Christmas Next Door

• Decorate Christmas Tree
• Go to Christmas Tree Farm
• Santa's Village Santa
• Bake Christmas Cookies
• Stockings
• Ice Skating
• Almost kiss about 25 minutes before end of movie but get interrupted
• Caroling
• Hot Chocolate
• Snows

Director

• Jonathan Wright

Producers

• Agnes Bristow
• Leif Bristow
• Elizabeth Missan Yost

Cast

• Jacob Blair
• Brittany Bristow
• Eugene Clark
• Kevin Claydon
• Evan Cleaver
• Brent Crawford
• Ma-Anne Dionisio
• Fiona Gubelmann
• Andrew Jackson
• Nicky Lawrence
• Liam MacDonald
• Jesse Metcalfe
• Christian Potenza
• Joy Tanner
• Jenna Weir
• Tara Yelland

ERIC"Nice decorations. I think you missed a spot. I can still see a piece of your lawn." Well, I like your decorations too. In case you hadn't noticed it is Christmas time. "How can you not notice on this street? Me, I like to do my own thing." Which is? "Hmmm, nothing I guess." Have a good day.

APRIL'S SISTER ELAINE"OK April, one more decoration and you will officially be over the top." Umm, there can never be too many decorations!

APRIL'S SISTER ELAINE"Where is that coming from?" Two doors down. It's my new neighbor. From what I can tell he's a real, yeah, if it's not him and his buddies, it's him and his sports car. "Oh, it's a shame you can't choose your neighbors." No, and he's the only one on this entire block who won't put decorations in his front yard. Like not even a little bit. "Really?" Nothing! Like not even one thing!

ERIC'S FRIENDSFRIEND 1: "Hey Ted, how are the kids?" FRIEND 2: "Doing well. Speaking of, anyone know where you can find one of those talking Furry Murray toys?" FRIEND 1: "Yeah you can forget about it man. Those are the hottest toy this year." FRIEND 2: "I know, my kid wants one for Christmas. We can't find them anywhere." FRIEND 1: "My wife found one online. But you don't wanna know how much we paid for that thing man!" ERIC: I think you're already paying for it, buddy!

ERIC'S FRIENDSFRIEND 2: "You do not know what you're missing, my friend. When you see the smiles on their faces on Christmas morning, it makes it worth it!" ERIC: Says the guy wearing a Santa hat! Get this thing off. Look, it's not like I don't like kids. I'm crazy about my sister's. FRIEND 2: "Then why do you buy this big house?" ERIC: More wall space for my book jackets. FRIEND 2: "So, Uncle Eric, what are you doing for Christmas? Going skiing again?" ERIC: Not this year. Bridget's not much for outdoor sports. FRIEND 3: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, who's Bridget?" FRIEND 2: "His latest girlfriend." ERIC: Whoa, whoa! Pump the brakes. She's not technically my girlfriend. We've only been going out for a few months. Plus, I gotta stick around and finish my book. Deadline is the end of this month. FRIEND 2: "How's it going?" ERIC: Meh, you know. FRIEND 1: "Another best seller I take it."

ERIC'S FRIENDSERIC: Who wants another beer? FRIEND 1: "Got any more of that guacamole?" FRIEND 2: "Yeah that was good stuff. Where did you get it?" ERIC: I made it! It's one of the recipes from my book. FRIEND 2: "Oh yeah, that's right." ERIC: You didn't read it did you? FRIEND 2: "You're going to make someone a great wife someday!"

APRILLook, there is a saying. Those who can, do, and those who can't, teach. "Look, you're a good teacher April, but you're a great violinist. You're just afraid to find that out." No, I'm afraid to audition. There is a clear difference there.

ERIC'S MOM"Eric, don't let the kids down. They want to spend time with their uncle." Don't make me feel guilty or anything. "Isn't that what mothers do best? See you soon, sweetheart." All right, bye Mom.

ERIC'S BOOK AGENT"Another extension? Look Eric, we've already gotten you two. I don't think the publisher will go for it." Why not? I'm one of their best selling authors, right? "I'll give it a try. Just between us, what's taking you so long? I mean it's not like you're writing War and Peace." What's that supposed to mean? "Oh come on Eric, I've repped you for 10 years. These books are pretty formulaic. Honestly, why are you having such a hard time all of a sudden?" Honestly? I think I'm finally getting tired of writing the same thing. "No, that's not good! Nah-uh!"

NEIGHBOR CONRAD"Afternoon, April." Conrad. "I really must commend you on your decorations this year." Aww, thank you! "Now if we could just get everyone else on board." Oh, I think he's a lost cause. "I mean, would it really be that much trouble..."

