Chapter One - June 1968
The Monkees just came back from an eight month gig in Aspen Colorado, at one of the premier ski resorts. They wanted to go to The Second National Bank in downtown Malibu Beach, to deposit their modest paycheck that they received from the gig. Usually when going to the bank, they stop by to see Vicki Sue, the bubbly teller that Peter has a crush on, and Mr. Webster, the branch manager who helped them get their first loan to buy their instruments and sound equipment back in 1966.
When they arrived at the bank, they noticed that Mr. Webster wasn't there.
"Hmm, that's odd," Mike replied. "Mr. Webster is usually here, I hope nothing bad happened to him."
The guys stood in line to talk to Vicki Sue, who seemed to have a very sad look on her face. Peter grew concerned, he knew that she was always so happy, no matter what the situation. She always seemed to have a positive outlook on life, just like he did.
"I don't like the looks of this, guys. Even Vicki Sue looks sad." Peter glumly stated.
They got up to her and she brightened up a bit. "Guys!!! You're back! How was the gig in Aspen?"
"Just great, we had a really groovy time." Micky answered.
"Vicki Sue, what's going on? We don't see Mr. Webster anywhere, and you don't seem your usual cheery self." Peter asked.
She started to cry, something they've never seen her do in the two and a half years that they have been coming here.
"Oh, guys! It was just terrible! Mr. Webster went and took all of Mr. Frisbee's money and escaped! We had a lovely retirement party for him, but instead of him showing up, a cable gram arrived here saying he had taken all the money and was spending it."
"I can't believe Mr. Webster would do something like that!" Mike exclaimed.
"Yeah, he always seemed like such a great guy. He helped us when nobody else would. When we stopped by the bank, he would always stop what he was doing just to say hi and talk for a couple minutes. Wow, just when you think you know someone..." Davy said.
"Well, I am wondering if he did it because he never got that raise he was promised by Mr. Frisbee. Don't tell anyone I said that, guys." Vicki Sue whispered.
"You really think so?" Mike asked. "Of course, Mr. Frisbee has been known to be very stingy with his money. It could be a possibility."
"I never thought he would stoop to that kind of level though." Peter added.
"Some people do things that they never think they would do in a million years just to get a point across, Big Peter." Micky replied.
"That's a terrible way to get a point across." Peter said.
Davy was keeping his mouth shut through this whole part of the conversation. He had been dating Mr. Frisbee's daughter, Carla, for the past year. Even while he was away in Aspen, they kept in touch by letters. He didn't always see eye to eye with Mr. Frisbee, but he wasn't about to say anything about the man, for fear it would get back to him.
Davy finally spoke up. "Guys, I'd like to go to see Carla. We can talk to Mr. Frisbee too, while we're there."
Mike agreed. "That's a good idea, shotgun! I'd like to find out if there is anyway they can try to find him and press charges."
They waved good-bye to Vicki Sue and got into the Monkeemobile to make their way to the mansion at the far end of the beach.
Chapter Two
The guys arrived at the Frisbees' mansion at the far end of Malibu Beach, where all the rich of the town lived. They had a spacious Adobe style home, with a circular driveway.
They walked up to the double doors, and rang the bell. Preston, the butler, answered the door.
"May I help you? Oh, hello, master Davy. I will tell Miss Carla that you are here."
Before Preston left to summon Carla, Mike spoke up.
"Sir, we'd also like to see Mr. Frisbee, if he is around."
"May I inquire the reason?"
"We'd like to talk to him about what happened at the bank, if that is okay."
Preston frowned. "I'll see what I can do, but mind you he is in a terrible state right now, as you can well imagine."
"Thanks Preston." Davy said.
Preston ushered them into the Parlor off to the right, where they sat down. They noticed that there were boxes in the one corner. It appeared to be that they were starting to pack up their things for a move to someplace smaller.
"I sure hope that Mr. Webster can be found and Mr. Frisbee's money returned to him." Peter whispered.
Just then, Carla appeared in the parlor, and ran over to hug Davy.
"Oh Davy! I have missed you! How was Aspen?"
"It was a great time, luv! But more importantly, how are you?"
Carla started to sob. "Davy, guys, I am sure you heard about Mr. Webster by now. He was always so nice to our family. I don't understand why he did this. We are almost broke now, so we are moving to an apartment in the building that daddy owns downtown. I am happy that we still will have a place to live, but I am heartbroken that Mr. Webster would do such a thing!"
