Plays for Young Audiences

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Prancer
By
Greg Taylor

Prancer was first presented by The Rose Theater in 2016.

The license issued in connection with PYA perusal scripts is a limited license, and is issued for the sole purpose of
reviewing the script for a potential future performance. All other rights regarding perusal scripts are expressly
reserved by Plays for Young Audiences, including, but not limited to, the rights to distribute, perform, copy or alter
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 CHARACTERS

JESSICA RIGGS - 9, high-spirited, energy to burn, a true believer

JOHN RIGGS - late 30’s, Jessica’s father

STEVE RIGGS - 12, Jessica’s brother

AUNT SARAH - early 40’s, John’s sister, Jessica’s aunt

CAROL WEATHERBY - 10, Jessica’s best friend

DR. BENTON - 50’s, the town’s veterinarian

TOM STEWART - 40’s, the Santa at the mall

MRS. MCFARLAND - 50’s, a recluse, the richest woman in town

PASTOR WILLIAMS - 40’s, minister of Jessica’s church

DORA BENEDETTI - 30’s, a Three Oaks policewoman

HERB DRIER - 40’s, a butcher, owner of the town’s Christmas tree lot

MISS FAIRBURN - 50’s, a teacher at Jessica’s school

RYAN NICOLSON - one of Jessica’s classmates

GAVIN - one of Jessica’s classmates

NITA - one of Jessica’s classmates

STACY - one of Jessica’s classmates

RILEY - one of Jessica’s classmates

EMMA - one of Jessica’s classmates

TOMMY - one of Jessica’s classmates

CREW WORKER - 30’s

 2.

HAROLD - 8 years old

SAMMY - 6 years old

NOTE: Prancer can be staged with minimal set pieces. A table, some chairs and a
counter for the kitchen scenes, for example. A few appropriate set pieces for the shed
scenes. Several stacks of boxes in Mrs. McFarland’s dark, spooky attic. If desired, it
does not have to snow at any point during the play. In addition, Prancer does not have
to literally fly across the theater at the end of the play. Jessica’s and John’s dialogue
and their expressions of surprise and wonder, along with suggestive lighting effects,
can convey the magic of what they are seeing.

Regarding Prancer, this is where a uniquely theatrical kind of magic should apply. In
the original production, imaginative puppetry - inspired in part by War Horse - was
used. Three visible puppeteers manipulated the reindeer, but the eye was always
directed to Prancer. Although I leave the portrayal of Prancer up to each individual
theater, the guiding principle should be that the reindeer - however constructed -
become an animal that Jessica, and the audience, can relate to and embrace as a
living, breathing character.
 3.

PRANCER

SCENE 1 - FOREST - NIGHT

The stage is dark. Sounds of a winter night in the forest gradually become audible.
WIND whispers through the branches of the trees. An owl HOOTS. A twig SNAPS as
an unseen animal runs through the woods. The wind suddenly picks up, blowing hard.
Then, as the wind settles back to a whisper...

There is movement at the back of the stage. An animal, in silhouette. SCURRYING

SOUNDS erupt in the dark forest as animals react to the unexpected appearance of
this creature. At first, the way the light hits the animal, only its body is visible. Then,
the creature’s crown of antlers is revealed. When the animal walks from the darkness
at the back of the stage, a soft beam of moonlight reveals it to be a reindeer. By now all
forest sounds have stopped. Even the wind.

The deer stops at the edge of the stage and regards the audience. Looking this way
and that, it is as though the animal is trying to communicate something. After a
moment of silent communion with the audience...

The WIND and the SOUNDS OF THE FOREST return. They gradually diminish as
the stage FADES TO BLACK.

MUSIC: “Little Drummer Boy”, sung by a grade school choir.

LIGHTS UP to reveal...

SCENE 2 - GRADE SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY

MISS FAIRBURN, the music teacher, is at the front of the classroom, playing piano as
her pupils sing “Little Drummer Boy”. She frowns and holds up a hand to stop the
singing.

MISS FAIRBURN
(indicating one half of the classroom)
Just this half.

Half of the students sing a few verses, then Miss Fairburn stops the singing once
again. She gets up and walks between two rows of seats toward the back of the room.
 4.

MISS FAIRBURN (CONT’D)

You three. Sing.

Miss Fairburn frowns as the three students sing. One of the students is very loud and
off key.

MISS FAIRBURN (CONT’D)

That’s enough.

The three students stop singing. Miss Fairburn leans down close to nine year old
JESSICA RIGGS.

MISS FAIRBURN (CONT’D)

Jessica, I think you should...

RILEY
Shut up.

MISS FAIRBURN
That’s enough from you, Riley.

EMMA
Sounds like a cat dying.

MISS FAIRBURN
Another crack from any of you and you’re looking at detention.

That silences the students.

MISS FAIRBURN (CONT’D)

Just sing a little softer, Jessica.

The bell rings, announcing the end of the school day.

MISS FAIRBURN (CONT’D)

Listen up everyone. You need to have your angel costumes ready in
two days. If you haven’t started them yet, now’s the time.

The students start filing out of the classroom. One of them, TOMMY, goes to a
calendar which has been drawn on the blackboard.

GAVIN
(yelling)
Can I cross off the Christmas calendar, Miss Fairburn?
 5.

MISS FAIRBURN
Yes, you may, Gavin. And don’t shout.

Gavin crosses off “December 19” with an exaggerated flourish.

GAVIN
(shouting)
Only six more days until Christmas!

Two stylishly dressed girls, NITA and STACY, walk past Jessica, who is still sitting at
her desk.

NITA
(loud enough for Jessica to hear)
I liked Jessica’s singing, didn’t you, Stacy?

STACY
Absolutely. It’s very... original.

Jessica gives the two girls a look as they walk off giggling. RYAN NICOLSON and
Gavin now brush past Jessica’s desk, one on either side. Gavin mimics Jessica’s loud,
off-key singing.

GAVIN
Pah-rum-pum-pum-PUM!

JESSICA
Stuff it, Gavin.

Gavin grins at Jessica and makes a face. CAROL WEATHERBY comes up to Jessica.

CAROL
They’re idiots, Jess. Forget ‘em.

Jessica glares at Ryan and Gavin as they exit the classroom, then opens her desk top
and starts pulling out some of the contents. The only student left in the classroom at
this point, besides Jessica and Carol, is TOMMY, who cleans the erasures.

CAROL (CONT’D)
Better hurry with that or we’ll miss the bus.

JESSICA
It’s too nice outside to ride in a smelly old school bus. I’m walking
home. Come with?
 6.

Carol thinks about that, then shrugs her okay. She sits at the desk next to Jessica.
Jessica continues to drag a comical assortment of stuff out of her desk top. This
includes a large amount of gold and white cloth material. (For her angel outfit). Some
of the stuff she muscles into her backpack, some of it she shoves back inside the desk.

CAROL
Uh... don’t you think it’s time to clean out your desk?

JESSICA
Why? I never know when I might need some of this stuff.

Done packing her backpack, Jessica gets up from her desk. Bulging to the breaking
point, her pack hangs heavy.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
See ya, Miss Fairburn.

MISS FAIRBURN
Jessica, I need to speak with you for a moment. Your language arts
worksheet is two weeks late.

JESSICA
Two weeks? Really? I thought it was only --

MISS FAIRBURN
Do you have someone at home to help you with these assignments?

JESSICA
Yeah. No, I mean... I can do it.

MISS FAIRBURN
You do know, Jessica, that students with missing assignments
cannot participate in the holiday concert.

JESSICA
I’ll finish it in time, Miss Fairburn. I promise.

MISS FAIRBURN
You’d better get started on your angel outfit tonight, as well. Hear?

JESSICA
Yes, ma’am.
 7.

MISS FAIRBURN
OK, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Jessica and Carol head for the door.

JESSICA
(sotto voce, to Carol)
Let’s get out of here before she tells me something else I need to do!

SCENE 3 - THREE OAKS MAIN STREET - DAY

Three Oaks’ main street is classic small town, but with its own distinctive flavor. There
are the usual small town shops - a drug store, a barbershop, an antique store - but
also a butcher shop and an empty lot next door that takes advantage of the year’s
holidays. Currently it is a Christmas tree lot. HERB DRIER, wearing a bloody apron
under his open winter jacket, adjusts a sign near the front of the lot, then goes into the
butcher shop.

At STAGE LEFT a small crew of workers are stringing up a Santa and his reindeer
display between the antique store and barbershop.

Jessica and Carol appear from STAGE RIGHT. DORA BENEDETTI, a policewoman,
walks toward Jessica and Carol.

JESSICA
Hi, Dora.

OFFICER BENEDETTI
(good-naturedly)
That’s Officer Benedetti to you, Jessica. Hi, Carol.

As Officer Benedetti moves on, Tommy comes running up to Jessica.

TOMMY
Jessica, I heard you might not be in the concert because you didn’t
do your homework. I can help you if you want.

JESSICA
I’ll be fine, Tommy. Thanks, anyway.

Gavin and Ryan run up behind Jessica, Carol and Tommy. They’re followed by Riley
and Emma.
 8.

GAVIN
C’mon, Tommy! We gotta go.

RILEY
I’m going home to get my sled.

The group disperses. Tommy gives Jessica a wave, then follows his classmates.

JESSICA
Speaking of sleds... check it out, Carol.

Jessica goes to the all-purpose drug store. A gleaming Mountain Boy Ultimate Flyer
snow sled is displayed in the front window.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
An Ultimate Flyer. What a beauty. I’d love to have that.

CAROL
So put it on your Christmas list.

JESSICA
I have to be very selective with my list this year. That’s what my
dad says, anyway.

CAROL
Why would he say that?

JESSICA
I don’t know. It’s like he knows something about Santa I don’t.
Hey, we’re goin’ sledding after school tomorrow, right?

CAROL
If it snows.

JESSICA
Oh, it’s gonna snow. At least six inches. Hi, Dr. Benton.

DOCTOR BENTON, the town’s veterinarian, walks briskly past. He gives Jessica a
curt nod.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Carol! Look!
 9.

An older woman with an unruly mane of grey hair, grasping a small pet carrier in both
hands and dressed in drab clothing, stalks down the sidewalk. She turns into the
Christmas tree lot and disappears among the trees.

CAROL
That was Mrs. McFarland, wasn’t it?

JESSICA
Yeah. She never comes to town. What a sighting!

CAROL
She gives me the creeps.

JESSICA
She gives everyone the creeps. Hey, I just got a great idea.

CAROL
What?

JESSICA
We’re going sledding tomorrow at Mrs. McFarland’s.

CAROL
What? No way! Why would you want to go there?

JESSICA
Her back yard has the best sledding hill in town.

CAROL
That woman’s crazy. For real. Besides, didn’t your dad tell you to
stay away from her place after you...

JESSICA
That’s what’s gonna make it all the more fun. I’m not supposed to
go there, and Mrs. McFarland is crazy. ‘Course if she catches us
she’ll kidnap us and make us prisoners in her attic.

CAROL
Stop it, Jess.

JESSICA
You know what Mrs. McFarland really for real does, though?

CAROL
What?
 10.

JESSICA
Keeps all her dead cats in her attic.

CAROL
Okay. I’ve heard enough.

JESSICA
I’m serious. She has ‘em all stuffed, in all different kinds of
positions, and she puts ‘em in her attic.

CAROL
Stop talking.

Just then, there is a commotion down at the end of the block. One of Santa’s reindeer
has broken away from the display and falls to the ground with a thud! Jessica and
Carol run to the scene of the accident.

Herb Drier appears from his butcher shop.

HERB DRIER
Look at this! I’ve been telling the council for years we need a new
Santa display.

Jessica walks toward the fallen reindeer.

HERB DRIER (CONT’D)

Stay away from there, Jessica. It’s lucky no one was hurt already.

JESSICA
They’re going to fix him, aren’t they?

HERB DRIER
Of course they’ll fix him. We can’t have Santa missing one of his
reindeer, now can we? I’m going in and calling the Mayor right
now.

Drier heads back into his store. Jessica watches as a crew worker picks up the fallen
reindeer.

CAROL
I gotta get home, Jessica. I’m already gonna catch it for being late.

JESSICA
Okay, Carol. See ya tomorrow.
 11.

Carol heads off as the crew worker props the damaged reindeer up against the wall of
the antique store.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Poor deer.
(to the crew worker)
You’re gonna fix him, aren’t you?

CREW WORKER
Yeah, we’re going to fix him, already!

The harried crew worker walks away from Jessica.

JESSICA
Thank you.

The crew worker stops and looks over his shoulder at Jessica.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Happy holidays!

CREW WORKER
(gruff, but with a smile)
Happy holidays to you, too.

Jessica waves and heads offstage.

SCENE 4 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

AUNT SARAH works in a hot kitchen, preparing dinner. STEVE sits at the kitchen
table, books spread out in front of him. Jessica enters from outside in furious fashion,
throwing open the kitchen door and flinging it shut behind her.

JESSICA
Hi, Aunt Sarah.

AUNT SARAH
Please, Jessica, don’t slam the door.

JESSICA
Sorry.
 12.

AUNT SARAH
Boots, young lady. Where have you been? You should have been
home a half hour ago.

JESSICA
Decided to walk home from school. You’ll never guess what
happened in town. One of Santa’s reindeer fell from the display!

AUNT SARAH
Your father was looking for you.

JESSICA
I know, I have chores to do. I’ll get rid of my stuff and go do ‘em.

AUNT SARAH
Too late for that. Go do some of your homework instead.

JESSICA
Okay. Hey, Steve. Can I borrow your sled tomorrow?

STEVE
No.

JESSICA
What? Why not?

STEVE
You’ll bust it up like you did yours.

JESSICA
No, I won’t. C’mon.

STEVE
No.

Jessica shakes Steve’s chair.

JESSICA
C’mon!

STEVE
Stop it, Jessica. No means no.

JESSICA
If that’s the way you’re playing it? I’m writing you up for no
Christmas presents this year.
 13.

STEVE
The kind of presents I’ve gotten from you? This is a good thing.

Jessica messes up some of Steve’s neatly stacked homework papers, then pounds up
the stairs and enters her bedroom. The room is a mess, to put it kindly. Jessica
shrugs her backpack onto her bed, goes to a cluttered desk and slips a record onto an
old turntable. (A lot of the things in the Riggs household are old) The Christmas song
that starts to play is “Jingle Bells”, by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.

