Emma: Soooo...everyone ready to search for clues?
Valerie: Yes!
Micky: You bet!
Peter: Let's be detectives!
Lauren: Definitely!
Mike: Let's get to the bottom of this mystery.
Mike: (Nods at the group) Ok, Pete and Valerie, you go upstairs and warn the Abbies. The rest of us will look for clues. We'll meet back at the MonkeeMobile at dinnertime.
(Mike, Emma, Lauren, and Micky take off for one end of the building; Valerie and Peter go in the opposite direction. The four head for the back door they emerged from, wandering white-washed corridors and simple, bland offices.)
Emma: Does anyone know what we're looking for?
Micky: No, but I'm sure we'll know it when we find it.
Mike: Recordings that have our music and Amber Stimpson's vocals on it, or paperwork that says anything about Amber's voice and our songs and playing being used.
*Micky makes a face at Mike behind his back.* ;-)
(Emma puts a hand over her mouth to stiffle the giggles rising at Micky's antics.)
Mike: (Nods at a door) Hey, there's the studio where Amber was recording before. (Pulls at the door - it's locked) Awww, man!
Lauren: Em, got that famous hairpin of yours? ;-)
Emma: (Fishes around in her colorful striped, fringed purse) Hmmm. Let's see. Calender. (Tosses out a small booklet) Glasses case. (Tosses out a woven glasses case) Band Aids. (Tosses out a plastic pack of Band Aids) Coupons...oh! (Pulls out a hairpin) It was at the bottom. ;)
Mike: Well, get crackin', darlin'! We've only got so much time before Sumner and his Barbie doll get back from their lunch.
Emma: (Sighs) Yes, Chief. (Starts working on the lock)
Micky: *grins* Hey, Mike, if you're the Chief, then who's 86? ;-)
Mike: I dunno. You or Peter, I guess. :)
Emma: Would that make me 99? ;)
*Lauren laughs, shaking her head. Micky shrugs, still grinning.*
Emma: (There's a click) I think I've got it. (She turns the knob, and the door opens.) Got it. ;)
*Micky and Lauren applaud.*
Mike: (Eyeing her rear end in red shorts) Offhand, darlin', I'd say you do.
(Emma blushes the color of her shorts.)
Emma: (Mumbles) Um, thanks, honey. :">
Micky: *smirking* Uh huh. ;-)
(The group walk into the studio. It looks like the studio the boys were in, with similar equipment.)
Mike: Spread out, and look for something that will link Stimpson and Sumner to the re-arranged versions of our songs.
Micky: *salutes* Gotcha!
(The group take off for different parts of the studio. Emma checks around one side of the partition, Mike the other. Micky and Lauren search the recording area itself.)
Mike: Man, there's gotta be somethin'...
Emma: You guys having any luck?
Lauren: Nothing yet...
Micky: They're the bad guys. They have to have left something for us to find.
Emma: I'll bet any paperwork is in Sumner's office.
Micky: What say we pick another door, then? ;-)
Emma: Not a problem. I just hope my hairpin holds out. ;)
Mike: (Holds up a stack of records.) This might be somethin'... (Mike puts on a record...which turns out to be Amber Stimpson singing a somewhat re-arranged version of "Last Train To Clarksville.")
Micky: *feigns staggering* My God!
Mike: Man, it's not as badly arranged as mine was, but it's still not...RIGHT.
Emma: And her voice still sounds a bit flat. Nice, but...just like every other teen pop singer on the market.
Lauren: Should be a different voice. ;-)
Emma: (Winks) Or four of them.
(Mike puts on another record. This proves to be "You Just May Be The One," stripped of any country twang it had. Another record reveals a "Daily Nightly" without the synthesizer and somewhat different lyrics.)
Mike: (Getting angrier by the minute) Man, they even re-wrote my songs... X(
Micky: Oh, man... *backs away from Mike*
Lauren: This is awful!
Emma: Hoo boy, is Sumner a dead man. (Puts her arms around Mike as he does his best to calm himself) Honey, I know studio musicians are common, but what they're doing to you is just plain wrong. They have no right to arrange or re-write your songs without asking you first.
Mike: (Low voice) Let's go to Sumner's office and see if he has any paperwork that could connect him to these records and Stimpson. (Grumbles) Man, and Davy went out with that Barbie chick. She's practically committing crimes, and he's jumping in her lap!
Micky: She flirted with him, Mike. Of course he went with her! *rolls his eyes*
Emma: (Sighs) One of these days, he's going to listen to our warnings about him and his woman-chasing habits.
Lauren: Maybe.
Emma: What should we do about the records? I'd bring them, but Sumner will definitely notice that they're gone.
Mike: Sumner can't destroy them unless he wants to lose the recordings all together. They're the masters. We'll just put them back where they were, with no one the wiser, then point the cops to them.
