Ok, everyone ready to visit the Southland and continue our journey? :D

David: Now that I'm in the story, I'm ready. ;)

Coco: You bet!

Peter: Let's go! :D

Micky: Jouwney! :D

Mike: Do I gotta go like THAT? :p

Shelly: Southland! :D

(Cut back to the Pad as the doors open again and the Angellettes, the black female singing group whom Micky and Lauren first met in "I Think I'm a Clone Now," walk in the doors. Audrey, the smallest, stops and grins.)

Audrey: And here, I thought we were just bringin' paint brushes we weren't usin'. ;)

Lillian: Looks like we hit a party. What's the occasion? ;)

Shelly: Tell story! :D

Winnie: What kind of a story?

Debbie: We're traveling through Storybook Land, looking for Lauren! :D

*Lauren grins, rolling her eyes.* ;)

Peter: Everyone gets to tell a part. It's a round robin. :)

Davy: I just finished my part.

Audrey: Hey, can we join in? ;)

Mr. Bennett: Why not? :)

Emma: As long as you have an imagination, you're free to add on. :)

Lauren: Don't ramble on TOO much. ;) *gets elbowed by Micky*

Audrey: (The Angellettes join the quickly growing group in the living room) So, what's gone on so far?

(Everyone proceeds to bring the girls up-to-date in a quick montage sequence. Audrey grins at the other two when they're done.)

Audrey: Why don't you let a few real-life Southland natives tell you all about the world down below? ;)

Micky: *nods* Go right ahead! :)

Lillian: Well, it's like this. David drove the kids across marshes and rich fields of coffee and rice...

(Fade out on the Pad's living room; fade in on the road Lillian described. David now wears his tailor's costume from "Fairy Tale" and drives the large wooden wagon. The inside is set up something like a mobile home, with wooden boards covered with pillows and blankets for seats and beds. David's equipment and costumes are stacked in the back. Coco and Debbie sit up front with David. Peter, Emma, Sir Michael, and the twins are in the back. The twins are once again napping on Sir Michael, though he's awake this time.)

Debbie: (Sniffs the air; makes a face) It smells funny around here. :p

David: Swamps smell funny, Debbie. The Southland is mostly marshes and swamps.

Coco: *makes a face* I think you've stated the obvious, David. :P

Debbie: When are we gonna get there?

David: We should be there soon. Look! (He points to the land below the hill they're driving over. A city lays in the valleys before them. It's on the edge of a wide river, and it's all shining lacy spires and delicate-looking roofs.)

Coco: It's beautiful! :)

David: The Southland Square is one of the most beautiful on the Storybook Land Chessboard. The Red King and Queen are the rulers here, along with the High Princess Audrella and her court.

Debbie: Is the Southland really one big party?

David: Morning, noon, and night. This is where all of the instruments in Storybook Land come from, and most of it's greatest musicians are from here.

Coco: Fantastic!

David: Princess Audrella used to be a maid in one of the larger houses, but she met the Prince James at a ball. They hit it off, and once he found her, they got married in one of the biggest blow-outs in Storybook Land history. It's said it took a week for the streetsweepers to clean up after the revelers...and another week for the entire square to sober up. They supposedly sold more coffee in that one week than in the last five yeahs. ;)

Debbie: Princess Audrella?

David: (Shrugs) Ain't nevah met 'er meself, but I've 'eard she's one of the great beauties of the kingdom, and a damn smart chit. She was gonna run away from the maid job before she went to that ball and changed 'er mind.

Coco: *smiles dreamily* Wow... :)

Debbie: Lucky girl. ;)

David: She's a good rulah, too. The people adore 'er, and she holds parties all the time...but she always holds a special ball on hers and James' anniversary in remembrance of how they met. ;) :)

Debbie: That's sweet. :)

Coco: Aww! :)

David: (As they head closer to the town) Come to think of it, we should be in town in time for the ball. It's open to everyone in the town, even servants, and they always have the best performers in Southland play for the guests.

Coco: That sounds like fun!

