A STRANGER FOR CHRISTMAS SKIT

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A STRANGER FOR CHRISTMAS
a story by Carol Lynn Pearson
Contributed to the HFPE List by RSTamera

THE STORY OPENS WITH TWO ELDERLY LADIES IN A REST HOME
FLORENCE: (reading a magazine - leans back as though daydreaming) Wouldn't it be wonderful? What if tonight somebody...a family with children -- walked in the front door and said, "We'd like to borrow a grandma for Christmas. Let's see.....we'll take that one over there." ....And they would take ME to their home for three days and they would ask me what Christmas was like when I was a little girl, and they would get me up early to open the presents...... Wouldn't that be wonderful!
MYRNA: Oh Florence, what a lovely daydream! I have many memories like that, but I guess this year it will be just you and me. The doctor doesn't think I should travel back to Idaho since I've had the heart attack. He says it would be too hard on me.
FLORENCE: Did you really make gingerbread houses?
MYRNA: A new one every year......yes, I'll surely miss doing that here in Pasadena. Did I tell you the children said they would make a videotape of their traditional program and send it to me?
FLORENCE: Well, at least YOU have memories to think about. I was always following my dream of being an actress and never bothered to have a family. I had a wonderful life, but I think I missed out on what really counts. Just once, before I die, I would love to have a real FAMILY Christmas -- with a gingerbread house and everything! .....But people are too busy with their own lives to bother with a stranger....especially at Christmas. Christmas is for family.
MYRNA: I know a LOT of people who aren't too busy to bother with a stranger.
FLORENCE: Oh, I'm sure you know folks that give money to the poor or go to the old folks home and sing carols. But to take somebody into their home? Christmas started out that way -- with no room for a stranger. And that's the way it will stay.
MYRNA: Why Florence! There are lots of people who have room in their hearts and homes for a stranger!
FLORENCE: Name ONE!
MYRNA: (thoughtfully) My children. Any of the 5 of them. If it were pointed out to them that a little old lady desperately needed a family for Christmas, THEY'D take her in.
FLORENCE: No they wouldn't. Your kids are good to you, but they wouldn't change their Christmas to take in a stranger.
MYRNA: Yes they would.
FLORENCE: I say they wouldn't. .....Let's find out. (grabbing the phone and handing it to Myrna) Call them and ask if they'll take in a little old lady who needs a family for Christmas.
MYRNA: But I don't KNOW a little old lady in Idaho who needs a family for Christmas!
FLORENCE: Well, make one up! And if any of them says yes, they'll take her in, that'll be just about as good as if there really was one --- just about as good as if they took me in. Go ahead. Call.
MYRNA: All right. I'll call them. But.....what do I say?
FLORENCE: (eyes light up, leans back and begins to create) Tell them about Genevieve. Genevieve Christensen. She's 85 years old and lives in a rest home in Idaho Falls -- Rosemont Convalescent. She's been confined to a wheelchair for 8 years after suffering a stroke. She had 3 children, but none of them would take her in. At 16 she married a no-good, who turned out to be an alcoholic. Five years and 3 kids later, he abandoned her. Then she went to Idaho after a 2nd marriage, but he left her too, and she's been all alone ever since. Her children never write. Christmas after Christmas she is all alone. And now her fondest wish is to spend Christmas with a family...but nobody will take Genevieve for Christmas.
MYRNA: Yes, they will. My eldest son, Richard -- he'll take her in for Christmas. (She takes a deep breath as she dials and muses aloud) .....I sure hope he remembers what I tried to teach him.
RICHARD STEPS INTO VIEW AS THE PHONE RINGS AND HE ANSWERS IT.
RICHARD: Hello.
MYRNA: Hello, Richard?
RICHARD: Mother, are you all right?
MYRNA: Yes, just fine. Uh.....Richard....sweetheart.....there's something I want to ask you to do. There's a woman in a rest home in Idaho Falls. She's a friend of mine -- we've been corresponding and have gotten to be very close. Genevieve has had a tragic life, dear, and more than anything else, before she dies, Genevieve would like to have a real family Christmas. You know....the kind we've always had. What I'm asking, Richard, is that your family take her in for 3 days and give her a real Christmas.
