Mike Nesmith stood out on the balcony of the Monkees pad and watched as the sun rose over the ocean and another day began to dawn. He stretched his long arms toward the sky and yawned as he tried to wake himself up. He had always been an early riser, but lately he hadn't been getting much sleep. He knew the rent was due in two weeks, and him and the guys didn't have nearly enough to cover it. They were barely making enough money to afford to eat, and the gigs were few and far between. He kept scouring the news adds looking for work, and he even went down in person to several clubs and dance halls trying to convince the owners to let the band play. He knew the three other band members were used to him taking care of things, and he always pulled through eventually, but lately he felt he wasn't doing the best job keeping them afloat. He shook his head and ran a hand through his dark hair before walking back inside the pad.
He walked into the kitchen and began making a pot of coffee, and started rummaging around trying to scrape up some breakfast. He found half a cartoon of eggs and there was just enough bread left to make each of the boy's some toast. So with that, he began to get the meal ready. He heard a door open and close upstairs, and he heard footsteps trotting down the steps. He didn't even have to turn around to know it was Peter. "Mornin' Pete" he said as he scrambled the eggs. Peter was always the next one to wake up after Mike, and then Davy would emerge an hour or so after, and Micky, well, they were lucky to see him before noon. "Good morning Mike" Peter said cheerfully as he sat down at the table. "You want coffee?" Mike asked finally turning to see the blonde boy still in his bright orange pajamas. "Um, are we still out of milk?" Peter asked and Mike nodded. Peter frowned "I think I'll pass then" he answered. "I figured. But don't worry there shotgun, I'm headed to the store this afternoon after rehearsal" he said trying to reassure Peter that there would indeed be milk in the house again, and with any luck, some food. "Any luck finding us a gig?" Peter asked and once more Mike shook his head. "I'm afraid not. But don't you worry, somethin' will turn up" Mike smiled. "That's the second time you've told me not to worry" Peter observed and Mike just shrugged. "Mike, why does no one want to hire us?" Peter asked, the hurt evident in his voice. Mike sighed and turned to look at Peter once more. "Because we're different, and different is scary to some people" Mike answered. "They're afraid to accept that long haired weirdos can make good music. Music that the kids dig and groove to" he continued and Peter nodded. "Listen, do you like what we play?" Mike asked and Peter nodded. "Of course I do" he said. "And do you believe in what we do?" Mike asked and once more Peter said yes. "Well then, as long as we believe in ourselves and our music, we'll be just fine" Mike said with a smile, hoping he had cheered the boy up. Peter smiled wide showing off his dimples, satisfied with what Mike had said. "Thanks Mike, I just know something's going to turn up" he replied and Mike smiled warmly at his friend. Even though he wanted to believe his own words, he knew deep down that if they didn't get something soon, he was going to have to find another job to make ends meet. He didn't want to of course, all Mike ever wanted to do was make music. It was the only thing he ever thought about. That, and his three best friends.
Once Mike and Peter had finished their breakfast, Davy came trudging down the steps dragging a very unhappy Micky behind him. "Well you're up awful early ain't you Mick?" Mike questioned and Micky shot him a death glare. "Davy scheduled a double date for 10 today with these two chicks he met last night." Micky grumbled and Davy just smiled with pride. "Uh Davy, care to elaborate?" Mike asked. "Well, last night, I was out dancing, and these two birds came over and started talking to me" the British boy started. "Ruby, this real groovy blonde, says she'd love to go out with me, and she had some free time around 10 today." He continued and Mike nodded along. "Well her friend, Carol, was there with her and wanted to know if I had anyone I could set her up with. So I told her about the band and she got all excited because she's got this thing for drummers, so I offered up our mate Micky" Davy laughed and Micky rolled his eyes. "Ah, so that's what it takes to get Mick out of bed, a blind date with the girl Davy didn't seduce" Mike chuckled earning another look from Micky. "Look mate I'm telling you, Carol's real great. Quite the looker, you'll have a great time I promise" Davy said giving Micky a pat on the back. "Yeah well I better, or so help me I will take your maracas and shove them right up your..." "Whoa calm down there Micky!" Mike interjected. Peter just sat back quietly and laughed at his three friends.
