Everybody ready to head out west? :)

Micky: Let's go! I know what I wanna be!

Peter: Ok, I'm ready!

Davy: Me too!

Mike: Well?

Lauren: All set!

(A blue light flashes, and the group finds them in the middle of an old-fashioned western town not unlike the ones in "Monkees in Texas" and "Monkees In a Ghost Town"....only this is no ghost town. Women in simple, stiff, bustled gowns, men in cowboy outfits and suits, and children in simple dresses and overalls go about their daily buisness. Horses drink in troughs by several buildings.)

Emma: (Checks herself - she wears a simple brick-red-and-white suit with a small, modified bustle and a hat, gloves, drawstring purse, and parasol. Her hair is in a bun at the nape of her neck) Well, here we are, gang! We're in the Old West! :D

Mike: (He wears all black, from his battered hat to his leather boots, and sports wicked-looking pistols and a three-day growth) Hey, not bad!

Micky: *uses an index finger to lift the brim of his hat* Gosharooney, it worked! *grins and points out his sheriff's badge*

Lauren: *flicks some of the fringe on Micky's tan jacket* Not bad, pardner. *smirks, showing off her own badge that reads "Deputy", then flicks her own cowboy hat* Mine's nicer. *smooths out her own tan jacket*

Peter: (Wears his gambler's outfit from the pilot) I can't wait to tackle those ivories! :D

Davy: (Wears his "Kincaid" outfit from "Monkees in a Ghost Town"; flicks his own hat back) Very nice indeed, luv! Now, where's those stables? (Sees an attractive young woman walk over to a large, barn-like building on the edge of town) Never mind. I think I'll go check out the local wildlife... (follows her to the building)

Mike: Davy! I wouldn't... (But he's already gone into the building)...do that. It only gets us into trouble.

Emma: (Points to a large pueblo-like building that says "City Hall, Police, and Jail - We Serve All Here" in a large sign up top) That must be where you and Lauren are going, Mick. (Grins) I'll go with you. I've got to find some news in this poky little town. (Holds up a pad and a pencil) After all, if I'm going to be one of the first great women reporters, I have to find something to report! ;)

Micky: Great! You can write a story about your Sheriff!

Lauren: He's so humble.

Emma: (Laughs) Well, if you do something really major, Mick...I mean, Sheriff Dolenz...yeah, I'll write about you!

Micky: Sheriff Dolenz. I love that!

Emma: (Rolls her eyes at Micky) He would.

Peter: Aren't you supposed to be a bad guy, Mike?

Mike: (Crosses his arms and gives Peter a cockeyed grin) Now, I don't exactly know if I want to be good or bad, Pete. Maybe I'm a little bit of both.

*Lauren snickers*

Emma: (Eyes Mike's long legs encased in the tight black denims) A little bit of both. I like that in an outlaw. (turns to Micky) Mick, if you stop a robbery or something, you can be my first major story! :d

Micky: *eyes light up* Quick, someone find a robbery!

Lauren: Would you like us to create one, Sheriff? *smirks*

Micky: *thinks, shrugs* If you have to...

Mike: (Holds up a gun) Now, I could do that for you, Sheriff, if I felt like seeing my rear end tossed in jail, which I don't.

Peter: Aw, come on, Mike! It's for a friend!

Micky: *snaps his fingers* Darn! I would've gotten a story and thrown my first lawbreaker in jail.

(All of a sudden, there's the sound of hoofbeats and gunshots. A group of horses bearing very nasty-looking men gallop across the way. People, children, and animals scatter in all directions. One attractive young woman runs smack into Peter.)

Girl: (Wears a pretty but faded blue calico dress and a pink-checked bonnet and carries a basket full of slates and chalk) Oh, I'm sorry! (Blushes under her bonnet) I didn't see where I was going!

Peter: I didn't see where you were going, either, miss!

Emma: (Snaps her pad open) Who were those impetuous men, miss?

Girl: That was Dead Eye Freddy and the Black Riders gang!

Peter: Oh, is that a new group?

Micky: Dead Eye, huh? I'll have to look for his Wanted poster. *folds his arms over his chest*

Girl: No! They're bandits, some of the most notorious in the area! Rumor has it they've robbed six banks, two armored trains, three little old ladies, and taken candy from three babies! (Turns to Micky and Lauren) I'd be careful, Sheriff Dolenz, (nods at Lauren) Deputy Miller. They're a tough lot.

Emma: (Has taken everything down in her pad) And what's your name, miss, so I can get a statement in tomorrow's paper?

Micky: P-shaw! We can handle bandits!

Girl: (Nods) Oh, I'm Miss Elizabeth Roberts! (Points to a medow in the horizon, where one can see the outlines of a little red building) I teach school at the Little Red Schoolhouse just outside of town. I just finished classes for the day and was on my way home. (Squints at Mike and gasps, drawing back in horror) You're Michael Nesmith! You're one of the most feared gunslingers in the entire southwest!

Emma: (Eyebrows go up) He is? (Grins and turns to Mike) Well, Mr. Nesmith, what do you have to say to that?

Mike: (Frowns) I say I ain't givin' any statement to some fool girl. It's none of your damn buisness what I am! Maybe I am a feared gunslinger! I could have killed you right here and now, but I didn't!

Emma: (Calls in Mike's direction as he stalks off toward the saloon) Do you want that to be your quote, Mr. Nesmith?

Lauren: Elizabeth, does that gang normally ride through here, shooting off like that?

Elizabeth: (Sighs sadly) Yes. They've been terrorizing the town for months now. Dead Eye Freddy killed the old sheriff. (Whispers to Micky and Lauren so Emma can't hear, but Emma holds up a stephascope) Rumor has it he murdered Sheriff Georgian, but no one's been able to find evidence supporting that.

Micky: *eyes widen, he swallows* Murdered?

Emma: Wow, what a story! (Writes furiously) This will really make my career!

Elizabeth: But it's never been proven!

Lauren: *quirks an eyebrow* Georgian?

Emma: (Determindly) I'll prove it!

Peter: How are you going to prove it? (Whimpers) Dead-Eye Freddy might kill you, too!

Emma: There's got to be a way!

Micky: *sighs* That name'll be the death of me yet.

(Peter and Emma chuckle)

Peter: (Looking at his feet and turning red...and it's not entirely sunburn) Um, Miss Elizabeth, can I...would you...what I mean is, would you mind if...

Elizabeth: Yes?

Peter: (Words run nervously together) CanIwalkyouhomeMissElizabeth?

Lauren: *to Micky* Was that English?

Emma: (Grins) I think there were words in there somewhere! ;)

Elizabeth: (Glares at them, then takes Peter's arm) I understood you! What's your name? You're new in these parts.

Peter: (As he and Elizabeth walk toward the end of the street) M...m...mm...y n..ame is P...P...Peter T...Tork.

Elizabeth: That's ok, Peter, I'm new here, too.

Emma: (Nods at the jail) Come on! I want to investigate this murder! (Hurries toward the City Hall, etc. building)

Micky: *calls after her* Hey, Emma, wait up for the Sheriff!

Lauren: *shrugs* This should be interesting. *follows them to City Hall*

(They enter a large room. Two big desks are in the middle, both with old-fashioned framed photos, pens, pencils, and papers. Micky's chemistry set sits in one corner of the room. The area around it looks like it's been blackened in several explosions. Three empty jail cells sit behind them. The cracked stucco walls are covered with wanted posters of every kind of criminal in the West. Other than the desks, the table that holds the chemistry set, and a few wood chairs, the room is sparsely furnished.)

Micky: *clearly happy* All the comforts of home!

Lauren: Maybe we could get a couch...

Emma: (Runs her white-gloved finger along the edge of one window. Her finger comes up black) Don't you people ever clean in here? There's more dust in this room than in the desert! ;p

Micky: *plops himself in a chair behind a desk, propping his feet on the desk* Bah! It doesn't matter how clean it is. It matters how efficiently we run the place!

Emma: (Starts going through Micky's desk) Efficiency, my rear end! This desk's a mess! The file with the A criminals are mixed in with the D criminals, and I can't even find the Ts!

Micky: *clamps a hand on Emma's* Don't do that. I can find what I need! It's an organized mess!

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Sure, Mick.

Emma: (Takes a file, muttering) Yeah, right.

Micky: *sets his jaw* That's Sheriff Dolenz, Deputy!

*Lauren sticks her tongue out at him.*

Emma: There's got to be someone I can talk to about the old Sheriff's murder. It was only about four months ago, according to this. (Hands Micky the file)

Micky: *flips through it* Geez...

