THE CHRISTMAS GUEST

Synopsis

MONROE LATAMOR, 50s, homeless, driven by a winter storm from his nightly sleep against an old headstone in the St. Pelagius cemetery, into the warmth of the old church, appears to have timed things just right. He’s the only person in attendance at the funeral service for a Mr. Oliva, who has stipulated in his will that his inheritance is to be divided up equally by those who show up to pay their respects. But Monroe knows nothing of this arrangement and simply wanders off into the night. When NICK CAPALDI, 40, Oliva’s dour, socially-detached, small-time attorney, finds out from FATHER AGUILERA that the one attendee is most likely just someone “down on his luck”, seeking shelter, he informs the Priest of the will and offers, "2 million bucks has a way of changing people’s luck." Aguilera calls it a miracle, but Capaldi has long ago abandoned his religion and any belief in such things as miracles, even at Christmas time. Monroe, oblivious to his good fortune, returns to his normal life and breakfast at the Soup Kitchen run by MARY, 35, who’s writing a book on the plight of the homeless. Monroe is different -- he rarely speaks, and when he does, it’s simply a one-word reply... and he won’t take any food before he does some work, even if it’s only to clear a table. Capaldi must execute the will within thirty days, or the money goes to the state. Using a sketch artist, Aguilera and his altar boy, he comes up with a likeness of Monroe and sets off to find him, posting fliers all over town, only to have all of them torn down by big JERSEY, Monroe’s friend and protector. But it’s Father Aguilera who finds Monroe, sitting before the portrait of the church’s patron saint, the young martyr Pelagius. Capaldi isn’t sure Monroe understands the impact of this news -- he’s now a millionaire. Mary becomes Monroe’s financial mentor and also becomes quite an attraction for Capaldi, who left a long-term relationship that “dried up and blew away.” In the one moment where Monroe speaks in a sentence, he admits to Aguilera that he has killed. The priest feels compelled to go to the police. Monroe decides to buy the All American Motel, a dump near the freeway, and convert it into lodging for all the local homeless folks. The motel is quickly converted into more than adequate living space in time for the Christmas holiday. The cops show up, asking questions. Then Oliva’s estranged daughter, businesswoman MARCELA, arrives, wanting to quash the will. She’s turned around after a night at the new Pelagius House and a discussion with a young, pregnant tenant about the miracle of giving – on the same night Monroe disappears. The homeless, now more unified and dedicated than ever, join Mary, Capaldi and Aguilera in an all-out effort on Christmas to find Monroe... to no avail. He disappears. Monroe’s impact survives -- lives have been changed, the old church has been revived, the rift between Marcela and her deceased father seems repaired, and Capaldi and Mary are now a team in every way. Months later, a woman visits Father Aguilera with some very strange news about Monroe Latamor and leads him to a marker in his own parish cemetery. As noted on the marker, her father Monroe Latamor... died some 40 years prior in a botched prison escape. Capaldi, a man who had lost his religion, now believes in miracles.