Mike: Ok, everyone ready to go rescue Em?
Lauren: You bet, Mike!
Davy: I'm staying at the stables...but call me if you need back-up!
Peter: I'm ready!
Micky: *jabs a thumb at Lauren* Sure, if she can stop fussing around me!
(Peter and Davy chuckle)
Lauren: *mutters* Grumpy.
Davy: (Smirks) Mike's catching. ;)
Mike: HEY!!!
(Mike, Peter, Micky, and Lauren hurry outside.)
Peter: How are we going to get there?
Mike: I had an idea. (Mutters) We could imagine ourselves there.
Lauren: I like that!
Mike: (Shrugs) We can't take the MonkeeCarriage. It's just too darn noticeable, and I don't know if it would get to the Gordon James Limited on time, anyway.
Peter: (Raises his hand and jumps) Oooh, oooh, can I do it?
Micky: Down, Peter. *grins*
Mike: (Grins) Sure, Pete, you can imagine us to the train! You're the only one who knows where it is, anyway!
Peter: (Nods) Ok, everyone close your eyes, just like Emma always does, and think "Gordon James Limited!"
Mike: (Sighs) I don't think I'll ever get over how silly we look doin' this...
Peter: Oh, Mike, come on! It's for Em!
Lauren: Yeah, Mike!
(Everyone closes their eyes. A warm, blue light surrounds them. When they open them, they find themselves sitting on the roof of the passenger car of a moving train.)
Micky: *groans* Couldn't imagine us INSIDE!
Mike: (Eyes widen) This imaginin' stuff never ceases to amaze me.
Peter: (Shrugs) You should have been more specific!
Lauren: *grumbles* Thought it was obvious...
Mike: Shhh! I hear voices from in the car!
Peter: (Frowns) It's singing!
Micky: Huh?
Voice: (A bit slurred) And she whispered, um, she whispered sometimes love...oh, darn, I can't remember the rest...
Mike: (Growled whisper) EM!!! That's Em's singin'!
Peter: She sounds like she's drunk!
Mike: Or drugged.
Micky: Or both.
Emma: I know that song...I can't remember...
Smooth Voice: That's all right, Miss Redmer. Why don't you sit down and have some more tea? Maybe it will come to you.
Mike: Andrews! That low-down, dirty....
Micky: Son of a...
Emma: (Groans) I think I've had enough tea. (Pause) You did something to this, didn't you? My head doesn't feel right at all.
Andrews: Now, why would I do something to such a charming lady like yourself?
Emma: Because you're a dirty, rotten slimebag.
*Lauren pumps her fist, happily.*
Andrews: (Chuckles) Now, that's no way to talk to someone who's treated you so nicely, Miss Redmer. I gave you all this wonderful food, that pretty dress. Why don't you tell me a few things?
Emma: (Slurred) Like what?
Andrews: (Purring) Oh, like what your friends Sheriff Dolenz and Deputy Miller have found out about the Georgian murder case.
*Lauren & Micky exchange glances.*
Emma: (Slurred) Don't you start on Mick and Lauren! Micky alone is more of a man than you'll ever be, and Lauren's a great friend! Besides, I can't really remember what happened....
Andrews: (More urgent) Your defense of your friends is charming, but I want to know what they've found out. They've been a thorn in my side ever since their arrival in Clarksville, and I know they're close to finding out about my railroad deals.
Emma: (Angry slurring) Leave them alone! Don't you dare hurt them!
Andrews: (Emma gasps; sound of teacup knocking over) Why do you think I brought you here, young lady? I need information. (Audible smirk) And your obvious charms were...let's say...a perk.
Mike: (Eyes widen) That bastard! If he hurts her...
Micky: We all get a piece of him!
Emma: (Slurred, angry) Let me go, you slimeball! I'm not telling you anything I can remember, which isn't much! (Groans again) God, my head. I feel so dizzy. The room is spinning...
Andrews: (Lighter tone) That's because we're on a moving train, dear. Why don't I take you to the bed to lie down for a few minutes?
Emma: I'm not tired....(another groan)...my head feels like it will explode...
Andrews: (Sound of satin and silk rubbing together and something heavy being laid gently down) Now that we're more comfortable, Miss Redmer, why don't we discuss some business (sound of cloth ripping) while doing pleasure?
Emma: (Gasps, but it's slurred and faint) No...let go...stop...
(Mike lets out a roar that can be heard across the plains and climbs down into the open window.)
Micky: Go... go...!
