Charlotte: I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE
THAT LIFE OFTEN PRESENTS US WITH CHALLENGES.
BUT SOMEHOW, AT CHRISTMASTIME,
AS LOVED ONES GATHER AROUND
AND LIGHTS TWINKLE BRIGHTER... HI.
...THE WORLD FEELS... HERE YOU GO.
...WELL, MORE MAGICAL.
PEOPLE SEEM KINDER,
MORE FORGIVING, JOYFUL.
IT'S A TIME WHEN WE'RE ENCOURAGED TO HOPE
AND ALLOWED TO HAVE FAITH,
FAITH IN WHAT WE BELIEVE AND IN THE THINGS WE CANNOT SEE.
THE TREE'S SO PRETTY, DADDY.
BUT WHAT IF, DESPITE ALL THE OBSTACLES,
WE CONTINUE TO BE OUR BEST SELVES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?
GOOD MORNING, GWEN. GOOD MORNING.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, ISN'T IT? [ CHUCKLES ]
WOULDN'T THAT BE NICE?
[ KEYBOARD CLACKING ]
PERHAPS THIS YEAR WE CAN TRY AND HOLD ON TO IT.
PERHAPS THIS YEAR
WE CAN TRY AND HOLD ON TO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
AND THAT...
IS...THAT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
[ SMOOCHES ] YOU'RE A GOOD BOY.
[ TELEPHONE RINGING ] Alan: THESE NUMBERS ARE AWFUL.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO SELL NEWSPAPERS AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR?
ARE YOU GONNA GET THAT, OR DO YOU WANT ME TO? [ SIGHS ]
WHO IS THIS AND WHAT'S THE STORY?
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, ALAN. Charlotte!
YOU PROMISED ME A COFFEE ONE DAY.
WHERE ARE YOU? I NEED IT.
I'M STILL IN LAUREL SPRINGS WITH MY BROTHER'S FAMILY.
AND I'M EDITING THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER.
HOW IS HE, YOUR BROTHER?
He's wrapping up his deployment.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S GONNA BE BACK FOR GOOD AT CHRISTMAS.
OH, FANTASTIC.
WHICH MEANS THAT I COULD COME BACK TO WORK IN THE NEW YEAR.
[ SIGHS ] CHARLOTTE --
IT'LL BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME.
YOU DON'T KNOW DIFFERENT.
I WILL PULL BACK. I WILL JUST REPORT.
THAT'S NOT YOU.
LOOK, WE BOTH KNOW IF I SEND YOU OUT TO COVER A BURNING BUILDING,
YOU'RE GONNA TRY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT YOURSELF.
BUT -- You get too close to your stories.
YOU ALWAYS DO! LIKE THE LAST ONE.
MISSING DEADLINES WHILE YOU CHASED A GHOST.
ALAN -- Charlotte...
[Sighs] I care about you like a daughter.
BUT I HAVE A NEWSPAPER TO RUN.
JUST THINK ABOUT IT, OKAY?
[ SIGHS ] SURE THING.
ANYWAY, YOU'RE NOT MISSING ANYTHING AROUND HERE.
IT'S QUIET -- TOO QUIET.
I GOT TO RUN. MISS YOU.
Of course you do.
[ SIGHS ]
Christopher: I'VE GOT THE SHOWER FIRST.
Morgan: DON'T USE ALL THE HOT WATER.
HMM. THEY'RE UP. WE GOT TO GO.
SOMETHING SMELLS GOOD.
I'M STARVING. [ HUMMING ]
OH, THERE YOU ARE.
GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.
WAFFLES! SCRAMBLED EGGS AND SAUSAGE?
AND DO YOU KNOW WHY I MADE YOU YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST?
UM... BECAUSE I PROMISED YOU I WOULD LAST NIGHT.
NOT SO FAST, MISTER.
AND DO YOU TWO REMEMBER WHAT YOU PROMISED ME?
TO SET THE TABLE.
AND FOLD THE LAUNDRY. Charlotte: THAT'S RIGHT.
AND WHEN WE SAY WE'RE GONNA DO SOMETHING, WE DO IT, RIGHT?
I'M SORRY, AUNT CHARLOTTE.
YEAH, IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I PROMISE.
COME ON. EAT.
NOW, WHERE IS YOUR MOTHER?
I'M HERE! GOOD MORNING!
HI. HI.
MWAH. [ GASPS ]
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
HI. MWAH.
OH, MY GOSH. WHAT DAY IS IT, YOU GUYS?
I'VE BEEN WORKING DOUBLE SHIFTS AT THE HOSPITAL.
I CAN'T KEEP TRACK ANYMORE.
IS IT CHRISTMAS? I THINK IT'S CHRISTMAS, RIGHT?
NO. NO?
I CAN'T WAIT FOR DAD TO BE HOME.
I KNOW. ME, TOO.
[ COMPUTER RINGING ] [ GASPS ] THAT'S HIM.
OKAY, GUYS, LET'S GO. QUICK.
ALL RIGHT! FINALLY!
HI, DAD! HI! HI!
HEY, GUYS. HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING?
GOOD! WE'LL BE EVEN BETTER WHEN YOU'RE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.
;
YEAH, THAT'S, UH...
THAT'S WHY I'M CALLING.
I'M SORRY, BUT THE SITUATION HERE IS SHIFTING,
AND, WELL, I NEED TO STAY ON.
SO YOU'RE NOT COMING?
I'M SO SORRY TO MISS EVERYTHING.
JERRY, WHENEVER YOU COME HOME, THAT'LL BE CHRISTMAS.
HEY, SON, YOU BETTER STOP GROWING UNTIL I GET HOME. YOU HEAR ME?
ROGER THAT.
HONEY, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU THINK I DO.
I LOVE YOU, TOO.
�
OKAY. I'M GONNA TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL. COME ON.
AND WE'RE GONNA GIVE YOU TWO SOME ALONE TIME, ALL RIGHT?
COME ON.
WHAT HAPPENED?
[ SIGHS ]
DO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING? YEP.
[ MUFFLED TALKING ]
[ SIGHS ] WAIT.
u
[ DOOR CLOSES ]
HI, GWEN!
IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE YET,
I'D BE HAPPY TO GET IT FOR YOU.
Morgan: WHY DO YOU ALWAYS TRY TO DO STUFF FOR HER?
SHE'S SO ODD, AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN SAY HI BACK OR ANYTHING.
SHE WASN'T ALWAYS LIKE THIS.
Christopher: YEAH, AND SHE'S ALWAYS TALKING TO HERSELF.
SHE WAS VERY GOOD TO ME WHEN I WAS LITTLE,
AND I LIKE TO DO WHATEVER I CAN FOR HER.
I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED.
MISS HER.
COME ON. RACE YOU!
t
[ WIND CHIME TINKLING ]
OH, YOU THINK YOU'RE PRETTY FUNNY, DON'T YOU? NO, NO, NO.
[ LAUGHS ] SOMETIMES.
JUST A LITTLE.
HEY, AUNT CHARLOTTE, DO I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL TODAY?
UM, I HAVE A STOMACHACHE.
WELL, THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO BOTHER YOU
WHEN YOU ATE ALL OF THAT BREAKFAST THIS MORNING.
WELL, YEAH. I MEAN...
I DON'T KNOW.
I MEAN, CAN'T I JUST STAY HOME TODAY?
WHAT'S GOING ON?
IS THIS ABOUT YOUR FATHER?
NO, I MEAN...
WELL, WHAT IS IT?
THERE'S JUST THIS KID AT SCHOOL,
AND HE KEEPS PICKING ON ME AND PUSHING ME AROUND, AND...
I JUST WANT TO PUNCH HIM OR SOMETHING.
WELL, FIGHTING ISN'T THE WAY TO HANDLE A PROBLEM.
I KNEW YOU'D SAY THAT. OKAY.
IF HE DOES IT AGAIN,
I WANT YOU TO LOOK HIM IN THE EYE AND TELL HIM TO BACK OFF.
A BULLY EXPECTS YOU TO BE AFRAID.
AND IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU TAKE AWAY HIS POWER.
OKAY.
I'LL TRY IT. GOOD.
BOYS ARE SO CONFUSING. OH, GOD.
CAN YOU GET HER TO STOP, AUNT CHARLOTTE?
SHE'S GONNA START TALKING ABOUT DYLAN AGAIN.
WHO? HER BOYFRIEND.
HER ALMOST-BOYFRIEND. JUST SHUT IT, OKAY?
HMM. DYLAN TURNER?
YEAH.
ISN'T HE TWO YEARS OLDER THAN YOU ARE?
YEAH. SO?
[ TIRES SCREECH, HORNS HONK ]
YOU KNOW, ONE DAY
SOMEBODY'S GONNA GET HURT AT THIS INTERSECTION.
[ SIGHS ] THAT LIGHT HAS BEEN BROKEN FOREVER.
