Ready to start our second Christmas production? :)

Mike: Hrmph. :p

Davy: Yes I am, mate! :)

Lauren: You bet!

Micky: Definitely!

Peter: Oh, Michael! (Smiles) I'm ready! I can't wait to do "A Christmas Carol!" :D

(We begin in the Royale Theater, the setting of "Nine Times Two" and "I Think I'm a Clone Now." Now, however, the theater is clean, new, and filled with activity. The auditorium is filled with people, some families with children. Behind the curtain, we see a huge set depicting Victorian London. People stand in small groups, rehearsing songs and lines. "Christmas Is My Time of Year" plays over the bustle. Groups of children in Victorian dress sing simple carols like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Groups of young adults, also in Victorian dress, rehearse a dance number with Davy and another young woman with dark hair.)

*Lauren sits off to one side, going over the script while Micky snores loudly next to her.* ;) :P

(The twins, both in costume, chase each other around the building front closest to their parents. Katie, who is dressed normally, follows them. ;) )

(Peter, who wears a long waistcoat and an even longer scarf, plays a song on the piano for Valerie, who is in costume, and Jordan, who isn't. :) )

*Lauren takes Micky's copy of the script and places it on his face, partially muffling his snores.* ;)

(Emma and Mike are off to one corner, yelling at each other. Mike wears a white wig and makeup to make him look older. Emma is dressed in a simple but elegant ball gown, her loose brown curls piled on top of her head.)

(Millie, Larry, and Mr. Bennet, all in costume, stand together in a group, chatting and working on their lines. Jack talks to Micky's sisters.)

*Nyles pigs out on the food.* ;)

(Kids in Victorian dress run all around the set. Mike storms over to Lauren and Micky as Emma stomps off. The dancers briefly take the stage as they finish their routine, then dance offstage when the music is done and the camera cuts to Mike.)

Mike: Lauren, I thought you and Mick were workin' on your lines, not takin' panther naps! ;) :p

Lauren: I am working on my lines! Mick has his all set. *shrugs* I've never been good at memorizing stuff. :P

Mike: Is there any way you could talk to Em? She's still mad 'cause she didn't get to write the whole damn "Christmas Carol" adaptation. :p

Lauren: *nods* I'll try.

Mike: This is a big deal. Did you see that crowd? It's sold out! This is going to be great publicity for us AND the new album!

Lauren: *sighs* Yes, Mike, I understand that. I'll talk to her. *stands; gives Mike a slight poke in the chest* And you take it easy, alright? ;) :)

Mike: She's a good writer, but we needed pros. (Nods) Don't you worry, Mother. I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself. ;)

Lauren: Good. ;) *heads off in the direction Emma went; Micky continues to snore*

(Mike walks off to find Peter, sticking cotton in his ears. ;) :p)

(Emma is in an empty dressing room backstage, kicking chairs and throwing make up tubes and brushes against the wall. She finally flops angrily in one chair. :p X( )

*There's a knock at the door. Lauren peeks her head in.*

Lauren: *grinning* Hey, Em, is it safe? ;)

Emma: Yeah. Come in.

Lauren: *comes in, closing the door after her* So, uh, heard you're not taking being unable to do the adaption very well. *shrugs* I'm not very good at beating around the bush. :P ;)

Emma: I thought it was all set. I even had a few drafts written, but I was told just a week ago that they hired PROS from HOLLYWOOD to write the script! X(

Lauren: Did they say they were gonna let you do the adaption?

Emma: Yes! At least, I thought they did. Mike said it was good, but let the PROS handle it! (Growls) All he cares about anymore is making albums and making money. He was so distant when the guys came back from the tour. All I wanted was to see him, and all HE cared about was the damn album and then the special. :p

Lauren: *sighs* I'm sorry, Em. *pauses* Unfortunately, we can't get your version of the script used, but what if we still used some of your ideas? *motions* We'll show those "pros" just who they're dealing with! ;)

Emma: (Starts to grin, even as she wipes her eyes) Maybe...maybe we could, Lauren. I just want Mike to enjoy this and...well, to enjoy ME. (Quietly) He doesn't even notice I'm there anymore. Katie, either. We're not a guitar or a studio, and we're not a part of Headquarters Records. :p :(

Lauren: Maybe you can subtly get to Mike during the performance, then REALLY work on him afterwards *winks* if you get my drift. ;)

Emma: (Nods) Yes, I do. (Sighs) Lauren, I've been looking forward to this ever since it was proposed after the special went over so well in the fall. I just hope everything goes all right. :-S

Lauren: *smiles* I think it'll be great, really. Everyone is buzzing about it; they can't wait to put this show on. *smile falls and blushes slightly* I just hope I can remember my lines. :P ;)

Emma: You'll be fine, dear. Hasn't Micky been helping you? ;) :)

