Davy: I think we ought to go back to the variety show.
Micky: *nods* We'll be safer there.
Emma: Right
Mike: We'll play with toys later, Pete.
Peter: (Perks up) Ok! :D
Lauren: That was easy. :)
(As Lauren trudges off to the dressing rooms, she's followed by Micky. Mike and Peter come down and take center stage, Peter looking nervous.)
Peter: Mike?
Mike: Yeah, Peter?
Peter: What are we playing?
Mike: Wha...you mean, you don't know?
Peter: Can I play 20 questions?
Mike: I don't think we have time for that.
Peter: Are we gonna tell a story, too?
Mike: Nahh, leave the stories to the kids.
Peter: Let's do a song about the real meaning of the holiday - peace, and love, and hope, and good-will towards men.
Mike: (To the camera) Christmas is a lot more than holly, candles, presents, and lights on the tree. It started with a normal kid and his folks who were rejected from the inn. Well, it turned out the kid wasn't so normal, and his birthday wasn't, either.
Peter: When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate a birthday, the birthday of baby Jesus.
Mike: And when there's celebratin', there's music.
Emma: (Pokes between them) Hi, guys. What's up?
Mike: (Kisses her) Hi, darlin'.
Peter: We're gonna sing!
Mike: How 'bout we play and Em sings this one?
Emma: I'd love to, guys! I'm not the musicians you two are, but I'm an ok singer.
Mike: (Nods) We're gonna do "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." You know that?
Emma: I LOVE that one!
Peter: Let's hope that when the angels do sing this year, they'll be no more war, no more sorrow, no more terrible violence on the streets or in Vietnam. (Mike elbows him again)
Emma: (Sighs) Maybe we'd better start. (Emma, Mike, and Peter sit on the front of the stage. Emma sings a simple rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," accompanied by Mike and Peter on their guitars.)
Mike: (Kisses Emma again) Merry Christmas, darlin'.
Peter: And happy birthday!
Emma: (Sighs) Merry Christmas, honey.
(The trio go behind the curtains as Arthur ambles back in front with another cast member. Davy, Micky, and a still-damp Lauren sit around the drums on the toy room set.)
Mike: Hey, guys. Did you hear our number?
Lauren: Some mighty fine music there.
Micky: That was groovy!
Emma: (Blushes) Thanks, guys.
Mike: I think Art's introducin' the big Nutcracker spoof now.
Micky: This oughtta be interesting.
Davy: Prissy were still goin' on about that costume of 'ers backstage.
Mike: And Arthur was wearin' what a toy soldier wears on $1.95 budget.
Lauren: Maybe not even that much.
Peter: Let's watch!
Davy: But we ain't IN this numbah!
Emma: Who says? This is supposed to be spontaneous, right?
Micky: Yeah!
Lauren: Oh no.
Peter: (Pokes his head out of the curtain and immediately goes flying back in) Yikes! Someone shoved me backstage!
Mike: (Closes his eyes - his broadsword appears) Well, that settles it. Let's just show them nuts how WE do some crackin'.
Micky: Now you're talkin'! *makes his dagger appear*
Davy: Always did want to be in the "Nutcrackah!" (Closes his eyes - his rapier appears)
Mike: (Points onstage) CHAAARRRGGGEEEEEE!!!!
Micky: *savage yell* Lemme at 'em! *runs after Mike*
Lauren: *shakes her head* Oh, my Lord.
Emma: Should we join them, Laur?
Lauren: Do we really have a choice, Em? Someone's gotta keep those boys in line!
Peter: Um, can I stay here where it's safe?
Emma: No. You have to help US save THEM.
Lauren: That's right. We can use all the help we can get.
Davy: Hell wit' savin' THEM. I'm savin' the girl! (Runs onstage)
Emma: (Peers out) Hooooo boy. Come on.
Lauren: Figures.
