(We open back onstage as the Angellettes narrate again and Micky gives orders to the crew as they prepare the Rose Garden and Queen's Chambers sets.)

Micky: Can you guys move that tree over just a little bit? Thanks!

Mike: (He joins Micky) How's it comin'?

Micky: Better. *grins* I'm not feeling quite so murderous anymore, though I AM going to trash Chris a little.

Mike: Just don't do anythin' that's too off the script. I don't want Em killin' anyone either.

Micky: I'm trying. Better remind the others of that.

Mike: Oh don't worry, I will. (Grins) Oh, and one more question. Where did you meet the guy who did the make-up for the "Wolf Man" and Davy's "Frog Man" get-ups? They did a terrific job!

Micky: Believe it or not, he's one of the guys I work with in the architecture gig.

Mike: Seriously, we've gotta get some of the professional stagehands to mention his name to someone. He's GOOD.

(The camera cuts to a shot from above as Mike continues to chat with Micky. We see a sand bag snap, and then fall as we cut down to the stage.)

Mike: The girls should be just about ready to...yikes!

Micky: What...

(Mike pushes Micky out of the way in time to just miss a sand bag falling. It lands on the stage with a "whoomp!" )

Mike: Whew! That was a close one. You ok, Mick?

Micky: What the hell? *sees the sand bag; eyes widen* Ooohhhh... *Goes to the sand bag and nudges it with his toe, then looks up* Who the hell let this fall? Someone could've been really hurt...like you or me!

Mike: It was probably just an accident. This is an old theater, and everyone's been runnin' around tonight an' not payin' attention to the sand bags.

Micky: *gives Mike a disbelieving look* You just don't want me to kick someone's ass for this.

Mike: That, too...but seriously, Mick, no one here would pull a trick like THIS. Even the Martians.

Micky: *makes a face* Maybe.

Mike: Come on. We've gotta get onstage. You and Lauren have to grab the girls, and we've gotta try to save them.

Micky: *still unhappy* Yeah.

(The camera moves onstage as we find the Angellettes narrating again.)

Audrey: Hello, folks! All of us ladies are just coming in from practice. The Queen wanted to see us.

Lillian: I think she wants to ask us about the King. He's been actin' so weird. I don't think he's said a word for days!

Winnie: And what's all this talk about him turnin' the runnin' of the kingdom over to Lord George? It's bad enough he's in charge of Lone Star Town!

Audrey: Maybe we should ask the Queen herself. She knows the king better than anyone.

Winnie: I ain't so sure anymore...and I don't think she is, either.

Audrey: Well, let's talk to her anyway. We've got things to tell her.

Lillian: Right. (The go through the curtain as it opens to reveal the Throne Room with the Queen's Chambers set. Valerie sits at her vanity, drumming her fingers on the top and looking nervous. Emma, Daph, and the Abbies and Angellettes enter.)

Valerie: Hello, ladies. What have you found?

Emma: I'm sorry, my Queen. We tried, but we lost track of him.

Valerie: Lost track of Peter? But how...

Maxine: He disappeared into the Throne Room.

Jenny: And he never came out!

Emma: (Frowns) I think Lady Lauren and Lord George may have been there too, Your Majesty.

Valerie: It hardly surprises me, Lady Emily. I know they've been doing horrible things to my husband's mind for months now.

Emma: We believe the King may have been placed under some kind of enchantment. We don't know exactly what.

Maxine: Why else would he not come out?

Valerie: (Gulps) Or not come out as a human...

Emma: Do you think...

Valerie: I know. They must have turned him into one of those hideous man-dog beasts, like they've done to those missing men of Lone Star Town!

Emma: He's our king, Your Majesty. Why would they do that to him?

Valerie: He is no king to them, just an obstruction to be shoved aside. (She rubs her stomach) Oh, my little one...

*The door to Valerie's chambers opens, revealing Lauren and the Jolly Green Giants, all smirking.*

Emma: (Goes to Valerie and puts her hand gently but firmly on her shoulder) Hello, Lady Lauren.

Valerie: (Glares at Lauren) What have you done with my husband? Where are you keeping him?

(The Abbies and Angellettes all draw their weapons.)

Lauren: That doesn't matter. The fellas and I are here to escort all of you ladies as our special guests.

Emma: (Gets closer to Valerie) We won't be going anywhere with YOU.

Maxine: Yeah. Been there, done that, unless you have another (coughs; slight smirk) "dragon" hiding in tall towers.

