By: Mickys411 and Lisa   Rated G

On one rainy afternoon, the Monkees decided to catch a movie at the theater on the strip.
The film they saw turned out to be a movie about a group of singers who went traveling in a submarine. The guys were really impressed it.
"Man, that was some groovy film," said Micky as he and the other Monkees got out of the theater when the movie ended.
"Yeah, out of sight," Davy added.
"It had everything, great music, action, and it had some funny parts as well," said Mike.
"It wasn't even scary," said Peter.
"Except when the monster attacked the submarine," said Mike.
"And you accidentally threw your popcorn," said Davy.
"Which landed on me," said Micky, picking a kernel out of his curly hair.
The guys still continued to talk about the movie when they got in the monkeemoblie, driving down the strip, stopping at the pizza parlor for a bit to eat, driving home and even when the got in the pad. Even when they got ready for bed, all Peter could think about was the movie.
"Hey guys, how come we never get to go on any adventures?" he asked.
"Peter, we had a lot of adventures," Mike answered.
"Really?"
"Sure, remember when we saved Pop's restaurant from Fuselli?" Davy asked.
"But we got arrested because the police though we were the Purple flower gang even though we had white flowers," said Peter.
"Do you know how tough it is to find purple flowers, Peter?" Micky said.
"Good point."
"And what about when we stopped that gang of pirates from robbing the Queen Anne?" asked Davy.
"How come I don't remember that event?" Mike asked.
"Because you were too sea sick.” Micky answered.
"Anyway, you see Peter, we've had a lot of adventures."
"I suppose you're right," said Peter.
That night, all Peter was dreaming about was riding in a submarine, across the bottom of the ocean.

The next morning after breakfast, the guys began to practice for an up coming gig, when suddenly the pad began to shake.
"Oh, no! It's a volcano!" Peter cried.
"Peter there's no volcanoes in California," said Micky.
"Really?"
"Then what could it be?” Davy asked.
"I can only think of one thing at this moment," said Mike.
The other Monkees understood what he was saying.
"Earthquake!" the guys shouted together as they jumped off the bandstand and ducked behind the couch.
Just then, the shaking stopped. The guys looked around the pad. Though some items fell off the walls and out of some shelves, there was no real damage done. The guys then carefully got out from behind the couch.
"That was odd," said Davy.
"It sure was," said Mike.
"It wasn't really much of an earthquake," said Peter.
"Maybe it was an aftershock," said Micky.
"I don't know, but I think we should go outside and take a look around," said Mike.
The Monkees crept up to the door, opened it carefully, poked their heads out, then cautiously stepped out the pad. Though some shingles fell off the roof, there was no damage at all. Even the car was in one piece.
"Do you guys see anything different?” Mike asked his band mates.
"No," Davy answered.
"Nothing that I could see," said Micky.
"Every house on the block looks fine and so does that yellow submarine in the middle of the street," said Peter.
"That's good, maybe it was a small aftershock then," said Mike.
Just as he and the other Monkees were walking back into the pad, the all stopped.
"Wait a minute Peter, did you say yellow submarine?” Mike asked.
"Yes I did," Peter answered.
"Where did you say it was?" Davy asked.
"In the middle of the street."
The guys turned around and sure enough, in the middle of the road was a large yellow submarine!
"What do you suppose it's doing here?" Davy asked.
"I wonder if somebody's in there," said Micky.
"This is just like the movie," said Peter.
"Now cool it fellas,” said Mike, “Let's just wait and see what happens."
And sure enough, at that moment, the hatch of the sub began to open and out came a person. The Monkees screamed as did the person. But soon, all was silence, until Davy spoke up.
"Why did you scream?” he asked the person.
"Well, I screamed, because you did,” the person answered, “By the way you all were in perfect pitch.”
"Thank you," said Peter.
The person the jumped off the submarine. It turned out to be a man in his late fifties with light grey hair and was wearing tan pants, brown boots, and a blue coat and matching captain's hat, almost dressed like a sailor.
"Oh forgive me, I'm Fred,” the man said extending a hand.
"Nice to meet you Fred, we're the Monkees," Mike said, exchanging hand shakes with Fred.
"Oh a chimp act?” Fred asked.
"Oh, no, we're musicians," Davy answered.
"Really?"
"Yes, and can I asked a question?” Peter asked Fred, “Why are you here?"
"I need your H.E.L.P.," Fred answered.
"H.E.L.P.?” The Monkees asked altogether.
"Yes.
H is for Hurry
E is for Urgent
L is for Love me
P is for Please help
"Sure, we'll be glad to help," Davy answered.
"Oh bless you," Fred answered.
"Did we sneeze?” Peter asked.
"Exactly how can we help?” Micky asked.
"By saving my home city," answered Fred.
"Where's that?” Mike asked.
"Pepperland."
The Monkees stood there in complete shock.
"Pepperland?” They asked at the same time.
"Yes, located 80,000 leagues under the sea, that's why I have this submarine," Fred answered.
"Wow, that's quite a trip. Would you like to come in the pad and take a rest?” Davy asked.
"Yes that will be nice thank you."

The guys invited Fred inside that pad and Davy made him some tea.
"Thank you, that was just what I needed," said Fred, drinking the tea.
"So Fred, can you tell us why Pepperland needs your help?" Mike asked.
Fred then began to tell the Monkees that for a long time, Pepperland was a beautiful land that was full of color and music, until the evil blue Beanies took over. Hiding anything that makes music away, a turning everyone, including their mayor, into blue statues.
"That's one sad story," Peter sniffed.
"That's why I need your help," said Fred.
"Could we think about it for a minute?” Mike asked.
"Take your time."
The guys then headed into the kitchen/dinning room to decide on what to do.
"That's some story Fred just told us." Mike said.
"Yeah, it's just like the movie we saw yesterday." Peter replied.
"Yes, but that was a movie, Peter." Davy said to him, "It was just a fantasy."
"Well, the fantasy is now parked in the middle of the street." Micky pointed out.
"Babbit's probably called the police by now." Mike replied.
"We gotta help Fred, guys." Peter begged, "We can't let Pepperland stay under control of the evil Blue Beanies."
"Yeah, I guess you're right, Peter." Mike told him, "If those other singers in the movie could do it, so can we."
"Ok, I'm in." Micky said, "How about you, Davy?"
Davy shrugged his shoulders. "Why not? Things have been a little boring around here."
"Let's go tell Fred." Mike replied.
So the guys walked back into the living room and over to Fred.
"We've decided to help you, Fred." Micky said.
"Oh bless you, young fellows!" Fred exclaimed, splashing tea on himself.
"Did we sneeze?" Peter asked.
Fred put his teacup down and led the guys out of the pad. Mike made sure the door was locked and then followed the others over to the submarine.
"Wait a minute, said Peter, I think we forgot something."
"What's that?” Micky asked.
"If Fred said that all the instruments are gone, I think we'd better get ours."
"You know Peter, that's a good point," said Davy.
"Thank you," Peter beamed.
So the guys went back into the pad, collecting their instruments and Mike locked the door as they headed back outside.
"Ok, we're all ready now," said Micky.
"Wonderful, let's go," said Fred, as he climbed up the submarine and opened the hatch.
The Monkees followed him.
Soon everyone was aboard and with Fred at the driver's seat, they took off. The sub began to float up into the sky.
"You know, this may be a submarine, but I feel more air sick than sea sick," said Davy, clutching stomach.
"Not to worry, we're almost at the ocean," said Fred, steering the wheel of the sub. And sure enough, the sub reached the ocean.
Fred lowered the sub gently down to the water, and it began to disappear into the ocean.

