Todd is alone in his motel room -- he's laying in bed, looking at his little Christmas tree, which he's decorated with lights and ornaments. As he stares at the tree, one of the ornaments falls off, and he gets out of bed and goes to put it back on its branch. Then he heads over to the telephone and starts to dial Blair's telephone number.

Todd: (muttering to himself) All right, Blair...

Todd dials the number and listens on the other end of the line. The phone picks up.

Todd: Hey --

He breaks off when he realizes that he's gotten her answering machine. He listens to her message and then speaks again.

Todd: Short beep, Blair. It's me, Todd. And, well, I just called to thank you again for yesterday -- the best Christmas present I'm going to get this year. Anyway, Merry Christmas.

Todd hangs the phone up.

Todd: (muttering to himself) "Merry."

He then goes to lay back down on the bed.

--end scene--

When the scene returns, Cord has brought his kids -- CJ and Sarah -- to see Todd and wish him Merry Christmas.

Cord: Well, we can't stay long, because I'm taking the kids out caroling.
CJ: We've got a present for you.
Sarah: Open it so we can see.
Todd: (taking the present from the kids) No kidding? (to Sarah) Here, you help me over here, okay? Should we rip the paper?
CJ: Sure, go ahead.
Todd: (to Sarah) Here, you help me.

Todd tears off the wrapping paper and opens up the small box. Inside is an action figure toy.

Todd: (softly) Oh, hey...
CJ: It's to go with the other one we gave you.
Sarah: It's his friend.
CJ: Everybody needs a friend, even big superheroes, right?
Todd: Yeah. Yeah, I guess they do.
CJ: Do you like it?
Todd: Best present I got all year.

Todd looks over at Cord.

Todd: Thanks.
Cord: I just brought them over -- it was all their idea.
Sarah: Daddy?
Cord: Hm?
Sarah: Can he come singing with us?
CJ: Yeah, that'd be a great idea, come on!

Todd, seeing that Cord is in an awkward position, speaks up.

Todd: That's nice -- it's nice to be asked, but I can't. I -- I got plans for tonight.
CJ: What kind of plans? A big party or something?

Suddenly there's a knock on the door. Todd, surprised, goes to answer it.

Todd: (to the kids and Cord) Excuse me...this is -- I mean, I haven't had a visitor until now, all of a sudden --

Todd opens the door and is surprised to see Blair standing there before him. He smiles, obviously thinking that she has come on her own to visit him.

Blair: (awkwardly) Hey.

Cord comes up behind Todd to greet Blair.

Cord: (to Blair) Oh, you finally found a space, huh?
Blair: Yeah.

Todd realizes that Blair actually came with Cord and the kids, and was only just out parking the car. He moves aside so Blair can enter the motel room.

Blair: (to Todd) Cord invited me to go with the kids to carol and then, uh, to St. James. (to the kids) We're going to have a real good time, aren't we guys?
CJ: Yeah, you bet! (to Todd) She gave us two big presents, and she said there's going to be more under her tree, right Blair?
Blair: That's right.
Todd: That's great.
Cord: Hey, Blair, did you see what the kids got Todd for Christmas?
Blair: No.

Todd hands Blair the action figure and she admires it.

Blair: That's nice, Todd. I like this.
Todd: Yeah, I like it, too. I like it a lot.
Sarah: Blair?
Blair: Hm?
Sarah: Did you bring Todd a present, too? It's Christmas.

There's an awkward tension in the room.

--end scene--

Cord: Uh, listen, Sarah, you know better than to ask somebody if somebody else got them a present.
Blair: Cord, it's all right, it's all right --
Todd: It's no problem, Cord. Besides, Blair already gave me a present. (to CJ and Sarah) And do you want to know what it was?
CJ: Yeah!
Blair: (nervous) Todd --
Todd: (to CJ and Sarah) Well, she drove you here to visit me with your dad, and that's the best. That's what Christmas is all about.
CJ: And church and singing!
Sarah: And Santa Claus!
Todd: Yeah, that's right. And you guys better hit the road, otherwise there won't be time left for caroling.
Sarah: Are you coming to church?
Todd: No, Sarah, I don't belong to St. James.
CJ: Well that's okay! You should come and see us in the play!
Todd: You know what? I'd love to, but, uh, I got stuff to do. But I'll be thinking about you guys. Merry Christmas.
CJ: Merry Christmas.
Sarah: (using Todd's "genie name") I love you, "Ali."
Todd: Yeah, me too, Sarah.

CJ and Sarah hug Todd. Afterward, Cord, minding the time, points out that they need to leave.

Cord: Okay, kids, come on, we're out of here. Let's go.
Sarah: Bye!
Cord: Merry Christmas, Todd.
Todd: Yeah, Merry Christmas.
Cord: (to CJ and Sarah) Bundle up.

Cord and the kids file out. Blair brings up the rear.

Blair: (to Todd) Merry Christmas.
Todd: Yeah, Merry Christmas. Bye.

Todd closes the door after her.

Todd: (muttering to himself) Merry Christmas, goodbye.

Todd goes to sit down at the table, and is surprised to find Blair's purse sitting in the chair. He quickly picks it up and goes to the door in anticipation of returning it to Blair before she leaves the motel. But when he opens the door, he finds Blair already standing there.

Todd: (handing her the purse) Uh, you left this here.
Blair: Thank you -- and, Todd, I -- I left this on purpose because I wanted to come back and say thank you for --well, for not saying anything about what happened -- well, about the Christmas present. And I just think that maybe it's best for both of us if we pretend that it never happened.
Todd: (indulging her) I -- I don't know what you're talking about. I'm Todd. Have we met?
Blair: (softly) Thank you.

Now it seems there's nothing left to be said.

Blair: Take care of yourself, Todd, okay?
Todd: Somebody's gotta.

Blair departs and Todd once again closes the door behind her. He seems more morose than ever.

Todd: Merry Christmas.

--end transcript--