(The girls are waiting for the boys. Lauren sips a can of soda at the table while Emma paces back and forth.)
Emma: Oh, god, Lauren, what could have happened to them?
Lauren: *shrugs* I don't know, but if Mick's leading them, they could be gone a long time.
Emma: (Wails) We may never see them again! :(
Lauren: Maybe we should look for them, or make up a smoke signal, or somethin'!
Emma: Want me to start breaking up furniture? ;)
Lauren: Uhh, maybe we can find some branches instead. ;-)
Emma: Probably safer. (Grins) And easier on the furniture. ;)
(The girls gather some branches from the woods and sets them on fire in the cooking pit.)
Emma: (Brightens) Hey! I've got a sure-fire way of getting them home! (Runs into the green trailer and emerges with bread, cheese, vegetables, and ham) I'll cook grilled cheese sandwiches on the fire, and when the guys, especially Micky, smells them, they'll come running home with their cute little tails behind them. ;)
Lauren: *grins widely* You're brilliant! ;-)
(Emma starts to lay cheese and vegetables on bread, then puts them in a pan and grins at Lauren)
Emma: I know. ;)
Lauren: And so humble, too. *winks*
Emma: (Takes as much of a bow as she can with a pan in her hand) Thank you, thank you. ;)
Lauren: *grins* Let's lure the boys in!
(In another part of the woods, the guys are wandering around, looking very lost. Peter is crying, Micky is panicking, and the other two just look annoyed.)
Peter: (Bawling) WAAAAAHHHH!! We're never going to find the campsite! :((
Micky: Mike, are you sure we're going in the right direction?
Mike: Sure, I'm sure! It was south, I know it! (Scratches his head) Or maybe northwest...
Micky: *whines* Miiike! *pauses; sniffs the air* Hey, waitaminute, I smell something... *sniffs again*
Davy: (Sniffs) Me too! I smell...(sniffs deeper)...cheese!
Micky: *grins widely* Grilled cheese sandwiches! *points ahead of them* That way!
Peter: (Stops crying and sniffs) And grilled vegetables!
Davy: Figures 'e'd know where the food is. ;)
Mike: Well, if it works, it works! (Waves his arm in the direction of the smells) And away, Monkeemen! Let us find the campsite and our good women!
Micky: *takes off ahead of them* Oh man, oh man, oh man, I'm starved!
Davy: (Follows him) 'ey, wait up a little! Save some for the rest of us!
Peter: Yeah! We're hungry, too!
Micky: *calls over his shoulder* Ya snooze, ya lose! *calls out ahead of him* I'm comin', babe!
Peter: (Scratches his head as the others charge on) But we're not snoozing!
Mike: (Grabs Peter's arm) Oh, will you come on?
(We cut to the girls at the campsite, who stand over the growing pile of grilled cheese sandwitches as Lauren sets the table and Emma starts making another one.)
Emma: I wonder how long it'll take the guys to smell the food?
Lauren: Knowing Mick's stomach and nose, not long.
Emma: And after the badminton game and the romp, they've got to be hungry. ;)
Lauren: I know I am. *smirks*
Emma: Me, too. If they don't get here soon, we'll split them. ;)
Lauren: That'll work.
Micky: *from out in the woods still* DON'T TOUCH THOSE SANDWICHES!
Emma: (Grins) I do believe the boys have found themselves. ;)
Mike: (also out in the woods) Hey, Mick, wait up!
Micky: I'm hungry! *comes barreling out of the woods into the campsite* Honey, I'm home!
(The others follow close behind)
Emma: Welcome back, boys! (Hands Lauren the plate of sandwiches) Lunch is served. ;)
Lauren: *quickly puts the plate on the table* We'd better stay out of the way.
*Micky immediately grabs two sandwiches and starts demolishing the first one.*
(Mike and Peter go in the MonkeeTrailer and emerge with bags of potato chips and pretzels and cans of soda.)
Peter: Here's some more for lunch, since we're all hungry.
(Mike sits down next to Micky and Lauren, across from Emma. Micky is already gobbling his second sandwich.)
Lauren: Mick, try chewing before swallowing! *shakes her head, laughing*
Davy: I think I liked you bettah when you were eating burgers! :p
Peter: Oh, I remember that. The food fight we got into when we first met!
*Micky swallows, then sticks his tongue out at Davy.*
Davy: Well, I wouldn't have eaten my salad that way if you and Mike weren't acting like complete Neanderthals! :p
Micky: *with his mouth full* That's how I eat, man!
Mike: We were hungry!
Peter: (Makes a face) At least we don't eat our salads like cave men!
Davy: (Points at Micky and Mike) They started it!
*Micky looks up, trying to look innocent.*
Mike: (Swallows his sandwich) Oh, real mature, Dave.
Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Boys, boys, please.
Lauren: *shakes her head* You guys never learn.
Mike: (To Emma between bites) Yes, Mommy. :p
Emma: (Glares) Miiiiiiikkkkkeeee...
*Micky grins, still chewing.*
Peter: (Groans) Oh, man, not here!
Davy: This is no place for one of your knock-down, drag-out fights! You'll scare the animals!
Emma: If I wanted to scare you guys, I'd write villians into the story. ;)
Lauren: Better be careful. She'd do it, too.
