Ready to continue on and find our way outta here?
Mike: You bet, darlin'!
Lauren: Yeah!
Peter: I WANNA GO HOME!!! :( :((
Davy: I'm on Petah's side.
Valerie: We'll get home, Peter, don't worry!
Micky: *still scratching* I'm ready to get out of this damn shirt. :P
Daphne: This place is freak-out city!
(We begin back at the children's room. Only the eight Guardians are left, and Davy and Daphne have finally left off kissing.)
Mike: Ok, great, I'm glad you two are happy, but we have two big questions to answer. Where are we, and how in the heck do we get out?
Micky: Good questions. *keeps scratching*
Emma: As far as I can tell, the only bit of power we have is this (waves her wand). I wonder...(waves it again - there's some gold sparkles, but no more. Emma sighs) Nope. It can only do small things. It can't get us out of here.
Lauren: Darn! *snaps her fingers*
Davy: (Peers out of the door) Hey, guys, there's a 'allway 'ere. Maybe it's a way out!
(Eight heads peek out of the doorway.)
Mike: Anyone home?
Peter: And if you're monsters, could you not eat us? :o
Mike: (Nods) It's ok. Kinda dark, but ok. (Everyone walks out into a dark hall, each pair holding hands.)
Emma: I wonder where the heck we are?
Daphne: This doesn't look like the Montgomery House.
Peter: Or Zero's Pawn Shop.
Micky: Just as weird, though.
Peter: (Clutches Valerie's arm) I hope we get to end of this hall soon! It's dark and scary in here!
(Micky sees something odd out of the corner of his eyes and lets Lauren go as she follows the others. He walks over to a small room...where Little Richard, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Brian Auger play on stacked pianos, one on top of the other.)
Micky: *eyes widen* Whoa! Hey, guys! *leaves the room to get the others and catches up with Lauren*
Lauren: *glares* Mick, don't do that!
Davy: (Frowns) Wot is it, Mick? (He and Daphne are in front of Micky and Lauren, who bring up the rear)
Daphne: Did you see a monster or something?
Micky: No, I saw four pianos, stacked one on top of the other!
Davy: Wot?
*Lauren covers her mouth, trying not to burst out laughing. She shakes her head with a smirk.*
Daphne: Micky, you must still be a little muddled from the tubes.
Micky: I did! Really! It was right back there! *points behind them*
Lauren: Sure, Mick, sure.
Davy: Uh-huh. (Daphne just shakes her head)
Micky: But I did!
Davy: Stacked pianahs?
Micky: *nods* Yes!
*Micky pouts.* :P
Mike: (He and Emma stop before a door) Hey, guys, I think I found a way out!
Emma: Or the end of the hall, anyway.
Davy: Careful, Mike. God only knows wot we'd run into in a place like this.
Daphne: Whatever this place is!
Peter: And what happened to Sheila? She disappeared after Davy's number!
Lauren: I don't want to know what happened to her.
Emma: I hope she's off chasing sheep somewhere that isn't here.
(Mike opens the door. The group walks back into the rooms with the glass tubes and the paisley organ, only this time, it's empty.)
Emma: (Sighs) Anyone else got any ideas?
Micky: *mutters* I wanna go look at the pianos again.
*Lauren rolls her eyes.*
Mike: (Frowns as he inspects the tubes) Pianos?
Micky: *nods* Four of them! Stacked one on top of the other!
Davy: Micky thinks 'e saw Little Richahd, Brian Auger, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fats Domino playin' on stacked pianahs!
Mike: (Nods, only half-listening) Uh-huh. That's nice.
Micky: But I did!
Daphne: What would they be doing in a place like this?
(The group spreads out and takes a look around the room. Peter hops behind the organ.)
Peter: Anyone have any requests? I think this organ is groovy!
Mike: (Makes a face at the...bright...instrument) You would.
Davy: We could do a numbah to cheer us up.
Micky: How about "DW Washburn"?
Peter: (grins) Oooh, that one's fun! :D
Lauren: *grins* Hey, yeah!
Mike: That would be cool.
(Peter plays the novelty number as we cut to a cute little video with Micky, Mike, and Davy fishing on a boat while Peter plays the organ on a bed of reeds. The boys get increasingly drunk, until, as Micky finishes singing the song, they fall out of the boat and four "mermaids" - the girls in mermaid costumes - retrieve them and dump them back on the boat, annoyed. ;) )
(We fade back into the tubes room. Everyone but Mike is gathered around the organ. As the song finishes, they spread back out, trying to find a way out of the room.)
