A Mypiot's Gain is a Mypiot's Return

Balki looked down and saw the sword in his side; he clenched his teeth, and closed his eyes tightly.  He fell to the floor on his back spasming and gasping for air.  Edriki threw his hands in the air triumphantly.

"Yes!  Mypos is mine!  I am going to be king!"

Kelsey charged out from behind the pillar angrily but Larry pulled her back.  Balki was able to gain enough strength to slide his sword over to where Edriki was celebrating his victory.  The sword slid over under Edriki’s feet.  Edriki didn’t noticed it while he was jumping up and down and slipped on the sword and hit his head on a water heater that knocked him unconscious.

Larry and Kelsey came from out of their hiding place and ran over to aid Balki.  Balki was desperately gasping for air and losing a lot of blood.  Kelsey knelt down.  She saw a rag that wasn’t too far from where Balki was laying.  She gently wrapped it around the wound to keep him from losing all his blood.  The rag quickly turned from off white to red.

Larry noticed all the blood.  "Ohh blood." Larry said weakly as he began to rock back and forth.

Kelsey could tell Larry must’ve had a weak stomach especially for blood and that he was on the verge of fainting.  In order to keep him from doing that she had to think of something.  "Larry, why don’t you go over and tie Edriki up before he comes too?"

Larry let out a deep breath.  "That’s a good idea." As he scooted over to the unconscious Sceptic.

Kelsey returned her attention to the wounded Mypiot.  Kelsey stroked Balki’s hair.  "Balki?"

Balki’s breathing was very labored.  He slowly turned his head and struggled to open his eyes.  "K-Kel… sey?" He said very weakly.

"Shhh Balki.  Don’t try to talk.  We’re going to get you some help." Kelsey said in a sensitive tone.

"I’m… just… glad… you’re… safe… and… okay." Balki struggled to say.

"All thanks to you." Kelsey said as she smiled trying to hold the tears back.

"I’m… sorry… that… our… dinner… got… ruined.  I… know… how… excited… you… were… to… try… My… pos… ian… food." Balki said apologetically.

"Forget about that dinner.  The important thing is that we get you some help.  I’ll try Myposian food another time." Kelsey said gently.

"Kelsey… I… want… to… say… it… was… wonderful… to… be… able… to… come… to… America… and… find… Cousin… Larry… and… meet… you… and… learn… American… ways." Balki said even more weakly.

"Balki…" Kelsey said trying to cut Balki off.

"And… stop… Edriki… from… taking… over… Mypos." Balki continued.

"Balki don’t." Kelsey said nervously fearing what was about to come next.

"Kelsey… will… you… do… me… a… favor? Take… care… of… Dimitri… and… make… sure… Cousin… Larry… has… plenty… of… Maalox… for… when… he… has… an… upset… stomach… and… check… on… Mama… and… make… sure… she… is… doing… okay."  Balki then slowly closed his eyes.

"No." Kelsey said quietly.  "Balki?  Balki?!  Balki?!" Kelsey hollered.  She quickly turned to Larry screaming.  "Larry!  Larry!  Balki went unconscious!!"

Larry was admiring the wonderful job he did tying Edriki up.  "Try getting out of that pally." Larry said triumphantly to the unconscious Sceptic.

"Larry!!!" Kelsey frantically screamed.

Larry ran over to Kelsey.  "What’s wrong?" He asked.

"Balki went unconscious!" Kelsey repeated.

Larry knelt down and started tapping Balki.  "Balki?  Buddy?"  Larry put his hand on the side of Balki’s neck to feel for a pulse.  "He doesn’t have a pulse." Larry said with horror.

"Oh no." Kelsey said quietly.

"Balki?  Buddy?  Come back to us please." Larry pleaded tapping Balki again.  Still no response.

"Larry, hurry!  Go call 911." Kelsey demanded.

"Right." Larry said as he started to walk off then stopped in his tracks.  "What’s the number again?"

"911." Kelsey repeated.

"That’s right." Larry said as he stormed off.

"Hang in there Balki.  Help is on the way." Kelsey said quietly.

*************************

The hospital was a typical hospital; very big, very bright, doctors and nurses running up and down hallways, ambulances coming and going, family members going to see loved ones with flowers, candy, balloons, and stuffed animals, patients being pushed in wheelchairs and stretchers, etc.

Larry and Kelsey sat in the waiting room of the OR.  It was wee hours of the morning.  Both sat with blank stares on their faces.  They had been sitting like this ever since they arrived at the hospital.  They had been at the hospital for a few hours and still haven’t heard any news about Balki.

"It’s my fault." Kelsey said still with the blank stare on her face.

"What?" Larry said coming out of his blank state.

"It’s all my fault." Kelsey said again.

"No it’s not." Larry said.

"Of course it is!" Kelsey said as she stormed out of her seat.  "If Balki never came to rescue me… no let me rephrase that, if he never met me he wouldn’t be in there fighting for his life!" Kelsey said with her arms folded and on the verge of tears.

Larry got up and put his hand on Kelsey shoulder.  "It’s not your fault at all, none of this, and knowing the kind of person Balki is he wouldn’t want to hear you talking like that.  You had nothing to do with Edriki coming here.  Right now we have to think about Balki and be strong for him."

Larry was trying to talk positively to Kelsey and make her feel better, but Kelsey wasn’t buying it.  Larry wasn’t good at doing this.  It wasn’t often Larry had to do this, but whenever Larry was feeling down in the dumps Balki was always there to cheer him up.  "You know, Kelsey, when I’m down in the dumps about anything, mostly everything, Balki always tries to show me the true meaning of the situation by telling me a Myposian saying.  Let me see if I can recite one."

Larry started talking in Myposian.  Kelsey eagerly waited to find out what Larry just said.