RICHARD: You mean......here? Bring her here, to our home?
MYRNA: That's it exactly! She gets around quite well and wouldn't be much trouble.
RICHARD: (pausing) What about her family?
MYRNA: Oh, Genevieve has no real family who cares about her. She has no one.
RICHARD: (shuffling uncomfortably) Uh, Mom -- hold on. I need to speak to Rosemary.
MYRNA: (to Florence) He's checking with his wife....I'm sure it's no problem.
RICHARD: Uh, Mom....Becky's bringing her fianc* home from college this Christmas. We haven't even met him yet.... I'm afraid there just won't be room. (pause) Mother...this is sort of a special time for Becky. I'm afraid that....well, having a stranger here....would sort of.....you know....
MYRNA: Yes, I know.
RICHARD: But we'll be glad to take a plate of cookies over to her.
MYRNA: No, don't bother. She can't have sugar.
RICHARD: I'm very sorry, Mom. We'll call you on Christmas day. I love you.
MYRNA: I love you, too, Richard. Goodbye. (turning quietly to Florence) He said no, but he had a good reason. Their oldest daughter is bringing her fianc* home for Christmas, and it just wouldn't be comfortable having a stranger there too.
FLORENCE: (looking disappointed) It's always uncomfortable. It's always inconvenient.
MYRNA: Now that's not so, Florence. Richard had an unusual circumstance. I'll call Beverly. I think Beverly's the right home for Genevieve anyway. (picking up the phone)
AS PHONE RINGS, BEVERLY STEPS INTO VIEW WITH PHONE ON HER SHOULDER AND STIRRING A BOWL OF COOKIE BATTER
BEVERLY: Hello.
MYRNA: Hello, Beverly? What are you doing?
BEVERLY: Mother....what a nice surprise! I'm mixing Danish Christmas cookies. That great recipe of yours. Remember?
MYRNA: Remember? I must have made ten thousand Danish Christmas cookies in my day! ....Beverly, I want to ask a favor -- it's important to me.
BEVERLY: Sure, Mom. What is it?
MYRNA: It's Genevieve. I'm very concerned about her. She's at Rosemont Convalescent in Idaho Falls. (really getting into the story) And she's so lonely. Just once before she dies she wants to spend Christmas with a real family -- with stockings by the fire and a tree and Danish Christmas cookies. She loves cookies!
BEVERLY: (apprehensively) You mean....you mean bring her here to our house for Christmas?
MYRNA: Just 3 days Beverly. You'd love her. She's had a tragic life, but she's so bright and cheerful. (Florence raises her eyebrows in amusement as Myrna's story gets better...Myrna waves her off) She does require a wheelchair, but she can get in and out of bed by herself...........(pause)..............Beverly? Are you there?
BEVERLY: (trying to think of what to say) What? Oh....yes, I'm here. Uh, Mom, listen -- we just can't. We're hardly even going to be home most of the time. There are so many things planned.
MYRNA: (coaxing) Well, take her with you!
BEVERLY: In a wheelchair? In and out on these icy streets? I would be so worried. But, listen, I'll make sure the chorus from the kid's high school puts her rest home on its list for caroling. We'll call you on Christmas, Mom. Sleep tight. Love you!
MYRNA: I love you too, Beverly. Good night.
BEVERLY EXITS AND MYRNA PUTS THE PHONE DOWN DEJECTEDLY
MYRNA: I just don't understand. I know that I taught them....."I was a stranger and ye took me in". I know I did.
FLORENCE: (softly) Don't call the rest.
MYRNA: I've got to know. I've done so much for my children. Surely one of them will do this little thing for me. (she picks up the phone again -- a little slower this time -- and dials)
PHONE RINGS AND JOY STEPS INTO VIEW
JOY: Hello.
MYRNA: Hello, Joy?
JOY: Mother, is everything all right?
