AUTHOR'S NOTE: It took me the longest time to figure out a story to write for Art and Gaston, but after doing "Pandemic" (Chapter 16), I wanted to develop that story more, so here are what I think could have happened to Art and Gaston before they moved to Todayland. But, on another note, please, no comments or reviews about politics. While this story takes place four months ago, this is a story, which means anything can happen. There is no known cure for the virus, but hey, anything can happen, especially with Lewis on their side.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons."

STORY #17: Meatballs and Aliens

STORIES OF REFERENCE: None

NARRATOR: Gaston

MARCH 20, 2020 – CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA

"I can't believe it!" I exclaimed with some anger in my voice.

My older brother and I walked into our apartment after our shift at Giordano's. It was our last shift before the governor of Illinois would close all of the dine-in restaurants, including the one we work at, for at least two weeks. We both collapsed on the couch and just stared ahead to the television that was currently turned off.

"This is really happening," Art said with some depression in his voice.

"We've had serious illnesses before," I replied. "But none that required closing down the country."

"Are you sure the whole country is closed?" Art asked.

"I've been watching the news. Almost everything is closing down. Hospitals are obviously staying open. So are restaurants that have drive-thru options, and big-chain stores like Wal-Mart. Art, I'm worried for our future."

"Let's not give up hope yet, little brother," Art replied with confidence. "The stay-at-home order is only going to last a couple weeks."

"How are we going to live our lives for two weeks stuck in our apartment? We can't go anywhere to have fun. We can only go to places we have to go to."

"We're family, little brother. We'll have fun no matter what."

ONE DAY LATER…

"This is so boring."

Art and I had played Mario-Karts on the Wii all day, and we finally turned off the television. We started playing at eight o'clock this morning. It was now three o'clock.

"If this was a day off, I wouldn't be as worried," I explained, resuming my conversation. "But because of this stay-at-home order, what am I going to do for two whole weeks? I can't just sit here and play Mario-Karts this whole time!"

"What do you imagine yourself doing, Gaston?" Art asked. "What have you dreamed of doing?"

"Doing what I loved doing at work: making the best meatballs in the house."

"Who says you can't do that here?"

"But it isn't the same," I replied. "I don't have people to taste my meatballs!"

"You have me," Art said, and we exchanged smiles.

"What do you dream of doing?"

"Like you, the same thing I've been doing: delivering pizzas. But, I've always wanted to know about the existence of aliens."

"Aliens don't exist, Art," I replied with a flat expression.

"I have a theory: aliens like pizza."

"Art, what are you talking about?" I asked, thinking he was crazy.

"Says the brother who uses the UNO cannon to play golf instead of using a club. But hey, we're all drawn to the smell of pizza. Once it hits you, you can't walk away from it. I wonder if aliens feel the same way."

"Art, aliens have different anatomies than we do! I highly doubt that their bodies can consume pizza."

"Well, I'm going to use these two weeks to find out if it's true," Art replied with determination.

"What are you going to do?" I asked. "Build a spaceship?"

"I'm going to build a spaceship!"

"Art, where are you going to get the supplies and tools for this?" I asked with skepticism. "The entire state is under a stay-at-home order. If someone finds that you got out, you'll be in a heap of trouble!"

"Says the brother who always stayed out after curfew in high school."

TWO WEEKS LATER…

"I can't believe the stay-at-home order got extended!" I exclaimed angrily as we walked in the door with our food. "Now we're going to be here for a whole month!"

"Over a whole month," Art grumbled as we put our food in the refrigerator. "And you were right, Gaston."

"Right about what?"

"You know how I said I was going to build a spaceship?"

"Oh, come on, Art, not this again."

"I went out one night looking for some spare parts. But the police found me!"

"Art, what did you do?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The police accused me of 'loitering' and doing 'nonessential business' and fined me one hundred dollars."

"Well, that's what happens when you go out during this stay-at-home order," I replied nonchalantly.

"What did you expect me to do, Gaston? Sit here and play Mario-Karts all month like you?"

"Now, excuse me, I have not been playing Mario-Karts this entire time."

"No, you made aluminum balls and shot those out of the UNO cannon. Why not build a cannon that is designed to shoot small balls?"

We both sat down, deep in thought.

"You know, our brother-in-law is an inventor," I suggested. "We could ask him for advice."

"I haven't spoken to Franny in a while," Art replied, finally putting a smile on his face. "I wonder how she's doing with all of this."

"Do you really think Todayland is affected by this?"

"Little brother, the entire country got hit with the coronavirus. I highly doubt Todayland was immune to it. But it wouldn't hurt to ask."

I watched as Art dialed our little sister, and he immediately put the phone on speakers.

"Hey, guys!" we heard Franny say cheerfully on the other side.

"Franny!" we both exclaimed happily.

