BLUESY FESTIVE MUSIC CAPTIONS BY ABLE. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ CAPTIONS WERE MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING FROM NZ ON AIR. COPYRIGHT ABLE 2015 MUSIC CONTINUES 'HE SPOKE NOT A WORD BUT WENT STRAIGHT TO HIS WORK 'AND FILLED ALL THE STOCKINGS, THEN TURNED WITH A JERK. 'AND LAYING HIS FINGER ASIDE OF HIS NOSE AND GIVING A NOD, UP THE CHIMNEY HE ROSE. 'HE SPRANG TO HIS SLEIGH, TO HIS TEAM GAVE A WHISTLE, 'AND AWAY THEY ALL FLEW LIKE THE DOWN OF A THISTLE. BUT I HEARD HIM EXCLAIM 'ERE HE DROVE OUT OF SIGHT, 'HUSKILY: "HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."' IT'S SANTA, DAD, NOT BATMAN. (LAUGHS) SORRY, BUT I'LL EASE UP ON THE BASS NEXT TIME. YOU FORGOT THE BACK. POIGNANT MUSIC (SIGHS, READS) 'TO DANIEL, THE BEST GIFT I'VE EVER RECEIVED. 'LOVE, MOM.' CAN YOU READ IT AGAIN? IT'S GETTING LATE. MAYBE TOMORROW, OK? DID YOU FIX THE PORCH LIGHT? NOT YET. WHAT IF SANTA MISSES US? HE WON'T. BUT HE GOES REALLY REALLY FAST. YOU KNOW WHAT? SEE THIS? WHAT IS IT? THAT'S A SPECIAL PART OF SANTA'S SLEIGH THAT MAKES SURE HE GETS TO EVERY GIRL AND BOY ON CHRISTMAS EVE. HOW DOES IT WORK? MAGICAL MUSIC WHISPERS: IT'S MAGIC. (SIGHS) WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, DAD? I GOT YOU. WHAT MORE COULD I WANT? A PUPPY? (SCOFFS) NICE TRY. NIGHT. PENSIVE MUSIC GENTLE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES WOMAN'S LAUGHTER ECHOES COME ON, LET'S GO, KIDDO! DON'T WORRY. I'M HERE NOW. I'M HERE. I'M HERE. NOW, THIS IS GONNA BE A SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS CARD. EVERYBODY SET? RIGHT, COUNT US DOWN, BOSS. FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE. SHUTTER CLICK ECHOES POIGNANT MUSIC MYSTERIOUS MUSIC WONDROUS MUSIC WHOOSH! BOOM! WONDROUS MUSIC CONTINUES WELCOME ABOARD, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING. ON BEHALF OF OUR CREW, I'D LIKE TO WISH YOU AND YOURS A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. TENSE MUSIC NEW HIRE? AXE MAN FROM CORPORATE. UH, I CAN'T LOSE THIS JOB. I JUST CAN'T. WAS WORKING AT THIS COMPANY ALWAYS YOUR PLAN? MY PLAN? YEAH, WHEN YOU PICTURED YOUR FUTURE. WELL, NO. I JUST NEEDED A JOB. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE TEMPORARY. ISN'T IT FUNNY HOW TEMPORARY CAN TURN INTO 10 YEARS? (CHUCKLES) GUESS I DIDN'T REALISE IT HAD BEEN THAT LONG. SOMETIMES WE STAY PLACES THAT ARE COMFORTABLE, EVEN IF WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE HOLDING US BACK FROM WHAT WE'RE REALLY MEANT TO DO. YEAH. DO YOU BELIEVE THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON? I GUESS. I DO, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS YOUR NEW BEGINNING. BEGINNING. THANK YOU. CAN I TELL YOU SOMETHING? I ALWAYS HATED IT HERE. SOTTO VOCE: THAT'S FANTASTIC. (SIGHS) FEELS GOOD TO SAY IT. PEOPLE CHATTER, HORN HONKS (SIGHS) A SHOT OF BOURBON. MAN. (SIGHS) 'IT'S FAST MONEY. HEY, YOU LIKE KIDS.' WHAT A JOKE. (SIGHS) YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO LOUSIER GIG THAN A MALL SANTA. UH-HUH. WHAT? YOU THINK YOU GET IT WORSE? IT'S NOT A COMPETITION. (SCOFFS) WELL, THAT'S RIGHT. IT ISN'T, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN STUCK IN A VELVET SWEATSUIT FOR EIGHT HOURS COVERED IN LITTLE BILLY'S VOMIT. WHAT WAS THE, UH, HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR AFTERNOON? I'M AN ACTUARY AT A MULTINATIONAL CORPORATION. I FIRE PEOPLE FOR A LIVING. TODAY I WALKED INTO A BUILDING AND TOLD 52 PEOPLE THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE A JOB. I GAVE THEM EACH A TINY SEVERANCE PACKAGE WHICH IF STRETCHED MAY GET THEM THROUGH THE NEXT MONTH, AND THEN I SENT THEM INTO AN ECONOMY WHERE THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO GET STRUCK BY LIGHTNING THAN THEY ARE TO FIND COMMENSURATE EMPLOYMENT. AND AFTER THE 48 HOURS THAT I GET FOR CHRISTMAS, THEN I GET ON A PLANE AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. PHONE BUZZES MM-HM. I JUST SAW YOUR TEXT. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DC FOR THE HOLIDAY. SOMETHING'S COME UP. WE NEED YOU AT DONNER'S IN CARBON HILL, THE ORNAMENT FACTORY. DONNER'S? IT'S A PRETTY RECENT ACQUISITION. THEY WERE STRUGGLING WHEN WE BOUGHT CONTROLLING INTEREST, BUT THEY HAD A BIG ANNUAL ORDER THAT KEPT THEM AFLOAT. THEY JUST LOST IT. IT'S HAEMORRHAGING MONEY. OH. I'LL SEND YOU THE LAST FEW QUARTERLIES. UM, CONSIDER IT SOME IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. (SIGHS) THAT BAD, HUH? WORSE. WELL,... MERRY CHRISTMAS. TWO? YEAH. PLANE ENGINE ROARS WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL THEM IT WAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST? BECAUSE IT'S NOT, DAD. (CHUCKLES) YOU USED TO LIVE IN THAT TOWN. NOW YOU'RE GONNA COME BACK AND DISMANTLE THEIR LARGEST EMPLOYER. (SIGHS) WE WERE ONLY HERE FOR A FEW YEARS. PEOPLE PROBABLY WON'T EVEN REMEMBER ME. WHAT ARE YOU UP TO TODAY? WELL, I'M, UH, JUST WAITING FOR THAT STORM TO DIE DOWN SO I CAN GO GET OUR TREE. WELL, DAD, IT'S TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I'M SURE THE LOTS HAVE SOLD OUT. I'M NOT GOING TO A LOT. UH-UH. I'M CHOPPING ONE DOWN MYSELF. DAD, THIS ISN'T WHAT RETIREMENT LOOKS LIKE. WELL, A LITTLE HARD WORK NEVER HURT ANYBODY. I'M PRETTY SURE FALLING TREES HAVE, THOUGH. (CHUCKLES) YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO SLOW DOWN, AMELIA? THEY SLOW DOWN. ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. I'LL LEAVE YOU TO YOUR MANUAL LABOUR. TELL MOM I SAY HI. OK, KIDDO. WE'RE GONNA SEE YOU NEW YEAR'S, RIGHT? AND, UH, ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED IN THE MEANTIME, YOU JUST CALL. I'LL BE FINE. WHAT I DO IS A NECESSARY EVIL. WITHOUT INTERVENTION, THE ENTIRE BUSINESS WOULD GO SOUTH. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO PRUNE A FEW BRANCHES IN ORDER FOR THE TREE TO LIVE. MM. EVEN IF SOME OF THOSE BRANCHES ARE YOUR FRIENDS? DADDY, PLEASE. I LOVE YOU. I'LL TALK TO YOU LATER, OK? BYE. BLUESY MUSIC YES, YEAH. WELL, I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT. NO, IT'S ALL RIGHT. WE'LL CANCEL THE ORDER RIGHT AWAY, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO BUSINESS AGAIN NEXT YEAR. PHONE BEEPS LOOKS GOOD, BUDDY. HEY. THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING HIM. IT'S NO PROBLEM. I WAS GONNA BRING HIM TO WORK WITH ME OVER WINTER BREAK, BUT THINGS HAVE JUST BEEN CRAZY. IS EVERYTHING OK? YEAH, YEAH. IT'S JUST A ROUGH MONTH. BUT THEY'RE SENDING SOMEONE OUT FROM THE CORPORATE OFFICES, SO, YEAH. AND THIS IS A GOOD THING? WE COULD USE ALL THE HELP THAT WE CAN GET. I'M OPTIMISTIC. YOU ALWAYS ARE. SOFTLY: YEAH. PEOPLE CHATTER BLUESY MUSIC PEOPLE HUM 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING' ALL CONTINUE HUMMING HUMMING CONTINUES HUMMING CONTINUES EXCUSE ME? OK. HMM? UH... OH, HELLO. (CHUCKLES) BUTTER PECAN BAR? NO, THANK YOU. I'M LOOKING FOR MR DONNER. OH, UH, HE'S IN HIS OFFICE, RIGHT BACK THERE. COME IN. GENTLE MUSIC JESSE? MUSIC CONTINUES AMELIA. HI. (CHUCKLES) WHEN I SAW THE NAME OF WHO I SHOULD EXPECT, I THOUGHT THAT IT MUST BE A COINCIDENCE. WHERE'S YOUR DAD? UH, HE RETIRED A FEW YEARS AGO. I TOOK OVER FOR HIM. OH. UH, HOW ARE YOU? GOOD. HOW ARE YOU? GOOD, YEAH. REALLY GOOD, THANK YOU. YEAH. HOW ARE YOUR FOLKS? THEY'RE GOOD. UM, ALSO RETIRED. THEY BOUGHT A PLACE IN VERMONT. WOW, NICE. (CHUCKLES) YEAH. I SHOULD GET STARTED. RIGHT. YES, OF COURSE. LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO MY TEAM. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. SOFTLY: YEAH. (WHISTLES) CAN I GET EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION, PLEASE? I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD THIS YEAR, AND MANY OF YOU HAVE EXPRESSED YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE FATE OF THE COMPANY. I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO AMELIA PIERCE. NOW, SHE'S BEEN SENT BY THE FINE PEOPLE AT SAVECO TO HELP US ACHIEVE THE KIND OF SUCCESS THAT WE HAD 60 YEARS AGO WHEN MY GRANDFATHER FIRST OPENED THESE DOORS. I WANNA THANK YOU GUYS AGAIN FOR AGREEING TO WORK THROUGH CHRISTMAS EVE SO THAT AMELIA CAN OBSERVE OUR OPERATIONS, HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO THAT. I'M GONNA GET YOU GUYS OUT OF HERE AS SOON AS I CAN, ALL RIGHT? I PROMISE. AND YOU'LL HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME IN THE NEW YEAR TO SPEND WITH YOUR FAMILIES. SO AMELIA'S GONNA BE WATCHING YOU GUYS AT YOUR WORKSTATIONS, UM, SO PLEASE JUST ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT SHE HAS. AND LET'S MAKE HER FEEL AT HOME, OK? THANKS, YOU GUYS. SO, UH, CAN I GIVE YOU THE TOUR? OH, I PREFER TO OBSERVE BY MYSELF. JUST BLEND INTO THE BACKGROUND. I DON'T SEE HOW THAT'S POSSIBLE. I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF NEED ANYTHING. OH. HI. THAT'S REALLY LOVELY. THANK YOU. LIGHT PIANO MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES GENTLE FESTIVE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES SORRY, IS THIS, LIKE, A THING? PEOPLE HUM 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING' THE SONG. I'M AFRAID I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN. WHY DOES EVERYONE HUM IT? OH, WE LIKE IT. (LAUGHS) SAY, DID EVERYONE HEAR ABOUT THAT CRASH IN THE WOODS BEHIND MILLIE'S DINER? THEY'RE SAYING IT WAS A METEOR. HA HA. BELL JINGLES, SOFT MUSIC PLAYS (SIGHS) AFTERNOON, RACHEL. WHAT CAN I GET YOU? A COFFEE, BLACK. ALL RIGHT. (SIGHS) YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT CRASHED BY THE OLD DAM LAST NIGHT? I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT ` BUSTED TREES AND A BIG HOLE. A SATELLITE? DIDN'T SEE ANY DEBRIS. WHATEVER IT WAS, IT AIN'T THERE NO MORE. THAT'S SO STRANGE. HOW COULD IT JUST DISAPPEAR LIKE THAT? (GASPS) MAYBE IT WAS SANTA'S SLEIGH. BOTH LAUGH HMM. (SIGHS) (LAUGHS) BLUES MUSIC PLAYS DANNY. WHERE ARE YOU SNEAKING OFF TO? NOWHERE. (SIGHS) I JUST WANTED TO SEE THE CRASH. THERE'S NOTHING TO SEE. HE SAID THERE WAS A HOLE. YOU WANTED TO SEE A HOLE? YES. SO WHEN YOUR DADDY COMES TO PICK YOU UP AND CAN'T FIND YOU, I'M SUPPOSED TO TELL HIM I LET YOU WANDER OFF INTO THE WOODS ALONE TO SEE A HOLE? YES. COME INSIDE, DANNY. (SIGHS) MAGICAL MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES SOFT MUSIC PLAYS (SNIFFS) (SIGHS) WELL, THAT'S A NICE SURPRISE, HMM? UH, WHAT IS? YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT SHE LOOKED FAMILIAR WHEN SHE FIRST WALKED IN. (SIGHS) MAYBE WE SHOULD KEEP AMELIA'S PAST BETWEEN US. OH BOY. YOU USED TO PARADE HER THROUGH THIS FACTORY LOOKING LIKE THE CAT WHO STOLE THE CREAM. (CHUCKLES) THERE'S PROBABLY STILL PICTURES OF THE TWO OF YOU ON THE WALLS. EVERYONE REMEMBERS YOUR FIRST GIRLFRIEND. I GUESS I WAS A LITTLE, UH, ENTHUSIASTIC. (CHUCKLES) YOU WERE OVER THE MOON. IT WAS VERY CUTE. BUT I DIDN'T REALISE THAT THE TWO OF YOU STAYED IN TOUCH. OH, WE HAVEN'T. AFTER HER FAMILY MOVED AWAY, I NEVER SAW HER AGAIN. AND YOUR PATHS ARE CROSSING AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME? MAYBE THIS IS A SIGN. A SIGN OF WHAT? THAT YOUR OWN LITTLE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE IS IN THE WORKS. (CHUCKLES) SHE'S HERE TO DO A JOB, AND IF SHE CAN SAVE THE FACTORY, THAT'S ALL THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE THAT I NEED. IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS, JESSE. IT'S TIME TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE AGAIN. CAROL WOULD HAVE WANTED YOU TO. GENTLE MUSIC (SIGHS) GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES Out of all the gifts you can give this holiday season, good health is the most important of all because with that, you have everything. LILTING MUSIC OH. IS, UM, EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT, SIR? AH. I-I'VE LOST SOMETHING ` A BAUBLE. A` A BAUBLE? A SMALL SILVER BALL WITH ETCHINGS ON THE SIDE. UH, I WAS PASSING THROUGH TOWN, AND I STOPPED HERE BRIEFLY, AND NOW IT'S GONE. HMM. IS`? IS IT VALUABLE? TO ME. WELL, LET ME CALL DOWN TO THE STATION AND SEE IF ANYBODY'S TURNED IT IN. MYSTERIOUS MAGICAL MUSIC PEOPLE CHATTER, 'O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL' PLAYS SOFTLY SO, YOUR OFFICIAL JOB TITLE IS SCULPTOR? YES. DO YOU DRAW THE CONCEPT ART AS WELL? NO. I SCULPT. I AM THE SCULPTOR. AND SO ALL OF THESE ARE DONE BY HAND? THE BEST THINGS USUALLY ARE. AND ABOUT HOW LONG DOES A SCULPTURE LIKE THIS USUALLY TAKE? AS LONG AS IT TAKES. OK. CAN I GET A BALLPARK ON THAT, PLEASE? LOOK, I SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE. YOU'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO MY JOB WITHOUT ME. I'M SIMPLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THE COMPANY BETTER. NO, YOU WANT FASTER AND CHEAPER; YOU DON'T WANT BETTER. I'M JUST ASKING SOME QUESTIONS. THERE'S NO REASON TO GET UPSET. OF COURSE THERE IS! I KNOW HOW THIS WORKS. COULD YOU PLEASE KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN? WHY? ARE YOU WORRIED THEY'LL FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE REALLY DOING HERE? HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON? (SIGHS) I WORKED FOR 30 YEARS IN THIS FACTORY. I POURED MY BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS INTO HELPING BUILD IT FROM THE GROUND UP! OF COURSE YOU HAVE, BEN, AND WE OWE YOU A LOT. AND NOW SHE WANTS TO JUST CAST ME ASIDE. NO. NO, NO, NO. NO ONE IS GETTING CAST ASIDE. SHE'S ASKING AN AWFUL LOT OF QUESTIONS, JESSE. BEN, THAT'S WHY SHE'S HERE. THE MORE SHE UNDERSTANDS ABOUT WHAT WE DO, THE MORE THAT SHE CAN HELP. NO ONE IS GOING ANYWHERE. I PROMISE. 