"Toy Jackpot"
Elementary-aged siblings, two brothers and a sister, are sitting in their room on Christmas Eve. The excitement of the holiday is bursting at the seams for these kids. There is a part for an offstage voice of a parent (not important if it’s a mom or dad.)
[Night, 10pm]
Oldest Brother: I don’t know about you two, but “I can’t wait.”
Youngest Brother: Are you kidding me? I want to open gifts right now!
Middle Sister: We can’t do that!
Youngest Brother: It’s outside our door, downstairs. “Every little step gets me closer to the gift.”
Oldest Brother: Shhhh, they’ll hear you! Did anyone tell us what time we can get up tomorrow?
Youngest Brother: I’m getting up early! I “can’t be late!” What are you going to do when you get to open your gifts?
Middle Sister: “Rip it open in a second and it’s time to play!” I will not be opening them nicely.
Youngest Brother: It’s sad Santa wraps presents so nicely. Santa or the elves, whoever wraps them.
Oldest Brother: There’s no San…
Middle Sister: (Cutting off her oldest brother) That’s what makes it so fun. Ripping through all the wrapping paper!
Parent: (Yelling) Go to bed you three!! It’s late!
Oldest Brother: Oh man. Better get to sleep. Turn out the light!
The lights on stage dim and the three lay back.
Youngest Brother: I can’t sleep!
Middle Sister: (Excitedly) Tomorrow is Christmas! Goodnight.
[Morning, 6am]
Oldest Brother: Okay you guys brushed your teeth? I don’t want to get in trouble.
Middle Sister: Squeaky clean!
Youngest Brother: “I was up all night in anticipation, feeling electric jewels of jubilation.”
Middle Sister: No wonder you look sleepy, Mr. Big Words.
Youngest Brother: Uncle Tobes said it a few days ago at dinner. Mentioned it was in a song he liked.
Middle Sister: Listen! Do you hear that across the street? The “yule tide carol from the local congregation.” Next year I want to go caroling.
Oldest Brother: You said that last year.
Youngest Brother: I can’t “hold my patience” anymore. Can we go to the tree?!
Oldest Brother: Mom and Dad only said it had to be morning. “Is it morning yet?”
Middle Sister: “Soon as the clock strikes” 6:30. “i’m jumping out of bed…”
Youngest Brother: “I’m running down the steps and I’m laughing with” you sister. I hope they got everything on my list.
Oldest Brother: Oh yea, “hoping nothing is forgot” because I “spent a long time on my list!”
Middle Sister: Since Halloween. I don’t even know what was on that paper you gave them.
Oldest Brother: That I gave Santa. You’ll see.
Youngest Brother: “Is it time yet? Is it time I can’t wait. Is it time yet?”
Middle Sister: Almost! We could go “around the house sneaking.”
Parent: Are you all awake?
Oldest Brother: (Responding) Yes! We are.
Youngest Brother: What if we go jump on their bed?!
Oldest Brother: You know they hate that.
Youngest Brother: But “my heartbeat’s racing!!”
Middle Sister: I guess mom and pop aren’t sleeping anymore, we can totally wake them and make them get out of bed.
Parents: You three head downstairs. We’ll meet you down there soon. Look, but don’t touch. We’re unwrapping together!
All three start to move downstairs toward the Christmas tree. There are piles of gifts in all types of shiny paper. The number of gifts is truly overwhelming. The kids’ mouths drop when they see the tree, “bright lights blinking” and “colors of amazing.”
Youngest Brother: Are you guys seeing this?
Middle Sister: (Spins with her arms out) “I’m out in the toys and I can’t wait” to open these!!
Oldest Brother: What if none of them are yours and I got all the presents?
Youngest Brother: Santa wouldn’t do that!
Middle Sister: You have been naughty this year.
Youngest Brother: Nooooo I haven’t! Mommmmm, they’re being mean to me!”
Oldest Brother: What a snitch. (Calling up to their parents) “Hurry up, hurry up so [we] can tear through the paper!”
Youngest Brother: Which are you opening first. (Grabbing one) This one is my first one.
Middle Sister: (Spotting a gold wrapped one deep under the tree and pointing) “Jackpot!”
