Everyone ready to make a movie...and find out who DOESN'T want us to make a movie?

Mike: (Mutters) I'll bet I know who it is... :p

Peter: Lay off Irwin, Mike! His brother's nice!

Micky: Movie! Yeah! ;) :D

Lauren: *gives Mick a look* No more sugar for you. :P

(Mike grumbles.)

Davy: Come on, mates. Let's make movie magic. ;)

(We begin on the set, this time filming a simpler number - the White sisters sing "Button Up Your Overcoat" in gold raincoats while real rain falls on and around them. The dance around a simple set that looks like an Art Deco park.)

Emma: (Leans over Lauren) I'm glad things are going so well. It's been three days with no signs of sabotage. :)

Lauren: Me, too. I hope things stay this way.

Emma: (Gulps) And the number we're filming after "Button Up" is the big gangster movie parody number.

Lauren: Better keep our eyes open.

Emma: (Nods) Peter and Valerie went to do more snooping. I hope they don't get caught, Peter in particular. God only knows what the gangsters will try on both of them.

Lauren: Right. *glances over at Micky sitting in his "director's chair"* Well, at least Mick has calmed down a bit. He hasn't flailed his arms in two days. ;)

Emma: I think he's finally getting the hang of this. (Cringes as a screech is heard and Jack faintly calls "We'll edit that out!") I wish I could say the same for the equipment. Mick and Jack can play with the microphones until the cows, pigs, and chickens come home, but it won't make them any less capricious.

Lauren: And they have! :P

Emma: Do you know how many times we've had to stop shooting because the microphones never picked up the damn lines, or someone danced or walked out of microphone range, or you heard one person talking or singing and not someone else? (Indeed, it IS easier to hear Rosie's alto in the microphone than Sarah's small soprano.)

Lauren: Too many, I'm sure. :P

Emma: This is the THIRD time we've had to shoot this number because no one can hear Sarah! :p

Lauren: Like I said, too many. *sighs*

(The song finally ends with the sisters romping off the set. The song continues, skipping even though the girls are gone.)

Jack: Darn it! (Some hitting and cursing off-camera, and the music suddenly stops) I almost wish they hadn't come up with using recordings at MGM... :p

Lauren: Another problem to deal with. :P

Sarah: (She and Rosie run back onstage) How was that?

Rosie: More to the point, did you hear that?

Jack: It seems to be all right, but Sarah, you're STILL not coming in that well. (Sighs) I guess we'll work on that in the editing room.

Micky: *sighs* Some more. :P

Sarah: (Shrugs) I never had any problems being heard in New Jersey!

Jack: Sarah, you've GOTTA TALK INTO THE MICROPHONES!

Sarah: I can never remember where the darn things are!

Micky: *waves a hand* We'll FLAG them or something. :P

Willie: (From behind the camera, which is now in a booth) Why don't we set up for the next number while you boys fiddle with the equipment?

(Mike and Irwin are sitting on one side, fussing over some of the music while Nick looks on, somewhere between concerned and amused.)

Sarah: (Runs to Nick) Did you see that? How did it go?

Nick: (Grins) I thought you were both fantastic, Sarah. That's number's the cat's pajamas, and you really slammed it over.

Irwin: No, Mr. Nesmith, I say we should play this during the last part of the number.

Mike: Oh, come on, we're making fun of gangsters, not doing a kiddie number. :p

Nick: (Picks up the sheet music) How about we just do it this way? (Plays a song straight through - it's funny, with a hint of danger. Mike and Irwin both glare at him as he walks off, arm in arm with Sarah; they take no notice)

Willie: (Looks at Mick) What now, oh great and mighty director? ;) :p

Micky: *looks up from his slouched position* Coffee break? ;) *grins* Actually, I kinda like Nick's take on that song.

Emma: Why don't you boys fiddle with the last number while they set up the gangster parody?

Mike: Actually, I wanna talk to you guys. Jack, Mick will join you in a minute.

(Everyone runs over to Mike in a corner, while Nick plays an instrumental "Singin' In the Rain," his brother fusses, and the stagehands start to break up the set.)

Mike: Emma and I had an idea. There was a reason we wanted to do the gangster parody numbers today.

Emma: We've got to set a trap for whoever is doing this.

Micky: And how do we do that? ;)

Mike: Micky, you set up a fourth camera, a black-and-white one instead of one of the fancy Technicolor things.

Micky: *nods* Gotcha.

