DIFFERENCES A California Dreams Fanfic (Season 6, Episode 12) by Mark Moore Mark was standing in the living room, looking at his reflection in the mirror. He was wearing a black tuxedo and black bow tie. Matt came out of his bedroom and noticed his friend. "Mark, don't you think you're a little *overdressed*? We're just going to the *movies*!" Mark turned to face him while straightening his tie. "Yeah, but we're going to see the new Star Trek movie. And I wear a tuxedo to *all* of them." "Why?" Matt asked, confused. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Matt smiled. "That must be Amy!" Mark, excited, ran to the door and opened it. "Come to Mr. Winkle, darling!" "Whatever you say, loverboy!" That's when Mark opened his eyes. "Sly!" he cried in horror. His cousin, Sly Winkle, walked into the room laughing. Mark turned to him. "Sly, what are you *doing* here?! Amy's gonna be here any *second*!" "Oh, I'm comin' *with* ya!" Sly answered. "What?! No way!" Amy answered for Mark as she came into the room. Mark quickly spun around to face her. "Amy! Uh, Sly's not comin' with us!" he explained, frantically shaking his head. Then he turned back to Sly and gave him a look that could kill. "*Are* you, Sly?" Sly grinned and put his left arm around his cousin. "Where you two boldly go, I shall follow." Mark then nervously shrugged Sly away. "Did I miss something?" Tiffani asked, walking into the room. Matt walked up to her. "No, just 'The Winkle Stupid Hour'." Tiffani snapped her fingers. "Darn, I was looking forward to that!" "Hold on," Mark said, "we can't *all* go." He turned to Sly. "*One* of us will have to stay *behind*." Sly put his arm around Mark again. "Oh, no! You can't get rid of me *that* easily!" Just then, Mark pulled a microcassette recorder out of the left pocket of his tux and played the tape. Everyone in the room recognized the music as the beginning of the William Tell Overture. Sly frowned. "Oh, no..." Mark grinned. "Oh, *yes*!" "No! How can you *do* this to me?!" Matt smiled. "C'mon, guys, let's go." Mark placed the recorder down on a desk, leaving it playing the tape. The two couples left the room, both holding hands. Sly was left alone. "Hi-Hi-Hi-Hi-Hi-" he began. The four of them were just opening the doors to Mark's car when they, along with everyone else on campus, heard it: "Hi, Ho, Silver, and away!!!!" * * * Jenny Garrison settled onto the comfortable couch in the living room, her feet finding their way to the top of the coffee table and resting there. She was looking forward to a nice, quiet, Friday night at home, with a Pepsi in her right hand and the clicker in her left. She turned on USA and waited in silence for her favorite show to start. Just then, the living room door opened, and Samantha Woo, Jenny's good friend and roommate, walked in, chattering with the three girls that came in behind her. "So," Sam was saying, "I was like 'Oh, really, is he cute?', and she says 'Like, he's a total hunkorama!', and I'm like 'Whoa, Mama!'" "Like, really?" Sam's blonde-haired friend asked. "He's *that cute*?" "Of course," Sam replied, "haven't you listened to a word I said?" Jenny, feeling a little more than slightly annoyed, raised the volume on the television. "...born 400 years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am Immortal, and I am not alone..." the voice of Adrian Paul said, coming from the TV speaker. "Ooh, he's so fine!" the blonde girl said as she looked at the photograph of a guy the girl with long, brown hair was holding up. Jenny raised the volume again. "...and the fall of a head will release the power of the Quickening..." "Wowie-zowie!!!" the girl with curly red hair said. In frustration, Jenny raised the volume to max as the theme song began. "Here we are, born to be kings, we're the princes of the universe!" As soon as the guitar playing began, Sam and her friends screamed. They looked at the TV, then looked at Jenny sitting on the couch. Sam walked over to the TV and shut it off manually. "Hey!" Jenny screamed angrily. "I was *watching* that!" Sam turned to face her roommate. "Jenny, you shouldn't watch TV so loud - it's disrespectful." Jenny stood up. "Disrespectful?!" she cried in disbelief. "You come in here, yapping with your friends, while I'm trying to watch TV! You know I watch Highlander every night at this time!" "Sorry, Jenny, not tonight." Sam said. "I'm having the girls over for a weekend study session." "Fine, I have no problem with that. Go to the *bedroom* and