Lauren: *nods* Yeah. I just get so nervous in front of all those people. I have to remember to not actually really look out into the crowd. If I can just stay focused on what’s going on on-stage, I think I'll be okay. *blushes again, with a slight grin* Helping me remember my lines wasn't all he was doing, either. ;)

Emma: I can imagine. ;) (Grins) Don't forget, you share your first scene as Scrooge's sister Fan with Mike, Larry, and Millie, and your scenes as Fred's wife with Micky, Mike, Nyles, and a whole bunch of other people. They'll all be more than willing to help you if you forget anything. ;) :)

Lauren: Right. I'm not so much worried about the scene as Fan, but I'm not so sure about being around Mick and Nyles. They're both so off the wall that even if I look at either of them just right I'll forget everything and start laughing, or something. :P ;)

Emma: (Laughs) You haven't read the book lately, have you? That scene is SUPPOSED to be crazy and ad-libbed. It's a party scene! I'll bet no one will really notice if you flub much there. ;)

(Kimberly sticks her head in. She's dressed as a shopkeeper for the opening sequence.)

Kimberly: Hey, could you come out and talk to Mick? He's playing around backstage again. :p

Lauren: *groans* Figures. He starts causing trouble as soon as he's awake, but when he sleeps, his snoring could wake the dead. *puts her arms out* I can't win! *gets up and heads for the door, but turns again* Don't worry, Em, I think you'll be very happy with this show. *turns back to Kimberly* Point the way. I'll take care of him. ;)

Emma: (Sighs and shakes her head) I hope so, Lauren. (Grins) You girls go rescue the scenery. I'm going to look over the script and see what I can do. ;)

*Lauren waves and goes out with Kimberly, the door closing after her.*

(Emma pages through the script, studying the last few pages. As she gets to one page, she slowly smiles. She picks up a pencil and starts furiously scribbling notes as we fade out on her and fade back in on the stage. ;) )

(Kimberly leads Lauren over to Micky, who is arguing with a bunch of big stagehands behind the "Victorian London" set. ;) )

Lauren: *nods* Thanks, Kim. I'll see what I can do about him. ;)

Kimberly: You do that, before he messes with the wrong stagehand. We need our narrator and Nephew Fred. ;)

Lauren: And I need my husband. ;) *turns and steps up behind Micky, more to his right side as he continues ranting*

Micky: *puts his arms out* This set is supposed to be "Victorian London!" *glances at the set* But it looks like a set! Weren't you listening when I gave you tips on how to "create" London?! Hmm?

*Lauren rolls her eyes.* :P 8-|

Big Man: (He's a dusty, dirty fellow with biceps the size of Micky's head) Look, pal, we just build 'em. We don't design them. :p

Micky: That's why I gave you the designs!

Man: (Turns; a cloud of dust follows him) We followed the designs to the letter! What do you want, us to go back in time and ask Mr. Dickens if we can borrow a few buildings? :p

Micky: Yes!

Lauren: *steps up* Okay, I've heard enough. *to the stagehands* Fellas, if you'll permit me one moment with the troublemaker, here? ;)

Man: Please. I can't get him to listen to reason. We did everything down to the very letter, and he's still making a fuss! :p

Lauren: *winks* I'll handle him. ;)

*Micky sighs loudly, then turns a smile to Lauren* Micky: Hiya, babe! :D ;)

Man: I think we'll go work on the Fezziwig's store set. It needs more evergreen boughs and I think the wreath in the center of the wall looked crooked. :p (He and the men walk off; Kimberly joins the other Abbies in a group near the fountain in the center of the set.)

Lauren: *folds her arms over her chest, a no nonsense look on her face* Mick...

Micky: *puts a hand up* Wait a minute, babe, I know where this is gonna go. *Lauren quirks an eyebrow* Okay, so I went overboard and acted like a jerk to those guys. I just wanted the set to look perfect! I really wanted to do a lot of the work myself, but things didn't work out that way. So, I guess no matter how good the sets came out, I wasn't gonna think they were good enough. *sighs* Sorry, babe. *jerks a thumb* I'll apologize to the guys when they aren't holding tools. ;) :P

Lauren: *smiles* Gee, Mick, this gets easier every time. ;)

Micky: Face it, babe, you've got me whipped. *kisses her forehead, then does it again*

Lauren: What was the second one for?

Micky: Good luck. I know you'll do fine, babe. :)

Lauren: Thanks, Mick. :)

Mike: (Walks up to Micky) Mick, don't you have to get in costume? We're on soon!

Micky: Hey, Mike. *nods* Yeah, I was just going. I won't be long. *heads off, waves a hand back at them and turns toward the dressing rooms*

Mike: (To Lauren) Well? Did you talk to Em?

