CHAPTER TWO
Max sat on his balcony, the laptop sitting nearby as he looked through his telescope at the stars. Soon he turned and went to sit. He opened the computer and started typing in his diary.
"September 27. I'm Max Parker and I will never look at the stars in the sky the same way again. I'll never look at anything the same way again. What did Liz mean when she said, "I'll see you in school?" Did she mean it as like something real simple, that meant nothing really, or was it something more... What is she thinking right now? Is she agonizing? Wondering what is going to happen next? Unable to sleep peacefully while trying to figure out what will happen next?"
*
That night, Evans home
Unlike what Max thought, Liz was actually sleeping very much peacefully. But she was awakened by a noise. She opened her eyes and saw someone was trying to climb through the window. She carefully grabbed one of her father's old baseball bats, which she kept next to her bed at all time. She sneaked up to her window, and when the person jumped in, she raised it above her head, ready to bring it down, when she recognized the girl.
"Hold it there! Don't hit me!" yelled Maria, putting her arms in front of herself. Liz lowered the bat.
"Argument with Hank?" she asked knowingly. Maria's foster dad, Hank, was always being hard on her. Maria had taken the habit of sleeping on Liz's floor.
"Couldn't sleep," said Maria. Liz rolled out a sleeping bag, which was constantly under her desk, awaiting for the next time there would be a last minute 'sleepover'. She climbed back into bed. When she realized Maria wasn't moving, she turned back to her.
"Hey, I was sleeping," she said.
"Amazing," said Maria.
"What's amazing?" asked Liz.
"That you can sleep when the key to our entire existence is out there."
"Maria..."
"Liz, listen that picture Valenti showed Max means there's someone else out there. Someone who was here in 1959. That means he was here when it crashed. He knows where we come from, he knows who we are, he knows why we're here. Maybe he knows how to get back."
"Maria, I know how you feel. Believe me, I want to know too. But the sheriff has that picture so we'll never see it. I mean, that would be impossible, right? Maria?" But Maria's mind was already elsewhere.
*
The next morning, near the Sheriff's station
Maria stood watch, trying to come up with a plan. She wouldn't tell the others, although she figured they'd know somehow. All she needed now was a way in.
*
That time, Crashdown café backroom
Michael picked up his uniform shirt and pulled it on as he spoke to Max. "I mean, what do we know about these people? Nothing. How do we know that they're not 3 feet tall, green and slimy?"
"I guess we don't," said Max calmly.
"And you know what else doesn't particularly please me? These powers. How do we know they can't just wiggle their noses and poof us into oblivion?"
"I guess we don't," said Max again.
"Okay, you're being so casual about this, I want to choke you! Max, we're dealing with alie..." Max silenced him as one of the cooks walked past them.
"Can you please not say that word in public?"
*
Seconds later, in the front of the café
Michael kept on talking to Max. "The point is that we don't know anything about these... Czechoslovakians. Are they good Czechoslovakians? Bad Czechoslovakians? We don't know. Are they just random Czechoslovakians? For all we know, they don't have their passports."
Just then, Isabel popped her head up from her booth. "Who's Czechoslovakian?" she asked.
Both guys jumped and turned to her. "Hey!" they both said.
"Hey!" she said, "So, who's Czechoslovakian?"
At the same time, Max said, "The new kid at school," and Michael said, "The guy at the hardware store." They looked to each other and Max said, "The new kid at school who works at the hardware store."
"Exactly," said Michael.
"Oh. What about him?" asked Isabel.
"Nothing," said the guys.
"Fantastic," said Isabel, sarcastically. They walked off.
Max nearly knocked Michael over when he stopped suddenly, looking out the window. "Czechoslovakian, 9 o'clock," said Michael. Outside the window, Maria was looking at them. "Okay, that girl is just weird."
*
WRH, Geometry class
Max was standing by his desk, talking to a couple guys. He looked right and observed Liz sitting at her desk.
"The thing about Czechoslovakians that you need to understand, is that they have these amazing eyes."
He was taken out of his thoughts, when one of his friend's exclaimed, "Okay, that is totally not Mr. Singer." A tall blonde woman walked in as the bell rang.
"Hi, I'm Kathleen Topolsky. I'll be substituting for Mr. Singer who's out sick for a couple days."
"I hope he's seriously ill," said one of Max's friends.
"So the infamous Roswell, New Mexico. Before we get started, let me just ask: Does anyone here actually believe in aliens?" asked Topolsky.
The students all laughed... except for Max and Liz of course. Liz looked to Max.
"Okay, let's take roll," said Topolsky, picking up a sheet. "Um... Bartley."
"Here," said Bartley.
"Collins," said Topolsky.
"Here," said Collins.
"Evans," said Topolsky.
"Here," said Liz.
"Guerin," said Topolsky. No answer. "Maria Guerin? Is she here today? Does anyone know where Maria is?" All turned to Liz. "Evans, right? Liz Evans?"
"Yeah?" said Liz.
"Do you know where Maria Guerin is?" asked Topolsky.
"Uh, Maria's not really into Geometry," explained Liz. The students laughed.
"She's not into it. I guess I can understand that. Pretty uninspiring stuff. Let's open our books to page 228." Max looked to Liz for a second while opening his book.
*
After class, hallway
Max ran up to Liz. "Hi," he said.
"Hi," said Liz, "How's it going?"
"Good, um, you know, things are just normal... Completely normal."
"Good," said Liz.
"So... was that weird?" asked Max.
"What?"
"That substitute just asked all of those questions about Maria. What was that about?"
"I'm sure she was just taking attendance."
"Right," said Max.
"Max, don't worry about it. No one's suspicious of Maria. It's me."
"Okay," said Max. Just then Alex walked up.
"Hi Max," he said with a smile.
"Hi," he answered.
"Hey Alex," said Liz to her brother.
"We should go," said Alex as he took his sister's arm and pulled her away.
*
Sheriff's station
Sheriff Valenti walked in, immediately noticing a man sitting on a folding chair in the hall. "Good morning!" said the man cheerfully.
"Good morning," returned the Sheriff. He walked to Deputy Hansen, who stood behind the counter. "Who is that?" he whispered.
"FBI," the deputy whispered as well, he checked a sheet and added, "Agent Hart."
"Who's he here to talk to?"
"No one, as far as I can tell."
"Well, what's he doing here?"
"Doesn't appear to be doing anything. He's just been sitting there since 7 am."
"Deputy Hansen, did you ask him what he's doing here?"
"Yes sir, he said that he was here on assignment and that we should go about our business as usual," explained Hansen.
"Oh, so your response to that was just all right," said the Sheriff. Hansen didn't answer. The Sheriff walked up to the man on the folding chair. "Agent Hart, I'm Sheriff Valenti. Can I see some identification, please?
The man showed him, then said, "Sorry about the intrusion. I'm here on assignment, Sheriff. You should just go about business..."
"As usual," finished the Sheriff, "Yeah, I heard. See, my problem with that is that having a federal agent sitting smack dab in the middle of my station house isn't exactly business as usual."
"My orders are to not leave this chair until I'm relieved."
"Uh-huh. Agent Hart, the FBI has no jurisdiction here. Now I'm going to ask you to please get up and leave. And take your folding chair with you."
*
WRH, outside
Max and Michael sat with their lunches, already in conversation. "It's impossible, right, that she's not who she says she is?" asked Max.
"Well, no one is who they say they are. I mean, what do you mean exactly?" asked Michael.
"Forget it."
"What, that she's a spy?"
"No, don't be ridiculous.
"'Cause that kind of stuff happens, you know." He was on a roll now.
"Now you're being crazy."
"Well think about it. She takes attendance. What substitute teacher takes attendance? I mean, God, the whole thing is so Roswellian. I'm telling you Max, she's been sent here."
"Why would she be sent here?"
"To find the Czechoslovakians," Michael said through gritted teeth.
"Sniff some cedar oil, Michael," said Max. He did so.
"Which makes me feel that much more about what I already thought before you told me about this, which is that we should definitely tell Isabel."
"No. Look, Michael, we mustn't tell anyone... ever. Ever."
"Mustn't? When have you ever said 'mustn't'? Look, we need someone with a little perspective. Okay, there's all this stuff happening, and it's dangerous. The other day the Sheriff asked me all these questions. And now we have this Topolsky person poking around. You know, that's what they do. They send special government task forces. Alien hunters. And suddenly, we're like, accessories to Czechoslovakians. We need Isabel in on this."
Max listened to him, then looked beyond and pointed. Close by, Isabel was sitting on the ground... with her legs around her head. "Admittedly, she's no Charlie's Angel, but she's all we've got right now," said Michael as he observed her.
