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* Counting down to Christmas Day *
* Find the magic along the way *
* Getting closer to cozy hour *
* where we light a fire, and reunite *
* Feel the joy in your heart *
* you're never alone, you'll always have Christmas, joy *
* near or far *
* 'cause wherever you are *
* yeah, we'll always have Christmas, *
* joy in your heart *
* Oh, what fun it is to ride, *
* in a one-horse open sleigh. *
[all] Hey!!! -Hi!
Everyone friends, revelers.
Fellow theater kids and cater-waiters.
May I present the director of Burton College's stunning
and deeply weird production of A Christmas Carol?
The smartest person...
Always wearing the smartest outfit.
A woman who doesn't like parties,
but is always, the most fun at those parties.
I think this is only true to you.
Our dearest friend.
And my favorite roommate,
-[all] Alice Mitchell. -[cheering]
Hey Max!
How are you?
Max is here. Who invited Max?
He saw the show tonight.
And we cater together sometimes.
I told him you've had a huge crush on him
for three years now.
No, you didn't? No, you didn't.
He did not. I was there.
You just told him where the cast party was.
How many times do you think he's going to mention
he's playing Hamlet next semester?
So many.
Yes.
I'll go find out.
So, are you, uh... gonna go talk to him?
Max? No.
Why not?
Why should I?
He chose that side of the room. He made his choice.
Do you think people liked it?
The show?
-Yeah. -Of course.
Alice, people loved it.
You made the Ghost of Christmas past a lobster, So...
Mabel!
Solid work, buddy.
I am really proud of that.
[Lisa] As well you should be.
Lisa, hi. I didn't know you were here.
Well, I usually try to come to cast parties.
As faculty, you know, we usually only stay a few minutes.
And with that, I'm off.
Lisa, Lisa, sorry.
I just wanted to tell you I learned so much from you
during this experience. Thank you.
And I will be sure to come and talk to you about assisting
after graduation.
Alice... you are at a Christmas party
your senior year of college after a smashing success.
Enjoy it. It's a gift not everyone gets.
Sure.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
[all] Merry Christmas.
Good night, Lisa.
Oh. Good night.
I love her.
[exhales]
[gentle music]
There you are.
Hey, Max. Hi.
Hey.
Uh, is the party still going on?
It's dying down.
I just... I could not get out of here
without telling you how great your show was.
-Really? -Yeah, yeah.
A Christmas Carol, that's an indictment on capitalism.
Come on, and that's also funny and smart.
Oh, thank you, thank you, Max. That's incredibly kind.
I wish I would have auditioned now, you know. [laughs]
Yeah, well...
I wouldn't have been able to anyway, you know,
I'm doing-- I'm playing Hamlet in,
uh, the main stage production next semester, so just the--
I've got so much to memorize, so many monologues to--
Yeah, yeah. You know, you really don't owe me
any kind of explanation. Don't even worry about it.
Right.
Do you, um, plan on staging it again, A Christmas Carol?
Yes. Yeah, I would like to. I think, um--
I mean, I'd love to get it up as soon as possible.
I'm really eager to sort of have some more space
to explore the idea of whether he's actually dreaming
or if it's sort of a critique
of post-industrial London and how it,
you know, comparatively, it's, um--
Comparatively, it's--
No, I just... I am actively geeking out
over A Christmas Carol,
and then I'm hearing myself doing that
and it's coming out of my mouth.
No, no, no. You're actively geeking over smart things.
It's... it's nice.
[tender music]
You know, I might go and just help them clean up inside.
-Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. -There's a lot.
-I gotta go. -Make some rounds anyway.
Talk to the beautiful people, your subjects.
I don't know what royalty does.
Can I ask you a question?
How is this the most that you've talked to me
over the course of an entire three-year program?
This is not the most I've spoken to you--
Max, it absolutely is the most, like...
We had classes together.
We did that one really horrible scene in freshman year,
and then you just, uh, ignored me from then on,
and now... and now you're here.
I just...
I really like your show.
Do you really?
I do.
I thought you should know.
Um...
I'm-- I don't know if this is the thing.
Ooh.
I don't think that-- I wasn't.
I'm so sorry.
I fully... I must have misread it entirely.
No, no, but not sort of-- not all the way.
But... but listen, I... I am sure it's fine.
I'm sure it works on tons of girls
and that... that didn't come out right. I'm...
Yeah. I'm just going to--
This conversation? Let's call it, let's call it.
We don't even have to have it.
-Um... -Great show.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Thank you for...
[sighs]
Hi Alice.
[Alice] Hey, what's going on? Are you okay?
I'm fine. I've been busy.
Tell me how the play went.
Mom, no. Come on.
You canceled your flight last minute.
You sounded really stressed. Just tell me what's going on.
Oh shoot, Alice. I don't want to.
Mom, you're going to tell me anyway, so just tell me now.
Peanut, the bookstore closed. It's over.
Mom, I'm so sorry.
What happened?
I lost a business... again. I'm still breathing.
Oh, Mom, I wish I could give you a hug.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
I didn't want to mess up your show.
I canceled the flight so that I could work
right up until Christmas and see if I could save it, anyway.
Well, what do you... what do you need?
Do you want me to come there and help out or--
No, no.
You're going to need that money.
For my last semester.
I'm sorry, Alice.
I'm not going to be able to help with the rent for a while.
No, it's okay, Mom, I've got it.
I can do it, I promise.
I love you.
Yeah. I love you too.
Bye.
[exhale]
Oh, boy. Okay.
Be careful it's hot.
I mean, it's not like it's new, right?
She's been like this my entire life.
It's one of my favorite things about her.
She'll be this huge success, and then poof,
it all goes up in smoke
and she'll just start something new.
So your Mom will be fine, will you?
I'll figure it out.
Okay. Here's what you should do.
You should ask Pam.
We are always looking for extra help around here.
I don't know, you guys are always talking about
how difficult catering is.
Yeah, but in a fun way.
Yeah, you'll love it.
You got to go to a million different parties
that basically feel like one long party, huh?
Plus the pay. Oh, it's really good.
First of all, I hate parties anyway,
so that's kind of a wash,
but I have a couple of other options
that I would like to explore I feel quite positive about.
So I'm going to do that. You have a wonderful shift.
You should still most definitely tell him about her.
Good call.
Yeah.
[cheerful music]
Knock, knock.
Keep away from the ghost lights.
You break that thing and we'll have all kinds of curses
dropping in here.
Hello. Hi.
I actually came by to see if you're hiring.
I think that I may need
to find something faster than graduation.
Oh, and you think theaters this size have a budget for staff?
We can barely afford to pay for heat.
Why do you think I also teach?
What? But this company gets written up in like...
national press all the time, Lisa.
Yes. And we are broke all the time.
That's how theater goes.
Lisa, respectfully, I want this.
There is a line-up of ex-students who also want this.
Why you?
Honestly, because I work incredibly hard
and I'm willing to do pretty much anything it takes
to make it happen.
And I would like to start as soon as possible.
Ideally, uh, today, now, five minutes from now,
if you if you need me, but...
All right. We could use a volunteer
in the box office in the evenings.
Done.
It's not paid. It's a long road, Alice.
You understand that, right?
Absolutely, I do.
I... I just really think I can do it.
Okay, well welcome aboard.
Let me give you a little bit of advice.
-Sure. -Get yourself a job.
Doesn't have to be one that you take home each day.
Just something. Okay?
This... this takes time.
[exhales]
I can do that.
-Okay? -Okay.
