When My Heart Finds Christmas

There is Christmas music playing softly in the background, and she hums along as she works. She inputs a final figure into the calculator, and holding her breath a little, hits enter. Her smile tells us she likes what she sees.

David: Hence the mood…..I have always said that Christmas is a great holiday - great food, great parties, and great loot! Wanna hear what's on my list? Get first pick before I start circulating it around?

Maddie: I don't think it's necessary - I just thought……I'd gotten so used to having to hold my breath each time I had to balance the checkbook….hoping and praying to see black instead of red. I just think that…….we have it….why not share it? Give a little back.

Maddie: David…..Christmas isn't all presents. It's about good will towards men, peace on earth, greetings of the season…….you know, family, and friends, and love.

Maddie: Most of the time I did….and I do….but you may still wind up with coal in your stocking if you don't let me finish this. Go on…….go play….plan your party…but don't tell them about the bonus… I want it to be a surprise.

Maddie: Oh good, a real person. I need to inquire about a credit card bill I received today…….3537-2399-0914……..Sure, no problem, it's Hamilton……… What? Yes, it is!…..What do you mean - do you think I don't know my own mother's name…….it's Virginia Hamilton Hayes!

an investigation. If they prove it to be a stolen card, they will resolve it. I'll be responsible for the first fifty dollars in charges, but it will not effect my credit rating…….or so they say.

the Poconos, right on the lake. We all went there for the holidays. It was like….a million miles from South Philly. It was quiet and peaceful - when you shouted into the air, your voice echoed for miles. We played in the snow, and had a great time. On Christmas Eve, Dad disappeared for a while, and then tromped in, dressed up in a Santa suit.

us a big box, and inside was a hat, scarf, and mittens. They were all identical - red, green and white striped. The hat was one of those pull on things, with the earflaps, and the yarn that ties under your chin, and a big pompom on the top.

David: Keep up, Maddie, this was on top of a hat. The scarf matched, and had about half a mile of fringe on each end. And mittens - I hadn't worn mittens since I was about three.

David: She seemed so proud. She made us all put them on, and go outside and pose in front of the cabin. We stood there, stupidly grinning at the camera. All at once her hands started to shake, and she fell to the ground.

dopes wearing the accessories from hell, and this crazy woman was practically rolling in the snow laughing! When she could finally talk, she said, "Those are the ugliest things I ever saw." It was a joke. The best one Mom ever pulled. She really tried to keep a straight face, but she just lost it……..watching us trying to be nice. She just sat in the snow and laughed and laughed.

David: We got scarves, hats and gloves every year for Christmas - and we always lost them before Valentine's Day. It made her crazy. She figured we wouldn't lose these `cause they would never leave the house. She was right - they were awful! I think they got packed away with the Christmas decorations that year. God, I thought she was the coolest Mom in the world.

David: Then later that night, I heard music coming from the living room. I got up, and peeked down the stairs. There were my Mom and Dad dancing to Frank Sinatra - I still remember the song -- "The Way You Look Tonight". I sat on the top step and watched The only light came from the Christmas tree. Dad has his scarf wrapped around his neck, and Mom was snuggled up against him as he sang into her ear. Wish I had a picture of that.

David: Hey…..whatever you wanna do - I'll do! But I'm just not gonna get choked up over angels, and holly, and twinkling lights. I'm up for a great party, and then, ten uninterrupted days of Y - O - U. How about we start out with that picture, and see what develops?

Maddie and David enter the photo studio. At the front desk, a blonde girl in her late teens looks up with a smile. She is wearing a red Santa hat, "Lindsay" spelled out on it in silver glitter.

Lindsay: Thanks - can I help you with something? Today is our last day to guarantee the delivery of your holiday photos by Christmas. Would you and your wife like to check out one of our special backgrounds?

Maddie: No thanks, Lindsay, but my husband doesn't really take a good picture. What we're really looking for are pictures that my friend had taken here a few weeks ago. She raved about how good they were - and we thought that maybe we could check them out. We're planning a family portrait for Valentine's Day.

Maddie: (teasing) So I guess you were only looking for afternoon delight. It's fine…you guys have a good time. I guess as long as we get the tree, it'll be OK in the garage until we get a free night.

The camera sweeps the room. It looks much the same as yesterday, with the addition of a large pile of toys in the corner opposite the tree. Maddie is sitting at her desk. There is a large pile of papers to the left side, and the photograph of the suspected credit card thief is right on top. She picks up the photo and scrutinizes it - hoping for a little insight.

Agnes: Yeah, wow. Marge takes them everywhere….lots of trips to the zoo, the movies. She does lots with them. She's a really good person. She was just up here the other day to drop off some of those toys for the hospital.

David is walking around the bedroom. Almost fully dressed, he is tying his tie. Maddie is asleep in the bed, but begins to stir. She looks up, focuses on David, and gives him a half smile.

David: Maddie, you really don't expect me to do that, do you? There are so many last minute details for the party, and well, I just don't think I'd be good at that.

