Ok. Let's get a move on. Who wants to take up Molly's offer and go to a real 20s speakeasy? ;)

Mike: Sounds like fun. I'm game. ;)

Peter: Me too!

Lauren: I was just rereading what Mike is like in a "bar." :P

Micky: I'm not gonna have to dunk Mike again, am I? :P ;)

Mike: Better not... :p

Micky: *shrugs* Just don't act like a drunken ass, and I won't dunk you. ;)

Davy: We'll keep an eye on him, Mick. ;)

(We open in a lavish nightclub. A long set of Art Deco stairs lead to a room decorated in stark black-and-white. There's a long, black-laquered bar and a bandstand where a tall, older blond man leads an orchestra, all dressed in white tuxes. The orchestra plays "Ramona." Several people are already on the floor, dancing to the dreamy waltz.)

Peter: (Near-whine; he wears a tuxedo with his beads) How much further? We've climbed down so many twisty stairs, I think we're in the center of the Earth!

Lauren: Yeah. I'm getting dizzy. :P

Emma: We're here, I think. (She wears a fire-engine red dress with a knee-length skirt with a zig-zag hem, trimmed with sequins and a plunging V neckline that compliments her generous bosum; clip-on red costume earrings shine against the low light)

Valerie: (Pleated dark-gold silk trimmed with black chiffon) This must be the place. It's so...dreamy. :)

Mike: (Wears a white tux with a black cumberbund) Not bad at all. Wonder what the whisky's like?

Emma: Probably costs a bundle. This IS Prohibition, after all. :p

Micky: *his tux has a purple carnation; he plays with the collar of Lauren's dark purple dress* At least we REALLY got to dress up. ;)

Lauren: *groans* Oh, shut up. :P

Emma: Lauren, you look great! :)

Lauren: *looks down at herself; makes a face; whines* I don't FEEL like me! :P

Mike: Think that's the idea, darlin'. ;)

Micky: *falls in step with Lauren; slings an arm around her shoulders* Oh, come on, babe! It isn't life or death. *waggles his eyebrows* You look great! ;)

*Lauren sighs, but grins slightly at Micky.* ;)

Micky: That's better. :)

(Molly Martine stands at the orchestra, listening to the song, a cocktail already in hand. She wears a dark red, low-cut dress with a very short skirt and a huge blue fake flower at the waist. She's already swaying, and definately not in time to the music.)

Mike: (Makes a face) Man, she's already wasted! :p

Peter: Oh, wow!

Micky: Big surprise. :P

Emma: She's probably been here longer. :p

Molly: I wanna dance. (She dances right into the arms of Mike) Don't I know you somewheres?

Mike: (As Emma glares) Uh, yeah. Michael Nesmith. We met at the studio this afternoon.

Molly: Since we've already met (nods at an empty table) wanna drink? It'll be on me.

Peter: I hope not! That dress is too nice to get wet!

Emma: (Growling) She means she'll pay. X(

Lauren: Awe, geez... :P

Mike: Um, Micky, Davy, how would you guys like to lead Miss Martine to the table (looks over his shoulder and adds more quietly) before my wife kills me? :p :o

Emma: By all means. X(

*Micky and Davy lead Molly away to a table. She goes to sit and nearly misses the chair.* :P

Molly: Hey, the chair tried to run away from me! (Eyes widen) Are those pink elephants on the celing? They're wearing mink stoles!

Peter: (Looks up) Really? I don't see anything!

Micky: *mutters* Talk about tripping. :P

Valerie (to Daphne): Looks like she's been doing a lot more than sipping a few cocktails. Either she's been taking some very interesting drugs, or someone's added a few very interesting drugs to her drinks. :p

Daphne: *nods* Or both. :P

(That's when Mike sees more people join them...Big Eddie and several more members of his gang.)

Big Eddie: Hello, everyone. (Frowns) What are you kids doing here? Isn’t this is out of your league?

Molly: We're celebratin', Eddie. We're celebratin' Caroline Harris bein' suspended for a week and possibly losing the leading role in "Oh My, Arlette!", that Broadway show Walter Thornburg bought for her.

Big Eddie: (Raises an eyebrow) Is that so?

Molly: She hit Lyman with a cream pie this afternoon. It was the funniest damn thing I ever saw! :D

Big Eddie: I'll bet THAT didn't go over well. ;) (Nods at the table) Do you and your friends mind if my boys and me shack up with you kids?

