SIDE 1

DEB

Mr. Greenway, sir.

BUDDY

(standing up)

Hi, Mr. Greenway, I m Buddy the Elf!

MR. GREENWAY

What? Who the devil is that?

WALTER

Well, he s, uh, he s my, son.

MR. GREENWAY

What?!


WALTER

Deb! Buddy needs a break.

DEB

(to BUDDY)

Buddy, why don t you come help me put these documents through the shredder?

BUDDY

What s a shredder?


DEB

It s a machine that makes snow.

BUDDY

No way!

(BUDDY and DEB leave the office.)

MR. GREENWAY

Hobbs! My phone has been ringing off the hook. Angry mothers, kids crying, _x001c_ What happened to Jingles, the jolly Christmas puppy?_x001d_

WALTER

It was an unfortunate oversight, Mr

MR. GREENWAY

Hobbs, you re out of a job unless you can come up with a blockbuster idea for a new Christmas book. I mean a through- the-roof national bestseller!

WALTER

Well, sir, that s easier said than done

MR. GREENWAY

Yes, it is. So you better get your top writers on it, because I will be back in New York on the evening of December twenty- fourth. At that time, you will present to me, in exact detail, your plans for the book! Happy holidays, Hobbs.