So...ready to find out what's REALLY going on behind the scenes of "The Sword and the Shadow?" ;)

Mike: (Grumbles)

Lauren: Definitely! X-(

Davy: It ain't pretty, mate. :p

Peter: Uh-oh. :o :(

(We begin back at the Forest Theater the next day onstage, rehearsing the finale. Fern and Davy sing their song, the Captain and Jane Turner sing theirs, and everyone sings the last chorus. Gary Shelton breaks in, shaking his head.)

Gary: What's with you people? We're less than a week from opening night, and you've got all the enthusiasum of a wet noodle! (Turns to Jane Turner and "the Captain," a very large, bulky man) Ms. Turner, you are supposed to be a young woman who has just helped rescue the man she adores. You're supposed to project passion! You're supposed to project fire!

Davy: (Whispers to Fern) 'Er burnahs got dampened somewhere around World War II. ;)

*Fern chuckles.*

Gary: (Looks up at Davy and glares) You're not exempt either, Jones. It would help if you didn't look dead on your feet.

(Davy makes a face.)

Gary: Pirates, you've GOT to make that surprise entrance a big moment! Wave your swords! Look excited! Jump all over the place! Haven't any of you ever watched Errol Flynn movies?

Jane Turner: (Sniffs) I'll have you know I have appeared in five swashbucklers in Hollywood!

"Captain Powers": (Out of the corner of his mouth) Yeah, in the silent era. ;)

Jane Turner: (Glares at him) What was that, Darren?

Gary: You're not perfect, either! Your love scenes have all the spark of a fireplace underwater!

Darren: (Points at Jane) Kissing her is like kissing my mother! :p

(Davy's eyes widen; there's a lot of "whoa" noises and whistles. ;) )

Jane Turner: You wouldn't know how to kiss a rag doll, you oaf!

Darren: That's what you feel like sometimes!

Davy: Oh, this is real romantic. :p

Fern: Isn't it, though? *tries to not grin* ;)

Jane Turner: Well, if you didn't grab me and mash me to your face, maybe I could look a little more passionate!

Lady 1: (Starts) Miss Turner...

Jane Turner: Did you forget who the star is?

Gary Shelton: Miss Turner, this is an ensemble show.

Lady 2: Not the way she's acting!

Jane Turner: Why don't we cut out the last part where the four couples are singing, and just cut to Darren and I, then finish?

Lady 3: If you cut out anymore of our music, we won't HAVE any! :p

Jane Turner: That's show business, dearie. I'm a star. None of you are. ;)

Gary: Miss Turner, I'm getting dangerously close to canning you...

Jane Turner: And then what? Have no one who'll come to see this show?

Gary: (Clenches his fists and closes his eyes, but finally says) We're going to take a half-hour for lunch, then we'll go over the finale again. (Glares at Jane) WITH all the music. X(

(Jane Turner narrows her eyes at him as the cast disspiates.)

Davy: (Stops Gary) Gary, why do you put up with 'er?

Gary: (Makes a face) I'm beginning to wonder myself. :p

(Darren, the big man who plays Captain Powers, joins Davy, Gary and Fern as most of the remaining cast goes into the auditorium or backstage.)

Darren: Come on, Gar, there are five or six girls in the chorus alone who could play the role just as well.

Gary: (Sighs) We need her to sell tickets. She's still a fairly big name.

Davy: Is it worth sellin' tickets if she's got the attitude of a spoiled child?

Gary: (Makes a face) I have to talk to her about that. Again. :p

Fern: You'd end up with an audience but no cast, at the rate she's going. :P

Darren: She's already gotten three songs and four scenes cut.

Davy: If she wants to be alone on stage so badly, she should 'ave done a one-woman show. :p

Gary: That's probably what she wants.

Darren: Well, this ISN'T a one-woman show.

Gary: (Sighs) Far from it. I don't think she's done anything like this in a long time, and she's scared.

Darren: Scared? She's acting like the reincarnation of the Wicked Witch of the West!

Fern: Worse than that. :P

Gary: (Watches as she pushes past people backstage) This is the first major show she's done in ages. Her last three shows had small casts...and were all flops, as were her last two movies. She's a woman of a certain age. Show business isn't kind to ladies her age.

Darren: She looks well-preserved enough to me! ;)

Gary: Darren, just put up with her until I can talk some sense into her. It's really too late to recast her part.

Darren: Do I really mash her when we kiss?

