Everyone ready to finish off?

Peter: (Sighs) Yeah.

Micky: *weary* Definitely.

Davy: Yeah.

Mike: Jus' three more minutes, Em... I-)

(We open in the parlor room of the Montgomery House. Mike and Emma lay together on the couch. Micky is half-asleep on a chair. Lauren and Davy play with Katie and the twins.)

Bob: Hi, everyone. Looks like your recent adventure wiped you all out.

Katie: I'm ok!

*Micky mumbles something.*

Lauren: Not surprising with all the running around we did.

Bert: What was that, Mick?

Katie: Unca Micky's tired. That's why he's not playin'. :p

Davy: That rot Alex was messin' with 'im again, and 'e's still getting ovah getting 'it in the 'ead.

Lauren: We did what we could, but he still has the bruise and the headache, which he said was about ten times worse on the way here. That's why he's trying to sleep it off now.

Micky: *mumbles* S'not workin' to well.

Bert: Where's everyone else?

Katie: Papa an' Mama are sleepin'. Papa's not feelin' well, too.

Davy: Mike 'ad it the worst. 'E's gotten bettah, though.

Lauren: Just bringing Peter back to our side helped him A LOT.

Peter: (He joins them, looking tired and haggard himself) Did I hear my name?

Bob: Peter! Boy, do we have 16,000 questions for you!

Peter: One at a time, please. We have a few hours to kill, and I'm tired as hell. (He flops on another chair)

Bert: Where's the other two ladies and the other kids?

Davy: Daph's out with the othah Abbies. They needed some quiet time aftah watching the kids. So they went out to a club.

Peter: Val, Leah, Lizzie, and Jordan are taking naps upstairs. I was with Val. I just woke up. (Yawns)

Katie: (She and the twins go to Peter) Unca Peter...are you...ok now?

Peter: Not entirely, kids. I won't be entirely ok for a long time. (Smiles) But I'm not going to hurt anybody for a while, either, even Uncle Mike.

Katie: Unca Peter...I can turn into a doggie.

Jordan: (Raises his eyebrows) You WHAT? Does your father know?

Katie: He saw me.

Davy: *leans over to Lauren* Do eithah of the twins 'ave a tempah?

*Lauren just sighs.*

Katie: (Turns to the twins) "Do you guys get real mad and run into people?"

Little Mick: *grins* "Just each other."

Shelly: *nods* "Yeah. And sometimes our block walls."

Bert: Peter, there's only one question I want to ask. WHY? Why did you do it? Why did you join the devils?

Peter: (Looks at the floor, then back up at the camera) It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Micky: *cracks his eyes open* An honest response. *sits up a little*

Peter: Micky, are you ok?

Micky: I've been better, but I'll live. My head still aches, but I can't fall asleep.

*Lauren blue lights aspirin and water and hands them to Micky.*

Micky: *grins* Thanks, babe.

Lauren: *winks* Anytime, Mick.

*Micky downs the aspirin with the water, then sighs.*

Peter: Micky, I wish I'd been able to tell Alex to lay off the dreams before I left. I never wanted to hurt you or Davy.

Micky: That's just Alex's thing. Too bad he's doing it more often. I'm still not sure why he showed me what was GOING to happen. It was weird.

Peter: I told him not to do that. He must have though it would get a rise out of you.

Micky: It did.

Peter: (Groans) Even the Devils didn't listen to me! (Puts his head in his hands) Why did I listen to them? Why did I listen to Sheila? (He looks up at Micky and Davy) Do you two remember that day back in May, around Memorial Day weekend, when you guys were going on vacation and you came over to ask me to join you?

Micky: *nods* Yeah...

Davy: Yeah. Why?

Peter: Right after you guys left...Sheila came.

Davy: Oh, Petah...

Micky: *makes a face* Man...

Peter: She talked to me. She said she knew about my troubles and what had happened with the movie and the soundtrack. Anyone who can get their hands on a copy of "Variety" can find that news. She said...she said that she wanted to help me. She'd give me the power to make Mike listen and take back my music. She...we did...in the guest bedroom upstairs.... (Sob) Oh Val...

