Davy: Well, are all of you ready to rescue poor Petah and Emma? Normally, Emma asks, but she's not here...
(Mike lets out a growl that can probably be heard at the Long-Title Library.)
Of course!
Davy: Mick, 'ow you feelin'? You up for this?
Micky: Just groovy, man... *rolls his eyes and glares at Lauren*
Mike: What's it with your thing about seein' Mick hurt, Laur?
Lauren: *shrugs* I don't know... but I like it!
Davy: Ok, so, Mike, you were about to run off...
Mike: Now you know why I want to do this alone. This is my fight.
Lauren: Mike, you can't handle this alone!
Davy: Mike, are you crazy? I know you're upset and probably in shock, but you need help!
Dr. Drake: They're right, Nesmith. This is too big of a job for one person...even you, son.
Mike: I just couldn't stand it if anyone else got hurt! Jim and Mick were shot, Peter was roughed up before they took him, other people are hurt, and God only knows what they've done to Em...
Lauren: And that was for those of you who came in late... & now back to our story... *grins*
Davy: (Puts his arm around Mike) We'll make sure no one else is 'urt, Mike. Petah and Em are as much our friends as yours, and Lauren will probably want to help me pay them back for shooting Mick and Jim.
Lauren: Naturally.
Jim: (Nods, raspy) Goin' out alone now would just be damn foolish, boy.
Granny: Knock it off with the Nesmith stubborness and just go along with the rest of us!
Mike: (Gets next to Lauren, who cradles Micky in her arms) Micky, how are you feelin', man? You up for helpin' us?
Micky: Of course! A little wound won't stop me! *tries to shift, but cringes* I might be a little slower moving, but...
Davy: (Grins) You'll do it, Mike? You'll 'elp?
Mike: (Lowers his head and nods) Yeah, I'll do it. (Half-smile) Em would probably whack me on the bean with her umbrella if I didn't! ;)
Davy: It's settled, then. (Nods at Patsy) Take Jim back to the ranch, Pat. We'll take Micky in the MonkeeCarriage and meet the rest of you there.
Dr. Drake: The girls and I will take the wounded and dead to my office. I'll call Houston for more help from there. Marissa (nods at his wife), help the other wives and Elizabeth round up the kids and keep them calm.
Granny: I'm comin' with Jim and Patsy. Ain't no one wounds the Sheriff and one of my good friends and takes off with two nice kids without me havin' a say about it!
Micky: *grins* You're a great woman, Granny!
Granny: (Grins back) Thanks, boy! If they're gonna burn this town, I aim to go down with it!
Odilia: (Nods at Rita and the young men behind her) My kids and I and our friends will stay here and repair the schoolhouse and defend the meadow. I'll send some of my sons and their friends along to help once we've got the repairs going.
Dolly: (Excited) I'll round up my friends from the saloon! Some of those guys are really tough!
Patsy: (Nods at Davy) Dave, talk to Granpa Quilan at the blacksmith's forge near the stables. He's almost always over there, but we'll need his help, too. If he gives you any backtalk, tell him he won't be getting any of Granny's blackberry pie for dessert for the next month! ;)
Davy: (Gets his arms around Micky) Lauren, 'elp me get Mick in the carriage.
Lauren: Got him. *picks up his legs*
Micky: Oh c'mon, I can walk!
Mike: Aw, put him down. You'll just hurt him more.
Lauren: *drops his legs* Okay.
Davy: (drops his arms) Whatevah you say, Mike! ;)
Micky: *with a pained grin* Thanks, guys.
Mike: (Grumbles) Shoulda rephrased that...
(The four manage to climb into the MonkeeCarriage as Patsy helps her father into the back of a carriage. Mike takes the reins. Davy gets in beside him, and Lauren and Mick ride in back, Lauren fussing over Mick's wound.)
Micky: *slaps at Lauren's hands* Stop that!
Lauren: Just making sure you're comfortable.