study." "We want to sit at the kitchen table." Sam said. "Can't it wait an hour?" Jenny asked, then sat back down and turned the television back on. On screen, Richie Ryan was breaking into Duncan MacLeod's antique store. Sam looked at the screen. "Jenny, you've seen this episode over a hundred times - and you have it on tape." Jenny shrugged, opening her soda can. "I love this episode." Sam faced Jenny again. "Look, if you wanna watch it, then watch it in the bedroom." "We don't have a TV in there!" Sam shut the TV off again. Jenny sighed and stood up. "Fine! I'll watch it from tape later on!" "Sorry, Jen, no TV for the entire weekend. We need to concentrate. We got a big Micro-Economics test on Monday." "No TV?!" Jenny blurted, then calmed herself. "Fine, I guess I can live without TV for the weekend, in this case. Studying *is important*." Sam smiled. "I'm glad you understand." Jenny smiled, too. "I'm sorry I yelled at you." "I guess I deserve it. I *was* pretty *rude*." Sam admitted. Jenny put the remote down on the coffee table. "I'll leave you guys to Cross Elasticity of Demand." That said, she went to the bedroom she shared with Sam. Jenny closed the door so that she wouldn't disturb the others, then went over to her desk and sat in her chair. She put her soda can down and started up her computer, a brand-new PC she recently got. She went through her CD rack, looking for something appropriate. Finally, she selected Queen's "A Kind of Magic" and put the CD in the drive. Jenny selected Track 7, started up Duke Nukem Forever, and began to play. Back in the kitchen, Sam and her friends had their books open and were studying. "Sam," the blonde girl said, "could you tell your friend to not listen to her music so loud?" "Yeah, it's distracting." the brown-haired girl added. Sam got up and went over to the bedroom. She opened the door. "I am the one, the only one, I am the god of kingdom come! Gimme the Prize, just gimme the Prize!" the voice coming from the PC speakers declared loudly. Sam walked over and turned off the speakers. Jenny looked at her, upset. "What now?!" "We can hear the music in the kitchen." Sam told her. "It wasn't that *loud*!" Jenny insisted. "You can play your silly games without that...music." "Silly?" Jenny asked, offended. "Duke rules!" "Duke is a dork." Sam said. "Playing a game like that will rot your mind, you know." Jenny stood up. "Hail to the king, baby!" she said with pride. "Jenny, you can play without music." Sam insisted. "No, I can't! It adds atmosphere!" "Then listen using headphones!" "I don't *have* any headphones!" "Then don't play at *all*!" Jenny picked up her soda can and splashed Sam in the face with cola. "End of conversation!" Sam tried to say something, but found that she was too angry. She simply turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. * * * After the movie was over (they always stayed to listen to the ending theme music), the four friends started talking. "Boy, that sure was a great film, *wasn't* it?" Tiffani asked, smiling. Mark, Amy, and Matt nodded. "Yeah!" they all responded. They got up from their seats. Just then, a guy came by. He was rather tall and had short brown hair. "Hi, Amy!" Amy looked over at the guy. "Michael!" she said in surprise. "You know this guy?" Mark asked. "Yeah." Amy said. "Everyone, this is my ex-boyfriend, Michael Taylor." Her three friends were surprised. "Whoa." Matt said, suddenly remembering that Mark was there. "C'mon, Matt, let's leave them alone." Tiffani suggested. "Yes, let's." Matt replied. The couple walked away, leaving Mark, Amy, and Mike by themselves. Mark looked at Mike and felt defensive. He put his left arm around Amy and tried to look tough, but not succeeding. "I'm Mark. Mark *Winkle*. Her *new* boyfriend!" "Hey, *relax*, man. I just wanna talk to her." Mike said. "I have nothing to say to you." Amy responded, then she turned and walked off. "Amy - " Michael called, then sighed and shook his head. Mark sat down in his chair, and Michael went and sat to his left. Both of them just looked straight ahead, deep in thought, not saying anything. What neither of them knew was that Sly was sitting behind Mark. He leaned forward and rested his arms on the backs of Mark and Michael's chairs. "Hi, Ho, Freakin' Silver." he said in disgust, shaking his head. Mark's eyes opened wide, and he turned to look at his cousin. Michael also turned and looked at Sly. "What an inhumane thing to do to your cousin." Sly added. Mark