RPIS News – 7th Article

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“A New First Christmas”

—A One-Act Drama—

Published February 3, 2025
Student writer/artist’s brief bio is below this story

—Author is RPIS Seventh Grader—

Scene One

It was Christmas morning, all the children in the Joyce family are running out of their bedrooms screaming and shouting “It’s Christmas!” Excitedly, they all open their presents. 

The children are gasping in delight and hugging each other, but one girl is not as happy as the others. Her name is Allison, she is quite confused and disappointed with her presents.

[Spotlight stays on Allison, as others fade into shadow and cannot be understood by audience].

 

ALLISON

Allison says quietly to herself: I clearly wrote on my wish list that I wanted a doll.
When she opens her box, it is a controller; she again speaks to herself: Maybe my other box is a doll!
When she opens it, it is an electric car.

She speaks to herself again: Why in the world did I get an electric car? It’s not even close to a doll, this must be a mistake! I should ask the parents!

Scene Two

 Allison stands up and goes into the busy kitchen.

ALLISON

She asks the grown-ups: Was my present a mistake?

But everyone is so busy, shouting, cooking, dancing, and singing that no one can hear her.

      SALLY

A girl pulls her shirt and says: Hey Allison, what are you doing?

ALLISON

I got something that I didn’t want, Sally.

SALLY

Maybe Santa Claus made a mistake and – .

ALLISON

Allison shouts: Santa Claus isn’t real! And I’m the black sheep of this family, this isn’t even my real family! I’m the unluckiest girl in the world!

Allison adds: Maybe it’s because I’m not from this family. That’s why!

Allison cries: This is my first and worst Christmas with this family!

Scene Three   

In tears, Allison runs to her room. 

ALLISON

Allison locks the door and asks outloud: World, what did I do to deserve this? This is my third family this year! Do you hate me?
The room is silent.

She cries: Nothing, nothing good ever happens to me? Why?

Then she blacks out.
[Stage goes dark momentarily, then lights come up.] When she opens her eyes, she sees a figure in her room. 

ALLISON

Allison wonders: Is this a dream?

ALLISON’S FATHER

A soft, gentle voice answers:
No Allison, this is not a dream!
Allison appears puzzled by the reply from a mysterious figure.
No Allison I am not God, I am your father.

ALLISON

She shouts:
Dad?! How-why are you here? I thought you were dead?!
 

ALLISON’S FATHER

Yes I’m dead, but this is my soul.

ALLISON

Allison runs and is ready to hug him, but she can do it:
Dad, please come back! I cannot survive here anymore!

Allison begs: They don’t listen to me, they gave me my adopted brother’s leftovers as presents! They ruined it! 

ALLISON’S FATHER

Allison be grateful!

ALLISON

Allison complains:
Well, there’s nothing to be grateful for in my life!

ALLISON’S FATHER

You should be grateful for being alive right now Allison.

ALLISON

Why Dad?

ALLISON’S FATHER

Because the journey here wasn’t easy.

Let’s go back in time! Remember that night? When we went on a ferry, and the ship sank? You were the only survivor!

The universe knows that you will change the world one day! 

You found a loving home, and your new family loves you as much as we do. Especially your adopted father, Harrison Joyce right? He loves you very much.

ALLISON

If they love me, why did they give me the wrong present?

ALLISON’S FATHER

It’s just a little mistake, look at everything else they’ve done for you! Just make the most of it?

ALLISON

Allison says to herself: That’s an idea! We can’t change the past, so we must never take anything for granted.

Allison thanks her father for everything:
Thank you Dad – thank you!

Scene Four

Allison wipes her tears and runs to the kitchen:  

ALLISON

She walks to her adopted father and says:
Thank you for helping me in my darkest moments, I love you D-dad!
Then she thanks everyone in her new family, even the one that bullied her: Thank you !Thank you for everything!

SALLY

Allison, Oliver also has an electric racing car!

 OLIVER

Do you want to race with me?

Allison happily nods in agreement and starts racing with her Christmas present racing car. 

Suddenly everyone in the family is cheering for either Allison or Oliver and their race cars. Everything is falling into place. Allison is grateful that she is alive, happy, healthy, and loved.

Everyone is dancing, cheering and eating. This is one of Allison’s favorite memories of her milestones growing up.