Everyone ready for this month's story?

Mike: After last month, I ain't sure.

Peter: (Hesitantly) Yes...

Micky: Ready.

Davy: Me, too.

(We open with a long shot of Belavarg's Victorian office building. The camera moves to a large room inside. People move around what looks like the ballroom set from the Montgomery House painted different colors and with heavier, darker furnishings. Al Blueton directs a group of teenagers and young men in setting out plates and centerpieces as the Monkees and their ladies arrive.)

Mike: Hi, Al. (Frowns) What's the trouble? This looks like a pretty good gig.

Peter: (Frowns) The aura in here is really spooky. This is the same place where Belavarg...well, where you got into trouble a few days ago.

Mike: (Frowns) Shit. That's right. Al, were you hired by a tall, dark-haired fella, by any chance?

Al: *Nods* I was. That's exactly why you're here.

Mike: Yeah. That's the guy who drugged me. We think he's tryin' to hurt us. Remember last fall?

Peter: The whole incident with the devils. This is another fellow like them...only he specializes in black magic chemistry instead of actual "abracadabra" magic.

Mike: Al, you said somethin' 'bout bein' attacked at these shindigs or havin' problems...

Al: *Sighs* Yes. I haven't had one go off without a hitch in a while. If you can name it, it's happened.

Peter: Has anyone been hurt?

Al: Yes, though it had seemed to be an accident, but after everything else, I'm not so sure now.

Mike: So, you want us to do the servin' and keep an eye out for anyone suspicious...includin' the guy who probably hired you for this.

Al: Exactly.

Micky: I think we can handle that.

Emma: (Grins) Need anyone to make cake and cookies?

Valerie: I don't cook, but I could probably handle waitressing. (Puts her arm around Peter) I have servants and him to do that.

Peter: (Blushes) Aw Val...

Mike: I'll slice stuff and keep a nose out, so to speak.

Valerie: Micky's a pretty good cook, too. Just don't let him work alone for too long, or there won't be anything left.

Mike: No kiddin', Val.

Micky: Hey!

Emma: (Puts her arm around Lauren's shoulders) Lauren will keep an eye on him.

Mike: Davy can boil water...maybe.

Micky: Maybe.

Davy: Funny, mate.

Peter: How about those who can cook hit the kitchen, and those who can't stay out here and help prepare the place settings?

Valerie: I'll help Al lead the servers.

Mike: Davy n' I can serve. He can charm all the rich old ladies, and I'll do the rest.

Micky: Sounds fair enough.

Valerie: Daphne, you help Al with the buffet. Micky, Peter, Lauren, and Emma, you can work in the kitchen.

Emma: I get to be the pastry chef!

Peter: I can make some mean roasted vegetables.

Emma: Well, let's get cracking, before the guests arrive. Al, may we see the food list for this party?

Al: Sure, it's in the kitchen.

Emma: Ok. Thanks, Al. (Turns to the others) All my troops, make tracks for the kitchen!

Peter: (Salutes Emma) Eye eye, ma'am!

Emma: Smart mouth. (But she's grinning)

(The four head for the kitchen. It's fairly large, with stainless steel counters and a marble-topped breakfast island.)

Emma: Wow. Belavarg's coming up in the world.

Peter: This is a pretty big and modern kitchen for this old house.

Emma: (Checks the list taped on the refrigerator) Ok. Micky, why don't you work on seasoning and warming-up the roast? (Glares at him) And don't overdo it. If I see fire coming out of anyone's mouths, I'll turn you into a field hockey ball and use you to score a goal.

Peter: Maybe we should lock the spice shelf...

Emma: (Pulls two pans of large roasts out of the refrigerator) This looks like it has your name on it, Mick.

Micky: Funny, Peter. And yes, Em, I believe they do.

Emma: I'm going to look for the cookie dough and cakes.

Peter: (He pulls open a vegetable bin) I'll chop and season the veggies. Lauren, you can help.

Lauren: Okay, Peter.

Emma: (Pulls out the cookie dough) Looks like he's keeping it simple with drop cookies and rolled cookies - snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, peanut butter. (Pulls out a bag of chocolate chips) Oooh, maybe I can melt these and dip the cookies in chocolate! That would impress all of those record bigwigs!

Peter: (As he chops carrots) You know, it does occur to all of you that we are in Belavarg's office building, and this is likely a luncheon for Dark Star Records' employees?

Emma: (scoops the snickerdoodles and drops them on pans) Yes, it does. There's something wrong here.

