(It's late morning at the Pad. Emma washes the breakfast dishes. Lauren and Micky finish the last of their meal.)
Emma: (Sighs) Ok, guys, we're got a few things to decide today. (Looks towards the stairs) First of all, what are we going to tell everyone - Mr. Bennett, my folks, Aunt Kate, and anyone else who asks about all this challenge business? Especially Aunt Kate and my folks. My little brother is only up there now with Peter, and I can't keep lying to the adults about where Mike is.
(Peter runs downstairs with a young boy, about ten or eleven. He wears jeans and a bright t-shirt. His eyes are blue, and his short, wavy hair is a few shades darker than Peter's.)
Peter: (Laughs) I win!
Keefe: No fair, your legs are longer!
*Lauren chuckles.*
Keefe: (Looks at Micky and Lauren) Man, you guys are still eating? Those kids must be hungry!
Peter: Lauren's gotta eat a lot! (Grins) Micky just eats. ;)
Micky: Maybe next time you could slide down the banister. *winks* Of course! I've been through an ordeal! I'm starved, kiddo!
Keefe: Ordeal? Groovy!
Emma: Ix-nay on the ordeal-ay, Mick.
*Micky waves it off and scrapes his plate clean.*
Lauren: Don't mind him. An ordeal to him is waiting on me hand and foot. *grins*
Keefe: Hey, where's everyone else? (Grins at Emma) Where's your fiancee?
Emma: (Rolls her eyes) He's at work. (Grins) And you won't be teasing me about him when we're married! You'll be asking me when we're going to have our first kid, so you can be an uncle again!
Keefe: (Shrugs) Can I help it if I like being an Uncle? Skylar's fun! (Leans in the refrigerator) Hey, Em, do we have any apples?
*Micky winces. Lauren elbows him.*
Keefe: (Leans back out, around the door) And could I slide down the banister... (Sees Micky) Hey, what's wrong?
Micky: Huh? Me? *shows his empty plate* Outta food. ;-)
Emma: No, you may not slide down the banister. Micky shouldn't do that. And Micky just had a bad experience with apples.
Keefe: Oh. (Shrugs and returns to the refrigerator)
Lauren: *smirks* I told him it isn't a good idea to have an apple shot off the top of your head. Did he listen? *grins at Micky* Nope. ;-)
(Everyone laughs, including Keefe.)
*Micky sticks his tongue out at her.*
Keefe: Cool! Could you do that with me?
Emma: No.
Keefe: Man, Em, you don't let me do anything! (Emerges with a green-yellow apple and bites into it hungrily.) Hey, Em, are you gonna come out with us today, or are you going somewhere with (grins wickedly) loverboy?
Emma: (Rolls her eyes) No. I can't go out with you guys. We're doing something...to get ready for the wedding.
Keefe: (Wiggles his eyebrows) With loverboy? Man, he's so skinny! Doesn't he eat?
Lauren: Hey, Keefe, look at Mick. Remember how much he was just eating? *grins*
*Micky glares at Lauren, who shrugs.*
Keefe: And he's that thin? Wow! (Looks at his large, fairly muscular-for-an-eleven-year-old body) Wish I could do that. I'd be faster playing football!
Peter: Micky just uses a lot of energy, Keefe. (Joins them at the table)
Micky: *wags an index finger* I wouldn't say that, kiddo. I'm a pretty fast runner. *grins at Keefe* Maybe we could race sometime.
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Oh, good grief...
Keefe: Groovy! I love racing! I beat Emmie all the time!
Emma: Because you're in better shape than I am!
Keefe: (Puts his hand on Lauren's stomach) Hey, Emmie says you're having twins! Do they kick? My nephew was always kicking my sister!
Lauren: *nods* I can really feel them sometimes. They kick a lot! Sometimes I think they're playing tag or something in there. *grins*
Keefe: (Laughs) Hey, that's awesome!
Emma: (Looks at the others) I just had an idea. Do you think we could maybe get Keefe to help us?
Peter: What do you mean?
Keefe: Help you? Me?
Micky: *quirks an eyebrow* How?
Emma: Someone's got to keep my parents and Aunt Kate out of our hair while we're doing this! As much as I like Aunt Kate and love my folks, they'll just get in the way if they find out, if they even believe any of this.
Keefe: You want me to keep them busy? How and why? What's going on?
Peter: (Looks at the boy) Keefe, can we trust you?
Keefe: (Laughs) No, but tell me anyway. Maybe I could come up with something.
Emma: Keefe, someone hurt Mike yesterday.
Keefe: Hurt him? Who?
Emma: (Sighs) A very nasty couple, an uncle and his niece who live in Malibu Beach. We're going to rescue him and our friend Davy, but we have to do it alone. We couldn't explain this to Mom or Dad or Aunt Kate!
Keefe: Why not? Maybe they could help!
Peter: Keefe, it's so strange, so crazy, that most people wouldn't believe it.
Micky: *nods* I'm still having a hard time believing it.
Keefe: I believe it! What did they do to Mike and Davy? Davy's the short guy, right?
Emma: Trust me, Buddy, you're better off not knowing what they did to Mike, and we have no idea what happened to Davy.
Peter: They hurt Micky, too, but we got him back, thanks to Lauren!
Keefe: (Looks at Micky) Was that the "ordeal?"
*Micky nods as Lauren wraps an arm around him.*
Emma: Yes. It hurt Micky a lot, but we helped him, and he's as fine as he's ever going to get now.
Keefe: Well, how do you want me to keep them busy? They're all gonna ask questions, you know! Mom and Dad aren't dumb, and Aunt Kate doesn't look like she is, either.
Emma: Ask them to take you to all the tourist spots. Dad will probably want to see John Wayne's footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theater.
Keefe: John Wayne's footprint's are at a theater?
Emma: In cement. Long story, but you get the general idea. Ask them to take you on lots and lots of tour bus trips. Drag them to the beach. You know Mom in particular loves the beach, and I'll bet Aunt Kate's never been there. Watch a lot of TV with Daddy.
Keefe: Oh, cool! (Looks out the window) Man, you guys are so lucky! You have the beach right out your window, and all those cool instruments!
Lauren: Careful, Mick, Keefe may start eyeing your drums. *winks*
Keefe: I play drums in my school band. Mom yells at me about practicing them sometimes, but I have fun. :)
Peter: We love playing in a band! Maybe you will when you get older, too!
Micky: Well, kiddo, if you want some extra practice, I might just let you. *grins*
Keefe: (Shakes his head) I want to be a photographer when I grow up, or maybe I'll be a songwriter. (Grins at Micky) You would? Oh, that's cool! Thanks!
Micky: Sure!
(Keefe runs to the drum set, picks up the sticks, and starts pounding out a simple but fluid rhythm.)
Peter: A songwriter. I think I like that kid. ;)
Micky: *crows* The kid's a natural!
Peter: Maybe we could teach him some of our songs!
Micky: Sure. Hey, maybe he could take the drums for me so I could be the front man!
*Lauren rolls her eyes.*
Keefe: Wow, really? I've only played in my school band before. Emmie's told me you play great stuff.
