(We open in the ballroom of the Montgomery House, the week before Halloween. The massive old room is set up for the holiday, with bales of hay, huge decorative pumpkins and squash, real-looking scarecrows, pots of asters, mums, and small elms, sheaths of wheat, and "The Monster Mash" blaring out of speakers on the bandstand. Groups of people mill around the room. Emma and Lauren join the four Monkees at a table.)

Emma: (She's dressed as a black cat in a black shirt, black jeans, black shoes, fuzzy black cat's ears, a black bow in her hair, and a long tail. Her nose and whiskers are drawn on with makeup) Ok, guys. We just put the kids to bed. It wasn't easy, but they're down.

Mike: (He wears his elaborate blue-and-white spangled cowboy outfit) But are they actually sleeping?

Emma: Whether or not they're asleep, they've been given very strict orders NOT to leave the room after we've put them down. They know they're not allowed to go to the party this time.

Lauren: *she's dressed as a witch, complete with pointy hat, long, sparkly purple robe, and Onyx on a leash* Besides, they had their own costume party already.

Micky: *wears a black cape, a simple black suit, plastic "fangs," and has his hair slicked back; shrugs* They're good kids. They'll stay put.

Davy: *dressed as Prince Charming, complete with a sword hanging from his thigh* It isn't the kids I'm worried about be'aving. *grins in Micky's direction*

Micky: *looks innocent* Who? Me?

Peter: (He's Robin Hood in a green tunic, slightly baggy green trousers, his knee-high moccasins, and a green triangular hat with a feather) Yes, you, Mick. I seem to remember what happened the first time we did a party at the Montgomery House.

Micky: *holds up his hands* I am NOT drinking this time!

Lauren: I made him promise to swear off it.

Valerie: (She joins them, dressed as Maid Marian in a tall Medieval headdress and her golden gown) You'd better not. Some of the Martians are already sloshed, and I have NO ideas where Nyles is.

Micky: Actually, I saw Nyles with Jack a couple minutes ago. *grins* You should see Jack's costume! Looks like a set of red long johns with a black cape!

Mike: Oh yeah, he said he was goin' as a super hero this year. How'd Nyles talk him into that?

Micky: He lost the toss. (Shrugs) Nyles SAYS he's an FBI agent, wearing a suit. I think he just couldn’t come up with money to rent a costume, so he went digging through Jack's closet.

Mike: He don't fit into Jack's clothes. THAT should be interestin'.

*Daphne joins them next, wearing a ball gown that's light blue and sparkly. A tiara rests on her head amidst her done-up hair.*

Davy: *grins* Daph, you still look absolutely smashing!

Daphne: *smiles* Thank you.

Valerie: That costume place in Pasadena does wonders. They're the same ones who designed our new uniforms, too.

Lauren: *nods* It was so hard to choose! And as much as I love my choice... *takes her pointy hat off* the hat has GOT to go.

Micky: *eyes Lauren* Y'know, babe, the dress that came with your costume's pretty nice-looking. Why don'tcha lose the robe?

Lauren: *her eyes darken a bit* Because the damn thing's cut to down here. *points to the middle of her chest*

Micky: And your point is...

*Davy chuckles.*

Daphne: *looks down at herself* That's about the same as mine.

Lauren: See what you started, Mick?

Micky: Come on, babe! Please?

Lauren: I am getting rather hot in the robe. Here, *hands Micky the leash* hold Onyx for me.

*Micky picks up Onyx from the floor and lets the cat nuzzle him. Lauren stands with her back to the table as she slides off the robe, to reveal a long-sleeve, form-fitting dress. She turns around, hands on her hips, and gives Micky a pointed look.*

Lauren: Happy, Mick?

Micky: *blinks* Very...

*Lauren rolls her eyes and folds her arms, sitting back down. She takes Onyx back and sets the cat on her lap.*

Mike: I wonder if we should go check on Nyles. The last time we left him alone at a party in the Montgomery House, he drank most of a keg and passed out on the kitchen table.

Valerie: And Peter and Micky fell asleep under him. (Grins) I still have those pictures.

Peter: And they won't be seen for a LONG time.

Micky: *groans* Don't remind me. *shakes his head* Jack said he's keeping an eye on Nyles, who really is trying to clean himself up.

Mike: How about some...

Emma: No poker. We all agreed that there would be no more gambling at any of our parties, even for food.

Micky: Please. Card games cause WAY too much trouble.

Davy: Mick's right. We get too carried away.

Micky: *stomach growls* Well...I guess I'm getting hungry. *eyes the food table* We could use more food out here, too. Who'd like to hit the kitchen and get more food for the natives?

