Bob: It's not that I didn't love Rosalee, it's just that we became
two different people after our first break-up and that's what made it hard when we got back together.

Mike: How did you know that getting her pregnant with me would keep you from being drafted?

Bob: Back in that time era, they didn't want married men. I don't
know why that was, but they didn't. I knew your mom wasn't going to just "marry" me so that's why I thought up the plan to get her pregnant first. I knew she'd marry me if she was pregnant and it worked.

Mike: That doesn't explain why you turned mean. (Bob sighed before going on)

Bob: I was only 19, Mike. I was 19, married with a child and a new cop. My partner and reminded me a lot of my old best friend so we hit it off rather well and were sent on several different assignments together. The one night while my partner and I were out on our routine check, we got called to a gang raid downtown Dallas. We were unaware just how bad the raid was `til we got out of the car and heard the shooting going on. The last thing they wanted around them was cops and when they saw us coming, they began firing at us. Just as one of the gang members pointed their gun at me, my partner jumped in the way as the gun was fired off and he was killed. The gangs split the scene knowing they'd killed a cop and left me there with my dead partner. A partner that saved my life and I never had a way of
repaying him.

Mike: I guess I can see why your anger dwelt inside of you; but did you have to take it out on me and mama?

Bob: I guess it doesn't matter what I tell ya, it's never going to
be a good enough reason or answer for you. (There was silence between the two of them. Mike didn't know what to think or say and Bob was trying to find a way to get Mike to forgive him) Mike, after I quit drinking and married Liz, I felt something missing from my life. For quite some time I didn't know what it was; `til I came across a picture in a small box of memories I keep around the house. It was you, Mike. I was missing you. And I swear to you that I tried to contact you but your mother wouldn't let me. She said she wanted to protect you from me and the bad memories. (There was more silence because Mike wasn't saying anything. Bob continued on) I'm sorry son. I'm sorry that I was a bad father and that I was never there for you. (His dad began to cough)

Mike: Dad, you okay?

Bob (Bringing himself under control and taking a sickly breath):
Yeah. (It dawned on Mike that his father really meant the apology)

Mike: You really missed me?

Bob: Terribly. If I could have a little longer to live, I would find a way to make-up for the lost time. But since I don't have that
long, I wanted you to know that your being here right now means
everything to me. (Bob began to cough again)

Mike: Do you need me to get a doctor in here or something?

Bob: No. I've seen too much of them. Right now I wanna spend what time I have left with you and my family.

Mike: You, ahyou want me to go get Liz? (Bob nodded. Mike stood up and walked toward the door. He paused and looked back at his dad) Hey dad? (Bob looked over at Mike) II want you to know that I forgive you. As hard as it is for me to say it, I'm glad I was able to come here to see you. I, actually, feel better. This won't erase our past together, but maybe it will help me move forward. I've always been bitter, crabby and plain irritable toward anyone I ever met. Now that we had this conversation, I know why that is. Can you..can you forgive me too?

Bob: You have nothing to ask forgiveness for, Mike. None of this
was ever your fault. No matter what you think, none of it was your fault. (Mike sighed a relieved sigh and smiled at his dad)

Mike: I'll be back with Liz. (Mike left his dad's room)

 

Mike: I love you Katie.

Katie (Through her tears and her fearful face): I love you too. (Mike watched them take Katie into the operating room and prayed)

Mike: Jesus, I know it's been a while since I prayed butwell, I'm hoping you'll listen now. Will You watch over my wife and the baby? I hate admitting that I'm afraid of anything but right now, I admit I'm afraid of losing them both. Please keep them safe. Amen. (Mike felt a sense of peace come over him right after his prayer. This made it easier for him to go sit in the lobby until he could go be with his wife)

(While Mike was waiting nervously in the lobby, Danielle came up to him with some coffee)

Danielle: I thought maybe you could use a cup of this.

Mike: Thanks. (Danielle sat down in a chair across from Mike)

Danielle: Sowere you able to get the nerve up to talk to dad?

Mike: Yeah.

Danielle: And..?

Mike: And what?

Danielle: How'd it go?

Mike: We just now made peace with each other. I still have some feelings of resentment but I think that will fizzle out when hewell,
you know.

Danielle: I'm glad I found you so that you could 'have' this chance while dad is still alive.

Mike: Well I'm not. I'm still a little miffed at you for contacting me in the first place.

Danielle: But you needed to know about him and us; and I think you both needed this moment to patch up some hard feelings from the past.

(Mike walked over to the pay phone, picked it up and called his ex-wife's number)

Pam (Answering the phone in a tired voice): Hello?

Mike: Pammy? It's Mike. Could you get the girls up and bring them to the hospital.

Pam (Looking at the clock): You want me to bring them to you at this hour? Why?

Mike: Because their mother is about to have the baby. She went into labor again.

Pam: We'll be right up.

Mike: Thanks.

Pam: No problem. Bye.

Mike: Bye. (Mike hung the phone up and walked back to Danielle. Just as he sat down, a nurse came out) Can I go in now?

Nurse: Um, not exactly.

Mike: Why? Dr. Miller told me I could be with Katie.

Nurse: There are some more complications than expected. You're going to have to remain out here until she comes out of surgery.

Mike: No! I want to be with Katie!

Nurse: I'm sorry, sir, but I can't

Mike (Getting forceful and using a harsh tone): YOU LISTEN HERE! THAT IS 'MY WIFE' IN THERE (Mike points in the direction of the operating room doors) AND I 'WILL NOT' SIT BACK AND LET YOU TELL ME I CAN'T 'BE' WITH HER! (Mike started to go toward the area where Katie was and Danielle stopped him; toning his voice down a little but still talking in a forceful voice) Danielle, get out of my way!

Danielle: No! Mike, if Dr. Miller doesn't want you in there, it's for a good reason. He knows what he's doing and you're just going to have to let him do his job.

Mike: No! I am 'not' going to just sit back and do nothing while he cuts my wife open! (Mike went up to the nurses desk and was not a happy person) I am Michael Nesmith of The Monkees and I demand to see the person in charge of this floor!

Receptionist: I

Danielle: Mike, listen

Mike (Slamming his hand down on the counter): No, 'you' listen Danielle! Dr. Miller told me I could be with Katie and I want in there 'right now'!

Danielle: Will you calm down? I will see if I can go be with her instead.

Mike (Using his harsh, forceful voice again): NO! IT HAS TO BE ME OR NO ONE AT ALL; UNDERSTAND ME?!

Danielle (Sighing): I'll go see what Dr. Miller says okay? (Mike nodded and let her go in where his wife was. Mike stood at the door watching and waiting impatiently for his sister's return)

 

Chapter 15

(Danielle came back through the doors fifteen minutes later with a gown, cap and a few other accessories)

Danielle:  Hes letting you in, but he wants you to stay out of the way.

Mike:  Why?  Whats going on?  Is Katie okay?

Danielle:  Dr. Miller wouldnt tell me anything.  And the only reason youre getting let in there is because I talked him into it.  Put these on and when youre ready, well go in.

Mike:  Thanks. (Mike changed into the outfit that Danielle gave to him)

Danielle:  Go on in! (Mike went inside and Danielle stayed in the lobby)

(While Danielle was sitting there, Mikes family wandered in.  Danielle was out at the nurses desk and saw a familiar face amongst the crew)

Danielle:  Hi Andy! (Andy looked up at her but was a little hesitant to speak to her)

Andy (Small smile):  Umhi.

Pam:  Andy, who is she?

Danielle (Speaking out and reaching her hand out):  Im Danielle.  Im Mikes sister.

Pam:  Oh(Pam looked at her and remembered the conversation she and Mike had together) Ohhh so 'youre' Danielle! (Pam took Danielles hand into a hand shake) Its nice to meet you.  Im Pam; Mikes first wife.