Bye. Thank you. Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
[upbeat music]
Hi.
-Hi. -Hi.
So, um, if I did want to get a part-time job here
for the holidays, what would I need?
Do you own comfortable shoes?
Not since you stole my loafers.
Oh, you're Alice?
Hi. I own many pairs of comfortable shoes.
Daniel says you're looking for some part-time catering work.
Yes, yes, I am. Or full time.
Just any time that you happen to have.
Any waiting or catering experience?
No, but I love people.
Can you start tonight?
Yes, absolutely.
All right, great. Let's go.
Yes!
[jazzy music playing]
Most of the job is staying a little bit invisible,
but observant.
-While serving sliders? -Mmhmm.
Beef mini burgers with rosemary, arugula,
and blood orange compote.
-They will ask. -Oh dear.
Mm.
[jazzy instrumental Christmas music]
*
Oh, hey.
Can you take those mugs over to ye old-timey mulled wine?
-Sure. -Mmhmm.
Uh... Pam, what is this party?
Well, it's hard to say.
Best we can tell, it's a holiday party
for either a group of bird watchers or a hiking club.
I don't know nature types.
Cool.
*
Last party of the year, Coat Drive Brunch.
Yeah. We just don't eat the space, cater a fundraiser.
-Round of glasses to the bar. -Sure.
-Thank you. -Okay.
-I'll. Take this one. -Thanks.
Excuse me.
Sorry. I brought you some of these.
Um, do we have any more of the--
Max! Hi.
Hi.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas back.
Um... more of what?
Uh, the eggnog martini.
The drink with the little guy on the top.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Got it.
Do you work here?
Is that a trick question?
Okay, I'm--
I just... I didn't know, I didn't know.
No, no, no. It's... it's, uh, my sister.
She said she was short-staffed,
and I need money for my parents' Christmas gift.
Pam, Pam is your sister.
-She is. -There you go.
She is for quite a while now.
Yeah, I would imagine most of your life.
-That's how it works. -Yeah.
Yeah. [laughs]
All right. One eggnog martini, cinnamony.
That looks amazing! [laughs] Thank you.
Enjoy. Just--
Thanks. I got-- I'm fine.
I can hold a glass, thank you so much.
Okay. Bye.
See you guys later, Merry Christmas.
You too.
Hey, gang, thanks for another fantastic holiday season.
-Hey. -Hey.
Thanks for joining us this year.
Of course. I can't believe there's this many parties
this time of year. It's crazy.
Yeah. Over the holidays,
we do a party almost every day,
but the rest of the year
we cater maybe four or five a month.
Hey, if you want to stay on,
we would absolutely love to have you.
Okay. I would really like to actually.
Amazing. Well, welcome aboard.
Hey, you should take that tree.
Uh...
Oh, no, no, that's--
It's got to go.
Otherwise it's just going to stay here dying over Christmas.
It is you or that alleyway.
That's so sad.
Exactly. Take the tree.
Take the tree.
Don't look at us. We're going out.
I can help.
Well, then... it's settled.
-Bye. -Bye.
Bye.
Have fun... without.
-Hi. -Hi.
Want to try.
Okay. Let's try.
All right.
Just a fully decorated tree.
Yeah, we really... we really stuck them on there.
I don't think we have options.
You know, you really don't have to help.
It's like six blocks. I can drag it. I can drag it.
-Oh, wait. Stop -Yep, yep.
-Hold on. -Yeah.
Right here.
[grunts]
Wait.
Oh, isn't that the... theater that Lisa--
Yeah, Lisa's the artistic director.
Yeah.
And that is going to be me one day, mark my words.
-That specifically. -Yeah.
Very detailed planning.
How dare you? What's your plan, huh?
You know, go to LA, you're going to spend five summers
in eternal sunshine.
And then what, are you gonna win an Oscar?
Is that the plan?
No.
Oh, Max, that is the plan.
[laughs] No, no, no, it's just... it's, um...
I think... really it's all luck.
You also have to show up on time and be prepared
and be somebody people like working with.
I can't just be famous and people bring things to me.
I can make some calls.
-Would you mind? -I would love to.
That would be really lovely.
Cool. I have to get this in my apartment.
-Right, yes. The tree. -Thanks so much.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-All right. On three. -Yeah.
-One, two. -[both grunt]
I feel like I have the heavier side.
Does it feel like that to you?
You said you could do it like pivot, pivot, pivot.
Pivot!
Thoughts? What do you think?
Good, good thoughts, yeah.
At least it's decorated. You know, you don't have to.
Oh, remember this little guy?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, this little runaway Christmas... bell.
-Expertly done. -Thank you.
Ah!
Hey. So...
I was, um... I was rude to you, I think, before.
When? Like, just now.
When you were here last time,
I feel like I may have been rude
Um, I'm not apologizing, per se.
-I just want to acknowledge. -Yeah.
You did. You were kind of--
I thought that I kind of was coming on a little too strong,
but I kind of felt in the moment.
I felt like there was something between us, so I...
Right. But it's not... it's not completely wrong, per se.
It's just not, not--
There was something between us?
You know what, can we--
Could we just run it again?
You want to reenact it?
Yes, I do. I need it to leave.
And so if I go through it again--
I get it. It's the artist's process.
-Yeah. It is. -Thank you, thank you.
-Let's go, let's go. -It's really thoughtful.
-100 percent. -It's up there.
Okay.
All right. Good. This is good. So...
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
If we're doing this, I'm going to be you.
You're going to be me, okay?
-You? I'm gonna be you. -That's how it works.
Okay, well, let's listen. Don't tell me what to do.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Directorial choice. Stay standing.
Really kind of energizes it.
-Here we go. -Here we go.
Okay. Max. Max. Max. Max. Max.
Merry Christmas, little lady.
Okay. All right. I like that swagger.
I felt like I couldn't leave without saying that
you're Christmas Carol, while clearly brilliant,
was mostly an excellent road to parlay our conversation
into, like, a demonstration
of some very excellent kissing skills, of which I have.
Is this John Wayne? Is this your John Wayne?
Do you know who John Wayne is?
Have you ever seen John Wayne?
Okay. So, you you don't even speak to me.
You... you... you've never even spoken to me.
Even though I have never even made an effort
to try to speak to you. -How dare you?
And which is probably
because I'm, you know, just at the top of my game.
As a matter of fact, I've got a speech
that I got to go make very soon,
that's all on how theater
helps sustain a community, you know.
I did give that speech.
I know... and it was brilliant.
Okay, so if I did kiss you.
You can kiss me.
I know. Um, I need you to understand that,
uh, we will not be... dating.
Um, okay. I got one semester left until graduation,
and then I got some some big real world stuff to do, so...
-I know. -You do?
Yeah. Oh, you didn't think
that you were the only one with big plans?
I'm just saying I kiss you, it leads to kissing,
which could lead to, like--
-Feelings? -Yes.
Oh...
That's kind of fast there, Mitchell.
Cool it. All right.
I am... I am fine. I am normal. I am not a nun.
And I want to kiss you and I should.
-You should? -So yeah. Great.
[romantic music]
Okay. So, that's something--
[both] that we're really good at.
Now that's something that we're aware of.
...you and I, in the same space.
That's-- no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I can't afford any distractions.
I will come see Hamlet.
And then...
We graduate and we put our plans into motion.
Can we be friends then?
Can we be friends without kissing, is my question?
No, no, no, nope. No, no, nope, nope, nope.
Goodbye.
Go... go somewhere else.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Max.
