Page 19 of Holly Jolly July

Int. Brewed Awakening Café - Day

Montage of Annie and Kate decorating the café while “Jingle Bell Rock” plays.

Annie brings in store-bought Christmas cookies and Kate places them in the display.

Annie stocks cans of whipped cream, pumpkin spice, and red and green sprinkles for festive drinks.

Annie notices a crowd outside and unlocks the door, letting customers in.

James enters the café through the staff entrance, confused.

Record scratching noise, music halts.

All of the patrons look at James, fear in their eyes.

JAMES

What the heck is going on here? How did

you get in?

ANNIE

Surprise! We thought we’d decorate for you.

Everyone loves it. Would you like a cookie?

James storms toward Annie and points a finger in her face.

JAMES

I told you not to come back here.

I told you I hate Christmas. And yet

here you are, throwing it in my face.

Why can’t you leave me alone?

ANNIE

We thought you needed to be

reminded of what Christmas meant,

show you how marvellous it can be.

Doesn’t it look great in here?

JAMES

No, it looks tacky and ridiculous.

And what are these, store-bought

cookies? In my café?

ANNIE

Sorry, I didn’t have time to bake.

It’s better than nothing.

James uses his arm to sweep the cookies out of the display and into a garbage bin, then shoves the bin at Annie.

JAMES

Take these out of here. I refuse

to serve anything but the best in my

store, which is what my customers deserve.

ANNIE

Your customers deserve more than

you doing the bare minimum at

Christmastime.

JAMES

I can’t believe you trespassed on my

property to continue your harassment.

I ought to call the police.

ANNIE

On what grounds? Someone giving

you a thoughtful Christmas gift and

helping to improve your business?

JAMES

This isn’t an improvement.

ANNIE

(gesturing widely)

Take a look around! This is the busiest

I’ve ever seen your café. In fact, I—

JAMES

I don’t care. I don’t need this.

James starts tearing down decorations and throwing them outside. The café patrons scatter.

James knocks over a tray and several coffee mugs crash to the ground, breaking at Annie’s feet, who jumps back to avoid them.

ANNIE

What is wrong with you?

JAMES

What’s wrong with me? You’re the one

ruining my day with all this nonsense.

You need to go. I never want to see you

here again.

ANNIE

I’m sorry... I was trying to help...

Annie leaves the café, looking behind her to see Kate peering out sadly from the back room. James is all alone in the front,

sitting on the edge of a table with his head in his hands and surrounded by the chaos of a ruined Christmas.