kfoard
12-03-2001, 11:45 PM
Play Those Holiday Blues – season # 6
IN THE SHOP…….
(Mrs. Garrett, Blair, Jo, and Tootie are decorating for Christmas)
(I’ll be home for Christmas begins to play on the radio)
Blair: (looks over to the others) Oh I love that song (starts to sing) I’ll be home for Christmas you can plan on me
Mrs. Garrett,Jo, and Tootie: (start to sing) please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree
Natalie: (walks in with a pile of books and heads straight into the living room)
Tootie: (turns around as she passes her and heads into the living room the others continue singing and decorating)
IN THE LIVING ROOM…..
Natalie: (sitting down on the couch reading her history book)
Tootie: (sits down on the couch next to Natalie) Um Nat what’s with the books
Natalie: (continues reading and doesn’t look up) what do you mean?
Tootie: (laughs a little) I mean it’s Christmas vacation (reaches over and takes Natalie’s book away) this is no time to be studying
Natalie: (reaches over and graps her book back) do you mind (goes back to studying)
Tootie: Nat come on it’s the holidays (pauses for a second) no body study’s during this time
Mrs. Garrett: (walks in with Jo and Blair) Hey girls come on in and help us decorate
Blair: Natalie mrs. Garrett said you could use the whole window this year for the snow
Natalie: (graps her books and heads towards the stairs)
Mrs. Garrett: Natalie aren’t you gonnea help
Natalie: (looks at Mrs. Garrett with no expression) no thanks (heads upstairs)
Jo: (blows some air out of her mouth) boy I’ve never seen Natalie so upset
Blair: yeah last year she had a blast decorating the window (pauses as if she’s thinking of something) I wonder why she didn’t want to decorate this year
Mrs. Garrett: (has a look of concern on her face) well what ever’s brothering Natalie I’m sure she’ll tell her when she feels the time is right
UP IN THE GIRLS ROOM…..
Natalie: (talking on the phone and getting upset) Mom fine just FORGET IT (slams the phone down and
walks over to her bed to sit down)
Tootie: (walks in with a plate of cookies) hey Nat you gotta try some of these cookies Mrs. Garrett made (she puts the plate down on Natalie’s bed and then takes one for herself)
Natalie: (raising her voice) Tootie get those cookies off my bed
Tootie: (quickly picks up the plate of cookies) soooorrrrryyyy (goes over and sits on her bed) Nat is anything brothering you
Natalie: (doesn’t say anything she just continues studying)
Tootie: (desperately trys to help) cause you know you can talk to me about me about anything (pauses for a couple seconds) anything anything at all
Natalie: (looks up for a second and is annoyed)
Tootie: (smiles a little bit) is there anything you want to say
Natalie: (looks up at Tootie) Tootie I just want to be left alone (goes back to her studying)
Tootie: But Nat
Natalie: Tootie please just leave me alone
Tootie: (gets up from her bed) ok I’ll leave the cookies here incase you get hungry later on (she slowly walks out of the room)
Natalie: (Watches and just after Tootie shuts the door tears start to fall down her cheeks)
DOWN IN THE LIVING ROOM…..
Mrs. Garrett: (enters in with Jo and Blair just as Tootie arrives at the bottom step) is Natalie coming down for dinner
Tootie: I don’t think so Mrs. Garrett she just wants to be left alone
Jo: (getting upset) well it’s time somebody finds out what’s going on with her (she starts to head upstairs)
Mrs. Garrett: Jo
Jo: (turn towards Mrs. Garrett)
Mrs. Garrett: let’s just leave Natalie alone for right now
Blair: Mrs. Garrett I think Jo’s right
Everyone: (totally shocked) YOU DO
Blair: yes Mrs. Garrett something is ovisouly wrong with Natalie and were her friends so that gives us a right to butt into her business
Tootie: (without any hesitation)right
Jo: (without any hesitation) let’s go
Mrs. Garrett: girls (trying to stop them)
Blair, Jo, and Tootie: (quickly head upstairs before Mrs. Garrett can say another word start to head upstairs)
Mrs.Garrett: (the camera zomes on her and she has a look of worry and concern)
UPSTAIRS IN THE GIRLS ROOM…..
Jo: (her voice is heard from outside the door) Alright Natalie (she opens the door and they all go inside) we’ve gotta talk…. (she looks around the room to discover Natalie isn’t in there)
Blair: (starts to walk around the room) where could she be
Tootie: (starts to panic) I got a funny feeling about this
Jo: (stars pacing the women) I know me too
Blair: (trying to sound reassuring) well the important thing is to stay calm we can’t over reacted
Tootie: right we gotta stay in control
Jo: (nods her head in agreement)
Jo/Blair/tootie: (all pauses for a few seconds and then start to yell and scream) MRS. GARRETT
Mrs. Garrett: (comes in the room) Girls what’s going on here
Tootie: (starts to cry) Mrs. Garrett Natalie’s gone
Mrs. Garrett: WHAT? (smiles) Oh girls Natalie’s not gone I’m sure she’s…..
Tootie: (cuts her off and goes into a dramic state) oh if only I could of gotten her to talk
Jo: (looks at Blair like Tootie’s just a little crazy)
Blair: (looks back at Jo and shakes her head in agreement)
Tootie: I would of help her, I would of understood, after all that’s what a best friend is for (she looks up towards the ceiling) Oh Lord please give us a sign please let us know that Natalie’s ok
Mrs. Garrett and the girls: (all wait for the sign)
(about 2 secnds later they hear the toilet flush)
Jo: (confused) was that a sign
Natalie: (comes out of the bathroom) what are you guys doing in here
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at Jo, Blair, and Tootie then back to Natalie) well we just wanted to let you know that dinner’s on the table’
Natalie: (looks confused) and you all had to come up here and tell me this
Blair: right you see Jo was going to come up and tell you but you know how forgetful she can be why I’m surprised she can remember her own….
Jo: (slaps Blair on the back of the head)
Blair: (takes her hand and places it where Jo slapped her) Ow
Tootie: so let’s all go down to dinner (looks over at Natalie) Mrs. Garrett made your favorite chilly dogs
Jo: Tootie chilly dogs are your favorite
Mrs. Garrett: (puts her arm around Natalie’s shoulder) come on Nat let’s go have some dinner
Natalie: (smiles a little bit) alright I guess I’m a little hungry (she gets up from her bed and heads towards the door and walks outside)
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at the girls with hope for Natalie they all head downstairs for dinner)
DOWN IN THE DINING ROOM…..