Micky: Then we can get the hoods, then the goods. *grins* ;-)
Lauren: Okay, Micky waking up before sunrise is not a good thing. *rolls her eyes*
(That gets a chuckle from the other two as Micky huffs. Mike returns the records to the spot where he found them and the four quietly make their way out of the room, Emma locking the door once again behind her. They again make their way down the hallway, this time down a flight of steps to another whitewashed hall. Several chairs sit out in the hall, metal chairs with vinyl or fabric upholstry. The doors here are all locked except for one that seems to lead to a waiting room filled with more chairs, couches, and tables filled with music and recording industry magazines.)
Emma: (Is reading the name plates on each door - finally stops before one) Here's Sumner's. (Pulls her trusty hairpin out of the bag again and starts jimmying with the lock)
Mike: Man, I hope Sumner and his Barbie doll eat long lunches!
Emma: Mike, this is a very delicate procedure!
Micky: *holds an index finger to his lips, grinning* Yeah, you've gotta be quiet!
Emma: (There's a click) It's open. (Opens the door. The office is done in a simple but fashionable style, with bright, plush, odd-shaped furniture. Colorful glass beads hang at the windows. A gooseneck lamp leans over the neat desk.)
Mike: Micky, Lauren, go through the desk. (Indicates a line of metal file cabinets along one wall) Em and I will check the file cabinets.
Lauren: We're on it! *she and Micky go over to the desk*
(The only sound for a few minutes is the riffling of papers and the kids' steady breathing.)
Mike: Here's our contracts...and here's the Westminster Abbies'.
Emma: How's things going for you guys?
Micky: I think I may have something interesting here!
Mike: Bet he found a sandwitch. ;)
Emma: (Smacks Mike on the head with the contracts - he chuckles) Mike, give the kids some credit!
Micky: Very funny, Mike. *grins, holding up a paper* How about the Barbie's contract? ;-)
Mike: Now that's a find.
Emma: We'll make a Sam Spade out of you yet, Mick. ;)
Micky: Told ya! :-P
Mike: Well, come on! Let's compare, compadres! (Mike sets the two contracts for the Monkees and the Westminster Abbies on the desk alongside Amber Stimpson's contract, and the four inspect them.)
Emma: (Sighs) I really ought to learn more about the recording industry. I don't understand half of this. :p
Lauren: *shakes her head* Me, neither.
Mike: (Grumbles) Mick, did you notice when we signed this that Sumner seemed awfully cagey about actually letting us read it? Wouldn't even let Peter check it.
Micky: *nods* I was wondering about that.
Mike: (His eyes are getting angrier and angrier, though his voice is controlled) Mick, please tell me ours don't say what I think they do.
Micky: *reads, moving his mouth to the words, stops and glances up* It does. *eyes narrow*
Mike: (Very softly) They own our music. Every last single note of it. The music, the recordings, the right to publicize... (mutters a very nasty stream of Spanish curses)
Emma: Oh my God. :( :o
Lauren: *groans* Oh, man... :-(
Micky: This can't be right!
Mike: (Closes his eyes) They own our goddamned music. The one thing that means something to all four of us.
Emma: What about Amber Stimpson's?
Mike: Offhand, hers looks more normal.
Mike: Maybe I'm just prejudiced, but she doesn't exactly strike me as someone who writes or even plays her own music.
Lauren: *crosses her arms* She's Sumner's favorite. She could pick anything she wants to sing. That might as well be what her contract says. *sighs*
Mike: I wouldn't be bothered by her singing my songs so much if she'd sing them as they were meant to be sung. (Winces) I don't even want to think of what she's done to "Randy Scouse Git" or "Star Collector," and if she doesn't do "Long Title" right, Peter's gonna flood this place. :( :p
Micky: I feel the urge to tear something apart.
Emma: I'd let you tear apart the contracts if it was legal and would get us out of this.
Mike: I know the feeling, Mick. I wanna hit somethin' so bad...
*Lauren pulls out a phone book, which she hands to Micky. He tries and tries to tear it apart.*
Mike: There's gotta be a way of getting this evidence out to the cops. This evidence can be destroyed. Sumner's probably got copies.
Emma: Does anyone have any photographic equipment?
Micky: *hands back the phonebook to Lauren* Hey, Mike, you still got that lighter? ;-)
Mike: (Pulls out the lighter) Why do I feel like I'm giving a blow torch to a three-year-old? :p
Micky: Oh, ye of little faith. I just wanna use the camera in it, Michael. :-P
Mike: Well, at the very least, I know you're a better photographer than Peter. You, at least, will aim for faces. With Pete, all we get are very nice views of knees, feet, ground, and the tops of trees. ;)
Micky: *grins* Thank you. *leans over the contracts*
Mike: We shoulda had you take the pictures of the evidence when we were in Mayor Motley's office.
