On Saturday, nearly all of Los Angeles was at the community center ready for the dance contest. They were dying to see how it was going to go. Franky was over at the refreshment table with his friends, trying to get the scoop on who Aimee was there with.

"Who did she say she going with?" Shawn asked.

"Some kid from her social studies class she said," Franky said.

"She didn't say anything to any of us," Calvin replied.

"Well," Franky just shrugged. The lights dimmed suddenly, and a spotlight went up on the bandstand.

"All right everybody!" Jerry shouted. "The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived! It's time for the dance contest!"

Everyone in the room began applauding and screaming. Jerry waited until they calmed down a little.

"The judges will determine the winner by the Applause-O-Meter," Jerry said, indicating some kind of contraption in the corner, similar to the one from the Rock-A-Thon contest.

"Now, as I sometimes say on my radio show," Jerry continued, "sixty seconds make one minute, sixty minutes make one hour, twenty-four hours make up one day, and out of that twenty-four hours, well, who knows how many songs we'll be able to pull in this contest, dedicated to the hippest show on the radio, so without further 'do, let's carry on through! Our first competitors, a young couple from James Monroe Junior High, Joey Dixon and Sydney Wilcox, dancing to the Miracles 'Whole Lot of Shaking in My Heart'. Hit it!"

The song started, and the spotlight was on the couple, dancing their routine. They had been practicing since they heard about the dance contest. Once the song was over, everyone in the room applauded.

"Next up," Jerry said, "the Mashed Potato Master, Ken Mills, and the very lovely Barbara Mills, performing to 'Mashed Potato Time,' by none other than Dee Dee Sharp!"

Ken and Barbara went out, doing the Mashed Potato. A lot of people whistled at them as they danced. Mark smacked his hand over his eyes.

"I can't believe my dad is doing this in public," he groaned. "Let me know if he throws his back out."

The song was over a few moments later, and thankfully, Mark's father hadn't thrown his back out.

"Moving right along," Jerry said, "back to another Smokey Robinson and the Miracles song, 'Mickey's Monkey' and I should spell it M-O-N-K-E-E because it's gonna be danced by the talented Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, and his lady friend, Marsha Whittaker!"

Micky and Marsha began dancing to the song "Mickey's Monkey," though Micky's dancing was like a comedy routine.

"What's 'e doing?" Davy asked. "'Is impression of Fred Astaire's impression of James Cagney?"

"You dirty rat!" Micky shouted, giving Davy a dirty look as the song was winding down. Everyone applauded.

"Our next contestants," Jerry said. "Part of the younger generation. You saw his dad do the Mashed Potato, so now welcome Mark Mills, and Shawn Smith, dancing to Martha and the Vandellas' 'Quicksand'!"

The song started, and Mark and Shawn began dancing. They were a big hit with the junior high school crowd.

"He takes after his father," Barbara commented.

"Coming up next," Jerry said. "The Isley Brothers' 'This Old Heart of Mine', featuring the stylings of Jason Cabot, and Therese Barnes!"

Jason and Therese walked out onto the dance floor and worked to their music.

"I thought they were off this weekend," Franky said.

"You know Jason and Therese," Laurie said. "On again off again. And I think they're on for this contest. Next weekend, they'll be off again."

Jason and Therese got a good applause going themselves once they were finished.

"Moving right along," Jerry said, putting on another record, "next up Peter Tork and Valerie Cartwright, with Dion's 'Runaround Sue'."

Franky stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled as loudly, and as shrilly as humanly possible. Of course, he was standing right next to Mike.

"Hey, I value my hearing!" he shouted.

Franky didn't say anything to the Texan Monkee. He just continued cheering his uncle on. Davy was whistling as well.

"Atta way to dance, Petah!" he called out.

"Up next is Mike Nesmith and Judy Henderson," Jerry said, "dancing to 'Morse Code of Love' by the Capris!"

Mike and Judy went out on the dance floor, and went into their routine, but Davy was wondering something.

"'Ey, you know 'ow 'e's half warlock, right guys?" he asked Micky, Peter, and Franky. "'Ow do we know 'e didn't use 'is magic to make 'im a better dancah?"

Mike happened to hear the British Monkee. He responded by snapping his fingers and dropping a water balloon on Davy's head. Micky, Peter, and Franky cracked up, while everyone else was wondering where that water balloon had come from.

