Emma: Ok, gang, everyone ready?
Lauren: You bet!
Mike: Yup. :)
Peter: I'm ready!
Micky: Of course!
Davy: Same here. :)
(Eugenia meets the group at the door.)
Eugenia: 'allo, luvs! I'm glad you're home! You're just in time for tea! Your grandfathah is 'oldin' it in the garden. 'E 'as guests 'ere. (Makes a face) The Lady Plaisir and those bloody thugs she calls bodyguards. :p
Micky: *groans* Wonderful.
Davy: (Makes a face) What's she want with Grandfathah?
Eugenia: She says it's a social call. (Rolls her eyes as she leads the kids out to the garden) Social call me old man's livah! She's snoopin' 'round aftah somethin', she is! She and those toughs are up to somethin', and I'll bet it ain't their armpits.
Mike: (Rubs his head) I am not in the mood for that woman to try to crawl into my lap.
Micky: Or trying to run from her.
Emma: She tries to crawl into your lap, and she'll have to try to find her lap in the next county.
Davy: (Nods) We won't let 'er get near eithah of you.
Lauren: You don't even wanna know what I'll do to her. *narrows her eyes*
Peter: I don't like her, either. She gives me really funny vibes. Not exactly negative, but...strong.
(The six follow Eugenia out to the garden, down winding paths filled with summer flowers of all kinds and beautiful ornamental shrubbery. Grandfather Sebastian, Lady Noira Plaisir, and a large, black-haired man in a tailored, gaudy suit sit at a black wire frame table with a frosted glass top and matching, art-deco sunburst chairs. Lady Plaisir wears an elaborate "garden party" dress, complete with frills and a huge, wide-brimmed hat trimmed with daisies. Lady Plaisir's look when the group joins them is almost predatory...until Sebastian notices her, after which she tones it down to a big smile.)
Peter: (Eyes widen and face pales; he grabs Mike's sleeve) Michael, that's him! (Points at the man in the gaudy-but-well-tailored suit) That's the man I saw in the factory this morning! He was watching us!
Mike: (Waves his hand to quiet Peter) Shh, Pete. Don't let on that you know it was him.
Lady Plaisir: (Holds out her hand - only Davy takes it and kisses it) Well, well, it's so nice to see you all again! And how was the trip to the factory this morning? Did you enjoy it?
Peter: It was scary!
Mike: (Elbows Peter) It was real interestin', Lady Plaisir. You've got an amazin' operation goin' on down there.
Lady Plaisir: I can't imagine what in the world would scare your friend. Perhaps he thought he saw something in the shadows?
Peter: But I did....
(Mike elbows him again, this time harder.)
Micky: *mutters* Perhaps...
Sebastian: Oh, I forgot to introduce you to our friend. (Waves his hand at the large, tan man in the gaudy suit, who gives them another toothpaste smile) This is Vincent Martinelli, Lady Plaisir's head bodyguard and one of her most trusted advisors.
Martinelli: (Nods and puts out his hand; Mike shakes it. He speaks with an American accent) Nice to meet you kids. Mr. Jones and Her Ladyship have told me so much about you.
Sebastian: Would you all like to sit down and join us? We're enjoying tea, lemon biscuits, and ham sandwiches. (Holds out a lemon "biscuit" - what Americans call a cookie.)
Micky: Gladly!
Lauren: *mutters* Food glutton.
Lady Plaisir: It's really all quite marvelous. Eugenia is a fabulous cook. I've often thought of hiring her away from Sebastian.
Sebastian: (Shakes his head) Eugenia is a treasure, Lady Plaisir, and treasures aren't easy to find. (Smiles and nods at Davy as the group pull up chairs or settle on wrought-iron benches surrounding the patio) Take my grandson, for instance. Davy is a wonderful boy. He's as smart as a whip, handsome, and a marvel with equines. :)
Davy: (Grins as he takes a cup of tea) Aw, Grandfathah, I've gone bright red! :D
Sebastian: And he has such a wonderful group of devoted friends! Davy's written me about some of their adventures. Do you know they once rounded up an entire group of Mexican bandits?
Lady Plaisir: (Interested) Did they?
Davy: It were mostly Micky. The blaggarts captured me when I fell for one of their girls.
Lady Plaisir: (Beams at Micky) Courageous, talented, and handsome! My, my, Mr. Dolenz, you are an extraordinary fellow.
Micky: *gulps* It was nothing. Really.
Mike: (Clears his throat) Peter, Micky, and I dressed as bandits and got Davy away from them. (Makes a face) We wouldn't have been there in the first place if Micky's "magic fingers" hadn't been playing with the engine right before we left. :p
Lauren: *smirks* Three Amigoes, they were. ;-)
Micky: It was making a weird noise, Mike!
Davy: Mike's got a point, Mick. It were only makin' a weird noise because you were tryin' to add more horsepower.
Micky: The thing was coughing trying to drive up a hill!
Lady Plaisir: You work with cars? My husband collected cars!
Mike: I've always loved cars. Where I come from, Lady, cars mean freedom.
Micky: *rolls his eyes* I just tinker with cars. Nothing too major.
Martinelli: I'm rather fond of the sleek 30s models myself. Phaetons, Studebakers, stuff like that.
Lady Plaisir: (Smiles) Actually, Sebastian, I'm here because I wanted to ask your grandson and his male friends if they wanted to take part in a very special experiment. The Plaisir labs are working on some new kinds of TV sets, ones with the sharpest picture and sound yet seen, and we thought you boys would like to help us. (Smiles demurely)
Sebastian: I don't think that's a good idea, Lady Plaisir.
Martinelli: It's perfectly harmless, Sebastian. They'll just have to watch a few things on the TV, maybe listen to some BBC radio shows. Nothing that will cause them any pain.
Lady Plaisir: Sebastian, my business is pleasure, not pain. Plaisir Media only wishes to make the world a more enjoyable, beautiful, and happier place to live.
Davy: I don't think I'd be interested in bein' a lab rat, Lady Plaisir. And I doubt the fellas would, either.
Peter: Would I have to eat cheese?
Lady Plaisir: Would I have to...(giggles)...oh my, you do amuse me, my boy! One never knows what will come out of your mouth!
Peter: (City-lighting grin) Thank you! :D
Mike: I don't fancy being anyone's test animal myself, Lady Plaisir.
Micky: Thanks, but no thanks.
Martinelli: It would only be for a few hours, and then we'll return you to Sebastian's estate and your lovely ladies.
Mike: If the girls don't do it, we don't do it.
Micky: That's right.
Emma: Why don't you want women?
Lady Plaisir: The tests are specifically for the male mind...male population only. We're not interested in females.
Emma: Isn't that a bit chauvenistic?
Martinelli: That's the breaks, young lady.
Lauren: Excuse me?
Mike: Sorry, but the answer is no.
Peter: I hate taking tests, and I don't really want to be a rat. I'd never fit in the hole!
Lady Plaisir: You would be helping to make the world a happier, more pleasureable place to live in!
Mike: We do that enough with our music, thank you.
Micky: And no means no.
Lady Plaisir: But...
Martinelli: (Smiles his wide, phony toothpaste smile) Noira, he said no. Don't bother the kids. They don't want in on one of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of media.
Davy: Lady Plaisir, you can sell your idea until you turn the colors of the blue and pink daisies, but the answer will still be the same. We're not interested in bein' your toys. (Sets down his cup of tea with a loud clink)
Emma: And that's our final answer.
*Lauren snickers.*
Lady Plaisir: Well, I never! Of all the... (Turns to Sebastian and purrs) Sebastian, surely you can talk some sense into the children?
Sebastian: (Shakes his head) I'm afraid I'm on my grandson's side. It's almost impossible to change his mind about something once he's made it up. I don't like Davy or his friends being at that factory of yours, either. This morning was bad enough.
Lady Plaisir: (Pouts) You've been believing the news again, Sebastian.
Sebastian: The news may not be entirely impartial or always correct, but they tend to be a bit more trustworthy than certain other parties.
Martinelli: Lady Plaisir always gives her word.
Mike: And I'll bet that word is always "sex." ;) :D
*Micky smirks, snickering.*
Lady Plaisir: (Slams her teacup on her saucer so hard, she almost breaks the cup) I ain't 'ad a single bloomin'... (reigns in her temper and her accent; clears her throat) Why would you even think I would imagine such a thing? I only had your better interests and the better interests of the media at heart.
