minutes until his crying started to calm down. He tilted his head up to wipe his face before laying it down.
"I'm sorry, Leo," Max said. "I know I am turning this great sleepover into a very sad one."
"Max, it's okay," Leo said. "I know you want him in your life."
"I really do, Leo . . ." Max said. "But, I need to stop being miserable because we're here to have a good time."
"Max, we've been through this before . . . don't bottle your emotions," Leo said. "I know we're here to have a good time, but I know this upsets you. Please, don't worry about me or about whether or not we're having a good time. If something like this is bothering you, please tell me. As your best friend, I want to be here for you when you need me."
"And you have been . . . thanks, Leo," Max said.
"Of course," Leo said. "How about I give you a massage?"
"I'd like that very much," Max said and then turned around on his bed. Leo slid to where Max's feet were. Leo then untied Max's shoes and then took Max's shoes and socks off and began massaging Max's feet.
"Ah, that feels amazing," Max said. "I've really grown to enjoy these, Leo. Thank you."
"Of course, Max," Leo said. "I've grown to enjoy taking care of you."
"I'm glad I have you to do that," Max said. "You really do care about me."
"I do, Max," Leo said. "That's why I want you to be okay with not hiding your feelings and emotions around me because I want to comfort you and encourage you when you need it."
"And you do," Max said. "I love having you as a best friend."
"I love having you as a best friend, too, Max," Leo said.
Leo continued to massage Max until Max was massaged asleep. Leo then got the blankets over Max and left him alone to rest.