*We open on stage once more, with the Throne Room set in place. Micky is once again draped over his throne. Peter stands almost center stage, facing Micky.*
Peter: I'm here, Master. You wished to see me.
Micky: Yes, you Majesty. How are you feeling, Sire?
Peter: A little tired, Master. I haven't been really feeling right lately. (Peter sits down next to Micky and leans his head into his hands. He then looks up and says) Master, did we do the right thing about Lady Lorrena and Lord Andrew?
Micky: *nods* Yes, Sire, we did.
Peter: What of Lone Star Manor? It now has no leader. (Whispers into Micky's ear; groans) Micky, I really do feel strange. Kind of light-headed...
Micky: *whispers back* Don't worry about it, Pete. You'll be fine. *Out loud* I would be willing to take over charge of Lone Star Manor.
Peter: Yes...maybe you could...
(Micky reaches for Peter's head and rubs it again. Peter's eyes cloud over, and he smiles a little.)
Peter: Yes...yes. You will take total control of Lone Star Manor and its people. You are the Lord of Lone Star Town.
(Peter finally leans against Micky, moaning.)
Micky: Thank you, Sire.
Peter: You may do what you wish with the taxes and the treasury.
Micky: *smirks* Excellent!
Peter: I will not concern myself with your affairs.
Micky: Very good, Sire. I respect your wishes.
Peter: I will do what you want me to do. I am your servant. (He bows his head slightly before Micky.)
(Peter and Micky look up as Lauren enters the Throne Room. She's rumpled but not entirely unhappy.)
Peter: Hello, Milady.
Micky: *frowns* What happened?
Lauren: We still have the Queen's guards, but not the Queen.
Micky: *rolls his eyes and groans* Geez...
Peter: (Smiles) Valerie...Valeria? She's ok?
Lauren: Yes, she's okay. *turns to Micky* I did find out some interesting information.
Micky: *raises an eyebrow* Which is?
Lauren: Michael and David are still alive.
Micky: *roars* WHAT?!
Peter: I thought you said they were gone.
(Thoughtful) If they're here...maybe they should have Lone Star Manor...
(Micky quickly leans over and rubs Peter's head again.)
Micky: None of that nonsense, Sire. *shoots a glare at Lauren, who shrugs*
Peter: No...you should have Lone Star Manor...
Micky: Much better.
Peter: What are we going to do about them, Milady? You said they were in the Parched Mountains.
Lauren: We have to figure something out...
Micky: *snaps his fingers* A talent show! And the winner gets to perform at the Ball!
Peter: That's right. The Court Ball is very soon. The members of the court search for suitors there. All eligible gentlemen and ladies attend. (Thoughtful) Michael was very fond of music. He and I used to play together and took lessons together. His ward is a fine singer. (Frowns) How will we bring them here? They'll surely know this is a trap.
(The Angellettes appear at this point, leading Valerie. She groans, holding her head in her hand. Lillian sticks her tongue out at Lauren and Micky, then goes to Peter.)
Lillian: (Bows) Sire, a group of woodsmen arrived on a carriage with Queen Valeria. They said she had been enchanted and that Lady Lauren had attempted to kidnap her.
Peter: (Eyes widen; stares at Lauren) You did? Did you kidnap Valeria?
Lauren: I did not! I was merely taking her for a ride.
Audrey: Ok then, where are the other Guards? They ain't been seen since this afternoon, when they were with Valeria!
Valerie: (Finally looks up) They did something to them, imprisoned them in some kind of ball...
Peter: (Looks at Micky and Lauren) Is this true?
Micky: That is not true. We sent them on an errand, that's all.
Valerie: (She shakes her head) Peter, no! I saw them do it!
Peter: They were sent on an errand, Valeria. (Looks at Micky) Where did you send them?
Valerie: Peter, don't listen to them!
Micky: They're preparing invitations for the ball, if you must know.
Peter: See, Valeria? They're just preparing invitations for the ball.
(Emma and Daphne enter at this point, both dressed in chain mail; Daphne wears Peter's costume from "Fairy Tale" with boots instead of wall-climbing shoes.)
Emma: (Glares at Micky) We return from our mission in Gilbralda, only to find that someone has made off with our queen! (Growls) And I know who it is!
Peter: Calm yourself, Lady Emily. Everything is well.
Micky: Yes, as you can see *motions to Valerie* our Queen is just fine.
