*We open in the area of the ship with all the state rooms. Inside one of the rooms, we find Chuck tied to a chair. He struggles, trying to free himself, to no avail.*
Sheila: (She, several men, and Zelda step into the room) Hello, Mr. Mahoney. Comfortable?
Chuck: No, I'm not.
Chuck: It may sound cliched, but you won't get away with this.
Sheila: You'd be surprised. First of all, your friends will be joining us soon.
Man #1: Yeah, some of my boys went out to pick 'em up already.
Chuck: If they harm them...
Man #1: We can't harm 'em now. They still need 'em to play.
Sheila: I'd be more worried about yourself, Mr. Mahoney. They don't need you to play. (She yanks his chin up to her eyes) What did you hear the Captain and me discussing this evening?
Chuck: Nothing.
Sheila: (Pulls his chin closer to her) Really, Mr. Mahoney?
Chuck: I didn't hear anything.
Sheila: (She gazes intently into his eyes) That's not what I heard. Look into my eyes, Mr. Mahoney.
Chuck: No... I didn't... I won't...
Sheila: Zelda, hold his head and keep stroking it. Look closer, Mr. Mahoney. Talk to me. Tell me what you've heard.
*Zelda does as asked and holds Chuck's head.*
Chuck: I won't.
Sheila: (She runs her fingers through his hair) Come now. Our methods of persuasion won't be nearly as harmful as theirs. (She nods at the men behind her.)
Chuck: I won't talk.
Sheila: (Looks straight into his eyes; her fingers run across his cheeks) You will talk, Mr. Mahoney.
Chuck: No.
Sheila: (She runs her fingers across his chest, taking off his tie) Why not, Mr. Mahoney?
*Zelda continues to stroke her fingers over the back of Chuck's neck and the base of his skull.*
Chuck: *breathing a little heavier* Because I won't.
Sheila: (Whispers in his ear; her fingers stroke his chest heavily) Oh, but you will, Mr. Mahoney. Look deeply into my eyes.
Chuck: I... won't...
Sheila: (Her fingers go even further down; breathes into his ear) Look into my eyes. You know you want to. You can't resist them. You will get lost in them.
Chuck: I... I...
*Zelda's fingers knead the back of Chuck's neck. He lets out a whimper.*
Sheila: Yes, Mr. Mahoney?
Chuck: No...
Sheila: (Narrows her eyes) Your will is extraordinary, Mahoney.
Chuck: *He's sweating now* Thank...you...
Sheila: Zelda, I know how you feel about him, but our way doesn't seem to be working.
Zelda: *Sighs* Unfortunately.
Sheila: You had your chance, Mahoney. Now we're going to have to get it out of your the hard way.
Zelda: *Frowns* I don't have to stay and watch this, though, do I?
Sheila: Not at all. Go help the other men corral those two friends of his.
Zelda: *Smirks* Gladly. *runs her fingers through Chuck's hair, kisses his cheek, and heads out*
Sheila: Now, Mr. Mahoney, one more chance. Talk. Or I'll let them get rough with you.
Chuck: No.
Sheila: Very well, then. (Nods at Chuck) I'll let my boys have a go at you, then.
Man #1: With pleasure, Miss Saunders. (He slaps Chuck hard across the cheek)
Chuck: *Winces* That...all ya...got?
Man #2: Nope. *punches Chuck in the gut*
*Chuck coughs and gasps as he draws a breath.*
(The other man kicks him hard in the shin.)
*Chuck grunts, but he still doesn't say anything.*
Man #1: This guy sure don't talk much! (He yanks Chuck's head back hard.)
*Chuck cries out, wincing. The second man grabs Chuck's chin with one hand and brings his other arm up, taking his hand away just before connecting with his upper arm on Chuck's chin. Chuck's head whips back. We see tears in his eyes now, but he still doesn't say anything.*
Man #1: (Yanks Chuck's other arm) Boy, this guy is skinny! There ain't nuthin' to him! He ain't even fun to beat up!
