Peter: (Takes Shelly in his arms) Are you ready to help us bake, Miss Shelly? :)

Mike: (Leans over Little Micky) How 'bout you, cowpoke? ;)

(Katie burbles.)

Emma: She's ready. :)

Little Mick: Yeah!

Mike: Bet your daddy's ready. ;)

Micky: I've BEEN ready. ;)

Emma: Ready over here, too. :)

Mike: Me, too.

Peter: And me! This is going to be fun! :)

Lauren: I can hardly wait. ;)

(We begin at Millie's Cheesecakes and Other Goodies, a week or so after the finale of "Mammoth Melody." Millie is seen behind the counter, taking an order. The store is busy; groups of people sit at tables and at the counter, eating baked goods, tea, coffee, and juice. A small bell rings as the door opens. All of the Monkees and their families but Valerie and Daphne enter. The twins are tugging their parents in. Mike pushes Katie in a stroller.)

Emma: Wow, this place is really hopping!

Peter: I wonder where Millie is?

Micky: Probably got herself right in the middle of everything. ;)

Mike: I see her. She's takin' an order, or somethin'. (Indicates Millie in the back)

Emma: This was a nice idea, Mike, taking the kids out for a treat. We've been cooped up in the ballroom at the Montgomery House rehearsing for New York all day long. :p

Mike: The twins needed to let some energy out.

*The twins cheer.* :D

Davy: The TWINS? If I 'adn't gotten out of that 'ouse, I would 'ave jumped out a window! :p

Micky: I'd have been right out after you, Dave. ;) :P

Peter: (Nods, only half-there) Yeah...

Mike: You ok, Pete? You've been spaced all day.

Peter: Valerie went to the doctor today. She hasn't been feeling well. I hope she's all right. The flu's been going around.

Lauren: I'm sure she's just fine, Peter.

(Millie finally gets off the phone and joins them. She looks frazzled and tired; there are dark circles under her eyes.)

Millie: (Yawns) Oh, hi, kids. What'll you guys be having today?

Mike: Millie, you don't look so good.

Millie: Beginning of the holiday rush. I haven't even had the chance to decorate this place for Halloween yet.

Peter: Millie, maybe you ought to lie down. You're exausted!

Millie: (Shakes her head) I'll be ok. I'm a tough old broad. (Nods) So, what's everyone having? (Winks at Micky) Besides everything. ;)

*Micky sticks his tongue out at Millie.* :P ;)

Mike: I'll have a slice of cheesecake with cherry topping.

Emma: I'll have one of those huge lemon poppyseed muffins. Lemon poppyseed's my favorite! :D

Lauren: Raspberry chocolate tart for me. :D

Peter: I'll have a slice of orange-coconut cake. :)

Davy: One of your big English tea scones, of course. ;)

Millie: (Yawns again) How about Micky and the Dolenz-kateers? ;)

Mike: You cowpokes gettin' somethin'? Katie's still too little, but she can watch us eat. :)

Micky: I'll take it easy on you, Mill. Just a big ol' piece of chocolate cake for me. The kids'll have smaller pieces. ;)

Millie: Thanks for leaving me some for later, Mick. I appreciate that. ;)

Micky: *nods* You're welcome, Millie, no problem. ;)

(Millie walks to another table, still yawning. Two busboys busily clear tables.)

Emma: (Sighs) Millie needs more help. Those two local kids she hired aren't going to be enough. It gets busy here during peak hours, and she caters and bakes for Valley area grocery stores, too.

Mike: She's so darn stubborn, though. She'll never listen.

Peter: Maybe if someone puts it the right way...

Davy: Most of the othah stores in town 'ave decorated for 'Alloween already!

Micky: Some of us can help with the goodies, while others decorate.

Mike: US?

Lauren: It's a good idea.

Peter: I agree. We haven't had a major gig in a while, and we're not going to New York until next week.

Emma: I like the idea, too. Maybe we could even get the twins to help. :)

*The twins cheer again.* ;) :D

Mike: The cowpokes could help shape dough, as long as they don't sample it. (Grins at the twins' father) That goes double for you, Mick. ;)

Lauren: Maybe Mick oughta help with decorating, just to be safe. ;)

Micky: Hey! :P

Davy: I'll 'elp ya, Mick. :)

Mike: Me too. I'm terrible at any kind of cookin'. :p

Peter: Emma and Lauren and the twins and I can bake. :)

Lauren: Sounds like fun! :)

Emma: I miss baking for a crowd. :)

(Millie returns with a tray of goodies. She puts out each plate, but she's still yawning, and her eyes are drooping.)

Micky: Man, Millie, you look worn out!

Millie: Here you go...kids... (As she puts out the last plate, her head droops, her eyes close, and she slumps.)

Emma: (Shakes her awake) Millie, are you ok?

Lauren: Good trick. :P

Millie: (Awakens with a start) Huh? (Sighs) Oh, yeah, I'm all right. Just (yawns again) finished a shipment of cheesecakes for Albertson's Groceries.

Mike: Millie, you need more help than just those two teenagers.

Millie: Nahh, I'll be all right. The kids clean up and do the dishes and take orders when we're really busy, and I do the cooking.

Mike: Mil, you just literally fell asleep standin' up.

Peter: We could help you, Millie!

Millie: I don't know if that's a good idea...

Micky: Don't you wanna get the decorations put up, too?

Mike: Mil, you're obviously too busy to handle everything.

Emma: You'll burn yourself out if you keep going like this! I'm a good baker, Millie, and Peter and Lauren aren't bad cooks, either. Mike and Davy and Micky can decorate.

Lauren: We wanna do this for you, Millie. :)

Mike: Just until you're back on your feet. :)

Millie: Well....

Micky: And we won't take "no" for an answer! ;)

Peter: Millie, you're nodding off again!

Millie: (Yawns and nods) Yeah...I guess you guys are right. I just need to get some orders done and get the doughs and mixes for tomorrow started. (Frowns) You sure you kids can handle it?

Davy: (Shrugs) I'm done at the stables for today.

Emma: (Shrugs) I could feed Katie here, and she could sleep in her stroller while we work. :)

Mike: (Runs his hands gently over his daughter's head; she's asleep) Little cowgirl's already tuckered out. ;) :)

Lauren: Mick and I don't have anything else going. *jerks her thumb* He's Micky. I don't think he really knows the meaning of "tired." ;)

Micky: Funny, babe. ;) :P

(Everyone chuckles, including Millie. Millie ends with another yawn.)

Millie: Well...(sighs)...just until I can get these holiday orders done. (Nods at the twins) What about the little guys?

Lauren: They help with baking in their own way. ;)

Millie: (Looks at her watch) How 'bout I give you guys a half-hour to eat your food? When you're finished, the people who want to decorate can go to the Woolworth's on the next block to pick up supplies. Anyone who's baking will come with me. (Grins, then yawns again) Happy eating, folks...and thanks. :)

Emma: (As the phone rings and Millie goes back around the counter) You're welcome, Mil! :)

(Millie smiles and wiggles her fingers at the kids as she picks up the phone.)

Emma: (As she bites into her muffin) I hope we can handle this.

Davy: Wot's there to 'andle?

Lauren: Shouldn't be too tough, not with all of us pitching in.

Mike: Yeah, we're just puttin' up some crepe paper and makin' cookies and cakes.

Peter: (Smiles at the twins) How are you two enjoying your chocolate cake? :)

Little Mick: Choc'late! :D

Emma: (Makes a face) My muffin's a bit dry. Guess Millie put too much flour in this morning.

Peter: My cake's good, though. The coconut frosting is perfect. :)

Mike: She musta still been awake when she did ours, Pete. My cheesecake's ok, too.

Emma: Millie would NEVER mess up cheesecake, no matter how tired she is! That's her signature dish! ;)

Lauren: My tart is fine, too. Well, she may have used more raspberry than called for, but it tastes great! ;)

Davy: The scone is dry, too. (Reaches for a bowl of wrapped butter and a jar of orange marmalade on the table) :p

Emma: She must have started getting drowsy by the time she made the muffins and scones. :p

Mike: Hey, Mick, how'd your cake come out?

Micky: It's great! Extra chocolatey. ;)

Lauren: Do you think he'd notice if there was something wrong with it, Mike? ;) :P

Mike: He'd eat a dirt clod if it had fudge frosting. ;) :p

Micky: Not unless I had to. :P

Emma: (As she finishes her muffin) Everyone ready to help Millie?

Mike: (Puts down his fork) I'm ready.

Peter: Me, too. :)

Lauren: All set. :)

Micky: *rubs his hands together* I can't wait to decorate! :D

(Millie comes up to the kids, yawning as she gathers their plates.)

Millie: So, how was it?

Emma: The muffin was dry. :p

Davy: So was the scone.

Millie: (Frowns) I thought I followed those recipies. That must have been when Mrs. Price called and asked for three dozen cupcakes for her son's Halloween party. :p

Micky: The cake was great! Extra chocolatey!

Millie: I can always count on you to appreciate good food, Micky. ;)

Micky: *Grins* Thanks, Mill! *sticks his tongue out at Mike* ;)

(Mike rolls his eyes.)

Peter: I'm ready to help! :)

Emma: Let's go! :)

Millie: (Goes to the cash register and gives Micky, Davy, and Mike money) Here you go, fellas. This should cover anything you need. DON'T buy anything else, please. :p

Mike: Katie and I will keep an eye on them, Mil. ;)

Micky: Sure, Mike. ;)

Emma: (Smiles and gives Katie a kiss) Keep a good eye on her. She needs her nap. :)

Mike: She'll be ok, Em. She's with us. ;)

Emma: That's what worries me. ;)

Mike: Em, you know I'd never let anythin' happen to Katie.

Emma: You're not the one I was referring to. ;)

Micky: Maybe we oughtta go before we get picked on anymore. ;)

Mike: Come on, guys. Let's go shoppin'. ;)

(Mike, Micky, and Davy walk out into a lovely, warm fall afternoon, pushing Katie's stroller.)

Mike: I'm kinda glad we decided to do the decoratin'. It's too nice to be cooped up in the kitchen ALL afternoon. ;)

Micky: No kidding. Besides, I like decorating. ;)

Davy: Just don't try climbin' all over Millie's, Mick. Use a laddah if you've got to reach high places.

Micky: Oh, alright. ;)

Mike: And go easy on the Imagination Power. I ain't up to explainin' it to Mil. :p

Davy: Mike, she's so out of it, she probably wouldn't notice! ;)

Micky: We do have the customers to watch out for. *puts his fingers an inch a part* I'll just use a little Imagination Power. ;) :)

(The guys arrive at Woolworth's, a large, older brick building trimmed with red. The name "Woolworth's" is emblazoned on white and red tile in front of the main entrance.)

Mike: Shame this joint's gotten kinda cheap over the years. Lotta people are goin' to the malls now.

Micky: I know, man! I love this store. :)

Davy: They've still got everythin' in 'ere, even if the place ain't as pretty and shiny as the newah malls in the Valley. :)

(Micky opens the door for Mike as he pushes Katie's stroller in, followed by Davy. The walk into a large room, with eisles full of everything from fresh peanuts and popcorn to costume jewelry to clothing to cheap toys and games. The scent of fresh peanuts and popcorn and the small lunch counter waft through the store.)

Mike: Man, I'll bet the malls ain't got everythin' in one place like this, with fresh popcorn and everthin'. :)

Micky: I'm almost drooling from those lovely smells. ;)

Mike: Don't even think about it, Mick. We're here to get decoratin' stuff, not food. :p

Micky: *snaps his fingers* Darn! :P

Davy: (Runs over to a barrel where posters are kept) Oooohh...lookit this! Diana Rigg! :D (Shows Micky the poster of the elegant, half-dressed British woman ;) )

Mike: Guuuuyyyssss... :p

Micky: Oh, man... *jaw is dragging on the floor* ;)

Mike: If you two are quite done jawin' over James Bond's wife... :p

Micky: *dazed* Huh...? ;)

Davy: (Tucks the poster under his arm) I've GOT to get this. I 'ave some of me own money with me. I'll just 'ave to find a way to 'ide it from Daph. ;)

Micky: *grins wolfishly* Good luck, Dave. ;) :P

Mike: Ok, ok, you two. Don't drool all over these people's nice, clean floor. :p

Micky: Sorry, Mike, forgot my mop. :P

Davy: Come on, Mick! Here's the decorating eisle! :D

Micky: Lemme at it! :D

Mike: Yeah, this is where they keep all the stuff for holidays and gift wrappin'.

Davy: Look! 'Alloween costumes! (Davy leaps at the various costumes and accessories hanging on the first half of the eisle; picks up a blond wig with a black ribbon and a plastic teacup; in his "Little Red Riding Hood" voice) I'm Alice in Wondahland and I'm off to a very odd tea wit' the Mad 'Attah and the March 'Are! ;)

Micky: *shakes his head* No, Dave, it isn't the tea that's odd, it's you. *grins* ;)

Davy: (Drops a big green top hat onto Micky's head) You're the Mad 'Attah! ;)

Mike: He's been mad for years. ;)

Micky: I'm not mad! I'm not even slightly irritated. *grins widely* ;)

Davy: This is fun! (Takes off the wig and bends over a pile of accessories) I wondah wot else is 'ere?

Micky: Any weapons?

Davy: Oooh, get a load of these babies! (Pulls out two long, curved plastic swords) Ungard, you blaggart! (Goes into fencing stance, tossing Micky the other sword ;) )

Mike: Cut it out, guys. People are starin'. :p

Micky: Who you callin' a blaggart, you blaggart! ;)

*"Little Red Rider" begins as Micky and Davy spar with their fake swords, jumping all over the aisles.*

(Mike makes a face and pulls away, loading crepe paper and paper pumpkins and ghosts into the back of the stroller.)

(Davy and Micky jump on the lunch counter and continue their duel, to the annoyance of the cook and customers. ;) )

*Micky grabs onto the sign above the counter and swings around Davy, accidentally dropping his fake sword.*

(Davy grabs the other sword and slices and dices the meat sizzling on the stove behind the counter in quick-time, to the amazment of the cook.)

(Mike gives the sleeping Katie a kiss on her cheek and picks up a jointed, plastic skeleton. He debates a paper pirate, but puts it back.)

*Micky takes off down an aisle, returning wearing a dracula cape. He spreads the cape and starts running. He attempts a take-off, but stumbles over and into a collection of plastic garbage containers instead.*

(We close-up on a black cape and gleaming, white fangs. As the camera pulls back, the cape flings over to reveal Davy in a black cape with plastic "fangs," dancing a tango with a bewildered older female customer.)

(Mike picks up orange-and-black tablecloths and napkins. He shakes his head as Davy runs past in bunny ears, chomping on a carrot...then blinks when he sees a small, bald hunter carrying a gun following him and hears the gunshots. ;) )

*Micky gets up, shaking his head. He yanks the cape off and tosses it down one aisle. He goes back to the counter and grabs a snack consisting of popcorn and peanuts.* ;)

(Davy and Micky, now wearing sequin-trimmed tutus, pas-de-dux past Mike, who is trying to choose between a large, black caudron and a slender scarecrow made of corn husks. Mike goes between them with the stroller as they break apart...and ignores them when they rejoin.)

*Micky spins Davy so hard, he goes spinning down the aisles like a top.*

(Davy spins into a pyramid of canned peas a clerk had been stacking. He goes right through the middle...but the top cans remain stacked, much to the relief of the clerk. #:-S)

(Mike brings their items up to the check-out counter as the song winds down.)

Mike: Hey Mick, Davy, come on! I'm ready to go!

Micky: We're comin', we're comin'! *drags Davy, who still holds the poster* I had to talk him out of getting a second poster. ;)

Mike: Man, Dave, Daph's gonna KILL you!

Davy: Now, Mike, wot she don't know...

Mike: May end up hurtin' YOU. :p

Micky: *nods* He has a point, Davy. :P

Mike: (As he pays for the items and the lady behind the counter bags them) Davy, what have I told you a thousand times about chasin' chicks?

Davy: I'm just LOOKIN', Mike. It can't do no 'arm. :p

*Micky scoffs.* :P

Mike: Just keep it to lookin' and not to actin'. Daph's got that crazy temper. She WON'T be as nice as I'm bein' 'bout all of this. :p

Micky: You ARE being quite nice, Mike. *grins* ;)

Davy: Yeah, I could be embedded in the wall on the othah end of the store. ;)

Mike: I don't get THAT bad. :p

Micky: Oh, yeah, you do, Mike. ;)

Davy: Tell that to the wall at Rudy's Record Shop. :p

Mike: (Grumbles) Do you HAVE to keep remindin' me of that? It was YEARS ago! :p

Micky: I doubt that wall's forgotten. :P

Mike: (Looks at his watch...then sees several people talking to an offcial-looking man in a tie and shirtsleeves, including the cook and the woman Davy danced with) Um, guys, I think our work here is finished. Let leave this place, my good Monkeemen, before the mob decides to let us out hard way. :p

Davy: I guess she didn't appreciate my dancin' skills. ;)

Micky: Yeesh! Some people! :P ;)

(Mike pushes Katie's stroller out the door as fast as he can, followed by Micky and Davy. The clerk, who is re-stocking the cans, watches them. He shakes his head and turns to the cans. Davy closes the door as hard as he can on the way out...and the entire pyramid ends up falling to the floor, burying the poor clerk, who finally emerges, dazed.)

(Fade out on the unfortuante clerk, and fade in on the kitchen in the back of Millie's. It's a large room with a big refrigeration unit, three giant stoves, three stainless-steel sinks, and ample counter space. Racks of baked goods line a whole wall. Millie leads Lauren, Emma, Peter, and the twins into the kitchen.)

Millie: (Yawns) You'll find aprons in the drawers under the first sink.

(Peter gets to the drawer first and pulls out a bright orange-and-blue paisley apron. Emma pulls out a dark red one.)

Millie: (Indicates the twins) You sure they'll be ok? I really shouldn't be lettin' them back here, but they've got all of us watchin' them...

Peter: We'll keep an eye on them, don't worry! :)

Lauren: They'll be just fine! We've let them in our kitchen, and the worst they've done is throw flour on each other. :)

Millie: (Bends down) Ok, kiddies, a few house rules. Don't get anywhere NEAR the stoves. They aren't like your stove at home. They get really hot sometimes, you don't wanna get burnt.

*The twins nod obediently.*

Emma: They know the rules from baking with me, too. Don't touch anything sharp. Let the grown-ups cut things and use the electric mixer. Don't get underfoot, and DON'T take swipes from the batter! :p

Millie: That goes double here, kiddies. No sampling. I'll give you somethin' later to pay for doin' all this work for me, but most of what we're makin' this evenin' is for the local stores and my catering work.

*The twins nod again.* :)

Peter: What do we get to make first?

Millie: (Yawns again) How 'bout starting that cupcake order for Mrs. Price while I handle the afternoon people coming in for snacks?

Peter: We could do that!

Emma: And the twins could help decorate. :)

Shelly: Wanna dec’rate! :)

Millie: She said just a simple butter cake recipie with something with chocolate and orange frosting for Halloween.

Emma: I know how to do simple decorator's techniques. I'm still working on some of them, but I'm getting there.