Mike: Pete, how 'bout we go with Mick and make sure the food all finds its way out here?

Micky: *frowns* Hey!

Peter: Sure. Davy and the ladies can hold down the fort.

Micky: Funny, guys. *stands* Come on, let’s bring out the food.

(Cut to the cheery yellow kitchen. Peter organizes vegetable trays, while Mike gathers trays of pepperoni and cheese.)

*Micky fills the punch bowl, dumping in more ice. He turns to grab the ladle and pauses.*

Micky: Hey, guys?

Mike: (Doesn't look up from the meat and cheese tray) Yeah?

Peter: (Does look up) What is it, Mick?

Micky: I think I just saw a ghost.

Mike: (Still doesn't look up) Mick, there ain't no such thing.

Peter: (Shakes his head) I don't know, Michael. I've always felt strange vibes here, even after that party.

Micky: Besides *folds his arms; sighs and glares dully at Mike*, there's also supposed to be no such thing as vampires.

Mike: Mick, remember what happened last time? All we saw were shadows created by your overactive and sloshed imagination.

Micky: *straight-faced* I'm serious, Mike. I know what I just saw, and it sure looked like a ghost.

Mike: (Sighs) Mick, why don't we just bring the food to the party? THEN we chase ghosts.

Micky: *finally smiles* Thank you. *plunges the ladle into the punch and hefts the bowl*

(Cut to the party as the boys bring the food to the long tables on the right side of the ballroom. All three duck away from the crush of people who immediately swarm over to the newly-arrived snacks.)

Mike: Geeze, just got outta that with our lives!

Peter: (Brushes off his tunic) I guess they were hungry.

Micky: Man, we didn't let the table get THAT empty! *waves on the others* Come on, let’s tell the others about the ghost...

Emma: (looks up as the three return to the table) Hi, guys. I guess dancing really works up an appetite.

Mike: No kiddin'. Next time, we hire caterers.

Lauren: If for only to NOT get trounced when we bring out the goodies.

Micky: Yeah. *pauses* I saw something odd while we were in the kitchen.

Davy: Wot? A food you DON'T like?

Mike: (Rolls his eyes) He thinks he saw a ghost. :p

Micky: *excited* I know... *sighs; calmer* I DID see a ghost. I wanna find out why it's in here.

Davy: *frowns* Last time, we ended up chasing YOU, mate.

Micky: *shrugs* I'll go look for it on my own.

Lauren: *makes a face* I don't think this is such a good idea.

Micky: *spins on his heel* I'm going to look for the ghost. If anyone wants to help, you're more than welcome. *starts for the door*

Emma: I KNOW it isn't. Micky, we'll go with you.

Peter: Micky, wait up! (He hurries after him) I'm going. I've always felt odd vibes in this place.

Lauren: *shrugs* I guess it couldn't hurt. *gets up, still holding Onyx* Guys, wait up!

Davy: *turns to Daphne* Wanna go on a wild Micky chase?

Daphne: *nudges Davy* You're awful! *stands* Come on, Davy, lets go find out what Micky saw.

Valerie: Peter.. (she goes after them)

Peter: (Takes Micky's arm) Remember what we said about sticking together?

Micky: *nods* Yeah, sorry about that, Pete. It's just I know what I saw, and I know I saw a ghost.

Valerie: If you saw a ghost, we'll help you find it.

Lauren: *takes Micky's arm* That's right.

Davy: If we were a ghost, where would we go in 'ere?

Micky: Well, the ghost left the kitchen...

Peter: I guess that would be a good place to start.

Emma: (Mike's behind her) Wait up, guys!

Mike: Yeah, we don't wanna be left out.

Micky: *calls over his shoulder* We’re off to the kitchen first.

*Back to the cheery yellow kitchen, we see Micky enter first, followed by Lauren and Peter, then the others.*

Peter: Ok Mick, where, exactly, did you see the ghost?

Micky: *points* Over by the other door. It was just floating out the door when I looked up.

Peter: Everyone search the room. It had to have come from SOMEWHERE.

Mike: (Mutters) This is crazy... (Emma elbows him as they peer in cabinets)

(Valerie and Peter check the shelves.)

*Lauren checks the lower cabinets. Davy and Daphne look around the doorways.*

*Micky feels his way along one of the plain walls. He presses against the wall. It suddenly swings out from in front of him.*

Micky: *yells as he falls* Ooooof! *pauses* I'm okay. I...guys, look!

Mike: What is it, Mick?

Peter: A secret passage!