Lauren: Yes, I did. And I got through to her. *pauses* But I think what's going on is reciprical, Mike. YOU need to give her some of your time. She just wants a little attention. I know I wouldn't really care for playing second fiddle to music. *puts her hands up* Just my observation.

Mike: It's just been so BUSY, what with the play and the special and the second album coming out...

Lauren: That's no excuse, Mike. Mick's been just as busy as you and he's given me plenty of attention. *blushes slightly, pauses* And he's spent alot of time playing with the twins and Onyx. There's no excuse why you can't give Emma some time, and Katie, too, for that matter.

Mike: Micky writes maybe two songs per decade. He ain't in the studio as much as I am.

Lauren: *sighs* He does other things to help out with the music. *shakes her head* All I'm saying, Mike, is that I cannot see how you have no time for your wife. *folds her arms again*

Mike: I'm doin' all this for HER. I love HER. I want the money to keep rollin' in, so we can have a nice Christmas for once and make HER happy. That's why I talked the orphanage into lettin' us have some lead roles in this thing. The Starlight House gets its yearly benefit money, and we get more people to see US...and buy our new albums. I've worked day and night on that new album. It's due in stores in a few months, you know.

Lauren: And she appreciates what you're doing for her, Mike, but what I'm saying is that she wants personal attention, not things done for her. She wants to spend some time with you. I don't think she cares HOW you spend the time, but just be WITH HER, for Heaven's sake.

Mike: Well, what am I supposed to do? I've got to get the album done, THEN I'll be able to spend all the time in the world with her and Katie. Do you think I haven't missed them? They were on my mind every day durin' the tour! You should have seen our phone bills from all the calls I made!

Lauren: Then talk to her, but don't argue! *puts hand up* I'm just trying to help, and I’m relaying what I heard. That's it.

Mike: Sorry, darlin'. I guess I can't help arguin’. Spent most of my life fightin' over one thing or another. Didn't mean to blow up at ya. :p

Lauren: No problem, Mike. Just trying to get my point across to a thick skull. *taps the side of his head; then grins* You know, you and Mick are more alike then I bet you'd care to acknowledge. Both very thick-headed. ;)

Mike: Yeah. Passionate for buildin', singin', and bein' annoyin' to our wives. ;)

Lauren: Exactly. ;)

Mike: Ok. Why don't you go see if Mick's gotten dressed, then maybe find the others to work on your lines? I gotta find Em.

Lauren: Right. See ya in a bit, Mike, and good luck. ;)

Mike: Thanks. (Heads off to the dressing rooms; Lauren goes over to Mick, who is working on lines with Davy, Jack, and Nyles, all dressed as Victorian gentlemen. ;) )

Davy: 'Ow's things goin' with Ebeneezer Nesmith? ;) :p

Lauren: I think he's coming around, hopefully. He's going to talk to Em again. As long as he can keep from arguing with, I think they'll be okay. *pauses, glances at all of them* Very nice, guys. How're your lines coming?

Micky: Fine, as long as Davy pays attention TO his lines, instead of...other things. ;)

Davy: I AM payin' attention! You're the one who ain't payin' attention! You keep talkin' about the damn sets! :p

Jack: *shakes his head; to Lauren* Neither of them have been paying attention. That leaves me rehearsing my lines to the wall! :P

*Lauren rolls her eyes.*

Micky: I have not kept talking about the sets! I said one thing! :P

Davy: (Waves his hands as much as he can in front of Nyles' face) 'Ey, Ny, you in theah? (Makes a face at Micky) Yes you 'ave! You're so damn obsessed wit' these sets, I'm surprised you ain't kissed them and brought them 'ome for dinnah yet! :p

Nyles: *blinks* Huh? Aw, man! I was rehearsing my lines! :P ;)

Lauren: Actually, I think Mick did do that yesterday. ;) :P

Micky: Oh, come on! I just want everything to look good!

Jack: There's good and there's obsessive. You're floating in between somewhere, Mick.

Davy: And tipping dangerously towards the lattah. :p

Lauren: *warningly* Mick...

Micky: Alright, alright! Geez. Man, guys, I know my lines, so I'm focusing on something else!

Davy: I 'ope so, Mick. We're all playin' multiple roles. You're the narratah and Scrooge's nephew!

Micky: I've got it, man, all of it.

Lauren: *sighs* You know, I think this play is just putting all of us on edge.

Davy: Maybe it's just that it's been so busy lately. You should 'ave 'eard Mike chewin' out Pete in the studio yesterday ovah some flubbed chord or the othah. Petah cried for the rest of the night. :p

Lauren: Oh, man. Maybe after the holidays we should all go on vacation. Get AWAY from being busy and just rest. :P

Davy: Val said she had us booked for one small gig in a ski resort in New England before we finished up the album here.

Nyles: *perks up* Someone mention vacation?

