*It's a week before Halloween at the Dolenz house. The four guys have turned the entire first floor into a Haunted House. The guys are putting the finishing touches as we fade in.*

Micky: *grins as he checks the fake guillotine* This is going to be great! :D

Davy: Mate, did you want the sevahed 'ead in a basket undah the guilltoine...?

Micky: *nods* Perfect! Here... *picks up the basket & Davy drops the head into it*

Mike: (In his knight costume; brings Micky a bowl of noodles) Mick, ain't this a little much for the kids?

Micky: Nah, they'll get a kick out of it! ;)

Peter: (In his hippie Indian costume; has a bowl of grapes) I'm scared already, and I helped you put everything out! :o

Micky: See, it's working already! ;)

Mike: Peter, weird noises scare you. :p

Peter: No they don't! :p

Davy: *wears a Prince costume* Mick... where's your costume, though? You told us to dress up... :-/

Micky: *grins* Don't worry about my costume. I'll put it on right before we let the kids in. ;)

Davy: You telling me to not worry is wot worries me. :P ;)

Micky: It's a surprise, okay? ;)

Mike: You ain't gonna be Tarzan? ;)

Micky: *grins* Not right now atleast. ;)

Peter: I thought we were going to meet the girls at that party in Laurel Canyon after we went trick-or-treating with the kids!

Micky: We will, we will. I'll change before we head out.

Micky: Now, lets see... ah, I know what else I need... *disappears into the kitchen*

Davy: 'E's getting a little too into this, don't you think? ;)

*Micky returns with a bottle of ketchup. He dumps some into the basket with the head.*

Micky: Can't have a severed head without blood. ;)

Peter: (Turns noticeably green) I think I'm gonna be sick. :p :-&

Micky: It's just ketchup! :P

Mike: Pete, calm down, ok? Why don't you go in the kitchen and set up the bowls?

Peter: (Perks up) Ok! There's no ketchup in there! :D

Mike: (As Peter heads for the kitchen) I'm less worried about how the kids will handle this and more about how Pete's handlin' this. Is it me, or has he been weirder than usual lately? :p

Davy: 'E 'as been rathah jumpy. :P

Micky: *shrugs* He always gets jumpy around Halloween.

*Micky turns on a vaporizer set up in a culdron to act as steam. He dusts his hands off.*

Micky: Alright, that's everything. ;)

Micky: Now, I want you guys to let the kids in & I'm gonna go get into my costume. Let the kids wander... & I'll show up eventually. ;)

Davy: Aren't you gonna tell us wot you're dressing up as?

Micky: *grins* No. ;)

Mike: Considerin' we're talkin' to Mick, I'm afraid to ask. (Turns to Davy) Come on. Let's go get the kiddies. Mick'll tell Peter we're gone.

Davy: Right.

Micky: *goes to the kitchen* Pete, the others are letting the kids in. I'm going to change into my costume.

Peter: (Organizes bowls in a row) Ok, Mick. Anything else you need done? (Gulps) Preferably NOT around that guillotine? :o :)

Micky: *shakes his head, smiling* Nope, everything's all set. And you don't have to go near the guillotine again if you don't want to. I've gotta go change. I'll see ya later! *waves*

*Micky then dashes out of the kitchen & runs up the stairs as little voices are heard.*

Peter: Micky! (Sighs, then looks around the dark, spooky kitchen, gulping) I...um...I think I'll get the door! (He dashes for the living room, pointedly ignoring the guillotine, and runs right into the door as Mike opens it and the four older kids enter.)

Jordan: Daddy!

Peter: (Rubs his nose) Owww! :p

Mike: You ok, Pete?

Peter: Yeah. (Touches his nose) Nothing broken.

Jordan: Daddy's nose feel funny? :p

Peter: (Nods but smiles) Yeah, but it's ok, Jordan. It's not bad. I should have been more careful.

Little Mick: Where's the scary stuff?

