You boys ready to start this month's story?

Mike: Uh, yeah.

Peter: Sure.

Micky: Yup.

Davy: I am.

(We open in a corporate meeting room. Sheila stands at the end of a table. She's dressed in a simple and yet chic suit. Almost everyone else in the room is an older man in a conservative suit who's over 50...except for Alex and Zelda, who sit on the other side of the table and look bored.)

Sheila: ...And in conclusion, I think it would be in our best interests to consider my proposal for our expansion into entertainment and other media arenas. Refurbishing film studios and amusement parks is only the start of how far this could go.

Vice-President #1: But we specialize in restoring buildings and machinery, not selling records and movies.

Sheila: Yes, but Gulf Oil doesn't specialize in records and film, but they've purchased Paramount Studios across town. Who knows how far we could go with this? The studios aren't as self-contained as they were twenty years ago, but they're still big business, and music is even bigger these days.

Vice-President #2: Madam, our business is restoration. We don't know anything about making movies or records!

Sheila: We've restored studios and buildings for movies to film in before. And even though people don't go to the movies like they used to, they're still making money. They've started showing all the big hits on television.

Vice-President #3: We don't know anything about television, Miss Saunders! We sometimes have advertisements on television, but that's a lot different from making movies!

Sheila: I'm only asking you to consider this. Companies don't specialize in just one product anymore. If you want to continue to rake in profits, you have to increase your market share...and diversify your portfolios.

(Everyone looks up as Al the caterer and a few other people walk in with rolling trays of cookies, slices of cake, sandwiches, vegetables, dip, and appetizers.)

Sheila: But for now, gentlemen (nods at Zelda) and lady, shall we enjoy lunch? We'll return to this discussion tomorrow.

Alex: *Sighs* Finally.

(The men stand and immediately head over to the carts. Sheila joins Alex and Zelda at one side of the room, near the window.)

Sheila: Ugh. Those old goats! I thought that would NEVER end.

Alex: *Nods* If this had gone on much longer, we would've started playing paper football.

Zelda: I was about ready to nod off.

Sheila: I wish I could turn them all into real goats, but I don't think that would make their mistresses happy. Their wives probably wouldn't even notice.

(Sheila takes a cup of coffee from one of the rolling trays. She hands a cup to Alex.)

Sheila: Here's yours. (Sighs) If only I could get them to consider this deal! Dark Star Records is for sale, you know.

(Sheila hands a different cup to Zelda.)

Sheila: Here's your tea, dear.

Alex: Thanks. *takes a sip* There has to be some way...

Zelda: *Nods* Thanks. *takes a sip*

Sheila: There's other things to consider, too. (Growls) Like the Guardians. We've come so close to getting them all, but every time, they all come together in the end and just overwhelm us!

Alex: Come together... *Thinks* What if we were able to somehow separate them?

Sheila: (Nods) We NEED to. Every time we only grab one, the others all come after them, and they all end up crushing our plans.

Zelda: So how do we separate them?

Sheila: That's the question. They've gained so many new powers lately, I think they're really as powerful as we are. Our hypnotic powers don't have the same effect on them that the used to.

Alex: Ours wouldn't work, but what about using someone else to do it?

Sheila: Someone else? (Thinks) Hmm. That has merit. Whom could we get to do it, though?

Zelda: How about someone they trust?

Alex: *Grins* And would never suspect of doing them harm.

Sheila: (Nods) I like that. They all have quite a few friends we could get our hands on. (Thinks) It would have to be someone intelligent, though. Nothing like that dimwit surfer who hung around me last year. He'd end up hypnotizing himself.

Alex: *Nods, slightly smirking* That would be interesting to watch, though.

Sheila: Interesting, but not useful to us. Whom do we know that they know that they'd trust?

Alex: Well... *glances around* Where'd Zelda go?

Sheila: Maybe she went for more tea?

Alex: *Looks towards the food and finds her chatting with Al* Or she's getting friendly with the caterer.

Sheila: She must have really liked that tea. (They join the two by the rolling trays with the food on them.) Found something you like, Zelda?