Micky: But noooo... *clicks the lighter several times*
Emma: And I think Pete still has that picture, too. Claims it's art. ;)
Lauren: For Peter, yes, it is. ;-)
Mike: And this from a man who also claims painting doors and making faulty furniture is art. :p
Micky: *straightens* Got the pictures.
Mike: Good. Let's put the contracts back the way we found them and get our rear ends out of here.
Emma: Right. Sumner and Stimpson should be on their way back by now, if not actually in the building.
*Micky puts Amber's contract back where he found it as Lauren replaces the phone book.*
(Mike and Emma return the other contracts. All four hurry out, locking the door on the way. They make their way back to the MonkeeMobile.)
Mike: Oh, man. We have got to get to the cops, before Sumner cons any other groups. And there are a lot of struggling groups to con in the LA area...
Micky: No kidding!
Emma: And what about Davy? Should we wait for him to come back?
Mike: He can find his own way home. :p
Micky: He oughtta know the way by now. ;-)
(A large van painted with bright daisies careens around the corner. It comes to a screeching stop right next to the MonkeeMobile. A plump-cheeked blonde pops her head out.)
Maxine: Going my way, folks?
Kimberly: (From inside the van) Man, Max, next time, I drive! You drive like you're still in New York!
(The back pops open. Daphne, Jenny, Peter, and Valerie pile out.)
Maxine: (Gets out of the driver's seat) Now, what's all this about our contracts and Sumner being a con man?
Micky: That's exactly it. He's conning us out of our music.
Mike: He's re-arrangin' our songs and not using yours at all, only your back-up vocals.
Jenny: Why on earth would he do something like that? He promised us we'd do every song on this album!
Micky: Funny, we got the same story. :-P
Mike: He's usin' our material for the singer he's really interested in, some chick called Amber Stimpson.
Micky: *scoffs* Who can't carry a tune in a bucket.
Maxine: (Scoffs herself) Sounds like a baby name.
Daphne: But, why would he say he wants to use our music, then not use it?
Emma: I guess he figured he wouldn't be able to get any of you at all otherwise. No matter how bubblegum your music gets, it's still not the kind of thing girls like Amber Stimpson sing.
Micky: *crosses his arms* No kidding.
Peter: (Sadly) So they really did lie to us.
Mike: (Nods) We found the contracts. Mick got photos. They own every last note of our music, our recordings, our singin', our playin', and our publicity. We have to perform when he wants us to.
Maxine: (Eyes widen) What???
Kimberly: (Angrily) All of it?
Mike: (Nods at Kimberly and Maxine) Yeah, all of it, Kim. Your stuff and our stuff. The re-arranged three of my songs so they sounded nothing like I wrote them... and partially re-wrote one of my most meaningful songs. X(
Peter: (Whimpers) My music, too?
Mike: (Sighs sadly) Yes, Peter, yours too.
Peter: (Starts crying; Valerie takes his shoulder) I work hard on all my songs! I like them the way they are! :((
Daphne: Where's Davy?
Micky: On a date with Barbie herself.
Daphne: (Now she's angry) What?
Lauren: He couldn't pass up her flirting, apparently.
Daphne: And Davy took off with...Barbie?
Emma: Amber Stimpson, Sumner's plastic fantastic wunderkind.
Lauren: *sarcastic* A charming person. :-P
Emma: She's as phony as a three dollar bill, and not as useful. (Snorts) And barely more than a child!
Daphne: Why, that little...
Kimberly: I thought you said you two were just friends, Daph.
Maxine: Like that's believeable. ;)
Micky: We don't buy that either. ;-)
Daphne: Ok, well, maybe I think he's cute and everything...
Jenny: (Nudges her) Oh, please, Daph. We grew up together. You can't keep secrets from me. You've had this huge crush on Davy since the moment you saw him in that restauraunt. You STILL talk about the time you two almost got thrown out of "My Fair Lady." ;)
Daphne: (Blushes as the others chuckle) Well, we did have fun...
Kimberly: Daph, you got the stars in your eyes!
Maxine: (Rolls her eyes) Darn special effects...
Peter: (Sniffles and grins) She gets them too?
Maxine: Easy way ta tell she's into a guy. ;)
Micky: I'll bet hers don't mean "just friends" either.
Peter: Davy gets them, too!
Daphne: (Blushes) Oh, man...
Lauren: Davy keeps using up our production budget with those things. ;-)
Valerie: Guys, we've got to call the police. I'll tell my father, too. He's got friends in the media industries.
Mike: She's right. I'm no lawyer, but this can't be legal.
Micky: *holds up the lighter* And I've got the proof!
