Ok, everyone ready for a trip down river?

Mike: (Shrugs) Sure.

Peter: It sounds so relaxing...

Micky: Relaxing? Why do I doubt that?

Davy: We don't have much choice.

Mike: (Points ahead) I think I see the river.

(Indeed, we do see the river...but the docks by it are empty.)

Mike: Didn't Babbitt say we'd all be takin' a steamboat down river?

Peter: Maybe it's already out. We might be early.

Mike: No, Babbitt said it would be here for us.

Micky: I've got a funny feeling it ain't gonna be here.

Mike: Well, let's go find out. (The boys drive down to the dock and park right next to it. Mike climbs out of the car and goes over to the sailor standing on the dock.)

Mike: 'Scuse me, sir. I was told the "Charlotte Ann" was supposed to be runnin' to Natchez today.

Sailor: (Spits, then says) That's right, son. Already left. Two slickers in black paid a heap 'o money for the "Charlotte Ann" to take 'em down river. Don't rightly know when they'll be back.

Mike: Thank you, sir. (He turns to the Monkees with a growl) Darn it! Abernathy and Max got here ahead of us!

Peter: Well, now what do we do?

Micky: What do we even need a boat for? We have our very own!

Mike: (Frowns) Yeah, but we've never taken her on anythin' as big as the Mississippi before! Do you think she can handle it?

Micky: Of course she can!

Peter: Then let's go, Micky! (Grins) I think it'll be fun! I've never really sailed down a river before!

Mike: And we have the motor, so we can go against the currents.

Micky: Come on, gentlemen, lets be off down the river!

(Much to the shock of the sailor, the Van Dyke drives right into the river...and we see the wheels pull in and the car seem to "float," like it did in Part 3. "DW Washburn" begins as the boys set their course for down river. Mike pulls out a map and points out where to go.)

(Peter keeps an eye on their rear, watching out for boats and barges and other river traffic. Mike looks for Abernathy, Max, and the missing river boat.)

*Micky steers. Davy keeps an eye out the front.*

(Mike winces as Davy climbs onto the hood for a better view. Don't dent it, boy.)

(Peter pulls out a fishing rod and casts the line. Time to catch lunch!)

(Mike curses at a boat filled with surprised Sunday drivers that just barely misses them. Watch where you're going!)

(Peter waves at Officer Logan, who is now rowing downstream with a lovely dark-skinned woman with white hair wearing a lavender dress with a matching parasol and flowered hat.)

(Two young women in simpler dresses row past them. The smaller one with darker hair points out the sights, while her taller friend with the "L" on her dress does all the rowing...and isn't happy about it.)

(We see another pair rowing down the river. It looks like Al Blueton, this time wearing a nice linen suit and straw boater, doing the rowing. His lovely lady friend wears a lacy turquoise gown and elaborate picture hat and carries a ruffled parasol. Peter and Davy wave at them, but they're so involved in each other and the sights along the river, they don't notice them.)

(Peter tugs on Micky's shoulder. He points behind him as the camera reveals a huge red fish with giant eyes and a great big mouth, being followed by several other fish. Mama Fish didn't like him catching her babies! They've got to get away from her!)

(Mike's eyes widen when he sees the fish. Micky, step on it!)

(Peter pulls Davy off the hood, before he falls in and becomes fish food!)

*Once Davy's inside, Micky guns the gas. The car peels out, the nose lifting slightly. It leaves a large spray in its wake.*

(The limited-animation fish and her babies are bobbed along in the spray for a few minutes before they realize the river is empty and finally go back in the other direction.)

(The camera returns to the guys again as the music ends. Peter wipes his brow.)

Peter: Whew! That was a close one.

Mike: It's gonna be a good, long while before we arrive in Natchez. Davy, why don't you pull out the picnic hamper, and we'll have a lunch that won't eat us first?

Peter: I know I loaded it when we stopped at that little general store this morning.

Davy: Sure. *Pulls out the basket and opens it; glares at Micky* Mick...

Mike: (Groans) Micky, you didn't...

Micky: *Sheepish* Sorry...

Mike: You ate our lunch?

Peter: But I packed more than enough for everyone!

Mike: You didn't take Mick's oversized appetite into account.

Peter: I guess it's back to fishing.

(Just then, we hear the sounds of familiar female voices and girlish laughter.)

Mike: Is that what I think it is?

Peter: But how? Their car can't turn into a boat!

