Everyone ready to monster mash? ;)

Mike: Um, no.

Davy: Wot does she mean?

Micky: I don't know about this...

Peter: (Whimpers) I'm not sure I want to know. :o

Lauren: Kinda sounds like fun to me. ;)

*We begin in a tastefully decorated, albeit dark room. Shelia walks in with Mike in tow.*

(Mike slumps painfully, his clouded eyes completely blank. He is now clean, shaven, and wearing black and red silk pajamas. He slowly goes to Shelia and nuzzles her, touching her face, then her hair and chest.)

Shelia: *pets him* Very good, my Knight. However, I have a bit of business to take care of first. >:)

(Mike nods as Shelia lays him gently down on a huge black canopy bed covered with heavy black and red satin sheets. He winces as she places him against his back.)

Shelia: Now... *moves to the end of the bed; a black light appears. When the light fades, we see a cage, holding Emma captive.*

Emma: (She is a bit dirty but otherwise unharmed; she blinks, dazed) Where...what...(eyes widen in horror at the figure on the bed) MIKE! Honey, it's me! (She tries to reach out to him, but he doesn't move, or even acknowledge her) Shelia, what did you DO to him? (Tears prick her gray eyes under the thick spectacles) :( :((

Shelia: I didn't really do much to him, except make him mine. The injuries were Alex's idea. *makes a bit of a face*

Emma: Make him yours? (She waves out to him, but he still doesn't move) Honey, what's wrong? (He moves to find out what's making the noise...and puts a hand on his back as he does. Emma does the same) Oh man, my back! (Cringes and grabs her legs) And my legs, too. (Growls) That jackass Alex must have broken them! (Groans) Oh, yeowch, that hurts. :p :(

Shelia: I healed him enough to still be able to move. He doesn't recognize you. He's all mine now! *smirks* >:)

Emma: No! He's got to know me! (Tries to reach for him as Michael moves closer to the vaguely familiar voice) Honey, it's me! It's Emma! Your partner! We were going to escape together! :o

(Mike frowns and reaches for her hand, confused.)

Shelia: Did I forget to mention he can't speak...or see? ;) >:)

Emma: No wonder I've had blurry spells and my throat's been sore. (Growls) Let me turn him back. I can't stand to see him hurting like this.

(Mike moves slowly towards the cage. He vaguely recognizes the voice but can't place it. Emma smiles and tries to grab his fingers)

Emma: Come on, Baby. You know I won't hurt you. I'll help you. I'll do what I can to break whatever spells Shelia and Alex have put on you. :)

Shelia: I'll help both of you. You're too troublesome as a human. My Knight does not need any distractions. :P

Emma: (Growls; Mike pulls back, startled) Shelia, DON'T YOU DARE! X(

Shelia: You know, I think you'd look rather cute as a bear...perhaps, yes, a STUFFED bear! >:) ;)

Emma: (Eyes widen) WHAT? No! Please (reaches for Mike again), let me heal him! He's hurting so much! :o :(

(Mike reaches for Emma again, but Shelia gently pulls him to her and caresses him, whispering into his ear.)

Shelia: *smirks, pulling away from Mike* Now, my dear Scholar, lets see how cute of stuffed bear you make. >:)

Emma: No... (She pulls away in horror) Mike! Mike, stop her! MIKE! :o

*A black light envelopes Emma and the cage. Both disappear. When the light clears, all that remains is a small light-brown-furred teddy bear with a red bow and gray eyes.*

Shelia: *bends down and picks up the bear* You are VERY cute, and much easier to manage this way. ;) >:)

(Mike frowns and nods and gestures at the bear, wondering what's going on.)

Shelia: I have a new teddy bear. *hands the bear to Mike* Isn't she nice? ;) >:)

(Mike nods and smiles, stroking the bear's fur and gently hugging her. He starts to kiss her, but Shelia takes the bear away. Mike frowns and gestures that he wants the bear back; he feels a connection to it.)