Peter: Micky, have you talked to Al at all since November? You know him best.

Micky: We've chatted a few times. *shrugs* Al's just the type that doesn't like to turn down a job, you know?

Emma: Given how hard-up a lot of people are these days, I understand the feeling. (She turns on the oven and rolls her snickerdoodles in cinnamon)

Peter: It doesn't sound like Belavarg is the one who's interested in Al, though. What would he want with a catering company?

Emma: (She puts the first pan of snickerdoodles in the oven) He wouldn't...but his new partner Lillith Staffer would.

Peter: What would she have against us?

Emma: Belavarg may have convinced her we were the bad guys, or it's for "the good of the company." Or she doesn't know he's...well, that he's a demon.

Peter: Micky, how's the roasts coming?

Micky: Great!

Emma: (Sniffs) They sure smell good!

Peter: We're going to have to keep an eye out. (He turns to chopping mushrooms) Belavarg must have something planned if he wanted this at Dark Star.

Emma: Remember, Al said he's been having problems. Lillith may have asked Belavarg to help her sabotage Al.

Peter: Lauren, did Alton have anything in mind for drinks?

Lauren: Looks like punch, iced tea, coffee, and some soft drinks.

Emma: Maybe Micky can help you with the punch while the roasts are cooking. Knowing Al, it's home-made punch.

Lauren: *Nods* It is.

Peter: I'm almost done with the vegetable plate. Maybe I can help you with the fruit for that.

*Belavarg wanders in at this point.*

Peter: (Sees his aura...and narrows his eyes) You, get out of this kitchen. Now.

Emma: (Frowns) I don't recognize him...

Peter: Belavarg, leave. Leave us in peace.

Belavarg: I am merely here to make sure everything is going smoothly.

Peter: If you've touched Michael...

Emma: What did he do to Mike?

Belavarg: I have no idea what you are talking about.

Peter: Nice try, Belavarg.

Emma: But he looks nothing like Belavarg!

Peter: New disguise. He goes by the name of Damion Lensher now.

Emma: You're the one who bought my husband's music illiegally.

Belavarg: Yes, I did that.

Emma: You bastard! Do you know what you did to my husband? What you're doing to his company? His music is all he has!

Peter: All WE have!

Belavarg: That's the business.

Emma: You drugged him! He wouldn't have signed over his music otherwise! He's proud of this company, and the music he and the guys have made!

Peter: That's not business. That's dirty dealing!

Belavarg: Sometimes one must do what needs to be done to make things happen.

Emma: IT'S KILLING MY HUSBAND!

Peter: Em, don't...

(But Emma has already thrown a cookie-batter-covered spoon in Belavarg's direction.)

*Belavarg catches the spoon.*

Emma: Oooh, you nasty bastard! Get out! Get out of here NOW! And tell your new girlfriend to stay away from our friends and their businesses, too!

Peter: (Puts his hand on Emma's shoulder) Em, calm down. (She shrugs it off)

Emma: Before I throw something heavier at you! And give me my spoon back! I don't want you tainting the cookies.

*Belavarg puts the spoon on the counter.*

Emma: (Grabs the spoon) Thank you. Now leave, or at least go back out with the other guests.

Peter: There's something very suspicious about your aura...

(That's when we hear a CRASH in the main room! Emma, Lauren, Micky, and Peter all run out at once. We see Davy and Mike at the center table, arguing over a huge broken bowl. Midge is behind them, smirking.)

Mike: Davy, that thing's huge! It couldn't just jump off the darn table!

Davy: Well, it was on the table, then it's on the floor!

Peter: What happened?

Mike: Somehow, the bowl for the salad just fell off the table!

Emma: Things that size just don't "fall" off the table, Baby.

Mike: That's what I was sayin'!

Peter: Al, do you know where there's a broom and garbage bag to clean up in here?

Midge: I do. There's a closet just outside the ballroom.

Al: We need to get this picked up. Which way is that closet?

Midge: (Points to a door to her right) That way, Mr. Al.

Al: *Nods* Thank you. *heads for the closet*

(Belavarg emerges a few moments later, looking entirely too pleased with himself.)

Midge: (Whispers in his ear) You do it?

Midge: I distract, like you say.

Belavarg: Good job.

*Al returns with a broom and waste basket to clean up the mess.*

Mike: (Looks at his watch) The guests should be here any minute.

Emma: I'm going to go finish the food (glares at Belavarg) if certain people would stay away from me.

