Ok, let's get moving. Everyone ready to rehearse and explore this hotel?

Micky: Better believe it!

Mike: As long as the hotel don't fall in on us while we're explorin' it.

Peter: It's always interesting to learn about another culture. :)

Davy: I'm ready, mates.

(We open with a large, non-descript building in Mexico, surrounded by barbed wire and men in uniforms with large, toothy dogs. Inside, men toil at repairing the building and breaking large rocks.)

*One of the men takes a breather, leaning against a wall. He glances up and looks around. It's Alex with a full goatee, his slightly longer hair pulled back in a braid. He smirks.*

Guard 1: (Nudges Alex) What you do there, senor? You do your rock pile, you move to next one. You know drills.

Alex: I needed a moment to catch my breath. I've been working for hours. I'll just be a moment.

Guard 1: Good. You know we keep eye on you, senor. You said to be too bad in America. That why they gave you to us.

Alex: *mutters* Lucky me. *normal* Yes, I know. Just another moment.

Guard 1: Right. (He moves onto another prisoner, and Alex moves into the shadows of the compound to rest as a black light fades in next to him. A hand yanks him around a corner. We finally come face to face with Sheila, in a fashionable sheath with a wide-brimmed hat, dark glasses, and high heels.)

Sheila: Alex, I'm sorry I'm late. It took me weeks to get anyone to tell me they'd moved you to Mexico.

Alex: *dull glare* And there I was gonna ask what kept you. About damn time. I want out of here NOW.

Sheila: I thought you liked Mexican food.

Alex: I have no problem with the food. I have a problem with what I have to DO here. I'm a devil! I don't belong here! :P X-(

Sheila: (Smirks) I have a far easier way of busting you out than files in cakes. I actually talked to a fellow who knows an old friend of mine, and I got him to give you a pardon and let us look at some land.

Alex: Oh, really?

Sheila: Let's get you to the front to pick up some clothes first and get you discharged. That jumpsuit is defiantly NOT you. ;)

Alex: And I thought I'd start a new fashion trend.

Sheila: (Looks up) I've got to go, dear. I'm not supposed to be IN the compound. I'll tell you the rest when we get to General Parador's offices.

Alex: Fine, just hurry up.

(She vanishes in a faint black light as two guards come up to Alex.)

Guard 2: Senor London, you are released by prison. Your presence has been requested by General Juan Carlos Parador immediately. He has work for you.

Alex: Excellent. Thank you very much.

Guard 3: Come along. The General cuts tongues of those who are late to his presence.

Alex; Let’s not keep him waiting, then.

(We get a quick montage of Alex gathering his items, including things from previous adventures like tin film canisters, chemistry beakers, a dog leash, and a walkie-talkie. Alex is back in normal clothes when we cut to him and Sheila showing up in front of a large military compound on the edge of a jungle in a camouflaged jeep. More guards in khaki uniforms lead Sheila and Alex into the compound. They finally arrive at a large office overlooking a marshy area on the edge of the jungle. A small Hispanic man with large, bright eyes and a thick mustache watches them intently.)

Man: Welcome, Senorita and Senor London. I welcome you to Mexico. My cousin spoke very highly of both of you. You did a very good job restoring that mission near Acapulco two years ago (smirks) and, shall we say, persuading the original owners to give it up to my cause.

Sheila: I had a marvelous time with those two men, too. You Latins really ARE red-hot lovers, as the saying goes.

Alex: *smirks* We did have an excellent time.

Parador: Ahh. I have another such venture for you, Senorita and Senor London.

Sheila: Please, call us Sheila and Alex.

Parador: Ah, yes, you will call me Juan, then. Not many people have that honor.

Sheila: The honor is all ours.

Parador: We are trying to acquire the Hotel Del Aztec in Central Mexico. It is...not going well. Two of the owners are idiotic asses whom I as soon as feed to crocodiles as converse with, but the woman owner is stubborn and won't sell. The hotel has not been repaired in years and is literally falling apart.

Sheila: So, where do we come in?

Parador: I want you to make those owners, as they say in American books, an offer they cannot refuse.

Sheila: You want to restore the hotel?

Parador: I want to demolish it. It is of no use. It is on verge of collapse. What's UNDER it, however, is of interest.

Sheila: What IS under that hotel?

Parador: How do you think hotel got the name? There are Aztec ruins under that hotel, including, it is said, a massive temple. Some of my men accidentally discovered shards of pottery and pieces of buildings in the area of the hotel. We think there may be more, including...(he hands Sheila a book)...that.