Valerie: But Lauren DID make off with me, and the girls ARE missing!
Emily: (She puts her arms around Valerie) There there, my queen. I'll take you to your room. I'm sure you need to rest after your trip. (Mutters to Val) We'll discuss this there. Everything...including Micky and Peter.
Valerie: (Nods, then adds) But...
Emma: No buts. (She leads her out of the Throne Room. Peter watches, frowning.)
Audrey: (Turns to Daphne) Hey Daph, I almost forgot. Some guy gave me this note. Said to meet you in the usual place. (Grins) Got a hot new boyfriend?
Daphne: Well...
Lillian: Groovy! Have you told Emily yet?
Winnie: Is he sizzlin'?
*Daphne blushes.*
Audrey: (As part of the Throne Room set rolls in to reveal a "window" and part of the Rose Garden set) We'll just leave the kid to her new little romance.
Lillian: Call us when you have the weddin'!
Peter: (Smiles) See, Mic...Lord George was right when he said you would find a new suitor.
Daphne: *nods* Yes.
Peter: Go to him, dear girl. I'm sure he's waiting anxiously.
Daphne: Thank you, Sire.
Peter: You're welcome.
*Daphne heads for the rose garden.*
(Davy is there, dressed as a Knight in chain mail similar to Daphne's and the mustache again.)
Davy: Oh luv, I'm so happy to see you! (He takes her in his arms and kisses her deeply) I've missed you so much. I practically begged to help John and Marcus bring the Queen back to the castle. I really need to find a way to come here more often without being seen. (He kisses her more.)
Daphne: *nods* Yes, yes, you do!
Davy: (More serious) Daphne, we're in danger. I think Lady Lauren knows we're still alive. She used one of her spells the force the truth from Michael.
Daphne: *eyes widen* Oh dear, that’s not good.
Davy: We're lucky the other men were able to stop him from telling her everything. He's so upset with himself right now. He's locked himself in the back room of the Silver Moon Inn and is making plans.
Daphne: How horrible!
Davy: They did something to the Queen. She was giggly and dazed. We helped her out of that as much as possible, but I think she'll still need some rest tonight. (Frowns) Has Lady Lauren returned? I assume she wouldn't admit to kidnapping the Queen. She wouldn't even admit it to us!
Daphne: She did return, and she still says it wasn't a kidnapping.
Davy: They must have something up their sleeves, if they're desperate enough to kidnap the Queen out from under the King and the Court's noses. Are they there now?
Daphne: Yes, I just left them.
Davy: (Grin widens) Why don't we do a little spying and find out what their next plan is?
Davy: (Grins) If I remember correctly, this window looks right into the Throne Room.
Daphne: Good thinking.
(They peer discreetly into the Throne Room, where Micky and Lauren now lean over Peter. Lauren produces a flask and Micky opens his mouth.)
Peter: (After he closes his mouth and coughs; Lauren slaps his back) I...I'm sorry, Master. I will not ask you about Lord Michael again.
Micky: *nods* Better.
Peter: Where will we hold the Talent Show, Master?
Micky: At Lone Star Manor, where else?
Peter: Yes, good. We will send our couriers from one end of Belgravia to the other to tell every entertainer and musician about the show.
Davy: (Whispers to Daphne) I know Mike would want to join that show...and Peter would, too. I'll bet this is some kind of trap.
Daphne: More than likely.
Peter: (Turns to Micky and Lauren) We need to make plans for the Ball. We will formally announce your becoming the new lord of Lone Star Manor there, and I'm sure Valeria will want to encourage her Guards to find good suitors.
Davy: Oh no! (Eyes widen) They're turning the Manor over to that awful warlock?
Daphne: Merciful Heavens! There has to be something we can do!
Peter: Perhaps we could suggest one of the members of my Court to Emily as a suitor for Daphne? There are some perfectly nice young men there.
Micky: Agreed. Poor girl could use a nice young man.
Peter: And we must be on the lookout for Michael and his band of thieves, both at the ball and the Talent Show. They may try something.
Davy: Over my dead BODY they'll find you another suitor, Daph!
Daphne: I won't accept anyone but you, David!
Lauren: We must remain vigilant.
Peter: Who will judge the contest?
Micky: Well, how about the four of us? I think the Queen would enjoy it.
Peter: I would as well. I'm a good musician myself. Perhaps I could play, too. I wouldn't compete, but I would show my people my other talents.
Micky: Of course, Sire!
