Ok, so, is everyone ready to celebrate Mick's birthday and the completion of our first batch of music videos?

Mike: (Sighs) Yeah.

Peter: I'm ready!

Micky: Better believe I'm ready!

Davy: Ready.

*We open at Lauren and Micky's house. Decorations are hung all over the living room.*

Bob: (Grin in his voice as Micky and Peter come out with plates of vegetables and fruits) Hi, guys. Happy birthday, Mick!

Peter: (Smiles at the camera as he sets the tray of vegetables down) We're glad to see you guys made it.

Bert: Hey Micky, how's your new child? Is Lauren with him?

Micky: Yeah, she is.

Bob: How is he, anyway? We haven't really seen you guys since you came back from Coconut Island? Did the birth go all right?

Micky: He's great. Everything went just fine.

Mike: (Chuckles as we hear a baby's wail from upstairs) Lil' Billy seems to have gotten his pop's pipes. (He carries a bowl of punch) That'll do it until Al arrives with the rest of the goodies.

Micky: Yeah, but he's a real sweetheart, so he seems to have Lauren's disposition.

Peter: I'll bet that'll make Lauren happy. She's been waiting for one of the kids to take after her.

Micky: Leah's pretty close, but when she's around the twins, all three become like me.

Mike: (Laughs) Which drives Lauren nuts. (Emma enters)

Emma: What drives Lauren nuts?

Mike: When the kids all get crazy like Mick.

Emma: (Shakes her head) Yes, it does. She says she can't keep up with their energy.

Bob: Are the kids all upstairs?

Emma: Just Katie, Robbie, and the Dolenz kids. Davy took Lizzie to Daph's parents' house for the weekend. Daph will be coming with the Abbies - they were putting the finishing touches on a record.

Peter: Val's dropping Jordan and Austin off at her father's mansion. She'll be around later as well.

Bob: Where WERE you girls during this story? The only one of you we saw was Daph.

Emma: We originally were going to be in the story, but when we started, I realized how complicated the story was. Eventually, we decided that all we needed were the four guys, with brief appearances by Daph, the ancestors, and a few members of the supporting cast.

Peter: Val's been swamped with work.

Emma: I've been trying to work on a new novel.

Bert: And Lauren's probably busy with Billy.

Micky: *Nods* Yeah, she is.

Bob: Mike, how are you feeling?

Mike: Well, my head ain't poundin' like it was yesterday. (Makes a face) But somethin' still ain't right. I don't think I'm gonna kill at a moment's notice, but I don't really think I'm quite all there yet.

Peter: (Sighs and nods) Your aura isn't going back-and-forth like it was...but it's still not normal, either.

Bert: What I want to know is...Micky, what gave you the idea to call in you ancestors? We haven't seen those guys in years!

Micky: *Shrugs* I just...did.

Peter: It was a good idea, though. Use them as a distraction while we rescued Michael. In fact, Mick, you were a BIG help in this story!

Mike: I owe you a lot, between the camera and roundin' up our ancestors to help get me out.

Micky: I just did what I had to.

Bob: What's happening with the videos? Did you finish them?

Mike: Yeah. (Makes a face) But we heard from Belavarg's lawyers this morning. Not only can we not make any more without Bela's say-so, but he has to choose and arrange the music for the next video and Davy's next record.

Bob: What are you going to do?

Mike: We're gettin' our lawyers together now as we speak. We're gonna fight this bastard. He can't do this.

Peter: Our music... (he just shakes his head and frowns) ...I can't believe it. It was the only thing we had that we all loved and all made together. (Peter looks like he may cry)

Emma: That's why he did it. Your music is of paramount importance to all of you...and the best way to control you. The Devils have been trying to do it for years.

Mike: Man, I feel like a total fool. (Shakes his head and takes Black Beauty) You know Pete, I remember you askin' when you'll ever learn to read contracts before you sign them. (Makes a face) When will I learn not to jump into the lap of the first huckster with deal for my music that's too good to be true?

Emma: (She takes Mike in her arms) Honey, it'll be all right.

Mike: No, Em...I don't think it'll ever be all right again.

Peter: Michael, I wish there was something we could do to help.

Mike: You're doin' all you can now, Pete.

Emma: I hope Lauren's doing ok with Billy. He seemed a little fussy after his dinner.

Mike: Hey Mick, have you heard from Al? He should be here any minute.

Micky: He only mentioned that there was something he wanted to talk to all of us about. *shrugs*

Bert: Where did the idea for this story come from?

Emma: (Smirks) Real life. Anyone who knows even a little about the real Monkees probably knows that the music supervision on their first two albums was controlled by a fellow named Don Kirchsner. While not nearly as bad as our Belavarg, he still didn't do much for the Monkees - barely mentioned them on the second album and put it out hastily, wouldn't let them play, encouraged his own studio musicians over the boys. I understand that everyone was facing a deadline, but he still acts like he was in charge of everything, like HE was the big cheese (turns to the camera) when it was your idea and the Monkees doing the singing.

Bert: (Shrug in his voice) He could be a jerk, but he got results.

Mike: Results of what? Takin' us off our own music? Tellin' us we can't play what's ours and our friends'?

Emma: (Nods) I'm a huge fan of Neil Diamond, and I like Carol King and Carole Bayer Sager, too...but I also like a lot of the songs the guys wrote themselves. Frankly, most of my favorite songs came out after the real Monkees revolted, including my two favorites, "Daydream Believer" (grins at Mike) and "Listen to the Band."