Mike: (To everyone else, as they get in carriages or on horseback) We'll meet y'all at the farmhouse behind the stables! (Rolls his eyes at the pair in the back) Lauren, be careful! You'll start it bleedin' again, and we don't need him stainin' the upholstry. ;)
Lauren: *hmphs* Oh, alright.
Mike: (As they clip-clop along in the silvery moonlight) Guys, we've gotta work on a plan of attack. These bastards are gonna come down.
Davy: But we don't even know where they went!
Mike: Lord. This all goes back to Lord. Or his son now, since Ol' Man Lord is dead.
Davy: Did you know his son too, Mike?
Mike: (Shakes his head) I met the kid once or twice. He weren't nuthin' special. Tall, pudgy, had a blonde mustache and real thin beard. Didn't talk much. Seemed to be under his daddy's thumb. Ol' Man Lord sent him out to college in Chicago, and I heard he came back to take over the business, but I ain't seen him since he returned.
Davy: (Scratches his head) If Lord's dead...who's buying all that land?
Mike: (Makes a face) Probably his son. Bet the kid's gotten as ruthless as his old dad. Like father, like son. Didn't think the kid had it in him, but it would seem so.
Davy: (Calls back to Lauren and Micky. Micky lays in Lauren's arms, cringing as she continues to fuss) How's 'e doing, Lauren?
Lauren: Huh? *blushes*
Mike: What are you two doin'?
Micky: She's just checking it...again!
Davy: Lauren, lay off 'im! You're not a bloody nurse, luv!
Lauren: *shrugs* I just wanna make sure he's doing okay.
Micky: But she may end up playing one on tv. *grins*
Mike: Lauren, leave Mick alone. The wound is bad enough without you making it worse! Why don't you two do somethin' constructive, like help us figure out a way to save Em and Pete?
Micky: Any ideas, then?
*Lauren sticks her tongue out.*
Mike: We've got to find out where Freddy's holdin' them. We only have a day.
(Mike clentches his fists and gets the blank look again. Davy puts his hand on Mike's fist.)
Davy: Easy, Mike. Your getting mad again won't save Petah or Em.
Lauren: He's right, Mike.
Mike: (Shakes his head; his eyes focus again) Sorry, guys. I'm just so angry, I may punch another wall when we get to the stables. Peter depends on me, and Em....
Davy: ...Em would be shouting at the top of 'er lungs if she knew how you were behavin'!
*Lauren nods.*
(Mike finally pulls up the MonkeeCarriage next to the farmhouse a few miles from the stables. A little hut with smoke belching from it like a black ink cloud can be seen in the distance.)
Micky: Hmm, smoke signal.
Davy: (Shakes his head) No, Granpa Quilan. 'e's probably working on some new horseshoes for Stella and Washburn.
Mike: (Gets off the MonkeeCarriage, eyes flashing) Can I punch a wall now?
Lauren: Oh, go right ahead, Mike.
(Mike lets out a roar and puts his hand through the side wall of the farmhouse. He reels back, his fist scratched and bruised, but does look a little less angry.)
Micky: Feel better, now?
Mike: (Slams both fists on the wall) Damn it...
Lauren: *smirks* Now, he does.
Mike: (Nods) Yeah, a little.
(Davy emerges from the farmhouse with ice in a dishrag for Mike's hand.)
Davy: 'ere, mate. Thought you could use this. (Smirks)
Mike: (Takes the ice) At least it wasn't the wall at Rudy's music shop again.
Davy: (nods at the forge) Come on, guys. Granpa is a big, strong man, and 'e knows a lot about fighting bandits. 'e's been 'elping his family and the locals get rid of ruffians for more than seventy years. (Starts to the forge. The others follow, Lauren still fussing over Mick, who keeps pushing her off)
Micky: Maybe I shouldn't have pushed you out of the way. *groans*
*Lauren gives him a razz.*
(The four arrive in the small building. The rough wood walls are covered with everything that can possibly be made from iron and metal - weapons, carriage wheels, tacks, horseshoes, anvils, and various little items. A large, strong, older man stands in the middle of the room under a hot oven, hammering a horseshoe on an anvil. He has a leather apron wrapped around his waist. He is a tall man with thinning hair and a weathered but warm face that's now red with heat and concentration.)
Mike: (Looks around) Man, this place is somethin' else! Is there somethin' Granpa doesn't make?
Micky: *eyes light up* Man! I'll have to have a nice long chat with him about all this stuff!
Davy: (Grins) 'e makes just about everything you can imagine, including all of the ironwork and forging for the townspeople and a lot of what we trade with the farmers.
Granpa: (Finally looks up) Evenin', Jones. What you doin' here? I thought you went off spoonin' with Patsy at the big social tonight.
Mike: (Growls) The social was unsocially interrupted.
Micky: No kidding.
Davy: (Eyes narrow) Dead-Eye Freddy invaded the social, Granpa. Killed several people and wounded many others, including Sheriff Dolenz.
Granpa: (Stops hammering; eyes narrow) Is that so? What's that son-of-a-bitch doin' around these parts? Don't that man know the meaning of a simple 'no'?
Lauren: Apparently not.
Davy: (Shakes his head) 'e and his men blew up part of the Schoolhouse, too. (Angrily) And we're afraid the stables may be their next target.
Mike: (Angrily, nurses his sore fist) Bastards kidnapped two of our friends, too. They're holding them for ransom. Either the townspeople give up their land, or they die.
Granpa: (Notes Micky and Mike) You two look like you got pretty beat up yourselves.
Micky: *nods* Yeah, sorta threw myself into it.
Mike: (Holds up his hand) This was just me blowin' off steam.
Granpa: (Crosses his arms) Nesmith, I should have known you're involved. You've always had a bone to pick with Freddy.
Mike: (Growls) When I get my hands on that (Spanish obscenities) bitch, I'll do more than pick his bones. I'll tear his meat straight off his carcass and leave it for the buzzards! X-(
Lauren: There's a lovely visual.
Davy: They grabbed his best friend and his girlfriend.
Mike: I dunno if she's my girlfriend...(lowers his head and sighs)...but I love her like crazy.
Micky: Oh, c'mon, Mike, geez...
Granpa: (Grins) Sounds like she's your girlfriend to me, son.
Davy: (Shrugs) 'e's not used to being in love, Granpa.
Mike: (Grins) Not like Davy, who falls in love with every woman he sees.
(Granpa bursts out laughing)
Granpa: Ain't that the truth, boy! ;)
Davy: (Gets serious) Granpa, we need your help, not only in defending the stables, but in finding our friends. We need to find Freddy and save Emma and Petah, not to mention find out more about this Lord.
Granpa: (Squints at Micky) You're that Sheriff Dolenz I heard about, ain't you, Skinny?
Micky: Sure am. *realizes* Skinny?
Granpa: (Grins) And the lady must be your Deputy Miller. (Grins) Nice choice there, Sheriff. She's a cute little filly, with more curve's than Montgomery's Pass. ;)
Davy: What gave it away, 'er being joined to 'is side? ;)
Micky: Whoa, watch it there, Granpa!
Lauren: *blushes* Oh man...
Granpa: (Grins and lifts the shoe with huge tongs) Just 'cause I'm an old man, Dolenz, don't mean I can't appreciate a nice lookin' woman. (Puts the shoe on a slab of iron to cool with others.)
Lauren: *grins* Micky's just jealous.
Micky: Am not.
Davy: (Elbows Mick) She goes for older men, Mick. ;)
*Micky turns red, frowning.*
Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Cool it, guys. (To Granpa) We're gonna need your expertise, Gramps. Freddy killed Sheriff Mike Georgian, and someone killed that reporter Justin Harrison, and we've got to find out who did and save the town!
Grampa: Hold your horses, son. I'll be up there in a minute. (Frowns) Did you say Mike Georgian? (Squints at Micky again) Hey, kid, you related to him? You've got the same face, but younger. Only his hair was straight back, usually in a ponytail, and he had muscles.
