You guys ready to FINALLY finish this story? ;)

Mike: Yeah, let's do it.

Micky: Anybody got some cliff notes I can borrow? ;)

Davy: *rolls his eyes* Please.

(We open in the Pad's kitchen. Emma serves Mike, Micky, Lauren, and Davy milkshakes.)

Emma: (Sighs) So, you guys don't know exactly what happened with the magician?

Mike: (Sips his strawberry shake) To be honest, no, other than I'm now out fifty bucks, two credit cards, and a couple of photos of the kids.

Bob: What WAS all this about?

Emma: Lauren saw the movie "The Illusionist" last fall, and we thought an encounter with a devious magician would be a great way to explore the guys' characters and upgrade their powers.

Mike: Is THAT why we went through all this?

Micky: That's it, babe, no more movies for you.

*Lauren shrugs.*

Emma: When was the last time any of you upgraded your powers? Or went up against a villain who really challenged you...and wasn't doing it to steal your soul?

Bob: "Upgrade?"

Emma: Sorry, modern terminology. It means update.

Micky: Well, I don't want mine upgraded or updated or uploaded or whatever!

Mike: And why some weird magician? We never really found out anything about the guy! We don't know who he really is or what his real name is or why - or if - he made out with those officials' wives!

Emma: Exactly. This guy was supposed to have an air of mystery. You weren't supposed to know anything about him.

Bert: This was a really unusual story for you ladies.

Emma: Bert, that was the idea. We thought that not only would this story be great to finally upgrade the boys' powers before the big summer blow-out, but to try a type of character we've never done before - an ambiguous villain.

Mike: Huh?

Emma: Baby, did the magician ever hurt you? I mean, really hurt you, like Sheila and Alex have done?

Mike: No, but...

Emma: Exactly. Every villain we've ever done has either been a super-colossal obvious bad person or demon, or turned out to be a wimp in disguise. Darrein wasn't a wimp, but he's not a demon, either.

Mike: I don't know how much I agree with that.

Bert: How much of this do any of you remember anyway?

Mike: Mosta yesterday. The rest...well, not as much.

Bob: Hey guys, how's those milkshakes?

Mike: Cold.

Micky: I've got an ice cream headache. I LOVE it!

Emma: Not bad, even if they did use every bit of ice cream we had in the house.

Bob: So, how DID he upgrade your powers?

Mike: (Concentrates - Black Beauty, Micky's drum set, and Davy's bass and tambourine appear on the bandstand) Just a week ago, I would have felt really tired after movin' all that. Now, it don't bother me at all.

Bert: Micky? Davy? How about you guys? Notice anything different?

Micky: Same thing, pretty much.

*Davy nods agreement.*

Bob: Davy, what about your new powers? Your healing?

Mike: That's right, the thing you did with puttin' your hand on my chest. What WAS that? Felt kinda warm inside. Mushy.

Emma: Hands on the chest?

Davy: *shrugs* I guess that's where the expression 'ealing touch came from.

Mike: Is that your extra power?

Davy: Must be.

Bert: Where's Peter? Is he really...

Mike: Out of the group? Yeah. He quit a few months back. (Frowns) I really wish he hadn't, but I kinda understand why he did. If that's what he wants...

Emma: Mike, he's just having a lot of trouble right now. He needs time to think things over.

Mike: No he doesn't. He knows what he's doin'.

Emma: I'm not so sure.

Bob: How do the rest of you feel about that, anyway?

Davy: *sighs* I may not like it or agree with it... but 'e's a big boy, 'e can make 'is own decisions.

Micky: I miss Pete, but it was his choice.

Emma: Actually, that's why we wanted to do this story now. I like Peter too, but if he were here, his auras would have given away the game the moment you guys saw the magician on stage.

Mike: For once, I wish he HAD been there. If I'd known that Darren, or Tommy, or whatever, was gonna do what he did...

Emma: He didn't hurt anyone, did he?

Mike: Not really. In fact, he was kinda weird for a villain in these stories. Didn't hurt us, just stole our wallets and messed with our heads.

Emma: That's what we were aiming for. We wanted to do a story where the "villain" wasn't so much of a typical movie serial bad guy as simply a trickster and a con man.

Mike: Great. So we get conned instead of chased.

Emma: Mike, he didn't hurt you physically, didn't try to get in your pants, and didn't go after your women. Considering how you've come out of some of these stories barely alive and sane, I'd say that's doing very well!

Mike: He wasn't a bad guy. I don't know, there was just somethin' 'bout him...

Emma: Do you know if he actually went to Sacramento?

Mike: I'm assumin' he did...unless he were lyin' again.

Bert: So, what's on tap for next month?

Mike: (As he finishes his milkshake) Not much. (Looks at the guys) I think we need another vacation.

Emma: I don't know. I don't think the kids...

Mike: Not with the kids. Just the three of us.

Emma: And you'll actually go this time, and not come home the moment you're attacked by crazy biker gangs?

Mike: (Ignores Emma; looks at the guys) How about a road trip? Sounds safer than Vegas, and we won't have to worry about losin' our shirts.

Micky: Now you're speaking my language!

Davy: I like it.

Mike: We'll take the MonkeeMobile. It has room for a long trip, and we'll have Urse around to make sure we don't do anythin' TOO dumb.

Emma: Well, if Urse will be there...

Mike: (Grins) It'll be great! We'll go on the Great American Road Tour. See all the sights. We could end in Chicago or St. Louis for a few days, then head back.

Micky: I love it! Let’s go now!

Lauren: Mick...

Davy: We need to at least pack first, mate.

Mike: Hold your horses, Mick. We gotta make plans. We need to get Ursula cleaned and check her tires and her oil, and we need to buy food for the ride and call for new credit cards and money, and yes, we need to pack.

Emma: In other words, I think it's time we let go and give you guys a chance to do all that.

Mike: Yeah (he turns to the camera), and we'd like to wish all mamas a Happy late Mother's Day, and we hope all of you enjoy a magical spring.

Emma: And if you'd like to learn more about real magic, magic tricks, or magicians, check your local library or go online. You never know what you'll find!

Mike: Have a great spring, folks. See 'ya next month! (Grins to Emma) Now, about another milkshake...

Emma: You'll ruin your dinner!

Mike: (Grins) Nahh, that's another kind of magic we have. (Grins at Micky) There's no magic quite like makin' a milkshake disappear!

Micky: Ain't that the truth!

(Emma shakes her head and the others laugh as we fade out. We go into "Writing Wrongs" as scenes from the "production" play over the end credits. We end with a shot of Micky and Davy with a blindfolded Mike under the words "A Raybert Production.")