*We open at Mike's cafe. Chuck sits at a table with a notepad, doing some writing. Myron and Blinky sit at the counter, eating sandwiches. Sach is in the back room doing who knows what.*

Mike: (He comes out with a towel to wipe the counter) What's Sach doin' back there?

Blinky: I think he said something about working on his...

(That's when we hear a huge explosion and see smoke come out of the back room.)

Blinky: (Coughs) ...Chemistry set.

Myron: *Waves a hand* That's just great.

Sach: (He comes out with something in a beaker; his face is blackened) Darn. I must have added too much 249 to the H20.

Chuck: *Shakes his head, but he's grinning* You never give up, Sach.

Sach: Of course not! That's no fun!

Mike: By the way, where's Duke?

*That's when the phone rings. As Mike reaches for the phone, we cut to a store where we see Duke in a phone booth.*

Mike: (Over the phone) Hello?

Duke: Hi, Mike, it's Duke. *glances around the store, then turns further into the booth* I'm at the new men's store on Fifth. I need to ask the fellas to meet me here.

Mike: At a men's shop?

Duke: Well, there's a reason behind that. I think there's more than meets the eye here.

Mike: What do you mean, more than meets the eye?

Duke: I think this store is a front. Sure they've got clothes, accessories, even jewelry, but it's what they're hiding that's more interesting.

Mike: A front for what? Do you know?

Duke: I'm not quite sure, although I have an inkling that there's stolen goods here.

Mike: Do you want us to call the police, too?

Duke: I don't have any proof right now, just a strong hunch.

Mike: All right. I'll send the others over. Are you sure this is a good idea?

Duke: There's hardly anyone here, and only one guy on the register. I'm sure we could slip in the back easily...

Mike: Duke? Duke? (He frowns as we hear someone put the phone down and a dial tone; puts his own phone down)

Blinky: So, what's going on?

Sach: Yeah! Why would Dukey want us to go some men's shop?

Mike: Boys...I think Duke is in big trouble.

Sach: What kind of trouble?

Mike: He was tellin' me somethin' about the men's shop bein' a front, but I think he got cut off.

Sach: Of course it has a front! It has a front and a back!

Blinky: I don't think that's what he meant, Sach.

Mike: He means the shop is fake. It's really another business.

Sach: If it's not a men's shop, what business is it?

Mike: Duke said something about receiving stolen goods.

Sach: I knew Duke wasn't entirely honest!

Mike: No! The shop is receivin' stolen goods, not Duke!

Blinky: Maybe we ought to go over there and see if he's ok.

Sach: Maybe YOU ought to.

Blinky: Chuck, if we can figure this out, it might be a great story for you!

Mike: Aye, lad. Could lead to somethin' really big.

Chuck: As long as Duke's okay, I don't care one way or the other.

Sach: I need to work on my formula. I'll see you guys later.

Blinky: Aw, come on, Sach! He's your friend, too!

Chuck: Sach, you know you want to go.

Sach: What if there's guys with guns there?

Blinky: We'll duck.

Sach: Oh, all right. (Makes a face) But if there's shootin', I'm headin' for the hills.

Myron: Yeah, we know.

Mike: Sach is right about one thing, boys. Be careful. They may already have gotten Duke.

Chuck: We'll be careful, Mike.

*We fade on the boys leaving Mike's and fade in on the men's store. As Duke said, there's only a few straggling customers and one man on the register. We see the boys enter the store.*

Sach: (He looks around) Doesn't seem too bad.

Blinky: (Nods) Looks like a nice place. (He goes to a rack of suits) They sell some really nice clothes!

Sach: I wonder where Duke is? (He pushes between suits on the rack) Oh Duuukkeey!

Man at Counter: (As Chuck and Myron approach him) Yes, gentlemen, may I help you?

Myron: Yes, sir. A friend of ours came in a short time ago and wanted us to meet him here. He's about 5-6, 5-8 with dark hair, wearing a suit and fedora. We don't see him now and were wondering if you saw him.

Man at Counter: A lot of men fit that description, especially at this store.

Sach: He's a little guy with a big voice, and he yells a lot.

Chuck: *Sighs* That fits a lot of guys, too.

Sach: (He goes to the counter) Where are you hiding our Dukey?

