Christmas at the Drive-In (2022) Movie Script

1
What about this one
for my husband?
You do know that
you're not married, right?
You're not even dating anyone.
Well, there's three weeks until
Christmas, there's still time.
Oh, so you're going to meet
a guy, fall in love
and get married
in the next three weeks?
Yes. If Santa got my letter.
You know, maybe you should be
writing one of your own.
It's been almost a year since
you broke off your engagement,
maybe it's time
you put yourself out there.
Eve, I haven't even had time
to get my own place yet.
I need a minute.
Okay, okay, I get it
but maybe Santa can bring you
something else you've been missing.
- Like?
- I'm going to show you; come with me.
No. I've got to get these sprinkles
to my mom and get to work.
It'll only take a moment,
I promise.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas.
Why did you bring us here?
Uh, hard to believe the Mendozas
closed this place down, huh?
Yeah, Santa's village,
the light festival.
The town has lost a lot
of Christmas traditions.
Mm-hmm. Camila Mendoza is
a client of mine
and she needs your help.
Does she need a law professor
to give a lecture?
Camila and her brothers signed
a contract to sell the land
to a company that's not doing
what they said they'd do.
Sounds like she needs a lawyer.
Oh, wait, you're a lawyer.
I do family law not property.
Eve, I don't practise anymore.
Oh, come on,
you love this stuff.
You were one of the best
property law attorneys around.
You did cases for legal aid,
you brought in pro bono work
to your law firm,
you fought for the little guy,
David versus Goliath.
Well, now I teach future
Davids to fight future Goliaths.
Okay, I had to give it a shot.
Okay, I saw cars parked outside
the drive-in on our way over here,
do you know what that's about?
Holden!
Ooh, there he is,
the man of the hour, huh?
Hope you don't mind, some of
the snow cleared this morning.
No, thank you,
it was good thinking.
Last thing I want is for the COO
of Excelsia
to be trudging around here
in knee-deep snow.
You know, once Excelsia builds
their distribution centre,
think of all the presents that
are gonna pass through here,
you're making holiday dreams
come true, Holden.
Yeah, right, I'm just like
Santa Claus.
How long do we have
with their COO?
We have about an hour,
she just wants to take a tour
of the property
before we sign the contracts.
Anything you want me to cover?
You're the mayor, Bobby,
just talk to the town
like you always do.
- Hey, I'm good at that.
- You are.
Feeling nostalgic?
No, not really. I mean, this
was my dad's place, not mine.
Hm, you know this distribution
centre is a huge win for Brennington,
but people are going to miss
the drive-in.
Yeah, not enough people, okay?
Nobody comes here anymore.
I've looked at the books; my dad was
keeping this place afloat with his savings.
You should take a look at
the town's anniversary exhibit,
there's a great picture of you
and your dad down there.
Okay, where's that?
The library at the college.
Today's the last day
before winter break
so you should probably hurry
if you want to see it.
Okay, great, I'll take a look
once we're done here.
Oh!
Show time.
Mom, I got your sprinkles.
Those are for Luke.
Wow, this is how I imagine
Santa's kitchen must look like.
Thanks, I'm catering
a Christmas party for 150 people tonight
and the profiteroles
won't make themselves.
Can you get the lumps
out of that?
Uh, and what's wrong
with your kitchen?
It caught fire.
It didn't catch fire,
the oven overheated
just a tiny little bit.
A fire extinguisher was used,
ergo it caught fire.
Sadie, please, Charlie Decker is
going to let me use the food truck
that he doesn't use
in the winter
but until then, Mom's kitchen
is all I've got
and everything is taking twice
as long as it should.
Okay, but I have to get to
work, I... you got this.
What?
Hey, don't give up
before the miracle.
No, no, you showing up
was the miracle.
Two minutes.
Thank you.
Have you guys heard anything
about the drive-in?
There were cars parked outside
this morning and the gate was open.
Oh, maybe Holden's back in town.
Do you think he's selling it?
Holden, you know
she was in love.
Luke...
He was the first boy
that she ever kissed.
How would you know that?
You did, didn't you?
You read my diary, I knew it.
I was your bratty little
brother, of course, I did.
Come on, come on, come on.
I remember you and Holden
being an item, and then?
And then he went off to college.
- Well, let me ask around.
- Thank you.
Okay, look, I'm-I got to go,
I'm sorry.
- Profiteroles!
- Not a creature was stirring,
especially sisters whose little
brothers read their diaries.
I... I'm never going
to get this all done.
I believe in you.
Lots of space to expand, Kendra,
14 beautiful, beautiful acres,
easy access to the highway,
long driveway,
like you needed, huh?
And the centre of town is
just a mile from here.
- Relax, Mr. Mayor, I think it's perfect.
- Oh.
You do have other properties,
though, right, Holden?
We do, our company has
holdings all over the Northeast.
Hm, well, we're in a very
aggressive growth mode.
This works out, I think
I could keep you very busy.
Sounds good to me, I like busy.
This uh, historic designation
isn't going to be a problem, is it?
Oh, no, no, no.
The state local government sets the
rules, but it's different everywhere.
Here, being registered historic
doesn't mean that it can't be
sold or even torn down.
It just means that the local historic
commission has to approve the plans.
And the local commission is?
Is meeting this afternoon,
and I'm on the commission,
so uh, it's just a formality really.
Hm.
Just a formality.
I think we have
some contracts to sign.
- I think we do.
- Let's do it.
Okay, let's say the abominable snowman wanted
to sue Santa over who owns the North Pole.
Now, Santa could hire an elf
to be his lawyer,
but the snowman couldn't.
'Cause the elf would want Santa
to win, it's a conflict of interest.
In fact, even if the elf
just drew up the contract,
it could be voided
and thrown out completely.
You know, I think
the moral of the story is:
property law saved Christmas.
I mean, I'm just saying.
Have a good break, guys,
Merry Christmas.
Hey.
Sadie.
- Holden.
- Hi.
Hi!
Wow.
How are you?
I'm, um, uh... wow, what has
it been, like 20 years?
Uh, that sounds
about right, yeah.
Sorry, what are you doing here?
I thought you were in Chicago.
I was. How did you know that?
I, you know, might've looked you
up on social media a couple times.
My dad would tell me things,
so yeah.
Oh, of course.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thanks.
I was very fond of your dad.
Uh, I wanted to make it back
for the funeral
but I had a court case and
couldn't get out of it and...
It's alright, he would've understood.
He was very fond of you too.
Um, and he told me that you were
like this big-time lawyer
and like, you know,
you got engaged.
- Oh, I'm not anymore.
- Oh.
Either of those things, actually.
- Ah.
- Yeah, no,
I gave up my law practise
about a year ago
and um, I moved back here to Brennington
over the summer, I'm teaching here now.
Wow, okay, well, that's great.
Yeah, oh it's great, it's good.
- Good.
- Yeah, I love it. Yeah...
Okay.
I may have looked you up
once or twice also.
So, you are a big-time
hotshot real estate
developer now, huh?
- Yeah, that's right.
- Yeah.
No, no, not a big shot by any
stretch of the imagination,
but yes, real estate.
So, what brings you to town?
Oh, I'm just here to settle up some
stuff with the estate and so...
I saw this great picture
of you and your dad.
Oh, yeah.
How old were you in that shot?
Uh... I don't know... four?
I went to the drive-in
as often as I could,
but growing up there
from such a young age,
that must've been magical.
When it reopens this spring,
I will be first in line.
Good. I should get going.
Me too.
Yeah, but it was good
seeing you.
