(We open in the Cave. Mike's there with Black Beauty, working on what sounds like "Harmony Constant." He leans against the crystal couch in the main room, which is covered with fat white pillows. There's a tray with what looks like the remains of sandwiches and iced tea.)
*Micky comes in, listening to the song. He claps when Mike finishes.*
Mike: (Looks up with a smile) Thanks, Mick. Just somethin' I'm workin' on. (He moves his leg from the counch) What you doin' here? Come to work on stuff? (Grins) Or are you just avoidin' Lauren and the kids?
Micky: A little of both. *slight grin* Actually, I wanted to do a little work on the crystals.
Mike: The crystals? (Puts Black Beauty aside)
Micky: Yeah, like trying to figure out why the devils were wanting them so badly. *pauses* And no, I'm not just gonna ask Alex.
Mike: He probably wouldn't give you the right answer anyway, just to screw with your head. (Sighs) Mick, I'm worried. There's something very, very wrong goin' on. My wolf senses are workin' triple-time. I'm smellin' danger...I just can't tell from WHERE.
Micky: I kinda figured that when Alex and Zelda joined us.
Mike: I still don't trust those two. This is too out-of-the-blue. I know you read their souls, but Alex has been with Sheila for a couple of years with no problems. What's he gonna do when he realizes he has no job, no home, and none of Sheila's money?
Micky: I've been wondering that myself.
Mike: He could probably get a job, but where are he and Zelda gonna live? And he's used to being able to blow things up with no repercussions other than Sheila whinin'. He's probably never paid for the mess his explosions make in his entire...(realizes what he's saying, then goes on)...well, since he's been around.
Micky: *grinning* Yeah.
Mike: And then there's the whole thing with this "Big Boss." I can't shake the feeling he's someone familiar. Who else woulda told those guys to "take the Knight's honor?" The only people who call me that are you guys, Urse, and the Devils.
Micky: *shakes his head* I just can't figure it out.
Mike: Who do we know well that we've pissed off lately?
Micky: That's not a very short list.
Mike: Besides Sheila, Alex, or Zelda.
Micky: It's still a long list.
Mike: I wish there were a way we could figure out what's she's up to now...and who's behind what she's up to.
Purring Voice: I can help you with that, gentlemen. (Sheila steps out of the shadows, dressed in tight black pants and an equally tight black blouse, her feet bare. We see several figures in dark capes behind her.)
Mike: Damn it! (He concentrates; Black Beauty disappears in a blue light)
Micky: *groans* Oh great.
Sheila: I wanted to ask you boys a few questions about those crystals.
Mike: You ain't gettin' any answers, Sheila.
Sheila: I think I will. (She pulls out a long, heavy brown rope) This will be fun.
Micky: What is THAT?
Sheila: Oh this? This is a little rope Alex invented several months ago. Isn't it lovely?
Micky: Lovely.
Mike: Yeah, just darlin'. (Mike moves to a lever on the wall near the monitors...)
*Sheila suddenly lassos Mike, smirking.*
Sheila: Uh uh uh!
Micky: Mike!
Mike: Wha.... (She drags him to her; he tries to struggle, but it's sluggish) What's goin' on? I don't feel so great. My energy...
Sheila: Is being sapped by this lovely rope.
Micky: Let him go! *starts for Mike*
(The handmaidens behind Sheila all swarm around Micky at once, grabbing his arms and forcing him to the ground.)
Micky: Hey! Ow! Don't play so rough!
Sheila: *pulls Mike via the lasso to her until he's right in front of her* Now, my darling White Knight, what do you know about the crystals?
Mike: Nothin'.
Sheila: *runs a hand over Mike's chest* I don't believe you.
Mike: It has somethin' to do with our energy, I think. I ain't the chemical genius.
Sheila: No, you're just handsome. (Smirks) I think you know more about the crystals than you let on, Knight. *opens Mike's shirt and runs her hand all over*
*Micky tries struggling against the handmaidens, but they hold him tight.*
Micky: You gals been weight-lifting or something?
(They pull him up to the couch and hold him there, their hands in fairly suggestive places.)
*Micky yelps.*
Mike: Sheila...
Sheila: Yes, my Knight? (Grins) Talk to me. *continues to touch Mike's upper body*
Mike: I...Sheila, please...
Sheila: Please? Please! Oh, you want more, my Knight? *removes his shirt* Better? ;)
Mike: No...I feel cold...
Sheila: Then let me warm you up.
Mike: Sheila...please, I got Em...
Sheila: Oh, but you assume I care about her, which I don't.
