Joy Wish

(working draft)

by
Shelly Lanciani

Shelly Lanciani
PO Box 345
S. Barre MA 01074
508-826-9540
Www.storybyshelly.com
FADE IN:

INT. SANTAS OFFICE - DAY

A large desk sits off to the side, piled high with papers,
toys, gifts. In the center of the room is the Yuletide 3000
- a sporty, slick speedster of a sleigh, equipped with
levers, buttons and complicated control devices. On the wall
nearby hangs a large, gold key.

There is a KNOCK at the door.

ELI ELKMER, a young elf, pokes his head in the door.

ELI
Santa?

He enters the office wearing a tunic with shorts and bare

legs.

He sits on the edge of a chair near the desk, waiting.

His eyes wander to the Yuletide 3000.

He stands and inches his way towards the sleigh.

He rubs his hands along the slick surface.

After a quick check back to the doorway he takes the key off
the wall and hoists himself into the drivers seat.

He inserts the key and turns it. The powerful motor REVS.

Eli throws his arms in the air with excitement, accidentally

moving a lever and setting off a high-pitched beeping sound.

He tries to move the lever back but cant and ends up hitting
another button, which sets off a whistle.

He tries to undo what he has done but keeps setting off new
alarms. He flips and flops in the seat until he ends up with
one leg in the air, backwards.

In the doorway, SANTA watches him.

He approaches and takes the key out of the ignition and

returns it to the wall.

ELI (CONTD)
Sir! I was just, um, checking
things out for you.
 2.

SANTA
Shes a complicated piece of
machinery Eli. Frankly, I dont
think youre ready. Driving this
sleigh takes a lot of coordination
and dexterity.

ELI
Im never going to be ready.

SANTA
Maybe someday Eli.

Santa helps Eli exit the vehicle.

SANTA (CONTD)
Where are your tights?

ELI
Theyre at the dry-cleaners.

SANTA
I wanted to meet with you today
because I have a problem.

Santa sits behind his desk.

SANTA (CONTD)
I was checking my list again to
make sure all the children had
turned in their wishes and I
noticed a little girl from Milton
hasnt wished for anything yet. Now
you know how I feel about the
wishes. Every chid deserves at
least one at Christmastime. I need
this remedied.

ELI
Im your guy. What do I do?

SANTA
I need you to go down and look into
things for me.

ELI
Really? Like undercover? Cool!

While Santa digs through the piles on his desk, searching for
a paper Eli jumps out of his seat and hops back into the
Yuletide 3000.

SANTA
I have the information right here.
 3.

Santa locates the paper and holds it out to the empty chair.
He looks around for Eli.

SANTA (CONTD)
What are you doing?

ELI
Im ready to go Santa.

SANTA
(chuckling)
Oh no Eli, Im sending you down
with Mrs. Claus. Shes taking her
sleigh down later today for an
errand.

ELI
I have to ride in that bus?

Eli exits the sleigh and takes the paper from Santa.

ELI (CONTD)
So what will my cover be? I could
be Eli Elkmer, child prodigy, a
chess champion touring the country.

SANTA
I kind of had something else in
mind. Pack your bags. And dont
forget your tights.

INT. AUCTION HALL - DAY

CHRISTY cleans and tags antiques on a folding table. The hall

is empty but set up with folding chairs facing a small stage
with a podium on it.

TED, 40s, writes on a pad behind the podium.

MIKEY, 12, sits in a chair writing lot numbers on tags.

MISS CINDY, 30s, enters carrying a box.

CHRISTY
Cindy! Good to see you.

TED
Mikey, help her with that box.

Mikey takes the box from her and puts it on the stage.
 4.

CHRISTY
Cindy Kane, this is my boss, Ted.
Ted, this is the dance instructor,
Cindy.

They shake hands.

MISS CINDY
Thank you so much for letting us
use your hall for our dance show. I
had no idea electricians could take
so long to replace wiring. For a
while there I thought we were going
to have to cancel the show. The
kids are so excited to get a chance
to perform.