Jessica starts pulling out the contents of her backpack, which includes her school
books and a Highlights magazine. After considering her school books, Jessica tosses
them aside and opens the Highlights magazine instead. She rips out the centerfold,
which features a large, colorful image of Santa and his eight reindeer. Jessica carefully
extracts Santa and his reindeer from the page.

As this is going on...

DOWN IN THE KITCHEN

STEVE
Not that song again.
(yelling up to Jessica)
Why don’t you play some new Christmas music!
(off Aunt Sarah’s look)
She never plays any new Christmas music. Or at least newer old
Christmas music.
(yelling up to Jessica)
Turn it down!

AUNT SARAH
You know why your sister plays that album so much, don’t you
Steve?

STEVE
Yeah, I know why. ‘Cause she’s a strange little girl. How many
nine-year-olds play music like that?

AUNT SARAH
That record was your mother’s absolute favorite Christmas album.

STEVE
(chastened)
Oh. I didn’t... know that.
 14.

AUNT SARAH
Those Christmas Eve parties your mom had every year? She’d play
Bing over and over until your dad finally put something else on.

Aunt Sarah smiles at the memory.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

It’s a great song, actually.

Aunt Sarah starts humming along with “Jingle Bells” as she goes back to preparing
dinner. Steve returns to his homework.

UP IN JESSICA’S BEDROOM

With the lively, swingin’ “Jingle Bells” continuing as a soundtrack, Jessica tapes the
Santa and his reindeer image across her window. By now, “Jingle Bells” has reached
its final chorus. Jessica sings along with Bing and the Andrews Sisters. Loudly.

When the song hits its final, exuberant note, Jessica holds out her hands and beams at
the paper display of Santa and his reindeer.

JESSICA
I just love Christmas!

SCENE 5 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN

JOHN RIGGS is at the kitchen table, along with Aunt Sarah and Steve.

JOHN
Jessica! Dinner!

Beat, then Jessica runs into the kitchen and plops down in her chair. As she dishes
food onto her plate...

JESSICA
Hey, want to hear something funny that happened at school today?

JOHN
What I want you to do is eat. You get talking and we’ll all be done
before you even start.
 15.

JESSICA
This won’t take long. Some of the kids in class told Miss Fairburn
they weren’t going to wear their angel outfits for our Christmas
pageant.

AUNT SARAH
Why not?

JESSICA
They said it was too embarrassing.

STEVE
I don’t blame them.

JESSICA
You know what Miss Fairburn said?
(imitating Miss Fairburn)
But boys and girls, it’s the only time of year I get to see all of my
students as little angels. So you will be wearing those wings!

Jessica laughs. When she doesn’t get much of a reaction from her dad, her smile
fades.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Can you help me with my angel outfit tonight, dad?

JOHN
Tonight? No.

JESSICA
Why not?

JOHN
I’m busy, that’s why not.

AUNT SARAH
I’ll help you, Jessica.

JESSICA
I want dad to help me.

JOHN
I don’t know a thing about making angel outfits.
 16.

JESSICA
So, we’ll figure it out together. It’ll be more fun that way. Who
knows how it’ll turn out?

AUNT SARAH
When do you need this outfit, Jessica?

JESSICA
By Friday. You’re coming to the school Christmas pageant, aren’t
you, dad?

JOHN
Friday? No, I can’t.

JESSICA
Why not? Everyone else’s parents are coming.

JOHN
I’ll be in Eagle Run.

JESSICA
You didn’t make it to the Thanksgiving pageant, either.

JOHN
Maybe that’s because I was working to keep a roof over our heads.

At this point, John is clearly getting annoyed with Jessica.

JESSICA
But you never come to any of my school stuff. What’s so important
in Eagle Run?

JOHN
(sternly)
Enough with the questions, Jessica. Now eat, will you?

Jessica sits tensely in her chair. Then she bolts from the kitchen.

JOHN (CONT’D)
Get back here!

Beat, then John throws up his hands in surrender.

 17.

AUNT SARAH
I’ll go talk to her, John.

JOHN
(getting up from the table)
Leave her be. She can just sulk in her room.

AUNT SARAH
Where are you going?

JOHN
Have some more work to do out in the barn. I could use your help,
Steve.

STEVE
Sure.

When John exits the kitchen, Sarah follows him and stops him at the bottom of the
stairs. (Steve, meanwhile, polishes off his dinner, takes his coat from the peg by the
door and heads outside)

JOHN
What? You gonna start in on me now?

AUNT SARAH
Maybe I am.

JOHN
So let’s hear it.

AUNT SARAH
You could have been a bit more delicate with Jessica just now.

JOHN
Want me to apologize to for losing my temper? Let me tell you
something, Sarah. That girl’s been out of control lately.

AUNT SARAH
How do you mean?

JOHN
Her principal called me in the other day. Her latest report card was a
disaster. She’s constantly tardy for school. Most of the time I don’t
even know where she is. She’s off doing... who knows what.
(MORE)
 18.

JOHN (CONT'D)
Just like today. She decides to walk home instead of taking the bus.
She does whatever she feels like.

AUNT SARAH
Do you want me to talk to her?

JOHN
Good luck with that. The girl’s acting up, is what it is.

AUNT SARAH
She just wants to spend more time with you. That’s what that was
all about at the table just now.

JOHN
I don’t have the time, Sarah. I need every minute of every day just
to try to keep things together here.

AUNT SARAH
I think you can spare a few minutes to spend with your children.
And try to be a bit more patient with Jessica. After what she’s been
through, her behavior is understandable.

JOHN
Steve’s been through it, too. I don’t see him flying off the handle.

AUNT SARAH
Steve is grieving in his own way. He just doesn’t want anyone to
see it.

JOHN
Truth is, Sarah, I’m hanging by my fingernails here. This Eagle
Run trip? I’m going to see about a bank loan.

AUNT SARAH
I’m sorry, John. I didn’t know things were that bad.

JOHN
Well, they are. Which means...
(hesitantly)
I don’t know. Maybe it’s time to do what we talked about.

AUNT SARAH
With Jessica?
 19.

JOHN
I don’t want to. No father would want to.

AUNT SARAH
Have you talked to her about it?

JOHN
No. I keep putting it off. Hoping...

AUNT SARAH
Well, I’m here when you need me. You know that.

JOHN
I do.

John exits. Aunt Sarah goes back to the kitchen. A moment, then Jessica appears from
the top of the stairs. She stops halfway down and looks in the direction that her father
went. Then toward the kitchen, where her Aunt Sarah went. Jessica’s frown indicates
that she heard at least some of the discussion between her father and Aunt Sarah.
Perplexed and concerned, she turns and goes back upstairs.

SCENE 6 - FOREST - DAY

Two young boys, SAMMY and HAROLD, appear. They both have sleds.

SAMMY
Wow!

HAROLD
Look at all this snow!

Sammy and Harold run off. A moment, then Carol and Jessica appear. Jessica lags
behind her friend.

CAROL
Hey, this looks like a pretty good hill right here, Jess.

Jessica drags her sled slowly behind her.

CAROL (CONT’D)
Okay, don’t pout. We’ll go to McFarland’s if you want.

Jessica stops and sits heavily on the sled.

 20.

CAROL (CONT’D)
What’s wrong? I said I’d go to McFarland’s.

JESSICA
My Aunt Sarah’s been coming out to the house a lot lately.

CAROL
That’s why you’re so mopey? I thought you liked your Aunt Sarah.

JESSICA
I was coming down from my room last night and heard them
whispering about something.

CAROL
What were they whispering about?

JESSICA
My aunt asked my dad if he talked to me yet. I don’t know what
that means, but I didn’t like the sound of it.

CAROL
It could mean anything. Maybe he just wants to talk to you about
Christmas vacation.

JESSICA
I doubt that.

CAROL
Well, there’s no use getting all depressed about it. C’mon. If we
don’t go to McFarland’s right now, I’m gonna lose my nerve.

RYAN
(offstage)
Hey! Riggs!

Ryan Nicolson enters with Gavin, Riley, Emma and Tommy. They all have sleds.

RYAN (CONT’D)
You two goin’ to Willow Run?

CAROL
What’s it to you?
 21.

RYAN
Easy, Weatherby. We come in peace.

Jessica grabs the rope attached to her sled and stands.

JESSICA
Willow Run’s for kids. We’re goin’ to McFarland’s.

RYAN
McFarland’s! You’re crazy.

JESSICA
I’ve been called worse. By you, actually.

Jessica and Ryan have a staring contest. Ryan breaks the moment with a grudging
smile.

RYAN
You’ve got guts. I’ll hand you that.

RILEY
Seriously. That woman is terrifying.

EMMA
She called the cops on my brother just for trick or treating at her
house on Halloween.

JESSICA
Don’t worry about us. We can handle her.

RYAN
Yeah, but if I don’t see you two in school tomorrow, I’ll know
where you are.

JESSICA & RYAN

(in unison)
McFarland’s attic.

A grin from Ryan.

JESSICA
Have fun with the little ones.

GAVIN
Hey! Willow Run ain’t just for kids.
 22.

CAROL
It ain’t McFarland’s either.

This time it’s Carol and Gavin who have the staring contest.

RYAN
Let’s go, all.
(to Jessica)
Good luck.

Ryan, Gavin, Riley, Emma EXIT toward the back of the stage. Tommy finishes up tying
a shoelace on one of his boots.

TOMMY
Have fun, you two!

The perpetually happy Tommy runs to catch up with the group.

CAROL
You know, now that I think of it, Willow Run sounds pretty good to
me.
(off Jessica’s glare)
I’m kidding! Let’s go.

Jessica and Carol exit.

The lighting begins to change, indicating that time is passing. Late afternoon
gradually becomes early evening. OFFSTAGE, we hear Jessica and Carol laughing.
They burst into view, running hard.

JESSICA
(collapsing to the ground)
Oh, that was the best. THE BEST!

CAROL
You could have told me your sled was broken, Jess.

JESSICA
Just the steering.

CAROL
Just? We almost ran right into Mrs. McFarland because of just!

JESSICA
She got out of the way.
 23.

CAROL
Yeah, by falling flat on her face in the snow.

That sets the two off on another round of laughter.

CAROL (CONT’D)
I was so scared when she came running out of her house. Waving
that shovel at us?

JESSICA
Shoulda been a broom. She looked just like a witch, didn’t she?

CAROL
Think she knew who we were?

JESSICA
Naaa. We were going too fast.

Jessica heaves a deeply satisfied sigh, lays flat on the ground and looks up at the sky.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Only one more day of school before Christmas break. How great is
that?

CAROL
Pretty great. C’mon, we better get on home.

JESSICA
You go. I’ll see you tomorrow.

CAROL
You’re not comin’?

JESSICA
I’m just gonna linger out here for a while.

CAROL
Linger? What for?

JESSICA
It’s so pretty out.

Carol kicks some snow into Jessica’s face. Jessica holds out a hand to Carol. The two
friends do their special handshake.
 24.

CAROL
See you tomorrow.

JESSICA
Bye, Carol.

Jessica stays where she is, laying flat on the ground, hands behind her head as she
stares up at the sky. She does a snow angel. Stands to admire her handiwork.

Suddenly, the wind blows hard. Jessica shields her face from the blast, then lowers her
arm when the wind stops. A slightly menacing atmosphere has descended on the
forest. It seems as though the woods got darker in a heartbeat. It’s dead calm. Not a
creature stirring.

Spooked by the sudden change, Jessica grabs the rope tied to her sled and starts off.
Just as she’s about to exit, a loud crashing noise echoes through the forest from the
other side of the stage. Jessica whirls and is astonished to see the reindeer from the
opening scene appear from the forest!

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Wow! Look at you.

The reindeer stands perfectly still, observing Jessica. Jessica takes a few cautious
steps toward it.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I’ve never seen a deer like you around here. Are you lost?

As Jessica continues to approach, the deer backs away.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Don’t be afraid. I love animals. I have a cow, and a horse, and
chickens...

The reindeer retreats further when Jessica gets too close.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
You’re hurt!

The reindeer revealed a limp in its step when it moved the second time. It now holds
one leg up, preventing it from touching the ground.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
What happened to you?
 25.

The deer silently regards Jessica.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
You need to come with me. My dad can fix you up. He’s tended to
our old horse Ralph more than once. And Bessie, too.

But the reindeer bolts when Jessica gets too close.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Wait!

The deer disappears into the encroaching darkness. Jessica takes a couple a quick
steps after the reindeer, then stops. She runs to her sled, grabs the rope and charges
offstage in the opposite direction that the reindeer went.

SCENE 7 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Someone is ringing the kitchen doorbell. John enters the kitchen from the hallway. He
opens the door to reveal Mrs. McFarland.

JOHN
Mrs. McFarland.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Is your daughter here, Mr. Riggs?

JOHN
No. She’s...

MRS. MCFARLAND
Do you know where she is?

JOHN
Ah...

MRS. MCFARLAND
I didn’t think so. Please let me inform you. Not more than one half
hour ago your daughter rode her sled through my flower garden.
Ruined the entire middle section.

JOHN
Would you like to come in, Mrs. McFarland?
 26.

MRS. MCFARLAND
No. This won’t take long.

SLAM!

John and Mrs. McFarland both react to the OFFSTAGE sound of a door being
slammed shut.

JESSICA
(off stage)
Dad! I just saw a wounded deer in the woods!

Jessica charges into the kitchen and skids to a stop when she sees Mrs. McFarland.

MRS. MCFARLAND
A-ha. Same color parka. Same scarf. It was you, all right. You
have a lot to answer for, little girl.

JESSICA
Why? What did I do?

JOHN
Did you go sledding at Mrs. McFarland’s about a half hour ago,
Jessica? Don’t lie to me.

A pause.

JESSICA
Yes, sir. I did.

MRS. MCFARLAND
There’s your confession. I will be reporting you to the police as
soon as I get home, little girl.

JOHN
Now, I don’t think that’s necessary. Please, come in, Mrs.
McFarland. You’ll be more comfortable...

MRS. MCFARLAND
She trespassed on my property. Ruined part of my flower garden.
She even tried to run me over.
 27.

JESSICA
No, I didn’t. I would never do anything like that. The steering on
my sled is broken.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Nevertheless.

JOHN
I will pay for the damage to your flower garden. I promise Jessica
will never step foot on your property again. And believe me, she
will be punished for what she did.

There is a very uncomfortable silence as Mrs. McFarland considers what to do.

MRS. MCFARLAND
I will forgo calling the police. This time.

JOHN
Thank you. Jessica, I think you have something to say to Mrs.
McFarland.

JESSICA
I’m sorry. It’s just that you have the best sledding hill in town.