Once Micky and Davy had left, Mike and Peter started to work on the new song Mike was writing. "Gee this sure is going to be a groovy song when it's finished Mike" Peter chimed. "Well I sure hope so, I just can't seem to get it to the sound the way I want it to" Mike complained. New songs always came so easily to him, but he was struggling with this one. It was an upbeat love song, and he wondered if part of the problem was he hadn't felt that way about anyone in a long time. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had gone out with a girl. Davy had to beat girls off with a stick, Micky went out nearly every weekend, and even Peter had a date here and there, or at the very least a girl giving him a wink and a smile at a gig. But Mike went unnoticed. He spent so much time and effort on his music and being the "father" of the group, that he rarely tried to get a girl's attention. "Mike?" Peter's voice brought Mike back out of his thoughts. "Hm? Oh, sorry Pete. I must've spaced out" he said. "Did you see any aliens?" Peter asked with a hint of nervous excitement. Mike just rolled his eyes. "No Peter, that's just an expression, I didn't really go to space, now let's get back to work on that bass line" Mike insisted.
They plunked away at the song for another couple of hours, until Mike was finally happy with it. "Well when the guys get back, we can start rehearsing it" Mike said. As if on cue, the front door opened and in walked Davy and Micky. "Oh come off it Micky, how was I supposed to know she was crazy!" Davy exclaimed as Micky huffed in front of him. Oh no Mike thought. "Let me tell you one thing Jones" Micky said shaking his finger at the shorter boy. "If you so much as even think about setting me up again..." he started only to have Davy cut him off "She was a great looking girl, I thought I was being a good friend Mate!" Davy said in defense. "She tried to cut off a piece of my hair because she liked how it smelled!" Micky practically shouted. At this, Mike and Peter both doubled over in laughter. "Oh, I see you two gents find this amusing" Micky scowled. "What does it smell like Micky?" Peter asked trying to contain himself. Micky made a face and went to retort, but Mike quickly intervened. "Alright cool it Micky" the Texan said standing from his seat to place himself in front of the very agitated drummer. "Peter and I've finished that new song I've been writing, so why don't we forget about this chick and rehearse, what do you say?" He asked and Micky relaxed a little. "Fine, beating the drums might cool me off a little" Micky said plunking himself down behind the drum set.
After a couple hours of rehearsing their usual set, along with Mike's new song, he realized it was getting late and he needed to run to the store before it closed. "Alright I'll be back in a bit" Mike said as he put away his beloved Gretsch. "And try not to kill each other while I'm gone ok?" Mike asked and Davy chuckled. Mike left the pad and drove the Monkeemobile down to the grocery store. He didn't have much money. Just enough to get some more milk, eggs, bread, and a few cans of soup. He made his way around the shop gathering the items and placing them in his shopping cart. As he made his way to the soup aisle, something caught his eye. Or rather, someone caught his eye. He had seen her before. The last gig they played, he remembered her. Long brown hair that fell past her shoulders in gentle curls. She looked to be around 5'7, a fairly tall girl, with a slender yet curvy body. Her eyes were bright blue, and her lips were a soft pink color. Light brown freckles decorated her nose and under her eyes, and her creamy white skin looked especially soft. She was dressed in a simple navy blue dress that stopped above her knees, leaving the rest of her long legs on display for Mike to look at. He had forgotten about her until that moment. When he saw her at the gig, he thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. But she was looking at Davy. All of the girls did. After the show, he had expected her to run up and introduce herself to the young boy from Manchester. But much to his surprise, she had left without a second thought. He shrugged it off and hadn't thought of it since. It had been nearly two weeks since that gig, but seeing her in the store, there was no doubt in his mind she was the same girl. He saw her turn her head away from the shelf she was looking at, and she turned to stare in his direction. Mike quickly averted his gaze, as he realized that he had been staring at the young woman. He moved the cart down the aisle getting as far from her as quickly as he could.
