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Isaac walks into his office. Dan follows and carries the gift bag.

Isaac: Close the door.

Dan closes the door.

Dan: You're not mad at me, are you?

Isaac: Should I be mad at you?

Dan: No. Of course not.

Isaac: Good.

Dan: First, would you like to open your gift?

Isaac: Are you trying to soften me up?

Dan: Not at all. Besides, you're not angry with me, so there's no need to soften you up. I am just your secret Santa.

Isaac: I guess it's good to be me.

The two stand in front of Isaac's desk. Dan hands the gift bag over to Isaac. Isaac sets the bag on his desk and looks inside. He reaches inside, moves around some tissue paper, and pulls out a clay pot with native markings inscribed on its exterior. Isaac admires the exquisite piece.

Isaac: This is a treasure.

Dan: The engravings are symbols from the Adinkra culture.

Isaac: I recognize them.

Dan: They symbolize qualities I admire in you, Isaac.

Dan points out each symbol.

Dan: The linked hearts are akoma ntoso, the symbol of understanding and agreement. You work with many people each day and listen to many sides of many stories. With that information, you have the foresight to direct the show where it needs to go and tell the stories which need to be told.

The war horn is akoben, it is often used to sound a battle cry and it's the symbol of vigilance and wariness. You're willing to fight for what is just, and you always know the right time and proper words to say.

The heart is akoma, the symbol of patience and tolerance. I believe having to put up with us day in and day out, you have to possess akoma.

The chain link is nkonsonkonson, the symbol of unity and human relations. You contribute to the community through your volunteer work and the work you do here in shaping us. What you do really well is bring us in unity, and in unity lies our strength.

The final engraving is nyame nnwu na mawu, which is a symbol of God's omnipresence and the perpetual existence of man's spirit. The man's soul is believed to be a part of God. Because the soul rests with God after death, it is immortal.

Isaac closely holds onto the gift.

Isaac: Thank you, Daniel.

Dan: You're welcome. Would you... like a hug?

Isaac: A hug?

Dan: Kind of... like... you know... to remember and close out the moment.

Isaac smiles.

Isaac: Sure.

Isaac sets the clay pot on his desk. The two hug, and Isaac pats Dan on the back. Dan smiles, knowing Isaac loves his gift. He decides to hold the hug for a moment longer.

Dan: I knew I could find you something you would cherish.

Isaac: Cherish it I will. You can stop hugging now.

The moment has ended. The two separate.

Dan: Sure. No problem.

Isaac walks back and sits in his chair.

Isaac: This gift is something, really something.

Dan: I'm glad you like it.

Isaac: Like it? Wow. I really mean wow, Danny.

Dan is proud of himself.

Dan: Yeah.

Isaac: What I've learned over the years is that gift-giving isn't for the sake of giving and receiving. A gift is a reflection of one's self.

Dan: The engravings are a reflection of you, Isaac.

Isaac: That's not what I mean. A gift is a reflection of one's self. This gift... is a reflection of you.

Dan: You'll think of me every time you look at it.

Isaac: And your reasoning behind it.

Dan: Okay. What do you mean, reasoning?

Isaac: I look at this and see these symbols as qualities you admire.

Dan: They're admirable qualities.

Isaac: Usually, when people admire something, it's something they want or strive to become.

Dan: I think we would strive to be like you, Isaac.

Isaac: Yeah. Also, your generosity hasn't gone unnoticed during this holiday season.

Dan: I believe I've worn out the magnetic strip on my American Express.

Isaac: A golf club for Jack, a music box for Tina, a day at the spa for Jennifer-

Dan: Not to mention all the gifts just to keep pace with Chris, Will, Dave, Kim, Elliott-

Isaac: Natalie and Jeremy?

Dan: Yeah. It's been crazy.

Isaac: Do you mind if I ask why the sudden generosity?

Dan: Along with the holiday season, I'm just trying to make people feel they are needed and welcomed here.

Isaac: So that's why you gave the elaborate gifts to your co-anchors.

Dan: Well, yeah. But the look on their faces-

Isaac: It allows them to think of you fondly.

Dan: Also as being generous, witty, charming, not to mention good-looking-

Isaac: I'm going to stop you there.

Dan: Okay.

Isaac: Did you know Bobbi came to me wishing to leave the anchor desk and instead work out in the field?

