SCENE 21
CHARLIE and SAMANTHA enter SL and cross DC.
SOUND: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
During the song the set is changed. Martini’s Bar is set up SL with table, booze bottles, small glasses.
There is a sign on the wall behind the table which reads, “Martini’s”. (note; the sign can be turned around and read,”Nick’s”) Two stools are placed down stage of the table. NICK stands behind the bar. WALSH stands at the upstage end of the bar looking down into his glass. MARTINI stands upstage of him.
A drop for the inside of the Toll house is put in place covering the stairs. “George Lassoes the Moon” is struck.
An old chair, a makeshift clothes line between two poles and a couple of boxes to be used as a seat are placed UVC.
A headstone is placed DR which reads, “Beloved Son
Harry Bailey, 1911-1919.”
CHARLIE: (singing)
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on, our troubles will be miles away.
SAMANTHA: (singing):
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
BOTH: (singing)
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
CHARLIE and SAMANTHA exit HALL.
GEORGE enters and sits on the stool downstage.
LIGHTS: Cross fade to bar.
GEORGE: God... God... Dear Father in Heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I'm at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God.
NICK: (friendly) Are you all right, George? Want someone to take you home?

MARTINI: (worried) Why do you drink so much, my friend? Please go home, Mr.
Bailey. This is Christmas Eve.
WELSH: Bailey? Which Bailey?
NICK: This is Mr. George Bailey.
Without any warning, the burly man throws a vicious punch at George, who goes down and out. Martini, Nick rush to pick him up.
WELSH: And the next time you talk to my wife like that you'll get worse. She cried for an hour. It isn't enough she slaves teaching your stupid kids how to read and write, and you have to bawl her out...
MARTINI: (furious) You get out of here, Mr. Welch!
WELCH: I want to pay for my drink.
MARTINI: Never mind the money. You get out of here quick. You hit my best friend. Get out!
WELSH exits SL.
NICK: You all right, George?
GEORGE: Who was that?
MARTINI: He's gone. Don't worry. His name is Welch. He don't come in to my place no more.
GEORGE: Oh
– Welch. That's what I get for praying. Where's my insurance policy? (finds it in pocket) Oh, here...
MARTINI: Oh, no, please, don't go out this way, Mr. Bailey.
GEORGE: I'm all right.
GEORGE exits SL.
MARTINI: That is the last time Welsh comes in here. You hear that, Nick?
NICK: Yes, you bet.
LIGHTS: Crossfade to LOFT blue (bridge.)
SOUND: Wind.