Everyone ready for a Texas adventure?

Mike: Yeah.

Micky: You bet!

Davy: Sure, mate!

(We open at the radio station where Nyles, Micky, Lauren, and Jack work. Nyles is just heading out. He has his hands in his pockets and is whistling "I'm A Believer" when we see a long, thin shadow fall over Nyles.)

Low, Purring Voice: Hello, Nyles.

Nyles: *stops, glancing around* Whozzat?

Sheila: (Steps out of the shadows) Hello, Nyles. Remember me?

Nyles: *grins* How could I forget?

Sheila: How would you like a little opportunity for some fun?

Nyles: With you? Oh man, yeah!

Sheila: (Draws him closer to her) Have you ever been to Texas?

Nyles: *shakes his head* No, but if you're going...

Sheila: I'm going in less than an hour. Could you take a few days off of work and join me? I'd love to have some company.

Nyles: I'm there! Lead the way, you groovy chick!

Sheila: Certainly. We'll go to your apartment to pack your bags and call your employer, then head to my private jet.

(A long, sleek black limo drives up to the pair.)

Nyles: Anything you say!

Sheila: (Grins; under her breath) This is too easy. (Out loud) Come along, Nyles. Our jet awaits!

Nyles: Lead the way.

(The limo door opens automatically. Sheila gets in first, then Alex. The limo drives off into the waning California afternoon.)

(Fade out on the limo; fade in on Aunt Kate's ranch, looking more-or-less as it did in "Deep In the Heart of Texas." The MonkeeMobile, Davy's jeep, and Lauren's Chevy Bel Air drive up to the little green house. Kate runs out to meet the crew, waving a wooden spoon and grinning.)

Kate: Hello, everyone!

Mike: Hi, Aunt Kate. (He helps Emma out of the car, then Katie; Emma has Robbie) Here's the newest member of the family.

Emma: Meet our baby boy.

(Robbie just stares at the aunt he's never seen.)

Kate: My word. (She takes him in her arms) Michael, he looks just like you when you were this little.

Mike: (Rolls his eyes) I know. I get that a lot.

Katie: (Tugs on Aunt Kate) Hi, Aunt Kate!

Kate: (Pats her great-niece's head) And hello to you, Miss Katie. You sure have grown! I'll bet someday, you'll be even taller than your papa!

Katie: Yeah!

Emma: (She opens the door for Lauren) You haven't met Lauren and Micky's newest addition, either.

Lauren: Yeah, and watch out for her... *moves aside as Leah tries to scramble in ahead of them, taking a few steps, falling, and getting right back up* She hasn't quite gotten the hang of walking yet.

Kate: I'm sure she'll get better soon. She has to keep up with the rest of the crowd. (Emma takes Robbie back, and Kate picks up Leah) And what's your name, little lady?

Leah: Lee-aahhhh! *giggles*

Kate: (Laughs) You have quite the personality there, Lee-aahhh!

*Leah just giggles again.*

Lauren: Yes, another of my children has Mick's personality. *shakes her head* I'm in trouble.

Micky: *wraps an arm around Lauren's shoulders* You know you love it, babe.

Katie: (Looks at Micky, then shakes her head) At least you'll never have a dull moment, dear. (Hands Leah to her mother)

Mike: (As Davy helps Daphne and Lizzie out of the car) Oh, and Dave finally caught up with the rest of us. Here's his.

Kate: Delicate as ever, Michael.

Davy: *nods* 'I, Kate. *Daphne holds the sleeping Lizzie* This is Lizzie.

Kate: Oh my, she's so tiny!

Micky: Take a look at her dad.

Davy: Good one, Mick.

Kate: You've all done well for yourselves, haven't you? Where's the fourth boy, Peter, and his family?

Mike: Oh they, um, couldn't come. Peter had just come back from...a long vacation, and Valerie had work at Headquarters.

Kate: (She doesn't believe Mike, but she nods anyway) Yes. Well, Michael and his family will be staying in the main house, of course. The rest of you will be in the guest cabins by the river.

Mike: Thanks, Aunt Kate. I'll go and help get the others settled. (Mike and Micky walk together as Davy, Daphne, Lauren, Kate, and several farm hands unload cars.) Micky, I need to talk to you.

Micky: Okay, what'd I do this time?

Mike: You didn't do nuthin', Mick. We need to talk about the Riverboat Cruise and Poker Game.

Micky: Whew. Had me worried for a second.

Mike: (Frowns) They have a $25,000 entrance fee...but I could only round up about $10,000.

Micky: Crap. What're we gonna do?

Mike: We're gonna have to earn that money somehow. I ain't gonna ask Aunt Kate for it. She thinks gambling is an amoral sin.

Micky: And we can't have ANY of that amoral sin, now can we?

Mike: How about you? Got any money layin' around? You think your mom could spare some from your account?

Micky: Well, WITHOUT mom knowing, I think Lauren and I can do $10,000. Mom would want a reason as to why she's doing the favor, and that isn't a good enough reason for her.

Mike: Em's folks don't have it, and Em sure as hell doesn't...and I don't think she's crazy about this whole thing to begin with.

Micky: Maybe we can get the other $5,000 from Davy.

Mike: That could work. I tried Val before she left, but she said she and Peter have to settle his debts before they start helping others'.

Emma: (As the rest of the group catches up to them) What are you boys doing?

Mike: We're trying to figure out how to earn enough money to join that riverboat poker contest.

Emma: (Makes a face) If you must join it at all, why don't you play a few gigs?

Mike: Yeah, we can play some gigs, but that won't net us $15,000 in less than a week. We're going to have to do some other stuff, too.

Emma: (Smirks) Maybe Aunt Kate could hire you two as ranch hands.

Micky: Uhhh...

Mike: I ain't gonna tell Aunt Kate about this. She don't like the idea of me gamblin' to begin with.

Emma: Then how are you guys going to make $15,000 in less than a week? Fix cars?

Mike: (Looks at Micky) You think Nyles or Jack have any money?

Emma: They work at the radio station. They probably don't have 15,000 cents!

Micky: Nyles, no. Jack might have something saved, but I doubt it's anywhere near enough.

Mike: There's gotta be some way...

Emma: If you guys are going to do this, why don't we be sightsee at the same time? I'd love to see the Valley and not have to worry about chasing horse rustlers.

Mike: What did you have in mind?

Emma: (Grins) How about a nice, old-fashioned carriage ride? I was looking at some brochures at that last rest stop while the kids were using the bathroom and Micky got us drinks, and I found one for a line of real restored carriages that go between all the small towns in the Valley. I think that sounds like fun.

Mike: (Strokes his chin, thinking) Hmmm. That might be useful. We could leave the kids with Lucy, Aunt Kate, and my cousins, and the rest of us could hitch a ride.

Emma: You have something in mind for this.

Mike: (Grins) You'll see, darlin'.