(Shelia points to a window. Peter holds the baby wolf, stroking it's ears. Lauren sits at the table, looking worried. Emma and Valerie are with her.)
Shelia: Michael has already arrived. Now would be the time to, as you Americans amusingly put it, do your stuff. (Smirks) Your wife is there as well. That's even better.
Micky: *grins* This should be easier, then. *gets out of the car and walks up to the door; knocks*
Emma: (From inside) I'll get it. (Looks through the grille) It's Micky! (Opens the door; she's in her Acme uniform and as worried as her best friend) Where have you been? Where's Mike? He left the garage a few hours ago, and no one's seen him since!
(The wolf struggles to get out of Peter's arms.)
Micky: *looks worn out* I just got off work! Totally crazy. *raises his eyebrows* I haven't seen Mike at all today.
Peter: Calm down there, little fellow! That's our friend Micky! He wouldn't hurt anyone, especially a little animal like you! (Holds up the wolf to Micky) Isn't he cute, Micky? He just came up to the door and scratched. I wonder if we could talk Babbitt into keeping him?
Micky: He's adorable, Pete! You could probably talk him into it. *gives the wolf a small grin*
Davy: Poor thing cahn't growl, though. We ain't 'eard a sound outta 'im. Must be somethin' wrong wit' 'is throat.
Micky: Poor thing! That's terrible!
(The wolf bares its fangs at Micky and struggles harder.)
Peter: Oh, you want down, don't you, boy? (Sets the wolf on the floor) Here you go! Have fun!
Lauren: *scoffs* That's about the way that I feel right now!
Emma: And what I'll do to Mike when I get my hands on him! He'd better not be off doing god-only-knows-what with Nyles! :p
Micky: *shrugs, putting his arms out* I'm sorry, babe. I tried to get to a phone...
Davy: Workin' on the (winks at him) special thing, Mick?
*Micky elbows Davy, a little harder than normal.*
Davy: Ow! (Holds his side) What was that for, Mick? You been workin' out?
Micky: Maybe. *small grin*
(The wolf goes to Emma and paws her pants leg. She smiles and picks him up.)
Emma: (Strokes the wolf) You're such a handsome animal. You have the second most beautiful pair of eyes I ever seen.
(The wolf gives Emma a funny look.)
Emma: They're as brown and soulful as Mike's. (Sighs as the wolf gazes sadly at her) I wish I knew where he was. I'm so worried. After all that's happened, I'm afraid he may be... (Trails off and hugs the wolf, which buries itself into her considerable chest)
Micky: *waves it off* I'm sure he's fine, Em.
Emma: He's never this late, though, even when he gets caught up working on a car.
(The wolf nuzzles Emma's chin and licks her. She laughs.)
Emma: (Scratches his ears) You're a real cutie. I wish you could talk.
Lauren: *chuckles* He sure is a friendly little guy, isn't he?
Peter: Maybe he's hungry!
Valerie: That's a good idea, Peter. Get him some steak. He's such a thin little thing. He looks half-starved.
(The wolf sticks its tongue out at Valerie.)
(Emma puts the wolf on the floor. It makes a straight dash to Micky and jumps as far as it can go at him, claws extended.)
Micky: *yelps* Hey!?
Davy: Ain't that thin!
Emma: Holy cow!
Lauren: Mick!
Peter: Bad wolfie! That's not nice! Micky's our friend! (Finally detatches the angry wolf from Micky... but not before he manages to get a scratch on the bottom of Micky's chin. It's barely more than a cut.)
Davy: 'E don't like Micky much, but 'e loves Em and Petah.
Micky: Geez, what'd I ever do to him?! *wipes at his chin*
Emma: He's probably just excited. (Takes a wet napkin and wipes at Micky's cut) You might want to get a Band-Aid for that, Mick.
Micky: Thanks, Em. *nods* Yeah. *yawns* I'll take care of that at home. Babe, you ready to go?
Valerie: I hope he's ok. He was fine when he came in, but the moment Micky arrived, he started to go crazy.
Emma: (Takes the wolf in her arms) Oh, he's just fine. Micky just scared him, that's all. He's probably all alone and helpless.
(The wolf nods sadly.)
Emma: His eyes... (Lifts the wolf's face to hers) ...I've seen them before. They're so big...
