Emma: Which reminds me...everybody ready for the social?
Lauren: I'm all set! *winks*
Micky: *sees the odd look on Lauren's face* She's scaring me!
Mike: I'm ready!
Davy: Me too! I asked Patsy, and she said yes! We're going to ride there!
Peter: I'm helping Miss Elizabeth set up the ice cream and cakes!
(Micky pulls the MonkeeCarriage up in the meadow behind the Little Red SchoolHouse. Paper lanterns are hung on string between poles. Women in good dresses set up ice cream, cakes, and cookies on tables covered with various tablecloths. Men set up the punch and the spirits, including large kegs of beer. Peter and several Mexican boys put the finishing touches on a small stage surrounded by paper lanterns.)
Peter: (Waves) Hey, guys! I'm glad you're here! We need your help setting up. Odilia and Elizabeth are still in the house. The ice cream maker is acting funny.
*Lauren and Micky wave in return.*
(Another carriage pulls up alongside Micky and Lauren's. Mike and Emma climb out. Emma wears her yellow dress and red-and-yellow checked pinafore. Mike wears a white western shirt with black trim, white jeans, and a white cowboy hat with a black ribbon. Emma has a corsage made from wildflowers around her wrist.)
Emma: (Waves) Hey, guys! How was dinner?
Lauren: Great! Micky ate just about everything in sight!
(Mike, Emma, and Peter all laugh at Lauren's comment.)
Emma: I just wish I'd thought of getting something nice for you, Mike.
Mike: Not on your reporter's salary, Em. Davy got a corsage from Granny's for Patsy, so I thought it would be nice to get one for you, too.
Lauren: That was very nice, Mike. *smiles, then winks at Emma*
Emma: Oh, Mike. (Smiles and gives him a kiss on the cheek. He blushes)
Mike: (Turns away) Aw, Em....(Emma takes his hand and pulls him into the crowd surrounding the tables.)
(Davy, Patsy, and Jim Quilan pull up on horseback and join the rest of the crowd at the tables. Patsy sports a pretty silver locket and a yellow rose corsage.)
Lauren: *spies the locket* Ooooooohhh! *grins* That's beautiful!
Patsy: (Blushes) Thank you! Davy surprised me with it this evening, before we came here. (Thinks and grins) His exact words were "A beautiful neck should be graced by a beautiful necklace, my divine prairie princess." ;)
Micky: *snorts, trying not to laugh* Oh, brother...
Davy: Hey, the jewelry surprises were your idea, Romeo!
Micky: Yeah, but not the poetry!
Davy: (Grins) What's wrong with a bit of poetry? (Puts his arms around Patsy) "A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou, my love."
Patsy: (Grins) Stick to horses, Casanova. ;)
Lauren: At least he got the line right. *smirks*
Mike: (Sees Peter trying to carry a whole load of wood; he's obviously on the verge of collapsing) Let me help you with that, Pete. You're going to end up under it. (Takes part of the pile)
Peter: (City-lighting grin) Thanks, Mike! Odilia's sons are finishing off the stage, and I'm helping them. They're going to have a lot of local bands here tonight, and I thought we could play, too!
Mike: Peter, why didn't you ask us first?
Peter: (Shrugs) I didn't think you'd mind! We could play some of your country songs.
Davy: (Smiles) What's wrong with playing a few songs, especially for such an attractive crowd? (Takes Patsy's arm) Shall we get a drink, my love?
Patsy: Sure. Just don't drink the beer. It's Ezra Buchanon's home-made brew, and it's been known to knock out even the toughest cattleranchers and cowboys for at least 48 hours. (They walk over to the drink stands)
Lauren: Better stick with the soft drinks. *grins*
Peter: (As he and Mike hammer nails into the stage) There's punch and home-made apple juice, too. I helped Odilia make the punch this afternoon myself! :D
Mike: You sure it's safe, then? The last time you made punch, you mistook tomato juice for fruit juice. :p
Peter: Anybody could have made that mistake!
Micky: I don't think so, Pete. *makes a face*
Emma: Well, if Odilia helped, it must be safe. :)
Elizabeth: (Hurries over to the crowd) We just finished setting up the ice cream, and Odilia Sexto and Marissa Drake are starting to cut the cakes. Better get some, before the crowd starts arriving! :)
(More and more people have been arriving during this sequence, some with children, some bearing food. The paper lanterns look like fairy lights in the rapidly darkening evening. Children run about, chasing fireflies and each other and getting messy. Adults gather around the food and drinks and the bandstand, laughing and chatting.)
