Everyone ready for a visit to Magnetic South Studios...and the mysterious First National Radio? ;)

Katie: I can't wait to see Dad! :D

Micky: You bet!

Davy: This should be interesting.

Lauren: I'm ready!

Mick: This should be awesome!

Shelly: This'll be fun! ;)

(The other kids all cheer. :D)

(We begin at Micky and Lauren's house. Micky stands at the frying pan while Lauren talks to someone on the phone.)

Lauren: *grins; into the phone* This ought to be an interesting excursion. ;)

(Davy and Mick stumble in, rubbing their eyes. Davy wears pajama pants that are about two sizes too long for him and no top.)

Davy: (Mutters) Did anyone get the numbah of that rig that ran ovah me? :p

*Mick wears just a pair of shorts.*

Mick: *groans* I wanna know, cuz I think it ran over me, too. :P

Lauren: *chuckles* These two are worse than Mick and me at being non-morning people. ;) :P

(Daphne and Shelly emerge downstairs as well, but they're dressed, if not much more awake than the boys.)

Daphne: (Yawns) Good morning, all.

Shelly: *waves; groggily* Morning.

Davy: (Flops in a chair) What's for breakfast that Micky won't blow up?

Micky: *over his sholder* Very funny. :P I'm making eggs. There's bread on the counter for toast.

Daphne: (Goes to the bread and pulls out two slices, then looks around) Now, where's the toaster?

*Shelly points out the toaster to Daphne.*

Daphne: (Nods) Thanks. (She starts loading up bread)

Davy: So, what's goin' on today? Did Em get that tour of Magnetic South for the kids?

Micky: *nods* Yeah, Lauren's talking with her right now about it.

Davy: When are the othah kiddies comin' home?

Daphne: And what are OUR kids like...and how are we going to explain that we don't know them?

Micky: They should be here any minute now. *pauses; turns to them* I really don't think you'll have to explain. If you think things have been weird from the beginning, the weirdness continues. *shrugs* It doen's really faze any of us that much anymore.

Davy: So the kids 'ave gotten into...trouble...with Shelia and Alex, too? :p

Daphne: Even our girls? :(

Micky: As far as I know, most of the older ones have, but they're ALL familiar with Shelia and Alex. :P

Davy: (Looks up at the twins) You guys 'ave been 'andlin' Shelia since before you were born. You must be real pros by now.

Mick: *makes a face* Oh, yeah. Lucky us. *blows a razz* :P

(There's a doorbell as everyone sits down to breakfast...and the sound of little giggles. ;) )

Davy: (Eyes widen) Oh, god... :o

Daphne: Is that... :o

Micky: Sounds like them.

*Micky goes to open the door and is nearly trampled by several younger kids, all talking at once. They don't even pay attention to Micky, who shrugs and thanks the mother of the friends they'd stayed the night with. He closes to door after.*

Little Girl 1: Hey, we're home, Aunt Lauren!

Little Girl 2: Let's play Nintendo! I wanna do "Super Mario Brothers!"

Lauren: *calls out* Hi, kiddos! :D

*Three of the kids finally greet Micky with hugs, kisses, and mile-a-minute talking.* ;)

(Four little girls, three with long black hair, one with shorter brown hair, also gather around Micky, asking questions.)

Little Girl 3: Uncle Micky, you're ok!

Little Girl 2: How did you get away from Shelia and Alex?

Micky: *grins; puts his hands out* Okay, short stuffs, how about this? Since we're getting ready to go visit Magnetic South Studios, I promise to tell all of you my story later, and it'll be worth the wait. ;)

Lauren: *still on the phone* Would you like to bet that he ends up writing a book about it? ;)

Little Girl 1: (Eyes widen) Oh, wow, Uncle Mike's studio? :D

Davy: (Stands and looks at the kids) So...which ones are ours? ;)

Micky: *points* These four. *indicates the three with long black hair and the one with shorter brown hair* These three nuts... *points at two boys with wavy brown hair and a girl with long, curly auburn hair* are our other three rugrats. ;)

Davy: Girls...I don't know how to explain this... (he stands, his arms out)

Little Girl 1: (Frowns) You look like our Da, but not quite. Your hair is shorter.

Little Girl 4: And our Da has a lot of fuzz on his chest! I saw it when he took his shirt off at the beach! :D

*Micky snorts.* :))

(Daphne bursts out laughing. Davy blushes. :">)

Little Girl 4: (Puts her head on Daphne's lap) Are you my mommy? You LOOK like my mommy, but she's a little bigger than you are, and she has more lines her her face.

Daphne: How do we explain this? :p

Davy: We're not your mum and da, girls...but we are, sort of.

Daphne: Where we come from, you haven't been born yet.