Shelia: Silly. This is merely a stuffed animal, my Knight. I think my bear deserves a special place to sit... *looks around the room* But not in here. She deserves a VERY special place. *takes the bear out of Mike's reach* Okay, my little bear, time to put you away. *the bear disappears in a black light*

(Mike frowns again, wondering where the bear went.)

Shelia: Now, now, my dear Knight, don't you worry about the bear. She's nice and safe. >:) Now, shall we have a little fun? ;)

(Mike nods and leans against Shelia, closing his eyes and smiling.)

*We fade out on Shelia and Mike and fade into the halls of the castle. Torches are hung on the walls, lighting the corridor.*

(Micky stands between Davy and Peter. Alex leads, while the girls follow behind.)

Valerie: Where shall we start?

Alex: *rubs his hands together* There's so many choices. Let’s go through some of these rooms. Several interesting characters live in this wing of the castle. >:) ;)

Daphne: Shame it ain't what it used to be. Old Frankie's long gone, as is Dracula.

Valerie: Lots of spirits, though. Both the kind you drink and the "Boo!" kind. ;)

Micky: Great. :P

Peter: (Grins) This is going to be better than the Monster Mash! :D

Davy: Mastah, where do you want to take him first?

Peter: Why don't we bring him to dinner? ;)

Alex: An excellent idea! I know I'm hungry. ;)

Valerie: I wonder if everyone is? ;)

*Micky gulps.* :-O

*Lauren pulls Micky aside, while the others continue to comment on their state of hunger.* ;)

Lauren: Don't worry, Micky, we'll keep the others away the best we can. There are some real winners in this wing, but they really aren't that bad.

Micky: That almost puts my mind at ease.

*Lauren grins and drags him along & meet back up with the group.*

(Alex leads the group to a long table in a huge, dark dining room. Lauren and Daphne pull Micky between them, and Valerie sits next to Lauren. The boys are on the other side, and Alex is at the head of the table. A dapper fellow in a stiff black suit who carries a towel on one arm waiter-style comes up to them. He also has fangs and a slick, widow's peak-hair do.)

Vampire: Good evening, Master. What will you be having tonight?

Alex: *grins* Everything that's edible. ;)

Vampire: (Whips out a pad) Just the usual, then? (Nods at Micky) What about your guest?

Alex: *speaks up* He'll have the same. *grins at Micky*

Micky: *looks at the Vampire* Was it alive earlier today?

Vampire: All depends on how you like your food. Do you like it fresh, still kicking, or barely alive? ;)

Micky: Fresh, but unmoving, please. *gulps* :-O

Vampire: (Sighs) Very well. (Takes the others' orders and heads off)

Peter: (Grins) I can't wait to show Micky the rest of the Underworld! :D

Davy: I think 'e'll 'ave a good time. ;)

Alex: *nods* I'm certain he will. ;)

Micky: I'm not! :P

Alex: Come, Micky. This is your home now! Might as well get used to it. ;) >:)

*Micky's eyes narrow, but he makes no response.*

Daphne: You'll like it down here. We have a spooktacular time. ;) (Whispers to Micky) Don't worry, we'll figure out a way to get you out of here! Not all of the monsters and spooks seen here are on Alex and Shelia's side.

*Micky nods slightly, still glaring at Alex, who's distracted, haggling a woman in a maid's outfit who has no head.* :P ;)

Valerie: Is Shelia going to join us for dinner?

Davy: Nahh, she and Michael are otherwise...engaged. ;)

Peter: She was just starting to give him a bath when we left them! :)

Alex: *makes a bit of a face* They're fending for themselves as far as the food goes. ;)

Vampire: (As several more vampires and headless maids and waiters join them) First course is ready, Master! (Places bowls of soup in front of the group)

Peter: Oooh, Shark's Fin Soup! :D

Micky: *puts his spoon in and dribbles the soup back out into the bowl* Looks...interesting. :P

Lauren: *whispers* It really isn't that bad, Micky.

