Ok, fellas, ready for Hospitality Night and an assault on the baked goodies? ;)

Mike: Sure. I could use a few cups of hot buttered rum. ;)

Katie: I want cookies! :D

Micky: You bet! :D

*The twins cheer.*

(We open in the kitchen of the Pad. Emma rolls out molasses cookies, while Lauren cuts them with cookie cutters and Daphne decorates them with Leah and Lizzie. Robbie's having more fun sitting in his high chair and making a mess with Cheerios.)

Emma: Has anyone seen the boys or Katie and the twins for a while?

Robbie: No sisser!

Lauren: No, and they're conspicuously quiet.

Emma: That worries me. They said they were watching cartoons with the kids, but I don't hear Scooby Doo out there.

Robbie: Sisser! Papa!

Emma: Yes, Robbie, we're talking about your sister and papa. We have no idea what they're doing out there.

Daphne: Maybe someone should go look in on them.

Emma: I'll do it. (She goes out to the living room, where Davy, Mike, and Micky are all gathered in a circle, the kids between them. They whisper conspiratorially to each other.)

Emma: (Crosses her arms and says loudly) And what do we have here?

Mike: (All three guys jump up at once) Darlin'!

Katie: Hi, Mama!

Emma: Ok, out with it. What are you up to?

Mike: Nothin', darlin'.

Emma: Then what was with all the whispering?

Mike: Oh, us? Just talkin'.

Emma: In a huddle? What, are you guys planning on joining the Philadelphia Eagles?

Mike: (Looks at Micky and Davy) Are we doin' anything?

Micky: Us? Nahh!

Katie: We're gonna get some cookies!

Mike: Cowgirl!

Emma: Yes, you will. After they're baked and packed away to be given as gifts, of course.

Mike: Darlin', why don't you go back in the kitchen and help the girls with the cookies? After all, you make the best cookies in the world.

Emma: Oh no, you don't. Don't try to sweet-talk me, Michael Nesmith. I know you guys are up to something.

Mike: (Steers Emma back into the kitchen) Now, come on, darlin'. I'm sure you have lots of cookies to go in the oven.

Emma: But... (Mike finally gets her back into the kitchen.)

Mike: (Turns to the guys and kids) Whew! That was a close one.

Davy: Too close.

Mike: (Looks at Micky) You sure this will work? I'm afraid Em's gonna give away our entire cookie supply. She says we don't have enough money to buy everyone on our list presents, so she's bakin' presents.

Micky: I'm positive. When it comes to food, has one of my plans failed yet?

Mike: Yeah. So (grins) who has the honor of distractin' the ladies?

Davy: Why don't we send the kids to do it? Maybe they can ask for milk or somethin'.

Katie: We can do it! (Looks at the twins) You can help!

Little Mick: Okay!

Shelly: Let’s help!

Katie: Let's go! (She and the twins run into the kitchen. Katie tugs on her mother's pants leg as she closes the oven door)

Katie: Mama, can we have a glass of milk?

Emma: I don't see why not. Just stay away from the cookies after they come out of the oven. I'm going to be giving this batch to Uncle Peter, Aunt Valerie, and Jordan for Christmas.

Katie: Ok! (Emma pours the trio glasses of milk, and they take it over to the table.)

Katie: Hi, Robbie! What are you doin'?

Robbie: Teerios! (He holds up a fistful of O-shaped cereal)

Katie: (Looks at Leah's cookie) Oooh Leah, I like your angel!

(As Katie and the twins talk to Lauren and Daphne, the three boys sneak silently into the kitchen.)

(Mike waves at Emma, and then, when her back is turned, grabs a few cookies off the table and hands them to Micky, who shoves them in a bag.)

Emma: (Turns around with a pan of hot cookies) Look out, more cookies coming through! (She makes her way around the boys)

Mike: (Sniffs) Sure smells good, darlin'.

Emma: Thank you, dear.

(Mike goes over to Micky this time and nods at the new batch as Emma's back is turned. Micky isn't quick enough, however, and Emma sees him grab a cookie when she turns around.)

Emma: Mick! Leave those alone! They're for gifts!

Daphne: Have you boys been snitching?

Micky: *eyes widen* I, uh...it's, um...oh crap.

Emma: You've ALL been snitching!

