(We open in the Carousel Club. Danny and Butch are on the stage with the orchestra. Butch plays while Danny sings "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now?" The room is done in an elaborate cross between late Art Deco and late Coney Island, with real carousel animals lining the walls and behind the orchestra. The ceiling looks like the mirrored ceiling of a merry-go-round. There's bright-colored red-and-yellow tents over some of the tables in the very back of the room, near the animals. Zelda, DuVal, and Sheila, along with several of their men, sit at one of these tables. Their tent is open so they can hear every bit of the performance.)

*Chuck, wearing a nice suit, sits at the bar, watching the performance. Danny, wearing a tux with matching purple bow tie and cummerbund, croons the song. He remains in place at the microphone, but does pantomime throughout the whole song, his hand going this way and that. At times, he briefly looking like he's conducting.*

(Butch, wearing a more normal white and black tux, just shakes his head as he plays.)

*The song ends. Danny bows deeply. A loud, fake ripping noise comes out from behind him. Danny straightens, grinning.*

Danny: *into the microphone* Guess I shouldn't bow that low, huh?

Butch: (Leans over and grins) What have you been eating lately?

*Chuck shakes his head, but he's grinning.*

Danny: I don't know, but I don't think these pants are my size. *into the mic* We'll be back, folks, after I go find some new pants! *backs to the back of the stage; just before he goes off, he turns around & bends over to show there really IS a rip in his pants! He finally gets offstage, laughing.*

DuVal: (He makes a face at the women) Why did I hire that idiot again? The pianist is good...and at least, quiet. That man is a nervous nut job.

Zelda: He's gorgeous... *sighs*

DuVal: Zelda, he's annoying.

Sheila: I find him amusing.

Zelda: *nods* Very amusing! *sighs* And sexy. I can't wait until after the performance.

DuVal: We have to do something about those three. I think they're catching on. Zelda (turns to her) you seem to be interested in that red-headed man.

Zelda: Uh huh.

Sheila: Zelda, are you in there?

Zelda: Yes?

Sheila: Zelda, did you hear anything DuVal just said?

Zelda: *nods* I did. What are you planning on?

DuVal: Talk to that red-headed man. I want to get him to calm down and stop being so damn annoying.

Zelda: But, DuVal...

DuVal: Do it, Zelda. Or I'll fire him and those two meddling idiots who work with him, and you'll never see him again.

Zelda: *Frowns, but nods* Okay, I'll do it.

*A spotlight appears at the back of the stage. It follows a shadow the people assume is Danny...and it is, but he's now dressed as a puppet. He laughs and waves with mitten-covered hands. Over at the bar, Chuck slaps his forehead, heaving a deep sigh. He asks the bartender for a shot of liquor.*

(Butch does a double-take, his eyes wide. He finally smiles and shakes his head. That Danny's a nut.)

*Danny motions for the band to begin playing. He sings "Popo The Puppet" while bouncing around the stage. Back at the table, Zelda chuckles, grinning.*

DuVal: (Makes a face) God, this is annoying as heck.

Sheila: I think it's cute.

Zelda: He's adorable.

*The song ends. Danny bows, waves, then heads off the stage.*

DuVal: (As the orchestra starts an instrumental number) Ok, Zelda, you're on.

Zelda: *Sighs and nods* All right. *Heads for backstage*

*We move into the dressing room. Danny already minus the wig and mittens. He pulls the top off, revealing his upper body, and is reaching for a shirt when the door opens.*

Zelda: (Peers in) Everyone decent?

Danny: *Gasps loudly* Not really!

Zelda: Close enough. (She comes in) You were really good in that last number. I was in stitches!

Danny: *Smiles* Good. That's what I was hoping for. *holds the shirt over his front* Was that...all?

Zelda: No. (She sits in the chair next to him) I find you very attractive. Especially half-dressed.

Danny: *Laughs nervously* Th-thanks. I s-sorta fi-figured th-that th-the other d-day.

Zelda: (She pulls the chair a little closer to him) Don't be so scared! I won't hurt you!

Danny: *Gulps* That's not what I heard. *pauses* And...that kiss the other day. You were trying to sucker me in. It took the guys all evening to me to stop being goofy.

Zelda: No, I wasn't. I really like you.

Danny: *Adjusts his hold on the shirt he's trying to cover himself with* Why?

Zelda: You're cute. You're funny. You're talented. You're smart. Do you need more reasons?

Danny: *Slight grin* If you have them, sure.

Zelda: Well, you're classy. You're too classy for those guys you hang around with. And you're really sweet.

Danny: *Grins* What else ya got?

