Stuffed!

N1: Ah, Thanksgiving!

N2: It is one of the most beloved American traditions.

N3: Every year, we come together and eat a delicious meal with our families. 

N1: We give thanks for the good things in our lives.

N2: Such a strong tradition feels like it’s been around forever. But that’s not true.

N3: When Thanksgiving became popular in the late 1800s, America itself was a relatively young country. 

N1: It had existed for just over 100 years.

N2: Our new country needed new holidays and traditions. How else would we set ourselves apart from others?

N3: So ever since, we travel to be with loved ones. We gather around tables to feast. 

N1: This yearly ritual makes us happy. 

N2: But you’re about to meet a couple of men who might make you wonder—

N3: How far would you go to keep up your Thanksgiving tradition?

Fifth Avenue, New York City
Thanksgiving Day, 1907

N1: Stuffy Pete walks down the sidewalk. Horses pull carriages in the street. 

N2: People are bundled up against the cold. But Pete’s clothes are old, frayed, and covered in patches.  

N3: Still, he feels warm. He even whistles as he walks!

N1: He looks forward to this day all year. Today he knows he won’t go to bed hungry.

Pete: I’d better hurry. I don’t want to keep the old gentleman waiting.

N2: As Pete speeds up, he passes a beautiful house. A servant stands outside.

N3: The people of this house have their own Thanksgiving tradition.

Servant: Sir, are you hungry on this day of feasting?

Pete: Yes, I am. But—

Servant: The masters of this house wish to feed the first hungry person who passes by. Please, come in and eat!

Pete: That is very kind, sir. But every year I meet the same man for . . .  

N1: Just then, Pete looks through the window. He sees two rich old women sitting at a table. 

N2: On the table is a beautiful meal. His mouth waters.

Pete: Actually, I think I will come inside. Thank you for your generous invitation!

Union Square Park, later that day

N3: Stuffy Pete sits on his usual bench, so full of food that he can barely move.

N1: The buttons on his shirt strain against his swollen stomach.

N2: His face is red and sweaty, and the snowy breeze feels cool on his skin.

N3: A thin old gentleman named Mr. Cross approaches Pete’s bench. His elegant suit hangs loosely on his body. 

N1: He leans heavily on his cane as he walks toward Pete, smiling.

Mr. Cross: Greetings, my good man!

Pete: Happy Thanksgiving, sir.

N2: This is the ninth year that the two have met on Thanksgiving Day. Mr. Cross has created his own Thanksgiving Day tradition with Pete. 

N3: The old man has no family of his own, so he spends the holiday with a stranger.

Mr. Cross: I am happy to see that the troubles of another year have not worn you down. You and I can both give thanks that we have our health on this holiday. Now, come with me and I will give you a dinner that will fill your belly and warm your heart!

N1: Mr. Cross gives the same speech every year. The words are a part of his tradition.

N2: Pete looks up at Mr. Cross with tears in his eyes. He wants to run away, but he is too full.

Pete: Sir, I—

N3: The words get stuck in Pete’s throat. He almost tells his Thanksgiving benefactor that he already ate. 

N1: But the old man looks so pleased. Stuffy Pete knows how much this ritual means to him each year.

Mr. Cross: Well? Shall we?

Pete (lying): Yes, thank you, sir. I am very hungry.

A Nearby Restaurant

N2: Stuffy Pete and Mr. Cross enter. They go to their usual table in the corner.

Waiter 1: Here comes that rich old man. He buys that no-good bum a dinner every Thanksgiving.

Waiter 2: I wonder why he does it?

Mr. Cross: Waiter, please bring us turkey, soup, potatoes, pies—a feast for my good man here!

W1: Right away, sir.

N3: The waiters bring plate after plate of food to the table. 

W2: I hope you’re hungry!

Pete: Oh yes, I’m so grateful for this meal.

Mr. Cross: It’s nothing! I am pleased to know there will be one less empty belly in the city tonight.

W1 (quietly, to W2): Funny how rich folks only care whether the hungry have enough to eat on holidays.

W2: Isn’t that the truth.

N1: Stuffy Pete raises his fork and knife, like a soldier getting ready for battle.

Pete: Wouldn’t you like to have some, sir?

Mr. Cross: No, no, my friend. This is all for you.

N2: Stuffy Pete sighs and begins to eat. 

N3: Mr. Cross watches him with satisfaction. 

N1: Pete eats until he can barely breathe. After an hour, he sits back.

Pete: Thank you kindly, sir, for this hearty meal.

Mr. Cross: Please. It is my great pleasure.

N2: The two men stand up and exit the restaurant. 

N3: Mr. Cross goes north, and Pete heads south.

N1: After walking a block, Stuffy Pete falls to the ground.

Pete (moaning): Ohhhh, my stomach!

N2: A washerwoman heading home from work sees Pete on the sidewalk.

Washerwoman: Sir! Sir! Are you OK? 

N3: She shakes Pete, but he has passed out.

Washerwoman: Someone help! Hellllllp!

N1: An ambulance arrives and takes Pete to the hospital.

The Hospital

N2: The doctors wheel Stuffy Pete—heavy with his two meals—into a room. 

Doctor 1: I can’t figure out what’s wrong. He seems pretty healthy for a homeless man.

Doctor 2: His stomach is huge. Perhaps he ate too much at his Thanksgiving feast this year?

D1: But where would a man like this get such a meal?

N3: Soon, another patient is brought into the room. It’s old Mr. Cross!

N1: He lies on the bed next to Stuffy Pete’s bed. Pete is still sleeping.

N2: A few hours later, the doctors come back to check on their patients.

D2: The bum still isn’t awake, but he should be fine.

D1: This other man isn’t so lucky. Can you believe it? He looks so well-off. You wouldn’t know he was starving. 

D2: Proud old man, I guess. He told the nurse he hadn’t eaten in three days!

N3: One man starving, one man stuffed.

N1: They both risked their health to keep up a tradition.

N2: And so we ask again: How far would you go to do the same?