Peter: I don't know... (the girls drag him out)
(Which brings us to an actual romp to the tune of music from the real "Nutcracker" ballet. Arthur is dressed as the a toy soldier and is fighting a man in a rat suit with a crown on his head. Prissy and Liza are in the middle. Prissy wears her pink fairy ballerina costume and looks annoyed. Liza wears a ruffled nightgown and ballet slippers and looks surprised. Mike gets in front of the rat and starts dueling with him.)
*Micky moves in front of Arthur and tries to "duel" with him. Arthur just looks annoyed.*
(Emma and Lauren slip behind the rat and pull down the zipper on his costume, revealing John, who shrugs and goes on dueling with Mike. Peter makes his bow and arrow appear and starts shooting...and shoots an apple off of Micky's head. Micky grins and walks offstage eating the apple. Another one of Peter's arrows goes through Arthur's hat. Arthur glares at him. Peter looks embarrassed.)
(Prissy waves her wand...and Arnie, taking this as a signal, accidentally pulls her upwards and offstage.)
*Lauren goes over to Arthur & pulls the arrow out of his hat and hands him his hat back. She walks away, picking at her fingernails with the arrow.*
(Marian runs on. She stands, wiggling her curves and distracting every male onstage.)
(Prissy swings through again, screaming nasty words at the top of her lungs...and then, she's gone again.)
*Micky tosses the apple core behind him, then stops in front of Lauren. They take dueling stances. Micky waves his dagger. Lauren waves her arrow. She knocks his dagger away and grins as Micky's eyes widen in surprise.*
(Emma grins, grabs Mike's sunglasses, and runs offstage. He makes a face and chases after her. Davy duels with John, who is shedding bits and pieces of his costume with every move.)
(Prissy swings through once again...and offstage once again. Mike and Emma run through. John grins and grabs Liza, who tries to look scared when she can barely contain her giggles.)
*Lauren picks up Micky's dagger and hands it back to him. He grins and knocks the arrow out of her hand. Lauren grins, but she backs up as Micky advances on her across the entire stage.*
(Micky advances into John as Peter jumps on him. The three land in a tumble and John releases Liza. Davy takes Liza into his arms, bends her back, and kisses her. Mike and Emma run through again. Emma tosses Mike back his glasses. He catches them...just as he trips and lands on the pile. Emma and Lauren just step back, laughing. Prissy once again swings through, screaming bleeped words at the top of her lungs. Arnie drops her, and she lands on the pile, where Arthur has also ended up. She sits on top of it with a satisfied look as the music ends and the curtain drops.)
Marian: (Grinning) That was fun. Can we do it again?
Emma: (As she, Liza, and Lauren help men and women out of the pile) Everyone ok under there?
Micky: *groans* Oh, just peachy.
Mike: (Groaning) Now I know what my laundry feels like after it gets out of the drier.
Arthur: What in the HELL was all THAT about?
John: Good question.
Lauren: *shrugs* Improv.
Liza: (Bursts into laughter again) I thought it was hilarious!
Emma: Who needs a script when you have these guys?
Lauren: Darn right!
Mike: And that's comin' from a writer.
John: There's the little matter of the sponsors, though.
Marian: What? Did my dress come undone? Were any (looks at her considerable chest) assets showing?
*Lauren laughs.*
Prissy: If any of your assets were showing, we'd get yanked off the air faster than you can say "National Broadcasting Company."
Micky: Then I'm guessing we're still on the air.
Marian: You're just jealous. You don't HAVE any assets!
Prissy: At least I don't look like the love child of Mrs. Butterworth and the Pillsbury Dough Boy!
Marian: Prissy...
John: (Gets between them) Enough! We're going to be in trouble as it is! Ok, we have one more number to do, the big finale back in the house set. You kids do your thing, then Arthur sings with the Choir kids, we all come on-camera and say "Merry Christmas," and that's that.
Prissy: Come on, Mar. Let's go get dressed while the commercials are running.
Marian: Good. Pink ain't your color. You need something in blue to match the shades your face turned when Arnie yanked you into the rafters.
