EXT. FIELD IN THE COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT

A red nosed reindeer is prancing in the snow when a net is thrown over him and three hunters manage to capture him. They drag the reindeer through the field in the direction of their van. They are thirty yards from the van when a yellow Lamborghini pulls up. The occupants of the Lamborghini climb out of the car.

DOUG: That reindeer doesn’t belong to you.

HUNTER ONE: Oh yeah? Who does it belong to?

MELVYN: Santa Claus

HUNTHER TWO: Come on man pull the other one. Do you know how much a red nosed reindeer will fetch on the market?

MELVYN: How much?

HUNTER ONE: Tens of thousands

DOUG: Almost as much as a top of the range yellow Lamborghini then?

MELVYN: If you help us get this reindeer into the van, we’ll give you the Lamborghini as long as you give us the keys to your vehicle.

HUNTER ONE: Is that the latest model? I always did want to drive one of those.

INT. CALIGARI’S RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Sofia Castle and Charles Manning are seated in a restaurant. They have just finished their meal when Charles removes a small box from his pocket and places it on the table.

CHARLES MANNING: So what do you think? Do you like it?

Sofia doesn’t respond

CHARLES MANNING: Don’t you think that after twelve years of living together we should get married?

SOFIA CASTLE: To be honest Charles, it isn’t what I expected.

CHARLES MANNING: Did you expect fireworks and violins? They can be arranged.

SOFIA CASTLE: Do you know that young office worker of yours, Lindsay?

CHARLES MANNING: What about her?

SOFIA CASTLE: I hired a private detective who found photos of the two of you together. He’s followed you around for the last six weeks.

Charles reacts in frustration and has a guilty look on his face.

CHARLES MANNING: What are you suggesting?

SOFIA CASTLE: Come on Charles, I’m not some bimbo you can play mind games with.

CHARLES MANNING: Ok, so we had a fling, but its over.

SOFIA CASTLE: You’re goddamn right it’s over. And here you are. Is it the money Charles? Was that all that there ever was between us? Was it all about the inheritance. You played me for the last time. I didn’t hire a private detective. I simply put two and two together. I saw you on two occasions together. It all fits. The late nights, slaving away at the office and the business trips. I just didn’t want it to be true.

CHARLES MANNING: We can get through this. It’s just a blip.

SOFIA CASTLE: You know what Charles, I’m not hungry. Here’s a hundred dollars to cover my half. Don’t forget to pay the bill. Otherwise it might sully your reputation.

EXT. OUTSIDE HADLEY FAMILY HOME - NIGHT

A white van pulls up outside the Hadley family residence. Rudolf is offloaded and Christopher opens the front door of the house. He rushes up to Mr Kringle and embraces him

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Mr Kringle, you’ve come back

MR KRINGLE: At this moment I feel like I could do ten rounds with Jack Dempsey

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Who is Jack Dempsey?

MR KRINGLE: Unfortunately we don’t have much time. I hope you didn’t chop my sleigh into firewood.

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: No, Mr Kringle. It’s still there. The other five reindeer are in the back garden or what is left of it.

They sure eat a lot of carrots.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE HADLEY FAMILY HOME

The sleigh and the reindeer are all hooked up and Mr Kringle sits on top of the sleigh. 

MR KRINGLE: Ok now fellas. Off we go. 

Mr Kringle vibrates the reins but the reindeers don’t do anything.

MR KRINGLE: They must be a little rusty. Ok now fellas, lets go.

Again nothing happens. Mr Kringle climbs off the sleigh to have a discussion with Rudolf

MR KRINGLE: Now, look here Rudolf. We have a job to do. You don’t want to disappoint all those young children now do you? If you do this for me, I’ll make your favourite meal, carrot goulash for two weeks solid.

Mr Kringle climbs back on the sleigh as the Hadley family and Doug, Melvyn and Norbert look on.

DOUG: Do you want us to give you a push Mr Kringle.

MR KRINGLE : From now on just call me Santa. 

He gives the reins a lift and the reindeers start to move slowly at first, before picking up speed and taking off into the distance.

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Go Santa.

EXT. STREET IN A ROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD - CHRISTMAS EVE EVENING

An emotional Sofia Castle walks down a rough looking street where she expects to find Mr Kringle. She sees, Doug and Melvyn.

SOFIA CASTLE: Where is he?

