Everyone ready to rock? ;)

Mike: Naturally.

Micky: You bet! :D

Davy: Sounds good to me. :)

Peter: All RIGHT! :D

(We begin on a normal street in a residential area...well, ALMOST normal, for as the camera pans across the sidewalk, we see that these houses overlook a lovely beach. The camera finally settles on the boys. Micky is half-in the hood of the Woody; Mike is under it. Peter and Davy are trying to help Micky at the hood.)

Davy: How does she look, Mick?

Peter: She looks red and brown.

Davy: (Rolls his eyes) Oh, Petah. :p 8-|

Micky: Well, she's seen better days, that's for sure! :P

Mike: (Gets out from under the car; Peter hands him a rag to wipe his hands on) Ok, guys, what do you want, the good news or the bad news?

Davy: Good news would be nice.

Mike: The good news is, we could get her running. The bad news is, it would probably take a couple of hours. :p

Peter: Someone ought to call Mrs. Scott. I'm sure she'll worry about us! :o

Davy: What are we gonna do in the meantime?

Mike: Find a phone and eat what's leftover from the picnic.

Micky: Which isn't much. :P

Davy: Maybe we should call a tow truck.

Mike: (Raises an eyebrow) Davy, Mick and I can fix it. We know what we're doing.

Davy: If you knew that, we wouldn't BE here. :p

Mike: (Narrows his eyes) Dave...

Micky: Oh please. :P

(Peter runs over before the trio can get into an arguement. He grabs Mike's arm.)

Peter: Michael! Come on! You gotta see this!

Mike: See what, Pete?

Peter: It's so groovy, and I found it! I found it right down the street! :D

Mike: Pete, what's goin' on?

Peter: You've ALL gotta see it! It's PERFECT for us! (He tugs a reluctant Mike down the block. Davy and Micky shrug and follow.)

(Cut to the inside of the Pad...but it's empty of all furniture and knick-knacks except for a few dusty tables and chairs that have seen far better days. Peter runs into the living room and sweeps around, indicating the room. It’s just four walls, no bandstand.)

Peter: Isn't this place GREAT!

Mike: Yeah, for a mausoleum.

Micky: Actually *grins*, this place has great potential! :D

Peter: Mike (pulls him over to in front of the picture window overlooking the beach), we could put a bandstand right HERE! We'd have the sun and the wind and the sound of the waves to inspire us while we practice! :D

Davy: And the girls in bikinis. ;)

Micky: The best of both worlds. ;)

Mike: (Rubs his chin, looking at the spot) Hmmmm....

Peter: I'm gonna go look upstairs! (He runs up the spiral staircase to the second floor; after a few minutes, he comes out) Guys, the bedrooms are HUGE! Mike, we could fit our whole apartment in here! :D

(Davy walks onto the patio out back, watching a group of girls play volleyball. Mike just walks around, slowly taking everything in.)

Davy: (Calling from outside) There's a GREAT view of the action on the beach. ;) :X

*Micky climbs up the outside of the banister.* ;)

Mike: Micky, cut that out. You don't know if that thing's safe. :p

Micky: Yes, I do! It's perfectly stable. *jumps down and lands squarely on his feet*

Peter: (Emerges again) The bathroom has a few bugs and cracks in the wall, but the plumbing seems ok.

(Mike is inspecting the kitchen.)

*Micky heads outside, joining Davy on the veranda.*

(Peter runs downstairs and into the kitchen, which is also empty. Mike is checking the refrigerator and the stove; Peter joins him.)

Mike: The appliances look fine. They're old, but they seem sound enough.

Peter: Whaddya think, Mike? Could we move in here?

Mike: (Eyes widen) Pete, we can't afford that!

Peter: Haven't we talked about getting a place, Mike? This is just right for us! There's room for all four of us and our equipment, and LOTS of rehearsal space, both inside and out! We have the beach literally out our back door if we get bored. It would be just the four of us. No siblings or parents or neighbors under or over us thumping on the floor telling us to turn the music down.

Mike: (Looks around) It ain't bad, at that. Nice size. Needs a lot of work, though. Lotsa cracks in the plaster and warped wood and stuff.

Peter: We could fix that in our spare time, make it liveable! :D

(Mike and Peter walk out onto the veranda, joining Micky and Davy at the railing.)

Peter: (Indicates the beach) Mike, look at that view! Isn't it the most inspiring thing you've ever seen?

