DEAR SANTA

Written by
Maura Smith

Revisions As Of May 1, 2013

OUR WAY OUT FILMS

Maura Smith
47 Woodbine Rd.
Norwood, MA 02062
339-227-0053

FADE IN:
1

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE - DAY

The top drawer of a dark wood hope chest is pulled open. The
inside of the drawer is jam packed with a wide variety of
items; cloth napkins, candles, match books, buttons, yarn,
wrapping paper, etc. This is a familys all purpose drawer.
A small hand reaches inside the drawer and begins moving
things around, searching.
The hand lifts a blue tin, revealing a green pad of paper
with a sprig of bright red holly in the bottom corner. The
hand picks up the pad of paper and closes the drawer.
CUT TO:
2

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE - CRAFT ROOM -DAY

A stack of several see-through plastic bins sit on a beige

carpet. All the bins are the same size and each has a
brightly colored lid, which alternate between green, purple,
and blue. Attached to the front of every bin is a printed
label describing the bins contents. The purple lid of the
top bin, labeled CRAFT SUPPLIES, is pulled off.
The inside of the bin is full of scissors, different kinds of
paper, crayons, etc - all meticulously organized.
A pair of slender and well manicured fingers reaches inside
the bin. The hand selects a piece of heavy blue paper,
scissors, and a ruler.
The purple lid is placed back on the bin.
3

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE - SAME

ANN
(VO)
Dear Santa,
A pair of childs feet, wearing dark blue converse high tops,
goes racing up a set of stairs.
CUT TO:

2.
4

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE - DINING ROOM-DAY

The piece of blue paper has been laid out on a dark wood
dining table. In the middle of the paper the shape of a star
has been traced in pencil.
A pair of scissors begins to slowly cut out the star.
CUT TO:
5

INT. ANNS ROOM - SAME

ANN
(VO)
I hope you and Mrs. Claus and doing
very well.
A little kids bedroom. The walls and all the bedding are
hunter green. The space is messy and very lived in. In the
middle of the room is a twin bed. Hanging off the end of one
of the bedposts is a pair of pink ballet shoes, on the other
hangs a cowboy hat.
CUT TO:
6

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE - DINING ROOM-DAY

Two blue three-dimensional stars have been taped together.

A coating of heavy silver glitter is sprinkled onto the star.
ANN
(VO)
This year I dont want any presentsCUT TO:
7

INT. ANNS ROOM - SAME

The pad of green paper sits on a desk. A black pen writes
across the pad. The handwriting is clearly that of a child.
ANN
(VO)
I would just like for you to please
turn me into a boy.
ANN DUNHAM, 8 years old, is a happy energetic kid. Shes
smart, the type to always raise her hand in class. She has
long brown hair, which is always pulled back into a braid.

3.
ANN (CONTD)
(VO)
Can you do that?
Her wardrobe consists mainly of jeans, sneakers, and T
shirts.
Ann looks down at her letter, concentrating hard as she reads
it over.
CUT TO:
8

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - SAME

The slender hand carefully places the glittering star on top

of a Christmas tree.
GRETCHEN DUNHAM, 30s, with sleek blonde hair is confident and
slightly imperial. She is the type of woman whose entire
wardrobe is from either Talbots or Ann Taylor. Not Ann Taylor
Loft, only Ann Taylor.
Gretchen surveys the ornately decorated Christmas tree. She
spots something out of place and her face floods with
irritation.
ANN
(VO)
Thank you very much...
Gretchen reaches out and picks up an ornament with a picture
of Gretchen, Ann, and a man in his 30s on it. She moves the
ornament onto a lower branch. Gretchen smiles, now its
perfect.
CUT TO:
9

INT. ANNS ROOM - SAME

Ann finishes reading over her letter. She thinks for a moment
and then picks up the pen and continues writing.
ANN
Sincerely, Ann Dunham.
Ann grins, satisfied with her efforts.
CUT TO:

4.
10

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE DINING ROOM - EVENING

10

The Dunham family, Ann, Gretchen, and BEN sit at the dining
room table finishing dinner. Ann is attempting to mask the
amount of asparagus still remaining on her plate, she mixes
it in with some rice pilaf.
Gretchen has a large calender next to her at the table and is
filling in activities for the month of December.
GRETCHEN
(filling in a square)
So tomorrow is math tutoring till 4
and then dance until 6.
ANN
And hockey tryouts at 6:30...
GRETCHEN
You are not trying out for hockey.

