Ok, folks, everyone ready for music and mayhem? ;)
Mike: Sure. :)
Davy: Sounds interestin'. ;)
Micky: Yeah!
(Peter just gulps. :o )
Lauren: Of course! ;)
(We begin in a room in the office building alongside the Malibu Beach Concert Hall. People are filing out. Valerie is gathering papers together while Peter plays "Come On In.")
(Ronnie Farnsworth enters. His clothing is a bit more up-to-date, but otherwise, he's the same as he was in the first season episode "One Man Shy.")
Ronnie: (Whiny) Vaaaallllerrrieee, I'm shocked to find out I'm not on the list of guests for your wedding! How could you cut out an old friend?
Valerie: Ronnie, we've both told you this. The wedding is a small one for close family and friends, which you are not.
Ronnie: But you've known me since we were kids in the same private school!
Valerie: And you've been driving me crazy for just as long. :p
Ronnie: We grew up together, and you're throwing me over for a long-haired (spits the last word) hippie?
*Peter frowns.*
Valerie: (Glares) I don't care if we grew up together or if your father is still friends with my father. Peter's a good man, sweet, gentle, kind, a wonder with children, and one of the best musicians I've ever known. He's DOING something with himself. What do YOU do with your life, besides live off your parents money and make a pest of yourself? :p
Ronnie: (Sniffs and crosses his arms) I'm going to be taking over Daddy's business when he retires.
Valerie: Which will be when, 1986? Your father is one of the healthiest and most hale people in southern California.
Ronnie: But Vallllerrriee, Tork doesn't BELONG in our circles!
Valerie: Maybe there are times I don't belong in our circles, either. :p
Ronnie: I don't believe you! You're getting soft in the head, Valerie.
Peter: *stops besides Valerie* Valerie knows exactly what she's doing! :)
Valerie: (Puts her hands on her hips) Ronnie, maybe you don't understand this, but I LOVE Peter. The only people who mean as much to me are Dad and Chrissy.
Ronnie: Now, Valerie, you can't be serious about bringing a hippie with strange ideas into OUR circles?
Peter: I don't have strange ideas!
Valerie: I'm not. HE'S bringing a heiress into HIS circles, and I'd rather be there than listening to some snobbish twit! (Slams a stack of sheet music down) And just because his ideas don't sound normal to YOU, don't mean they aren't worth listening to!
Ronnie: Snobbish twit? Valerie, surely you don't mean...
Valerie: I'm not talking to the conference table, Ronnie. :p
*Peter beams.* ;)
Ronnie: Now, Valerie, I know how stressed you've been lately, what with caring for your sister and being in charge of the Music Society and all this wedding business. Why don't you just take some time to think it over? Maybe let the servants watch Chrissy, go away for a while?
Valerie: Chrissy needs a mother's care, Ronnie, not the servants'. And I don't need to go away. I know what I'm doing, and I'm perfectly happy with it.
Ronnie: But you're NOT her mother!
Valerie: I'm the only mother she has.
Ronnie: But, Vaaaallllerrrieee....
Valerie: Will you stop WHINING like a five-year-old? CHRISSY is more mature than you are! :p
Ronnie: Valerie!
Peter: Ronnie, couldn't you just please leave us alone?
Ronnie: Fine. All I wanted was to come to an old friend's wedding. (Turns his nose up in the air) If that's how you feel, Valerie, so be it. Humph!
(He starts regally out of the room, but is nose is so far in the air, he's not looking where he's going and runs into the wall next to the door. ;) )
(Ronnie storms down the hall, where he sees a tall, familiar young woman standing at the empty receptionist's desk. She's a statuesque blond with a subtle make-up job, especially on the high cheeks.)
Ronnie: The receptionist has gone home for the day, miss, and so has the Music Society.
Shelia: I'm sorry to hear that. I wished to join the Society.
Ronnie: Well, the woman in charge of the Music Society is in the meeting room down the hall, if you can catch her before she leaves with her (sniffs angrily) fiancee. :p
Shelia: Actually, I'd rather speak with you. I happened to overhear your conversation. I could help you, if you wish. ;)
Ronnie: What do you mean?
Shelia: *smiles demurely* You want Valerie for yourself, do you not?
Ronnie: (Sighs) I did, once. Nowadays, she won't even be friends with me. I just don't undertstand her anymore. (Angrily) It's that Tork and his musician friends who've done this to her! We were dating, and then HE had to come along and take her away, put all his crazy notions of peace and love into her head! How COULD she date a...a...HIPPIE? :p
Shelia: I...know of their relationship. It does not make me happy. If you still wish to be with her, I can make that happen. *motions to a room off the hallway* Shall we go in there & talk this over? ;)
Ronnie: If you could really help me (shrugs), well, what harm could it do? (Leads her into the small meeting room) I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't happy with that relationship. How could Valerie want someone so poor and unknown...and with such ideas! You should hear what he's saying about the war!
Shelia: *nods* I have an idea about that. *pauses* I cannot go into the reasons behind why I dislike their relationship, but I can offer you a way to get her to like you again. There is one thing I ask. We have to work as a team. You get what you want, & I get what I want.