Zelda: And something you'll like. It seems our caterer is friendly with the Guardians.

Sheila: (Grins) He is? Well, isn't that nice?

Alex: Nice? That's downright perfect.

Sheila: How would you like to do something for us, Caterer?

Al: *turns* Hm? Oh, what did you want?

Sheila: We'd like to talk to you.

Al: Sure. What about?

Sheila: It's a private matter. Why don't we go to my office?

(Cut to Sheila's office. It looks rather like her penthouse suite, with very modern 70s furniture and decorations, very chic and spare. She sits in her desk. Zelda and Alex sit on either side of Al.)

Sheila: Now, the reason I've asked you to come here, Mr. Blueton, is...how well do you know the Monkees?

Al: *Glances at the two sitting on either side of him* Well, I've done several jobs for them. I'd say I'm a friend of theirs.

Sheila: A very good friend?

Al: Well, um, yes.

Sheila: Well enough to talk to them all at the same time, or at least at the same party?

Al: Well, yes. Why do you need me to do it, though? You seem to know them, too. Why can't you just talk to them?

Sheila: We...well, let's just say that we've had several altercations over the years and our group and theirs don't get along very well.

Al: Oh. That's too bad. What, um, did you want me to talk to them about?

Sheila: Oh, we wanted to round them up. You know, get them all together in one place?

Al: Okay. What for?

Sheila: We need to have a little talk with them and settle some old scores.

Al: I don't know if I wanna be in the middle...

Sheila: Oh, you won't be. You'll do it for us.

Al: I'm not gonna argue with them for you!

Sheila: We don't want you to argue with them. You're going to persuade them.

Al: Listen, I'm sure they have a reason that's perfectly legitimate. I'm not going to persuade them for you.

Sheila: Oh, but you are. You're going to be very useful to us.

Al: *Shakes his head* No, I'm not. I don't want to hear any more about this. *starts to get up, but Alex pulls him back down; glares at Alex* Didn't you hear me? I said I'm not doing this!

Sheila: Oh, but you ARE doing this.

Al: No, I'm not!

*Al starts to get up, but Alex grabs the front of his shirt and pulls him back down. He then stares into Al's eyes.*

Al: *Swallows hard* Why are you looking at me like that?

*Zelda slaps her forehead.*

Sheila: (Groans) I could have told you that wouldn't work, Alex. He's wearing bloody glasses.

Alex: *Lets Al go, practically shoving him* Dammit. At least I tried!

Al: You people are crazy!

Zelda: *Removes her necklace* Let me try. Hold him, Alex.

Al: What?

*Alex grabs Al's arms and holds him while Zelda swings the necklace.*

Al: This is ridiculous.

Alex: Just watch the damn necklace.

Al: *Sighs* Fair warning, but I've been told I'm no fun at parties because I can't be hypnotized.

Sheila: (Groans louder) Oh, that's just wonderful.

Zelda: *Clutches her necklace* They're right. You ARE no fun!

Alex: *Lets Al go with a shove again* Now what?

Al: How about you let me go while I'll still forget about all of this?

Sheila: Not a chance. Alex, do you have a spoon?

Alex: *Pulls one out of his jacket pocket* Always carry one with me. *hands it over to Sheila*

Sheila: Thank you. (She waves the spoon in front of Al's face) Now, watch this very carefully, Mr. Blueton. Very carefully...

Al: *Watches the spoon* You're nuts, you know that?

Alex: *Watches Al* Sheila, he isn't playing along.

Al: *Sighs* I TOLD you that I can't be hypnotized!

Zelda: Then perhaps there's another way to persuade you! *Climbs on him.*

Al: Hey!? *tries to push her off*

Sheila: Don't go too hard on him, dear. There are three of us in this room.

*Zelda kisses Al, running her hands over him. Al, meanwhile, is still trying to push her away.

Sheila: Mr. Blueton, all we want is for you to help us.

Alex: *Shakes his head, watching Al still attempting to push Zelda away* He's still not cooperating.

