The Search for Santa Paws

---

lt's tinker time

The deadline's Christmas Eve

We're working hard

to fill the sleigh

So Santa Claus can leave

Each year you see

You can depend on me

We'll make the perfect Christmas toy

for evey girl and boy!

Eveybody line up. Line up!

Santa's coming!

Hello, Eli.

Eveyone is welcome here

Santa's shop is full of cheer

Come on

There's lots more to be done

Christmas season starts today

Hury up and fill the sleigh

These toys are filled with so much joy

lt's tinker time

The deadline's Christmas Eve

We're working hard

to fill the sleigh

So Santa Claus can leave

Each year you see

You can depend on me

We'll make the perfect Christmas toy

For evey girl and boy

Happy Birthday, Santa dear

Sixteen hundred special years with you

How fast the seasons flew

Make a wish and blow them out

Celebrate a life about good cheer

Here's to another year

Thank you, eveyone!

What a cake!

Make a wish, Santa!

- May l have this dance?

- Why, yes.

Special delivey, Santa.

A gift for me?

Just arrived by North Pole Express.

lt's from the Big Apple.

''Dear Mr Claus:

l regret to inform you of

Mr Hucklebuckle's recent passing.

He explicitly asked me, as his

trusted attorney, to write to you

and thank you for your

Ioyal friendship throughout the years.''

Oh, dear.

''Mr Hucklebuckle enjoyed

passing on your message

to the children of New York.

You taught him the true meaning

of Christmas spirit...

...and the joy of a life of service.

l've sent you the birthday

present from Mr Hucklebuckle...

...that he had hoped

to give you himself.

Sincerely... Mr Stewart.''

Mr Hucklebuckle was a great

ambassador for the Santa Cause.

Wow.

Look at this place.

- It's so nostalgic.

- Yeah, that's one word for it.

l used to spend Christmas here as a kid.

Nothing has changed.

What's this?

ls this a Santa chair?

Grandpa used to

dress up for the kids.

l'm sure the suit is

still around here somewhere.

He loved the whole Christmas season.

Mr Hucklebuckle, l presume.

- l'm Mr Stewart.

- Actually, it's Huckle.

l changed it years ago.

And this must be Mrs Huckle.

Please, call me Kate.

My condolences for your loss.

Your grandfather was more than a client,

he was a dear friend.

l remember him fondly.

So, as we were discussing

on the telephone,

your grandfather left you the key

to the store to do as you wish.

That's good. We're gonna put the

building on the market immediately.

There is, however, one stipulation.

You need to operate the store through

one Christmas season profitably

before the deed can be transferred.

We live in Los Angeles,

Mr Stewart, all right?

And l'm a CPA with

a full roster of clients.

And look at this place.

Here, look at these toys.

Kids don't want to play

with this stuff anymore. It's...

lt's old-fashioned.

Your grandfather used to say that

children's imaginations don't change.

They're timeless.

These toys even remind me

of my childhood.

Back when they didn't

make video games.

We'll keep the store open

through Christmas, Mr Stewart.

Kate, we can't just pick up and leave.

Your grandfather's apartment

on the upper level is open to you.

Plenty of room, and l'm sure

your children will love it here.

We haven't been blessed

with any children.

l'm sory.

l'll be back Christmas Day,

Mr Hucklebuckle.

- Again, it's Huckle.

- Yes, of course.

Happy Holidays.

Mery Christmas.

Don't wory, Quinn.

It'll be vey nice in there.

There'll be other kids

for you to play with.

Come on.

OK.

- Yes?

- Hi, Ms Stout?

l believe you're expecting us.

l'm Mrs Gibson from

Social Services and this...

...is Quinn.

Oh, yes, the new one.

Come right in.

Oh, my. The place could use a little

Christmas cheer, don't you think?

lf l got more money from the state,

maybe l could afford

some Christmas decorations.

Oh, here you go...

for Quinn's monthly care.

Shall we introduce Quinn

to the other girls?

They're studying. l take their

home schooling vey seriously.

Quinn, l'll be back in a little bit.

To make sure you've settled in.

Goodbye.

Ms Stout.

Sit there.

l'll have someone show you around,

and more importantly,

fill you in on all my rules.

Willamina!

Willamina!

- Have you seen Willamina?

- No.

Janie, where's Ms Stout?

Where have you been, missy?

l was just playing in the alley.

New kid, much cuter than you,

and younger, l'm sure she'll go fast.

l want you to show her around,

introduce her to the girls,

and make sure she

understands my rules.

Why do l always have

to show the new kids around?

Because you're the oldest and l

hold you accountable for her behaviour.

Willamina, this is Quinn.

Scared?

You'll get used to it.

And it's Will, not Willamina.

Come on,

l'll show you around.

- This is the living room.

- But where's the Christmas tree?

Ms Stout can't stand Christmas,

so none of us are allowed to have it.

No merriness, no festivity.

She confiscates any toys.

And most of all, she hates

any kind of singing.

Eveyone, this is Quinn.

Quinn, that's Janie,

Meg, Taylor, and May.

What happened to your parents?

They didn't make it.

They had to go to heaven.

Mine neither. Janie's too, but she still

thinks they're gonna come for her.

They are gonna come for me.

You'll see.

And maybe even before Christmas.

Nobody's parents are coming for them.

That's why we're here, silly.

Your only chance is to get adopted.

- What's ''dopted?''

- Adopted.

That's when a new mom and dad

think you're cute and take you home.

They like little kids.

Not older ones like me.

Come on, l'll show you where we sleep.

Jenny just left, so l guess

this is your bed now.

l'll let you settle in,

and l'll be back in a little bit.

All right, Eli.

What was so important?

Well, we all know you've been

feeling a little blue, sir,

and l think with the help

of a little Christmas magic,

we could cheer you up.

My goodness!

l guess he's going to need a name!

He is yours to name, dear.

l think l'm going to name you Paws.

You and l are going to be

best friends for all eternity.

- Eternity? How long is that?

- Why, forever, young pup!

Yes, wonderful.

Yes, vey nice.

Take the reins, Paws!

Easy! Here, let me help you there, Paws!

Honey, this store has barely

broken even for the past 30 years.

And what's curious is that Grandpa made

a profit of exactly one cent evey year.

Well, l have a feeling your grandfather

was not in this for the money.

Then why did he put

that stipulation in the will

that we have to make

a profit over Christmas?

l don't know.

Maybe Grandpa Hucklebuckle wanted

to make sure the store was run properly.

We need something to bring in customers.

What about a store Santa?

Kids love to go see Santa.

- Yes, a store Santa, of course.

- Yeah.

That's a great idea!

Where do you get a store Santa?

l don't know... the Internet?

Who will kiss my head

When l lie in bed

And who will hold my hand

Who will understand

Who will sing my song to me

Who will hold me tight

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes