Speaking of...everyone ready to go to Japan? ;)

Mike: Yeah, man.

Peter: I am! :D

Micky: Me, too!

Lauren: And me!

Daphne: I am, too! X-( :P ;)

Valerie: Oh, dear...

*We open in a hotel room. Both beds are already a mess. Each of the twins is jumping on their own bed. Lauren sits in a chair off to the side, head propped in her hand. There's a mound of blankets on the floor in between the beds.*

Lauren: *mutters* We've been here half an hour and the room is already in a shambles. :P

(There's a knock at the door and some chuckling.)

Mike: Hey, Lauren, everything decent enough for us to come in? ;)

Katie: Wanna see twins! :D

Mike: Cowgirl wants to chat with your rugrats. ;)

Lauren: Hang on! *gets up, crosses to the door, and waves everyone in* Come on in, if you dare. ;)

(Emma, Mike, and Katie enter. Katie immediately runs to the twins, giggling.)

Katie: Oooh, fun! :D

Mike: Katie, don't you try that. The twins shouldn't be doin' it. :p

Emma: Yes, that's a no-no, and it damages the bed. :p

Lauren: We BOTH tried telling them that. As you can see, we didn't get very far. ;)

Mike: Ok, we don't have our first show until tomorrow, so we have today to see the sights. (Sighs as there's another knock on the door) Not to mention we have some OTHER things to discuss.

Peter: Hi, guys, you in?

Valerie: And alive? ;)

Lauren: *pulling at the pile of blankets on the floor* I don't know about alive. Mick, you under here? ;)

Micky: *as Lauren pulls a blanket off his head; grins* Hiya, babe. ;)

Lauren: Would you get out from under there? :P

Katie: (Runs to the bed) Peek-a-boo, Unca Micky! :D

Mike: Mick, what in the HELL are you doin' under there?

Micky: I kinda got buried. :P ;)

Mike: See what you did, kids? You buried your dad. ;)

*As the twins laugh, Micky pulls the blankets off and picks up each twin in one arm.*

Micky: C'mere, ya little rugrats. ;) :P

Katie: (Giggles) Unca Micky got'cha! ;) ;))

Peter: (Knocks again) Um, guys, are you ok?

Valerie: Is it safe to come in now? ;)

Lauren: *calls out* I'm comin'! *runs to the door and opens it* Sorry, we kinda had two tornadoes come through here, otherwise known as the twins. :P ;)

Peter: (As he and Valerie take in the damage) Oh, wow, they sure did this room in fast!

Valerie: New record for them. ;)

Lauren: Yeah. :P ;)

Mike: Ok, we just need Daph n' Dave. We've gotta talk about tonight's show...and this business with Keiko.

Katie: Kee-ko?

Mike: Unca Davy's new...friend.

(There's another knock on the door at this point.)

Daphne: Let me in! X-(

Lauren: Daph's still on the rampage. *goes to the door; Daphne barges in like a bat out of hell*

Daphne: Okay, where is he? :P X-(

Katie: Uh-oh. Aun' Dap'ne mad. :o

Mike: I'm assumin' you mean Davy. He ain't shown up yet.

Peter: I'm sure he knows to meet us here soon!

Daphne: He'd better know. :P

Mike: Yeah, but I ain' waitin' around for him. He's part of the problem, anyway. Does anyone have any ideas of what we're gonna do abou Keiko?

Peter: Ask her for her recipie for soba noodles! :D

Mike: Besides get to know the local cuisine better. :p

Emma: She can stay with us and in our entourage until she does what she has to do with Honeywell, then she can do as she pleases, stay here or go back to the US or whatever she wants.

Valerie: I agree with Emma. Keiko is now Honeywell's responsibility.

Mike: Yeah, well, we know how responsible Honeywell is. :p

Micky: Well, he's gotta be able to do something right to still have his job. ;) :P

Emma: We probably don't see him at his best.

Mike: Yeah, well, I still say we stay out of his way. Let Keiko do what she's gotta do. We are NOT spies.(Looks at Micky) And if certain people want to indulge in the latest in explosive technology, they could probably go to any electronics store around here. :p

Micky: *whoops* Alright! :D

Peter: (Smiles) Why don't we go wander around? This is a really nice hotel, and there are beautiful gardens and parks and shops outside. :)

Valerie: (Says it to the group, but looks at Daphne) Maybe we'll find Davy, too. He's probably exploring the hotel.

Daphne: Good idea. ;) X-(

Mike: And I'll bet the kiddies are up for a walk. ;)

Katie: (Grabs her father's hand) Go, Papa! :D

Emma: She is. ;)

*The twins cheer.* :D

Peter: (Grabs Valerie's hand) Come on, Val! I want to see the local culture. :D

Mike: We'll meet downstairs in the restaurant for lunch.