Yep, you too, I mean,
I'd say we should catch up
but uh, I'm leaving tomorrow.
- Next time you're in town.
- Yeah, next time.
Merry Christmas.
You too.
Hey, Mom.
I just talked to Marie
Cunningham, remember Marie?
She's the one who puts all the dancing
elves out on her lawn at Christmas.
Yeah, hard to forget that.
Well, she heard
from Adele Meyers
that the drive-in's being sold
and it's going to get torn down.
What?
Um, wait, wait, wait,
Adele Meyers from the bakery?
Well, she's also the head of the
Brennington historic commission.
Anyway, they're meeting about it
this afternoon
and, uh... Holden's supposed
to be there.
Oh, I bet he is.
Um, I'm gonna call you back.
Hey.
Adele, Merry Christmas.
Mr. Mayor, Merry Christmas.
Should be a rather quick meeting, I think
everyone on the committee's on board here.
It's a great opportunity
for the town,
all those jobs it'll create.
Lots of new residents
I'd imagine.
Absolutely.
You know I'd bet they'd love,
a nice outdoor dining patio
at my bakery
where they could enjoy
some freshly made goodies.
Adele, I've told you that's up to
the planning commission to approve.
But they don't meet
until February.
It'll be too late to get
the patio done by spring.
Now, if the mayor encouraged
them to call a special session.
You know how Tom runs
that commission.
He's not going to change it
just because I asked him to.
Alright.
Okay.
Should the historic commission approve
the demolition of McCarthy drive-in?
Speaking in favour?
Good afternoon, uh,
my name's Holden McCarthy.
My father was Cole McCarthy.
Look, I'll be brief.
By now you've all seen the proposal
for the Excelsia distribution centre.
Unfortunately, this region has
suffered an economic downturn lately,
but I firmly believe that can be the
thing that turns that all around.
This will provide
hundreds of jobs
and while I know that losing the
drive-in might be sad for some of you...
I truly believe that
this will be a good thing
for Brennington, so, thank you.
Thank you, Holden.
Uh, are there any speakers
against the proposal?
Hi, I'm Sadie Walker.
I'm an attorney and professor
specializing in property law.
In fact, I'm the one who secured the historic
designation for the drive-in two years ago,
at the request of Cole McCarthy.
Look, I could stand up here
and talk to you things like
equitable conversion
and restraint on alienation,
but we'd be here all day
and nobody wants that.
What I'd really like to talk
to you about is...
Christmas.
Christmas?
Yeah, Christmas.
It's all about friends and neighbours
coming together in a shared experience
and creating memories
that last a lifetime.
The McCarthy drive-in is
like Christmas.
It's a place where the community
comes together,
there's people laughing together,
getting teary eyed together
or holding hands
and falling in love.
Our traditions are the people
and the places that bind us.
Christmas is a beautiful tradition
and so is the drive-in.
If that goes away,
how could that possibly be
a good thing for Brennington?
Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Walker.
That was very inspirational.
I move we take a recess
to confer and uh,
grab some dinner.
We'll reconvene afterward.
Thank you.
Can I talk to you for a sec?
So... what are you doing?
What are you doing? Trying
to tear down the drive-in?
I'm not tearing it down,
I'm selling it.
To someone who wants
to tear it down.
Holden, the drive-in is
important to this town
and by the way, it meant
everything to your father.
Okay, look, this is
a business decision, okay?
I don't live here, right.
I can't run it
and even if I did,
this place hasn't been
profitable in years, so it...
Sadie, it doesn't make any sense
to keep it open.
Wow, you were really just
going to bail on it, huh?
Break everyone's heart and just
run off to the next big thing.
Well, history repeats itself.
Well, if it does, uh,
then I guess you'll just be
chasing after the next shiny thing
that comes along, won't you?
What?
Look, this is not gonna happen.
I'm pretty sure it is gonna happen,
Sadie, the contact's already been signed.
That's irrelevant.
I think it's pretty relevant
and the commission's
gonna rule in my favour.
The commission's gonna rule
in my favour,
did you see their faces
when I was talking?
No, they care about this,
unlike you.
I-I think they're all
on my side.
- Wouldn't be so sure.
- I'm pretty sure.
- Don't think so.
- Get ready to void those contracts.
Okay.
David, Goliath.
Well, uh, I'm sorry to say,
we have not reached a decision.
So, we have a new motion.
Miss Walker.
Since the commission is split,
it's gonna be up to you
to make your case.
If you believe the drive-in is
more important to the town
than the distribution centre
would be,
you're gonna have to prove it.
Oh, okay, um... how?
You equated the drive-in
to Christmas
and that's coming up
in three weeks.
So, in the spirit of
the holiday,
you'll have until then
to show Brennington
why it shouldn't be demolished.
Well, uh... w-wait you,
you want me to do what?
Prove that the drive-in is
the important gathering place
that creates... uh,
how did you put it?
Um, memories
that last a lifetime.
Yes, yes, uh... but,
it um... it's winter.
So it's really cold outside and
the drive is covered in snow.
We can't delay this decision
until next summer, Miss Walker.
We're giving you a chance here.
Yeah, yes, yes and I-I...
I truly appreciate that.
Um, you know what I would like
to suggest is
a committee be formed to study
this issue
as it pertains to defeasible estate
and the doctrine
of worthy retitle...
I thought you said this wasn't
about property law?
It's about Christmas, remember?
Yes, I did say that.
Besides, we're not going
to fund a study
or the operation
of the drive-in.
That's going to be up
to you and Mr. McCarthy.
What?
No, I'm trying to sell it.
Yes, but if she has to prove
that the drive-in has value,
then you have to prove
it doesn't.
You need to put in a good-faith
effort to make the business work.
Otherwise, how do we know that you
have the town's best interest in mind?
It could impact our vote on whether
to allow the Excelsia plan to proceed.
All in favour of giving Miss
Walker and Mr. McCarthy three weeks
to prove their cases,
raise your hand.
Okay, against?
There you have it.
See you in three weeks,
good luck.
Adele, you're just doing this
to get back at me, aren't you?
Oh no, Mr. Mayor.
I was genuinely moved
by what Sadie Walker said.
Anything else is just a bonus.
Alright, have you seen Holden?
We're supposed to meet here soon
and go to the drive-in.
You're still coming later, right?
Yeah, yeah, you're really
going to try to open tonight?
Well, apparently it's the only
way to make sure
Holden can't sell to Excelsia, so,
the sooner we start the better.
You're sure you can't just talk
him out of it, reason with him,
bat your eyes
as you pretty please?
I wish.
No, I-I don't even know him anymore.
But it doesn't matter,
it's not up to him.
He's signed his deal. Now it's up to the historic
commission, that's who we're gonna impress.
Okay, but even if you can somehow
prove to them it's worth saving,
he could still just sell it, right?
Yeah, but not to anybody
who could tear it down.
His father wanted this drive-in
to be here for future generations
and that is what I'm gonna do.
You uh, sure that's the
McCarthy you're doing this for?
Hi, hi.
Santa passing out candy canes
in a parking lot,
this is the big Brennington
Christmas event?
Well, the Mendoza tree farm used to
do everything so we didn't have to.
By the time we found out
they were closing,
we didn't have the time or the
budget to do anything else.
You know what, just go with it?
What choice do I have?
- Hey, oh, have you talked to Kendra?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
- She's not happy.
I don't know why Sadie's
getting involved with this.
Is this about when you two
dated in high school?
Because it seemed pretty serious
at the time.
Yeah, well, it was, you know.
We'd known each other since
we were kids
and then we finally got together our
senior year and it was just the best.