Davy: (Grins) Doubles seem to be quite common in our fantasies, Granpa.
Mike: (Snarky Nesmith grin) No, just Lauren's. ;)
Micky: As far as I know, I'm not related, but who knows. *shrugs with his good shoulder*
Lauren: *turns bright red* Hey!?
Granpa: (Flings the apron across the smithy) I KNEW his death was covered up! The heads of the town and the politicians and the paper all said he was caught in the crossfire of a shoot-out, but everyone else in the town knew Freddy took him out.
Davy: Granpa, Jim was one of the people hurt at the shootout at the social.
Granpa: (Eyes narrow dangerously; picks up a rife) Is he dead, Jones?
Davy: (Shakes his head) No, but 'e's not in good shape, either.
Granpa: (Storms out of the forge; looks over his shoulder at the kids) Well, you kids comin', or are you going to sit there with your mouths hangin' open, catchin' fireflies all night? (The kids exchange looks and follow the older man out of the forge and into the warm, moonlit night)
Davy: Granpa, wait!
Granpa: How did they get Jim, Jones?
Davy: We were just exchainging shots with Freddy and his people, Granpa, when Jim was clipped in the chest. It wasn't deep enough to kill, but he's been breathing ragged ever since.
Granpa: (Continues to stomp along, clutching his rifle) Figures that crazy son of mine would put himself in the line of fire. Drake will take care of him, and Patsy's probably clucking over him like a mother hen. (To the kids) This old man is willing to take his son's place, in defending the stables and Clarksville...and your friends. Nice kids like you don't need to have men like Lord and his cronies breathin' down your necks, and we don't need to lose another sheriff.
Micky: *smiles* Thanks, Granpa.
Davy: Don't worry, Granpa, we have no intention of losing another sheriff. (Grins) Lauren would kill us first if someone tried to hurt more than Micky's shoulder! ;)
Lauren: Damn right!
(They all head into the farmhouse. Granny, Jim, Patsy, Dolly, and a large group of tough-looking men and women in beaded dresses and feathers crowd the main living room area.)
Mike: (Raises his eyebrows at the women) What the hell is this, the Wild West Revue at Caeser's Palace in Las Vegas?
Dolly: (Shrugs) I got everyone I could from the saloon!
Davy: (Grins, caught between two busty saloon beauties) It's quite nice, Mike, really. ;)
Micky: We can tell, Dave. *winks*
Patsy: Oh no, you don't! (Grabs Davy from the two women and sits him down hard on the sofa next to Jim and Granpa) Don't you even DEBATE it, David Jones! :p
Davy: (Looks innocent) Wouldn't dream of it, luv. I was just...admiring the view...
Lauren: Uh huh, sure.
Patsy: (Points out the window at the expanse of green land beyond the stables) There's a nice view. Why don't you admire that, instead of the six-inch chests wandering around the kitchen?
Granny: Ok, ok! Are we all here? (Nods and various grunts) Good. We've got to formulate a plan to rescue these poor kids and keep Lord from getting his dirty, double-crossing hands on our land.
Saloon Hostess: That Freddy's wreckin' our business! He scares off all our customers!
Saloon Girl: And he stole the only decent pianist we've had in years!
Granny: He's attempted to buy the land from everyone in town, usually by underhanded means.
Jim: (Nods at Lauren and Micky) And Sheriff Dolenz and Deputy Miller found out what really happened to Mikey Georgian...not to mention that reporter kid Harrison.
Man: I heard he was murdered 'cause he knew about the land!
Man with Gun: (Points at Mike) I'll bet Nesmith was hired to do it!
Mike: (Nods sadly) Yes, I was, initially, but I turned the job down. Georgian was a friend.
Micky: Mike's put all that behind him. He's trying to help!
Mike: (Lowers his head sadly as Lauren and Mick come to either side of him) And I paid the price dearly for turnin' him down.