NEIGHBOR CONRAD"Afternoon Mr. Redford. I'm glad I ran into you." Really? Why is that? "The neighbors have generously offered to decorate your front yard. You won't even have to lift a finger." Thanks anyway, but I happen to like my house just the way it is. That's why I bought it. "Maybe just a couple of strings." No. Thanks. I'm good.

ERICI think that's my neighbor. "Where?" The violinist. "The teacher with all those annoying students?" I didn't say they were all bad. "So are we doing anything for New Year's?" I haven't even thought about Christmas. All I can think about these days is the looming deadline for my book. "Well maybe we can go to the Black and White Ball at the Walker Museum?" Yeah, about that... APRIL PLAYING VIOLIN: Any requests? ERIC'S DATE: "We'd appreciate it if you could play at someone else's table. We're just trying to have a quiet dinner. APRIL: Oh of course, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you the way my students obviously have.

ERIC"I brought you some soup. "Oh thank you, sweetheart. That was very thoughtful." Mom, are you sure I should be taking the kids? You know how bad my luck is around this time of year. "Are you still convinced you've got that Christmas jinx?" Why do you think I've gone out of town the last four years? "Well you're stuck in town now. Maybe you'll finally get over it. Kids! Your Uncle Eric is here! Come on! Okay bye! Be good you two!" "Bye Grandma!"

ERIC'S NIECE AND NEPHEW"You've got no Christmas decorations. How come you don't have a Christmas tree?" That's a long story. "Don't you like Christmas?" Not particularly no. "How come?" I'll tell you when you're older. "But Uncle Eric, if we don't have a Christmas tree, how will Santa find us?" Well, maybe he's got GPS or something. "And if we don't have a tree, where will we put all the presents?" What presents? "And we always decorate the tree and string popcorn... and we have to make Christmas cookies to leave for Santa... and we always hang our stockings and build a snowman." Aww, come on, we're gonna have a great time I promise. "How?" I don't know. Let me think about it for a minute. Have you got any ideas? "Make Christmas for us!" Right.

ERIC"OK, I got this." ERIC'S NEPHEW: "Be careful." That wasn't good. APRIL: That is quite a tree you have there. "Tell me about it." NEPHEW: "We picked it out ourselves!" NEICE: "I like your decorations!" APRIL: Aww, thank you! Your kids? ERIC: "No! I don't have kids! This is my Niece and Nephew, Chelsea and Liam." APRIL: Hey Chelsea! Hey Liam! ERIC: "Sorry, I don't know your name." APRIL: April... and you're Uncle? ERIC: "Eric. Eric Redford." APRIL: Nice to meet you! Uh, can I help you carry this tree? ERIC: "That would be great, thanks. Do you think Conrad will notice?" APRIL: Ugh, he notices everything.

APRILIt's going to take a lot of ornaments to fill up this tree. NEPHEW: "We forgot to buy ornaments!" ERIC: "Can't you just pretend it has ornaments? I mean your kids, use your imagination." NEICE: "I don't think I can pretend that good." ERIC: "Oh, come on Chels, the smell alone is plenty Christmassy right? Am I right? APRIL: No! Look, I have a lot of extra ornaments at my house that you can use. ERIC: "Of course you do. I'll bet the inside of your house looks like Santa's workshop! APRIL: Close to it! NEICE: "Wow, can we go over there and see it?" ERIC: "Maybe another time Chelsea I've got a lot of work to do." APRIL: Well that's okay. I can take them. I'm sure they'll really love it! ERIC: "That's what I'm afraid of." NEICE: "Please!" ERIC: "Go ahead. I'll just be here, setting up the Christmas tree. Fun, fun, fun!"

ERIC"Hey, uh, thanks for doing all that for my Niece and Nephew." Well, I guess it's no secret that I love Christmas and the way I look at it. I just got the chance to decorate a second Christmas tree. "You remind me of someone I used to know. She was crazy about Christmas too." Well, I hope I didn't bring back any bad memories. "Well that's a whole other reason why I don't like Christmas. But you made the kids very happy. I just hope it lasts until my sister and her husband get back so I can finish my book." Well, it was my pleasure. Good luck with that book. "Thanks."

APRILWhat's going on? "Maybe you could tell me? I found this plastic Santa on my front lawn. Do you happen to know how he got here?" No. I've never seen him before. What are you going to do with him? "Curb him... and hopefully whoever put him here will take him back." Would it really be so hard for you to get into the Christmas spirit? I mean just like a little bit? "What do you call that Christmas tree that's taking up half of my living room? Because I call that Christmas spirit and then some." Maybe there's hope for you yet. "Hope for me?"