Emma: I've sent him sheet music of some of your songs. :)
Keefe: Mom complains that I don't practice enough. Sometimes, I don't want to. I'd rather be outside playing football or watching cartoons.
Emma: Well, my folks should be around for Keefe soon. They said they just wanted to get some things to eat at the hotel. Maybe you could play a song for him until they arrive? He's never heard you play before!
Keefe: I've never seen a rock band live before, just on "Shindig" and "Hullaballo" and "American Bandstand."
Micky: Well, there's gotta be something we can play.
Emma: (Grins) Hey, Mick, how about a slightly cut-down "Randy Scouse Git?" ;)
Micky: Sure! I'd LOVE to! *grins widely*
Emma: Mick, you know how to play guitar. Peter can play bass. That's one of the songs I sent Buddy.
Keefe: I love the name of that one. Emmie told me what it means. ;)
Micky: *laughs* Em!
Emma: (Winks) Just don't tell Mom and Dad I told you! (To Mick) Well, he asked! ;)
*Micky shakes his head.*
Lauren: *points at Micky* I think he's turning a little red. *grins*
Keefe: (Shrugs, but he's grinning) Just wanted to know. ;)
*Micky swats at Lauren, grinning.*
Keefe: Awwww, he's blushing! ;)
Micky: Alright, alright... *waves it off* ;-)
Peter: (Rounds up the bass) Well, are you ready, Mick? (To Keefe) Micky sings this one. He wrote it.
Keefe: Oh, cool, you write songs, too?
Micky: I'm always ready! *jumps up and goes to retrieve a guitar* Well, I've only written a few.
Keefe: Emmie told me Mike writes songs!
Emma: Yes, he does, but (sighs and turns back to the dishes) they aren't the same without him.
Keefe: I haven't written any, (grins) yet. ;)
Peter: Micky can count off. He's probably happy to be in front of the stage for once, instead of behind the drums and having to wave to Lauren! ;)
Micky: *holds out his arms, soaking up the spotlight* My public! *grins, nods* I'm all set. Just had to get that out. *winks at Lauren* Ready? One, two, three...
(And we lead into "Randy Scouse Git," with Keefe pounding on the drums and Peter and Micky beaming on the guitars. Lauren watches the boys appreciatively from the kitchen, and Emma occasionally emerges to take a look-see. All three boys glow when the song ends.)
Peter: That was so groovy!
Keefe: We rule!
Lauren: *claps* Yeah!
Micky: That's some good drumming there, kiddo!
Keefe: (Tosses a drumstick in the air) No sweat! (Misses it and has to go after it behind the bandstand while Emma chuckles)
Emma: Quite an ego you have there, Buddy. ;)
Lauren: Now where have I seen showboating like that before? ;-)
(Emma and Peter nearly fall over laughing.)
Micky: *makes a face* Ha ha, very funny, babe. *grins, then winks*
(There's a knock on the door as Emma finishes the dishes. She puts down the last dish and peeks in the grille, then opens it. An attractive middle-aged couple stand in the doorway. She's of medium height, with beautiful earthy features, clear hazel eyes, and short, slightly wavy brown hair peppered with gray. He's a big, strapping man with a huge grin under a thick gray mustache, laughing blue eyes, nicely weathered skin, and salt-and-pepper curls as thick and wild as Micky's.)
Mrs. Jackman: Hi, honey!
Mr. Jackman: (He has a loud, heavy New Yawwk accent) Hey, baby! (Looks around) Man, this is the greatest dump I've ever seen! (Winks) So, where's the old man?
Mrs. Jackman: (Gentle, earthy voice; elbows her husband) Willie!
Micky: *mutters to Lauren* Dump? *Lauren grins*
Emma: (Grins, slightly forced) Oh, Mike's at work.
Keefe: (Bounces off the stage and over to his parents) Hey, Mom, I got to play in a real rock and roll band!
Mrs. Jackman: You did?
Mr. Jackman: (Nod) Em mentioned you guys were a group. Hey, that's cool. Long as you can do what you enjoy and make somethin' of a living.
Keefe: Yeah, they let me play drums on "Randy Scouse Git!" (Points at Micky) He wrote it!
Micky: Yeah... *quirks an eyebrow*
Mrs. Jackman: (Smiles and puts her arms around her son) That's great, Buddy! (To the group) Emma told me you all write most of your own material. You sound like a very talented group. :)
Mr. Jackman: Long as it ain't all that heavy racket, I'm all for it! Don't go for the real noisy stuff myself.
Keefe: Yeah, you're noisy enough!
Mrs. Jackman: (Warningly) Keefie...
Micky: I'm the only noisy one in the group. *grins*
*Lauren rolls her eyes.*
Emma: Oh, and these are some of my friends. (Nods at Peter) That's Peter. He teaches piano to local kids and plays almost every instrument in the world. (Nods at Lauren) I've told you guys about Lauren and Micky, and Davy's...out with a girlfriend.
Mrs. Jackman: (She and Mr. Jackman shake hands in turn) It's nice to meet you after hearing so much about you in the past year.
Mr. Jackman: So, when are the buns comin' out of the oven?
Mrs. Jackman: (Glares as Keefe bursts out laughing and Emma blushes) William Joseph Jackman, if you don't stop that...
Lauren: *chuckles* A bout two months, the end of March. *smiles*
Micky: And she can't wait to get them outta there!
Lauren: Mick!
Mr. Jackman: (Winks) I'll bet.
Mrs. Jackman: (Gives Emma a kiss on the cheek) Thanks for watching him, honey.
Emma: Any time, Mom. I miss Keefe-sitting. :D
Keefe: Hey, Mom, can we go see John Wayne's footprints?
Mr. Jackman: Why would you wanna look at footprints?
Mrs. Jackman: (Sighs) Oh, Willie! (Turns to the others) Would you like to join us?
Emma: (Shakes her head) We have wedding plans.
Mrs. Jackman: (Nods) All right. I'll call you tonight, honey.
Mr. Jackman: Bye, baby! Don't do anything we would do! ;)
Emma: No, I won't. ;)
*Micky chuckles.*
Keefe: Thanks again! You guys are the best!
(The three walk out the door. Emma closes it and sighs.)
Emma: That was a close one. (She's barely turned to the others when there's another knock on the door)
Peter: Wow, busy morning!
Micky: Very!
Emma: (Peeks in the grille and sighs) It's Nyles. Guess I should let him in. He looks at least half-lucid. (Opens the door. The big blond lumbers into the kitchen)
Peter: Hi, Nyles! How's everything?
Nyles: Food, man... *digs in the cabinets* Everything's groovy, Pete-man!
Emma: How's your head this morning? ;)
Nyles: *stops* My head? *puts a hand up to his head, then nods, beaming* It's there! ;-)
Peter: (As everyone chuckles) We don't have much food. It's been a long couple of days...(Emma glares)...planning Em and Mike's wedding.
Emma: You're still coming, right?
Nyles: *nods* Of course! I love parties and free food. A total groove!
Peter: This party is going to be great! Millie's making a huge chocolate cake and her famous cheesecake, and we're all going to play some of Mike's songs.
(Emma turns her head away from the others at the mention of Mike so they can't see her sadness.)
