FADE IN:
INT. DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON
An upscale Beverly Hills mansion decorated with high-end 1990's living room furniture and Christmas decorations. NIKKI DESMOND, 16, a spoiled rich sista in a crème colored silk poet blouse, slacks, and heels is shaking presents under the Christmas tree. Her Butler RUMSFELD 61, a polished British servant in formal tails admonishes her.
RUMSFELD
Miss Desmond, please stop shaking the presents.
NIKKI
But Rumsfeld, I’m trying to find out if there’s a diamond tennis bracelet in one of these–
RUMSFELD
I doubt diamonds would come in a shirt box Miss Desmond–
NIKKI
The way my father makes money you never know.
DING DONG! The doorbell rings–
And Rumsfeld hurries over to the front door open it. He’s greeted by–
Two poor girls, CHERYL and MONISA, 10 dressed in trendy clothes. Cheryl carries a nicely wrapped Christmas present. Rumsfeld smiles at the kids warmly before he greets them.
RUMSFELD
Good Afternoon children. How may I help you?
CHERYL
We’re Cheryl and Monisa from the South Central Community Center. We’re here to see Miss Nikki.
Rumsfeld is about to announces Nikki’s guests as Nikki rolls her eyes–
RUMSFELD
Miss Desmond–
NIKKI
Yeah, yeah, urchins from the community center. I thought buses didn’t stop in this neighborhood.
MONISA
My Mom drove us.
NIKKI
Yeah right. What do you want?
CHERYL
Miss Nikki we’d like to thank you for all your volunteer work at the community center.
MONISA
Yeah, we got you a gift. All us kids chipped in to buy it.
Nikki huffs a sigh and requests–
NIKKI
Rumsfeld, could you get that for me?
Rumsfeld takes the box from the anxious kids and walks over to Nikki. Anticipation builds as–
She opens the box. Not happy with her gift. She rolls her eyes and asks–
NIKKI
What the hell is Mainframe?
CHERYL
It’s a t-shirt like all the girls in our class wear.
MONISA
Yeah, we got it from Sears.
Nikki scoffs and tosses the shirt on the floor like it was diseased. Rumsfeld picks it up gingerly.
NIKKI
SEARS? YOU BOUGHT ME A SEARS SHIRT!
CHERYL
Y–You don’t like it?
Nikki turns to Rumsfeld to ask him–
NIKKI
Rumsfeld, what would I use this for?
RUMSFELD
Why Miss Desmond, you’d use this to wax the Rolls.
The girls are disappointed as–
Nikki shows them the door.
MONISA
Y–You don’t want your present?
NIKKI
Mainframe isn’t a present. It’s an insult.
CHERYL
But we-we just wanted you to wear a shirt like ours when you came to the Christmas Eve party tomorrow.
Nikki laughs as she pushes the kids out of the doorway.
NIKKI
Me dress like you? I don’t think so urchin.
CHERYL
It’d be a real fashion statement.
NIKKI
Yeah. Midwestern poor. Come back when you have some taste.
SLAM! Nikki slams the door in the kids’ faces and marches up the stairs.
NIKKI
I’m going upstairs to shower. Sears…UGH! Just being in the same room with those clothes makes my skin crawl!
Rumsfeld looks up the stairs with a concerned look then looks at the shirt. Even he thinks Nikki has gone too far this time.
Hours Later
INT. DESMOND MAONR STUDY – NIGHT
Rumsfeld waits while Nikki’s father DONALD DESMOND 45, a well-dressed businessman gets an earful from Eunice Brooks, South Center Community Center director on the phone. He examines the crumpled present box with the Mainframe shirt in it on his desk as he apologizes–
DONALD
Yes…Yes… I’m really sorry Eunice. I’ll talk to Nicole before she comes to the Christmas Eve party.
A worried Donald hangs up and gives Rumsfeld a concerned look.
RUMSFELD
I take it Ms. Desmond has stepped in it this time sir.
DONALD
I don’t know what I’m going to do with that girl. I thought the volunteer work at the community center would stop her from treating people like this. I mean, these were just kids–
RUMSFELD
The looks on their faces was very heartbreaking sir.
DONALD
And did you have to go there Rumsfeld? Waxing the Rolls? That’s a little harsh–
RUMSFELD
But sir, Sears activewear gives the Rolls a nice showroom shine.
DONALD
I don’t know what I’m gonna do with this girl–
Rumsfeld takes off his belt and places it on the desk–
RUMSFELD
Well sir, there are other measures of discipline–
DONALD
I don’t want to go there Rumsfeld.