Prissy: Oooh, when I get my hands on that dim-wit, no-account, idiot of a stagehand... (the last of her ranting is muffled as they walk off-stage.)
Liza: (Grins at the kids) For my money, I thought the whole thing ended up even more hiliarious than I originally written it.
John: Maybe you ought to be starring in your OWN variety shows.
Lauren: Please don't give them ideas.
John: (Looks at what's left of his costume) Maybe I'd better get into something that isn't falling apart. (Heads for the dressing rooms.)
Mike: (As stagehands move around the house set, preparing it for the finale) Maybe we'd better move our stuff to the other set. Mick, you did a nice job redesignin' everything.
Davy: Yeah, Mick, your second buildin' credit!
Micky: Thanks, guys! *shrugs* It was fun. That's what mattered. :)
Peter: The toy room is groovy, and the house looks GREAT! :)
Lauren: Even if he was working on it for half the time without his measuring tape.
(Everyone chuckles.)
Emma: (As she gathers a tom-tom) You know what, guys? Mick's right. I think that was the problem. These people have been doing this special for so long, they've forgotten how to have FUN with it.
Mike: Traditions are all well and good, but they've gotta be shaken up every couple of years to make them fit in with your life NOW, not just as it was last year or 20 years ago.
(Davy and Micky carry the base drum in. Mike brings the guitars; Peter and Emma carry in the keyboard. Lauren brings the maracas and tambourine.)
Peter: I'm glad we did this special, guys, even if the sponsors ARE mad at us.
Emma: I know I'VE had fun.
Micky: How mad could they be?
Lauren: We're still on the air.
Mike: Mad at us? Whyever would anyone be mad at us?
Emma: Besides Babbitt.
(Arthur, back in his casual sweater and pants, join the kids.)
Arthur: Why did you do that? You embarrassed me in front of the whole audience, not to mention our viewers!
Peter: Gee, Mr. Rupert, we didn't mean it. We just wanted to do something different.
Micky: And have some fun.
Arthur: You made a complete SHAMBLES of the big skit!
Mike: (Shrugs) What was wrong with what we did?
Lauren: I don't think it quite turned into shambles.
Emma: You don't always have to follow the script, you know.
Arthur: I...(flops on the couch)...I just don't understand how you young people can do it. Yes, sometimes things will slip on live television. You should have seen it when I first started TV! Milton Berle, "Your Show of Shows," all the great playwrights, even Rogers and Hammerstein doing a whole original musical, and all live, with little or no rehearsal!
Mike: You forget, Mr. Rupert, we grew up watching that stuff. That's what we're tryin' to do now.
Micky: Emulation is the finest form of flattery. *grins*
Arthur: (Smiles) And THEY stole bits from all over the place! We did stuff they used to do in vaudeville 70 years ago!
Davy: See? We're carryin' on the tradition.
Lauren: And having fun doing so.
Arthur: (Sighs) I miss those days sometimes. Television was a new medium. It was uncharted, untested territory. No one knew what would work on it, or how the radio shows that were already popular would go over in a visual landscape. We tried anything and everything in those days. There were variety shows like this one, musical spectaculars, live plays, kids' shows, mysteries, every kind of sport in existance, all the latest news. Comedy was the big thing, though. The variety shows were king.
Peter: I'll bet you know some great stories about what TV was like when it first started.
Arthur: Oh, god, you never knew WHAT to expect! We had jugglers, singers, dancers, magicians, actors, local politicians out to polish their image, beauty queens, children, men, and women. They'd start a show, and halfway through would change something and put it in at the last minute because some local singer was replacing the one originally scheduled who suddenly couldn't make it.
Davy: You're not such a bad guy, Mr. Rupaht. Bet you know everythin' 'bout bein' on TV.
Arthur: (Nods) I feel like I do sometimes, young man. These days, though, I just feel old. (Sighs) I don't know anything about that new music you sing, or the shows you watch. God, I started out in radio for a dollar an hour in 1945, right after I got back from the war. And now, television, and who knows WHAT next? There's no place on TV anymore for an old geezer like me. If this place goes belly-up, I don't know what I'll do. Go to Vegas and sing with Sinatra and his crowd, I guess.
