Ok, folks, ready to find your inner child? ;)

Peter: Sure! Sounds like fun! :)

Mike: Huh?

Micky: You bet! :D

Lauren: I am!

Davy: Should be interestin'. ;)

(We open at Micky and Lauren's house in the backyard. The entire group is in the back. The twins, Katie, and Peter play on and around the swingset. Lauren and Valerie watch Jordan on a blanket. Micky and Mike stand behind a barbecue. Emma sets out bowls of various salads, pretzels, potato chips, buns, and roasted veggies for the vegetarians.)

Mike: Mick, are you crazy? You put that much charcoal on the fire and you'll be sittin' in ashes in five seconds flat! You wanna burn this place to the ground before we get lunch? :p

Micky: I ain't gonna burn nothing down, Mike. I've done this a hundred times already. It's fine!

Mike: Mick, no one's gonna taste anythin' but burnt coal. :p

Emma: Honey, leave him alone. It's his grill.

Micky: *shakes his pointu utensil at Mike* Yeah! It's MY grill! ;)

Lauren: *calls over* Mick, no threatening the guests, and don't use the phrase on your apron as a threat, either! :P ;)

*Micky looks down at his apron, which says "Kiss The Cook."* ;)

Mike: (Crosses his arms) No thanks. I got plenty of other people around here I'd rather be kissin'. ;) :p

Micky: Yeah, well, so do I. :P ;)

(The door rings at that point.)

Emma: That's probably Davy and Daphne. I hope they're ok. They had to go into town, and not only am I worried about fans following them, but I know Daph's said she hasn't been feeling well ever since we got back from Japan.

Mike: Who's gonna let in the happy couple? ;)

Lauren: *stands* I'll get them. Heaven forbid Mick needs to leave the side of his grill. :P ;)

*Lauren goes into the house, crosses to the front, and opens the door.*

(Davy and Daphne are on the other side. Daphne pats her stomach happily. Both have huge grins on their faces. :D)

Lauren: *quirks an eyebrow* Well, aren't you two rather, uh, beaming today. ;)

Davy: 'Ey, Lauren. You won't BELIEVE what we 'ave to tell everyone! :D

Daphne: (Blushes becomingly) Yeah. :)

Lauren: *smirks* Oh, I don't know if I'd say that. *motions them in* Well, c'mon in. The sooner you two get out back, the sooner you can share your, ahem, surprise. ;)

(The duo follows Lauren to the backyard. Peter and the kids run up to them, chasing each other. Peter tags Little Mick.)

Peter: Gotcha! You're it! (Looks up at the entrants) Hi, guys! :D

Davy: (He and Daphne sit down on the bench alongside the table. Davy helps Daphne into her seat) 'Ullo, all. We 'ave something VERY important to to tell you. ;)

Daphne: Very. :D

Mike: Well?

Micky: Spit it out!

Davy: We went to the doctah's today. (Grins even wider, if that's possible) Seems Daph ain't been sick these past few days. :D

Emma: (Now SHE'S grinning) You're kidding? :D

Daphne: (Nods) I'm pregnant. :)

Davy: (Takes her hand and squeezes it) Isn’t that wonderful? :D

Micky: *slugs Davy's arm; grinning* You DOG, you! ;) :D

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Congratulations, you two. :)

Valerie: That's wonderful! :)

(Makes Jordan clap; he gurgles :) )

Katie: Wat preg'nit?

Mike: Aunt Daphne's gonna have a baby, Katie. :)

Katie: (Eyes widen) Ooooohhh! :o

Peter: Guys, that's so groovy! :D

Little Mick: Yay! Another cousin! :D

*Shelly claps, grinning.* :)

Davy: (Grins) Soon, we'll 'ave a little buggah of our own runnin' around with the twins n' Katie. ;)

Daphne: (Puts her hand on her stomach) If what we saw in the future is any indication, it's probably a girl. :)

Katie: Yay! :D

Peter: (Sits down on the other side of the picnic bench) Wow, I can't believe it. You guys are finally having kids. :D

Katie: (Tugs on Emma's pants) Mama, play?

Emma: (Nods) Sure, sweetie. Uncle Micky isn't quite finished with the hot dogs and hamburgers yet. :)

Micky: It won't be too much longer.

Katie: Yay! (Turns to the twins) Wanna play?

*The twins cheer.* :D

Katie: (Goes over to Valerie) Jordan play?

Valerie: Not quite yet, dear. He'll probably be ready to join you soon, though. :)

Katie: Aw! Wanna play! :P

(Jordan gurgles and smiles at Katie. She was pouting, but she finally giggles and tickles Jordan's tummy, which makes HIM giggle. :)) )

Shelly: You're playing. :)

Katie: (Nods) 'Kay. (Turns to the twins) Wat play?