MELVYN: He’s probably in New Zealand by now?

SOFIA CASTLE: Don’t kid me? Is he dead? Has he been arrested?

DOUG: I’m afraid mam. He’s the real deal.

SOFIA CASTLE: Nobody’s that perfect, you bunch of jokers.

Sofia turns to walk away.

ROD SAMBORA: Would you like to buy a Rolex mam? It’s not a fake. Honest.

Sofia continues walking away.

INT. SOFIA CASTLE'S HOME - EVENING

Sofia Castle sits at her kitchen table sipping on a glass of wine and deep in thought. 

SOFIA CASTLE: (talking to herself) Why couldn’t I have it all? The whole nine yards?

She pounds her fist against the table in frustration and with emotion.

INT. HADLEY FAMILY HOME LIVING ROOM - CHRISTMAS DAY MORNING

Christopher Hadley opens his present to reveal a block of wood. Hadrian opens his present to reveal a box of a model spaceship.

HADRIAN HADLEY: Thanks Santa

Melanie turns to her husband

MELANIE HADLEY: Go on honey open your present.

Duncan Hadley opens his present to reveal a new laptop

MELANIE HADLEY: Is it what you wanted? 

DUNCAN HADLEY: Well the old one is kind of slow, but I don’t know. I was kind of hoping for a crock of gold so we wouldn’t have to move in with your folks.

MELANIE HADLEY: Well I guess he can’t solve all the worlds problems single handed.

DUNCAN HADLEY: Maybe you should open your present darling. I hope you’re impressed.

Melanie starts to open her present but her smile recedes

MELANIE HADLEY: A Didactum Make Up set. What am I twelve?

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: But mom, Dad got you another present.

DUNCAN HADLEY: I did? I mean, yes I did.

Melanie opens her other present.

MELANIE HADLEY: Oh honey, an Uberon Hair Straightener and a beautiful necklace. How did you guess? The make up set was just a wind up. Oh honey, you’re the best.

INT. HOSTEL FOR HOMELESS - MORNING

Doug, Melvyn and Norbert wake up in a three bed room in a homeless hostel.

DOUG: Say where did those keys come from?

MELVYN: My memory is not so good. Maybe they belong to the van?

DOUG: There’s a keyfob on there that says Melvyn.

MELVYN: Nah, it couldn’t be.

DOUG: Well it is Christmas. Maybe you got more than you expected.

MELVYN: Well lets go outside and have a look.

EXT. OUTSIDE HOMELESS HOSTEL - MORNING

Outside, is a grey McLaren sports car.

Doug has a look at the back of the vehicle. 

DOUG: Melvyn the reg says Scoatsville 1971

MELVYN: Well, this baby is just waiting to be driven. What do you say boys?

INT. MCLAREN SPORTS CAR - MORNING

DOUG: Melvyn the gps has come on already. It’s directing us where to go.

MELVYN: Hold on to you hats boys, we’re going places.

INT. MCLAREN SPORTS CAR - MORNING

Melvyn drives the car into a large car park. In front of them is a large bowling alley, which reads, Doug’s bowling alley

NORBERT: Well I’ll be darned

The two old men look at Norbert in astonishment

INT. HARDECKER RESIDENCE - MORNING

Mr Hardecker walks downstairs where he expects to find his daughter and son unwrapping presents. In the middle of the living room is a massive pile of unopened presents.

MR HARDECKER: Gosh kids, where did all these presents come from?

JOSELYN HARDECKER: They’re all for you Dad

Mr Hardecker starts to open the presents

MR HARDECKER: A remote control helicopter? Come on kids give me a hand. This is going to take a while.

ROLAND HARDECKER: Dad, are you sure that this isn’t for mom?

MR HARDECKER: What is it

ROLAND HARDECKER: It looks like a Wonder Woman outfit

MR HARDECKER: Eh, yes Roland that must be for Mom

INT. HADLEY FAMILY HOME

The phone rings and Melanie answers it.

MELANIE HADLEY: Honey, it’s Mr Hardecker on the phone.

Duncan accepts the phone from his wife.

MR HARDECKER: Hadley, I’ve had a rethink. I was a bit harsh in letting you go. Who am I to question Mr Kringle. You can have your job back with a ten per cent pay rise.

DUNCAN HADLEY: Well Mr Hardecker..

MR HARDECKER: 15 per cent is my final offer.