Valerie: It's almost like he's human.
(The wolf nods vigorously.)
Micky: He's a wolf! *shrugs*
Peter: Animals are human too, Mick. ;) (City-lighting grin)
Valerie: He seems to understand everything we say and do.
Micky: Maybe he's just trying to imitate us, kinda like my werewolf imitation.
Lauren: *groans* Not the werewolf imitation!
(The wolf's eyes tear.)
Emma: (Looks at him) A wolf, just like my Papa Wolf. (Sighs; her own eyes start to tear) I wish I knew where he was.
Micky: *yawns again* Man, I'm tired. Babe, wanna head out? Should probably get this cleaned. *points at his chin*
Lauren: *nods* Yeah. Em, give us a call when Mike gets in?
Emma: I will.
Davy: Mick, you feelin' ok?
Micky: *waves it off* Fine, just tired. Put in a lot of hours today, that's all.
Valerie: I agree. There's something wrong here.
Davy: I don't feel very good.
(The wolf nods and puts a paw on his stomach.)
Emma: Even the wolf feels it. I've felt funny all day.
Lauren: *after she gets up with some effort* Well, that's weird. I've had the same feeling. Aside from everything else, that is. ;-)
Peter: (Turns from chopping meat and frowns) I thought it was just the salad from Joe's Diner.
Valerie: I've holed up in my dad's library all day because I haven't felt well.
Davy: (Eyes widen) Mick, do you 'ave...that feelin'...too?
(The wolf tries to lunge for Micky. Emma holds him tight.)
Micky: *nods* I think that's part of why I'm so tired. (Frowns at the wolf) What is with that little guy?
Emma: What's wrong with you, little wolf? I wish you could tell me!
(The wolf is crying outright now.)
Emma: Oh, god, someone did something to you! Look at him! He's crying!
Peter: (Drops the meat carver) He is? (Gasps) Poor little thing!
(The wolf points his paw at Micky.)
*Micky's eyes widen.*
Davy: I think 'e's tryin' to tell us somethin'.
Lauren: What the...
Valerie: Micky, did you do something to this wolf?
Micky: *holds his hands up in front of him* Not me! I didn't do anything to him!
(The wolf, still crying, nods its head.)
*Micky glares at the wolf.*
(The wolf glares right back.)
Valerie: Micky, you're acting awfully strange.
Micky: I already said I'm tired. I get strange when I'm tired.
Emma: (Stands, with the wolf still in her arms) I think Lauren should stay here tonight.
(The wolf nods its head and licks Emma's cheeks. She laughs.)
Emma: You approve, little wolf? I knew I liked you. (Cuddles the wolf. It smiles and nuzzles Emma's chin)
Lauren: *nods* I think so, too. *sits back down*
Micky: *sighs, frustrated* You're gonna believe a wolf over me?!
Peter: Micky, this is really weird, even for you!
Micky: *louder* Whadaya want me to do, huh?
Davy: Start actin' like me best friend and not some creep!
Peter: And stop scaring the wolf!
Micky: *quietly, fuming* Creep? Scaring the wolf?
Peter: (Goes to Micky and puts a gentle hand on his shoulder) Micky, there's something seriously wrong with you. Someone did something to your mind.
Micky: *shakes Peter's hand off* I'm fine! What do I have to do to prove that to you!?
Lauren: Micky...
Davy: You're overreactin' to everything, even for you.
Peter: (Pulls back, whimpering) Mick...
Micky: You're the ones who think something's wrong!
(The wolf jumps out of Emma's arms again and once again makes for Micky.)
Micky: Not again!
Emma: Micky, even Baby Wolf knows there's something wrong!
(The wolf doesn't get far when Micky scoops him up and holds him tightly.)
Peter: Micky, what are you doing?
Micky: *growls, to the wolf* Knock it off.
Emma: Let that poor thing go!
Micky: No! He's been nothing but trouble!
(The wolf turns to Emma with pleading brown eyes.)
Micky: *to the wolf* Stop that!
Davy: Maybe we should put 'im back outside.
(The wolf shakes its head wildly.)
Micky: Good idea!
Peter: We can't do that! He'll never survive out there all alone!
Lauren: I thought Davy meant Micky.
Davy: Puttin' Micky back outside would work, too.
