A 00Carter Christmas
Part 9 of 9
Once more, the audience applauds, as Drums closes the book.
“And now, my children, you have heard both sides of the story.”
“And,” Nick adds, “you’ve learned that, as I stated earlier, good
always triumphs over evil.”
Drums glares at Nick.
“Well, anyway, we hope you enjoyed our holiday special. Before we bid you farewell, we have one final
surprise for you.”
Nick looks at Drums. “We
do.”
Ignoring Nick, Drums continues, “A visit from The Ghost of
Christmas Past, here to perform a festive holiday song! Put your hands together for…”
A third man walks onto the set.
He is tall and thin, with brown hair and a pearly, semi-translucent
glow.
“…SHAZAM!”
Nick groans, but quickly pastes a fake smile on his face, for the
sake of the children.
“Oh wow… Shazam!” says Nick, with forced enthusiasm. “It’s a Christmas miracle!
The audience applauds again, as the children’s eyes light up with
delight.
“That’s right, I’m back!” announces the late JC. “You know, the holidays are a time to put our
troubles behind us, to let go of old grudges and share the joy of the season
with our friends and family. So I’m here
to sing a little song with my old pal, Drums.”
“Dat’s right, bro.” Drums
slugs JC playfully in the shoulder. “You
ain’t nevah had a friend like me!”
“Ebonics!” Nick coughs.
Drums ignores him. “Ready,
Shazam?
“Ready, Drums!”
“Hit it!”
Out of nowhere, a pianist strikes a chord progression on a baby
grand tucked in a corner of the room, and Drums begins to hum along. “Mmm….
Merry Christmas… happy holidays…”
A percussionist comes in on the drums, as JC joins Drums in
harmony. “Merry Christmas! Merry
Christmas! Merry Christmas! And happy holidays!”
Oh no, Nick groans to himself.
“Ooh yeah!” sings JC. “We
been waiting all year for this night, when the snow is glistening on the trees
outside, and all the stockings are hung by the fireside, waiting for Santa to
arrive… and all the love we’ll show, cause everybody knows it’s Christmas time,
and all the kids will see the gifts under the tree. It’s the best time of year for the family!”
He throws his arm around Drums, as Nick looks on in horror. Swaying back and forth, arm-in-arm, they sing
in harmony. “It’s a wonderful feeling! Feel
the love in the room from the floor to the ceiling! It’s that time of year… Christmas time is
here! And with the blessings from above,
God sends you his love, and everything’s okay.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays!
Merry Christmas! Merry
Christmas! Happy holidays!”
“Ohhh… Bells are ringing… it’s
time to scream and shout!” sings Drums.
“And everybody’s playing, cause
school’s out! Celebrating the special
times we share… happiness cause love is in the air!”
Finally, Nick can’t take it anymore and runs in front of the pair
of singers, waving his arms and shouting.
The music suddenly stops, leaving Drums and JC dumbfounded.
“Cut! Cut the crap!”
screams Nick. “You’re right, it’s time
to scream and shout, but that ain’t love in the air; it’s horrible singing. You’re ruining our whole holiday special!”
“No, YOU just ruined our whole holiday special, Carter!” shouts
Drums.
“No, I’m about to save it!
You want a festive holiday song?
Here goes!” Nick takes a deep
breath, turns to the audience, and starts to sing.
“Frost grows outside the
window… first kiss under the mistletoe…” He pulls Red Jewel onstage and plants a kiss
on her lips. “Oh-ohh… oh-ohh…”
Out of nowhere, a band begins to accompany him, the music slowly
building.
“Bells chime inside the steeple… open the
door, see the people sing… oh-ohh… oh-ohh…”
The studio door opens, and Agent K enters, singing, “And when the snow is falling down, down,
down… you know that Santa’s back in town, town, town! That’s when it’s Christmas time again!”
More people enter the studio:
Agent Jay, Brian Littrell, and even Dr. Rough, dressed in his Santa
suit. “La ta, la ta-da-da-ta! La ta,
la ta-da-da, it’s Christmas time again!” they chorus. “La ta,
la ta-da-da-ta! La ta, la ta-da-da, it’s
Christmas time again!”
“I’ve been checking my list
twice,” sing Brian and K. “Got plans to give you your gift tonight…
oh-ohh… oh-ohh…” Brian waves to Opal
Odyssey, who is in the audience.
“Wake up under a lit tree,” Jay joins Nick in
harmony. “One wish that came true, you’re here with me… oh-ohh… oh-ohh…” Jay blows a kiss to Emerald Ecstasy, also
in the audience. Nick does the same to
Diamond Divine. “And when the snow is falling down, down, down… you know that Santa’s
back in town, town, town! That’s when
it’s Christmas time again!”
“La ta, la ta-da-da-ta!” they all sing. “La
ta, la ta-da-da, it’s Christmas time again!
La ta, la ta-da-da-ta! La ta, la
ta-da-da, it’s Christmas time again!”
Then the music slows down for Dr. Rough’s sexy solo. “And
when the snow is falling down, down, down…” he croons, wiggling spirit
fingers in front of his face. “You know that Santa’s back in town, town,
town! That’s when it’s Christmas time
again!”
“La ta, la ta-da-da-ta!” the others chorus, as Nick sings,
“I’ll give you, I’ll give you, my heart!”
“La ta, la ta-da-da, it’s Christmas time
again! La ta, la ta-da-da-ta! La ta, la ta-da-da, it’s Christmas time
again!”
“I’ve been bad, I’ve been
good, I’ve been everything I should,” sings Nick, winking at
Professor Pearl.
“…It’s Christmas time again!”
“I’ve been bad, I’ve been
good, and you know that I do what I should.” Nick pretends not to see Mr. Lancybassy,
who’s blowing kisses at him from the audience.
“…It’s Christmas time
agaaaaaaain!”
As the song comes to an end, the audience leaps to their feet,
applauding loudly, while the children cheer.
Nick, K, Jay, Brian, and Dr. Rough take a bow, while Drums and JC stand
in the background, looking defeated.
“Now THAT’S what I call an end to our holiday special!” says Nick
with a grin. “Merry Christmas to all…
Everyone chimes in: “…And
to all a goodnight!”
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