"It means just because a sheep gets eaten by a wolf doesn’t mean there are no more sheep."

Kelsey gave him a look of confusion.

"Sometimes those Myposian sayings don’t make sense." Larry said uneasily.  "But what I think it means just because something bad happens doesn’t mean it’s your fault or should blame yourself."

"Maybe you’re right." Kelsey said as she sniffled.  "I’m just really worried about him."

"Yeah me too." Larry said looking back to see if someone was going to be coming out from the back to give him any news about his cousin.  Larry and Kelsey went to sit back down in their seats.

"So what you think is going to happen with Edriki?" Kelsey asked.

"Well after I was able to gather myself together and call 911, I’d called King Ferdinand and explained to him the whole situation.  Unfortunately there is nothing he can do right now because Mypos is so far away.  He is working really hard to get him sent to Mypos so he can be put in jail.  He said he is going to overnight ship some kind of sleeping solution called Nyquiliki that will keep him knocked out." Larry explained.

"Balki told me about him.  He sounds like a good king." Kelsey said.

"He is.  I met him before and he treats me like he treats Balki, nice, but in a weird way." Larry said.

"Did you tell him about Balki?" Kelsey asked.

"Yeah." Larry said as he sighed.  "I did.  He told me to keep him informed on Balki’s condition.  He said he is going to declare today ‘Balki Day.’  The island is going to throw a celebration in Balki’s honor for his courage and for him to get well." Larry stated.

"Aww, that’s nice." Kelsey said.

"Although I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to Mama."

"Mama?" Kelsey asked.

"That’s Balki’s mother.  She calls every week to check on Balki.  She’s going to think something is wrong if she hasn’t heard from him."

"But Larry, will she find out through the celebration that is being thrown?" Kelsey asked.

Larry’s eyes grew wide.  "Oh my Lord!  You’re right!  This isn’t the first time Balki has gotten hurt either.  She’s going to think I’m not taking care of him."

"Larry I don’t think she is going to think that.  I’m sure King Ferdinand will explain the whole thing to her and that her son is a hero and sacrificed his life for his homeland to stay the way it is." Kelsey said.

"Do you think so?" Larry said hopefully.

"Yes." Kelsey said sincerely.

"That’s good to hear because Mama can get quite a temper on her when she wants too." Larry stated.

"You know, Larry, even though it doesn’t seem like it Balki is very lucky to have you for a cousin." Kelsey said.

Larry gave Kelsey a shocked look.  "Really?"

"Yeah, you are the most he talks about.  He adores you so much.  I think it’s so neat to have a distant cousin from another country."

"Yeah, it has its perks sometimes." Larry said uneasily.

"No Larry, you should be grateful you have someone like Balki in your life." Kelsey said.

Larry cracked a little smile.  Kelsey was right; Larry should be grateful have Balki in his life.  And he was.  "Thanks Kelsey for reminding me of that." Larry said.

Just then a doctor came out into the waiting room.  Larry and Kelsey quickly rushed over to him.

"Doctor how’s Balki?  Is he going to be alright?" Larry asked in a rushed tone.

The doctor extended his hand out.  "Mr. Appleton, I’m Dr. Ridley.  Please have a seat."

"Doctor, please, I need to know about Balki." Larry pleaded.

"Larry, why don’t we do what the doctor says and sit down?" Kelsey suggested.

Larry took in a deep breath and sat down even though he didn’t want to.  Dr. Ridley took a seat as well.  After he sat down he put his head down and started rubbing his hands together as if he was unsure of what to say.  "Well the good news is that the poison that was on the sword did not go to Mr. Bartokomous’s heart, but it did hit an artery and he lost a lot of blood in the process."

Larry and Kelsey dropped their heads to the awful news they were receiving.

Dr. Ridley continued, "We have given Mr. Bartokomous a blood transfusion of two units of blood to restore the blood that he lost and worked exhaustingly on patching him up."

"Is Balki going to be okay?" Kelsey asked.

"Right now it’s hard to say.  Some of the poison did affect Mr. Bartokomous’s immune system, but as of right now he is in a coma and unresponsive." Dr. Ridley explained.

Larry got up from his chair and walked to the window.  It was like a nightmare.  He couldn’t believe this was happening to him.  It felt like someone had stabbed him while he was listening to what the doctor was saying.

Kelsey just sat in her chair in silence.

"But…." Dr. Ridley tried to continue but stopped.

"But what doctor?" Kelsey asked.

"The medicine that we’re dispersing to Mr. Bartokomous that would help dissolve the poison, his body is rejecting it."

Larry raised his head and asked. "Well, there is something else you could give him, isn’t there?"

"I did some research on Mr. Bartokomous’s heritage and there is a different kind of medicine that could help called Hydrolopius, but it’s in his homeland."

A bit of happiness came across Larry.  "That’s great!  We can get the medicine sent here!"

"It’s not that simple Mr. Appleton.  It’s better if this medicine is given while he is in his homeland.  If not, Mr. Bartokomous has a slimmer chance of surviving."

That was it.  That last bit of news hit Larry in the stomach like a boulder.  The thought of Balki having to go back to Mypos and the reason why just tore him up inside.

Kelsey saw Larry’s reaction then turned to the doctor.  "Can we see Balki?" She asked.

"Right now it’s not good that you all see him, we are however going to be monitoring him around the clock if his condition changes in any way.  Why don’t you go home and get some rest?  By the sound of it, you all have had a pretty rough day yourself."

"But I have to stay here in case Balki wakes up.  He’ll be looking for me." Larry pleaded.

"Mr. Appleton go home and try to get some rest.  I’ll give you a call if Mr. Bartokomous’s condition changes in anyway."  Dr. Ridley went into the back.