*Micky's eyes narrow.*
Valerie: Maybe you'd better go home and cool off, Mick. You're overreacting to everything.
Peter: And you're being awfully strong with the wolf, and with me a few minutes ago.
Micky: Fine! It's obvious I'm not wanted here for some reason anyway!
Peter: (Goes towards Micky) Mick, we don't mean to hurt you. We want to help you! (Once again puts his hand on his shoulder) I want to help you.
Valerie: (Nods) We all want to help you.
Micky: *glares at Peter; grounds out* I. Don't. Need. Help.
Emma: Micky, there's something wrong with you. Please tell us what happened!
Davy: (Grins) Come on, Mick, we're your pals! You can spill to us!
Lauren: Now, Micky!
Micky: *glares at everyone, fuming* There's nothing wrong with me. Get...it through...your heads. *continues holding the wolf tightly*
(The wolf struggles as hard as it can.)
Micky: *to the wolf* Cool it!
(The wolf just bares its fangs at him.)
Davy: If nothin' were wrong, you wouldn't be protestin' so much. ;)
Micky: I'm protesting because you're all making a federal case out of nothing!
Emma: Micky, you're practically squeezing that wolf to death, you haven't cracked one joke since you got in here, and you seem awfully eager to get Lauren home.
(The wolf nods.)
Peter: You're gonna hurt the wolf if you keep doing that to him!
Micky: The wolf attacked me! I'm tired. I wanna go home and spend a little time with Lauren. What's so wrong with that?
Lauren: Everything.
*Micky rolls his eyes.*
Valerie: The wolf was fine before you came in. He never bared his fangs or hurt anyone.
Davy: Litt'l buggah was downright friendly.
Micky: Maybe he thinks I'm a werewolf. I don't know!
Peter: (Goes to Micky again; softly) Micky, you of all people know I won't hurt you. (Smiles) I have an idea. Why don't we rehearse together?
Davy: But we don't 'ave Mike 'ere.
Micky: *narrows his eyes* Mike wouldn't like that.
Emma: Peter can play the lead guitar. Davy will play bass, and Valerie can play the piano.
(The wolf continues to struggle, shaking its head.)
Peter: Maybe it will! After all, music soothes the savage beast! :)
*Micky quirks an eyebrow.*
Lauren: That's very apropos, Peter.
Peter: Thank you, Lauren. :)
Valerie: I could use a good song or two myself. It might help soothe this damn stomachache, if nothing else.
Micky: *sighs* If it'll make everyone happy. *glares at the wolf again*
(The wolf continues to struggle, glaring at Micky. Micky closes his eyes; the wolf reappears in a cage.)
Micky: Much better. *grins*
Emma: Was that necessary, Mick?
Peter: (Kneels down by the cage) Poor little thing!
Micky: I didn't want him to attack me again!
Peter: (Shudders) Let's play. I feel some major negative vibes in this room, most of them coming from Micky. Some are even...(frowns)...evil. I felt the same waves coming from Zero when we were in the courtroom.
(The wolf pushes against the cage, trying to free itself.)
Micky: Fine, fine! *stomps his way over to the bandstand, leaving the cage on the kitchen table as he passes it*
Emma: (Mutters to Lauren as the others set up) Lauren, there's something very, very wrong here. Micky's your husband. I'm sure you feel it more than anyone, except for maybe Davy.
Lauren: *closes her eyes; quietly* I feel it, alright, and I don't like it one bit. *opens her eyes* That is not Micky. Well, it is, but it isn't.
Emma: (As they settle on the psychiatrist's couch) This isn't like with the Purple Flower Gang. That wasn't Micky. This is our Micky, but...different.
*Lauren nods.*
Emma: (Looks over her shoulder at the wolf in the cage; it's still trying to break the bars) I feel a connection with that wolf. Like I've known it before. (Shrugs) I never saw it until it showed up on our door.
Lauren: He does seem familiar somehow.
Emma: There's something about his eyes. They remind me a lot of Mike's. (Gulps) I wish he'd call, or something. I'm so worried about him.
Lauren: I wonder what could've happened to him?
(Emma's eyes tear again. The wolf watches her helplessly through the bars of the cage.)
Emma: I hope he didn't just decide the pressure was too much, and...