*Lauren, Peter, and Micky run to the ladder between the cars.*
Mike: Get off of her, you (Spanish obscenities) bastard! (Sound of someone being knocked across the room. Peter, Lauren, and Micky enter the room just in time to see Ed Andrews fly into two of the chairs next to the table where tea, cakes, and sandwiches for two are set up. Emma lays on the bed, panting and clutching the bodice of her elaborate dark yellow-and-brown dress where Andrews tore it. Her hair is now done in fancy ringlets and her face is very pale under her natural tan.)
Emma: (Raises her head) Mike, you're here!
Mike: Yeah, Em. I'm here, and I'm not leaving until I send this bastard to the farthest reaches of hell.
Andrews: (Touches his split lip and smirks) Hello, Nesmith. Is that any way to say hello to an old friend?
Mike: (Draws his gun) I don't remember seeing you before this morning, Andrews.
Andrews: Look closer, Nesmith. Don't you remember the whiny little daddy's boy, the fat thing with the mustache and beard, the one whom Daddy sent east to be turned into another Lord and Master?
Mike: (Squints and pales) My god...it is you...
Peter: (Wide-eyed) Mike, who is he?
Andrews: Your golden-locked friend is none-too bright. (Turns to the other three, who look on in shock and horror) Permit me to introduce myself. (Bows mockingly) My name is Edwin Andrew Lord Jr. Better known to most of the ruffians and much of the west as Ed Andrews, cartographer and occasional gunslinger.
Micky: *groans* Of course.
Lord: (Turns his smirk to Micky) And you must be the great Sheriff Micky Dolenz, and his attractive and intelligent sidekick Deputy Lauren Miller. (Crosses his arms) I must admit, you two have been quite a thorn in my side. I should have let Freddy kill both of you and Nesmith during Amatuer Night at the Shamrock Saloon, but I needed a distraction while I took out a bit of a nuisance.
Micky: *growls* Why you...
Mike: So you murdered Harrison while the rest of us were doin' the "Cuddly Toy" romp at the Shamrock.
Peter: (To Micky) You were right, Mick. There WAS something funny about that romp!
MickY: For once, I wish I'd been wrong.
Mike: Fine, Lord, but what are you going to do now? We've got you surrounded.
Lord: First of all, it's four of you against every single man I have in this train. Secondly, (points at Emma, who stares dazedly at the group) I could still kill your fair newshound over there. She's a terribly stubborn little bitch, even when stuffed with drugs.
Lauren: *growls* Bitch?
Emma: (Slurred) Yeah, I'm stubborn. I'm stubborn when I'm practically being raped! (Shakes her head violently...then groans and holds it) Ow. Shouldn't have moved so fast....
Mike: (Hits Lord again in the left eye - he lands on the floor) What did you give her, you jackal?
Lord: (Laughs mirthlessly as he gets to his knees) Well, well, we seemed to have hit a nerve with Nesmith here. Rumor has it that you have feelings for this fat little female news ghoul. (Smirks) Forgot Rosita so quickly?
Emma: Rosita?
Lord: (Laughs in Mike's face) Oh, yeah, I forgot, you were too drunk to remember her. (Growls) Too drunk to remember all the friends of mine you were hired to murder over the years, and how my father hired you for a simple job, just a little murder, and after all those years, the great Michael Nesmith couldn't handle it.
Mike: You...you...
Lord: ...hired Freddy to kill Rosita, yes, and Georgian, too.
Mike: Mike Georgian was a good friend and a good sheriff! His death was a blow to the whole community!
Lord: (Draws a pistol and aims it at Mike) Paybacks can be a bitch, can't they, Nesmith? It's about time you said hello to your friend Georgian, you, and the news hound, then the Sheriff and his mate and the dim-bulb blond.
Lauren: *growls; mutters* I've had enough! Man, I wanna tear you apart! *Micky holds out his good arm in front of her*
Peter: (Glares) Dim-bulb?
(Peter slowly inches toward a gun in a rack by a wooden, embroidered Victorian fainting couch as other voices are heard in the next car)
Mike: (Low growl) I'm not drunk anymore, Lord. My friends saw to that. (Holds up his own pistol) And I'm putting Rosita behind me. There's a part of me that will always love her, but I can't keep dwelling on the past. It almost ruined my life, and I don't want it to hurt anyone else I love.
Lord: (Pretends to wipe a tear) That's touching, Nesmith. Just because I'm so moved (points the gun at Emma) I'll let your beloved news hound go first.
(A shot rings out and hits Lord's fist. He drops the gun as everyone spins around to see where the shot came from. Peter clutches a pistol in his hands, his tawny eyes wide with anger, fear, and shock.)
Emma: Peter!
Micky: *points at Lord* Get him!
(As Micky goes after Lord and Peter drops onto the fainting couch in shock, the gun falling onto the floor, the door breaks down, and the room is suddenly flooded with men in good western gear or suits, some carrying guns, some not.)
