Everyone ready to combat the forces of evil?

Mike: I just want some action.

Peter: (Raises his eyebrows) Evil?

Micky: Action sounds good.

Davy: Wouldn’t mind some action meself.

(We open back in the Montgomery House. Emma grins at Lauren.)

Emma: Hey, that was really nice!

Mike: I like the fire in the garage. Nice action.

Lauren: Thank you.

Emma: Ok, who hasn't gone yet?

Mike: I think it's just Peter, Daphne, and Dave.

Daphne: I'll go.

Mike: Let's get back to the race.

Emma: I want to find out who Abernathy's "Sir" is.

Daphne: Then lets find out, shall we?

Mike: (Leans back) Go right 'head, Daph.

Daphne: Everyone is in their cars on the road...

(We open in the rolling hills of the suburbs of Chicago and Green Bay, around the Great Lakes and near the border of Canada. Cut to the girls' car. Lauren is driving. Valerie reads a map. Daphne enjoys the view, but Emma seems bored.)

Emma: (Sighs) I wish something big would happen! We've been in the lead for four days now!

Valerie: Why don't you settle back and enjoy the view?

Emma: But there's nothing to write about! Mrs. Marion is pressing me for some more news beyond the culture of the Midwest.

Valerie: Well, we're going to be staying at the mansion of a major steel tycoon who lives in this area tonight. He called me last night and told me he wants to get involved with car manufacture and would love to have all of the contestants stay at his home and start the next leg of the race from there.

Emma: I thought we were staying in a hotel in Green Bay.

Valerie: He said the hotel was unavailable at the last minute and he would be willing to take us in.

Emma: (Exchanges looks with Daphne) This sounds a little fishy to me.

Daphne: *Nods* It does.

Valerie: I suspect he may want to discuss cars as well. He's very interested in the new automobile industry. He already one of the top train and steamship manufacturers in North America.

Lauren: Hmm...

Valerie: (Frowns) I told the others about the change this morning at breakfast. I thought Mr. Nesmith was going to choke on his eggs, he was so angry.

Emma: That doesn't surprise me. Rabbits who look at him funny probably make him angry.

Valerie: There it is! (She points ahead. What looks like a huge castle-esque building, like something out of a fairy tale, looms over them in the late afternoon shadows)

Emma: (Eyes widen) Oh my! That's amazing!

Valerie: Isn't it incredible?

Daphne: Oh my goodness!

(The car drives over a bridge and right into the main entrance of the castle. It turns out that this is a courtyard and portico that leads to the main building. A tall, powerfully-built, rather familiar blond man with a chiseled face and a slick smile stands with several people dressed as servants and mechanics...and, we note, Abernathy and Max. Max takes one look at Lauren and starts for the main building, but Abernathy grabs his collar.)

Valerie: (The man helps her out of the car; Abernathy rushes to help Emma) Hello, Bela. My aunt's told me many things about you.

Bela: *Kisses her hand* Greetings, Miss Valerie. I trust you and your friends had a good trip in.

Valerie: Yes, we did. We're winning the race. It'll strike a blow for suffragettes everywhere and garner tremendous publicity for the New York Star.

Emma: (She pushes past Abernathy and hurries over to Bela) Are you Bela Lensherr, the steel tycoon? The man who practically dominates the train-building and railroad industries in this country and Canada?

Bela: I am that man.

Emma: I must get an exclusive interview with you before we leave tomorrow! What a story that will make!

(The guys' car drives up next. All four are gawking.)

Mike: This is damn amazin'.

Peter: Did Valerie mention this fellow's name, other than he's big in steel?

Micky: She might've, but I don't remember.

Mike: (Eyes widen when he catches sight of Bela) Micky, turn around. I know who owns this place.

Micky: Wha... *turns* ohhh...

Peter: Don't we know him?

Mike: Yeah. Too well.

Emma: (She goes to the boys before Micky can turn the car around) What took you so long?

Mike: What are we doing here? Don't you know this place is dangerous?

Emma: No, but I know it's a story.

Mike: We've gotta get outta here, and warn the others to get outta here, too!

Emma: Mike, he's a big-time steel tycoon! An interview with him could make or break my career!

Mike: It could make or break your neck!

Bela: *Joins the guys* Greetings, gentlemen. I trust you had a nice ride in as the ladies did.

