The Grinch

INT. SCENE 1 INTRODUCTION TO WHOVILLE – DAY
(EVERYONE SHOPPING AND HAVING FUN. MAYBE AN OPENING SONG? WELCOME CHRISTMAS?)
Have this scripture come up on screen at the beginning before it starts. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
The Whos come out on stage and mingle around shopping and chatting, hustle and bustle.
NARRATOR: Inside a snow flake like the one on your sleeve there happened a story you must see to believe. Way up in the mountains in the high range of Pontooslay the small town of Whoville--the home of the Whos! Ask any who and they'll have this to say "there's no place like Whoville around Christmas Day."
Every window was flocked, every lamppost was dressed and the Whoville Band marched in their Christmas-y best. Arbor Day was fine and Easter was pleasant and every St. Fizzes Day they ate a fizz pheasant. But every Who knew from their 12 toes to their snout they loved Christmas the most without a single Who doubt.
LOU: (carrying an armload of presents) Got a snoozle phone for your brother Drew and a snoozle phone for your sister Sue. Got a muncle for your uncle, a fant for your aunt; and fampa for your cousin Leon. So we just need... (looks around for cindy)
CINDY LOU WHO: Dad? (hiding behind an armfull of boxes) Doesn't these seem a bit much?
LOU: This is what Christmas is all about! Can't you feel it?
SHOPPER: Another minute closer to Christmas! (sound effect - bell dongs)
SALES CLERK: (sound effect - cash register) For the next five minutes only, 99% off.
(People rush to store)
LOU: Boy, nothing beats Christmas, right?
CINDY LOU WHO: I guess. Well, it's just I look around at you and Mom and everyone getting all kerbobbled. Doesn't this seem superfluous!
SUE: (Running in interupting) Dad! Dad! We saw him!
NARRATOR: Every Who down in Whoville Liked Christmas a lot But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!
LOU: Saw who?
DREW: We were in the woods looking for a Christmas tree when out of nowhere....
SUE: He was horrible!
LOU: Who was horrible?
DREW: He was awful
LOU: Who was awful?
SUE: It was the GRINCH!!!
Crowd screaming and everything comes to a hault.
Sound: Record scratch
Music: Stops
INT. SCENE 2. LOU'S HOUSE – NIGHT
THE LOU HOUSE (OUTSIDE)
BETTY LOU WHO: (comes out of the house) Oh, good, I'm so glad you're home.
Oh, I can feel it, Lou. This is the year when anybody who asks who has the most spectacular lights in Greater Whoville that they're going to cry out "Mrs. Betty Lou Who"
BETTY LOU WHO: Every year Martha May Whoever has the best lights. Well, not this year. This year I'm gonna beat that prim, perfect little prissy!
CINDY LOU WHO: But dad. I just don't understand something. Why won't anyone talk about the Grinch?
LOU: You kids and the Grinch! You see, Cindy, the Grinch is a Who who always. Actually, not a Who; he's-he's more of a…
CINDY LOU WHO: A what?
LOU: Exactly, honey. And he's a What who doesn't like Christmas.
NARRATOR: Cindy Lou had some questions in her curious heart. Why did the Grinch hate Christmas? Where did it all start? With her dad's blabbacorder, she wouldn't give an inch.
INT. SCENE 3. MARTHA MAY’S HOUSE – DAY
Cindy knocks on Martha May's Door, Mayor answers.
MAYOR: What? What do you want child?
CINDY LOU WHO: Mr. Mayor, I am here to ask Martha May some questions about the Grinch.
Martha May comes to door and pushes Mayor aside.
MARTHA MAY: The Grinch? Did someone mention the Grinch? Oh hello Cindy Lou. Please, please come inside. Did you ah...say you had some questions for me...about the Grinch?
Cindy Lou brings in recorder and sits down with it turned on.
NARRATOR: The Mayor then began to tell the story about him, The Grinch and Martha. At that time, Whoville was about to celebrate another wonderful Whobilliation and Christmas and every Who knows that the most important part of it is gifts.