Emma: There's got to be another door somewhere!
Lauren: If there is, it's very well hidden. *makes a face*
Valerie: We'd better get out of here before Zero and Sheila decide to give us more challenges.
Micky: Yeah, I'm all challenged out. :P
(There's a black light, and Zero and Sheila appear with demons that sport scales and big claws and teeth. Both devils look fit to be tied.)
Zero: (Angrily) How did you all escape those challenges? They were fool-proof! (Turns to Sheila and the demons) Get them! Get them all! I want to initiate phase two of the master plan NOW!
Mike: (Glares and moves back as the others huddle behind him and the demons close in) What "master plan?"
Zero: (Crosses his arms) The plan I should have used all along. I will control the one thing that all of you posess, the one thing you can all use against me.
Davy: Couldn't you just speak straight instead of givin' us more bloody riddles?
Zero: (Nods at the demons) Boys, bring all of them to me...but don't harm the litt'l Mother. She has something...or things...that interest me.
Micky: No way! *wraps his arms around Lauren*
Mike: (Eyes blaze) NOT ON YOUR LIFE, ZERO! I WON'T LET YOU TAKE ANY OF THEM!
Emma: Come on! Let's get 'em!
Daphne: You bet!
Peter: (Gulps) Can't we talk this over?
Davy: (Nods at Micky) You stay wit' Lauren, Mick. Protect 'er and the kiddies!
Daphne: The rest of us will protect you!
Micky: *nods* Don't have to tell me twice!
Peter: There has to be a better way!
Mike: Damn you, Zero! You've pissed me off for the last time! (He punches a demon coming at him straight across the room, initiating the next romp, "I Go Ape.")
(Davy ducks under demons' legs. Daphne, Mike, and Micky punch them outright. Emma turns the demons into cute baby animals or butterflies or a pot of honey for bear Peter or a bowl of cream for cat Micky.)
*Micky grins at Emma.*
(Peter hovers several inches above the fray, meditating. Demons and kids duck under or around him. Valerie tugs at him, trying to get him down.)
(Emma hands the hovering Peter the pot of honey. He gives her one of his big grins and sticks his fingers in the pot. She hands the bowl of cream to Micky and Lauren with a wink.)
*Micky gets one taste of it before Lauren takes the whole bowl for herself. Micky pouts.*
(Emma turns another demon into a second bowl of cream just for Micky.)
*Micky grins again.*
(Zero and Mike have been fighting, ducking around the paisley organ. Zero finally pops Mike on the jaw. He hits the floor and two demons grab his arms as the music ends.)
Zero: (Unleashes long, sharp claws and holds them to Mike's throat) Give in to my mastah plan, children, or your precious leader will die.
Emma: (Shrieks) NO!!!!!!!
Mike: (As Valerie finally gets Peter down and pulls him over to the others) Em...guys, don't listen...
Micky: Oh, man...
Davy: Let 'im go, Zero!
(Emma shakes her wand at Zero, but Sheila pulls her arms back and holds her own claws to Emma's throat.)
Daphne: YOU BITCH! LET THEM GO!
*Sheila smirks.*
Peter: No! Emma! Michael!
Emma: (Struggles furiously) Damn you, Devil Woman! Let me go, or I will use this thing!
Sheila: *still smirking* I'm scared.
Zero: Now, are you all willing to behave and come wit' me like good little children?
Davy: (Turns to the others) Wot are we going to do?
Daphne: Davy, I don't like this.
Micky: What can we do?
Davy: (Closes his eyes and turns to Zero) We....we'll give in, Zero. You can 'ave us. :(
Peter: Davy! (Blinks back tears furiously)
Lauren: No!
Mike: (Tries to pull away from the demons' grasp) Dave, you don't know what you're sayin'!
Zero: Good. (The demons take the arms of everyone in the group but Micky and Lauren, whom they surround. Zero sits behind the paisley organ) Now, I think all of you should be terribly 'ungry aftah your ordeal. Which one of you would like to 'ave a nice litt'l snack wit' my dear niece?
(Sheila turns the apple she held earlier in her hand, inspecting it casually.)
Emma: (Growls) What's in that apple?
Sheila: It's merely an apple. *smirks*
Mike: (Mutters) The last time you fed one of us something shaped like an apple, it was drugged.
Zero: It's all part of my plan, White Knight.