Lord: (Points at the group in general as he clutches his hand) Get them! Kill them all! (Staggers over to the drapes-covered windows, tears off part of one, and wraps it around his bleeding hand) Especially Nesmith and the blonde!
(Suddenly, the car turns into something of a clown car in a circus, as Micky, Lauren, and Mike fight their way in, out, and around the men while Lord barks orders and Peter helps a still-shaky Emma to her feet and we hear the first notes for "Last Train to Clarksville.")
(The fight is all over the Gordon James Limited. Mike duels it out with Lord in another passenger car; Micky and Lauren shoot and deck men in the dining car, Micky managing to find time to make a huge, eight-layer sandwich while doing so; Mike finally eludes Lord and gets Peter and Emma onto the roof, where Micky and Lauren join them, along with more men. As the song closes, Mike, Lauren, and Micky knock all of the men off the roof of the train.)
Mike: We've got to get out of here!
Micky: *chuckles* That was fun!
Emma: (Holds her head) Yeah, for you. My head feels like an Indian war path.
(The five hurry across the cars, jumping and helping the pale and rubber-kneed Emma between the gaps. They're at the last car before the engine when a lone figure blocks them. It's Lord, but he no longer looks like a slick gunslinger. His silk-covered fist is mostly red, his eye is bruised, his lip is swollen, his tie is undone, and his vest is unbuttoned.)
Lord: (Grits his teeth) Where do you think you're going, kiddies?
Emma: (Still a bit slurred) Where you aren't.
Lauren: We thought we'd leave.
Lord: Why leave so soon, Deputy Miller? The party was just getting started. (Grabs Mike by the shirtfront with his good hand) And why don't you join us, Nesmith? You always were a wet rag.
Emma: (Slurred, angry) Better a wet rag than a dry snake!
(Mike's reply is his fist in Lord's face, which leads to a knock-down, drag-out wrestling match on the roof-top)
Micky: *as a bad commentator* Oooh, that one looked like it hurt!
(Peter's eyes become horrified. He pulls at Micky's shirt-front.)
Peter: M...m...Miiiiicccckkkkyy....
Micky: *squaks* Careful, Peter!
Lauren: We've gotta do something other than stand here, guys!
Peter: (Points to the area beyond the Gordon James Limited - it's nothing but gorge) Someone forgot to lay out the rest of the track!
Emma: Holy shit!
Micky: *blinks* That'll do it.
Mike: (He and Lord notice at the same time) EVERYBODY OFF NOW!!!!!
Lauren: *jaw drops* Damn!
Lord: Oh, my god!
Micky: *groans* This could hurt...
(Mike shoves the entire group off and Lord and the engineer jump off in the other direction. The five kids roll to safety in the nick of time as the Gordon James Limited goes over the gorge and blows to bits in a firey, noisy explosion. Unseen by the kids, Lord and the engineer run off into the thick groves of trees along the embankment.)
Lauren: Nice light show. *rolls her eyes*
Peter: Where's Lord?
Mike: (Gets to his knees) In hell, I hope.
Micky: *sprawled on the ground, groans again* I've had better days.
Peter: How's your shoulder, Micky?
Micky: *turns his head to look at it, cringes* Bleedin' again, what else?
(Emma is leaning over the ground, throwing up noisily.)
Mike: (Puts his arms around her) Em, are you all right?
Lauren: Aren't we all in great shape? *moves over to Micky*
Emma: (Shakes her head and wipes her hands across her face) I don't know what Lord put in that tea, but I feel like shit. (Looks at her ripped dress and mussed curls) I look like shit, too. Lord must like his newshounds to dress like trollops.
Mike: (Takes the shivering girl in his arms) Em...
Emma: (Puts her finger on Mike's mouth) Mike, you came for me. That's all I care about now.
*Lauren motions towards them. Micky lifts his head to watch.*
Emma: (Groans) I just wish you didn't have to see me like this.
Mike: Like what?
Emma: (Shudders) Vulnerable, weak, (turns from him) nothing. A child. A little girl. I hate being weak.
Mike: Em, we're all vulnerable once in a while. You saw what I was like when I was drunk. Lord's a sneaky bastard, but I won't let him get to you or Peter or anyone else anymore.
Emma: (Groans; Mike strokes her golden brown ringlets) Mike, I'm just...if I'm not strong...
*Lauren helps Micky sit up. They're still watching.*
Mike: Shh. (Rubs his hand along her back) Shh. You are strong, darlin'. You're one of the strongest people I know, but you can't always do everything yourself. Sometimes, you do need to be saved.
Emma: (Bitterly) Usually from myself.