TED
Im happy to help maam. Christy
here is always telling me how much
her daughter loves dancing. This is
my son, Michael. Michael, say hello
to Miss Kane.

Mikey shakes her hand.

MIKEY
So you teach dance?

MISS CINDY
I do.

MIKEY
What kind?

Ted steps in between them.

TED
Lets take a look at those lots,
see if you got em all.

Ted escorts his son back to the table of antiques.

The BUNHEADS, a group of young ballerinas, enter with their

PARENTS. The bunheads rush Miss Cindy.

BUNHEAD #1
Hi Miss Cindy!

BUNHEAD #2
Miss Cindy, watch what I can do.

Bunhead #2 executes a turn.

 5.

BUNHEAD #3
Are we going to dance today?

MISS CINDY
Hi girls. Well, maybe we can do a
little bit. But mostly I wanted to
show you the stage so youll be
ready.

At the mention of stage the bunheads get very excited and

jump up on stage.

Ted exits and Mikey sits to watch the dancers.

BUNHEAD #1
Can you teach us the ending of the
dance today?

MISS CINDY
I was planning on teaching it next
week when we meet for the final
rehearsal.

BUNHEAD #2
Can you turn the music on so we can
practice?

MISS CINDY
I guess weve got a little time.
Im still waiting for the other
dancers to arrive.

BUNHEAD #3
(quietly to friends)
Did she call them dancers?

The bunheads giggle.

Mikey leaps out of his seat to help Miss Cindy with the CD
player.

Miss Cindy turns on the music and the bunheads do a short

dance. Their steps are perfectly in sync and they take
themselves very seriously.

PARENT #1 enters carrying a box. She places it on a chair in

the front row.

Miss Cindy stops the music. The bunheads scurry to the box.

BUNHEAD #2
Is that our costumes?
 6.

BUNHEAD #1
What do they look like?

BUNHEAD #3
What color are they?

BUNHEAD #1
I just hope theyre not green!

A loud CRASH is heard. Everyone turns to look at the doorway.

Eli stands next to the table of antiques, which he has

knocked over. He is wearing green tights, a T-shirt, gym
shorts and a frown.

The bunheads giggle.

The BEGINNERS enter with the GROUP LEADER. They wear hand-me-
down leotards, sweatpants and mismatched clothes. ABBY is at
the back of the group.

Miss Cindy walks over to Eli.

MISS CINDY
Hi there. Come on in. Im Miss
Cindy. Whats your name?

ELI
Eli. I wanted to know if I could
join your class.

MISS CINDY
Well, we always welcome new
dancers. Why dont you watch the
other beginners and well see if
you can pick up some of the steps?

The beginners rush Miss Cindy, the same way the bunheads did.

BEGINNER #1
Hi Miss Cindy!

BEGINNER #2
(hugging her)
I missed you!

BEGINNER #3
Can we dance? Can we dance? Please!

MISS CINDY
First I need to show everyone...the
costumes!

Everyone cheers.
 7.

MISS CINDY (CONTD)

Now this is very important. You
must not get these dirty or
wrinkled or lose them. Every
ballerina takes care of her tutu.
You will not be able to perform if
you dont have your costume. Does
everyone understand?

Miss Cindy takes out the costumes for the bunheads and hands
them out.

Then she takes out the costumes for the beginners and hands
them out.

All the dancers have a costume except for Abby. Miss Cindy
walks over to her.

MISS CINDY (CONTD)

Abby, you probably noticed there
are no more costumes.

ABBY
Thats okay. Maybe they just made a
mistake.

MISS CINDY
No, it wasnt a mistake. I want you
to do a special dance with me.

ABBY
A duet?

MISS CINDY
Yes, a duet. And I have a special
costume just for you.

Miss Cindy takes out a very sparkly, beautiful costume.

Abbys eyes light up.

ABBY
Wow! Ive never seen anything that
beautiful!

MISS CINDY
Its all yours.

ABBY
I can keep it?

MISS CINDY
Yes.

Abby hugs Miss Cindy.

 8.

ABBY
When can we learn the duet?

MISS CINDY
Well learn it next week. Ive
arranged with your group leader to
have you stay late so we can work
on it.

