Everyone ready to find out what those devils did with the musicians?

(Mike howls.)

Peter: H...hhheeelllppp!

Micky: What's going on?

Davy: *shrugs* I don't know, mate...

(We open on a bandstand in the park in Malibu Beach as the sound of "Do It In the Name of Love" floats over the small crowd. The camera follows the crowd to the bandstand, where Micky, Davy, Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, and a few other musicians perform.)

(Davy dances for the crowd, happily lapping up the attention from the spectators, especially the little girls. )

(Micky comes down from the drum kit to join him for the end. Davy rolls his eyes and pushes him lightly.)

*Micky responds by slinging an arm around Davy's shoulders, making both of them sway side to side.*

(Bobby Hart laughs and Bobby Hart shakes his head as the song finishes. Bobby gets in between the two.)

Bobby: And that was our latest single, folks. Look for it soon from Headquarters Records, your Headquarters for great music.

*Micky does an over-the-top laugh to which Davy slaps a hand over his mouth.*

Bobby: Thank you, Davy. I think the crowd's scarred for life now.

Davy: Anytime, mate.

Bobby: And we're sorry to say, it's time for us to close up shop...but we'll be back here tomorrow for the matinee.

(Bobby puts up an umbrella as Micky starts "pretend" crying.)

Tommy: (Waves) Thanks again, folks!

(The crowd wanders away as Davy and Micky start gathering their equipment.)

Bobby: (Goes to the other three) Ok, we're going to sign autographs, then get everything together and hit the road.

Tommy: (Puts his hand over his eyes to scan the thinning crowd) Not a lot of people here today.

Micky: No, but it was still a decent crowd.

Bobby: Mostly little girls here to admire Jonsey.

Tommy: And I think some of the moms were enjoying the view, too.

Bobby: (As they head for the tent where a small line of people wait for autographs) Have you guys heard anything about how our album's doing?

Micky: *Shakes his head* No, even though I keep asking.

Tommy: Must be pretty bad. I can't even find it in most of the stores around here.

Bobby: Did anyone see our special?

Davy: A few people at the stables saw it, but only because I was in it.

Bobby: No one I've talked to even knew we did a special.

Tommy: Me either.

Bobby: Mick, do you know anyone who saw it?

Micky: Couple of the guys I've worked with building things said they caught a couple minutes worth. *makes a face* And I've had some people take one look at me and run in the other direction.

Davy: Which is unusual how, Mick?

Micky: Funny, Dave.

Tommy: (Sighs) In that case, I'm kinda glad no one we know saw it.

Bobby: You know, a lady came around today, asking us about trying to get out of our contracts. She said she was from Dark Star Records, the new studio that just opened last year.

Tommy: (Frowns) We've turned them down a couple of times. They don't have the greatest reputation. Some of our friends have disappeared from there, man.

Davy: They've disappeared?

Bobby: (Shrugs) No one we've known have seen them. Our buddy Jack ain't been seen for months. No one can find him. The cops blew it off as just some hippie running off to find himself, but Jack wasn't like that.

Micky: That's not good.

Tommy: That Dark Star Records is bad news, man. Even if the chick who asked us was cute.

Micky: *slight frown* What'd she look like, by chance?

Tommy: A looker. Tall blond chick, legs down to here... (indicates his torso)

Micky: Interesting

Tommy: Yeah, she was really hot, even in a suit.

Bobby: I didn't like the way she was looking at us, though. Like she was sizing us up or something.

Micky: *Mutters* Probably was...

Bobby: You know her?

Davy: Let’s just say we know OF her.

Tommy: She a Dark Star musician?

Micky: No, she isn't. I'm not exactly sure what her title is.

Bobby: (As they sit behind the autograph tables) Hottest looking PR manager on the planet?

Davy: Something like that, Bobby.

(They sit down to the autograph tables. The last woman in the line looks very familiar. Micky looks up at her as she stops to get his signature on a black-and-white glossy photograph of the four men.)

Female Voice: Hi there, cutie. Long time, no see. You sure you don't want to come with me?

Micky: *Fights back a smart-ass response* Yeah, I think I'm pretty sure.

Stella: (As Micky signs her photograph and she moves it to Davy) You know, you two could still get out of your contracts with Headquarters and come work for us.

Davy: No thanks. We're happy where we are.

