The next morning, the Monkees were at the kitchen table having breakfast. Actually, it was just Davy, Peter and Micky that were eating, while Mike just sat and stirred his cereal.
"Are you ok, Mike?" asked Davy.
Mike didn't answer.
"Earth to Mike," said Micky, snapping his fingers near his band mate's ear.
Mike then snapped out of his trance and looked at his friends.
"Oh sorry fellas, were you saying something to me?" he asked.
"You're just sitting there, and you haven't touched your food," said Peter, before eating a spoonful of cornflakes.
"I'm not that hungry."
"Are you sick?" asked Davy, "Maybe you're coming down with something, or something you ate."
"Can't be that, I ate Peter's cooking last night too and I feel fine," said Micky.
He then got an elbow in the stomach by Davy.
"I'm not sick, just tired," said Mike.
"Well, you woke up last night with that nightmare you know," said Davy.
"Come to think of it, this has happened the last few nights," said Micky, taking a sip of his glass of OJ.
"I just have a lot on my mind," said Mike, "We haven't gotten any gigs the last few weeks and money is very tight."
"The parade will take your mind off of things, Mike." Peter said brightly, "We better get going if we're gonna get a good view."
"Yeah, the money will come in somehow." Micky said, finishing his OJ. "You always manage to come through with some cash."
"Alright, let me finish up and we'll go." Mike said, and proceeded to eat his cereal. He still didn't feel like eating, but he didn't want to waste what little food that was left in the pad. Micky was right; he did always come through with some money...he'd have to find a way to make a withdrawal discreetly.
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Mike drove the Monkeemobile to downtown LA. He had to park some distance since other cars were there and several streets were already blocked off for the parade route. As the Monkees walked over to the parade route, they fell in with some other people, a man and a woman, going the same way. They were carrying flags and the man had his American Legion cap on.
"Did you read the morning paper, Al?" The woman said, shaking his head, "About the robbery last night?"
"Yeah, who would rob a Veterans' office?" Al said disgustedly, "I'll bet it was those anti-war hippies." He continued, giving the Monkees an angry glance.
"The...the Veterans' office?" Mike squeaked.
"Yeah, someone broke in and knocked over filing cabinets and the police think some files were stolen." The woman replied.
"That's terrible." Peter said, then looked over at Mike, "Isn't that right, Mike?"
But Mike didn't answer. In fact, he looked as white as a ghost.
"Mike, what's wrong?" Micky asked.
"I'm just shocked that someone would do that to a Veterans' office." Mike said, his voice quiet, "I'm a vet too y'know."
"Oh that's right." Davy said, "You spent a year in the Navy, but was stateside, right?"
"Yeah, let's just find a place to watch." Mike said quickly, leading the way away from the other couple.
Meanwhile, two other figures were making their way to the parade. It was Boris and Madam, decked out in red, white and blue outfits.
"I don't like wearing this stuff." Boris whined.
"Be quiet, Boris." Madam snapped, "We must blend into crowd and what better way than to wear the American colors?"
Actually, Boris and Madam were attracting some stares at their matching patriotic outfits. Soon, they found a curb-side spot and stood there waiting for the parade to begin.
"Keep your eyes open for that man." Madam whispered to Boris, "No doubt he will be here to see his brothers-in-arms."
A few minutes later, a whistle sounded and a great cheer rose from the crowd. The Memorial Day parade was about to begin!
Soon enough, Several rows of uniformed men marched in unison down the street. One man held a flag, and several of the men watching took off their hats.
"Take off your hat, Boris!" Madam told him.
Boris scowled, but did what he was told.
Just then, the Monkees took a spot on the parade route...right across the street from Boris and Madam! However, they were watching the men march by and didn't notice the two spies.
Following the men were several marching bands and floats, commemorating the sacrifices the soldiers had made for their country. A group of Naval veterans marched by and Micky poked Mike in the ribs.
"Recognize anybody, Mike?" He asked.
Mike just shook his head, but he had recognized a few of the men. His gaze focused on the crowd across the street...and to his shock he recognized Boris and Madam standing there, looking at him!
"Guys, look!" Mike shouted, pointing across the street.
But by then another marching band was coming down the street, blocking the view.
"What, Mike?" Davy asked.
The marching band had now passed and the spot where Boris and Madam stood was now empty.
"Nothing, guys." Mike said, swallowing, "I thought I saw someone I had served with, but was I was wrong."
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