Ok, so, is everyone REALLY ready to begin this time?

Mike: I think...

Davy: Everyone? There isn't a heck of a lot of us to call everyone.

(We open in another suite in Sheila's penthouse. Alex, clad only in his boxers, brings a tray over to a lump on the bed.)

Alex: Up and at 'em, my sweet mother! Time for a nutritious meal!

Lauren: *low groan* Go away.

Alex: I don't feel like going away today. (Grins) Today, I want to play with my Mother. (He sneaks his fingers under the cover)

Lauren: *tries to move away; sarcastic* Great.

Alex: (Gets closer; we see his hand move under the cover) Now now, my sweet Mother, why don't you just relax, and we'll have some fun with our breakfast?

Lauren: *whines* I don't wanna relax! I wanna go back to Mick and the others and get away from you!

Alex: It's a bit hard to shag with a bear rug.

Lauren: *eyes narrow* What?

Alex: My dear brother is currently having the time of his life with his true siblings in spirit, the polar bears at the zoo.

Lauren: *eyes widen now* You didn't!?

Alex: Aw, don't worry so much! He made such a CUTE polar bear cub, and he loved wrestling with all those little guys!

Lauren: I hate you.

Alex: And I'm still very fond of you, but you probably already knew that. (He moves closer to her on the bed)

Lauren: *makes a fist* I know how to use this.

Alex: And I know how to use these! (His fingers snake up her neck and rubs her temples)

Lauren: *makes a futile attempt at shaking her head* No!

Alex: (Continues rubbing) Now now, my little mother. Why don't you calm down, so we can enjoy our breakfast (wiggles his eyebrows) and some other things?

*Lauren whimpers as her eyes start to glaze over.*

Alex: Ahh, that's MUCH better. (Fingers slide down to her chest) Now, to do a little something I'd promised Milady I'd do...

(Alex grins as Lauren whimpers.)

Alex: (Smirks) Ahh, seems you're also worried about the band breaking apart. You and my brother may have seven hundred different vocations between the two of you, but none of them pay quite like the "rock star" vocation, isn't that true, my sweet?

*Lauren frowns.*

Alex: (Kneads deeper into her chest) Ooh, that feels good. (Grins) You're afraid that you and Mick may be doing a little breaking up of your own. Apparently, it's been a while since you two had a good night of raging sex, which ain't normal with my horny brother.

Lauren: *small voice* Maybe...

Alex: You're worried about those kids, too. You're wondering if any of them might have my dear brother's ability to knock through walls at the mere mention of my name.

Lauren: *nods* Yeah...

Alex: And yes, you're worried about Mick's powers, too, and what they might do in the right - or wrong - circumstances. (Grins) And I can't help that I get him riled! That's how much he loves me!

*Lauren squirms. She can't stand listening anymore!*

Alex: Did I hit a nerve? (He gets closer to her)

Lauren: *squirms again* Just go away.

Alex: Nahh. There's really no other place to go. Besides, you're so nice and warm! (He runs his fingers down her sides) So, how did you like that, babe?

*Lauren sticks her tongue out at him.*

Alex: No? How about this? (He pulls her towards him and kisses her passionately) Better than any polar bear, huh?

*This time, Lauren flips him off.*

Alex: (Growls) That's not funny, babe. (He grabs her arms and pulls her close to him) You're gonna be mine, whether you like it or not.

*Lauren shakes her head.*

(Alex once again runs his fingers over her...this time in private spots, making her shiver.)

Alex: Wasn't that fun?

*Lauren whimpers; he's getting to her.*

Alex: Yeah, you did enjoy that, didn't you? (He runs his fingers over her breasts this time) How about that?

*She gives the same response... but with just the smallest hint of a smile as well.*

Alex: (Runs his fingers through her hair, then across her face) Isn't this great?

*Lauren sighs, but the hint of smile has disappeared. Forget the hair and face!*

Alex: Ahh, you like it lower. (Grins) Whaddya know, me too! (He runs his fingers under the covers again)

*She shudders, the faint smile returning.*

Alex: FORGET breakfast! This is the best meal of the day! (He grabs her and pulls her under the covers)

(As Alex and Lauren go under the covers, Sheila comes in. She raises an eyebrow.)

Sheila: Wouldn't you rather eat first? ;)

Alex: *glares at Sheila over the covers* You have absolutely amazing timing, you know that?

Sheila: Thank you. Did you read her soul?

Alex: Of course!

Sheila: Find anything interesting? Zelda just told me some of the lovely things she found in the men's souls.

(Sheila sits down on the couch across from the bed with a smirk.)

Alex: Yes. *pauses* I feel like I have an audience. Gee, I wonder why.

Sheila: (Ignores his comments) Well, what did you find? They all seem to be concerned about the band and the Bard's defection.

Alex: Yeah, I found the same thing, along with general worries of the future. *smirks* Plus a little something I'll be keeping in mind.

Sheila: Such as?