John indicates to Jessica that she should just stop talking. Mrs. McFarland frowns
suddenly and rubs her forehead.

JOHN
Are you all right, Mrs. McFarland?

MRS. MCFARLAND
Yes, it’s just...
(shaking it off)
I’ll leave you alone to deal with your daughter, Mr. Riggs. I trust
you will use your best judgement with the punishment. I hope it’s
severe.

With that, Mrs. McFarland exits.

JESSICA
Daddy...
 28.

JOHN
I don’t want to hear another word from you right now. Go to your
room. You’re grounded for the rest of the night. But don’t think
that’s the end of your punishment.

Jessica seems to be preoccupied with something else.

JOHN (CONT’D)
Did you hear what I said?

JESSICA
I just thought of something. That wounded deer I told you about?
He had a white diamond patch on his forehead!

Jessica bolts from the kitchen and hustles up the stairs. John is completely flummoxed
by his daughter’s behavior.

UP IN JESSICA’S BEDROOM

Jessica runs to her window and stares intently at the Santa and his reindeer cut-out
taped across the window.

JESSICA
There is one with a diamond patch.
(tapping the cut-out as she does the
reindeer litany)
Dasher, Dancer, Vixen... No, wait. On Dasher, on Dancer, on
Prancer, on Vixen... on Comet, on Cupid, on Donder, on Blitzen.

As though summoned by Jessica’s recital of the famous Christmas Eight, the light
outside suddenly changes, going from very dark to a brightness that only comes along
once a month. Attracted by the change, Jessica yanks up the window and looks up at
the sky. What she sees up there causes a sudden realization.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
That wasn’t just any old deer. No way!

SCENE 8 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER

John sits in the kitchen, going through a folder. Papers are spread out on the table in
front of him. Jessica appears in the doorway, carrying her dinner dishes.
 29.

JOHN
What are you doing out of your room?

Jessica walks across the kitchen and puts her dishes in the sink.

JESSICA
Daddy, we have to go look for that deer tomorrow.

When her father doesn’t answer...

JESSICA (CONT’D)
We can’t just let him die out there.

JOHN
Animals die out in the forest every day.

JESSICA
But this is a very special deer.

JOHN
You know what, Jessica? I’m disappointed in you. What you did
this afternoon at McFarland’s is going to cost me money. Money I
need for much more important things. Does that bother you at all?

JESSICA
Of course it does. I said I was sorry.

JOHN
To Mrs. McFarland you said that.

JESSICA
Daddy, I’m sorry. I really am. But what I’m talking about here is a
lot more important than money.

JOHN
Something only a child could say.

JESSICA
Listen to this. It all fits together. That deer falls from the Santa
display in town. It was the third deer in line. That’s Prancer. Then
I meet a deer with a diamond patch in the woods tonight. Prancer
has a diamond patch. Finally... and this is the most important part.

Jessica goes to the calendar hanging on a bulletin board.

 30.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
See? It’s right here on the calendar. There’s gonna be a full moon
this Christmas Eve. Do you know what that means?

When her father doesn’t answer...

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Well, I’ll tell you. Whenever there’s a full moon on Christmas Eve...
something magical happens.

JOHN
You just made that up.

JESSICA
No, I didn’t. Mom told me.

That gets John’s attention.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Don’t you see? The magical thing is Prancer!

JOHN
You’re wearing me out here, Jessica. Please. Go to your room.

John resumes going through his folder. Deflated by her father’s dismissal, Jessica
slumps onto a chair.

JOHN (CONT’D)
Jessica...

JESSICA
I won’t talk about that deer any more. You wouldn’t understand,
anyway. But can I ask you a question?

JOHN
One question, then up to your room.

JESSICA
I heard you and Aunt Sarah in the hallway last night. She asked if
you’d talked to me yet. What’s that mean? What are you supposed
to talk to me about?

JOHN
That’s for another time.
 31.

JESSICA
Why? It sounded pretty important.

John puts aside his papers and folder.

JOHN
I wasn’t going to discuss this with you until after Christmas. But
you brought it up...
(collecting his thoughts)
I know how hard it’s been on you since your mom died. It’s been
hard on all of us. But the thing is... a little girl, especially, shouldn’t
have to grow up without a mom to look after her. So... your aunt
and I have been talking about maybe you going to live with her.

JESSICA
Are you joking?

JOHN
No.

JESSICA
I’m not gonna do that.

JOHN
I know you don’t want to, but...

JESSICA
I know we argue sometimes, daddy...

JOHN
That has nothing to do with it.

JESSICA
I’ll get better. I promise. I won’t go off doing dumb things like
sledding at Mrs. McFarland’s...

JOHN
Listen to me. This has nothing to do with us arguing and everything
to do with what I think is best for you.

JESSICA
You’re what’s best for me.
 32.

JOHN
No, I’m not. I can’t look after you the way your Aunt Sarah can.
Can’t buy you the things you want. Can’t get you a good college
education. Your aunt’ll be able to do all those things.

JESSICA
Are we poor, dad? Is that why you have to get rid of me?

JOHN
I’m not getting rid of you, Jessica.

JESSICA
Send Steve, if someone has to go.

JOHN
Steve’s older than you. I need his help.

JESSICA
I can do anything Steve can. And when he gets too old, I can take
his place.

JOHN
I’ll be seeing you every weekend.

JESSICA
No you won’t. Aunt Sarah lives clear in another state!

JOHN
It’s only thirty miles away.

JESSICA
That’s like a million miles. Ten trillion miles!

JOHN
Calm down, Jessica. Families help each other out when things get
tough, and things are really tough for me right now.

JESSICA
I’m not goin’. I’ll run away if Aunt Sarah comes for me.

JOHN
That’s enough.

JESSICA
I will. She comes for me and you’ll never find me!
 33.

Jessica runs out of the kitchen. John is about to go after her, but stays where he is.

LIGHTS DOWN.

Then...

WIND BLOWS. Also, a BANGING SOUND. Both sounds are muted at first, but
gradually get louder.

SCENE 9 - SHED - NIGHT

It’s the middle of the night. The mystery of the banging sound is quickly solved. The
door of an old shed on the Riggs’ property is open and whipping back and forth in the
wind and slamming up against the side of the shed.

A flashlight beam pierces through the darkness. Jessica appears a moment later. She
has properly dressed for her excursion into the cold night. Winter jacket, gloves, jeans,
boots. When she gets to the shed, she grabs the door to prevent another loud bang
and peers cautiously inside the shed.

JESSICA
Anyone in there?

When there is no answer, Jessica steps into the shed and closes the door behind her.
Her flashlight reveals a musty, cobwebby place, full of discarded farm equipment. An
old-fashioned sleigh is tucked away in one corner, boxes piled high on its seat.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Hello? Anyone here?

As if in reply, a stack of old wooden barrels suddenly CRASHES to the floor. Jessica
YELPS in surprise and shines her flashlight in the direction of the commotion.

There, in the beam of the flashlight, is the reindeer from the woods!

JESSICA (CONT’D)
It’s you.

Surprise, wonder and delight all register in Jessica’s expression.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
You followed me home.

The reindeer hobbles from the corner of the shed, then collapses onto the floor.
 34.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
No!

Jessica rushes to the deer, then stops when her approach causes the injured animal to
try to get back up.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
It’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you.

The deer settles a bit.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I just want to check out your leg, okay?

Jessica cautiously approaches the deer. Once again the deer struggles to get up, but
gives up, instead issuing a plaintive cry.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Awww, you poor thing.

Jessica takes off her scarf and sits next to the deer, which makes no attempt to get
away. But when Jessica tries to wrap her scarf around his injured leg, the animal
jerks back.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
I’m just gonna wrap this around your leg. It’ll make you feel better.

The exhausted deer exhales and lays on its side. This time it doesn’t resist as Jessica
ties the scarf around his leg.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
That’ll have to do for now.

The deer lies still. When Jessica pets the deer, she gets no resistance from the animal.
The reindeer HUFFS loudly.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I wish I could stay here with you tonight, but my dad might notice
I’m gone. Don’t worry, though. First thing tomorrow, I’m going
for Dr. Benton. He’s our vet. He’ll fix you up.

Jessica continues to pet the deer.

 35.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
I’m glad you followed me home. You came to the right place. I
won’t let you down. That’s a promise.

Jessica gives the deer a final pet, then stands and heads for the door. Just before
leaving...

JESSICA (CONT’D)
My name’s Jessica, by the way. I already know your name.
Goodnight, Prancer. Sleep tight!

Jessica exits and closes the door behind her. The worn out deer remains laying on its
side. It HUFFS loudly, then is silent.

LIGHTS DOWN.

SCENE 10 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

John and Steve are in the kitchen. John is at the sink, doing the dishes. Steve sits at the
table, having breakfast.

JOHN
Jessica! Time’s wasting!

A moment, then Jessica runs into the kitchen, carrying her backpack. She tosses it
onto the floor, sits at the table, pours some cereal into a bowl, some milk, and starts
eating.

JOHN (CONT’D)
(looking out the window as he washes
the dishes)
Something was eating our little trees last night.

JESSICA
(freezing)
What do you think it was?

JOHN
Oh, I don’t know. From the looks of the droppings it might have
been a deer.

JESSICA
A deer? Must have been pretty hungry if it was eating wood.
 36.

JOHN
Wood. That’s what they eat. If I see a deer around those trees again
it’ll be eatin’ lead.

Jessica tries to hide how petrified she is to hear her father say that. Finished with the
dishes, John turns and looks at his two children.

JOHN (CONT’D)
Steve, I want you to keep an eye out for that deer while I’m in Eagle
Run.

STEVE
Okay.

JOHN
I’m leaving as soon as you two head off to school. Your Aunt
Sarah is coming over this evening and staying for the next two
nights.

JESSICA
Is that how long you’re gonna be gone?

JOHN
I’m coming back sometime tomorrow. Jessica, your aunt wants to
take you Christmas shopping tomorrow. And both of you to church
on Sunday.

JESSICA
I’m busy tomorrow.

JOHN
Not so busy that you can’t spend part of the day with your Aunt
Sarah.

JESSICA
Not true. I have tons of things to do.

JOHN
This is not a negotiation. Your aunt is looking forward to spending
some time with you, and I don’t want you acting up. Understand?

JESSICA
Yes, sir.
 37.

STEVE
Gotta go.

Steve hops up from the table and exits the kitchen. Jessica gulps down a few more
spoonfuls of cereal and grabs her jacket.

STEVE (CONT’D)
(from outside)
Hurry! The bus is coming!

JESSICA
Darn! Forgot my homework!

STEVE
(from outside)
Too late for that.

JESSICA
Gotta get it. I’ll get another detention otherwise. You go on ahead.
I’ll walk to school.

Jessica’s father has also exited the kitchen. Jessica makes sure the coast is clear, then
grabs a telephone directory book from a shelf. She snaps the pages back and forth
until she finds what she’s looking for. She dials a number.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Hello? This is Jessica Riggs. Is Doctor Benton there?
(beat)
I need him to come out here. We have an emergency. One of our
animals needs help.
(beat)
Jessica Riggs. Doctor Benton knows where we live. This is very
important. He has to come out as soon as he can. Thank you. Bye.

Jessica slams the phone back into its cradle and runs outside.

SCENE 11 - SHED - DAY

Jessica is with Prancer. The deer lays on its side, panting heavily. Jessica pets him
steadily.
 38.

JESSICA
Don’t know what’s taking him so long. Hang in there, Prancer.
The doctor should be here any time now.

A voice is heard offstage, calling out “Hello?”

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Finally!

Jessica runs to the shed door and throws it open.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I’ll be right back, Prancer. Over here, Dr. Benton!

Jessica charges out of the shed and runs offstage. When she reappears, she’s with Dr.
Benton. Jessica runs ahead of the vet, goes into the shed and resumes her place next to
Prancer.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
He’s here, Prancer. Everything’s gonna be okay now.

Dr. Benton enters the shed, sees Jessica with the deer, and stops dead in his tracks.

DR. BENTON
Get away from that deer.

JESSICA
He’s tame, Dr. Benton.

DR. BENTON
I doubt that. Get away from him.

Jessica scoots a few feet away from Prancer to please the vet.

DR. BENTON (CONT’D)

You tricked me into coming here, Miss Riggs.

JESSICA
No I didn’t. I said we had an animal that needed your help. And
that’s the truth. Look at him.

DR. BENTON
You said you had an emergency.

JESSICA
This is an emergency. He’ll die if you don’t help him.
 39.

Dr. Benton approaches the deer and looks down at it.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
A hunter must of thought he was just a regular deer. He got him in
the leg.

Dr. Benton turns and heads for the shed door.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Where’re you going?

When Mr. Benton doesn’t reply, Jessica hops up, runs across the shed and slams the
door shut to block the vet from leaving.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
You can’t just leave!

DR. BENTON
Of course I can.

JESSICA
You don’t understand. This is a very special deer.

DR. BENTON
What you don’t understand is that I was up half the night with a
pregnant cow and Harry Moore’s crazy horse. I need to get home
and grab a few hours of sleep before getting up for my office hours.
Guess what my office hours and my home visits have in common?
People pay me for them!

JESSICA
I’m gonna pay you.

DR. BENTON
Ha! With what? Your father still owes me for my last visit. And
something tells me he’s not going to chip in for this one, is he? I bet
he doesn’t even know this deer is out here.

JESSICA
(fishing into her pocket)
Here’s a dollar. A down payment. I’ll get you the rest.
 40.

DR. BENTON
Do yourself a favor, Miss Riggs. Leave this shed door open, go to
school, from which I believe you are currently playing hooky, and
let nature take its course. If the deer’s meant to live, it will.

Dr. Benton tries to maneuver Jessica out of the way, but she stands firm.

JESSICA
That’s one of Santa’s reindeer over there!

DR. BENTON
Oh, boy. You think you’ve heard ‘em all...

JESSICA
I’m serious, Dr. Benton. That’s Prancer. If you don’t help him,
he’ll never make it back home by Christmas.

DR. BENTON
That deer is no more Prancer than I’m... Santa Claus!

With that, Dr. Benton picks Jessica up and places her away from the door. He exits the
shed and heads offstage.

JESSICA
Fine! I’ll fix him myself, then. You’d probably just make him
worse anyway. Doctors never make anyone better!

Jessica slams the shed door. Outside the shed, Dr. Benton stops just before exiting the
stage.

Meanwhile, Jessica paces frantically back and forth.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
It’s okay, Prancer. We don’t need that dusty old guy. I’ll get some
medicine for you. From somewhere.

