Ok, let's let the guys have a very memorable dinner. Everyone ready to eat? ;)

Micky: Always! ;)

Mike: I could use some grub.

Peter: I don't want grubs! I want a salad! :p

(Mike rolls his eyes.)

Davy: I'm ready, mates.

(We open in a small greasy spoon as the four boys walk in, Davy now wearing the striped shirt and cap of the pilot. They make their way to a booth in the back of the diner. Peter makes a face at the moth-eaten decor. Micky grabs the menu the moment the gum-cracking waitress hands it to him and reads it hungrily.)

Mike: I'll order a burger and fries, please.

Micky: Lessee... =P~

Davy: Geez, mate, don't get the menus wet! :p

Peter: I'll have a house salad. :)

Davy: As will I.

Micky: Double cheeseburger, extra fries.

Waitress: (Cracks her gum again) Right. Anything to drink?

Mike: Just a Pepsi, Dolores.

Micky: Pepsi.

Davy: Hot tea.

Peter: I'll have the hot tea, too. :)

Waitress: Got'cha. Be back in a few, fellas. Nesmith, if someone pisses you off, don't put a hole in the table this time, ok? And Jones, all of the waitresses are taken, so watch your flirting.

Davy: Don't worry, Dolores. We're just showin' some new friends of ours a good time. ;)

Dolores: As long as the joint is still standing when you're finished, you can show King Kong a good time. Just be kind to the furniture. It's older than God and his mother. ;)

(She gathers the menus and walks off. The boys all watch her, then stare awkwardly at each other.)

Micky: Well, this is interesting.

Davy: Umm...who gets to make the first move? ;)

Peter: (Blushes) I guess you guys come here often.

Mike: It's the only place we can afford within driving distance of our apartment. :p

Micky: You've seem to already made names of yourselves. I've only been past this place, never inside before now.

Peter: (Looks around) Is it always like this?

Davy: Only when it's empty. There are some pretty interestin' fights durin' hockey season. ;)

Mike: We're not far from the Kings' stadium.

Davy: That's how Mike damaged the table. 'E got into a fist fight wit' one of those big hockey fans. ;)

Micky: I bet they put on some good shows. ;)

Davy: Bettah than a BBC television play. ;)

Mike: You gotta show those big boys who's boss sometimes. ;)

Davy: You shoulda seen the shinah 'e had aftah that night. ;)

Mike: Dave... :p

Micky: I'll bet it was lovely. ;)

Davy: Let's put it this way. Purple ain't 'is color. ;)

Mike: (Grabs Davy and mock-threatens him with his fist) So help me Jones, if you don't knock it off, I'll damage your overly pretty little mug instead of the furnature. ;)

Davy: (Mock-dramatic) Oh! Spah me, oh great and powerful John Wayne! ;)

Mike: Hey, don't use the Duke's name in vain. :p

Micky: *laughs* Oh, Heaven forbid! ;)

Mike: Great, we've got two Bob Hopes running around. ;)

Mike: I'll bet you boys think you're cute.

Davy: I don't THINK it. I KNOW it. ;)

Micky: I know HE does. He just admitted it! ;)

Mike: Yeah, well, I also know that the boy's ego is so big, when he checks into a hotel, his ego needs a separate room. ;)

Davy: Now, Mike, that's nof faih! :p

Micky: I don't know, Dave. From what I've seen already, that seems fair to me.

Davy: You're all against me! :p

Peter: (Softly) Davy, I think they're just teasing.

Micky: Yeah, man, no hard feelings! Geez.

(Dolores arrives with the food at this point, putting down two fair-sized burgers and fries in front of Mike and Micky and a couple of decent-sized salads with ranch dressing in front of Davy and Peter.)

Dolores: Have fun, boys. Call me if you need anything or the roof falls on your head. ;) (She walks back to the kitchen)

Peter: (Quickly looks up at the celing) The roof isn't REALLY going to fall on us, is it?

Mike: Nahh, this place has withstood rowdy hockey crowds for thirty years.

Micky: You sure about that? *looks up and flinches* ;)

Davy: (As he starts to cut up his salad; Peter eats his normally) I think this place has character.