Emma: (Thoughtful) Maybe I could try the saloon...

Lauren: *motions to Micky flipping through files* Would you like some company? He seems to be lost in his files, and I've got nothing else to do.

Emma: (Grins, bad western accent) Of course, pardner! Young women probably shouldn't be walking around alone in this kind of a town, anyway, even if one is the deputy!

*Micky pulls out a notepad and begins scribbling notes.*

(The girls sigh and leave him to his notes, heading out the door and across the street to a large, slightly seedy-looking two story building. Men in dark colors and women in tight, flouncy silk gowns and huge feathers walk in and out.)

Emma: (Eyes the woman) Hmmm....

Lauren: This place sure has a lot of character.

Emma: If it had any more character, it could have it's own TV show. :p

*Lauren smirks, nodding.*

(Lauren pushes through the swinging doors, Emma following. The place is filled to the brim with men in dark colors and big guns and women in either more flounces and feathers or tight bustled gowns that reveal every possible attribute. Tables are scattered around an open area and a large bar, and most of the seats at the tables and the bars are occupied. A poor, scared man plays a tinny-sounding version of "Papa Gene's Blues" on the piano. A huge, bear-like man with a walrus mustache serves drinks.)

Emma: (Coughs heavily) Ugh, this place smells hideous! How many cigars do they have going at once? (Sees Mike at the bar. He's downing a small glass of some golden liquid. There's already three glasses in a circle around him.)

Lauren: *sniffs with indignance* Yeah, there's gotta be someone who knows about the murder in here.

Emma: (Goes to Mike) What the heck are you doing?

Mike: (Slurring) Getting drunk, Miss Redmer. (Holds out the glass) You can get drunk with me, or you can leave. One of them is more fun.

*Lauren wanders, looking for anyone who looks more suspicious than the rest of the crowd.*

Emma: (Exasperated) This is no time for you to get sloshed!

Mike: No time like the present, (hiccups), I always say. (Calls to the bartender) Hey, Nick, another whisky over here!

Emma: (As Nick brings the requested drink) Mike, have you heard anything about a murder?

Mike: I may commit one if you don't lay off. (Shakes his finger at her, or tries to) I'll have you know, young lady, that I'm one of the most feared gunmen in the west! I'm a hired killer, killer for hire....

Emma: Damn you, Mike! You're worthless like this!

Lauren: *joins them, frowning* Well, now here's a great gunman. *rolls her eyes*

Mike: I'm worthless any way you slice it, Miss Redmer. I'm just some guy people hire when they don't like who's in charge.

Emma: (Makes a face) Normally, I'd say that's not true, but right now, you're being a stubborn ass and an idiot. This whole Western thing was your idea, and you go and get trashed!

Mike: (Looks into her eyes) Have you ever noticed how many euphenisms there are for bein' intoxicated?

Emma: (Throws up her arms in disgust) Oooooooohhhh! (Turns to Nick) Hey, Nick, can you talk some sense into him? Or, better yet, knock some sense into him (holds her fist under Mike's nose) before I do?

Nick: (Shakes his head and says in a Brooklyn accent) Not when he's like dis, Miss Redmer. Ain't nobody gonna talk no sense into him when he's had a couple of good ones. (Concerned, as he polishes the bar) I'd be careful there, though. He can be real dangerous when he's full of whisky.

Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Thanks for the warning. (Thoughtful as she sits at the bar) Hey, Nick, have you heard anything about (looks around, then leans over and whispers) the death of Sheriff Georgian?

Nick: What?

Emma: (Still whispers) The possible murder of Sheriff Georgian!

Nick: Huh? You gotta speak up, girl!

Emma: (Glares) I'm not a girl, and (yells) THE POSSIBLE MURDER OF SHERIFF GEORGIAN!!!!

(That gets the attention of everyone in the room, including Lauren, who groans.)

Lauren: *to Nick* Don't call her "girl". Really sets her off.

Nick: (Nods) Oh. Sorry 'bout that. (Whispers to Lauren) She's got an ornery temper, huh, Miss Deputy?

Lauren: Quite so. Fiery doesn't even quite describe it.

Man: Michael Georgian weren't murdered. He died when he got caught in the crossfire of a shoot-out he shoulda never been involved in.

Emma: (Takes a deep breath and pulls out her pad) And you are, sir?

Man: (Snorts) A man who don't take kindly to little girls who pry into other people's affairs.

Lauren: *shakes her head* Boy, are you asking for it.

Mike: (Finishes his drink) A man to my own heart.

Emma: (Grits her teeth and clenches her fist) I'm not prying. I asked a simple question.

Mike: Same difference. (Waves to Nick) Hey, set me up for another one.

Lauren: *opens her jacket and points to her pistol* Care to elaborate, pal?

Emma: (Takes Mike's hand) Oh, no, Mr. Nesmith, you've had more than enough.

Man: (Stands) Yeah, baby doll, I would. (Holds out his own pistol) I'm Rufus McCoy, and I ride with Dead-Eye Freddy. Boss had to go get his eye fixed. It's glass and he never got it fitted so well.

Mike: (Stands, wobbly) Now, now, I'm sure there's no need for any of this...

Lauren: *laughs nervously* I was just curious, that's all. I don't really need an answer.

(Other men, all of them as nasty or nastier-looking than Rufus, stand and join him.)

Small man: (A short man with a bull-dog face leans over his leader) You know the boss won't like this, Rufus. He don't like violence 'less it's necessary, and not on a lady.

Rufus: Well, these ladies should learn who's boss in this town.

Mike: (Rubs his hands over one of his pistols) Well, pal, it ain't you.

*The doors swing open. A man with a cowboy hat and a book covering his face wanders in.*

Rufus: (Sees Mike and laughs) So this is what the great Michael Nesmith is reduced to, getting drunk with two little girls in a bar in some podunk town?

Mike: I could still take you on, Rufus, drunk or sober. (Stands and draws his gun, but wobbles a bit.)

*The man with the book walks up behind Mike and the ladies.*

Emma: (Clenches her fist) LITTLE GIRLS?

Rufus: (Aims his guns at the newcomer) Who're you, parnder?

Micky: *lowers his book* The new Sheriff. *smirks*

Small Man: You're the Sheriff?

(Rufus and his men burst into laughter.)

Micky: *closes his book* Oh, you don't believe me!

Mike: (Aims his gun, though it shakes) I don't see what's so funny, pardner. He can be tough when he wants to be.

Micky: Darn right!

Big Man: (From a large, sad-eyed fellow with a thick mustache) You handled him before, Nesmith?

Mike: (Crosses his arms) In a manner of speaking.

Emma: Sheriff, I asked these men a simple question, and they jumped down my throat!

Micky: Really? I think these guys need proof that we're serious. Especially me as Sheriff. *pulls out his own pistol*

Rufus: She shouldn't have gone pryin' into something that is none of her buisness! (Points his gun at Micky) And you won't either if you want to keep your job long in this town, kid.

*Micky aims the pistol behind him, over his shoulder. He pulls the trigger. The bullet ricochets several times before severing the rope holding up a chandelier. It crashes onto an empty table.*

Mike: (Grins) I taught him that.

Micky: Now, would you mind getting that thing out of my face?

Rufus: (Raises his eyebrows) You're impressive, kid. You've got guts. I like that. (Gestures to his men) Me an' the boys were just havin' some fun, anyway. (Nods at Emma and Lauren) But you keep a tight grip on those two pretty ladies of yours, Sheriff. The death of Sheriff Georgian is none of their beeswax, and if they keep pryin', they may end up meetin' him face to face in the big City Hall in the sky.

Micky: *deadpan* I'll keep that in mind.

Emma: Why, I oughta....(jumps at him, but Lauren grabs her arm)

Lauren: Don't. Not now.

Mike: (Wobbly) You got nuthin' betta ta do than insultin' ladies, McCoy? (Indicates the door with his pistol) Why don't you and I take this little arguement outside?

Micky: Mike? Man, you're drunker than a skunk!

Rufus: (Grins) Lady's good at statin' the obvious. Nesmith, you're two steps from passin' out. It wouldn't be much of a challenge.

Micky: *growls at the hair joke* Even drunk, he's an excellent shot.

Mike: I could take you, Rufus!

Rufus: I don't duel with drunks. Get over that little problem you have there, Nesmith, then we'll talk. (Walks out of the saloon with his men, all of them laughing)

Lauren: What a lovely bunch they are.

Emma: (Makes a face) Just peachy.