Mike: Your Ladyship, the only things in your heart are money and sex, if you even have a heart. I don't think you really care about helping people or helping us. You only want to expand Plaisir Media Corporation and get in our pants, and not in that order.
Emma: (Grins and whispers) Well said, Mr. Nesmith.
Mike: (Grins) Thanks, Miss Redmer.
*Lauren mock claps.*
Lady Plaisir: (Throws her cup across the patio - it shatters against the trunk of a large oak tree shading the furniture) You bastard! No one talks to Lady Noira Plaisir that way! I ain't done nothin' to 'arm you, and you attack me like that.
Sebastian: (Glares) Noira, just because I'm an old man doesn't mean I don't know your reputation and haven't noticed the way you've gone after my grandson and his male friends since their arrival.
Martinelli: (Stands and takes Lady Plaisir's shoulder) Your Ladyship, we really ought to be going. We've got pressing business at the factory.
Micky: I'll bet it's pressing. *smirks*
Lady Plaisir: (Angrily pushes over the table; everyone scatters as lemon biscuits, tea, glass, and ham sandwiches fly everywhere) I'll get even with all of you! I'll show you the true powah of the media...and how much pleasure pain can truly give! (Storms out, Martinelli ambling behind her)
Lauren: *sarcastically* That went rather well.
Emma: (Everyone is unharmed, but she was a bit splashed with tea) And people say I've got a violent temper.
(A large group of young girls, led by a tall, thin boy with Asian coloring and dark hair, scurry over and begin cleaning up the mess.)
Darien: (Cockney accent) Coo-ee, w'at 'appened 'ere? Looks like a bloody 'urricane blew ovah, it does!
Blonde Maid: We 'eard Lady Plaisir screamin' somethin' awful. She didn't sound like herself.
Sebastian: (Shakes his head) I'm afraid it was Hurricane Plaisir that blew through, Darien. She got into a frightful temper when Davy and the boys wouldn't do some kind of experiment.
Micky: She couldn't stand listening to the truth.
Mike: (Crosses his arms) And I have the feeling she did sound like herself. All her money can buy her culture, but it can't buy her brains or real class.
Lauren: Besides, you can't take the gutter out of the girl. *winks*
Maid with Short Black Hair: (Bends over to pick up the smashed biscuits) It's well known she can be a bit of a brat, but I've never heard her go off like that.
Emma: She got refused.
Short, Blonde-Haired Maid: Oh, that would explain it, then. The Lady 'ates bein' refused, 'specially by 'andsome gentlemen like all of you.
Emma: (Looks around) I don't see any gentlemen! ;)
*Lauren laughs.*
Blonde Maid: (Grins dreamily at the boys) I disagree. Davy's a right gentlemen, 'e is, and I'll bet the others are just as lovely.
Mike: Then there ain't no ladies here, either. ;)
Lauren: *glances at Micky, then glares at Mike* Then we're even, aren't we? *winks*
Peter: (Bends over to help a little, delicate black-haired girl who is struggling with a pile of unbroken plates) Oh, here, let me take that!
Little Maid: Thank you! (Smiles) I'm 'Olly. (Points at a tall maid who helps the boy sweep up the glass) That's me sistah, Trista.
Lauren: *smiles* Maybe one gentleman...
Peter: (Blushes) Awww...
Sebastian: (Smiles) Why don't we cheer everyone up? I would so like to hear all of you play again. I wish you'd played for me when I was in the States, Davy. You really are fine performers.
Davy: (Smiles) We didn't think of it until aftah you'd already left, Grandfathah. (To the others) 'Ey, guys, since this is me Grandfathah's 'ome and my imagination, mind if I choose the romp? ;)
Mike: Nothin' too kiddie, Davy.
Davy: 'Course not, Michael. (Smiles) I've been wantin' to do a real musical number, like in the old MGM pictahs and Jessie Matthews dance movies. (Grins) 'ow 'bout "Daddy's Song?" ;)
Emma: Why not? I love those old musicals. :)
Lauren: Perfect choice!
Mike: (Grins) Kinda like that song. Reminds me of those 78s I got a while back.
Micky: And played until our ears almost bled. *grins*
Mike: You just don't got no appreciation for history, Mick. ;)
Emma: I LOVE those 78s!
Micky: Oh, but I do, Mike. Just not repeatedly... over and over and over again...
(Davy starts the song before the arguement can go further. Davy's starts it singing alone in the garden, with the band behind him on the patio. He's joined by one maid after another, dancing with each of them in turn all over the garden. Peter plays on the piano while Trista and Holly lean over it appreciatively. Emma even gets Mike into a quick, comic dance solo (he's not overly thrilled and Emma has to drag him into it), and Micky happily spins Lauren around the enormous rose garden. The dance finally ends with Davy alone in front of the instruments, then dancing with the maids, who swing their brooms and flower-filled wicker baskets in time to the music, joined by the others. Even Sebastian is briefly pulled into the dance by the maids. His clapping from a wire chair ends the romp.)
Sebastian: Marvelous, children, just marvelous! That was the most fun I've had in quite a long time!
Emma: Made me feel like Jane Powell...(grins at Mike)...even if my Howard Keel is a bit reluctant. ;)
Mike: Em, I've told you a thousand times, I hate dancin'! I'm awful at it! I'm all knees and feet!
Emma: And such nice knees and feet, too. ;)
Lauren: *chuckles* And to think Mick's said that he's got a hang-up with his feet.
Micky: Well...
Peter: Mike, you didn't seem to mind it when we had to take those dancing lessons!
Mike: That's because we were roped into that, Pete. I didn't have much of a choice.
Sebastian: (Looks at his watch) Dinner's not for a few hours, and I have to travel into Scotland for a few hours on business. Will you kids be all right here? Stanton said he'd have people watching the house.
Davy: We should be fine, Grandfathah. We've got the whole household full of servants, and the six of us. Don't cancel your trip on our account!
Sebastian: I'm just a bit worried, that's all. Noira Plaisir is not a woman to leave off something lightly.
Peter: We always watch out for each other, Grandfather!
Micky: You bet we do!
Davy: I understand that you're worried, Grandfathah, and I can't say I blame you, but we're practically a family. You remembah how the guys came after me at the airport. We take care of each other.
Emma: Trust me, Mr. Jones, if we lose even one of these guys, the rest of us will be on their trail like bloodhounds in an instant.
Davy: Or like a bear and a wolf! ;)
Mike: (Looks at Micky with a grin) Or a werewolf. ;)
*Micky grins widely.*
Emma: And if anyone messes with this mother bear's cubs, (puts out her long fingers), she has no problem unsheaving her claws.
Lauren: And you don't want to be on the receiving end of that. ;-)
Peter: Trust us. It's not nice. ;)
Sebastian: (Chuckles) Well, I'll take your word for it. (Looks at his watch) I have a train to catch. (Waves his hand around the garden) You have free reign of the house while I'm gone. Davy knows his way around. Eugenia can make you a light supper in the kitchen, as dinner will be late, mostly leftovers from last night.
Mike: That's ok, Grandfather. We've got Micky's desserts from that diner if we get hungry. ;)
Micky: Or what's left of them. *grins*
Emma: Micky, you weren't eating them in the car, were you?
Lauren: Why do you think he was so quiet? *smirks*
Davy: As long as the sundae didn't take off again. ;)
Micky: No, it didn't! And I didn't make a mess, either. *smiles proudly*
(That gets a laugh from everyone and a raised eye from Grandfather.)
Davy: Long, long story about the sundae, Grandfathah.
Sebastian: (Smiles) Well, they'll be plenty of time to explain everything when I get home.
Darien: (Calls out) Car's all ready for ya, guvnah! Pearly's dyin' to be drivin' the beauty! ;)
Sebastian: Well, in that case, we don't want to keep Pearly waiting, do we now? (Smiles at the group) Why don't you all enjoy this lovely afternoon in the garden? There are some truly beautiful ornamental fountains, and the rose garden is particuarly spectacular this year. (Winks at Lauren and Micky) It's particuarly nice for a romantic rendezvous for a couple in love. ;) (Walks out of the garden; maids continue to bustle in and out during the scene)
Lauren: That does sound rather nice.
Micky: We just might have to take up that suggestion. *smiles at Lauren*
Mike: Your grandfather's groovy, Davy.
Davy: Yeah. I wish things 'ad gone bettah when 'e came over to the pad, but 'e seems to be all right about me livin' in the colonies now.