*Micky's eyes narrow.*
Davy: Wot, you gonna staht evil apple orchahds?
Zero: I grow tired of this. (Nods at Micky) Make the (smirks) kitty-cat go first.
Micky: *blinks* No!
Emma: Don't you dare!
Mike: I'LL GO FIRST!
Emma: No, honey!
*Shelia grins.*
(Zero sits back, pleased.)
Emma: Mike, please! I know you like to play hero, but...
Mike: (Turns his sad brown eyes to her) Em...Micky's going to be a father. His children need him. I have to do this. (Now turns to Shelia and Zero) Ok, what's with the apple?
Emma: (Murmurs sadly) Honey...I need you. :(
Zero: You will be the first to find out, White Knight. (Nods at his niece) Shall we begin, Sheila?
Emma: Nooo! (Tries to pull away from the demon who holds her arms tightly) MIKE!
Sheila: *nods; holds the apple out to Mike* We shall.
*As Sheila moves closer to Mike with the apple, "Come On Up" begins. Mike hesitantly takes a bite. He becomes stiff and...mechanical. She smirks and moves on to Davy, holding the apple out once again. Davy also takes a bite and ends up stiff, like Mike. She goes to Peter, who quickly glances at Micky's worried look. Peter gulps and takes a bite, becoming like the other two. The female devil finally turns to Micky. He pushes Lauren behind him as she moves closer. Sheila holds the apple out. Micky glares at it, frowning. She moves it directly in front of his face. His eyes close and reopen before he takes a bite, becoming like the others.*
Emma: (Shrieking at the top of her lungs) NOOOOOOOOO!!! NOOOOO! WHAT DID YOU TO DO THEM??!!
Daphne: YOU BASTARD! PUT THEM BACK THE WAY THEY WERE!
Valerie: (Gasps) Oh, my God.
Lauren: Dammit! *frowns*
*Sheila merely continues to smirk as she goes back to Zero.*
Zero: (Smiles evily at the young deviless) Thank you, my dear. Very good work. Now (plays another chord, then turns to the three struggling girls and the frightened pregnant fourth one), what will we do with the lovely ladies? We can't harm the Mother with those souls in her.
Emma: (Struggles with all her might) You won't do a damn thing, asshole!
Daphne: What did you do to the boys?
Zero: Let's say we improved them. (Smirks)
Emma: (Frowns) They seem awfully...stiff.
Shelia: Quite so.
Daphne: They're bent over like robots or mechanical toys!
*Lauren frowns, poking at Micky.*
Zero: Dear, do something with the women, while I...prepare...the men.
Sheila: *nods* Yes, Uncle. *smirks*
(Zero goes to each boy, sending a black light over him.)
*The black light appears around Sheila and the ladies, and they all disappear. They reappear in a room with what looks like clockwork gears on the walls.*
Emma: (Frowns) Where are we?
Daphne: A factory?
Lauren: What in the world?
Sheila: You'll see. *smirks once again*
Valerie: Looks like a hippie's idea of a car shop.
Emma: (Angrily) Where are the boys?
Shelia: They're coming.
(The girls move out of the way in shock as four figures walk stiffly into the room. It's the boys...in yellow blouses with black vests that actually look something like their original uniforms, red star-trimmed knickers, and far too much make-up, including a ton of rouge. Mike wears a red hat with a large star on it that looks a bit like his famous wool hats.)
Emma: (Eyes widen) What in the freakin' hell...
Lauren: Holy crap!
Daphne: (Gasps) What happened to them?
(They sing "Wind-Up Man," dancing with stiff, jangly movements.)
Shelia: They've been improved. *grins evilly*
Valerie: Wind-up... (Eyes widen) They're toys! :
Emma: (Eyes blaze; she turns angrily on Shelia) "Improvements," my ass! WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?
Daphne: (Grabs Shelia by her big pendant) Before I send you clear to the moon, Alice!
Shelia: Why, we've turned them into mechanical dolls, of course.
Lauren: What!?
Daphne: (Shakes Shelia in pure rage) YOU BITCH! THEY'RE NOT TOYS, THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS! PUT THEM BACK NOW!!!!!
Sheila: I think not. I rathah like them this way. Less troublesome.
Lauren: But...
Daphne: (Lifts her fists to punch Shelia) You won't be laughing when I send you back to California the hard way!
Emma: (Holds out the wand) Turn them back! We don't want toys for husbands and lovers!
