Day Four: Act I, Scene I

ACT ONE, SCENE ONE

            (A small living room, furnished with a single couch, a matching arm chair, a coffee table, and numerous amounts of Christmas decorations. The lights in the house are off, the only light coming from a Christmas tree U.L. A window S.L. illuminates with the passing of car headlights. Footsteps are heard coming from the staircase in the background. Enter MOLLIE PARKER, a fragile, yet assertive youth of eight years old. She tiptoes across the room to the coffee table, where a plate of cookies and a glass of milk reside. She pauses there, a sense of confusion crossing her face. She tiptoes toward the Christmas tree, peeking under, and then returning to the coffee table.)

     MOLLIE: (With a sense of urgency) Where is he? Why hasn’t he come yet? It’s already…uh…he should have come by now! (Sadly) Oh Santa Clause, all I want is to meet you. You seem like such a friendly guy with your bushy beard and your big belly. Why haven’t you come yet?
            (She looks from side to side, picks up a cookie, and eats it. She picks up the glass of milk and takes a drink. She drags her feet across the floor and sits down on the couch. Her hands lay in lap, clasped as if in prayer.)    
     MOLLIE: (Pleading) Okay, I’m sorry about the cookie, Santa, but I…uh…needed to check that they weren’t poisoned. (She stops to think, and continues, reassuringly) Not that my mommy would poison you or anything! But how bad would that be if you were found dead in my house? I mean, I would be the girl who ruined Christmas for everybody! I’d have nightmares.
            (She lies down and wraps herself in a blanket that was draped over the couch. She closes her eyes, a smile crossing her face.)    
     MOLLIE: (Yawning) I guess all I really want to tell you Santa, if you’re listening somewhere, is that I’ve been really good this year. I’m not lying! I promise! You can even check my nose!
            (She touches her nose to reassure herself. She opens her eyes and looks toward the ceiling.)
     MOLLIE: Santa, I know I wrote in my letter that I wanted a Barbie Dream House, and a puppy, and a Hannah Montana poster for my room, and a cell phone, and an iPod, and a computer, but I want you to take it all back, okay? Please take them all back. I don’t need them. I don’t need any of that stuff. If there’s one thing you can do for me Santa it’s bring my daddy home. Can you do that for me Santa? He’s been away for really long. (Pause) He’s the only thing I want for Christmas, Santa.
            (She brings the blanket tighter around herself and clings to her pillow)    
     MOLLIE: (In a faint whisper) Daddy…if you’re out there somewhere listening…Merry Christmas…
            (The lights from passing cars that through the window become less frequent until the only light onstage is coming from the Christmas tree. The colors fall gently on the room and on MOLLIE as she slowly drifts off to sleep.)

CURTAIN