*Sheila wraps the rope around him, binding Mike's arms behind his back.*
Mike: What's...with...this rope?
Sheila: You remember the Goo, don't you? Ingenious idea putting in on the rope.
Mike: Oh man...Sheila...
(Mike tries to squirm, but it's weak. He looks pale; his eyes are clouded.)
*Sheila takes advantage and removes Mike's pants.*
Micky: *wiggles slightly from the handmaidens’ grip; gets a look at what's going on* No!
Mike: (Moans) Sheila...stop...
Sheila: Tell me more about the crystals, my Knight.
Mike: The...the crystals...
Micky: No, Mike!
Sheila: *whispers in Mike's ear* Tell me...
Mike: I think...they're in tune with our energy...or somethin'...
Sheila: Very good. *runs her fingers all over Mike's body* Can you control the crystals in some manner?
Mike: Dunno...never tried...
*Micky pauses in his struggling, looking thoughtful. His eyes widen slightly, then puts on a look of concentration.*
*Suddenly, a small piece of crystal falls from the ceiling and clatters to the floor. Micky rolls his eyes. It didn't work.*
Sheila: *glares at the crystal, then Micky* Your trick didn't seem to work, Savage.
*Micky just sighs, then goes back to struggling.*
Mike: Mick...the crystals...
Sheila: I'm growing a little tired of this, Knight. *rubs Mike's temples, then concentrates; Mike is turned into a hamster.*
Micky: *pauses in struggling and sees Mike the hamster being put into a cage* MIKE!
Sheila: I wouldn't worry about your little friend now. I'll handle him later. (Smirks) Now, my good Savage, what do you know about those crystals?
Micky: Why would I tell you, even if I did know?
Sheila: (Picks up the rope that fell on the floor when Mike became a hamster) Maybe because you want to.
Micky: *scoffs* Yeah, right.
(The handmaidens still hold Micky as Sheila wraps the rope around his wrists, then his arms.)
Micky: What the... *groans* Oh man...you weren't kidding...
Sheila: Note how this rope can be any length I want it to. Your, ahem, "brother" really is quite a genius. I don't know why he abandoned me like that.
Micky: Because he finally realized what a bitch you really are!
Sheila: "Bitch?" Now, is that a nice thing to call someone who was very good to your brother?
Micky: Yes, yes it is. Oh, and by the way, you were a BAD influence! The worst!
Sheila: Oh, good. I love being a bad influence. (She frowns) You should be weaker by now.
Micky: Yeah, well, my mouth doesn't need my arms to work!
Sheila: (Her fingers snake up his neck and head) I can't mute you. I WANT you to talk. (Smirks) But that won't stop me from doing other things... (her fingers move to his head to muddle him)
Micky: Get off my head!
Sheila: But I LIKE your head! (She rubs his temples) We'll just add a little of this.
Micky: *slightly muddled* Can't talk if you do that.
Sheila: (She concentrates; his shirt disappears. Her fingers travel down his chest, stroking it) Now, my Savage, you love to talk. Why don't you talk to me?
Micky: 'Cause I hate you!
Sheila: That's not a reason not to talk to me. (Her fingers travel down his chest and into his pants; she gets closer) Tell me all about these crystals.
Micky: *eyes widen and appear a bit clearer; gasps* No!
Sheila: (Concentrates; his pants disappear; we see his boxers. Sheila leans even closer) Tell me all about them, Savage. You're the one who works with the chemicals. You're here the most.
Micky: *defiant - mostly clear eyes* Never.
*He struggles angrily against the rope.*
Sheila: (Pushes Micky's arms down; she's practically on top of him now) Naughty naughty, Savage. (Whispers into his ear) Just tell me. (Her hands slide down his torso) Talk to me, my Savage.
Micky: I said NO!
Sheila: (Smirks) I don't take that for an answer. (She kisses him hard on his lips) There. Now are you ready to tell me about the crystals?
Micky: *pauses a moment* Yeah...I am... *slowly grins*
Sheila: Good. Tell me all about them. (One hand fingers his curls)
Micky: Alright... *his eyes widen; he suddenly roars, launching Sheila off of him*
Sheila: What in the....
(The handmaidens all go after Micky at once, some wielding staffs.)
*They pile on Micky. A few seconds later, the entire group of handmaidens is launched away. Micky stands, fuming, fists clenched.*
Sheila: Savage, what ARE you doing?