Valerie: (Puts her hand on her heart and gasps) Guys...
Lauren: You, too? *places a hand over her heart*
*Sheila's smirk waivers.*
Valerie: (Nods; quietly) Yes. I can...feel Peter. (Looks up at Shelia, rage in her blue eyes) Their souls are still human, but are trapped in mechanical bodies. The devils control their movements.
(Emma and Daphne's eyes nearly fall out.)
Emma: Holy shit!
Lauren: There has to be a way to break them out of it!
Daphne: (Puts her hand on her heart) Oh, God! I can feel Davy...he wants out so badly....
Emma: (Puts her hand on her heart; her face looks anguished) And Mike...he's practically dying inside. Control means so much to him! (Turns back to Sheila with her wand and points it at her) Ok, Witch Woman, either you turn them back or tell US how to turn them back, or I WILL use this...or figure out a way to conjure up my hockey stick!
(The four "dolls" stiffly make their way over to the girls.)
Sheila: *sneers* Do you REALLY think I'd make it that easy? *disappears in a black light*
Emma: (Clenches her fist) OOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!
Lauren: I hate that. *eyes narrow*
Daphne: Damn her! She could have at least given us a clue!
Emma: (Goes to the Mike doll and sadly puts her her head against his chest) Oh, honey...(she's surprised when she feels a cold hand against her head. She looks up and sees the doll gazing at her, smiling and stiffly stroking her hair.) H...honey? You know it's me? (The doll nods stiffly.)
Lauren: Whoa!
Valerie: (Runs to Peter) Peter...you too? We know you're all at least partly still human...
(The Peter doll nods as well.)
Lauren: *goes to Micky. She pokes him again; he stiffly swats her hand* Oh, man! We've gotta find some way to save them!
Daphne: Davy! (Runs to him and takes his hand. He smiles and twirls her around; she grins) Yup, you're in there, Dave!
(The Davy doll nods.)
Emma: (Makes Mike's sunglasses appear with her wand) Here, honey. I know you like these better. (Smiles and gently removes the hat, putting the glasses in their place. As she does, Mike's eyes begin to look less glazed, and his cheeks start to return to their normal color) Honey? Oh, honey! (Throws her arms around him and kisses him deeply. As she does, there's a white light, and Mike moves on his own, kissing her back for all he's worth.)
Mike: (Grins warmly) Hi, darlin'. :)
Emma: MIKE! THANK GOD! (Hugs him as hard as she can)
Mike: (Makes a face) Oh, man, when I get my hands on Zero...
Lauren: *eyes widen* Now, that, I like! *pulls Micky down into a kiss. There's a red light, and Micky dips her gently, his cheeks returning to their normal color.*
Micky: *pulls away* Hey, babe.
Daphne: I wonder if we could... (takes Davy gently in her arms and kisses him. There's a blue light, and he kisses her passionately. His cheeks also gradually regain their regular color.)
Davy: Oh, luv, thank god!
Valerie: Oh, Peter! (Throws her arms around him and kisses him - his cheeks, too, return to their normal color. There's a green light, and he moves on his own and pulls back...and blushes almost as red as his rouge.)
Peter: Valerie, thank you so much! (Pulls her into a huge hug)
Mike: (Shakes his head, making a face) I bit into that apple, and the next thing I know, I can't move on my own, no matter how hard I try.
Davy: (Nods) I could still 'ear all of ya, see ya, feel ya, but I couldn't move meself. Felt like somethin' else were controllin' me limbs.
Micky: Now I know what a remote control car feels like.
Peter: Then Zero put that black light over us, and we were all in here, dressed in these clothes and singing that weird song!
Mike: (Looks around) Ok, now that we're able to move on our own, we've got to find a way out of here.
Emma: (Smiles) One more thing. (Waves her wand. There's gold sparkles around the boys. When they subside, Peter and Davy wear strings of beads around their necks and Micky sports his poncho over his doll costume.) There. Now you're the wonderful, crazy guys we know and love.
Micky: *whoops* Thanks, Em! :D
Peter: Thank you! I feel naked without these! :D
Davy: Much bettah. :)
Mike: (Frowns) You know, I wonder what Zero's "master plan" is.
Daphne: Let's get out of here before we find out!
Emma: (Indicates a door between bright-colored cogs.) I wonder what this leads to?
Lauren: As long as we don't pass stacked pianos again. *rolls her eyes*
Micky: Babe, I really saw them!
