Driving Mr. Tork


"Man! What a show! I'm pooped!" exclaimed Micky. "Oh yeah! I had to run for my life afterwards! Some guy was chasing me about a girl!" Davy claimed. Peter glanced over at Mike, who was fast asleep in the back of the Monkeemobile, "Look at Mike! He's asleep!" he noted. "Ah, we'd better let him sleep. It's really late." Micky decided. "I'm beat too. I can't even see straight!" Davy complained. "I feel fine." Peter said. "That's because you slept in until noon, today!" Micky exclaimed. Micky and Davy plunked down into the Monkeemobile and closed their eyes. Peter looked at them. "Who's gonna drive home?" he asked. Neither Davy nor Micky made any movement towards the driver's seat. "You drive, Pete! I'm way too bushed!" Micky requested.

Peter shook his head. "No, I can't!" he shouted. "What do you mean, man? You can. We're too tired." Davy mumbled as he closed his eyes again. "No, I mean I really can't! I don't know how! I don't have my driver's license!" Peter shouted at the sleeping guys. "Really, Pete? I didn't know that! I guess Mike always drives. Well, It's not too far I'll drive." Micky announced. Peter slowly opened the passenger door and climbed in. Micky started the car and they drove off.

The next morning, Micky and Davy came down for breakfast first. "How about that? Peter can't drive. I wonder why he didn't learn how to." Micky puzzled. "Maybe, he lived close enough to everything, he didn't need to learn." Davy replied. "Well, he should learn." Micky said. Davy nodded. They decided they would teach him that day in the Monkeemobile. When Mike and Peter came down to breakfast, Davy and Micky announced their plan. Mike was excited. He volunteered to teach Peter. Peter looked a little worried. "I don't know guys. My father tried to teach me to ride a two-wheeler bike, once and it didn't go so well. I did finally learn and we got a new garage door." Peter remembered. "Don't worry Peter, there's nothing to it!" Mike exclaimed.

"Okay now Pete, just turn the key, and start the car." Micky instructed from the back seat. "Yeah, but not too fast!" Davy warned. "Or too slow!" Mike included. Peter stared at the key. He turned it and the engine roared loudly! "Let go of the key! You'll ruin the engine!" Mike shouted. Peter released the key. Well, the car was started. Now, what? He wondered. "Okay now put it in reverse and give it a tiny bit of gas." Micky ordered. Peter moved the clutch and hit the gas. The car sped forward into a fence! "No, Peter! That's all wrong! Reverse! Reverse! Do you know what that is?!" Mike exploded. "Aw, now we'll have to replace that fence! There goes dinner all week!" Davy exclaimed. "Gees! Pete! This lesson is over!" Micky announced. Peter climbed out of the car and walked away down the street.

* * * * *

Davy, Micky and Mike got out to examine the damage. "Boy! You try to help a guy and this is what he does!" Micky said shaking his head. "Maybe we're all being a little ahrd on him. Did you see where he went?" Davy asked. "No, I didn't. Aw, look at this! He took the paint off the bumper!" Mike yelled, upset at the damage done to the car. They began to see what parts of the fence needed repaired most and set to work.

Peter walked slowly down a street, which he found himself on. he didn't know quite which one it was, but that didn't matter. He was deep in thought. What am I going to do? He wondered as he kicked a stone across the curb. He'd really messed things up this time. The guys were right, he thought. He glanced up, when he noticed he had walked very far. In front of him was an office. It was a driving school! Peter smiled, he could take lessons from them! That is, if he didn't mess up again.

Peter entered the office. A lady behind the desk explained how easy it was to learn to drive. Peter was convinced. He signed up for an immediate lesson. Then he went out for a lesson with an instructor. Back at the pad, the other Monkees were getting worried about him. "What if he's lost! Or worse! Oh the cruel world! The cruel heartless world! Maybe he's been kidnapped by a gang of thugs and being sent to some country to be sold as a slave! Or what if..." Micky was cut off by Davy's interruption, "Micky! Do you honestly believe that's what's happened to him? You're crazy!" Mike got up and stared out the window. "Aw, Mike. Don't worry. He'll be back." Micky said. Mike silently stared out at the street waiting.

Peter knew he couldn't go home and disappoint the others again, so he tried his hardest to follow all of his instructions. He amazed the instructor! He could do it! He was driving perfectly! Before Peter left he made an appointment for a driver's test the next day. He happily walked home, knowing he'd suprise the others. When he finally got home the guys were fast asleep. Peter quietly slipped into bed.

The next morning, the guys were relieved to find Peter safe in his bed. The apologized for getting so angry at him. Peter smiled and told them it was okay. He didn't tell them about all of his hard work the day before. He simply told them he had an appointment at 335 Lexington Avenue, and to pick him up in the Monkeemobile afterwards. They agreed. Peter left for his appointment at 1:00 in the afternoon. Promptly at 2:00, the others came to drive him home, but to their suprise, he had his driver's license! He ended up driving home. When asked how he managed to learn how to drive, Peter just smiled.


Go Back to the Story Page! Go Back to the Main Page!

1