Elf 2: Let Him Ruin It

What if Buddy the Elf came back?

Not to save Christmas.
Not to prove magic exists.
But to discover that the world now loves joy so much, it tries to control it—and forgets how to let it be messy.

(Note: This is an imaginary conversation, a creative exploration of an idea, and not a real speech or event.) 

Act I - Everything Is Ready

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — PRE-DAWN

Dark. Quiet. Snow presses softly against the windows.

A HUM floats through the hallway.

Not a song.
Not a tune.
Just a pleased sound — like someone happy to be awake.

A light clicks on.

Then another.

Then all of them.

Walter Hobbs’ eyes open immediately. This man has learned to wake before problems finish forming.

WALTER
Buddy…

Buddy’s head pops into view beside the bed, smiling wide, eyes bright.

He is fully dressed. Elf hat. Tights. Bells. Shoes tied wrong.

BUDDY
Morning!

Walter squints at the clock.

WALTER
Buddy. It’s four thirty.

Buddy nods seriously.

BUDDY
Yes.

Walter sighs, sits up.

WALTER
Why are you awake?

Buddy thinks. Really thinks.

BUDDY
Because today is almost Christmas.

Walter rubs his face.

WALTER
Buddy, we talked about this.
Christmas is tomorrow.

Buddy tilts his head.

BUDDY
Tomorrow is later.

Walter nods.

WALTER
Yes.

Buddy smiles, relieved.

BUDDY
Later is soon.

Walter opens his mouth to correct him.

Closes it.

Jovie sits up, wrapped in a blanket.

JOVIE
Is he… excited?

Buddy turns toward her instantly.

BUDDY
Yes!

Jovie smiles, tired but fond.

JOVIE
Okay. But Buddy…
(soft)
Let’s save some excitement for later.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
Okay.

Beat.

Buddy waits.

One second.

Two seconds.

BUDDY (CONT’D)
Later!

He darts out of the room.

Walter groans.

WALTER
That’s not what later means.

Jovie smiles.

JOVIE
You didn’t define it.

They follow.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS

The living room is… ready.

Too ready.

Tree decorated perfectly.
Lights symmetrical.
Stockings aligned.

Buddy freezes in the doorway.

His smile fades — not sadness, confusion.

BUDDY
Oh.

Walter watches him carefully.

WALTER
What?

Buddy walks in slowly, scanning.

He touches a ribbon.

Straight already.

Touches an ornament.

Centered.

He looks at Jovie.

BUDDY
You did it.

Jovie nods.

JOVIE
We thought we’d help you out this year.

Buddy blinks.

BUDDY
I was helping.

Walter steps in gently.

WALTER
We know. We just… wanted to make it easier.

Buddy processes this.

BUDDY
Is it finished?

JOVIE
Yes.

Buddy looks around again.

The room is beautiful.

Perfect.

Buddy nods politely.

BUDDY
Okay.

He sits.

That alone is strange.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — KITCHEN — MORNING

Breakfast is neat.

Healthy.

Planned.

Buddy stares at the table.

BUDDY
Where’s the spaghetti?

Michael sips coffee, amused.

MICHAEL
We’re trying something new.

Buddy looks concerned.

BUDDY
Why?

Walter interjects quickly.

WALTER
Buddy, remember?
We talked about… balance.

Buddy nods slowly.

BUDDY
Balance.

He looks at the pancakes.

No syrup waterfall.
No candy.
No chaos.

He eats quietly.

Walter watches him eat like this is good behavior.

Something about it feels wrong.

EXT. NEW YORK STREET — MORNING

Buddy bursts out of the house.

He stops.

Everything is already decorated.

Storefronts gleam.

Wreaths are straight.

Lights are on timers.

Buddy walks to a crooked wreath — ready.

A STORE OWNER steps out quickly.

STORE OWNER
Oh! I fixed that already!

Buddy freezes mid-reach.

BUDDY
You did?

STORE OWNER
Yep! All set.

Buddy lowers his hand.

BUDDY
Okay.

He moves on.

Two steps later, he spots a bench with snow piled unevenly.

He starts brushing it off.

A CITY WORKER waves.

CITY WORKER
All good! We’ve got a crew coming through later.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
Later.

He waits.

One second.

Two seconds.

Brushes anyway.

The city worker laughs.

CITY WORKER
Hey! Buddy, right?

Buddy beams.

BUDDY
Yes!

CITY WORKER
Love your energy, man.
Just… don’t hurt yourself, okay?

Buddy nods solemnly.

BUDDY
Okay.

