Ellen Foster Page #2

---

How you doing?

Fine.

What's in the box?

Just some beads

And things.

My Mama used to let me

play with that.

She won't be letting you

play with it anymore.

You tell your daddy

the message is

plain and simple.

Now get it right.

You listening?!

You tell him

that I'd rather some tramp

had my Charlotte's things

than any of you bunch

that drink and carry on

like trash.

I'm sorry, hon.

Hi, honey!

Hi.

I just stopped by

to see how you

getting along.

Is your daddy here?

He's not home much anymore.

Where is he?

I don't know.

Sometimes he comes

home to sleep

but I think

all he's doing now

is drinking and sleeping.

What you doing?

Playing catalog.

What's that?

First I pick out

a little family

and then house stuff

and clothes.

Sleepwear and fancy jackets

for the man and pantsuits

and I outfit everybody...

the mom and the dad

and the kids.

The kids are cute.

Next, they get some camping

equipment and a waffle iron

and bedroom suits and some toys.

And the daddy

who works in a factory

and the mama...

she works at a bank.

They like to dress up

after work.

And I also find the best values.

That's real clever.

How you doing

for food?

Okay.

You eating regular?

Sure.

What are you eating?

Frozen stuff

from the store

in tin things.

TV dinners?!

I guess.

How are you fixed

for money?

Uncle Rudolph's

still bringing it.

He is?

Not as much as before, though.

Why is he giving us

the money anyway?

It's not Rudolph

giving you the money.

I thought

you knew that.

How am I supposed to know?

Nobody tells me anything.

Who is?

Your grandma.

She's the one

that's been giving us

all the money?

For your mother.

Mama's dead.

Well, I guess

she just...

doesn't have it

in her heart

to starve a child,

despite her feelings.

Don't tell her

I told you that.

It's supposed

to be a secret.

Well, how could

I tell her?

She hasn't hardly said

two words in a row

to me in my whole life.

Well, she never been

too good about children

even her own.

Except for your mother,

Charlotte.

She was her favorite.

The sun never set

on Charlotte.

Which one

of these hats

do you think looks

better on her?

This one or...

or this one?

We got to do something.

Like what?

I don't know. Something.

She can't be on

her own over there

with that drunk,

eating TV dinners.

It's Charlotte's fault

for marrying him

in the first place.

That's water and

bridges, Nadine.

We're talking about now.

Well, there's nothing

we can do about it.

Why not?

He's her father.

He needs a stepstool

to look a worm

in the eye.

He's still her father.

She should be

with real family.

Why don't you take her?

Me?

Might do you good

to have a kid around.

Why would you say that

knowing how I feel

about children?

If I wanted a kid,

I would have gotten married.

Besides, if I took her

I'd have to deal

with Mama all the time.

The less I do

with Mama, the better.

Why can't you take her?

No. Dora hates her.

My nerves couldn't stand it.

Also, she makes me nervous.

I guess I know

what you mean.

She can be weird

sometimes.

She reminds me

of Charlotte sometimes

when Charlotte was her age.

You were always

jealous of Charlotte.

Oh, look who's talking.

Let's not get into it.

Water and bridges.

Big smile now.

Good!

Do you believe

in Santa Claus?

Sure I do. You?

Uh-uh. I'm glad I don't.

Like my daddy says

"Wish in one hand

and spit in the other.

See which one

gets filled up first. "

I won't be going

spitting in my hand.

That's disgusting.

My mama said she believed

in Santa Claus

lots longer than I did.

I think she wanted me

to believe in him longer.

But that was

in the old days

when she was little.

Things change.

I think you're

missing something

not believing

in Santa Claus.

I'm going to

believe in him

as long as I can.

Then you got

a good wishing hand.

You want to see

what I got

for your Mama and daddy?

See?

Ooh!

It's pretty.

What's it for?

Putting spoons in.

I believe

my mom's got one of them.

Well, now she's got two.

Hey, boy, hey!

A merry Christmas!

It is Christmas Day,

isn't it?

Why, of course.

I knew I hadn't

missed it!

All the spirits

have done it all

in one night!

It couldn't be like

it used to be with Mama

but it's a long time

till next Christmas.

Maybe things will turn around

by then.

Well, would you look

here at this?

Always use

one of these.

Keeps your spoons

from dripping on the stove.

I figured maybe

you can use one.

Never can have enough

of these.

Well, it looks to me

like we got

one more present here.

Says... "To Ellen, from Santa. "

I think this child here

is the only one

we know called "Ellen. "

Ain't that right?

Right as rain.

For me?

You have been a good girl,

right?

What is it?

Well, open it up, child.

Open it up!

Open it up!

Oh, it's a sweater!

It sure is.

Can I put it on?

I'd like to put it on right now

if that's okay.

Put it right on.

Color's

pretty, Mama, ain't it?

Oh, it just suits

her perfect.

Couldn't be prettier.

I was sort of in need

of a sweater.

I have to go

pretty soon.

Got to get home.

Your daddy

home tonight?

Haven't seen hide

nor hair of Daddy

in two or three days.

Well, why don't you

stay here?

What are you gonna

when you get back?

I'll stay busy.

You come on back here

whenever you want to.

If your daddy

ain't home

when you get there

you come right on back

over here, you hear?

You come right on back.

To stay?

How do you mean, honey?

To stay, all the time,

here.

Yeah.

Why would you want

to stay here

all the time,

sweetheart?

I like it

much better here

now that my mom's

not home anymore.

You got to be missing

your mama real bad.

We know that.

Honey, we would take you in

in a minute if we could.

Why can't you?

Don't you like me enough?

'Course we like you.

We're very fond, Ellen.

You know that.

It's okay

if you don't.

No hard feelings.

Truth of it is,

we wouldn't be allowed

to take you in

permanent.

Allowed by who?

Other folks.

What other folks?

Who'd care?

There's folks that just

wouldn't tolerate it.

Well, why the heck not?

'Cause we're different colors,

you and us.

But that don't matter anymore.

We got integration.

Not altogether,

honey.

Not altogether.

But it wouldn't be

anybody's business but us.

There's those would make it

their business

and that's just the way of it.

Now you're welcome

to come here

and visit us

anytime you please

but that other part...

Well, it ain't in the cards

just yet.

Now y'all finish

your food

so we can get

some of that

sweet potato pie.

"To everything

there is a season

"and a time to every purpose

under the heaven.

"A time to be born

and a time to die;

"a time to plant

"and a time to pluck up

that which is planted;

"a time to kill

and a time to heal;

"a time to break down

and a time to build up;

"a time to weep

and a time to laugh;

"a time to mourn...

and a time to dance. "

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes