The weekend had rolled around at last and it was a Friday evening. Max sat on the floor watching television while Caroline wrote some numbers down for work at the table. Frink came in the door and was greeted by his family.
"Put that away my dear. Tonight we're going out on the town." Said Frink as he dashed over to her and picked up her work from under her.
"John, I wasn't done with that."
"Yes you were. What do you say we go for a flight tonight?"
"A flight? OH John did you get the hover bike to work?" She said practically beaming with energy. Max turned on his side listening with only a slight interest.
"I sure did and it works like a charm."
"Dad, what about me?" Asked Max.
"Oh well you're staying here. It's a mommy and daddy night."
"By myself?"
"Oh you won't be alone," said Caroline, "Floyd will watch over you won't you?"
"Yes….ma'am." Responded Floyd in a typical electronic voice.
"And you better do a good job. Make sure he's in bed by 8:30." Said Frink in a stern voice. They hugged Max and went out the door. Frink already had the hover bike parked out in the driveway. He got on first and then Caroline climbed in behind him. She put her arms around his waist and squeezed him hard.
"Ooooh!" He said as his eyes went wide behind his glasses. Now this was nice!
"Let's go, Professor." She said in a sexy voice.
"Anything you say, Doctor." He responded. Frink started up the engine, unfolded all the fins and they shot off into the sky with fire and smoke trailing behind them. Max watched from the window as they flew off. It really was an amazing sight. Meanwhile Floyd stood in a shadowy corner. The master had been very rough on him. Just because he had created him was no reason for him to mistreat him. He had contemplated getting back at the master and here was his chance. If he took his son hostage he could turn the tables and make Frink do whatever HE wanted him to do. He rolled out quietly into the living room, arms raised and approached Max from behind. Max was sitting on the couch slurping on a soda through a straw. Closer and closer he was almost on him when Max jumped up unexpectedly.
"HI Floyd. Wanna play a game with me?" He said excitedly holding up some kind of electronic box in his hands. The sudden request scrambled Floyd's circuits and registered as cute.
"O..K…What…do…you…wish…to…play…young…master?"
"This new video game I just got. It's called 'Bomb Tottin' Lunatics 2. You are Da Bomb!'." Max put the game in the machine and handed Floyd a controller, then gave him a quick hug. Darn kid! The plan to take him hostage had failed. He would stay and protect him and play video games with him. He'd allow him to stay up past his bedtime. He would surely get in trouble with the master but at least he would make him mad in the process.
"Now no cheating, Floyd! You can't press the buttons a gazillion times a second. You have to play like a human."
"Oh…darn."

In the night sky the couple flew around the city checking out all the sights that Springfield had to offer. Caroline kissed Frink on the cheek from behind.
"I'm so proud of you honey." She said. "You've done so many wonderful things for the community and are such an active member of society. Whenever there's a big event you are there."
"Well I try to help out when I can. I'm taking a new job in two days."
"Really and what would that be?"
"They want a scientific consultant for a new theme park. I'll be supervising their robotics division."
"Oh that's wonderful! Max will be really happy to hear that."
"Well the place is new and I'm sure there's still some bugs to be worked out, but yes I think it will be very nice, goh hay." They continued on their flight passing over the zoo which was closed, the observatory, the museum, Springfield gorge, several restaurants and Mr. Burn's mansion.
"You know Caroline, we can see things form up here now that others can not in their cars. Is there anywhere you would like to go tonight my dear? I want you to always remember this night."
"Oh you're so sweet. You know, I heard Neil Diamond was in town tonight. I'd love to see him but the show was sold out."
"Really? Is it an open air concert?"
"I believe so."
"WELL if that's what my baby wants, then that's what my baby gets!" Said Frink. He did a loop and they flew back in the opposite direction. Caroline squealed with excitement. It wasn't hard to find because of the enormous crowd. They hovered just out of sight and had the best seats in the house.