Mike: (Narrows his eyes) Hello, Bela. What do you have in mind? I know you don't have us here 'cause you like lookin' at us.

Peter: Bela, we've dealt with you before...usually something illegal.

Abernathy: The Sir wants to talk cars with you.

Mike: Nothin' doin'. You ain't gettin' our car design.

Emma: You want their car design?

Bela: I would simply like to know what makes their car so special.

Mike: You ain't findin' out.

Valerie: Bela, why don't you and I and Mr. Nesmith and the heads of the other groups have a chat about the cars? I'm sure the others would like to take a look at this amazing mansion.

Emma: And don't forget my interview!

Micky: I like that idea.

Lauren: *Nods* Okay, I'm up for that.

Valerie: After we're finished, you can give Emma her interview.

Emma: I hope it's soon!

Mike: You don't want to interview him, Miss Redmer. You won't like what you'll find...and I doubt he'll tell 'ya the truth, anyway.

Lauren: I think Emma would like to decide those things for herself.

Mike: Fine. See if I care. (He slams out of the car and storms into the mansion, making sure to push rudely past Bela as he does; Peter follows him)

Valerie: I'm sorry for his behavior, Bela. He often seems to act that way. It's a shame, because his golden-haired friend is really sweet. I wish I could get to know him better.

Bela: That is truly a shame.

Emma: Mr. Thorkleson isn't so bad. Mr. Nesmith is a jerk.

Abernathy: (Takes Emma's hand) Would you mind it if I gave you a guided tour? I often spend time here.

Emma: (Shakes her head) I'd rather guide myself around. Lauren and Daphne can accompany me. I'll need Daphne to take pictures.

Daphne: Gladly.

Valerie: (Takes Bela's arm) Shall we have our meeting?

Bela: We shall.

(They head off into the castle. Emma, Lauren, and Daphne go in the opposite direction.)

(Cut to a hallway in the upper floors of the castle. The waning afternoon sunlight spills into the richly carpeted hallway, which is decorated with heavy antiques and real suits of armor.)

Emma: This building is something else. (Sighs) But I wish I could find an angle for my story! There has to be something to this man besides his love of antiques and cars.

(Daphne carries her large, accordion-style camera and tripod, trying to find the best angles for photo shots.)

*Lauren just admires everything. She suddenly spots movement out of the corner of her eye.*

Emma: (Sighs) Maybe we should go back and find Valerie. They might have dinner ready, too.

*Lauren follows the movement and spies three familiar guys.*

Lauren: *Calls out* Hey, guys!

Emma: What ARE they doing?

Lauren: Looks like spying to me.

(They follow the trio into the room. Cut to what seems to be the library set from "Monkees Get a Clue," with an added heavy antique desk and the same view of a garden. The boys are searching through papers on the desk and in the books.)

Peter: There's nothing there. The evidence must be well-hidden. I know he stole those designs from us and from other car makers!

Micky: Or just some clever hiding place...

Emma: He did WHAT? (Her voice gets the attention of all three guys...who immediately throw papers behind their backs and look sheepish)

Peter: Um, hello ladies. This isn't what you think.

Emma: (Crosses her arm) Then what is it? Looks like theft to me.

Peter: Bela Lensherr isn't what he seems.

Davy: And we're trying to find proof of it.

Emma: (She walks around the room) So Mr. Nesmith inferred.

Peter: We worked for him for a while in New York, and I think he and Michael go back even further. (Frowns) We believe he stole the car and train designs from not only us, but other up-and-coming designers while we were working for him. He'd keep turning down our designs...and they'd turn up on the market, slightly changed but still recognizably ours, and we'd never get a lick of credit for them.

Lauren: Awful.

Emma: So he wants our car designs. (Shakes her head) I can't help thinking there's more to this.

Daphne: *Looking at something* Em, what would you consider "more?"

Emma: More than just a few car designs. Maybe trying to muscle in on other large businesses, take them over.

Daphne: *Holds out a folder to Emma* Then check THIS out.

Emma: (Eyes widen) Oh...oh my... (Gasps) Oh my word! He plans on taking over every other car manufacturer in North America! He already has the trains. He wants to be the only sole owner of every land route transportation company! Do you know what that means? No one would be able to ship anything or travel anywhere without paying him a hefty fine or paying huge tolls on his road or taxes on his vehicles or tickets for his trains.