Ronnie: (Grins, eyeing Shelia's slender form) Sounds reasonable to me. ;)
Shelia: *smiles demurely again* Ah, I already like the way you think. If you agree to help, I can give you powers beyond your wildest imagination. If our plan comes to fruition, you may keep the powers I give you, along with Valerie.
Ronnie: (Raises his eyebrows and sits in a chair) Powers? What kind of powers?
Shelia: Lets just say, powers that will allow you to get Valerie to fall in love with you. ;)
Ronnie: It sounds rather like a superhero comic book.
Shelia: I assure you it is not.
Ronnie: What about Tork? He could try to interfere, or those damn friends of his. They were an absolute pain in the rear before and during her debutante party. :p
Shelia: I shall take care of Tork & his friends, while you use the powers on Valerie. The powers will make her see you in a different light. ;)
Ronnie: Good. Tork and those friends of his turned her not only against me, but against what she IS. She's a debutante, a heiress to a grocery store fortune, and she's marrying a hippie musician!
Shelia: *nods again* I am familiar with Tork & his friends. If you agree to a partnership, you can make her that debutante again & bring her back to what she was.
Ronnie: (Takes her slender hand) It's a deal, Miss...
Shelia: *smiles demurely* Saunders. Shelia Saunders. Call me Shelia. ;)
Ronnie: Ronald Farnsworth, Miss Saunders, (sniffs) but you may have already known that. ;) After all, my family is well-known throughtout the country as the owners of the Farnsworth Trust Incorporated banking chain and other smaller banking and insurance companies.
Shelia: *nods* Ah, what I already know may surprise you. ;)
Ronnie: Well, how do we go about eliminating Tork and his meddling friends?
Shelia: We must get Tork first. I wish to use him for my own dealings. If we get him, his friends will follow & I wish to use them, also. We must find a way to get him alone so that we can catch him unaware.
(Ronnie and Shelia turn to see Valerie and Peter walk down the hallway together.)
Peter: I'm going to get my sheet music and banjo from the Music Society room, then pick up my tux from the cleaners!
Valerie: I'll be at the Montgomery House. I'll meet you at Millie's with the others for lunch. :)
Peter: Ok! Could we share a slice of her key lime cheesecake? :)
Valerie: Of course! (Smiles, gives him a kiss, and walks off. He returns to the Music Society room, a dreamy grin on his face.)
Shelia: I believe we have our opportunity. >:)
Ronnie: (Waves at him) There! You see what I mean? MILLIE'S! A common, ordinary hang-out for common, ordinary peasants! She could go anywhere in the city for lunch, and she's going there! (Frowns) Opportunity?
Shelia: To get Tork. He's gone back to the Music Society room. Alone. ;)
Ronnie: (Grins) Ahhh. How will we get him? He's an extrordinarlly strong man, for his size. (Makes a face) Believe me, I know. :p
Shelia: That will not matter. I shall give you your powers, which you can use against Tork.
Ronnie: Really? :D
*Shelia nods, concentrates on Ronnie, a black light surrounding him. It envelopes him, then fades.*
Ronnie: Wha...what was that? (Looks at himself; smiles wickedly) I DO feel a bit stronger... :D
Shelia: It doesn't matter what that was. What does matter is that we can get Tork now.
Ronnie: Well, let's get him before he leaves, shall we? ;) >:)
Shelia: We shall. ;)
(Takes her arm and walks to the Music Society room, where Peter is rounding up his banjo case and taking the sheet music off the piano.)
Ronnie: (Low, plesant) Well, hello, Tork.
*Shelia smiles.*
Peter: (Whirls around) Ronnie! What are you...(gasps)...you! Shelia! What...how...
Ronnie: We're here for you, Tork.
Shelia: I had wished to join the Society. Seems I made the right choice. This is even better. ;)
Peter: Don't come any closer! (Pulls his banjo out) I have a banjo, and I know how to use it! :p :o
Ronnie: (Rolls his eyes) Oh, please, Tork. I know you don't believe in violence, but that's ridiculous, even for you!
Peter: She doesn't like our music!
Shelia: *frowns* We must keep him from playing his music. :P
Ronnie: Give me that, Tork. You won't fight anyone with that! (He fights Peter for the banjo)
Peter: Let go!
Ronnie: Now, Tork, Shelia says she doesn't want you playing!
Peter: And I know why!
Shelia: Use those powers, Ronnie.
(Ronnie finally pulls the banjo from Peter and throws it aside. Peter lunges for it, but Ronnie pounces on him, holding him to the ground. Both men's eyes are wide.)
Ronnie: I...how did I...
*Shelia smirks.*
Peter: (Whimpers) Please, let me go! She's a demon!
Ronnie: A DEMON? Now, Tork, I know you have some crazy ideas, but this time you've gone a bit far!
Shelia: Now, that is no way to speak of an old friend. ;) :P
Peter: You're no friend! You hate us!
(Peter struggles, but Ronnie holds the young man firmly.)
Ronnie: Now, what are we going to do with him?
Peter: No! Don't hurt me! I know what she does to her captives!
Shelia: Maybe we should take him back to your mansion, Ronnie.
Ronnie: We'll take him back to my mansion. My parents are out of town, and the servants can be instructed not to bother us.
Peter: (Struggles) No! Please!