Millie: Ok. Everything you need should be in the pantry. (Nods at a large, heavy door on one side of the kitchen.) The eggs are in the big freezer. I need to take out another carton. (Nods at an equally heavy door on the other side of the room.)

Emma: (Thoughtful) Hey, Millie, I want to ask you something.

Millie: Yeah, Em?

(They go out to the counter, away from the other two.)

Peter: Ok, Lauren, I guess we get to start. :)

Lauren: All right, let’s tackle those cupcakes! :)

Peter: Why don't you go to the pantry with Little Mick to get the dry ingrediants, while Shel and I get the eggs? :)

Lauren: Sure! *calls* Come on, Mick, lets go get some ingredients!

*Little Mick goes with Lauren into the pantry.*

Peter: (Smiles) Let's see. We'll need two eggs from the freezer, a stick of butter, and milk.

Shelly: Mooo! Moo! :D

Peter: (Smiles and takes the small girl's hand) That's right, Shel! Cows go "moo moo!" :D

*Lauren and Little Mick return from the pantry. Lauren carries the flour and sugar...and has flour ON her. Little Mick grins.*

(Peter emerges with Shelly in one hand. He carries two eggs and a stick of butter in a bowl in the other hand. Shelly carries a small carton of milk.)

Shelly: (Holds the milk out to her mother) Mooo, Mommy! Mooooo! ;) :D

Lauren: Very good, Shelly! That's a great cow! :D

Shelly: Tank you! :D

Little Mick: Moooooo! *giggles*

Lauren: You, too, little man. Another great cow. :) ;)

Peter: (Puts down the eggs and a half of a stick of butter) Oh, wow, when did we end up in a dairy farm? ;) :)

Lauren: *dusts the flour off of herself* I don't know. ;)

Peter: (Frowns) How did you get flour all over you?

Lauren: *blushes slightly* I kinda tipped the container when I went to grab it. :">

Peter: Well, you got it, that's what matters! (Grins) And Little Mick was a good helper, right? :)

Shelly: Micky messy. :p

Lauren: He was very good. He tried to help brush off the flour. That's how he got it all over himself. ;)

Little Mick: Me messy! :D ;)

(Emma and Millie emerge from behind the counter, both smiling.)

Emma: It's a great idea, Millie... (coughs when she sees Lauren)

Millie: How's everything going? (Raises her eyebrows at Lauren) You and the little guy getting your ghost costumes ready? ;)

Lauren: Uhhh, heh, yeah. We're going as flour monsters. ;) :">

Millie: (Grins at the box of flour) Good, you remembered to get the cake flour instead of the regular kind. :)

Peter: We've got everything!

Millie: Lauren, why don't you and the kiddies grease the cupcake pans? They're in the dresser in the pantry. Peter can mix the ingrediants. I'll turn on the oven, then help Em with one of the grocery store cheesecake orders. :)

Peter: All right! :D

Lauren: Sure thing, Millie! :)

Millie: The shortening is on the center shelf. Careful, it's a big cannister, and pretty heavy.

*Lauren ushers the kids over to gather the pans. The twins stay with the pans, while Lauren goes to retrieve the shortening, which she manages to bring over, but not very easily.* ;)

Peter: (Sees Lauren struggling with the shortening) Lauren, do you want a hand with that? :o

Lauren: I got it. *makes a face, then finally sets it down* No problem. Thanks, anyway, Peter. *makes a "whew!" face*

Peter: Ok.

Millie: (Jumps for the mixer) Peter, honey, the mixer's taking on a life of it's own! :o

(The batter is splattering all over the place.)

Peter: Yikes! (He jumps for the mixer at the same time and tries to figure out what's going on. Millie finally turns the dial down to a lower setting.)

Millie: You don't need to turn it on that high, honey, and you should NEVER leave it unattended when it's on! :p

(Emma is carefully melting butter on a double boiler while Millie returns to crushing cookie crumbs.)

Lauren: *to the twins; chuckling* You're supposed to put the shortening on the trays! ;)

Millie: Kids, we ain't puttin' YOU guys in the oven. :p

*The twins look at each other and grin.* ;)

Peter: You don't want to get baked to a crisp, like the wicked witch in "Hansel and Gretel!" (Peter turns the mixer off and wipes up the mess.)

Lauren: *shakes her head and goes to retrieve a towel* Really... *goes back to the twins, but finds them cleaned up* What the... Did one of you clean up the kids already? :-/

Emma: I've been over here.

Millie: Me, too!

Peter: I've got too much cleaning up of my OWN to do! :p

Lauren: Well, that's weird. *shrugs and puts the towel on the table* At least I don't have to clean them up.

Millie: (Shakes her rolling pin) Ok, what are you kids up to?

Peter: (Shrugs) They just cleaned themselves, Mil! It's not like they haven't made messes before. ;)

*The twins giggle, still greasing the pans.* ;)

(Everyone returns to what they were doing. Lauren joins the twins and helps them with greasing the pans.)