Emma: Davy and Daphne, you two man it. Mike and I are going above. Lauren, you stay with Jack and the equipment.

Daphne: Sure thing! *Davy nods*

Lauren: Okay.

Mike: Mick, of course, will stay behind the camera. We're gonna capture our saboteur on film. ;)

Micky: Of course. ;)

Emma: The black-and-white camera will be BEHIND the set, picking up anyone who might try to sneak up from behind. We've already got securty guards at the main door.

Micky: Groovy. ;)

Mike: Emma and I are gonna go up on the catwalks. Did anyone ever take down that camera Mick had them attach to the celing?

Micky: I don't think they did. They didn't wanna have to go back up there again.

Emma: Given what happened to that the first time, who could blame them? By the way, Mick, did they ever get a good edit of that number?

Micky: Yeah. They salvaged it, thankfully. That was really cool. ;)

Emma: Good. In which case, we'll use that camera to keep an eye on the catwalks, just in case some bright person tries an aerial attack.

Mike: I wonder if we should send someone from the set, maybe a couple of stagehands we can spare, to find Peter and Val, too. I'm getting worried about them. They should have been back by now.

Lauren: That'd probably be a good idea.

Mike: Ok. Em and I are going upstairs. Lauren, you and Mick can call for that black-and-white camera.

Lauren: Gotcha. Come along, director-boy. ;)

Micky: Funny. *they head off to get the camera*

Davy: Shall we tackle the camera, luv? ;)

Daphne: Why not? I've always wanted to be more involved in movies. ;)

(Everyone splits up. Cut to later. The set now looks like a peach, gold, and brown office, with a desk, overstuffed brown leather chair, table, coat rack, brass-rimmed mirror, and peach and gold-stripped walls. Brian Connelly, Eric Chisholm, and several other boys stand in one corner, dressed in brown and gold pinstriped suits. Trixie LaVerne and Cora Munroe are on the other side, talking to Lauren. We quickly cut to Daphne and Davy, who are messing around with a smaller, black-and-white camera behind the set, then back to the main soundstage.)

Jack: If you speed it up like that, it'll scratch the record, and we won't be able to use it anymore! :p

(Jack tries to get the record from Micky.)

Micky: It's fine, Jack! I know what I'm doing! :P

Jack: Mick, these things are delicate! We don't want to have to record everything again!

Micky: I know they're delicate! :P

Eric Chisholm: Hey, where's Molly Martine? She's supposed to be my moll!

(Trixie grumbles. :p)

Cora: She's probably sleeping it off. :p

Eric Chisholm: (Goes over to Micky) Hey, you, kid?

Micky: Yes?

Eric Chisholm: I don't know about this scene. Why don't we just send everybody home, and I sing a few songs?

Micky: *shakes his head* Sorry. This scene will be just fine.

Eric Chisholm: (Puts his arm around Micky's shoulder) Kid, I'm the star. They're just...people. I'm the one the customers are paying to see.

Micky: *grins* And I'm the director. *glares at the arm around his shoulders* What I say goes. :P

Eric Chisholm: I've been in the biggest box office success Mammoth Studios ever had! Didn't you see "The Jazz Man Blues?"

Sarah: Oooh, I did! :D

Rosie: (Mutters) She saw it six times. :p

Micky: *shakes his head* Nope.

Eric Chisholm: It was a classic! I was in rare form! That's the movie I introduced my greatest song in! (He sings "Sonny Boy," getting down on one knee at one point. There's clapping when he finishes. Some of it is sarcastic; some of it is genuine. Cora puts her hand around her neck and makes strangulation noises. Irwin rolls his eyes. Brian makes a face. Rosie mouths "baked ham.")

*Micky just looks at the guy like he's nuts.* :P

Willie: He's not impressed, and we're about to start, so could you please wait for your cue, Mr. Chisholm?

(Trixie leads Eric offstage. Eric looks thunderstruck that there are people who aren't impressed with him.)

Micky: *sighs* Can we get going now?

Jack: (He's putting on another record) I think we're all set here, Mr. Dolenz!

(Emma and Mike wave from above.)

Micky: Thank you! All right, let’s get this show on the road. ;)

(The gangsters come on first, singing "If I Had a Talking Picture of You" to their molls. At one point, the few pictures in the room actually appear to sing along.)

Gangster 1: Where's Big Teddy? He should be here by now!