Gary: Yes. You're big. She's small. You have to remember that.

Darren: She'll remind me, I'm sure. :p

Gary: You might want to let her breathe a little when you embrace. She's supposed to be a delicate flower, not a punching bag.

Darren: Can she be both? :p

Gary: AFTER we open, Darren, you can squeeze her all you want. For now, just pretend she's your girl...(Darren blushes; Gary coughs and continues)...friend.

(Davy looks at Darren with raised eyebrows.)

Darren: Um, thanks, Mr. Shelton. I'm gonna go get something to eat. (Nods at Fern and Davy) You guys want to come with me?

Davy: (Shakes his head) No, I'm...expecting a call. ;)

Fern: Thanks, Darren, but I'm going to hang around here. :)

Gary: I'm going to stay here and try to handle the Levinstons. They'll be livid when they find out Jane's threatened to cut more of their score. :p

Darren: (Shrugs) Suit yourselves. (He takes off to the dressing rooms.)

Gary: (Sighs) Nice man. Not a bright man, but a nice man.

Davy: Is he really...

Gary: Yes.

Fern: Wow.

Gary: Darren's day job is bodybuilder. His brains are in his biceps, but his heart is is biggest muscle. :)

Davy: Excuse me. I've gotta use the little boys' room.

(He ducks down a hallway, peering right and left before he ducks into the men's room. He inspects all the stalls before pulling up his long, ruffled sleeve, revealing his communicator watch.)

Davy: Daphne! Daph, are you there?

Daphne: I'm here, Davy. :)

Davy: Thank god! What do you 'ave, luv?

Daphne: Not a heck of a lot. No sign of Micky, sorry, Davy. I have noticed a few odd things, though. Mrs. B and Shelia won't let me have much interaction with Fern, and besides that, those two having been acting even weirder than they were originally. They keep going to the Forrest Theater. They must be up to something concerning the show. *pauses* Oh, yeah, and Mrs. B got a parrot. Poor thing is terribly quiet, but certainly lively enough. I caught a glimpse of it bouncing all over its cage. *smiles* It’s kinda cute. Too bad it has Mrs. B for an owner. :P

Davy: A parrot that cahn't talk? Must be a rare breed.

Daphne: *nods* Must be. *pauses* I'll keep looking. Maybe there's atleast a clue or something around here.

Davy: You said they've been comin' to the theatah a lot. Are they at the tea room now or 'ere?

Daphne: They aren't here right now. I think I heard them earlier saying they would be going to the theater, so they might be there.

Davy: (Mutters) Wonderful. (To Daphne) 'Ow weidah? Secretive?

Daphne: Yeah. They must be working on their little plan, whatever it is. A LOT of whispering between the two. :P

Davy: I don't like that. Is there any way you can 'ear wot they're sayin' wit'out their knowin'?

Daphne: I could try. It's been kinda tough so far. I think they're whispering so I CAN'T hear them. :P

Davy: Do wot you can, luv. (Sighs) I'm goin' crazy 'ere. Jane Turnah ain't nevah satisfied. She wants the whole damn show to 'erself. :p

Daphne: Well, THAT figures. :P

Davy: (Grins) Kinda wish it were you and me in that moonlit stage, singin' bout love, 'stead of a bodybuilder and a prima donna. ;)

Daphne: That'd be so nice, Davy. :)

Davy: (Frowns; footsteps) Someone's comin', Daph. You be careful, luv. If they catch on, they'll torture you, or worse. (Gulps) Trust me, you DON'T want to be tortured by the devil, or that old female goat, for that mattah. They'll 'ave no remorse about 'urtin' you. ESPECIALLY you.

Daphne: I'll be careful, don't worry. :) ;)

Davy: Tonight, luv...wanna go out to dinnah if the practice don't run late? :)

Daphne: Would LOVE to, Davy! :)

Davy: 8 o'clock, luv. I'll pick you up in the jeep. (The door opens) Gotta go, luv. See you latah! (He ducks into a stall and pretends to come out as one of the pirates come in) See you latah, Jerry! Just 'ad to...relieve some things. ;)

Jerry: (Nods with a grin) Ahh. (His fake French accent) I understand, monseuir. Continue. ;)

(Davy takes off, turning off his communicator as he does. As he runs past the dressing rooms, the camera moves from him and through a door into Jane Turner's dressing room. Shelia and Mrs. Badderly are with her.)

