Is everyone ready to meet the rest of the staff at KMBR?

Micky: You bet!

Davy: Sure.

Mike: (Shrugs) Sounds fun.

Peter: I've never judged an amateur show...and I'd like to meet Mr. Bennett as he was when he was our age!

(We open back at the offices for KMBR the next day. The reception area is so filled with people, and even a few animals, that the group has to squeeze through them.)

Mike: Guess there's a LOT of people who want that contract and thousand bucks.

Emma: Thousand dollars is a lot of money when the whole world doesn't have any.

Micky: And it gives these people something to keep them from being bored. *gets elbowed by Lauren*

Davy: This should be bloody interesting.

Peter: Aw! (Watches as a man makes a dog with a big red ribbon around it's neck do tricks) She's so cute! Look at her stand on her hind legs! :)

Lauren: *watches two guys in suits juggling* Some of this seems awfully familiar...

Davy: Mick's been known to do about 'alf of wot these people are doing.

Micky: Well, yeah.

(Four young men enter behind the group, carrying instruments. Two are tall and thin and have dark hair, though one has blue eyes and darker hair than the other, and the other has hazel eyes. One has flame-red hair, green eyes, and a friendly, freckled face. The last is just as tall but larger and a bit older, with a more serious, weather-beaten face and a bit of sadness in his gray eyes. All four wear cheap but neat and clean suits and shoes.)

Young Man 1: Hey, is this where the Malibu Beach Amateur Hour is held?

Red-Head: (Smacks first guy's head; heavy southern accent not unlike Mike's, but more deep-south) Can'tcha read, Johnny? 'Course this is the place! It's a radio station!

(Peter's eyes widen at the "Johnny.")

Older Man: Knock it off, boys. We don't want to blow our chance.

Peter: (Turns to Johnny) What's your name?

Johnny: (Shrugs) John Bennett. (Smiles) What's yours?

Peter: (He beams) I'm...I'm Peter Tork.

Johnny: That's a funny name. (Nods at the other three) This is my band. That's Jack Clayton (nods at the older man), Reggie Randall (nods at the blue-eyed man, who winks at them with a sly smile), and Allen Long, but everyone calls him Doc (nods at the redhead, who pumps Peter's hands enthusiastically).

Doc: Nice to meetcha'll, Mr. Tork, sir. Fine buncha people you got here!

Peter: (He's jumping up and down, Doc's pumping so hard) Um, yeah, Doc.

Mike: (Tips his Fedora) Michael Nesmith. What part of the south do you come from, Doc?

Doc: I'm a proud native of Mississippi! :D

Mike: I'm Texan myself. Nice to meet a fellow Southerner.

Emma: I'm Emma Nesmith. Pleased to meet you.

Valerie: And I'm Valerie Tork. I wish you luck in the show.

Micky: *grins* Micky Dolenz. *winks at Reggie and gives his own sly smile*

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* I'm Lauren Dolenz. *jerks a thumb at Micky* And I think it's time he was put back in his cage.

(That gets a laugh from everyone.)

Davy: Nice to meet you, mates. The name's David Jones. Call me Davy. *motions to Daphne* And this is my wife, Daphne.

*Daphne gives a little wave, smiling.*

Reggie: Nice to meet you, ladies. (Looks around) Nice bit of pickings here. I hope there's some girl singers stashed in the green room or something.

Jack: Oh NO. No. Absolutely NOT.

Reggie: But Jack, it's been a long time, and I...

Johnny: Reggie, every time you go near a woman, you get involved with her, and you get US into trouble.

Mike: (Glares at Davy) Sounds familiar.

Davy: *rolls his eyes* Give me a break, Mike. :P

Doc: I don't see what's wrong with admirin' a good woman every now and then. (Watches the receptionist and Louise as they squeeze through the door) Good lookin' women.

(Johnny just watches Louise as she and the receptionist try to make their way to the main desk.)

Receptionist: I thought we'd get a bigger crowd today!

Louise: I have to agree, Frannie. There isn't a line going out the door.

Frannie: (Pushes through the crowd) Hey, let a girl through! Someone's gotta answer the phones, unless any of you know how to operate a switchboard!

Doc: (Goes right up to Frannie and grins) You could operate my heart any time, darlin'.

Frannie: (Raies her eyebrows) Uh, yeah. (Puts on her earphones and puts a wire in a hole) Hello, KMBR.

Mike: So, when do we start?

Louise: As soon as "Kent Blackwell, Space Explorer" is over. Our judges will be introduced first, and then we'll have our first act. (Looks around) Are the Juggling Franini Brothers ready to go on?

(The guys juggling the balls come right over to Louise, still juggling.)

Louise: Ok, you're on after Mitchell introduces the judges.

(The group enters the main studio. It looks more-or-less like it did the day before, with the addition of a small platform and a long table filled with buzzers, pencils, and papers.)

Mike: Are you sure it's a good idea to let Mick handle a buzzer?

