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Word spread fast around campus about the couple's engagement and it wasn't long before Owen found out. He felt a cold sweat come over him. This was not happening to him. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Caroline had accepted Frink's proposal and he was going to lose her. He had lost to Frink before, not very often, but he had. Still those incidents were trivial, this was the woman he loved and he could not bare to lose her. Not to Frink. Not to his rival. He would have to do something drastic, something that went against every fiber in his very being. Determined he bolted out the door and headed to where he knew Caroline would be having lunch. Owen was nervous, a feeling he was not familiar with and he felt that this truly was his last chance. He ran to the break building and saw her walking down a hallway.
"Caroline!" He cried out. She whirled around and saw him standing before her panting and completely out of breath. He was holding a dozen roses and grabbed her hand softly.
"Caroline. I…I want to apologize for everything I've done." The words were so bitter in his mouth, he was amazed he got them out at all. "You are right, I have been a jerk, but I still want you to give me a chance. I meant what I said when I told you I loved you. Please don't marry Frink. Give me a chance Caroline. Let me show you that I can be good to you." By now he was on his knees and had laid out the flowers at her feet.
"This isn't about me, is it?" She asked with a tone of anger in her voice. "This is still about your little competition with, John."
"No I assure you it is not." He said with desperation in his voice.
"Of course it is, Owen. I've watched you through the years and you make it your business to go out of your way and take credit for anything that John does even if it has nothing to do with your own goals. So naturally you have to take his girl."
"No, please Caroline. I'm pouring my heart out to you and you are stepping on it. I LOVE you. I want you because of that. I couldn't stand to see you at ANY man's side. Please give me a chance."
"Looking at you, Owen is like looking through glass. I can see right through you. You had your chance and you blew it. I have made my choice and I have NEVER been happier than I am now. Good bye, Owen."
"No, Caroline. Please don't go. Please don't go!! Caroline!! NO!!!!!!!" He cried out as he was left alone, abandoned and defeated.

Frink never felt so alive. Everything he did now was in preparation for his up coming wedding. The Springfield Institute of Technology had accepted him to teach courses. He had turned his attention from chemistry to engineering and made great head way through it. The books on mechanics that he had read through out his life and the time he had volunteered in the engineering labs at the university gave him the edge that he needed to get in, and now he was teaching computer courses here and there. He'd give demonstrations of his many inventions and tinkerings he'd done in the lab. Both he and Caroline were only one year away from graduation. Once that was over with he knew that with the two working together they'd have no trouble making their way through life. For now the wedding was what needed to be tended to. He needed some unusual advice and did not know whom to turn to. It was strange but the only person he could think of was Dr. Oppenmeyer. The old man hadn't been easy to work with, but he had learned some valuable life lessons from him. Nervous as always he stepped into his office. Dr. Oppenmeyer sat at his desk scanning through a thick book before him.
"Uh, sir. Could I talk to you?"
"Frink, did you finish the NMR on those samples I gave you?" He asked giving Frink without looking up from his book.
"Yes, Sir I did."
"You did? Goodness Frink, I don't know how you can keep up with all the crap I give you and still have time to do the crap over at engineering. Well what do you want?" snarled the old man.
"I don't know if you know, wah hey, but Caroline and I are getting married next week."
"Yes, I heard. She's told me all about it. Congratulations boy. You've got yourself quite a lady there." He said still reading. Frink blushed and smiled.
"Oh yes, I certainly know that sir. What I'd like to know is…well….have you ever had a rival, Sir?"
"A rival? Possibly, but not for long boy. I have a tendency to mow down anyone that gets in my way. Why you got trouble from some schmuck?"
"Yes…."
"Then punch his daylights out and make sure he knows to stay out of your way! For crying out loud stand up for yourself boy!" He yelled finally looking at his young student. Frink fidgeted and gave him a less than confident look. "Sigh, well I see you aren't that type, skinny boy. You're too nice, but then you aren't me and that advice I gave you is the typical Oppenmeyer flare. Ok, tell me about this fellow." He said slamming his thick book shut. Dust puffed out on his desk from under it.
"I have taken ever step to make our wedding perfect, but then he's going to ruin it. Every time that there's been a special event in my life since 5th grade he's always been there to ruin it."
"What's his name?"
"Owen Marsh."
"Owen? That idiot is your rival?" asked Dr. Oppenmeyer almost laughing. "Frinky, go to your wedding and forget Owen for once in your life. I can see the fear in your eyes, there's no need for it."
"But, Sir? Why would this be any different for other times? Um hey. The fact that he's been trying to break us up for years tells me he'll try to stop the wedding. Everyone knows about it." Oppenmeyer stood and looked Frink straight in the eye.
"Now listen. Have I ever been wrong?"
"No sir, never. You're always right."
"Right, then if I'm always right and I'm telling you that nothing will happen and you'll have a great wedding you will. Now get out of my office." He said once again shoving him out the door. Frink watched the door slam on his face once again. As he looked at the fibers of wood in it he thought that he had asked the wrong person for advice. Still nervous he went on his way.

