(We open in the recording studio where the opening and closing sequences of "Planet of the Monkees" were set.)

*Yelling and footsteps are heard. Finally, we see the guys enter. Micky is practically dragging Mike, who looks very grumpy.*

Micky: Mike, do you HAVE to be so impossible about this?

Mike: Oh come on, Mick! First of all, it's only two days after Thanksgivin'. They only just started playin' Christmas music on the radio! Second, this ain't your house!

Micky: So? We've been spending as much, if not more, time at the studio. What's wrong with decorating the studio, anyway? Why not make it festive?

Peter: I asked Valerie, and she said it would be perfectly fine! (Looks around) Now, where can I put the tree?

Mike: She said it would be fine 'cause she was in the middle of readin' contracts and not listenin' to you goin' on about Christmas decorations.

Davy: *ignores Mike* Maybe in one of the corners...

Micky: Mike, you're just making excuses. Now, come on, we've got everything with us. Let’s just put this stuff up, okay?

Mike: Well, if we gotta...

Peter: Great! Here! (Dumps boxes in Mike and Micky’s arms) Untangle the lights and the garland!

Micky: *sticks his tongue out at Mike* And a bah hummbug to you, too, Scrooge. *sets about untangling the lights, which he's surprisingly good at*

Davy: *dodges one end of the string of lights* Watch it, mate!

Micky: Sorry, Dave.

Mike: (Grumbles as he takes the other end of the lights...which, of course, is in a huge tangle) Who put these away last year?

Micky: I did. Why?

(Mike holds up the gigantic knot in front of Micky's face. :p)

Micky: *shrugs* I untangled worse last year.

Peter: Davy, help me get the tree up. Mike, you take out the ornaments.

Mike: (Starts to pull out boxes of glass ornaments) I don't know why we're even doin' this. We're gonna be gone for two weeks, anyway.

Peter: But we'll be home in time for Christmas!

Micky: A lot of the other artists will be around to enjoy them.

Davy: Let’s get this tree going.

("Just Like All of Your Toys" begins as Mike puts lights on the tree and Peter winds the gold tinsel garland.)

*Micky hangs mistletoe over a doorway. Then he grabs a plastic banner proclaiming "Merry Christmas!" and hangs it on the back wall.*

*Davy works on the ornaments, but trips over the tail of a string of lights and does a bit of a juggling act with the ornaments. He finally settles without breaking any. He lets out a sigh of relief.*

(Mike grumbles as he and Peter try to get each other untangled from their respective garland and lights.)

*Davy passes though the doorway where Micky hung the mistletoe. Micky grabs him and plants a kiss on Davy's forehead. Davy shakes a fist at Micky, who grins widely and points up at the mistletoe. Davy rolls his eyes.*

(Mike and Peter finally stand back from the tree. It now has muli-colored lights that glow softly and gold garland. Peter beams widely, and even Mike smiles a little. Peter calls to Micky and Davy to help hang the ornaments!)

*Mivcky and Davy join them, holding boxes of ornaments. They do their best imitations of the Tazmanian Devil in putting the ornaments on the tree as quickly as they can.*

(Mike, on the other hand, slowly and carefully hangs each glass ornament on a branch. He scolds Peter for putting two ornaments that are the same color next to each other.)

(Mike points at the top of the tree. It needs a star...and no, Davy can't put it on.)

*Micky raises his hand and waves it wildly!*

(Mike hands him the star.)

*Micky takes the star and puts it on the top of the tree. The four step back to admire their work.*

Mike: (As the music ends) Hey, not bad.

Peter: We just need one more thing, though. (He goes to the last box and takes a big wreath out of it and hangs it on the door to the recording studio) There. Now it's just right.

Micky: Perfect! See, wasn't that fun?

Mike: (Small smile) I guess so...

Peter: (Puts his arm around Mike) I know you don't like Christmas, Michael, but you have to remember, things are different now. You have Em, and Katie, and us. It's not like in Texas.

Mike: I know. It just...it always seemed like so much...well, so MUCH of everythin' at once. Too much toys. Too much food. Too many decorations and things goin' on.

Peter: That's called "celebration," Michael.

Micky: *nods* Mike, all we're trying to do is have a little fun and enjoy the holiday.

Mike: (Sighs) You know how I am. Fun n' me...they don't always get along.

Davy: No kiddin', mate.

Peter: This is going to be the best Christmas we ever had, Mike. We certainly have enough money for presents and decorations, and we'll be going on a two-week vacation to work on the movie in the Bahamas and on a cruise ship! You just need to relax and enjoy it!

Mike: Well, if it'll make everyone happy, I guess I could. Em loves Christmas. The way her face lights up when she talks about Christmas at her parents' house...

Peter: And we're going to have that with the kids this year, all of them! We're going to have a wonderful time on that cruise and after we get back! :)

Mike: Well...(smiles again)...the tree DID turn out well, didn't it?

Micky: *puts an arm around Mike's shoulders* I knew you'd come around, Mike!

Peter: Merry Christmas, Michael. :)

(Mike just smiles that little smile of his as we fade out on the softly glowing tree and the silouhetted figures of the four Monkees against the dim lights of the studio. :) )