Went to the Christmas dance,
the prom...
there was all that magic
the first time you fall in love.
So, why did you and Holden
break up?
Uh...
I was going into my senior year,
he was going off to college.
So, you know, I guess that kind
of thing happens, right?
It was kind of weird.
You know, we... we dated most of
my junior year
and we had this like,
amazing summer, you know,
he was my first real boyfriend.
The night before he left
for college,
we were supposed to meet
at the drive-in actually.
Yeah, but um, he didn't show,
he stood me up.
And when I get there,
she's kissing another guy.
Oh, ouch.
- Yeah.
- Wow.
- Donald Kopeki.
- Oh man, I remember him.
Yeah.
Uh, what'd you do?
Ah, nothing, I chickened out,
I couldn't face her and I...
I just felt so betrayed.
I tried calling
but she never picked up.
Yeah, he didn't return
any of my calls, my texts,
he just left for college
and left me behind.
- Clearly, I'm over it, right, right?
- Clearly.
And what she doesn't understand is...
none of this is important right now.
What is important is that we get
this Excelsia deal done for the town.
Sadie has to make the drive-in
work in the dead of winter,
you got nothing to worry about.
This drive-in thing is going
to be a challenge
but I, you know, I really think
the town will turn out for it.
Just do the bare minimum,
hire a snow plow,
uh, show Sadie how to turn on
the projector and... oh!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!
Okay, but uh, just in case,
maybe make that
your Christmas wish to Santa.
Luke.
Holden.
Sadie.
Holden.
Okay, okay.
Alright, so we'll just need
to clear some snow.
Yeah, uh, Bobby says
he knows a guy.
Okay, great.
Um, alright, the equipment;
projector, FM transmitter, is it
all in good working condition?
- As far as I know. I'll check it out just to make sure.
- Okay, uh...
I know people listen to the movie in
their car radios, but these are so great.
Is there any way to get one of
these things up and running again?
I doubt it.
Okay, alright, uh, okay,
the snack bar.
- Uh-huh.
- We need popcorn, hot dogs,
I want all the usual suspect. I want
to try to make this as much like,
you know, a normal drive-in
experience as possible.
Only, on ice!
Right, well, that's okay,
we'll serve hot beverages like you know,
coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider.
Uh... we don't have a coffee maker
or a hot chocolate fountain thing
and whatever you make
a cider in, I don't know.
We can get those things
by tonight, it's not a big deal.
Okay, it's just...
Look, Adele said you have
to put in a good-faith effort so...
This is what good-faith
effort... what?
Okay, fine, fine, fine, okay.
I'll meet you in the middle;
we'll get a coffee maker
but I'm not getting the hot
chocolate or the cider maker.
I'll let the cider go, but the
hot chocolate is non-negotiable.
Okay, fine, fine, fine,
fine, hot chocolate.
Okay good, so, marketing.
Uh, in terms of getting people
here for the opening tonight,
I've made some calls,
my mom's made some calls,
but I was thinking to drum up
business for the next few weeks,
maybe we could run a commercial
on local TV.
No, no.
Uh, how about we pass
some flyers around town?
That's not going to be enough.
Sadie, look,
I'm just trying
to be realistic about costs,
I realize you want to make
this place a success,
but that also includes turning a profit,
okay, that's just basic business.
So, unless you have
some grand plan
of having a bunch
of people work for free.
Uh, I do actually, they'll be
here in about 20 minutes.
Thank you so much
for coming out to help.
This is a really long list, we
only have like, what, seven hours?
It's a lot
but I think we can do it.
Luke, thank you so much
for this hot apple cider.
- No, no, I'm good.
- To Christmas at the drive-in!
To Christmas at the drive-in!
We're not getting a cider maker.
Hey, come on, if we're going to open
this up, we got some work to do.
So, I guess you're extending
your stay.
Yeah, for about three weeks
thanks to you.
Right, so where
are you living now?
I'm not.
Never mind.
You know, I-I was just trying
to make conversation.
No, I just mean I don't have
a full-time residence anywhere.
A real estate developer without
real estate, how does that work?
I just mean that my company has
residential and commercial properties
all over the Northeast,
so I stay in whatever
one of those is convenient.
- But, like, you don't have a house, or apartment, or?
- No.
I mean our offices are in New York,
so, that's my North Pole, so to speak.
So then I guess...
no Mrs. Claus?
No, I've never been all that
good at sharing my workshop.
Why does that not surprise me?
And you, any jolly old fat man
in your life?
Uh, no, no.
I thought found one,
but it turns out
he was not the right guy
to fill those particular boots.
Ah, I wonder why.
So you like being back
in Brennington?
- I do, yeah, it's different.
- Different?
Good, you know, good different.
Why'd you give up
practising law?
I just thought it was time
for a change.
Hm, I mean, it's what you
wanted to do when we were kids.
You said you wanted to be
a defender of justice, right?
Yeah, but you know, that's just 'cause
I thought I'd look good in a cape.
I think the first time I ever
saw you, you were wearing a cape.
I think you were nine years old.
Yeah, the school costume parade.
- Mm-hmm.
- I can't believe you remember that.
Are you kidding me?
Tough thing to forget.
Did I do that?
Yeah, and you made that noise.
I did not.
You did, you totally made
a noise, you went...
No, I...
When I asked you about it,
you said,
"'Cause that's what defenders
of justice sound like."
And I was like,
"They sound like static?"
That's what you said.
I was nine, okay!
Right, with a very active imagination.
- Very good memory.
- Yeah.
So, do you miss it,
being a lawyer?
You know, teaching is actually
very fulfilling.
I'm preparing the next
generation of cape wearers.
- Oh.
- Oh.
Uh... hot dogs all clean?
- Yes.
- Pop corn is clean?
- Good.
- I should go check the projector.
- Yeah.
- This is clean.
Great, good.
All set? Okay, good, good.
Hey! See? Just like summer.
- Yeah, just like it.
- Yeah.
You realize it's way too cold
for anybody to show up, right?
It's not that cold.
Oh! Sounds like they're anxious
to get in,
we should open those gates, huh?
Alright, okay.
Welcome to the McCarthy
Drive-in!
- Wow... three cars.
- Woo-hoo! Let's do this!
- Yeah.
- Yeah!
You know what the problem was?
Opening a drive-in
during the winter?
No, I mean, I did some research
but not on the right things.
I would never walk into court unprepared.
Well, court is rarely held outside
at night when it's 14 degrees.
Okay, we were thinking that drive-ins
were just a summertime thing, right?
But I called around and it turns out that there
are drive-ins that are open all year round.
In places where it snows so
hard, you can't see the street?
Yes, yes, Pennsylvania, Michigan
and I called them and they gave me great
ideas on how to adapt to the weather.
Okay, such as?
Well, there's a lot of things,
like um...
electric heaters,
blankets to snuggle under.
We can upgrade the projectors
so that it's brighter and you can
more easily see the movie in the snow
and concessions.
I mean, theatres make a huge
profit on concessions,
so we are gonna up
our food game.
In that tiny little snack bar?
Well, Luke said he has a friend
who can lend us a food truck
he doesn't use in the winter.
You know, that sounds like
a lot of work
that's not exactly in your
wheelhouse, but you know what is?
A property law case
for Camila Mendoza.
Eve, I just...
I just don't have time.
I mean, I, there's, there's
so much stuff I have to buy.
Wait, are you putting
your own money into this?
Maybe.
Even if this crazy plan works,
the drive-in isn't yours
to keep.
I know, I just I...