Katie: We didn't snitch! That was our papas' job!

Emma: Guys, we'll NEVER get anything done if you keep stealing what we make!

Mike: Darlin', don't blow a fuse.

Lauren: But you're making it impossible for us to get enough goodies baked to give as gifts!

Emma: Why don't you take the kids and go find something to do?

Mike: Like what?

Emma: (Looks at the growing darkness outside) Hey, isn't Main Street having Hospitality Night?

Mike: That's the night around Christmas where all the stores have big sales and put out free snacks and hot drinks for customers.

Emma: That would be perfect! You could get something to eat, get the kids out and let them run off some energy, and even get some shopping done.

Katie: Oooh! Could we go downtown, Papa?

Mike: Well, I guess so. At least they'll be free cookies.

Emma: Take the older kids. The little girls and Robbie are fine here with us.

Micky: Okay troops, let’s go find the free goodies.

Katie: Yay! I wanna see Santa!

Mike: Yeah, we'll find him, too.

(The guys go off to get the kids' coats and their own as Emma sighs. She makes a face and goes after them, returning with Micky. She grabs his bag from him, shaking her finger.)

(Fade out on the annoyed Emma. Fade in on a parking lot in downtown Malibu Beach, next to a deli and Jacques Cafe. The sun is just sinking behind the palm trees. There's lights on every store and many people walking to and fro on the sidewalks. Everything looks very festive, far more so than it did in "The Monkees Nutcracker Suite.")

Mike: (He gets out of the driver's side first) Everyone haul out. We're here.

Katie: (Bounces out next) Oooh, this is going to be fun! Let's go see Santa!

Mike: Hold your horses, Cowgirl. We have some shopping for your mamas to do first.

Micky: Not to mention picking up gifts to say we're sorry about snitching the cookies.

Mike: Yeah. The girls were really mad about that. We're probably lucky they didn't kick us out with their feet.

Katie: (Looks at the twins) Let's find something to make our mamas happy again!

Mike: Why don't we stop at Will's first? Maybe we could find a box of candy for the girls.

Davy: Good idea, mate.

Katie: Let's go to the candy store! (Grabs her father's hand) Come on, Papa!

Mike: Whoa, Cowgirl! Don't yank my arm out of the socket!

(They head across the street to Will's lighted store. Cut to the inside of Will's store. Both Will's store and Will look much the same as they did in "The Monkees Nutcracker Suite." Will is ladling a hot drink into Styrofoam cups. The cups are on a table, surrounded by bowls of potato chips and pretzels and a platter of cookies.)

Will: (Looks up) Hey, Mick! Brought the family with you?

Micky: Some of the family, yeah, Will!

Will: Where's your lady and the other kid?

Micky: At home, baking.

Mike: Yeah. We sorta got kicked out.

Will: At risk of life and limb, huh? Caught you inhaling one too many chocolate chips?

Davy: Something like that.

Mike: So, what have you got that'll make three ladies we love who aren't too happy with us right now feel better?

Will: How many cookies did you steal?

(Katie and the twins grab handfuls of pretzels and potato chips and cookies.)

Micky: Enough to get yelled at, then kicked out.

Will: Ahh. You'll need my largest size, then. (He pulls a very fat and long box from his shelf) Has six different kind of creams, three different kinds of nut chocolates, and my special chocolate mint patties.

Davy: We'll take 'em.

Mike: Got any coconut creams? Em loves those.

Will: At least five.

Mike: Yeah, we'll take three of those for our lovely ladies.

Katie: (With her mouth full of cookie) Papa, can we have a drink?

Mike: Yeah. What do you have, Will?

Will: My special hot spiced cider. It'll warm you up after trampin' around town all night.

Mike: I think we'll all have a little of that.

(Peter, Valerie, and Jordan walk in as everyone sips their cider. Peter and Valerie are laden with packages.)

Peter: Hi, guys!

Jordan: Katie! (He runs over to his best friend)

Katie: Hi, Jordan! Want some cookies?

Jordan: (Shakes his head) No thanks. I'm full of the cheese I had at the hardware store!

Valerie: What brings you out here? I thought you were baking with Emma and the other ladies.

Mike: We kinda got kicked out.

Peter: How many cookies did you snitch?

Micky: Enough.

