The Christmas Ornament

• Ice Skating
• Go to Christmas Tree Lot
• Bake Christmas Cookies
• Salvation Army Santa
• Decorate Christmas Tree
• Snowball Fight
• Hot Chocolate
• Ugly Christmas Sweater

Director

• Mark Jean

Producer

• Harvey Kahn

Cast

• Matthew Kevin Anderson
• Ian Carter
• Cole Vigue
• Linda Darlow
• Stephen Dimopoulos
• Evans Johnson
• Nels Lennarson
• Kellie Martin
• Cameron Mathison
• Laura Mennell
• Brendan Meyer
• Nicole Oliver
• Jewel Staite
• Gwynyth Walsh

KATHY'S BIKE SHOP WORKER"Morning Kathy." Morning Graham. "How was the ride in?" Great. I love cycling in weather like this. "What's in the box? And please tell me it's what I hope it is." I made my first batch of Christmas cookies last night. "Yes! Best boss ever." So, once you get fueled up, let's get squared away on yesterday's deliveries, before the customer stampede. "Things will pick up. The shopping season's just getting started." Christmas is two weeks away. The season is half over. "Roadies's are notorious last minute shoppers." Uh-huh. "This is your first Christmas at this. You'll see." This is your first Christmas at this too. "On the selling side. Buying wise, I'm totally last minute." Make sure you check the tension on that derailer.

KATHYYou didn't say anything about a Christmas tree. "It'll only take a minute." Not this year. "Maybe you'll find something you like." I'm not putting up a Christmas tree. "I'm sorry. But I still need one.

TREE LOT WORKER"There's your Fraser Fir, and your Douglas Fir. The Fraser has amazing needle retention, the Douglas a more pleasing aroma. Then there's your Blue Spruce. It has a dynamic pyramid shape, and a bonus feature, you can replant it after Christmas. KATHY'S FRIEND: Okay, so, what do you think? Needles, aroma, replant? KATHY: I think I'm going to check out the gift shop. KATHY'S FRIEND: Come on, I can't make this decision alone! TREE LOT WORKER: I'll help you decide!

TREE LOT OWNER TIM"Could I get your opinion? I'm sorry did I scare you?" No, I was just... "That's my best seller. The Cinnamon stick candle. It's nice huh." It's wonderful. "Tell me, what you think of this one. Awful right?" Not if it comes with a gas mask. "They call it winter bonfire. What they don't tell you is that what they're burning is old tires and doll hair. Trust me, my sister and her Barbies did not get along. Tim Pierce. I own the joint." Kathy Howard.

TIM"So the gift shop's new. The profit margin on trees is getting way too tight for little guys like me so I'm always looking for new ways to turn a buck." Yeah, I know. It's so hard to compete with the big box stores. They're killing us." Why? What business are you in?" Dream Cycle, on Elm. "Sure! Yeah, I was at the grand opening last January, along with tons of other people. I had a nice chat with the owner, seemed like a really great guy." Scott. He was my husband. "Oh. You two..." He passed away, a month after we opened. "I'm so sorry."

TIM"Um, so, content aside, what do you think of the form? Cute and quaint, or holiday hoarder?" I like it actually. It's, um, nonconformist. Outside the lines. "It's too busy isn't it?" Way too busy. "I should have stuck with trees. Trees I know. Are you looking for a tree Kathy Howard?" Not this year, but my friend is. "Is she out there with Connor?" Is he the kid who's memorized the Wikipedia Christmas tree page? "Affirmative. We should probably go rescue her!"

RELATED:
• [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree]

TIM"Kathy?" Tim. "You here to skate?" Just finished. "Oh, so someone let you in on the secret." What secret? "Come here early enough, you pretty much have the place to yourself." Darn. I thought that was my little discovery. "And now you're gonna bike? What are you some kind of triathlete?" No, just someone who loves to cycle. Soon it'll be too cold. "Yeah. I do love this rink though. I come here whenever I can." I'm just getting back into skating. It's been a while. "Hmm, well I'm glad you're getting back into it." Me too. It, it's centers me. "I hear you." Well have fun. "Yeah."