Mike: (As he helps Al clean up) Yeah. Don't you play any of your little tricks, Be...Lensher.

Peter: This is, after all, your gathering.

Midge: (She sidles up to Belavarg as the boys start cleaning) Well, you do it?

Belavarg: *Nods* I did.

Midge: It will make guests not good?

(Mike and Davy can be seen in the background, helping Al clean up the last of the broken bowl. Lauren and Micky carries out the punch.)

Belavarg: Quite not good.

Midge: Good. They will make cook look bad. (Nods at Davy and Mike) And they will bring the ones you seek?

Belavarg: Yes.

Midge: (Nods at Davy as he and Daphne bring out trays of vegetables and fruits and cookies) I would like to keep the small, pretty one as a pet. He would be fun in bed, and I bet he'd torture nicely

Midge: (As Lillith greets several guests) What of partner, Miss Staffer? Does she know what else you...do?

Peter: (He pushes out dishes of steaming food, followed by Micky with the roasts) Coming through, buffet food is on its way!

Emma: (She holds a platter of cookies) Along with the first munchies!

Peter: I'm going to go back in the kitchen and work on the salads. Is there anything else you want us to do while we're in the kitchen, Al?

Al: Besides the salads, there's another cake to bring out.

Emma: Micky and I can do that.

Peter: I'll work on the salads.

(They head for the kitchen. Valerie turns to Al.)

Valerie: I could help you handle guests at the buffet. I've dealt with rich and drunk crowds before.

Mike: Dave, Daph, and I will continue servin'. (Sees some people seating themselves) Looks like we're gonna be gettin' punch n' water for the rich folks.

(People gather around the punch bowl, helping themselves to the home-made brew.)

Mike: That stuff sure is popular.

Valerie: I guess people are really thirsty.

Mike: (Sniffs at it...and frowns) Is it me, or does it smell a little weird? Just a little...off?

Valerie: (Sniffs and shrugs) Smells fine to me.

Al: *Leans over and sniffs* I don't smell anything wrong.

Mike: (As a woman and man in expensive, impeccable suits push past him for more punch) People can't get enough of this stuff!

Valerie: (Looks up as we hear giggling and snorting amongst the crowd) Maybe you'd better go ask people if they need any help, gentlemen. The guests sound like they're getting a little unruly.

(One woman bursts into uncontrollable laughter. She laughs so hard, she falls right off her chair, still rolling in giggles.)

Mike: Um, we might need a net for that one. Al, do you have a net and some duct tape?

Al: I didn't think I'd need to bring that stuff.

(A man plops down in the middle of the room and starts drawing what looks like might be a horse on the hard-wood floor with a pen while singing an unrecognizable tune off-key.)

Mike: (Grabs the man's pen) Um, you wanna do that, pal, you get paper to doodle on. (He cries like a baby)

(A woman stands on the table and starts belting "Everything's Coming Up Roses." Her friends all applaud.)

Mike: (Mutters) Great, now we have Ethel Merman.

Valerie: What's going on?

(Another woman sits in Al's lap and whispers in his ear. She giggles. She's also about 93.)

Mike: Takin' 'em kind of old, ain't ya Al?

Al: I wasn't trying to!

Peter: (He brings another bowl of salad out, this one a greens salad with scallions and a light vinaigrette; looks around him) Why is there a woman singing songs from "Gypsy" on a table?

Mike: (As "Teeny Tiny Gnome" begins) I don't know, Pete. You tell me. (A guy suddenly runs between them. He wears his napkin as a hat and is interviewing his right thumb.)

(A younger man takes off his tie and ties a rope of sausage around his neck.)

(A young lady starts taking off her clothes and throwing them to an eager audience. Peter pulls down a "censored" sign before she can get to the underwear. We hear a chorus of off-camera groans of disappointment.)

(Peter brings out another large bowl of salad. He dodges this way, trying to get around a woman howling like a dog. He dodges that way, avoiding a man making noises like an airplane, his arms out. He sighs...before running into Micky, holding a plate with a second roast.)

(Micky is covered with greens. Peter now has a roast down his front.)

Peter: (Over the music) Oh man...

(Suddenly, we see a blur fall from the ceiling. A man wearing a table cloth as a cape picks himself up from between the two men.)

Man: Try jumping from the light fixtures! It's really fun!

(He flaps his arms likes wings...and really seems to take off, via wires.)

(A man keeps pointing at Al and laughing for no apparent reason.)