Sheila: (Frowns; Alex leans over her shoulder) The Sun Stone? You want us to chase a rock?

Parador: It is no ordinary rock! It holds magic! It was used by ancient Aztec magicians and warriors who were able to conquer whole tribes with its magic. Its (smirks larger) dark magic. Magic that could be harnessed by someone ambitious enough to use its power.

Sheila: (Exchanges his smirk) Like us, Juan?

Parador: (Nods) Yes.

Alex: *smirks* Excellent.

Parador: You will be going to the hotel this afternoon. I can provide you will all the necessary pesos for your journey, the hotel, and anything else you will require. My men and I will check up on you often, to see your progress.

Sheila: And what will I get if I help you?

Parador: You will both have spots as members of my new Mexican regime. (Kisses Sheila's hand) Sheila, you will be a ruler in satins and furs, to rival Evita Peron. (Looks at Alex) Your Senor will have a high-ranking office and anything he requires in my power, including women.

Sheila: It does sound quite...lovely.

Alex: A deal we couldn't pass up.

Parador: Very well. You will go now, Sheila and Alex. (Narrows his eyes) But if you go back on me, "welsh on the deal," as our Americano neighbors say, well...I have pets who are very hungry.

(He indicates the large window over the marsh. Two guards drag a screaming man out to the marsh and throw him in. The green logs around the pond area swarm over to the man, who tries to move away, but can't get a foot-hold. We see him vanish under the water, then switch to Sheila and Alex's reactions as we hear the sounds of fading shrieks, crunching bones, ripping cloth, and crocodiles groaning.)

Sheila: (Nods, a little white) We see your point, Juan.

Alex: Point well taken.

Parador: I suspected you would. (Two guards enter the room) Take Senorita and Senor London to their vehicle and give them everything they require. They're doing some business for us.

Guard 1: Good, sir. (They lead Sheila and Alex out the door)

Sheila: (Whispers, to Alex) What do you make of all this? I think the man is a lunatic. I doubt a stone will give him the power to rule the world... (she looks thoughtful)

Alex: *slight shrug* Who knows? It could.

Sheila: What if...what if he has it wrong?

Alex: Then we might all be in deep shit.

Sheila: That's not what he means. What if the stone can't control the world...but could control the magic? He did mention it had belonged to Aztec magicians. What if the power those ancient Central Americans were messing about with was...Black Magic? >:)

Alex: Then it'd be all the better in OUR hands.

Sheila: My thought exactly. Parador is insane, but he and his hungry crocodiles may be useful. At least he found the ruins for us.

Alex: The job is half done already.

Sheila: And those Aztec ruins may be even more useful than the stone that's supposedly under them. Think of all the people who go to Rome and Greece to see their mighty ruins!

Alex: I'm liking this more and more!

Sheila: We could tear down the hotel, dig up the ruins, and open them to the public...for a nice fee, of course. Think of it, a tribute to the mighty warmongers of old Mexico, with their strange rituals repeated for the public in full costume!

Alex: All that money...and women!

Sheila: It will be wonderful! (Grins) But first, we have to get to the hotel and do our work.

Alex: Of course. ;)

Sheila: Let's carry on, luv. We have a hotel and Mexico's newest tourist attraction awaiting us, and maybe more.

Alex: Right. ;)

(The camera follows Sheila and Alex as they head out of the compound, then fades out on them and fades in on the outside of the hotel. The hotel has a nice, if overgrown, garden area around the cracked terrace and slightly rusty lawn furniture. The guys and the black men play a rather bluesy version of "She" as Emma, Lauren, Daphne, Jack, and Nyles watch them.)

Emma: (Claps as the song ends, but she's shaking her head) I'm never going to get used to the song sounding like that.

Sam: Soundin' like what?

Emma: Like Otis Redding. I love R&B, but it sounds a bit...odd...with the guys' music.

Lauren: *nods* Agreed. It does sound good though, guys.

Sam: I do like the little red-head with the bun in her oven.

Black Man 2: You got yourself some taste there, little girl.

Mike: Ok, guys, you know to watch it around the ladies.

Black Man 2: Jus' lookin', man. Jus' lookin'. ;)

Micky: *grins* You'd have more to worry about with them than us.

Emma: (Looks up at the clouds that are slowly gathering on the horizon) Maybe we'd better head inside. I don't like the look of that storm.

Peter: Em, it's nowhere near here!

Emma: Not yet, but it will be.

Mike: (Sniffs) And soon.

