Dear Santa (2011) Movie Script

OH.

OH EXCUSE ME, I THINK
YOU DROPPED THIS.
GORGEOUS, ISN'T IT?
OH.
YEAH.
IT'S THE LAST ONE.
AND IT'S YOUR SIZE.


Crystal's Mom:
CRYSTAL, IS THAT YOU?
HI, MOM.
WHERE HAVE
YOU BEEN, SHOPPING?
JUST A LITTLE.
HMMM, REALLY?
BY THE SIZE OF
MY LAST CREDIT CARD BILL,
I'D ASSUME
YOU'VE BEEN DRESSING
ALL OF THE
UPPER EAST SIDE.
THERE ARE SO MANY
CHRISTMAS PARTIES,
LIKE, I NEEDED
NEW DRESSES.
CRYSTAL, YOU'RE
30 YEARS OLD NOW.
YOUR FATHER AND I
ASSUMED THAT BY THIS TIME
YOU WOULD FIND
YOURSELF SOMETHING TO DO.
WHICH IS WHY
WE'VE DECIDED,
WE HAVE NO CHOICE
BUT TO CUT YOU OFF.
NO!
YOU DON'HAVE TO DO THAT.
I- I MEAN,
I'M FIGURING THINGS OUT.
REALLY.
I'M, I'M GONNA GET A JOB,
SO YOU HAVE
NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
FROM HERE ON OUT, THINGS ARE
GONNA BE DIFFERENT, I SWEAR.
WE JUST WISH YOU WOULD DO
SOMETHING WITH YOURSELF,
FIND A GOOD MAN,
ANYTHING.
I'M ON IT,
I PROMISE.
FINE, YOU HAVE UNTIL
CHRISTMAS TO SORT IT OUT.
OH, AND DEAR,
THAT SWEATER WAS FAR TOO
TANGERINE FOR YOUR COMPLEXION.
TSK.
HUH, REALLY?

I HAD TO
TELL HER SOMETHING.
THE ONLY OTHER OPTION,
SHE SAID, WAS TO FIND A MAN.
AND SINCE I'VE BEEN DILIGENTLY
LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHFOR THE
PAST 30 YEARS,
I'M THINKING HE'S NOGONNA SHOW UP BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
OH, I NEED A JOB.
AND I NEED A LATTE.
COOL.
GREAT,
I'LL MEET YOU IN AN HOUR.

Olivia:
DEAR SANTA, SORRY I
FORGOT TO WRITE LAST YEAR,
BUT THANK YOU FOR
THE EASY COOK OVEN.
IF I HAD MADE A LIST, IT
FOR SURE WOULD'VE BEEN ON IT.
THIS YEAR, I DON'T
HAVE A LIST EITHER,
THAT'S BECAUSE I'M WISHING
FOR JUST ONE THING,
A NEW WIFE
FOR MY DAD.
THIS YEAR WILL BE THE SECOND
CHRISTMAS SINCE MY MOM DIED,
AND EVEN THOUGH
MY DAD TRIES,
CHRISTMAS HASN'T
BEEN THE SAME SINCE.
I KNOW I CAN'T
WISH FOR MY MOM BACK,
BUT MAYBE YOU COULD
SEND US SOMEONE AS NICE,
AND PRETTY, AND WHO CAN MAKE
MY DAD SMILE THE WAY SHE DID.
THAT WAY,
MAYBE THIS YEAR,
WE COULD HAVE A
REAL CHRISTMAS AGAIN.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
LOVE, OLIVIA.

I THINK
IT'S A SIGN.
I MEAN,
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES
THAT I WOULD FIND THIS
LETTER ON THE EXACT DAY
I'M SUPPOSED
TO CHANGE MY LIFE?
IT'S PERFECT.
I'M NOT GETTING IT.
I COULD BE THIS LITTLE
GIRL'S WISH FROM SANTA.
OH NO.
WHAT?
CRYSTAL, THESE PEOPLE
COULD BE LIKE HILLBILLIES
LIVING IN A TRAILER,
OR WORSE, THE SUBURBS.
THEY LIVE IN
THE WEST END.
I GOOGLED THEIR
RETURN ADDRESS.
CRISS, I THINK YOU SHOULD
PUT THIS LETTER BACK
IN ITS ENVELOPE, AND
DROP IT OFF IN A MAILBOX.
AND BREAK THIS
LITTLE GIRL'S HEARWHEN HER WISH FROM SANTA
DOESN'T COME TRUE.
HEY, WE'VE ALL GOTTA HAVE
OUR DREAMS CRUSHED SOMETIME.
IT'S CHRISTMAS, I DON'WANT TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT.

ELEVATOR, OOOH,
THAT'S MY GIRL.

Derek:
MAYBE YOU LEFT
IT IN THE TRUCK.

OR ON THE PORCH.
OOH.

HEY, I SHOULDN'BE TOO LONG ALRIGHT.
HEY, OK,
BABY GIRL.
[Kisses Olivia]

HEY.
HI.
ARE YOU NEW HERE?
YEAH, I KNOW VOLUNTEERING
FOR THE FIRST TIME
CAN BE A BIT OVERWHELMING,
BUT YOU'LL GET USED TO IT.
WHERE DO YOU
WANT TO BE TONIGHT,
IN THE KITCHEN, OR OUON THE FLOOR SERVING?
THE-
WELL, I'LL BE SERVING,
SO WHY DON'T YOU HELP ME
AND THAT WAY I CAN
EASE YOU INTO IT.
- OK.
- GREAT.
APRONS ARE
OVER THERE.
UM, YEAH, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO
DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT HAIR.
UH, YEAH,
HERE'S A HAIRNET.
AND WE'LL
SEE YOU OUT THERE.

HEY, BREAD DUTY.
[Gasps]
HI, HI.
OH, OH, WAIT, UM,
YOU FORGOT YOUR BREAD.
I- I MEAN, UNLESS
YOU DON'T EAT CARBS,
WHICH I DON'T,
ESPECIALLY WHOLE WHEAIT MAKES ME
SO BLOATED.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO
WORRY ABOUT THAT, DO YOU?
- HERE, SOME EXTRA.
- OK, OK, OK.
ENJOY YOUR MEAL,
GRIZZ, THANK YOU.
[Sigh]
DON'T WORRY,
YOU'LL GET USED TO IT.
JUST REMEMBER THAUNDERNEATH IT ALL,
THEY'RE JUSLIKE YOU AND ME.
EXCEPT, NOT AS
FUSSY ABOUT THE CARBS.
I'M DEREK,
BY THE WAY.
CRYSTAL.
WELL THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
HELPING US OUT TONIGHT, CRYSTAL,
IT'S APPRECIATED.
HELLO AGNES.
THERE YOU GO,
SWEETHEART.
OK, AND BREAD.

SOME BREAD?
WITH THE TONGS.

THERE YOU GO.
ENJOY.

Pete:
HONEY, YOU BETTER
SOAK THAT POT,
OR ELSE YOU'RE GONNA
BE SCRUBBING AWAY THAT MANICURE.
[Gasp]
IS THAT NARS
LIP GLOSS IN ORGASM?
OF COURSE.
I WEAR THAT.
PETE KENNEDY,
CHEF EXTRAORDINAIRE.
CRYSTAL CARRUTHERS.
OH, AND SWEETIE,
DITCH THE HAIRNET.
JUST MAKE SURE YOUR
HAIR IS UP AND AWAY.
YOU HAVE GOTO TRY THIS.
UM...
HI THERE BEN.
HERE'S ANOTHER
ONE FOR YOU.
YEAH, IT'S--
OH, TRUST ME.
KAY.
MMM.
THAT'S GOOD,
REALLY GOOD.
FOUR YEARS OF CULINARY SCHOOL,
I SHOULD HOPE SO.
[Laughing]

EDIBLE
ISN'T HE?
AND HE'S
A REAL DOLL.
POOR DEAR
WORKS DOUBLE TIME,
BETWEEN HIS JOB AND
TAKING CARE OF HIS KID.
YET, HE STILL FINDS
TIME FOR THIS PLACE.

HOW OFTEN DOES
HE VOLUNTEER?
VOLUNTEER?
UH-UH SWEETHEART,
HE RUNS THIS PLACE.
IT WAS HIS WIFE'S
PROJECT BEFORE SHE DIED.
HE PROMISED HER HE
WOULD KEEP IT GOING.
AND KNOWING
THAT DOLL,
HE'LL DO WHATEVER HE
CAN TO KEEP THAT PROMISE.

