EXT. STREET OUTSIDE AN ABANDONNED HOTEL - NIGHT
Lynn Dowdall is standing on the pavement outside an abandonned hotel when a large burly man approaches her and hands her an envelope
BURLY SECURITY GUARD: Mr Hardecker sends his regards.
LYNN DOWDALL: Well he knows where to find me if he ever feels lonesome.
EXT. STREET IN A ROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD - EVENING
Christopher and Duncan approach Mr Kringle
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Mr Kringle, we have some good news. We found four of your reindeer. We took a photo. We also retrieved your sleigh. Look
Christopher hands Mr Kringle the photograph
MR KRINGLE: I’m sorry to disappoint you Christopher. That’s Prancer alright, but that’s a moose, a deer and a sheep.
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: The sheep was dad’s idea. He thought you wouldn’t know the difference.
MR KRINGLE: Thanks for trying Christopher but I think it’s a lost cause. I’m not the same man I used to be. I’m getting older and older and I’m feeling my age.
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: But we’ve got to get you ready for Christmas Mr Kringle.
MR KRINGLE: I’ve been doing some thinking about Christmas. Maybe children would be happier without presents. Don’t children have enough? Wouldn’t they be happier playing with each other rather than a toy that might last a few weeks?
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: You told me that Christmas is about bringing joy Mr Kringle. Don’t you just want to...
MR KRINGLE: I don’t want you to see me like this Christopher. It’s better that you don’t visit me again.,
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Mr Kringle you’ve got to do what you can. You’re not too old. You’ll never be too old.
Christopher and Duncan walk twenty yards away before Duncan turns to his son.
DUNCAN HADLEY: Christopher, I just have something I want to say to Mr Kringle
Duncan approaches Mr Kringle again
DUNCAN HADLEY: Say, Mr Kringle, you probably know more than I would. What does my wife want for Christmas? My budget is about three hundred dollars.
MR KRINGLE: I’m sorry Duncan, with each passing day I become more and more out of touch. I understand your predicament, women drop hints every now and again but will never actually tell you what they want. You just have to pay attention when they talk and keep notes. Eventually you should work it out.
DUNCAN HADLEY: So, do you have like a decoder or something?
Rod Sambosa approaches with a small knife in his hand.
ROD SAMBORA: Say kid, have you got any confirmation money on you?
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: No sir I don’t. Just four wafers of chewing gum.
ROD SAMBORA: Keep it kid. I’m on a low sugar diet. I bet your Dad has some dosh for a humble peasant like me. Come on old man hand it over.
Duncan hands over the money and Rod removes the cash and the credit card and throws what remains of the wallet on the ground.
ROD SAMBORA: Say kid, didn’t your old man ever tell you never to talk to strangers?
Rod Sambosa leaves.
DUNCAN HADLEY: Come on Christopher let’s go.
INT. LOCAL SCHOOL - DAY
Miss Carmichael, the teacher stands at the top of the classroom
MISS CARMICHAEL: 42, Brown Hair, Brown Eyes, Slim, Five Feet, Ten Inches, Wearing a white and red chequered jumper, Purple Trousers and black boots.
MISS CARMICHAEL: Ok, now Christopher is going to talk about what Christmas means to him. Christopher why don’t you come on up here
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY : Well, I’m not the greatest painter in the world but this is a picture of Santa falling off my roof and of him telling me stories while he recovered from a broken leg. Now he is dying and he needs your help. The only thing that can help him is if you help me find his reindeer. If you care about Christmas, we’ve got to find all of his reindeer. Get out there and get looking.
MISS CARMICHAEL: Ok, Christopher. Thank you, but I don’t think that it’s a good idea to have loads of eight year olds scouring the city and the countryside for creatures that don’t exist.
Viviana Rudenfield puts up her hand
VIVIANA RUDENFIELD: 8 years old, Three feet, nine inches tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, attractive, slim, well dressed.
VIVIANA RUDENFIELD: Miss I want to help. Or else there might be no christmas
MISS CARMICHAEL: Now class, just because one old man can’t locate some reindeer that don’t exist doesn’t mean Christmas will be ruined.
