Post day 22 Assignment Here

[Emmanuel Sullivan]

Emmanuel’s Act 4 Climax

What I learned doing this assignment is the climax scenes are the most exciting because you get to finally see the protagonist fully transform and go against the antagonist.

[Lee Tidball]

Lee’s Act 4 Climax

What I learned doing this assignment is…

Four Parts of the Climax

A. The ultimate expression of the conflict – This will be a fight to the finish primarily between Milly and Janus, but also their supporting forces.

B. The Protagonist and Antagonist come face-to-face – This action will take place within the confines of Janus’s secret underground bunker.

C. This scene tests the Protagonist to the core – Milly MUST act powerfully and decisively, and even then, this will force her to make hard choices, etc.

D. The Protagonist MUST us the New Ways to succeed – Milly’s only hope is to aggressively use both the supernatural and paranormal powers that she has to save her family, even though she barely knows how to wield them.

Outline

BEGINNING – Lana, Milly’s mother, tells her that she’s one of the few creatures on Earth that is both supernaturally gifted physically and has paranormal (magical) powers as well. And she has the same special paranormal power that her father has, to make large objects small and then restore them to their former size. She reminds Milly that she’s probably used this already when escaping her house.

MIDDLE – Milly makes herself small, goes to the human area of Janus’s cells, makes Justin small, and tells him to make his way as fast as he can to out to the battle area where the life-sized toys were defeated. She gives him a special charm that he can repeat to make the come alive but NOT become life sized.

She then goes to the area where magical people are jailed. She finds Granny Sue, uses her strength to let her out of the cell, and once out, they both are able to crush the dark magic spell that makes escape impossible for magical people. Milly makes them small again.

END – One of Janus’s guards figures out what’s going on and raises the alarm. Janus sets his guards to find the mini-people and squash them. There’s a number of near-misses. Meanwhile, Janus heads for his cage of white rats.

At the same time, Justin and his lively army make it into the compound underneath the back garage door, then Justin makes them big nice more using “the magic word” that he knows. A fierce battle begins once again between Justin’s restored army and Janus’s perimeter guards. But they’re outnumbered this time because those outside have not been re-animated.

As Marcus and Lana (who he’s freed) escape with Granny Sue, Milly battles with Janus before he can let out his rats to go after her family. It’s a real battle royale, as Janus uses both magic and human weapons to battle Milly, but she’s up to the task. But he finally gets her to the point where her only escape is to become small again. Janus thinks he’s won. He unleaded the rats to chase after her and the others…and Milly makes the rats BIG at the same time. She ducks and covers as the giant rats go after all the normal-sized people all over. Milly makes Justin little again, and they leave as the entire compound is a chaotic mess of soldiers running from giant rats.

THE SCRIPT

INT. JANUS’S UNDERGROUND COMPOUND – THE CELLS – MOMENTS LATER

At the end of a long, underground hallway, a large, mostly dark underground room. Individual jail cells line its walls.

Milly’s tossed into one of them by two guards. They slam its door and bind it shut with a strange-looking cable.

Milly cries out in pain, then sobs openly. Both her arm and leg show painful, if not deep, raw wounds.

Someone stirs in the cell next to Milly’s. Though Milly doesn’t know it, this is LANA, Milly’s mother.

And Lana doesn’t know that Milly’s her daughter–at least not yet.

LANA

What’s wrong, young one? Can I help at all?

MILLY

Not unless you’re Wonder Woman or a magician that can instantly heal wounds.

LANA

That’s a pretty tall order. I used to have extraordinary strength–like Wonder Woman I guess–but the General has found ways of neutralizing those like us. As to the instant healing, definitely can’t offer you any help there.

MILLY

I’m a bit like Wonder Woman myself, minus the power bands. Just found out today. Even from another world I guess.

Lana rises, walks more into the dim light of the cell room.

LANA

If you’re the General’s captive, that’s why you’re here. This area has cells specifically built to house people and other creatures that have innate supernatural strength compared to the humans who rule this planet. They call us–

MILLY

Aliens. I know. I’ve struggled with being one my whole life.

