Everyone ready to finish this story?

Mike: I just want my turkey.

Peter: Don't worry, Michael. You'll get your turkey. And...yes, I am.

Davy: I'm ready.

Micky: Just bring on the food!

(We open in the yellow parlor room at the Montgomery House. It's decorated for Thanksgiving, with autumn flowers, paper turkeys, and models of pilgrims and Indians set up everywhere. A brown wicker cornucopia filled with fake fruit and vegetables sits on the table next to Mike's favorite chair. The kids all play with Little People houses and buildings. Mike leans back in his chair. Davy and Micky are on the floor with the kids. Peter comes in, grinning.)

Peter: The girls sent me to tell you that dinner's almost ready, guys.

Mike: Good. I'm dyin' for turkey.

Peter: Em's green bean casserole sure looked good.

*Micky and all the kids cheer. Davy just shakes his head.*

Bob: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Mike: Thanks.

Peter: (Nods) We sure have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Mike: We're lucky to be alive after what happened a few days ago.

Bert: First of all, how are you and Lauren feeling, Mick? You guys both really got put through the ringer in this story.

Bob: Other than hungry.

Micky: Yeah, we were, but we're okay.

Bob: Good. Lauren's not feeling any repercussions from losing her soul?

Mike: Em says she ain't seen anythin'.

Micky: I haven't seen anything, and she hasn't said anything.

Bert: (As Emma and Lauren come in) And here's two more ladies. How do you feel, girls?

Emma: Tired. It's almost ready. Val just has to pull the turkey out.

Lauren: Just fine, thanks.

Bert: Has anyone heard from Al or the devils since the last part?

Mike: Sheila, Alex, and Zelda will be goin' on trial next week. Sheila's supposedly hirin' some of the best lawyers in town...but not only is Nielson determined to make her crimes stick this time, but the eight of us and Al offered to be witnesses.

Micky: By which time, hopefully Al will be feeling better. *smirks* That oughta teach him to not kiss a devil... no matter how necessary it is. On the plus side, he did say his brother Brian's flying out here, leaving tomorrow.

Bob: Brian's still alive?

Micky: Yes, he is.

Bob: I hope Al can help him. He doesn't need to run with any more gangs...no matter how musical they are.

Micky: Al said he's coming back willingly, so I guess we'll see.

Bert: How do the rest of you feel? How's Ursula and Rosemarie?

Mike: I think Ursula's thrilled that her sister's finally gonna get into real trouble for somethin'.

Peter: Rosemarie's fine. I don't think anyone did anything to her but give her a tune-up, like she said.

Mike: I don't know if Urse is entirely fine, but she's runnin' ok. We drove her here this mornin'.

Bob: I think this is only the...third...time we've seen her outside of her crystal or the car?

Mike: (Shrugs) She says it takes a lot of lovin' to get her to come out.

Peter: Apparently, she needs concentrated pure light energy - our "love" force - to bring out her spirit. That's why we don't see her unless there's an emergency.

Mike: And this was an emergency. We needed all the help we could get.

Emma: No kidding.

Bob: How did you feel about traveling?

Mike: I'm never ridin' the subway again.

Emma: The jungle wasn't my first choice, but... (shrugs)

Micky: Nearly froze my butt off.

Peter: We got really lucky in Nebraska. I wish we got those nice farmers’ address so we could send them a Christmas card to thank them for helping us. (Grins) And Valerie wants to find that deserted island again.

Davy: I never want to see a volcano that up close and personal ever again. Daph didn't mind the African Savannah, except having a tough time catching breakfast.

Bob: You know, the Devils really goofed with you girls. They dumped you in places you ended up enjoying.

Emma: Well, I didn't actually ENJOY the jungle, but it didn't do to me what the subway or the plains or a volcano or the Arctic did to the guys. I think the women's powers work differently than the guys' do. We really need to talk to Ursula a bit further about that.

Mike: You're lucky. I was goin' crazy in that damn subway.

Bert: How about you kids? Micky, how do you feel about your son inheriting your ability to run through walls?

Bob: Did you ever have that talk about breaking things that don't belong to him?

Micky: *Sighs* I don't know. We did talk about it in principle, though I had a tough time really saying he did anything wrong.

Bob: Let's ask him how he feels. Hey Little Mick, how do you feel about being able to smash through walls and Devils like your daddy?

Little Mick: Well...I like it to help out.

Bert: What about you, Mike? How do you feel about Katie having your powers?

Mike: I ain't sure. I've been tryin' to tell her not to bite anyone unless they're threatenin' her, but I think I'm havin' a hard time gettin' through.

Katie: I wouldn't bite anyone I liked! I wouldn't bite anyone unless they were mean to me or the people I like!

Peter: I'm proud of Jordan. His aura-reading is getting much better. He knew that Lauren was missing her light.

Jordan: (Nods) I saw Aunt Lauren with the light earlier...but when we came back, it wasn't there!