Stella: Are you sure? I thought I heard that you had an album out. I haven't seen it. If you were with us, your album would be receiving top promotion on TV and in all the magazines.

Micky: But at what expense?

Stella: A lot of fun at nights, three square meals a day, and all the money you could ever want.

Davy: I don't like the sound of that first part.

Micky: Me, either.

Bobby: I do. (Tommy elbows him.)

Stella: (She smirks and pats Micky's cheek) You boys think about it. After all, we've already heard from your two pals. They were certainly interested.

Micky: *eyes widen* What!?

Stella: Didn't you know? Your friends Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork were at Dark Star this morning, considering our offer. We'd wondered what had happened to Tork. We thought he'd vanished off the face of the planet.

Davy: There's no way they could be considering it!

Micky: *Smacks his forehead repeatedly as he mutters* Idiots.

Stella: They certainly seemed interested to me this afternoon. They're still there, if you want to join them.

Davy: We won't join.

Micky: But we might pull them OUT of there.

Stella: What if they don't want to be?

Tommy: (Shrugs) Maybe they gave them a good deal.

Micky: Then I'd say they've been blinded by money.

Davy: *Puts a hand on Micky's shoulder* They can make decisions for themselves. Money is hard to pass up.

Stella: Especially when you haven't got any. Nesmith's been having a rough time of it financially, hasn't he?

Micky: *Folds his arms; Davy's hand on his shoulder remains* So what?

Stella: People will do amazing things for money. (As Tommy and Bobby sign her photo) Are you sure you don't want to join us? How are you two for money?

Tommy: (Looks at Bobby and shrugs; Bobby is eyes Stella's legs again) We're all right.

Stella: (Puts her hand on Micky's fingertips) What about you two?

Micky: *Stiffens* No.

Davy: We're not interested.

Stella: (Nods; grins at Bobby, who grins back and hands all four men Dark Star cards) We'll be in touch. (She walks off with her photos)

Bobby: (Whistles) Not bad.

Tommy: Boy, was she obvious or what?

Davy: Too obvious. *shakes Micky's shoulder* Come on back, Mick.

Micky: *Slowly shakes his head* Dave, I just got a really WEIRD feeling from her.

Tommy: (As Bobby grins and nods towards the opposite direction) Bobby, no... (Sighs) All right. We'll meet you guys in about two hours for rehearsal. (Sighs) We're going to go to lunch.

Davy: Okay, mates. We'll see you later.

(Bobby happily drags Tommy off as the other two go in the opposite direction.)

Davy: Mick, what do you mean by a weird feeling? (Picks up his tambourine as they make their way back to the bandstand)

Micky: When she touched me, it kinda felt like, uh...a jolt of energy. It sorta sent me for a loop for a second.

Davy: A jolt of energy? Doesn't she usually take it, not create it? (Micky picks up his drumsticks and some papers detailing the music list for the show)

Micky: Yeah. That's why it's weird.

Davy: (Thinks) Mike said he and Peter were going to Dark Star to see if it checked out and to find out more about the disappearances. I wonder about this deal she mentioned. Do you think they would take it? Peter in particular really is short on money right now...

Micky: I'd like to say no, Dave, I really would, but knowing they're both strapped for cash...

Davy: I'm surprised we haven't heard from the girls. They went snooping around at Dark Star, too.

Micky: *Nods, then shrugs* They may still be snooping. They're a little TOO good at that.

Davy: I'm surprised they haven't gotten into more trouble than just being thrown out yet.

Micky: Why don't we contact them, then?

Davy: You do it. (Blushes) I left my communicator in the car.

Micky: *Opens his watch* Earth to Lauren and Emma.

Emma: (Voice over the communicator) Hi, Mick. You haven't seen Mike or Peter, have you?

Micky: No, we haven't. Are all of you still at dark Star?

Emma: We're at the cafe next-door. The guys were supposed to meet us for lunch, but it's been almost two hours. (Emma's voice is sounding a little more teary) I'm craving dog biscuits, but I don't feel "animal," we can't get them on the communicator, and I'm getting worried.

Micky: Oh no. That's not good.

Emma: I...I'm so scared. Micky, we found the contracts for the missing musicians in Belavarg's office. They were canceled. Every single one.

Micky: Canceled? They must've done something with them.

Emma: (Gulps) We think we know. Stella...Micky, Stella has Alex. She's drained him.