Ronnie: (Puts his hand over Peter's mouth) We'd better get him out of here. Someone may hear him.
Shelia: Excellent. *nods* Let’s do one thing to make our trip with him easier on ourselves.
Ronnie: Yes?
*Shelia walks up to Peter as Ronnie holds him. She places her fingers to Peter's temples & begins to muddle.*
(Ronnie's eyes widen. Peter struggles and whimpers, but his whimpering lesses, until he finally collapses, panting, his eyes unfocused.)
Ronnie: Wha...what did you do to him?
Shelia: In not so many words, I've confused him, made him more docile.
Ronnie: (Grins) Very, very good. (Gets off of the confused Peter and pulls him to his feet.)
Shelia: They're always much easier to deal with this way. ;)
Peter: What are you going to do to me? :(
Ronnie: I'd like to see you six feet under, but Shelia here seems rather fond of you for some reason. :p
(Peter whimpers again.)
Shelia: I have my own plans, which I believe you are familiar with, Peter.
Peter: God, no! (Tries to step back, but Ronnie firmly takes his arms)
Ronnie: Shall we be going?
Shelia: *nods* Yes. And I know an easy way to get to your mansion.
Ronnie: An easy way?
Shelia: Yes. Like this. *a black light surrounds all three of them, enveloping them, making them disappear*
*They arrive in the foyer of Ronnie's mansion.*
Ronnie: (Looks around) Very, very good! Much better than being stuck in traffic on Rodeo Drive. :p
Peter: Where are we?
Ronnie: We're at my parents' mansion, Tork, (grins) and I know the perfect place to keep you. (To Shelia) Would I be able to...travel...like that, too?
Shelia: *nods* Yes. Simply concentrate on your destination & who is going there.
Ronnie: Very well. (A dark-blue light envelopes the trio. They reappear in a large, ornate bedroom. Everything is beautiful and tasteful, with muted colors and well-refurbished antiques. Ronnie smiles as he looks around) This is one of the upstairs guest rooms. We call them the "tower" rooms, as they are on the second topmost floor to the attic and not frequently used.
(Peter looks around, gulping, his eyes frightened.)
Shelia: Excellent, Ronnie.
Ronnie: (Tugs at Peter's arms) Now, what will we do with Tork? ;)
Peter: Please leave me alone! She must have tricked you, like she tricked Mike and Micky!
Ronnie: Don't talk about your foolish musician friends around me, you little idiot!
Peter: She did! She hurt them! She'll hurt you, too!
Shelia: Since you've done so well, Ronnie, why don't I give you an opportunity to have a bit of...*smirks* fun...with him. ;)
Ronnie: What do you know about hurt, Tork? (Hisses in his ear) You've never had someone below your station take away something that belongs to you!
Peter: But Valerie doesn't belong to anyone! She's her own person!
Ronnie: Damn you, you idiot hippie with your idiotic notions! I'd love to tear you to shreds!
Peter: Please, don't do it! She's using you!
Shelia: Why don't you, Ronnie? Remember, you can do much more now.
Ronnie: Yes, why don't I? (Ronnie forces Peter into a plush armchair in one corner of the room) Now, how do I keep him there? Hmmm....
Peter: Don't listen to her!
Ronnie: Oh, shut up, Tork. (To Shelia) All I need to do is concentrate, and what I want will appear?
Shelia: *nods* That's right.
(Ronnie concentrates on Peter. There's a dark blue light, and the musician is now bound hand and foot to the chair.)
Shelia: You're a natural, Ronnie.
Peter: Ronnie, please, don't do this! Don't let her do this to both of us! You don't want to hurt me, and I know you don't want to hurt Valerie.
Ronnie: No, I don't want to hurt Valerie. (Yanks Peter by his long, golden hair) But I do want to hurt YOU, Tork. :p X(
(Peter gasps and tries to pull away.)
Shelia: Very good... *smiles evilly*
Peter: But...I've never hurt you...
Ronnie: Oh, but you have. You humiliated me in front of some of the most important young people in Malibu Beach. Your friends humiliated me in front of half the town! I don't know how you were able to best me in all those contests, but I'm the one who's in control now! X(
Peter: My friends were trying to help me meet Valerie! They didn't mean to hurt anyone! And anyway, you were mean to them, to me, and to Valerie!
Ronnie: They embarrassed me, Tork. You and your (snarls) soft-headed notions of peace and love and flower power!
Peter: (Ronnie yanks his head harder) Owwww....Ronnie, please....
Ronnie: (Takes Peter's cheeks hard) Oh, shut up, Tork. I don't want to hear you go on about how the world would be so much better if everyone just LOVES. (Concentrates. A pair of scissors appears in one hand. Ronnie pulls Peter's long golden locks and hacks at them with the scissors, cutting off more and more until Peter's hair is ragged and even shorter than Ronnie's) What kind of a hippie are you now, huh? You and your Belgravias and free people and new worlds! (Takes Peter's bead strings and cuts them, one by one)
Peter: Wha...why are you doing this?
Ronnie: Revenge is one of the sweetest words in the English language, Tork.
*Shelia smirks approvingly.* >:)
(Peter starts sobbing)
Ronnie: Well, well, the strong hippie is nothing but a great, big baby!
Peter: (Gulps, sniffling) No, I'm not!