-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas.
I have to say that I was not sure about the giant tree,
but am loving it.
And I do think that we should keep it all year.
What do you think?
-Sure. -Good.
So, how'd it go with Max last night?
Oh, it was fine.
-And... -There's no and.
There doesn't always have to be an and.
And... and... and, uh, Merry Christmas, handsome human.
Thank you.
Um, actually, just checking.
We are still doing thought-that-counts Christmas.
Not actual spend-money Christmas, right?
Yes.
Okay. Continue. I'm sorry.
[gasps]
Fortieth anniversary Rainbow Bright.
This... this is a good thought that counts.
Right?
Oh.
What are these?
Find a show you want to see and we're going... eventually.
Eventually.
-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas.
Coffee?
Yes. Please go.
Hey, all this stuff that we do, all of this,
like hard work and sacrificing, we're going to be okay, right?
Alice Mitchell, are you questioning yourself?
No. I'm okay, I'm fine.
[exhales] I'm just getting the Christmas maudlin's.
It's okay.
We are good. We are just going to keep on keeping on, right?
[celebratory music]
*
It is deceptively freezing out there.
-Oh! -Oh my gosh!
Alice!
Max! Hi!
-Hey. -Hey. Hi.
Good to see you.
You look... you look great.
Thanks, so do you.
All right, team, listen up. It's a big night.
We've got two parties.
The first one is here and it's the law firm office party.
[all groan]
[chop]
Thank you, Richard, but good news.
This year there are costumes.
No Pam. No, no.
Second party is smaller. We only need two people.
That's the Devine's annual Christmas dinner.
All right. Can I get two volunteers?
Double pay!
Well, there we go.
Okay.
Oh, the van's parked out back.
You two will also pick up the costumes.
And this year's tree, a great big one!
Alice, I trust you to pick one out more than him.
-Okay, let's get to it. -What?
Uh, Pam, Pam....
Sister.
Pam... Pam, I can't drive. I can't drive.
-I can. -Great.
Okay. All right.
[cheerful music]
How about you?
[sniffing]
Did you... you're smelling that tree.
-You're smelling this tree. -Oh, yeah.
Is that a part of the process of picking a Christmas tree?
Well...
It is a holdover from the Yule Log,
which is meant to symbolize warmth.
So, I think it just has to be a tree.
But I also think it should make the room smell nice
because scent is important.
It sure is.
You were very good in Hamlet, by the way.
Thank you.
You know, surprisingly,
it has not helped with my TV auditions.
Hollywood is so different from Hamlet.
But, I mean, I have booked a couple of small things.
-Good. -Yeah, we'll see.
What about you?
Oh, same.
Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Right on track.
I'm a staple at the Overton Playhouse.
They love me there, obviously.
So, you know, it's, uh, all going to plan, yeah.
So you were just back um--
Yeah. Um, headed back tomorrow.
-Right. -Yeah.
Pam said that she needed some help tonight, so.
Oh. So you descended to the lowly level of the caterers
at Fable and Feast? That's very charitable of you.
Do I act like I'm better than everyone?
What are you talking about?
I mean, like, just now you said, um,
descend to the level of...
I don't... I don't see it that way.
I think I just never really understood
why you always ignored me at school.
That wasn't ignoring. That was terror.
Yeah, you were kind of dangerously smart.
Wow. That is really not how I see myself.
I think this one's good.
Yeah... Oh, yeah.
Um. So I'll just, um...
...get this on the van.
Well, that was great. He even gave me $5 off.
And you have done this.
All right, so we're going to have to ride
with the windows open. -I see.
But there are blankets in the back.
Pretty smart, huh?
So that's how you thought this one.
What do you mean?
Try it for me, would you?
So what... what had happened was,
I think when I was over here, I was on top.
You didn't see this part. I was--
I feel like this is doable.
Okay.
Uh...
Okay.
I wish I was just a couple of feet shorter sometimes.
Okay. My turn.
[car horn]
Right.
-See now what she did there. -Yeah.
-You've lost your momentum. -No, see I got it.
...which is the most important part.
[jazzy Christmas music]
You know, I really did think
other people would be in costume, but it's just us.
I'm furious, I look this good, but feel this silly.
Agreed.
[sighs]
The contract clearly says carolers.
No, it says dressed as carolers.
Which would imply caroling.
Be ready right away.
Uh...
I made it strong. Good luck.
Thanks.
Is it over yet?
I wish.
So Daniel and the new guy, huh?
I like this for them.
They're cute together.
Um. Not to ruin this moment.
Do you know that we have to sing?
Why? When?
Everyone. Hey, everyone!
Can I have your attention, please?
I just like to take this opportunity
to thank everybody for coming out again this year.
It's been a great year here at...
Okay, so yes, it does seem we need to sing a few carols.
Anyway, with that, I would just like to hand it over
to the fine folks in costume
who are going to be taking some requests for carols.
Why don't you get us started off
with some, uh, "Deck the Halls".
Yeah. "Deck the Halls".
You got it.
It's already decided... here goes.
We got this.
Yeah, we do. We got this. Come here.
We're gonna have some fun.
Uh, five, six, seven, eight.
[singing off key] * Deck the halls with boughs of holly. *
* Fa la la la la la la la la la. *
* Tis the season to be jolly. *
* Fa la la la la la la la la la la. *
[everyone singing wrong words]
* ...Yuletide treasure. *
* Fa la la la la la la la *
[high-pitched] * la la la . *
Yeah, I think we're done with carols for tonight.
Thank you. Thank you.
I didn't actually know that I could sing that high.
I've never had a reason to try it.
I didn't know I could sing that bad.
When you get to the Devines, serve these.
Take the cocktail orders,
but make sure you get these in the oven immediately, okay?
Okay. Uh, Pam, could I change really quick, my clothes?
No, no, there's no time. Change there. Go!
I'll get you bag.
-Can I put my stuff? -Of course, you can.
Pam, don't worry about it.
Max!
Oh.
Here. Go, go, go, go, go, go, go.
Finally you're here.
I thought maybe you weren't coming,
but the guests are arriving in five minutes.
You're absolutely right, Mrs. Devine, we are so sorry.
We will have this in the oven,
drinks prepped lickety-split, Okay?
I promise.
-That's that. -This is not--
-Okay. We need to change. -Right, right, right.
Where's the clothes?
Um, they would be... back at the place.
-Okay. -Yeah.
We can't do this. We can't do this.
We're dressing like a Muppet Christmas carol.
Talk bad about Muppets.
I'm not talking bad about Muppets--
That is the best Christmas movie of all time.
Okay? Okay, listen, we, um, we say nothing.
We we just serve and hope for the best.
Hey, you know what we're supposed to blend
into the background of these, right?
We're supposed to be invisible... invisible.
It's not going to be happening too much here.
[doorbell]
Oh, yeah.
I got an idea. Go, go, go, go, go.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Oh, Merry Christmas, one and all.
-Hello. Hi. -Hey.
Do we have a show for you?
Yeah? All right.
Hey, Alice.
[singing circus music]
Ladies and gentlemen, like so many bumblebees
soaring through the air for the first time,
oranges everyone's favorite citrus fruit
Ta-da!
[laughter]
Mimosas, anyone?
Just kidding, it's just champagne.
It's fine. I am just trying...
-Woah! -Okay.
[laughing]
Yeah. Who's thirsty?
Did we hire a... dinner theater?
I didn't think so, but now I sort of hope so.
[applause]
Hey!!!
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.
[doorbell]
Oh, boy! How do you think that went?