Jo: Blair could you pass me the mustard
Blair: (makes a face) yuck how anybody could put mustard on a chilly dog is beyond me (looks around the table) Tootie could you pass me the manyoise
Tootie: (passes Blair the maynoise and makes a face)
Blair: (places some maynoise on her chilly dog)
Jo: now that’s discusting
Blair: (takes a bit of her chilly dog) mmmm perfect
Tootie: (laughing) so Mrs. Garrett when are the kids coming over from the Children home
Natalie: (a little confused) Children’s home
Blair: yeah Mrs. Garrett wanted to get into the Christmas Sprit by throwing a party for the children in the Children’s home
Natalie: (smiling) that sounds really nice
Tootie: well just besure you get the window finished before Saturday that’s when the kids are coming over
Natalie: (pauses for a couple seconds) tootie I already told you I’m not doing the window
Tootie: (begging) but Natalie come on get into the spririt
Natalie: (stands up and starts to yell) LOOK I SAID NO (calms her voice down)
Jo: (totally shocked) Natalie calm down you don’t have to do the window
Natalie: (stands up) you guys just don’t understand (quickly heads upstairs)
(after a few moments of silence)
Jo: I wonder what she meant by we don’t understand
Blair: Mrs. Garrett what are we gonnea do
Mrs. Garrett: (shakes her head as if she’s searching for an answer) I don’t know I’ve never seen Natalie this upset for so long
Tootie: yeah she’s been like this for over 2 weeks now
Jo: What ever Natalie’s problem is she’s not gonnea get over it until she talks to somebody about it (looks around at the others) and that person has to be kind and understanding and willing to listen to what Nat has to say
Blair: (takes a deep breath) I’ll see what I can do
Jo: I meant Mrs. Garrett
Mrs. Garrett: (stands up) I’ll see what I can do (she heads upstairs)
Tootie: I sure hope Mrs. Garrett can help Natalie
Jo: (reassuring her) Oh I’m sure she can Tootie. Mrs G’s good at stuff like that
Blair: yeah but we do have another problem
Jo/tootie: (look at each other in confusion and then at Blair)
UP IN THE GIRLS ROOM……
Mrs. Garrett: (her voice is heard from the outside) Natalie can I come in
Natalie: (she’s sitting on her bed studying) yes
Mrs. Garrett: (walks inside, but Natalie contines to Study she sits down on Tootie’s bed) now I really admire you Natalie (smiles) not many students your age would study so much during the holidays there usually over at friends houses, shopping, having fun out in the snow
Natalie: (looks up and is annoyed) what’s your point
Mrs. Garrett: my point is you should be one of those kids this is your vacations it’s a time to let loose and have some fun (pauses and points her finger like she’s scolding her) but not to much fun
Natalie: I don’t feel like have fun and I don’t feel like celerbrating the holidays (gives Mrs. Garrett a cold hard stare) now would you please just let me get back to my studying
Mrs. Garrett: Natalie the girls and I we only want to help you, but we can’t if you don’t let us in to help
Natalie: (her voice is realy shakey) Mrs. Garrett could you please just leave me alone
Mrs. Garrett: (waits for a couple seconds and then slowly exits the room)
OUT IN THE HALL…..
Jo/blair/Tootie: (are bunched at the door when Mrs. Garrett opens it they all jump back and scream)
Mrs. Garrett: (shocked) girls were you listening at the door
Jo: no of course not (looks over at Blair) so think we should paint this door green or red
Mrs. Garrett: (shakes her head in disbelief) nice try girls
Blair: Natalie still isn’t talking is she
Mrs. Garrett: (shakes her head) no and I just can’t find the best way to approach her to help her
Jo: (puts her arm around Mrs. Garretts shoulders) Mrs G your doing the best you can
Blair: yeah sometimes the best advice you can give a person is no advice at all
Tootie: (confused) What does that suppose to mean
Blair: it means that sometimes you just have to let people work things out for themselves
(the girls and Mrs. Garrett all look at each for a couple seconds the sceen cuts to the next part)
IN THE LIVING ROOM…..
Mrs. Garrett: (sitting on the couch writing some Christmas cards) I just don’t know which one to send my sister (she holds up two Christmas Cards) which one do you think she’ll like Jo
Jo: (sitting down next to Mrs. Garrett wrapping a present for her mom) I kind of like the one with the kids in the sleigh (smiles really big) reminds me of Christmas when I was a little girl
Mrs. Garrett: (smiles) Oh yeah I know just what you mean (pauses for a moment) there’s nothing like Christmas back in Appleton
Jo: unless it’s Christmas back in the Bronx (sighs a little bit)
Blair: (comes downstairs) The Bronx for Christmas now there’s something every child should experience (she walks over to the coat closet and opens it then puts on her coat) I’m going down to the mall to do some last minute shopping
Mrs. Garrett: (looks over at Blair) Ok be careful the snow’s really coming down hard
Blair: Don’t worry Mrs. Garrett I’ll be fine (Blair leaves just as tootie comes downstairs)
Tootie: (sounding really worried) Mrs. Garrett I found this present that Natalie through away
Mrs. Garrett: (taking the present) why would she do (plugs her nose) something like that
Jo: (makes a face like something smells really bad) Tootie where did you get that present
Tootie: I just told you Natalie through it away out of the garage
Mrs. Garrett: (places the present down on the coffee table) Why would Natalie do something like that
Tootie: she’s been acting so strange lately
Jo: strange isn’t even the word for it it’s almost like she doesn’t’ want to have anything to do with the holidays
DOWN AT THE MALL……
Sarah: (a friend of Blairs sitting down on a bench watching the shoppers go by)
Blair: (walks over towards Sarah) Hi Sarah (sits down next to her)
Sarah: (looks down at Blair’s packages) I see you broke your Christams piggy bank again
Blair: Well what can I say I’m full of the Christmas sprirt this year (reaches down in her bag and pulls out a small box) look at these great earrings I got my mom
Sarah: Oh wow there great
Blair: (sounding like a no it all) yeah they are aren’t they (she places them back in her bag) oh you have to come by the shop on Saturday night
Sarah: why what’s going on?
Blair: were throwing a holiday party for the kids down at the children’s home
Sarah: really oh that sounds like a lot of fun (pauses for a couple seconds) but I can’t make it I’m going caroling with my Church Group
Blair: oh really that’s to bad your gonnea miss a great party
Sarah: Hey I got an idea how about if we come by and sing some songs for the kids
Blair: now that sounds like a great idea
Sarah: (looks kind of somber) it really helps my mom and me during this time of year
Blair: what do you mean?
Sarah: (pauses for a moment) well ever since my dad died 3 years ago the holidays have always been real hard on us
Blair: Sarah what about that first Christmas without your dad
Sarah: Oh gosh that was the hardest one I didn’t want anything to do with the holidays I felt like if my dad couldn’t be here to enjoy the holidays then why should I enjoy them (pauses and starts to smile a little) but eventually I learned that just because my dad was no longer with us doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy the holidays and besides I know my dad would want me to be happy not just during the holidays but all year round (looks at her watch) I gotta go meet my mom down at the food court (gets up to leave) call me on Friday with the details about the party
Blair: Ok bye Sarah
Sarah: (heads down towards the food court)
Blair: (sits on the bench for a couple more seconds then finally gets up and leaves)
BACK AT THE STORE…..
Male coustomer: (walks into the shop)
Mrs. Garrett: (walks up to him with a smile) Happy Holidays sir welcome to Edna’s Editables I’m Edna how can I help you
Male coustomer: yeah I wanted to pick up my wife a pound of pickle hearing
Mrs. Garrrett: Of course it’s right over here (she walks over towards the counter and the coustomer follows her)
Male Coustomer: (takes out a list and begins to read from it) and do you also have some peanut butter, strawberry Jam, and some sweat pickles
Tootie: (makes a face like he’s crazy) you do realize that if your wife eat’s all that she’s gonnea get sick
Jo: I’m getting sick just hearing about it
Male coustomer: (smiles) well don’t’ worry girls my wife’s pregrent
Tootie: (smiling) well congraulations (gathers up his stuff and hands it to him) on the house
Jo: (upset) Tootie
Tootie: (looks over at Jo) come on Jo where’s your holiday cheer his wife is expecting a baby
Jo: (smiles) your right after all it’s the holidays (her smile fades) that moneys coming out of your paycheck
Tootie: (quickly turns towards the coustomer) that will 7 dollars and 56 cents
Male coustomer: (laughs and pulls out his wallet) here keep the change
Tootie: thank you Happy Holidays
Male coustomer: (leaves the shop)
Jo: (looks at her watch) well it’s 8:00 I’ll go flip the sign to close (she walks over and flips the sign)
Blair: (enters the shop goes over and sits down at a table)
Tootie: (looks at her bags) well I see you did a lot of last minute shopping
Blair: (doesn’t respond to Tootie)
Jo: (walks over with Tootie towards Blair) Blair what’s wrong
Blair: I think I know what’s brothering Natalie
Tootie: (sits down next to Blair) you do what is it
Blair: (looks over at Jo and Tootie)
Jo: (sits down too) come on Blair what is it
Tootie: yeah maybe we can find a way to help her
Blair: it’s not that easy Tootie this isn’t something that she can get over
Jo: (looks concerned) Blair what exactly are you talking about
Blair: her father
Jo: (says it like a question) her father
Tootie: I don’t understand what does her father have to do with this
Blair: everything Tootie when I was down at the mall I ran into my friend Sarah she was telling me about her first Christmas after her dad died she didn’t want anything to do with the holidays she felt that if her dad wasn’t here to enjoy himself why should she enjoy herself
Jo: so that’s the big mystery with Nat
Blair: she doesn’t want to celerbrate the holidays because her dad is no longer with her
Mrs. Garrett: (comes in the shop) Hi girls is everything locked up this party on Saturday night is going to be so much fun don’t you girls agree (she turns towards the girls)
Jo: (doesn’t sound to happy) yeah
Blair: (doesn’t sound to happy) sure mrs. Garrett
Tootie: (doesn’t sound to happy) what ever you say
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at the girls with concern) alright girls what’s brothering you
Blair: (looks up at Mrs. Garrett) it has to do with Natalie’s father
Mrs. Garrett: (a little confused) Natalie’s father
Jo: (gets up from her chair) we think Nat’s boycotting the holidays because this is her first holiday season without her dad
Mrs. Garrett: (looking like she’s thinking back) you know now that I think about it I acted the same way when my father passed away (getting mad at herself) Oh how could I have not realized what was brothering her
Jo: Mrs. G it’s not your fault
Blair: (getting up from her chair and walking towards Jo and Mrs. Garrett) no it’s not her father passed away 10 months ago none of us had any idea how she was going to be during the holidays
Mrs. Garrett: well I think it’s time Natalie and I sit down and have a heart to heart talk (she leaves the shop)
Blair: well we might as well get set up for the party tomorrow tonight
Tootie: right I’ll see if I can do something with the window (tootie walks over towards the main front window)
Jo: I’ll pick out some holiday tunes for us to listen too (she walks over towards the counter where some cassette tapes are)
Blair: (sitting down at a table folding napkins) I wonder how Mrs. Garrett’s doing with Natalie
Jo/tootie: (look at each other and then at Blair)
IN THE HALLWAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE GIRLS BEDROOM……..