Peter: (Is paying more attention to Elizabeth, who is talking with Emma and Lauren, than what he's doing, and accidentally hits his thumb with the hammer) OW!!!! :(
Mike: Peter, pay attention! (Hammers the last nail into the board)
Elizabeth: (Runs to Peter) Are you ok? That looks pretty bad.
Peter: (Holds his thumb) It hurts! :((
*Lauren and Emma join the group to see what happened.*
Elizabeth: I'll take you to the house and get you some ice for it. (The two head off for the Red House, Elizabeth clucking over Peter's thumb, Peter's face a mixture of delight over Elizabeth's attention and embarrassment over how he got it)
Micky: You don't suppose he did that on purpose, do you? *grins*
Emma: (Shakes her head) No, I think it was an accident. He looked genuinely embarrassed.
Mike: (Stands and brushes the wood spinters off his fingers) Nahh, he was just more interested in watching Elizabeth than the hammer.
Emma: (Smiles, takes Lauren aside as the first band starts setting up) So, Lauren, how was your dinner at the Drakes'...and beforehand? (Smirks) ;)
Lauren: *grins* The dinner was wonderful, and... *shows off the crystal*
Emma: (Eyes widen; grins) Wow! That's so pretty! Did Mick give you that?
Lauren: *nods* He sure did! Surprised me majorly with it!
Emma: What a sweetie! (Shows Lauren her corsage) Mike bought me this from Granny's. She apparently makes them herself! :)
Lauren: *smiles* Oh, wow! It's really pretty!
Emma: Mike's been so sweet tonight. We ate dinner with Davy and the Quilans, and he drove me here afterwards. (Smiled) I've never dated a former gunslinger before! :D
Lauren: And now you have! *winks and grins*
(A voice is suddenly heard over the crowd.)
Granny: (As Peter and Elizabeth return, Peter's thumb covered with a bandage) Ok, folks, time for the dancin' and the music! (Nods at Mike) Somebody told me that we've got a whole group of professional musicians right in our midst...and they include our very own Sheriff Dolenz, Deputy Miller, and David Jones, head of the Daydream Stables!
(Davy waves and bows from the crowd as everyone claps. Patsy just rolls her eyes.)
*Micky whoops with joy as he jumps up on the bandstand.*
Lauren: *to Emma; jerks her thumb at Micky* Think I could get away with pretending I'm not with him?
Emma: (laughs) Probably not. Most of the town knows you two are practically joined at the hips and lips. ;)
Lauren: *with a shrug* Worth a try.
(Davy joins Micky on the bandstand, followed by Peter, Mike, and the girls. The instruments are already there.)
Peter: (Grins) I imagined all our stuff here earlier this evening. :D
Micky: Good thinking, Big Peter!
Lauren: Literally!
(Peter laughs as the group gathers their various instruments, except for Emma, who just clears her throat and tries not to look too nervous.)
Mike: (To the others) I thought we'd start with "Papa Gene's Blues," gang. It's probably the right kind of music for this crowd.
(Some people gasp and point at Mike.)
Lauren: Not again... *rolls her eyes*
Man: (From the crowd) What's a gunslinger doin' playin' music at a respectable outin'?
Woman: He's a killer.
Micky: *calls out* He's bein' respectable!
Emma: (Yells from the stand) Not anymore, he isn't! He's reformed! (Looks at Mike) You have reformed, right? :-/
Mike: (Looks up and into the crowd) Look, folks, I'm turnin' over a new leaf. I'm just as much as a citizen of Clarksville as the rest of you.
Micky: *stands from behind the drum kit* And if anyone's got a problem with that, you talk to me!
Granny: (Glares daggers) Give the man a chance, folks! He ain't killed anybody in a long time. (Nods) Play, kids! Show them how good a bad man can be! :D
(And Mike counts off "Papa Gene's Blues." Granny leads everyone, including the kids, in a rowdy square dance. Micky keeps making an ice cream cone throughout the number, as Lauren cheers him on. Everytime we see him, it gets bigger and bigger, until it's over Mike's head. The kids run around Micky, almost making him drop his cone. Mike scoops Emma an ice cream cone...but she's already got a bigger one for him. Peter and Elizabeth are more interested in each other than the food, and Davy and Patsy give the kids rides on the horses. This is all intercut with the group playing the song on the bandstand.)
