Ok, you boys ready to find out what's going on here?

Mike: What IS going on?

Peter: Huh?

Micky: Sure!

Davy: I'm confused.

(We open on a large suspension bridge on a bright, sunny day. There's a ribbon across the bridge. Cops and official-looking people stand around. A man speaks through an intercom, sounding tinny. Another man is about to cut the ribbon when Micky comes barreling down the bridge and through the ribbon, followed by the other Monkees. Before anyone can speak, Micky gets onto the side of the bridge. He looks poised to jump; the other Monkees look on in horror. As Micky moves, we hear...)

Bob: (Off-screen) Cut! Ok, folks, that was enough.

(We find, as Peter helps Micky off the ledge, that it was all a movie scene. Cameras move across the bridge. Actors chat amongst themselves. A familiar, devilish-looking fellow heads over to the four Monkees, grinning.)

Jack: Hey, guys, you were really good. Mick, you really looked like you were gonna jump!

Micky: *grins* Well, it is supposed to be believable. *turns away from Jack; makes a petrified face!*

Mike: Are we finished here?

Jack: Yeah. I think we have enough. Bob wants to do the scenes in the Black Box this afternoon again, and that should be it for today.

Mike: Good. I wanna get into the studio tonight. Filmin' in the Black Box scenes shouldn't take too long. It's mostly just Pete gettin' philosophical an' Davy gettin' pissed, anyway.

Peter: Michael, we're almost done the music, except the live "Circle Sky" number.

Mike: I have somethin' else I wanna work on.

Davy: I'm looking forward to the scene.

Mike: Of course you are. You get to kick everyone's ass to hell and gone. ;)

Davy: Bloody right. ;)

*Micky gives Davy a noogie. Davy swings at Micky, laughing, but Micky dodges him, also laughing.*

Peter: (Laughs; Mike shakes his head) Ok, ok, you two. Why don't we get back to the MonkeeMobile and back to the studio? Valerie and I were going to go out to lunch, and I'm sure you guys have lunch plans.

Mike: Yeah. I'm headin' over to the studio.

Micky: Yeah, I'm gonna head to the house for lunch and see how Lauren and Coco are fairing with the kiddies. ;)

Davy: And I'm meeting Daph for lunch.

Micky: *sees Davy's look* And you guys thought I was the horn-dog! *laughs*

Mike: Are you guys gonna be eatin' food for lunch, or somethin' else?

Davy: Funny, mate!

Peter: (Coughs and quickly changes the subject) Uh, Micky, how's little Miss Leah?

Micky: Uh, good, but very loud. She hasn't been anywhere near as easy to care for as the twins were put together. *points at the slight discoloration under his eyes* A fair amount of sleep is lost each night. I could fall asleep standing here.

Mike: In that case, let's get you away from the side of the bridge. We don't need you really fallin' in. Lauren would skin us alive.

Micky: She would, too. ;)

(The boys head down the bridge to the MonkeeMobile, and get a bit of a surprise when they see a yellow Corvette and a non-descript black car on the side of the road. Valerie and a familiar bespectacled fellow stand together, talking quietly. Valerie sees the Monkees and waves her hands.)

Valerie: Peter, honey, I'm over here!

Peter: Val? (He runs over to her) What are you doing here? I thought we were going to meet at the studio!

Valerie: Peter, we have to talk.

Peter: (Frowns at Val's serious expression) Val, what's wrong?

Mike: (Narrows his eyes at the man) Honeywell. Whatever you want us to do, the answer is 'no.'

Honeywell: Hello to you too, Nesmith. (Nods) And all of you. Nice to see you boys coming up in the world. What's this movie about, anyway?

Peter: It's a provocative anti-war statement!

Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Um, right now, we ain't too sure what this movie's about, either.

Honeywell: It's not spying this time, Nesmith. It's more like security work.

Mike: What part of 'no' don't you understand, Honeywell? Every time we've done somethin' for you, we've almost ended up killed.

Valerie: Why don't we just discuss this in a little restaurant I know of in LA? It's quiet and dark and the food's good.

Honeywell: Perfect.

Mike: Nothin' doin'. I wanted to get some work done recordin'.

