(We open with the boys rehearsing the tail end of "As We Go Along" on the bandstand at the Pad as the ladies and the kids listen. Katie and the twins build with Lincoln Logs. Jordan cuddles into his suit-clad mommy's lap.)

*Leah and Lizzie play together in the crib.*

Mike: (As the song finishes) Not bad.

Peter: Yeah.

Micky: I liked it!

Davy: *nods* That is definitely one of the bettah songs for your voice, mate.

Micky: *blinks* Did Dave just compliment me?

Mike: Yeah, Mick, miracles do happen.

Davy: 'Ey...

Peter: Well, he's right. Micky sounds wonderful on that song.

*Micky just shrugs, grinning.*

Mike: Ok, now let's work on "Listen to the Band" for that live special we're doin' in November...

Lauren: *folds over the newspaper* Man, the weather is NOT looking good.

Emma: No, and that worries me.

Valerie: Why? It's just a storm. We get them all the time.

Emma: Yeah Val, but it's been so hot and humid lately, more than it should be for this time of year.

Daphne: *looks over Lauren's shoulder* They're saying this isn't going to be one of our normal storms. They actually mention the possibility of flooding!

Jordan: Flooding?

Katie: What's dat? (She puts an action figure in her misshapen Lincoln Log cabin) John Wayne!

Mike: (Grins) That's m'cowgirl.

*The twins’ action figures are fighting each other.*

Emma: Flooding is where the water from the ocean and the lake gets so high, it comes into houses and streets. It used to flood where I lived in New Jersey, too.

Lauren: *sighs* Goodness... :P

Micky: I have never seen it flood here. I don't even think there's ever been a flood here.

Lauren: That's what the paper says. I'm just the messenger.

Micky: I was just saying, that's all.

Peter: It's flooded in Conneticut, too. We once lost everything in our basement!

Emma: I'm just thankful we never got any worse damage than leaky basements and shingles lost from roofs. Some people I knew lost their houses in the worst storms on the East Coast.

Mike: Come on, guys, we're on the West Coast. Nothin'll happen!

Peter: That's what you said the day the twins were born.

Micky: *gives the bass drum a thump* And we all know how well that went at first.

Mike: They came out, didn't they?

Lauren: Hm.

Micky: And I almost went down.

Mike: You handled it better than Babbitt did, Mick. ;)

Lauren: After I knocked some sense into him.

Micky: I came around.

Davy: Finally.

Emma: Don't worry, my baby isn't due until late November-early December.

Mike: At least he's due in the winter this time. (Mutters) I don't have to listen to her complain 'bout how hot and heavy she is.

Emma: (Leans back on her palms) I'm not going back to the Malibu Beach Register after the baby's born.

Mike: Darlin', we've discussed this...

Emma: Mike, I wasn't getting anywhere there. They kept giving me all the B-list celebrity interviews and local gossip. I want to do more with my writing than say "so-and-so won first place at the Pickle Festival in the pie division."

Valerie: Emma, you could work for me at Headquarters...

Emma: Thanks, Val, but I don't know what kind of a secretary I'd make. I'll just freelance with various magazines.

Peter: Valerie, I'm going to be at the studio on Monday. I want to finish up work on "Lady's Baby."

Mike: We hope. How long have you and your buddies been workin' on that song?

Peter: It's a work in progress, Michael! You can't rush art!

Mike: Yeah, but you guys been doin' that one bitty ballad for what, over a year now?

Peter: Because it's not quite right...

Mike: Might be more right if you guys weren't stoned when you were workin' on it.

Peter: MICHAEL!

*Micky starts singing "I Whistle A Happy Tune" and tapping out a little riff on the drum kit.*

Valerie: Peter, what DO you and Stephan Stills and Grahamn Nash and all those other people do in the studios when you're in there? You've put out four songs in the past three months, and two of them went on the film soundtrack. Where are all those other songs you always say you're working on?

Peter: We work on songs! I have at least three or four songs going right now...

Mike: I have that many per session, not per year.

Peter: Maybe I don't terrorize the recording staff.

*Davy wanders away as Micky sings louder...and tries to whistle.*

Mike: Maybe I actually get things done. Hank Cicillo is about ready to smack you silly.

Peter: Why? He always seems to have fun...

Mike: He just wants to record songs, Peter, not have fun.

Peter: But making music IS fun!

*Davy plays with the kids in the crib.*

Emma: (Sighs) We're losing control here.

*Micky stops singing and pauses for a moment, just watching Mike and Peter. He suddenly crashes the daylights out of the cymbals!*

Micky: Would you two knock it OFF?

*Davy wiggles a finger in one ear.*

Peter and Mike: (In unison) What?

Micky: *mocks them* "What?" *normal* You're arguing AGAIN!

Mike: We're just talkin' 'bout music.