Valerie: Would you like to join us? We just came from the hardware store. We're going down this side of the street, then over to the next block.

Mike: (Looks at the others and shrugs) Sure.

Peter: (Smiles as Katie shows Jordan the wall of penny candy) I don't think we could separate Jordan and Katie now, anyway.

Valerie: I think it's sweet, how close they and the twins are.

(The twins join them as they "ooh" and "ahh" over the rows and rows of small, shiny hard and jelly candies.)

Mike: Those kids are gonna be a real great team someday.

Will: Hey, I know a little secondhand store down the street that sells all kinds of stuff...AND has a great food spread. They just opened a couple of doors down.

Mike: I ain't that fond of secondhand stuff. That's all I've had my whole life.

Peter: I like secondhand stores. You never know what you'll find!

Micky: I enjoy them, too! I love being able to find stuff I had as a kid at fifty cents.

Valerie: And "cheap" is certainly a good thing this year.

Mike: Don't tell me. I'm voted down again.

Peter: Sorry, Michael.

Will: You guys come back anytime, now. Mick's one of my best customers.

Micky: And I intend to stay that way.

Will: The secondhand shop is called The Second Time Around. It's actually a charity operation for a local church, but a buddy of mine manages it. Nice guy. He's from England originally, but came over here during World War II and liked it so much, he stayed.

Peter: Sounds good.

Mike: Ok everyone, let's move 'em out!

Katie: Can't we stay?

Mike: We'll come back another time, Cowgirl.

Jordan: Don't you want to see all the other stores? They all have food, too!

Peter: That's right! (He steers Jordan and Katie out the door) We have lots more shopping to do!

Mike: Thanks again, Will!

Will: (As three more customers come in the shop) Anytime, Mike! (He turns to handle the customers as the others head out.)

(Cut to another older shop. It looks like the same set as Will's Candy Shop, but the rows and rows of candy has been replaced with rows and rows of just about everything else - old records, huge bookshelves filled with books, ancient telephones and transistor radios, plates, blankets and linens, and knick-knacks of every description. Clothing and accessories of every kind, from the plainest T-shirt to the fanciest gown, hang on the racks. The walls are lined with more shelves holding purses, shoes, and scarves and hats.)

Peter: (As they enter) Wow! Look at this place!

Katie: (Points to one section that has baskets filled with stuffed animals and toys and shelves with children's books and games) Look! Toys!

Jordan: (He pulls a red stuffed bear out of a basket) What a nice bear!

Katie: (She pulls a beautiful toy horse out of the basket) Look at this horsie! She's a cowboy horsie, just like the Cartwrights on "Bonanza" ride!

Shelly: *pulls out a Golden Book* "The Night Before Christmas!"

Little Mick: Hot Wheels! *pulls a car from the basket*

Man: (He's fairly young-ish, maybe a little older than the Monkees. He's puttering around a table that's filled with a meat-and-cheese tray and trays of vegetables and dip; he looks up) Hullo, everyone! Welcome to the Second Time Around! All proceeds go to Our Lady of the Lords Hospital in Los Angeles.

Mike: Nice to meet you.

Man: My name is Laurie March. I'm the manager here, though Lady of the Lords rents the space.

Peter: A friend of ours recommended this store. Will, who owns the candy shop down the street.

Laurie: Oh, I've known that fellow for years! I knew him in the Army, when we were both stationed here and in England.

Mike: (He looks at the tumbler on top of the jewelry case) Hey, is that coffee I smell?

Laurie: Sure is! Would you like a cup?

Mike: Hell yeah!

Laurie: (As he pours Mike his coffee) Feel free to look around. We get donations every day. You never know what you'll find!

Valerie: (She admires a long table filled with Christmas decorations of all kinds, from place mats to towering Santa Claus figures and antique angels) I love your Christmas things! (She picks up an old angel with slightly mussed hair) She reminds me of the angel we used to have on our main tree when we were little.

Peter: Look at all these records! (He sifts through them) All the old Firestone and Goodyear Christmas records, and is that the Happy Holidays series?

Mike: (He looks at the ornaments) I wonder if there's anythin' in here Em would like. She sure loves decoratin' our tree.

Laurie: (Looks up at Micky) Anything you're interested in, sir?

Micky: Is there anything I'm NOT interested in.

