After the picnic, the group later hung around at the Pad. Micky and Tena were into a horror flick marathon on TV; Peter, Mari, Davy, and Fay were playing cards. Mike caught Callie's attention and nodded toward the door. Callie nodded in return. Just as they had reached to door, Micky turned from the TV and saw them.
"Where are you youngn's goin??" Micky asked in an older person?s voice.
"If it's any of your business, we're goin' for a walk on the beach," Mike answered.
"Don't keep our Mikey out too late, young lady!" Davy chided.
"Don't talk to any strangers after midnight!" Peter drawled in a Texas accent.
"Be home by midnight!" Micky added. The girls giggled; they were glad Callie was enjoying herself with Mike.
"They really gave you the business!" Callie said once they were outside.
"At least they listen," Mike laughed.
They walked in the moonlight toward Mike?s favorite place on the beach. They sat underneath a spectacular full moon in the sand. Mike talked of his dreams and ambitions for the band, and finally the writer's block he could not seem to shake for days now.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I've talked non-stop!" Mike apologized.
"I'm a good listener. Sometimes you have to talk things out. You know, one helper to another. Come here; rest your back in my lap. Maybe a massage can loosen you up," Callie offered. Mike sat in front of Callie and she gently massaged his shoulders.
"Relax, Mike. We've got a little time to ourselves. It's just us. Close your eyes and relax," Callie said soothingly. Mike closed his eyes and allowed her gentle hands and the sound of the surf to lull him into a deep sleep. "Callie's right. I do need some time to myself," Mike thought as he nodded off.
When she was sure Mike was asleep, Callie changed into her muse form. Had Mike been awake, he would have beheld a breath-taking sight.
Calliope was clad in a white shimmering gown with green, gold and orange glitter. She had sheer silver wings and her dark hair flowed in the night air with flecks of gold glitter that shimmered in the moonlight. A top her head she wore a crown of brightly colored flowers. She was truly a magnificent sight.
She closed her eyes and raised her hands in the air. A brilliant white ball appeared in each hand. Slowly, she brought her hands down and gently massaged the balls into Mike's temples.
"You will be inspired, for I, Calliope, muse of lyric and poetry, so wills it!" she whispered as she caressed his temples. Mike gave a sigh and a smile came across his face. "Now you must awaken, Mike Nesmith. You are ready," she softly said. She then returned to human form. She looked at her hands and noticed a faint hint of glitter. "Gotta practice on that. Getting a little rusty," she smiled to herself. Mike's eyes began to flutter. He looked into Callie's face and then his watch.
"What? What happened? Did I fall asleep? I am so sorry!" Mike began to apologize.
"You needed the rest. It was a peaceful nap, I trust?" Callie asked.
"Yeah, but you know, I feel something very strange happening in my brain right now. I feel very good at this point, or else I'm insane," Mike said rubbing his head.
"Take the first one," Callie suggested.
"What?" Mike asked.
"Feel very good," Callie smiled.
"B..but I wanted to talk to you!" Mike protested.
"We did," Callie insisted.
"Not much of an evening for you though. You end up watchin' over me as if we don't have enough watchin' ta do!" Mike continued to protest.
?We had time to ourselves! I have enjoyed my evening, Papa Nez. I hope you did as well. C'mon, it's almost midnight and we do have a curfew!!" Callie stood up and extended her hand. "We have to get back to the kids!" she laughed. Her laughter was like music to Mike's ears.
"You're an amusing lady, Mama Callie!" Mike smiled as he took her hand.
"Thank you!" Callie replied and the two walked back to the Pad exchanging stories of the adventures of their groups and laughing.
At the Pad, Micky and Tena had fallen asleep on the third horror movie. Mari and Fay were fast asleep on the couch. Davy and Peter were trying to stay awake; they wanted to tease Mike a little more. When Mike and Callie entered the Pad, Mike was laughing. He and Callie were acing like a couple of kids making funny faces at each other. The sound stirred the Monkees and the fairies.
"Mike?" Peter timidly asked.
"Yeah?" Mike answered between gasps.
"Mike?" Peter asked again.
"What?" Mike answered again wiping the tears from his eyes.
"You're laughing!!" Peter exclaimed.
"Yeah, shotgun, an' it feels good!" Mike said trying to catch his breath,
"Well, 'e's not Mr. Up-Tight anymore," Davy said yawning. Callie then collected the girls and they all said their goodnights. The muse and the fairies went home, the Monkees prepared for bed, and Mike smiled the entire time.
____________
For the next two mornings, Mike got up early and went to his favorite spot on the beach to compose. Ideas for songs seemed to flow from his pencil. He was so busy composing on the second morning that he didn?t notice Mari standing beside him.
"Hi, Mike!" she said. She had startled Mike making him drop his notebook, pencil and place his hand to his chest.
"Don't do that!" Mike gasped as he caught his breath.
"Oh, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry," Mari said softly. If Mike didn't know better, he'd though it was Peter instead of Mari standing there. They were so much alike.
"Naw, it"s OK. Ya jus' startled me," Mike said trying not to make her feel bad.
"Whacha doing?" Mari asked brightly.
"Oh, I woke up this morning filled with song ideas, so I came out here to compose," Mike explained. "What are you doing out here so early?"
"I love the beach. I though I'd come out and enjoy the beauty," Mari explained inhaling the air. "I guess you're not blocked anymore, huh?"
"Blocked? Oh, no, I guess not," Mike answered.
"Well, I won't disturb you anymore. I'll see you later. We're still going to Dreamland Park today, right?" Mari asked with child-like expectancy, so much like Peter.
"Yeah, we're still on!" Mike assured her.
"Good!" Mari clapped her hands and started back to her apartment.
"Either Peter has rubbed off on her or she is Peter" Mike thought.
He shrugged, then continued composing. Meanwhile, Mari gave Callie a full report that Mike was happily composing songs by the ocean.