(The crowd claps after the number is done.)
(We cut to Micky, Lauren, Davy, Patsy, and Micky's cone. Lauren is adding yet more scoops to Micky's tower.)
Lauren: *with scoop in hand* I think I can get a couple more on there...
Davy: Yeah, if you stand on your toes!
Patsy: You'll need a stepladder! ;)
Lauren: *frowns* Now, Dave, you're one to make short jokes. *sticks her tongue out*
Patsy: He does have a point, Micky. If that thing gets any taller, you'll need to stand on someone's shoulders to eat it! :p
Micky: *carefully balancing the cone* Isn't like I haven't tried that before...
(Leslie and several girls chasing fireflies run past Micky again. The tower of ice cream wavers.)
Micky: Hey!
Davy: Watch out, she's gonna fall! :o
Lauren: Take cover!
Micky: *with a frightened look* Oh, crap.
(The final blow is Peter coming up behind Micky with an ice cream cone for Elizabeth. He runs into Micky's back and the cone finally topples to the ground.)
Peter: Oh, I'm sorry, Micky! I didn't mean to make you drop your ice cream! :(
Micky: *frowns* I almost beat my old record!
(Davy, Patsy, and Lauren are hiding under the table.)
Davy: (Peers out from under the table) Is it safe?
Lauren: *looks around* I don't know...
Patsy: (Sees Micky start to scoop ice cream onto another cone) I think it's ok. He's only on the third scoop.
*Lauren joins Micky again, still wielding her own scoop.*
Elizabeth: (Joins them) I was talking to your friend Mr. Nesmith. (Smiles) He's a very nice fellow. I don't know why everyone thinks he's a killer!
Peter: The only thing he kills is the occasional note! ;)
*Micky grins despite his intense concentration.*
Elizabeth: (Smiles at Peter as he hands her the cone) Thank you, Peter! You're so sweet!
Peter: (Blushes and whispers) Thank you, Elizabeth! You...you're...really....nice...too! :"
Elizabeth: (Turns to the others) Did you know Peter can play at least two different kinds of guitar, the piano, the banjo, and the French horn? I'm going to get him to give me lessons on the bass!
Peter: (He's really red now) It's nothing, Elizabeth. I just like music. :) :">
Lauren: The better question is what *can't* Peter play. *winks*
Davy: (Smiles) And 'e's a wonderful teacher. He taught me a little bass. (Smiles) I still have a lot to learn, though. I can really only play "I Wanna Be Free."
(Micky takes Lauren aside as she slurps her two-scoop cone and he works on his sixth scoop.)
Micky: So, ready to set up the explosives?
Lauren: Better believe it! *grins*
(Mike and Emma joins them, both looking a bit peeved.)
Emma: Mike, I can carry my own cake and ice cream, thank you!
Mike: Em, I just wanted to help.
Emma: (Sighs) I'm ok, Mike. When I need your help, I'll tell you, ok? (Smiles a bit)
*Lauren gives Micky a quick glance.*
Mike: (Shakes his head as she goes to mingle with the crowd on the dance floor) Every time I think I've taken two steps forward, I end up sliding right back in the hole where I started.
Elizabeth: (Taps Mike on the shoulder) Are you...really...Michael Nesmith?
Mike: (Nods and tips his white hat) Yes I am, ma'am.
Elizabeth: Have you really...killed people?
Mike: (Sadly) Yes, I have. It's not somethin' I'm proud of, but I'm puttin' that all behind me.
Elizabeth: (Nods) Would you like to give guitar lessons at the school? I saw you on the bandstand with the others. You and Peter could work together. (Smiles) Peter thinks the world of you!
Mike: (Grins) I think the world of him, too, ma'am. He's a lot smarter than he looks...or even acts sometimes.
(Micky leads Lauren over to a group of ice cream barrels near the dance area, but far enough away to not cause any damage. No one notices the horses that suddenly pull up by the schoolhouse, or the shadows of figures carrying explosives much larger than Micky and Lauren's gathering.)
Micky: Lauren, do you have the bag with the explosives?
Lauren: Right here. *holds it out to him*
Micky: (Grins) Thanks, babe! (Takes the bag and pulls out the bottle) Now, we've got to think of a way to get Em and Mike over here.
Lauren: Could just call them over...