Something occurs to Jessica. She goes to a corner of the shed and extracts a narrow
piece of wood from a pile of discarded items.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
I’m gonna fix up a splint for your leg. That might help.

Just then the door opens and Dr. Benton steps back into the shed. He strides across
the floor, takes a mouth harness from his bag, puts it over the deer’s snout and hands a
leash attached to the harness to Jessica.
 41.

DR. BENTON
Hold his head away from me while I clean the wound.

JESSICA
You’re gonna do this? You’re really gonna fix him?

DR. BENTON
What’s it look like? Now hold his head away, like I told you.

JESSICA
He doesn’t need this muzzle on, Dr. Benton. He’s tame. He’s used
to being around people.

DR. BENTON
What do I look like, an elf? Just hold the head away, and keep this
muzzle on after I leave, you hear? He bites you and it’ll be my head.

Dr. Benton takes a few items from his bag and starts working on the deer’s leg.

JESSICA
Can you believe Prancer is actually here, in my shed? We met out in
the woods the other day. And you know what? He searched me
out. Me. Out of all the people in town.

DR. BENTON
Just... hold the head away.

JESSICA
Look at him. Isn’t he the most beautiful animal you’ve ever seen?

DR. BENTON
Like a cow, with antlers.
(as he works)
Don’t know what a reindeer is doing around these parts. It’s very
unusual. Might have gotten away from that Christmas show they
have out at the mall. I’ll give ‘em a call today sometime.

JESSICA
No, you can’t do that. I don’t want anyone to know Prancer’s here.
Especially my dad.
 42.

DR. BENTON
So I was right. Your father doesn’t know a thing about this. Where
is he?

JESSICA
He went to Eagle Run for something.

DR. BENTON
Well, I’m giving the mall a call, whether you like it or not.

JESSICA
How’s he doing, Dr. Benton? Is he gonna be okay?

DR. BENTON
It’s a nasty wound. It’ll take a while to heal.

Dr. Benton takes a syringe from his bag and gives the deer a shot.

DR. BENTON (CONT’D)

For now, that’s all I can do for him.

JESSICA
Thank you so much.
(giving the vet a hug)
History is gonna love you for this!

DR. BENTON
Oh, boy.

JESSICA
Bye, Prancer. I’ll come see you as soon as I get home from school.

Jessica heads for the shed door.

DR. BENTON
Where do you think you’re going?

JESSICA
I just said. To school.

DR. BENTON
Not before I get my dollar!
 43.

SCENE 12 - SCHOOL CLASSROOM - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Carol and her classmates, Ryan, Gavin, Nita, Stacey, Riley, Emma and Tommy are
putting their angel outfits on over her clothes. Miss Fairburn supervises the chaotic
scene.

MISS FAIRBURN
Bring it down to a gentle roar, will you? And if you’re ready to go,
help out your classmate.

NITA
This is so embarrassing.

STACY
Isn’t it? But leave it to you to make your wings look like high-
fashion.

NITA
You’re too kind.

RILEY
I think I’m gonna puke.

EMMA
Well don’t puke on me. I worked hard on my wings.

GAVIN
I’m still bummed Miss Fairburn made you take the stickers off.

EMMA
I know, right? Stickers for all thirty-two NFL teams is totally period
appropriate.

Ryan approaches Miss Fairburn.

RYAN
I can’t get my wings to stay on, Miss Fairburn. Guess I’ll have to
go without them.

MISS FAIRBURN
What is with you all and these wings? Turn around, Ryan.

Ryan shakes his head in disappointment. He thought he might get out of wearing his
wings! Meanwhile, Tommy has his costume on and is ready and raring to go.
 44.

TOMMY
I think we all look great! Except for Jessica. Where is she?

MISS FAIRBURN
Have you seen her, Carol?

Just then, Jessica appears, angel outfit grasped in both hands.

MISS FAIRBURN (CONT’D)

It’s about time, young lady.

JESSICA
Sorry I’m late, Miss Fairburn. I... had to walk to school.

MISS FAIRBURN
Is anyone from your family coming?

JESSICA
I don’t know. My dad isn’t.

MISS FAIRBURN
OK, well, check with me afterwards. We’ll organize someone to
take you home. Let’s go, folks! Five minutes to liftoff.

Miss Fairburn leaves the room. Jessica hurries over to Carol.

(As the scene unfolds, Jessica and Carol put on and adjust their angel outfits as the
other students begin filing out of the classroom. Jessica’s dishevelled angel outfit looks
like it was put together very quickly and without any help)

CAROL
Where have you been, Jessica?

JESSICA
You won’t believe what I’ve been doing this morning. Right after
you left yesterday? When I stayed in the woods?

CAROL
Yeah?

JESSICA
A reindeer showed up.
 45.

CAROL
A reindeer?

JESSICA
Yeah, he was hurt, but he ran away when I got too close. Then... he
showed up last night. In our shed, out by the woods.

CAROL
What do you mean, he showed up?

JESSICA
He must have followed me home. When I went into the house, he
took shelter in our shed.

CAROL
Why would a wild animal follow you home?

JESSICA
Well, that’s just it. He’s not a wild animal.

Jessica looks around to make sure no one is close enough to hear her.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
He’s one of Santa’s.

Carol doesn’t respond to that.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I’m serious, Carol. The deer in my shed is Prancer!

CAROL
Jeez, I don’t know, Jessie.

JESSICA
What’s wrong? You don’t believe me? Come and see tomorrow.

Carol avoids making eye contact with Jessica as she adjusts her wings.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I thought you’d be as excited about this as I am.

CAROL
I just think you might be getting all worked up about nothing.
 46.

JESSICA
Nothing. This is not nothing. If I told the local paper about this,
it’d be the biggest news in the entire world.

CAROL
I doubt that.

JESSICA
You’re acting really weird. What’s going on with you? You get in a
fight with your mom or something?

CAROL
No. Nothing’s wrong.

JESSICA
What is it, then?

CAROL
It’s just....

JESSICA
What? What?

CAROL
Well... It’s just that... I don’t believe in Santa anymore.

Jessica is speechless.

CAROL (CONT’D)
You can’t tell me you weren’t starting to wonder yourself. I mean,
think about it. How can one man go down all the chimneys in all
the homes in the world in one night?

JESSICA
He’s magical, Carol.

CAROL
It just doesn’t make any sense.

JESSICA
Well, not everything in the world can be explained.

CAROL
I’ve never seen Santa Claus. And I’ve done a lot of looking.
 47.

JESSICA
You’ve never seen God, either. Does that mean there’s no God?

CAROL
Well, who knows about that, for sure.

JESSICA
But if there’s no God, there’s no heaven.

CAROL
Maybe there isn’t.

JESSICA
All right, Carol. You’re not my friend anymore.

CAROL
What’d I say?

JESSICA
That there’s no heaven.

CAROL
So?

JESSICA
What about my mother then?

A pained-looking Jessica, her angel wings askew, walks away from Carol.

CAROL
Jessie. Hold up. Hold up! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I don’t
know what I was thinking. Of course I believe in God. Of course I
believe in heaven.

JESSICA
What about Santa Claus?

CAROL
Well...

Carol busies herself with fixing Jessica’s crooked angel wings to avoid answering the
question.

JESSICA
Can you come over to my place tomorrow?
 48.

CAROL
I think I can get away for a little while.

JESSICA
Good. When you meet Prancer, you’ll know.

CAROL
Know what?

JESSICA
You’ll just know.

At this point, Jessica and Carol are the only ones left in the classroom. Miss Fairburn
appears.

MISS FAIRBURN
Let’s go, you two! We’re about to start!

Miss Fairburn does a double-take at Jessica’s angel outfit as she walks past her. Next
to the classroom is the school auditorium. A couple rows of bleachers are set up on
stage. Jessica and Carol push past several classmates to get to their spot. Parents in
the audience whisper in eager anticipation of the holiday presentation.

A spotlight hits the children. Miss Fairburn’s arms go up, then down. The choir
begins to sing “The Little Drummer Boy”. Surprisingly, perhaps... they’re really
good! Even Jessica blends in with the student’s young, sweet voices. As the song
continues, however, Riley gets a mean case of the hiccups!

And yet, the song still works, even with Riley hiccupping away...

SCENE 13 - SHED - NIGHT

MUSIC: The choir reaches the end of “The Little Drummer Boy”.

Jessica lays next to Prancer, who is nibbling on some hay. The shed has been
decorated with a long silver garland and Christmas ornaments. Jessica reads from a
large red book.

JESSICA
... you tear apart the baby’s rattle to see what makes the noise inside,
but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest
man could tear apart. Is it real? Ah, Virginia, in all the world there
is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus?
(MORE)
 49.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Thank god he lives, and lives forever! A thousand years from now,
Virginia, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to
make glad the heart of childhood.

Jessica sits up and closes the book.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I didn’t read it as good as my mom used to. Who could, really?

Prancer starts nibbling at Jessica’s book.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
You can’t eat it, silly.

Prancer tries, anyway.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
(laughing)
Stop it!

Prancer starts to gnaw on a piece of wood. Jessica hugs the book close to her chest.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Know why my mom read this to me every Christmas? She said I
reminded her of this Virginia girl. What she did is she wrote a letter
to the local newspaper to ask if Santa was real, because a lot of
people were telling her he wasn’t. If you can believe that.

Done eating the piece of wood, Prancer nibbles on Jessica’s coat.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Stop it, Prancer. Listen up. This is a good story. Where was I?
Right, Virginia sends a letter to the paper. So one of the reporters
reads the letter, writes an article addressed to Virginia - that’s what I
just read to you - and tells her of course Santa’s real.

Prancer actually seems to be listening to Jessica now.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Well, wouldn’t you know, that article became one of the most
famous things ever written by a reporter. True story. It happened a
very long time ago, my mom said.

Prancer licks Jessica’s face. Jessica giggles.

 50.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I thought you’d like it.

Prancer puts his head up and makes a loud, plaintive cry.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Aw, all this talk about Santa. You miss him, don’t you. I know he
misses you. He’s probably out looking for you right now. Hey, I
didn’t think of that. I better get word to him.

Jessica’s Aunt Sarah calls for her off in the distance.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Gotta go. I’ll bring you some more hay and Christmas cookies first
thing tomorrow. But listen to me. This is very important. No
matter how hungry you get, you have to stay right here. My dad’s
on the lookout for you because of those little trees you ate. And
believe me, you don’t want to come face to face with my father.

Another call for Jessica from Aunt Sarah.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Night, Prancer. I love you. Sleep tight.

Jessica exits. The deer gets up slowly, hobbles across the shed and looks outside
through a crack in the door. Reaching its head up, the deer issues a cry.

MUSIC: “Elevator music” version of “Here Comes Santa Claus”

SCENE 14 - THREE OAKS MALL - DAY

Jessica stands in line to see Santa Claus. She’s next. A little kid in back of her is with
his mother. This is HAROLD. He’s dressed in a rather grown-up fashion for such a
young person. He taps Jessica on the back. When she turns...

HAROLD
You’re really old.

Jessica looks at Harold for a moment, gives him a nod, then faces back toward Santa.

HAROLD (CONT’D)
(loudly, to his mother)
She shouldn’t be in line. She’s much too old to see Santa.
 51.

Harold’s mother shushes him. The little girl that had been sitting on Santa’s lap hops
off and runs to her mother.

JESSICA
(to Harold and his mother)
Merry Christmas!

Jessica goes to Santa and sits on the arm of the throne.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Okay if I just sit here?

SANTA
Of course. You look a bit big to be sitting on Santa’s lap, anyway.

JESSICA
I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t really, really important. I know
you’re not the real Santa...

SANTA
Keep it down, will you. Of course I’m the real Santa.

JESSICA
You can pretend all you want, but I know better.
(pulling a letter out of her pocket)
Can you get this letter to the real Santa, though?

SANTA
It’s a bit late for a letter, isn’t it?

JESSICA
That’s why I’m giving it to you. And believe me, what’s in here is a
lot more important than a list for a bunch of presents.

SANTA
What could be more important than a bunch of presents?

Jessica looks around to make sure no one close enough to hear.

JESSICA
Prancer is in a shed near my house.

SANTA
Prancer?
 52.

JESSICA
I took a picture of him this morning and printed it out.

Jessica gives Santa the letter.

SANTA
The picture’s in this envelope?

JESSICA
Of course. That way Santa’ll know I’m telling the truth. I’m taking
Prancer out to Antler Ridge on Christmas Eve. That’s where Santa
can pick him up.

SANTA
All that’s in the letter?
(off Jessica’s nod)
Well, this certainly is big news.

JESSICA
Can you get this letter to Santa, or not?

SANTA
Of course I can.

JESSICA
You just admitted that you’re not the real Santa.

SANTA
Okay, all right. But keep it to yourself.

JESSICA
Thanks. I guess I’ll call you Santa number two.

SANTA
Sounds good to me.
(as Jessica heads off)
Hey, wait a second. Is that all you want for Christmas?

JESSICA
Well, I don’t want to go live with my Aunt Sarah, but I don’t think
Santa can do anything about that.

SANTA
I wouldn’t be too sure about that.
 53.

Jessica gives Santa a wave and crosses paths with Harold as he walks up to Santa and
holds out his hand.

HAROLD
Hello, Santa.

Taken aback by the mature gesture, Santa shakes Harold’s hand.

SANTA
Hello, young man.

HAROLD
I have a list of items I would like for Christmas. I don’t expect all
of them, but I wanted to give you a nice variety of choices.
In no order of preference, I desire some Hot Wheels, a Spy Night
Scope, some Kinetic Sand, a mountain bike...

Harold continues to read from his list of desired Christmas presents. Even after the
LIGHTS GO DOWN and the stage is dark, he keeps going...

HAROLD (CONT’D)
...some Light It Up Tractor Laser Pegs, a science kit, some LEGO
Crazy Action Contraptions, the Harry Potter series, in hardback...

SCENE 15 - SHED - DAY

Jessica and Carol approach the shed.

JESSICA
You have to promise not to tell anyone.

CAROL
I’ve done that already, like... three or four times.

JESSICA
Okay, then. Ready?

CAROL
I’m ready. I’m ready.

Jessica opens the door and she and Carol enter the shed. Prancer is laying on a
bunch of burlap sacks in the corner. Carol looks shocked at the sight of the deer.
 54.

JESSICA
Ta-da! Carol... Prancer. Prancer... this is my bestest friend, Carol.

Prancer gets up, walks over to Jessica and gives her a nudge.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Hey, you look like you’re all healed up.

Jessica kisses Prancer on the snout.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Go ahead, Carol. Give him a pet.

