Santa in Training - An encore presentation

INT. LIVING ROOM. HOME - CHRISTMAS EVE

Sitting on a recliner in a sparsely decorated living room, a MAN is on the telephone.

MAN
Okay, mom, see you and Josh tomorrow. Night.

After hanging up, he rests his head on the back of the recliner and shuts his eyes. A CRASH from the unlit fireplace causes him to jump. A clump of red, covered in soot, lands onto the cold, stone hearth.

MAN
Who's there?

Brushing herself off, a WOMAN dressed in a Santa suit turns to him.

WOMAN
I'm so sorry. I'm new at this.

MAN
Stay where you are or I'll call...

WOMAN
Please. Don't call Santa.

Confused, the man stares at her.

WOMAN
You see, I'm a Santa in training. And I might lose my job if...

MAN
You're a Santa in training?

WOMAN
Santa is so busy. He needs all the help he can get.
(self-consciously)
I have your present.
(looking up the chimney)
It seems, it's still on your roof though.

MAN
(laughing)
I've had too much wine!

Suppressing her attraction to him, she extends her hand, business-like but warmly.

WOMAN
It's Laurie.

MAN
Simon.
(a moment of awkward silence)
Would you care for a glass of wine?

The grandfather clock STRIKES midnight.

LAURIE
Thanks, Simon, but I can't. I'm late as it is.
I have so many presents to deliver.

SIMON
C'mon, Laurie. We both know there's no such thing as Santa.

LAURIE
(aghast)
No such thing as Santa? I'm getting your present right now.
Maybe then you'll believe me.

Simon shakes his head as the front door SLAMS. He hears mumbled CONVERSATION on the lawn.

EXT. HOUSE - CHRISTMAS DAY

LAURIE
(to nearing neighbor)
My reindeer are gone! I need to get to the roof!

The neighbor looks at her queerly.

NEIGHBOR
Why?

LAURIE
Do you have a ladder?

NEIGHBOR
(scratching his head)
I'll be right back!

When he returns, the neighbor sets the ladder onto the side of the house. It steady, Laurie climbs to the roof. She searches her sack, finds Simon's present, then climbs down.

LAURIE
(to neighbor)
Thank you so very much for your help. Merry Christmas!

NEIGHBOR
Merry Christmas.

Laurie then rushes into Simon's house.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CHRISTMAS DAY

As she hands him his present,

LAURIE
Merry Christmas, Simon.

Self-consciously he gropes for it. She understands.

LAURIE
(gently)
I'll read the card.

SIMON
Fine.

LAURIE
Merry Christmas, Simon. Enclosed is a check for
the eye surgery. I know it will be a success. Santa

Simon buries his head in his hands; Laurie kneeling before him.

LAURIE
If you'd like, I'll go with you.

Simon finds, then clasps Laurie's hand, a grateful tear trickling down his cheek.

FADE TO BLACK

**written by petra michelle**

http://petramichelle.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!