Ready for some fun?

Mike: Noooo...

Micky: Fun? :D

Davy: Depends on your definition of fun.

(We open right back where we were in the theater. Mike tries to step back from Micky, who holds the heavy velvet robe...and steps INTO Darren.)

Darren: Michael, why are you afraid?

Mike: Oh, maybe because I don't feel like bein' controlled like those chicks. My wolf senses are tellin' me there's somethin' wrong here.

Darren: Your wolf senses. What if Micky and I could make you less afraid of them?

Mike: And how would you do that?

Darren: Micky, the robe.

Mike: What? Mick...

*Micky slips the robe on Mike, thanks to the distraction.*

Darren: (Mike stands still and unmoving) Good. Now, we're going to work on his wolf senses. Micky, tie that dark scarf I gave you earlier around his eyes.

*Micky pulls out the scarf and does as told.*

Darren: (Hands Micky a piece of silk rope) Now, tie his hands behind his back.

*Micky pulls Mike's hands behind his back and binds them.*

Darren: Yes. (Softly, into Mike's ear) Can you move your hands, Michael?

(Mike shakes his head no.)

Darren: We're going to work on his senses of smell and hearing, and the wolf's ability to move and think quickly.

*Micky nods.*

Darren: Now, Micky, why don't you play some games with him? (Frowns) But don't provoke him too heavily. We may lose control if he becomes an actual animal.

*Micky nods again.*

Mike: Micky? (Tries to listen for him) Micky? I don't like the sound of that. Mick, where are you?

Darren: (Whispers to Micky) Remember to remain as silent as possible around Michael and his sensitive hearing.

*Micky nods and slowly grins. He pokes Mike on the left arm, but moves in the opposite direction.*

Mike: Ow! Mick? (Mike tries to follow after him, but stumbles) Oh, this is crazy! Miiick!

*Micky pokes him from the other side, but moves again.*

Mike: Darn it, that hurts. Miiicky! (He lunges for him again, almost getting him) I know you're there! I can hear your breath! (Makes a face) I can smell it, too. What did you have for lunch, a garlic and onion sandwich?

*Micky kicks Mike in the butt this time.*

Mike: Ouch! (Jumps forward and turns around, but Micky's already gone) What the heck are you wearin', steel-toed sneakers?

*Micky punches Mike in the stomach, but not with too much force.*

(Mike doubles back, then lunges for him again, teeth bared.)

Darren: Why don't you conjure up something for him to smell? (Holds out a piece of hard candy) Like this. (Plays with it between his fingers)

*Micky smirks and makes a beer mug appear in his hand.*

Mike: (Sniffs) Hey Mick, what kinda beer is that?

*Micky walks away from Mike with it.*

Mike: Hey, come back with that! I'm a thirsty man! I ain't had any beer in DAYS! (Mutters) Em won't let me drink it at home.

*Micky starts to walk around the room with it.*

Mike: (Sniffs and follows him) Mick! Aw, come on! Gimme just a little!

*Micky just keeps walking away from Mike.*

Darren: (He makes several other mugs appear throughout the room) Let's make the game more interesting. Why don't we confuse him a little? You can too, Micky.

Mike: WHAT? (Sniffs) Hey, what's goin' on?

*Micky makes a few more mugs appear as well.*

Mike: (Sniffs) I can't...where's the beer? (He lunges around the room, trying to find Micky and his beer mug) Damn it, there's too much goin' on in here!

*Micky makes one appear to hang off of Mike's back.*

Mike: (Tries to shrug his shoulders) Is it me, or do I feel somethin' wet and heavy?

Darren: Are there any other tricks you'd like to play with Michael, since we're having so much fun? I know you have a long list.

Mike: Micky... (He tries to sniff again) Man, all I smell is liquor.

*A beer fountain appears in one corner of the room.*

Darren: That's an idea I agree with. (Goes to get himself a glass)

Mike: What's...that... (He sniffs, wandering over to the fountain)

(Darren makes the fountain disappear after he drinks from it. When Mike arrives, an orange tree grows in it's place.)

Mike: What in the WORLD...

*Micky picks an orange and cuts into it with his dagger. He takes one slice, aims it at Mike, and squeezes, hitting Mike in the face with the juice.*

Mike: (Grumbles and tries to lick the juice away) Darn it Mick, untie me and let me eat the thing. (Roars) I'm not a wolf! I'm a human bein'!

Darren: You’re partially human, Michael. You are also part wolf, and you need to come to terms with that.

