The Part Time Job - Part 2
Mike spent the next two shifts waiting for the other guys to find out his secret. He was certain when he arrived Tuesday that one of them had to know but both Chet and Johnny it seemed had dates the night before and had missed STATION 15. The men from the other shifts knew but they weren't telling A Shift. A pool had been started, with the betting on which one would figure it out first and how long it would take. Rampart was included and Dixie helped Roy keep anyone from talking to Johnny about it. Roy's kids even knew and were sworn to secrecy. Mike's part was getting more visible and he knew it would be out soon. He was getting a portion of the betting pool to be donated to the Burn Center at Rampart or he would have ended it now. Everything the guys said made him certain they knew.
This shift was no exception. Mike was polishing the engine when Chet came in calling, "Hey, Mike! I want your autograph!" Mike turned around, holding his breath, waiting for Chet to taunt him but instead Chet held out a get-well card for Chaz on the C shift. "You're the last to sign this. I'm going over to see him after shift and want to give this to him before he leaves the hospital." Mike started breathing again as Chet put the card in his locker.
Later Mike stopped in the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. Johnny was sitting at the table observing him while reading a magazine. Johnny looked down at the photos and back up at Mike. He tossed Mike his sunglasses and said, "Put 'em on." Mike started to hesitate but Johnny just motioned for him to do it. Feeling slightly ridiculous, Mike put them on. Johnny perused him carefully. "Don't know why celebs think sunglasses disguise them. You just look like Mike with sunglasses on." Johnny held his hand out for the sunglasses and continued peering through the magazine. Mike shook his head, determined to quit being so paranoid.
That's why, when Marco called Mike out to the locker room later, Mike expected absolutely nothing. Marco sat in front of his locker, pulling something out from a bag. Marco turned and grinned as Mike leaned against the lockers. Mike suddenly saw a flash of light and heard Marco chuckle. "Hey Mike. How much do you suppose 'Teen Beat' would pay for candid pictures of the engineer from the newest hit show on television?"
Mike groaned. He should have known Marco would figure it out first. Marco just sat smiling like a Cheshire cat. "Okay, okay. You got me. Are you going to tell Johnny and Chet?"
"No," Marco just kept smiling. "I won't tell if…"
Mike felt like he was putting his neck in a noose. "If what?"
"Can you get me a lunch date with the great looking head nurse? She's got to be the hottest lady on the tube right now."
Mike shook his head. "Marco, you don't really want a date with her, do you? I mean…"
Mike was interrupted by Marco. "Don't say anything Mike. I'm sure we'll get along fine. Just a lunch. I'll make another date with her after we meet."
Mike looked at Marco. "How long have you known?"
Marco peered up at Mike. "Since the first show. I think Roy and I figured it out at the same time. I just decided to keep quiet and see what happened."
"Then you did the helmet, the toys…" Marco stood up. "Yep."
Mike started plotting. "Okay, Marco. I'll get you a date with Jule a week from Tuesday if she's free."
*****
Mike got all the way out to his pickup before remembering he was supposed to call his wife and arrange to meet her at the furniture store. They were almost done with the kids' rooms and, with the extra paychecks, were going to splurge on a new couch for the living room next. B shift had already left on a call so the bay was empty. As Mike came close to the kitchen door, he heard Johnny start laughing.
"All right, Marco! You got your date! I didn't think your plan would work."
"Hey," Marco replied. "Everything I said would happen did, didn't it? I know Mike like the back of my hand." Mike's eyebrows rose. Plan? Date?
"So Tuesday we can finally admit to knowing he's on the show? I've got so many questions to ask. Chet, too. I have to admit that we were both surprised when we saw Mike in that magazine. You know, I was looking at it when Mike came in. Think he knew he was in it?"
The voices disappeared as the two firefighters left by the front door, missing Mike standing by the bay door. Mike grinned as he now knew he was planning to get the right guy. This prank deserved the whole shift's approval.
*****
Marco turned in a small circle watching all the activity going on. There were tour groups going by in trams, golf carts whizzing by, occasionally with actors he recognized sitting in the passenger seats, and sometimes even a distinctive vehicle from the shows being filmed. He grabbed Mike's arm and pointed at a red and white Torino. "Mike, that's from…" Just then a black sports car drove by. Marco could just imagine the snotty voice that went with it on its show. "And that one's."
Mike just chuckled as he led Marco down to the Station 15 location. All of the station and hospital shots were filmed in the studio. He had two lines today and figured those scenes would be done before noon. This evening he would be driving the show's fire engine during their night shooting. Mike's night scenes were only scheduled for nights when he wouldn't have to work the next day. The chaos around the studio was routine to him now but he still remembered feeling just like Marco did the first day he was here.
The cast of the show was pleased to meet another real fireman. Marco was given a chair with a good view of all that was happening and there was always someone nearby who would explain anything unusual to him. The stars of the show came over and spoke to him, even offering him autographed pictures when he mentioned his nieces and nephews liked the show. So far all the scenes were of the station and none of the hospital staff had appeared. Marco congratulated Mike on only messing up his lines once, which was pretty good since the younger of the paramedics had made faces at him the whole time, trying to unnerve him. After getting the word that the shot was good to go, Mike came over and shook his finger in the star's face. "Joe, I work with people who are professionals at bugging me. If they can't shake me, you'll never be able to." Marco started to agree with him but turned silent as the woman of his dreams stepped next to him.
"Marco?" The voice seemed to sing to Lopez's ears. "I'm Jule France. Mike's told me all about you. Are you ready for lunch?"
Marco pinched himself. "Ms. Marco, I'm Jule Lopez." He stammered realizing how he'd blown it. Steady! "Sorry, Ms. France. I mean I'm Marco Lopez." He shook her hand, actually keeping from shaking. "I'm so pleased to meet you. You are my favorite actress."
The beautiful blonde smiled at him. "Thank you. Shall we go? Mike said you thought we would hit it off splendidly."
Marco blushed but stood his ground. "Yes, I expect we will." He had been daydreaming the last week about how quickly their relationship would take off.
Jule looked at him and batting her eyes asked, "Do you mind if we bring my husband along? He plays Dr. Night on the show." Jule waved to the gray haired man standing by the nearby trailer. He waved, finished the conversation he was having with a security guard, and started over. Marco stood stunned. Mike started laughing. Jule latched onto Mike's arm and chuckled as her husband came over and slid his arm around her waist. Marco looked at the husband and wife, stunned as his dreams seemed to slide away, then he looked at Mike who kept laughing.
"You knew! You knew and didn't tell me!" Marco was shocked that Mike hadn't told him.
Mike shook his head. "No, Marco. I tried. You told me you knew all you needed to know. I think you were the only one who didn't know!" With that he opened up the door of the nearest trailer. The other four men from A shift filed out also laughing.
Cap looked at Marco who was standing there sheepishly, a smile beginning to form on his own lips. Cap knew Marco could take this joke. "He gotcha, Marco. But you stepped in - boots, hose, and ladder.