Soon, the submarine was fully underwater, and as it went through the sea, the guys couldn't believe what they saw. All different kinds of fish, under water life and plants!
"Groovy," said Peter admiring what he was seeing.
"I've never seen anything like this either," said Davy.
"Hold on tight, we're pulling ahead at full speed," said Fred.
And indeed, the submarine headed deeper into the ocean.
As Fred drove the sub further down the sea, the Monkees saw something that they never expected to see in the water.
"Are…Are those clocks?” Peter asked, pointing to the objects out the window.
"Yes, we're traveling through the sea of time,” said Fred, “One of the many seas we have to travel through."
"You mean there's more?” Mike asked.
"How many?” Micky asked.
"Quite a few,” Fred answered, “There's the sea of time, which were going through right now, then the sea of science, sea of monsters, sea of nothing, the Foothills of the Headlands, sea of holes, and the sea of green, which will take us directly to Pepperland."
"That sure is lot of seas," said Davy.
"It's not that long of a trip actually," said Fred.
"I think I got that motion sickness again. I'm feeling quite lightheaded." Davy replied.
"I'm beginning to feel funny to," said Mike.
"Same here," said Micky.
"Me too." said Peter.
Suddenly, the Monkees began to shrink, not only in size, but in age as well and turned into children. Though Fred stayed the same height, his grey hair turned black.
"What's going on?” Davy asked in a child’s voice.
"I'm scared, and I want to go home," sniffed Peter who spoke in the same tone of voice and began to cry.
"Don't worry boys, we'll get out of here," said Fred, who handed Peter a handkerchief to blow his nose.
"How do we get out of here?” Mike asked, sound like a young child as well.
"Straight ahead and we'd better get out of here soon, before we become any younger and disappear. It's going to take a lot of force so I need your help."
"Ok," said Micky, in a child's voice.
However, since every button and lever on the sub was high up and the guys being child size, they either had to jump or climb on one another shoulder's to reach.
But soon, the sub moved faster and the Monkees and Fred went back to their normal ages.
"That was a close one," said Mike.
"You can say that again," said Davy.
"I don't know if it's the motion of the sub, but I’m feeling funny again," said Micky.
"Same here," said Peter.
Indeed the guys and Fred changed again, but instead of getting young, they all got older.
As they got older, the beards that were growing on their faces grew longer.
"Now what do we do?" Mike asked in an older tone of voice.
"What did you say?” Davy asked, sounding the same way.
"Were you talking to me?” Peter asked talking the same way his band mates were.
"What, something about a bee?” Micky asked, in the same tone as well.
"Don't worry, I'll get us out…I hope," Fred said in the tone of voice the Monkees were using.
Despite having trouble seeing with his beard in the way, Fred managed to get himself, the Monkees and the sub out of the sea of time, and soon they were all back to their normal ages once again.
"Why, that was some trip," said Davy, sounding in his regular voice.
"It sure was," said Mike, talking in his normal voice.
"I didn't like being young again," said Peter in his regular voice.
"Why?” Micky asked in his normal voice.
"I got picked on a lot when I was younger."
"Hold on, we're entering the sea of science," said Fred in his regular voice.
"Why do they call it the sea of science?” Davy asked.
"Look out the window and see for yourself."
The guys did just that, and sure enough out the windows of the sub, different patterns, shapes and objects flew pass by them.
"All the time traveling we did wore me out a bit, do one of you boys mind taking over?” Fred asked the Monkees.
"Can I?” Peter asked.
"Sure, of course."
Fred then climbed out of the driver's seat and Peter took his place.
"Drive carefully, we're about to enter the Sea of Monsters," said Fred.
"Monsters?” Peter asked with a gulp.
Fred was right, for sure enough out the window, the guys and Fred saw many types of odd-looking creatures.
"Not to panic we'll be just fine,” said Fred, who then pointed to something at the main controls at the wheel, “Just as long as you don’t push this button.”
"Which button?” Peter asked.
Fred pointed again and said, “That button."
"You mean this button?"
Peter pushed the button and not only was he ejected from the driver's seat, but the submarine.
"That was the panic button," said Fred.
Peter continued to fly across the sea of monsters, passing by the odd creatures.
Until, he landed on something that looked in between a step stool and a horse, which galloped as soon as Peter got on.
"Help! Help!” Peter cried out.
"Oh no, Peter's getting away." said Davy, looking through the sub's periscope.
"What do we do now?” Mike asked.
"Learn to sing trio?” said Fred.
"No, we're going to save him," said Micky, taking the wheel.
Though he put the sub in reverse, he managed to drive it straightforward.
"Faster, Micky, faster!" Davy yelled at him.
"I'm trying, but I can't see where I'm going!" Micky yelled back, "This thing doesn't have rearview mirrors!"
"Allow me." Fred said, taking the controls. He quickly spun the submarine around and soon they were back on Peter's trail.
"Help! Help!" Peter yelled.
All the yelling brought the unwanted attention of other horse-like creatures. They had the upper torso of men, but their bodies were like horses. With a war cry, they began to chase after Peter and his runaway horse creature, firing arrows as they did so.
"Things just went from bad to worse." Mike remarked.
"They kinda look like Indians." Micky said.
An arrow hit the creature Peter was riding. The creature reared up in pain, sending Peter to the ground. Then the creature ran off once again, leaving Peter alone with the other creatures coming after him.
"Uh oh!" Peter cried. He began to climb a rocky hill, just as the half-horse creatures arrived. They began to fire arrows once again.
"Fred, do something!" Davy shouted at him.
Fred lowered the sub down to the ground and pushed a button. The front of the sub pulled back and the U.S. Seventh Calvary, trumpets blaring, came charging out. The soldiers attacked the creatures and soon drove them away. Peter climbed down the hill and then climbed up on a horse ridden by John Wayne.
"Thank you, sir." Peter said.
"You're welcome, young man." John Wayne said, "But next time, don't hit that button!"
"I won't sir." Peter replied as the calvary charged back into the sub.
The other three Monkees and Fred were waiting for him.
"Are you ok, Peter?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Peter replied.
"I hope you've learned a lesson, Peter." Fred said sternly.
"I have Fred." Peter said sincerely.
"Very well." Fred said, smiling again, "Next is the Sea of Nothing. We have no time to waste!"
Just as Fred was about the sub into forward, the guys and Fred felt something pulling them backwards.
"What's that?” Peter asked.
"Oh, no!” Davy cried looking out the window.
He, Peter, Micky and Mike looked out the windows of the sub to see that there was a monster that had a nose like a bicycle horn, but was a suction-like vacuum.
"We gotta get out of here!" shouted Micky.
"I can't seem to get the sub in action, you boys better give me a hand," said Fred from the driver's seat.
"Come on fellas,” said Mike, as he began to turn some knobs.
The other Monkees joined him, but it was no use, for at that moment, the vacuum monster sucked the sub in it's nose! After that, the monster sucked all of the sea of monsters, then itself, leaving black and white scenery.
Suddenly, the submarine appeared.
It spun around for a few minutes, until it dropped to the ground with a thud.
"Oh dear, the motor's died out," said Fred.
"Just pop the hood and check it out," said Mike.
Fred climbed out of his seat and headed to the back of the sub.
"Fred, what are you doing?” Davy asked.
"Checking the motor,” Fred answered.
Fred reached the back of the sub, opened a small door and sure enough inside was the engine.
Micky walked up to Fred and asked, “Is that the engine?"
"Yes, you know about fixing engines?” Fred asked.
"Well, I worked on the monkeemoblie a number of times, this can't be any different.
Micky placed a finger on the engine and got a bit of a shock.
"Well, what do you think?” Fred asked.
"I think I burned my finger," said Micky, shaking his hand to cool it off.
"Maybe we can call a road service," Davy suggested.
"No can do." said Fred.
"Because there's no phones on the sub?” Mike asked.
"Plus, no road either."
"And we're no sub-scribers. Get it sub-scribers?” Said Peter with a laugh.
The other Monkees and Fred groaned. Just then, Davy saw something out the window.
"Looks like we're not the only ones here," he said.
"What do you mean?” Mike asked.
"Come on, let's see what it is."
The guys stepped out of the sub to get a closer look of the thing Davy was talking about.
Sure enough, they saw something, or rather someone.
It was an unusual creature with a blue face, pink ears that match his fluffy pink tail, and brown fur all over. The creature was hard at work on a typewriter.
The Monkees and Fred approached the creature who continued to type away on his typewriter. It seemed totally oblivious to the new visitors.
"Ahem." Fred cleared his throat.
The creature continued its typing until finally it pulled the sheet of paper out of the typewriter.
"Ah, my masterpiece! It is finished!" It exclaimed.
"It speaks English!" Davy exclaimed.
"Why yes, young man." The creature exclaimed, "English, French, German and Dutch! Now what shall I have for lunch?" The creature began to walk away.
"Excuse us, sir." Peter said, "We need your help."
"You need my help, my aid, my assistance?" The creature said, turning back to Peter in surprise.
"Yes we do." Mike said, "Our motor has died."
"Oh, died, deceased, expired. Maybe your motor's just tired." The creature replied, walking over to it. He poked around it for a few minutes, then looked over at the others.
"I know now what shall be done!" It said happily, "All it needs is chewing gum!"
"Chewing gum?" The Monkees and Fred repeated.
The creature pulled a piece of gum out of its mouth, stuck it to a loose gear and pushed a button. To everyone's surprise, the motor started right away!"
"Hey, you fixed it!" Fred said.
"Of course." The creature said smugly, "I am a genius, you know."
"What's your name?" Micky asked.
The creature pulled out a card from a pocket in its fur and handed it to him. Micky read the card out loud.
"Jeremy Hilary Boob, PhD."
"At your service." Jeremy smiled, "Now I must go, I must start on my second masterpiece."
"Wait, why don't you come with us?" Peter asked. "There doesn't seem to be a lot for you to do here."
"Yeah, you seem to be in the middle of nowhere here." Davy added.
"Aren't you lonely?" Mike asked.
"Well..." Jeremy said, for the first time a frown appearing on his face, "It can be a drag talking to yourself after awhile. So yes, I will come."
"Yeah, that's great!" Fred said, "We're on our way to Pepperland to free it from the Blue Meanies."
"I have heard of them." Jeremy said, shaking his head, "They hate music and love and all nice things." He shivered. "So I will help you."
The Monkees, Fred and Jeremy climbed aboard the sub.
"So, I guess the next stop is the sea of nothing,” said Peter.
Jeremy laughed and said, “Why, this is the sea of nothing, which explains why there's well nothing here."
"Well, now that will make the rest of our journey seem ship shape," said Fred, taking the wheel.
"I like the way it is-submarine shape," said Peter.
And once again, the ship took off, when suddenly, the sub began to stall out again.
"Now what?” Micky asked.
"Can't be the motor again?” Davy asked.
"Sounds like the propellers in the back aren't working," said Mike.
Just like when the engine gave out, the sub landed with a loud thud.
The Monkees and Jeremy got out to incept the propellers, while Fred stayed on board the sub.
"What do you guys think we should do?” Davy asked.
"Nothing another piece of chewing gum won't do the trick," said Jeremy, taking out another piece of gum.
He chewed for a few moments, then placed it on the back of one of the propellers.
"Some gum, a turn of the screw and all is good as new."
The method worked. Unfortunately it worked too well, for at that moment the sub started up again, with only Fred on board, and The Monkees and Jeremy still outside.
"Hey whoa, I can't stop this thing!” Fred cried from inside the sub, which took off.
"H is for hurry!
E is for urgent!
L is for love meeeeeeeee!”
"P is for good-bye," said Mike, as the sub took off into the sky.
"I thought good-bye started with a B," said Peter.
"It does Peter, but, oh never mind," said Davy shaking his head.
Micky looked around where they were all standing and asked, “Where exactly are we?"
The guys and Jeremy looked around as well.
All they could see where statues and head busts everywhere.
"This must be the Foothills of the Headlands,” said Mike.
"How do we get out of here?” Davy asked.
"Ask for help,” Peter answered.
"Peter, they're all statues."
"It's worth a try."
The guys and Jeremy then approached the statues.
"Uh, excuse us," said Mike.
"Can you tell us how to get to Pepperland?” Micky asked.
The statues the each raised an arm and pointed in the right direction.
"Thank you."
The guys and Jeremy then began to walk in the direction that the statues pointed at.
"Gee, look at all this dust," said Peter, looking down at the ground.
"Why, this isn't a dust,” said Jeremy, collecting the dust, “This is a seasoning, a spice a condiment."
"He's right you know,” said Davy, “It's a type of pepper."
"It is pepper," said Mike.
The Monkees then began to sneeze.
Just then, some head busts sneezed, causing Jeremy and the Monkees to float up in the air, travel through a pipe, and ended up in another strange place.