THERE YOU GO.
OH, WAIT.

PERFECT,
SO JUDE LAW.

- DOING GREAT.
- THANKS.
HEY, LISTEN, WE HAVE A
DELIVERY HAPPENING TOMORROW
AT AROUND 9:00.
WE COULD ALWAYS
USE AN EXTRA HAND.
I'LL BE THERE.
AWESOME, THANKS.
- DADDY.
- AHHH, HEY SWEETIE.
HOW WAS CHLOE'S?
DID YOU THANK HER MOM
FOR GIVING YOU A RIDE?
YEAH, AND FOR LUNCH.
EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'REALLY LIKE IT.
[Derek Chuckles]
THAT'S MY GIRL.
HEY LISTEN, I GOT A FEW THINGS
I GOTTA WRAP UP OUT HERE, SO,
WHY DON'T YOU GO
TO THE BACK AND PRACTICE.
HI, MISTER LOCKHART.
SHE'S SWEET.
YEAH, THAT SHE IS.

HEY, DO YOU MIND UH,
HOLDING DOWN THE FORT?
YOU BET.

HEY FRANK,
HOW YOU DOING?
[Olivia Practicing Her Flute]
I HATE THIS THING.
I HAD TO PLAY THE
CELLO FOR THREE YEARS,
I HATED IT TOO.
MY GRANDMOTHER
TOLD MY DAD
I SHOULD STARPLAYING AN INSTRUMENT.
WELL AT LEAST YOU
CAN KEEP YOUR NAILS.
ME, I COULDN'T EVEN
HAVE A FRENCH MANICURE.
AND DON'T EVEN GET ME
STARTED ON THE CLOTHES,
HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO PLAY
THE CELLO IN A PENCIL SKIRT?
[Olivia Chuckles Softly]
WELL, HAVE YOU TOLD YOUR DAD,
YOU KNOW, THAT YOU HATE IT?
I DON'T WANT TO
HURT HIS FEELINGS.
WELL MAYBE THERE'S
SOMETHING ELSE YOU COULD DO.
I LOVE SKATING.
MY DAD TAKES ME TO
BRIER RINK EVERY WEDNESDAY.
I USED TO TAKE FIGURE
SKATING LESSONS THERE,
FOR LIKE,
TEN YEARS.
WOW,
YOU MUST BE GOOD.
- WELL I--
- CRYSTAL.
CAN YOU GIVE ME A
HAND PLEASE SWEETIE?
OH, THAT'S ME.
I GOTTA RUN.
GOOD LUCK.
YES SIR?
Pete:
CAN YOU GRAB THAT POT?
WE'RE GONNA GO INTO THE DINER.
OK.
HERE.
OK.
HERE YOU GO.
[Sigh]
WHO'S THAT?
Pete:
THAT? OH, THAT'S
OLD FRANK MCCOURT,
THE MOST STUBBORN
MAN ON THE STREETS.
OLD GUY REFUSES
TO COME INSIDE
SO EVERY TIME
DEREK SEES HIM
HE TAKES A
BOWL OUT TO HIM.
SAYS HE'S LIVED ON THE
STREETS FOR 25 YEARS,
AND HE'LL NEVER PUT A
ROOF OVER HIS HEAD AGAIN.
- WHY IS THAT?
- OH, WHO KNOWS SWEETIE.
BUT DEREK'S BEEN TRYING
TO GET HIM TO COME INSIDE
FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.
FRANK JUST
WON'T BUDGE.

OH, SORRY.
THERE YOU GO.

OH MY GOODNESS,
I'M SO SORRY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED,
I SWEAR I SET MY ALARM,
BUT I GUESS
I SET PM INSTEAD OF-
UH, YOU GOT A LITTLE
SOMETHING ON YOUR...
OTHER SIDE.
YEAH, LIS-
LISTEN, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT,
WE'RE ALMOST DONE
HERE ANYWAYS, SO,
UH, YOU CAN GO
AHEAD AND GO HOME.
Jilian:
WELL I HAVE AN OPEN
HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON,
SO ANYTHING ELSE
I CAN HELP WITH?
OH YES, ACTUALLY,
CAN YOU TAKE THE
DONATIONS TO THE
SHELTER ON YOUR WAY?
OF COURSE.
OH.
SO I'LL SEE
YOU LATER TONIGHT?
YEAH, YOU BET.

THANKS ANYWAY.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DIDN'TELL ME HE WAS SEEING SOMEONE.
SWEETIE, I DIDN'T REALIZE
YOU WERE ON THE SERIOUS PROWL.
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY
DEREK IS DROOL WORTHY
IN A BLUE
COLLAR KIND OF WAY.
BUT HE'S A LONG WAY
FROM PARK AVENUE.
SO I'M DYING
TO KNOW,
WHAT LED YOU ALL THE
WAY TO THE EAST SIDE?
Barista:
WHAT CAN
I GET FOR YOU?
COULD I GET A
TRIPLE SHOT, NON-FAT,
HALF SWEET MOCHA,
EXTRA HOT, PLEASE.
OH, TWO.
WHERE DID
YOU GET THIS?
I FOUND IT. I-
I WAS LOOKING AT THIS
DRESS IN A STORE WINDOW
AND IT JUST FLOATED
IN FRONT OF ME.
OH MY GOD.
IT'S FATE.
WHY ELSE WOULD
IT HAVE COME TO YOU?
THAT'S EXACTLY
WHAT I THOUGHT.
OH DOLL, WE HAVE
TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
[Sigh]
WELL, IT WAS
A LOT EASIER
BEFORE WENDY WAL-MARWAS IN THE PICTURE.
PLUS, I KIND OF
BLEW IT THIS MORNING.
OH, LISTEN, THE ONLY THING
THAT TWO-FACED HYENA'S
GOT GOING FOR
HER IS HISTORY.
SHE AND DEREK DATED FOR LIKE
A MILLISECOND BACK IN COLLEGE
BEFORE HE
FELL FOR LAURA.
BUT HONEY,
YOU'VE GOT IT ALL,
LOOKS, STYLE, THAT THINGY
YOU DO WITH YOUR HAIR,
IT'S FABULOUS.
THE ONLY THING LEFIS FOR YOU TO SHOW
THAT YOU'VE
GOT WHAT IT TAKES.
TO WHAT?
BE A MOM
OF COURSE.
OH.
AND THAT'LL
BE $10.50.

OH, UM, CAN YOU
BREAK A $100?

SORRY.
THANKS.

I DON'T WANTO THAT ANYMORE.
YEAH, I HAVE TO ADMIT,
IT'S NOT BAD.
OH, LOOK AT HER,
SHE'S PRETTY GOOD.

- LOOK AT HER GO.
- WHOA.
Derek:
THAT'S CRYSTAL.
- SHE'S GOOD.
- SHE'S GOOD, RIGHT?

- UGGH!
- OH!
CRYSTAL!
- YOU OK?
- YEAH.
- HERE.
- THANKS.
MEANT TO
DO THAT.
THAT WAS AMAZING.
CAN YOU TEACH ME HOW
TO DO THAT TWIRLY THING?
OH, OLIVIA, I'M SURE
CRYSTAL HAS HER OWN FRIENDS
THAT SHE WANTS
TO HANG OUT WITH.
IT'S FINE, I'M ACTUALLY
NOT HERE WITH ANYONE.
DAD, PLEASE?
WELL, IF WE'RE
NOT KEEPING YOU.
NO.
OH, SORRY.
OH, SWEETIE,
I GOTTA TAKE THIS, SO.
SHE COULD
STAY WITH ME.
I'LL BE HERE.
[Cell Phone Rings]
ARE YOU SURE?
YEAH,
WE'LL HAVE FUN.
[Cell Phone Rings]
OK, I'LL JUSBE A MINUTE.
OK.
- ALRIGHT, YOU READY?
- YEAH.
SO DOING A TURN IS REALLY
NOT AS HARD AS IT LOOKS.
PUT YOUR FEEAPART LIKE THAT, GOOD.
NOW PUT YOUR
ARMS OUT TO THE SIDE,
TURN YOUR
BODY AND SPIN.
OH.
ALMOST.
YOU'LL GET INEXT TIME.
[Sarcastically]
NICE TWIRL OLIVIA.
MAYBE YOUR PIGTAILS
SET YOU OFF BALANCE.
BY THE WAY, I LOVE
THE PURPLE HELMET.
I THINK I SAW A KINDERGARTNER
WEARING THE SAME ONE.
IN CASE YOU
DIDN'T KNOW,
PIGTAILS ARE ALL
THE RAGE RIGHT NOW,
VANESSA HUDGENS.
I GUESS THAT'S WHY
ZACK BROKE UP WITH HER.
B.T.W, THE HAT,
SO LAST YEAR.
[Girls pop their lips]
DON'T WORRY,
I LIKE YOUR HAT.