(Ronnie takes the beads and throws them on the table.)
Peter: Let me go, please... (sobs more)
Ronnie: Not this time, Tork. You will NOT win THIS contest!
Peter: I'm not trying to WIN. I love Valerie.
Ronnie: How could you LOVE her? You're nothing LIKE her! She's a debutante! She has more money and class and elegance than your BEADS have!
Peter: (Sobbing) It doesn't matter!
Ronnie: Oh, but it does. I can provide for her, Tork. I can give her more than you ever could.
Peter: You can't give her love!
Ronnie: Yes, I can! I've pursued her since private school.
(Ronnie angrily slashes at the side of Peter's face, just under his cheek, with the scissors. It leaves a small but bloody gash)
Ronnie: What will she see in her pretty little (spits) flower child now?
Peter: (Sniffles) Ronnie...please...
*Shelia continues to smirk.*
Ronnie: And the music. How could you play such fifth rate, wild, awful music?
Peter: Third rate! I know classical, too. You've heard me play.
Ronnie: Why don't you pursue that, instead of running around with riffraff like Nesmith and Dolenz?
Peter: They're not riffraff! They're my friends!
*Shelia makes a face.*
Ronnie: Oh, and did I mention Shelia intends to bring your friends here, too? Get rid of all of you at once, and good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. :p
Peter: (Shrinks back in the chair) N...no...not them...
Shelia: Oh, yes...
Ronnie: (Holds the scissors to Peter's throat) I think we hit a nerve, Shelia. From what I've heard, Tork and his little band of bottom-of-the-barrel Beatles are very close, closer than many families. The best way to hurt him would be through them.
Peter: NO!
Shelia: Definitely. Perhaps we could let his friends know we have him. ;)
Peter: No, leave them out of this! :(
Ronnie: We'll let his friends know we have him.
Shelia: Yes. I still have plans for the rest of them.
Peter: I know what your plans are! You want to split Mike again, so you'll have a White Knight to play with!
Ronnie: White Knight? Split?
*Shelia merely smirks.*
Peter: Mike is the White Knight, and I'm the Bard! Shelia and her uncle have been after us for years, but her uncle's dead now, so it's just her...and she likes Mike! :p
*Shelia glares at Peter.*
Ronnie: What's he babbling about? (Frowns, genuinely concerned) And my condolences on the passing of your uncle.
Shelia: Thank you, Ronnie. *smirks* That's all it is, babble. ;)
Ronnie: That's all it is, babble.
Peter: No, Ronnie, she's controling you!
Ronnie: (Laughs) How could she be controlling me?
Peter: She wants to use you to hurt us!
Ronnie: That's enough, Tork. You don't know what you're talking about. (Takes a handkerchief out of his pocket and gags Peter with it) Now, how will we get his friends here?
(Peter shakes his head helplessly.)
Shelia: Why don't we choose the simple method? We can call them & just let them know we have him.
Ronnie: We'll just call them. I'll get the phone...
(Shelia stops him and reaches into Peter's pants pocket.)
Ronnie: Now, Shelia, if you want to do that, please take it to another room away from my prying eyes. ;)
(Peter's eyes widen.)
Shelia: This will be even easier. *hands Ronnie Peter's communicator* Use this.
Ronnie: Looks like something out of "Star Trek." (Frowns) How does it work?
(Peter shakes his head, whimpering under his gag.)
Shelia: Flip it open. There's a button to start & stop conversation. *smirks*
(Ronnie does so. A few seconds later, Valerie's voice is heard.)
Valerie: Peter, what is it? Are you ok?
Ronnie: This isn't your precious Tork, darling. (Smirks)
Valerie: Ronnie! Where's Peter? How did you get his communicator? If you did something to him...
Ronnie: He's at my parents' mansion with me and a friend. He's more or less unharmed, and will remain that way if you do what we tell you to.
Valerie: Ronnie, what's going on? What "friend?"
Ronnie: A woman who has been very, very good to me.
Shelia: *grins into the communicator* Hello, *with venom* dear. *smirks*
Valerie: SHELIA! But, how...
Ronnie: I see you're familiar with my new friend. ;)
(Peter struggles, sobbing through the gag.)
Valerie: What do you want? If you split me or Peter in half my father will come after you and every single thing you own.
(Peter whimpers at the mention of being split.)
(Shelia takes the communicator from Ronnie.)
Shelia: My, my. *smirks* You know what I want. Ronnie & I have struck up a deal. You may want to tell the others that we have Peter. We're at Ronnie's mansion, should you want to try to rescue him. ;)
Valerie: Damn you, Shelia! Why do you do this to us? I'm going to marry Peter whether you and Ronnie like it or not! X(
Shelia: We shall see about that.
Ronnie: (Into the communicator) You come here, Valerie, with or without the rest of that musical menagerie, or Tork will die.
Valerie: No! I...I'll do it. When do you want me here?
Ronnie: When you can get here...if you really do love this dim-wit blond.
(Peter sobs helplessly.)
Valerie: Fine! Peter, don't worry, we'll come for you!
(Peter shakes his head, trying to warn Valerie through the gag.)
Shelia: Just what I was hoping... ;) >:)
(Ronnie shuts off the communicator with a smirk.)