Micky: She's on the dance floor and he's moping by the punch. (Discreetly pours the bottle around the barrels, then leads a trail a small distance away) I'll go collect him and you collect her, and when we get them down here, we set it off and let it blow...and let Mike make sure Em's out of harm's way, so he can feel like a hero. :)
Lauren: Got it!
(Lauren runs over to the dance floor, where Emma is dancing off to one side, alone.)
Lauren: Hey, Em!
Emma: (Smiles) Hey, Lauren, this group they have up there now isn't bad! (Wiggles her hips in time to the music) Want to join me? Mike won't. He's just no fun! :p
Lauren: I can't, but Mike just said he had something even better in mind. He's waiting over by the barrels, come on! *waves*
Emma: (Shrugs) Oh, ok. (Grins) Glad to hear he finally decided to join the party! ;)
Lauren: Me, too!
(But neither girl notices the men setting up barrels of TNT behind the dance area, in the back of the schoolhouse, even as Micky drags Mike over to the ice cream.)
Micky: ...and Em said she really wanted to talk to you, Mike! She wants to make up for the saddle thing earlier!
Mike: Well, ok, Mick... (Micky leaves him at the barrels just as Lauren runs up with Emma.)
Lauren: Here you go! Bye! *leaves*
Emma: Lauren! (But the two have already run behind another group of barrels and are setting the black potion from the bottle on fire.)
Mike: (Sighs) Em, I think we've been had.
Emma: (Shakes her head) Not for the first time by those two, either. (Shrugs) Oh, well, they're just trying to help.
Mike: (As Micky manages to get the fuse lit) Em, one of these days, those two little matchmakers are going to set a lot more than hearts afire! :p
(And, even as the words leave Mike's lips, the barrels explode. Not a big explosion, but just enough that Mike pulls Emma out of the way and into his arms. Davy, Patsy, Peter, and Elizabeth all come running as Lauren and Micky emerge triumphant from the barrels.)
Mike: (Gasping) What the HELL was that?
Davy: (Frowns) Miiiiiiicckkkkkkkkk.....
Lauren: An explosion. *grins*
Emma: Mike...
Peter: Have you guys been messing with the chemistry set again?
Micky: *grins widely* Of course!
Elizabeth: Chemistry? Is that was that was?
Patsy: (Makes a face) Well, it sure wasn't reading, writing, and arithmatic!
Mike: (He and Emma are covered in ice cream and are still holding each other) Let's get this cleaned up, guys, including us. I feel like Micky's six-scoop tower.
Emma: (Holds onto Mike) Can't I just stay here a little longer?
Lauren: Awe!
Elizabeth: (Smiles) You two could probably get cleaned up in the house next to the school. I wanted to show Peter my lesson plans for tomorrow. I'm trying to work his piano lessons around his schedule at the saloon.
Davy: Why don't we all come? (Puts his arms around Patsy) I could use some air meself.
Peter: (Scratches his head) But we're outside!
Patsy: (Elbows him with a giggle) I told you not to drink Ezra's beer! That stuff could knock a bear cold! ;)
*Micky laughs.*
Davy: I swear I didn't! I just 'ad punch!
Lauren: Uh huh, sure. *winks*
Mike: (Winks as they wander over to the house) I'll bet it's spiked. ;)
(As the group nears the schoolhouse, there's an enourmous explosion that rips out the back wall of the building.)
Mike: HOLY SHIT! (Pulls Emma under him)
Elizabeth: (Gasps as she and Peter get down) My school! :(
Peter: Oh, god!
(Debris flies everywhere. Bandits emerge from behind the schoolhouse, numbering in the hundreds, including some busty, nasty-looking women, lead by Dead-Eye Freddy. People on the medow run for cover, screaming and grabbing children. Men and some of the women, including Granny and Odilia Sexto, grab pistols and rifles.)
Davy: (Holds Patsy) Those bastards!
Lauren: *gawks* Oh, my Lord...!
Mike: (Gets to his feet, joined by Emma) What the HELL are you doing here, Freddy?
Freddy: (Smirks) What's wrong, Nesmith? My friends and I wanted to join the party.
Lonny: (Frowns) I thought boss said to tell the Sexto lady and all the people he wanted the land or else?
Freddy: Lonny...(raises his hand to strike the big man, but he cowers away)
Patsy: You sons of bitches!
Lauren: I don't recall any of you being invited!
