This story is a continuation of "Just Add Water" and is based on events occurring in "What Was That Name Again?" This story also refers to events that occurred in "Just Because You're Paranoid..." ********************************************************** Presto Chango! by Nexxie As Johnny was getting dressed for work, he remembered the day he met J.R. and how he and Roy were so sure the call from the hospital was the work of The Phantom. They were wrong, but the situation gave Johnny an idea how to pull a terrific prank on his old nemesis. He smirked...it was pure genius. The night of the dinner at the DeSoto's house after Joanne broke the ice between father and son with a water fight, Johnny was confident enough to present his plan for revenge on the Phantom. He still hadn't forgotten Chet's booby traps that ended up sending "Captain Pigeon" to the ER at Rampart. While everybody was drying off on the back deck, Johnny explained the caper he had in mind. Most everybody agreed that it would serve Chester B. Kelly right and would be fun besides. J.R. Gage looked like he was watching a ping-pong match as Roy and Johnny brought up story after story about The Phantom and his pigeon. Roy would start a sentence and Johnny would finish it, or vice versa. Slowly the picture became clear of just what his father had suffered at the hands of the world's most immature practical joker, and he smilingly agreed to help get revenge. The men of 15's C and A shifts promised to keep quiet about the incident at their station involving J.R.'s grandfather and his attempt on Johnny's life. Nurse Dixie McCall kept mum about the events at the hospital as well. All agreed that it was for Johnny and J.R. to make their connection known in their own way. But the story about the two Gages would get out soon enough, and if news got out before the prank could be pulled, it would never work. Roy and Johnny laid plans quickly. It would have to be a time when the old crew could all be together. That meant during B-Shift. It was A-Shift now, so Chet and Stoker were working. Tomorrow was too soon, and the next day Roy, Johnny and Marco would be on for C-Shift. J.R. worked C-Shift at 15's as well. They had to gather everybody together for some reason three days later. Joanne suggested a barbecue at their house and, when John and Roy agreed, immediately phoned out the invitations. Amazingly everyone agreed to come. This was going to be great! The Gages left the DeSotos that night in high spirits, laughing and promising to be ready for the barbecue. Johnny and J.R. had some shopping to do in preparation. It was to be a potluck affair with everybody bringing their special dish, so nobody bore the brunt of the expense. Johnny, for lack of a "special dish" usually provided hamburgers and hot dogs for the grill and plenty of buns. J.R., wanting to contribute something, opted to supply charcoal, starter fluid and ice. Marco promised to bring chili, while Chet was tasked with the drinks and some chips. Chief Stanley's wife made a chocolate cake for dessert and the Stokers showed up with two dozen ears of corn-on-the-cob and two gallons of ice cream. Dixie McCall was delighted to be able to come as well, and was let in on the secret so she wouldn't say anything to give it away. She laughed and asked if she could help with the joke. She also volunteered to bring a huge salad and some homemade cookies. Joanne planned a large pan of baked beans as her offering, and cold cuts for those who preferred them over hot dogs or burgers. She knew Johnny and Chris would probably want all three. It would be interesting to see if J.R. could keep up with his dad's famous appetite. The afternoon of the barbecue, Johnny showed up early, as usual. J.R., looking a bit nervous, but thoroughly enthusiastic, made his way upstairs to hide out in Roy and Joanne's bedroom before any of the other guests arrived. Johnny was showing Joanne the purchases he and J.R. made when Dixie pulled up. Before anyone else got there, she handed Johnny a bottle of pills, explaining their purpose, and sent him upstairs to clue in J.R. and to get ready to play their parts. It had to happen early in the day, but after everyone had arrived. Fortunately no one was late and the barbecue was in full swing when Johnny started an argument with Roy. Conversations around the yard stopped as the voices of the erstwhile partners rose in conflict. Jennifer and Chris giggled in anticipation until, at a warning look from Joanne, they stifled their amusement. "I'm tellin' ya, Roy, these pills really work." "Johnny, you know you can't believe all those stupid ads you see in magazines. It's just somebody out to get money from gullible people." "No, man, you're wrong this time. These babies are worth every penny I paid." Johnny was getting into the swing of things. "Just how much did you get suckered out of this time, Junior?" Roy inquired in a longsuffering tone. "I didn't get suckered...!" Johnny began hotly. "Gage, Gage, Gage," Chet interrupted, unable to keep out of the fray, and anxious to start in on his favorite pigeon. "Just what are these wonder pills supposed to do? They obviously don't make you smarter." Chet grinned knowing he would soon have