Emma: Maybe we should all go back to the Pad. Davy knows where to find us.
Daphne: (Shakes her head) No, our place is closer. We have an apartment in Culver City.
Daphne: Maybe someone should wait for Davy...
Mike: Daphne, darlin', he's a big boy. (Grins) Well, he's an older boy. Leave him alone and he'll come home, wagging his tail behind him. ;)
Micky: No matter how many times we leave him somewhere. ;-)
Valerie: I've got my car here. I'll go back to the mansion and see if Dad's home.
Peter: (Grins) I'll go with you!
Valerie: Give us your phone number, and we'll call you from my phone in the mansion. (Daphne pulls a tattered pad of paper out of her purse and scribbles a number for Valerie, who tucks it in her own elegant purse.)
Maxine: Ok, then. We're off.
Peter: We'll see you guys later!
(Valerie and Peter take off for one end of the parking lot, toward a sleek powder blue sports car. The Wesminster Abbies climb into the van. Micky gets into the driver's seat of the MonkeeMobile. Lauren gets into the passenger's seat. Emma and Mike climb into the back. There's a slight altercation that rocks the van and ends with a high squawk. Kimberly finally pops her head and arm out of the driver's side.)
Kimberly: Ok, folks, let's move 'em out! ;)
Maxine: (Whines from inside the van) But Kim, I bought the van!
Kimberly: Yeah, but you drive everything like it's a yellow cab on Broadway and 42nd Street! :p
Lauren: *chuckles* Those two remind me of someone... ;-)
(The van starts rolling out of the parking lot, followed by the MonkeeMobile and the powder-blue sports car as the others chuckle.)
Emma: (Grins and looks at Micky and Mike) Gee, I wonder who?
*Lauren shrugs, grinning.*
(The MonkeeMobile and the van turn in one direction and the powder-blue car goes in another. The MonkeeMobile and the Van ride through a district of decent but not fancy apartment housing and family homes. The van stops by one relatively recent building. Everyone gets out and troops upstairs and into a small apartment with large bay windows. Most of the furniture is obviously eighth-hand and the TV has a crunched antenna, but everything is clean and in reletively decent shape. There's a bright tie-dye rug on the living room floor and floral curtains on the bay windows.)
Maxine: Welcome to our humble abode, ladies and gentlemen. It ain't much, but it's liveable and the rent's decent. :)
Lauren: I love the rug! :-)
Jenny: (Wiggles her fingers) I made that. My other hobby is crafts. I sell them sometimes when we have a hard time getting gigs. :)
Kimberly: (Elbows Jen) Don't be so modest! Like I said, one of these days, we're all going to attend your first show! (Jenny just blushes)
Maxine: Well, who gets the honor of calling the fuzz?
Mike: Hey, Mick, do you want to do it or should I? We're both well aquainted with the local police force.
Micky: Maybe you could, Mike. I think they're getting a little tired of hearing from me. ;-)
*Lauren tries to keep a straight face.*
(Mike nods and picks up the phone.)
Maxine: A little tired of...
Kimberly: (Smirks) What have you boys done? (Shakes her fingers at them) And you all seemed so nice at the contest! ;)
Micky: *shakes his head* Don't ask.
Emma: Let's just call it some of the great long stories and leave it at that. ;)
Maxine: (Grins at Lauren's slightly larger stomach) Well, it's obvious someone's been busy, anyway. Who's the lucky guy?
(Mike is nodding and "um-hmm"ing on the phone.)
Lauren: *smirks and jerks a thumb at Micky* Curly over there. ;-)
*Micky waves, grinning.*
Daphne: (Grins) Congratulations!
Lauren and Micky: Thank you! *they glare at each other*
(Everyone bursts out laughing.)
Emma: (Giggles) The twins return! ;)
Kimberly: (As she giggles) When's the squirt due?
Lauren: Speaking of twins, they are due in almost seven months. ;-)
Daphne: (Mouth drops on the couch) Two?
Lauren: He got a little...overzealous, shall we say?
Maxine: Just a little. ;)
Kimberly: (Grins widely) Damn, you guys are good! ;)
Micky: That's what I've been telling her!
Lauren: He's so humble. ;-)
(More laughter from the group as Mike gets off the phone.)
Mike: The cops are on their way over there. If they find anything, they'll call us and get statements.
Maxine: They'd better find that evidence!
Kimberly: Are you sure that's what you saw?
Daphne: I can't believe someone would do this!
Micky: *crosses his arms* Believe it, 'cause he did!
Mike: Yeah, we're sure. We've gotta get that film developed, Mick.
Emma: And maybe we someone should call the answering service and see if Davy left a message.
Daphne: (Far away) Yeah...
Mike: Mick, you call the answering service. Your turn, and you're better with them than I am.