APRILI helped him carry in the Christmas tree, then I helped him decorate it, it's no big deal. Stop. "So, who is he?" Well, his name is Eric Redford. He's a writer... and he "Wait! Eric Redford? Are you serious?" What? Have you heard of him? "Only because of Steve. Steve owns like all of his books... and his books are part of the reason why Steve still has not proposed." What kind of books does he write? "The kind that give men great reasons to stay single." Uh-huh, yeah. That makes sense!

NIECE AND NEPHEW"Uncle Eric, when are you going to buy your Christmas presents?" At the last minute why? Don't worry, you're on my list. "It's not that." Well then what's the problem? "We have to buy our Christmas presents for Mom and Dad. Yeah. Could you take a shopping?" Sure, I can do that. Come with me. This is how I shop for Christmas every year: Gift cards. Makes life so much easier! "That's not how we shop. We need art supplies, glue, paper, and glitter." You make your presents? "Yeah, some of them... and besides, don't you need gifts for like Mom, Dad, and Grandma, and your friends, and us?" Can't we just get you guys gift cards too? "No!" It's eight days until Christmas, the stores are gonna be packed. "But we have to see Santa Claus, and that's where he is!" Santa Claus? "You know like jolly, ho ho ho? Please uncle Eric." All right, go get ready for bed.

APRILHave you ever done any real Christmas shopping? "The last year I did someone stole my car... and it wasn't just any car. It was a 1965 Corvette stingray. I bought it after I sold my first book. They stole it right out of the mall parking lot just before Christmas. That was six years ago." And is that the reason you don't celebrate Christmas? "Just another one of the many." There are more? Oh my gosh!

APRILWhat about jewelry! This guy has some amazing one of a kind stuff. "Now that's something my Mom would like." Ooh, well what about that necklace? "That is pretty. Excuse me, would you mind if we take a look at this?" That's beautiful. "Would you try it on?" Uh, sure! It's beautiful. "It really looks nice on you." Thanks. "You should get it." Oh no. I am not doing any Christmas shopping for myself this year. "You don't have anyone you could drop a hint to this Christmas?" No. "Really?" No. "I didn't mean anything by that I just meant, that's hard to believe.

ERICCome on man, give it up! I don't want your little Santa or your snowman! "I haven't a clue what you're rambling about." I'm talking about these decorations. You keep leaving on my lawn. "Not the guilty party." Well then who is? "Well maybe, you've been visited by some Christmas elves!"

APRIL"Anyways, I should go practice. "You sound amazing. I heard you when I was outside earlier." Oh, well, I hope I wasn't too loud. "Not at all. Wasn't that Debussy you were playing?" Yeah! The Girl with the Flaxen Hair. "I've never heard that as a violin solo. You're really talented." I just wish that talent was enough. "What do you mean?" Uhh, I have this audition with the Philharmonic and I have this history of botching my auditions. "How? "Hiccups. Don't laugh, it's serious. I get the worst hiccups when I'm nervous. "OK well then we need to find a way for you to not be nervous."

APRILI'm sorry that your previous engagement didn't turn out well. "Well apparently Bridget prefers me as an unencumbered single guy without any kids around." So she would prefer to be with the kind of guy that you write about in your books? "Wait you..." I read your books. The ones that you signed for Steve. "You hated them didn't you?" Actually, no I didn't. I thought that there was an honesty to what you were saying... and I think you are a really good writer it's... "Go on, I can take it." Look, I only read two of your books. But it kind of feels like you're saying the same thing just in different ways. "I know, I know. I've been saying it since my 20s. You know that quote 'It takes courage to grow up and be who you really are'?" No, I don't think that's a real quote but I like the way it sounds. "OK well maybe it's time for me to admit that I'm growing up. "Maybe you should write about that in your books. "I'm still putting the pieces together, but you know what? I think they're falling into place."

ERIC"Let me walk you home? It's a rough neighborhood out there." Okay. Gosh, how can you deny that Christmas is just the best time of year? The air is so cool and crisp, you can smell the fireplaces, the stars are twinkling in the sky, and all of these lights, it's just so magical. "I can't deny that it's pretty and charming and all that other stuff, but it reminds me of something I'd rather not remember." That person that I remind you of? "Well, only in the sense that she was all about Christmas too. So, one year I decided to give her the ultimate Christmas present. I proposed on Christmas Eve, ring and all. What I didn't know was that she had fallen in love with someone else." I can see why you'd want to forget that. "Now you know the real reason I don't do Christmas." Or have much fondness for women who do. "Well that's not exactly true, anymore." Well, I'm glad to hear that. "And a lot of that's your fault." Well, I take full responsibility...