Peter: Here comes the first bowl of batter! :D

Lauren: We're all set! :D

(Peter pours cake batter into each cup of the pan. He then returns with a second bowl, then a third.)

Peter: (Hands Lauren a spoon) Why don't you help me? The twins can watch. They'd probably end up throwing it all over them. ;)

Lauren: Good idea. ;)

Shelly: (Frowns) Cake?

Peter: This is cake, Shelly! It's just not baked yet.

Little Mick: Yuck! *sticks his tongue out, seeing the batter* :P

Peter: It'll look much nicer AFTER it's been in the oven. :)

(Emma and Millie are now mixing cream cheese and sugar.)

(Peter and Lauren take the cupcakes back to the oven as voices are heard in the main room.)

Mike: (From the main room) Hey, where IS everyone?

Davy: Yoo hoo! Em? Lauren? Mil?

Micky: Do I smell food yet? ;)

Peter: (Calls as he puts cupcakes in the first oven) We're in here, guys!

Millie: (Washes her hands in the sink) I'll give them their assignments. You guys make chocolate and vanilla frosting for the cupcakes, and tint the vanilla orange.

(Millie goes out to the main room, which is now empty of everyone but the guys and the two busboys.)

Millie: I hope you at least got a few decorations, with all the time you took. :p

Micky: We got some. ;)

Mike: I did all the shoppin'. (Makes a face) These two goofed off. :p

Micky: Picky, picky. :P

Millie: (As Mike hands her the rest of the money) Thank you, Mike. You always were a good boy. (Looks down at Katie, who still sleeps) And it looks like you have a good little girl, too. :)

Mike: I don't know how she slept through these two. I wouldn't be surprised if we're now banned from Woolworth's.

Davy: Oh, come on, we weren't THAT bad!

Micky: Yeah, besides, we do that every week. ;)

Millie: Ok, then, you guys get started on the decorating. You can do the celing while Ronnie and Arthur clear out the last of the afternoon crowd. We won't be gettin' the next rush for a couple of hours.

Micky: *dumps out a bag; decorations tumble onto the table and the floor* Let’s get started! :D ;)

Mike: (Puts Katie's stroller in a corner where all of the guys can see her) Mick, you and Davy do the windows. I'll put up the crepe paper.

Micky: You got it, Mike!

Mike: I'm goin' in the back real quick to get a ladder. Keep an eye on Katie, ok?

Micky: *as he grabs a package of cardboard cut outs of jack-o-lanterns* Yessir, Mike, sir! *closes one eye and watches Katie while pulling the cut outs from the package*

Davy: 'Ow you gonna decorate wit' one eye open? :p

Micky: *turns to Davy* He said keep an eye on Katie! *grins* ;)

Davy: (Shakes his head) I think 'e meant both eyes, mate. ;)

Micky: Well, why didn't he SAY so?! *opens the other eye, smirks, tapes the cutouts to the windows* ;)

(As Mike returns with the ladder, we begin "Apples, Peaches, Bananas, and Pears." He sets up the ladder in the corner nearest to Katie and begins taping up orange and black crepe paper.)

(Cut back to the kitchen. Millie puts the cookie crumbs in pans, while Emma pours the cream cheese mixture. :) )

*Lauren helps the twins color the frosting.* :)

(Emma and Peter switch places. Peter helps Millie finish the cheesecakes and put them in the ovens, while Emma comes over to Lauren and the twins to help decorate the cupcakes when they come out of the oven. :) ))

(Millie pulls out the cupcakes, which are a lovely golden brown and smell quite nice. :) )

*Lauren lightly taps the backs of the twins hands. They were reaching for the cupcakes. She shakes her head, smiling.* :)

(Cut to Mike in the main room. He's done with the first wall, which is now swagged with orange and black crepe paper. He moves the stepladder to the next wall...and steps on a piece of tape with crepe paper on it when he does. He doesn't realize he's dragging crepe paper as he starts the next wall. ;) )

*Micky sees the stowaway crepe paper and chuckles to himself. He pulls out next a couple banners that read "Happy Halloween!" and tapes them up...and manages to tangle himself up in tape.* :P

(Cut to the kitchen, where Peter and Millie are making more cheescakes, this time orange ones. Peter lifts one of the cheesecakes to put in the oven, but suddenly sneezes and drops the cheesecake on the floor. He starts to cry, but Millie pats his shoulder and hands him another cheesecake. He's all smiles again as he goes to the ovens. :) )

(Emma whispers something to Millie, who grins, stiffling a yawn. She goes into the pantry for supplies.)

*The twins both have orange coloring on their cheeks.* ;) :D

(Mike is about half-way done with the side walls now...and the crepe paper is STILL following him. He starts to put up one streamer when he pulls out too much tape and gets it stuck on his jacket. He finally gets it off his jacket...only to have it land on his cheek, then his tie. :p)

(Davy goes to help get Micky out of the tape.)

