(We open backstage, in the women's dressing room. Lauren's chatting with Daphne, the latter still in her white gown from the last part. Emma comes in, groaning.)
Emma: Oh man...
Lauren: Em?
Emma: You know the actress who was supposed to play the witch sealed in the crystal ball?
Lauren: Yeah...
Emma: She just called out sick.
Lauren: Oh no.
Emma: And she's vitally important to the second half!
Millie: (She joins the girls) I have food in the lobby if you want any. (Frowns) What's wrong, ladies? You look like the audience just threw tomatoes at you!
Lauren: No, but they will soon.
Emma: Millie, the woman who is supposed to play the evil witch who corrupted Lord George and Lady Lauren is sick and can't go on.
Millie: She did? Oh dear, that's a shame. What are you going to do now?
Emma: (Raises her eyebrows) Millie, have you ever acted before?
Millie: (Nods) Yeah. I was in vaudeville and on the radio as a kid, and I did regional theater in New Jersey and New York before I got married.
Emma: Can you be evil?
Millie: Sure! Just ask the boys and Larry.
Emma: Would you like to be our evil witch? We won't even need to see you for a few parts. The actress who was supposed to play her recorded the lines you hear from the crystal ball, which has a tape recorder in it. We'll need you to appear once Micky gathers all the Talismans and releases you.
Millie: (Frowns) I don't know the lines.
Emma: (Grins and looks at Daphne) Daph and Val can help you! They won't need any of the women but Lauren, Coco, Tilly, and I for a while. Micky and Lauren get to be evil to Peter again in the next scene, then Lauren, Mrs. Marion, and I have that quick scene together, and the one after that is the guys at the Silver Moon Inn.
Millie: (Sighs) I'll do it, but you'll have to help me with the lines and my costume. I doubt you have the time to find someone else.
Emma: (Nods) All right. Daph, you and Val stay here and help Millie with her lines. I'll see if I can get her costume, since I’m not going on right away. Lauren, I think you're going to be on stage in a few minutes.
Lauren: Yes, I am.
Emma: Let's go, Lauren. I'll walk you over to the wings, then go to the costume room.
Lauren: *nods* Okay.
(As the girls head for the costume room and stage, they pass by Larry.)
Larry: Have you seen my hammer? I need to fix a loose board in the bar for the Silver Moon Inn set.
Emma: I think I saw a box of tools near the ladder to the catwalks.
Larry: Ok, ladies, thanks. Break a leg!
Emma: Thanks! (Larry makes his way over to the ladder just in time for Emilio to come off of it.)
Larry: Micky, have you seen my hammer?
Emilio: *produces the tool* This hammer? Had to borrow it for a moment.
Larry: Thanks. (Takes the hammer, then frowns) Shouldn't you be in costume?
Emilio: Uhhh... I didn't want to mess it up, so I changed out of it really quick.
Larry: Uh, ok. Break a leg out there, kid. (Pats Micky on the shoulder; frowns) You have an awfully hard shoulder. Feels more like metal than bone. Have you been working out?
Emilio: Yeah, pretty good, huh?
Larry: Impressive, kid. (Grins) Go knock 'em dead out there. The audience is already eating this up.
Emilio: Thanks!
Larry: (Nods) You're welcome. (He's about to pick up his tool box as Emilio takes off. He frowns and looks up) Change out of it? Why would he need to change out of it? (He goes after Emilio) Hey! Hey, Micky!
(Cut to on stage. The curtain opens to reveal the Belgravia Castle set, with the Micky and Lauren's labs and suite set already rolled out. Micky bustles around the "room," making potions. Lauren sits next to a large crystal ball filled with dark blackish-grey mist.)
Peter: (He walks on stage and knocks on the "door") Lady Lauren? Lord George?
Micky: Come in, Your Majesty.
(Peter enters. He still wears his costume from the ball, complete with elaborate crown and Talisman.)
Peter: Master, I just spoke to Valeria and the Queen's Guards.
Micky: Yes?
Peter: I was told you abducted Maid Daphne and an innocent young man from another country and put hexes on them.
Micky: *shrugs* Perhaps.
Peter: You brought a dragon on the premises. You KNOW dragons are not only an endangered species, but can be very difficult to control?
Micky: This dragon was completely under my control, Sire.
Peter: Did you attack Maid Daphne and Count Thomas in the Rose Garden?
Micky: And what if we did, Your Majesty?
Peter: Lord George, it's one thing to attack Michael, but to go after an innocent young woman and her suitor is too much! I should discharge you and Lady Lauren from Belgravia Castle.
Crystal Ball: (Deep, misty, evil voice comes from the ball) No, Your Highness. You'll not banish them.
Peter: (Eyes widen) What was that? (Glares at Lord George) Not another one of your hexes! I'll have no more of those!
Crystal Ball: He must have been with his wife. She's loosening your control over him and his energy.
Peter: My...energy?