The other kids walked around laughing. "What, so now I'm a freak?" Isabel was asking.
*
Soon after, inside WRH, Max's locker
Michael looked around as Max took some books out of his locker until he saw something. "Tess Valenti, headed this way."
Max's head shot up as he turned to Michael. "As in the hall or my locker?"
"The latter," said Michael.
"Oh God," said Max.
"What are you gonna say to her?"
"What am I supposed to say? I mean, I saw her over the summer, and it was casual. She has to know that it's over now, she has to be thinking of it as a 'summer fling'..."
"Max!" called Tess as she walked up to the guys.
"Tess!" said Max.
"How are you?" she asked, getting closer.
Michael grinned and said, "See ya!" He walked away.
"Hey," said Max.
"Hey," said Tess, "How's it going?"
"Good. I'm just pretty loaded down with all this school stuff, you know?"
"Yeah I know. You take all that stuff pretty seriously."
"Yeah," said Max.
"Right, okay."
"All right," he said as he turned to leave, but turned back when she started to talk.
"Listen Max, I think it's important that we are honest with each other. I was talking with Tammy Hilligan, and she agrees with me. A person should be on time, Max. I know we left things casual, and I understand that, but you did say that you would meet me at the Crash Festival. I just feel that if you care about a person, which I do, then you should be on time. The truth is I you were just some guy and you stiffed me like you did, I would walk in a second, but you're not..."
As she talked, Max noticed Topolsky walk into the hall behind her, carrying a bunch of files. He interrupted her and said, "Tess, I really want to talk to you right now, I do, but it's just not a good time. I'm sorry, I gotta go, I'm sorry." With that he walked away, leaving a bewildered Tess standing by his locker. He looked around, trying to find Topolsky again, when he bumped into her, sending the files she held flying. "Oh... I'm sorry, I'm sorry about..." Both crouched to retrieve the files.
Topolsky looked at him and said, "Parker, Max."
"Yeah," said Max nodding.
"Photographic memory," said Topolsky as they continued picking up the papers.
"Wow, that's interesting. I've never met anyone with a photographic memory before."
"Helps in my line of work."
"Here, let me help you with that," said Max as he went to pick up more.
"That's okay," said Topolsky, just as Max picked up a file. He recognized the picture immediately. It was Maria's records.
*
Soon after, trailer park
Max walked around, unsure of what to do. He'd looked up the address, but now he wasn't sure. He went up to the trailer and knocked on the door. He was greeted by a man who was probably drunk or something by the looks of him. "Hi, um, I'm looking for Maria. Guerin." The man didn't move. "Maybe I made a mistake."
The man smiled, something Max wished to never see again, and yelled, "Ria!" He went back to sit in front of the television and Max came in uncomfortably. Maria came in the 'living room'. She walked to Max and said, "Let's go outside. C'mon."
Once outside, Max told her about what he saw. "You're sure it was my records, it was definitely my records?"
"Yeah," said Max.
"She asked about me in class?"
"Oh, well she was just taking attendance and so when you weren't there, she asked the class if anyone knew you."
"So she's looking for me."
"I don't know what's going on, Maria. I just thought I should tell you."
"Thanks," said Maria.
"Sure," said Max, looking down.
"Listen, if Hank insulted you or anything..."
"Oh no, no," assured Max.
"You kind of have to ignore him."
"Sorry... to just show up here."
Maria looked around. "It's where I live," she said, "Thanks.
*
That night, Sheriff's office
He was trying to reach someone at the FBI on the phone, but it wasn't easy. "Yeah, I know it's late. But he sent an agent into my building. I think I've got a right to an immediate explanation... No, I won't call back... No, tomorrow is not acceptable... Yeah, I'm sorry about it too. Listen... No, excuse me... Hello? Hello?" They'd hung up.
He hung up as well. He got up and walked to a locked file cabinet. He unlocked it and opened a drawer to retrieve a file. It contained the autopsy pictures of a man, including the one he had shown Max a few days earlier. He went to the back of the file, where a small paper envelope was stapled. He removed it and opened it. Inside there was a key. No one knew where it belonged. He put the file back, and put the key in his thermos, then the thermos in a paper bag, and he placed the bag in his desk drawer. He left his office.
*
Outside the station
The Sheriff drove past a mini mart, just as Maria walked out, carrying a large paper bag under one arm. She crossed the street and walked into the station. She read the signs on the wall, indicating various locations. She started walking towards the direction of the Sheriff's office, but was stopped by Deputy Hansen, who carried stacks of toilet paper. "Can I help you?" he asked.
She put on a smile and began her spiel. "Good evening, Deputy. I'm selling candies for charity."
"Charity?" asked Hansen.
"Yeah, I'm on the committee to re-open Westlake Orphanage, Deputy... Hansen," she continued, reading the man's name off his tag, "You can be a part of helping to find homes for dozens of children in need. Single boxes are six dollars a piece, and I feel obliged to strongly recommend the peanut clusters. They are good."
"Well, I'm kind of trying to lay off the sweets right now."
"Understood Deputy. If it's all right, I'll just take a look to see who else is around," Maria said, trying to make a run for it and get to business.
"There's nobody up that corridor," said Hansen.
"Um, what if I came back tomorrow night?"
"Well, it's usually pretty empty at night."
"Well, thanks for your help, Deputy," she said, as she made her way to the exit. Almost immediately, she ran into the Native American Deputy that had been at the Crashdown the day of the shooting.
"What are you doing here?" he asked her.
"I'm selling candies for charity," she said, holding up a box.
"Not in here, you're not."
"Yes, sir," she said, quickly leaving.
*
Later, Evans living room
The alien trio sat, as Maria explained what she'd done. Alex was NOT pleased. "Are you insane?" he asked.
"I didn't just wander in, all right? I had a cover story."
"And what was your cover story?" asked Liz.
He held up a piece as he said, "I was selling candies for charity. Peanut cluster?" She offered one to Alex, but he refused.
"And they bought it?" asked Liz.
"No, they all seemed to be on a diet," explained Maria.
"Not the candy, Einstein, the story," said Alex.
"Yeah, they bought the story," he noticed Alex's outfit, which was slightly 'over-neat', "Why are you wearing that?"
"Because, Maria, I have a date..." he said while straightening his vest, "With a girl... that I like. In fact, I like my whole life here. And I have a date next Friday that I'm hoping I won't have to miss because I'm running from the law."
"You two, the point is this. That file has got to be in Valenti's office. All right? He leaves for the say at 7:30. There's no one else in the entire wing of the Sheriff's station. We go in, we find the file, we get the info, we put the file back..." explained Maria, before being interrupted by Liz.
"So how do we break in?" she asked, then when Alex shot her a look, "Hypothetically."
"The window. It's got a lock on it. Nothing you can't handle."
"Alarm system?" asked Liz, and after another look from Alex, "Hypothetically."
"Piece of cake. Even I could deactivate it," said Maria.
"Liz, don't humor her. I can't believe you're even considering this," said Alex.
"I just want to know how feasible the plan is... which it's not... feasible. It's not feasible, Maria."
"This is what we've been waiting for our entire lives. I mean this is the first time we've ever had any clue that might tell us who we are. We don't have a choice," said Maria.
Just then, they heard the front door opened, it was Liz and Alex's parents. "Hey!" called Mr. Evans.
"Anybody here?" asked Mrs. Evans.
"And with government agents after us, we had better get our asses in gear, don't you think?" asked Maria in hushed tones.
"Agents?" asked Liz.
"What are you talking about?" asked Alex.
"Talk to Max," instructed Maria.
The parents entered the living room. "You guys hungry?" asked Mr. Evans.
"Hey guys, we got pizza," said Mrs. Evans. "Hey honey, you look... handsome," she said to Alex. "Oh Maria... hi," she said to Maria.
"Hey, I was just leaving," she said, getting up.
"We got plenty of pizza," said Mr. Evans, holding up the two large pizza boxes.
"My dad's cooking," Maria lied, "Thanks." And she left.
"Well, I'm starved," said Mrs. Evans, "C'mon guys. Plates, napkins, let's eat!" Liz and Alex looked to each other, then followed.
*
Next day, in Geometry class, WRH
The students listened as Topolsky spoke and wrote on the board. "And we know that the sum of A, B, and C equals 360 degrees."
"What is she talking about?" Max whispered to himself.
Topolsky heard him. "Mr. Parker?"
"180," said Max.
"I'm sorry?"
"It's a triangle. You know, the sum of the parts would be 180 degrees."