*In his effort to help, Davy gets Micky out of the tape, but gets wrapped up in it himself.* ;)

(Mike is still struggling with the tape on the stepladder. He's finished that wall...but now has tape hanging off his jacket, tie, hair, and nose. Mike gives an annoyed look to the camera. :p)

(Switch back to the kitchen. Lauren and Emma load the cupcakes onto plates while Millie and Peter put the last of the orange cheesecakes into the oven.)

*The twins are still giggling at the orange coloring on their faces.* ;)

(Emma sighs and takes a wet dishcloth to wipe off Shelly. Ronnie and Arthur are washing dishes, sometimes splashing each other. ;) )

*Lauren uses another dishcloth to wipe off Little Mick. She tries depserately to not grin at the kids' antics to let them know they shouldn't have been doing that, but she can't help but grin.* ;)

(Millie and Peter can't help grinning, too. Peter puts the very last cheesecake in the oven as the music finishes.)

Millie: (Yawns) This was a good...(long yawn)...idea. It's nice to have so much help.

Peter: Many hands really DO make light work! :)

Emma: When they stay out of the batter. ;)

Lauren: *glances at the twins* That's for sure. ;)

Millie: (Nods at the main room) I wonder how the guys are doing? They should be finished out there by now.

Emma: I hope they haven't hurt themselves, or Katie, for that matter.

Lauren: I just hope they didn't hurt each other. ;) :P

Peter: They'll be ok!

Millie: Yeah, we haven't heard any blood-curdling screams yet. That's a good sign. ;)

Emma: Hey, Lauren, what's your favorite cake flavor?

Lauren: *thinks a moment* Ummm... I'm rather partial to marble, actually. *quirks an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything more*

Emma: Just needed an idea for something to make for a cake order. (Emma shrugs and goes to the pantry)

Lauren: Oh. Okay. :)

Millie: Maybe you and Peter better go check up on the guys.

Lauren: Good idea. We can pry them apart if needed. ;)

Peter: I just hope they aren't trying to kill each other.

Millie: I don't care what they do, as long as my bakery's still in the same shape it was before they offered to decorate. :p

Lauren: I'm sure it is, I think. ;)

(Peter and Lauren head out to the main room. The twins shrug and toddle along after Mommy.)

*Lauren and Peter, with the twins toddling behind, stop just inside the main room. The decorations are up and look great. Mike is picking tape off of himself. Micky and Davy are nowhere to be seen.*

Lauren: Looks terrific, and the place is still in one piece, too! ;)

Mike: (Spanish curses, ending with) Damn tape won't get offa me! :p

Peter: Mike, where are Mick and Davy?

Lauren: Good question.

Mike: Don't know. Last time I saw them, they had more tape on them than the room did. :p

Lauren: Uh oh. *Looks up and laughs. Davy and Micky have taped themselves to the ceiling* Guys! :))

Shelly: (Points at the celing) Daddy up! :D

Little Mick: Want up! :D

Peter: (Jaw drops) How did you two manage to do THAT? :o

Mike: I don't wanna KNOW. :p

Micky: Uhh, heh, no squirts, you don't wanna come up here. :P

Mike: You know, if you two wanted a better view of the floor, you could get on a ladder. ;)

Peter: How's the air up there? ;)

Micky: Funny, guys, real funny. *a ripping sound is heard* Uh oh.

Mike: Oh, man... (looks quickly at the kitchen; Millie and Emma are leaned over a mixer, not paying attention to the crowd) Hold on, guys! The calvary's comin'! (He concentrates. A wide net appears in a blue light.)

*The tape holding Micky to the ceiling gives way and Micky crashes into the net, followed shortly by Davy, who lands on top of him.*

(The impact of their landing knocks Mike, Peter, and Lauren to the floor as well...and brings everyone else running out.)

Micky: *groans* Dave, you're starting again! :P

Emma: What the HECK is going on?

Shelly: Daddy up! :D

Millie: Up?

Little Mick: Up! :D

(Millie sits down at a table and puts her head in one hand.)

Millie: What do you mean "up?"

Shelly: (Points to the celing) Up there! :D

Emma: WHAT?

Little Mick: On see-ling! :D

Millie: (Eyes widen) How...

Emma: Should we ask? :p

Lauren: *shakes her head* I say we shouldn't. :P

Ronnie: Whoa, dude!

Arthur: Teach us how to do that! :D

Millie: Oh, no, you two don't. I don't know how THEY did it, and I don't want you doing it, either. :p

Micky: *waves everyone off* We got caught in the tape and got carried away. Well, you know what I mean. *points a finger at Davy* And YOU stop landing on me! ;) :P

Davy: YOU stop fallin' first, then! :p

Micky: How'm I supposed to do that? I'm heavier than you, Dave. :P

Lauren: *sighs* Guys...

