Post day 16 Assignment Here

[Emmanuel Sullivan]

Emmanuel’s Has Completed Act 2 Draft 1

What I learned doing this assignment is writing quickly, even if it’s outlining an act, or jotting down a scene that is not fully developed, just keep writing in early drafts, it’s the best way to move forward. You can spend a lot of time thinking about the right scene, description, dialogue and waste time. I’ve learned now to just write what comes to mind. Even if it’s very simple and doesn’t quite match.

[Lee Tidball]

Lee has Completed Act 2 Draft 1

What I learned doing this assignment is…that I have a lot of room left (page-wise) to work on character-developing material, which I figure will come later. But I like the basics that I’m laying down here.

Outline

I didn’t really have to add any new scenes to this act, at least not at this point. I did, however, add more detail, dialogue, etc. to a number of scenes to improve overall flow, etc.

THE SCRIPT

INT. JUSTIN’S TRUCK (MOVING) – NIGHT

Justin drives like he’s a stock car racer down the road. Milly sits next to him, terrified.

JUSTIN

(yells)

What in the hell was all that?! Just tell me for one second, what in the hell was all that?!

MILLY

(screams)

Justin, Jesus! Slow down! You’re gonna get us both killed.

Justin barrels along, swerves around a curve.

JUSTIN

(yells more)

Get us all killed? Didn’t we already almost get us all killed?! Shit! Suddenly I’m like two inches high, I’m outside, and a couple ants come at me that are the size of Saint Bernards. I get to the grass, and it’s so tall it looks like the jungle. I’m wondering where’s my mini-machete to go with my mini-body! And then, after crossing the Sahara, and staring at a truck built for Paul Bunyon, I’m suddenly full size again, and you’re yelling at me to get in and get out. What the hell’s that all about!

He swerves again. Milly screams and sobs.

MILLY

I don’t know! I don’t know anything about anything! I just did what it said on the paper!

JUSTIN

The paper? Oh yeah, that’s right. The instructions for when your dad doesn’t come home. So how the hell does he know all this and you do all this and “don’t know anything?!”

A truck approaches in the opposite lane, blows his horn. Justin corrects back into his lane.

JUSTIN

(yells re: truck driver)

Shut up, asshole! Who do you think I am, some kind of maniac?!

MILLY

You’re sure driving like one!

JUSTIN

What? So now she speaks!

JUSTIN

But is it to tell me why I was for two minutes the size of my toy army men that I threw away five years ago, or who some old woman that calls herself Granny Sue is and why does she have a backpack vacuum cleaner that blows four full-grown, fully armed men thirty feet into the night, or how in the hell the house we were in less than five minutes ago just exploded and turned into a pile of sticks? No! It’s to tell me that I’m the maniac in this truck.

Justin continues to speed on. On the right in the distance, a place lit up like a baseball stadium at night.

Milly’s distraught, continues to sob.

MILLY

I can’t tell you anything because I don’t know anything! How many times do I have to tell you. I don’t know anything more than you do! I was just doing what the paper said. Slow down and stop screaming at me. You’re going to miss your own house.

Justin hits the brakes. The car skids. He does a hard right.

The truck bounces onto an immaculate driveway in front of a palatial two-story, 4-car garage house with a manicured desert-landscaped front yard surrounded by wrought iron fence with pickets.

EXT. JUSTIN’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Justin slams the truck’s door, marches toward a side door. Milly follows with the cylinder and the bag of toys.

JUSTIN

Just following instructions, huh?

They go through the door into…

INT. JUSTIN’S HOUSE

The enter into a huge kitchen that opens onto a giant family room with upholstered chairs and a giant flatscreen.

JUSTIN

Well let’s just see what those instructions say now.

He grabs for the cylinder in Milly’s hand.

MILLY

No! Not until you’re acting sane.

JUSTIN

Still think I’m a maniac, huh? Well I’ll show you what–

He grabs for it again. Milly pushes him back…and Justin flies off his feet, over the kitchen counter, and ends up in a big recliner that opens full-out with the impact.

Milly gasps in horror!

MILLY

Oh my god! I had no idea that would happen! I’m so, so sorry.

She goes to him, but Justin puts out a hand, gets himself out of the recliner gingerly. Milly watches, terrified, distraught.

MILLY

Are–are you okay?

JUSTIN

Thoroughly chastised, I’d say.

He stands, feels Milly’s forearm.

JUSTIN

Yeah, quite some muscle there.

MILLY

Justin, I had no idea, no idea–

Justin waves her off, like “it’s okay, forget about it.” He goes to where Milly left the cylinder.

JUSTIN

Seeing as I’m somewhat calmed, might I…?

He holds up the the cylinder. Milly nods.

Justin opens it. A paper slips out. He unrolls it, reads.

JUSTIN

Now that makes more sense than anything I’ve heard all night.

He leaves the paper on the kitchen counter, slowly walks toward a stairway.

JUSTIN

I’ll be in my room. You can have Mom and Dad’s room. They’ll be gone for another week. It’s just down the hall there.

He staggers up the stairs. Milly sees a dark hallway off the kitchen.

She retrieves the paper and the cylinder, reads the first line of the paper.

“INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Go to bed. Get some rest. You’re safe now.”

Milly sighs, heads for the hallway.

INT. JUSTIN’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY

Milly quietly paws through cupboards and the fridge, looks for something for breakfast.

JUSTIN

Wait! Wait, I’m here.

Justin nearly stumbles on the stairway as he comes down. He’s dressed in nerdy jammies.

Milly giggles as he hurries into the kitchen.

JUSTIN

What’s so funny? Just because I’m not some clod that sleeps in an old T-shirt and yesterday’s underwear.

Milly’s got a woman’s bathrobe on over whatever’s underneath.

JUSTIN

You look a lot better in that than my mom. And speaking of Mom…

He nudges Milly aside from the cupboards.

JUSTIN

She’d be mortified and totally pissed if anything were out of place when she gets home, so I’ll handle the breakfast chores.

INT. JUSTIN’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM – LATER

Justin presents Milly with two small pancakes and a big one made up to look like Mickey Mouse, garnished with sausage links.

JUSTIN

A specialty of mine taught to me by my sage father.

He brings butter and syrup. They dig in. As they eat…

JUSTIN

So, you rested enough to tell me anything more about last night?

Milly squirms a little as she eats.

MILLY

I don’t know anything about what happened last night. Seriously, I don’t. It almost seems like just a bad dream now.

JUSTIN

Well trust me, it was bad, but it wasn’t just a dream. So let’s start from the top. The guys that flattened the door. Who were they?

MILLY

I don’t know. They freaked me out though.

JUSTIN

The scream of the century that disabled all of them, and me too.

MILLY

I was just scared, that’s all. I don’t know.

JUSTIN

Well I don’t either, because I’ve seen you scared and heard you scream before, and that never happened to me.

Milly just keeps eating…slowly.

JUSTIN

Okay, the crazy old lady with the super-duper leaf blower who said she was your Granny Sue.