Nyles: Awesome! *nods*
Micky: I'll try to save you some cake, Nyles. *grins*
Peter: We'll be lucky if he saves the bride and groom cake! ;)
Nyles: Thanks, man! *slaps Micky on the back very hard*
Micky: *almost falls over* No problem. Yeesh...
Peter: Are you ok, Mick?
Micky: As fine as I could be after nearly kissing the floor. ;-)
Emma: (Looks at her watch as she puts away the last dish) We've got to get going. Valerie and Daphne should be here soon.
Peter: We're going to talk to Mr. Bennett and find out more about Indian and Oriental religion and music and love. :D
Nyles: He's a groovy guy! I love talkin' to him.
Peter: He has such wonderful stories about being in orchestras and playing music for the troops during World War II. Millie does, too. :D
Nyles: Hey, I''ll have to ask 'em about those stories sometime.
Peter: I love working for him. He's great with kids. He always knows just how to help them to make them better, instead of just telling them. :)
Emma: You just like raiding his attic for instruments.
Peter: He's got some great instruments in there! He has a guitar that used to belong to Woody Guthrie!
Nyles: *grins* Totally awesome!
Emma: (Looks up, thoughtful) You know, I was thinking. Nyles, maybe you could help us.
Peter: (frowns) Help us?
Nyles: Help you? With what?
Emma: Guys, we could use some back up in case...(looks at them)...well, in case of emergencies.
*Micky nods.*
Emma: How much should we tell him?
Peter: At least what you told Keefe.
Nyles: Huh?
Emma: Nyles, we're about to tell you something unbelieveable, but we're going to need your help.
Peter: It'll be a great mission!
Nyles: Whoa, yeah, I'll help, man!
Micky: You've gotta keep what we tell you secret.
Nyles: Sure, man. *slaps Micky on the back again; Micky rolls his eyes*
Emma: (The other three chuckle, then Emma continues) An evil woman and her even more evil uncle kidnapped Mike and Davy, and we're going rescue them tonight, hopefully with Mr. Bennett's help.
Nyles: Whoa, bad.
Peter: Do you know the Montgomery House on Baker Street on the end of town?
Nyles: *nods* A very un-groovy place.
Emma: You may have seen a woman who goes by the name of Shelia Saunders there, puttering around in the yard or in her black car.
Nyles: Cool car.
Emma: Cool car, but not a cool chick.
Peter: She's the evil one who hurt Mike and captured Davy!
Nyles: Nooo way!
Peter: She likes Mike, but he didn't like her, so she hurt him and is keeping him at her house! (Emma glares at Peter, who blushes)
Emma: She and her uncle grabbed Dave yesterday morning.
Nyles: That's really bad, man.
Emma: The four of us, Peter's girlfriend Valerie, and Daphne, one of the Westminster Abbies, are going there tonight to get Davy and Mike back. We're going to see if we can get Bennett's help, but this is too big for even us to handle. That's where you come in.
Nyles: Whadaya want me to do?
Emma: You're gonna be our back-up. We want you to go to the apartment building close to the Montgomery House and keep an eye on it. If we don't come out in a certain amount of time, you come in.
Nyles: I can do that! It'll be a total groove to help!
Peter: Ask some of your friends to help, too, like the Four Martians or the Jolly Green Giants!
Emma: We'll need all the help we can get.
Nyles: Yeah, man, I'll get them all!
Emma: (Sighs) Just stay sober, ok? We'll need you able to think for this mission.
Nyles: Man, I am sober!
Micky: He's always like this, Em. ;-)
Peter: Ok, stay like you are now. ;)
Emma: Order a pizza or something, but nothing else, ok? :p
Nyles: Groovy! We'll eat while we keep look out! *grins*
Peter: (Hugs Nyles) Thanks, man! This is great of you!
Emma: Remember, this is very important! You guys can't tell anyone else!
Nyles: No, thank you, man, for askin' me to help! We won't tell anyone!
Emma: We're counting on you, Nyles.
Nyles: Cool! I'll go round up the guys! *heads to the door*
Peter: You gotta be there at sundown! That's when we're going in!
Emma: Thanks again! :D
Nyles: We'll be there! *leaves*
(There's yet another knock on the door. Micky goes to get it this time.)
Micky: *holding the door, grins* Hey, ladies!
Valerie: (Smiles) Hi, guys!
Peter: Valerie! (Jumps up and hugs her)
Valerie: (Laughs) Oh, Peter!
Daphne: Hey, folks. Any word from Davy or Shelia?
Emma: No, nothing. We haven't heard a thing or seen anyone around the Montgomery House since last night.
Peter: Is everyone ready to go talk to Mr. Bennett?
Micky: *nods* Definitely.
Emma: (Hangs the dishtowel on a dowel by the sink) I'm ready, too.
Lauren: Me, too!
Valerie: Let's go.
Peter: We can just walk. Mr. Bennett's house is down the street. (As they file out) Valerie, you'll like Mr. Bennett. He's such a groovy guy! He used to play in a band... (the door closes as Peter babbles to his girlfriend. We fade out on the Pad and in on the Montgomery House.)
*We fade to the living room. Shelia stands in front of a cage, similar to the one seen earlier. She moves around the side, smirking, and reveals a small tiger cub furiously clawing at the bars.*
(The cub looks up angrily at her with large brown eyes and growls furiously with a tiny, sweet voice.)
Shelia: I know you don't like being behind bars. Who can blame you? *grins* But I figured this was rather fitting.
(The cub glares up at her.)
Shelia: Now, now, that isn't awfully cute? *smirks*
(It hisses, showing its sharp little teeth.)
Shelia: *makes a face* The the only downside to turning people into animals are the claws and the teeth. *shakes her head*
(The cub reaches out between the bars and claws at her hand.)
Shelia: *pulls her hand away; sees the small cut, then glares at the cub* You mangy little...I ought to take away the use of your legs or your voice or something! *narrows her eyes*
(The cub sticks it's tiny pink tongue out at her, then tries to reach for her neck, where the crystal pendant in which Mike is imprisoned still hangs. It growls as loudly as it can, which isn't very loud.)
Shelia: *stands straight, out of the cub's reach* You think you're smart, don't you? Now, Davy, I know he's your friend, but I am not giving him up that easily. *grins*
(Davy tries to slam against the bars, but he's not strong enough and merely bounces off of them.)
Shelia: *chuckles* Oh, but you are amusing, more so than your friend was as a wolf. I like him better in human form.
(Davy sticks his paw back out and tries to take swipes at Shelia with his little claws.)
Shelia: *sighs* But I grow tired of this. You know you cahn't get out of that cage. Sit down and rest a bit, won't you? *smiles not-so-pleasantly*
(Davy grins, then sits down and closes his eyes, briefly sticking his little pink tongue out again.)
Shelia: *getting a bit frustrated* That's cute. 'Ow'd you like to be missing that little tongue of yours?
(Davy opens his eyes and bares his fangs at her, then closes his eyes and concentrates again, but Shelia realizes he's trying to use his imagination power.)
Shelia: Stop that! *goes back over to the cage & gives it a quick shake*
(Davy glares at her and closes his eyes again. She reaches in and starts stroking the top of his tiny, brown-furred head, rubbing it in small circles like she and Micky did to Mike in the car. Davy's eyes widen and become unfocused. He staggers a bit.)
