Ok, everyone ready to find out what's REALLY going on in Big Valley?

Mike: Yeah. I'm worried about Mick, Pete, and Val, though.

Micky: I'd answer, but I'm unconscious. :P ;)

(Peter mumbles; he's still tied up. :p :o )

Lauren: I'm wondering what's going on there, and where the others ended up!

Davy: God only knows what they've gotten themselves into by now.

(We open at the Circle L Ranch. Joanne leads Mike, Davy, Daphne, and Emma around the stables again as they search for clues.)

Joanne: I don't know what you hoped to find. The Sheriff's men swept the stables for clues the night it happened.

Mike: Yeah, well, we're lookin' for somethin' to prove that Indians could never have done this.

Emma: I still think it's Angie and Brad Brannington. If you saw the look in her eyes...

Joanne: Innocent until proven guilty, hon, look or no look.

Davy: Still seems odd to me. :P

Mike: Dave, you're the horseman here. Anythin' seem outta place?

Davy: Well, mate, *looks around* there is something. I just can't put my fingah on it yet.

Joanne: Yeah, me either. All the horses are all right. We called a vet to check them today.

Mike: My...well, my sixth sense is tellin' me there's somethin' wrong here.

Joanne: (She's poking around outside; waves the others outdoors) Hey, look at this! (Holds up a piece of paper) It was kind of burried. It must have fallen outta someone's pocket when Dallas kicked their buckets outside. ;)

Emma: (Takes the paper from Joanne) It is...or was...part of a train schedule. I'd recognize it anywhere. I used to take the trains and busses all the time when I lived in New Jersey. It's for the depot at Chinmunga Hills.

Daphne: A train schedule? What does that have to do with horse thieves?

Joanne: (Frowns) But that's just a commercial depot! Passenger trains don't go down there! It's too far out of the way.

Mike: (Growls) Where better to haul somethin' as big as horses? X(

Joanne: Wouldn't they have noticed?

Emma: Not if it was done at night...or if the officials were bribed.

Davy: Those bastahds! X-( :P

Joanne: That depot's kinda in the middle of nowhere. No one goes there 'cept the people who work in the train station and on the trains.

Emma: And I'll bet there wouldn't be many people around if it was done at night.

Mike: And those who were could be drugged, bribed, or told that this was legitmate.

Daphne: This is just awful! :P

Joanne: We've got to get this to the Sheriff.

Mike: Yeah, we know HOW they're doin' it, but not WHO'S doin' it. :p

*There's a sudden beeping sound.*

Joanne: (Raises her eyebrow at Emma) Uh, Emma, you're beepin'. /:)

Emma: Am I? Well, just let me take care of that. (She steps inside and opens her communicator) Hello?

Lauren: Em, it's me.

Emma: Lauren? Honey, are you guys all right? What's going on?

Lauren: Well, I'm okay, I can definitely say that.

Emma: What about the others?

Lauren: They had me contact the police while they ended up following the lead. I'm still here, and they aren't. :P

Emma: We found something interesting here, too. Joanne discovered a bit of a train schedule in the grass. It must have been dislodged from one of the theives Dallas kicked out of the stable. ;)

Lauren: A train schedule? The thieves are planning a trip or something? /:)

Emma: The closest train stop in Big Valley is apparently only for commercial, non-passenger trains and is in a fairly remote area. You do the math. You're better at it than me, anyway. :p ;)

Lauren: Yeah, I guess they are planning on a little trip, then. :P

Emma: Well, now we know where the horses went, but we still don't know who did it.

Lauren: For all we know, these guys could've been hired by anyone. :P

Emma: What about Angie and Brad? Seen them around? I think Andrew said Brad was at the rodeo.

Lauren: Yeah, Brad's at the rodeo. Angie's here. I was just about to call for help for her, actually.

Emma: Help for her? You didn't mention her when you said to call the police. Is she ok? (Smirks) Or did you catch her in the act? ;)

Lauren: No, it was during the fight. She's still out, but her pulse and breathing are fine.