Micky: What's the matter with you, Mike?

Emma: (Catches Mike as he wobbles) He's got a fifth of whisky in him, that's what the matter!

Mike: I'm ok...

Micky: Well, why?

Mike: I'm supposed to be tough...and Emma got me mad, with all her talk....

Micky: *folds his arms* Mike, you can be tough without getting drunk, you know.

Nick: He's been like this lately.

Lauren: And we haven't even been here that long.

Emma: (Hauls Mike's arm around her shoulders) I've got to get him out of here. We'll take him to City Hall and sober him up.

Micky: Good idea!

Nick: He's got a reputation. He's one of the most ornery bounty hunters in the entire west, with some kind of tragic past, or somethin'. Gets on these drunken jags every now and then.

Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Swell, gunslinger with a past. I love western cliches.

Mike: (Murmured) Ain't no cliche...(eyes roll back in his head and he finally passes out)

Micky: *helps Emma catch Mike* Whoa, big fella!

Emma: (Buckles under the drunken bounty hunter) Geez, he must have gained a little from the whisky and all that pizza back in Wildwood!

Lauren: Just great. *takes Micky's book*

Micky: Here, let me take him. *pauses* You're right, he is heavier.

Emma: (As Micky drags an unconscious Mike out of the saloon) Micky, what were you reading when you came in here?

Micky: *grins* "The Physics of Gunslinging." *grins widely as Lauren holds up the book*

(Emma bursts out laughing as Davy meets them, coming around the corner on back of a gorgeous specked gray mare.)

Davy: Hullo! Look what followed me from the stables! (Frowns as the three come toward him with the drunken Mike) What happened to him, mate?

Emma: He had a little too much to drink in the saloon.

Micky: *hefts Mike up* Drunken stupor.

Davy: What did he drink to end up like that, an entire gin mill?

Lauren: Just about.

Davy: Always knew the Texan couldn't handle his liquor! (Gets off the horse and helps Micky drag Mike into the City Hall building. Emma and Lauren follow. Peter is already there.)

Peter: (Gasps) What happened to Michael? He looks sick!

Micky: He is sick.

Emma: He drank at least five or six shots of whisky, Peter. He's dead drunk.

Peter: (Pales) Dead?

Micky: *props Mike up in a chair* Not literally, Big Peter. *makes a face* I can't believe he'd do this.

Peter: Oh. (Smiles) I was worried for a moment!

Davy: What got into him?

Micky: *angry* He should be worried when he wakes up. This was his idea, and he gets drunk off his ass!

Emma: Something about a tragic past...(smiles) Another great story! The great fallen gunslinger!

Davy: Emma, this is Mike! Get your mind off your stories and help us sober him up!

*Micky tosses Emma a glare.*

Emma: What we need is a barrel of water. (Goes looking for a barrel) I saw this in one of Dad's John Wayne movies...

Micky: *removes his hat and scratches his head* Now what's she gonna do?

(Emma and Peter drag in a barrel of water.)

Emma: Micky, get Mike's hat off, take him by the hair, (grins) and dunk him 'till he wakes up! :D

Micky: *grins* Excellent plan!

Emma: Worked on Dean Martin AND Robert Mitchum! ;)

*Micky does just as Emma said and holds his face under. Mike eventually begins to splutter .*

Emma: He's gonna kill me when he's sober, but at least he'll be sober. ;)

*Micky lets Mike up.*

Mike: (Tosses his hair back, spluttering and groaning) Hey, man, Mick, what was that for?

Emma: Payback for you getting drunk.

Micky: You passed out, man, and you're acting like a total ass.

Peter: (Puts his hand on Mike's shoulder, genuinely concerned) Michael, are you ok?

*Micky folds his arms again.*

Mike: (Mutters) Yeah. It's just that I have a reputation...

Emma: For acting like a drunken asshole?

Micky: *fuming* Reputation? Oh, come on!

Mike: I know, this was my fantasy. I just didn't think it would be so tough to live up to. (Looks at the big cup of black coffee Peter brings him) And there's other things I don't even wanna talk about. Things that happened before I met you guys....

Micky: *still fuming* Wanna shed a little light on it?

Emma: We're not going to get anywhere on finding out who killed Micky's predecessor and keeping Micky from getting killed if you don't!

Micky: *narrows his eyes* I happen to like being among the living, Michael.

Peter: (Puts his arms around Mike, who lowers his head sadly) Oh, come on, guys. He'll talk about it when he's ready. He'll just say he's sorry and he'll never do it again, right? (Looks at Mike with his big, tawny brown eyes) Right, Mike?

Davy: Well, Mike?

Mike: (Groans) I'll NEVER touch so much as a glass of champange ever again as long as I live if I end up feeling like my head's been around Mick's chemistry set!

Micky: That's a start.

Emma: You're lucky it doesn't feel a lot worse! (Puts up her fists)

Mike: (Finally looks her in the eyes) Emma, before I started in on the whisky, I heard Rufus and his men bragging about several recent killin's. One of them may have been Sheriff Georgian, but started to get foggy before I could be sure. (Eyes return to his coffee) And the word of a dead-drunk hired gunman is hardly solid evidence.

*Micky sighs, running a hand through his hair.*

Emma: (Sighs) No, but it'll have to do for a start.

(A red-headed youth with bright green eyes, wide, dainy lips, and a fancy suit rushes in, smirking.)

Red-Head: Hey, Redmer, the boss wants you. He wants to know if you've found a story yet. You know the deal he made with your pa. Either you find a story, or you have to go back east and finally get married.

Emma: (Smiles) I'm not going back east. I've finally found a story. (Slams her hand on Lauren's desk.) And it's going to blow this town wide open!

Lauren: Oh, geez.

Red-Head: (Snorts) How could a woman find a story that could blow so much as a door open?

Emma: I'm going to solve the murder of Sheriff Georgian!

Red-Head: He wasn't murdered, dearie. You know that. He got caught in the crossfire of a bandit shoot-out. Everyone knows that.

Davy: That's not what they're saying at my stables!

Peter: And that's not what Miss Elizabeth says, either! (Presses his lips together determindly) And I believe Miss Elizabeth! She'd never lie!

Red-Head: You know we're supposed to stay away from that story, Redmer, sure as my name is Justin Harrison!

Emma: Why?

Justin: Orders from Mr. Lord, the owner of the Clarksville Weekly Gazette himself!

Emma: Mr. Lord?

Micky: And why has he put out these orders?

Mike: (Raises his eyebrows) Clarksville?

Justin: (Smirks at Mike) Why, Miss Redmer, I knew you were desperate for a story, but I didn't know you hung out with drunkard mercenaries!

Mike: I'm sober at the moment, boy (glares), something you'll regret if you keep runnin' your mouth.

Micky: How'd you like to answer the questions?

Justin: I don't know, Sheriff. He just doesn't want anyone touching that case. He says there's nothing there to report.

Emma: (Crosses her arms) What if there is? What if the Sheriff actually was murdered? This could be a whole conspiracy!

Micky: The Sheriff is murdered, and there's nothing to report? That's crazy!

Justin: But he wasn't...

Emma: And you believe that?

Micky: Right, he was caught in a crossfire. *rolls his eyes*

Justin: Mr. Lord is a good man. He wouldn't lie.

Lauren: I bet you took his word on that, too.

Mike: (Growls) That's not what I've heard. I know stories about the crooked deals that man's been involved with that would make that red mop turn snow-white.

Davy: Mate, there's something fishy about this whole deal.

Peter: (Sniffs the air) I don't smell fish, just whisky and Micky's chemicals!

Justin: (Points at Peter) That boy's only playing with half a deck.

Mike: No, he isn't!

Peter: (City-lighting grin) Thank you!

Micky: You're avoiding the point, kid.

Emma: (Gets in front of Justin) We're going to find out what happened to Sheriff Georgian, Justin, whether Mr. Lord likes it or not. You can tell Mr. Lord that he can take his threats and shove them into the small recesses of his ass!

Justin: You're gonna be in trouble, girl! I'm gonna tell Lord! (Runs off)

Emma: (Leans out the door) DON'T CALL ME GIRL!!!!

Micky: Go ahead, tell him!

Davy: What a bloomin' baby! I'll bet Lord's paying him to keep mum about the Sheriff's death.

Micky: I don't like that kid.

Emma: Well, that confirms it. Georgian was murdered, and Lord was involved.

Mike: I don't like that kid either, Mick. He gets on my nerves.

Emma: So does half the world, Mike.