Micky: Hey, kids, you remember "Back To The Future?" *jerks a thumb at Davy and Daphne* ;)

Little Girl 1: So you mean, you're from the past or the future? Like Michael J Fox? (Grins) That is, like, sooooo cool! :D

Little Girl 3: Did you come in a spacey car and help Doc Brown? :D

Davy: (Puts HIS hands up) Whoa! I don't know 'alf of what you're talkin' about. Why don't all you kiddies give us names and ages? ;)

Little Girl 1: Elizabeth (grins), but Da calls me Lizzy-girl. I’m fourteen. :D

Little Girl 2: Sandra, but they usually call me Sandy. I’m twelve and a half. :)

Little Girl 3: Jessica, but I get called Jessie. I’m ten.

Little Girl 4: I'm Maryann. (Puts up her hand) I just turned five two weeks ago! :D

Davy: (Grins) It's nice to know we 'ad such a charming and attractive brood. ;)

Lauren: *puts her hand over the receiver* And they're STILL cleaning up from that party. ;)

Elizabeth: (Shrugs) We put everything away!

Sandra: Well, MOST everything. :p

Micky: And the rest of our runts, since they're now all stuffing their faces... *points* That's Billy, *shifts* Larry, and *shifts* Leah. *goes back to the stove*

Davy: You kids ain't bad lookin', eithah. Are you sure they're yours? ;)

Daphne: The way they're eating? ;)

Micky: *over his shoulder* Real cute, Dave. :P

Elizabeth: They're always eating!

Sandra: Well, we eat too, but they're AMAZING! Billy can eat an entire pint of Oreo cookies and cream ice cream in five minutes! :o :p

Billy: I'm the reigning champion! *grins widely* :D ;)

Sandra: You should see them eat pudding pops. :p

Maryann: I LOVE pudding pops, but Larry stole my last one! :p :(

Larry: I didn't steal it! :P

Davy: (Turns to Lauren) Ok, when are we going to be heading on this expedition to Magnetic South?

Maryann: (Claps) Uncle Mike's music place! Yay! :D

Elizabeth: Da, I thought you weren't speaking to Uncle Mike.

Davy: We're going to work on changing that, luv.

Lauren: Okay, Em. See you in a bit. *hangs up; to Davy and the others* We're gonna head out in about an hour and meet up with the other half of our clan there.

(Maryann climbs into the chair next to Mick and starts slathering strawberry jam on her toast and staring at him with large, sweet eyes. :X)

Mick: *grins* Hey, munchkin. :)

Maryann: (Hands Mick her heavily-jammed toast) Little Mick, do you want some toast? It's got lotsa jam on it and it's real good! :D :X

Daphne: (Grins) I see who's the flirt in THIS family. ;)

Mick: That's okay, kiddo. You can have it. I've already got some. *holds up his own identical piece of toast* ;)

Maryann: Ok! :X

Micky: *half smirk* Geez, THAT'S new. ;)

*Mick quirks an eyebrow at Micky.* :P

Sandra: She's CRAZY about him. ;)

Maryann: Sandy! :p

Daphne: Sandy, leave your sister alone. :p

Elizabeth: (Looks at Davy) If you're here, where's OUR da and mom?

Davy: (Gulps) Oh, deah, how do I tell them this?

Daphne: (Looks at Micky and Lauren) Guys...

Micky: Umm...girls, your mom and dad are on a special trip. They're...helping us out with rounding up those mean people, Shelia and Alex.

Lauren: They'll be back real soon. :)

(Davy lets out a "whew!" Elizabeth doesn't look convinced, but the other girls nod and smile.)

Elizabeth: I hope so. Da and I go riding every morning after breakfast. I get Swiftwing, and he rides Country Boy.

Davy: You're a ridah?

Elizabeth: (Smiles) Of course! We grew up on a horse ranch. We're all riders, but I'm the only one who's serious about it. (Beams) I won a trophy for winning the Grand California Junior Champion In Show last week. :D

Davy: Wow, that's quite an accomplishment. :D

(Daphne goes to Micky and Lauren as Davy talks to Elizabeth and the other kids chatter amongst themselves.)

Daphne: Do you really think Mike will be able to help us?

Lauren: I hope so.

Micky: I think he will. *frowns slightly* But I think he'll do it more for saving his studios. I mean, he'll do it for us, but not us as "the group," know what I mean? ;) :P

*Lauren rolls her eyes at the explanation.* :P ;)

Daphne: (Sighs) We've GOT to talk to him. In 1971, we're all so close, even Mike. I miss that.

Micky: We do, too, but we’re kind of used to it by now. It really isn't worth all the effort to try to get through to him about it. :P

Daphne: (Sighs and watches the kids chatter, Davy and Elizabeth discuss horseback riding, and Maryann flirts as shamelessly as a five-year-old flirting with a seventeen-year-old can) I wish there was. If he'd only understand how much he's needed.

Micky: He'll understand to a point, but I think what would really help... *quietly* is getting Peter back.

*Lauren nods.*

Daphne: (Nods) Peter was really the only one who could ever get through to Mike...even when Emma couldn't.

Micky: We'll just have to see what we can do with Mike and go from there. Maybe we'll luck out. At the least, I doubt he'll throw us out on our buts.

Daphne: He's too much of a White Knight for that. ;)

Lauren: True. ;)

Daphne: What do the kids think of all this...Shelia and Alex and all?