Emma: (Takes Mike's hand) I want to see those ornamental fountains! (They walk off hand in hand)
Mike: (Looks over his shoulder with a smirk) Don't wait up for us, kiddies. ;)
Micky: *waves* We won't! *takes Lauren's hand* C'mon, babe, let's check out the roses!
Lauren: *returns the smile* You got it!
Emma: (As they walk down the tree-lined path) I heard that, Mr. Nesmith. You know how I feel...(her voice fades as they walk off in search of fountains)
Davy: (Two maids, one with long black hair, the other with blonde hair pulled back with a red ribbon, stroll by, carrying flower baskets) I think I know what fair flowers I'm goin' aftah tonight. ;) (Pursues the maids. Peter remains at the piano, playing "For Pete's Sake.")
(This launches us into another, briefer romp, "I'll Be True To You," as we see a montage of the group in various parts of the garden. Emma and Mike play in the fountains, splashing each other and chasing each other. Micky and Lauren cuddle by the roses, sniffing them. Micky picks one rose and puts it in Lauren's hair, and they kiss. Peter continues to play the song at the piano, sometimes joined by Darien and the maids. We return to Micky and Lauren, who are still kissing, as the song ends.)
Micky: (As the song ends, he pulls away) Oh, man, Grandfather was right. This place is great for a romantic rendezvous. You look so gorgeous, with the afternoon sunlight on your hair and the roses and everything.
Lauren: Awe, Mick, you're making me blush. *pauses* It's true, though. This garden is gorgeous. It kinda...does something to you. *smiles*
Micky: Yeah. Suddenly, the wedding doesn't seem close enough. I want to spend my whole life like this, just you, me, and roses. :x
Lauren: Awwwe, I'm gonna be one big puddle in a moment. *pauses* You don't suppose we could hold the ceremony here, do you?
Micky: Hell, might not be a bad idea, if you don't mind getting married in England. This place is amazing. It's so full of life. Everything's in bloom. It looks like the "Disneyland" color shows. I half expect Donald Duck and Ludwig Von Drake to pop up somewhere and start explaining the meaning of the universe. Crayola ain't got nothin' on this place. ;)
Lauren: *laughs* I'd love it! Then we can hold a party for everyone back at the pad.
Micky: I'll bet Grandfather knows a priest who'll marry us for free. (Grins) And Em won't have to worry about begging her friend for the flowers. I know the guys all brought their wedding clothes, anyway.
Lauren: Em brought her dress... *smiles dreamily* I can't believe I'm getting gushy over all this!
Micky: Me, either. I always thought Pete was the romantic in our group. ;)
Lauren: Doesn't seem it anymore. ;-)
(Davy comes in at that moment, with two maids - the one with the red ribbon and another blonde with two pigtails that go almost all the way down her back and a dreamy smile)
Davy: 'ere you are, luvs. I were wonderin' where you wandered off to. (Smiles) These are me girls. I've known them since we was tykes. Red Ribbon is Mattie, and Meatball 'ead is Serena. ;)
Mattie: Oh, Davy! ;)
Serena: (Whines) Don't call me Meatball 'ead!
Lauren: Meatball Head?
Mattie: On nice occasions, Serena puts her hair in these two buns on the top o' 'er 'ead. I've been tryin' to get 'er to teach me 'ow to do it, but I don't 'ave enough 'air.
Serena: It's an old family secret. ;)
Micky: *takes a look at Lauren's hair* I bet she could do that!
Davy: They look like little meatballs, or those Japanese dumplin's.
Lauren: One bun is fine, Mick. *grins*
Davy: The ladies and I are goin' back to the 'ouse. I think the others are still out and about in the garden. Pete's finishin' that song 'e's been workin' on, and I ain't seen Em and Mike around.
Lauren: *smiles* I'm sure they're around somewhere.
Davy: Probably either kissin' or killin' each other under a tree somewhere. ;)
Micky: Or both. *winks*
Davy: (Looks up at the lengthening shadows) I'm going to 'ave a chat with these lovely ladies, then go see Eugenia 'bout suppah. We could probably just 'ave some leftover biscuits and cold 'am sandwiches, since 'urricane Plaisir spoiled the ones at tea.
Mattie: (Makes a face) She is a nasty bitch, ain't she?
Serena: (Frowns) Mattie, that ain't nice language!
Lauren: *narrows her eyes* But true!
Mattie: Well, she is! She ruined a perfectly good tea, and all 'cause she behaved like a spoiled three-year-old who fussed because 'er mum wouldn't let 'er have the toy she wanted. :p
Davy: As much as I 'ate to say this about any woman, I agree with Mattie. She acted absolutely crackers at tea. That's no way to get someone to do what you want them to.
Micky: That chick is absolutely flipped! *shakes his head*
Serena: Flipped? She turned ovah?
Micky: Uh...crazy?
Mattie: No, 'Rena. She didn't get turned ovah, the table did. She got really angry.
Serena: Oh. She did that? She is crackers, then! She wasted all that lovely food!
Mattie: Serena will eat anythin' in the 'ouse, she will. Drives Eugenia absolute insane. ;)
Serena: I do not!
Lauren: Why does this sound familiar? *grins at Micky*
Micky: You couldn't possibly mean me? *attempts to look innocent, but gives up and grins evilly*
Davy: You sure you ain't related to 'im?
Serena: (Shakes her head) Not that I know of. (Smiles) Though he does seem like a nice guy.
Mattie: (Notices Lauren's look) Don't worry, luv! Serena's engaged to Darien!
Serena: (Dreamily) 'e's the only man for me!
Lauren: *holds up her hands* Just making sure. *smiles*
Mattie: And I'm lookin' around before I settle. (Takes Davy's arm and smiles at him. He grins back.)
Davy: We'll let you two communicate with nature. You can come in and have suppah whenever you're up for it. :)
Lauren: You're too kind, Dave. *winks*
Mattie: (As they leave) Nice meetin' you!
Micky: *waves* Nice meeting you!
Serena: (Wiggles her fingers over her shoulder as she leaves) Bye!
Lauren: *waves* Bye!
Micky: Sweet chicks. Davy made a great catch this time. ;)
Lauren: That's for sure. ;-)
Micky: (Holds out his hand to Lauren) As much as I hate to admit it, maybe we should be getting along. I want to get some of those ham sandwiches before Davy and his newest conquests do. ;)
Lauren: *sighs, but smiles* Okay. I couldn't possibly deprive your stomach of food. *grins*
Micky: (Grins) You'd never deprive your future husband of something so precious, would you? ;)
Lauren: *notes the grin* Depends on what you actually mean by that. ;-)
Micky: (Blushes) Ahh, um, well...(takes her arm) Let's go back to the house. :">
*Lauren chuckles.*
(As the two stroll through the garden, the shadows lengthen, and the sun starts to slowly drop behind clouds of molten pastels. They finally run into Emma, who's hurrying up a path from the opposite direction, calling for Mike and Peter and looking worried.)
Emma: Mike! Pete! Mike! (Sees Micky and Lauren and hurries up to them) Have you seen Mike or Peter? I can't find them anywhere!
Lauren: Not since we were all together, no.
Emma: (sighs at her damp clothes and shoes) Mike and I were...sitting at one of the fountains, and we kind of fell in. We were on our way to the house to change clothes when Mike got into his competive moods and said he'd race me. (Grumbles) Which really isn't fair, since his legs are longer. He always wins. (Coughs) Anyway, he ran ahead of me, and by the time I caught up to where I'd last seen him, he was gone.
Micky: *with a small smirk* That goofball. *shakes his head*
Emma: I thought he might have gone to chat with Peter, but I can't find him, either. Peter's not at the piano, and Trista and Holly haven't seen him since the "I'll Be True to You" romp. None of the maids have seen them.
Lauren: I wonder where they could've gone? *scratches her head*
Emma: I'm really worried. I don't trust Stanton's "guards," especially after Lady Plaisir's blow-up at tea.
Micky: They've gotta be around here somewhere.
Emma: I hope they aren't hurt or in trouble.
Lauren: *groans* Please don't say that!
Emma: (Points in the direction of the patio) Could you two search for them around there? I'm going to go get Davy and some of the servants to help. We'll meet back at the house in an hour if we can't find them.
Lauren: Sure, thing!
Emma: (Smiles) Thanks! (Takes off in the direction of the house; Micky and Lauren go in the oppsite direction, towards the patio. It's getting darker and darker by the moment, and one by one, floodlighs blink on, and the fountains become a blaze of colored light.)
Lauren: This is some light show.
Micky: Yeah. I wonder how they do that? It looks kind of like the fireworks, only it's water. (Scratches his head)
Lauren: I don't know, but it's neat!