MILLY

I’ve never seen her before. My dad has never mentioned anyone named Granny Sue.

JUSTIN

And the instructions? “Make you small”, “make me small”, becoming tiny people.

Milly just shakes her head, continues to eat.

JUSTIN

Let me guess. You don’t know–

MILLY

Look, Justin, I was just following the damn instructions, that’s all,

MILLY

and freaking out right along with you. I don’t know anything about anything!

JUSTIN

(one more try)

When you threw me across the room?

MILLY

I had no idea that was going to happen, but you definitely deserved it.

JUSTIN

Point taken, I’m sure, but–

MILLY

I don’t want to talk about it, okay?!

JUSTIN

Obviously something to be put off for another time. But speaking of instructions…

Justin gets up, grabs the rolled-up sheet of paper that they’d read from the night before. He returns to his seat, reads as he eats.

JUSTIN

Well, we’ve got the first two things right. We went to bed, and now we’re eating breakfast. So now, let’s see…

Milly tries to grab the paper from him.

JUSTIN

Uh-uh-uh. Finish your breakfast.

EXT. JUSTIN’S HOUSE – DAY

Milly and Justin walk out with a fair-sized cooler, a grocery bag, and Justin has a small gym bag as well.

He’s dressed in camos like he’s going on an expedition. Milly’s in her same clothes from the day before.

In the back of the pick-up the dirt bike is securely fastened.

JUSTIN

You got the bag for your clothes, right? The instructions say your place won’t be swarming with cops yet.

The truck drives away.

EXT. MILLY’S HOUSE – MOMENTS LATER

The truck stops. Milly gets out. The house, while flattened, hasn’t burned.

Milly wonders around a bit, looks over what once was the only home she’d ever known. She winces back tears.

Somehow, Milly’s chest of draws still stands in what’s left of her room. She bags some clothes, gives the place one more look-around, then heads back to the truck.

It pulls out.

EXT. JUSTIN’S TRUCK – DAY

It moves quickly down a lonely two-lane highway. Breath-taking views of giant mountain ranges span both sides of it.

MILLY

I’ve got the GPS coordinates locked into my phone like the instructions say. It’s almost two hundred miles away–

JUSTIN

And we’re supposed to be there in less than three hours. A great excuse to put some pedal to the metal!

The truck speeds way up. Milly tenses.

JUSTIN

Relax, Mills. It’s daytime, there’s almost nobody on the road, and I’ll see any curves in it coming from five miles away. And no one’s shooting at us!

EXT. JUSTIN’S TRUCK (MOVING) – AN HOUR LATER

The truck sputters to a stop on the shoulder. Justin and Milly get out.

JUSTIN

How in the hell could I be out of gas? It was three-quarters full.

MILLY

Over here.

Justin moves to where Milly is, near the truck’s gasoline intake opening. She points to a clean bullet hole near it.

JUSTIN

Shit.

MILLY

Probably went right on through into the gas tank.

JUSTIN

Jesus. We’re lucky the whole thing didn’t blow last night.

Milly gives him a “what now” look.

JUSTIN

I just so happen to have remembered the emergency credit card folder that Dad keeps in the house.

He pulls out an AAA membership card, punches a number into his phone. As it rings…

JUSTIN

A tow will be here in no time.

INT. JUSTIN’S TRUCK – LATER

Justin and Milly sit glumly. Justin checks his watch.

JUSTIN

Well, maybe in a half hour. Damn! One forgets that the nearest settlement is over fifty miles away.

Milly sits quietly.

MILLY

It’s okay. There’s nothing else we can do.

JUSTIN

We’ll get behind…

MILLY

You know, this morning when you were asking me all those questions. I lied to you about one of them.

Justin turns with interest.

MILLY

I really didn’t have any idea that I’d throw you across the room, but I can do some pretty weird things like that.

JUSTIN

Seriously?

MILLY

Here. Watch this.

She looks to her phone, which is in the console. Suddenly, it whooshes into her hand, which is near the side door window.

JUSTIN

Whoa! Do that again.

Milly looks to the car keys in the ignition. They pull themselves out of the starter, fly into her other hand.

Justin looks to her in amazement.

MILLY

I really don’t know how I can do it, but it’s kinda cool, huh?

JUSTIN

You mean, you’ve got…powers or something? How in the hell…

MILLY

All I know is that a lot of times–and you can’t tell anyone about this ever, okay so swear it–

Justin nods.

JUSTIN

No one. Ever. I swear. They’d think I was more lunatic than they do now.

MILLY

A lot of times, when my dad gives me a hug, he says something like “my dear little alien” or something. Weird, huh? It makes me mad because I’m not an alien, even though I’m Mexican. But he doesn’t say it in a bad way or anything. He just–

There’s a knock on Justin’s window. It’s the tow truck driver.

EXT. HIGHWAY – MOMENTS LATER

Milly and Justin, helmeted and leather-jacketed, with a small container of food and water tied on, race away on the dirt bike as the tow truck drives away with Justin’s car.

EXT. GAS STATION – TWO HOURS LATER

It’s in a tiny town next to a small motel. The highway’s the only “street.” It’s lined with some trees and grass.

Milly fills up Justin’s tank. He bounds out of a restroom, hops on the dirt bike. Milly jumps on. They leave.

MILLY

(as they move away)

We’re not going to make it, you know.

JUSTIN

Just you watch! Hang on tight!

He guns the engine. The dirt bike zooms away at scary speed.

EXT. NARROW HIGHWAY – DAY

Justin and Milly speed along. They pass a sign–The Extraterrestrial Highway.” Milly yells to Justin.

MILLY

What’s that mean?

Justin points to the barren desert off to the left.

JUSTIN

Over there! Area 51! You know, where the government’s supposed to have all the ETs locked up and people see UFOs all the time.

MILLY

Freaky-weird, huh?

EXT. NARROW HIGHWAY – LATER

Justin pulls the dirt bike off onto a dirt road. It heads off toward some dry mountains to their right.

JUSTIN

Is this the place?

Milly checks her GPS. No map. No bars on the phone.

MILLY

There’s no cell service here. I’ve lost it.

JUSTIN

Well, I know it’s somewhere around here. How much time we got left?

MILLY

We’re a half hour late.

JUSTIN

Hell. It’s all cuckoo anyway. Let’s try this road for a while.

He guns the motor and they head to the mountains.

EXT. DIRT ROAD – MOMENTS LATER

Justin stops again.

JUSTIN

This doesn’t look right.

MILLY

How do you know what it’s supposed to look like?

He looks around.

JUSTIN

There! The Lava Craters.

He points to a moonscape sort of area covered with craters, brown lava flows far in the distance to the north.

JUSTIN

I remember it was on the back road to that place. It’s a national park or something. We turned too soon. Hang on. We’re about to go cross-country.

They take off across the barren, bouncy desert.

EXT. NEAR LAVA CRATERS – LATER

Justin pulls up the dirt bike to a lone odd-looking service truck that sits by the side of the road.

JUSTIN

Hey! We’re here! Anyone in there?