Miss Cindy steps onto the stage.

MISS CINDY (CONTD)

Okay girls. Lets have the
beginners get up on stage and try
out their dance.

She puts a hand on Elis shoulder.

MISS CINDY (CONTD)

This is Eli. Hes going to try to
learn the steps and maybe join us
for the show.

Eli waves hello.

Abby returns a big wave and a smile.

The others look at him strangely.

MISS CINDY (CONTD)

Eli, why dont you get right up
there on stage and see if you can
follow along.

The beginners spread out on stage and the music plays. They
dance, not quite as well as the bunheads.

Eli struggles to dance and crashes into the girls.

In the audience Abby dances along. She knows the steps

perfectly.

MISS CINDY (CONTD)

Good job everyone. Well meet next
week for rehearsal. I have some
fliers for the show. I want you to
give them out to everyone you know.
The more people in the audience the
better.

The dancers gather their costumes.

Miss Cindy hands a flier to Abby and then to everyone else as

they exit.
 9.

Mikey takes a flier.

MIKEY
Do you have any other boys in your
classes?

MISS CINDY
Just the one that came today. And
Im not quite sure hes going to
make it. Why, are you interested in
dancing?

MIKEY
I dont think my dad would let me.

MISS CINDY
Would you like me to speak with
him?

MIKEY
No, please, no. But maybe I could
watch your rehearsal next week?

MISS CINDY
Sure, wed love to have you.

Mike and Miss Cindy exit, leaving Eli and Abby alone in the
hall.

ABBY
Smile, you werent that bad.

ELI
Hi, Im Eli.

ABBY
Im Abby.

ELI
Youre a good dancer. I was
wondering if you could help me with
some of the steps.

ABBY
Sure. Id love to help you. Ill
ask my mom if you can come over
some time.

ELI
Great!

The group leader pokes her head back in the hall.

 10.

GROUP LEADER
Come on Abby. The bus is leaving.

ELI
Bus?

ABBY
Im part of an after-school
program. The bus drops us off at
home. Bye!

Abby leaves.

Eli picks up an antique toy car and plays with it. Then he
pulls out a cellphone.

ELI
Hi sir. The eagle has landed.
(pause)
The eagle. Me, Eli.
(pause)
Yes, Im wearing my tights.

INT. MISS WATERLYS LIVING ROOM - LATER

MISS WATERLY, 60s, sits in a wheelchair in the middle of an

elegantly decorated room filled with antiques. On the wall is
a painting of a ballerina in arabesque.

A NURSE hums a Christmas song while she hangs garland. She

reaches into a box and hands Miss Waterly a string of lights.

NURSE
Here, untangle this.

MISS WATERLY
I dont see why we have to
decorate.

NURSE
What if you have visitors? Its
nice to be festive.

MISS WATERLY
I never have visitors.

The doorbell chimes.

NURSE
Oh no? Whos that?

MISS WATERLY
Probably a salesman. Send him away.
 11.

The nurse exits.

Miss Waterly puts the tangled lights back into the box.

The nurse returns with Abby.

NURSE
She says you know her.

MISS WATERLY
I dont think so.

ABBY
My name is Abby. I wave to you
every day on my way home from the
bus stop, in your window.

MISS WATERLY
Oh, I never noticed.

ABBY
I live down the street with my mom.

NURSE
How about I get some cookies?

ABBY
I love cookies!

MISS WATERLY
When did you make cookies?

The nurse exits.

ABBY
I came to give you this.

She hands her the dance show flier.

ABBY (CONTD)
My dance studio is having a show
and I thought you might want to
come. My teacher told us to give a
flier to everyone we know.

Miss Waterly hands the flier back without reading it.

MISS WATERLY
Im not interested.

Miss Waterly wheels herself to the window and stares out.

Abby looks around the room. She notices the painting and
tries to imitate the pose.
 12.

The nurse returns with a plate of cookies.

ABBY
Am I doing it right?

NURSE
Looks good. Youve almost got it.

ABBY
Im going to leave now. I think I
made her sad.