Peter: (Frowns) Please don't do that! I'm having fun...and I haven't been a target yet! :(
Micky: *swallows* And I haven't been injured yet. Well, it almost happened because of Mike, but...
Emma: What almost happened? (Glares at Mike, who swallows and turns away from her before reaching for chips)
Micky: *waves it off* I climbed a tree, trying to figure out where we were. Mike followed and climbed onto the same branch I was on.
Peter: We got lost and they found the birdie in a tree.
Davy: Knocked down the branch and almost killed us and them!
Emma: Mike, come on, you have more sense than that!
Mike: It was my fault the damn birdie got knocked out there in the first place! :-w
Davy: Micky retrieving it would have been quite enough!
Micky: I could've gotten it, too.
Mike: It was my responsibility.
Emma: Mike, not everything is your responsibility. We're here to have fun, so lighten up, ok?
Micky: Yeah. Besides, I was okay with doing that for you.
Peter: (Puts his hand on Mike's shoulder before his best friend can explode) Mike, I know you like to take care of us, but sometimes, you need to let us do things for ourselves. We aren't really kids, you know.
Mike: (Crosses his arms and looks grumpy) I was just tryin' to help.
Micky: *rolls his eyes* Mike, it's okay to help, but it was easier for me to get it. I'm the tree climber.
Emma: Could we please drop the subject? We're all here and in one piece. From now on, no matter what romp we're doing, we should all try to stay together, or at least with the person who knows their way around, which here, is Lauren.
Davy: Same goes for Manchestah, fellahs.
Peter: I don't really want to get lost again, anyway! Those woods are scary! :0
Micky: Fine with me. *leans over, draping an arm around Lauren's shoulders*
Mike: Fine. (Grabs another sandwich and shoves it in his mouth, ignoring the others)
(As the group finishes their lunch, they hear a noisy growl coming from the MonkeeTrailer.)
Lauren: What was that?
Peter: (Frowns) Uh oh. :o
Micky: *holds his hands up* Wasn't me!
Davy: Then what was it?
Emma: (Groans) Um, Mike, Peter, did you guys leave the trailer door open when you came out with the chips and stuff?
Mike: (Frowns) Pete, I thought you closed the door!
Peter: I thought you did! :(
Micky: Oh, geez...
Emma: (Groans and puts her head in her hands) Oh, swell...
(There's another growl and the sound of pots and pans banging and things overturning)
Peter: We've got to get in there! What if...whatever that is hurts our instruments?
Lauren: I wouldn't do that, Peter. *frowns* It's probably a brown bear.
Davy: Ok, then, how do we lure the bear out without becoming part of 'is lunch?
Lauren: That, I don't know. *shrugs, still frowning*
Peter: (Grins) How about honey? It works with Winnie the Pooh! :D
Mike: Honey? Peter, I doubt that is a Pooh bear.
Emma: (As more banging comes from the trailer) Lauren, Pete, you're the camping experts. How do we get Mr. or Miss Bear out of the MonkeeTrailer?
Peter: (Gulps) Um, carefully?
Lauren: I don't know. I've never had to deal with wild animals before...other than Mick.
(That gets a soft laugh from the group.)
Mike: Maybe that honey idea could work...
Davy: But who'd be crazy enough to get the honey and let the bear near it?
Lauren: *groans* Oh, Lordy...
Micky: Well, since no one's raising their hand... *stands*
Mike: (Stands - we go into "Mission: Ridiculous" mode as Mike holds out a big, old-fashioned pot of honey to Micky. Both are dressed in black) Panther Man, you have been selected to remove the unwanted perpetrator from our humble abode using this secret weapon. (Sticks his finger in said "secret weapon") Hey, this secret weapon is pretty sweet! ;)
*Micky slaps Mike's hand away.*
Emma: (Groans) Mike, stop eating the secret weapon!
Mike: (Rubs his hand) Aw man... (Mike and Micky start to "stalk" - or their idea of it - up to the MonkeeTrailer. Mike flattens himself against the Trailer's bright red walls, then quickly pulls the door open.)
(A large, dark-brown bear ambles slowly and sleepily out of the Trailer, leaving behind a trail of pots, pans, and food in its wake. It sniffs at the honey jar in Micky's hands.)
Micky: Good bear, nice bear...come on, you big, scary ball of fur...
Mike: (Whispers as the others stiffen) Careful, Panther Man! One wrong move and the perpetrator could knock your block clear to Manchester!
(Micky finally gets the bear to the other end of the clearing and throws the jar of honey as far as he can into the woods. The bear finally ambles after it, and everyone breaths a sigh of relief, especially Micky.)
Micky: *returns to the group* Gahhh! I can't believe I just did that!
Mike: (Straightens his brown jacket as his and Micky's clothing returns to normal and speaks to the camera) Another successful mission completed by your "Mission: Ridiculous" team. Don't try that at home, folks, we are professionals.
Emma: (Also to the camera) Not to mention this is our imaginations.
Lauren: Professional nut cases is more like it.
Peter: (Hugs Micky) We're proud of you guys, Mick! You got Mr. or Miss Bear to go home!
