Snooper Family Christmas 7

THE SNOOPER FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Chapter 7

After Jenny's folks have left to go home, the family and guests are now exchanging presents. Jenny looks up at the fireplace with a smile, after having tacked on Blabber's stocking.

Jenny: There, our old stockings are up there again, (teasingly) so Santa can give us our presents.

Angel: (chuckling) Oh, Mom, this is a little embarrassing. You know that I'm 16 now.

Jenny: Oh, I'm sorry. I'll take 'em down.

Angel: Oh, no, I didn't say that.

Jenny: Oh, right.

Flora: Does that mean we get to open the presents now?

Ralph: Well...

Jenny: (nods) Yes, Flora. You may. But don't--

Too late. The young mouse cheers and jumps into the pile of presents, sending them flying everywhere. After searching through the gifts, she finds one that has the label saying, "To: Flora Raccoon. From: Bert Raccoon".

Flora: Hey...this isn't from Mommy and Daddy. (To Bert) This is from you.

Bert: Go ahead and open it. You're gonna love what I got for you.

Flora does so, and she gasps in surprise.

Flora: A "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" Pinkie Pie plushie?

Everyone looks over at Bert, who shrugs.

Bert: What? It's just something she always wanted.

Lucky: You like the show?

Bert: Nah, I've never even watched it.

Lucky: But you should.

Bert: B-But that show's only for little girls! Not boys like me!

Bentley: Says the raccoon who insisted the other day that Pinkie Pie is the best pony.

Everyone laughs, while Bert crosses his arms and glares at Bentley.

Angel: Admit it, Bert--you've finally joined the herd!

Snooper: Okay, okay, enough of the bantering and the teasing. Let's get on with opening the rest of the gifts.

Everyone joins in exchanging gifts. After they have done so, Top Cat turns to Rita.

Top Cat: You know, Rita, I think it's time I gave you your present from me.

Rita: Really?

Top Cat: Really really.

Rita: What is it?

Top Cat: Uh, it's a surprise. You'd better close your eyes.

Rita: (doing so) Okay.

Top Cat and Rita both get up and Top Cat leads Rita across the room. He tilts her head upward.

Rita: Can I open 'em yet?

Top Cat: Alright. Now!

Rita opens her eyes to see mistletoe hanging above her and Top Cat.

Rita: Wow, TC, you mean your present to me is...?

Top Cat: That's right, baby!

Rita: (smiling) Oh, TC, you sweet talkin' little devil, you!

Top Cat and Rita start kissing each other passionately on the lips, while everyone else looks on.

All: Awwww...

Melissa: Now isn't that sweet?

Jenny: Seeing such an event like this truly makes me feel happy inside. And speaking of which...what do you guys say we sing one more song from the kareoke machine?

Angel: Yeah! But, uh, about that...

She points to the kareoke machine...which is completely wrecked!

Bimbette: My kareoke machine! (Looks over its pieces and scoffs) It'll cost me $100.00 to get a brand-new one from the department store.

Daisy: $100.00? It cost THAT much?

Bimbette: It could've been in one piece, had it stayed out of the way during the performance of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas".

Angel: We're sorry about the kareoke machine, Bimbette. I wish we could help you get a new one, but I don't think I have enough money for it. (To Lucky) You?

Lucky: My piggy bank has only a few cents. (To Snooper and Jenny) Mommy, Daddy?

Snooper: (shakes his head) Sorry, Lucky.

Jenny: (shrugs) Well...I guess we'll have to sing a song the old-fashioned way...

Blabber: Hmmm...I have an idea.

He whispers into TC's ear. The yellow cat grins.

Top Cat: You know what, kid? You sure have the knack for making every holiday event fun, even during the bad times. After all, life IS a happy song, no matter what time of year we're in.

CUE SONG: "Life's A Happy Song"

TOP CAT: (singing)
Everything is great!

RITA: (singing)
Everything is grand!

BLABBER: (singing)
We've got the Christmas spirit in the palm of our hands!

SNOOPER: (singing)
Everything is perfect!

JENNY: (singing)
It's falling into place!

ANGEL: (singing)
I can't seem to wipe this smile off my face!

CYRIL, SPEEDY, BAGHEERA, RUNT: (singing)
Life's a happy song!

LUCKY, BIMBETTE, DUCKWORTH: (singing)
When there's someone by your side to sing along!