CAROL
I don’t think so.

JESSICA
He’s tame. He’s not gonna hurt you.

Carol reaches out slowly, touches Prancer’s nose, and quickly withdraws her hand.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
See, I told you. Prancer, guess what? I did it. The mall Santa said
he’d get the letter to the real Santa. We’re in business.

Prancer sniffs at the pockets of Jessica’s jacket.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
What are you looking for? Food?
(checking out the shed with a frown)
Where’d all that hay go? That was enough for five deer.

STEVE
(out of sight)
HO! HO! HO!

Jessica whirls around when she hears her brother. He steps out from behind a stack of
crates and boxes.

JESSICA
What’re you doing here?

STEVE
Prancer? Letters to the real Santa? What’s going on out here, sis?
 55.

JESSICA
Get outta here.

STEVE
I come out to get some mulch, and I step right into the North Pole.

JESSICA
You can’t tell dad.

STEVE
Why not? There’s enough venison on this animal to last the entire
winter.

Jessica is absolutely shocked that Steve would even say such a thing. She grabs Steve
by the coat.

JESSICA
If you tell dad, I’m warning you...

STEVE
Tough girl. What’re you gonna do?

JESSICA
I will never, ever speak to you again.

STEVE
In that case, I can’t wait til dad gets home. And when he does, he’s
not gonna be too happy to hear you didn’t go shopping with Aunt
Sarah this morning. Or skipped half a day of school yesterday. You
are in big trouble, girl.

JESSICA
I’ll deal with Aunt Sarah when I’m done here. But please don’t tell
dad about Prancer.

STEVE
What’s in it for me if I don’t?

Jessica gives this some thought.

JESSICA
If you don’t tell dad about Prancer. And make sure he doesn’t have
to come out here for anything. I’ll do the dishes every night that it’s
your turn until the end of the year.
 56.

STEVE
That’s only for, what, a week and half or so.

JESSICA
Okay, until the middle of January.

STEVE
The end of January.

JESSICA
Three weeks into January.

STEVE
(firmly)
The end of January.

JESSICA
All right. Okay.

Jessica reluctantly holds out her hand. Steve shakes. Now Prancer is sniffing at
Steve’s pockets for food.

STEVE
How’d this deer get here, anyway?

JESSICA
Followed me home from the woods. When I heard the shed door
banging the other night, I came out to investigate, and here he was.

Prancer sticks his snout right into Steve’s face.

STEVE
(laughing, petting Prancer)
Well now that he’s here, what do you plan to do with him?

JESSICA
I’m taking him out to Antler Ridge on Christmas Eve. Santa’s
gonna pick him up there.

STEVE
Rrrreally. That’s what you wrote in that letter you to gave to the
mall Santa?
 57.

JESSICA
Yeah.

STEVE
Tell you one thing. Between now and Christmas Eve, I wouldn’t go
taking any more hay from the barn. Dad’s sure to notice what’s
already gone, and you know what he’ll do if he sees this animal
snooping around our little trees.

Jessica stands protectively in front of Prancer.

JESSICA
I’m not gonna take any more hay from the barn. I almost killed
myself rolling one bale out here.

Prancer resumes sniffing Jessica’s pockets.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I thought you were a deer, Prancer, not a big little piggy.

Steve is clearly amused by his sister’s latest escapade.

STEVE
You’ve done some weird things before, sis, but this one takes the
prize. See ya, Carol. Nice meeting you Prancer. I can’t wait to see
you fly.

Before exiting the shed, Steve stops at the door.

STEVE (CONT’D)
It’s my turn to do the dishes tonight, Jess. Which means...

Steve holds out a hand to Jessica.

JESSICA
Right, right. I get it.

When Steve is gone, Prancer continues sniffing Jessica’s pockets.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
No, I don’t have any more food for you. And I don’t know where
I’m gonna get any more, either. I gave my last dollar to Dr. Benton.

Jessica looks at Carol.

 58.

CAROL
Uh-uh. I spent all my money on Christmas presents.

JESSICA
Well then, we’ll just have to make some money somehow. A lot of
snow’s built up over the past few days. We should be able to make
some good bucks getting rid of it for people.

CAROL
I can’t be going off shoveling snow, Jessie. My mom and I are...

Carol winces, doesn’t finish her sentence.

CAROL (CONT’D)
Sorry, Jessica.

JESSICA
It’s okay to say you’re doing something with your mother, Carol.
I’m supposed to be going Christmas shopping with Aunt Sarah, but
that’s gonna have to wait some more. Sit tight, Prancer. I’ll be back
before you know it.

Jessica and Carol head out of the shed. Carol stops at the door before exiting.

CAROL
Nice meeting you, Prancer.

JESSICA
Ha! See? You do like him.

SCENE 16 - DRIVEWAY - DAY

Jessica leans on her shovel as PASTOR WILLIAMS slowly counts out change into her
hand. The pastor is a woman in her late 30’s, early 40’s.

PASTOR
...two twenty-five... two fifty... two seventy-five... three dollars!
Thank you, Jessica. You did a very good job.

JESSICA
Thank you, Pastor Williams.
 59.

PASTOR
Would you like to come in and rest a bit? You look tired. I’d be
happy to fix a hot chocolate for you.

JESSICA
I have to get going.

PASTOR
Okay, then. How are things at home, by the way?

JESSICA
Good. Really good.

Pastor Williams doesn’t look so sure about that.

PASTOR
You know, Jessica, if you ever want to come talk to me. About
anything. You can. You know that, right?

Jessica nods.

PASTOR (CONT’D)
Will I be seeing you this Sunday?

JESSICA
Ah... yeah. My Aunt Sarah’s taking me.

PASTOR
I need to start working on your dad to take you.

JESSICA
Good luck with that.

PASTOR
It’s what I do, Jessica.

Pastor Williams gives Jessica a wave and heads up the driveway. Jessica sits on a
nearby lawn bench. She goes through her pockets, pulling out wrinkled dollar bills and
placing them on the bench next to her.

JESSICA
One, two, three... five...
 60.

Just then Nita and Stacy appear. As usual, they’re beautifully dressed. Gorgeous
winter coats. New snow boots. They look like they could have walked right out of a
magazine ad.

NITA
Hi, Jessica.

JESSICA
Oh... hi, Nita. Stacy.

The two whisper something to one other and laugh as they walk off. Jessica frowns.
She might not have heard what the two said to one another, but she gets what it was
about. Jessica looks at her dirty yellow parka, then watches her stylishly dressed
classmates continue down the street. Clearly hurt by the two catty girls, Jessica shakes
it off and goes back to counting her money.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Let’s see... five... ten... and a little change. That’s it? There’s gotta
be more than this.

Jessica rechecks her pockets. Empty.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Oh, man.
(standing slowly)
Nothing left to do but go see the town’s richest citizen.
(looking upward)
Heaven help me.

SCENE 17 - MRS. MCFARLAND’S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DAY

Jessica cautiously approaches the McFarland house. She hammers the door with a
gloved fist. Hammers it again when there is no answer.

The door suddenly opens. And there she is, Mrs. McFarland, standing forebodingly in
the doorway. She wears the same type of drab clothing she wore the first two times we
saw her.

JESSICA
Hello, Mrs. McFarland.

MRS. MCFARLAND
What are you doing here? Your father said you would never step
foot on my property again.
 61.

JESSICA
I know, but I was wondering if you needed any chores done.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Chores!

JESSICA
Yes, ma’am.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Wait’ll I tell your father you were here.

Mrs. McFarland starts to close the door. Jessica throws herself between the door and
door frame to prevent it from shutting in her face.

JESSICA
I’m prepared to offer you an exclusive, one time special. I’ll clean
any room in your house for ten dollars.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Get off my porch, little girl.

JESSICA
All the money I make is going to a good cause.

Jessica said just the right thing at just the right time.

MRS. MCFARLAND
What kind of cause?

Jessica takes a moment to think one up.

JESSICA
Animals in need.

One of Mrs. McFarland’s cats MEOWS from inside the house.

MRS. MCFARLAND
You said any room? For ten dollars?

JESSICA
Yes, ma’am.
 62.

A few seconds pass before Mrs. McFarland stands back and opens the door wide.
Jessica leans forward to look into the disturbingly dark foyer, glances over her
shoulder to see if anyone is witnessing her going into the McFarland house, then steps
gingerly across the threshold.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Leave the shovel outside!

SCENE 18 - MRS. MCFARLAND’S HOUSE - ATTIC - DAY

Mrs. McFarland opens the attic door and enters. The space beyond is a cluttered
maze of boxes, old furniture, rolled up rugs... a graveyard for the castoffs of daily life.
Jessica stops at the attic door, spooked at the thought of entering the creepy, cobwebby
place.

JESSICA
This looks like a twenty dollar job.

MRS. MCFARLAND
You said any room, for ten dollars.

JESSICA
This isn’t really a room, though. It’s an attic.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Are you going to split hairs with me, little girl?

JESSICA
No, ma’am.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Okay, then. What I want you to do is get these boxes out of the
way. Stack them on top of each other, push them to the corners. I
need more space in here.

Jessica has still has not crossed the threshold into the “urban legend” room.

MRS. MCFARLAND (CONT’D)

What are you waiting for? Don’t make me sorry I hired you.

Mrs. McFarland exits without so much as a “see you later”.

 63.

JESSICA
Anyone here?

Jessica takes a few steps into the attic. She gasps when she sees a stuffed, mounted
deer head propped up against a nearby box.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
That’s disgusting.
(looking around)
No cats, anyway. ‘Course who knows what I might find in this
place. It looks haunted.

Jessica suddenly shivers, either from the spooky atmosphere of the attic or the cold
temperature. Maybe both. She selects a large box and drags it toward a corner of the
room, causing a tinkling glass sound from within.

Curious, Jessica opens the box and looks inside.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Wow! Look at that.

SCENE 19 - RIGGS HOUSE - DAY

Aunt Sarah is outside, looking around. Steve appears with a sled.

AUNT SARAH
Steve, have you seen Jessica?

STEVE
No.

AUNT SARAH
She should know better than just going off and not telling me. I’m
worried sick about her. Did she say anything about where she was
off to? Sledding, maybe?

STEVE
No, she didn’t tell me anything. But then again, she never does.

AUNT SARAH
I want you to go downtown. Right now. See if she’s there.

STEVE
Do I have to? I was gonna meet up with some friends.
 64.

AUNT SARAH
I’d appreciate it you went right now. And come right back. You can
go sledding after.

STEVE
Okay.

Steve exits. Sarah looks around apprehensively.

AUNT SARAH
I just want to know where she is.

SCENE 20 - MRS. MCFARLAND’S HOUSE - ATTIC -DAY

The attic is dark. Mrs. McFarland opens the door, causing light from the stairway to
spill into the room.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Little girl?
(stepping into the attic)
Where are you? Are you playing games with me? I don’t like
people to play games with me.

Just then, there is a brilliant burst of multi-colored light from hundreds of Christmas
bulbs. Stretched from one end of the attic to the other, the string of lights surround
Mrs. McFarland and bath her in their intense glow.

Jessica jumps into view from a corner of the attic.

JESSICA
Surprise!

MRS. MCFARLAND
What is this? Take these lights down.

JESSICA
Aren’t they beautiful?

MRS. MCFARLAND
Didn’t you hear me? Take them down. Now.
 65.

JESSICA
You need to put these up. You would have the best Christmas
display in all of Three Oaks. People would come from miles around
just to see them.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Why would I want people to come from miles around and trample
all over my creeping bent?

JESSICA
I’ll put the lights up for you. I’ll only charge you another ten
dollars.

MRS. MCFARLAND
You will take these lights down, like I told you. Then I will pay you
your ten dollars for cleaning up the attic and you will go on home.
I’m sorry I ever let you into my house.

JESSICA
But why don’t you want to put up the lights?

MRS. MCFARLAND
There’s no point to it, that’s why. Now take them down before I
really lose my temper.

JESSICA
But it’s Christmas. If that’s not enough of a point for putting up
Christmas lights, I don’t know what is.

MRS. MCFARLAND
(snapping)
I don’t have a family anymore! Get it?

Mrs. McFarland wavers suddenly and grabs onto an old wardrobe for support.

JESSICA
Mrs. McFarland! Are you okay?

MRS. MCFARLAND
I just... need to rest a bit.

Jessica runs to a corner of the attic, grabs a wooden straight-back chair from the top
of a pile of boxes, and places it next to Mrs. McFarland.
 66.

MRS. MCFARLAND (CONT’D)

Thank you.

JESSICA
Sure you’re okay? Can I get you anything? A glass of water,
maybe?

MRS. MCFARLAND
No. I’ll be all right. I just... have these little spells now and then.

JESSICA
Like the one at my house?

MRS. MCFARLAND
What? Oh, yes. That one wasn’t as bad.

JESSICA
Well, I’m not going anywhere until I’m sure you’re not gonna pass
out or something.

MRS. MCFARLAND
I quite appreciate that.

JESSICA
I’m sorry I upset you. I don’t know when to stop sometimes. It’s a
problem.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Something tells me you say you’re sorry a lot.

JESSICA
Got that right.

The two sit silently for a moment.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
What happened to your family, Mrs. McFarland? If you don’t mind
my asking.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Of course I mind you asking.
 67.

Jessica doesn’t press. Mrs. McFarland looks around at the Christmas lights. They
seem to have a mesmerizing effect on her. The older woman looks at Jessica. Doesn’t
say anything. Jessica shifts uncomfortably.

MRS. MCFARLAND (CONT’D)

My husband and son died. A long time ago.

JESSICA
I’m so sorry. How...

MRS. MCFARLAND
It was an accident. Steven and Charles were on their way back
home from a shopping trip to Pittsburgh. It was winter.

Jessica doesn’t know what to say.

MRS. MCFARLAND (CONT’D)

My son was about your age, actually.

JESSICA
Really?

MRS. MCFARLAND
Yes. He was a very spirited little boy. A bit like you, if I dare say
so.

JESSICA
Did he give you a hard time? Like me?

MRS. MCFARLAND
Oh, yes.

Mrs. McFarland takes another good long look at the Christmas lights.

MRS. MCFARLAND (CONT’D)

When you told me... at your house... that I had the best sledding hill
in town? Charles would have agreed with you.

Mrs. McFarland is clearly struggling to keep her emotions under control, which makes
Jessica uncomfortable. She stands.

JESSICA
I’ll start taking the lights down. You don’t have to go, if you don’t
want. I mean, if you still need to rest a bit. Are you feeling better?
 68.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Yes, I am. Thank you.