Milly turns so that she can see Lana silhouetted in the dimness, wipes away the last of her tears.

MILLY

Same with you?

Lana leans against hers and Milly’s mutual cell bars.

LANA

In a way, I guess.

MILLY

People here don’t believe in aliens. I didn’t believe in aliens. But I started doing all these superhuman things, you know. I was faster and stronger and could do goofy things like move things with my mind and stuff. But I kept it all a secret, even from my best friend Justin.

Lana listens with interest as Milly rambles on.

MILLY

I was so scared of what people would think if I really acted, you know, like myself. So I never told anyone.

LANA

Not even your parents.

MILLY

Parent, and no. My father adopted me after my mother died. It was weird with him, though. It was almost like he knew even though I never told him. He always called me “my dear little alien.” I hated it, but I think it was because I knew he was right and it scared me.

Milly once again begins to cry. Tears trickle down as she continues.

MILLY

But then a couple nights ago–I think–Dad didn’t come home. He works at a secret lab someplace, but he always comes home on the bus. But he didn’t take the bus this time, and he never came home! I didn’t know what to do, and no one would help me except my friend Justin, and we tried to figure out what to do, and then I remembered about this paper that Daddy said I should look for if he never came home, but we couldn’t find it, and then Justin found a safe and I remembered about that, and we didn’t know how to unlock it, but it did by itself, and we found the instructions and then there was this knocking on the door…

Lana crouches down in her cell, now keenly interested, as Milly talks through her sobs.

MILLY

And these guys with guns or something showed up and then Granny Sue came and we barely escaped, and today we came here to save Dad, and Granny Sue tells me I’m this super person and that without me, we can’t save him, but I don’t know how to do anything, because for my whole life I wouldn’t believe that I was who I really am, and even though I broke us in here and all, I couldn’t get to that general guy so we could make him give us Daddy back, and now who knows what will happen, and I just don’t know what to do, and–

Lana leans more into the light.

LANA

Come closer, child.

Without thinking, Milly moves over toward the bars that Lana now sits very close to. Lana reaches out her arm into Milly’s cell, puts it around Milly as Milly sits next to her.

LANA

There, there, Milly. Just be easy…

Milly sniffs some more, then suddenly pulls back, looks into Lana’s face for the first time. Lana catches her breath.

MILLY

How come you know my name?

Now Lana bursts into tears as well.

LANA

Because I’m your mother Milly. I’m your mother! I’m not dead–never was– and I’m here for you now.

The two embrace and cry some more.

INT. JANUS’S UNDERGROUND COMPOUND – THE CELLS – LATER

Milly and Lana ready themselves near the cell door. As Lana had predicted, Milly’s wounds are healing, and she’s now able to move and run painlessly.

LANA

Are you ready? Remember, just as we planned.

MILLY

I hope so.

LANA

No! No “hoping so.” You will do this. There is no question. You do as we planned. That is all you think.

Milly closes her eyes for a moment. A look of determination comes to her face. She opens them.

MILLY

Yes, I’m ready.

She grabs Lana’s hand.

MILLY

Be small. The magic word.

The two are instantly toy-soldier size. They easily slip through the bars of the cell, past the guards, squeeze under the door, and leave.

INT. JANUS’S UNDERGROUND COMPOUND – CELL HALLWAY

Tiny Milly and Lana skitter along in shadows and out of light as much as possible.

They come to a door. Lana nods to Milly. She goes under the door. She sneaks under the door into…

HUMAN CELL ROOM…

Carefully, she slithers around until she finds who she’s looking for: Justin. He sits glum in his cell.

Milly goes in, stands beside his chair.

MILLY

(telepathically)

Justin! Hey, Justin!

Justin’s startled, looks around.

JUSTIN

What? Who the hell? Granny Sue, is that you? If it is, you sure sound a lot like Milly.

MILLY

It is Milly! I’m right here, beside your chair.

Justin looks around, then sees Milly.

JUSTIN

What the hell? How’d you get there–and like that, and–

MILLY

Shhh! Quick–just act natural.

A guard strolls by with a bored look on his face. Justin smiles a goofy grin. The guard rolls his eyes, moves on.