The class laughed as Topolsky looked back to the board. "Right. Right, of course. Equals 180 degrees," she said as she changed what she'd written. Behind her back, Max gave a look to Liz.
*
After class, hallway, WRH
Max had told Liz what he'd told Maria. "But she pulled other students' records," said Liz.
"Well, yeah, but the point is that she pulled Maria's."
"How many others were there?"
"I don't know, maybe ten."
"Well, ten's a lot," said Liz.
"Okay, it might have only been five. I'm not sure how many there were."
"You can't just show up at Maria's and get her riled up like that. You don't know her. She's not big into 'let's go over our options'. She acts on things."
"Look, I'm sorry, I just thought that Maria was in danger and that I'd better tell her."
"In danger of what?"
"I don't know. I have no idea. Look, I am just saying that if there is a spy among us, don't you think it behooves us to do something about it?"
"Spy?" asked Liz.
"Well yeah."
"Max..."
"No, Liz, that sort of thing exists, doesn't it? There's like special branches of the government... alien hunters, you know, that sort of thing."
"So you think Miss Topolsky is an alien hunter."
"When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous."
"Max, thank you, you know, for looking out for us. But we have to on with life as it was before this happened. And we have to be careful now. All of us. You, too."
*
Later, hallway, WRH
Liz walked through the hallway and something caught her eye through the window. There was Topolsky talking with the Sheriff and some other man. Liz started to think.
*
Men's room, WRH
Michael held the note. It read, "Meet me in the 2nd floor eraser room 6th period, Liz."
"The eraser room, uh? Max, do you know what the 2nd floor eraser room means?" asked Michael.
"Of course I know what it means..." said Max, then, "What does it mean?"
"It's where Greg Coleman gave Marlene Garcia that hickey the size of a softball," he said, starting to list off the events, "It's where Richie Roher and Amanda Lourdes 'consummated everything'..."
"Okay, Michael, you know what? You're just making this into something it's not," said Max as he washed his hands.
"Max, you shouldn't do this. Okay? I mean... we don't know what can happen. She touched you and you saw things. What happens when you kiss her? How do you know what it is to be kissed by a Czechoslovakian? You don't."
"Okay, Michael, who said anything about kissing? She's not even interested in me... at all. She said that things were just like they were before. No change, she said it."
"Max... it's not just kissing that goes on in the Eraser Room," said Michael.
Max's friend from Geometry, who was standing next to them at that last comment, snickered and said, "He's right about that."
"The eraser room... some clean erasers there, while others... lose their innocence. Do you know what I mean by 'lose their innocence', Max? If you care about Liz, don't do this, okay?"
*
That day, Sheriff's office
The Sheriff sat at his desk and looked up when he sensed a presence. It was Agent Stevens. "Good afternoon, Sheriff," he said.
"Agent Stevens. You don't write, you don't call. I'm sorry about kicking junior out of here the other day. He had no jurisdiction. No offense."
"None taken," said the Agent.
"So, what'd you guys find on that waitress uniform?"
"Well several things actually, Sheriff: tomatoes, salt, water, sugar, vinegar... ketchup, Sheriff, no blood." The Sheriff's face fell. "We've wasted enough tax-payer dollars to try to find something that isn't out there. No space ship landed here in 1947. No aliens are currently residing in Roswell, New Mexico. I've been given the authority by the governor to search the premises to remove any information pertaining to UFOs, alien sightings, and other alleged paranormal occurrences in this county. This thing is over, Sheriff." He went just outside the door and called to his men, "Let's get on with it, guys."
The Sheriff thought for a second, then said, "You found blood on the shirt. Why else would you care enough to remove my files. Wouldn't that be a waste of taxpayer dollars?"
Agent Hart walked up to Stevens, and said, "It's locked."
Stevens extended his hand for the key and the Sheriff handed it over. "This won't take long. Thank you, Sheriff."
The Sheriff looked around and then took his thermos out of the drawer as he got up. "Make yourself at home. I'm going to lunch."
*
Outside the station
Across the street, Maria observed as the Sheriff walked out of the station carrying the thermos.
*
Eraser room, WRH
Liz was cleaning an eraser when Max walked in. "So... this is the eraser room. I've never been here before."
Liz walked across the room. "I just thought we should be somewhere private."
"Right," said Max, as he locked the door.
"You were right about Topolsky. She isn't who she appears to be."
"Oh," said Max, slightly disappointed.
She removed a vent screen to reveal they could see into an office. "She's been using this office. I thought we should find out why she's here."
"Yeah," said Max as he went to stand beside her.
"She has off 6th and 7th period, so we might be here for a while," said Liz. Both stood close to the other as they looked into the office, waiting.
*
Outside the station
Maria still watched the station as she noticed a man exiting, carrying some file boxes. That got her attention. The man put the boxes in his car trunk. What was going on?
*
Eraser room
"I'm still confused. If you crash-landed in 1947, are you really 16 or are you 52 in a 16-year-old's body? Or do you guys just age differently? I mean, is... 1 alien year equal to 3 human years?"
Liz smiled. "You've thought about this a lot, haven't you?"
"Kind of," said Max, smiling as well.
"Well, we know we came out of the pods in 1989. We just don't know how long we were there. When we came out of we looked like 6 year olds."
"So were you... green?" asked Max, slightly hating himself for asking.
"Green?" asked Liz puzzled.
"Before you took human form, were you 3 feet tall and green and slimy?" he explained, forcing out a laugh as he added, "You know, I'm very sorry for asking you that. It's Michael's question."
"No, we just always looked like this. Except for the, uh, third eye." She looked down at the ground and Max tried to look for the eye, hoping she wouldn't see him. She turned her head back and he sat up. She smiled and said, "Kidding!"
Max acted like he was aware. "Yeah, I knew you were kidding." She laughed and he shoved her playfully. "So uh, you really have no idea where you're from, like what planet, or who your people are besides Maria and Alex?"
"No idea," said Liz.
"Well, that must be kind of freeing in a way."
"Freeing?" asked Liz.
"Um, well just with me, you know, my parents own the Crashdown, so everyone in town knows who I am. Like... if I so much as get a haircut, everyone seems to notice, and they have to give me their opinion on it. It kind of makes life claustrophobic. It's like, you know, how am I ever supposed to become whoever it is that I'm gonna become while everyone is looking? Just... sometimes I wish I could be invisible."
"Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be so invisible," said Liz. There was a silence, which was broken by the sound of a door opening. Topolsky stepped into her office, followed by a man.
Max and Liz got up to the opening and listened. "Okay, I looked through all of them, and this is where I wanted to start," she said, handing the man a file.
"Maria Guerin. Have you interviewed her yet?"
"She hasn't set foot in school since I've been here. But if Muhammed doesn't come to the mountain..."
"Do you want me to go talk to her?" asked the man.
"No, I'll do it. Just check and make sure the address is correct."
"You got it." Max and Liz looked at each other.
*
Later, night, in front of the Crashdown
Max and Liz pulled up to the Crashdown in Liz's Jeep. "Five minutes," said Liz.
"Right," said Max as he ran off.
Just then, Maria ran up to Liz. "Maria, something's up."
"They're taking things out of the Sheriff's office."
"What?" asked Liz.
"I don't know. Some guys in suits. So we gotta get in there. It's now or never, Liz."
*
Inside the Crashdown
Michael stood next to a table, where a woman looked at the menu. "You know, I'd steer you to this side of the menu," he said, showing her. Just then, Max entered. "Excuse me." He walked to him. "Where have you been?" he asked as they started walking through the café.
"I need you to cover for me," asked Max.
"When?"
"Tonight."
"Oh, no. It's a zoo," said Michael.
A customer at the counter spoke up then. "Excuse me, I've been waiting for my hot fudge blast off for like twenty minutes'"
"Like he needs 80 grams of fat," muttered Michael under his breath, "Okay, so one trip to the eraser room and you're above working? Go on, your highness, you have to work now. The masses are demanding alien-themed, greasy food and by God, it's our job to serve it to them."
"Look, Michael, this is really important. I'll tell you all about it later. You're great, but right now I've gotta go." Max was almost out when Isabel came right up to him, blocking his way.
"Okay, I want some answers, all right? Because first of all, there are rumors going around that last week you were shot here in the café," she said, motioning to Max, then to Michael, "And then at the crash festival you were seemingly run over by a car, but then you weren't. And every time I walk up to you two, you go silent or make up some ridiculous story about Czechoslovakia, which is a country that has not existed for ten years. So I want the truth and I want it now."