Katie: Yeah! Wanna see the scary stuff! :D

Jordan: Uh.... :o

Peter: (Takes his son's hand) I'll stay with you, Jordan, ok? This is all fake. None of it will hurt you. :)

Jordan: Really? :o :D

Peter: (More confident than he feels) Really. :)

Shelly: Yeah! it's just fun, scary stuff that our daddies put together! :)

Katie: (Takes Jordan's other hand) I watch you! No meanie monsters will hurt you when Wonder Woman's around! :D (She waves her little circle of rope for emphasis)

Mike: We're just waitn' for Uncle Mick. He should be here in a minute...

*There's movement in the living room.*

Little Mick: Look! In there!

Jordan: What dat? :o

Shelly: Lets go see!

Katie: Monster! I'll get him! (She runs ahead)

Mike: Katie, come back! (Goes after her)

Jordan: Katie, no! Monster eat you! :o

Peter: She'll be ok, Jordan. Come on. Let's catch up. :)

Jordan: 'Kay, Daddy.

*The whole group runs into the living room... & stops cold when they see a very tall figure, in a black all-over cloak, holding a siccle.* >:)

(Peter screams and jumps a mile. Jordan screams and runs behind his father. :o )

Katie: Gonna lasso you! (She tries to throw the rope at the figure, but it falls at his feet) Aw! :p

*Shelly's eyes widen & her mouth drops open, but she makes no sound.* :-O

Mike: We need to work on your ropin', Cowgirl. ;)

Little Mick: You look like a bad man! *points & pouts* :P

*The apparent Grin Reaper steps forward...*

Katie: Make him go away! (She runs to try to throw him, the way she thinks Wonder Woman would, but Mike grabs her arm)

Mike: Hold on there, Cowgirl. I don't think this fella's gonna cause any harm.

Peter: P..please go away, sir! We have children here! :o

*The Reaper raises an arm & points at Mike, making a motion for him to go to him.*

Davy: This is rathah creepy. :P

Mike: No kiddin', Dave. (He stands to his full 6'1 and goes to the Reaper) Yes, sir? What do you want with us?

Katie: Papa! :o

Jordan: Unca Mike! :o

(Katie takes her papa's hand protectively. :p)

*The Reaper lowers his arm & remains still. Suddenly, there's footsteps coming from the stairs...*

Micky's voice: Mike, don't!

Mike: What?

*Micky rounds the corner into the living room.*

Peter: Mick? :o

Jordan: Unca Micky!

Katie: Who that? (Points to the Reaper)

Micky: That isn't me! :-O :P

*The Reaper laughs evilly.* >:) :))

Mike: (Eyes widen) If you're there, then... (Points at the Reaper) :o

*The twins scream & hide behind Davy.*

Davy: Great, 'o do I 'ide be'ind? ;P

*The Reaper points at Micky next.*

Micky: *points at himself; octave higher* Me?! :-O

Peter: No!

Mike: What's goin' on?

Katie: Bad man! (She tries to run to the Reaper but Mike grabs her arm)

Mike: Cowgirl, no! Stay with Papa.

*Suddenly, the lights go out.*

Jordan: (Wails) DADDY! DARK! NO DARK! :((

*Micky screams.*

Mike: That wasn't good. Mick? Mick, where are you?

Katie: Unca Micky! The bad man gots him! :O

Shelly: *whines* Daddy!

Little Mick: Bad man got daddy! :P

Katie: Give Unca Micky back, bad man! X(

Mike: Yeah, I'm agreein' with my kid. X(

Davy: This has to be a trick! Mick, quit scaring the kids... & us! :P

Peter: Micky, this isn't funny anymore!