Granny Sue slowly gets out of the truck, comes over to them.

GRANNY SUE

You’re late!

INT. JANUS’S UNDERGROUND COMPOUND – SAME TIME

Banks of light illuminate a huge chamber filled with modern lab equipment, electronic panels, and flatscreens.

An exhausted Marcus flops into a chair. He’s handcuffed by a soldier. Janus comes over from a huge control panel area.

JANUS

Finished, I see. Wonderful! And not even any interruptions.

He preens around Marcus, who sweats, pants, leans on his knees.

JANUS

I’d half expected that at least one of your…family, shall we say, would have been here by now, fighting with my perimeter guards to try and rescue you. Too bad.

JANUS

Now I’ve got everything I need. So I guess I don’t really need you anymore either.

He nods to the soldier.

JANUS

But I’m not fool enough to kill you. You could be so useful to me in the future.

(to the soldier)

Take him back to his cell.

He leans in close just before the soldier hauls Marcus away.

JANUS

So sorry no one made it here in time to rescue you before you completed your task. Apparently they just don’t care.

EXT. NEAR LAVA CRATERS – DAY

Granny Sue leads Milly and Justin around to the other side of her utility truck.

She busies herself gathering tools as she talks.

GRANNY SUE

(to Milly)

What did you bring him for anyway? All he did was slow you down.

She pulls out an electric screwdriver, stuffs it into a big duffel bag that she carries on her shoulder.

GRANNY SUE

He can’t do superhuman stuff like you or magical stuff like me. What’s he gonna do besides get himself killed.

Justin perks up immediately.

JUSTIN

Whoa-whoa-whoa. Who said anything about getting killed? We just followed those damn instructions–

GRANNY SUE

And those “damn instructions” didn’t say anything about bringing a plain old human to this showdown.

Milly looks confused.

MILLY

He’s my best friend, and he can drive. How else could I have gotten here?

Granny Sue gives her a snide look.

GRANNY SUE

You could have done it yourself, and you know it.

Milly suddenly gasps, as if remembering something.

GRANNY SUE

Would have taken you about six or seven hundred jumps, from what I’ve seen. You’d have had plenty of time to rest too.

MILLY

You’ve been watching me run and–

Granny Sue gives her a knowing look, grabs a nail gun and a big bag of long nails, stuffs them in her bag.

Justin gawks.

JUSTIN

What the hell are you talking about?

(to Milly)

What the hell’s she talking about?

Milly bows her head, embarrassed.

MILLY

You know those weird things that I told you about. Well…I can sorta jump…you know, really high, or really far, or both.

JUSTIN

And we’re talking how high? How far? This is insane. You can’t even make a layup in the gym.

MILLY

That’s because–

Justin stands back from her, arms folded.

JUSTIN

No, now I’ve got to see this. You’re so amazingly bouncy. Let’s see how high you can jump–this amazing skill or power or whatever that she says you have that us “plain old humans” can’t do.

JUSTIN

And if you can slam dunk, I’m gonna kill you for not showing me sooner so I could have shown you off to those loser jocks that always make fun of me.

Milly does a feeble jump up in the air. She barely gets into the air. Granny Sue rolls her eyes.

JUSTIN

Ha! There’s one of those, what did she say, six or seven hundred jumps that were going to take you here. Those wouldn’t even get you from your house–former house, I mean–to my house. What kind of crazy rabbit hole are we going down here, huh?

He looks to Granny Sue.

JUSTIN

You should stop messing with my friend’s head, Granny that she’s never heard of. Because it’s making me pretty pissed, and–

GRANNY SUE

(nasty angry)

Shut your trap, not-so-wise guy. You don’t know what you’re talking about.

(to Milly)

If this blabber-mouth really is your best friend, don’t you think you owe him the truth. I mean, obviously he’s not just any old person to you, even though he is “just any old person”, if you know what I mean.

Milly bristles at Granny Sue and at Justin.

MILLY

You wanna see how I can jump?

(to Granny Sue)

You think I should show him? Okay. Here goes.

In one lightning motion, Milly launches herself like a rocket, ZIPS high into the sky–and completely out of sight.

Justin stares up in awe.

JUSTIN

Where’d she go? Is she in, like, Space?

GRANNY SUE

Not hardly, but it will be a minute or two before she comes down.

Justin just stares at Granny Sue, hopelessly bewildered.

GRANNY SUE

She’s an alien, as in one who comes from another world–physical world, I mean. She barely knows it though. Marcus was waiting for the right time to tell her, but…

She fishes some more around in her truck’s equipment bins, pulls out a big shop vac on wheels and sets it down.

JUSTIN

And you?

Suddenly, there’s a soft THUMP nearby. Milly’s back. She walks back to them, an angry look on her face.

Granny Sue shuts up the truck, grabs what looks like a fancy sniper rifle off the top of the vehicle.

GRANNY SUE

Now that we’ve got that little exhibition over with, let’s get down to business. Come on. Follow me.

She trudges down the road as it heads up the dry mountains.

GRANNY SUE

(to Milly)

I told him you were an alien.

Milly stops, gapes in astonishment. Granny Sue continues.

GRANNY SUE

(to Justin)

And no, I’m not an alien, but I feel like one. I’m a witch–I prefer sorceress–and I don’t get any more credibility than she would if she made that announcement to everyone at your school.

Justin and Milly share meaningful, confused looks as they trudge along.

GRANNY SUE

And Milly’s dad is my son. A wizard–sorcerer. We’re part of a worldwide organization called the WWAA: Witches, Wizards, and Aliens Association, formed for the mutual benefit of us all, given our mutual difficulties living in this rather backward world.

She stops at a curve in the road. Below is a vast moonscape of craters, cinder cones, fissures, and old lava floes.

GRANNY SUE

And down there, somewhere under all that, is where he’s at, most likely slaving away for a rogue wizard named General Janus. He values Marcus for his unique magical talents, which he hopes to abuse to become master of this whole damn planet someday. And right now, we’re the only ones who can stop him.

She chuckles at Milly and Justin’s blank stares.

GRANNY SUE

Well, not just us. You got that bag of toys you were supposed to bring?

Milly pulls it out of her jacket pocket.

GRANNY SUE

Now pull one out. Set it on the ground, and say the magic word.”

Milly pulls out a WWII-style Jeep with a driver and a man firing a .50 caliber machine gun. She looks sheepishly up at Granny Sue.

MILLY

I’m sorry. I don’t know any magic words.

GRANNY SUE

(exasperated)

Oh come on! Didn’t he even teach you about the magic word?

Granny Sue takes the toy, moves it farther away from them, onto the road.

GRANNY SUE

Want it to be on the road at least to start–and not visible from down there.

She turns back towards the kids.

GRANNY SUE

Okay. Now you both pay attention. Even plain old humans can do this because the magic’s in the words.

Granny Sue points at the Jeep.

GRANNY SUE

Be big! The magic word!

Suddenly, in an instant, the toy Jeep turns into the real thing, life-size, with two men inside.