Davy comforted Carla, who was an inch taller than he, and had long, straight raven hair. "Carla, I am sure that justice will be served."
"How can you be so sure? If he fled to an island, or outside of the country, it will be so hard to find him!"
Peter spoke up. "Don't lose faith, Carla. With God, all things are possible."
Just then, Mr. Frisbee entered the room. He had dark circles under his eyes, reflecting the fact that he had little sleep. His gray hair was uncombed, and he was wearing a tshirt and slacks.
"Hello Davy. Hello boys. How may I help you?"
"Mr. Frisbee, we just want to say we are so sorry about what happened. We also would like to know if there is any way we can help out." Davy replied, still holding Carla while she was wiping her eyes.
"Thank you boys. That means a lot to me. Mr. Webster was a loyal employee for 40 years, and this is how he makes his big exit! I am very angry about this, as you can imagine. My life's fortune is gone, and he is out somewhere spending it. The only thing I have left is the money I get from 4 apartments downtown. One of them we will be living in at the end of the month. I have to kick out the family that lives there now, I hate to do that. Plus I have to let Preston go, after 40 years of loyal servitude to me and to my family."
"That is just terrible, Mr. Frisbee." Mike replied. "Is there anything we can do to help you out?"
"I don't think so boys. We have put up wanted posters up all over the area, hoping that someone saw where he was headed. Nothing yet. We have to be able to find him and get him into the country first before we can prosecute him."
"Well, we could help out by asking around. You never know, there may be someone who saw him who never saw the wanted poster." Micky stated.
"Okay, kids. You could do that for me. Let me go and get you some of the wanted posters, and you can go around the area and around the airport for me. Thanks for your help."
Mr. Frisbee went and got the posters, and handed them to Mike. "If anyone has ANY information, please call me the minute you find out."
"Will do, Mr. Frisbee."
"Daddy, may I go along with the boys and help?" Carla asked. She really didn't need to ask, since she was 22, but she always liked to be polite, and get her parents' permission since she still lived at their home.
"Sure, sweetheart, go ahead. The more searching, the merrier."
They went to Los Angeles Airport, and split up. They handed out fliers to everyone they saw, asking if anyone had ever seen Mr. Webster. They did this for at least eight hours, and got nowhere. They kept in touch via walkie talkies, and just as they had decided to meet up and talk about what they were going to do next, there was a breakthrough. Mike had handed a flier to a young man who was a frequent business traveller and had been to the airport three weeks earlier when the incident happened.
"Yes, I did see this man. He was going on the flight to, um, the Bahamas. Yes, that was it. I remember him well, because he was carrying this huge duffle bag, and he had an awful nervous look on his face."
"Oh, thank you so much sir!" Mike exclaimed as he shook the man's hand.
Mike ran to the nearest phone and called Mr. Frisbee to tell him the news.
"Oh this is just fabulous! How would you and the others like to go to the Bahamas?"
Mike was flabbergasted. He never thought Mr. Frisbee would ask a bunch of musicians to help bring back a criminal. "Are you sure you want us to find Mr. Webster? We're not detectives or police you know."
"I know, son, but I know that Mr. Webster liked you boys, and maybe he will give up easier after you find and talk to him."
"Well it's worth a try. I'll go and tell the gang. I'm sure they won't object to a gig in the tropics anyhow!"
They hung up, and Mike summoned everyone over the walkie talkies to meet him. When they did, Mike told them the news, and everyone agreed.
Carla was happy that they may be on their way to finding Mr. Webster and bringing him home to face the consequences, but she was sad that she had to be apart from Davy again. She was already apart from him for eight months, and she wanted to be able to spend time with him. She then decided that she was going to ask her dad if she could go with them. This way she could be with Davy, and experience some adventure while she was at it. She had the feeling that her dad would say yes, he really liked and trusted Davy.
Chapter Three
Carla was on the plane to the Bahamas with Davy, Micky, Mike, and Peter. Mr. Frisbee let her go, since he knows that she is a grown woman who is capable of making her own decisions, plus he trusts and respects Davy.