Man at Counter: I beg your pardon?

Blinky: Our friend Duke called us and said he was here...but he got cut off.

Sach: I'll bet some nasty old villain set a trap for him! They probably have him in their secret lair.

Man at Counter: You need to stop reading those wild comics stories.

Sach: Thank you!

DuVal: (He comes out of a door that leads to the back; he wears his usual impeccable suit and fedora) May I help you, gentlemen?

Sach: It's you! It's him! I'll bet he has Duke!

DuVal: Who?

Sach: You know who! The guy who helped arrest you the last thirty-seven times we saw you.

DuVal: Come to think of it, all of you do look familiar. (Smirks at Chuck) How's your big reporting career coming?

Chuck: It's coming along rather well, DuVal.

Sach: Our Chuckie is a great reporter!

Blinky: He's gotten some really good assignments!

DuVal: That's good to know. Now, can we help you gentlemen find some clothes? Perhaps a nice suit for the big reporter?

Chuck: *His eyes widen* Me?

Sach: Aw, you don't want anything from him! It's probably cummerbund.

Blinky: You mean contraband.

Sach: That too.

DuVal: I assure you, all of our clothes were purchased legitimately from the great fashion houses in Europe.

Chuck: *Sighs* All right. I'll look at the suits.

DuVal: (Pats the man's shoulder) Mr. Fuller, show this (smirk again) great reporter some of our best merchandise.

Mr. Fuller: (Shows Chuck a suit from a rack near the desk) Now, this is one of our finest Italian suits. Real silk. It would go nice with those brown eyes of yours.

(DuVal just smirks and goes in the back again.)

Chuck: That IS nice!

Sach: Wow, look at that cut!

Blinky: It would look nice on you.

Sach: (He strokes the coat) It feels sorta lumpy.

Mr. Fuller: That's probably how it's cut.

Chuck: This is one handsome suit.

Mr. Fuller: I can give you a really good price on it.

Sach: Get it, Chuck!

Blinky: You'll really impress all of those guys in the news room!

Chuck: Okay. I'll get it.

Mr. Fuller: I'll go wrap it up for you. (He goes in the back)

Sach: (As he does) Maybe we should look around for Duke while he's doin' that.

Blinky: Maybe they have him in the back!

Sach: (Calls) Duke! Dukey, are you back there?

Blinky: Sach, if he's back there, I doubt he could tell us! They probably have him tied up or something.

Myron: Tied up and gagged.

Mr. Fuller: (He comes out with a box and a paper) Here's the bill, sir. (Hands it to Chuck)

Chuck: Well, that's not too bad. *pulls out his wallet, removes a couple of bills, and holds them out to Mr. Fuller* Here you go.

Mr. Fuller: Thank you. Come again, sir!

Sach: (As they leave the store) Well, that wasn't entirely useless. You got a nice new suit, Chuck!

Blinky: But we didn't find Duke! I'll bet he's in the back.

Myron: We need to figure out how to get back there.

Sach: Maybe they have a back door.

Blinky: They might. (Points to an alley next to the store) It might be worth a look.

Sach: (Gulps) It looks kind of spooky.

(The camera follows them as they make their way down the alley. Cut to the back of the row of buildings that includes the store. We see trash cans and old crates...and one familiar, battered hat on the ground in front of the back door.)

Sach: (Gulps) This place is all shadows. I wish someone would turn on the light.

Blinky: Hey, I know this hat! (Picks up the fedora and shows it to Chuck and Myron) It looks like Duke's hat.

Chuck: Because that IS Duke's hat!

Blinky: Then he IS back here!

Sach: But how are we going to get in there?

Blinky: Use your head, Sach.

Sach: Ok! (He rams into the door head-first...and it actually opens.)

Myron: I don't think he meant it literally, Sach...but good work.

Sach: Yeah.... (holds his head) Owwwwww....

(They walk in the room. The back room is filled with racks of suits and hats, boxes of men's separates, crates, and shelves of men's undergarments.)

Sach: I don't see no Duke here!

Chuck: This is turning into a needle in a haystack.

Sach: It's a wild Duke chase!

Blinky: Maybe he's hidden somewhere.

Sach: (Tosses clothes out of a crate) He ain't in here!

Myron: *His eyes widen as he pulls out a box* Fellas!

