Chapter 2: Planning a Christmas Pageant/Emily Elizabeth's friends meet the President of the United States/Never Know What Gifts To Buy
(We see the exterior of a school and then the inside of a classroom with Emily Elizabeth and her friends as their teacher, Ms. Carrington, hands them papers)
Ms. Carrington: Now, class, as you know, we are to perform the classic Charles Dickens story, "A Christmas Carol," in a pageant on Christmas Eve. Now, these are individual copies of the lines for the characters you will play. Vaz, you will play the starring role, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Vaz: (Reads his lines aloud) "Christmas. Bah, humbug!" How's that, Ms. Carrington?
Ms. Carrington: Not bad, but maybe make the "bah, humbug" a little more dramatic. Charley, you will be both the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Jacob Marley.
Charley: Wow! (Reads over his lines while deepening his voice) "Now, look upon me. You have never seen the like of me before, have you?"
Ms. Carrington: Very good. (Hands Jetta her lines) Jetta, you will be the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.
Jetta: Huh? But, Ms. Carrington, that part's so boring.
Ms. Carrington: I'm sorry, Jetta, but you can't always get the part you want.
Jetta: Oh, fine. (The bell rings and everyone leaves the classroom)
Mr. Carrington: I'll see you all during the rehearsals and Merry Christmas!
The students: (In unison) Merry Christmas, Ms. Carrington! (We see Emily Elizabeth, Vaz, Mary, Charley, and Jetta as they exit the school as they and the others stop as the ground shakes some more as Clifford runs over, barking)
Emily Elizabeth: Hey, Clifford! (Hugs her big red dog's nose as Mac comes up to Jetta)
Jetta: Hey, Mac! Oh, how's my sweet Macky-Wacky doing?
Charley: Wow! Where'd Clifford get that scarf, Emily?
Emily Elizabeth: My grandmother sent it over last week. She and Grandpa are gonna be spending the holidays at my house.
Vaz: I hope we could meet them when they get here.
Emily Elizabeth: I'm sure they'd also love meeting you guys. They might get a chance to see the pageant, too.
Jetta: Well, speaking of the play, I just can't understand I'm cast as the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. From what I've seen in a few movies based on the story, I thought it was just boring.
Charley: The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come was able to help Scrooge change his ways at the end. That didn't seem boring to me.
Jetta: (Rolls her eyes) Whatever, Charley. Anyway, I'll see you at the rehearsals! Come on, Mac, let's go home. (She and Mac walk off)
Vaz: Boy, with the way Jetta's acting, she'll probably be a better Scrooge than me. (Cuts to him, Emily Elizabeth, Mary and Charley riding on Clifford's back)
Mary: Didn't you say your grandparents are going to spend Christmas at your house, Emily Elizabeth?
Emily Elizabeth: Yes, Mary. They're supposed to be arriving today. (As they round the bend, they see a limo parked in front of Emily Elizabeth's garage)
Vaz: Wow! You never mentioned your grandparents are rich!
Emily Elizabeth: Actually. that's no ordinary limo, Vaz. You might know it as "The Beast."
Vaz: "The Beast?"
Charley: You mean-
Emily Elizabeth: Yes, my grandpa's John Howard, the President of the United States. (Clifford turns around and barks in agreement as he lays on all 4s)
Mary: The-the President of the United States?
Emily Elizabeth: That's right. (Grabs the handles on Mary's wheel chair and they all slide down Clifford's back and tail) Would you guys like to meet him and Grandma? (Her friends give their responses of "yes") Then, let's go. (2 secret service agents are standing outside the front door and they jump in surprise upon seeing Clifford)
Secret Service Agent Joe: Whoa, whoa. Good doggy. (Clifford barks)
Secret Service Agent Tom: Nice doggy, nice big red doggy. (Emily Elizabeth's grandmother, First Lady Martha Howard, opens the door and walks out)
First Lady Howard: What's all the commotion out here?
Emily Elizabeth: (Sees her grandmother and runs over to hug her) Grandma!
First Lady Howard: Emily! (Hugs her granddaughter and laughs) My, let me look at you. (Clifford leans down and licks) Oh, Clifford! (Laughs and scratches the big red dog's chin and notices Emily's friends) I know, it's good to see you, too, dear. Oh, are these your friends?