Micky: Sure thing! *goes over to the phone*
Kimberly: Well, what do we do now?
Maxine: Hope the cops find something.
*Micky dials and listens.*
Mike: We should have brought those records...
Kimberly: (Shakes her head) Nice idea, but records are fragile, and they would definitely notice they're missing.
Mike: What those jerks did to my songs... (clenches his fists - Emma puts her hand on his shoulder. He looks up at her, smiles a little, and squeezes her hand)
Micky: *hangs up; shakes his head* Nothing from Davy.
Emma: Man, he should have been back from lunch by now!
Daphne: (Softly) I hope he's ok.
Mike: He probably just lost track of time.
Micky: He does have that tendency.
Emma: There has to be more to this! (Slams her fist into her palm and winces slightly at the force) There's something strange going on! I've got to call the Malibu Beach Register. This could be my big chance... and a major scoop! (Goes to the phone and calls them)
Mike: And Sumner expects us to be back in his office tomorrow afternoon and offered to take us to some greasy spoon for dinner.
Daphne: We got the call back for tomorrow morning.
Kimberly: Well, if that asshole thinks we're going to roll over and let him and that little blonde bitch take our songs, he's got another thing comin'! I wouldn't back some typical dimwit singer if I was a cardboard box!
Emma: (She's not happy when she gets off the phone) They'll take my story when I have the proof. I thought I heard someone laughing in the background. They don't believe me. :p :(
Lauren: That isn't very nice of them. :-P
Mike: We've got that evidence, honey. As soon as it's developed, you can show it to your bosses and you'll have your story.
Micky: All I need is a dark room.
Daphne: (Giggles) Kimberly's room is painted black with strobe lights. Does that count? (Kimberly elbows her)
Micky: *quirks an eyebrow, then grins* Perfect! ;-)
Kimberly: No dungeon jokes, Daph! You still sleep with Chatty Cathy!
Daphne: No, I don't!
Maxine: That was either the doll or you I heard at 3AM last night. (Grins wickedly) If it was you, it wouldn't be repeatable in public.
(Daphne glares at Maxine and throws a pillow at her, which hits the plump blonde dead on in the face.)
Jenny: (Giggles) Hey, Daph, I think your aim is getting better. ;)
Micky: Uh, ladies... *holds up the lighter* Which way to the...ahem...dark room?
Kimberly: I'll take you there. Maybe I can help. (Leads him into a short hallway with three rooms leading off of it.)
(The phone rings as they enter Kimberly's room. Mike grabs it first.)
Mike: Uh, hello. (Grins) Peter! Did you... (frowns slightly) Uh huh. Well, we'll see you later. Call the Pad when he does arrive. (Turns to the group as he sets the receiver on the base) Val's dad got called out of town on a sudden business trip, but he should be back by tonight. Val and Peter are going to stay at the mansion and wait for him.
Emma: (Groans and crosses her arms, flopping back in the couch) Oh, this is getting us nowhere! I want to see that creep Sumner brought to justice!
Lauren: Me, too!
Mike: I do, too, Em. We all do, but we can't do anything until we get that evidence.
Emma: I want to go back to Glamour Productions and see if we can find more clues.
Mike: We probably found all we're going to find.
Lauren: And the police will find it, too.
Emma: Didn't Sumner and Stimpson say something about a concert?
Maxine: Concert?
Emma: Yeah! They're going to hold a concert to promote her, with all of you singing and playing in the background.
Mike: Like hell we will. I wouldn't play for that plastic bitch if you gave me a thousand legitimate contracts! :p
Maxine: (Looks up at the hallway) I wonder how things are going in there...
Lauren: Shouldn't be much longer...
Emma: I hope he doesn't blow anything up. Him and chemicals are a dangerous combination. :p
Maxine: (Raises her eyebrows) What?
Lauren: *grins* He's pretty good about developing pictures. ;-)
Daphne: Well, he has Kim in there...
Maxine: She's no pro, but she's pretty good at math concepts. She does our books.
Mike: (Goes to the door of Kimberly's room and knocks on it) Oh yoo hoo, Micky? How's the evidence comin' in there?
Micky: Almost done, and they are BE-U-TEE-FULL!! *cackles*
Mike: (Grins and looks over his shoulder at the women) He hasn't blown anything up yet. ;)
Emma: That's a relief. ;)
Lauren: *grins* Always a good sign. ;-)
Maxine: What's this about him blowing stuff up?
Mike: He's got a chemistry set of his own, and he's not exactly a rocket scientist. Everything he makes either blows up in his face, turns something weird colors, or turns him or someone else into a monster.
Maxine: Well, now I'm really confident. :p
Micky: *calls out* I HEARD THAT, MICHAEL!!