Cory: (He goes to Maxine) You're beautiful when you smirk.

Maxine: Thanks, but I told you, I'm not interested.

Bobby: You'll all be.

Audrey: (Points to the pouch Bobby pulls out) Hey what's...whoa! (Emma pulls Daphne out of the way and the Angelltettes jump out of the way as the Giants blow yellow powder onto Kimberly, Maxine, and Jenny.)

Valerie: (Turns furiously to Lauren) What was THAT? Are you placing your horrid curses on my Guardswomen now?

Lauren: Our curses aren't horrid!

Maxine: (Coughs and sputters) Man, that stuff smells! I...I... (Her eyes cloud over - Kimberly and Jenny's are, too) I feel so...light...dizzy...

Cory: (Takes Maxine's hand) Perhaps you need to sit down for a bit, my Maxina. (Takes her staff from her and hands it to Lauren)

Maxine: (Dazed monotone) Yes. I'll lie down for a bit.

Cory: (Strokes her blond hair) You're so pretty. We'll sit in the Gardens. They're a nice place for relaxing.

Maxine: Yes. I will go with you. (He leads her away and offstage)

*Bobby take Kimberly's staff and hands it to Lauren. He wraps an arm around her shoulders, whispering in her ear. Kimberly smiles slightly.*

(Jenny almost literally falls into Joe's arms. He takes her staff and hands it to Lauren, then picks her up and carries her out.)

Valerie: What did you DO to them?

Audrey: They were actin' like zombies or somethin'!

Lauren: Or something.

Valerie: Return them to their right minds!

Audrey: (Holds up her staff) Or else!

Emma: After all, there are five of us and only one of you.

Lauren: I think I can even up the odds a little.

*There's a blue light, and Micky appears, arms folded over his chest.*

Emma: (She, Daph, and the Angellettes reach for their staffs) Lord George. I should have known you were behind this.

Valerie: Restore the minds of my Guardswomen!

Micky: Not a chance, Your Highness. We're taking over completely, and would like to do so without any fuss.

Valerie: You'll never take over the castle! My husband's family has ruled Belgravia for centuries!

Micky: I think we already have.

Emma: The citizens of this country won't allow you to rule! There will be rebellion!

Daphne: They love our Queen and King, and everyone knows of the things you've done to Lone Star Town.

Emma: (She and Daphne block Valerie with their staffs; the Angellettes stand behind them for cover) We'll NOT let you harm our Queen the way you did poor King Peter!

Lillian: Yeah, that poor guy just up and vanished! :p

Micky: The people will bow at our feet... even if we have to make them.

Valerie: No one will ever bow for you. You're both nothing but traitors to the crown! I should call our Army and have you sent to the dungeons!

*Lauren produces a handful of powder and blows it in Valerie's face.*

Emma: (She recognizes the powder too late) Nooo! Your Majesty!

Valerie: (Coughs) Oh...oh my... (She lifts her head, dazedly) I'm worried about my husband. He's been acting so peculiarly lately.

Audrey: What's goin' on? What's wrong?

Emma: The truth powder! You did to her what you did to me the other day!

Lauren: Yes, I did.

Valerie: (Continues as if she hasn't heard anyone) One minute, Peter will be kittenish, affectionate. The next, he'll be so distant and tired. It's as if all the energy had been stripped from his body.

Emma: Oh Valeria, please don't say anymore. That's what she wants.

Lauren: What do you think of the White Knight?

Valerie: On one hand, I agree with my Guardswomen that he cuts a delightfully romantic figure. (Makes a face) On the other hand, he's lucky my husband's too distracted to send people to arrest him. He's stealing from innocent nobles, and no matter how good the cause, that's illegal in Belgravia.

(Emma blushes at the mention of the White Knight. Daphne nudges her, grinning. The Angellettes nudge each other and giggle.)

Lauren: Do you worry about your husband being unable to rule, and about your child?

Valerie: (Nods, her face sad) Yes, quite often. Peter's been showing signs of mental instability ever since the war. And my child... (she rubs her stomach) what will I do without his father? I love Peter so!

Emma: Oh Queen Valeria...

Lauren: Your suspicious of us?

Valerie: I have been suspicious of you for months, ever since Peter banished Michael and David. I know Peter. He and Michael are as close as friends can be! Peter would never do something so rash if he were under his own control. My Guardswomen have spied on you for months now.