WHY DON'T THEY JUST FIX IT? Man: I'M SORRY, AL.
Al: DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! UNFORTUNATELY, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO RIGHT NOW.
[ SIGHS ] HEY, MORGAN.
I THINK WE JUST FOCUS ON YOUR STUDIES RIGHT NOW,
AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL HAPPEN THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO, OKAY?
FINE. I GOT TO GO. I'LL BE LATE FOR SCHOOL.
WAIT FOR ME! BYE!
BYE, AUNT CHARLIE. LOVE YOU!
[ SHIVERS ]
[ BELLS JINGLE ]
[ TIRES SCREECHING, ENGINE REVVING ]
Daniel: COME ON.
[ REVVING CONTINUES ]
[ GROANS ]
DO YOU NEED SOME HELP?
NO, THANKS. I GOT IT.
[ GRUNTS ]
ARE YOU SURE?
YEP! THANK YOU! ALL UNDER CONTROL.
[ GRUNTING ]
OKAY. GET IN THE CAR.
EXCUSE ME?
GET IN THE CAR.
EXCUSE ME. HI. I GO...THIS WAY.
OKAY, TURN IT ON
AND STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR SLOWLY.
OKAY.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER, REVS ]
[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]
THAT WAS PERFECT! WOW!
THAT WAS -- HEY. JOB WELL DONE. [ CHUCKLES ]
THANK YOU.
DANIEL. CHARLOTTE.
YOU LIVE AROUND HERE?
I DO. YES, BUT I HAVE TO RUN.
UH, HAVE A NICE DAY.
I WILL NOW.
[ CELLPHONE RINGING ]
YEAH?
I-I'M SORRY. WHAT? CAN YOU START OVER?
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
[ CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE ]
HEY, CHARLOTTE! GOOD MORNING.
WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE, COME BY THE STORE.
I MADE SOME NEW SCARVES,
AND I'VE GOT ALL YOUR FAVORITE COLORS.
I WILL. I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
GOOD MORNING, JOE. MORNING!
OLIVIA. GOOD MORNING.
ANY IDEA WHAT THIS MEETING'S ABOUT?
UH, NO IDEA.
BUT A COUPLE OF SUITS FROM THE CITY
JUST BOOKED OUR HOTEL UNTIL CHRISTMAS.
[ CHUCKLES ] HMM.
GOOD MORNING, CHARLOTTE. GOOD MORNING, REVEREND.
IT SEEMS AS THOUGH WE'VE BOTH BEEN PREACHING TODAY.
YOUR COLUMN WAS RIGHT ON THE MARK.
[ CHUCKLES ] THANK YOU. THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME.
NOW, PLEASE TELL ME THAT WE'RE GONNA BE BLESSED
WITH YOUR AMAZING CHRISTMAS COOKIES THIS SUNDAY.
OF COURSE YOU ARE.
HELLO, EVERYONE.
THANKS FOR COMING ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT THESE PAST FEW YEARS FOR ALL OF US,
BUT SOME GENTLEMEN FROM HUNTSLAR & ASSOCIATES,
A PROPERTY-DEVELOPMENT COMPANY RESPONSIBLE
FOR SOME OF THE LARGEST RETAIL COMPLEXES IN THE COUNTRY,
HAVE COME TO DISCUSS A PROPOSITION
WHICH MAY BEAR GOOD TIDINGS AND PERHAPS EVEN A LITTLE CHEER.
SO, WILL YOU PLEASE WELCOME --
He's not here, so I'll be taking the floor. OH, SURE.
UH, PLEASE WELCOME RICK BUCKNER.
[ APPLAUSE ] HEY, THERE.
HI.
MY BOSS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT HE WAS -- [ DOOR OPENS ]
Daniel: I'M HERE! I'M HERE! HI! HUH?
SORRY I'M LATE.
HI. HI.
MR. TIRE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MR. HUNTSLAR.
HOW ARE YOU, MAYOR? GOOD TO SEE YOU. WELCOME.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I'M DANIEL HUNTSLAR, C.E.O. OF HUNTSLAR & ASSOCIATES,
AND I HAVE ONE QUESTION I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS WORTH?
OOH.
I'LL ASK YOU AGAIN.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR BUSINESS REALLY WORTH? Carmen: NOT MUCH.
A LOT LESS THAN I PAID FOR IT.
HOW COME YOU WANT TO KNOW?
WELL, WHAT IF I WERE TO TELL YOU THAT MY FIRM IS PREPARED
TO OFFER YOU TWICE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY RIGHT NOW?
Carmen: WAIT. ALL OF US?
WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU WANT, MR. HUNTSLAR?
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I WANT TO REBUILD THE ENTIRE MAIN STREET OF LAUREL SPRINGS.
[ UP-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
Man: INTRODUCING THE NEW LAUREL SPRINGS,
A PROUD COMMUNITY FOR OVER 150 YEARS.
WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE AND WORK HERE OR JUST VISIT... Woman: THAT'S NICE!
...LAUREL SPRINGS WILL HAVE IT ALL.
AND IT WILL START WITH A REVITALIZED MAIN STREET
THAT WILL BE THE ENVY OF EVERY SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA. THAT'S GREAT!
Man: THAT'S ACTUALLY HOW I'VE ALWAYS PICTURED IT, YOU KNOW?
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
THANK YOU, MAYOR.
ALL RIGHT. TAKE CARE OF IT, RICK. THANKS.
[ CLEARS THROAT ]
HEY. IT'S CHARLOTTE, RIGHT?
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A NEW BUSINESS DISTRICT HERE?
WELL, BECAUSE I WANT TO TRANSFORM
YOUR SLEEPY, LITTLE TOWN INTO A DESTINATION.
YOU DO REALIZE THAT WE'RE AT LEAST 30 MILES
FROM THE NEAREST INTERSTATE?
OH, AND -- AND HERE IT SAYS THAT WE HAVE ONLY FIVE DAYS
TO COME TO A DECISION BEFORE YOU PUT IT TO A VOTE.
ARE YOU AWARE THAT IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS?
I HEARD THAT. [ CHUCKLES ]
UH, WE BELIEVE THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS,
THEY COULD USE THIS GIFT, AND THEY COULD USE IT NOW.
WHAT WE COULD USE ARE SOME CHOIR ROBES.
IS THAT SO? YES.
AND MAYBE WE COULD FIX A FEW THINGS HERE AND THERE.
NOW, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY,
WE NEED TIME TO GET OUR BUSINESSES BACK TO NORMAL.
BY OURSELVES.
WE DON'T NEED YOU TO RESCUE US.
I'M SORRY. WHAT WAS YOUR LAST NAME?
HART. CHARLOTTE HART.
I'M THE EDITOR OF THE LAUREL SPRINGS POST. HUH.
YOU KNOW, I USED TO READ SOME PRETTY IN-DEPTH ARTICLES
IN THE NEW YORK CHRONICLER WRITTEN BY A CHARLOTTE HART.
IS THAT --
[ CHUCKLES ] WOW.
HOW'D YOU END UP HERE?
EXCUSE ME.
[ TELEPHONE RINGING ]
WHO IS THIS AND WHAT'S THE STORY?
CHARLOTTE: Alan, it's me.
CHARLOTTE, I ALREADY TOLD YOU
I can't give you your old job back.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT.
DO ME A FAVOR.
I-I NEED YOU TO FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN
on Huntslar & Associates.
IS THIS A BIG ONE?
IT IS TO ME.
HEY.
HOW WAS SCHOOL TODAY?
[ SIGHS ] NOT SO GOOD.
UH-OH.
I DIDN'T DO WHAT YOU TOLD ME.
AND, UM...NOW HE WANTS ME
TO DO HIS HOMEWORK BY LUNCH TOMORROW.
HMM.
NOW, NOBODY CAN MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT TO DO,
ESPECIALLY IF IT'S WRONG.
HMM?
YOU REMEMBER THAT.
HURRY UP AND FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK.
[ SMOOCHES ] AND SWEET DREAMS.
OKAY.
[ DOOR CLOSES ]
[ DOOR OPENS ] "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"?
IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
SO, WHERE ARE YOU UP TO?
WHICH GHOST IS VISITING OLD SCROOGE?
IT'S THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
OH.
[ Ominously ] EBENEZER'S ABOUT TO LEARN
THE ERROR OF HIS WAYS. [ CHUCKLES ]
THANKS. THANKS. SORRY.
[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?
I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SPIRITS
OR GUARDIAN ANGELS THAT WATCH OVER US.
I LIKE THAT.
HMM.
HEY, AUNT CHARLOTTE.
I DON'T WANT LAUREL SPRINGS TO CHANGE.
[ Sighing ] NEITHER DO I.
SO, WHAT IF EVERYONE SELLS THEIR BUSINESSES?
