Disclaimer

-----

Dana is sitting in a chair in the newsroom, while Casey is sitting on the corner of the desk. They are in conversation as the party continues around them.

Casey: A few more weeks, huh?

Dana: Three. And I'm nervous, Casey.

Casey: Well, Kyle has stayed out of trouble for the past year. I don't see why the N.F.L. wouldn't reinstate Kyle.

Dana: I know, but there's a chance.

Casey: Don't worry about it tonight.

Casey reaches over, touches Dana's chin, and lifts it up so they can make eye contact. Dana smiles.

Dana: You always seem to know what to do, Casey.

Casey: Yeah. I was disappointed you didn't tell me about Kevin.

Dana: Oh.

Casey: In all the years I've known you, I've told you everything that was going on in my personal life, especially when I thought Lisa and I were getting a divorce. I was hoping you would have enough trust to talk to me about Kevin.

Dana sits up in her chair.

Dana: All this is a game.

Casey: Huh?

Dana: You're trying to win me over. You're trying to get me to dump Kevin. First of all Casey, who I see and when I see them is none of your concern. And second, you certainly have not told me everything that goes on in your personal life.

Casey: What didn't I tell you?

Dana: Where shall I begin? Let's start with Sally. Oh yeah, and your problems with Lisa. You should have come to me awhile ago. I shouldn't have to pry information from you, Casey.

Casey doesn't have a response.

Dana: Are you jealous Casey?

Casey: What kind of question is that?

Dana: Are you jealous Casey?

Casey: What makes you think I'm jealous?

Dana: You're behavior for one thing. When you chose Lisa over me, you made your choice. Did it ever occur to you that I might meet someone else while you were moving on with your life? Did you think that I would get tired of waiting around for you to decide whether to stay with Lisa or move on without her? Again? Did you think I would wait another sixteen years for you to be in love with me? I couldn't do it Case. I waited sixteen years to be with you, and when you finally wanted to be with me I got scared. So I created that six month dating plan to buy myself some time to get over being scared. And I ended up pushing you away and hurting you. I'll probably regret that for the rest of my life. I'm sorry I hurt you Casey, really I am. But I can't spend the rest of my life waiting for you. You said you wanted to move on with your life. I accepted that. It hurt like hell, but I accepted it. It's time for me to move on with my life Casey.

The room becomes silent. Only 'Silent Night' can be heard playing over the speakers.

Tears start to run down Dana's face, and she runs off and down the hall.

Kim walks over to Casey.

Kim: Spreading Christmas cheer, Casey?

The party continues on after the outburst.

-----

Dan's office is dark, but you can hear what is happening. You can hear Dan and Sheila moving around in the room.

Dan: Conversation. Let's have some conversation over coffee. In public. In a public place. Let's go grab some java.

Sheila: But we talk everyday, Danny.

Dan: Huh?

Sheila: We sit and talk for an hour every night, Danny. Except on the nights you stand me up. You even went on vacation without telling me where you went. And I saw you had hurt your wrist. How is it?

Dan: It's fine. Uh-

Something can be heard being kicked in the office.

Dan: Ow.

Sheila: Are you okay?

Dan: Uh, yeah. I just- I just kicked the trash can. That's all.

Sheila: Can I see it and make it better?

Dan: No!

Sheila: You're in the corner. I can hear you. Don't be scared. I won't bite, at least, not initially.

Dan: Uh... help. Help! Help!

There is silence in the room, but you can hear the party continuing outside in the newsroom.

Sheila: I guess there's too much noise going on out there. I guess we're pretty much alone.

Then you can hear a click in the darkness, and suddenly the door opens up. A couple of figures rush into the office. The light flicks on.

JoAnne is standing in the doorway, holding her set of keys. Two security officers have Sheila apprehended as you an see Dan huddled in the fetal position in the corner.

Dan: Oh, man! Thank you! Thank you!

Dan stands up and composes himself.

Dan: Take her away officers.

The two officers lead Sheila away in handcuffs. She doesn't say a word as she leaves the room.

JoAnne and Dan meet halfway in the room.

Dan: Thank god, Jo. Thank god for you. Is there any way I can repay you?

JoAnne: Well, you still owe me that date I paid for. But you shouldn't thank me. Thank Jeremy.

Jeremy stands in the doorway.

Jeremy: Everything all right? Dan, you okay?

Dan: Yes. I'm all right, Jeremy. Thank you.

Jeremy: I saw the lights were out and figured something was up. Since Jo has keys to every door here, I figured she could let security in. Just in case, of course.

Dan: Of course.

Jeremy: I'm glad everything is all right.

Dan: Thank you. You're miracle saved me.

Jeremy: How so?

Dan: If you had been hit by the car, you would not have been at the party. And you would not have been able to notice something was wrong and help save me.

Jeremy: Wait a minute... You guys would still have the party if I was killed?