Danielle:  Nice to meet you.

Pam:  Obviously you know my son Andy.

Danielle:  Yeah; we met at Ashers the night I met with Mike.  Who are these ladies?

Pam:  These are Mike and Katies daughters.  This is their 14-year-old daughter, Janelle and their 12-year-old daughter Clairice.

Danielle:  Nice to meet your girls.

Clairice:  If you are daddys sister, how come hes never talked about you before?

Danielle:  Because he didnt know about me until now.

Andy:  Hows Kate doing?

Danielle:  I dont know just yet.  They have her in surgery right now.  We can only hope for the best.

Andy:  Mom?  Do you think Davy, Micky and Peter would mind if I gave them a call at this hour?

Pam:  Well, I know that Peter wont because he loves things like this and Micky might not mind but you know how Davy is if he doesnt get any sleep.

Andy:  I know but I love hearing him complain. (Pam laughed at her son) Ill go call them.

Pam:  Baby, why dont you wait until your dad comes out to tell us how it went?

Andy (Looking at the clock):  Good idea; thatll really get Davy going.

Danielle:  Whos he talking about?

Pam (Not giving it away):  Friends of the family.

Danielle:  You can have a seat in the lobby and as soon as I know anything, I will be out to let you know. 

Pam:  Do you have time to sit and talk?

Danielle:  Not right now.  Maybe a little later when I go on my break.

Pam (Smiling):  Im looking forward to it.

Danielle (Smiling right back):  Me too.  See you later. (Danielle left and Pam took the kids to the lobby where they sat and waited nervously for news on Katie and the baby)

--

(Inside the operating room, Mike got to sit beside his wife while the doctors worked to get the baby.  It was at that point that Mike took the time to admire his sleeping wife and her beauty.  He smiled at her and gave her a small kiss on the forehead)

Mike (Whispering to her):  I love you.

Dr. Miller:  Theres the head!  Ready? (His crew nodded and Dr. Miller pulled the baby out) Hold up! (They all held up as Dr. Miller unwrapped the cord from the babys neck) Its a boy, Mike! (Mike smiled) Its just as I suspected too.  The cord was wrapped around his neck. (Dr. Miller unwrapped the cord from the babys neck and cleaned out the babys mouth.  Mike heard the baby let out a very loud and a wonderful scream.  Mike had a tear come to his eye and fall down his face.  But this was a happy tear and one of relief that the baby was just fine)

Nurse:  Um, Dr. Miller?  We have a problem here?

Mike (Scared):  What?  Whats wrong?

Dr. Miller:  Im the doctor; Ill ask the questions. (To the nurse) Whats wrong?

Nurse:  Were getting another heart beat and its not Katies.

Dr. Miller:  Are you joking me? (The nurse shook her head no so Dr. Miller looked to see what the nurse was talking about) Well Ill be a monkeys uncle. (To Mike) No pun intended.

Mike (In a funny sarcastic voice):  Ha, ha, ha. Whats going on?

Dr. Miller:  Youd better brace yourself Mr. Nesmith. (Mike heard a second babys cry) You and your wife have twins.

Mike (Mouth open in disbelief):  What?  Twins..?! (Mike heard the babys loud, healthy cry)

Dr. Miller (Pulling the baby all the way out):  Its a girl!  You have a boy 'and' a girl! (Mike smiled and was in awe over the two babies)

Mike:  Can I see them?

Dr. Miller:  Wait until I get your wife taken care of and then you can see them.

Mike:  No, I wanna see them now.

Dr. Miller:  Boy, youre the most persistent man Ive ever come across.

Mike:  Yeah and Ill probly be your last.  Now let me see them! (Dr. Miller shook his head and laughed a little bit.  He pointed his finger toward the two crying babies and Mike went over to them.  He took a hold of the fingers and smiled at them) Hi; Im your daddy.  How much do they weigh?

Nurse #2:  Your son is4 pounds and 6 ounces and your daughter is4 pounds 6 ounces.  Thats rare that they are the same exact weight. 

Mike:  Can I hold one?

Nurse #2:  Sure. (The nurse picked the baby boy up and handed him to Mike)

Mike:  Wow, hes light. (Mike heard a long, loud noise and the doctor began to speak frantically)

Dr. Miller (Shouting to the nurses):  GET HIM OUTTA HERE!!

Mike:  NO!! (Mike tried to walk toward Katie when he was stopped by another doctor) LET GO OF ME!!  THATS MY WIFE AND I

Dr. Miller:  AND WERE GONNA LOSE HER IF YOU DONT GET OUTTA HERE!! (Mike was forced into the hall and he sat in a chair to cry.  Andy noticed his dad sitting in
the chair and walked up to him)

Andy:  Hey, whats wrong?

Mike (Crying):  My whole world may be gone.

Andy:  Something happen to the baby?

Mike:  No; theyre fine.

Andy:  They..?

Mike:  Twins.  Katie had twins. (Andy looked at his dad in concern)

Andy:  Its Katie, isnt it? (Mike nodded and Andy took a hold of his dad to let him cry)

 

==Chapter 16==

(One hour after the delivery of the twins, Dr. Miller came out with
good news)

Dr. Miller (Taking off his mask and smiling): Your wife is going to
be just fine.

Mike: What happened?

Dr. Miller: She began to 'hemorrhage' and we thought we were going to lose her, but we were able to get the bleeding to stop and she's
fine now. She won't be awake for another 30 minutes to an hour
though.

Mike: Can I go see my babies, then?

Dr. Miller: Sure. They're in the nursery right over there. (Dr. Miller pointed to a set of doors with a big window beside it) But if you'd like, I'll bring them to your wife's room so you can hold them.

Mike (Smiling): I'd like that very much.

Dr. Miller: Congratulations Mike!

Mike (Shaking his hands): Thank you. My faith in doctors is momentarily restored. (They laughed) Remember our deal, though.
Katie stays in here no more than two days.

Dr. Miller: I'll keep to my word. We'll talk about it then. Take care Mike and enjoy the babies. (Dr. Miller left)

Andy: I'm glad Kate is going to be fine. Let's go tell the family about the surprise and the good news. (Andy turned to leave and was held back by Mike)

Mike: Andy? Before we go tell everyone, could you not mention to your sisters that we almost lost their mother? I don't want them to
worry about her.

Andy: I won't say anything; I promise. (Andy took his dad down the
hall to the lobby)

Pam (Looking up to see Mike there): Well..?

Mike (Big smile on his face): It's twins. We have a boy and a girl.

Janelle (Excited): Twins?! Are you serious?!

Mike: Very serious. That's why your mother went into labor so soon.

Janelle: Oh dad that's great! (Janelle jumped up and hugged her dad)

Clairice (In a non-excited voice): Yipee!

Janelle: And mom..?

Mike (Covering for her): She'sshe's doing okay. She'll be about an
hour in the recovery room.

Pam: So, what'd you name them?

Mike: I haven't named them anything yet. I'm waiting on Katie. I know the names she had picked out but I want her to make the final decisions.

Clairice (With an attitude): How about we name them dumb and dumber?

Mike (In a very firm voice): Clairice Nesmith! (Clairice looked up at her dad but with a very upset face) Don't you ever let me hear you say something like that again! (Clairice crossed her arms; much like her dad always did when he was mad and didn't want to reason with
anyone)

Janelle: Can we see the twins dad?

Mike: Follow me! (Andy, Pam, Janelle and Clairice all followed Mike to Katie's room) Wait right here and I'll let them know we're here. (Mike left the room for a minute)

Andy: This is way too cool!

Janelle: You're not mad Andy?

Andy: Mad? Why would 'I' be mad, Jan?

Janelle: I don't know. I just thought you might be since you were the only child of your mom and dad's.