WHERE ARE THEY GONNA GO?
AND ARE WE EVER GONNA SEE THEM AGAIN?
WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE THE WAY THAT THINGS ARE
WHEN THEY CHANGE?
I MEAN, I-I LOVE LAUREL SPRINGS JUST THE WAY THAT IT IS.
I FEEL THE SAME WAY.
I'M GONNA DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING.
BUT RIGHT NOW, IT'S LATE.
TIME FOR YOU TO GO TO BED.
OKAY. GOOD NIGHT.
MWAH.
[ SIGHS ]
Alan: "CHARLOTTE, NOTHING INTERESTING ON HUNTSLAR & ASSOCIATES.
"PRIVATE COMPANY. TIGHT AS A DRUM.
"NO BOMBSHELLS, SCANDALS, OR INFO.
SORRY. BEST, ALAN."
"DEAR, MR. BANKS,
"JUST A REPORTER IN LAUREL SPRINGS.
"CURIOUS ABOUT HOW YOU'RE ALL MANAGING
"AFTER HUNTSLAR & ASSOCIATES REVITALIZED YOUR TOWN.
"THE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN HERE.
"PLEASE RESPOND AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
SINCERELY, CHARLOTTE HART, THE LAUREL SPRINGS POST."
GOOD. YOU'RE HOME.
HI.
I CANNOT BELIEVE I MISSED SAYING GOOD NIGHT TO THE KIDS AGAIN.
WOULD YOU STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF?
YOU CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE.
UM, HAVE YOU SEEN MY OTHER GLOVE?
NO.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
TO THE HOTEL.
GOT TO, UH, SPEAK TO THOSE BUSINESSMEN
ABOUT THIS TOWN PROPOSAL.
THERE'S MORE TO THIS THAN THEY'RE LETTING ON.
HEY, CHARLOTTE.
I'M SORRY JERRY'S NOT COMING HOME.
I KNOW. SO AM I.
NO. WHAT I MEAN IS,
I HATE THE THOUGHT OF US KEEPING YOU FROM WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.
I-I NEVER THOUGHT OUR LIVES WOULD BE LIKE THIS.
AND IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THE CITY AND THE PAPER AND --
PAM, I'M EXACTLY WHERE I WANT TO BE -- HERE WITH YOU.
YOU'RE NOT GETTING RID OF ME.
UNDERSTOOD?
[ SMOOCHES ] I'VE GOT TO TALK TO THIS HUNTSLAR GUY.
CAN'T YOU JUST CALL HIM IN THE MORNING?
HE WON'T BE SURPRISED TO SEE ME.
SURE HE WON'T. [ CHUCKLES ]
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
[ CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYING ]
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
[ CRASH ]
[ RADIO CHATTER ]
Dr. Franklin: CHARLOTTE?
IT'S DR. FRANKLIN. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
MMM, YEAH.
I-I HEAR YOU.
[ SIGHS ]
YOU WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT, CHARLOTTE.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
YES. YES, I-I UNDERSTAND.
AM I OKAY?
,
PAM. HEY.
ANY CHANGE IN HER STATUS? SAME AS WHEN YOU LEFT.
HOW ARE THE KIDS?
I-I JUST DROPPED THEM OFF AT SCHOOL.
THEY KNOW IT'S BAD, BUT, UM... WHERE'S DR. FRANKLIN?
HE'S IN WITH CHARLOTTE NOW.
[ GROANS ]
WAS IT A BAD ACCIDENT?
I DON'T REMEMBER.
IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN THAT BAD, RIGHT?
I FEEL -- I FEEL PRETTY GOOD.
WHAT ON EARTH?
DO YOU --
[ GASPS ]
DOCTOR, PLEASE DON'T -- DON'T...GO.
Pam: DR. FRANKLIN, HOW IS SHE?
Dr. Franklin: PAM, I'M SORRY. IT WAS A BAD ACCIDENT.
SHE'S IN A COMA RIGHT NOW, AND YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO,
WE HAVE NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN SHE MIGHT WAKE UP.
THERE'S BEEN NO CHANGE? NO.
WE'RE MONITORING HER VERY CLOSELY,
AND SHE'S NOT IN PAIN.
THERE WAS ANOTHER PATIENT
BROUGHT IN FROM THE SAME ACCIDENT,
UH, ACROSS THE HALL, ALSO IN A COMA.
OTHER PATIENT?
NO.
HOW DID...THIS HAPPEN?
I WAS DRIVING OVER TO TALK TO YOU.
WELL, I'M RIGHT HERE. [ GASPS ]
AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
WELL, I-I THINK THAT YOU...
AND I WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT.
I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN THE CITY,
HAVE RICK HANDLE THIS PROJECT.
YOU CAN SEE ME? YEAH. YEAH.
NO ONE ELSE CAN. THAT'S GREAT.
I GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE, UH, NOW.
I'LL HAVE MY ASSISTANT CALL ME A TOWN CAR.
YEAH.
�
UH, DANIEL, I-I THINK...
I THINK YOU'RE IN SHOCK.
WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING?
BECAUSE WE'RE NOT REALLY HERE.
I KNOW. I-I'M AS CONFUSED AS YOU ARE.
AND I'M REALLY SORRY ABOUT THE ACCIDENT.
THE ACCIDENT. DID YOU...
DID YOU HIT ME?
I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE YOU HIT ME.
THERE IS A BROKEN TRAFFIC LIGHT.
OH.
YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME?
HEY, I NEVER SAID THAT.
WELL, THERE IS A BROKEN TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN.
AND -- AND IF WE HAD AN ACCIDENT,
IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT'S MY FAULT.
I BELIEVE YOU.
[ POLICE RADIO CHATTER ]
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
I DON'T KNOW.
I THOUGHT ABOUT THE ACCIDENT, AND HERE WE ARE.
YEAH, I'VE GOT A PLANE, AND THIS WAS SO MUCH COOLER.
WE'RE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.
WHAT'S YOUR DEFINITION OF "ALIVE"?
[ WHIRRING ]
WELL, HOW BAD IS IT? PRETTY BAD.
THE LAMP'S DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR,
BUT THE REAL PROBLEM IS
THE TOWN'S ELECTRICAL GRID NEEDS TO BE UPDATED.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO FIX IT?
MONEY. OR A MIRACLE.
WE'RE A LITTLE SHORT ON BOTH RIGHT NOW.
POOR CHARLOTTE.
[ WHIRRING ]
MAYOR, WAS IT CHARLOTTE? TOLD YOU.
1
YOU REALIZE THERE WOULDN'T BE A BROKEN LIGHT
IF MY COMPANY DEVELOPED THIS SITE.
THIS "SITE"?
MY HOMETOWN IS NOT A "SITE."
HEY, LOOK, NORMALLY I COULDN'T GET OUT
OF A PLACE LIKE THIS FAST ENOUGH.
CHARMING.
BUT SEEING HOW I'M -- I'M STUCK HERE WITH YOU,
I MEAN, DON'T YOU THINK WE SHOULD STICK TOGETHER?
[ CROW SQUAWKING ]
GWEN?
CAN YOU SEE ME?
NO, NO, NO.
NO. NOT THIS ONE, TOO.
NO. WHO'S THIS?
CAN YOU SEE ME? STOP. PLEASE, GWEN.
TALK TO ME.
I PROMISED MYSELF I'D NEVER GET INVOLVED WITH SPIRITS AGAIN.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
FOLLOW ME.
[ WIND CHIME TINKLING ]
[ SWALLOWS ] SO...
LIKE I SAID, I STOPPED HELPING SPIRITS A LONG TIME AGO.
HOW CAN YOU EVEN SEE US?
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO SEE WHAT OTHERS CANNOT.
SOME PEOPLE SAY IT'S A GIFT.
[ SIGHS ]
I'D SAY IT'S MORE LIKE A CURSE.
WHY?
BECAUSE WHEN SOMEONE IN THE SPIRIT WORLD
KNOWS YOU CAN SEE THEM, THEY NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE.
[ VOICES WHISPERING ] [ GASPS ]
WHOA.
YEAH, I COULD SEE HOW THAT COULD BE -- UN-UNBEARABLE.
I TRIED TO HELP FOR -- FOR AS LONG AS I COULD.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
NO ONE KNOWS BETTER THAN I
HOW HARD IT WILL BE FOR YOU TO RETURN
TO THE LIFE THAT YOU ONCE KNEW.
I'M SO SORRY.
I...
I, UH...
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
WHAT IS IT THAT YOU KNOW EXACTLY, UH, MISS...?
HALLINGER.
AND YOU'RE...?
DANIEL. UH, DANIEL HUNTSLAR.
OH, YOU'RE THAT MAN.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT YOU.
I DON'T THINK SHE LIKES ME.
DON'T LIKE YOUR AGENDA, MR. HUNTSLAR.
