ALPHA AND OMEGA: BOOK 6 - CAUSATIVE RELATIVITY (THE PROBLEM OF LIZ)

PART 1

(Episode Equivalent – Pilot)
(Sunday, September 19th, 1999)
(Crashdown Cafe)

Liz approached the couple at the table with two plates, "Okay, I have got one Sigourney Weaver, that's for you. And one Will Smith. Can I get you guys anything else? Green Martian Shake? Blood of Alien smoothie?"

"No, thanks. We're good," replied the man.

Liz took in their appearance. Out – of – towners, she thought to herself, and alien nuts. "Are you guys here for the crash festival?"

"Yeah, can't wait," said the man. A speculative gleam entered his eye and he rapidly followed with, "So, does your family come from Roswell?"

Liz smiled. Definitely alien nuts. "Just four generations," she replied innocently, knowing exactly the subject that interested him.

"Uh, well, does anyone in your family have stories about the UFO crash?" asked the man eagerly.

"Well, I guess it would be okay to show you guys this," Liz said. Looking around furtively, she took a photo out of her pocket depicting a fake alien and showed it to them.

Maria walked past with a coffee pot, shaking her head and smiling at the gullibility of the public.

Liz continued with her tale, "My grandmother took this picture at the crash site right before the government cleaned it up." The tourists, she noted, were definitely hooked.

"Do people know about this photograph?"

"Well, I know about it, and now you know about it." Liz turned to leave but added mysteriously, "I'm gonna be right back, don't show that to anyone."

"No." they quickly agreed.

Liz and Maria walked sedately to the cash register but as soon as they were out of earshot Maria burst, no longer able to contain her laughter. "You are sooo bad, girl!" She looked over Liz's shoulder. "Oh, and Max Evans is staring at you again."

"No way, Maria," Liz said. She took a quick glance in Max's direction, they locked eyes briefly and he looked away. "That is so in your imagination." Liz shook her head, certain that someone as smart and handsome as Max would not be interested in her. "Max Evans?" she said, gesturing to her face. "This? No, uh – uh."

Maria jokingly pinched her cheeks. "And with those cheeks! Preciosita tan linda!"

"Maria!" Liz laughed at her friend, "And, and even if it were, I'm going out with Kyle. I mean, he's steady and loyal, and he appreciates me."

Maria frowned. "Sounds like you're describing a poodle."

Their attention was diverted to two large men who were arguing loudly.

"I was here to get my money today not tomorrow," yelled one man as he stood.

The other man jumped to his feet, pulling a gun. "You won't need the money if you are dead," he shouted.

The first man grabbed the gun and they struggled for control.

Gasps of surprise and screams echoed through the diner and everyone dropped to the floor. The men, surprised the argument has gotten so out of hand, and fearful of being arrested, quickly left the diner.

Everyone, still stunned, slowly got up from the floor. Max looked toward Liz to see if she was all right, but she was already trying to calm some of the patrons.

Michael grabbed his arm. "Max, let's get out of here. The police will come and we don't want to be here when they start nosing around."

"Yeah, you're right," Max agreed. They quickly headed for the door but Max took one last look behind him at the girl he loved.