Sach: (As he continues to toss clothes) What is it?

Myron: Jewels!

Sach: Jewels? Where? Let me see! (He runs over, nearly knocking over Myron)

Blinky: Jewels?

Myron: *Gives Sach a brief glare, then holds them up* Well, they LOOK like jewels!

Mr. Fuller: (He comes in the back room as the others lean over Myron) What are you doing here?

Sach: Looking at your jewels!

*Chuck smacks Sach's arm.*

Mr. Fuller: What jewels? We don't have any jewels!

Sach: What are those, lemons and oranges?

Mr. Fuller: Gentlemen, please. We're about to pull out some more merchandise for special customers, and we really need to get into this room!

Sach: Ok, ok, we're goin'. Come on, fellas. He don't want any more of OUR business.

Blinky: (Mutters to Chuck, as they make their way out) Where do you think they might have taken Duke?

Chuck: Anywhere, I'm afraid.

Sach: What about the nightclub DuVal owns? Maybe he took Duke there.

Chuck: That's our best option right now. Let’s go.

Sach: Wait, shouldn't we go back to our place and change into somethin' nice? (Grins) I can't go into a fancy nightclub without my good baseball cap!

Blinky: But what if they're hurting Duke? We may not have the time for that.

Chuck: We're going straight to the nightclub, no ifs ands or buts.

Blinky: I'll bet that ol' DuVal is hiding Duke in the back!

Sach: That's what we thought at the store!

Blinky: We can still try. (Frowns) How are we going to get in?

Sach: Can we sneak in? That's fun.

Myron: That might be the only way we CAN get in.

Chuck: All right, we'll sneak in.

(Cut to the back of the night club. It looks pretty much like the back of the men's shop, only with larger trash cannisters. The boys tip-toe out of the shadows and over to the door.)

Blinky: Here's the eternal question. How will we get in?

Sach: Someone else use their head this time. Doin' it this afternoon hurt!

Myron: *Pulls a small pouch from inside his jacket pocket* Allow me. *kneels at the doorknob & starts to pick the lock*

Blinky: You can pick locks?

Sach: Wow, I'm impressed.

Myron: *Over his shoulder* You never asked.

Chuck: How's it coming?

Myron: Almost got it...

Blinky: I hope Duke's here. I want to figure out what's going on.

Sach: Yeah. Those guys had jewels! They just didn't want us to see 'em!

Myron: *As the door opens* Got it.

Chuck: *Claps his shoulder* Good job, Myron. Everyone be careful going in...

(Cut to inside. We see the same carousel-themed night club as in "Bowery Boys and the Nighclub Nocturne." The colors don't extend to the dingy hallway, though.)

Sach: Ok. Chuck, you've been here before. Where should we begin?

Chuck: We go down the hallway, to the right, to the back rooms.

Sach: Then let's get a move on, before someone comes in the back and decides to fill us full of lead.

Blinky: Let's start here. (He opens the door and walks in. After a minute, we hear female screaming and see Blinky get thrown into the wall behind the boys. He's blushing.) Um, let's NOT start there.

Myron: *Helps Blinky to his feet* You okay?

Blinky: Yeah, I think so. Are there normally two of you?

Myron: *Shakes his head* No, only one.

Sach: They scrambled his brains!

Blinky: (Touches his head) No, I think they're all still in there.

Chuck: He hit his head. He's gonna be just fine.

Sach: Well, let's go somewhere else, then. (Turns to Chuck) You pick this time. You know the place.

Chuck: The next room... we'll just go down the hall...

Sach: (Gulps) Sure is dark down there.

Blinky: (He takes Sach's arm) Come on. (They follow the other two down the hall.)

Myron: Was it this creepy before when you were here, Chuck?

Chuck: No, it wasn't. Here... *opens the next door*

(Cut to the inside of what looks like a storage room for non-perishable food. There's boxes and crates with "ketchup," "mayo," "mustard," "salt," and "salad oil" printed on them. We also see bottles of various sizes and shapes on dusty shelves.)

Sach: Wow. (He goes to the shelves) I wonder if DuVal would blow a gasket if I tried some of this stuff?

Blinky: I wouldn't, Sach. We may end up having to pay for it.

Sach: Aww! I was gonna look for bread and make myself a sandwich!