(Everyone heads out the door, and we get shots of them going down the hallway as "My Share of the Sidewalk" begins. Mike, Emma, and Katie walk downstairs and into the huge, glass-covered main lobby. Katie runs to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by trees and flowers. She sticks her hand in. Mike pulls her back before she falls in the pool. :p :D)

*The twins run to the rotating door and go around and around and around. Micky stops the door and Lauren sighs. Then Micky starts going around in the door with the twins. Lauren turns and walks away, pretending to not know them.* ;) :P

(Peter and Valerie walk by. He pulls Valerie over and joins Micky and the twins in the revolving doors. Valerie rolls her eyes and joins Lauren. :p :D 8-|)

(Katie tries to out-scary-face a small Godzilla statue in a children's play area. Emma and Mike chuckle. ;) )

*Daphne stalks around the lobby, looking for Davy.* :P

(Katie watches little girls in pretty kimonos sipping tea. She and Emma join them while Mike plays music for some appreciative men. ;) ))

*Micky, Peter, and the twins leave the rotating door and go into the gift shop. Micky snags a pair of sunglasses and places them on Little Mick, who grins widely.*

(Peter buys real green Japanese tea in fancy containers for himself and Valerie. He buys Shelly a beautiful hard plastic doll in a kimono and hands it to the little girl. She has large brown eyes that move and shiny straight black hair you can brush. :) )

*Micky tries on a dark blue kimono while little Mick tries on a dark green one. Both are "modeling" in front of a mirror.* ;)

(Mike, Emma, and Katie join the others in the gift shop. Mike and Katie have a pretend duel with plastic samurai swords. Emma just gets out of their way, admiring Japanese cookware. ;) )

*Lauren and Valerie come out of the restaurant area with cups of tea.* :)

(Mike, Emma, and Katie now have kimonos, too. Mike's is white, Emma's is dark red, and Katie's is pale blue with pretty embroidered flowers. They show them to Micky and Little Mick. Peter models an orange kimono.)

*Micky and Little Mick nod and give thumbs-up.* :D ;)

(Everyone walks back out in normal clothes, carrying bags, as the song ends. Valerie and Lauren chat on a low bench in front of the waterfall garden area. :) )

Mike: Hey, girls. Gossipin' 'bout us? ;)

Valerie: Hi, guys. Looks like you had a productive afternoon. ;)

Mike: Well, when in Japan, do what the folks who know what they're doin' do. ;)

Katie: Me sam'ri! (Waves her sword) :D

Emma: (Chuckles) Kurosowa would be proud of her. ;)

Mike: Well, let's go have some lunch. Where's Daph n' Dave?

Lauren: *glances around* I saw Daph wandering around here. Looked like she was looking for Davy.

Micky: *glances out the door* Uh oh. I think Daph found BOTH of them. Look. *points out the door*

(Daphne stomps in first, her eyes very close to spitting fire. Davy is next, arguing with her, and a meek Keiko follows behind.)

Mike: Oh merciful heavens, now what? :p

Davy: Daph, we wern't doin' nuthin'!

Daphne: A likely story, Davy. X-(

Keiko: I just show Davy around. We sight-see.

Davy: Messin' around before gettin' married ain't in her culture, Daph! They don't do that stuff around here!

Daphne: I'm supposed to believe that?!

Micky: Maybe we should go break it before before there's some real fireworks going off. :P ;)

Mike: Sounds good to me. Keiko, what's the food like around here?

Keiko: It is very good. I know a good place we can go.

Mike: Lead us there, darlin'. You know the territory. ;)

*The entire group heads back out the door, Daphne staying as close to Davy as she can, though Lauren and Micky try to keep space between her and Keiko. The walk down a couple blocks before coming upon the restaurant.*

Mike: (Nods at the fairly non-descript exterior) Seems safe enough. They take kids here?

Keiko: Yes, they do. This is a family restaurant.

Katie: Yay! Wanna burger! :D

Mike: Um, not in Japan, cowgirl. ;)

Katie: Aww! :p

(They enter...but Keiko stops them and indicates a rack with a few pairs of shoes on it.)

Keiko: Before entering, we must remove our shoes. It is customary. :)

Mike: (Pulls off his boots as the others follow suit) Well, ok, if you say so. You know the territory.

Katie: Soes? (Hands her mother her little sneakers) :)

Emma: Thank you, dear. (Puts them next to her suede loafers)

*The twins kick off their shoes and put them between their parents'.* :)

Mike: (As everyone finishes putting their shoes on the rack) Ok, Keiko, we're ready now. Lead us to the food. ;)

Keiko: This way. *walks through a beaded doorway and speaks briefly with the host* Please follow. *follows after the host, with everyone else behind them*

Katie: (Frowns as they gather around a large, circular table with a grill in the middle) Tairs? :-/

Mike: Yeah, man! Where are we gonna sit?