Lauren: They don't like them, plain and simple. :P

Daphne: Who do you think "Rio" is?

Micky: A really smart guy who's been very lucky with his business. ;)

Davy: (Nods as he joins them, Elizabeth having gone to get some breakfast) I don't get that part at all. I'm assumin' 'e ain't a rebel, since you guys don't seem to know who 'e is, eithah. The kids 'aven't got a clue, othah than the girls find him to be just too romantic. ;)

Daphne: It's so "Scarlet Pimpernel"-ish. :X :D

Micky: *makes a face* Romantic? Oh please. :P

Davy: 'E don't 'ave that effect on the men. That was your son's reaction. ;)

Lauren: I don't know. He doesn't have that effect on me. ;) :P

Davy: The only way 'e'd 'ave that effect on you, Lauren, was if 'e was Micky. ;)

Micky: Darn right! :D

Lauren: Yeah, yeah. *blushes* :">

Daphne: So, I'm assuming you guys know nothing about either First National Radio or the mysterious "Rio."

Lauren: Other than his appearance at the dinner, we don't really know anything about him or his radio stations.

Micky: We DO know he has good taste in music. ;)

Davy: That's right, the kids mentioned ‘e was at the dinnah earlieah.

Daphne: We miss EVERYTHING! :p

Lauren: He was there, briefly. He showed up suddenly and left just as quickly.

Daphne: This is just too weird. Who IS this guy, and why is he doing this?

Davy: I wouldn't be surprised if Shelia and Alex 'ave 'alf the city lookin' for 'im by now!

Micky: I wouldn't be surprised, either. :P

Jessica: (Tugs at Davy's arm) Da, when are we going to Magnetic South Studios?

Davy: Soon, luv.

Jessica: Do you know when our real da is coming home? I miss him, and Mommy.

Davy: (Shakes his head as tears come to his eyes) No, I don't, luv, but I'm sure it'll be soon. :)

Jessica: Ok, Da. I'm going to see if there's anymore toast left (makes a face), if Billy and Larry haven't eaten it all! :p

(She returns to the table, where the kids squabble over the last of the food.)

Davy: (Watches the kids) We'd bettah get a move on.

Daphne: Or that crowd might end up killing each other. ;)

Lauren: You're not kidding. ;)

Micky: Reminds me of the good old days. ;)

Davy: (Laughs) What, you and your sisters? ;)

Micky: Yes, and the four of us. ;)

(Davy nearly falls over laughing. :)) )

Davy: Ain't THAT the truth! :D

Lauren: No comment. ;)

Daphne: (Goes to separate Billy and Larry, who are kicking each other under the table; Maryann is now feeding Mick his eggs) Ok, guys, if you want to commit murder, do it outside where there's no food. ;) :p

Mick: *mutters* I'm about getting ready to. :P

Davy: Maybe we'd bettah get the kids cleaned up and out of 'ere, before someone spills more than orange juice. :p

Lauren: It would be greatly appreciated. ;) :P

Daphne: Ok, guys, everyone put their dishes in the sink, and Aunt Daphne will wash them. All the girls go with Aunt Lauren and Shelly to get cleaned up, and all the boys go with Uncle Micky, Mick, and Uncle Davy.

Jessica: Yeah! Let's go get ready for the tour!

Elizabeth: I'm SOOOO glad it's summer. I don't know if this tour is going to be all that exciting, but it beats school. (Both put their dishes in the sink and run upstairs)

Davy: Ladies, slow down! You could 'urt yourselves like that!

Jessica: (From the stairs) We'll be ok!

*Billy and Larry are still fighting, putting their dishes in the sink. They continue as they go up the stairs.*

Micky: Mick, follow those two, just to make sure they DON'T kill each other. ;) :P

Davy: I was about to say someone should separate them before we DO 'ave some bloodshed Shelia and Alex didn't cause. :p

Mick: *grins* No problem, Dad. *follows after his younger siblings; calls out* Hey, no wrestling in the hall! :P

Maryann: (Gets down from the table slowly) Micky, wait up! (She stops at Micky and gives his baggy pants a tug; when he leans down, she kisses him on the cheek) I'm glad you’re home, Unca Micky. :) (She runs upstairs after the others)

Davy: (Grins) That little one's a doll.

Micky: Awwww! :D :">

Daphne: (Winks) Obviously, she got the Jones side of the family. She's all charm. ;)

Davy: And what's wrong with that? She's a sweet litt'l thing. ;) :)

Micky: Must we remind you, Dave? ;) :P

Sandra: (Grins) Maryann has a big ol' crush on Little Mick! She thinks he's the smartest person in the world after Da! ;)

Lauren: Which in turn drives Mick crazy. ;)

Davy: I can imagine. It's got to be embarrassing for a seventeen-year-old to be recieving attentions from a five-year-old. ;)

Lauren: Especially since not too long ago, he was going on a date and she wanted to go, too. He had to come up with a story to talk her out of it. ;)

Davy: (Laughs) Awwww! ;)

Micky: And I missed that? Man! :P ;)

(Sounds of crashing and banging and yelling upstairs.)