Mom!

ANN
(outraged)

GRETCHEN
(looking up from calender)
Well talk about it later.
ANN
Why? Were talking about it now.
Gretchen sees Anns attempt at asparagus camouflage.
GRETCHEN
(re: Anns plate)
Ann Elizabeth....
Anns face becomes instantly innocent.
What?

ANN

GRETCHEN
I want all of that asparagus gone.
Ann looks to her father for help. Ben, in his early 30s, is
handsome and unaffected. He has a big heart and loves his
family.
BEN
Youre on your own kid.

5.
Ann sighs and shoves a fork full of asparagus and rice into
her mouth. She chews the mouthful as if it were the most
repellent food on earth.
GRETCHEN
Ben, can you get dinner tomorrow
night?
BEN
Ill get subs from D&G.
Thank you.

GRETCHEN

Gretchen turns her attention to Ann who is still laboriously

chewing.
Done?

GRETCHEN (CONTD)

Ann, with some difficulty, swallows her mouthful of food. She

opens her mouth wide for her mother to inspect.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Youre excused.
ANN
Can I go on the computer?
Yes.

GRETCHEN

Ann bounces off of her seat and goes running out of the room.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
(calling after her)
Only twenty minutes!
Ben picks up his plate, which still has a healthy portion of
asparagus on it, and stands up. He reaches across the table
for Gretchens.
All set?

BEN

Gretchen looks up and notices the asparagus still on Bens

plate. Seeing her notice, Bens face breaks into a rakish
grin. Gretchen smiles and nods.
What?

BEN (CONTD)

6.
Ben picks up her plate and walks out. She goes back to
filling in boxes on the calender.
Ann comes running back into the room. She plops a sealed
envelope down on top of the calender.
ANN
Can you mail this for me?
GRETCHEN
Its about time. I think Santa was
starting to get worred. Ask for
anything good?
Ann smiles broadly, nods, and once more goes running out of
the room.
CUT TO:
11

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT

11

The room is large and very tastefully decorated. Gretchen

sits on the bed wearing a pair of cotton pajama pants and a
matching camisole. She is applying lotion to her feet. The
room has an adjoining bathroom, the door to which is ajar.
Through the open door we hear the sounds of WATER RUNNING and
Ben BRUSHING HIS TEETH.
Gretchen sets the lotion down on the bedside table, she picks
up the envelope that Ann handed to her. Gretchen opens the
envelope, takes out the letter, and begins reading.
Ben switches off the light in the bathroom and comes into the
bedroom. As he climbs into bed he notices Gretchens face,
which is a mix between confusion and panic.
Whats up?

BEN

Gretchen hands him the letter. Ben reads and begins laughing.
BEN (CONTD)
Well I guess you better return that
tiara you just bought her.
Gretchen eyes him unhappily.
BEN (CONTD)
Its not a big deal. Boys get
cooler toys. Thats all.
Ben gives her a kiss on the cheek and hands her back the
letter.

7.
BEN (CONTD)
Go to sleep.
He switches off the light on his side of the bed and settles
in under the covers.
Gretchen glances down at Ben, he already looks as content as
could be. She looks at her daughters letter and takes a long
beat. She does think this is a big deal.
Gretchen sets the letter down on the bedside table and
switches off her light.
She settles into bed, but doesnt close her eyes. She stares
pointedly up at the ceiling. Her mind racing.
CUT TO:
12

OMITTED.