Peter: Why don't you guys play hide-and-seek? Uncle Peter wants to talk to your mommies and daddies. :)

Katie: 'Kay. :)

Little Mick: Okay! :D

Shelly: Let’s go play! :)

(The adults watch as the trio run off to play hide-and-seek. Little Mick leans against a tree and counts to ten...as well as he can...while the other two hide around the swing set and trees.)

Peter: I love playing with the kids. They're so much fun! :D

Mike: You sure look like you have fun.

Daphne: (Leans back) I wonder what it'll be like when our child is born?

Davy: (Looks at Micky) The twins bettah be good to our girl. Don't want 'er learnin' all their lit'l tricks to drive us crazy. ;) :p

Micky: *grins* Nahhh, you'll teach her enough of those yourself. ;)

(Davy swats at Micky as the others laugh. Emma goes into the kitchen, smiling a bit. ;) )

Peter: This is great! It's so nice to have you guys around. I wish I'd known you when I was a kid. It's hard to make friends when your family moves every few years and you're always the new kid. :p

Mike: Yeah, I know what you mean, Pete. I spent a lot of my childhood workin' at one job or the other. Didn't get invited to parties, and most kids in school wouldn't talk to me 'cause we were poor and I just lived with Mom.

Davy: Try bein' the shortest in your class sometime. :p

Micky: I was always goofing off. The other kids loved it, but I never really knew who my real friends were.

Lauren: Or being so shy. Yeah, I had a few really good friends, but they disappeared quickly. :P

Daphne: (Makes a face) I got along better with boys than with girls until high school. Most of the girls when I was little just seemed so...boring. They wouldn't play Captain Video or Lone Ranger, and if they could be talked into Superman, they wanted to be Lois Lane, not Supergirl. :p

Valerie: I had the opposite problem. I went to all-girls prep schools for most of my life. I didn't go to a co-ed school until college! The only men I knew were older men like Dad, not boys my own age. They always seemed either immature or pompous bores like Ronnie. :p

Daphne: I wish I'd know you guys when I was a kid.

Peter: Yeah, me too. I always felt out-of-place. I never really belonged anywhere.

Lauren: *nods* Me, too. I've never felt as comfortable around others as I do with you guys. :)

Micky: And for once I know that it isn't my clowning that keeps all of you around. ;)

Mike: Yeah, it sure ain't your jokes. (Ducks away from Micky's swat) Seriously, you guys don't care how much money we had or if Mom was married or not.

Valerie: (Cuddles Jordan) The kids are lucky they're getting to know each other now. :)

Peter: I wonder what it would have been like if we'd met each other as kids?

Lauren: Would've been interesting, to say the least. ;)

Daphne: Yeah...

(Wavy fade-out on the group in the yard as they watch Little Mick look for the girls. Fade in on an oversized playground and huge yard and blacktop with a basketball hoop. A group of children troop out, following a woman in a suit, low heels, and stockings...or at least, her legs are, as that's all we see. The last "child" is Mike. He wears a pair of overalls with a patch on each knee, ratty sneakers, and an old T-shirt that's too big for him. He plops down behind the playground "equipment," trying to be alone.)

Teacher: (Heard) All right, children. It's time for recess. Remember, be nice and don't push or shove. You'll all get your turns on the equipment.

(Another "child" separates from the others as they run towards a round patch of dirt to play dodgeball. It's Peter in a nice white shirt, tie, short pants, and good shoes. He has an orange lunch pail with a big green musical note on it.)

Child 1: (Nods at Peter) What about him?

Child 2: (Sneers) Oh, that's just the new boy. Don't ask him to play! He's a dummy! (They run away, snickering. Peter starts to cry)

Mike: Hey. (Gets up) Hey. What's wrong?

Peter: They...they don't want me here. I don't like it here. I wanna go home! :((

Mike: Calm down. Where's home?

Peter: C..connecticut. :(

Mike: Wow, that's really far away from here! (Frowns) I'm not from here, either. I'm from Texas.

Peter: I know where THAT is! It's where they have oil and cows and lone stars! :D

Mike: Never saw no lone stars, but yeah, there's oil and cows there.

Peter: My name’s Peter Thorkleson. What’s yours? :)

Mike: Robert Nesmith, but I like Mike better.