Zelda: Uh-uh. (She touches his nose) Why don't we leave after the show and have a drink together? ;)

Danny: Um, I think the fellas wanted to go out...

Zelda: So tell them something came up and you had to cancel! (She gets a little closer to him) Tell them you have a sick aunt or something.

Danny: But I don't have an aunt.

Zelda: Then make one up! (She whispers in his ear) I want to be with you.

Danny: *Loses his grip on the shirt; nervously* Oh!

Zelda: Yes. And you want to be with me.

Danny: I...I... *backs off a little*

Zelda: (Takes his chin) Look into my eyes.

Danny: The-they're v-very n-nice.

Zelda: Look deeply...

*Danny gives a high-pitched whimper, finding that he can't turn away.*

(That's when the door bursts open. Butch and Chuck immediately hurry over to Danny. Butch nods at Chuck. Butch takes Danny's hand; Chuck takes Zelda's arm.)

Butch: Danny, where have you been? It's time for the next number, and then you promised you'd buy me a drink afterwards!

Danny: *Blinks at him* Huh?

Chuck: Zelda, you do realize this is the MEN'S dressing room, right?

Zelda: *Frowns* I know that. I wanted to talk to him.

Chuck: He's busy right now. He'll 'talk' to you later, okay? *leads Zelda out and closes the door after her, then leans again it* Whew.

Butch: Danny, are you ok?

Danny: I... *groans and puts his head in his hands* ooohh...

Chuck: *Rejoins them* She's persistent. That, I'll give her.

Butch: Did she ask to look into your eyes?

*Danny nods, a little too exaggerated as his hair flops with each nod.*

Chuck: What else did she do, besides get your shirt off?

Danny: *Shakes his head* I was changin' when she came in.

Chuck: She didn't do anything else?

Danny: *Looks up* Uh uh.

Butch: She was probably about to when we came in. Good thing we got worried and went looking for you.

Danny: She said she wouldn't hurt me.

Chuck: I find that hard to believe.

Butch: We told you what she's done to us!

Danny: I know! *gives a high pitched whine, then scrambles for the bathroom; returns, patting the back of his neck with a wet face cloth*

Butch: What's with you? You're sweatin' like a boxer after the tenth round!

Danny: Well, I, um...

Chuck: *Folds his arms* Despite what we told you, you like her.

Danny: *Looks anywhere but at them* Maybe.

Chuck: This is ridiculous. I wish we knew what they're up to so we could get out of here.

Butch: Maybe we could spy on them!

Chuck: We're going to have to.

Butch: But how are we going to do it without them knowing it's us?

Chuck: We'll need disguises.

Butch: Do you think the waiters would be mad if we borrowed their uniforms?

Chuck: Does it really matter?

Danny: What about me?

Chuck: You're coming with us to help.

Danny: I guess I thought...with what happened...you'd leave me behind.

Chuck: As tempting as that is, Dan, we can keep a better eye on you if you're with us.

Butch: And you're a good actor! I'll bet you could fool those guys easily!

Danny: *Nods* Okay. Besides, I'm already half way to changing.

Chuck: Yeah, we're definitely looking at more of you than we should be. And I thought Sach was skinny.

Butch: Do you ever eat?

Danny: At breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Butch: Must not be very big meals.

Danny: How about we going spying, huh?

Butch: (Nods) I know where the waiter's outfits are. I saw them when we arrived earlier. They're in a closet right near the men's dressing rooms!

Chuck: Great. Let’s go grab some.

*Zelda rejoins them at the table, expressionless.*

Sheila: So, how did it go? Blew his mind?

DuVal: The others have disappeared, too.

Zelda: Well...

Sheila: Don't tell me he somehow blew YOUR mind!

Zelda: We got interrupted before I got the chance.

DuVal: We saw those men take off. I suspected that's what they were up to. (Makes a face) I need the smaller one. He has genuine musical talent I could use. So does the red-head. That Mahoney, however, has got to go.

Sheila: If you bump him off, his friends will get suspicious...not to mention the paper he works for.

Zelda: Maybe we could separate them somehow?

Sheila: We could keep the other two here for rehearsals and attack Mahoney when he's alone. I heard his brother and Jones are in Paris. (Rolls her eyes) I thought Jones seemed familiar. According to the papers, he's a dead ringer for Professor Maurice LeBeau. (Makes a face) I've never seen him outside of the papers, but I've heard he's dedicated to two things - women and science. Perhaps Jones has some relatives in France.

Zelda: That would make things easier.

DuVal: I'd love to kill the whole lot but Williams, but it would be too darn noticeable. They all have parents and family who live in Manhattan. Not to mention, that twit Dumbrowski is so fond of them, he raises a stink every time they're out of his sight for more than five minutes! He's over there in France with Jones and Mahoney the Elder now!