Crystal Ball: Your good energy, and the magic energy from the Emerald Talisman.
Peter: (Puts a hand over his Talisman) You'll not have it.
Crystal Ball: We'll see, boy. Your royal status neither intimidates nor frightens me.
*Micky smirks.*
Peter: (As Lauren and Micky stand, he throws his hand out) Stop right there, Lord George. I won't let you cast your fiendish spells on me again!
Crystal Ball: He's becoming harder and harder to control.
Micky: Yes, he is. We must do something about that.
Peter: If you try anything, I could call every guard in the castle to send you to the dungeons. X(
Crystal Ball: You'll have to subdue him. He's become stronger. His wife must be giving him energy and confidence.
Peter: Don't you dare!
Micky: *picks up a potion* Let’s try this one.
Peter: I won't drink anything of yours!
Crystal Ball: Perhaps you're just tired, Your Majesty.
Peter: I've only been tired after I've drank those potions! (Frowns) And how is that Crystal Ball talking?
Micky: That Crystal Ball has special powers.
Peter: What kind of powers?
Micky: Wouldn't you like to know?
Peter: (Narrows his eyes at Micky) Yes! I want to know if it's some kind of evil weapon or magical charm!
Crystal Ball: Oh, I'm no weapon or charm...
Peter: What ARE you?
Crystal Ball: Why don't you touch me, and I'll tell you?
Micky: *puts the potion down and folds his arms* Go ahead. Touch the crystal ball.
Peter: All right, I will! (Growls) But if this is one of your tricks, Lord George, I swear I will have you and Lady Lauren banished to the far corners of the universe!
(He places his hands on the Crystal Ball. The moment he does, the both suddenly pulse with black light and sparkles. Peter gasps.)
Peter: Energy...my energy...
Micky: ...Has been drained.
Crystal Ball: Yes, give me your energy, King Peter. Your energy feels so wonderful, so trusting and gentle...
Peter: I...oohh... (He finally lets go of the crystal ball as the light subsides and he slumps on the floor.)
Crystal Ball: Ooh, that energy felt sooo good! I must have more! More good Light Energy! More!
Peter: (Whimpers) N...nooo...so...tired...can't...move...
Crystal Ball: What wonderful energy he has! Even better than the others!
Micky: I knew you'd enjoy his energy.
Peter: Please...no...my country...must run my country...
Crystal Ball: I need more Talismans. I won't have enough energy to be free until I've taken power from all five Talismans when they're together.
Micky: I'll give you mine to get you started.
Crystal Ball: (Micky touches his "Talisman" to the crystal, but she lets out a yelp) What are you doing? That's not the Diamond Talisman! It's a piece of junk!
Micky: It's... *eyes widen; roars* WHAT?!
Crystal Ball: That's not the Diamond Talisman! It's merely a piece of glass and wire!
Crystal Ball: You've been tricked, George. The sword is likely fake, too. Try to fit them together.
*Micky howls... then throws the fake Talisman, shattering it against the "wall."*
Peter: (Crawls close to Mick and whispers) Whoa, Mick! That wasn't in the script! Don't wreck the props!
Micky: *out the corner of his mouth* Thought it was a nice touch.
Peter: (Faint grin; whispers) It certainly got the audience's attention! (Out loud) George...you will never...get...the Talisman...
Crystal Ball: You can now do what you want with him. His Majesty hasn't the energy to fight back.
Micky: Excellent.
Crystal Ball: By the way, your Majesty, what did happen to the Diamond Talisman?
Peter: Don't...know...really don't...
Crystal Ball: Ahh, I suspected you wouldn't. I thought it might be worth it to try. You were Lord Michael Del Naysmythe's best friend.
Peter: Not...anymore...
Crystal Ball: I think you still think of him that way, even though he's a criminal.
Peter: Is...he?
Crystal Ball: Yes, of course. (There's a smirk in her voice) You know, Lord George, we could...use him. >:)
Peter: Use...me?
Micky: *nods* You sound like you have a particular idea in mind.
Crystal Ball: I've stripped him of his energy. Why don't you strip him of his ability to speak and think? Place him completely at your mercy.
Crystal Ball: Make him into a good slave for you. You can even give him one of your collars that you use for the Wolf Men.
Micky: *grabs the potion he previously held* Here we go. *gives Peter the potion*
(Peter sputters and gasps again, then slowly raises his head. His eyes are now total blackness, his arms are slack, and he looks dazed. He opens his mouth to speak and actually starts saying "Mick..." before he closes it again, remembering that he's not supposed to be able to talk now.)
Peter: (Leans over and whispers to Micky) No, you didn't actually take my voice. It works like you wanted it to. Oh, and thanks for slipping me those dark contacts before we came out here.
Micky: *whispers* You're welcome, Pete. I'm trying to be better.
Peter: Whatever you did, it's working. (He then just nods weakly as Micky leans over him)
Crystal Ball: Test him. Is he completely under your power now?