NURSE
Im sorry. Shes not used to having
company. Here, take some cookies to
go.

ABBY
If she changes her mind and wants
to come to my show, maybe it will
make her happy.

NURSE
Thats very thoughtful of you. Ill
see if I can talk to her.

INT. AUCTION HALL - DAY

Mikey leans a broom against the podium and tries to execute a

few dance steps. Behind him on the stage is a Christmas tree
and some other decorations.

Christy walks in as he is dancing.

Mikey quickly grabs the broom and sweeps.

CHRISTY
Look at you! You can dance.

MIKEY
Oh, I was just goofing around.

CHRISTY
You should consider taking some
dance classes.

MIKEY
I dont think my dad would let me.

CHRISTY
Why not?
 13.

MIKEY
He thinks dancing is for girls.

Mikey mockingly dances like a girl. As he is dancing Ted

enters carrying a large box of decorations.

TED
Help me, please.

Mikey rushes to help him.

TED (CONTD)
Hang those on the tree.

MIKEY
Are we going to take the
decorations down after the
Breakfast with Santa?

TED
No, we can leave them up for the
little bunheads and their tutus.

Ted hands Mikey an antique.

TED (CONTD)
Put that in the back room.

Mikey exits.

Christy sweeps.

CHRISTY
Hes a pretty good dancer you know.

TED
Who?

CHRISTY
Mikey. You should let him take
class with Cindy.

TED
(laughing)
No, Mikey wants to play baseball.

CHRISTY
Oh, okay.

TED
I know what my sons goals are and
theyre not to prance around on
stage.
 14.

INT. ABBYS BEDROOM - DAY

Abby dances around her very simple, modest room, wearing her
new costume. SARA, Abbys mother, enters with Eli behind her.

SARA
Abby, you have a visitor.

Abby gives Eli a big hug.

ABBY
Eli! Im so glad you came.

SARA
Eli invited us to the Breakfast
with Santa tomorrow.

ABBY
Can we go? Can we go?

SARA
I dont see why not. But youll
have to take that costume off.

ELI
Santa will be so happy to see you.

SARA
Have fun you two.

Sara leaves.

ELI
It looks good on you.

ABBY
Thank you. Isnt it perfect? Ive
never owned anything so fancy in my
whole life.

Eli walks around the room, checking things out. He picks up a

very old doll, one of the few toys.

ELI
Do you like dolls?

ABBY
That used to be my moms when she
was a girl.

ELI
Do you want more dolls?
 15.

ABBY
Oh, I dont know. I like that one.

Abby spins.

ELI
Youre very talented.

ABBY
Thanks. Youve got...good energy.

ELI
You can say it, I stink.

ABBY
Well, you can always practice. This
is first position.

She demonstrates.

Eli ignores her and takes a ball of yarn out of a box.

ELI
Do you knit?

ABBY
I like to make up games with
string. You can do a lot with it.
Come on, lets try some steps.

ELI
Did you write a Christmas List yet?

ABBY
No, Im not really expecting much.

ELI
There must be something you want.
Santa says that every child has a
joy wish - a gift, a toy, a dream,
something that would bring joy to
their life.

ABBY
Whats your joy wish?

ELI
Mine?

ABBY
Yeah, you said every child has one.
 16.

ELI
Well, I guess it would be the
Yuletide 3000. Its a ...toy. An
awesome, cool, super toy that I
want to play with more than
anything else in the world. Ive
been wishing for it for a long,
long time. But I dont have the
coordination or dexterity for it.

ABBY
What does that mean?

ELI
It means being able to use lots of
different muscles to do one thing.

ABBY
Like dancing?

ELI
Yeah.

ABBY
Then we should work on teaching you
how to dance.

Eli gives in and lets her show him a step.

INT. AUCTION HALL - DAY

Santa sits on the stage in a large chair. A few of the

beginner dancers wait in line to sit on his lap. Eli is at
the end of the line.

Ted and Mikey watch the festivities.

The bunheads dance by.

BUNHEADS
Tendu, passe, arabesque, plie.

They giggle and flit off to the craft table.

Miss Waterly and the Nurse enter.

