Christmas Cheer, 1996


Maria: Last time it was eight hours before I gave birth.

Sonny: I think we're talking more like eight minutes now.

Joseph: (shouts) OK everybody! Closing time!

Maria: We are not closing! What are they going to tell me to do at the hospital, to breathe?
I can breathe here...mira.

Sonny: Why do you want to take a chance with your baby?

Maria: Because I got two others I don't want to be taking chances with.
We work hard for this. This is our one day when we can make some real money.
All year long...him at the gas station, me at the lunch counter...we save for this.
We work hard. Jose, digale.

Mike: Maria, I don't think you have much of a choice.

Maria: OK, I'll go. (to Jose) But you stay here.

Jose: No, no, I'm not staying!

Sonny: No, no wait. I'm gonna stay. I'm gonna sell Christmas trees! Me and Joseph.
We'll bring you your take at the hospital later.

Maria: (to Jose) I'm going to trust a (Spanish word) with our money? (Jose whispers to her)
Oh...your old man!

Sonny: What about him?

Maria: The price list (hands to Sonny). Cash box is over there. Just padlock the gate when you're done.
(gives Sonny her Santa hat. Jason takes her arm to lead her off) I can walk! That's your car?
I'm going to like riding in that.

Sonny: Jose, what'd you say to her?

Jose: Oh it's OK man...we're cool.

Sonny: We're cool?

Jose: (winks) Yeah, we voted for domestic partners. You know, my cousin Victor
drove Liza Manelli to the airport one time.

(he walks off, Jason comes back over)

Mike: You know, uh, you three I can understand, but me?

Sonny: Mike, can you just get 'em to the hospital and through admitting and all that, please?

(Jason points at Joseph to stay with Sonny)

Sonny: (to Jason) I'm fine. Joseph is with me.
Make sure he (meaning Mike) doesn't make a deal to deliver the baby.

(Jason and Mike leave)

Sonny: (to Joseph, as he puts a hat on his head) Now, there's a couple of things you need
to remember about the retail business, all right? First of all, courtesy is very important.
You treat every customer as if it was your mother. Second of all...
(notices two kids stealing candy) ... they're all thieves.(stops the boys)
Come over here. Gimme what you got in your pocket. (they give him the candy)
All right...do you know that stealing is wrong? (one boy nods his head) Hmmm?
These aren't any good for you. They're not even all chocolate; they're hollow.
How much money you got?

Boy: 35 cents

Sonny: Gimme a quarter. (he does) Smat...go! (the boys run off)
(to Joseph) see how I handed that?

Joseph: Oh yeah...you're good.

(the Quartermaine family shows up)

Sonny: Speaking of thieves...

Page Three