WHO ARE
THOSE GIRLS?
THEY'RE JUST A COUPLE
GIRLS FROM MY SCHOOL.
ARE THEY
ALWAYS SO MEAN?
I GUESS,
BUT THEY'RE RIGHT,
I HAVE HAD THIS PURPLE
HELMET SINCE KINDERGARTEN.
WELL LET ME TELL
YOU SOMETHING,
EVERYTHING OLD ALWAYS
BECOMES NEW AGAIN.
I MEAN, TAKE LEG WARMERS,
OR PADDED SHOULDERS,
ALTHOUGH I'M PRETTY SURE
THOSE SHOULDN'T HAVE COME BACK.
[Both Chuckle]
BESIDES, BET THEY'RE
NOT ALL THAT ANYWAY.
DO THEY HAVE
BOYFRIENDS?
NO, THEY BOTH LIKE
ANDREW LICK THOUGH,
BUT HE WON'EVEN TALK TO THEM.
HE AND I SOMETIMES
PLAY DODGE BALL.
I BET THADRIVES THEM CRAZY.
IT DOES.
LET ME GUESS,
ARE THEY ALL LIKE,
[Imitating Girls]
"HI ANDREW, LIKE,
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?"
"OH MY GOSH, THIS CHERRY
CHAPSTICK'S LIKE THE BEST."
WHAT'S GOING ON?
OH, WE WERE JUST UM,
PRACTICING OLIVIA'S SPIN.
- YEAH?
- YEAH.
- SHOW HIM.
- YOO-HOO!

WHOA.
OH.
SORRY I'M LATE, JUST WRAPPED
UP ANOTHER HOUSE SALE.
NO, NOT A PROBLEM.
UM, OH, UH, YEAH...
JILIAN, CRYSTAL.
CRYSTAL, JILIAN.
HI.
PLEASURE.
OK, SO
THANK YOU, CRYSTAL.
SHALL WE- I GOT YA,
I GOT YA, SHALL WE GO?
- BYE.
- BYE.

LET'S-
OH, I GOT YA.

Crystal:
DO YOU EVER THINK
YOU MIGHT WANT,
I DON'T KNOW,
LIKE, A NORMAL LIFE?
FAMILY?
IS THIS ABOUT THAFAMILY YOU'RE STALKING?
I JUST WANT DEREK TO
SEE THERE'S MORE TO ME
THAN JUST MY FABULOUS
SENSE OF STYLE.
I MEAN, THERE'S MORE TO US
THAN JUST SHOPPING AND LATTES.
RIGHT?
YEAH.
YEAH, OF COURSE
THERE IS.
OF COURSE
THERE IS.

Male Radio Announcer:
SEEING RECORD
COLD TEMPERATURES
AND SNOWFALL
THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
THE FORECAST IS CALLING FOR
THE COLD WEATHER TO CONTINUE,
THROUGHOUT CHRISTMAS
AND THE NEW YEAR.
[Wind Blowing]
YOO-HOO.
[High Pitched Laughing]
NOW I FINALLY GETHE HYENA REFERENCE.
[Mocking Jilian's Laugh]
- PETE?
- HMM?
UM, ARE YOU
GOOD TO CLOSE UP?
YOU BET DOLL.
[Heavy Coughing]
NORMAN?
[Heavy Coughing]
YOU OK, BUD?
SOMETHING JUST WENDOWN THE WRONG...
[Heavy Coughing]
CAN I GET A NAPKIN?
[Coughing continues]
Derek:
IT'S OK MAN.
[Coughing continues]
- THANK YOU.
- YOU GOOD?
YOU GOT IT?
YOU GOOD?
ALRIGHT,
THANK YOU.
OH, NO,
SHE GOT IT.
UGH, EW!
GOOD NIGHT.
OH, NICE STELLA M.
KNOCK OFF?
NO.
AND, ACTUALLY IT'S BURBERRY.
OH, MY PURSE
IS BURBERRY.
HUH? I DON'T THINK
BURBERRY USES VINYL, SORRY.
Derek:
SEE YOU TOMORROW, PETE.
DO YOU HAVE A RIDE?
OH, YEAH, I'M JUSPARKED DOWN THE STREET.
OK, GREAT,
SEE YOU TOMORROW.
THAT ONE'S FROSTIER
THAN THE DAMN AIR TONIGHT.
OH, IT'S
STILL OPEN
IF YOU WANNA JUST STEP
INSIDE AND GET WARMED UP.
OH NO, NO DARLING,
25 YEARS AGO
I MADE A DECISION
TO JUST STEP INSIDE.
THAT DECISION
CHANGED MY LIFE.
SO IF YOU
DON'T MIND,
I THINK I'LL TAKE
MY CHANCES OUT HERE.
[Wind whistles and blows]
FRANK.
IT LOOKS GREAT.
MEN WERE TOTALLY
WEARING ANIMAL PRINON THE RUNWAY
THIS SEASON.
THANKS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

IT MATCHES
YOUR HAT.
I KNOW YOU
LOVE PURPLE.
OH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
ALRIGHT,
WHO WANTS NEW GLOVES?
THERE YOU GO.
AGNES, OH, THAT PURPLE
WITH YOUR EYES,
I NEVER KNEW THEY
WERE SO STUNNING.
OK, LET'S SEE
[Crystal Gasps]
OH MY GOD.
YOU ARE TOTALLY
FRED ASTAIRE.

MR. LOCKHART, I THINK
THIS IS YOUR COLOR.
WOULD YOU CARE TO
DANCE MADEMOISELLE?
I'D LOVE TO.

- AW, LOOK AT THAT.
- AW.

[Cheering]

THANK YOU.
ONE MORE FOR YA, BEN.
Pete:
DEREK!
MAIL CALL.
IS EVERYTHING OK?
YEAH, UH,
YEAH JUST THE UH,
MONEY SHARKS
CIRCLING.
NOTHING
I CAN'T HANDLE.
CRYSTAL!
GUESS WHAT,
I'VE BEEN PRACTICING
AND NOW I CAN
TOTALLY DO A SPIN.
THAT'S AMAZING.
NOW ALL YOU NEED IS
THE PROPER SKATING SKIRT,
YOU KNOW, FOR
THE FULL EFFECT.
DID YOU
HEAR THAT DAD?
HMMM, UH YEAH, UH...
I'M SORRY SWEETIE,
I CAN'T DO GAME NIGHT TONIGHT,
I GOT A TRUCK
DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY.
I'LL TEXT JENNIFER AND
SEE IF SHE CAN WATCH YOU.
WHAT ABOUT CRYSTAL?
OH NO I-
OW!
SURE, I'D LOVE TO.
THAT'S VERY NICE,
BUT I'M,
I'M SURE YOU'VE
GOT BETTER PLANS.
ACTUALLY I DON'T.
PLEASE DAD?
ARE YOU SURE?
'CAUSE-
WELL, I'LL JUSTEXT THE GUYS
AND LET 'EM KNOW
I'M ON MY WAY, THANKS.
GREAT. I'M JUSGOING TO GET SOME...
- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
- HELPING.
I'VE NEVER BABYSAANYTHING IN MY LIFE.
SERIOUSLY, I THOUGHT ALL OF
US PRE-TEEN GIRLS BABYSAT.
NOT ME, THE ONLY
THING I EVER WATCHED
WAS A SCHOOL HAMSTER,
AND IT DIED A SLOW DEATH
SOMEWHERE IN THE WALLS
OF MY PARENTS' CONDO.
READY?
YOU BET.
SO, WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

I THINK YOU'RE SUPPOSED
TO OPEN IT WITH THIS.
I CAN DO THAT.

THAT WAS EASY.