TED
Hi Grace. Nice to see you today.

MISS WATERLY
Whats going on here?
 17.

TED
Were hosting a Breakfast with
Santa. Theres no auction today.
Unless you came to sell me some of
your art.

MISS WATERLY
You wish. My art collection is not
for sale.

TED
Well, if you ever change your mind,
please consider my services. Can I
get you ladies a drink.

MISS WATERLY
No.

NURSE
Yes.

Miss Waterly shoots her nurse an angry look, which is

ignored.

Ted goes to the refreshment table.

More dancers and parents arrive, including Abby and Sara.

Abby dances to the holiday music.

MISS WATERLY
That little girl is always dancing.
You should see her when she walks
home from school.

NURSE
I thought you didnt notice.

MISS WATERLY
Can we leave now?

Abby prances over.

ABBY
Hi Miss Waterly!

MISS WATERLY
Hello.

ABBY
Abby.

NURSE
Hi Abby. How are you today?
 18.

ABBY
Im great. This is where the dance
show is going to be, if you want to
come.

MISS WATERLY
We cant come to your show.

ABBY
Ive been practicing that pose from
your painting. Want to see?

Abby strikes arabesque.

MISS WATERLY
Were on our way out.

ABBY
They have cookies.

NURSE
Oh, lets just grab a few before we
leave.

ABBY
Merry Christmas!

The nurse pushes Miss Waterly to the snack table before she
has a chance to object.

Abby joins her mother and the bunheads at the craft table.

The bunheads dance.

BUNHEADS
Tendu, passe, arabesque, plie.

They giggle and flit off.

Over at Santa it is Elis turn. He climbs awkwardly onto

Santas lap and squirms.

SANTA
(whispering to Eli)
So hows the Abby situation?

ELI
I still havent gotten any wishes
out of her. But shes here with her
mother. Ill get her to come over.

SANTA
Great. Good job Eli.
(loudly)
(MORE)
 19.
SANTA (CONT'D)
Okay then little boy, a big wheel
it is.

Santa lifts Eli off his lap.

Eli stumbles over to Abby and her mom.

ELI
Hi Abby.

Abby holds up a craft she has decorated.

ABBY
What do you think?

ELI
Its beautiful.

ABBY
Here. Its for you

ELI
Come with me Abby. You should talk
with Santa.

ABBY
Can I mom?

SARA
Sure, go ahead.

Eli leads Abby to Santa.

She sits on his lap.

SANTA
Hi there Abby.

ABBY
How did you know my name?

SANTA
Im Santa.

ABBY
You smell good, like cookies and
snow.

SANTA
So Miss Abby, what is it you want
for Christmas?

ABBY
Anything I get will be fine.
 20.

SANTA
There must be something special you
want. Think of something that would
make you happy and bring you joy.

Abby looks around the room at the craft table, dancers, snack
area, parents and the nurse pushing Miss Waterly to the exit.

The bunheads dance by in front of Santa, just as Abby leans

in to tell him her wish.

BUNHEADS
Tendu, passe, arabesque, plie.

They giggle and flit off.

SANTA
Ill see what I can do.

Abby waves goodbye and joins her mother.

Eli stands next to Santa.

ELI
So can I go back up north with you
in the 3000?

SANTA
No, I need you to stay down here
and make sure Abby gets her wish.
Dont fail me.

Santa leans in close to tell Eli about the wish.

A FIRE ENGINE wails.

Eli is first to run to the window, with everyone else

following.

A FIREFIGHTER pulls out his cellphone.

FIREFIGHTER
Okay. Yes, Im on my way.

BUNHEAD #2
What is it dad?

FIREFIGHTER
Its the dance studio. Theres been
an accident.
 21.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

Miss Cindy lies in a hospital bed, wrapped with bandages.

Sara enters with a tray.

Just outside the door Eli spies on the women.

SARA
Cindy! It is you. I thought I
recognized the name. How are you?

MISS CINDY
Okay. But Im going to be out of
commission for a little while. I
tried to save it, but well, the
studio is gone.

SARA
I heard. Is there anything we can
do?