'O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL' PLAYS SOFTLY SORRY, YOU JUST` YOU GOT A LITTLE, UM... (CHUCKLES) OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD. SPEND ENOUGH TIME ON THE FLOOR, YOU'RE BOUND TO GET HIT WITH A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHEER. HOPEFULLY CHRISTMAS CHEER COMES OUT WITH BLEACH. (CHUCKLES) I'M SORRY ABOUT BEN. HE'S, UH` HE CAN BE A LITTLE TENSE. IT'S FINE. NO, I MEAN HE PUTS ON A GRUFF EXTERIOR, BUT THE GUY'S A MARSHMALLOW. AND WHEN HE SEES WHY YOU'RE REALLY HERE, HE'LL WARM UP TO YOU. JESSE, ABOUT WHY I'M REALLY HERE... UH, SORRY. SORRY, I DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF. IT'S JUST` ARE YOU HUNGRY? I ORDERED SOME TAKEOUT. SURE. GENTLE PIANO MUSIC THAT'S MY SON, DANNY. HE'S CUTE. JUST LIKE HIS DAD. OH, I HOPE FOR HIS SAKE HE HAS HIS MOTHER'S SENSE OF HUMOUR. HE DOES. AND HER EYES. SHE PASSED A FEW YEARS AGO. I AM SO SORRY. THANK YOU. SO, WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? DC. YOU LIKE IT? IT'S NICE. I FEEL LIKE I'M STARTING TO PUT DOWN ROOTS. I'VE BEEN TRAVELLING ROUND MY WHOLE LIFE. I'VE NEVER REALLY HAD A PLACE I CONSIDERED HOME. BUT NOW YOU DO. CLOSE ENOUGH. MAN, I LOVE THIS STUFF. YEAH, I KNOW. I REMEMBER. GENTLE MUSIC SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FACTORY SO FAR? I THINK IT'S VERY FESTIVE. (CHUCKLES) YEAH, I CAN GO A LITTLE OVERBOARD THIS TIME OF YEAR. A LITTLE. I KNOW WE'VE HAD A SLOW YEAR, AND LOSING THE MARLEY ACCOUNT ` THAT'S` WELL, THAT HURT. BUT I THINK WITH A FEW NEW PURCHASE ORDERS, THEN WE'LL BE BACK ON TRACK. YOU HAVE NEW PURCHASE ORDERS? NO, BUT I HAVE SOME FIRM LEADS. VERBAL AGREEMENTS? (CHUCKLES) NO, NOT THAT FIRM. NO. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT PRICING THE LABOUR OFFSHORE? NO, NO. I WOULD NEVER. IT COULD BE AN OPTION. NO. NO, IT'S NOT. STRINGS MUSIC DID YOU DRAW THESE? YEAH. THOSE ARE NOTHING. NO, THEY'RE NOT NOTHING. THIS IS WHAT YOU USE FOR THE MOULDS, RIGHT? JESSE, THEY'RE REALLY BEAUTIFUL. I WAS WORRIED THEY'D SEND SOMEONE OUT WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO HERE, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE'RE A BIT UNCONVENTIONAL. I'M GLAD IT WAS YOU. I JUST WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE. MM. HUH. BLUESY MUSIC WILL IT FIX THE CRACK? SAYS IT WORKS BEST ON WOOD, PAPER OR PLASTIC. WHAT ABOUT MAGIC? I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THAT KIND. MAGICAL MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC FADES (HUMS 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING) YOU HEADING OUT? YEAH. I'M DONE FOR THE DAY. I'LL BE BACK TOMORROW. OR, UH, YOU COULD COME BACK TONIGHT. WE'RE HAVING A CHRISTMAS PARTY. WE HAVE ONE EVERY YEAR. OH. I DON'T THINK SO. YEAH, THERE'S FOOD. THERE'S MUSIC. IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME. I MEAN, YOU SHOULDN'T MISS IT. YOU WANT ME TO CRASH YOUR COMPANY PARTY? WELL, YOU WOULDN'T BE CRASHING, BECAUSE I JUST INVITED YOU. AFTER ALL, YOU'RE PART OF THE DONNER FAMILY. (LAUGHS) COME ON. WE CAN CATCH UP. I'LL THINK ABOUT IT. GREAT. SEE YOU THERE. I SAID I'LL THINK ABOUT IT. I KNOW. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. SEE YOU AT 7. (SIGHS) MYSTERIOUS MAGICAL MUSIC DANNY, YOU NEED TO JUMP IN THE BATH BEFORE THE PARTY. IN A MINUTE, DAD. MUSIC CONTINUES WOW. DANNY, DINNERTIME. COMING. MUSIC CONTINUES IT JUST HAPPENED SO FAST. I GOT TO THE FACTORY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M BEING HAILED AS ITS SAVIOUR. WELL, WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T BE? DAD, THEY PAINT EACH ORNAMENT BY HAND. THEIR BUSINESS MODEL IS COMPLETELY UNSUSTAINABLE. NOW, YOU SHOULDN'T TALK YOURSELF OUT OF A SOLUTION BEFORE YOU EVEN START. (SIGHS) THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M DOING. I'M JUST BEING REALISTIC. ALL I'M SAYING IS KEEP AN OPEN MIND. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU COULD DISCOVER. (SIGHS) YOU'RE RIGHT. OK, I GOTTA GO. BYE, DAD. going to be with family. It's really about just sitting together, enjoying the deliciousness that occurs on Christmas day. By dinner time we're very very full. Loosening and notching our belt. Portable BBQ only one hundred and thirty-nine dollars 52L Wheeled Hard Cooler just one hundred and twenty-nine dollars Where you find a competitor's lower price on the same stocked item, we'll beat it by 15 percent. # BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE # You can put a little magic under the tree for everyone this Christmas COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS, PEOPLE CHATTER HEY, I FOUND THIS BEHIND MILLIE'S DINER. I THINK IT BELONGS TO SANTA. REALLY? YEAH, IT'S A PART OF HIS SLEIGH ` A MAGIC PART. DO YOU REMEMBER THE METEOR? YEAH. THAT WAS SANTA'S SLEIGH. NO. YES. DOES IT MAKE ANY NOISE? YEAH. BAUBLE JINGLES AMELIA. HI. YOU MADE IT. I DID. HEY, DANNY, COME HERE FOR A SEC. I WANNA INTRODUCE YOU TO AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE. THIS IS MISS AMELIA. HEY. I LIKE YOUR TIE. THANKS. I PICKED IT OUT MYSELF. DAD HAS ONE. OH, HE DOES? IT'S IN HIS (WHISPERS) POCKET. I THINK HE SHOULD BE WEARING IT. THAT'S WHAT I SAID. (LAUGHS) (CHUCKLES) OUTNUMBERED. I MAY NEED A LITTLE HELP. OH. SURE. UM... THERE WE GO. IT'S VERY NICE. THANK YOU. HEY, BETSY BROUGHT OUT THE COOKIES. WE GOTTA GO. ALL RIGHT, BUDDY. WHOA, THEY'LL STILL BE THERE IN A SEC. OH, BUT, UH, AREN'T YOU COMING, AMELIA? I SURE AM. LEAD THE WAY. OK, BUDDY. SLOW DOWN. (LAUGHS) SLOW DOWN. LEAD THE WAY TO THE COOKIES! PEOPLE CHATTER, SOFT MUSIC PLAYS CHATTERING CONTINUES FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYS OH. (CHUCKLES) THANK YOU. IT'S A FRENCH MARTINI. WHAT MAKES IT FRENCH? BAD FRENCH ACCENT: MY ACCENT. (LAUGHS) MM. YOU OK? (LAUGHS) MM. UH, MISTLETOE IS A LITTLE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE WORKPLACE. UH, ACTUALLY, THAT'S HOLLY, THE MOST INNOCENT OF CHRISTMAS GREENERY. SORRY. THE WINTER WONDERLAND ISN'T EXACTLY MY SCENE. NEVER COULD TELL A WASSAIL FROM A FIGGY PUDDING. SINCE WHEN? UM, ALWAYS. I JUST DON'T PARTICULARLY LIKE IT. UH, YOU DON'T LIKE IT? NO... I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ANYONE COULD HATE CHRISTMAS. NO, I HATE SENTIMENTALITY. I LOVE CHRISTMAS. WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE? MILLIONS OF PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY, PULLING BUSINESSES OUT OF THE RED. I THINK YOU'RE MISSING THE POINT OF THE SEASON. THAT IS THE POINT. WELL, ACCORDING TO YOU. ME AND CHARLES DICKENS. AN OLD STINGY MAN FINDS TRUE CHRISTMAS HAPPINESS BY SPENDING HIS HEAPS OF MONEY WITH RECKLESS ABANDON ON TOYS AND TURKEYS IN A GRAND CELEBRATION OF CAPITALISM. IF 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' TEACHES US ANYTHING, IT'S THAT SHOPPING IS GOOD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. (LAUGHS) ADMIT IT, IT'S CONVINCING. NO. A LITTLE BIT? THAT IS A VERY SELECTIVE READING OF THE TEXT. I DON'T THINK SO. BUT CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN JUST ABOUT THINGS, AMELIA. (CHUCKLES) YEAH, MAYBE IN THE MOVIES. THERE'S SOMETHING I WANNA SHOW YOU. NOW, THIS IS CHRISTMAS. I WOULD LIKE THE RECORD TO SHOW THAT THAT IS, IN FACT, A THING. (CHUCKLES) HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DONNER FAMILY HISTORY? UM, FOUNDED IN 1948 BY CAROL AND NATHAN DONNER, A SMALL FAMILY OPERATION THAT BY THE MID-50S HAD GROWN INTO A NATIONALLY RECOGNISED BRAND. MARKET SHARE` UH, OK. THAT'S GOOD. NOW, MY GRANDFATHER ` HE WAS STATIONED IN GERMANY AFTER WORLD WAR II, AND HE MET MY GRANDMOTHER THE DAY BEFORE HE WAS DEPLOYED. SHE WAS A WAITRESS AT MILLIE'S DINER BACK WHEN THERE WASN'T MILLIE. AND WHEN HE FINALLY WORKED UP THE NERVE TO TALK TO HER, HE DISCOVERED THAT SHE GREW UP IN A TOWN CALLED HERRENBERG. NOW, SHE SPENT THE WHOLE NIGHT TELLING HIM WHAT TO EXPECT ` LOCAL TRADITIONS, SOME OF THE LANGUAGE. AND SHE SAID THAT IF HE HAD TO LEAVE HIS HOME, HE WAS WELCOME TO BORROW HERS FOR A WHILE. AND HE FOUND