Alex: Now, is it really any of your business?

Sheila: You might want to keep in mind that I AM your boss, creator, and partner.

Alex: *growls* Well, lets just say that she and the Savage haven't been getting it on much lately.

Sheila: THEM? They were always so lovey-dovey, they made me ill. THEY aren't getting along?

Alex: They're getting along just fine. They're just not getting it ON.

Sheila: For your brother, that's even worse.

Alex: I got the feeling there's been too much else going on, as well as too much stress.

Sheila: Stress alone will put the dampers on a relationship.

Alex: That's their only problem. They still seem to be getting along the best, with the Lord of the Manor second, as far as she knows.

Sheila: What of the White Knight?

Alex: *motions with his hand* Ehh. Getting rockier.

Sheila: He's been pushing his men too hard.

Alex: No kidding.

Sheila: There has to be a way we can use the break-up of the group and Tork's defection. We need to get a hold of Zelda and see if she's discovered anything else.

Alex: She's probably having too much fun messing with the others.

Sheila: You need to get down to the arena and work on the soul machine, and I'd like to see if I can get Zelda to take the Lord of the Manor and the White Knight's soul. You can get the ladies later. (Makes a face) I wish there was a way to do it without their feeling it!

Sheila: We need to subdue the women, maybe keep them here until after the men perform. You'll have to get their souls, along with their audience's.

Alex: I'm part-way there already. *motions to Lauren, who's now dozing*

Sheila: We'll need to get the other two up here and keep them here.

Alex: I've got an idea.

Sheila: I hope it's good.

Alex: *holds up an index finger* Watch...and learn.

*A black light covers Alex. When it clears, he more closely resembles Micky.*

Alex: Well? It's a new little trick I've been working on.

Sheila: I wondered when you were going to try that.

Alex: It took a while to perfect.

Sheila: You'll tell the girls you're Micky and lure them up here. We'll have some soul-reading fun and subdue them until after the concert. Their husbands will continue the tour, unknowingly collecting souls for us, including theirs and they're wives'.

Alex: You got it.

Sheila: Well, go do your job, then! Bring the women back here, so we can read their souls! Bring Zelda, too. We'll need her. The Scholar and the Huntress are terribly feisty.

Alex: I'm going, I'm going! Yeesh. *gives Lauren a quick kiss on the forehead, then disappears in a black light*

Sheila: (Goes over to Lauren) Now, little Mother, what to do with you until Alex arrives with your friends...

(Cut to downstairs. Emma, Mike, Zelda, Davy, and Daphne head in the door. Mike rubs furiously at his nose.)

Mike: I don't get it. It was workin' fine last night. Now I can't sense anythin'.

Davy: Maybe it's all this recycled air.

Emma: Maybe we could go down to the park for a walk, or walk around downtown and do some sightseeing.

Mike: (Shakes his head) If it's all the same to you, darlin', I'd rather take a nap before the concert. The cars are gonna pick us up in a few hours, and Micky still hasn't appeared.

Emma: (Looks at Daphne) I think we ought to get the police. We could even walk. It's not too far. Micky's been gone for almost 24 hours now. That makes him a missing person.

Daphne: *nods* Who knows, maybe they've seen him.

Zelda: Only if he found a chemistry set somewhere and blew something up.

Emma: This is Micky we're talking about. He could have done that. Has anyone checked the papers?

Daphne: I picked one up in the lobby earlier. *holds out the paper*

(They walk over to a circle of couches, chairs, and tables in the lobby. Mike takes the largest chair, of course.)

Mike: Anything about explosions in chemistry labs?

Emma: Or some curly-haired nut blowing up kiddie chemistry sets in toy stores?

Davy: Or any type of explosion in general?

*Alex enters, unseen by the others. He spots them and walks over, leaning over Zelda's shoulder. He gives a known signal to her.*

Alex: Checking for movie listings? ;)

Zelda: *turns around; wide eyed* Mick!

Mike: Where the HELL have you been, boy?

Emma: Micky, you scared the life out of us!

Alex: Now, wait, Mike, before you read me the riot act, I have a really good reason for...um, not remembering the last 24 hours or so...

Zelda: Not remembering?

Mike: (Crosses his arms and leans back in the chair) Ok, boy, out with it.

Alex: *shrugs sheepishly* I was messing around a little too much at the zoo and kinda clonked my head real hard. A member of the crew found me and took me to their break room where I slept it off.

Mike: Damn it, Mick, why didn't ya call?

Alex: I didn't even know where I was for most of the time! I was so out of it, I could hardly remember anything.

Emma: How did you manage to clonk your head so hard, you knocked yourself out for almost a whole day?

Davy: You 'ave to ask?

Mike: Mick, we told 'ya to stay out of the polar bear pit!

Emma: Did you clonk your head, or did a polar bear clonk YOU?

Alex: Well, we were playing, and one thing led to another...

Zelda: Must be the latter.