Lauren: *puts an arm around her friend* No, Em, I'm sure he has a reason! We'll probably all laugh about it when he gets here. After you chew him out for not calling, of course. ;-)
Emma: (Wipes her eyes and smiles a little) Yeah, of course. :)
Micky: *loud* Are we gonna play, or what?!
Peter: Sure, Mick! (Smiles at the girls) What would you like to hear?
Davy: Why don't the blushin' bride choose?
Lauren; Yeah. :-)
Emma: (Sighs) I'm not very happy right now, fellas. I miss Mike so much. How about "Shades of Gray?"
(The wolf watches tearfully from the cage in the kitchen.)
*Micky rolls his eyes.*
Peter: (Nods) Ok, Em. We'll do it for you and Mike. Maybe the sound of our music will bring him home!
Emma: (Gulps) I hope so, Peter.
(The four play the meloncholy ballad. Emma wipes furiously at her eyes while Lauren holds her. The wolf watches them sadly. Davy watches Micky, who watches the two young women with fire in his eyes.)
Emma: (Smiles shakily when the number's done) T...thanks, guys. I needed that. :)
Valerie: (Nods) Music really does have the power to heal. I always feel better after a good session at the piano.
Peter: It's my whole life. Mike's too.
*Micky just folds his arms over his chest.*
Davy: (Sighs) It's getting late. Micky, maybe you ought to go home and cool off. Lauren will be safe with us.
Micky: Fine!
(The wolf nods vigorously and resumes pushing against the bars.)
Peter: (Takes off the guitar) Can we let him out? I feel so guilty!
*Micky stomps his way across the room. He glares at the cage as he passes it.*
Peter: His little heart is all broken into tiny pieces!
Micky: *opens the door; rolls his eyes; mutters* Oh, please.
(Suddenly, there's a black light. Shelia appears at the door, looking around the Pad. Emma, Lauren, and Valerie all stand, Emma and Valerie helping Lauren.)
Valerie: (Glares at Shelia) What are you doing here?
Emma: And could you leave?
Lauren: Now, preferably?
Shelia: (Turns to Micky) What's taking so bloody long (Strokes Micky's curls), my Savage?
Davy: (Frowns and puts down the bass) Wot on Earth...
Micky: *growls* Ran into several little problems.
Lauren: *eyes widen* Mick?
Emma: Get away from him! He's married, before you get any ideas!
*Micky grins slowly. Lauren's eyebrows raise. She whimpers quietly.*
Emma: Oh no, you don't! (She and Valerie immediately step in front of Lauren)
Peter: (Gasps and points at Shelia) She's evil! She has the same kind of aura as Zero, black like molassas!
Micky: *quirks an eyebrow, sarcastic* Gee, I hadn't noticed.
Shelia: I'm getting tired of these games. Micky, bring the Mother and the White Knight to me.
Micky: You got it, Milady. *starts back across the room*
Emma: Micky Dolenz, if you get close to her, so help me God, I will whack you with my hockey stick!
Lauren: Do it anyway, Em.
Emma: You bet! (Closes her eyes; the hockey stick appears in a flash of blue light)
Micky: *grins* You think a hockey stick scares me?
Emma: It will when I smash your face in with it!
(The wolf grins.)
Peter: White Knight?
Davy: Didn't Miss Crystal call Mike somethin' like that?
Micky: *grabs the cage and holds it up* This White Knight!
Peter: (Eyes widen) What?????!!!!!!
Davy: M...mike?
Lauren: *breathes out* Oh, my Lord!
Micky: *steps right up to Emma; grins evilly* You wouldn't.
Emma: I will if you don't let Mike go!
Micky: *shakes his head* No chance.
Shelia: (Groans) This is getting nowhere.
Emma: (Glares at Shelia) I knew I didn't like you! You did something to Micky's mind, and you turned Mike into a wolf!
Davy: Probably did somethin' to 'is throat, too.
Micky: *grins* Shelia had nothing to do with Mike.
Davy: Wot?
Emma: Micky...you? You did that to Mike?
(The wolf nods furiously.)
*Micky's grin widens.*
Emma: Damn you! (She runs to hit Micky with her stick, but Shelia concentrates on her stick; it turns into a teacup) DAMNATION! (Throws the teacup at Micky) Let him go!!!
Micky: *narrows his eyes* No.
Peter: Please, Micky, turn Mike back into a human, and give him his voice back!