FIVE GENERATIONS OF HALLINGERS HAVE LIVED HERE
WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE HELP.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT, CHARLOTTE?
IT CERTAINLY IS.
Gwen: I STILL REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE JUST A CHILD.
ALWAYS SUSPECTED THERE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT YOU.
THE LIGHT IN YOU IS SO STRONG.
MAKES ME WONDER WHERE YOU'RE REALLY FROM.
WHAT IN THE --
HAVE YOU PASSED THROUGH YET?
PASSED THROUGH?
UM...I-I DON'T KNOW.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
IT'S WHEN PEOPLE IN THE SPIRIT WORLD WANT TO RETURN SO BADLY,
THEY'RE ABLE TO MANIPULATE EVENTS IN THE REAL WORLD.
AND THE MORE YOU DO IT, THE EASIER IT GETS.
DOES -- DOES THAT MEAN I CAN CALL MY BROKER AND TRADE STOCK?
YOU WANT TO COME BACK, RIGHT? YEAH.
THEN THE ANSWER IS NO, MR. HUNTSLAR.
WHAT YOU DO IN THE SPIRIT WORLD WILL DETERMINE
WHETHER YOU EVER COME BACK.
[ SIGHS ] LOOK...
COMPLETING UNFINISHED BUSINESS,
WHAT WAS GOING ON IN HERE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT...
...DOING GOOD --
THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO MANIFEST YOUR RETURN
AND WAKE UP AGAIN.
ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO.
THANK YOU.
YOU'RE WELCOME, MY DEAR.
�
Gwen: USE THIS TIME WISELY.
WELL, THAT WAS INTERESTING.
SO...ARE YOU, LIKE, A FAIRY OR SOMETHING?
WHAT?
"I ALWAYS SUSPECTED
THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL ABOUT YOU, MY DEAR."
GWEN IS LIKE A GRANDMOTHER TO ME,
AND SHE'S REALLY PUTTING HERSELF OUT FOR US.
AND DID YOU NOT HEAR ANYTHING THAT SHE SAID?
YEAH.
YEAH, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, THINGS YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT.
ANY IDEA WHAT WAS ON YOUR MIND BEFORE THE ACCIDENT?
OF COURSE.
I WAS WORRIED ABOUT MY HOME, MY FAMILY, DEALING WITH YOU.
[ DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE ]
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
I'M PRETTY SURE I WAS THINKING ABOUT
HOW QUICK I CAN GET OUT OF THIS PLACE.
OH, AND, UH...
UH, NOTHING.
COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
WELL, I WAS THINKING...
ABOUT WHAT IT MIGHT BE LIKE TO KISS YOU.
I BEG YOUR PARDON?
HEY, YOU ASKED.
SO...WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO FIRST?
NOT THAT.
[ BELLS TOLLING ] CHURCH BELLS. WOW.
IT'S 12:00. COME WITH ME.
[ SCHOOL BELL RINGS ]
I WAS THINKING PARIS. YOU WERE THINKING MIDDLE SCHOOL.
[ CHUCKLES ] GREAT. I'M LOOKING FOR SOMEONE.
SO, YOU GOT A KID HERE?
NO. MY NEPHEW, CHRISTOPHER.
THAT'S BETTER.
I, UH, NEED TO SEE SOMETHING FOR MYSELF.
THERE HE IS.
WHERE'S MY MATH HOMEWORK, TWERP?
I DON'T HAVE IT.
I KNOW YOU DIDN'T JUST SAY THAT.
Boy: WHAT?!
WHY DON'T YOU DO IT YOURSELF?
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
CLOCK HIM, CHRISTOPHER!
DON'T YOU DARE!
THIS GUY'S A JERK! COME ON, CHRISTOPHER.
JUST DO WHAT I TOLD YOU.
I KNOW YOU CAN.
I'M GONNA GIVE YOU ONE MORE CHANCE.
ARE YOU GONNA DO MY HOMEWORK OR WHAT?!
NO.
[ STUDENTS MURMURING ]
BACK OFF, AND DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!
I SAID BACK OFF!
GOOD JOB.
Daniel: AND HERE WE GO.
OH! WHOA.
[ CHUCKLES ] Boy: WHAT WAS THAT?!
OH!
YES!
[ LAUGHTER ]
OH! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
NEITHER DID I. [ LAUGHS ]
THAT WAS AWESOME. THANKS, MAN.
LET'S GO TO CLASS, YOU GUYS.
THAT IS WHAT I THINK GWEN MEANT BY PASSING THROUGH.
YEAH. [ CHUCKLES ]
HEY.
HEY, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
YEAH.
[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]
WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
WHO?
[ CHUCKLES ]
LET'S GO.
YOU SURE? YEAH.
COME ON. OKAY. [ CHUCKLES ]
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE'S GOT A BOYFRIEND.
ALMOST-BOYFRIEND. OH, COME ON.
THEY'RE JUST KIDS HAVING SOME FUN. DIDN'T YOU EVER --
LEAVE SCHOOL?
ME?
[ CHUCKLES ] NO.
NO, I WAS STUDYING, WORKING.
THAT'S WHAT I DID.
THAT'S WHAT I DO.
WERE YOU ALWAYS THIS, UH, DETERMINED?
YES.
[ LAUGHS ]
Woman: YOU'RE GONNA JOIN US ON SATURDAY.
Boy: WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE ORNAMENTS?
Man: THEY'LL BE READY CHRISTMAS EVE, I PROMISE.

[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
WELL, SEE THAT?
THEY'RE JUST GETTING SOMETHING TO EAT.
Charlotte: I STILL DON'T LIKE IT.
THEY SHOULDN'T BE HERE.
Carmen: I CAN'T BELIEVE CHARLOTTE'S IN A COMA.
I KNOW. I'M JUST...DEVASTATED.
AND THAT MAN. TRAGIC.
YEAH, WELL, HIS ASSOCIATE DOESN'T SEEM TO MIND.
NO, THIS IS A WIN/WIN FOR EVERYBODY IN THE WHOLE TOWN.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY'RE STILL GOING AHEAD
WITH THAT VOTE NEXT WEEK?
AH. [ CHUCKLES ] THAT'S GREAT NEWS!
NOT FOR THIS TOWN, IT ISN'T.
MAYBE IT'S FOR THE BEST, YOU KNOW?
WE COULD REALLY USE THE MONEY.
I KNOW. ME, TOO.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE THINKING OF SELLING.
Daniel: OF COURSE THEY ARE.
THIS IS A GREAT DEAL FOR THEM. NO.
WHAT'S GREAT IS THAT CARMEN
COULD HAVE WORKED FOR ANY OF THE BIG DESIGNERS.
BUT INSTEAD, SHE CAME HERE, AND SHE OPENED UP HER OWN STORE.
AND OLIVIA'S HUSBAND, JOE, WAS A JAZZ MUSICIAN.
WHEN HE RETIRED, HIS DREAM WAS TO HAVE A HOTEL,
AND THERE IT IS. UH-HUH.
AND NEXT YOU'RE GONNA TELL ME THAT THIS CAFé...
WAS OWNED BY TOMMY'S GRANDFATHER.
TOMMY GROWS ALL OF HIS OWN PRODUCE
RIGHT HERE IN LAUREL SPRINGS.
HE MUST NOT BE ABLE TO FEED MORE THAN, WHAT, 60 PEOPLE A DAY?
EXACTLY.
THIS TOWN IS TOO SPECIAL FOR WHAT YOU WANT.
YOU -- YOU WANT THIS TOWN TO HAVE A FUTURE, RIGHT?
OH, NO. NOW WHAT?
GUESS WE'RE LEAVING.
I FEEL KIND OF WEIRD NOT BEING IN SCHOOL.
LOOK, I UNDERSTAND YOU WANT TO KEEP TABS ON EVERYBODY
WHILE WE'RE LIKE THIS,
BUT NOW THAT I KNOW THE VOTE'S GOING THROUGH,
I GOT TO STAY FOCUSED... LET'S GO INSIDE, HANG OUT.
...AND FOCUS ON GETTING HOME.
YEAH, I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT THIS A GOOD IDEA.
GET BACK TO MY LIFE. I MEAN, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?
COULD YOU JUST, FOR A MOMENT, STOP TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF?
IT'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT. NOTHING'S GONNA HAPPEN.
NO. STOP! DYLAN! HEY! HEY!
PLEASE, DYLAN!
I-I GOT TO GO, OKAY? WHAT'S GOING ON?
MORGAN, WAIT! HEY!

WEIRD.
THAT WAS...NICE.
YEAH, WELL, A FIRST KISS SHOULD BE EARNED.
IT SHOULD.
AND LOOK WHO JUST PASSED THROUGH.
[ CHUCKLES ] HA-HA.
WOW!
THANKS!
YOU'RE WELCOME.
EAT UP. OKAY.
