Christmas Wishes

2004

By: Felix Perry

Cast of characters:

Hardcore - 16 ragged leather jacket, earrings, maybe tattoo, obviously leader

Bootlace- 15 year old, as above but to a lesser degree, Hardcore is his idol

Hot Stuff- Hardcores girl, another snow board punk type, long blonde hair pink streaks maybe

Mr. Hornsby- older man gray/white hair, ex sailor, grumpy owner of Pizza Joes

Ms. Monica- another 15 year old but nerdy with glasses, hair pinned up etc., works as waitress at Pizza Joes

Stranger- heavy Santa like appearance with white beard and hair wearing long johns and boots

Mary-  an 17-18 year old runaway daughter of Mr. Hornsby

Setting:

Local Pizza Parlor – Pizza Joes, Hardcore, Bootlace and Hot Stuff sitting in booth with snow boards stacked beside booth one battered and worn with bindings hanging open obviously broken, talking loud, being nasty, slurping cokes, maybe shooting straws out of wrappers.

Gaudy Christmas decorations abound including tacky artificial tree in corner, Ms Monica wears a red Santa’s hat, a stained waitress uniform and Christmas carol  (maybe White Christmas is playing on old radio behind counter

Mr. Hornsby is sitting behind cash register pretending to read paper but keeping weary eye on the snow-boarders.

Snowing outside and you can hear wind howl.

Act One

Bootlace rubs a spot clear of frost clear of the window ad peaks out:

Bootlace: “Man dudes it’s really piling up out there, not a car moving man.”

Hardcore with his arm draped around Hot Stuffs shoulder shoots another straw and they laugh when it catches in Bootlaces spiked hair.

Hardcore: “That would be truly awesome dude, if the bindings on my old snowboard hadn’t broke we could hit the hills all day tomorrow. I wish there really was a Santa Claus Dude I’d ask for a new board .”

Bootlace: “Yea, but tomorrows Christmas day and my old man’s still out driving his rig somewhere in this mess, corny as it sounds Dude,if there was a Santa, I’d wish he’d just get my Dad home.”

Ms. Monica: (wiping down a nearby table), “You mean you actually have parents Bootlace? I thought you were born under a stone” she gave a chuckle.

Bootlace at first gives her an angry look, then smiles realizing she is just trying to cheer him..

Hot Stuff: “Havn’t you got some dishes to wash or grease to wipe in stead of bothering the paying customers?”

As Ms Monica turns her back Hot Stuff who’d thinking bout the others wishes says:

Hot Stuff: “Know what I wish, I wish we’d get to take a trip out of this town to somewhere exciting.”

Ms Monica: “ Will I wish I looked like a movie star” but secretly she whispered to Mr. Hornsby “I really wish he’d, nodding over her shoulder at Bootlace, ask me out”

Mr. Hornsby (in gruff loud voice, hurting inside from his daughter who’d been missing for some time): “Yea and I wish you’d all shut up and go home.”

Ms. Monica and the three at the table laughed and continued back to their original conversation.

Ms. Monica just turns up her head a notch and walks behind counter, and as she nears the radio she hears the dit dot dit the radio always uses to announce a big news break. She cracks the volume and once the static clears they hear the message:

“….storm moves in along coast is considered extremely dangerous and RCMP have issued the following orders all people are to remain inside, if ;you are not inside find the nearest shelter and remain there…” more static then only a crackling noise as radio goes dead.

Ms Monica: (straightens from radio) “Ahhh shoot, there goes my Christmas Eve plans down the tubes.”

Bootlace who just might have a little crush on her walks over to the counter and giving her a big smile.

Bootlace: “Well you can always share my mistletoe, Ms Monica”

Ms Monica: “ Yea right, rather kiss a snake”

The lights begin to flicker and Mr. Hornsby reaches under the counter for a big flashlight he keeps there and just in time as the lights blink off he turns it on. Ms Monica starts to light the emergency candles they dug out earlier and set them around diner.

Hot stuff (in between cracking her gum): “Gee Hardcore you take me to the most romantic spots.”

They all jump as a stranger comes crashing in, he’s dressed only in a pair of long red underwear, and a pair of black rubber boots, his hair matted and wet and covered in snow, also his shoulders. 

