Everyone ready to appear on radio?

Mike: Yeah.

Peter: I am! We're gonna have fun!

Micky: YEAH! :D ;)

Davy: Oh brothah.

Lauren: I'm ready.

(We open in the morning, once again on the trolley. This time, however, it's just six of the eight "Eight Pearls Orchestra," Micky and Lauren having gone on ahead earlier.)

Mike: (Yawns) Boy, I'm glad we didn't have to go in early like Micky did. I'm bushed from last night as it is.

Davy: Mick was actually 'APPY about getting up early. 'E really loves that sound effects job.

Mike: I just hope we can drag him away when it's time to go back. We can't stay here.

Emma: Oh, guys, look at that!

(She points at a very, very long line of people as the trolley goes past. Some hold cups or bowls or both. All are in old, somewhat dirty clothing and worn shoes. Most of the people in the line are men, but there are some women and even a few children.)

Valerie: What's that?

Man Reading Newspaper: (a man reading a newspaper in front of Peter and Valerie shrugs) It's a breadline. They're desperate or unemployed people who're lining up at the soup kitchens for breakfast.

Peter: Oh god! Those poor people!

Man Reading Newspaper: That's how hard things are these days. Some of those people go to the breadlines just to get food for their families.

Peter: Can't someone do SOMETHING?

Man Reading Newspaper: A lot of people are trying even as we speak. President Roosevelt shut down the banks in March when a lot of them failed, and then when he got the banks settled, he started all these New Deal projects. (Shrugs) I understand that people need help, but I don't think the government should really interfere.

Peter: But those people need help! How can you get food if you can't work?

Mike: (Nods) Yeah, no kiddin'. There were times when I was a kid when Mom was barely puttin' food on the table. (Softly) I know what it feels like to be on handouts.

Emma: (Nods; quietly) Roosevelt did make a lot of government organizations that helped people. Not all of them lasted, but while they did, the members built bridges, damns, buildings, and concert venues, helped keep forests clean and wildfires clear, and we still use one in 1972 - Social Security.

Peter: I wish we could help all of them.

Valerie: That's why it's important that we show Fleagle that his girl isn't talented without alienating him. That Amateur Hour gives people something to do, something to keep them off the streets and even make some money for the winners.

Emma: And Mitchell and Miranda told me last night that Fleagle is one of their biggest sponsors. If he bails out, others may follow.

Mike: Here's our stop. Come on, guys. Let's go make sure the show DOES go on.

(Cut to upstairs, where Frannie is frantically on the phone, Mr. Wilson next to her.)

Mr. Wilson: Thank god! Have any of you ever had any experience doing children's programs?

Mike: Um, no, not really.

Emma: We have a daughter...

Davy: We've been around Micky for seven years. ;)

Frannie: Lee Hathaway's wife went into labor early this morning. Apparently, there were some problems and he didn't want to leave her or their other kids.

Mr. Wilson: We have Mitchell in there now. He makes a better "Jake Shade, Private Eye" than he does an Uncle Brownie. (Switches on Frannie's small desk radio; we hear voices)

Mitchell: (Over the radio) And I'm, um, Uncle Brownie's brother, Uncle Blackie, and I'm here to entertain you. (Grunt) Um, yeah. We'll be doing...(disbelief)...Cinderella today, some little girl's story with a lot of fairy stuff and no action. Um, yeah. I guess I'm the prince.

Mike: He sounds so happy about it.

Peter: Maybe I could. I love children.

Mike: Don't come here. I ain't anymore believable as an Uncle Brownie than Mitch.

Mr. Wilson: What about the short guy? He's small enough to be a fairy.

Mike: I don't think we need to see him in wings.

Emma: What about Mick?

Mr. Wilson: We need him to concentrate on the sound effects.

Mike: Besides, he'd scare the kids.

Davy: I'll agree with that.

(That's when Stanley enters with his mop. He whistles "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" as he vigorously mops the floor.)

(Everyone's eyes turn to Stanley at the same time.)

Mr. Wilson: Oh, Stanley...

Stanley: *glances up* Did I miss a spot? :-/

Mr. Wilson: No, Stanley, you did a good job. (Puts an arm around Stanley) Have you ever wanted to be on radio?

Stanley: Uh, well, I guess so.

Mr. Wilson: Do you like kids?

Stanley: I love kids!

Mr. Wilson: Good. You're now the host of our children's show "Uncle Brownie's Playland." (Nods at Peter) This fellow and Mitch Haddenfield will be your assistants, and you should be able to get some help from the sound effects man, too.

Stanley: Oh, uh, okay, thanks!