Jessica goes to a corner of the attic and pulls down one of the string of lights. Mrs.
McFarland watches her as she works.

MRS. MCFARLAND (CONT’D)

When you’re done gathering in the lights, I would like you to help
me take them downstairs.

JESSICA
Why?

MRS. MCFARLAND
You offered to put them up for me. I believe I will take you up on
your offer.

JESSICA
For real?

MRS. MCFARLAND
There is one thing you need to understand about me, little girl.
When I say something, I mean it.

JESSICA
Yes, ma’am.

SCENE 21 - MRS. MCFARLAND’S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DUSK

An almost full moon hangs brightly overhead. Jessica and Mrs. McFarland stand in
the front yard, with the glow of Christmas lights all around them.

MRS. MCFARLAND
(handing Jessica her money)
Here you go, little girl.
(looking at the lights)
You did a very good job.

JESSICA
Hold on. This is a fifty dollar bill. I don’t have change for this.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Keep the change. As far as I’m concerned, you did fifty dollars
worth of work.
 69.

JESSICA
For real?

Mrs. McFarland gives Jessica an imposing look over the top of her glasses.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Right. When you say something...

MRS. MCFARLAND
Now why don’t you come in for some milk and cookies. You must
be hungry after all that work.

JESSICA
Do you know what time it is?

MRS. MCFARLAND
Almost seven-thirty.

JESSICA
Oh, no. The feed store’s closing soon. I have to go.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Feed store?

JESSICA
Bye, Mrs. McFarland.

Jessica waves as she heads off.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Well, fine. Be that way!

Mrs. McFarland walks in a huff to her porch. A car horn suddenly HONKS behind
her, making her jump.

OFFSTAGE MALE VOICE

Beautiful Christmas lights, Mrs. McFarland.

OFFSTAGE FEMALE VOICE

Merry Christmas to you!

The car horn does a double HONK, then there is the sound of the car driving off. Mrs.
McFarland steps away from the porch and looks at the Christmas lights. This is how
we leave her, standing in her front yard, looking at the multi-colored lights.
 70.

LIGHTS DO A SLOW FADE

SCENE 22 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

John is in the kitchen with his sister, pacing. Sarah sits at the kitchen table.

AUNT SARAH
...I was so worried, John. She took off first thing this morning
without saying a word to me. I have no idea where she was all day.

JOHN
This is the very thing I told you about. She does whatever she
wants, whenever she wants.

John heads for the stairs.

AUNT SARAH
Go easy on her, okay?

JOHN
She did this to spite us.

AUNT SARAH
You have to remember this is not an easy thing we’re putting her
through.

JOHN
Think it’s easy for me? Think I like sending my daughter off to live
someplace else? Not being able to provide for her?

AUNT SARAH
You’ve provided for your family for a long time, John.

JOHN
Not any more. The bank turned me down for a loan yesterday.

AUNT SARAH
Oh, John. I’m so sorry.

John turns for the stairs.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

John? Come over here, please. Sit for a minute.
 71.

JOHN
What? What do you...

AUNT SARAH
Just a minute.

John reluctantly sits at the table. Aunt Sarah reaches out and takes her brother’s hand.
John is uncomfortable with the intimacy.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

It’s okay. I just want to talk.

JOHN
About what?

AUNT SARAH
When we were younger. Around Steve and Jessica’s age. I’ve been
thinking a lot about those days lately. Maybe it’s because of all the
time I’ve been spending with Jessica.

JOHN
I haven’t thought about those days in a very long time.

AUNT SARAH
In that case, I’d like to remind you of something.

That gets a look from John.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

You might have been the younger one, but you always took care of
me. Fought off those bullies who wouldn’t let me alone, with my
thick glasses and skinny legs. Stepped in when I got into it with
dad. You made things better, John. That’s because you wanted to
make things better. It’s part of who you are. I think... when there
was nothing you could do to make Allison better...

John takes his hand away from his sister.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

What I’m trying to say is... it’s my turn, now. I want to do
everything I can to try to make things better. For you. For your
family. More than anything, I want to see the old John again. The
younger John, is what I mean. I miss him.
 72.

JOHN
I think you’re looking at the past through rose colored glasses,
Sarah.

AUNT SARAH
I’m not. Unlike when I was younger, my vision is perfectly clear
now.

JOHN
Is that all?

AUNT SARAH
Yes. That’s all I wanted to say.

Sarah watches sadly as her brother exits the kitchen.

UP IN JESSICA’S BEDROOM

Jessica lays on her bed, on top of the covers, all her clothes still on. She listens to
Christmas music on the radio. The door opens and her father enters. Jessica sits up
and meets his stern glare.

JOHN
You know you’re in trouble, don’t you.

JESSICA
Yes, sir.

JOHN
I just talked to your Aunt Sarah. Where were you all day?

JESSICA
I can’t tell you.

JOHN
Say that again?

JESSICA
I can’t tell you where I was today. It’s a secret.

JOHN
A secret.
 73.

JESSICA
Yes, sir. Nobody can know what I did today or why I did it.

JOHN
Since when are you in charge here?

Jessica has no reply to the question.

JOHN (CONT’D)
I can’t allow this type of behavior to continue, Jessica. It’s late,
we’re both tired, so now’s not the time to get into it. But when you
get back from church with Aunt Sarah tomorrow, you and I are
going to have a long talk. And you will tell me where you were and
what you did today.

A moment, then John exits. As soon as he does, Jessica goes to the Santa display
hanging across the window. She taps the reindeer with the diamond patch.

JESSICA
Don’t worry, Prancer. My dad can give me the worst punishment in
the world and I won’t tell him a thing. Nobody’s gonna find you.
Your secret’s safe with me.

SCENE 23 - GENERIC ROOM - NIGHT

The mall Santa Jessica entrusted with her Prancer letter enters the room. This is TOM
STEWART. He takes off his Santa hat, white wig and beard. He dials a number on his
cellphone.

TOM STEWART
Al? It’s Tom.
(beat)
Yeah, I just got off. Hey, have I got a story for you. Believe me, for
this you’re gonna want to stop the presses.
(beat)
No, no, no. Hear me out. This story would melt the heart of
Scrooge himself. A little girl, Jessica Riggs, comes to see me today.
She doesn’t want any presents, right? All she wants is for me to get
a letter to Santa. What’s in the letter, you ask? This girl claims to
have Prancer in a shed out on her farm.
(beat)
Yeah, she thinks he’s actually one of Santa’s.
(MORE)
 74.

TOM STEWART (CONT'D)

And all she wants for Christmas is to get him back to Santa by
Christmas Eve.
(beat)
Didn’t I tell you? I know what you can do with a story like this, Al.
It could be your Yes, Virginia. It’s Pulitzer time, man. You get this
out by tomorrow morning in the family section? Everyone in town
will know about Jessica Riggs and Prancer. They’ll be the most
famous duo in Three Oaks!

LIGHTS DOWN.

Up above, glowing in the night sky, is an almost full moon.

BLACKOUT

END OF ACT ONE

 75.

ACT TWO

SCENE 24 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Aunt Sarah is in the kitchen, putting on her jacket.

AUNT SARAH
Let’s go, everyone. Church starts in five minutes!

Steve enters the kitchen, looking none too excited about going to church. But then he
sees the two pies that his aunt baked sitting to cool on the kitchen counter.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

Don’t even think about it.

STEVE
Just a slice.

AUNT SARAH
No. That’s for lunch, after church. Where’s Jessica? Upstairs?
Outside?

SCENE 25 - THE SHED - DAY

Jessica enters and is shocked to see Ryan and Gavin in the shed. Prancer has
retreated to a far corner.

JESSICA
What are you two doing here?

RYAN
Came to see the famous Prancer.

GAVIN
Kinda ugly, really.

Jessica shoves Gavin hard enough to make him fall down.

JESSICA
Don’t you dare say that about Prancer!
 76.

RYAN
Chill, Riggs.

Gavin crab-crawls away from Jessica and gets up at a safe distance.

GAVIN
You’re right, Ryan. This girl is seriously deranged.

JESSICA
Get out of here!

Gavin runs from the shed when Jessica comes at him. She turns on Ryan with fire in
her eyes.

RYAN
I never said you were deranged. Crazy, yes. But not deranged.

JESSICA
Out! And don’t come back!

Ryan holds up both hands as backs out of the shed. Jessica glares at him until she’s
sure he’s going, gone, then goes to Prancer, who still lingers in the corner.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
You’re not ugly, Prancer. Don’t let that creep bother you.

Prancer looks past Jessica at the open shed door.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I chased them off. You won’t see them again. I promise.

Jessica’s words seem to have a calming effect on Prancer. He gives her a lick.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Don’t know how they knew you were here, though.

Jessica ponders that question as she pets Prancer.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Can’t worry about it right now.
(kisses Prancer)
Be good. I’ll be back as soon as I get home from church.
 77.

When Jessica exits the shed she forgets to close the door. Realizing her error, she
doubles back and slams the door shut. Problem is, the door doesn’t latch! As Jessica
head for the house, the shed door swings open slightly. Prancer peers outside through
the crack in the door.

SCENE 26 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Jessica enters the kitchen from outside as Sarah comes down the stairs. Steve has cut
a piece of pie and wolfs it down just before Sarah steps into the kitchen.

Now John appears in the kitchen.

AUNT SARAH
We’re off, John. Be back around noon. The coffee’s hot. The
paper’s on the table.

Jessica and her father look at each other, a silent warm-up for their after-church
confrontation. Jessica breaks off the look and follows Aunt Sarah and Steve out the
door.

John pours himself a cup of coffee, takes a sip as he looks out the window. He sits at
the kitchen table, goes through the paper. He pulls out a section to read and settles
back into his chair. Just then, Prancer walks by the window! John looks up with a
frown, but Prancer has already passed out of sight. John goes back to the paper. He’s
only been reading for a few seconds when he hears the loud whinny of his horse. He
goes to the kitchen door and steps outside to investigate.

JOHN
Ralph!

John grabs his jacket from the peg and runs off. Prancer reappears in the window and
looks into the kitchen. The deer moves out of sight, nudges the back door open and
enters the kitchen!

Instantly attracted by the two pies on the counter, the deer clomps across the linoleum
floor and starts scarfing down the sweet pies. Hearing another whinny from Ralph
outside, the deer turns quickly toward the door, in the process knocking the pies and the
dish-drying rack - filled with dishes - onto the floor.

CRASH!

The crashing sound causes Prancer to bolt. He slides on the mess created by the pies
and smashes into the breakfront.
 78.

The breakfront falls forward and hits the floor with a horrendous crash! Prancer
hightails it clumsily outside, passes by the window and disappears.

A moment passes, then John enters the kitchen. He can’t believe what he sees.

JOHN (CONT’D)
What the...

John goes to the kitchen window and looks outside.

JOHN (CONT’D)
(full of rage)
It’s that deer!

John charges out of the kitchen and goes upstairs, taking two steps at a time.

SCENE 27 - CHURCH - DAY

Holding lit candles, the congregation is standing and singing a traditional hymn.
Jessica, Steve and Aunt Sarah are in the front pew. Mrs. McFarland stands at the end
of pew, looking out of place and uncertain about this lit-candle ceremony. She doesn’t
have a candle, nor is she singing. It seems Mrs. McFarland hasn’t been to church in a
while.

A little boy next to Mrs. McFarland offers his candle. Mrs. McFarland hesitates, then
takes the candle. In that moment, it is as though the older woman has officially
become part of the congregation. And, by extension, the community. Jessica leans
forward and catches Mrs. McFarland’s eye.

When the song ends, the congregation blows out their candles and sits. Pastor
Williams steps up to the pulpit.

PASTOR
I have a couple of community notes. As with past Christmases, the
Goodwill drive continues until tomorrow afternoon. There are
many needy families here in Three Oaks that could use a little
Christmas cheer, so any toys, books, clothing that you might be able
to donate would be greatly appreciated.
(a beat)
Lastly, I am pleased to tell you all that we have someone very special
in our congregation today. Those of you who have read today’s
Sunday paper know who I’m talking about.
 79.

Jessica looks around the congregation to see who the pastor might be referring to.

PASTOR (CONT’D)
For those of you who haven’t, I would like to read part of an
editorial that appears in the family section. It just might inspire you
as much as it did me.
(reading)
In a digital age where children are growing up light years faster than
their ancestors ever dreamed possible, where the harsh realities of
everyday life have invaded even the most idyllic of communities, it
is inspiring to see that some children are able to hold onto their
dreams and innocent spirit. Yes, Santa, there are still Virginia’s in
this world. We have one right here in Three Oaks. She’s nursing
the spirit of Christmas back to health in the same way that she has
been nursing your missing reindeer back to health.

Jessica and Steve look at each other.

PASTOR (CONT'D)
Please stop by soon to collect Prancer. Until then, he’s in good
hands. Three Oaks is in good hands, as long as we have children
like Jessica Riggs, with all of their sense of wonder and belief.

Jessica jumps up and bolts out of the church.

PASTOR (CONT’D)
(hesitantly, watching Jessica exit)
We need that belief.

Now Steve jumps up and runs out of the church. The congregation has started to buzz.
Unnerved by the sudden exodus of her special congregant, Pastor Williams takes a
moment before continuing.

PASTOR (CONT’D)
The world needs it. May it live forever.

The buzz in the church has reached a fever pitch. Aunt Sarah stands, looks around at
the congregation with a pinched smile, nods to Pastor Williams, then follows Jessica
and Steve.
 80.

SCENE 28 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Jessica charges through the back door and into the kitchen. Steve is right behind her.
They’re shocked when they see the damage left behind by the errant Prancer.

STEVE
Holy cow.

Jessica runs outside and looks off toward the shed.

JESSICA
Oh, no. He got out!

When Jessica comes back into the kitchen, John comes down the stairs.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Where is he, daddy?

JOHN
So that was your little secret, was it?

JESSICA
Where is he?

JOHN
You kept that deer out in the shed all week, didn’t you?

JESSICA
What’d you do with him?

JOHN
You stole hay from the barn to feed him...

JESSICA
Where is he?

JOHN
Skipped school, skipped out on your Aunt Sarah, lied to me...

JESSICA
You wouldn’t have let me keep him if I...

JOHN
All ‘cause of that deer!
 81.

JESSICA
He’s not just any old deer. He’s Prancer.

JOHN
That thing got into the barn, let Ralph out...

JESSICA
You didn’t shoot him, did you?

JOHN
Then I go out to the shed and see a forty pound bag of oats with a
Christmas bow on it! You steal that too?

