Chapter 4: the Spirit of Christmas Present.
Francine sat up in her bed, wiping off sweat and tears from her face.
Francine (whispering): Why was I so foolish?! Why, why?!
A bright light then shines down upon her, blinding her. She opens her eyes hesitantly to find the SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT- bearing a striking resemblance to Speedy, only in a handsome tux- sitting on top of a pile of presents and food
Francine rubbing her eyes to get a better look: Speedy?
Spirit: Nope. I'm the Spirit of Christmas Present. Is your heart still unmoved by what you saw tonight?
Francine: Look, it's too late for me, why don't you go redeem some on else and let me keep Christmas in my own way?
Spirit: We shouldn't just celebrate Christmas one day, but celebrate it in our hearts 365 days a year. You've chosen not to celebrate it at all. So you're gonna come with me, to the Christmas about to be, and se it celebrated in the hearts of Cats of goodwill.
The Spirit reaches out with his right hand towards Francine while holding some food with the other.
Spirit: Take my hand.
Francine grabs his hand and soon Francine sees they are inside a huge hospital lobby.
Francine (looks around): Where are we?
Spirit: We're outside the Holy Name Hospital.
Francine and the Spirit Look at a small 7 year old kitten in a wheelchair rolling himself toward 2 other Cats- one that strongly resembles Guido- his cousin Mario, his wife Sango, and their son, Tim.
Spirit: That's Guido's little cousin, Tim, his brother Mario's son.
Tim: Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.
Mario (sharply turns): Timmy! Wow, you rolled yourself all the way our here by yourself tonight! You're getting stronger every day!
Francine turns around to see Guido enter, followed by Speedy and Polly, holding a bunch of packages.
Tim: Uncle Guido!
Guido (embracing Tim): Timmy!! How are ya doing?
Tim: I'm doing all right, Uncle Guido. How about you?
Guido: I'm just great! You feeling tired at all, Bug Guy?
Tim: It's Christmas, Uncle Guido! Who's tired tonight?
Guido: You're right, Big Guy!
Speedy and Polly walk up to Timmy with big bags behind them
Tim: Uncle Speedy! Aunt Polly!
Tim gives speedy and Polly a big hug.
Polly: Merry Christmas! It looks like you have so many gifts that Santa left some of them at the Pizza Parlor!
Polly reaches into one of the bags and begins to unload the bag of gifts.
Sango: And guess what? The turkey is almost ready...the people in the cafeteria are making a special Holiday Pudding!
Tim: Oh boy...Holiday pudding!! Holiday pudding…
Tim suddenly gets a coughing fit. Sango immediately runs to aid him.
Sango (rubbing Tim's back): Son...you've gotten too excited. You need to rest for a moment...rest...that's it.
Francine: Spirit...what's wrong with that cute little kid?
Spirit: Much, I'm afraid. He's getting weaker with every day. Come; let's visit a few hours from now. Francine takes his hand.
Next scene is Tim opening his presents eagerly while Speedy and Polly slow dance to 'White Christmas' in front of the tree.
Sango and Guido where sitting at a table watching Polly and Speedy dance.
Sango: Check it out.
Indicates Speedy and Polly dancing.
Guido: Yeah. Ya know...I haven't always been nice to them...but I'm glad they found each other.
Sango: Me too, they're good together. Ya know, I do appreciate what you all do for Timmy. He's so lucky to have you three.
Guido: Yeah…well...we love him to death...we'd do anything for him.
Francine and the spirit watched as everyone gets together and are all sitting at the brightly decorated table. Guido stands up and taps his glass.
Guido: An apple juice toast. To Mario and Sango, for throwing a kicking Christmas Party!
Speedy: Hear, Hear!
All clink glasses together.
Polly: Yeah, isn't this great? Everyone who was invited came.
Guido: Well, almost everyone. Fran's not here.
Sango: Maybe she's at home- polishing her broomstick.
Francine turns to head towards the door, but the Spirit pulls her back into the room.
Guido: Well, even though she's not here, I'd like to raise a toast. To Fran!
Sango: I am not raising a toast to her, I wish the stingy little witch were here, I'd give her a big piece of my mind to feast upon...and I bet she'd choke on it!
Mario: Honey, Timmy...Christmas Day!
Sango: It would only be on Christmas Day that I'd drink to the health of such an unfair workaholic as Francine Manx! Look, we're having dinner at 9 tonight; it's almost time for Timmy to go to bed! All cause you, his own cousin, had to work so late!
Polly: Ya know, Sango, maybe Guido is right. Maybe we should forgive and forget, just once. Just...Christmas.
Sango: Well, I'll drink for your sake and for the day. (Raises her glass.) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Speedy: To Fran.
All (clink glasses): To Fran.
Francine: Wow...they were kind to me and rank a toast to my happiness even though I make their lives miserable.
Timmy then starts to cough badly again and Sango runs to his side.
Sango (trying to get Tim's coughing under control): Timmy...Honey...OK, OK, you've gotten too excited. Now, it's time for bed...
Timmy: But...
Sango: No buts. Now, you need your rest...come on
Sango wheels him out of the room slowly. Timmy waves to everyone.
Francine: Spirit, tell me...will Timmy live?
Spirit: I see a vacant chair in the corner, and an empty wheelchair. If these shadows remain unchanged, I'm afraid this will be his last Christmas.
Francine (horrified): Oh no. Spirit...
Spirit: But why do you care? Wasn't it you that said, "I hope that brat dies?"
Francine with tears in her eyes: I…I did say that…
Spirit: My job here is done, but there is still one more Spirit that will come to visit you, Francine Manx.