DO YOU HAVE
ANY EIGHTS?
- YUP.
- YAY.
DO YOU HAVE
ANY THREES?
OH.
SO HOW ARE THE
CHERRY CHAPSTICKS?
THE SAME.
THEY'RE ALWAYS MAKING FUN
OF MY CLOTHES AND STUFF.
I MEAN,
MY STUFF IS KIND OF OLD.
LIKE, THIS SKIRT'S FROM
CHRISTMAS TWO YEARS AGO.
I GUESS SHOPPING JUSISN'T REALLY A DAD THING.
WELL, I MAY NOT BE
A VERY GOOD COOK,
BUT I AM A
DARN GOOD SHOPPER.
MAYBE YOU AND I
COULD GO SOMETIME.
REALLY?
THAT'D BE GREAT.
YEAH.
[Smoke Alarm]
WHAT'S THAT?
HUH!
- HUH!
- OH!
- OH!
- OK.
[Smoke Alarm]
- OW!
- HERE, OK.
[Smoke Alarm]
[Sizzling]
- DO YOU LIKE PIZZA?
- KAY.
GOOD.

YOU KNOW,
MY MOM AND I
WE USED TO HAVE
ONE NIGHT A WEEK,
WE'D CALL IOUR DATE NIGHT.
SOMETIMES WE'D STAY IN LIKE
THIS AND WATCH A MOVIE.
AND BEFORE
CHRISTMAS,
WE'D HAVE A
SPECIAL DATE NIGHT.
WE GOHOT CHOCOLATES.
WE WALKED THROUGH ROSELAWN PARK
TO THE BIG CHRISTMAS TREE,
THAT'S WHERE WE'D MAKE
OUR CHRISTMAS WISHES.
WHAT ABOUTHIS YEAR?
DID YOU
MAKE A WISH?
I DIDN'T HAVE TO,
I SENT A LETTER
TO SANTA INSTEAD.
HE'S PROBABLY
GOT IT BY NOW.

I'D TELL YOU
WHAT I WISHED FOR,
BUT MY MOM ALWAYS
SAID IF YOU TELL,
IT MIGHNOT COME TRUE.

SOUNDS LIKE YOUR MOM
WAS REALLY SPECIAL.

SHE WAS THE BEST.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?
YOU AND YOUR MOM
DO ANYTHING SPECIAL?
HMMM, YOU KNOW, MY MOM
WAS ALWAYS PRETTY BUSY,
ON BUSINESS
TRIPS WITH MY DAD.
- WELL THAT'S TOO BAD.
- YEAH.
MY NANNIES WERE
REALLY NICE THOUGH.
YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU AND
I COULD HANG OUT SOMETIME,
LIKE AT THE SKATING
RINK OR SOMETHING?
THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

[Phone Rings]

[Sigh]
OH BROTHER, IT'S JILIAN.
[Phone Rings]
- YOU DON'T LIKE HER?
- ARE YOU KIDDING?
ALL SHE EVER TALKS
ABOUT WITH MY DAD IS,
REMEMBER WHEN
WE DID THIS?
REMEMBER WHAHAPPENED WHEN?
BUT WHAT SHE DOESN'SEEM TO REMEMBER
IS MY DAD DUMPED
HER TO BE WITH MY MOM.
OH, I KNOW WHAT WILL
DRIVE HER CRAZY.
HELLO.
OH, HI JILIAN.
NO, HE'S NOT HERE.
I THINK HE WENT OUON A DATE WITH CRYSTAL,
BUT I'LL TELL
HIM YOU CALLED.
GOOD NIGHT.
[Laughing]
WE'RE GONNA
GET IN TROUBLE.
HALLELUJAH
HALLELUJAH

HALLELUJAH
HALLELUJAH

Crystal:
SORRY, I FELL ASLEEP.
NO, NO, IT'S OK.
SORRY I'M SO LATE.
WE JUST- WE COULDN'T GET THE
PLOW TO HITCH TO THE TOW TRUCK.
AND IT WAS A-
ANYWAY,
HOW WAS SHE?
SHE BEAT ME THREE
TIMES AT GO FISH.
SHE WINS EVERY TIME.
KID'S GOT INCREDIBLE LUCK,
I SHOULD TAKE HER TO VEGAS.
[Crystal Laughs]
SHE'S A GREAT GIRL.
YEAH, SHE IS,
ISN'T SHE?

SOMETIMES I THINK SHE TAKES
CARE OF ME MORE THAN I DO HER.
BUT THEN SHE DOES
SOMETHING THAT REMINDS ME
SHE'S JUSA LITTLE GIRL,
WHO NEEDS A MOM.

YEAH.
I KNOW I COULD
NEVER REPLACE LAURA,
I MEAN LAURA WAS...
SHE WAS, SPECIAL.

AND JILIAN,
I MEAN SHE'S...
I DON'T EXPECTO FEEL THE SAME WAY
THAT LAURA MADE
ME FEEL, BUT UH...
DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE I OWE
IT TO HER TO FIND HER A MOM
AND, THIS TIME
IT'S NOT ABOUT ME.

I'M SORRY IT, HEH-
IT'S LATE.
UM, LOOK YOU WERE SLEEPING,
WHY DON'T YOU JUST CRASH?
OH NO, THAT-
THAT'S OK.
I DON'T HAVE
ANY OF MY STUFF.
WE'VE GOT AN
EXTRA TOOTHBRUSH.
GUESS THAT'S
ALL I NEED.
YEAH.
HEY, YOU REALLY
HELPED ME OUT TONIGHT.
AND BESIDES,
OLIVIA WILL BE UPSEIF SHE NEVER GOT A
CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE, SO.

ALRIGHT.
COOL.
I'LL UH, TAKE OLIVIA
UP TO HER ROOM AND,
I'LL GEYOU SET UP.
OK.

MORNIN'.

COME ON, HUN.
MORNING.

HOW DOES THIS-?
I SWEAR I PUT THESE AWAY
EVERY YEAR, UNTANGLED.
HERE WE GO,
THE BATTLE OF
THE LIGHTS BEGINS.
[Crystal Chuckles]

COME ON,
YOU DO THE TOP,
AND I'LL DECORATE
THE BOTTOM.
GREAT.
OH, IT SMELLS
SO GOOD.
MY FAMILY ALWAYS HAD ONE
OF THOSE PRE-LIT TREES.
OH, NO, NO,
NO, NO, NO.
NONE OF THOSE PRE-FAB
ARTIFICIAL TREES IN MY HOUSE.
BESIDES, THAT TAKES
ALL THE FUN OUT OF IT.
SERIOUSLY?
C'MON.
[Laughing]
LET'S DECORATE
YOUR DAD.
OH, COME ON.
- THERE.
- YOU LOOK FUNNY.
Derek:
JUST WHAT I WANTED,
A TINSEL BOW.
[Laughing]
MORNING!
I'M SORRY, I COMPLETELY
FORGOT WE HAD A BRUNCH DATE.
NO WORRIES, I BROUGHEVERYTHING WE NEED.
SO, DID CRYSTAL
SPEND THE NIGHT, OR?
YEAH, SHE WAS WATCHING
OLIVIA AND IT GOT LATE, SO.
OH, SO SHE WAS JUSBABYSITTING WAS SHE?
[Jilian Gasps]
OH MY LORD,
WHAT HAPPENED HERE?!
OH, I UM, I KIND
OF BURNT DINNER.
[Laughing]
NOT MUCH OF
A COOK ARE WE?
I CAN MANAGE.
CRYSTAL, CAN YOU
STAY FOR BRUNCH?
OH, I'M SURE THAT CRYSTAL HAS
THINGS TO DO, LIKE SHOPPING.
Crystal:
ACTUALLY,
I'D LOVE TO STAY,
THANK YOU.
- DADDY.
- YES BABY.
CRYSTAL SAID SHE'D
TAKE ME SHOPPING SOMETIME.
OH, THASOUNDS LIKE FUN.
UH, SWEETHEART, DO YOU REALLY
THINK THAT'S SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
I MEAN, WE DON'T KNOW
MUCH ABOUT CRYSTAL, DO WE?
SO CAN WE GO?
UM, YEAH, SURE, AS LONG AS
YOU DON'T MIND IF I TAG ALONG.
Crystal:
NO,
THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
ARE YOU OK,
FOR A MINUTE?
'CAUSE I'M GONNA GO
CHECK THE GARAGE
AND SEE IF WE HAVE
EXTRA TREE LIGHTS.
YOU GO AHEAD,
US GIRLS HAVE
EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL.
SO, SEEING AS
YOU'RE STAYING,
PERHAPS YOU COULD MANAGE
TO WHIP THE CREAM.
YOU DO KNOW HOW,
DON'T YOU?
OF COURSE.