HELP YOURSELVES.
[ SIGHS ]
SO, UM, I WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR COMING TO THE HOSPITAL THIS AFTERNOON TO SEE CHARLOTTE.
I KNOW IT WASN'T EASY.
DO YOU THINK SHE'S GONNA BE OKAY?
I CAN'T IMAGINE IT ANY OTHER WAY.
MOM, DON'T YOU THINK THAT WE SHOULD TELL DAD?
I MEAN, DON'T YOU THINK THAT HE DESERVES TO KNOW?
YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S HIS SISTER.
NO.
I-I THINK THAT, UM,
WE SHOULD JUST LET HIM FOCUS WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY.
AND TIMES ARE HARD ENOUGH RIGHT NOW.
AND I'M SURE CHARLOTTE WOULDN'T WANT TO UPSET HIM.
YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, UM...
THIS THING HAPPENED AT SCHOOL TODAY.
UM...THERE'S THIS KID THAT'S BEEN BOTHERING ME,
OR WAS BOTHERING ME. YEAH?
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.
I MEAN, I JUST FEEL LIKE AUNT CHARLOTTE...
WHAT IS IT?
I MEAN, SHE WAS RIGHT.
SHE TOLD ME WHAT TO DO, AND SHE WAS RIGHT.
AND...I FEEL LIKE SHE WAS THERE
WHEN -- WHEN I GOT HIM TO STOP.
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.
I MEAN, I FEEL -- I FEEL IT, TOO.
ISN'T THAT WEIRD?
NO.
NO, I THINK IT'S REALLY SWEET OF YOU TWO.
GO ON. EAT YOUR FOOD. COME ON. [ CHUCKLES ]
IT'S OKAY. [ LIGHT LAUGHTER ]
EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE.
YOU KNOW, I THINK WE GOT OFF TO THE WRONG START, CHARLOTTE.
Todd: "DEAR, MS. HART, I'M SO GLAD SOMEONE FINALLY ASKED.
"THE THING OF IT IS, THINGS HERE ARE WORSE NOW --
"AT LEAST FOR MY FAMILY.
"AFTER HUNTSLAR TOOK WHAT THEY NEEDED AND REBUILT,
RENTS WERE RAISED..."
YOU KNOW, I'M NOT THE ENEMY HERE.
YOU KNOW, MY PROPOSAL COULD REALLY HELP YOUR COMMUNITY.
YOU WANT TO HELP YOUR FRIENDS, RIGHT?
OF COURSE I DO.
DOES EVERYONE AROUND HERE
REALLY CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS LIKE THIS?
PRETTY MUCH.
WHERE DO YOU HIDE THE REINDEER?
[ CHUCKLES ]
WHERE'S YOUR CHRISTMAS SPIRIT?
WHAT IS THAT?
BEING KIND AND THOUGHTFUL,
SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
THAT'S NOT REALLY MY THING.
NOT YOUR THING?
WE JUST DIDN'T... EVER DO THAT.
MY DAD WAS USUALLY WORKING.
JUST LIKE YOU.
HE WAS JUST...BUSY.
YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL, RIGHT?
[ SIGHS ] YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY.
THE OLDER HE GETS,
THE MORE HE JUST WANTS TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER.
I THINK SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY,
HE REALIZED HE MISSED THE BOAT ON BEING A DAD.
!�A
AND NOW THAT'S ALL HE WANTS TO DO.
BUT, YOU KNOW...
IT'S TOO LATE.
IS IT EVER REALLY TOO LATE?
YEAH.
I THINK IT IS.
IT'S OKAY. I TURNED OUT PRETTY WELL.
THAT'S ENOUGH FOR YOU?
IT MADE ME WHO I AM.
HAVE YOU EVER CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS?
[ CHUCKLES ]
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, CELEBRATE IT?
SONGS, FAMILY DINNERS.
[ CHUCKLES ] NO.
CHURCH, CIDER?
NO, NEVER.
A TREE?
TREE? NO.
[ Laughing ] NO. NOT A TREE.
HMM.
[ SIGHS ]
THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD DO.
PICK ONE.
WHAT?
PICK ONE.
IT'S TIME YOU DECORATED YOUR FIRST TREE.
[ CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYING ]
[ MUSIC CONTINUES ]
THERE IT IS.
[ MUSIC CONTINUES ]
OKAY. NOW IT'S TIME TO LIGHT THE TREE.
[ SIGHS ]
[ GASPS ] HOW'D YOU DO THAT?
[ LAUGHS ]
I DON'T KNOW!
BUT I LIKE IT. SO DO I.
[ CHUCKLES ]
CROWN THE TREE!
ALL RIGHT.
Morgan: "AND THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT
AND EBENEZER SCROOGE GAZED IN WONDER AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE."
IT'S AUNT CHARLOTTE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
[ WIND WHISTLING, DOG BARKING ]
Man: WHAT THE...
�
$200?
HMM.
I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THIS MONEY
WAS STILL IN MY PANTS POCKET BACK AT THE HOSPITAL.
THAT'S LAUREL SPRINGS FOR YOU.
I'M JUST SURPRISED YOU WANT TO GIVE IT AWAY.
HEY, I CAN BE GENEROUS WHEN I WANT TO BE.
JUST CALL ME SECRET SANTA.
YOU KNOW, YOU BETTER PUT THAT AWAY
BEFORE SOMEBODY SEES A STACK OF BILLS FLOATING AROUND
AND EITHER HAS A HEART ATTACK OR CHASES YOU DOWN THE STREET.
[ CHUCKLES ]
[ BELL JINGLES ] HO, HO, HO!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HO, HO, HO!
[ GASPS ]
MOM, CAN WE GET IT, HUH?
NO, HONEY.
[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]
LOOK!
OKAY, LET'S GO INSIDE. LET'S GO.
NOT AGAIN.
[ BELLS RING ] UGH.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
HAVE YOU BEEN LEAVING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS
EVERYWHERE WE'VE BEEN?
LOOK, PART OF MY UNFINISHED BUSINESS
IS GET YOUR FRIENDS TO TRUST
THAT I KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM IN THIS DEAL.
THAT SHOULD MAKE ME A LITTLE MORE POPULAR AROUND HERE,
DON'T YOU THINK?
HEY, EVERYONE, LISTEN UP.
I-I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M SAYING THIS, BUT, UM...
I THINK CHARLOTTE SENT US AN E-MAIL.
WAIT. CHARLOTTE? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
AND PART OF MY UNFINISHED BUSINESS
IS TO CONVINCE ALL OF MY FRIENDS
THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Todd: "AFTER HUNTSLAR TOOK WHAT THEY NEEDED AND REBUILT,
"RENTS WERE RAISED, OUR FRIENDS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE,
"SELL THEIR LAND, THEIR HOMES.
A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE."
I DON'T THINK I LIKE THIS DEAL ANYMORE.
IT SOUNDS FISHY TO ME.
THIS TIME, YOU'RE COMING WITH ME.
THE CHURCH? WAIT FOR IT.
AND, YEAH. WHAT HAVE WE HERE?
Ronnie: HEY, REVEREND.
THANKS, RONNIE. SURE.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
YOU? THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL.
THEY'RE NICE, RIGHT?
WELL, IF ANYBODY ELSE HAD SENT THEM, I WOULD SAY THANK YOU.
WHEN YOU TOLD ME THE CHOIR NEEDED THEM,
I HAD MY ASSISTANT PLACE THE ORDER.
REVEREND! I THINK WE HAVE A MIRACLE!
THAT BROKEN TRAFFIC LIGHT -- IT'S WORKING AGAIN!
GOOD AS NEW! YOU GOT TO COME SEE!
DID YOU...
DON'T SEE ME LEAVING ANY CARDS.
Man: LOOK, IT'S FIXED!
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
THERE'S NO WAY.
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. [ CHUCKLES ]
Kevin: "DO YOU REALLY THINK IT'S POSSIBLE THAT CHARLOTTE SENT THAT E-MAIL?"
Sarah: "NO, SHE'S IN A COMA... BUT HER SPIRIT COULD HAVE."
"WHAT'S A SPIRIT? YOU MEAN LIKE A GHOST?"
Jenn: "I DON'T KNOW, BUT I SLIPPED ON SOME ICE THIS MORNING,
"AND SOMEONE -- OR SOMETHING -- CAUGHT ME JUST IN TIME.
BUT WHEN I TURNED AROUND, NO ONE WAS THERE."
HEY, MOM! MOM, YOU SHOULD REALLY COME CHECK THIS OUT!
[ DOORBELL RINGS ]
GWEN.
HI. HOW -- HOW ARE YOU?
FINE. UH, FINE.
I JUST THOUGHT THAT WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON
THAT, WELL, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE TIME TO COOK, SO...
OH, THANK YOU.
THAT'S -- THAT'S SO THOUGHTFUL OF YOU.