YOUNG MAYOR: This year I decided to give myself a gift! After all, I have been working so hard in my studies because one day, I'm going to be the Mayor of Whoville! (Opens a gift resembling the Cheermeister Crown.)
YOUNG GRINCH: Yeah, keep dreaming fat boy, next! I'm next! (turns to Martha May and hands her gift) Merry Christmas, Martha May.
Class starts snickering. Martha May opens an ornament shaped like a heart. Whole class starts laughing.
YOUNG MAYOR: (Bellows in laughter.) Are you serious? Your gift is a stupid "heart" ornament? (laughing) What in all of Whoville makes you think anyone could ever like you? (Continues laughing)
YOUNG GRINCH: (Charges Young Mayor and knocks him over.) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Lights go out as soon as Young Grinch attacks Young Mayor. Lights go back up on Martha May's house. (Present day)
MARTHA MAY: It was a horrible day! They were so cruel to him and I could hardly bear it.
MARTHA MAY: And that was the last time we ever saw him… the very last time.
Lights go out. Scene changes.
NARRATOR: And after the young Whos had their laughs and their way, the Grinch’s heart shrunk 2 sizes that day.
INT. SCENE 4. GRINCH'S LAIR – DAY
NARRATOR: The Grinch hated Christmas---The whole Christmas season! Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps that his shoes were too tight. It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
INT. SCENE 5. WHOVILLE – DAY
Singing: Whobilation, plentiful with candy canes and pies. I can't wait to get there to eat some google fries. Whobilation, whobilation uh, uh.
MAYOR: And now, the nominations for that Who among us who best typifies the qualities of Who-dom and Who-dery, the Whoville Holiday Cheermeister! (cheering) Do I hear a nomination?
CINDY LOU WHO: I nominate the Grinch! (sound effect –car crashing, etc)
CROWD: Huh? The Grinch? The Grinch? The Grinch?
MAYOR: My, my, my. What an altruistic daughter you have there, Lou!
MAYOR: Cindy! Let me-uh-quote a verse from The Book of Who. Thank you. Ah, "the term 'grinchy' shall apply when Christmas Spirit is in short supply." Now, I ask you, does that sound like our Holiday Cheermeister?
CINDY LOU WHO: True, Mr. May-Who. But The book of Who says this too: ''No matter how different a Who may appear he will always be welcomed with holiday cheer."
MAYOR: Whoa. Yes, well, th-the Book also says the, uh--''The award cannot go—to the Grinch, because sometimes things get the lead pipe cinch."
CINDY LOU WHO: You made that up! It doesn't say that. What page?
MAYOR: Uh, oops! Lost my, uh my-my place, but it's-It's in here!
CINDY LOU WHO: But the Book does say, ''The Cheermeister is the one who deserves a back slap or a toast. And it goes to the soul at Christmas who needs it most." And I believe that soul is the Grinch. And if you're the Whos I hope you are, you will too.
CROWD: She's right! (cheering)
MAYOR: Fine. Fine. Y-you people want to waste a perfectly good nomination, why, it's up to you. But I am telling you the Grinch will never come down.
Whos begin singing and celebrating and (DURING TRANSITION) lights down - music continues

INT. SCENE 6. GRINCH'S LAIR – NIGHT
Background music of Whos celebrating
GRINCH: (holding his ears screaming) Blast this Christmas music! It's joyful and triumphant. Must drown them out! (bangs head with cymbals) Not working! (Cindy begins climbing up to the Grinch’s lair)
NARRATOR: The whipperwinds whipped high above the Who town. A trip or a slip, you'd slide all the way down. But this girl had a mission. She knew what to do. She'd invite the Grinch herself that brave Cindy Lou.
CINDY LOU WHO: Mr. Grinch? (knocks) Mr. Grinch? Hello? Excuse me.
GRINCH: Hello, little girl. How dare you enter the Grinch's Lair! The impudence! The audacity! The unmitigated gall! You've called down the thunder, now get ready-for the boom! Gaze into the face of fear. (blubbering)
CINDY LOU WHO: Mr. Grinch, my name is Cindy Lou Who.