MISS CINDY
I would love to rebuild. But I just
cant see how Ill ever be able to,
even with the insurance money. Im
looking at at least $50,000 to get
the studio functional. I dont have
that kind of money. I was lucky
enough to inherit the building in
the first place.

SARA
Im sure youll find a way to get
the studio up again. Take care of
yourself and heal first. Your
classes mean so much to so many
children, especially Abby. Things
will work out.

MISS CINDY
How is Abby?

SARA
Worried about you and sad about the
studio.

MISS CINDY
I hope shell still dance in the
show.

SARA
The show? Youre still going to do
the show?
 22.

MISS CINDY
I cant be there but theres no
reason why the girls cant dance.
If I had one wish it would be to
have them perform.

Eli runs off, knocking over a chair in the hall.

INT. AUCTION HALL

Ted and Mikey clean up Christmas decorations.

Christy collects dance costumes from the dancers and parents.

Eli rushes in, out of breath.

ELI
No! Stop! The show must go on.

TED
Didnt you hear? The dance studio
burned down and Miss Cindy is in
the hospital.

ELI
Yeah, yeah. But the girls still
have to dance.

BUNHEAD #1
How can we dance? Miss Cindys not
here.

BUNHEAD #2
We never learned the ending to our
dance.

BUNHEAD #3
Would it be okay to still do the
show mom?

PARENT #3
How does Miss Cindy feel about
this?

ELI
Thats why we have to do it. She
wants us to. Its her wish!

FIREFIGHTER
The studio is destroyed, but I
guess the kids are right. They
could still do the show.
 23.

BUNHEAD #1
The studio wont be gone forever.
She can fix it.

ELI
Well, thats the other thing. Miss
Cindy needs money to rebuild. A lot
of money. $50,000.

BUNHEAD #1
Wow, thats a lot of money.

Everyone chats with each other, excited about the show and
thinking about the money.

MIKEY
Dad, what if we did an auction for
them?

TED
Thats not a bad idea. We could get
them to collect donations and do
the auction the same night as the
dance show. I dont know that it
would bring $50,000, but it might
help.

MIKEY
Can I tell them?

TED
Sure.

Mikey steps onto the stage.

MIKEY
Excuse me. My dad and I thought
that maybe on the night of the
dance show we could do an auction.
Everyone could donate some items
and collect from people in the
community. We would auction them
and give the money to Miss Cindy.

Everyone reacts with excitement.

The bunheads hug Mikey.

PARENT #3
Ted, what do we need to do?

TED
Spread the word. We only have one
week so tell everyone you know.
(MORE)
 24.
TED (CONT'D)
We can get an article in the paper
and plaster the town with fliers.
But most importantly you need to
collect donations. Anything from
furniture to toys to books to art.
Try to get something from everyone
you know.

Eli notices Abby looking a little sad.

ABBY
I wish I knew someone that could
donate something.

ELI
What about that lady in the
wheelchair? She might have
something.

ABBY
Thats a great idea! Thanks Eli.

INT. MISS WATERLYS LIVING ROOM - DAY

Miss Waterly reads by the window.

The nurse leads Abby into the room.

MISS WATERLY
I dont think we have any cookies
today.

ABBY
I came to talk to you about the
dance studio.

MISS WATERLY
Like I told you before, I cant
come see you dance.

ABBY
Im not dancing anymore. Miss Cindy
got hurt in the fire and she cant
dance with me. She cant even teach
the other girls the ending to their
dance. But were trying to raise
money to rebuild the studio.

MISS WATERLY
The fire was at your dance studio?
 25.

ABBY
Yes. And I really want to keep
taking classes.

MISS WATERLY
Dancing really means a lot to you?

ABBY
Dancing is my favorite thing Ive
ever done.

MISS WATERLY
How are you raising money?

ABBY
Were collecting donations for an
auction.

MISS WATERLY
Ill look around for something.

Abby hugs Miss Waterly, who pulls away after a second.

MISS WATERLY (CONTD)

Okay then, thats enough. Ill look
around.

ABBY
Thanks.

Abby skips out.

NURSE
Shes very sweet.