Laurie: Anything you had in mind? Maybe for your wife?

(Peter piles stacks of records into Davy's arms.)

Micky: *nods* Yeah, I think I'd better get her something, so she doesn't take my head off after trying to snitch cookies earlier.

Laurie: Anything in mind? Does she like jewelry? Maybe she wants a new coat?

Mike: (He picks up a large white ball painted with holly and glitter) I wonder if this is hand-painted?

Micky: Maybe a coat...

Valerie: Ooh, look at this, Peter! (She shows him some blown-glass ornaments) I think these are antiques, the real thing from Germany before the war!

Micky: I think I'm just gonna have to wander around and see what jumps out at me.

Peter: (Stands with an armful of records) Oh, wow! There’s so many I haven’t seen in years!

Laurie: Feel free to take a look around. There's plenty of things here.

Mike: (He brings over several ornaments) I think I'll give these to Em. She's my wife, and she loves Christmas.

Laurie: Oh, these are a nice choice, sir! Some of them are quite unique.

Peter: (He and Davy bring over their stacks of records) I love your record collection! I wish the record store on Palm Street would carry more older and out-of-print titles. Some of these are from when LPs first came out in the late 40s!

Laurie: (Calls to Micky in the back) How's it coming, mate? Found anything? (Bags Peter's records)

Micky: *Heads for the register with a large white bear wearing a hat and scarf in his arms* Found it! Lauren will LOVE this bear!

Laurie: And he's a very handsome fellow too.

Peter: (He goes to the kids) Ok guys, it's time to go!

Katie: (She looks up from playing with her horse) Aww! I was having fun!

Mike: Cowgirl, you'll be gettin' plenty of toys in a few weeks.

Laurie: (He wraps up the bear) Here you go, sir! Thank you for coming!

Micky: Thank you!

Mike: Why don't we just walk down the street now and see what's goin' on?

Valerie: (As she pays for her things) I like that idea.

Peter: Me too. We could take in a couple of stores before the kids get tired.

Mike: (Nods) Sounds good to me. Ok every, let's go. (They head out the door, Laurie waving to them as more people enter.)

(Everyone steps out to the sidewalks in front of the store. Well, almost everyone...)

Peter: Where's Valerie?

Jordan: (Points in the store, where Valerie can be seen buying something green through the store window) Mommy's in there!

Mike: I hope she hurries. It's gettin' late, an' the kids are gonna have to eat sometime.

Valerie: (Comes out of the store; something green and fringed can be seen peeking out of a bag) Hi, guys. I just had to go back in there and get something I saw in the window.

Mike: Ok, now that we're all together, where should we go next?

Peter: (Looks at Micky) You know, you haven't picked where to go yet.

*Micky, however, is already staring wide-eyed with a smile plastered on his face at something down the street.*

Mike: (Shakes Micky's shoulder) What did ya find, boy?

Peter: (Looks where Micky's looking) Oh, the hobby store!

Micky: Let’s go!

Mike: (Shrugs) Sure. And the kids will love it.

*The group, led by Micky, go to the hobby store. Micky pauses at the front window where a HUGE log cabin sits. They go inside.*

Mike: Hey Cowgirl, check this out! (He leads her over to a display of model cars, lifting her up so she can see)

Katie: Wow! They look like real cars! (Points to a long, red car) That looks like our car, but it doesn't have big seats in the back!

Mike: Yeah, it does kinda look like our car, doesn't it?

Peter: (He goes over to a row of beads, feathers, and other small items) Hmm. I could make some nice bracelets and necklaces for the gang with these...

Valerie: (She leans into a roll of soft green velvet) Oooh, I want Mary Jean to make me a dress out of this!

Jordan: I like this one! (He pulls out a roll printed with Yogi Bears)

*Micky takes little Mick to check out the Lincoln Logs, while Davy takes Shelly to look at a collection of magic tricks.*

Katie: Daddy, look! (Katie tugs him over to a long table filled with pastries, coffee, tea, and cake) They have cake!

Mike: You can have a little slice. We don't wanna ruin your dinner. (He cuts half of a slice of cake and gives part to her.)

Katie: (She gobbles her cake) This is really yummy!

Mike: Careful, Katie! Don't make a mess. Other people have to shop here.