Peter: (Gulps) I don't like this. Maybe we should cancel the concert.

Emma: I think it'll be ok for the concert, Peter. It's after the concert I'm worried about. We're supposed to be here for a week afterwards.

Peter: I don't like this. (Closes his eyes) This place has weird vibes.

Black Man 3: You're tellin' me, Pete. There's somethin' about this place that makes me feel like I'm at a voodoo woman convention. :p

Mike: (Shudders) Yeah.

Lauren: So that's what that feeling is.

Emma: According to some of the books I've read, this area used to be home to some rather violent Aztec tribes that were said to have practiced some very odd rituals, including certain...um...death rituals.

Peter: Oh mannnnn....

Sam: That don’t sound fun.

Mike: I don't care WHAT Val says. We're gettin' outta here tomorrow and findin' another hotel.

Sam: (Shrugs) I dunno. I'd love to get away from this shitpile the Mexican Laurel an' Hardy are callin' a hotel, but the idea of explorin' ancient ruins sounds temptin', storm and all. (Looks at his fellow Goodtimers) What 'bout you boys? Raise your hands if you wanna stay.

(Two hands raise.)

Black Man 4: That helped a whole lot. :p

Black Man 2: Shaddup, Roy. :p

Mike: (Sighs) I'll talk to Val, but we at least have to stay for the concert, storm or no storm. We could ask Carmelita about the area at dinner. She might be a bit more reliable than her brothers.

(As the group breaks up the equipment and heads across the hall and up the stairs, Peter grabs Micky's arm.)

Peter: Micky, look!

Micky: What?

(He points to a well-dressed pair standing at the splintered check-in desk. He's ringing the bell. She's looking around with a disgusted look on her face.)

Sheila: (The camera cuts to her as she turns in a circle) This is the ugliest example of Spanish-style architecture I have ever seen. How it's survived at all without falling into a sinkhole is beyond me.

Alex: Lucky, I guess.

Manuel: (Finally comes out; grins when he sees Sheila, with her tight, expensive minidress and shapely legs) Hello, folks. May I help you?

Sheila: Yes. We are Mr. and Mrs. Saunders, of Beverly Hills, and we'd like to rent a room for the week or possibly longer, if we find the area congenital to our (smirks slightly) needs.

Manuel: (Checks a book) I'm sorry, Mrs. S, but we have an American rock band and their group here, and we...

Sheila: (Grins seductively, then hands Manuel a wad of cash) This may make it worth your while, Senor.

Alex: The lady has ways of being persuasive.

Manuel: (As Sheila runs her hands over his chest, he tries to count the money) Well, I...(grins stupidly as Sheila's hands move further down)...WOW! (Laughs) I'm sure we could find you a room on one of the higher floors...there might be room in the attic... (Squeals; high-pitched voice)...I'll take you there right now!

(Manuel stuffs the money in his pocket, runs out from behind the desk, grabs as many of Sheila's copious suitcases as he can handle, and hurries upstairs with a very big smile on his face.)

Sheila: (Takes a suitcase) Simple. ;)

Alex: Very.

(Peter and Micky duck into a closet as Sheila and Alex follow Manuel up the stairs and up another flight of stairs. Peter peeks out first.)

Peter: Whew! Coast is clear! (Pulls out of the closet, a hand on his stomach) Oh man, what's she doing here? And why did she have her hands on Manuel like that?

Micky: *makes a face* You don't wanna know, Pete.

Peter: I wonder why she's here? This doesn't seem like the kind of place she'd want to go on vacation at.

Micky: I'm sure there's some ulterior motive.

Peter: (Eyes widen) And she had Alex with her! I thought he was in jail!

Micky: Must've busted him out.

Peter: Not again!

Micky: Again.

Peter: We've got to tell the others! Sheila and Alex must want SOMETHING here. Manuel doesn't seem like Sheila's type.

Micky: The fact that they want something goes without saying.

Peter: Do you think it might have something to do with the ruins?

Micky: I'd say it's a very definite possibility.

Peter: Didn't Em say the Aztecs used to practice rituals? Do you think they involved magic of some kind...magic like ours, sort of?

Micky: *gulps* I'd be willing to place a hefty wager on that.

Peter: That must be what Sheila and Alex are after. They want that magic.

Micky: Like they need it.

Peter: We have to tell the others, especially Mike and Em. You know how Alex and Sheila feel about THEM.

Micky: Let’s go.

(Peter and Micky head for Mike and Emma's room as we fade out on the hotel...and the slowly approaching storm.)