*Laughter comes from a group of several kids. As it fades, all but one of the kids start talkin to each other, completely ignoring the one kid. The kid walks away from the group--it's Micky. He wears a colorful shirt and blue jeans, his hair curly but not as big. He has a slight frown as he flops down near Mike and Peter.*

Peter: (Wipes his eyes) Hi. Are you ok? (Smiles a bit) I know you! I've seen you around school. You're always telling funny jokes that make the other kids laugh! You're so smart! I wish I were smart like you! :)

Micky: *nods* Yeah, everyone likes my jokes, but that's it. They don't like me, just that I'm funny. *motions toward the group* They laughed and then ignored me. :P

(Mike returns to his spot next to the fence, trying to be invisible. :p)

Peter: At least you know them! (Frowns; his eyes fill with tears again) My family is always moving. I'm always the the new kid, and I'm real slow about a lot of things. I'm dumb. I don't do math too well, and I'm not doing well at reading. :(

Micky: *shrugs* So what? I bet you're good at other things. I know I am, but I don't get a chance to prove it.

Peter: Why not?

Micky: Because the only time the other kids don't ignore me is when I'm telling jokes. Otherwise, they think I'm weird because I like wearing lots of bright colors and because of my hair. :P

Peter: (Runs his fingers through Micky's hair) I like your hair! I wish I could get mine to do that! :D

(Mike pulls at the grass, trying to ignore the other two.)

Micky: Well, they like comparing it to a Brillo pad. *makes a face, then glances over at Mike; turns to Peter* What's wrong with him?

Peter: I don't know. (Looks at him) Mike, what's wrong?

Mike: Ain't nuthin' wrong. :p

Micky: Then why don't you join us?

Peter: (Grins) Mike, come on! This is Micky! He has cool hair and tells great jokes and he's really nice and smart! (To Micky) Mike is from Texas! He knows all about cows and oil and lone stars! :D

Mike: No thanks.

Micky: How come?

Peter: Why not, Mike? (His eyes fill with tears again) Don't you like us? :(

Mike: 'Cause.

Micky: *shakes his head* That's not a reason. :P

Peter: Please, Mike! You and Micky are the only people here who have been nice to me here! :(

(Mike finally gets up and sits next to Micky and Peter, though he won't look at them.)

Mike: Hi.

Peter: Come on, Mike! Micky won't bite! :)

Micky: *grins* Much. Just a little nibble. *laughs* ;)

(Mike just grumbles as a group of girls come out. They giggle and leave...revealing Davy in a nice little suit, his hair neatly slicked back. He sighs, shrugs, and sits down on the swings, next to the other guys.)

Peter: Uh...hello.

Davy: 'Ullo.

Micky: Hi. :)

(Mike just nods.)

Davy: What are you fellas doin' ovah 'ere?

Peter: Why do you talk funny?

Davy: I just moved 'ere from England.

Peter: (Eyes widen) Wow! That's REALLY far away! :o

Micky: Cool! :D

Davy: (Sighs) I don't think I like it 'ere, though. Everythin' is so different from back 'ome.

Mike: (Mutters as he joins them reluctantly) Tell me about it. :p

Davy: All the girls are very nice, but most of the boys don't like me 'cause I'm so little.

Peter: You don't look so little to me! I'm little, too! :p

Mike: Do you have enough to eat?

Davy: (Shrugs) Well, I guess. Da works on the railroads and Mum don't work at all, but we eat all right.

Peter: My mommy and daddy are teachers! (Beams) I might be a teacher when I grow up, too! Or a musician. I love to play the banjo and the ukelale! :D

Davy: I don't want to work on the railroads when I get big. I want to be a movie star in 'Ollywood or ride a winning 'orse. :D

Micky: I wanna invent or build things. :)

Davy: What about your mum and da? What do they do? :)

(Mike frowns and turns away from the others, sticking his hands in his pockets. :( )

*Micky mumbles something.* ;)

Davy: I didn't undahstand that! ;) :p

Peter: Are your mommy and daddy away? :(

Micky: *sighs* No, they're...entertainers. They work in Hollywood.

Davy: Wow!

Peter: Oh. Do they play music? :D

Mike: Cool.

Micky: *nods* My dad sings. He calls it light opera. Mom sings, too.

Peter: (Makes a face) I don't like opera! (Grins) I like some classic stuff, though, like Mozart and Stravinsky. Mommy and Daddy always play it! :D

Mike: Never hearda those guys. What's their gig?

Peter: (Giggles) I don't think they play any gigs. They're dead! ;)

Davy: Me dad is a terrible singah. 'E's so bad, Mum won't let 'im sing along with the radio anymore. ;) :p

Peter: Mommy likes to sing Broadway songs when she cleans, but she isn't very good. ;) :p

Micky: Sometimes when my dad sings at home, he struts through the living room in his underwear! :P ;)

(The other guys chuckle, and even Mike smiles.)