MILLY

There’s too much to explain. Just listen to me, and don’t you dare ask me “why” about any of it! I can’t deal with your nerd-brain right now. So stand up.

JUSTIN

Why? What are we–

MILLY

No “whys!” Damnit, Justin. Just do!

JUSTIN

Okay, okay! Jeez, you don’t have to–

He’s suddenly as small as Milly.

INT. JANUS’S UNDERGROUND COMPOUND – CELL HALLWAY

Justin and Milly part ways, he to the Cell Hallway entrance, she to another door.

It’s guarded by two guards who sit in chairs. They have no weapons, but also wear different uniforms. Across their uniform chests: Magical Security Patrol.

Milly looks up and points to them both.

MILLY

Deep sleep. The magic word.

Both their heads flop over. Milly now restores herself to normal size, takes the key from a sleeping guard, and opens the door.

A guard inside rises. Milly knocks him out with one punch.

She finds her father’s cell. He’s in bad shape–exhausted, and probably tortured as well. Lana, still tiny, sits on his shoulder.

MARCUS

(weakly)

It’s you. She said you’d be here. Whispered it in my ear. I thought I was dreaming.

MILLY

No dreams tonight, Daddy. We’re getting out of here.

MARCUS

You know you can’t do any magic in here.

MILLY

No magic needed for this.

She grabs two vertical bars on the cell, stretches them wide apart, enough for Marcus to shinny out between.

MARCUS

You’re mother said that you finally know who you are.

MILLY

Oh yeah. Come on. Go to the doorway. I’m going to find Granny Sue.

They do as told. Milly soon finds Granny Sue, helps her escape in the same way.

GRANNY SUE

Bustin’ outta here, eh? I can hardly wait to get at that General guy.

MILLY

Same here, but you’ve got to go with Mom and Dad, make sure they stay safe. Get them out the same way we came in. You’ll find them at the door. We’ll all become small again once we’re out.

They all head out, and instantly, they’re tiny again.

LANA

How’s it going?

MILLY

So far so good. Justin’s bringing the cavalry in just in case.

LANA

Cats?

MILLY

None so far. I think it’s like you said. They hate being cooped up, so they just lay around and don’t care.

LANA

Okay, then. Let’s get–

Suddenly, the Magical Security cell door bursts open. The guard that Milly’d clocked dashes out, heads for the door.

MILLY

Spoke too soon. Time for Plan B?

LANA

I’m sure you’re greatly disappointed.

Milly gives her a snarky grin.

LANA

Be careful, dear. He’s very, very dangerous, and it shouldn’t take us long.

(to Marcus and Granny Sue)

Come on. Let’s get going.

They all head for the door and go into…

CELL HALLWAY…

And then out into…

INT. JANUS’S UNDERGROUND COMPOUND

Lana, Marcus, and Granny Sue head for the front entrances. Milly watches as the whole main compound comes to life.

General Janus appears, barks orders. Some guards head for the back entrance, others toward the front. Others search the floor while Janus spies a cat. He pokes it, but it just lays there.

Milly LEAPS toward the cat, lands on the floor beside it. She BECOMES BIG just as Janus arrives.

MILLY

She looks pretty bored. Nothing to see I guess.

JANUS

Ah, the young adopted daughter of Marcus Martinez. Trying to free him, I suppose. It won’t work, you know. You may have some of your mother’s alien powers, but they’ll be no match for my magic.

He shoots bolts of electricity at her so suddenly that she’s caught off guard. She writhes and falls back.

JANUS

Oops. I guess that just slipped out. Just a sample of what I can do to you if you stick around long enough.

Meanwhile, Milly’s waved her arms over herself and silently said “the magic word.”

Janus shoots more electricity at her, but gets shocked himself. Milly’s constructed a magical shield. It redirects his bolt back on him. He FLIES across the room from its power.

Suddenly, Janus’s perimeter guards appear from the tunnel leading to the back entrance. They’re all engaged in furious combat–with Justin’s restored soldiers who came in under the garage entrance. Janus barks new orders, points…

JANUS

You men, divert from the main entrance. Help defend the back entrance. I and the rest will take care of the escapees.