Mike: (Only half-paying attention to Peter) Yeah.

Peter: (Joins the other two) Isn't the beach beautiful, guys? :X

Micky: Love it! Man... :D

Davy: (He's watching the girls) Yeah, Petah. It's a gorgeous view. ;) :X

Peter: (Grins) Let's play! :D

Mike: (Snaps out of his reverie) Huh? Here? Now?

Micky: Yeah! :D

Davy: Hell, if we're stuck here, we might as well make the best of it. We have most of our instruments here. ;)

Micky: Come on, Mike! ;)

Mike: (Shrugs) Why not? Shame to waste a nice day. (He and Peter go back to the Woody for their guitars and Davy's tambourine; when they return to the beach, Micky and Davy are already at the volleyball net, flirting with the girls)

Peter: (Sighs) Oh, man. They work fast.

Mike: No kidding. :p

(The two men join the pair already present on the beach. Mike groans as the group of girls surrounding Davy and Micky let out a peal of giggles.)

Mike: What's goin' on here?

Davy: We're making ourselves known.

Peter: But you are known! We know you!

Micky: To the ladies, Peter. ;)

Peter: (Blushes and pulls behind Mike) Oh. (Murmurs as they giggle) Um, hi. :">

Davy: Hey (puts an arm around one girl twice his size), did we tell you girls we're a rock and roll group? ;)

Girl 1: Do tell. ;)

Mike: Yeah, we play music.

Girl 1: Are you any good?

Mike: Yeah.

Micky: Of course we're good! :D ;)

Davy: Wanna hear us?

(The girls say variations on "cool" and "sure." :) )

Peter: I'll get the instruments! (Quick-time shot of Peter getting the instruments and coming back with the guitars and tamborines.)

Mike: Your drums ain't here, Mick, so maybe you could sing somethin'. You've got a good voice. :)

Micky: I'd be more than happy to! ;) :D

Peter: Why doesn't Micky pick the song, too, since he won't be playing? :)

Micky: Yeah! ;)

Girl 2: How about something to dance to?

(Mike makes a face. :p)

Micky: *snaps his fingers* I've got the perfect song. "Let’s Dance On!"

Peter: Groovy! That one's fun! :D

Davy: Sounds good to me.

Micky: Well, Mike? :)

Mike: (Nods) Ok. Let's go. (Mike counts off, and we go into a general performance video of "Let's Dance On," with the guys playing guitar and tambourine on the bandstand on the beach and the girls dancing along. They're joined by other girls, then boys and more girls and even a few older couples walking down the beach. Micky and Davy happily dance and clown for the girls. Peter dances...but tries not to look at the girls. Mike concentrates entirely on his playing, not really looking at anybody. The crowd whistles and cheers for them as they finish. Mike bows) Thank you, thank you, folks.

Peter: You're a great audience!

Micky: I love you all! :D ;)

Davy: (Pushes Micky aside) I love you more! :D

Mike: Guys... :p

Micky: *pushes Davy aside* No, I love you more!

Davy: I love you BETTAH! (Grins) Hey, that's a good song title. ;)

Micky: *considers* Not bad. *grins* ;)

Mike: Ok, ok, show's over. (Gets between Micky and Davy)

Old Man: (As the boys get down from the bandstand and the crowd dispurses) Hey, you boys were really tearing up the stage there. :)

Peter: Thank you, but we were just playing. :)

Mike: He means we were good. ;)

Peter: Ohhhhhhhhh.... :">

Old Man: You new around these parts?

Mike: Actually, our car broke down a few blocks away and we were looking for a phone.

Peter: I found this groovy house, and we were wondering if we could live in it! :D

Old Man: I live a few houses down. You could use my phone for whatever you need.

(Micky and Davy are animatedly talking to two of the girls. ;) )

Peter: Do you know who owns (points to the beach house they were exploring) that house?

Old Man: (Makes a face) Henry Babbitt owns most of the houses on that side of the street. He lives across from me. He's an old grouch. (Grins faintly) As opposed to me, who's just old. ;)

Peter: (As he and Mike chuckle) Do you think he'd be willing to rent it to us?

Old Man: You'd have to ask him that. No one's lived there for years.

Mike: Why, is it haunted?

Old Man: Not that I know of. It's just not in good shape. (Puts out his hand) My name's John Bennett, boys. You really did a nice job with the music.

Mike: (Shakes his hand) Thanks. We really are hoping to form a band.

Mr. Bennett: I can understand that. You have real talent there.