Micky: This is all lovely, but man, we've gotta find the guys. (Grins) Think my hog call would bring them back? ;)
Lauren: Couldn't hurt. *winks*
(Micky lets loose with the loudest "hog call" he possibly can...but while he brings everything from chickens to squirrels to swans and geese and mice running past and around him and Lauren, he brings no Mike or Peter.)
Lauren: *frowns* That brought everything except Mike and Peter.
Micky: Didn't bring any hogs, either. (Grins) Not a very good job of bringin' home the bacon, huh, babe? (Smiles weakly)
Lauren: *shakes her head, chuckling* Good one, Mick. ;-)
Micky: Man, I'm getting scared. Where are those two? Babbitt probably heard that back in California! I'll bet he's knockin' on our door right now, insisting that we have a dog in there...or a whole zoo!
Lauren: *nods, sighing* I have no doubt. *scrathces her head* I can't imagine where those two could've gone to. Why didn't they tell anyone?
Micky: I hate to bring this possibility up, but...(gulps hard)...what if Lady Plaisir's goons got them? :o
Lauren: *frowns again* Oh, I hope not!
Micky: Especially since it was Mike who set her off. No telling what she'd do to him.
Lauren: We've got to find them. They have to be here somewhere. I hope.
Micky: Guys? (Looks around - it's getting darker by the minute) This is getting really spooky, floodlights or no floodlights. (Tugs at Lauren's sleeve) Hold my hand, so I don't vanish, too! :o
Lauren: *does as he asks, gulps* I don't like this, either.
(The two walk through the increasingly dark garden. The sunlight casts dark shadows across the patio as they arrive there. The mess from earlier was thoroughly cleared away, and while the wire frame table is missing it's glass top, nothing else seems to be out of order...except for two pieces of black plastic that glitter softly in the gathering darkness, by a darkened path that leads out of the garden and to a side street.)
Micky: Lauren! Lauren! (Runs over to the two pieces of plastic) Oh, god! Lauren! Look at this!
Lauren: *runs over to him* What?
Micky: (Shows her the plastic) It's Mike's sunglasses...or was, anyway. (Shows her the parts. They've broken clean through, and one of the lenses is missing.)
Lauren: *holds a hand to the side of her head* No, this cannot be happening... *frowns*
Micky: Oh, god, Lauren. They got him. And I'll bet they got Pete, too.
Lauren: You don't think they're still here, then?
Micky: (Turns to the path) We've got to find them if they are, Lauren. And if they're not (gulps), we've got to tell the others.
Lauren: If we don't find those goons first...
Micky: (Gulps) I don't like this any more than you do, babe (takes a big breath) but we have to find the guys. (Grins weakly) If we don't get Mike back, Emma might just unsheath her claws on us. ;)
Lauren: I'm sure she will, too. We'll find them...we'll find them...
Micky: (Hesitant but brave) Well, here goes everything. (Hurries down the path, followed by Lauren. The path is darker than the patio) Man, who turned on the dark? How'd we end up in the black jungle?
Lauren: I don't know, but I wish someone would turn on the light instead of the dark.
Micky: I've heard of Darkest Africa, but Darkest England? (Scratches his head and gropes for Lauren) Babe, is that you? You're kinda far away.
Lauren: Mick?
Micky: Lauren? Hey! (Grins, briefly illuminated by a floodlight) Don't scare me like that, babe! For a moment, I thought you wandered off to whatever weird place the guys ended up in. :)
Lauren: What's with the sudden floodlight?
Micky: I don't know, but it's welcome! (Giggles, overly melodramatic) I can see! It's a miracle! (Turns and immediatly runs into a tree as rustling and voices are heard and the light is cut off) Nope, I was wrong.
Lauren: *groans* Oh, Mick, come on. This would otherwise be funny...
Micky: Who's there? (He and Lauren look around the path.) Hey, whoever's there (holds up his fists, trying to look like he has a weapon), I've got a really big fist, and I'm not afraid to use it! Come out and show yourselves, you big scaredy cats! I'm not afraid of you! I...(his voice is suddenly cut off as Lauren turns her back to search a grove of trees.)
(Lauren turns back, but the path is now empty, except for Mike's sunglasses, which Micky had dropped accidentally when claiming he had a "weapon.")
Lauren: *eyes widen, getting nervous* Mick? Okay, this really isn't funny!
(But the only response is rustling in the trees and the sound of murmurs from the various parts of the garden.)
Lauren: *very nervous* Micky? Come on... MICKY!? Oh, God, no... *turns every which direction, then screams as loud as she can* MICKY!!!
(It's now fully dark. A few birds chirp overhead, preparing for slumber, and some squirrels run past, but no Micky or Mike or Peter emerge. Lauren steps back a few inches...and feels something under her feet. She picks up the damaged sunglasses, now missing both lenses.)
Lauren: *whines, looking at what's left of the glasses* This can't be happening. I've gotta find someone. *takes off running, calling out for Micky, Mike, or Peter, but every other call is for Micky. She starts sobbing half way back*
(She hears voices, familiar ones. Emma, Davy, Darien, and several of the maids come hurrying down the path, all carrying flashlights and calling for Micky, Lauren, Mike, and Peter. Emma runs up to her friend when she sees her, worry clear in her eyes.)
Emma: Lauren! Thank god! (Notices she's alone and sobbing) Where's Micky?
Davy: And I guess you 'aven't found the othahs, either.
Lauren: *hiccupping from the running and crying* I don't know! Mick found these... *holds out the remainder of the glasses* Then he disappeared!
Emma: (Her eyes nearly pop out of her face as Davy takes Lauren in his arms and pats her on the back) Oh, dear god, no...Mike...
Davy: There, there, luv. We'll get them back. They've got to be 'ere somewhere.
Lauren: *shakes her head* That's what we thought! They're not here! There's no one around!
(The maids have been searching the perimeter of the garden. Little Holly runs up to them, her large brown-violet eyes full of sorrow and fear. She holds out a pile of brown and white beads in her palm)
Holly: Mastah Davy, Miss Lauren, I found these by the piano. They look like the ones Mistah Petah wore 'round 'is neck this aftahnoon, when 'e played 'is song about love for Trista and me.
Emma: (Strangled gasp) Oh, man, one of Peter's love bead strands.
Lauren: *quietly* This can't be happening.
Davy: (Lets go of Lauren and growls) Them blightahs! Those boys are like me brothahs, they are! (Looks at Lauren sorrowfully) And Lauren, you and Micky are practically twins, you are. :(
*Lauren whimpers.*
Emma: I know who's got them! (Starts screaming at the top of her considerable lungs, pounding the wire furniture, the trees, anything she can get her fists on that isn't living) THAT BITCH! SHE DID THIS! SHE TOOK THEM! SHE TOOK MIKE! I'LL TEAR HER PERFECT HEAD OFF AND THROW IT IN THE SHREDDERS WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON HER! I'LL SHOW HER CLAWS SO HARD, SHE'LL BE BREATHING OUT HER NECK! (Finally collapses on a wire chair, sobbing)
Serena: Oh my god! She's gone bloomin' crackers, she has! (Runs behind the very tall Trista, quivering with fear)
Holly: (Quietly) She's got quite a temper.
Davy: And you ain't really seen it in action yet.
Emma: Lady Plaisir did this. (Grits her teeth) The guys turned her down, so she took them anyway. (Does a whiny imitation of Lady Plaisir's faux-cultured accent between gritted teeth and sobs) "I'll get even with you! I'll show you all the true powah of the media!" (Puts her head in her hand and sobs) Mike...guys...
Trista: We've got to get all of you back to the 'ouse before Mastah Sebastian comes back and finds out what's gone on. (Looks up) Especially you, Davy. Those blackguards could still be roamin' out there, lookin' to spring on you the way they did your friends.
Lauren: *nods, still sniffling, glances around* Besides, I don't really feel like being out here anymore.
Davy: Me, eithah, luv. Seems I've lost me interest in nature at the moment. (Trista collects the sobbing Emma in her arms, and Davy puts his arm around Lauren.)
Mattie: Some of us will keep lookin' out 'ere, while the rest of you take Mastah Davy and the ladies inside and get Eugenia to give them some suppah and get them calmed down.
Maid With Short Blonde Hair: (Clenches her fists) When I get my 'ands on the bastards 'ho did this to your friends, they'll be sorry they ever messed wit' all o ya, if me name ain' Amarah Taylor!