Our best work?
That's great, yeah. Okay.
Welcome!
Hello, Virginia.
Alright.
Lisa?
Alice?
Lobster puff?
Are you two acquainted?
I... you could love a drink, I bet.
I can get you a drink.
Oh, remember, we have that cranberry punch.
I can't catch a break today...
Oh, hey.
...catch a break.
Oh, oh. Do they not like the...
Uh, Lisa's out there, so.
Oh. That's great. That's not great.
Why? Why is that... why is that not great?
I may have lied to you
just like the tiniest little bit earlier.
About what?
Well... when I said that I was making myself
valuable at the theater, what I should have said
is that it was a... a spectacular failure.
So...
Hello.
Hi.
I was wondering--
Yes. Cranberry punch.
And I will bring it out here with me.
After loving the place so much,
we contacted the director, Lisa.
Turns out she's also the artistic director
at that theater.
Thank you.
Yes and well... I have been trying
to convince these two to join the Board.
That poor place, everything falling apart at once.
Shame.
Excuse me.
Yes.
That costume, is it part of the catering service?
Bob, don't be nosy.
We're running late from another catering gig
that required these, so. [laughs nervously]
Yes.
Hey, Lisa.
Hi, Max.
Now, how do you two know each other?
You know, we don't have to interrupt your party.
We can go. We can go made dinner.
No, no, no, I teach at the theater program
that Max and Alice graduated from.
What do people learn in theater school?
Theater school really is...
it's paying a lot of money to learn how to play games.
Can we play one?
A game? You want to play a game now?
[crowd is in agreement]
Okay. There's a game called Santa's lap.
-Oh, yeah, yeah. -Santa's Lap, so...
-Is that a good one? -Yeah.
Here's how it works. So...
You take turns being Santa and someone sits on your lap.
Uh, and you would ask, what do you want for Christmas?
I might say... diamonds.
And you would try to guess who it is.
Uh... Elizabeth Taylor!
Um, okay.
A baseball player and a president.
Marilyn Monroe.
There you go.
Virginia...
Oh, I love this game!
My turn.
Bob, you're Santa.
-Oh! -Come on, Bob.
Here we go.
Ho, ho, ho!
What would you like for Christmas?
Do they cater a lot in Dickensian?
Whoa!
I don't even think they knew
what Dickensian actually meant.
They probably thought they were just them.
Wait, wait a second.
Earlier you said something about... failing.
What did you mean?
Okay. Um... Lisa...
Lisa asked me to do some volunteer work at the theater,
and I did, and then, um, it got hard.
It got really involved, which is fine.
You know, I don't... I don't mind hard work at all,
but they raised our rent, and and my student loans
are really intense, and I just I took more catering shifts,
and I just kind of stopped going.
Well, it sounds like you made the reasonable choice.
It feels like a failure.
And I know that Lisa's disappointed in me,
which is just...
I haven't booked a thing. Okay?
Like, a lot of auditions, you know?
Yeah.
That part's pretty consistent, but...
It's bartending. That's pretty much it.
That's okay.
So there we are, right?
We both told some lies, but like...
We're fine.
And since when is lying caused trouble for anyone?
Famously never.
Yeah. It's like not going to start now.
Not a single time.
-Okay. So I'm going to go... -Probably could.
I am going to go change.
-I'll see you-- -Okay.
I'll see you later.
-They're back. -Yes!
We did it! We're alive!
Oh, and that concludes the end of our winter season.
Thank goodness.
Oh, yeah.
Are you, um, going to take the tree home this year?
Oh, no, no. Um...
Maybe next year. Daniel's going home for a few days, so.
So you're just going to not have a tree at all?
Just a small one.
Neither my Mom or I could afford to travel this year, so.
You're not spending Christmas alone, are you?
Why do people do this every time I say it?
Maybe we care.
It's fine. I'm fine.
It's not a big deal.
I'm looking forward to it, actually.
Good job team.
Thanks for another great season.
All right. I'm going to stick around and shut down.
But have a great Christmas with Mom and Dad.
Tell them I love them.
Okay. Love you.
Merry Christmas, Pam.
Merry Christmas darlings I love each and every one of you.
-[kissing sounds] -Merry Christmas, Claire.
-Alice, I'll see you at home. -Bye.
Claire, why don't you ask Claire?
Just see what she's up to.
Maybe she'll be up for--
I let this go and you should let it go.
Can I at least walk you out?
Yeah alright.
You know what I mean? Yeah, no idea.
It's cold.
Yeah, they think that... they think that it's cold.
-Oh, oh. Thank goodness. -Lisa.
-Hi. -Hi.
I thought you might still be here.
I took a chance.
Congratulations you two.
You successfully charmed the Devines into joining the Board.
What?
Yes. They thought it was lovely
to see such a happy young couple pursuing their dreams.
Oh.
Oh, okay. That's kind of funny.
We're really not, there's not--
Oh, well, either way, they are now donors.
And while there is not enough money for a full-time position.
There is enough for a part-time one.
You want me? Lisa, I... I disappeared.
All you did was not return a few emails
and try to make a living.
Next time, just let me know... I get it.
Just don't do it again.
I will never do it again, I promise, Lisa.
Then you come and see me the first of the year...
and Max... break a leg!
Thank you.
Thank you. Lisa. Good night, bye.
[Lisa] Good night.
[laughs]
-What? -What?!
Oh, congratulations.
Thanks.
Wow.
I mean, I have to go back to LA for so many reasons.
I just... I wish I could spend Christmas with you here.
Are we friends now? Did we make it?
I think despite our best efforts,
we have made it
and we should keep in touch.
Merry Christmas, Max.
Merry Christmas, Alice.
And I am having fun watching Ashley Williams
magically restores hope at Christmas.
She is bottled charm, that woman.
She should be in everything.
Oh, next week I start part time at the theater
and I'm still catering.
Oh, I'm sorry that I couldn't fly you home.
It's okay. Mom,
we, uh, we make tough choices some years, right?
Are you happy?
Yeah, I think I am.
Merry Christmas, peanut.
Merry Christmas, Mom.
*
* I *
* Thought I'd said the words. *
* Felt the way love works *
* Seen it standing in the star. *
* Now I know I never knew. *
* Till I was telling you. *
* I felt the sky but never flew *
* Till I was telling you. *
*
Do we have to hang this up here?
I should make you autograph this.
You... no.
Come on. It's a national commercial.
Let me be proud of my baby brother.
'Cause Mom and Dad aren't.
They are.
They just don't really know how to show that they're proud
or really how to deal with either of us in general.
Well, I mean, their daughter got into med school
and then started a catering company.
[laughs] So there's that part.
And then they're extraordinarily handsome son
is an actor, so I wouldn't know what to do either.
Okay. Tonight is that crafting party?
Mm. Yes. With the, um, stove. Okay.
That's the one.
I'll load this up.
Hi.
Wow. Hi.
Hi.
Congratulations on your-- on the ad and the print thing.
Thank you. Thank you, thank you.
Listen, I'm sorry. I really should have been better
about responding to your texts.
Yeah. You kind of ghosted me.
-I kind of did, didn't I? -Yeah, you did.
I'm sorry.
It's really. It's... it's okay.
It really is fine.
Like, we we agreed that we should just be friends.
I still think that that's, you know, the--
It's like the smartest thing to do.
Yeah. Friends?
Yeah. I'm sorry.
Yeah. No, it's--
What is that? What are you doing?
It's, uh. It's mulled wine.