Andy: I'm not the least bit mad. I have you guys and that's good enough for me. I think it's Clairice that has the problem. (Andy pointed to their sister who was sitting in a chair with crossed, uncaring armsmuch like their dad) She remind you of anyone? (Janelle snickered--laughed--as she looked at her sister)

Janelle: Too bad we didn't have a camera. This would be a Kodak
moment to remember. (The two of them laughed but Clairice was not
impressed)

Pam: Andy, that's enough teasing. Clairice, you know that your parents aren't going to love you any less. Why are you upset about the twins?

Clairice: I 'don't' wanna talk about it! Leave me alone Pam!

Andy (Shaking his head and rolling his eyes at his sister): Sissy, you scare me the way you act like dad sometimes.

Clairice: I'm not acting like dad!

Andy: Yes you are! Look at the way you're sitting. (Clairice just gave her brother a stare) Dad sits that exact same way when he's upset about something. He, also, has a problem cracking a smile or laughing when something funny is being said and he's in a bad mood.

Janelle: Don't bother, Andy. When she acts like dad, there's no reasoning with her and mom said to ignore her.

Andy: Want to hear something funny?

Janelle: Sure.

Andy: Watch this!

Pam (Knowing her son): Andy, don't!

Andy: Awe, c'mon mom! I have to. Please?

Pam: Fine but I want nothing to do with it. (Andy picked up the telephone and dialed Davy's phone number)

'Davy (Reaching for the phone while still sleeping): Hello?'

Andy: Is this the zoo where The Monkees live?

'Davy (Half-asleep): Who 'is' this?*

Andy: No one. It's a prank call and you don't need to get up. (Andy
laughed. Davy finally realized who it was)

'Davy: Andrew, I am not laughing! It is in the middle of the night and I am tired. Not to mention I do not find that amusing*

Andy (Still laughing): I'm sorry. I couldn't resist Davy.

'Davy: What did you really call for?'

Andy: My step-mother just had twins.

'Davy: Twins? Are you joking?'

Andy: No. It's a boy and a girl and Kate's doing okay.

'Davy: How soon can we come visit?'

Andy: As soon as you can gather up the other two apes and bring them up here.

'Davy (Sarcastically): Ha, ha, ha Andy. I'll call the other two up and we'll be there shortly.'

Andy (Still laughing a little): All right. Don't go `Monkee'ing around now.

'Davy: You are something else y'know that mate? Not a bit like your
father at all.'

Andy: Someone has to be funny in this family.

'Davy (Chuckling): Cheerio.'

Andy: Yeah; bye. (Andy hung up and his mother was looking at him)
What?

Pam: You are too funny Andy?

Andy: I get it from you.

Pam: Me..?

Andy: Well it's not from dad, that's for sure. He's too serious.

Clairice (In a sarcastic voice): And just how was that supposed to be funny? I didn't see anything funny about it.

Andy: Well maybe you'll see something funny aboutthis. (Andy went
over to her and started tickling his little sister to make her laugh. She began laughing and he kept it going)

Clairice (Laughing): Sto-hop hi-hit! Andy

Mike: Andrew, that will be enough of that.

Andy: I wasn't doing anything! I was just

Mike: I don't care what you were `just' doing. Leave Clairice alone.

Pam: Where are the babies?

Nurse #1: Right here. (She wheeled in the crib with the first baby in it and another nurse came in behind with the second baby)

Mike: Thank you.

Nurse #1: You are quite welcome Mr. Nesmith. Enjoy the babies. (The
nurses left the room so the family could enjoy the two new babies)

Mike: It's been 12 years since I held one of these. (Clairice rolled her eyes with disgust)

Pam: They are adorable.

Janelle: Look at the hair on their heads. (Clairice still sat in the chair with her arms crossed. She was feeling jealous and now she was getting even angrier because no one was paying any attention to her)

Mike (Picking up the little boy): Hello Robbie.

Andy: I thought you said you weren't going to name them until Kate
came into the room.

Mike (Smiling): I couldn't help it. He's too cute to not name. (Mike sat down in the chair and cuddled the newborn into his arms as it slept)

Pam: Could I hold the other one?

Mike: Yeah. (Pam picked the little girl up and sat down with her)
They are soso

Pam: Beautiful? (Mike nodded. At that moment, a familiar nurse entered the room with a sober look on her face)

Mike: Danielle..? (Danielle had a tear come down her face) What's wrong?

Danielle: It's dad. He's taken a turn for the worse. He's requested to see you.

Mike: I can't take the babies up to him.

Danielle: I'll have him brought down okay?

Mike: You can do that?

Danielle: Yeah. His one request was to be able to see you and your
babies. I'll have him brought down to you so that he can see both.

Mike: Thanks.

Danielle (Small smile): Yeah.

Mike: You okay? (Danielle shook her head `no') I don't usually do this because I am not a very affectionate person but(Mike got up from the chair, handed the baby to his son, walked over to Danielle and took her into to let her cry)

 

==Chapter 17==

Mike: Danielle, do you want me to walk up with you?

Danielle (Wiping her tears): No, it's okay, Mike.

Mike: You sure?

Danielle: I'm sure. You just sit there and enjoy the babies okay? I'll be right back down with dad.

Mike: Okay. (Danielle left the room and Mike looked at his family)

Andy: What is it, dad?

Mike: My dad isn't going to make it.

Pam: Why's he in here anyway? You never *did* tell us that part.

Mike: He was shot while on duty. (They looked at him) He's a cop. He didn't tell me what happened but the gunshot wound left internal injuries and bleeding. The doctors cannot stop the bleeding soso now he's going to die.

Pam: Awe Mike. That's so terrible. You just met back up with him too.

Mike: I know.

Andy: At least you made peace with him right?

Mike: Yeah but that doesn't make me feel any better at the moment.

(Ten minutes later, Mike's dad was wheeled into him by a wheel chairDanielle had not yet returned)

Mike (Barely looking at him): Ahhi dad. (Pam, Andy, Janelle and
Clairice were amazed at the resemblance between Mike and his dad) Guys, this is my father; Michael Robert Nesmith.

Pam: UmI'm Pamela. Do you remember me?

Bob: I seem to remember a young girl who hung out with my son a
great deal when he was younger. You resemble that girl so you must
be her.

Pam (Smiling): I am. This is our son, Andrew.

Andy: They call me Andy.

Bob (Looking Andy over): You are a handsome young man.

Andy: Thank you sir.

Bob (Coughing): Excuse me. (Danielle gave her dad a drink of water) So, you and Mike are married huh?

Mike: Not anymore. She was my wife for a few years and then I got
into The Monkees and things got crazy. So we got divorced.

Pam: But we're still good friends.

Bob: You're doing better than me and Rosalee. We talk to each other
over the phone but other than that, we are nothing but former friends
and mates.

Pam: That's too bad.

Bob: Yeah I guess it is; and who are these lovelyladies? (Bob began
to cough again)

Mike: These are my daughters from my current wife, Katie. This is
Janelle and this is Clairice.

Clairice: You're my grandpa? (Bob gained control of himself again so he could answer Clairice)

Bob: Yeah. Your dad is the oldest of my kids. I was with his mother for ten years and then we divorced and I moved on.

Clairice: What happened between you and Grandma Nesmith?

Bob (To Mike with a surprised look): She still uses my last name?

Mike: She went back to your last name after the passing of her husband. I don't know why she did that; and to be honest, I was mad
at her for it for quite some time.

Clairice: You didn't answer my question.

Bob: She's persistent isn't she?

Andy: Gee, I wonder where she gets *that* from? (Andy looked at his dad)

Mike: I'm not persistent!

Pam: Oh contrare, my darlin'! You are the most persistent person I
know. Ask Davy; he tells everyone that about you. When you wanna
know something, you keep asking until you get your answer.