Lauren: *ignores Nyles* That'd be perfect! :D

Micky: Skiing, huh. ;)

Jack: *smiles* That should be fun. :)

Davy: She didn't say we couldn't bring guests. Come to think of it, she mentioned this would be a stop on the Abbies' upcoming concert tour, and it wouldn't 'urt for Val to take a little vacation, either. ;)

Lauren: *nods* We'll have to all get together and decide who is gonna go. *grins* I'm not big on skiing, but it DOES sound like fun! :) ;)

Mr. Bennett: (Wears a late Colonial-early Victorian suit and has a cloth wrapped around his chin) Ok, everyone, backstage. We're going to be starting in a few minutes. :)

Micky: Let’s get this show on the road! :D

Millie: (Joins Mr. Bennett) Everyone ready to have the most fun since ol' Charlie Dickens wrote this thing? ;)

Lauren: Yeah!

Jack: You bet!

Nyles: When do I get to eat? ;)

Larry: You'll get to eat in about a half-hour, Nyles, when we get to the Fezziwig's party. (Grins) Don't worry, they'll be plenty. (Puts an arm around Millie) She catered. ;)

Millie: Oh, Larry, I only provided enough...

Larry: To feed most of LA and invite half of San Diego for leftovers. ;)

Lauren: In other words, there should be enough for Nyles. ;)

Millie: Just enough. Just leave some for Fred's party and the Cratchit's dinner. ;)

Micky: *elbows Nyles* Hear that, man? Take it easy. ;)

Jack: *laughs* Oh, you're one to talk, Mick. ;)

Davy: Anyone seen Petah? I think 'e's going to make a smashin' Bob Cratchit. 'E dug up the music for 'is part and Val's 'imself, and all the kids love 'em.

Millie: We even found the perfect roles for your twin angels, Lauren. According to the book, the Cratchits' younger kids are SUPPOSED to be noisy and nuts. ;)

Lauren: *chuckles* The twins'll love it. ;)

Mr. Bennett: Peter and Valerie were working on their number with the children. I must applaud the person who found the little boy from the Starlight Home to be Tiny Tim. He looks like he just stepped out of the original illustrations. :)

Millie: Is the mini-Mick still mad he couldn't be Tiny Tim? ;)

Larry: No one thought he'd like to work with the crutch. ;)

Micky: Considering he was going around the house saying "I'm Tim! Don't like crutch!"... what do you think? ;)

Millie: He'll be happier trying to eat the goose and wondering if the plum pudding came out right. ;)

Lauren: Much. ;)

Voice Over Intercom: Last call for everyone in opening "Here We Come a Caroling" number! Last call! All in opening number onstage!

Davy: That's our cue, fellas. We've got to get on.

Mr. Bennett: Us older folks can take a slight breather. We don't come on until later. ;)

Larry: We've got a chapter yet. ;)

Lauren: Good luck, fellas. Break a leg. ;) :)

Nyles: Hey...

Jack: Ny, she means "good luck," like she said. *rolls his eyes*

Nyles: Ohhhh!

Davy: She don't mean it literally, man. ;)

Micky: Come on, before they come to drag us out there. ;)

Davy: (Nods) Right, mate. Daphne's mad enough at me 'cause I chatted up some of Fred's friend's wives from the party sequence. ;) (The trio go onstage. Mr. Bennett smiles at Lauren)

Mr. Bennett: Penny for your thoughts, dear? :)

Lauren: *puts on a smile, but it's nervous* I guess I'm just nervous, and tired of seeing everyone almost at everyone else's throats. *sighs* I can't keep talking folks outta stupid arguments. I can feel burnout creeping up already. *pauses* And I STILL don't know if I really know all my lines! *aggravated sigh* :P

Mr. Bennett: I'm sure it's just the holidays, not to mention the pace the boys have been keeping recently. I've read about it in the papers. Interviews, time in the studio, making that special, appearing on variety shows...they've barely had time to sit down, much less learn lines!

Lauren: I'm proud of their success, but it's too much all at once.

Mr. Bennett: It is. I know they've all wanted this success for a long time, but they're going to burn out within a year if they don't take some time away, especially Michael. (Smiles) Peter kept in touch with me during and after the tour. :)

Lauren: *nods* I can see it in Mike already. Apparently Val set up a gig for them in New England that's partially a vacation, so I hope that's what it will actually be: time off and a chance for everyone to recuperate.

Mr. Bennett: I hope so, too. (Grins) And you know, dear, neither of us are on for a while. I could help you learn your lines...(a bit sheepish) and maybe you could help me with mine. I haven't acted in years, since I was in radio and asked to stand in for the guy playing the juvenile sidekick on one of the children's action shows. :) :">

Lauren: *smiles* I'd like that, Mr. Bennett, thank you. :)

Mr. Bennett: (Indicates the darkened stage to their right; the light is slowly rising) I think the show is about to begin. :)

*Lauren nods, still smiling.* :)