I believe in this.
This town needs the drive-in
and I want to save it.
I have to try.
Besides I'm going to get Holden to
pay for at least part of it. Yes.
Now, he's all about business, right?
So, I made a presentation
and the numbers look pretty good.
He won't say no to that.
No.
Holden, it's all right there
in the presentation,
it's some heaters, some
blankets, it's not that much.
Are you kidding me? This is
like 20 pages long, Sadie.
It's five pages.
Okay, then it's still four
and a half pages too long.
I... it's Christmas,
don't be a Scrooge.
- I'm not being a Scrooge.
- Yes, you kind of are.
- Hi.
- Hi. - Adele! Hi.
Is this all for the drive-in?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah, there's...
- You've been busy.
Yeah.
- How's it going?
- Uh, great.
I mean, we just got a little, minor little
things that we're gonna go over and...
- Working it out.
- Working it out.
Yeah.
Well, I can't wait to see
what you come up with.
Yeah, thanks.
Okay, look, Sadie,
I am not being a Scrooge.
What I am saying is you have to
start treating this like a business
because you know, it is one.
Okay, first of all,
Mr. Scrooge,
if you read the research,
you'll see that
it does make sense financially.
It actually does!
But the truth is,
it is so much more than that.
Oh, okay, I get it,
so it's more than a business.
It's a movie theatre,
it's all about the fantasy,
you know,
it's like not knowing
what's going to happen
but imagining the possibilities and
then the surprise when you find out.
Oh, so it's like
a Christmas present?
Yes, it is like
a Christmas present.
What's the best Christmas
present you ever got?
Snorkle.
I was eight, I wanted to be
a marine biologist
but then I saw way too many
shark movies as a kid.
Huh.
What?
- Uh, nothing.
- What?
I just, there was a movie
like that playing
when you kissed me
for the first time.
Look, I remember the movie but...
let's get it straight,
you kissed me.
Uh no, no, no,
you definitely kissed me.
- What?
- Wait, I got scared
and you put your arm around me
and then you kissed me.
Okay, you can remember this
however you want, but you're wrong.
- No, I'm not.
- Well...
The point is,
going to a movie
at the drive-in,
is like Christmas morning, you
never know what might happen next.
Oh, it's like a
box of chocolate.
Okay, it actually frightens me
to say this,
but I agree with some of what
you've written in this business proposal,
especially the stuff
about the concessions.
Yes, yes,
it's a huge opportunity.
Alright, my brother can get
a food truck and I was thinking,
in order to attract more
attention to the concessions,
we could decorate it, you know,
with a few strings of lights.
Okay, whoa, whoa,
how many is a few?
We're gonna need
a bigger basket.
Yeah, I see what you did
there. No, okay, look,
I don't agree with everything
you have in this business proposal
but the stuff I do agree with,
I'll pay for those upgrades.
Okay, I was going to talk
to you about this.
So I'm willing to put my money
where my big ideas are - Sadie, no.
These are investments to my property,
I will pay for these upgrades.
Investments you wouldn't be
making if it weren't for me.
So, let's split it 50/50. Sadie,
you earn a teacher's salary, okay.
There's no reason for you to
spend your money on dumb stuff
like a cider maker, no.
First of all, it's
a professor's salary
and I have savings so I can pull
my own weight on this.
Okay, fine 80/20.
60/40.
70/30,
and when the historic commission
rules in my favour,
I reimburse you
for your expenses.
70/30, when the historic
commission rules in my favour,
every time I go to the drive-in,
I get free apple cider.
Okay, I will get the permit
for the food truck
and you can hand out flyers
to anyone who comes by
and remember, it's Christmas,
so be merry, smile,
sing Jingle Bells or something.
I'm not going to sing.
You know, you used
to love to sing,
you used to love Christmas.
You dressed up like Santa.
Yeah, when I was kid, okay?
Well, what happened
to that Holden anyway, huh?
Where did he go?
What do you want me to be like
you all of the time,
just happy,
always in the Christmas spirit?
Not always.
I mean, I got away from it
for a little while
but you know, I'm here in Brennington
now living at my mom's and it's just...
So, you moved home home.
Yeah, it's just temporary
till I find my own place.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
How's that?
You know, it's actually really,
really nice living with my mom.
I bet.
Thinking about your dad?
Yeah.
You know, he loved Christmas.
He was... he'd always ask people like,
"What are you doing
for the holidays?"
and "Hey,
what'd you ask Santa for?"
He was just really good
at connecting.
He was really good at connecting
with people no matter who they were.
That's one of the things
I love about Christmas.
It's like this through line
that connects us all.
Yeah.
Come on, you got to go
get that permit thing
before the office closes, alright.
Yes, okay, I will and um...
remember: be merry.
Okay, looks good.
This is good.
Alright, come on out
to McCarthy drive-in!
You're going to love it.
Come on out.
McCarthy drive-in.
Here you go, McCarthy drive-in.
She's got you
handing out flyers?
Yeah, but look, Bobby... Hey!
They said, "Make a good-faith
effort." Remember?
Besides, you're the one who said
this is going to be a slam dunk.
I am doing what I can here.
Come on out, McCarthy drive-in.
- Are you having second thoughts about selling?
- Of course not, Bobby!
Even if I was, we've signed the contracts,
there's no way I can get out of that.
We've got to be careful here, alright?
Is she gets enough of the town
excited about this, we're in trouble.
Look, it is still a drive-in movie
theatre in the middle of winter,
that's a pretty tough sell. There
you go, sir. You are selling it.
Bobby, relax, the historic commission
wants me to make a good-faith effort, okay?
Here I am.
Besides, Sadie's got
a few wacky ideas
that are kind of hard
to say no to.
There you are sir,
McCarthy drive-in;
we're showing
a good movie tonight.
The ideas are hard
to say no to or Sadie is?
McCarthy drive-in,
you're gonna love it!
They're not gonna love it.
Okay, we got the heaters,
we got the blankets.
Yeah, ready and waiting.
Alright, we got warm and
toasty goodies at the snack bar.
Yeah, we got gourmet hot chocolate
and warm cookies and cobblers,
I've been in the food truck over
at Charlie's place all day
but it'll be easier tomorrow once
the truck's here on the grounds.
Okay, good, good.
Hey, look, guys, we took out
a big ad,
we passed out flyers,
we put up posters,
let's see if this does
the trick.
Oh! They open the gates.
- Hi.
- Hi.
It's better than last time.
There's only six cars.
It's double than what it was,
that's not nothing.
That's not enough.
Well, why did you put up
even more Christmas decorations?
I figured you'd go full out
with the holiday cheer.
That's a good point.
Thank you.
Uh, hey uh, Holden,
remember what
we were talking about
how Christmas creates this
immediate connection with people?
Yeah.
Ah! Okay, I know that look.
It means I gotta go get
my check book, doesn't it?
Christmas is coming
to the drive-in.
What? Hey!
How many trees did you get?
All of them.
Can you maybe help explain
the uh...
the forest theme
we've got going on?
We're embracing Christmas.
See, our problem was that
this town doesn't understand
the concept of a drive-in
during the winter
but now, we've giving it
an identity.
Hm, a national park.
No, a place
to celebrate Christmas.
People used to go to the tree farm
before but now all they have is...
The Santa passing out
candy canes in a parking lot.
Exactly, so we can make this the
holiday central for the entire town.
I mean with some Christmas lights,
Christmas food at the snack bar.
I got Christmas movies
for tonight.
We could... we could host
holiday events here.
You really are a dreamer...
Just like my dad.
That's high praise.