Ronnie: They're coming. >:)
(Peter shakes his head, crying harder.)
Shelia: *smirks* Excellent.
Ronnie: Should I prepare for them? Tell Jeeves that Miss Valerie and some (makes a face) people will be in?
Shelia: *nods* Yes, prepare for their arrival. ;)
Ronnie: Yes, I'll prepare for their arrival. (Turns and leaves the room)
(Peter's eyes widen - he gasps and wails through the gag)
Shelia: *turns to Peter* Now, my dear Bard... *walks over to him* Awe, you're so upset!
(Peter nods, trying to pull away from her.)
Shelia: Now, now. *trails her fingertips down the side of his bleeding face* I can be very nice to you, you know. I can offer you a life one could only dream of. No worries, no fears... *smirks*
(Peter shakes his head)
Shelia: No, hear me out, dear Bard. I can offer you & Valerie the good life. You'd have a beautiful home. You could have anything at all.
(Peter shakes his head more violently and tries to pull away)
*Shelia slowly trails her fingertips down Peter's shoulder & then across his chest toward his heart.*
(Peter lets out a long wail.)
Shelia: Your friends could have the same. I don't understand why all of you want to live with the uncertainties of this normal life. *smirks as her hand rests on his heart*
(Peter sobs and shakes his head again)
Shelia: *smirks at the gag* Now, dear Bard, I know you'd like for me to remove that, but I wish to do this first. *pauses* Ah, seems I was right about those fears & worries...
(Peter cries even louder, his chest shuddering as Shelia touches it. He cringes as she unbuttons his bright orange paisley shirt, kneeding her fingers into his chest.)
Shelia: Oh, yes, you have many worries. You worry about so much about your friends, your own life, and what it will be like when you get married.
(Peter only closes his eyes and sobs.)
Shelia: Where to begin. You fear for your friends. You don't want anything...*smirks* bad...to happen to them. You're afraid that I'll get to them and it's all your fault. >:)
(Peter nods slightly and cringes again.)
Shelia: *makes a face* You aren't envious or jealous of any of them. You just want everyone to be happy, even if you aren't. :P
(Peter nods, smiling slightly through his tears.)
Shelia: Disgusting. *pauses* You're afraid of not making it as a musician & not being able to support you and Valerie. :P
(Peter's smile fades. He makes a face at the tone of voice she uses for Valerie's name.)
Shelia: *smirks* Now, dear Bard, you know I could make all those worries & fears disappear.
(Peter shakes his head, pulling away again.)
Shelia: *pulls him closer; runs a hand through what's left of his hair* Come on, dear Bard, just imagine never having to worry about being a famous musician, because you WOULD be famous. I can make that happen. *drags her fingertips down the side of his cut face again*
(Peter is still shaking his head, squirming under her body)
Shelia: *moves in even closer, now trailing her fingertips across his chest* Don't you want to be a great musician? Don't you want to be able to provide for your family without worry?
(Peter nods, but makes a face. He pulls away as far as he can, turning his face from hers.)
Shelia: *starting to get frustrated* Dear Bard, won't you look at me? I know how badly you'd like to help you friends.
(Peter keeps his head turned away, sniffling.)
Shelia: *now frustrated; takes his face in both hands & makes him look at her* You're supposed to want my help! The other two did! X-(
(Peter glares at her as well as he can and shakes his head.)
Shelia: *growls; lets go of his face harshly* Damn you & that innocent soul of yours! X-(
(Peter only turns away again, sobbing.)
Shelia: *suddenly smirks again* Don't want to accept my help, huh? All right, fine. Let's try this, then...
(Peter's eyes widen and he struggles again.)
*Shelia concentrates on Peter. A black light envelopes him. When it clears, a golden-haired puppy lays on the seat of the chair.*
(The puppy whimpers, then jumps out of the chair as Ronnie opens the door.)
Ronnie: (Eyes widen) What on EARTH....
Shelia: *growls* Stop him! Don't let that puppy get away! :P
Ronnie: If you insist, Shelia. (Grabs the puppy and scoops him into his arms; the puppy struggles) What's going on? Mummy and Daddy will be frightfully annoyed if they find animals in the house that aren't guard dogs!
Shelia: This puppy is Tork! *smirks* In a new & improved form, shall I say. ;)
Ronnie: (Grins wickedly at the squirming dog in his arms) Well, well. >:)
Shelia: *sighs* Are we prepared for our...visitors? ;) >:)
Ronnie: Jeeves and the houseboys know what to do. ;)
Shelia: *nods* Good.
(Peter gulps, then bites Ronnie's thumb as hard as he can. Ronnie drops Peter again and the little gold puppy runs for the door as Ronnie wails.)
Shelia: You fool! Stop him! X-(
Ronnie: Damn that little brat! Shelia, get him! And ring the servants to get me some iodine and a band aid! X( :p
Shelia: *glares at Ronnie* Why do I always have to do everything myself?! *goes out the door, after the runaway puppy*
(And Shelia does chase him, to the tune of "Your Auntie Grizelda." She blocks him at the end of the hallway. He turns around and dashes back into the room as a maid is bringing first aid for Ronnie's thumb. Shelia, and then Ronnie and the maid when Ronnie's been attended to, chase the little golden dog all over the room, under beds, over furniture, in and out of closets. They finally get him into a corner.)