TIM"Hey. Can I ask you a question, with the clear understanding that it's absolutely none of my business?" Sure. "Why no tree this year?" Christmas tree ornaments were always a big deal with Scott and me, from the time we started dating in college. Every Christmas, we would give each other one commemorating something we've done that year or hoped to do the next. We built up a great collection over the years. And, this year, I just, can't bear the thought of seeing them. "Memories on branches." That's what my Mom calls ornaments... and sometimes you just don't want to remember. Still, there are other ways to decorate a Christmas tree without ornaments. You've got lights, tinsel, popcorn..." You just want to sell me a tree. "Am I seriously that transparent?" Well take care. "Yeah you too."

KATHY'S FRIEND"Well, you could've broken just one cookie." Help yourself. There's plenty! "Goody!"

KATHY'S FRIEND"But you are coming to my party?" Planning to. "OK well, that's encouraging." I'm trying not to hate Christmas this year. I'm really trying. "I know you are... and I know I can be a little pushy sometimes. Okay, all the time. I just want you to be open to possibility, you know? To keep the porch light on. Remember telling me that? You said you never left the porch light on until after you met Scott." That man was unbelievable. He could trip over a blade of grass. "So leave the light on, for him and for you. He wouldn't want you sitting alone in the dark." It doesn't matter if I have every light in the house on. I'm still alone.

KATHYTim! How did you get my... "Jenna. She said that you would be too polite to turn down a tree if I dragged it to your house and I looked really, really tired. Phew! What a day. I am totally beat." You're a terrible actor. "Yes, but I have a beautiful tree! Douglas Fir."

TIM"Do you have any lights? I could help you set them up." Oh, that's okay. "So, what do you think?" Maybe you should take it back. "Can't. No return policy... and it's a gift! Bad karma to return a gift." I can't accept a gift from you. "It's not from me, it's from Jenna. Oh, but when you do get around to trimming it, tell me how this looks. I had one just like it when I was a kid. It was my family's favorite ornament, it was the first one that we put on the tree every year. To me it was like the official start of Christmas." It's beautiful. Thank you. Can I get you a cup of coffee or something? "No, thank you, I've gotta go. Now I've put that in a stand for you so a quart of cold water every morning and it'll stay fresh all day. The tree is still living, even though it's been cut down." I can relate to that. "Merry Christmas."

KATHY'S ACCOUNTANT"Look, I know how much this store meant to Scott." It meant everything to him. "Really? Seems to me you did. But yeah, Dream Cycle was definitely his passion project. Question is, is it yours?"

KATHYWould you like a cookie while you wait? Chocolate, vanilla, gingerbread. Enjoy. How about you, would you like one? I'd love the gingerbread one. There you go. It's on the house. Oh, come on, just one more. I won't tell. "Thanks. Can I buy some of these to take home to my wife?" No, sorry. "Too bad. Well, thanks again. You two have a terrific Christmas." TIM: "You too. For some reason, everyone picked today to buy their Christmas tree. I was swamped and you saved the day." Well, the cookies did. Those were for you. "For me?" You deliver a tree personally, you get a personal thank you.

TIM"OK, that's not fair. I'm serious. That is too good. You have just completely ruined me for every other cookie on the planet. You have a secret ingredient don't you? Something bizarre that nobody else would guess." There are one or two surprises in there. "Is it ranch dressing? My mother puts ranch dressing on everything." I'm guessing that you're not a baker. "Neither is my mother. But that guy was onto something. Have you ever thought about selling these?" I've toyed with the idea. "Well you should. They're good. Really good." Thanks!

KATHYSo, left on Avalon, two blocks to Lyon, another left, and then the house will be halfway down the block. "You are so much better at this than I am." Now who's pathetic? "Don't make fun, I read in an article that Albert Einstein would get lost if you took him more than four blocks from his house." But he had other strengths, relativity speaking... sorry.

TIM"OK, I have a lousy sense of direction. Do I at least get some points for copping to it?" Sure. You are the first man I've ever met who'd admit that. The next light is Avalon. You'll wanna go left, Einstein.

TIM"So was I right? Was it worth coming in?" Absolutely. You know that adorable man hanging tinsel? He's 92. "That's Dan Missilden. He used to be a history professor." Still could be. He's sharper than I am! "His vision is pretty good too. He told me twice how pretty you were, and I agreed both times." You know I might take that compliment more seriously if I hadn't seen you flirting with that cute old woman wearing the Chenille bathrobe. "Well the lady in the bathrobe has actually had her eye on me for three Christmases now." She's got good taste. "Well, thank you very much." I was talking about the bathrobe.

