Everyone ready to begin?

Mike: Nooo...

Micky: Not really.

(We open at the suite. Emma's dressed; she shakes her head and looks at her watch.)

Emma: I can't wait for them any longer. The big breakfast for all the contestants is in less than twenty minutes. I'm already late joining them down there.(Sighs) I hope they didn't do anything stupid last night...or got hurt in any way.

Lauren: *Shrugs* They probably passed out in the lounge.

Emma: Wouldn't they have come upstairs by now? Someone should have at least found them and shooed them home.

Lauren: These are the guys we're talking about.

Emma: (Sighs) Well, I'll be back up in a few hours. We have orientation after the breakfast, then most people are going to be sightseeing. I live here; we could just spend some time out to lunch with the guys before the big Gala Dinner for all the contestants and their families tonight.

Lauren: Okay Em.

Emma: See you later. (She heads out. Lauren bustles around for a few minutes and looks like she may just be sitting down with a book again when the phone rings)

Lauren: Man... *Picks up the phone* Hello?

Police Officer: (A little tinny) Hello, is this Mrs. Lauren Dolenz or Mrs. Emma Nesmith?

Lauren: This is Lauren. Who is this?

Police Officer: Security Officer Howlett, night security for the Hotel Willman. I believe we have three things that belong to you in custody, Mrs. Dolenz.

Lauren: *Eyes narrow* Let me guess, one's tall and skinny, one has curly hair, and the other's blond with glasses.

Officer Howlett: Bingo, Mrs. Dolenz. And they're all making a lot of noise.

Lauren: I am so sorry, officer. I'll be down shortly to collect them.

Officer Howlett: Please do that, ma'am. Would you like to speak to your husband?

Lauren: I'm afraid if I talk to him now, officer, that I could possibly be held in contempt.

Officer Howlett: No worse than him. (Chuckles) Ok, ma'am. We'll release them to your care in front of the main security office...and they'll explain their punishment there.

Lauren: Thank you, officer. *Hangs up* Damn fools.

*Lauren heads out of the room and down to the security office.*

(Cut to a small, dark room just off the main lobby. A small but obviously strong man in a security officer's uniform leans back in his chair. He looks at Lauren under his dark brows as she enters and runs a hand through his wiry, thick brown hair.)

Officer Howlett: Hello, ma'am. Can I help you?

Lauren: I'm the unfortunate owner of the three boys posing as men that you're holding in here.

Officer Howlett: (Sighs) My condolences. How'd you get stuck with those lunatics?

Lauren: One's my husband, one's my best friend's husband, and the third got roped into the fun by accident.

Officer Howlett: Some accident. These three totaled the coffee shop last night in some drunken brawl. We've had them here since.

Lauren: Again, I'm so sorry.

Officer Howlett: Ain't your fault, ma'am. Come on. (He leads her over to where the three guys sit, looking forlorn and a little worse for the wear) They have go head to the kitchen to get ready for their punishment in about five minutes.

Lauren: The kitchen?

Micky: *Gives a half-hearted wave* Hi, babe.

Mike: (Crosses his arms) It was either ten days in jail or we help the master chef here cook up that huge breakfast for the contestants. :

Al: I'm starting to think the ten days in jail wouldn't be so bad.

Mike: I've done my ten days in jail before, Al. I'll take the cooking.

Officer Howlett: There will be other chefs in the kitchen, and a couple of security officers indiscreetly to make sure you do your jobs without running out.

Lauren: *Folds her arms* Good job, fellas.

Mike: Lauren, don't, ok? We've heard about it from the cops already, and I don't remember most of what happened anyway.

Lauren: Fine. I owe it to you later, then.

Mike: All I remember is waking up this morning with a stiff neck and the relation to a wolverine with worse hair back there breathing down my neck. (Jerks a thumb at the security officer behind them as they make their way to the kitchen)

(The four and Officer Howlett enters the kitchen. There's a few other people there already.)

Officer Howlett: You'll get your assignments from Miss Gray. I'm on duty, but there's a couple of plainclothes officers here to keep an eye on you and make sure you serve your sentence.

Lauren: Not to mention I'll be keeping an eye on you as well.

Mike: (As Howlett leaves) I'm more scared of you than of him. I've seen what you can do.

Lauren: *Smirks* Good.

Officer Howlett: (Grins as a very tall, young redheaded woman in a chef's costume joins them) This is Miss Gray, head of the kitchens here. She'll tell you what you're supposed to be doin'. (He pats her shoulder and heads back out)

Miss Gray: Hello, gentlemen. I heard we were rather naughty last night.

Micky: You could say that.

Miss Gray: (Hands them chef's jackets and gloves) First of all, boys...suit up. (Turns to Lauren) Will you be joining us?

Lauren: *Shakes her head* I'll supervise. I know how to behave myself, unlike these guys.

Miss Gray: Good. Thanks. I could use the help I have other things to work on. (Turns to Micky, Mike, and Al) Who here has cooking experience?

*Al slowly raises a hand. Micky just glances around, thinking he'll outsmart Miss Gray.*

Miss Gray: (Turns to Al) You know, I think I recognize you from somewhere. Haven't you written a couple of cookbooks?

Al: Maybe...

Miss Gray: You can do the heavy work, then. You get to work on the steaks, bacon, and omelets. (Turns to Micky and Mike) How about you two?

Mike: I can make frozen dinners and burn toast.

Al: *Points at Micky* He can make really weird muffins.

Micky: *Nods* That's true.

Miss Gray: Hmmm. Maybe you'll handle the omelets and the other guy will work on the muffins and scones. (Looks at Mike) You've just been drafted as our waiter.

Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Whoopee.

Miss Gray: The pastry chef is over by the entrance. (Points to where she means, near the stoves) You'll find what you need there. He and I will keep an eye on you.

Micky: Yay.

(The pastry chef Al and Micky meet at the door is a small, wiry fellow with tight brown curls. His grin is rather devilish.)

Chef Kurtson: My name is Kurtson; I make all the delectable pastries and baked goods here at the Hotel. You two are to be my assistants today, yes? (He has a slight German accent.)

Micky: We don't have much choice, no?

Chef Kurtson: I'm sure you'll be far more eager when you see what is on the menu! (He pulls a high stack of muffin pans on a roller out of a huge oven) Fresh blueberry muffins, with real blueberries in season!

Al: *Knowing smirk* Well, that's easy enough.

Chef Kurtson: Yes, but we need far more than this! We need at least 200 more, and five dozen more lemon scones with clotted cream, and at least four more orange-cinnamon coffee cakes!

Al: We can handle that.

Chef Kurtson: Good. I'll work on the Lemon Scones and the pancakes. You boys make the Blueberry Muffins. (Grins) And don't forget (closes one eye and leans the open one into Micky's chest) I have my eye on you!

Micky: Uhhh...

*Al tries to not burst out laughing.*

Chef Kurtson: (Laughs too) You like my humor sense, yes?

Al: Yes. You remind me of a couple Chefs I worked for years ago.

Chef Kurtson: (As he pulls out a bag of lemons and several jars) I hope the association is good, yes?

Al: In the end, it was good.

Chef Kurtson: That is wunderbar! (He pulls out a juicer and begins to juice the lemons) Now, you make the blueberry muffins. Chop chop!

Miss Gray: (Points to a table) Your ingredients are all set out here.

Micky: *Leans over Al* Gonna try any of your fancy tricks?

Al: We'll see.

Mike: (Comes in, trays empty) Come through, one side! (He stops at the guys) Whew, is it busy out there! I never saw a bunch of cooks who were so hungry!

Mike: How's it going with you guys? I thought they were going to maul me out there.

Al: Couldn't be better!

*Micky throws flour at Al.*

Mike: Well, be better faster. They're clamoring for anything edible that they didn't make. Yes, my wife too.

Micky: You shut up! You're in as much hot water as we are!

Mike: You shut up, man! You're not the one who has to listen to all those people complain!

Al: How about this? Let’s shut up and do our time! I'd like to make it to the competition in time to actually do my judging duty!

Mike: You didn't have to join us last night, you know.

Al: No, I didn't, but I wanted to. I'm just saying, can we please just do this and get it over with so we can get out of detention?

Miss Gray: Break it up, boys. (Puts a pile of plates filled with food on Mike's tray) Here's the pancakes and the eggs.

Mike: Yeah. Thanks. I needed that. (He heads out, grumbling)

Miss Gray: (Rubs her chin, inadvertently rubbing flour on it) Maybe I should have given him kitchen duty and made Curls the waiter...

Chef Kurtson: Coming through! (He rushes his batch of Lemon Scones into the big oven, then comes over to the other two) How your blueberry muffins coming? Making lots, yes?

Al: Lots and lots!

Chef Kurtson: You have batches ready for the oven?

Micky: *Mutters* Suck up.

Al: *Motions to several pans* Right here.

Chef Kurtson: That is great, yes! (He adds them to the rolling pan holder and heads for the oven) Now, we need more pancakes!

Al: Come on, Mick, lets make some pancakes.

(The two walk over to a huge griddle. There's already several pancakes cooking on the griddle. A huge bowl of more batter and a spoon sits next to it, ready to go.)

Mike: (He hurries over to the guys) Man, I wish Em wasn't so crazy about pancakes. She just finished her whole stack and wants more, and so does everyone at her table! She's contagious.

Al: Well, here we go... *Grabs the bowl and doles out globs of batter*

Micky: Man, you're hogging the bowl and the griddle!

Al: *Holds up the utensil* And the ONE spoon that's with it!

Miss Gray (She's at the griddle next to them, making omelets) There's spoons in the drawer to your right.

Al: So get your own, Mick.

Chef Kurtson: How are those pancakes coming? Very tasty?

Micky: Fine. *Grabs another spoon from the drawer and dips right into the bowl over Al's shoulder*

Al: *Glares at Micky* Tasty...yeah...

Mike: (He loads the pancakes on plates) Thanks, guys. Em's stomach appreciates this. (He hurries out, pushing past other cooks on the way out) Coming through, fresh pancakes!

Miss Gray: (Joins the boys) Oh, and the box of pancake mix is in the cabinet to your right. You'll probably need to make more.

Al: *Spoons out the last couple spoonfuls of batter* You grab it, Mick. You're closer.

*Micky makes a face and mocks Al, but does go into the cabinet for the mix.*

Miss Gray: Don't make them too big or too small.

Al: I've made pancakes a gazillion times. I think I can handle it.

(Chef Kurtson chuckles at Micky's mocking as he passes by with another rolling cart, this one filled with various muffins.)

Mike: (He hurries in) They're making a bunch of speeches about the contest and how big it is and how everyone should get to know each other better. Thankfully, that means most of them aren't eating. We can finish up the pancakes and breads.

Micky: *Mixes the batter* Good.