Micky: *pushes off the ground; brushes himself off* I'll take it from your reaction that you didn't know about this, Pete. *leans in to look down the passageway* It's furnished!

Davy: Furnished? You're kidding!

Valerie: What's furnished?

Peter: A furnished hallway?

Micky: There's carpeting, wallpaper...and lights! *there's a moment, before a click is heard. The lights come on* Found the light switch.

Valerie: It's a whole little room!

Micky: *steps inside the passageway; waves on the others* Come on, I wanna see where this comes out...

Peter: Me too.

Valerie: I wonder how we'd missed this before?

Micky: Who looks for secret passages?

Lauren: Other than Mick.

Mike: Might as well get a move on.

*Micky starts to lead the way down the passageway, until they reach the end of the 'room/hall.' He feels around the wall in front of them* There's gotta be another hidden door here somewhere...

Peter: Maybe it's not a door-door this time.

Valerie: Like a trap door?

Peter: Or something in the ceiling.

Davy: So if I pull on this light... *puts his hand on the metal* and pull...

*A trap door in the floor opens right where Micky's standing! He yells, then stops as there's a thud at the end.*

Mike: Mick!

Peter: Micky, are you all right? (He and Mike kneel next to where Micky fell)

Micky: Yeah...I'm fine...

Mike: Hold on, Mick. We're comin' down!

Peter: I don't want Valerie going through the floor.

Valerie: (Shakes her head) I'll stay here and keep a look out.

*We cut to below, with Micky glancing around yet another furnished room, again complete with carpeting, light, and furniture!*

*This room, however, IS familiar to Micky. The room has mustard-colored wallpaper, heavy Victorian furniture, and a huge dark wood canopy bed. Micky pauses, then starts to back up towards where he slid in from as the others start sliding down.*

(Mike and Davy are already coming in. They fall into Micky, and all three land on a heap on the floor.)

Mike: Ooof! Damn...

Davy: Wow, wot a soft landing!

Micky: Get OFF!

Davy: *scrambles off* Sorry Mick!

Lauren: *calls down* All clear down there?

*Micky shoves Mike off. The three guys move out of the way.*

Micky: *calls up* It's clear...

*A few moments later, Lauren slides down, then Emma, then Daphne and Peter.*

Emma: Nice, guys.

Davy: We try.

*Micky wanders over, glancing at the bed, then the chair...*

Lauren: It's whole other room!

Daphne: *picks up an ivory-handled brush* Looks like some stuff was left behind.

Micky: *turns to face the others, but he's still glancing around* Sheila used this room...

Lauren: Mick?

Mike: Sheila?

Micky: *fidgets* When she was using this house... *sighs* I just...know.

Peter: (Nods) This must have been her room. It has some of her vibes left. (Shudders)

*The closet door in the corner suddenly opens slightly...*

Micky: *rubs at an arm* It was...

Peter: (Eyes widen) Oh...oh my...

Mike: Pete, what is it?

Micky: What?

Peter: Gh...gh...ghoooosst! (He points at the closet door opening)

Valerie: (She leans down as far as she dares) Peter, what is it?

Micky: *spins around; he's the closest to the closet* I'm going in. *Micky swats behind him. He walks carefully over to the closet and whips the door open the rest of the way. A small ghost pops out. It stops right in front of Micky's face. The two end up staring at each other.*

Mike: That's a ghost?

Peter: Oh my!

Lauren: He's so little...

Micky: Does anyone care that I'm having a staring contest with a ghost?

*The small ghost suddenly gives Micky a razzberry, then floats over his head, laughing.*

Peter: (Frowns) Guys, I don't think that's a BAD ghost. He doesn't have an aura like the one on the evil uncle at the manor in England, or a dark aura like Sheila's.

Mike: No, he's just annoyin'. Come back here!

*The ghost laughs, dancing above everyone's heads.*

Emma: Honey, that's a ghost. I don't think you can order him around like he's one of your men.

Micky: *rejoins the group* Maybe if we just tried talking to him...

Peter: I'll talk to him. I can still see his aura. It's more playful than mean-spirited. (He looks up at the ghost) Um, hello there!

*The ghost floats above Peter, chuckling a little. He ends up appearing as though he's waving.*

Micky: He's waving!

Peter: (Waves back) Hi! My name is Peter. What's yours?

*The ghost floats down in front of Peter's face and appears to smile!*

Ghost: Me Emerald! *giggles*

Peter: Hi there, Emerald! I didn't know you live here!

Mike: You sorta scared us.

Emerald: I sorry! I not scary! Me friendly! Wanna play!

Emma: I think she's cute!

Micky: Emerald, you sure sound friendly!