Micky: *Surprised* That's what I felt.

Emma: I don't think he's fully a zombie. He didn't look like the others, and he didn't turn into dust. But he's not Alex, that's for sure.

Micky: That's just...I'm not sure what to think about that, other than she's more dangerous now.

Emma: She did things to us that I know she couldn't possibly do before...and she did it with a wave of her hands, not potions. (Her voice is rising) I feel...Mike's helpless, confused, angry, frustrated. He's being controlled, and you know that kills him.

Micky: Em, we'll get there as soon as we can.

Emma: No...we'll join you. We're finished lunch anyway. It'll be faster. We'll come back for Lauren's car later. (Sniffle; then) Do you want anything from the cafe to go?

Micky: Okay. *turns to Davy* Want anything from the cafe? The girls'll bring it over.

Davy: I'll take me favorite tuna fish sandwich an' chips, please. With one of those big pickles.

Micky: The usual for Dave. I'll have my usual, too.

Emma: (Sniffles again) Ok. We'll be over in about 20 minutes.

Micky: Okay. *closes his communicator* Poor Em.

Davy: What happened? She sounded like she was gonna bust out cryin' over the communicator.

Micky: I'm assuming something's happened to Mike. She's craving dog biscuits, can't get either of them on the communicator, found canceled contracts for the missing musicians, and apparently Stella somehow drained Alex's energy. THAT's what I felt when she touched me.

Davy: You felt Alex on her. How in the hell did she manage that?

Micky: Em didn't say, and I have NO idea.

Davy: (Looks at his watch) The girls will be here soon, and then we'll have rehearsal. (Frowns) I'm wondering if we should all meet in the Beach Cave after we eat and prepare for the next show? Valerie will be getting off of work by then. Daphne has the kids; we could bring them. We need to make some kind of strategy if they've already gotten their hands on Mike and Peter. We know what happened the last time the demons got their bloody hands on us.

Micky: *Nods* It's a good idea. We definitely need a plan before going in.

Davy: (Waves; the girls appear in two muted blue lights, holding greasy paper bags) Looks like lunch is here.

Emma: (Hands Micky and Davy the bags) Here you go, boys. Grab it and growl.

Micky: Thanks, ladies. I'm starved!

Emma: (As they head for a picnic table near the bandstand) Ok, guys, I contacted Valerie while Lauren ordered your lunches, and she told us a few things that might be very interesting...including Peter's in trouble, too.

(The four sit down at the picnic table. Cut to a little bit later. The remains of the boys' lunch is scattered around the table.)

Emma: ...So that's the gist of it. Dark Star is only Belavarg's newest venture. He owns other properties and businesses, but Dark Star is his most recent...and right now, his most profitable.

Micky: Crap.

Emma: Lauren noticed some discrepancies on the books. They put musicians on them, but then they cancel the contracts...and never pay them. And of course, there's no follow-up album. The ultimate form of The Archies or the Partridge Family - musicians who don't exist. At least, not anymore.

Micky: *Shakes his head* They've probably all been turned into zombies.

Emma: I feel terrible for these poor people. I wouldn't be surprised if many of them have families.

Lauren: *Nods* Most likely.

Emma: We have to find the guys and those musicians. Stella's energy has been increased now. She's going to need more than ever before.

Micky: *Belches* Sorry, needed that. *crumples up his garbage*

Emma: Nice one. (Frowns; we hear the sound of screaming and shouting in the distance) Wha...what's that?

Micky: A B-sharp.

Davy: *Ignores Micky* I'm not sure, but it doesn't sound good.

Emma: We'd better check it out. (She jumps up) But first of all (indicates the trash on the table) let's clean up this mess, shall we?

*Micky wraps his arms around all that he can reach... which ends up being everything...and dumps it in the trash.*

Emma: How did you do that?

Micky: Lots of practice.

(Emma just shakes her head as the trio hurry over to a clearing in the park. It looks like it was some kind of a picnic, maybe for fire fighters or police officers. Lots of men on the ground, groaning, surrounded by purple electricity...purple electricity that's being controlled by one blond woman in the center of the clearing. Stella's eyes glow purple, and she cackles like a maniac. Her zombie slave run around her, gathering the spent men and piling them against the picnic tables.)

Emma: Holy Mother of God.