Brian: Oh, he'll be here, and when he comes, we're gonna take all the stuff and stash it in the boat, then be home free to Mexico!

(Brian sings "The Best Things In Life Are Free," with a tap solo on the orchestral break. Eric, the head gangster, and Trixie, replacing Molly as his moll, literally break in and join in singing on the final verse.

(As they continue the gangster skit, we move slowly in back of the set to Davy and Daphne, who stand around the camera, trying to get a good angle. Daphne stands behind it, while Davy adjusts the lense.)

Daphne: A little more, Davy...

Davy: I'm working on it, luv. :P

(That's when they hear familiar voices. Two are gruff, one is muffled, and one is rather slurred.)

Molly: Ok, ok, I'm'a goin'! You don't have to shove! I know what I'm gonna do.

Gruff Voice 1: Boss wants us to make sure you do it.

Molly: Can'tja let go of the kid? He's cute!

Gruff Voice 2: And his brains will be all over the joint if you don't do this.

*Davy and Daphne exchange wide-eyed looks.* :-O

Peter: (Muffled) Let me go! Molly, please...

Molly: Ok! Let's see. I gotta go over here...(she goes to a spot where the back of the set meets the floor) and...(looks around)...hey, where's that knife?

Peter: Molly, think! Don't do this! Don...(his voice is muffled again)

Gruff Voice 1: Good idea. That brat blabs too much.

Davy: *whispered* We've got to do something!

*Daphne nods.*

(Daphne and Davy duck behind the camera, turning to to Molly and the men as she takes a knife to some of the ropes holding up the set.)

Gruff Voice 2: Hey, Mols, give me your scarf. I know where to ditch the kid.

Molly: Sure. Careful, though. It's brand new! (She giggles softly) I like being able to buy my own clothes! Beats the hell out of that brown sack shit I wore in the orphanage! (Snarls) I'm NEVER going back to that again! Never!

Gruff Voice 2: I'm gonna take the kid across the way. Tell the other guys to do the same to his old woman.

Gruff Voice 1: Shouldn'ta tried to spy on us.

(There's a soft, sobbing whimper.)

Gruff Voice 2: Gimmie some of the rope. He's tryin' to squirm.

Molly: (Giggles, child-like) Squirm-worm!

*Davy rolls his eyes. Daphne sticks her tongue out.* :P

Gruff Voice 2: Ok, Chad. I'm takin' the kid over to the editing department, where they keep all the master negatives for the movies they got.

Chad: Molly 'n me are gonna have fun. Right, baby?

Molly: (Squeals and giggles again) Oooh, yeah, that kind of fun! :D

(Molly is cutting through ropes that hold the sets. One shadowy form that's holding a more familiar one takes off back through the soundstage. The other helps Molly cut the ropes. He stops when the ropes are about half-way through.)

Chad: (Grabs Molly's knife) Ok, toots, that's enough.

Molly: I wanna play!

Chad: We can't let them know we're here!

Molly: I wanna play! I wanna play with you! (Sings a drunken version of "I Wanna Be Loved By You," complete with a slurred "boop-oop-de-doop" at the end. She stumbles into his arms) Oooh, that felt funny.

Daphne: (Whispers to Davy) I think we've got enough confession. We have to warn the others!

Davy: *nods* Let’s go!

Daphne: Let's get that jerk!

(Davy catches a swooning Molly as Daphne tackles Chad.)

Molly: Oooh...I feel so strange...like I'm full of clouds...are those flamingos I see....

Davy: No, those aren't flamingos. *makes a face* Luv, you REALLY have to go lightah on whatever it is you're on. :P

(Daphne ties Chad up with a coil of rope sitting near the set.)

Daphne: Is Molly ok?

Davy: *shakes his head* She's been ALOT better. :P

Molly: (Starts singing again) "Oooh, ooh, I've got my eye on you...ooohh"...no, wait, that's wrong. I've still got my eyes.

Daphne: I'm going to make a wild guess here and say she's our snitch...when she's coherent.

Davy: Does that answer it, luv? :P

Davy: I'd say so.

Daphne: Yes, just about. :p

Daphne: I wonder why, though?

Davy: I don't know.

Molly: "Mammy, how I love ya...oh yeah, down on my knee..." (Grins dazedly at Davy) You know, you're cute. (Passes out on his shoulder, drooling.)

Davy: *makes a face* Eww! :P

Daphne: I always knew you were a chick magnet, but that's disgusting. What should we do with her?