Mrs. Garrett: (walks up towards the door and knocks) Natalie can I come in (no answer Mrs. Garrett knocks again) Natalie I realized your upset, but if we could just talk this out (pauses) I promise you’ll feel a lot better (still no response) Natalie look I know how you feel right now your lost and your confused (without realizing it Natalie walks up behind Mrs. Garrett) but believe me Natalie we all care about you (pauses)
Natalie: (just stand there looking at Mrs. Garrett with confusion)
Mrs. Garrett: (sighs) Natalie please open the door
Natalie: (extends her arm towards the knob and opens it) sure no problem
Mrs. Garrett: (kind of jumps back when she see’s Natalie’s hand go past her and then turns towards her) Natalie where did you come from
Natalie: (points down the hall) I was in the laundry room (walks inside her room)
Mrs. Garrett: (follows her inside)
Natalie: (turns towards Mrs. Garrett) Mrs. Garrett I’m sorry
Mrs. Garrett: (smiles) Natalie you don’t have anything to be sorry for
Natalie: yes I do I’ve been acting like such a jerk lately and I’ve been ruining everybody holidays sprits
Mrs. Garrett: are you ready to talk about it? (she sits down on Tooties bed)
Natalie: (turns around and walks over towards the dresser she opens it up and pulls out a small box. She then turns back towards Mrs. Garrett) when I was 7 years old (talking as she walks) my dad gave a charm bacelet for Hananka (she sits down on the bed next to Mrs. Garrett) and every year after that my dad would give me a new charm to put on my braclet (Natalie opens the boxes and holds up the braclet)
Mrs. Garrett: Oh Natalie it’s beautiful
Natalie: (smiling) thank you (her smile fades and she takes a deep breath) this is the one he gave me last year (she holds up the charm so Mrs. Garrett can see it)
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at the charm and smiles after a few seconds her smile fades a little) Natalie I understand what your going through
Natalie: (wipes a tear falling from her face) you do?
Mrs. Garrett: the first Christmas after my father passed away (talking a bit loudly in a dramatic) I just wanted to be left alone I didn’t care about the holidays or anything
Natalie: I know that’s exactly how I feel……… how did you get over it
Mrs. Garrett: you’ll never really get over it because your father’s always going to be a part of you
Natalie: (sighs) you mean I’m always gonnea feel this bad during the holidays
Mrs. Garrett: no each year that passes will be a little easier you just have to take it one day at a time
Natalie: (wipes a tear falling from her cheek) maybe your right (she pauses with a sigh) Mrs. Garrett do you really think it would ok for me to celerbrate the holidays without my dad
Mrs. Garrett: (smiles a little) Natalie your father’s right here (she places her hand on Natalie’s heart) with you everyday of your life (she extends her arms out)
Natalie: (smiles extends her arms out and they hug)
Mrs. Garrett: (they back away from each other after a few seconds) are you feeling better now
Natalie: a little bit would you please excuse me I need to make a phone call
Mrs. Garrett: sure (she stand up) oh by the way (she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small box) I believe this is yours (she places the box on the bed and stands up) I’ll see you later (she gets up and heads out the door)
Natalie: (watches as Mrs. Garrett leaves. She then turns her head towards the small box on her bed. She opens the box and pulls out a little lighthouse charm she then goes over to the phone and makes a phone call) Hi mom….. I’m fine how are you……. I just called to thank you for the light house……. Yeah it’s great….(she pauses for a couple moments) mom I also wanted to apoligize for my last phone call….. I know I’ve a total jerk lately…..mom yes I have……. Mom don’t fight me on this I have been a total jerk…..well you don’t have to agree with me….(smiles) ok I will so I’ll see you on Sunday…… bye mom….and mom I love you (she hangs up the phone and heads on out the door)
DOWN IN THE SHOP…..
Blair: (gathers up the napkins and walks over to a table and sits down next to jo)
Jo: (continues sorting through the music she picks up a tape and smiles) now this brings back memories
Blair: (looks at the tape) Frosty the snowman
Jo: yeah in the 2nd grade are class put on the play for Frosty the Snowman
Tootie: (puts down her can of snow paint and walks over towards the girls) no kidding which part did you play
Jo: I didn’t actually play one of the main parts, but I was in the chourse
(Mrs. Garrett enters the room)
Blair: Mrs. Garrett how’s Natalie doing?
Mrs. Garret: well we had a long talk, and she had a good cry it’s gonnea take some time but I think each year that passes will be a little easier for her (looks over at the girls and smiles after a few seconds her smile
fades) hey are we doing just sitting around we’ve gotta get set up for the party tomorrow night
(everyone goes to different parts of the store and begins settings things up)
Tootie: (sighs over near the window) I just don’t even know where to start with the window (she sighs once again and looks at the window)
Natalie: (enters the shop and walks over towards the window) maybe I can help
Tootie: (looks over at Natalie and smiles she then hands her the snow paint can)
Natalie: (looks at the window for a while trying to decied what she’s going to do with it)
Tootie: (walks over towards Mrs. Garrett and the girls)
Blair: (talks in a very low voice) Mrs. Garrett do you really think Natalie’s gonnea be ok
Mrs. Garrett: (looks over at Natalie and then back at Blair with a smile) it’s a start
(Mrs. Garrett and the girls all go back to setting up for the party)
UP IN THE GIRLS ROOM……
Jo/Natalie/tootie: (are all lying down in there own beds)
Blair: (enters the room from the bathroom) I’m proberly going to fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow
Jo: (yawns) I know what you mean I’m beat
Blair: (gets into bed) Tootie could you turn off the lighs please
Tootie: (stands up and walks over towards the light switch just before she switches them)
Natalie: wait a minute Tootie there’s something I’ve gotta say first
Blair: (sounding really tried) Oh Nat were tried can’t we talk in the morning
Natalie: this will only take a minute
Jo: alright what is it
Natalie: I just want to apoligize for being such a jerk lately
Tootie: (walks over towards Natalie and sits on the edge of her bed) Natalie you don’t have to apoligize for being such a jerk were use to it (she quickly takes Natalie’s pillow and hits her over the head with it)
Natalie: Oh no you don’t (she gets out of her bed and goes over to take tootie’s pillow off her bed) take that Tootie (she hits Tootie with the pillow)
Natalie/tootie: (contine hiting the pillow at each other and screaming)
Jo: (sits up in bed and yells) WOULD YOU TWO CUT IT OUT AND GO TO BED
Natalie/Tootie: (look at each other and smile)
Natalie: your right Jo here’s your pillow tootie (Natalie and her switch pillow back again)
Tootie: (walks over and switches the lights off) good night everyone
(after a couple minutes of silene)
Jo: (gets hit over the head with a pillow) alright that does it (she stands up with her pillow and begins swinging her pillow
Natalie: (turns on the lights and the three of them engage in an old fashion pillow fight)
Blair: (stays in bed and appears to be sleeping)
Jo: (looks over at Blair and then back at Natalie and Tootie they all three smile and walk over towards Blair’s bed) Oh blair time to get up (she swings her pillow and hits Blair with it)
Blair: OW (she quickly graps her pillow stands up and starts swinging)
(the girls all continue screaming hitting each other with there pillows and without realizing it a couple pillow break and then feathers start to fly out everywhere after a few moments they all fall back and start laughing hysterically)
jo: (trying to calm everyone down) we better be quite we might wake Mrs. Garrett up
Blair: (wipes some feathers from her night grown) yeah look at this mess
Tootie: (laughing)
Natalie: what’s so funny?