MISS WATERLY
I used to be like her.

NURSE
You were never that sweet.

MISS WATERLY
I was a dancer once, before my legs
got bad. A ballerina. Dancing was
my life. It was my favorite thing.

INT. AUCTION HALL - DAY

Ted and Mikey collect donations from parents and dancers.

Abby enters carrying her dance costume with her mother behind
her.
 26.

Abby hands the costume to Ted.

TED
Hi there young lady. This is
beautiful, thank you. But dont you
think youll need it for the dance
show?

ABBY
Im not going to do the dance show.
I never learned my duet.

MIKEY
Couldnt you just dance with the
other girls?

ABBY
My costume is different. I just
want to help the studio get fixed
so we can all keep taking classes.

TED
Well, well see if we cant sell
this for a lot of money and help
you out.

Abby finds Eli and works on some dance steps with him.

Miss Waterly enters holding the painting of the ballerina.

Ted rushes to take the painting off her lap.

TED (CONTD)
So Im finally going to get to
auction one of your paintings.

MISS WATERLY
Yes, you are. It probably wont
bring much. Its appraised for two-
thousand. But I thought it might go
well in the auction.

TED
This is very generous of you. Ill
go put it in the back room for safe
keeping.

Ted leaves.

Abby notices Miss Waterly and runs to her.

ABBY
You came!
 27.

MISS WATERLY
Yes. Now gather the dancers.

ABBY
The dancers? Why?

MISS WATERLY
You said they needed an ending to
their dance, right?

ABBY
Yeah.

MISS WATERLY
Im going to teach them.

The bunheads gather around Miss Waterly.

MISS WATERLY (CONTD)

Show me where you left off.

The bunheads dance.

Nearby Mikey dances along with them. Miss Waterly notices.

MISS WATERLY (CONTD)

Good, I can work with that.

She points to Mikey.

MISS WATERLY (CONTD)

You!

MIKEY
Me?

MISS WATERLY
Yes, come here.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

Miss Cindy lays in bed, still bandaged. Sara enter with Abby.

MISS CINDY
Its so nice to see you. How are
you?

ABBY
Im good.

MISS CINDY
Go on, tell her the good news.
 28.

ABBY
Were going to do the show! And
were having an auction to raise
money for you so we can rebuild the
studio. Isnt that great?

MISS CINDY
Thats great. What are the girls
doing about the ending of their
dances?

ABBY
Miss Waterly is teaching them.

MISS CINDY
Who is Miss Waterly?

ABBY
This lady that lives near me.

MISS CINDY
Im so happy for you. And are you
going to do a solo now?

ABBY
Im too scared to dance alone.

MISS CINDY
Why dont you dance with the other
girls?

ABBY
I don't have my costume anymore.
But thats okay. Ill dance with
you next year.

MISS CINDY
I hope so. That would be fun. You
tell everyone I said hello.

SARA
Come on, let Miss Cindy get some
rest.

Abby waves goodbye as she exits.

MISS CINDY
Sara, what happened to her costume?

SARA
She donated it to the auction.
 29.

INT. AUCTION HALL

A flurry of people preview items and register for bid cards.

BIDDER 25 puts a card into the brim of her hat.

All the parents are there with Miss Waterly and Santa.

Ted pounds the gavel on the podium.

TED
Okay folks, take your seats. Thank
you all for coming today and
helping to raise some money for
Miss Cindy and her dance studio. I
hope youll all stay to the end
because the dancers will be
performing some very special dances
for us. And after the show Santa
has brought presents for everyone.

Santa waves to the crowd and they clap and cheer. Then he
takes a seat next to the refreshments.

TED (CONTD)
Okay then, lets have an auction.

A parent holds up a vase.

TED (CONTD)
The first item on the block tonight
is this beautiful McCoy pottery
vase. The old McCoy, the real
McCoy. Wholl start it down low at
25 and go? Or how about 20? Ten I
have now 15, then 20 and 30 and 40.
Can I get 45 for a McCoy vase like
that? All in all done at 40? Sold!
40 dollars to number 15.