A few minutes later Oppenmeyer's door cracked open and he peeked around it. Good, Frink had left the lab. He stepped out and quickly walked down the stairs and outside.
"I mow down those that stand in my way." He thought, "And those that get in the way of the few students I actually like. That Owen's harassed my researchers long enough. Slowing them down slows me down and I won't have it." He crossed the courtyard between the Chemistry building and went over to Physics/Engineering. He was close friends with Dr. Cheng whom was head of that department. Dr. Cheng had been at the university nearly as long as Oppenmeyer had. He knocked on the door to Dr. Cheng's office and was promptly let in.
"Oppenmeyer, ya 'ol goose. What brings ya here business or pleasure?"
"Unfortunately business. I need a favor of you old friend. One of my students, John Frink is getting married next week."
"Ah, Frink. Yes he's built several devices with us here."
"Yes, well unfortunately one of your students has been stalking him and his fiancé. I personally had to throw the bastard out of my lab."
"Oh gee, that's terrible. What do you want me to do about it? Who is he?"
"His name is Owen Marsh. All I want is for you to keep him busy on the wedding day. Have your professors and TA's give him so much work that he can not leave until my students are wed." Dr. Cheng smiled wickedly.
"Do not worry. We can make that day a living nightmare for Mr. Marsh. Is this wedding going to be broadcast by the university's television station?"
"I do not know, but I could certainly make it so at no expense to the couple." Replied Oppenmeyer.
"Good, you see to that then, and I'll take care of your little problem."
The two shook hands on their agreement and parted ways.

Frink stood in front of his mirror adjusting his tux. His parents had come over for the big occasion and Barbara was helping her son get dressed. His father looked on proudly as Barbara insisted on brushing Frink's hair.
"Mom I think that's enough. Any more brushing and I'll end up looking like Einstein."
"And would that be so bad?" She responded.
"Mom!"
"Oh, I can't believe my little boy is getting married, and Caroline oh she's such a sweet girl. You couldn't have picked anyone better, John."
"Hey you two." Said Henry. "If you don't hurry up he'll never make the wedding. Is the church far from here?"
"No, dad. First Church of Springfield opened up only a few short years ago. Goh hay."
"What's the Reverend's name again?" asked Barbara.
"Uh, Lovejoy I think." Responded Frink. It was Caroline's idea to get married at the church. She wanted a traditional wedding. Frink wasn't as picky; he just wanted to marry her and would have done it underwater at the Great Barrier Reef if she had asked him to. He just wanted her to be happy.
"Come on come on!" Yelled Henry. "Barbara he's beautiful, let's not be late now."
Satisfied with how her son looked the three walked out that sunny morning and drove off to the church.