Stella: (She finally sees them; her smirk turns into narrowed eyes) Go away. Don't disrupt my energy gathering.

Emma: Stella...you've never...

Stella: I am now.

Micky: *Eyes wide* Oh crap...

Stella: (Turns her hands to Micky and Davy) And here's two more. I knew you'd come to me.

Davy: No!

Emma: (Shrieks) Like HELL I'll let you get them! (She makes her field hockey stick appear quickly in a blue light and goes after Stella...who merely gives her a short blast of dark purple energy. Emma collapses on the ground, stunned.)

Lauren: Em! *goes to her*

("(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" begins as Lauren runs over to help her friend. Emma leans on her elbows.)

Emma: I'm ok, Lauren. She just knocked me off my feet. (Growls) Go get her, before she drains Micky and Davy, too.

*Lauren jumps up, makes a staff appear in her hands, and runs for Stella.*

(Stella raises her hands to stun Lauren...but Micky jumps on her back before she can get her hand in the air. Davy and Emma attack zombies. Emma pummels them into dust. Davy skewers them.)

*Micky wrestles Stella to the ground.*

(Stella struggles, trying to use her purple electricity on Micky.)

*Micky struggles, trying to avoid Stella's energy attacks.*

(Stella finally ends up panting as the music ends, her energy spent. She sags under Micky's arms. Emma comes up behind him, field hockey stick at the ready)

Emma: What are you doing here, witch?

Stella: Gathering energy. I need more. We're not getting musicians fast enough.

Micky: Because you bit off more than you could chew going after Alex, right?

Stella: No! He gave me powers! I have power of my own now, don't need to just use potions...

Emma: But you can't sustain it without energy.

Stella: I NEED that energy...

Emma: Not from innocent people.

Stella: (Rolls her eyes) Got any other suggestions? That's how I've been doing it for centuries. (She gives Micky as short zap and rolls away from him)

Micky: Ow! Come back here!

Stella: Not while there's more energy to gather...and not here. Too out-in-the-open, anyway. (She runs off faster than anyone could, a trail of pale purple energy fading in her wake)

Emma: (Looks around; the men are all starting to come to) Maybe we'd better get out of here. (Looks at her watch) And don't you guys have a rehearsal soon?

Davy: Yeah, we do.

Emma: We'll head back there. Lauren and I will pick up her car and go home to see the kids while you guys rehearse. When you're done, we'll all meet at the Beach Cave.

Micky: Right.

Emma: In fact (looks at her watch again) I think we're late. Let's get moving. (Grins) Wouldn't want you guys to be late to get ready for one of your shows!

Micky: We're goin', we're goin'!

(They head off in the direction of the bandstand. Cut to the bandstand, over an hour later. The four sit around the bandstand. Davy has his tambourine and Micky has his sticks, but neither Bobby nor Tommy are there.)

Emma: (Looks at her watch yet again) We've been here for over an hour. Even those two don't take this long at lunch.

Micky: *Repeatedly taps out the same riff with his sticks* They'll be here.

Davy: Mate, you've been saying that the whole time.

Emma: I think there's something wrong here. Where did they say they were going to lunch?

Davy: They didn't say. Just said they'd be back.

Micky: They'll be he.. *Davy's grabs his sticks and yanks them away; he frowns* I hope Stella didn't grab them.

Emma: Did Stella talk to them?

Micky: Earlier. She was in the line for autographs and was trying to get all four of us. Bobby was practically drooling over her.

Emma: That's bad. I thought he had better taste. (Sighs) Did she offer them anything?

Micky: Oh, just the usual. Contracts, money, her legs in not so many words.

Emma: Did they say anything about going after her?

Micky: I think Bobby wanted to follow her.

Emma: (Grumbles) Damn men and their hormones. (Out loud) He probably dragged poor Tommy to Dark Star.

Davy: *Nods* Probably.

Emma: (Whimpers) I think...Mike's there. Mike's there, and they're doing something to him. They're trying to control him. He's fighting, but he doesn't know how long he's going to hold out... (gulps; softer) and I don't, either. (Looks at the other three) We have to get to the Beach Cave. We can't go at this half-cocked. We can't lose anyone else, especially you men.

Micky: Absolutely.

Emma: I don't think staying here will do us any more good. Besides (looks at Lauren) we need to pick up your car and the kids.

Lauren: Right.