Davy: Maybe we'd bettah get up theah. :p

Sandra: I hope they haven't broken anything important! :o

Micky: *starts for the stairs* Don't break anything or each other! :P

Sandra: Wait up, Uncle Micky! I'll help you! (Follows him upstairs)

Davy: 'Ey, kids! (Also makes for the stairs)

Daphne: (Looks at the huge pile of dishes on the table and in the sink with a sigh) Oh, man, what was I thinking? :p

Shelly: *chuckles* Come on Leah, let's go see what kind of trouble they're getting into. ;)

*The two girls head for the stairs. Lauren follows, shaking her head.* ;)

(Daphne stands and sighs, wide-eyed, at the huge collection of dirty dishes scattered around her as the camera fades out on the kitchen.)

(It fades in on a large van and the TransAm driving across LA to a large office building, one of the largest in the area. "Magnetic South: Main Offices and Studios" is on a simple sign on the first story of the building. Valerie, her two sons, and Emma and Katie are already there. Emma is looking at her watch.)

Valerie: Emma, they'll be here soon.

Katie: Mom, stop worrying so much!

Jordan: It'll be all right, Aunt Emma.

Austin: Yeah! I'll bet Alex and Shelia are still out after last night! ;)

Emma: They're late. I really wish those two would learn to be on time. Mike and his lawyer are gonna kill me. :p

Katie: Mom, it'll be fine. Dad will understand.

Valerie: And the tour is a private one specifically for the kids, so it'll keep until they arrive.

*The TransAm pulls up first, and comes to something of a screeching halt in a parking spot. The driver's door opens and Micky gets out. Lauren appears from the passenger side, and the twins get out after her.*

Emma: What TOOK you guys so long?

Katie: My dear mama thought Shelia and Alex got you. :p

Lauren: Mick, I know that Urse has pretty much total control of the car, but do you HAVE to drive like that? :P

Micky: Like what? ;)

Emma: You should have let Ursula drive. At least SHE won't near get you killed...AND she'll be on time! :p

Mick: The kiddos did it. They were all trying to kill each other. :P

Emma: And this is different from every other morning at your house...how? :p

*Micky blows a razz and closes the car door.* :P ;)

Lauren: More kids than we usually have? ;)

Valerie: That's right. How are...well, how's Davy and Daphne adjusting?

Katie: And where are they?

Micky: They're coming. The van is no where near comparable to the TransAm. *jerks a thumb behind them*

*The van finally pulls in next to the TransAm. Kids pile out of the back, while Davy and Daphne get out from the front.*

Davy: (Makes a face; he's wearing a pale suit that's far too long for him, as the jacket and shirt cuffs are rolled up halfway up his legs) I should 'ave borrowed one of the kids' outfits. :p

Micky: *shrugs* It doesn't look THAT bad. *snickers* ;)

Daphne: (She wears a soft pink sweater and tight jeans with boots) You look adorable, dear. ;)

Davy: Does everyone dress like this in 1986? I feel like I'm streetwalkin' or somethin'. :p

Lauren: Well, you could look like him. *motions to Micky, who wears baggy black jeans and a bright neon orange t-shirt* ;)

Micky: There is nothing wrong with how I look. :P ;)

Davy: Mick, you look like a bad advertisement for Crush soda. :p

Maryann: He looks just like a pumpkin! :D

Micky: *shrugs* Maybe I like to be noticed. ;)

Elizabeth: Oh, they'll notice you, all right.

Katie: Yeah, and ask you which way to the haunted house and hay rides. ;)

Micky: *motions* Alright, everyone get in your shots now. *rolls his eyes* :P ;)

Mick: They're just jealous, Dad. ;) *he wears a bright yellow t-shirt and blue jeans*

Maryann: I think Mick has never looked handsomer! :X

Elizabeth: (Mutters to Shelly) Love must be making her color blind. :p

*Shelly snickers, nodding.* ;) :P

Mick: *forced smile* Thanks, Maryann. *turns away to make a face* :P

Emma: Ok, if everyone has had their fun teasing Micky Junior and Micky Senior, let's go inside before my soon-to-be-ex-husband has a major conniption fit. :p

(Katie's face falls. Jordan puts his arm around her shoulders.)

Maryann: (Tugs at Daphne's shoulder) Mommy?

Daphne: Yes, dear?

Maryann: (Leans over her and whispers) Jordan likes Katie. He's always with her, trying to make her feel better when her mommy and daddy get mad at each other.

Daphne: Well, Katie's parents are going through a bad time.

Maryann: But I heard Austin say Jordan writes a lot of songs about Katie, and thinks about her a lot. He thinks she's really nice.

Daphne: She does seem to be a nice girl. (Takes the smaller girl in her arms as the others start to go in, but she shakes her head)

Maryann: Mommy, can I go with Little Micky?

Daphne: (Shakes her head) No, dear. Let Micky be with his dad for a while. He hasn't seen him in a long time.

Maryann: (Leans in her ear and whispers) Mommy?

Daphne: Yes, Maryann?