Honeywell: What do you think this is all about, Nesmith?

Mike: Huh?

Peter: Recording? This has something to do with recording?

Honeywell: We'll explain at the restaurant. Where's your vehicle?

Mike: (Points to the MonkeeMobile) I took Pete in the MonkeeMobile. Mick brought Davy in his car.

Valerie: Peter, you can come with me. Meet us at the Red Lion Cafe about two blocks from Headquarters in LA.

Mike: I think I know where that is. There's a bar two blocks down where a lot of the session musicians go after we finish for the day.

Valerie: (Looks at Micky) How about you guys? Need directions?

Micky: Nope, I know exactly where it is.

Davy: Just don't ask 'im why.

(Mike snorts; Peter chuckles.)

Valerie: Ok, then. See you guys there!

Mike: (As Peter goes off with Valerie and Honeywell heads for his car) Guys, I've just got this feelin'. My instinct's actin' up again. I don't like this.

Micky: Something definitely feels wrong.

Mike: Honeywell's just plain bad news. Every time that boy pops up, we get into major trouble.(Sighs) I guess it couldn't hurt to see what he wants, but if there's even the slightest possibility of danger, we say "forget it." We almost lost Daph last time and were damn lucky none of the kids were hurt.

Davy: The only thing we could lose is our lunch hour.

Mike: (Sighs) Come on. (They head for their cars, and we get a short scene of overhead camera shots of the four cars driving across the LA freeways to a small, non-descript restaurant. Cut to the group entering. It's a more-dim version of the "little out of the way place where no one goes" set from "Some Like It Lukewarm." A waiter leads them to the backmost table.)

Honeywell: (As they sit down) Well, I suppose you're wondering why Mrs. Thorkleson and I asked you here.

Mike: I suppose.

Honeywell: First of all, I'm going to tell you right away that no spying or any gathering of information is involved.

Mike: That's a relief.

Honeywell: Three days ago, Mrs. Thorkleson agreed to keep some top secret government equipment at her recording studios.

Peter: Really? (Looks at his wife) Val?

Valerie: My father has contacts with some men who wanted people to test the equipment, people who know about recording.

Peter: Like us! :D

Honeywell: I know I can trust you to keep government secrets, since the four of you have done work for your country (nods at Davy) or adopted country before.

Mike: So, what's this all about?

Honeywell: I simply want you to test the equipment. You can do it one at a time, together, and in twos and threes. You'll also be keeping an eye on it. We'll have security guards, but you've done this before...

Mike: Whoa! (Puts up a hand) We ain't security guards. Let the guards do their thing.

Valerie: I told you they wouldn't agree to that part.

Honeywell: But you'll test the equipment?

Mike: Is it safe?

Honeywell: If you mean 'will it blow up,' no, it will not explode. It's for recording certain sound waves and lasers, not mass destruction. (Frowns) However, if it falls into the wrong hands, it could be reconstructed for a less benevolent person.

(reasons)

Mike: So it won't explode now, but someone could make it explode?

Honeywell: I don't know about "explode." We're not quite sure what it could do in the right hands, but lasers are involved.

Mike: In which case, Micky ain't allowed to use this stuff alone.

Micky: Hey!

Davy: 'E resembles that remark.

Peter: When do we start? :D

Mike: Pete, slow down. (The waiter comes up to them, and they order drinks. When he leaves, Mike goes on) Honeywell, you promise we'll be well-guarded, and that no one but us and the government knows 'bout this?

Honeywell: (Nods) We already told Mrs. Thorkleson that no one in the slightest knows the equipment is being tested at her facilities. The location is very, very hush-hush.

Mike: (Mutters) Yeah, well, I've heard that before from CIS agents, an' we ended up almost losin' two of our men.

Valerie: Honeywell, if this isn't as secret as you claim it is, so help me God, I will go to your superiors and see to it that your agency is mired so far deep in lawsuits, you won't see sunlight again until you're 85.

Honeywell: (Eyes widen) I swear, Mrs. Thorkleson, nothing can go wrong!

Valerie: I will hold you to that promise. Literally.

Peter: Can I go first?

Mike: Why don't we switch off? I was gonna be in the studio tonight anyway, so I'll do it tonight before I go back to the Montgomery House to pick up Katie.