Emma: Micky, bear mothers are very sensitive about their cubs, including polar bears!

Mike: You're lucky she didn't shred 'ya for the cubs' lunch!

Alex: Alright, alright, I get it. I did a stupid thing and deserved what I got! Sheesh.

Emma: Why don't all of you boys rest, while us girls get some quality female time together? Micky's back safe and sound. I don't think there's any reason to worry.

Mike: I still think your explanation sounds fishy.

Emma: He's here and in one piece, dear. That's what matters.

Zelda: *pats Alex's hand, which is resting on her shoulder* He's been through enough already, Mike.

Mike: There's just somethin' wrong... (Shakes his head; Emma puts her hand around his shoulder)

Emma: Honey, go rest. Maybe that'll clear your head.

Mike: I guess so. (Sighs) I still think... (Shakes his head again and heads upstairs)

Emma: I'll check on him before he leaves for the concert.

Davy: *claps Alex's shoulder* So, Mick, wanna tell me about wotevah you remembah?

Alex: Very funny, Dave. No, I think I might just go lie down myself. I'm still feeling a little woozy.

Davy: *nods* Right, mate. I'll see everyone latah. *heads upstairs*

Emma: Ok, ladies, ready for your walk? (Looks at Micky) Gonna go sleep off whatever Mama Polar Bear did to your brain?

Alex: *shares a look with Zelda* Actually, I was thinking of something else first.

Emma: I don't think going back to the zoo would be a good idea.

Alex: Not quite what I had in mind.

*A black light suddenly surrounds the four of them.*

(When the black light subsides, they are in the penthouse suite. Sheila strokes Lauren's now-short auburn hair. Lauren is tied to the bed listlessly. Handmaidens crowd the room.)

Sheila: What do you think of my new handmaiden?

Emma: SHEILA! What did you do to her? (She blue-lights her hockey stick into her hand and charges at her)

Daphne: Save me a piece, Em! *also charges at Sheila*

(Sheila nimbly ducks away from both women, letting them run straight into the handmaidens!)

Sheila: Ladies, hold onto them. We need to get a little information.

Emma: That's what YOU think! (She's knocking her way though handmaidens)

Sheila: This is so messy! Alex, Zelda, handle these ladies.

*Alex latches onto Emma, while Zelda takes hold of Daphne.*

Sheila: How would you ladies like to enjoy some soul-reading?

Emma: Don't TOUCH me.

Daphne: Or me!

Sheila: I think they would. (She reaches under Emma's red turtleneck blouse) Hmmm...not only fears of the band breaking up, but worries of what Mike will do if it happens. Unlike Micky, he doesn't have 700 different jobs, and you haven't had an easy time selling your own writing, either. You're wondering if either of your brats share your power, especially that newborn boy who is so much like his father. You're simply petrified of not being in control, of yourself or the group, and worry that your bossiness may be causing trouble. (Turns to Zelda) Why don't you do the Huntress?

Zelda: *reaches under Daphne's blouse* More fears of the band breaking up, what you would do without that, fear of the possibility that Davy still has a wandering eye, and worry about find out what Davy's special power might be.

Emma: (Struggles) What are you UP to? (Glares at Zelda) Who ARE you?

Zelda: I'm a clone *points at Lauren* of her, obviously.

Sheila: (She looks at Zelda and Alex) We're going to have to do something with them. I'd personally like to kill the Scholar and make the Huntress into a nice little handmaiden.

*Daphne makes a face.*

Emma: NO WAY! What's going on? (She struggles as hard as she can) Get your hands off me!

Alex: Quit your squirming!

Sheila: (Looks at her watch) There isn't time to properly subdue them. We have to get ready for the concert.

Emma: The concert?

Sheila: Why yes, the Monkees' concert just outside of Toronto. The one where we're going to gather over a thousand souls.

Emma: At once? How?

Alex: We've been practicing.

Emma: Damn you! (She struggles as hard as she can)

Sheila: We don't have the time for this. (She concentrates. There's a black light around Emma. When it subsides, she lays on her side on the couch, bound and gagged tightly with the black scarves)

Daphne: *eyes widen* I think I'll just cooperate.

Zelda: *to Daphne* Thank you. *wraps Daphne's wrists with a scarf, then sits her by Emma's feet on the couch*

Sheila: Smart girl. Much smarter than the noisy Scholar. (Emma growls) Alex, you're going to have to continue to pose as the Savage. How good are you on the drums? I know your singing is fine. I've heard you in the shower.

Alex: *waggles his eyebrows* Just as good as my brother.

Sheila: Then you'll be able to fool the other two and the audience.

Alex: Of course! *black light - he appears as Micky again*

Sheila: Zelda, you stay here. Micky, tell the men that the women are delayed and won't be at tonight's show.

Alex: *nods* You got it. *disappears in a black light*

Sheila: Have fun with the ladies, Zelda! Ta ta! (She also vanishes in a black light)