Max exchanged a quick glance with Michael and said, "Isabel, the reason that we keep on changing the subject is..."
"Jock itch," blurted out Michael, "We have jock itch, Isabel."
"Yeah, and we didn't even want to talk about it in front of you because we thought it would make you feel really uncomfortable," Max lied.
"But if you really want to know, we can tell you," said Michael.
"In really excruciating detail," said Max.
Isabel made a face, then said, "No! I'm eating!" And she left.
Max turned to Michael and said, "Thanks," before making his exit as well.
*
Back outside
"Maria, it's important to me, too," insisted Liz.
"All you want to do is protect what you've got here in Roswell," said Maria.
"That's right, I do."
"Have you ever thought what it's like here for me, Liz?"
"Of course I have," said Liz, before noticing Maria was looking past her. She turned to find Max standing there. "Look, the woman who pulled your records, she's on her way to your place," Liz told Maria.
"What?"
"Just stay away from there tonight. Alex is waiting for you at our house. Just go there and wait."
"Wait for her to find me?"
"Don't do anything stupid," said Liz before Maria walked off.
Not too far behind, Tess pulled up in her car when she saw Max and Liz get in the Jeep and drive off. "Max!" she called. She returned to her seat, and drove after them.
*
Trailer park, close to Maria's home
Max and Liz sat in the Jeep waiting. Liz played with her ring as Max turned to her. "So, how did you end up where you ended up, and Maria ended up here?"
"It's a long story," said Liz sadly.
"Is her foster father always, um, so..." He didn't quite know how to ask.
"Tough?" suggested Liz, "Yeah." Just then, Topolsky arrived. Liz leaned back towards Max to watch her. In her car, Tess made a face. In the Jeep, the two observed Topolsky talking to Hank, just as Liz dropped something. "My ring!" she whispered. She bent down to retrieve it.
From her car, the image didn't look very good to Tess. "Oh my God! Liz! Get up! Get away from there!" She jumped out of her car.
Max listened to Topolsky. "Sorry to bother you. I'm looking for Maria," she was saying.
"Hey!" said Tess as she came up to the Jeep.
"Tess!" said Max surprised as Liz sat back up.
"Hey, Liz," said Tess calmly.
"Hey, Tess," whispered Liz.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing," whispered Max.
"Why are you whispering?"
"We're just... waiting for Maria. We're going, uh..." said Max, still whispering.
"Bowling," provided Liz.
"Why are you whispering?" asked Tess again.
At normal tone, although a nervous one, Max repeated, "We're going bowling!"
Tess turned to Liz. "What were you doing down there?"
"Oh, she dropped her ring," explained Max, whispering again.
"Why are you whispering?"
Not too far away, Topolsky was finishing with Hank. "Why don't I give you my number. Could you have Maria call me?"
Back at the Jeep, Tess was still not quite believing it. "Bowling?"
Liz saw that Topolsky was heading back to her car. "Max!" She ducked down, and so did Tess.
"What?" asked Tess.
"Liz!" called Max.
"What are you doing?" asked Tess, loud enough for Topolsky to hear, and the woman turned around. The girls were out of her eyesight, but she could Max.
*
Outside the Sheriff's station
Maria looked up to a window with a sort of gate over it. It was time.
*
Outside the Crashdown
Max and Liz walked together. "Maybe when this all blows over, you and I could get lunch or something?" asked Liz shyly.
"Lunch?" asked Max.
"Yeah, if you want."
"So, like in the Caf?"
"Sure," said Liz.
"Okay, great. It's a date... no! It's not a date... it's a lunch."
"Lunch... right," said Liz.
"I better get home," said Max.
"Yeah, me too," said Liz, just as she noticed Alex standing not too far away, waving his arms around. "Good night, Max."
"Good night," said Max as he went into his house.
Alex approached Liz then and said, "Maria's AWOL."
*
Outside the station
Maria climbed a pipe up to the window. She put her hand over the lock to the window grate, which led into the Sheriff's office. When the lock gave way, she nearly fell off but held on. Finally, she slipped into the office.
*
Not too far, in the Jeep
"You know the girl doesn't know how to control her powers," said Alex.
"I know," said Liz. They drove up to find the open grate and realized Maria was already inside.
*
In the office
Maria went through file after file, trying to find the picture of the man with the handprint.
*
In the Jeep
Liz and Alex watched as the Sheriff pulled into the station parking lot and headed for the door. "You get Maria out of there. I'll keep Valenti out of his office as long as I can."
"Right," said Liz as she ran off. Alex sighed and headed to follow the Sheriff.
*
Inside the station
"Forget something?" asked Owen as the Sheriff entered.
"Papers," explained the Sheriff.
"Sheriff?" came a voice from behind. The Sheriff and Deputy turned to find Alex Evans. "I'm... slightly embarrassed to ask this. I have a flat tire, and I'm not as mechanical as I thought I was."
"Sheriff. You're off duty, Sheriff. I'd be happy to help the young man out."
"It's okay deputy. I've got it." He figured he could ask him about Liz.
*
Sheriff's office
Maria kept looking around, then noticed the thermos in the drawer. She shook it and heard a small sound that didn't seem right. She opened the top and saw the key resting there. Just then, Liz came up to the window. "Maria, let's go, now! Valenti's back! Let's go! Maria!"
Maria picked up the key and was hit by an intense vision, so much that she fell back, loud enough that below, the Sheriff, the Deputy, and Alex, all heard it. The men asked Alex to stay there as they headed upstairs to see what was going on. "Let's go, let's go!" called Liz. Maria placed the thermos back, keeping the key and went out on the window ledge. They closed the grate and Liz sealed it.
As the Sheriff opened the blinds in his office, the two girls jumped into a dumpster below, unseen. He checked the grate, and it was closed tight, like it was supposed to.
Below, the girls climbed out of the dumpster. "Told you it was no big deal," said Maria.
*
Outside the station
The Sheriff finished fixing the tire on the Jeep. "There you go. You're all set Mr. Evans."
"Thanks. Thanks a lot," said Alex, trying to hide his nervousness.
"Alex, right?" asked the Sheriff.
"Yeah."
"You're out past the curfew."
"Well, I had a flat tire."
"Right. Where's Liz tonight?" he asked, trying to make it sound casual.
"Oh. I have no idea. I'm just her brother, not her keeper." And he drove off.
*
Outside Maria's home, the Jeep
Liz, Maria and Alex sat in silence. Liz took the key and concentrated, but no vision came. Alex picked up the key and tried also, quickly followed by a gasp. "What did you see?" asked Maria excitedly.
"Christina Aguilera in the shower," said Alex with an amused face. Maria frowned, took the key, and jumped out. Liz followed her.
"Hey," she said as Maria turned to her. "Sorry about before. Maybe I don't really know what it's like for you."
"The thing I've realized is the fact that my life basically sucks is a good thing. It's easier. We always have to be able to leave, pack a suitcase, go somewhere else. Maybe ten years from now, maybe a week from now, maybe tomorrow. So my advice? Don't get in too deep, Elizabeth. It only makes us weaker."
*
Next day, hallway, WRH
Max walked alone. "Mr. Parker!" he heard from behind. It was Topolsky. He was stuck, so he turned to see her walk up to him. "I have some questions for you about Maria Guerin." Max stayed silent. "Your friend Maria is in serious trouble." Still nothing, so Topolsky sighed and went on. "I'm not a substitute teacher." Max's heart began to beat slightly faster. "I saw you at Maria's house last night. I'm the new guidance counselor," she explained.
Max was a bit relieved but didn't let that show. "Guidance counselor," he said.
"And Maria is a girl who's in serious danger of being expelled from this school. If you're really a friend, you'll talk to her. You'll have her come in and meet with me. Soon. Are you with me Mr. Parker?"
"I'll tell her," said Max calmly.
"Thank you," she said before walking away. Max watched her until he saw Tess staring at him as she walked with some of the other cheerleaders.
*
On Max's balcony, night
He typed in his journal. "Ever since I found out about Liz and Maria and Alex, I've been thinking a lot about secrets. That for everyone who has a secret, there's someone else who needs to know what that secret is. How sometimes secrets keep people from feeling like they belong. And sometimes secrets make you feel like you do belong. And now even me, Max Parker, a simple guy with a simple life... I've got something to hide as well." He finished writing and smiled slightly.
*
Max's words had true meaning at that time in a way he hadn't even realized. How the Sheriff had realized his key was missing... how Maria stood in the shadows observing Liz, Alex and their parents playing basketball... how not too long ago, he and Liz stood in the eraser room... their 'adventure'... had begun...