CINDY LOU WHO: I'm not scared.
GRINCH: (turns to crowd) Kids today. So desensitized by movies and television. (yells) What do you want?
CINDY LOU WHO: Mr. Grinch? I came to invite you to be Holiday Cheermeister.
GRINCH: Un, "holiday Whoobie-what-y"?
CINDY LOU WHO: (laughs) Cheermeister. I know you hate Christmas but what if it's all just a misunderstanding?
GRINCH: (turning away and walks up to the baptistery platform) Don't care.
CINDY LOU WHO: Please, please, please. You have to accept the award.
GRINCH: (gasps) Award? You never mentioned an award.
CINDY LOU WHO: Yeah, with a trophy and everything!
GRINCH: A town full of losers! I like it. Was anyone emotionally shattered?
CINDY LOU WHO: Well, the Mayor wasn't too happy. Martha May will be there.
GRINCH: Martha May will see me. A winner.
CINDY LOU WHO: Mm-hmm.
CINDY LOU WHO: So, will you come?
GRINCH: Oh, alright.
CINDY LOU WHO: (giggling)
GRINCH: (watching her skip home) The nerve of those Whos, inviting me down there on such short notice. Even if I wanted to go, my schedule wouldn't allow it! But what would I wear? (throws out all kinds of clothes) Ugly. Out-of-date! This is ridiculous. If I can't find something nice to wear I'm not going!
GRINCH: Alright. I'll swing by for a minute, and allow them to envy me, grab a handful of popcorn shrimp and blow out of there. But what if it's a cruel prank? How dare they? Alright, I'll go. But I'll be fashionably late. No. Yes. No. Yes-- No! (sucks in breath) Definitely not! Alright. I've made my decision. I'm going, and that's that!
INT. SCENE 7. WHOVILLE – NIGHT
MAYOR: Well, it's time for our Holiday Cheermeister of the Year Award!
(cheering)
MAYOR: Congratulations, Mr. Grinch! (Gasping) Oh, He isn't here! What? He didn't show? Oh! Who could have predicted this?
GRINCH: Hello, Martha.
CINDY LOU WHO: He made it!
GRINCH: Hot crowd. Hot crowd. I believe I'm here to accept an award of some kind? And the child mentioned a check?
CINDY LOU WHO: No, I didn't.
GRINCH: Alright, then. Give me the award. Come on, while I'm young!
MAYOR: Don't you worry. Mr. Holiday Cheermeister, you'll get your award. But first, a Who tradition! the Holiday Cheermeister Sweater!
GRINCH: Sweater? What are you talkin' about? No! (Whos surrounded him and put on an ugly Christmas sweater) I can't! I can't do this! (screams) Don't touch me there! (screams)
**CHILDREN'S CHOIR SINGS SONG TO HIM WHILE HE WRITHES.**
MAYOR: And now it's time for the moment we've all been waiting for.
GRINCH: Ah, yes! My award. (whispers) Write the check.
MAYOR: I said, there's no check. But before we present the award, I have a little something for the love of my life. (presents her a ring.) Martha May, Please become Mrs. Augustus May-Who.
CROWD: (gasps)
MARTHA MAY: Augustus-
MAYOR: If you agree to be my wife, along with a lifetime supply of happiness, you'll also receive this: It's a new car! Generously provided by the tax payers of Whoville!
MARTHA MAY: Well, I—Th-These gifts are quite dazzling.
GRINCH: (scratches car with finger) Of course they are. That's what it's all about, isn't it? (laughing) That's what it's always been about! Gifts! Gifts, gifts, gifts, gifts. I could choke myself with all the bad Christmas neckties I found at the dump! And the greed. The greed never ends! "I want golf clubs." " I want diamonds." "I want a pony so I can ride it twice, get bored, and sell it to make glue!" Look, I don't wanna make waves. But this whole Christmas season is...stupid, stupid, stupid!