Bob: How about the rest of you? Shelly? Lizzie? Robbie?

Robbie: Is'e ok!

Katie: He's just happy he got to help tackle the Bad Lady.

Shelly: I'm glad we're home.

Lizzie: Me too.

Bob: What happened with that cartoon universe thing, the blank screen?

Emma: (Grins) Lauren and I came up with that idea when we wrote it into a story we did last month. We thought it might work here to pad out the story...and it did.

Mike: That was freaky. The devils have sent us everywhere from literally Heaven to Hell...but they ain't never sent us no place before.

Micky: That nearly sent me over the deep end.

Emma: I loved it! We got to use up our quota of cartoon gags.

Peter: I liked the Pooh skit.

Mike: Bein' Superman was kinda fun.

Peter: I bet Davy loved getting to rescue Princess Daphne.

Davy: Of course.

Emma: That whole cartoon thing was pure improvisation. It wasn't in the original story.

Mike: What was with that pencil?

Peter: Bugs Bunny was on the other side of it.

Mike: Shit. I always knew that rabbit had a twisted sense of humor.

Peter: I thought I recognized that scenario when we were there, but I didn't place it until a few days ago.

Mike: I knew somethin' 'bout the pencil and the blank screen was familiar.

Peter: So did I, but...well, we were too busy for me to think about it at the time.

Katie: You guys got to be in a cartoon?

Jordan: Really? Like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny?

Mike: Sorta, kiddies. It's a long story.

Emma: A lot of what we came up with was developed on the spot to fill in the story. The original idea was just us being sent to different places while the devils worked their evil on Lauren, the kids, and the cars. Al's involvement, the musical gang war, the farm trip, the cartoon skits, the trip into the caves behind the Ghost Town, and Urse and Sheila's duel were all improvisation. (Grins) In fact, this is the most fun I've had doing pure improv with stories in a while.

Mike: You didn't get turned into a mouse and used for sex games.

Bert: What was with Al's involvement? He was in this story an awful lot for a new character.

Emma: (Points to Lauren) Ask her.

Lauren: Who, me?

Bob: Why did the devils use him to grab you guys?

Emma: I guess they figured he'd be the least likely person we'd suspect of attacking us...especially since he IS a new character.

Mike: Yeah. He don't look like the kind of guy who'd hypnotize you, then send you to the New York Subway.

Micky: Have you seen him without his glasses?

*Lauren swats Micky.*

Micky: Ow!

Mike: Like you're all that much more attractive without yours.

Peter: Michael, please, It's Thanksgiving.

Mike: I'm standin' up for Al.

Micky: Hey!

Bob: Where is he, anyway? At home with Brian, stuffing him full of turkey?

Micky: *Shakes his head* Brian's still in New York. He's leaving tomorrow. Considering the way he sounded yesterday, I hope Al's taking it easy. *pinches his nose* He sounded like this *lets go* and that was over the phone.

Mike: He can't handle the devils like we can. They take a lot more out of ordinary humans.

Micky: I just think he got some germs off Zelda when he kissed her.

Mike: Considerin' all the spit they swapped, that's possible, too.

Micky: It was pretty funny to see Zelda just completely out there.

Mike: I thought that was one of the best things about the second half.

Micky: Definitely.

Bert: And while we're on the subject, what was your favorite part of this story?

Emma: The cartoon sequence. We had so much fun with that.

Mike: Most of the second half...except bein' a mouse.

Daphne: (As she walks in the parlor) Finding the box.

Peter: Mine was helping those farmers out in Nebraska. (Chuckles) And I don't need to ask Val to figure out what her favorite part was. She really loved that deserted island.

Lauren: Getting my soul back.

Micky: Watching Lauren get her soul back, despite me having very little to do with it.

Mike: You took care of her, didn't you?

Peter: At that point, she needed you, Micky. The best thing you could have done for her was just be there.

Micky: Well, yes, but I don't remember much about it.

Mike: You really were out of it for most of the second half, weren't you?

Micky: Yeah.

Bob: What was all this about the tainted crystal and those dark crystals the devils tossed at you late in the second half?

Emma: We finally figured out what Alex was doing with all that crystal he stole from the old Crystal Caves last year. We'll be seeing that again in the spring, along with Ursula's human form.

Mike: Swell. I am already not looking forward to the spring.

Peter: That doesn't sound good.

Emma: We haven't really worked much on the spring stories yet. All we can tell you right now is that the next four-part story will debut in March...and it'll involve our ancestors.

Mike: Our ancestors? We ain't seen those guys in years!

Emma: Exactly. That's why I thought it was time we brought them in again. We need to have a much longer chat with Ursula about our powers and her relationships with our ancestors, the devils, and Belavarg, too.

Mike: (Makes a face) Speakin' of Bela, did you hear that someone bought Dark Star Records? It wasn't Sheila, either. Some frozen food company.