Lauren: What have you found out about us?

Valerie: You tried to kidnap Maid Daphne and turn her suitor into a frog. You want the talismans badly, but the Guardswomen can't figure out why, or what for. You've been experimenting with your powders and drugs on men from Lone Star Town and Belgrave Castle, including my husband.

Emma: Valeria, stop!

Valerie: You both have some kind of strange Crystal Ball that speaks, but no one knows what it does, or how it can speak. The Guardswomen have decided that it holds great magic.

Audrey: Man, I guess we ain't gonna be spyin' anymore.

Valerie: Captain Nyles and his assistant have the Talismans, but cannot make them work.

Emma: (Turns to Lauren) Let her go! She'll reveal no more to you!

Valerie: Lady Emily is hopelessly in love with the White Knight, and Maid Daphne with her apprentice. Kimber, Jenna, and Maxina fancy the men who always accompany them.

Emma: (Takes Valerie lightly by the shoulders) No more! You'll tell her no more!

Valerie: Lady Emily was preparing the Guardswomen to confront you and Lord George head-on about these matters.

Emma: Valeria, please!

Lillian: So the whole confrontation thing is off?

Valerie: We were going to question you about Peter and possibly attempt to save hife life and his sanity.

Emma: (She steps in front of Valerie) And we still will!

Micky: *smirks* I rather doubt that.

Emma: (Shoves the staff against Lauren's throat) Release our Queen from your dastardly spell!

Lauren: *nods* Okay. *Blows another powder at Valerie. This time, the pregnant woman faints.*

Audrey: Your Majesty! (She and the other Angellettes run to Valerie and take her in their arms, feeling her pulse and her forehead. Daphne confronts Micky.)

Emma: WHAT DID YOU DO TO VALERIA! If you've harmed her or the baby in any way, I'll...

Daphne: *fuming* I oughta stick my foot where the sun don't shine!

*Micky scoffs.*

Audrey: (Holding Valerie's hand) She seems ok, just really sleepin’.

Emma: (Leans further into Lauren) Awaken her! NOW!

Lauren: No can do. Only her husband can awaken her.

Emma: (Shoves into Lauren hard) LIFT THAT SPELL, WITCH!

Lillian: (Sadly) Oh, our poor Queen...

Winnie: Where IS her husband?

Audrey: What have you done with him? He must awaken our Queen!

Lauren: He is elsewhere.

Winnie: Then bring him thisware!

Lauren: No.

Emma: You try my patience, witch. Free our Queen (grins and nods at Daphne) or Maid Daphne has my permission to play kick the can with your husband's manly parts.

Micky: No chance.

Daphne: *shrugs* Don't say we didn't warn you!

Micky: You wouldn't. *Steps forward as Daphne's foot shoots up and DOES make contact in a sensitive spot. He drops to his knees. Daphne's eyes widen. She didn't mean to really hit him!*

Emma: (Mutters) Oh shit. (Out loud; to Lauren) You see how serious we are?

Audrey: (She leans over Micky; she's the closest to him) You ok, man? She got you pretty good. :p

Micky: *groans; higher pitched* No... that hurt... :P

*Lauren turns toward the door and whistles, calling for reinforcements.*

Emma: (Whispers to Micky) Once we're backstage, have someone get you some ice and aspirin for that.

(The Wolf Men spring into the room, lead by Andrew.)

Andrew: You called us, Milady?

Emma: The Wolf Beasts!

Lauren: Get them!

(One of the Wolf Men duels with Daphne. Three more go after the Angellettes. Audrey and Lillian manage to get Valerie on the bed before they can harm her.)

Emma: Lady Audrey, Lady Lillian, and Lady Winifred, go get help!

Winnie: Aw, I'm having fun! (Whacks a Wolf-Man on his back with her staff and knocks him down)

Audrey: Hey! (She ducks away from another Wolf-Man) I think it's gettin' a little too crowded in here for my likin'.

Lillian: And these guys smell! (She pulls away from the Wolf Man who looms over her, holding her nose)

Audrey: (She pokes another Wolf Man in the shoulder as he reaches for her) Let's get outta here!

Winnie: (As the girls take off stage right) We'll come back with help for ya, Lady Em!

Emma: Tell them what's going on! (She struggles with Andrew as the Angellettes take off)

Andrew: (He touches Emma's face) You are pretty. You are pretty girl. Why you not have husband?