shook his head, then looked forward again and thought. * * * In the student union at Lincoln University, Tony Wicks was working late to earn some extra money. He was cleaning a table when Sam walked in. Tony looked up at his girlfriend and smiled. "Hey, Sam!" "Hey, Tony." Sam replied. Tony put down his rag and walked over to her with a concerned look on his face. "Uh, oh. I *know* that look. What's wrong?" "Well," Sam started, then blurted: "it's *Jenny*!" "Jenny?" "I can't *live* with her! We just can't seem to get along. I'm having my friends over for the weekend to study, but she wants to watch TV and listen to her music." "Well, she's *like* that." Tony responded. "Didn't you two work out what each of you can and can't do when you moved in together?" Sam thought for a moment, then sighed and shook her head. "No, I guess we didn't." "Sam, you two are great friends, but you gotta realize you also have your *differences*. Just sit down with her and tell her exactly how you feel." "Okay," Sam said, "but can you come with me? She splashed me in the face with soda last time." "Oh, you wanna use me as a human shield, huh?" Sam and Tony walked into the bedroom a short while later. Jenny was sitting on her bed, plucking some notes on her bass, which was hooked up to the amplifier. "Jenny, we need to talk." Sam said. Jenny stopped playing and looked at her. "What, I can't *practice* now?" Sam walked up to her. "Look, I think I have the perfect solution to our problems. Something that will benefit *both* of us." "Oh?" "I think...I think it would be best if I just...moved out." "What?" Jenny asked. "What?" Tony echoed, looking at his girlfriend. "Listen, Sam, if it's about the soda, I'm sorry." Jenny said. "No, it's not that." Sam said. "It's a *lot* of things. We're just too *different*. We can get along better as friends if we live separately." "Are you *sure* about this?" Jenny asked her. "Yeah, Sam," Tony said, "where would you *go*?" Sam smiled. "Well, I could move in with *you*!" "What?" he asked. "Well, not in with *you*, but in the same *building*." she corrected. "I *see*." "Isn't this *great*?! We can see each other all the time!" "All the time, huh?" "You must be *surprised*, huh?!" "Yeah, yeah, I'm *surprised*, all right!" Tony said, nodding. He forced a smile. "Great!" Sam looked at Jenny. "Then it's settled." "If that's what you really want." Jenny said. "All right, I'll help you move your stuff." Tony just stood there, not very happy with Sam's choice. * * * Mark, Matt, Tiffani, Amy, and Sly were at the local video arcade the following afternoon. They went there every Saturday. With Matt and Tiffani currently engaged in a fierce game of Killer Instinct, and Mark and Sly going at it in Street Fighter II, Amy didn't have anyone to play against. She sighed and walked over to a machine to get some extra tokens. "Bored?" Amy turned around, startled. "Michael." "If you need someone to play against, *I'm* available." he offered. "Really?" "Yeah, Mortal Kombat's my *best*." "You always *were* good at...hitting." Amy commented. Mike nodded. "Okay, I deserve that." Amy thought for a moment. "How'd you know I was here? Did you *follow* me? Is it gonna be like *before*?" Mike shook his head. "No, Amy, it *isn't*." Amy just looked at him and said nothing. "Well, I'm out of cash." Matt said, walking towards Amy. "Me, too." Tiffani added. "Running out of cash is *not* a joyous experience!" Sly put in. "Ditto!" Mark agreed. Amy looked at them. "Yeah,...yeah, me too." She turned back to Mike and frowned at him, shaking her head. "Don't follow me." Amy walked outside onto the sidewalk, with her friends following. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute!" Matt said. Amy turned to face them. "What was *that* all about?" Tiffani asked. Amy didn't answer her. "What happened between you and Michael, Amy?" Mark asked. Amy sighed. "We went out for about a month. He was great! But sometimes, well,..." She fell silent. "Sometimes, well, what?" Tiffani asked. Amy continued: "He...he sometimes lost his temper. He slapped me a couple of times. I didn't want a boyfriend like that, so I broke up with him." Tiffani smiled and nodded. "Good for you, Amy!" "But then he started following me around." Amy added. "After a while, I told him to back off, and he *did*. Now, I guess, *seeing* me has caused him to start *following* me again." "You want me to beat him up for you?!" Sly offered. Tiffani turned to Sly, annoyed. "Sly." "Oh, I suppose *you're* offering?!" Sly teased. "Sly, go home!" Tiffani told him, impatient. Sly smiled. "How ya gonna *make* me?" In a split second, Tiffani had Sly's nose in between her left index and middle fingers and was twisting it. