The Ruins of Our Lives Chapter 17

Mark's POV

'Come on Willie, that show's about to start' I yell from the living room.

I really hope this is a good show for Jonathan's sake, since that other show sent his character over to Costa Rica and then didn't even bring him back for the series finale.

The opening is starting now. I like the theme music. Sounds really jazzy.

'Oh my God!' I shout out loud without realizing it.

'What's the matter?' asks Willie.

'It's Randy! Randy is in the credits!' I shout.

'Randy...Randy...You're brother Randy?' he asks.

'Yes, oh my God! What is he doing on a TV show?' I ask to no one in particular.

'Well that must mean he's out there in California then' Willie states.

'Yeah, it must...' I agree.

This is just typical Randy. Something tragic happens to him, and he goes on to actually improve his life.

Now I really hope this show is a success, both for Randy and Jonathan's sake.

Lauren's POV

"Life and Stuff" has a really neat theme, though they could have probably gotten away with less trumpet. But, I'm not tuning in as a music critic.

This is just so cool to see Randy up there acting on the same stage with THE Jonathan Taylor Thomas. They're both radiantly cute if you ask me.

Then about ten minutes into the show, I hear a knock on my door. I mute the TV, and start to ask "who is it?" when my mom (who is famous for knocking on a door, but then not waiting for anyone to give her clearance to enter) comes walking in, carrying a stack of clothes with her. Before I have a chance to turn off the TV, or at the very least change the channel, she looks over at the TV, right in the middle of a close up of Randy.

'Yeah mom?' I ask, trying to play dumb.

'Lauren, what are you watching?' she asks, still staring at the TV.

'Well, see, one of my friends called me while I was doing my homework, and told me about this new show debuting on ABC tonight, and said that I really should watch some of it' I lie.

'And would that friend just happen to be that Randy Taylor kid who ran away a year ago?' she asks.

'Um...' is all I can manage to say.

'I've already seen the TV screen Lauren, so lying is rather pointless at this point in time' mom says.

'I can't say mom' I tell her. There's no way I'm giving up Randy, not without a fight.

'Lauren, I'm going to call Mrs. Taylor whether or not you tell me if Randy called' she explains.

'I'm not going to say, and I really, really mean it' I state.

'Alright. I'll be back up here in a few minutes to discuss this with you further. Right now, I think Mrs. Taylor needs to find out where her sons are at' mom says.

'I'm sorry I let you down Randy. But, I didn't actually tell her anything, if it makes you feel any better' I whisper after mom leaves the room, first unloading the clothes on top of my desk chair.

I guess it was only a matter of time before our charade would be found out, but still, I thought it would last longer than what it did.

Now all I can do is wait. Wait until something happens. Wait until I hear something from Randy.

God, I just feel so horrible for ruining Randy's new life.

Wilson's POV

I hope Jill didn't notice my little screw up earlier this evening, though I'm almost one hundred percent positive that she did. She's much too smart to not notice.

Well, either way, there's still hope that Randy won't be found out. If he is, I'll have some real explaining to do, both to Randy and to Jill.

Maybe if the series is a success, Jill will allow Randy to keep acting in it.

Randy is such a natural when it comes to acting. He reminds me of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and in more ways than one. They almost look like their the same person, or at the very least twins, when you see them right next to each other.

This is interesting, you can't see Earl Hindman's face in this show either. Maybe that's one of his contract demands now adays.

Randy's POV

The most horrible thought in the whole wide world just occurred to me. Doing this TV series means people in Detroit (other than Lauren and Wilson) could see me and know where I'm at. But, then again, who's going to find out? Mom doesn't really watch that much network television except for Law and Order and ER (and she used to watch that one show with Jonathan Taylor Thomas in it, and Tim Allen was on there, grunting like a baboon), and nobody else I know would really be watching except maybe Heidi. I don't know what I'm really worried about.

I mean, besides, I'm using the name "Weiss" instead of "Taylor", and I do look a little different than what I did back in Detroit.

Wow. I still can't believe it. Not only the fact that I'm doing a TV show with some of my favorite actors and actresses, but just how far I've come in a not quite a year.

It still seems like yesterday that mom was picking Brad and Mark and me up from school, the four of us rushing off to the hospital where dad was having emergency surgery performed. The odd thing about that day is, Tim Allen was actually in the audience of Tool Time. Dad was so excited about that. Tim was thinking of buying some stock in Binford tools, and wanted to see Tool Time before he made a decision.

But, enough of that. I haven't thought of anything or body back in Detroit that much for a long time, and I don't think I want to start now. Besides, I need to be enjoying seeing myself on TV in case the series doesn't get picked up. (Even though I am taping this). I probably will give Lauren a call after the show is over.

It's funny, on camera, and I guess even in person, Jonathan and I are practically interchangeable. I've even got the two of us mixed up right now. Oh well, I guess that's what I guess for not paying attention.