Kelsey got up from her chair and walked over to Larry.  "Larry I am really sorry." Kelsey apologized.

"I can’t believe this is happening.  It’s like a nightmare." Larry said.

"Like you said, we've got to be strong for Balki and now it seems like we have to be stronger." Kelsey stated.

That was easier said than done, Larry thought.

"Go on home, Larry, and get some rest." Kelsey suggested.

"There’s no possible way I could do that, I’m going to be worried about Balki all night." Larry said.

"Yeah, me too.  If it’s okay with you I could go to the apartment with you and keep you company to kind of help ease the pain." Kelsey suggested.

"Would you do that?" Larry asked.

"Well of course I would, don’t be ridiculous."  Kelsey realized what she just said.  "Ohh Larry, I’m so sorry.  I shouldn’t have said that."

"Kelsey, it’s okay.  It’s okay." Larry said.

"Really?" Kelsey asked embarrassingly.

"Yes, it’s been a stressful day for the both of us.  Come on, let’s get out of here."

*************************

The sun was beginning to rise.  Larry and Kelsey didn’t say anything on the way to the apartment.  It was so quiet that you could hear the other person breathe.

They finally arrived at the apartment.  When they got upstairs Larry stuck the key in the keyhole and turned the lock to unlock the door.  The door opened to a dark apartment.  A little bit of sadness came over Larry when he saw this.  He then snapped back to reality, turned the light on and motioned Kelsey to go in before him.  Once they were in Larry closed the door.

"Here let me hang up your coat." Larry said reaching for Kelsey’s coat.

"Thanks Larry." Kelsey said.

Larry hung up both of their coats then said, "I’m going to get some linen for your bed.  Go ahead a make yourself at home."

"Larry, do you mind if I get something to eat?  I haven’t eaten all day."

"Yeah, go ahead and look in the fridge.  I hope you can find something in there you like."  He then walked to the back.

Kelsey got up from the couch and went into the kitchen.  She saw the mess on the counter that Balki left from earlier.  "Hmm, that must’ve been when Balki was making dinner for me." Kelsey thought.

She opened the refrigerator door.  There was all kinds of unusual food in there.  Kelsey wanted to try it but opted out.  She opened the meat drawer and found some ham & cheese.  She also took some mayo out as well.  She saw the bread on the counter and made herself a ham and cheese sandwich.  She got a glass from the cupboard and poured a glass of juice.  She put all the ingredients away, got a paper towel, and took a big bite of the sandwich.  She picked up the glass and walked over to the bar.  Larry’s work that he had been working on was still there.  Kelsey began looking through some of the pictures.

Larry walked out with a handful of sheets in his hands. "Here are some sheets for your bed.  I know it’s already daytime but here is a towel, washcloth, and some pajamas if you want to take a shower."  Larry looked down at the pajamas.  "Sorry they’re not lady or size appropriate." Larry said uneasily as he sat the towels and pajamas in one of the chairs. 

That’s okay, Larry.  Hey, did you take these pictures?" Kelsey asked.

"Yeah." Larry said as he pulled the sofa-bed out.

"These are really nice!" She exclaimed.

"Thanks." Larry said half-heartedly while putting the sheets on the sofa-bed.

"Why do you sound like that?" Kelsey asked.

"Well I know my pictures are good and I’m always getting compliments on them, but apparently my boss or the people at the photo industry doesn’t think so.  I even won tenth place in a photo contest.  I would’ve placed better, but the committee didn’t listen to one of the judges opinion.  So now I’m just stuck writing measly articles and submitting puff pictures."

"Well, Larry, you have to keep trying and working at it.  I know one day you are going to take the most amazing picture and have a fantastic article to go along with it that is simply going to wow everyone, especially your boss and the people in the photo industry." Kelsey explained.

"Balki always says that to me over and over." Larry said.  More sadness came over Larry and some over Kelsey.

"Well, I’m going to take a shower." Kelsey said.

"Okay." Larry said.

She then grabbed the towel, washcloth, and pajamas and went into the bathroom.

Larry looked at the time.  Pretty soon it was going to be time for him to go to work.  He was so exhausted.  And most importantly he didn’t have his article finished and it was due by today.  His boss was not going to be too happy about that.  Although he was little worried about that, he was more worried about Balki.  He wished the doctors would call about him ... give him some kind of information.

Larry headed for the kitchen to start cleaning up the mess when the phone rang.  He dropped the rag and quickly ran to the phone.  When he picked it up he was talking in a rushed tone.  "Doc, how is Balki?  Has his condition changed?  Has he woken up?  Is he looking for me?"

"Hi, sir, are you happy with your car insurance?  Because if you are not I have a way where you can save money…"

Larry slammed the phone down with frustration.  He then marched back into the kitchen to continue to cleaning up the mess when there was a knock at the door.

Larry eyed the door worriedly.  Every time someone has came to the door there has been some kind of bad news.  Then Larry thought maybe Edriki had woke up from being unconscious, got himself untied, and made his way to the apartment.

"Uhh, who is it?" Larry asked nervously.

"WDS." Said the voice on the other side of the door.

"WDS?" Larry asked as he crept more toward the door.

"Uh yes.  Worldwide Delivery Service." Said the voice again.

Larry looked though the peephole.  "Would you mind holding up your badge to the peephole?" Larry asked.

The delivery guy held his badge up.  Sure enough he was from WDS.  Larry unlocked and opened the door.

"Sign for this package please?"

Larry took the clipboard and signed it.  The delivery guy handed him a fairly large box with kre-kre tassels and shiny metals dangling from it.

"Thank you." Larry said as he took the box and shut the door.  He took the box over to the bar.