Mike: I'm Mike Nesmith, and this is (Peter gives Mr. Bennett a huge hug; Mike sighs) Peter Tork.

Mr. Bennett: (Hugs Peter back) Nice to meet you, Peter. :)

(Micky and Davy return with their arms around the girls. ;) )

Girl 1: So, are we on for that double date Friday night? ;)

Micky: You bet! ;) :)

Davy: Meet us backstage at the Vincent Van Go-Go. We'll be the ones playing GOOD music. ;)

Girl 2: I can't wait! :D

(The girls walk away, waving and giggling. Mike and Peter exchange looks and roll their eyes. :p 8-|)

Micky: I like this neighborhood. ;)

Davy: GREAT scenery. ;)

Mr. Bennett: You boys work fast. ;)

Mike: So we've noticed.

Peter: (Indicates the old man) This is Mr. Bennett! He's going to let us use his phone to call Mrs. Scott, and he told us who owns the house! :)

Mr. Bennett: (Shakes both boys' hands) Nice to meet you.

Micky: Hi, Mr Bennett. :)

Mike: The tall guy is Micky Dolenz, and the short guy is David Jones.

Davy: Pleased to meet you, sir.

Mr. Bennett: Henry's probably working in his garden or watching TV if you want to talk to him. He blusters and fusses, but his bark is worse than his bite. I think he's more lonely than anything else. His wife died a few years ago, and they had no children.

Mike: Who wants to call Mrs. S, and who wants to come with me to handle Babbitt the Terrible?

Micky: I can call Mom.

Peter: I'll go with Micky. You and Davy handle Babbitt, Michael. :)

Mr. Bennett: (Nods at another old house a bit further down) There’s my shack. We'll see if we can't get through to your guardian or a tow truck. :)

Micky: *nods* Thanks!

Peter: Thank you! :D

Mr. Bennett: (Pulls back from another Peter hug, but he's smiling) No thanks necessary, young man. ;) :)

Mike: We'll meet you back at the Woody in twenty minutes to see if we can figure out what's wrong.

Micky: Gotcha.

(The group splits up. The camera follows Mike and Davy as they walk in the direction Mr. Bennett pointed out earlier, to a small split-level house a few doors down. An older man with curly hair leans over a bed of azeleas, weeding them. He wears pants, a tan vest, and a rolled up shirt. Mike taps him on his shoulder.)

Man: Yeah, whaddaya want?

Mike: We're interested in rentin' that house (points to the house down the street the boys were in before), and we were told you were the owner.

Mr. Babbitt: (Looks the boys up and down) I don't rent to long-haired weirdos.

Mike: We'd rent cheap.

Mr. Babbitt: (Grins at the word "cheap") But, hey, one's gotta catch up with the times, right? ;) :D

Davy: How much would it cost per month?

Mr. Babbitt: That piece of junk? I was thinking of having it demolished. :p

Mike: Man, that's a great place!

Davy: That would be a waste of a fine buildin'!

Mr. Babbitt: It's fallin' apart, and it's too big for the old couples and small families in this town.

Mike: We'd rent it!

Mr. Babbitt: Could you afford it? You kids look like you're barely out of high school.

Mike: We're a singin' group. We just hooked up with a manager and we already have a gig on Friday night.

Mr. Babbitt: Look, I don't care, as long as you don't demolish the place for me and pay me the rent and pay it on time.

Mike: (Pulls money out of his pocket) How about this for a down payment?

Davy: (Whispers to Mike) I thought you said you were going to buy anothah guitar wit' that!

Mike: (Nudges Davy) This is more important. I'll get that guitar later.

Mr. Babbitt: (Counts the money with a feral grin) That's good enough for now. How does a hundred and fifty dollars per month sound? I'll take the rest of it when you sign the papers. ;) :D

Mike: Sounds pretty good. You've got yourself a deal. (Shakes Mr. Babbitt's hand)

Mr. Babbitt: Here's the rules, boys. I don't mind noise as long as no one calls the cops. No pets. I don't want animals shedding and tearing up the place worse than it already is. If you need someone to fix stuff, just call me. I spent years working as a janitor before I bought these places, and I can pretty much fix anything that needs to be fixed.

Mike: That's fine. It's just the four of us and our equipment and junk. All we need is a big space to practice in and to keep from killing each other.

Mr. Babbitt: Oh, yeah, and I'm not crazy about a lot of overnight guests making a mess, either. I don't mind the occasional female caller, but don't be starting some hippie haven over there.

