The next day, the Monkees were at the community center, to sign up for the contest. Mike was in the corner with the girl he was dating at the time, Judy Henderson. She was trying to teach him to dance. The MC of the contest, Jerry Blavat ("the Geator with the Heater") was watching them.
"Well, what do you think of them?" Davy asked.
"Your friend swings like a rusty gate," Jerry said.
"Oh yeah?" Mike asked. "Well, let's see you do better."
"Sure," Jerry said, shrugging. "Give me a dance, and I'll do it."
"Mashed Potato," Mike said.
Jerry loosened up, and began doing the Mashed Potato.
"Pretty good, pretty good," Micky said. "Now how about the Fly?"
Jerry shrugged, and went into his rendition of the Fly.
"Not bad," Peter said. "But what about the Watusi?"
So Jerry did the Watusi next. Then the Monkees wanted him to do the Swim, the Jerk, the Locomotion, the Pony, and the Twist.
"Convinced now, fellas?" Jerry asked, as he was twisting.
"Where did you learn to dance like that, anyway?" Micky asked.
"Didn't you know I got my start on Bandstand?" Jerry asked. "In the pre-Dick Clark days."
"I got one more for you, Geatah," Davy said. "Let's see you do the Freddy!"
"No way!" Jerry shouted. "The Freddy is the dumbest dance in the world!"
"I can't believe we're gettin' away with this," Mike said. "I figured the four of us wouldn't be allowed to dance in this contest, considering we know you."
"I told the committee that it was the judge's decision who wins and not mine," Jerry said. "I'm just the MC. I'm not judging. They told me that as long as I didn't play favorites, my friends could enter the contest. And I'm not gonna play favorites."
"Not again, anyway," Davy muttered, as he signed his name, and his girlfriend dujor, Ruth Dodson, on the list. Jerry happened to hear him, and threw him a dirty look, but said nothing.
"Well, sign me and Mike up," Judy said.
"Judy, baby, wait a minute!" Mike shouted. "You know I've got too left feet!"
"That's what practice is for, Mike," Judy said, as she wrote hers and Mike's names on the sign up sheet.
"That's true, Mike," Peter said, taking the clipboard so he could sign him and his girlfriend, Valerie Cartwright, up. "After all, practice makes perfect."
Micky took the clipboard next, and signed himself, and his current girlfriend, Marsha Whittaker, for the contest.
"Although I don't think it'll matter," he said. "Marsha and I are gonna . . . ."
"Don't be so cocky, Micky," Jerry said. "You never know what's going to happen at these contests."
After school, several kids were going down to the community center to sign up. Franky was there, but he wasn't sure he was going to sign up.
"I hear your dad entered, Mark," Calvin said.
"I hope he doesn't end up throwing his back out," Mark said. "He does it every time he tries to do the limbo. Matter of fact, I think the Geator had a dance contest like this last year when it happened."
"I actually remember that one," Jerry said. Then he turned to Franky. "Well, how about you, my young friend? Want to sign up?"
"Sure, but I haven't found a date yet," Franky replied.
"He's trying to ask a girl he likes," Micky explained.
"Yeah, but somehow, 'e can't bring himself to do it," Davy said.
"Oh, is this the nephew you guys were telling me about?" Jerry asked. "Who's nephew is he, again?"
"Mine," Peter said. "Franky, meet Jerry Blavat. The Geator with the Heater."
"Yeah, if he couldn't bring himself to ask out a girl, I figured he wasn't Jones's nephew," Jerry said. "Nice to meet you Franky, and no offense, Davy."
"None taken," Davy said. Then he muttered under his breath, "Jerry Blabbermouth."
"You haven't asked Aimee yet?!" Mark shouted. "What's taking you so long?!"
"You've known Aimee longer than Franky has, Mark," Micky said. "Would she go for a guy like Franky here?"
"Well . . . . ." Mark said, thinking it over. "I'm not really sure what her tastes in music are, to tell you the truth. I know she's smart and studious, though."
"Those types are never into rock and roll," Franky said.
And with that, the Monkees went to the Pad. While Franky sat at the kitchen table doing his homework, Davy walked over to him, with Monroe's student directory.
"I think I 'ave an idea," he said. "Why don't we use your school's directory, and call up all the girls you know?"
"I don't know," Franky said. "I'm still trying to work up the nerve to ask Aimee. But I don't think she'll go with me."
"Why not? She likes you. And I've seen you two go to the movies and out for burgers and things like that."
"Yeah, but is she the type to enter a rock and roll contest?"
"Well . . . . Aimee doesn't strike me as the type to be into rock and roll, but it wouldn't 'urt to ask 'er."
The next day, the Monkees were at the community center, going through Jerry's records, to find songs to build a routine to. Franky was with them, watching. Peter pulled out a song called "Gravy," by Dee Dee Sharp, which was a follow up to her song, "Mashed Potato Time."
"I noticed Dee Dee Sharp had a thing for mashed potatoes," he said.
"Hey, that song's perfect for you, Franky," Micky said. "Think you could work up a routine?"
"If I find a partner," Franky said. "Mind of I borrow the record, Mr. Blavat?"
"Sure, go ahead," Jerry replied.
Franky nodded. He had a song, but no partner. And, he'd have to talk a girl into doing the song, as well. The next day, Mike and Judy were working on their routine at the Pad to complete silence. Mike didn't happen to own a copy of the song he wanted to dance to. Peter and Micky were watching them.
"I'm so surprised you entered this thing," Micky said.
"What makes you say that?" Mike asked. He made a turn, lost his balance, and fell flat on his seat. "Whoa!"
"That's what makes us say that," Peter said.
"Yeah, Mike," Judy said, pulling her date to his feet. "You're not terribly coordinated."
"Well," Mike said, shrugging. He and Judy went back to their routine. They were going to need all the practice they could get.