*Micky's eyes widen and his jaw drops. Davy is also wide-eyed, but he closes Micky's mouth.*

Lauren: *frowns* Aw...

Katie: Aw, Unca Peter... (She lays her head on Peter's lap)

Peter: (He strokes Katie's black, curly pigtails) I never meant for it to go so far. I only wanted Mike to listen to me and stop treating me like a child. I wanted him to understand why being a part of the rock community was so important to me. (Frowns) Now I'm wondering why it was.

Micky: *exchanges looks with Davy, then sighs* Welcome to the club, Pete.

Peter: My powers have been increased. I no longer have to close my eyes to use them. (He frowns) I can't blend into the shadows like I used to, though. That must have been part of the dark powers the Devils gave me.

Mike: (His eyes flutter and open; he and Emma sit up) What's goin'... (looks around) Oh. Hi, everyone.

Emma: (Yawns) Hey. How long were we out?

Katie: Mama! Papa! (She runs to her parents, but stops before she gets to her father) Can I touch you now, Papa?

Mike: (Smiles) Sure. Just don't squeeze too hard. Papa's still a little touchy.

Katie: Ok! (She gives Mike a little hug, and he lifts her onto her lap)

Micky: *half grin* Welcome back, Mike.

Katie: Yeah! Welcome back, Papa! (She hugs him again)

Mike: Thanks, guys.

Emma: How long were we out?

Micky: Longer than I was.

Davy: Couple 'ours?

Lauren: *nods* About that, yeah.

Emma: Were you a good girl, Katie?

Katie: Uh-huh.

Mike: Em, Katie has somethin' she wants to tell you.

Emma: What is it, Katie?

Katie: Uh, Mama...

Mike: Go ahead, Cowgirl. She'll understand. She knows about me, too.

Katie: Uh, Mama...I'm a doggie.

Emma: You're...wha?

Mike: Em, Katie can turn into a wolf. We saw her do it.

Emma: She can...but how...

Mike: I dunno. You were pregnant with her when I started doin' it. She musta picked it up.

Peter: She takes after you too much, Michael.

Emma: Did anyone else see it?

Mike: I did. I think the Abbies and the kids did, too...

Katie: I won't bite anyone here! I like them too much! (She makes a face) Just the Bad People. I want them to go away!

Micky: So do we.

Mike: I think they'll go away for a while now, Cowgirl. Mick blew up that machine but good.

Peter: No, they'll just keep invading our dreams. There has to be a way to end that.

Micky: Please! *shakes his head* It's been a while since I've actually had an uninterrupted night's sleep.

Mike: Why is it always me or Mick? I think Alex has done it to me a couple of times, too.

Davy: 'E knows 'e can get you riled up but good.

Emma: Davy's right. You two are the easiest to anger.

Mike: Yeah, well, the next time he tries it...

Peter: We'll be ready for him. We know his tricks by now.

Micky: *weary* Yeah.

Mike: Pete...how long were you watchin' us in the shadows?

Peter: Since at least May, when she...when we...were first together. It happened right after Micky and Davy came and asked me to come with you. (He looks at the floor) I was at a low ebb, and that little jail trip just made things worse.

Mike: Sheila bailed you out.

Peter: Yeah. She put up PPF money to get me out of jail. I told Val and my parents a couple of my friends in the Valley got me out. (He looks at the others with brimming eyes) My financial problems are real, though. Guys...I'm broke. Really broke. I've spent or given away every last cent I made off the albums and the specials.

Davy: Petah...

Lauren: Oh dear.

Peter: Right now, we're living off Val's money. I don't know WHAT I'm going to do. That band I was trying to start broke up when no label would take us. I guess I could go back to teaching, or waiting tables...

Mike: Pete, you could try teachin'. You're a good teacher. The kids love you. (He frowns) I'm the one who's in trouble. We...well, we're pretty deep in debt, too. We're workin' on tryin' to dig out, but it ain't easy.

Emma: That's why I went back to writing so soon after having Robbie.

Lauren: We're not doing too badly. Of course, we've got... *thinks* five jobs between the two of us.