Peter: (Makes a face) Ben Franks on Sunset Strip has character. (Looks at the floor, then back at the guys) This place has cockroaches. :p

Micky: The cockroaches are probably what's holding this place together. *takes a big bite of his burger, then stuffs a couple fries in his mouth*

(Mike is wolfing down his burger at tremendous rate.)

Davy: Geez, Mick, don't you 'ave any mannahs at all? You're almost as bad as Mike!

Micky: *mouth full* Wha...

Mike: Dave, I'm hungry! I haven't eaten since last night! :p

Micky: *swallows and glugs his soda* I always eat like this! If you don't eat fast in my family, someone else will snitch whatever you haven't eaten yet. And no, licking my food does NOT stop my sisters. :P ;)

Mike: Have you ever tried to eat dinner with six hungry cousins who just finished working on the farm for the day? Everything's gone in five minutes! :p

Davy: But you're gettin' food all ovah! It's disguistin'! :p

Micky: Man, we're busy here! We'll clean up when we're done!

(Peter just stares at them and pushes his food around.)

Mike: Hey, Dave, are you gonna eat, or are you gonna gripe?

Davy: Oh, I'll eat, Mike. (He starts cutting up his salad...but then takes a handfull and shoves it in his mouth)

Peter: (Laughs) Hey!

Micky: *crows* Alright! :D

Davy: Not bad, for a place that makes some of the pubs in Manchestah look like fine cuisine. (Shoves more in his mouth, then throws some at Micky) 'Ere, Mick, why don't you try some? ;)

Mike: Dave, Dolores said...

Micky: Yuck! I don't want that rabbitt food! Here, have some real food, man! *throws some fries at Davy*

Davy: (Shoves them in his mouth) Not good for me pores, but they ARE vegetables. ;)

Mike: Guys, cut it out.

Micky: Pores, schmores! :P *shoves more fries into his mouth, then tosses more at Davy*

Davy: 'Ey, don't waste good grease, mate! (Throws salad at Micky) Waste the veggies instead. ;)

Micky: Good point. *helps toss around some of Davy's salad* ;)

Peter: I wasn't really hungry, anyway. ;) (Throws some salad at Micky.)

(The early version of "Valleri" kicks in as Peter's salad hits Micky straight-on in the chest.)

*Micky glares and scrapes the salad off him. He flings it back in Peter and Davy’s directions.*

(Both boys flee. Mike shrugs and continues eating. Davy literally dives behind the counter with his remaining plate of salad; Peter runs under a table.)

*Micky gets a devilish grin and flings some fries at Mike.* >:) ;)

(Mike flings fries back with one hand while finishing his burger with the other.)

*Micky shoves the rest of his burger in his mouth, slurps some soda, tosses what's left of his fries at Mike, then takes the last swallow of soda and pulls it back to toss it at Mike.* >:) ;)

(Mike has the sense to duck under the table. He starts shooting out ketchup and mustard in all directions, six-shooter style. ;) :D )

(Davy grabs the pastries from the top of the counter and throws them at Micky and Peter, the only ones in his reach. ;) )

*Micky catches one of the pastries and eats it.* ;)

(Peter grabs bundles of napkins from the table above him and flings them here, there, and everywhere. ;) )

*Micky takes the salt and pepper shakers and shakes them at Mike, who's still under the table.*

(Mike ends up in fits of sneezing from the pepper. :p)

(Davy takes the top off a cake dish and starts throwing slices around. ;) )

*Micky grabs a water pitcher and debates who to go after.* ;)

(Mike, still sneezing, grabs the paper menus, makes them into airplanes, and throws them all over. ;) )

*Micky starts towards Davy with the water pitcher poised to pour!* ;)

(Davy grabs the sugar shaker and shakes sugar all over the floor as Micky comes rushing out. ;) )

*Micky slips on the sugar, the water pitcher emptying on himself as he lands with his back on the floor.* :-O

(Peter goes out to help him, but he trips over him, bringing Davy down with him. Mike, alarmed, runs out from under the table and trips over the other three. All four are in a big pile on the floor when a none-too-happy Dolores emerges, her hands on her hips.)

