Scene One
Scene One
Toy manger Mr. Osborne (David Costabile) hires Dellaventura (Danny Aiello) at the height of the Christmas season. Seems large quantites of his merchandise are disappearing--a shoplifting ring, he fears--and, as Osborne reminds, "This may sound funny to you, but toys are my career." Properly chatised, Della promises to catch the crook, but not before seeing the spirit of his dead wife outside the store. Osborne promises her an employee discount and then shares a foot-in-mouth platitude when Della tells him she's dead. Hasty retreat for Osborne.
Scene Two
Della and his fellows insist they're doing their best (all the while wearing really ridiculous costumes--including a snowman), but that's not good enough for Osborne. he's annoyed because "these shoplifters are really taking me to the cleaners." Osborne then further demonstrates his lack of a sense of humor and departs, still pissy and still very uptight.
Scene Three
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The culprit is caught--it was the store's Santa Claus, perpetrating the deed by stuffing the toys under his costume. His motivation: To give away the toys as presents to disadvantaged kids. He's annoyed that the store has stopped giving away unsold toys, as they did in the past. Osborne is unmoved--"I don't make -- |
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Other sideplots:
Dellaventura keeps having visitations from his dead wife, which worries those around him. Also, a priest creates a self-lighting candle in hopes that it will appear to be a miracle and give faith to his flock.