Jordan: I WANNA GO HOME! :((

*The lights come back on... both Micky & the Reaper are gone.*

Davy: Wot...? :-O

Mike: Damn it, if this is a joke, I'm gonna smack Micky in six different places I can't mention in front of the kids. X(

*The Reaper then appears behind them.*

Jordan: Yikes! Look out! (He points to the Reaper) :o

Peter: (Turns around with his son; turns white under his flower-power make-up) Oh my god... :o

Katie: Get him! (She runs right at the Reaper; Mike runs after her)

Mike: Katie, no!

Micky: *steps up next to the Reaper; his face is pale; wears a long cape* Hi, guys. *grins, showing off his teeth...* :D ;)

Davy: Uh, Mick, that ain't your usual pallor... :P

Micky: *still grinning* I'm hungry. ;)

Davy: Mate... this isn't funny anymore... :P

Micky: It isn't supposed to be funny... :D

Mike: This stopped being funny five seconds ago. Katie, get over here NOW.

Katie: (Stops in her tracks and turns to her father) Aww, but Papa.... :p

Micky: Oh, Davy... :D

Davy: Stay away from me, Mick...! :P

Mike: (Takes his daughter gently by her shoulder and gets between Davy and Micky) Now see here, Mick! This ain't funny, even for you, so you can drop the joke right NOW! These are toddlers we're dealin' with! (Peter whimpers along with his son) And a hippie. :p X(

Micky: *still grinning* Oh, but this isn't a joke! :D

Davy: Petah, get the kids into the kitchen or something! :P

Mike: Pete, get the kids OUT of here. We'll handle this. (Dark blue light; his broadsword appears) X(

Peter: I...I...

Davy: Go!

Mike: (Smacks Peter over the head) Pete, get the kids into the kitchen! Let them feel the bowls! We'll join you in a minute!

Peter: Uh, ok. Right. (He closes his eyes; he and the kids disappear in a wavery blue light)

Mike: (Points his sword at the Reaper and Micky) Ok Mick, what's goin' on? This joke is WAY past bein' amusin'. X(

Davy: Yeah, mate, wanna give up on this now, please? :P

Micky: It isn't a joke... *grins, then jumps at Davy & tries to bite his neck* :D ;)

*The Reaper reaches out for Mike...*

(Mike jumps away from the Reaper, smacking his side lightly with the side of his sword.)

Reaper: *familiar male voice* Ow! :P

Mike: Try anythin' else cute, an' you'll get more than a smackin', you walkin' dust cloth! (Eyes widen) Heeeeyy, I know that voice...

Davy: Mick... you tryin' to give me a 'ickey or something!? :P

Reaper: Uh... oops. :P

Mike: I knew it. (He grabs the hood from the head of the "Reaper"...revealing Nyles) Figures. :p

Nyles: *frowns* Awe, man. :P

Mike: (Turns to Micky) Game's over, Mick. You can quit suckin' Davy's neck an' take off the plastic teeth now. X( :p

Davy: *shoves at Micky* Nyles!? :-O :P

*Micky rolls over & starts laughing.*

Davy: Yuck! I got Mick slobbah all ovah me! :P

Micky: *finally sits up; still laughing* Should've... seen the looks... on your faces! :))

Mike: (Growls) What the HELL was this all about? You scared me an' the kids half to death, an' I don't even wanna think 'bout what you did to Pete! X(

Davy: *rubs at his neck* Mick, man, you bloody scared the crap out of us! :P

Micky: *still laughing & sitting on the floor* It was just a little Halloween horror, that's all!

Davy: Little...? :-/ :P

Nyles: *nods* It was just a prank.

*Micky spits out the fake teeth & continues to laugh, though he's slowing a bit.* ;)

Mike: You coulda warned us! Pete thinks we're all dyin' out here or somethin'! X(

Peter: Guys? (Peeks out) Are you ok? I didn't hear anything bad...Mick?

Micky: *finally stands, wipes at his eyes, still chuckling* Come on in, Pete. It was just some Halloween pranking, that's all.