Shelia: *mutters* Wish I still had that dratted Savage to help me. *normal, grins* That's better.
(Davy purrs and rolls over on his back, revealing his lighter-furred chest area. Shelia places her hand on it, stroking it lightly.)
Shelia: Much better! *continues stroking* And what an interesting soul you have...
(The cub weakly tries to move it's tiny legs and scratch Sheila, but it can't even unleash its small claws. Davy growls helplessly.)
Shelia: *grins* Yes...you're afraid of settling down. You're afraid to tell your girlfriend how you feel about her.
(The growling becomes as loud as Davy can make it.)
Shelia: You're jealous of Michael and Peter's musical abilities. You're jealous of Micky's marriage. You'd like that, too.
(Davy squirms and squeaks and meows, but Shelia's fingers continue to rub his chest.)
Shelia: You don't love the spotlight as much as it seems. You don't feel like you're as much of a part of the group as the others.
(The squirming slowly begins to subside, and the growling weakens.)
Shelia: Ah, that's a good fella. *grins*
(Davy soon only pants and moves his legs a bit.)
Shelia: I love it when they're docile like this. *rubs until Davy has stopped moving his legs; she crouches down to eye level with the cage and grins in at the little tiger cub* That wasn't too bad, was it?
(The cub raises it's head to glare at her and give her an inquisitive mew.)
Shelia: *stands again, still looking down at the cage* Now we wait for Uncle and the challenge he made to your friends. *grins*
(Davy growls again and once again pushes his paw out of the cage to swipe at his tormentor.)
Shelia: Oh, knock it off. *glares at Davy and renders his paws paralyzed* I gave you the benefit of doubt, Lord of the Manor.
(The cub squeaks helplessly as a puff of smoke and black light appears in the living room. Zero, in yet another elegant suit, turns to his niece with a wicked smile, then nods at the cage.)
Zero: Good morning, Shelia dear. (Nods at Davy with a smirk) And how is our little guest today?
Shelia: Good morning, Uncle. *glares at Davy* A little troublemaker, he is.
(Davy growls loudly and hisses at Zero, baring his fangs.)
Zero: I must admit, he's adorable like this. Far preferable to a spoiled, hot-tempered minor British lord. I supposed he couldn't be turned as easily as his ancestor was.
(Davy hisses so angrily, spit can be seen coming off his sharp fangs.)
Shelia: My, my, he is still a feisty one.
Zero: Now, don't worry, little Lord of the Manor. You'll still be attractive to females in that form. In fact, you'll be able to attract them in two species.
*Shelia chuckles.*
Zero: I thought only the Knight fought like a tiger. The Lord fell easily the last time, but it seems his soul has strengthened over time. (Sighs) I just wish you hadn't lost the Savage! He was coming out very well.
Shelia: *frowns* I rathah enjoyed having him around. That dratted wife of his, though...
Zero: I knew it was a mistake to allow him to go off alone. Their soulmates have stronger imagination powers than they do. You know they can free the men from most spells and vice versa.
Shelia: *nods* Unfortunately.
Zero: Did they accept the challenge?
Shelia: Yes, they did. *smiles evilly*
(Davy tries to move himself closer to the bars to bite at Shelia and Zero, despite his useless paws.)
Zero: Very, very good. Was the Bard with them? His ancestor's soul was one of the loveliest I'd ever had the honor or corrupting, and I'm looking forward to a round with him as well.
Shelia: Yes. They were all there, actually. And will all be there for the challenge.
Zero: All of them? The Bard's soulmate, and the Lord's, too? (Shelia nods.) I wasn't aware they had been found. (He smiles) And the lovely soulmate of the White Knight, the Scholar? She is quite a pretty little thing, isn't she?
Shelia: *mutters* That's your opinion. *normal* All of them, Uncle. *smiles*
(Davy inches himself towards the padlock on the cage in order to try to pry it open with his teeth and jaws.)
Zero: (Frowns) You don't still have feelings for the White Knight? I thought you worked that out years ago. Is that why you insist on wearing the crystal, instead of letting me or one of my minions handle it?
Shelia: *holds the crystal* Maybe I do still have feelings for him.
Zero: (Grins) Perhaps, you'll help me, then. I wouldn't mind having his little Scholar in my boudoir and in my bed, but their souls are so tightly bound...
Shelia: *also grins* Perhaps we can work something out.
(Davy, who's heard the entire conversation, looks up in horror and begins mewing loudly and angrily. The two arch devils finally turn to the paralyzed cub, who has dragged itself to the side of the cage near the padlock.)
Shelia: You little...
Zero: I do believe we're being spied on. We should do something about the little Lord of the Manor.
Shelia: *nods* What should we do? Something fun? *grins*
(Davy hisses and starts rubbing at the padlock with the side of his head.)
Zero: Remind our friend that he is not lord of this manor. Do your worst, my dear.
Shelia: *grins* Right. *glares into the cage* You found a way around being paralyzed. Let's see 'ow well you fare without your sight? *stares at Davy and removes his sense of sight*
(The cub falls and mews helplessly, leaning against the cage. Shelia reaches in and rubs his head again to further confuse it.)
Shelia: This is quite enjoyable!
Zero: Make our spoiled, willfull little guest quite docile. He must have overheard our plans for his friends.
(Davy growls quietly, panting.)
Shelia: I'll muddle his thoughts until he's completely forgotten what he overheard. *continues rubbing*
(Davy squeaks and growls, but they become fainter and fainter, until they are a series of soft, placid growls. His huge brown eyes are very glassy, and his body falls limp on the floor of the cage.)
Shelia: Very good, little cub, very good. *grins*
Zero: He's in quite a trance now, our little cub. He'll obey you...and he has no memory of what just occured in the past few minutes. Have you read his soul?
Shelia: *nods* He has a rather interesting soul.
Zero: You can tell me more about it as we prepare for the challenge. (Looks over at Davy, who continues to lay on the cage's floor and growl mildly.) You can let the so-called "Lord" out now, too. He'll be of no harm to you without his eyesight or paws...and under your spell. I can leave you alone and let you play with your little guest, if you want.
Shelia: *grins* Gladly. *unlocks the cage* Oh, I've had a good deal of fun already. Perhaps we should prepare for the Challenge.
Zero: Bring him downstairs with us. His growling is most comforting. ;)
Shelia: Certainly, Uncle. *picks up the cub and begins stroking him again; to Davy* And you will do what we say. ;-)
(The cub lifts its head. It's large, unfocused, glazed-over brown eyes stare in the general direction of Shelia's voice. It growls placidly again. Shelia and Zero walk downstairs, Shelia continuing to stroke Davy. Davy's mild purring is the last thing we hear as we fade out on them and fade in on Mr. Bennett's house. Peter knocks on the door. The older man opens it and smiles.)
Mr. Bennett: Peter, what a surprise! We don't have any students today! What brings you here?
Peter: It's kind of a long story, Mr. Bennett.