In his haste, he had managed to crash his cart into another cart being pushed by a middle aged looking gentleman. "Hey watch where you're going!" The man grouched. "Oh I'm sorry sir, I uh, I didn't see you there" Mike said trying to apologize and removed his wool cap from his head. The man softened a little and shook his head. "Kids today, always in a hurry" he said in a mocking tone. It was then that Mike realized he knew who the man was. "Excuse me sir, but, are you Mr. Mattson?" Mike asked and the man gave Mike a quizzical look. "Why yes I am, should I know you?" He asked and Mike shook his head. "Oh uh no sir. My name's Mike Nesmith, and I'm in a band called the Monkees. We're real big fans of the dance club you own downtown, The Hangout" Mike said quickly and Mr. Mattson shook his head. "Let me guess, you want me to offer you a chance to play sometime, right?" He asked crossing his arms. Mike knew he was pushing his luck, but he was desperate. "Well sir, we've got a real groovy sound, and the kids really dig our music a lot, and we promise you won't regret giving us at least one gig." Mike offered, wringing his hat in his hands. "I don't know kid, maybe try someone else" he said sternly and began to push his cart away. Mike began to panic. They needed a gig badly. And this man's club was a big opportunity, and Mike knew he couldn't let it slip away. "I KNOW THAT SOMETHING VERY STRANGE HAS HAPPENED TO MY BRAIN" Mike sang very loudly in the middle of the store. People stopped what they were doing and looked at him, but he didn't care, he needed this man to hire them. Mr. Mattson stopped and turned to look at Mike with wide eyes, clearly mortified by his impromptu singing in public "Young man, stop that!" He hissed, but Mike persisted. "IM EITHER FEELING VERY GOOD OR ELSE I AM INSANE" he continued and Mr. Mattson rushed over and grabbed hold of Mike's arm. "I said stop that!" He cried again. Mike shook his head. "Look mister, I'm a desperate musician, I will serenade you all day, everyday, until you give my band a chance. I don't care how long it takes" Mike said stubbornly, hoping the man knew he meant it. Mr. Matteson look stunned and finally shook his head and started to walk away again. "THE SEEDS OF DOUBT YOU PLANTED HAVE STARTED TO GROW WILD" Mike began again as he followed the older man. "Alright, fine!" He exclaimed throwing his hands up in defeat. "You can play this Thursday night at 7, be there at 6:30 to set up." He growled and Mike smiled from ear to ear. "But let's get something straight Niswash" The man said and Mike sighed "It's Nesmith". "Whatever. I'll give you $50 for the night, but if I don't like it, you don't come back and you don't bother me again, got it?" Mr. Mattson grumbled, and Mike nodded with enthusiasm. It still wasn't enough to pay the rent, but it was a start, and he knew this gig would be big if they played their cards right. "You won't regret this, I promise" Mike insisted. The man just huffed and walked toward the checkout. Mike could barely contain his excitement. He couldn't wait to get home and tell the guys. He was so thrilled with the thought of a gig, he had failed to notice the pair of blue eyes that had watched the entire display.
She was intrigued by the boy in the green wool hat. She had been since the night she first heard the band play. She had tried that night to summon up enough courage to go and talk to him, but she couldn't. Instead, she had run out of the club as soon as their set had ended. She had tried all night to at least lock eyes with the tall guitar player, but for some reason whenever he would look in her direction, she would chicken out and look at the shorter boy beside of him. Something about the Texan drew her in. She hadn't been able to focus on anything else that night. His voice had an incredible country rock sound, and his lean body moved easily with the music, and she was mesmerized by his skilled fingers on the guitar. Yes, she was smitten, and she didn't even know his name. Only that he was a member of The Monkees. She had really enjoyed their music. Truthfully, it was some of the best she had ever heard, especially if it was a song sung by Mr. Tall, dark, and handsome. When she had been shopping, she had felt eyes on her. She looked around only to notice a man in a green wool hat speeding away with his cart. Her breath hitched a little when she caught sight of him. Had he been the one starring? She had certainly hoped so. She guided her cart in the direction she had seen him go and stopped when she heard the singing. It was him. She peered around the corner to see him in the middle of the store singing to an older man. She tried not to laugh, not wanting to give herself away. She watched the entire display, and she heard the man offer the boy a job. She made a mental note of the time and place. This Thursday, 7 o'clock, at The Hangout. She would be there, and she had three days to prepare. She was not going to chicken out this time. No, this second chance was too important. She would talk to the boy in the green wool hat.