So, at what point do I get to complain
about how much this is all going to cost?
Oh, that is the brilliance
of this plan, my friend,
you see, if everyone comes here
to celebrate Christmas,
it'll be very good for business.
Alright, tell the truth,
you were never a lawyer, you were
always in marketing, weren't you?
Actually, they're not so
different if you think about it.
Except for much bigger stakes in
law, I mean, if you lose a case.
Yeah, I mean, yeah, it can
a huge effect on someone's life.
Sounds like you know
what's that like.
Is that why you left Chicago?
No, it was just time
for a change, you know.
Sounds like there's a bigger
story there, Sadie, to be honest.
I mean, come on, you dropped
the guy, you dropped the cape,
what happened?
Have you seen
the food truck yet?
Ta dah!
Oh wow, it looks so good,
I love it.
Yeah, nice work, Luke.
If you like this, wait until
you see the Christmas menu.
Christmas cookies,
popcorn balls,
cider, snowman cake pops?
Those sound amazing.
Good, because I have
a catering gig
so you two are gonna be
making them.
- What? No, I don't cook.
- You build things, right?
- Yeah, build things.
- Same basic concept, you'll be fine.
- Not really, no.
- Yeah, and we have so much to do.
Aren't you the one who told me
that concession sales make up
over half the profits?
Yes.
Well, these costs about
five cents to make
and we're going to sell them
for two bucks.
I like your thinking, sir.
Where's my apron?
You are totally forgiven
for that whole diary thing.
Milady.
- Thank you.
- Uh-huh.
Hey, that's not so bad,
good job.
- Oh.
- There we go.
Okay, thank you.
Hey, I'm...
I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't
mean to touch a nerve or anything.
It's okay, I just...
it's just...
You don't have to tell me.
No, it's okay.
About a year ago, I did a case
for legal aid
for a woman against the city
and a big company.
David versus Goliath.
Something like that.
In this case, Goliath won.
Is that because of something
you did, or didn't do?
No, I put on the best defence
I could and I tried everything
but at the end of the day, she,
uh... had to leave her home.
The place where she raised her
family, celebrated Christmas.
She had to watch the place
she loved get torn down.
Well... I'm sorry.
I mean I'd lost cases before
but this one just...
it just hit different
and it also happened around the
time my engagement ended, so.
I...
it just felt like everything
was off track.
Sounds like you needed
a course correction.
Yeah.
You know, my dad loved this town
and he always loved drive-ins.
So... this place really was
his dream
and I watched him
just toil away every single day
trying to make it work and for a
while, he was really successful.
Then the world changed
but my dad didn't.
And I watched him love a dream
that never quite loved him back.
So when I left home
I thought, "Well...
dreams sure don't pay
for themselves."
I never knew that.
Well, that was my course correction.
And I think ever since then
I've just been so focused
on building things out in the world I
kind of forgot about building a life.
And now...
here I am,
my dad's literally
left me his dream
and for the life of me
I can't figure out
if the best way to honour him
is to preserve it
or to help the town
he loved to prosper.
Maybe you can do both.
Can you?
I don't know.
Do you ever wonder
if you over corrected?
Maybe we both did.
Hey, but look
where it landed us.
Snowman cake pops.
Oh, they're frosty.
Hey, hello, welcome.
Welcome to the drive-in.
Merry Christmas.
Hello, welcome,
welcome, come on in.
This is great!
Welcome.
It's a pretty good turn out.
It's not good enough
but it's not over till the historic commission
votes in two weeks so we still got time.
You never wanted the movie
to end.
What does that mean?
We'd sit here underneath
the stars holding hands,
watching the big screen
and just as the credits
were rolling,
you'd get so disappointed.
It was like you never wanted
the movie to end.
I guess that's true.
Hey, can I ask you...
why did you let us end?
What? Um, no, you...
you're the one who stood me up
and you didn't return my calls.
Sadie, it's because
I saw you kissing another guy.
Excuse me? Um-
We were supposed to meet
right here,
it was the Labour Day weekend, the
night my dad was doing the fireworks
and then I see you
over by the snack bar
kissing Donald Kopeki, come on.
What? Yes, we were supposed
to meet that night
but here at your dad's truck
and I was here
and I waited for you
for hours alone.
Come on, you were wearing
the jacket you always wear.
- What jacket?
- The one with the yellow flowers, Sadie.
No, actually I lent that jacket to
Kathy and she never gave it back to me.
What?
You saw her
kissing Donald Kopeki, not me.
You got to be kidding me.
Why didn't you ever talk to me
about it?
Look, because, because
seeing you
or who I thought was you,
broke my heart.
That night broke my heart too.
That's um...
that's weird.
I mean, obviously,
it doesn't matter now,
it's ancient history, it's...
It's ancient history.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Yeah...
Well, uh, anyway,
we have to figure out how to fill up
these empty parking spots, don't we?
Okay, how do you want
to do that?
More Christmas.
More Christmas.
Hey, look, it's just...
I think we're maybe overdoing it
with the Christmas decorations.
I can't believe you thought
I would kiss another guy.
What?
Wait, we're not done talking
about that?
No, no, we are, look, it's fine.
Anyway there's no such thing
as too much Christmas.
Are you kidding me?
They knew you by name in there,
they offered us a line of credit.
At zero percent interest.
And by the way,
I did call you afterward.
So, you do want
to talk about it.
No, no, I just needed
to say that, so...
Okay.
Now you know.
Anyway, um, we're doing great
with the Christmas theme
so if we go bigger,
we'll get a bigger crowd.
Okay.
A month later.
Well, we don't have a month.
No, I mean, you...
you called me a month later.
Oh, yeah and you didn't
pick up or return my call.
By then...
I mean, I figured, you know,
you were at college
and you were probably calling me
to get closure or whatever
and I just, I didn't need that.
I did not wanna...
I just didn't...
I had moved on.
Well, it sounds to me
like you'd given up.
Well, maybe we both did.
Maybe.
Anyway, we're not giving up
on the drive-in, so look,
I just think, you know, it
requires a little more creativity.
We need to find some new ways
to connect with the community
and I really think that the toy drive
today is going to help with that.
Uh, I don't... you know,
to be honest,
I don't really understand
how the toy drive is
connecting us to the community.
I mean, it may be one thing
if they, I don't know,
got like, something related
to the drive-in
for dropping off a toy but...
Well, give them a free ticket.
That's kind of gonna defeat the goal of
trying to sell more tickets, isn't it?
- Yeah, sorry, yeah.
- Yes.
Um, okay, fine, then what's
your big idea, Mr. Bottomline?
What if we...
gave them an ornament
with their name on it
and then they could put it on one
of the trees along that main drive?
Or... or what if we give them
an ornament
with the drive-in's name on it
and then they can go home
and put it on their own tree,
and then that reminds them of why they love
seeing movies there in the first place.
- That is brilliant.
- Yeah?
Yes.
You know they make custom
ornaments here in under an hour,
although we might have to open
that line of credit after all.
I'll tell you what, I'll take care
of this one for the community.
Are you sure?
Yeah, you're the one
who said we're not giving up.
- Yeah, wow, thank you.
- Come on! - Okay.
Hi, thank you so much for your
donation, don't forget to come tonight.
This was a brilliant idea.
If I do say so myself.
I've heard so many stories from
people who loved coming here.
Yeah, the love and the free samples,
I think people will come back
for the food alone.
This is what an engaged
community looks like, right?
And you can't tell me you'd get this
from an Excelsia distribution centre.
I'm sure the community would be engaged
with the jobs it'll provide them.