Max sat on his balcony, the laptop sitting nearby as he looked through his telescope at the stars. Soon he turned and went to sit. He opened the computer and started typing in his diary.
"September 27. I'm Max Parker and I will never look at the stars in the sky the same way again. I'll never look at anything the same way again. What did Liz mean when she said, "I'll see you in school?" Did she mean it as like something real simple, that meant nothing really, or was it something more... What is she thinking right now? Is she agonizing? Wondering what is going to happen next? Unable to sleep peacefully while trying to figure out what will happen next?"
*
That night, Evans home
Unlike what Max thought, Liz was actually sleeping very much peacefully. But she was awakened by a noise. She opened her eyes and saw someone was trying to climb through the window. She carefully grabbed one of her father's old baseball bats, which she kept next to her bed at all time. She sneaked up to her window, and when the person jumped in, she raised it above her head, ready to bring it down, when she recognized the girl.
"Hold it there! Don't hit me!" yelled Maria, putting her arms in front of herself. Liz lowered the bat.
"Argument with Hank?" she asked knowingly. Maria's foster dad, Hank, was always being hard on her. Maria had taken the habit of sleeping on Liz's floor.
"Couldn't sleep," said Maria. Liz rolled out a sleeping bag, which was constantly under her desk, awaiting for the next time there would be a last minute 'sleepover'. She climbed back into bed. When she realized Maria wasn't moving, she turned back to her.
"Hey, I was sleeping," she said.
"Amazing," said Maria.
"What's amazing?" asked Liz.
"That you can sleep when the key to our entire existence is out there."
"Maria..."
"Liz, listen that picture Valenti showed Max means there's someone else out there. Someone who was here in 1959. That means he was here when it crashed. He knows where we come from, he knows who we are, he knows why we're here. Maybe he knows how to get back."
"Maria, I know how you feel. Believe me, I want to know too. But the sheriff has that picture so we'll never see it. I mean, that would be impossible, right? Maria?" But Maria's mind was already elsewhere.
*
The next morning, near the Sheriff's station
Maria stood watch, trying to come up with a plan. She wouldn't tell the others, although she figured they'd know somehow. All she needed now was a way in.
*
That time, Crashdown café backroom
Michael picked up his uniform shirt and pulled it on as he spoke to Max. "I mean, what do we know about these people? Nothing. How do we know that they're not 3 feet tall, green and slimy?"
"I guess we don't," said Max calmly.
"And you know what else doesn't particularly please me? These powers. How do we know they can't just wiggle their noses and poof us into oblivion?"
"I guess we don't," said Max again.
"Okay, you're being so casual about this, I want to choke you! Max, we're dealing with alie..." Max silenced him as one of the cooks walked past them.
"Can you please not say that word in public?"
*
Seconds later, in the front of the café
Michael kept on talking to Max. "The point is that we don't know anything about these... Czechoslovakians. Are they good Czechoslovakians? Bad Czechoslovakians? We don't know. Are they just random Czechoslovakians? For all we know, they don't have their passports."
Just then, Isabel popped her head up from her booth. "Who's Czechoslovakian?" she asked.
Both guys jumped and turned to her. "Hey!" they both said.
"Hey!" she said, "So, who's Czechoslovakian?"
At the same time, Max said, "The new kid at school," and Michael said, "The guy at the hardware store." They looked to each other and Max said, "The new kid at school who works at the hardware store."
"Exactly," said Michael.
"Oh. What about him?" asked Isabel.
"Nothing," said the guys.
"Fantastic," said Isabel, sarcastically. They walked off.
Max nearly knocked Michael over when he stopped suddenly, looking out the window. "Czechoslovakian, 9 o'clock," said Michael. Outside the window, Maria was looking at them. "Okay, that girl is just weird."
*
WRH, Geometry class
Max was standing by his desk, talking to a couple guys. He looked right and observed Liz sitting at her desk.
"The thing about Czechoslovakians that you need to understand, is that they have these amazing eyes."
He was taken out of his thoughts, when one of his friend's exclaimed, "Okay, that is totally not Mr. Singer." A tall blonde woman walked in as the bell rang.
"Hi, I'm Kathleen Topolsky. I'll be substituting for Mr. Singer who's out sick for a couple days."
"I hope he's seriously ill," said one of Max's friends.
"So the infamous Roswell, New Mexico. Before we get started, let me just ask: Does anyone here actually believe in aliens?" asked Topolsky.
The students all laughed... except for Max and Liz of course. Liz looked to Max.
"Okay, let's take roll," said Topolsky, picking up a sheet. "Um... Bartley."
"Here," said Bartley.
"Collins," said Topolsky.
"Here," said Collins.
"Evans," said Topolsky.
"Here," said Liz.
"Guerin," said Topolsky. No answer. "Maria Guerin? Is she here today? Does anyone know where Maria is?" All turned to Liz. "Evans, right? Liz Evans?"
"Yeah?" said Liz.
"Do you know where Maria Guerin is?" asked Topolsky.
"Uh, Maria's not really into Geometry," explained Liz. The students laughed.
"She's not into it. I guess I can understand that. Pretty uninspiring stuff. Let's open our books to page 228." Max looked to Liz for a second while opening his book.
*
After class, hallway
Max ran up to Liz. "Hi," he said.
"Hi," said Liz, "How's it going?"
"Good, um, you know, things are just normal... Completely normal."
"Good," said Liz.
"So... was that weird?" asked Max.
"What?"
"That substitute just asked all of those questions about Maria. What was that about?"
"I'm sure she was just taking attendance."
"Right," said Max.
"Max, don't worry about it. No one's suspicious of Maria. It's me."
"Okay," said Max. Just then Alex walked up.
"Hi Max," he said with a smile.
"Hi," he answered.
"Hey Alex," said Liz to her brother.
"We should go," said Alex as he took his sister's arm and pulled her away.
*
Sheriff's station
Sheriff Valenti walked in, immediately noticing a man sitting on a folding chair in the hall. "Good morning!" said the man cheerfully.
"Good morning," returned the Sheriff. He walked to Deputy Hansen, who stood behind the counter. "Who is that?" he whispered.
"FBI," the deputy whispered as well, he checked a sheet and added, "Agent Hart."
"Who's he here to talk to?"
"No one, as far as I can tell."
"Well, what's he doing here?"
"Doesn't appear to be doing anything. He's just been sitting there since 7 am."
"Deputy Hansen, did you ask him what he's doing here?"
"Yes sir, he said that he was here on assignment and that we should go about our business as usual," explained Hansen.
"Oh, so your response to that was just all right," said the Sheriff. Hansen didn't answer. The Sheriff walked up to the man on the folding chair. "Agent Hart, I'm Sheriff Valenti. Can I see some identification, please?
The man showed him, then said, "Sorry about the intrusion. I'm here on assignment, Sheriff. You should just go about business..."
"As usual," finished the Sheriff, "Yeah, I heard. See, my problem with that is that having a federal agent sitting smack dab in the middle of my station house isn't exactly business as usual."
"My orders are to not leave this chair until I'm relieved."
"Uh-huh. Agent Hart, the FBI has no jurisdiction here. Now I'm going to ask you to please get up and leave. And take your folding chair with you."
*
WRH, outside
Max and Michael sat with their lunches, already in conversation. "It's impossible, right, that she's not who she says she is?" asked Max.
"Well, no one is who they say they are. I mean, what do you mean exactly?" asked Michael.
"Forget it."
"What, that she's a spy?"
"No, don't be ridiculous.
"'Cause that kind of stuff happens, you know." He was on a roll now.
"Now you're being crazy."
"Well think about it. She takes attendance. What substitute teacher takes attendance? I mean, God, the whole thing is so Roswellian. I'm telling you Max, she's been sent here."
"Why would she be sent here?"
"To find the Czechoslovakians," Michael said through gritted teeth.
"Sniff some cedar oil, Michael," said Max. He did so.
"Which makes me feel that much more about what I already thought before you told me about this, which is that we should definitely tell Isabel."
"No. Look, Michael, we mustn't tell anyone... ever. Ever."
"Mustn't? When have you ever said 'mustn't'? Look, we need someone with a little perspective. Okay, there's all this stuff happening, and it's dangerous. The other day the Sheriff asked me all these questions. And now we have this Topolsky person poking around. You know, that's what they do. They send special government task forces. Alien hunters. And suddenly, we're like, accessories to Czechoslovakians. We need Isabel in on this."
Max listened to him, then looked beyond and pointed. Close by, Isabel was sitting on the ground... with her legs around her head. "Admittedly, she's no Charlie's Angel, but she's all we've got right now," said Michael as he observed her.