They were all excited to be on this mission to find Mr. Webster. They all had been hoping for a little adventure in their lives. They find the gigs fun, but there is little adventure in playing gigs every night of the week. Carla was just so happy to get to be with Davy, and to be able to feel the experience of being on her own. It felt so liberating, despite the circumstances of which she was going on this trip.
Five hours later, their plane touched down on the runway at Bahamas Airport in Nassau. When they stepped off the plane, the warm tropical breeze blew through their hair. It was a totally different kind of climate than the one in Malibu - balmer. They really did enjoy it, even if it was more humid.
At their hotel, the four guys shared a room, and Carla had a room right next door to theirs. Davy believed in being a gentleman, and not rushing into things until a ring was on her finger, be it an engagement or wedding ring. He believed in full committment before anything else. He knew that time wasn't here yet, they were apart eight months, so that made it only a total of four months physically seeing each other.
Peter wished that he could have invited Vicki Sue to come along, he sure missed seeing her bright, sunny smile. It always made his day. He was too shy, and figured that she wouldn't want to go with a guy like him. Davy was always telling him to be more bold, to just go for it and ask her out, the worst that would happen is that she would say no. He thought about that intently for a few minutes, and decided to do something he had never done before: go to the phone, call her long distance, and tell her how he feels.
He dialed the number of the Second National Bank, since it was 2:00 PM there, and asked for Vicki Sue.
"Hello, this is Vicki Sue Anders. How may I help you?" She answered the phone in her usual bubbly tone.
Peter started to stutter. "Um... hello? Vicki Sue? This is Peter Tork."
Vicki Sue's voice perked. "Peter! Hi! How are you?"
"I'm doing good. I'm here in the Bahamas right now."
Vicki Sue couldn't believe what she heard. Why was he calling her from the Bahamas?
"The Bahamas? What are you doing there?"
"We got a lead about the wherabouts of Mr. Webster, and Mr. Frisbee sent us here to find him and bring him back to face charges."
"Really? But you guys are musicians! Oh, I think I may know why! Tell me if I'm right on this. He probably sent you there because he knew that Mr. Webster liked you and may open up to you easier than police."
Peter was amazed at her accurate guess. "Yeah, that's it! You amaze me, Vicki Sue. Um... the reason why I called. I um... well, I like you. I think you are a really groovy chick. You are always so happy, and are so positive about everything. You make my day."
Peter couldn't believe he actually said all that. He didn't think he could do that, but he wanted to make his feelings known to her. He figured with all the adventure that was going on, he might as well take the giant leap himself. He was hoping that he didn't sound like a geek calling her a "groovy chick".
Vicki Sue had her mouth wide open at the bank. She had her suspicions that Peter had a crush on her, but she wasn't sure and didn't want to say anything about it, knowing he was so shy.
She answered back, "Peter, I want you to know that I like you too. I just never said anything because I knew you were so shy and I figured you would run away. I am so glad that you said something!"
Peter was so excited, she liked him too! He looked up and thanked God for giving him the courage to say something, and then asked Vicki Sue the big question.
"I would love it if you could come down and help us out. Would you?"
"Me?! Oh Peter, I don't know..."
"Vicki Sue, I think you would be great at this. You have such a way with people, I bet you could talk some sense into Mr. Webster when we find him. Plus we could get to know each other better. What do you say?"
Vicki Sue did get along well with Mr. Webster, and she probably could talk him into giving up and coming back to L.A. Also, she needed a break from working at the bank, and she could stand a bit of adventure in her life as well.
"Okay, Peter. I'll do it. I'll get the soonest flight that I can and meet you at the airport."
Peter gave her the hotel phone number so that she could call when she got to the island.
Mike had heard Peter talking to her, and said, "Way to go, Big Peter!"
Peter was startled. "Mike! How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear. I am so glad that you let Vicki Sue know how you feel, but wow, I never thought you would go and invite her to come to the Bahamas!"
Peter turned red. "Well, I figured, why not? Plus, I know she can help us get Mr. Webster back to the states, since he always liked and trusted her."
Everyone else found out at dinner that night at the hotel's restaurant, and were happy for Peter that he finally got up the nerve to do it. They were also thankful that they were getting another person to help in the search and attempt to bring back Mr. Webster.
Vicki Sue called the next morning at the airport, and said that she would be on the 11:00 AM flight to Nassau.