Micky: *turns to Peter* Spin around.
(Peter spins around...and doesn't stop.)
Peter: (Whispers to Micky as he goes around) Hey, this is fun!
Micky: *corner of his mouth* Just don't get dizzy.
Peter: (Whispers) Ok! (He stops...and almost falls into Micky) Oops.
Micky: *puts a hand on Peter's shoulder to steady him* He's completely under.
Crystal Ball: Good, good. Have your wife tell Queen Valeria that the king isn't feeling well and wishes to remain with his advisors.
*Lauren nods and heads out.*
Crystal Ball: Now, take the talisman from our weak-minded friend.
Crystal Ball: Take the Emerald Crossbow, too. >:)
*Micky reaches for & takes both items.* >:)
Crystal Ball: You and Lauren will now do all the speaking for him on matters of state.
Micky: Gladly.
Crystal Ball: You will make your own rules now.
(Peter only nods as Micky places a leather collar around his neck. His cape hides most of it.)
Crystal Ball: He's your slave now. He has no will of his own.
Micky: Excellent.
Crystal Ball: He'll remain here. You go talk to your wife now.
Micky: Very well. *heads off stage*
Crystal Ball: Come here, Peter. (He goes to her) Touch me. (He does so. There's another black light around him, and he slumps to the ground again. Evil laughter echoes in the theater and fades out as the Labs set rolls out. We cut to the Throne Room again, under a spotlight. Micky tells Lauren something we don't hear. Both grin evilly. Micky walks out stage left. The spotlight follows Lauren until she arrives at the Thrones. Emma sits in the bigger one, her face a bit dreamy. She's back in her regular Guardswoman clothes.)
(Lauren goes over to her and sits on the throne next to her.)
Lauren: Hello, Lady Emily.
Emma: Huh? (Shakes her head, then turns to Lauren) Oh, hello Lady Lauren. I didn't see you.
Lauren: You seem to be preoccupied.
Emma: There's just a lot on my mind these days.
Lauren: Like what?
Emma: Well, everything that happened last night, for one. (Glares at Lauren) Why did you do that to my ward? She's never harmed you!
Lauren: She was causing trouble.
Emma: She did nothing of the kind! Well, not to you, anyway. (Sighs) I wish the girl would choose a suitor, but she still vows she'll love no one but Lord Michael's apprentice David.
Lauren: Which is one of her main problems.
Emma: I've told her that I'll not allow her to marry a criminal, even if he was the apprentice of the White Knight himself!
Lauren: Though you certainly seemed to enjoy the company of the White Knight.
Emma: (Sighs again, but shakes her head) There's something strange about him. Something that's so familiar. I know his voice, even under that thick accent.
Lauren: What's familiar?
Emma: He...he reminds me of someone. Someone I knew very, very well. And Michael... (shakes her head again) I don't know why he brought David here last night. I hope he got out as quickly as he could. (Leans back and thinks) Michael...the White Knight...
Emma: (Snaps her fingers) I knew it! I knew it last night! I knew his kiss!
Lauren: Knew...what?
Emma: (Gets up from the throne) I have to tell Lady Barria! (Makes a face) And I have to tell the King and Queen. I know he's the one who's been stealing gold from those nobles' carriages...
(Lauren gets up from her throne and blocks her from stage right.)
Emma: (As Lauren pulls out some powder) Lady Lauren, what are you doing?
Lauren: I'm looking for some truth. *blows the powder in Emma's face*
Emma: (Coughs) What? (But her eyes finally glaze over) I...I'm in love with the White Knight. I know what he's doing is legally wrong, but he's doing it to help the people of Lone Star Town. He probably thinks it's the only way he can help them.
Lauren: Interesting...
Emma: The White Knight has rescued me twice and kissed me twice. He's always there when Daphne and I need him. (Closes her eyes, then says) He's always there because he was once my fiancee. The White Knight is Lord Michael Del Naysmythe. He carries the Diamond Sword. I saw it last night, but I didn't figure it out until just now.
Lauren: *Grabs Emma's arm and starts to lead her slowly* You seem to be getting over excited. Let’s let you rest some.
Emma: Yes...
Mrs. Marion: Stop! (She hurries into the room) Where are you taking that girl?
(Mrs. Marion wedges herself between Lauren and Emma. Emma shakes her head, groaning, as her eyes return to their usual gray.)
Emma: Wha...
(Mrs. Marion throws her staff and ball in front of Lauren.)
*Lauren growls.*
Mrs. Marion: (She gently takes Emma's arm) Come on, dear. I'm going to help you. (Glares at Lauren) And break whatever spell SHE put on you. There's something strange going on here, but I haven't the time to ask what. Stay away from her, the other Guardswomen, and her ward from now on, or you'll answer to ME. (She leads Emma away, leaving Lauren fuming as the curtain closes and we fade out.)