Holly

Tuesday.  It's a day of piano practice - Madison caught up this week, and has done rather well there.  She's chosen as her recital song "Oh, Susanna," which is actually a bit more difficult than it seems at first. The finger work for her there is a bit challenging.  But class was fun as always.  Things are really picking up lately, but the kids are up to the challenge.

Here's a snap Daddy took during class.  We've been taking the iPad with us to class lately, and it has turned out to be immensely helpful.  We're recording songs and how they should sound, so that when we play them we have somewhat of a goal.  There is a music CD, but it is a little more difficult to match.  But with the recording, we have Mrs. Pam right there in the house to show us the melody.

Tonight was part two of our auditions for the play, so Daddy missed "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." with Mommy.  She watched it on her own.  Actually, Daddy missed a lot of time with Madison too.  The auditions took a while, but we have our cast largely nailed down.  We just have one or two players left to cast, and we're done with that.  

Madison had homework, and watched some "Monsters High" on DVD.  She's in for a surprise at Christmas with this theme - actually there's a lot going on with that theme from her cousin Hannah.  There's a lot of dolls coming Madison's way, which is exciting to see.

But now, it's time for some rest.  We've got a big day tomorrow.  We've been listening to "Boo to You" each morning on the way to school, and other songs like "The Monster Mash," but soon that will change to Christmas music - because Halloween is almost here, and when it's over at midnight, we suddenly start singing Christmas carols!

Speaking of Christmas, here's the amazingly rough draft of the Christmas drama that Daddy wrote last week.  It's not too bad to start out with, and pitched "as is," it seemed to fit the bill for what was needed.  

HOLLY

Big start to the production:  "It's a Hard Knock Life"

After choreographed musical routine, music still remains, and focus shifts to one of three montages:

MONTAGE #1 in HARD KNOCK LIFE

Cut away to ribbon cutting ceremony.  Flash cameras take pictures of MARV and BLANCHE.  She is holding a big pair of scissors, about to cut a red ribbon hanging in between two stanchions.  MARV steps up to microphone.

MARV:  "We want to thank you all for being here..."

BLANCHE butts in.

BLANCHE:  "...because without your precious donations, this shiny, sparkly new orphanage wouldn't be here."

MARV:  "Yes.  And we are so proud..."

BLANCHE:  "...to take more donations!  It's the Christmas season, so why not think of the least of these, those poor orphans!"

MARV:  (to BLANCHE, away from microphone) "Don't push it too far, Blanche."

BLANCHE:  (to MARV) "Shut your howling screamer, Marv.  It's the season of giving, and our season of taking!  The only thing shiny and sparkly around here will be all the jewelry you can buy me when we sell those donations!"

BLANCHE laughs

PRESS CORPS:  "Oh, just look how happy she is for those orphans."

BLANCHE stops a moment, and looks at the PRESS CORP person oddly.

BLANCHE:  "Orphans?"

CAST IS QUIET A MOMENT, expectant.

BLANCHE:  "I LOVE orphans!"

BLANCHE laughs some more as cameras take flash photos, and lights fade to next montage.

MONTAGE #2 in HARD KNOCK LIFE

SECRETARY and STEVE are standing there, with SECRETARY straightening his tie.

SECRETARY:  "Sir, the dedication of the new orphanage is going on right now."

STEVE:  "Here I go, late again.  Whoever said this was the most wonderful time of the year was way off - it's the most BUSY time of the year."

SECRETARY:  "Sir, just a thought, but perhaps next time you should leave earlier."

STEVE:  "Perhaps you could tell me to leave a little earlier."

SECRETARY:  "Perhaps I did, sir?"

STEVE:  "Perhaps you should be a little more forceful then."

SECRETARY:  (flashing anger) "Then perhaps you should get your bottom in gear right now, sir!”

STEVE looks at SECRETARY, slightly shocked.

SECRETARY:  "Something like that, sir?  Was that okay?"

STEVE (stunned):  "Uh... yes.  That's just right."