KATHYApartment 632. Sixth floor. "Piece of cake. I did five flights with a tree in each hand once. Nothing can dampen my holiday spirit." I noticed. You take your Christmas trees very seriously. "Oh yeah. Ever since I was eight. I read this book about a runty little sapling that wanted to grow up and be this big, beautiful Christmas tree... and it was about growing and believing and holding on tight to your dreams, and even at eight years old, I knew that was the spirit of Christmas!" You don't think that's over sold a bit? The unrealistic expectations? The 'tis the season hype? "You obviously have never read 'The Scrawniest Spruce.'" Well you said it yourself, that's for kids. "We're all kids at Christmas. You just got to forget about the hype and hold onto the fun." Stop stalling, we've got three more flights.

KATHYI smell like a Christmas tree. "I have pine needles in my socks again and I have no idea how that happens." Well, I'd better scoot. "Hey, that last stop, the one with the newlyweds. That can't have been easy for you, and you really stepped up big time." I just offered support. "Nope, you celebrated Christmas, in spite of everything you've lost... and I can't even imagine how enormous that loss must feel." I'll see you around the rink? "I'll see you around the rink."

TIM"You decorated the Christmas tree." Yes I did. "This I'v got to see." That one was from me. It was a struggle to raise the money to open Dream Cycle, and that was my way of saying think positive, the angels are watching over us. "And somehow the money came through." Yes. So he gave me that one last Christmas, to let me know. I will bake cookies all night every night if it helps keep his dream alive. "Why don't you bake cookies all night every night to help keep your dream alive?" What do you mean? "Well I've heard you say that you love to bake cookies, but I've never actually heard you say you love the bike business." I haven't said it is all. He could be very clever with these. You know, order one months in advance and then arrange to have it delivered on Christmas Eve. This was one. "Hmm, what does it mean?" Keep the light on. "I see you put up the butterfly. It fits." Yeah, it does.

TIM"Am I moving too fast?" No. I just wasn't ready for anything like this. "Me neither." Why me? "The angel." What angel? "I was watching you on the day we met, from the doorway as you wandered through the gift shop, you saw an angel ornament on the very edge of the table, you pushed it back so carefully, so it wouldn't fall and break. That simple act, that little kindness, it's said everything to me." I should get to work. "Me too."

KATHYHave a look at this. "Do I have to? I'm tired of looking at that cookie woman." So imagine she's not there. Imagine it's a picture of me, and instead of Queen Carla's Cookie Kingdom it says Cookies by Kathy. "You're thinking of going into the cookie business?" Yeah. Dumb idea? "No! This is the greatest idea I've ever heard!" People seem to like my cookies and I really love baking them. "OK, you don't have to sell me on any of this. Your cookies are amazing but, could you do this and Dream Bikes?" Probably not. "Wow. This is headline!" It's just something I'm thinking about. I haven't made up my mind about anything. "Yeah, of course, but still, wow. You, uh, you have Tim to thank for this, don't you?" I guess I do.

TIM'S NEPHEW"What's going on uncle Tim?" Nothing's going on. "Yeah there is. You like that girl, Kathy." We're just, uh, we're just friends. "Well, whatever. But that's why you go skating, and this morning you didn't and you're acting all mopey. So what's going on?" Do you remember my girlfriend Rebecca? "Yeah, didn't she like dump you and move away?" Well she's back, and she came to see me last night. "Oh." It was upsetting to see her. "I know what you mean. I liked this girl. Darcy. She's really hot. We hung out for a while and it was awesome... and then she started blowing me off, and I was like dude what's up with that? But then I got interested in this other girl, Nicole, and that was cool, until Darcy started coming around like she was all interested in me and everything again." So what did you do? "I'm still trying to figure it out! Women. It's so confusing." Copy that.

