Best Of Totesblog

December 3, 2006
A short scene inspired by my journey from the 125th street subway station to my apartment last night:

EXT. Harlem
It is night, about 11:00pm. Corey walks home listening to his ipod nano; Jamie Cullum's All at Sea plays. He walks up to an intersection and waits for the walk signal. Random Man (or prostitute?) enters, he is mid-late twenties and Puerto Rican or possibly Mexican. He stands looking at Corey. Corey pretends not to notice him.

Random Man(or prostitute?): Hey.

Corey pretends not to hear and continues to listen to music.

Random Man (or prostitute?): walking closer Excuse me.

Corey takes out one earphone as to listen to what this innocent looking man is saying.

Random Man (or prostitute?): Where's Madison?

Corey: Oh, that's a ways away, but if you walk that way you'll eventually run into it.

The Random Man (or prostitute?) looks confused and stumbles for words. His eyes start to become shifty. Corey takes notice and increases the awareness of his surroundings as to make sure he is not the target of a multi-thug sting operation.

Corey: Where do you need to be?

More shifty eyes and confusion

Corey: Madison is that way, so you'll hit it if you just keep walking.

Random Man (or prostitute?): Where are you going?

Corey: uhh... I'm walking south--Madison is east; that way.

Random Man (or prostitute?): Can I go with you?

Corey: What?!

Random Man (or prostitute?): Can I go home with you?

Corey: laughing in his face Sorry.

Corey quickly walks away.

---ALT ENDING---

Random Man (or prostitute?): Can I go home with you?

Corey takes in his question and looks into his sad eyes which are crying out for the warm, matronly embrace of a friend or lover.

Corey: Sure. Lets get you into some warm clothes--do you like hot cocoa?

Random Man (or prostitute?): Do I?! Thanks Mister!

Cut To:
INT. Corey's apartment
The apartment is alive and bustling with the excitement of the quickly approaching holiday. Although meager, their Christmas tree is decorated with lights, ornaments and other accoutrements of holiday cheer. Presents lay strewn underneath the tree and Christmas music is playing in the background. The roommates are singing and drinking hot cocoa and eggnog. Corey Enters.

Corey: Greetings!!

Roommates: Merry Christmas Corey!

Corey: And a Merry Christmas to you too! I have a surprise!

Jon: Is it a gift for us?

Corey: Well yes, in a way.

Brian: Were you able to get the extra fat goose for Christmas dinner? The one that's hanging in the butcher's window?

Corey: (laughing) Not this year, Brian. It's a different sort of gift.

Courtney: Well what is it?

Corey: His name is Julio. I ran into him on the street and he asked if he could come home with me.

Roommates: How is this a gift for us?

Corey: Well, I think he might be homeless.

Jon: You mean, he doesn't have a home?

Corey: Yes, Jon. That or he's a prostitute, I'm not quite sure. Either way he looked sad, confused and possibly on drugs, so I invited him back to spend the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas with us.

Courtney: I don't know...Is he nice?

Corey: Well yes he is, Courtney. He didn't talk much on the walk here, but he seems very pleasant. What better way to bring in the Christmas holiday by inviting a stranger in and welcoming him to our home with open arms. What do ya say?

Roomates: YAY!!

Corey: Come on in Julio!

Julio Enters. The roommates shower him with gifts, cookies, eggnog and hot cocoa as they all sing along in joyous harmony with the David Bowie, Bing Crosby version of Little Drummer Boy. A claymation snowman narrator enters in front and begins speaking to the camera.

Snowman Narrator: Corey and his roommates learned the true meaning of Christmas that year. After Julio sold their belongings for drug money and raped their innocence, they were left with nothing more than their Christmas spirit shattered beneath the tree. There were no more presents, no more carols, no more cups of eggnog spiked with delicious optimism. All that remained was the hope that next Christmas would be a better one, one in which they learned from the mistakes of Christmas past. Have a happy Christmas children!

Commentary: I love snowman narrators!!!!!