The other kids walked around laughing. "What, so now I'm a freak?" Isabel was asking.
*
Soon after, inside WRH, Max's locker
Michael looked around as Max took some books out of his locker until he saw something. "Tess Valenti, headed this way."
Max's head shot up as he turned to Michael. "As in the hall or my locker?"
"The latter," said Michael.
"Oh God," said Max.
"What are you gonna say to her?"
"What am I supposed to say? I mean, I saw her over the summer, and it was casual. She has to know that it's over now, she has to be thinking of it as a 'summer fling'..."
"Max!" called Tess as she walked up to the guys.
"Tess!" said Max.
"How are you?" she asked, getting closer.
Michael grinned and said, "See ya!" He walked away.
"Hey," said Max.
"Hey," said Tess, "How's it going?"
"Good. I'm just pretty loaded down with all this school stuff, you know?"
"Yeah I know. You take all that stuff pretty seriously."
"Yeah," said Max.
"Right, okay."
"All right," he said as he turned to leave, but turned back when she started to talk.
"Listen Max, I think it's important that we are honest with each other. I was talking with Tammy Hilligan, and she agrees with me. A person should be on time, Max. I know we left things casual, and I understand that, but you did say that you would meet me at the Crash Festival. I just feel that if you care about a person, which I do, then you should be on time. The truth is I you were just some guy and you stiffed me like you did, I would walk in a second, but you're not..."
As she talked, Max noticed Topolsky walk into the hall behind her, carrying a bunch of files. He interrupted her and said, "Tess, I really want to talk to you right now, I do, but it's just not a good time. I'm sorry, I gotta go, I'm sorry." With that he walked away, leaving a bewildered Tess standing by his locker. He looked around, trying to find Topolsky again, when he bumped into her, sending the files she held flying. "Oh... I'm sorry, I'm sorry about..." Both crouched to retrieve the files.
Topolsky looked at him and said, "Parker, Max."
"Yeah," said Max nodding.
"Photographic memory," said Topolsky as they continued picking up the papers.
"Wow, that's interesting. I've never met anyone with a photographic memory before."
"Helps in my line of work."
"Here, let me help you with that," said Max as he went to pick up more.
"That's okay," said Topolsky, just as Max picked up a file. He recognized the picture immediately. It was Maria's records.
*
Soon after, trailer park
Max walked around, unsure of what to do. He'd looked up the address, but now he wasn't sure. He went up to the trailer and knocked on the door. He was greeted by a man who was probably drunk or something by the looks of him. "Hi, um, I'm looking for Maria. Guerin." The man didn't move. "Maybe I made a mistake."
The man smiled, something Max wished to never see again, and yelled, "Ria!" He went back to sit in front of the television and Max came in uncomfortably. Maria came in the 'living room'. She walked to Max and said, "Let's go outside. C'mon."
Once outside, Max told her about what he saw. "You're sure it was my records, it was definitely my records?"
"Yeah," said Max.
"She asked about me in class?"
"Oh, well she was just taking attendance and so when you weren't there, she asked the class if anyone knew you."
"So she's looking for me."
"I don't know what's going on, Maria. I just thought I should tell you."
"Thanks," said Maria.
"Sure," said Max, looking down.
"Listen, if Hank insulted you or anything..."
"Oh no, no," assured Max.
"You kind of have to ignore him."
"Sorry... to just show up here."
Maria looked around. "It's where I live," she said, "Thanks.
*
That night, Sheriff's office
He was trying to reach someone at the FBI on the phone, but it wasn't easy. "Yeah, I know it's late. But he sent an agent into my building. I think I've got a right to an immediate explanation... No, I won't call back... No, tomorrow is not acceptable... Yeah, I'm sorry about it too. Listen... No, excuse me... Hello? Hello?" They'd hung up.
He hung up as well. He got up and walked to a locked file cabinet. He unlocked it and opened a drawer to retrieve a file. It contained the autopsy pictures of a man, including the one he had shown Max a few days earlier. He went to the back of the file, where a small paper envelope was stapled. He removed it and opened it. Inside there was a key. No one knew where it belonged. He put the file back, and put the key in his thermos, then the thermos in a paper bag, and he placed the bag in his desk drawer. He left his office.
*
Outside the station
The Sheriff drove past a mini mart, just as Maria walked out, carrying a large paper bag under one arm. She crossed the street and walked into the station. She read the signs on the wall, indicating various locations. She started walking towards the direction of the Sheriff's office, but was stopped by Deputy Hansen, who carried stacks of toilet paper. "Can I help you?" he asked.
She put on a smile and began her spiel. "Good evening, Deputy. I'm selling candies for charity."
"Charity?" asked Hansen.
"Yeah, I'm on the committee to re-open Westlake Orphanage, Deputy... Hansen," she continued, reading the man's name off his tag, "You can be a part of helping to find homes for dozens of children in need. Single boxes are six dollars a piece, and I feel obliged to strongly recommend the peanut clusters. They are good."
"Well, I'm kind of trying to lay off the sweets right now."
"Understood Deputy. If it's all right, I'll just take a look to see who else is around," Maria said, trying to make a run for it and get to business.
"There's nobody up that corridor," said Hansen.
"Um, what if I came back tomorrow night?"
"Well, it's usually pretty empty at night."
"Well, thanks for your help, Deputy," she said, as she made her way to the exit. Almost immediately, she ran into the Native American Deputy that had been at the Crashdown the day of the shooting.
"What are you doing here?" he asked her.
"I'm selling candies for charity," she said, holding up a box.
"Not in here, you're not."
"Yes, sir," she said, quickly leaving.
*
Later, Evans living room
The alien trio sat, as Maria explained what she'd done. Alex was NOT pleased. "Are you insane?" he asked.
"I didn't just wander in, all right? I had a cover story."
"And what was your cover story?" asked Liz.
He held up a piece as he said, "I was selling candies for charity. Peanut cluster?" She offered one to Alex, but he refused.
"And they bought it?" asked Liz.
"No, they all seemed to be on a diet," explained Maria.
"Not the candy, Einstein, the story," said Alex.
"Yeah, they bought the story," he noticed Alex's outfit, which was slightly 'over-neat', "Why are you wearing that?"
"Because, Maria, I have a date..." he said while straightening his vest, "With a girl... that I like. In fact, I like my whole life here. And I have a date next Friday that I'm hoping I won't have to miss because I'm running from the law."
"You two, the point is this. That file has got to be in Valenti's office. All right? He leaves for the say at 7:30. There's no one else in the entire wing of the Sheriff's station. We go in, we find the file, we get the info, we put the file back..." explained Maria, before being interrupted by Liz.
"So how do we break in?" she asked, then when Alex shot her a look, "Hypothetically."
"The window. It's got a lock on it. Nothing you can't handle."
"Alarm system?" asked Liz, and after another look from Alex, "Hypothetically."
"Piece of cake. Even I could deactivate it," said Maria.
"Liz, don't humor her. I can't believe you're even considering this," said Alex.
"I just want to know how feasible the plan is... which it's not... feasible. It's not feasible, Maria."
"This is what we've been waiting for our entire lives. I mean this is the first time we've ever had any clue that might tell us who we are. We don't have a choice," said Maria.
Just then, they heard the front door opened, it was Liz and Alex's parents. "Hey!" called Mr. Evans.
"Anybody here?" asked Mrs. Evans.
"And with government agents after us, we had better get our asses in gear, don't you think?" asked Maria in hushed tones.
"Agents?" asked Liz.
"What are you talking about?" asked Alex.
"Talk to Max," instructed Maria.
The parents entered the living room. "You guys hungry?" asked Mr. Evans.
"Hey guys, we got pizza," said Mrs. Evans. "Hey honey, you look... handsome," she said to Alex. "Oh Maria... hi," she said to Maria.
"Hey, I was just leaving," she said, getting up.
"We got plenty of pizza," said Mr. Evans, holding up the two large pizza boxes.
"My dad's cooking," Maria lied, "Thanks." And she left.
"Well, I'm starved," said Mrs. Evans, "C'mon guys. Plates, napkins, let's eat!" Liz and Alex looked to each other, then followed.
*
Next day, in Geometry class, WRH
The students listened as Topolsky spoke and wrote on the board. "And we know that the sum of A, B, and C equals 360 degrees."
"What is she talking about?" Max whispered to himself.
Topolsky heard him. "Mr. Parker?"
"180," said Max.
"I'm sorry?"
"It's a triangle. You know, the sum of the parts would be 180 degrees."