Micky: Man, don't say that!
Peter: (Puts his arm around Arthur) You are NOT an old geezer! I like your aura. It's nice, very gentle, but strong.
Mike: Look, just 'cause you get old (Emma elbows him) er, don't mean you've got to give up! So things are different. I bet we'll be sayin' the same things in 20 years.
Emma: And there's a big revival of the 20s and 30s right now. Look at that movie "Bonnie and Clyde," or the low-waisted dresses and short hair a lot of girls have. History always repeats itself. Even when the way of telling the story is new, the story itself is often older than time.
(John, now wearing a suit and tie again, walks onstage, followed by Prissy in a simple green velevet sheath dress and low heels.)
John: We're on in two minutes, folks. (Grins) Just stay the way you are. That looks great. Really homey. The kids haven't been bothering you too much, have they, Art?
Arthur: (Shakes his head with a smile) Nahh. Just sharing some old TV stories.
Prissy: Which could take up the rest of the special. He's told them to US a million times.
Arthur: That's why I'm telling the stories to THEM. They're a new audience.
John: Liza and I are going to keep the sponsors at bay. We'll be back for the finale. Marian should be on in a minute. The kids will be out after you boys do your number. (Heads back out)
Arthur: So, what are you kids going to entertain us old folks with?
Prissy: Please, nothing too loud. After that flight into the upper reaches of the rafters, I don't think my head can take it.
Mike: I know the perfect number. You guys just sit back and watch.
Micky: You'll like this one. *grins knowingly*
Peter: It's an old Spanish Christmas carol. Don't worry, it's not rock. :)
Arnie: (peers in) We're on, folks! Everyone onstage for the finale! (The boys gather around the coffee table. Emma and Lauren sit in the chair, Lauren on the arm. Arthur and Prissy settle back into the couch, the bowls of goodies on their laps.)
(The curtain opens on the slightly darkened stage, and after the applause subsides, the boys sing "Riu Chiu" while the others look on. When they finish, the girls, Arthur, Prissy, and the audience applaud.)
Arthur: (Smiles) That was lovely, boys. You did a nice job.
Mike: We do it every Christmas as part of our set. It's not somethin' you hear every day.
Arthur: Since you sang a Christmas song for us old folks, why don't you let us sing one for you? (Puts his arm around Prissy, who smiles)
Prissy: I know what my favorite Christmas song is, Arthur. It's that old Nat King Cole hit.
Arthur: I'm no Nat King Cole, but I think I've still got a little life left in these old vocal chords. Let's show the kids what us elders can do.
(The two duet on "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)" as the kids sit around the room, watching and listening. Everyone, including the kids and the audience, applaud when they finish. Arthur starts to stand and take a bow, but Prissy pulls him back down.)
Arthur: Aw, Priss, don't you hear my public?
Prissy: Dear, we're supposed to be in private.
(The sound of little voices can be heard offstage, coming closer.)
Arthur: (Looks over his shoulder) And here's the Children's Choir again, comin' around to collect for pennies for the poor with their rendition of "Silent Night."
(The kids do, indeed, enter, carrying cups of change and singing "Silent Night," which becomes a gentle medley of "Silent Night," "The First Noel," and "Sleep Well, Little Children.")
Peter: (Claps the loudest) That was so beautiful!
Arthur: (Wipes a tear; Prissy hands him a handkerchief) That was glorious, kids, just glorious.
Mike: Nice job.
*Micky sniffs, smiling.*
Lauren: I think he liked it, kids. That was wonderful!
Head of Choir: (An older woman who has ushered the kids in encourages them to find laps to sit in. She joins Arthur and Prissy on the couch) Thank you, everyone. The kids rehearse every day to be prepared for their holiday concert. They're going to be singing at the big benefit for the Starlight Home for Children next week. I hope everyone who can make it in the San Fernando Valley will be there! It'll be at the Malibu Beach Concert Hall at 7PM.