Bob (To Clairice): I'll answer your question if you promise not to ask for details.

Clairice: I promise.

Bob: Rosalee and I were young and I was stupid. We got married and
it wasn't a very good one because we had Mike to keep me from going into the war. Rosalee and I hated each other and leaving when Mike
was ten was best. (His coughing began again and it seemed to be
getting worse while they were talking instead of better) I'm sorry about the coughing but

Pam: Don't apologize for it, sir. It's perfectly understandable.

Janelle (A little upset when she remembered his face): I remember you. You pulled my mother over for speeding a couple of weeks ago
for speeding. She told you that she was having contractions and you
didn't care. You gave her a ticket anyway.

Bob (Showing his serious side): I do that to anyone I pull over for
speeding. I don't care if they are having babies, late for work or being plain stupid. It was my favorite part of the job and I never let anyone off the hook for it because I've seen too many people killed in accidents from speeding cars. The way I feel is if the mother is in labor, she can call an ambulance to come get her.

Janelle: She isn't supposed to call the ambulance or go to a hospital. It's against our beliefs and she was trying to get home to my dad before something happened.

Bob (To Mike): Still following your mother's religion are ya?

Mike: It's not half-bad ya know. You should have tried it when you
were married.

Bob: No way! I was never into that stuff and she kept trying to push it onto me. That was one of the other problems we had with each
other. I hated the way she believed. She was having complications while carrying you and instead of going to a doctor, she called a midwife up and had the midwife come help her. Your mama kept insisting she would be fine. Then you arrived and she was in so much
pain that she was literally screaming to the top of her lungs. I had
to leave the house because of the screaming. That's when I had it in
my mind that she was not going to have anymore babies from me if she was going to go along with that silly belief so I made her get her
tubes tied. She hated me for it because according to her, they don't
believe in that stuff.

Mike: We won't discuss my mama's religion in front of my children okay? I do not want you trying to put any doubts in their heads about it.

Bob: Because you know what I'm saying is true, Mike. The religion is wrong and stupid.

Mike: It's not stupid and it's not wrong! I am not going fight with you about it and I will tell you one more time that I do not want you talking about it in front of my children. They will believe what we
believe and

Bob: And they'll never learn the truth. (Mike held his mouth shut
because he didn't want to get into any further discussions about it)

Andy (Trying to change the subject): Soyou were a cop, huh?

Bob: Yeah; been a cop since I was 19. I loved my job and what I did
for a living. I'm just sad to have it come to an end like this.

Danielle (Coming up behind her dad; putting her hand on his shoulder): Dad? Mom went to get us something to drink. She'll be right here.

Bob: Okay; thanks honey. (To Mike) So where are these new babies
your sister told me about?

Mike: Oh, they're right here. (Mike took the baby boy and handed it to his father) This is Robbie.

Bob: Named after you?

Mike: Not officially. I'm waiting on Katie to give him his final name.

Bob: He's adoreable. Looks a lot like you used to when *you* were a
baby.

Janelle: What was dad like when he was a kid?

Bob (Looking at Mike but answering Janelle's question): He was a
tough kid. Had a mind of his own. Much like he does now from what I
hear. (Mike just looked at his dad and the others laughed) But he was
a good kid who loved his mother a lot.

Mike: Dad, I don't wanna talk about my past okay? (To his kids) And
you promised you wouldn't ask questions.

Andy: No; Clairice promised it. Janelle and I never promised anything so therefore I want to know what grandpa has to say.

Mike (Snapping): He's not your grandpa!

Andy: Then what is he?

Mike (Still snapping): He's Bob, okay? He was never my father and
therefore, he will never be your grandfather!

Pam: Mike, I thought you forgave your dad?

Mike (Still snapping): I forgave my dad but it doesn't mean that I've forgotten what he did when I growing up!

Pam: Calm down! (Mike, still a little miffed, managed to gain control of himself for the moment)

Bob: Your father is right, Andy. I shouldn't talk about it.

Clairice (Trying to lighten the mood): Hand him the other baby, daddy.

Mike: Right. (Mike picked the little girl up and handed her to his father)

Bob: She's beautiful, Mike. She reminds me of your mama. (Bob began
to cough again. Since he couldn't talk, he handed the two babies off
to whomever would take them)

Danielle: Dad, take it easy. (Bob stopped coughing and took a good
look at his son and his son's family)

Bob: Son, I want you to do me a favor, okay?

Mike: What's that?

Bob: I know that things in the past were bad between me, you and
your mama; but I want you to tell her that Ithat I'm sorry things
went the way they did. She was once my friend and I took advantage
of the friendship and ruined it.

Mike: I'll make sure she knows that.

Bob: And do me one more favor. Will you look after Liz, Dani and the others? Dani will introduce them to you.

Mike: Yeah; I'd be honored to.

Bob: Dani? I need to go back to my room.

Danielle: Yes sir.

Bob (To Mike): It was nice meeting your family. You have a handsome
son, two beautiful daughters and two wonderful babies. (Mike just
smiled a little bit)

Danielle (To Mike): Wanna come?

Mike: Yeah. (To his family) Tell Katie I'll be back.

Pam: We will. (Mike took off with his sister and father)

 

===Chapter 18==

(Pam waited for Mike to leave the room before she spoke. Pam knew
what went on in Mike's past because she had been his friend since
they were little kids. She knew it was time to tell the family what
happened even though she knew Mike would be mad)

Pam: Your poor father has had it so rough through his life. Things
started to go good in his life when he became a Monkee and then went back downhill after the show ended and after our divorce. Even
though Katie has brought him joy back to his life, there's always been something missing in his life that has kept him down; and that something is that man that just left here with him.

Clairice: Why did we not know about daddy having a father?

Pam: His dad was not a very nice person. Things happened to your
dad when he was younger that hurt him emotionally and physically so
he refused to talk about his dad to anyone. In fact, if anyone
questioned him about his dad, he told them that his father was either
dead or that he didn't have one. And then when his mom re-married,
he called that man `dad' so when he was questioned about it during
his Monkee days, he pretended that his step-father was his dad.

Janelle: He never talked about any dad in 'our' home at all; not even a step-father, so we were all under the impression that the man was dead.

Pam: That's what he wanted everyone to think and to believe. Even
Kate didn't know about it.

Andy: It's too bad that it took this incodent for them to patch things up, y'know?

Pam: I know. I never liked Bob, myself. He always scared me growing up, but I can see that he's a changed man now. If he wasn't, he never would have agreed to see your dad again at all.

Janelle: He's going to die, isn't he?

Pam: Yeah. I think that's the main reason your father gave in and
forgave the man. I think there may still be some hard feelings, but at least they forgave each other so that when Bob 'does' die, Mike can begin a healing process.

Andy: You think dad will still be his old self?

Pam: Oh, I'm sure he'll be just as stubborn as ever. (They all laughed) When your dad gets back fromwell from his father's room, it might be wise if you guys not say anything to him. It's hard telling what type of mood he'll be in. Not to mention that he'll be very upset with me for talking about his past with you guys.

Janelle: Just how bad did things get?

Pam: There was physical abuse and lots of it. He loved his mother so much that when things got heated between his parents, he'd step in
and get in trouble for it. When Bob left them, Mike was ten years old. I think it was the best thing that ever happened. If Bob had stayed around, your dad wouldn't be here today and he wouldn't be a Monkee either.

Andy: You think dad will let this all affect his performance with The Monkees?

Pam: It depends on how Davy treats your dad. (There were laughs
because they knew it was a joke) Only time will tell.

(Katie was brought into the room and placed into her bed. She was
awake but very tired)

Andy: Hi Kate!

Janelle: Hi mom!

Clairice: Hi mommy! (Katie smiled at the voices around her)

Katie: Hi.

Pam: How you feeling?

Katie: Tired.