He brushes slower.

INT. WALTER’S OFFICE — DAY

The office is festive but controlled.

Holiday banners placed just so.

Music at “appropriate volume.”

Walter walks with Buddy beside him.

WALTER
Buddy, today’s a big day.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
Meeting.

WALTER
Yes. And remember —
(chooses words carefully)
We let things happen today.

Buddy nods again.

BUDDY
I let.

They enter the boardroom.

INT. BOARDROOM — CONTINUOUS

Executives sit. Coffee cups. Laptops.

The CLIENT enters — stylish, warm, green scarf.

Buddy’s eyes widen.

BUDDY
Elf.

Walter immediately kneels.

WALTER
Buddy.
(soft but firm)
Not now.

Buddy freezes.

BUDDY
Later?

Walter nods quickly.

WALTER
Yes. Later.

Buddy smiles.

He waits.

One second.

Two seconds.

Buddy notices two empty chairs against the wall.

He reaches for one.

Walter gently places a hand on Buddy’s arm.

WALTER (CONT’D)
Buddy.

Buddy looks at him.

BUDDY
They’re lonely.

Walter swallows.

WALTER
I know. But… leave them.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
Okay.

He sits perfectly still.

The meeting proceeds.

Slides. Numbers. Serious voices.

Buddy’s eyes dart around, searching for something wrong.

Nothing is wrong.

That’s the problem.

INT. BOARDROOM — LATER

The meeting ends.

Success.

Handshakes.

The client smiles.

CLIENT
That went well.

Walter exhales in relief.

WALTER
Yes. Thank you.

Buddy claps once.

BUDDY
Good sitting!

Polite laughter.

The client kneels to Buddy’s level.

CLIENT
You did great, Buddy.

Buddy smiles.

BUDDY
I didn’t do anything.

The room chuckles.

Walter forces a smile.

Something about Buddy’s tone lands heavier than expected.

EXT. OFFICE LOBBY — DAY

Buddy presses one elevator button.

Stops himself.

Looks at Walter.

BUDDY
One is okay?

Walter nods.

WALTER
One is perfect.

Buddy presses it gently.

He waits.

Hands folded.

The elevator arrives.

Walter watches his son behave.

It should feel like progress.

It doesn’t.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — EVENING

The house glows.

Everything is perfect again.

Dinner is calm.

No extra plates.

Buddy eats quietly.

Jovie notices.

JOVIE
Buddy… are you okay?

Buddy looks up.

BUDDY
Yes.

Beat.

BUDDY (CONT’D)
I’m being good.

The room stills.

Walter feels something twist.

WALTER
Buddy… you’re always good.

Buddy thinks.

BUDDY
Then I stay like this.

He sits very straight.

Too straight.

Walter looks at Jovie.

Jovie looks at Walter.

They both realize something at the same time.

They fixed Christmas.

They might have removed Buddy from it.

Act II - Please Don’t Touch

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — MORNING (CHRISTMAS EVE)

The house wakes up calmly.

Too calmly.

No lights snapping on.
No humming.
No bells.

Walter walks into the kitchen and freezes.

Buddy is already there.

Sitting.

Hands folded.

Waiting.

Walter checks the clock.

WALTER
Buddy… how long have you been awake?

Buddy looks up.

BUDDY
Since before.

WALTER
Before what?

Buddy thinks.

BUDDY
Before now.

Walter nods, unsettled.

WALTER
Why didn’t you wake us?

Buddy smiles proudly.

BUDDY
I waited.

Walter forces a smile.

WALTER
That’s… very good.

Buddy straightens further.

BUDDY
I’m good.

That word again.

EXT. NEW YORK STREET — LATE MORNING

Buddy walks beside Walter.

The city is alive—but orderly.

Every storefront decorated.
Every wreath straight.
Every caroler scheduled.

Buddy scans for something to fix.

Nothing.

He stops at a trash can overflowing slightly.

He reaches.

A VOLUNTEER appears instantly.

VOLUNTEER
Got it! Thank you though!

Buddy freezes.

Hand still in the air.

BUDDY
Okay.

He lowers it slowly.

Walter notices this time.

WALTER
Buddy, you don’t have to help everywhere.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
I know.

That’s not comforting.

INT. COMMUNITY CENTER — AFTERNOON

A “CHRISTMAS JOY ZONE.”

Signs.
Rules.
Smiling staff.

Buddy enters, eyes wide.

STAFF MEMBER
Buddy! We’ve been expecting you!

Buddy beams.

BUDDY
You know me!