-----

It is Saturday evening as you find yourself around the dining room table at Lisa's house. Lisa's parents, Charlie, Lisa, and Casey are finishing up their dinners. The scene does not look festive, a sure sign that the dinner was consumed with very little conversation. Casey and Lisa get up and gather all the empty plates and take them to the kitchen.

Casey puts the dishes in the sink and glances at his watch. Lisa knows it is time for him to go do the show. You see her seething as she sets her dirty dishes on top of Casey's. Lisa rolls her eyes at Casey, and he responds by shrugging his shoulders, acting as if he is powerless.

Casey leaves the room and Lisa just shakes her head. She is upset because her 'husband' cannot spend the whole holiday with her. Casey has to spend it with his mistress, Sports Night.

Casey walks over to the coat closet, opens it, and pulls out a long overcoat. He puts it on and looks into the living room. He sees his son, Charlie, sitting on the couch with his head down. He looks very sad.

Casey: Hey, Charlie. Want to come and watch the show tonight? I'll bring you back after the show.

Charlie's eyes light up and he jumps from the couch.

Charlie: Mom! Can I go with Dad to see the show? Can I? Can I? Can I? Huh?

Lisa: It's nine o'clock! You won't be back until after midnight and well past your bedtime!

Casey: Lisa, it's not like he has to go to school tomorrow.

Casey looks down at Charlie and winks at him.

Casey: Come on, Charlie. Let's go have a good time.

Charlie races to get his coat and throws it on, and father and son walk out the door to spend some time together.

-----

Natalie and Jeremy are inside Natalie's apartment. The two are standing face-to-face as she hands him an envelope.

Natalie: Happy Holidays, Jeremy.

Jeremy takes the envelope.

Jeremy: Thank you, Natalie. (kisses Natalie) So this is the gift?

Natalie: Yup.

Jeremy opens the envelope, pulls out two tickets, and looks over them.

Jeremy: Chicago? You are giving me Chicago for the holidays?

Natalie: Three days, starting tomorrow. We're going to experience Christmas in Chicago this year.

Jeremy: Thank you, Natalie. (hugs Natalie) I love you. Thank you.

Natalie: You're welcome.

Natalie starts to sway, waiting for Jeremy to present her gift. Jeremy pulls out a wrapped medium-sized box.

Natalie opens the box and finds another, smaller wrapped gift inside the box. She opens the second gift, and discovers a third gift. She continues to unwrap, finding a smaller and smaller wrapped gift inside each box. She finally opens a box and she gasps. She clutches her heart with one hand as she pulls out a small velvet box with the other hand. She opens it and discovers a ring inside the box. With tears in her eyes, she goes to look up at Jeremy and discovers he is in front of her and down on one knee.

Natalie (in shock): Jeremy...? Is this...?

Jeremy takes the ring box from her hand.

Jeremy: Yes, Natalie. I want to wake up next to you, every day, for the rest of my life. I want to spend my life with you, and also give you my soul and my love. Natalie, will you marry me?

Natalie fights back the tears.

Natalie: Yes. (squeals) Yes! Yes! YES!!!

-----

You find yourself in Dana's house. You are in the atrium of her house. Suddenly, Dana goes running to the front door. She looks very upset. Her brother, Kyle, catches her before she goes racing out the door.

Kyle: Hold up, sis.(grabs Dana by the arm)

Dana: You don't understand, Kyle. Nothing I ever do is good enough for her! You're single, you're in sports, the ham is dry! I'm tired of it, Kyle. I'm tired of it!

Kyle: We all put up with her. It's just... it's just the way mom is. It's tough, but she isn't going to change, sis.

Dana shakes her head.

Dana: No. You wanna' smoke?

Kyle: No thanks. Are you going to go out like that? Why don't you throw on the sweater Kevin got you?

Dana: No. It doesn't even fit me. I'll just go out like this. I'll be fine.

Dana opens her front door and steps out onto her porch. She looks out onto the night sky as she pops a cigarette into her mouth. She covers the end as she lights it, and she then takes a puff, inhaling deeply. She breathes the smoke out from her mouth, when she notices something.

Snow is falling from the sky. Each flake is huge and it is clinging directly to the ground, trees, grass, sidewalk, whatever it could cling to. Her neighborhood has turned into a winter wonderland. Dana looks in amazement at the beauty of silence and falling snow. She glances down and notices a Christmas gift on the edge of her porch.

Dana walks over to the edge and looks for a card, and finds one which says, 'To Dana.' She pulls the ribbon off, and carefully takes apart the gift wrap. She reveals a white gift box, which she opens. She is surprised when she pulls out her present- a hand-blown glass butterfly from the Czech Republic. The different colors sparkle in the night sky. Dana looks inside and pulls out a card inside.

Dear Dana,
I saw this in the store, and I thought of you. I thought of the way you have become successful in this difficult field. The colors reminded me of the different emotions and the beauty you possess. Although I cannot be with you tonight, just remember, I am always with you.
Love,
Casey

Dana: Oh... Casey.