Tootie: this reminds me of that time when we had that paint back when we were all still going to Eastland
Jo: (laughing) Oh yea Blair ruined her old desiner jeans when she sat in the tray of paint
Blair: (laughing puts her arm around Jo’s shoulder) we’ve sure had some good times over the years
Jo: (smiles when she looks at Blair) yeah we sure have you know I’m real lucky if mom never sent me to Eastland I never would of made the greatest friends I have now (she looks at Tootie and Natalie and then back at Blair)
Blair: (looks like she’s about to cry) Oh Jo that’s so sweet
Jo: (shrugs her shoulders) what can I say I’m a sweet girl (her smile fades) now get your arm off me
Blair: (laughs and takes her arm off Jo’s shoulder) well we might as well go to bed
Jo: (looks around at the mess) how their’s feathers everywhere
Tootie: I’ll tell you what you guys go down and see what’s on the late show I’ll stay up here and clean up the mess after all I’m the one who started the pillow fight (tootie goes over and starts gathering up feathers from her bed)
Jo/Natalie: (look at each other then go over to help tootie)
Blair: (throws her arms in the air) what the heck (she walks over and helps them out)
IN THE SHOP……
(the girls are spending time with the kids making sure that there all having a good time)
Mrs. Garrett: (comes in carrying a tray of cookies) hey girls are you having a good time
Jo: Mrs. G you sure throw on terrific party
Mrs. Garrett: well hey that’s only because I have you girls to help
Sarah: (enters the shop with the kids from her church choir)
Tootie: Mrs. Garrett I didn’t know you hired a choir to perform tonight
Mrs. Garrett: (totally stunned) neither did I
Mr. Grinels: (walks up towards Mrs. Garrett) My names Steven Grinels I’m the college youth choir director at the 1st Presbyterian Church
Mrs. Garrett: (extends her hand out) nice to meet you I’m Edna Garrett owner of Edna editables
Tootie: how did you guys find out about the party
Sarah: Blair and I saw each other at the mall a couple days ago and she told me about it
Mrs. Garrett: (Iooks around the room) speaking of Blair has anybody seen her
Jo: (smiling a little bit) oh don’t worry she’ll be here (she looks over at Natalie and Tootie who are also smiling)
Mrs. Garrett: well Mr. Grinels can I offer you some of my delicious cookie (they walk over towards the counter)
(a few minutes later the lights are dimmed and everyone gets real quite)
Jo: (looks over and talks to everyone) alright it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for (she throws her arm out) ta da (nothing happens)
(the kids look at each other and just shrug there shoulders)
Jo: (smiles from being nervous) let’s try that again (throws her arm out) ta da (nothing happens)
(several of the kids yawn)
Jo: I’ll be right back (she quickly leaves the room)
Everyone: (hears a lot a noise from the other room)
Jo: (comes back in) Ok one more time (she throws her arm out) Ta da
Santa: (enters the room) Ho ho ho Merry Christmas
(the kids all start screaming and running piling on Santa)
Mrs. Garrett/Jo/tootie/Natalie: (look at each other and smile)
Jo: I bet Blair’s sorry she’s missing this
Blair: (walks in the shop carrying a bag of presents) look what I’ve got presents for everybody
Jo: (totally shocked) Blair your suppose to be in the Santa suit
Tootie: (looks over at the girls and then at the Santa) Wait a minute if that’s not Blair (points to the Santa) then who is it? (looks back at the girls)
Jo: (starts walking as she’s talks) well there’s only one way to find out (she approaches the person in the Santa suit, pulls down his bread)
Roy: (smiling) Jo baby miss me ho ho ho
Jo: (totally stunned) Oh no what are you doing here
Roy: (his smile fades a little bit) I ran into Blair the other day at the mall, and she told me all about the party (puts his arm around Jo’s shoulder) and how can I resisit the chance to see my best girl
Jo: (looks at his arm on her shoulder and punches his hand) and who would that be Roy
Roy: (quickly removes his hand and shakes it out) still just as sweet as ever aren’t you Jo
Jo: (turns around and walks away) I don’t believe this
Roy: (follows Jo)
Tootie: (notices Natalie looking out of the window and walks over towards her) Hey Nat
Natalie: (turns around and smiles at Tootie)
Tootie: I know we usually don’t exchange presents until after New Years but (she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small box) here Happy Holidays
Natalie: Ah thank you Tootie (takes the box and smiles she then opens it and discovers that she received emerald earrings) Oh Wow (she gives Tootie a hug) I love them (suddenly gets a good look at the earrings) aren’t these the earrings we saw in the Jewerly store last spring
Tootie: yeah when I saw them in the store a few weeks I knew they’d be perfect for us (has a huge smile on her face)
Natalie: (has a totally serious face) what do you mean perfect for us
Tootie: well your birthdays in May and my birthdays in May and these are emerald earrings are birthstone
Natalie: (shakes her head and smiles) how convivent a present for you and and a persent for me all wrapped up in one (looks at the earrings again) well no matter I love them (they hug again) thanks you’re the best
Tootie: your welcome I’m glad you like them
Natalie: (looks down at the ground and back up again) but I’m afaid I didn’t get you anything
Tootie: Natalie that doesn’t matter. The holidays aren’t about presents. There about being with the one’s you love
Mrs. Garrett: (walks up behind the girls) well said Tootie
Natalie/tootie: (look back at Mrs. Garrett and they smile)
Jo: (standing over near the front door of the store)
Roy: (standing right next to her)
Jo: can this night get any worse
Roy: (looks up at the door and see’s some misletoe hanging down he then looks back at Jo and has a huge grin on his face) Jo looks like were standing under the misletoe how about planting one (taps his lips) right here
Blair: (standing near by snickers at them)
Jo: (shoots her a look and then turns around and looks up at the misletoe and then back down at Roy) eeewww
Blair: (laughing a little bit walks towards them) Ah come on Jo you know you have to do it it’s a Christmas law
Jo: (with total hesitation) well alright (she leans in and gently kisses Roy on the lips)
Roy: (then graps her waist and makes her dip and kisses her)
The kids: (are all laughing and pointing at them)
Roy: (after a few seconds he lift’s Jo back up again and reaches up to take the misletoe down) Yup the guy at the produce department said this parsely will fool anybody
Jo: (raising her voice) EEEEWWW (she covers her mouth and quickly runs out of the room)
Natalie/Blair/tootie: (are all laughing hysterically)
A little while later (after Jo’s returned)……
Mr. Grinels: (is over at the piano playing some songs)
Mrs. Garrett: (standing near the piano she starts singing) Silent night holy night all is calm all is bright..
