Ok, so, everyone ready to finish this one off?

Mike: No - we have some business to take care of.

Peter: Yeah.

Micky: You bet!

Davy: Ready.

(We open in the Beach Cave. It's a few days later. Everyone sits around the large main room. The twins, Katie, and Jordan chase each other. Lizzie, Robbie, and Leah play on a blanket on one side of the room, near the couches. Davy leans over Ursula - a pair of feet are under her. Lauren and Valerie chat on one couch, Valerie cuddling a sleeping Austin. Daphne watches the three younger children. Mike chats with Peter.)

Bob: Wow, hi everyone...and I do mean everyone!

Mike: I wanted everyone to be here 'cause I have somethin' important to say.

Emma: When Micky's finished messing around with Ursula.

Ursula: I wanted Micky to "mess around." I thought I may have gotten some water in me the other day.

Micky: *Slightly muffled* You did, but you look dried out now. *slides out from underneath* You're looking A-OK now, Urse.

Ursula: Thank you, Micky.

Bert: So, what's all the pomp and circumstance, Mike?

Micky: *Wipes his hands* Yeah, Mike, what's the get-together for?

Mike: (Sighs) I've been thinkin', especially after what happened earlier this week, with the pirates n' everything. Em n' I have talked this over, and... (pause, then) we don't think we're qualified to lead the MonkeeLeague alone anymore.

Micky: What?

Davy: What're you talking about, mate?

Mike: You saw what happened when the Devils took Em's soul and kidnapped me.

Valerie: Peter stepped in.

Peter: (Blushes) I only did what had to be done.

Mike: From what I gathered, you were a leader, Peter.

Peter: But I'm not...

Emma: You're a teacher, aren't you, Peter?

Peter: Yes, but what does that...

Mike: Teachers are leaders, buddy. If you're gonna teach kids, you gotta know how to lead them.

Emma: We want you and Valerie to be co-leaders with us.

Peter: You...do?

Valerie: Mike, you always seemed determined to lead us alone.

Mike: Until last year, I was. After what happened at the Arizona complex last year, when Alex did a number on me with that machine of his, I started thinkin'. What would happen if they took me out entirely? Or Em? They've come pretty close.

Emma: After a couple of close shaves last year and early this year, we've decided that things have gotten too complicated for the two of us to make all decisions regarding the team on our own.

Peter: I'm honored, Michael. I always thought...well, I thought you guys still considered me to be the dummy.

Mike: Pete, we never thought you were dumb. Well, not that dumb, anyway. You were more naive than anythin' else. You haven't even been that in a real long time.

Valerie: Honey, you're far from dumb. You're a college graduate and are about to start a job in a prestigious local high school! You just need to start thinking better of yourself. (Leans gently over and kisses her husband) You're the smartest man I know, Peter Thorkleson. You not only stopped the pirates, you rescued Mike and saved Emma's soul.

Micky: And saved my butt, too, when we jumped into the drink.

Mike: I'd say you were the big hero this time around, Pete.

Davy: *Nods* I'd say so, too.

Peter: Michael, I do want to lead. I'm just afraid that what happened last year...

Mike: ....Happened because I wouldn't admit I wasn't invincible and you're capable of doin' more than your share of the leadin'.

Emma: I can't believe he just said he's not invincible.

Micky: Was anyone recording that?

Mike: I think I figured that out after Alex drove me almost literally off my nut last fall.

Peter: I wish I'd thought to bring a recorder.

Mike: So... (he stands) would ya'll rise?

(Everyone does so, except for the youngest kids, who continue to play sitting down. Valerie sets the sleeping Austin in a carrier.)

Mike: (He and Emma turn to Peter and Valerie) Peter Thorkleson, the Golden Bard...

Emma: And Valerie Cartwright Thorkleson, the Aristocrat...

Mike: You're both now co-leaders of the Guardians of the Light, AKA the MonkeeLeague. We're hopin' you accept.

Peter: (Puts up a hand) I accept.

Valerie: (Grins) So do I.

Micky: *Sniffs, wiping a non-existent tear from his eye* That was beautiful.

(Everyone laughs. Mike just shakes his head.)

Peter: It's an honor, Michael.

Valerie: I think so, too.

Bert: Now that the ceremony is over, let's ask some questions. Inquiring minds, or at least my mind, wants to know - what happened to the pirates and the Devils?

Mike: The pirates were arrested for grand larceny, kidnapping, and wanton destruction of private property. They're bein' held in the jail and will be sentenced at the end of this week.

Emma: Most of the equipment was returned, but there were still bits and pieces missing. The majority of the valuables that were stolen from the party boats were returned to their owners, including their souls.

Bert: What about the Devils?

Peter: They wiggled out again with more community service. (Smirks) But it's basic community service this time. Nothing glamorous like restoring a crumbled ruin. They have to pick up litter in parks and pull trash out of the ocean.

Mike: I'd pay to see Sheila do THAT.

Micky: *Taps his fingers on Urse* I wonder...

Peter: What is it, Mick?

Micky: Only MOST of the equipment was returned. So the rest of it...what do we wanna bet the rest is in Alex's hands?