A typical Blue Moon afternoon. Everybody is doing a little bit of something, but at a leisurely pace. The office is decorated for Christmas, but here Agnes has let her dollar store alter ego take over. It is bright and sparkly, full of tinsel and twinkling lights.

A woman enters, carrying a pile of mail. She is fiftyish, dressed in somewhat casual attire, but you can tell she works in the building. She smiles and greets Agnes.

Maddie: (sternly) What I know is that I've got a credit card bill for two thousand nine hundred dollars - a credit card that I never applied for. When I investigated the charges, I found that this picture was one of the things that was purchased with that card. I'm interested in your explanation.

take care of Christmas for the kids. I'd saved about twelve hundred dollars - not a fortune, but I figured they'd each have a few nice things, especially the little ones who wouldn't understand that

Marge: I had a vacation scheduled in late September, and I figured I could do some of the shopping that week. So, that Friday, on the way home from work, I stopped at the bank and withdrew the twelve hundred dollars. I walked towards the front door of the bank, and saw my bus coming down the street. I dropped the envelope in my purse and ran for the bus. The bus was crowded, and people kept walking back and forth, jostling you the way they do on the bus. When I got home, I went to put the money in a safe place and it was gone.

Marge: I tried everything. I retraced my steps, talked to the bus company, talked to the bank - no money. I don't know whether I dropped it, or whether somebody took it from my purse on the bus. All I knew is that my kids no longer had any possibility of a Christmas. Do you have kids,

want for them, and want to give them things. I got so angry. That in an instant, everything you worked for can just be gone………….maybe taken away by someone else…..and there is

Maddie: But it does happen, Miss Logan, to lots of people everyday, and they have to cope, to deal with it. And there are many people who cope without stealing.

Marge: Miss Hayes, I told you I have no excuse. I was out of my mind with anger. When I saw that credit card application….."You can have $10,000 if you just sign here" -I thought……… well I guess I just didn't think. I figured that I could just buy enough for the kids for Christmas…just replace the twelve hundred dollars.

Marge: I know. But it was like power in my hand. And I kept seeing all of these wonderful things for the children. They have always been well taken care of and loved, but they've never had a lot of toys and things……the money doesn't stretch that far. I just wanted to give them more. Before I knew it, I had spent much more than twelve hundred dollars.

Marge: The children were planning their Christmas presents for their parents……..they normally do a lot of handmade presents, or coupons for chores around the house, stuff like that. They were saying how great it would be if they could have a portrait made of all of us - a special gift for their parents from the people who loved them most. How could I resist that? I told them we would do it.

Marge: I am sorry Miss Hayes. You have to understand, I didn't expect you to get hurt in this. I just figured you'd report it to the credit card company, and they would take care of it. They expect this kind of thing to happen. They have insurance for it. I guess getting the picture taken was stupid……well, the whole thing was stupid.

Marge: You do whatever you have to do Miss Hayes. I know I will probably lose my job, and maybe even go to jail. I just need you to know that it wasn't for myself that I did this, and I'm really, really sorry.

Maddie: I really need some time to think about this. Maybe both of us do. Why don't you meet me back here at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, and we'll talk about my decision.

Maddie: Miss Logan, I've put my faith in quite a few people who seemed to be of questionable character, and I've rarely been disappointed. Let's both take some time, and we'll talk about it tomorrow morning.

Marge exits. Maddie leans her head back on the sofa, and closes her eyes. She sits that way for a moment, then leans over and picks up the picture from the coffee table. She stares at it for a few seconds, then rises, and goes to her desk.

Maddie, casually dressed, is kneeling on the floor removing ornaments from a large cardboard carton. She admires each one as she lifts them from the box, placing them carefully on the carpet around her.

Maddie: That's just fine. But I'm warning you, Addison, the tinsel goes on piece by piece. If you try to throw a whole clump on while I'm not looking……..I'll know.

Maddie: David, I really wanted to do something special for Christmas this year to make it memorable……..in spite of all the years, it's our first real Christmas together. And I really felt you needed some Christmas spirit this year. I planned…….oh, what's the difference what I planned? I just can't justify not using the money to help this woman.

David: May I remind you that you're the one who keeps going on……… (aping her again)…"our first perfect Christmas"…….light the fire….trim the tree……..why even trim it if there's nothing to put underneath it?

David: Me??? Queen Egomaddia, ruler of her own kingdom - makes her decision and I'm just supposed to fall in line…..Haven't we been here before? Isn't this relationship supposed to be an equal partnership? Or are some of us just more equal than others?

David: I'm not sure what I know. I know that you are asking me to give up my expectations of a good Christmas, and so far I haven't heard one good reason for doing it, other than the fact that you want it so. Is this another test?

Maddie: Is this another challenge? Is every decision I make subject to your scrutiny? Can't you ever just say, OK Maddie. let's try it your way, without starting World War III first? And all this over a stupid present!!

David: This isn't all about a present, Maddie. (pause) Of course, it's about a present, but it's not all about a present. It's about who and what you put first in your life-and the way I read it-it's all about you, and then the whole rest of the universe, and then, possibly, if you've got a moment to spare, then it's me.