Busty Woman: (Joins Freddy) Now, that ain't a way to talk about a lady, honey! (Nods at Freddy) So, where's my part of the loot?
Freddy: Loot later. Right now, we've got business to take care of.
Micky: Business?
Lauren: That doesn't sound good at all.
Mike: (Pulls his own pistol) Like hell you do! Get out of here, Freddy, before I show you how I made my reputation!
*Micky and Lauren draw their pistols as well.*
Freddy: The ownership of this land. Boss wants it really bad. Don't ask me why. (Smirks) You won't do a thing to me, Nesmith. I know your weakness.
(Freddy reaches out and grabs Emma. She shrieks and tries to pull away, but he holds the pistol to her head.)
Freddy: It's this plump little partridge.
Lauren: Hey!?
Micky: This guy's gonna get it...
Mike: (Roars) NO!!!!!!!!!!!! LET HER GO!!!!! DON'T HURT HER!!!!!
Emma: (Whimpers) Mike....
Peter: (Gasps) Let her go! She's a nice girl, and she never hurt you!
Freddy: She asks too many questions.
Lauren: Too bad that's part of her job!
Emma: (Tries to smile) It is my job.
(Freddy's boys are doing their jobs on the hill. There's a good gunfight going over the ice cream tables.)
Elizabeth: Why the schools?
Freddy: (Shrugs) Why not? Boss wants this land.
Davy: Boss wants the whole damn town!
Micky: That isn't a good reason!
Emma: Freddy, let me go!
Lauren: You heard the lady!
Mike: (Points the gun) If you so much as hurt her, Freddy...
(There's a gunshot over everyone's heads. It startles Freddy enough that Emma pulls away and runs into Mike's arms. He holds her tightly. Jim Quilan comes running over, rifle raised.)
Micky: Nice shot!
Jim: That's for Mikey. (Grins) Thanks, kid! Been wanting to do that for four long months!
Freddy: (Holds his shoulder) Don't mind me. Go take out the rest of those stubborn townsfolks. (Glares) I've got business with Quilan.
Davy: You deal with Quilan, you deal with me.
Patsy: (Stands beside her father, pistol cocked) And me.
Mike: (Looks over at the fray) Come on, Em. They need our help back there!
Patsy: (Hands Peter a rifle as they start back over to the medow) Come on, we'll need you by the bandstand!
Peter: (Whimpers) Do I have to? I hate guns!
Elizabeth: (Nods) So do I! I wish they wouldn't do this! There must be a more peaceful way to solve this!
Micky: Card game, anyone?
Peter: Here's a way! (Pulls Elizabeth under a table as everyone else joins the fray and the cards are shot out of Micky's hands.)
Micky: Okay, no cards, then!
(The gunfight becomes, ironically, "Good Clean Fun." Peter and Elizabeth remain under the table, kissing. The others shoot everything but people - barrels, tables, the bandstand, the poles, the lanterns, random cardboard characters set up ala shooting gallery games. Micky tries to scoop another ice cream cone, but the scoops are shot off the cone. Everyone ends up over on the other side briefly before realizing where they are and move sheepishly back to the good guys. Granny continues to call square dances while Davy shoots the ground around one of Freddy's men. The busty female bandit distracts everyone, including Davy, who smirks and follows her before Patsy pummels him in the side.)
Peter: (Emerges from the table, dazed) Oh, maaaaannnn... ;)
Elizabeth: (Pants) And that was today's lesson...
Micky: *grins* Thanks for the help, Pete.
Mike: (Makes a face) You guys have been makin' out while we're out here getting killed?
Peter: (Blushes) We weren't making out!
Davy: Then why is your ascot crooked?
Peter: It got caught on the table when we went under.
*Lauren snickers.*
(Jim Quilan takes a bullet in the chest, but not in a fatal spot.)
Patsy: (Screams) DAD! (Turns to him)
Micky: Hey? *runs over, followed by Lauren*
Davy: Jim, no! (Gasps) We've got to get you to Dr. Drake!
Jim: No, I'm ok...(turns more and more pale by the minute)
Patsy: Dad, that looks bad! We've got to get you out of here!
Mike: I think I saw Drake by the bandstand, tending to the wounded with his nurses and his wife. Peter, you help Davy and Patsy get him over there.
Jim: (Shakes his head) I'll be ok. I've taken slugs before...