Granny: Lay off the poor guy, will ya?
Granpa: Ain't you creatons ever heard of a second chance?
*Lauren places a hand on Mike's shoulder.*
Patsy: Let the kids talk! They've found out what's really been going on in this town! (Nods) Go ahead and tell them what you told me, Dave.
Davy: (Nods at Patsy) Right. (Stands on the coffee table in lieu of a soapbox) Fellow citizens of Clarksville, my friends Sheriff Dolenz and Deputy Miller, along with the pianist Petah Tork and Clarksville Weekly Gazette reporter Emma Redmer, have uncovered evidence that Mike Georgian was murdered by Dead-Eye Freddy.
Mike: Who in turn was hired by Lord when I wouldn't do the job.
Saloon Girl: I knew the official story was fake!
Man: How do y'all know this, boy?
Mike: We got the story outta Freddy himself.
Another man: (Frowns) But what about the papers?
Micky: It was all cover up.
Mike: We don't know for certain, but we think Lord hired Freddy to kill Georgian and make it look like an accident. He found out that Lord intends to destroy the entire town and replace it with his railroad and things that go along with it - casinos, chain restaurants, bars, hotels.
Dolly: What about the reporter who was murdered? Who killed him?
Davy: (Shakes his head) Now, that, we don't know yet, mates.
Mike: (Growls) Probably that blond bastard Ed Andrews.
Micky: Wouldn't doubt it.
Granpa: (Tightens his grip around his rifle) That blond guy was poking around the stables the other day. He tried to buy the stables for a fraction of what they're worth.
Granny: They did that with the General Store, too!
Saloon Hostess: Someone tried to buy the saloon from Nick, but he turned them down. He was a tall blond fellow, with eyes colder than a rattlesnake's heart.
Lauren: That's him, all right.
Patsy: But why did Harrison die?
Davy: 'e was in Lord's employ. So's McClurg, the editor.
Man: (Growls) The little red-haired son-of-a-bitch? He was pokin' around my ranch, askin' how much it was worth and if I'd be willin' to sell, just days before he died!
Mike: Lord probably hired Andrews to kill him before he could spill the beans.
*Micky and Lauren eye a couple cans of beans and exchange glances.*
(Mike and Davy try to hide their chuckles.)
Woman In Overalls: Harrison asked me a lot of questions about my farm, too. Wanted to know how much it was worth and such. He said it was for an article, but I knew damn well he was lyin', because no such article ever turned up.
Jim: (Rasping) He's been eyeing the stables for years.
Davy: We've got to stop Freddy and Lord, before they kill someone else or destroy more property.
Mike: Someone's got to stay here and keep an eye on the stables, and someone's got to go rescue Peter and Emma from Freddy, before someone else dies.
Granny: That would be a wonderful plan, Nesmith, if we knew where Freddy hid himself, not to mention Lord.
Granpa: I dunno about Freddy, but word has it that Lord...or whoever is doin' Lord's dirty work now - lives on Ol' Man Lord's luxury train, the Gordon James Limited. It tootles around the southwest, keepin' an eye on Lord's holdin's.
Micky: Probably sonny-boy.
Mike: Yeah, sounds like the prodigal son came home to keep up the family tradidtion of villainy.
Lauren: How lovely.
(That's when the door flings open, and a figure staggers in. They're dirty, dishevled, and wide-eyed. The figure runs straight for Mike's arms. He holds him and looks into the large, horrified light brown eyes.)
Mike: (His own eyes widen) PETE!
Micky: Peter!
*Lauren gasps.*
Peter: (Gasping) Michael, I escaped! That woman was going to...going to...(bursts out sobbing in Mike's arms. Mike strokes his best friend's dirt-streaked gold hair)
Mike: It's ok, Peter. She's not here now.
Saloon Hostess: (Eyes blaze) Sally "Wild Woman" Marshall, the belle of every bandit from here to California. She's known for her...imaginative...ways of spending time with her male captives.