(They peek in the door and see the "Magnolia Simms" romp from the first role-play story "Dream World," with everyone dressed as flappers, Mike singing with Emma, and the other boys dancing with Lauren.)
Mike: (As everyone pulls their heads out and shrugs) Ok, that was cute, but it don't get us outta here.
(As they pull of the "Magnolia Simms" room, there's a puff of smoke and a black light. Sheila, Zero, and the demons once again appear.)
Zero: (He's frowns) How did you escape the apple's spell?
Mike: Love, Zero-poo. Something you could never and will never understand.
Zero: Never mind. You're all ready for the final stages of my plan.
Mike: No way! No more of your plans! (Nods at the others) Guys, RUN FOR IT!
Emma: Right! (Sends a puff of smoke and gold sparkles out of her wand. Zero, Sheila, and the demons cough as the kids take off down the hall in slow motion to the tune of "Zor and Zam.")
(The kids run as fast as they can down the hall, followed closely by Shelia, Zero, and the demons. We see, in a montage ala "The Frodis Caper," how frightened and desperate they are as they try to escape. Alas, the romp ends with the eight young adults skidding against a dead end wall as Zero, Sheila, and the demons close in on them. Mike gently pushes the others behind him.)
Zero: (laughing as he and Sheila catch up to the frightened group) Well, well. Where will you all go now?
Mike: (Growls; flings out his arms to shield the others) Wherever you assholes AIN'T!
Emma: (Waves her wand) Stand back, or I'll use this!
Sheila: *smirks* We're really frightened.
Mike: Well, what are you going to do to us?
Peter: We're not toys anymore!
Zero: As much as I'd like to kill all of you (glares at Mike, who glares right back), especially that infernally protective White Knight, I have something better in mind.
Davy: I'm almost afraid to ask wot that is. :p
Zero: You used music to defeat me. You will not be able to use it again, for it will be mine.
Mike: (Narrows his eyes) What do you mean, dickhead?
Zero: (Turns to Shelia) Why don't we send them to a time and place where they won't spoil any more of our lovely plans?
Davy: Time travel?
Valerie: I don't like the sound of that.
Peter: (Whimpers) I like living in 1969!
Sheila: *nods* I think you'll like the time we have in mind. *smirks*
Zero: I'll take the boys first. You, of course, Sheila, will send the women.
Emma: (Takes Mike's arm) No way!
Mike: If you hurt any of them...
Micky: *hugs Lauren* You don't wanna know what we'll do to you!
Zero: Enough! It's time...(smirks) or should I say, it will be time? Let's be off, my doo-wop songbirds. (Waves his hand. There's a black light, and Zero and the young men disappear.)
Emma: (Growls) God damn it!
Daphne: Not again!
Lauren: *groans* Oh, man!
Valerie: Sheila, what is Zero doing to the boys?
Shelia: *smirks* Wouldn't you like to know?
Daphne: (Gets in Shelia's face and shakes a fist) Yes we would, Nasty-Eyes!
Emma: If he's turning them into dolls again, I'll... (holds up her wand)
Valerie: (Frowns; thoughtful) Doo-Wop...
*Sheila grins as the black light appears. All five disappear once again. The black light leaves Sheila and the ladies on another stage, this one set up with a 50s motif.*
Emma: (Looks around, surprised...then down at herself. She wears a two-piece, 50s-style dress with a deep brick-red bodice and red ruffle trim and polka-dots, her brown curls pulled back into a ponytail) Oh, good lord allmighty, NOW what?
Valerie: (Looks at herself; she's dressed similarly, only her crinoline dress has a golden-yellow bodice and yellow polka-dots) This kind of reminds me of all those old 50s live comedy shows.
Lauren: *looks down at her one piece flowy, purple dress* So much for fitting into a poodle skirt. *makes a face* :P
Daphne: (Her bodice and dots are cotton-candy pink; she and Valerie also have their hair back in ponytails) Ok, this is just a tad on the weird side.
Emma: I have this feeling we ain't in 1969 now.
Sheila: And you would be right. This is 1956. *grins evilly*
Emma: (Turns so hard, her skirt swirls) WHAT?
Sheila: You heard me.
Daphne: What the hell are we doing in 1956?
Lauren: *groans* I don't like this. :P
Valerie: Do we look like Lucy and Ethel?
Emma: What the heck are we supposed to do, call Superman and Ernie Kovacs?
Daphne: Where's the guys?
Sheila: Just wait. My, but you have very little patience.