It's all the headache without any of the buzz.
It's perfect.
-So... -Finally.
I've got to... I've got to load it into the thing.
Yeah, yeah. Do you need, um...
[cheerful music]
What are... what are these?
Orange pomanders.
In the olden days, they used to decorate oranges
with cloves to avoid scurvy or I don't know...
bandits or something like that.
Scurvy?
Bandits?
Okay. Just go. Leave. Go. Get out of here.
What are the odds that I can tell you something
just sort of intense?
I would say that odds are pretty good,
but I do require it to be good news,
because this party is very busy, and I'm bad at this.
I'm moving to New York.
What did I just say to you?
I know, I know...
With my mouth when I said good news, I said.
I got the job with Naidre Lee, she only takes on one sous chef
like every two years, blah, blah, blah.
A chance of a lifetime. Da da da da.
Sh, sh, sh. I am so proud of you.
I'm so proud of you.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
So... I was thinking maybe you should come with me. Huh?
Huh?
-Yeah. Okay. -What?
You know, I got a lot of...
I got a lot of stuff keeping me busy here.
-I got a pretty hefty-- -Shush now, child.
It is New York.
It is where we keep theater like as a nation.
I'm fine here.
I'm happy, I like it, and I have a plan.
I have a plan.
Oh, I forgot about these oranges.
Please take them over to Max.
Yeah.
Congratulations, Claire.
-Hi. -Hey.
You know, it never really occurred to me how many ways
you can turn nature into decor, but here we are.
Well, if you needed 50 extra oranges.
-Oh, yeah. -You're in luck.
For 40 or so, so 10 extra is good. Thank you.
[gentle music]
Look at you, what, were you in the scouts or something?
I was actually.
Yeah, yeah, no scouts. Space camp.
It drove my parents crazy.
We're in a good place now.
It's probably all the Christmas.
-Sure. -Yeah.
What about you?
Is your Mom coming home for Christmas?
No, no, not this year.
She had kind of a tough couple of years financially,
so she tends not to let me in on her plans until they happen.
I'm trying to not... not be too worried, but...
You're not spending Christmas alone... again.
Actually, I am spending it at the flophouse with everybody
and you should come.
That's... I...
Maybe. Yeah, maybe. Can I, um, tell you later?
-Oh, yeah. -Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's not like a deal.
I'm gonna actually...
I need to go help Claire with the pots.
Yeah.
Pots?
*
I'm... really starting to love this tree
being here every year.
It's nice to have somebody to count on, isn't it?
Last party tomorrow.
Yup.
All right.
[Jazzy Christmas music]
Hey, Max.
Hey, do you think you could cover for me
for, like, an hour?
Lisa asked me to swing by the theatre.
I'm just gonna throw my-- on and run.
Yeah.
You okay?
I'm going to tell you something,
and I need you to keep it between us.
Yeah. Of course. You okay?
My agent called, and I am going back to L.A. tomorrow.
Two days before Christmas?
Yeah. Um, that elf commercial, that... yeah.
Well, paycheck.
And it got me a lot of auditions.
One of them happens to be a really big movie,
and they liked me a lot, and they kept asking me back.
I have one more meeting.
-Max? -[laughs]
That's amazing!
Wait. What's the... what's the movie?
What's the movie?
-I can't tell you. -Shut up!
But, it's... I don't want to jinx it. So...
-That means it's huge. -Possibly.
If you can't say anything, that means it's huge!
Possibly. I mean...
I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud of you.
-I'm so proud of you. -Thank you.
[romantic music]
You... I will see you in an hour.
-Yup. -In a minute.
-Here. Cool. Bye. -Okay.
*
Hi.
Hi. How was it? How was it? How was the show?
Did you manage to get the kid
to stop calling the reindeer her dad?
Oh, I wish.
No, not once the entire run of the show.
-Not at all. -No, I wish.
Wow.
But that's okay. It doesn't matter.
Another Christmas show down for the books
and an offer.
Wait? For us? For the theater?
For you.
What do you mean?
Well, Alice, you made
some great suggestions this last run.
The Santa swing, the Christmas tree dance.
Everybody's favorite moment.
Well, I can tell you
that my mother will be thrilled to hear that.
And with the endowment increase from the Devines,
how would you like to assist and direct
for the whole season next year for me... paid.
Paid?
It's not a lot of money, but--
No, no, no, it's enough. The money is enough.
Yes, yes!
Are you kidding? Absolutely, of course!
Thank you!
Merry Christmas, Alice.
Merry Christmas, Lisa.
[laughs]
I gotta go. Bye.
Bye Alice.
[cheerful music]
[laughter]
There she is.
Alice, your first for Secret Santa.
What? Why?
First one I picked up.
Okay.
Open it and then guess who got it for you.
Okay.
Ah, let me see.
Okay. Ooh!
It's Christmas in... space. [echoing] Space, space, space.
[laughter]
Thank you... Micah.
Obviously.
It's an instant classic
and rumors is they're making it into a movie.
Great.
Okay, okay. Who's next? Who's next?
-Claire. -Oh, that's a big one.
-Oh, boy. -Yeah, no kidding.
Okay, here we go.
[Claire] I love this.
-Max! -What?
That's for you.
[Max] Got it.
Okay. Thank you.
I've needed something like this, actually. Thank you.
I'm gonna get a drink.
-That's a great idea. -Drink?
That's a great idea. Let's do it.
-Yep. You guys want to-- -Anyone want a drink?
What?
Christmas in Space is the movie that you're up for?
-It's Christmas in Space! -I'm up for it.
Hold on, hold on. Focus. Sh, sh, sh!
This is going to be huge, this movie.
They already cast Daphne Day.
-[Alice] What?! -[Max] Shh!!!
-Daph! -Sh, sh!
I don't... I don't want anyone to know. Okay?
Don't honestly don't even talk to me about it
because I don't want to jinx it.
I have something, I have something.
Lisa, she asked me to assist and direct
the entire season... paid.
Alice...
And including the Christmas the Christmas play.
-Alice! -Isn't it everything that you wanted?
-I get to do my Christmas. -Oh my God!
[romantic music]
We should...
-We should-- -So...
Um...
Yeah.
-In... yeah. -Mmhmm.
Okay.
-Um... -Yeah. It's...
Okay.
-Hey. -Hey.
-Hi. -Hi, guys.
You don't have any drinks?
Uh...
-No. -Right.
No. Didn't get any of those this time around. Um...
You're the only one that knows
how to get a tree up the stairs.
He has a flight in the morning--
-He has to get on a plane. -You can make that.
Come on, guys, it's Christmas.
-You're coming with us. -Come on!
This doesn't change planes. I mean, I think that--
Whose idea was this again?
Branch and face. Branch and face.
You guys look so good.
-Why is Claire in the middle? -[laughing]
You guys are gonna want to keep going straight.
The hills to the right.
They're just going to do it. Okay.
So we... we... we...
So we got a little a little bit carried away.
-Yeah. -And that's okay, that's fine.
-Spirit of the season. -It happens.
Listen there's excitement in the air.
Sugarplum fairies dancing in my head.
Sugarplum what? In your who? What?
I...
Listen, I just mean that I feel like being friends
was really working for us. Right?
We're both doing really well in our...
in our respective fields.
-Right? -Yeah. Except for the fact
that we can't stop making out.
Kissing, right?
Well, no, of course that's... and that's...
and that's we're not good at that but it's...
Well...
No, no, I mean we are good. Obviously we're good.
That's not what I mean.
