[fade out]
FADE IN:
EXT. SNOWY TOBOGGAN HILL - DAY
Establish on a busy toboggan hill at the top of the snow
capped MOUNT SEYMOUR. TRUCK OUT and TRACK OVER to include
the snowless CITY OF VANCOUVER. FADE-UP CHRISTMAS CAROLS
as we TRACK ACROSS the city and begin TRUCKING IN on a
busy shopping mall.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE - DAY
Lots of happy shoppers mill about. As we TRACK over to
the TOY DEPARTMENT a tiny voice can be heard among the
drone of MUZAK and SHOPPING SOUNDS.
LITTLE GIRL WITH DOLL(O.S.)
...you are just the best in the whole
wide world...
ANGLE ON
A LITTLE GIRL sits in a TOY DEPARTMENT AISLE cradling a
RAGGEDY ANNE doll in her arms.
LITTLE GIRL WITH DOLL (cont'd)
...I'll always take good care of you
and make sure you have lots and lots
of warm milk...
INCLUDE MR. JONES
A kind, elf-ish looking man approaches.
MR. JONES
(to the doll)
Well hello. I see you've found a
friend.
LITTLE GIRL WITH DOLL
Yes I have. Say hello to Esmerelda.
MR. JONES
Why hello Esmerelda. (To the girl.)
I'm Mr. Jones.
I'm the manager of this toy
department. Is this what you're asking
Santa for this Christmas?
The girl gives the doll a squeeze, then holds it out with
both hands. Mr. Jones takes the doll as the girl rushes
off.
LITTLE GIRL WITH DOLL
Yes. Mommy and I are going to go see
Santa and I'm going to ask him for an
Esmerelda dolly just like this one.
(Looking O.S.) Oops, have to go now,
bye.
Mr. Jones snickers as he puts the doll on a shelf before
returning to the check-out counter.
MR. JONES
(to himself)
...Esmerelda...
ANGLE ON RAGGEDY ANNE DOLL
RAGGEDY ANNE
Yuck! I hate warm milk!
JACK-IN-THE-BOX (O.S.)
(snicker) ...Esmerelda? I thought your
name was Raggedy Anne? (snicker)
ANGLE ON
a little BLUE BIKE sitting in the middle of the cluttered
toy department.
RAGGEDY ANNE (O.S.)
(angrily)
My name IS RAGGEDY ANNE! And if it
wasn't for that meddling Mr. Jones,
I'd be on my way out of this dump.
VARIOUS ANGLES ON BIKE, RAGGEDY ANNE AND JACK-IN-THE-BOX
The Blue Bike watches the persnickety Raggedy Anne doll
sniping at a nearby JACK-IN-THE-BOX.
BLUE BIKE
(conciliatory)
Come on you two, we've got to work
together to make children happy this
Christmas.
RAGGEDY ANNE
(sneering at the bike)
Listen handle-bar-breath, the only
thing that'll make me happy is for you
to mind your own business!
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
Hey, give the kid a break.
RAGGEDY ANNE
Break? I'd love to give him a break!
That way he'll get shipped back to the
manufacturer and far away from me.
BLUE BIKE
Manufacturer? What's a manufacturer?
RAGGEDY ANNE
It's a big ugly monster that crunches
useless toys like you into eensy-
weensy little pieces.
BLUE BIKE
(distraught)
(ad lib GULP) Oh, my...
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
No, no, it's a troll. It takes broken
toys and buries them in deep dark
holes where they're never seen again.
A frightened Blue Bike looks between the Jack-in-the-box
and Raggedy Anne.
BLUE BIKE
(gulp) Well, if we all work together
at being the best presents we can,
none of us will have to go to any
silly old manufacturer...
RAGGEDY ANNE
You? A best present? Hah! Everyone
knows you can't cuddle a bicycle.
Besides, little girls like me best.
I'm the best present in the world.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
In your curls! I've been the favorite
toy long before you were even made.