Trista: (Smiles gently as they go into the house) Just don't break anything important, Mara, unless it's a goon. Then do all the breaking you want. ;)
Amarah: (Salutes) Right-oh, Trist! (She and some of the other servants go off in the woods. Trista and Davy lead the sobbing girls into the kitchen, where Eugenia is setting out sandwiches, ripe peaches, and lemon biscuits. Her cheerful look immediately turns to concern when she sees the upset trio.)
Eugenia: Bless me soul! All of you look like you've 'ad your young 'earts ripped to shreds and then stomped on! What's been goin' on 'round 'ere? I've heard such commotion out in the garden, you wouldn't believe it! :(
Davy: Our other three friends went missin'. We suspect it may have been foul play, Eugie. (Shows her the glasses and the beads)
Eugenia: (Brow furrows) Oh, dear, these were the glasses and the beads your friends Mike and Peter was wearin' this afternoon, weren't they? :(
Lauren: *sniffling* Yeah, they were.
Emma: (Nods, gulping and hiccupping) Mike loves those glasses. He wouldn't let them get like that.
Davy: Petah would cry a rivah if 'is beads broke like that.
Eugenia: Micky's gone too. If 'e eren't, 'e'd 'ave one arm around Lauren and the other 'round the sandwiches.
Davy: The sandwiches would be gone by now, and 'alf the biscuits, too. :)
Lauren: *whimpers* Stop it, guys...
(Emma just goes to Lauren and puts her arms around her. Lauren sobs into her friend's round chest. Emma sobs, too, more quietly.)
Emma: We'll get him back, Lauren. We'll get them all back. There's got to be a way.
Davy: (Slams his fist down on the table) If that so-called "Lady" Plaisir 'as 'urt the guys...
Emma: I don't think she'd want to hurt them, Davy. She wants them for that experiment...and you too, I'll bet.
Davy: Like hell I'll be one of 'er toys! And I won't let the guys be experiments, eithah!
Lauren: *tries to compose; with fury now* She'd better not be "experimenting" on them!
Davy: (Growls) Martinelli, on the othah hand, would probably kill them outright if 'is mistress would let 'im.
Emma: Yeah, but Plaisir won't let him. (Growls) I really wish I had claws... (flexes her long, tapered fingers)
Eugenia: (Motherly) Why don't you all discuss this on full stomachs? (Indicates the food) Might make you feel bettah to have something in your tummies other than fear. A good meal cheers the coldest soul, I always say. :)
(Emma half-heartedly reaches for a biscuit, then goes to the olive-green refrigerator and emerges with a pitcher of iced tea. She pours herself a glass, puts the pitcher away, and joins them.)
Davy: (As he reaches for a sandwich) I'll bet that bitch took them back to the factory again.
Lauren: *stares at the food set out on the table* I'm not really hungry.
(Emma nibbles at the biscuit, then puts it back down. Even Davy can't finish his half-eaten sandwich.)
Emma: (Quietly) We've got to go back to the factory, with or without Stanton and those incompetants he calls spies.
*Lauren nods, still staring.*
Davy: (Shakes his head) No, not at first light, luvs. Now. We're going to go now.
Emma: But Davy, we're not ready...
Davy: Em, who knows what she's done to all of the guys, even as we speak? Especially Mike. 'E's the one who kept runnin' 'is mouth at 'er. I'm proud of what 'e said to 'er and I stand by it, but she ain't gonna take it as well.
Emma: (She clenches her hand so hard, her knuckles turn white) Last night, he turned her pick-up lines down cold. She wasn't thrilled with that, either.
Lauren: The way she kept looking at Mick... *makes a face*
Davy: And Petah. 'E's so innocent and trustin'. Remember the incident with Zero and the dance contract, among other things? Anyone can manipulate 'im. (As Eugenia clears away the uneaten food) We've got to make a plan of attack, ladies. (To the room) And we can't tell Grandfathah. Not until we have them back. I love 'im, but 'e'd just make things worse.
Emma: We're going to have to do this before he returns, then. (Sighs) So, what's the plan?
Davy: We'll go in disguised as factory workers, then find out where Lady Plaisir is keepin' the guys and go up there and get them out. We can't tell Stanton, eithah, as 'e's been no 'elp whatsoevah, but maybe we could bring some of the servants as back-up.
Emma: I don't like this, but we don't seem to have much of a choice. I know she has them, especially after the tea. (Growls, fire in her gray eyes) She couldn't stand that there was something out there that turned her down, so she had Martinelli and a bunch of his men linger in the garden and kidnap them.
Lauren: *her own blue-green eyes reflecting anger; pounds her fist on the table* I want a piece of her so bad!
Davy: (Makes a face) She wouldn't dirty 'er pretty fingers with such a crime as kidnappin'. She'd 'ave to call in 'er lapdogs to do it. :p
Lauren: But she's the one orchestratin' the whole thing!
Davy: Note that word, Lauren, "orchestratin'." She's like Alakazam in that way. She gives the orders, and she plays with the prisoners, but she don't do the actual dirty deed. She sends out 'er so-called "bodyguards" to do that. :p
Emma: I don't like the sound of that, playing with the prisoners.
Davy: That's probably 'ow she and Shrink ain't been caught yet. No one can connect them to the actual crimes, 'cause no one sees them doin' them.
Lauren: "Dirty" doesn't set too well with me, either.
Emma: (Pushes back her chair) Well, she's f***ing going down tonight!
Eugenia: My goodness, young lady! Where'd you learn that kind of language?
Emma: (Grins slightly) My parents. Both my fathers are sailors, and my mother's worked all kinds of odd jobs, including in bars. ;)
Lauren: *with a small smirk* She only uses such words when necessary.
Davy: And I'd say right now is necessary. (Also pushes back) I think we'd bettah get ready. (Grins) You girls ready for a bit of "Mission: Ridiculous"? ;)
Emma: Ready, willing, and able!
Lauren: *nods* You bet, Dave!
Eugenia: (Hands them a wicker basket filled with ham sandwiches, biscuits, peaches, and several cans of soda) 'ere. I don't want you goin' into no trouble on an empty stomach! Take the rest of the tea things with ya. If nothin' else, you can feed them poor, scared boys when you find them. :)
Emma: Scared? Mike? He's probably kicking and screaming and introducing Lady Plaisir to several obscure Spanish curses even as we speak! ;)
Lauren: Mick might be scared, or he might be there right alongside Mike. I can't tell in this situation.
Davy: Thanks for thinkin' of us, Eugenia.
Eugenia: Any time, Mastah Davy!
Emma: As long as there's no hot mustard on those ham sandwiches! ;)
(Davy and the girls burst into laughter. Eugenia just looks puzzled.)
Eugenia: 'Course not. I used me 'omemade mayonnaise, just like I always do!
Davy: (Grins) Long story, Eugie. (Kisses her on her cheek) If we're not 'ome by the time Grandfathah gets 'ere, 'e should call the cops and Stanton and 'ave them get to the Plaisir Media Factory in Manchestah as fast as they possibly can. (Hands her the sunglasses and beads) Give them these as evidence.
Eugenia: (Takes the "evidence" and touches 'er cheek, blushing) Aw, get off, Mastah Davy. (Pushes him along) You go and rescue your friends, before I decide to get up and join ya! ;)
Lauren: Think we oughtta go. *winks*
(Less than a half-hour later, Davy and the girls are pulling up in front of the factory in the jeep, all dressed in black and carrying the wicker basket. Another jeep pulls up, this one even more battered than Davy. Darien, Amarah, Trista, and four strong boys in their mid-20s sit in it, also dressed in black.)
Darien: (Hands Davy and the girls walkie-talkies) We'll be out 'ere, mates. If you get into any kind of a scrape that's ovah your 'eads, call us, and the calvary with rescue yah. ;)
Amarah: And those guys will be kippahs on toast! :D
Davy: Thanks, gang. We'll be as careful as we can. (Takes out some of the food and puts it in a bag, along with some supplies, and hands over the wicker basket) 'Ere you go, mate. Chow down. Eugenia packed enough to feed the bloomin' Royal Army twice! ;)
Boy With Long Brown Hair: Good ol' Eugie. Count on 'er to feed the 'ungry masses, even when the only masses to feed are us. ;)
(Davy and the girls sneak cautiously across the parking lot, flattening themselves against the building when they see a man in a uniform locking the door with a heavy padlock.)
Davy: Damn! I were 'opin' we'd get 'ere before closin'.