DRIVER

What are our orders, Ma’am?

GRANNY SUE

(to the Driver)

At ease, gentlemen.

(to the kids)

How many more of those toys you got?

MILLY

Maybe thirty or forty?

Granny Sue gives them a big grin.

GRANNY SUE

See what I mean. It’s not gonna just us three.

She grabs the bag, takes it back off the road out of sight of the Lava Craters. She starts putting toys out on the ground: Army men, futuristic weapons, military vehicles…

Justin’s face brightens.

JUSTIN

So there really isn’t a magic word because–

MILLY

The magic word is when you say “the magic word!” That’s so–cool!

GRANNY SUE

An old family tradition. Very cool indeed–and the best part is that no one ever guesses it. Let’s get busy here, and then we can make a plan.

[Lee Tidball]

This post was in error. It was my Day 17 post. I’ve moved it over to Day 17

• This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by  Lee Tidball.

[Ed Lusk]

Ed has completed Act 2 Draft 1

What I learned doing this assignment is using the process and structure of the four main scenes improved my story. These scenes have contributed to setting up Act 3, strengthen the character’s and provided more emotions than just plot.

ACT TWO – KEY SCENE # 1 HENRY’S REACTION TO TURNING POINT

INT. NORTH POLE – REINDEER STABLES – DAY

BEGINNING – Henry can’t believe Santa and the North Pole Exist. Samwise tries to calm him down.

MIDDLE – Henry wants to go home, where his screwed up life makes sense.

END – Henry Runs for the sleigh , get’ s in and it flies away with

EXT. NORTH POLE – REINDEER STABLES – DAY

Henry shakes off Samwise. He’s tired of being manhandled by the elf.

HENRY

Let me go. I’m not a child.

SAMWISE

You say that likes that’s a bad thing.

HENRY

None of this makes any sense. You seriously make toys here? My post. My post was on the screen in that room! That man in the red sport coat, that was…

SAMWISE

Santa Claus

HENRY

and he’s mad at me? I’m so screwed.

The pictures is becoming clearer for Henry. It’s unsettling.

SAMWISE

Yes, that’s the big guy. Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Saint Nicholas. He has many names, but one job. He’s very tuned into social media, thanks to Alfreda.

HENRY

I don’t believe it! Don’t want to believe it. Every kid in the world won’t believe it.

SAMWISE

Everyone here does very good job so you and everyone else does believe- it. We have a certain image to maintain. Ageless, priceless, actually. We hate to see it tarnished.

Henry

Tarnished. I’m going to blow the roof of this place. Right to TMZ. Take me home, now!

SAMWISE

Just calm down. I’m working on that.

HENRY

No. Now. I want to go home. I have to tell my mother about this.

Henry agitated. He runs in and out of the reindeer stalls.

HENRY

Is there an airport near by?

SAMWISE

Afraid not. Just calm down. Maybe some hot chocolate and cookies? We have like millions of cookies. Wait – here.

INT. NORTH POLE – REINDEER STABLES -ELF BREAK ROOM – DAY

Samwise slips into small room. Single table, counter with coffee pot, stacks of cookies. A pot labeled HOT CHOCOLATE. Samwise pouts a mug full. He removes from his pocket a small vile labeled, FORGETFUL JUICE, a few drops in Henry’s hot chocolate will do it.

INT. NORTH POLE- REINDEER STABLES – DAY

Henry’s attention is drawn to two massive wooden doors. A crack of sunlight slips through them. On the other side is a commotion. Reindeer SNORTS, STOMPS, JINGLE BELLES, lot of JINLGE BELLS. There’s some muffled yelling of instructions.

EXT. NORTH POLE – RUNWAY – DAY

Henry pushes open the double doors. Outside, slanted silvery winter sunlight. On a plateau on the ice mountain a runway and control tower. Before him is the sleigh, deep red and gold, sleek, garnished with tinsel garland. Latched to it with reigns of black and silver, are twelve magnificent reindeer.

HENRY

I wish I had my phone.

Vanguard is standing in the front seat of the sleigh. . He’s on the verge of panic but still in control. He’s yelling into a walkie talkie looking up at the control tower.

VENGARD

I said activate the GPS modulator after you upload the simulation package. Over?

We hear a undecipherable static filled reply.

VENGARD

Anything done right you got to do it yourself.

Vengard climbs down off the sleigh. He spots Henry on the tarmac.

VENGARD

You , stable elf, stay here and make sure no one touches anything.

Henry looks around. He’s the only one there. Vanguard runs off towards the control tower.

The sleigh is way too cool to pass up. Henry climbs aboard. There’s a dash board. Very high tech, dials and knobs, a touch screen displays a GPS map. The reindeer stir in anticipation of flight.

INT. INT. NORTH POLE- REINDEER STABLES – DAY

Samwise carries a tray of the spiked hot chocolate and cookies. His concern quickly grows with the absence of Henry and the hanger doors open.

SAMWISE

No. No. No. Not the sleigh. Henry!

Samwise drops the tray and runs out of the stable.

EXT. NORTH POLE – RUNWAY – DAY

Henry’s reading across the dashboard.

HENRY

Roof landing mode, toy dispensing methods, sounds. Sounds?

Henry pushes a button. A load HO, HO, HO emits from a speaker below the sleigh.

HENRY

Get out.

INT. NORTH POLE – CONTROL TOWER – DAY

The Ho, Ho, Ho gets the attention of Vengard and the elves in the Control tower.

VENGARD

Who is that? Don’t touch mean don’t touch.

Through binocular POV, Vengard watches Henry touch stuff. Beyond we see Samwise running widely towards Henry and the sleigh.

VENGARD

Don’t touch the reins. For the love of Northern Lights don’t touch the reins.

EXT. NORTH POLE – RUNWAY – SLEIGH – DAY

Henry has reached the end exploring the dash board. Laid over the top, hanging down into the cockpit are the reindeer reigns. Supple waxed leather and silver studs. Henry has to pick them up.

EXT. NORTH POLE RUNWAY – DAY

Samwise is nearly there. He’s gased from running. He anticipating Henry’s next move.

SAMWISE

Henry, Don’t touch the…

EXT. NORTH POLE – RUNWAY – SLEIGH – DAY

Before Samwise could finish yelling “reigns” Henry lifts them up. He wraps them around his wrists. He looks over the reindeer lined up obediently in front of him. He gives them a quick snap.

HENRY

Yah!

Much to Henry’s surprise the reindeer begin to trot down the runway. The sleigh jolts forward. Fast and faster. Samwise swings in behind it. His hand inches away from the sleigh runner. He stretches for it just out of reach.

HENRY

Whoo Hoo!

INT. NORTH POLE – CONTROL TOWER – DAY

Vengard watches in shock as the sleigh and his career careen down the runway. He lifts a glass enclosed case and pushes a button. Alarms RING , SIRENS BLARE and warning LIGHTS flash everywhere.