Mike: I know I can do wolf stuff. I just don't like turnin' into one whenever I get mad!

Darren: We all lose our temper sometimes. Just ask Micky. Or even me. You just can't let it take you over.

Mike: (Almost whimper) It's just...my nose is on overload! I can't sense things when there's too much goin' on!

Darren: It's a matter of focusing. Concentrate. What do you hear? What do you smell? You know what Micky smells like.

Mike: (Grins) Yeah, Lauren.

*Micky snorts in the background.*

Mike: I heard that, Mick! (Mike finally leaps for Micky, kicking one foot out and making him trip face-first into his orange) Ha! Gotcha!

Micky: *grumbles* Dammit.

Darren: Very good, Michael. Micky, what do you have to say to that?

Mike: Yeah Micky, what do you have to say to that?

*All of the beer disappears. Micky walks up to Mike and rips the scarf from his eyes.*

Micky: I say I want you to see what happens next.

Mike: Hey man, calm down!

(Darren steps back to the orange trees, picks an orange, and plays with it.)

Micky: *makes a pair of headphones appear* I bet you think these are regular headphones, right?

Mike: Why do I have the feelin' they ain'?

(Darren raises his eyebrows, curious.)

Micky: *puts the headphones on Mike* I feel like playing a little game. How about you, Mike?

Mike: I don't think it would matter if I said no.

(Mike starts to pull away from Micky.)

Micky: Pull away all you want, Mike. I don't need to be right next to you. *holds up a small device* I can control those from here easily.

Mike: Great. (He tries to shake the headphones off) Man, if you damage my hearin'...

Micky: Nah, no damage. Just gonna mess with it a bit. *Presses one button; there's a faint and constant hum through the headphones.*

Mike: (Winces) What's that?

Micky: What's what?

Mike: (As the hum grows louder) That noise! Sounds like a thousand amps goin' at once or somethin'!

Micky: Not a bad description. *keeps the volume the same, but raises the pitch*

Mike: (Groans) I never did like "The Alvin Show." Those damn chipmunks ain't easy on the ears.

*Micky then deepens the pitch and raises the volume a bit.*

Mike: (Groans) Oww, I'm startin' to appreciate Pete's bass a bit better. It's a lot softer than that!

*Micky turns the volume down slightly, then turns the pitch higher than before.*

Mike: Owww...if I wanted to hear Robbie scream, I coulda gone home.

*Micky raises the volume more, then cuts the sound.*

(Mike screams and grabs his head. He looks up at Micky, glaring.)

Mike: Mick, you near killed me with that last one! What was that all about?

Darren: A game, Michael, just like he said.

*Micky just shrugs.*

Darren: Micky, why don't we give Michael some rest?

Mike: Rest...

Micky: He's had a long day. *pulls the headphones off Mike makes them disappear* Sleep well, Mike. *waves a hand over Mike's eyes, putting him to sleep*

Darren: (Catches Mike as he falls) You've done a wonderful job. Why don't you go back to Davy? You both have children at home. Tell Michael's family I need to work with him a bit longer.

Micky: *grins* Okay.

Darren: (Lays Mike on the floor) Let's make you comfortable. (He makes the unconscious man levitate and float across the room to a table) All right. There.

Micky: I'll see you later, then.

Darren: Yes, I'll see you later as well. (Looks up) Oh, and Micky, here's a reward for your troubles. (He takes the headphones) Now, they're headphones. (Works them until they're pliable, twisty, and bright red) Now, they're cherry licorice. Share them with your friend.

Micky: Thanks! *chomps on one of the pieces and saves the rest as he leaves*

Darren: (Goes to Mike and leans next to his ear) Hello, Michael. (He lays a finger on his forehead) We're going to work on some other things. You're weary and unhappy. You're tired of constantly having the weight of the group and the fate of your friends on your shoulders. (Softer) Let me in control, and I'll help you change that.

(Mike gives the barest nod as Darren continues to whisper into his ear.)

(Cut to Micky and Lauren's kitchen. Lauren feeds Leah, while Micky serves the twins ham, eggs, and orange slices. The phone rings as he sits down.)

Lauren: I'll get it. *picks up the receiver* Hello?

Emma: Hi, Lauren. Have you seen Mike?

Lauren: Not lately, no. He isn't home?