Peter: We have to get this evidence to the police!

Emma: No, we can't let on that we know. Mike's right. It could be dangerous. (Turns to Daphne) I need to find a telephone and call Mrs Marion, and you need to take some photographic evidence.

*Daphne snaps pictures like crazy.*

Emma: (She waves away the smoke from the camera) Good work, Daph. We need to get to a camera as soon as possible. Maybe we'd better see if we can drive to Green Bay. We might want to stay somewhere else, too. If Bela is as dangerous as you say, I won't be interviewing him, I'll be exposing him!

Abernathy: (Smirks) That's what you think, my dear.

(Cut to the doorway, where Abernathy stands with several big goons. Max cowers behind him, trying to avoid Lauren.)

Peter: Abernathy. Where's Michael and Miss Cartwright?

Abernathy: Still with the Sir. He had the feeling the rest of you would try to meddle in his business, so we followed you. (Points to the group) Grab them. Bring me the boys, the little girl, and the black-haired girl. (Leers at Emma) Leave the reporter to me.

Emma: (Makes a face) I wouldn't touch you for all the typewriter ink in the New York Times Building.

Lauren: *Puts up her fists* Just try it, boys.

Max: I ain't goin' near her!

Abernathy: You don't have to. They will.

("If I Had The Time" begins as the goons crowd into the room. One takes a swing at Lauren. Abernathy tries to grab Daphne's camera.)

(Emma picks up large book from the shelf and swings it at the nearest goon's stomach. It doubles him over enough for her to escape.)

(Peter tries to duck around one goon...only to be hit over the head by another.)

(Max takes one look at Lauren's fists and ducks under a table.)

(Daphne shoves the large globe into another goon, knocking him into Lauren.)

*Lauren uses the goon's momentum to flip him into the air over her shoulder. He lands with a thud, knocking him out.*

Emma: (Over the music) We have to find Valerie and Mike!

(Emma and Micky help Peter to his feet. Davy is duking it out with another thug.)

Peter: Where am I?

Emma: We're still in...whoa! (They duck another thug who went flying over their heads. Emma looks over her shoulder) Nice shot, Lauren.

Lauren: *Calls out* Thanks!

Emma: Where's Daphne? We have to find the others, warn the other groups, and get to Green Bay!

Abernathy: (He has Daphne's arm) Is this what you're looking for?

Daphne: Let me go!

Abernathy: I saw the smoke from the camera. You've been taking pictures in here, haven't you?

Daphne: *Tugs at her arm* We were smoking.

Emma: Mr. Lensherr gave me carte blanche over the entire household for my article. We can take pictures of whatever we want.

Abernathy: It wasn't that kind of smoke. (Makes a face) And I don't think he let you take a picture of private property.

Max: (From under the table) Is she gone yet?

Abernathy: No, Max. (He pulls Daphne closer to him) Turn the camera plates over to me, or I'll take her to the Sir's special place for eliminating meddlers.

Daphne: Not a chance.

Abernathy: (Squeezes Daphne's arm) In that case, the young lady will come... (But Abernathy doubles over, thanks to Daphne's elbow in his stomach)

Emma: Daphne, grab your equipment! Everyone, RUN!

Abernathy: (Barely grinds out) Get them!

(The thugs follow Emma, Daphne, Lauren, Micky, Peter, and Davy into the halls. Cut to the main lobby area. The group runs down one staircase. The thugs run down another. They meet at the middle and run into each other.)

Emma: Blast it! (She scrambles out from under the pile, pulling Lauren with her)

(We see Micky do the same for Davy.)

Emma: Hurry, Lauren! Let's go get the cars!

Lauren: I'm running!

*Daphne follows with the equipment.*

(Peter is groaning and half-conscious on the bottom of the pile. One of the thugs flings him over their shoulder.)

*Daphne comes up behind the thug and kicks him where it hurts.*

(The thug doubles over, covering his important spot. Davy looks at Daphne admiringly. He turns to Daphne with stars in his eyes. She takes him and dips him, kissing him passionately.)

Emma: (Sighs) This is sweet and all, but we really have to phone this story in. (She tugs the two away as we fade out.)