Mike: (Calls back) WELL, IT'S TRUE, AND I'VE GOT THE CHEWED UP WOOL HAT TO PROVE IT...NOT TO MENTION A LIFETIME SUPPLY OF CARROTS!
Daphne: (Raises her eyebrows) I don't want to know.
Micky: *pause; quieter* Never mind.
Emma: I think I've made just about everything carrot that can be baked or cooked or boiled, and there's still bags left in the fridge.
Mike: He turned me into a rabbit for a week once. Lost gigs and I had carrot cravings all summer. :p
Maxine: A rabbit?
Jenny: (Giggles) Oh, my...
Lauren: Mick means well. *shrugs*
Mike: (Knocks on the door again) Hey, Mick, you almost done in there?
Micky: Finishing up the last picture!
Kimberly: We'll be out in a few!
Emma: I wish I could get my hands on that Barbie doll of a singer! What a little brat!
*Lauren nods.*
Mike: Yeah. She was actin' all hoity-toity-like because she knows she's Sumner's choice piece of meat. Don't see what makes her so special.
Maxine: Who is she?
Emma: Just some dimwit teenager Sumner found in a San Francisco club, thought was cute, and decided to promote as the next Jonie Jans.
Mike: She drove up in some fancy pink car and mod white clothes. Between the hair and the snobbiness and the car, I was surprised to not see a life-size Ken doll in the passenger side. :p
Emma: I wish we could sic Superman or Wonder Woman or Captain America on that little brat!
Micky: *calls from the hallway* Hot pictures comin' through! *enters from the hallway, followed by Kimberly* Here we are!
(Everyone crowds around the pictures. Mike pushes through the crowd and joins Mick and Kimberly in front.)
Kimberly: (Grins) Not a bad piece of work for two amateurs, if I do say so myself.
Maxine: You did say so. ;)
Micky: Who're you callin' an amateur?
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Oh, shut up, Mr. Humble. ;-)
Mike: (Whispers to Micky) Mick, when we get back to the pad, we've gotta talk about somethin'. The other guys, too. This concert thing might require some...extra help...you know...(whispers) powers. I don't trust Sumner or his Barbie bimbo.
Micky: *wide grin, nods* I know exactly what you mean. *announcer voice* And now, let me draw everyone's attention to the photos... the first is of the contract for The Monkees. However, you really can't say it's for us, since it says we basically give up any musical input to Sumner. *sighs*
(Mike growls; Emma puts her hand on his shoulder again.)
Maxine: Man, all the rights to your songs, your recordings, publicity rights...
Micky: Note how clear the picture is! You can read every word... *gets smacked in the back of his head by Lauren*
Mike: Just go on, Mr. Salesman. ;)
Micky: Uh, moving on to photo number two, the Westminster Abbies contract, also stating the loss of musical input to Sumner...
Maxine: (Turns two shades of red) That asshole!
Daphne: Why, that...
Micky: *points* You can even read the extra fine print that a magnifying glass couldn't pick up! *gets smacked again by Lauren*
Kimberly: I oughta go back and give him a knuckle sandwich, extra crispy!
Jenny: Oh, dear...
Maxine: It says here we're only supposed to be used as back-up singers.
Micky: *to Lauren* Sorry... *to everyone* And the coup de gras...the Barbie doll's contract. As normal as can be...
Maxine: There's gotta be fine print...
Kimberly: (Sighs) And don't worry, Micky, I was talkin' about Sumner. :p
Micky: There's fine print on there, but you do need a magnifying glass. Then there's some other mark that the camera picked up... *mutters* Damn extra sensitive lense...
Lauren: MICK!
Emma: Other mark...
Micky: *shrugs* Sorry! I got carried away.
Mike: Oh, man, Micky, what did you do? (Inspects the picture more closely)
Micky: I didn't do anything! That's what the camera picked up! It kinda looks like a spot...
Emma: Maybe it's something important.
Micky: *points at it* You know what that kinda looks like...
Lauren: *catches the glint in his eyes* Don't even say it, Mick. ;-) :-P
Maxine: Keep gutter minds in the gutter, thank you!
Daphne: And you all say I'm bad!
Micky: She guessed it!
Lauren: *slaps her forehead* Good Lord...
Emma: What about that fine print?
Micky: Anybody got a magnifying glass?
Jenny: (Hands him a magnifying glass) Here you go!
Micky: Ah, thank you! *looks over the contract*
Mike: (Grumbles) Probably gives her the right to pick her own stuff...no matter how wrong she's singin' it. :p
Micky: I'll up you one on that. She's got complete creative control. *looks up, making a face* That's just so wrong...
Entire Group: (In unison) WHAT?????
Mike: Complete...
Emma: That bitch!
Micky: *feigns stumbling* Hey, I'm only reading it!