RAGGEDY ANNE
We'll just see about that. Here comes
a kid now. Let's see who she chooses.
Jack-In-The-Box quickly scoots inside his box, closing
the lid behind him. All the toys become absolutely still.
WIDER ANGLE
A GIRL IN A PINK DRESS wanders dreamily down the aisle.
She picks up the Jack-In-The-Box and slowly turns its
handle, delighting in the music. Suddenly the box top
flips open and out pops Jack! The shrieking girl drops
the toy and runs off screaming.
SFX
(JACK-IN-THE-BOX MUSIC) SPROIINGGG!
GIRL IN PINK DRESS
(ad lib SCARED SHRIEKING)
ANGLE ON
A gleeful Raggedy Anne snipes from her perch as Jack-In-
The-Box struggles to push himself upright.
RAGGEDY ANNE
Favorite toy, my curls!
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
Now, that wasn't my fault…
RAGGEDY ANNE
Was so!
Jack-In-The-Box straightens up then gives himself a
visual once-over.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
(to himself) Good, no scratches. (then
to Raggedy Anne) Was not!
FADE DOWN ad lib of the TOYS ARGUING.
RAGGEDY ANNE
Look buddy, you'd better lock your lid
before I come over and do it for you.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
(taunting)
Oh yeah, Esmerelda...
RAGGEDY ANNE
That does it! You're...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. JOEY'S APARTMENT BUILDING - EVENING
ESTABLISH on a typical VANCOUVER 3-STOREY WOOD-FRAME WALK-
UP in Kitsilano, then TRUCK IN to the living-room window.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JOEY'S APARTMENT KITCHEN - EVENING
The apartment is comfortable but shows JOEY and his DAD
are of limited means. JOEY, age 5, sits at the KITCHEN
TABLE deep in concentration. He's carefully printing a
LIST for Santa with a FAT CRAYON. In the background is
the POPPING of the last few kernels of popcorn. Joey's
DAD, age 35, takes the POT from the stove and pours the
steaming popcorn into a BOWL.
DAD
(paying attention to the hot
pot)
Hey Joey, ready for popcorn?
JOEY
Just a minute. (beat)
There...finished.
ANGLE ON JOEY
as he looks up and reads from his list.
JOEY
When I see Santa tomorrow I'm going to
ask for a Super Dude video game,
roller blades, BlazerMan trading
cards, a remote control truck and one
of those super-racer bikes.
ANGLE ON DAD
He pauses, rummages in his pocket a bit, pulls out his
hand and, careful Joey doesn't notice, counts the few
loose coins he's retrieved.
DAD
(worried)
Wow. What're you going to do with all
those toys?
JOEY
(happily)
Play with them, silly.
Dad puts the money back in his pocket before carrying the
steaming bowl to the table.
NEW ANGLE
Dad sits, takes a handful of popcorn, pops a few in his
mouth then starts stringing the kernels together. Joey
stuffs a handful of popcorn in his mouth.
DAD
Do you think such a big list is fair
to Santa?
JOEY
(with popcorn in his mouth)
What do you mean?
DAD
Well, he's only got so many elves and
his sleigh can only carry so many
toys.
If all the children asked for that
many presents, I'm not sure there
would be enough room.
JOEY
(thinking)
Hmmm, maybe you're right.
CU. ON JOEY'S LIST
He scribbles a line through "remote control truck."
JOEY (O.S.)
Then I'll only ask for the Super Dude
video game, roller blades, BlazerMan
cards and the super racer bike.
VARIOUS ANGLES ON DAD AND JOEY
DAD
Maybe you should decide on the one
that's most important. Isn't it better
to get something you really want than
risk getting nothing at all?
As Joey thinks about that, Dad holds up the finished
string of popcorn.
DAD (cont'd)
There, help me put this on the tree?
They walk over to a small Christmas tree colorfully
decorated with twinkling lights and multi-colored sea-
shells. They place the string around the tree then stand
back admiring their handywork.