Jane Turner: (Growls) Oooh, I can't BELIEVE this! Gary's being ridiculous! I'm his star attraction, and he slights me! :p

Shelia: *smirks* He's wrong. You'll have to make him understand that. Otherwise, you're doing a fine job. ;)

Jane Turner: I still don't understand how all of this is going to help me get Jones into Darren Kowalski's part, not to mention get that girl OUT.

(Mrs. Badderly is barely composing herself.)

Shelia: You've been asking for scenes to be cut, right? *pauses, evil grin* And, of course, accidents can happen. ;)

Jane Turner: Accidents?

Mrs. Badderly: (Grins) Now we’re speaking MY language. ;)

Jane Turner: You wouldn't actually HURT him, would you? Darren is a poor actor and a poor choice for the role, but harmless.

Shelia: No, of course not. Just enough to get him out of the show for a few days. ;) >:)

Jane Turner: (Smirks) He's not a bad fellow, but not exactly a pirate, either.

Mrs. Badderly: Jones is a far better choice for the lead role. ;)

Shelia: *smirks* Quite so. ;)

Jane Turner: (Sighs) There's something about that boy that makes my temperature rise! I haven't seen anyone as dashing as him since the young Laurence Olivier was in Hollywood. :X

Shelia: *still smirking* You don't say. ;) :P

Mrs. Badderly: (Makes a face) Isn't he a bit young for you? :p

Jane Turner: (Sighs) Why does age have to be a factor? He warms my sheets. I help him with his career. It's a beautiful system. ;)

Shelia: I admire your line of thinking. ;) >:)

(Mrs. Badderly glares at Shelia.)

Shelia: *returns the glare* What? :P

Jane Turner: (Ignores both) Where does Jones run off so quickly at nights? He's turned down my offers to eat dinner together three times.

Mrs. Badderly: He's a member of a rock and roll band, and they and his girlfriend take up a great deal of his time.

Jane Turner: (Nods) You DID mention he was in some awful little music group. :p

Shelia: *makes a face* VERY awful. :P

Mrs. Badderly: (Makes a face) AWFUL is the correct word, Miss Turner. :p

Jane Turner: We'll have to pursuade him to leave the group. He's far too good to be wasting that lovely voice and (chuckles) figure on low dives and smoky clubs!

SHelia: Isn't he, though? ;) >:)

Mrs. Badderly: It won't be easy. There are three others, and their lovers, and they're very close.

Jane Turner: Like a little family?

Shelia: *nods* Exactly like. :P

Jane Turner: We must break up the family, then. ;)

*Shelia smirks knowingly.*

Mrs. Badderly: That's what WE'RE trying to do, but they're so tight with each other, it's near impossible! :p

Jane Turner: You seem to have handled this...family...before. What are they like?

Shelia: About as wide a variety of personalities as you can get, yet they are all close, like a family, or even moreso. They've put an end to some of my business plans before. I wish to get them out of my way, somehow, so my business will thrive. ;) >:)

Jane Turner: What is your business, young lady?

Mrs. Badderly: (Frowns and turns to Shelia) That's a good question. What IS your business? You only work part-time with me.

Shelia: I run Past, Present, and Future, Inc. *smirks* It's something of a multi-media corporation that deals with a little bit of everything, including the collecting of rare items. ;) >:)

Jane Turner: (Eyes widen) You're in charge of a major corporation? I've delt with them! My apartment is furnished with items from their stores! :o

Mrs. Badderly: (Impressed) So's my tea room.

Shelia: *Nods* Yes, though I do not usually make that bit of information publicly known.

Jane Turner: Well, your secret is safe with me! ;)

Shelia: Thank you. It is greatly appreciated. ;)

Mrs. Badderly: How did Jones and the others bother your business?

Shelia: *sighs* That's why I mentioned the collecting aspect. We look for and collect rare items. Unfortunately, such rare items are sometimes tough to actually get. They've disliked some of the corporation's decisions in collecting the items and have done their best to stop us. (Sighs) Alas, I can't share the identities of those items. :P >:)

Jane Turner: Who are the other boys in the band?

Mrs. Badderly: Some blond boy, a tall boy who sings folk songs, and a comedian with no talent. :p

Jane Turner: (Makes a face) Sounds...delightful. :p

Shelia: *smirks* That does rather explain them. ;)

Jane Turner: You mentioned women, too. Are they in the band?