Back at Pepperland, the head Blue Meanie, a large creature with blue skin and large black ears, stood on a hill overlooking the once-green land.
"Ahh, Max." The Blue Meanie said with satisfaction, to his smaller underling, "All is well. Not a bird singing, not a flower growing."
"Yes, boss." Max said, nodding his head.
"WHAT?" The Blue Meanie shouted, knocking Max down, "What did you say?"
"I meant NO boss." Max said, climbing to his feet.
"That's better." The head blue Meanie said, turning back to the ruined landscape. "No more music, singing or playing either. Everyone has been turned to stone."
"No boss." Max replied, shaking, "I really mean no too."
The Blue Meanie turned to him.
"What do you mean?" He growled, his eyes growing red.
"We cannot locate the one called Fred, boss." Max said. "And his Yellow Submarine is gone from the pyramid."
"AHHH!" The Blue Meanie screamed, "We need that submarine if we want to conquer other lands!" He knocked Max down again. "Don't just lie there, gather up some of the troops and have them search the surrounding seas. We must find that sub!"
"Yes, I mean no, boss." Max said, running away.
The head Blue Meanie walked over to the Glove waiting nearby. He petted it gently.
"And when find that sub, you know what to do with any occupants, don't you my little glovie?"
The Glove gave a deep, evil laugh.

Not too far away, the Monkees and Jeremy were exploring the sea of Holes. They would enter one hole and come out in another hole in a different location.
"We'll never get anywhere until we find the right hole to take us to Pepperland." Mike complained.
"I'm working on an equation to compute which holes end where and what sequence to use them." Jeremy replied, scribbling furiously on a writing tablet.
Meanwhile, some of the blue Meanies heard the guys and Jeremy talking. One of them saw Jeremy's foot dangle from the end of the tube and gave a yank. Jeremy was pulled through and the blue Meanies dragged him away.
"Where's Jeremy?" Peter asked, looking around.
"Hey, Jeremy!" Davy yelled.
"Jeremy!" Micky yelled too, but there was no answer anywhere.
"Just great." Mike said sourly, "We're stuck in the sea of holes with no idea how to get to Pepperland."
The Monkees continued to search around for the hole that would take them to the sea of green.
Peter was in the middle of looking, when he picked up on of the holes, folded it up and placed it in his pocket.
"Well, so far no sign of Jeremy," said Micky.
"Or a way to get to the sea of green," said Mike.
"I wish we had a map or something that could help us," said Davy.
"The only thing I have in my pocket is a hole," said Peter.
Just then, he spotted a red dot.
"I wonder what this does."
Peter stepped on the dot, and the scene changed.
The guys were no longer in the sea of holes, but somewhere else.
"Pepperland," said the Monkees at the same time as they looked around where they were standing.
"I gotta hand it to you Peter, you actually did something that amazed us on this trip," said Mike.
"Thank you,” Peter said with a beam.
He then to noticed of something, which turned out to be a pile of green apples.
"Hey, apples."
"You know, I'm feeling a bit hungry," said Davy.
"Same here," said Micky.
"Let's get some then," said Mike.
As the guys reached for the apples, Peter spotted something.
"I think there's somebody under here,” he said.
The guys then throw the apples off whatever was under there.
It turned out to be a statue of an older looking man.
Suddenly, a shadow was cast over the guys.
It turned out to be the submarine as it came in for a landing. The sub landed back on the pyramid and Fred climbed out.
"Fred!” The Monkees called out altogether.
"I'm glad to see you boys made it here safely,” said Fred, greeting the guys, “By the way, what happened to your friend Jeremy?"
"We lost him in the sea of holes,” Peter answered.
"We did find something though," said Davy, pointing to the statue.
"Why that's out Lord Mayor," said Fred.
"Who?"
"Our Lord Mayor, head of Pepperland.
The blue Meanies must have done this to him."
Fred and the Monkees quickly removed the rest of the apples away from the Lord Mayor, but he was still stone-like.
"Oh my!" Fred exclaimed, "He was hit with too many apples!"
"Wait, didn't you bring us here to help get rid of the Blue Meanies?" Mike asked.
"Yes, of course." Fred replied.
"Then maybe a song could help him." Mike smiled.
The guys went to get their instruments and began to play while Micky sang:
"Here we come, walking down the street, getting the funniest looks from everyone we meet!"
"Hey hey, we're the Monkees!" Mike, Peter and Davy joined in.
"And people say we Monkey around. We're too busy singing to put anybody down."
As the Monkees sang, the color came back into the face of the Lord Mayor. Soon, he was sitting up and staring in amazement at everyone.
"Fred, you made it back!" The Lord Mayor exclaimed as Fred helped him stand up.
"Yes sir." Fred replied, "And I brought help. These are the Monkees. They're musicians and they've agreed to help us drive the Blue Meanies away."
"I'm glad to meet you boys..." The Lord Mayor began to say, when he was interrupted by shouts from the bottom of the pyramid.
Looking down, they could see several blue Meanies climbing up after them!
"We've been spotted!" Davy exclaimed. "What do we do?"
"Easy. Run!" Micky yelled.
Fred, the Lord Mayor and the Monkees quickly ran down the opposite side of the pyramid from where the Blue Meanies were coming up.
"Do you have the key?" The Lord Mayor asked Fred.
Fred pulled a key out of his pocket. "They won't be able to use the Yellow Submarine any time soon." He replied.
Everyone got to the bottom of the pyramid and began to run off into the hills. Soon, there were several Meanies on their trail. They had four-headed dogs with them, sniffing out their scent.
"What do we do now?” Peter asked.
Mike though for a minute or two and said, “Mayor, does Pepperland have a town hall?"
"Yes, why do you ask?” Said the mayor.
"You and Fred hide out there, while the guys and I take a look around."
"Capital plan," said Fred.
"Why can't we all hide out at town hall, and let someone else do the looking around?” Micky asked.
"Because we're the only ones here who are not made out of stone," said Davy.
The Monkees helped Fred and the Mayor jump quickly from bush to bush and from tree to tree, so they wouldn’t get spotted by the blue Meanies.
"Do you think those Meanies have Jeremy?” Peter asked.
"Peter, we got to help the Mayor and the town, then we'll look for Jeremy," said Mike.
Luckily, they made it safe to town hall.
"Ok, we made it. Fred, you and the mayor get inside.”
Fred and the mayor did just that.
"Now, to see what we can do to help the town," said Davy, and the guys took off.
The guys continue to run, when Mike suddenly stopped, causing the other Monkees to crash into him and they all ended up falling to the ground.
"Hey, why did we stop?” Davy asked.
"I just thought of something," said Mike.
"What's that?” Peter asked.
"Well, we're going to be easily spotted by the blue Meanies, since we're not blue or statue form. So I think we have to blend in the crowd somehow."
"How?” Davy asked.
Micky spotted some town's people who were blue and still and said,” I think we have a way."
The guys then each hid behind a person, carefully picked them up, and began to "walk" with them. Luckily for the guys, the sun was setting, and then they would be able to pass by the blue Meanies.