STEVE reaches into jacket pocket, and pulls out a golden watch, gazing at it a moment.

STEVE:  "Catherine, this has great value, but I'll be glad to donate it to a good cause.  Still, I will miss it terribly."

SECRETARY:  "I know what it means to you sir.  Letting go can be tough.  Now move."

STEVE:  "What?"

SECRETARY:  "Move!"

SECRETARY pushes STEVE along, out of spotlight, ending montage #2.

MONTAGE #3

HOLLY and SABLE are at a church.  Maybe in front of a pew with a podium nearby?

SABLE:  "Christmas time is almost here!"

HOLLY:  "You're right, but I don't know.  Something's missing."

SABLE:  "What are you talking about?"

HOLLY:  "Well we've already done everything you're supposed to do at Christmas time."

SABLE:  "You saw the lights at Lake Lanier?"

HOLLY:  "Yeah, and we saw that living Christmas tree production too."

SABLE:  "Did you see the Christmas Village with all that fake snow?"

HOLLY:  "We even rode on the Pink Pig at Lenox!  I don't know.  This year, I'm just not feeling it."

SABLE:  "Well maybe it will snow this year.  That will cheer you up!"

HOLLY:  "No, the snow would just shut things down.  Nobody can drive anywhere!"

SABLE:  "Don't be silly.  Georgia is always ready to handle snow here!"

END MONTAGE #3, wrap up song?

SCENE 1B

SCENE 1B, after song dramatically concludes.

BLANCHE:  "Break it up you little worms!"

CLUTCH:  "But we were just taking a little break."

BLANCHE:  "Do I pay you to sit around all day and sing catchy little songs?"

SCOUT:  "No.  You don't pay us at all."

BLANCHE:  "Exactly.  Now get back to work!"

TUBBS:  "But we're hungry."

DIZZY:  "And I'm tired."

XEROX:  "Yeah, me too!"

PRINCESS:  "And I'm a little princess!"

BLANCHE:  "Yes.  You know that part in Cinderella where she has to do all that scrubbing and cleaning and all that hard work?"

PRINCESS:  "Yes?"

BLANCHE:  "That's my favorite part too!  Now get moving!"

BLANCHE grabs a broom and starts threatening the ORPHANS with it.  ORPHANS all get busy working, wrapping presents, as MARV enters, holding golden watch.

MARV:  "Check out this donation we just got!"

BLANCHE:  "Give me that!"

BLANCHE gazes at it with pure joy.

BLANCHE:  "This will pay for that Hawaii vacation!  Just think, we sell all these donations, gift wrapping them for a special Christmas delivery ..."

MARV:  "And then ALO-HA!"

CUE HAWAIIAN MUSIC

MARV does the hula.  ORPHANS laugh at how ridiculous he looks.

CUT HAWAIIAN MUSIC

BLANCHE:  "Okay, that's enough of that!  Who wants dinner?"

ORPHANS rejoice.

TUBBS:  “I’m hungry!”

XEROX:  “Me too!”

BLANCHE:  "Well now you'll have to wait two more hours!"  

ORPHANS groan.

BLANCHE:  "Quit your bellyaching, or nobody's getting a visit from Chef Ramen."

BLANCHE exits STAGE RIGHT, but she drops the watch.  MARV does not notice, and he moves to STAGE LEFT, texting someone.

TUBBS:  "Aw, man!  Ramen noodles again?"

DIZZY:  "I thought she was going to cook something new."

SCOUT:  "No, she said she was going to cook us Ratatouille."

CLUTCH:  "That sounds good."

SCOUT:  "Not with the ingredients she uses.  Think about it."

CAST sighs.

PRINCESS:  "I don't like it here.  I want to live in a castle."

SCOUT:  "Don't we all, princess."

(An idea strikes SCOUT, who lights up a moment.)

SCOUT:  "Hey, I got an idea!"

TUBBS:  "Does it involve food?"

CLUTCH:  "Quiet, Tubbs."

