6
(As Overture ends, the Grandparents and Children are conversing [mutely] on the phone or computer. GRANDFATHER is reading to them, finishing a book)
GRANDFATHER: (reading, concluding) . . . and to all, a good night! (Closes book) CHOIR: (repeat the phrase, with excitement) . . . and to all, a good night! JODY: I love that book!
GRANDFATHER: I do too, Jody! And I'm just SO sorry we can't be together, so I could read it to you in person.
GRANDMOTHER: We know how disappointed you must be that you won't be coming to our house for Christmas, and we are too, but we can't control the weather, and the snowstorm in Chicago (or your town) has cancelled all the flights to Florida.
CHOIR: (in a big, dramatic, over-the-top expression) Aaaawwwww. (They all look very sad)
PEYTON: (pouting, wearing "mouse ear" hat) I really wanted to meet Mickey. (Removes hat, looks longingly at it.)
GRANDMOTHER: We know you did, Peyton. JODY: I really wanted to go to the beach!
CHOIR: (with very dramatic expression and hands out in a questioning gesture) The Beach? At Christmas?
GRANDFATHER: All of that would have been great fun, but hopefully you will enjoy the books we are going to send you. We've recorded our voices, reading you the Christmas stories that we usually read as a family, every Christmas Eve.
LOGAN: We just read, "The Night Before Christmas!"
GRANDMOTHER: Yes, and then, there is the REAL Christmas story. HUNTER: The REAL Christmas story? CHOIR: (echoing HUNTER) The REAL Christmas story?
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