Five hours later, she arrived, and met everyone at the gate. She stood facing Peter, and their eyes met. Vicki Sue is 5'10", thin, blonde short hair, with big blue eyes and fair skin. She's 24, and has been on her own since she was 17, when her parents both passed away in an auto accident.
Peter went over to her and gave her a big hug. It felt so good when they embraced, her body was so soft to the touch. He had envisioned doing this, and thought it would never go past dreams.
"Oh, Peter. It's so good to see you." Vicki Sue whispered into Peter's ear.
"I am so glad that you are here." Peter replied, kissing her on the cheek.
Vicki Sue said hello then to everyone else, and they went back to the hotel so they could start planning their next move on finding Mr. Webster.
Chapter Four
The next morning, after breakfast, they split up in groups of two: Micky and Mike, Peter and Vicki Sue, and Davy and Carla. They were going to search the entire island for any signs of Mr. Webster, and show the towns people and tourists the wanted posters to see if they too have seen him. They would meet up at around noon to have lunch and to compare notes.
Davy and Carla had no luck, but they were able to talk and steal a few kisses while they were searching around their area. They enjoyed this time together, they both learned more about each other, and started to realize that this was becoming something serious between them. They connected so well together; they completed each others sentences, and they had many things in common, such as riding horses, writing poetry, and reading good books on rainy afternoons.
He wanted to make her his for life, but when should he ask? They have technically been together for a year, but eight months of that was writing letters. They wrote long letters to each other, and know so much already. Does it count, he thought to himself. He will have to have a talk with her later on about that, he figured right now is the time to focus on finding Mr. Webster.
Peter and Vicki Sue had no luck either. They thought at one point that they had seen him, but turned out it was someone else. They did get to do some talking, and found out a bit about each other. They have a few things in common, like looking at the bright side of every situation, being Christians, and being on their own at a young age. They both love music, but she enjoys country and bluegrass and he would rather listen to blues, folk, or rock. They figure that they could learn to enjoy the other's music, so that wasn't a problem at all. They were just so glad to be in each others company, getting to know each other and seeing how far this will go.
Micky and Mike did find a couple people who had seen Mr. Webster. A native who owns a camera shop in Nassau spotted him three days ago at the shop next door, which was a farmers market. They went next door and the owner there said that he comes in every three to four days to buy some groceries and pays for them with cash. He always sees big wads of cash, and figured he was a rich tourist down here for an extended vacation. He wasn't sure however, where he was staying, but told the boys to come back the next day, since he may very well be in to buy groceries.
Everyone at lunch made a plan to go to the market to see if he showed up that day. If not, they would go the next day early and hang around until he showed up. Once they see him, they will have to all gather around him and start talking to him in a way that he won't flee. The only problem they may have is he may run if he sees Carla and Vicki Sue, since they knew what he did. The girls then opted to stay at stores nearby so that he wouldn't see them. They would slowly go over to talk to him once the boys got him settled and at a place where he couldn't run. They are hoping this will work out, since they don't know how Mr. Webster is mentally, and if he has any sort of weapons or anything else. Peter and Vicki Sue prayed for protection and prayed that they could safely bring Mr. Webster back with them.
All afternoon the girls shopped around at the other stores, while the boys nonchalantly waited around for the first sight of Mr. Webster at the Farmers Market. Finally around 4:00, they saw him. He hadn't really changed at all, he was still the short, stocky, balding man that they knew from the bank, except he was wearing khaki shorts, sandles with black socks, and a hawaiian shirt. His face and the top of his head were sunburned, and he was very anxious looking, probably from being on the run.
Mike approached him like he knew nothing about what happened. "Mr. Webster?!"
Mr. Webster was startled, and when he looked over to see who was standing there, he jumped.
"Mike? Hi! What brings you here?" He tried to cover up any sort of evidence suggesting what was going on.
"Oh, you know, we were here on a vacation after our gig at Aspen was up. It's really nice down here, isn't it?"
"Oh, yes, it sure is. Well, Mike, I really have to go now." Mr. Webster was looking toward the door, and then noticed Micky standing there.
"Oh, so soon? Come and have a drink with us, we have missed talking to you!" Mike stated, motioning for Micky to come over.
"Yeah, we'd love to see how you've been and we'd love to tell you about our gig in Colorado and all the fun we had!" Micky added.