Peter: (Yawns) I'm so tired. Why am I so tired? (He leans his head on his hands) I can't be tired. I have so much to do. I have to prepare my song...rehearse my lines...talk to Valerie... (Yawns)
Micky: *puts a hand on Peter's shoulder* You're going to be just fine, Peter, just fine.
Davy: (Frowns) What's wrong with our King? He's never lacked energy like this before. (Whispers to Daphne so only she can hear) I think there's somethin' wrong with him. He really does look tired...and the end of that wasn't in the script!
Daphne: *shakes her head; whispers* You don't suppose that's still Micky's doing, do you?
Davy: (Whispers) I'm not sure. Micky's been tryin' to impress everyone with his special effects. I think he may be tryin' a bit to hard...and doin' too well.
Peter: (Yawns and smiles) Yes, I am. Should I go see Valeria now? I'm sure she's resting in our chambers.
Micky: Yes, go see her, Sire.
Peter: Yes, I'll go see her. (He heads off. Micky turns to Lauren)
Micky: Shall we go to our chambers and make our plans as well?
Lauren: Let’s. ;)
Micky: We'll make sure Michael and his little ward never live to play another note. (They walk off-stage together, laughing evilly)
Davy: (Turns to Daphne) I don't like this, Daph. There must be a way to enter that show without bein' discovered.
Daphne: I don't, either.
Davy: A show that size will have a cash prize we can give to the poor people of Lone Star Town. (Smiles) And it would get us into the ball. Michael can filch jewelry to pawn for the poor (takes Daphne in his arms) and I'll be with you.
Daphne: And we can find the rest of the Queen's guards!
Davy: (Frowns) I should have known they'd do something to your friends, if they had the Queen. Micky and Lauren must have enchanted them to get them out of the way. (Blushes) Um, George and Lauren... (Mutters) I wish Em hadn't used similar names. The specials are bad enough, but this is damned confusing.
Daphne: *mutters* Or just let us use our names.
Davy: (Hears footsteps) I'd better go, luv. I'll see you at the Talent Show! (He takes off just as Audrey of the Angellettes appears)
Audrey: Hey, are you comin'? The Queen gave us the afternoon off. She and His Royal Majesty want some pickle and tickle time, if you know what I mean.
Daphne: *chuckles* Yeah, I know. Let’s go!
(The camera follows Audrey and Daphne as they make their way backstage. We have a glimpse of the stagehands readying the next set as Micky catches up with Peter, who has his head in his hand.)
Micky: Pete, you okay?
Peter: No, Micky, not really. I've felt really light-headed and dizzy ever since we began. I wonder if I should go lie down again.
Micky: *frowns* I'm sorry, Peter. I'm almost positive it's my fault you feel this way.
Peter: What do you mean?
Micky: I have been mildly muddling you because I wanted it to look realistic, but, as usual, I went overboard.
Peter: (Frowns) You've really been muddling me. You really muddled Valerie, too. Micky, why? You're usually more careful with your powers.
Micky: *rubs at the back of his neck* There's a Hollywood producer in the audience and I wanted to make things look good so that...maybe... have another chance at being an actor. *wary smile*
Peter: Oh. Well, I understand THAT. I don't really care much about acting, but I'd certainly like another chance to do a special or a show with you guys. (Sighs) But you have to remember, our powers can really drain people when not used right.
Micky: I really was trying to just keep it light, but I think I'm still having control problems. Must be nerves.
Peter: Micky, why don't we go into the dressing room while they're reading the Lone Star Manor set? We have a few minutes. We can work on that control and on calming you down (yawns) and waking me up.
Micky: *nods* Let’s do that.
Millie: (As the boys turn and head to the dressing rooms) There you are, Micky! (Shakes her head) I thought you went to the bathroom.
Micky: Uh... *realizes* Yeah, I did, then I caught up with Peter.
Millie: All right. I thought I saw you go up in the Electrician's Box, but... (shakes her head, walking off)
Peter: Someone has got to talk to Emilio. He has to be more careful around other people.
Micky: *shakes his head* He probably doesn't realize what he's doing.
Peter: Why don't you have a chat with him after the next scene? After all, you are his original.
Micky: Yeah, I'll do that.
Peter: (Yawns again) I think we'd better get to the dressing rooms, before I decide to go to sleep right here.
(They laugh and walk off together...not seeing Emilio walk around behind them, eating lug nuts.)