RUMSFELD
It seemed to work wonders for you all those years ago–
DONALD
I just don’t want go that route. I’d like to think something is getting through that thick skull of hers–
RUMSFELD
Perhaps a lobotomy would be a more effective way of teaching Ms. Desmond sir.
DONALD
Where is Nicole now?
RUMSFELD
Her bedroom sir.
Nikki’s Dad jumps up from his desk and takes the gift with him.
Donald
I’m going to go have a talk with her.
Rumsfeld puts back on his belt as Donald heads upstairs to–
INT. NIKKI’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
A luxurious bedroom fit for a spoiled princess. Furnished with a white canopy bed, white furniture, stuffed animals, and all the amenities a spoiled teenage girl would enjoy. Nikki in her nightgown is listening to her discman and flipping through a fashion magazine when–
SLAM! Her father storms into the room. Nikki cringes catching the scowl on her father’s face.
NIKKI
Oh my God– You’re gonna finally get the belt to me!
Nikki’s Dad calms down. He puts the present down on the bed. Nikki brushes it on the floor–
NIKKI
Get that off my bed! That’s where I sleep!
Donald picks the gift up off the floor and puts it back on the bed. The stern look on his face tells Nikki not to touch it.
DONALD
That’s no way to treat a gift Nicole.
NIKKI
But it’s from Sears–
DONALD
I don’t care where it’s from. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. How could you be so cruel to those kids?
NIKKI
Me? They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Buying me Sears clothes–
DONALD
Nicole, those kids were trying to be nice to you–
NIKKI
If they wanted to be nice to me they’d have bought me something from Bloomingdale’s–
Donald
Those kids scrimped and saved to put all their money together to buy this for you. The least you could do is show them you appreciate their gift by wearing it to the Christmas Eve party–
NIKKI
Yeah right. I’ll wear it with my Toughskins–
DONALD
Look Nicole, it’s not the gift but the thought that counts.
NIKKI
Well, they didn’t think much about me when they bought me this crap–
Donald
But they thought of you–
NIKKI
But Dad, it’s from Sears. A Midwestern store for fat yokels and redneck losers–
Nikki’s Dad is tired of arguing with his daughter Resigned he tells her–
DONALD
Fine. Wear whatever you want to the Christmas Eve party.
Nikki is surprised.
NIKKI
I–I’m not punished?
DONALD
No.
NIKKI
No groundings, no lectures. No impending threat of a belt. Okay, what’s going on here?
Donald
Nothing. It’s my Christmas present to you. Christmas is about sharing love and goodwill. I want you to go to the Christmas Eve Party at the community center tomorrow dressed any way you like.
NIKKI
I know there’s something behind this–
Donald
No, I just realize you’re just going to be who you are and despite my best efforts I’m never going to change you. So you just go on being who you are.
NIKKI
Wow it must really be Christmas. I can finally wear that red Chanel suit I bought last week.
Nikki’s resigned father tells his daughter–
Donald
Merry Christmas Nicole.
Before closing the door. An indifferent Nikki slips her headphones on, turns on her Discman and continues flipping through her fashion magazine until…
LATER
The clock reads 11:45 PM. Nikki is asleep, the headphones still over her ears, the magazine open on a page of designer clothes. A ghostly hand reaches over to the sleeping Nikki to her–
CD PLAYER
And pushes play. The loud song–
Jolts Nikki awake. She springs up–
And greets the stranger with a shriek.
The room is lit up by her best friend CANDICE COLLINS 16, in a ghostly form chained up in a tattered designer suit.
NIKKI
WHAT THE HELL?
GHOST (CANDICE)
I just wanted to get your attention Nikki.
NIKKI
This isn’t funny Candice. Wait till I tell Dad–
GHOST (CANDICE)
I’m not Candice Cameron Collins. I am a Harbinger.
Nikki isn’t impressed.
NIKKI
And what’s your message, oh great spirit?
GHOST (CANDICE)
On this night you will be visited by three spirits.
NIKKI
Why?
GHOST (CANDICE)
We hope our influence will persuade you to change your ways.
NIKKI
Dad told me he was going to stop. This is just like him–
GHOST (CANDICE)
Look, I wasn’t sent by your father. I don’t want you to share my fate.
NIKKI
What’s your fate?