12

13

INT. DANCE CROSSROADS - CONTINUOUS

13

The store is small and empty. The racks are full of various
dance costumes, all featuring a good deal of sequins and
glitter. Ann and MOLLY, 6, are exploring the racks. As
Gretchen and Mollys Mom, BROOKE, enter the store.
BROOKE
...I would just hate to see her
embarrass herself.
GRETCHEN
I would too, and to be honest I
dont always love her themes...
Brooke and Gretchen approach the cash register where a CLERK
sits.
CLERK
Last names?
Woods.
Dunham.

BROOKE
GRETCHEN

The clerk turns to a rack containing a huge number of dance

costumes, she rifles through them.
Gretchen and Brooke awakwardly wait for the Clerk to return.

8.
The clerk turns back to Gretchen and Brooke, she is holding
two hangers.
The clerk hands one hanger, containing a white sequined
velvet leotard, white tutu, sequined white gloves, and tiara
to Brooke. She then passes Gretchen a different hanger which
holds a pair of red and green stripped socks, green pants,
red jacket, black belt, green felt hat, and green pointed
shoes.
Gretchen looks over the costume and her face becomes very
tense.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
This is for Dunham?
CLERK
Thats what the slip says.
Gretchen tries to hand the costume back to the clerk.
GRETCHEN
There must be a mistake. My
daughter is supposed to be a
snowflake.
CLERK
We get the orders from the dance
teachers...so talk to them...
GRETCHEN
(turning to find Ann)
Annie?
Across the store are Ann and Molly who have been busy
exploring the stores many racks. Molly has on a tiara and
bright red boa. Ann is wearing an odd combination of two
sequined bow ties and most of the costume jewelry in the
store.
Gretchen holds up the elf costume.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Is this yours?
Yes!

ANN

She and Molly come running over to the counter to inspect

their costumes.

9.
GRETCHEN
(to Ann, sotto voce)
I thought all you girls were
snowflakes?
ANN
Ms. Paula said I get to be the elf.
As Ann inspects the costume her face suddenly darkens.
ANN (CONTD)
(to the clerk, very
serious)
You forgot the beard.
The clerk goes to a plastic bin and bends down to rummage
through it. As she stands she holds out a small fake grey
beard to Ann, who excitedly grabs it from her.
Gretchen turns her back on Ann and focuses a displeased glare
at the clerk. Ann meanwhile takes the beard and puts it on.
She is ecstatic.
ANN (CONTD)
(OS)
How do I look?
Gretchen turns around and sees Ann, who is now wearing the
felt hat, beard, and red jacket.
Seeing Ann the clerk chuckles warmly. Gretchen tries to force
a smile.
BROOKE
(all sweetness)
Dont you look handsome.
Gretchens face falls and she looks anxiously over at Brooke.
ANN
(to Brooke)
Thanks!
Ann grins and begins trying to pull on one of the striped elf
socks over her jeans.
CUT TO:
14

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - AFTERNOON

14

Bright light comes streaming into the room through the open
curtains. Gretchen sits cross-legged on the bed.

10.
Lying before her is an open Child Psychology book and a
yellow legal pad with a number of notes written on it.
The bedroom door opens and Ben comes in. Seeing him, Gretchen
closes the book and puts the yellow legal pad on top of it,
hiding the title.
BEN
Im gonna go pick up Ann.
Ill go.

GRETCHEN

Gretchen gets off the bed and brings the legal pad and book
over to her desk. She puts them inside a drawer.
You sure?

BEN

GRETCHEN
Yeah, I could use the air.
Gretchen closes the desk drawer and gives Ben a kiss on the
cheek.
CUT TO:
15

INT. MS. PAULAS DANCE STUDIO - DAY

15

A typical dance studio, light wood flooring and three wall

sized mirrors each with a dance bar attached.
Gretchen sits with a GROUP OF PARENTS in a small waiting
area. All are watching the end of the class.
In the middle of the studio is a group of 20 - 25 GIRLS,
including Ann and Molly. The group is being taken through the
end of a dance routine by their instructor, MS. PAULA, late
40s. Ms. Paula has long rather frizzy black hair and wears a
black leotard, black dance skirt, and hot pink leg warmers.
A number of the girls wear their white snowflake tutus, and
Ann has her green elf hat on.
Gretchen glances to the other parents around her. She notices
Brooke and ANOTHER MOTHER also watching the routine. As Ann
completes a shuffle ball-change combo Brooke leans in to
whisper something into the other Mothers ear. Gretchens
face tightens.
The dance routine ends and Ms. Paula, along with all the
parents, applauds the dancers efforts.