Emerald: *turns to Micky* I sorry I razz you. Just learned that. Wanted to try it. *She giggles and floats over to Micky.* You not happy. You don't like room. Me recognize you! You here with bad lady!

Micky: *eyes widen* How did you...

Emerald: Been here long time!

Peter: You knew about Sheila.

Emerald: Bad lady no fun! Lock up Emerald!

Lauren: Sheila locked you up? You poor thing!

*Emerald bobs, as if nodding.*

Mike: As if we needed another reason to not like her.

Emma: You poor kid. I guess she only wanted bad spirits in the house.

Emerald: She say Emerald not scary. Lock up Emerald. Emerald set free when bad lady leave! *The little ghost floats over to Mike.* Emerald remember you! Emerald try to protect! Emerald power not strong enough.

Mike: (Smiles) Thanks, kid. You did what you could.

*Emerald bobs again.*

Micky: Emerald, could you answer a question for me?

Emerald: *floats over to Micky* Emerald try.

Micky: How did the rooms in this house get shifted? *looks at the others* The very first time I was in here, this room was up on the second floor, now it's below ground level.

Emerald: *bobs* Bad lady unhappy. She throw fit. Bad as little kid. *razzes*

Mike: (Laughs) Yeah, she is.

Peter: (Nods) When Valerie and I started remodeling this place, we noticed that several of the upstairs rooms looked entirely different...and the basement area was much smaller.

Micky: Which also explains why you weren't able to find some of them. *laughs a little* Just a suggestion. You might wanna change the furnishings down here.

Peter: No, we'll leave it as is. (Turns to Emerald) Would you like this as your room? It's too far downstairs for any of us to use it regularly.

Emerald: *bobs eagerly* Emerald like!

Peter: You can have full reign of the house. Just don't break anything important...and be careful around guests. Some of them don't handle ghosts well.

Emerald: Emerald be careful! Emerald no break! *bobs eagerly* Emerald house broken!

*Micky laughs outright.*

Davy: Well, that's good to know.

Emma: You're so cute. How could Sheila lock up a cute little thing like you?

Emerald: Bad lady not like cute.

Mike: Don't worry, Emerald. We'll make sure that bad lady don't hurt you anymore.

Peter: We don't like her, either. She keeps trying to hurt US.

Emerald: *bobs* Emerald try to stop bad lady from going after curly hair. Bad lady lock up Emerald in closet. Emerald peep out slats in door. *floats around Micky's head* Where curly hair?

Micky: *laughs* It's still there, Emerald. I'm in a costume.

Mike: Yeah. It's Halloween. (He nods at their outfits) We don't usually dress like this.

Emma: Except for him. He LOVES that cowboy suit.

Mike: (Mutters) Didn't get to dress like this when I was a kid...

Emerald: Me like costumes. *bobs eagerly*

Peter: You can go upstairs now, if you want...but you might want to stay out of the ballroom. Not everyone is drunk enough to not scream at the sight of you.

Emerald: Emerald be good. Emerald not go in ballroom. Emerald stay out of sight. Groovy!

Mike: I like this kid. She learns fast.

Emerald: *bobs* Emerald show way out. *floats over to a bare wall and taps the metal light fixture; the door slides open to reveal stairs*

Peter: Thanks! (He nods upwards) We have to go find my wife Valerie and get back to the party.

Emerald: Emerald follow. Not go in ballroom.

Emma: (Nods) And check on our darling children and make sure they're actually asleep and not having pillow fights.

Micky: Pillow fights? Them? Nahhh.

Emerald: Nahhh! *giggles, bobbing*

Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Man, Mick, don't teach Emerald any of your bad habits.

Micky: Hey!

Peter: (Laughs) You're a smart girl, Emerald. ;)

Emerald: Emerald smart cookie!

Emma: (Laughs) Where'd you hear THAT one?

Emerald: Emerald get around.

Peter: (Smiles) You're a good girl, Emerald. I'm glad we found you. Don't worry, Valerie and I fixed the house up all nice. It looks much better than when Sheila owned it. She abandoned the house after her uncle died and Valerie bought it and remodeled it.

Emerald: Emerald like house! Did good job!

Peter: (As they reach a door) Thank you. We tried to make the house more welcoming, yet still true to it's Victorian roots.

Mike: You'll have to see the parlor. That's where we meet and where we have Christmas when we do it here.

Emerald: Emerald love Christmas! Emerald only watch. Emerald want to participate!

Micky: *smiles* Of course you can participate! What would you like for Christmas?

Emerald: *bobs* Emerald want green scarf!

Peter: I think we can manage that.