(SCOUT whispers to CLUTCH, TUBBS, IZZY and DIZZY, who each nod enthusiastically.  They are clearly conspiring something together.  SCOUT grabs a bottle of some clear liquid.)

TUBBS:  "Mister Marv sir?

MARV:  "What do you want?"

MARV joins others on STAGE CENTER.

DIZZY:  "You left something on the ground there."

XEROX:  "Yeah, something on the ground there!”

MARV:  "Oh, we can't have that, can we?"

MARV reaches down to pick up the watch, and isn't paying attention to the following question fully.

SCOUT:  "Oh, and you'll want to use hand sanitizer, sir.  Don't know where that's been do we?"

MARV:  "Thank you."

MARV grabs bottle, and uses hand sanitizer.  Only it is not hand sanitizer, it is crazy glue.

MARV:  "This doesn't feel like hand sanitizer.  Wait a minute... it feels like... glue!  Not again!"

MARV slaps his forehead in anguish, but realizes this was a foolish thing to do, as his hand is now stuck to his forehead.

MARV:  "You are so much trouble."

MARV rushes across stage to open door there, with one hand stuck to his forehead.  He reaches for the knob.  But his other hand gets stuck to the doorknob.  He desperately attempts to escape, to no avail.

ORPHANS point and laugh.

MARV:  "A little help here?"

MARV pulls a section of the door off, his hand still stuck to doorknob.

LIGHTS FADE ON SCENE 1b

SCENE 2

SABLE and HOLLY stand together

SABLE:  "So... why not just call him or text him or whatever?"

HOLLY:  "He doesn't answer.  Maybe he just doesn't care."

SABLE:  "Or maybe he's too busy right now?"

HOLLY:  "It's the same thing.  But we'll get him this time, I'm sure.  It's an ambush!  He always comes by this way to get a coffee."

SABLE:  "How do you know?"

HOLLY:  "Hello?  He's my dad.  And everyone calls him Daddy Starbucks!"

STEVE enters STAGE LEFT at a brisk pace, followed by an entourage of assistants, male and female, including his SECRETARY.

STEVE:  (to entourage taking notes) "And make sure we look good for the cameras - it's all about appearances you know."

HOLLY:  "Dad!"

STEVE stops short, causing a domino effect with his entourage also stopping short, running into each other.

STEVE:  "Holly!  What are you doing here?"

HOLLY:  "I want to ask you a favor."

STEVE:  "You know I'm working, sweetie."

HOLLY:  "But we've been working on this Christmas musical, and..."

STEVE:  "I told you, darling.  I'm terribly busy this time of year."

HOLLY:  "Which is why I thought it would be a great idea if you..."

STEVE:  "I can't right now."

HOLLY:  "You can't ever.  You never have time for me."

STEVE:  "What?"

HOLLY:  "You never have time for me!"

HOLLY quickly steps off STAGE LEFT, with SABLE chasing behind.

STEVE remains standing there, contemplating what just happened, and then begins to walk towards STAGE RIGHT, a little slower paced than the entry.

SECRETARY:  "Your coffee sir?  Sir?"

STEVE is too deep in thought to hear the question.  STEVE keeps walking on the path he was.  The entourage quickly catches up, following STEVE off STAGE RIGHT.

As STEVE and entourage exit STAGE RIGHT, HOLLY enters STAGE LEFT

HOLLY:  "I used to think this was the most wonderful time of the year...I guess Santa is a little too busy this year."

This begins musical sequence WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES TO TOWN, with HOLLY on one side of stage singing, and the scene at the right opening up to reveal the kids in the orphanage also singing as they prepare presents for someone other than themselves.

When song concludes, HOLLY sadly walks off STAGE LEFT, orphans remain on their side in light.

CLUTCH:  "Hey, what do you want for Christmas?"

DIZZY:  "I want a bicycle."

XEROX:  "Me too!"

TUBBS:  "I want a sandwich."

PRINCESS:  "I want a mommy and daddy."