Um, I... I need to do a good job for Lisa.
And you have this audition and it's huge.
And if you messed it up
because you were distracted or you were...
Yeah. No, no, you would never be a distraction, Al.
You're such an inspiration.
What?
Yeah. You driven you're... you're hard-working.
You're kind, you're smart.
You don't take no for an answer.
I wish I could do that better.
I think that we just keep being smart.
Are you helping or what?
Yeah, yeah.
Merry Christmas, Max.
Merry Christmas... Alice.
*
[Alice] Why did they put you on this end?
Yeah.
[exhales]
-Pretzels? -Thanks.
You okay?
-Yeah, I'm okay. -Okay.
*
Yeah. It was a nice Christmas, Mom, we had fun.
Yeah.
No, Max. Max had to go back. Yeah.
Yes. We all wish him luck.
* This is not the end. *
Hey, Max. It's me. I just, uh...
just calling to see how you are and see how the movie's going.
Uh, I'm sure that you're very busy,
so you just give me a call back if you have time, okay?
* Just have a little faith in me. *
I think Max has done this movie, actually, Mom.
No, I have not heard from him.
* ...Spring comes after winter. *
It... Mom, it's fine.
I have to focus on the show anyway, it's fine.
Because he can do his own thing, whatever.
Uh huh.
* Spring comes after winter. *
[voicemail] Hey, this is Max. Leave a message.
* ...so please don't give up now. *
*
* Spring comes after winter. *
* Never mind the weather. *
* Keep your head up high. *
I'm just heading into work, Mom.
I know, I know, it's your busy season.
* Nothing lasts forever. Keep your head up high. *
It feels a little lackluster this year, honestly.
I guess so.
Okay. I'm just--
Sorry. I'm just coming into work, Mom.
So I got to let you go, but I'll call you later, okay?
All right. I love you, too. Bye.
Have we heard from all those people that called in sick?
It's really hard being short-staffed this time of year.
Where... Max's party?
Are we throwing a party for Max?
Oh, he didn't tell you?
Our parents are throwing him
a holiday/congratulations
on your space movie /you're our new favorite... party.
I'm sorry.
I can't believe he's doing a movie with Daphne Day.
Daphne Day. I love Daphne Day.
She's amazing.
Yeah... she's great.
[photos snapping]
[clears throat]
Could you make sure somebody collects a few more glasses?
Yes, absolutely. Yeah, of course.
Hey, Mom, can you--
No, not right now. No, no.
Oh, hey, honey.
She is on a mission today.
She needs to be stopped.
[exhales]
Hi.
You must be freezing, you want my jacket?
No, no, no. I'm okay. Please, please don't do that.
Please don't... don't, I'm fine.
I ghosted you.
It was never even my intention. I'm sorry.
Max, I really don't want to do this right now.
We're at a party for literally
all of your hopes and dreams coming true, and that's great.
But I am also at that party as a waiter, so.
And my friend.
We haven't said hello in a year.
I wanted to give you space, so I didn't text.
No, it's okay. I got to read about you
on the internet.
And that-- like, I should have picked up the phone
and I should have told you about the experience.
And like things that you probably see on social.
That's... that's okay. That part's fine.
It's... it's crazy. It's amazing.
I'm really-- I'm really proud of you.
I didn't I didn't want you to feel like
you had some kind of hanger on.
You know, you don't need me.
You got a really fancy, cool life,
and you're in magazines, which is amazing.
And so I just didn't want to... I didn't want to bother you.
-Max... -Oh!
I'm so sorry.
Uh, Alice, this is Daphne.
-Alice. -Hi.
You're Alice.
Alice is me. Yes, hi.
I'm Daphne.
I know, I know who you are. I'm a huge fan.
I'm a huge fortified fan.
I can fix this, I can. I can fix this.
Come. Please come with me.
Okay. This is fixable. I can do this.
This is fine. This is doable.
Hi, Richard.
Okay. You need a change of clothes.
Daphne Day.
Be cool, Richard.
They're back at Max's parents' place, the guest room.
Yeah.
Um, okay. How fast do you think
you could get out there and back?
An hour... more.
Alice, we need you out on the floor.
We're absolutely swamped.
Sure. Pam, I was going to ask you.
Just a little tiny problem.
What happened to your dress?
There are photographers out there.
I know, but...
maybe this will make me look more down to earth.
All Christmas cheers.
You know, in case we've ruined a story for beloved fans.
What do you mean?
The reviews are getting posted tomorrow
and we're a little nervous. -Yeah.
You know what? I think I have an idea.
*
[camera shutters snapping]
What's happening here?
They're really short-staffed.
Figured we could all pitch in.
Grab a tray, it's fun.
And now Daphne Day is serving drinks.
Huh. [exhales] She was on a soap opera.
Mom, if your main concern is whether or not
the service is good, you're missing the point.
Hi.
Max. When you hire a caterer.
You're at a Christmas party...
with your friends and your family,
who happen to be working, Okay?
Just be kind.
That's it.
Hey.
It's delicious.
That's ridiculous.
Look at this: A sweetheart work party.
What does that even mean?
Doesn't matter. Publicists are thrilled.
You think it'll save the movie?
Nothing can save that movie.
But I think our little game of are they or aren't they
could help get people to see it.
Very good looking, Max. [laughs]
[tender music]
So we really don't have to do it anymore.
I think we're done.
[sigh of relief]
You're right about Alice. She's spectacular.
Yes, she is.
So it's impossible?
You really saved that party back there.
Thank you, Alice.
Yeah. I wasn't about to let your girlfriend
go walking around--
Oh, she's not my girlfriend.
Okay, whatever... whatever you want to call it.
No, no, truly, we didn't even get along
for most of the shoot.
Yeah, then people started seeing us together
and promo and stuff,
and it made them want to see the movie more.
So we kind of just... never confirmed or denied it.
Max, that is like...
-I know. -Just impossibly glamorous.
What are you talking about, Hollywood?
Tell me. Tell me things.
'Cause I want to hear about it. Tell me.
-No, no. -Why?
I want to-- I want to hear about here.
You know, I miss... I miss all of you.
I don't really know what to tell you.
It's all the same here. It's just...
work and catering and hoping for more, you know?
It takes a while, I guess.
Not for you, apparently, but I'm joking.
I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
I'm so proud of you. I am jealous.
I'm jealous like I have never known in my life.
But I'm still very proud of you.
Thank you, Alice.
You're further along than you think.
Yeah, maybe.
It's fitting that you're here.
You kind of are...
I don't know, you kind of are Christmas to me now, so.
I feel the same.
Yeah. You're right, I mean...
Every year... somehow we're right back here, aren't we?
Listen, come by for Christmas Eve, okay?
If you can get away.
I would love that.
Okay.
-Alright. -Bye.
-Bye.
*
If you have any other questions,
you can come back and ask, okay?
Merry Christmas. Have fun.
The critics reviews for Max's movie are not good.
It's just the critics.
See what happens when it actually comes out.
Poor Max, hope he's okay.
Hi. Here for the wreath-making.
This one's cool because you can weave your wishes right in.
-Ooo. -I'll show you.
Oh, you're doing the wreath thing.
All right.
Hi.
Are you okay?
I'm just not thrilled at the idea of my career ending
before it even started.
Yeah, I hear you.
Okay, well...
There's not a lot that I can do, but...
You can make it your Christmas wish?
-For real? -Yes.
Hey, you're at the booth. Respect the booth.
Okay, okay.
You can make it your Christmas wish, and you just pin it right there.
