Who's ready to get a real taste of backstage action...and find out what Shelia's up to now? ;)

Mike: Let's go.

Peter: Val and I are ready!

Daphne: Me too!

Micky: Backstage! Oh boy! ;)

Lauren: Lemme at her!

Davy: (To Lauren) Down, girl. ;) Come on and meet everyone, guys! :)

(We cut to the group standing backstage at the dressing rooms. People, some in costumes, some out, bustle around them. Stagehands carry props, sets, and equipment.)

Peter: Wow! This is so groovy!

Mike: Ain't never been in a backstage this size before.

Micky: Or seen such great sets. ;)

Emma: I wonder where Davy is?

(We find out as a loud, querrelous voice is heard over the bustle. The crew clear out as Fern, Davy, a man in a black turtleneck and slacks, and the woman who played "Lady Abigail" storm into the hall.)

"Lady Abigail": (Points at Fern) I want her song cut. It's slowing the second act. We've already got Coggins' petticoats number.

Fern: Ms. Turner, I've already had my part in the second-act opening cut down.

Ms. Turner: This is supposed to be a romantic drama, not a BBC farce.

Davy: (Makes a face and turns to the director) Wot's wrong wit' you, Gary? Why don't you tell 'er off?

Gary: Davy, she's our star! (Sighs) Jane, honey, listen to reason! The two comic numbers are there to lighten the first act. All that romance and political talk can get really heavy, especially for people who are there for the sword fighting.

Jane Turner: (Smiles at Davy) You were quite good though, David. Your petticoats number had me in stitches! ;)

Davy: (Smiles) Thank you, Ms Turner. You did quite nicely yourself.

Jane Turner: Of course. I never give less than my best, even in a dress rehearsal.

Gary: Why don't we talk about this tomorrow morning, before the second dress rehearsal?

Jane Turner: (Goes to Gary and starts fingering his shirt) Now, Gary, you know you need me to bring in the customers. You don't need some little nobody.

Fern: I'm NOT some nobody! I've had TV parts...

Jane Turner: (Pats Gary's chest) We'll discuss this in my dressing room after I've cleaned up a bit and rested. (Flounces off down the hall)

Mike: What the HELL was that all about?

Davy: That woman is a witch in a 'alf. :p

Micky: I think the air just cleared in here. :P

Fern: The other three girls have all lost songs and scenes, too. Grace and Marcel the French pirate used to have a quite nice little comic love duet in the second act, during the party, which vanished two weeks into the show when it pulled more applause from the stagehands than Miss Turner's climatic number. :p

Davy: She's got 'er damn eye on me, too.

Fern: She's was all over Davy from the moment he stepped onstage.

Davy: She 'as a 'abit of pursuin' young male actahs, or so I've 'eard from the stage'ands. :p

Lauren: *shakes her head* Seems she wants everything HER way. :P

Daphne: (Eyes widen; roars) I'LL KNOCK HER ACROSS LA IF SHE COMES WITHIN TWO FEET OF YOU OFFSTAGE, DAVID JONES!!!

Micky: *sticks a finger in his ear* Bye bye hearing. :P ;)

Fern: It's just disgusting. Everyone knows she's 47.

Emma: I thought she was 33?

Fern: (Makes a face) From what Mother says, she lied about her age on her application for a chorus line in Atlantic City at 14 and has just kept on lying about it.

Lauren: Makes sense. :P

Davy: (Grins) How would you guys like to get a tour of backstage? ;)

Micky: *grins* Love to!

Gary: I'd be delighted to show you. (Nods) I'm Gary Shelton, the director and choregrapher for "The Sword and the Shadow."

Emma: Oooh, I know your work! You specialize in revues! :D

Gary: (Makes a face) Or did, until they started writing them for television instead of theater. This is only my second book show, and hopefully the first to make it to Broadway.

Davy: Come on, mates! We'll show you the whole theatah, inside and out!

Lauren: Groovy!

Fern: (Shakes her head) I'm meeting Mother here. I really have to go. She's taking me out for dinner. :)

Davy: You sure you don't want to join us, luv?

(Daphne makes a face.)

Fern: (Sees Daphne's expression and shakes her head) I already know the theater, Davy. Show these guys what it's like to be on a big-time stage. :) (Hurries off under another glare from Daphne)

Gary: Well, what would you guys like to see first?