The ghost looks terrified as–
A portal opens in the floor of the room. Blue fire–
Can be seen at the bottom of a pit under Candice’s feet. Demonic hands grab at the ghost and she SCREAMS–
As she falls into Hell.
The portal closes as–
A terrified Nikki wakes up. She clutches her chest.
NIKKI
Thank goodness. It was just a dream.
Nikki puts the Discman and the magazine on the night table.
NIKKI
That’ll teach me to listen to Boyz II Men before I go to sleep.
GHOST (ROSA)
Perhaps I could interest you in some Calloway instead.
The song “I want to be rich” By Calloway plays as–
Nikki is startled by–
The family maid ROSA 36, is dressed as the ghost of Christmas Past in a long elaborate silk robe and jewels. Nikki isn’t impressed.
NIKKI
(Folding arms)
Let me guess. You’re the Ghost of Christmas past.
ROSA (GHOST)
You’re up on your Dickens.
NIKKI
I’m also up on gags. Dad put you up to this.
ROSA (GHOST)
I was not sent by your father.
NIKKI
Then how would you know my favorite song as a kid?
ROSA
We know all.
NIKKI
Yeah right. You weren’t even around when I used to listen to that CD–
ROSA (GHOST)
I know you wore out three Calloway CDs just to listen to that one song.
Nikki is shocked at the revelation of her past.
NIKKI
How-how’d you know that?
ROSA (GHOST)
I told you we know all. Now why don’t we go back to a time when you weren’t so cynical?
Nikki reluctantly takes the ghost’s hand and in a flash of light they’re taken to–
INT. DESMOND penthouse 1982 – AFTERNOON
Christmas Eve at the Desmond’s New York Penthouse. NIKKI’S YOUNGER MOM AND DAD 30s, sit on the sofa watching A YOUNGER NIKKI DESMOND, 9 plays under the Christmas tree with FRIENDS KELLIE 9,a rich girl wearing a green velvet party dress and STACIE 9, a poor girl wearing jeans and a sweater.
NIKKI
Hey, those are my old friends Stacie and Kellie. Hey STACIE!–
GHOST (ROSA)
They can’t see you or hear you.
NIKKI
I wish I could see Stacie again. Man, we used to have so much fun–
GHOST (ROSA)
But Stacie is poor–
NIKKI
Stacie knew how to have fun without money.
Nikki reminisces as she watches her younger self play with her friends.
STACIE
Wow Nikki, You sure have a lot of presents. Are all of these for you?
NIKKI
I was a very good girl this year Stacie. What are you guys getting?
KELLIE
Oh the usual clothes and dolls. What are you getting Stacie?
Stacie is very silent. Nikki realizes something is wrong. Dad peers up from his newspaper.
STACIE
Oh…I’m getting the same stuff too.
KELLIE
Took a long time to talk about it. I don’t think you’re getting anything–
STACIE
I just-just wanted–
Nikki helps Stacie out.
NIKKI
You just didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
Stacie goes along with Nikki’s lie.
STACIE
Yeah. Bragging isn’t cool.
Rumsfeld walks in with KELLIE’S MOM, 30s. A rich snob in a designer evening gown.
RUMSFELD
Miss Kellie, your mother is here.
KELLIE
Aw Mom, can’t I stay a little while longer?
KELLIE’S MOM
Come on Kellie, we have a party to go to. Say goodbye to Nikki and…little Stacie.
KELLIE
Bye guys.
NIKKI & STACIE
Bye.
Kellie walks out with her mother. Nikki’s other friend Stacie is silent. Nikki is concerned.
NIKKI
What’s wrong Stacie?
A nervous Stacie lets it out.
STACIE
I–I’m not going to be able to see you anymore Nikki.
NIKKI
Why?
STACIE
My Daddy got job in Florida. We’re gonna move away.
Nikki turns to the ghost–
NIKKI
Stacie’s Dad was out of work for a long time. He had to take that job. Saddest thing was Stacie wasn’t getting anything for Christmas that year.
NIKKI
But you won’t be poor anymore–
STACIE
But I’ll miss you.
NIKKI
No, you won’t.
Nikki heads over to the tree, takes a light blue tiffany box–
And hands it to Stacie. She lights up as she tears open the gift. It’s a locket. Nikki’s mother notices–
And smiles proudly at her daughter.
NIKKI
Whenever you wear it you can think of me.
STACIE
I don’t have anything to give you–
NIKKI
Yes you did. You were my friend. Merry Christmas.