Everyone: (else in the room joins in on singing silent night)
THE END
IN THE SHOP…….
(Mrs. Garrett, Blair, Jo, and Tootie are decorating for Christmas)
(I’ll be home for Christmas begins to play on the radio)
Blair: (looks over to the others) Oh I love that song (starts to sing) I’ll be home for Christmas you can plan on me
Mrs. Garrett,Jo, and Tootie: (start to sing) please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree
Natalie: (walks in with a pile of books and heads straight into the living room)
Tootie: (turns around as she passes her and heads into the living room the others continue singing and decorating)
IN THE LIVING ROOM…..
Natalie: (sitting down on the couch reading her history book)
Tootie: (sits down on the couch next to Natalie) Um Nat what’s with the books
Natalie: (continues reading and doesn’t look up) what do you mean?
Tootie: (laughs a little) I mean it’s Christmas vacation (reaches over and takes Natalie’s book away) this is no time to be studying
Natalie: (reaches over and graps her book back) do you mind (goes back to studying)
Tootie: Nat come on it’s the holidays (pauses for a second) no body study’s during this time
Mrs. Garrett: (walks in with Jo and Blair) Hey girls come on in and help us decorate
Blair: Natalie mrs. Garrett said you could use the whole window this year for the snow
Natalie: (graps her books and heads towards the stairs)
Mrs. Garrett: Natalie aren’t you gonnea help
Natalie: (looks at Mrs. Garrett with no expression) no thanks (heads upstairs)
Jo: (blows some air out of her mouth) boy I’ve never seen Natalie so upset
Blair: yeah last year she had a blast decorating the window (pauses as if she’s thinking of something) I wonder why she didn’t want to decorate this year
Mrs. Garrett: (has a look of concern on her face) well what ever’s brothering Natalie I’m sure she’ll tell her when she feels the time is right
UP IN THE GIRLS ROOM…..
Natalie: (talking on the phone and getting upset) Mom fine just FORGET IT (slams the phone down and
walks over to her bed to sit down)
Tootie: (walks in with a plate of cookies) hey Nat you gotta try some of these cookies Mrs. Garrett made (she puts the plate down on Natalie’s bed and then takes one for herself)
Natalie: (raising her voice) Tootie get those cookies off my bed
Tootie: (quickly picks up the plate of cookies) soooorrrrryyyy (goes over and sits on her bed) Nat is anything brothering you
Natalie: (doesn’t say anything she just continues studying)
Tootie: (desperately trys to help) cause you know you can talk to me about me about anything (pauses for a couple seconds) anything anything at all
Natalie: (looks up for a second and is annoyed)
Tootie: (smiles a little bit) is there anything you want to say
Natalie: (looks up at Tootie) Tootie I just want to be left alone (goes back to her studying)
Tootie: But Nat
Natalie: Tootie please just leave me alone
Tootie: (gets up from her bed) ok I’ll leave the cookies here incase you get hungry later on (she slowly walks out of the room)
Natalie: (Watches and just after Tootie shuts the door tears start to fall down her cheeks)
DOWN IN THE LIVING ROOM…..
Mrs. Garrett: (enters in with Jo and Blair just as Tootie arrives at the bottom step) is Natalie coming down for dinner
Tootie: I don’t think so Mrs. Garrett she just wants to be left alone
Jo: (getting upset) well it’s time somebody finds out what’s going on with her (she starts to head upstairs)
Mrs. Garrett: Jo
Jo: (turn towards Mrs. Garrett)
Mrs. Garrett: let’s just leave Natalie alone for right now
Blair: Mrs. Garrett I think Jo’s right
Everyone: (totally shocked) YOU DO
Blair: yes Mrs. Garrett something is ovisouly wrong with Natalie and were her friends so that gives us a right to butt into her business
Tootie: (without any hesitation)right
Jo: (without any hesitation) let’s go
Mrs. Garrett: girls (trying to stop them)
Blair, Jo, and Tootie: (quickly head upstairs before Mrs. Garrett can say another word start to head upstairs)
Mrs.Garrett: (the camera zomes on her and she has a look of worry and concern)
UPSTAIRS IN THE GIRLS ROOM…..
Jo: (her voice is heard from outside the door) Alright Natalie (she opens the door and they all go inside) we’ve gotta talk…. (she looks around the room to discover Natalie isn’t in there)
Blair: (starts to walk around the room) where could she be
Tootie: (starts to panic) I got a funny feeling about this
Jo: (stars pacing the women) I know me too
Blair: (trying to sound reassuring) well the important thing is to stay calm we can’t over reacted
Tootie: right we gotta stay in control
Jo: (nods her head in agreement)
Jo/Blair/tootie: (all pauses for a few seconds and then start to yell and scream) MRS. GARRETT
Mrs. Garrett: (comes in the room) Girls what’s going on here
Tootie: (starts to cry) Mrs. Garrett Natalie’s gone
Mrs. Garrett: WHAT? (smiles) Oh girls Natalie’s not gone I’m sure she’s…..
Tootie: (cuts her off and goes into a dramic state) oh if only I could of gotten her to talk
Jo: (looks at Blair like Tootie’s just a little crazy)
Blair: (looks back at Jo and shakes her head in agreement)
Tootie: I would of help her, I would of understood, after all that’s what a best friend is for (she looks up towards the ceiling) Oh Lord please give us a sign please let us know that Natalie’s ok
Mrs. Garrett and the girls: (all wait for the sign)
(about 2 secnds later they hear the toilet flush)
Jo: (confused) was that a sign
Natalie: (comes out of the bathroom) what are you guys doing in here
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at Jo, Blair, and Tootie then back to Natalie) well we just wanted to let you know that dinner’s on the table’
Natalie: (looks confused) and you all had to come up here and tell me this
Blair: right you see Jo was going to come up and tell you but you know how forgetful she can be why I’m surprised she can remember her own….
Jo: (slaps Blair on the back of the head)
Blair: (takes her hand and places it where Jo slapped her) Ow
Tootie: so let’s all go down to dinner (looks over at Natalie) Mrs. Garrett made your favorite chilly dogs
Jo: Tootie chilly dogs are your favorite
Mrs. Garrett: (puts her arm around Natalie’s shoulder) come on Nat let’s go have some dinner
Natalie: (smiles a little bit) alright I guess I’m a little hungry (she gets up from her bed and heads towards the door and walks outside)
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at the girls with hope for Natalie they all head downstairs for dinner)
DOWN IN THE DINING ROOM…..