Molly: (Ignores the glares from around the table) Sure, there's plenty for all.

(The men sit down at the table, despite some crowded conditions. One lands on Daphne's lap.)

Daphne: Hey! :P

Thug 1: Oh, so...(sees Daphne and grins) Hey, there, wanna be occupied? ;)

Davy: No, she doesn't! Not by you! :P

Daphne: If I'm gonna be occupied, I wanna be occupied by him! *points at Davy*

Thug 1: (Raises an eyebrow) You'd rather he occupy you? He'd barely fit on your lap without vanishing! :p

Big Eddie: Valentine, get your butt over here and quit trying too hard to get. :p

Daphne: So there! *sticks her tongue out* :P

Valentine: (Picks up and grabs a chair from under a matron) Sorry there, lady. (He pulls between Big Eddie and a not-happy Mike)

Big Eddie: (Smirks) So, how did filming go this morning? ;)

Mike: (Mutters) Like you couldn't guess. :p

*Micky groans.* :P

Big Eddie: Good. ;)

Peter: (Points a finger at Big Eddie) You're the one who keeps hurting the movie! It didn't do anything to you!

Valerie: (Pulls Peter's finger back) Um, honey, X-nay on the movie-ay...

Big Eddie: I told Lyman I didn't want that piece of crap going on.

Peter: But it's OUR piece of crap, and we're proud of it!

Micky: Yeah! ;)

Molly: (Slams her drink on the table as the waiter arrives) Here here! :D (Everyone orders drinks, and the waiter walks away)

Big Eddie: How can you go on with no director?

Mike: Oh, we've got one... (Emma nudges him)

Emma: (Mutters to Mike) Do you want them to hurt Micky, too? :p

*Micky gives Mike a look.* :P

Big Eddie: Maybe I'll be nice to your director...if you take out those skits.

Emma: Not a chance.

Lauren: Nope. :P

Mike: Matter-of-fact, we were gonna expand them. ;)

Molly: I wanna be a moll, like Louise Brooks! :D

Valerie: I heard gangster movies are the next big thing. ;)

Big Eddie: (Sits back) Ok, kids, how much do you want?

Mike: (Narrows his eyes) How much do we want for what?

Big Eddie: To back off.

Mike: (Low growl) Are you bribing us?

Big Eddie: No, I'm just paying you off. I offered Del Mar a fortune, and he didn't take it. Now, if you kids don't wanna end up like Mr. Del Mar...

Mike: We don't accept bribes, pal...or threats. X(

Molly: Eddie, be nice! This movie means a lot to a lot of people!

Peter: (Frowns and tugs at Davy, who is on his other side) Hey, look! It's the Ralstoff brothers! I wonder what they're saying?

Davy: I don't know, mate.

(The Ralstoffs sit at a dark, quiet table in the back. Both wear fine tuxedos, and both seem upset. Nick keeps waving his arms; Irwin keeps trying to quiet him.)

Peter: I thought they were just struggling musicians, like us! What are they doing here?

Davy: That's a good question, Petah.

Valerie: (Also sees them) Maybe someone invited them, too?

Peter: (Shakes his head) It looks like they're alone.

(The orchestra ends their number and begins another. Ten ladies in revealing, spangled costumes run onstage and begin a hip-swining tap number to "Let's Misbehave.")

Molly: Wow, they're good! I wanna do that! (Runs onstage and joins the women, dancing with far more enthusiasm than skill - the chorus girls try to dance around her)

Lauren: *mutters* Maybe we shoulda tied her down.

(Big Eddie just barely nods at Valentine, who puts his hand over the fresh drink the waiter brought for Molly Martine, then quickly pulls it back.)

Mike: Why don't you send someone to get Molly down from there?

Big Eddie: Ain't no one's gonna get her back until she's finished havin' a good time.

Peter: (Gulps) I don't think I like this place anymore. :(

Big Eddie: So, you won't try to convince Mr. Lyman that he's...made the wrong choice?

Mike: We think he made the right one.

Big Eddie: Shame. We coulda worked together, kids.

Mike: Maybe we don't want to work for a slimeball like you. All you care about is your stupid image and your stupid liquor and getting starlets sloshed. :p X(

Emma: (Warningly) Miiiiikkkkeeee....

Peter: Mike, don't cause trouble! :o

Big Eddie: So, you think what we do is stupid, hey, boy?