Peter: (He joins Micky and Little Mick, carrying an armful of bags of beads and string) Hi, guys. What are you looking at?

Little Mick: Look at the huge log cabin!

Peter: (He looks up...and up...at the log cabin in the window of the store) Wow! That's pretty impressive, isn't it? And it was built all with Lincoln Logs!

Jordan: (He runs over to his daddy) Hi, Daddy! (He holds out a pastry) Want some? It's apple!

Peter: (Shakes his head) Too much sugar for me, Jordan.

Jordan: (Looks at the log cabin) I wonder who lives there?

Peter: I doubt anyone actually LIVES there. It's just on display.

Micky: I'd sure love to build a log cabin like this!

Peter: Maybe we could try when we're all over the Montgomery House for Christmas Day! Jordan has lots of Lincoln Logs.

Jordan: An I asked Santa Claus for more, so Katie an' I can make a whole Western town, like on "Gunsmoke!"

Peter: There's cake and pastries at the front of the store, if you guys want any.

Jordan: I wish I could live in a cool log cabin like that!

Peter: You'd be awfully cold, and there wouldn't be any place to go to the bathroom.

Jordan: (Turns to Little Mick as they move from their fathers a distance; whispers) Have you decided what to get your daddy for Christmas yet?

Little Mick: I wanna ask mommy if she can help me buy him a log set. He really likes them!

Jordan: I think I might ask Mommy if she can get Daddy a nice t-shirt with all those pretty colors. Mommy says they're called "tie-dyed." :)

Jordan: (Grins at Little Mick) Want a pastry? They're really good! Mine's apple. I think there's strawberry, too!

Little Mick: Ooooh, yeah! I love pastry!

(Mike joins Peter and Mick as the two boys scurry over to the food table.)

Mike: This is a pretty neat set-up, isn't it? Looks just like what Christmas must have been like for the pioneers.

Peter: Well, I got what I needed.

Mike: I got some stuff for cars and some Lincoln Logs for Katie and baking stuff for Em. She'd love that big gingerbread house they have set up in the back.

Valerie: (She shows up with bags filled with rolls of fabric) I can't wait to have a new dress made from these!

Mike: Well, what should we do next?

Peter: Speaking of gingerbread houses, why don't we take the kids down to City Hall? They have a big display of fancy gingerbread houses made by local high school and private school kids.

Mike: Are you sure that's a safe place to go with Mick?

Micky: Hey!

Mike: Mick, swear to me that you won't eat anythin' that resembles a building.

Micky: *puts both hands up* I promise!

Valerie: Ok. Let's collect the kids and head out. (Looks at her watch) How about we make this the last place we go? The kids have got to be getting tired, not to mention wired from all the cookies and pastries and things.

Mike: Yeah, and Em's gonna want to know if we're bringin' dinner home or if she should make it.

Peter: I think the kids are all at the food table.

Mike: In that case, we'd better collect them pronto, or they'll be running on the ceiling.

(The others go over to get the kids, who are indeed snacking on pastry at the food table. Katie jumps up and down. Jordan eats two cookies at once. The twins giggle at each other, picking their pastries apart.)

Peter: Definitely time to get the kids. :p ;)

(They go over to the food table to round everyone together. Cut to another, larger room. It looks like it's normally a large meeting hall or ballroom space, but today, it's filled with gingerbread houses of every size, shape, and description, ranging from modest candy-studded cottages to life-size recreations of famous buildings.)

Mike: Wow! Hey, look at this! (He walks over to one of the largest "buildings") They did a gingerbread Club Caprice!

Peter: And a gingerbread Stainton's Department Store!

Valerie: Oh, look at this lovely gingerbread mansion. (She points out one covered with different kinds of peppermint candies)

Mike: Hey Mick... (He frowns) Where did Mick go?

Peter: Probably in search of the food table.

Davy: *holds the hand of each twin* All I know is he left the kids with me.

Mike: (Sighs) We'd better go look for him. If he gets hungry, he may decide that these houses are too tempting to resist after all.

Peter: Ok, everyone split up. The first person to find him, call the others.

Mike: Right. (Takes Katie's hand) Come on, Cowgirl. We gotta find Uncle Mick.

