(We open back at the yellow parlor room in the Montgomery House. Mike sits in his usual chair, reading a car magazine. Micky and Peter come back in, still laughing and dusting off sand.)

Mike: (Looks up at them with a wary smile) Feelin' better, you two?

Peter: Yeah.

Micky: Yeah. *plops down near Mike* How about you?

Mike: (Puts the magazine on a table next to the chair) I'm a little less tired.

Peter: (Gulps) Michael...

Mike: Pete...

Peter: Michael...are you ok? I mean, really ok?

Mike: I'm not sure. Ask me after I've slept for a hundred years.

Peter: I only...I wanted you to hear me.

Mike: Am I really that stubborn? Micky said that too, durin' that whole thing with the magician. (Looks at Micky) Do I really not listen to you guys?

Micky: *nods* Yeah..

Mike: I learned a lot from both of those incidents. I know I'm a hard-head, and I know I can be an asshole, but I really do want the best. For both of you. For all of you.

Peter: We know you do, Michael, but you have to remember, we're a GROUP. We're not going to do everything you want to do, just because you want to do it. We have to work together.

Micky: That's why 'compromise' is such a great word.

Mike: That's the trouble. I've never been real good at compromise.

Peter: We'll help you.

Mike: You guys have to remember, all my life, it's just been me. I've never had a big group like this. Sure, I've been a part of groups, but I was usually in charge.

Micky: *half grin to Peter* I think we can break him of that. What do you think, Pete?

Peter: (Grins) I think we can, too.

Mike: What do you mean by "break?"

Peter: (Puts up his hands) We're not going to hurt you! Not like what I did before. We're going to help you get better about sharing.

Micky: No, y'know, we're gonna 'break you of a habit.'

Peter: And the first one we have to break you of is jumping to conclusions. You really are too paranoid.

Mike: If you'd just been tortured nearly to death by a devil and someone whom you used to trust whom was bein' controlled by them, you'd be paraoid, too!

Peter: (Flops on the couch next to Mike's chair) Ok, I deserved that. (Frowns) I deserve a lot of things. I never should have gone with Sheila.

Mike: Pete, why DID you go with Sheila? You know she's bad news!

Peter: She offered to help me with my financial troubles, to make me a star on my own. I told her I'd let her help out...if I could be the leader. If I could lead something, a group that would listen to me.

Mike: But Pete, she's trouble!

Peter: I know that, it's just...she was there, and she was talking to me, telling me that all my troubles would be gone. Val was angry over the money, Jordan was almost scared to go near me, you weren't speaking to me...

Mike: I wasn't speakin' to YOU? I thought you weren't speakin' to ME!

Peter: Michael, did you really switch the song on the "Head" soundtrack?

Mike: You know I didn't, Pete. Our version of "Circle Sky" was pure electricity.

Micky: *leans back on his arms, still on the floor* It could be as simple as someone got confused as to which version to use and chose the wrong one.

Peter: (Doesn't look entirely convinced) Michael, I know you like to take credit for everything.

Mike: I like to do things myself. They get done that way.

Peter: Michael, we've had this argument before. You just want to rush and race and get things DONE. I want them to be done...but with poetry, with art, I don't want to rush things.

Mike: That's why I've had ten songs between the last three albums and you've only had two.

Peter: Mike, music means more than just a way to make money to me. It's my very heart, my soul, my means of expression.

Mike: It also nets us royalties.

Peter: See, there you go again.

Micky: But... there has to be some middle ground we can ALL agree on.

Peter: We all love music...even if we go about making it differently.

Mike: Right. Pete, you're one of the best musicians I know. You just amaze me. I can play organ, guitar, and a little harmonica. You can play keyboard, piano, harpsichord, French horn, guitar, banjo, organ, bass...and that's just a partial list!

Peter: But you've only been playing guitar for a few years, and you play better than people who have taken lessons for decades.

Micky: *snorts* You play better than me, and I've been playing since I was ten.

Mike: (Grins at Micky) But I sure can't wail those drums like you can.

Peter: I don't think anyone can. Frank Zappa told me he actually asked Mick to join Mothers of Invention a few months ago.

Micky: *turns a shade of red* Pete... *shrugs* And I learned on a whim and play backwards to boot.

Mike: Yeah, we're all pretty darn good at what we do.

Peter: (Sighs) It's just that...I really am tired of being looked at as a children's act.

Mike: But I'm startin' to realize that, while it wasn't a really BAD movie..."Head" was a bad MOVE.

Peter: It was a good movie. Just not the RIGHT movie.

Micky: *nods* We should've done something like our specials, just longer.

Mike: And I ain't never gonna write anythin' while stoned ever again.

Peter: I liked making the movie. (Makes a face) I just wish you guys hadn't tried to hold out for more money.

Mike: Pete, they weren't gonna give us credit for writin' it!

Peter: We didn't write the actual script!