Davy: (as the waitstaff retreats) Nothin' but the best for our guest, huh Alex? ;)

Micky: *looks down into his bowl; sees a fin moving across the bowl* Oh, boy... :P :-O

Alex: Naturally. ;)

Peter: Come on, Micky! It's really good! :D

Davy: (Puts his spoon in his bowl; something with teeth pulls out and quickly bites the spoon, then goes back in) Oooh, it's feisty tonight! ;) :D

*Micky drops his spoon on the table. He's starting to look a little green.* :P

(Everyone else eats. The men eat hungrily. The girls eat warily.)

*Micky doesn't eat. He watches everyone else and waits for his stomach to stop doing backflips.* :P ;)

(The waitstaff clears the soup and then brings out the main course...a whole roast pig the size of fifteen normal pigs with an apple in it's mouth, surrounded by vegetables and pineapple and potatoes.)

Micky: *eyes widen; jaw drops* Now THIS is more like it! :D =P~

Alex: *glances at the waitstaff* I take it we're out of the large pig dinners? I don't know HOW you expect the medium to feed all of us! :P ;)

Vampire: We could bring in another one...

Alex: Nah. We'll just make do with dessert.

Davy: Um, why don't we just 'ave this one, Mastah? You could always ordah more latah if you're 'ungry.

Peter: Don't you usually have a midnight snack anyway? ;)

Alex:* grins* True. Everyone dive in! :D

(The waitstaff slices up the pig, fruit, and vegetables and passes them around.)

Valerie: Yummm. Boris makes the very best roast pig. :D

Boris the Vampire: Thank you, Miss Valerie. :)

Micky: This actually does look good!

Lauren: Very good! ;)

Daphne: Don't worry, Micky, it's safe. It won't bite you. ;)

Micky: It better not! *cuts a piece and eats it* This is great! :D

Daphne: Can we have dessert later, Master? I want to show Micky around. ;)

Alex: *considers; nods* I guess that's okay. Why not?

Peter: I can't wait to show him the Spooks' Haven, and the Coven of the Vampires! :D

Micky: The what and the what, now? :-O :-/

Davy: Don't worry, Mick. They're 'armless...mostly. ;) >:)

Valerie: They won't do anything to you. They know you're with us.

Micky: That almost makes me feel better.

Alex: Alright, alright, lets get this show on the road. I've got things I need to do later on. ;) >:)

Peter: Yay! (Grins and grabs Micky's arm; Davy takes his other arm. Davy and Peter lead Micky out of the room, with Alex following with a nasty grin. The girls huddle together.)

Valerie: Someone's got to keep an eye on Mick, someone's got to find Em, and someone's got to alert the others and make sure the printing equipment's hidden.

Lauren: I'll keep an eye on Micky. ;)

Daphne: I'll go check around for Em. Val, you can go talk to the others.

Valerie: Right. We'll meet at the slave's quarters with Micky in two hours.

Lauren: *nods* Right.

(The three girls head in opposite directions. The boys are all in the hallway, Micky between Davy and Peter.)

Davy: Wot took ya so long?

Peter: Where are the other girls?

Lauren: They had a couple demons to catch up with. *winks* They figured it wasn't necessary to have all of us go, so I said they could go see their demons, and I'd go along with you.

Alex: Nice drift. ;) >:)

Lauren: Uh, yeah. :">

(Davy grins wickedly; Peter blushes. ;) :">)

*Micky's eyes widen a bit.*

Alex: Okay, boys, where we headed first? ;)

Micky: How about the exit? ;) :P

Alex: *folds his arms* Funny. :P

*Micky shrugs.*

Davy: Oh, come on, Mick, they don't bite! ;)

Peter: Much. ;)

Alex: *smirks* Took the word out of my mouth.

Micky: Great... :P

Lauren: Okay, guys, break it up, and get a move on. *rolls her eyes* :P ;)

(And we "get a move on" to the tune of "Rose Marie." The boys lead the protesting Micky down the hallway, with Alex in the lead.)

(They first pull into a library where all the books seem to be moving on their own...until a torchlight reveals ghostly people reading. A ghost librarian in spectacles and a tight Victorian suit shushes them as they enter.)