Sheila: Perhaps we could have Mahoney the Younger roughed up a bit. Nothing damaging. Just enough for him to get the hint to lay off and let us manage his friends.

Zelda: Do we have to?

Sheila: I thought you were interested in that Danny now.

Zelda: Well, yes, but that doesn't mean I can't still like others.

DuVal: Don't worry, Zelda dear. We'll have the Examiner up in arms if we do anything worse to that kid.

Zelda: Okay.

(Suddenly, three familiar waiters make their way in with a cart. One is tall, red-headed, and has a droopy mustache. The other red-head is smaller, plumper, and has an obviously fake beard. The third is smaller and dark-haired, with thick eyebrows and a thin mustache.)

Butch: (He tries for a heavier New York accent like Slip's) We brought your order!

DuVal: Well, it's about time. (Raises an eyebrow) You don't look like our waiters from before!

Danny: *With a very good Italian accent* They went on break.

Butch: So, who has the Beef Stroganoff, who has the Beef Wellington, and who has the Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Sauce?

*Chuck moves to give a plate to DuVal, but it "slips" and lands in DuVal's lap.*

DuVal: (He jumps up) You fool! This is an Italian tuxedo! Cost me a fortune!

Chuck: *Heavier New York accent* Maybe you shoulda bought American.

DuVal: I should have you fired for this!

Sheila: Bela, sit down. You can get a new suit.

Butch: Here's yours, ma'am...oops! (He trips and almost lands on the table! The Beef Wellington goes flying...and lands all over Sheila.)

Sheila: Oooh, my hair! My dress!

DuVal: You're all incompetent!

Butch: I only made one mistake!

Zelda: *Frowns* I'm not so sure I want mine.

*Danny holds the last plate and doesn't move. Chuck "accidentally" walks into Danny. The two juggle the plate for a moment before Chuck gains control and dumps it on Zelda.*

Zelda: *Yelps* Oh yuck!

*Danny gets as far as reaching for a napkin before Chuck slaps his hand away.*

Butch: (He's trying to clean off DuVal) I'm sorry, sir!

DuVal: You're sorry? (He growls) Get out! You're all fired!

Butch: Yes, sir! (He takes off)

Chuck: Yessir! *follows Butch*

*Danny looks like he wants to help Zelda mop off, but DuVal growls at him. He yelps and runs after the other two. The guys reconvene in the men's dressing room.*

Butch: Whew! That was a close one. Do you think they suspected anything?

Chuck: I hope not. That was fun. *sighs* So they're gonna try to rough me up.

Butch: We'll find a way to protect you! I won't let them hurt you! And if your brother was here, he wouldn't, either!

Chuck: *Shakes his head* I'm not so much worried about myself... *looks to Danny*

Danny: Don't look at me like that. You give my nerves nerves!

Chuck: Can you even throw a punch?

Danny: With or without hurting myself?

Butch: Maybe we could teach you! (He smiles) I have a pretty good fist.

Chuck: *Nods* He does.

Danny: I don't know, fellas. Can I just dodge them and run away? I'm good at running.

Chuck: I'll bet you are. *sighs* No. Butch is gonna teach you to throw a punch. We'll worry about the receiving end later.

Danny: But I don't want to be on the receiving end!

Chuck: *Shakes a fist at him* Wanna receive one of mine?

Butch: Just be glad Slip is in France, Danny. You'd probably be half-way to Brooklyn by now. He used to be a prizefighter.

Danny: Yeah, but at least I'd be safer in Brooklyn, and some of my relatives are there.

Chuck: I'm getting close to it.

Danny: *Shrinks back* Not before I go out with Zelda! *slaps both hands over his mouth, realizing what he said*

Chuck: What!? *leans over Danny* What did you just say?

Butch: Are you crazy? She's nothing but trouble!

Danny: *Slowly uncovers his mouth* I just...she asked...she said she wouldn't hurt me! I sorta wanna go. I haven't had a girl actually interested in me in years... *shrugs* I know I'm a nut, but she seems to like it. The others don't.

Chuck: Yeah, you ARE a nut. You're just plain damn crazy!

Butch: Chuck, he's in love! (Whispers into Chuck's ear) We'll follow him and Zelda and really get the lowdown on what these guys are up to!

Chuck: *Whispers back* I hate to use him like this, but he's throwing himself into it. Okay, we'll let him go. *turns to Danny* Okay, Dan, you can go, but if anything funny happens, leave. Got it?

Danny: *Nods, grinning* You got it! *starts whistling as he jumps up to change*

*We fade out on the somewhat amused look on Butch's face and Chuck shaking his head.*