STAFF MEMBER
Of course we do.
We have a schedule just for you.

She hands him a laminated card.

Buddy reads slowly.

BUDDY
Sit… wave… leave.

He looks up.

BUDDY (CONT’D)
Where is fix?

The staff member laughs kindly.

STAFF MEMBER
Oh, sweetie, everything’s already taken care of.

Buddy looks around.

Perfect decorations.

Children in neat lines.

Music at approved volume.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
Okay.

He sits where they point.

He waves when cued.

People clap.

Buddy smiles — but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

EXT. CENTRAL PARK — LATER

Snow blankets the park.

Families sled.
Couples stroll.
Everything is picturesque.

Buddy spots a child crying near a broken sled rope.

Buddy moves.

Walter gently grabs his arm.

WALTER
Buddy.
They’ve got it.

The child’s parent is already kneeling.

Buddy stops.

He watches.

The rope is tied wrong.

Buddy sees it instantly.

He rocks on his heels.

Hands twitch.

Walter notices Buddy’s restraint.

WALTER (CONT’D)
You’re doing great.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
I didn’t help.

Walter smiles.

WALTER
Right.

Buddy stares at the sled.

The child leaves.

The rope snaps again.

Walter doesn’t see it.

Buddy does.

INT. WALTER’S OFFICE — AFTERNOON

A smaller meeting.

Less pressure.

Holiday sweaters.

Buddy sits in a corner chair, hands folded.

The “ELF-LOOKING CLIENT” is back — green scarf, warm smile.

The meeting begins.

Buddy watches.

Notices:

• A chair slightly out of line

• A coffee cup pushed too far

• A presentation slide misaligned

Buddy breathes in.

Breathes out.

Does nothing.

The meeting drags.

The client fidgets.

The energy is off.

Buddy whispers to himself.

BUDDY
Wrong.

Walter hears it.

WALTER
Buddy…

Buddy clamps his mouth shut.

Walter feels it now.

This is worse than disruption.

INT. BOARDROOM — MOMENTS LATER

The meeting ends awkwardly.

Not failed.

Not great.

The client lingers.

CLIENT
He usually…
(glances at Buddy)
Does more.

Walter smiles tightly.

WALTER
We’re trying something new.

The client nods, uncertain.

Buddy looks at the floor.

INT. ELEVATOR — CONTINUOUS

Silence.

Buddy presses no buttons.

Walter presses one.

They ride.

Buddy watches the numbers.

BUDDY
I’m quiet.

Walter nods.

WALTER
Yes.

Buddy smiles faintly.

BUDDY
You like quiet.

Walter’s throat tightens.

WALTER
Sometimes.

Buddy nods, satisfied.

EXT. NEW YORK STREET — DUSK

Buddy walks alone for the first time.

Not because he was told to — because he chose to.

He stops at a crooked wreath.

He looks around.

No one is there.

He fixes it.

Fast.

Perfect.

He steps back.

Smiles.

Then immediately un-fixes it slightly.

Crooked again.

Buddy tilts his head.

BUDDY
Better.

He walks on.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — EVENING

Dinner again.

Perfect.

No extra plate.

Buddy eats quietly.

Michael watches him.

MICHAEL
Buddy… want dessert?

Buddy thinks.

BUDDY
Is it allowed?

Michael hesitates.

MICHAEL
Yeah.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
Okay.

He eats carefully.

Walter can’t take it anymore.

WALTER
Buddy… you don’t have to ask.

Buddy looks up.

BUDDY
I do.

Silence.

EXT. HOBBS HOUSE — NIGHT

Snow falls.

Buddy stands on the porch.

Coat on.

Walter opens the door.

WALTER
Where are you going?

Buddy smiles gently.

BUDDY
To ruin it.

Walter freezes.

WALTER
What?

Buddy gestures vaguely to the street.

BUDDY
Something.

He steps down.

Walter follows instinctively.

WALTER
Buddy— wait.

Buddy turns.

BUDDY
You said not to.

Walter opens his mouth.

Nothing comes out.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY (CONT’D)
Okay.

He walks into the snowy street.

Not humming.

That’s new.

Walter stands there, finally afraid — not of chaos, but of absence.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — LATER

Walter sits with Jovie.

Quiet.

JOVIE
He’s not angry.

WALTER
I know.

JOVIE
That’s worse.

Walter nods.

ACT III - Let Him Ruin It

EXT. NEW YORK STREET — NIGHT

Snow falls softly, almost apologetically.

Buddy walks alone, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the street—not for problems, but for permission.

