It's a Wonderful Christmas (film)/Transcript

Act I
Narrator: My name is John. When I was 16, something incredible happened. I was able to find what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. And it took an incident where two thieves broke into my family's house while I had to watch over my 3-year-old sister for me to see the light.

[Song: Christmas Angels by Michael W. Smith]

(...)

[Teresa and Matthew arrive outside the nightclub in their Ford Windstar minivan just as John is about to enter his car, a 1997 Hyundai Sonata.]

Teresa: "John Adams Sherwood! Didn't I tell you not to come to this party? Especially since you're now a truant for god's sake?!"

John: "Mom? How did you know I was here?"

Matthew: "Well, your sister found out when I asked her to look for you on my GPS."

John (to Elizabeth): "You brat... you're gonna pay for this!"

[John punches Elizabeth in the stomach, as the latter begins to cry. His parents look at him very angrily.]

Matthew (to John): "You're in real trouble young man, your mother will deal with you in the morning."

[Transitions back to the Sherwood household the next morning, where John's mother is in the process of punishing him.]

Teresa: "Do you know how frustrating it is whenever you do the opposite of what your father and I tell you to do?"

John: "I'm sixteen years old, stop treating me like a baby!"

Teresa: "Then don't act like one. If you want to be treated like an independent adult, then stop with the lies, the poor grades, and the unexplained absences! And don't ever punch your sister again! If you were some stranger on the street and treated her the way you did last night, I would've had you arrested and charged with assault and child abuse!"

[John insults his mother under his breath, when she hears him]

John: "Nazi..."

Teresa: "What did you say?"

John: "Nothing..."

[Teresa shakes her head at her son]

Teresa: "I told you the last time you snuck into a party - one you weren't even allowed to go to - that if it happened again, I'd throw the book at you."

John: "But mom, I'm already not allowed to use the car or even leave the house for a week!"

Teresa: "Try the rest of the month of December and into New Year's."

John: "What!?"

Teresa: "That's right. You're grounded; one month. You do your chores, you catch up on school work, and you look after Elizabeth, but nothing else."

[John raises his voice so loud that Matthew comes in from the kitchen with Elizabeth in her hand and tag teams with Teresa on punishing their son.]

John: "That's not fair!"

Teresa: "No TV, no video games, no internet, no computer, no phone, no music, no presents."

John (Leaps out of his seat and screams): "I hate you!!!"

Matthew (intervenes and takes a step toward his son, with a menacing voice): "What did you say to your mother?"

John: "You heard me, I said 'I hate you!' And I'm gonna say it to you, now. I hate your rules, I hate your punishments, I hate this house, but most of all, I hate both of you!!!"

Matthew (fumes with anger): "Give us your cell phone, your computer, and your car keys; and go to your room. NOW!!!"

[John reluctantly hands his phone, keys, and computer to Teresa, and storms into his room in anger.]

John: "You know, if you're gonna treat me like a two-year-old, why don't you just PLAY FAVORITES WITH THE LITTLE BRAT OF A SISTER I HAVE?!"

Act II
Elizabeth: "Any plans, big brother? I'm scared!"

John: "Shhhh! Just don't say anything while these creeps are here trying to take our stuff, either you or me could be hurt."

Elizabeth: "Thanks for the tip."

[Both smile at each other, finally realizing how much they need to stick together whenever they're in trouble.]

Act III
(...)

[Matthew wants to show John his Christmas present, and has him cover his eyes so he won't see the classic 1965 Chevrolet Corvette in the garage.]

Matthew: "Cover your eyes, kiddo."

John: "Can I open them, now?"

Matthew: "Yes."

[With his father's permission, John opens his eyes.]

John: "A 1965 Corvette? Awesome! Is it okay if I take it for a little spin?"

Matthew: "Sure, as long as you be extremely careful"

John: "Yes, sir."

Elizabeth (popping into the garage, randomly): "Can I come with you? Pleeeeeease?"

John: "Aww, alright. Be sure to buckle up, though."