Kelsey then walked out the bathroom.  "Whoo!  Nothing like a nice hot shower to make you feel refreshed and clean." Kelsey said as she walked into the living room in the rather ill-fitting pajamas.  "Any news about Balki?" She asked.

"No." Larry said disappointedly.

Kelsey saw the unusual looking box.  "What’s that?" She asked.

"I think it’s that sleeping solution King Ferdinand said he was overnight shipping." Larry said as he took the top off the box.  He reached in and pulled out an object that looked like an aerosol can that had a perfume spray pump attached to it with Myposian designs on it and kre-kre tassels hanging from it.

"What is that?" Kelsey asked.

"I guess it’s the sleeping solution." Larry said confusedly.

There was a note inside the box.  The noted stated, "This is the sleeping solution Nyquiliki.  Simply just spray the cherry scented solution in the air and the victim will inhale the substance conscious or unconscious and will sleep for 9 days.  Repeat if necessary.  Use caution when spraying."

"Just 9 days?  That’s a long time.  I guess when you spray it you should cover your nose or wear a mask so you won’t fall asleep yourself." Kelsey said as she kind of chuckled.

"I guess so." Larry said.  He then looked at the clock.  "I'd better finish getting ready."

"Ready for what?" Kelsey asked.

"To go to work." Larry said.

"You’re considering going to work all with what is going on now?" Kelsey asked shocked.

"I don’t want to but I have to.  My boss is not very understandable until it comes to his articles, he is like a Nazi." Larry said.

"I see.  It sounds like he only has half a heart." Kelsey said.

"Yeah his heart turns cold when it comes to them." Larry said as he went into his bedroom to get ready.

Kelsey continued to look over the sleeping solution.  "If only I was able to warn Balki about the poison on the sword none of this would be going on." Kelsey thought.

Larry came out of his bedroom room dressed.  "Okay Kelsey, I am ready to go.  I’m going to leave the number to my desk in case the hospital calls." Larry explained.

"Okay, but Larry I really think you should call in and explain to your boss." Kelsey suggested.

"I really wish I could." Larry said as he grabbed his briefcase, camera bag, and jacket.  "So once again make yourself at home and if you can try to get some rest, you have been through a lot.  Call if there is any news about Balki."

Kelsey shook her head with agreement.  Larry shut the door.

*************************

At the Chronicle, Larry was doing some work, but having a difficult time.  He was super tired and could only think about his cousin.  Fortunately he was able to avoid his boss Mr. Wainwright for majority of the day.  Unfortunately he wasn’t able to avoid Balki’s boss and his former boss Mr. Twinkacetti.  Mr. Gorpley use to be head boss of the mailroom but decided to leave on account he wanted to go back to dental school.  So Mr. Twinkacetti decided to take his position.  Larry was NOT happy about this transition.

"Appleton!" Mr. Twinkacetti yelled out as he walked into the room.  "Where’s the Turnip?"

"He’s not here Mr. Twinkacetti." Larry said.

"I see that.  Where is he?" Mr. Twinkacetti asked again in a annoyed tone.

Larry didn’t really want to say what happened to Balki because he knew Mr. Twinkacetti wouldn’t care anyway.  All he cared about was money and that was it.  So Larry made something up.  "It’s a Myposian holiday where all the Mypiots celebrate being left-handed."

"Really?" Mr. Twinkacetti asked questioningly.

"Oh yeah!" Larry said in a agreeable tone.

"Well tell him I am docking his pay today."  Then he walked off.

"So what else is new?" Larry mumbled under his breath as he went back to his desk.

Just when Larry thought the day could get no worse ... it got worse.

"Appleton!" Hollered a voice very familiar to Larry.

Larry jumped out of his seat and stood in a soldier position.  "Yes Mr. Wainwright?"

"Do you have an article for me?" Mr. Wainwright asked.

"Well yeah… uh… kinda… see Mr. Wainwright."

"Appleton, you babbling."

Larry let his shoulders sink down.  "No sir. I don’t have it." Larry said admittedly.

"You don’t have it??" Mr. Wainwright asked in a shocked tone.

"Th - That’s right, sir."

"Appleton you’ve had this article for over 48 hours.  What have you been doing?  Lollygagging?"

Larry wished that was the case, but unfortunately it wasn’t.  Larry just stood feeling a lump develop in his throat.

"Appleton, I want an article from you within the next 12 hours or you will lollygagging in the next unemployment line." Mr. Wainwright said sternly then stormed off.

"Y-yes sir." Larry said meekly.

Larry went back over to his desk and finished the work he was working on.  Pretty soon it would be time to go home.

*************************

Larry walked into the apartment exhaustedly.

"Hi Larry!" Kelsey said cheerfully.

"Hi." Larry said in a low tone as he closed the door.

"I cleaned up the kitchen!" Kelsey said.

"Thank you." Larry said in the same tone as he sat his briefcase and camera bag down.

Kelsey could tell things didn’t go well at work as Larry had said. "Did the hospital call?"

Kelsey’s high energy faded.  "No."

Larry just shook his head as he went to hang up his jacket.

"I guess things didn’t go so well with your boss huh?" Kelsey said.

"No, it didn’t, in fact he gave me an ultimatum.  If I don’t get an article to him within the next 12 hours I’m going to lose my job." Larry explained.

"Oh Larry, I’m so sorry." Kelsey sympathized.

"I don’t know what to do.  One bad thing keeps happening after another.  I just wish all this stuff would disappear." Larry said as he went into the bathroom.

Kelsey really felt sorry for Larry and wished there was something she could do.  She went into the living room to think of something when she spotted the girl stuffed sheep in the mantel.  She picked it up and walked over to the couch and sat down.  "If I didn’t stop to go get this everything wouldn’t be how it is now." Kelsey said quietly.