Jo: Blair could you pass me the mustard
Blair: (makes a face) yuck how anybody could put mustard on a chilly dog is beyond me (looks around the table) Tootie could you pass me the manyoise
Tootie: (passes Blair the maynoise and makes a face)
Blair: (places some maynoise on her chilly dog)
Jo: now that’s discusting
Blair: (takes a bit of her chilly dog) mmmm perfect
Tootie: (laughing) so Mrs. Garrett when are the kids coming over from the Children home
Natalie: (a little confused) Children’s home
Blair: yeah Mrs. Garrett wanted to get into the Christmas Sprit by throwing a party for the children in the Children’s home
Natalie: (smiling) that sounds really nice
Tootie: well just besure you get the window finished before Saturday that’s when the kids are coming over
Natalie: (pauses for a couple seconds) tootie I already told you I’m not doing the window
Tootie: (begging) but Natalie come on get into the spririt
Natalie: (stands up and starts to yell) LOOK I SAID NO (calms her voice down)
Jo: (totally shocked) Natalie calm down you don’t have to do the window
Natalie: (stands up) you guys just don’t understand (quickly heads upstairs)
(after a few moments of silence)
Jo: I wonder what she meant by we don’t understand
Blair: Mrs. Garrett what are we gonnea do
Mrs. Garrett: (shakes her head as if she’s searching for an answer) I don’t know I’ve never seen Natalie this upset for so long
Tootie: yeah she’s been like this for over 2 weeks now
Jo: What ever Natalie’s problem is she’s not gonnea get over it until she talks to somebody about it (looks around at the others) and that person has to be kind and understanding and willing to listen to what Nat has to say
Blair: (takes a deep breath) I’ll see what I can do
Jo: I meant Mrs. Garrett
Mrs. Garrett: (stands up) I’ll see what I can do (she heads upstairs)
Tootie: I sure hope Mrs. Garrett can help Natalie
Jo: (reassuring her) Oh I’m sure she can Tootie. Mrs G’s good at stuff like that
Blair: yeah but we do have another problem
Jo/tootie: (look at each other in confusion and then at Blair)
UP IN THE GIRLS ROOM……
Mrs. Garrett: (her voice is heard from the outside) Natalie can I come in
Natalie: (she’s sitting on her bed studying) yes
Mrs. Garrett: (walks inside, but Natalie contines to Study she sits down on Tootie’s bed) now I really admire you Natalie (smiles) not many students your age would study so much during the holidays there usually over at friends houses, shopping, having fun out in the snow
Natalie: (looks up and is annoyed) what’s your point
Mrs. Garrett: my point is you should be one of those kids this is your vacations it’s a time to let loose and have some fun (pauses and points her finger like she’s scolding her) but not to much fun
Natalie: I don’t feel like have fun and I don’t feel like celerbrating the holidays (gives Mrs. Garrett a cold hard stare) now would you please just let me get back to my studying
Mrs. Garrett: Natalie the girls and I we only want to help you, but we can’t if you don’t let us in to help
Natalie: (her voice is realy shakey) Mrs. Garrett could you please just leave me alone
Mrs. Garrett: (waits for a couple seconds and then slowly exits the room)
OUT IN THE HALL…..
Jo/blair/Tootie: (are bunched at the door when Mrs. Garrett opens it they all jump back and scream)
Mrs. Garrett: (shocked) girls were you listening at the door
Jo: no of course not (looks over at Blair) so think we should paint this door green or red
Mrs. Garrett: (shakes her head in disbelief) nice try girls
Blair: Natalie still isn’t talking is she
Mrs. Garrett: (shakes her head) no and I just can’t find the best way to approach her to help her
Jo: (puts her arm around Mrs. Garretts shoulders) Mrs G your doing the best you can
Blair: yeah sometimes the best advice you can give a person is no advice at all
Tootie: (confused) What does that suppose to mean
Blair: it means that sometimes you just have to let people work things out for themselves
(the girls and Mrs. Garrett all look at each for a couple seconds the sceen cuts to the next part)
IN THE LIVING ROOM…..
Mrs. Garrett: (sitting on the couch writing some Christmas cards) I just don’t know which one to send my sister (she holds up two Christmas Cards) which one do you think she’ll like Jo
Jo: (sitting down next to Mrs. Garrett wrapping a present for her mom) I kind of like the one with the kids in the sleigh (smiles really big) reminds me of Christmas when I was a little girl
Mrs. Garrett: (smiles) Oh yeah I know just what you mean (pauses for a moment) there’s nothing like Christmas back in Appleton
Jo: unless it’s Christmas back in the Bronx (sighs a little bit)
Blair: (comes downstairs) The Bronx for Christmas now there’s something every child should experience (she walks over to the coat closet and opens it then puts on her coat) I’m going down to the mall to do some last minute shopping
Mrs. Garrett: (looks over at Blair) Ok be careful the snow’s really coming down hard
Blair: Don’t worry Mrs. Garrett I’ll be fine (Blair leaves just as tootie comes downstairs)
Tootie: (sounding really worried) Mrs. Garrett I found this present that Natalie through away
Mrs. Garrett: (taking the present) why would she do (plugs her nose) something like that
Jo: (makes a face like something smells really bad) Tootie where did you get that present
Tootie: I just told you Natalie through it away out of the garage
Mrs. Garrett: (places the present down on the coffee table) Why would Natalie do something like that
Tootie: she’s been acting so strange lately
Jo: strange isn’t even the word for it it’s almost like she doesn’t’ want to have anything to do with the holidays
DOWN AT THE MALL……
Sarah: (a friend of Blairs sitting down on a bench watching the shoppers go by)
Blair: (walks over towards Sarah) Hi Sarah (sits down next to her)
Sarah: (looks down at Blair’s packages) I see you broke your Christams piggy bank again
Blair: Well what can I say I’m full of the Christmas sprirt this year (reaches down in her bag and pulls out a small box) look at these great earrings I got my mom
Sarah: Oh wow there great
Blair: (sounding like a no it all) yeah they are aren’t they (she places them back in her bag) oh you have to come by the shop on Saturday night
Sarah: why what’s going on?
Blair: were throwing a holiday party for the kids down at the children’s home
Sarah: really oh that sounds like a lot of fun (pauses for a couple seconds) but I can’t make it I’m going caroling with my Church Group
Blair: oh really that’s to bad your gonnea miss a great party
Sarah: Hey I got an idea how about if we come by and sing some songs for the kids
Blair: now that sounds like a great idea
Sarah: (looks kind of somber) it really helps my mom and me during this time of year
Blair: what do you mean?
Sarah: (pauses for a moment) well ever since my dad died 3 years ago the holidays have always been real hard on us
Blair: Sarah what about that first Christmas without your dad
Sarah: Oh gosh that was the hardest one I didn’t want anything to do with the holidays I felt like if my dad couldn’t be here to enjoy the holidays then why should I enjoy them (pauses and starts to smile a little) but eventually I learned that just because my dad was no longer with us doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy the holidays and besides I know my dad would want me to be happy not just during the holidays but all year round (looks at her watch) I gotta go meet my mom down at the food court (gets up to leave) call me on Friday with the details about the party
Blair: Ok bye Sarah
Sarah: (heads down towards the food court)
Blair: (sits on the bench for a couple more seconds then finally gets up and leaves)
BACK AT THE STORE…..
Male coustomer: (walks into the shop)
Mrs. Garrett: (walks up to him with a smile) Happy Holidays sir welcome to Edna’s Editables I’m Edna how can I help you
Male coustomer: yeah I wanted to pick up my wife a pound of pickle hearing
Mrs. Garrrett: Of course it’s right over here (she walks over towards the counter and the coustomer follows her)
Male Coustomer: (takes out a list and begins to read from it) and do you also have some peanut butter, strawberry Jam, and some sweat pickles
Tootie: (makes a face like he’s crazy) you do realize that if your wife eat’s all that she’s gonnea get sick
Jo: I’m getting sick just hearing about it
Male coustomer: (smiles) well don’t’ worry girls my wife’s pregrent
Tootie: (smiling) well congraulations (gathers up his stuff and hands it to him) on the house
Jo: (upset) Tootie
Tootie: (looks over at Jo) come on Jo where’s your holiday cheer his wife is expecting a baby
Jo: (smiles) your right after all it’s the holidays (her smile fades) that moneys coming out of your paycheck
Tootie: (quickly turns towards the coustomer) that will 7 dollars and 56 cents
Male coustomer: (laughs and pulls out his wallet) here keep the change
Tootie: thank you Happy Holidays
Male coustomer: (leaves the shop)
Jo: (looks at her watch) well it’s 8:00 I’ll go flip the sign to close (she walks over and flips the sign)
Blair: (enters the shop goes over and sits down at a table)
Tootie: (looks at her bags) well I see you did a lot of last minute shopping
Blair: (doesn’t respond to Tootie)
Jo: (walks over with Tootie towards Blair) Blair what’s wrong
Blair: I think I know what’s brothering Natalie
Tootie: (sits down next to Blair) you do what is it
Blair: (looks over at Jo and Tootie)
Jo: (sits down too) come on Blair what is it
Tootie: yeah maybe we can find a way to help her
Blair: it’s not that easy Tootie this isn’t something that she can get over
Jo: (looks concerned) Blair what exactly are you talking about
Blair: her father
Jo: (says it like a question) her father
Tootie: I don’t understand what does her father have to do with this
Blair: everything Tootie when I was down at the mall I ran into my friend Sarah she was telling me about her first Christmas after her dad died she didn’t want anything to do with the holidays she felt that if her dad wasn’t here to enjoy himself why should she enjoy herself
Jo: so that’s the big mystery with Nat
Blair: she doesn’t want to celerbrate the holidays because her dad is no longer with her
Mrs. Garrett: (comes in the shop) Hi girls is everything locked up this party on Saturday night is going to be so much fun don’t you girls agree (she turns towards the girls)
Jo: (doesn’t sound to happy) yeah
Blair: (doesn’t sound to happy) sure mrs. Garrett
Tootie: (doesn’t sound to happy) what ever you say
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at the girls with concern) alright girls what’s brothering you
Blair: (looks up at Mrs. Garrett) it has to do with Natalie’s father
Mrs. Garrett: (a little confused) Natalie’s father
Jo: (gets up from her chair) we think Nat’s boycotting the holidays because this is her first holiday season without her dad
Mrs. Garrett: (looking like she’s thinking back) you know now that I think about it I acted the same way when my father passed away (getting mad at herself) Oh how could I have not realized what was brothering her
Jo: Mrs. G it’s not your fault
Blair: (getting up from her chair and walking towards Jo and Mrs. Garrett) no it’s not her father passed away 10 months ago none of us had any idea how she was going to be during the holidays
Mrs. Garrett: well I think it’s time Natalie and I sit down and have a heart to heart talk (she leaves the shop)
Blair: well we might as well get set up for the party tomorrow tonight
Tootie: right I’ll see if I can do something with the window (tootie walks over towards the main front window)
Jo: I’ll pick out some holiday tunes for us to listen too (she walks over towards the counter where some cassette tapes are)
Blair: (sitting down at a table folding napkins) I wonder how Mrs. Garrett’s doing with Natalie
Jo/tootie: (look at each other and then at Blair)
IN THE HALLWAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE GIRLS BEDROOM……..