As the guys passed through Pepperland, they saw some Meanies coming their way.
The stopped moving, once they saw the Meanies getting closer.
The guys noticed the Meanies carrying something.
"We'd better get these music instruments out of here," said one Meanie.
"Yeah, his Blueness will have us for sure, if he sees any form of music around," said the other Meanie.
The guys saw that the instruments the Meanies were hauling away were their own.
"Hey! They got our instruments!" Peter nearly shouted.
"Shhh!” Went Davy, Micky and Mike.
The Monkees carefully poked their heads from behind the people and saw that the Meanies took the instruments up a hill and locked them up in a gazebo.
The guys dashed in some near by bushes, so the Meanies won't see them, as the blue creatures locked up the gazebo and went back down the hill.
By the time they left, the sun had just about fully set.
The Monkees poked their heads to see that the blue Meanies were setting up camp for the night. They hid back in the bushes.
"Now what do we do?” Davy asked.
"Wait till its full dark, I got a plan," said Mike.

Sure enough, the guys waited till it got completely dark out, and they stepped out of the bush carefully. The guys saw to see that the blue Meanies were fast asleep.
"What happens next?” Peter asked.
"Wait and see,” said Mike, who then took out his pocket knife and said to Micky, “Do you still have your pocket knife?"
“Yeah,” said Micky, taking his knife out of his pocket, “But what do you have in mind?”
"You'll see," said Mike.
He then crept over to a Meanie who was fast a sleep and carefully cut off some of its fur .
The other Monkees stood there in shock, for not only what Mike did, but that the Meanie didn't wake up either.
"Micky, cut some fur off of that one," Mike said pointing to another Meanie. Micky did just that. Mike and Micky cut some more fur off a few more Meanies, till Mike said, "Ok, I think we have enough."
"What do we do with all this fur?" Davy asked.
"Just do what I do," said Mike, who then put some of the blue fur on his head, wrists, ankles, and head.
Peter, Micky and Davy did just that.
"What do you guys think?” Mike asked.
"I look like a poodle," said Micky.
"I just look silly," said Davy.
"Same here," said Peter.
"I know, but I hope this plan works." said Mike.
He then crept up to a Meanie, who was sleeping. It was one of the Meanies who locked up the guys’ instruments.
"Excuse me,” Mike whispered to the Meanie.
"Yes," asked the Meanie, who was half awake, half asleep.
“Do you think I can get the key to the gazebo? I think I left something in there.”
The Meanie lifted his pillow, grabbed a key that was under there and handed it to Mike.
"Thanks," said Mike.
"You're welcome," said the Meanie going back to sleep.
Mike went back to the other Monkees and said, “I got the key."
"Groovy," said Micky.
The guys then headed to the gazebo.
"Tip toe, through the Meanies,” Peter sang.
"Shhh!” went Mike, Micky and Davy.
The guys were almost there, when they were spotted by a search light. It turned out that the light was coming from a Meanie, who was keeping watch. The Meanie saw through the guys disguises right away.
"Fakers! The Meanie shouted.
As soon as they saw the bright light flashing on them, The Monkees ran faster up to the gazebo.
When they reached the top, Mike began to unlock the gazebo and just as he opened the door, the other Monkees pushed through to get in and hide from the Meanie guard, causing all of them to fall.
Just as Mike was about to close the door, Peter threw a set of bagpipes out that landed on his head.
Being against all music, the Meanie guard chased after the bagpipes.
Surprisingly, through out the whole incident, the Meanies continued to sleep peacefully.
"You know, I think we better stay here for the night," said Davy.
"Good idea," said Micky.
The guys made camp in the gazebo.
They would decide what to do early the next day.

The next morning, the sun shone brightly through the gazebo.
"Ok fellas, said Mike, Grab what you can and let's get going."
"What about all our instruments?” Peter asked.
"We can't carry all of them down," said Davy.
"Yeah, what if we wake the Meanies or they see us," said Micky.
Mike took his guitar, while Peter grabbed his bass, Davy collected his tambourine, and Micky picked up one of the tom-toms from his drum set and sticks.
Mike opened the door and to his and the other Monkees surprise they saw the Meanies were still asleep.
The guys then carefully walked down the hill, trying not to wake the Meanies.
All was fine, until they reached the bottom, when Peter stepped on the set of bagpipes, causing the guard and the rest of the Meanies to wake up.

One Meanie sounded an alarm, and the Monkees dashed off into the woods. The guys ran as fast as they could to escape from the blue Meanies.
They continued running, till they reached the middle of the woods, where they stopped to catch their breath.
The Monkees looked behind to see if the Meanies were still after them, but none were to be found.
"That was a close one," said Davy.
"Do see any Meanies?" asked Mike.
"No," said Peter.
"None that I can see," said Micky.
"I did see something else though," said Davy.
"What's that?"
Davy pointed to a tree that was full of green apples.
"I don't know, especially since everything's turned blue," said Mike.
"Come on, everything looks good when you're hungry," said Micky.
The guys walked up to the tree to get some apples.
But since the apples were so high up, the guys had to make a human ladder to reach.
Mike stood on the bottom, Peter then climbed onto Mike's shoulders, Micky then got on Peter's shoulders, and Davy got on Micky's shoulders, then reached for an apple that was big enough for the four of them to share.
Just then, the guys heard some voices.
They looked over to see a Meanie was leading a group of bonkers who were over 10 feet tall, and carrying the same green apples that were on the trees and that they found the mayor under when the arrived in Pepperland.
Mike, who still had all the guys on each others shoulders began to walk and said," Come on, I got a plan.”
The Monkees then go onto line with the Bonkers.
"Men, march on!” The Meanie ordered.
And the Bonkers began to march.
"One, two, three, four!” the bonkers shouted.
"Five," whispered Davy, as he hit the bonker in front of him on the head with the apple.
"One, two, three, four,” the Bonkers and the Monkees said.
Davy then hit another bonker.
"One, two, three."
"Three?" the Meanie asked.
"Two," said Davy.
"Two?"
Davy then hit the last Bonker.
"One," he said.
"One?” said the Meanie.
The Meanie then got a closer look at the Monkees.
"Funny, you don't look bluish,” he said.
Mike began to walk backwards, then he and the other Monkees fell to the ground.
Their apple meanwhile, landed on the Meanie's head knocking him out cold.
"Let's split!” Micky yelled as he and the other Monkees took off again.

The guys ran, until they came up to several forks in the woods.
"Guys, I think it's time we spilt up," said Mike.
Peter gasped and shouted,” Mike! We can't split up! We're a group!"
Davy tried to calm him down.
"Peter, I think what Mike means we should split up in four separate directions, that way the Meanies won't find us,” he said.
"I think that's a good idea," said Micky.
So the Monkees each to a different path in the woods.

Davy took the north path, and began to walk down it.
Just then, he heard growling and footsteps coming towards him.
Davy turned to see that a four-headed blue dog was heading his way.
As soon as the dog spotted him, it moved faster, ended up stop right in front of Davy.
"Nice dog, good boy, girl whatever you are,” Davy said to the dog.
He then reached for a flower off a bush and handed it to the dog.
Each dog head sniffed it, and enjoyed by the flowers pleasant scent.
Just then, the flowers squirted water on them.
Davy continued down the path, while the dog, who was still blinded a bit by the water, took the opposite way.

Mike went the east way, and wondered around hopefully meeting the guys along the way and get back to Pepperland.
Suddenly, he stopped to see a trap consisting of a net tied to a tree branch.
He walked around the trap, to avoid getting caught.
Just then, Mike heard footsteps approaching. That gave Mike a quick plan.
He covered the trap with leaves, then he hid in some bushes. Sure enough, two Meanies were walking along the path and ended up begin caught in the net.
Mike then jumped out of the bushes and took off.
The Meanies tried to get down to chase him, but they were stuck in the net and struggled hard to break free.

Micky choose the west direction, and said, “I hope those Meanies don't stop me, since I'm not wearing any blue."
Just then, he heard something or someone coming up behind him. He looked to see some blue Meanies were indeed heading his way.
"I spoke too soon," said Micky.
He then spotted some blue colored bushes and came up with a quick idea.
Micky then used his pocket knife to cut some of the bush off, then took two broken off tree branches and placed them in his curly hair, making himself to look like a Meanie, or at least close to one.
The Meanies the approached the "Meanie" and asked, “Did you see anybody who doesn't look bluish?"
"He went back the other way," said Micky, talking in a deep voice and pointing back the other way.
"Thanks," said the Meanies, heading back the way they came from.
Micky then removed his costume and took off.

Peter headed the south way, and was walking along, when all of a sudden, he heard a muffle. At first he was nervous, but walked up further to take a closer look. He then spotted a very familiar person.
Sure enough, tied to a tree and a kerchief covering his mouth, was Jeremy, who was under the eye of two Meanies, who were keeping lookout.
"Jeremy, is that you?” Peter asked, as he approached the tree, and took the gag off his friend.
"Could it be me?” said Jeremy, “Why don’t you asked the guards, for when I was captured, they took all my cards.”