Mike: They really rehearse that much? (Grins at the little boy in his lap) I think I like you kids.
Marian: (Walks onstage) Hey, everyone. (Grins) Ooh, young-uns! Does that mean we get to open presents now? (Flops next to the choir director on the couch)
Arthur: Not until Christmas morning, Marian! Don't give the kids ideas!
Micky: Aw, nuts!
Mike: Don't give OUR kids ideas, either.
Prissy: Maybe we'd better say good-bye. After all, the children will be needing to get along to bed soon. Santa is coming in a few weeks, and they all must be good, or no presents!
Mike: Yeah, that means ALL the kids. (Grins at the Monkees and the girls)
Micky: *face falls* Uh oh!
Davy: (As the little girl in his lap plays with the buttons on his Nehru shirt) Why, wotevah could you mean, Mike?
Peter: We'll be good! We don't want Santa to pass us by!
Lauren: *grins at Micky* I think it might be too late for some of us.
(Everyone chuckles, even some of the kids and the staff members.)
Prissy: (To the camera) Whether you've been naughty or nice this year, we all want to wish you the very merriest of Christmases.
Arthur: Have a safe and happy holiday, from all of us at KLAC.
Mike: And from the Monkees and the Children's Choir of Los Angelas.
Arthur: (Smiles at the little girl in his lap) How about one more song before we go?
Mike: (Takes his guitar) Somethin' simple, huh?
Arthur: Just the way to end a family holiday. (To the little girl) That's the way this holiday started, you know, with a family, and a little child. (Looks at the camera) From all of us here at KLCA (starts singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with the children as Peter and Mike accompany them on their guitars. When they finish, the curtain closes.)
(The children are guided in front of the curtain first. They and their director bow, then go offstage. Next, we have all of the kids. Davy and Lauren have tambourines, Micky has his drumsticks, and Mike and Peter have guitars. All take a bow, then walk offstage except for Micky and Davy, who keep waving and bowing and soaking up the massive applause. Mike drags them off with a cane. The staff of KLAC walk onstage to the loudest applause of all, joined by John, Liza, and Arnie.)
(Backstage is a mass of insanity. The Monkees and girls make their way around busy stagehands and well-wishers.)
Mike: Come on, guys. Let's get our instruments, find Junior and tell him thanks, and head out.
(There's a noise from outside that grows increasingly louder. Finally, a tall, handsome, distinguished-looking man with gray-peppered auburn hair and a good suit storms in, followed by Valerie, who looks annoyed. Peter gulps and steps behind Mike.)
Mr. Cartwright: What was all THAT about?
Valerie: Oh Daddy, pipe down!
Peter: (Wiggles his fingers from behind Mike) Um, hi, Mr. Cartwright. Did you like the show?
Mr. Cartwright: No, I did NOT!
Valerie: Then why did I catch you almost-smiling during the Nutcracker number?
John: (As he joins them) Look, sir, it's not these kids' faults. (Junior follows him in, looking upset. Arthur, Prissy, and Marian walk in from behind, unseen.)
Mr. Cartwright: I know YOU didn't come up with this, Libby.
Valerie: (Gestures at the man) this is my father, Morgan Cartwright. (Nods at the group) Dad, this is the Monkees. Mike is the one in the suit, Micky's got the curls, Davy's the little one, Lauren has the auburn hair, Emma's wearing red, and you know Peter.
Mr. Cartwright: (Frowns) Peter my boy, I'd think YOU at least would have more sense than to take part in this lunacy!
Peter: (Says in a small voice) It seemed like fun at the time.
Mike: Now, hold on just a minute! What was wrong with what we did?
Emma: As far as I know, we didn't violate any regulations.
Davy: Yeah, no one showed anything that weren't propah to show, and there weren't any language that the kiddies didn't need to heah.
Micky: Yeah, we were just having fun!
Mr. Cartwright: Fun? You call making a total disaster of the special FUN?
John: I don't see how it was a disaster, sir.