Lauren: I guess we get to figure out if any of us can pick a padlock. *makes a face*
Emma: (Digs in the bag) There's got to be something to rig a padlock in here somewhere. (Throws out various items, including things like umbrellas and tire pumps that would never fit into a real black bag. She finally emerges with a hairpin. She smirks) Nothing like the classics. ;) (Starts jimmying around the lock with the pin)
Davy: 'ury that up, luv! God only knows 'o's watchin' this place!
Lauren: Don't rush perfection, Dave! *grins and makes a few cat noises*
Emma: Just a few minutes more, Manchester Marauder!
Davy: Yes, New Jersey Jungle Girl, I don't fancy endin' up like me mates in the hands of one of the most notorious female criminals in the known universe, eithah.
Lauren: *scratches her head* I don't have a code name.
Emma: Massachusetts Mountaineer? ;)
Lauren: *makes a face* Geez, that's longer than Dave's. *grins*
Davy: 'Ey, Mike came up with "Modest-But-Towerin' Texan." ;)
Lauren: I was hoping for something cat related.
Emma: (Grins even as she pulls the pin around in the lock) Towering, yes. Texan, definately. Modest? (Winks) Not bloody likely. ;)
Davy: Hmmm...Massachusetts Minx?
Lauren: I like that! *then grumbles* I wish Massachusetts wasn't such a long-ass name.
Emma: (Mutters) I'd still like to know how Mike could hold an electrical pole without dying from the shock. I'll have to ask him how he does that.
Davy: New England Minx, then. :)
Lauren: I'll take it! *makes a few more cat noises*
Emma: Eureka! (The lock finally gives, and the chain slides off the door.)
Davy: Come on, men...(looks over his shoulder at the girls and blushes)...um, ladies.
Lauren: *pats him on the cheek* No problem, Davy. *grins*
Davy: (Narrating as they enter the darkened factory. Not a soul is to be seen in the locker rooms, which have almost an eerie glow about them) Gathered from the four corners of the earth, our little band was supposed to get the drop on the Lady Noira Plaisir, a famed female gangster. Instead, she dropped in on the Connecticut Counter-Spy, Towering Texan, and Panther Man and held them hostage in her factory of horrors. It was up to the charming but tough Manchester Maurauder, the mother bear of a New Jersey Jungle Girl (Emma lets out a small growl and snort) and the strong and wise New England Minx (Lauren makes cat noises) to bring Plaisir to justice and restore our group members' freedom. (Nods at the lockers) Come on, bettah get into the radiation suits again, just in case there's any workers left walkin' around on the night shift.
Emma: (Grumbling as she does so) I hate these things! They're so heavy! (Zips up and picks up the bag)
Lauren: Can barely walk in these stupid things.
Davy: Yeah, but we've got to look like we belong. If we're captured, the 'ole mission is a goner!
Lauren: *nods, rolling up her pant legs* You're right.
(The four wander around the deserted factory. The factory is dim, but not dark, and they have no problem seeing their way around.)
Davy: Man, now I wish I'd listened to Shrink's babblin' this mornin'. This place is a bloomin' maze!
Lauren: Ehh, I'm not so sure that listening would've really helped that much.
Emma: (Points up) We've got to get to the top. That's where the offices are.
Davy: 'Ow you know that, luv?
Lauren: She paid attention?
Emma: (Grins) The main offices in all of the grocery stores I've ever worked in were at the very top...and a few of them were converted factories or warehouses. ;)
Davy: Oh. (They hurry up the stairs, not noticing the shadow of a tall, large man in a well-cut suit following them on their ascent.)
Emma: Hey, why don't we just take the easy way? (Points to an elevator)
Lauren: *shakes her head* Someone might notice the floor lights changing.
Davy: (Nods) She's right. I'm afraid we're just going to 'ave ta tough it out, Jungle Girl.
Emma: (Shrugs) It was just a thought.
Lauren: A good thought. I wouldn't mind the elevator myself, but...
Davy: Too risky.
Lauren: Exactly.
(They walk along, their footsteps echoing in the empty factory. They pass through the room where the women once sat - it's empty now, except for the trio and an ever-present shadow...that speaks into a walkie-talkie)
Davy: (Points upwards - there's a level floor and a series of doors clearly visable two flights up) Almost there, girls.
Lauren: *starting to breathe heavier, grins* Thank God.
Emma: (Also breathing heavy) Well, at least we're gettin' our exercise today.
Lauren: No kiddin'.
Emma: (Stops suddenly - the other two run into her) Shh!
Lauren: *rubs her nose* Oww.
Davy: (Rubs his nose) Ouch! Jungle Girl, that darn near took me nose off!
Emma: Listen! (There's the sound of footsteps that are too heavy to belong to the kids) We're being followed.
Lauren: *groans* Crap!
Davy: (Frowns) Damn! She's right!
Voice: (The figure finally emerges from the shadows - it's Martinelli) Hi, kids. Miss me? (Several other men quietly emerge from the darkened corners. All wear factory uniforms and look like vicious pack dogs.)
Davy: Like I'd miss a 'ole in me 'ead, Martinelli. X-(
Lauren: This does not bode well at all.
Martinelli: (As his men surround the kids) We just want the little guy to come with us.
Lauren: Little? Show 'im how tall ya are, Dave!
Emma: (Shouts angrily) Where's Mike? What have you done with him, you f***ing bastard?
Davy: (Stands to his full height, putting his arm out to keep Emma from attacking Martinelli) I may be little, but I'm a big enough man to defeat you, Martinelli. Your mistress has our friends, and we want them back.
Martinelli: (Toothpaste smile) Nothing doing, squirt. She's got a real interest in those boys, at least in the tall jerk and the curly-haired kid. Says they're perfect specimens for her experiment, or something. (Shakes his head and the toothpaste grin turns nasty) What she really wants is to get their pants off and their working parts on hers, one by one. Would kill that flaky blond in particular. Not much upstairs on that one, if you catch my drift.
Emma: They're not "specimens!" They're human beings!
Lauren: Okay, Davy, now hold me back!
Davy: Flaky blond? (Growls) No, Lauren, 'old me back first! (Jumps on Martinelli. Emma leaps at the nearest factory worker, and Lauren grabs another one. Martinelli manages to push Davy against a wall and knock the angry Brit cold.)
Emma: (Sees Davy slump against the wall, unconcious) God, no! (Pulls out her walkie-talkie) Sailor Pluto, Tuxedo Mask, Generals, we need you right away, on the 3rd floor of the factory, just two stories down from the offices. The Manchester Marauder's out cold, and the rest of us can't hold out for much longer. Over and out!
Lauren: I hope they get here fast!
(Martinelli throws Davy over his shoulder and takes off for the elevator.)
Emma: Oh, no you don't! We're not losing THAT Monkee, too! (Runs to the elevator, pushing several factory workers aside as she does, but she's too late. The doors slam in her face just as she gets there) You bastard! (Slams her fist into the elevator door. All it does is make her stagger back, holding her fist.) Ow. Damn door bit me...
Lauren: *goes over to Em* This downright sucks!
(The factory workers close in on the two girls, who hold up their fists in defensive stances.)
Emma: (Tries to smile) Hey, Lauren, how many can you take? I could maybe taken on two or three at once...I think...
Lauren: Umm, maybe the same. I'm not sure...
Factory Worker: (Heavy Cockney accent) 'M on, luvs, come to Papas. Won't 'urt you none. (Takes a swing at Emma - she ducks) Oooh, we likes them feisty.
Lauren: With that attitude, I can take on more than three! *yells for all she's worth*
Emma: I'll show you feisty! I'll show you what happens when someone attacks a mother bear's cubs! (Swings to hit back. The man grabs her wrist, and the two struggle, Emma swinging wildly.)
*Lauren runs straight at one man, stops, and kicks him smack in a very sensitive area. She grins and goes after her next victim.*
(The man finally pins Emma onto the floor and is about to hit her square in the face when someone kicks his back. The man rolls over, unconcious, and Emma finds herself staring into the eyes of an Asian-looking boy with short, silky black hair and a figure as slender as that of the four Monkees, but more elegant. Four older boys and tall, lanky, dark-haired Trista join the fight.)
Darien: (He and all of the newcomers are also in black) Got 'ere as quick as we could, luvs!
Lauren: Good! *walks with a slight limp* My foot's gettin' tired.