Peter: (Nods) You mentioned that a while back. The Staffer Company bought Dark Star. (Sighs) I hope no one asks questions about its reputation.

Emma: We briefly introduced a new villain here whom we'll see a lot more of in the four-part spring stories. In fact, this long story is something of a mini-series lead-in to the spring stories.

Mike: Swell.

Bob: Thinking closer to this month...what are you doing for Christmas this year?

Emma: Exactly what we did last year. We had so much fun with the Christmas skits we did last year, we're going to do it again.

Mike: (Nods to Micky) Didn't Malibu Beach's decoratin' committee call you 'bout somethin' a few days ago?

Micky: Yeah, decorating downtown. So anyone who'd like to join in, can.

Peter: I'd love to do it!

Mike: Em's gonna start puttin' up the Christmas decorations this weekend...which means I need to get out from underfoot.

Davy: I'll help out, mate.

Micky: Great! Thanks, guys!

Emma: Anyone could do the hundredth version of "It's a Wonderful Life" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," but we thought we'd have more fun with unrelated skits.

Bert: Here's another question for the ladies. Why was this story so LONG?

Mike: Yeah? What was with all that talk about paddin'?

Emma: This was this year's NaNoWrite novel-length story. We've done it for the past two years and loved it, so we thought we'd try it again.

Mike: No wonder this story got so crazy.

Peter: You were trying to push it to 50,000 words.

Emma: I don't think we did nearly as good as we did last year. For one thing, we didn't have the time or ideas. Considering the time we did have, I don't think it came out too badly, though. Much better than the last two or three stories we've done. We really worked hard on this one.

Mike: All I know is, I wanna eat turkey, and then watch the Cowboys-Saints game and sleep until next Thanksgivin'.

Bob: Before you go into the next skit...what are you all thankful for?

Emma: My family, my friends, being able to make a wonderful dinner...and not having to work on the holiday.

Mike: My kids, Em, and Micky's turkey.

Peter: Being able to be together, all of us and the children.

Katie: Mama, Papa, Robbie, and school. I really like school.

Robbie: Mama n' Papa n' sisser!

Shelly: Mommy, Daddy, Mick, n' Leah.

Micky: Family and friends.

Lauren: *Leans on Micky's shoulder* Definitely.

Lizzie: Da, Mommy, and horsies!

Peter: Valerie told me earlier that she's thankful Austin turned out so well. He's such a lovely baby. Noisy, but mostly very sweet.

Bob: How about you, Davy? Daph?

Davy: Gotta echo Mick's sentiment.

Daphne: *Nods* Family and friends, definitely.

Little Mick: Food!

Leah: Mommy, Daddy, Mick, and Shelly.

Mike: Why don't we cut out to that Thanksgivin' skit, now that we've all said what we're thankful for?

Katie: (Sniffs) I smell the turkey! It must be done!

Mike: (Also sniffs) Yeah. Smells good, Mick.

Micky: Thanks, everyone.

Mike: Anytime, Mick.

Peter; (Puts an arm around Micky's shoulder) You're our family.

Katie: Yeah!

Emma: And family helps family.

Jordan: We help you!

Emma: Why don't Micky and Lauren end this month's story?

Mike: Yeah, they deserve it. Take us to the skit, guys.

Micky: We hope everyone out there has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mike: Spend time with your loved ones.

Emma: Stay safe!

(Everyone waves and says "Have a great month!" or "Happy Thanksgiving!" as we fade out on the room.)

(Cut to the large dining room in the Montgomery House. The whole family sits down together as "Take a Giant Step" begins. Valerie settles Austin in a swing baby seat next to the table, so he can watch the family eat.)

(Katie tries to reach across the table for her fork and knife, but Mike stops her. Robbie's so excited, he can't stop bouncing around in his seat.)

(Peter pulls a chair out for Valerie, who sits down greatfully, then sits next to her.)

(Jordan looks hopefully at the whole wheat rolls in the middle of the table. His daddy made those, and he wants to try them out!)

*The Dolenz men just plain pig out. The girls watch in awe. Lauren watches with a slight smirk on her face.*

(Mike carves the turkey for everyone. He asks Micky if he want's eighths.)

*Micky nods for the eights... and nods for ninths and tenths, too!*

(Mike sighs and slices him more...and gives more to his son when he shoves his plate under his nose, too.)

(Cut to Micky again. This time, however, he's leaning back, patting his belly. Mike leaves with the remains of the turkey while Emma, Valerie, and Lauren emerge with pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies. Katie balances a plate of "Magic Bars." Shelly and Little Mick carry a spice cake.)

(Peter puts a cup under Micky to catch the drool.)

(We end with the entire group happily waving to the camera over their slices of pie and cake and Micky's huge stack of Magic Bars as we fade out on the scene.)

(Fade into the credits. "Sweet Young Thing" plays over scenes from the "production." The last shot is of the words "A Raybert Production" on an orange autumn leaf-themed background, with a turkey under it.)