Last Christmas's

Mark stood up towards the end of the night. Maureen was sitting on the couch next to Mimi, who was on Roger's lap as usual. Maya was sitting on the table next to Collins. Mark coughed loudly to get everyone's attention.

"I made a video for the occasion. It is the last three Christmas's of our lives. I hope you enjoy it," Mark laughed.

He turned on the projector and a film came on the screen. The first shot was Roger sitting on the table with his guitar.

"December 24, 9 p.m. eastern standard time. From here on in I shoot without a script. See if anything comes of it, instead of my old shit," said Mark's voice from behind the camera. Roger sat there trying to tune his guitar while Mark continued to tease him about the guitar and his withdrawal.

The next shot was darkness. "Light up a mean blaze," yelled Mark's voice.

"With posters," responded Roger.

"And screen plays," Mark moaned. A fire ignited and the camera shot went onto the balcony where many other neighbors were throwing fire into the street. Mimi was in the corner of the shot, looking up at Roger. Roger squeezed her hand tightly when he saw her on the film.

The next shot was Angel dancing around the loft. The next shot was Collins, Mark, and Roger lying on the couch, laughing and goofing around.

The next shot was a quick part of Maureen's protest. Maureen clapped loudly when she saw herself.

"So what are your plans for the new year?" said Mark's voice. It was blended in with the clip from the Life Café. The camera faded and came in on Angel and Collins, sitting on the couch.

"I am going to be a famous model. I am going to travel the world with Thomas Collins at my side," Angel said primly.

Collins laughed. "I just want a job at NYU, and of course to be with Angel, the love of my life!" Collins wiped a tear from his eye, when he saw Angel on the screen.

That clip faded and came onto Mimi, sitting on Roger's lap, laughing.

"I'm giving up my vices. I'm going back, back to school," Mimi said.

"I am writing one more great song," Roger said. Mimi turned and kissed him.

"Wave goodbye," Mark said, from behind the camera.

"Get the fuck out of here," Roger and Mimi said laughing.

The next shot was Maureen. Her full face was in the shot.

"Give me the camera," she whined.

The camera suddenly turned and Mark was standing there, looking angry and embarrassed.

"Give it back Maureen," he said.

"Not until you tell me your plans," she whined.

"Fine," he said. "I am trying to worry less about my work and more about……..I don't know, other stuff. Now give it back!"

"That is not a good way to start off your resolution," she laughed.

Mark lunged for the camera. The screen went black.

The next scene was a simple shot of Angel's tomb. The camera turned and showed Collins leaning against a tree, silently crying.

The following scene was next Christmas. Mimi was standing next to Roger, she was crying. Mark was around the corner, filming, so the couple wouldn't see him.

"Mimi," Roger roared. "Where were you?"

"No where," she cried.

"You're lying to me," Roger screamed. "Why are you lying?" Roger grabbed her shoulders, clinging to her. "Why?"

Mimi pulled away, trying to hide her tears.

The next shot was Maureen on her knees, next to Joanne. They were fighting about some model being at the house.

"December 24, 6 p.m. eastern standard time. As you can see," said Mark's voice. "There is a lot of fighting going on."

The next shot was Mimi boarding the bus. "Bye," she mouthed to Roger.

The next shot was Roger sitting in the corner of Mimi's room. His back was to the camera, but you could still see him holding up a needle.

At seeing this shot, Roger stood up. "Okay," he said. "Your little Christmas video is over."

"Wait," Mark said. "Keep watching."

The next shot was the group, minus Mimi. They were all holding hands at the Life Support meeting. They were all smiling and singing No Day But Today.

The next shot was the current Christmas. Mark was filming Collins calling out cleaning orders.

The next shot was Maureen dancing around the Christmas shrub.

The next shot was Roger holding his guitar, playing some foreign Christmas song. His tongue was poking out of his mouth, in concentration.

The next shot was Mimi making a snow angel in the alley.

The next shot was Collins, pulling out the champagne and the Cap'n Crunch. Maya was right next to him.

The final shot was back to their first Christmas together. The following scenes went very fast.

It went from Collins and Angel dancing down the street, to Maureen and Joanne dancing at the Café, to Mimi and Roger singing Without You, to all of them waving to the camera. Everyone looked so happy. Angel was holding Collins, smiling her toothy smile. Mimi and Roger were looking into each other's eyes. Maureen was waving and yelling, "Woo-hoo," while Joanne just smiled primly.

The screen went black. Everyone turned to Mark.

"Was it good?" he asked.

"Your best one yet," Maureen laughed.

Mimi nodded.

Roger clapped slowly. Mark saw the shock, joy, and sadness on his friends' eyes. He knew that his movie was a hit.

Suddenly, the door flew open. Benjamin Coffin III stood in the doorway. He smiled a wicked grin.

"Merry Christmas," he laughed.

Nobody responded. They all just looked at him. Mimi put a tight grip around Roger's arm.

"I just wanted to say Merry Christmas," he repeated.

"Merry Christmas Benny," Collins said.

"Merry Christmas," Mimi chirped.

"Yea," Maureen said.

Mark nodded at him, but Roger just kept staring.

"I actually had an alternative motive for coming here tonight. It turns out that my company is buying the Cat Scratch Club. They are going to knock it down and make a food mart. So Mimi, you have a month left of work. Sorry for the inconvenience," he said. "Goodbye everyone." He turned to leave, but stopped. He swung around and looked at Mimi. "Call me," he said, pointing to her, grinning. He quickly left the room as Roger turned slowly to Mimi.

Mimi gave him a deadly look that said, "Not here!" Roger backed down, but still stared at her.

"Well," said Collins. "That was weird."

"Agreed," Maureen said.

"Who was that?" Maya asked.

"Benjamin Coffin III," Mark said. "X-roommate, X-friend, & X-boyfriend to Mimi."

"Oh," Maya said. She looked at Roger. Those words looked like they had sent a knife through Roger's heart. There was so much Maya did not know about this new family she was entering. She was determined to find out all the secrets.

If you haven't noticed, this Fic combines scenes from the Broadway Play and the Movie. I really hope you are enjoying it. Reviews please!