Mr. Bennett: (Looks beyond him to the others) And you have guests! (Smiles) I thought the wedding wasn't for another couple of days! ;)
Emma: (Shakes her head) Mr. Bennett, this isn't about the wedding. It may not take place if you don't help us! (Looks like she may cry)
Lauren: *puts an arm around her friend* Em...
Mr. Bennett: (Frowns at Emma's unhappy face) You'd better all come inside.
(The group makes their way into a living room about the same size as Shelia Saunders', as Mr. Bennett also lives in a Victorian home, but much less cluttered. There's a small TV in one corner, an upright piano in another, and a group of musical instruments next to the piano. Worn but comfortable furniture is scattered around old Chinese rug. Oriental and Indian knick-knacks sit on a shelf in another corner.)
Mr. Bennett: Would anyone like something to drink? I have milk, lemonade, and apple juice.
Peter: I'll have milk, Mr. Bennett.
Lauren: Lemonade, please.
Daphne: (Frowns and rubs her head) Lemonade.
Micky: Lemonade for me, too.
Valerie: And me. (looks at Daphne) Are you ok?
Daphne: (Sighs) Just a headache, I guess. My head feels a bit muddled.
Emma: (Shakes her head sadly) Nothing for me, thank you.
(Mr. Bennett goves to retrieve the drinks.)
Micky: *quirks an eyebrow* I'm kinda doubting it's just a headache, Daph.
Mr. Bennett: (Returns) What's going on?
Peter: Mr. Bennett, what we're about to tell you is very, very secret, but we thought you might understand, because you've, well, you've been places and seen things that other people haven't been or seen.
Mr. Bennett: (Frowns) Peter, what's wrong?
Emma: (Mutters; chokes back a sob) Everything!
Peter: How do we tell him this?
*Lauren rubs Emma's back.*
Micky: May as well just say it.
Valerie: Mr. Bennett, do you believe in the devil?
Mr. Bennett: (Frowns) Not exactly. Most cultures have at least some version of the ultimate manifestation of evil. I don't believe in the cape-and-horns version that is shown in the movies, no. That's just a stereotype.
Micky: *mutters* No kidding.
Peter: Mr. Bennett our friends Mike and Davy were captured by two devils.
Mr. Bennett: (Frowns) I see. (Half-smiles) I don't suppose they had capes and horns.
Peter: No, business suits and normal clothing.
Mr. Bennett: (Chuckles) Well, that's a new manifestation of evil, I must say.
(Daphne's head is in her hands. Valerie has her hand on her back.)
Valerie: Daph, are you all right?
Daphne: (Mutters) That's it, no more midnight margarita sessions with Kimberly and Maxine.
Mr. Bennett: You're all serious about this, aren't you?
Valerie: Dead serious.
*Micky nods.*
Peter: Mr. Bennett, until about a year or so ago, I would have said I don't believe in devils, either, but there's two after us, and they hurt our friend Mike and caught Davy and had Micky until Lauren saved him.
Mr. Bennett: Maybe you'd better tell me the whole story.
Peter: It started when I bought that harp a year ago, not long after the incident with Zeckenbush and the parking lots...
(We have a brief montage of the group explaining their situation to Mr. Bennett. The older man just sits back, shaking his head and smoking an exotic-looking pipe.)
Mr. Bennett: You say this Mr. Zero wants all of you because of your powers, but especially Peter. And he has a hatred for Mike because he defeated him.
(Daphne's head is still in her arms, and she groans slightly.)
Valerie: (Looks at the others) Guys, she's really hurting.
Mr. Bennett: I have to admit, this sounds more like a comic book than an everyday scenario.
Micky: If only...
Peter: But it happened to us!
Mr. Bennett: Would one of you be able to demonstrate these powers for me?
Emma: Micky, how about you? You love being in the spotlight anyway.
Peter: (Grins) He's ham personafied. Him and Davy. ;)
(Daphne groans louder.)
Micky: Ha ha ha. *makes a face, then frowns at Daphne's groan; sighs* Alright, here's one... *holds a hand out & stares a moment--a slightly darker blue light appears & fades to reveal his drumsticks*
Mr. Bennett: (Eyes widen) Amazing.
Micky: That's only the tip of the iceberg.
Peter: We can all do it. Us four Monkees, and our four girlfriends, wives, and fiancees. (Closes his eyes - a somewhat weathered old acoustic guitar appears on the coffee table)
Mr. Bennett: How did all of you receive these powers?
Valerie: We inhereted them, apparently.
Micky: We sure weren't given a choice!
Peter: The boys and I became aware of them about three years ago, not long after we moved here. The girls didn't know until the last few months.)
Mr. Bennett: And this Devil fellow wants your powers?
Peter: (Gulps) Our souls. Especially mine. He already tried to hurt Micky's and damage Mike's, and may have hurt Davy's, for all we know.
(Daphne groans again.)
Micky: *shakes his head* Or could be hurting Dave's right now. *motions at Daphne*
Mr. Bennett: (Sighs) Evil preys upon the seemingly innocent and weak, or at least it is said in ancient myths going back to the Greeks and beyond.
Peter: (Lowers his head) Me. (Looks up) This is my fault. If I'd never bought that harp...
Micky: Pete, don't say that!
Valerie: Peter, Zero would have found another way to get at you. If not you, one of the others.
*Micky's head dips down.*
Peter: But it's me they want!
Mr. Bennett: (Knocks his pipe into an ashtray) All right, everyone. This is not a time to play the blame game. We need to decide how to take action. You say this "Challenge" is tonight?
Emma: (Nods) At sundown.
Mr. Bennett: Evil is not always such a difficult concept to believe in. Even the most gentle soul can be changed, unless it has the power to resist.
Peter: Mike kept resisting...and Micky can, now. Lauren gave him the power to resist.
Valerie: Some people just resist better together. :)
*Lauren grins, giving Micky a nudge.*
Daphne: (Moans) I don't know what's going on, but I have a monumental headache. I thought Kim drank most of the margaritas last night.
Mr. Bennett: I have aspirin in the cupboard in the bathroom, miss. It's in the very back of the house, just off the kitchen.
Daphne: Thanks. (Smiles) And I'm Daphne. I play with a local group called the Westminster Abbies. All girls. Davy and I date on-and-off. (Puts one hand on her head and goes off in search of aspirin)
Peter: I wonder. Do you think Daphne can feel Davy?
Micky: *nods* Probably.
Mr. Bennett: Either that, or she had one amazing margarita. (Sighs) You said something about being linked somehow.
Peter: We all are. We know when we're in trouble. We can just sense it.
Emma: (Near sob) I can't feel Mike. At all. I've tried.
Valerie: (Sadly) You can't feel him, because he can't feel anything himself.
*Micky looks away.*
Mr. Bennett: It wasn't your fault, Micky. Good men like you have often been turned to evil... and just as often returned.
Micky: *shrugs* I know. I still feel responsible, though.
Peter: Mick, it's not your fault! We've told you this!
Micky: I know! But I'm the one that did eveything to Mike! *hides his face in his hands*
*Lauren rubs Micky's back, whispering something to him.*
Valerie: Only because that... bitch... made you!
Mr. Bennet: Strong words. I sensed something wrong about that woman myself. (Smiles at Peter) As Peter would say, she gives off very bad vibes.