A few days later Frink sat at the table sipping coffee before he headed off to work. It was too bad the new theme park was shut down so soon, but then that's what they got for not listening to him. The phone rang which was unusual that he would get a call so early in the morning. "What's that you say? A comet? ZOI!!" He said sitting up. He grabbed his keys and bolted for the door.
"Where you going in such a hurry?" Asked Caroline.
"Bad news honey. We've got a comet headed straight for Springfield. I want you and Max out of town by tonight. They just called me in to help come up with a solution to this problem. That's all I know. Please don't wait up for me." He said as he gave her a kiss on the way out. That afternoon Frink gave a presentation demonstrating how a missile could be used to destroy the comet before it ever hit the town. Unfortunately as most things go in Springfield the idea didn't work and nothing ever came of the big emergency anyway. At least it hadn't been his fault this time. It was the military's job to destroy it and they were the ones that had failed. But a tragedy had befallen the town despite that. An ignorant unruly mob had raided and destroyed Springfield Observatory after the whole comet fiasco was over. The Frink family was saddened by this, especially Frink because he had gone to the observatory so many times as a child and still did so every once in a while.

Max sat in class at the back of the room like usual. It was such a nice day it really seemed like punishment that they had to be indoors for school. Well it didn't take long for his wish to be outdoors to come true. Bart had brought a shirt to class that caused the whole school to go into chaos with the logo of "Down with Homework" on it. After a really short discussion among the student his whole class went into a riot and Max couldn't help but join in with the mob. Happy with the anarchy, he grabbed one of his books and ripped it in half. He displayed the ripped half to the other kids as though showing them the proper way to rip a book and have the two halves end up exact mirror images. He then proceeded to envelope Mrs. Krabapple in a chalk dust cloud as he and a classmate clapped erasers around her. Everyone ran into the halls and Max soon found himself outside running and screaming. It was as though some higher power had dismissed the whole school. Max had nothing to do now and just walked all the way home. No one was at the house except for Floyd and he helped himself to cookies and the television and hopped no one would find out what had happened.

Once again the phone rang in the Frink household and Frink recieved a very unusual call. He hung up and ran into the living room. "Caroline, Max, please come in here. I have some wonderful news to tell you!!!"
"What is it dad?" asked Max as he came running into the room. Caroline looked at him wondering the same thing.
"Well it's been weeks since the whole comet incident and I didn't know this, but they are relocating and rebuilding the observatory just outside of town. They managed to salvage the original lenses too, glayvin!!"
"Oh that's wonderful!!" exclaimed Caroline.
"But that's not the best part. Oh my glavyin, get this! They want to turn the whole thing over to me!"
"WHAT?!?" said Caroline and Max simultaneously.
"Yes it's going to be renamed Frink Laboratories. They say I went there more than anyone else and that no one knew the place better or was more qualified to run it. It's mine now Caroline!! I own the observatory and goh hey din hay, my very own laboratory! Oh dear lord I can't believe this!!!"
"EEEEeeeee!!!" screamed Caroline as she jumped on Frink kissing and hugging him. Max ran around waving his arms and yelling. Even Floyd wiggled his tube shaped arms and made all kinds of beeping noises in excitement.
"When will it be ready?"
"How long has construction been going on?"
"Where exactly will it be?
"Why did…"
"Hold it. One at a time!" Said Frink. "Slow down, I know it will be finished in just a few short weeks and that it's on a hill away from town. The good thing about being in an out of the way place is that it will be dark and quite. The sky will be clear and not hindered by city lights. In other words perfect for star watching."
"I still can't believe this. This is incredible!" Said Caroline.
"And you know what?" Asked Frink.
"No what?"
"I want you to quit your job at the plant and come work with me."
"What?"
"It's Frink Laboratories right? That means it's yours too my dear. I want you to help me out and come work with me. I don't like you working at the plant anyway."
"Oh of course I will!!" She said excited. "There's nothing more I'd love than to work with you in OUR work place." Things were beginning to turn around for Frink. So many jobs and experiments he had that had failed, this was certainly the biggest break he had ever gotten.