Stranger in red: “Well ho, ho, ho, good evening boys and girls such a wild night I don’t think there’s this much snow or it’s this cold, ho, ho, ho …even in the North Pole.

He dragged a huge black bag behind him and sat at a table across from the Punkers.

Stranger in red: “A cup of coffee would be lovely Ms. Monica.”

Mr. Hornsby spoke up before Ms. Monica could reply, “Coffees cold and we’re closed buddy, where are your clothes?”

Stranger in red: “I’m sure it will be fine, Mr. Hornsby, and motioned Ms. Monica to bring the cup and saucer.”

Lifting the cup he blew on it as if it were scalding before taking a sip and smacking his lips.

Stranger in red: “And how are my young friends Hardcore, Bootlace and Hotstuff, doing this fine Christmas Eve”

Stranger in red “giving another hearty ho, ho, ho) “…I know you because you’re all on my list and because you’ve all been fairly good this year your wishes will come true .”

A shocked look came over all their faces as they wondered how this weird stranger knew all of their names.

The door crashes open again and the candles are extinguished by the wind, ending Act One.

Act Two

Mr. Hornsby turns on his flashlight but before Ms. Monica can light the candles again the lights come back on. The radio is blaring “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and the gaudy decorations and crappy tree have been transformed into really nice tree, trimmings and wrapped presents below.

Looking around they slowly notice other thransformations…

Hardcores old broken board replaced with new one

An official looking envelope lays on the table before Hot Stuff

And over the ringing of the payphone which Bootlace is standing beside they hear the door begin to open

Bootlace answers the phone and let’s out a yell.

Bootlace: “Yes, and turning to wards the others “My Mom said dad just called from Truo, he’s on his way following a snowplow and should be home before midnight.”

He hanged up the phone and doing a little happy dance he twirled right into Ms. Monica’s arms. She looked different now though, her hair was down and she’d removed her stained apron and her smile touched him like it had never done before.

Bootlace: “Gee, Ms. Monica, you are sure pre…pre…pretty he mumbled, would you like to go come to our house for some egg nog?”

Ms. Monica: “I will if you’ll just call me Monica”

Hardcore who was now admiring the new skateboard with his “HARDCORE” painted across it in metallic colours turned to Hot Stuff who was turning the envelope with her name on it over and over in her hands.

Hardcore: “Open it hot it has your name on it”

Hesitantly at first then with a “what the heck attitude” Hotstuff who’s real name was Mariah tore open the envelope and took out the single sheet of paper, which she read silently until they saw her smile from ear to ear…

Hot Stuff:

Dear Mariah,

          This is to inform you that your recent entry to our Toronto Concert Package has been the successful winner. We will cover all of your expenses for you, and five of your friends or family to fly to Toronto to see The Eminem’s concert on February 18….

They were all jumping up and down now each realizing their dreams had been fulfilled by the stranger in the long red underwear, but if he was Santa where was his clothes?

Mr. Hornsby: “Yea, yea, yea…now grant me my wish and get the heck…”

But his words were cut off by the door swinging open again. A policeman stood helping a young lady of 18 or 19 dressed in what looked like a Santa Clause suit.

Mr. Hornsby dropped the cup of coffee he’d just fixed himself vaulted the counter and took her in his arms and shocked them all when they say tears of joy in his eyes.

Mary had run away from home and he had feared of ever seeing her again.

Mary: “Oh Dad, I missed you so.. I started walking.. the storm santa Claus.. sorry..”

Mr. Hornsby (holding her tight): Hush, hush honey, you’re safe now…my wish has come true …

A voice at first tentative then stronger as the rest of the cast joined in starts singing:

CHORUS:  Merry Christmas to neighbours

Merry Christmas to friends

Merry Christmas to family

Merry Christmas one and all

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas

As the soft snowflakes fall

See the tinsel on the tree

See the sparkling lights aglow

See the children’s eyes all light up

It’s Christmas you know

Chorus

See the stores selling presents

See the carolers sing a song

See the true Christmas spirit

Every year it’s so strong

Chorus

See the little baby Jesus

See the nativity scene

See the wishes for peace

That’s so seldom seen

Chorus

See the magic come true

See what Santa brings you

See the wonder of Christmas

In all that you do.

Chorus