Mrs. Garrett: (walks up towards the door and knocks) Natalie can I come in (no answer Mrs. Garrett knocks again) Natalie I realized your upset, but if we could just talk this out (pauses) I promise you’ll feel a lot better (still no response) Natalie look I know how you feel right now your lost and your confused (without realizing it Natalie walks up behind Mrs. Garrett) but believe me Natalie we all care about you (pauses)
Natalie: (just stand there looking at Mrs. Garrett with confusion)
Mrs. Garrett: (sighs) Natalie please open the door
Natalie: (extends her arm towards the knob and opens it) sure no problem
Mrs. Garrett: (kind of jumps back when she see’s Natalie’s hand go past her and then turns towards her) Natalie where did you come from
Natalie: (points down the hall) I was in the laundry room (walks inside her room)
Mrs. Garrett: (follows her inside)
Natalie: (turns towards Mrs. Garrett) Mrs. Garrett I’m sorry
Mrs. Garrett: (smiles) Natalie you don’t have anything to be sorry for
Natalie: yes I do I’ve been acting like such a jerk lately and I’ve been ruining everybody holidays sprits
Mrs. Garrett: are you ready to talk about it? (she sits down on Tooties bed)
Natalie: (turns around and walks over towards the dresser she opens it up and pulls out a small box. She then turns back towards Mrs. Garrett) when I was 7 years old (talking as she walks) my dad gave a charm bacelet for Hananka (she sits down on the bed next to Mrs. Garrett) and every year after that my dad would give me a new charm to put on my braclet (Natalie opens the boxes and holds up the braclet)
Mrs. Garrett: Oh Natalie it’s beautiful
Natalie: (smiling) thank you (her smile fades and she takes a deep breath) this is the one he gave me last year (she holds up the charm so Mrs. Garrett can see it)
Mrs. Garrett: (looks at the charm and smiles after a few seconds her smile fades a little) Natalie I understand what your going through
Natalie: (wipes a tear falling from her face) you do?
Mrs. Garrett: the first Christmas after my father passed away (talking a bit loudly in a dramatic) I just wanted to be left alone I didn’t care about the holidays or anything
Natalie: I know that’s exactly how I feel……… how did you get over it
Mrs. Garrett: you’ll never really get over it because your father’s always going to be a part of you
Natalie: (sighs) you mean I’m always gonnea feel this bad during the holidays
Mrs. Garrett: no each year that passes will be a little easier you just have to take it one day at a time
Natalie: (wipes a tear falling from her cheek) maybe your right (she pauses with a sigh) Mrs. Garrett do you really think it would ok for me to celerbrate the holidays without my dad
Mrs. Garrett: (smiles a little) Natalie your father’s right here (she places her hand on Natalie’s heart) with you everyday of your life (she extends her arms out)
Natalie: (smiles extends her arms out and they hug)
Mrs. Garrett: (they back away from each other after a few seconds) are you feeling better now
Natalie: a little bit would you please excuse me I need to make a phone call
Mrs. Garrett: sure (she stand up) oh by the way (she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small box) I believe this is yours (she places the box on the bed and stands up) I’ll see you later (she gets up and heads out the door)
Natalie: (watches as Mrs. Garrett leaves. She then turns her head towards the small box on her bed. She opens the box and pulls out a little lighthouse charm she then goes over to the phone and makes a phone call) Hi mom….. I’m fine how are you……. I just called to thank you for the light house……. Yeah it’s great….(she pauses for a couple moments) mom I also wanted to apoligize for my last phone call….. I know I’ve a total jerk lately…..mom yes I have……. Mom don’t fight me on this I have been a total jerk…..well you don’t have to agree with me….(smiles) ok I will so I’ll see you on Sunday…… bye mom….and mom I love you (she hangs up the phone and heads on out the door)
DOWN IN THE SHOP…..
Blair: (gathers up the napkins and walks over to a table and sits down next to jo)
Jo: (continues sorting through the music she picks up a tape and smiles) now this brings back memories
Blair: (looks at the tape) Frosty the snowman
Jo: yeah in the 2nd grade are class put on the play for Frosty the Snowman
Tootie: (puts down her can of snow paint and walks over towards the girls) no kidding which part did you play
Jo: I didn’t actually play one of the main parts, but I was in the chourse
(Mrs. Garrett enters the room)
Blair: Mrs. Garrett how’s Natalie doing?
Mrs. Garret: well we had a long talk, and she had a good cry it’s gonnea take some time but I think each year that passes will be a little easier for her (looks over at the girls and smiles after a few seconds her smile
fades) hey are we doing just sitting around we’ve gotta get set up for the party tomorrow night
(everyone goes to different parts of the store and begins settings things up)
Tootie: (sighs over near the window) I just don’t even know where to start with the window (she sighs once again and looks at the window)
Natalie: (enters the shop and walks over towards the window) maybe I can help
Tootie: (looks over at Natalie and smiles she then hands her the snow paint can)
Natalie: (looks at the window for a while trying to decied what she’s going to do with it)
Tootie: (walks over towards Mrs. Garrett and the girls)
Blair: (talks in a very low voice) Mrs. Garrett do you really think Natalie’s gonnea be ok
Mrs. Garrett: (looks over at Natalie and then back at Blair with a smile) it’s a start
(Mrs. Garrett and the girls all go back to setting up for the party)
UP IN THE GIRLS ROOM……
Jo/Natalie/tootie: (are all lying down in there own beds)
Blair: (enters the room from the bathroom) I’m proberly going to fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow
Jo: (yawns) I know what you mean I’m beat
Blair: (gets into bed) Tootie could you turn off the lighs please
Tootie: (stands up and walks over towards the light switch just before she switches them)
Natalie: wait a minute Tootie there’s something I’ve gotta say first
Blair: (sounding really tried) Oh Nat were tried can’t we talk in the morning
Natalie: this will only take a minute
Jo: alright what is it
Natalie: I just want to apoligize for being such a jerk lately
Tootie: (walks over towards Natalie and sits on the edge of her bed) Natalie you don’t have to apoligize for being such a jerk were use to it (she quickly takes Natalie’s pillow and hits her over the head with it)
Natalie: Oh no you don’t (she gets out of her bed and goes over to take tootie’s pillow off her bed) take that Tootie (she hits Tootie with the pillow)
Natalie/tootie: (contine hiting the pillow at each other and screaming)
Jo: (sits up in bed and yells) WOULD YOU TWO CUT IT OUT AND GO TO BED
Natalie/Tootie: (look at each other and smile)
Natalie: your right Jo here’s your pillow tootie (Natalie and her switch pillow back again)
Tootie: (walks over and switches the lights off) good night everyone
(after a couple minutes of silene)
Jo: (gets hit over the head with a pillow) alright that does it (she stands up with her pillow and begins swinging her pillow
Natalie: (turns on the lights and the three of them engage in an old fashion pillow fight)
Blair: (stays in bed and appears to be sleeping)
Jo: (looks over at Blair and then back at Natalie and Tootie they all three smile and walk over towards Blair’s bed) Oh blair time to get up (she swings her pillow and hits Blair with it)
Blair: OW (she quickly graps her pillow stands up and starts swinging)
(the girls all continue screaming hitting each other with there pillows and without realizing it a couple pillow break and then feathers start to fly out everywhere after a few moments they all fall back and start laughing hysterically)
jo: (trying to calm everyone down) we better be quite we might wake Mrs. Garrett up
Blair: (wipes some feathers from her night grown) yeah look at this mess
Tootie: (laughing)
Natalie: what’s so funny?
