AAOOOSC!: Gulls' Adventures!

The picnic finally comes to an end: The backyard is now cleaned up and most of the visitors have left.

Back inside the Monarossabergie House, Nick is sleeping on the sofa once again for his post-lunch nap while Brandon is washing the dishes with Joseph and Michael drying and putting them away. The only other non-residents in the house are the two goalies, Matt and Ryan.

As Michael with his older brother’s appearance is walking across the kitchen to place eating utensils into its correct drawer, the two goalie buddies approach him from across the countertop.

“Crammer, are you alright?” Matt calls to him, leaning over the countertop.

Michael turns to his brother, immediately seeing his genuine self on the other side of the kitchen. He turns to the goalies with fright.

“I saw you talking with Mooresy,” Matt continues. “I thought you didn’t like him. But it’s so nice to see you two as friends now!”

“What changed?” Ryan asks with an inquired expression.

Anxiety cross Michael’s brother’s face as panic sweeps through him. “Um, well, um, uh…”

“Um, Hacker--” Joseph exclaims as his younger brother, sliding next to his brother. “That’s not me.” He points to himself. “We swapped bodies.” He places a hand on his chest. “I’m Joey--” He reverts his hand at his brother. “--he’s my brother, Mikey.”

Matt and Ryan make aghast expressions.

“Icemare,” Joseph states.

Realization sweeps over their faces. “Ohhhh…”

“We’ll help you!” Matt pipes in.

Michael puts a smile on his brother’s face. “Thanks!”

Brandon pads to them with a dish towel slung over his shoulder. “So, how can Joey play if he looks like Mikey?” He leans against the countertop, next to the younger-looking brother.

“Let him play like that,” Ryan says with a nod at Joseph. “They look to the same.”

Brandon gazes at his swapped roommate. “Kinda.” He then holds his stare to make sure that Joseph’s appearance can pass as himself. Yet with each passing second, it is obvious with those thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and less facial hair, the two brothers do not look identical.

Brandon shakes his head with his hand on his chin. “Yeah, that won’t pass.”

“Okay,” Ryan starts, “so we can have Mikey play in the place of Crammer—”

“NO,” Joseph snaps at him with his brother’s eyes flashing.

Brandon makes an unsure look at him. “Well, it’s the only way unless you wanna be scratched for the game…”

Matt turns to the person who looks like his teammate. “What do you think?”

Michael pumps his brother’s hands in the air. “Yessssss! I really wanna play in the AHL!” He bounces up and down excitedly.

Joseph, on the other hand, gives him an unamused expression. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“Either Mikey takes your place or you’re scratched,” Brandon tells his roommate.

Joseph frowns. “Fine.”

Michael twirls to his brother with a proud smile on his brother’s face. “It’s an honour to play in your place.” He places a hand on his chest. “Trust me, I’ll make you proud! I’ll score! I’ll win! For you!”

“Says the OHLer who’s about to play his first AHL game,” Joseph mutters with a roll of his eyes.

“Trust me, Big Joe! I’ll play my hardest! Besides, I was starting to get ISA.” Michael frowns with his brother’s mint green eyes cast down.

Brandon peers at the person who looks like his roommate with confusion. “Huh?”

“Ice Separation Anxiety.”

“Oh, right…” He nods his head.

Michael then coolly faces his brother, who looks like his actual self. “So, show me your ways, oh wise brother of mine.”

“Alright,” Joseph starts sternly in his younger brother’s voice. “Be at the rink by five-thirty, my stall is next to Monty and Ritch, including my equipment and jersey, warm-ups are at six-thirty, game is at seven-oh-five. Also, do not to humiliate me--” He begins counting off with his fingers. “--no talking, no interacting, don’t speak to anyone.”

Michael frowns at him. “So I have to be all grouchy and sour the whole time?”

“If that’s what it takes for the others to not question you.” Joseph crosses his brother’s arms.

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely look out for him,” Brandon pipes in from behind the person who has the appearance of his roommate’s brother.

Joseph peers at him from behind. “Good.” He turns back to his brother, who looks like his actual self. “And don’t tell anyone whom you really are.”

Michael gives him a thumbs up. “Alright…!” He then throws his hands up in the air with excitement. “WOOOOOO, this is so exciting! Who would’ve known: a trip to San Diego would give me a chance to play in the AHL?” He gives a big grin at the actual Gulls.

They do not seem as half as pumped up as he does.

Notes

E.16 "I Am You And You Are Me"
Part 3/5
Episode 16/20