As she was saying that she didn’t know Larry overheard her.  "You bought this?" Larry asked.

Kelsey turned around startled.  "Ye - yeah I bought this for Balki to cheer him up after he got upset about not getting all the ingredients for the ding, ding, machmud."

"This is perfect!" Larry said a little happily.

"It’s perfect we couldn’t get all the ingredients?" Kelsey asked confused.

"No, I could write my article on you." Larry said.

"Me?"

"Yes!  An up-coming actress gets caught up in between a revenge plot.  It’s perfect!" Larry said excitedly.

"Larry I don’t think the community wants to hear about me." Kelsey said.

"Of course they would." Larry said.

"I don’t know." Kelsey said uneasily.

Larry dropped to his knees and began whining.  "Oh please, Kelsey, you have to agree to do this!  I’m at the end of my rope!  I’m going to lose my job!  And as you can see I am getting nowhere with the article I’m working on."

Right when Kelsey was about to answer the phone rang.  Larry looked up, looked at the phone, then to Kelsey.  He got up and went over to it and picked it up.  "Hello?" Larry said into the receiver.

"Hello, Mr. Appleton, it’s Dr. Ridley…"

Dr. Ridley continued to talk.  Kelsey patiently sat and waited while Larry talked on the phone.  "Okay, yes I see.  Well, please keep me informed of any changes.  Thank you, doctor." Larry said then hung up the phone.  Then he stood with his head down.

"Larry?" Kelsey asked.

Larry snapped out of it.

"Was that the hospital?" Kelsey asked.

"Yeah." Larry said as he walked around to sit down on the couch.

"What did they say?" She asked.

"Well…Balki’s condition has gotten worse.  His blood pressure keeps dropping, anything they are giving him is not working, they have had to revive him, and now the little poison that’s in him may now be affecting his heart which is making is heart rate drop." Larry explained.

"Oh no!" Kelsey whimpered.

"Dr. Ridley is definitely suggesting now that we send Balki back to Mypos to get the Hydrolopius because his chances of surviving are growing even slimmer."

"Oh my Lord, this just upsetting and overwhelming." Kelsey said.

"Well, I guess I’d better call King Ferdinand and give him the bad news."

"Larry…I’ll do it." Kelsey said with a blank stare on her face.

Larry stopped dialing.  "Do what?"

"I’ll let you write about me in your article." Kelsey said.

"You will?  That’s great!" Larry said putting the receiver down.

"Yeah, something told me I should do it." Kelsey said.

"Well I’m glad you changed your mind." Larry said getting his notebook and sitting down on the couch.  "Now let’s get started before something else happens.  Now I know this may be difficult for you but I am going to ask you some questions on how you came in contact with Edriki.  I want all the details." Larry explained.

"Okay." Kelsey said with a deep breath not wanting to relive the horrible memory of being kidnapped or even coming across Edriki.

*************************

Later that night Larry was putting the finishing touches on his article on his laptop, the Wellington 5000 with even more feather touch control.  Kelsey was asleep.

"Well, that’s finished." Larry said as he stretched.  "Now I can finally go to sleep." Larry said as he shut the laptop down.  He headed to his bedroom when he heard Kelsey groaning.

"No!  No!  Please don’t!  Please leave me alone!  Go away!  Aahh!!!"

Larry ran over to Kelsey’s side.  "Kelsey!  Kelsey!  Kelsey!  It’s okay!" Larry said catching Kelsey in his arms.

Kelsey sat up panting.  "Wh-where am I?" Kelsey asked.

"You’re in the apartment.  It’s okay.  What happened?" Larry asked.

"I-I was having a nightmare.  Edriki was trying to capture me again and take me to Mypos to rule it with him.  It was awful." Kelsey expressed.

"Everything’s okay now.  You’re safe in the apartment." Larry said.  "You can now go back to sleep."

"No, I don’t think I can.  I have a feeling Edriki is trying to escape." Kelsey announced.

"Really?"

"I really think we should go down to the warehouse and use the Nyquiliki sleeping solution."

Larry was sooo tired.  He hadn’t had any sleep in little over 48 hours, but coming from a household with four sisters and a mother he didn’t want to take a risk on Kelsey’s intuition.  He just wished he could get Edriki sent to Mypos and out of America.  "Okay, let’s go down to the warehouse and check it out." Larry said.

"Okay, thank you." Kelsey said, relieved.

*************************

Larry and Kelsey arrived at the warehouse.  It looked the same as before.  They carefully walked in.  They went directly where they left Edriki.  He wasn’t there.  Larry and Kelsey looked at each other shocked.

"Edriki’s not here." Kelsey said in a shocked tone.

"I can see that." Larry said, scrolling his eyes around the place.  "Go and see if there’s any sign of him or info in the front.  I’m going to look around on the desk." Larry said.

"Okay." Kelsey said.  Kelsey went off.  Larry began looking around on the desk.

"Well, well look who we have here." Edriki said as he walked up to Larry from the back.

Larry’s eyes grew wide.  Larry was going to turn around, but Edriki stopped him.

"Put your hands in the air." Edriki ordered Larry.  "What are you doing here?"

"Uh, I just came here to see if this is where I lost my lucky pen." Larry began frantically, rummaging through the stuff on top of the desk.  "Guess it’s not here.  Darn!" Larry said as he tried to take off.

"Don’t move." Edriki demanded.

Larry stopped in his tracks.

"Guess your lucky pen isn’t so lucky." Edriki snickered.  "Now who are you here with?"

"N-no one." Larry said nervously.

"That Myp-idiot cousin is not here with you?"

Larry clenched his teeth at what Edriki just said about Balki, but then just shook it off.  "N-no, remembered you poisoned him." Larry said.