"Shh, don't worry, I'll get you down."
Peter then untied Jeremy and helped him down.
"Thank you Peter,” said Jeremy.
Unfortunately, the guards saw everything that just happened. The guards approached them when Jeremy stepped forward and said, “Is it a fight you want, huh? I'll give you a punch that will feel like a paper cut. A left to the nose and a right to the gut."
Jeremy began to give boxing moves but ended up hitting his head on the tree. As the guards laughed at Jeremy, they didn't know that he hit the tree hard enough for two apples to fall and hit the guards, knocking them out cold.
"That was a close,” said Peter, “And thanks for saving me Jeremy.”
"Not a problem,” said Jeremy, “Now let's get out here."
With the help of a map and a compass, Jeremy helped Peter get out of the woods.
When they reached the end, they got a wonderful surprise to see that the other Monkees were waiting for them!
"There you are Peter," said Davy.
"I would have gotten really lost if I didn't find Jeremy," said Peter.
"Groovy, where did you find him?” Micky asked.
"In the woods."
Mike looked over the woods and said, “Well, so far so good, meaning no sign of Meanies. So let's get moving to find Fred and the mayor."
So, the guys and Jeremy scrambled across the woods to get back to the town of Pepperland.
Luckily for them, not only did they find the town hall with no problems, with the help of Jeremy's map and compass but didn't have any run-ins with blue Meanies.
The Monkees knocked on the door of the town hall, and Fred answered it.
"We got our instruments," said Davy.
"Brilliant," said Fred.
"Where do we set up?” Micky asked.
"Right here will be perfect."
The guys then set up right in front of the town hall. Little did they know, as the guys were setting up, the blue Meanies were preparing for another attack.
"This will dampen their concert," laughed the head Meanie.
"No, you're right your blueness," said Max.
The guys got their instruments ready and began to play.
"Oh the beat of ten,” said Mike, “One, two, three, four, five, six..."
"Can't we make it three?" Peter asked.
"Ok, on the beat of three, one two three."
Despite missing some of parts of their instruments, the Monkees sounded pretty good as they started to play.
"The local rock group down the street is trying hard to learn their song,” Micky sang.
Suddenly, the people of Pepperland began to change.
From looking depressed and blue colored, to back to skin tones and looking happy.
The sound of hearing music bought joy to their faces.
"It's working." said Fred.
"By Jove, you're right," said the mayor.
The Meanies meanwhile, didn't like the sound of the music one bit. They covered their ears and shouted. When the concert ended, the crowd cheered for the Monkees.
Though the guys took bows, the moods changed when Mike spotted some blue Meanies.
"This gives me an idea," said Mike.
"What's that?” Davy asked.
"I still got the key for the gazebo."
"So?” Peter asked.
"Well, the other instruments are in there, said Mike, So I figured if we give the townspeople instruments, we can scare the Meanies away."
"That's a good idea," said Micky.
The guys then dashed to the gazebo, and Mike unlocked the door. The Monkees then began handing out instruments to the crowd of people.
"My violin!” said one woman.
"My clarinet," a man called out.
"My tuba!” shouted a small boy.
"My triangle!" cried a young girl.
Once the instruments were handed out, the town began to play, and the Monkees joined them. This time around, instead of covering their ears, the Meanies ran away.
"No! no you're charging the wrong way!” The head Meanie shouted.
Soon, the Meanie army was gone, leaving only the head blue Meanie and Max. The head Meanie then fell to the ground and began to cry. Just then, Jeremy approached him.
The head Meanie stopped crying, looked up at Jeremy with an evil smile and said, “I think I will tear him up into little pieces and make him into a blue burger." He then picked up Jeremy.
"Oh dear, some words of wisdom, before I'm destroyed," said Jeremy.
Jeremy reached into his fur, and pulled out a book of poems.
He cleared his throat and began to read, “A rise, a rise a rose."
Jeremy pointed to the head Meanies' nose and a pink colored rose began to grow on the tip of it.
The head Meanie then dropped Jeremy and screamed, “Speak your last piece!"
"Piece? asked Jeremy, “Piece? Oh yes. Down your frown upside down to a smile, turn off what is sour, make like a flower and bloom."
As Jeremy said his poem, he pointed to the head Meanie’s fur and more pink colored roses grew on him.
The head Meanie then let out another scream and ran away, with Max close behind him.
"It's no longer a blue world Maaaaaaaaaax!" the head Meanie cried.
As the Monkees watched what happened, Peter said, “The first time we met that nowhere man, I knew he was a somebody."
"You know Peter, what you said almost made sense," said Davy.
"Thank you."
"Well, looks like Pepperland is back to the way it should be," said Micky, looking around at the now colorful scenery.
"What about them?” Peter asked pointing to the blue Meanies.
Mike looked at the head Meanie and Max sitting sadly on the ground and said, “Excuse me, Meanies, if you'd change your ways, would you care to join us?"
"What do you think Max?" the head Meanie asked his assistant.
"No." Max answered.
"What?!"
"I mean yes, you're newness."
"Yes, I happen to like the sound of that word."
"Oh yes, is a word of positives, a word that is simply marvelous," said Jeremy.
"Yes, let us mix Max,” said the head Meanie, “I never told anyone this, but my cousin is the blue bird of happiness."
And so, peace was made with the blue Meanies and the people of Pepperland declaring peace, soon after everyone, including Jeremy and the Monkees celebrated with a big party that had lots of music playing across the land…

All of sudden, there was a noise that sounded like an alarm clock.
Peter woke up and let out a yawn.
"Man, what a groovy dream," he said.
During breakfast, Peter told the guys of his amazing dream.
"And we went through a sea when we changed into kids then old men, and I got lost in a sea with monsters.”
"You know, I actually had that dream too," said Davy.
"Hey so did I," said Micky.
"Me too," said Mike.
After breakfast, the guys decided to practice, when they reached the bandstand, they found a note by the drum set. Mike picked up the note and read it.
"What does it say" asked Davy.
Mike showed the note to the guys, it only said one word. Yes.
"Hey, do you guys suppose...?” asked Micky.
"Maybe," said Peter.
The Monkees though for a minute, then said, “Naw."
Though, what happened to the guys might not have been true, it was still a great dream.

The End

A lone man slowly walked into the smoke-filled club. He heard the sound of applause as he came inside. The man was in his late twenties and had darkish brown hair and penetrating hazel eyes. Feeling bored, he had given his assistants a rare night off and he decided to leave the confines of his laboratory as well. Sitting down at an empty table by the side wall, he ordered a scotch on the rocks and turned his attention to the stage, where a young woman stood at the microphone. Behind her was a piano player. She had short reddish-brown hair, green eyes and was wearing a long orange gown and dark eye liner. Instantly the man was smitten with her. Ignoring his drink, he simply stared at the woman as she started to sing an up tempo song:
“Don’t you hear the music?” She sang,
“Don’t it feel good?”
“Let me get to ya, try to let go.”
“You don’t have to worry about a thing.”
Just come on up,
Come on up now,
Come on up baby, and have a good time.”
The young woman, for her part, felt his stare from afar. As she sang, she looked around the club and finally located the source. They stared at each other and the man nodded to her.
“She’s going to be mine.” He said to himself. “She will be my woman.”
The woman’s set ended and she and her pianist took a bow and went backstage. The man got up from his table and did the same. He found her, still wearing her orange gown, waiting for him as soon as he went through the side curtain.
“I knew you’d come back here.” She said softly.
The man took her hand and kissed it.
“My name is Brian Auger.” He said, “What is yours?”
“Julie.” She said, smiling a little, “Julie Driscoll.”
“You sing very well, Julie.” Brian said, looking into her eyes. “I can tell you are English like I am.”
“Yes, I’ve been in America about a year.” Julie replied.
“Would like to spend some time with me tonight?”
“Yes I would.” She replied, staring back at him.
Anything else she would’ve said was interrupted by four young men wearing matching blue eight-button shirts rushing past.
“Excuse us!” A short man also sporting an English accent said as he and his band mates pushed past them to get onto the stage. He was followed by a blond-haired man with a guitar in his hand and then a tall dark haired man holding a guitar as well. Bringing up the rear was a curly-haired man who glanced over at Julie, turned away, then snapped his head back and stopped dead in his tracks.
“Hi, babe!” He said with a big smile. “Doing anything tonight?”
“She’s with me.” Brian said coldly.
“Ooh, sorry.” The curly-haired man said quickly.
“C’mon, Micky! We’re on now!” The dark haired man yelled back to him.
“Coming, Mike.” Micky called back. He gave Julie a wink and ran off.
Julie watched Micky depart with a small smile on her face. Brian brought her attention back to him.
“Who are they?” He asked, a frown on his face.
“Oh, they’re a rock group called the Monkees.” Julie replied, “Tonight’s their first night,” She paused. “And my last.”
“Your last?” Brian asked.
Julie nodded. “My contract is up and the club owner refused to extend it, plus my pianist has to go back home and visit his sick mum.”
“What a shame.” Brian said, but inside he was smiling. This made things a lot easier for him. “Let’s go out, perhaps see a movie.”
“Sounds great.” Julie replied, “Let me change and I’ll meet you here.”
Julie went back to her dressing room and changed out of her gown. As Brian waited for her, he could hear the sounds of the Monkees coming from the stage.
“Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees, and people say we monkey around, we’re too busy singing to put anybody down.” They sang as their opening number, then after the applause, they started on another song.
“Take the last train to Clarksville and I’ll meet you at the station...” Someone was singing.
Brian listened to the music while he waited for Julie. He wasn’t too enamored of it, but realized Rock and Roll was a powerful force to be reckoned with. Being a scientist, he began to wonder...
Julie came over to Brian again. She was now wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Julie took his proffered arm and the two left the club.
When the movie was over, the two walked along the street back to the club. He took her hand again.
“What will you do now, Julie?” He asked.
“Well, I’ll have to start looking for another job.” Julie replied.
“Why don’t you stay with me while you do that?” Brian asked. “I have a large house.”
“What do you do for a living?” Julie said, avoiding the question.
“I’m a scientist.” Brian said proudly. “I have my own laboratory in the basement.”
“Are you working on anything now?” Julie asked.
“Yes, a few things,” Brian answered. “Thought control, matter-transmitting and time travel.”
Julie stopped in her tracks and looked at Brian. “Thought control?”
“Yes, Julie.” Brian answered with a smile. “But you didn’t answer my question. Will you stay at my house for awhile?”
Julie looked into Brian’s eyes for a long moment, his hazel eyes penetrating deep into her green ones.
“Yes I will, Brian.” Julie answered.
Brian took Julie into his arms and they kissed.