Andy: Yeah you would be after the surgery you just had. Did they tell you that you had twins?

Katie (Focusing in on Andy): Twins..? (Pam held one up and Andy held
the other one up) Wow! This is unbelievable. (Andy placed the girl into Katie's arms) Where's Mike?

Pam: His father isn't doing well so he's with his other family at the moment.

Katie: What did Mike say about the twins?

Pam: He's thrilled with them. He already named the boy Robbie but he said he was going to let you make the final decision on the matter.

Katie: Robert Michael it is then.

Janelle: What about our sister?

Katie: That's a tough one. We had thought about Anna-Elizabeth but
while I was up waiting on your dad the one night, I thought about
Amelia Anne.

Andy: So, which one do you think would best fit her?

Katie: Um(Katie had to think for a few minutes on her final decision) Amelia Anne.

Andy: Amelia Anneit 'does' have a ring to it. I like it.

Katie: You're happy about this?

Andy: Oh who wouldn't want a cute sister and brother like these two
around? (Janelle tapped her brother on the shoulder and pointed to
Clairice) Ohhhh. (Andy looked at Katie and sort of nodded his head in
the direction of a very jealous and upset Clairice)

Katie: Just let her be. I'll handle her later.

Familiar British Voice: Is it all right if we come in? (Katie turned her head toward the door and saw Davy, Micky and Peter standing there)

Katie (Smiling): Most definitely. C'mon in fellas! (They walked in)

Davy: So, where are the cute little ones?

Katie: I have Amelia Anne and Pam has Robert Michael.

Micky: Another Mike around..? I don't know if we can handle that. (They heard a sarcastic laugh behind them)

Mike: Ha, ha, ha Micky! (They turned around to see Mike's eyes;
sarcastically looking at everyone and snapping) What are you all lookin' at?!

Peter: Hey, chill man! There's no need for shouting.

Mike: No need for it..?! You haven't been around me the last couple of days have ya Peter?!

Peter: Well no, but

Mike: But nothing!!

Pam: He died didn't he? (Mike just looked at Pam)

Davy: Who died?

Pam: His father.

Micky: I thought you didn't care to see him, man?

Mike: Well who said I 'wanted' to?! It's not 'my' fault he ended up in the same hospital as Kate!!

Davy: Look, mate, ya need to calm down a bit. I know this has to be
hard on ya, but

Mike: You can save me the sob story of how you got through the death of your dad, Davy!! This is totally different!! 'You' had a
'loving' father that nurtured you, cared for you and took you places
without worrying if you were going to embarrass him or not!! 'My'
father never did anything with me without a consequence!! Nothing
any of you say is going to make me feel better right now so just shut-
up and leave me alone!!

Katie: May I speak with my husband alone?

Micky: Sure. We'll be in the lobby, Kate.

Mike: No, Micky!! Just 'go' 'home'!! (To Davy) And you can take me off this stupid tour because I aint going anymore!!

Pam (Whispering to Davy): Don't take it personally. I'll handle him.

Mike (Overhearing it): No, Pam, you won't!! I don't need you handling my problems anymore, okay??

Katie: Umcan you all just leave us alone for a bit? (They looked at
Mike and then at Katie and nodded) Thank you. (Andy put the babies in their crib carriers and walked out ahead of Micky, Peter, Davy, Pam, Janelle and Clairice)

Mike (Still snapping): When was he going to tell me the truth?!

Katie: What truth? (Mike didn't say anything) Robert Michael Nesmith, you had better start giving me some answers before I get really upset with you!

Mike: He lied to me and so did my mother! Instead of telling me the
way things happened between them, they both told me a false story
about how I was their only child and how I was conceived to keep him from the military.

Katie: What's the real story?

Mike: I don't know, Katie! They've told me two different stories and I don't know which one to believe.

Female Voice behind him: I'll tell you the truth if you'll listen with an open mind. (He turned around and saw his mother standing there) I saw the others sitting in the lobby and they told me that your dad just died. I thought I would come talk to you while I had the chance.

Mike (Pacing back and forth tryin not to yell; snapping voice): You have some explaining to do!! Some big explaining to do!!

Rosalee: Let me explain one thing to you, Robert Michael, I am your
mother and I do not just 'have' to tell you anything! The only reason I'm going to explain anything to you is because I feel I owe it to you right now.

Mike (Not calming down): How could you lie to me?! How could you
how could you

Rosalee: If you quit pacing back and forth and 'sit down' I will explain!

Mike: You two told me that you became pregnant with me to keep him from the military. You gave me this sob story about his best friend
being drafted by the war which turned him the way it was and

Rosalee: Calm down and listen to me! (Mike took a seat in the chair
but was not a happy person) What did your father tell you?

Mike: That I was adopted! (Rosalee hung her head) It's true isn't it?? I'm not your son!!

Rosalee: No, Michael; you 'are' my son.

Mike: Not biologically I'm not!! You put me through hell by adopting me!!

Rosalee: It's not like that at all okay? If you would stop jumping to conclusions, I would tell you the truth!

Mike: Just what 'is' the truth, huh?? `Cuz I don't think I know anymore!!

Rosalee: This is going to be a little complicating to explain. I don't know where to even begin. (Mike, finally, calmed down a little to listen to the explaination but he was still sitting with an upset face) When your father and I reconnected after our first break-up, he showed up at my doorstep with you a couple years later. You were a beautiful newborn; dark hair, blue eyes and the cutest face I'd ever seen. He had messed around with a younger girl and to avoid being sent off to the army by his own father for it, your dad took you from the young girl.

Mike: Woa! Wait just a minute here. This means you're not my mother?

Rosalee: Biologically, no. But by my heart, yes.

Mike: So I have another mother out there somewhere?

Rosalee: Yes. (Rosalee's eyes began to water with tears) I raised you as if you were my son because I couldn't have any kids. You were my life and I wouldn't know what to do without you.

Mike: But dad said something about another child.

Rosalee: You have a brother from that same mother because two years into our marriage, he went back to that girl and did it again. But
since she was old enough to have another child, she kept him. I never told you the truth because I didn't want you to go live with her. I knew you would take off in an instant if you knew you had another mother and I couldn't bear the thought of living without you and 'that' is the truth.

Mike: Man, I don't know what to believe anymore! How do I know what the truth is mama?

Rosalee: You're gonna have to trust me on this one okay? Everything
I just told you is the truth. I wanted to leave with you and get away from Bob but since you were not my son, I couldn't do it. I threatened to do it several times and every time he would remind me that I was only your step-mother. He would threaten me with the power of his hand against you so that I wouldn't think about it again. (Mike stood up, walked to the window of the hospitalwhere the very early morning sun was now coming throughand tried not to cry) Why did Bob end up telling you the truth?

Mike: He asked me for forgiveness.

Rosalee: Did you?

Mike: I said I would, but now that he's gone, I don't know. He wants me to find my mother.

Rosalee: Are you?

Mike: No. (There was a pause) Why would I wanna find my mama when she's right here with me? (Mike turned around and looked at her. She had tears fall down her face as Mike continued on) I'm not sure how to really handle this news, but why would I want anotha mama when the one I had is the best one anyone could ask for? I might still be angry with you for lying to me about you and dad and whatever else, but you raised me and Iwell I just can't see anyone else being my mama but you.

Rosalee (Wiping her eyes): Even if it meant you could have had a
better life?

Mike: Mama, without you, I wouldn't be a Monkee. You pushed me
through school and told me that since I loved my music so much that I could do something with it. If I had been raised with any other mama, I don't think I would be where I am right now.

Rosalee: You are something else; you know that Michael?

Mike (Trying to smile): Yeah; you are too mama. (Katie cleared her
throat) Oh, hi babe! (They laughed) I forgot you were here.

