The Things That Dreams Are Made Of - Blog Story#1

Jason Craig is 28 and has just lost his older brother, Andrew, to cancer. Jason is left with two things; a broken heart and a list of what his brother wishes he had seen or done before he died. There are only five things on the list and Jason promises Andrew to cross every single one off as completed.

Before he can start on the list though he has to keep one other promise. To track down Andrew's best friend from school, Mark Wesley. And then, just like Andrew wanted, he has to persuade Mark to help him tick off the five items.

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POST 1

"I'm here to see Mark Wesley."

The guard ignored Jason. Just like he had ignored Jason all three times he had tried to catch his attention. So far the built-like-a-brick-outhouse rent-a-cop – Bill according to his nametag – had let in a delivery of doughnuts and two bouquets of flowers. Not to mention Teased-blond-hair-whatshername from the local news station who had a microphone in her hand and a cameraman following close. Each time the guard had let one of these in with a smile and not for the first time Jason wished he had thought about this in advance and maybe booked an appointment. If that was at all possible.


"Excuse me. Please," Jason tried again. The guard this time actually looked down at him from his lofty six and a half foot and frowned.

"I heard you the first three times sir," he said. At least his tone was civil.

"I have to get in to see Mark Wesley," Jason replied. Before it's too late.

"You're one of many," the guard laughed. He nodded a head over to the group of thirty something's on what looked like some kind of MILF day out. All pointing and giggling and shrieking whenever the door opened. Jason sighed. He hated that he had been lumped in with the fans when he was nothing of the kind. He hadn’t even watched anything Mark was in. All he knew from a quick Google search on his phone was that Mark was in a day time soap opera. According to his IMDB profile he played some kind of rich boy lothario who bedded and connived and generally filled the bad boy gap in a soap that had been running over twenty years.

"You may want to go stand over there sir. He'll be out later to see his adoring fans as per usual." The guard sounded firm at first but the second part of the sentence was dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm not a fan," Jason protested. He looked over again at the chattering women. A couple were staring at him and pointing. Shuffling where he stood and suddenly feeling uncomfortable he wondered where to start to explain so he could get in. "I tried to find out where he lived. Or to track down his family…" he stopped. Jesus, he sounded like some kind of creepy stalker fan. "Look, can you just maybe give him a note for me?"

Bill looked like he was ten seconds away from calling the cops on Jason. Great, how was he going to explain an arrest record for stalking to the education board when he was back at school? Finally Bill motioned towards a pile of books and notes and teddies that sat on the chair in his small hut.

"You can add it to the pile."

The pile? Jason didn’t have time for a note to be added to the pile. He had exactly three days to get in, talk to Mark, and get him to agree to number one on his brother's crazy assed bucket list.

"Excuse me, my friend made me come over." Jason turned and faced one of the women from the group. A mask of civilty slid into place. Never let it be said his mom didn’t raise him right. "My friend thinks you are that Scottish guy from Days. You know, the one with the step-parents who turned out to be practicing voodoo and who ended up kidnapping the sister with the twins."

"I'm sorry—"

"I said you weren’t him and that you were a lot better looking." She tilted her head and let out a soft tinkling laugh. She placed a hand flat on his jacket and he instantly stepped backwards. He wasn’t sure what Days was, but it didn’t sound like a good thing.

"No. I'm not. I just need to…" his voice trailed off as two other women from the group joined the first; all three laughing and giggling and touching him. Looking the guard direct in the eye he hoped he telegraphed the sheer naked fear inside. Bill wouldn’t even look him in the face.

"You could be a soap star though," woman one simpered.

"Are you here auditioning?" woman two asked. She pressed scarlet tipped fingers into his biceps and leaned into him. "Niiiice…" she said.

"No, I'm not—not an actor—I'm here to visit—" he took another step back when the remainder of the group joined the first three. Fifteen to one was not fair. It was only then, when he was surrounded by them that the guard seemed to take pity on him.

"Ten minutes ladies," Bill said. "Then the cast are coming out for photos."

The group melted away from Jason like butter from a knife and there was a lot of cackling laughs as they grouped around the narrow entrance and the gated hut that the guard used. Resolving to get this sorted he excused himself as he passed close to each woman and finally made his way through the heavily perfumed crowd to the guard.

"Please can you just tell him that Andrew Craig's brother is here?" he called over the raised voices and chattering.

"Andrew Craig?"

"Yes. Andrew Craig. I'm Jason his little brother."

Seeming to take some kind of pity on Jason, Bill scribbled the name in a notebook. Jason wasn’t sure what changed there but seems like only barely making it out alive from a pack of rabid housewives was a badge of honor that Bill wanted to reward. Jason deflated and made his way back to the wall and away from the waiting group. He didn’t have to wait long. The door opened and people stepped out. Who had come out Jason couldn’t see over the small sea of woman in heels but there was a lot of excitement. Someone called Mark's name and there was an answer but nothing that Jason could really make out. The woman had formed an impenetrable wall and by the time he had made it to the front, the door had shut and anyone who had been outside from the show had gone.

Jason waited then. What he was waiting for he wasn’t sure. Was it to have the guard come get him? Had Bill even given the note to Mark? Was the actor aware he was here? When the door shut and the woman walked away all with huge grins and two exchanging oohs and aahs of having had their breasts signed Jason was left standing alone with only Bill for company. He looked up at the guard expectantly.

"I gave the name over," Bill said simply.

"And?"

"And nothing. Mark's people have the note."

"I need to see him."

"Like I said they have the note."

Jason contemplated his next move. What if he told Bill why he was stood here? What if he said he had tried to find out where Mark lived? What if he told Bill about Andrew dying? Would that get him any compassion points to get through the door marked private? Grief washed over him; like it did at the oddest of moments and the memory of his brother's voice filled his head

First thing little brother. And this is the important one. Find Mark Wesley and make him see you. Explain to him. Tell him the keeper of his secrets has died.

>>CHAPTER 2