The class laughed as Topolsky looked back to the board. "Right. Right, of course. Equals 180 degrees," she said as she changed what she'd written. Behind her back, Max gave a look to Liz.
*
After class, hallway, WRH
Max had told Liz what he'd told Maria. "But she pulled other students' records," said Liz.
"Well, yeah, but the point is that she pulled Maria's."
"How many others were there?"
"I don't know, maybe ten."
"Well, ten's a lot," said Liz.
"Okay, it might have only been five. I'm not sure how many there were."
"You can't just show up at Maria's and get her riled up like that. You don't know her. She's not big into 'let's go over our options'. She acts on things."
"Look, I'm sorry, I just thought that Maria was in danger and that I'd better tell her."
"In danger of what?"
"I don't know. I have no idea. Look, I am just saying that if there is a spy among us, don't you think it behooves us to do something about it?"
"Spy?" asked Liz.
"Well yeah."
"Max..."
"No, Liz, that sort of thing exists, doesn't it? There's like special branches of the government... alien hunters, you know, that sort of thing."
"So you think Miss Topolsky is an alien hunter."
"When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous."
"Max, thank you, you know, for looking out for us. But we have to on with life as it was before this happened. And we have to be careful now. All of us. You, too."
*
Later, hallway, WRH
Liz walked through the hallway and something caught her eye through the window. There was Topolsky talking with the Sheriff and some other man. Liz started to think.
*
Men's room, WRH
Michael held the note. It read, "Meet me in the 2nd floor eraser room 6th period, Liz."
"The eraser room, uh? Max, do you know what the 2nd floor eraser room means?" asked Michael.
"Of course I know what it means..." said Max, then, "What does it mean?"
"It's where Greg Coleman gave Marlene Garcia that hickey the size of a softball," he said, starting to list off the events, "It's where Richie Roher and Amanda Lourdes 'consummated everything'..."
"Okay, Michael, you know what? You're just making this into something it's not," said Max as he washed his hands.
"Max, you shouldn't do this. Okay? I mean... we don't know what can happen. She touched you and you saw things. What happens when you kiss her? How do you know what it is to be kissed by a Czechoslovakian? You don't."
"Okay, Michael, who said anything about kissing? She's not even interested in me... at all. She said that things were just like they were before. No change, she said it."
"Max... it's not just kissing that goes on in the Eraser Room," said Michael.
Max's friend from Geometry, who was standing next to them at that last comment, snickered and said, "He's right about that."
"The eraser room... some clean erasers there, while others... lose their innocence. Do you know what I mean by 'lose their innocence', Max? If you care about Liz, don't do this, okay?"
*
That day, Sheriff's office
The Sheriff sat at his desk and looked up when he sensed a presence. It was Agent Stevens. "Good afternoon, Sheriff," he said.
"Agent Stevens. You don't write, you don't call. I'm sorry about kicking junior out of here the other day. He had no jurisdiction. No offense."
"None taken," said the Agent.
"So, what'd you guys find on that waitress uniform?"
"Well several things actually, Sheriff: tomatoes, salt, water, sugar, vinegar... ketchup, Sheriff, no blood." The Sheriff's face fell. "We've wasted enough tax-payer dollars to try to find something that isn't out there. No space ship landed here in 1947. No aliens are currently residing in Roswell, New Mexico. I've been given the authority by the governor to search the premises to remove any information pertaining to UFOs, alien sightings, and other alleged paranormal occurrences in this county. This thing is over, Sheriff." He went just outside the door and called to his men, "Let's get on with it, guys."
The Sheriff thought for a second, then said, "You found blood on the shirt. Why else would you care enough to remove my files. Wouldn't that be a waste of taxpayer dollars?"
Agent Hart walked up to Stevens, and said, "It's locked."
Stevens extended his hand for the key and the Sheriff handed it over. "This won't take long. Thank you, Sheriff."
The Sheriff looked around and then took his thermos out of the drawer as he got up. "Make yourself at home. I'm going to lunch."
*
Outside the station
Across the street, Maria observed as the Sheriff walked out of the station carrying the thermos.
*
Eraser room, WRH
Liz was cleaning an eraser when Max walked in. "So... this is the eraser room. I've never been here before."
Liz walked across the room. "I just thought we should be somewhere private."
"Right," said Max, as he locked the door.
"You were right about Topolsky. She isn't who she appears to be."
"Oh," said Max, slightly disappointed.
She removed a vent screen to reveal they could see into an office. "She's been using this office. I thought we should find out why she's here."
"Yeah," said Max as he went to stand beside her.
"She has off 6th and 7th period, so we might be here for a while," said Liz. Both stood close to the other as they looked into the office, waiting.
*
Outside the station
Maria still watched the station as she noticed a man exiting, carrying some file boxes. That got her attention. The man put the boxes in his car trunk. What was going on?
*
Eraser room
"I'm still confused. If you crash-landed in 1947, are you really 16 or are you 52 in a 16-year-old's body? Or do you guys just age differently? I mean, is... 1 alien year equal to 3 human years?"
Liz smiled. "You've thought about this a lot, haven't you?"
"Kind of," said Max, smiling as well.
"Well, we know we came out of the pods in 1989. We just don't know how long we were there. When we came out of we looked like 6 year olds."
"So were you... green?" asked Max, slightly hating himself for asking.
"Green?" asked Liz puzzled.
"Before you took human form, were you 3 feet tall and green and slimy?" he explained, forcing out a laugh as he added, "You know, I'm very sorry for asking you that. It's Michael's question."
"No, we just always looked like this. Except for the, uh, third eye." She looked down at the ground and Max tried to look for the eye, hoping she wouldn't see him. She turned her head back and he sat up. She smiled and said, "Kidding!"
Max acted like he was aware. "Yeah, I knew you were kidding." She laughed and he shoved her playfully. "So uh, you really have no idea where you're from, like what planet, or who your people are besides Maria and Alex?"
"No idea," said Liz.
"Well, that must be kind of freeing in a way."
"Freeing?" asked Liz.
"Um, well just with me, you know, my parents own the Crashdown, so everyone in town knows who I am. Like... if I so much as get a haircut, everyone seems to notice, and they have to give me their opinion on it. It kind of makes life claustrophobic. It's like, you know, how am I ever supposed to become whoever it is that I'm gonna become while everyone is looking? Just... sometimes I wish I could be invisible."
"Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be so invisible," said Liz. There was a silence, which was broken by the sound of a door opening. Topolsky stepped into her office, followed by a man.
Max and Liz got up to the opening and listened. "Okay, I looked through all of them, and this is where I wanted to start," she said, handing the man a file.
"Maria Guerin. Have you interviewed her yet?"
"She hasn't set foot in school since I've been here. But if Muhammed doesn't come to the mountain..."
"Do you want me to go talk to her?" asked the man.
"No, I'll do it. Just check and make sure the address is correct."
"You got it." Max and Liz looked at each other.
*
Later, night, in front of the Crashdown
Max and Liz pulled up to the Crashdown in Liz's Jeep. "Five minutes," said Liz.
"Right," said Max as he ran off.
Just then, Maria ran up to Liz. "Maria, something's up."
"They're taking things out of the Sheriff's office."
"What?" asked Liz.
"I don't know. Some guys in suits. So we gotta get in there. It's now or never, Liz."
*
Inside the Crashdown
Michael stood next to a table, where a woman looked at the menu. "You know, I'd steer you to this side of the menu," he said, showing her. Just then, Max entered. "Excuse me." He walked to him. "Where have you been?" he asked as they started walking through the café.
"I need you to cover for me," asked Max.
"When?"
"Tonight."
"Oh, no. It's a zoo," said Michael.
A customer at the counter spoke up then. "Excuse me, I've been waiting for my hot fudge blast off for like twenty minutes'"
"Like he needs 80 grams of fat," muttered Michael under his breath, "Okay, so one trip to the eraser room and you're above working? Go on, your highness, you have to work now. The masses are demanding alien-themed, greasy food and by God, it's our job to serve it to them."
"Look, Michael, this is really important. I'll tell you all about it later. You're great, but right now I've gotta go." Max was almost out when Isabel came right up to him, blocking his way.
"Okay, I want some answers, all right? Because first of all, there are rumors going around that last week you were shot here in the café," she said, motioning to Max, then to Michael, "And then at the crash festival you were seemingly run over by a car, but then you weren't. And every time I walk up to you two, you go silent or make up some ridiculous story about Czechoslovakia, which is a country that has not existed for ten years. So I want the truth and I want it now."