(The next stop is a room where a vampire and a wolfman are playing chess. The vampire makes a move that doesn't please the wolfman a bit, as he throws a fit and has to be subdued by the vampire throwing sausage links. ;) )

*They can't get in the doorway. A huge frog is sitting directly in front of the door. They slam the door closed. There's the sound of the frog slurping up a fly, then a burp.* ;)

(The next room is filled with singing Jack-O-Lanterns of every type, shape, and size singing along with the music. There's even a bouncing animated pumpkin over the lyrics at one point. ;) )

(They next enter a room filled with all kinds of monsters, including female ones, playing poker. The boys join the game. Lauren and Micky stand behind them, though Micky looks interested.)

*Lauren smacks the back of Micky's head, then wags an index finger at him. He shrugs.* ;)

*They open the door to the next room. It’s pitch black. Suddenly, a set of red eyes can be seen in the darkness. Then another...and another...and another, until there's about 25 sets of eyes. Micky slams the door closed, leaning against it. The peep hole door flap swings open, and one last set of eyes can be seen, watching the group continue down the hall.*

(Alex then brings them into a room filled with bats, lizards, mice in cages, and other spooky-ooky critters. Alex and the boys feed them, pet them, and let the bats fly around. One particuarlly friendly bat flies over to Micky and nuzzles him, trying to get friendly. ;) :) )

*Lauren makes a face and swats at the bat. It buzzes her before taking off.* :P ;)

(The next room is guarded by a huge purple fuzzy Mutation left over from "Monkees In Wonderland." He stops them and wants to know the password. ;) )

*Micky guesses "password."* ;)

(The Mutation makes a face and lets them enter a huge ballroom. Ghostly dancers do a number to the tune of the music. The Phantom of the Opera, complete with mask and long opera cape, plays the organ above. The chandelier looks rather fragmented. Female demons ask Peter and Davy for dances, and they, too, join the crowd.)

*Lauren grabs Micky's hand and drags him out onto the dance floor, before someone else can.* :P

*Alex frowns at the pair, but is dragged onto the floor by the same headless woman, now in a very revealing red dress.* :D ;) >:)

(The music ends, and the crowd claps for the "orchestra," a group of very pale men in tattered tuxedos. The lettering on their podiums says "Martin Masher and His Crypt Kicker Orchestra.")

Davy: (Grins) Encore! That was wonderful! ;)

Peter: Maybe we could take him into town next!

Davy: Why don't we 'ang out 'ere a bit longah? (The female demon flicks her tongue over his neck) I ain't done 'avin' fun yet. ;)

Micky: Oh, brother. Some things never change. :P ;)

Peter: I wanna go see the town! :p

Alex: *with the headless woman still on his arm* Boys, enough. I have some errands to run, and I'm gonna need a little help with them. *looks pointedly at Micky and Lauren, who immediately separate*

(Peter's eyes widen. Davy and his demon snicker. ;) )

Peter: Um...maybe Lauren should retrieve Michael to help you with your chores, Master.

Alex: *half grin* A good idea. Lauren, would you get Michael, so we can get started? ;) >:)

Lauren: *glances at Micky, then nods* I'll get Mike. *leaves the ballroom*

Davy: If she can get 'im away from Shelia when she's in THAT mood. ;)

Alex: *smirks in Micky's direction* A little effort should do her well. She seemed to be getting a little too chummy with our new friend, here. :P ;) >:)

*Micky's eyes narrow.* :P

Peter: Well, they ARE married topside.

Alex: WERE. >:)

*Micky growls.* :P X-(

Peter: Why don't we take him back to the slaves' quarters to prepare him for later?

Davy: You do it. They're gonna be startin' the next numbah in a few minutes!

Alex: *rolls his eyes* I'll do it. You stay and do whatever it is you do when you do that voodoo that you do so well. *pauses; glares at Davy* I hate it when you make me say that. :P ;)

*Micky snorts.* ;)

Davy: Thank you for thinkin' of me, Mastah. ;)

Peter: This will be fun! I wonder where the punch is?