Davy: Daph and me are scraping by.

*Micky's eyes have closed, his mouth open a little.*

Mike: Oh, THAT'S attractive.

Emma: He's going to start snoring any minute.

Bob: Peter, how did you end up becoming the Boss?

Peter: (Sighs) It started as a deal between me and Sheila. I wanted revenge on Mike for the trouble we had with "Head" and its soundtrack album, and Sheila just wanted us in general. I told her I'd help her get the others...if I could lead, and if she'd let me have Micky, Davy, and Emma for collectors.

Emma: Peter...I don't blame you for what happened at Sheila's penthouse. (Makes a face) It got worse after you left.

Peter: (Sighs) I knew I never had Alex and Zelda completely under my control. I put them under shortly after I got out of jail and arrived at the Arizona Ghost Town Complex.

Emma: You knew about them spying on us when we were in Texas?

Peter: I sent them to spy on you.

Mike: That's why Sheila was so surprised when Alex and Zelda turned up in Texas.

*Micky starts snoring lightly.*

Mike: (Makes a face) I'd say someone should wake him up, but he really needs the rest.

Lauren: Well, at least he's quieter than usual.

Mike: What about the whole thing with Davy turnin' into a giant?

Davy: Yeah, mate?

Peter: That was seriously NOT my fault. Nyles and Sheila were just fooling around with that stupid laser and happened to pick Davy.

Davy: Aftah Mick shoved me.

Mike: Pete, what was with all those trips to the electrical factories? I know that was you.

Peter: Alex wanted to get his torture machine together and needed parts. We had Davy to scoop them up, so...

Mike: You used him.

(Peter just nods sadly.)

*Micky snorts suddenly and stops snoring.*

Mike: Micky?

Peter: Micky, are you ok? (He goes to Micky's side)

Lauren: *eyes widen* Uh oh...

Davy: *raises an eyebrow* Wot "uh oh?"

*Micky mutters, making faces.*

Lauren: *sighs* Another nightmare.

Peter: Oh Mick... (Looks at Lauren) Isn't there anything we can do?

Mike: (Growls) I wanna stop this shit.

Lauren: *shakes her head* He's gonna wake up momentarily anyway... *shrugs*

Micky: *jerks awake* Noooo!

Peter: Mick! (He takes his hand)

Mike: Micky, what was it? What did you see?

Micky: *groans, putting his free hand to his forehead* Alex...using his machine on me...

Mike: Won't happen, Buddy.

Peter: (Squeezes Micky's hand) Not while we're here.

Micky: *leans back* I can't take this anymore. I can't tell what's being fed to me by Alex or what's just a rehash of what we've been through.

Mike: Kid, we're gonna stop it, or at least get Alex to lighten up on you.

Peter: As soon as we've rested.

Micky: *starts moving out of the chair* I gotta go for a jog, clear my head...

Peter: I'll go with you.

Bert: That's probably not a bad idea. You both need to get things out of your system.

Micky: *sighs, standing* No kidding.

Mike: Yeah, I do, too. (Looks at the others) I'm mostly better. I ain't got any deep urges to clean somethin', though the kids really do need baths later. Other things...

Davy: You're gettin' there, Mike.

Micky: Well, uh, shall we head out, Big Peter?

Emma: Wait, we haven't told you guys what we're up to next month yet!

Peter: (Nods) Val mentioned a play...

Emma: We're going to be appearing in a play during Thanksgiving weekend that we're putting on for charity. (Grins) And I'm in the midst of writing it, so if anyone has any requests for parts, now's the time to do it.

Mike: Yeah, she made me promise she'd get to write the script after she was taken off of the "Christmas Carol" play we did a while back.

Lauren: *knowing grins* She's already collaborated with me.

Micky: I don't know whether to be happy or nervous.

Emma: We're doing November's story for the NaNoWrite program again, so don't count on seeing it until the end of the month, probably either right before or right after Thanksgiving. We've been wanting to do another play-based story after that "Christmas Carol" ended up being a favorite of both of us. (Shrugs) Instead of trying to dig up a real play, I decided I'd write one for us instead and incorporate motifs and plot elements from well-known plays.