"Words cannot describe how happy we are to hear your voice," Art said. "How are you?"

"Believe it or not, I can say the same thing," Franny answered. "The school I worked at closed down. So Bud and I haven't been able to go to work."

"Well, neither has Illinois," Art said, putting on an annoyed expression on his face.

"What do you mean 'neither has Illinois'?"

"Franny, the entire state got shut down except for hospitals, big-chain stores, and drive-thru restaurants," I explained. "Art and I haven't been at work for two weeks, and now we're stuck in our apartment for the rest of the month because our governor extended the stay-at-home order."

"Oh no! So, how are you two handling all of this?"

"Horribly," Art answered. "We've both been sitting here playing Mario-Karts, and we're both trying to get inspired to invent, but I've gotten in trouble looking for spare parts."

"What are you inventing?" Franny asked with intrigue.

"I'm going to try to build a spaceship to see if aliens like pizza," Art answered, and I gave him a look of disbelief.

"Well, if you're going to do that, big brother, I'm going to build a meatball cannon!" I shot back.

"I think both of those are wonderful ideas!"

"You do?" we asked at the same time.

"Sure! It'd definitely be more entertaining. Speaking of which, I'm worried about Lewis."

"We've been meaning to ask how he's doing," I replied.

"Well, the coronavirus hit Todayland right before April started," Franny explained. "All the schools are closed and so are the restaurants. We have been mandated to stay home, stay six feet apart, and wear masks. The five of us are anxious about this. Carl's a robot, so he can't catch it. But still, being told to be six feet apart… that's not us. Lewis has been the most anxious about this since he's spent all his life apart from other people… I mean, except for Goob and Mildred and the four of us."

"So, is Lewis helping out with the virus?" Art asked.

"Lewis is working with his mom to find a way for us to be together without risking ourselves against this virus. But they're both also trying to find a cure. They've taken samples from every resident who was tested positive for the virus. We've always been a strong community, but I'm worried at how this virus will change us."

"Maybe some of those changes will be for the better," I suggested. "I mean, Art and I are trying to make something new instead of being couch potatoes. And knowing the people we went to school with, I don't think the virus will change that community negatively."

"Gaston's right," Art said. "There's always a silver lining. And you have Lewis on your side. Who knows? Maybe he will find the cure and this virus will be eradicated very quickly."

"Oh I'm not sure about THAT," Franny replied. "Lewis is an inventor, not a medical doctor."

"But Lewis is the smartest man all of us have ever known," I replied. "So I take it we can't talk to Lewis and gain some inspiration from him?"

"Unfortunately, no. By the time he gets home, he's exhausted. But, what I can tell you both is… keep moving forward."

"Keep moving forward?" I asked, scratching my head. "How do I do that?"

"If you fail, learn and try again. Or even if you don't know what to do, take a step forward."

"Franny, we have to stay here," Art reminded her.

"Are you quarantined?"

"Well, not exactly," I answered hesitantly.

"Then you can go outside."

"I already got in trouble for going outside," Art replied.

"Then the governor put these orders in place for power, not for safety. Guys, please call me if something comes up. My in-laws were just talking about opening the house up for everybody, should the virus be getting out of hand. If any of us were to die, my in-laws wanted to be in the company of loved ones, not in isolation."

"We'll take you up on that, little sister," I replied.

THREE WEEKS LATER…

"When can we go back to work?" I asked angrily as Art and I walked into our apartment.

"I can't even afford spare parts anymore," Art replied with sadness.

"We can barely afford this food," I said with depression in my voice. "We're running out of sources because we can't work. And what's worse, our stay-at-home order is getting extended."

"I'm starting to think that Franny was right," Art said. "Maybe this stay-at-home order was because of a hunger for power. Some businesses had to permanently close because of this. What if our business closes?"

"We work in Navy Pier, Art," I replied. "I highly doubt our business will close."

"And anyway, we haven't made any progress in our inventions," Art continued. "I've already paid five hundred dollars now just because I was looking for spare parts for my spaceship. That's half the rent!"

"Let's call Franny," I suggested, taking out my phone. "Let's ask her for advice."

We dialed my sister, who picked up right away.

"Hey, guys! How's it going?"

"Horrible," Art replied. "Our stay-at-home order got extended again."

"What?! When is that one ending?"

"Indefinitely," I answered, hanging my head down. "We can't afford anything anymore!"

"And we have gotten nowhere with our inventions," Art chimed in.

"Sis, what do we do?" I asked, desperate for hope.

"Come live here."

"Franny, we can't," Art replied. "If the police sees us out of our apartment, we're in a heap of trouble."