Boy With Short Blonde Hair: Oooooh, I like a good fight! (Grabs two guys by the hair and knocks their heads together) I've always wanted to do that! :D
Lauren: And I've always wanted to see that done in person! *smirks* ;-)
Trista: (Nods at the offices) Darien...Tuxedo Mask told us everything. You girls go get the boys out of here. (Ducks a man who is coming after her - he ends up rolling right over her back)
Boy With Long Brown Hair: Us Generals are quick on the draw... (pokes a guy in the eye)...and we've seen every Three Stooges short known to man! ;)
Emma: Ahh, you learned fighting from the best. ;)
Lauren: *chuckles* My favorite kind of fighting!
Emma: Come on! (She and Lauren hurry upstairs. They finally reach the last floor, a narrow catwalk with several doors on the right side. Sounds of fighting and someone imitating Curly Howard's laugh can be heard from below.)
Lauren: If this wasn't such a tense situation, it'd be hilarious!
Emma: Shoot! The door's opening! Get back! (Pushes Lauren back in a corner. Vincent Martinelli comes out of the room, chuckling. He goes down the other side of the catwalk and into an elevator, not even bothering to look in the girls' direction.)
Lauren: Whew...
Emma: (Points to the door Martinelli came out of) Let's check that one first.
Lauren: Good idea.
Emma: (Pulls a stephscope out of the bag and hands another one to Lauren. Smirks) All the best spy equipment. ;)
Lauren: Naturally. *smiles*
(Both girls put their stethoscopes against the wall.)
Emma: I hear...a fish tank.
Lauren: Atleast it isn't a disconnected wall...
Emma: (Giggles in spite of herself) Wind chimes...something squeaking...
Lauren: What the heck?
Emma: There's music playing...sounds like a window blowing open. (Frowns) Wait...
Voice: (It's Mike's, if a bit slurred) Well?
(There's only a giggle as the door starts to open.)
Emma: Get back! (The two girls move back to the dark corner as Lady Plaisir herself walks out of the door, a smirk on her face. She sashays down the same steps Martinelli left down earlier. She frowns) What the hell is going on in there?
Lauren: I don't know if I wanna find out. *makes a face*
Emma: We've got to get in there. I want some answers, and I want them now. (Pulls the door - it's open.)
Lauren: Let's go for it!
Emma: Let's go, Mon...(looks at Lauren)...Monkee. ;) (She pushes the door open. Mike stands in front of a full length mirror, a smirk on his face, his eyes decidedly unfocused. Micky leans over a tank, running his fingers over it. Davy stands by a large, open window. Peter sits in an antique dentist's chair, his eyes closed and his face placid. The stained glass windows in the back remain open, allowing in the chilly night air.) What the hell?
Lauren: Okay, this is weird.
Davy: (Groans) They're doped to the eyeballs, or something similar to the effects of being doped. I think Petah and Mick got the worst of whatever she did.
Lauren: Don't say that, Dave. *chews on her lower lip*
Davy: I didn't want to kiss that bird, but she basically grabbed me. I did manage to keep 'er 'ands out of me pants, though. (Smirks) Which is more than I can say for the rest of this crowd.
Lauren: *covers her ears* I don't want to hear this!
Mike: (Slurred) Man, what's goin' on? What happened to that other chick, Miss Pleasure, or somethin'?
Emma: Ok, who do I get to smack first?
Davy: Choice of the 'ouse, luv.
Mike: Say, (puts his hands on Emma's breasts) you ain't bad, either. Why don't you and I get to know each other over there on that little bed? (Giggles in a way Mike never would)
Emma: (Pushes them off) Mike, damn it, what's with you?
Davy: I told you, she drugged them, or somethin'. She was probably gonna do the same to me when Martinelli called her downstairs.
Lauren: *sighs* Well, that's a start...
Emma: (Goes to Mick and pushes him) Micky? Mick, what's going on? (Micky continues to run his fingers through the water and giggle) Mick, what's with you? What did she do to all of you?
Mike: (Puts his hand on his head and joins Davy, who has now moved to the huge, heart-shaped bed) Man, is that why that chick didn't want more? (Snarky Nesmith grin, or an attempt at it) Must be losin' my touch.
Davy: She kissed all of us, girls. Micky first, then Mike, then Petah, and finally me. The wind blew the windows open when we did it. It was odd, really.
Lauren: *shakes her head* I don't get any of this!
Emma: (Turns with a growl) Kissed?
Davy: I don't understand it, either, but we've got to get these guys out of 'ere before Plaisir and Martinelli get back.
Mike: (Points to a very large, sleek-looking TV that takes up almost the whole wall of one side) Why don't we all just watch TV? It's so pleasureable. That's what that Pleasure chick said, just watch TV, and it'll make you better.
Davy: (Frowns) I don't think I'm in the mood for TV, luv.
Emma: (Grabs her walkie-talkie and squawks into it) Everyone get up here, and get up here quick. We've found the guys. All of them except for the Manchester Marauder seem to have been given sedatives. The Conneticut Counter-Spy is out cold, and the other two are incohesive. We'll need help to get them out of here as fast and as smoothly as possible, as Plaisir and her men could return at any moment. Over and out! (Turns to Lauren) They're on their way.
Lauren: Good.
Emma: I'm going to check out Pete. Davy, you do what you can with Mike, and Lauren, try to get some sense out of Micky. (Emma starts shaking Peter.)
Lauren: Hoo boy... *walks over to Micky* Mick? What's so fascinatin' about that water, huh? *Micky continues to finger the water* Well? *nudges his leg* Say something!
Emma: Peter? (Shakes him again) Pete? (He rolls over and opens his eyes. The normally tawny color is distorted and unfocused.)
Peter: (Mutters thickly) Pleasure? Where's the show?
Emma: Show?
Mike: (Nods) Yeah, the show. We were watchin' the show.
Lauren: What show?
Davy: (Points to the TV set) On the TV?
Mike: Yeah, the TV shows. All really pretty colors.
Lauren: What, pray tell, did those pretty colors create, as in images?
Mike: (Giggles again) Images?
Micky: (Also giggles) Pretty colors...
Lauren: Or maybe that was a loaded question. *whips her head around* Mick?
Davy: (Shakes his head) We ain't gonna get nothin' outta them while they're like this, luvs.
Micky: (Gets up from the fish tank, his voice extremely slurred) She showed us pretty colors...all the pretty things. She said it would make us happy. (Giggles) Then she kinda kisshed me.
Mike: She kissed me, too. Wanted her to come back and do more, but she gave me this look, like I wasn't no good for her.
Lauren: *grabs a handful of the front of Micky's shirt & shakes him for all she's worth* Wake up you fool!
Peter: (Sighs, his eyes closing again) Pretty pleasure...
Emma: (Does the same to Peter) Not you, too!
Micky: Huh? (Blinks his eyes and looks into Lauren's. His almond-shaped orbs are lost in a thick, heavy haze) Oh, you're pretty, too. Pretty pleashure.
*Lauren growls, rolls her eyes to the ceiling, pulls a hand back, and slaps him right across the cheek.*
Mike: So sleepy...think I'll sleep... (He almost falls over, but Davy pulls him back up before he ends up on the bed)
Davy: Oh, no, you don't! I won't let you end up like the others!
Micky: (Rubs his jaw and gives Lauren an angry glare) Wha' you do that for? It washn' pleashure!
Emma: (Shakes Peter angrily) God damn it, you idiots, snap out of it!
Lauren: *angry* I did it because you're actin' like a damn fool!
(The door bursts open. Darien, Trista, and their four friends pile into the room. The short-haired boy lets out a low whistle.)
Short-Haired Boy: Coo-wee! Get a load of this place! This lady's got a lot of interestin' hobbies, she does!
Lauren: *growls* And none of them good.
Davy: And one of 'er 'obbies seems to be brainwashin' innocents. (Nods at his friends) I'd bet anything that's what wrong with them. She went ahead and performed 'er bloody experiments on them anyway.
Mike: (Laughs harshly) Innocents? Not after tonight, shorty.
*Lauren quirks an eyebrow.*
Davy: Mike, enough! She's done somethin' to you, that's for sure!
Boy With Wavy Gold Hair: (He pulls open Peter's eyes, then shuts them) I don't know what she gave them, but it would take a massive amount of any drug to get these results. (Smiles) I'm studyin' to be a doctor, so I know a bit about drugs and their effects. Trust me, friends, they weren't given anything I know of.
Lauren: *sarcastically* That's refreshing to know. :-P
Davy: Look, no matter how cohesive they are, we've got to get them back to the manor. Grandfather's going to have kittens when he finds all of us missin'!
Emma: Then what's wrong with them?