Mike: That's my darlin'. She has taste in music.

Emma: The ancestors came in a bit later. We haven't seen them since "Monkees On Ice," so I thought we were due to learn a bit more about the history of the Guardians. We'll be seeing more of them this spring.

(Lauren walks in as the camera turns to her. She's a bit tired...and noticeably thinner than when we last saw her.)

Bob: Hey, Lauren. How are you feeling?

Emma: Are you ok?

Lauren: I'm fine. A little tired, but feeling good.

Bob: Micky told me the kid came out about a week after you guys got back from Coconut Island. Congratulations.

Bert: Sounds like you finally got one that takes after your side.

Emma: Lauren's been waiting for a quiet one.

Bert: Have you gone back to work at the radio station and Millie's yet?

Lauren: Not yet. Gonna take another week, then I'll be back to both.

Mike: Yeah, I miss hearin' you on the radio. So do the kids. Someone’s gotta be the sane one with Mick around.

Micky: No kidding.

Bert: Lauren, what do you think about everything going on, with the ancestors and Belavarg's return?

Lauren: Frankly, I'd be happy to never see him again. I'm glad the ancestors are still fairly nearby, though.

Mike: (Mutters) That makes two of us...on the ancestors AND Belavarg.

Peter: (Sighs) I think we all knew Bela hadn't disappeared completely. I'm going to assume he really was in Europe, from all that furniture in his new home and the fancy Italian suits.

Mike: Not to mention, that chick with the accent who kept chasin' Dave.

(Davy enters, even as Mike says this.)

Bob: Hey, Dave. How's Lizzie and Daph?

Davy: They're fine.

Mike: (Smirks) How do you feel 'bout your new admirer, Dave?

Davy: Funny, Mike.

Bob: That Midge sure was into you.

Bert: You always did have a way with the ladies, Dave.

Peter: I'm assuming Midge is Belavarg's replacement for Stella. She seems a bit more intelligent, anyway.

Mike: I don't know about that, if she's into Dave.

Micky: *Gawks at Mike* You stole my line!

Davy: Real bloody funny, mates.

Mike: I know you, Mick.

Peter: I think we all know each other too well by now.

Bert: Speaking of Mick...hey, where did you come up with the camera that uncovered Belavarg's disguise, so to speak?

Micky: *Shrugs* Just from the fact that these bad guys like to use disguises.

Mike: Yeah. It's about time we saw through them.

(Al comes in next, carrying a pile of food platters.)

Mike: Hey, man. Need a little help?

Al: *Grins* This is a party for Mick. What do you think?

Peter: I'll help. (He hurries out to the van we can vaguely see in the front of the house)

Bert: Hi, Al. Haven't seen you in ages. How are you doing?

Al: Doing pretty well. I've been really busy.

Mike: Yeah, we ain't seen you as often since November. How's that girlfriend of yours?

Al: *Sighs* She's wonderful...

Micky: Ix-nay, Mike. We're losing him.

Mike: Al? (Waves his hand in front of Al's face) Hey Al? You in there?

Bert: Hey Al, man, wake up!

Al: Hm?

Mike: (Shakes Al's arm) Um, Al? You there? We're gonna need you for the party, man.

Al: Oh, uh, yeah, I'm here. Sorry about that.

Mike: That's ok. All of our women seem to get us that way.

Peter: (He comes in with the platters) Al, you said something to Micky and me on the phone about needing our help with your business?

Mike: (Raises an eyebrow) What do you mean?

Al: Uh, yeah, well... I received an offer looking to buy my catering business. I really don't want to sell, because I enjoy it too much, but it's a pretty decent offer. It isn't one of those too good to be true offers, but it's... good. Hard to pass up, you know?

Mike: (Exchanges looks with the other Monkees and the girls) Who's doin' the offerin'?

Al: *Sighs* Lillith Staffer.

Peter: (As he sets out the huge cake) I know that name. Wasn't she the one who bought Dark Star Records?

Mike: (Nods) Yeah. She's Bela...er, Mr. Lensher's boss now.

Al: I'm somewhat familiar with her myself. *shrugs* I don't know what to do...

Mike: We can help. We'll check it out for you, Al.

Peter: (Nods) Yeah.

Al: I'd really appreciate that, fellas, thanks.

Micky: Yeah, man, we won't let you get ripped off.

Peter: You're our friend.

Mike: And Micky would kill us if a guy who made food like you do shut down.

Micky: He's right.

Al: *Chuckles* I wouldn't dare deprive Mick of his food, otherwise he might start sending me weird recipes again.

Bob: So, looks like helpin' Al out is next month's story.

Emma: That's right, Bob. And this time, we'll all be involved.

Mike: (Turns to Al) You poor guy.

Peter: I'm sure it'll be fine.

Emma: And since it's getting late and the guests will be arriving any minute, why don't we finish here? Peter and Micky, you were the heroes of this story. You two can finish. (Turns to the camera) Although allow me to add that this is the first part of our next four-part story, so yes, the next story will have some connection to this one.

Peter: (Chuckles) Thanks, Em. (Turns to the camera) We here at Dream World hope all of you have a great spring.

*Micky waves like crazy at the camera.*

Mike: See ya next month, folks. (As he turns to wave to the camera, we see an evil gleam in his eyes. He winks...and his eyes look black as we fade out.)

(Cut to Mike's version of "My Share of the Sidewalk," played over scenes from the "production." We end with a shot of all four guys with their ancestors and Belavarg in Bela's castle under the words "A Raybert Production.")