(He rams his elbow into Chuck's shoulders hard.)
Man #1: Man, you're tough, kid! How'd ya get so tough?
Chuck: *Winces, gasping slightly* Gotta...tough...brother...
Man #2: *Knocks Chuck over, so he's on his side on the floor, still attached to the chair* I'm bored.
Man #1: Let's go find those other guys. Maybe they'll be more fun. The tall guy looks like he'll squish good!
(Cut back to the lounge. Danny and Butch are still at the piano, but it's later in the night, and there's only a few people listening to them.)
*Danny is goofing on "Begin The Beguine," singing the wrong words and in the wrong key at times and having a grand ol' time with it. He finishes and bows to the scattered applause, then sprawls himself across the piano and ends up in Butch's face.*
Danny: I think we're finished...and so is this crowd.
Butch: (Nods) Just as well. We have to find Chuck. I haven't seen him in ages.
Danny: I'm a little worried about him.
Butch: I'm a lot worried about him. Sheila and the Captain has to know we heard them.
Danny: Lets go look for him.
Butch: (Nods) It is getting late, but who knows what Sheila might have done to him? (He gets up...and stumbles) I guess I've been sitting down for too long.
Danny: *Helps Butch up* Did your butt fall asleep?
Butch: No, my legs. (Looks around) Where do you think we should begin? The casino? Or the restaurant? Some places might be closed by now.
Butch: Maybe he went to get a bite to eat?
Danny: He could be anywhere... *shrugs* Why don't we just walk and keep an eye out for him?
Butch: (Nods) Ok!
Butch: (His stomach growls audibly) But, um, could we get something to eat and search for Chuck?
Danny: Sure, I could use something myself.
(They head for a huge buffet-style restaurant. Butch is yawning. As they head for the buffet, they don't notice two men following them and doing the same...)
Butch: Is it me, or are those guys following us?
Danny: *Turns to look at them and stares for a moment too long* Yeah, I think they're following us.
Butch: Should we just act casual? (He yawns again) I'm so glad the buffet is open all hours of the night! I really need coffee.
(The two men get in line behind them and start randomly picking up food.)
Butch: (He gets an omelet) Wow, they have breakfast food (yawns) already!
Danny: I'm taking some of everything.
Butch: How do you and Sach manage to eat and eat, and if I eat like you do, I get huge?
Danny: *Shrugs* I don't know.
(Butch isn't looking where he's going, however. He runs right into the men as he turns around! His food lands all over them.)
Butch: Oh, I'm so sorry! Here, let me make it up to you... (But he's tired and not looking at what he's doing; he just spills the man's coffee on him) Oh, I'm so... (yawns) sorry!
Man #1: You little... (He aims to hit Butch, but he does manage to pull away)
Butch: Maybe we ought to take our food and eat somewhere else, Dan. These guys ain't too friendly!
*Danny's already plowing into his food and not paying attention to what's going on.*
Butch: (He hurries over to Dan with another tray of food and coffee) Did you see those guys? They tried to take a swing at me! I think they were going to grab me!
Danny: What? That isn't very nice!
Butch: No. No, it isn't. They must be the same guys who grabbed Chuck. (Thinks) Maybe we could turn the tables on them.
Danny: *Grins* Literally?
Butch: If we need to dump a table on them, yeah. We could follow THEM to Chuck...and let THEM think they're following US.
Danny: *Gives Butch a confused look, but nods* Okay!
Butch: (Loudly) You know, I really think we need some fresh air.
Danny: *A little TOO loud* I'D SURE LIKE SOME FRESH AIR!
Butch: (Finishes his coffee) That was pretty good. (Louder) Are you ready to go?
Danny: I'M READY!
Butch: (Mutters to him) And tone it down a little. Everyone's staring at us.
Danny: Huh? *realizes* Oh, sorry.