Mike: After last year's November story, I'm nervous.

Emma: Don't worry, guys. You'll be happy to know that you won't be seeing the Devils again in the actual story line until the spring.

Peter: I've had more than enough of the devils. Of Laurel Canyon, too. I won't be going anywhere for a while.

Micky: Thank you!

Mike: (Join's Micky's grin) Yeah, thank you!

Lauren: Actually, Em, you forgot a little something that's gonna show up before November's story.

Micky: *grin falls* I do NOT like the look on your face, babe...

Emma: Don't worry, Mick. You'll have your chance to be the bad guy.

Mike: Now I'M worried.

Micky: What?

Lauren: *waves it off* You'll find out later. *nods* Go on your jog.

Micky: But...

Bert: Where did you guys come up with this one?

Emma: This one, more than any of our other recent stories, came out of all the brainstorming we did in the summer and early fall of 2007. Lauren's a huge fan of the TV show "Monk," and she wanted to do something with a "Monk"-like Monkee. Her original vote was for Micky, but since we'd done enough to Micky by that point...

Mike: You decided to pick on me.

Emma: You do occasionally have some OCD-like tendencies, dear.

Micky: Yet, I get the sinking feeling I might get the brunt of this sort of thing at some point, too.

Lauren: *shrugs* Perhaps.

Emma: (Sighs) We're going to let you boys go on your jog. I'll see if I'm up to starting dinner. Mike, I want you to rest some more.

Mike: Normally I'd argue, but I'm too tired. (Yawns) I'm gonna go up to the guest bedroom.

Peter: Suit yourself. Micky and I will be on the beach if you need us. We both have our communicators.

Micky: *nods* Yeah.

Lauren: Take it easy out there, okay, fellas? *pokes Micky* You especially.

Micky: *smiles* I will, babe.

Lauren: Okay. *lets him go*

Emma: I'll just finish this up quickly by saying we hope you enjoyed the finale of our first 4-part story. Everyone here at Dream World hopes you have a very spooky Halloween season!

Mike: FIRST? There's gonna be another one? Like this wasn't bad enough?

(Emma just smiles, a little evilly.)

*Lauren chuckles.*

Mike: (Groans and puts his head in his hands) Maaannn....

Emma: (Her evil grin remains with the camera) See you next month, folks.

*We move to the beach and see a long tracking shot of Peter and Micky jogging on the sand.*

Peter: (As the shot follows them across the beach; he's puffing a little) I haven't done this in a long time. Feels good.

Micky: Yeah, it does.

Micky: *sighs* But it doesn't feel quite as good as sleep does.

Peter: Want to stop and take a rest?

Micky: I don't know. This is what I end up doing most of the time after I get woken up by my latest nightmare.

Peter: Not sleep, Mick. Just sit down. Boy, Alex must have REALLY messed with your head.

Micky: *slows, then stops; sarcastic* It's his favorite pastime.

Peter: Want to sit down and talk about it?

Micky: *nods, looking down* Yeah...

Peter: (Plops down in the sand right where he is) Let's talk.

*Micky sits down in the sand as well, then starts playing with the sand.*

Micky: He's been doing this all along, but the last couple months, I've had like three or four...or more nightmares a week. I haven't slept well.

Peter: I told him to let up on you. I told him over a month ago. (Frowns) I must really have been losing control of Zelda and Alex towards the end there.

Micky: But, Pete...you know when there's something I like to do, I do it over and over? That's what he's doing. He likes doing this to me because it's just like torture.

Peter: And like you, he can't stop himself.

Micky: *nods* He's trying to crack me, Pete... *starts digging what looks like a trench around where he sits*

Peter: I won't let him do that. To you or any of us. (He helps Micky dig) Mick, do you know why I never hurt you or Davy the way I did Michael?

Micky: I guess I was thinking you just liked us better at the time.

Peter: I just couldn't do it. Even when I was completely under...even when I was a shadow...you were still my friends. You were still good ol' Micky and Davy, who made me laugh, who played music with me, who helped me meet Val, who take care of my son and play music with me.

Micky: And we do those things because we are friends.

