Story

A New Film Investment Opportunity

Above the Line Films

Summary Treatment Honcho is an elf, but not just any elf. He’s the leader of the special forces sent out after Christmas. His mission: to repossess the gifts Big Nick (that's Honcho's code name for Santa) has given to children who only pretended to be nice—but really should have been on the naughty list! All is going well until his right-hand elf tries to repossess a gift from one kid (Travis) who’s ready for them—thanks to the help from Dirk, a neighborhood naughty kid who had his gift repossessed a year before. Just as the elf is about to take back the toy—SNAP! He’s caught in a net!	*Honcho and his right hand elf Sequence* Illustration by Anthony Perri
With one of his elves suspended in a net over Travis’ bedroom, Honcho has to call in negotiators to resolve the matter quickly and quietly. What are Travis’ demands? He plans to let everyone know that not only does Santa exist but he takes back toys from kids as well. St. Nick does not want more kids to believe in him. He already has trouble keeping up with production now, he’ll readily tell you. It’s bad enough kids are believing in later years—like 9 and 10 year olds—but to have a hostage situation where even more kids may likely come to believe is completely unacceptable. His negotiators unable to resolve the situation, Big Nick himself goes into Travis’ room. With a wave of his hand, magic sends all the elves (Honcho, the elf in the net, the negotiator) back to the North Pole. Travis is scared, wondering what Santa is going to do next. St. Nick says he’s going to give the kid something he’s not given to such a naughty kid ever—a second chance. Just as soon as he gives the kid the second chance, he’s gone. Travis learns what it means to get a second chance, and how to take advantage of the opportunity. He makes amends, genuinely trying to get back on Santa’s nice list. In the final scene, it looks like he might get the toy he always wanted. Before he can get his hands on it, his friend and cohort in the botched hostage attempt, Dirk, comes on the scene and wants the toy for himself. It’s time for one more intervention from Big Nick! How can Santa make sure Travis gets his gift and Dirk gets what he deserves?