Butch: Come on. And keep an eye out for Chuck. (Frowns) I hope no one did anything to him. He's my best friend. If he got hurt...well, I don't know what I'd do! (Gulps) Or what I'd tell Slip. He might hurt me worse than any of Sheila's goons, especially given the mood he's been in lately.
Danny: I'm sure he's fine! They wouldn't hurt him badly, would they?
Butch: You'd be surprised what Sheila can do when someone says "no" to her.
Danny: Oh.
(Butch and Danny head out. The two guys, one of whom is still trying to clean the coffee off his suit, follow them.)
(Cut to the main decks. Butch and Danny stroll around the swimming pools and shuffleboard games. It's dark and a little eerie in the moonlight.)
Butch: Wow. It's kind of spooky out here.
Danny: I never knew it could be so creepy at night.
Butch: (He peers around a corner as we hear splashing and giggling) Hey, there's people actually swimming out here!
Danny: Yeah? *also peers around; his eyes widen* Uh, Butch, I don't think we should be watching this!
Butch: (His eyes widen) They're not wearing any clothes! Aren't they cold?
Danny: I have a feeling that being cold is the last thing they're thinking about.
Danny: Maybe we should get outta here.
Butch: (Blushes heavily) Uh, yeah. (They turn...and run almost smack into the guys who were following them!) Um, sorry!
Danny: Uh, hi, guys.
Butch: Yeah, hi. (Looks up, grinning) Do you like to go swimming?
Man #1: Uh, yeah. I guess so?
Butch: Well...now you're really gonna go swimming! (He ducks as the man reaches for him. He grabs a deck chair and pushes the man into it. He pushes the chair to the edge of the pool and dumps him in. We never see the bathers...but we do hear their screams and yells of annoyance and the man's squawks.)
*The other man goes after Danny, who side steps, then pushes the man into the pool.*
Butch: Let's get out of here and find Chuck, before those guys get ideas and come after us again!
Butch: Or the swimmers come after us.
Danny: Let’s go!
(Cut back to the room where Chuck still lays on his side. Two slender pairs of hands right him and set his chair on the floor. We don't see who it is until he opens his eyes.)
Chuck: *Groans as his eyes focus on Zelda, who stands directly in front of him, with Sheila behind her* Thanks...I think...
Zelda: You really ought to cooperate.
Sheila: (Leans over him) You know what we can do to you and your friends if you don't. That little musician, for instance. He's just a child, compared to the rest of you. I made short work of his mind once several years ago. It would be no trouble to do it again.
Chuck: *Frowns* I'm the one who won't cooperate. Take it out on me.
Sheila: You sound exactly like that brother of yours.
Chuck: Runs in the family.
Sheila: You know, we're not such bad girls, once you get to know us. We know a lot of things.
Chuck: I know what you two know, and I'm not interested.
Sheila: Oh, but I think you will be. (She runs her fingers gently down his neck and looks into his eyes)
Chuck: *Groans* Not again...
*Zelda runs her fingers on him in various other places.*
Sheila: (She pinches his neck a little) What do you feel now, Mr. Mahoney?
Chuck: *Frowns again* Don't...
Sheila: Quite an interesting way of calming you. (She runs her fingers more slowly on his neck) Shh, my dear boy. Shhh. Calm down.
Chuck: No...
(She runs her fingers slowly over his neck and throat, blowing softly into his ear.)
Sheila: Shh, my boy. We won't hurt you. We just want to talk to you.
*Zelda rubs his shoulders gently.*
Chuck: Won't talk...please stop...
Sheila: Why not? (She strokes his cheeks and neck lightly)
Chuck: *Moans; quietly* I like it.
Sheila: Then enjoy it. (She goes even slower.)
Chuck: I don't want to.
Sheila: I don't understand why not. (She raises his chin to face her)
Chuck: You're evil.
Sheila: Not evil. Just very cunning and very, very smart. (She gazes deeply into his eyes.)