Davy: Do you mind more than one girl at a time?

Mr. Babbitt: As long as she's not setting up permanent residence, no.

(Davy grins knowingly. ;) )

Mr. Babbitt: Here's the number of my place. Call me, and we'll set up a time to sign the papers and make everything formal.

Mike: Sure. We'll see you later. Thanks a lot.

Mr. Babbitt: Just don't tear the place apart, ok?

Mike: It'll be just fine.

Davy: Can't get any worse than it already is. ;)

(Babbitt watches them as they go across the street to meet Peter, Micky, and Mr. Bennett on the porch of Mr. Bennett's house.)

Mike: You guys get through to Mrs. S?

Micky: *nods* Yeah. I asked her to call a tow truck for it, which she's gonna do.

Peter: (Sees Mike's look) Mike, I know you wanted to fix the car, but it's getting dark.

Mr. Bennett: This is a nice neighborhood, but it's difficult to fix anything in the dark. (Smiles) By the way, how did things go with Henry?

Mike: He jumped on us until we told him we'd be cheap tenants.

Mr. Bennett: Figures. The only thing that man loves more than his garden is money. :p

Micky: At least he has hobbies. :P

Davy: He's awfully concerned about a 'ouse he claims 'e was going to have demolished. :p

Peter: No way! He was going to destroy that beautiful house? :o

Mike: Not now that we're gonna be rentin' it. ;)

Peter: (Beams) You mean...

Mike: (Nods) We'll have to sign some paperwork next week, but it looks like we're gonna be livin' there. ;)

Micky: Alright! :D

Davy: 'E's got a couple of rules about pets and guests, but he did say we could make as much noise as we want as long as the neighbors don't call the cops. ;)

Mr. Bennett: There are other musical groups in this area, too. You couldn't be any noisier than they are. ;)

Mike: No wonder Babbit didn't complain about noise. ;)

Micky: Good. ;)

Mike: Did you tell Mrs. S about the house?

Micky: I mentioned that we were hanging out at a groovy-looking house and we were thinking about it. I'll break the news that I'm officially moving out to her later. ;)

Mike: I'm sure she'll be thrilled. She's a nice lady and all, but she's already got three kids there. ;)

Micky: Yeah, but I have been known to be the peacekeeper sometimes. ;)

Davy: Please. You're usually the one who stahts it. ;)

Micky: Am not! :P

Peter: (Grabs Mike and hugs him without thinking, grinning) Isn't it wonderful, Mike? We're going to have our own house and our own place and be a real rock band on our own! We'll make our OWN family! :D

Mike: (Staggers back) Um...yeah.

Davy: Hey, not a bad idea, at that.

Peter: Well, I don't get along well with my family, Davy's not near his, Mike, you said you don't like your stepdad, and Micky says his drives him nuts. Why don't we be our own family? We'll look out for each other. :)

Micky: Works for me! ;)

Davy: You guys are the most people I know here.

Mike: I guess we kinda are already.

Peter: We might as well, if we're going to live together. :)

Micky: *grins* I think we're gonna get along just fine. ;)

Peter: I think so, too! :D

Davy: Me too!

Mike: (Sighs) Why not? (Peter hugs him harder) Ooohhh, Pete...

Peter: Ooops, sorry! (Lets him go as the guys laugh)

(Fade out on the boys and Mr. Bennett laughing as a blushing Peter lets Mike go, and fade back in on the cafe and the boys and Valerie in 1971.)

Valerie: Wow. That's how you met and got the Pad?

Davy: More or less.

Micky: In a nutshell. ;)

Peter: There's more to the story, too! We didn't tell you about the first gig at the Vincent Van Go-Go.

Mike: Or how we finally got the jeep and the MonkeeMobile.

Micky: We could easily go on and on and on... ;)

Valerie: As much as I'd love to hear all of those stories, I'm afraid I have to get back to work. (Smiles) Why don't you tell me more another time? I'm sure I'll hear it all in interviews when the album comes out, too. ;) :)

Mike: Yeah, I've gotta get home and pick up Katie from Mrs. Filcheck's.

Peter: I want to study for finals.

Micky: I wanna...um... *grins* ;) >:)

Mike: Mick, we know what you wanna do, and the rest of the cafe don't need to hear about yours and Lauren's sex lives. ;)

Davy: I'm sure you'll be able to read all about it in the tabloids soon enough, anyway. ;)

Micky: Hey! *laughs and swats at Davy* ;)

Mike: I think it's time to break up the party. ;)

Valerie: (Nods) Probably not a bad idea.

Peter: (Laughs) Some things don't change. ;)

Valerie: Thank god. ;) :D

(The guys laugh and all put their arms around Valerie as they walk out after paying the check. Fade out on the cafe set and fade in on a large soundstage. The set consists of a large bandstand on top of shiny metal-trimmed risers. Dancers strut their stuff on platforms, catwalks, and the dance floor. A large, attractive middle-aged woman with teased blond hair and a glittery western-style outfit trimmed with long fringe holds a microphone and dances with the boys, grinning. Quick cut to Valerie, who watches them off-set next to a camera with a smile on her face, her hand on her stomach. Peter waves to her with a big grin; Valerie waves back. :) )

(As "Teardrop City" winds down, Sally goes up to the boys, holding her microphone and panting a bit.)

Sally: (In a slightly exaggerated Western accent) And that was the Monkees, who'll be comin' at you in May on red-hot wax from the newest name in the best new and groovy music, Headquarters. (Grins) You boys play some really purty music. How long you been playin' together?

Mike: We've been a band for four years, ma'am.

Peter: But it feels like we've known each other all our lives.

Davy: And our previous lives. ;)

Micky: For all of eternity, pretty much. ;)

Sally: It's nice to see such a close group. How did you get together?

Mike: We met at the Troubadour and just hit it off. We found out we were all sort of between things. Dave and I had wanted to start a band anyway and liked what we saw of these guys (indicates Mick and Peter), so we asked, they said yes, (grins) and we ended up here. ;)

Sally: Wow, so it was kind of like destiny?

Peter: (Nods) Yeah.

Mike: You might say that.

Micky: Yeah, pretty much.

Sally: Kind of like a family? :)

Peter: The best. :D

Micky: Definitely.

Sally: That's sweet. You don't usually see that among rock groups, especially these days. No backstage bickering or backstabbing or anything nasty like that?

Micky: No, nothing too nasty. *grins* ;)

Mike: Well, we've been through some nasty stuff, but let's just say it's nothing you'd read about in the National Enquirer. ;) :P

Sally: Anything you want to say to the folks back home? ;)

Peter: (Smiles) I want to thank my wife for giving me this opportunity, to be a rock star and a father. :D :X

Mike: Wanna say hi to my girls, too. Em, honey, I swear I won't be too late workin' on the album tonight. ;)

Micky: *waves at the camera* Love you, babe, kiddos! Mijacogeo! ;) :D

Davy: Hey, Daph, you still on for Friday night? ;)

Sally: Mijacogeo? :-/

Mike: Don't ask. ;) 8-|

Micky: *grins* THEY know. ;)

Mike: We'd like to remind all of our loyal subjects out there that we're gonna be appearin' on our first big special, "Hey, Hey, They're the Monkees," later this fall, and that our self-titled debut album will be comin' out on June 1st.

Peter: We'll be going on tour in the summertime, too, so look for us in your town coming soon! :D

(Quick cut to Valerie, who nods approvingly at the plugs. :D ;) )

Sally: How about our studio audience gives you guys one more hand? (The kids on the platforms and on the stage gives them a big round of applause.) You know, fellas, it sounds like that little ol' crowd wants a nice, bit encore. ;)

Peter: Why don't we play our theme song? ;)

Mike: (Shrugs) Hey, why not? We all know that one by heart.

Micky: Forward, backward, sideways... ;)

Davy: Up, down and around! ;)

Mike: Ok, ok, smart boys.

Sally: (To the camera) That's the Monkees, folks. Look for them on their self-titled debut album from Headquarters Records on June 1st. (Grins) Look for the line that has me in it, 'cause I want the first copy. ;) :X

Peter: Sure! We'll even sign it for you, Miss Starr! :D

Davy: We love our fans. ;)

Sally: That would be great, boys. You're nice kids. I wish you luck with your album, special, and tour. :)

Mike: Thanks, Miss S.

Micky: Thank you! :D

Mike: Ok, folks, here's one more for the road. Hit it, boys. (And we launch into "Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees." Everyone dances, even Sally Starr, the cameramen, and the crew. Valerie runs out toward the end and kisses Peter, who hugs her as much as he can as the camera fades out on the boys, the bandstand, Val, and the music. :) )