"Oh yeah, that’s right." Edriki said evilly.  "Well since I have accomplished what I came here for it’s time for part two of my a vengeance.  Keep your hands in the air and walk over to the phone." Edriki ordered.

Larry did what he was told.  Edriki followed closely behind him.

When they got to the phone Edriki gave further instructions.  "You are going to call King Ferdinand and demand that he is going to release my brother and give up the throne because there is a new king coming to town."

Larry didn’t want to do this but he knew what kind of people the two brothers were and they were the kind who were not shy about hurting people.  Larry picked up the phone and slowly dialed the number.  He could feel Edriki’s eyes staring deadly in the back of his head.

Kelsey was nervously watching from behind a wall tightly gripping the Nyquiliki can.

Larry finished dialing the number and waited while it rang.  Someone picked up.  "Uh, hello Your Majesty.  I’m doing okay, I guess.  I was just calling because…"

"Larry!  Cover your nose!" Kelsey hollered as she jumped out from behind the wall spraying the solution.

Edriki turned around and ran toward Kelsey and right into the mist.  He fell out unconscious.  Larry and Kelsey ran away from where the mist was settling then to each other.  Larry and Kelsey both uncovered their noses.

"Larry are you okay?" Kelsey asked.

"I am now.  I guess that was payback of me rescuing you." Larry joked.

"Mmm, let’s just call it even." Kelsey smiled.

Larry and Kelsey looked down at the Edriki unconscious body.  "Well I guess we’d better tie and chain him up this time." Larry suggested.

Larry and Kelsey found some rope and chains and tied and chained Edriki up.

"Well, I guess I'd better call King Ferdinand and see if he’s any closer to getting Edriki sent back to Mypos and I should give him the news on Balki, too." Larry said.

"You didn’t call King Ferdinand the first time?" Kelsey asked, shocked.

"Nope.  I just randomly dialed a number." Larry said proudly.

"Way to go Larry!" Kelsey cheered.

As soon as Larry was about to pick it up, the phone it rang.  "Hello?" Larry said into the receiver.  "How’d you get this number?"

King Ferdinand explained.

"I see." Larry said confusedly.

"Larry, I just want to say I have wonderful news.  As we speak my secure, jet plane with my tight security men is flying to America to get that troublemaking Sceptic."

"That’s wonderful!" Larry exclaimed.

"And you don’t have to worry about staying there waiting for it to arrive because this jet plane has a GPS system on it.  So it knows where to go and scoop him up." King Ferdinand explained.

"That’s even more wonderful!" Larry exclaimed even more.

"So how’s out heroic Mypiot?" King Ferdinand asked.

Larry’s high energy faded.  "He’s not doing so well, Your Majesty.  His condition has gotten worse.  I have been meaning to call you to let you know but one thing as led to another.  In fact, our friend Kelsey felt that Edriki was trying to escape and we came down to the warehouse to see and he was.  But we used the Nyquiliki solution on him and he is sleeping like a baby.  But the doctors are definitely recommending sending Balki back to Mypos he can get that medicine, Hydrolopius." Larry explained sadly.

"Larry I know how you must feel about not want to lose someone you are so close to, but you have to do what is best for Balki.  As the Myposian saying goes: ‘In order for someone to get better, they have to get well.’  As good as I know Balki as soon as he gets well he is going to want to see what’s been going on in Mypos but eagerly be trying to get back to you because of the bond and love you two have for each other."

King Ferdinand couldn’t see but Larry was shaking his head with agreement.  Not because he liked what King Ferdinand said but because he understood what he was saying on what was good for Balki and he certainly didn’t want to lose Balki permanently.

"So I am going to let the Scientist of Mypos know so he go out into the forest and get the Hydrolopius medicine and take it to the Doctor of Mypos and get the sick plane geared up for the trip.  It’s not as classy as the secure, jet plane.  It’s really not as fast as the secure, jet plane, but it’ll do its job.  I also better let two of my workers brush up on their aviation books." King Ferdinand stated.

Just when Larry thought he understood the Myposian heritage it took a U-turn again.  "Well, thank you Your Majesty, I’ll let the hospital know so they can start getting everything together." Larry said with his voice cracking a little.

"Hang in there, Larry, you have been so wonderful every step of this." King Ferdinand commented.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of Kelsey." Larry said.

"Well give her my best regards as well.  You two have done a wonderful thing for Mypos.  And I will make sure Edriki will forever be imprisoned and get the utmost punishment he deserves so he will never harm no one again." King Ferdinand informed him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I can sleep better knowing that.  And I certainly will give Kelsey your regards.  Thank you.  Bye."  Larry hung up the phone.

"What did King Ferdinand say?" Kelsey asked.

Larry hesitated answering the question.  "He’s going to get everything together so Balki can go back to Mypos and get treated." Larry said, not trying to show for the fact that it was tearing him up inside.

"Oh Larry, I can only imagine how much this must be tearing you up inside." Kelsey sympathized.

"He explained to me how this is the best thing for Balki and I respect that, but to find Balki then lose him?  It’s not fair." Larry said.

"Of course it’s not fair.  That’s what makes the situation so wrong, but right now your primary focus is on Balki and getting him well.  You got to let everything else go Larry.  You’ve done everything else so well.  And I know Balki would be proud." Kelsey explained.

"Well that brings me to my, I guess you can say, exciting news.  As we speak there is a secure, jet plane coming to get this troublemaking … person and take him back to Mypos where he’ll be imprisoned forever and won’t cause any harm to anyone else." Larry said a little happily.

"That’s wonderful news!" Kelsey said excitedly.

"And the best thing is we don’t have to stay here and wait for the plane to come here and get him!  King Ferdinand has it worked out to where we don’t ever have to deal with Edriki again!" Larry said.