Mike: I don't think. I KNOW it is. :p

Micky: *groans* Here we go. :P

Big Eddie: (He and Mike stand) You willing to prove your theory, kid?

Mike: If you wanna.

(Mike starts to put up his dukes as, suddenly, an alarm goes off. Everyone starts screaming and running around while "Let's Misbehave" continues in the background.)

Mike: What the HELL is that?

Valentine: Cheese it, boss! The cops found this joint! :o

Emma: Oh, shit! Speakeasies were constantly raided by FBI officals and local cops during the Prohibition era! :o

Lauren: Oh, great! :P

Mike: NOW you tell us!

Micky: In other words, let’s haul it outta here! :P

(People are running left and right, grabbing coats and hats and purses. Molly Martine grabs her drink, takes a big drink, and falls flat on the floor, out cold.)

Mike: (As they follow people to the back door) Someone grab Molly and carry her outta here!(Even as he says this, there's the sound of breaking glass and splintering wood.)

Cop 1: Freeze! FBI! Everyone is under arrest for illegal sale and consumption of liquor!

(Most people ignore him and continue to try to make it through the door. Peter delicately picks up Molly over his shoulder as the gang try to make it to the door, but they're caught in the rush.)

(We fade out on the end of the music and the cops arresting people and fade in on the entrance to the simple but cozy boarding house run by Mrs. O'Leary. Mr. O'Leary comes in with eight bed-raggled kids. None of the boys still wear their jackets, and Peter's also missing his beads. The girls' dresses are torn and sagging, and Emma and Daphne are carrying shoes.)

Emma: Thanks for picking us up after Mammoth Studios paid our bail, Officer.

Officer O'Leary: No problem, Miss. Just doin' me duty. :)

Mrs. O'Leary: (Goes over to them) Aye, what have you kids been doin'? (She starts to straighten Lauren's dress, then fusses over Micky) You look like you've been trampled on by a stampede of wild boars! :o

Mike: Worse. A stampede of scared speakeasy-goers escapin' the cops. :p

Micky: Would've been easier on the back. *stretches, grinning* ;)

*Lauren rolls her eyes.* :P

Mrs. O'Leary: Sakes preserve me! Don't tell me you actually went to one of those places?

Mike: We were invited, Miss...

Mrs. O'Leary: Just call me Maureen, lad. (Sighs) I still have some stew and soda bread left, if any of you be hungry after bein' in jail half the night.

Emma: Oooh, Irish soda bread! :D

Micky: Stew? :D ;)

Mrs. O'Leary: (Leads the kids to an old-fashioned kitchen, complete with icebox with ice dripping under it, a large wooden hutch with pretty glass and china, cabinets decorated with painted flowers, and a big gas stove. A pot of stew still sits on the stove. Mrs. O'Leary goes to the cabinet and removes the plates and some glasses and silverware.)

Mrs. O'Leary: Here you go, ducklings. You too, Joseph. You've been workin' hard all day long at that studio.

Micky: Thank you! :D

(Everyone sits at the table as Mrs. O'Leary brings over a big pot of stew and a large, round loaf studded with raisins and nuts.)

Mrs. O'Leary: You're welcome, lad. I hope you've all got good appetites. I don't usually cook this late, but seeing as you've all been through such an ordeal over the past few days with the filming and all, I thought you deserved a late-night meal. :)

Lauren: *smirks at Micky* I don't think you'll have to worry about good appetites. ;)

O'Leary: No, she won't, at that. (Ladles a big bowl of stew) ;)

Mike: (As everyone else eats) Did anyone else see the Ralstoff Brothers there tonight?

Peter: They were fighting about something!

Daphne: *nods* Not sure what.

Valerie: I wonder what they were doing at a fancy speakeasy? I thought they were poor.

Peter: Maybe they sold a song! :D

Mike: Maybe.

Micky: Or maybe not.

Emma: (Quietly) I think someone's drugging Molly Martine. She was acting too strangely tonight to just be drunk.

Mike: Even if she'd drank a whole keg of booze, she wouldn't be seein' pink elephants.

Micky: It'd take something a LOT stronger. :P

Mrs. O'Leary: Goodness! Is that the red-haired flapper chit?

Mike: Yeah.

Emma: (Thoughtful) I wonder...

(Everyone goes back to eating but Emma, who continues to stare at the celing with a thoughtful look on her face.)