UM, COME IN.
OH, NO, NO. YES.
COME IN, PLEASE.
�
KIDS? KIDS, COME OUT HERE.
YOU REMEMBER GWEN, RIGHT?
UH, MAKE HER FEEL AT HOME.
I'M GONNA GO GET SOME CIDER FOR EVERYBODY.
[ SIGHS ]
UM...YOU WANT TO HAVE A SEAT?
OH, THANKS.
[ SIGHS ]
SO...[ CHUCKLES ]
HI.
I'M SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR AUNT CHARLOTTE.
I KNOW THIS SOUNDS REALLY CRAZY, BUT...
SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT IT'S HER SPIRIT
THAT'S DOING ALL THE THINGS AROUND TOWN.
I HEARD THAT.
YEAH, UM...
DO YOU -- DO YOU BELIEVE IT?
I BELIEVE THAT SHE IS A VERY STRONG WOMAN...
...THAT SHE'S DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO GET BACK TO YOU.
Pam: WHO WANTS CIDER?
OH, GOOD.
I'M SO GLAD YOU CAME OVER. THANK YOU.
(*
Reverend: GOOD MORNING.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
Charlotte: THESE SHOULD BE DONE.
I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF MAKING COOKIES
IF WE CAN'T EAT THEM.
BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING THEM.
AND THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE.
TA-DA!
WOW.
WELL, DON'T JUST STAND THERE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
ONE OF THE REASONS MANY OF YOU CAME HERE TODAY
WAS TO HEAR MY SERMON,
TO HEAR SOMETHING NEW, PERHAPS SOMETHING PROFOUND.
NOTHING THAT I COULD SAY TODAY, HOWEVER,
COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OUR NEIGHBOR,
OUR FRIEND, OUR LOVED ONE,
CHARLOTTE HART, HAS ALREADY TOLD US.
IN THIS, HER MOST RECENT ARTICLE,
CHARLOTTE REMINDED US
OF THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT --
AND NOT JUST UNTIL DECEMBER 25th,
BUT EACH AND EVERY DAY.
CERTAINLY ACTS OF KINDNESS,
FORGIVENESS, AND JOY KNOW NO CALENDAR.
SO I BELIEVE THAT THE VERY BEST WAY TO HONOR CHARLOTTE,
WHO IS FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE RIGHT NOW...
IS TO DEDICATE OURSELVES TO CARRYING OUT HER WISHES.
LET US BOW OUR HEADS AND PRAY
FOR HER SWIFT AND SPEEDY RECOVERY,
AS WELL FOR MR. DANIEL HUNTSLAR.
I CAN'T BELIEVE HE MENTIONED ME.
THAT'S THE KIND OF PLACE THIS IS.
[ BELLS TOLLING ]
ALL RIGHT. COOKIES.
HEY, MOM, AREN'T -- ARE THESE AUNT CHARLOTTE--
CHARLOTTE'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES.
[ CHUCKLES ]
DON'T QUESTION IT. THESE COULD ONLY COME FROM HER.
RICK: No, it's not looking good.
We're in trouble.
This woman, she put it into their heads
that they'll be run out of town or something.
And then people keep coming up to me,
asking why Daniel's business card is everywhere. It's crazy.
I don't know.
The vote's tomorrow, and I can't figure out how we'll get a majority.
I don't know what the boss would want me to do.
What in the world?
"3X."
I think I was just told what to do.
[ CHUCKLES ]
OOH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
N-NOTHING. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
HEY, UH, YOU KNOW,
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE STILL DOING HERE.
I MEAN, WHY AREN'T WE WAKING UP YET?
HAVE WE DONE EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO?
I'M CONFUSED.
ARE YOU A LITTLE -- ARE YOU CONFUSED?
GWEN, I THINK WE NEED TO TALK.
THEY ALWAYS DO.
�
Gwen: YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE HERE,
AND YOU WANT SOME ANSWERS, RIGHT?
PRETTY MUCH.
WELL, THE TRUTH IS,
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY,
BUT I DO KNOW THAT YOUR FATES ARE INTERTWINED,
AND IF YOU DON'T START HELPING EACH OTHER,
YOU'LL NEVER COME BACK.
YOU SEE? WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.
OKAY, SO WE'RE ON THE SAME TEAM.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT ELSE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
WELL, IT'S REALLY QUITE SIMPLE.
FINALLY.
YOU MUST LOOK WITHIN.
EXCUSE ME?
WHY YOU COLLIDED THE OTHER NIGHT, THE REASON.
SEE, WHAT WAS GOING ON IN HERE --
THAT'S YOUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
FIND WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED IN YOURSELVES AND EACH OTHER,
AND THEN MAYBE --
MAYBE YOU'LL COME BACK EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE.
YOU KNOW WHAT SHE MEANT BY LOOKING WITHIN, RIGHT?
I MEAN, THERE'S --
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT US THAT WE NEED TO FIX.
IS THAT SO?
YEAH.
AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HELP ONE ANOTHER
TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT IS.
YEAH, I-I GOT THAT.
HERE'S THE THING. UH...
I DON'T HAVE ANY, UH, FLAWS, SO...
YOU THINK YOU'RE FLAWLESS?
ARE YOU SERIOUS? 100%.
OH.
YOU KNOW, I-I GOT SOMETHING.
I AM A TERRIBLE LIAR.
YOUR PROBLEM IS THAT YOU COULD IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO LIE?
[ CHUCKLES ] WOW.
IT MUST BE HARD BEING YOU.
IMPOSSIBLE. [ CHUCKLES ]
[ SIGHS ]
LOOK, WE -- WE ALL CAN'T BE AS RIGHTEOUS AS YOU, CHARLOTTE.
WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?
OH, PLEASE.
ANYONE THAT CAN LEAVE THE JOB THAT YOU HAD
TO GO TAKE CARE OF HER BROTHER'S FAMILY, THAT'S...
THAT'S PRETTY RIGHTEOUS.
WELL, THAT'S, UH, NOT THE WHOLE STORY.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
WELL, I DIDN'T LEAVE MY JOB. I...WAS ASKED TO LEAVE.
I WAS DOING THIS STORY ON A MISSING CHILD,
AND I'D BEEN COVERING IT FOR YEARS.
AND THEN NOBODY ELSE SEEMED TO CARE ANYMORE.
THEY WERE ON TO THE NEXT THING.
CASE WENT COLD.
AND MY EDITOR INSISTED THAT I DROP IT,
SAID THAT I WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE STORY.
BUT I JUST KNEW THAT THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS OUT THERE
AND SHE WAS STILL ALIVE.
S
I THINK I-I LOST SIGHT OF MY PURPOSE.
THERE WAS NO ARTICLE THAT I COULD EVER WRITE THAT --
THAT COULD HAVE ENOUGH OF AN IMPACT TO TRULY HELP.
OR SO I THOUGHT.
AND MY EDITOR SAID THAT I SHOULD TAKE SOME TIME OFF.
HE -- HE MADE ME... TAKE SOME TIME OFF.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HERE?
YEAH.
MY, UH -- MY BROTHER'S REGIMENT WAS RE-DEPLOYED OVERSEAS,
AND I THOUGHT IF I COME HOME,
AT LEAST I COULD HELP HIM OUT AND HIS FAMILY, AND...
[CHUCKLES]
SOMETIMES I DON'T KNOW WHO'S HELPING WHOM.
[ CHUCKLES ]
�
BUT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.
DOES THAT INCLUDE YOU AND ME?
LOOKS THAT WAY.
I HAVE BEEN THINKING. OH, NO.
[ Chuckling ] OKAY. SORRY.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
I WAS THINKING THAT YOU COULD FORGIVE YOUR FATHER
AND STILL KNOW THAT WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG.
WHY WOULD I DO THAT?
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS.
AND I THINK THAT IT WOULD MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.
YOU THINK THIS IS WHAT I NEED TO FIX?
FORGIVING LETS YOU BOTH WIN.
NO, I CAN'T DO THAT.
ANYTHING ELSE?
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE IS.
HERE WE GO.
YOU KNOW WHAT I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOU, MR. HUNTSLAR?
WHAT'S THAT, MISS HART?
YOUR SUIT.
WH-WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY SUIT?
DO YOU KNOW MUCH I PAID FOR THIS?
I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU PAID FOR IT.
I HAVE BEEN STARING AT IT FOR DAYS.
[ CHUCKLES ] FINE.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ME IN?
THESE ARE PRETTY.
Daniel: I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS.
OH, COME ON. IT CAN'T BE THAT BAD.
[ SIGHS ] ALL RIGHT.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
[ SIGHS ]
IT'S THAT BAD?
YOU LOOK GOOD.
YEAH? MMM. [ CHUCKLES ]
REALLY GOOD.