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" Sly yelled. Tiffani increased the pressure of her fingers on Sly's nose a tiny bit. "Stop!!!" Sly begged. "You *promise* you'll go home?" Tiffani asked. Sly nodded rapidly. Tiffani let go of Sly's nose. "Ha, ha!" Sly said, smiling. Matt pointed down the street. "Go home, Sly!" "All right, all right, I'll *go*." Sly said, then smiled. "Lorena's probably waiting for me, anyway. Ba-boom." Then he left. When Sly was gone, they all looked at Amy. "Did you ever *do* anything about it?" Mark asked as if nothing had just happened. "Call the police?" Amy shook her head. "No. No, I just left it alone. You see, the thing is he's a really nice guy! He just...loses control sometimes. I don't wanna have him arrested. Except for the stinging whenever his hand hit my cheek, he never really *hurt* me. Most of the time, we had *fun* together." "Well," Matt said, changing the subject, "let's go back to the dorm and play some video games." The others nodded, and they walked back to the university. * * * That evening, Tony and Julian were playing Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Jax (Tony) was beating Sonya (Julian) badly. The door opened, and Sam walked in. "Hey, guys!" she said cheerfully. The guys' eyes opened wide. They were each extremely irritated. "This is getting out of control!" Julian yelled. He and Tony got up and walked over to Sam. "Aw, Jules, you're just upset because I was away for so *long*!" This made Julian even more upset. He hated it when people called him Jules. Especially his parents. But he didn't say anything about that. "You were over here a half hour ago! And an hour before *that*! You've been over here for most of the day! This has got to stop!" "But Tony *loves* my company!" Sam said, hugging her boyfriend. "Uh, Sam," Tony began, turning her to face him, "I - I don't like it *either*." "What do you mean?" Sam asked, losing her smile. "I - I never really wanted you to move into the building." Sam shrugged. "But you seemed so *happy*!" "You thought that was *happy*?!" Tony asked, surprised. "Why'd you *tell* me you were?" Sam asked. Tony shrugged. "I dunno, I guess because you were so excited about moving in that I - I couldn't say no to you." "And you weren't excited." Sam realized. Then she smiled. "No biggie! I guess I'll just move back to my old place!" "What? So you mean you're not mad?" Sam shook her head. "Of course not! I'm just glad you were honest about how you feel!" Tony smiled. "I'll just move back in with Jenny!" Tony lost his smile. "Are you sure you wanna move back in with her? You think the two of you can work out your differences?" Sam frowned. "Oh, yeah, I *forgot* about that." Tony thought for a moment, then smiled. "Wait a minute, I have an idea." When the three of them walked into the suite Sam used to share with Jenny Garrison, they saw Jenny sitting on the couch, watching TV. Sam went over to the TV and turned it off. Jenny was very surprised to see her old roommate. "Sam, what are *you* doing here?" "We need to talk." Sam said. "What about?" "Well, I think I *have* something that'll allow the two of us to live together in peace." Jenny stood up. "Oh, yeah?" Sam smiled, nodding. "Yeah." She put her hand behind her back, and Tony passed something to her. She held it up in front of her. "Headphones!" Jenny smiled, laughing. She took them. "It can be hooked up to the TV, your computer, *and* your CD player." Sam said, smiling. "Now, you can listen to anything you want and not bother me." "Thanks." Jenny said sincerely. "Wear 'em. Use 'em. Love 'em." Sam instructed. Jenny nodded. "You got it. Welcome back." "Thanks." The two of them hugged. Tony and Julian looked at each other. "Great idea, Tone!" Julian said. "Oh, thank you!" Tony replied, and they gave each other pounds. After the girls finished hugging, Jenny looked at her gift. "Wireless - cool." * * * One hour later, the West Coast Dreams were in the student union at Pacific Coast University. "Does dipwad have the music ready?!" Sly asked. "Uh-oh!" Mark said. "I forgot to bring it!" Matt groaned. "Great, those were brand-new songs! We didn't have them memorized yet! How are we gonna play them?" Everyone shrugged and sighed. "We'll wing it." Matt finally told