Shelia: Not a part of the original band, though they have joined in on occasion. The other three boys are married. Jones is the only one who isn't.

Jane Turner: (Grins wickedly) Ahh. That's VERY good. ;)

Mrs. Badderly: Jones has a girlfriend, though. We saw her in my tea room.

Jane Turner: That's NOT very good. :p

Shelia: All of the women are as troublesome as the boys. :P

Mrs. Badderly: There must be a way to get her away from him...

Jane Turner: I want to make that boy an offer he can't refuse. ;)

Shelia: I'm sure he'd have trouble turning down THAT offer. ;)

Jane Turner: Perhaps we could set up some...dysfunction...in this family?

Mrs. Badderly: How do you propose we do that?

Jane Turner: Simple. I could keep the cast and crew late, later than planned, then corner Jones and help him with his lines or some such. I'm sure his family won't be thrilled if he's not on time. ;)

Shelia: *nods* An excellent idea. Their... bandleader...doesn't like it when a member is late for practice. ;) >:)

Jane Turner: Tough bastard, huh? Rather like some directors I've worked with? ;)

Shelia: To put it lightly. ;)

Mrs. Badderly: He didn't seem so tough when I last saw him. He was just some skinny southern kid. :p

Shelia: You didn't REALLY see him. That was an act, a cover. He likes order, control, and when something happens, and he can't control it...*smirks* things can get rather nasty. ;)

Jane Turner: (Eyes light up) And he certainly can't control it if his bandmate is late, now, can he? ;)

Shelia: Exactly. You catch on quite quickly, my dear. ;) >:)

Jane Turner: Thank you, Miss...

Mrs. Badderly: Rhetta Badderly. ;)

Shelia: Shelia Saunders.

Jane Turner: (Checks her watch) They'll be expecting me onstage now. (Winks) I'll be there in ten minutes. ;)

(The two women walk out. Mrs. Badderly lets out a breath.)

Mrs. Badderly: I'm going to throttle that bitch one of these days. :p

Shelia: Once the plan is completed, you may do whatever you wish to her. ;) >:)

Mrs. Badderly: Good. She has lovely taste in men, but she's a spoiled brat and a snob. She really IS way too old for the part she's playing. (Frowns) I do agree with her about the young man playing the Captain. He's not quite right for his part, either. There's something almost...effette...about him.

Shelia: *nods* I noticed something not right about him, also.

Mrs. Badderly: Fern and Davy would be adorable in the lead roles, wouldn't they?

Shelia: Oh, they certainly would be. ;)

Mrs. Badderly: There must be some way to get her and Kowalski out of service.

Shelia: I wasn't joking about the accidents. Accidents CAN happen. ;) >:)

Mrs. Badderly: (Grins) What kind of accidents did you have in mind? ;)

Shelia: Oh... *smirks* you'll see. Nothing too damaging, though... ;)

Mrs. Badderly: If someone gets hurt, the police may catch on. The theatrical community knows the show's had problems, too.

Shelia: They will be true accidents. Trust me, the police are the last people I want involved. :P

Mrs. Badderly: Shall we make some...accidents? ;)

Shelia: Why not? Let’s have a little fun. ;)

(We cut to the Pad, later that night. Emma and Lauren play with the twins. Peter, Mike, and Valerie get through a general performance video of "You Told Me." Mike looks pretty angry throughout much of the video. Peter is worried.)

Mike: (As the song ends) Damn it, where IS he? He KNEW we were going to discuss what to do about findin' Micky tonight! X(

Peter: Maybe he just lost track of time.

Mike: Again.

Lauren: He did say rehearsals tend to run over.

Emma: (Nods) Right. You of all people know that's how show business IS, Mike.

Mike: Yeah, but three da...(looks at the twins)..darn hours?

Emma: They're less than a week from opening, Mike!

Lauren: And more than likely they're all running around like chickens with their heads cut off. :P

Mike: He could have called us, or even gotten through to us on the communicators.

Peter: (Takes off his bass) Hey, there's an idea. Why doesn't someone call Daphne? She should be off work by now, and she may know where he is.

Lauren: Good idea.

Mike: (Mutters) He's probably out with her, makin' out in the back of his jeep at the drive-in. :p

Emma: I'll call her. (Emma goes to the phone, dials the number, and waits) Hello, Kim? It's Emma. Is Daphne there? (Frowns) She is? Can I talk to her? Thanks.

Emma: (Frowns) Daph?

