FACES IN THE SNOW
By
William Haskins
FADE IN
EXT. SHOPPING MALL - NIGHT
Christmas Eve. Snow swirls around last-minute shoppers
hurrying in and out of the mall.
A SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEER, dressed in a parka with a furry
hood, stands near a bright red kettle. She rings her bell in
a persistent rhythm.
DAN MORGAN (40s) exits the mall, clutching shopping bags in
one hand and searching his pocket with the other. He fishes
out two crumpled bills as he nears the kettle.
The volunteer's back is to Dan, and he drops the bills in the
kettle and continues on without looking her way.
He's three steps past her when the ringing stops.
VOLUNTEER
Merry Christmas, Danny.
Dan stops in his tracks. The blood drains from his face.
He turns to face her, and the shopping bags slide from his
grip, crunching on the icy pavement. He moves toward her in
disbelief.
The woman smiles.
VOLUNTEER
I always knew you'd be handsome.
He holds his breath and lays his hand gently on her cheek.
VOLUNTEER
I can still remember the look in your
eyes on Christmas morning.
She lays her hand on his. He finally exhales.
VOLUNTEER
You were the happiest boy in the world.
His eyes fill with tears.
DAN
It's not possible. It can't be.
He turns, scrambles to pick up his packages, and rushes away.
Behind him, the ringing of the bell resumes.
INT. THE MORGAN HOUSE - LATER
Dan walks through the front door, pale and shaken.
Five-year-old JONATHAN bounds down the stairs and leaps into
his father's arms.
JONATHAN
Daddy!
DAN
Hey, little man.
JONATHAN
Are you gonna read us The Night Before
Christmas?
Dan forces a smile.
DAN
Yes sir.
JONATHAN
And then put some cookies and milk out
for Santa?
DAN
You bet, buddy. Just run upstairs for a
few minutes, okay?
Jonathan runs upstairs.
JONATHAN
Mandy, Daddy's home!
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Dan opens a cabinet and takes down a bottle of scotch and a
glass. He pours a shot, gulps it, and pours another.
PATRICE (30s), petite and pretty, breezes into the kitchen.
PATRICE
Hey. I didn't hear you come in.
She spots the liquor bottle and her festive expression turns
to one of concern.
PATRICE (CONT'D)
Honey? Everything okay?
Dan stares at his reflection in the kitchen window.
DAN
I saw my mother.
PATRICE
What?
DAN
Outside the mall. Collecting for the
Salvation Army.
PATRICE
That's not possible, Dan.
Dan gulps the other shot and slams the glass on the counter.
DAN
I know what I saw.
Patrice's concern turns to fear.
DAN
I need you to go back there with me. I
need you to see.
PATRICE
I never met her. I wouldn't even-
DAN
You could ask her. Ask her name.
INT. HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Patrice stands at the foot of the stairs, buttoning her coat.
PATRICE
Mandy!
Twelve-year-old MANDY, dressed in pajamas, appears at the top
of the stairs.
PATRICE
We're going out for a few minutes. Keep
an eye on your brother.
JONATHAN runs past Mandy and starts down the stairs.
JONATHAN
Where are you going?
DAN
We'll be right back, okay? I'll read to
you as soon as we get home. Promise.
MANDY
Is something wrong?
Too late. They're already out the door.
MANDY
Can't we ever just have a normal
Christmas?
INT. CAR - MOMENTS LATER
PATRICE
Why are you doing this to yourself?
DAN
It's not my imagination.
PATRICE
You're scaring me, Danny. Your mother is
dead.
DAN
You don't understand.
PATRICE
Yes. I do understand.
She turns and stares into the swirling snow.
PATRICE
You think you're the only one-
DAN
It's not the same thing, Patrice. You
were in college. I was a child.
PATRICE
You think that made it hurt any less?
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Dan pulls into the now near-empty parking lot.
INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS
Dan kills the engine. Patrice opens her door and starts to
get out, but pauses when she sees Dan, hands gripping the
wheel, paralyzed by fear.
PATRICE
Well?
DAN
I can't.
Patrice sighs and climbs out of the car.
EXT. SHOPPING MALL- CONTINUOUS
It's snowing harder, and Patrice can see little but the glow
of the mall entrance. She wraps her neck scarf tightly and
crosses the parking lot.
As she moves closer, she makes out the shape of the parka
clad figure, facing away from her, swinging the bell in a
gentle rhythm.
She reaches out, approaching slowly, snowflakes melting on
her lips...
...and touches the shoulder of the parka.
The volunteer turns around, but this time it's a MAN.
MAN
Merry Christmas, Patrice.
Patrice is stunned.
PATRICE
Daddy?
FADE OUT.