ORPHANS think about this, and agree.

SCOUT:  "Well don't get your hopes too high."

CLUTCH:  "It's only dreaming, Scout.  What do you want?"

SCOUT appears to be about to say something meaningful, but stops short.

SCOUT:  "A good night's rest.  Now no more talking, okay?"

PRINCESS:  "But we need to say our prayers."

SCOUT:  "It's not going to do us much good, I mean..."

PRINCESS:  "PRAY."

ORPHANS see a very real threat, and immediately drop to their knees in prayer as lights fade.

SCENE 3A

MARV and BLANCHE enter STAGE LEFT.  BLANCHE is holding a shopping bag.  MARV possibly has a doorknob still stuck to his hand.

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

The two sing a cynical version of the Christmas song, this time with lyrics that celebrate pretty much all the things that people do wrong at Christmas.  The song is about them getting rich.  Song concludes.

STEVE enters STAGE LEFT, alone.

BLANCHE:  "Well, Merry Christmas!  Almost done with your shopping?"

STEVE:  "Almost.  I just have to find something for my daughter.  Something... special."

BLANCHE:  "Well, good luck with that.  We just want to thank you so much for your donation to the orphanage."

MARV:  "We were so happy, we wanted to do a little dance!"

MARV begins to do the hula dance, but is stopped when BLANCHE hits him with her shopping bag.

BLANCHE:  "Stop playing around."

STEVE:  "Well, I'm glad that donation is getting put to good use."

MARV:  "That watch you gave the orphanage has a lot of value.  And there's no better gift than the gift of time."

STEVE:  "Excuse me?"

MARV:  "There's no better gift than the gift of time!"

STEVE is struck by this thought.

STEVE:  "Yes, you're right.  Look, you seem like nice people.  I had a thought: my little girl has been wanting me to come to see her Christmas performance.  But what if we do something even better?  What if we made arrangements to have that performance done at the orphanage?"

BLANCHE:  "Oh, but there's so much going on this season already."

STEVE:  "True."

BLANCHE:  "And you have all those plans, and the calendar is so full with lots of little dates and appointments.  I don't know how you do it!"

STEVE:  (conceding) "Yes, you're right."

BLANCHE:  "Yes, yes.  You never have time for that."

STEVE:  "What did you just say?"

BLANCHE:  "I simply said you never have time for that."

STEVE is struck to the core.

STEVE:  "You know something?  Not long ago, my own daughter just said the very same thing to me."

MARV:  "Kids.  What can you do?"

BLANCHE, suddenly worried, strikes MARV with her shopping bag.

BLANCHE:  "Don't you worry your busy little mind about us!"

STEVE:  "NO.  This year will be different."

MARV:  "What?"

STEVE:  (happy) "Thank you!  Thank you both.  You have given me an incredible gift!"

BLANCHE:  "We have?"

STEVE:  "Yes!  This year, I'm going to give the best gift I can:  my time.  I'll arrange for the church choir to come to your orphanage."

BLANCHE:  "No, you don't have to do that."

STEVE:  "It's no problem at all, my dear!  I'm going to spend time with my daughter.  And I just want to bless your socks off!"

BLANCHE:  "But..."

STEVE:  "No buts!  I am going to give the two of you a Christmas you'll never forget!"

STEVE joyously marches off stage.

BLANCHE and MARV are left horrified, and do a REPRISE of IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, with lyrics filled with worry and grief.   Possibly in a minor key.

SCENE 4

SMALLER CHRISTMAS CAROL SUNG BY KIDS AT THE CHURCH

Afterwards, SABLE and HOLLY walk in.

SABLE:  "Practice seems to be going well.  Hey, even the flying snow angels haven't knocked anything down tonight.  But are you okay, Holly?"

HOLLY:  "Of course I'm okay.  What makes you think I'm not okay?"

SABLE:  "Well, there's the crying.  And the throwing things.  Oh, yeah:  and the breathing fire."

HOLLY catches on.