(The camera catches a glimpse of Lauren and Daphne at first, holding poles and pulling a raft down river. We then see that their car and baggage is being pulled aloft on a huge raft made of driftwood and reeds. Valerie sits in the car, under a parasol, while Emma clacks away at a typewriter.)

Emma: (As we hear the "ding" of a finished page) There! I'm done with this part of my story. (Looks up at Lauren and Daphne) How's the poling coming? Ready for me to take over yet, Daph?

Lauren: We're doing great!

Daphne: I'm fine for now, Emma, thanks!

Emma: You're welcome.

Valerie: (She fans herself with a feathered fan) I'm so hot! I sure could use some lemonade. How about the rest of you?

Lauren: That sounds good!

Emma: (Nods) Typing 40 words per minute for three hours sure makes a girl thirsty.

Valerie: In fact, I think this would be an excellent time to have lunch.

Emma: Lauren and I made sure to fill our picnic basket when we found that little roadside store a few miles back. There's all kinds of good things in there!

Valerie: Wonderful! (The other two pull up their poles as Emma puts her typewriter aside and opens the trunk. She pulls out a huge wicker basket covered with a red calico cloth. The girls squeal with delight as she pulls out huge ham and sausage sandwiches, large containers of lemonade, thick slices of fruit pie, and shiny red apples. The boys watch from the other side, all of them drooling.)

Emma: (Frowns; she spies the guys' car) I think we're being watched, ladies.

Valerie: (She waves her hand) Ahoy there, gentlemen!

Peter: Ahoy, Miss Cartwright! We're glad to see you!

Valerie: How's your trip coming?

Peter: (Sighs) Not very well. Micky ate our lunch.

Valerie: He ate your WHOLE lunch? How did he manage that?

Micky: Too easily.

Valerie: Well, we have plenty. Why don't we pull our vehicles together, and we'll share?

Mike: That won't be...oof!

Peter: (Elbows Mike; then) We'd love to, ladies!

Emma: But it's our...oof! (Valerie has elbowed her)

Valerie: We wouldn't mind a bit! (Turns to the others) Would we?

(Emma just grumbles.)

Lauren: Not at all!

Daphne: We'd love company!

Peter: I don't think that raft will hold all of us. Why don't half of us sit in our car, and the other half on your raft?

Valerie: That's a splendid idea!

(The boys ride alongside the girls' raft; Micky and Davy tie the two crafts together. Valerie pulls out the lunch.)

(Everyone separates into different cars. Micky, Emma, Mike, and Lauren end up in the Van Dyke. Peter, Valerie, Daphne, and Davy remain on the raft.)

Emma: Well, isn't this cozy?

Mike: Too cozy, if you ask me.

Micky: I like it.

Lauren: Me too.

Emma: (As she hands around sandwiches) So, where are we going to next?

Mike: We're passin' through the prairies, mostly. Cattle country. Lots of cowboys an 'ranches an' stuff.

Emma: It sounds like a wonderful story.

Mike: (Shakes his head) Mick n' me know it ain't all penny-novels. Things are real dangerous out here. Most of the Indians live on reservations, but there's still bandits and robbers who'll just as sure kill ya as take your money, not to mention wild animals.

Emma: You and Micky?

Mike: He's from California. I'm from Texas. We've both been all over.

Lauren: *Nudges Micky* Worldly man, huh?

Micky: You could say that.

Emma: I really would like to get your stories. Now that the railroads are traveling from one part of the country to the other, more people want to know what the West is like.

Mike: (Frowns) It's harsh, Miss Redmer. I grew up in a one-room shack with my ma. Pa took off when I was a kid. Left home as soon as I could, lookin' for any kind of work.

Emma: Is that how you ended up working for Bela?

Mike: (Nods) Yeah.

Emma: What about you, Micky? What's your story?

Mike: He has relatives who are real Indians.

Micky: *Nods* Yeah, I do.

Emma: Did you ever fight cowboys or hunt buffalo?

Micky: *Shakes his head* We're friends with the cowboys, and we're close enough to town to shop at the markets. *shrugs*

Emma: How did you learn about cars and machines?

Mike: (Shrugs) It's somethin' I've always had a head for, I guess.

Emma: You know...you boys were really amazing back in the steel mill. You saved Miss Cartwright and Valerie.

Mike: (Shrugs) We did what we had to do.

Emma: I've never met anyone quite like you, Mr. Nesmith.