Mike: You heard the applause, right?
Valerie: (Takes her father's hands) Oh, daddy, stop being a fuddy-duddy!
Mr. Cartwright: (Deflated a bit at Valerie's wide eyes) Valerie, it's not that. It's just...
Arthur: (From behind) You're so stiff, you can't unbend long enough to change.
Mr. Cartwright: I BEG your pardon?
Arthur: Look, I could be risking my job for saying this to a sponsor, but I kinda had fun doing this. I didn't at first, but these kids are good performers, and they came up with some fine ideas.
Prissy: The special has been exactly the same every year since KLAC's inception. The ratings have been down in the last few years. We're willing to try anything once (makes a face) including propelling me into the stratosphere.
Marian: (Grins) That was the part I liked best!
(Everyone but Mr. Cartwright chuckles. Peter finally brings himself to leave Mike's side. He gingerly gets off the bandstand and places a hand on Mr. Cartwright's shoulder.)
Peter: You...you feel the same way that Arthur did. You didn't UNDERSTAND a lot of what went on tonight, but you sort of liked it. You're just a little worried, because it's not what you're used to.
Mr. Cartwright: (Frowns) How did you...
(Another older man comes in again. He's not quite as old as Mr. Cartwright, more in his middle 30s. He holds Junior's hand.)
Mr. Pinter Sr.: Sir, I'm sorry, sir, it won't happen again!
Mr. Cartwright: (Sighs and pulls away) Oh, I don't get any of this. (To Peter) You have to watch what you say about the war, son. A lot of people don't share your views on that. We could get into trouble.
Mike: (Joins them) Maybe that's somethin' they needed to hear.
Junior: (Grins) I don't care what anyone else thought! I had a wonderful time!
Mike: And isn't that what's important at this time of year, makin' the kids happy?
Mr. Pinter Sr.: (Frowns) Did you really like it, son?
Junior: (Nods excitedly) Yes, Dad! I loved the music, and I liked it when everyone all ran out and defeat the Rat King who was really John in a costume, and the end with the kids.
Emma: Most of the war stuff will probably fly over the kids' heads.
Mr. Pinter Sr: But it won't fly over the adults.
Marian: Aw, come on. He did it, what, once, twice in the show? Besides, he's right. Christmas IS supposed to be a time of peace and love and joy and all that jazz.
Peter: I just don't like seeing anyone sad or angry.
Mike: Besides, a little controversy never hurt anyone.
Mr. Pinter Sr.: It could get us yanked off the air.
Valerie: Peter's comments were harmless.
Micky: I'll bet he spoke for quite a few people watching.
Junior: (Tugs on his father's sleeve) Can we do it this way next year, Dad? (Grins) And next year, can I be in the Nutcracker skit?
Mike: (Grins) I knew I liked that kid.
Davy: We're raisin' a bloomin' Monty Pythoner 'ere.
Emma: I think we've created a monster. ;)
Micky: I think it's great!
Mr. Pinter Sr: We'll see, son. (Sighs) The ratings won't be in for another few days, but if the crowd is any indication, this went over very well.
Valerie: See, Dad? It wasn't so bad.
Prissy: I rather enjoyed it myself, except for ending up in the rafters. :p
Marian: I think she should do that again next year. ;) :D
(Prissy elbows her.)
Mr. Pinter Sr: (Sighs and looks at his son, then at his staff, and the Monkees and girls) Well, I don't know about you, Cartwright, but I don't see how the new format could hurt, at least for next year. After all, Christmas only comes once in the calender, and it didn't really damage anything but a few flying cables.
(Marian and Arthur chuckle - Prissy makes a face.)
Mr. Cartwright: Well...
Valerie: Please, Dad?
Junior: I liked it, and they liked it, too! (Indicates the now-vanishing audience)
Mr. Cartwright: (Sighs) Well, we'll have to see what the ratings are like, but I think Cartwright Groceries will stay with KLAC for one more year.
Mr. Pinter Sr.: What about after that? The contract ends this year!