Dan: With college basketball? Yeah, she's doing a good job.

Isaac: She doesn't have any animosity toward you. You two had a partnership which, due to a lack of chemistry, didn't work out.

Dan: Yeah, that's fine, but what does that have to do-

Isaac: Danny, the gift you gave me is wonderful. It shows you as being thoughtful, caring, loving, and kind.

Dan: Thanks.

Isaac: But I don't think of you in higher regard than I did fifteen minutes ago.

Dan: Okay, I guess.

Isaac: So I don't want you to fall under the assumption that people will think of you in any more regard if you give them presents. If you thought maybe buying presents for Bobbi would have kept the two of you together, you're mistaken. Please don't think buying presents for all the co-anchors will ensure a good on-air relationship.

Dan: You're saying I shouldn't have spent all this money?

Isaac: I'm saying, chemistry doesn't happen overnight. Jack, Tina, and Jennifer will each develop partnerships with you, and gifts don't necessarily accelerate the process. To create a partnership, it takes some patience and tolerance.

Dan: You're saying it takes akoma.

Isaac: It's just one of the qualities you admire in me.

Dan: Yeah, you're right. Thanks.

Isaac slips on his glasses and grabs a memo. Dan begins to leave. He opens the door.

Isaac: Danny?

Dan stops in the doorway.

Dan: Yeah?

Isaac: I wouldn't worry about Jeremy giving your girlfriend lingerie.

Dan: Isaac, Jeremy crossed a line-

Isaac: What did you get Casey?

Dan: It certainly wasn't lingerie.

Isaac: What did you get Casey?

Dan: A PDA.

Isaac: Why?

Dan: It's what Casey wanted.

Isaac: Exactly.

Dan: Ah.

Isaac: Jeremy wouldn't have given your girlfriend lingerie if she had not requested it.

Dan: Ah. I guess I need some akoma and akoma ntoso: some patience, understanding, and tolerance.

Isaac: You might need this pot more than I do, Danny.

Dan: It's all right, Isaac. I'll just come by when I need some of what's inside.

-----

Later in the evening, Dan is inside his office. With his assignments completed, he practices some garbage can basketball. His missed shots are scattered around the can and signify he needs all the practice he can get.

Finding himself bored because of his lack of success, Dan decides to see what is happening in the quiet newsroom.

Jeremy sits at his desk and looks disappointed. He wastes his time by playing with a pencil.

Dan, surprised to discover Jeremy in the newsroom, walks over to him.

Dan: She was nothing you imagined.

Jeremy: Something like that.

Dan: I'm assuming the date didn't go so well.

Jeremy: You could say the date just didn't go.

Dan: She didn't show up?

Jeremy: I waited for two hours. Never got a phone call or some sort of message.

Dan: Two hours?

Jeremy: Yeah. So you know how my day has been going.

Dan sees Elliott walking into the conference room.

Dan: Does that mean Elliott-

Jeremy: Yeah, he also waited the full two hours.

Dan: But he doesn't appear to be in a bad mood.

Jeremy: That's because he got a woman's number on his way back here.

Dan: Okay.

Jeremy finally sets his pencil down.

Jeremy: I thought you were mad with me.

Dan: I was, but I found out I had no reason to be angry.

Jeremy: I thought you were questioning my choice of gifts.

Dan: Look, you two have known each other since college, and you only gave her what she requested. Because you were able to fulfill her outrageous request, it only goes to show the strength of your friendship and the lengths you would go to ensure it stays intact. And nobody, including myself, should ever bring your friendship into question. I apologize.

Jeremy: Okay. Thank you. I'll also give you this: I promise I will not give her any more lingerie.

Dan: And thank you for that. Besides, you'll do better than internet girl.

Jeremy: Yeah.

Jeremy notices something.

Jeremy: I see we've got company.

Dana and Casey enter the newsroom.

Dan: I thought you two had a flight to catch.

Casey: Mother Nature didn't want to be upstaged by Saint Nick, so she dumped 6 inches in less than 2 hours.

Dana: They postponed our flight.

Dan: And, yet, you're still in an upbeat mood.

Dana: Like you said, Danny, "'Tis the season to be jolly."

Dan: You've been drinking the eggnog.

Dana: Can't a girl just be happy around you, Mr. Scrooge?