Daphne: Em? I am SO MAD at him! X-(

Emma: Uh oh. What did he do? :p

Mike: (Calls to Emma) Well, is he there?

Emma: (Makes a face) Doesn't sound like it.

Daphne: Davy asked if I wanted to go out at 8. He never showed, didn't even call! *sound of one of the other girls yelling in the background* Sorry, Kim, but you gotta stay out of the way! :P

Emma: (Calls back to Mike) No, he isn't there, either. (To Daphne) I'm worried, Daph. That's not like him.

Daphne: I'm too mad right now to be worried. :P

Mike: God d...darn him! When I get my hands on him, his little a...rear is gonna go flyin' out the back windows! X(

Emma: Mike, something's wrong. He never showed up for his and Daphne's date, either.

Peter: (Eyes widen) He's NEVER stood up a girl!

Mike: Unless he was already datin' another one. :p

(Peter elbows him. :p )

Lauren: *sighs* Oh, brother. :P

Emma: Have you tried his communicator, Daph?

Daphne: Yeah. Nothing. We talked earlier with no problems. Probably rehearsing with his little friend. X-( :P

Emma: Daph, he's said he's not interested in Fern.

Daphne: That's what he says. :P

Mike: He hasn't chased other girls in over a year, Daph.

Emma: Mike's right.

Daphne: *sighs* I know. I'm just so MAD and worried right now.

Emma: We are all. (Mike snorts) Some more than others. :p

Peter: Micky's already gone! :((

(Mike elbows Peter, indicating Lauren and the twins.)

Lauren: *looks hopeful* Yeah, Em, did Daph find anything at the tea room?

Emma: Daph, did you find anything about Micky at the tea room?

Daphne: No, nothing. I don't think he's there. :(

Mike: Did she figure out what Shelia's up to now? :p

Emma: Anything about Shelia, or unusual at all?

Daphne: Shelia & Mrs. B have been acting pretty weird, all hush hush about their little plan. It has SOMETHING to do with Jane Turner, but that's all I was able to pick up on. *pauses* And the poor little parrot that can't talk. I still think it's kinda cute, even if it bounces all over its cage and can't say anything. ;) :P

Emma: Poor little parrot that can't talk...

(Mike's eyes widen.)

Lauren: *eyes also widen* What!?

Emma: What's this about a voiceless parrot?

Daphne: Must be Mrs. B's new pet. It's in her office, in a cage.

Valerie: S...(sees the kids and sighs)...shoot. Doesn't Shelia like to turn her victims into animals?

Mike: She's done it to me. :p

Peter: And me! :o :(

Lauren: And Mick does a d...darn good parrot imitation! (Jaw drops open) The crackers thing from yesterday!

Emma: (Now HER eyes are wide) THAT'S why Lauren was craving crackers!

Lauren: That parrot IS Micky! :-O

Daphne: Huh? :-/

Emma: Daph, the parrot IS Micky! That's why it's bouncing all over the place...and can't talk!

Mike: He musta got Shelia mad and she took his voice as punishment. :p

Peter: Poor Micky! :(

Daphne: What?! Oh, no! I even went right over to the cage! That's why he let me pet him! :(

Emma: Next time you can, you've GOT to get him out of there!

Daphne: I will, I will!

Mike: And find out exactly what Shelia's up to.

Emma: (Frowns) You mentioned Jane Turner a while back. What does SHE have to do with this?

Mike: The actress from the play?

Daphne: I didn't get much of the conversation, but I did catch that they wanted to include her in their plan. How, I don't know. :P

Mike: (Makes a face) I can guess why.

Lauren: She's a "big name" actress who wants everything her way. :P

Valerie: Including whatever man interests her at the moment. :p

Peter: Why would she be involved with the Devil?

Lauren: I'll bet Shelia promised her something. :P

Emma: And I'll bet I know what she promised her. :p

Mike: (Mutters) The show all to herself...and Davy in her bed. :p

Daphne: Okay, now I'm REALLY mad! X-(

Emma: Whoa, down, Daph! We're going to need to warn Davy somehow and do some more snooping.

Daphne: Well, we've gotta FIND Davy first! Think he's still at the theater?

Mike: If he is, I'll kill him.

Emma: More than likely. Maybe someone could try his communicator again.

Daphne: Want me to? I've got mine right here.

Emma: (Nods) Sure. (Turns to the others) Daph's gonna try to get Davy again.