So the next morning, Julie moved her few belongings into a room in Brian’s house. He had a large house on a quiet street not far from where Julie had performed. Brian showed her around and introduced his three assistants, Clive, Gary and John. They were about her age and wore the usual psychedelic clothes of the times. Brian took Julie down to the basement and showed him his lab. It took up the entire basement! It was brightly lit, with a high ceiling and there were the standard tables filled with test tubes and such, but what caught Julie’s attention was something that looked like an organ. It was all painted in psychedelic colors, and seemed out of place in the lab. She walked over to it.
“What’s this, Brian?” She asked.
“Just what it appears to be.” He replied. “When I need a break, I play a few tunes.”
Julie nodded and her gaze went up to the ceiling. Hanging from it appeared to be four large glass tubes, open at the bottom. Brian noticed where she was looking.
“That my dear is part of my matter-transmitter machine.” He said proudly.
“They each look large enough to hold a person.” Julie remarked.
Brian simply shrugged and directed her attention to a black box in the corner, about the size of a walk-in freezer.
“That box, if all goes well, will be my time machine.”
Julie thought that time travel was absurd, but said nothing. Brian flicked a switch, opened the box for her, and let her look inside. It was bare, with just four different colored lights in each of the corners. Julie looked at Brian.
“This is all very interesting.” She told him, not knowing what else to say.
“Thank you, Julie.” Brian said with a smile, “But just you wait. Things will become even more interesting!” With that, Brian and his assistants laughed, but Julie had no idea about what. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to find out.

Time passed, and Julie found a singing job at another club. Yet, when she wanted to tell Brian it was time for her to leave, she found herself unable to. As the days went on, Brian became more and more involved with his experiments, giving Julie little of his time. She wanted to see what he was working on, but after that first time, Brian never let her inside his lab again. Julie found herself lonely and neglected, and Brian more and more out of touch, yet, for some reason, she could never tell him their relationship was over. Was he using mind control to keep her there? Julie had no idea and no way to find out. Occasionally, she would hear weird organ music come from the lab, the only sounds to come from there.

