by Monique Nelson

Created on: December 18, 2008

The Carol's of an Old Man's Heart

Characters: Taylor and Eden Martin; Sarah and Phillip, their children; Charlie and Mark, their grandchildren; Jake Spensen

Scene: At the Martin's home, a few days before Christmas.

Eden: Taylor? What are you doing, getting your boots on? Don't you dare think you are going out to shovel that driveway!

Taylor: Well, of course I'm going to shovel the driveway! There's snow on it, isn't there? It's not going to shovel itself!

Eden: Taylor, no. No more. Not this winter. You are just too old, man, and so am I! Get some boy to do it for you. Goodness knows there are enough of them around here, and I am sure they could all use a few dollars before Christmas.

Taylor: Some boy!? I can shovel my own driveway, Eden, I've been doing it for 70 years!

Taylor, grumbling, goes out the door to find his shovel. Eden, exasperated, throws her arms in the air and walks away from the cold. Shaking her head, she mumbles something about "old man...going to kill himself..."

Taylor (inner monologue): Too old, bah! Shovel my own driveway, thank you very much.

Just as Taylor was going through the first trip with the shovel over his driveway, he felt his feet curiously moving faster than the rest of his body. Before he knew it, he was flat on his butt, sitting down hard on the cold driveway. Slightly in shock, he took his time returning to his feet, where he stood rubbing his rear end for a few minutes.

While rubbing, he saw a boy walking down his street, probably heading home after school.

Taylor: Boy! Boy! Come here, boy!

Jake, looking around to find that he was the only boy on the block, assumed that Mr. Martin was yelling at him. He quickly worked his way up the driveway to the old man.

Jake: Mr. Martin, how are you?

Taylor: Jake, right? Your mom works at the hospital, doesn't she? Well, I got a job for you, if you want it.

Taylor hands the boy his shovel.

Taylor: I'll pay you for it, but I need it done each day it snows. I don't want my wife falling on a slippery driveway, you see. Are you interested?

Jake, seeing the way Mr. Martin's hands shook handing him the shovel, nodded his head immediately.

Jake: Thanks, Mr. Martin, I'd love to. I'll get started right away.

Jake hurried to start shoveling the driveway. He didn't want to tell Mr. Martin how upset his mother would be that he would be getting home late from school, but he certainly wasn't going to let this old man shovel his own driveway. Mr. Martin supervised for a minute before returning to the warmer indoors,

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next Page >>