REINDEER GAMES

on the soundtrack, the STRINGS and RUM-PUM-PUM-PUMS of "The Little
Drummer Boy" start to rise--

With snow falling, he passes a new sign: "Sidnaw -- 27 Miles."

With the sun rising, a PAIR OF CHILDREN huddle at a window, seeing
the man in the Santa suit at the end of their driveway. Giving
them something from his sack and ambling on.

--and we follow Rudy's march, stuffing presents into mailboxes. At
every-stop on the way.

                                                       DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

A cul-de-sac of Norman Rockwell Michigan homes. Graced with pines
and a pristine snowfall. Christmas trees in windows, lights on
inside, figures of FAMILIES in holiday gear.

No one noticing the man in the Santa suit, his sacks long gone,
walking up the road.

EXT./INT. FIFTIES-ERA HOME - DAY

At cul-de-sac's end. Where a blackened red cuff KNOCKS.

After a moment, the door opens to reveal a smiling MOTHER and
FATHER in their sixties. There's a party going on inside; a dining table
visible beyond them.

The Mother and Father's smiles disappear. Shock. Concern.

                        MOTHER
           Rudy ... ? Rudy?

                        FATHER
           Son? Is...is that you ... ?

The Santa Claus shuffles inside, right past them.

The Santa Claus sleepwalks straight for the dining room, finding a
dozen RELATIVES, laughing and eating. A table laden with turkey
and stuffing, gravy and cranberry, wassail and wine.

The relatives stop still. The room goes silent.

The Santa Claus sits down at the head of the table.

Yes, it's Rudy.

Without a word, he stares at the food before him. And takes a
plate. He stacks it with meat and dressing and trimmings, and sets
it in front of him.

And digs in. Stuffing his face in silence.

His Mother and Father return to the dining room, gaping. The other
relatives look likewise.

All staring at Rudy.

Then, while he eats, without another sound ...

... the Mother takes her seat at the table ...

... and the Father pulls up another chair.

They touch hands privately, and turn back to their plates.

There's a CLANK of silverware, a SCRAPE of china, a CLINK of
glass, and one-by-one, the relatives resume their meals.
CONVERSATION picks up where it left off, SMILES return to the
table, LAUGHTER slowly rises in the room.

There Is Mr. Duncan and Mrs. Duncan, Aunt Lisbeth and Uncle Ray,
Aunt Mary and Uncle Pete, toddler Sasha and teenage Sam, brother Mike
and his girlfriend Jill, sister Stacy and her husband Bill,
Grandpa Walter, little Wendy Sue ...

...and at the head of the table ...

Rudy Duncan.

Home for Christmas.

                                                     CUT TO BLACK.