A Grandpa for Christmas (2007)

[bunniefuu]

- I'm coming, I'm coming!

Hey!
- Hey did you hear from the
actor's home yet?

- They said there'd be a
vacancy by New Years.

- You know, I still say
you're too young to go into a
retirement home.

- Ah what do you know?

- Ah well it's my opinion.

- Did Thea make it to New York
okay?

- Ah yeah, she's already
Christmas shopping.

- It's not even
Thanksgiving yet.

- Ah well you know my
wife she likes to get it
done before Hanukah.

- Oh brother.

- I hate it when you go away.

- Ah honey I'm only going to
be gone for three days.

- The last time you said that
you were gone for five.

- Well Becca you know how it is
with new jobs.

They always want you to do all
the dirty work.

- You've had enough new jobs
to know.

- Look when I get back
I promise we're going to

find a real
apartment, okay?

- Will I have to
change schools again?

- We'll just have to make
sure that you don't.

Okay I've got to hit the road.
- Fine.

- I'll be back
on Thanksgiving.

- Fine.
- Becca don't be like that.

- She'll be okay.
You have a good trip.

- Thank you.

- Gene Kelly was a
short little guy.

- Are you gonna make
a move or what?

- My eggs are getting cold.

- My wife is five foot
six, he was taller than her.

- Bert, tell him, will ya?

- Well I think
you're crazy. You've
got a nice little house.

- Which I
don't need any more.

- Knight with your bishop.

- Roxie, how tall
do you think Kelly was?

- Kelly who?
- I'm telling you.

Before singing in the
rain he played a
munchkin in the Wizard of Oz.

- So, the queen. The
queen's a much better
move, the queen, the queen.

- Look, if you're tired
of living in the sticks

forget the retirement
home. Buy a place in town.

- Right. Me and the
Rockefellers.

- Roxie, your Mrs. Santa Claus
commercial ran again last night.

- Ooh, kaching!

- Any time dearie.

Bravo.

What's the name of the game?
Check mate!

- Son of a g*n.

- How long has it
been since you beat him?

- Just before Lincoln was
assassinated.

-You were a
better agent than
you are a chess player.

- I am going Christmas
shopping. Anybody want to come?

- You too?
- Me too what?

- Christmas
shopping before Thanksgiving?

- I've got a batch of
grandchildren to buy for.

Okay, bye bye boys.

- Bye bye.
- Later
- Be good.

- Heather, Becca, come on
girls.

- She says she's not hungry.

- I thought Marie
would at least call.

You try her cell phone?

- Yes, of course
I tried her cell.

- There must be someone you
could call. You try her office?

- George it's Thanksgiving.

My guess is she got
held up, she's
driving as fast as she can,

she's gonna walk through that
door any minute.

- Can I help you?

- Are you Bertram O'Riley?

- Guilty as charged sir.

- Hi I'm Officer Lee.

Mr. O'Riley, your
daughter's in St.
Joseph's Hospital in Reseda.

She was in a car accident.

- Oh my God. Well I
gotta go see her.

You said St. Joe's right?

- Yes sir.

- Okay, thanks, thanks a lot.

She's just
sleeping isn't she?

- I'm DR. Burney,
- Ah.

she's been
unconscious since she came in.

She got a pretty
hard knock on the head

which bruised the right side
of her brain enough to cause
some intercranial bleeding.

And of course that's
what concerns me the most.

- But she's
gonna be okay right?

- The next few days
will tell us a lot.

- That poor little girl.

What were you doing in L.A.?

- She lives here Mr. O'Riley.

I'm Kathryn Waters,
social services.

- But I thought she was living
with her mother in San
Francisco.

Oh my God, has
anybody called her?

- Your ex-wife has passed on.

- Brenda?

- Yeah.
- When?

- About three years
ago I believe.

When was the last time you
actually talked to Marie?

- Twelve years ago. Twelve,
yeah.