Sly in frustration. Sly shook his head. "Don't tell me, do it!" "Okay, okay." Matt said, holding up his hands in front of him. Just then, they heard a thump. Sly turned to Tiffani. "Don't throw the mic!" Tiffani smiled and shrugged. Amy was standing by herself at a table. She saw Mike walk into the building. He walked over to her. "Hi, Amy!" "I told you to quit following me!" Amy yelled. A police officer walked up to them. "Ma'am, is this man bothering you?" Mike shook his head. "I just came here to hear her *sing*." "I asked *her*." the officer told him. "We used to go out." Amy told the officer. "Now he's following me around." "Is this true?" the officer asked Mike. "Well,...yeah." Mike admitted to him. "Do you want me to arrest him?" the officer asked Amy. Amy looked at Mike for a moment, then back at the officer. "Uh, give us a minute." The officer nodded and walked away. Amy sat at the table, and Mike sat across from her. "Mike, why are you doing this?" Mike shook his head. "I dunno. I - I guess I'm just...I keep thinking we can get back together." Amy shook her head. "No." "Okay." Mike said after a long moment. "Listen, um, about the times that I...struck you. I..." He didn't know what to say. "I'm *sorry*." he said finally. "I need help." Amy smiled. "I forgive you. It takes courage for someone to admit they need help to get through something." "*Everybody* needs *someone*!" Mike replied. Amy placed her left hand on his right. "Listen, after we're done with the gig, we'll figure out what to do." "Can I still stay and hear you sing?" "Of course. You're *always* welcome at our gigs." Mike smiled. The two of them stood up. The police officer came back. "So?" "It's okay, we worked things out." Amy said. The officer smiled. "Great!" Then he turned to his partner, who was about to walk out of the student union. "Oh, George, while you're out, grab me a box of donuts, will ya?!" George nodded and walked outside. The officer and Mike sat at the table to watch the Dreams perform. Amy smiled and walked back to where the band had their equipment set up, taking her place by her keyboard. She turned it on. "Everything okay?" Tiffani asked her. Amy nodded, smiling. "Yeah - now." They all smiled at her. "It's time!" Sly said, smiling, and took his seat. Everyone applauded the Dreams. "Let's do 'Lean On Me'." Matt said to the others, then looked at their audience. "Let's do it! 1, 2, 3, 4!" They started playing the song, with Matt singing the lead vocals, and Amy and Tiffani secondary. There are times it gets so hard you can cry, This world can be so cold. And sometimes I just don't know How we ever survive. Listen, baby! Everybody needs a hand to hold, To pick you up when you fall. Everybody needs someone, And you can hold on to me All night long. And if you lean on me, I will lean on you. Put your hand in mine. We can make it through. I'll be your backbone, girl, Shelter from the storm. When it's cold outside, I will keep you warm. Yeah, If you lean on me. Ow! When the sky is gray, And you think there's no way The sun will ever shine, Just put your hand in mine. It'll be all right. Yes, it will! Everybody needs a hand to hold, To pick you up when you fall. Everybody needs someone, And you can hold on to me All night long. And if you lean on me, I will lean on you. Put your hand in mine. We can make it through. I'll be your backbone, girl, Shelter from the storm. When it's cold outside, I will keep you warm. And you know this heart Will always be around! Always be around. Ooh, yeah! And I'll be the one, Ain't gonna let you down! I'll never let you down. [Matt's guitar solo] If you lean on me! Everybody needs a hand to hold, To pick you up when you fall. Everybody needs someone, And you can hold on to me All night long. And if you lean on me, I will lean on you. Put your hand in mine. We can make it through. I'll be your backbone, girl, Shelter from the storm. When it's cold outside, I will keep you warm. And if you lean on me, I will lean on you. Put your hand in mine. We can make it through. I'll be your backbone, girl, Shelter from the storm. When it's cold outside, I will keep you warm. And if you lean on me, I will lean on you. Put your hand in mine. We can make it through. I'll be your backbone, girl, Shelter from the storm. When it's cold outside, I will keep you warm. * * * At the student union at Lincoln University, the Midwest Dreams were getting ready to perform their own gig. Tony and Sam were talking with Jake and Jenny. "You