TIM"Conner says Rebecca is back in town." Oh. Yes, she is. "And?" And what? I've seen her once. "Are you planning on seeing her again?" I don't know. "Please don't. Look. I like Rebecca. I really do. I remember how good you two were together, but I also remember how devastated you were and how long it took you to get happy again." She made a mistake. "And I don't want to see you make one." I'm a big boy Sarah. "No you're not. You are my little brother and don't you ever forget that." Truthfully, I don't, I mean, I don't know how I feel. It was really good seeing her again and I can't deny that. "Well, I gave you my two cents. Spend it in peace."

KATHY'S ACCOUNTANT"It's a generous offer, he is really keen." What about the inventory and the payables? "Well, inventory-wise, you'd want to wait until after the holidays when your competitors will need to restock, but I've made some inquiries and the numbers they've floated should more than cover your outstanding obligations." So I could walk away free and clear? "Maybe even a little ahead." But not enough to start a new business." Well, that's what business loans are for. All of that will work itself out. The only question that really matters is, um, are you ready to let it go? Forgive me for saying it again, but no one would have wanted this for you more than Scott." I never thought I'd say this, or believe it, but you're right. When Scott was alive, we were a team. His dreams were my dreams. I was as excited about this store as he was because it was ours, but there is no 'ours' anymore. For so long I thought if I didn't keep the store going, I would be letting Scott down. Now I think I'd be letting him down if I keep it.

KATHY'S BIKE SHOP WORKER"I wanted to give you my week's notice!" Did you say what I think you said? "Yeah." But the week after Christmas is bound to be busy. Returns, people cashing in gift certificates... "Oh, no, sorry, not this week. Just, whatever week you need it to be. You know, when you finally close up shop. Just let me know." I guess I don't hide secrets very well. "This has been a long time coming, and as your number one, well, only one employee I say go for it! Whatever you do next, it's going to be amazing!" Thank you.

TIMLook, um, I'm not doing this Rebecca. "Not selling me a tree?" It is really good to see you again and I mean that... and if there's anything that I can do to help you get back on your feet here, I'm there for you. But we're not getting back together. I, I will not let that happen. "It isn't 'not exactly maybe' at all, is it? I mean, you know." Yeah, I know. "Well, I hope she feels the same because if anyone deserves to be happy Tim, it's you. See ya."

TIM"What's going on, Kathy? What's wrong?" I saw you with that woman. "What woman?" You were showing her trees... obviously you guys are close. "Rebecca. You saw me with Rebecca?" Rebecca? That explains it. I'm glad she's back in your life. I know how much you care about her. "She is not back in my life, not like that, and it's really disappointing that you would think so. What did you think I was just jerking you around? Like, looking for a little holiday fling?" That's not fair. "Of course, not, because this isn't really about Rebecca, is it? This is about you. If you want to stop seeing me." I can't do this right now Tim can't you see that? "Can't do what?" This conversation for starters. I was going to prepare this great speech about timing and it was going to be touching and real and at the end of it you were going to understand and respect me and wish me well... and we were even going to end up friends. "Then make this speech. Go ahead, convince me." I can't! It's a cop out! The truth is, I don't know why I can't do this right now. I mean, maybe if you had come into my life at Easter or the Fourth of July maybe I would be ready, but I'm not ready right now. Not this Christmas. You are an amazing man, Tim, and I'm so grateful for your support and encouragement but all I can offer you right now is gratitude. "OK. Well you're welcome.

TIM"No! You know what, listen to me. Love It's not a bus or a train. It doesn't run on a schedule. It's unexpected and it's inconvenient and sometimes you have to wait your whole life for it to show up but when it does you grab tight and you hold on because those bumps and the twists and the stomach lurches, those are what make you feel like you're still alive. I would have given you all the time in the world to be ready to take a ride like that with me. All the time in the world."

LETTER:From Scott
Ordered February 1st, Deliver Christmas Eve,

This Christmas, all roads lead to happiness. Spread your wings and soar. I love you forever, Scott.

TIM"I'm sorry I just walked in. The front door was unlocked, the porch light was on. I took that as an invitation." It was. "So, you, you wanted to talk?" Yeah. I'm so sorry I pushed you away. It was never about you. "I know." I thought I would have to say goodbye to Scott. I thought I would have to lose him to make room for you. "And now?" Now I know I don't... and I'm ready. "Ready for what?" Everything. For old memories, new beginnings, unexpected gifts. You. If you'll give me another chance. "That's not necessary. I am still under the spell of our first extraordinary chance."