*Al finally manages to get Zelda off of him.*

Al: I'm out of here! *starts for the door, narrowly missing Alex reaching out for him*

Sheila: (She stands and walks over to him) Now Al, why in such a hurry? Don't you like us?

Al: No, I don't! You're all crazy! *tries the door but finds it locked; turns back around* You can't do this!

Sheila: Can I? It's my company, after all. You're my employee. I can do whatever the hell I want.

Al: You contracted me. There's a difference there. *backs up; winces when he hits the door*

Sheila: Yes, but I did hire you.

Al: Then I quit!

Sheila: (She runs her hands over his chest) Not half-way through lunch!

Al: Wanna bet?

Sheila: (Still doing it) Don't you find me attractive?

(Sheila slowly unbuttons his shirt, and evil smile spreading across her face.)

Sheila: You're not bad yourself. (She takes off his glasses) Even better without these.

(Sheila hands the glasses to Zelda, who puts them on her desk.)

Al: I, um....can't see...

Sheila: You don't need to see anything but me. (She looks into his eyes) Now, look into my eyes, dear boy...

Al: *Blinks rapidly* But I...

Sheila: Look into my eyes. You're starting to feel a bit light-headed and sleepy...

Al: *Shakes his head* No, I won't!

*Alex appears next to Al and grips his chin to make him look at her. The devil clone smirks.*

Al: You can't do this!

Sheila: (Softer) You're starting to feel very light, and very sleepy. You can hardly keep your eyes open...

Al: *Slumps slightly* Nooo...

Sheila: Yes. (She rubs his head lightly) Your eyes feel like lead weights. You can no longer hold them open.

Al: *Slumps a little more, his eyes barely half open* Why...do this...

Sheila: Because the Monkees know you and trust you. They'd never suspect you of getting them out of our way for us.

Al: *Eyes close as he relaxes; Alex holds him up* Friends...

Sheila: Yes, you're their friend...and your relationship with them is going to come in very handy.

Alex: *Hefts Al* He's completely out.

Sheila: Good. Very good. (She and Alex lead him back to the chair) Give him his glasses back now, Zelda.

*Zelda retrieves the glasses from the desk and replaces them on Al's face. She then gives him a kiss on the cheek.*

Alex: *Rolls his eyes* Zelda...

Zelda: *Grins* What?

Alex: Never mind.

Sheila: Now, Al, you are under our control.

Al: *Nods* Yes...

Sheila: When is the next time you will be seeing the Monkees or catering a party for them?

Al: Graduation party next week. They will all be there.

Sheila: Good. When you get there, you will gather each of them in turn and send them to another location, as far from here as you can. Hypnotize or bind them, if necessary.

Al: Yes.

Sheila: The exception is Lauren Dolenz. You are to leave her, the children, and the red car the Monkees drive to us.

Al: Yes.

Sheila: When you return to the meeting room, you will not remember any of this. You'll remember nothing until the day you cater the Monkees' party.

Al: Yes.

Sheila: You may return to the meeting room now, before your workers miss you.

Al: Okay. *stands and leaves the office*

Zelda: Did you have to let him go so soon?

Sheila: I don't want those idiots in the meeting room to miss him and start worrying about not getting their free coffee refills.

Alex: Sorry, Zel.

Sheila: I might let you have him later, Zelda. We'll see.

Zelda: Okay.

Alex: And perhaps we should head back as well.

Sheila: (Nods) We don't need them missing us, either. (Turns to Alex) And thanks for taking time out from your other job with the computer company to help me with the finer mechanical details on this speech.

Alex: No problem. I usually sit around bored for most of the day anyway.

Sheila: I wish these idiots would listen to reason. A lot of companies are buying movie and record studios. I think buying Dark Star would be a major boon for us.

Alex: We just have to keep trying.

Sheila: And fast. I've heard around town that several other companies are interested in buying Dark Star. (She stands) Shall we return to the meeting room and have more lovely conversations with those wonderfully obnoxious vice-presidents of mine?

Alex: Let’s.

(The trio head out of the office as we fade out.)