Ok, so, is everyone ready to begin this month's spooky role-play?

Peter: As long as it's not too spooky.

Mike: Yeah...

Micky: I am!

Davy: Ready.

(We open with the MonkeeMobile driving through what looks like a spooky forest in very heavy fog. Mike is wearing his blue cowboy costume and is driving. Peter is dressed as a rabbit in a tan sweater, loose pants, his moccasins, ears, a fluffy tail, and painted-on nose and whiskers.)

Mike: You sure this is the right road, Mick?

Peter: It looks like the Woods That Time Forgot.

*Micky is dressed in his Indian garb, including headdress and paint.*

Micky: Of course I am! Lauren even insisted on giving me the turn-by-turn directions!

Mike: You didn't lose the directions, did you?

Micky: I got 'em right here!

Mike: (Stops the car) Then let me see 'em. I don't think this is the right road. I ain't seen a house for miles.

Micky: *Sighs* Fine.

Davy: *Dressed as a prince* It's always the same thing. Mike drives, Micky thinks he gives directions, and they argue the whole way.

Peter: Maybe you or I or Slip should take the wheel.

*Slip is dressed in Navy whites, including the hat. Sach is dressed as a clown with face paint and a red foam nose.*

Sach: What about me?

Slip: I don't let you drive the jalopy.

Mike: (He opens the map - it spreads out to cover both of them, so that only their hands and the top of Micky's headdress and Mike's hat can be seen) Ok, we're here, and we need to be here. I think we ought to get off on this road...

Sach: *Leans over to Peter* I like your costume, Peter.

Peter: (Smiles) Thanks. My wife is a magician, and she's going to pull me out of a hat when we get to the party.

*Slip just rolls his eyes.*

Sach: Wow! I'd love to see that!

Peter: You will, if we ever get to this party.

Mike: (In front, behind the map) Micky, we can't take that road! The traffic will be crazy! We won't get to the party until next Halloween!

Micky: But it's on the directions!

Mike: Can't we take this shortcut?

Peter: (Turns to Sach, Davy, and Slip with a sigh) They could be at this all evening.

Davy: We'd be better off getting out and walking.

Peter: Maybe we could go see if we could find someone to give us directions somewhere.

*Sach is looking off into the distance. Suddenly, his eyes grow wide.*

Slip: Sach, you look like a glazed donut.

Peter: Sach, what is it?

Sach: G-g-g...

Peter: What is it, Sa... (He turns in the same direction...and his eyes widen, too) G...g...gh....

Sach: GHOST!

*Slip slugs Sach with his white hat.*

Peter: Slip, no, I saw it too! (Leans over Mike’s seat) Michael! Michael! (He shakes Mike's shoulder. Mike turns around, frowning.)

Mike: Pete, what is it? Can't you see we're in conference here?

Peter: Michael, I saw a ghost...and Sach saw it, too!

Mike: What? Don't tell me Emerald followed us out here. I thought she couldn't leave the Montgomery House.

Peter: Michael, it wasn't Emerald. I know Emerald, and this was too whitish and wispy to be her.

Mike: Did anyone else see it?

Slip: No.

Peter: Sach did!

Mike: (Raises an eyebrow) Oh really?

*Sach nods quickly.*

Peter: Why don't we go see what it is?

Mike: Pete, we've gotta meet the girls at this party. We don't have the time for wild ghost chases. We're already lost.

Davy: I say we check it out. We're already late.

Mike: But... (turns to Slip) You can't wanna do this.

Slip: I don't...

Sach: *Grabs Sip's arm* Chief, I wanna check out the ghost!

Peter: (Grabs Mike's arm) Yeah, Michael, I wanna see the ghost, too!

Mike: Oh for the love of.... (sighs) fine. We'll see the ghost. But only for a minute. (Turns to Micky) Mick, do you have flashlights somewhere in the car?

Micky: *Reveals several flashlights* Here.

Mike: Good. (Hands them out) Everyone stay together. I don't want anyone gettin' lost in this fog.

("Daily Nightly" begins as the six make their way through the woods. Peter gulps and shines his flashlight around the trees. He thinks he sees something white wailing on a branch, but it turns out to be an owl.)

(Mike just rolls his eyes and shines his flashlight around.)

*Micky swings his flashlight, whistling.*

(Peter hears rustling in the bushes and jumps...but Mike shines his flashlight and reveals a fox looking for dinner.)

*Slip just plows ahead.*

*Davy shines his flashlight hear and there, looking around.*

(Peter and Davy back into each other. They scream and run off.)

(Peter grabs Mike's arm. He found a ghost! But when Mike shines his light into a hollow log, both men jump back and run off. A little animated skunk strolls out after they leave, watching the two quizzically. What was that about?)

*Sach runs after Slip and catches up with him.*

Peter: (As the music ends, he and the other Monkees join them) Did you see anything?

Mike: I told you this is a wild goose chase. We ain't seen anythin' but animals.

Sach: But it came this way!

Peter: It did? Did you see where it went?

Sach: It just kinda disappeared.

Mike: I knew this was...

Peter: (He points to a delicate white wisp that seems to float out from behind the bushes) Look! I see it!

Davy: Bloody hell...

Mike: Shit. (Nods) Come on, guys. Let's get to the bottom of this.

Peter: (Points again - the white wisp now darts behind the trees) There it goes!

(They follow the wisp through the thick fog, their beams making pools of light in the gray thickness.)

Mike: (Shakes his head) We ain't findin' nuthin'. It's just all mist.

Peter: Look! (The mist is thinning. As it does, it reveals a glade of green grass shadowed in a pool of moonlight. The woods surrounding it looks dark and forbidding. A lone owl hoots in the distance.)

Mike: Couldn't be more scary if they tried, could they?

Peter: (Gulps) N..no.

Mike: Anyone see anythin'? Slip, you're sensible. See any ghosts..or anythin' real?

Slip: I see som'en...

Peter: Is it a ghost? :

Mike: Is it another fox?

Slip: Not sure, but I'm gonna find out. *heads off in one direction*

Micky: *grins* Determined little guy, isn't he?

Mike: Whoa, boy! Wait up! (He follows Slip)

Peter: Michael! (Follows him.)

Sach: Chief, wait for me!

(The others stop behind Slip as two familiar figures emerge from the shadows. One is a large, black demon with wide wings that almost blends into the shadows. The other is a petite, black-haired woman with violet eyes who wears a filmy white gown.)

Mike: (Growls) Belavarg and Midge.

Peter: Oh man...

Mike: What are you doin' here, Belavarg? Tryin' to steal somethin' else from me? Isn't one lawsuit enough?

Belavarg: Far from it, Nesmith.

Peter: (Gulps) Then what do you want from us?

Belavarg: It's very simple, actually. I give you a chance to reclaim the rights to your music. All you must do is get through the haunted forest to the tower found in the middle.

Mike: What's the catch?

Belavarg: If you cannot find the tower in a certain amount of time, you must all give up your energy, including your two new friends.

Midge: Two hours, boys. That is all you have. (She goes up to Slip and smirks.) I remember you. I saw you in Belavarg's home. You are those stupid men who manhandled me. I couldn't tell in costumes.

Slip: I ain't stupid. Can't speak for Sach.

Mike: Two hours don't seem too bad.

Midge: There are many dangers in these woods. They are...shall we say...haunted. (Looks at Belavarg) And my lover has brought many friends from home to join in the festivities.

Micky: Great! We won't be lonely.

Mike: Sounds like fun.

Peter: Ok, good. That means it'll be too crowded for me. I can leave. (But Mike grabs his cotton tail.)

Mike: You ain't backin' out on me now, boy.

*Sach tries to turn and run, but doesn't make it one step before Slip grabs the back of his top.*

Midge: Many cowards here. (Grins at Belavarg) We can have much fun with that.

Peter: I'm not a coward! I'm just more careful than most people, that's all!

Mike: Uh-huh. Sure.

Slip: *Points at Sach* He's a coward.

Peter: (Pats Sach's shoulder) But he's one of the nicest cowards around.

Sach: Thank you!

Midge: (Looks at Belavarg) Shall we leave them to find the tower?

Midge: If they can?

Belavarg: Lets.

(Midge and Belavarg disappear, and the mist gathers again. Mike frowns and turns to the others.)

Mike: I guess we don't have much of a choice. We have to go on.

Peter: But what about the girls?

Mike: They'll understand when they explain how I got the rights to our music back.

Micky: They won't be able to fault us for that.

Mike: This is really more important than a party. I really screwed up last spring, and this is a chance for me to redeem myself.

Peter: (Nods) Ok. I'm really scared, but I'll do it.

Mike: (Turns to Sach and Slip) What 'bout you guys? You weren't involved last spring. You can turn back now, if you want.

Slip: Are you kiddin'? I'm in.

Sach: *Waves* Bye! *tries to turn and leave but Slip grabs his arm*

Slip: Yer stayin', Sach.

Micky: We might as well get moving. We're wasting time.

Mike: Yeah. Let's go. (They head out of the glade.