*Nyles waves at Peter.* :)

Peter: Oh, thank goodness! I thought your auras were familiar! (Turns back to the kitchen) Come on, kids! It was just Uncle Micky making a joke. :)

(The kids all follow Peter into the living room. Katie looks disappointed.)

Katie: Aw, I wanna rescue ever'body! :p

Mike: (Sheathes his sword and pats his daughter on the head) Don't worry, Cowgirl. You'll get your chance to be a hero soon enough. :) ;)

Shelly: Daddy! *runs over & hugs Micky's leg* :D

Little Mick: *grins* Daddy's okay! I knew it. ;)

Micky: *grins* Sure you did, little man. ;) *pats Shelly's head*

Nyles: Well, I hate to scare & run, but I've got another party to get to. *waves & tries to leave, but Mike grabs hold of his cloak*

Jordan: Uncle Micky? (He trots over to Micky and hugs his other leg) Ok! :D

Micky: *laughs* I'm fine, Jordan. It was just a joke.

Davy: *mutters* Just a joke 'e says... :P

Mike: *still holds Nyles' cloak* Pete, Davy, take the kids to another part of the haunted house. I wanna have a little chat with Uncle Micky. :p

Peter: Um, ok, Michael, but I'm not sure I like how angry your aura looks... :o

Mike: I'll be fine, Pete.

Davy: *nods* Lets go before something 'appens to us. :P ;)

*Peter & Davy lead the kids toward the back of the house to check out the rest of its "hauntedness."*

Micky: Heh... um, Mike...?

Mike: Mick, that wasn't funny. You know what we've been through. You scared the living DAYLIGHTS outta me and Davy, and god only knows how much you scared poor Pete n' the kids! (As Nyles starts to follow the others) You too, Brown. X(

Nyles: Uh, I've really gotta get to that other party... :P

Micky: *frowns* It's Halloween! Scaring is part of the whole deal! Besides, the kids weren't even really all that scared... Katie was ready to beat up Nyles!

Mike: Katie ain't easy to scare. Jordan and Peter, on the other hand, get scared at a very loud car horn.

Micky: ...So what's the problem?

Mike: (Growls) Mick, the problem was, that little joke of yours went on for way too long! You KNOW what Pete n' Jordan get like, and what about your own kids? X(

Micky: The twins were fine! *pauses; sighs* I just wanted to have some fun after all the crap we've been through lately. :P

Mike: (Sheaves his sword) Well, have a little more consideration for toddlers and hippies the next time you have a brilliant idea for a prank. Some people don't handle this stuff as well as we do.

Micky: Handle as well as you do...? It took you this long to put your sword away... :P ;)

Mike: You got my nerves goin'.

*Nyles sneaks out while he has the chance.* ;)

Micky: That was the whole idea, Mike! It was supposed to be scary, that's how Halloween works!

Mike: Makin' pumpkins and goin' "Boo" is one thing, but Mick, I really thought you were in danger!

Micky: Okay, maybe I was a little out of line & took it too far. Still, though, things are supposed to be scary at this time of year. :P

Mike: Dave and I were really worried about you, Mick. We don't mind you jumpin' out from behind bushes and going "oogie boogie" in our ear, but we don't want to lose our drummer and brilliant scientific mind again. (Grins) Who would add more gadgets to the cars? ;)

Micky: *scratches at the back of his head; blushes a bit* I was just goofing around...

Mike: (Sighs and puts an arm around Micky's shoulders) That's ok, Mick. You just got us worried, that's all. (Grins) You're a little too good at this scarin' business. ;)

Micky: Thanks... I think. ;)

Micky: You, uh... aren't gonna hurt me for this... are you? :-/ :P ;)

Mike: (Grins wider...and slightly nastier) Not when there's kids around. ;)

Micky: *eyes widen* Umm... they aren't around at the moment... :-O ;)

Mike: You get the picture. (He swings Micky around to the kitchen, his arm still around the nervous young man, as we fade out.)

~End~