You're right.
He is a Scrooge.
Hey! I paid
for the ornaments, okay.
Has the ghost of Christmas
past visited you yet?
You know what, I'm going to get
some Christmas paper out of the car,
I don't need this abuse.
Okay, as fun as this is,
I need to get back to work.
Oh, no, no, Eve, please,
we need you.
- Sadie, I really can't.
- Please? Pretty please?
Okay, I'll make you a deal.
If I stay and help you
with your work,
you'll come help me with mine.
You know, like meeting
with a client
who has a property case and she's
in need of some pro bono advice.
I'll talk to her,
just talk, alright?
I don't practise law anymore,
I'm not taking her case on.
- Okay.
- Okay.
I used to love
Santa's village here.
Yes, we had it dressed up
to look like the North Pole.
Yeah,
with that giant candy cane.
Yeah, people would pose with
their trees and take pictures.
I think I still have one of those
pictures in a photo album somewhere.
So...
So... this company came along
with an offer we couldn't refuse.
What did they say
they were going to build?
Houses on lots that would
preserve most of the trees,
the rest was going to be a park.
They even said
they'd name it after my dad.
But after she signed
the contract,
she found out they're going to build
twice as many houses as they said
and condos and a golf course.
Yeah, they're gonna clear-cut
almost the entire property.
All these trees,
all this nature,
everything my family loved...
gone.
Did you have a lawyer review
the contact before you signed?
Yeah, I did. A guy that was
recommended to me
but he said everything was fine
and cashed the check.
I've known Eve for years
so I called her.
I went over everything but
it's not my area of expertise.
We need someone who knows property
law to find a way out of this.
We need you.
Sadie, I know you're not
practising anymore
and I totally respect that but
over the last week and half,
all you've been going on about is Christmas magic
and memories and traditions and community.
Eve, she had me at North Pole.
Oh, thank you!
Oh, thank you so much.
The extra lights are
a great idea.
Mm-hmm, very un-Scrooge like.
Yeah, just let me know how much
my 30 percent of all this is.
Eh, consider it
a Christmas present.
- Thanks.
- Sure.
I didn't know
we were exchanging gifts.
Well, you can get me some socks
and call it a day,
how about that?
I'm not getting you socks.
I happen to really like socks.
That's what you get someone
you don't care about.
Um...
hey, I got this thing
tomorrow night at the town hall.
Oh, the mayor's Christmas party.
Yeah, you know about it?
Yeah.
My brother's catering it.
It's the hottest ticket in town.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Huh, I thought it was just
some Christmas party.
You know, a bunch of people in gaudy
sweaters singing carols around the tree.
No, it's a big deal with all of
Brennington's movers and shakers.
- Movers and shakers?
- Oh yeah, both. Mm-hmm.
Thank goodness I ran into you,
I was going to look seriously out of a
place in my light up reindeer sweater.
And yet, I would pay
to see that.
- Would you now?
- I would.
Well, anyway, I got another
ticket if you want to go.
Well, come on, don't get all weird on
me, I'm not asking you out on a date.
I'm just saying we can go, and you know,
promote the drive-in, it's business.
Yeah. We would promote it?
Yeah, good-faith effort.
We're going to have to be sneaky
about it, though, you know.
Probably can't pass out
any flyers or anything.
Bobby still really wants
that distribution centre, so.
Well, so do you, right?
Yeah, of course, I do.
See you, thank you,
have a goodnight.
Get home safe. See ya!
Thanks for coming.
- Hey, goodnight.
- See you tomorrow night.
- Bye, see you next time.
- Hey, see ya.
- Yay!
- Yay, yeah.
- We did it!
- We did, yeah, okay.
Alright.
Kendra, hi, is everything okay?
I'm just calling to see if everything's
alright and everything is still on track.
Yeah, of course it is,
why wouldn't it be?
Nothing I should worry about,
no second thoughts?
No, none whatsoever.
We're all good.
Excellent.
I'll talk to you soon then.
Great.
Bye.
Uh, make sure there's an equal
number of sprinkles on each.
I don't think you're paying me
enough for equal sprinkles.
All the people that I hired
to work at the mayor's party
are already at the town hall,
I am begging you.
You want me to count them?
I just love the fact
that both my kids are going
to a fancy Christmas gala.
I am working, Sadie's the one
who gets to get dressed up
and enjoy the biggest
party of the year.
I'm also working, I'm going
with Holden but for work.
It's not the same
as being invited.
You're both going,
it's a big deal.
So, Sadie, do you have a dress?
You need to look good for your
first date with Holden as an adult.
You have to stop,
it is not a date, it's business.
Sure, I'll remember that when I see
you two twirling on the dance floor.
There will be no twirling.
I thought you said you straightened
out that whole break up thing.
Well, we did
but that doesn't mean we're going to pick
up where we left off almost 20 years ago.
No, that's... that's not going
to happen,
besides, as soon as the whole
drive-in issue is settled, I mean,
he'll go on to his next big project
and I'll go back to teaching
and who knows when
we'll even see each other again.
Aw, that's too bad. Second chances
don't come along very often.
You know what, I have some work to
do on Camila's case before the party,
so you guys good?
No, no, the sprinkles, sprinkles.
You're good. Yeah, you're good,
they look good, you're good.
There will be twirling.
Oh, absolutely,
I'll take pictures for you.
I want you both to have
a great time tonight, alright?
And I always appreciate
all of your support, always.
Hey, hey, hey, there he is!
Hey.
Good to see you.
You look great,
what do you think?
Well, you certainly know how to
throw one festive party, Mr. Mayor.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's
why I keep getting re-elected.
- No, that's not the only reason.
- Oh, thanks.
Oh, heads up, I invited Kendra Oldston.
Oh, she's in town?
Yeah, she called me this
morning looking for reassurance.
About what? We already
signed the contracts.
Well, yes but it's contingent
on the historic commission
deciding that the drive-in
isn't viable. Mmhmm.
She's worried that you're helping
to make the case that it is.
I told her, everything's fine.
You're 100 percent on board.
Holden?
Please tell me that you're still
100 percent on board.
Yes, look,
it's more like 98 percent.
- Holden!
- I'm sorry!
Bobby, being back
at the drive-in
makes it a little tough
not to be nostalgic.
If you could only see this place
with your own eyes, it's-
Are you sure the nostalgia
is for the drive-in
and not the person
trying to save it?
This has nothing to do
with Sadie.
Okay, just as long as you
realize that this is business.
Okay, you can't be
all starry-eyed.
I'm not letting myself
get starry-
Yeah, definitely
no starry eyes there.
- Hi.
- Hi.
You look, um...
Is it okay if I just say, "wow"?
I mean...
Um, sure. Thank you.
I mean, you... you look
pretty wow yourself.
Oh yeah, I just had this
lying around, so.
Uh, so, so, so
what's our strategy?
With what?
The... party?
Oh, well, I don't know, I just figured
we'd get some food, some drinks,
general Christmas merriment
or uh...
No, I mean, I mean
for the drive-in, like,
who we're talking to,
who has influence?
To be honest, I don't know.
I'm not really sure.
I figure our best bet is just
to, you know,
start chatting with people
and see who we can find.
- Okay.
- Okay?
Okay so, where should we start?
What about the dance floor?
Seems to be a lot of people
out there.
You want to start
on the dance floor?
Sure.
Come on, let's take a twirl
and see if we can find
some movers and shakers.
Twirl.
Wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Wow, it's a slow song.
Uh, maybe we can wait for
something a little more up-tempo
before we start talking
to people.