Johnny on the defensive. "They give ya energy and make ya feel lots younger," Johnny retorted. "And they work like a charm." "Gage, like you need to act younger!" Chet chortled. "I bet they're just lots of caffeine and sugar...sort of a portable cup of coffee." "No, man," Johnny insisted, "they are a secret formula of herbs. The guy in the ad was sixty years old and running around like a kid after just one pill. Heck, he even looked years younger." "And you fell for it, Junior?" "I'm tellin' ya Roy, the pills really work. They're worth every penny." "Out of curiosity, Pal," said Hank Stanley, "how many pennies did you have to shell out for these miracle pills?" "Only a hundred dollars," Johnny smiled, "and that was at a fifty percent discount." "A hundred dollars!" Chet crowed. This would be good for lots of mileage. "You are so dumb, Gage, they shouldn't let you out without a keeper." "Oh yeah?" Johnny said hotly, getting in Chet's face. "Well, I'm gonna prove it to you right now, Chester B. and then we'll see who's dumb and who isn't, won't we?" Chet smirked, "We sure will, Gage. How ya gonna prove it, anyway?" "I'm gonna take one right now and show ya how well they work, that's how!" Without another word, Johnny took one of the harmless placebos from the bottle Dixie slipped him earlier and made a show of gulping it down with a big swallow of iced tea. After a few moments his triumphant grin turned into a grimace of pain and he began to shake all over. He looked around in terror and grabbed his stomach, running into the house where everyone heard Johnny scream in agony. "Aaaaarrgh. Ouch!" Roy looked concerned and he moved as if to go to his friend's aid, but was stopped, apparently awestruck, by the sight of John Gage emerging from the house looking at least fifteen years younger. Johnny/J.R. bounced into the yard and exclaimed, "I feel great! See, Chester B., these things really work!" He held up the bottle of "wonder pills". J.R. was thoroughly briefed with photographs and drilled repeatedly until he remembered the names and faces of everyone who would be there, so it was with no difficulty that he homed in on Chet and gave him a big Gage grin. Dressed in clothing identical to Johnny's, his hair combed to resemble his father's, J.R. was a dead ringer for the younger Johnny everyone knew when he first started working at 51's. Chet turned three shades of pale and his mouth worked without sound. Finally he squeaked, "I don't believe it!" "Believe it, Chet!" Johnny/J.R. grinned and he turned to Roy. "Well, Pally, what do ya say now? Was it a deal, or what?" Dixie and Joanne managed to turn away before they fell down laughing as Roy meekly admitted that he had been wrong. Then with an evil chuckle, he added, "Junior, you look years younger. Heck, you look like a wet-behind-the-ears probie again." Listening from behind the curtain at the livingroom window, Johnny nearly fell down laughing. Trust Roy. Hank, Mike and Marco were too dumbfounded to speak. Chet was still staring in open-mouthed amazement when Johnny/J.R., not wanting to push his luck further, suddenly went into a repeat of the symptoms his father affected earlier. Grabbing his stomach, he shrieked, "Oh, no, it's wearing off!" as he made a beeline for the house. A few moments later, Johnny stumbled out looking pale and shaken and fell into a chair on the deck. Roy ran over in apparent concern followed by an anxious Chet Kelly. "I wonder what would happen if I take two..." Johnny muttered. Chet shook his head in alarm. Mike muttered something about needing to have diapers ready and Joanne lost her composure, laughing until she cried. Chet looked at her in bewilderment. He didn't think the diaper remark was that funny. Roy started laughing with Joanne and Dixie lost her composure as well. Johnny grinned at Chet, raised a fist in victory dancing in place, and said, "Yes! Gage takes on the Phantom...he shoots...he scores!" Marco and Hank knew it had to be a gag, but wondered where on earth Johnny had come up with such a perfect younger double. Maybe he had a little brother or a cousin stashed somewhere. After high-fiving Roy and winking at Jennifer and Chris, Johnny called into the house, "Hey, J.R., come on out here and take a bow!" The identically clad younger version of Johnny Gage walked out on the deck and grinned at everybody before putting an arm around his father's shoulders, amused at the sea of faces that registered open-mouthed astonishment. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...and you too Chet," Johnny said with a flourish of his hand, "may I present to you John Roderick Gage..." he paused dramatically, "my son." Heads shook in wonder as the rest of the barbecue was dedicated to retelling the details of Roy's fateful phone call the day Johnny met J.R. and how they thought it was a "Phantom" prank. Chet secretly wished it had been. It certainly would have been a feat worthy of his talent. But this time he had to admit he was gotten good. "Heck," Chet said at last, "you guys did a great job on this and The Phantom can admit to a great prank when he sees one. But just remember, guys, it took TWO GAGES to get one Phantom!" The End please give Nexxie your feedback |