JOEY
What do you want for Christmas, Dad?
DAD
Just knowing you're happy is good
enough for me.
JOEY
Is that all?
DAD
That's more than enough.
TIME DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE TOY DEPARTMENT - NEXT MORNING
TRUCK IN on Toy Department aisles.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX (O.S.)
How many times do I have to tell you,
it wasn't my fault?
ANGLES ON RAGGEDY ANNE, BLUE BIKE AND JACK-IN-THE-BOX
RAGGEDY ANNE
You can say it as many times as you
like, it doesn't change a thing.
BLUE BIKE
Come on you two, you've been at it all
night. Why don't you kiss and make up?
The Blue Bike grimmices as a bunch of toys, thrown by
Raggedy Anne and Jack-in-the-box, fly at him.
RAGGEDY ANNE AND JACK-IN-THE-BOX
YUCKK! That's totally sick!
BLUE BIKE
(dodging items)
Stop it! If I get scratched, I'll get
sent to the manufacturer, remember?
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
Sounds like a great idea to me, Mr.
"kiss-and-make-up." (looking O.S.)
Ooops, shoppers at 10 o'clock.
RAGGEDY ANNE
(under her breath to Jack)
Was so your fault!
ANGLE ON
TWIN girls enter the toy department. The first grabs
Raggedy Anne while the other looks through a picture
book. Noticing the first twin with the doll, the second
drops her book, runs to her sister and grabs one of
Anne's dangling arms. A tug-of-war ensures as Anne is
pulled back and forth.
CU. ON RAGGEDY ANNE
TWIN 1 (O.S.)
I saw it first.
TWIN 2 (O.S.)
I don't care. I want it!
TWIN 1 (O.S.)
(shouting)
Mom, JUDY's taking my toy!
TWINS MOTHER
Now stop that you two. Put that down
and get over here! NOW!
The girls simultaneously let go of the doll and run off.
Anne drops to the floor, landing on her back in a
crumpled mess. Starting to push herself up she hears the
taunting Jack-In-The-Box, then drops back in
exasperation.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX (O.S.)
(SNICKER) Was not. (SNICKER)
ANGLE ON
a 5 year old BOY and his PARENTS enter the department.
BOY
Hey, what a neat bike!
BOY'S MOM
It does look nice. Why don't you try
it out while we look over here?
BOY'S DAD
And stay where we can see you.
The boy saintly waits until his parents walk O.S.
BOY'S MOM (O.S.)
What do you think of this dear?
Doesn't it look just perfect for
Thelma?
VARIOUS ANGLES ON BOY AND THE BIKE
The boy jumps excitedly on the bike seat.
BOY
Hot ziggidy! A new racer! Let's see
how fast it can go.
The boy pedals as fast as his legs allow. Down one aisle,
around a corner and up another. On one corner he swings
out too wide sending a NEARBY SHOPPER reeling.
CU. ON BLUE BIKE
BLUE BIKE (V.O.)
(horrified)
Someone might get hurt...and it'll
probably be me!
VARIOUS ANGLES ON BOY AND THE BIKE
They scream around the next corner way too fast. Losing
his balance, the boy falls head over heals as the bike
crashes into a display. Shaken, the boy glares at the
bike lying in a mess of shirts. Collecting himself, he
jumps up and gives the bike an angry kick.
BOY
It's all your fault!
INCLUDE BOY'S PARENTS
as they hurry towards the disaster, grab the boy by both
arms and lead him hastily away.
BOY'S DAD
Didn't we tell you to stay where we
could see you?
BOY
(sheepishly)
But I saw this bike someone dropped
and I came over to pick it up...
ANGLE ON
The Blue Bike lays in a daze in the middle of the aisle.
Mr. Jones rushes to check out the commotion.
MR. JONES
Oh my. (Beat) Oh dear!
MOVING SHOT
We TRACK with Mr. Jones carrying the Bike back to the toy
department then TRUCK IN on Joey and Dad riding down the
escalator deep in conversation.