Peter: Only Zero had worse!
Mr. Bennett: Most cultures have some version of your Zero, of all the evil they encountered. All of the villiains and monsters in Greek mythology, for instance... and sometimes, even the Gods themselves. The Dragon is a symbol of evil in your friend David's native England... but in Japan, China, and other parts of Asia, dragons were often depicted as kindly and wise. Stories of honor are common to many religions, the slewing of evil. There's common threads between every mythology, every country. Here in the United States, the Devil is often portrayed as horns-and-cape (frowns) or as a snake-oil-salesman type.
Peter: Zero definitely falls into the latter category.
Micky: *looks up again* That's for sure.
Emma: (As Daphne comes back with a paper cup of water; frustrated) Oh, this is getting us nowhere!
Mr. Bennett: Patience, Emma. We need to figure out what makes this Zero tick, and how to approach this.
Emma: I just want Mike back!
Daphne: Oh, man... (swallows the water). I'm still a little fuzzy, and I have this urge to cuddle a kitten. ;)
Lauren: Oh-kay. ;-)
Peter: I have those urges all the time. ;)
Valerie: You cuddle everything in sight. ;)
Micky: Including us! ;-)
(Peter sticks his tongue out at her. She chuckles, as does Mr. Bennett.)
Mr. Bennett: He nearly knocked the wind out of me when I told him he could help me with my lessons!
Micky: *small grin* Gotta watch out for those hugs, man.
Peter: We once hugged a gangter into submission! It was a real love-in! ;)
Mr. Bennett: (Grins) Much better way of apprehending criminals than gunplay, I say! ;)
Emma: I'm getting sick of this. I wish I could so something to help Mike. I hate feeling helpless.
Peter: We are doing something, Em! We're getting ready for the Challenge!
Emma: (Sighs) I miss him. I miss him so much, it hurts. I want him back.
Peter: Em, I miss him, too, but we'll get him back at the Challenge.
Lauren: That's right, Em. *small smile*
Emma: I can't just wait. I've got to get him back.
Mr. Bennett: I doubt there's much you can do alone, dear.
Emma: I wouldn't be alone. (Closes her eyes; her field hockey stick appears in a blue light) I'd have this with me. ;)
Micky: *rolls his eyes* Come on, Em.
Peter: Do you want to end up in a crystal, too?
Emma: Maybe we could go in early and get him.
Mr. Bennett: I don't know if that's advisable, Emma. We don't know what else this Zero has planned for you.
Peter: We'll get him back at the Challenge! We'll win him, and find Davy, too!
Daphne: (Angry) I'll bet that witch has had a good time with my poor Davy by now. He's probably in a damn jeweled necklace! X(
Micky: Or some type of animal. *makes a face*
Emma: I'm just worried.
Lauren: We're all worried, Em.
Peter: She turned Mike into a wolf! (Grins) Don't ever tell Mike this, but I kind of liked him as a wolf. He was really cute!
*Micky makes a face.*
Mr. Bennett: Loss of human form. That's also common in mythologies, especially in Africa and Grecian.
Emma: Micky, she made you do it. I don't blame you, even if you blame yourself.
Mr. Bennett: Micky, I'd like to talk to you again in the next few days. I might be able to help you.
Micky: *nods* I think I'd like that, Mr. Bennett.
Mr. Bennett: (Stands) We might be able to discuss this further in the kitchen. You must all be starving. We'll rest and have lunch. I have a wonderful shepherd's pie that Marge Purdy made for me. She says I don't eat enough. (Makes a face) Sometimes, I think she mistakes me for that darn dog of hers. :p'
Lauren: That's funny, she says the same thing to Micky. *grins*
Peter: (Chuckles as the group begins to move into the kitchen) She's always feeding us, too. Brings over sweet rolls and meatloaf and cakes! Once, she brought some sweet rolls over when we had that horse of Davy's, and she fainted! (Shrugs) I guess she wasn't expecting to see a horse in the house!
Mr. Bennett: (Raises his eyebrows) Now there's an animal I've never seen used as a house pet. ;)
(Daphne looks away at the mention of Davy.)
Micky: The horse wasn't exactly a house pet.
Peter: A little boy gave him to Davy, and we didn't know what to do with him, so we let him inside and gave it my cream of rootbeer soup! :d
Mr. Bennett: (Winks mischeviously as they make their way into the kitchen, not noticing a soft flash of blue light outside the living room windows) The horse ate your cream of root beer soup and lived to tell the tale? ;)
Peter: (Makes a face) Hey!
Micky: He's heard about your soup, Pete. *grins* ;-)
Mr. Bennett: I heard the story from Henry Babbitt. It came up in one of his many rants and raves about his tenants. ;)
Peter: Oh? What does he say about us?
Micky: You really wanna know, Peter? ;-)
Mr. Bennett: To be honest, I don't think Henry knows what to make of you boys.
Peter: He's always barking about the rent!
Mr. Bennett: Well, it is his house. Thank goodness Louise and I inherited this place from her parents when they died. The only reason I have to put up with that blow-hard is his living next door to me.
Valerie: (Looks around) Guys, where's Emma?
Mr. Bennett: (Goes to the refrigerator and removes a foil-wrapped package) I don't know. I thought she was with all of you.
Lauren: Oh, no. *groans*
Peter: She didn't go after Mike herself!
Micky: She probably did. *shakes his head*
Mr. Bennett: That was a very foolish thing for her to do.
Daphne: She's not thinking too well now, between the wedding and what happened to Mike.
Valerie: Should we go after her?
Peter: Maybe she'll come back.
Micky: If she doesn't come back, they'll probably get her, too.
Peter: Maybe they wouldn't hurt her.
Lauren: Kinda doubt that.
Valerie: Didn't someone say Shelia was in love with Mike's ancestor?
Daphne: And resented Emma's ancestor because she got him.
Peter: (Groans) Oh, man.
Mr. Bennett: (Sticks the pie in the oven) Well, should we go after her, or should we wait until sundown to see if she returns?
Valerie: If we go after her, we may get caught ourselves.
Peter: I can't believe she did this!
Lauren: *sighs* I can.
Mr. Bennett: She's concerned for her lover, which, if he's really in the paralyzed state you claim, is understandable.
Valerie: Lauren, you know Emma better than the rest of us. Should we go after her?
Lauren: All I know is, if she's gone after him, she isn't coming back without him. *shakes her head* She's gonna get caught. I think we should go after her.
Peter: We'll eat, then we'll go get her. We'll just be going to the Challenge early.
Daphne: We'll have the element of surprise.
Mr. Bennett: You're not going to surprise anyone on empty stomachs.
Micky: *grins* Darn right!
Peter: Someone should call Nyles and tell him to set up his strike force, too. ;)
Mr. Bennett: Nyles? That rather airheaded fellow who lives on the corner?
Micky: That's him. ;-)
Mr. Bennett: How did he get involved with this?
Peter: We thought we'd need back-up, so we recruited him and a bunch of the local bands to watch the Montgomery House and come in if we need them. :)
Mr. Bennett: (Smiles) Not a bad idea, at that. Not much brains in those boys, but plenty of muscle if things get sticky.