David: I'm gonna try to sign me up for the ball variety bill. We could chartah a boat to Northland in the mornin', aftah we all get ovah all the wine that's said to flow as freely as watah. ;)

Coco: I'll just take the water, thank you. ;)

Debbie: Me too. Where we come from, we're not allowed to drink yet. :p

(David arrives at the gate surrounding the town. It's guarded by two black men in red uniforms trimmed with brass buttons and matching trim. Instead of blowing horns to herold the arrival of carts, they blow trumpets and trombones. ;) )

Gate Guard 1: (Goes up to David) Hey, man, what's in the heap? ;)

David: Just me costumes and scenery for me show and a few friends. These two lovely ladies (indicates Debbie and Coco), an oldah boy and girl, two toddlers, anothah youngah girl, and a wolf.

Gate Guard 2: Don't let the wolf loose in town, man. We've got enough party animals around here without handling the real ones. :p ;)

David: Don't worry about 'im. 'e's very attached to the toddlers and they won't leave 'is side. They won't let 'im cause any trouble. :)

Gate Guard 1: (As David signs his clipboard) Should be all set, man. (Points to into the town) All entertainers are stayin' at the Caroll Manor, down the street and up two blocks. You gonna be in the ball?

David: I 'ope. I know competition to appear in Princess Audrella's Anniversary Ball is fierce.

Gate Guard 2: Like you wouldn't believe, man. They only take the best.

Gate Guard 1: You have to audition for the royal family themselves!

Debbie: I'm sure we'll be ok! :)

Coco: Yeah! :)

Gate Guard 1: Ok, folks, move 'em out!

Gate Guard 2: Oh yeah, man, have a hip day. ;)

David: You too! (The gates majestically open to reveal a huge down. Everything is delicate and filligree, from the beautiful old homes and shops to the stately churches and schools to the enormous theaters and nightclubs. People wander around in what looks like a cross between fairy-tale costumes and early 70s paisley-and-hipster polyester. Bands randomly wander the streets, playing jazzy tunes. Small cafes and tea shops do huge buisness. Posters hung on trees and on billboards remind people of the Anniversary Ball tonight.)

(David drives the carriage through the crowded streets to a large but reletively simple red building on the edge of the river, near a pier where an orchestra plays more jazz music. The sign on the building says "Carrol Manor - Hostel for Entertainers, Writers, and Hip Creative Folks.")

David: Looks like we're here, folks. (Pulls the carriage into a lot next to the building where other carriages and carts sit. Michael nudges the twins.)

Sir Michael: Hey, kiddies, we're here. Time to get up. (Sighs) I almost hate to wake them. They're cute when they sleep. :) ;)

Emma: (Strokes Shelly) They ARE adorable. :)

Micky: *grins sleepily; rubs his eyes* Up? :)

Gina: Yeah, Mick. We're here. :)

David: (Climbs out) Ok, everyone out. We've gotta unload the wagon and settle in before we get ready to audition for the Princess. (Looks at the kids) Why don't all of you go explorin'? Don't go too far, though.

Peter: We'll need you back here in a little while, and David's the only one who knows the city well.

Coco: *nods* Okay. Sounds good to me! :)

Sir Michael: I ain't goin' into the city! What if I get run over by somethin'?

Emma: You'll be fine! You can protect the kids! :)

Coco: Or we can protect you. ;)

Shelly: We watch you, Wolfie! :D

Micky: Wolfie come with us! :D

Sir Michael: (Blushes again) Well, ok, but don't let me get lost or anyone step on me! I'm not used to bein' a wolf in the city. :p

Emma: (Frowns) What does he mean?

Peter: (Sighs) We'll explain later, Em. Come on. (They turn to help David with his cartons as the kids walk down the streets)

Debbie: Sir Michael, you're gonna have to tell Emma you're a human SOMETIME.

Sir Michael: (Sighs) I know. I just haven't found the right time.

Coco: *frowns* I think you missed the right time. You should've told her already. :P

Sir Michael: I just don't know how to explain it. What's she gonna say when she finds out that what she thinks is just a wolf who freaks at noises used to be one of Storybook Land's greatest warriors?