Max exchanged a quick glance with Michael and said, "Isabel, the reason that we keep on changing the subject is..."
"Jock itch," blurted out Michael, "We have jock itch, Isabel."
"Yeah, and we didn't even want to talk about it in front of you because we thought it would make you feel really uncomfortable," Max lied.
"But if you really want to know, we can tell you," said Michael.
"In really excruciating detail," said Max.
Isabel made a face, then said, "No! I'm eating!" And she left.
Max turned to Michael and said, "Thanks," before making his exit as well.
*
Back outside
"Maria, it's important to me, too," insisted Liz.
"All you want to do is protect what you've got here in Roswell," said Maria.
"That's right, I do."
"Have you ever thought what it's like here for me, Liz?"
"Of course I have," said Liz, before noticing Maria was looking past her. She turned to find Max standing there. "Look, the woman who pulled your records, she's on her way to your place," Liz told Maria.
"What?"
"Just stay away from there tonight. Alex is waiting for you at our house. Just go there and wait."
"Wait for her to find me?"
"Don't do anything stupid," said Liz before Maria walked off.
Not too far behind, Tess pulled up in her car when she saw Max and Liz get in the Jeep and drive off. "Max!" she called. She returned to her seat, and drove after them.
*
Trailer park, close to Maria's home
Max and Liz sat in the Jeep waiting. Liz played with her ring as Max turned to her. "So, how did you end up where you ended up, and Maria ended up here?"
"It's a long story," said Liz sadly.
"Is her foster father always, um, so..." He didn't quite know how to ask.
"Tough?" suggested Liz, "Yeah." Just then, Topolsky arrived. Liz leaned back towards Max to watch her. In her car, Tess made a face. In the Jeep, the two observed Topolsky talking to Hank, just as Liz dropped something. "My ring!" she whispered. She bent down to retrieve it.
From her car, the image didn't look very good to Tess. "Oh my God! Liz! Get up! Get away from there!" She jumped out of her car.
Max listened to Topolsky. "Sorry to bother you. I'm looking for Maria," she was saying.
"Hey!" said Tess as she came up to the Jeep.
"Tess!" said Max surprised as Liz sat back up.
"Hey, Liz," said Tess calmly.
"Hey, Tess," whispered Liz.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing," whispered Max.
"Why are you whispering?"
"We're just... waiting for Maria. We're going, uh..." said Max, still whispering.
"Bowling," provided Liz.
"Why are you whispering?" asked Tess again.
At normal tone, although a nervous one, Max repeated, "We're going bowling!"
Tess turned to Liz. "What were you doing down there?"
"Oh, she dropped her ring," explained Max, whispering again.
"Why are you whispering?"
Not too far away, Topolsky was finishing with Hank. "Why don't I give you my number. Could you have Maria call me?"
Back at the Jeep, Tess was still not quite believing it. "Bowling?"
Liz saw that Topolsky was heading back to her car. "Max!" She ducked down, and so did Tess.
"What?" asked Tess.
"Liz!" called Max.
"What are you doing?" asked Tess, loud enough for Topolsky to hear, and the woman turned around. The girls were out of her eyesight, but she could Max.
*
Outside the Sheriff's station
Maria looked up to a window with a sort of gate over it. It was time.
*
Outside the Crashdown
Max and Liz walked together. "Maybe when this all blows over, you and I could get lunch or something?" asked Liz shyly.
"Lunch?" asked Max.
"Yeah, if you want."
"So, like in the Caf?"
"Sure," said Liz.
"Okay, great. It's a date... no! It's not a date... it's a lunch."
"Lunch... right," said Liz.
"I better get home," said Max.
"Yeah, me too," said Liz, just as she noticed Alex standing not too far away, waving his arms around. "Good night, Max."
"Good night," said Max as he went into his house.
Alex approached Liz then and said, "Maria's AWOL."
*
Outside the station
Maria climbed a pipe up to the window. She put her hand over the lock to the window grate, which led into the Sheriff's office. When the lock gave way, she nearly fell off but held on. Finally, she slipped into the office.
*
Not too far, in the Jeep
"You know the girl doesn't know how to control her powers," said Alex.
"I know," said Liz. They drove up to find the open grate and realized Maria was already inside.
*
In the office
Maria went through file after file, trying to find the picture of the man with the handprint.
*
In the Jeep
Liz and Alex watched as the Sheriff pulled into the station parking lot and headed for the door. "You get Maria out of there. I'll keep Valenti out of his office as long as I can."
"Right," said Liz as she ran off. Alex sighed and headed to follow the Sheriff.
*
Inside the station
"Forget something?" asked Owen as the Sheriff entered.
"Papers," explained the Sheriff.
"Sheriff?" came a voice from behind. The Sheriff and Deputy turned to find Alex Evans. "I'm... slightly embarrassed to ask this. I have a flat tire, and I'm not as mechanical as I thought I was."
"Sheriff. You're off duty, Sheriff. I'd be happy to help the young man out."
"It's okay deputy. I've got it." He figured he could ask him about Liz.
*
Sheriff's office
Maria kept looking around, then noticed the thermos in the drawer. She shook it and heard a small sound that didn't seem right. She opened the top and saw the key resting there. Just then, Liz came up to the window. "Maria, let's go, now! Valenti's back! Let's go! Maria!"
Maria picked up the key and was hit by an intense vision, so much that she fell back, loud enough that below, the Sheriff, the Deputy, and Alex, all heard it. The men asked Alex to stay there as they headed upstairs to see what was going on. "Let's go, let's go!" called Liz. Maria placed the thermos back, keeping the key and went out on the window ledge. They closed the grate and Liz sealed it.
As the Sheriff opened the blinds in his office, the two girls jumped into a dumpster below, unseen. He checked the grate, and it was closed tight, like it was supposed to.
Below, the girls climbed out of the dumpster. "Told you it was no big deal," said Maria.
*
Outside the station
The Sheriff finished fixing the tire on the Jeep. "There you go. You're all set Mr. Evans."
"Thanks. Thanks a lot," said Alex, trying to hide his nervousness.
"Alex, right?" asked the Sheriff.
"Yeah."
"You're out past the curfew."
"Well, I had a flat tire."
"Right. Where's Liz tonight?" he asked, trying to make it sound casual.
"Oh. I have no idea. I'm just her brother, not her keeper." And he drove off.
*
Outside Maria's home, the Jeep
Liz, Maria and Alex sat in silence. Liz took the key and concentrated, but no vision came. Alex picked up the key and tried also, quickly followed by a gasp. "What did you see?" asked Maria excitedly.
"Christina Aguilera in the shower," said Alex with an amused face. Maria frowned, took the key, and jumped out. Liz followed her.
"Hey," she said as Maria turned to her. "Sorry about before. Maybe I don't really know what it's like for you."
"The thing I've realized is the fact that my life basically sucks is a good thing. It's easier. We always have to be able to leave, pack a suitcase, go somewhere else. Maybe ten years from now, maybe a week from now, maybe tomorrow. So my advice? Don't get in too deep, Elizabeth. It only makes us weaker."
*
Next day, hallway, WRH
Max walked alone. "Mr. Parker!" he heard from behind. It was Topolsky. He was stuck, so he turned to see her walk up to him. "I have some questions for you about Maria Guerin." Max stayed silent. "Your friend Maria is in serious trouble." Still nothing, so Topolsky sighed and went on. "I'm not a substitute teacher." Max's heart began to beat slightly faster. "I saw you at Maria's house last night. I'm the new guidance counselor," she explained.
Max was a bit relieved but didn't let that show. "Guidance counselor," he said.
"And Maria is a girl who's in serious danger of being expelled from this school. If you're really a friend, you'll talk to her. You'll have her come in and meet with me. Soon. Are you with me Mr. Parker?"
"I'll tell her," said Max calmly.
"Thank you," she said before walking away. Max watched her until he saw Tess staring at him as she walked with some of the other cheerleaders.
*
On Max's balcony, night
He typed in his journal. "Ever since I found out about Liz and Maria and Alex, I've been thinking a lot about secrets. That for everyone who has a secret, there's someone else who needs to know what that secret is. How sometimes secrets keep people from feeling like they belong. And sometimes secrets make you feel like you do belong. And now even me, Max Parker, a simple guy with a simple life... I've got something to hide as well." He finished writing and smiled slightly.
*
Max's words had true meaning at that time in a way he hadn't even realized. How the Sheriff had realized his key was missing... how Maria stood in the shadows observing Liz, Alex and their parents playing basketball... how not too long ago, he and Liz stood in the eraser room... their 'adventure'... had begun...