Micky: No kidding. ;-)
Valerie: Which I'm sure they will. If Nyles and the others are sober, they'll have a grand old time. ;)
Mr. Bennett: We'll all leave in about an hour. Tell Nyles he can start watching the house around then. But for now (removes a now-tender-looking pie) we eat. (Slices the pie onto old-fashioned china plates and gives the kids forks.) Enjoy, kids. Grab it and growl. (Grins) And let an old man join you. (Sits down between Micky and Daphne and digs in himself. ;) )
Micky: Don't have to tell me twice! *grins & starts shoveling*
Mr. Bennett: (Grins at Micky) No wonder Marge Purdy loves you. You eat like that horse! ;)
Micky: *swallows, grins* Thank you! ;-)
*Lauren rolls her eyes.*
(Everyone laughs between bites, including Mr. Bennett.)
Peter: (To Lauren, quietly) Lauren, do you think Em will be ok?
Lauren: *quietly* I hope so, Peter. I hope so.
(As the group eats, we fade back in on the Montgomery House. Shelia is sitting at the dresser in her bedroom, obviously preparing for a bath or shower, as she wears a silk robe in psychadelic colors. She removes the crystal containing the unconscious Mike from around her neck and gives it a little kiss, then walks out of the room. Her window is open to admit the night air. A small, fat brown sparrow flutters onto a branch, then onto the dresser. It takes the crystal's chain in it's beak, then flutters to the floor. There's a flash of blue light, and the bird is replaced by Emma.)
Emma: Oh, thank god! (Frowns at the vision of Mike, his head bowed and half-bare chest moving up and down, imprisoned in the rock) I've got to get you out of there somehow. There must be a way! (Sits on the bed and murmurs) Here goes nothing. (closes her eyes. There's a flash of light. The crystal vanishes, and Mike appears on the floor, unconscious but breathing steadily. Emma gets off the bed and goes to his side.) Oh, Mike! Thank God!
Mike: (eyelashes flutter, then slowly open; a smile spreads across his face) E...Em? W...what happened?
Emma: It's a long story, honey. Can you walk? I've got to get us out of here.
Mike: (Looks around, dazed) How did I end up in here? All I remember is Micky telling me to look at the crystal...(closes his eyes)...then it's all dark.
Emma: I'll tell you everything when I get you back to Mr. Bennett's house.
Mike: (Tries to move, but can barely shuffle into a sitting posistion) Darlin', I can move my limbs. You must have broken Micky's spells, too. I hurt all over, though, and my legs and arms are still a little stiff.
Emma: (Slowly helps him to his feet) I'll do the imagining for the both of us, then. It's the quickest way... (Unfortunantly, there's footsteps in the hallway even as Emma closes her eyes. Emma barely has time to open them again before the door opens and Shelia appears.)
Mike: (Weak growl) You! (Snarls) Wanna feel my teeth in your face again?
Shelia: *eyes widen, but she grins* Well, well, what have we here?
Emma: (Pushes Mike behind her) Cool it, baby. (To Shelia) I'm getting him out of here, you witch, before you can hurt him any further.
Mike: Em...
Shelia: We'll see about that. *folds her arms*
Emma: (Closes her eyes - her hockey stick appears) Don't come any closer. I will hurt you.
*Shelia chuckles.*
Mike: Shelia, why are you doing this to us...to me? I'm not Sir Robert!
Shelia: No, but you have his powers and soul.
Mike: Maybe I never asked for them!
Emma: We love each other. We're getting married. Live with it. (Closes her eyes) I'm getting us both out of here.
(Emma pushes Mike further back, against the window, trying to shield him with her body despite being almost a foot shorter than him. Mike puts his arms as securely around Emma as he can, mostly to keep his knees from buckling.)
Shelia: *stares at them* You don't actually think that's going to work, do you?
Emma: It's worth a try to get both of us away from you! I would like to live to see my wedding day, thank you very much!
Mike: Shelia, please don't hurt her. Hurt me if you have to, but let her go.
Emma: Mike, no! We're both getting out!
Shelia: *grins* Just try it. ;-)
(The moment Emma does, Shelia reaches for her temples and starts rubbing them before she can pull back. Mike screams as loudly as he can in his weakened state.)
Mike: Don't do that! Not to her!
Shelia: *grin widens* All the more reason to do this!
Emma: W...(tries to pull away)...what are you doing to me? (The hockey stick falls from her hand)
Shelia: Muddling. Very effective against that powah of yours.
Mike: (Shakes his head) Shelia, please stop...
Emma: (Tries to pull away again) I've got to get us out! (Closes her eyes, but nothing comes)
Mike: Em, she puts your mind in such a state of chaos, you can't think straight enough to use your powers. She and Micky did it to me.
Shelia: You aren't going anywhere now. *continues rubbing*
Emma: (Fights weakly) N..no...let go...I've got to get home...
Mike: (Anguished) Shelia, please! Leave her alone! I LOVE HER!
Shelia: Too bad. *continues*
Emma: (Moans) Oh, Mike...he...help...
Mike: (Stiffly and slowly but surely takes the hockey stick Emma dropped) Get your dirty hands off my soulmate, or I'll use this, and I don't care how I feel like shit at the moment!
Emma: (Moans) M...mike...I feel...so light headed...
Mike: Shelia, she's not Emmeline. She's not the one who took Sir Robert away from you!
Shelia: *continues rubbing, stares at the hockey stick, which disappears* Now what do you have to say, White Knight? She may as well be, though. She has her soul.
Mike: Knights don't just rely on their weapons you know, (growls) Devil Woman! (Uses every bit of strength he has left to throw himself at Shelia. Emma collapses on the floor, awake but very confused, as Shelia and Mike land in a tangle beside her.)
Emma: (Holds her head) Oh, man...
Mike: How would you liked it if I played with you?
Shelia: I'd like to see you TRY!
Emma: (Looks up, dazed) Mike?
(Mike tries to close his eyes...but Shelia reaches out and holds his eyelids open.)
Emma: N...no...
Mike: Get off me!
Shelia: Not so fast, White Knight!
Mike: (struggles) I won't let you hurt her! She's the woman I love, and I'm going to make her my wife, whether you like it or not!
Emma: M...married...
Shelia: You're lucky she remembahs you right now!
Mike: What did you do to her?
Emma: Get...away...from him... (tries to move, but falls back, groaning)
Shelia: Simply muddled her thoughts. Confusion does wondahs, doesn't it? *grins*
Mike: Yeah, that's how you and Micky got me when I was in the car.
Emma: C...car?
Shelia: It worked!
Mike: Yeah. Is that how you got Micky, too?
Emma: Micky...
Shelia: *feigns shock* You guessed!
Emma: Davy...Mike, she has Davy...
Mike: Oh, man, you have him, too? What did you DO to him?
Shelia: Wouldn't you like to know?
Mike: Yeah, I would. I don't like seein' my pals bein' turned into animals and demons and God-only-knows what else!
Shelia: I'm not going to tell you! *grins*
Mike: You will if I crush your windpipe.
Emma: Mike...don't...
Shelia: Now that's an interesting threat.
Mike: She deserves it! (To Shelia) Is this how you got our ancestors, too?