Emma: I almost did, once. He...he left me. I'll not have a suitor ever again. Men cannot be trusted.

Andrew: Even me? A beast?

Emma: Most of all a beast.

Andrew: I want you to like me. (He looks at Lauren, then at Emma) But no powder. I want her to like me with no powder.

Lauren: *nods* No powder.

*Two of the WolfMen now hold Daphne, who continues to struggle.*

Emma: But I hardly know you!

Andrew: (He strokes her cheek) You will. I will take your weapon. You will not harm me. (He finally yanks Emma's staff from her hands as she yelps)

*Lauren takes the staff from Andrew, then collects Daphne's.*

Emma: No... (But Andrew holds her tightly in his arms)

Andrew: I will take her to my den, the secret room in the North Tower.

Emma: I'll not love you! I can't love a beast!

(Andrew only continues to stroke her cheeks and hair lovingly.)

Emma: (Looks over her shoulder at the struggling Daphne) And what of my ward? You've already harmed her once.

Andrew: One of my men could have her.

Emma: Never!

Lauren: *smirks* Yes. *Rests a hand on Micky's shoulder; he hasn't gotten up yeet*

Emma: No! No!

Andrew: I'll take you to my den now. You will be my mate.

Emma: No! No, never! (But he drags her away)

*The Wolf Men take Daphne away as the curtains draw.*

Lauren: *kneels by Micky* Mick, are you okay?

Micky: I've been better.

Daphne: *joins them* I swear I didn't mean to actually hit you, but I didn't know you were gonna move closer!

Emma: (Comes back out, brushing wayward Wolf Man fur off her arms) Yeesh, those guys do shed! (Frowns) Micky, seriously, do you want someone to get you some ice and aspirin? We won't need you for a while.

Micky: *nods* Yes to both. Now I just have to be able to stand.

Emma: Daphne, go talk to Millie. See if she knows where to find some ice and aspirin.

Daphne: I'm on it! *hurries off backstage*

Lauren: Come on, Mick, we gotta at least get you backstage. *wraps one of his arms around her neck* Em, *motions* take his other side.

Emma: I will. We'll see if we can get him to the dressing rooms.

Micky: *as the two women start to help him straighten* I'm really glad you're both shorter than me right now.

(Emma and Lauren laugh as they lead him offstage.)

(Cut to the dressing rooms. Millie reads her lines with the Abbies. As Maxine stands to play Mike, Emma and Lauren come in with Mick.)

Millie: (Frowns) What happened to him? He looks terrible.

Lauren: He, uh, was accidently hit in a sensitive place.

Micky: *winces* Subtle.

Millie: Got kicked in the nards, kid?

Maxine: (Winces) Ouch.

Micky: Thanks.

Millie: Larry got hit in the nards once when one of his men accidentally smacked the side of a dresser into his crotch. He couldn't sit right for three days after that.

Micky: *As Lauren and Emma set him on the couch* That does NOT make me feel better. *leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees*

(Daphne hurries in with a bag of ice and a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin.)

Jenny: I'm sure it's not that bad.

Daphne: *hands Micky the ice* I feel rather bad about this, Micky.

Micky: It was an accident, Daph. *Places the ice and nearly jumps to the ceiling; higher pitched* That's cold!

(The Abbies all try to hide their snickers. Millie ducks into her long black gown and cloak, but she's grinning.)

Emma: (Smiles) Sorry, Mick, but your expression when you put the ice down there was hilarious!

Micky: *clears his throat* I've gotten used to being the butt of jokes today, so if you wanna laugh... *leans forward again* go ahead.

Lauren: *Sits next to him and rubs his back* Mick, come on.

Micky: *turns his head to look at her* You missed Mike pushing me away from a runaway sandbag at the last scene.

Lauren: What?

Emma: (She sits on Micky's other side) Mike told me about that. I'm sure he's right and it was an accident.

Micky: *Turns forward again and looks at the floor* Still...I haven't been having the best of days.

Millie: At least you knew what you were doing from the beginning. (Stands, waving her black necklace) Do you know how nervous I am right now? I haven't acted since I did "Guys and Dolls" in a regional theater in Hoboken.

Micky: Not much of a consolation, Mil.

Maxine: Aw, Mick. Isn't there any way we can make you feel better?

Emma: Yeah. We need you up and hopping for the finale.

Micky: How about a promise that I'll live through the rest of this performance?