JESSICA
You did shoot him.

JOHN
No, I didn’t.

JESSICA
You didn’t?

JOHN
No.

JESSICA
Oh, daddy. Thank you!

Jessica hugs her father. But then...

JOHN
I sold him.

JESSICA
Sold him?

JOHN
To Herb Drier.

JESSICA
Herb Drier? The butcher?

JOHN
He came out here and offered me two hundred dollars to take him
off my hands.
 82.

JESSICA
He’s a butcher, daddy. He’ll cut Prancer up and sell the pieces.

JOHN
It’s his deer now. He can do what he wants with it.

JESSICA
Mom would have never done this.

That stops John cold.

JOHN
Listen to me, Jessica. Reindeer don’t fly. I hate to be the one to tell
you, but they don’t.

JESSICA
I wish she were here instead of you!

Jessica runs out of the kitchen and upstairs to her room. Aunt Sarah enters the kitchen
from outside. She heard the last part of the argument between father and daughter.

AUNT SARAH
Aw, John, you didn’t, did you?

UP IN JESSICA’S BEDROOM

A tearful Jessica runs to her window and stares outside.

JESSICA
I’m gonna die. I’m just gonna die!

Jessica rips the Santa display from the window and throws herself onto her bed.

SCENE 29 - MAIN STREET - CHRISTMAS TREE LOT - DAY

A sign at the front of the lot reads: “The One, the Only, Prancer!” A cage, barely big
enough to contain Prancer, has been constructed in the middle of the lot. Prancer lays
on the floor of the cage, head hanging low. Drier has put a red collar with bells on it
around Prancer’s neck.

Attracted by the instantly famous reindeer, a number of people are milling around the
lot. The adults are buying trees.
 83.

Ryan, Gavin, Riley, Emma and Tommy visit with the star attraction, trying to get
Prancer’s attention. Prancer doesn’t seem to want to have anything to do with them.

RILEY
Not very friendly, is he.

EMMA
What’s wrong with him? He’s just laying there.

GAVIN
My dad would totally hunt that thing in the wild.

TOMMY
I think he has a good reason to be sad. Look at this tiny cage.

RILEY
This is a waste of time. Let’s go ice skating.

The group moves off. Except for Ryan, who looks at Prancer with a thoughtful frown.
Then, he, too, exits. Near the cage stands a six-year-old boy. His name is SAMMY.
He doesn’t move. Just stares at Prancer.

Jessica appears, approaches the cage and sits on the ground near Prancer.

JESSICA
Aw, Prancer. Look at you.

Prancer looks up at Jessica, then moves closer to her. Jessica pets him through the
wire mesh. Just then Carol arrives at the lot with her parents. She separates from
them and goes over to Jessica.

CAROL
Jessica. What happened? How’d the newspaper find out about
this?

JESSICA
I don’t know, Carol.

CAROL
Can I help in any way?

JESSICA
I’ll let you know, okay?
 84.

CAROL
Call me.

Herb Drier appears from the butcher shop. As before, he wears a bloody apron under
his open winter jacket.

HERB DRIER
Hey, there’s the girl of the hour.

Jessica recoils from Drier.

HERB DRIER (CONT’D)

I saved this deer’s life, now he’s my best salesman. Just wait til
next year, when I’ll have him for all of November and December.

JESSICA
What do you mean, you saved his life?

HERB DRIER
Your dad was about to shoot him. I showed up just in time. Hey,
I’d love to chew the fat with you, but I have a ton Christmas turkeys
to prepare. You have a nice visit with your deer, little girl. Or,
rather, my deer.

Drier heads off.

JESSICA
Ew. Don’t listen to him, Prancer. He’s not going to have you for
next Christmas. He’s not gonna even have you for the rest of this
Christmas.

SAMMY
That really is Prancer, isn’t it?

Jessica turns to look at Sammy, who hasn’t moved since Jessica arrived. She turns
her attention back to Prancer.

SAMMY (CONT’D)
My sister says he isn’t and that I’m a baby if I think he is.

JESSICA
Yeah, well, maybe you shouldn’t listen to people who don’t know
what they’re talking about.
 85.

SAMMY
Think it’d be okay if pet him?

After brushing Sammy off the first time, Jessica gives the boy a good look.

JESSICA
Yeah. I think he’d like that.

Sammy goes to the cage. Prancer moves his head toward Sammy so that he can pet
him through the wire mesh.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
What’s your name?

SAMMY
Sammy.

JESSICA
I’m Jessica.

SAMMY
I know who you are. You’re my hero.

Jessica laughs

JESSICA
I’ve been called a lot of things, but never that.

SAMMY
My mom told me all about you. You were in the paper this
morning.

JESSICA
Don’t I know it.

Petting Prancer, Sammy looks to be in total awe of the reindeer.

SAMMY
It’s clear as a window, just cleaned.

JESSICA
What?
 86.

SAM
That he’s Prancer. Why can’t my sister see that?

JESSICA
How old is she?

SAMMY
Eleven.

JESSICA
There’s your answer. It seems most people, the older they get?
They just stop believing in all the important stuff.

SAMMY
But why?

JESSICA
I don’t know. And I hope I never find out.

Sammy’s mother calls for him.

SAMMY
I have to go. Bye, Prancer.
(to Jessica)
See ya, Jessica.

JESSICA
Bye, Sammy. Merry Christmas.

SAMMY
You too!

Sammy runs off. Jessica watches him go. Prancer lifts his head up and gives a little
holler.

JESSICA
Yeah, I liked him too, Prancer.

Sammy waves as he leaves the lot with his mother and sister. Jessica waves back, then
scoots closer to the cage.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Listen to me. I’m coming back tonight, after my dad’s asleep, to
break you out of here. Then we’ll go hide somewhere until it’s time
to go out to Antler Ridge.
 87.

Prancer leans his head into the wire mesh, as though not to miss a word of what
Jessica says.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
When you’re off safe and sound with Santa? I’m running away
from home. And I’m never coming back.

Jessica stands and heads offstage. Prancer stands, lifts his head up and HOWLS.

SCENE 30 - MAIN STREET - CHRISTMAS TREE LOT - NIGHT

Past-midnight sounds. A distant train whistle. A dog barks. The Christmas tree lot is
deserted. The weather has turned very raw. Wind blows. Leaves and debris dart this
way and that. The branches of a large maple tree that stands near the back of the lot
and the remaining Christmas trees sway ominously back and forth in the stiff wind.

Prancer lays huddled up on the floor of his cage. Jessica appears and runs to the
cage. She wears a backpack over her winter jacket and carries a handful of tools.

JESSICA
I’m back, Prancer!

Prancer stands when he sees Jessica.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I brought you something to eat.

Jessica fishes some Christmas cookies out of her coat pocket and tosses them onto the
floor of the cage. She grabs a crowbar from the ground and starts working on the
cage door. Prancer makes a sudden grunting sound, which causes Jessica to look off
into the darkness.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
What is it?

All Jessica can hear is the wind. She goes back to the task at hand. But then Prancer
lifts his head and HOWLS.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Shhhh! Someone will hear you.

Just then Steve appears from the darkness. Jessica is shocked to see him.
 88.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
What are you doing here?

STEVE
Back at ya, sis.

JESSICA
It’s none of your business. Go home.

STEVE
My sister sneaks out of the house in the middle of the night, during
horrible weather, with a crowbar and...
(looking at the other tools on the
ground)
Some pliers and a hammer, and that’s not my business?

JESSICA
No, it isn’t. Get out of here.

STEVE
What’s in the backpack? It looks pretty full.

JESSICA
I don’t have time to talk to you, Steve.

STEVE
Are you going to tell me what you’re doing, besides trying to break
this deer out of this cage, or do I have to haul you back to the house
over my shoulder?

Jessica knows she’s not going to get rid of Steve.

JESSICA
I’m not goin’ back home. Not now. Not ever.

STEVE
Really.

JESSICA
Listen, Steve, there’s no way I’m going to live with Aunt Sarah, so I
might as well leave right now.

STEVE
What’re you talking about?
 89.

JESSICA
Dad didn’t tell you? He’s kicking me outta the house in January.

STEVE
You’re crazy. No way is he doing that.

JESSICA
Just ask him. He said Aunt Sarah’ll be able to take better care of me
than he can.

Jessica goes back to working on door. The sound of a vehicle approaching can be
heard over the wind. Headlights flash across the lot. Jessica and Steve dart behind a
couple of unsold Christmas trees. When the vehicle passes, brother and sister come
out from behind the trees.

STEVE
C’mon, Jessica. It’s nasty out here. We’ll both talk to dad about
this tomorrow. No way is he sending you to Aunt Sarah’s.

JESSICA
He is, and I know the reason why. He doesn’t want me around
anymore.

STEVE
Of course he does.

JESSICA
You’ve seen how he treats me.

STEVE
He’s just mixed up right now.

JESSICA
He doesn’t understand me. Doesn’t love me.

STEVE
Maybe he doesn’t always understand you, but that doesn’t mean he
doesn’t love you. I don’t understand you half the time, and I love
you.

Halting her work on the cage door, Jessica stares in surprise at her brother. He never
told her he loved her before.
 90.

STEVE (CONT’D)
I’m tired of talking about this. Let’s get outta here.

JESSICA
Steve, if you think I’m going home, or anywhere else before I’m
done getting Prancer outta this lousy prison, you don’t understand
me at all.

Steve watches Jessica work on the cage door. He grabs the crowbar from her.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Give it back!

STEVE
Go over there and keep a lookout.

JESSICA
Lookout? What are you talking about?

STEVE
What’s it sound like? Go over there and watch for cars while I
work on this door.

JESSICA
You’re gonna help me?

STEVE
It’s Dora we need to be worried about. She makes her rounds every
half hour or so.

JESSICA
How do you know Dora makes her rounds every half hour?

STEVE
I just know, okay? Now get over there.

JESSICA
Yes, sir.

Delighted to have the help of her brother, Jessica takes up a position behind some
Christmas trees as Steve goes to work on the cage door. A second later, there is the
sound of another vehicle approaching.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Someone’s coming!
 91.

Jessica ducks behind one of the Christmas trees. Steve does the same, behind a tree
near the cage. After the headlights flash across the lot, Jessica goes over to the cage
as Steve appears from his hiding place.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Just a pickup.

STEVE
That means Dora could be coming by any time now. Get back over
there.

JESSICA
Lemme help.

STEVE
No. I need you for lookout.

JESSICA
Hey, wait a second.

Jessica hits herself in the head, as though trying to knock some sense into her brain.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
How stupid can I be? There’s no roof on this cage!

STEVE
So?

JESSICA
So... Prancer can just fly right on out! Why are you still in there,
silly? C’mon, fly on outta there!

STEVE
Uh... I don’t think he can.

JESSICA
Why not?

STEVE
Well, you know... it’s... ah... not Christmas Eve yet. Santa’s reindeer
can only fly on Christmas Eve and early Christmas morning.
 92.

JESSICA
(skeptically)
Where’d you hear that?

Just then, there is the sound of an approaching vehicle. Steve runs over to where
Jessica had posted herself as lookout.

STEVE
It’s Dora!

Jessica freezes.

STEVE (CONT’D)
Grab your backpack!

Jessica obeys her brother, then runs behind a nearby Christmas tree. Steve gathers in
the rest of the tools from the ground and ducks behind another Christmas tree.
Headlights flash across the lot. The approaching vehicle stops, hiccups a couple of
times as it is turned off.

Then...

DORA BENEDETTI
(offstage)
Hey, Prancer. How you doing?

Dora Benedetti appears and walks to the cage, her flashlight illuminating the way.

DORA BENEDETTI (CONT’D)

Nice weather we’re having, huh?

Dora pets Prancer through the fence. The deer nibbles at her coat sleeve.

DORA BENEDETTI (CONT’D)

Hungry, huh? Tell you what. I’ll bring something good for you to
eat on my next run.

Jessica peeks out from behind her hiding place. Prancer sees her, tilts his head up and
HOWLS. Jessica motions for Prancer to keep it down and quickly ducks back out of
sight. Dora thinks Prancer’s howl was in reaction to what he said.

DORA BENEDETTI (CONT’D)

I thought you’d like that. You’re one smart deer, aren’t you.
Okay, then. See you soon, Prancer.
 93.

Dora turns away from the cage, then stops. She looks in the direction of the tree that is
shielding Steve. Did she see Jessica’s brother? Walking toward the tree, Dora bends
down and picks up a pair of pliers that Steve must have dropped.

DORA BENEDETTI (CONT’D)

Huh...

Dora looks around the lot, then pockets the pliers.

DORA BENEDETTI (CONT’D)

Must be Herb’s. Stay warm, Prancer.

Dora heads offstage. When she exits with her flashlight, the Christmas tree lot is
plunged into darkness. The wind suddenly picks up and blows hard. The Christmas
trees and the branches of the large maple tree dance wildly in the wind.

JESSICA
(unseen, from behind her tree)
Is she gone?

STEVE
(unseen, from behind his tree)
Not yet. Stay there till I tell you it’s okay to come out.

Offstage, Dora’s vehicle starts up. The car’s headlights flash across the lot, after
which the stage is once again plunged into darkness as the car drives off.

THEN, IN QUICK, STARTLING SUCCESSION...

CRRRAAAAACK!

JESSICA
Steve!

A LOUD, ECHOING THUMP!

STEVE
Jessie?

Steve’s dark figure darts out from behind the Christmas tree. His flashlight zaps on
and off, causing weird shadows to dart across the lot.

STEVE (CONT’D)
Damn flashlight! C’mon!
 94.

The flashlight finally stops zapping on and off. Steve aims the light toward the cage.
There, laying on the ground, is Jessica! A large maple tree branch lays next to her.

STEVE (CONT’D)
Jessica!

Steve runs to his sister.

STEVE (CONT’D)
Oh, no!

Steve kneels next to Jessica. She’s not moving.

STEVE (CONT'D)
Jessica, please.

Panic quickly overtakes Steve.

STEVE (CONT’D)
(standing)
Dora!
(running offstage)
DORA! HELP!

Prancer HOWLS at the sight of Jessica laying immobile on the ground near the cage.
He lifts a hoof and slams it against the cage door. Stands on hind legs and slams two
hooves against the cage door. The deer does this over and over again until the cage
door snaps away from the frame and falls to the ground.

Stepping from the cage, Prancer looks around. A beat, then Prancer bolts offstage!
Still unconscious, Jessica doesn’t stir.

And then...