ERIC"Adding some new decorations?" No, I'm just moving things around. My audition is this afternoon so I'm just trying to keep myself distracted. "Well I have no doubt that you will crush it. What piece are you gonna play?" I haven't decided yet." Well if I were you, I'd play that Christmas one you were practicing. I mean, look around. It's you." True. But I just don't think it's the best piece for an audition. "But it's a great piece and it shows who you are... and isn't that what you want the orchestra to see? Oh, uh, I almost forgot, I wanted to return your plate." Oh, thank you. "And let you know that I stayed up all night writing... and after we spoke, it dawned on me that if I don't believe what I'm writing my readers won't either. Having Chelsea and Liam around it kind of put things in perspective... and then the words just started pouring out of me." Well, I mean, maybe it was the cookies? "They definitely didn't hurt. But seriously, you were the inspiration." Well, hopefully I've inspired my students too. Tonight's the big test. "Tonight?" It's the neighborhood Christmas caroling! Maybe you'll join us? "Ooh, no." Come on! It'll be fun. "You don't want me to join you."

ERIC"Hey." Your house is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I like it. "Well, I figured if you can't beat 'em, you might as well join 'em."

ERIC"How did the audition go?" Pretty good. Yeah, I used method number four and, no hiccups. "Nice." They said we'll hear something by the end of the month so I'm just trying to keep my mind off of it. "Well, I promised the kids we'd watch a movie tonight. Why don't you join us? Maybe that would help you keep your mind off of it." You're not writing tonight? "I am also trying to stay preoccupied. I turned in my new pages, I'm waiting to hear back from my publisher. Maybe we can uh, stay distracted together?" I'll bring the popcorn! "One thing you should know about me, I am a master popcorn popper." Oh, and I thought I knew everything about you from your books. "Well don't you know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover? Or the author." We'll see.

FRIEND 2"Glad you made it." Thanks, where are your kids? "They're already on the ice. So, uh, how is Santa and his reindeer doing?" What are you talking about? "Your front lawn." That was you! "What you didn't figure it out?" Obviously not! "Well, it's a good thing you're not a mystery writer.

ERICLooks pretty good doesn't it? "That's a lot of turkey for just us." Leftovers are the best part. I don't care if it's just the three of us we are going to have a Christmas Eve to remember... "Can we invite April?" I thought about that but I know she's working tonight... and besides I think she might be mad at me. "What for?" I wish I knew. "Do you think it's about that necklace?" What necklace? "The one you bought for Bridget." I didn't buy Bridget a necklace. "Well, April said you did. It was in the bag of presents we were wrapping. She said you should wrap it yourself." Now it makes sense. "It does?" Yeah, I'll explain it to you in a few years.

ERIC'S SISTER: Okay so someone needs to fill us in and let us know who April is. ERIC'S MOM: I thought the last girl you were dating was named Bridget. ERIC: Well the word 'was' pretty much sums up that relationship. ERIC' BROTHER IN LAW: Okay, I'm a little confused here, as to who April is. ERIC: She lives two doors down, she was great with Liam and Chelsea. Wasn't she guys? ERIC'S BROTHER IN LAW: So why isn't she here tonight? ERIC: Because she doesn't seem to be talking to me right now. ERIC'S MOM: Sounds like more than just a neighbor to me. ERIC: Yeah well, I was kinda hoping that would be the case, but I guess I blew it somehow. ERIC'S SISTER: Okay Romeo, so if she lives next-door, why don't you just go over and tell her how you feel? ERIC: Because she's not home. But, I know where she is. What am I doing? I'm sorry guys. I gotta go! Thanks for the advice, Sis!

ERIC"We need to talk." I can't. I'm working. "I'm not going anywhere until you listen to me." There's nothing to say. You have a girlfriend, I misread the signals, no harm done. "You didn't miss read any signals. Bridget and I are not a couple. She just came over last night to apologize, and we wished each other well... and about that necklace you saw, I bought it for you, no one else. I told you the first time I saw it, it was meant for you... and maybe I am too. Maybe we're meant for each other." And you don't even write romance novels. "I'd rather live one!"

ERIC"How's that for a happy ending!" Well, it's not over yet. I heard from the orchestra, I'm in! "Yes! Oh, by the way, what are you doing New Year's Eve? You mind if I steal April tonight? APRIL'S SISTER: You two get out of here! APRIL: Merry Christmas!

THOUGHT:Fancy neighborhood with big houses and April and Eric have a house in between them, yet April can hear when Eric watches football and Eric can hear when April gives violin lessons as if they have thin walls in a cheap apartment.