Mike: (Nesmith half-smile) We all need savin' from ourselves sometimes, Em. Just look at all the times we've had to save Micky from one of his ideas, or Peter when he wanders off, or Davy from some girl.
Micky: Hey?
*Lauren snickers.*
Emma: No, but I almost let some fork-tongued bastard rape me.
Mike: Em, he's given ya somethin'. I know he would have had your umbrella across his backside if he hadn't...and I'll bet that's why he drugged you.
Lauren: *quirks an eyebrow* Lord wanted to retain the ability to sit down.
Emma: Oh, Mike... (leans into his arms and sobs) I don't want to be hurt...I don't wanna hurt other people...just wanna write...just want you...
Micky: *smirks* Sounds like a song.
(Mike gently tips her lips back and kisses her in reply. She holds him and kisses him, too, and they finally just snuggle into each other's arms.)
Lauren: Awe. :">
Peter: (Cries) Oh, that's so beautiful! :x:((
*Micky drapes his good arm around Lauren's shoulders.*
Mike: (Looks around as the first rays of the morning sun starts peeping over the gorge) We've got to get back to the stables, before Davy and the Quilans are reduced to charcoal.
Emma: The stables?
Peter: I heard Freddy and Sally and their men discuss plans to attack Davy's stables at dawn! :0
Mike: We'll imagine our way back. It's the fastest way.
Emma: (Smiles faintly) Mike, you...imagining things? How hard did Lord hit you? ;)
Mike: Let's just say he knocked some sense into my head, Em. There's no way we can all walk and get there in time, especially in the state we're in.
Micky: I'll second that notion! *grins*
Mike: Ok, everyone, close your eyes and think "Daydream Stables!"
(The familar blue light surrounds the group as they vanish into thin air and reappear in the fields behind the stables...part of which are now on fire.)
Mike: (Looks around and gasps) Shit! We're too late! :(
Lauren: Oh, crap!
Davy: (Runs to greet them; Patsy is with him. Both are dirty, singed, and angry as a pair of cats that just had their tails stepped on; Davy's accent is so thick, it's barely intelligble) We tried to 'old them off, mates, but they snuck around the back of the bloody stables and torched it. We're tryin' to save most of it. Some of the 'orses are gone, but I think we've got most of them over by the farm'ouse. Jim is there, too, givin' orders to the people 'ho are playin' firefighter...(notices Emma, who is clutching Mike)...and Em, you look terrible. What the 'ell did that rottah Lord do to you? If 'e 'armed you...
Peter: (Scratches his head) Was that English?
Micky: *shakes his head* Don't think so.
Patsy: (Smirks) His English. I've barely gotten two understandable words out of him since the stables went up.
Emma: (Puts up her hand) Davy, Mike stopped Lord before he could get any further than my bosom, but we have some news you're not going to like.
Mike: Davy, Lord Jr. and Andrews are one and the same.
Peter: And I shot him before he hurt Mike!
Davy: (Eyes widen) You mean that blond rotter 'ho we saw in Lulu's yesterday...'e was the man 'ho's been buyin' up everybody's land, includin' mine? (Clenches his fists) Why that bloody son-of-a-bitch!
Patsy: (Frowns) Nobody's seen Edwin Lord Jr. around in years, since he went back east.
Mike: Yes, you have. He just lost about a hundred pounds, got a hair cut, shaved off the mustache and beard, and stopped whining to his dad.
Micky: Now he just goes around killin' people.
Peter: He killed Justin Harrison while we were in the saloon with Dead-Eye Freddy and his boys the other night! We were so busy with the "Cuddly Toy" romp, we didn't hear!
Patsy: Bet he used a silencer, so you wouldn't have heard, anyway.
Lauren: Figures.
(Mike catches Emma as her knees buckle.)
Davy: (Takes Emma's other arm) What did that bastard do to you, luv? You look like a bloody ghost!
Mike: (Growls) The jerk drugged her to get her to tell him what we've found out about his crooked land deals.
Emma: (Tries to push them off) Guys, I'm ok, really. I'm just a little shaky, that's all. I need to sit down somewhere.
Davy: (Nods at the farmhouse, where men and women run in and out, shouting and dragging pales of water) Mike, take 'er to the farmhouse and lay 'er down in Patsy's room. I'll 'ave someone find somethin' for 'er to drink that will clear 'er head.
Emma: But I want to help...
Mike: (Shakes his head) So do I, darlin', but neither of us will be much good until you're back on your feet. (Drapes her arm around him and helps her over to the farmhouse)
Davy: Petah, go 'elp Miguel, Samuel, and Moses with the remainin' 'orses. They're around back, in the storage area.
Peter: Sure! Those poor things must be even more scared than me by now! (Goes off in the direction Davy indicated)
Davy: (Nods at the fire) Patsy, go 'elp the bucket brigade and keep the 'orses' remainin' troughs refilled, so everyone can fill their cans.
Patsy: (Salutes him with a tired smile) Will do, Chief! (Runs off to the people handing water down to the fire)
Davy: Micky, Lauren, come with me. We're going to go with the men 'ho are still lookin' for Freddy. We 'aven't seen 'im yet, though I know 'e's be'ind all this, especially since Lord was with Em.
Micky: *grins* Let's get 'im!
*Lauren shakes her head.*
Davy: (Puts his arms around his best friend) That's the spirit, Mick! (The three run off to the side of the now-empty stables that have not yet burned. They are dark, smoky, and damp. Davy ducks his head in.)
Lauren: Well?
Davy: (Timid) Anybody 'ome? (Shakes his head and opens the half-door) It's safe for now, mates. (He walks in, followed by the other two.)
Micky: This is just a little spooky.
Davy: I don't like this. It's too quiet.
Lauren: Don't say that, Dave, please.
(Suddenly, gun shots sound from all around them. A group of about ten men jump down from the rafters, some bearing torches that flicker eerily in the darkness.)
Lauren: See?!
Freddy: (Smirks) Well, looky what we have here? The little English girl-boy, the Sheriff, and his girlfriend.
Davy: (Clenches his fist) GIRL????!!!!!
Rufus: We get a lot of nice reactions to that word around here, boss!
Lauren: *grumbles* I wanna tear him apart, too.
Davy: (Angry) I'm not a bloody girl!
Lonny: (Scratches his head) But he's so small!
Freddy: We've got a proposition for you, Brit.
*Micky quirks an eyebrow.*
Davy: If it involves sellin' what's left of the stable land, I don't want to 'ear it.
Freddy: (Leans the torch threateningly over the hay) We could destroy the rest of these piles of sticks and split, Brit brat. We already took the best of your stock.
Lonny: And we're not givin' it back, either!
Davy: (Leans over Micky, whom he pulls near a trough full of water) Follow my lead, Mick. Do as I do. (Glares at Freddy) What is it to you, Freddy? Why is the land so important?
*Micky nods.*
Man: The Big Boss promised us money and a share of the profits of his newest venture.
Freddy: (Grins) You're lookin' at the future proprietor, security guards, blackjack dealers, and pickpockets for the Lord and Master Casinos Clarksville, the largest and fanciest hotel-resort in the entire southwest!
Davy: Casino? Aren't they illegal?
Freddy: (Smirks) Not if you know where to put them.
(Davy and Mick move further back to the trough, whose water glimmers softly in the light of the torches.)
Davy: (Points at Mick) You know, 'e could arrest all of you for murder, theft, arson, operatin' a gamblin' casino without a licence, and terrorizin' innocent citizens, among other things.
Micky: That's right!
(Two men take Lauren's arms; she struggles)
Lauren: Lemme go, you creeps!
Freddy: (Points his gun at the pair) Not if you two and the doll over there are dead. (Holds the torch over Davy's face) How'd you like the skin burnt off that pretty face of yours, girl-boy?
Rufus: (Comes up on Micky) And I'd bet Skinny would look so nice with that mop of his set on fire!
Micky: *sets his jaw* I'd like to see you try that!
Davy: (Whispers angrily to Micky) Now, Mick! Grab the trough and soak 'em!
(The two boys haul up the heavy trough and throw it as hard as they can at Freddy and his men. They're knocked on top of each other in a huge pile and their torches go out.)
Lauren: *crawls away* Nice toss, guys!
Micky: *whines, holding his shoulder* That hurt!
Davy: (Frowns, concerned) I'm sorry, Mick. It was the only way I could think of to eliminate them and their torches.
Micky: *pouting* It's okay, Dave.
Freddy: (As he pulls himself from the pile) Get that little English brat and the scarecrow! I want their heads on a silver platter with lettuce and tomato! (Smirks) Don't hurt the girl, though. We could use a pretty filly like that.
Lauren: Like hell you could!
Micky: Scarecrow?!
Davy: (Jumps in front of Micky and Lauren) Don't you even imagine such a thing, Freddy!
Freddy: (Grabs Davy's shirtfront) Your mouth writes check that tiny body can't cash, boy.
(Lauren runs in front of Freddy and kicks his shins. Freddy drops Davy and starts hopping up and down comically, which launches us into an all-out, in-the-dark battle to the tune of "Words.")
(Men chase Lauren, Davy, and Micky around bushels of hay. They play poker with them and lose their shirts, literally. Freddy tries to grab Lauren, only to get knocked on the jaw by Micky with his good arm. Davy and Lauren come down from the celing rafters and kick some of the men in the face. Davy draws mustaches on Freddy's face; Micky shoves an apple into Rufus' mouth pig-roast-style, then laughs at how much he does look like a pig on a spit. The three are surrounded as the romp ends.)
Micky: (Glares at Davy) Got any more bright ideas, Dave?
Davy: Let me think, Mick...
Lauren: Yipe!
(There's gunshots from the half-door. Granny and Granpa, along with several other Clarksville citizens, run in, rifles at the ready.)
Granny: (With a triumphant whoop) Saved by the codgers! (Grins) Did you kids think we'd let you have all the fun? ;)
Lauren: We'll gladly share!
Granpa: (Nods as he shoves his gun at Freddy - more people are coming in) We've mostly got the fire down to a dull roar. (Growls) Did you really think you could scare us off this land like that, Freddy? I've lived in this town for almost eighty years, and I intend to be here for another eighty!
(Sally Marshall sticks her head in at this point.)
Sally: (Frowns) Freddy, I just talked to the boss. He says to beat a hasty retreat. We've done all the damage we can, but it's getting a little too crowded around here for us. We ain't welcome no more. (Smooths her rather revealing shirt and chaps) Besides, the men are either too young, too old, or the wrong species.
Granny: (Smirks) I thought you went for any species with the right equipment between its legs, Marshall.
*Lauren snickers.*
Sally: (Draws her gun) How'd you like a bullet through your own equipment, old lady?
Granny: (Crosses her arms) Go head. My equipment ain't been in tune for years, anyway. And besides, the Sheriff here could have you arrested.
*Micky grins and waves.*
Freddy: All right. (He, his men, and Sally are chased out the door by Granny and Granpa and the townspeople) But we'll be back, and when we are, that little English brat and the Sheriff are mine! (Eyes Lauren) And I'll retrieve my tough little filly. She's got quite a kick in her, that little...(Rufus pulls him out the door before he can go on praising Lauren's attributes.)
Lauren: *folds her arms over her chest* I've always wanted someone to run off their mouth about how much they like me, but that's just ridiculous.
Granny: (Waves her fist at the retreating bandits) The next time you so much as show a nose hair anywhere near Clarksville, I'll shoot you bastards so hard, you'll be eating dinner in Denver and having sex in Cincinatti!
*Micky laughs.*
Granpa: (Looks around) Shame we missed most of the fun, but it seems we got here in time. (Nods at Davy, Lauren, and Micky) You three ok?
Granny: Other than Dolenz's shoulder.
Man With Rifle: We saw you guys come around this way and figured you must have been after Freddy.
Micky: *laughter dies down* Oh, just dandy. *holds his hand to his shoulder*
Lauren: Other than that, we're just ducky.
Granpa: You kids look like you've just been put through Molly MacBindle's wash wringer and then beaten to a pulp.
Davy: What happened on the Gordon James?
Lauren: We caught up with Lord. Mike duked it out with him. We tried to escape, and Lord followed. To make a long story short...
Micky: Too late.
Lauren: *glares at Micky* We had to jump off the train to avoid being blown to bits when the train crashed into a gorge.
Granpa: (Laughs) Is Lord gonna be might pissed about that! The Gordon James Limited is his special baby! He loves that train more than life itself!
Davy: Mike duked it out with 'im?
Granny: I knew Nesmith would get his hands on Lord someday.
Micky: Mike got royally pissed when he saw what Lord was trying to do to Emma.
Lauren: *shakes her head* Don't ask.
Davy: What 'appened to Em? She looked like a bloody ghost in a ripped dress!
Micky: Lord drugged her, trying to get information out of her.
Granny: (Narrows her eyes) Sounds like Lord got too friendly with Nesmith's lady.
Lauren: *nods* Tried to, at least.
Davy: (Growls) The bastard!
Granpa: That poor kid, and Nesmith, too. Lord's always had it in for him. Nesmith's taken out more than a few of Lord's compatriots in land-grabbing...usually hired by other said-compatriots.
Davy: Lord is the lowest, dirtiest, foulest scum on the face of the planet!
Micky: And that's being nice.
Davy: Is she goin' to be ok...not to mention Mike?
Lauren: I hope so.
Granpa: Lord really had it in for that boy.
Granny: (Frowns) Lets get you kids back to the house, before Freddy and his boys change their minds and decide they're in the mood for seconds.
Micky: *grins* Good idea.
(The townspeople and Granpa stay to guard the remainder of the stables while Granny and some of the women walk Micky, Lauren, and Davy back to the farmhouse.)
Patsy: (Runs up to them from the now-smouldering stables) Davy, are you ok? What happened in there? We heard shots, and Granny and Granpa took some folks to investigate...