THIS IN A LITTLE SHOP IN HERRENBERG AND HE BOUGHT IT AS A THANK YOU, BUT IT ENDED UP AS AN ENGAGEMENT GIFT. SO THAT'S WHY THEY STARTED THE BUSINESS? YEAH. YEAH, IT WAS A REMINDER THAT SOME OF THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE START WITH A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS. KNOCK AT DOOR JESSE. OH, I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT. WHAT'S UP, BETSY? COULD YOU HELP ME BRING IN SOME NEW TRAYS? OF COURSE. I'LL BE RIGHT BACK. PEOPLE CHATTER (INHALES, SIGHS) MAGICAL MUSIC CAREFUL. IT BELONGS TO SANTA. OH, IT DOES, DOES IT? IT'S A PART OF HIS SLEIGH. MAGICAL MUSIC A MAGIC PART. OH. SO, HOW DID YOU END UP WITH IT? I FOUND IT BEHIND MILLIE'S DINER. IT FELL OFF AFTER THE CRASH. CRASH? YOU MEAN THE METEOR? IT WAS SANTA. HIS SLEIGH IS GONE, SO I KNOW HE'S OK, BUT HE MUST HAVE DROPPED THIS PIECE. HMM. THAT'S PRETTY CARELESS OF HIM. BUT HE DID JUST FALL OUT OF THE SKY, SO I GUESS IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING ON DOING WITH IT? KEEP IT UNTIL HE COMES TO GET IT. PEOPLE CHATTER, UPBEAT VERSION OF 'JINGLE BELLS' PLAYS (LAUGHS) A TRADITION THAT STARTED WITH MY DAD. IT'S LIKE OUR OWN LITTLE SECRET SANTA. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH, WE WOULD DRAW NAMES AND THEN WE WOULD MAKE ORNAMENTS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO THE PERSON THAT YOU PICKED. IT'S SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THEIR PERSONALITY. SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT YOU? THAT I'M A LEADER AND A REBEL. OR MAYBE THAT YOU HAVE HORRIBLE FASHION SENSE. NO, NO, DEFINITELY THE FIRST ONE. BOTH LAUGH UH, JESSE, IT'S TIME. UH, EVERYONE, IT'S TIME. UH, IT'S FOR THE TREE LIGHTING. IT'S SYMBOLIC. ANOTHER YEAR DOWN, ANOTHER AHEAD OF US. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN GOOD LUCK. IT'S JESSE'S FAVOURITE PART. WELL, IT'S EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE PART. IT'S THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PARTY. I WANNA THANK YOU ALL FOR A WONDERFUL YEAR. WHEN MY GRANDFATHER STARTED THIS BUSINESS, HE IMAGINED A PLACE WHERE HE WORKED WITH FRIENDS, NEVER STRANGERS. AND YOU HAVE ALL HELPED MAKE THAT DREAM BECOME A REALITY. THIS PLACE IS MORE THAN A COMPANY FOR ME. IT'S MY FAMILY. (SIGHS) ALL RIGHT, ENOUGH OF THAT. UH, BEN, KILL THE LIGHTS. GOT IT, JESSE. PEOPLE CHATTER ALL: THREE, TWO, ONE. UH, BETSY, HIT IT. SOMETHING'S WRONG. UH, HERE. LET ME TAKE A LOOK. NO. UH, IT MUST BE A DEFECTIVE BULB OR SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE ONE OF THESE BULBS IS UNPLUGGED OR A FRAYED WIRE OR SOMETHING. I... UM, I'M SORRY, YOU GUYS. I GUESS WE'RE WITHOUT OUR GRAND FINALE. CHILDREN: AW! DOWNCAST MUSIC (HUMS 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING') (STOPS HUMMING) (RESUMES HUMMING) ALL HUM 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING' HUMMING CONTINUES HUMMING CONTINUES ALL HUM END OF SONG (CHUCKLES) MERRY CHRISTMAS. GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE. MERRY CHRISTMAS! ALL: MERRY CHRISTMAS. GENTLE MUSIC THANK YOU. ROMANTIC MUSIC SOFT COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS CARE TO DANCE? OH, UH, I DON'T THINK SO. WELL, I'LL JUST BE OUT, UH, ON THE DANCE FLOOR BY MYSELF, UH, IF YOU WANNA JOIN ME. (LAUGHS) FOR` FOR THE SAKE OF YOU AND YOUR... PATHETICNESS... IT'S JUST TOO SAD. (CHUCKLES) THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING FOR? I REMEMBER PROM NIGHT. YOU DO? (LAUGHS) BARELY. PROBABLY MORE THAN YOU DO. WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN? I WAS VERY LUCID. OK. I GUESS I MAYBE REMEMBER THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. (LAUGHS) OR MAYBE ONE OF US DOESN'T REMEMBER THEM AT ALL. YOU'RE RIGHT. BAND PLAYS BLUES VERSION OF 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING' BAND PLAYS COUNTRY VERSION OF 'SILVER BELLS' THAT WAS REALLY NICE WHAT YOU DID FOR HIM. OH, IT WAS NOTHING. WELL, HE ALWAYS WANTS THE BEST FOR EVERYONE. IT WOULD HAVE CRUSHED HIM. (SIGHS) I WANTED TO APOLOGISE FOR EARLIER. I JUST GOT SPOOKED. IT WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE CAME SNIFFING AROUND THE FACTORY, BUT IT WASN'T FAIR FOR ME TO ASSUME THE WORST. BUT YOU DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT MEANS YOU CARE. SO IF YOU'VE GOT ANY MORE QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. (CHUCKLES) COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS IT'S, UM` YOU'RE` WELL, YOU'RE DOING REALLY WELL. OH, I THINK I'M REALLY GETTING THE HANG OF IT. OOH. SO, UH, DANNY CERTAINLY BELIEVES IN CHRISTMAS MAGIC. YEAH, HE HASN'T STOPPED TALKING ABOUT THAT LITTLE BALL SINCE HE FOUND IT. WELL, WITH GOOD REASON. YOU KNOW IT BELONGS TO SANTA. MM. I DON'T HAVE THE HEART TO TELL HIM IT PROBABLY FELL OFF THE BACK OF A PICKUP. AND HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T LISTEN TO YOU IF YOU DID. YEAH, YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT. (GASPS) TA-DA! SHALL WE PUT IT ON THE TREE? YEAH, I THINK WE CAN FIND A PLACE FOR IT. WAY IN THE BACK. (LAUGHS) SO, HOW LONG ARE YOU IN TOWN FOR? UH, JUST A FEW MORE DAYS. MM. I'LL SEND EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE TO CORPORATE, AND THEN I'LL GO OVER IT WITH YOU. WHERE ARE YOU STAYING? THAT MOTEL OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE ONE WITH THE BROKEN SIGN AND THE GIANT COCKROACHES? NOT MY FIRST CHOICE. EVERYTHING DECENT WAS BOOKED UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS. WELL, YOU SHOULD STAY WITH US. NO. NO, I COULDN'T DO THAT. WE HAVE A GUEST ROOM. IT WOULD BE SILLY NOT TO. WELL, I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU OUT. YOU WOULDN'T BE. I MEAN, TOMORROW'S CHRISTMAS EVE. YOU SHOULD BE STAYING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY. HOW BIG ARE THE COCKROACHES? THE SIZE OF YOUR FIST. OK. OK. I'LL JUST GRAB MY THINGS AT THE HOTEL AND MEET YOU THERE. OWL HOOTS GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC SLOWS FOOTSTEPS COME DOWNSTAIRS SORRY. BEDTIME DOESN'T USUALLY TAKE THAT LONG. HE'S EXCITED THAT WE HAVE COMPANY. OH, IT'S OK. I KEPT BUSY BY SNOOPING. REALLY? DID YOU FIND MY DIARY? OH YEAH. PICKED THE LOCK WITH A BOBBY PIN. SOME MORE WINE? SURE. THANKS. GENTLE MUSIC THERE YOU GO. (CLEARS THROAT) I THINK THAT I'M WINNING YOU OVER. SORRY, WHAT? WITH THE CAROLS AND THE ORNAMENTS. SOMEONE'S GETTING IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. OH, MM, I'M SURE IT'LL PASS. (CHUCKLES) WE'LL SEE. MAGICAL MUSIC DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE MAGICAL MUSIC CONTINUES I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. THIS PLACE HASN'T CHANGED AT ALL. YEAH. YOU KNOW, WHEN MY PARENTS RETIRED AND PUT THIS PLACE ON THE MARKET, I COULDN'T STAND THE IDEA OF IT NOT STAYING IN THE FAMILY. WITH A NEW HOUSE, IT'S SO EASY TO TEAR EVERYTHING DOWN AND START OVER, BUT, UH, I GUESS IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT WITH YOUR CHILDHOOD HOME. DO YOU REMEMBER THE SUMMER WE WENT CAMPING WITH YOUR FAMILY? YOU MEAN WHEN WE ALMOST WENT CAMPING. (LAUGHS) RIGHT. YOUR BROTHER GOT SO SICK BEFORE WE EVEN LEFT THE DRIVEWAY, SO YOUR DAD PUT TENTS OUT IN THE BACKYARD INSTEAD. I WAS SO BUMMED. I WASN'T. YOUR GRANDPA MADE THE MOST AMAZING CINNAMON ROLLS FOR BREAKFAST THE NEXT MORNING. TO DATE, THE BEST THING I'VE EVER EATEN. UH, YES, THE DONNER FAMILY CINNAMON ROLL, STAPLE OF ANY FAMILY FUNCTION. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE THESE ROLLS? I DO. THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? I THINK THEY GO BETTER WITH A WHITE WINE. YOU THINK I'M JOKING? I'M VERY SERIOUS. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I HAVE ANY CINNAMON. OH. OK, YOU KNOW WHAT? I PROMISE I WILL MAKE YOU SOME BEFORE YOU GO. I'M HOLDING YOU TO THAT. OK. GENTLE PIANO MUSIC YOU KNOW, IT'S PROBABLY LATER THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS. YEAH, I'LL` I'LL HELP YOU GET SET UP. BROUGHT YOU AN EXTRA BLANKET. IT'S A LITTLE CHILLY TONIGHT. THANKS. ALSO, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THIS. JESSE. I DIDN'T DRAW YOUR NAME, BUT IT SEEMED FITTING SINCE YOU'RE OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL. (SIGHS) IT'S FOR SAVING THE FACTORY. JESSE, I THINK YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO FIX EVERYTHING. I BELIEVE IN YOU. I KNOW THAT YOU CAN DO IT. YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SENT OTHERWISE. THANK YOU. GOODNIGHT. NIGHT. THOUGHTFUL MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC SLOWS BIRDS CHIRP (SIGHS) MORNING, SWEETHEART. I DID IT. IT TOOK ALL NIGHT, BUT I FOUND A WAY TO KEEP EVERYONE ON. OH, THAT'S WONDERFUL. IT'S NOT A SLAM DUNK JUST YET. I STILL HAVE TO GET APPROVAL AND THEY USUALLY DON'T LET ME GET THIS CREATIVE, BUT IT IS A REAL SOLUTION. NOW I JUST HAVE TO CONVINCE THEM THAT IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE EXTRA EFFORT. OH, I'M PROUD OF YOU, AMELIA. THANKS, DAD. OH, I THINK JESSE'S UP. I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL HIM. YOU'RE AT JESSE'S? YEAH. UH, WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT I WAS CHECKED INTO THE ROACH MOTEL BY THE HIGHWAY, HE OFFERED TO LET ME STAY. IN THE GUEST ROOM. DOWN THE HALL. WELL, I SEE. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING. IT'S NOT THAT, I PROMISE. I GOTTA GO. I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT ALL WORKS OUT. HEY, YOU GET THE, UH, GIFT YOUR MOM AND I SENT? I DID. IT CAME LAST WEEK. WHAT DID YOU THINK? I HAVEN'T OPENED IT YET. WHY NOT? IT'S NOT CHRISTMAS YET. THAT'S CHEATING. AND GOODBYE. (CHUCKLES) BEEP! GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. YOU WANT A COFFEE? I WOULD LOVE A COFFEE. I WAS UP ALL NIGHT, ACTUALLY, WORKING ON THIS. THIS LOOKS GREAT. MM-HM. (LAUGHS) IT'S A LITTLE OUT OF THE BOX, BUT, UM, YEAH, I THINK IT MIGHT JUST WORK. WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE OURSELVES A GAME PLAN. I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT. AMELIA, DAD'S TAKING ME TO MILLIE'S FOR BREAKFAST. DO YOU WANNA COME? OH, I WOULD LOVE TO, BUT I NEED TO HEAD TO THE FACTORY. OK. NEXT TIME, THOUGH. I USED TO LOVE THEIR DOUGHNUTS. I WOULD DIP THEM IN HOT CHOCOLATE. (GASPS) NOT A CHANCE, PAL. YOU'D BE BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS. I'LL WORK ON HIM. (CHUCKLES) ALL RIGHT, YOU READY? YEAH. LET'S GO. GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC FESTIVE MUSIC EXCUSE ME, MA'AM. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD HELP ME FIND THIS. I LOST IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. UH, EXCUSE ME. UH, IF YOU WOULD? UH, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MA'AM. OH, SIR. MA'AM, I LOST THIS. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU COULD HELP ME. IT'S VERY SMALL. A SMALL LITTLE BAUBLE. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE DISCUSSED. I KNOW. YOUR RECOMMENDING ZERO TERMINATIONS? I PLAYED AROUND WITH THE NUMBERS LAST NIGHT. I THINK IF WE GET CREATIVE THAT` YOUR JOB IS TO CUT THE FAT. YOU'RE GOOD AT IT. THAT'S WHY WE SEND YOU. BUT IF I FOUND ANOTHER WAY, SHOULDN'T WE AT LEAST TRY? THIS WAS NEVER A SALVAGE MISSION. BUT IT COULD BE. YOU SHOULD SEE THIS PLACE, SEE WHAT THEY'VE MADE. IT'S REALLY SOMETHING SPECIAL. WE ANSWER TO OUR INVESTORS. IF IT'S NOT MAKING MONEY, IT'S NOT WORKING. I KNOW, BUT` FIND OUT WHO IS IMMEDIATELY EXPENDABLE, PINK-SLIP THEM TODAY AND GET ON A PLANE TONIGHT. YOU WANT ME TO PINK-SLIP PEOPLE ON CHRISTMAS EVE? IT'S NOT GONNA BE ANY EASIER A WEEK FROM NOW, PLUS WE NEED YOU BACK IN DC AFTER ALL. LOOK, I KNOW YOU'RE GETTING BURNT OUT. IT'S A HARD JOB. BUT YOU HAVE PROVEN TO BE A VALUABLE ASSET TO THIS TEAM. YOU DO THIS, YOU STAY THE COURSE, AND WE WILL MOVE YOU UP TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS, OK? OK. OK. JAUNTY MUSIC (SIGHS) I GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU, BUDDY. WHAT IS IT? WELL, YOU KNOW HOW IT'S BEEN JUST YOU AND ME FOR A WHILE NOW? WHAT WOULD YOU THINK IF MAYBE SOMETIME SOON THERE WAS SOMEONE NEW? SOMEONE NEW? YEAH. LIKE A PUPPY? (CHUCKLES) NO. NO, NOT LIKE A PUPPY. LIKE A` LIKE A PERSON. OH. YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOUR MOTHER VERY MUCH AND I WILL NEVER TRY AND REPLACE HER. I KNOW, DAD. SO,... THAT'D BE OK? SURE. ALL RIGHT. JAUNTY MUSIC AMELIA'S REALLY PRETTY, DON'T YOU THINK? YEAH, BUDDY, SHE IS. MUSIC CONTINUES WORKERS HUM 'HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING' BEN. OH, AMELIA. GOOD MORNING. WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU? I NEED TO SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE. HUMMING CONTINUES (SIGHS) (GROWLS) DO YOU THINK AMELIA WILL LIKE THE DOUGHNUTS I PICKED OUT? WELL, I DON'T KNOW. YOU BETTER LET ME HAVE A TASTE-TEST HERE. NO WAY. HMM. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO NOW. > I'M SO SORRY. WHY DON'T YOU WAIT OUT HERE FOR A SEC, DANNY, ALL RIGHT? OK. I'LL GO FIND AMELIA. OK. IT'S GONNA BE OK. OK. (SIGHS) WHAT'S GOING ON? I DON'T KNOW. ASK HER. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I'VE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO MAKE SOME CUTS. (SCOFFS) IT'S ALMOST HALF OF MY STAFF. I KNOW. I'M SORRY. IT'S OUT OF MY HANDS. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SAVE THE FACTORY, NOT KILL IT. JESSE, THERE'S NOTHING TO SAVE HERE. PEOPLE AREN'T GONNA BUY THESE ORNAMENTS WHEN THEY CAN JUST GET THE CHEAP PLASTIC VERSION AT THE DOLLAR STORE. NO, THAT IS NOT TRUE. THERE'LL ALWAYS BE SPACE FOR TRADITION, ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS. WELL, THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE. WHAT ABOUT THIS, HUH? WHAT ABOUT ALL YOUR HARD WORK? THEY DIDN'T GO FOR IT. YOU KNOW WHAT? I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE. NO. NOT TILL I FINISH WHAT I CAME HERE TO DO. NO, I'M NOT GONNA LET YOU FIRE ONE MORE PERSON. YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. THIS IS MY COMPANY! IT'S NOT YOUR COMPANY ANY MORE! DAD? DANNY, NOT NOW, OK? WE GOT THESE FOR YOU, AMELIA. I HOPE YOU LIKE THE CHOCOLATE ONES. MOURNFUL MUSIC (CHUCKLES WRYLY) I LOVE THE CHOCOLATE ONES. THANKS, DANNY. COME ON, DANNY. LET'S GO. AMELIA'S GOT WORK TO DO. WE WON'T GET IN YOUR WAY. MOURNFUL MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES (SIGHS) (SIGHS) MUSIC CONTINUES (SIGHS) SO, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE STAY IN PLACES THAT ARE COMFORTABLE... UM,... SOMETIMES WE STAY IN PLACES THAT ARE COMFORTABLE BECAUSE THEY... I'M SORRY. DO YOU THINK THAT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON? I DO. I'M SORRY. WHAT? I DO THINK EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. I DON'T WANNA GET YOU IN TROUBLE, JESSE. THIS IS STILL MY BUSINESS, AND YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. WE KNEW THINGS WERE BAD. MAYBE THIS IS THE ONLY WAY. I'M NOT GONNA ACCEPT THAT. JESSE, I'LL BE OK. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE BUSINESS SURVIVES. IT'S WHAT YOUR GRANDPA WOULD HAVE WANTED. (SIGHS) NOT LIKE THIS. PLEASE JUST... STAY, AND I WILL FIGURE THIS OUT. REALLY? (SIGHS) YEAH. OK. (LAUGHS) NOW GET BACK TO WORK. OH. (LAUGHS) HOPEFUL MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC SLOWS ARE WE GOING TO LOSE THE FACTORY? WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT? I HEARD SOME PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT IT. THEY WERE REALLY UPSET. WE'RE JUST GOING THROUGH A LITTLE ROUGH PATCH RIGHT NOW, BUT EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE FINE. I LOVE YOU. I DON'T WANT YOU TO WORRY. I'M NOT WORRIED. AMELIA WILL HELP US. BIRDS CHIRP (SIGHS) EXCUSE ME. I WAS HOPING YOU COULD HELP ME. UM, I DON'T REALLY HAVE THE BEST TRACK RECORD IN THAT DEPARTMENT. SORRY. BAD DAY. WHAT CAN I HELP YOU WITH? I-I'VE LOST SOMETHING VERY PRECIOUS TO ME. HAVE YOU SEEN IT? UH, I HAVE. LET ME WRITE DOWN THE ADDRESS FOR YOU. UM, COULD I PERHAPS TROUBLE YOU FOR A RIDE? MY VEHICLE ` WELL, IT HAD A BIT OF AN ACCIDENT. I'M SORRY. I'M IN A HURRY. I HAVE TO CATCH A FLIGHT, AND I STILL HAVE TO PACK. (LAUGHS) THAT'S RIGHT. UM, YOU KNOW WHAT? HOP ON IN. (CHUCKLES) HOPEFUL MUSIC OH, MUCH OBLIGED. (LAUGHS) FESTIVE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC SLOWS MUSIC FADES UH, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY KNOCK. BUT YOUR FRIEND DOESN'T KNOW WHO I AM. TRUST ME, YOU'LL GET A WARMER WELCOME THAN I WILL. THOUGHT YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN LONG GONE BY NOW. ME TOO, ACTUALLY. THIS IS MR TOMTE. HE'S LOOKING FOR HIS SILVER BAUBLE. KNOW WHERE WE MIGHT FIND IT? UH, COME ON IN. HEY, DANNY. CAN YOU COME DOWNSTAIRS, PLEASE? WOW. YOU HAVE A LOVELY HOME. OH, THANK YOU. OH, THESE ARE QUITE GOOD. DID YOUR SON MAKE THEM? YEAH. NEVER CAN GET MINE TO COME OUT RIGHT. I'M ALL THUMBS. BOTH CHUCKLE I-I HAVE TO SAY I'D ALMOST GIVEN UP HOPE OF EVER FINDING MY BAUBLE. I WAS VERY RELIEVED TO RUN INTO YOUR FRIEND. HUH, YEAH, FRIEND. HEY, DANNY, WE FOUND THE OWNER OF YOUR BALL. MAGICAL MUSIC SANTA? (LAUGHS) MUST BE THE BEARD. ALL RIGHT. I KEPT IT SAFE FOR YOU. THERE WAS A LITTLE CRACK IN THE BOTTOM, BUT I FIXED IT. LOOK, DANNY, THIS IS MR TOMTE. HE'S NOT SANTA CLAUS. OH. BUT I'M VERY GRATEFUL YOU TOOK SUCH GOOD CARE OF SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT TO ME. LET'S NOT KEEP MR TOMTE WAITING. CAN YOU GO GET IT FOR US? SURE. IT'S IN MY ROOM. THANKS, DANNY. (CHUCKLES) FUNNY KID. MAGICAL MUSIC I CAN'T FIND IT. OK, OK, BUT SLOW DOWN. (SIGHS) I WAS EXTRA CAREFUL. I BELIEVE YOU. I'M SURE IT'S AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE. ALL RIGHT, SPREAD OUT. LET'S GO. (SIGHS) MAGICAL MUSIC I'LL FIND IT. DON'T WORRY. I'M REALLY GOOD AT FINDING THINGS. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU ARE. BECAUSE YOU REALLY REALLY NEED IT, RIGHT? RIGHT. FOR YOUR SLEIGH? (LAUGHS) NO. I'M AFRAID NOT. IT'S JUST AN OLD FAMILY HEIRLOOM. I HAVE ANOTHER IDEA. (SIGHS) SO I GUESS YOU COULDN'T MAKE A CLEAN GETAWAY AFTER ALL. BELIEVE ME, I CONSIDERED ABANDONING MY WARDROBE. SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT YOU WEREN'T PLAYING CHAUFFEUR OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF YOUR HEART. WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN? PHONE RINGS JESSE, I CAME HERE TO DO A JOB. I'M NOT GONNA APOLOGISE FOR BEING CAPABLE. NO, YOU'RE NOT CAPABLE, YOU'RE BRILLIANT, AND THAT'S WHY I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE PERSON THAT COULD HELP US. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO. NO. NO, NO, YOU WERE TRYING TO HELP YOURSELF. PHONE CONTINUES RINGING NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE. I DID WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE FOR THE COMPANY. NO, THERE IS ANOTHER WAY. YOU SAID SO YOURSELF. WILL YOU ANSWER THAT, PLEASE? BEEP! WOMAN: HI, YOU'VE REACHED THE DONNERS ` JESSE, KARA AND DANNY. PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AFTER THE BEEP. AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. UM,... I'VE JUST BEEN BUSY WITH WORK. I HAVEN'T, UM` HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO RECORD A NEW ONE. OH, JESSE. WE CAN'T FIND IT. MOURNFUL MUSIC (SIGHS) WELL, MAYBE YOU LEFT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE? WHERE WAS THE LAST PLACE YOU REMEMBER HAVING IT? YOU PUT IT IN YOUR BACKPACK THIS MORNING WHEN YOU GUYS WENT OUT FOR BREAKFAST. OK, SO MAYBE` MAYBE YOU LOST IT WHEN WE WENT OUT. WE CAN RETRACE OUR STEPS. I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU OUT. NO, NO, IT'S NO TROUBLE. OH, THANK YOU SO MUCH, BUT IF IT TURNS UP, YOU CAN REACH ME HERE. WE'LL FIND IT. I KNOW YOU WILL. THIS TIME OF YEAR, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. THAT SOUNDS AN AWFUL LOT LIKE SOMETHING SANTA WOULD SAY. (LAUGHS) AMELIA? AREN'T YOU GOING TO HELP US? OH, UM` NO. SHE'S GOTTA GET GOING, BUDDY. PLEASE, AMELIA? AMELIA'S THE BEST HELPER. MY DAD SAYS SO. (SIGHS) SURE. UPLIFTING MUSIC I'LL HELP. MAGICAL MUSIC BLUESY MUSIC HEY, GUYS. UH, I'VE GOT A QUESTION. SO, I'VE LOST SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. IT'S A SMALL SHINY BALL. IT'S ABOUT THIS BIG, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS. HAS ANYBODY SEEN IT? (SIGHS) IT'S SO DIFFERENT. YEAH, THE TOWN REDID THE WHOLE THING A COUPLE YEARS BACK. AND NO JUNGLE GYM, NO MONKEY BARS? TOO DANGEROUS. WE LIVED. (SCOFFS) IT'S ALL GONE. NOT ALL OF IT. WELL, AT LEAST THEY HAD THE GOOD SENSE TO KEEP A LITTLE HISTORY INTACT. YEAH, WELL, SOME PEOPLE ARE SO QUICK TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT NEW THING. (SIGHS) JESSE, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REVERENCE FOR THE PAST AND STUBBORNLY HOLDING ON TO A BUSINESS THAT'S BROKEN. I DON'T BELIEVE IN GIVING UP ON THINGS THAT MATTER. WELL, JUST BECAUSE WE LOVE SOMETHING DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT WORKS. I'M SURE THAT AT ONE POINT ANNIE AND CINDY REALLY WERE BEST FRIENDS AND THAT JOSH DID 'HEART' JENNIFER, BUT NOTHING LASTS FOREVER. (SCOFFS) THAT'S NOT TRUE. I BETTER GO FIND DANNY. LILTING MUSIC BIRDS CHIRP (GASPS) GENTLE MUSIC JESSE WANTS US TO STAY PUT. HE'S TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO KEEP US ALL ON. I DON'T STAY ANYWHERE I'M NOT RESPECTED. JUST GIVE IT ONE DAY. (SIGHS) I HAVEN'T SEEN IT SINCE YESTERDAY. I'LL KEEP AN EYE OPEN. THANKS. YOU LOOK AWFULLY FAMILIAR. HAVE WE MET BEFORE. YEAH. UM... YOU REMEMBER AMELIA, RIGHT? SHE WENT TO SCHOOL WITH US, RACH. WAIT, AMELIA PIERCE? OF COURSE I REMEMBER. PROBABLY NOT AS MUCH AS YOU DO, JESS. HUH, FUNNY. IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO. I WAS ONLY HERE FOR A FEW YEARS. I'M SURPRISED ANYBODY REMEMBERS ME. I'M NOT. YOU MAKE AN IMPRESSION. I'M GONNA GO. I'M GONNA CHECK THE BACK, ALL RIGHT? (CLEARS THROAT) HEY, BUD. ANY LUCK? NONE. UM, AMELIA? YEAH? DO YOU THINK MR TOMTE IS... SANTA? I THINK MR TOMTE IS A VERY NICE MAN WHO NEEDS A LITTLE HELP. BUT NOT SANTA? NO. (SIGHS) I DON'T UNDERSTAND. IT WAS IN MY BOOK. WELL, SOMETIMES WE SEE THINGS THAT WE WANNA SEE BECAUSE THEY MAKE US HAPPY. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? NO. (LAUGHS) BETSY: RACHEL, HI. I HAVE TO GO MAKE A PHONE CALL OUTSIDE. WILL YOU LET YOUR DAD KNOW? OK, KEEP LOOKING. I WOULD LIKE ONE OF THOSE LOVELY PECAN PIES. (EXHALES) IT'S NOT IN THE BOOTH OR THE BATHROOM. WHERE'S AMELIA? UH, SHE WENT OUTSIDE. OK. JESSE, HI. HEY. I'M JUST PICKING UP A PIE FOR DESSERT. YOU KNOW HOW MY JOE HAS A SWEET TOOTH. RIGHT. UH, I'M GLAD I RAN INTO YOU. UH, HAVE YOU SEEN DANNY'S SILVER BALL? OH, THE ONE FROM THE PARTY? YEAH. OH, I FOUND IT ON ONE OF THE WORKSTATIONS, AND I, UH, PUT IT IN THE LOST AND FOUND. THANK YOU SO MUCH, BETSY. THANK YOU. COME ON, BUD. HEY, CALL MR TOMTE. WE KNOW WHERE IT IS. REALLY? THAT'S GREAT! UPLIFTING MUSIC SO, WHY WERE YOU WAITING OUTSIDE? OH, I WAS JUST CHECKING SOME EMAILS. IT WASN'T BECAUSE BETSY WALKED INTO THE DINER? WELL, JESSE, I REALLY DON'T WANNA FIGHT ANY MORE. LOOK, NEITHER DO I. JUST ASK YOURSELF THIS ` IF YOU'RE SO OK WITH WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT FACTORY, THEN WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO HIDE AWAY? (SIGHS) LILTING MUSIC JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND. I WILL HAVE YOUR BAUBLE, MR TOMTE. MY, MY. THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL. THEY DON'T MAKE THEM LIKE THIS ANY MORE. NO, THEY REALLY DON'T. THEY REMIND ME OF HOME. WHERE IS HOME? UM, JUST UP NORTH. MYSTERIOUS MUSIC OH, WHAT A SPLENDID TREE. MUST BE QUITE THE SIGHT WHEN IT'S ALL LIT UP. ONE OF THE STRANDS IS BROKEN. OH, A SHAME. (SIGHS) THE BOX IS GONE. IT'S NOT WHERE WE NORMALLY KEEP IT. I CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE. (SIGHS) WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW? (SIGHS) I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO. SORRY WE CALLED YOU ALL WAY OUT HERE FOR BAD NEWS. NO, NO. YOU'VE ALL BEEN WONDERFUL, ESPECIALLY YOU, YOUNG MAN. YOU WENT TO A LOT OF TROUBLE TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED. YOU'RE A VERY GOOD BOY, DANIEL. I'M SORRY I DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU WHEN YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T SANTA. THAT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT. I MAY NOT BE SANTA, BUT I DO KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. MAGICAL MUSIC HMM. (CHUCKLES) I GUESS IT REALLY WAS A BULB. (GASPS) IT'S PROBABLY GETTING LATE. I SHOULD GO OR I'M GONNA MISS MY FLIGHT. YEAH, WE'LL WALK YOU OUT. COME ON. MYSTERIOUS MUSIC BLUESY MUSIC # Bunnings Warehouse # THE LIGHTS WENT ON, BUT IT WASN'T PLUGGED IN! IT WAS MAGIC JUST LIKE YOU SAID, DAD! IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE, DANNY. I THINK THAT SANTA'S A LITTLE TOO BUSY TO SPEND THE DAY WITH US ON A SCAVENGER HUNT. NOT IF HE LOST A PART THAT HE NEEDED TO MAKE HIS SLEIGH WORK. WELL... WELL... GENTLE MUSIC HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT. THANKS. YOU GUYS WANT A RIDE? NO. NO, NO. WE'LL JUST WALK. RIGHT, BUDDY? DOWNCAST MUSIC DANNY, IT WAS SO GOOD TO MEET YOU. DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO GO? I DO. WILL YOU COME BACK TO VISIT? I'LL TRY. POIGNANT MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES ENGINE STARTS MUSIC CONTINUES COME ON, BUDDY. LET'S GO. DOWNCAST MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES DANNY. MUSIC CONTINUES DANNY, DINNERTIME. GENTLE MUSIC HE IS SANTA. I KNOW IT. DANNY. HE IS, AND I RUINED CHRISTMAS. YOU HAVEN'T RUINED ANYTHING. YOU SAID HE NEEDED THAT PART TO GET TO EVERYONE ON CHRISTMAS. I WAS WRONG. YOU'RE NEVER WRONG. NO, SON, I'M OFTEN WRONG. HE'S GONNA MISS SOMEONE NOW, AND IT'S GONNA BE ALL MY FAULT. COME HERE. COME HERE, BUDDY. HEY, BUDDY, IT'S OK. IT'S OK. DOWNCAST MUSIC I MEAN, MY JOB HAS NEVER BEEN EASY, BUT I ALWAYS KNEW IT WAS FOR THE GREATER GOOD. FOR EVERY PERSON THAT I FIRED, I WAS SAVING 50 MORE. I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD BE MUCH TOUGHER THAN YOU'RE USED TO. YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST TURN YOUR FEELINGS ON AND OFF WHENEVER IT'S CONVENIENT? WELL, YOU CAN'T, AMELIA. BUT IT WASN'T JUST BECAUSE I KNEW THOSE PEOPLE. I MEAN, I'M SURE THAT THAT WAS PART OF IT, BUT DONNER'S WAS DIFFERENT. I CAME UP WITH SOME REAL SOLUTIONS, AND MY BOSSES WOULDN'T EVEN ENTERTAIN THAT. THOSE LAY-OFFS WERE THE EASY DECISION, NOT THE RIGHT ONE. (SHOUTS) SO WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? DAD, I'M GONNA HAVE TO CALL YOU BACK. MERRY CHRISTMAS, MEELS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. HERE, BEN. LET ME HELP YOU. (GRUNTS) I DON'T NEED IT. PLEASE. YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE MAD AT ME. I NEED YOU TO KNOW HOW SORRY I AM. YOU WERE RIGHT. I WAS WRONG. I SHOULD HAVE FOUGHT HARDER. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. WAIT A MINUTE. HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? MAGICAL MUSIC IT'S HERE! HOW DID THAT GET IN THERE? (LAUGHS) I NEED TO GET THIS TO DANNY. MAGICAL MUSIC PHONE BUZZES, ALARM BEEPS (SIGHS) HELLO? COME IN. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? DELIVERING A CHRISTMAS PRESENT. WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT? LOST AND FOUND. DANNY, COME HERE. FOOTSTEPS APPROACH AMELIA'S GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU. (GASPS) (LAUGHS) THANK YOU, AMELIA! THANK YOU. UPLIFTING MUSIC YOU SAVED CHRISTMAS. MUSIC CONTINUES THAT'S STRANGE. IT SAYS THE NUMBER'S OUT OF SERVICE. MUSIC CONTINUES OK. THANK YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAYS. NO LUCK? NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HIM. THAT'S SO STRANGE. EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYONE IN THIS TOWN. THERE HAS TO BE SOMEONE ELSE WE CAN CALL. WE'LL ASK AROUND TOMORROW MORNING. IT'LL BE TOO LATE. HE NEEDS IT TONIGHT. THERE'S NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO, BUDDY. (SIGHS) (SIGHS) IS HE GONNA BE OK? YEAH, WE'LL JUST GIVE HIM SOME SPACE TO COOL OFF. I'M SO SORRY. I JUST WANTED TO HELP. NO, NO. IT MEANS A LOT THAT YOU'D DO THAT FOR HIM. DON'T YOU HAVE A PLANE THAT YOU SHOULD BE CATCHING? OH. (LAUGHS) YEAH, I DEFINITELY MISSED THAT. I ALREADY EMAILED MY BOSS. WANT SOME HOT CHOCOLATE? MM-HM. (LAUGHS) COMING UP. (CLEARS THROAT) YOU KNOW THAT'S SUPPOSED TO GO ON THE STRING. MM. BUT IT'S SUCH A WASTE. (SIGHS) NOTHING IS A WASTE IF IT BRINGS YOU JOY. WERE YOU THIS CORNY WHEN WE DATED? PROBABLY, THOUGH I DID GO THROUGH A BRIEF PUNK PHASE IN SENIOR YEAR. OH WOW, I'M SORRY I MISSED THAT. ARE YOU PLAYING WITH ME? DEAD SERIOUS. I HAD THE METAL STUDS, THE LEATHER JACKET, THE WHOLE BIT. FINALLY, THE TRUE MEANING BEHIND THE ROCKING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT. (LAUGHS) BUSTED. (CHUCKLES) PHONE BUZZES WHO ARE YOU DODGING? OH, MY BOSS. SHE EXPECTED ME IN DC BY TOMORROW. SHE'S NOT GONNA BE HAPPY. COULD YOU LOSE YOUR JOB OVER THAT? NO, BUT WHEN THE BRASS STARTS QUESTIONING YOUR PRIORITIES, IT CAN BE JUST AS BAD. I'M SORRY. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU START TO HATE THE THING YOU'RE GOOD AT? I DON'T KNOW. I THINK I HAVE THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM. I LOVE A JOB THAT I'M NOT CUT OUT FOR. BUT, JESSE, WHAT YOU'VE BUILT, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. YOUR EMPLOYEES LITERALLY WHISTLE WHILE THEY WORK. YEAH, WELL, CHRISTMAS CAROLS CAN'T KEEP A BUSINESS AFLOAT. WHEN I GREW UP IN THAT FACTORY, I THOUGHT I KNEW EVERYTHING THERE WAS TO KNOW ABOUT RUNNING THAT COMPANY, BUT... WHEN THE ORDERS DISAPPEARED, I... I WAS OUT OF MY DEPTH. I OWE YOU AN APOLOGY. I SHOULDN'T HAVE BLAMED YOU FOR THE LAY-OFFS. IT WAS ON ME, NOT YOU. YOU KNOW WHAT I SAY? I SAY NUTS TO THAT. NUTS TO WHAT? DONNER'S DOESN'T HAVE TO FAIL, AND IT SHOULDN'T. IT ALREADY HAS, HASN'T IT? NO, NO, NO. YOUR NUMBERS AREN'T GREAT, BUT THEY'RE WORKABLE. YOU'RE GONNA NEED SOME PRETTY DEEP CUTS RIGHT AWAY, BUT I ACTUALLY FOUND A LOT OF WASTE ON YOUR BOOKS. DONE. THE BIG THING IS GONNA BE SECURING NEW ORDERS. YOU NEED SOMEONE TO BUY THESE ORNAMENTS AND IN LARGE QUANTITIES, BUT I CAN FORWARD YOU A LIST OF POTENTIALS. YOU'LL JUST NEED TO WORK YOUR CHARM. WELL, CHARM I CAN DO. WELL, I'M AWARE. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT DOESN'T WORK? THEN WE GO DOWN SWINGING. I WAS RIGHT. ABOUT WHAT? WE MAKE A GOOD TEAM. YEAH, WE DO. MM-HM. I'M, UH, GONNA GO CHECK ON DANNY, SEE IF HE WANTS TO HELP US WITH THE GARLAND. (CLEARS THROAT) DANNY? (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) MYSTERIOUS MUSIC DANNY? MUSIC CONTINUES HE'S GONE. TENSE MUSIC STIRRING MUSIC DANNY? DANNY! DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE WE'LL FIND HIM. HIS BIKE IS GONE. WHERE WOULD HE G MAYBE THE FACTORY? IT WAS THE LAST PLACE WE SPOKE TO MR TOMTE. IT'S WORTH A TRY. THIS IS ALL MY FAULT. I SHOULD NEVER HAVE FED INTO THE FANTASIES. EVERY PARENT DOES. IT'S JUST THAT HIS MOTHER LOVED CHRISTMAS SO MUCH, I WANTED TO KEEP THE TRADITIONS ALIVE FOR HIM AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. AND I'M SURE THAT THAT MEANS THE WORLD TO HIM. YEAH, BUT WHEN IS IT TOO MUCH? I MEAN, HE CARRIES THAT CHRISTMAS BOOK AROUND LIKE IT'S A SECURITY BLANKET. THE BOOK. I THINK I KNOW WHERE HE IS. WHERE? THE CRASH SITE. TENSE STRINGS MUSIC MUSIC SWELLS MR TOMTE? MR TOMTE? SANTA? MR TOMTE? MR TOMTE? SANTA? (GRUNTS) WHOA! (GRUNTS) OH NO. NO! (WHIMPERS) NOW, NOW, NO NEED TO CRY. (GASPS) I-I BROKE YOUR BAUBLE. I'M SORRY. HOPEFUL MUSIC SOMETIMES THINGS THAT ARE PRECIOUS TO US BREAK AND WE FEEL WE MIGHT BREAK ALONG WITH THEM, BUT WE CAN ALWAYS PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER. IT MAY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEN WE'RE FINISHED, BUT IT'LL BE JUST AS PRECIOUS IN ITS OWN WAY. BUT NOTHING CAN FIX THIS, NOT EVEN GLUE. HMM. CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET? I NEVER REALLY NEEDED THE BAUBLE. BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND. IF YOU NEVER NEEDED THE BAUBLE, THEN WHY WERE YOU HERE? (CHUCKLES) TO DELIVER YOUR PRESENT, DANIEL. CHIMING FESTIVE MUSIC MERRY CHRISTMAS. DANNY! DANNY! MAGICAL MUSIC BELLS CHIME IN DISTANCE HEY, HEY. HEY, BUDDY. YOU OK? YEAH, I'M` I'M OK. (SIGHS) OH, YOU SCARED ME. I'M SORRY. I` I JUST WANTED TO FIND MR TOMTE. LOOK, NEXT TIME SOMETHING'S BOTHERING YOU, YOU COME TO ME AND WE'LL FIX IT TOGETHER, OK? ALL RIGHT. (SIGHS) POIGNANT MUSIC (SIGHS) COME ON. LET'S GO. YOU OK? YEAH. GENTLE MUSIC WE WERE SO WORRIED. MUSIC CONTINUES BIRDS CHIRP MR PIERCE: IS IT A SCARF? NO. A THERMOS? DAD, YOU THINK I GOT YOU A THERMOS FOR CHRISTMAS? (LAUGHS) HEY, I NEED A THERMOS. (LAUGHS) JUST OPEN IT. ALL RIGHT, HERE GOES. AND LET'S SEE. IT IS... OH MY, MY, MY. OH, I LOVE IT. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. YEAH, SEE? SINCE YOU INSIST ON LIVING IN AN ICY TUNDRA, I THOUGHT THAT YOU COULD USE THAT. OH, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MEELS. LOVE IT. OK, YOUR TURN. OH, UH, I'M GONNA HAVE TO RAINCHECK MY GIFT. I'M STILL IN CARBON HILLS. YOU MISSED YOUR FLIGHT? IT'S A LONG STORY. I'LL FILL YOU IN AT NEW YEAR'S. DANNY SHOUTS EXCITEDLY DAD, I GOTTA GO. HEY, HEY, CALL ME THE MINUTE YOU OPEN IT. I PROMISE. YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT. I'M SURE I WILL. IT'S PORTABLE. THERE'S YOUR LAST CLUE. DAD, I DIDN'T ASK FOR A FIRST ONE. MAYBE I'LL SEND YOU A PICTURE. DAD. GOOD THINGS ARE WORTH THE WAIT. YEAH. YES, YES. THAT'S TRUE. LOVE YOU, MEELS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. LOOK WHAT SANTA BROUGHT ME! OH, THAT'S AWESOME. CAN WE TRY THEM OUT, DAD? AFTER BREAKFAST, OK? NO, YOU DIDN'T! I FOUND SOME CINNAMON. (GASPS) OH, EVEN BETTER THAN I REMEMBER. (GASPS) OH, SANTA BROUGHT YOU SOMETHING TOO, AMELIA. HE DID? WASN'T ME. (CHUCKLES) IT'S CUTE. STRINGS MUSIC HOLLY? NO. NO, NOT THAT ONE. WELL, IT IS TRADITION, RIGHT? I THOUGHT YOU WEREN'T BIG ON SENTIMENT. YOU'RE WINNING ME OVER. HMM. PHONE BUZZES OH. (SIGHS) UH, IT'S MY BOSS. TIME TO FACE THE MUSIC? HEY, DAD. I'LL TAKE IT OUTSIDE. COME HERE, BUD. SO, WHERE DID WE LEAVE OFF? UM... BIRDS CHIRP HELLO. FINALLY. I'VE BEEN CALLING YOU ALL NIGHT. I KNOW. I'M SORRY. I GOT A LITTLE TIED UP. THAT'S CERTAINLY AN UNDERSTATEMENT, BUT A LITTLE HEADS-UP NEXT TIME WOULD BE APPRECIATED WHEN YOU'RE MAKING A DEAL THIS SIZE. DEAL? READS: AND MAMMA IN HER 'KERCHIEF AND I IN MY CAP HAD JUST SETTLED OUR BRAINS FOR A LONG WINTER'S NAP... DOOR OPENS IS EVERYTHING OK? SHE WAS CALLING TO CONGRATULATE ME. UH, CONGRATULATE? ON SECURING A SIZABLE NEW PURCHASE ORDER FOR DONNER'S. YOU DID? APPARENTLY. UH, WH` IS IT BIG ENOUGH TO SAVE THE FACTORY? IT'S BIGGER. THEY WANT TO EXPAND. (GASPS) REALLY? REALLY. AND THEY WANT ME TO OVERSEE THE WHOLE THING. WELL, WHO WAS IT? TOMTE GLOBAL DELIVERIES. TOMTE. (LAUGHS) FESTIVE MUSIC GENTLE MUSIC HEY, DANNY, I'M SORRY. DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT THE STORY. YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S OK. WE CAN START FROM THE BEGINNING. HERE. CAN YOU READ IT, AMELIA? ABSOLUTELY. (EXHALES) READS: 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS WHEN ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING, 'NOT EVEN A MOUSE.' (LAUGHS) HOW AM I DOING? (SNORTS) BETTER THAN DAD. HEY, NOW, IT'S NOT A COMPETITION. WELL, LUCKY FOR YOU. YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE SHOULD ALTERNATE PAGES. NO, NO, NO, KEEP GOING, AMELIA. OH, OK. READS: 'THE CHILDREN WERE NESTLED ALL SNUG IN THEIR BEDS 'WHILE VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS DANCED IN THEIR HEADS. 'THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG BY THE CHIMNEY WITH CARE IN HOPES THAT ST NICHOLAS SOON WOULD BE THERE. 'AND MAMMA IN HER 'KERCHIEF AND I IN MY CAP HAD JUST SETTLED OUR BRAINS FOR A LONG WINTER'S NAP 'WHEN OUT ON THE LAWN THERE AROSE SUCH A CLATTER...' MAGICAL FESTIVE MUSIC