Maddie: Quite untrue. In fact, so untrue that I'm not even going to dignify your ravings with a response. And if you could take your materialistic mind off of presents, you might see that doing this my way is more like the true spirit of Christmas than all the gift giving in the world.

David: Yeah, me too. Well, listen, I'm gonna get going. Gotta get to the store and make some returns. I'll get a great big open to buy back on my credit cards. Maybe I'll just make some exchanges…..share my Christmas spirit…….whaddya think those guys at the city jail could use - files, knives, gift certificates to a locksmith? Hey, it's Christmas ….why shouldn't everybody be

David: I don't think so Maddie. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do it the way you want it. Why don't you call the criminal? Maybe she could come over and help - maybe make off with all your valuables while you're making her chocolate chip cookies.

Maddie: This is just great! The first of our Christmas traditions. Yell for a while, and then somebody stomps out the door. Do we at least get to take turns, every other year?

The camera moves in on Maddie's as she reaches into the carton, pulling out a small red box with a bow and a gift tag that reads "David". She opens the box, and takes out a Christmas ornament - a crystal moon. She holds the ornament in the air for a moment. She shakes her head, and returning it to its box, tosses it onto the coffee table.

The outer office is a swarm of activity - tissue paper and wrapping paper are flying everywhere. Carols play, and people laugh, as they go busily about the work of wrapping the stacks of toys. Magillicuddy and Bert pull on opposite ends of a large fire truck, while Jamie attempts to referee. Agnes weaves in and out of the piles of packages to make her way to Maddie's office.

Maddie: Yes, and I'm totally bewildered! I really expected David to understand it and support me. We don't need things - we don't need Hawaii - all we really need is each other.

Marge: I know I have a lot of nerve asking this, Miss Hayes, but is there any way we can work out a deal? I could pay you a bit from my check each week. I know that it would take a long time, but the credit card company would get a payment each month.

Maddie: Miss Logan, this is an American Express card. The bill needs to be paid in full. I guess you didn't read the payment requirements when you filled out the application.

Marge: Well then, I guess there is nothing we can do. I don't have twenty nine hundred dollars. You may as well call the credit card company, or the police, or whoever you have to call. I guess they'll take back all the kids' gifts…..

Maddie: Miss Logan, I've thought long and hard on this. I totally disapprove of what you've done. Dishonesty is never the answer - no matter what bad fortune befalls you.

Maddie: I looked at your picture - at all of those bright and shining faces, and I can sympathize with what you wanted to do. You and your family have done a great thing - taking on the responsibility for those kids. You wouldn't want them growing up not appreciating the difference between right and wrong.

Switch to split screen……David is on his bed, surrounded by a pile of videos, and some take out food containers. He is settled in for the evening, and if appearances don't lie, he has been there for some time.

Members of the Blue Moon office staff start to flow through the door. Some are accompanied by dates and spouses. They are all headed off at the pass by the coat check woman.

called overdressed. The costumes are similar….yet each seems to carry out a different theme. The first young woman carries a potted tree, with what looks like a stuffed bird perched in its branches.

never had the desire to attend a stag party, and I think that feeling is shared with most of the women in this room………at least the ones who are fully dressed.

pedestal and have a good time. If you can't relax and do that, then that's your problem. If I embarrass you, you'll just have to deal with it……..or get over it.

The party goes on, but Maddie and David are careful to keep on opposite sides of the room. They move through the motions of the party, dancing, chatting, but always aware of each

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" dancers are very much into the swing of the party….dancing, laughing and flirting with the men, leaving a small clique of obviously disgruntled women clustered together at one of the tables.

you people have been a vital part of our success. As every year, we will all have the opportunity to enjoy the next ten days with our families, and loved ones. But Mr. Addison and I decided we would like to make it a bit more special for you this year. There's an envelope here for each of you, with much love and our wishes for a very special holiday for you and yours. Agnes, could you hand these out for me?

David: There was this guy, see, strolling along the beach in Santa Barbara. And he finds this bottle in the sand, picks it up, and rubs it to get the sand off. All at once….a flash….and there stands a genie.

David: So, the genie says to him. "Thank you so much for releasing me from that bottle. I am so grateful I'd like to grant you a wish. What would you like?" So the guy says…."What I would really like is a bridge that goes all the way from California to Hawaii so I could get in my car and drive there." The genie thinks for a minute, and then says, "That's really a hard one. The water is very deep, and it would require a lot of steel, and concrete. Isn't there anything else you might like?" So the man thinks for a minute, and says, " OK, I'd like to know everything there is to know about a woman…..what makes her happy, what makes her sad, everything she wants and needs…..what makes her tick." The genie thinks for a minute, and responds, "So, how many lanes did you want on that bridge?"

David: I'd like to dedicate the next number to the lady who makes our bells jingle……our lights twinkle…..the lady who seems to be ……walking out the door.

This has been a true collaboration…………not necessarily easy when you're writing in two different time zones. I couldn't pick a better long distance writing partner…..and I hope Lizzie feels the same way. It has been fun!