Jill's POV

The moment of truth is about to come. Is Randy on this TV show or not?

Alright, the theme is starting up, and now they're getting ready to show the cast.

'There he is!' I shout, even though no one's around to hear. Randy is in the credits! He's using the name Randy Weiss, but I know for a fact that that's him! Oh my God! How did he get on a TV show? He's only 17!

About half way into the show, the ringing of the telephone snaps me out of the trance Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Randy had me under.

I walk over to the phone, never removing my eyes from the TV screen for fear of losing Randy yet again.

'Hello' I answer, still watching the screen.

'Hi Jill, this is Julie, Lauren's mother' the person on the other end of the line says.

'Hi Julie, what's going on?' I ask. I haven't spoke with her since the day Randy and Mark left.

'Well, Lauren was watching TV up in her room when I walked in to put some clothes her away, and you'll never guess what I saw on TV' Julie explains.

'My son Randy, acting on the same show as Jonathan Taylor Thomas' I answer.

'How did you know?' Julie asks.

'I'm watching it too. My neighbor kind of let it slip that he knew that Randy would be on this show' I explain.

'I just thought I'd let you know' Julie says, and starts to hang up.

'Hey, Julie, would you put Lauren on the phone for a moment please?' I ask.

'Sure thing. Just a second' she says. Then I can hear her yell for Lauren to come down.

'Hello' Lauren says after a minute of waiting.

'Hi Lauren, this is Mrs. Taylor. I just want to know one thing from you. Where is Randy?' I ask.

'So my mom did tell you?' she asks.

'No, I was watching the show anyways. Now listen, I'm going to find out one way or another where Randy is, so you might as well tell me' I explain.

'If I tell you, I want to go with you when you go see him. I'm assuming of course that you'll go to get him and bring him back home' Lauren negotiates.

'I'll talk to your mother about that. Now, tell me where he and Mark are' I say.

'Randy is in Los Angeles. I have no idea about Mark, but I know Mark isn't with Randy. But listen, Mrs. Taylor, if I don't get to go with you, please tell Randy you didn't find this out from me' Lauren says.

'Okay. Thank you for your help. Let me talk to your mom again, and I'll see if I can convince here to let you go out to Los Angeles' I tell her.

'Hello' Julie says, back on the line again.

'Well, Lauren told me where Randy is, but she had one condition' I tell Julie.

'Yes, she can. I was only about ten feet away from Lauren the entire time of your all's conversation. So, when will you be leaving?' Julie says.

'I don't know. My plan is to buy tickets to be part of the studio audience for a show, and then to confront Randy backstage after the show. I'll give you a call when I figure out when I'll be leaving and all of that' I explain.

'Okay. I'll be expecting to hear from you' Julie says.

After that we hang up.

'Hey Brad, stay down here for a minute please' I say to him as he walks in the door.

'What's up?' he asks.

'I know where Randy is. He's out in Los Angeles filming a TV show with Jonathan Taylor Thomas. You, Lauren, and I are going to fly out there as soon as I can tickets to a taping of the show' I say all in one breath.

'I need to go over and talk to Wilson and let him know what's going on, and maybe see if I can find out where Mark is' I say.

'You mean Mark isn't with him?' Brad asks.

Brad's POV

Well, I guess we're half way there now that mom knows where Randy is. I am shocked that Mark isn't with him.

God, I just feel so horrible. I'm the reason that they left. Maybe they would've stayed if I hadn't beat the crap out of them on a bi-weekly basis for a year and a half.

I am kind of curious about this TV show that Randy is doing with Jonathan Taylor Thomas. I wonder what it's about.

I know I used to give him a real hard time about liking Jonathan Taylor Thomas fan. Sometimes I even said that he was gay for it (which I no longer believe is true).

Well, if Randy would just come back home, I wouldn't give him a hard time ever again. Well, almost ever again. You have to keep a few routines.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas' POV

I think Life and Stuff really has some potential. I don't by any means think it'll run for ten or fifteen seasons, but it should have a nice, long, enjoyable run. Maybe I'll actually get to be in the last season of this show.

I wonder if Wilson was watching. I know he didn't used to have a TV, but I think he does now. If not, I'll just play the tape for him next time he comes out to LA.

I'll have to ask Randy tomorrow what he thinks of seeing himself on TV. The first couple of times, you think "Oh my God, do I actually look like that?" It is kind of blood chilling to see your self and your name on a TV or movie theater screen.

A/N: Sorry, I know it's a long chapter, but once I started writing some of these (i.e. Jill and Lauren's POV) I just couldn't stop.

I do want to say that there is one line in from Randy's POV that is going to change this entire story in a couple of chapters. I won't say which line it is though. That is for you to figure out.

R&R to find out what line I'm talking about.

Thanks for reading.

-Yours truly, Randy Weiss/Taylor