-Okay. -All right.
Follow up. Do you actually think
that you made the nice list this year?
Oh, definitely not.
Not by any stretch of the imagination.
No, no, no, no.
Listen...
Come and have Christmas dinner with us, okay?
I'd be happy to.
Good.
[cheerful music]
[laughter]
Oh, I almost forgot.
Micah's family has this adorable Christmas tradition.
So we put Christmas conversation prompts
in a bowl every year for after dinner.
Wow.
Um... Micah's family sounds like a lot.
-[laughter] -Yes, yes they are.
-You survived. -In the best way, though.
So... I've collected a few of the best questions.
Who's ready for Christmas memories?
Man, do I love my Christmas memories.
[laughter]
Okay, uh, if you could spend Christmas
anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Serious answer.
Right here.
Okay, whatever.
No, I'm not being-- Christmas is my favorite.
I always love Christmas.
But now it's usually rushing around and doing everything I can
to spend time with family, which is lovely.
And I love my family.
But a Christmas with friends, that's... it's special.
Hard to forget.
Yeah. Anyway.
Wow. Okay, I guess I have to follow that.
-That's, uh. -Well...
Thanks. Thanks a lot. [laughs]
Oh, man.
Uh, what was the first thing
that you asked Santa for as a child?
Okay. I made Santa cry when I was a child.
Aww.
Um... In his defense,
I was like five or six and I got up onto his lap
and Mom says that I whispered something in his ear.
Um, I was very cute and small,
and apparently he-- he started crying
and then he had to, like, leave,
and the line got really long and people were kind of,
you know, as I'm talking about this,
I'm realizing this is a deep wound.
So that that's-- that's my answer.
No. Come on. You have to tell us.
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, I... friends, friends.
I wished for friends. I wanted friends.
Like the TV show.
What is happening here?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. That was... [laughs]
Um. No, I just, uh,
none of the other kids liked the stuff that I liked.
And I felt really lonely
and kind of like a weird person, and...
and I asked for friends because I didn't...
I didn't know that I would meet you guys
because you are also very weird people.
Especially him.
I'm minding my own business.
To weird people
and people who are just minding their own business.
-[laughter] -Yeah, cheers.
To no more loneliness.
[sighs]
All right. I think that's the last one.
Thank you so much for staying to help.
I really appreciate it.
Yeah, it's my pleasure. Are you gonna be good?
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
Listen, Ashley Williams is about to go and find love
in a small town that may or may not be in a snow globe
or a painting or both. I haven't figured it out yet.
That sounds like a great film.
-It is. -Uh-huh. Right.
You, um...
You're more than welcome to join me if you want to.
[laughs]
Okay.
You know...
-I would love to. -You would.
I would.
All right, I'm gonna... I'm gonna make some popcorn.
-Okay. -Okay.
-I love popcorn. -Great, good.
* O holy night, *
* the stars are brightly shining. *
* It is the night *
* Of our dear Savior's birth. *
* Long lay the world *
* In sin and error pining. *
* til he appears *
* And the soul felt... *
[tender music]
Hi.
-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas.
I didn't mean to fall asleep.
-Me either. -[yawns]
Did Santa bring coffee?
I don't know. You want me to go check?
Yeah.
Okay. Yeah, yeah. You too. Merry Christmas, Mom.
How did that go?
Well, they decided to spend the day at my worst uncle's house.
Oh, good. How many uncles do you have?
-One. Um... -[laughs]
-Merry Christmas. -[both] Merry Christmas.
Aww.
I love Christmas time in the city.
Yeah.
Everyone's so nice.
It's quiet too, because everybody's...
everybody's at the movies or at church
or with their family or whatever.
We have it all to ourselves.
You hungry?
Perpetually, yeah.
Pam, gave me keys.
[gasps]
We're gonna go that way... yup.
[cheerful music]
[laughing and chatting]
[guitar strumming]
Hi.
Hey.
That's Nice.
Just noodling.
Making it up as I go. Sound familiar?
Okay, I'm going to say something,
and I think that it might be a little bit controversial.
Okay.
I think this is the best Christmas I've ever had.
-Wow. -Mm.
It's a bold statement there.
[laughing]
I like being seen the way that you see me, Max.
It's really nice.
We're gonna be okay... Al.
Oh, you mean all the things we've been working for
for four years suddenly on our doorstep or...
Come with me.
To the premiere?
To the premiere, Los Angeles, all of it.
You can... You can work anywhere.
You can do anything there.
-Max... -We can't keep doing this.
I have fallen so deeply in love with you.
Come with me.
[Jazzy Christmas music]
And you said yes, right?
I said that I needed to think about it.
And then I turned around and I left... is what I did.
Um...
And then I called him and I said, yes,
and I'm going to go meet him in an hour, so...
-That's great. -Yeah.
I'm glad. I'm glad you said so.
I don't know, it feels...
Alice... it's brave.
Go.
-Yeah? -Yes. Yeah.
Okay. You got this.
Oh, I love you.
I'm going, I'm going, I promise, I promise.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Uh-huh.
Are you serious?
You really think it's a good idea?
Of course it's a good idea.
Come here.
You two are about to take over the world together.
-I love you. -I love you.
-Hey. -Hey, Pam.
Hey.
Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?
Yeah, yeah. Are you ready?
Where's your bag?
Kind of ready. Um...
Max, Lisa just called and the school offered her
head of the department and when they asked
who she wanted to run the Overton...
She said you.
They already have the season that I oversee, but, um...
I get to direct my Christmas Carol next year?
Alice, that is... that's awesome.
Wow. Okay. Well, then... there's your answer.
Stay here and...
Yeah, but you'll be back.
You're going to come back,
and then we can figure out how to do the thing.
If we-- if we really wanted to make this work long distance,
we would have already, right?
Yeah, I know.
So, I guess...
We call it.
We go out in the world,
we... we do our thing, we meet new people.
We don't need new people. I don't want to meet people.
I don't either.
I don't...
Do we really want to keep doing this, though?
Where we see each other year after year,
and we feel more and more for each other
and keep doing nothing about it.
Not particularly, no.
We can't keep waiting for each other.
Goodbye, Alice.
Bye.
* This time of year is always felt its wonder. *
* and I wonder what you'd say to save me now. *
* There's nothing I could say *
* except I love you always. *
* And adorn you with your favorite tinsel crown *
*
There she is. So... opening night.
How are you feeling?
My Mom just got here, and I think that she's going
to try to redecorate my entire apartment before tonight,
and we're opening to a sold out house, which is great,
except that we haven't gotten the trap door
to work a single time.
Except for the one time that we lost Tiny Tim,
which was a little bit of a nightmare.
So I'm pretty sure that the solution is
going to be more coffee.
I'm going to switch you back to hot chocolate.
Why?
Christmas and all.
Oh, great. Everything is all set for tonight.
The menu is gorgeous. We've got extra help.
We are about to throw you the best
opening night/Christmas party you have ever seen.
Tonight we celebrate.
Okay. I can't believe you're doing this to me.
Good brain.
Hey! That's mine.
You can come out now.
I... I was not hiding.
I'm just, uh... doing tray stuff.
Max... just call her. You've been home for two weeks.
Not yet.
Look, Pam, I appreciate
everything that you've done for me.
Truly.
And if you want me off of your couch,
I can find a new spot.
What? No, no. Stay as long as you want.
Look, you traveled the world,
you've gone on all these big adventures.
Now it is time for you
to stop making us tiptoe around you and Alice.