Mike: I don't like Lord, either. He's involved in a lot of crooked real-estate deals and other nasty stuff all over Indian Territory, or so the rumors say. Like Dead-Eye Freddy, he's never been convicted.

Micky: *quirks an eyebrow* Now, I really dislike this Lord guy.

Emma: Mick, was there anything in the files?

Micky: *shakes his head* Nothing I could see. The whole deal's been covered up. Maybe too well. *sighs and plops himself in a chair*

Davy: But why would they cover it up?

Peter: So someone couldn't see something?

Emma: Georgian must have run into something really big.

Davy: 'uge, I'll bet, luv.

Micky: *scoffs* Yeah, and it's got my life in danger, too!

Mike: Micky, I'll bet they think you know whatever Georgian knew.

Davy: (Raises his eyebrows) He knows something?

Peter: What does he know?

Emma: Pete, that's what we're trying to figure out.

Micky: Well, I've got news for them. *holds his head* Man, this is all crazy!

Mike: We've got to get some more evidence than the word of a half-drunk gunslinger and some mouthy kid reporter that Lord and Dead-Eye murdered Georgian because he knew something.

Davy: Finding out what Georgian knew would be a start.

Peter: There's got to be some way to get evidence!

Emma: We'll need to split up. I want to search the offices of the Weekly Gazette and talk to other reporters and the editor. Any suggestions, Mick and Lauren? You guys are the law in this town!

Micky: I don't even know where to start! Some Sheriff I am. *frowns*

Lauren: Maybe we could find some of Georgian's friends...

Davy: We're all 'ere to 'elp you, Mick. (Grins) Word in my stables is that Georgian was quite an experienced horseman and loved to ride. You might be able to pick up something about him there.

Peter: Miss Elizabeth and I could talk to some of the parents of her students, and I'm going to get a job in the saloon playing the piano. The guy they have over there looks like he's about to faint!

Mike: I could handle the seedier-looking customers.

Micky: You sure can, Mike. *stands*

Emma: (Grins) When you're sober. ;)

Mike: (Puts up his hands) Em, I promise, I'll never touch another glass of whisky again! I don't particuarlly feel like gettin' a second dunkin' from Sheriff Dolenz! ;)

Micky: Good, but I haven't forgiven you for that yet, Mike. I'm still mad.

Emma: I'm not overly thrilled with you myself, Mike. We needed you sober, and you acted like an imbecile.

Peter: (Quietly) Mike, maybe we can talk later.

Mike: (Turns away, sticking his hands in his pockets) We'll see, good buddy, we'll see. (Raises his head) I'll meet you guys at sundown at Lulu's Barbeque and Grill down the street from the bar. We'll exchange notes then. (Stands, still a tad shaky, and struts out as well as he can)

Emma: (As he leaves) I should have decked him at the saloon.

Micky: He's gonna get himself in trouble.

Davy: And probably enjoy it.

Peter: I wish he wouldn't. Emma doesn't need to go saving him again!

Lauren: The thing is, he could get all of us in trouble, not just himself.

Davy: Well, I'm going back to the stables. Got a couple of nice girls there waterin' the horses, and some of them may have known Georgian.

Peter: I'm going back to Miss Elizabeth. We're going to ask her landlady, a nice Mexican lady named Mrs. Sexto, if she knew anything about the Sheriff's death, and talk to some of the parents of her students.

Emma: And I'm going to talk to the editor of the Weekly Gazette and see what he can reveal and try to get my hands on the files for the last four months. The editor may or may not be in Lord's grip. (Punches her fist lightly in her palm) And if I see that Justin again, he's going to get a tongue-lashing from me he'll NEVER forget!

Micky: Hang on, Em. Maybe Lauren and I can lend a hand. Remember, I can be pretty sneaky. *waggles his eyebrows*

Emma: (Grins wickedly herself) Could you whip up a truth serum or something?

Davy: Wouldn't that be a tad obvious?

Lauren: Do you really want him to try?

Emma: (Shrugs) Nahh, it was just a suggestion. We don't need Micky to blow up half the town. ;)

Micky: I wouldn't blow up half the town. I think sneaky and devious would work just as well, though.

Davy: Well, let's meet at the barbecue, then, at sundown. That's when I close the stables, anyway.

Peter: And Miss Elizabeth starts to work on her teaching notes.

Davy: You did get far with that girl today, didn't you, Big Petah?

Peter: (Blushes) Well, we chatted a bit, and we walked in the meadow outside the Little Red Schoolhouse...

Micky: *gives Peter a punch in the arm* You smooth talker, you!

Peter: (Sighs) She's such a nice girl. She loves teaching the kids, and she plays the piano and guitar for them every morning. She's even teaching some of the kids how to play. :x

Emma: (Impatient) Well, come on! I want to solve this mystery!

Lauren: We're coming, we're coming!

(The group finally makes their way outside. Davy gets back on his horse and rides back to the stables. Peter walks back to the schoolhouse. Emma, Micky, and Lauren walk to the second floor of a general store, where Emma finds the words "Clarksville Weekly Gazette" etched on frosted glass on a big wooden door. The three walk in to find a large waiting room with four desks, each containing a typewriter, paper, pencils, pads, pens, and various pictures and knick-nacks. Emma's desk has small stuffed Pokemon surrounding the typewriter, pictures of her family, and the pencils and pens in a chipped but clean ceramic cup. Everything is clean as a whistle and in perfect order.)

Micky: *whistles* That's a nice, neat little desk you got.

Lauren: Completely unlike Micky's.

Emma: Yeah, I'm a neat freak. I've gotta have things in order.

(A young man sits at one desk, clacking away at the typewriter. His face is hidden under a green visor and a mop of light brown hair and sideburns. He wears a grey striped vest and pink shirt, and his fingers are stained with ink.)

Young man: (Looks up and says, in a distinct Texas accent not far removed from Mike's) Where have you been, Em? The boss is livid! He says you've been dredgin' up the Georgian case! You know we're supposed to keep our hands off of that. (Frowns, his light blue eyes flashing - freckles actually seem to appear on his face.)

Emma: Yeah, I've been dredgin'...um, dredging up the Georgian case. (Points behind her) And Georgian's replacement and his loyal deputy are going to help me solve it, boss or no boss.

Micky: That's us. *grins*

Young man: (Jumps up from his desk) Oh, wow, you're Sheriff Dolenz and Deputy Miller! I heard about how you two cleaned up Houston! You'll do wonders for Clarksville! Dead Eye Freddy and his men are really bearin' down on the town. The bank's been held up twice in the past three months, ever since Georgian died!

*Micky & Lauren exchange glances.*

Micky: Uh, yeah, we did that.

Lauren: Glad I don't work at that bank. *cringes*

Emma: Maybe you could help us! We need the files on any crimes or cases that might have occured in the year or so before Georgian died.

Young Man: (Pumps Micky's hand so hard, he makes Micky jump up and down) Sure! I'll see what I can come up with! Anything for one the most famous duos in the southwest! I mean, the boss won't like it (grins), but sometimes I don't like him, either. Oh, and my name's Josh Kingston. I'm from Galviston, but I couldn't get a reporting job out there, so I went west.

Emma: Thanks, Josh. You're a doll. :)

Micky: *holding his wrist* Thanks, Josh. *holds back a cringe*

Emma: You can let go of Sheriff Dolenz's hand now, before he jumps through the roof. ;)

Lauren: He may need that hand.

Josh: (Sheepishly releases Micky's hand) Oh, sorry! Ah don't know my own strength sometimes!

Deep, Angry Voice: REDMER, GET YOUR FAT LITTLE ASS IN HERE ON THE DOUBLE!!!!

Emma: (Cringes) That's the boss?

Josh: (Joins the cringe) Yeah, and it sounds like he's in one of his good moods.

Micky: *holding his hand to his chest; frowns* What's with him?

Lauren: I don't know, but my fist'll be in his face.

Emma: (Rolls up her sleeve) And I'll help...fat little ass...(storms into the second room)

Lauren: She may need some back up, Mick.

Josh: Em, I wouldn't do that! (He, Micky, and Lauren follow.)

Micky: Not with her temper. *pauses* And it's Sheriff Dolenz!

Lauren: Whatever.

(A small, too-fat man with red cheeks and bushy white hair around his temples and lips glares at the group as they enter the second office. It's a slightly fancier, smaller version of the first, with lots of official-looking plaques and papers hanging on the walls and a bookcase filled with stiff, staid leather-bound volumes. The man wears a pale blue shirt with a blue checked vest and tie, and the only thing that really fits him is the tie.)