Maryann: I'm gonna marry Little Micky someday. :X

Daphne: (Chuckles) I'm sure you will, darling. I'm sure you will. ;)

(They walk through a marble and brass lobby. Emma takes them into an elevator; cut to them all, after some consternation, squeezing off. They're now in a muted Southwestern-style lobby, decorated with pictures of cowboys, John Wayne movie posters...and photos of Magnetic South's most popular video and recording artists. A pretty young woman in a pastel business suit sits at the reception desk, typing on a small computer like the one in the twins’ room.)

(A woman walks out to greet them. It's Suzanna Goodson, whom we last met at the dinner. She now wears a crisp, conservative pastel suit with soft pinstripes, heavily padded shoulders, and a wide belt. She takes off her glasses and smiles at the group. Emma narrows her eyes at her; Suzanna ignores this.)

Suzanna: Hello, everyone. I'm Miss Goodson. Mr. Nesmith should be around in a few moments. He's speaking with my father about their deal to buy Galaxy Motion Pictures. He'd own it, but we would continue to run the company, and we'd have the full use of Magnetic South's artists in our movie soundtracks...and will be making music videos for them starting this fall.

Mike: (Comes around the corner) Suz, I just... (Stops dead in his tracks when he sees Micky; he also wears a conservative suit, but his is darker) Micky, what are you doing here? I thought you work for Trinity Records and Broadcasting now.

Micky: *makes a face* I didn't like their politics. :P

Mike: I'm no great fan of them myself. So, (raises an eyebrow) you're no longer part of their staff?

Micky: *slight grin* No, I'm not with them anymore.

Mike: (Nods; also a slight grin) Good. (Turns to Emma) Hello, Em.

Emma: Hello, Mike. How's business?

Mike: Going well. Just merged with Galaxy Movie Studios for a cool thirty million. We get their soundstages for videos, and they get the use of our video stages and artists in their soundtracks. They'll stay in business. They have an excellent reputation, but home video, not big movie screens, are the thing nowadays.

Katie: Daddy! (Runs to him; he puts his arm around her) Can I help give the tour? I know this place as well as Miss Goodson or better by now. ;)

Mike: (Grins) Of course, cowgirl. Daddy's got to go finish his deal downtown, and then he wants to talk to Mama Bear.

Emma: (Goes to him; uncertain) Mike...

Mike: Yeah, Em, what?

Emma: Mike, I...I thought I saw...

Mike: What?

Emma: (Sighs; she doesn't know how to say it) We'll discuss the remaining terms of the divorce later.

Mike: Em, are you sure? There's somethin' troublin' you. We're still linked, you know.

Emma: This isn't the best place to talk about it.

Mike: Fine, Em. In the meantime, I'm gonna be on my way. (Gives Katie a kiss on her cheek) I'll see you later, cowgirl. :)

Suzanna: (Grins) Ok, kids, who's ready to start the tour? :D

*All of the kids raise their hands excitedly.* :D

Suzanna: (Grins) I love a good audience. (Nods and gestures around) This is obviously the lobby. This is where people meet, make apointments, and wait to be recieved. (Nods to the hallway) Come on. I'll show you our break room, then the main recording studios. (Grins) We've even set up a studio just for you kids to play around with and maybe even record a song of your own. ;)

Jordan: Oh, wow, that's my DREAM! :D

Austin: Cool! :)

Mick: *grins* Alright! :D

Suzanna: Ok, everyone, forward march! (She leads the kids down the hallway, but Emma doesn't follow. She's still looking thoughtful)

Emma: Could it be? Could he...no, he couldn't, he would never...would he?

(Emma takes the other adults aside as they head down the hallway.)

Emma: (Sighs) Look. I've got to tell you this. (Quietly) Last night, I felt a familiar connection to "Rio" when he was onstage.

Lauren: Really?

Emma: (Nods) It was really strange. It's like...I know his soul.

Davy: 'Ow would you be connected to 'im?

Emma: I don't know. I wish I did. Katie and the Jones girls aren't the only ones who'd love to meet "Rio." I want to tell him how I admire what he's doing, helping artists Trinity Broadcasting would otherwise ignore get their big break, going against Shelia, keeping First National running despite the raids and loss of personnel and equipment, and how noble I think he is, and how brave he is for doing this...and foolish, risking his life.

Davy: Sounds like you're hooked on 'im, Em.

Emma: (Shakes her head) Superman fantasies are for the kids. He's probably married with a huge family to support. ;)

Micky: Wouldn't know that from the way he's got practically all other women falling over his "romantic" patter. :P ;)

Emma: I'm too old for that sort of thing, but I admire what he's doing, even if I think it's crazy.

Valerie: I have to agree with you, Em. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t get himself killed or lose his soul in "The Network" one of these days.

Daphne: Maybe we'd better get along and catch up with the kids.

Lauren: Before they wreck TOTAL havoc. :P ;)

(Everyone goes to catch up with Suzanna. She's in a recording room with the kids as they wander around, play with the equipment, and play instruments that are set up.)