WELL, JUST SO YOU KNOW, WHENEVER I MAKE A TRANSACTION,
I LIKE TO SWEETEN THE DEAL.
YOU'RE NEXT. ME?
YEAH. [ LAUGHS ]
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. OH, YEAH. YOU ARE NEXT.
I AM NOT PUTTING ANYTHING ON. OH, YEAH. I'LL PICK IT OUT.
ANOTHER PIECE OF BERRY PIE, MAYOR?
OH, I SHOULDN'T, BUT, UH [CHUCKLES] IT IS CHRISTMAS.
[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR.
OH. HAVE A MINUTE?
SURE, SON. SIT DOWN.
UH, ANY NEWS OF MR. HUNTSLAR'S CONDITION?
I'M AFRAID NOT.
BUT I KNOW HE'D BE THRILLED
TO KNOW THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD
WITH OUR PROPOSAL AND THE VOTE TOMORROW.
AH, YES. THE VOTE.
I HAVE TO SAY,
I DON'T THINK THIS TOWN'S GONNA GO FOR IT, SON.
CALL IT BAD KARMA, TIMING. I REALLY CAN'T SAY.
BUT...FOLKS DON'T KNOW YOU VERY WELL.
AND THEY DO KNOW CHARLOTTE.
AND STRANGE AS IT MAY SOUND,
PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE FEELING SHE THINKS IT'S A BAD IDEA.
THAT'S PRECISELY WHAT I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.
[ FORK CLINKS ]
YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD, BIG GUY.
Charlotte: OH, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS IN A DRESS.
I'M SURE IT'LL COME BACK TO YOU.
HERE IT IS.
OH, YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, CHARLOTTE.
THANK YOU.
I JUST FOUND A FLAW.
NO, IN MYSELF.
I...
I SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID TO LET PEOPLE IN.
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
YOU MAKE ME THINK ABOUT THINGS I DON'T THINK ABOUT.
AND YOU MAKE ME FEEL THINGS THAT I DON'T USUALLY FEEL.
YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T EVEN BE TALKING TO YOU
IF WE WEREN'T STUCK IN THIS TOGETHER.
IT'S A PRETTY LOUSY SITUATION, HUH?
AWFUL.
BUT I THINK THAT WE BETTER GET GOING
IF WE WANT TO FIND OUR WAY BACK INTO OUR BODIES.
YEAH. I'M ALL YOURS.
♪ CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN ♪
CAROLERS. WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED?
[ CHUCKLES ]
♪ SILENT NIGHT ♪
♪ HOLY NIGHT ♪
♪ ALL IS CALM ♪
♪ ALL IS BRIGHT ♪
♪ 'ROUND YON VIRGIN MOTHER AND CHILD ♪
♪ HOLY INFANT, SO TENDER AND MILD ♪
COMING THROUGH! I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE!
Carmen: IS EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?
I'LL LET YOU BE THE JUDGE OF THAT, CARMEN.
AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S AN IMPORTANT VOTE TOMORROW
CONCERNING THE FATE OF LAUREL SPRINGS.
AND I KNOW IT WON'T BE AN EASY ONE.
Woman: THAT'S FOR SURE.
Woman #2: IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT WITHOUT CHARLOTTE HERE.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
WHATEVER YOUR DECISION MAY BE,
IT SEEMS THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT MUST BE SPREADING,
BECAUSE THAT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IS NOW PREPARED
TO OFFER THREE TIMES THE WORTH OF EVERYONE'S BUSINESS.
OH, MY GOD! REALLY? THAT'S AMAZING!
YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THAT IS? THAT'S FANTASTIC!
Daniel: CHARLOTTE.
CHARLOTTE, HANG ON A MINUTE.
YOU KNOW, I KNEW IT.
I KNEW YOU WERE UP TO SOMETHING AT THAT RECEPTION.
I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'RE SO MAD.
SELLING IS ONLY GONNA HELP LAUREL SPRINGS.
IF WE SELL!
GWEN SAID OUR FATES ARE INTERTWINED,
AND IF WE DON'T START WORKING TOGETHER,
WE'RE NEVER GONNA GET BACK.
HELP ME STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING.
WELL, MAYBE YOU SHOULD HELP ME.
[ SIGHS ]
WHAT IF EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT BY THE TIME YOU GET BACK HOME?
YEAH, I MEAN, WE LOVE LAUREL SPRINGS,
AND I DON'T WANT TO MOVE.
IT'S GONNA BE OKAY.
LAUREL SPRINGS HAS ENDURED AND SURVIVED FOR YEARS.
I MEAN, JUST ASK AUNT CHARLOTTE.
WHERE IS SHE?
WHAT IS IT? WHAT'S WRONG?
WE HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, JERRY.
CHARLOTTE...
CHARLOTTE'S BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
[ MONITOR BEEPING ]
[ SIGHS ]
Daniel: AND I BOUGHT THAT FOR MYSELF.
HEY.
YOU OKAY?
I'M JUST... FEELING FAR AWAY.
YOU? YEAH.
I NOW OFFICIALLY KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
TO BE LONELY FOR CHRISTMAS.
WHICH IS IRONIC BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS ALONE AT CHRISTMAS.
I JUST DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND SO MUCH UNTIL...
UNTIL I MET YOU.
HELP ME UNDERSTAND.
WHY DO YOU THINK THAT LAUREL SPRINGS
WILL BE BETTER OFF YOUR WAY?
Nurse: SHOOT!
LET'S JUST HOPE SHE DOESN'T ACCIDENTALLY
KNOCK OVER THE LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEM.
NO WONDER YOU WANT US
TO SELL OUR BUSINESSES TO YOU BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
THEY'VE REOPENED TALKS
TO BUILD A NEW INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, HAVEN'T THEY?
AND YOU KNOW SOMEBODY ON THE INSIDE.
NO, THOSE ARE JUST SPECULATIVE, CHARLOTTE.
NOBODY'S SUPPOSED TO SEE THESE.
WHY? BECAUSE ONCE THIS INFORMATION IS ANNOUNCED,
THEN -- THEN EVERYONE'S GONNA KNOW WHAT THEIR PROPERTY IS WORTH?
YOU ARE TRYING TO DECEIVE EVERYONE!
NO, I'M -- I'M TRYING TO DO BUSINESS.
REALLY? IS THAT THE WORD THAT YOU USE TO HIDE BEHIND?
UH-HUH. SO THAT YOU DON'T RISK
FEELING BADLY ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO. NO.
IT'S THE WORD THAT I HIDE BEHIND
SO I DON'T HAVE TO FEEL ANYTHING.
AND IF THAT'S MY PROBLEM, THEN FINE.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS,
IS THAT YOU GOT ME INTO THIS MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
YOU SAID YOUR BOSS
THINKS YOU GET TOO CLOSE TO THE STORIES THAT YOU COVER?
WELL, GUESS WHAT.
YOU COULDN'T BE ANY CLOSER TO THIS STORY IF YOU TRIED.
IN FACT, EVER SINCE YOU RAN INTO ME, YOU BECAME THE STORY.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE MAY NEVER GET BACK TO OUR OWN LIVES.
YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT.
BUT I WILL NEVER STOP TRYING.
AND DON'T WORRY.
YOU'RE A TERRIFIC LIAR.
[ KEYBOARD CLACKING ]
"WE SHOULDN'T SELL."
OH, I HOPE THIS WORKS.
Mayor: GOOD MORNING.
IN A MINUTE, AS YOU WILL SEE,
ALL BUSINESS OWNERS WILL GET A VOTE FORM TO FILL OUT,
AND AFTER A SHORT DELIBERATION,
WE WILL VOTE AT 12:00 NOON WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING.
NOW, I KNOW I DON'T HAVE TO REMIND YOU
THIS IS A VOTE FOR OUR FUTURE, WHATEVER YOUR DECISION WILL BE.
SO, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING BEFORE WE CONTINUE?
[ SIGHS ]
WISH ME LUCK.
[ DOG WHIMPERS ]
OKAY. IF NOBODY HAS ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD...
YES, I DO!
[ PEOPLE MURMURING ]
WHAT? WHAT IS THIS?
HEY.
PASS ME ONE. WHAT DOES IT SAY?
WHAT IN THE WORLD?
WHERE DID ALL THIS COME FROM? WHAT IS THIS?
Morgan: AUNT CHARLOTTE.
EVERYBODY, READ THIS!
THEY'RE STARTING UP TALKS AGAIN ABOUT A NEW INTERSTATE?
WHICH WILL RUN RIGHT BY LAUREL SPRINGS?
THIS IS A BIG DEAL IF IT'S TRUE.
THAT OR THE FACT THAT CHARLOTTE WROTE THIS?
SHE'S DOING IT AGAIN!
YOU TRIED TO CHEAT US.
CHARLOTTE CARES ABOUT US! YOU DON'T!
[ LAUGHS ] OH, I'M SORRY.