Emma: (Mutters to herself) And he's calling MY ass fat! (Out loud) You rang, oh great Master?

*Josh, Micky, and Lauren stand just outside the door, listening.*

Boss: Don't be a smartass, Redmer. I want to know why you've been bothering ordinary citizens and talking to one of the most notorious gunmen in the entire southwest.

Emma: When did I bother ordinary citizens? I asked some bandits a few questions they overreacted to, and I helped a drunken man out of a saloon.

Boss: Redmer, you're a bitch, but you're not that naive. Nesmith would kill his own mother if it paid well enough, and Rufus McCoy and his men were doing no harm.

Lauren: *whispering* Mick, lemme pop him one.

Micky: As much as that guy deserves it, you can't.

Emma: You're not naive either, boss. McCoy is one of Dead Eye Freddy's men, and you and I and most of this town know damn well that Freddy probably murdered Sheriff Michael Georgian.

Boss: Georgian was tragically shot to death in a bandit crossfire. Unfortunantly happens to people all the time in these lawless little towns.

Micky: *mutters* Happens all the time...

Emma: (Crosses her arms in a way Mike would be proud of) But it happened to the Sheriff. (Glares) Look, Sheriff Dolenz is a friend of mine, and I don't want him or Deputy Miller to end up like Georgian, six feet under. There's something simmering under the surface of this town, something evil, and Freddy and your boss Lord are involved.

Boss: And as Editor McClurg of the Weekly Gazette and your boss, I say stick to writing about women's dance recitals and ice cream socials. It's much safer, and a woman with your considerable (an audiable smirk) talents shouldn't be thrusting her nose into a place it does NOT belong. Let Justin handle it. He's our best.

Emma: He's a sniveling idiot and probably in Lord's employ.

Lauren: Just one punch, Mick! Please!

Micky: No. And it's Sheriff!

Emma: McClurg, I want to see the files.

McClurg: Why?

Emma: I want to read every note written about every crime for the year to six months up to when Georgian died.

McClurg: (Hands Emma a key) Fine, Redmer. You won't find anything, though. Georgian died in that crossfire.

Emma: (Grabs the keys) One more thing, McClurg. What do you know about Michael Nesmith?

*Micky's eyebrows arch.*

McClurg: Only that, until about four months ago, he was an ornery, nasty son-of-a-bitch. Rumor has it, backed by his behavior in the saloon today, he's taken up drinking as a sport along with killing.

Emma: (To herself) Four months...(turns back to McClurg as she joins the others) Did Nesmith ever work for Lord?

McClurg: He'll work for anyone who'll pay him. (Makes a face) Now get out of here, Redmer, before I change my mind. The files are in the spare room next to the main office. (Notices Micky and Lauren and perks up considerably) Why, Sheriff Dolenz, Deputy Miller, what a surprise! What brings you here this fine day? Have some news to report to Mr. Kingston or Mr. Harrison? Kingston handles the edtorials and sports news, but Harrison's my real prize. He came from back east with real credentials, and Mr. Lord's particuarly fond of him. He'll go places, that boy. He obeys orders.

Emma: We met. I wasn't impressed. If he's got credentials, I'm Lillian Russell.

Josh: (To himself) Yeah, I'd say Harrison's a prize. A booby prize. :p

Micky: *mutters* I'd say he'll go places, all right.

Lauren: We're here to help Miss Redmer with her story.

McClurg: I don't know what you expect to find, Deputy. It's an open-and-shut case.

Josh: You and Harrison are the only ones sayin' that.

Micky: We have reason to believe that it isn't quite as such.

McClurg: What reasons?

Emma: We're working on finding substantial evidence to support my theory that someone hired Dead-Eye Freddy to murder Sheriff Georgian and make it look like an accident.

McClurg: (Waves them away) Go check the files if you want, but I'm telling you, there's nothing to find. (Raises his eyebrows) Dolenz and Miller, I'd watch my back, if I were you two. Dead-Eye Freddy is the main ringer in this town, but there's others, not as smart and even meaner bandits, who'd like to see both of you making love to the daisies in the School Meadow outside of town.

Micky: *smirks* That ain't such a bad idea. *Lauren rolls her eyes.*

Emma: (Raises her chin defiantly) I'll solve this mystery and take out a few people myself if I have to before that happens!

Josh: I could write a few editorials myself, you know, protestin' the way this town is run.

Lauren: You just watch your back, McClurg.

McClurg: (As his old-fashioned phone rings) I don't have time for your threats, Miller. I'm busy. (Picks up the phone) Get me someone, anyone. (As the group leaves) And get me someone while I'm waiting!

Lauren: Lovely man. *razzes*

Micky: Man, if this is Mike's fantasy, I'd hate to find out what his nightmares are like.

Emma: (Groans as they walk across the main office to a plain, whitewashed door that matches the rest of the wall to the point of almost being invisible) Jesus Christ, and I WORK for that guy?

Josh: (Makes a face) Well, it's either that, or sling hash at Lulu's Barbecue. I've seen how she is around her waiters. She wears them out. (Scratches his head) Fantasy?

Micky: Never mind. It's a long story.

Emma: (To herself) I need to have a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNGGG talk with Mike when we get back to the library!

(Emma unlocks the door, and the four walk into a small room filled to the brim with newspapers and notepapers in huge stacks and in large files. Some of the stacks are neat; others are messy.)

Micky: *points at a messy pile* I'll go through these.

Emma: (Takes a neat stack) I'll do this one.

Josh: (Picks up a stack so high, it goes up to his visor when he's standing) I'll start here.

Lauren: *moves to a fairly messy pile* Well, it ain't the Hilton...

Emma: It ain't even the Beachwood Hotel.

Josh: No, that's down the street. You were livin' there, last I heard. Dolenz, are you and Miller staying in the rooms above the jail still with Mr. Jackobson the post master?

*Lauren glances at Micky.*

Micky: Uh, yeah. *his eyebrows arch*

Josh: (They all search through the papers in silence for a while. Suddenly, Josh jumps up, knocking piles of papers all over small room.) Here it is! Here's the date Georgian was murdered! (Shows Emma the paper)

Emma: (Frowns) But this can't be it! There's a story about Georgian's death, but it only states the where, when, and what, not the how. (Frowns) It's written by Justin Harrison. (Grumbles as she takes another stack) Someone has really messy handwriting. I can't read these.

Josh: (Leans over Emma's shoulder) Oh, those are McClurg's. Same writin' I see on my paycheck before I start laughin'.

Micky: There's gotta be something else in here!

Emma: Josh, there are files missing.

Josh: But McClurg looks after these himself! He puts new ones in every day and locks them tighter than a tick's rear end every night.

Lauren: Then I'm sure McClurg knows what happened to the missing files.

Emma: And has probably moved anything worth reading. (Clenches her fists) I'll bet those missing files are ashes in someone's fireplace by now!

Josh: No wonder he gave up the keys so easy, Em. He knows there's nothin' worth readin' in here.

Emma: Yeah, he moved it all.

Micky: We're getting nowhere fast.

Emma: Let's go see Davy at the stables and talk to some of his people. I'll bet he has a lot of cowboys and cowgirls who may have known Georgian working for him. (Grins wickedly) And I'll bet he knows every single cowgirl intimately by now. ;)

Lauren: I'd be willing to put money on that.

Josh: (Hears something as they go past McClurg's door on the way out and Emma locks the file room) Shhhhh! McClurg's on the phone!

(The group kneels by the door and whips out stethoscopes.)

McClurg: (Through the door, a bit muffled) I tell you, boss, that prissy little bitch is suspicious! (Squawking from the phone as Emma clenches her fists) I tried to shake her off, boss, but she's insistant. Dolenz and Miller are on the case, too. (Major screech) Geez, boss, you don't need to let the entire town know! Yes, I'm aware of their records, but Freddy and his boys will be there if they try getting any info on Georgian. (More muted growls) I know that, boss. I know about your railroad line and the land deal. I've had Harrison busily scribbling away on it.

Emma: (Mouths to the others) Land deal?

(Josh shrugs as McClurg continues)

McClurg: Did he really have to die, boss? I don't really like killing people. I'm a reporter, not a gunman. (Sighs as there's another growl) Oh, and she's been asking about Nesmith, too. Honestly, boss, you should have had Freddy kill him when he had the chance. Dolenz and Miller are friendly with him. They could sober him up, and he'll spill everything.

Micky: *mouthing incoherently, frowning*

Emma: (Sighs sadly) Oh, Mike...

