(There's a flash of familiar blue light. The six young people three vehicles now sit on a street in front of a large wrought-iron gate. The MonkeeMobile and the jeep look as they always did, except both have the steering wheels on the left side English-style. All are filled with the remaining, non-camp-oriented luggage. Mike's motorcycle is the same, and also filled with luggage. Davy sits in the driver's seat of the MonkeeMobile. Micky is next to him, with Peter behind them. Lauren is behind the wheel of the jeep with Emma next to her.)
Emma: (Grins, looks around) Cool! :D
Davy: Well, folks, 'ere we are.
Lauren: I like this! :-)
Davy: (Turns on the engine of the MonkeeMobile and turns into the wrought-iron gates) Follow me, mates! :)
*Lauren turns over the jeep's engine and follows.*
(Mike does the same with his cycle)
Davy: (To an elderly-looking guard at the gate) Hello, Horace. 'ow's things?
Horace: (He's a very old man with a shock of white hair and a thin-but-sturdy figure. He happily shakes Davy's hand) Oh, quite well, Mastah Davy! Your Grandfathah is lookin' forward to seein' you and your friends again! (Points toward a circular walk-way) Right this way, Davy! Same place as always. :)
Davy: (Nods) Right, Horace! Glad to see you again! (Drives up a cobblestone path past lush laws and gardens. The house the gardens frame isn't as large as the one in "Monkees Mind Their Manor," but is imposing enough, and far more modern, with an angular art-deco look.)
(Davy stops the MonkeeMobile at the front door. A plump, small, middle-aged woman with blonde hair pulled back in a bun and a floral housedress awaits them. Her smile is as sunny and dimpled as Peter's.)
Davy: (Gets out and kisses her cheeks) Hello, Eugenia. 'ow's me favorite girl?
(The others stop and join him, taking in all the wonderful sights.)
Lauren: *lets out a low whistle* The house is beautiful!
Eugenia: Oh, I'm just fine, Mistah Davy. (She giggles) You 'aven't changed a bit, luv. You're still the most incorragable flirt in Northern England and the colonies! (Nods at the house) Mistah Sebastian had it built in the 50s when he were workin' in television and the movies. Made a tidy sum doin' voices for the BBC and Disney, 'e did, along with appearin' on variety shows.
Davy: Aw, Eugenia, you make a boy blush!
Emma: I think I've seen some of his movies. ;)
Micky: He wouldn't happen to still have the blueprints, would he?
Eugenia: Not 'ere, but 'is solicitor may 'ave them in 'is safe. I could 'ave 'im look into them tomorrah.
Micky: *grins* That'd be great!
Eugenia: (Puts up her hands) Look at me, jabberin' on about Mastah Davy, when he aint' introduced me to all of you, and I ain't properly introduced meself, either! (Smiles) My name is Eugenia 'olmes. (Winks) No, not of the Sherlock 'olmes. I ain't nevah been much good with mysteries. Can't figure out 'eads or tails of them Mike Spillane shockers Mistah Sebastian keeps 'idden in 'is easy chair.
Davy: (Grins) I always knew Grandfathah had more lurid taste in literature than 'e let on. ;)
Mike: (Shakes her hand) Mike Nesmith, ma'am. (Tips his sunglasses) Charmed. ;)
Emma: (Sighs) Emma Redmer. (Smiles) You remind me of someone I used to know a few years ago. ;)
Eugenia: (Laughs) Oooh, we 'ave another charmah 'ere!
Peter: I'm Peter Tork. (Whispers) Well, actually, my name is Peter Thorkleson, but Tork is easier to say for the band.
Eugenia: (Whispers back with a grin) Your secret is safe with me, Mastah Petah! ;)
Lauren: *smiles* Lauren Miller.
Eugenia: Splendid, luv. Sweet young ladies, you are. (Winks at Davy) Not like all them girls Mastah Davy used to chase! 'E had them gits around at all 'ours of the night, 'e did!
Micky: Still does!
Davy: (Makes a face) 'Ow did you know that, Eugenia?
Eugenia: Word gets around, lad. ;)
Micky: *tips an imaginary hat* Micky Dolenz. *grins*
Eugenia: (Grins and ruffles Micky's hair) What lovely 'air you 'ave, luv! I've tried to get mine like that, but all I end up with is frizz and smellin' like last week's egg salad. :)
Micky: *laughs* Thanks, Eugenia! Mine just kinda does this.