Micky: There's a big difference between talking and arguing, Mike. That was definitely arguing.

Mike: Well, if Pete would actually finish a song, 'stead of foolin' around...

Peter: Michael, you're taking this too seriously.

Mike: Pete, this is my BUSINESS!

Peter: Is that all music is to you?

Micky: *crashes the cymbals again* CUT IT OUT!

Emma: ENOUGH! STOP IT! (She starts to get to her feet) That's it. Rehearsal's OVER.

Micky: Thank you! We're done! *drops his sticks and leaves the drum kit*

Mike: Em, since when were you in charge of callin' rehearsal?

Emma: Since I live here too, and don't feel like listening to yet another noisy "talk" about music between the two of you.

Mike: Yeah, but guys...

*Micky sits with the twins and helps them focus on the Lincoln Logs again.*

Valerie: Mike, under the circumstances, I agree with Em. You and Peter are behaving like children.

Micky: *snorts* The children are behaving better, currently.

Peter: VAL!

Valerie: Yes, you too, Peter Thorkleson. For someone who prides himself on believing in love and peace, you aren't showing much of either towards your best friend.

Jordan: (There are tears in his eyes) Daddy mad!

Peter: Oh Jordan... (He puts his bass aside, jumps off the bandstand, and takes his son into his arms) Jordan, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sure Uncle Mike didn't, either.

Mike: Guys, that special's in November!

Emma: And this is September. Get down here. You are done for the day.

Mike: Em, you ain't my mother.

Micky: Even if you aren't done, Mike, we are, so you might as well just get your keister down from there.

Mike: So you're on Pete's side now, Mick?

Valerie: He's not on anyone's side, Mike. Get off your high horse.

Micky: Did I say that? No, I didn't. I'm not taking sides.

Emma: Honey, you can't drive your men to exaustion. Let them rest.

Davy: Rest sounds good to me...

Mike: But...what about me?

Emma: Rest wouldn't kill you, either.

Mike: But the albums...

Valerie: Mike, the albums aren't coming out tomorrow.

Emma: You need to get away from this. Why don't you go tinker around with your cars or go for a walk on the beach?

Mike: But...

Valerie: Mike, I agree. Go, before you have a nervous breakdown.

Micky: *mutters* Or some other type of breakdown...

Mike: I...(growls)...damn it! (Heads for the back door) I'll be back in a little while. (He storms out)

Micky: *sighs* That went well.

Peter: (Sighs and hugs Jordan) What's wrong with him?

Emma: I wish I knew. He's been like this for months. Maybe the movie's just making him edgy.

Peter: I don't know why it would. We're going to be major movie stars in a few months!

Valerie: I'm not so sure I agree with you, Peter. I don't like the sound of this promotional campaign Jack Nicholson and the producers have developed.

Peter: But it's so hip and way out there! Just a talking head in the TV ads saying "Head" over and over again!

Micky: *shakes his head* I really thought Jack was pretty groovy at first, but there's something about the campaign that rubs me the wrong way.

Davy: Like the fact that the ads don't mention us at all?

Micky: Exactly.

Valerie: How about "it's an ineffective and really stupid way to sell a movie, no matter what Marshall MacLuan says?"

Lauren: I think we have a winner with that statement.

Daphne: Agreed.

Peter: Of course they don't mention us! We're trying to get a more adult audience! The turned-on people!

Valerie: Somehow, Peter, I don't think the "turned on people" you and Mike want so desperately to impress are the kind of people who are going to see a very pointless movie starring four TV and pop stars.

Peter: It's not pointless! It's a very provocative anti-war statement.

Valerie: Which you said also had scenes for everything from western spoofs to Davy in a boxing match.

Micky: Pointless.

Davy: I didn't care much for that boxing scene.

Peter: This is our way of showing the world we're more than a bunch of kids' TV stars.

Valerie: I don't see what's so wrong with that. Young kids still love you!

Peter: But the older ones think we're not for real!

Davy: *motions to Micky* I thought 'e was a kid TV star!

Micky: *sings* It's great, it's terrific...

Lauren: Not again.

Peter: (Chuckles, then goes on with a smile) That's not what I mean, Mick.

*Micky grins and shrugs.*

Peter: I mean we get the younger siblings who listen to Bobby Sherman and the Jackson Five, but lose the older ones who like the Who and Led Zepplin.

Valerie: I know you were talking about doing a double album...

Peter: (He and Jordan lean against Valerie) I just want to make music, honey.

Valerie: I know you do, but you're all going to run yourselves ragged if you keep going on like this.

Micky: If you don't lose some of us before getting near ragged.

*Davy nods.*

Emma: (Looks out the door where Mike left; dark clouds gather on the horizon) Yeah.

Peter: I'm sure everything will be all right, Val!

Valerie: (Sighs as the camera fades out on the tense group) I only wish I was.