Debbie: I don't think she'll mind! She knows the Witch is a bad person. :p

Coco: There's a lot of odd, strange, and wondrous beings in this land. I really don't think it'll be all that hard for her to believe you.

Sir Michael: I'll tell her tonight at the ball.

(The twins haven't been paying attention to this conversation. As they cross over to the river, the twins see a familiar-looking young woman in a loose purple top, with a long aquamarine tail. She has long auburn hair and blue eyes, and for a moment, she seems to stare straight at the children.)

Shelly: (Grins) Mommy! :D

Micky: Mommy! *points* :D

Coco: Wha...where?

(They tug the girls and Sir Michael over to the railing that overlooks the river, but the shape is now obscured by mist.)

Debbie: There's nothing there! :p

Sir Michael: You kids musta seen a reflection on the water.

Micky: *shakes his head; still pointing* Mommy!

Shelly: She there!

(They scan the waves, but by the time the mist clears, the water is calm and the shape is gone.)

Gina: Well whatever it was, it's gone now.

Coco: I don't see anything, either, kiddos, sorry.

Sir Michael: I hope it wasn't dangerous. :o

Shelly: Maybe she hide! :D

Micky: Mommy hide! :D

Shelly: (Tugs on Coco) Find Mommy! :D

Coco: But...

Shelly: Come on! (They tug the girls down the street to a pier where what looks like a tea party is set up. In fact, it's a rather familiar tea party. The chairs are all sizes, from recliners to stools. A black woman in a colorful Victorian suit and a very large green hat sits on one end of the table. On the other end is what looks like a black woman in a brown fuzzy rabbit costume and a Victorian suit. Tea cups and big pots of tea in various sizes, shapes, and colors sit between them. They sing a jazzy version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...only their version comes out as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat." The kids sit down at the chairs, with Michael running under the table, and clap when the women finish.)

Hatter and March Hare: (Eyes widen and wave hands around) No room! No room!

Debbie: There's plenty of room!

Coco: Yeah! I don't see any reserved signs!

Hatter: It was very rude of you to sit down without being invited!

Sir Michael: (From under the table) I'll give her that one...

Debbie: We probably should have asked, but we did enjoy your singing...

March Hare: You did, hon?

Coco: Of course! :D

Mad Hatter: It's nice to have compliments. We don't often get customers. We run a tea room out here. (Puts a cup out to Coco) Would you like half a cup of tea?

Coco: Yes, please! :)

(The Mad Hatter slices the cup in half, fills it, and hands it to Coco. ;) )

March Hare: So, what's your story?

Mad Hatter: Begin at the beginning.

March Hare: And when you come to the end, stop.

*Coco has been staring at the half cup. Finally, she shrugs and sips the tea.* ;)

Shelly: We look for Mommy! :)

Debbie: Well, it really began when the kids thought they saw Lauren back the beach, and then we met Sir Michael...

Sir Michael: Yeah, that's me. Anyone got any dog biscuits up there?

Doormouse: DOG? (A mouse - a smaller black woman in a mouse costume and frilly pink dress - pops out of the teapot) WHERE? WHERE? Dogs eat mice! :o

Coco: But he's a wolf!

Sir Michael: Yeah, I don't eat mice, and I sure ain't gonna eat one that's almost as big as me! :p

(The March Hare and the Mad Hatter chase the Doormouse all around and over the table before they finally get her into a chair and put mustard on her nose, which seems to settle her.)

Doormouse: There were once three sisters, and they lived down a treacle well. Now, they lived on all things M, which included mushrooms, mangos, and muchness, if there is such a thing as muchness... (but she's starting to nod off again)

Gina: Ok, what was that?

Mad Hatter: Oh, pay no mind to her.

March Hare: She just likes to get those stories out of her system.

Coco: Uh, yeah... :P

March Hare: What time is it?

Mad Hatter: (Looks at a gigantic pocket watch she pulls out of her pocket) Two months past March.