Davy: Stick 'er in a dressing room. I don't think she'll be much of a problem now. :P

Daphne: Good idea. You go up the ladder to the catwalks and help Mike and Emma. I'll take the "Flaming Youth Girl" to dry out. :p

Davy: Yes, ma'am! ;)

(Daphne takes the dead drunk Molly off of Davy's shoulder as he makes his way up to the catwalks, where Emma and Mike watch the proceedings.)

Emma: (Looks down over the proceedings - there's a knock-down choreographed fight going on as well as it can, though most of the breaking glass and wood sounds more like cats yowling) So far, so good.

Mike: You think they'll show?

Emma: I KNOW they'll show.

Mike: Em, why would Molly Martine do somethin' like that? I thought you said her career was important to her.

Emma: It is...when she's sober and straight. You saw what she was like the other night, Mike. Get someone on that many drugs, and they'll do anything.

Davy: *as he nears the top* Emma! Mike!

Mike: Yeah...(turns to acknowledge the newcomer) Davy? What are you doing up here? I thought you were supposed to be with Daphne?

Emma: Is she ok?

Mike: Did you "capture" the sabotueur? ;)

Davy: *joins them* Daphne's fine. She went to take our "saboteur" to a dressing room. *nods* Molly Martine passed out like nothing. :P

Emma: I was right! It IS Molly Martine, and she WAS drunk!

Davy: She was on something, that's for sure. We got the confession on tape!

Mike: I'll bet Big Eddie's been druggin' her to get her to find out the info for him or do it herself when she can.

Davy: Molly also had two goons helping her, and the goons had Petah and Valerie!

Mike: Shit!

Emma: Oh, God!

Davy: They took Petah over to the editing department. *jerks his thumb behind them* Molly cut some of the ropes holding up the sets. About 'alf of them are partially cut.

Emma: Good lord allmighty! The sets could come down any minute, then!

Mike: We gotta get down there!

(Three large shadows come up behind the trio...and one holds a struggling figure, its voice muffled.)

Figure 1: You three ain't goin' down there. You're gonna join your little friends, right?

Figure 2: Yeah. They're gonna be nice and crispy.

Davy: You must be joking! :P

(Three huge goons in suits reveal themselves as they slowly move out of the bright light. One drags a struggling, gagged Valerie.)

Mike: (Low growl) Let her go. X(

Emma: What did you assholes do to our friends, and to Molly Martine?

Goon 3: We found her and her hubby snoopin'. We didn't like that. We had to rough up her hubby a little, but this dora is too nice and smart to rough up. 'Sides, our boss don't want no one squealin'.

Mike: What did you do to her husband? X(

Davy: So we can give it back to you! X-(

Goon 2: (Holds a knife in his hand) Oh, nuthin' much. Coupla bruises, knocked the wind outta him. He weren't no Patrick Dempsy.

Mike: (Low growl) He doesn't like to fight, even when he really should. X(

Goon 3: Ok, kids, you gonna come quietly, or will ya go the other way?

Goon 1: Is this a multiple choice test?

Davy: We aren't going at all! :P X-(

Mike: (Puts out his hand) Why don't you just give me the knife? I'll cut you a slice of Mrs. O'Leary's Irish Soda Bread with it. ;)

Goon 2: Oooh, just like my muddah used to make! (Hands Mike the knife)

Goon 1: You idiot! (Smacks him across the head)

Mike: Thanks. (Holds up the knife and holds it as close as he can to the goon's chest) Ok, pal, let the lady go and go get her husband out of the editing department.

Goon 2: Ok!

Goon 1: Whatddya DOIN'? Boss will kill us!

Emma: So will he (nods at the raging angry Mike).

(As all this has been going on, the narrow walkway under the group's feet's been creaking...along with the Technicolor camera.)

Emma: What's that sound?

Goon 2: Don't look at me! I oiled my shoes yesterday!

Davy: Uh oh... :-O

(There's a far louder creak...and the sound of breaking steel.)

Davy: I think the catwalk's saying there's too much weight!

Mike: EVERYBODY OFF NOW!!!

(There's a mad scramble for the other side. As "If I Had a Talking Picture of You" goes on, Eric Chisholm singing it to a dancing Trixie this time, Mike points to the camera)

Mike: Everyone grab hold of the camera...and watch that light!

Davy: *grabs on* Way ahead of you, mate!