Davy: (Puts his hand up) We found Freddy and his crew, and they almost beat the bloomin' 'ell out of us...and would have, if Granny and Granpa and the townspeople hadn't showed up when they did. They retreated, but it's likely that they'll be back.
Peter: (Runs up with some of the horses) The horses are scared, but they're ok! Rita and the ranch hands have helped me with them! (Frowns) There aren't as many as there were before, though. I think Freddy and his people stole them. (Shudders) And the woman who tried to play with me was there again! I hid from her in the shed, behind the horses!
Davy: My 'orses...(takes one of the horses in his arms and holds it, speaking softly to it) My beautiful 'orses...I won't let the bad men take any more of you, I promise.
Peter: (Quietly, to another horse) We all promise.
Micky: *wipes away an invisible tear* It's so touching.
*Lauren elbows him in the gut.*
Micky: Hey! Awe, c'mon, I'm already wounded!
Davy: (Grins) Oh, and did I mention that Freddy is awfully interested in Lauren?
Patsy: (Crosses her arms and grins) Do tell. ;)
Lauren: *growls* Don't remind me.
Davy: 'E likes 'er spirit. ;)
Micky: Well, I like more than her spirit!
Patsy: (Nods at the house) Come on, Lulu's already in the kitchen, workin' on breakfast. Most people have gone back to town or are still at the stables, but I think we need to recuperate before Freddy strikes again.
Davy: And discuss this new complication about Freddy's boss Lord. (To Micky) Mick, I want to talk to you. About a lot of things.
Micky: *his eyebrows arch* Awe, geez.
(They walk into the house together. Patsy goes into the kitchen to help Lulu. Peter goes back to the shed with the horses. Lauren goes upstairs to see Emma, and Micky and Davy follow them, but step into Davy's room.)
Davy: (Quietly) Mick, this is serious. I'm bloody scared.
Micky: And you don't think I am?
Davy: We're lucky they didn't take out the entire stables. They sure the 'ell tried.
Micky: Dave, we're lucky to still be alive.
Davy: My land...(Looks out the window) Mick, I've been fightin' all my life, and I'll be damned if I let some no-good outlaws and fancy old city-slicker take it from me!
Micky: *takes a seat on the bed* And I agree. But these guys are tough. And look at us. We've already been more than roughed up.
Davy: (Softly) And you...they hurt you. (Grins and puts his hand on his best friend's good shoulder) I didn't think you 'ad it in you to be a 'ero. ;) (Very quiet) You're really stuck on Lauren, aren't you?
Micky: *with a small smirk* Neither did I. *pauses* Yeah, man, I am.
Davy: (Smiles a little) I myself am deeply jealous. Oh, I like Patsy all right. She's not normally my type, but I like 'er fire, and I like how she protects her dad and the stables. She's a wonder with horses.
Micky: Stealin' my line, Dave. *smiles* You never know, maybe Patsy's the one.
Davy: (Shrugs) But there's always another one around the bend...
Micky: Not necessarily.
Davy: (Grins) For me, anyway. You and Lauren are too cute to split up. ;)
Micky: *blushes slightly* Thanks, man.
Davy: She handles your eatin' and your manners better than I ever did. (Winks) Or lack thereof. ;)
Micky: She's used to it. Don't know why. *sticks his tongue out*
Davy: (Grins) Remember 'ow we met? You and Mike, eatin' burgers like a pair of pigs, and me with my salad, and Petah lookin' at all of us like we were completely crackers? ;)
Micky: *laughs* And you shovin' yours in your face!
Davy: (Grins) It wasn't like you two weren't doin' worse!
Micky: At least ours was actually finger food!
Davy: 'Aven't you evah eaten salad with your fingers? The dressing feels nice between the cracks. ;)
Micky: *pauses* I am not gonna respond to that. *laughs*
Davy: We're lucky we didn't get kicked out of that restauraunt that afternoon. :)
Micky: Yeah. We only had to clean up the mess we made.
Davy: It's been a long, strange trip, 'asn't it? I mean, literally, in some ways.
Micky: More than strange, Dave.
Davy: (Grins) And you know what? We've beaten the bloody devil! Remember that? The 'arp, and Petah? (Shakes his head) I told him that 'arp wasn't good to 'ave around the house!
Micky: Poor Peter. We were better off when he traded the guitar for the treasure map.
Davy: (Grins) And the Druvanian ballerina? (Wiggles his fingers) Petah's double!
Micky: *grins* Then there was Baby Face Morales.
Davy: (Frowns) I 'ad to miss that, remember? I was at me sistah's weddin'. (Grins) But I've 'eard the stories. ;)
Micky: *shakes his head* Too bad. The guy was scary, how much he was like me. They couldn't tell us apart at the police station.