Micky: Yeah, great. Pete, I think you'd better keep that grip on me... *faints*
Peter: Oh, god, Micky! (Peter gently lays him on the ground as the others gather around him)
Mike: Maybe I should have thrown the honey and he opened the door.
Lauren: I knew something had to happen. *slaps Micky's face, trying to wake him*
Peter: (Brightens) I know how to get him up! (Runs into the MonkeeTrailer and emerges with a squirting seltzer bottle. Squirts the seltzer at Micky's face)
Micky: *yells* Ahhhh! *blinks at Peter* Don't do that.
Mike: Well, it worked. And I don't think we have to worry about him runnin' after any supposedly suicidal actresses, either. ;)
Emma: (Rolls her eyes at Mike) I can't believe you fell for that chick!
Mike: (Shrugs) Can I help it if she sounded really convincin' over the phone?
Davy: (As he and Lauren help Micky to his feet) What now?
Mike: Well, we'd better clean the MonkeeTrailer up and see what the bear left.
Micky: Or didn't leave.
(All troop over to the MonkeeTrailer. The instruments are fine, but the kitchen is a total wreck. Drawers jut open, cooking utensils are everywhere, and what remains of the food is scattered all over the floor and counters.)
Mike: Looks like Micky went on one of his eatin' jags.
Micky: Hey?
Davy: (Winks) Naw, he's not this neat. ;)
Micky: Oh, very funny! *crosses his arms*
Peter: (He and the girls are rounding up dented pots and pans) Oh, come on, guys, lay off Micky. He's had enough for one afternoon!
Micky: Thank you, Peter. *continues to pout, though*
Emma: (Looks up at the three remaining guys) You know, we could use a little help here!
Micky: They were picking on me! *points at Davy and Mike*
Davy: (Elbows Micky) Aw, Mick, you know we do it because we love you.
Mike: We do it out of the kindness of our hearts. ;)
Micky: Yeah, well, I risked life and limb for you guys. *sighs* I'll help, but I'm gonna help Lauren!
Emma: (Tosses the unbroken dishes in the sink) He's right, guys. Show him - and us - a little courtesy.
(The guys do finally join the clean-up romp to "Valleri." Mike sweeps the broken dishes, at one point pretending to sing into the broom before Peter hands him a real microphone. Emma happily hums and scrubs dishes, pots, and pans...until the others start throwing everything they can get their hands on into the sink, including one of Davy's maracas, furniture, and little knick-knacks.)
(Peter scrubs the scratched up floor, making faces at all the feet stepping over his clean tiles, until he finally puts up a sign that says "feet off.")
(Lauren and Micky toss the remaining dishes back and forth and put everything away...and then has to put everything away again when Mike points out it's all in the wrong place.)
(Davy looks into the space under the sink and gets squirted by the plumbing. He emerges as the romp ends and the others look around to take in their handywork.)
Mike: (Nods at the Trailer - the floor is clean and everything has been put away) Not bad, but we don't have much food left.
Davy: (Grins) Maybe Mike could shoot us a bear (does "bear" in a bad southern accent, imitating Davy Crockett)
Micky: Then why couldn't he do that earlier when we had the bear?
Peter: Aw, guys, leave Mr. or Miss Bear alone! It was just hungry!
Mike: Well, we were going to leave tonight anyway, right?
Lauren: Guess we kinda have to now.
Davy: Actually, Grandfathah said something about having a little dinnah party in honor of our arrival.
Micky: Dinner party? *grins*
Davy: It's semi-formal, just a few dozen guests. He wants to introduce us to some of his friends. He used to work in radio and on stage, and he's even done some cartoon voice-over work.
Lauren: *frowns* Formal?
Davy: Don't worry, Lauren. Most of the women will probably be wearing nice pantsuits. It's not that formal. :)
Lauren: *sighs* Don't scare me like that, Dave. *winks*
Emma: Maybe we could get her one of those leather numbers, like Diana Rigg wears in "The Avengers!" ;)
Mike: Bet it would make Mick's dinner party. ;)
Lauren and Micky: Yeah! *they glare at each other*
(Everyone nearly falls over laughing.)
Mike: I swear they've been merged! ;)
Davy: Since when were you two twins? ;)
Emma: Now that is true love. ;)
Micky: She won't let me merge yet! *Lauren blushes*
Emma: (Elbows Mike) You had to bring that up!
Mike: (Warning look) Remember our little talk last night, Micky?
Micky: *holds his hands up* I'm just kidding!
Davy: (Looks at his watch) We're not due in Manchestah for a few hours. Maybe we could play another game of Badminton?
Emma: (Shakes her head) I don't think that's a good idea, especially if we're going to a dinner party. I've had quite enough of chasing after things in the woods. Why don't we do something simple, like play a card game?
Mike: Or maybe we could rehearse for our next gig.
Micky: Rehearsing sounds good...and safe!
Peter: Yeah, our instruments won't run away or eat us!
Emma: (Sits down as the guys pull their instruments out) Hey, Lauren, since I chose the last romp, how about you do this one? ;)
Lasuren: Okay. Let's see... *thinks*
Micky: *walks up next to her, taps the side of her head* Don't think too hard, babe. *grins*
Lauren: *glares at him* How about "She"?