Mr. Cartwright: We'll see. (Nods at his daughter) Come along, Valerie. We have a chamber orchestra concert to attend after this.
Valerie: If you don't mind, I'd rather stay here with my friends. :)
Mr. Cartwright: (Sighs) Suit yourself, darling. I'd really wish you'd come, though. I have wonderful seats in the front row all picked out.
Valerie: (Leans over her father and kisses him lightly on the cheek) Dad, I'll always be your girl, but I'd really rather celebrate my friends' triumph tonight.
Mr. Cartwright: (Shakes his head) You've grown so fast, Valerie. You're more like your mother every day. I miss her so much.
Valerie: (Quietly) I'll meet you at home later, and I'll play you and Chrissy some Christmas carols on the piano, ok?
Mr. Cartwright: (Smiles) All right, darling. Have a nice night. (Kisses her cheek, then turns to the others) Congratulations, all of you. I don't know what half of it was about, but it seems to have made the crowd happy, if nothing else. You're all fine performers. My daughter's chosen a good group to be seen around town with.
Peter: Thank you, Mr. Cartwright.
Mike: We try.
Micky: Thanks!
(Mr. Cartwright gives Valerie one last hug before he heads out. Mr. Pinter and Junior remain.)
Mr. Pinter Sr.: We're all grateful to you for helping us win back our audiences.
Arthur: And for showing an old man he matters.
Junior: Tell them about our surprise, Daddy!
Mike: (Wary) Surprise?
Micky: Surprise? *grins*
Mr. Pinter Sr.: You heard that Orphan's Benefit mentioned during the Spectacular, right? Well, it just so happens that two acts dropped out of the benefit at the last minute. KLAC is one of the major sponsors of the benefit, and I thought I'd recommend all of you to play.
Peter: (City-lighting grin) Groovy! We'd get to help all those poor kids!
*Micky whoops with joy.* :D
Davy: That's wonderful!
Lauren: Cool!
Emma: That's great!
Mike: (Grins) Why not? It's to help all those kids, right?
Junior: It's also a toy drive for the orphans. (Grins) I'm donating my fire truck with the working ladder. I'm too old for it now.
Mr. Pinter Sr.: The toys will be brought to Woody's Toyland down the street from the Concert Hall in Malibu Beach. (Frowns) You wouldn't know another act who would be willing to fill the other spot on short notice, would you? Maybe another rock act, like yours?
Davy: (Big grin) As a mattah of fact, we do. The Westminstah Abbies, a local girl group.
Junior: (Makes a face) Girls?
Emma: What's wrong with girls?
Lauren: Yeah?
Junior: They're no fun in basketball.
Mike: He's still in the cooties stage.
*Micky laughs.*
Emma: But they can play field hockey.
Lauren: And baseball.
Micky: And whip your butt at badminton.
Mr. Pinter Sr.: So, you'll do it?
Arthur: The kids would love it.
Prissy: Children seem to naturally gravitate to all of you.
Marian: Mentally, you ain't that much older than them, but then again, neither's Prissy.
(Prissy elbows her harder as she chuckles.)
Lauren: *jerks her thumb at Micky* It's mostly because of him.
*Micky sticks his tongue out.*
Mike: (Grins) Sure, why not? Get a little more exposure, help the kids, AND see the latest toys. What could be better?
Davy: And 'elp the Abbies, too.
Mr. Pinter Sr.: I'll have Bertha give them a call.
Davy: Let me give you their numbah. (Grabs some sheet music and a pencil and jots a number down, then hands it to Mr. Pinter Sr.)
Mr. Pinter Sr.: Thank you for everything you did for us tonight.
Junior: I hope you'll be able to come back next year! I want to hear "Christmas Is My Time Of Year" again.
Micky: And we'd love to sing it again.
Mike: And we made Christmas money.
Peter: (Hugs both) We had a WONDERFUL time!
Mr. Pinter Sr.: (Out of breath) Oh, my...
Junior: (To Peter) You give GREAT hugs!