Finally, one evening, she had decided she had had enough. She would confront Brian and tell him she was leaving. For some reason, she found herself putting on the orange gown she had worn when she had first met him before heading down to his lab. Once again, she heard the weird organ music, but kept on walking down the steps to his lab. To her surprise, the door to the lab was slightly ajar. Gathering her resolve, she pushed the door open and went inside. She found Brian, now also wearing a dark orange gown, at his psychedelic organ. There was a bowl of apples sitting on the top. Next to the organ was an object covered with a dark cloth. His three assistants, dressed in pants and boots, were standing off to the side. Brian stopped playing as Julie walked over to him.
Brian looked in Julie’s eyes, and waited for her to speak. When she simply stared back at him, he decided to break the silence.
“Who are you?” He asked slowly.
“I...Am Woman!” Julie sang back forcefully, putting a strong emphasis on the ‘I’.
Brian regarded her for a moment, and then chuckled to himself. He turned to his three assistants.
“It seems my Electro-Thought Machine works quite well!” He said, patting the organ affectionately. Brian and his assistants laughed again as Julie simply stood there watching them, totally oblivious at what just happened. The mad scientist reached over and took an apple from the bowl on top of the organ.
“Now to see if the antidote works!” He handed the apple to Julie. She took the apple from Brian and took a bite from it. Instantly she glared at him.
“So I’ve been nothing but an experiment in mind control!” She said angrily, placing the apple down.
“Yes, you’ve been a lovely test subject, Julie.” Brian replied coolly. “But why don’t you stay longer with me? Be a partner in my plans?”
“Help you control other people?” She asked incredulously.
Brian began playing his psychedelic organ again.
“Yes, and I know just the ones I want to control. Look!”
He pointed to a TV set on a table a few feet away. The TV was connected to a camera that watched the front of the house. Walking along the sidewalk just then were four men whom Brian had noticed walked past his house often: The rock band that called themselves the Monkees.
Brian continued to play the organ and began his soliloquy:
We have the knowledge--evil though it be--
To twist the mind to any lunacy we wish.
Through this Electro-Thought Machine, I'll demonstrate exactly what I mean.
We'll take the means of mass communication, use them for commercial exploitation,
Create the new 4-part phenomena: four simple minds with talent (little or none),
And through the latest fad of rock and roll, conduct experiments in mind control!
On an unsuspecting public they'll be turned!
I'll brainwash them, and they'll brainwash the world!!!!
Brian, his three assistants and then Julie began to laugh. The mad scientist slowly began to work his hands up the keyboard of his machine.
“I conjure thee!” He shouted.
“I conjure thee!” Julie sang loudly.
“Aaaaappear!” Brian, Julie Clive, Gary and John sang, voices rising.
Outside, walking in front of Brian’s house, the Monkees stopped when they heard a strange noise.
“What’s that noise?” Micky asked, adjusting the poncho around his shoulders.
“I don’t know.” Davy replied, “Sounds like it’s coming from this house.”
“Sounds like some kind of funky organ.” Peter said.
“Plus someone yelling.” Mike added.
“Maybe we should...” Micky began to say then stopped when he realized he couldn’t move! “Hey, I can’t move!”
The others couldn’t budge an inch from where they stood on the sidewalk either.
“What’s going on?” Davy asked.
But there was no answer as the four of them slowly faded from sight...
And found themselves reappearing in a brightly-lit laboratory! The Monkees discovered they could move their heads a little, so now they could see the oddly-dressed people in the laboratory with them. They tried to speak, but found they could not utter a word.
Brian stopped playing and turned to his assistants.
“Lower the tubes!” He commanded.
Clive flipped a lever and the four tubes that had been hanging from the ceiling slowly began to descend on the Monkees. Gary and John came over and made sure the tubes went over the four men. Finally, the tubes were around each Monkee. Just then, the paralysis that had affected them wore off and they began to bang on the tubes. Paying them no mind, Brian turned back to his Electro-Thought Machine and began to play.
“What is your name?” He said to Micky.
“I am Micky Dolenz!” Micky shouted at him.
“Wrong! You are now Monkee number one!” Brian replied.
“No...” Micky started to say, but Brian hit a chord on his machine and Micky stiffened.
“I am Monkee number one.” Micky said as if in a trance.
“Who are you?” Brian asked Peter, who was in the tube next to Micky.
“I am Peter Tork.” He replied, a worried expression on his face.
“Wrong! You are Monkee Number two!”
“No...”Peter began to say, but once again, Brian hit a chord on his machine and Peter stiffened.
“I am Monkee number two.” Peter said, zombie-like.
“Who are you?” Brian asked Mike, who was glaring at him from his tube next to Peter.
“I am Michael Nesmith!” Mike shouted angrily.
“Wrong! You are Monkee number three!” Brian shouted gleefully.
“No...” Mike tried to say, but he was cut off by an organ chord and he stared straight ahead.
“I am Monkee number three.” Mike said in a monotone.
“And who are you?” The mad scientist asked Davy, who was staring wide-eyed from his tube next to Mike.
“I am Davy Jones!” Davy replied.
“You are now Monkee number four!” Brian shouted back.
“No, I’m...” Davy tried to say, but the organ chord once again came in and he stiffened up.
“I am Monkee number four.” Davy replied, a blank look on his face.
Brian stopped playing and looked with satisfaction at his captives.
“I see, very good.” He said, “Now, let’s hear what you have to say collectively.”
Brian pointed to a brightly-colored box with a switch on one side. Julie picked up the box and handed it to him. He pushed the switch to the middle and all four Monkee began to sing their theme song:
“Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees...”
Suddenly, Brian pushed the switch up to ‘ON’ and the men in the tubes began to sing faster like a record that had been speeded up.
“And people say we Monkee around, we’re too...”
Brian pushed the switch to ‘OFF’ and the Monkee began to sing slowly, as if the power had been cut to a record player.
“Busy singing to…put…anybody…down.”
The four men slumped in their tubes, eyes closed. Brian put the switch box down.
“Well done.” He said to his captives, “Now I’ve got something to say: You’re all in my power!”
With that, Brian picked up an apple and took a huge bite.
Placing the apple down, Brian got off his bench and went over to inspect his captives.
“Hmm.” He said, not looking too pleased, “They seem to be in good physical condition, but I can’t say much for their choice of clothing. This one looks like he’s wearing a tablecloth.” Brian said, pointing at Micky. “Still, they took the first dose rather easily, so I suppose they’ll do alright.”
“What will you do to them now?” Julie asked, looking at Micky’s sleeping face.
“I have to break down their will.” Brian said with a smug smile. “They have to undergo more conditioning to make them my slaves before the final test.”
“What test?” Julie asked again.
“All in good time, my dear. All in good time.”
Brian strode back over to his Electro-Thought machine and sat down once again. He started to play more weird chords on his machine and the Monkees’ tubes were bathed in a blue light. After several seconds, the lights faded and the four captives were dressed like cavemen! Slowly, the Monkees woke up as the tubes were raised once again.
“Yes, in order to break their will I must make them think they are in humanity’s deep past, where there was no sense of order or structure...all the better to take my commands.”
The four Monkees bent over and slowly began to move around, their bare feet slapping on the floor. They looked at the room, not seeming to know where they were or why they were there. After several seconds, however, Micky locked eyes with Julie. She gave him a little smile.
“Let’s see what they can do.” Brian said. He started to play a fast song on his Electro-Thought machine again. Micky straightened up a little, and sang:
“I go ape every time I see you smile.”
“I’m a ding-dong gorilla and I carry on cave man style.”
“oompha oompha oompha!” Mike, Peter and Davy sang .
I’m gonna bop you on the head and love you all the while.” Micky sang, looking at Julie the whole time.
“oompha, oompha, oompha” Went the other three Monkees.
“I’m a Monkey’s cousin to a Chimpanzee on a Saturday night.”
I’m a reeling and a rocking from a coconut tree.”
Suddenly, the Monkees got out of control. They stopped singing began running around the laboratory, knocking over equipment. Clive, Gary and John had a hard time trying to rein them in. Brian’s music did little to stop them. Julie laughed to herself as the Monkees charged around the area. Suddenly, they began to walk menacingly toward Brian. Brian stopped playing and pulled another switch. A large net fell from the ceiling, trapping the Monkees. They fell to the ground.
“No no, too wild!” Brian shouted, “They can’t take orders if they are too primitive to understand!”
Julie took advantage of Brian’s distraction and picked up one of the apples, hiding it in the wide sleeve of her gown. While Brian and his assistants cleaned up the area, Julie crept over to the Monkees and handed Micky the apple. Micky got the idea and took a bite, then handed the apple to the other Monkees. They found that they could think more clearly. When the place was cleaned up again, Brian directed his assistants to put the Monkees back in their tubes.
Quickly, his command was obeyed and the Monkees began to bang on the tubes once again, demanding to be released. Brian, however, ignored them and thought about the next part of their conditioning.
“If they cannot respond as wild animals, perhaps they can act more like machines...” He worked the stops on his Electro-Thought Machine once again and a red light shone on the tubes. The Monkees were now dressed in black slacks, boots and bright yellow shirts. The scientist ordered the tubes rose once again and the Monkees began to sing:
I'm a wind up man
Programmed to be entertaining
Turn the key I'm a fully automatic
Wind up man
Invented by the teeny-bopper
Turn me on
And I will sing a song
About a wind up man
The Monkees walked stiff-legged around the laboratory, faces void of expression, but their eyes were wide. They were aware of what they were doing, but powerless to stop it.
I'm a wind up man
Programmed to be entertaining
Turn me on
And I will sing a song
About a wind up world Of people watching television Wind up man,
Can you here me laughing at you, wind up man?
ha, ha!
Brian banged a chord on his Electro-Thought machine. The Monkees stopped singing, and froze in place.
“No, no! Far too mechanical!” He shouted. “Rhythmically wrong! I’ll teach them to sing another song, a song I have written!” He began to play more, but Julie stopped him.
“Perhaps they need a rest.” She said softly, placing her hand on his. “This may be too much for them all at once.”
Brian looked at the stiff and silent Monkees for a moment and nodded his head.
“Hmm, you might be right, Julie.” He said, “This will be a good time to do something important.”
“What are going to do?” Julie asked.
“I need to get the last part of my experiment ready.” Brian said, getting up from his machine. “I’ll need a place to try out my Monkee test subjects on the world.”
He told his men to put the Monkees back in their tubes. When they had done so, Brian and his men left the laboratory, leaving Julie to wonder what was going on. A few minutes later, Brian and Clive came back in. Both men had changed their clothes. Now, they were dressed in suits and had slicked-back hair, like what was worn in the nineteen fifties.
“See you later, Julie.” Brian said, putting on a fedora, as he and Clive walked into the black box. A few seconds later, to Julie’s astonishment, the black box shimmered and then disappeared.
Unable to believe her eyes, Julie walked over to where the black box stood. It was totally gone. Julie then decided this would be a good time to leave as well. Perhaps John and Gary were in another part of he house...
Then she stopped as she remembered the Monkees, still standing stiffly in their tubes. She couldn’t leave them like that, subject to the Brian’s whims. Down deep, Julie knew Brian had evil plans for the four men, and she couldn’t leave them to their fate. Moving quickly, she went over to Brian’s Electro-Thought machine and pushed the levers, but nothing happened. She tried to flip the switch that controlled the tubes, but that didn’t work either. Julie balled her hands into fists in frustration as she realized Brian had cut all power. What could she do for them?
Suddenly, she heard banging noises as the four Monkees had awoken and tried to free themselves. They looked pale and tired. Julie rushed over to them.
“Silly boys, brute force will get you nowhere.” She said sadly.
“Hey, I remember you.” Micky said, fighting to keep his eyes open. “You were with that strange dude backstage at the Be-Bop Club a few months ago.”
“What’s going on?” Peter asked, yawning, “Can you get us out of here?”
“I’ve tried, but everything is shut down.” Julie replied.
“Why are we here?” Peter asked again.
“Brian has some sort of plan to use you four to brainwash the world through rock and roll.” Julie said.
“Great, we’ve been captured by another mad scientist who wants to take over the world.” Micky said sourly.
“He’s controlling us with that?” Mike asked, pointing to Brian’s machine.
“Yes, that’s his Electro-Thought Machine.” Julie replied.
“Whoever painted that thing should be shot.” Micky commented.
“How’s he gonna use us?” Davy asked this time. “What’s he going to make us do?”
“I don’t know.” Julie replied, leaning against Micky’s tube, “But the apple I gave you four earlier contains some sort of antidote that can help break the hypnosis.”
“My brain still feels a little fuzzy.” Micky said. The others said the same.
Julie sighed and then got an idea. “You’ve got to keep resisting him. He’s not here now, your minds are free. Use them, try and think your way out.” She said, walking among the tubes. “Relax, relax, relax.” She said softly, and the Monkees closed their eyes and slumped against the tubes again. “Feel your bodies sinking and your spirits rising, rising out of your heads, floating away into your own world of fantasy.”

Micky dreamed he was in a field of flowers on a bright sunny day. He was barefoot and wore jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt. Walking along the flowers, Micky thought about the girl in the orange gown and began to sing:
I thought love was only true in Fairy Tales
Meant for someone else, but not for me
Love was out to get me
That's the way it seemed
Disappointment haunted all my dreams.
Then I saw her face, now I'm a Believer.
Without a trace, of doubt in my mind.
I'm in love, I'm a Believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried.
Suddenly, Julie was walking toward him. She was wearing a red mini-dress and was barefoot as well. When she reached him, Julie began to sing:
I thought love was more or less a givin’ thing
Seems the more I gave, the less I got
What's the use of tryin'?
All you get is pain;
When I needed sunshine, I got rain.
Micky took Julie’s hand and they both sang:
Then I saw her face, now I'm a believer
Not a trace, of doubt in my mind.
I'm in love, I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried.
Suddenly, Brian was standing next to Julie. He was dressed all in black. Brian gave Micky an evil glare and pulled Julie away from him. They began to fade from sight.
“Wait, who are you?” Micky pleaded.
“I...am woman.” Julie sang as before.
“No, your name. What is your name?” Micky asked as everything grew black.
“My name is...Julie.” Julie answered.
“My name is Micky.” Micky told her.
Then everything went pitch black.

