August 12, 1985
3:00 PM PDT

Michael Andrew Fox, who was professionally known as Michael J Fox, usually didn't feel so restless. In fact, he was usually a rather free-spirited and outgoing person. With the last few days, though, he felt very troubled. He rather couldn't figure out why he was suddenly struck with insomnia. It was as if he had an anxiety attack.

On top of everything, though, he felt a little ashamed of feeling so restless. After all, he had quite a lot going for him - so he should be real happy. With Back to the Future being a major success, Michael had managed to become a very wealthy person.

His thoughts then turned to his girlfriend, Nancy McKeon. She was a very wonderful person, and she was always so loving and caring. The two of them were planning to eat out at a nice Italian restaurant for supper. He happened to love stuffed shells.

"Hey, Michael," called out a young female, as she ran up to the famous actor. "How are you doing? My mom and I are in town visiting, and it's very amazing that I might happen to meet you here." Even as Michael smiled real fondly at the young girl, she added, "I just couldn't help but notice that you're feeling disturbed. What's wrong?"

To Michael's horror, tears came to his eyes. "I, uh, I really don't know," Michael said, as he swallowed the bg lump in his throat. "Maybe it's all the terrible stuff that I hear about on the news. It bothers me to know how people in this world are so cruel."

"I know what you mean, Michael," the girl said, softly. "That's why I really don't care to watch the news. I can hardly wait to start for Family Ties to start up again. I sure love watching you on television. You should try not to watch the news so much."

"I sometimes wish I didn't care so much," Mike said, as tears suddenly rather began to roll down his cheeks. With his lips trembling, he added, "I try hard to be optimistic, but I just can't help but care about current events. I really can't help but care about what goes on in the world. It just bothers me how come people can be so cruel to others."

The girl drew Mike close to her, and hugged him very tightly. He just rested his head on her shoulder, as he wept brokenly. He sure felt embarassed to have let loose like that, but it was also a cleansing feeling. It felt so great to have a caring young fan.

"You know, Michael," the girl said, softly, "I think I know what's troubling you. I could even get some help for you. It quite looks to me like you've been attacked by a body thetan. You see, I'm a member of the Church of Scientology - and I'm sure I can help you get rid of the thetan. I'll understand if you're skeptical, but just give it a shot."

"I dunno," Mike said, as he lifted his head. "You do sound very sincere about wanting to help me, and I do appreciate that. It's just that, well, I'm not sure I quite trust the Church of Scientology. I've heard plenty of comments about it being a, well, a cult."

"We do get that a lot," the girl said, softly. "Sadly, the Chuch is really subject to a lot of misunderstanding - so I expected to really be skeptical. You don't even have to be a member of the Church, though. I could get you audited, and then you'll be fine."

Mike was uncertain of whether it was a good idea. He firmly did believe in keeping an open mind - but he just couldn't help but feel that the girl's theory was real, well, out there. He finally figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try. After all, he was very tired of feeling restless. He finally decided he might as well give the girl's suggestion a try.

"All right," Mike said, softly, "I suppose I could give it a try. It's usually not a restless type of person, so I'd do almost anything to get rid of this... this thing. So what do I have to do? I just hope this doesn't involve actually stepping into the... the church."

"Thetan," the girl replied. "Body thetan, to be exact. We do have to bring you to the church for the auditing process, because this requires a tool, called a E-meter. I sure can't do this myself, because I'm just not trained or qualified as an auditor. You don't have to be afraid, though. The process is completely harmless. I promise, Michael."

"Well, I can tell that you truly do want to help," Mike said, as he hugged the girl. "To be honest, I am still a little skeptical. Still, I'm quite willing to let you do whatever it is you need to do. By the way, uh... I don't think I ever got what your name was."

"My name's Rachel," the girl replied. "I'm Rachel Bourgeois. I really happen to be a big fan of yours, so it just bothers me to see you so upset. So I just feel that it's my duty to help you to not be so disturbed. It's so great that you're a very caring person."