Soldiers rush into the fray. Real and restored warriors of every age fiercely engage Janus’s guards.

Janus dashes for the main entrance hallway, magically slams its door just as tiny Marcus, Lana, and Granny Sue slip by it and leave. But pursuing guards crash into it.

Milly takes a flying leap, crashes into Janus and knocks him back across the room.

MILLY

Sorry. Not going anywhere.

She marches toward him as Janus releases the door. The guards pour through.

JANUS

So you’re magical also.

MILLY

Thanks to my real father Marcus Martinez.

JANUS

But obviously lacking in experience. Not even that dense alien body can stand up to what I can do.

He waves his arms and shelves, books, file cabinets, tables and chairs fly of their own accord toward Milly.

At first, she bats them away, but the come relentlessly. Milly tries to restore her shield, but Janus stops her with magic of his own.

JANUS

Sorry. That’s something experienced wizards can do like second nature. So now I can go to work on that alien body of yours, which is so susceptible to electric shock.

He shoots more electricity from his hands, but Milly dodges each. Janus magically summons a sparking, electrified prod from the wall by the Magical Security wing of the cells.

It flies to him.

JANUS

We use these to control both the aliens and the magical people we capture here, you know. They don’t seem to like electric shock so much.

He shoots more at Milly. She barely steps aside in time. The shock hits a perimeter guard instead. He’s drops, doesn’t move. His body sizzles.

Milly backs into the melee of perimeter guards and Justin’s soldiers, uses them as shields.

Janus mercilessly continues to fire electric bolts. Enlarged toys melt on the spot. But real guards plop over, sizzle.

MILLY

You’re so awful! You don’t even care about your own guards.

Janus fires more at Milly, barely misses.

JANUS

Collateral damage.

Milly reaches out. One of the electric prods flies to her hand, and she sends a blast at Janus. It’s so fast he doesn’t see it.

But the bolt bounces off his magical shield.

Janus fires electric bolts indiscriminately, in rapid succession. Milly dodges with super-speed reactions, but one bolt gets her right in the gut.

Milly gyrates, nearly falls. She fires her own bolt that intercepts Janus’s kill shot. The explosion drops several guards and “toy” fighters, blows Janus off his feet, and the prod out of Milly’s hand.

Janus is up in a second, but wavers as if drunk. He looks around through the confusion for Milly. He tries to advance, but nearly falls.

JANUS

Damn! My shield!

On the floor, Milly hides amongst the fighters, sees Janus’s weakness. Weakened herself, she still gives a mighty jump, launches herself at him.

CLUNK!

Milly falls limply to the ground at Janus’s feet.

JANUS

You forget. I’m a master wizard. And you aren’t even a good amateur.

He aims the electric prod at her, ready to finish her off.

But suddenly, she’s not there. Janus blinks in disbelief.

JANUS

That’s impossible! She can’t have mastered invisibility yet!

What he doesn’t see is that two-inch tall Milly dashes away, dodges many large feet as guards and Justin’s army continue their struggle.

Milly leaps up to Justin’s shoulder, yells into his ear.

MILLY

It’s time to get out of here, Justin.

JUSTIN

What? Who the hell?

A second later, he’s small beside Milly.

MILLY

We’re leaving, but I’ve got one more thing to do. Can you restore your soldiers–to toys, you know.

JUSTIN

I can’t do that. All I can do is make them big.

MILLY

Then this will take a bit more time. Run for that main door on the other side. Watch out for cats–and guys with big feet.

JUSTIN

Yes sir, Ma’am!

He takes off. Milly spots some of Janus’s patrol cats back near the garage door, terrified. She makes herself normal-sized, walks back to them.

As she goes, she “restores” toy after life-sized toy to their normal size: two inches tall.

IN THE MAIN COMPOUND…

Janus sees what’s happening. His guards’ adversaries drop and become toys one after another.

JANUS

It’s her!

He dashes past what’s left of his now-confused guards into…

THE GARAGE AREA…

He sees Milly huddled with a bunch of his patrol cats. They purr around her, then seem to become more agitated.