Dan: All right. My bad.

Casey: Dana and I are going to be moving in together.

Jeremy: Congratulations. You two are moving to a new place?

Casey: Actually... I'm moving into Dana's place.

Dana: Casey? I was hoping to surprise Dan and Jeremy.

Casey: What? Didn't you like my presentation?

Dan: I think Dana was referring to surprising us like a Jack-in-the-box.

Jeremy: With the hat, bright colors, and makeup?

Dan: Exactly.

Dana: You guys are just scary.

Dan: Congratulations, Casey.

Dan and Casey shake hands.

Dan: Best wishes to you, Dana.

Dan and Dana hug.

Casey: Why are you here, Jeremy? It's supposed to be a slow night in the newsroom.

Jeremy: My date was a no-show.

Casey: Sorry to hear that.

Dana: Aw, Jeremy. Are you all right?

Dana puts her arm around Jeremy.

Jeremy: I'm all right.

Dana: Are you sure?

Casey: We can help you plot some sort of internet attack against her.

Jeremy: Thank you. I'm not looking for some sort of revenge. In fact, she might be stuck up to her head in a snow bank.

Casey: That might be some sort of positive attitude.

Dana: Well, if everything is fine out here, I'm going to head to my office.

Dana leaves Dan, Casey, and Jeremy behind.

Casey: So, Danny.

Dan: Yeah.

Casey: I hear Jo's birthday is coming up-

Dan: Yeah?

Casey: And I saw Victoria's Secret was running a sale on silk stockings. They had this lace garter with a flower design-

Dan: Shut up.

Casey: I was just wondering if it would be an appropriate gift, or maybe I should get her the matching bra and panty set to go with it.

Dan: That's it. I'm crossing you off next year's list.

Elliott enters the newsroom.

Elliott: Guys? Southern Illinois and Eastern Michigan are in quadruple overtime.

Dan: What do you got?

Elliott: Davidson has 39 points, Greene has 22 rebounds, and Bruce Williams has scored 18 with 14 assists, 9 rebounds, and 8 steals.

Casey: Pretty close to a quadruple-double.

Elliott: Yeah, and enough guys have fouled out that the Salukis are down to 6 players and the Eagles have 7.

Dan: We've got tape?

Elliott: Yeah, but tech support is working inside the editing room.

Dan starts his journey toward the editing room.

Dan: How much time, Elliott?

Elliott: Three and some change.

Dan: I mean with the editing machine.

Elliott: About ten minutes.

Dan: Got it.

Dan exits the room.

-----

Natalie is bundled up in her winter coat and carries a stuffed duffle bag through the studio. As she works her way into the corridor, she swings the heavy bag over to her opposite hand. She walks into the newsroom and is surprised to see Jeremy and Casey in the room. Jeremy and Casey are just as surprised to see Natalie.

Casey: I thought you had a bus to catch.

Natalie: You missed your flight.

Casey: It was canceled.

Natalie: Same here.

Jeremy: Over a foot-and-a-half of snow in parts of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Natalie and Casey look at Jeremy.

Natalie: Yeah, thanks for informing me about the blizzard potential, Jeremy.

Jeremy: Hey, I haven't had time to calculate possible precipitation accumulations because I've been busy.

Natalie: Making your date with internet girl.

Jeremy: A date which never came to be.

Natalie: What happened?

Casey: She didn't show up.

Jeremy: Yeah.

Natalie: I'm sorry. So we're all stuck here tonight.

"Who did my dry cleaning?"

Everyone turns to see Dana carrying her previous day's outfit, which is all nicely dry cleaned and wrapped in plastic.

Natalie: (pointing) J.S. Cleaners. The name's printed on the bag.

Dana: (surprised) Natalie?

Natalie: Eighteen inches of snow delayed the trip. Also, for the record, I was the one who took your clothes to be dry cleaned.

Dana: Thank you... for the dry cleaning.

Natalie meets Dana and pulls her aside.

Natalie: How'd it go with Casey?

Dana: Great.

Natalie: You gave him a key?

Dana: I did you one better. I gave him a moving box.

Natalie: Good job, Dana.

Dana: He's moving in after the holidays.

Natalie: Wonderful.

Dana and Natalie hug.

Natalie: I have one question to ask: is this what you wanted?

Dana thinks for a moment.