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: But miss I have a photo. See. That’s a reindeer. It’s Prancer and there must be five more just like him.
MISS CARMICHAEL: That looks more like a sheep, Christopher.
INT. EDITORS OFFICE FOR THE EVENING EAGLE - MORNING
Sofia Castle enters the Editors office with three typed pages in her hand.
SOFIA CASTLE: Boss, I’ve drafted a follow up article about the Santa Claus
ELI GOLDWOOD: You mean, the Santa Fraud? What is the angle?
SOFIA CASTLE: Well, I think he’s just some poor sucker, whose been lied about and mistreated by a lot of mean minded people.
ELI GOLDWOOD: Including you?
SOFIA CASTLE: Yes, including me.
ELI GOLDWOOD: Are you developing a conscience all of a sudden? This won’t sell newspapers. As you are well aware, we’re in the business of selling newspapers.
SOFIA CASTLE: Shouldn’t we be trying to unmask the truth. People will always be interested in the truth no matter what it turns out to be.
ELI GOLDWOOD: I’ve been in this business for years. What sells the most is shocking revelations, not boring and underwhelming stories like this one. Before I even read it, I know what’s in it. I’m not going to publish it and that’s a fact.
EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - DAY
Viviana Rudenfield approaches Christopher.
VIVIANA RUDENFIELD: Christopher, I think I know where one of your reindeer might be.
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Where?
VIVIANA RUDENFIELD: I think Mr Bloom has one in his apartment on the second floor.
INT. APARTMENT 17 WALDEN BUILDING - EVENING
Jake Stevenson, Christoper and Viviana stand outside Mr Bloom’s door and knock.
MR BLOOM: 48, Dark Hair, Brown Eyes, Untidily dressed and groomed, suffers from narcolepsy, sneezes more than normal, slightly overweight, Six Feet Tall
VIVIANA RUDENFIELD: Mr Bloom, can we come in?
MR BLOOM: I’m not here
JAKE STEVENSON: Mr Bloom, it’s important
Mr Bloom walks to the apartment door and opens it.
MR BLOOM: What do you want?
VIVIANA RUDENFIELD: Mr Bloom, it’s about the reindeer in your apartment. It’s important that we bring it to it’s rightful owner.
MR BLOOM: And who might that be?
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Santa Claus
MR BLOOM: Go away
VIVIANA RUDENFIELD: Mr Bloom, we could go to the police. If you don’t own the reindeer things could get very messy
MR BLOOM: Oh, who am I kidding.
Mr Bloom opens the door and walks back to his armchair. The children enter.
MR BLOOM: Since my wife left me, he’s been keeping me company. He’s almost as cute as she was. I just love the way he looks when he chews on those carrots. Look at those dimples. Only problem is that he eats a lot of them. I spend more on carrots than I spent on my wife’s clothes
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Don’t worry Mr Bloom, we’ll take him off your hands
MR BLOOM: He sure poops a lot too. It’s not much fun cleaning up after him.
INT. LOCAL CAFE - AFTERNOON
KATERINA PLODOWSKY: Five Feet Eleven Inches tall, 34, Slim, Wearing trousers and a cream jumper, Brown hairc, clear complexion, hazel eyes
Katerina and Lynn are seated opposite each other at a cafe table. Katerina adjusts her head to view the television screen in the corner.
KATERINA PLODOWSKY: There’s that evil man again who butchered you. He’s on the news again for stealing money.
LYNN DOWDALL: Don’t you think that evil is a strong word for him?
KATERINA PLODOWSKY: What do you mean. Isn’t that what you were telling everyone a few days ago. He hit you for Pete’s sake.
LYNN DOWDALL: I’m not the angel you think I am Katerina. He didn’t hit me.
KATERINA PLODOWSKY: You told Betty Gradel that he robbed you as well.
LYNN DOWDALL: That wasn’t exactly true either.
