At once a red and white car took the lead, but after only one lap a dark blue car took the inside lane and went ahead.
Both Micky and Von Klutz could see it was the `Super mobile'.
"Ah ha!" Von Klutz laughed, "My car is in the lead."
Micky found himself unable to take his eyes off the TV. That was his friend in that car, risking his life for him.
The laps went by much too quickly for Micky. Most of the time, the `Super mobile' was in the lead, but sometimes the red and white car would go ahead. It quickly seemed to be a race between the two cars, with the other cars unable to get past them.
Sometimes, it seemed to Micky, the red and white car was able to take the lead, but stayed behind the `Super mobile'.
"Only ten laps to go." The TV commentator said, "It's looking like a close race between Schmidt's `Super mobile' and Crumpet's `British Queen'."
"Crumpet?!" Von Klutz shouted at the TV.
"Yes, Crumpet's car and Schmidt's car have been dominating this race." The announcer said.
Von Klutz's face grew red in anger, while Micky had a slight smile on his face. With an effort, Von Klutz calmed himself down. Then a smile spread on his face as well.
"What a glorious day this shall be!" Von Klutz said, "One of my enemies is driving my car to victory, at the same time, defeating another enemy while striking a blow for my country's enemies!"
"How nice for you." Micky said sourly.
Von Klutz merely chuckled as the commentator announced: "Five more laps to go, race fans!"
"Five more laps until your friends die," Von Klutz said, "Followed closely by you."
Swallowing hard, Micky leaned forward and tilted his head. He hoped this worked.
"Hey, Von Klutz."
"What, Yankee?"
"Can I adjust the antenna?" Micky asked, looking back at his captor. "The picture's a little out of focus."
"Go ahead." Von Klutz said. "I want to see what happens clearly."
Micky stood up and took a step over to the TV. He adjusted the rabbit ears so that they stood up straight.
"Much better, Yankee." Von Klutz said, looking at the TV.
Micky ran his hands down the ears until they gripped the base. Then taking a deep breath, he quickly picked up the antenna, whirled, and threw it at Von Klutz's hand.
Fortunately, the antenna wire attached to the rabbit ears was long enough and so the heavy antenna base slammed into Von Klutz's gun hand, knocking the weapon to the floor.
The East German spy let out a curse in German. He bent down to retrieve his gun, but Micky put his cuffed hands together and clubbed Von Klutz on the back of his neck, sending him to his knees. Von Klutz reached for his gun, but Micky kicked it under the spy's armchair. Micky turned to run, but Von Klutz grabbed his ankle and pulled, sending Micky to the floor. With his free foot, Micky kicked his captor in the face, and was rewarded with a howl of pain from Von Klutz.
On the TV, the commentator was now shouting. "One lap to go, race fans! It's going to be close!"
Von Klutz released Micky's ankle and brought his hands to his face to feel blood flowing from his nose. He growled and grabbed at Micky once again, but the Monkee was already on his feet and moving. The spy reached under the armchair, grabbed the gun, brought it up and fired at Micky. It missed, but shattered the window next to him. Micky ran over to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked.
"Here it is, race fans, the checkered flag is out!" The TV commentator shouted, "The winner is...the `Super Mobile', driven by David Thomas!"
Von Klutz glanced at the screen to make sure his car really was the winner, then took careful aim at Micky.
"Goodbye, Yankee!" Von Klutz shouted.
"The `Super Mobile' is going over to the winner's circle." The announcer said, "Where Mr. Thomas and his pit crew will be congratulated by West German Chancellor Boris Jaeger."
Micky turned and raised his hands...
Suddenly, the living room windows shattered as several armed men dressed in camouflage charged through the panes.
Other men came into the room from inside the house, all heavily armed as well.
They had been gathering in the woods outside and their camouflage prevented Von Klutz from seeing them.
"This is the F.B.I.!" One of the men shouted at Von Klutz, "Drop your weapon and put your hands up!"
Von Klutz did as he was told, but he still had a smug smile on his face.
"You are too late!" He shouted at them, "A new world order is about to start!"
"You've got to warn Chancellor Jaeger!" Micky told his rescuers as a man unlocked his handcuffs. "There's a bomb in the `Super Mobile' that will explode ten minutes after the engine is shut off!"
Suddenly, a loud booming noise was heard from the TV. All eyes turned to the TV as it showed the `Super mobile' engulfed in thick black smoke.
"Looks like something has happened to the `Super mobile'!" The TV commentator exclaimed as the camera zoomed in as close as possible to the action.
"HA HA!" Von Klutz shouted happily and looked at Micky. "The chancellor is dead and your friends are dead as well!"
"No, the chancellor is on his way back to West Berlin." Said Mike as he, Peter and Davy walked into the living room. "Mister Smith here tells me his plane left about ten minutes ago." He added, indicating one of the camouflaged men.
"Mike, Peter, Davy!" Micky exclaimed as he ran over to embrace his friends. "You're alive!" They enveloped each other in a group hug.
"No...no, this can't be happening!" Von Klutz shouted. "You're supposed to be dead!"
"But we're alive thanks to your old friend T.N. Crumpets' grandson Jeremy." Davy said smugly.
"Crumpets?!" Von Klutz shouted.