JOEY
(glumly)
...so Santa said he couldn't promise
me a bike and that I should be happy
with whatever he brought.
DAD
Tsk, cheer up Joey. I'm sure he'll
bring something you'll be happy with,
he always does. Look, the toy
department. Maybe we can find
something for your friend Peter.
ANGLE ON
Joey walks wide-eyed through the rows of toys. His gaze
fixates on the bike Mr. Jones places with the other toys.
JOEY
(excitedly)
That's it! That's the bike I asked
Santa for Christmas!
VARIOUS ANGLES ON DAD, JOEY AND THE BLUE BIKE
As Mr. Jones bends to pick up Raggedy Anne, Joey runs
over and jumps excitedly on the bike.
Carefully riding around the aisle, he stops beside his
Dad to demonstrate the secret gas tank compartment.
JOEY
It's great Dad. Look, it even has a
gas tank that opens for my rocks and
treasures and stuff.
BLUE BIKE (V.O.)
What a perfect little boy. He's going
to take me home. I just know he is.
DAD
Hmmm, looks like it's got a bit of a
scratch on it.
BLUE BIKE (V.O.)
(panicked)
Scratch? Scratch!
Dad goes down on his haunches pointing to the scratch
left from Tommy's kick.
BLUE BIKE (V.O.)
Oh no!
JOEY
(pleading)
But it's just a little one Dad. We can
fix it with a little paint, I know we
can.
DAD
Now Joey, remember your talk with
Santa?
JOEY
But I love this one. It's what I've
always wanted.
CU. ON DAD AND JOEY
DAD
(empathetically)
Come on Joey. We're supposed to be
looking for a something for your
friend, remember?
Besides, shouldn't you at least wait
to see what Santa brings?
Joey pauses, takes a deep breath then sadly dismounts.
BIRDS-EYE ON TOY DEPARTMENT AND ESCALATOR
The Bike looks on in the background as Joey and Dad ride
up an ESCALATOR towards the camera. As he nears the top,
Joey looks around as though he hears someone calling.
BLUE BIKE (V.O.)
No, no, don't leave me.
CU. ON JOEY
JOEY
(turning back)
That's silly, toys can't talk.
WORMS-EYE ON BLUE BIKE - INCLUDE JOEY AND DAD
as they disappear at the top of the escalator.
BLUE BIKE
No, no, don't leave. Take me with you!
ANGLE ON
Blue Bike drops his eyes in total dejection.
BLUE BIKE (cont'd)
That's it, I'm doomed! My one chance
to get out of here is gone. With this
scratch, nobody'll want me now.
ANGLE ON
Raggedy Anne sits on a nearby shelf, still disheveled,
hands on hips chiding the Blue Bike.
RAGGEDY ANNE
You got that right spoke-teeth. On
Christmas I'm going to be cuddling
some little girl while you're going
back to the manufacturer.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX (O.S.)
'fraid she's got a point there.
ON JACK-IN-THE-BOX
cleaning his finger-nails.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX (CONT.)
Last year a dump truck, Franky was his
name, got roughed up a bit by some
kids. When Mr. Jones found out, he zip-
zammed poor Franky into this big box
and sent him off to the manufacturer
before he could even drop his load.
ANGLE ON
BLUE BIKE
(looking at his scratch)
(ad lib GULP) Oh, my...
FADE TO BLACK:
CUT TO:
INT. TOY DEPARTMENT - CHRISTMAS EVE
Shoppers are scrambling to make their last minute
purchases while anxious employees are readying to close
for the holiday. At the check-out counter Mr. Jones wraps
Raggedy Anne as a MOTHER waits. Blue Bike sits sadly with
Jack-in-the-box among almost empty store shelves.
STORE INTERCOMM
Attention shoppers. The store will be
closing in 5 minutes. We would like to
thank you for shopping with us and
wish and your families a very merry
Christmas.
RAGGEDY ANNE
(giggling)
See, told you nobody wants a scratched
up old bike.