Peter: What harm could it do?

Emma: As long as it's not attached to his palm while he's shaking hands.

Micky: I heard that! :P ;)

Louise: It's very simple. (Indicates a sheet) This is the list of this week's acts. Just check the acts you like. The act with the most checks is the winner. Second and third place receive 200 and 100 dollars and the chance to do their acts on one of our variety shows. :)

Emma: (Nods) Simple enough. (She sits)

Mike: (As he sits) What's the buzzers for?

Louise: (Grins) If you think an act is really, really terrible, hit the buzzer and Mitchell and Moony will get them off.

Mike: This could be interestin'.

Micky: *sits; rubs his hands together* I'm loving this already.

Emma: (Mutters to Lauren) Maybe we should take his buzzer away.

*Lauren nods.*

Emma: Should I do it or you?

Lauren: The only problem with taking the buzzer away means that we take the risk of losing a hand... :P ;)

Emma: We could always be sneaky.

Lauren: How about we see how he does with the first act and go from there? If he goes crazy, we'll be sneaky.

Emma: Sounds good.

Skinny Man: (The thinner man from yesterday comes over to the microphone) And this is Ben Quigley, host of the Malibu Beach Amateur Hour! You never know what'll happen when we open our doors to Southern California's finest amateur performers! This week, our judges will be distinguished singing group the Eight Pearls Orchestra! Let's all give a big hand for them! (Real clapping from various people in the studio is joined by a sound effects record of clapping) You all know the rules. Our judges will watch each act closely. If they like an act, they'll give it their vote of confidence. If they don’t like an act...(nods at Micky and his buzzer)

*Micky pushes on his buzzer, giving a big grin and holding the buzzer button just a little too long.* ;)

Ben Quigley: (yells over Micky's buzzer) YOU'LL HEAR THE BAD NEWS BUZZER, TELLING THAT PERFORMER THEIR TIME IS UP!

(Mike finally grabs Micky's buzzer away.)

Micky: Hey!? He said to demonstrate! Gimme that back! *reaches for the buzzer Mike plays keep-away with*

(Louise gets between them and hands Micky's buzzer back to him.)

Micky: Thank you.

Louise: (Whispers) Enough, ok? Wait until we've gotten the show started for the gags.

Micky: Sorry.

Ben Quigley: And now we'll have our first contestants, the Juggling Franini Brothers! Let's give them a big round of applause! (Moony's record goes on again, and as the Franini Brothers come in, still juggling, we launch into "Cuddly Toy.")

*A man in a suit, carrying a ventriloquist dummy, sits on a stool and does a bit with the dummy, then tries to make the dummy sing while drinking a glass of water. Water spills all over, and the singing sounds like the man is drowning. Micky slaps at his buzzer.*

(Mike and Emma also reach for their buzzers.)

(The next act is the guy with the dog doing tricks. Peter grins and turns to Valerie, who shakes her head. No, they can't get a dog right now. Wait until Jordan is older.)

*A young girl with pigtails comes in next. Her talent is yodeling, and she's darn good, too.* :D

*Micky applauds the girl.*

(Mike rolls his eyes, but Emma keeps him from reaching for the buzzer. She was pretty impressed herself.)

(Next, we have four girls in checked overalls who do a contortionist routine, bending and folding their legs and bending over to do crab-like moves. Peter's jaw drops-Valerie closes it.)

*A tall man with dark wavy hair, wearing western get-up, comes in as "stage hands" set up some bottles. He takes aim with a cap gun and shoots the bottles off the stand. He turns to the judges, smiles, and bows, tipping his cowboy hat.*

*Lauren and Micky applaud loudly.*

(Mike joins them in applauding, as does Peter. :D)

*Davy also claps.*

(Next, we get a young man crooning a bit of Bing Crosby-esque "Boo Boo Boo" nonsense. The blonde squeals and giggles, but Mike rolls his eyes and Emma gags.)

*Micky slaps his buzzer, then covers his face with both hands and shakes his head. Davy thumps his head onto the table.* :P

*A 20-something girl comes in with an archery bullseye and a bow and arrow. The bullseye is set up and she stands 10 feet from it. She bends herself around to use her TOES to work the bow. She pulls back and lets the arrow fly, hitting the bullseye square in the middle. Mr. Moony makes all the appropriate arrow and bow sound effects.*

*Micky stands and claps, grinning.*

(Peter joins him.)

*Davy also claps, though he and Micky get elbowed by their ladies.*

*A group comes up next with fiddles and matching outfits. They play and do a clog dance at the same time.*

(Valerie buzzes them this time, joined by Emma and Mike.)

(Johnny and his band are the last act; they're announced as the Beachcomber Quartet. Jack plays sax, trumpet, and clarinet, Doc plays drums, John plays bass, and Reggie plays guitar and does the lead vocal.)