Parent brings vase to winner then comes back and holds up a

purse.

TED (CONTD)
Moving right along out next item is
a turn of the century Victorian
beaded purse. If you saw it during
preview you know its in good
condition. Wheres my 50 to start?
10 is bid and 30 and 4- and 50 and
60 and 70. Can I get 75? One more
time, 75? Sold for 70 dollars to
number 12. Good buy.
 30.

Parent brings purse to winner.

Parent holds up Abbys dance costume.

TED (CONTD)
Up next is this lovely little dance
costume. Wheres my bid?

Miss Waterly raises her card.

TED (CONTD)
20 right off the bat. I have 20 for
the tutu. Can I get any advance?
Sold for 20 dollars to number 30.
Thank you, Grace.

INT. WAITING AREA - DAY

The dancers prepare for their show, fix costumes, put on

makeup.

Eli wears black dance tights and a tunic. Abby goes over
steps with him.

ABBY
Youre going to be great.

ELI
Thanks to you. I still think you
should dance with us. It would make
everyone happy.

ABBY
Im happy to watch. I can dance
next year.

INT. AUCTION HALL - LATER

All items have been sold except for the painting. A parent
holds it up.

TED
Weve saved the best for last. Here
we have a wonderful painting,
signed by the artist, oil on board.
Im not sure where to start this.
Hey Christy, how much more do we
need?

CHRISTY
Forty-thousand would do it Ted.
 31.

TED
Okay then, whos going to start it
at forty-thou?

Bidder 25 raises her card.

TED (CONTD)
Im sorry maam. I meant forty-
thousand.

Bidder 25 raises her card higher.

TED (CONTD)
Are you bidding forty-thousand?

Everyone turns in their seats to look at the bidder.

BIDDER 25
Yes I am.

TED
Anyone for forty-one thousand? No?
Going once, twice, sold to number
25.

The crowd erupts with cheers.

TED (CONTD)
Thank you all for coming. And now
we have some wonderful dancing for
you to enjoy.

The bunheads come onto the stage and perform.

INT. WAITING AREA - SAME

Everyone cheers.

Miss Waterly enters with Abbys dance costume in her lap.

ABBY
Your painting saved the day!

MISS WATERLY
Isnt it wonderful? I had no idea
someone would pay that much for it.

ABBY
I cant wait to tell Miss Cindy.
This means I can dance again when
the studio is rebuilt.
 32.

MISS WATERLY
Were not going to wait that long.
Here.

She hands Abby the costume.

ABBY
Where did you get that?

MISS WATERLY
I bought it. Now go put it on.
Girls, are you ready?

The beginners and Eli nod. They head out on stage.

Music plays and they dance, Eli and Mikey are also in the
number. Mikey does a cool, hip hop number. The crowd loves
it, even Ted.

Miss Waterly rolls herself onto stage.

She motions for a shy Abby to join her.

Abby stands next to her and the music starts.

They dance.

The crowd applauds and Miss Waterly and Abby bow. Miss
Waterly smiles with joy.

TED
Thank you all for coming. Please
stay for refreshments and gifts
from Santa.

Everyone gets up and rush to presents, mingle.

Santa eats a cookie.

Beside him Bidder 25 wipes a crumb from his face.

SANTA
Eli didnt look half bad up there.

BIDDER 25
No, he didnt. And little Abby was
amazing. Im so glad she got to
dance in the show. You could tell
she loved every minute of it. And,
we got to help fulfill her joy
wish.
 33.

SANTA
Oh, Abby got what she wished for.
But it wasnt to dance in the show
or rebuild the studio.

BIDDER 25
It wasnt?

SANTA
She wanted to see Miss Waterly
smile.

Santa wraps an arm around Bidder 25.

Eli runs to join them.

SANTA (CONTD)
Oh Eli, just the elf I wanted to
see.

ELI
Yes sir?

SANTA
Good job up there tonight, with the
dancing and all.

Santa reaches into his pocket and takes out the gold key.

SANTA (CONTD)
Why dont you go start her up?

ELI
Really? Yes!

Eli leaps in the air with joy.

FADE OUT.