Yes, yes. There's some people at the
buffet line, we could talk to them.
Well, we're here,
might as well make
the most of it, you know.
All the feelings
Racing in my heart
I could die this day
I don't mind
Darling please be mine
So Sadie...
what do you want for Christmas besides the light
show I got you at the end of the driveway?
I'm sure I'll love
whatever Santa gives me.
- Hmm...
- How about you?
Socks.
Big sock guy.
No, I'm serious.
Holden McCarthy gets
one Christmas wish, what is it?
Well, see, I was talking
about Christmas presents,
now you're talking
about Christmas wishes
and that is a
whole different ball game.
How?
- Really?
- I...
Okay, so...
Christmas presents,
those are the things you want.
That's what you open up
on Christmas Day.
Christmas wishes, see,
those are the things you need.
Those are the things you want to open
up every day for the rest of your life.
Then what's your Christmas wish?
It's a good question.
I mean if you asked me
weeks ago I would've said,
uh... "continued success
in business,
peace on earth."
All that jazz.
Now you don't want
success or peace on earth?
No, of course, I do.
It's just, I don't know if I'd put business
at the top of my list anymore, you know?
Maybe it's something like, uh...
the dream that loves me back.
Um, how about you,
what's at the top
of your Christmas wish list?
I don't know.
I... I think it's time
that I figure that out again.
Well, you got a week till Christmas,
that's plenty of time to figure that out.
Yeah, plenty of time.
Do you remember... do you remember
the Christmas school dance?
How could I forget? Wearing
a green dress off the shoulder.
- Yes, I did.
- Hmm.
Um, but do you remember how I was
too nervous to dance to anything...
- Anything fast?
- Yeah.
Yeah, I remember that night
very well.
I was um, I wanted to ask you
if you would...
What, lead you off the dance
floor?
No, I was going to say,
would you twirl me?
Oh, absolutely.
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Kendra!
Welcome, Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you.
Who is that dancing with Holden?
I think I saw them
at the drive-in together.
That's Sadie Walker.
Isn't she the one trying to stop
the deal from going through?
- Well...
- How concerned do I need to be about that?
Not at all.
No, they were friends
in high school.
I think they're just
reliving old times, huh?
If the historic commission
is going to be a problem,
I'd like to know sooner
rather than later
so that I can start
looking at different towns.
What? No, no, no.
Brennington is the right place
for you.
I promise there's
nothing to worry about.
Oh, why don't you grab a drink
and some food
and we'll catch up
in a few minutes? Okay?
Adele!
Mr. Mayor,
oh, what a fun party!
Thank you for the invitation.
Oh, you're very welcome.
You know, I've been thinking...
maybe you're right.
Oh, I love to hear that.
About what?
How much Brennington needs an outdoor dining
patio at the local bakery by the spring.
Bobby, I really was moved by what
Sadie Walker said at the meeting.
Many of the other members
on the committee were as well.
I would not hold the town's economic
potential hostage over a patio.
I understand.
I'm sorry, but this is about
the town's future.
I'm worried that it's at risk
because of nostalgia
for the past.
Then uh, let's see
what we can make happen.
Okay.
Glory to the new born king
Hey!
Hey.
I come with good tidings.
Huh.
For a toast to success.
Aw, wow.
The historic commission approved the
plans for the distribution centre.
How could they do that?
The meeting's not
for another week.
Well, Adele realized they were
in danger of losing the Excelsia plan
so we moved up the meeting.
Bobby, why wasn't I involved?
Kendra was talking about
pulling out of Brennington altogether.
I mean,
I couldn't let that happen.
It's too important to the town.
Bobby, look around.
This drive-in is important
to the town too.
You know, we ran out of room
last night?
We ran out of food.
Okay, there is something special happening
in here but we need another week.
I understand you got
a lot going around here,
but you already made a deal
with Kendra Oldston, alright?
We had one little hurdle
to clear and she's thrilled.
- You told her already?
- Yeah.
Bobby.
Holden. Holden!
Hey.
Thank you for meeting me.
My pleasure.
I have to admit, I was getting
a little worried.
I saw what you and your friend
were doing at the drive-in
and I thought you might be
having a change of heart.
Well... to be honest, I am.
Look, Holden, I get it.
It's part of your history,
it's part of the town's history.
It's natural to feel nostalgic
at the thought of it going away.
Kendra, I know I told you
that this drive-in wasn't
important to the town or to me.
These last three weeks
have shown me that...
I was just... I was wrong.
The fact is I think Brennington
just got distracted
by the newest and latest
and the greatest
and they forgot how important
this place was to them.
I think I forgot.
I understand.
You do?
Yeah, absolutely,
I'm not some heartless corporate
type who doesn't have any feelings.
I'm a wife and mom and daughter.
I understand what it means
to hold on to things you love,
especially at the holidays.
Thank you.
At the same time,
I'm the COO of a multi-billion
dollar company
who already told her bosses
this was a done deal.
I don't know
how we get out of that.
Well, look, there is a breakup
clause in the contract, right?
Well, yes, but it comes with
a very hefty breakup fee.
Can you really afford all that
just to save
a drive-in movie theatre?
There's got to be
something else we can do.
Well, if you can come up with
something I'd be happy to hear it
but until then,
I'm sorry, Holden.
We wish you a merry Christmas
we wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Good tidings to you
wherever you are
Good tidings for Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Hey!
There you are.
I was afraid you were going
to miss the carolling.
If we get any more Christmas
in this place,
I think we're going to have to change
the name to the North Pole drive-in.
Looks like a lot of fun.
It is.
I need this kind
of merriment right now.
I have been working
on Camila's case all day
and I still haven't found
a solution.
Maybe there isn't one?
I mean, you know,
sometimes no matter how hard
you work on something,
things don't always turn out
the way you want them to.
I know, believe me, I know,
but property law is tricky.
Just when you think
there's no hope,
you find something small
like a comma in a sentence
that you can argue changes
the meaning of the whole thing.
So even done deals
could be undone?
Absolutely,
it happens all the time. Yeah.
You're really enjoying
yourself, aren't you?
You know, fighting for Camila.
I am, yeah.
Helping her and all this...
makes me feel like
I have purpose again.
Sadie, uh, there's something
I have to tell you.
Me first.
I've been thinking a lot
about my Christmas wish list
and...
I'm loving this too much
to let it go.
I will figure out a way to make
it work, help run it somehow.
Sadie, the historic commission...
They're going
to rule in our favour.
They have to, look at this!
Look at this.
Come on, let's sing.
Well, the contract
is pretty clear.
Regardless of what they told you they would do
with the land, they can do whatever they want.
And there's no way out of it?
I mean, a good lawyer would
usually include a loophole
or an exit clause in case
something changes but...
- But not this contact?
- I'm afraid not.
Now this is totally
in the other company's favour.
But there may be other options
for us to explore.
- Such as?
- I'm not sure yet but...
the important point is,
I am not giving up
and neither should you.
Thank you.
- Oh!
- Oh, hey, Holden!
Get this, a drive-in diner.
A drive-in diner?
Huh?
If Luke opens a restaurant
here during the day,
we keep it as a drive-in
theatre at night,
we've solved the what to do
if we win problem.
- Great.
- Yeah.
Hey, another busy night.
Yeah, yeah, it feels like
the whole town showed up.
- Last one!
- Oh, um, can you take this to the mayor?
- Oh, Bobby's here?
- Yeah, row four.
Uh... is everything okay?
Yeah.
- Okay.
- He liked it?
Yeah, he did.
Hey.
So, what do you think?
Can I have my food
before I tell you?