- Then you don't know about
your granddaughter.

- My what?

- You have a ten-year
old granddaughter. Her
name is Rebecca.

She's staying with friends
from school.

Marie is a salesperson
for a camera company.

So she travels a lot.

It was the friend's parents
who called the company

after Thanksgiving
when Marie didn't come home.

This is how I located Rebecca.

She mentioned you, which brings
me to why I'm here.

We need you to take temporary
custody of Rebecca.

It would only be
until her mother could
take care of her again.

- But what about her father?

- He's not in the picture.
Which leaves you Mr. O'Riley.

You're all she's got.

- Mr. O'Riley, this is
your granddaughter Rebecca.

Rebecca, this is
your grandfather.

- Nice to meet you Rebecca.

- That's your favorite
sweater, isn't it?

- Uh how'd you know that?

- Where's the bathroom?

- Ah through through the dining
room to the right.

Okay, Is this everything?

- You'll have to pick up the
rest of her things

from where she was staying.

You sign there, and there.

- You think she's going to
hibernate in that bathroom?

- Oh well right now she's
upset. Frightened. Angry.

- Angry? Angry about what?

- At her mom not being here.
- Oh.

- At this being her fifth
school change in three years.

At being taken away
from her best friend

and having to
stay here with you.

Who she doesn't like very much.

- Doesn't like me. She
doesn't even know me.

- From what I gather her
opinion of you comes

from her mother and grandmother.

- Well then you're right. She
doesn't like me very much.

Rebecca. Dinner's ready!

- I'm not hungry.

- But it's my specialty.
Chicken tettrazinni.

You'll feel better
if you eat something.

Look, don't worry
about your Mom.

She... she's gonna be just
fine, I know it.

- I'm not worried.

All of you at
home, here for my
first holiday special,

help me to welcome from London
England, Sinjin Baron.

- Thank you thank
you, Merry Christmas Skip.

- Merry Christmas to you Sinjin.

Thanks for being with us.

- God bless you.

Rebecca, time to get up!
Rebecca!

- I heard you!

I need to get in there! I said I
need to get...

- I heard you!

Next!

- Mama.

- Hello.

- Uh Dr. Burney, this is
Rebecca, Marie's daughter.

- Ah. Hello Rebecca.

- Hi.
- Your mom's
doing much better today.

- Is she going to be all right?

- I think so.

It's just going to take some
time, okay? You hang in there.

- Uh, can I talk to you
outside for a minute Doc?

- Of course.

- Doc, she's still
unconscious!

- That's only because we're
keeping her that way.
- Why?

- I have her in a
controlled coma to keep
her brain from swelling.

Your daughter is
young, strong and responding
well to treatement

so I would say right now her
prognosis is pretty good.

- I guess you know what
you're doing Doc, thank you.

- Thank you Nicole.
- Um hm.

- When she
wakes up don't tell her that
Bert was here.

It's a long story.

- Hey.

What did you mean
don't tell her I was here.

- Well um I just don't want
Mommy getting frazzled.

- Well how can she get frazzled
knowing I've been to see her?

- Well why do you think she
hasn't wanted to see you for
the past twelve years.

- All right
Johnny, C'mon out!

Please help NO!!!!

The boss says I'm to put you
in the bag Johnny.

Come on Sal, I just need, I just
need a little more time.

Time's up kid, you know that.

- A little early for this
isn't it?

- Were you in this one?

- Yeah, I was the guy
with the tommy g*n.

- Wow, you got old.

- Well everybody does.
- Do you ever get the girl?

- Ah, they usually knock me
off about twenty minutes in.

I nearly got the
girl in that one.

- It was a dumb story anyway.

These pictures
from your old movies?

- Uh huh, yep.

- I thought you wanted to be a
song and dance man in musicals.

- I did.
- What happened?

- Well, this face happened.

They took a look at it and they
said, you're a heavy.