11.
MS. PAULA
Well done ladies! Now make sure you
dont forget your costumes and makeup kits for Thursdays dress
rehearsal. And keep practicing
those Relevs. Well done! Off you
go....and get some sleep too..
Ms. Paula begins applauding her students once more, signaling
the end of the class. The kids start to say goodbye to one
another and move into the waiting room to meet their parents.
Gretchen watches as Ann gets packed up. She doesnt interact
with any of the other kids. Instead she takes off her tap
shoes, puts on her blue converse high tops, and sticks her
hands inside the tap shoes.
Ann looks up at the waiting room. She sees Gretchen and comes
running over.
ANN
Wheres Dad?
GRETCHEN
Well hello to you too....
ANN
He said we could go to Game Stop.
GRETCHEN
Take those tap shoes off your hands
now.
ANN
Can we still go?
GRETCHEN
If you take the tap shoes off....
In a flash Ann has the tap shoes off her hands.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Yes, we can go.
Awesome!

ANN

GRETCHEN
Why dont you have a seat, I need
to talk to Ms. Paula.
OK.

ANN

12.
Ann runs off and sits in the waiting room. She puts the tap
shoes back on her hands. Using her hands she begins to
dance a very complicated tap routine on the metal chair
next to her.
Gretchen makes her way over to Ms. Paula, who is busy
cleaning up the studio.
GRETCHEN
Excuse me...
Ms. Paula turns her attention to Gretchen.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Hi. Im Gretchen Dunham, Anns mom.
Ms. Paulas face lights up in recognition.
MS. PAULA
Oh, our little elf.
GRETCHEN
Right, our little elf. Thats
actually what I wanted to talk to
you about. (Pause) I think Annie
might be feeling a little
uncomfortable.
MS. PAULA
Really? Is she having trouble with
the routine?
GRETCHEN
No, no....I think its more about
her part. Would it be possible for
her to switch?
MS. PAULA
To a snowflake? But shes such a
great elf.
GRETCHEN
I think shes just a little nervous
about standing out.
MS. PAULA
(amused)
Nervous? Ive never seen her have
so much fun.
Gretchen eyes Ms. Paula unhappily.

13.
GRETCHEN
I think she would be even happier
as a snowflake.
Really....

MS. PAULA

GRETCHEN
Yes, we talked it all through last
night.
MS. PAULA
Oh. Well then of course she can
switch.
Gretchen relaxes.
GRETCHEN
Thats great.
Gretchen smiles and shakes Ms. Paulas hand.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Thanks so much.
Gretchen turns and makes her way over to Ann, who is still
tapping away on the chair.
Ann sees her mother approaching and quickly takes off the tap
shoes. She jumps up and the two head out of the dance studio.
CUT TO:
16

EXT. DANCE CROSSROADS - DAY

16

The Dunhams silver SUV is parked outside.

The front door of the store swings open and out walks
Gretchen. She is holding a bright white snowflake costume.
Gretchen carefully hangs the costume from a hook in the back
of the SUV and climbs into the drivers seat.
The SUV pulls out of the parking lot.
CUT TO:
17

INT. IORIO ICE HOCKEY RINK- DAY

Ann sits on a bench along the edge of a hockey rink. Ben
kneels down in front of her, lacing up her skates.

17

14.
Ann is nervously staring out at the ice.
Ben finishes tying up her skate and gives it a good tug to
make sure its secure.
All set?