Jordan: (Picks up a bass guitar) Maybe we could record a Monkees song. We all know those. :)

Mick: *sets himself at the drum kit* Yeah! :D *twirls the sticks; grins*

Katie: (Pouts) I want to do something different. :p

Valerie: (Grins at Micky) Hey, Mick, got any new material for the kids? You're a Monkee, and Headquarters is always looking for new music. ;)

Micky: Weeeeell, I actually do have a song that's more suitable for the kids' tastes. *grins as a muted dark blue light produces several pages of sheet music* Why don't you try "Regional Girl" on for size? ;)

Katie: That's different! :D

Jordan: (Takes the sheets, then hands them to Katie, who picks up a guitar, and Micky) Do you think we could do this?

Micky: Why not? :)

Katie: Sounds great to me! :)

Mick: *takes his sheets* Hey, I know this one! :D ;)

Katie: Well, the songwriter IS your dad. ;)

Mick: I know that, but Dad doesn't like to share until he's done writing. ;) :P

Micky: *shrugs* That's why the Rainbow Room is sound proof. ;)

(Everyone chuckles. ;) ))

Suzanna: (Behind some recording equipment with the other kids) Everyone ready? :)

*Mick gives a thumbs-up.*

Katie: Ok, guys. (Counts off, and the kids launch into "Regional Girl," with Shelly and Elizabeth playing tambourines while the other kids help Suzanna with the actual recording and the adults watch. At the end of the song, Suzanna gives them a thumbs up. :D)

Suzanna: Hey, that was a pretty good first take! You guys play well! :)

Katie: 'Course we do. Music is in our blood. ;)

Micky: *goes over and gives Mick a noogie* You sound just like your old man! ;)

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* He's so humble. ;)

(Everyone laughs as a young man enters the room, his eyes wide. He goes to Suzanna and whispers in her ear. She frowns and turns to the kids.)

Suzanna: I'm sorry, gang, but I'm going to have to leave you now. Some pressing business just came up. You can have the recording studio for another hour as long as at least one parent is watching you at all times. Just don't break anything, ok? :)

(Variations on "ok" from around the room. :) )

Suzanna: It was nice to have met you all. You're a great bunch of kids, and you're welcome back at Magnetic South anytime.

Jordan: Maybe you'll release our album someday! :D

Suzanna: If you keep sounding like you did on that first take, maybe we will. :) (She takes off; Emma takes the adults aside.)

Emma: I don't like this. There's something weird going on.

Micky: *nods* Very weird. :P

Lauren: Pressing business, my foot. :P

Valerie: That was just too sudden. :p

Davy: (Grins) Maybe someone should follow 'er.

Daphne: Someone's got to stay with the kids, too.

Micky: Well, we can split up.

Davy: Good idea. Who's gonna stay with the kids, and who's gonna follow 'er?

Daphne: (Sighs) As much as I hate missing out on the fun, why don't Lauren, Valerie, and I stay with the munchkins and Davy, Micky, and Em go after Suzanna and find out what this so-called "pressing business" is?

Lauren: That's okay with me.

Valerie: Me too. I have a business meeting of my own in an hour, and I’m taking the boys out to lunch after that. :)

Micky: All right! ;)

Emma: Tell the kids we had to use the bathroom or Mike came back and needed to talk to us. ;)

Lauren: We'll tell them Mike wanted to talk to you. I think they'd only believe the bathroom story with the guys. ;)

(Emma chuckles as the guys roll their eyes. :p)

Davy: Come on! She's already a'ead of us! :p

Micky: Let’s roll! ;)

(The camera follows Emma, Micky, and Davy as they take off down the hallway. They just barely catch Suzanna as she grabs an elevator. The door closes before they can get in, but Emma opens the door to the stairs. They hurry down them and back to the main lobby, where they see Suzanna walking quickly out the revolving doors. They follow her out of the building, where she catches a cab. They catch the next cab after her...which leaves without them, after which Micky goes and gets the TransAm to follow Suzanna's cab. The TransAm finally pulls up just as Suzanna is making her way to an abandoned warehouse in a neighborhood filled with mostly boarded-up buildings.)

Emma: Suzanna! Miss Goodson! (She storms out, grumbling) I'm gonna get the truth from her if it kills ALL of us! :p X(

Micky: *looks around* This really looks inviting. :P

Davy: Miss Goodson!

Suzanna: (Jumps a mile and turns around, even in her high heels) DON'T do that! (Frowns) What are all of you doing in this dump?

Emma: Wondering what YOU'RE doing here.

Micky: Yeah.

Suzanna: It's just Magnetic South business. Nothing to follow me halfway across town for. :p

Micky: Why here, though? :P

Suzanna: We're thinking of remodeling this warehouse for offices and video studios.

Emma: Sure you are.

Suzanna: Look, I don't have time for this. They're probably already here by now. You'll just have to come with me and be sworn to secrecy. (Nods at the warehouse, where screaming and crunching is already heard) Follow me.

(They follow her into the warehouse and down a narrow corridor...filled with Shelia and Alex's robot guards, carrying pieces of equipment.)