BERT: (singing)
Everything is great, 'cause Christmas is here!

LISA: (singing)
And we're gonna keep livin' through the thrill and the cheer!

RALPH: (singing)
This story's almost over, but we're not finished yet!

MELISSA: (singing)
'Cause we wanna remind you something you can't forget!

DONALD AND DAISY: (singing)
Life's a happy song!

FLORA AND MRS. BRISBY: (singing)
When there's someone by your side to sing along!

ALL: (singing)
We've got everything that we need!
We can be whatever we wanna be!
Nothin' we can't do!

TOP CAT: (singing)
The season's white when there's me and you and you and you and you and you and you and you and... (To the readers) Well, all of you!

Jenny: Snooper, look up.

Snooper looks up to see the mistletoe hanging above him and Jenny.

Snooper: Oh, boy, mistletoe!

Jenny kisses him on the lips.

Jenny: Merry Christmas, Snooper.

Snooper kisses her on the lips.

Snooper: Merry Christmas, Jenny.

ALL: (singing)
We've got everything that we need!
We can be whatever we wanna be!
Nothin' we can't do!
The season's white when there's me and you and you and you!
Life's a happy song!

TOP CAT: (singing)
When there's someone by your side to sing!

ALL: (singing)
Life's a happy song!

RITA: (singing)
When there's someone by your side to sing!

ALL: (singing)
Life's a happy song when there's someone
By your side
To sing along!
Merry Christmas!

Speedy: And Feliz Navidad!

Later that night, the party has ended and Cyril, TC, Rita, Bagheera, Runt, Speedy, Bert, Ralph, Melissa, Flora, Donald, Daisy, George, Nicole, Lisa, Bentley, and Mrs. Brisby and her boys have already gone home. In Blabber's bedroom, Snooper and Jenny are with the little mouse as Jenny tucks him into bed.

Blabber: Wow...I can't believe we had so much fun...

Snooper: (chuckles) That we did, Blab. That we did.

Blabber: I'm glad Top Cat and the gang had decided to come. And so did my brothers and sister, and...and their families! The songs we sang, that Christmas play, the cake...boy, I wish it could go on forever.

Jenny: We all do. But for now, the party's over and it's time to go to bed; you can open your presents tomorrow morning.

Blabber: Why can't I open them right now?

Jenny: No, Blabber. Not yet. Santa will be coming over to our house soon, and when he's gone, that's when you'll get to see your gifts. Until then, all you have to do is wait--that's what having patience is all about. Goodnight.

She kisses him on the forehead, before getting up to leave with Snooper.

Blabber: Mom? Dad? Can I ask you one more question?

Snooper: Yes, Blabber, anything. What is it?

Blabber: What's your favorite part about Christmas?

Snooper and Jenny look at each other, before looking back at Blabber.

Snooper: Well, Blab...it's quite simple, really. The one part we love about Christmas is that we get to spend time with our friends and loved ones. But another favorite part we'd like to mention--and may we quote a very well-known proverb--is that it's better to give than to receive.

Jenny: In other words, Christmas isn't just about getting what you want, but it's also about giving the less fortunate what they wish for. There are millions of people out there who have never gotten the chance to celebrate the holidays in the comfort of their own homes.

Blabber: Even orphans?

Jenny nods.

Jenny: Yes...even orphans. You were an orphan once, remember? You used to be as lonely, cold, and miserable as most of the orphans are. But now you've got what you've been wishing for all your life--a warm home, a loving family, and a happy future.

Blabber: And good friends like Top Cat, Rita, Runt, Bagheera, Speedy, and Cyril!

Snooper: That's right.

Jenny: So the next time you see a homeless person, the best gift you can ever give him or her is the gift of kindness.

Blabber: All right. Goodnight.

Snooper & Jenny: Goodnight, Blabber.

Jenny: Sweet dreams.

As soon as his parents leave the bedroom and shut the door, Blabber reaches over and takes the framed photo of him along with his family and friends, taken just before the guests left. He smiles; he can't wait to do it again next year. Just then, he hears the sound of sleigh bells, looks outside, and stares in awe. In the distance, flying across the sky in the light of the moon, is Santa Claus and his reindeer-powered sleigh! Santa has finally arrived in New Toon City! The little mouse smiles and waves; to him, this was a sign that this was going to be the best Christmas ever.

THE END!