Emma: (Nods) Oooh, that sounds good! (Plops down on a narrow couch)
(The guys play and sing the ballad with Lauren on tambourine as Emma watches, she and Mike exchanging content smiles. Micky and Lauren are also watching each other, grinning and waggling their eyebrows mischievously. Peter is in total heaven, completely lost in the music, and Davy smiles happily at his delighted friends.)
Emma: (Sighs dreamily as the group finishes) That was wonderful, guys!
Mike: Hey, Davy, I wonder if we could play at that "dinnah" (attempts to imitate Davy's accent, which sounds rather funny on his Texan) party?
Davy: (Smiles) I don't think Grandfathah would mind terribly. He nevah did get to hear us play! :)
Micky: Groovy! :-)
Emma: Now, this is the way life should be, just the six of us, the music, and nothing around us but bears and trees. >:D<
Lauren: But we could do without the bears. *grins*
Peter: Well, it did make for a very exciting afternoon! :)
Micky: And possibly life-threatening. *gives a small smirk*
Mike: (Leans back on a chair with Black Beauty in his lap and smiles his little smile) I could get to likin' this.
Lauren: I guess we'll just have to do this again sometime. :-)
Peter: (Sighs) Yeah. This was the best Fourth of July vacation I ever had, bears and all! :D
Emma: (Grins) Me, too, Pete. :)
Mike: (Joins Emma on the couch and puts his arms around her) Me too.
Micky: *wraps his arms around Lauren from behind* Me...four? Is that what we were up to?
(Everyone laughs.)
Davy: Yeah, I think so. (Sits on the chair Mike vacated) It's so nice and peaceful around here. Such a change from our previous trips, isn't it? ;)
Lauren: I knew you'd like it. :-)
Peter: After getting chased by wizards and gunslingers and goons, we needed it!
Mike: Amen to that, Pete!
Micky: Hallelujah! *grins*
Emma: (Sings, giggling) "Oh, hallelujah, hallelujah..."
Lauren: As long as this doesn't turn into the "Anvil Chorus". *winks*
(More laughter as Mike and Peter strum their guitars absently.)
Mike: Well, my fine compadres, what is next on our schedule? ;)
Peter: Maybe we could cut cards!
(Brief clip of Peter cutting the cards from "The Case of the Missing Monkee.") ;)
Micky: Awe, Pete, that was my last deck!
Emma: Don't worry (pulls two decks out from under the couch) I brought two decks! ;)
Micky: *pouting* But I liked my cards!
Emma: (Shows him one pack of cards) But these have the Looney Tunes on them! ;)
Micky: Ooooh! *lets go of Lauren to check out the cards*
Emma: See? Petunia is the Queen, Bugs is the King, Daffy is the Jack...
Peter: (Also moves to take the cards) Oh, wow, groovy!
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Thanks, Em. *laughs*
Mike: Yeah, you got him to stop squeezing the life out of his twin. ;)
Davy: Gettin' 'er back for all the times she's 'urt you, mate? ;)
Micky: *nods, still shuffling through the cards* Yes, I am! *grins*
Lauren: *wags a finger at Micky* You're gonna be sorry, mister!
Peter: They all have different faces for different suites! (Shows Mike) When they're on the hearts, they all look like they're in love! ;)
Mike: (Strikes a chord on Black Beauty) Well, what's your game, mon amigos?
Peter: (Grins) Parcheesi's my game! :)
*Micky opens his mouth, but Lauren promptly clamps a hand over it.*
Davy: 'e means a card game, Petah.
Peter: (Shrugs and goes back to looking over Micky's shoulder at the cards) Oh.
Emma: (Grins wickedly) How about poker? (Winks at Lauren) We could play for jelly beans. ;)
Lauren: *returns the wink* I like jelly beans.
Micky: You mean we don't get to play for clothes?
Davy: (Smacks Micky's shoulder) I don't think this is an appropriate place for strip poker, man!
Micky: *shrugs* Just a suggestion.
Lauren: One I tried to keep him from making.
Mike: Where are we going to get jelly beans in July?
Peter: I have some jelly beans! (Runs into his room and comes out with a big bag of candy) It's my leftover Easter stash. :D
Mike: I was wondering where you had all that.
Peter: I hid it in my sock drawer, so Micky wouldn't find it! ;)
Micky: I thought I could smell something sugar-based.
Emma: Is that why all your socks have been sticky recently?
Lauren: *laughs* Ewww!
Peter: (Blushes) Well, I thought of putting them in Mike's sock drawer, but Micky shares his room. He would have found it there.
Mike: Man, Pete, if you got my socks sticky, you'd be doing the laundry! :p
Emma: (Before Mike can go any further) Why don't we play? (Gently takes the cards from Micky)
Micky: Cards go bye-bye. *waves*
Emma: (Dressed as an Atlantic City card dealer, complete with visor and black bow tie) Now, people, you all know the rules, and please, no cheating. Any cheaters will be thrown out of the game and to the wolves and bears and will have to forfeit all of their jelly beans to the house.
Peter: (Looks around, frowning) But we're in a trailer!
Emma: (Deals cards to everyone, including herself. Everyone looks intently at their cards.)
Micky: And no "chandelier" this time, Mike.