know," Jake said, "I'm *amazed* that the two of you are still together after Sam dropping by your suite all the time." "Hey, Jake," Jenny said, "it's a kind of magic." Sam sighed and shook her head. "Oh, shut up." They went over to where the instruments were set up and got ready to perform. "'Castles On Quicksand'." Jake said. "Ready?" The other three nodded. Jake turned to their audience. "All right - " "Let's do it!" Jenny finished, picking up her microphone and walking forward. "Hey!" Jake yelled, looking at her. "2, 3, 4!" Jenny yelled. They started playing the song, with Jenny singing the lead vocals, and Sam and Jake secondary. Well, I could love you, baby, But it's a fact: When I get too close, You pull right back. Your hands get cold, and your eyes get sad. I guess somebody must have hurt you real bad. With a nervous laugh, I see you try To cover the hurt, Try to justify. You better let go real soon, baby. You can't build castles on quicksand. You can't build bridges on thin air. You can't paper over the cracks of a broken heart And pretend it's not there. Oh, no. You've gotta let the storm break, baby. Yeah! You've gotta let the rain fall all around. And when the tears run dry, Maybe then you can try To start all over again. Start all over again. Well, I could try to push, I could try to shove. There's a great big wall In the way of love. It's time to face the facts and purge your pain. Get those tracks back under your train! I see you run, I see you hide. You're trying to cover What you're feeling inside. Well, I know you like me, baby, But, you can't build castles on quicksand. You can't build bridges on thin air. You can't paper over the cracks of a broken heart And pretend it's not there. Oh, no. You've gotta let the storm break, baby. Yeah! You've gotta let the rain fall all around. And when the tears run dry, Maybe then you can try To start all over again. Start all over again. [Jake's guitar solo] You can't build castles on quicksand. You can't build bridges on thin air. You can't paper over the cracks of a broken heart And pretend it's not there. Oh, no. You've gotta let the storm break, baby. Yeah! You've gotta let the rain fall all around. And when the tears run dry, Maybe then you can try To start all over again. Start all over a - Castles on quicksand. You can't build bridges on thin air. You can't paper over the cracks of a broken heart And pretend it's not there. Oh, no. You've gotta let the storm break, baby. Yeah! You've gotta let the rain fall all around. And when the tears run dry, Maybe then you can try To start all over again. Start all over again. [Jake ends the song] * * * I started writing this story on Wednesday, May 14, 1997 at 4:47 PM, and I finished the final check on Monday, December 1, 1997 at 8:00 AM. I really enjoyed writing this story, and I would appreciate any feedback. My e-mail address is: kevinkeene@geocities.com. If anyone associated with the show, including writers, creators, producers, cast members, etc..., reads this, I would *especially* love to hear your comments! * Copyrights * A lot of the material in this story is copyrighted. Here, I'll give credit: "California Dreams" and all related characters were created by Peter Engel and Franco E. Bario. "Star Trek" was created by Eugene Wesley Roddenberry. "The William Tell Overture" is in the public domain. Pepsi is a registered trademark of Pepsico. "Highlander" and all related properties are copyrighted by Rysher Entertainment and Gaumont. "Princes of the Universe", "Gimme The Prize", and "A Kind of Magic" were written and performed by Queen. "Duke Nukem" and all related properties were created by Apogee / 3D Realms. "Killer Instinct" is copyrighted by Nintendo. "Street Fighter II" is copyrighted by Capcom. "Mortal Kombat" and all related properties were created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. The bit about Julian hating being called Jules, especially by his parents, came from the 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' episode "Doctor Bashir, I Presume". "If You Lean On Me" and "Castles On Quicksand" were written and orchestrated by Steve Tyrell. The character of Michael Taylor was in no way inspired by my 11th and 12th grade (1994-1996) Television Production teacher of the same name. "Does dipwad have the music ready?!", "Don't tell me, do it!", "Don't throw the mic!", and "It's time!" are all actual sentences that Mr. Taylor yelled at our class one morning in the 1995-1996 school year.