Dolores: What in the HELL happened in here?

*Micky groans.* :P

Mike: We had a few disagreements...

Peter: Micky and Davy started a food fight, and then I threw some salad, and... (gulps) I guess we got carried away. :( :o

Micky: Would you guys get OFF already? *groans again* :P

Dolores: (As the boys stand somewhat shakily) That's putting it mildly. You guys are lucky it's late. We don't get many customers at this hour who won't think this is normal. :p

Mike: We'll pay for the damage, Dolores.

Davy: (Kisses Dolores' hand) Have I told you how lovely you look tonight, Dolores? That hair net really does you justice. ;)

Micky: *mutters* Oh brother. :P

Dolores: First of all, Jones, it won't work. I'm not one of the love-struck girls from the Troubador. Second, Nesmith, you don't make enough money at the record shop to cover this mess. (Sighs) How about, since the other two are new, you just clean it up and promise to take your wars outside from now on?

Davy: Promise.

Mike: Scout's honor, ma'am.

Micky: Works for me.

Peter: I don't mind cleaning up the mess! I don't have the money to pay, either.

Dolores: Ok, boys, the supplies are in the kitchen. I want the sugar, napkins, and paper airplanes on the floor swept up and the floors mopped, the counter and the tables scrubbed, and the windows, the seats, and the booths wiped.

Mike: (As she goes in the kitchen) Well, you heard the lady. Let's get crackin'.

(They walk in the kitchen to retrieve the cleaning supplies.)

Peter: Who's going to do what?

Micky: *shrugs* Doesn't matter to me. Of course, Dave may not want to get his hands dirty. *waggles his eyebrows* ;)

Davy: Please. I can get down and dirty when I want to. (Rolls up his sleeves)

Micky: Oh-kay, too much information, man. *grins* ;)

Mike: (Sighs and grabs Davy before he can reach for Micky) Knock it off, guys. That's how we got in trouble in the first place. Davy, since you dumped the sugar out, you sweep the floor. Peter, you mop. Mick, you do the windows, and I'll wipe the seats and booths.

Davy: (Indicates Micky) 'Ey, 'e dumped out salt and peppah, too!

Mike: That sugar shaker was twice the size of the salt and pepper shakers put together.

Micky: Alright, alright. *grabs a squeegee and window cleaner*

Mike: (As he grabs the cleaner and a towel; Peter goes to fill the mop bucket as Davy takes a broom and sweeps vigorously) Don't miss any spots now, boy. ;)

*Micky snorts.* ;)

Mike: (Sighs; to Micky, as he cleans and Micky squeegees) What'cha doin' down at the Troubador tonight? You lookin' to join a band?

Micky: Tryin' to, yeah. *shrugs* I'm just trying to get out and get noticed, you know?

Mike: Too well. I've played here and there with buddies, and I did the folk scene with Phyllis and her brother, but all I got for my troubles was nothing. :p

Micky: I haven't had the best of luck, either. I get noticed for my drumming, or my singing, or because they remember me on TV ten years ago. The latter I wish they'd forget, and I'd LIKE to get noticed for my sing AND playing. *shrugs* Nobody wants a drummer who sings. :P

Mike: Nobody seems to want a country singer who don't do bubblegum, either. I keep bringin' my stuff around to the record studios, and they keep tellin' me to "write more commercial." :p

Micky: Figures. Those guys don't like anything that's different, and we're prime examples. :P

Mike: I'm better off than Davy was. At least I managed to find a place and an eighteenth-hand Woody. Dave had nothing when his tour of "Oliver" petered out, no other job, no place to live other than the theatrical boarding house the production was stayin’ at, no transportation of his own.

Micky: Man... *makes a face* I may have a roof over my head, but I'm sharing it with three sisters, a mom, and a stepdad. What a zoo it usually is. :P ;)

Mike: (Shrugs) Hey, at least you have a family that's always there. (Looks up from the counters) Is your stepdad nice?