Blinky: We're not here to eat. We're here to find Duke.

Chuck: That's right.

Sach: But I'm hungry! Can we at least go somewhere to eat after we find Duke?

Chuck: Yes, Sach, AFTER.

Blinky: Well, where would they hide Duke?

Sach: (He starts tossing ketchup bottles out of a box) Nope, he ain't in here.

Blinky: (Checks a crate full of mustard bottles) Not in here, either.

Sach: Maybe he's in a broom closet or somethin'.

Chuck: *Opens the broom closet* Just brooms.

Sach: Well, there ain't nothin' in here... (Looks up) What's that sound?

Blinky: I think it's voices...

(DuVal and a couple of large men in suits walk into the room. DuVal narrows his eyes.)

DuVal: What are all of you doing poking around here?

Sach: Um...checking your ketchup supplies!

Blinky: Yeah! You're getting really low on spicy mustard.

Myron: You should really watch your supplies more closely.

DuVal: (Turns to his men) Throw them out. They're snooping. I don't like snoops. (Points to Chuck) And that one is a reporter. We don't want reporters nosing around.

Sach: Oop! Time to get outta here.

Blinky: I don't like how they're looking at us.

Chuck: Routine four!

(Sach hits the light. We hear a scuffle...and when the lights come back on, the guys are gone and the goons are in a pile on the floor.)

DuVal: Go find them! Get rid of them!

Sach: (As the boys dash through the hall) Where are we gonna go?

Blinky: How about in here? (He opens the door he was knocked out of before)

Chuck: That's a chance we'll just have to take!

(The guys duck into the room. We hear screams, but no one goes flying out the door this time.)

(Cut to several lovely young women in ruffled, spangled black-and-pink costumes with fishnet stockings and high black and pink heels passing by. A head peers out of the room...a familiar head in a blond wig with a very long nose.)

Sach: Ok, guys! Coast is clear. (He comes out in the black and pink outfit and a blond wig)

Blinky: (His wig is long and red) This is embarrassing.

Sach: I think you look cute!

Blinky: I had to stuff stockings in the top to make it fit right!

Chuck: *Comes out next in a brunette wig* I wish we weren't making this a normal thing. Once was bad enough, but this outfit's even worse.

Myron: *His wig is black and curly* I sorta think it's fun.

Sach: Want me to braid your wig, Chuckie?

Chuck: Don't touch my wig.

Stage Manager: What are you girls doing back here? The show's about to begin! (Raises an eyebrow) Are you...girls...new here?

Myron: Yes, we're new.

Sach: Yeah! (Highest voice his low croak can manage) We were hired this mornin'!

Stage Manager: I'd ask why people are hirin' more girls without tellin' me, but there isn't time. I'll ask about it later. You girls go and get on that stage!

Sach: (Gulps as they head to the stage area) Chuckie, are we really gonna have to dance?

Blinky: In these things? I can barely walk in these heels! (Trips over his feet for emphasis)

Myron: *Plants his fists on his hip* You gals are no fun, you know that?

Chuck: *turns to Myron* I'm worried about you.

Myron: What? I'm trying to be positive about this.

Chuck: Let’s just get this over with.

(Cut to the stage. We see the orchestra in black and pink tuxes, and then see the girls come on...including the Boys. The audience laughs when it sees the rather masculine "women." DuVal is in the audience - his eyes widen.)

Orchestra Leader: And now, we give you one of the numbers from that hit musical "Guys and Dolls," "A Bushel and a Peck." Hit it, um, ladies!

Sach: (Tries to move in time to the music as the real girls sing the song) Um, Chuckie, do you know this number? It wasn't in the movie!

Chuck: No... *looks over at Myron, who's singing and dancing along, having a grand time*

Sach: How's he doin' that? I can barely keep up!

Chuck: How should I know?

Blinky: (Frowns; the girls' steps are getting more complicated) I knew I should have taken dancing lessons when my mother sent my sisters!

Sach: (He's just waving his limbs around now) Hey, this is kind of fun!

Dancer #1: What are you doing?

Sach: Uh, dancin'!

(Sach gets really into it, kicking his legs every which way.)

Blinky: (As Sach grabs him and whirls him around the stage) Whoa! Careful!