WE'RE IN LUCK!

[Both Ladies Screaming]

[Olivia Laughs]
[Screaming Continues]

LADIES!

[Deep Sigh]

NICE RING, ISN'T IT?
YES, IT IS.
AND I GUARANTEE IT WILL BE
ON MY FINGER BY CHRISTMAS.
HMMM, HOPE YOU CAN HANG
ONTO HIM THIS TIME.

I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT DEREK
AND I WOULD STILL BE TOGETHER
IF IT WEREN'T FOR
THE ANGELIC LAURA
WHO STOLE HIM
AWAY FROM ME.

BUT TRUST ME, I WON'LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN.

SEE YOU
DOWNSTAIRS.

Derek:
THAT ONE THERE.
- OH!
- OH MY GOD, REMEMBER THAT?
PROFESSOR KUBRICK AND THE
DEAN GOT CAUGHT, YOU KNOW?
NO WONDER WE ALL GOA'S IN THAT CLASS.
WHERE DID YOU GO
TO SCHOOL, CRYSTAL?
OH, UM, NYU.
- REALLY?
- MMM.
MY FRIEND
BEV WENT THERE.
WHAT YEAR
DID YOU GRADUATE?
UM, 2003.
OH, SHOOT.
I- I JUST REMEMBERED
I HAVE TO GO UM,
AND DO THIS
THING, SO.
I'LL SEE
YOU LATER.
- BYE.
- BYE.
HONEY.
A RING?
NOT FOR THAT KNOCK OFF
QUEEN YOU TOLD ME ABOUT?
THAT'S WHASHE SEEMS TO THINK.
GUESS SHE'S GOHER FAKE PRESS-ONS
IN DEEPER
THAN I THOUGHT.
[Crystal Sighs]
WHAT AM I DOING?
MAYBE I SHOULD
JUST GIVE UP.
CRISS, IF YOU
REALLY BELIEVE
YOU FOUND THALETTER FOR A REASON,
THEN ALL YOU GOTTA DO
IS MAKE HIM SEE WHY.
YEAH.

Crystal:
AND NOW, INTRODUCING
MISS OLIVIA GOWEN.

AS YOU CAN SEE,
MISS GOWEN IS SPORTING
THE LATESIN WINTER CHIC.
HER NAVY TRENCH AND
FLORAL SCARF ARE THE
PERFECT BLEND OF STYLE
AND SOPHISTICATION.

YOU LOOK
BEAUTIFUL AND...
OLDER.
THANK YOU.
WE'RE JUST GETTING
STARTED, HONEY.

- I LIKE IT.
- HE'S RIGHT.

CAN WE?
YEAH.

SO TELL ME, OTHER THAN
HELPING OUT AT THE KITCHEN,
WHAT DO YOU DO?
UM, I'M KIND OF IN THE
MIDDLE OF THINGS, YOU KNOW,
JUST, JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUEXACTLY WHAT IT IS I WANT TO DO.
YEAH, I GET THAT.
WHAT DID
YOU MAJOR IN?
UM, DES-
DESIGNER STUFF.
WELL, LISTEN, I REALLY
APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME
YOU'VE BEEN PUTTING
IN AT THE KITCHEN.
NOT MANY PEOPLE GIVE
THEIR TIME SO SELFLESSLY.
YOU REALLY HAVE A WAY
WITH PEOPLE, YOU KNOW THAT?
I DO?
YEAH, TOTALLY,
I MEAN,
YOU SHOULD THINK
ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU'RE,
YOU KNOW,
FIGURING STUFF OUT.
WE'RE HERE!
WHERE?
THIS IS IT, THE TREE
I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT.
SO, IT'S ONLY A WEEK
'TILL CHRISTMAS,
YOU GONNA
MAKE A WISH?
I DON'T NEED TO, SANTA
ALREADY KNOWS MY WISH, IN FACT,
I'M PRETTY SURE HE'S
WORKING ON IT RIGHT NOW.

HERE WE ARE.
YOU KNOW, I ENROLLED OLIVIA
IN FIGURE SKATING LESSONS.

YOU REALLY
INSPIRED HER.
AND SHE'S GOT HER
FIRST LESSON ON TUESDAY.

I'M SURE SHE WOULD LOVE
IT IF YOU COULD COME.

I'LL BE THERE.
GREAT.

THANK YOU,
FOR TODAY.

I HAD FUN.

OH I SHOULD GET THIS
LITTLE ONE TO BED.

SWEET DREAMS.

WAIT.

TODAY IREALLY FELT LIKE,
LIKE I HAD
A MOM AGAIN.

- OH, HEY.
- HOW'S SHE DOING?
SHE'S AMAZING.
THANK YOU.
Crystal:
WOW, I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE
GETTING TO TURNS ALREADY.
I KNOW RIGHT, JUST WATCH
HER LITTLE FACE THOUGH
WHEN SHE DOES
HER LITTLE HOP.
GET'S SO PROUD.
- YAY!
- YAY OLIVIA!
[Both Laughing]
- GOOD JOB!
- WAY TO GO OLIVIA!
Derek:
YAY OLIVIA!
GOOD JOB, BABE!

[Computer Ringing]
HI DEAR,
IS THAT YOU?
[Steel Drum Music Playing]
OH, I SEE YOU'VE
PUT THE TREE UP.
OH, YEAH.
I DON'T KNOW,
I WAS THINKING ABOUMAYBE GETTING A
REAL ONE THIS YEAR.
OH, WELL IT'S
UP TO YOU DEAR,
BECAUSE YOUR DAD AND I WON'BE MAKING IT BACK FOR CHRISTMAS.
- THERE'S A SURPRISE.
- WHAT WAS THAT?
SOUNDS LIKE A PARTY!
LORD, EVERY DAY THESE
BOYS PLAY THE DRUMS,
DRIVES ME CRAZY.
BUT LISTEN,
DON'T WORRY,
SANTA SENT YOU A LITTLE
SOMETHING IN THE MAIL.
[Boat Horn Blows]
OH, WE'RE JUSABOUT TO SET SAIL.
HOPE YOU'RE BUSY
TURNING THINGS AROUND.
KISSES.
[Computer Goes Silent]
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
[Phone Rings]
HELLO.
HE'S GOING OUT WITH
THAT WITCH AGAIN.
- WHEN?
- HE'S LEAVING RIGHT NOW.
WHAT'S HE WEARING?
A SUIT.
HE NEVER WEARS A SUIT.
I MEAN,
WHAT'S HE GONNA GO DO?
Crystal:
OH NO.
OK, OK,
I'VE GOT A PLAN.
TEATRO, YOU MUST HAVE
HAD TO MAKE A RESERVATION
FOR THIS
PLACE WEEKS AGO.
UH-HUH, YEAH,
THREE TO BE EXACT.

ANY SPECIAL
OCCASION?
CAN I GET A GLASS
OF WATER, PLEASE?

SO, WHERE'S
OLIVIA TONIGHT?
NOT WITH CRYSTAL,
I HOPE.
OH, JENNIFER'S
WATCHING HER, WHY?
WHAT'S WRONG
WITH CRYSTAL?
NOTHING.
JUST, I ASKED
MY FRIEND BEV,
YOU KNOW, THE ONE
THAT WENT TO NYU,
IF SHE KNEW
CRYSTAL BACK THEN.
TURNS OUT SHE
DIDN'T EVEN GRADUATE.
GOT KICKED OUT FOR
MISSING TOO MANY CLASSES
IS WHAI WAS TOLD.
WELL, YOU KNOW THAT I NEVER
GRADUATED EITHER, RIGHT?
BUT YOU DIDN'LIE ABOUT IT.
I MEAN, WHY ON
EARTH WOULD SHE LIE
ABOUT SOMETHING
LIKE GRADUATING.
IT JUST MAKES ME WONDER WHAELSE SHE MIGHT BE HIDING.
[Cell Phone Rings]
SORRY.
[Cell Phone Rings]
EXCUSE ME.
[Cell Phone Rings]
HEY.

UH, WH--
NO- OK, ALRIGHT,
I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

BYE.

[Sigh]
WE GOTTA GO.

THANK YOU.

[Olivia Coughing]

THANKS FOR
COMING HOME.
HEY, YOU KNOW YOU'RE THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME.
I FEEL COLD.
DO I HAVE A FEVER?

MMMH, YEAH, YOU DO
FEEL A BIT WARM.
Crystal:
HELLO.

