Doris then buzzes and enters. She apologizes to Fred for what she said the last time she was over, and asks him to defend Mr. Kringle. He beats her to the punch and says that he was behind the door at the judge's and heard her entire conversation. She's a bit upset that he made her grovel like this. The two fight, and she finally leaves. It's now 8:30 the following morning in a corridor in a New York State Supreme Court. The District Attorney thinks that this will take about five to ten minutes. Mr. Macy is there with Mr. Shellhammer who is spouting another dumb idea for an ad campaign. Mr. Kringle and Fred are now planning their strategy - especially since this is Fred's first case anywhere. In the courtroom immediately following, the Judge enters and Mr. Kringle takes the stand. Mr. Kringle says that he is Santa Claus and Fred sets out to prove that to be the case. Fred calls Mr. Macy to the stand who says that he believes that Mr. Kringle is truthful and is of sound mind. The DA questions Mr. Macy and asks him if he believes Mr. Kringle to be Santa Claus. Mr. Macy gulps and gets a signal from Doris which reminds him that "you can claim anything if you sing it" and sings "That Man Over There Is Santa Claus." Pretty soon, the entire courtroom is involved. The DA is upset and tries to discredit Fred. The judge decides to take a break. During this time Macy, Doris, Mr. Shellhammer, and one of the political bosses sing "My State, My Kansas," when they find out that's where the judge grew up. They use a bit of Americana to win him over to their side. The next scene takes place in the Courthouse corridor at PM. It is Tuesday December 24th. There is a special mail delivery from Susan to Mr. Kringle at the courthouse. The mailman comments that he's got tons of mail for Mr. Kringle that he'd love to get rid of. Fred gets an idea and goes off to make a phone call. Mr. Kringle talks with Doris and tells her that she can pick up Susan's gift (the farmhouse, etc.) at Macy's in the living room display. Mr. Kringle tries to do a bit of matchmaking between Doris and Fred, but Doris sings that the two of them have "Nothing In Common." By the end of her song, she realizes that she loves Fred and embraces Mr. Kringle. We go to the courtroom - immediately following. The judge has decided that rather than dismiss the case, he'll hear evidence from both sides. Fred calls the district attorney's son to the stand. The boy recognizes Mr. Kringle to be Santa, and when asked who told him so, responds that his father did. There is roar of laughter in the courtroom. The D.A. demands that Fred only give "authoritative proof " that Mr. Kringle is "the one and only Santa Claus." Fred doesn't quite know what to do, but in a desperate act offers Susan's letter addressed to Santa Claus at the NYC Courthouse as evidence. The D.A. says that one letter is hardly enough proof. With that Fred proclaims that there are more letters outside addressed simply to "Santa Claus" - no address. Guards march in with huge bags of letters that they dump on the judge's desk. Based on all this evidence, the judge decides to dismiss the case. Everyone happily leaves the courtroom. Doris throws caution aside and sings by herself once again deciding that she needs to take a chance on love just like Mr. Kringle said. The final scene takes place at Macy's model living room display. Doris enters and tells a guard that she is looking for a farmhouse with a swing and a cow. The guard stares at her a bit strangely as she looks all over the ground for this "present." Eventually, she sees Fred. They embrace and kiss. (Susan will get her farmhouse and a father after all.) The set dissolves to have the happy couple in Macy's window having people watch them kiss as they walk by. One pedestrian happens to be Mr. Kringle who gives the audience a wink as he goes on his merry way. CAST • A BALLOON VENDER • A CLERK IN TOY DEPARTMENT • A DRUNK SANTA • A KID • A LADY SHOPPER • A MAN SHOPPER AND HIS WIFE • A TROUBLED SHOPPER • BAILIFF
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