Shelia: Yes. If it works, why fix it?
Emma: She corrupted them.
Mike: Well, you can start un-muddlin' Em. You know I could hurt you.
Shelia: Really? That's funny. I don't think you could.
Mike: Lady, right now I'm so mad, I could tear you limb from limb!
Emma: Mike...don't let her...get..to...you...
Shelia: And I could turn both of you into animals and lock you in cages!
Mike: Yeah, well, I've played that game. Try again.
Shelia: You were just so cute as a wolf! *smirks*
Emma: (Shaky smile) I thought so, too.
Mike: Man, who's side are you on, darlin'? :p
(Emma just shrugs and smiles a little.)
Mike: (Shakes Shelia weakly) Look, you're gonna let us go, and I don't wanna hear no fuss about it! Understand, Devil Woman?
Emma: (Grins shakily) That's telling...her... (gets up and slowly crawls to the deadlocked pair)
Shelia: No, I don't undahstand. You can barely walk!
Mike: And what are you gonna do? You've played enough zoo games. Gonna cry Uncle?
Emma: (Sucks in a breath) Zero...
Shelia: Why not? You're familiah with my Uncle! *grins*
Mike: Far more than I want to be. :p
(Shelia finally shoves Mike off of her. Emma stands angrily, grabbing the edge of the dark wood bed frame with one hand and putting her head in her other hand)
Emma: Oh, man... (looks up at Shelia) We will get out of here, and we will find Davy, and we will get to the others!
Mike: Right!
Shelia: *stands* Please. I'm tired of all this..
Emma: My head... (sits on the bed, groaning. Mike slowly sits beside her and takes her in his arms) Mike...she'll hurt us...
Mike: We'll get outta here. You'll see.
Emma: No. My head (cringes) hurts...
Shelia: You're only getting out of here if your friends win the Challenge, which I doubt 'ighly.
Mike: (Frowns) Challenge?
Emma: (Groans) Oh, god! (Glares daggers at Shelia) You'd better believe we're gonna win this!
Shelia: We shall see about that.
Emma: I know we will! (Stands and goes to Shelia) You underestimate all of us, especially Peter!
Shelia: Do I?
Mike: Em, don't make her angrier than she already is.
Emma: I don't care. If my brain was working, she'd be sooooo dead right now! (staggers for a moment and has to catch Mike's shoulder to steady her)
Shelia: Then I guess it's a good thing it isn't. *smirks*
Mike: Shelia, what are you going to do with us? We're both gonna try to get loose, you know.
Shelia: In that case, I'll have to make sure that you cahn't even try to get loose.
Emma: (Holds Mike's shoulder firmly) And we will get to the others. You can count on that!
Mike: (Takes her hand) You bet!
(Mike squeezes her hand; she smiles warmly.)
Shelia: *sighs* I've 'eard enough. For now, the lovebirds can be just that: love birds! *black light surrounds Mike and Emma; they disappear and a cage with two birds in it appears beside the bed. Shelia dusts her hands off* Much bettah. *grins evilly*
(The birds squawk angrily, but are too weak to fly or scratch the cage.)
Shelia: That'll teach you to make me mad. *glares at the birds*
(The gray-eyed, plumper love bird edges the brown-eyed, thinner one behind it with its wing The gray-eyed bird snaps its beak angrily. The brown-eyed bird squeaks.)
Shelia: Awe. *rolls her eyes* Squawk all you want. It won't help.
(The gray-eyed bird tries to bite at the bars with its beak. The brown-eyed bird tries to fly, but it's too weak and only flutters to the cage floor.)
Shelia: *chuckles* You amuse me so!
(The little gray-eyed bird sticks her beak out and nips Shelia on the thumb. The brown-eyed bird nudges the gray-eyed one in annoyance.)
Shelia: *yelps* Ow, you rotten little... *stares at the birds--wraps appears around the beaks of both birds*
(The birds jump and flutter, but they can no longer squawk. As Shelia nurses her sore thumb, there's a knock at the door.)
Zero: Shelia, darling, are you decent? We have to get ready for the Challenge!
Shelia: Yes, Uncle. *grins* I have a surprise for you!
Zero: (enters, still in his simple but elegant suit) You're not even dressed yet! What... (sees the birds) Where on earth did those come from?
Shelia: Why, it's the White Knight and the Scholar. *smirks*
(The birds huddle together in horror and anger.)
Zero: Shelia, do what you want with the Knight, but leave the Scholar for me. You know I've always (smiles) fancied that girl. (Makes a face) And I fancy her as a girl, not some avian miniature breakfast.
(The brown-eyed bird flutters in front of the gray-eyed one.)
Shelia: Of course, Uncle, but I needed to do something with them. They were causing a bit too much trouble.
Zero: Besides, if they are separated, they will suffer more. (Raises an eyebrow) What kind of trouble? I thought you had the Knight safely in the crystal.
Shelia: Seems the Scholar was able to free the Knight. They were trying to leave & I didn't want them to.
(Both birds glare daggers at Zero and Shelia. The brown-eyed one puts out his wings to shield the other.)
Zero: She must have used her advanced powers to break the spell. The women have stronger imagination powers than the men, but they cannot fly or increase their physical strength. (Makes a face) If you give her to me, I will let you...play...with her. I know you've always wanted to.
(The brown-eyed bird narrows its eyes.)
Shelia: Uncle, I can't turn down such a proposition. You may have 'er.
(The gray-eyed bird pushes further behind the brown-eyed one, but Zero manages to open the cage and pull her out. The black light surrounds her, and she becomes the human Emma again.)
Zero: (Takes her hand and kisses it) I hope you appreciate what I'm doing for you, Scholar. I could have let Shelia keep you both like that, at least until the Challenge.
Emma: I'd appreciate it more if you'd turn Mike back, too. (Pulls her hand away from him and rubs it) And will you quit giving me germs?
Zero: (Sighs) Why must it always be the Knight? Even your ancestor could speak of no one else.
Emma: Maybe because I actually love him. Did you ever consider that?
Zero: Love isn't something I consider, Emmeline. I can give you (runs his fingers along her round breast) pretty things. Things a penniless Knight never could.
*Shelia smirks.*
Emma: (Pushes his hand away as the bird jumps and tries to scratch at the cage) Maybe I don't want pretty things! I don't care about that! All I want is books and my writing and Mike!
Zero: Maybe you just need some persuading. (Nods at Shelia) Why don't you handle her, dear? Have fun with her. (Shakes his finger) But don't harm her too badly! I want all of her in my bed.
Emma: (Screams) NEVER! I'll NEVER go to bed with you!
*Shelia grins.*
(The brown-eyed bird angrily tries to flutter against the cage, but it's too weak to do any damage.)
Emma: (Moves back) Keep away from me! I don't want to end up in some crystal forever!
Zero: Come now, dear. Shelia won't harm you. She just wants to play a game or two. ;)
Emma: Game, hell! I saw what she did to Micky!
Shelia: And if you're good, you'll remain in one piece. ;-)
Emma: (Moves back towards the bed) Stay away from me, you two! Just stay away!
(The brown-eyed bird tries to kick the cage, but it can barely move its legs.)