Tootie: this reminds me of that time when we had that paint back when we were all still going to Eastland
Jo: (laughing) Oh yea Blair ruined her old desiner jeans when she sat in the tray of paint
Blair: (laughing puts her arm around Jo’s shoulder) we’ve sure had some good times over the years
Jo: (smiles when she looks at Blair) yeah we sure have you know I’m real lucky if mom never sent me to Eastland I never would of made the greatest friends I have now (she looks at Tootie and Natalie and then back at Blair)
Blair: (looks like she’s about to cry) Oh Jo that’s so sweet
Jo: (shrugs her shoulders) what can I say I’m a sweet girl (her smile fades) now get your arm off me
Blair: (laughs and takes her arm off Jo’s shoulder) well we might as well go to bed
Jo: (looks around at the mess) how their’s feathers everywhere
Tootie: I’ll tell you what you guys go down and see what’s on the late show I’ll stay up here and clean up the mess after all I’m the one who started the pillow fight (tootie goes over and starts gathering up feathers from her bed)
Jo/Natalie: (look at each other then go over to help tootie)
Blair: (throws her arms in the air) what the heck (she walks over and helps them out)
IN THE SHOP……
(the girls are spending time with the kids making sure that there all having a good time)
Mrs. Garrett: (comes in carrying a tray of cookies) hey girls are you having a good time
Jo: Mrs. G you sure throw on terrific party
Mrs. Garrett: well hey that’s only because I have you girls to help
Sarah: (enters the shop with the kids from her church choir)
Tootie: Mrs. Garrett I didn’t know you hired a choir to perform tonight
Mrs. Garrett: (totally stunned) neither did I
Mr. Grinels: (walks up towards Mrs. Garrett) My names Steven Grinels I’m the college youth choir director at the 1st Presbyterian Church
Mrs. Garrett: (extends her hand out) nice to meet you I’m Edna Garrett owner of Edna editables
Tootie: how did you guys find out about the party
Sarah: Blair and I saw each other at the mall a couple days ago and she told me about it
Mrs. Garrett: (Iooks around the room) speaking of Blair has anybody seen her
Jo: (smiling a little bit) oh don’t worry she’ll be here (she looks over at Natalie and Tootie who are also smiling)
Mrs. Garrett: well Mr. Grinels can I offer you some of my delicious cookie (they walk over towards the counter)
(a few minutes later the lights are dimmed and everyone gets real quite)
Jo: (looks over and talks to everyone) alright it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for (she throws her arm out) ta da (nothing happens)
(the kids look at each other and just shrug there shoulders)
Jo: (smiles from being nervous) let’s try that again (throws her arm out) ta da (nothing happens)
(several of the kids yawn)
Jo: I’ll be right back (she quickly leaves the room)
Everyone: (hears a lot a noise from the other room)
Jo: (comes back in) Ok one more time (she throws her arm out) Ta da
Santa: (enters the room) Ho ho ho Merry Christmas
(the kids all start screaming and running piling on Santa)
Mrs. Garrett/Jo/tootie/Natalie: (look at each other and smile)
Jo: I bet Blair’s sorry she’s missing this
Blair: (walks in the shop carrying a bag of presents) look what I’ve got presents for everybody
Jo: (totally shocked) Blair your suppose to be in the Santa suit
Tootie: (looks over at the girls and then at the Santa) Wait a minute if that’s not Blair (points to the Santa) then who is it? (looks back at the girls)
Jo: (starts walking as she’s talks) well there’s only one way to find out (she approaches the person in the Santa suit, pulls down his bread)
Roy: (smiling) Jo baby miss me ho ho ho
Jo: (totally stunned) Oh no what are you doing here
Roy: (his smile fades a little bit) I ran into Blair the other day at the mall, and she told me all about the party (puts his arm around Jo’s shoulder) and how can I resisit the chance to see my best girl
Jo: (looks at his arm on her shoulder and punches his hand) and who would that be Roy
Roy: (quickly removes his hand and shakes it out) still just as sweet as ever aren’t you Jo
Jo: (turns around and walks away) I don’t believe this
Roy: (follows Jo)
Tootie: (notices Natalie looking out of the window and walks over towards her) Hey Nat
Natalie: (turns around and smiles at Tootie)
Tootie: I know we usually don’t exchange presents until after New Years but (she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small box) here Happy Holidays
Natalie: Ah thank you Tootie (takes the box and smiles she then opens it and discovers that she received emerald earrings) Oh Wow (she gives Tootie a hug) I love them (suddenly gets a good look at the earrings) aren’t these the earrings we saw in the Jewerly store last spring
Tootie: yeah when I saw them in the store a few weeks I knew they’d be perfect for us (has a huge smile on her face)
Natalie: (has a totally serious face) what do you mean perfect for us
Tootie: well your birthdays in May and my birthdays in May and these are emerald earrings are birthstone
Natalie: (shakes her head and smiles) how convivent a present for you and and a persent for me all wrapped up in one (looks at the earrings again) well no matter I love them (they hug again) thanks you’re the best
Tootie: your welcome I’m glad you like them
Natalie: (looks down at the ground and back up again) but I’m afaid I didn’t get you anything
Tootie: Natalie that doesn’t matter. The holidays aren’t about presents. There about being with the one’s you love
Mrs. Garrett: (walks up behind the girls) well said Tootie
Natalie/tootie: (look back at Mrs. Garrett and they smile)
Jo: (standing over near the front door of the store)
Roy: (standing right next to her)
Jo: can this night get any worse
Roy: (looks up at the door and see’s some misletoe hanging down he then looks back at Jo and has a huge grin on his face) Jo looks like were standing under the misletoe how about planting one (taps his lips) right here
Blair: (standing near by snickers at them)
Jo: (shoots her a look and then turns around and looks up at the misletoe and then back down at Roy) eeewww
Blair: (laughing a little bit walks towards them) Ah come on Jo you know you have to do it it’s a Christmas law
Jo: (with total hesitation) well alright (she leans in and gently kisses Roy on the lips)
Roy: (then graps her waist and makes her dip and kisses her)
The kids: (are all laughing and pointing at them)
Roy: (after a few seconds he lift’s Jo back up again and reaches up to take the misletoe down) Yup the guy at the produce department said this parsely will fool anybody
Jo: (raising her voice) EEEEWWW (she covers her mouth and quickly runs out of the room)
Natalie/Blair/tootie: (are all laughing hysterically)
A little while later (after Jo’s returned)……
Mr. Grinels: (is over at the piano playing some songs)
Mrs. Garrett: (standing near the piano she starts singing) Silent night holy night all is calm all is bright..
Everyone: (else in the room joins in on singing silent night)
THE END