Emily Elizabeth: Yes, these are Charley, Mary and Vaz. Where's Grandpa?
First Lady Howard: He's in the living room doing a video teleconference with our military stationed overseas. Now, Tom, Joe, you boys may be our Secret Service detail, but there's no need to stand out here in the cold. Come in for some cookies and hot chocolate I've made.
Secret Service Agent Joe: No, thanks, Madame First Lady.
Secret Service Agent Tom: What about that dog? That's gotta be a trained monster. (Clifford whimpers)
Emily Elizabeth: Clifford's not a monster. He may be big and red, but he wouldn't hurt a flea.
First Lady Howard: It's all right, dear. They're just trying to protect me and your grandfather, but you can't judge a book by its cover. (They all come into the house as Clifford goes around and peaks through the window of the door to the patio and we see the President sitting on the edge of the fireplace with the Christmas Tree on his left side)
President Howard: How are you and your men doing, Colonel Slade?
Colonel Slade: (From within the screen) We're doing fine, sir.
President Howard: Well, I just want to wish you and all those stationed around the world a Merry Christmas. And I know it's hard for you all not to be with your friends and families at the moment, but I am sure they'll be with you in spirit. I should know because I went through the same thing myself in Vietnam.
Colonel Slade: Well, Mr. President, we do understand how hard it is for us to not be with our families for the holiday season, but we are glad you're able to check up on us.
President Howard: (Salutes) Oh, it's a pleasure. I'll check up on you and other members of our Armed Forces again on Christmas Eve. So, I want to say that on behalf of the American People, you have a happy holiday season.
Colonel Slade: Thank you, Mr. President, and you, too. (The screens turns off as the President turns to see his granddaughter coming up to hug him)
Emily Elizabeth: Hey, Grandpa!
President Howard: Emily! (Pulls her into a hug, then jumps upon looking out to the patio) Oh, ha-ha. I see Clifford's got that scarf your grandmother sent him.
Emily Elizabeth: Yes. Oh, Grandpa, these are my friends, Vaz.
Vaz: Hello, sir.
President Howard: (Shakes Vaz's hand) Delighted to meet you, Vaz.
Emily Elizabeth: Mary.
Mary: (Turns away shyly) Hi.
President Howard: How do you do, Mary?
Emily Elizabeth: And Charley.
Charley: Hi, Mr. President. (Shakes the President's hand)
President Howard: Charley? What a coincidence. I happen to have a friend also named Charley. We served in Vietnam together, but I'm afraid there are some things you don't want to know about him. By the way, your dad told me that you're going to do "A Christmas Carol" in your pageant. I even did that when I was in school.
Emily Elizabeth: You did?
President Howard: Yes. I got the part of Scrooge, and as it just so happens, your grandmother was cast as the Ghost of Christmas Past.
First Lady Howard: (Chuckles and hugs her husband) At least you didn't get as stingy as Scrooge himself.
Vaz: Well, to tell you the truth, we do have a friend who's acting like Scrooge.
Emily Elizabeth: Vaz.
President Howard: What's this about a friend of yours acting like Scrooge?
Emily Elizabeth: Well, we have this friend named Jetta and she can occasionally be a little stingy.
Vaz: Yes, she's cast as the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, which she hated and claimed it to be a boring part.
President Howard: Well, even though I don't have much experience in Show Business, she should know that you can't always get the part you want.
Charley: Our teacher, Ms. Carrington, told her the same thing.
Mary: Wait, Mr. President, Ms. Carrington hasn't assigned a director for the play. How would you like to direct since you did it yourself when you were our age?
President Howard: Me? Well, as I said, I don't have much as experience in Show Business.
First Lady Howard: Oh, please, John, it would help make it a successful show.
President Howard: Well, all right. Let me bundle up and I'll be with you kids in a minute.
Emily Elizabeth: Okay.
President Howard: Tom, Joe. (The 2 Secret Service agents come in upon hearing their names) My granddaughter and her friends have asked if I could volunteer to direct their Christmas Pageant and we'll be heading over to their school.