*Zelda takes his head in her heads, her fingers gently massaging his temples.*
Chuck: *Whimpers* Please...
Sheila: Look into my eyes, Charles Mahoney.
*Chuck does as asked. Zelda smirks, still gently rubbing his temples.*
Sheila: Talk to us, Mr. Mahoney. Tell us what you know.
Chuck: You and the Captain are buying real estate on the island to build a huge hotel, displacing the natives, damaging the island's economy and the beach's animals and plants.
Zelda: *Hmphs* Sheila didn't ask your opinion about it.
Sheila: Hmm. I thought so. Did your little friend hear it, too?
Chuck: Yes.
Sheila: That settles it. We'll have to get the other one, too. (Looks at Zelda) You can handle the taller one. I don't think he was with them.
Zelda: *Grins* I'd be happy to.
*The door opens. We see Butch and Danny stumble in.*
Danny: *Yelps* We found them!
Butch: Chuck! (He pushes Sheila away and kneels in front of him) Are you ok? What did they do to you?
Chuck: *Stares blankly for a moment* Hi, Butch.
Danny: I don't think he's quite with us. *yelps again as he notices Zelda has sidled up next to him*
Butch: Get away from him! (He pushes between Zelda and Danny) I don't want you doing to him whatever you did to Chuck!
Zelda: Wasn't me.
Butch: I don't care! He doesn't deserve to be treated like that!
Zelda: *To Sheila* I think he could use a little relaxation.
Sheila: (Takes Butch's arm) I think you could, too.
Butch: (He shoves Sheila away) Oh no you don't! Not to me! Not again!
*Zelda backs Danny to the wall. He hits it with a solid thump and gives a loud and long gasp as Zelda takes a hold of his face.*
Butch: NO! (But Sheila back him against the wall, ignoring his struggles)
Sheila: Why don't you calm down, my fine musician?
Butch: Not for you!
*Zelda plants a kiss on Danny...a long one. Soon, he begins to slump & ends up sitting on the floor against the wall, dazed.*
Sheila: (Strokes Butch's hair) Calm down, little one.
Butch: (He struggles) NO! (Turns to Danny and Zelda, his eyes wide) DANNY!
*Danny gets as far as putting his head in his hands before Zelda replaces his hands with hers and kisses him again. This one is gentler and much shorter.*
Sheila: How's he coming, Zelda?
Zelda: *Runs her fingers through his wavy red hair; Danny gives a dazed smile* Wonderfully. *She snuggles up to Danny, leaning her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around him.*
Butch: NO! Forget it! (Shoves Sheila off of him) Danny, fight her!
Sheila: (She falls on the floor with a thump) Ouch! Was that really necessary?
Butch: Yes!
*Zelda frowns, seeing Butch shove Sheila to the floor. She snuggles into Danny a bit more.*
Butch: Zelda, I don't want to hurt you, but I will. Get off.
Zelda: No.
Sheila: Come here, boy. (She grabs his arm) You're beginning to be very difficult. (Squeezes his arm) I can play rough, too.
Butch: You want me to play rough? I can do that. (He smacks her in the chin. She lets him go and hits the floor.) I hate hitting a lady, but I don't want to end up like Chuck.
*Danny groans, coming around. Zelda frowns, holding onto him a little tighter.*
Butch: Zelda, he doesn't want you on him. You're not light. (Pulls her off of him.)
Zelda: But...
Danny: Wait...Butch... *gets up, using the wall to steady himself* Let her go.
Butch: Fine. (He does so) But don't try anything funny, Zelda.
Zelda: *Sighs* I won't.
Danny: *Takes Zelda's arm* Listen. Don't try so hard. *gives her a kiss; when he pulls away, Zelda nods dreamily, then bounces away* Holy cats... *leans against the wall again*
Butch: Are you ok? We have to get Chuck out of here while they're out!
Danny: *Nods* I think so.
Danny: I'll help you untie him.