Lauren: *mutters* And it's wearing thin as is.
(Stagehands bustle around, setting up microphones and pianos. The girls are suprised to see several notable faces among those who join the stagehands. All wear flashy 50s style clothing and hairstyles.)
Emma: Holy shit! Where are we? Jerry Lee Lewis? Fats Domino? Little Richard?
Daphne: And me without my autograph book!
Valerie: Oh my!
Lauren: Maybe Mick wasn't seeing things with the pianos. :-O
Emma: (Turns to Sheila, who wears an elegant black spangle-trimmed gown, her very short hair covered with a long, teased brown wig) Ok, this is great, but what's going on? Where are the guys?
Sheila: They'll be here.
Lauren: *mutters* Getting answers outta her is like pulling teeth.
Daphne: Wanna pull some teeth? The back ones hurt more.
Lauren: *nods* Would love to. :P
(Emma makes a face as she sees Zero, dressed like the other men in a sparkly suit and tie, come out to a microphone and fiddle with it.)
Emma: Oooh, let me at him! Wish I still had that wand...
Valerie: (Takes Emma's arm before she can lunge for Zero) Em, you'll only make things worse.
Daphne: (Grabs Sheila by her dress) Look, Donna Reed, I'd like to know where we are and why we're here, and I'd like to know now, before I take that microphone and stuff it down your throat in front of some very famous people!
Emma: You know what our Huntress is like when she's mad, Sheila.
Sheila: *smirks* Such a lovely threat. (Makes a face) I know a better place to watch this, and it's away from all of you. *disappears in a black light*
Daphne: (Clenches her fists) OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Emma: That woman makes me SOOO mad with her disappearing shit!
Lauren: I hate it when she does that!
Stagehand: (Goes up to the four girls holding a watch, agitated) Ladies, get into position! We're on in ten minutes!
Emma: Wha...huh?
Valerie: What?
Lauren: Come again?
Stagehand: (Rolls his eyes) Where does Central Casting find them? (Ushers the other three girls into a line of other girls in pastel-dotted dresses and Lauren over to a seat on the edge of the stage, away from the dancers) The newest sensations of 1956 are going to be making their debut!
Valerie: (As she, Emma, and Daphne are pushed over to the eager-looking chorines) Who's making their debuts?
Lauren: The what? *quirks an eyebrow*
Daphne: Would it be too weird to ask where we are and what we're doing?
Stagehand: (Rolls his eyes) You are at the Paramount Theater, Los Angelas, California, December 1956. You are going to be the dancers for the greatest gathering of singers to hit this city since World War II and a brand-new group Mr. Zero thinks has a lot of potential.
Valerie: But...but....
Emma: (Growls) Zero. Figures.
Daphne: He would have his hand in this!
*Lauren rolls her eyes.*
Valerie: The Paramount Theater was demolished five years ago! There's an office building there now! :o
Stagehand: (Shakes his head) You must be talking about some place down the street. (Looks at his watch) We're on in five, ladies!
(As he walks off, the girls exchange wild looks.)
Lauren: *sighs* Well, at least I don't have to dance. *small grin* ;)
Emma: (Groans) Oh, good grief. What in the freakin' hell are we doing in the 50s?
Daphne: Waiting for the debut of Elvis Prestley?
Valerie: If I see him here, I'm leaving.
*Lauren chuckles.*
Emma: (Thoughtful) Waaaaiiittt. Think, guys. Didn't Zero say his "master plan" was to control something ALL the guys possessed? Something they could use against him?
Daphne: Yeah, so?
Valerie: (Nods; she understands) What do all the guys do that will get to Zero?
Lauren: Aw, no...
(The girls exchange looks as they all realize the answer at once.)
Girls: (In unison) THEIR MUSIC!
Emma: That's how Peter defeated Zero the first time.
Daphne: I don't see how sending us to the 50s is going to change that. There's music here, too.
Lauren: Not the guys' music.
Valerie: (Nods) The music is different here. It's not the guys' style.
Daphne: You mean, they...
Emma: (Nods) Can't play this music...can't feel it enough to do any damage to Zero.
Lauren: Damn. :P
(As the girls talk, there's more activity. Black women in long gowns like Sheila's practice dance steps, while more stagehands bring out a wire cage containing four familiar figures.)
Emma: (Looks up at the cage) We've got to...huh? What's that?
Lauren: A cage?
