JIMMY WATSON - His mother, Marion, teases her son about his dreams to build a large robot ant with a drawing of her son riding on the ant's back. Then it comes true.

<< SCENE 19

JIMMY DREAMS OF SANTA CLAUS AND HIS DINOBOT COMING TO LIFE

**INT. JIMMY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT**

The soft glow of streetlights filters through the window, painting patterns on the wall. Outside, snow begins to fall heavier, a gentle white frosting settling over the world. JIMMY (12) is deep in sleep, his breathing even and relaxed. His brain, a tiny powerhouse, fires bursts of electrical activity, organizing the day's events into neat memories. His eyes begin to flutter rapidly under his eyelids – he's entered **REM sleep**, leaving the real world behind and whisking himself away to **Lapland**, to the magical heart of the **North Pole**, and **Santa’s workshop**.

**INT. SANTA'S WORKSHOP - NIGHT (DREAM SEQUENCE)**

The workshop is a vision in pristine white: white doors, white walls, white ceilings, all made of warm, inviting wood like a giant, cozy log cabin. The furniture is soft and friendly, beckoning one to relax. A roaring **log fire** crackles in a grand fireplace, filling the air with the scent of spices and all things nice. Shelves groan under the weight of sweets and toys, and long tables are piled high with wrapped presents.

Through a frosted window, JIMMY sees a snow-covered barn where a magnificent **red sleigh** is parked. Reindeer, their antlers majestic, munch on hay and treats from their stalls. They look up, nodding their heads almost imperceptibly, and Jimmy waves back.

In front of the fire, SANTA CLAUS (Ageless, warm, dressed in his full red suit, sans hat) gestures with a kindly smile.

**SANTA CLAUS**
(A deep, warm chuckle)
Come in, Jimmy. I've been expecting you.

Jimmy feels instantly welcome, as if this moment had been planned, right from his Christmas wish last year. It feels like only yesterday. The warmth from the fire reaches his core, making him feel relaxed and content.

**JIMMY**
(Smiling widely, genuinely thrilled)
Hello, Santa!

**SANTA CLAUS**
(Twinkling his eyes)
I expect you are wondering if you have been a 'Nice' boy. Or, are you on my Naughty List?

Jimmy's stomach does a little flip. He feels a sudden flutter of butterflies.

**JIMMY (INNER THOUGHT)**
*Oh no. I’ve been thinking about this all week! I really hope I’ve been good enough. I definitely didn't eat all my breakfast some days… and those times I was nearly late for school…*

**JIMMY**
I've been thinking of nothing else for the past week.

**SANTA CLAUS**
(Nodding wisely)
Yes, I know, Jimmy. And Great Papa Elf has shown me your book for last year.

**JIMMY**
My book?

**SANTA CLAUS**
It's a kind of journal. A record of all the things you have done that are 'Nice' since you made your special request. And all the things you have done that are 'Naughty'.

Jimmy's butterflies turn into frantic moths, wings pounding. He remembers some things he's not too proud of.

**SANTA CLAUS (CONT'D)**
You must know that you are asking rather a lot of me.

**JIMMY (INNER THOUGHT)**
*Like those bad thoughts about Johnny Baxter… and getting angry when he was rude in class…*

**SANTA CLAUS (CONT'D)**
I get a lot of strange wishes. Yours was one of the strangest so far. All the elves were talking about it! We were all wondering where you got this idea from. Why it is so important to you?

**JIMMY (INNER THOUGHT)**
*And those chores… I was a bit sloppy with my chores sometimes.*

**JIMMY**
(Shyly)
I don't really know, Santa. I guess it's cumulative. I love robotics, and I like making things. The idea just grew.

**SANTA CLAUS**
(Chuckles)
Yes, Jimmy, like my elves, you are getting good at it. But has this dream of yours taken away from any of the other things your mother and father expect?

**JIMMY**
(Frowning, thinking hard)
I guess… it has. But I still love Mum and Dad. I still follow their rules. I know those rules are there for my good. They seem to like what I'm doing. At least, I think so.

Father Christmas gets up from his very large chair and places a couple of logs on the fire, stoking the glowing embers. He then sits back down, a look of calm contemplation on his face. He reaches for a very large **crystal ball** from a table beside him.

**SANTA CLAUS (CONT'D)**
Come closer, Jimmy. Look with me into this window to your home.

Jimmy walks closer. The crystal ball shimmers, taking them to his home in England, hovering over **Sussex**, then zooming in on **Herstmonceux** as the snow falls, settling into a soft, white blanket. It then takes them inside his home, into his mother and father's bedroom. TIM and MARION are fast asleep, their expressions peaceful and content. Jimmy feels a wave of pure love for them.

**SANTA CLAUS (CONT'D)**
Your journal reveals that both your Mum and Dad have said some most complimentary things about you. Your Mum has been singing, drawing, and painting. Sometimes, even dancing in the kitchen! Your father looks forward to coming home. Why is that, Jimmy?

**JIMMY**
(Smiling)
Dad loves Mum, and always gives her a huge hug when he gets home. He hugs me also, and asks about my project quite a lot, and helps me sometimes.

**SANTA CLAUS**
Is that why they look so restful?

Jimmy shrugs, a little unsure.

**JIMMY**
Dad has quite an important job. He is a General in the Army, working mostly in Germany and London. Mum is now retired from her teaching job, and loves her art. She helps me with my project sometimes. They are the best parents in the world.

**SANTA CLAUS**
So, they are happy?

**JIMMY**
I think so.

**SANTA CLAUS**
Could you do anything to make them happier?

**JIMMY**
(Frowning, genuinely wanting to know)
I would if I could. But I don't know how. I keep my room tidy, have regular baths and showers, and brush my teeth. We eat at the table a lot, and watch some really good films together.

**SANTA CLAUS**
So, does that make them happy?

**JIMMY**
Being a close family makes me happy. I think they like that. I try to share my thoughts more than I used to. I used to keep a lot of secrets. But then Mum found my project book. I guess that was a bit naughty, having secret dreams. But I wasn't sure if they would like my ideas, or if I could even build a robot that worked.

Jimmy feels a little defensive, but the moths in his stomach have turned back into comfortable butterflies. Santa doesn't seem cross about his small "naughty" admissions.

**SANTA CLAUS (CONT'D)**
Now, what about this project, Jimmy?

The crystal ball shimmers, taking them back in time to an earlier scene: Marion subtly slipping some money into Jimmy's money box. Jimmy blushes as he realizes why his savings grew so fast. He looks at Santa, his eyes wide with surprise.

**SANTA CLAUS (CONT'D)**
Yes, Jimmy. Your Mum and Dad have been helping you save for the Dinobot. What does that mean?

**JIMMY (INNER THOUGHT)**
*Wow! I remember how happy I was counting my money last January and February! The crystal ball showed them enjoying watching me! But they kept it a secret… Does that mean they were naughty?*

**JIMMY**
(After a moment of thought)
It's a tough call. I think they were being Nice, even though they were pulling the wool over my eyes. It made me happy.

**SANTA CLAUS**
(A knowing smile)
And making you happy seems to be making them happy. Is that about right?

**JIMMY**
(A small, sheepish grin)
Well, they were helping me… Yes, it made them happy. I'm such a dork sometimes.

>>> SCENE 21

BEGIN AGAIN OR READ JIMMY'S PROJECT DIARY

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