Mike: We came up with just as many ideas as Jack and Bob did!

Peter: But they wrote the script, Michael.

Mike: Next time we make a movie or a special, WE write the script.

Peter: I suppose you want to direct, too.

Mike: Micky could direct. He loves doin' it.

Micky: I could...

Mike: Pete, you said we need to be a group. Everyone keeps tryin' to cut in on what should be ours.

Peter: But it takes a lot more than four people to make a movie. Just ask Micky!

Micky: *eyebrows raise* But...I agree with both of you.

Peter: Michael, you can't make a movie with four people.

Mike: But four people can hire others to help make the movie they want to make.

Micky: *rolls his eyes* Can we agree to disagree before we head into an argument that isn't worth it?

Mike: (Sighs) But four people can't hire anyone...

Peter: (Also sighs) When they have no money.

Micky: Yeah. *shifts around to leans his back against the psychiatrist's couch* We ALL agree on that.

Mike: We've got to think of a way to get back on the charts.

Peter: Or at least get back in the studios.

Mike: We need to talk to other studios in town and see if we can get them interested in another special.

Micky: Can't hurt to try. *pulls his knees up, drapes his arms over his knees, then rests his chin on his arms*

Mike: And we need to make another album. Together. All of us and Chip and Hank.

Mike: And find somethin' for Davy to do other than bangin' a tamborine all day.

*Micky snorts.*

Peter: Mick, you need to play the drums more often.

Mike: Yeah, you haven't been playin' as often on our last couple of albums.

Micky: I'd love to. *grins, then yawns* Oh, man. No offense, fellas.

Mike: I wouldn't pass out too quick, Mick. Em's makin' dinner for all of us.

Micky: I'm trying, Mike! I don't wanna miss dinner!

Peter: Micky, what would you like to see us do? All of us?

Micky: *eyes widen* Putting me on the spot here. Umm...

Mike: We need to make a good showin' in that play of Em's, for one thing.

Peter: We need to start making music again. OUR music.

Micky: Well, in that case, I just wanna see us as a cohesive unit again. It doesn't matter what we actually do. I just want us to work together.

Mike: What do you mean?

Peter: (Smiles) He wants to see us as a team.

Mike: (Looks at Peter) If you'll give up carousin' in Laurel Canyon.

Peter: And if you'll stop driving everyone at Headquarters insane with your orders...

Micky: *groans* Guys...

Peter: I'm not going to give up my friends in Laurel Canyon entirely. They ARE my friends. (Shakes his head) But I'm not going to spend as much time with them as I have in the past. I've missed you guys a lot.

Mike: I don't give orders. I just want to get the music RIGHT.

Peter: Michael, maybe music doesn't always have to be RIGHT. Sometimes, it just has to BE.

Mike: Peter...I just want it to be perfect.

Peter: Nothing's perfect. Even music.

Mike: I guess...that's just how I am. I'm a perfectionist.

Peter: That's something we can work on. You need to go easier on music and people, Michael. Let people flow, let music be.

Mike: And you need to buckle down and actually get some work done, instead of just messin' around.

Peter: But I like making music!

Mike: You can have fun makin' music and still get things done, Pete.

*Micky rolls his eyes to the ceiling, shakes his head, then sighs.* :

Mike and Peter: (In unison) What is it, Mick?

Peter: Michael still isn't listening!

Mike: Pete's not hearin' too well either.

Micky: *louder than he's been all day* SHUT UP! *plants his fists on the floor* Don't you two ever LISTEN to yourselves? *rubs the bridge of his nose* I can feel the concussion coming back...

Peter and Mike: What do you mean?

Micky: You keep bickering about everything! You're supposed to be best friends, yet NEITHER of you can lean in the other's direction. I'm getting TIRED of it.

Mike: But I want...

Peter: But he won't...

Micky: *shakes his head* You're killing me here, guys.

Mike: Sorry, Mick.

Peter: I guess we're not doing very well.

Mike: We're just so used to doin' what WE want...

Peter: We're not thinking about all of us.

Micky: *mutters* No shit...

Mike: Ok, Mick. Any ideas of how we can start workin' as a team again?

Peter: (Blue light; hands Micky a drink) Here's some peppermint tea. Maybe it'll help your head.

Micky: *takes the tea* Thank you, Pete. *takes a sip* For starters, we all learn how to LISTEN to each other, even if you think they're wrong.

Mike: (He and Peter blush) We ain't listenin' too well, are we?

Micky: No. *takes another sip of tea*

Mike: Pete...do you want to come over to the Pad tomorrow and work on songs? It wouldn't be for sellin'. We'd just be havin' fun. (Frowns) Unless you're busy in Laurel Canyon.

Peter: (Smiles) No, I'd like that, Michael. I'm not busy. I was going to spend the afternoon and probably the weekend with Val and Jordan. I've been neglecting them, too. But the morning...