"I bet you guys did have a lot of fun and I'm glad to hear that, but I really need to be getting back to my hotel, I have um, some stuff to do."
"I'm sure it can wait, Mr. Webster. How have you been?" Came a voice from behind him. It was Peter. "Remember all the great conversations we'd have at the bank? We could have one over a drink, and you can take all the time out you want here."
"Yeah, that's true. What do you say, Mr. Webster? Let us treat you." Davy came over and piped in.
Mr. Webster wasn't sure what to do. They couldn't be here on behalf of Mr. Frisbee, could they? Nah, he knows they were in Colorado the whole time. They probably got paid pretty well and took some of that money for a needed vacation. He figured he could let his guard down with them, he always did like and trust the boys.
"Okay, you talked me into it! I would like to hear how your gig went anyhow, I bet you guys did really well."
The boys all grinned, they got him to come along. They were now hoping that the next phase of their plan would work.
Chapter Five
The girls were at a boutique across the street when they noticed that Mr. Webster was walking out of the Farmers Market with the boys towards the hotel restaurant. They figured they better leave a few minutes behind so that he didn't see them.
The boys and Mr. Webster were seated at the restaurant at one of the open air tables, and ordered some drinks. Everyone ordered Pina Coladas, except Peter's was a virgin Colada since he doesn't drink. They started telling Mr. Webster all about their wonderful time in Aspen and all the acclaim they received while they were there. They also mentioned that in three months they would be off to Reno, Nevada for a three week stint at one of the smaller clubs along the strip.
Mr. Webster was truly happy for them, he could see that they were getting somewhere in the music business, and was proud that he was the one to give them a hand when no one else would. He started to feel really guilty about what he did to Mr. Frisbee and to all at the bank. He was never the kind of man to do such a thing, but he was really angry at Mr. Frisbee for never giving him that raise that he was promised, so he figured that taking all his money would be a true statement. He was starting not to think so. All it did was make him an anxious wreck. He figured he would let the boys in on his secret, maybe it would make him feel a bit better.
"Boys, I have something I need to talk to you about." Mr. Webster whispered, looking all around him to make sure nobody else was listening.
The boys tried their best to keep poker faces since they knew that he was going to spill the beans.
"What is it?" Mike questioned.
"The reason I am in the Bahamas is because I took Mr. Frisbee's money. I was so angry that he never gave me that raise I was promised, and I worked so hard for the bank and was so loyal to them for 40 years. I flipped and figured this would be the ultimate message to send to him and to his family."
They all looked shocked, so as not to let him know that they knew.
"Oh, Mr. Webster, that's not the way to send a message." Peter sighed, truly affected by his confession.
"Yes, Mr. Webster. You could've easily went to Mr. Frisbee and asked why he never gave you the raise you were promised. He may have been understanding about it." Davy added.
"I don't know. He was always so tight with his money, and I guess I figured that if I went and asked, he would've just shrugged me off. I really am sorry I did this, you don't know how anxious this all has made me. I am constantly watching over my shoulders."
"Mr. Webster, you should go back to L.A. and return the money and turn yourself in. It's the honest thing to do." Micky stated.
"I know, but I am scared. I don't want to go to prison." Mr. Webster was sweating bullets about the whole thought of living in a cell.
"Mr. Webster, if you turn yourself in, and turn in the money, you may get a much lesser sentence. If you don't, and they find you, you will have to do much more time. You don't want that, do you? Plus, think of your conscience." Peter was doing his best to convince Mr. Webster, and it looked like it was working.
"You know what, Peter? You are right. I am going to the hotel, get the duffel bag, and get the next flight to LA. Will you all go with me? I would like some moral support."
The guys were so happy that they were able to talk their friend into turning himself and the money in.
"Yes, we will be happy to fly back with you. We have to get ready for our Reno gig anyhow." Mike answered.
They got up to pay the bill, when who should arrive to do their part: Vicki Sue and Carla. Mr. Webster saw them, and he completely flipped.
Anger rised through his short body, and he bellowed, "I trusted you guys!!"
The four boys knew this was it, they were defeated. But they had no way to get to the girls to warn them they didn't need to come by.
"Mr. Webster, it's not what you think..." Peter tried to explain, but it was too late.