Katie: For a second, so did I. (They laughed again) Does this mean
you've calmed down?

Mike: Not really. I'm still steaming mad at the whole thing.

Katie: But are you calm enough to apologize to your friends out there? (Mike just looked at her) Michael..? (Katie gave him a serious look)

Mike: Awe, why do ya give me that look? You 'know' I hate it.

Katie: I can't help it. I want you to go out there and apologize to
Davy, Micky and Peter for the way you acted toward them. They were only trying to make you feel better and you blew them off again.

Mike: Katie

Katie: Michael..? (Katie gave him that same look)

Mike: Oh all right! (To his mother) I'll be back. Can you stay?

Rosalee: Honey, I am 'not' leaving until I see these new beautiful
grandbabies. (Mike smiled and walked out to the lobby)

Mike: You guys still here?

Peter: Did you think you could scare us away that easily?

Mike: Well, I just thoughtya'know

Micky: Not on your life babe! We're your friends for life; like it or not!

Davy: Yeah; if you think you can get rid of us that quickly, then you don't know us at all. (They laughed but Mike wasn't laughing) What's wrong, mate?

Mike: Nothin' man.

Andy: That's not a `nothing' look dad.

Mike: Really, Andy; it's nothing to worry about.

Janelle: Can we go back in with mom and grandma to see the babies?

Mike: Yeah, go on.

Janelle: C'mon Clairice!

Clairice: I don't want to go. You go on!

Janelle: C'mon Andy! (Andy went with his sisters)

Davy: Hey, Mike..? (Mike looked at him) If ya need anyone to talk to
aboutwell about anything, we're here for ya.

Micky: Yeah; you know where to find us.

Peter (After a second): Yeah; right here. (They jokingly hit Peter and then got a laugh from Mike)

Micky: I don't believe it! Peter, you got a smile from him!

Mike: Okay, enough joking around. Go ahead and see the babies if ya
want. I'm going to have a little talk with my daughter here.

Micky: We'll take you out for a burger later, how's that?

Mike: You payin'?

Micky: No, Davy is.

Davy: Hey, Dolenz, I paid last time. It is 'your' turn to do it.

Micky: Sorry, but I'm broke.

Peter: No, you just want us to pay for your meal again.

Micky: Boy, nothing gets past you does it big Pete? C'mon, let's go
see the babies. (The three Monkees went back to the room while Mike stayed behind)

Mike: Clairice, what's goin' on?

Clairice: Nothing.

Mike: Is it the fact you didn't clean your room up? (Clairice looked at him) I'm psychic. Acutally, I know you and your sister too well. So's that it?

Clairice (Sighing): No.

Mike: Didn't think so. Is it me?

Clairice: Yes. No. I don't know.

Mike: What do you mean?

Clairice: Ever since you and mom found out about the babies, you've
been snapping at me and Janelle. More me than Jan.

Mike: Baby, I can assure you we didn't mean to. It's just when your
mom has mood swings, 'I' have mood swings. It's sort of like a marriage thing, ya know? (There was a little silence between them) I
know what this is really about. You think that the babies are going to take the attention away from you. You were used to being our baby
around the house and now we have two new additions and you're afraid we won't love you anymore.

Clairice: Are you into reading minds?

Mike: No, I just know what you're thinking. I may have never grown up with brothers or sisters but I saw the same look in Andy's eyes that's in your eyes right now when Janelle was born and then I saw the same look in Janelle's eyes when 'you' were born. Clairice, these babies aren't going to replace you or bite ya. They're just going to be a happy addition to our home. And they're going to need their big sister to help them learn things.

Clairice: Like what?

Mike: I don't know; like you can teach them their alphabet or maybe
even teach them how to ride their first bikes. If you give them a
chance, they'll pour out love onto you like you wouldn't believe. When your brother found out we were having a baby, he became very jealous because I was having a baby with someone other than his
mother. Do you know how I got him to change his thoughts? (She shook her head `no') When your sister was born, I put her directly into his arms. And then I let him know that the baby wasn't going to hurt
him. Now look at him. He loves your sister and you. Can you give the twins a chance? (Clairice didn't answer him) Clairice, if you don't give them a chance, you'll miss out on a whole lot.

Clairice: Ohall right. I'll try.

Mike: C'mon! (Mike took her back to the crowded room) Katie?
Somebody wants to hold one of the twins.

Katie: C'mere, baby. (Clairice walked over to her mother. She sat down in the chair and her father handed her one of the babies)

Mike: What do you think?

Clairice (Smiling at the baby): He's so tiny.

Micky: They're both beautiful.

Davy: Mike, we hate to run so quickly but we have some practicing to
do. You think you can get away long enough to join us?

Mike (To Katie): Do you mind?

Katie: No.

Pam: What about your other family?

Mike: Danielle knows how to get a hold of me.

Peter: C'mon, man! I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!

Micky: You could have one of Davy's.

Davy: Ha, ha, ha.

Mike: You're always hungry Peter.

Micky: Yeah, sometimes I think he has a storage compartment in his
stomach. (They all laughed)

Mike (Kissing Katie): I'll be back.

Katie: Take your time. I love you Mike.

Mike (Smiling at his family): I love you too. See you in a bit. (The four Monkees left the building)

 

==Chapter 19==

(The Monkees went to the studio where they began their practicing)

(Them singing and playing their instruments)

"Walking down the lonely street I need someone to meet. I run across
sweet lookin' you do you know what ya do"

Davy: Hold up! (They stopped playing)

Micky: What is it now, Davy?

Peter: Yeah, you keep stoppin' us like this and we'll have to hire an imaginary band and pretend to play on stage.

Micky: Hey, Pete! That's a great idea!

Mike: An imaginary band..? Get real!

Micky: Eh, Mike's right. It would never work.

Davy: Ha, ha, ha! You two are a laugh a minute. (To Mike) Michael,
what is wrong with ya now, mate?

Mike: I'm sorry, Dave. I just don't think I can do this.

Micky: Yes you can. You just have to get your mind off of your dad.

Mike: I can't. No matter what I do, my mind wanders back to him. It wanders back to the days thatwell that he was with me and my
mother. I can't think of anything nice about him and they want me to
speak at his funeral. I can't do it! I can't do any of this! (Mike put his guitar down and walked toward the door)

Micky: Way to go Davy. We've lost him again.

Peter: We'll we'd better go to the lost and found.

Micky: What for?

Peter: You said he was lost so we'd better go there to find him. (Micky put his hand to his head and shook it in the, "Oh brother"
motion)

Davy: Peter, sometimes you are too strange; even for me.

Micky: Well I don't know about you two but I am not going to sit here and let him get away.

Davy: I'm not going anywhere. If you want that thick-headed twit, you go after him!

Micky: Fine; I will! (Micky got up from his drums, put the sticks down and went in the direction Mike did. He caught up with Mike in the parking lot and hopped up on the hood of the car. Mike just stared at Micky through the window. After a minute, Mike realized Micky wasn't going to let him leave so Mike got out of his car)

Mike: What do you think you're doing?

Micky: Stopping you from making a big mistake.

Mike: What do ya mean?

Micky: You 'know' what I mean, babe. (Putting on that voice from "Monkees In A Ghost Town") You ain't going 'no' place.

Mike (Sighing): Micky Dolenz, if you don't get off my car I'll

Micky: You'll what..? Beat me up? (Mike didn't say anything) You
couldn't and wouldn't do that to me. Look, you know that if you turn
your back on this tour you'll regret it.

Mike: No I won't. It wasn't even my idea.

Micky: It was 'all' of our ideas. We need you Mike. The Monkees are not complete without you. (Mike leaned up against his car in thought)

Mike: Give me one good reason why you need me?