(Cut to a camera shot of...more fog. The guys pass by close to the camera. Only their barest outlines can be seen. Suddenly, something bright wearing a red nose walks right into the camera. It seems to shake a bit, then a hand turns it and sets it right.)

Sach: Oop! Sorry about that!

Peter: Does anyone have any idea of where we're going?

Mike: No. Anyone seen anythin' resemblin' a tower yet?

Peter: All I've seen is fog and trees.

Slip: I'm startin' to wonder if there is a tower.

Peter: (Stops suddenly; Sach, Micky, and Davy run into him) Do you guys hear something?

Mike: No.

Peter: I hear someone moving.

Mike: (Looks up, frowning) Yeah, I hear somethin', too. Footsteps...and rustlin'. Like wings.

*Suddenly, several demons emerge from the fog.*

Mike: Shit.

Peter: Oh God...

Micky: Great.

Demon #1: Oh boy, toys!

Demon #2: (Smirks; these demons look more like Belavarg than Sheila's hairy cohorts) Hello there, fellas. Our master Belavarg sent us. He said there was lots of sweet energy to be found here. (Smirks evilly) We like energy.

Mike: Well, you ain't gettin' ours.

Demon #3: We love energy, and we see lots here!

Demon #4: I claim the little fat one. He must have tons of energy stored in all that plump juiciness.

Slip: Juiciness?

Micky: Leave them alone. They haven't done anything to you.

Demon #2: (Goes up to Micky) And you...you have the most energy of any being I've ever seen!

Micky: Back off, buddy.

Demon #1: *Goes up to Peter* I like you.

Peter: (Gulps and pulls back) I don't like you!

Demon #1: *Frowns* You don't?

Peter: I don't like demons who take my energy! I like my energy where it is!

Mike: (Steps between the demon and Peter) Don't get ideas. (He gives the demon a shove as "Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye" begins.)

Slip: Why don't you guys just back off?

(Mike pulls away from the demon as he takes a swipe at him. Peter ducks away from another one, waving the flashlight at him.)

*Sach ducks away to hide as Slip helps Davy and Micky fight the demons.*

(Mike turns his flashlight on the demon's eyes. He screams and covers them...which allows Mike time to hit him in the chin and knock them over.)

Mike: They're like vampires, guys. They don't like the light!

*Micky and Davy double time a demon, flipping it over their shoulders.*

*Sach has a flashlight in each hand, which he waves frantically.*

(Mike growls and scratches and punches at demons.)

*Some of the demons start to disburse, holding some body part or other.*

Micky: *Dusts his hands off* That was fun.

Mike: Yeah. (Looks around) Where's Slip? Anyone seen Slip?

Peter: He was here when we started the romp...

Sach: *Joins them* The Chief? *calls* Chiefy!?

Davy: Yeah, he was helping Mick and me.

Micky: You guys don't think one of those demons grabbed him, do you?

Mike: Damn it! We've gotta find him.

Peter: I was hoping this wouldn't be one of those stories!

Sach: We gotta find the Chief!

Davy: Calm down, Sach. We'll find him.

Micky: *Points* The demons went that way. We'll go in that direction and hope we find him nearby.

Mike: (Nods) Sounds good to me.

*Micky leads the others in the direction the demons headed in.*

Micky: *Sighs* They couldn't have taken him too far. They're only looking for energy.

Sach: *Sits* We'll never find him!

*That's when there's a groan very nearby.*

Micky: What was that?

Sach: I think that was my rock groaning.

Peter: Sach, that's not a rock!

Sach: *Jumps up* Oop! Chiefy!

Mike: Sach, you're sittin' on your Chief!

Sach: I couldn't see nothin'!

Peter: Are you all right, Slip? What happened?

Slip: *Groans again* Idiot sat on me.

Micky: Slip, the demons. What happened with them?

*Sach helps Slip up. Slip wobbles, but stays up with Sach as a crutch.*

Slip: Dunno. I was throwin' fists, then one of 'em picked me up... next thing I knew Sach was sittin' on me.

Mike: Shit. I think they drained you somehow.

Peter: Does anyone have some coffee or anything that'll give him energy?

Mike: Maybe we can make somethin' appear...

Sach: *Pulls a candy bar from inside his costume* This one's got nuts!

Slip: *Snatches it* Gimme that.

Sach: Good thing I didn't pull out the one with a lotta nuts.

Mike: Now I wish we'd confiscated more of the kids' trick-or-treat candy.

Micky: This is a fine start.

Peter: At least we got rid of them.

Mike: Yeah, but who knows what else is out there?

Davy: Could be anything.

Slip: *Re wraps half of the candy bar* Savin' the rest for later.