MILLY

I’m glad you came. You’re just the one these little guys have been looking for. I just told them who keeps them locked away in this dark place all the time.

Janus chuckles, lifts his electric prod again.

JANUS

So you talk to animals as well. A lot of good that will do you now.

MILLY

Except they’re not “little guys” anymore, and you’re about to look a lot more like lunch than a giant.

The instant Janus fires another bolt at Milly, she disappears again.

And the next instant, all five cats become big, like mountain lions, then even BIGGER, like giant mountain lions, nearly ten feet tall!

MILLY

(at their feet)

And stay big!! The magic word!

She waves her hands back and forth before them.

Janus, now dwarfed by his own patrol cats, fiercely fires his electric prod. The bolt hits one on the leg–and does nothing!

It GROWLS a deep growl, now angrier than before. Janus waves his hand at them.

JANUS

Be small!

Nothing happens.

Suddenly, a voice in his ear. Milly sits on his shoulder.

MILLY

Don’t you remember? It’s only magical people in my family that can make things small. That’s why you kidnapped my real dad, remember?

Janus swats at his shoulder, but Milly’s jumped to the other side.

MILLY

I hope that cat enjoys his lunch.

She jumps down as the giant cat leaps at Janus, and another leaps at another of the perimeter guards. His weapon is as useless as Janus’s electric prod.

Other guards run for the doors, but none will open. The other cats salivate.

Milly dashes to the main entrance door, takes one look back. Janus is in a death-struggle with the giant cat.

She ducks under the door, and leaves.

[Ed Lusk]

Ed’s Act 4 Climax.

What I learned doing this assignment was I was able to take the Response to Turning point scene and develop it further to a climax scene. Inserting a showdown With the Antagonist provides more drama. However, the conflict needs better defining in next draft. It Much different than the scene, and I think better scene, than what I had in the outline for the climax. That scene wasn’t working. A good lesson for me not to try to make a scene work that doesn’t just because I like the scene setting. That scene may be used differently in a prior act. I’ll Work that out.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY – THIRTY FORTH STREET – NIGHT

INSERT

Street sign reads thirty forth street.

New Yorkers bundled up agains the cold travers the busy street. Department stores and their window decorated to the hilt.

Jingling becomes louder and louder. Pedestrians stops. Looking around. From the out of the darkness above Henry glides the sleigh down to the street.

SAWWISE

You sue you want to do this kid? I think every New Yorker is on the Naughty List.

The sleigh glides to a stop in the middle of seventh avenue and thirsty fourth street. Traffic stops, horns blare. New Yorkers gather around the sleigh.

Henry stands up. Taking it all in. Cell phones fixed on him.

HENRY

My name is Henry Pelznikel

A NEW YORKER yells.

NEW YORKER

Hey that’s Santa’s Sleigh. You stole it!

HENRY

It was an accident.

NEW YORKER

Give Christmas back to the people!

The crowd not on Henry’s side. The murmurs and catcalls.

INSERT

Cell phones text message – NAUGHTY LIST – I’M ON MY WAY – A.

BACK TO HENRY

Samwise senses the crowd is getting hostile.

SAMWISE

Kid this is not working. We got to go.

Some of the crowd step forward. Others follow. They take hold onto the bridle straps. The reindeer stomp in fear.

SAMWISE

Kid the reindeer, they’ll spooked, Come on.

HENRY

(To crowd) Listen to me. The North Pole is melting. They need our help.

Yells from the crowd denouncing Henry’s message. More pedestrians take hold of the sleigh.

CROWD YELLING

You are trying to take Christmas away from us! Liar! Cheat! Crook! Scammer!

Snow begins to fall. Large, soft flakes. The look of a snow globe.

HENRY

If you follow me, I show you how you can help.

NEW YORKER

Kid will do anything for followers. Get him!

HENRY

No No it’s the truth. You have to believe me. I have proof.

Henry waves the document. The Reindeer buck and stomp at the surrounding crowd. Fear glows in their eyes. A hand reaches up and grabs Samwise’s vest. He pulls away only to be grappled with by more of the crowd.