Thinking he hears something, Mr. Jones looks curiously at
the doll before he finishes wrapping it.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
(to Blue Bike)
(snicker) Don't mind her, she'll get
her's alright. Know where she's going?
BLUE BIKE
(dejectedly)
Yah, she's going to be a special
present for some nice little girl.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
(snickering)
Nice little girl my crank. Remember
those twins that almost tore her in
half? That's their mother!
As the mother leaves with the package the TELEPHONE
RINGS. Mr. Jones answers.
MR. JONES
Merry Christmas.
(beat)
Yes sir, it's still here.
(beat)
ANGLE ON
Blue Bike looks nervously in Mr. Jones direction.
MR. JONES (O.S.)
It's a little damaged.
(beat)
A bit of touch-up maybe...
(beat)
Yes sir, I'll drop it off as soon as I
close up.
ANGLE ON
Mr. Jones enters the store-room whistling to himself.
REVERSE ANGLE ON
Blue Bike nervously looking from side to side.
BLUE BIKE
Do what? Drop what where?
REVERSE ANGLE ON
Mr. Jones emerges carrying a big cardboard box.
FAVOURING CARDBOARD BOX
The words 'Manufacturer Number 23-654' are printed
clearly on the side.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX (O.S.)
Hmmm, says man-you-fact-er-er,
manufacturer! Oh my, this doesn't look
good.
ANGLE ON
Mr. Jones places the box on the floor, picks up the bike
and puts it gently inside.
MR. JONES
There you go little fellow.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX (O.S.)
Be sure to say hi to Franky for me.
BLUE BIKES POV INSIDE BOX
Everything goes dark as the top closes shut.
VARIOUS ANGLES INSIDE BOX
It's very dark. The Bike hears strange sounds of PAPER
FOLDING, TAPE BEING PULLED OFF A DISPENSER and other
WRAPPING SOUNDS. He's knocked around from side to side.
As someone walks with the box, the Bike bounces up and
down.
BLUE BIKE
(ad lib OUCHES AND OOHS)
SFX
MUFFLED NOISES OF SLEIGH BELLS,
REINDEER, ELF CHATTER and BOOMING HO-
HO-HO's.
BLUE BIKE
(scared to death)
Oh no, the manufacturer! It has to be.
What else could make such a horrible
noises? I guess Raggedy Anne and Jack-
in-the-box were right.
FADE TO BLACK:
CUT TO:
CU. ON STARTLED BLUE BIKE'S FACE
as he gets shaken awake. As the box shakes around again,
he shuts his eyes tight, cringing in scared anticipation.
The noises get louder and louder.
BLUE BIKE
(cringing)
Oh no, this is it! I'm doomed!
Suddenly the box is flooded with light.
JOEY (O.S.)
(shouting very excitedly)
Hey Dad, look!
Still on the Bike, it opens one eye and looks up into
camera.
CUT TO:
INT. JOEY'S LIVINGROOM - CHRISTMAS MORNING
From the Bikes POV we see the Joey's beaming face.
JOEY (cont'd)
It's one of those racing bikes Dad.
Santa remembered me after all.
ANGLE ON
Dad pulls the bike from the box and sets it on the floor.
DAD
(to himself)
How on earth did this get here?
NEW ANGLE
Joey jumps on the bike and starts riding it around. Dad
picks up a small package from under the tree.
DAD
Look, there's something else here.
Joey stops, takes the small package and unwraps it.
JOEY
I wonder what it could be? (Puzzled.)
Paint and a brush?
DAD
It look's like the same color as that
bike. I bet it's to fix up that
scratch.
Joey and Dad open the bottle of paint and happily start
applying it over the Bikes scratch.
JOEY
But, where's your present Dad?
DAD
(looking at Joey's beaming
face)
I'm looking at it.
Joey gives his Dad a huge hug.
BLUE BIKE (V.O.)
Gee, that Santa thinks of everything.
FADE OUT:
THE END
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