DO YOU REALLY EXPECT ME OR ANYONE ELSE TO BELIEVE THIS?
THIS WOMAN WHO'S IN A COMA
HAS SOMEHOW MANAGED TO WRITE A SLANDEROUS ARTICLE ABOUT MY FIRM
WITH NO BASIS IN FACT,
I MIGHT ADD, OR ANY EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER?
I'D THINK ABOUT THAT BEFORE I CAST SUCH AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
[ CHURCH BELL TOLLS ] WELL, IT'S TIME.
[ SIGHS ]
YOU'RE ALL MAKING A MISTAKE.
PERHAPS. BUT I'M NOT.
DANIEL.
YOU REMEMBER LAST NIGHT WHEN I SAID
I'M A BUSINESSMAN AND THAT'S WHO I AM?
WELL, WHAT I MEANT IS...
THAT'S WHO I WAS.
I'VE CHANGED BECAUSE OF YOU.
I DIDN'T KNOW IT AT FIRST, BUT...
IT'S TRUE.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS ON THIS.
[ CHUCKLES ]
LOOK!
Carmen: THERE'S THE HIGHWAY RIGHT THERE!
Man: AND THAT'S AN OFFICIAL HUNTSLAR DOCUMENT.
[ PEOPLE MURMURING ]
MORGAN, LOOK.
SHE'S HERE.
SON, I THINK YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO.
COME ON, EVERYBODY. LET'S GO.
HE'S RIGHT. LET'S GO.
THANK YOU.
YOU'RE WELCOME.
BUT NOW I'M GONNA NEED YOUR HELP.
[ CRICKETS CHIRPING ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
[ PIANO MUSIC PLAYING ]
♪ O HOLY NIGHT ♪
♪ THE STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHINING ♪
♪ IT IS THE NIGHT ♪
♪ OF OUR DEAR SAVIOR'S BIRTH ♪
�
♪ LONG LAY...♪
DO YOU THINK THAT AUNT CHARLIE'S HERE RIGHT NOW?
I DO.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
JUST LETTING THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON HERE.
♪ TILL HE APPEARED AND THE SOUL FELT ITS WORTH ♪
[ DANIEL EXHALES DEEPLY ]
♪ A THRILL OF HOPE ♪
I CAN'T SEEM TO DO MUCH WITH THIS.
THERE'S NO BATTERY.
CAN YOU DO YOUR THING?
IT'S TIME.
YOU KNOW, I WISH THAT DAD WAS COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.
YEAH. ME, TOO, BUT...
WE JUST HAVE TO REMEMBER WHAT AUNT CHARLOTTE SAID.
I MEAN, WHEN DAD GETS HOME, IT WILL BE CHRISTMAS.
AND, I MEAN, THAT'S NOT SO BAD.
THAT WAY WE'LL BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS TWICE,
RIGHT? YEAH.
SHE ALSO SAID THAT WE CAN'T EVER GIVE UP HOPE,
SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.
[ CHUCKLES ]
Reverend: LET US BOW OUR HEADS IN PRAYER.
[ SIGHS ]
[ Ringing ]
MAN: Hello?
Daniel? Is that you?
I can see that it's you calling. Hello?
DAD?
I can't hear you, son.
Are you there?
YEAH.
I don't know if you can hear me,
but I just want you to know that I love you.
DAD, I...
DAD, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVER SEE YOU AGAIN, BUT...
Daniel?
[ CHUCKLES ] Daniel?
...I WANT YOU TO KNOW I LOVE YOU, TOO.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOU, DANIEL.
I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
LOOK, THAT THING I SAID LAST NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL,
I-I DIDN'T MEAN -- YES, YOU DID.
THAT'S OKAY.
I'M A BETTER PERSON FOR HAVING GONE ON THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S STILL ONE THING
I WAS THINKING OF THAT NIGHT.
I REMEMBER.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HART FAMILY.
THANK YOU. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
THANKS FOR KEEPING AN EYE ON CHARLOTTE.
OH, THANK YOU.
[ CHUCKLES ] OH, NO, NO, NO.
OLIVER, OLIVER.
[ WHIMPERS ]
OLIVER! [ MORGAN LAUGHS ]
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN HERE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
IT'S OKAY, BOY. WE MISS HER, TOO.
MOM. LOOK.
[ CHUCKLES ]
AUNT CHARLOTTE!
AM I ALIVE?
[ LAUGHTER ] YES.
YES, AND IT'S CHRISTMAS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, AUNT CHARLOTTE!
[ CHUCKLES TEARFULLY ]
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
OH! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.
[ BARKS ]
[ Voice breaking ] WE LOVE YOU, TOO.
[ SOBBING ]
YOU'RE ALL RIGHT.
IS HE OKAY?
WHO?
[ WATER RUNNING ]
CHARLOTTE.
DANIEL!
[ GASPS ]
WHAT'S GOING ON? I HAVE NO IDEA.
THIS IS FANTASTIC.
A PRETTY LOUSY SITUATION, HUH?
AWFUL.
I STILL CAN'T GET DAD ON THE VIDEO CHAT.
OH.
WELL, I LOOK FORWARD TO TELLING HIM EVERYTHING'S OKAY.
Pam: NOTHING WILL MAKE HIM HAPPIER.
UH, I'M GONNA CHECK THE TURKEY. I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
SO, WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
WHEN YOU GUYS WERE IN THE HOSPITAL,
A LOT OF WEIRD THINGS WERE HAPPENING. NO, NO.
WHAT HE MEANS IS WONDERFUL THINGS WERE HAPPENING, AND...
WERE YOU GUYS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF IT?
YEAH. A LOT OF US THINK IT WAS YOU.
IS THAT SO?
IT IS CHRISTMAS, AND YOU CAN BELIEVE WHATEVER YOU WANT.
[ CHUCKLES ] WELL, I'M GONNA GO GET DAD AGAIN.
ME, TOO.
WE'LL NEVER TELL. NEVER.
OH, CHARLOTTE, I FORGOT TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON ON THE TREE.
COULD YOU DO IT?
YES.
[ DOORBELL RINGS ]
CAN SOMEBODY GET THAT?
Morgan: YEAH, I WILL, MOM.
DAD? DAD!
DAD! Christopher: DAD!
DAD! [ CHUCKLES ]
Pam: OH, MY GOSH. JERRY!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
Jerry: I DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED,
BUT THEY SURPRISED US AND TOLD US WE COULD COME HOME.
FOR GOOD.
AND I DIDN'T ARGUE.
DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS?
[ SOBBING ]
I'M GONNA CALL MY DAD.
WELCOME HOME.
[ LAUGHS ]
OH! Daniel: HEY, DAD. IT'S ME -- DANIEL.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
CHARLOTTE: Alan. CHARLOTTE, IS THAT YOU?
YOU HAD ME REALLY WORRIED, AS USUAL.
HOW DID YOU HEAR?
YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW TOLD US THE WHOLE STORY YESTERDAY
AND CALLED A MINUTE AGO TO SAY YOU WERE OKAY.
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR FRONT PAGE? IT'S FLYING OFF THE STANDS!
OUR WEBSITE JUST CRASHED, TOO.
PEOPLE CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS STORY!
THEY'RE CALLING IT "THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT."
AND, UH, THEY THINK IT'S YOU.
Off the record, is it true?
NO COMMENT.
UH, WELL, WE'LL WORK ON THAT. LOOK, UM...
I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, CHARLOTTE,
AND [SIGHS] I WANT YOU BACK.
The paper needs you.
ALAN, I ADORE YOU.
BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.
I PUT OUT FIRES. IT'S JUST WHAT I DO.
Charlotte!
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
I'M NOT GONNA STOP CALLING YOU!
HMM.
MAY I HAVE A WORD, DEAR? OF COURSE.
THERE'S SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
REMEMBER WHEN I SAID THE LIGHT IN YOU WAS SO STRONG?
IT'S TRUE.
AND NOW YOU NEED TO OWN IT, BECAUSE YOU'RE NEEDED.
YOU'VE TAKEN POWER FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD, CHARLOTTE.
I HAVE?
LOOK AT THE TREE AND THE LIGHTS.
[ SIGHS ]
YOU NEVER ACTUALLY PLUGGED THEM IN.
[ CHUCKLES ]
MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
[ LAUGHS ] MERRY CHRISTMAS.
OKAY. OOH, THIS ONE'S PRETTY.
[ GASPS ] THIS ONE'S FOR ME!
WHAT ABOUT ME?
AND THIS ONE SAYS "CHRISTOPHER."
WHOO. FINALLY. THIS ONE'S FROM SANTA.
[ SIGHS ]
HEY, I GOT SOMETHING OF YOURS.
[ Chuckling ] OH. [ CHUCKLES ]
THIS IS MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS.
MINE, TOO.
HMM.