Back at the jail, Taylor was expertly attempting to use a credit card to open a rather solid looking door that connected Ike’s cell to the alley-way they were standing in. After bending or snapping all of his credit cards in the attempt, Zac shoved him aside.
“Let me try it, loser.” He grabbed the door handle and the door instantly swung open. Taylor gasped at Zac in awe. Did he just see his twelve year-old brother open a locked door with his bare hands? He hadn't even used a credit card!
“You idiot, it wasn’t even locked!” Zac exclaimed. Taylor grinned shyly but charmingly.
“God, he’s attractive,” Zac thought in wonder. They walked into the cell where sitting cross-legged, surrounded by all his credit cards, hopelessly bent, was Ike. Just then the two policemen entered the cell, bringing Ike some crusts and water.
“Stop, in the name of the law!” The first policeman said.
“Absolutely,” said the second policeman.
Taylor and Zac froze. Isaac giggled.
“By breaking into jail, you have committed a public offence. You are under arrest,” said the first policeman.
“Absolutely,” said the second policeman.
They left, bolting both doors.
“NOOOOO!!!!!” All three members of Hanson screamed, in perfect three-part harmony.

Meanwhile...
Down on the beach, Belinda was still lying motionless on the sand, waiting for Taylor to come back. The water was now lapping at her waist...

Back in the jail cell, Zac began asking questions.
“Ike, I need some advice from a man,” he told his older brother. Isaac stood up, puffed out his chest, and said in a voice as manly as possible, “You’ve come to the right place, Zacky!”
“...From someone who is experienced in the area involving two people, a man and a woman,” Zac continued. “...From someone who has done the deed. From someone who has had sex,” he finished. He took a deep breath.
“Um... Ah... well,” Isaac stuttered. “I guess I’ve done IT with the toaster- if that counts.”
“WHAT! My older brother hasn't done IT! I used to look up to you as someone older and more experienced. But now..."
“Is that your way of telling me you’ve done IT? My baby brother has done IT before me! I feel like a loser. A moron.” Ike collapsed onto the tiny prison bed, burying his face in the single sheet and thin, lumpy pillow.
“Look, Ike, we know you’re a loser. We know you’re a moron. But get a grip. Little Zacky here needs some love advice,” stated Taylor matter-of-factly.
A few mumbles were heard from the bed, and then Isaac sat up, straightened the crooked part in his hair, and said, "Well..."

Down on the beach Belinda was still lying on the sand, only now she was quietly humming MMMBop. She opened her mouth to start the chorus when the water spilled into her mouth. The salty taste stung her throat. She sat up and began to cough and splutter. After she had finished she said out loud to the deserted beach, "Maybe I should go home now. I don't think Tay's coming back." With that, she stood up and walked home.

Back at the jail, Zac and Tay were getting nowhere with Isaac. He kept giving them strange stories about him and the toaster. The thing that was making them sick was that he hadn’t told them and they had continued to eat the toast out of it every morning.
After several hours of disgusting stories, Tay and Zac were going crazy from being in the same cell as Isaac. To take their minds off him, they decided to sing MMMBop. Ike stopped talking and joined in, somewhat to their relief. They had just completed the first verse and were starting the chorus when the two policemen came rushing in.
“Oh God! It’s Hanson! Get them out of here before they pollute the place! Quickly!” The first policeman said.
“Absolutely,” said the second policeman.
They rushed in, grabbed the startled Isaac, Taylor and Zac and pushed them out onto the street.
Taylor glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late, guys. Let’s go back to the hotel.

Taylor and Zac never asked why Isaac had been in jail in the first place, because they figured he wouldn't tell them even if they did. So they just wondered about it in silence. To add to the mystery, Avery's little pink Barbie scooter had completely disappeared...

A week later...
Taylor had rung Belinda and explained that he was unable to return to the beach that night because he was in jail, an explanation Belinda had excepted unquestioningly, albeit she was a little confused.
They had gone on three dates since then, and on this particular day they were on the beach again, making out.

Zac was checking his e-mail on the hotel computer when he saw a letter from Thayet. He checked it excitedly.
“Dear Zac,” he read aloud. “I have some surprising news...” Zac’s voice trailed off as he read through the e-mail. He turned pale, gulped and read it again. He read it six more times, still not believing what Thayet had written to him.
He had to talk to someone. Now. He couldn’t tell his parents. No way could he tell his parents. He couldn't tell Ike. Ike was too weird. He couldn't tell his younger siblings, Jessica, Avery, Mackenzie and Zoe. They were only nine, seven, four and about three-and-a-half months old respectively. Way too young for what he had to say.
That left Tay. Suddenly Zac knew that Tay was exactly the right person to talk to. He was always so understanding, and he would do anything to help. Furthermore, it was more fun to talk to an extremely attractive person.
Darn! Zac had to stop having these incestuous thoughts about his incredibly sexy, good looking, charming older brother. Aargh! There he was, doing it again!
Zac switched off the computer (he definitely didn’t want anybody reading this e-mail), and ran down to the beach, screaming to Taylor, “You will not believe this! You will not believe this! YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS!!!”

[ 8 ]