Emma: The lights for Technicolor productions HAD to be bright to illuminate the set properly! If you look directly into them, they'll probably blind you! :o

(Everyone grabs the camera as the catwalk falls and there's the sound of people scrambling out of the way...and Eric Chisholm STILL singing. The camera dangles for a few minutes before some of the straps finally give way, and everyone falls screaming. The camera stops just low enough to let everyone off and not hurt the camera.)

Eric Chisholm: "I would give ten meals a day, and a midnight matinee..." (pulls himself and Trixie out of the way as the camera comes down and people scatter) What the HELL?

Trixie: Incoming! :o

(There's a trememdous screech from the microphones as everyone runs out of the way and the group formerly on the camera run onto the soundstage.)

Cora: Now THAT'S a special effect. ;)

Eric: Cut the scene! Get these guys out of here! They're ruining my big moment!

Brian: Wow! Authenticity! :D

Lauren: What the heck happened?! :-O

Goon 2: (Walks dazedly to the front of the nearest camera) Hey, is that on? Am I on film?

Goon 1: (Grabs Valerie) Will you cut that out? We gotta get outta here!

Mike: (Grins) Davy, give him the famous line. ;)

Davy: *grins* You ain't goin' no place! ;)

Emma: These guys are the saboteurs! Them and Molly Martine!

(There are gasps of surprise from around the set.)

Stagehand 1: Why her?

Irwin: Drugs, I'll bet. She's been acting peculiar lately.

Musician 1: You're kidding? Molly Martine does drugs? I've seen all her movies! :(

Davy: Well, she does SOMETHING. :P

Mike: Come on, guys! These are the REAL bad guys! They're the ones who've been tryin' to take out this movie! They destroyed your sets and costumes and make-up...and hurt Curt Del Mar!

Davy: And tried to hurt us! :P

Cora: Jackasses! I oughta....

Brian: Hey, let's get 'em! I always wanted to do my own choreography for a fight scene! :D

(Davy's version of "Daddy's Song" starts, taking over from the last of "Talking Picture," as the fake gangsters take hold of the real ones.)

(Trixie and Irwin help Valerie out of the way. Trixie gets the gag off of Valerie.)

*Micky is in the background, still filming.* ;)

(More gangsters enter, along with Big Eddie, as the music goes on.)

Big Eddie: So, how are you filming...(eyes widen at the chaos)...holy cow! :o

Mike: Oh, goody, company. (Grins at Davy) Want the back half or the front half? ;)

Davy: Decisions, decisions. I'll take the back 'alf. I'm sure you just want to run in 'ead first. ;)

Mike: Nahh, too messy. I'd rather do (steps on the toes of the first guy he can get his foot on; the guy gasps and jumps up and down) this! ;)

Davy: *nods* That works, too. ;)

Brian: Oh, good, I get the ones in the middle. ;)

*Lauren jumps on the back of one gangster and puts her hands over his eyes. He wanders along blindly.* ;)

Cora: Hey, you! Don't leave the pick-up range! (She grabs a microphone and hits one guy over the head with it; it makes horrible feedback) Guess he prefers silents. ;)

Davy: *grabs hold of a boom mic and swings it away; it hits three gangsters, knocking them down* Strike! ;)

Brian: (Grabs a film cannister) I told Mom this is why I played football after school with the guys! ;)

(We see nine guys lined up football-style. Brian runs through, over, under, and around them. Emma, Trixie, Lauren, and Cora, dressed as cheerleaders, cheer him on.)

Brian: And the crowd goes wild! :D

Eric: (Reaches out and knocks two guys' heads together, then throws out his fists and knocks out two guys at once) I gotta ask my agent to get me in a gangster movie! :D

(Emma points at her...bosums. When the guy looks into the bottomless dephs, Emma tweeks his nose and runs off as he's rubbing his nose. ;) )

(Mike, Davy, and Brian grab the wayward camera and swing across the room, knocking out several gangsters before the camera and the guys finally end up on the floor.)

*Lauren makes the goon she was on the back of run into a wall. She goads another and ducks down. He almost runs past, stopping just behind Lauren. She drops to one knee and pulls his pants down, revealing boxer shorts with a giant ant on them.* ;) :P

(Molly Martine stumbles out of the dressing room, followed by Daphne. Molly takes one look at the crowd and stumbles back in her dressing room again, her face green and her hand over her mouth.)