Peter: Davy's the only one filming tomorrow. Micky and I can take the morning shift.

Mike: I'll join 'ya later. I wanted to work on some songs and spend some quality time with Katie before her mama gets back from New York.

Micky: *nods* Sure.

Mike: We could all get together and do it tomorrow night, since we're all off. (Looks at Micky) You think we'd be able to get away after the dinner we had planned with the girls and kids?

Micky: I think so.

Valerie: I could always find something for the other ladies to do.

Mike: (Nods as the waiter returns with drinks) We accept, Honeywell. We'll try out your recordin' equipment.

Honeywell: Very well. We'll see you tonight at 7, Nesmith.

(Cut to the waiter, who ducks into a hall behind the cafe. It's a simple hallway, with whitewashed, slightly graffittied walls, doors to the storage area and the bathrooms, and a pay phone. The waiter calls someone on the pay phone.)

Waiter: Hello, Madame? Yes, it's me, Ivan. Yes, I heard them. Yes, I know what they're doing. It's recording equipment but it involves lasers...(frowns)...hello? Madame? Is that you? Huh? (Raises an eyebrow) Yes, Mr. Alex, sir, I said lasers. (Pause) I don't know, I couldn't hear everything. (Smirks) I did hear something about the possibility of them being deadly, though...hello? Mr. Alex? (Sighs; pause, then) Hello, Madame. Yes, that was Mr. Alex. No, I don't know why he was so excited. I just told him about lasers. (Shrugs) I don't know. (Smirk again) But I do know at least one of them will be there tonight to begin testing the equipment. (nods) I should be off by then. I'm working a double shift, but I could probably get Nathan to cover for me. (Nods again) Yes, Madame. I'll see you at the Headquarters Studios at 7. (Pause) Why is it important? (Shrugs) Ok, ok, it's the tall guy with the southern accent. (Pause) Meet you at 6:30? We'll beat him there, right? (Nods) Yes, Madame. Right, Madame. Of course. (Puts down the phone and gives a heavy sigh, then walks off)

(Cut to the Art Deco exterior of the Headquarters recording studios, then to the dim interior. We see Mike follow Honeywell to a large room guarded by two men. Honeywell shows them a card, and they part and let him and Mike pass.)

Honeywell: What I'm about to show you is absolutely secret, Nesmith. What you and the other four see must not go beyond this room. Even Mrs. Thorkleson hasn't seen the equipment.

Mike: Fine, Honeywell. We went through this yesterday. Just show me the stuff.

(Honeywell flips on the light. We see normal equipment shoved aside for computers taken from "Monkee Vs Machine" and what looks like a large, silvery record, along with several large machines that resemble radios.)

Mike: But...they're just normal radios an' computers!

Honeywell: Not quite. You know how normally, you would record on tape or records? (He holds up one of the large, record-sized plastic disc) You're going to put this (points to the laser and the computer) under that, and speak through this microphone (indicates a microphone stand) and we'll see how it handles regular human voices. You could play music on it as well, though we intend to mostly use these as means to carry secret information. They're more flexible than ordinary albums and able to carry eight times as much information.

Mike: Wow. Well, I guess I'd better get started.

Honeywell: (Nods) The other machine (indicates another computer) will record your findings. When you're finished, turn off the equipment and tell the men you're going home.

Mike: Right.

Honeywell: Good luck, Nesmith.

Mike: Thanks. (He picks up a guitar) Guess I'd better get to work. (Pulls on headphones, sits down, and flips on the equipment) Ok, testin', one two three, testin'. This is Michael Nesmith, and the first song Im

I'm gonna play is "Oklahoma Backroom Dancer." (He puts the disc under the laser; it spins as if it were on a record turntable. He sings and plays into the microphone.)

*As the song begins, three figures stand in the shadows. One advances on Mike, breaking off his singing, though the song continues.*

(Mike jumps up just in time to avoid Alex coming at him with his knife. He concentrates and makes his broadsword appear.)

*Alex grins and advances again, swiping at Mike.*

(Mike murmurs "forgive me," then cuts a bunch of guitars off their hooks, letting them crash onto Alex. He runs for the door, but Sheila blocks him.)