Micky: He caused too much trouble. No.
Emma: (Points at Shelia) She's the one who did this! She must have done something to Micky's mind, turned him into a slave!
*Micky laughs.*
Emma: Damn you, you bitch!
(Emma attacks Shelia. Shelia pulls away from the plump girl. She snaps her fingers; Emma is instantly paralyzed.)
Micky: *nods* I like that trick.
Shelia: (Laughs) She can't move, but she can hear and see everything that goes on around her.
Micky: Very interesting.
(The wolf's eyes widen and it pushes against the cage even more.)
Micky: *shakes the cage a little* Oh, stuff it, Michael!
Peter: What do you want?
Davy: My rapiah in 'is face if 'e don't stop 'urtin' me friends!
Peter: (Turns to Lauren) Lauren? Maybe you can talk to Mick. He listens to you.
Valerie: We'll help.
Lauren: *gulps* I...I don't...I don't know if I can...
Peter: You have to try.
Shelia: Oh, no, you don't! Micky, let's get out of here, with or without your wife! We'll get her later!
Micky: *waves with the free hand* I'll see you later, babe!
(Shelia, Micky, and the cage containing Mike vanish in a blast of black light. The moment they disappear, Emma stumbles, blinking her eyes.)
Emma: (Angry) Ooooh, that...that...that... (slams her fist against the wall; she's not strong enough to make a hole)
Lauren: *frowning deeply* Oh, my God.
Davy: She did somethin' to poor Mick. He weren't in 'is right mind.
Lauren: *quietly* No kidding.
Peter: (Softly) She tainted him.
Emma: (Sobbing) Mike...she's got Mike, and he's not even a human anymore... (Finally slumps against the wall, sobbing)
*Lauren sets herself back on the couch and also begins to cry.*
(Peter puts his arms around Emma. Davy puts his around Lauren. Valerie paces.)
Davy: Theah, theah, luv. It'll be all right.
Lauren: *shakes her head* This can't be happening.
Peter: We have to go to the Montgomery House.
Emma: (Nods, still sobbing) I...told you...told you she was evil...wouldn't listen...Mike wouldn't listen...
Lauren: *sniffs* Mick wouldn't listen... *starts sobbing*
Davy: We're all at fault, girls. Petah and I wouldn't listen, eithah.
Valerie: (Nods at Peter, who is on the verge of tears himself) Right. I'll bet she has both of them there.
Davy: This time, we'll be ready.
Lauren: *hiccupping* What do we...what can we do?
Emma: (Nods) Maybe we should pay a visit to Miss Crystal. She might be able to give us more of an explanation.
Peter: (Gulps) We've got to do something! (Smiles shakily) Remember, we have the imagination power! It's gotten us out of worse scrapes than this!
Davy: (Nods) It's settled. We'll go to the crystal first thing in the mornin'. I'll call Daphne, too. We'll need more 'elp.
Valerie: Miss Crystal might have advice for us, if nothing else.
*Lauren nods, trying to stop her hiccups.*
Emma: Oh, Lauren, I'm being so selfish. All I can think of is Mike and me, and you're in just as much pain. (Goes to her friend's other side and puts her arms around her)
Lauren: *shakes her head* It's...it's okay. *small grin* I'm not exactly thinking of anyone but Mick right now...
Davy: She musta lured Micky some'ow, then 'ad Micky kidnap Mike.
Peter: Mike never would have gone willingly!
Lauren: Not unless Mick was acting like himself, like when he first came in here...
Valerie: Oh, god...
Peter: (Nods) He tricked Mike, just like he tricked us at first.
Emma: Mike figured it out, like we did, and Micky and Shelia got mad and turned him into a mute wolf.
Lauren: *sniffs* Mick did it. He said Shelia didn't have anything to do with it.
Peter: (Tears finally spill over) And Mike's been afraid of losing his voice ever since...(softer)...ever since Lady Plaisir glued his lips shut in Manchester. :( :((
*Lauren's eyes close and she mouths something.*
Davy: Wot is it, luv?
Lauren: Mick knew that's one of Mike's worst fears. That's why he did it. She turned Micky pure evil!
Emma: (Screams) HOW COULD SHE??!!
Davy: Bet she would have done it to Mike, too, if 'e 'adn't resisted.