Mike: Sorry, Mick. We just got surprised, that's all.
Emma: (Sighs) Once again, Michael, honey, you are the master of understatement.
Micky: *sighs* Just don't scare me like that again!
Emma: I'll bet that little bitch wouldn't know creativity if it reared up and bit her in the buttocks! :p
Mike: What she did to my songs was just pure murder. :( X( :p
Lauren: First degree murder, at that. :-P
Emma: Ok, now I have a story and something to show the cops.
Maxine: How do we prove we didn't know about this from the beginning?
Mike: I'd never actually agree to something like this!
Emma: I wonder if we shouldn't go back to Glamour Productions and talk to the cops.
Maxine: Sounds good to me, especially since we now have this evidence.
Daphne: They had to have found something by now! (Sighs, softly) And I'm still a little worried about Davy...
Kimberly: At least we have something useful to show the fuzz now.
Micky: They'll have to listen to us. ;-)
Mike: Well, then, my trusty cohorts, to the van and the MonkeeMobile! ;)
Emma: Mick, has he been watching "Batman" with you again? ;)
Micky: *grins, nodding* Yup! ;-)
Emma: You're corrupting my fiancee, you know. (Elbows Mick, but she's grinning.)
Lauren: *grins* It's only fair. ;-)
Mike: (Takes Emma's hand) Come on, my trusty Monkeegirl!
Emma: (Giggles as Mike leads her out the door) Mike! ;)
(The others head out, and we get a quick montage of the van and the MonkeeMobile heading back to Glamor Productions. Police cars are quite visible amid the sports cars, high-end vehicles...and one very pink roadster.)
Mike: Man, what's goin' on around here? Are they filmin' "Dragnet" or somethin'?
Micky: Looks like we might be in time for the party. ;-
Emma: (Indicates the roadster as they all climb out of the vehicles) Speaking of being on time for the party, the main attraction is here. :p
Mike: Main attraction my rear end. :P
Lauren: *shields her eyes* God, that thing is so pink!
Micky: *grumbles* Pink is an evil color. :-P
Mike: Come on, let's get inside and find the head officer, and maybe ask Sumner a few questions, too.
Emma: And dirty up Barbie's nice white outift. ;)
Maxine: (Slaps her on the shoulder) I like the way you think. ;)
Mike: That scares me. ;)
(Emma sticks her tongue out at him.)
Micky: *shrugs* What was wrong with the way she was thinking? ;-)
(Two cops are guarding the building. Mike starts to go around them, but he stops them.)
Guard 1: Sorry, authorized personnel and members of the Culver City police force only.
Mike: (Puts his fingers to his lips) Officer, we don't like to flash this around (whispers), but we're really members of the FBI on assignment. We have substantial evidence to give to the police chief in charge of this operation.
Guard 2: Why weren't we informed of this?
Mike: It's very hush-hush, very top secret, James Bond stuff. Only the top man knows for certain.
Guard 1: Our president?
Mike: Sean Connery.
Guard 2: (Shrugs) Well, I guess you kids couldn't do much harm. (Lets them in.)
Micky: *claps Mike on the shoulder* Nice one, man! ;-)
Mike: (Grins) Thanks, Mick. It wasn't entirely a lie. We do have evidence. We just don't have it officially. ;)
(As the group wanders the hall, a young lady steps in front of them - Amber Stimpson, now wearing a ruffled paisley minidress, go-go boots, and wide headband. She blocks their way in the hall.)
Emma: (Glares and steps up to her) Let us through, you little bitch!
Daphne: Where's Davy?
Mike: If you weren't a lady...
Amber: *smirks* Please. I don't know where your little friend is.
Kimberly: So you're the chick who thinks she's so wonderful, she can just steal whatever music she wants.
Daphne: You were with him!
Mike: You killed my songs, you bimbo!
Amber: That's right. I was with him. *scoffs* Those songs were already floating near the top, anyway.
Emma: Where's Sumner, and what did you do with the contracts and the masters?
Amber: Wouldn't you like to know?
Mike: Why, you... (lunges for her - Micky and Maxine hold him back) You wouldn't know how to write a song if you suddenly found your brain out in space somewhere!
Amber: Tsk, tsk, such anger! *smiles*
Emma: Amber, if you or Sumner have done anything to the contracts or the masters, you can possibly get a jail sentence. That's tampering with evidence.
Daphne: (Steps up to Amber) What happened to Davy?
Emma: (Smirks) Did he decide he had better taste than to turn the Jones charm on a brainless, plastic Barbie doll?
Amber: *shrugs* I told you, I don't know. *sighs* He took off while we were at Duffy's.
Mike: I knew his brain wasn't entirely in his dick. ;)
*Micky slugs Mike's arm, grinning.*
Maxine: You tricked all of us!