Stagehand: That's where the group's coming from! (Looks at the room in general with an agitated expression) Thirty seconds!
Valerie: It looks like the cages for the monkeys at the zoo!
Daphne: (Gasps and points at the cage) Oh, man, speaking of monkeys...
*Lauren groans, rolling her eyes.*
(The curtain opens before Emma can leave her position and inspect the cage. Zero stands on a top platform, now holding the microphone and introducing the various personalities.)
Emma: (Blushes) Man, we're at a show with Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fats Domino, and I look like Sandra Dee after an accident in a paint factory.
Zero: (To the microphone) And now, the plasticized, your new idols, the Monkees!
Emma: The...what?
(The Monkees come out of the cage and launch into "At the Hop," much to the delight of the screaming girls in the audience.)
Daphne: Oh, good grief! The guys!
Lauren: *eyes widen* Oh, my God.
(The guys are also dressed 50s-style, in similar glittery gray suits with silver trim, their hair in pompadours.)
Emma: (Puts her hand on her heart) Oh, man, Mike's ready to hurt something. This isn't his kind of music at all!
Lauren: I feel bad for whoever had to do their hair.
(The girls giggle briefly. ;) )
Emma: We've got to get to them somehow.
Valerie: (Puts her hand on her heart) Peter's so confused. He just wants to sing.
Daphne: (Nods) So's Davy. You know him. This really isn't his music, either, but he loves an audience, any audience.
Lauren: *places a hand over her heart; shakes her head* Mick loves it. He loves this music, too.
Emma: Great, we'll never get them out of here!
Daphne: (Nods at the other dancers get onstage) Hey, I think we're supposed to be joining them!
Emma: (Grins) Perfect.
Valerie: But I'm not a dancer!
Emma: Just follow what we do, then!
Lauren: *eyes widen* Good luck!
(Emma, Daphne, and a shaky Valerie join the other dancers, dancing in a line. As they pass the boys, Emma grabs hold of Mike and pulls him over to the group, who run off-stage as "I'm Ready" starts)
Mike: (Looks over his shoulder; the other boys are still onstage) Girls, this is gonna have to be quick. Zero will notice if I'm gone for long.
Emma: What's going on?
Mike: (Sighs) I'm not really sure, darlin'. All I know is, every time we open our mouth to sing, we get "Rock Around The Clock" or "At the Hop." Zero won't let us go anywhere close to any of those instruments, either. (Looks longingly at some guitars in the orchestra pit) We were in that cage the entire time backstage. (Looks over his shoulder - "Shake a Tail Feather" is starting) Darlin', I'm on. (Kisses her)
Emma: But...(he runs onstage with the other guys)...why don't you fight this, Baby?
Daphne: (Growls) There has to be a way to figure out what they did to the guys and how we can break the spells!
Valerie: *nods* And quick.
Emma: What I don't understand is why they're not starting a brawl out there as we speak, especially Mike.
Daphne: In front of an audience?
Emma: (Grins) Since when did the guys care who they fight in front of?
Valerie: Zero's probably holding something over them. They have to follow his orders, or else. *frowns*
Emma: (Her gaze moves to Lauren, who watches the dancers and performers with a concerned expression) And I can guess what.
Daphne: (Nods) Lauren.
Valerie: *shakes her head* There has to be something we can do.
Stagehand: (Shoves the girls onstage) Ladies, that's your cue!
(The girls dance - rather stiffly, in Valerie's case - back onto the stage as the boys sing "Blue Monday." They get onto the steps with the other dancers as Davy starts "Little Darlin'.")
Daphne: (Grins dreamily) Oh, maaaannn...
Emma: Oh, good grief! (Pulls her up) Get a hold of yourself, Daph!
Daphne: But he's so cute out there!
Valerie: *grins* We need a mop and bucket.
(Then Peter goes into his bass solo...and now Valerie is the one with the dreamy grin.)
Emma: Oh, man, not you too! (Pulls Valerie up)
Daphne: Who needs the clean-up now?
*Valerie sighs.*
Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Ok, that's enough. Show's over. We're getting the guys out of here now, and I don't care how sexy they sound! (She pushes past several surprised dancers as "Long Tall Sally" begins and pulls Lauren off her pedestal.)
Lauren: *slight grin* I take it you have a plan.
Daphne: (As she and Valerie push past surprised dancers to join them) Yeah, we have a plan. Grab the guys, whack the bad guys' lights out with her hockey stick, and get us out of here and back to 1969. ;)
Lauren: Works for me! ;)
Emma: (Makes a face at Daphne, then continues) Lauren, you have to talk some sense into Mick!