Mike: (Smiles) Call me 'Mike', darlin'. (He clinks his glass to hers) Cheers.

Emma: (Smiles at him) Cheers.

Micky: *To Lauren* About time they got along.

Lauren: Took them long enough.

Micky: Wanna have dinner together when this contest is over?

Lauren: I'd love to.

(The camera moves back towards the other car. Peter and Valerie are already eating their sandwiches.)

Peter: Thank you for sharing your lunch with us, Miss Cartwright! It's delicious!

Valerie: You're very welcome. (Smiles) But really, we're friends now. You must call me "Valerie."

Peter: Then you can call me Peter.

Valerie: How did you get involved with the race and the cars and your friends, and, well, everything?

Peter: (Shrugs) I was a poor musician who wasn't getting anywhere with his playing. Michael and Micky advertised for help, and it seemed like a good enough job. Davy came looking for the same job. We got along so well, we've been a team ever since.

Valerie: You really do work well together. It's like watching a well-oiled machine. You were amazing saving me from that awfully Bela Lensherr and his men!

Peter: (Blushes) Really? I didn't do anything.

Valerie: (Takes his hand) No, you saved me while the others were distracting the ruffians and stopping the conveyor belt. That took some courage!

Peter: (He's bright red now) Really? I've always been told that I'm...well, that I'm not as smart as the others. I get confused easily sometimes, and I'm very gullible.

Valerie: (Shakes her head) You knew how to untie me, and you came right out and saved me, didn't you? That took some brains.

Peter: Well... (smiles that gentle smile of his) Thank you, Miss Car...Valerie.

Valerie: You're welcome.

*Davy and Daphne are already kissing freely.*

Peter: (Narration) What they haven't been noticing all this time is that, even as they've chatted, the waters of the Mississippi have grown rougher and rockier.

Mike: (Looks ahead as the cars get bumpier) No, we haven't noticed. Thanks, Pete! (Turns to the others) I think the river's tellin' us it's time to break up lunch.

Emma: Maybe we'd better separate. If the river's going to get rough, it might be better if we're not tied together.

Mike: The river will probably pull the cars apart anyway.

Mike: Micky, we'd better batten down the hatches.

Emma: I don't know what we're going to do about our raft. It might not be able to take this abuse.

Valerie: Lauren, Daphne, take the poles as long as you can. We might have to steer to the shore if things get too rough.

Lauren: No problem.

("Porpoise Song" begins as the group continues down the increasingly rough river. Mike tries to direct the guys, but his map finally gets too wet and falls apart. :P )

(Peter bails out all the water that gets in the Van Dyke with a pail. :P )

*Micky tries to keep her as steady as he can.*

(Emma covers her typewriter and lashes the raft together as best she can. Valerie goes to the back to help steer the car, but it's being bounced around an awful lot.)

(The cars slam into each other. Mike tries to drive away, but they seem to be stuck!)

(Valerie lurches over and almost falls off the raft. Peter climbs on the trunk of the Van Dyke and helps her back on the raft.)

*Micky gives the guys' car gas as Lauren and Daphne use their poles to push apart.*

(The guys' car pulls ahead slightly as the rapids become worse. A huge wave almost knocks the Van Dyke over!)

Mike: Watch out! We almost ended up in the water that time!

(The raft isn't taking the abuse well, as Emma predicted. Emma and Valerie are doing their best to tie it together.)

Valerie: Maybe we'd better try to make it to shore. I don't think we'll last much longer on the river!

Peter: Micky, see if you can tow us all to the opposite shore. (He throws the tow cable) Girls, hang on!

Mike: (As more water pours into both vehicles) And hurry, before we all go down!

*Micky works the reel to two the vehicles in. Slowly, both reach the shore.*

Peter: (As the song ends) Good work, everyone.

Valerie: That was close!

Mike: Everyone ok?

Valerie: (She and the girls are checking the car over) Everything looks ok from out here. Lauren, start her up and make sure we didn't get any water in the engines.

Peter: Micky, you make sure the Van Dyke is ok.

*Lauren and Micky start their respective cars. The two vehicles sound alright.*

Peter: Great, Micky!

Valerie: It sounds just fine!

Peter: Ok, if everyone's loaded and ready, we'll find the road and get back in the race!

Mike: Sounds good to me!

(After some cranking and chugging, the girls' car rolls off what's left of the raft, the wheels emerge from the Van Dyke, and the two cars speed off into the afternoon sun as we fade out on the two groups.)