"Art, it's called standing up for yourself," Franny explained. "The governor of your state has not been fulfilling his promises and is making your situation worse. He's clearly doing this for power, and he's using the coronavirus for that reason. He is not considering everybody's safety and well-being. By moving here to Todayland, you're standing up to him. You are saying, sir, I can no longer afford to live here because of your policies. I'm moving forward to a new life, to a place where I'll be accepted for who I am and where I can thrive with my talents."

"But what about our jobs?" I asked.

"Then tell your boss why you're leaving. He'll understand. Now, I should warn you, the situation's gotten worse here, so you both will have to be tested. But if you've only been around each other, then you should be fine. But I promise, you will be loved and encouraged here."

"Will there be jobs in Todayland?" Art asked.

"Of course there will be! The city is still shut down, unfortunately. The only stores that are open are the grocery stores. But Lewis and Lucille are working really hard on a cure. Once Todayland is open again, I'm sure we can help you find something. If you can't, don't worry! Because of Lewis' inventions, he's rolling in dough, but don't tell anybody that."

"I'm pretty sure that's all over the news," Art replied with a chuckle. "We'll think about it."

We hung up the phone, and we glanced at each other.

"Are we really doing this?" I asked. "Are we really going to consider moving?"

"Well, it would be the perfect opportunity to be with Franny again," Art explained. "And we wouldn't be alone."

"And with how big of a house they live in, maybe we'll have more space and inspiration to work on our inventions," I added.

"And if Franny guarantees us jobs, then I'm very positive we'll get jobs and afford a living."

"Well, should we do it?" I asked with a smile.

"I think I understand what it means to keep moving forward," Art said, returning the smile. "Taking a leap of faith, even if you don't know where that leap will take us."

"As long as it takes us out of here," I replied. "If we continue to sit here and do nothing to help us financially, we'll be out on the streets with no way of communicating with family. Let's do it."

ONE WEEK LATER – TODAYLAND, NORTH MONTANA, USA

"Welcome, welcome, welcome!"

We both smiled when Franny greeted us with open arms and gave us both hugs. Carl followed her and shook our hands.

"Welcome to the Robinson House!" Carl announced happily as he took our suitcases. "I hope your journey was pleasant."

"Well, it wasn't at first," Art replied. "We got pulled over by an officer on the Interstate when we left Chicago."

"But we stood up to him and told him we were moving," I chimed in. "But his response was not what we were expecting."

"He was understanding," Art explained. "He agreed with you, Franny. He believed these stay-at-home orders were unconstitutional and are hurting the economy. In fact, I read that one of the counties was going to sue the governor for that reason."

"Well, good!" Franny replied. "He needs to know that what he's doing is not okay. But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that you're both here and safe. But we need to get you tested. Carl?"

"I'm on it."

We watched Carl go inside, and we followed Franny into the enormous garage and into a weird tube.

"Franny, what is this?" I asked, clearly puzzled.

"It's a travel tube! It can get you to any place in the house and save you some energy. Personally, I prefer walking since I'm still young, but they do come in handy. We're going to the second floor. That's where your rooms will be at."

We took another leap of faith and followed Franny into the travel tube. It was the most interesting experience I have ever had. I was sucked up in the tube like a vacuum cleaner, and I was moving so fast that I couldn't get a glimpse of what was surrounding me. I did have a rough landing, however, and landed on my buttocks in the middle of the hallway. Suddenly, I felt something crushing me.

"Augh, Art, get off!" I exclaimed.

"Sorry!"

Art quickly got off me, and I felt sore for a few minutes.

"Gaston! Are you okay?" Franny asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Maybe a little warning about the landing next time?"

"You have to practice how to land on your feet," Franny replied, leading us to our rooms. "Your rooms are right next to each other in case you want to have a heart-to-heart talk. But Carl will be up any minute to test you both."

"How's finding the cure going?" Art asked.

"Not yet," Franny replied. "And actually, the situation here got worse: Lucille was tested positive for the virus."

"No!" we both exclaimed.

"Bud is very depressed, but we're all still optimistic. Lucille's a strong woman. We're all confident she'll recover. But all we can do now is support Lewis."

"I have the tests, Franny," Carl announced.

I went into my own room while Art went in the room next to mine. I watched Carl take out a swab and insert into my nose and all the way back to my throat.

"Carl!" I croaked. "Get it out! It's weird!"

"Sorry, Gaston," Carl replied right before taking the swab out. "I've got it. That was it."

I watched Carl place the swab in a tube, and he walked out of the room and into Art's. Then, Franny walked in the room and sat down next to me.

"Franny, should you be doing that?" I asked.

"Gaston, we need each other more than ever to get through this," Franny answered. "Staying six feet apart is not the answer. We're a family, and we stick together. Besides, I don't have the virus. I was tested negative. And I doubt you have it, considering what you two have been through. Actually, you two aren't the only ones moving in here."

