by Michelle N. Broughton

Created on: December 06, 2008

(Jillian, a six year old girl, stands in the living room, industriously searching through a cardboard box. Standing across the room is an undecorated Christmas tree. With a squeal of delight, Jillian holds a shabbily cut out picture high over her head.)

Jillian: I found it! I found it! Won't Mommy be surprised?

(Using a dull-pointed pencil, she punches a hole in the top of the picture and ties a ragged piece of ribbon through it.)

(Her tongue clenched between her teeth, she searches for the right place to hang her picture ornament. Reaching as high as she can, she slips the ribbon on a slender twig.)

Jillian: It's perfect! Mommy will be so happy! I'll decorate the whole tree.

(Picture after picture, all of the same person, slowly covers the lower branches of the tree. Looking at her work, she frowns. The top has no decorations at all. She's mumbling while hanging the pictures.)

Jillian: That looks nice. Ohh, here's a little one. It goes right here. Maybe a nice big one. (Holding up a sixteen inch picture, she hangs it from the bottom limb.) Hmmm, no, it needs to be higher. (Looking at her work, she frowns.) I can't reach any higher. (her face brightens). I know, I'll get a chair.

(She exits the living room, stage right. Mother enters from the outside door carrying a load of firewood - stage left.)

Mother: Brrrr, that wind is nippy! I think I'll start a fire in the fireplace. (She sees the tree and stops in her tracks.) Wha_? Oh, my goodness, what has my child done now? Jillian! Where are you?

(Jillian enters from stage right.)

Jillian: Oooh, Mommy, you came in too soon. (She fakes a pout.) Look! You don't have to decorate the tree. I did it already. (She smiles with pride at her accomplishment.) But I need a chair to reach the high places.

(Mommy walks from side to side looking at the tree, a smile creeping across her lips.)

Mommy: You did a very nice job, Jillian. I can tell you worked extra hard making your surprise. With a few lights, it will be our best Christmas tree ever.

(Clasping her hands and jumping up and down with excitement, Jillian dances around the room.)

Jillian: He's so nice! Look how pretty and white his teeth are. I like his smile.

Mommy: I do, too. Let's go get those lights.

(They exit stage right and the curtain falls.)

(The curtain rises and the lights have been added to the tree. Mommy reaches down to turn on the light switch, then hands a small glass of eggnog to Jillian and takes one for herself.)

Mommy: This may be the first Christmas tree ever to be decorated with lights and pictures of a wrestler! You're right the Rock has a very nice smile!

(The two of them turn to the audience.)

Mommy and Jillian: Merry Christmas everybody from us and from the Rock!

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