Peter: (Sits on a mat) On the floor. (Smiles) I've read about Japanese culture many times while studying their religions. :)

Keiko: *smiles* It is nice to see such appreciation for another's culture, thank you.

Peter: I love reading about other cultures, especially oriental. It's facinating! I've learned so much. :)

(Everyone sits down as a man comes to the table with menus on a sheet of paper in fancy scrolls with English descriptions under them.)

Mike: (Eyes widen) I hope the sushi rolls ain’t what I think they say they are. :p

Peter: I'd rather have spring rolls. I don't like meat.

Micky: I'll have one of everything as long as it's not raw. ;) :P

Mike: We'll just have some chicken stir-fry, please.

Katie: Burger! :D

Mike: I told you, cowgirl, no burgers here. This ain't home.

(Katie pouts. :p)

Lauren: Chicken stir-fry sounds good. I'll have that. And noodles for these two. *motions to the twins* :)

Davy: You know, I think I'll try that sushi. I'm brave. ;)

Keiko: I will have sushi, also.

Daphne: Vegetable stir-fry, please.

Valerie: Actually, I rather like sushi. I'll have the sesame rolls with wasabi on the side. ;)

Peter: (Impressed) Wasabi, honey? Wow, you're REALLY brave! :o

Valerie: What can I say? I like the taste. ;)

Peter: But that's Japanese horseradish sauce...and it's really HOT! :o

Mike: In that case, I'll have some. ;)

Micky: I'll take some of that, too! ;)

Peter: It's been nice knowing you guys. :o

(The waiter heads off, and the others look around the room.)

Mike: This is kinda weird. I feel like the Green Giant. Mick and I are twice as tall as almost anyone in the room. :p

Emma: (Shrugs) I like it! :)

Mike: You would. ;)

Davy: I kinda like a place where the men ain't much tallah than me. ;)

(A waiter brushes past Keiko and hands a book to her and Davy. Davy indicates it.)

Davy: 'Ey, luv, what's that?

Keiko: *whispers* This book has instructions on what to do next, but we must wait until after we have eaten for the waiter to meet us.

Davy: (Frowns) Wot do you mean? I thought we were going to spend the aftahnoon wit' the othahs!

Keiko: *gives him an odd look* No, we must follow the instructions, or else.

Mike: (Notices Daphne's not-happy look) Hey, you two, if you have somethin' important to say, could you share it with the table?

Katie: Kissy? :)

Emma: Um, no, Katie. They're just talking about our meal. :)

Keiko: I am sorry.

Davy: That's all right, luv. No 'arm done.

Peter: (Frowns at a group of men in dark suits watching them) Hey, those guys are staring at us! :p

Micky: *glances over* For some reason, I don't think that's a friendly audience. :P

Valerie: They're probably not used to seeing westerners.

Mike: Well, not westerners like us, anyway. We're a different breed. ;)

Lauren: VERY different. ;)

(The waiter comes back over to the table, wheeling a cart full of food. He turns on something under the table...and a flame rises.)

Katie: Wow! :o

Mike: Um, this ain't the best place for a barbecue. ;) :p

Micky: Now this, I like! :D ;)

(The man slices and dices vegetables and chicken in a wok over the grill. The kids watch, facinated, as another waiter brings plates of colorful rolls of fish and vegetables, some wrapped in seaweed, and small containers of pale green paste.)

Mike: What's the green stuff?

Valerie: (Grins) Wasabi. Just put a tiny dab on your food. It's very, VERY hot!

Katie: (Leans over to try the paste) Oooh! :D

Mike: (Stops her) No, cowgirl, that's too hot for you.

Katie: Awww! :p

Micky: More for me! ;)

(The waiter finally puts Lauren and the twins' noodles on the table, then bows and leaves...passing something to Keiko as he does. Davy peeks at the item in Keiko's hand. It's a single, lovely orchid.)

Micky: Alright, pass on the wasabi. ;)

Valerie: Remember, Mick, just a little. (The waiter passes out everyone's stir-fry)

*Micky makes a face. He stabs a piece of chicken and dips it into the wasabi, then puts it in his mouth. He makes a slight face before swallowing, then shrugs.*

Micky: Nothin' to it. ;)

Valerie: You say that now. ;)

Lauren: Oh, my Lord.

Micky: What? ;)

Lauren: Shouldn't he have steam coming out his ears by now?

Valerie: (Looks at her watch) Oh, I say he will in about, two, one... ;)

Micky: What? ;)

Lauren: I'm waiting, Mick. I swear, do you REALLY have lead lining your stomach and throat? ;)

Micky: *shrugs* Not that I know of.