Maid: We've got him now, sir, ma'am!
Shelia: Good. I have an idea to keep him put...
Maid: How? He's a rather frisky critter!
*Shelia concentrates on the puppy, a black light surrounding him. When it clears, the puppy is now in a cage. She smirks.*
Ronnie: Very nice, Shelia.
Maid: Who is she, Mr. Farnsworth?
Ronnie: This is a friend, Shelia Saunders. She'll be staying here a few days (smirks at the cage) with her pet.
(Peter whimpers.)
Shelia: I'm a...business partner, also. ;)
Ronnie: Maggie, Miss Saunders and her...pet...will be staying in the tower rooms, with a few other guests who should be arriving soon. ;)
(Peter lets loose with a frightened howl.)
Shelia: My dear puppy doesn't like new surroundings.
Maggie: Yes, Mr. Farnsworth. (Frowns at Peter) Better keep the dog from making a racket! You know how Mr. and Mrs. Farnsworth feel about animals!
Shelia: I can keep him quiet. ;)
Ronnie: We'll take care of it, Maggie.
Maggie: Yes, Mr. Farnsworth. Will you be wanting anything else?
Ronnie: No, that will be all, Maggie.
(She leaves. Shelia and Ronnie turn to face the puppy howling in the cage.)
Ronnie: Maggie wasn't kidding about my parents. They're on a cruise right now, but they should be returning in a few days, and they really aren't fond of animals. (Smirks) Unless Mummy is wearing one. ;)
(Peter whimpers and scratches at the bars of the cage.)
Shelia: *shakes her head* They'll never know about him. I have ways of keeping him quiet and out of sight.
Ronnie: Good. I don't think they'll mind you, especially Daddy, but they won't be crazy about him or his friends. :p
(Peter tries to nudge the lock on the cage, but it won't budge.)
Shelia: I can take care of him & his friends, no problem. ;)
Ronnie: Now, I must attend to other matters. Would you like me to leave you alone with your (smirks) pet? ;)
(Peter shakes his head and howls again.)
Shelia: Yes, thank you, Ronnie. ;)
Ronnie: You're welcome, dear. ;) (Walks out of the room, nursing his sore thumb, but not before shooting Peter one more dirty look.)
(Peter whines and scratches the cage again.)
Shelia: *shakes her head* Come along, dear Bard. I have to make sure that you don't make yourself known here. *grins*
*Shelia places the cage on the bed.*
(Peter whines, then looks at her with large, frightened light brown eyes.)
Shelia: First of all, I need you to stop that awful whining. *runs her fingertip along his throat* There.
(Peter opens his muzzle to whimper again, but no sound emerges. He starts crying, tears spilling over his muzzle and onto his short gold fur.)
Shelia: Then there's that incessant scratching... *runs a fingertip over his front paws*
(His paws collaspe from under him, useless. He looks up at her with helpless, frightened light brown eyes, sniffling and crying.)
Shelia: *smirks* MUCH better. ;) >:)
(Peter manages to lean against the bars, sobbing. He once again turns his big brown eyes to her.)
Shelia: *hisses* Oh, stop that, or else I'll blind you, too! X-( >:)
(Peter just closes his eyes as tears pour out of them. Shelia sits next to the cage on the bed and begins stroking him. He tries to pull away from her, but she squeezes him.)
Shelia: Now, now... *smirks*
(He squirms more, but her fingers move to his head, which she begins rubbing.)
Shelia: I think you could use a little muddling, dear Bard. ;)
(Peter's squirming soon slows, and his breathing evens. His wet brown eyes cloud over. She leans over his head with a smirk.)
Shelia: Now that's a good puppy. ;)
(His squirming eventually ceases, and he lays, quiet, calm, and motionless, on the floor of the cage.)
*Shelia smirks.*
(She concentrates. A brown leather collar appears in a black light in her hand. She puts it around Peter's neck.)
Shelia: Now you really ARE my pet. ;) >:)
(Peter's only acknowledgement is a thump of his tail and the tears that continue to stream onto his muzzle.)
(We fade out on Shelia idily running her fingertips over Peter's motionless body and in on Millie's Cheesecakes and Other Goodies, the bakery/restaraunt Millie started in "Origins of the MonkeeMen." Mike, Micky, Lauren, and Emma sit together at one table, chatting.)
Mike: (Grins) Man, Mick, why didn't you just order the WHOLE menu? ;)
Emma: I thought he did. ;)
Micky: Nahh, I did that last time. Besides, I'm trying to be good & NOT empty my wallet every time I'm in here. :P
Emma: (Grins) I'm sure Millie gets at least two-thirds of her business from you alone. ;)
Mike: Where's the kiddies, with their grandma? :)
Lauren: Yeah. She loves to watch them & it gives us a breather. :)
Micky: Yeah. *waggles his eyebrows* ;)
Lauren: You know that wasn't what I meant, Mick! :P
Mike: HEAVY breather, more like it. ;)
(Emma nudges him.)
*MIcky just grins.* ;)
(Valerie bursts into the bakery. She's clearly upset. She grabs a seat and joins the others.)