Micky: Anything! ;)

Lauren: That narrowed it down, Mick. ;)

Gary: (Smiles as the others laugh; kneels down to the twins' level) Well, aren't you kids cute? You remind me of my kids when they were little. (Grins) How would you like to see how we do all those great special effects onstage, like the rocking boats and everything? I could show you some of my choreography for the sword fights, too. ;)

Peter: They like sword fights. ;)

*The twins grin and nod excitedly.*

Little Mick: Sords! Sords!

Shelly: Wocking boats!

Gary: I think I like you kids. We ought to have YOU guys in our show. ;)

Lauren: I'd be careful what you wish for. ;)

Gary: (Laughs and nods back towards the stage) Follow me. We'll show you guys everything.

*The twins cheer.*

Micky: All right!

Daphne: (Takes Davy aside) Davy, why didn't you tell me that Turner chick was chasing you?

Davy: Luv, she's twice my age! Even I'm not THAT desperate!

Daphne: She is an attractive, sophisticated woman, though, and she's still a pretty good performer.

Davy: That don't mattah, Daph. (Grins) There's only one lady in this pirate's life. (Leans over and kisses Daphne, who giggles.) Let's go join the others before they think the Scah kidnapped us. ;)

Daphne: Fine. (Sighs) We're NOT done with this discussion, though.

Davy: We'll continue it tonight. (Grins) Dinnah at Pop's Italian Restaraunt? ;)

Daphne: (Sighs again) That smile could melt diamonds. Sure. :p ;)

Gary: (Leads the group out to the stage) Ok, folks. Here's where we have the boat scenery. The rocking is really just mechanisms under the stage...

Micky: *grins* Hmm... *sneaks off to go look at said mechanisms; rounds a corner, out of sight from the others* Now, mechanisms for the boat oughta be fairly easy to find, or at least hard to miss. *takes a short set of stairs, glances behind him, and turns a corner* This is so groovy!

*We leave with Micky still wandering around looking for the controls and cut to Miss Turner's dressing room...*

(June Turner is brushing her long, chestnut-colored waves. Her dressing room is HUGE and is filled with costumes, clothing, makeup, accessories, framed pictures, Playbills, and magazines. Her face and the doorway are reflected in the huge, lighted mirror.)

Jane Turner: (Knock on the door; she keeps brushing her hair. She's now in a plush, cream-colored terrycloth robe, and her face is covered with a green mud mask) Gary, darling, I told you to wait until I was...

(The door opens. It's not the director, but Shelia and Mrs. Badderly.)

Jane Turner: Who the HELL are you two, and what are you doing in my private dressing room? Get out, please. I'll give autographs AFTER I'm done dressing. :p

Shelia: We're not interested in autographs.

Mrs. Badderly: Oh, we're both rather big fans of yours, Miss Turner, but that's not why we're here. We're here with a buisness proposition for you.

Jane Turner: This is hardly an opportune time to be discussing business details!

Shelia: No, I rather think this is the perfect time.

Jane Turner: Could I at least finish dressing first? :p

Mrs. Badderly: Hear us out, Miss Turner. We couldn't help overhearing your complaints to Mr. Shelton on our way over here.

Jane Turner: This is supposed to be a starring vehicle for ME. I'M the star, but he keeps giving the best songs to the supporting cast!

Shelia: Our business proposition will help you regain you're deserved starring role AND those songs.

Jane Tuner: And just HOW will you do THAT?

Mrs. Badderly: We also couldn't help but notice that you DO have an interest in at least one member of the supporting cast. ;)

Shelia: And rather obviously so. ;)

Jane Turner: (Grins) That little Englishman is quite a dish, isn't he? ;) :X

Shelia: Quite. ;) :P

Jane Turner: I don't know why he won't pay attention to me! I could help his career a great deal. I've heard him say he plays in some little nothing rock band in his spare time! What a waste of a fine young talent! :p

Mrs. Badderly: I heartily agree with you. :p

Shelia: As do I. :P

Jane Turner: How could you ladies help me?

Mrs. Badderly: We could...eliminate...some competition for David Jones. ;)

*Shelia nods once, smirking.* ;)

Jane Turner: I'm not surprised he'd have other women interested in him. (Makes a face) The little auburn-haired brat, I suppose?

Mrs. Badderly: Now, listen here... X(

Shelia: *rests a hand on Mrs. Badderly's arm* Yes, that's her.

Jane Turner: (Makes a face) I knew there was a reason I wanted that girl out. :p

(Mrs. Badderly looks ready to kill her, but Shelia holds her shoulder firmly.)

Jane Turner: Well, how can we get Jones' attention?

Shelia: There's his girlfriend, or perhaps one of his other friends... ;)

Jane Turner: That pitiful little rock group of his.