Henry sets the document down on the sleigh seat. As the snow flakes land on it the text begins to fade away, work by word. The pages go from incriminating to blank. Worthless.

SAMWISE

Kid. Get us out of here.

Henry takes the reins. A twitch and a snap. Nothing. He tries it again.

SAMWISE

Come on kid!

HENRY

They not moving.

Samwise holds his hand out. Snow flakes land on the glove. These are not ordinary snowflakes. Samwise looks down closely at them. Examining and confirming.

SAMWISE

It’s Alfreda. She’s found a way.

HENRY

What? How?

SAMWISE
Messenger Snow. The snow flakes carry a message.The reindeer are being summoned back.

It’s over kid.

From somewhere in the canyon of buildings, illuminated stars and wreaths comes a GREAT ROAR. Henry looks up. The crowd searches. Samwise bows his head. He knows what, or better, who is coming.

SAMWISE

Oh no.

Another ROAR. There, down the street in the darkness a bright , white glow. It comes closer and closer. The globe takes shape. It’s an animal. A bear. A massive white polar bear flying through the night sky coming directly for the sleigh.

On the bears back is a rider. Holding holly adorned reins, stiff posture, assured, confident, it’s -Alfreda.

The crowd parts in amazement as Alfreda and the Polar bear land in front of the sleigh. Alfreda dismounts the polar bear. She hands the reins over to a stunner by-stander.

ALFREDA

Hold this.

The terrified by-stander obediently if not hesitantly takes the reins. The polar bears golden eyes even height with the eyes of by-stander. The bear growls low and slow from its belly.

Henry stands up. Defiant. The crowd eager to watch the showdown. Alfreda slowly makes her way towards the sleigh. She scratches the nose of the reindeer. Kisses another.

ALFREDA

Funtime is over little boy.

New Yorker crowds fixated like watching a tennis match.

HENRY

I’m not a boy.

ALFREDA

You prefer – Little thief?

Some murmurs of agreement from the crowd.

HENRY

I didn’t steal the sleigh.

ALFREDA

And yet here you are. Care to explain?

The mob very interested in Henry’s retort.

HENRY

I touched the reins. I wasn’t suppose to. They made me the sleigh master.

After a brief moment for that to sink in. Alfreda, much to everyone’s surprise – laughs. The crowd then joins her. Loud , uproarious laughter directed at Henry. He’s more than embarrassed. The crowd subsides.

ALFREDA

Well. Sleigh Master. Fly away. Show us.

Henry takes the reins. Samwise reaches over and gently pushes Henry’s hands back down. No use playing into Alfreda’s manipulations.

HENRY

I can’t.

ALFREDA

What’s that?

HENRY

It won’t fly.

Alfreda drawing closer. Halfway down to the sleigh.

ALFREDA

You can’t fly. Tell the world why you are taking Christmas away from them?

HENRY

I’m not taking Christmas away. I…I made a promise.

CROWD YELLING TOGETHER

Liar!

Breaking my kids heart!

It’s not about you!

Alfreda now standing directly below Henry standing in the sleigh above her.

ALFREDA

Santa wants his sleigh back…NOW!

HENRY

You promised him you would get it back?

ALFREDA

Of course

HENRY

Promises are important.

ALFREDA

Yes a promise is a promise. Now get down.

Time is wasting.

HENRY

Time for Christmas or Time to save the North Pole?

CROWD

Save the North Pole. What’s the kid talking about?

ALFREDA

It’s a lie. He has no proof.

Henry looks disheartledly at the blank document. No he does not have any proof.

CROWD

Come on kid, off of the sleigh. It’s Christmas Eve. Children want their toys!

SAMWISE (OS)

Henry is right. The North Pole is melting. This is their last Christmas.

All eyes turn to so far silent Sawise. The small elf stands before them. Alfreda burns.

SAMWISE

My names is Samwise. I’ve been a North Pole Elf eighty seven years.

The North Pole is my home. (To Alfreda) Our home and it’s in danger.

I believe it is Santa’s wish that my friend ,Henry Pelznikel, do something about it.