McClurg: I don't care what you do to Nesmith or Dolenz or Miller. Just keep me and my newspaper out of it! (Slams the reciever. The others quickly remove the stephscopes and head out the door before McClurg leaves the office.)

Emma: Prissy bitch? Oooooooh! Why, I oughta.... (bangs her hand against a wall, but not only doesn't make a hole, but ends up holding her hand in pain)

Micky: Great, just great.

Josh: Man, slinging hash and gettin' your rear pinched almost sounds good. This is NOT how I wanted to start my writin' career.

Lauren: This wasn't exactly what we had in mind coming here, either.

Emma: This is crazy. Next time, I'm choosing the fantasy.

Lauren: Something nice and safe.

Micky: I'm tired of having my life threatened.

Emma: Let's go see Davy, and find Mike, too, if he's still alive and/or sober.

Micky: I've got a couple bones to pick with him, still.

Josh: Mike? You really are friends with Michael Nesmith?

Emma: Whatever happened, whatever Lord is holding over him, he's got to spill it.

Micky: If I have to beat it out of him.

Josh: Have you had a run-in with him, Sheriff? They say he'll kill anything that moves...and that's when he's drunk.

Emma: Let's just say he and I are a tad intimate, or are when he's in one of his better moods.

Micky: We're in trouble, all because of him! I saved his ass back at the saloon.

Emma: Josh, stay here and keep an eye and ear on McClurg. If he moves or does anything suspicious, meet the three of us at the jail tonight.

Josh: Will do! I have to finish my column, anyway. Big game between the Red Sox and the Yankees yesterday! (Concerned) Ya'll be careful, especially you, Em. I do want to see whatever bastard killed Georgian brought to justice, but do it without getting into too much unessesary trouble. (Smiles) I like you guys, and we don't need to lose anyone else in this town! (Goes back in the building. The others head over to Davy's stables.)

Emma: (Still rubbing her hand) I think Mike overdid the excitement slightly with this story. (Sighs)

Micky: You think?

(Davy is already busy at the stables when Emma, Lauren, and Micky arrive - if your idea of "busy" is talking to three girls in pastel fringed boots, leather mini-skirts, and fringed suede shirts. One has bouncy blonde curls hidden under a white cowboy hat, one has straight light brown hair in braided pigtails and large blue eyes, and one is a Hispanic girl in a bright woven peasant blouse and skirt. The girls lean against one side of a fence and he leans against the other, flirting outrageously.)

Micky: Oh, yeah, he's hard at work.

Emma: (Sighs) Yeah, for him. (Taps him on the shoulder) Davy, you were supposed to be asking your workers about Sheriff Georgian's death!

Davy: (To the girls) So, you doing anything later, luvs? (Turns around to the others, startled) Oh! Oh, um, yeah, I'm asking questions. I've asked these nice ladies if they knew anything about Sheriff Georgian.

Blonde Girl: (Giggles) Oh, hey, it's the new Sheriff! He's kinda cute, for a Sheriff!

Lauren: Cute, yes. Attached, definitely yes. *quirks an eyebrow*

*Micky blushes slightly.*

Pigtails Girl: Gee, Dolly, be more obvious, why don't you? Besides, everyone in the west knows he and Miller are like this (holds two fingers very close together). (Sighs) I'm Patsy, and these are my friends Dolly and Rita. My dad, Jim Quilan, is Davy's (blushes as Davy looks at her; turns away and continues) head stablehand. He was a friend of Sheriff Georgian's, too. (Smiles) Sheriff Georgian reminded me a lot of you, Sheriff Dolenz, only he was a bit older, with a long ponytail and big muscles. He used to come riding in the stables all the time. He and my dad would go out riding together.

Emma: (Grins) Long ponytail and big muscles, hmmm? (Winks at Lauren) Happy now, sweets? ;)

Lauren: Oh, very! *sighs dreamily*

Rita: My mother is Odilia Sexto, the housekeeper at the Little Red Schoolhouse. She cooks and cleans and does the books. She is there with Miss Elizabeth and her new friend now. Mama was very fond of the Sheriff, too. He once saved her from bandits who were going to attack her. She was very unhappy when he was killed.

Dolly: I'm Patsy's cousin. I'm working here with her until I can make my way back east. (Grins) What I really want is a singing career on the big vaudeville stages in New York, but I've got to get the money to get out there first!

Davy: Patsy's dad took Willie out for a run, but 'e should be back soon. (Leads the others in the stables. Both sides are lined with horse stalls and various equipment, including hay, pitchforks, tacks, bridles, shoes, grease, blankets, saddles, and nails. Horses neigh and snort and gaze at the group with large, liquid eyes.) So (softly, to Micky, Lauren, and Emma as Patsy, Rita, and Dolly attend to various horses), did you find out anything important at the Weekly Gazette offices?

Micky: Emma's boss is doing some major cover-up work.

Emma: Yeah. McClurg and Harrison both sound like they're in Lord's pay, but McClurg doesn't like it. And Mike knows something he isn't telling.

Davy: (Rolls his eyes) No kidding.

Lauren: Which could land all of us six feet under.

Emma: McClurg is afraid the paper will get implicated if I blow the whistle on the whole thing.

Davy: Did you find out what the whole thing is, mates?

Emma: Something about a land deal and railroads...

Micky: Sounds like a bad game of Monopoly.

Patsy: (Makes a face as she joins them) Someone's been buying land left and right outside the town. Prime grazing land, too. The ranchers around here are livid, and Dad and Sheriff Georgian weren't thrilled, either. Georgian loved this town, and he was friends with both the farmers and the ranchers.

Emma: I think I know who's been buying that land, but we need proof.

(An older man rides up to them on a large, dark chocolate-brown horse with two white forelegs. He's tall and lean, with bright, intelligent light blue eyes, a full head of grizzled gray hair, and an equally grizzled beard.)

Jim: (Gets off his horse and embraces his daughter) Hi, Patsy! Hi, girls! How's the stables? (Grins) Glad to see you're back, Davy.

Davy: (Nods) The girls told me you've had troubles with horse theft.

Rita: Dead-Eye Freddy's raided us a couple of times for horses for their thefts. They push their horses to exaustion and further, until they can't work anymore and they kill them.

Davy: Not my horses! Never! I won't let him do that anymore!

Emma: Doesn't anyone try to stop Freddy? He doesn't own this town!

Micky: I'm gonna try!

Jim: (Smiles and shakes Micky and Lauren's hands firmly but gently) I'll believe it, Sheriff Dolenz. I've heard about you and Deputy Miller. If anyone can put an end to Dead Eye's rein of terror and galvanize these townspeople, it's the two of you. (Determined) And I'll lend my old bones to the fight. Freddy already killed one of my closest friends, and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Micky: *more to himself* Me, too.

Jim: (Pats the horse) We'll lend any horses you may need, too, like old Willie here, (nods at Davy's spotted mare) and Davy's Stella. (Grins) You're a lot like Mikey was, Dolenz. He had the same kind of fire in his soul.

Micky: Thanks, Jim. *blushes slightly*

(Stella leans over her stall and nudges Davy. Davy nuzzles the gentle mare, patting her and speaking softly to her.)

Lauren: Would you get a load of that? *smirks*

Emma: (Giggles) Even non-human females fall for the Casanova of Beechwood Street! ;)

Micky: *snickers* Yeah. *calls out* Stellaaaa! *laughs*

Davy: 'ey, I'm no big lug. I can't 'elp it if I attract females of all kinds! ;)

Jim: (Laughs) You have one of the great egos of this world, David Jones. ;)

Micky: And animal magnetism, to boot!

Patsy: That attracts ALL animals! ;)

Rita: Would you like to meet my mother? She's at the Little Red Schoolhouse, probably making her special homemade chili for Miss Elizabeth and her gentleman caller by now.

Micky: Maybe we ought to round up Peter. Besides, I love chili!

Jim: I'd better stay, too.

Dolly: I'm singin' on the stage at the Shamrock Saloon tonight! (Winks) It's my big debut! Come over and see me sometime! ;)

Davy: (Eyeing Dolly's six-inch bust) I may just have to do that, luv.

Emma: (Elbows him) Ahem, Davy, watch where you put the drool, and let's keep this PG-PG-13 rated, ok?

Lauren: *groans* Oh, good grief!

Micky: Come along, David. *grabs Davy by the ear and starts pulling him away*

Davy: Ow! Micky, it's bad enough when Mike does that!

Micky: *mutters, to Davy* Yeah, well, you listen with other parts of your body...