- Grandma said it was because
you couldn't dance a lick

and you sang like a frog.

- Next time you want to
get into my stuff, ask.

- Big tough guy in movies
who actually faints at the
sight of blood.

- Who said that?

- Grandma!

Hey.

- Look what my mom bought me.

- How many can you download?

- Thousands.

- Ah, this is way cool.

- Hi Becca.

- Hi Christine.

- You must be Becca's
grandfather.

- Yes ma'am. Bert O'Riley.

- It's nice to meet you Bert,
this is my husband George.

- Hi. If you pop the
trunk I'll put these inside.

Thanks.

- How's she doing?
- She's she's better.

- Is it true that
you've never met your
granddaughter before?

- Uh, yep.

- Isn't it strange that you
both live in the same city
and you've never met.

- Isn't it strange that
you'd ask a question

that is clearly none of your
business.

- Can we go up in my room?

- Honey we're
having lunch with
your grandmother remember.

We gotta go.

- Not even for a minute?

- There isn't time Heather.

- Well, maybe you could have a
sleepover sometime.

- Uh that'll be fine.

- Awesome.
- Can I Mom?

- We'll see.

- But Mom...
- I said we'll see.

Come again, Mr.
Riley, it was nice to meet you.

- Ma'am.

- George.

- Nice meeting you.

- I'll call you.

- Okay.

- Good luck Becca.

- Hey. Hoo hoo hoo.

Kind of scary huh?

Come here come here.

That a girl.

You know, I remember my Dad and
me sitting on the porch one day,

and we had a great big thunder
and lightning storm.

And boy was I scared stiff. Hoo
hoo.

And you know what
my Dad told me?

He said you know where thunder
comes from.

It's clouds, bumping heads.

Um. You didn't
buy that, huh?

Neither did I. Ha ha ha.

Oh boy!

You want me to tell you where
thunder comes from?

Or would you like to hear a nice
Welsh lullaby?

That my mother used to sing,
huh?

Okay, let me see if I remember.

Sleep my child

- Hey!

- Hi!

- Rebecca Roxie's here.

Ah Rebecca,

Roxie used to sing on Broadway
you know. Did she tell you?

- Bert!

- And she also had lead in a
couple of shows.

- Ah, don't you have
someplace to go?

- Yes.

- You're actually going
someplace in that sweater?

- Why, what's wrong with it?

- You tell him.
- It's a bit worn out.

- Oh but I like it that way.
It's comfortable.

- Where are you going?

- I have to go
register you in school.

- Wait.
You're going to have to
drive me to school, right?

- That's right.
- Then why don't you just
drive me to my old school?

- Because you see it's in
another district. Okay, see you
later.

- Bye.

This is Karl.

Besides being your
grandfather's agent he's his
best friend.

They go way back to when Bert
first came to Hollywood.

- Then he must have known my
Grandma, Brenda?

- Yes, he did.

- Hm

- Enough with
pictures of old folks.

Tell me about your mom. What
kind of work does she do?

- Well she sells cameras but
she really wants to get paid for
taking pictures.

- Is she a good photographer?

- She went to college for it.

- Who knew?

Must be tough with
her in the hospital, hm?

- She wouldn't be in the
hospital if she had stayed home.

- Are you scared about starting
a new school?

- I wouldn't be doing
that either if she
had just stayed home.

- A little mad at your mom,
huh?

I changed school
a bunch of times.

And it always scared
the heck out of me.

I didn't make
friends very easy.

- I don't make
friends easily either.

- Somehow I kind of knew that.

I think I'll get
a cup of coffee.

- Ok

-Oh her she is.

- Ashley this is Mr. O'Riley.

- Hello.
- Hi.

- Mr. O'Riley has a
granddaughter Rebecca who is
starting here tomorrow.

You'll be her buddy.
- Cool.

- Ashley will show Rebecca
the ropes, get her fixed up with
a locker,

take her to Mr. Bourdreaux class
and uh introduce her around.