He stops at a small plaza.

A public Christmas tree stands there.

Perfect.

Too perfect.

Ornaments evenly spaced.
Lights synchronized.
A sign nearby reads:

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE DECORATIONS

Buddy reads it carefully.

He nods.

BUDDY
Okay.

He turns to leave.

Then stops.

He looks back at the tree.

Something about it feels… quiet.

Buddy reaches into his pocket and pulls out a crumpled ribbon. Old. Red. Uneven.

He looks around.

No one is watching.

He ties it onto the tree.

Crooked.

Buddy steps back.

Smiles.

The tree looks alive now.

EXT. CITY BLOCK — CONTINUOUS

Buddy moves down the street.

He passes:

• A group of carolers singing perfectly, on beat
• A café with curated holiday music
• A shop window with identical gift boxes

Buddy watches.

He doesn’t interrupt.

He waits.

Nothing changes.

Buddy tilts his head.

BUDDY
Too quiet.

He walks up to the carolers.

They stop, surprised.

CAROLER
Oh! Hi, Buddy.

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
You sing nice.

The carolers beam.

CAROLER
Thank you!

Buddy listens.

Then starts humming—off-key, loud, joyful.

The carolers hesitate.

One joins him.

Another.

The harmony breaks.

The rhythm stumbles.

People laugh.

Someone claps.

The song ends messy—but warm.

Buddy smiles.

BUDDY
Better.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — NIGHT

Walter paces.

Jovie sits quietly.

Michael stares out the window.

WALTER
I think I broke him.

Jovie shakes her head.

JOVIE
No.
You taught him.

Walter looks at her, pained.

WALTER
The wrong thing.

Jovie stands.

JOVIE
Then go un-teach it.

Walter grabs his coat without thinking.

EXT. PLAZA — NIGHT

Walter finds Buddy standing near the tree.

The crooked ribbon is visible now.

Walter approaches slowly.

WALTER
Buddy.

Buddy turns.

No anger.
No sadness.

Just calm.

BUDDY
Hi Dad.

Walter kneels, right there in the snow.

WALTER
I’m sorry.

Buddy blinks.

BUDDY
Why?

Walter struggles.

WALTER
I tried to protect Christmas…
and I protected it too much.

Buddy processes.

BUDDY
You stopped it.

Walter nods.

WALTER
Yes.

Buddy looks at the tree.

BUDDY
It was quiet.

Walter swallows.

WALTER
I know.

A beat.

Walter takes a breath and does something terrifying to him.

He lets go.

WALTER (CONT’D)
Buddy…
you can ruin it.

Buddy’s eyes widen.

BUDDY
Really?

Walter nods.

WALTER
Really.

Buddy doesn’t cheer.

He doesn’t jump.

He simply exhales — like someone who’s been holding their breath all day.

BUDDY
Okay.

EXT. PLAZA — MOMENTS LATER

Buddy immediately springs into motion.

He pulls a string of lights loose.

They tangle.

Walter flinches.

Then stops himself.

Buddy rearranges ornaments.

Two fall.

He laughs.

People stare.

Then someone chuckles.

A child runs up.

CHILD
Can I help?

Buddy nods.

BUDDY
Yes.

Another kid joins.

Then another adult.

Someone adds a handmade ornament.

Someone else fixes something Buddy broke—wrong.

Buddy lets it stay wrong.

The plaza fills.

Not planned.

Not scheduled.

Alive.

INT. WALTER’S OFFICE — NIGHT

The elf-looking client watches the plaza from across the street.

He smiles.

Turns off his phone.

Leaves his coat on the chair.

Walks outside.

EXT. PLAZA — NIGHT

The client approaches Walter.

CLIENT
You know…
this is better than the meeting.

Walter nods.

WALTER
Yeah.

Buddy runs up, holding a tangled string of lights.

BUDDY
Dad!
It broke.

Walter looks at the mess.

Smiles.

WALTER
Perfect.

Buddy beams.

EXT. CITY — NIGHT (MONTAGE)

Mess spreads:

• Decorations uneven
• People singing off-key
• Kids rearranging displays
• Adults laughing, not correcting

Buddy darts through it all like a conductor who doesn’t know he’s conducting.

He breaks.
He fixes.
He breaks again.

Joy returns—not because everything works, but because nothing has to.

EXT. PLAZA — LATE NIGHT

Snow thickens.

The plaza is glowing — not perfect, but warm.

Buddy sits on the ground, exhausted.

Walter sits beside him.

WALTER
Thank you.

Buddy tilts his head.