Patsy: But not in the chest! Dad, I don't want you to end up like Mike Georgian! :(
*While the others help Jim, one of the bandits aims at Lauren. Micky sees it & runs into her, pushing her out of the way, but Micky catches the slug in his left shoulder & the two fall on the ground in a heap.*
Mike: Mick! (Runs to him, joined quickly by Elizabeth)
Lauren: Wha...what hit me? *shakes her head*
Mike: He did, the big fool! (Takes Micky in his arms) Mick, are you ok?
Lauren: *finally notices, gasps* Micky! *sits up*
Micky: *glares at Mike* I just got shot. I feel wonderful. *groans*
Granny: (Shoots the guys who shot Micky's shoulder) That's what you get for takin' out our Sheriff, you...(stream of Spanish obcenities obscure to even Mike)
Mike: (Looks around) Where's Em?
Elizabeth: I haven't seen her since the romp ended!
Lauren: *also looks around* I don't know.
Davy: (Runs over) Petah went to get help from town. Patsy and Dolly are with Jim Quilan and Dr. Drake.
Micky: *waves his good arm* I'll just lie here.
Davy: We've got to get you to Drake, Mick. You're my best friend, and the last thing I want you to be is dead! :(
Micky: *grins dazedly* That's nice.
(The townspeople are surrounded by the gunmen, who are increasing in numbers.)
Mike: This ain't good.
Lauren: No, it's worse than that!
Emma: MIIIIIIKKKEEE!!! LAUUUREN!!!! (Freddy emerges with her in his arms, a gun trained on her.)
Lauren: Doesn't he ever quit? *sighs*
Mike: (Jumps up and runs to Freddy) NO! NOT LIKE ROSITA! DON'T KILL HER!
Lauren: *calls after him* Mike!
Freddy: (Runs his fingers through Emma's hair; she shudders) I could kill her, Nesmith. I could kill her right here.
Emma: (Struggling) No!
Granny: (Comes out with Odilia and her five sons, along with Rita, all with guns) But you won't, you son-of-a-bitch.
Odilia: We won't let you kill anyone else, like you kill Michael Georgian!
*Lauren watches from Micky's side.*
Mike: I lost Rosita this way, and I won't lose Em, too!
Emma: (Confused) Rosita?
Micky: *tugs lightly on her sleeve* Wha's the play by play?
Lauren: Not now...
(Freddy only laughs as his men and women join him. Two of the men hold another struggling bundle and force him onto the ground. It's a battered, dirty Peter.)
Mike: Pete!
Lauren: Oh, my Lord!
Micky: *groans* I hate it when you say that, babe.
Peter: (Crying) Michael, I was going into town, but they punched me in the stomach before I could...
Granny: (Aims her rifle at Freddy) Get outta here, Freddy, before I show you what an old woman can do!
Odilia's son: Mama's not bad with a gun, either!
Freddy: Oh, I'll leave. But I'll give you folks 24 hours to agree to sell your land (nods at Peter, who's still whimpering in the arms of the men, and Emma, who struggles) or these two will end up joining Georgian in the big final round-up in the sky.
Emma: No! You bastard! You...(she continues to spit obscenities as Rufus sweeps her onto his horse)
Lauren: Why you...
Mike: (Lets out an almost unhuman growl) No! Not again! Never! (Shoots after Rufus and Emma, but they're already off)
Lauren: *groans* Dammit.
(Rita's been dueling with the small, bulldog man. She catches him in the chest.)
Small Man: (To woman) Hey, Sally, you wanted some loot. Why (gasps) don't you take (coughs) the blond kid?
Sally: (Grabs Peter by his shirtfront as Elizabeth catches up in horror) My pleasure, Jake! (Swings the horrified Peter onto the horse, gets behind him, and takes off)
Mike: (Runs after them) No...no...Pete...Em...(screams) COME BACK HERE, YOU BASTARDS!!! THIS CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN! I CAN'T LOSE EM THE WAY I LOST ROSITA!
Odilia: Good shoot, Rita.
Lauren: Oh man...
(More shooting from out of nowhere picks the small man off his horse.)
(Dr. Drake runs to the group, rifle in hand, followed by Lulu.)
Lulu: Damn! We didn't get Freddy!
Lauren: *remembers* Oh, shit! Micky! *slaps his cheek lightly*
Micky: *his eyes open part way* What're ya hittin' me for?
Dr. Drake: No, but we got several of his men, including one of his ringleaders. (Returns to Lauren and Micky) How's the Sheriff, Lauren?