*Micky advances purposely on Sheila, but doesn't answer her.*
*Micky lifts Sheila off the ground and holds her up as high as he can reach, his eyes burning two holes into her.*
Sheila: Now Savage, if we wanted to play this way, we could do it laying down. This is most uncomfortable.
*Micky lets rip with a savage yell and throws Sheila across the room, slamming her into the crystal wall. He slowly and purposefully starts toward her again.*
Sheila: I can see you're in no mood for this. I'll come back another time.
*Micky just growls as he continues to advance on her.*
Sheila: Until we meet again! (She and the unconcious handmaidens disappear in a black light)
*Micky stops and yells. He takes aim to punch the crystal wall, but stops mere centimeters from it. His eyes close, and he dips his head. He shakes his head as his arm drops.*
Micky: *opens his eyes* Mike... *goes back to find Mike the hamster still in the cage* No offense, Mike, but I am NOT kissing you. I'll just try this instead. *closes his eyes and concentrates on the cage; a blue light envelopes it*
(When the blue light dissolves, Mike appears on the floor, back in his clothes. He still looks dazed.)
Mike: Mick...what happened?
Micky: Well... *suddenly remembers & gives himself his clothes back* do you want the long or short version? *He helps Mike stand.*
Mike: Whatever you're up for. (Frowns) She went after you, too? That's all I remember.
Micky: Yeah, she did. She only got up to the removing clothes part with me, then I, uh... *gives Mike a knowing grin*
Mike: You let it all loose on her.
Micky: Yeeeaah. She disappeared when she realized I was no longer in a talkative mood.
Mike: Did she use the rope on you, too?
Micky: She did. It didn't feel as strong as the original Goo. Must not have been as potent. *shrugs*
Micky: *pauses, seeing how weary Mike is* Are you okay, Mike?
Mike: Yeah. I don't know why that thing wiped me out and not you.
Micky: Are you sure? There's no reason it would treat us differently if we're both 100%...
Mike: (Pulls up to his full height) You know, I haven't been feelin' all that great since we got back from Texas. I probably picked up somethin' while we were there. That's why it did what it did.
Micky: *raises an eyebrow* Picked up something while we were in Texas? Okay, then why were you kinda like this BEFORE we went to Texas?
Mike: Remember when that magician guy messed with my head? He had me longer than you two. I musta picked somethin' up from that.
Micky: And before THAT...
Mike: (Grabs Mick by the front of his shirt and shakes him lightly) Enough already!
Micky: *puts his hands up, shrinking back a bit* Alright, Mike, alright! I'm just trying to say that there seems to something wrong deeper down. You know it, too. Why won't you admit it? It's just me. You know I won't judge you.
Mike: (Sighs) Mick, there's just a lot on my mind right now. The album we just put out ain't doin' nuthin' on the charts, and the movie and soundtrack flopped bad. Em an' I are fightin' a lot. And then, there's the whole thing with the magician a few months ago... (frowns) ...and Pete. He ain't speakin' to me. I guess I really let him down.
Micky: You're only human, Mike. You can only do so much. You can still do better with Emma. *shakes his head* I couldn't even start to begin on what's up with Peter. The rest are not solely your fault, or anyone's "fault," for that matter.
Mike: I can't shake that there's somethin' goin' on with Pete, an' not just 'cause he landed in jail, either.
Micky: Sometimes I really wish I had some of that sensing ability. Two heads are better than one.
Mike: And I wish I could knock Sheila through a solid crystal wall.
Micky: Yeah, well, you weren't the one who almost punched the crystal wall... *realizes he didn't want to say that*
Mike: I've punched worse.
Micky: I punched you and practically broke my hand. If I hadn't stopped punching the wall, it would've really hurt.
Mike: Yeah. Don't go and hurt yourself. I have the feelin' we're gonna all need to be intact as much as possible for the next few months.
Micky: Yeah. I was still seething from Sheila disappearing and I just... *sighs* I'm getting better at controlling the rage, but sometimes...
Mike: We'll work on it. (Smiles) Wanna do it now? We could do it in your backyard. Em and Lauren took the kids to the park. (Looks around) I don't feel like stayin' here anymore. I'm wonderin' if we should find another hide-out. Sheila knows this place too well, and I wouldn't be surprised if whomever is givin' her orders now knows about it, too.
Micky: Sure. Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised, either.
Mike: Micky...this Big Boss guy has me really worried.
Micky: Me, too, Mike, me, too.
Mike: Come on. I think Em baked chocolate chip cookies yesterday. Let's go see if the kids left us any.
Micky: Now, you're talking my language.
Mike: I knew that would get you. (They head out as we fade out on the Cave)