Owen arrived bright and early to the physics department. If he hurried he'd have everything done ahead of time and be able to make it to Frink's wedding and hopefully put an end to it. As soon as he walked in the door he heard his supervisor yell,
"OWEN!! Am I glad you're here so early. Have we got a lot of work today."
"A lot? How much is a lot? I was planning on ducking out early."
"Oh no, you can't do that. This day is crucial and we absolutely need you here today."
"Listen," said Owen. "I'm gonna finish up my stuff and then I really have to go."
"Owen, remember this is for your grade." Said the supervisor.
"How much of my grade."
"Oh all of it."
"WHAT?"
"Yeah basically all the stuff you've done up to now counts for nothing. What you do today determines if you get your doctorate."
"You can't do that."
"Oh yes I can, now get to work, time's a wasting."
Owen growled and went to his station furiously slapping parts together. He plugged some wires together and took electrical readings. He was done in just a few hours. Just as he was getting up his supervisor came up to him with two boxes filled with about 50 smaller ones each.
"Great job. Now sort out these ball bearings by their size and weight." He shoved them into his arms and walked off. Owen was fuming. He walked across the room having a difficult time seeing over the cumbersome boxes. A fellow student whispered deviously into the ear of another. When Owen passed by, he stuck his foot out tripping the blonde man and causing him to drop everything. Ball bearings rolled out in all direction on the hard floor of the lab. Owen's eyes went wide as they scattered. Several rolled under desks, furniture and heavy lab equipment.
"Oh good going, Owen!" Yelled the supervisor. "Now pick all of those up."
"But some are gone. They went under the…"
Before he could finish he was thrown a big horseshoe magnet.
"I said I want all of them. It's necessary that I have them all. The ones that rolled under things you can get with the magnet. This isn't the first time this has happened. Happy hunting."
Owen was furious. What was going on today? Everyone had always been respectful and helpful to him, but today it was as though they were all out to get him. He got on all fours and began to collect the little metal balls with the magnet. At that moment the door slammed open and another student walking in with a television set.
"Hey look!! They're broadcasting John's wedding!"
Frink had gotten quite a reputation in the physics and engineering department for his inventions and volunteer time.
"No!!! I can't believe this is happening!" Yelled Owen. "At least turn that thing off!!"
"Just pick those up. We're all in a hurry but no one's going anywhere until we're done."

Frink stood at the altar sweating bullets. He's never been so nervous and happy all at the same time in his life. The church was decorated beautifully with white satin garlands. Huge floral arrangements were placed at important points on the stage. The bows on the aisle were a light pink, green and white. The flowers were combinations of lilies, roses and orchids of many varieties. The aisles were filling up as the organ played traditional hymns. Reverend Lovejoy had already arrived and everyone was now waiting for the bride to arrive.

"Look here comes the bride!" Yelled one the students in the physics lab. Owen picked up several more ball bearings and looked at the screen with fiery hatred in his eyes. He'd found all of them at last but he still had to sort and arrange them all. He'd never get done in time.

The congregation rose to its feet as Caroline entered in a glorious white gown. The skirt was huge, fluffy and covered in silky pink roses. The top was strapless and she on had light puffy gossamer frills around each arm. A thin veil covered her face and a huge train flowed from her head and several feet out behind her. The organ played the Bridal Chorus and Frink nearly passed out as he watched this glorious creature coming up to aisle to him. This is what would be his forever. The Reverend began.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to unite this couple in holy matrimony…"
Frink didn't hear anything else the Reverend said. He kept looking at his beautiful bride and wishing that they could get to the point of it. Caroline looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile. She looked him over. He was so handsome all in black and white. It was so unlike him, but a nice change. In her heels she was nearly as tall as he was. They exchanged rings. Reverend Lovejoy turned toward Frink. Here it came.
"Jonathan, do you take Caroline to be your wife, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse until death do you part?" He shifted nervously.
"Goh hay din hey, I…Do! Um hey!"
"Alright, and do you Caroline, take Jonathan to be your husband, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse until death do you part?"
"I DO!" She blurted out excitedly.
The Reverend Finally came to the critical part.
"If for any reason anyone feels that this couple should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace…" There was silence through out the church.

"NNOOOO!!!!" Yelled Owen. I REALLY need to go, grade or no grade!!" He yelled as he made for the door.
"Hey it's ok, we just finished. Thanks for you help!" Said the supervisor with a laugh in his voice. Owen ran down the parking lot and jumped in his car. He cranked the engine and headed straight for the church.

"…in that case…" continued the Reverend. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Frink lifted Caroline's veil and gave her a deep, slow passionate kiss. The congregation rose to its feet with applause. The organ played once again and the bride and groom walked down the central aisle euphorically. The two heavy doors opened up and rice greeted the two as they exited. White doves were released on cue and the two made their way to their black limo.

Owen pulled over into the grass spinning his wheels. Jumping out of his car he ran the rest of the way to see Frink and Caroline pull off in the limo with a huge "JUST MARRIED" Sign attached to the back.
"No!!! I'm too late!! Caroline!!! I love you. Why? Why did you have to leave!!!" He said falling to his knees. It couldn't be. Frink had won. He had the woman he loved. He watched them become a black speck on the horizon and felt sick to his stomach. He had never felt like this before and he had NEVER lost. Not like this. No not like this. It was over. There was nothing left for him now. He had all the grades he needed and would put in for graduation for the end of this semester. He'd been offered a job with a major corporation, and he would take it and leave Springfield. There was nothing for him here without Caroline. It was over.

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