Lauren: Not too good! He's bleeding badly. *holds out her red-stained hands*
Lulu: I hate missin' the excitement! (Looks around) Where's Nesmith?
(Mike has fallen to his knees on the ground near the burning schoolhouse, his head in his hands.)
Mike: (Shaking) No...I couldn't save them...not again...
Dr. Drake: (Nods) Davy, go bring Nesmith back. I think he's going into shock. (Nods at the others) Odilia, Granny, I'm going to need some help. Get Marissa and the girls over here. They'll know what to do.
Elizabeth: (Sobs) Oh, Peter...they got my Peter...(falls into Granny's arms in tears)
Granny: Bastards are holding the blond pianist and the reporter girl for ransom. Either we turn over the town's land, or they die.
(Davy comes back with his arm around Mike. Mike is pale and drawn, his eyes blank.)
Davy: Peter is Mike's best friend, and Emma's his...well, I guess she's his girlfriend.
(Dr. Drake pulls the sleeve off of Micky's bleeding arm.)
Dr. Drake: It's not a bad wound, just bleeding hard.
Micky: *cringes* You're tellin' me, doc.
Davy: Mike's not too good, either.
Mike: (Shakes his head to clear it) I'm ok, Davy.
Lauren: I think my legs have fallen asleep... *motions that Micky's still laying on her legs; she carefully moves to kneel beside him, rubbing at her tingling legs*
Dr. Drake: I should be able to get this out with no problems. It hasn't lodged too far. Marissa, help Lauren hold him. It'll hurt, but it will be out. (The women hold Micky's legs. He screams, but it only takes a few minutes for Drake to get the bullet out.)
Micky: *his eyes are watering* Am I dead yet?
Dr. Drake: (As Sarah and Becky come over with soap, water, and clean bandages and Marissa sews the wound) You're lucky, Dolenz. If it had gone any further, you might have sustained serious, lasting damage to this shoulder. As it is, it'll hurt like the Dickens for at least a week or two.
Micky: Great...not good for a drummer...
Mike: (Softly) This is all my fault. I should have been able to save Em and Peter.
Davy: Don't blame yourself, Mike. It got out of control.
Lauren: Mike, it isn't your fault!
Mike: (Looks into Lauren's eyes; his brown eyes are frightened and shocked) I couldn't save them, Lauren.
Davy: You can't save bloomin' everybody, mate! You aren't a knight errant!
Lauren: No one asked you to be everyone's savior. *frowns, looks down at Micky*
Dr. Drake: There was nothing you could do, Nesmith. That Freddy is a nasty bastard, and his boss is probably even nastier.
Jim: (Joins them with Patsy and Dolly; his chest is bandaged and his breathing is ragged) We've got to meet at the stables, everyone who can. There has to be a way to figure out how save those two kids and Clarksville.
Mike: No! (Turns away) I'm not going to let anyone else get hurt! Freddy's doing it to me again! He's going to kill the people I love, just like he did to Rosita! I won't let him this time!
Davy: (Glares at him) What are you going to do, mate, take on Freddy and 'is 'ole gang singlehandedly?
Mike: If I have to, yes!
Micky: *sits up with Lauren's help, groans* Mike, you aren't doing them any good blamin' yourself or runnin' off to do somethin' stupid!
Odilia: Rosita...(frowns) Rosita Alverez? I thought she died in ranch fire four months ago.
Mike: (Shakes his head) The ranch died in that fire and her body was burnt, but Freddy shot her. She and I were going to blow the whistle on Lord. He wanted the land she'd inherited from her family, and she wasn't going to let him have it, plus I turned him down when he wanted me to kill Georgian. (Lowers his head) Freddy shot her himself right in front of my eyes. His men were holdin' me down - I couldn't help her. She died in my arms. I left her in the fire...thought it was more humane. I sold the land to another Mexican family and basically drank the profits away.
Micky: Michael... *frowns*
Davy: God, Mike, that man is bloomin' crackers!
Jim: I heard about the fire. Georgian himself was one of the men who helped put it out. The whole ranch was destroyed, and they did find a body.
Lauren: God...
Dr. Drake: (Shakes his head) There was something suspicious about that body, but it was so burnt, it was hard to tell...
Granny: (Holds Elizabeth) My god, that poor girl...
Mike: Now you know why I want to do this alone. This is my fight.