Micky: Maybe you oughta finish that, Slip. We've dealt with energy draining before, and it's pretty bad.

Slip: *Waves it off* I'm fine.

*That's when a noise that sounds like rattling can be heard.*

Mike: (Sniffs) I smell...bones.

Davy: What is that noise?

Peter: (Gulps) Bones?

Sach: I hope it's just a game of fetch.

Mike: I don't smell a dog.

(That's when we hear something rattling in the brush. Three large skeletons seem to emerge from out of nowhere! Three more come out from the trees, shaking and rattling to the tune of "Tapioca Tundra.")

Mike: What's goin' on?

(Peter tries shining the light on the skeletons...but the skeleton nearest to him just pushes it away and reaches for his neck...)

(Mike whacks at a skeleton and knocks off his head! The skeleton kneels down and looks for his head in the brush.)

*Micky yanks on the arm of one and pulls it right off. Davy trips another, and it loses its foot. Sach yelps and tries to hide behind Slip. Slip wobbles, but puts up his fists. The skeleton swipes at him, but Slip ducks. Sach whimpers as Slip lands an uppercut to the skeleton’s chest, knocking out a couple of ribs. The bones land in front of Sach, who dry heaves and turns away. The skeleton retrieves his ribs and runs away.*

(Mike growls at a skeleton and snaps at him like a dog. The skeleton jumps up and runs off in fear!)

*Several other skeletons retreat as well, some still missing body parts.* ;)

(Mike pulls a skeleton away from attempting to strangle Peter. He kicks it, sending it crashing to the ground.)

Mike: (As the music ends) You ok, Pete?

Peter: (Gasps) I think so. (Gulps) So far, I'm not having any fun.

Sach: Me either.

Slip: We need to find this tower. *wobbles slightly*

Micky: Okay, we got the main demons, then crony demons, and now skeletons. What ELSE could we possibly run into?

Davy: Mick, don't ask stupid questions.

Micky: *Shrugs* I didn't think it was stupid...

Mike: Me either. God only knows what else is out there. (Turns to the others) Maybe we'd better move along. Is everyone all right? Slip?

Slip: *Waves* Yeah, fine. *slumps dazed into Sach* Maybe not.

Sach: Oop! *puffs* Chiefy... ya need to go easier on the banana splits!

Peter: Slip, maybe you'd better sit down.

*Sach tries to help him sit, but he loses his footing and they both go down.*

Peter: Whoa! (He and the others kneel down next to them) Are you ok?

Sach: I'm okay!

Slip: *Winces* Just got a little light-headed...

Mike: Let's sit for a few minutes and let you recover. Maybe you should eat the rest of that chocolate bar.

Micky: *Looks around as Slip pulls out the rest of the chocolate bar* Wish there was a way to cut this fog. It's bad enough it's dark, but we can't hardly see into the distance.

Davy: Any ideas, genius?

Micky: *Makes a face and shrugs* Not really.

Mike: I think it's getting a little less pea-soup, but it's still thick.

Sach: I could go for some pea soup!

Peter: He meant the fog. You can't eat that.

Slip: *Looks up* Sach can eat anything. *lets his head drop*

Sach: Bird seed, wax fruit, plates, hats...

*Slip groans.*

Micky: And you guys thought I have a cast iron stomach.

Mike: (Turns to Micky) You SURE he ain't related to you?

Micky: Positive.

Peter: (Sighs) Slip, your aura is still really drained.

Slip: *Looks up* Ya think? I feel like I'm either gonna keel over or hurl. *waves a hand* But sittin' here ain't gonna find us a tower.

Mike: Yeah. Let's press on. Can you move, Slip?

Slip: 'Course I can. *Takes a few extra moments to get up, then wobbles a little* I'm fine.

Mike: (Sighs) Sach, you take his left. I'll take his right.

Sach: *Salutes* Aye aye, second Chief!

Mike: "Chief." (Grins) I think I like that.

Slip: *Glares at Mike* Don't get used to it.

Mike: Nahhh.

Micky: We don't hafta call Mike "Chief," do we?

Davy: *Shrugs* Why not? We've called him a lot of other things.

Peter: I don't think having two Chiefs is all that bad.

Micky: Which one's the "Super Chief?"

Mike: (Pats Peter's arm as they pass him) This one. We have three.

Peter: (Blushes) Aw, Michael...

Micky: So what's that leave Dave and me?

Mike: (Grins as they head into the fog again) The cabooses.

Peter: Don't mind him. You're as important as anyone else.

Davy: You had to ask, Mick.

Micky: I was curious.

Peter: Let's go, boys.

(They all disappear into the fog as we fade out.)