(Grinch does something to cause havoc and leaves)
INT. SCENE 8. GRINCH'S LAIR – NIGHT
SONG: YOU’RE A MEAN ONE MR. GRINCH (WHILE MAKING THE SANTA OUTFIT) song goes down in the background
GRINCH: (bells jingling)) I quite enjoyed that. I hope I get another invite soon. Hee-hee-hee-hee! Ha-ha-ha-ha! (overhearing celebration from whoville)
FATHER TIME: Only four hours ‘til Christmas! (overhearing from whoville)
NARRATOR: And the more the Grinch thought about what Christmas would bring, the more the Grinch thought to stop the Christmas, although he isn’t sure how to.
*Christmas song plays then starts to skip and stop*
NARRATOR: Then he got an idea. An awful idea. The Grinch got a wonderful awful idea.
GRINCH: If I have a coat and a hat, I'll look just like St. Nick. Ho-ho-ho!
GRINCH: Oopsie. Forgot about the reindeer.
NARRATOR: Did that stop the old Grinch? No! The Grinch simply said—
GRINCH: If I can't find a reindeer-- I'll make one instead. Oh, Max!
NARRATOR: So he called his dog Max--and he took some red thread and tied a big horn on top of his head.
//SONG: YOU’RE A MEAN ONE MR. GRINCH (WHILE THE GRINCH TIES ANTLER ON MAXES HEAD)//
Whew! Ha! Almost lost my cool there.//

INT. SCENE 9. LOU'S HOUSE – NIGHT
NARRATOR: All their windows were dark. Quiet snow filled the air. All the Whos were all dreaming sweet dreams without care--when he came to the first little house on the square.
GRINCH: Welcome to Whoville, Max. Come on, Max. It's our first stop.
NARRATOR: The old Grinchy Claus hummed and hissed and he climbed to the roof, empty bags in his fist. He'd slide down the chimney, a rather tight pinch. But if Santa could do it, then so could the Grinch. He got stuck only once, for a moment or two. And the Grinch grabbed the tree, and he started to shove when he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
CINDY LOU WHO: Excuse me.
NARRATOR: The Grinch had been caught by this tiny Who daughter who'd got out of bed for a cup of cold water. With the curiosity of this tiny Who daughter she began to ask.
CINDY LOU WHO: Santa, what's Christmas really about?
GRINCH: Vengeance! Errrr I mean...presents...I suppose.
CINDY LOU WHO: I was afraid of that.
NARRATOR: And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head, and he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.
CINDY LOU WHO: (pauses looking down at the ground) Santa?
GRINCH: What?
CINDY LOU WHO: "If you see the Grinch, could you give him this for me?" (reaches into pocket and pulls out a cross with tag reading To: Grinch, Love: CindyLou) I've been praying for his heart. They say it got hurt. I know he's mean and hairy and smelly. But I think he's actually kind of—sweet (Grinch looks at cross, shrugs shoulders, puts in pocket.)
NARRATOR: He went to the chimney and stuff the tree up. And the last thing he took was the log for their fire. On their walls he left nothing but some hooks and some wire. And the one speck of food that he'd left in the house was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse. Then he slithered and slunk, with a smile most unpleasant around each Who home, and he took every present.
**PUSHES SLEIGH UP ONTO MOUNTAIN**
GRINCH: Yah! Whoa! We did it! We did it! We did it! That wasn't so bad, was it, Max? They'll be waking up now. And I know just what they will do. All those Whos down in Whoville will all cry Boo-hoo.
INT. SCENE 10. WHOVILLE – DAY
//(Whos running around talking about their stuff being stolen)//
POLICEMAN: What an embarrassment! I've been robbed! Mayor May-Who? Oh, dear.
MAYOR: Well, I wonder who could've done this. Tell you people one thing: Invite the Grinch, destroy Christmas. Invite the Grinch, destroy Christmas! But did anyone listen to me?
MAYOR: No! You choose to listen to a little not-to-be-taken-seriously girl who hasn't even grown into her nose yet. Cindy, I hope you're very proud of what you've done.
LOU: If she isn't, I am. I'm glad he took our presents.
MAYOR: What? He's glad. You're glad. You're glad everything is-is gone. You're glad that the Grinch virtually wrecked--No, no, no, not wrecked-- pulverized Christmas. Is that what I'm hearing from you, Lou?
