DESCRIPTION
When two young boys who don't believe in Santa Claus try to catch the mall imposter in his act confusion insues. Is Santa Claus real? Or were they right to not believe in him? [890 words]
FADE IN
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INT. MALL
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We are inside a modern, American mall. The rows of shops and kiosks are endless.
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JACK and HUGH are each walking with their mothers. They are both eight years old.
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Jack is a little taller than Hugh and he has the serious face of an adult.
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Hugh is downright adorable. He�s the sort of boy that you could never be mad at, not even if he wiped his chocolate stained fingers all over your new couch.
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NARRATOR (O/S)
There�s a certain natural, biological
order of events in a child�s life; a
typical way in which situations are
meant to unfold. If this chain is broken
or rearranged the effects on the child
can be EXTREME.
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CLOSE ON:
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Jack blinks.
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NARRATOR (O/S)
�������� �A particularly big realization for a
child is when he or she realizes the
difference between real and make believe.
If this discovery comes too late, or
worse still, to early, the results can
be INTENSE.
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CUT TO:
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INT. SANTA CLAUSE SETUP
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We see a typical mall Santa Claus. He�s snapping pictures with both frightened and excited children. Teen-aged helper elves try to bring structure to the event.
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LINE
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Jack and Hugh and their mothers go to the back of the line. The mothers start talking to each other. Hugh turns to Jack.�
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
(childish squeaky voice)
Okay, what�s the plan?
����������� ����������� ��������������������������
JACK
It�s not much of a plan. You just go up
there and pull.
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JACK motions a downward �pull� with his hands.
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
You mean, you pull?�����������
���������������������������������������������������������� JACK
No, you�re doing it.
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
No way. What if I get in trouble?
�
JACK
Look, do you want to know if he�s real,
or not?
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
Well yeah, but-
���������������������������������������������������������� JACK
Then go up there and pull.
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Jack motions a downward �pull� with his hands again.
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���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
(to himself)
I just don�t see why I gotta be the one
to do it.
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SANTA CLAUS AND GIRL
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A fancy dressed little girl is excitedly reading off a list to the mall Santa Claus. She looks obnoxious.
��������������������������������������������������������� JACK
Idiot.�
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH �����������
You can�t blame her Jack. We thought he
was real too�once.
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Jack tilts his head away from the girl in disgust. He has the mannerisms of a forty-year-old.
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One of the female teen-aged helper elves comes up to Jack and Hugh.�
���������������������������������������������������������� GIRL
Are you two ready to meet Santa Claus?
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Jack looks away again. Hugh smiles but doesn�t say anything.
���������������������������������������������������������� GIRL
I bet there�s a lot of things you want
to ask Santa for.
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Jack keeps looking away. Hugh keeps smiling.
���������������������������������������������������������� GIRL
Come on you guys. What are you going
to ask for?
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
I want some more trains for my set.
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Jack looks at Hugh as though he just went insane.
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
It�s true, I really do want that.
���������� JACK
(to girl)
We�ll just tell Santa when we get
there, okay?
�The girl gives an awkward sort of laugh and walks off.
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At this point Hugh and Jack have reached the front of the line.
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
I�m scared.
JACK
Don�t be.
HUGH
I can�t breath.
JACK
Then breath later. Just do it.
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Jack pushes Hugh forward. Hugh sits on Santa Claus�s lap.
���������������������������������������������������������� JACK
Do it.
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Hugh sits silent for a second. He then reaches up and tries to pull Santa�s beard...
...But it doesn�t pull. Both boys are shocked.
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
You�re real.
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Santa Claus is all jolly.
���������������������������������������������������������� SANTA CLAUS
Of course I am. Ho ho ho.
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Hugh makes the cutest laugh of all time.�
���������������������������������������������������������� HUGH
In that case, I really do want some more
trains. I haven�t been the best boy, but
you can ask my mom, I�ve been pretty
good. I�
Hugh continues to excitedly talk to Santa. Jack looks bewildered. How was he wrong? How is Santa Claus real?
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Hugh finishes and Jack goes to sit on Santa Claus�s lap.
���������������������������������������������������������� JACK
I have to say, I doubted you. I mean I
really thought this was a scam.
���������������������������������������������������������� SANTA CLAUS
A scam. Ho ho ho, what silliness. Of
course I�m real.
��������������������������������������������������������� JACK
I have to apologize, but I promise
never to distrust you again.
SANTA CLAUS
Ho, ho, ho.
FLASH
A flash goes off as a picture of Jack and Santa Clause is taken.
Jack goes back to his mother, shaking his head, a little ashamed of how wrong he was. Hugh is ecstatic, he�s glad Santa Claus is real.
JACK
You know, I think we learned a valuable
lesson here, Hugh.
HUGH
We were wrong.
JACK
He�s a good guy, I really am sorry I
ever-
CLOSE ON:
Santa Claus has some cotton coming out from under his shirt.
CLOSE ON:
A devilish spark comes over Jack�s eyes.
JACK
I was right! I was right!
HUGH
(confused)
What?
JACK
He�s an impostor! Resume plan!
HUGH
What?
JACK
Pull! Pull!
HUGH
I already did.
JACK
No! Not his beard, his belly.
HUGH
I don�t understand.
JACK
He can�t be Santa Claus. He�s not even fat.
He�s stuffed!
With these words Jack turns around and pounces on this mall Santa Claus. Hugh follows his best friend and pounces on top of them both.
Jack pulls a piece of cotton from under the fake Santa Claus�s costume.
JACK
Kids of the world!, you have been deceived!
The camera zooms away from the scene as the pandemonium continues and back into the dizzy, maze of never-ending shops and kiosks.
FADE OUT
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