(Brian does a fast tap number with Trixie. The gangsters try to imitate them. Brian and Trixie tap over to the edge of the set...where Eric and two male dancers knock them out. ;) )

(Cora, the boys, Brian, Lauren, Trixie, and several crew members finally wind rope around the gangsters as the song comes to an end.)

Lauren: Wow, what a round up! ;)

(Jack hits Big Eddie over the head with a record as the song ends and Mike, Davy, Lauren, and Brian tighten the rope.)

Willie: That was amazing! I think Eric is right. Maybe we SHOULD make an action picture!

Eric: I KNEW I was right! ;)

(Several stagehands drag Big Eddie over to the rest of the group.)

Micky: *from the back* Cut! Print! That's a wrap! Great job, everyone! ;) :D

(The moment Micky says that, the cops burst in, lead by O'Leary and Harvey Lyman.)

O'Leary: (Eyes widen at the sight of the bound gangsters) Saints preserve us!

Brian: That was fun! Can we do that number over?

(Groans from the gangsters. ;) :p )

Lauren: I guess they don't want to. :P ;)

Lyman: (Shakes his fist at Big Eddie, whom O'Leary's men handcuff) I knew it, you God-damn, no-good, sidewinding piece of shit! You're the one behind all of this! You've been giving me threats since the whole thing began!

Big Eddie: LOOK at them! They're cheapening what we do!

Lyman: What you do is ALREADY cheap. :p

O'Leary: Thank Miss Morgani for havin' enough sense to call us from Miss Martine's dressin' room, or we never would have known what's been goin' on 'round here.

Davy: *wraps an arm around Daphne* Good work, luv.

Emma: Mr. Lyman, Molly Martine is your saboteur.

Mike: I don't think it's entirely her fault, though. We believe Big Eddie's been providing her with drugs, then telling her to bring him and his boys information on where and when to wreck the production.

Big Eddie: There's no proof.

Micky: *still from the back* Oh, yes, there is! :D

Big Eddie: Even now, my boys are doing their best to make sure this piece of horse malarkey's never seen by the general public.

O'Leary: (Takes hold of Big Eddie) Tell us all about it down at the jail house, Eddie.

Emma: (Frowns; eyes widen) It's pretty late, isn't it? I mean, there's no one really guarding where they keep the master negatives, right?

Valerie: (Gasps) You don't mean...

Lauren: Oh no...

Emma: (Screams) Mr. Lyman, we've got to get over to the editing department! Now!

Mike: (Eyes widen; turns on Eddie) You ASSHOLE! YOU DIDN'T! X(

Cora: He didn't what?

Lyman: Why? What's wrong?

Emma: History's happening, Mr. Lyman...and it may stop history from happening! :o

Valerie: They were going to leave Peter and me in the editing department for some reason...and now I know why! They were going to let us go up with the movie! :o

Mike: You were going to kill two people, over some dumb skit?

Big Eddie: It's more than a skit, kid. It's my reputation. If that went out, me and half the gangsters around would be laughingstocks.

Micky: *sarcastic* Awwwe! :P

Brian: What's going on?

Eric: What's this about killing people?

(A man bursts in, his eyes wide.)

Man: (Runs to Lyman) Mr. Lyman, there's a fire in the northern corner of the studio! Sources say it's coming from one of the editing rooms!

Valerie: No! My husband's in there!

Irwin: There's someone in there?

Nick: Oh, God!

Lyman: Don't just STAND there, people! Call the fire department! Call every fire department in LA!

Mike: We've gotta do somethin'!

Lauren: What can we do?

Mike: There's gotta be a way we can get in there and find Pete!

Emma: Maybe that's something we should leave to the pros, honey. They'll find him.

Micky: *comes up to them; quietly to Mike* Or some powers... ;)

Mike: (Whispers to Mick) Any ideas?

Micky: *nods; whispered* Remember my force field? ;) :D

Mike: I'll bet Davy and I can make one now, too, since we've been...enhanced. Well, maybe Davy. I didn't seem to get much inhancement, other than my...animal instincts. I KNOW Pete's in horrible danger. I can feel it.

Micky: We can run in, get Pete, and haul him out. We just have to keep everyone else from seeing us.

Mike: The cops will probably be busy keeping the spectators away from the fire. You know, train wreck thing. (Frowns) What will we tell the girls? I don't want them near this.