No.
I'm impressed.
How about now?
Hm, still impressed
and I'm sorry about not letting
you know about the meeting
but I still think
we did the right thing.
Bobby, you've known me
since I was a kid.
I've always been about business and I'm
not the type of guy who gets wrapped up
in things like Christmas magic
or miracles or anything like that
but just look around.
You got to admit
this is magical,
just look at what it's doing
for this town.
Actually, Holden, you haven't
always been about business.
You used to believe in things
like Christmas when we were kids
and then you got
your heart broken.
And I'd hate to see
that happen again.
Hello? Yes.
Thank you for calling me back.
Hey, have you seen Holden?
- Yeah, I just saw him heading towards the ticket booth.
- Oh.
What did he think of your grand
plan for opening the drive-in?
We haven't had a chance to
talk about the future yet, so.
Yours or the drive-ins?
Stop.
Look, Holden is not...
I mean, one way or the other, I'm sure he's
still going to leave when this is all done.
Is that for him?
Yeah.
Shark socks?
Yeah, it's a long story.
- Okay.
- Adele!
Hi, Sadie, Eve, hello,
uh, merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas, Adele.
- Merry Christmas!
I'm so glad you decided to come
down and see what we've done.
Well, I must admit
it is very merry.
And I'm so glad
there are no hard feelings.
Over what?
That we moved up the meeting.
That we voted to tear down
the drive-in
so they could build
the distribution centre.
What?
Oh, no, I thought
Holden would've told you.
Holden knows about this?
Um, I'm very sorry.
Excuse me.
Not even a comma
or nothing, not...
What, so you're telling me
this contact is just airtight?
Okay, yes, thank you, yes.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I just ran into Adele.
- Oh.
- How could you do this?
I didn't do this, okay.
This was Bobby and Adele,
they made some sort of deal
and I didn't know anything about
it until it was already done.
And when did you find out?
Yesterday.
And you didn't bother
to tell me.
I was trying to.
I feel like
you've could've tried harder.
Sadie, I'm sorry.
How much longer do we have?
Tonight.
Wow.
It's over.
All this was for nothing.
Sadie...
this was always going to be
a long shot, right?
And we allowed ourselves to get
caught up in the magic of the movies
and the spirit of Christmas but look,
Excelsia was always going to win.
This is a fantasy.
I got it, loud and clear.
Merry Christmas.
You're up early.
Sadie, you've been staring at Camila's
contract non-stop since the drive-in closed.
It's three days till Christmas,
honey, you need a break.
You're probably right.
I can't find
anything to help anyway.
I can't save the tree farm just
like I couldn't save the drive-in.
So have you talked to Holden?
No.
I mean, he called and texted
a couple times
but I can't talk to him.
Sadie, aren't you doing exactly what
he did to you when you were kids?
- This is different.
- Is it?
Because Adele told Marie
that he really didn't know about
the historic commission vote.
He was trying to find a way to save
the drive-in just like you were.
Okay, but Mom he made it
really clear
that it's over, all of it.
So I can't... I can't do
some kind of big goodbye.
I just... I just need to take
care of myself and let it go.
Are you sure you aren't
giving up before the miracle?
Mom, how do you know the difference
between giving up and letting go?
That depends...
is there still
a miracle to be had?
I don't know.
These are for the press
conference tomorrow.
We'll have big ones to use
as a backdrop.
- Ha.
- Yeah.
I love it.
- Holden?
- Huh?
Oh yeah, yeah, they look great.
And you want to do this
tomorrow?
Uh, well, we want to do it
before Christmas,
we're giving the entire town
a huge present.
And you... need me there?
Yes, Brennington needs to see
that you're on board with this.
Bobby, can I have a quick word
with Holden?
Uh, sure.
So, where are we at?
I don't know.
You do realize that if you back
out now, you will lose everything.
I know.
Kendra, I just still think
I can find a solution here
that's going to make
everybody happy.
It would take a miracle
to make everyone happy
and it's a little late
in the day for miracles.
Hey.
Thank you for coming.
You turned the lights back on.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, I wanted to...
I just figured we should take
one last look at it.
Yeah.
They're holding
a press conference tomorrow
to announce the Excelsia deal.
- Two days before Christmas.
- Yeah.
I really, really am sorry, Sadie.
- You don't have to apologize.
- No, I do.
I didn't know anything about
what Bobby and Adele were doing
but if I knew I would-
I know, I know, I believe you,
and you were right.
I got caught up in some kind of
fantasy, hoping for a miracle.
No, no, Sadie, don't say that.
You didn't get caught up
in a fantasy.
You brought Christmas magic
back to Brennington.
You made me believe
in this drive-in again.
My dad would've loved it.
- I think he would.
- Yeah.
But I didn't just do it for him.
Holden, this drive-in was
our place,
it was our movie.
It ended once and... I just
can't bear to watch it end again.
Maybe it doesn't have to.
What do you mean?
I'm gonna call Excelsia
and tell them the deal's off.
What? You can't,
you can't do that.
- Why not?
- Because I know property law,
it was one thing if the commission
said "no" but they said "yes"
which means that if you break
the contact
you could lose so much money,
you could lose your business
Aw, Sadie, I don't want
our movie to end either.
Ooh! Hey!
What's going on?
Well, Camila and I saw the
lights on and we called your mom.
Ah, I knew you were here
so I made a few calls.
And then they made some calls.
We all wanted to say goodbye
to the drive-in.
- Aw...
- We know you did your best,
just like you're doing your best
to save my land.
Well, guys, it's not over.
We're going to keep fighting
to keep it open.
- What?
- Yeah.
I'm going to keep
fighting for you,
no matter how long it takes
and it might take a minute.
That contract is almost
like your lawyer
was working for the other side.
I guess that's not surprising
considering
they recommended him.
Wait, the company you sold your
land to recommended your lawyer?
Do you know if he ever did
any work for them?
He said he worked for them
all the time,
so he was really familiar
with their contacts.
He said that was a good thing.
That is a good thing for us,
that's a conflict of interest.
That could void the contract.
How much land
does Excelsia need?
14 acres, long driveway,
a lot of trees.
And there's our miracle.
Uh, do you have the number
for that lawyer?
I think it's time to give him a
call and renegotiate your contract.
Do you think you can get me
out of this?
He's not going to want an investigation
by the state bar so yeah, I think I can.
This is great news!
You're brilliant.
Yeah.
So, I am pleased to announce
that Excelsia will be building
their brand new distribution
centre right here in Brennington.
This is their COO Kendra Oldston,
and she's going to tell you more.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
We're very excited
about this centre
and even more excited about
where it will be built, Holden.
Yes, uh, thank you, Kendra.
I'm very excited to announce that the
Excelsia distribution centre will be built
on a plot of land that is going to be very
familiar to you all, but let Sadie explain.
It'll be at
the Mendoza family tree farm.
Thanks to some quick thinking
and a last-minute miracle,
Excelsia will now build
our centre there
and the rest of the land will be
preserved for hiking trails
and picnic grounds
and will be called
the Mendoza Family Park.
And the McCarthy drive-in
will remain open.
All year round.
Now who wants to go watch a
Christmas movie with us tonight?
Big day, huh?
Congratulations on your new deal
with Excelsia.
It seems like Kendra was
really impressed with you.
Shh, I'm trying
to watch the movie.
Congratulations to you too.
Oh, I'm getting
my Christmas wish?
On finding your cape again.
Merry Christmas, Holden.
Merry Christmas, Sadie.
For the record,
you did kiss me first.
Oh, I know.