EXT. NORTH POLE – RUNWAY – SLEIGH – DAY

Samwise chasing the sleigh, gaining on it in by inch. The lead reindeer leave the ground, then the next two, then the next two, all the up the the last set then, in a flash of sparks trailing off the runners, Samwise latches on just as the the sleigh takes flight.

EXT. NORTH POLE SKY – SLEIGH – DAY

With Henry at the reigns the sleigh is barely in control. It zooms in and around the mountain jagged ice. A quick turn the runner slices off a hunk of ice. Samwise is tossed and around the back empty cargo bay. For Henry, this is magical beyond belief.

Henry pulls the reigns tightly to the right. The sleigh makes a U-Turn back towards the Castle.

The reindeer respond. The sleigh zips through the air at incredible speed, heading directly for the control tower.

INT. NORTH POLE – CONTROL TOWER – DAY

Alarms and lights and panic. Vengard on the phone yelling.

VENGARD

Rogue sleigh, I repeat we have a rogue sleigh.

He looks up, through the window the sleigh zooming right for him. He tucks under the table just as the sleigh buzzes past the tower.

EXT. NORTH POLE SKY – SLEIGH – DAY

Henry opens his eyes, amazed the sleigh did not crash in to the tower.

HENRY

That was close.

Samwise makes his way to the front seat. With a flip and bump he lands next to Henry.

SAMWISE

I am so fired.

HENRY

Here, take the reigns, get us down.

SAMWISE

I can’t.

HENRY

What go you mean, you can’t? Here take them.

Henry tries to remove the reigns from his wrists and hands. That won’t come off.

HENRY

Hey.

SAMWISE

Vengard’s new security protocol. When you snapped the reigns they imprinted on you as the Sleigh Master. The sleigh only responds to you until the is shut off.

HENRY

Well shut it off.

SAMWISE

Only Alfreda can.

The sleigh zooms around circling the castle.

INT. NORTH POLE – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

ALfreda, Santa Claus and the senior managers continue their boring meeting. A ELF drones on about PROJECT (AcronymNeed)

ELF

In terms of time, we are looking at no more than two seasons at the most.

The elf continues to speak but Elf’s attention is drawn to the window. The other managers follow the elf along with Santa then Alfreda. They all stand and watch as Santa’s Sleigh, zooms right for the conference room window. It draws closer and closer.

EXT. NORTH POLE SKY – SLEIGH – DAY

Henry pulls the reigns left and right and up and down. The sleigh twist and turns. Samwise is turning green. Holding back the motion sickness. The castle and conference window loam ahead.

SAMWISE

Pull up, pull up.

Henry pulls up the sleigh dives down.

SAMWISE

No, the sleigh up. The reigns go down.

Henry stuggles to understand.

INT. NORTH POLE – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

The senior managers take cover behind chairs, except Alfreda, she stands defiantly in front of the window. The sleigh collision is fractions of a second away.

EXT. NORTH POLE SKY – SLEIGH – DAY

The castle and conference window is dead ahead. Alfreda Cleary visible standing guard. Henry pulls the reigns down just in time for the sleigh to pull up zooming over the window and castle. Samwise vomits. The contents splatter across the outside of the conference room window. The sleigh runner clips a pennant of off the tower.

INT. NORTH POLE – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

Alfreda gets a very good look at Henry on the reigns and Samwise vomiting. She snarls. She turns to the managing staff and barks.

ALFREDA

Get up! Is that how you protect Kris you cowards?

The executive staff look to the head of the table. The chair once occupied by Kris is empty. Alfreda marches out of the room.

EXT. NORTH POLE – SKY – SLEIGH – DAY

The sleigh sails away from the castle

HENRY

So what do we do just circle around up here until somebody fixes this thing?

SAMWISE

Basically shouldn’t take long. By now Alfreda breathing down Vengard’s neck.

Two days before Christmas, this is not good.

HENRY

I just wish I could go home.

SAMWISE

Noooo.

The sleigh banks left, it sores higher into the sky. In a flash of gold, it’s gone.

INT. NORTH POLE CASTLE – SANTA’S OFFICE – DAY

Panic room. In the center of the chaos Vengard and his team bounce between computers and and blue prints. Alfreda body language more impatient by the minute.

Santa Claus sits calmly behind his desk facing the window behind him smoking a pipe. Smoke swirls decoratively around his head. He watches water dripping off the ice. A chuck cracks off, sliding down the mountain. Santa grimaces at the sight. He swirls around in his chair.

SANTA CLAUS

How we doing guys?

The room quiets down.

VENGARD

The sleigh not responding to any of our commands. The sleigh master program appears to have gone off-line.

Alfeda

Do we have a lock on the location.

VENGARD

Negative.

Santa glances at the clock.

SANTA CLAUS

In regards to this situation we have hours, elves, not days. Hours. I’ve never missed a Christmas. This is no time to start.

He swings around back to the window.

VENGARD

Yes sir.

Vengard gets urgently back to work. Alfreda and Santa Clause acknowledge with out saying the situation is bleak. Additional measures maybe necessary.

EXT. SEATTLE CITY SKYLINE – SUNSET

Henry guides the sleigh around and over the buildings.

SAMWISE

This is home?

HENRY

Yep. But how?

SAMWISE

You wished you were home. As Sleigh Master the sleigh obeyed.

Henry

Gnarly.

SAMWISE

You speak a language I don’t understand.

Henry

Elves don’t surf.

SAMWISE

Elves make toys. Sit this thing down. We have to talk.

The sleigh sails over the sound. The Space Needle loams in the distance.

EXT. SEATTLE – TOP OF THE SPACE NEEDLE – SUNRISE

The city is lated out before them. The sunrise proving a magical glow. Enchanting even.

SAMWISE

This is America?

HENRY

It is.

SAMWISE

Beautiful.

Henry

You’ve never seen it?

SAMWISE
I’ve never left the North Pole. None of have. It’s our home, at least for now. it’s our everything. And now you’ve placed that all in jeopardy.

Henry

Me?

Samwise

Yes you. What you think there are endless supply of reindeer and sleighs standing by? This it it. Kid. The old reindeer are out to pasture and the sleigh been decommissioned.

You don’t realize what you’ve done. You don’t know Alfreda like I do. She’ll destroy you.

SAMWISE

I told you don’t move. You move. I told you don’t touch, you touch.

You’re like a child.

HENRY

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

A BEAT

HENRY

Tell me about Alfreda.

SAMWISE

Santa’s go to elf. She’s a legend and ruthless. She went from stable elf the Head Elf faster than any elf. She smart. Life at the North Pole was looking bleak. Kids stop writing letters to Santa. They sent emails, trouble was we could receive emails. Alfreda figured that out. Santa was feeling left behind, forgotten. Then everyone switched to online shopping, no one went to the malls anymore. Santa wasn’t getting the feedback.

Henry

You mean Mall Santas are real?

SAMWISE

They’re what’s called conduits. Old fashioned social media. That was Alfreda other big move. She made Santa popular again. Launching his feeds and posts. He was connected again. He felt loved. We had to catch up. And here we are sitting on a stolen sleigh in Seattle the day before Christmas Eve.