Lauren: Totally uncontrollable. *grins*
Eugenia: (Shakes her head) And 'ere's me just jabberin' on when I've got a dinnah party to start preparin' for, and you kids 'ave to get ready. (Calls into the house) Pearly! 'ey, Pearly, get ovah 'ere! We need you to 'elp with the bags!
("Pearly" turns out to be a skinny-but-strong looking teenager with freckles and red hair. He's almost as tall as Mike and Micky at what couldn't be any more than 16 or 17.)
Pearly: (Shows his "pearly" whites) What you callin' for, Miss?
Davy: (Grins) Pearly O'Hamon! The last time I saw you, you weren't much taller than me!
Pearly: (Big grin gets even wider) I shot up in the last few years, Davy. (Picks up a pile of bags under each arms) Well, come on, Dave. Your granddad wants me to show you to your rooms. (Winks) You still have your old one, lad. The old man left it just as it was the last time you were here.
Micky: Except now it has dust. *grins*
Pearly: (Laughs) Miss Eugenia would have our heads if we let any part of the house get dusty! She's a very tidy woman. Keeps the house in tip-top shape.
(Eugenia has already vanished into what is likely the kitchen. They are taken past a large living room filled with art deco-style furnature and thick Oriental rugs and up a series of winding steps trimmed with metal)
*Micky eyes the stairs.*
Mike: Don't even contemplate it, boy.
Micky: Contemplate what? *grins*
Emma: Not right now, anyway. Wait until after the dinner party, when no one's looking. ;)
Micky: What's the fun if no one's watching?
Mike: What if you break some of this stuff? It would take our rent for the next five thousand years to pay for it!
Micky: I won't break anything!
Lauren: Famous last words, Mick.
Davy: Except 'is bum. ;)
Micky: I wouldn't dare injure that! *grins*
Mike: (As the enter a wide hallway) Yeah, man, you'll need it for your honeymoon! ;)
Pearly: Honeymoon?
Lauren: *mutters* I'm not with him.
Pearly: (Shakes his head) No, you girls get this room. Used to belong to one of Davy's sisters 'afore she got married. (Lauren takes her bag from his arm; Emma's been carrying hers) Micky, you room with Davy 'cross the hall.
*Micky grins at Davy.*
Emma: (Groans) That might be too close for comfort. (To Davy) Do the doors in this place lock?
Davy: (Winks) Double-bolted, and there's a state-of-the-art security system. ;)
Lauren: I'm not sure that even that could stop him.
Pearly: (Nods at Micky as he and Davy take their bags) The curly-haired guy is a randy little bugger, ain't he?
Mike: That doesn't describe the half of it, Pearly. ;)
Lauren: More like like a randy git! *grins*
Micky: Moi? And it's randy scouse git, babe. *smirks*
Davy: (Grins) That's right, you wrote that song the last time we went over to England, to visit some old friends of mine in London. (Grins) You never did tell Mike and I what you and Petah did during that party, man. ;)
Mike: They probably don't remember. ;)
Micky: Uhh...I was told I had a good time. *scratches his head*
Peter: (Puts out his hands) Me, too. All I remember is having a headache the next morning. :p
Micky: I don't even remember the headache.
Emma: (Rolls her eyes and opens the door to hers and Lauren's room) Well, we know what to keep you boys away from at the party tonight. ;)
Mike: (Follows Pearly down the hall) Yeah, everything but punch.
Micky: *calls out* Party poopers!
Peter: (Grins) I think it's kind of fun not remembering. :D
Emma: (Sighs) Come on, guys, let's get ready for the party. Then we'll reminince over old times. ;) (Walks in the room, followed by Lauren. The good-sized room has a queen-sized bed covered with a pink and white floral quilt and a ruffled bedslip with matching canopy. The thick carpet is pink and purple, and the furnature is white wicker with pink-and-purple pillows. Pictures, books, and magazines are stacked neatly on shelves near the bed, and a pink-and-purple chair sits near a window, with more books, a TV on a stand, and a record player. There's a stack of records on another shelf. Emma drops her bag and plops on the bed.)
Lauren: *drops her bag* This room is gorgeous!
Emma: I hate, hate, HATE pink, but at least the bed is soft. (Sighs)
Lauren: *grins* Not my first choice for colors, but I LOVE the layout. *grins*
Emma: We should probably get ready for that dinner party. (Goes into her bag) I've never been to a fancy dinner party before. I wonder what I should wear? (Sighs) I guess I could get away with what I'm wearing for the wedding...(indicates a garment bag draped over her teal bag)
Lauren: Well, Dave said it wasn't THAT fancy.