Peter dreamed he was sitting cross-legged on a high mountain, so high he was above the clouds. He was barefoot and wearing a simple white robe. All around him on the mountain were several young women, all wearing long golden gowns. They had elaborate gold headdresses on their heads that sparkled in the sun, and gold veils covered their faces. Peter thought about his recent relationship with a girl named Reyna that was going nowhere but neither of them could seem to break it off. He began to sing:

So go thy way and soon I shall go likewise,
And if thy path be high then mine low.
Behold my footprints in the sand,
But follow not, for soon they will be covered with snow.
The women danced and twirled about him on the mountain.
Thou makest me free then soon thou makest demands on me,
And I am not thy love thou workest in me in slavery.
But I shall heed thee as before,
And I prithee do not ask for love once more.
Thou makest me free then soon thou makest demands on me,
And I am not thy love thou workest me in slavery,
But I shall heed thee as before,
And I prithee do not ask for love.
One of the dancers walked over to Peter as he finished. Coming closer, the dancer pulled the veil away from her face. But it wasn’t a dancer, it was Brian. Before Peter could say a word, Brian grabbed his chin and the world faded into white nothingness.

*

Back on stage, the other performers were recovering from the effects of Brian’s machine.
“Whooee!” Little Richard exclaimed, “What a show!”
“Yeah, haven’t had a buzz like that in a long time, baby!” Jerry Lee Lewis replied, jumping down from his piano.
“Could someone please get me down from here?” Fats Domino yelled from the top piano.
“I’ll get someone!” Aretha Franklin yelled back, then went backstage to get help, the Clara Ward singers following her.

Dick Clark grabbed two stagehands and together they finally managed to get the prop door open. But all they found was a room full of props. There was no sign of Brian or his companions anywhere.
“Where are they?” A stagehand asked, mystified, “There’s no other way out of here.”
The theater manager had no answer and could only just shake his head.

*

“What do you call this device?” Julie nervously asked Brian as he worked on a metal hat with wires coming out of it. The wires were attacked to a chair with straps on the arms and legs. Another wire was attached it to the Electro-thought machine. Unlike the electro-thought machine, the chair was wooden, unpainted and dark in color. As soon as they had arrived back in their own time, Brian had gone straight to work on the device, which was the object that had been covered with a cloth. Everybody was still in their nineteen-fifties clothing.
“My Electo-thought chair, Julie.” Brian replied with a slight smile. “It seems these Monkees are resisting all forms of my brainwashing. As soon as my machine is off, they turn on me. Now, it will be pumped directly into their brains!”
“Why don’t you just give it up, Brian?” Mike shouted from across the room. He and the other Monkees were locked in a cage against the wall. Clive and John were standing guard in front of it.
“Your brainwashing didn’t work. People have free will you know.” Davy added. “Even Peter.”
“And where did you get that chair?” Micky taunted, “Did San Quentin have a yard sale?”
The other Monkees laughed at Micky’s joke, but the scientist did not. Brian turned to his men.
“Bring the comedian over here.” He ordered.
Clive and John unlocked the cage, pulled Micky out, then locked the cage once again. Clive put the key in his pocket. They dragged Micky over to the chair, forced him to sit, and strapped him in. Brian handed the metal hat to Gary and he put it on Micky’s head, then strapped it under his chin.
Taking advantage of the distraction, the other three Monkees huddled together to form a plan to save Micky.
“Now, Monkee number one.” Brian said sternly, folding his arms and standing in front of Micky. “This chair will either put you in my power forever...or it will kill you.” Brian smiled evilly. “I suppose there’s only one way to find out.”
“That’s murder, Brian!” Julie exclaimed.
“I think of it as a regrettable casualty in the name of science.” Brian replied, walking over to his electro-thought machine.
He sat down grandly upon his machine and with a dramatic air pounded the keyboard...but no sound came out at all. Brian looked for the reason why...and found that Julie had her finger on the off button. The mad scientist looked sharply at her.
“You would betray me now?” He asked angrily.
“Now?” Julie smirked. “Who do you think dropped that sandbag on your circuit box?”
“You...” Brian growled. He stood up and pushed Julie to the floor. Then he switched his electro-thought machine on.
“I’ll deal with you later!” Brian shouted at her as he sat down again.

Meanwhile, the other three Monkees were in action. Clive and John were in front of the cage once again, watching the argument between Brian and Julie. Suddenly, the arms of Mike and Peter came out of the cage and around their necks. Mike and Peter banged Clive and John’s heads against the bars of the cage, stunning the two men. Davy reached into Clive’s pocket and pulled out the key, which he quickly used to open the cage. While Clive and John were stunned, the three Monkees rushed out of the cage and charged Brian.
Mike and Peter tackled Brian and knocked him off his bench, while Davy pulled the metal cap from Micky’s head, then pulled the wires from the machine.
“Ow! Watch my hair!” Micky exclaimed.
“Better your hair than you, mate.” Davy replied as he began working on the straps around Micky’s arms.
Gary had now joined the fight and now he and Brian struggled with Mike and Peter. John and Clive finally shook off their blows and rushed to join the melee.
Davy now had Micky free and when John and Clive rushed over, both Monkees, as one, punched the two in the jaw, knocking them out.
Gary finally knocked Peter and Mike away from Brian. The mad scientist rushed back to his electro-thought machine and began to play, but the Monkees also ran over to the machine, holding down the keys, pulling out the stops and pushing levers. The cacophony of sound began to magnify and the whole house began to shake.
“STOP!” Brian yelled, “You’re destroying my house!”
“GOOD!” Micky shouted back, then punched Brian in the nose.
Gary tried to push the pull the Monkees away from the machine, but was unsuccessful. The noise in the laboratory grew even louder, then one of the glass tubes hanging from the ceiling came loose and crashed to the floor. Pieces of the ceiling also started to come down on everyone, and the walls began to crack too. Chocking dust began to fill the air as the house began to collapse.
“Monkees, come on!” Julie shouted to them, “This way!”
The Monkees left Brian and his machine and followed Julie across the floor, ducking ceiling tiles as they ran. Julie opened the wooden door and motioned for them to go up.
“Once you get to the top of the stairs,” She said, “Follow the hall to the left and it will take you to the front door.”
“What about you?” Peter asked.
“I’ll be right behind you four.” Julie replied, coughing, “Now go!”
The Monkees obeyed and ran up the stairs, Micky going last and taking Julie’s hand.
Brian finally shut the power to his machine, but it was too late. The weakened laboratory walls began to buckle and collapse on the mad scientist and his men.
As the Monkees got to the top of the steps, the house gave a mighty groan and began to collapse around them. In the confusion, Julie’s hand slipped from Micky’s as they tried to get out of the house. Finally, they reached the front door and burst outside as half of Brian’s house collapsed behind them. The four men ran to the street, when Micky made a horrible discovery: Julie wasn’t with them! Micky looked around frantically.
“Julie! Julie!” Micky shouted, trying to see Julie in the dark night.
“She’s still inside.” Davy whispered, “Oh no.”
“Let’s go!” Micky ordered the others.
Without a word, Mike, Peter and Davy followed Micky back to the house. They climbed over the rubble filling the front door and the hall, calling Julie’s name the whole time.
“She’s gotta be alive, she’s GOTTA be!” Micky cried, looking around.
“We’ll find her Micky.” Mike promised, “We’ll get her out of here.”
Suddenly, the four men heard a faint pounding a short distance away.
“What’s that?” Davy asked.
Micky held his hand up for silence and the sound of pounding could be heard again.
“It’s coming from over here!” Micky exclaimed.
The Monkees ran over to a wooden door lying on the ground, covered in rubble. The pounding was louder this time.
“Julie?” Micky shouted.
“Help!” Was the faint reply.
“We’re coming, Julie, hold on!” Mike yelled.
Very quickly, the four Monkees had the rubble cleared from the door and as one lifted the door from the ground. To everyone’s immense relief there was Julie, scratched and dusty, but very much alive! She had been caught under the top stair door as the house had collapsed and it had saved her from being crushed.
The Monkees tossed the door aside, and with a cry of joy, Micky reached down, picked Julie up and carried her out of the house. The other Monkees were right behind them. As soon as they were clear, the rest of Brian’s house collapsed. If the Monkees had been a little slower in finding Julie, she would’ve been buried under a lot more rubble. Once out on the street again, Micky gently set Julie on her feet and held her close.
“Are you alright, sweetheart?” Micky asked.
“Yes, thanks to you four.” Julie smiled.
“We weren’t going to leave you behind after all you had done for us.” Mike said.
“So thank you, Julie.” Micky said softly and then he and Julie kissed. The other Monkees came closer and gave the two a group hug. The tender moment was interrupted by further collapse of Brian’s house. Peter then spoke up.
“Maybe we should look for Brian and his men.” Peter said, “I know they were bad men but we still just can’t leave them...”
As Peter was speaking, the sirens of police cars and fire engines could be heard coming closer to them.
“We can’t do that now, Peter.” Mike said, looking in the direction the sirens were coming from. “We’ll have to let the rescue crews do that.”
“Mike’s right, Peter.” Julie added, “There’s no way we could explain ourselves dressed like this.” She said, indicating their nineteen-fifties clothing.
“Let’s go back to the pad.” Micky said, turning to Julie and taking her hand. “It’s not far. We can get cleaned up there...and talk about us.” He finished with a smile.
“I would like that.” Julie smiled back.
With that, the five of them ran away from Brian’s house as fast as they could

THE END