I- I CALLED CRYSTAL,
JUST IN CASE I COULDN'GET A HOLD OF YOU.
UH, YEAH,
THE FRONT DOOR WAS OPEN.
HOW IS SHE?
AH, SHE'S OK.
JUST NEEDS
SOME REST,
SO SHE CAN GEBETTER BEFORE SANTA COMES.
DADDY, CAN CRYSTAL
TUCK ME IN?
UM, YEAH, SURE.
OK.
- THANKS.
- YEAH.
YOU WERE GREAT.
[Quiet Laughing]

SHE WENRIGHT TO SLEEP.
SORRY ABOUYOUR NIGHT.
I HOPE THAT IT WASN'ANYTHING IMPORTANT.
OH, NO, NO.
TO BE HONEST, MY HEARWASN'T REALLY INTO IT.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU NEED
ANY HELP ON CHRISTMAS
AT THE KITCHEN,
I'M FREE.
WOW, THANKS,
BUT UH, YEAH,
I DON'T THINK THERE'S GONNA
BE A CHRISTMAS DINNER THIS YEAR.
WHY NOT?
WE'VE BEEN FALLING BEHIND IN
RENT FOR A WHILE, AND UH,
YEAH, I GUESS THE BANK
IS OUT OF GOODWILL.
BUT IT'S
CHRISTMAS.
WELL THE BANK DOESN'SEE IT THAT WAY,
THEY JUST SEE THAT WE OWE
TEN GRAND IN BACK RENT.

YEAH, I WISH THERE WAS
MORE THAT I COULD DO, BUT.
I THINK YOU
DO A LOT ALREADY.
I MEAN, YOU'VE GOT YOUR
BUSINESS AND THE KITCHEN,
AND EVERYTHING
YOU DO FOR OLIVIA.

OH THAREMINDS ME, I SHOULD
LEAVE A MESSAGE
AT THE MUSIC STORE,
AND LET THEM KNOW
THAT SHE'LL BE OUT SICK
FOR HER
LESSON TOMORROW.
YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY
NOT MY PLACE TO SAY BUT,
SHE DOESN'T REALLY LIKE
THE FLUTE ALL THAT MUCH.
WHAT?
LIKE, NOT AT ALL.
REALLY?
YEAH.
I THOUGHT LITTLE GIRLS WOULD
LOVE PLAYING THE FLUTE.
NO.
SEE, THIS IS EXACTLY WHY
OLIVIA NEEDS A MOTHER LIKE YOU.

I MEAN,
A PERSON LIKE YOU.
A WOMAN WHO
KNOWS GIRLY STUFF.
GIRL- GIRL THINGS.
- UM-HMM. YEAH.
- YEAH. YEAH.

- I SHOULD-
- WELL I SHOULD GO
CHECK ON OLIVIA.
I- I SHOULD GO TOO.
OH, HEY,
CRYSTAL, UM,
IT'S NOA BIG DEAL BUT,
WHY DID YOU LIE
ABOUT GRADUATING?

I DON'T KNOW.

I GUESS I JUST THOUGHNOT FINISHING SCHOOL
SOUNDED KIND
OF FLAKEY.
WELL THEN I GUESS THAMAKES ME A FLAKE TOO.
YEAH.

SO, JUST IN CASE,
ARE THERE ANY MORE
SECRETS I SHOULD
KNOW ABOUT?

PROBABLY.
[Laughing]
FAIR ENOUGH.

BYE.

HERE YOU GO.
OH, THANKS.
HAVE YOU EVER MADE A DECISION
YOU THOUGHT WOULD BE A GOOD ONE?
AND IT ENDED UP CHANGING YOUR
LIFE IN WAYS YOU NEVER IMAGINED?
EVERY TIME YOU MAKE A
DECISION YOU TAKE A GAMBLE,
THAT'S WHALIFE IS.
SOMETIMES YOU CAN EVEN
GAMBLE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AWAY,
EVERY LASGODDAMN PENNY.
A CASINO?
THAT'S WHERE
YOU STEPPED INTO?
NOT ALL DECISIONS
TURN OUT TO BE BAD ONES.
YEAH.
I THINK I SHOULD TELL
HIM ABOUT THE LETTER.
AND SPOIL
THE MAGIC?
DOLL,
RELATIONSHIP 101,
WHAT HE DOESN'T KNOW,
WON'T HURT HIM.
AHHH!
OH MY GOD!
MY CAR WAS STOLEN!
OK, OK, KAY,
WHERE DID YOU PARK?
JUST RIGHOUT FRONT.
IN THE UH,
TOW AWAY ZONE?
YEAH.
OK, WELL I'LL UH,
TAKE YOU TO THE IMPOUND LOT.
NO, I'LL JUST,
I'LL CALL A CAB.
- DON'T BE SILLY.
- OK.
I'LL LOCK THE DOOR.
THANK YOU.
[Derek Sighs]
LET'S GO.
OH, AFTER YOU.
THANK YOU.
[Cell Phone Beeps]
AH, YOU'RE KIDDING ME, DUDE.
IS EVERYTHING OK?
I GOT A CUSTOMER
COMPLAINING THAT HE NEEDS
HIS LOT PLOWED
RIGHT AWAY, TONIGHT.
ALL MY
GUYS ARE OUT.
I GOTTA DO IT.
- DO YOU MIND?
- NO, NO.
UM, YOU'RE THE ONE
DOING ME A FAVOUR.
I'LL JUST GET MY
CAR IN THE MORNING.
YOU SURE?
YEAH.
COOL, THANKS.

ALRIGHT, YOU READY?
YOU DON'T GECARSICK DO YOU?
I DON'T THINK SO,
WHY?
- HOLD ON.
-WHOA. OK.

Crystal:
ARE YOU SUPPOSED
TO DRIVE LIKE THIS?
Derek:
ABSOLUTELY.
PLOWING SNOW, BABY.

[Both Laughing]
YOU'RE A LITTLE
SCARED RIGHT NOW
AND I THINK
I LIKE THAT.
[Derek Laughs]
THIS IS YOUR JOB?
YEAH, HERE,
YOU GIVE IT A TRY.
- TAKE THE CONTROL.
- NO.
JUST LIKE A VIDEO GAME,
GRAB AHOLD, HERE WE GO.
I DON'T WANT IT.
OK, THALIFTS THE BUCKET,
THAT DROPS IT, THAT'S
RIGHT TO RIGHT, YOU READY?
HOW DO YOU KNOW
WHEN TO- TO LIFT?
PUT THE BUCKET UP, PUT THE
BUCKET UP, WE'RE REVERSING.
- NOW? LIFT?
- YEAH, RIGHT NOW.
OK, HERE WE GO,
DROP THE BUCKET.
- DROP.
- OK GOOD, HERE WE GO.
GOOD, GOOD, GOOD, GOOD, GOOD,
NO, YOU GOT IT, YOU GOT IT.
YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOSTEERING WITH THAT, RIGHT?
I'M STEERING.
- OK, DROP THE BUCKET, IT'S OK.
- OK.
WE'RE PLOWING,
HERE YOU GO.
OK, WE'RE STOPPING,
PLOW UP.
THERE YOU GO.
KAY, NOW WE'RE
GOING FORWARD.
HOLD ON,
HERE WE GO, HERE WE GO.
I GOT IT.
I GOT IT.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.
PUT THE BUCKET UP.
PERFECT, THERE YOU GOT IT,
YOU GOT IT.
OK, RAISE THE BUCKET.
REVERSE AGAIN.
- OOH.
- WHOO-HOO.
NOW WE JUSDO THIS ANOTHER
FIVE HUNDRED,
SIX HUNDRED TIMES.
WHAT?
WE HAVE TO DO
THIS WHOLE YARD?
ABSOLUTELY.
UNTIL IT'S DONE.
HERE WE GO.
YOU WERE HANDLING
IT LIKE A PRO.
- YEAH.
- I'M SERIOUS.
OH, I'M TELLING YOU,
YOU WERE AWESOME.
I KNOW YOU'RE
LOOKING FOR A JOB.
- YEAH.
- I MEAN, I'D HIRE YOU.
OH HEY, YOU KNOW I'M
HAVING A CHRISTMAS PARTY
AT MY PLACE TOMORROW NIGHT,
YOU KNOW, JUST A WORK THING,
FOR MY EMPLOYEES,
NOTHING FANCY,
JUST BEER
AND POTATO CHIPS,
BUT UM, IT'D BE GREAIF YOU COULD COME.
I'D LOVE TO.
ALRIGHT, COOL.
AROUND 8:00,
YOU KNOW WHERE I LIVE.

