Saving Santa/Transcript

(Scene shows a Christmas tree in the garage. Ginger places a star on the top of the tree. He wears shoes that allow him to bounce high into the air.)

Ginger: (bounces) Woo! We're only hours away from Christmas, people! Woo!

(The garage is decorated with festive decorations. Red and green garlands are hung in the air, the floor is replaced with a red-and-green carpet, and the couch is red.)

Hank: What do you all think Santa will bring you? I'm hoping to get some festive socks! They're like a secret holiday for your feet. (hands sock to Angela)

Angela: (holds sock) Ew! (hands sock to Tom) And I just want peace on Earth and goodwill toward all. Oh, and a cute top!

Ben: I can't tell you what Santa is bringing, but I can tell you where he is. (takes out invention) Behold, the Santa Tracker!

(The Santa Tracker resembles a radar. There is a Santa hat icon representing Santa's location.)

Ginger: Wow!

Angela: Wait, what?

Tom: I don't know. I'm pretty sure Santa doesn't want people keeping tabs on his whereabouts.

Hank: Yeah, Ben, I'd be careful. You don't want to mess with the mystery and joy of Christmas.

Ben: You're all being silly. Look, he's merrily moving past a mountain...

(Scene cuts to a mountain. Santa flies by.)

Santa: Ho ho ho!

Ben: ...prancing to the left of a cloud...

(Santa flies in the sky.)

Santa: Ho ho-

Ben: ...and, now... huh?

(Santa's sleigh suddenly stops midair. Santa's marker on Ben's radar tracker blips, then disappears. Santa falls from the sky.)

Ben: Oh, no! He's disappeared!

(Theme song plays)

Tom: What did you do, Ben?!

Ben: This isn't my fault! It's a good thing I was tracking him. That way, we can at least work out where he was when he-

Ginger: We can't lose Santa on Christmas Eve! Little kids like me haven't gotten their loot yet!

(The radar bleeps.)

Ben: Oh, no.

Tom: What now?

Ben: Santa disappeared right over... the CEO's headquarters!

(Angela and Hank gasp.)

Angela: The CEO?!

(The CEO appears on TV.)

CEO (on TV): Fellow lovers of holidays.

(Ben stands in the way of the TV. Tom pulls him aside.)

Ben: Huh?

CEO (on TV): I've decided to keep my stores open all day on Christmas this year! Just in case Santa doesn't show up tonight.

(The CEO shows to the screen a drawing of Santa sleeping. He pretends to snore.)

CEO (on TV): (laughs) I'm not saying he won't! How would I know that, right? But if he doesn't, you can buy your gifts from me, so see you tomorrow!

(The TV turns off.)

Angela: Oh, no.

Tom: He's gonna make a fortune selling presents!

Ginger: And worse, Christmas won't come this year! Or maybe ever!

Hank: People, we may not be misfit elves or plucky snowmen, but I say we get out there and we save Christmas!

(The friends cheer.)

(Scene cuts to the CEO's tower. The friends enter, with Ben and Hank carrying a wagon with a pile of presents. Inside the largest present is Ginger.)

Ginger: Are we there yet?

Tom: (whispers) Almost. We just have to get you under the tree, then you can sneak out and start looking around.

(Tom approaches the receptionist.)

Receptionist: Can I help you?

Tom: (clears throat) We are here to spread Christmas cheer. (offers present) Huh?

Receptionist: Oh! (laughs) Follow me, please.

Tom: (winks) Yes!

(Scene cuts to the CEO's office. The CEO stands by the "Christmas tree," which consists of metal bars and lights. A dollar sign sits at the top of the tree.)

Tom: (enters) Merry Christmas, CEO!

CEO: Tom? What are you doing here on Christmas Eve?

Tom: We're here to spread Christmas cheer! But, we also brought you... some presents!

CEO: I do not accept! We're mortal enemies.

Angela: That doesn't matter, CEO. Christmas is about giving.

CEO: Well, I do like when people are giving.

Tom: Right. (laughs nervously)

CEO: Wait, where's that other one of you? The little loud one.

Ben: Oh, you mean Ginger? He's at home, tucked in all snug in his bed. It is Christmas Eve, after all.

(A sneeze is heard from the gift box.)

CEO: Huh?

(The CEO opens the present box to find Ginger.)

Ginger: Merry Christmas, CEO!

CEO: (growls) Security! I have enemies in my office and they're not tied up. Fix this!

(A man and a woman appears. The woman holds a lasso.)

Hank: Run! (runs)

Ben: No! (runs)

(The friends run from the man and woman. Angela is captured with the lasso, and Tom is picked up by the man. The CEO heads to the door.)

Tom: Get... off... me!

(The CEO leaves and closes the door.)

(Scene cuts. The friends are bound with ropes. Ginger gets up.)

Ginger: Thanks a lot, Ben! Because of your stupid Santa Tracker, I'm going to spend Christmas Eve here! I should be caroling or making a snowman.

Hank: Well, there are worse ways to spend Christmas Eve. You know, like... never mind. This is pretty bad.

(Darren knocks then enters.)

Darren: Uncle CEO! Oh, what's this? Uncle has been forced to tie up office intruders?

Tom: Shut up, Darren! Also, please untie us.

Darren: Untie you? Why would I do that? (giggles)

Ginger: Don't waste your breath talking to him, Tom. Darren doesn't care about Christmas.

Darren: (gasps) Hey, take that back! Of course I care about the most wonderful time of the year!

Ginger: Why did you and your uncle kidnap Santa Claus, huh?

Darren: (gasps) Kidnap Santa?! But I... I didn't, but my uncle couldn't! What are you talking about?! (sobs) Stop lying!

Tom: You really don't know? Huh, he really doesn't know.

Darren: I know my uncle would never do such a thing.

Tom: Hey, Ben, show him the Santa Tracker.

(Ben slides the Santa Tracker to Darren using his foot. Darren picks it up.)

Ben: I created this device to track Santa's precise location.

Darren: Ew, why would you want to do that?

Ben: Because... never mind! As you can see, he's here.

Darren: Hmm... Uncle's been upset at Santa for a while, but I never thought it would come to this!

Tom: So, what's it going to be, Darren? Will you let Christmas get ruined, or will you help us?

Darren: Oh, well... (picks up scissors)

(The friends scream. Darren walks over.)

Angela: Wha- wha?

(Scene cuts. Ginger has been freed by Darren and jumps into the air.)

Ginger: Wow, I thought you'd take the other choice!

Darren: I'm not doing this for you! I asked for some big-ticket presents this year, and if I want Santa to bring them, I've got a lot of naughty to make up for.