Act I
It is a
cold and dark night sometime around Christmas. We pan down to see a superstore,
a couple people in front of the store, one being a small teenage girl asking
for money. She is rejected by a passerby, and we she has just a few coins in
her tin can. This is Alma. As she looks into her can, she hears someone exiting
the store behind her. She holds the can out to ask for money from a woman and
her child, but they ignore her and give money to a fat bell-ringing Santa
instead. As they walk by her again, she attempts to ask for money again, but
the woman’s child grabs her can and pulls on it. She pulls away from him,
resulting in what little change she has falling onto the cold sidewalk below.
The kid walks off and laughs as Alma falls to the ground, angrily putting the
change back into the cup
Act II
As she
places the change back into the cup, we see a small black boy peeking from
behind a corner. He sees the change on the ground being put into the cup. As we
cut back to Alma putting the last of her coins into the cup, we see the boy run
by and take the cup right in front of Alma. Alma is shocked and infuriated,
chasing after the boy into the night. We follow the boy as he reaches a
condemned building, running into the building and slamming the door behind him.
Alma reaches the door, but it is locked. She pounds on it, but it doesn't
budge. Exasperated, she grabs a nearby Christmas tree covered with lights and
uses it to break the door down.
Act III
Alma
breaks into the building and looks around for the boy. The light from outside
illuminates into the dark building, showing the boy huddled against a wall, his
terrified eyes staring back at Alma. He shakes and stands up, giving the can
back to Alma. Alma snatches the can from him, he recoils in fear. She looks at
him, looks at the coins in the can, then at a reflection of herself at the
bottom of the can. She takes a deep breath, putting the can aside and grabbing
the tree. She props it against the wall, the boy confused, but still scared.
She sits down before the brilliant lights of the tree, taking off her hat, then
looks back at the boy and waves him over, opening her arms. He
cautiously walks to her, finally sitting in her arms. She brushes her hair off
behind her ear, her face now free and open. They smile, happy even if it is
only in this moment. The lights on the tree blink as they hold each other as
the snow softly begins to fall outside.
Act I
Scene I: Alma is introduced. She is homeless and has very
little money. She is standing outside a superstore.
Scene II: Woman ignores Alma and gives money to bell-ringer.
Woman's child is rude to Alma, resulting in Alma dropping what little money she
has on the ground.
Scene III: Alma is annoyed and attempts to pick up the
change on the ground and put it in her can.
Act II
Scene I: A little boy is introduced. He sees Alma and her
can of money.
Scene II: Boy runs by and steals Alma’s can. Alma chases
after him.
Scene III: Boy runs into condemned building and closes door.
Alma tries to get in but door is locked.
Scene IV: Alma grabs a nearby tree covered in Christmas
lights and breaks door down.
Act III:
Scene I: Alma angrily breaks into condemned building. She
sees the scared little boy.
Scene II: Boy gives her can back. Alma puts can aside and
puts up tree and lights, offers small boy a hug.
Scene III: Alma and boy hold each other. Alma smiles.