Valerie: Guys, Shelia has Peter! :p :o :(
Emma: WHAT?
Mike: Oh, man...
Lauren: Oh no...
Micky: How?
Valerie: (Eyes narrow) She somehow got Ronnie to help her. :p
Micky: Great. :P
Valerie: They're holding him at Ronnie's parents' mansion in Beverly Hills.
Emma: How did they get him?
Valerie: (Eyes widen) The Music Society! He was going to get his banjo and sheet music, then pick up his tux and meet us here! :o
Mike: They probably caught up with him there and grabbed him. :p X(
Lauren: Awe, man...
Micky: We've gotta do something!
Valerie: I don't know what we can do! She knows we're coming!
Mike: (Clenches his fists) It's a trap. She's tryin' to get all of us.
Emma: We've got to surprise her somehow.
Micky: There's always "Mission: Ridiculous." ;)
Valerie: Could it work? I mean, this isn't a warehouse or a toy store! This is a mansion! They'll be security guards eveywhere! :p
Mike: It's gotta work. We have to get Pete back. No tellin' what she'll try on him.
Micky: We'll just have to...alter it. *smirks* ;)
Valerie: Alter it? In what way?
Micky: Well, we probably can't get away with the all black getups.
Emma: Too obvious.
Mike: Em, you're not going on this one.
Emma: Miiiiikkkeeee.... :p
Lauren: It's for your safety, Em.
Mike: Don't "Miiiikkkkkeeee" me! You're pregnant, and you've already fallen into that witch's clutches once!
Emma: But, what about you?
Mike: As much as I want to help Pete, someone's gotta take care of you and the babies, too, when they come back from Janelle's.
Valerie: Besides, Em's not the only person Shelia's gotten her hands on in the last few months.
(Mike makes a face. :p )
Micky: *nods* It'd probably be better if not everyone goes, anyway.
Mike: Yeah, she'll be expectin' that.
Valerie: I'm going. Peter's MY fiancee, and I don't want to see him hurt by that...that...witch! (Sighs) Maybe someone ought to call Daphne and Davy, too.
Micky: *nods* Good idea.
Emma: (Shakes her head) You might be able to get Davy, but Daphne's out of town with the Abbies. Davy told us they had a gig in San Diego for the next few days. :p
Lauren: We'll just have to try to get Dave, then.
Emma: Well, who's gonna call him?
Mike: Mick, you get him. You communicate better with him than I do.
Micky: Okay. *grins; pulls out his communicator* Earth calling Davy, Davy, come in, this is Earth... ;)
Davy: (Over the communicator) Mother ship, calling Gork. What's going on?
Micky: Ha ha. Big trouble. The Shelia-monster is back & got her grubby hands on Peter! :P ;)
Davy: (Gasps) Oh, god. I'm already on my way. Rehearsal ended early and I was going to meet you guys at Millie's anyhow. Any othah details?
Micky: Looks like Ronnie's involved in this, too.
Davy: Ronnie? As in Farnsworth, that whiny arse who kept pickin' on Petah when 'e and Valerie stahted datin'? Wot's 'e got to do with anythin'? :p
Micky: You got it, Dave. We're not sure, but we figure Shelia must've...gone after him, like she's done before. *makes a face* :P
Davy: (Gasps over the communicator) Oh, good lord. We've got to get Petah away from 'er, before she tries to sway 'im the way she did you and Mike! :p :o
Micky: Yeah. Our thoughts exactly. Get over here as quick as possible & we'll head out. We'll work out a plan while we wait for you.
Davy: Right, mate. Mothah ship ovah and out. (Turns off his communicator)
Valerie: Guys, we've got to do...(gasps)...oh!
Emma: (Puts her hand on Valerie's shoulder) Valerie, what's wrong?
Valerie: My chest is burning! And I've felt so strange...confused...
Mike: Like you were muddled. :p X(
Micky: Uh oh...
Emma: Oh, lord, she's reading Peter's soul! :o
Lauren: Awe, no...
Valerie: (Holding onto her chest) Oh, god, no...she wants his soul so badly, because of his innocence... :(
Mike: If she tries to stick her claws into him, I'll stick my sword into HER. X(
Emma: (Sighs) Honey, calm down. This is no place to go wolf on us.
Micky: *thumps a fist on the table* Forget a sword, I'll tear her apart with my bare hands! X-(
Valerie: I'm going after him. Tonight.
Micky: We're going, too. If Dave can get HERE relatively soon...
(Davy comes in, pocketing the keys to the jeep and looking worried. He grabs another chair and nudges between Micky and Mike.)
Davy: Ok, gang, wot's the plan? ;)
(Millie shows up with a tray filled with baked goods before anyone can answer. Micky starts drooling and Lauren puts a cup under him. ;) )
Lauren: Thanks, Millie. *shakes her head*
Millie: Chow's on, gang. (Nods at Valerie and Davy) You kids want anything?
Valerie: I'll have (sighs) a slice of key lime cheesecake and some coffee.
Davy: I'll have a pecan tart.
Millie: Want a shoehorn with that? (Grins at the crowded table) What's this, a meeting of the Rock Musicians' Coalition of Malibu Beach?
Mike: Let's just say we're plannin' a jail break. ;)
Millie: Peter trying to break all the animals out of the pound again?