HENRY

My dad’s company was the same way. We held onto the stores. He was sure kids and their parents liked to go shopping. Online sales were killing us. So he was forced to commit to the fulfillment center. Now we’re broke. I feel bad for the kids. I promised them I’d delver before Christmas. Show that nasty lawyer Christmas can’t be stopped by litigation.

SAMWISE

Now you sound like an adult. Maybe that is bad thing.

Henry looks over the sleigh in particular the empty cargo bay behind them.

HENRY

How long you think before they find us?

SAMWISE

Anytime kid. If not you be the most infamous kid in the world. Why?

HENRY

I got an idea.

EXT. SEATTLE SKYLINE – DAY

Henry guides the sleigh out of the city and into the suburbs.

EXT. SEATTLE SUBURBS – DAY

Below roads and rooftops. The homes of working class. Neat, tidy. Small. Henry guides the sleigh over them slowly. He leans over trying to get a better look.

SAMWISE

You mind telling me what you’re doing.

HENRY

Dude, chillax, okay.

Henry looks closer. He’s sees what he’s come for.

HENRY

There!

EXT. DARRYL’S HOUSE – ROOF – DAY

On the roof top of a small house, Darryl, is on the roof, repairing shingles. He wears a SANTA HAT. Henry, Samwise and the reindeer sleigh glide in silently above him.

HENRY

Darryl! Darryl!

Darryl stops his hammering. He looks around confused as to who would be calling him and from where.

EXT. SKY – SLEIGH – DAY

The sleigh hover just above the house. Henry gives the reindeer a command.

HENRY

Jingle.

The reindeer bob and shake the heads. Jingle bells ring out. Darryl spins. He’s flabbergasted. He nearly slips and falls off the roof.

INTERCUT SLEIGH AND DARRYL ON ROOF

HENRY

It’s me, Henry

Darryl regains his bearings. He climbs to the peak of the roof for a better view at what he does not believe is true.

HENRY

This is Samwise. He’s an elf.

DARRYL

Uh Huh.

SAMWISE

You can’t help pointing that out.

HENRY

We don’t have much time . We need you help.

DARRYL

Uh-Huh.

HENRY

(To Samwise)

See I knew he’d help

EXT. PELZNIKEL TOYS FULFILLMENT CENTER – DAY

The sleigh glides above the empty parking lot. A large overhead door on the backside of the building rises slowly.

HENRY

There!

Henry guides the sleigh over the building, does a u-turn and heads for the door opening.

INT. PELZNIKEL TOYS FULFILLMENT CENTER – DAY

Henry leads the reindeer and the sleigh through the overhead door and into the building. JINGLING rings out. Once they are completely inside Darryl clicks the button next to the door. The door begins to close behind them.

HENRY

Down, Down now. Land.

The reindeer land the sleigh in a wide aisle between the storage racks and packing stations. The building is quiet, dark. Pallets of packed toy parcels surround them. Samwise looks over the massive building in awe.

SAMWISE

That’s a lot of toys.

Darryl takes the sleigh and reindeer in, slowly walking along marveling. One the the reindeer snorts, Darryl jumps back.

HENRY

They won’t hurt you.

Darryl made his was around the sleigh and comes alongside Samwise. He stares amazingly at the elf.

SAMWISE

Not polite to stare – dude

Henry smiles.

DARRYL

Why are you dressed like an elf?

SAMWISE

I’m an Elf.

DARRYL

Not you. Henry Elf

HENRY

Long story. We don’t have much time Darryl.

DARRYL

You know this is going to get me fired.

SAMWISE

That’s what he does.

Henry jumps down from the sleigh.

Darryl gets on his forklift and maneuvers one of the pallet of toys behind the sleigh. Henry starts unloading the cartons off of the pallet onto the sleigh. Darryl joins in and helps. Samwise looks on. Shaking his head.

SAMWISE

Excuse me. Humans, are all these toys going on the sleigh.

HENRY

As many was we can fit. I’m delivering them like I promised. And then we taking the sleigh back to the North Pole in time for Santa to do his thing.

DARRYL

Santa? Do his thing?

HENRY

Of course Darryl. Whose sleigh you think this is?

DARRYL

You jacked Santa Claus’s Sleigh?

HENRY

Accidentally

DARRYL

My man!

Darryl and Henry exchange their special hand shake. The two continue to load the cartons.

DARRYL

You going to help little elf?

SAMWISE

All elves are little! And little does not equate too small, which is in stature not effectiveness.

DARRYL

Ornery pint size bro.

HENRY

You have no idea.

SAMWISE

Stand back you two.

Samwise runs his fingers over the sleek dashboard. Wherever he touches there’s blinking and flashing lights. All of the cartons around the sleigh begin to vibrate. Darryl and Henry step away.

The vibrating cartons rise off the pallets. They levitate for a split second. In unison they all gravitate to the sleigh and start stacking into the cargo area. So fast they become a blur. Within seconds they are all loaded. Magically they all fit.

HENRY

You’ve been holding out on me. You know how to operate the sleigh.

SAMWISE

I know some of the features. I can’t fly it. Only you can.

HENRY (to Darryl)

I’m the Sleigh Master.

DARRYL

Dope.

Henry get’s back in the sleigh and takes the reins.

SAMWISE

What you going to do just fly around and drop off packages.

HENRY

Yes,

SAMWISE

Okay.

Henry wraps the reins around his wrist. He gives them a snap – nothing. The reindeer don’t respond. Henry does it again. A little harder.

HENRY

Yah!

SAMWISE

Yah?

HENRY

What ’s the matter? Why won’t they fly. Come on, fly!

I command you to fly, soar, launch,. I am the sleigh master!

SAMWISE

Obedience is not blind. Respect is not given.

Henry is drawing a blank.

Samwise

Have you heard the one about the Eskimo and the polar bear?

(Moral of the the story (to be written), sometimes you have to fool others rather than be foolish.)

Henry gets it now and ask Darryl for his Santa hat. Henry removes his elf hat replacing with with the Santa hat. Now the reindeer recognize the sleigh full of presents and Santa like Sleigh Master to obey.

The sleigh zooms out of the fulfillment center into the sky over Seattle.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO SKYLINE – DAY

The sleigh zooms under the golden gate bridge heading the city across the bay.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO – VICTORIAN NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY

Henry guides the over the lovely Victorian homes. Samwise taps of few buttons on the sleigh dash. Cartons pop out one after another from of the sleigh gently falling to the homes below. Samwise is impressed by the beauty of the place.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO – VICTORIAN HOME – DAY

A parcel lands on the steps. A door opens. A little girl picks up the parcel. She reads the label and smiles brightly running back inside.

EXT. LOS ANGELES – MALIBU COAST – DAY

The sleigh zooms down the Malibu coast. Intermittent Cartons jumps off the sleigh to the beach home below. Samwise heads back enjoying the sunshine on his face. Surfers ride the waves. Henry tugs on the Samwise sleeve pointing down at the rider.

HENRY

Surfing.