Mike: I'm gonna get him up his rear end if he doesn't come home. :p

Peter: Mike, he's in a big musical! They probably had to rehearse a lot!

Daphne: Davy? Come in...

Mike: Major musical, my rear.

Davy: (Crackles) Daph? God, luv, I'm sorry I couldn't get to you before, but it's been lunacy 'ere!

Daphne: What's going on?

Davy: Darren Kowalski fell down those huge stahs in the Govenor's mansion set while we were rehearsin' the finale and broke his bloody leg! 'E's in the 'ospital...and they want ME to play 'is paht! Miss Turner's pushin' for me to play it!

Emma: What?

Mike: Did she get Dave? Where is he, so I can hurt him? X(

Daphne: You've gotta be kidding!

Peter: Is he ok?

Emma: HE is, but the show isn't. The guy who plays Captain Powers fell down the stairs during the last number and broke his leg!

Mike: Oh shi...shoot. :p

Peter: Oh, no! :o

Valerie: That's gonna hurt. :p

Lauren: He fell down the stairs? Oww. :P

Davy: Funny thing is, 'e thought 'e felt someone push 'im, but 'e cahn't remembah clearly who, if anyone. He's not thinkin' too well right now, and 'e weren't the most intelligent membah of the 'uman species to begin with. :p

Emma: (Eyes widen) He was pushed?

Davy: We don't know.

Daphne: *echoes* Pushed?

Mike: Someone pushed him?

Daphne: Sounds like more than just an accident to me.

Peter: Who would do something like that?

Valerie: Shelia. :p

Lauren: Who else? :P

Mike: Yeah, but why would she want to hurt him? It's us she's after.

Davy: Miss Turnah and I 'ad to go ovah all 'is lines alone in 'er dressin' room. I only just got out of there wit' me life. :p

Daphne: I'll bet this is part of their little plan. :P

Peter: Maybe he did something to her!

Emma: I know what he did. He's not Davy...and she wants Davy.

Daphne: Davy, she's in on their plan! She wants you in that role for a reason! X-(

Davy: Why would she be in wit' the Devil?

Emma: Because the Devil can give her what she wants. :p

Daphne: Haven't you learned that by now? :P

Mike: And what that overheated diva wants, boy, is you.

Peter: Oh, man... :o

Davy: I'll keep a closah eye on 'er from now on.

Mike: We're gonna go to that theater ourselves tomorrow and find out what's going on.

Daphne: You do that, Davy! And get out of there! Everyone's waiting for you at the pad. :P

Davy: I'm on my way out, luv.

(He signs off.)

Daphne: He can be impossible sometimes. :P

Mike: No kiddin'. :p

Emma: We've got to find out what Shelia's up to now.

Peter: Yeah. I can see why Miss Turner would want Davy in that role...but why does Shelia?

Lauren: I don't know, but it CAN'T be good. :P

Emma: Daph, keep a close eye on them when they're at the tea room. We've got to figure out a way to get him out without them knowing he's gone, too.

Mike: Don't go and get yourself in trouble, Daph.

Daphne: I will. (Chuckles) I can handle myself. ;)

Emma: Watch your temper. I know you hate Shelia, but waving your fist in her face is NOT going to help matters. ;) :p

Daphne: I'll see what I can do about that. ;)

Valerie: Just don't do anything that'll give you away.

Daphne: Call me Miss Subtle. ;)

Mike: Yeah. If we lose you, Davy's gonna have our heads. ;)

Emma: We'll have him call you when he gets in so you can chew him out where the twins won't hear. ;)

Daphne: Thanks, Em. I appreciate that. ;)

Emma: Night, Daph.

Daphne: Night, Emma.

*Daphne hangs up, but not before one more female yell in the background.* ;)

Emma: Hoo boy. (Turns to the others with a grin) Forget Shelia. I'm worried about what will happen when DAPHNE gets her hands on him. ;)

Lauren: Was she throwing things again?

;)

Emma: No, just screaming loud enough to be heard in Hawaii, Guam, and certain parts of Asia. ;)

Mike: I'm ready to join her. Shelia's up to somethin' again...and it involves that damn show. :p

Lauren: Understandable. I'm feeling pretty close to that level myself. :P

Peter: There's got to be SOMETHING we can do to help Micky! :o

Valerie: Not without Shelia or Mrs. Badderly knowing.