KATERINA PLODOWSKY: Well I don’t care how much you defend him. That man is a monster. Imagine the thought of my niece sitting on his lap and asking for things for Christmas. It’s wrong in so many ways.
LYNN DOWDALL: I was paid Katerina. I was paid to make him look bad.
KATERINA PLODOWSKY: That still doesn’t change things. I still hate everything that he stands for. There is no smoke without fire.
EXT. STREET IN A ROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD - EVENING
Sitar approaches Mr Kringle with a paper bag containing a Quarter-pounder and a millkshake. He hands it to him.
SITAR: I thought you might be hungry.
Sitar sits down next to him.
MR KRINGLE: Thank you.
SITAR: You know I lied. I can’t see right through you. I can’t figure you out. I know you’re not the saint you want people to believe you are, but most men would have hit me by now or at least lost their cool. Who are you really?
MR KRINGLE: Even I don’t know who I am anymore. I used to believe I was this guy who brought joy to people’s faces, but that guy seems like someone very far away. Now there is nothing. No joy. No happiness. I can’t seem to do anything right anymore. If people don’t like me, I must be doing something wrong. Thank you for your kind gesture. I appreciate it.
SITAR: Saving the stranger’s life is something of a haze. Part of me doesn’t know why I did it. Maybe I wanted to be a hero for a change. Working in Burgomart makes the one good thing I’ve ever done seem like a dream. I scrape by. Work to survive and that’s just it. I’m surviving.
MR KRINGLE: Someday a doorway might open for you. Me, I’m getting older..
SITAR: Isn’t this the time of year where you come to life? Christamas is nearly here. If you get yourself cleaned up a guy like you could clean up and you wouldn’t have to rely on charity for a few months at least.
MR KRINGLE: Christmas coming? That’s what I’m afraid of.
EXT. STREET IN A ROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD - EVENING
Mr Hardecker is flanked by three large bodyguards as he approaches Mr Kringle
MR HARDECKER: Well, well, well, if it isn’t Santa Claus himself. You’ve hit rock bottom, you fraud. Now every child in the world will know that Santa Claus does not truly exist. Are you going to spew hatred at me. Curse me for ruining your life and making an example of you? Well? What do you have to say?
MR KRINGLE: I bear you no ill will Mr Hardecker. I just wish that you could be enlightened.
MR HARDECKER: Enlightened? Me? I have everything I ever wanted and it is down to hard work, efficiency and discipline, three things you have never managed. What could I possibly need.
MR KRINGLE: Everyone could do with love and happiness in their lives.
MR HARDECKER: Love and happiness? I have everything that I will ever want. You on the other hand are just a penniless, talentless bum who will most likely be dead in a number of months
Mr Kringle mutters something inaudibly
MR HARDECKER: What did you say?
MR KRINGLE: I should have got you the remote controlled helicopter for your tenth birthday
MR HARDECKER: I could buy a dozen life sized helicopters if I really wanted one. There is nothing that a phoney like you could ever get me that I couldn’t buy myself. Here’s twenty bucks. Go buy yourself some whiskey.
Mr Hardecker tosses twenty dollars at Mr Kringle.
Rod Sambora approaches Mr Hardecker before he turns away.
ROD SAMBORA: Could you spare me some change sir.
Mr Hardecker punches him in the gut and ROD folds over. Mr Hardecker leaves.
ROD SAMBORA : You can keep your lousy twenty bucks Santa, I got me a Rolex.
Rod turns around with a smile on his face as he tries on the Rolex.
INT. WONG CHAI RESTAURANT - EVENING
Charles Manning and Lindsay Walker are seated at a table in a Chinese Restaurant
LINDSAY WALKER: Five Feet Four Inches Tall, 24, Dark Hair, Very Attractive, slim, wearing a black dress and red heeled shoes.
CHARLES MANNING: Darling, you look wonderful tonight
LINDSAY WALKER: You’ve said it like ten times already.
CHARLES MANNING: I do like to state the obvious
LINDSAY WALKER: So when are you going to dump that old battle axe.
CHARLES MANNING: I have to marry her first and then divorce her. These things take time.