Davy: Um, yeah, Millie. You know 'ow 'e feels 'bout animals. ;)
Lauren: Kinda.
(She puts plates in front of the kids. Micky and Emma have the most plates. ;) )
Mike: Man, Em, you're gettin' as bad as Mick these days!
Emma: Honey, I'm eating for two, one of whom is an ornery little Nesmith who lets me know when she isn't fed in no uncertain terms! :p
Lauren: *chuckles* Comes with the territory. ;)
Mike: You expect her to let you know in certain terms?
Davy: Lucky the kid cahn't talk yet, or you'd be deaf. ;)
Millie: Well, dig in, gang. (Smiles at Valerie) I've got the cake just about ready. I'm going to finish the trim after you guys head out. (Pats her shoulder) I really appreciate you giving me your business and your dad's business, honey.
Valerie: (Smiles) No, Millie, WE appreciate YOU. Just keep sending Dad your amaretto cheesecake and he'll probably beg, sit up, roll over, and play dead. ;)
Millie: I like a millionaire who appreciates good cheesecake. ;) Enjoy, folks. (Goes to the counter to attend to some noisy teenagers who have come in for a lunchtime snack)
Valerie: (Grins) I like her. ;) :D
Emma: Almost everyone does. She makes the best cheesecake ever, and she loves playing mother for the neighborhood. :)
Micky: *mouth full* And I love everything she makes. ;)
Mike: With his whole heart. ;)
Lauren: And stomach. ;)
(Everyone chuckles. The kids eat. Millie brings Davy and Valerie their food and coffee, then returns to the teenagers.)
Davy: (Between bites of pecan tart) 'Ow are we going to rescue Petah?
Valerie: I have to go. Not only am I Peter's fiancee, but I know the Farnsworth mansion fairly well.
Davy: I'm goin', too.
Micky: Lauren & I are going. I'm thinking "Mission: Impossible" but we've gotta figure out how to sneak in without being noticed. Shelia's more than likely just waiting for us to show up. :P
Mike: Em and I are stayin' behind. Shelia's already had more fun with us than I'd prefer, and I don't want Em anywhere near her again durin' her pregnancy. :p
(Emma just sighs and returns to her strawberry swirl cheesecake.)
Valerie: We could create a distraction of some kind.
Davy: (Grins) That's somethin' we're very good at. ;)
Mike: Yeah, well, don't get yourselves caught while doin' it. :p
Micky: Oh, ye of little faith. :P
Emma: He has a point. We don't need her getting her hands on anyone else! :p
Valerie: I have a good idea of where the main power for the security cameras are. I could cut off the power while you guys distract Ronnie and Shelia.
Micky: *nods* Perfect.
Davy: We'll 'ave to find out where Petah is from the Wicked Witch of California and Ronnie the Arse. :p
Valerie: You could always muddle her again. ;)
Lauren: Worked rather well before. ;)
Davy: Was kinda fun, too. ;)
Valerie: We'll have to do something with them to keep the servants from trying anything.
Davy: We could cut off the lights for the whole 'ouse! ;)
Valerie: Take out all of the power! They have a generator, but the Farnsworth mansion is old and it'll take it quite some time to kick in. ;) :D
Micky: I like working in the dark. ;)
Valerie: We'll bring flashlights with our spy gear, and lock picks, too.
Mike: And keep a good eye on your communicators, just in case something goes wrong.
Emma: Shelia never DID give me mine back. :p
Micky: I'll get you a new one, Em.
Mike: Fortunantly, my double was wearin' mine when we rejoined. ;)
Davy: We'll go in tonight, when the 'ouse is quiet.
Valerie: It'll be even more quiet than usual. Ronnie told me at a Music Society meeting that his parents are out of town. It's just him and the servants...and now, Shelia and Peter.
Davy: Perfect, luv. You could ask a servant where Shelia and Ronnie are, or make a distraction that'll bring EVERYONE runnin'. ;)
Valerie: And that's when we'll cut off the power.
Davy: We'll 'ave to meet somewhere...
Valerie: The bottom of the staircase in the front foyer should be fine. :)
Micky: It's a plan. :)
Valerie: (Puts her hand to her chest and frowns) Peter's scared to death, and very upset. (Puts a hand on her throat) I think she muted him, too. (Shakes her hands) Ow! They're tingly...
Micky: Paralyzed...
Mike: (Narrows his eyes) Like my double did to me when I was in their clutches. :p X(
Micky: Same old tricks. :P
Lauren: But they work. *sighs* :P
Valerie: He's....(gulps)...calm. Helpless. Understandably unhappy. She must have muddled him again. (Frowns) And there's a strange tugging at my throat, like I'm wearing a tight necklace.
Mike: That does it. (Eyes on fire) It's settled. Late tonight, after it gets dark, you guys are goin' in. Em and I will stay at the Pad. Bring Peter over after you get him away, and we'll all go to the Cartwright Mansion until we can figure out how to get Shelia off our backs again, or at least make her lose power...and Ronnie.
(We fade out on everyone nodding. Micky and Davy are grinning. Lauren looks grimly determined. Valerie's very worried and sad.)
Valerie: Oh, Peter.... (She's the last thing we see as the scene fades out.)