Mike: Ain't one in here anyway, Micky. And besides, the bear did enough damage. ;)
Micky: Just making sure. ;-)
Emma: (Looks up from her hand and picks up two cards) So, everyone, whaddya got? ;)
Mike: (Throws down his cards) Three nines.
Peter: Pair of sixes and a pair of jacks.
Lauren: *drops hers* Two fours. *frowns*
Emma: (Groans) Just a pair of tens. :(
Davy: (Beams) Full house. (Reaches for the beans) Beat that, Mick! ;)
Micky: *grins* Full house, kings and queens! *drops his cards*
(Davy's jaw nearly hits the floor. The others grin and gasp as Micky scoops up the beans.)
Davy: No fair! 'E musta cheated!
Micky: Come to me my pretties!
Lauren: *checks Micky's sleeve* Nothing up there but his arm.
Mike: Ok, guys, come on. Are we going to let Micky take everything home, just like that?
Emma: (Pounds her fist on the table) You're right, Mike. Of course you know, this means war! ;)
Micky: *pauses, gulps* Uh oh.
Emma: Just to make it fair (hands the deck to Peter) Pete, why don't you deal this time? You're the most impartial of all of us!
Peter: (Grins; he's now wearing the dealer's outfit, the visor holding back his blonde hair) Groovy! (Does a few elaborate shuffles with the cards. Mike drums his fingers on the table, impatient.)
Mike: Oh, come on, Pete, just deal the darn things!
Peter: (Makes a face) Michael, you can't rush art! (Finally finishes and deals the cards)
(Everyone once again studies their cards...and keeps an eye on Micky.)
Mike: (Small smile) Pair of tens and a pair of queens.
Lauren: *rolls her eyes, then puts her cards down* I'm out.
*Micky shuffles his cards.*
Emma: Full house. Three jacks and two queens. :)
Davy: (Throws down his cards in annoyance) I'm out, too.
Peter: (Frowns) Micky, what are you doing?
Micky: Nothing. *his eyebrows arch*
Mike: (Suspiciously) Nothin'?
Micky: I'm shuffling my cards, so what?
Peter: (Shows his hand) Straight flush. :)
Mike: Just checkin', Mick. ;)
Micky: Good. *puts his hands down, another straight flush, ten-high*
Peter: (Frowns) Oh, man!
Mike: He did it again! :o
Lauren: What the... *her jaw drops*
Davy: Are you sure you're not cheatin', mate?
Micky: It's Magic Fingers, man! *grins*
Emma: No, he just has a good luck charm! ;) (Elbows Lauren)
Lauren: Yeah, he's sucking all the luck out of me and using it for himself!
Mike: (Rolls his eyes) The last time you claimed you had "Magic Fingers," you almost got us arrested and killed.
Davy: (Rolls his eyes) And we got to watch him and the head ganstah do bloody dueling Cagney impressions. :p
Micky: *waves a hand* You guys're just jealous!
Peter: I thought that was funny! ;) You know, that roulette wheel fellow looked awfully familiar...
Davy: Petah, he must look like someone you saw on TV, man.
Peter: (Grins) Oh, that would explain it.
Mike: Whatever happened to that blonde who was drooling all over you? Did she finally catch wise to the fact that we were broke and the roulette wheel man took our reward money to fix his wheel?
*Micky shakes his head and drags an index finger along his neck.*
Lauren: What's this about a blonde? *quirks an eyebrow*
Davy: (Grins wickedly) This blonde gold-digger was chasin' him around all night!
Mike: She started followin' him around when he won a jackpot on one of the slot machines.
Lauren: *light bulb* I remember her! What the heck did you see in her, anyway? *pauses* I know what she saw in you.
(Clip of Micky and the blonde from "Monkees on the Wheel" and Micky saying "I thought she only loved me for my money!")
*Micky shrugs, trying to look innocent, but can't say anything to defend himself.*
Lauren: Well, Micky?
Micky: I don't know, I saw her playing the slots...
Lauren: And started drooling over her, if I recall correctly.
Micky: Come on, babe...
Lauren: And you were giving her your money!
*Micky looks to the guys for help.*
Lauren: Don't drag them into this!
Mike: (Crosses his arms) Well, well, this could be fun. ;)
Lauren: *plants her fists on her hips* As I recall, I seemed to have bought you a lot of stuff already.
Emma: (Grins) Get him, Lauren!
Micky: But...
Davy: Looks like someone's in the dog house.
Peter: I thought he was in the MonkeeTrailer!
Lauren: What happens if I'm out of money?
Micky: *whimpers* Guys...
Lauren: It's all about money, I got it. *rolls her eyes, groans, and stomps off, fuming*
Emma: Oh, golly. (Emma goes after Lauren)
Mike: Micky, she has a point. You have been moochin' a lot off of her, especially on the boardwalk.
Micky: I didn't mean it, really, Mike, I swear. I just got a little crazy.
Davy: As I recall, you bought at least seventy dollars worth of candy!
Peter: He did eat most of it.
Micky: I shared it with her!
Mike: Made himself sick on that darn Sea Snake roller coaster, or whatever it was, too.
Micky: Sea Serpent...
Davy: The point is, Mick, maybe you should start sharin' more financial responsibilities with her. She can't keep payin' for everything, you know.