Mr. Wilson: Good. Now, you two (gently pushes Peter and Stanley towards the door, Stanley still holding his mop) get in there! (Both men stumble towards the studio door as Frannie takes a call, frowning.)

Frannie: Mr. Wilson, it's for you. Do you want me to direct it to your office?

Mr. Wilson: Yes, Fran, I'll take it there. (Nods) The rest of you go find Louise and get your scripts for the day. You're free to watch the children's show, too, and pray nothing worse happens. :p

Mike: Wanna go watch the show?

Emma: (Nods) Sure. We could get the scripts from Louise later.

(They head for the control box, where Lester the engineer already sits, a cup of coffee in one hand.)*The music for "Playland" begins and the couple of kids sitting in on the show clap and cheer. Stanley comes out still holding his mop, and stumbles over something. He keeps his balance but turns, looking for what tripped him. The kids laugh.*

(Peter nearly trips over HIM and falls into Micky's sound effects, prompting more laughter from the kids, and Stanley, too. He blushes.)

Stanley: *still grinning, waves at the kids* Hi kids!

Kids: (Yell back, grinning) Hi there!

Mitchell: (He's so surprised to see Stanley, he blurts out) Stanley? What are you doing here?

Stanley: Well, I'm hosting the show.

Peter: This is, um, Uncle Stanley! Uncle Brownie's wife is having a baby, so he's not going to be here today.

Mitchell: But, he's not...

Peter: He's going to entertain us with some songs and stories and, um, fun!

Mitchell: Um, yes, he will.

Peter: Why don't we read "Cinderella" for you, but do it another way? You don't always have to make everything glass slippers and pumpkins!

Mitchell: What do you mean, Mr...um, Mr. Peter?

Peter: Well (looks at Stanley with a grin) what if Cinderella was a boy who had a mop?

Mitchell: (Grins) Show 'em your mop, Stanley.

Stanley: Yeah, my mop! *holds out the mop, then suddenly twirls it in his hands, stopping it just as suddenly*

Stanley: This mop has been with me through the good times and the bad. It's been a better friend to me than most people! :D

Peter: (Joins the organist) I know that feeling, too. My musical instruments are like friends to me, too. I'll bet a lot of you have dolls or books you feel the same way about. :D

Mitchell: (Puts on his cowboy hat) And a cowboy ain't a cowboy without his hat.

("Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," the song Stanley was whistling earlier, starts as we launch into a romp. Peter, Mitchell, and Stanley tell their own version of "Cinderella," an up-to-date version where a lowly janitor dates a pretty debutante with help from his friends that sounds something like how Peter met Valerie. Mitchell ducks Stanley's mop as he provides sound effects.)

(An amused Valerie joins them in the Studio and dances first with Peter, then with an energetic if not exactly graceful Stanley.)

(Cut to Fleagle and the woman from yesterday entering. Mr. Wilson meets them at the door, then takes them around the area.)

(Cut back to the studio. Peter, Stanley, and Valerie gallop around the room, making car noises in an attempt to imitate a car race where one car bashes into the wall. Mitchell just shakes his head.)

*Stanley holds the mop out for a game of limbo.* ;)

(That brings in almost everyone else. Mr. Wilson takes one look at the crowd - including the kids - limboing in the studio, and immediately leads Fleagle to another room. His ladyfriend peeks in the room, though.)

(We now get everyone's attempt to imitate the comics. Stanley holds his mop up like a gun, trying to be a very goofy Dick Tracy.)

(Stanley narrates to the crowd as Micky makes a huge, sixteen-layer sandwich, his hair parted in the middle. Lauren in a blonde wig knocks it down.)

(Fleagle's ladyfriend comes in as Stanley proceeds to narrate how he had to clean up after a flock of birds in front of the building, complete with sound effects. She adds a few honks for good measure.)

*She asks Stanley if she can borrow the mop for a moment. He considers it a moment, then lets her use it. She holds it up, tip of the handle over her nose. She sets the mop to the tip of her nose and carefully lets go. The mop remains balanced on her nose.*

(Half the studio breaks out in applause.)

(She then proceeds to do some elaborate twirling with the mop...and she and Stanley do a whole-mop based dance number.)

(By the time the song ends and Fleagle finally makes his way to the studio, Stanley and the lady are showing the kids how to mop the floor and get it REALLY clean without missing spots.)

Fleagle: What's going on in there? Brenda? Brenda, where are you?

Brenda: And you've gotta get the mop to go REALLY far...like this...(she looks up and waves)...oh, there's my friend, Mr. Fleagle! Mr. Fleagle owns Fleagle's Records! You might go there to hear all your favorite singers, like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo!