Peter: (Grins) Thank you!
Mr. Pinter Sr.: Maybe we'd better get going. We're going home for a special after-the-show party.
Junior: And I get to hide in my room and read comic books.
Mr. Pinter Sr: You'd BETTER be going to bed!
Junior: Awww...
Peter: Don't forget Santa!
Mr. Pinter Sr: (Leads his son outside) Thanks again, boys. Have a wonderful holiday! Your checks should already be in the mail.
Mike: (As they leave) Thanks, sir!
Arthur: (As the kids gather their instruments) I'm with Pinter, gang. Thanks a million for helping us out.
Mike: (As he puts Black Beauty in her case) Aw, it was nothin'.
Prissy: Not really. You all worked a miracle tonight.
Micky: *shrugs; grins* We just had some fun.
Arthur: You only saved one of our most cherished traditions.
Peter: You can have a tradition, but you don't always have to do them the same way.
Emma: Right. When I was little, Mom used to make a big Christmas dinner. Now that we're older, Dad makes a fancy brunch on Christmas morning, and we go out to eat instead of eating in.
Davy: Me sistahs used to insist on openin' at least one present on Christmas Eve. Now, we 'ave a 'ard time gettin' them up to open presents on Christmas mornin', much less the night before.
Arthur: You're all good people, at any age. (Shakes their hands) It was a privilege to work with you.
Prissy: If you ever encounter anyone who needs Shakespeare readings, you know who to call.
Marian: NOT her.
(The kids laugh as Prissy glares at Marian.)
Mike: Think we'll get this stuff outside. (Grins at the remaining KLAC staff) Merry Christmas, and thanks again for havin' us.
Arthur: Thanks for saving our rears. Merry Christmas, kids.
(The kids, including Valerie, haul the instruments down the hall. We finally cut to all seven of them outside again.)
Mike: Why don't we drop this stuff off at the Pad and go celebrate somewhere? :)
Micky: Yeah!
Valerie: (Looks around) I have a better idea. (Closes her eyes. A blue light surrounds the instruments, which all disappear.) Much faster. (Sighs at Mike's look) No, I didn't see anyone else around.
Emma: Where are we going to eat?
Mike: Why don't we see if Millie's open?
Davy: I think she's got 'er chocolate peppermint cheesecakes out now.
Lauren: Hope she doesn't need advance notice that Micky's on his way.
Micky: Very funny, babe.
Mike: Ok, so who's goin' with me in the MonkeeMobile and who's goin' with Mick and Lauren?
Emma: I'm in the MonkeeMobile, of course.
Davy: (Puts his arms around Micky and Lauren) 'Ow would you crazy kids like some company?
Lauren: Sure! And no fear, I'm driving. ;)
Davy: That's a good girl. I knew I could trust you.
Mike: And I'M driving.
Lauren: On our way to food, I don't DARE let Mick drive.
Valerie: We'll take the backseat of the MonkeeMobile.
(Everyone laughs so hard, they're almost sitting on the parking lot.)
Micky: I don't see what's so funny.
Davy: We'll tell you latah, mate.
Mike: (Gets in the car) Ok, everybody, we'll meet at Millie's. See you guys there!
Lauren: *waves* See you!
(Emma gets in next to Mike in the passenger's seat.)
Valerie: Come on, Peter. We've got some things to discuss. :)
Peter: Yeah, we do.
Valerie: (Leans closer to him) Yes, Peter.
Peter: Valerie, I...
Valerie: Yes?
*Lauren climbs in the driver's seat, Micky next to her. Davy climbs in behind Micky.*
Peter: I...want to know more about that piano piece you've been teaching Chrissy. I want you to teach it to me, too.
Valerie: (Sighs) Ok, Peter. (They get in behind Emma and Mike)
Mike: (Leans out the door) Ok, everyone, move 'em out! (Grins) And Merry Christmas to all! (Both vehicles take off into the neon-lit night, while the camera gives a final rest on the neon sign of KLAC as people stream out of the building.)