Page 47 of Holly Jolly July

Int. Apartment Hallway - Night

James and Annie walk slowly down the hall side by side.

ANNIE

Thanks for decorating cookies with me.

You know, I had thought about taking

baking lessons while I was in town.

JAMES

You had?

ANNIE

Yeah. I didn’t sign up for anything

because I didn’t think I’d have time.

But you’ve helped me cross something

off my Christmas wish list and made

my holiday a bit better.

JAMES

It’s the least I could do for everything you’ve done. Even if you started off by

making my life a lot harder, I’m glad you did.

ANNIE

You are?

JAMES

(stepping closer to Annie)

I think I’ve been looking down for so

long, I’ve forgotten that life is going

on around me. Then I look up, and you’re there. It’s been three years since I’ve looked up, and life has passed me by...

Annie and James stop outside Jenna’s apartment door.

JAMES (CONT’D)

And I can’t keep letting it do that.

So, thank you.

ANNIE

Sometimes we all need a reminder

about what’s most important in life.

JAMES

Including yourself?

ANNIE

I think I needed a reminder that not

everyone is in a place where they can

enjoy Christmas, and to offer compassion

to those people instead of passing

judgment. I’m sorry for being so

brutal with you. I didn’t understand.

JAMES

It’s okay. We’ve got off on the

wrong foot, a couple times actually,

but you haven’t given up on me.

ANNIE

Of course. I wouldn’t do that.

JAMES

Why not? Everyone else has.

ANNIE

That’s not true. You have people in

your corner who care about you.

They look out for you.

JAMES

(confused)

I do?

ANNIE

Yeah. Everyone wants what’s best for

you. And this is the first step. I know Christmas can be a hard time, but it’s

good to see you putting in an effort.

Already since I’ve been here I can

see the Christmas magic working

on you.

JAMES

You can?

ANNIE

Yeah. You seem lighter. Brighter. More

carefree. I even caught you smiling once.

James smiles.

ANNIE

See? There it is.

JAMES

I’m not sure if that’s from the Christmas

spirit.

Annie and James lean toward each other again, but James recognizes what’s happening and steps back.

JAMES

I’ll see you in the morning for your

coffee. Sweet dreams.