MYRNA: Yes, but I need you to do me a favor. Well, not for me really, but for Genevieve. She's led a tragic life and her dying request is to spend Christmas with a family this year. Do you think you could take her in....it would mean so much to her....and to me.
JOY: (a long silence) Mom....if it were any other time....you see, Gina is sick. It might be strep throat and we just couldn't risk exposing your friend to that. You understand, don't you? Mom?
JOY WALKS OFF AS MYRNA REPLIES
MYRNA: Yes, Joy. I can see that. Well, dear, Merry Christmas. (hangs up; to Florence) Gina is sick. Maybe it wouldn't be fair to take Genevieve in if there's sickness. Now that I think about it, Dale is really the best choice. He works for the welfare department and is very sensitive to people's needs. (picks up the phone and dials again)
PHONE RINGS AND DALE PICKS UP
MYRNA: Dale?
DALE: Mother! How are you?
MYRNA: (a little less enthusiastically than at first) I'm fine, but I'm calling you about a friend of mine.... Genevieve. She's right there at Rosemont Convalescent Hospital, and her dying wish is that she spend her last Christmas with a family. Her story is so tragic. Do you think you could have her over for Christmas?
DALE: Well, Mom....you see.....I feel really bad about this, but it just wouldn't be possible this year. Martha has had a very bad time these last couple of months. I just couldn't burden her with a stranger right now. She's not up to waiting on an invalid.
MYRNA: Oh, Genevieve isn't an invalid. She....she walks a mile every day. (putting hand on receiver and aside to Florence) I think it's the wheelchair that frightens them. (back into the phone) Dale? Genevieve is a very hardy person. She'd be great to help the kids build a snowman. (Florence rolls her eyes)
DALE: Mom, you know I'd love to do anything for you. This is just something that....that I can't. (pause) Mother? Are you there?
MYRNA: Well, thanks anyway, Dale. Nice to talk to you.
DALE EXITS AND MYRNA SETS DOWN THE PHONE SHAKEN AND UPSET
FLORENCE: Don't take it so hard, Myrna. It was a silly idea anyway. I'm sorry I ever brought it up. Now I'm spoiling your Christmas.
MYRNA: I just can't believe this is happening. I spent long nights up with Dale when he had pneumonia, and he can't find the time to do this for me?
FLORENCE: Listen, it's bedtime. The nurse will be around soon to check on us. Don't worry about it. Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and you there will be lots of carolers walking through the halls.
MYRNA: All right, but first thing in the morning I'm going to call Susie. Last fall the twins found a little bird on their way home from school and she helped them nurse it back to health. If she'll take in a sick little bird, she'll take in Genevieve.
LIGHT FADES OUT AS THE TWO TRY TO SLEEP.
AFTER A PAUSE, THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITH MYRNA REACHING FOR THE PHONE AND DIALING. THIS WAKENS FLORENCE.
FLORENCE: You're calling so early?
MYRNA: It's later in Idaho than it is here. (closing her eyes as if in prayer) Please let Susie say yes.
PHONE RINGS AND SUSIE ANSWERS.
SUSIE: Hello.
MYRNA: Susie?
SUSIE: Yes......Mom? This is a nice surprise. Oh -- you should see our tree this year! It's never been so beautiful!
MYRNA: Susie, I need your help. I need you to take in a friend of mine for Christmas. Her name is Genevieve and she really needs to be with a family for Christmas. Just let her be the grandma this year.
SUSIE: Mom.....this is....well, I need to think about this for a minute. Can I call you back?
MYRNA: No, Susie. Just tell me now.
SUSIE: But we're....I mean, it just isn't a good time. Maybe I could do it next year. I'd plan for it.
MYRNA: Genevieve won't be with us next year.
SUSIE: She won't?
MYRNA: No. She's fading fast.
SUSIE: Oh, Mom! I wish I could, but......I just can't. Please try to understand.
MYRNA: Well, (slowly).....Have a happy Christmas.