"Very funny, Mike!" Davy shouted.

Mike didn't say anything, he just continued dancing. He and Judy got a roaring applause when they were finished. Jerry applauded, and announced the next couple.

"We're back to the younger generation," he said. "Calvin Collins and his date, Laurie Clifford, to Little Eva's 'Locomotion'."

The classic song blared out from the speakers, and Laurie and Calvin began dancing to it.

"All right, we're nearing the end," Jerry said. "Here's our last contestants, of the evening, Davy Jones and Ruth Dodson, mashing the potatoes to Dee Dee Sharp's 'Gravy,' the follow up to 'Mashed Potato Time'. Kick it!"

Davy and Ruth began to do their own version of the Mashed Potato, throwing in some of their own moves. The song ended, and everyone clapped. The judges, who had been watching the Applause-O-Meter throughout the whole contest. They had to compare notes and talk before a winner was chosen. Jerry played a slower song so everybody could relax a little. As everyone scattered, Aimee walked over to Franky.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked.

"Sure," Franky said.

"I didn't get to finish what I was saying at my apartment the other day. I wanted to tell you that the boy from my class asked me, but I told him I already had a date."

"Who?"

"Well, I wanted to go with you."

"You did?"

"Yes. And I would have been glad to enter the contest with you, Franky."

"Oh brother, am I an idiot, or what?"

"No, you're not an idiot."

"You must think I'm pretty stupid, though."

"Not at all. I really like you, Franky. I don't know why you would think I wouldn't enter the contest."

"Well, it's just that I heard you're not really that into rock and roll. Well, it's too late now."

"No it isn't," Peter said, coming over. "I've got a song for you to dance to, and I'm gonna go talk to Jerry right now."

Of course, at that moment, Jerry had just received the envelope from the judges.

"Okay, everybody, this is it!" he shouted. "Third place in our dance contest goes to . . . ."

"Hold it, hold it!" Peter shouted. "Mr. Blavat, we've got a last minute entry."

"Peter, I was just about to announce the winners," Jerry said.

"I know, but this is important," Peter said.

"All right," Jerry said, shrugging. "Give me a minute to talk to the judges."

Jerry jumped off the bandstand and went to the judge's table to discuss this last minute entry. Nobody could hear what they were saying. Finally, Jerry nodded, and went back to the bandstand.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "we're gonna hold off announcing the winners, so we can let another last minute young couple perform in our contest. Here are Franky McAlister and Aimee Armbruster. They'll be dancing to Tina Britt's 'The Real Thing.' Knock yourselves out, you guys."

Franky and Aimee went out onto the dance floor, and danced. They didn't have anything planned, though. It was all an impromptu performance, one that got the crowd clapping like crazy. Micky, Davy, and Mike were actually encouraging the crowd to clap. The Applause-O-Meter went off the scale at the act!

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Jerry shouted. "I don't think the judges need to confirm votes again! Franky and Aimee have gone and stole the show!"

Everyone began to cheer like crazy. Jerry stepped off the bandstand and handed Franky and Aimee the first place trophy.

"Great dancing, guys," he said. "But next time, don't cut it so close."

Franky and Aimee laughed. The dance began to wind down then. It went on until midnight. The Monkees and Franky were walking out to the Monkee Mobile, talking about the contest.

"I still can't believe Aimee and I won," Franky said.

"Hey, Jerry had to give it to you guys," Peter said. "You were great!"

"Yeah, and besides, second place isn't so bad, Davy," Mike said.

"Yeah, I know," Davy said. "Don't worry, I'm not sore about it. Franky and Aimee really were the greatest. Especially since they nevah 'ad a rehearsal!"

"Actually, I'm a little surprised at the outcome," Micky said. "How far did Mike rank up there again?"

"Fifth," Davy said. "I wanted to see the results of the voting."

"Fourth if Franky and Aimee hadn't stolen the show," Peter said.

"I'm just surprised I made it that high," Mike said. "I guess my dancin' must be gettin' better."

Mike began dancing the Twist a little, although he ended up losing his balance, and crashing into a bike on the bike rack, causing the rest of the bikes, and the rack to come crashing to the ground.

"Mike, are you all right?" Micky asked.

"Then again," Mike said. "Maybe I'm just as uncoordinated as ever."

And with that, everyone started laughing.

The End