HOLLY:  "I'm sorry, Sable.  Christmas and I aren't just working out this year.  I'm just not feeling it."

SABLE:  "You said that already.  Maybe it'll help if you get your mind off of those other things.  Just focus on making this Christmas show the best it can be."

HOLLY thinks on this.

HOLLY:  "You're right.  Christmas is about what we do for others, not what we do for ourselves."

SABLE:  "You got it.  Besides, it's not like your dad is going to come storming in to say Merry Christmas!"

STEVE storms in.

STEVE:  "Merry Christmas everybody!"

HOLLY:  "Dad?  Dad!  What are you doing here?"

STEVE:  "I'm so sorry I've been too busy for you lately.  But I'm going to give you the best present I can possibly give."

HOLLY:  "You know Dad, I don't want any more stuff for Christmas."

STEVE:  "I know.  That's why I'm giving you ...myself.  Let's spend some more time together."

HOLLY:  "You really mean that?"

STEVE:  " Of course I mean that.  And I'd like to do something new and different this year.  Why not take our production to the new orphanage?"

HOLLY: "Dad, that's a great idea!  Wow!  This is going to be the best Christmas pageant ever!"

SABLE:  "Uh... look over there, Holly.  It looks like Kevin the Snow Angel flew into the side of the snow castle again."

HOLLY:  (undeterred) "I take that back.  But it's still going to be a wonderful Christmas!"

END SCENE

SCENE 5

ORPHANS are scurrying, hiding presents they've been wrapping as MARV and BLANCHE bark orders.  Others are sweeping, polishing, dusting, and picking up piles of clutter that are strewn about.

BLANCHE:  "Hurry up!  We need to make this place so clean you can eat off the floors!"

TUBBS:  "But I don't see any food on the floor."

BLANCHE:  "You'll never see food again if you don't move it!"

ORPHANS continue putting presents in hiding places, but one present at side does not get put away.

MARV:  "He could be here any moment!  What are we going to do?"

BLANCHE looks around quickly, and sees presents are all hidden - she does not notice one at STAGE LEFT that did not get hidden.

BLANCHE:  "We're almost there.  We can stall him a little.  I mean, it's not like he's going to barge in here and scream Merry Christmas."

STEVE happily barges in, behind him marching in SABLE and HOLLY, MINISTER, and the CHURCH CHOIR.

STEVE:  "Merry Christmas!"

MARV:  "Oh, chestnuts."

ORPHANS are surprised.  STEVE looks around, a bit perplexed.

STEVE:  "Is this the right orphanage?  What about all that money you've been raising?"

BLANCHE:  "Oh, you are going to just LOVE what we'll be doing with it.  We've ordered all new furniture, new clothes, and new cleaning supplies too.  (whispering to STEVE with excitement)  We should get it just in time for Christmas!"

STEVE sees her enthusiasm, yet looks slightly concerned.

STEVE:  "Well I see you've got your work cut out for you.  Which is all the better reason for me to surprise your kids with a wonderful little Christmas presentation!"

STEVE gestures at choir setting up.

BLANCHE:  "How delightful.  You shouldn't have!”

STEVE:  "But it's our pleasure!"

MARV:  (muttering) "No, really.  You shouldn't have."

On the other side of STAGE, HOLLY and SABLE speak.

HOLLY:  "This is it!"

SABLE:  "This is what?"

HOLLY:  "This is what was missing.  We always get so busy having fun with our own Christmas plans that we sometimes miss out on the obvious!"

SABLE:  "Which is?"

HOLLY:  "Christmas is about love, and giving to others!  And that's what these children need more than ever."

SABLE:  "Yes, and they can't find a place to stay.  Doesn’t that remind you of anyone else this time of year?"

SABLE gestures towards STAGE LEFT, where MARY and JESUS are walking in.

SONG:  WHO WOULD IMAGINE A KING?

MARY sings, CHOIR DIRECTOR sings, CHOIR sings

While song plays, Nativity characters walk up to makeshift stable, posing in Nativity set.  STEVE joins SABLE and HOLLY at once side.

