Buddy's hairs and sent it off for testing. The results confirm he is Walter's son. Buddy is elated. Walter is not, especially since he must take Buddy with him to work so Emily can attend a meeting. Newly clothed in a business suit, Buddy excitedly accompanies Walter to work. When Walter's boss comes in and threatens to fire him, Buddy's rambunctious curiosity and playfulness are not a welcome distraction. Later that night, Jovie and Buddy go on their date. At first it isn't going well, but soon things turn around. Buddy promises to give Jovie a real Christmas and a Christmas Eve dinner at Tavern on the Green like she's always dreamed. They kiss. Meanwhile Walter, still at work, has been just been given a manuscript for a Children's story that could save his job. Buddy bursts in to tell Walter he's in love, and while Walter talks with colleagues, Buddy decides to make "snow" by putting the manuscript through the shredder. The manuscript destroyed, Walter explodes with anger and tells Buddy to get out of the apartment and his life. Act II The Santa from the beginning of the play hurries back from intermission to again take-up the tale of Buddy, the Elf. Back at the apartment Buddy leaves an apology and goodbye letter for Walter, Emily, and Michael. Then he wanders New York until he ends up at a Chinese restaurant with several other "Santas" and "Elves" on Christmas Eve. They complain about the state of Christmas and children these days. When they leave to return home to their families Buddy remembers he was supposed to go on another date with Jovie. Elsewhere, Jovie stands in front of the Tavern on the Green, upset and waiting for Buddy as she has been for 2 hours. Buddy arrives, apologizes, and gives Jovie the snow-globe Santa gave him when he left the North Pole. Still upset, Jovie leaves. When Emily and Michael find Buddy's note they are deeply saddened. Emily tells Michael that though she loves him, Buddy is crazy for believing in Santa at thirty years old. Just then Santa's sleigh flies through the sky and makes a renewed believer out of both of them. They rush to Walter's office to tell him and find him in a desperate plea to come up with an idea for a new children's book before his boss arrives to hear the pitch. Greenway, Walter's boss arrives and as Walter begins his awful pitch, Buddy comes in. As a present to Walter, Buddy gives Greenway the story of Buddy, the Elf. Greenway loves it, but he wants to change it to a Horse instead of an Elf, and he wants Walter to work with him on it all night and the next day, Christmas. Walter quits, having finally decided to spend time with his family, and Greenway storms out. When Michael tells Buddy they saw Santa's sleigh land, Buddy realizes the sleigh has run out of the Christmas spirit that allows it to run. They run to help and find Santa sitting glumly beside his sled. Nearby Buddy spots a camera news crew. He grabs the microphone and begs all of New York to believe, sing and spread Christmas spirit so Santa can fly again. Jovie arrives, convinced, as other random New Yorkers join the movement, and Santa's sleight again takes flight. Santa invites Buddy to return to the North Pole with him, but Buddy decides to stay, finally feeling like he belongs. We now transition back to the Santa that began both acts as he closes the storybook and goes to answer the knock at the door. In come Michael, Emily, Walter, Buddy, Jovie, and their new baby, Buddy Hobbs to celebrate Christmas as they now do every year. MUSICAL NUMBERS 1. Overture —The Orchestra 2. Christmastown — Santa, Buddy & Company 3. World's Greatest Dad — Buddy 4. In the Way — Deb, Walter, Emily, Michael & Company 5. Sparklejollytwinklejingley — Buddy, Store Manager & Company 6. I'll Believe in You — Michael & Emily 7. In the Way (Reprise) — Emily & Walter 8. Just Like Him — Buddy, Deb & Company
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