March Hare: It's slow again! I told you not to put butter in it!

Mad Hatter: But it was the BEST butter!

Gina: Butter? In a WATCH?

Mad Hatter: It wouldn't have happened if Time wasn't so frightfully angry with me! He didn't like my hats or how I said "but we murder the time!"

Coco: Oh, dear...

Sir Michael: Have you people ever considered seeking serious psychological help? :p ;)

Mad Hatter: (Puts the watch back) Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Debbie: Huh?

Shelly: Raven?

Mad Hatter: Why is a raven like a writin' desk?

Sir Michael: What does this have to do with anything?

Gina: I don't know.

Coco: *groans* Okay, I've had enough. Why don't we leave these nice people to their tea and check out another part of the neighborhood? 8-|

Debbie: I wanna know the answer.

Mad Hatter: (Giggles) There isn't any! ;)

Gina: Figures.

Shelly: Weird. :p

Sir Michael: No kiddin'.

Gina: Let's go. I'm all tea-ed out. :p

Coco: And I'm getting a headache. :P

Debbie: (The Mad Hatter and the March Hare are too busy trying to stuff the Doormouse back in the teapot to notice their exit) Um, bye.

Shelly: Weird mousie and bunny. :p

Gina: (As they walk off the pier) Maybe we should have left them a tip or something for drinking their tea.

Coco: No, they lost that by confusing us! :P

Sir Michael: I woulda bitten them if I wasn't afraid of them. :p

Debbie: I doubt that would have helped.

Shelly: (Tugs on Coco) Find Mommy?

Coco: We're looking, kiddo. :)

Gina: Maybe we should be getting back to Carroll Manor. They might be getting worried about us. Besides, I don't think we'll find Lauren here. :p

Coco: Good idea. *to the twins* We're still keeping watch for Mommy, though. :)

Shelly: (Sighs) Ok.

Micky: Okay. *pouts a little*

Sir Michael: (Looks around) I don't like this. It's all overwhemin' my senses. I smell 8,000 different scents at once.

Gina: Do you think it's even Lauren at all? How would she be a mermaid?

Debbie: (Looks at the twins, then says quietly) Maybe the witch got her. :p

Coco: I don't think so. Look at Peter and David. They look like the guys. I'm willing to bet on what Sir Michael looks like as a human. The mermaid is more than likely Lauren's "twin."

Gina: Emma too, and Miss Millie and Larry and Bennett.

Debbie: Come to think of it, our tea-drinking loonies looked pretty familiar...

Gina: I'll bet Peter's princess in the tower is Valerie's twin!

Coco: Makes me wonder who anyone else we run into is gonna look like.

Debbie: (Eyes widen; indicates a poster as they cross to the building side of the street) How about like that?

(The poster shows what looks like the Angellettes in elaborate gowns, with three handsome black men on their arms, beaming at the painter. It advertises the upcoming Anniversary Ball festivities.)

Gina: Aren't they friends of Micky's?

Coco: *nods* The Angellettes.

Debbie: More twins!

Sir Michael: (Walks up with the kids on either side of him) What's all this about twins?

Debbie: We think we solved a little mystery.

Coco: Everyone we've run into here is a twin of someone we know from where we come from.

Sir Michael: So I look like someone you know where you come from, and so do Pete n' Em n’ David?

Debbie: And probably the mermaid, too.

Coco: Exactly.

Sir Michael: Have you found that mermaid yet?

Shelly: We see Mommy!

Gina: We'll look for her later. She's probably long gone by now.

(The kids arrive back at Carroll Manor to see a crowd in front of the building. As the kids get closer, they hear what sounds like "My Share Of the Sidewalk." David struts on the actual sidewalk as Emma sings and dances on the stage and Peter plays his guitar.)