"No need to shout old boy, I'm right here." T.N. Crumpets said as he slowly walked into the living room. He was looking much more frail than the last time the Monkees had met him. Now he walked with a cane and had to be supported on one side by his manservant Caruthers. Still, he stood tall and looked Von Klutz in the eye.
"Still up to your evil ways, eh? I'm sure the Americans will make sure you and your lackey cause no more trouble."
Von Klutz stood dumbfounded at the turn of events; all his plans were in ruins!
"How...how did this happen?" The East German spy stammered.
"It all started when Wolfgang took a fancy to the dessert table at the registration and that gave me time to tell Jeremy what was going on." Davy said.
"Jeremy told me that you were up to no good once again." Crumpets continued, "I in turn called my friend who's now the head of the British Secret Service."
"You have friends in high places." Mike remarked.
"He and I go way back." Crumpets smiled, "We fought together in the Great War and later we worked as espionage agents during the Second World War." He then gave Davy a warm smile. "That is how I met your grandfather, Davy."
Davy's jaw dropped. "My grandfather was an English spy?"
"Oh yes, he was very good at rooting out German spies in Britain." Crumpets then turned back to a still-shocked Von Klutz. "My friend then called the F.B.I. and they were waiting for your friend Wolfgang and these three boys."
"What has happened to Wolfgang?" Von Klutz demanded, his voice shaking.
"He's probably at the county jail by now," Mr. Smith replied, "He's the one who told us about the bomb and the plot to kill the chancellor."
"Plus the plot to take over West Germany." Peter added, shaking his head, "And maybe start World War III. Shame on you!"
"But the explosion, the smoke!" Von Klutz exclaimed.
"In order to gain time so we could rescue Mr. Dolenz," Mr. Smith replied, "We pretended your scheme was going according to plan. We had an agent pose as Mr. Jones and drive your car. Mister Crumpets' grandson helped keep the others behind and let him win."
"The smoke you saw was nothing but a smoke bomb." Mike said, "The real bomb was removed and taken away."
"The public will be told something went wrong with the engine." Mr. Smith added, "I also have it on good authority that allied troops in West Berlin and the rest of West Germany are on high alert, in case your East German comrades decide to crash the party anyway."
"Looks like your beloved Deutschland will still be two countries, Klutzy." Micky smiled. Von Klutz sank into his armchair, put his hands to his face and began to sob. Nobody in the room had any sympathy for him. One of the F.B.I. agents used this opportunity to handcuff Von Klutz's hands.
"Heinrich Von Klutz, you are under arrest on charges of espionage, false imprisonment, attempted murder and assault." He said, "You have the right to remain silent..."
~~~~~~~
After a broken Von Klutz was taken away, the Monkees turned to their friend T.N. Crumpets.
"Thanks so much, Mr. Crumpets." Micky said, shaking his hand, "You saved my life."
"Think nothing of it, Micky." Crumpets said, "I'm glad that blighter and his crony will be put away for good this time."
"Maybe someday Germany will be united again." Peter said, "But under a flag of peace and democracy."
"It could happen, Peter." Davy said, "Perhaps in our lifetime."
"I sure hope so." Peter replied, and the others nodded too.
Just then, Jeremy ran into the house, still wearing his racing jumpsuit.
"Oh dear, looks like I missed all the action." He said.
"At least you're not late for your races, young man." Jeremy's grandfather said with a smile.
The Monkees shook hands with Jeremy and thanked him for all he had done.
"Glad to be of service." Jeremy replied, "I guess some of Grandfather's spy business is in my blood as well."
Everyone laughed at that, then T.N. Crumpets began to cough.
Caruthers patted his employer's arm.
"Perhaps it is time you rested, sir." He said gently.
"I guess you're right, Caruthers." Crumpets said, then looked at the Monkees. "Too bad we can't have a spot of tea right now, but I'm not as young as I used to be."
"We understand, Mr. Crumpets." Mike said, "Take care of yourself."
"I will, goodbye to you all." Crumpets replied, as Caruthers and Jeremy led him away.
Afterwards, Micky was taken to the hospital for his injuries, where he was treated and released.
~~~~~~~
The next morning, the front of the sports pages was all about the race-and that the trouble with the `Super mobile' was caused by an illegal device to boost the engine's performance. The car was disqualified and the $50,000 was awarded to the second place winner, Jeremy Crumpets.
~~~~~~
The East German forces gathering around the border with West Germany quietly went back to their bases. The East German chancellor's explanation was that it had all been a drill in case the allies ever decided to attack.
~~~~~~~~
A few months later, Thomas Nathan Crumpets passed away quietly in his London home, with his family and Caruthers at his side. He was buried with full military honors in his family's plot. The burial was attended by many people, including Davy's grandfather. The Monkees were unable to attend, but sent flowers.
~~~~~~
Heinrich Von Klutz and Wolfgang Diffendorfer were interrogated by the F.B.I. The two spies told them the names of their contacts and any other information they wanted. Some of the contacts had already fled, but many others were arrested. Thus the East German spy ring in America was broken-at least for now.
It was later decided that it would be better for Von Klutz and Wolfgang stay in an American prison this time. So later on they were sentenced to life in prison with no parole.
America was just a little safer now thanks to T.N. Crumpets, his grandson Jeremy and of course, The Monkees.