It didn't take him long to go out to the site and begin overseeing the reconstruction effort. So much had already been done that it would be finished in just a few short days. Frink walked inside and could smell the fresh new paint on the walls. The huge telescope was already in place and he looked up at the domed ceiling and all its myriad of scaffolding. It looked exactly like the original only cleaner, they had done a wonderful job in staying true to the original. It was still sad, but it wasn't all lost. There would be so much to do now he would have to quit teaching at the university. He would of course still go for special lectures or if they needed him for research but this would be his new headquarters. Once the lab did open, he re-hired most of the original staff along with new scientists to get the place started. Caroline was by his side the entire time and he was very grateful for he truly needed her help through all this. Maximillian was busy with his own set of problems. Springfield Elementary was falling into shambles all around him. None of the teachers seemed to care about anything anymore and especially not Mrs. Krabapple his own teacher. Tensions were really high at the school and everyday they learned less and less. Max was truly concerned about this. Like most kids he didn't like homework, yet he still did it because unlike the rest he understood what it meant for him in the future. Then it happened, Max and all the children were sent home on account of a teacher strike. Having so many days off was nice at first but then it got disturbing. Would he have to repeat the fourth grade even though he didn't fail on account of lost time?

His father came in and sat next to him. He knew that Max was worried about the whole situation. "Now Max, I just went to a town meeting, bwah hoy, and we have decided that the towns people will act as substitutes until the problem is resolved. In fact I'll be one of the substitutes."
"COOL!! DAD will you teach my class???" Max asked excitedly.
"No son. They got me in with the kindergarten. Say do you still have that push toy I bought you as a toddler?"
"I think so. It's probably buried somewhere in my closet."
"Well dig it up boy. I need it for a demonstration, bwah hey!"
Max smiled and ran up to his room. This would certainly be different and he couldn't wait to find out what school would be like the next day. To Max's surprise he ended up with Mrs. Simpson as his substitute. He liked her as a teacher and thought she was funny. He'd never seen Bart so embarrassed and he just sat in the back and watch as always in quiet amusement. The school was letting out early still and Max took the time to go skateboarding in different parts of town he hadn't been to. He traveled far and came across a huge construction site just outside of town on the opposite side of the Labs. There were many hills to jump over and Max was amazed at the size of this place. It would surely rival the power plant in sheer mass. Seeing that it was getting late he turned around and just went home, jets firing behind him.

Eventually things got back to normal, and Mrs. Krabapple came returned. Max didn't understand how it had happened and he didn't care, he was just glad it was over with. It was after school recess and Max had brought one of his toys with him on this bright sunny day. He was on hands and knees playing in the grass with a good-sized toy truck. He pushed it back and forth and in his mind it was out driving on the open road hauling all kinds of hazardous wastes or perhaps secret weapons. He hadn't decided which yet. "Vroom vroom vroom!!" He called as he rolled it over some sticks. A shadow suddenly came over Max blocking out his sunshine. The young boy looked up to see what the obstruction was and found himself looking straight into the eyes of the school bully Nelson. Nelson was a very big kid, with brown shoulder length hair. His nose was pressed up and flat on his face and he always wore a tattered vest.

"Alright dangus, hand over that truck." He said holding out an open hand and the other one he held in a poised fist. Max gasped at the sight but pulled his truck away from the large boy and held it against his chest.
"Why? It's mine!" Said Max defiantly with a hit of fear in his voice.
"Because I said so. May-be you don't understand that your life is in danger, now hand it over last chance!" Yelled Nelson. Max quickly shoved his toy into his bag, threw it on his back and made a break for it. Nelson had never seen anyone run off so fast. After the initial shock, anger set in and he gave chase.
"Oh bad move man!! When I get through with you they'll have to do a dental to identify who you are!!"
Max ran frantically through the playground looking for some means of escape. He knew what Nelson was capable of and he didn't want any part of it. Luckily Max was a very fast runner and he had quite a bit of distance between him and the pudgy Nelson. Max looked left and right and there seemed to be nothing but…but an old tree. It would have to do, fast as he was he couldn't run forever and he was beginning to tire. The tree was huge and had just lost all its leaves. The lowest branch seemed just out of reach. Max added some speed to his run and at just the right distance made a desperate leap. He caught the branch with both hands and with the momentum he'd built up in his run was able to flip his feet up and around in a beautiful arc that would have made any gymnast green with envy. He landed perfectly on the branch in a squat. Nelson just reached the trunk at that moment and jumped up trying to swat him down.
"Just you wait, I'm gonna kill you so dead you'll be so sorry!!" The last grab was too close for comfort and Max climbed up into the higher branches. He now knew what a cat that had been chased up a tree by a dog must feel like as he looks down at the jumping barking dog. The only difference was this dog was coming up after him. Max was sweating bullets as he saw Nelson at last reach the first branch. He must have really made him mad to make him put so much effort into catching him. "I've got you now! There's nowhere to run!" He was wrong of course Max could climb higher and he did so all the way to the top most branch. Nelson followed, but when he got half way up he began to flail his arms. The branch he stood on began to bounce up and down violently under him and at last SNAPPED sending Nelson tumbling to the ground. "AAAH!!" He yelled as he hit the earth with a THUD. Max watched intently. He was too fat to come up after him! What a lucky break. So long as he stayed on the top branch he would be safe. Nelson slowly got up rubbing his head.