Peter: And I still saw you AS friends...but not Michael. (He digs further into his side of the trench) I don't know WHAT to think now. I'm not as angry with Michael anymore. I'm still not happy with him, but...

Micky: I think, when you're ready, you two should talk like this.

Peter: I know we should. I'm really scared, though. I practically killed him. I let Alex nearly destroy his mind, drive him insane. (Looks at Micky with bleak, blood-shot eyes) He has children, Mick. He has a wife. I nearly ruined his life. Just like Zero tried to...like Zero did to his ancestor.

Micky: *quietly* I know, but you weren't in complete control of your actions. Mike knows that. *pauses* I talked with him several years ago when I got evilized and took it out on him...eventually. You may not want to, but you have to. It'll make both of you feel better.

Peter: (Nods) Oh, we will. Val said that, too. In fact, she said before we both went to sleep that if I didn't talk to Mike, she wouldn't speak to me until our son was born.

Micky: *small grin* Ouch.

*Micky makes a small bucket of water appear. He dips one hand in and scoops a little out, then mixes it with a little sand, building it up.*

Peter: You get really into this building thing, don't you?

Micky: *nods once* Yeah. At least I still get to make something. *sighs* I still haven't been able to get a new chemistry set. I kept an eye out for it while we were in Arizona. I was so out of it anyway...but I almost think Alex dismantled it. I could've sworn I saw portions around here and there. *shrugs* You know me, Pete. I like to create things. Haven't been doing much creating lately, though.

Peter: I'm sorry, Mick, but yes, Alex dismantled the chemistry set. He dismantled it and the rest of the gear from the old MonkeeCave after... (quieter) we destroyed it.

Micky: Not your fault. *lets out a long breath* I just feel kinda useless without it or our tools.

Peter: We'll buy new tools, or make them. And Mick... (smiles) I promise, I'll get you a new chemistry set.

Micky: *chews his lower lip* You will?

Peter: I bought you the first two, didn't I?

Micky: Because you're the only one willing to.

*Micky makes a Popsicle stick appear and uses it to dig out little windows in his newly built "castle."*

Peter: The rest of them are cowards.

Micky: *slight grin* Yeah, they are.

*Micky turns onto his stomach and continues digging out little details on his "castle."*

Micky: *still looking at the castle* So Val's pregnant, huh?

Peter: (His eyes get dreamy) Yeah. She said it was a boy. I'm gonna be a father again...

Micky: That's wonderful, man. *sighs, pausing, and leans on one sand-covered hand, effectively getting sand on his chin* Any helpful hints to share?

Peter: What do you mean? (Grins) Is Lauren...

Micky: *turns back to the "castle," shaking his head* No, she isn't. Not even close...

Peter: Oooh. (He realizes) She's not...trying, is she?

Micky: I think something's bothering her. I mean, it's partly me, too, but... *makes a face* We're getting along great, but...I don't know.

Peter: Have you talked to her?

Micky: Yeah, that's how I know it isn't me. She won't tell me. I didn't wanna keep nagging her about it, so I dropped it.

Peter: Maybe you'd better just let her be for now. She'll talk when she's ready.

Micky: Yeah. I hope.

Peter: (He stands and brushes off his rear) Let's go back. Maybe she'll be ready to talk. I'll even take the twins for you. Leah's probably still napping.

Micky: Okay, I'd really appreciate that, Pete. *gets up; looks down at the sand all over himself and brushes it off* Oh, man, all over me...

Peter: We'll vacuum you off when we get back.

Micky: *slight grin* That's good. I think I have sand in places where I didn't know I had places.

Peter: (Laughs) Oh Micky! (He takes his arm, and as they turn back to the camera, he says) Some things NEVER change!

(And as we fade out on the two laughing, we fade in on a black and red "Happy Halloween from all of us at 'Dream World'!" graphic, the font seeming to drip blood. Cut to the end credits, accompanied by "Ladies Aid Society" over various stills from the "production." The credits end with a still of everyone in costume on the bandstand in the ballroom from "The Little Hotel That Cried," with "A Raybert Production" in dripping-blood font.)