Dana: Yes. I'm happy. This is what I wanted.

-----

Dan stands in the doorway of the editing room. He watches JoAnne finish her repairs on the editing machine.

Dan: You've had a busy day.

JoAnne turns around to see Dan.

JoAnne: Yeah.

Dan walks toward her.

Dan: I stopped by your office a couple of times today.

JoAnne: Six times.

Dan: So, you received my notes.

JoAnne: Also, your messages, pages, and e-mails. I would have received your fax, but you accidentally sent it to the wrong number.

Dan: To whom did I send it?

JoAnne: Paul. By the way, he is flattered, but he doesn't love you in the same manner.

Dan: I see.

JoAnne: He did say the hearts were a nice touch.

Dan: Okay.

JoAnne: I've got one more call to attend. You know how it goes when the weather turns frigid and snowy.

Dan: Yeah, hold on a second.

JoAnne: Only for a second.

Dan moves up to JoAnne. He puts his arms around her and his hands meet at the small of her back.

Dan: I apologize to you about Jeremy's gift.

JoAnne: You figured it out.

Dan: Actually, I asked Jeremy to figure it out, but he had already figured it out because he knew he gave you the gift.

JoAnne: You're no longer upset about the lingerie?

Dan: Let's just say I'm past it.

JoAnne: Good.

Dan releases JoAnne.

Dan: I believe I understand the close friendship the two of you have. You'll do anything for each other, even if it means driving me crazy.

JoAnne: Driving you crazy is an added bonus.

Dan reaches inside his pants pocket and pulls out an engagement ring.

Dan: Look. I carry your engagement ring every second of the day. It's crazy to think that I need to be prepared in case you walk up to me and ask to place it on your finger, but it's something I do because I'm crazy in love with you. You have to realize some men will do crazy things to show how they love people in their lives. I carry your engagement ring; Jeremy buys you lingerie.

JoAnne: I honestly didn't think he would buy it for me.

Dan: Yeah, but that goes to show the strength of your friendship. He'll do his best to make you happy.

JoAnne: Even if it drives you crazy?

Dan: But not too crazy. Jeremy fully understands there are certain lines not to be crossed in the future.

JoAnne: So you're satisfied with me keeping the lingerie?

Dan: Not only satisfied, but I encourage you to keep it - not that you needed any encouragement. I was reminded that a gift is a reflection of one's self. Your gift will not only remind you Jeremy is the one who gave it to you, but it will remind you of the bond you two possess.

JoAnne: Great.

Dan: But here's the thing...

Dan slides the ring back into his pocket.

Dan: I never want to see you wearing that piece of lingerie.

JoAnne: But I thought you were past that.

Dan: I am. If I see you wearing the lingerie, I'm going to see your body, but I'm also going to see Jeremy's face.

JoAnne: A gift is a reflection of one's self?

Dan: Yeah, something like that.

-----

Dan enters the newsroom with his arm wrapped around JoAnne.

Dan: How about Southern Illinois?

The couple walks over to join Jeremy, Natalie, Dana, and Casey.

Casey: Two-point victory.

Dan: And many memories to share.

Jeremy looks out the window.

Jeremy: Man, look at it snowing outside.

Jeremy, JoAnne, Dana, and Casey move to the window to take a closer look. Meanwhile, Natalie meets with Dan.

Natalie: My bus trip was delayed.

Dan: I'm sorry to hear that.

Natalie: If your looking for ideas next year, could you think about getting me a snow plow truck?

Dan: Yeah, I'll think about it.

Dan and Natalie each smile and join the rest of the group at the window.

Casey: There's that guy down there.

Jeremy: Where?

Casey: Down there with the bucket, he's ringing the bell and asking for donations.

Dana: Good. No horse and carriages in sight.

Dan: Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?

Natalie: I've got a few extra dollars.

Jeremy: I've got some money left from my non-date.

JoAnne: I can bring him some hot cocoa.

Dana: Let's go, guys.

The group moves away from the window.

Dan: Wait.

Dan feels around his jacket and coat pockets.

Dana: What's wrong?

Dan: I seem to be a bit short on cash.

Casey: Don't worry. I can loan you some.

The group begins to leave the newsroom.

Dan: Loan? What about the season of giving?

Casey: I'll give you some cash, and, one day, you can give it back.

The group laughs as they exit the room.