by Sadie Grey

Created on: December 09, 2008   Last Updated: January 07, 2009

Scene: The McCall house is awake and the aroma of hot chocolate fills the living room. It is Christmas morning and the floor of the room is covered in torn wrapping paper.

Characters:

Evelyn McCall: (Mother of three sons who recently lost her husband)

Jimmy McCall: (Age 14 and the oldest of the McCall children)

Elliott McCall: (Age 12)

Duncan McCall: (Age 8)

Evelyn: Duncan, were you pleased with Santa's gifts?

Duncan: Ma, did Santa really buy me this? (He strokes his new sled)

Jimmy: Santa doesn't buy gifts; he makes them, remember.

Duncan: (Nodding) But, this is the same one I asked him for. I mean, it's in all the stores. He had to buy it, right? (He looks at Elliott then at Evelyn)

Jimmy: (Leaning across the floor and turns the sled over) Maybe, but does anyone else have their name on their sled like this?

(Jimmy had burned Duncan's name on the sled a month ago with his wood burning kit)

Duncan: I guess not. (He looks at Evelyn) Can we go sledding Ma?

Evelyn: Oh, I don't know you guys. The family will be here soon, why don't you wait until tomorrow.

Jimmy: We'll just go over to the hill Ma. It's not far and I've got this now. (He holds up his new cell phone.) We can sled for an hour or so.

Evelyn: I suppose it will be all right. No longer than a couple of hours, Jimmy.

(The boys stand and begin to hurry to the foyer to put their coats on.)

Evelyn: Elliott, come here a minute please.

Elliott: (Rushing back to his mother) Yeah?

Evelyn: (In whispered tones.) What did you say to Duncan?

Elliott: Nothin' Ma, honest.

Evelyn: Elliott, I want to hear it from you. If I hear it from Duncan, you'll do double chores for three months.

Elliott: (Eyes lowered and fumbling with his hands) I told him there wasn't no Santa.

Evelyn: But why? Why would you do that son?

Elliott: (Shrugging) I don't know.

Evelyn: You can stay here while they go sledding; understand. You can clean up the paper and put things back under the tree. (She stands) Then you can help me clean the kitchen.

Elliott: I'm sorry Ma, really sorry.

Evelyn: I'm not the person you need to apologize to. Besides, the damage is done.

Elliott: He would have found out sooner or later.

Evelyn: I don't care. You get started on that paper. (She moves toward the foyer. Jimmy and Duncan have their coats on and Duncan has his sled.) Elliott is going to stay here and help me clean up. We might join you in a bit.

Jimmy: (Nodding his awareness) When you come, bring your camera Ma.

Evelyn: I will.

(Jimmy and Duncan move outside. Evelyn watches them as they

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