Standard Disclaimer, don't own the thunderbirds. Just enjoying them.

Gordon's first Prank… Prologue
–Set in Kansas before they move to the Island.

It's early April-Spring break, in the Tracy household and the boys are enjoying the warm spring weather at their home in the Kansas. A year has past since the tragic loss of Lucy Tracy and the boys are learning to carry on without their mother's guidance. Although it's harder for some than it would at first appear.

Scott is just about to celebrate his 14th birthday and is still learning to deal with the responsibility he shouldered when his mother died and his father withdrew from the family, although his growing desire for independence conflicts with his sense of duty to his family.

John at 12½ years old is quiet and shy. He avoids people from outside the family, although a fierce protector of his younger brothers he still acts as peace keeper. He doesn't like to see his brothers upset, even by each other. Star gazing is still John's favoured pastime.

Virgil at 10 is looking forward to his birthday in a few months. He has embraced his talents for music and art given him by his mother and takes pleasure in creating. He follows Scott on any outing he is allowed, especially any sporting events, although small for his age he is proving remarkably strong and resilient.

Gordon at 8 although not much younger than Virgil he is much less mature, still retaining many babyish mannerisms, he is still coming to terms with the dramatic changes in his life. He clings to his brothers looking to them for guidance and security. Especially Scott who it was that comforted him so much after the loss of their mother. Scott's apparent distance now confuses and scares him.

Alan at 4 years old is still very much the baby of the family, coddled and protected by everyone.

Jeff Tracy has rejoined his family and is desperately trying to hold it all together; with the help of his mother he has a fighting chance. His dreams of a better future are on hold as he concentrates on raising his boys, and finding an engineer, for his dream project.

The scene opens with Scott, Virgil and John heading down to the local park to play a game of catch… (Without the babies or so Scott hopes).

This story came to me while I was reading about yet another of Gordon's pranks, it takes a LOT of effort to pull really good pranks… more effort than most people would think planning and setting up. So I wondered what it would take to get someone to put all that effort in, on a regular basis, what is the emotional driving force behind the Pranking? This is my take on in… Have you also noted that Gordon's pranks seem to get worse if he is under stress?

Please review, any and all comments welcome, but please make them constructive… Thanks.

TBZ