Lauren: Well, we'll see what we can do, Mick. *grins at his glare* I'm kidding.

*Micky sighs.*

(The camera moves back onstage. We see the Wolf Men, including Peter, sniffing around the Rose Garden set. They finally move away, howling. Finally, there's the sound of "Ow, my foot"...and eight heads pop out from the shrubbery and under the benches.)

John: Ow! Dan, that used to be my big toe! (Jumps up and down on one foot)

Danny: Sorry, John. It was kinda close in there.

Mike: (Turns to Jack as he and Coco emerge from the bushes) Thanks for comin' with us, Buddy, an' for lettin' us use the Inn for our headquarters, too.

Jack: No, problem, man. Always glad to help out.

Tilly: (As she and Marcus emerge) Those awful beasts! What WERE they, aliens? Because if they were aliens...

Marcus: (Cuts her off before she gets going) Till, we think those used to be the Lone Star Town leaders who were arrested and brought to Belgravia Castle, but we need proof.

Tilly: They sure look otherworldly to me! :p

Marcus: Would you forget the aliens, Till? :p

Mike: We need to figure out how to get in the castle without being seen.

(Three figures in cloaks of red, blue, and green hurry out of the Throne Room set at this point, trying not to be seen. One goes up to Jack, another to Mike, and a third to Chris.)

Lillian: (Grins and whispers) Hey Blondie, where have you and those arms been all my life?

Jack: *eyes widen* Uhhh...

*Coco chuckles.*

Audrey: (To Mike) We have some vital information about Lord George.

Winnie: (To Chris) Psst! Hey cutie, wanna hear a joke?

Chris: Sure! I love a good joke.

Audrey: Geez! (Turns to the other two) Quit flirtin' and get over here! We've gotta warn the others!

Mike: Warn us 'bout what?

Audrey: Lord Lauren put our beloved Queen under the same sleeping spell she cast on Maid Daphne at the ball. She and Maid Daphne are being held in one of the towers.

Mike: (Frowns) So they've started to attack the royal household outright.

Davy: They've got Daphne again!?

John: What of the other members of the Queen's Guards?

Audrey: We saw Lady Emily being dragged away by one of the Wolf Men. (Sighs) Poor girl. She never even had a chance.

Mike: (Chuckles) No, I feel sorry for the Wolf Man. Poor fellow has likely never dealt with Emily's lashing tongue and her strong-willed ways.

Danny: And the other three Guardswomen?

Winnie: Some of the King's Guards turned them into zombies and took them away!

John: No! Maxina!

Chris: Man, and I really kinda liked Jenna, too.

Danny: Oh...oh poor Kimber...

Audrey: We think they've done something to King Peter, too. Probably turned him into one of those Beast things.

Mike: What? They've attacked our King outright?

Winnie: To be honest, he hasn't been right for a while. I haven't heard him say anythin' to anyone in almost a week. Queen Valeria was worried, too. We were all gonna confront Lord George and Lady Lauren 'bout it, but they got the drop on us.

Mike: Do you know where they all are?

Audrey: My guess would be the towers. That's where Lord George and Lady Lauren dwell and perform their terrifying experiments.

Winnie: That's where we saw the Crystal Ball, too! It talked and gave Lauren and Micky advice!

John: This is insane!

Audrey: That what we think, but Lord George, Lady Lauren, and their talking ball are determined to take over all of Belgravia!

Mike: (Turns to Jack) Why don't we split into two groups? One group will search the grounds. The others will search the towers.

Jack: *nods* Cover more ground this way.

Mike: Right. I'll lead the towers group. Davy, I want you and the boys to come with me. Jack, take the Queen's Guards, Tilly, and Coco and search every nook and cranny of the Gardens and the ground floor area.

Audrey: (Nods) Yeah, we know this castle like the back of our hands! We'll be able to show you all the secret places for spies and insurgents to lurk about.

Jack: Intriguing.

Mike: Everyone make sure you have weapons, or at least something to hit people with.

Tilly: (Holds up her waitress' tray) I always come prepared!

Marcus: (Holds out his staff) Good to know, Till.

Mike: (Hears howling) Merciful heavens, it's the Wolf Men! (He nods to Jack) Take your group around the side, behind the castle. We'll sneak back in.

Jack: Right!

(They do so, Jack going around the side with Tilly, Coco, and the Angellettes and Mike going inside with Davy and the Martians as we fade out on the stage and the sets start to change.)