BEN

Ann nods.
CUT TO:
18

INT. IORIO ICE HOCKEY RINK- SAME

18

Ann and Ben, both wearing hockey gear, skate across the ice.
Anns helmet, gloves, pads, and stick are old ones of Bens,
and are about four sizes too big for her.
Ben skates well, Ann on the other hand does not. She moves
across the ice more as a result of determination than skill.
Through montage we see Ben giving Ann a hockey lesson.
CUT TO:
19

OMITTED.

19

20

INT. BENS CAR - SAME

20

The back seat is full of Bens hockey stuff. In the front are
Ben and Ann.
BEN
(conspiratorially)
Now remember, where were we?
ANN
(matching Bens hushed
whisper.)
Game Stop.
BEN
Atta girl.
Ann gives Ben a broad grin and the pair get out of the car.
CUT TO:

15.
21

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE KITCHEN - SAME

21

Gretchen stands next to the kitchen island grating cheese

into a large bowl. Behind her a few pans simmer on top of the
stove.
Several tall stools surround the island, hanging off one is
the snowflake costume.
Ann and Ben come into the kitchen, neither notices the
costume.
BEN
Smells good.
GRETCHEN
Itll be done soon.
Ben goes to the fridge and Ann hoists herself up onto a
stool. She reaches over and steals a handful of cheese and
pops it into her mouth. Gretchen decides to let Anns theft
go.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
You two have fun?
ANN
Yeah! We checked out the new Super
Mario Kart.
GRETCHEN
Neat. Annie Ive got a little
surprise for you.
Anns face fills with excitement. Puzzled, Ben pops his head
out of the fridge and looks at Gretchen.
Gretchen grabs the snowflake costume from the stool and holds
it up.
Seeing the costume Anns face drops.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Isnt it pretty?
ANN
But Im the elf.
GRETCHEN
I know sweetie, but this way you
get to dance with all the other
girls.

16.
Ann turns to her father.
ANN
(to Ben)
Do I have to?
GRETCHEN
Come on, dont you want to be
pretty like them?
BEN
Gretchen....
Gretchen ignores Bens interjection.
GRETCHEN
Itll be fun.
ANN
But I dont want to wear the stupid
snowflake costume!
GRETCHEN
I dont like your tone, young lady.
Mom....

ANN

GRETCHEN
Go hang this upstairs.
Ann takes the snowflake costume and dejectedly walks out of
the room.
Ben gives Gretchen a hard look.
What?

GRETCHEN (CONTD)

Ben shakes his head and walks out of the kitchen.

CUT TO:
22

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE DINING ROOM - NIGHT

22

Gretchen sits alone at the dining room table, before her is a

half empty glass of wine. On the table are three plates full
of food, not one looks as though it has been touched.
The house for once is very still and quiet. Gretchen picks up
a fork and pushes around the food on one of the plates. After
a beat she gives up, puts the fork down, and takes a long sip
of wine.

17.
She stands up, grabs her glass, and walks out and into 23

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

23

An open wine bottle sits on the kitchen island. The snowflake

costume is still hanging off one of the stools. Gretchen
picks up the costume and takes it in for a long beat. She
hangs it back over the stool and sits.
Gretchen grabs the wine bottle, and fills up her glass. She
takes a sip as Ben walks into the kitchen.
GRETCHEN
She asleep?
Ben nods. He goes to a cabinet and gets out a second wine
glass. Ben sits at a stool opposite Gretchen.
Is she OK?

GRETCHEN (CONTD)

BEN
Shes calmed down.
Ben takes the wine bottle and pours himself a glass.
Im sorry.

GRETCHEN

Ben takes a sip of his wine. For a long beat the two sit in
silence.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
She was going to be the only one.

So?

BEN
(biting)

Pause.
GRETCHEN
She isnt like other girls.
BEN
(Laughing)
Thank God.
GRETCHEN
Ben, Im serious.
BEN
Shes a kid. Dont over think this.

18.

Im not.

GRETCHEN

Ben gives her a disbelieving look.

GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Well Im sorry but I dont want
things to always be harder for her.
BEN
Right now youre the one making
things harder for her.
GRETCHEN
(temper rising)
What do you want me to do, just
stand by while she does things that
are gonna get her hurt?
Yes.

BEN

Beat. Gretchen chews on this.

What?
Nothing.
What?

BEN (CONTD)
GRETCHEN
BEN

GRETCHEN
Its just that the two of
you...you...
BEN
The two of us what?
Long pause.
GRETCHEN
Im her mom. Im her mom, and she
always wants you.
Gretchens comment hangs heavy between the two. Tentatively,
Ben reaches out and takes her hand.
BEN
Ann loves you, you know that...
Gretchen swallows hard, and after a beat smiles and stands
up.

19.
GRETCHEN
I havent gotten anything ready for
tomorrow....
BEN
Gretchen...
GRETCHEN
No, I should press your shirt and
get my files together.
Gretchen puts her wine glass in the sink.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Turn off the light when you come
up.
She walks out of the kitchen.
CUT TO:
24

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE KITCHEN- DAY

24

Ann comes in wearing a blue puffy jacket and carrying a dark

purple lunch box. She drops her lunch box on the counter,
takes off her jacket, and flings it over one of the stools.
Ann grabs a stool and drags it over to the edge of the
kitchen counter. She climbs on top of the stool and opens a
cabinet.
She fishes around on the cabinets top shelf and finds what
shes been searching for, two large chocolate chip cookies.
CUT TO:
25

INT. ANNS BEDROOM - SAME

25

Ann is standing in front of a long mirror attached to the

back of her closet. She wears the white snowflake tutu on top
of her jeans. Shes eating the cookie as she surveys her
appearance.
Ann tugs at the tutu so that it now sits slightly above her
waist, but shes still not pleased with it.
She gets an idea. Ann goes to her bed and grabs the striped
elf socks from the bed. She puts on the socks.
Ann once more studies her appearance. Its no better. She
tugs the tutu back down to her waist. Still no better.

20.
Frustrated, Ann finishes the rest of her cookie in one big
bite.
CUT TO:
26

OMITTED.

26

27

OMITTED.

27

28

INT. MS. PAULAS DANCE STUDIO - NIGHT

28

Gretchen stands in the dance studio waiting room along with

Brooke and several other parents. Tonight is the dress
rehearsal, and all the girls, including Ann, are dressed in
their white snowflake costumes. Ms. Paula leads all the
snowflakes through their routine.
Gretchen watches as Ann, with a determined look on her face,
tries to keep up with the other snowflakes. She is one to two
steps behind on each move, and looks very out of place.
However, it isnt just her dancing that sets Ann apart, its
her costume.
The snowflake outfit just doesnt look right on her. Ann does
an off balance demi-pli. When she finishes she tugs
uncomfortably at her tutu.
Gretchens face grows more and more troubled as she watches
Ann.
CUT TO:
29

INT. DUNHAMS SILVER SUV - LATER THAT NIGHT

Gretchen and Ann, who is still dressed in the snowflake
costume, drive home in silence.
Ann stares out the passenger side window, watching all the
brightly decorated houses go by.
After a long beat Gretchen breaks the silence GRETCHEN
Are you excited about tomorrow
night, sweetie?
Ann shrugs her shoulders.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
You looked great...

29

21.
Ann turns to look at Gretchen.
ANN
I look stupid.
Pause. Gretchen doesnt know how to respond. Ann turns and
looks back out the window.
CUT TO:
30

INT. ANNS BEDROOM - NIGHT

30

The room is dim; the only light comes from a small lamp on
the bedside table.
The door to the room opens and light spills in from the
hallway. Gretchen slowly walks into the room. She moves to
the bed where Ann lies fast asleep.
Gretchen sits on the edge of Anns bed. She looks down at Ann
and takes a long beat.
Gretchen pulls back the covers and crawls into bed next to
Ann. Careful not to wake her, she wraps her arms around her
daughter.
Gretchen lightly kisses Anns forehead.
CUT TO:
31