LINDSAY WALKER: So we have to do all this sneaking around for several years.
CHARLES MANNING: Her cut is probably fifty million dollars. Even if I get twenty per cent that should set me, I mean us, up for life.
LINDSAY WALKER: Oh Charles, that’s the most romantic thing, anyone’s ever said to me.
EXT. STREET IN A ROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD - DECEMBER 23RD (DAY)
Christopher and Duncan Hadley approach Mr Kringle in a rough street.
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Mr Kringle, it’s December 23rd. If we don’t find all your reindeer by tonight there will be no Christmas.
MR KRINGLE: Christmas? Don’t you think that people are better off without it? If kids go without presents, maybe they’ll be happier and more considerate. People don’t know what they’re missing until it’s gone.
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: Don’t you believe in joy anymore, Mr Kringle? Don’t you wants to see childrens faces light up?
MR KRINGLE: I’m too old Christopher. I’ve lost count of what age I am. I’m getting older and weaker. I’m not able for this life anymore.
DUNCAN HADLEY: At least come home with us Mr Kringle. You could live in a nice comfortable house at least for a few weeks.
MR KRINGLE: I know you lost your job Mr Hadley and I would just be too much of a burden on you. I wouldn’t dare dream of it.
DUNCAN HADLEY: You can’t just waste away Mr Kringle. I know I’ve always been sceptical about you but nobody deserves this. We’ve found five of your reindeer. We just need one more
MR KRINGLE: I’m done Duncan. I’m done.
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: I know you think people don’t believe in you Mr Kringle, but even if there is one kid who does, aren’t they worth fighting for? There’s more than one kid Mr Kringle. There’s hundreds, thousands, millions who still believe.
MR KRINGLE: And all of this for a lump of wood?
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: It’s more than just a lump of wood Mr Kringle. It can be anything I want it to be. Mr Kringle, I deceived you. I found your boomerang in the garden. I’ve had it for months. I know it belongs to you. Here it is.
Christopher hands over a boomerang to Mr Kringle
CHRISTOPHER HADLEY: I hope it brings you joy Mr Kringle. It’s never too late to save Christmas and if you change your mind, myself and Dad... Well you’ll know where to find us. I just wish I could make you feel ten feet tall.
MR KRINGLE: Thank you Christopher.
Christopher and Duncan leave
Mr Kringle talks to himself
MR KRINGLE: It’s time you found a new Santa Claus. Someone younger, smarter and more suitable. Run along and find him. Go now. Time is running out.
EXT. STREET IN A ROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD - DECEMBER 23RD (EVENING)
A yellow Lamborghini drives into the street. The door opens. Melvyn, Doug and Norbert are inside.
MELVYN: Are you going to continue to feel sorry for yourself or are you going to get in this car and go find Rudolf
MR KRINGLE: That isn’t your car.
MELVYN: Nope. I hotwired it outside Mr Hardeckers mansion. He won’t miss it. Now get in.
MR KRINGLE: Trying to find Rudolf is a lost cause. He could be in Canada by now.
DOUG: Not according to the latest news report. Now get in.
MR KRINGLE: Do you know what it will do to my reputation if I’m caught in a stolen sports car?
DOUG: My heart bleeds. Now stop being a wuss.
Mr Kringle reluctantly climbs to his feet and sits into the passenger seat.
MR KRINGLE: I sure hope you haven’t been drinking Melvyn.
MELVYN: I haven’t touched a drop in twenty four hours. I want to be on the nice list for Christmas.
INT. INSIDE YELLOW LAMBORGHINI - NIGHT
The yellow Lamborghini speeds down the highway and is pursued by a police car. Mr Kringle groans
MELVYN: What are you groaning about. They can’t catch us, as long as Melvyn T Bastible is at the wheel. Scoatsville one hundred champion, 1971.
DOUG: Just where is Scoatsville?
MELVYN: Never you mind
Another police car joins the chase.
MR KRINGLE: Another one? Oh no.
MELVYN: It’s time to see what this baby can do.
Melvyn drives faster still.