Davy: Brainwashin'. I'll bet you anything.
Lauren: I wanna know if it'll wear off or if we have to beat it out of them!
(Two of the boys are already supporting Mike, who is giggling about pleasure and pain.)
Emma: (Peter is leaned over on her) Would somebody help me with him? Pete may be brainwashed, but he isn't light! (Trista helps her support the golden-haired musician, who droops between them.)
Trista: Maybe it would be best to get us all home, safe and sound, before Mastah Sebastian hits the roof. We'll call a doctor there and let them sleep it off as much as possible.
Emma: I think Pete already is. (Peter snores a bit as he sags between Emma and Trista)
Davy: 'Elp me with Micky, Lauren. (Takes Micky's arms)
Lauren: You gonna behave, Mick?
Micky: (Smiles, but his eyes remain unfocused) Behave? Me? Of coursh...I think.
Lauren: That's probably the best answer I'm gonna get. *sighs*
(Lauren picks up Micky's feet, and the small group leads the three sleepy young men as well as they can out of the factory. Darien points out the factory workers on the way. They're all quite unconscious, and those who aren't are bound with electrical cord.)
Boy With Pale Blonde Hair: I'm rather proud of our work. ;)
Short-Haired Boy: Aw, come on, Kevin, that was some of the best fightin' we evah did! ;)
Lauren: Good job, all of you! ;-)
Trista: (Shakes her head, but she's smiling) These Neanderthals wanted to drop them on those sharp shredding machines, but I convinced them this was much more humane...and they'd get to practice their ropin' skills. ;)
Brown-Haired Boy: You're no bloomin' fun sometimes Trist, you know that?
*Lauren chuckles.*
(Trista just sticks her tongue out at him)
(The group finally makes it out of the factory. The six kids squeeze into Davy's jeep, followed by Darien and the others.)
Mike: (Slurred, faint) Where the hell are we?
Micky: (Giggles again) We're in the dark, Mike. Can't ya tell?
Davy: (He makes a face as he drives) Those two are really going to get on me nerves.
Lauren: For the first time, I wish Micky would just shut up. *sighs*
Emma: Why do you guys keep talking about pleasure?
Mike: Cause it's pretty, Lauren. Pleasure and pain.
Davy: Stop talkin' riddles, mate!
Mike: Why? It's fun! (giggles again)
Emma: And she's Lauren! I'm Emma!
Mike: Oh? (Squints) Thought you were pleasure.
Lauren: *holds her head* They're giving me a headache!
Emma: Davy, step on it, before I kill both of them.
Lauren: And then I kill them both! It may be overkill, but they deserve it!
Davy: Save me some killin' too, mates! (Davy shoves his foot on the gas pedal and the jeep speeds down the dark streets of Manchester that gradually give way to countryside)
Emma: Well, I think I can translate part of all this nuttiness. Lady Plaisir herself did this to them.
Lauren: Which is rather obvious.
Micky: Oh, yeah, there was a lady. (Sings off-key) "Lady, lady, lady..."
Lauren: Gah! I swear to everything that's holy, I'm gonna kill him!
Mike: She kisshed us. Peter too, but she didn't look at him.
(Peter snorts, then goes back to his heavy slumber.)
Emma: At least we can count on that one being quiet. :p
Lauren: Yeah, these two are plenty!
Davy: Lauren, I don't think this is either of their faults.
Lauren: I know, I know. I'm just mad, that's all.
Emma: And I'm madder! X-(
Lauren: I dunno about that, Em. X-(
Davy: Me, too, but it's not gonna 'elp the guys any.
Emma: I'm just...what did she do to the guys? What's all this about pleasure and pain and pretty things?
Davy: And the TV shows, luv. Don't forget the TV shows.
(Davy pulls up at the estate. Pearly stands outside, his friendly, freckled face filled with worry.)
Pearly: What the heck happened? Your grandfathah is fit to be tied, Dave!
Davy: It's an extremely long story. We'll tell Grandfathah what happened in the morning. (Nods at the three in the jeep.) We need to call a doctor. The three guys were all drugged, or had something done to their minds.
Pearly: (Makes a face at Micky's off-key singing - Mike has now joined him in an attempt at "99 Bottles of Beer On the Wall") I see what you mean. I'll send one of the maids to fetch Doctah Hopson right away. (Nods at the girls) You ladies go up in the house. Me an' the boys (nods at Darien's jeep, which just pulled up) can handle these poor blokes.
Lauren: Good. I need some aspirin... *groans*
Emma: (Puts her head in her hands) Thanks, Pearly. I've got a whopper of a headache myself. (She and Lauren go straight upstairs and into the girls' bedroom. Lauren goes and gets aspirin. Emma plops on the bed, her head back in her hands.) God, what a day. I can't believe this. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Lauren: *comes out of the bathroom, aspirin bottle and water in hand* I don't even know if we want all of this to make sense.
Emma: (Thinking) Lauren, this afternoon, didn't Lady Plaisir say something about working on a new type of TV set? Something about "pleasure, not pain."
Lauren: *hands over the aspirin and water; nods* Yeah, she did.
Emma: Wasn't there a TV set in the (coughs) office?
Lauren: Yeah.
Emma: She said the guys would have to listen to a few radio shows, watch some TV for that experiment...(Emma's tired eyes widen)...Lauren!
Lauren: *practically jumps* What?
Emma: The TV! It's not the shows. The guys only think that. It's the TVs themselves!
Lauren: Huh? *scratches her head*
Emma: And the radios too, I'll bet. Those new TVs...she's somehow rigged a way for them to brainwash people.
Lauren: Revisit to the Frodis Caper, anyone?
Emma: She wanted so badly to make out with the guys, to bend them to her will...and she somehow used the TV to do that. (Shakes her head) I doubt it's alien-powered this time, and I have the feeling the reasoning and the method is far more complicated.
Lauren: Great, and my head's already swimming.
Emma: We've got to hit the sack. This will all make more sense in the morning.
Lauren: Good thinking.
Emma: At least Dave's still lucid.
Lauren: Thankfully.
Emma (Goes to the bathroom with her turquoise pajamas) Good thing he went back to the house instead of staying in the garden. They didn't have the time to get him.
Lauren: Lucky... *drops herself on her pile of blankets on the floor, without changing*
(Emma returns from the bathroom, now in her pajamas. She flops on the bed, holding Tenderheart for dear life. There's a knock at the door as Emma cuddles the stuffed bear.)
Davy: You girls decent?
Lauren: Yeah, Dave.
(Davy sticks his head in. He now wears his polka-dot pajamas and a very worried expression.)
Davy: The doctor's here. He's given Micky and Mike something to make them both sleep. Pete's still out. He don't know what's wrong with them. He says 'e'd have to give them tests, but 'e confirms Zachary's diagnosis. They aren't 'igh.
Lauren: No, they just act like it. *frowns*
Davy: I'm 'opin' that whatever the doc gave them will do them some good.
Emma: Lady Plaisir probably thought the was the only way she'd get their clothes off was make all three of them higher than kites. (Makes a face) I bet she'd do a lot more than kiss them if she'd come back and they were still there.
Davy: (Makes a face) Then we got out at the right time.
*Lauren groans, then buries her head under her pillow.*
Davy: (Goes and puts his hand on Lauren's shoulder) Nothin' happened, Laur. Mick will be ok in the mornin', and we got them before Plaisir could do anything worse than some illicit lip-locking.
Lauren: *muffled* That better be all it was!
Emma: (Punches her pillow) Ooooh, when I get my claws on that Plaisir...
Davy: (Smiling) I 'eard it before, luv, and me ears are still ringin'. (Nods) Grandfathah's not 'appy, either, but 'e says 'e's willing to wait for the full story in the mornin'.
Lauren: *uncovers her head* Well, there's a bright spot.
Davy: The other three are in the downstairs bedroom. It's largah and the servants can keep a bettah eye on all of them. (Nods) I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow, luvs. Good night. (Smiles) And good work, Mission: Ridiculous team! ;)
Emma: (Grins) Thanks, Manchester Marauder! ;)
Lauren: Night, Dave. Thanks! ;-)
(Davy heads out and Emma lays down and snuggles under the blankets.)
*Lauren flops back down, staring at the ceiling, chewing her lower lip.*
Emma: (Sighs) We'd better sleep on this, too. We've had a very long day. (Sighs) Night, Lauren. (Softer sigh, barely audible) Oh, Mike....(slight sob)
Lauren: Yeah... *continues to stare as a tear rolls down her cheek*