Davy's Voice: I'll give you three good reasons. (Peter and Davy approached Mike and Micky) Peter needs you to help tune up his guitar, Micky needs you to help keep the beat going and(Davy sighed) and I need you to help keep me in line a bit. (They laughed) Mike, those fans of ours would be happy with Micky, Peter and meself, but they would be even happier if you were with us. Whether you believe me or not, 'you' complete our group. We need ya, mate.

Mike: You really need me..? (They nodded) I don't know. I just can't concentrate.

Micky: Maybe we could come up with a way to help you concentrate.

Mike: How?

Micky: You told us you had some new siblings right?

Mike: Yeah. What do they have to do with anything.

Micky: They might help ease up some of your troubles. I think you
need to find them and talk to them so that you can get to know them
and mabye put a new picture of your dad in your head.

Mike: Mick, you have had some crazy ideas in your lifetime but this one beats them all. I promised Danielle I would meet with our brothers and sister, but I don't know if I'm ready for it right this moment.

Micky: Trust me, babe; you're ready.

Davy: Yeah, not to mention that maybe they could be our audience for practice time. You always seem to do better with people around you. (Mike looked at his friends' faces and gave a small smile)

Peter: C'mon, Michael. You've got nothing to lose.

Mike: Yeah I guess you guys are right.

Peter: We're always right. (Peter smiled with his dimple and Mike
laughed) Want me to come with ya?

Mike: No; I'll be all right. Go put your guitar into shape. I'll be back as soon as I can. UmMicky..?

Micky: Yeah Mike?

Mike: Would ya mind gettin' off my car? You're going to scratch the
paint.

Micky: Right. (Micky got off the car) See you in a bit. (Mike got
back in his car and took off)

Davy: C'mon! We've got work to do. (The other three Monkees went
back into the studio to work)

 

==Chapter 20==

(While Mike was driving, he called the number that Danielle gave to
him and hoped that there was no answer so he didn't have to talk to
her)

*Girl's Voice: Hello?*

Mike: Umdoes Danielle happen to be there?

Girl's Voice: Speaking.

Mike: Ohsorry. It's me; Mike.

Danielle: Hi! What's up?

Mike: Would this bewell, would this be an okay time to come meet
the family? I mean I know that you guys are all upset about dad and
all but

Danielle: It's a perfect time, Mike. I'll give you the directions.

Mike: You sure..?

Danielle: I'm sure. (Danielle gave him the directions to their father's home. Mike was a little nervous but made sure he got the directions to the home correct)

Mike: Thanks Danielle.

Danielle: Welcome. See you shortly.

Mike: Right. Bye. (Mike hung up his cell phone and continued on)

(Danielle hung the telephone up on her end and turned to her brothers, sister and mother who were sitting near-by watching television)

Danielle: Mom? That was Mike. He's coming for a visit.

Elizabeth: He's coming here? (Danielle nodded) Oh dear. (To her 16-
year-old daughter) Lynn, could you go find us something in the kitchen to snack on? (Lynn nodded and went to the kitchen; to her 18-year-old son) Um, Brent..? Why don't you clean up this mess a little bit?

Brent: Why do I have to do it? Why can't Miles do it?

Miles (Eating an apple): Because I'm 21 and I don't live here. I'm just here to help with the funeral planning.

Brent (Getting up from the chair and cleaning up): What's so important about this `Mike' anyway?

Elizabeth: You'll find out when he gets here. Hurry up!

Brent: Make Dani do something, will ya?

Danielle: I *am* doing something, Brent. I'm watching for Mike.

Elizabeth: Stop bickering and clean up the house! Miles, please help us?

Miles (In a not so happy voice): Oh all right. (Miles put his apple down and began to help his brother pick things up)

(Mike pulled up outside the house and sat there for a minute. He was
uncertain about getting out and going into that house but while sitting there, he remembered the words of one of his friends)

"Micky's Voice: If a person gives up before they try, then they'll never know if they could have made a difference in someone else's life."

Mike (To himself): Of all the times in this world, that silly little phrase of his has to stick out now. I'll get you later for this Dolenz. (Mike took a deep breath, let out a sigh, got out of the car and walked up to the door)

(Inside the house)

Danielle: Mom, he's here!

Elizabeth (Looking at the place): Well, it's better than it was. (Mike rang the doorbell and Danielle answered it)

Danielle (Smiling at his face): Hi! C'mon in! (Mike stepped inside and Lynn couldn't believe her eyes)

Lynne (Excited): YOU'RE HIM!! YOU'RE REALLY HIM!! (To her mom) IT'S HIM!! OH MYMOM, IT'S REALLY HIM!!

Elizabeth: Lynn, calm down! (To Mike) I'm sorry about that. She's a
little excited to see you.

Mike: So I noticed. And it's nothing to worry about. I get that reaction quite a lot.

Elizabeth: Sorry it's not much; compared to your place that is.

Mike: My place only stays that way because of my housekeeper. If my kids had their way, they wouldn't clean up after themselves at all. I make them keep their rooms clean butwell(They both just laughed
for a second) I'm sorry. I start rambling when I'm nervous.

Elizabeth: Me too.

Brent: Mom, who is he?

Lynn (Calming down and answering in still an excited voice): It's one of The Monkees!

Brent (Staring at Mike): Are you joking me?

Lynn: No. It's Mike Nesmith. (Lynn stopped and thought about why he
was there) Wait a minute...your last name is Nesmith andand so is
ours!

Mike (To Danielle): You didn't tell them did you?

Danielle: No. My mother wanted to keep it a secret from Lynn. She's been a big Monkees fan for quite a while. She used to hang pictures of Davy up all over the wall.

Mike: What else is new?

Danielle: Mike, you've met my mother. Well here's the rest of the family. This is Miles; he's 21. (Mike shook Miles' hand) This is Brent; he's 18. (Mike shook his hand) And *this* is Lynn; she's 16. (Mike took her hand and gave it a small kiss)

Lynn: I knew that your last name was Nesmith but whenever I would
ask my dad, he'd say you were no relation.

Mike: Yeah, well, I'd say the same thing when I was questioned about
him. (To Elizabeth) You told me he didn't let you guys watch a lot of
television.

Elizabeth: He didn't. But he *would* turn on The Monkees whenever
they were in syndication. He was silent while watching it and then he'd justgo away for a few hours. I think he was wishing he hadn't
left you behind.

Mike: Well I'm glad he did. Look, this is very uncomfortable for me to be here right now. I'm only here at the request of my friends.

Elizabeth: Please have a seat! (Mike sat down on one of the chairs)
Would you like something to drink?

Mike: Sure.

Elizabeth: Lynn, would you get Mike something to drink please? (Lynn
was in `awe' over Mike and wouldn't move) Lynn..?

Lynn: Ohright. A drink. Be back in a minute. (She went to the kitchen while the others proceeded to sit down)

Elizabeth: What brings you by?

Mike: I need to talk about dad. Whether I want to or not, I have to do this. My musical career is depending on my concentration. And I can't concentrate with dad on my mind.

Lynn (Bringing the drinks in): Dad..? You mean you're my brother?

Mike: Yeah I guess so. (Lynn handed him a drink) Thank you. Liz, how much did you know about my dad before you married him?

Elizabeth: Just that he was a police officer and that he and I seemed to have a lot in common. We hit it off rather well which is why we ended up married.

Mike: Did you know that he had been previously married?

Elizabeth: He mentioned something briefly about it but he never really talked about her. He said it was a bad marriage and he wished that it hadn't happened.

Mike: Did you know about me?

Elizabeth: Not right away.

Mike: When did he tell you?

Elizabeth: It wasn't until you showed up on television that he opened his mouth to me. I sat down to the TV when your show came on the air. I saw "Mike Nesmith" in the closing credits and questioned him about it. It took him two days after that to answer me. But he made me promise not to tell our kids about you.

Mike: Was he good with you?