Henry demonstrated the surfing symbol with his hand. Samwise imitates it.

EXT. LOS ANGELES – DRIVE THROUGH – DAY

A car pulls up to the window at fast food drive through lane . Behind the car on the ground is. the of reindeer and the sleigh. The car drives away then the reindeer march ahead until the sleigh arrives at the window.

Spectators gather around immediately snapping photos with their phones. A mother directs her child to stand in front of the sleigh and clicks her photo. They waste no time posting to their social media feeds.

SAMWISE

What’s everyone doing?

HENRY

Exactly what I hoped they do.

A spectator gets close to the sleigh for a photo. Henry holds up a sign made from a cardboard box. In marker: @HENRYPLOVESTOYS, #PromiseKept, #SavePelznikel. Henry flashed a peace sign. Samwise joins in with the surfing hand gesture.

The fast food window slides open. The worker, tried and true Angeleno, not the least bit phased by the sight, hands over the food and drinks. Henry snaps the reins and the sleigh moves on. Another car pulls up.

INT. NORTH POLE OFFICES – DAY

The countdown clock now only a day away. The chaos has subsided. It’s like a wake. Elves quietly going about their business. Santa watches over them. Action is called for. This can’t be how it all ends.

Alfreda joins Santa. She is eager to be of use.

SANTA CLAUS

Any updates?

ALFREDA

No.

SANTA CLAUS

I won’t miss Christmas.

ALFREDA

There are other methods.

SANTA CLAUS

I’ve never doubted you. Can you be – Subtle?

ALFREDA

It’s a delicate matter but there are those willing to help us.

An elf leaves a cubicle. Weeping.

SANTA CLAUS

Do it. Bring back my sleigh.

Alfreda spins on her heels holding in her enjoyment.

EXT. LOS ANGELES – MULHOLLAND DRIVE OVERLOOK – SUNSET

The reindeer munch on the brush along side the roadway. Below the city lites twinkle, millions of stars. Henry and Samwise munching and slurping away on shakes.

SAMWISE

What is this called?

HENRY

Burgers and fries.

SAMWISE

Beats herring and cabbage any day.

Henry gags at the thought. Samwise belches.

INT. NORTH POLE – ALFREDA’S OFFICE – NIGHT

A bank of monitors. Alfreda taps away at the keyboard.

INSERT

Posts from the drive through click across the screen.

Alfreda taps a few more screens. Just like that she has what’s she looking for.

ALFREDA

Henry Pelznikel.

INSERT

A few more key strokes. A list titled: NAUGHTY LIST scrolls down the screen. Names alphabetical.

SUPER: A Online meeting. Alfreda’s the host. She’s joined by faces from around he globe. They are the Naughty List.

ALFREDA

We have an understanding then. Anyone who stops and catches the sleigh will be removed from the Naughty List and and reinstated on the NICE list, in perpetuity without regard for any all past of future malfeasance. Is that clear?

All the voices speak as one with assurance of acceptance and agreement.

ALFREDA

Good. Here is who we are after. The elf is mine. I don’t care what happens to Pelznikel.

INSERT Photos from the fast food lane- @HenryPLovesToys appear.

Back to Alfreda at desk. She clicks SEND.


Alfreda clicks off. Quite proud of herself.

EXT – SCREENS

An explosion of social media posts. #SaveChristmasStopHenryP. #PelznikelSucks.

EXT. LAS VEGAS – NIGHT

The sleigh rises over the mountains. Ahead, in the darkness the glow of Las Vegas.

SAMWISE

Wow! What’s that?

HENRY

You’ll see.

EXT. LAS VEGAS – THE STRIP – NIGHT

Henry guides the sleigh through the towers of the resorts. Samwise leans over for a look, trying to take it all in. It’s overwhelming.

The sleigh leaves a resort and turns directly onto the strip. Giant electric Christmas trees and stars are planted along the resorts. The billboards flash. The canyon of glitz and glitter before them.

At first it appears breathtaking. The billboards, flash MERRY CHRISTMAS, Upcoming New Year Eves shows. Henry sees it first. That’s him and Samwise , pictures thirty feet tall!

HENRY

Look. We’re famous!

Samwise sees it next.

HENRY

I told you my plan would work. People love me.

Then the giant signs spell it out for them. Messages after their photos. #SaveChristmasStopHenryP. #PelznikelSucks.

SAMWISE

This is Alfreda’s work. Get us out of here, quick!

But not quick enough. From a resort roof top the bang of canons. Grappling hooks with strong ropes attached soar through the air directly for the sleigh.

Henry pulls up the reins. The sleigh climbs but not fast enough. One hook shoot from a sign tower snags one of the runners. The sleigh banks tightly to the right.

HENRY

I think we’re in trouble.

With the sleigh anchored to sign the sleigh spins in circles. With each circle the sleigh comes closer and closer to the sign. Henry’s face becomes large and larger. Cartons fly out the back of the sleigh.

HENRY

Samwise, what do we do? I don’t like this. Get me off of here!

SAMWISE

You got to climb down there and release the hook.

HENRY

I can’t! It’s too high.

The sleigh continues to circles at a dizzying rate. Samwise takes action. He climbs over the cargo bay. Leans over. The grappling hooks on the far back rudder.

Samwise climbs down to the rudder. He shimmies across, hand over hand to the end. He reaches but not far enough. The hooks feet away not inches.

SAMWISE

I can’t reach it. You have to go from your side Henry

Henry Looks down. The ground circling a crowd gathers picking up the spilled cartons . He’s billboard picture now massive. #SaveChristmasStopHenryP ten feet tall.

HENRY

I can’t. It’s too dangerous.

SAWISE

Will crash if you don’t.

Henry tries to steer the reindeer in the opposite direction. The can’t go that way. Samwise starts swinging his legs for momentum to make the jump across from his runner to the other side runner. Swing, swing, and release.

Samwise snatches the runner with one hand. He pulls himself up just in front of the hook.

SAMWISE

Henry, slow the sleigh down.

The sleigh is perilously close to the sign. There are three figures all dressed in black standing by to take the sleigh. The speed increasing not decreasing.

SAMWISE

Slow down!

Henry understands.

HENRY

Whoa reindeer who.

The reindeer slow up. Just enough for some slack in the rope. Samwise releases the grappling hook. The sleigh immediately responds crack the whip style zipping off towards a resort tower. Samwise is jerk from his search, hanging on by his fingers.

INT. LAS VEGAS RESORT – PENTHOUSE NIGHT CLUB

The sleigh is on a collision course. People on the rood scream. Others have their phones out capturing all the action.

EXT. LAS VEGAS – THE STRIP – NIGHT

Henry fights to gain control. The lights and the techno beat of the club dead ahead. Below Henry Samwise made his way over underneath Henry.

SAMWISE

Kid Kid Help me.

Henry looks down, Samwise hanging on for dear life. The immediate crash seconds away. Henry takes the reins from left and transfers them to the right. He leans over as far as he can but its not enough. Another foot is needed to pull Samwise aboard. Do or die time.