Davy: 'ow did they finally tell you two apart? No one evah told me that part of the story.
Micky: Well... I suggested they measure our legs. *chuckles*
Davy: (Grins) Nice idea. At least it works. Bad enough you for a roommate. We don't need a REAL Cagney! ;)
MickY: Oh, thanks alot, Dave!
Davy: (Elbows him) Just teasin', Mick. (Nods) What I'm tryin' to say is that, we can beat this. I'm not lettin' my land go, and you're not going to let Lauren or your job go. We've beaten the bloody devil, and TWO alien invasions!
Davy: We've just got to work togethah from now on, especially with Mike. He's the key to all this - he knew Lord and Freddy.
Micky: Hey, I'm not givin' up. Never said I would or let any of us give up. *sighs* It just doesn't look too good right now.
Davy: No, it doesn't. (Sighs) There's got to be somethin' we can do. (Smiles) Maybe there is, when the girls are up for it.
Micky: The girls? What about me? I can hardly move my arm without it hurtin'.
Davy: (Starts pacing) And Mike...Petah won't want to do it, he 'ates dresses, but he could play the piano. (Puts his hand on Mick's good shoulder) What I'm tryin' to say is...Mick, 'ave you evah wanted to do undercover work? ;)
Micky: *grins* Hey, we were part of the MKBVD, weren't we? In other words, of course!
Davy: (Bounces excitedly on the bed) I was talkin' to Dolly at the social, and she said the Shamrock is tryin' out new acts. Well...(grins widely)...it's about to get a new band. A new all-girl band. ;)
Micky: Careful, Dave! *stops him from bouncing* All girl band?
Davy: I could borrow something from Rita for you, and Lauren probably has somethin' that could fit me...
Micky: Awe, no...
Davy: Freddy will recognize us like this. We're going to be dance 'all girls. Mike, too, when I can talk 'im into it.
Micky: *shakes his head* When we get back from this fantasy, I'm gonna have your head checked.
Mike: (Pops his head in) What's all the noise in here?
Davy: Mike, I had a splendid idea for checkin' up on Freddy! We're going to be saloon hostesses!
Mike: (Raises his eyebrows) You were right, Mick. He needs his head checked.
Micky: *points at Davy* He's crackers...crazy!
Davy: It could work! We'll disguse the girls, and have Petah play the piano...and get the drop on Freddy!
Micky: *scratches his head* I dunno, Davy.
Davy: (Makes a face) Besides, you guys did it to me for that rockathon!
Micky: Are we gonna be playin'?
Davy: (Grins) Why not? It could be groovy, man!
Mike: I am NOT wearing a dress!
Micky: Which leads me to...who's gonna be the drummer?
Davy: (Shrugs) I could. I'm getting bettah.
Micky: Oh, we're dead.
Mike: I dunno, Davy...
Davy: Oh, come on, Mike, do you have a better plan? (Crosses his arms Mike-style) Besides, call it revenge for dollin' me up for that rockathon.
Mike: (Shuffles) No, but...
Davy: What do we 'ave to lose?
Mike: Our lives.
Micky: Our dignity.
Mike: Maybe you can pass for a chick, but I can't! I'm too tall and too skinny!
Micky: Don't forget the sideburns. *smirks*
Davy: (Grins) Some men like women with good legs, Mike. And we could find you a long wig to 'ide the sideburns. (Smirks) And we all know Mick makes a lovely girl. Babbitt still occasionally comes around, callin' for Mrs. Arcadian. ;)
Micky: *growls* Don't bring that up. Ever.
(Mike chuckles, but has the grace to keep his mouth shut for once.)
Davy: (Concerned, changes the subject before Micky kills him) 'ey, Mike, 'ow's Em?
Mike: Sleepin' it off. Lauren's in there with her.
Davy: Mick says you knocked the hell out of Lord.
Mike: Yeah, well, he was pawin' a drugged girl who couldn't defend herself. That ain't gentleman-like.
Davy: Besides which, you love her.
Mike: (Almost surprised) Yeah, I do, Davy. (Winks) What, you think you're the only person around here who falls in love? ;)
*Micky rests his chin in his palm, propping it up with his good arm.*
Mike: Well, come on, guys. Lulu's got breakfast on downstairs. Buckwheat pancakes with home-made honey and sausage fresh from the pig. (Closes the door)
Davy: You ready to eat, Mick? (Frowns) 'ow's that shoulder, anyway?
Micky: It hurts. I gotta get it wrapped again.
Davy: (Smiles) Come on, 'ero. We'll take you over to Dr. Drake's after breakfast to get it wrapped again. (The two head downstairs, following Mike.)