"Who else is?" I asked with curiosity.

"I call them Uncle Joe and Aunt Billie," Franny explained. "Billie is a family therapist who loves to use play therapy to help kids cope with their mental illnesses and any mental trauma they have. Uncle Joe, well… he has diabetes and he has autism. They're moving in with us because they just lost their house."

"That's horrible," I replied with sadness.

"They were behind on their payments—"

"Because of the coronavirus," I finished, and Franny nodded sadly. "Does Joe's condition have anything to do with that?"

"Well, they did have a discount on the mortgage because of that, but it wasn't enough. They lived in New York close to Joe's brother Fritz. New York is in an even worse condition than Illinois is."

"How is Fritz coping with this?"

"He and Petunia have their twins living with them as well," Franny explained. "So they're one of the families that are doing better than everyone else. But, the coronavirus is affecting Laszlo, their son. He's an artist and he sells his paintings for a living. His sister, Tallulah, is an art student, but her specialty is consumer skills, especially sewing and dressmaking."

We paused for a moment.

"So, how are your inventions going?" Franny asked.

"Not. Every time Art went out for spare parts, he got caught by the police. We paid half the rent to them because of it."

"Well, I do have good news: we have a storage room now all full of spare parts."

"Franny, you are amazing!"

"Well, thank Lewis for that one. Whatever parts he didn't need, he put in the storage room."

ONE WEEK LATER…

After Franny showed me and Art the storage room, I worked on my meatball cannon in my room while Art worked on his spaceship outside. The only times I had seen Lewis was when he came home, and he was very happy to help Art invent the spaceship. Lewis claimed that helping Art helped take his mind off the negative mentality both the coronavirus and social media caused him.

One day, I was in my room, putting the finishing touches on my meatball cannon, and I was ready to test it. I went into the kitchen and made some meatballs before putting them in the cannon. But, when I pulled the string…

BOOM!

I looked down to see my cannon had exploded, and there were crumbs of my meatballs all over my kitchen.

"Oh my goodness, Gaston!"

I looked up to see Franny running into the kitchen.

"What happened?"

"It malfunctioned," I explained sadly.

"Maybe Lewis can help you with that," Franny replied, and then she broke into a smile. "Speaking of which, I have good news: Lewis found the cure!"

"Wait, really?"

"First he did some research. The coronavirus is a respiratory disease, and from that, he and Lucille looked up all of the possible treatments for respiratory diseases. None of them individually worked on those patients. Then, he looked up the different kinds of foods would help respiratory diseases, and from that, he combined a medication with all of these different foods to create a soup."

"What kind of food was used in this soup?" I asked with curiosity.

"All kinds of stuff: broccoli, apples, chicken, and walnuts. Water is the liquid that was used. We worked together on the soup, and Lewis shared it with his mom, who cured after a few days!"

"A little bit of everything, huh? I know I'm not sick, but may I try this soup?"

"You may not have the cure, Gaston!" Franny replied teasingly, and we both laughed. "We're donating all of the broccoli, apples, chicken, and walnuts we have, but I promise to make you the soup soon."

"I'm going to hold you to that," I replied with a wink.

"Guys! I did it!"

We turned to see Art running into the kitchen.

"Whoa, what happened in here?"

"A malfunction," I answered. "But it's no big deal. What happened?"

"Follow me!"

Franny and I followed Art outside, where we saw a red spaceship!

"Okay, Art, you made it," I said with some doubt. "Now does it work?"

"Yee of little faith," Art replied, climbing up the small stairs to get in the ship.

After a few minutes, we heard some engines start, and the ship went up in the air and out of Earth!

"Well, that's two successes out of three," I mumbled.

"Gaston, don't worry," Franny assured me. "Just keep moving forward, and you'll have your meatball cannon working in no time."

ONE WEEK LATER…

I pulled the string to my newly made and revised meatball cannon, and I heard a beautiful sound: a meatball, flying out of the cannon and hitting the wall.

"Yeah!" I exclaimed happily.

I continued to shoot meatballs out of my cannon with excitement until I heard a scream. I turned toward the screaming to find my sister at the door.

"Franny, I'm—"

SPLAT!

I felt myself getting whacked in the face, and I looked down to the floor to find a meatball by my feet.

"That's what you get for hitting me with that!" Franny yelled with a smirk on her face.

We paused, staring at each other, and then we cracked up laughing.

"I take it that means your meatball cannon works?" Franny asked.

"Yes! I'm so happy! How's everyone doing with the virus?"

"Lucille is fully cured, and she and Lewis are working together to cure the whole city."

"Now the question is, will America take this cure seriously?"

"Who knows? But here's hope now, and just in time for Uncle Joe and Aunt Billie to move in!"

We hugged each other as we walked out of the kitchen, elated that life would be back to normal soon.