Frank S. Mead once wrote a story titled, "The V.I.P." In his story the small town of Mayfair is excited over the anticipated arrival of a rich and important stranger, Henry Bascom, who is coming to spend Christmas in their town. The whole town turns out to meet him at the airport, but he's nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, a quiet man slips by the people at the airport and heads into town.

This quiet man does not appear to be a man of means. He is ignored and mistreated by the insensitive people of Mayfair. They are all caught up in a Christmas frenzy of materialism and shallow pageantry. They don't have time to help this stranger in their midst. Finally, a poor, old gentleman invites the stranger home for a meager dinner with his family.

After the dinner, the stranger returns to the airpo…