PARTMENT – AFTERNOON
Three of the four girls rush through the department with a PARENT until they find the–
MAINFRAME DISPLAY
And see the shirt.
CHERYL
There it is!
CHERYL’s MOM
What’s her size?
Kendra
She’s really skinny. Maybe a small will fit.
monisa
I looked in her jacket one time and the tag said 0.
victoria
Zero? Is that a real size?
Cheryl
It is if Nikki wears it.
Cheryl’s Mom
(Examining the shirt)
I don’t see any zeroes, so I think we’ll get her a small.
Cheryl’s Mom carries the shirt over to the register as–
Cheryl of the girls notices a–
GIRLS DISPLAY
Across the sales floor.
CHERYL
Hey! They have the same shirt in our size too!
KENDRA
I know. We can all dress alike for the Christmas Eve party.
MONISA
Yeah, it’ll be so cool. We’ll all be just like Nikki.
VICTORIA
I can’t wait to see Nikki’s face when we give this to her.
Nikki folds her arms.
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
They put a lot of thought into that gift for you.
NIKKI
Yeah. It takes a lot of effort to get on the bus and go to Sears–
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
What if Stacie felt the same way about your Tiffany locket–
NIKKI
That was different–
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
But how would you have felt if she rejected your gift?
NIKKI
Sad, I guess.
GHOST (RUMSFELD)
Something to think about.
The Ghost fades out as they return to–
NIKKI’S BEDROOOM
Where Nikki reflects on her actions.
NIKKI
Okay they were kind of hurt. And one of them did look like she wanted to cry when I slammed the door in their faces. But–
A black hooded stranger taps Nikki on the shoulder. Nikki is scared.
NIKKI
Who-Who are you?
The Ghost says nothing but offers his hand. Nikki takes it and–
NIKKI
Yeow! Your touch is so cold.
The ghost and Nikki disappear into–
INT. SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY CENTER REC ROOM – CHRISTMAS EVE FUTURE
No decorations up. FAT ANGRY SISTAS 20s, in hip-hop gear sit around playing cards and eating junk food.
ADULT KENDRA
What ya’ll want to do tomorrow? It’s Christmas.
ADULT CHERYL
I don’t celebrate that mess.
ADULT KENDRA
I hear you. It’s just another day in my house.
ADULT VICTORIA
Sharing, goodwill and all that mess is a bunch of nonsense. You give people stuff and they throw it back at you.
ADULT MONISA
Like that rich heifer did to us.
ADULT CHERYL
Talking about she’d wax her car with our present. That–
The adult Cheryl is brought to tears remembering the incident. Adult Monisa comforts her.
ADULT MONISA
C’mon girl, that was years ago.
ADULT CHERYL
It still hurts man. I remember the way she threw our gift on the floor after we took all our money to buy it for her. Stuck up–
Nikki turns to the ghost.
NIKKI
Come on, me rejecting their gift can’t have scarred them this badly–
ADULT KENDRA
Well, she got what was coming to her.
ADULT CHERYL
To believe I wanted to be like her at one time. Heifer.
NIKKI
What-What’d I get?
The ghost gestures and SMOKE SWIRLS as they are transported to–
EXT. CEMETARY – NIGHT
A cold, joyless place. Headstones in rows. Nikki’s OLDER DONALD 55, a bitter gray haired man and OLDER RUMSFELD 80s, stand in front of a headstone. Rumsfeld tries to comfort him.
RUMSFELD
Sir, this is no way to celebrate the holidays. Let me take you home–
donald
My little girl is gone Rumsfeld. Christmas means nothing to me.
RUMSFELD
Sir, there was nothing anyone could do–
donald
I did my best to help her. It just wasn’t enough.
RUMSFELD
She was herself to the end sadly.
donald
It’s a shame she had to die today of all days.
RUMSFELD
Ten years to the day.
Nikki’s father and Rumsfeld turn and somberly walk away. Nikki looks down at the headstone and–
She’s horrified at the sight of her name engraved on it. She looks at her father’s somber face as he walks away and realizes–
NIKKI
I took Christmas from them.
Nikki reaches for her father as she cries–
NIKKI
Dad I’m sorry–
Then becomes frustrated as she realizes they can’t hear or see her. Desperately, Nikki turns to the Ghost–
NIKKI
Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take away anyone’s holiday joy. I just–
She screams in terror as–
SMASH! Cold bony hands punch through the ground and grab at her ankles. AIEGGGH! Nikki shrieks in terror as–
She’s pulled down. The ground breaks away and–
Nikki sees blue flames. Nikki falls to her knees and pleads desperately to the Ghost–
NIKKI
Please Spirit, let me talk to them. Dad, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take Christmas away from you–
The hands take her down to the waist. Nikki makes a final desperate plea to the Ghost–
NIKKI
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT?