Emma: SHE was hurt during the fight? She wasn't an Indian?

Lauren: Nope. She was with us when it happened.

Emma: There's got to be a way these two are raiding themselves. Mike's right. Real Indians don't have the money to buy expensive equipment, nor would they have a reason to steal horses outside of outright desperation...and even then, they wouldn't be able to afford the train without stealing one.

Lauren: And raiding themselves would take the spotlight off them because they'd be just another victim. :P

Emma: I just wish there was a way to prove it! Do you know where the others went?

Lauren: All I know is they were headed out to the highway. That's it. :P

Emma: I'll bet they followed the horse thieves...and I'll bet the thieves went to that train station.

Lauren: I'd say that makes a whole lot of sense.

Emma: I'll go inside and get the others, and we'll pick you up at the Circle L and all drive out to the train station.

Lauren: Okay, thanks.

Emma: Ok, honey, see you in a few. Be careful, ok? I don't trust Angie any further than I could throw her horses, and Brad and the thieves are still out there.

Lauren: I'll be careful, Em. See you in a bit.

Emma: See you. (Closes her communicator as the others join her inside)

Mike: What was that all about?

Emma: Just heard from Lauren on a...um, walkie-talkie. She stayed at the Rainbow Valley Ranch to call the cops and answer questions. The others took off after the thieves.

Mike: I don't like the sound of that.

Emma: I don't, either. (Looks at the others) What would you guys say to investigating this train station?

Mike: I'd say we don't have much of a choice at the moment. That schedule's our only lead.

Emma: Wanna swing around to the Rainbow Valley Ranch, pick up Lauren, and do some more investigating?

Mike: (Shrugs) I can't see how it would hurt. We'd just have to be careful. (Looks at Daph) Maybe you and Jo better stay here, though.

Davy: *nods* Good idea, Mike.

Joanne: Actually, I've got to start getting our horses together for the rodeo. (Looks at Daphne) Would you and the kids like to come with me? The rodeo is tomorrow. We could show them how we set up our tent and get the horses ready...and keep an eye out for anyone or anything suspicious. ;)

Daphne: Sure, they'd really enjoy that! ;)

Joanne: Those kids are smart little devils. They were a big help with cleanin' Dallas, and I think Dallas likes them. (Gives Davy a look) They were a LOT more helpful than certain adults I can name... ;)

Davy: Wasn't just me. ;)

Joanne: At least the kids know to give the horse a bath, not each other. :p ;)

Daphne: That's true. ;)

Mike: Ok, folks, let's get movin', before the horse thieves get away...or the others get in trouble. I got a...um, call...earlier from Mick, and he said he, Val, and Peter were headin’ after the thieves. They didn’t say where.

Emma: Since we don't know for sure that the horse thieves are at the train station, I'd say the latter is a greater possibility at the moment. ;)

Mike: Let's go, before those three get themselves killed. :p (They head back outside and split up - Daphne and Joanne to the right, Mike, Emma, and Davy to the left - as we fade out.)

(Fade out on the group splitting out; fade back in on the interior of a box car. Peter and Valerie are bound, gagged, blindfolded, and tied together on two crates. Micky, still unconcious, lays on another set of crates near-by. Peter and Valerie struggle and try to loosen the ropes, but to no avail. They're still struggling as a group of people in modern cowpoke dress head into the car. Some faces still bare traces of red make-up. Micky starts to come-to as they sit down, shaking their heads.)

Thief 1: Look, Artie, I'm tellin' ya, we should just off them. They're in the way.

Artie: The bosses said no killin' humans. We'll just keep 'em here until after the rodeo, then let the bosses handle them.

Thief 2: (Indicates Micky, who starts to groan) Hey, look, Fuzz Boy is comin' round!

Artie: Get him tied, too. I wanna ask him and his buddies here what they know.

(Two of the thieves reach for more rope and burlap sacks.)