(Peter opens the door, letting them out into the main parlor, near the door to the basement. Valerie meets them there.)

Valerie: Thank goodness! I lost sight of you after you went into the room. Are you ok?

Peter: We're just fine, Val. (He turns to the little ghost) Val, meet Emerald. Emerald, this is my wife, Valerie.

Emerald: *bobs eagerly* Hi, Valerie!

Valerie: Oh... (she laughs) you're a ghost? Oh, you're just adorable! Like the old "Casper" cartoons!

Emerald: Emerald think Casper cute!

Mike: The kids love watchin' him on TV.

Peter: (He turns to Emerald) We're going to go check on our kids and go back to the ballroom to make sure our guests haven't all passed out. You're free to go wherever there aren't too many people.

Emerald: Emerald be around. See ya around! *bobs and floats off down the hall*

Valerie: I like her. I take it we've now adopted a pet ghost in addition to the cat?

Peter: Valerie, she's been mistreated. She said Sheila locked her in the closet in her room when she was here because she wasn't scary enough.

Valerie: Oh, poor dear...

Mike: And she saw what Sheila did to Micky n' me, but apparently couldn't help out.

Micky: *nods* She couldn't get out of the closet.

Valerie: That settles it. We already have three cats, a dog, and the spirit of our former mentor in one of the cars. What's one little cute little ghost?

Peter: Other than accidentally spooking people, I doubt she'll be much of a problem. I told her she could keep the downstairs passages and rooms we discovered as her own rooms. They're too remote for us to use them, and kind of dusty.

Valerie: You know, those passageways and the room were familiar...

Peter: They were upstairs when Sheila lived here. Emerald told us something to the effect that Sheila threw a fit and rearranged things.

Mike: Even SHE can tell Sheila's a brat.

Lauren: I think everyone and everything can tell that.

Davy: It's 'ard to miss.

*Nyles suddenly appears, bolting down the hallway. He skids to a stop, slams into Micky, and hides behind him.*

Micky: *surprised* Ny? What's wrong, man? Why're you using me to hide behind?

Nyles: *peeks over Micky's shoulder* I saw a green ghost, man! Little tiny thing floating down the hallway!

Peter: Oh, that's just Emerald. Don't worry. She's friendly.

Mike: Man, we let her out for one second...

Peter: She probably didn't see Nyles.

Nyles: She’s friendly? Like Casper?

Micky: How did you see her?

Nyles: I had to take a whiz, and the nearer bathroom was occupied.

Mike: Nahh, I don't think she'd hurt a fly. She's really just a little kid.

Nyles: Yeah? *comes out from behind Micky*

Valerie: Should have told her to stay out of the bathrooms, too. I hope ghosts don't have to go.

Nyles: Nah, I was coming out and she floated by me. Funny thing...I coulda sworn she winked at me!

Davy: *chuckles* She probably did, mate.

Mike: Man, she's a little flirt!

Nyles: Whew. Man, at least now I know I wasn't seein' things. I thought someone had slipped me a mickey! *grins* Whoops, sorry Mick.

*Micky just rolls his eyes.*

Valerie: (As everyone laughs) No Nyles, it's just our resident friendly spectre.

Nyles: Okay.

Peter: (Nods) Seems we were right that one time we all went chasing ghosts. We just weren't sober enough to look in the right place.

Micky: I KNEW I saw something that time!

Mike: Hell, we all may have seen her durin' that party. Who knows? Most of us were too sloshed to really tell.

Valerie: And with the storm and Tilly and her stories and all our paranoia, no one was really thinking clearly that night.

Lauren: We probably scared her that night, which is why she didn't really hang around.

Emma: (Rolls her eyes) It wouldn't surprise me. You guys were making enough noise to scare off ghosts three times her size and powers.

Valerie: I'll bet she turned up when we were starting the party, but when everyone started running around, she got scared and took off.

Mike: Meanin' she was gone by the time we found Micky's "shadows."

Emma: Which is why that's all we found that night.

Micky: Well, how about we head back to the party? The guests are probably looking for more food by now. *his stomach growls* I know I am!

Mike: Yeah, I'm sure Emerald will be fine.

Valerie: Our guests must be fed, before there's another riot.

Davy: And spare your poor ballroom.

Mike: Let's go. (He grins at Nyles) You too. We'll get you a good, stiff drink to calm your nerves.

Nyles: *waves it off* Nah, thanks anyway, Mike! how about a good stiff Coca Cola?

Mike: That works, too. (The group heads off to the ballroom...and we hear a merry chuckle in the background as we fade out on the group and the seemingly empty hallway...)