Micky: *mutters* Isn't this a regular house of horrors? :P

Suzanna: Hey, that's property of Magnetic South! Put that down! :p

(Suzanna draws a gun from her purse and starts shooting lasers at the cops. She indicates a room to her right.)

Suzanna: There should be more guns there.

Micky: Alright! *flings the door open* :D ;)

Davy: (Eyes widen) LASER guns? :o

Emma: (Grabs a gun) Don't ask, just do what she says! :o

Micky: *grabs a gun* This is so awesome! *goes back out into the hall and crouches in a shooter's kneel* Eat hot laser, you metal goons! :D ;) *starts shooting*

Davy: 'E's the LAST person who needs one of those. :p

Emma: What IS this, anyway?

Suzanna: (Sighs) Lady and gentlemen, welcome to First National Radio.

Micky: First National?

Emma: (Looks around) THIS is First National?

Suzanna: I'm one of the heads of First National. We have studios all over the San Fernando Valley, mostly in abandoned buildings and factories, or out in the country.

Davy: Where's Rio?

Suzanna: (Makes a face and mutters) In the tunnel and on his way back to Magnetic South, if he has any sense. (Out loud) Not here. He should have finished his work by now.

Alex: *from a nearby room, getting closer* Check out every room in this place! If he's here, we're gonna FIND him!

Davy: (Growls) Alex.

*Micky's eyes narrow and he too growls.* X-(

Suzanna: That BASTARD! He must have gotten this location from one of our captured personnel. (Puts up her gun) Well, I'm not goin' down without a fight. I won't let them find "Rio."

Emma: Suzanna, who IS "Rio?"

Alex: *still from another room* Come ON! Search faster! :P

Suzanna: He's a man, Mrs. Nesmith. He's the head of our operations. He chooses the personnel, makes the strategy...and comes up with the way to transport most of our equipment when we get raided. :p

Emma: But who IS he?

Suzanna: I can't say, Mrs. Nesmith. The few members of First National's inner circle are sworn to protect "Rio'"s identity at all costs. If they get him, we're all sunk.

Micky: But you DO know who he is. :P

Suzanna: (Quietly) Yes.

Alex: *appears in the hallway, in front of them* Well, well, well, more party guests. >:)

Davy: (Points the gun shakily at him) And this is one party we ain't stickin' around for. :p

Suzanna: Get outta here, you monster, before I blow your prized treasures off. (Smirks) And I don't mean the fancy jewery you're wearing. ;)

(Aims for his most sensitive parts. ;) )

Micky: *also aims his gun steadily at Alex* I'd suggest listening to the lady. :P ;)

Emma: You know we mean business, Alex.

Alex: Do I look scared? *shakes his head* :P It's too bad, Micky. You were an excellent addition to our team. *smirks*

Micky: Don't give me that. You used me all along and enjoyed every minute of it. :P X-(

Alex: *smirks* So I did.

Emma: I'll bet you’re using Peter, too. X(

Suzanna: Peter?

Alex: *smirk deepens* Wouldn't you like to know? >:)

Micky *nods slowly* He is. :P

Davy: What 'ave you done to Petah? 'E was almost normal when Daph and I saw him! X(

Alex: I helped him refind his way. The poor fellow became confused. He needed a helping hand. ;) >:)

Micky: *growls* Bullshit. :P X-(

Suzanna: Who is "Peter?"

Emma: (Narrows her eyes) You know him as Tork, the head of the New Commodore Project, one of Trinity Records' premiere bands for almost a decade.

Suzanna: (Snorts) I always knew Tork was too good of a musician to be one of your lackeys, Alex. :p

Alex: *eyes narrow* How dare you! X-(

Suzanna: (Looks up and grins briefly, then turns back to Alex) One more chance, Alex. Are you gonna clear out, or are we gonna have to do it the HARD way? :p X(

Alex: I love doing things the hard way. ;) >:)

Suzanna: What a coincidence. So do I. ;) (Looks up at the high-beamed celing over the partitioned-off studios and offices) I think it's time for a few more folks to (yells the last part) DROP IN! ;) :D

Alex: *looks up* Oh, shit.

(People carrying laser guns and instruments drop fast and furious from the celing as "Run Away From Life" begins. Some start shooting robot guards; others play guitars and other portable musical instruments to distract Alex. ;) )

*Micky joins in shooting the guards, which turns into a riff on the "Duck Hunt" video game. Micky ends up wearing a hat just like Elmer Fudd's.* ;)

(Davy runs to the celing beams. Some of the robots follow him. He walks on the beams to escape them; they follow. Davy makes it to the other side; they're half-way through when they see Davy make a large rock appear in a small dark-blue light. He rolls the rock onto the rusted beams. The robots all stand there for a minute and stare at the rock, before the beam falls out from under them. They're suspended in mid-air for a moment before they all fall down. ;) )

(Emma ducks into one room, followed by robots. She's blocked from escaping by the robots and a wall, so she just blasts her way through the thin wall...and keeps blasting through them as they follow her. ;) )

*Micky holsters his laser gun and jumps into the middle of three robots. He grabs the arm of one, spins it around, and swings it into a wall. The robots lands in a heap of parts. Micky does the same to the second one, but it turns to dust when it hits the wall. Micky then swings the third, but it goes right THROUGH the wall, proving the "wall" to be paper thin. Micky scratches his head.*

*Alex has his hands over his ears, trying to not listen to the music.* :P

(Two First National musicians pick up a robot and throw him out a window. A large group surrounds Alex, playing the music as loudly as they can.)