*Micky just groans.* :P ;)

(They pull the sacks over Micky's arms and legs and bind them tightly.)

Artie: (Crosses his arms) Ok, Fuzzy, what were you and your two musician pals doin' nosin' around in the train?

Micky: *blinks groggily* Looking for a guided tour? ;)

Artie: Of what? Some little train station in the middle of nowhere? This ain't even a passenger train!

Micky: We're tourists. You tell us. ;)

Thief 1: I think they were snoopin', Art!

Artie: I think you're right. What were you lookin' for?

Micky: Lost my camera around there somewhere. *eyes widen* And now we're moving?! I'll NEVER get my camera back! :( ;)

Artie: What'cha takin' pictures of? There ain't nothin' around here but trains and trees and dirt and boxes of canned dog food! :p

Micky: *makes a face* Dog food? How come you're haulin' dog food if there's nothing else around here? :-/

Artie: We ain't THAT far from Dallas, boy. That's where this train will eventually be goin'.

Thief 3: I don't think you guys are tourists! I think they're snoopin' around!

Artie: No shit. They're snoopin', all right. They sure ain't train workers in those get-ups.

Micky: Man, all I wanted was a nice vacation, and what happens? I lose my favorite camera and get tied up. And for what? Dog food! :P ;)

Thief 2: I don't think they're tellin' the truth.

Artie: I don't, either. Why don't we see what kind of a story we can get out of one of the others? (Nods at Peter) How 'bout Blondie? ;)

Peter: (As the gag and blindfold is pulled from him) Ouch! Man, that was my hair! :p

Artie: Ok, Goldilocks, your buddy here says you guys are just tourists who got lost. We don't think that's believeable.

Peter: Why? We ARE tourists! We're visiting the aunt of a friend of ours who lives in the valley! :D ;)

Thief 1: Well, THAT'S believeable...

Peter: We wouldn't lie about that! :p

Artie: Ok, Goldie, how did you end up in a train full of cartons of dog food headed for Dallas, then?

Peter: Um, rotten sense of direction? ;)

Artie: There's got to be some way we can get them to talk.

Thief 1: Remember what the bosses said? No killin’.

Micky: They probably killed my camera. :P ;)

Artie: Could you knock it off about the camera? I bet you ain't taken any pictures since last Christmas with the family. ;) :p

Peter: That's not true! I took some pictures of Val and Jordan at Aunt Kate's ranch during the family party! :D

Micky: We've only been visiting a few days and I already have eight rolls of film to get developed! ;)

Artie: This is gettin' real annoyin'. Just tell us what you know, and we'll be nice to you and let you off in Dallas after the rodeo.

Peter: But we don't know anything!

Thief 1: (Pulls out a knife) I know how to get them to talk. We'll just...separate them. (He cuts Valerie free. She struggles and squeals)

Peter: NO! PUT HER DOWN! :( :((

Artie: Hey, Jack, that's a good idea. You and Carl keep an eye on the chick. Maybe her guy buddies will be more articulate if they don't know what we're doin' with her. ;)

(Valerie fights and kicks, but they pull sacks over her legs and arms again and hauls her out. Peter sobs. :(( X( )

Micky: Some hosts you guys are! :P ;)

Artie: Yeah, well, you're gonna get the full brunt of our hospitality if you don't start talkin' soon.

Micky: How can we talk if we don't know nothin'? :P

Peter: We swear we don't! Please, don't turn ants on use, don't use the Chinese Ice Torture, and give my wife back! :( :((

Artie: Chinese ICE Torture? Man, you guys gotta lay off the B drive-in pics. ;) :p

Micky: You wouldn't say that if you ever really DID have to deal with that! :P

Thief 3: Art, we ain't gonna get anywhere with these guys. I don't think they're tourists, but I doubt they'd talk, either.

Artie: Yeah. Let's just let the bossses handle them. (They push Micky and Peter against the wall, their arms and legs once again bound with burlap sacks and rope.

