Disclaimer: I do not own "The Polar Express" or its characters. They are properties of Warner Bros and Chris Van Allsburg.

Plot Summary: At the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Tom the conductor is tasked by Santa Claus to recruit a team of doctors to bring to the North Pole and innoculate the elf population from the COVID-19 virus and save Christmas 2020.

Cast:

Tom Hanks as Tom the Conductor

Darryl Sabara as Dr. Darryl Hanks aka Hero Boy

Nona Gaye as Dr. Nona Crosswood aka Hero Girl

Jimmy Bennett as Dr. Billy Bennett aka Billy the Lonely Boy

Eddie Deezen as Dr. Edward Derricks aka Know-It-All

Rita Wilson as Rita, Tom the Conductor's Wife

Nathan Lane as Smokey

Ernie Saballa as Steamer

JK Simmons as Santa Claus

Charles Flesicher as Elf General George Patton

"The Polar Express Saves Christmas"

Written by Jeff Snyder (GoDistance3562)

Chapter 1

"Christmas in Jeopardy"

On Christmas Eve many years ago, I laid quietly in my bed to listen for the sounds of Santa's sleigh. Instead, I went on a journey where I embraced the belief of believing and how the true spirit of Christmas laid in my heart.

But that was many years ago. These were dark times in my life, or rather in everyone's life. I have grown older, but now there were days that I wished I could go back to that magical journey I took all those years ago aboard the Polar Express. I now have a career where I save lives so that one day, they could take the journey that I took all those years ago to the North Pole.

Nowadays, that seems next to impossible, if I do say so myself. Emerging from the lost of yet another patient to this pandemic, I slouch down against the wall and wonder when this would ever end.

"Darryl?" I heard a voice say and I look up and see her, my friend and colleague, Nona, also with a look of despair on her face. "Did you lose him?"

"Yes, pronounced dead 5 minutes ago," I cried, my voice muffled by the facemask I had to wear to protect myself from the virus. "Nona, when is this going to end? It's been almost 10 months of this nightmare."

Nona could only sigh for she shared the same thoughts as I did. We once shared the Polar Express together where I would often question her leadership.

"I don't know, Darryl," she sighed. "Can you imagine how many families and children won't be experiencing Christmas ever again? It makes me sick and helpless."

Sick and Helpless were just two of the words that we both could use to describe this hell we found ourselves in. We need something, anything, to help us out in this nightmare.

At that moment, we saw the body of a patient taken out of a hospital room, having died alone with no one to care for thanks to all the restrictions we had to abide by. Yes, I must admit, that my ability to believe has indeed been challenged. The bell from Santa's sleigh is still in my pocket, carried with me at all times. If I could bring it to my ear, I would. But, I can't. Because I am afraid of not being able to hear the ringing, the ringing of hope, the ringing of optimism, the ringing of…well, whatever.

Meanwhile, in the land that looked like a strange ocean liner sailing on a frozen sea, it certainly was no different in terms of the mood of this pandemic. While the North Pole has been lucky, it certainly was not untouched by this pandemic. Our old friend, Tom the Conductor, walked the lonely streets of the North Pole feeling nothing but sympathy for the lives lost and the horrors we were all experiencing.

Turning around to look towards the center of the city, he could only sigh and wonder just what was going to happen for Christmas of 2020?

"Tom," said a deep voice as he stepped into the lobby of Santa's large house. Turning around, Tom could see his superior approach him. "I was beginning to worry you had forgotten the meeting."

"Oh no, no sir," Tom stammered. "I certainly wouldn't forget a meeting that you called for."

"Indeed," he chuckled, wrapping his large arm around the conductor. "Come, we've saved you a seat."

Santa then led Tom into a large meeting room that had a long table occupied by elves, the Polar Express' engineers and the Polar Express' loyal waitstaff and pasty chefs. Taking his seat next to the General Elf, Santa began the meeting.

"I bid you welcome," he said, opening his arms out as he sat down. "We are called here because Christmas this year is in jeopardy because of the illness spreading the world."

"The one called Coronavirus, chief?" said an elf.

"Yes, coronavirus," remarked Santa. "For the past few months, all we could do was watch and wait for any sign in how this virus will impact Christmas this year. Elf general Patton has been in touch with the outside world and has some news for us. General?"

The fiercely loyal elf general stood up and clearing his throat, read the reports.

"According to the chief medical doctor in the United States," he announced in his high pitched voice. "There is a vaccination, only to be taken by muscle injection, capable of reducing the spread of the virus that is responsible for this pandemic."

Hearing that there was something used to combat the virus was a step in the right direction for the North Pole, but it wasn't enough.

"Well, we have been fortunate," Tom remarked. "Given that the death counts at the North Pole have been low. Although I wish I can say the same for everyone else."

Just then, Santa directed his attention towards our resident elf doctor, Dr. Booboogone.

"Doctor," said Santa. "What is the vaccine that we are to bring to the North Pole?"

"According to the reports, the vaccine has been created by two companies: Pfizer and Moderna. It's been recommended that since we have no airport, we will use one of the Polar Express engines to bring the vaccines here."

"Then, there's the matter of finding people to administer the vaccinations," Tom added. "Which means that they would have to be previous visitors to the North Pole."

"Tommy," said Elf General Patton. "You can be sure that my elves will look for any previous visitors that have medical degrees."

"But where would the vaccines come from?"

"They would be coming from a facility in Michigan, in Grand Rapids to be precise," said Dr. Booboogone. "Pfizer is. I'm not sure about Moderna."

"Then, we must make preparations to fetch the vaccines and the doctors at once," Tom suggested. "Sir, with all due respect, I would like to volunteer myself for this task."

Of course, Tom was the only one suited for the job. He was the finest conductor the North Pole ever had.

"I can think of no one better qualified for the job," chuckled Santa. "Can you be ready to leave at sundown tonight?"

Without any hesitation, Tom reaffirmed Santa that he would do just that.

The mission to stop Coronavirus at the North Pole was about to begin…