Mike: Or blowin' Daph's cover. :p

Lauren: If we knew what he looked like as a bird, we could buy one and swap them. ;)

Mike: Nice idea, Laur, but it ain't gonna work. Shelia will know.

Valerie: Yeah, the bird will talk. Literally. ;)

Lauren: True. :P ;)

Peter: Why did Shelia take Micky?

Mike: For the same reason she sent me after you when I was split, and the Purple Flower Gang took Davy and Lauren. Mick is close to Davy.

Peter: (Nods, frowning) She thinks Davy will come after Micky.

Mike: She doesn't THINK. She KNOWS. :p

Lauren: I hate that... :P X-(

(Davy bursts in at this point. Mike immediately jumps up; Emma puts a hand on his shoulder.)

Emma: Honey, don't. He's had a rough day, and anyway, you'll wake up Katie. :p

Davy: Mike...

Mike: God da...darn it, Dave, why didn't you at least CALL?

Emma: (Gulps and picks up Shelly) Um, why don't we go upstairs and get you kids ready for bed while Uncle Mike and Uncle Davy...talk? :p

Peter: (Gets between Davy and Mike) Guys, don't...

Lauren: *picks up Little Mick* Good idea, Em. :P

Davy: I've been promoted to the lead in a major musical and practically seduced by a woman twice my age, Mike!

Mike: Davy, you know better! There are phones in and around the theater. You could have used them!

Peter: Come on, you two.

Valerie: Um, Peter, maybe we should go home...

*Emma and Lauren head upstairs with the twins.*

Peter: Please don't do this, fellas.

Davy: Mike, I didn't have the chance! We rehearsed all day, then I 'ad to 'ave costume fittin's and go ovah my lines while that...that WOMAN (spits the word) was all ovah me like a sack of spilled potatoes!

Mike: Doesn't the group mean anything to you anymore, Davy? Do WE mean anything?

Peter: Davy... Michael...

Davy: Of COURSE you do! The show means something too, though!

Mike: Dave, what is it you WANT?

Peter: Fellas...

Valerie: Peter, come on...

Davy: Wot do you mean?

Peter: Don't do this, please! :(

Mike: I mean, boy, you have to make a choice. Do you want to be some big star on Broadway, or do you want to play in the band with us?

Davy: I don't 'ave to take this, Mike.

Mike: Fine, then! DON'T take it!

Davy: I won't!

Peter: Oh no. :(

Mike: You don't even care that your best friend is in the hands of some witch! You don't care about anything but your stupid musical!

Davy: I'm worried like HELL about Micky, and the show is NOT stupid! Don't YOU ever think about anything besides music?

Peter: Michael... :(

Mike: Don't you ever think of anything besides yourself?

Davy: Of course I do!

Mike: Oh, yeah? When?

Davy: (Sputters) Plenty of times!

Peter: *wails* Stop it! :( :((

Valerie: (Puts her arms around the upset Peter and glares at Mike and Davy) Enough, both of you! You're supposed to be FRIENDS.

Mike: I'm starting to wonder about that.

Davy: Fine! Fine! I don't HAVE to make a bloomin' choice, then! I QUIT! (He storms out the door.)

*Peter sniffs, frowning.*

Mike: (Yells out the door) Fine! Fine! Quit then! See if we help your sorry runt ass! X(

Davy: (Barely audible over the jeep's motor) Don't, then!

Peter: *quietly* Michael... :(

Mike: Damn him! (Slams his fist against the table) Damn that brat...

Valerie: Peter...it's time to go home.

*Peter nods, sniffing again.* :(

Mike: (Turns to Peter, finally realizing he's even there) Pete...oh man, buddy...I'm sorry...

Peter: *sniffs* Michael, how could you? :(

Mike: I lost my temper, Pete. :(

*Peter looks at the floor.* :(

Valerie: (Sighs) Maybe we'd better get going. (Puts an arm around Peter) Honey, are you ok? This must really hurt. I know you love playing in the band.

(Mike stares at the table in shame and anger.)

Peter: I wanna go home. :(

Valerie: So do I. We'll take the quick way. (Looks at Mike, whose back is to her) We'll call in the morning, Mike. (There's a blue light, and Valerie and the sniffling Peter disappear.)

Mike: (Not even looking) Bye, guys. (Growls, pounding on the table again.) Damn Davy! (The growl becomes a strangle sob as the realization of what his temper has unleashed hits him) Damn him... (Leans his head further over the table, hiding it in shadows as we fade out.)