Woman Thief: You two have such CUTE asses, all turned out like that! (Slaps Micky's for emphasis) ;) :X

*Micky yelps.* :P ;)

Artie: Hey, Dolores, at least wait until Dallas when we ain't around to get in their pants! ;) :p

Dolores: (Shakes her head) Nahh, I'm just lookin'. ;)

Artie: Have a nice trip, fellas. We MIGHT be in with some food later, if we're feelin' generous. Until then, there's plenty of food in the cartons. Hey, the dogs like it, right? (Nods at the door) Come on, folks. We have some horses to attend to.

Dolores. Yeah. I think some of them are still kinda doped. :P

Artie: While we're at it, why don't we have at the chick, too? Maybe she'll be more in a chattin' mood than her hubby and his buddy. ;)

Peter: NO! NO! DON'T HURT HER! LEAVE HER ALONE! :((

Micky: Leave her alone! :P X-(

Artie: (Smirks) Sleep tight, fellas. ;) (The thieves walk out, laughing. Artie is the last one out; he turns off the light as he leaves, plunging the screen into near-darkness. Only a shaft of light from the windows above and the dim outlines of the two bound musicians penetrate the gloom.)

Peter: (Sobs, trying to get the sack off) Mick, they've got Val! They're going to hurt her! :(

Micky: *thumps his forehead against the wall* Dammit. I thought for sure they'd fall for the tourist thing. Now they've got Val. No, Pete, if they really want us to talk, they can't hurt her too much.

Peter: Actually, Micky, we weren't lying. We really ARE tourists. That's not the reason we were are the train, but that IS why we're in Texas. ;)

Micky: Yeah, but I wasted my best "totally stoned" act on those dorks, and they didn't buy it! :P ;)

Peter: (Snorts) Oh, is THAT what you were supposed to be? I thought you were being yourself. ;)

Micky: Funny, Pete. Okay, so I'll never win an acting award, sue me. :P

Peter: With your looks? No way? (Snickers, which turns into a whimper as Micky grumbles) Mick, what are we going to do? The others will never find us if the train's already moving! :(

Micky: Well, the others are smart. I'm sure they'll find something that lead them to us. Besides, at the least, Lauren knows which direction we headed off in. I think.

Peter: She doesn't know we went to the train station, though. :(

Micky: No, she doesn't. Didn’t mention it to Mike, either. :P

Peter: Micky, why do you think they're taking the horses to Dallas?

Micky: Well, uh, hm... *pauses, then it hits him* Waitaminute, they mentioned dog food...

Peter: What do horses and Dallas have to do with dog food?

Micky: Um, I dunno how to tell you this, Pete, but there's a bigger corrolation between horses and dog food than you think. :P

Peter: Horses don't EAT dog food, do they? I don't think they even eat meat! :p

Micky: No, they don't EAT it...

Peter: (Gulps; eyes widen) Oh man, no. All those horses... :( :o :((

Micky: Yeah. You got it, Pete. *sighs* :P

Peter: Those poor things! I can't believe they'd do something like that! :((

Micky: It makes money. :P

Peter: There has to be some way we can call the others! My communicator is in my back pocket. I just have to GET to it. (Struggles to reach into his pocket, but his arms are still wrapped with rope and burlap)

Micky: Mine's on my wrist. *tries to wiggle his arm enough to free his hand and wrist*

Peter: Micky, I'm scared. I don't want them to hurt those horses! They don't deserve to be food for dogs! (Makes a face) And dogs deserve something better to eat, too. :p

Micky: I know, Pete. I don't want them to hurt the horses, either. *tries to free his arm again* C'mon...

Peter: What about Angie and Brad? I haven't seen them. Angie's probably still at the ranch. Do you still think they had something to do with this?

Micky: Yeah, I do still think they have something to do with all this. What, I'm not sure of.

Peter: I hope the others find us soon! :o

Micky: Me, too...