Davy: At least I don't listen with my stomach! (Pulls away and takes Stella out of her stall. He puts on her blanket, bridle, and saddle.)

*Micky opens his mouth, but stops, seeing the look on Lauren's face. He clamps his mouth shut.*

Jim: (Looks up at the sky) Maybe you ought to take the horses, just in case of an ambush. You'll have a faster means of escape.

Emma: (Gulps) Is there a gentle horse here, one who won't go too fast or buck too hard? I don't really like horses all that much...

Jim: (Mutters, to himself) City slickers. (Brings out a little auburn mare with a white star on her forhead) This is Beauty, the sweetest horse in the stables. She wouldn't hurt a fly. She'd step over anthills if she could see them.

Emma: (Nervously pats Beauty) Nice Beauty, good Beauty. (Gulps) Why do horses have to be so BIG?

Davy: Maybe you and Lauren could ride together, Mick.

Micky: *grins* Sure!

Rita: I will take Dora. (Pulls out a little black mare, barely more than a filly.) I'm raising her myself. (Proudly) Someday, I am going to be the first Mexican-American woman to run a stable in the territories!

Davy: (Admiringly) I'm sure you could, Rita. Dora is a beautiful horse, with a lot of spirit. I've seen her playing with the other fillies in the yard. (Rita prepares Dora and climbs on the little horse.)

Micky: Which one do we get to ride?

(Patsy brings out two horses, both medium-sized, one grey-white with a white mane and proud brown eyes, the other white-and-brown dappled with a whitish-brown mane.)

Patsy: These are Magnolia and Washburn. They're fast, but not too hard on the rears. Maggie's a bit tougher than Washy, but both ride well, and Washy's a terrific jumper. He loves going over fences and rocks. I'll take whichever one you don't choose and ride over to some of the near-by ranches. I know ranch-hands and farmers who were good friends with Mikey Georgian and would love to get the true story behind his death.

Micky: Well, I kinda like Washy.

Lauren: You'd better not be thinking of jumping over anything, Mick.

(Washy leans over and gives Micky's head a friendly nuzzle, then tries to nibble on his curls.)

Patsy: (Giggles) He used to try to do that to Mikey's ponytail, too!

Micky: Hey! Don't you feed these guys?

Jim: Ol' Washy'll eat anything.

Dolly: (Makes a face and touches her curls) He's done that to my hair, too! He thinks its straw!

Micky: *makes a face* Guess I made a good choice then.

Lauren: *snickers* Yeah, you found the one with a stomach like yours!

(Emma and Davy snicker)

*Micky's face turns slightly red as he replaces his hat.*

Patsy: (Mounts Magnolia bareback) I'll see you later, Davy. (Grins at him. He smiles winningly back) Oh, and you might want to bring some anacid when you head over to Lulu's. Her cooking's been known to send hardened prospectors screaming for the hills. ;) (Gallops out of the barn and across the grazing lands, past horses and cattle)

Emma: (Jim helps her mount Beauty) In which case, Mick, you should love Lulu's. ;)

Micky: Great! I'm starved! *mounts Washy bare-back* Come on, Lauren, I'll give ya a hand. *reaches a hand out*

Lauren: I'm gonna get you for this. *takes his hand and lets him pull her up in front of him*

Jim: (Points around the back of the town) Take the back way to the Schoolhouse. It's safer, and you'll be less likely to meet Dead-Eye and his goons.

Micky: We will. Thanks, Jim.

Emma: (Clutches Beauty's bridle for dear life. She's riding sidesaddle, thanks to her dress) How do people sit on these damn things and still look decent? (Covers ankles encased in thick stockings and button-up boots exposed by the wind)

Micky: *chuckles* They don't!

Emma: (Gulps and looks over her shoulder at Micky and Lauren) How about a romp to take my mind off of...(looks down)...well, to take all of our minds off of Lord and Dead-Eye and everything?

Lauren: Good idea, Em!

Micky: I'm gonna get you two some riding lessons. Yeesh!

Emma: And since I'm such a nice girl, you get to pick the Monkees romp, Lauren! (Mutters) Also because I'm too busy trying to stay ON to think of songs at the moment. Please keep to the stuff I know!

Lauren: Okay!

Rita: (Pulls a guitar out of nowhere) Oh, I love music! My brothers taught me the guitar.

Lauren: How about "All The King's Horses"? *winks*

Emma: (Giggles) Tres appropre, Lauren. Very appropriate. ;)

Lauren: I thought so. ;-)

(The horses take off to the tune of the vaguely country-ish song. Washburn keeps trying to jump over everything around him. Micky tries to make him jump...and actually does once or twice, to Lauren's annoyance. Emma tries to pull down her skirts and keep Beauty from making any sudden moves. Rita plays, sometimes jumps with Micky and Lauren, and laughs at the others' antics. They arrive at the Little Red Schoolhouse as the romp ends.)

Micky: See? Nothing to it.

Emma: (Mutters) Our next fantasy will have NO horses in it whatsoever! :p

Lauren: I'll second that.

Micky: You ladies are no fun, you know that? :-P

Peter: (Runs out of the schoolhouse) Hi, guys! (Grins) Wow, nice horses!

Davy: (Joins them. He's lagged behind a bit, thinking and looking at the scenery) Thanks, Big Petah! They're from my stables.

Elizabeth: (Joins them, smiling) Odilia's just finishing her special chili. Would you like to join us for dinner? There's plenty for everyone.

Emma: (As she slides gingerly off of Beauty) Not with Micky around! ;)

Micky: *his stomach growls* Of course! *shoots Emma a glare*

Peter: (Laughs) I was wondering when we were going to get some Micky-and-eating jokes in! ;)

Micky: Go ahead, yuk it up.

(The four walk past the schoolhouse and into an equally red little house in the back. A small, thin-but-strong-looking Hispanic woman with short black hair and large brown eyes leans over an old-fashioned stove, tasting a huge pot of chili with a wooden spoon. She smiles and puts the spoon in a big porcelain sink. The kitchen is small but cozy, with a table covered by a faded red-checked table cloth and mis-matched wooden chairs. Pungent and sweet-smelling dried herbs hang on the walls, along with various pots and pans. Cabinets are filled with beans, vegetables, and jars of fruit compotes and jellies.)

Elizabeth: Welcome to my home. I only live on the first floor. Odlia and her children live on the second floor. They're like my second family. (Beams.)

Micky: Wow! This is really nice!

Odilia: (Smiles) Dinner is almost ready, Miss Elizabeth. (Embraces her daughter) Hello, Rita! I'm glad you came home early. I'm going to need your help cleaning up the chilli mess, and your brothers want you to help them repair the window Billy Jackson broke accidentally yesterday when he threw that baseball too hard and it landed in the school.

Rita: (Makes a face) You mean they want ME to do the work while THEY loaf around!

Odilia: (Smiles and takes Micky's hand) You must be our new Sheriff, sir. I've heard much about you and the lady. You remind me of a younger version of dear Michael. (Sighs) I owe my life to him. He saved me from a bandit raid shortly after I came here from Mexico. He was a good, dear man, and did not deserve to die like he did, caught in something he did not cause.

Peter: We're going to find out what happened to Sheriff Georgian, Odilia! Don't worry!

Micky: *nods* That would be me. *turns slightly red* I don't know whether to be happy or guilty that I remind everyone of Sheriff Georgian.

Rita: Be happy! I'll bet you are just as good a man as he was (winks at him) if not better!

Lauren: In what way? *narrows her eyes slightly*

Rita: And you're one heck of a rider, too! You handled Washy very well.

Micky: Awe! T'weren't nothin'!

Rita: Ahh, don't worry, Deputy! He's cute (smirks), but I want to work with horses before I start chasing young men!

Lauren: Just checking. *smiles*

Odilia: What about that boy from the RKO Ranch I saw you with a few days ago...

Rita: Mama, Martino is just a friend!

(Peter and Elizabeth have been sitting at the table the whole time, holding hands and not saying anything, too shy to even look into each other's eyes)

Odilia: Where are my manners? Miss Elizabeth has friends here, and I haven't even added more places to the table!

Peter: (Quickly) I'll do that!

Elizabeth: I can do it, Peter...

Peter: No, let me! (Begins to take out mismatched plates, cups, and silverware.)

Emma: (Sighs) I wish Mike was here. He'd like this, if only for the food. (To Odilia, thoughtful) Odilia, have you ever heard of Michael Nesmith?

Odilia: (Ladles chili into big bowls with a hand-carved wooden ladle) Yes. Other people fear him, but he is good to Mexicans. He bring them money, especially the women and children.