"I had this feeling that Mr. Frisbee sent you, but I figured nah, you had just gotten back from Colorado, you wouldn't have known. Well, I guess you did! You almost had me, but there is no way now that I am turning myself in! They will have to get me first!"
He then pulled out a revolver and pointed it at Carla and Vicki Sue. "You will be coming with me! I'm going to do this right! Mr. Frisbee will now have to pay me more to get his daughter back! AS for you, Vicki Sue, since you don't have any family, you can be just another casualty of war..." He laughed evilly at this whole new idea of his. He was totally cracked now.
Peter and Davy were especially frightened, their girlfriends were now captured and a revolver was being pointed at them. They knew one false move on trying to rescue them could very well get them killed, knowing how unstable Mr. Webster was.
They both wanted to take the chance and rescue the girls. They would gladly step in front of the gun and take the bullets just so their girlfriends would be saved.
Mike and Micky were wondering what was going on in their heads. Mike was thinking that they should let Mr. Webster go with the girls and they would follow him and try another way to get them. But then, he wasn't sure if that could work or not. Micky wasn't sure what to do, he knew that either way their could be deaths involved.
Just as the two boys were thinking this, Peter decided to make a move nd he jumped on Mr. Webster and attempted to get the gun off of him, and grab the girls. All of a sudden, while Mr. Webster and Peter were wrestling on the floor, struggling to get control of the weapon, a shot was heard, and an awful moan. It was Micky. He fell to the floor, blood pouring out from his right arm.
Chapter Six
Mike rushed over to Micky and the maitre D of the restaurant called an ambulance. He also went and called the police. Mike got on the phone after the maitre D did this and told them to contact Mr. Frisbee and the LAPD to get them here as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Mr. Webster and Peter stopped wrestling, and Mr. Webster turned the gun over to Peter. He knew this better come to an end now. He never really meant to hurt anyone, he knew he had totally lost all control over his life at that point, and the best thing to do was to turn himself in.
A few minutes later, the ambulance arrived, and they quickly got Micky inside and started IVs on him, and wrapped bandages around his arm to try and stop the bleeding. Mike rode with him to the hospital, while Peter, Davy, Carla, and Vicki Sue stayed at the hotel lobby with Mr. Webster while waiting for Mr. Frisbee and the LA authorities.
Mr. Webster was sitting, sobbing uncontrollably. "I am so very sorry girls, and Peter. I never meant for it to get this far, honest. I know that I deserve the sentence I get, and I need help too. I need to talk to someone to deal with this whole issue, and this whole mess I got myself into. I hope that Micky will be okay."
Peter and Vicki Sue spoke up at the same time. "You are forgiven." They both were able to forgive him in their hearts, because they know that he was truly sorry for what he did, but that didn't mean that they could forget about the damage that was done.
Carla was not forgiving. "First you run off with all of my daddy's hard earned money, forcing us to kick out one family so that we could live in one of the apartments downtown, and let go of a loyal family friend and employee. Then you go and try to take myself and Vicki Sue hostage, and now, one of my best friends gets shot! I don't think I can ever forgive you for what you have done, Mr. Webster."
"I know, Carla. You don't have to forgive me, but I do want you to know that I am deeply sorry."
Vicki Sue spoke up. "Carla, I know it is very difficult to forgive this man of all the things he has done, but you need to try and let it go. You will really be surprised as to how much better it will make you feel to say you forgive him. That certainly doesn't mean you have to forget what happened, but you can at least forgive. God forgives our sins of those who ask Him to come into their hearts and lives, so the least we can do as humans is to forgive as well."
Carla thought about it for a few minutes, and after much debate with herself, she started to agree. "I could try it, what can it hurt anyhow?" She continued. "Mr. Webster, I forgive you, but I won't forget what happened. I sure hope that you will learn from your mistakes and truly make the change back into that lovable man I knew for so long."
"I will sure try, Carla. I have always had an admiration and respect for you and your family, I just lost it and let anger and greed get in the way."
"Those are poor qualities to have. As they say, 'Money is the root of all evil.' Mr. Webster, may Vicki Sue and I pray with you? I think it will help out greatly. Carla, would you like to join us also?" Peter asked.
Carla wasn't a very religious person, but she figured that prayer would greatly help at this time, and felt a need to be closer to God at this point in her life.