Lauren: *shakes her head* Unbelievable. :P

Mike: (Grabs his wasabi) Ok, let me try this stuff, then. (Grabs the wasabi and dips a piece of chicken in) Well, here goes nuthin'. (He tries it...and grabs the biggest glass of water he can get his hands on) Holy SHIT, that stuff's HOT! It's worse than my Uncle Patrick's Eight-Alarm Texas Chili Sauce! :o

Emma: Mike, your language. There are children here. :p

Katie: Papa red! :o

Micky: *grins* Too hot for ya, Mike? ;)

Valerie: Guys, you have to take a DAB, not drown your chicken and sushi pieces in it. :p

Lauren: Whether Mick can handle drowning it or not. :P

Davy: (Frowns) Those guys are still staring at us!Mike: Don't stare back.

Micky: Well, if they're waiting for me to start breathing fire, they've got a long wait ahead of them. :P

Davy: I thought Mike just did that. ;)

(The table rises slightly as Mike kicks Davy under it. ;) )

Davy: Ow! Mike! :p

Emma: Honey, please. Honestly, the kids are more mature. :p

Lauren: *watches the twins shovel noodles in their mouths* Ehhh, not always. ;)

Peter: (Gasps as they finish up their food) Those guys are coming over here! :O

Mike: Maybe they're record execs.

Emma: I somehow doubt that, dear. :p

Katie: Uh-oh. :o

Micky: Great. :P

1st Man: (Frowns) You are pop group? You cannot be pop group. You are with spy.

Mike: Don't mean we ARE spies. :p

Valerie: What do you wish of us, sir?

2nd Man: You have information. We wish for you to come to our place. Tell us what is known.

Peter: (Grins, but it's jokingly) Oh, I know many things! I could tell you about our new albums, or the tour, or the book on meditation I read this morning, or...

(Valerie nudges him. He snickers, but the men remain impassive. ;) :p)

Micky: Or, frankly, that we know nothing.

Mike: That's more truthful, especially in his case. ;)

(The table rises again; this time Mike is the one saying "Ow!" ;) :p)

Davy: How do you know we're eating with a spy? Do you see Sean Connery in the room? ;)

3rd Man: She is known to us. We want her to come to us.

Lauren: "She?" /:)

Mike: Look, we're just eatin' like normal people, so could you go away?

3rd Man: Not without what is came for.

Mike: Hey, we can all play that game here. (Nods at Emma) Em, get the kids outta here and call the police.

Emma: Right. (Grabs her daughter's hand and wipes her off, then takes Mick's hand; Shelly follows)

Mike: (Stands; out loud, to the room in general) Um, we're about to do a fight scene, so all civlians might wanna vamanos, or do whatever extras do durin' fight sequences. ;)

Micky: Which is usually running around like chickens with their heads cut off. ;)

("Your Auntie Grizelda" begins as the men close in on the remaining group. Mike grabs one of the knives used for slicing and holds it out to one of the men. He just knocks it out of his hand. Mike stamps on the man's foot and runs while he's jumping up and down.)

*Micky grins, picking up some of the remaining wasasbi and a small piece of bread. He dunks the bread in the wasabi, then shoves it into one of the men's mouths. The man fans his mouth and starts scrounging for water.*

(Davy grabs one of the twins’ remaining bowls of noodles and dumps it on an oncoming bad guy's head, then pulls Daphne and Keiko behind a "fort" of an overturned table. The trio throw noodles and sushi at the oncoming men.)

(Mike takes a full tray from one of the waiters. He scoots to and fro a bit before balancing it. He finally delivers tea to Lauren, Micky, and Peter. ;) )

(One of the men tries to grab Mike, but he hands them the tray instead. ;) )

(Peter and Valerie wrap two of the men up with the bamboo mats they were sitting on. :D)

*Lauren and one of the men duel with chop sticks, until she backs him up to where Micky is bent over on the floor. The man stumbles over Micky, who then gets up and shakes hands with Lauren, both grinning.* ;)

(Davy and the girls throw the noodles and remaining stir-fry at the bad guys, who slip and slide on them, falling to the floor.)

(Mike ducks away from one man, who accidentally sits on the grill. He grabs a glass of water and splashes it on his smoking rear end. :p)

(The group finally gets all the men rounded up and wrapped with bamboo mats as Emma comes in with the kids.)

Emma: The police are on their way, and actually should be here any minute, since I believe they're close by. I got the manager to call them; he's apparently quite multi-lingual. :)

Mike: (Turns to Keiko) Ok, little darlin', it's time to be straight with us. What IS going on around here? Who ARE these guys? I'm assumin' they ain't friends of yours or Honeywell's. :p

Keiko: I can bring you to Honeywell, but I must contact the waiter, first.

Mike: Fine, you do that, but afterwards, we want some answers, from you AND him.