Peter: You're pretty good with numbers, Mick. Maybe Lauren could get you a job at the bank.
Micky: You think so, Pete?
Peter: Yeah! You help Mike balance our household budget, don't you?
Micky: That's true.
Davy: And you can figure out all that chemistry and physics stuff, even if you don't always get it right the first time.
Mike: Or the eightieth.
Micky: Yeah...hey?
Peter: Maybe he could work in a real science lab!
Mike: He could be a test animal. ;)
Micky: *frowns, then sighs* Okay, I deserved that one.
Mike: (Puts his arm around Mick and gently leads him out of the trailer and over to Lauren and Emma's) You've got to talk to her, Mick. Tell her you'll try to be better about borrowin' money and flirtin'.
Micky: *nods* Yes, dad. *gives him a small smile*
Mike: (Grins and shakes his fingers) Hop to it, son! (Walks back over to the MonkeeTrailer. Emma and Lauren are in the trailer, where Lauren is still fuming and Emma is sitting next to her.)
*Lauren's got her ears covered with her hands.*
Lauren: *loudly* La la la...
Emma: Lauren, stop that! You're being a baby! You've just got to talk to him. I'm sure he'll get better!
*Lauren shakes her head, trying to keep ignoring her. She ends up covering her eyes and shakes her head again.*
Emma: Lauren, he met that blonde before he met you. He doesn't flirt as much as he used to! (Grins) He's not nearly as bad as Davy, anyway!
*Lauren drops her hands & props her chin up, sniffing.*
Emma: (Puts her hand around Lauren's shoulders) Oh, god, honey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to blow up, but you know he doesn't mean it. This is one of those little things you've got to work out before you say "I do."
Lauren: *sniffs, shakes her head* No, you've got a point about the blonde. *sniffs* I just...I didn't like hearing about some ulterior motive for why he likes me.
Emma: Lauren, that's just how he is. I don't think he even realizes he does it. (Frowns) It's not a good habit, though. He's really got to stop relying solely on you for money.
(There's a knock at the trailer door.)
Micky: (Nervously) Um, can I come in, please?
Lauren: *sniffs again* Oh man... *runs a hand over her face*
Emma: (Pats Lauren on the shoulder and brings her a clean dish towel for her face) Now, come on, honey. You've got to expect these little blow-ups if you're going to get married. It'll be ok. (Smiles gently) I want to talk to Mike, anyway. (Opens the door and Micky peeks in)
*Lauren chucks the dish towel behind her, trying to steel her nerves.*
Micky: (Blushing) Is Lauren in, Em, or is she ready to hit me with a frying pan?
Emma: Probably, but yes, she's in. (Gives Lauren a quick hug and heads out the door)
Micky: (Stands nervously, not sure what to do) Um, hi, babe.
Lauren: *sniffs again* Hi.
Micky: Look, I'm sorry about the money thing...and the blonde thing, too. (Sits next to her) Gosharooney, babe, I never thought it would hurt you this way.
Lauren: Well, it's partly my fault, too. I guess I got a little carried away.
Micky: (Shakes his head) No, you were right. I've got to start carrying my weight, too. (Looks at his skinny body) Such as it is. (Puts his arms around her) Aw, come on, babe! Emma and Mike fight all the time, and look at them! :)
Lauren: I know. I don't know what happened. My temper just kinda got ahead of my brain... *gives a shaky grin*
Micky: Naw, I deserved it. What I did with the blonde was just plain stupid, and it got us into trouble. (Sighs) I guess my hormones got carried away. (Grins) I gotta stop spending so much time with Davy. His English charm is catching. ;)
Lauren: *smiles, sniffing once more* No kidding. But I didn't have to blow up at you like that.
Micky: No, you didn't. But you have a temper, and I have a temper, and fights are going to happen. They're a part of life, babe. Don't your folks fight? Mine sure did!
Lauren: *nods* Yeah, apparently I've got my dad's temper. The ol' Irish temper.
Micky: I think I got mine off the Italian side. Mom and Dad used to fight, and they could be loud about it, but it would usually blow over in an hour or two, and they'd be off to the studios again, side by side. :)
Lauren: It was usually something stupid. *chuckles* I'd roll my eyes about it almost every time. It didn't usually last very long, either.
Micky: See? We'll be ok. (Grins) Are there any jobs open at that bank where you work?
Lauren: *blinks* Huh? Where'd that come from?
Micky: (Blows on his nails) I'm not so bad with numbers myself. I could start bringing in money, so I'll have my own and I won't have to borrow 70 bucks from you the next time I see a candy store on the Boardwalk. We'd be a two-income family. :D
Lauren: *laughs lightly* I'll see what I can do, if you can manage a resume, that is. I really didn't mind that much about the candy. You did share. ;-)
Micky: It would support us between gigs, anyway. (Grins) I've still got some left at the pad, if you want to share some more.
Lauren: Someone's gotta help you out with that stash. *grins*
Micky: (Winks) I'll even show you my special hiding place! (Grins) There's a loose floorboard under the bandstand. I keep all my valuables there. Beats sock drawers! ;)
Lauren: I guess it would! ;-) I don't have a hiding place for my stuff.
Micky: I know this great hole in the wall in the attic that Mike made when he got really pissed off one night. ;)
Lauren: You know about it how?