Amber: *glares* Yeah, well, all of you ruined my career!
Emma: Serves you right!
Mike: We wouldn't have minded being your studio musicians if you'd asked... and if you didn't butcher our music!
Micky: You ruined it when you opened your mouth to sing!
(Sumner comes down the hallway, smirking and looking pleased.)
Sumner: Don't worry, Amber. We've still got those contracts, and they're still binding, and we're still going to hold that concert tomorrow night. (Glares at the group) What on earth are all of you doing here? Haven't you caused enough trouble?
Mike: (Grabs Sumner by his lapels) You bastard! You lied to us! You butchered my best songs! I oughta break your hip neck for this!
Emma: (Squeaks) Mike! (She and Micky pull Mike off of Sumner)
Micky: Mike, murder won't help.
Sumner: (Rubs his chest) I could have you arrested for assault and battery, Mr. Nesmith! Those contracts are legal and binding, and we're going to hold you to them. All of you. (Puts his arm around Amber) My little discovery has quite an interest in your Mr. Jones. He's a fine dancer. She wants him to appear in our little show tomorrow.
Daphne: He'd never dance for you!
Sumner: That's what he said before encountering my boys outside of Duffy's.
Lauren: *groans* Wonderful.
Emma: You...you...
Mike: (Quivering with fury, but voice is controlled) What did you do to him, and where is he?
Sumner: We'll let him go if all of you, including him, appear at the concert tomorrow as my little discovery's back-up group. There's nothing here for the cops to find.
Mike: Your discovery should learn to stand on her own two feet and use her own music.
Amber: Now why would I want to do that? *smirks*
Daphne: (Glares at her as well as she can) Let Davy go. Now. Or I will get angry.
Kimberly: And she can get angry, too.
Mike: We're not doing anything, Sumner. We have evidence that we intend to turn over to the cops.
Sumner: Not if you want to keep your friend safe. (Notices Amber's slightly pained expression) I know you're fond of the boy, Amber, but they found out our little ruse. They'll obey us if they want him to remain safe.
Amber: *sighs* Fine.
Mike: Guys... (looks at the others) ...what do you think?
Kimberly: I still wanna deck her! (Points at Amber)
Micky: There's gotta be a way to tip off the cops and keep Dave safe.
Emma: There is. Valerie and Peter.
Micky: *grins* See? ;-)
Mike: (Nods and whispers) Right, they're still out there. We'll call them to get the cops and maybe the FCC when we get back to the Pad. (To Amber and Sumner) All right, we'll do the concert. But we'll need Dave back. He's part of our band. (Whispers to Micky) That's not the only reason we'll need Davy back. We're gonna need all hands on deck for this one.
*Micky nods.*
Sumner: We'll return him to you unharmed when you arrive at the concert.
Mike: (Mutters) Oh, man... (To Sumner) All right.
Kimberly: Are you sure I can't deck her?
Maxine: (Whispers) Tomorrow, Kim. We'll let you deck her all you want.
(Kimberly just grins widely.)
Mike: We're gonna need to go home and rest up for the concert.
Sumner: Do that. After all, we want you sounding fresh and perky to accompany the brightest young singing sensation to hit the nation since Brenda Lee!
Amber: *grins* That would be me!
Maxine: (Mutters to Daphne and Lauren, who are closest to her) In her dreams, maybe.
(Daphne snickers.)
Lauren: *mutters* I'm gonna be ill. ;-P
Emma: (Puts her arms quickly around Lauren) We've got to get this mother home! She's got twins in her! You don't want to see what they had for lunch! ;)
Lauren: Yeah, that's right! ;-)
Mike: Right! (Puts his arms around her other side) We've got to get her home. She's been on her feet too long.
*Micky grins, trying not to laugh.*
Sumner: Get all the rest you require. (Puts his arms around Amber) Come on, baby. Let's go to this splendid little night club I found on the Sunset Strip. They serve the most amazing little canopes made of olive oil, tomatoes, and Italian bread with garlic butter.
Amber: Ooh, that sounds wonderful!
Sumner: (Waves to the group) Ta ta, all (They stroll off together, Sumner rubbing his hands over Amber's ass while she giggles.)
Maxine: Girls, let's get home.
Micky: Geez, I think I'm gonna be sick now. :-P
Mike: The rest of us will head back to Malibu Beach and call Val and Peter from the Pad.
Emma: And I'll call the Malibu Beach Register, now that we have this evidence....not to mention kidnapping and extortion.
Mike: Come on. (He goes on ahead with Maxine, Jenny, and Kimberly, while Emma, Micky, and Lauren follow more slowly.)
Daphne: (Sighs) Oh, Davy, what have you gotten yourself into? (Finally follows them)