"Thank you, uh, Rachel," Mike said, as he flashed the girl a lopsided smile. "So is this your car?" As Rachel nodded, Mike stepped in - and then he said, "It's good to know that I have such caring fans like you. I'm really so glad that I ran into you, Rachel."

oooooooooo

"So you're Michael J Fox, eh?" asked Vincent McDouglas. "I must say it's a surprise to see you here, even though it's not rather uncommon to have celebrities be affected. There is nothing you need to be afraid of, during the whole auditing process. There's a strict code of conduct that I need to maintain, so everything will be fine, Michael."

"This is the E-meter?" Mike asked, as he looked at the device. "I have to admit this device makes me feel rather nervous. So I hold onto these... these things... while questions are being asked? I'm not sure what exactly I think of this whole thing."

"These are cylindrical electrodes," explained Vincent. "Everything you tell me will be confidential. I'll be asking you a few questions about past incidences, including past lives. This will be help us to rid of the thetan, and then you'll be entirely healed."

"Uh, past lives?" Mike asked, confused. "You mean, as in reincarnation? I really don't remember anything about my past lives. I only remember this one. I guess you quite know what you're doing, though. As I told Rachel, I quite believe in keeping an open mind - but I have to admit that I'm rather nervous about what I have to answer."

"Just try to relax," Vincent said, "and sit here in this chair. Hold on to these cans, and I'll sure begin the auditing process soon. I have to fill out some paper work, and make some calls first. In the meantime, just take a deep breath and try to clear your mind."

"Hey, Rachel, can you call my girlfriend for me?" asked Mike, real softly. "Her name is Nancy McKeon, and she's the actress from The Facts Of Life. Could you let her know that we'll have to wait a couple hours to have dinner? Her number is 555-2684."

"I can do that for you," Rachel replied, as she gently squeezed Mike's shoulders. "Try to relax your mind. I know you're nervous about the whole thing, but you'll really feel good afterward. I really do care about you, Michael, and I want you to be healed."

As Rachel left the room, Mike tried his best to clear his mind. He knew that Rachel had his best interests at heart, and he quite hoped the auditing would work. He really was the kind of person to just find the good in everyone, but some of the people he would hear about on the news made him question human nature. He tried to ease his mind.

oooooooooo

"You're all clear, Michael," Vincent said, cheerfully. "The thetan is gone, now. How do you feel?" As Mike flashed him a lopsided smile, he added, "It was such a little bit of a rigorous process, but you're all set. You should be feeling such tranquility. Are you?"

"I feel entirely at peace," Mike replied, warmly. Turning to Rachel, she added, "Thank you so much for helping me! Now I'm sorry that I ever doubted you. The auditing has helped. Nancy should be real happy about this, too! I expect the two of us can really look foward to having a wonderful romantic evening together. You're so wonderful!"

Rachel threw her arms around Mike, hugged him tightly, and said, "I can hardly wait for Family Ties to start again this fall. I might not quite agree with everything Alex P Keaton stands for, but you have a way to make him such an endearing character."

"Thank you, Rach," Mike replied, warmly. "I don't agree with everything Alex stands for, either. I something think President Reagan just likes my character more than he likes, well, me. He wanted me to campaign for his re-election, as Alex P Keaton."

"That certainly isn't right," Rachel said, softly. "As a former actor himself, you'd think he could understand that a character's personality doesn't necessarily reflect that of the actor who plays him. That is quite a little like hating Thomas F Wilson, because of his actions as Biff Tannen from Back to the Future. I heard that he's a nice person."

"He is," Mike replied, warmly. "I had a lot of fun working with him on the set. He's just a real great actor, he can make himself become such a complete bastard onscreen. It is sometimes quite hard for me to be Alex P Keaton, especially when it comes to some his views towards women. I've always viewed women as being equal to men, so..."

"I think it's all mostly talk, though," Rachel commented. "He can be a real gentleman towards the ladies, and he really has a big heart towards those he cares about. It's real good to see you healed, now. You have a very good day, and I do love you."

"I love you, too, Rach," Mike replied, as he hugged the young girl. It felt real good to go back to being his optimistic self. Life may not be perfect, but there really is a lot to enjoy about life. His only other hope was that the thetan was now at peace, as well.