"Oh Larry that is the best news I’ve heard all day!" Kelsey said running to Larry giving him a big hug.

"It certainly is Kelsey." Larry said laughing and hugging Kelsey back.  "Come on, let’s get out of here."

*************************

Larry and Kelsey made it back to the apartment.  Once again the sun was on the rise and it was almost time for Larry to go to work.

"Well, I'd better get ready to go to work and hand in what will probably be my last article." Larry sighed.

"Larry don’t talk like that.  You never know, you maybe surprised." Kelsey said.

"Yeah, maybe." Larry said half-heartedy heading toward his bedroom.

Just then the phone rang.  Larry answered it.  "Hello?  Who?  Yeah, she’s here."  Larry handed Kelsey the phone.  "It’s for you.  Someone named Greg."

"Oh." Kelsey said as she took the phone.  "Hi Greg.  I’ve been okay.  Have had a crazy time here in Chicago." Kelsey said as she laughed.  She continued to talk on the phone.  "What?  Get of out the city!  Are you serious?  That is wonderful news!  Oh.  That soon huh?  Oh okay.  I’ll see you soon.  Bye, Greg."  Kelsey hung up the phone.  "That was my agent Greg and he was calling to tell me that this company who is doing this cartoon wants me to do the voice of the leading character!"

"That is wonderful news!" Larry said excitedly.

"But they want to go into production real soon which means I would have to be on the next flight to California." Kelsey explained.

Larry’s high energy faded.  "Oh I see.  Well I am certainly happy for you, but sad to see you go." Larry said.

Kelsey smiled. "Thank you Larry.  I just want to say thank you for everything.  I really wish I could see and say good-bye to Balki.  He’s the one that’s responsible for all of this." Kelsey chuckled.  "But I don’t regret any of it.  I am so glad that both of our paths crossed.  It was a neat experience meeting you guys and learning about the Myposian heritage.  This would be a trip to Chicago I would never forget." Kelsey said.

"I should be thanking you as well Kelsey.  To me you are like the female version of Balki and if he was here I feel like he would be saying the same stuff that you have said and explained to me.  Things didn’t go well in the beginning but now I feel like they are falling into place.  I’m still not happy for the fact that Balki has to go back to Mypos but at least I know he is going to be well taken care of.  And I can safely say this is one of the adventures I will certainly not forget either." Larry said.

"I am so glad to hear that, Larry." Kelsey said.

Larry and Kelsey shared a long hug.

After they hugged Kelsey asked Larry a question.  "Larry will you do me a couple of favors?"  Kelsey went and got the girl stuffed sheep.  "Could you please give this to Balki?  I still want him to have this."

"Sure thing."

"And would you tell Balki good-bye for me and that he better make a speedy recovery?"

"I sure will."

"And one last thing: will you give me a ride to the airport?"

"It will be my pleasure to." Larry said as he smiled.

"Thank you.  I’m going to leave my contact info so you can let me know how Balki is doing."

"That would be great.  I am going to finish getting ready and then we can go." Larry said.

"Wait Larry I have one more thing to say.  I know you are going to be a successful journalist and photographer.  Just keep the Faith.  Okay?"

"I will Kelsey.  Thank you." Larry said.

*************************

"Appleton, what are great article and photo.  I am putting it on the front page." Mr. Wainwright said.

Larry couldn’t believe his ears.  "Really?  Thank you Mr. Wainwright." Larry said.

"And I would love to meet this wonderful and brave young lady." Mr. Wainwright said.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Wainwright, she had to go back to California." Larry explained.

"Well whenever she is in town bring her by." Mr. Wainwright said.

"I certainly will." Larry said.

"Appleton, why didn’t you tell me about Balki?" Mr. Wainwright asked.

"I don’t know, sir.  So much was just going on.  I - I just don’t know." Larry said.

"Well you take all the time off you need and go be with your cousin.  We miss seeing him around here." Mr. Wainwright said.

"Thank you, sir." Larry said.

"And when you get back I see a promotion for you."

Larry’s eyes grew wide.  "Oh thank you, Mr. Wainwright.  That means so much to me."

Just then Mr. Twinkacetti walked in.  "Appleton, where is the Turnip?"

Mr. Wainwright walked in front of Mr. Twinkacetti.  "The who?"

"The…turnip greens.  I have to stop by the grocery store and pick some up for dinner." Mr. Twinkacetti said nervously.

"That’s what I thought you said, Donald." Mr. Wainwright said as he walked off.

Larry started gathering his things together when his desk phone rang.

"Hello?  Mr. Appleton?  This is Dr. Ridley.  Could you please hurry on down to the hospital!"

*************************

Larry arrived at the hospital.  Dr. Ridley met him in the ICU ward.  "Mr. Appleton it’s like a miracle.  All of a sudden Mr. Bartokomous’ heart rate and blood pressure are rising.  The medicine that we’ve been dispersing; his body is accepting it.  The poison that we thought was in his system has dissolved.  He moved a few fingers today, and his eyelids flicked a little today." Dr. Ridley explained.

"Does that mean he may not have to sent him back to Mypos?" Larry asked.

"It is certainly looking that way." Dr. Ridley said.

"Can I see him, please?" Larry asked.

"Sure Mr. Appleton."

Dr. Ridley led Larry to Balki’s room.  Larry walked and approached Balki’s bed.  Balki was hooked up to an IV, a monitor monitoring his heart rate, he had a nasal cannula coming out his nose, and a pulse oximeter attached to his finger.  Larry slowly walked up to the side of Balki’s bed and pulled a chair up.  The person laying in the bed that was hooked up to all those machines didn’t look anything like the energetic, well-mannered sheepherder that Larry knew.