Henry with the reins in his right hand commands the sleigh. He steps out of the seat placing his feet in the runner. With all his strength he gets a hold of Samwise and pulls him up not before he snatched a champagne bottle off a table.

Samwise falls over into the cargo hold. Safe! He recovers just in time to look up and see the penthouse night club. He scream!

Henry back in the seat. Pulls the reins the sleigh swooshes past the nightclub. The runner slicing across Santa Claus ice sculpture. Patron of the club recover from ducking excited over what they just video taped. #OnlyinLasVegas.

INT. LAS VEGAS NEWS STATION – NIGHT

A crystal clear weather radar screen. Local bored TV METEOROLOGIST takes a sip of coffee. Swallow interrupted by a tiny blip on the radar. The meteorologist self-importance and excitement multiplies.

The meteorologist picks up the cell phone. Thumbs fly. A ring on the other end.

METEREOROLOGIST

Alfreda? Yes, its me. I have them.

A finger on the radar screen tracks the small blip.

ACT TWO MIDPOINT

EXT. MOUNT RUSHMORE – NIGHT

Henry has the sleigh parked on top of Mount Rushmore. The presidential heads a glow below them. Shafts of light from the floods slash through the darkness.

Samwise swigging away at the champagne bottle he swiped from the Vegas night club. Henry’s looking over the document he picked with his collision with the North Pole Elf.

HENRY

Drink, much?

SAMWISE

NP Christmas party’s are legendary

He takes another gulp, offers the bottle to Henry. He declines.

SAMWISE

Who are these guys?

HENRY

Former presidents. You don’t know much do you?

SAMWISE

You know how reindeer fly?

Henry is dumbfounded. Point taken. Samwise continues drinking not offering any insights.

HENRY

That’s it. You going to leave me hanging? I saved you life.

SAMWISE

I saved both our lives. You froze back there like a little fuzzy penguin chick. Oh, I’m so scared

I can’t do it.

HENRY

That’s not fair.

SAMWISE

It’s not fair I’m here. My future ruined. You got your whole life ahead of you kid.

That’s the beauty of being young. If you screw up you have the luxury of time to fix it.

Henry

I nearly died.

SAMWISE

The sleigh wasn’t going to crash.

HENRY

I don’t mean that. When I was younger I was surfing. I wiped out and went under

Caught in a wave. I didn’t come up. I was in a coma for days .

HENRY & SAMWWISE

And my mom asked the the mall Santa And my mom asked the mall Santa to save

To save my life my life.

HENRY

How do you know that?

SAMWISE

Kid that story is North Pole history and lore.

Everyone was balling over it.

HENRY

So you know who I am? Everyone does?

SAMWISE

We do.

HENRY

What’s project X?

SAMWISE


Relocation of the North Pole. In case you didn’t notice during your rampage It’s melting. Yep, Our home is slowly sliding off the mountain.

SAMWISE


Look out there. You can go anywhere and anywhere you go it’s beautiful. You’r so lucky. We are North Pole elves, Henry. It’s all we ever known. Elves are terrified at the thought of existing anywhere else.

HENRY

How much time do you have?

SAMWISE

Couple more Christmas’s at the most.

HENRY

Then no more Christmas?

SAMWISE

There will always be a Christmas.

HENRY

We have to do something. Christmas is the North Pole

SAMWISE

Kid , Santa is the North Pole. Elves are the North Pole

Christmas is forever. We’re barely hanging on to relevancy.

HENRY

You’re wrong. You just don’t care because your ‘

Out of there.

SAMWISE

No thanks to you.

SAMWISE

How many toys are left?

Henry looks into the cargo area.

HENRY

Not many.

SAMWISE

We better get on with it then. What happened in Vegas won’t stay there for long.

Henry amused Samwise does know more than he lets on. Henry takes the reins. Gives them a snap. The sleigh lifts off leaving the stoic faces of Mount Rushmore behind.

Henry

So you going to tell me how these reindeer can fly?

SAMWISE

Where’s our next stop?

HENRY

Cleveland

SAMWISE

I am not going to Cleveland.

The sleigh flies off into the darkness.

(HENRY TAKES OFFENSIVE)

EXT. CELL PHONE STORE

The sleigh parked on the roof of a strip mall. In hiding. Below them a cell phone store. Samwise on look out. Nervous. Henry climbs over the ladder back onto the roof and into the sleigh

SAMWISE

You get it?

Henry pops a new cell phone out of a box.

SAMWISE

This is stupid.

Henry starts scanning the the North Pole Document.

INSERT

Post @ HenryPLovesToys. North Pole is melting. They need our help. #HelpNorthPole, #

HENRY

Collective mind.

The sleigh takes off.

INT. NEW STATION – NIGHT

It’s the feel good story of the day. One not to be taken too seriously.

ANCHOR

We have this Christmas news. The North Pole is melting

Yes it appears climate change has reached the North Pole

Leaked documents show contingency plans on relocating the North Pole.

CO-ANCHOR

Let’s hope those elves can swim.

Silly laughter before the sign Off. .

EXT. CLEVELAND – NIGHT

It’s cold, bleak. Steel mill blast furnace flames mixed among the swirling snow.

EXT. CLEVELAND CITY HALL STEPS – NIGHT

A podium full of microphones. MAYOR, political opportunities no matter what the odds, braced against the wind and snow. Behind the mayor loyal supporters and other dignitaries.

MAYOR

What better location for the North Pole to relocate than Cleveland. Being on

The North Coast of America it a natural fit. Call us Santa, let’s talk relocation.

INT. TEXAS GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

TEXAS GOVERNOR, surrounded by Stenson wearing patriots. Microphones laid out across the desk.

GOVERNOR

Let me state for the record the great state of Texas welcome the The North Pole with open arms, of Course as long as they don’t bring Their North Pole values with them.

The Governor beams duplicitous smile. . Chuckles all around. Off screen reporters yell follow up questions.

EXT. MIAMI FLORIDA – BEACH – DAY

A unidentified Florida representative, tanned, bright white teeth speaks from the delightful palm tree lined white sand beach

FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVE

Sunshine , beaches , Florida has it all. South Beach perfect

Location for the North Pole.

INT. NORTH POLE – SANTA’S OFFICE – NIGHT

Alfreda helps Santa Claus getting suited up. A fake jelly belly strapped to his waste. Gone is corporate casual, replaced with the traditional red suite.

SANTA CLAUS

You are that confident.

ALFREDA

We have a lock on the sleigh

Several flat screen television beam the North Pole relocation news clips.

SANTA CLAUS

News travels fast.

ALFREDA

It shouldn’t be traveling at all. That’s the problem

SANTA CLAUS

You surprise me Alfreda. Your embrace of social media brought us here . All those post, likes, shares, like the falling snowflakes. It is working to our advantage is it not?

Alfreda stops. The glint of a brilliant idea in her eyes.

ALFREDA

Yes, of course. I should have thought of this sooner.

Alfreda races out of the office leaving Santa wondering just how far she will go.