LOU: You can't hurt Christmas, Mr. Mayor because it isn't about the-the gifts or the contests or the fancy lights. That-that's what Cindy's been trying to tell everyone. And me. She's been trying to tell me. There is a reason for this season... the one ultimate gift that was given to us all... including the Grinch.
MAYOR: What is wrong with you? This is a child.
LOU: She's my child. And she happens to be right, by the way. I don't need anything more for Christmas than what is right here, my faith, and my family. Merry Christmas everybody!
CROWD: Merry Christmas!

INT. SCENE 11. GRINCH'S LAIR – DAY
**WHOVILLE STAYS WHOVILLE-INTRO TO CHILDREN'S SONG**
GRINCH: (**REWRITE, SOMETHING ABOUT WANTING TO SEE THEIR FACES W/ NO CHRISTMAS**) Now for the final note in my symphony of down right nasty not-niceness! Oh, the wailing and gnashing of teeth. The bellowing of the bitterly bummed out! It'll be like music to my ears! (faint singing -well known soft Christian Christmas carol**BY CHILDREN'S CHOIR. CHILDREN ON ONE SIDE OF STAGE, GRINCH/MAX ON OTHER**)
NARRATOR: Then the Grinch heard a sound rising over the snow. It started in low, then it started to grow.But the sound wasn't sad. Why, this sounded merry. But it was merry. Very. Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, were singing without any presents at all. He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming. It came.
GRINCH: Somehow or another, it came just the same! How could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!
NARRATOR: And he puzzled and puzzled—‘til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something—he hadn't before. He thought—
GRINCH: Maybe Christmas—
During next line, Grinch puts hands in pocket and feels the cross that was given earlier by Cindy Lou, slowly pulls it out and looks at it. His face softens with emotion as he realizes the meaning of Christmas while speaking lines looking at cross.
GRINCH: Doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas—perhaps--means a quite a bit more. Aah! Oh! Aah! Aah! (shuddering and groaning)
GRINCH: (**SOUND EFFECT HEART BEAT**) Max! Help me! I'm--feeling!
NARRATOR: And what happened then--Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart... grew 3 sizes that day.
GRINCH: (sobbing) What's happening to me? I'm all--toasty inside. And I'm leaking. Oh Max. I love ya! (crying)
GRINCH: (Grinch notices presents teetering on edge of cliff about to fall) Look Max! the presents! They will all be destroyed! And I care? What’s the deal?
(SOUND OF CINDY LOU GIGGLING)
GRINCH: (gasps) Cindy Lou! What are you doing down there?
CINDY LOU WHO: I came to see you. No one should be alone on Christmas.
INT. SCENE 12. WHOVILLE – DAY
GRINCH: This could be a little more difficult to negotiate. Heads up, Whoville!
GRINCH: Merry Christmas, one and all.
CROWD: Merry Christmas, oh, Cindy!
POLICEMAN: Alright. What do we have here?
GRINCH: You got me, Officer! I did it! I'm the Grinch that stole Christmas. And I'm--sorry.
CROWD: Awww...
GRINCH: Aren't you going to cuff me? Put me in a choke hold? Blind me with pepper spray?
MAYOR: You heard him, Officer. He admitted it. I'd go with the pepper spray.
POLICEMAN: Yes, I heard him, alright. He said he was sorry. Besides, it looks like everything is all here and accounted for.
MAYOR: Help me out here, people. Uh, Martha?
MARTHA MAY: Merry Christmas, August May-Who! I'm afraid I do have something for you! (chuckles) Your ring back. Sorry but my heart belongs to someone else…
GRINCH: (laughs while saying)) Hmm? No hard feelings? Cheer up, dude. It's Christmas.
CINDY LOU WHO: Merry Christmas, Mr. Grinch. (kisses cheek)
NARRATOR: So he brought back the toys and the food for the feast. And he—he himself, the Grinch--carved the roast beast.
MUSIC: FINISH WELCOME CHRISTMAS
**OR WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS**
THE END