"Balki?" Larry said nervously.

Balki didn’t move.  It barely looked like he was breathing.

"Balki?" Larry said again a little more worriedly.

Balki strained to open his eyes.  His vision was blurry.  He blinked a few times and looked around the room.  "Cousin?" Balki said weakly.

"Oh Balki." Larry said with a sigh of relief.  He reached in and gently hugged his cousin.  "You’re okay!" Larry said happily.

"Of course I am, don’t be ridiculous." Balki said hoarsely.

"You have no idea what it feels like to hear those words!" Larry said.  "How do you feel?"

"Like I have been kicked in the side by a water buffalo." Balki expressed.

"Something like that Balki.  You were stabbed in the side with a sword that had poison on it." Larry said.  "You’ve been in a coma for almost three days.  You’re condition was so bad that we almost had to send you back to Mypos." Larry explained.  "But with the doctor saying how miraculously your condition has improved it looks like that doesn’t have to happen."

Balki looked around the room.  "Cousin, where is Kelsey?" Balki asked.

"Oh Balki, she had to go back to California right away, but she left her contact info and said whenever we are in California to give her call and she left this for you."  Larry pulled out the little stuffed sheep.  "Kelsey was going to surprise you with this when you went grocery shopping but then all the chaos started." Larry explained.  He put the girl stuffed sheep in Balki’s bed.

"Oh Cousin, she is so beautiful." Balki said looking at the sheep.  "Now Dimitri has a friend.  Wonder what I could name her." Balki thought.  "How about Kristi?  It begins with a "K" like Kelsey."

"Balki, I think that’s a wonderful name for her." Larry said.  "Balki, so much has happened since you’ve been gone."

"Cousin, I haven’t been gone, I’ve been right here." Balki said.

"No, no, I mean ... you’re right, Balki, you’ve been right here.  But what I was saying was things have happened while you were here but not here, I guess that’s how you would say it.  Well anyway, Edriki has been sent back to Mypos and is going to be imprisoned for life.  And Mr. Wainwright is putting my article and photo on the front page of The Chronicle!" Larry said.

"Oh Cousin that is wonderful!  I would say let’s do the Dance of Joy but my side kind of won’t let me." Balki said as he winced at his painful side.

"That’s okay Balki, we’ll do the Dance of Joy when you get better." Larry said.  "But I haven’t had any sleep since all of this has happened." Larry whined.

Balki sniffed the air.  "Cousin you smell like cherries." Balki said.

"Oh yeah, it must have been from that Nyquiliki solution King Ferdinand sent." Larry said as he sniffed his jacket.  As soon as he sniffed it his head flopped on to Balki’s bed and he was soundly asleep.

"Oh Cousin." Balki said as he smiled and rubbed Larry’s hair.

*************************

"Cousin!  Cousin!  I’m fine.  Stop being so fussy over me." Balki said as Larry helped him into the apartment.

"Balki, I just want to make sure you are comfortable." Larry said.

"Cousin, you’ve been making sure I’ve been comfortable ever since we left the hospital." Balki fussed.

Larry gently helped Balki down on the couch, put a pillow behind him, and covered him with his Myposian blanket with the English alphabet.  "Now your bed is already made, I’m going to get your medicine together and make you something to eat." Larry said.

"Cousin, would you stop and sit down for a minute?  You’ve done enough already." Balki suggested.

"No, I almost lost you, I don’t want to lose you again." Larry said.

"Cousin, you are not going to lose me.  But if you don’t relax for a minute you are going to wear me and yourself out." Balki explained.

"You’re thirsty?  How about a glass of juice?" Larry said as he ran off into the kitchen.

Balki just shook his head.

Larry came back into the living room with Balki’s juice.  "Here you go, Balki." Larry said as he handed Balki the juice.

"Thank you, Cousin.  But you don’t have to wait on me foot and hand." Balki said.

Larry sat down on the couch.  "Balki, what happened to you really opened my eyes and I’m just so grateful to have you for my cousin." Larry said.

Balki put a hand on top of Larry’s hand.  "Oh Cousin, I’m grateful to have you as my cousin." Balki said as he smiled.

"Now let me fix you something to eat." Larry said as he got up from the couch.

While Larry was in the kitchen Balki thought, "Hmm maybe bad letters should come from Mypos more often.  It makes Cousin Larry crazy at first, but when the situation is worked out he is less neurotic." Balki said as he smiled, turned on the TV, and took a sip of his juice.

*************************

Kelsey woke up with the TV all static.  "Whoa!  What a dream." She said as she sat up from the couch.  "Kara was right, if I ever did date Balki I would be living by some immigrant ways." Kelsey said as she rubbed her head.

Kara came downstairs.  "Kelsey you still up?" Kara asked surprised.

"A-actually I just woke up from a weird dream ... actually it could’ve been more a like a Perfect Strangers episode.  I was dating Balki and he was going to make me a few dishes from his homeland and then this guy from the rival island of Sceptos was trying to get rid of Balki and take me back to Mypos to release his twin brother and rule Mypos and make me his queen." Kelsey explained.

Kara helped Kelsey off the couch.  "Uh huh, come on, Kelsey.  I think you’ve been watching one to many episodes of Perfect Strangers." Kara said.

"Kara I was going to be Queen of Mypos." Kelsey pleaded.

"Sure, Kelsey." Kara sounding as if she didn't believe Kelsey.

"Fine, then you don’t have to believe my babisticki, I believe my babistacki." Kelsey said.

"Your what?" Kara said confused.

"Oh see, it’s Myposian, but since you don’t watch Perfect Strangers you wouldn’t know what it means.  Ha!" Kelsey said as she ran up the stairs.

Kara just rolled her eyes and shook her head as she followed up the stairs.

THE END