Micky: I used it for chemical experiments for a while. (Shrugs) No one noticed if it got a little wider and a little blacker.
Lauren: *chuckles* I'll consider it, as long as there's no residue left in it. *winks*
Micky: Nahh, it's been months since I last used it.
Lauren: *nods* I guess this is what happens when we argue, huh?
Micky: (Grins) Yeah. You yell, I complain, you stomp off, we make up. No problem. :)
Lauren: You forgot my crying in there after the stomping off. *grins*
Micky: Right. And me timidly walking in, expecting to be permanently damaged. ;)
Lauren: Don't rule out the possibility, just in case you do anything really terrible. ;-)
Micky: Just don't blind me or paralyze me. ;)
Lauren: Where's the fun in that? I've already blinded you. The paralyzing is interesting, though. Don't you still have a story coming up? *smirks*
Micky: (Eyes widen) Yeah, I do...but it's my story! Shouldn't I be the brave hero who gets to save everybody, without losing use of my shoulder for three or four parts?
Lauren: Oh, come on, you liked having me around, helping you, despite your complaining. Besides, I'm technically the one who's co-writing the stories. ;-)
Micky: Well, it was kind of interesting to be nursed. Unlike Mike, I don't object entirely to hospital soap operas. ;)
Lauren: I'll keep that in mind. *winks*
Micky: (Groans) Me and my big mouth. (Nods at the door) Maybe we should go rejoin the others. They might start worrying, especially Mama Bear and Papa Wolf. ;)
Lauren: Yeah, or they start thinking we're doing...something else in here. *smirks*
Micky: (Grins) By the way, speaking of the Bear and the Wolf, who's turn is it to save whom? ;)
Lauren: *counts on her fingers* I'm not sure. I lost count somewhere around five each.
Micky: You never know what we'll run into in Manchest"ah" (imitates Davy's accent), after all. ;)
Lauren: That's for sure! ;-)
(The two walk out the door, their arms around each other. Emma and Mike sit on a blanket under a tree, talking. Davy and Peter are playing Old Maid at the picnic tables.)
Emma: (As they emerge)...but I'm scared. It's been a long time since I've been in love, and I've never loved somone with more experience than me.
*Lauren and Micky exchange glances.*
Mike: Emma, the girl I married in Texas was the first and only girl I ever dated. Hell, she was one of the only girls who ever looked at me like a man, not some bad-mouthed kid who was always in trouble in school.
Emma: (Takes Mike's hand) Mike, I don't care if they thought you were a hoodlum in Texas. The important thing is, you're a good man now. You love the guys like brothers and take care of them and the band. You write gorgeous music and play the guitar beautifully. (Smiles) My stepdad was a lot like you as a kid. He got into trouble, too, ran around with gangs. He's now happily married to my mom for 22 years, with four lovely children and a grandchild on the way, living in a nice little house in a small town in southern New Jersey. We've just got to be more careful when we fight. I just don't want to hurt you.
*Micky and Lauren join Peter and Davy.*
Mike: Em, what will it take for me to explain to you that I never want to hurt you?
Emma: I've seen your temper, and I've heard the stories about what you did to the wall at Rudy's Record Shack. (Softly) I just don't want that to be me.
Mike: What about yours? You can get pretty dang angry when you want to!
Emma: I just...it comes out.
Mike: Like mine. (Sighs as they watch the other four at the table) Face it, Em, we're two wild animals in a zoo. All we need is the right tamer.
Emma: (Leans into his arms) I never thought of myself as a tamer before. Usually, I have to scream to be heard.
Mike: (Grins) You'll only have to do that when I'm upset. ;)
Emma: Awww, Mike... (cuddles in his arms as the camera switches back to the others. They're all playing Old Maid now)
Davy: (As he shuffles the cards) 'Ow'd I managed to end up with the Old Maid three times in a row?
Peter: "Magic Fingers" is on a hot streak. ;)
Davy: (Deals the cards and looks over his shoulder at Mike and Emma) I wonder what those two are up to?
Peter: Well, they haven't started yelling at each other yet, that's all I care about!
(Emma and Mike walk over to the group, hand in hand, Emma carrying the blanket.)
Mike: Hi, kiddies. How's the game?
Peter: Great! Micky's won two, I won two, and Lauren's won one. :)
Lauren: He's cheating again. *grins, points at Micky*
Peter: We're not playing for jelly beans this time, though. We're just playing. :D
Micky: *sticks his tongue out at her* Am not!
Davy: 'Ow have you managed to win all afternoon then, mate?
Mike: (Crosses his arms) Micky...
Micky: What? I'm a skillful card player!
Emma: He's probably just got ways of cheating none of you have figured out yet. ;)
Lauren: I'll figure them out. ;-)
Mike: If you do, tell the rest of us, ok? ;)
Lauren: You got it, Mike.
Davy: Yeah, I'd actually like to win a hand every now and then!
Micky: *pouts* Hey?
Peter: And I want some of my jelly beans back!
Micky: You can have them, Peter. I didn't wanna really take them from you.
Peter: (City-lighting grin) Ok! I'll still share them if you want!