Mike: (Grabs Micky and Davy by the shoulders before they start feuding) That's it, fellas. Knock it off.

Millie: (Nodding off) We'll never...(yawns)...finish anythin' if we start fightin'.

Micky: Alright, alright. :P

Emma: Maybe we'd better assign you guys to the kitchen.

Mike: I ain't no cook!

Emma: You can retrive the ingredients and frost cupcakes and cookies.

Micky: *grins* Kitchen duty! :D ;)

(Emma goes to Katie, who is just waking up.)

Emma: Davy, help Peter. Micky, you can work with Lauren and the twins on the New Dutchess Spice Cake for the Malibu Beach High School homecoming dance.

Mike: What about you, darlin'?

Micky: Dutchess Spice Cake? Ooooh! *goes into a sugar daze* ;)

Emma: My project is in the oven. (Sighs) I've got to feed Katie. Millie, is there a bathroom here?

Millie: (Nods and indicates a hall next to the counter.) Down the hall (yawns) and to your right.

Emma: Thanks, Millie. (She takes Katie and heads down the hall)

Peter: (Frowns) Millie, are you ok? You look like you're nodding off again.

Millie: (Shakes her head, but her eyes are closing) 'M fine, kids, just fine.

Micky: Says the sleepwalker. :P

Arthur: Man, Miss Millie, you look like you could drop any minute!

Millie: No, I'm... (Her head finally falls off her hand and drops to the table.)

Ronnie: (Shakes her) She's out cold. :p

Mike: Oh, sh...(sees the twins)...man. :p

Shelly: (Tugs at Millie's skirt) Up, Nana Millie!

Little Mick: *copies his sister* Up, Nana, up!

Peter: (Takes Shelly in his arms) Kids, leave Nana alone. She's very tired. She's been working hard to get everything baked for all of the stores and the people who hired her to make food for their parties.

Arthur: But, if Miss Mil don't get up...

Ronnie: (Finishes) Who's gonna do the baking?

Micky: *shrugs* We will.

Ronnie: It's an awful lot. Millie doesn't usually let anyone help her.

Arthur: Even us!

Lauren: There's a lot of us. We can handle it. :)

Arthur: What about the after-dinner crowd?

Peter: We'll have one team help you guys with the counter and the customers. You both know more about the cash register and Millie's routine than we do!

Mike: What about Millie?

Micky: I say we get her a cot and let her sleep it off.

Peter: (Nods) That's what I was thinking. Maybe someone could go see if Woolworth's has a cot or something similiar.

Mike: I know where to find one. It's in my car. (He goes outside. We see a slight dark blue light out one of the windows, and he comes back in, carrying a collaspable cot.)

Ronnie: Wow, that was quick!

Mike: (Shrugs) I know my car.

*Micky snorts.* ;)

Peter: (Hands Shelly over to her father) We could put her in the hall where the bathrooms are. We'll push her off to the side, where no one will trip over her. :)

Mike: (Nods) Can't think of where else to put her. The customers would wake her up here, and WE'D wake her up in the kitchen.

(Mike goes into the hallway to open the cot. Peter gently takes Millie into his arms and follows Mike.)

Emma: (Returns with Katie, stepping around her husband and friend...and Millie) Hey, guys, what happened? Is Millie ok?

Davy: Poor thing finally passed out.

Emma: Oh, dear.

Micky: She's better off this way.

Emma: She probably would have done it sooner or later, anyway.

(Mike and Peter come back out, Mike dusting off his hands.)

Peter: Millie's ok, guys. We put her at the very end of the hallway, near the bathrooms.

Mike: She'll probably be worthless for the rest of the night, though.

Arthur: If you guys help us with the baking, we know how to close the front. Millie taught us. :)

Lauren: We should be all set, then. :)

Ronnie: (Looks around) You guys did a great job on the decorating.

Arthur: Looks really festive! :)

Micky: *grins; buffs his finger nails* Thanks!

Mike: Before or after they somehow taped themselves to the celing? :p

Shelly: Daddy up! :D

Micky: Funny, Mike. :P

Emma: Millie gave me the list of what to do for the rest of the night, and her recipes are in the kitchen, on the shelf near the pantry.

Mike: We'll split into groups. One group can help the boys with the front room, while the other bakes.

Emma: Mike, why don't you help up front? You can watch Katie there, too. We'll keep her behind the counter. :)

Mike: (Salutes Emma) Yes, Commandin' Officer Nesmith! ;)

Emma: Mike, keep the smart mouth to yourself for once, please. :p

(Mike makes a face.)

*Micky grins.* ;) :P

Emma: Peter and Davy can work on the remaining cheesecakes. Micky, Lauren, and the twins can do the Dutchess Spice Cake and the Chocolate Cream Drops. :)

Davy: Wot 'bout you, luv?

Emma: I want to finish that special project Millie and I started. ;)

Mike: (As a group of teenagers enter) Ok, everyone got their assignments? (Various nods) Good. Let's get goin'.