Mrs. Badderly: I saw all of them in the audience this afternoon.

Jane Turner: As long as it doesn't cause any harm to the show, I'm all for it.

Shelia: Trust us, it won't.

Mrs. Badderly: Where's a nice, small spot for someone who's technologically curious?

Jane Turner: (Thoughtful; shrugs) On the catwalks, I guess, or in the director's booth under the stage. Why?

Mrs. Badderly: Oh, no reason, Miss Turner. We just needed to know a quiet spot to...meet...someone. ;)

Shelia: Right. ;)

Jane Turner: How will THAT help ME?

Mrs. Badderly: You'll see tomorrow, Miss Turner. ;)

Shelia: You'll be amazed how much it will help. ;)

Mrs. Badderly: We'll contact you here tomorrow after the dress rehearsal, Miss Turner. Thank you. You've been more helpful than you know. ;)

(They pull out of the dressing room and start walking down the hall. Mrs. Badderly makes a face.)

Mrs. Badderly: The NERVE of that overaged prima donna, talking about MY Fern that way! If we didn't need her cooperation so much... X(

Shelia: Now, now. She IS helping us, though, is she not? ;)

Mrs. Badderly: I'd like to help HER off the stage the hard way. :p

Shelia: If it makes you feel better, perhaps you can do that after we're done with using her. ;)

Mrs. Badderly. Yes, it would make me feel better. :p

Shelia: We'll keep that in mind. ;) :P

Mrs. Badderly: (Checks her watch) I'm supposed to be meeting Fern right now to take her out to dinner. (Nods at Shelia) Can you handle our...young friend...alone?

Shelia: *smirks* Quite so. Actually, I'd prefer it. ;) >:)

Mrs. Badderly: Very well. Meet me at my office tomorrow morning about a half-hour before the tea room opens, and we'll talk some more business. ;) (She takes off down the hall.)

*Shelia smirks and heads towards the short set of stairs.*

*Micky is standing in front of a set of controls, leaning over them slightly. Occasionally, he pokes at something on the board. He doesn't notice the slight shadow that appears from the doorway.*

Mick: (Grins) Wow, this is BEYOND cool! Let's see, this button makes the ship do this, and this one...

Shelia: *step inside the doorway, arms folded* Well, well, what an interesting place to meet. ;) >:)

Micky: (Turns around to face Shelia; eyes widen in surprise) Man, what are you doin' here? (Puts up a hand) Don't come any closer! (Grabs a pen) I'm armed and dangerous! :p X(

Shelia: *laughs* That is HARDLY dangerous. *smirks* And I can't fathom why you're surprised I'm here. ;)

Micky: (Makes a face) Yeah, I should have known you'd be following us around. (Gets off the stool and tries to make his way around Shelia) Well, I'd love to discuss old times with you, but as you know, I have a wife and children who will miss me if I'm gone for too long, so if you don't mind...

Shelia: I'm sure they're missing you now. After all, didn't you just leave your little group to sneak down here? *smirks, moving in closer, aiming to back him against the wall*

Micky: (Squirms, trying to stay away from her, not any easy thing to do in the small space) I didn't figure on being down here for that long.

Shelia: You couldn't help yourself. You just HAD to come and check out this machinery.

Micky: (Glares) So? If you try anything, Lauren will feel it and come looking for me. You KNOW we're linked. (Nods his head firmly) So there! (Sticks his tongue out) :p

Shelia: Oh, I know that. I know that very well. *makes a face* That's a risk I'll have to take. You know my plans by now...*backs him up some more*...and I'll try ANY method to see them through. >:)

Micky: And I'LL do anything to make sure you DON'T! (Starts to sing "I'm a Believer" at the top of his lungs)

Shelia: *makes a face and clamps a hand over his mouth, finally backing him against the wall* Don't do that. It makes me VERY unhappy. :P

(Micky squirms helplessly, finally stopping and closing his eyes in concentration.)

Shelia: I had a feeling you’d try something. *takes her hand away from his mouth; quickly moves her fingers to his temples and begins to rub* You always have to make this so difficult! :P

Micky: No! Damn it... (but his head begins to nod. He finally ends up panting and slouching against the wall) No...

(He opens his mouth to try to sing again.)

Micky: I...I thought...(mutters) Damn, can't recollect all the words, I think...

Shelia: Oh no you don't, Savage. There'll be no more of that awful singing. *runs her fingers over his throat; smirks as a soft black light envelopes his throat* Just a precaution. Now, I need a bit of information. ;)

(Micky grabs his throat, his eyes widening. He steps back as Shelia reaches for his chest.)