Lauren: Besides, he doesn't need more sugar. ;-)
Davy: (laughs) Ain' that the truth, luv! ;)
Mike: No, Pete, Lauren's right. Micky's still got a ton of junk leftover from that candy store. He doesn't need more.
Micky: *shakes his head, smiling* They're all yours, Pete.
Peter: Yeah! (Runs in the MonkeeTrailer and emerges with the bag of jelly beans, which he happily munches)
Emma: Well, what now?
Davy: (Looks at his watch) As much as I'm enjoying all this, mates, I think it's time we started gettin' ready for Manchestah and Grandfathah's dinnah party.
Lauren: *sighs* It's been fun being home again. *smiles*
Emma: (Holds Mike) I'm really glad you suggested this, Lauren. It's been a great time. :)
Mike: Yeah, it's really pretty out here, Laur. I ain't really used to the woods, but this is nice.
Peter: This is probably the most fun I've had on all of our trips!
Lauren: Awe, thanks guys. :-)
Micky: *slings an arm around Lauren's shoulders* I'm glad we did this, babe. *smiles*
Peter: And a great way to spend the Fourth of July! :)
*Lauren practically melts at Micky's smile.*
Emma: This is what freedom is all about. :D
Davy: (Elbows Micky) 'Ey, mate, if she ends up on the dirt, you're cleanin' her up. ;)
Lauren: *grins at Davy* Don't give him ideas, Dave. ;-)
Micky: *grins* I'll gladly take that job!
Emma: I'm sure you would, Micky. ;)
Micky: And love it!
Mike: Well, come on, gang. I hate to break things up...
Micky: You're going to anyway...
Mike: (Glares and goes on) But we really have to clean up the campsite and get going if we want to make that party.
Davy: (Sighs) As much as I 'ate to admit it, 'e's right, mates.
Peter: Lauren, since you and I are the most experienced, we can put out the cooking fire and clean that up.
Lauren: *nods* You got it, Peter.
Davy: (Nods at the badminton net) Mick and I will take down the badminton net.
Lauren: Just make sure it doesn't attack! *winks*
Mike: Em, you and I can clean up around the trailers and the table.
Davy: (Rolls his eyes) As long as some people don't throw the ball over me head and get me all tangled up! :p
Micky: Now when've I ever done that? *grins*
Davy: Remember the time we were making that movie?
Micky: Oh, was that you?!
Mike: Davy, you were askin' for it. You acted like an idiot.
Peter: After we got you the job!
Davy: That's right. As I recall, I didn't even want to do the bloody film!
Mike: (Cleans up the trash around the table) You sure didn't mind it when the cameras were rolling.
Davy: Well, that part was kind of fun. (Sighs and takes one of the poles while Micky takes the other) I guess I did get a bit carried away.
Micky: A bit carried away? Ha!
Peter: (He and Lauren clean up around the campfire) You acted worse than Frankie Catalina did!
Lauren: Who knew that was possible?
Mike: Davy, we know you love the spotlight, but you did go a little too far with the whole thing.
Davy: I owe you guys for makin' me realize how far I was takin' it. I acted like a bloody fool on that set. (He and Micky take the poles out of the ground and shakily carry them over to the MonkeeTrailer)
Peter: That's ok, Davy. We've all done some foolish things every now and then. I've made contracts with a dance studio and the devil!
Mike: And I let some sleazy guy con me just because I wanted to sell my song so badly.
Micky: And don't forget my gangster look-a-like.
Davy: (Winks at Micky) And Brenda. ;)
Mike: Brenda?
*Micky glares at him.*
Micky: Ix-nay, Dave.
Peter: (Sighs before Micky and Davy kill each other) Don't ask, Mike. You're better off not knowing.
Emma: And I seem to remember three able-bodied seamen who got suckered into working on a pirate ship. ;)
Lauren: And one of them impersonated a parrot. *grins*
Mike: I heard what went on above-deck (grins) and I'm almost glad I got sea-sick. How did you guys think you were going to incite a mutiny?
Micky: *shrugs* It works in the movies.
Peter: (Nods at their work - the site is now more or less as they found it) Well, I think that's the last of it.
Emma: (nods) So, what now?
Davy: We'll just imagine ourselves and the vehicles in Manchestah. The trailers should return to their original state, and anything we won't need in Manchestah will return to the pad or the Long Title Library.
Mike: (Slaps at himself) Man, we've gotta get out of here. The bugs are startin' to bite.
Lauren: You did remember the Citranella, right?
Micky: *slaps himself also* Citranella? Babe, I thought you said vanilla!
Peter: Oh, no, Micky!
Emma: (Grins, even as she slaps at a bug herself) I always knew you had sweet blood, sweetheart. ;)
(Mike gives her the snarky Nesmith grin.)
Emma: (Winks) Oh, be still, my beating heart.
Micky: I'm being eaten alive here!
Davy: Everyone get in the trailers or on the motorcycle and think "Grandfathah's Estate," before there isn't enough left of us to imagine our way there!
Micky: Gladly! *runs to the MonkeeTrailer*
Peter: Wait up! (He and Davy follow. Emma and Lauren run in the green trailer, and Mike, still slapping himself, gets on his cycle.)
Mike: Now I knew why I should have bought that sporty little number I saw in Fred's Car Heaven instead of this thing. :p