- I DO.
- SEE YOU THEN.
OK.

- YOU GOOD?
- SORT OF.

SQUEEZE ME.
I'M DOING WHAT?
YOU'RE GONNA CATER
DEREK'S PARTY.
DOES HE KNOW THAT?
UH, NO.
SO I'M PART OF YOUR
MASTER PLAN, IS THAT IT?
PETE, YOU'RE
A FANTASTIC CHEF,
YOU CAN'T HIDE OUT IN
A SOUP KITCHEN FOREVER.
OOOH, WHAT ABOUT THIS?
OH NO SWEETIE,
IT'S A LITTLE TOO,
BREAKFASAT TIFFANY'S.
THIS IS SO STUPID.
WHY DO I EVEN CARE WHAI WEAR TO HIS PARTY
WHEN FOR ALL I KNOW HE
COULD BE ENGAGED ALREADY?
DOLL,
YOU HAD A MOMENT,
THE TWO OF YOU
PLOWED SNOW TOGETHER.
I MEAN, THAT'S ONE STEP
AWAY FROM, WELL, PLOWING.
STOP IT.
OOH,
WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE?
OH, TOO
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.
HMMM?
OH MY GOD, I'VE GOT IT,
IT'S PERFECT.
[Pete Mutters Indiscernibly]
[Light Rock Music Playing]

HEY,
YOU MADE IT.
YEAH.
WOW, YOU LOOK AMAZING.
THANKS.
AND, YOU'RE
NOT WEARING PLAID.
[Derek Chuckles]
WHERE'S OLIVIA?
AH, SHE'S AHER GRANDPARENTS.
DEREK, YOU DIDN'T TELL
ME CRYSTAL WAS COMING.
SURPRISE.
DEREK, YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD
HER THE DRESS WAS CASUAL.
POOR THING,
YOU MUST FEEL SO SILLY.
ACTUALLY I'VE ALWAYS
THOUGHT IT'S BETTER
TO BE OVERDRESSED THAN
UNDERDRESSED, I MEAN,
WHAT'S WORSE, SHOWING UP
LOOKING FABULOUS, OR WHATEVER?

OH, EXCUSE ME.

FINALLY.
THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE.
OH, LOOK ATHIS PARTY.
I KNOW.
WE HAVE
TO DO SOMETHING.

[Music Stops]
[Dance Music Starts Playing]

OH, LOOK AT THIS.
THANKS.
THANK YOU.

- WHOA, WHOA.
- YOU LIKE IT?
YEAH,
WHAT IS IN THIS?
SECREFAMILY RECIPE.
HEY, WHO WANTS A DRINK?

CANAPE?
THANKS PETE.
Crystal:
ARE YOU GUYS HAVING FUN?
NO THANKS.
MMM, GOOD PETE.
IT'S AWESOME.

- WANNA DANCE?
- SURE.

JEFF, BRO,
YOU NEVER DANCE.

I KNOW MAN,
I KNOW.

YEAH.
NOW I SEE WHY SHE GOKICKED OUT OF SCHOOL.
PROBABLY SLEPT OFF
TOO MANY FRAT PARTIES.
I MEAN, WHAT EXACTLY DOES
SHE THINK SHE'S DOING?

HAVING FUN.
Jeff:
OH, BUST A MOVE,
LOOK AT THAT.

I'M GONNA GO PUT SOME
MORE BEER IN THE FRIDGE.

I'M SORRY,
THIS ONE'S OCCUPIED.
YOU MAY THINK
YOU HAVE SOMETHING
WITH THIS WHOLE FUN
LITTLE RICH GIRL THING,
BUT LET ME
TELL YOU THIS.
I'M THE ONE WHO HELD DEREK'S
HAND AT LAURA'S FUNERAL.
I'M THE ONE WHO CHECKED
IN ON HIM EVERY DAY,
MADE SURE HE HAD
FOOD IN THE FRIDGE,
CLEAN CLOTHES TO WEAR,
AND I'M THE ONE WHO
WILL BE THERE FOR HIM
FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
WHETHER HE
LIKES IT OR NOT?
JUST KNOW I'M
ONTO YOUR LIES.
GOOD.
NOW IT SEEMS WE FINALLY
HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON.

YOU'VE CREATED
A MONSTER.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I'LL EVER
GET RID OF THESE GUYS NOW.
- SORRY.
- DON'T BE.
IT'S THE BEST CHRISTMAS
PARTY THAT WE EVER HAD.
WELL, OTHER THAN
THE TIME THAT WE
WENT OFF ROADING
IN THE PLOWS.

SO, WHAT ARE
YOU DOING OUT HERE?
I DON'T KNOW.
I GUESS I JUST DON'FEEL LIKE CELEBRATING.

IT'S OFFICIAL,
BY CHRISTMAS WE'LL BE
LOCKED OUT OF THE KITCHEN.

I'M SO SORRY.

I WISH THERE WAS
MORE I COULD DO.

BELIEVE ME,

YOU'VE DONE
MORE THAN YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW,
EVER SINCE THAFIRST DAY THAT YOU WALKED IN,
I'VE BEEN WONDERING,

WHERE DID THIS
GIRL COME FROM?

DEREK, THERE'S
SOMETHING I SHOULD TELL--

[Laughing]

I GUESS I
BETTER GO AND UH,
TRY TO REIGN
THIS THING IN.
SURE.
CRYSTAL.

DO YOU
WANNA GO OUWITH ME
TOMORROW NIGHT?

I'D LOVE TO.
[Glass Breaking Inside House]
GUYS, COME ON.

CLUMSY NEANDERTHALS.


[Apartment Buzzer]

[Elevator Dings]
HI, HEY.
SO, UM, WHERE DO
YOU WANT TO GO?
WE COULD GET A DRINK
OR SOME FOOD, OR.
OH, THERE'S THIS
NEW PLACE ON JANE STREET,
THEY HAVE LIVE JAZZ, AND--
WHERE DID
YOU GET THIS?
UM...
I FOUND IT, BUT--
SO WHAT, YOU
DECIDED TO KEEP IT,
AND YOU KNOW,
YOU THOUGHT TO YOURSELF,
OH HEY,
I'LL JUST LIE AND PRETEND
THAT I APPEARED IN
THESE PEOPLE'S LIVES,
AND MAKE THEM THINK
IT WAS ALL REAL.
IT WAS.
- IT IS.
- LET ME ASK YOU THIS?
DID YOU EVER REALLY CARE ABOUHELPING OUT AT THE KITCHEN,
ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE, OR WAS
IT ALL JUST PART OF THIS,
I DON'T KNOW, GAME?
NO, IT WASN'T A GAME, DEREK,
BELIEVE ME, THINGS CHANGED.
I- I CHANGED.
YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A LITTLE
GIRL'S WISH FOR YOUR OWN,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT,
A- AMUSEMENT?
NO.
WHATEVER THE REASON,
IT DOESN'T MATTER!
JILIAN WAS RIGHT.
YOU'RE A LIAR.
YOU KNOW, FOR A MINUTE THERE,
I THOUGHT I WAS WRONG.
THAT MAYBE
SOMEONE COULD...
MAKE ME FEEL
THE WAY I ONCE DID.
BUT I WAS
RIGHT TOO.
DEREK, WAIT.
- PLEASE.
- [Derek Scoffs]
IT'S FOR OLIVIA.


[Sniffling]

[Computer Ringing]

HI SWEETHEART.
JUST CHECKING IN
TO SEE IF YOU'VE
RECEIVED OUR
CHRISTMAS GIFT YET.
YOUR FATHER AND I
HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU,
SO WE ASSUME YOU WERE
UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING A JOB,
OR WHATEVER IT IS
YOU WERE TRYING TO DO.
SO WE FEEL IT'S
TIME YOU WERE FORCED
TO MAKE A CHANGE
IN YOUR LIFE.
WHICH IS WHY WE'RE GOING
AHEAD WITH OUR DECISION
TO DISCONTINUE
YOUR ALLOWANCE.

NOW, YOU KNOW HOW
MUCH WE LOVE YOU,
WHICH IS WHY WE'RE
SENDING A LITTLE EXTRA
FOR CHRISTMAS
THIS YEAR.
IT IS OUR WAY OF SUPPORTING
YOU IN YOUR ADVANCEMENT.
BUT, I SUGGEST
YOU MAKE IT LAST.