*Myron does the same to Chuck. Chuck scowls at him.*

Dancer #2: (She frowns at Myron) Hey, guys, get back in formation! The boss is givin' us the evil eye.

Myron: *Pitches his voice higher* Sorry!

Sach: (Mutters as they rejoin the others to finish the number) You know, she's right. They ARE starin' at us.

Blinky: Maybe we'd better get outta here once the number's done.

Chuck: The sooner, the better.

Sach: (As some of the men make their way backstage) Um...you know, I don't think Duke is here after all.

Blinky: I think it's time we got out of here.

Chuck: We're outta here!

Myron: Already!?

Sach: (Grabs Myron's arms and points to the men in the audience) I think those guys could really hurt us if they get their hands on us!

Myron: Can we come back later at least?

Chuck: You are REALLY worrying me.

Sach: I think those guys might really hurt us if we come back later. Come on. (He tugs Myron off-stage before the men can get to them)

(Cut to outside. The Boys hurry out the front entrance this time. They're back in their regular clothes.)

Sach: (Looks around) I don't think they're following us.

Blinky: Should we split up?

Chuck: *nods* Yeah. Sach, you come with me. Blinky, you go with Myron. We'll meet at our place.

*As the four split into pairs, the camera follows Blinky and Myron as they jog across the street.*

Blinky: I sure hope Duke's ok. I wonder what happened to him?

Myron: I hope he's okay, too. *shakes his head* I don't like this at all. They've got him hidden somewhere. If they hurt him...

Blinky: He must have found out something really important if they’re going through all this trouble to hide him!

Myron: I wonder what it is. From what Mike said, Duke didn't tell him everything.

Blinky: Maybe it has to do with the jewels we saw at the clothes shop.

Myron: I'm sure that's at least part of it.

Blinky: (Gulps) Myron, Duke's our Chief. If we lose him... (raises an eyebrow) Sach might really be in charge.

Myron: Nothin's gonna happen to Duke. Besides, Chuck wouldn't let that happen.

Blinky: Yeah. Can you see Sach leading anything? I like the guy. He's my best friend, but I think even he knows he's not what you would call "leadership potential."

Myron: That's why we have Duke. *Shakes his head* We're gonna find him, and he's gonna be just fine, okay?

Blinky: (Gulps) I hope so...

Myron: *Claps Blinky's shoulder* I know so.

*We fade out on them. Fade in on Chuck and Sach walking down another street.*

Chuck: *Glances over his shoulder* It doesn't look like we're being followed.

Sach: Nope! (Looks up) No one's runnin' over rooftops.

Chuck: *Sighs* Sach, this isn't a comic book.

Sach: I dunno about that. It sure feels like one, with all the runnin' around we've been doin'. (He wipes at his lips) Do I still have lipstick left?

Chuck: *Frowns* Left corner.

Sach: Thanks. (He wipes it off) I sure hope Dukey's ok. I like the guy. He don't need to get hurt like this.

Chuck: *Nods* I just...I don't know how this happened to him. What exactly could he have stumbled onto?

Sach: He probably saw that nasty DuVal stealin' diamonds or somethin'.

Chuck: This whole things worries me, every bit of it.

Sach: I sure hope we can get him back. (Frowns) And I wonder what that DuVal has to do with it? Shouldn't he be in jail?

Chuck: I'm sure he had someone bail him out. *sighs again* I wish Slip was here. He could handle this better.

Sach: (Nods) I miss Chiefy.

Chuck: I don't know what more to do. Slip would know. I know he said he choose Duke because I have the job with the paper, but he probably just didn't wanna hurt my feelings with telling me I'm not cut out for being the Chief.

Sach: I wish we could call him, but he's probably doin' stuff on the farm.

Chuck: And trouble him with this? No way. *pauses, shaking his head* I'm at a complete loss, Sach. I don't know what to do.

Sach: Maybe we'll be able to think better when we get home. I know I think better around my chemistry set!

Chuck: *As he jams his hands into his jacket pocket* Hm.

Sach: (Puts an arm around Chuck) Come on, star reporter. Let's go home and figure this thing out.

*Chuck rolls his eyes, not feeling even one ounce the star reporter Sach referred to him as.*

(We fade out as the two stroll down the street, Sach grinning, Chuck worried.)