Micky: Tell 'em the truth. Lauren already knows I'm outta my mind. This is just more proof. *slight grin* ;)

Mike: (Chuckles softly) All right, Mick. (Nods at the door; most people have already left) Come on. Let's go save our friend.

Davy: Right with you, mates!

(Cut to a bright orange-red blaze. The fire is full-blast by the time the group arrives there. Firemen surround the burning buildings, while people, some of them soot-stained, look on, some in tears, some in shock, some in awe. Cameras film the conflagration from a safe distance.)

Mike: (Gasps as the eight arrive at the scene) Damn it! Three buildings have already gone up!

Micky: Oh, man, we probably oughta blue light it in there. :P

Emma: Mike, these buildings were made of pasteboard and concrete in a hurry. (Makes a face) There was a fire in a movie studio in New York in 1930 that killed ten people and destroyed the studio. (Softly) They were making a musical short. :( :p

Lauren: *frowns* I didn't wanna know that. :P :(

Mike: These guys are gettin' off lucky, then.

Valerie: Please, let me come with you! (Sobbing) Peter's hurt and scared to death!

Mike: Val, I understand your concern, but you're close to hysterics. The girls will stay with you.

Lauren: You're better off staying here, Val. The guys can handle this. *gulps* I hope.

Mike: Come on, guys. (Turns to Micky and Davy) How did you make that force-field?

Micky: *grins* Just imagine one.

Mike: (Looks at the camera) Folks, do NOT go into a burning building like this at home. WE'RE crazy for doing it. :p

Davy: This should be interesting. :P

(All three men close their eyes. Something shimmers around Davy and Micky...but not Mike.)

Mike: Damn it!

Micky: Uhh...well, two outta three ain't bad.

Mike: I'll just hold my nose. :p

Micky: Mike! You can't go in there the way you are!

Mike: I can and I will! (Puts a handkerchief over his nose)

Micky: *groans loudly* Mike!

Mike: (Under the handkercheif) Come on, Monkees!

*Davy just shakes his head.* :P

(There's a dark blue light around the three before the others can protest. When it subsides, they're in a dark room in one of the buildings. The fire is starting to take out part of the wall. Peter, his face wet with tears and smeared with bruises and soot, his clothes dirty and ripped, lays on one side of the room, gagged with a dirty rag and bound with film stock. Cannisters labeled "The Mammoth Revue" are stacked on the table next to him. Peter looks up and gasps, his response muffled.)

Mike: (Coughing) Pete!

(Peter whimpers and coughs.)

Micky: Oh, MAN!

(Mike takes the gag off and pushes it in front of Peter's nose. Peter sobs on Mike's shoulder.)

Mike: Don't, buddy. Gotta preserve your oxygen.

Micky: Dave, grab the cannisters on the table. I'll give Mike a hand. *Davy nods and goes after the cannisters*

Peter: M...Michael...M..Mick...you all came...

Micky: *goes over to Mike and Peter* C'mon, let’s get outta here first, then you can thank us. ;)

(Mike and Micky unwrap the film, which is starting to get a bit gooey and melt.)

Peter: Yuck. :p

Micky: Gross. :P

(The fire is starting to surround the room, filling it with flickering flames of red-orange-gold. It starts up the table just after Davy grabs the cannisters and wraps his jacket around them.)

Mike: Ok, guys! (He and Peter are both coughing hard, their eyes watering) Blue-light outta here NOW!

Micky: Let’s go!

Mike: To the front door, so it looks like we ran out normally.

Davy: Going!

(There's a series of various shades of blue lights. When they subside, four sooty figures run out the back of the building, just as the area they'd fled from collapses. Mike and Peter run to their wives, coughing hard.)

Emma: Michael Nesmith, are you mad?

Valerie: Peter! Thank GOD you're safe! :o :((

Micky: *as he and Davy follow carrying the cannisters* Yes! I will attest that Mike is crazier than I am! :P

Mike: You guys needed help.

Micky: *shakes his head* I'm not gonna argue how insane that was, Mike. :P

Emma: (Shakes her head) All four of you are going to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, including you, Michael Nesmith.

Mike: Em...

Lauren: I think she's got you, Mike. ;)

Emma: (Smacks his shoulder) Don't start with me, Robert Michael Nesmith! Do you have to be the brave knight about EVERYTHING?

Mike: (Coughs again) I just wanted to help.

Emma: It's one thing to help, honey, but you really do have to leave some things to your men.