Mike: (Turns to Micky with a grin) Hey Mick, would you and Lauren be willin' to take Katie and Robbie tomorrow? Em's gotta work on an article.

Micky: Sure, we can take them.

Peter: That'll be perfect!

Mike: Just bring your bass. Do you still have it? Val was talkin' about sellin' stuff...

Peter: I should still have one.

Mike: Good. (He sits on the couch; Peter joins him)

Peter: Michael, all I can say is...I'm sorry. (Looks at Micky) You too. And Davy and the girls and the kids. I'm sorry. It's stupid and it doesn't make up for all the terrible things I've done, but...

Micky: But it's a start.

Peter: I was scared, and I was at a dead end. My new band wasn't working out, and I didn't know WHAT to do. I was really scared when Sheila came along, but what she offered...

Mike: She's offered to all of us at one time or another...and we've all been suckers for it.

Micky: *nods* That's right.

Peter: But you didn't lose your soul to her. She actually... (He gulps) She reached in and...

Mike: (Gingerly pats Peter on the back) There, there, Buddy.

Micky: *takes another sip of tea* No, I only had an evil twin made of me.

Mike: And she split me into two people.

Peter: (Frowns) And what she did to Davy, when he'd never even done THAT...

Micky: We've ALL been pretty messed up by her one way or another. *takes another sip of tea*

Peter: Michael, when we reforged the sword together, I think that's when my soul...it must be what brought my soul back. What restored me.

Mike: Maybe because we did it together.

Peter: (Concentrates; his new crossbow appears) And not only did it fix your sword, but I got this nifty new weapon. You saw how accurate it was when we were destroying that machine.

Mike: (Moves it away from his chest) Just watch your aim that sucker, Pete.

Peter: (Makes it disappear) Oops. Sorry.

Mike: Ehh, you just wanna use it. Can't blame you. (Makes his new sword appear) Look at this baby!

Peter: (Admires the hilt) What gorgeous workmanship! Look at the diamond!

Mike: It sure is somethin', huh? (Hands it to Mick to show him)

Micky: *whistles* Wow! Very nice!

Mike: Musta been my ancestor's 'fore ol' Zero got his hands on it.

Peter: I can't believe I destroyed such a piece of work.

Mike: No, Alex did. Those rocks weren't your idea.

Peter: But I wanted to do it. (He looks at the other two) We haven't been much of a group lately, have we?

Mike: (Looks at his knees) No.

*Micky shakes his head, then sips more tea.*

Mike: We need to do more TOGETHER. As a group. We need to spar together, and (looks at Peter) on time. We need to get together in the studio and make music again.

Peter: (Smiles) And we need to just do more fun things together, just the four of us and with the girls and the kids and our families.

Mike: That play should be a good start, and we have a lot of birthdays and Christmas comin' soon.

Peter: (Grins) Including your birthday, Michael.

Mike: Well...

Peter: (Looks up at Micky) Do you know if that little diner's still there? The one where we ate the night we all met each other?

Micky: Yeah. I was there last week.

Peter: Maybe we could eat out together, just the four of us guys.

Mike: Yeah, I know what you're thinkin', Pete. We could relive a few fond memories.

Peter: And remember why we're friends in the first place.

Micky: And remind Dave to use his utensils this time.

Mike: I don't think whoever owns the place now would be as thrilled to see us throwin' greens all over.

Peter: We need to do more things like that. Remember why we're a team.

Mike: Yeah. We're the Guardians of the Light. (Looks up at Mick) Speakin' of, you and I ought to take a look at Urse at the Beach Cave in a day or two, after we've both had as much rest as we can muster. God only knows what Alex did to her while he had her.

Peter: He BETTER not have done anything to her. I told him not to treat her badly.

Micky: *nods* Yeah, we'll check her out. *finishes his tea*

Mike: (Sniffs) I think we'd better head for dinner. You know how Em is 'bout everyone bein' late. (Sniffs more) Besides, I think I smell her roast beef.

Peter: (He sniffs, too) Oooh, and is that squash casserole?

*Micky takes in a deep breath, then sighs, happily.*

Mike: Let's get to dinner, before Micky drools any harder and ruins your carpet.

Peter: That hungry, huh, Mick?

Micky: Oh yeah.

Mike: Let's go feed that stomach, then.

Peter: I don't need him trying to eat the daisies off the curtains!

Micky: *pouts* I wouldn't do that!

Mike: Sure you wouldn't.

Peter: We've seen you eat worse!

*Micky sticks his tongue out at them.*

Emma: (Off-camera; from the kitchen) Are you boys gonna eat, or what?

Mike: We're comin', darlin'! (Grins) I think that was the dinner bell.

Peter: At least it wasn't a gong.

Micky: Thankfully!

Mike: Let's go, Monkees. (And we fade out on the trio as they head out...and the camera lingers on Mike's sword on the table before the camera fades us out all together.)