Emma: (Her voice rising slightly) No! No one's seen him since late yesterday afternoon. I've called everywhere! The Four Martians haven't seen him. Nyles and Jack haven't seen him. None of his poker buddies have seen him. He hasn't even been at the studio! (Emma sounds more and more upset with every word)

Lauren: Oh dear. *turns to Micky* Mick, when was the last time you saw Mike yesterday?

Micky: *thinks* Um...early evening? We were still at the theater, just after the show.

Emma: Lauren, I don't know what to do! I feel so strange, too. I've been really light-headed all evening, and I just haven't felt like giving orders.

Lauren: *still looking at Micky* I'll have Mick go look for him. *Micky sticks his tongue out at her; she returns it.* I'll have him go right now.

Emma: Let him finish his breakfast first. I don't want him killing my husband because he's hungry.

Lauren: *sighs, but she's grinning* If you say so.

Emma: He won't function properly if he doesn't eat. (Growl) But he will go after that. He can bring Davy, too. Give them something to do besides plan for the next round of parties.

Lauren: I'll tell him. You take care. Don't worry. Mick will find Mike.

Emma: Please! I'm so worried about him. I'm afraid something - or someone - has gotten to him. (Sighs) Bye, guys, and bring him home safe and sound, Mick!

Lauren: He will. Bye, Em. *hangs up the receiver, then turns to Micky* You get to finish eating first... *spies his empty plate* You might as well get Davy and go look for Mike.

Micky: *nods* We'll find him. *stands and kisses Lauren's forehead* Don't wait up. On second thought, please do wait up. *waggles his eyebrows*

Lauren: *swats Micky's arm* Just go already!

Micky: Alright, alright! *heads out*

(Cut to the MonkeeMobile on the road in LA. Micky is behind the wheel, Davy next to him.)

Ursula: I knew there was something wrong with that man. He must still have a hold on Mike.

Micky: *shakes his head* I'm sure Mike's fine. He probably had a drink with the guy and imbibed a little too much.

Ursula: Do either of you remember anything about what happened yesterday? Who is this man, anyway?

Micky: Umm...not really...

Davy: *shrugs* He's a magician.

Micky: He probably showed us how to do his tricks, then made us forget.

Ursula: I'm serious! Weren't you looking for more information?

Micky: We were...but we don't remember...right?

Davy: I don't remembah.

Ursula: He did get into your minds. You really have to be more careful. If he tries to control you again, avoid him. Only you control your destinies.

Micky: *makes a face* I don't know...

Ursula: Think! It could save Michael's mind! Where did you last see him?

Davy: It was in the theater...

Ursula: And?

Micky: And... *his face falls* Oh no...

Micky: *sighs* We were in one of the back rooms, and...and...I was messing with him.

Davy: *groans* 'E DID 'ave control of us.

Ursula: And Michael's still there. Do you remember if he was all right when you left?

Micky: I put him to sleep, but Darren could've done anything to him after I left.

Ursula: We'd better get going. It might be better to go right in. I don't imagine the element of surprise would work with a magician.

Micky: Kinda doubt it. :P

(The guys pull into the parking lot and step out.)

Ursula: Good luck, Guardians! Remember to be on your toes at all times. He's easily controlled both of you twice and may be controlling Mike.

(The boys nod and enter the theater. Cut to the dark stage. Davy and Micky walk on together.)

Davy: Mike! Darren! (Looks at Micky) Micky, did you evah 'ear about this theatah bein' haunted?

Micky: Now that you mention it...

Davy: (Jumps at a noise) Did you 'ear that?

Micky: I don't like this!

(Suddenly, things begin to waver and float around them. Darren materializes, ghost-like, in the center of the stage.)

Darren: Hello, gentlemen. Come to learn more tricks?

Micky: Uh, no. We came to get Mike.

Darren: Michael? (He snaps his fingers. The curtains part to reveal Mike laying on the table. He's blindfolded again, but otherwise rests peacefully.)

Davy: Mike!

(The two younger men run over to their older comrade and shake his arms.)

Davy: Mike! Get up! Come on, snap out of it!

Micky: Come on, man! You're freaking us out, laying here like this!

Darren: He can't hear you. He only responds to the sound of my voice. He's completely under my control.

(Darren goes over to Mike. He throws a heavy green velvet cloth that looks like his robes over Mike. When he pulls the cloth away, Mike has vanished!)

Davy! MIKE!

Micky: You bring him back here NOW, or else!

Darren: That's the game. You have to find him. (Looks at his watch) Starting... (snaps his fingers) now. (And with that now, he and the boys vanish from the stage, leaving nothing but a trail of blue and green light in their wake.)