Peter: My dad would never do something like that! I only see him wear suits, or sometimes a sweater and pants on the weekend. :">

Davy: If Da's evah been in 'is undahwear around the 'ouse, only Mum's seen it. ;)

Micky: *shrugs* Dad likes the attention. ;)

Peter: Hey, Mike, how about your dad?

(Mike turns away again, not wanting the guys to see the hurt in his eyes.)

Peter: (Frowns) Did I say something wrong?

Davy: Man, I wondah what's 'is problem?

*A small girl comes outside by herself. She wears blue pants and a blue and white striped shirt. Her brown hair is pulled up in a ponytail that sticks out the back of her baseball cap.*

Davy: (Grins) Hi! Wot's your name? :)

(Peter just blushes. :">)

Lauren: *shyly* Lauren.

Micky: *smiles* Hi, Lauren! That's a nice name. :)

*Lauren blushes.* :">

Davy: Yeah! I like your 'at, too. :)

Mike: Girls. :p

Lauren: *quietly* Thank you. :)

Davy: What's wrong with girls?

Micky: Yeah, man?

Mike: They ain't no fun. Just wanna call people names n' stuff. :p

Davy: I'll bet Lauren is fun! She's a nice girl!

Lauren: *still quiet* I wouldn't call anyone names.

Micky: See that, Mike?

Mike: Yeah.

(Another girl runs out at this point, chasing a group of boys. She holds a plastic "laser" gun and wears a long skirt and pink blouse covered with grass stains, her hair back in long black pigtails tied with undone pink ribbons.)

Girl: Hey! Come back here! I want to blow you guys to Venus! ;) :p

Davy: Wow! What are ya playin?

(Peter just pulls away, blushing harder. :">)

Girl: "Captain Video." I'm one of his rangers, and we're chasing a group of aliens from Venus who are going to take over the whole planet! :D

Micky: Cool! That sounds like fun! :D

Girl: It is, but I wish the boys would let me do more. I can't be Captain Video or get into a fight with any of the aliens, just 'cause I'm a girl! :p

Peter: That's not fair! :p

Davy: Want to sit with us, luv? Maybe we could make the boys give you a bettah part!

Girl: Ok, but I've got to catch up with them soon! (She smiles) I'm Daphne. What about you guys?

Davy: I'm Davy Jones.

Peter: Peter Thorkleson.

Micky: Micky Dolenz.

Mike: (Mutters) Robert Nesmith, but I like Mike better. :p

Lauren: *quietly* Lauren Miller.

Daphne: (Frowns at Lauren) Are you ok? You aren't saying much.

Davy: (Takes Lauren's hand) We won't 'urt you, Lauren. We like you! :)}

Lauren: *shy smile* I'm just...shy. :P

Micky: *grins* I can help you out of that! ;)

*Lauren gives Micky a wary smile.* :)

Peter: Me too. I don't usually like to talk to girls. They tease me, 'cause I'm stupid. :(

Mike: You ain't dumb! You know where Texas and England are, right?

Peter: Yeah.

Daphne: He's right. It took a long time to learn where places are! :)

Peter: I was going to have my lunch, then go inside. I guess I won't have it alone anymore. Would you guys like to join me for lunch? :)

Mike: Can't.

Peter: (Frowns) Why not?

Mike: Just can't.

Daphne: Can't eat lunch?

Mike: I ain't hungry.

Davy: But we're all going to 'ave lunch in a few minutes! (Holds out his lunch box, which has a picture of a horse on it)

Mike: I said I ain't hungry.

Daphne: What's wrong with you? Why are you so grumpy?

Mike: I ain't grumpy. Why you askin' questions?

Davy: 'Cause everyone 'as a lunch!

Micky: And because we care. :)

Lauren: *nods* Yeah. :)

Mike: (Looks up, surprised) You...care?

Daphne: Sure! :)

Micky: Of course we do!

Mike: Why?

Peter: Well, you were nice to me! You say I'm not dumb! :D

Daphne: Don't people care about you?

Mike: (Too fast) Sure. Sure. Got lotsa people who care.

Lauren: *carefully* Are you sure?

(Daphne's friends run in before Mike can answer. They're throwing a yellow hair bow back and forth bethween them. A slender little girl with long auburn hair runs after them, nearly in tears. She wears a frilly yellow dress with white and yellow lace-trimmed socks and shiny black Mary-Janes.)

Girl: (Cries) Give me that back! That's my favorite hair ribbon! :((

Davy: (He, Micky, and Daphne go up to the boys) 'Ey, that's not nice! You leave 'er alone! X(

Boy 1: Make us, shorty. ;)

Micky: *puts up his fists* Give her her hair ribbon back. :P X-(