SCENE 6

After song, time for "minister" to present a mini-sermonette.

MINISTER:  "The definition of an orphan is a child whose parents are gone, a child who has been abandoned.  And this Christmas, there are many who feel that way - unwanted, lost, and left behind.  

Nearly two thousand years ago, a small baby named Jesus was experiencing something similar to what you’re living with.  Nobody wanted him in their lives:  there was no room in the inn, and no place for Jesus to stay in Bethlehem.  So, he stayed in an animal stable with his family.  

You know the story:  a star shone bright, shepherds marveled and angels sang.  And as Jesus grew, he began to share the good news of love:  peace on earth and good will towards man. They called him Emmanuel - 'God with us.'  

And he is still with us, even until the very end.  He knows where you are.  And He knows how you feel.

Let this season serve as a reminder:  we have a Heavenly Father who is not dead.  And He certainly has not abandoned us.  He is alive, and with us always.  And His love for us was so great and wonderful... that he sent His only Son.  

This Christmas, remember that you are not an orphan.  You are not abandoned.  You a child of the living king."

PAUSE

PRINCESS:  "So I AM a princess!"

CAST laughs as MINISTER smiles

MINISTER:  "And everyone said…"

CAST:  “Amen.”

SABLE (to HOLLY):  "So, are you feeling it now?"

HOLLY looks at STEVE - they both smile.

HOLLY:  "Yes.  Yes I am.  Merry Christmas!"

HOLLY hugs SABLE

BLANCHE:  "Well, we're all just so grateful.  I don't know how we can every show how thankful we really are!"

SCOUT:  "I know!  Why not give him one of our gifts?"

SCOUT picks up lone present at RIGHT SIDE OF STAGE, marching towards STEVE.

MARV:  "Where'd you get that present?'

DIZZY:  "With the others."

XEROX:  "Yeah, the others!"

BLANCHE:  "Uh... wait.  That's something we were planning on saving for later!"

BLANCHE desperately tries to get over to SCOUT, but DIZZY, XEROX, CLUTCH and TUBBS are in the way.  SCOUT gets to STEVE.

SCOUT:  "Now's as good a time as any, right?  Here you go, sir!"

SCOUT hands STEVE the present, and BLANCHE is out of ideas.  BLANCHE and MARV nervously start creeping towards STAGE RIGHT, behind CAST.

STEVE:  (friendly and smiling) "A gift?  For me?  You shouldn't have!"

CLUTCH:  "Open it!  Open it!"

STEVE:  "Okay, if you insist!"

STEVE quickly opens present, and pulls out... his watch.

STEVE:  "My watch?  (looking for BLANCHE and MARV) I thought you said you were selling these to raise money for the orphanage."

BLANCHE:  "We are!  We just wrapped that one because it will be a special delivery.  Soon.  And we wrapped it really nice, see?"

CLUTCH:  "Yeah, just like the hundreds of other presents you just made us all hide!  (oblivious to what he's giving away)  You should just see 'em!"

STEVE quickly turns to BLANCHE and MARV, anger in his eyes.  ENTIRE CAST looks at BLANCHE and MARV.

STEVE:  "Do you have anything to say for yourselves?"

BLANCHE looks at audience.

BLANCHE:  "Exit stage right!"

BLANCHE and MARV flee off STAGE RIGHT, as ORPHANS celebrate.

HOLLY:  "But who will take care of them now, Dad?  Who will take care of the orphanage?"

STEVE:  "You heard the pastor.  No one is abandoned."

STEVE gathers ORPHANS around him.

STEVE:  "I'll take care of them."

ORPHANS again celebrate.

SCOUT:  "This calls for a party!"

TUBBS:  "With lots of food!"

PRINCESS:  "And more singing!"

HOLLY:  "You're right.  And I know just the number."

HOLLY points to choir director, who nods as the song JOY TO THE WORLD begins (with new arrangement).