SUSIE EXITS AND MYRNA SLUMPS BACK IN HER CHAIR
FLORENCE: Don't blame your kids too much. They're good people. Now that I think about it, when I was young I wouldn't have wanted to take in some little old lady for Christmas either. It only seemed like a good idea to me now because I AM that little old lady.
MYRNA: (nodding) I suppose so. I just thought that maybe my children were different. All those times we talked about "I was a stranger and ye took me in". I guess I was wrong.
FLORENCE: Listen, I hear the carolers beginning already. We're not so bad off, you know. There are lots who are much worse off.
MYRNA: (nodding) I know, but I keep thinking about Genevieve. My children are precious to me, and I have to admit all of their excuses seemed valid, but it seems so sad....and I think they are losing the real meaning of Christmas.
MYRNA PICKS UP SOME KNITTING WHILE FLORENCE RESUMES READING HER MAGAZINE. SOON THE TWO ARE DOZING IN THEIR CHAIRS.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC BEGINS TO PLAY.
A VOICE FROM OFFSTAGE: "Christmas is a time of love, a time of peace, a time to remember Christ."
ALL THE FAMILY ENTER, GREETING AND KISSING MYRNA
EVERYONE: Merry Christmas, Mom!
JOY: We decided to surprise you. We've been planning it for months!
DALE: We rented this huge house right by the beach, Mom. We're going to stay there for a whole week.
SUSIE: Yes, and all the grandkids are waiting for us there. We decided we'd all take our vacations now, instead of in the summer.
MYRNA: I can't believe it, you're all here! (Florence is watching with amazement.)
BEVERLY: Well, everyone's here except Richard. He's flying in tomorrow afternoon. With Genevieve.
MYRNA: Genevieve is coming here?
BEVERLY: For Christmas! You don't think we'd just let her sit there all alone in a rest home on Christmas, do you? But...we're having a little trouble locating her, Mom. We couldn't find a Rosemont Convalescent in Idaho Falls, but there was a Rose WOOD, so we figured that's what you meant. Only they didn't have a Genevieve Christensen, but they did have a Geneva Christopherson, which we decided had to be her. But she got transferred to a rest home in Boise last week, and we couldn't find out which one. So we sent Richard to Boise to find her. We got two plane tickets for tomorrow, and we told Richard just not to bother getting on the plane unless he had Genevieve with him. So don't worry, Mom -- we'll find her!
MYRNA TRIES TO REPLY BUT IS TOO CHOKED UP TO SAY ANYTHING
DALE: (kneeling down and taking Myrna's hand) Mom, are you all right?
MYRNA: (crying) You...you bought....a plane ticket for Genevieve?
DALE: (nodding) Yes. She'll be here tomorrow.
FLORENCE: Maybe I should explain.....you see, there IS no Genevieve. We made her up!
BEVERLY: You made her up? Why? (looking at Myrna)
MYRNA: Well, Florence didn't think anybody would take in a little old lady for Christmas, and I said that they would. And she said, "who?" and I said "my children". She was sure you wouldn't and suddenly it became terribly important for me to find out.
THERE IS SILENCE IN THE ROOM
BEVERLY: (turning over to Florence) You must be Florence. (Florence nods and looks at the floor ashamed) Well, Florence, what are YOU doing for Christmas? How about coming with us? We seem to have an extra place here, now that Genevieve can't make it!
FLORENCE: Me? Go with you for Christmas?
BEVERLY: Yes. For the whole week.
THE FAMILY LAUGHS AND CRIES AND HUGS
BEVERLY: (clapping her hands to get everyone's attention) Okay, let's get going! Susie, remember to stop for candies to use on the gingerbread house.
FLORENCE: Gingerbread house? We're making a gingerbread house?
SUSIE: Yes, we're going to make it tonight.
RICHARD OFF BY HIMSELF IS DIALING THE PHONE: Operator? I need the number of all the rest homes in Boise.
THE FAMILY EXITS WITH MYRNA AND FLORENCE
A VOICE OFFSTAGE: "I was a stranger and ye took me in."
THE END