Emma: (Winks) Are you going to wear leather? ;)
Lauren: *doubles over laughing and falls on the bed; she sits up, composed* How'd you know? *grins*
Emma: 'Cause I'm just good! ;)
Lauren: *hold ups her hands* I'm kidding! ;-)
Emma: Awww! I'm sure Mick would be happy! ;)
Lauren: I'm sure he would, too. *winks and searches through her stuff* I don't know what I want to wear, actually...
(Emma pulls out a pretty, peachy-pink dress with a lace collar and buttons running down the front. The dress is covered with purple-and-white flowers and Swiss polka-dots.)
Emma: (Smiles) What do you think? I was going to wear it for the wedding, too. :)
Lauren: *smiles* It's beautiful! *whistles appreciatively*
Emma: (Grins) Thanks! I hope it fits. I haven't worn it for a while, since my sister's high school graduation. :">
Lauren: If only I could find something. I may hate dresses, but it's when I need to dress up that it bites me in the butt.
Emma: Wear dress pants.
Lauren: *starts flinging clothes out of her bag* I just have to find them.
Emma: (Ducks clothes) Hey, watch that! I don't want to end up like Micky's drum! 8-|
Lauren: Oops, sorry, Em! *blushes* I think I'm starting to fall apart, though. *pauses* The leather is very tempting right now...
(Emma goes into her bag)
Emma: Shoes, shoes... (Looks up) Didn't Davy say you could wear a pantsuit?
Lauren: Don't get me started on shoes. (She groans) I just can't find anything! *straightens* Waitaminute. I wonder if...
Emma: I'm going into the bathroom to change. (Indicates a door in the wall opposite the bed) Don't wait up for me. ;)
Lauren: I got something to take care of... *yells* MICKY!!
*Lauren leaves the room and crosses the hall. She pounds on the door.*
Lauren: I know you're in there!
Micky: (Pops his head out - he's shirtless and holding a shirt in one hand) You rang, oh great and powerful Queen of my heart? ;)
Davy: (From in the room) What she want, Mick?
Lauren: Yes, I rang, and I'm gonna ring your neck! What'd you do with my bag of dress clothes?
Micky: (Scratches his head) It should be with your stuff...or maybe...(pops back in the room. Sound of shuffling. When he pops back out again, he's sheepishly holding her bag)
Lauren: Thought so. *takes the bag* Hey, is this heavier than it was? *gives him a questioning look*
Micky: I thought it was the bag with my comic books in it. (Innocent, which he's not very good at) It is? I didn't know that. ;)
Lauren: *sighs* Never mind. *turns* I'm going to change now. *crosses back to her room*
Micky: Can I watch? ;)
Lauren: *stops in the doorway, smiles sweetly* Not yet. Bye! *closes the door*
Micky: (To himself) Darn! (Pops back in)
Emma: (From the bathroom) Did you get what you needed from Mick?
Lauren: *shakes her head* Yeah. Just what I thought, he had my other bag. *plops the bag on the bed & opens it* Oh, good grief...
Emma: (Leaves the bathroom - she now wears the dress and strappy brown low-heeled sandals with her hair in a bun) Now what?
Lauren: *pulls out a lavender, leather jumpsuit* Who mentioned this earlier? *rolls her eyes and finally pulls out dress pants and a button-up shirt* About time.
Emma: (Nearly falls over laughing) Actually, I don't remember anymore. Might have been Davy. ;)
Lauren: Well, it was Mick's brain that imagined it in here, I know that.
Emma: If it was Dave, we wouldn't be wearing anything. ;)
Lauren: *quirks an eyebrow and gives herself a once over* NOT a good idea. *grins, heading for the bathroom*
Emma: No, the guys are panting enough as it is. ;)
Lauren: Don't you mean drooling? ;-)
(Emma switches on the TV as Lauren changes)
Emma: (Giggles) Both. ;) (Makes a face at the TV) Oh, man, just news. I hate the news. :p
Lauren: *comes out moments later, changed* This is the other reason I like pants. They're easy to change into. :-)
(Emma settles in the chair, shaking her head.)
Announcer: (As Lauren comes out) ...and in local news today, a series of suspicious accidents have rocked the Plaisir Media Corporation, manufacturers of TVs, radios, and film cameras. Inspector Franfurt Shrink, head foreman of the Plaisir Company, says that the reports have been grossly exaggerated and that production in the Plaisir Factories, the largest of which is located here in Manchester, will continue as normal. (Shuffles some pages) Inspector Shrink stated that the Plaisir Media Corporation is going to be introducing its newest product to the world within the next few days, and that this product will revolutionize the media industry as we know it. (Turns the page) And now for sports and tomorrow's weather...
(There's a knock on the door as the news switches over to soccer scores. Emma turns the TV off and Lauren opens the door.)
Emma: (Smiles) Hey, guys. Ready for the party?
Peter: (He wears his blue and brown vest outfit from some of the second season videos...with no mark on his cheek) I'm all ready! And this time, I want to REMEMBER what I did at the party! ;)
Lauren: Good idea, Peter. *smiles*
Mike: (Kisses Emma's cheek - he wears his brown suit from parts of "Head") You look wonderful, Em, like a pretty peach from Grandfather's garden. :x
Micky: *looks over Lauren's outfit, wrapping an arm around her shoulders* Well?
Davy: (He's the only one really dressed up in his red silk jacket and dress pants) Well, come on. Some of the guests have already arrived!
Lauren: *punches him in the arm* If you think I'm wearing that in public, you've got another thing comin'!
(Emma giggles again)
Micky: In private?
Davy: (Grins and lightly punches Mick in the shoulder) Man, you didn't! ;)
Micky: *grins* I did!
Peter: Didn't what?
Lauren: *gives Micky a playful shove* You're nuts!
Mike: You didn't really imagine her up a leather catsuit so she could look like Diana Rigg! :p
*Micky nods proudly, over exaggerated, of course.*
Lauren: *calls out* I'm going to the party now!
Mike: (Crosses his arms as Davy bursts out laughing and the others follow Lauren) Boy, what did I say about your hormones? (He and Davy finally catch up)
Micky: *shrugs* It's for later. *grins*
Davy: Come on, the reception is probably in the main parlour. (Davy puts his arm around Mick and says quietly) Don't worry, mate. We'll find a reason for 'er to wear that catsuit. Maybe we could do "Mission: Ridiculous" again! ;)
Micky: *quietly* Good thinkin', Dave. *winks*
(About a dozen people stand in a small room that opens into the gorgeous garden. All are talking and sipping punch or cocktails. The women wear fashionable silk pantsuits or simple, elegant gowns. The men wear good suits and tuxes. Most are older folks, but there are some people under 40 wandering amid the elderly folks.)
Grandfather Sebastian: Davy, my boy! (Takes Davy and hugs him) How are you? I'm sorry I couldn't meet you here, but I was called away on buisness. My friend Maxwell Stanton is with people who are investigating these nasty happenings at the Plaisir factories. (Nods at the group) Ah, it's nice to see you boys again (smiles at the girls and kisses each of their hands in turn) but I don't recall these lovely ladies.
Davy: (Smiles) Oh, sorry, Grandfathah. These are Lauren Miller (nods at her) and Emma Redmer, our good friends and roommates.
Grandfather: (Raises his eyebrows) Boys rooming with girls? Without parental supervision? (Shakes his head) Highly irregular!
Lauren: Actually, sir, we live in the basement, away from them.
Mike: (Shakes his head) Not that irregular. The girls needed a place to stay, and you know how big our place is. They help us pay the rent.
Davy: (Grins) Now we're only six months behind instead of eight. ;)
(A young woman and an older man join Grandfather and the kids. The woman is in her late 20s-early 30s, tall and shapely, with long reddish-blonde hair, a delicately featured, high-cheekboned face, and breasts that jiggle in her tight, high-cut white evening gown. Long eyelashes frame large, sly blue eyes.)
Grandfather: (Frowns) Mrs. Plaisir, you're being most rude!
Mrs. Plaisir: (Smiles and takes Sebastian's hand) Why, good evening, Sebastian. (Eyes the four boys and purs seductively) Aren't you going to introduce me to your new (smiles radiantly) friends?
*Lauren growls quietly. Micky puts a hand on her shoulder.*
Davy: (His grin is even larger than hers - he kisses her hand) Why, I'm surprised Grandfathah hasn't mentioned me before. I'm David Jones, his grandson. I've been in America (grins), but I'm here visitin' him.
Mike: (Glares as Emma takes him protectively) Davy, you promised to cool it with the chicks.