Suzanna: (She's in a shootout with one of the robots; he clips her in the shoulder) Arrgh! (She collapses and drops her weapon; Emma runs to her)

Emma: Oh, god, Miss Goodson (pulls a cloth off of a desk) let me take care of that...

Suzanna: (Shakes her head) It's not bad. I'll be all right. (Nods at the group) You've got to get Dolenz, the boy, Rio's recordings, and the remaining personnel and equipment out of here, before Alex finds them.

Emma: Miss Goodson, this may be a bad time to ask this, but...(quietly)...are you in love with Michael Nesmith?

Suzanna: (Shakes her head) No. He's been good to me, my father, and our company, but I have a lover. (Raises her eyebrows) A female one. (Sighs) And, anyway, he's deeply in love with someone else.

(More robots enter as the music winds down. Emma shoots one.)

Micky: And this hits just keep on coming. *blows a razz* :P

Emma: Miss Goodson, I'll send someone back for you. I promise. (She shoots a hole in one of the walls and hurries out to join the guys)

Davy: Luv, where did you go? We've been lookin' all ovah for you and Suzanna!

Micky: Yeah, we're out here fending off these stupid robots! :P

Emma: Guys, we've got to round up everyone else and get out of here. Suzanna's been hurt. She was shot in the shoulder.

Micky: What about her?

Emma: I'm going to send one of the muscians who aren't loading equipment back for her.

Davy: Let's get movin', luvs.

(They're met in the hallway by several musicians)

Musician 1: Where's Miss Goodson?

Emma: She was shot in the shoulder. Nothing too horrible, but she's gonna need help. (Nods at one musician) You go back and get her.

Davy: Not to be too blunt, but how are we gonna get everythin' out of 'ere?

Musician 2: (Narrows his eyes) Can we trust you?

Micky: Now that's a silly question. :P ;)

Emma: Definately. We don't like Trinity Records anymore than you do.

Musician 3: We're gonna HAVE to trust them, guys. They got Miss Goodson's orders. (Nods at the back) Follow us. (They follow them to the back, where the first musician taps several time on the walls. This reveals a panel full of buttons, which he types a code into. The panel lights up, and the door moves aside to reveal a room. People are streaming into the room from other parts of the warehouse, moving recordings and equipment into a huge trap door in the floor.)

Emma: So THAT'S how you've been moving equipment. :o

Micky: *whistles* Nice.

Musician 4: (Nods) We have tunnels in parts of the city. Whenever we need to move, we just store our stuff down there and pick it up when we need to move it again. It's Rio's system.)

Emma: Rio's recordings! Did anyone get THEM?

Musician 5: (She arrives with an armful of records) Of course I woudn't forget these! They're our bread and butter! Rio's our main man! He's the most popular dude on First National Radio...maybe even in the whole San Fernando Valley! We lose him, our ratings REEEEELLLY plunge. ;)

Musician 2: Not to mention the entire operation goes kaput. :p

Micky: *makes a face* Goes without saying. :P

Davy: (As sounds of laser fire come closer) I think we'd betta head out ourselves, luvs, before WE'RE the ones who are kaput. :p

Emma: But Suzanna...

Musician 1: Miss Goodson's tough, ma'am. She knows how to handle those goons. :p

Davy: We've got to get back to the kids, anyway.

Micky: *nods* Right.

Musician 4: We'll lead you to the sewer line opening. (Makes a face) No, it's not really the sewer. The manhole is fake. It's just our way of getting out.

Micky: *mutters* Why do I have a sudden craving for pizza? ;)

Musician 5: Everything's out, sir.

Musician 1: Good. Ok, all personnel who's still here, get out and regroup in the building on La Rosa and Breakwater.

(Everyone goes into the trap doors, Emma taking one last look for Suzanna. Cut to Suzanna, who is struggling to her feet, helped by one of the musicians. There's a huge blast, some dust, and the musician is shot in the chest and falls to the ground.)

Suzanna: (Looks up as Alex and his robots stride in) You bastard. You didn't need to kill that kid. X(

Alex: Maybe not, but he was in the way. >:)

Suzanna: Alex, you won't get a word outta me...not to mention my father will be seriously teed off when he's found out you've kidnapped and arrested his only daughter. :p X(

Alex: *shrugs* Such is life. Let’s see just how "teed off" we can make your father. *motions to the robots* Get her. I want everyone and everything left in this building.

Robot: Yes, sir. (The two robots take the struggling Suzanna) Shall we search her and shave her and the other prisoners when we return?

Alex: *evil grin* Yes. >:)

Suzanna: (Growls) I’m never gonna tell you what you want to know, Alex. X(

Alex: We'll see about that. >:)