I'm not going to do anything, though until after her show.
It's a big deal and I don't want to mess it up.
Oh, honey, you look amazing.
Thank you.
Here. I want you to have these.
They were your grandmother's. She hated them.
She hated them? Why? They're gorgeous.
Complicated woman, a real force.
No kidding. Thank you.
I love you.
Hey.
I know you sacrificed a lot for me when I was little.
I know, and I want you to know that I get it
and I appreciate it.
And it really means a lot to me that you were finally able
to be here for Christmas.
Peanut, are you okay?
Yeah. I'm okay.
I think that, um...
I'm finally starting to understand how much it means
to have somebody here this time of year.
I love you.
I love you, too.
[exhales] Okay.
I have to run by dinner with somebody at the Board,
and then I will see you at the theater.
Knock them dead.
[squeals]
[upbeat music]
[doorbell]
-Hi. -Hi.
-How are you, Bob? -Happy opening night.
-Thank you so much. -Let me take your coat.
Sure. Yeah, I can only...
I can only stay for a little while unfortunately,
but I wanted to swing by.
We have heard some very strange things about your play.
You'll love it, I promise.
You're right, what could we be fretting about... nothing.
You got it. Okay.
Hey, can I get you something?
You know, how about for old-times sake?
I just pop in there, I'll grab it myself.
I'll be right back out.
-Okay. -Sure.
Max.
-Hi. -Hey.
What are you... what are you doing?
Doing what a lot of actors do this time of year.
Catering a Christmas party.
Right. So, did you just get back to town or?
Can we, um... can we catch up later?
Max. Max...
Alice, Christmas standards,
Burt Bacharach or Irving Berlin.
"White Christmas". by Irving Berlin.
Max... I'm so sorry.
I had no idea that you were gonna be here.
Lisa invited me, I can leave.
Alice, it's okay, really. I'm working so enjoy yourself.
Max, come on. Are you sure?
Max...
Hi.
Can I just... Can you just let me--
Yeah.
Um...
I made you feel second to a job.
[teary] Because I was really, really, really afraid
of what you would think of me if I failed.
Which is stupid.
Because I love you.
I know that my timing is horrible.
It could not be worse.
But I had to tell you because if I fail tonight, then...
Then I will have wasted five Christmases not telling you.
And... and if I succeed, then I don't want you to think
that it wasn't true in the first place.
Alice, I get it.
Break a leg tonight.
[melancholy music]
All right, everyone, I'm sorry to run,
but, uh, I've got curtain in a couple of hours,
so I'll see you all there.
-All the best. -Cheers to you.
Thank you so much for coming. Enjoy. Thanks.
Okay, suit. Hi.
Not... not hello, goodbye, suit.
What is... Oh, My gosh! No! Shut up!
Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi. Oh my gosh!!!
How are you?
Claire is back.
-Wait. Back back? -Back, back.
Why? Why?
We can talk about all of that later.
I'm here for the spectacle.
Excellent.
Ready?
I'm so sorry.
Actually, uh, he can't come in. He doesn't have a ticket.
There's been a terrible mix-up,
so unfortunately, I am going to have to reissue these.
What is this?
Deepest apologies.
Oh, wow.
We never used these.
Mmhmm.
You can give them back to me next Christmas.
Hey, you didn't see Max outside by any chance, did you?
No. I haven't seen him.
Okay. That's okay.
Alice, it's your big night.
Let's enjoy it.
Yeah, you're right.
Oh, that is our cue. It's starting.
Mom's inside. She's holding seats.
-Okay. -She'll see you.
Okay.
[emotional music]
[Christmas music]
-Alice! -Hi.
-Everyone... -Shhh!
may I present the visionary behind tonight's
stunning production of "A Christmas Carol".
[applause]
[crowd] Alice!
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!
Thank you.
-Wow. -Hi.
It's about time the world had a Scrooge with that spark.
Thank you so much, Virginia.
-Alice. -Hi, Lisa.
Thank you so much for coming.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
There are artistic directors here
from other theaters who would love to meet you.
Sure. Yeah.
I'm going to go see if I can find them.
Okay. Thank you.
Hey.
Are you okay?
Um...
So-So.
What's the matter?
I can't breathe. I feel like I can't breathe.
-Okay, come with me. -Okay.
Hey. Just take a deep breath.
Yeah. It's okay.
It's okay, it's okay. I worked for this.
It feels good to know I worked for this.
I always thought I could do it, and now I know that I can.
But something's missing.
Yeah.
This is my fault.
No it's not, Mom... You just... You don't understand.
You and I, we're not that different.
We both have that go-getter gene.
Right. That's a good thing.
Well, it can be,
but it can also close you off to other things.
I mean, all those goals that we stay loyal to
and the successes that we aim for.
They mean so much more
when you've lived a life around them.
And the laughter, the struggles, the adventure
and the love.
That's what makes you whole.
Without all of those things success is just...
...hollow.
Let's tell that big brain of yours to take a break
and let your heart take the wheel.
I promise you... it's going to be worth it.
It's really regular-sized, but...
[laughter]
-I love you. -I love you, too.
Oh, sorry.
-Came in for more sliders. -Yeah.
-I'll see you back out there. -Okay.
[exhales] Oh. Hi, Richard.
Nice job with the play, kid.
You were there?
Of course. Loved it.
Loved that handsome dude's Christmas space movie.
You're all spectacular.
Richard. What?
Now, take this out to the alley.
That's a weird thing to say.
You, um... you know that I'm not... not working, right?
I know.
The alley.
[tender music]
-Hi. -Hi.
Wow. Hi, hi. Um...
Slider?
Yeah, I think these are, uh, mini burgers.
They're beef burgers with rosemary.
-cranberry and cheese. -Yeah.
Herbed mayo, yeah.
Al... I don't even know where to begin.
I'm so proud of you. You did it.
You finally did the show that you've been dying to do.
You saw it?
Of course.
I snuck in right around the time Ghost of Christmas Future
was doing that whole speech on climate change
and how mistletoe's going extinct.
Yep.
That one... uh, yeah.
[laughs] Thanks.
You did really well, Al.
How does it feel?
Like... like Christmas morning.
Yeah.
You never put your job before me.
We both wanted something so badly,
and we wouldn't let anything get in the way of it.
It's just crazy...
because of that, it finally happens.
And then you realize that it would all be so much better.
It would be better if you were sharing it
with the right person, yeah.
Like Christmas morning.
Christmas, it used to be something I just kind of did,
and I'm realizing now it's something
I don't know how to do without you.
I don't know how I'm spending Christmas this year.
With me. Spend it with me.
Only if...
we can spend the rest of the year together.
Yeah.
[romantic music]
Even, even, even...
Even if we're really busy and we're in different places.
Especially.. especially then.
Okay.
I think we know we need each other.
You want to be scared with me?
[laughs]
Yes.
[upbeat music]
When was the last time you saw my commercial.
[laughs]
Alice!
Hi.
[both] Congratulations.
Thank you.
Good to see you.
And you, Max...
you were great in that space movie.
I think you might be the only one that thinks so.
I read the trades.
You just signed on to that new TV series.
You'll never guess who's my sister?
No.
[both] Ashley Williams.
What are you talking about?
Here, take a glass, everyone.
Thank you.
Pam, get in here.
Cheers.
Wooo!!!
Come on, it's a party.
-[cheering] -[Pam] We're dancing!
Get in here.
[laughing]
Merry Christmas, Max.
Merry Christmas, Alice.
[cheerful music]