ALFREDA

You treacherous little penguin!

HENRY

You hear that? Santa Claus trust me.

Alfreda levitates. She lands next to Henry.

AlFREDA

(To crowd) Who do you believe? An elf traitor and lying friend who only want fame

And publicity? Santa sent me here to bring back his sleigh. Now get off.

These wonderful mom’s and dad’s want to see their children open Santa’s presents on Christmas morning

CROWD

Yeah! It’s our tradition.

Henry and Alfreda struggle for the reins. With a might shove Henry’s pushed off into the crowd. He’s body surfed over the crowd towards the front of the sleigh.

HENRY

Don’t you understand? There be no more Christmas without the North Pole!

Behind him on the sleigh Samwise has his own problems, Alfreda pushed him back into cargo area. The crowd scratching and clawing at him.

Henry’s pushed and shoved by the crowd towards the front of the reindeer team. The current is too strong. Once again he can’t breath. He falls to the ground. Nobody notices or cares. He’s enveloped in darkness of the bodies above him.

HENRY

(failing) You have to believe.

And then silence.

INT. NORTH POLE SANTA’S OFFICES – NIGHT

Santa watches on the screen in horror the melee on thirty fourth street. He closes his eyes. A deep meditative state takes over.

EXT. THIRTY FORTH STREET – THE SLEIGH – NIGHT

The darkness enveloping Henry breaks. A new dawn. The lead reindeer licks his face. The chaos of the crowd seeps back in to view. The reindeer bends, the tree branch size antlers lower to the ground, hooking under Henry’s vest.

With one quick snap of the neck Henry is tossed, up into the air, flying above the crowd, somersaulting through the air. He lands on his feet on the shoulder of the lead reindeer. Ahead the team of reindeer and a clear patch across the crowd.

Henry steps the flies, then jumps , and flies again, across the reindeer backs towards the sleigh. Alfreda cowers.

He jumps into the seat. He looks at the dash. Where was the spot? His fingers tap, nothing is happening. He tries another place. He finds the switch.

Samwise reading off names from cartons in the cargo hold. Voices from the crowd shout out HERE. Samwise chucks the carton in their direction.

SAMWISE

What’s the plan?

From the belly of the sleigh and deep, rich and VERY LOUD HO, HO, HO, and again HO, HO, HO.

The crowd falls silent. The pandemonium subsides in shock. The crowd step away from the sleigh. In combined wonder they believe. Is Santa here? They search the sky. They search the street. Are they caught red handed being naughty? The reindeer calm, ready for flight.

ALFREDA

It’s just a trick. Don’t be fooled again.

Henry hits the switch again. HO HO HO

EXT. THIRTY FORTH STREET – DEPARTMENT STORE DOORS – NIGHT

Various department doors along the street swing open. Santa Clauses run out into the street.

INT. THIRTY FORTH STREET – DEPARTMENT STORE STORE WINDOWS – NIGHT

Wooden soldiers come to life. The glass breaks . The soldiers march out of the windows, form a platoon and march towards the the sleigh and the crowd.

EXT. THIRTY FOURTH STREET – THE SLEIGH – NIGHT

The store Santa’s arrive pushing their way between the reindeer and the crowd. No one wants to be caught on video punching a Santa. Which one is real? The crowd starts to step back. The toy soldiers garrison take up positions around the sleigh.

HENRY

Get off my sleigh.

Alfreda, defeated, is taken into custody by the wooden soldiers. The New Yorkers lets go of Samwise. He dusts himself off. There is enough room among the chaos for the sleigh to move.

SAMWISE

Punch it kid.

The sleigh zooms nearly straight up away from the street. Threads it way between the skyscrapers. Some toy cartons fall out the back down into the hands of the crowd below.

The pedestrian read the label.

PEDESTRIAN

Hey this is my order.

Others around the pedestrian realize the same thing. The sleigh pulls away nearly out of sight.

HENRY

(Yelling back at the crowd) You’re welcome.

SAMWISE

That’s it kid we are done …coast to coast. Take me home.

The sleigh zips past the upper Manhattan skyline.