Micky: *nods* Yeah, he is. *sighs* Doesn't make me miss Dad any less, though, but as long as mom's happy, I'm fine with it. :)

Mike: Yeah. (Grins) Do you have another job besides burnin' up the drums? ;)

Micky: You name it, I've done it. Actually, right now I'm trying to get certified to be an architect. I love building stuff and taking stuff apart. Figuring out how things work... *shrugs* Keeps me busy.

Mike: I like takin' things apart, too. You like cars?

Micky: *grins* Did I lose my drumstick earlier? You BET I like cars!

Mike: They're my hobby. I just have the Woody now, but someday, man, when I'm a huge star, I'm gonna have ten of my own custom designed hot rods. ;) :D

Micky: Yeah, that does sound nice. :D ;)

Mike: Hey, how would you like to join a band?

Micky: *wide grin* I'd LOVE to, man! :D

Mike: Dave n' me were talkin' about startin' a band. I play guitar, bass, harmonica, and organ, and you saw what Davy's good at earlier. ;)

Micky: And you saw what I can do well, on the drums, at least. I'll have to sing something and maybe play a little guitar, too. :D

(Davy and Peter join them, now carrying the mop and broom. Davy's dustpan is empty, and Peter's ringing out the mop in the bucket.)

Davy: All set, Mike.

Mike: Dave, I asked Mick to join our band.

Davy: (Makes a face) 'Im?

Micky: Hey!? :P

Mike: Davy, he's amazing on the drums. You're just learning.

Davy: Besides, I got us a member. (Indicates Peter) Our friend Mistah Tork 'ere plays 12 instruments.

Mike: Twelve? :o

Micky: Wow! :D

Peter: (Nods) You only saw a sampling tonight. I also play the harpsichord, French horn, bass, lead guitar, harmonica, organ, keyboard, and ukelele.

Davy: 'E's a regular protegy, 'e is! :D

Micky: You're a regular one man band, Pete! :D

Peter: (Sighs) Thanks. I've been trying to sell my songs to the studios, but they say folk-rock is on the way out. I'm washing dishes at the Golden Bear in Huntington right now.

Mike: They ain't any more enthusiastic for country. :p

Peter: I teach, too. I could teach Davy how to play the keyboard and guitar. :)

Mike: You teach, too?

Peter: I went to college for teaching! (Blushes) Twice. :p :">

Micky: Well, no one's perfect.:)

Davy: Well, what do you say?

Mike: Well, we need a drummer and a pianist. I can play the organ, but I ain't all that great on regular piano, and Davy can't play anythin' but the tamborine and maracas.

Davy: 'Ey, I'm learnin'! :p

Mike: Yeah, but not fast enough to land us gigs. (Looks at Peter and Micky) Ok...you're both in.

Peter: (Eyes widen) I am? :O

Micky: *whoops* Alright!!! :D

Mike: Yeah. I can't learn to play regular piano like you can that fast, either. :p

Peter: (His face breaks out in a huge, dimpled grin; picks up Mike and swings him around) YAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!! :D :D :D

*Micky laughs.*

Mike: Um, Pete, I'm kinda gettin' dizzy, so could you...

Peter: (Sets Mike on his feet; he stumbles, catching his breath) Oh, I'm sorry! I just got excited. I've always wanted to play in a real band! That's why I came to California! :D

Mike: (Nods) Great. First rehearsal is tomorrow morning at Davy's and my place, 129 Third Street, Apartment 11B.

Micky: You got it! *pauses* How early are we talkin'? ;)

Mike: Ten o'clock sharp, boy. I don't cotton to lateness.

Davy: 'E don't, too. :p

Micky: Okay, that isn't too early. ;)

Peter: I'll be there! I don't work until later! :D

Mike: (Looks over his shoulder at the kitchen) Why don't we get outta here, before Dolores changes her mind and decides she wants us to pay after all?

Micky: *nods* Good idea, man.

Peter: I can't believe it! This is so exciting! :D

Mike: (Sighs) I hope so, Pete. (Quietly, as they head out) What am I thinkin? :P (Puts a couple of quarters down for Dolores' tip and heads out)