(Poor Peter only blushes)
Davy: I lied. (Looks up - and up - into her blue eyes) Darling, you are the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on.
Mike: (Mutters, to Emma) Today.
(Emma giggles)
*Lauren grins as Micky tries to hold in his laugh.*
Grandfather: (As a gong rings) Mrs. Plaisir, this is my grandson, David Jones.
Micky: *whispers to Lauren* If I'd had a drink, I think that gong would've just made me spill it.
Mrs. Plaisir: Lady, Sebastian darling. How many times do I have to remind you? My late husband, the Lord Plaisir, left me all his holdings in his will.
*Lauren shakes her head, still grinning.*
Lady Plaisir: (Eyes Micky and pats his cheek, then runs her eyes over Mike and Peter. Peter ducks behind MIke and Mike and Emma both glare poisoned swords) You're quite attractive, Curlylocks. (Runs her finger through his hair) And you must tell me how you get your hair to do that! I can't do a thing with mine! (Flips her red-gold mane over one shoulder seductively.)
Micky: *forces a grin* I don't do anything to it, thank you.
*Lauren clenches her fists and tries not to explode right then and there.*
Older Man: (He's bald as an egg and wears thick spetacles) Lady Plaisir, we really should be getting along to the dinner party.
Lady Plaisir: (Smiles) Yes, shouldn't we? (Smiles and tugs at Mike's sunglasses - he pushes her hand away. Peter has to take Emma's arm before she jumps at her.)
Lady Plaisir: It's most unusual to wear sunglasses indoors, Mr...
Mike: Nesmith, lady. NES-smith. I wear them because they keep the hair out of my face (glares) and away from unwanted visitors.
Lady Plaisir: (Pats his cheek) I wouldn't say that, cutie. (Mike growls and take a furious Emma's arm as she moves to Peter, who has been trying to hide in the crowd) Why so shy, luv?
Peter: (Shakes his head) These fancy parties really aren't my bag.
Lady Plaisir: (Chuckles) Aren't my bag...oh, isn't it amusing, the slang you American use? (Fingers his beads) These are quite lovely. You must tell me the jewelers you bought them from. (Starts running her fingers against Peter's partially bare chest)
Peter: I...I....I...(Davy pulls her away before she can get any further down Pete's chest)
Davy: Come on, luv. Why don't we go to dinner? (Steers her to the dinner table.)
Mike: (Turns to Peter) You ok, Pete?
Emma: Other than the obvious.
Peter: Oh, man, Mike, she was so close, I could smell her perfume! It's kind of fruity.
Emma: And so is she. :p
Lauren: *grumbles, sarcastically* Charming woman.
Micky: And there's still something else odd about her.
Mike: She gets any more obvious, and she'd actually be throwing herself on us.
Emma: Yeah. There's something not quite right about all this.
Peter: Oh, man, don't say that. Every time someone says that, we get in big trouble. :(
Lauren: I wouldn't mind a piece of her.
Mike: She ever touches my cheek like that again and I'll shove that dress up her rear so hard, she'll have to go to the next county to use the facilities! :p
Emma: I'll take the other piece, Lauren. X-(
Micky: I'll take whatever's left, if anything.
Emma: Come on, let's go eat. Maybe we can get more clues at the dinner. (Snaps her fingers hard and takes Lauren aside as the others head for the dining room) Lauren!
Lauren: What?
Emma: On the news! The factory! Do you remember the name?
Lauren: Umm... *light bulb* Yeah, Plaisir!
Emma: She must be the factory's owner! And the bald guy...he's Inspector Shrink, the head foreman!
Lauren: A lovely couple. *growls*
Emma: Just peachy. (Makes a face) There IS something weird going on down at that factory. I'd bet anything on it.
Lauren: *nods* And I'd bet more than that. But what?
Emma: That part, I don't know yet. Plaisir...(thinks) "plaisir" means "pleasure" in French.
Lauren: Yeah, I figured THAT out.
Emma: Wait. Didn't they say they were going to unveil some kind of new product?
Lauren: Yeah, what the heck...
Emma: There's got to be more to this.
Mike: (From in the dining room) Hey, are you girls comin' along to dinner or what?
Emma: We're coming, Mike! (Nods at Lauren and heads for the dining room) Come on, Lauren. Let's get some answers, before the not-so-ladylike Lady Plaisir attempts to make monkeys out of our Monkees again! :p
Lauren: I'm with you, Em!
(And the girls hurry after the boys and finally join the party guests.)