Mike: Yeah, I find him funny sometimes too, Mister.

*Al frowns, not sure of what's happening.*

(A woman grabs Al and tangos with him...not well. She keeps stepping on his toes. )

(Two ladies argue over who will dance with Davy. Both are easily larger than Davy is both ways.)

Peter: (Taps the woman who tangos with Al on the shoulder) May I cut in? (Whispers to Al) I'll take her. You go figure out what's going on.

Al: Thank you! *moves away quickly*

Mike: (Hurries to Al as the music ends) What in the HELL is goin' on? Is everyone in this entire room on LSD?

Al: I don't know!

Mike: Did you make anythin' differently?

Al: No, I didn't.

Mike: Did you see anyone out of the ordinary near the punch while it was out here?

Al: No, it's just been us...

Man: (As he walks between them; whispers) Be careful! Spies from Uranus could be lurking at every corner!

Mike: (As the man passes beyond him) Um, yeah pal, I'll remember that. (Turns to Al with a Nesmith snarky grin) Did you invite any spies from Uranus to the party?

Al: I can safely say that no I did not.

Peter: (He's walking delicately) That woman definitely cannot dance. (Sighs) I'm going to check on the kitchen. Maybe you guys could talk to Lillith and see if she knows anything about this. This IS her party.

Mike: I still say I smelled somethin' in the punch.

Peter: I didn't smell anything.

Al: Me, either.

Woman: (Tugs at Al's spiky hair do) Is this your real hair? (Giggles) I guess it is! (She wanders off)

Man: (Runs past them) The mushrooms are attacking! Everyone RUN! (He runs right through a wall, making a neat man-shaped hole)

Mike: He could have used the door.

Al: *Holding a hand on his head* This is insane...

Mike: Has anyone seen Davy? Those two big chicks are still arguin', but he ain't there.

Micky: *Joins them* What is going ON?!

Peter: We have no idea. We think someone spiked the punch.

Mike: I smelled somethin' on it earlier. Micky, you know chemicals. Maybe you could detect somethin'. (He swipes a glass of some the last remaining bit of punch) Here. Take a whiff of this.

Peter: But don't drink it. We don't know where it's been.

Micky: *Sniffs the glass of punch, then makes a face* Oh no...

Mike: (Frowns) I don't like the look of that "oh no."

Micky: Belavarg's lab is where I've smelled that smell.

Mike: Shit. Well, that answers that question. Bela must have spiked the punch when everyone was concentratin' on that damn salad bowl.

Peter: (Sighs) Maybe someone should talk to Lillith. And where IS Davy? I haven't seen him in a while.

Emma: (She comes out the swinging door with the large cake on a cart) Ok, everyone, here comes dessert!

Mike: (Sees Davy tottering this way and that) Oh man. Has anyone been watchin' Dave?

Micky: Dave, look out!

*It's too late. Davy crashes right into Emma!*

Emma: My cake! (The cake goes flying, all over Emma...and some of the people behind her.)

Mike: Darlin'! (He runs over to Emma, mopping her with a towel) Are you ok?

Emma: I am. Just a little messy. (Points to the people who got hit with the cake behind her) But I don't think they...hey! (They duck away from two women throwing cake at each other)

Mike: (Ducks another piece of cake; two guys throw cookies Frisbee-style at the chandelier) What in the HELL...

Midge: (She ducks a pastry and glares at Belavarg) When you say you make them crazy, could you warn me? This is new dress!

Lillith: (She's glaring, too) It's a good thing these people will probably forget this in the morning. I wanted you to sabotage this dinner. I don't really like these people anyway. I didn't think it would get messy!

Peter: (Turns to Al as he ducks salad coming in his direction) Did you get paid for this in advance?

Mike: Man... (He's hit with flying fruit) Well, at least it's tasty.

Emma: Daphne, you see if you can do something with Davy. Besides kill him for drinking that punch.

Daphne: I won't kill him. Yet. *stalks off after him*

Emma: And now, since there doesn't seem to be much of a party left... (She wipes some cake across Mike's cheek) Why don't we join in?

Mike: Sounds tasty.

Peter: (Points across the room) Look! (Someone wasn't looking where they were throwing. Belavarg is now covered in a bowl of salad. Lillith tries to clean it off of him. Midge giggles.)

(The Monkees, Al, and the girls laugh.)

*Belavarg just starts there, hands balled into fists, as steam literally comes out his ears.*

(The camera cuts back to the others laughing as food flies around them and we fade out.)