I BETTER BE OFF.
KISSES.
OH, AND,
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

UH, EXCUSE ME EVERYONE!
CAN I UH- CAN I GET YOUR
ATTENTION FOR A MOMENT?
UM, AS YOU MAY
OR MAY NOT KNOW,
WE'VE BEEN STRUGGLING TO
KEEP THINGS AFLOAT LATELY.
AND AS MUCH AS I WISH
THAT I HAD BETTER NEWS,
THE HEDGE FUND THANOW OWNS OUR MORTGAGE
HAS INSTRUCTED
MANAGEMENT TO,
WELL, SHUT US DOWN.
WHAT?
WE'LL BE LOCKED OUBY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?
WHAT ABOUT
ALL THESE PEOPLE?
I'M SORRY.

TA-DA.
ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL?
I CAN'T WAIT
TO TRY IT OUT.
MAYBE YOU, ME
AND CRYSTAL COULD
ALL GO SKATING
AFTER CHRISTMAS?
OLIVIA.
I SHOULD CALL HER RIGHNOW AND THANK HER.
OLIVIA,
OLIVIA, SWEETIE.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE
GONNA SEE CRYSTAL ANYMORE.
SHE JUST- SHE'S NOWHO WE THOUGHT SHE WAS.
BUT I LIKE HER,
I LIKE HER A LOT.
AND I THOUGHYOU DID TOO.
I KNOW THIS IS HARD, BABY,
BUT IT'S COMPLICATED.
NO, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOCOMPLICATED AT ALL.
YOU JUST WON'T GIVE
HER A CHANCE.
YOU WON'T GIVE
ANYBODY A CHANCE!
LIV.

TAXI!
OLIVIA.
COME ON, LET'S TALK
ABOUT THIS PLEASE.
AT LEAST COME
AND HAVE SOME DINNER.
JUST SO YOU KNOW,
I HATE THE FLUTE!
SHAME, AIN'T IT.
A LOT OF FOLKS AROUND HERE
ARE GONNA MISS THAT PLACE,
SPECIALLY NOW, WHEN THEY
DON'T HAVE MUCH TO CELEBRATE.
WELL, YOU HAVE YOURSELF
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
FRANK?

IF I CAN GET THIS PLACE
OPEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
WILL YOU PROMISE
ME SOMETHING?
OH, WELL I DON'EVER MAKE ANY PROMISES.
I'M A BETTING MAN,
REMEMBER.
AND UNLESS YOU'RE
SANTA CLAUSE,
I DOUBT THAT'S A BEYOU'LL WANNA PLACE.
OH, I THINK I'LL
TAKE MY CHANCES.
AND IF I WIN,
YOU HAVE TO SHARE
CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH DEREK.
NOT OUT HERE,
BUT INSIDE.
OH.

DO WE HAVE A BET?

Male Radio Announcer:
IT IS MAYHEM OUT
HERE ON CENTER STREET,
BUT IT IS
CHRISTMAS EVE,
WHERE PEOPLE
ARE RUNNING AROUND,
TRYING TO GET ALL THEIR
LAST MINUTE SHOPPING DONE.
IN SPORTS,
THE LATEST HOCKEY GAME--
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
LIVIA,
I'M GOING OUT.
YOU WANNA
SAY GOOD BYE?
LEAVE ME ALONE.
OK, GREAT.
WELL, JENNIFER'S
HERE IF YOU NEED HER.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK
GOODNESS I FOUND THAT LETTER.
I MEAN, LORD KNOWS
WHAT SHE WAS PLANNING.
SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME KIND
OF STALKER, FEMME FATALE.
AND TO THINK YOU LEFHER ALONE WITH OLIVIA.
I DON'T THINK
SHE'D HURT OLIVIA.
YOU DON'T KNOW THAT.
SOCIOPATHS CAN SEEM
VERY NORMAL ON THE OUTSIDE,
AND THEN SNAP.

I'M GONNA
RUN TO THE LOO.
BE A DOLL AND ORDER
ME THE CRAB CAKES.
I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

MWAH.

ALRIGHT GUYS, COME ON,
LET'S ORGANIZE THE SUPPLIES.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
WHAT DOES
IT LOOK LIKE?
WE'RE BACK
IN BUSINESS.
HOW? THE RENT,
WE WERE LOCKED OUT.
SOMEONE SETTLED
WITH THE BANK.
WHO?
SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT THIS
PLACE AS MUCH AS YOU DO.
SOMEONE YOU
USED TO CARE ABOUBEFORE YOU JUMPED
TO CONCLUSIONS.
DEREK, LET ME
ASK YOU A QUESTION,
HOW DID
YOU MEET LAURA?
WE WERE AT A
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME
SHE WAS IN LINE BEHIND ME
AT THE CONCESSION STAND
AND I LEHER CUT IN.
MM-HMM.
SO IF YOU HADN'GONE TO THE GAME,
OR IF YOU HADN'GONE TO GET A HOT DOG,
OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU BOYS
EAT AT THOSE SORT OF THINGS,
THEN YOU NEVER WOULD
HAVE MET HER, RIGHT?
I GUESS.
IT'S THE SAME WAY YOU
NEVER WOULD HAVE MET CRYSTAL,
IF SHE HADN'FOUND THE LETTER.
THAT, MY FRIEND,
IS WHAT WE CALL FATE.
OLIVIA.
LIVY!
OLIVIA!

OK.

I WISH...

I WISH...

THIS IS CRAZY.

WHAT DO I THINK,
I'M GONNA WAKE UP TOMORROW
AND THERE HE'LL BE
WITH A BIG RED BOW?
[Distant Crying]

HELLO?

OLIVIA,
IS THAT YOU?
WHAT ARE YOU
DOING HERE?
WHERE'S YOUR DAD?
I LEFT.

BY YOURSELF?
DAD WOULDN'UNDERSTAND.
OH G-
UNDERSTAND WHAT?
I WROTE A LETTER
TO SANTA THIS YEAR,
SO I DIDN'T THINK I NEEDED
TO COME MAKE MY WISH.
THEN YOU CAME ALONG,
I WAS SURE HE
HAD GOT MY LETTER
AND MADE ME
WISH COME TRUE.

THEN DAD SAID I
COULDN'T SEE YOU ANYMORE,
SO I GUESS
I WAS WRONG.
SO HE MUST NOHAVE GOTTEN MY LETTER.

SO YOU DECIDED TO COME
AND MAKE YOUR WISH.
BUT I THINK
IT'S TOO LATE.
I'M SO SORRY.
I SHOULD
HAVE TOLD YOU.
I- I FOUND
YOUR LETTER.
I WAS JUST WALKING AND
IT FLOATED INTO MY PATH.
WHICH IS EXACTLY
HOW SANTA PLANNED IT.
DADDY!
OLIVIA.
OH.
OH, THANK GOD.

YOU.

THANKS.
I UH-
I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING,
I JUSHAPPENED TO BE HERE.
I KNOW.
THERE'S A
WORD FOR THAT,
SOMEONE TAUGHT ITO ME AGAIN TONIGHT.

MY HEART HURFOR SO LONG THAT I
STOPPED LISTENING TO IT,
AND ONLY LISTENED TO WHAMY HEAD WAS
TELLING ME WAS RIGHT.

I JUST UM,
I HOPE IT'S NOT TOO LATE
FOR ME TO STARLISTENING AGAIN,
TO MY HEART.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE.

AND HERE YOU GO, A LITTLE
ROASTED CHESTNUT STUFFING
WITH FRESH CRANBERRIES,
AND FRESH SAGE.
YUM, THANKS PETE.
IS THAT FRANK?
OH, EXCUSE ME.
YOU PULLED IT OFF.
YEAH.
WELL, A BET'S A BET.
YOU READY?
- MERRY CHRISTMAS FRANK.
- MERRY CHRISTMAS.

- HI, DEREK.
- MERRY CHRISTMAS, FRANK.

LET'S GET YOU
SOMETHING TO EAT.
OK.

- HI FRANK, I'M PETE.
- NICE TO MEET YOU.
Pete:
OH, IT'S SO NICE
TO MEET YOU TOO.
I'M SO GLAD
YOU'RE HERE.
OH LOOK,
I'VE GOT THIS LOVELY
ROASTED CHESTNUT CRANBERRY
SAUCE WITH FRESH SAGE.
WE'VE GOT SOME
TURKEY HERE, GOT POTATOES.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.