(Peter's eyes widen. He knows Mr. Bennett is a good musician, but he never knew just how good he could be playing with a band. Louise is impressed, too. She watches the band the whole time, especially Johnny.)

("Cuddly Toy" ends as everyone, including the sound effects record, claps for Bennett and his boys. They head to one side of the room as Mitchell and Ben bring everyone back in. There's so many people, they spill out into the hallway.)

Ben Quigley: (As Emma rounds up everyone's sheets and Valerie and Lauren tally them) And in a moment, everyone, we'll have the results of this week's Malibu Beach Amateur Hour, sponsored by Fleagle's Records, home of Malibu Beach's finest records, musical instruments, and sheet music. If it can be sung, played, or put on your turntable, you'll find it at Fleagle's.

(Emma brings the sheets up to the microphone, and Ben Quigley moves aside.)

Emma: The winner is our archer, Camilla Avery. Second goes to our yodeler, Helga Schultz. Third goes to the Beachcomber Quartet.

(There's applause for the winners, and a big, big smile from Camilla as Louise hands out their prizes.)

Ben Quigley: Thank you for joining us for tonight's Malibu Beach Amateur Hour, sponsored by Fleagle's Records. Stay tuned for "Lawyers and Coppers," followed by "Nightmare City," all on KMBR.

(The group heads out as the disappointed or very happy amateurs file into the main building.)

Emma: That was a lot of fun!

Jack: Netted us two month’s rent, anyway.

Lauren: Yeah! Some of them were really good!

Mike: I liked the guy in the cowboy hat.

Emma: That's not a surprise.

Micky: You would, Mike.

Lauren: I could swear I've seen that guy before.

Micky: Yeah, in a western movie.

Reggie: Hey, where's Johnny?

Doc: (Smirks) Nettin' himself a fine little filly.

Peter: I knew he liked Louise!

Mike: Since it seems the show's over, why don't we all go out and celebrate?

Reggie: Sounds good to me. Our treat!

Jack: Reg, that's rent money.

Doc: Aw, come on Jack, I'm sure we can spare a little for the diner next-door. After all, how often do we win an amateur show and get a chance to perform on radio?

Reggie: And John's gotta take his date somewhere other than that closet we live in. ;)

Mike: Ok, everyone, I'm gonna talk to Oscar Wilson 'bout next week's show. Rest of you, haul out and we'll meet you in the lobby.

(Mike heads over to Mr. Wilson's office, pulling Micky with him as everyone else goes out to the hall.)

Mike: Mick, next time, just demonstrate the darn buzzer. It ain't a toy.

Micky: Hey, I got a little carried away, okay? Besides, I kinda liked how it sounded.

(Mike opens the door to the office when we hear Mr. Wilson's voice. It sounds like he's speaking over the phone.)

Mr. Wilson: Look, Mr. Fleagle, we don't DO that here. We...well, yes, I do appreciate your sponsorship, sir. Yes, I understand you're one of our biggest sponsors, but...

Mike: (Frowns and opens the door a crack) What's going on?

Micky: *shrugs* I don't know.

Mr. Wilson: This is a legitimate show, sir, and I don't think our new judges will...well, yes, sir, I understand she's a singer and she's looking for a leg up...no, sir, I don't mean THAT kind of leg.

(Mike peers in. Mr. Wilson sits at the desk, the phone in one ear, a pile of papers in the other. He's sweating and red-faced and not too happy-looking.)

Mr. Wilson: Mr. Fleagle, I understand that you have...feelings...for Miss Warren, but just because...well, yes sir, the show's ratings...(pause; his eyes widen)...you can't do that! This show is our biggest ratings winner! It's the biggest ratings winner we've ever had!

Mike: (Frowns) I don't like the sound of this. You don't need to be on the phone to be hearin' threats.

Micky: This isn't good. :P

Mr. Wilson: Our audience is on radio, sir. They can't tell if she has, um, amazing knockers.

(Mike puts a hand over his mouth to hide the snort.)

*Micky rolls his eyes.*

Mr. Wilson: I'll have to talk to our judges, sir, but I don't think they'll be for it. They seem like pretty nice, upright kids.

Mike: (Mutters) He don't know us very well, does he?

Micky: Not at all.

Mr. Wilson: I'll do it, sir, but I don't like how you're talking to me. Yes, I value my job. Yes, I know what the job market is currently like. I'm sure they do, too. We'll make sure she wins, sir. Yes, we'll see you both then. Good bye, sir. (Slams the phone on the cradle; grumbles) Asshole. (Returns to his papers)

Mike: Um, we'll talk to Mr. Wilson when we get back from dinner. (Closes the door) Sounds like someone wants an amateur to win a bit TOO much.

Micky: Yeah, but why?

Mike: I don't know, but it sounds like we're gonna find out this week. (Nods at the door) Come on. We gotta warn the others.

Micky: *nods* Right.

(They head out the door, passing Frannie taking calls and some remaining amateurs, as the scene fades out.)