*Micky walks over and slings his good arm around Peter.*
Peter: (Gulps) They've still got Emma. They took her to some fancy train.
Mike: (Growls) The Gorden James Limited.
Davy: Petah, how did you get away?
Peter: (Shaky smile) The woman was trying to...play with me. I didn't want to play with her, so I hid from her behind a rock until I could make a clean get-away.
Lauren: Good job, Peter.
Peter: Michael, they're going to raid the stables and burn them down! I heard them planning. Lord's got Emma, and he's going to make her talk, then he's sendin' Freddy and his men and women to destroy the stables and kill you, Davy, Micky, and Lauren.
Mike: God, no!
Davy: (Growls) Like HELL they will!
Lauren: Well, that's nice to know. *rolls her eyes*
Granpa: If they think they're gonna get their hands on this land like they did the meadows, they've got another thing comin'!
Granny: Yeah, the barrel of my shotgun!
Micky: I've got news for them! We ain't goin' down without a fight!
Jim: You bet we aren't! (Shakes his fist, but cringes and puts his arm around his damaged chest)
Patsy: (Shakes her head) Dad, the only thing you're going to do is go upstairs and into bed.
Jim: Now, hold on, Pat. You're all just kids. You need help. Freddy's a dangerous man, and his boss is moreso.
Granpa: (Grins) Aw, hell, Jim, quit bein' stubborn. She's right. You're never gonna heal if you keep openin' that wound. The kids have plenty of help with everyone here.
Davy: (Shakes his head) Jim, I'm afraid Patsy and Granpa are right. You're in no condition to hold a gun, much less fight.
Lauren: We can take care of ourselves.
Jim: All right, Jones. (Grumbles) But I'm NOT goin' to bed!
Mike: We've got to split up. Some of us will go rescue Emma from the Gordon James, the others will hold off Freddy and his boys.
Patsy: I'm stayin' here and defending the stables!
Dolly: Me, too! I like these horses, and I don't want to see them end up in the hands of a bunch of nasty jerks!
Micky: *motions between himself and Lauren* We'll help the rescue effort.
Mike: (Growls) You bet I'm rescuin' Em.
Peter: I'm going with Michael.
Mike: You sure you up for it, Mick? Maybe you ought to stay with Jim.
Micky: *shakes his head* No way! I'm not gonna let this stand in the way of getting Emma back. Friends are more important!
Mike: (Puts his hand on Micky's good shoulder and smiles) Thanks, Mick. :)
Peter: (Hugs Micky) That's so sweet, Mick!
Micky: *cringes* Ah, Pete, careful...
Peter: (Immediately removes his arms, blushing) Uh, sorry Mick! Forgot your shoulder! :o
Micky: *still with a slight cringe* It's okay, Peter.
Davy: I'll stay here and defend the stables. These are my stables and my horses, and I don't intend to let them be turned into charcoal by some explosive-happy lunatic and his land-grabbing boss!
Granpa: (Slaps Davy on the shoulder so hard, he knocks him off the coffee table and to the floor) Well said, son! And here, I thought you were just some air-headed English immigrant with his mind on racing horses and racing after females! :D
Davy: (Winces, then glares as Patsy helps him up) Air-headed?
*Lauren snickers.*
Patsy: (Grins) He ain't air-headed, Gramps! HARD-headed, maybe, but not air-headed! ;)
Davy: (Glares at Patsy) Thanks, Patsy.
Patsy: (Winks) Any time.
Granny: I'll take some of the womenfolk into town to defend it in case Freddy and his boys get past the stables.
Mike: (Nods) It'll probably be better if just the four of us go after Em. The fewer people Lord knows is around, the better.
Micky: Good idea.
Granpa: (Pats Mike's shoulder) You go save the woman you love, Nesmith. The rest of us will hold the fort here.
Mike: (Grins) Thanks, Granpa. (Nods at the others) We'll be back before dawn with Emma. Come on, guys.