Micky: Thank you, Em. ;)

Peter: (Sobbing heavily and coughing) Oh, Val....

Valerie: (Also sobbing) Peter...thank god...

O'Leary: (Runs over to them) Kids! You all look frightful! What are you doing this close to the fire?

Peter: (Coughs again) They saved me! I almost got burned in the fire!

O'Leary: Saints preserve us! You poor lad!

Peter: We know who the saboteur is, too.

Valerie: And why they want to take out the production.

O'Leary: How about I take you kids to the hospital, then you can tell us everything that went on at the station house over roast beef sandwiches and hot coffee?

Mike: (Coughs) That would be swell, Officer. Thanks.

Micky: *grins widely* Gladly! :D

Mike: Although, if we could avoid the hospital in any way...

Emma: (Elbows Mike) They're all going, Officer. All four of them.

Lauren: *slight grin* Willingly or not. ;)

(The group follows O'Leary off the lot, with the people and the cameras watching the firemen battling the roaring fire in the background.)

(Fade out on the fire; fade in on a newspaper headline that says "Mammoth Studios Goes Up In Flames" on very large print. It's the next morning. All of the kids wear clean clothes. Peter has bandages around his chest, which are visible under his shirt. Mrs. O'Leary hands out plates of corned beef, bread, coffee, tea, and hot porridge with raisins.)

Officer O'Leary: (Reading the article) "A quarter of Mammoth Studios was destroyed in one of the largest local fires in recent memory. Arson was a possible motive. Police suspect Edward ‘Big Eddie’ Castellero is in custody, currently being held on five thousand dollars' bail."

Mrs. O'Leary: You're all so lucky to have escaped that horrible fire with your lives, you are!

Mike: (Still coughs a bit) Yeah, I know.

Micky: *mutters* Some more than others... ;) :P

O'Leary: You're all lucky you didn't get more than smoke inhalation and broken bones on Peter. You should leave that sort of thing to the professionals from now on, kids.

Lauren: The guys seem to hear that a lot. ;)

Emma: (Looks at Micky and Davy) Even you two had some minor smoke inhalation. Some things aren't full-proof. :p

Micky: *coughs* No kidding.

Lauren: Did you hear him hacking earlier this morning? Yeesh! :P ;)

*Mick sticks his tongue out.*

Davy: It was worth it.

Peter: (Smiles gently) Thanks for coming after me, guys, even if it did make you all breathe that awful smoke! (Peter coughs hard; Valerie puts an arm over him)

Valerie: He got the worst of it. Three cracked ribs, bruised face and arms, and he was in the smoke longer than all of you. :p

Micky: We HAD to go in after him. *shrugs*

Mrs. O'Leary: How did you end up in the building in the first place, dearie?

Peter: Valerie and I were trying to find out who the snoop was. We were talking to people, looking for clues, and a lot of folks on other sets said they'd seen Molly Martine with some shady types, skulking around and acting weird.

Valerie: We followed them, but they got the drop on us and dragged us to the set, probably to use as collateral.

Peter: After Davy stopped them, the other thug dragged me into Molly Martine's car and drove it over to the editing building. They put me in the room where the film for "The Mammoth Revue" was and left me tied up with unused film. :p

Valerie: I'm just glad you're here now and safe. :)

Mrs. O'Leary: Amen to that, dearie!

O'Leary: (Sheepish) Sorry we had to keep you at the studio police station for so long after the hospital, kids. We had to get your statements, especially Mr. and Mrs. Tork's.

Micky: No problem! I had a very nice nap there. ;)

Peter: (Nods a little, coughing) That's ok, Officer. We know you're doing your job. You're a nice policeman, not like the ones at home! :)

Officer O'Leary: Thank you kindly, lad.

Mrs. O'Leary: Are you going to the studios today?

Mike: Yeah. We’ve got to see if we can finish the movie.

Daphne: And if they viewed the films we made of the confessions and the fight.

Micky: And how they liked my directing! ;)

Officer O'Leary: Oh, that we did, Miss Morgani! Did a right fine job, you did! The black-and-white scene was silent...but we heard enough from the color footage to elict a real confession from Big Eddie and his boys. ;)

Mike: Never thought I'd say this, but...thank GOD for sound film! :D

Peter: You bet! :)

Emma: (Grins) And amen to THAT. ;)

Lauren: Hear hear! ;)

Daphne: Yeah! :D

(There's "hear hear" and laughter around the room as we fade out on the group.)