(Sheila has a longer knife with an ornate black handle. Mike ducks around her...but runs into Madame Orinsky, who karate chops him. It's not hard enough to knock him out this time, but it does get him on the floor.)

*The three dogpile Mike, Sheila and Alex vying for who gets to be closest to him.*

(Mike gets out from under them, kicking Alex's rear lightly on the way. He doesn't see Madame, who has pulled behind him. She grabs his arms. He struggles wildly.)

Mike: (As the music ends) Damn it, bitch, let me go!

Madame: Not a chance, Nesmith.

Mike: (Frowns) Wait a second, here. I know that accent. I've only heard one accent that ever sounded anythin' like that.

Madame: (Growls) Yes, Nesmith, it is me. The woman you and your idiot friends had put away in Red China for six long years.

Mike: What, they didn't want'cha, either?

Madame: I grow tired of this. (Looks at Alex and Sheila) Is there a reason we do not kill him right now?

Mike: 'Cause I kinda like livin'?

Sheila: Because he's the one I want, and the one Alex is going to, ahem, experiment on.

Mike: Oh no, you don't! Let me go! (He struggles as wildly as he can in Madame's arm)

Alex: In more ways than one.

Sheila: Oh, yes. (Runs her fingers across Mike’s face, but he moves as if to bite them; she pulls away) Now now, my pretty slave, that was naughty.

Mike: I ain't your slave, and the guys ain't, either!

Alex: *strides over to Mike* We'll see about that. *grins evilly and runs his hands over Mike*

Mike: (Roars) Get your HANDS OFF ME, YOU HORNY BASTARD!

Madame: Mr. Alex!

Sheila: Alex, same some for the rest of us.

Alex: What? *grins at Mike again* You know you like it.

Mike: I wouldn't want your slimy paws on a dirt clod, much less my body.

Alex: I washed my hands!

Madame: You'll come with us, Nesmith. You will be useful to our plans to get revenge on the CIS.

Mike: I ain't goin' anywhere, 'cept home!

Sheila: Oh come now, Michael. Surely you wouldn't be interested... (She grabs him and kisses him - he spits at her) You're making a mistake, White Knight.

Madame: Knight? This scrawny creature? The Cossacks of my country would pick him apart and use his bones to clean their teeth. :p

Alex: Come on, Sheila, you know he really wants ME! *grabs Mike and plants a kiss on him*

Mike: (Pulls away) GET YOUR GOD DAMN LIPS OFFA ME, BOY! I AIN'T LIKE THAT! (He roars and keeps roaring...until there's a dark blue light around him, and Madame finds herself holding an angry black wolf)

Madame: (Pulls her face away from Mike's flailing limbs) Someone get him! He will scratch me and bite me!

(Madame finally drops Mike, who goes after Alex.)

Alex: *motions for Mike to come after him; Mike jumps at him, but he grabs the wolf and holds tight* See? I TOLD you he likes me! ;)

Sheila: First, we'll collar him. Hold him tight, Alex. (She goes at Mike slowly as he struggles Alex's grasp) We have a pretty present for you, Knight. (She finally fastens the collar around his neck) Now, Alex, you can do your part.

(Mike tries to bite at the collar, but it won't come off.)

*Alex produces his drugs and injects them into Mike, grinning the whole time.*

(Mike finally slumps onto the floor, conscious but calmer. He looks at himself and lets out a small, pitiful howl.)

Madame: Amazing! And he will not return to his human form?

Sheila: Not until we want him to. (Looks at Alex) We'd better get out of here, before those guards come to. You only gave them the mild drugs, right?

Madame: If the snoring I heard is any indication, yes.

(Mike tries to howl again, but Sheila makes a face.)

Sheila: He'll keep making noise. Muzzle him, Alex, then we'll get us and this equipment out of here.

(Alex smirks as he pulls a heavy chain muzzle over Mike's mouth. He can't move his jaw or make any kind of noise.)

Alex: Much better.

Sheila: Let's go. (She and Alex concentrate. When the black light dissipates, everything is gone - devils, Madame, Mike, and some of the equipment. There's a few papers, a spool of tape, and a card left on what remains.)