Mike: More than likely.

Peter: I'm not even sure I want to know what he intends to do with it.

Micky: *Shrugs* Who knows? I'm sure it won't be pretty.

Mike: And it'll probably hurt.

Bob: Speaking of hurt...hey Micky, how are you feeling?

Micky: Better, though I'm still sore.

Peter: I'm sorry things got so rough in those last parts, Mick, but you were a big help.

Micky: *Claps Peter's shoulder* I'll be just fine. I'm just glad to have helped.

Mike: You guys did a great job. You make a nice team.

Peter: Thank you, Michael!

Micky: Thanks.

Ursula: Though I was annoyed with Mike at first, I'm frankly proud of all of you now. You came out of that very well.

Mike: Thanks, Urse.

Peter: We all appreciate that.

Bob: So, what's next on the horizon?

Bert: Next month IS October...

Mike: As long as they don't drive me nuts and nobody dies, I don't care what's up next.

Lauren: I wouldn't say "nobody dies..."

Micky: Huh?

Davy: Way to question, Mick.

Emma: Let's just say that nobody you know right now dies.

Mike: Well, that was vague.

Micky: About as clear as mud.

Emma: We didn't really do much of a Halloween story last year. We got too caught up with finishing that four-parter. We're going to try for some genuine horror this year. A nicely spooky mystery featuring everyone's favorite spy master.

Mike: Does Honeywell HAVE to be involved? That guy is a grade-A nitwit.

Davy: He's had his moments, though.

Emma: Don't worry. It won't get too bloody or anything. We don't do slasher horror or anything too freaky. We're mostly going for "boo" scares...but there will be some deaths involved. Just not bloody ones.

Mike: That makes me feel a lot better.

Emma: We both more-or-less developed this idea and are looking forward to it, so look for this one by the middle of next month, in time for Halloween.

Bert: Hey, how are the kids? Have they gone back to school yet?

Katie: I'm startin' kindergarten tomorrow! I can't wait! Mama took me to see the school last week. I love it! I'm gonna be in a big room with lotsa toys an' a blackboard and my own table, an' we're gonna have story time an' art time an' music time an' learn 'bout numbers and letters n' stuff! My teacher, Miss Ross, is really nice too!

Mike: That's all she's talked about for the past two weeks.

Bob: How about the twins, the big first graders?

Micky: They're first graders, all right... and won't let us forget it. *rolls his eyes*

Lauren: They've picked up a bit of the swelled head that Mick gets on occasion.

Katie: They get to play in the big kids' playground now!

Jordan: (Frowns) I don't go to school yet!

Peter: You'll be going next year. (He pulls the little boy next to him) Besides, we need your help right now taking care of your brother.

Jordan: (Nods) 'Cause he's still little, right?

Peter: Right. You can play with him and keep him company when Mommy or I are busy.

Emma: And Lauren has a while before she'll be alone at home during the day. Miss Leah doesn't start yet, either...and there's another one coming.

Bob: How are you feeling these days, Lauren?

Mike: You havin' any weird cravin's yet?

Lauren: Not yet, really. And I'm still feeling fine.

Emma: She probably won't be really bad until the winter.

Mike: (Leans over Micky and whispers) She havin' any of those mood swings she always gets when she's pregnant yet?

Micky: *Leans over to Mike* No, nothing. It’s kinda scaring me.

Mike: Maybe she's savin' it up for right before the kid pops out.

Micky: *Groans* Great.

Mike: At least you two are doin' it again. (Makes a face) I think the chicks do it in turns. Em's bein' stubborn now.

Micky: *Makes a face* Ouch. Sorry to hear.

Mike: I don't know what it is. She ain't talkin'. Has Lauren said anythin' 'bout there bein' somethin' wrong with Em?

Micky: No, she hasn't.

Mike: I gotta talk to her...and soon. Maybe now that Katie's in school, I'll have more time.

Bob: Where did you get the idea for this one?

Emma: This goes back to our chats late last year and early this year. I think it was an idea of Lauren's to do a real pirate story, and not one involving play pirates, like we did in "Pirates of Malibu Beach." (Frowns) It ended up being more timely than we planned; real-life modern pirates were in the news earlier this year.

Peter: Most people think of pirates as being a thing of the past, men in hats with big feathers, wearing peg legs and carrying a parrot. Pirates do still exist in certain parts of the world, such as the Carribean...and there, they're neither a thing of the past nor something to romanticize.

Emma: You can find more about modern and historical pirates at your local library and online.

Mike: I think it's time we took the kids home for lunch. Pete, you more than deserve to be the one to finish out this month.

Peter: (Grins) Thanks, Mike. (Turns to the camera) We here at Dream World hope all our American readers had a wonderful Labor Day! Everyone else, enjoy the beginning of the fall.

Valerie: (Makes a sleepy Austin wave) See you next month!

Jordan: (Waves) Bye-bye!

(And we cut from everyone leaving the Beach Cave to the credits. "Gettin' In" plays over scenes from the "production." The credits end with a shot of all of the families in front of the Beach Cave, including little Austin, and the words "A Raybert Production" superimposed over the shot.)