Davy: Probably ran off to punch somebody. ;)

Alex: Wouldn't surprise me. Whatever you do, if someone asks if you want a nice Hawaiian punch, say no. ;) :P

*Micky snorts again.* ;)

Davy: (Grins as the demon runs her claws lightly over him) The last thing on me mind right now is liquid refreshment. ;)

Alex: Go do whatever it is you DO have in mind. Just don't TELL us about it. :P ;)

Davy: Ain't for public 'ome viewin', anyway. ;) (He drapes an arm around the female demon and walks off with her; she giggles as he whispers something in her ear)

Alex: *turns to his headless woman* Sorry, my dear, I'll have to take a rain check for now. I'll meet up with you later. *she waves and walks away* With curves like that, who needs a head? ;) :D >:)

Peter: (Blushes) Um...maybe I'll go see if the cookies are still in one place... (he hurries off, leaving Alex and Micky alone)

Alex: *smirks* So, how do you like your new home so far? ;) >:)

Micky: Alex, you can't keep me down here forever. My home is up (points upwards) THERE. I have a wife and kids up there who need me! I miss it up there! I don't belong HERE, no matter how cute the Lauren is!

Alex: *shrugs* No can do. You're dead. *grins* You're here to stay. ;) >:)

Micky: I'm NOT dead! (Puts a hand on his chest) I'm still linked to Lauren! I can feel her! She's really worried, about me and about what the kids are going to think! You have to let me go back!

Alex: *laughs* If you really think I'm gonna LET you go back top-side, you're dumber than you seem! ;)

Micky: But I'm not dead, a counterpart YOU created, or a monster! This isn't my home! I want to go back to Lauren! (Grins) I want to go back where the Shark's Fin Soup won't take off most of my hand. ;)

Alex: But you ARE in a coma. You only LOOK okay physically. I took away all of the outer injuries you sustained in the car accident. *puts his arms out* This is your home while you're in that state. *points at Micky, nearly poking him in the chest* And you're staying in that state until I say otherwise. >:)

Micky: No way! (Pushes Alex's hand away) I'm not a slave to YOU!

Alex: You live in my world, you're MY slave. >:)

Micky: Forget it, man! You're bonkers! :p

Alex: Oh, BONKERS, am I? We'll see about that. *waves his hand in front of Micky's face, creating a black haze.* ;) >:)

Micky: (Frowns) Ok, what was that all about, Mr. Sci-Fi Reject? ;) :p

Alex: You'll see. *snaps his fingers; a big, hairy red monster appears* Gossamer, you're looking well today. ;)

*The monster grunts.*

Micky: (Frowns) What the... (suddenly, his eyes get wide and his jaw drops; he screams at the top of his lungs) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! (He runs behind Alex) Monster, man! Monster! :o

Alex: Oh, but, Micky, Gossamer just wants to play, don't you, Gossamer? ;)

Micky: But I don't wanna play with him! What if he has fleas or something? :o

*Gossamer nods and reaches around Alex and grabs Micky. He holds Micky tightly, hugging him.*

Micky: AHHH!!! Put me down, man! I ain't a toy! :o

Alex: Goss has a strange affliction for liking people named George. ;)

Micky: Oh, great. :p

Alex: Gossamer loves to hug and squeeze. You wouldn't think he'd be a touchy-feely sort of monster. ;)

Micky: Um, Gossamer, this is great and everything, but why, um, why don't we go somewhere and talk about all this? (As the monster squeezes harder) Man, I'm already married! :p

*Gossamer starts to walk away from Alex, still carrying Micky with him.*

Alex: *waving after them* See you later, Goss! ;)

Micky: Whoa, you no cavemonster, me no Jane! Put me down! Man, I'm gettin' Vertigo or somethin'! :o

*Alex grins, proud of himself.* :D

Micky: (As we fade out) Man, have you taken a bath lately, 'cause you STINK! :p