Skipping Christmas

Nora has an encounter with the women on another charity committee. They hint that they think she is being cheap or that she and Luther are having money troubles. Nora resents their pressure and insinuations. She reflects that women bear the brunt of the worry and weariness of rampant materialism.

Later, Luther and Nora are at the mall, watching a movie that Luther finds tiresome. He reflects that he has spent $8 for a movie that doesn’t entertain him; he only goes to the movies with Nora to keep peace. Leaving the theater, he goes for a stroll around the mall and comes across a tanning parlor. Imagining himself strolling the Caribbean beaches already gloriously tanned, he buys a tanning package for himself and Nora.

Each year, the Police Benevolent Association sells calendars to raise money to provide benefits to the poor. Officers Treen and Salino knock on the Kranks’ door with the year’s calendar. In Luther’s view, the calendars are an excuse to extort ridiculous sums of money. He turns the officers down, explaining that he already gives to such charitable endeavors through taxes and church. He also promises to give generously to the police’s summer youth programs.