(An instrumental "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" begins as the group separates. Mike thinks he sees a curly head by a small gingerbread log cabin. The cabin is made of gingerbread rolled into "logs" and put together with lots of royal icing. Mike reaches for it...but discovers, to his embarrassment, he's reached for the head of a curly haired 8-year-old boy. His mother is not pleased.)

(Jordan sees Micky walk through a huge gingerbread train station, watching as a train carrying small children goes by. Mommy, Daddy, can he ride the train AND see Uncle Micky?)

(By the time Jordan drags them over to the "train station," it's empty. Valerie sighs. She'll take Jordan on the train. She needs to take a load off her feet. Peter can keep looking.)

(Peter looks around a gingerbread version of Santa's Workshop, complete with "reindeer" and "elves" made from colored icing, marshmallows, and pretzel sticks. He sees Micky eyeing the huge gumdrop trees around the "Workshop.")

(Katie and Mike admire a gingerbread ranch. Katie tries to play with the gumdrop horses, but Mike reminds her that she's not supposed to touch the houses. He sees another hand reach for the horses and reaches over to slap it, thinking it's Katie...but the hand he hits turns out to be much bigger, and the ensuing "Ow!" is deeper.)

*Mike looks up to see whose hand he hit just in time to see Micky turn a corner, headed for the huge Christmas tree.*

(Peter joins Davy and the twins at the Tree. It's a massive pine that's covered with lights and blown-glass ornaments and a huge glittering star on top. He asks them if they've found Micky yet. He hasn't. Valerie took Jordan on the train ride.)

(That's when Peter sees a flash of brown and red. Could that be Micky?)

(Peter leans over the twins. Did that look like your silly daddy?)

*The twins nod.*

(Peter takes Little Mick's hand. Davy takes Shelly's. Let's go after your daddy.)

(Mike and Katie are still exploring the room. Katie finally points to a long table filled with sandwiches, meat and cheese trays, crackers, vegetable and fruit trays, dips, chips, and hot cider. Micky is stuffing his face, two sandwiches in one hand and a plate filled to the top in the other.)

(Mike grabs Mick's shoulder. Hey, what's the deal?)

*Micky just grins, his mouth still full.*

Mike: (As the music ends) Man, what was that all about? Why did you run off?

Micky: *swallows* Was trying to find the food!

Mike: You could have waited for us. The kids wanted to see the gingerbread houses, and there's a little train that's goin' around the other hall, too.

(Peter and Davy hurry over with the twins.)

Peter: There he is!

Mike: Yeah, we found him...and he found the food table.

Katie: Can we have sandwiches?

Mike: I don't know. We haven't told Mama Bear what we're doin' about dinner yet.

Peter: Val, Jordan, and I had an early dinner.

Mike: Maybe we ought to just call the ladies and bring them something or see if they'll just feed the little guys?

Katie: I'm just hungry. I bet the twins are, too!

*They both nod.*

Mike: Mick, since you've eaten, why don't you call the girls and we get these kids some food, then go look at the rest of those gingerbread houses? After all, it is Christmas. They won't be here forever.

Micky: Sure!

Katie: Let's eat!

Peter: I'll go collect Val and Jordan and tell them what we're doing.

Katie: (Turns to Davy) You gonna eat too, Unca Davy?

Davy: Of course, little lady!

Katie: Let's eat! I wanna go see all the pretty gingerbread houses, too! I liked the ranch best!

Peter: I liked Stainton's.

Mike: I think I'll side with Katie on that gingerbread ranch. Did you see anythin' you liked, Mick?

Micky: The Club Caprice was pretty groovy.

Katie: Let's see more! (She grabs a sandwich and goes back over to the ranch, dragging her father)

Mike: (Laughs) Ok, ok Cowgirl.

Peter: (Turns to the twins) Would you like to ride the train?

*They nod and cheer.*

Peter: I'll take you! Jordan's already there. (He turns to Micky) Enjoy dinner. I'll bring the kids back in a few minutes.

Micky: Thanks, Pete! *reloads his plate*

Peter: (Laughs) Anytime! It is Christmas, after all! (He takes off. Davy turns to Micky with a grin.)

Davy: I think you have the right idea, Mick. Now, move ovah, and don't hog the olives! (We fade out on the two of them loading their plates as Katie and Mike ooh and ahh over the gingerbread buildings all around the, with the spectacular City Hall Christmas tree in the distance and people milling around.)