BUDDY
For what?

Walter gestures to everything.

WALTER
For reminding me…
that Christmas isn’t fragile.

Buddy nods seriously.

BUDDY
No.
It’s loud.

Walter laughs through tears.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — NIGHT

The house is a mess.

Decorations uneven.
Food everywhere.

The table has extra plates again.

Buddy sets one more.

Walter watches — and doesn’t stop him.

WALTER
Who’s that for?

Buddy shrugs.

BUDDY
Whoever comes.

And people do.

Neighbors.
Strangers.
People from the plaza.

No plan.

Just presence.

FINAL MOMENTS

Buddy hums.

Off-key.

Everyone joins in — badly.

Walter doesn’t conduct.

He just listens.

The camera pulls back.

Snow falls.

Lights glow.

The mess holds.

FINAL LINE

Buddy looks up at Walter.

BUDDY
We ruined it.

Walter smiles.

WALTER
Yeah.

Buddy beams.

BUDDY
Best one

EPILOGUE - It Stayed Crooked

EXT. NEW YORK CITY — EARLY MORNING (DECEMBER 26)

The city is calmer now.

Snow has softened overnight footprints.
The air feels washed, like a room after guests have left—but something remains.

A storefront wreath hangs slightly crooked.

No one fixes it.

A café opens its door. A BARISTA pauses, notices the wreath, smiles faintly… and leaves it.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — KITCHEN — MORNING

Sunlight spills in, pale and gentle.

The kitchen is a mess.

Plates stacked unevenly.
Wrappings half-folded.
A string of lights tangled on a chair.

Walter stands in the doorway, coffee in hand.

He notices a chair pushed out of line.

He almost fixes it.

Almost.

He doesn’t.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS

Buddy is asleep on the floor.

Still in his elf coat.

One shoe missing.
Hat slipped over his eyes.
A ribbon tangled loosely around his wrist.

The tree nearby is imperfect—ornaments clustered, some missing, some doubled.

It looks alive.

Jovie kneels quietly, placing a blanket over Buddy.

Buddy stirs.

Murmurs.

BUDDY (half-asleep)
We ruined it…

Jovie smiles, whispers back.

JOVIE
Yeah.

Buddy smiles in his sleep.

EXT. CITY PLAZA — MORNING

The plaza from last night is empty now.

But the mess remains.

Uneven lights still glow faintly.
Handmade ornaments sway.
A paper star hangs where no star should be.

A CITY WORKER arrives with a ladder.

He looks at the decorations.

Checks his clipboard.

Pauses.

He lowers the ladder.

Walks away.

INT. HOBBS HOUSE — LATER

Breakfast again.

Not perfect.

Buddy sits at the table, awake now, humming quietly—off-key.

Walter slides a plate in front of him.

There’s an extra one.

Walter notices.

Doesn’t comment.

Buddy looks up.

BUDDY
Someone might come.

Walter nods.

WALTER
Yeah.

They sit.

Eat.

Nothing urgent.

Nothing scheduled.

The hum continues.

Michael joins in, badly.

Walter shakes his head, then—
joins too.

FINAL IMAGE

Outside the window, snow begins again.

Light. Unplanned.

It sticks where it wants.

The crooked wreath sways.

Unfixed.

FADE OUT

THE END

Short Bios:

Buddy the Elf
A fully grown man with the emotional logic of a two-year-old. Buddy experiences the world through pure immediacy—joy without strategy, love without defense. He doesn’t plan happiness; he acts it. His innocence isn’t naïve—it’s relentless.

Walter Hobbs
Buddy’s father, a capable, well-intentioned adult who has learned to manage life rather than feel it. Walter loves deeply but defaults to control, believing order keeps things safe. His journey is not about believing again, but about letting go.

Jovie Hobbs
The emotional anchor of the family. Jovie senses what’s happening before others do and responds with quiet compassion rather than correction. She understands that joy doesn’t need instruction—only space.

Michael Hobbs
Buddy’s younger brother, observant and adaptive. Michael watches adults closely and mirrors their restraint until Buddy reminds him that participation matters more than permission.

The Elf-Looking Client
A warm, perceptive outsider who recognizes joy instinctively. He represents a world that still understands play, not as productivity, but as presence.

City Workers & Volunteers
Kind, efficient, and well-meaning adults who represent a society that prepares everything in advance—unintentionally leaving no room for contribution.

Neighbors & Strangers
Everyday people drawn not to perfection, but to authenticity. They don’t follow Buddy because he’s right—they follow because he’s free.