Elizabeth: What do you mean?

Mike: Was he nice; even if you'd fight?

Elizabeth: Idon't wanna talk about it. Will you excuse me for a minute? (Elizabeth didn't answer him. She got up and walked to another room)

Danielle: Mike, what was that about?

Mike: I needed to hear it from her.

Danielle: Hear what from her?

Mike: Nothing. (Mike stood up) This was a mistake Danielle. I shouldn't have come here. I'm gonna go.

Danielle: No, don't go. I'll get my mother back out here. It sounds like to me that things need to come out of the closet, so-to-speak, in both directions. Please stay. (Mike sat back down and Danielle went to her mother's bedroom and came back out with her a second later)

Elizabeth: Dani

Danielle (Placing her mother on the couch beside Mike): You two start talking.

Mike: I'm sorry if I upset you but these are things I really need to know; for my own thoughts y'know?

Elizabeth: I guess I can't hide this forever. (Elizabeth looked up at her kids) Things were not always so grand between your dad and myself. If he got mad, he'd go to the bar, get drunk and then come home and start a fight with me.

Lynn: You mean he wouldhe'd beat you?

Elizabeth: Yes, Lynn. As hard as it is for me to admit it, your father beat me when he'd get drunk. But he realized after putting me in the hospital from one of the bad fights, that he needed help. He needed help with his alcohol problem and he needed help with his anger. My mother talked him into going to the meetings that deal with that stuff and that's when he changed. I promised him I would forget all that if he promised to stay sober and he did. He never touched a drop of liquor after his last meeting. I was so proud of him that we had a romantic night and that's when Miles was conceived.

Miles: I didn't need to know that mom. (There were laughs in the room)

Mike: Did he ever hurt your kids before that?

Elizabeth: No. He only hurt me. He never touched Dani at all; mostly because Dani was in bed when the fights would break out. The other kids weren't born yet.

Miles: How come dad never wanted to mention that he had another kid aside from us?

Elizabeth: I don't know.

Mike: Because there were hard feelings all the way around. He didn't want associated with me and my mama after he left us.

Lynn: Why did he leave your mom?

Mike: Things were rough and he wanted out; so got out.

Danielle: There's more, isn't there Mike?

Mike: You're gonna make me talk aren't you? (Danielle just had a small grin on her face) Okay, miss counselor(they laughed) Dad was a bad man when I was born. He beat me and mymother up for ten years.
A lot of times, there was no reasoning behind it; he just did it. But there were some nights that his drunken fits were the cause of it.

Brent: Did he ever put your mom in the hospital?

Mike: No. My mother is a Christian Scientist and we believe in the divine healing of Jesus. So no matter how bad she was or how much
pain we were in, we stayed home and nurtured each other back to
health. (Mike began to feel a little tension easing up as he talked about this) Man, I can't believe I'm sitting here talking about this. I wouldn't talk about this to anyone growing up; not even Peter, Micky and Davy. Even my wife, Katie, doesn't know the things I went through. I think my 1st wife Pam is the only one who knows since she witnessed some of them and since she took me away from it a lot.

Lynn (Face showing a little disappointment): I can't believe dad was
ever that way. He hardly ever raised his voice at us when we were
growing up.

Elizabeth: That's because he learned how to deal with his anger. And if he felt that his anger was starting to dwell, he'd take off on a walk somewhere. (To Mike) I know we have a lot more to learn about you and you have a lot more to learn about us, butwould you like to have his flag?

Mike: Flag..?

Elizabeth: At a governmental job, like the police department, they give a United States flag to the family of the one that has passed on. I think he'd like it if you'd take it.

Mike: Liz, I couldn't do that. You knew him better than me and I just wouldn't feel right about it.

Brent (Looking at his brother and sisters for an `okay' nod): Yeah, Mike. Take the flag when they give it to us. I think he'd want it that way.

Mike: Can I let you know?

Danielle: Of course. There's no hurry. His funeral is in a couple of days anyway so you have time to think about it.

Mike: Oh great; more stuff to think about. I'm never going to be able to concentrate on my music.

Lynn: You're still doing music?

Mike: Yeah. We're doing a Monkee reunion tour.

Lynn: Are you serious?! (Mike laughed a little at how much Lynn lit up while talking about The Monkees)

Mike: Yeah, Lynn. Our first concert is here in Los Angeles. But unless I find a way to concentrate, they'll have to do the show without me.

Danielle: What can we do to help you?

Mike: Nothing. I have to sort this out on my own and hope for the best before the concert. (Mike looked at the clock) I have to get going. Liz, would it be okay with you if I took my little sister, here, with me to meet some special friends of mine?

Elizabeth: Not at all.

Lynn: I'm not little, Mike! I'm 16.

Mike: But I'm 44 which makes you my little sister! (They laughed some more) This is the best I've felt in a long while. And I owe that to you Danielle.

Danielle: Me..?

Mike: If it weren't for you, I don't think I would have ever given a
thought about dad and he would have died without a peaceful heart.
And I never would have come across such a wonderful family. Thanks.

Danielle: You are welcome I guess. Can I go too? I was a big Monkees fan myself growing up and I'd love to meet them.

Mike: I s'pose Davy was your favorite too?

Danielle: No. Believe it or not, I always had a fascination with you. There was something about that cute wool hat you used to wear that made me smile. And I jus loved the way you made a serious comment funny-like.

Mike: At last! Someone who doesn't have a crush on the little English boy. (There were more laughs) C'mon! (To Elizabeth) Thank you for letting me come here on short notice and for talking about dad.

Elizabeth: No problem. We still have a lot more talking to do after your dad's funeral but I have a feeling I just added a new son to the list. (Mike smiled and gave Liz a hug)

Mike (To his new brothers): It was nice meeting you two. Maybe I
could bring you to my ranch sometime and you can meet my son.

Brent: Sounds good to me.

Miles: And me too. Bye Mike.

Mike: Bye. (The girls left with Mike)

(After Mike left, the feelings Brent had came out toward his mother)

Brent (To his mother a little upset): How could you not tell us
about him?!

Elizabeth: Your dad didn't want me to. Anytime I'd want to bring it up, he'd tell me to mind my own business. And since I had been through a rough time with him, I didn't want to start his anger up again. I made a promise to him I wouldn't say anything and I didn't.

Brent: Well did you tell Mr. Millionaire that we don't have any money?! That maybe he could share some of that wealth with us?!

Elizabeth: Brent, I don't think this is fair of you to get angry about it. Mike is just as innocent in this whole thing as the rest of you are. And I am not going to tell Mike that your dad did nothing but gamble our money away and that he never paid the taxes on this place. It's not Mike's problem and I don't want him thinking we are after his money.

Brent: Why not; huh?! After dad is buried, we are losing our home!! You heard the Chief tell you that because dad owed a lot of unpaid debts, they won't be giving us any of that money!!

Miles: Brent, chill-out okay?

Brent: No you chill-out Miles!! You have nothing to worry about
because you are on your own!! You have a roof over your head!! After the end of this month, we are out of a home!! And mom can't afford to get another job!! She's already working two of them as it is!!

Miles: So why don't you go get a job and help her out, huh?! You are old enough to do that Brent!!

Brent: It would take a lot more than me working to pay what is owed on this home!!

Elizabeth: Boys, settle down! (To Brent) Honey, we'll manage somehow. You've just got to give me a chance. I'm going to go to the bank to see if I can get a loan on the house to pay off the tax bill on it. As far as the gambling debts and the bills he owed, I'm not worried about those. (Brent didn't want to hear anymore so he grabbed his coat and left the house; sitting in a near-by chair sobbing) Your brother's right, Miles. We don't have anywhere to go.

Miles (Hugging his mother): It'll work out somehow, mom. You'll see. (Miles stayed with his mother to keep her company while the others were out and about)