Nikki puts the locket around Stacie’s neck. Teenage Nikki tears up as–
Rumsfeld walks in with Stacie’s MOM and DAD early 30s, dressed in casual clothes. Stacie looks somberly at Nikki–
STACIE’S DAD
Come on Stacie, we have to go.
And gives her a big hug before running off to her parents. Teenage Nikki turns away. She can’t bear to see anymore.
NIKKI
That was the last time I ever saw Stacie.
Teenage Nikki watches sadly as her mother walks over to her.
Leslie
That was a very nice thing to do Nikki.
NIKKI
I can get another Tiffany locket.
LESLIE
But you can’t get another friend like Stacie.
NIKKI
She wasn’t getting anything for Christmas this year. It wasn’t right.
LESLIE
I’m really proud of you Nicole.
The teenage Nikki turns to the ghost with tears in her eyes as her mother gives her younger self a loving hug.–
NIKKI
I think that was the last time Mom was ever proud of anything I did–
GHOST (ROSA)
You showed her how much you cared about someone else–
NIKKI
It was the last time I ever saw her happy before she and Dad divorced–
GHOST (ROSA)
And the last time you shared with someone else–
NIKKI
It was the last Christmas we were a family–
GHOST (ROSA)
The last time you cared about someone else–
NIKKI
Stacie was different. Her Dad lost his job. She wasn’t getting anything for Christmas–
Nikki breaks down. The ghost comforts her. Nikki pulls away.
NIKKI
Can we just go please?
Nikki takes the Ghost’s hand and they return to–
NIKKI’S BEDROOM
Nikki looks around. The Ghost of Christmas Past is gone. She wipes the tears from her face–
As a hand taps her on the shoulder. She’s greeted by– Rumsfeld dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
NIKKI
Nice getup Rumsfeld.
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
I assure you I’m not Rumsfeld. I’m the ghost of–
NIKKI
Yeah, yeah, Christmas present. Got any gifts for me?
The Ghost gestures to the shirt on Nikki’s bed. Nikki rolls her eyes–
NIKKI
Oh come on–
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
Sometimes there’s more thought to a gift than we see on the surface.
NIKKI
It’s just a cheap shirt–
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
Why don’t we go see what value this shirt has to those who gave it to you.
Nikki huffs a sigh and takes the ghost’s hand as–
They fade into–
INT. SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY CENTER REC ROOM – AFTERNOON
A rundown community center in an inner city neighborhood decorated with cheap Christmas decorations. Some kids make construction paper ornaments. Nikki is helping Eunice set up the Christmas tree while–
Across the room
Cheryl and Monisa along with VICTORIA and KENDRA, 10, look over at Nikki and smile as they admire her as they make paper ornaments at a table across the room.
NIKKI
What’s so important here? This is what I was doing two days ago.
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
Why don’t you listen to the children and find out.
Nikki and the Ghost walk over to the–
TABLE
Where the girls are hard at work.
CHERYL
Man, Nikki is so cool.
MONISA
Yeah. She helped me with my homework and I got a hundred on my Math test.
KENDRA
I know she helped me with a book report and I got a hundred too.
VICTORIA
Nikki showed me how to draw a horse. She’s so cool.
The kids look across the room at Nikki and admire her.
MONISA
And her clothes are so cool. I wish I could dress up like her.
KENDRA
I was with my Mom and I saw a shirt like she wears under her suits at Sears yesterday.
CHERYL
The Mainframe one?
VICTORIA
Yeah. My big sister has one like it too.
MONISA
We ought to get it for her.
Kendra
I bet it costs a lot of money.
CHERYL
It’s fifteen dollars.
VICTORIA
Wow. That is a lot of money.
CHERYL
I bet if we put our money together we could get it for her. I think I have six dollars–
KENDRA
I’ve got four.
VICTORIA
I’ve got five dollars.
MONISA
I’ve got two dollars.
CHERYL
We’ve got enough.
MONISA
Let’s go get the shirt afterschool tomorrow.
Nikki turns to the ghost.
NIKKI
Wow. I never thought the urchins cared about me so much–
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
That’s because you’re too busy in your own world to listen to what anyone else is saying about you.
NIKKI
This is just volunteer work. These kids aren’t important like the kids at school–
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
You seem pretty important to them.
NIKKI
I just help the urchins with their homework and talk to them so I can go shopping on the weekend–
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
Why don’t we go shopping?
The Ghost waves his hand and they disappear into–
INT. SEARS JUNIORS DE