Secret Service Agent Tom: Yes, Mr. President. We'll have the Beast ready in a few.
Emily Elizabeth: Actually, I was thinking of us riding on Clifford. (Clifford barks from outside)
President Howard: (Chuckles with his wife) Okay, then. We'll take Clifford. I'll be out in a few. I just need to bumble up from how cold it is. (The President then heads upstairs to his and his wife's guestroom and looks into his mirror as he grabs his coat, scarf and gloves) Me? Direct a Christmas Play? It's almost as big a problem as making a list of gifts. They're both happy problems, but problems nevertheless. (His reflection ends up alive as they both begin to sing)
President Howard: (Singing) I never know what gifts to buy, do you?
President Howard's reflection: Uh-uh. Never.
President Howard: On all my lists are scarves and ties
You, too
President Howard's reflection: Me, too.
President Howard: I never know the size of gloves
The length of sleeves
The color she loves
And every time I buy a book, they've read it
President Howard's reflection: I've read it.
President Howard: Christmas gifts
President Howard's reflection: You're right.
President Howard: Forget it
A scarf will be nice. Warm...
President Howard's reflection: Don't.
President Howard: I never know what gifts to buy, do you?
President Howard's reflection: On all my lists are things scratched out
President Howard: Me, too.
For shoes and socks are strictly noes
And hats are tough
Does she like bows?
President Howard's reflection: And if I buy a sweater, they'll return it
President Howard: True.
President Howard's reflection: Christmas gifts
Well, durn it
President Howard: A tie will be nice, red and blue. Oooh, exciting!
President Howard's reflection: Don't.
President Howard and his reflection: (Together) I never know what gifts to buy, do you?
On all my lists are scarves and ties
You, too
President Howard's reflection: I guess this year you'll do the same
President Howard: I'll burn the list and to each name
I'll send my best regards
And, then, forget it
President Howard's reflection: Forget it.
President Howard: Christmas gifts (Puts a red, white, and green-striped scarf around his neck and orange gloves on his hands while his reflection copies his moves)
President Howard and his reflection: (Together) I never know what gifts to buy
Forget it (The song ends as we now see the stage outside the school and Ms. Carrington showing the President around)
Ms. Carrington: And, so you see, Mr. President, we plan to have the pageant out here with the stage.
President Howard: Uh, don't you think the audience might freeze while watching the show, Ms. Carrington?
Ms. Carrington: Well, we did plan on holding the show inside, but the auditorium's closed for repairs. Of course, we plan on offering hot chocolate and other refreshments to keep everybody warm.
President Howard: Oh, well, that's a relief. (Chuckles) We wouldn't want the audience to freeze like Bob Cratchit, wouldn't we?
Ms. Carrington: Mr. President, I can't tell you what an honor it is for you to be visiting Birdwell Island. From what Emily Elizabeth tells me, I was surprised you even did "A Christmas Carol" when you were a boy.
President Howard: Yes, that's right. She and her friends thought that since I did it at their age, that I should be a great help with this show. (They both laugh as we soon see Jetta in her dressing room dressed in a black hooded cloak looking at her reflection in the mirror)
Jetta: The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Why do I have to have such a boring role?
Emily Elizabeth: (Comes into the dressing room) Hi, Jetta.
Jetta: (Takes off the cloak) Oh, uh, hi, Emily Elizabeth. Just practicing for my big scene.
Emily Elizabeth: You know, my grandpa has volunteered to direct the pageant since he actually played Scrooge when he was a boy. Want to meet him?
Jetta: Sure.
Emily Elizabeth: Grandpa! (The President comes over and Jetta's jaw drops)
President Howard: What is it, honey?
Emily Elizabeth: Jetta, this is my grandpa, John Howard, the President of the United States.
President Howard: (Extends his hand) How do you do, Jetta?
Jetta: P-pr-pr-President John Howard? (Moans and faints)
A/N: The "Never Know What Gifts To Buy" song was from one of my favorite Rankin-Bass specials, Pinocchio's Christmas. All rights go to them. Also hope you noticed how that crooked G-man in my other fanfic, Charley Sumner, was indirectly mentioned.