*They go to Chuck, Danny still a little woozy. Chuck's head is bowed, but he looks to Butch.*
Butch: (Lightly slaps Chuck's face) Chuck? You in there? Did she get very far?
Chuck: *Confused* Butch? *He groans as his head begins to bow again.*
Butch: Yeah, it's me! What happened? We were playing, and you just disappeared!
Chuck: Caught me...want to...know what...we heard...
Danny: *Finally frees Chuck from the chair; he thumps down on the floor next to Butch* I think we oughta get going. I need an aspirin badly.
Butch: And I don't want to be around when the ladies come to. Hopefully, they won't attempt this again, now that they know we're onto them.
Chuck: Aspirin...
Danny: I'll share the bottle.
*Butch and Danny help Chuck up, putting him between them, though Danny isn't overly steady himself, but they manage with no trouble getting Chuck out of the room. We cut to Chuck's state room & find him seated on the bed, looking a bit better than he was.*
Butch: (Outside; knock on the door) Hey, Chuck, you decent?
Chuck: Yeah, Butch, hang on. *Opens the door* I'm not taking any chances. *sees Butch alone* Where's Dan?
Butch: He'll be along in a little while. (He sits down on the bed) How are you feeling?
Chuck: I'll survive, but I ache somethin' awful. Those goons of Sheila's took their turns on me. At least Sheila really didn't get very far.
Butch: I wish I could get my hands on those jerks and show them a thing or two!
Chuck: You and me both. *sighs* We gotta stop them before they ruin that island.
Butch: Maybe we should check out the land they're talking about.
Chuck: *Nods* Definitely. There has to be something we can do.
*There's another knock at the door.*
Chuck: That's probably Dan... *goes to the door; opens it to find Danny* Come on in, Dan.
Danny: Thanks. Did I miss anything?
Chuck: We were just deciding on what to do next.
Danny: *Nods* Oh. *Chuck closes and locks the door.*
Butch: I suggested we check out the land itself.
Danny: Might as well. *sighs; appears to be staring at the wall between Butch and Chuck.*
Butch: Danny, what are you looking at?
Danny: Hm? *turns to Butch; sighs* Nothing.
Chuck: You sure you're okay?
Danny: Yeah, I took some aspirin...
Chuck: That isn't what I meant.
Danny: *A little annoyed* I don't know, all right? I don't know.
Butch: It's Zelda, isn't it?
*Danny nods, then rests his chin in both palms.*
Chuck: No offense, Danny, but she's one of the WORST people to have a crush on.
Butch: She'll chew you up and spit you out, and do it gladly.
Chuck: *Nods* All she cares about getting her hands on whomever she thinks is cute. And I mean literally getting her hands on them.
Butch: All over them.
Chuck: And under if she gets the chance.
Danny: *Sighs* But her kiss...
Chuck: *Shakes his head; to Butch* Can I slap some sense into him?
Butch: Go right ahead.
*Chuck does slap Danny, catching him off guard. He holds his cheek.*
Danny: Ow!
Chuck: Dan, I'm sorry about that, but you're completely off your nut about this. There is NOTHING good about Zelda. I don't understood what it is that's drawing you to her. *realizes; groans* She's still got a hold of you somehow.
Danny: Huh? No, she doesn't. I just... *gets up* I'll see you in the morning. *lets himself out*
Chuck: *Turns to Butch* I wish I knew what just happened here.
Butch: She has some kind of hold over him. I just wish I knew how we could break it.
Chuck: That's all I can figure. *yawns* And maybe we should plan more tomorrow. The aspirin's starting to wear off.
Butch: We all need rest. (He pats Chuck on the shoulder) Especially you. We'll need to to write that story and expose Sheila's scheme.
Chuck: *Nods* When my mind is no longer mush.
Butch: You have a good night! (He heads out)
Chuck: *Sighs, shaking his head* Now I know how Slip feels. *flicks the lights and climbs into bed as we fade out.*