Debbie: Hey, let's join them! ;)

Shelly: We play too! :D

Micky: Wanna play! :D

Coco: Sure, why not? :)

Sir Michael: I can sing along, but I can't play. (Sighs) I wish I could. I play a pretty mean guitar when I've got hands to do it with. :p

Shelly: Wolfie no feel bad. :)

Micky: Wolfie sing! :)

Sir Michael: Well...why not? :)

(The twins and Sir Michael join David on the sidewalk, strutting along with him. The girls get on the stage and sing along; Coco sits at a piano and plays. :) )

(The crowd pulls back a bit when Sir Michael appears, but when they see that he's part of the act, they finally get back into the spirit of the thing and sing and dance along. There's huge applause and lots of thrown coins as the song comes to an end. Everyone takes their bows as David runs around collecting the coins falling all over.)

David: (Blows a kiss to the crowd) Love you all! (Grins) This is somethin' the act nevah 'ad before. Money. ;)

(The crowd quiets down, however, and parts as a beautiful black woman in a simple peasant outfit and cloak walks up to the group, followed by two more women in peasant costume. Despite her ordinary rainment, the woman wears a tiara trimmed with red hearts and holds a wand with a red heart-shaped jewel on the top, trimmed with ribbons.)

Woman: Yo, boy, you in charge of this act?

David: (Bows) Yes, ma'am. You are?

Woman: (Shrugs) I'm Princess Audrella. The girls and I (indicates the other two women) were helpin' the staff get ready for tonight's big shindig when we heard you guys makin' some mighty fine music.

David: (Gasps) The princess? (Bows more deeply) I'm moved, your highness.

Peter: (Jaw drops; Emma shuts it) Wow! She's only the second High Princess I've ever seen up close! :o

Audrella: (Looks at her entourage) I'd say that number was enough of an audition, you think? ;)

Woman 2: They tore up the joint from top to bottom! ;) :D

Woman 3: How about we give 'em the third spot? They can get the crowd really hoppin'. ;)

Audrella: (Nods) What do you guys say? You cats really can play some jazz. ;)

David: What do we say? (Looks at the others) I say we'd be honored, your Highness! :D :)

Coco: We say "Yeah!" ;)

Shelly: Play for pwetty pwincess! :D :)

Micky: Like to play! Moosic! :D ;)

Audrella: Hell, bring the cute runts, and I'll throw in free food. ;)

David: Free food is always welcome, your highness. ;)

Debbie: Free food? :D

Micky: Food! :D

(The crowd laughs at Micky's delighted expression.)

Sir Michael: Couldn't hurt too badly. You'll have lots of soldiers there, right?

Audrella: Armstrong Ellington Mansion has one of the best security systems in Storybook Land. Guaranteed to keep guests in and witches out, or your money back. Comes with a thirty-day free trial. ;)

Coco: Good deal. ;)

Sir Michael: (Inches behind Emma) I hope so. :o

Emma: (Exasperated) Oh, knock it off! :p

Audrella: (Hands David a scroll) Here. This is the invitation with my royal signature. The entertainers arrive at seven to set up; the shindig starts at eight, but there will probably be people around all night, next morning, tomorrow night, and maybe this weekend.

Woman 2: When we party here, we party HARD. ;)

David: I'll remembah that, your Highness. ;)

Audrella: I'll be lookin' forward to hearin' ya! (Pats the twins, lets Sir Michael sniff her and her entourage before they stroke him, and walk down the street with a group of soliders)

David: (Gets onstage as the crowd dispurses) Wow! I've nevah 'ad a royal summons to play before! :D

Shelly: Pwetty pwincess nice! :D

Debbie: VERY nice.

Gina: She's gonna give us free food! :D

Micky: Food! :D

David: (Holds out his now-full boater) Why don't we use this well-earned money to get us somethin' to eat and some nice duds for tonight? I don't 'ave anythin' bettah than me costumes, and nothin' that will fit the kids. :p

Emma: (Grins) I've missed shopping, and I haven't shopped in Batone since I was a little girl. :)

Peter: I've never been here before! This will be fun! :D

Shelly: Shop! :)

Coco: Yeah! :D

David: 'Elp me get everythin' put away, and we'll get some vittles and somethin' bettah than peasant rags to wear to this ball. :p (We fade out as they start to put everything back in the cart.)