Rita: He has a terrible temper, and he's a crack shot. He's killed many gringos, but he won't kill Mexicans or Mexican-Americans.

Micky: I know his temper first-hand.

Emma: (Sighs) I know it all too well myself.

Odilia: I have not seen him in several months, though. They say he has dropped out of sight, taken to drink and women in filthy saloons.

Micky: *mutters* I'd say you're at least partially right.

Emma: I found him in a saloon this afternoon drunk as a lord. :p

Peter: Lord? I thought we were out west, not doing the fairy-tale again!

Micky: We had to save Mike from himself.

Odilia: (Chuckles as she, Peter, and Rita bring steaming hot chili, corn bread, and fresh butter to the table) Yes, from what I have heard, the man does need saving from himself, among other things. :)

Micky: He'll need a saving from me real soon.

Emma: And me, especially if I find him running around with loose or tight women! X-(

Lauren: Down, Em! *smirks*

Odilia: (Smiles as she joins the others at the table) It would seem that Michael Nesmith is not the only one with a terrible temper in Clarksville! ;)

Lauren: *points at Emma and Micky* You're looking at two more.

Peter: I wish Mike would tell me what's wrong. He wouldn't talk to me. (Sadly) He almost always tells me things that are bothering him!

Micky: That's our main problem, Pete, and why I'm still mad at him.

Elizabeth: (Puts her hand on Peter's) He's not ready yet, Peter. He'll tell you when he's ready. It seems to be some big, dark secret. It must hurt him a lot if he won't even talk about it to his closest friends.

Odilia: (Takes a slice of corn bread and butters it as she says to Emma) You are in love with Michael Nesmith, miss...

Emma: (Sighs) Miss Emma Redmer, and I'm not exactly sure. Sometimes, I think I love him, and sometimes he acts so stupid, I wonder what I ever saw in him...

Micky: Come on, Em, you gotta take the good with the bad.

Peter: Yeah, he's not perfect. I should know. He's my best friend. He yells at me sometimes, and I cry at him, but we can talk to each other, you know?

Micky: And I love him like a brother. I may be mad, but that doesn't mean I like him any less.

Emma: I just wish I could figure that man out. (Takes a slice of corn bread from the basket Lauren offers and changes the subject) Odilia, do you know anything about a man named Lord, speaking of lords?

Rita: (Spits out a stream of Spanish obscenities that Mike would admire, ending with...) Fire-swallowing pig!

Micky: *chuckles* Whoa!

Odilia: Rita Cansino Sexto, watch you language. (Her own eyes burn with fire, despite her admonishment to her daughter) You must not mind Rita. She has picked up some improper phrases from her brothers. I'm trying to teach her not to use them around company. (Glares) Mr. Edwin Lord is, as my daughter somewhat put it, a fire-swallowing pig. He buys up land right and left for his railroad. His railroad company is one of the largest in the southwest, and he want to expand it across the country.

Emma: I'll bet the land he wants goes right through Clarksville, doesn't it?

Odilia: Miss Redmer, if Lord has his way, there will be a railroad terminal the size of Mexico where you are sitting by this time next year. And he does not like Mexicans or any minorites. He only hires them for mean labor in his factories and pays them less than nothing.

*Micky mouths some of his own obscenities.*

Peter: That would put you out of your homes, just in Wildwood!

Emma: (Eyes wide) Good lord allmighty!

Elizabeth: (Her gentle eyes darken) Many of my students' parents are farmers, ranchers, or small-shop owners. He's been buying their cropland and grazing land right and left, and even buying buisnesses in the town.

Peter: (Between bites of chili) We talked to some of the kids today while they were playing baseball and dolls in the meadow. They're all scared of the bad guys who come through the town. Some of them have had reletives who were shot or even killed by bandits when they tried to stand up to them. The older boys are all talking about how they want to be big heroes and help the new Sheriff fight them.

Micky: *chuckles lightly* Well, their hearts are in the right place.

Emma: Man, even kids are effected by these bastards...

Peter: Then there's the Indians who live here. They're friendly and liked Sheriff Georgian, but not only are they afraid of being attacked by Indians who aren't very nice, but Lord has been trying to take their land, too.

Elizabeth: The Kamari-Lani tribe. They're truly wonderful people. Their beadwork alone is amazing. I have friends among the women there who made Odilia and her family and me blankets and winter coverings.

Davy: (Frowns, between bites of chili) Lord must be aware of Mike's big secret. He's probably holding it over him.

Emma: I'll bet he's part of the cause of Mike's big secret.

Micky: *drops his fist on the table* If only he'd tell us what it is!

Davy: (Looks at the darkening sky) Speaking of Mike, we're supposed to be meeting him at Lulu's in town at sunset. It's already getting dark.

Odilia: (As she finishes her chili) And Rita really does need to go over to the school and help her brothers.

Emma: (Drops her own fist the table and ends up rubbing it) I wish I knew what was in those files McClurg removed that was so damn important!

Rita: (Makes a face) McClurg is a sniveling toady. He'll bow to anyone who has more money and fancy suits than him.

Micky: I don't suppose Mike might have some idea.

Davy: Well, it's worth a try when we get over to Lulu's, mate.

Emma: It sounds like McClurg is rebelling a bit, though. He's a sniveling toady, but not a killer.

Micky: I'm warning you guys now, I'll beat it out of Mike if I have to.

Emma: (Pushes her empty bowl of chili away) And I'll gladly help you, Mick!

Peter: Maybe I could talk to him. I'm good at getting him to tell me things he won't tell other people.

Micky: That may not be necessary with the way I feel...

Emma: (Smiles) Thanks for the chili, Senora Sexto! It was excellent! (Points at Micky) Look, he's on his third bowl!

Davy: (Makes a face) Oh, he's going to smell lovely tonight. :p

Peter: (Grins) That's why he shares a room with Mike, Davy. ;)

Micky: I'd be on more than my third if it wasn't for Mike. *glares at Davy* Oh, go jump in a lake!

Davy: Since when did Mike keep you from eating? ;)

Micky: Because I'm worried about what he knows and won't tell us! I have a bad feeling about it.

Emma: I wish he'd talk to me...

Lauren: Or anyone.

Elizabeth: Well, wishes don't make fishes, and he's clamming up.

Peter: (Closes his eyes and a filet of flounder appears in his hand) Hey, look, I wished for a fish! :D

Davy: (Rolls his eyes) Isn't that dumb?

Lauren: *chuckles* Peter!

Peter: No! I thought it was silly! (Sticks his tongue out at Davy)

Micky: Hey, Dave, that's my line!

Emma: (Smiles and brings her bowl to the sink) Thanks for the dinner, Odilia! You probably saved us from Lulu's cooking!

Odilia: (Wicked grin) Lulu is a friend, but you shouldn't be subjected to what she calls "cooking." She tosses beef, hot sauce, and peppers in a bowl and calls it eight-alarm chili. :p

Micky: To each their own. *finishes his bowl and takes it to the sink, along with Lauren's*

Peter: (As Elizabeth takes his and her bowls to the kitchen sink) Elizabeth, I'm going to go into town with them, but I'll be back tomorrow after I get a job at the saloon and talk to Mike.

Elizabeth: (Returns and puts her hand on Peter's) Peter, be careful. The town is dangerous after dark, and I don't trust Dead-Eye and his gang to stay away for long. They've only been committing petty thefts and small-time robberies recently. They've got something big in mind.

Peter: Elizabeth, I... (leans over and kisses her deeply.)

Micky: So did Peter. *smirks*

Elizabeth: (Blushes) I... (kisses him, not quite so deep, and stands quickly) Good night, Peter. (Rubs his hand) Take care! (Hurries into the next room)

Odilia: (Smiles gently) Poor Elizabeth! Such a shy girl. She barely talks to anyone in the town besides my family and the children and their families. She is smart, though, and pretty. I cannot understand why she turns away all the men in town!

Peter: (Dreamily) I think she's wonderful...

Davy: (Nods at the growing dusk) Come one, folks. Let's get to Lulu's and get to the bottom of this, before Dead-Eye Freddy and his men beat us to Mike!

Micky: *stands* I've got some "questioning" to do.

Emma: (Joins him) Me, too, Mick. (The five head out the door after saying good-bye to Odilia and Rita, thanking both for their hospitality. Everyone climbs on the horse they were on before, except for Peter, who borrows Dora from Rita, as he and Elizabeth walked to the schoolhouse. They ride the back way again into town.)