DUNCAN HADLEY: I’d be more than happy to Mr Hardecker

MR HARDECKER: Please call me Jeremiah. It’s Christmas after all Duncan.

INT. MACLADDEN FAMILY HOME - CHRISTMAS DAY MORNING

The Macladden family are seated for Christmas dinner.

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: 36, Dark Hair, blue eyes, five feet five inches, slim, caucasian

VINCE MACLADDEN: 37, Red hair, six feet two inches, strongly built, relatively lean, caucasian, light blue eyes

WANDA MACLADDEN: 12, Dark hair, brown eyes, five feet two inches tall, thin, caucasian

LIAM MACLADDEN: 10, Brown hair, brown eyes, four feet, 9 inches tall, slim, caucasian

MELBA CASTLE: 70, Mixture of grey and dark shoulder-length hair, overweight, caucasian, dark blue eyes

They are just about to eat their meal, when the doorbell rings. Victoria Macladden answers the door. In front of her is her sister Sofia Castle.

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: Sofia, I wasn’t expecting you.

SOFIA CASTLE: That’s alright. I brought you some Dom Perignon and some chocolates.

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: Would you like to come in? We were just about to eat dinner. There’s plenty to go around. It is Christmas after all.

SOFIA CASTLE: Well it’s better than flying solo.

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: Where is Charles?

SOFIA CASTLE: Charles is no more.

INT. MACLADDEN FAMILY DINING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Victoria and Sofia enter the dining room.

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: Look everyone, Sofia has decided to join us for dinner.

VINCE MACLADDEN: The ice queen cometh

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: Liam, will you be a good boy and get your Aunt a chair. I’ll fix up some more food.

SOFIA CASTLE: He doesn’t have to call me Auntie. He could call me Sofia instead. Auntie sounds well..

VINCE MACLADDEN: Old?

Sofia accepts a chair from Liam

CUT TO:

INT. MACLADDEN FAMILY DINING ROOM - AFTERNOON

All members are now seated at the table

SOFIA CASTLE: Before we all get indigestion, I would like to clear up something. I will not be contesting our Father’s inheritance. I don’t think the bickering and squabling will do anyone any good.

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: Why that is very generous of you Sofia.

VINCE MACLADDEN: What’s the catch?

SOFIA CASTLE: Why, there is no catch. I just don’t see the point in making everyone miserable over any amount of money. Dad’s will was made out as he intended it to be and I think his wishes should be respected.

LIAM MACCLADEN: Does this mean, that you will visit us more often, Auntie Sofia?

VINCE MACLADDEN: Once a year is plenty Liam

VICTORIA MACLADDEN: Did Liam mention that there is a present underneath the tree marked for your attention.

LIAM MACLADDEN: I’ll go and get it.

SOFIA CASTLE: This dinner looks delicious Victoria. You always were a great cook.

VINCE MACLADDEN: Yes, you always did leave the cooking to her.

SOFIA CASTLE: I do appreciate that we’ve got off on the wrong foot Vince but I also hope that things will improve between us. 

VINCE MACLADDEN: Well, one miracle happened on Christmas Day, why not another.

LIAM MACLADDEN: Here it is.

Sofia opens a small box to reveal a locket. She looks at it and smiles contentedly.

INT. HADLEY FAMILY HOME - CHRISTMAS DAY 4:30PM

Melanie and Christopher are cleaning up after the Christmas dinner.

MELANIE HADLEY: Christopher, are you sure you got everything you wanted? You don’t ask for very much.

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Yes mom. This is the best Christmas ever. I got to...

Christopher can hear a jingling as if something was outside his door. He rushes outside to see Mr Kringle on his sleigh

MR KRINGLE : Christopher, that block of wood wasn’t the only thing you wanted was it?

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Yes it was

MR KRINGLE: Wouldn’t you like to go on a ride in the sleigh?

CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Yes Mr Kringle

Christopher Hadley climbs onto the sleigh.

MR KRINGLE: Hadrian, there’s room for one more. You know you want to.

HADRIAN HADLEY: I’d love to

Hadrian joins them and the sleigh takes off into the air. They fly over the school and down the street. At one point they pass three bullies walking down a street. At this point Rudolf releases some reindeer turd that falls on them.

MR KRINGLE: Now Rudolf, I may have to rethink the two weeks of carrot ghoulash.

The sleigh travels into the distance.