The Ghost turns and grimaces at her.
NIKKI
OKAY I’LL TELL THE KIDS I’M SORRY. I’ll WEAR THEIR SHIRT. ANYTHING. I JUST DON’T WANT TO HURT PEOPLE LIKE THIS! PLEASE SPIRIT HELP ME!
The Ghost is indifferent. He walks away as–
Nikki falls into the lake of fire. Blue flames are about to consume her–
NIKKI
I– I’M SORRY. I’LL CHAN– AIEGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!–
Nikki’s scream echoes as she wakes up from the nightmare in her–
BEDROOM THE NEXT MORNING
Early morning in Beverly Hills, the sun is up. Christmas Eve. Nikki jumps out of bed and finds–
The shirt on the floor. She grabs it as–
Nikki’s maid ROSA 36, a kind Mexican woman walks into the room. She goes into her closet and takes out–
The red Chanel Suit. Nikki races over to the closet to stop her.
ROSA
I thought you were wearing this today muchacha.
Nikki hands Rosa the kids’ gift.
NIKKI
I changed my mind. Press this along with my Versace Jeans. And have Rumsfeld bring the Rolls around. I’m going down to the community center.
ROSA
I thought you weren’t going down there until the Christmas Eve party.
NIKKI
I want to meet up with some friends before we go shopping.
Nikki grabs Rosa and gives her a big hug Rosa is startled by Nikki’s smile.
ROSA
What was that for?
NIKKI
Just wanted you to know I love you. Merry Christmas.
Nikki races into the bathroom to wash up. Minutes later–
INT. DESMOND MANOR LIVING ROOM – morning
Nikki’s Dad and Rumsfeld wait downstairs as–
Nikki rushes down to the front door. Her father is surp
rised to see her wearing the kids’ Christmas present.
RUMSFELD
Should I get the ointment for later Miss Desmond?
NIKKI
No, Rumsfeld the shirt is fine. It looks kind of nice that I have it on.
RUMSFELD
But you said this garment would make your skin crawl.
NIKKI
I was being stupid then.
DONALD
What’s with the sudden change of heart now?
NIKKI
I just want to enjoy Christmas with everyone that’s all.
donald
Seems like you want to make the kids happy–
Nikki
Yeah, I realize those kids put all those effort into getting me something the least I could do is wear it for them.
DONALD
So why are you going down to the Community Center so early? The Christmas Eve party doesn’t start until this afternoon–
NIKKI
I want to give the girls a present. What good is having all this money if you can’t share it with people you care about?
Nikki turns to Rumsfeld. In a hurry to leave. She tugs his sleeve–
NIKKI
Now, come on Rumsfeld, we have to get going.
Rumsfeld smiles proudly.
RUMSFELD
Right away Miss Desmond.
As the door closes, Nikki’s father smiles proudly.
donald
Just when I thought there was no hope for that girl she comes out and surprises me.
The Rolls drives Nikki down to–
INT. SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY CENTER – morning
Somber girls wearing the same shirt mope as they help their parents set up for the Christmas Eve party.
Cheryl
I can’t believe Nikki didn’t like it.
kendra
It looked nice on us.
victoria
But she didn’t like it.
monisa
She didn’t have to throw it on the floor though.
The girls are sad until they hear Nikki say–
NIKKI
You’re right. I should have treated your gift better. I’m sorry.
The girls light up when–
ACROSS THE ROOM
Nikki walks into the room with Rumsfeld.
CHERYL
LOOK! IT’S NIKKI!
The girls notice–
KENDRA
AND SHE’S WEARING THE SHIRT!
NIKKI
Merry Christmas Girls.
VICTORIA
I thought you didn’t like the shirt.
NIKKI
I do like the shirt. Thank you all for such a wonderful gift. Now I want to do give you all something for Christmas.
MONISA
What are you going to get us?
NIKKI
I want to take you shopping for an outfit on Rodeo Drive and lunch at a four-star restaurant. All on me.
Nikki lights up when she catches the kids’ smiles.
CHERYL
RODEO DRIVE! THAT’S WHERE THE MOVIE STARS SHOP!
NIKKI
And maybe we’ll see some today.
GIRLs
CAN WE GO MOM! CAN WE! CAN WE!
The kids parent’s don’t want to disappoint. Nikki reassures them–
NIKKI
I’ll have them back in time for the Christmas Eve party.
KENDRA
Thank you so much Miss Nikki.
NIKKI
No, kids, thank you for showing me how important Christmas is.
The kids follow Nikki out as–
FADE OUT:
THE END.
ALL ABOUT NIKKI
EPISODE 1.12
“CANDICE’S MAN”