Mitchell: (Looks at his watch) Um, and that concludes today's "Uncle Brownie's Playland." Stay tuned for "Ben's Morning Kitchen," followed by "The Secret Life of Susan Sweet" and "Widow Belle's Children," here on KMBR, Malibu Beach.

(Micky rings the bells, and everyone files out as Ben and Miranda files in. Fleagle joins them, not too happy when he sees Brenda talking animatedly with Stanley.)

Brenda: (To Stanley) You know so much about cleaning! I've never met such a clean man!

Stanley: Gee... :">

Mr. Fleagle: Ah HEM. (Brenda goes up to him and takes his arm)

Brenda: Oh Harry, you must meet Stanley! He's wonderful! He knows so much about cleaning! You should see what he can do with a mop!

Mr. Fleagle: Um, very nice. You certainly seemed to be having a good time in there.

Stanley: Oh, I did! :D

Peter: We had a GREAT time! Can we do this tomorrow?

Mr. Wilson: You're going to have to. Hathaway's going to be gone for a while. He's taking care of his children while his wife is in the hospital.

(Emma smiles, watching Stanley and Brenda. Frannie is, too. Emma nudges Lauren, pointing at Brenda, who takes Stanley's hands.)

*Lauren nods.*

Emma: Looks like this won't be as hard as we thought. We already found another talent for Brenda.

Lauren: Yeah.

Mr. Fleagle: So, Mr. Wilson, is it settled? Have you talked it over with your judges?

Mike: We're the judges, Fleagle. What is it you want to discuss?

Fleagle: I want you to (pulls Brenda to him and gives her a little squeeze) give some...special...attention to my protégé Brenda here at the Amateur Hour this week. Treat her well. Show her some extra care and courtesy. She's one in a million, and a valuable show like the Malibu Beach Amateur Hour would be glad to make her a star.

Mike: (Crosses his arm) Was that a threat?

Fleagle: (Tight smile) No, just a...suggestion.

Mike: Well, you can take your suggestion...

Emma: (Grabs his arms) It was an excellent suggestion, Mr. Fleagle.

(Mike growls low under his breath, but says nothing.)

Mr. Wilson: Why don't you and I and Miss Brenda go out for lunch? There's a wonderful place next door...

Brenda: Can Stanley come too?

Fleagle: A janitor?

Brenda: Janitoring is a noble art, like being a knight or something!

Stanley: Thank you!

Frannie: Hey, Wilson, do we need Stanley for the rest of today?

Mr. Wilson: No, I'm sure the rest of the staff could pick up Lee's other roles, but Stanley has a job to do, and I'm sure he'd...

Frannie: (Gives Stanley a little push as the Beachcombers come in; Johnny immediately makes a beeline for the writers' room) Go on, Stan! Have a little fun!

Stanley: Thanks!

Brenda: (Takes Stanley's and a none-too-happy Fleagle's arm) Let's go have some brunch and talk about mops. I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!

(The four leave. Frannie grins.)

Frannie: Nice work, guys. I think Stan's really interested in her.

Emma: And that could help us. Stan found Brenda's REAL hidden talent.

Peter: She's swell! She can tell jokes and make goose noises and balance a mop on the end of the nose and she's REALLY good at cleaning! :D

Frannie: She didn't seem so bad.

Louise: I don't think she's a bad person. Stan seemed to like her, and he's one of the nicest guys I know, if one of the strangest.

Doc: She's just got a set of pipes that would send King Kong screaming for the hills.

Jack: But singing isn't the only talent in the world, you know.

Louise: Guys, are you sure about this?

Mike: (Nods) Yes. We're gonna expose Fleagle to everyone. It ain't fair what he's doin' to nice people like Brenda and Stanley who just want a job they like doin' and not end up on a breadline.

Peter: He likes Brenda so much, he isn't thinking of anyone else.

Valerie: Including the people with real talent he's hurting...and even Brenda herself, who has talents other than singing, even if they aren't as glamorous.

Emma: (Looks at Lauren) Did you catch Micky up on everything last night?

Lauren: Yeah, I did.

Emma: How does he feel? He WILL be judging, too.

Lauren: He feels the same way we do.

Mike: Come on, let's take a look at our scripts. Micky will be off the air soon. Mr. W told me they don't need much in the way of sound effects for most of the soaps. We can talk there.

Frannie: I'll join you when I can get someone to take the switchboard for a while. After all, I WILL be in charge of the calls for this.

Louise: Do you really think it'll work?

Mike: (Grins) Only the listenin' audience knows for certain, darlin'.

(They all head for the lounge and Louise goes to join Johnny in the writers' room as the camera fades out on Frannie taking calls with a big, rather feral grin on her face.)