Lauren: Gladly!
Emma: We'll handle the other guys, but Micky's the only one who's really happy here.
Lauren: Yeah. *sighs*
Valerie: We think Zero may be threatening you and your kids to keep them from trying to play their own music and instruments.
Lauren: *frowns* I don't really like that.
Emma: (Growls) I'm not crazy about it myself, sweets. We don't belong in this time, and as much as Micky's enjoying himself, the guys don't, either.
Lauren: *nods* I'll get him. *small grin*
Mike: (As "Down The Line (Move On)" begins, the boys separate. Micky stays at the microphone, Davy joins the dancers, Peter moves to the steps, and Mike hurries over to the girls) GET ME OUT OF HERE!
Emma: (Grins; juts a finger at Mike) Well, there's one less guy to persuade.
Lauren: Sure, you get the easy one. :P
Mike: You have to be careful. I can't help you. None of us can.
Emma: (Notices how scared Mike is; his brown eyes are full of raw fear. She touches his heavily pommaded raven hair) Honey, what's wrong?
Mike: (Softly) The bastard stole our powers...and our music. Said he'd take Lauren's and her kids' souls if we tried to fight physically.
*Lauren frowns.*
Emma: (Angrily; gently nudges Lauren behind her) If he attempts that, I WILL kill him, and not with music, either. X(
Daphne: (Watches the "Down the Line" number continue) That's it. Emma's right. It's time for the show to not go on.
Valerie: But how?
Emma: Maybe... (looks at the others) Mike, have any of you tried to sing your own music?
Mike: (Shakes his head) Zero said if we even attempted one note of our stuff, he'd stick his claws in Lauren and kill the rest of you.
Valerie: That's not going to happen.
Daphne: I won't let it!
Lauren: *shakes her head* No way!
Emma: Mike, get one of the guitars from the orchestra. Sing one of your songs.
Mike: But...
Lauren: Do it!
Mike: (Looks out onstage, where "Down The Line" is winding down) Yeah, I will, darlin'. (Runs down to the orchestra pit)
Emma: (Looks at the others) Ok, Lauren, you get Mick into the wings, away from the singers, and talk some sense into him. Physically, if necessary. The rest of us will distract the people onstage and get the instruments up there.
Lauren: *nods* Right!
(Lauren steps aside as Emma grabs a long, polished, thick cane and the trio run onto the stage. Mike joins the girls with a guitar he's wrestled from a musician, playing "Oklahoma Backroom Dancer.")
Lauren: *chuckles* Oh, man... *looks out the curtain & spots Micky; she moves out as quickly towards him as possible and pulls him into the wings* Come on, Mick! Yeesh! :P
(The romp continues as the girls and Mike fight off dancers and stagehands and the famous names scatter into the wings. Zero watches from the wings in fury. The music fades out as Lauren takes Micky's shoulders firmly in the wings.)
Lauren: Mick, you have to do one of your songs and come back to the 60s! You don't belong here! None of us do!
Micky: (Whines) But Babe, I'm having a great time! This is the kind of music I like!
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* I know that. *sighs* You can do these songs any day! The others aren't having such a great time.
(Down below, the girls and Mike try to get to Peter and Davy and the instruments. Two male dancers are attempting to get the guitar away from Mike, but he has a firm hold on it, initiating a tug-of-war.)
Micky: (Sighs) But...he'll hurt you if we do them! He'll hurt the others! And...(quietly) I don't often get to be in the spotlight like this, Babe.
Lauren: I know, Mick. *shakes her head, defiantly* He is not going to hurt me or the others. If you guys can do your own songs, we'll defeat him!
Micky: You really think so, Babe?
Lauren: Yes! Would I lie?
Micky: Well, there was that one time... (winks at her with a wicked grin)
Lauren: Mick... ;)
Micky: I kid you, Babe...(looks at her stomach) or maybe you have enough of those.
*Lauren slaps her forehead, chuckling*
Micky: (Looks out at the stage; his eyes widen) The guys! (Two of the dancers hold a struggling Davy; several more corner Peter and the other girls; two more continue to fight with Mike for possession of the guitar) Looks like Captain Goodness and Lady Goodness must save the day from the forces of eeeeeeviiillll! ;)
Lauren: Oh man!
Micky: (Grins) Come on, Babe! (pulls her onstage)