Prancer reappears. He walks slowly, regally, over to Jessica. He looks offstage -

FREEDOM - then nudges the fallen tree branch aside with his snout and lays down
next to Jessica. The wind blows hard, debris swirls, a distant dog barks. Prancer
stays right where he is, shielding his caretaker from the elements.

BLACKOUT.
 95.

SCENE 31 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

John is on the phone in the kitchen. Aunt Sarah does busywork, moving from counter
to table to the breakfront, which has been returned to its proper place after Prancer
sent it crashing to the floor.

JOHN
...a tree branch fell on her, for god’s sake. Are you sure all she has
is a concussion?
(a beat)
I know the X-rays turned out all right. But she says things are
blurry when she looks at them. She doesn’t want to get out of bed.
She’s not eating. She’s not even playing her Christmas music.
(a beat)
You don’t understand, Dr. Gower. This is a girl who can’t go five
minutes without playing Christmas music.
(a beat)
Okay. I will. Thank you. Bye.

John hangs up the phone. Sarah stops what she’s doing and looks at her brother.

JOHN (CONT'D)
A concussion, but nothing worse. That’s what he said. For now,
bed rest and Tylenol for the headaches.

There is a knock at the kitchen door. John opens it to reveal Dora Benedetti.

JOHN (CONT’D)
Dora. What brings you out here? Everything okay?

DORA BENEDETTI
I just wanted to see how Jessica is doing. Hello Sarah.

Sarah nods hello, then leaves John and Dora alone.

DORA BENEDETTI (CONT’D)

So... Jessica?

JOHN
She’s resting upstairs.

DORA BENEDETTI
She’s going to be okay, isn’t she, John?
 96.

JOHN
I sure hope so.

A nervous cough from Dora.

DORA BENEDETTI
Listen, I just wanted to... Well, I’m going to come right out and say
it. I feel like I should have been able to stop all this from happening
last night. If I’d been paying more attention.

JOHN
It’s not your fault, Dora.

Dora looks relieved to hear that.

DORA BENEDETTI
Okay, well... I hope Jessica’s feeling better real soon.

JOHN
I’ll pass this on to her. Thanks for coming out.

Dora exits. John walks across the kitchen and looks out the window.

JOHN (CONT’D)
And I was so concerned about those little trees.

UP IN JESSICA’S BEDROOM

The room is dark. The curtains are drawn. There is no Christmas music playing.
Jessica lays in bed, cover drawn up to her chin.

Aunt Sarah enters.

AUNT SARAH
How are feeling, honey?

Jessica doesn’t answer. Aunt Sarah sits on the bed.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

Things still look funny to you?

JESSICA
Sort of.
 97.

AUNT SARAH
The doctor said that should clear up soon. He said it’s okay for you
to get out of bed. Your dad can carry you downstairs sometime this
evening. Wouldn’t you like to help us decorate the Christmas tree?

JESSICA
Not really.

AUNT SARAH
Honey, I know you feel bad. But if you do something you enjoy,
it’ll make you feel better.

No response from Jessica.

AUNT SARAH (CONT’D)

I know what will help. Tomorrow, after your uncle and I come over
for Christmas dinner, we’ll all get bundled up and go see Prancer.

JESSICA
Don’t want to see that deer anymore.

AUNT SARAH
What are you talking about?

JESSICA
Everyone was right. Don’t know why it took me so long to listen.

AUNT SARAH
I don’t understand.

JESSICA
Only little kids like Sammy believe in stuff like that.
(off Aunt Sarah’s questioning frown)
He’s just a deer, Aunt Sarah.

AUNT SARAH
What would make you say such a thing? After everything you did
for him? After what he did for you last night. Why, I’ll bet Santa’s
coming to get him tonight.

JESSICA
Don’t have to pretend anymore. My dad’s right. I need to stop
doing stupid things and grow up a little.
 98.

Jessica turns away from her aunt. Aunt Sarah reaches out to stroke her hair. Jessica
moves further away from her.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
I’m tired, Aunt Sarah.

Aunt Sarah gets up and looks sadly at her niece. She gently closes the door behind her
when she exits the room.

LIGHTS DOWN in the Riggs house.

Outside the house, afternoon turns to dusk, dusk to night. A full moon appears
overhead.

SCENE 32 - RIGGS HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

LIGHTS UP in the kitchen. Aunt Sarah is making Christmas Eve pastries. Steve
helps.

STEVE
Where’d dad go anyway? He just takes off and doesn’t tell anyone?
What’s with that?

AUNT SARAH
I don’t know, Steve.

STEVE
I swear, this is the crappiest, sorriest Christmas I ever...

Steve stops his rant when he hears something outside. So does Sarah. A group of
people is approaching the house and singing a Christmas carol. Aunt Sarah and Steve
grab their coats and head outside.

UP IN JESSICA’S BEDROOM

Jessica sits up in bed. She, too, hears the carolers singing “Here Comes Santa
Claus”. Slipping out from under the covers, Jessica goes to the window and pulls
back the curtain.
 99.

Below Jessica’s window is Mrs. McFarland, Dr. Benton, Tom Stewart (the mall Santa)
with his wife and daughter, Pastor Williams and her husband, Dora Benedetti (in street
clothes), Carol, Ryan, Riley, Emma, Tommy and Miss Fairburn, the conductor of the
carolers.

Aunt Sarah and Steve stand to one side, watching the group. After they complete
“Here Comes Santa Claus”, the carolers sing a quick rendition of “We Wish You A
Merry Christmas”. When the song is over...

AUNT SARAH
Everyone, please, come inside. There’s egg nog, pie, Christmas
cookies.

The group waves up to Jessica as they follow Aunt Sarah and Steve into the Riggs
kitchen. Jessica’s smile might be barely noticeable, but it’s enough to convey how
touched she is. When she turns away from the window...

There is her father, standing in the open doorway. Jessica doesn’t know what to say.
So she waits for her father to speak.

JOHN
I ah... don’t have much to give you this Christmas.

JESSICA
That’s okay, daddy.

JOHN
No, it isn’t. It isn’t. But I was thinking... maybe we could do some
of the things we used to do. You know? Before? On other
Christmases?

Jessica isn’t sure what her father means.

JOHN (CONT'D)
Remember the sleigh rides we used to take every Christmas?
Maybe we could do that tomorrow. Hook old Ralph up to the
sleigh, take a ride in it?

JESSICA
I’d like that, daddy.

Silence. Then...

What do you have there?

 100.

John holds up the heavy book that Jessica took out to the shed. The one Prancer tried
to eat.

JOHN
Found this when I was out in the shed.

Jessica hesitates, then goes to her father and takes the book. She sits on her bed and
opens the book.

JESSICA
Read something to me?

John isn’t too sure about that. But he approaches Jessica and sits on the bed.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Just this one part. It’s my favorite.

John looks at the passage for long moment.

JOHN
(reading)
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside.
But there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest
man can tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance can push aside
that curtain and view the beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real?
Virginia, in all the world there is nothing else real and abiding. No
Santa Claus? Thank God he lives, and lives forever. A thousand
years from now, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will
continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

JESSICA
I didn’t really want to run away. I just wanted you to find me, and
bring me back here and tell me everything was going to be okay.
Like it used to be.

JOHN
Aw, Jessie, I can’t tell you everything’s gonna be all right. I wish I
could. But things are always going to be hard around here. Could
be I’ll lose this farm someday. I could bear that. What I can’t bear
is the...

John is trying to control his emotions.

 101.

JOHN (CONT’D)
When you were in the hospital last night, I saw what it would be
like around here not to have you around.

John looks at his daughter.

JOHN (CONT’D)
I love you, Jessie.

Jessica grabs her father and hugs him.

JESSICA
I love you, too, dad.

JOHN
Aw, baby. It’s okay. Don’t cry. You’re home, honey. And that’s
where you’re going to stay.

Cradling Jessica in his arms, John stands.

JOHN (CONT’D)
I have something I want to show you.

John takes Jessica to a window out in the hallway. Jessica sees something the
audience can’t, but we do hear Prancer’s collar bells ring out and a vocal greeting
from the deer.

JESSICA
What’s Prancer doing in the back of your pickup?

JOHN
I tracked Herb down and gave him back his money. I think we still
have time to get him out to Antler ridge. Santa hasn’t been to Three
Oaks yet.

JESSICA
We don’t have to, daddy. I know he’s not really Prancer.

JOHN
You’re going to have a hard time convincing all those people
downstairs of that.
 102.

DOWN IN THE KITCHEN

LIGHTS UP on the people downstairs. They fill the kitchen to the bursting point.
They’re talking and laughing, drinking and eating. Christmas music plays.

John comes down the stairs holding Jessica. She wears her winter jacket, earmuffs
and boots. When father and daughter enter the kitchen, the crowd reacts boisterously
at the sight of Jessica. John carries his daughter among the crowd toward the kitchen
door. They pass by Mrs. McFarland.

JESSICA
Mrs. McFarland. You look so beautiful.

She does, actually. Wearing a bright red overcoat, the richest woman in Three Oaks
looks rejuvenated, like a totally different person.

MRS. MCFARLAND
Bless you, child. And so do you.

Mrs. McFarland places her hand on Jessica’s cheek and gives her a warm smile.

Carol comes up to Jessica and holds out her hand. Jessica smiles and completes their
special handshake. No words need be exchanged between the two friends.

JESSICA
Dr. Benton...

Dr. Benton was standing near Carol.

DR. BENTON
Hello, Jessica.

JESSICA
Did you see Prancer outside?

DR. BENTON
I did.

JESSICA
How’s he look to you?

DR. BENTON
Good as new. I couldn’t even tell which leg I worked on. I’ve
never seen a wound of that nature heal so fast. It’s downright...
magical.
 103.

Jessica smiles, then looks around at the crowd.

JESSICA
Thank you all so much for coming. This could be one of my mom’s
Christmas Eve parties, all you here like this.

DORA BENEDETTI
Thank Mrs. McFarland, Jessica. She’s the one who got the word
out.

Mrs. McFarland shoots Dora a stern glare.

DORA BENEDETTI (CONT’D)

Whoops. Was that supposed to be a secret or something?

When Jessica looks at Mrs. McFarland, the older woman gives Jessica a it’s-no-big-
deal wave of the hand.

JOHN
Okay, everyone, out of the way. We’ve got a deer to get to Antler
Ridge by midnight!

The crowd cheers and parts as John carries Jessica to the door. Aunt Sarah intercepts
them before they exit.

AUNT SARAH
I don’t think this is a good idea, John. The doctor said Jessica could
get out of bed, but I don’t think he had after-dark trips to Antler
Ridge in mind.

JESSICA
I’ll be okay, Aunt Sarah.

AUNT SARAH
But you need more rest.

JOHN
I know what Jessica needs, Sarah. And she’s going to be getting a
lot more of it from now on.

Steve has been standing near the door, talking to the daughter of the mall Santa, a cute
girl around his age. He gives his sister a big smile. As with Carol, no words are
needed between brother and sister.

And finally, there’s Ryan Nicolson.

 104.

RYAN
Hey, Jessica. Merry Christmas.

JESSICA
Merry Christmas, Ryan.

John and Jessica exit the kitchen amid a refrain of “Merry Christmases”. Going to
the windows to watch the two head off for their rendezvous with Santa Claus, the
crowd waves exuberantly.

SCENE 33 - FOREST - NIGHT

We are back where we started. The sounds of a winter night in the forest gradually
become audible. WIND whispers through the branches of the trees. A twig SNAPS as
an unseen animal runs through the woods.

Overhead, the full moon shines brightly.

A vehicle approaches. The engine coughs as it is turned off. A moment, then John
walks into view. Jessica is behind him, leading Prancer with a rope tied around his
neck. John steps aside and allows Jessica to walk further on into the clearing.

JOHN
(pointing)
Antler Ridge is right through there, Jessica.

When Jessica has put some distance between her and her father, she stops.

JESSICA
I have something for you.

Jessica reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out a Christmas cookie.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
One last Christmas cookie before you go.

Prancer doesn’t hesitate. He wolfs the cookie right down.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
You have no idea how much you’ve done for me, Prancer.

In response to Jessica’s comment, Prancer gives her a lick.

 105.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
I’ll never, ever forget you.

Prancer suddenly looks off. It is as though he has heard something, a sound no one
else can hear. Jessica gently takes the rope from around Prancer’s neck, then gives him
a big hug.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
I love you, Prancer.
(barely getting the words out)
Remember me, okay?

When Jessica reaches out to pet Prancer one last time, the deer stands straight and tall
and looks down at the girl who rescued him. He dips his antlers, a final goodbye
gesture, then turns and runs into the forest.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Prancer...

Jessica runs towards the back of the stage after Prancer. The deer has already
disappeared into the darkness. Jessica follows him. John follows his daughter.

SCENE 34 - ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST - NIGHT

Jessica appears and runs to the extreme edge of the stage. John is a few seconds
behind her.

JOHN
Jessica! Get back!

John runs to his daughter and pulls her away from the precipitous cliff.

JESSICA
Look. His footprints go right to the edge.
(concerned, looking around for
Prancer)
He couldn’t have jumped... and lived.

John puts his arms around Jessica and holds her tenderly.

JOHN
Listen. Maybe you’ll hear his bells.

Jessica listens. There is nothing but silence in the forest.

 106.

JOHN (CONT’D)
Hear them?

Jessica shakes her head. But then...

JESSICA
I do hear them. I hear them, daddy!

Prancer’s bells gradually become audible. Jessica scans the sky for any sign of the
deer.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
There he is!

Jessica points. Sure enough, Prancer has appeared high over the heads of the
audience! He has begun a flight from one side of the theater to the other.

JESSICA (CONT’D)
Do you see him, daddy? Do you?

John is astounded at the sight overhead.

JOHN
I do. But I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

Jessica runs to her father. The two hug. Still overwhelmed by the incredible sight in
the sky, John shakes his head in wonder.

JOHN (CONT’D)
Full moons and magic, honey. Just like your mom said.

John picks Jessica up and kisses her. Jessica gives her father a wondrous smile, then
looks up and waves to Prancer as he continues his flight.

JESSICA
Bye, Prancer! Merry Christmas!

Prancer continues his flight towards an unseen Santa and his teammates. As he
disappears from sight...

SNOW begins to fall.

Then...
 107.

SANTA CLAUS
(offstage, in a booming voice)
HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas to all, and to all... a good night!

What can follow that famous greeting? Nothing, really.

Jessica kisses her father on his whiskered cheek, then continues to wave happily up at
Santa, Dasher, Dancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen...

And Prancer, of course.

CURTAIN

THE END