"Ow. Grrr, YOU CANT STAY UP THERE FOREVER!!! When you come down I'll be here waiting for you." He said as he pounded his fist into his hand. Max's eyes went wide. This would now become a waiting game. How long could Nelson wait? Max leaned against the thin trunk, might as well make himself comfortable this could take a while. The view up here was incredible despite the situation. He could nearly see the whole town. Some of the tall buildings of course he couldn't see over but it was still nice. The wind blew shaking him and playing with his hair. An hour passed, then two. Max looked at his watch. This was getting ridiculous. Nelson was obviously getting tired as he was sitting against the trunk looking bored. Occasionally he'd get up and throw some rocks at him, but Max was able to dodge them.
"Nelson, aren't your parents worried about you? Perhaps you should go home."
"Nah! They don't care, now shut up!"
Max leaned up against the branch again. Now he was worried. It would get dark soon. Would he spend the night in a tree?

Caroline hung up the phone and turned toward Frink with a worried expression.
"Well that was the last possibility. The Simpsons haven't seen Max either. John, I'm really worried. He's never been gone so long. It's seven o'clock and it's getting dark."
"I know, Caroline. I'm not gonna sit around here any longer, I'll fly all over town if I have to but I won't come home with out Max. I promise you." He said as he gave her a kiss then rushed out the door. Frink hopped oh his hover bike, visualized the map of the city in his mind, formed his flight plan and blasted off into the sky.

Max watched as Nelson got up once again and chucked more rocks at him. The bully looked up at the small skinny kid. He picked up a big rock the size of tennis ball. Max gasped and tried to shield himself with the trunk. Nelson pulled back his arm and stopped when he heard what sounded like a jet plane, only it was getting louder. The ground shook and Nelson lost his footing dropping his rock. From round the corner of the school came the strangest thing he'd ever seen, a guy riding a…flying motorcycle?
"DAD!!!!" Yelled Max so happy to see him. Frink hovered down right beside him.
"There you are! I've been flying all over town looking for you. From the looks of the situation you are stuck in this tree and your friend down there is trying to help you down by throwing rocks at you. Goh hay!"
"No Dad. I'm stuck because he won't let me down. That's Nelson the bully."
"Bully?!?" Said Frink with a frown. He had a quick flash back remember his days in high school trying to avoid Sharky. "Well hop on son, and I'll take you home." Max swallowed hard. He had a choice now, stay and get killed by Nelson or Fly home with his father. He mustered up all his courage and leaped onto the seat behind Frink and squeezed him hard. Max screamed as he felt them tilt to one side and loose altitude.
"MAX!! Not so hard...Glayvin...I need to BREATH!!"
Once Max loosened his grip Frink righted them and flew down buzzing Nelson, who ducked and rolled out of the way. He stood up and watched them fly off into the sky with wide eyes. Yes they were geeks but THAT was pretty sweet.
"I've always wanted to do that to a bully." Said Frink smiling proudly.
"Thanks for getting me out of there, dad." Max said as he held his father close.
"No problem Max. Let's go home."
The two made a circle around the school and they flew off together toward their house.

Back