Emma: (Jumps up) Lemme at 'er! (Blue light - her hockey stick reappears) I'm gonna smash her head in so hard, her brains will land somewhere in China! X(
*Lauren turns her gaze to the floor.*
Valerie: (Puts her hand out to stop Emma) Em, violence won't solve anything, and she might take you, too.
Emma: I won't let her! Valerie, let me go! I've gotta save Micky and my fiancee!
Peter: (Sobbing) Emma, no! Stop! You won't help Mike that way!
Emma: I've got to do something!
Davy: (Rubs Lauren's back) We will do somethin', luv. We'll all go there tomorrow mornin'.
*Lauren sniffs.*
Valerie: And then you can beat the stuffing out of her. (Looks around and shivers) We've got to get out of here. Let's stay at my place for the night. Dad's out of town, and Chrissy's at a Girl Scouts overnight trip. It'll be much safer, and we can calm down there, away from all this.
*Lauren nods.*
Peter: (Nods, sniffling) I like that idea. There's too many negative vibes here.
Davy: I'll call Daphne from there.
Peter: (Nods) She can spend the night, too. We'll fill her in when she arrives.
Emma: I still don't like waiting.
Peter: We don't have much of a choice now, Em.
*Lauren sniffs again.*
Davy: We cahn't do anything in the state we're in.
Peter: (Sniffs) And she'll be expecting us to come in all worked up.
Valerie: Right. This way, we have the element of surprise.
Emma: Oh, Lauren! (Throws her arms around her friend)
*Lauren whimpers, sniffling.*
Valerie: (Helps Lauren up) Come on, guys. Let's get out of here.
Emma: (Nods) Right. We'll round up anything we may need tonight and tomorrow, stop by Lauren's place to get her stuff, then go straight to the Cartwright Mansion.
Davy: We've all got to be strong, for Micky's and Mike's sakes. We'll be able to think bettah in the mornin'.
*Lauren nods, trying to keep from crying again.*
Peter: I'll get my stuff and Davy's. Emma, you get yours. We'll take the MonkeeMobile and the jeep. Get the cars out of here, too.
Davy: Wish we could take the instruments, but that would take up too much room and too much time.
Valerie: It would also be too obvious. The only times you guys move those instruments is when you have a gig.
Emma: (Comes up with a small dark blue and brown bag and her hockey stick) I'm not leaving this behind. I may need it.
Lauren: *quietly* You have my permission to use it, if you have to.
Peter: (Comes out of his and Davy's room) Mine, too. :(
Emma: One more thing. (Runs upstairs to Mike's room. When she comes back down, she's holding one of his hats, the one with the buttons.) It makes me feel closer to him. :(
*Lauren runs a hand over her stomach.* :-(
Peter: How are the children feeling, Lauren? Can they...sense...this?
Lauren: *nods* Yeah. Moving like crazy... *cringes* Wish they'd stop pushing on my ribs. I can live with everything else.
Peter: (Slighly shaky sunshine smile) They're trying to make Mommy feel better. They want her to know she's not alone. :)
Lauren: *small smirk* If they could do it in a less painful manner, it'd be greatly appreciated. ;-)
Peter: Why don't you tell them? ;)
Lauren: *smiles* I'll do that, Pete. ;-)
Valerie: (Smiles and puts her arm around Peter) Come on. We'll stop at Lauren's and get her things, then head to the mansion.
Lauren: Umm...just...could someone else go in and get my stuff? I don't think I can do it.
Emma: (Nods, understanding) I'll do it, Lauren. I don't blame you.
Lauren: *small smile* Thanks, Em.
Davy: (Puts his arms around Lauren and Emma) Right, luv! (Grins) Seems I've got choice of the ladies tonight! ;)
Emma: (Grins at Davy and brandishes her hockey stick) Watch it, kiddo. I'm armed, remember. ;)
*Lauren chuckles lightly.*
Davy: Just friendly-like. No 'arm intended. ;)
Peter: Besides, Daphne wouldn't like it!
Valerie: She doesn't like Davy chasing girls.
Davy: She ain't mentioned that around me.
Emma: (As she opens the door) I think she will soon, Dave. In fact, I think a LOT of things are going to happen soon. ;)
(The group heads out, Lauren still a bit sad, Emma clutching the hat for dear life.)