INT. DANCE CROSSROADS - DAY

31

Gretchen is at the counter, she seems weary as she

continually turns her credit card end over end. In front of
her on the counter lays the white snowflake costume.
From the back room, the clerk appears carrying the elf
costume. The clerk places it on the counter. Gretchen passes
her the credit card.
The clerk takes the card and swipes it. When she turns back
Gretchen is holding out a bright yellow card.
The clerk takes the card, which we now see is a frequent
shopper card. The clerk picks up a hole punch and punches the
card with its fourth hole.
CUT TO:

22.
32

INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM - NIGHT

32

The classroom has been transformed into a dressing room. The

room is full of little girls dressed as snowflakes and their
mothers. Everyone is hurrying around preparing for the
recital.
Gretchen walks in and observes the chaos. In the corner of
the room Ann, in full elf costume, is sitting alone at a
desk. Gretchen weaves her way through the room and over to
Ann.
GRETCHEN
Almost ready?
Ann nods but doesnt look up at her mother. Instead she keeps
her eyes focused down on the desk.
Gretchen sits at an empty desk next to Anns. She looks over
Anns costume, scrutinizing it. Gretchen reaches out and
gently adjusts Anns beard.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
You look great.
Ann keeps her focus down on the desk.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
So, do you have a special elf name?
Ann shrugs.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
Oh come on, is it... Gingerbread?
Ann shakes her head.
GRETCHEN (CONTD)
OK....Tinsel-Toes?
Ann smiles.
No.

ANN

GRETCHEN
Well then what is it?
Ann looks up at her mother.
Fruitcake.

ANN

23.

Fruitcake?

GRETCHEN

ANN
Its what Dad always calls me.
GRETCHEN
(laughing)
I like it.
Ann smiles at Gretchen. She picks up a tube of lipstick and
hands it to her mother.
Gretchen opens up the tube and brings the lipstick up to
Anns lips. Ann moves her face away.
ANN
Can you just do rosy cheeks?
Gretchen hesitates, she looks at the other mothers on her
left and right. They are both applying blush and mascara to
their daughters faces.
Gretchen takes a breath and smiles.
Sure.

GRETCHEN

She begins to color in rosy red circles on both of Anns

cheeks.
CUT TO:
33

INT. SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY

33

Slow, classical CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYS. On stage all the

snowflakes are going through their ballet routine.
Occasionally one of the girls will get lost and glance over
to the wings. There Ms. Paula can be seen dancing through the
routine.
The auditorium is packed with families, all focused on the
stage.
Gretchen and Ben sit towards the front. Ben has a video
camera held up to his face.
The MUSIC CHANGES to a more UPBEAT CHRISTMAS TUNE. Ann comes
rushing on stage, she is wearing her elf costume and a pair
of tap shoes.

24.
Ann begins a tap solo. She is by far the most animated dancer
on the stage. Her steps are in no way perfect, but it doesnt
matter. She dances with confidence and is having a ball.
The audience is under her spell. You cant help but smile
watching this hyper little elf tap her way across the stage.
Anns solo ends with two slightly off balance heel clicks.
The audience applauds. Ann is elated. She grins out at her
parents, and then darts back into position with the rest of
the snowflakes.
Gretchen looks at Ben, who is beaming up at the stage. She
reaches over and takes his hand, giving it a little squeeze.
Ben turns to her and smiles.
CUT TO:
34

INT. DUNHAM HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

34

Everything is decorated for Christmas. There are stockings

hung from the fireplace and a twinkling Christmas tree. Under
the tree is a large collection of brightly wrapped presents.
Gretchen sits in an arm chair drinking tea and watching as
Ben struggles to wrap a hockey stick for Ann.
Gretchen picks up a bright red tag and writes on it TO: ANN
LOVE: MOM.
Ben finishes wrapping the hockey stick, and Gretchen places
the finished tag on top of a hockey puck and mouth guard. We
see a framed photograph on the table next to Gretchen, it is
of Ann in her elf costume, Ben, and Gretchen - all three are
smiling brightly.

FADE OUT.