- That's terrific.

She was in the same
boat last year.

-Yeah.
I'll see you in the office
first thing in the morning.

- Yes Mrs. Ortiz. Bye.

- Bye.

- We'll see Rebecca in the
morning then.

- Oh oh that you will ma'am
and thank you.

Thank you very much.
-You're welcome.

- Bye bye now.
- Bye

- So you moved a lot huh?

- A lot.

- When I was your age, because
of all the moving,

there was one special thing

that I always
wanted for Christmas.

You know what that was?

My own chimney for
Santa to come down.

- And you were ten?

- Well, Santa and the chimney
were just a symbol,

what it meant was I
was in a safe place

where I wanted to be
for a very long time.

- My grandma was a singer.

- I know.

- She used to sing to me.
I miss that.

- Would you like
me to sing to you?

- Okay.

- Well come on.

h* h* h* who
wouldn't go?

click click,

good St. Nick.

- That was awesome!

- Now what about you?

I bet some of those genes have
been passed on to you.

- My grandma taught me a little
bit but, I've never sung for
anyone before.

- Why not?

- I don't know.

- What other carols
do you like?

- Jingle bells?

- Come on, let's
do it together.

- Okay.

- One more time,

come on,
let's pick it up from the top.

- Okay.

bells,

it is to ride in

sing

Jingle bells, jingle bells,

- Hey.

- Very nice! Very nice.

- Did you know this girl could
sing like that?

- I did not.

Oh. You hear that?

-Hear what?

- The fat lady singing. Ooh
hoo, ooh hoo, check mate.

- You turkey.

- ha ha ha ha ha...

- Can I play?

- This ain't checker's you
know.

- I know.
- You know how to
move the pieces?

- I read a book once.

- Hey, move over Karl, let her
sit there.

- All right.

Hey uh, how about a wager?

- A what?
- You know. A bet.

- Well I don't have any
money.

- You see that if I
win you don't get to slam

the bedroom door
for a whole week.

- Well, what if I win? I
get to burn that thing
you're wearing.

- Well you can't burn that
that's his favorite sweater.

- Okay then I get to bury it.

- It's a bet.

All right.
Now look.

I'll even turn this around

and give you the white so you
can make the first move.

- How's that?

- All right.
- All right.

- Okay, so these move straight
ahead?

- Yeah.

- Okay now. This
moves straight ahead

and then one move to
either side?

- No that's the
way a knight moves,

you have a bishop there that can
only move diagonally.

- Right, okay.

- Ah ha.

Looks better all the time.

- These can move
anyway they want?

- Yeah

- Okay.

- Ah ha.

I think you better go
back and study that
book some more.

- Do you hear that?
- What?

- It's the fat lady singing.

Check mate.
- Check mate!

She got you with
a fool's mate I don't
believe it.

- If you want I can give you my
book to study.

- Aw, aw...

- Aw, it cost me seven bucks.

- You got your
money's worth.

When are you going to set
up your Christmas tree?

- I don't do Christmas trees.

- Mom and I always have the
prettiest one around, anywhere.

How old was my Mom
when you left Grandma?

- How did we go from Christmas
trees to ancient history?

- Did you know
it's evasive to answer a
question with a question?

- And where did you possibly
learn that?

- Doctor Phil.

- You know what evasive means?

- So?

- So what?

- So how old was my Mom when
you left Grandma?

- I don't know around two I
guess.
- Two and a half.

- Well if you knew why did you
ask me?

- Why did you leave?
- Who said I left?

- Grandma.
- Oh.

- So, why did you?

- Well you got all the answers,
you tell me?

- Because you
didn't want Mom.

- Who told you that?

- Grandma!

- Ah! Grandpa finally what kept
you?

- Don't ask.

You know I never knew that
getting a ten year old girl

off to school was
like going to w*r!

- So did you get her there?

- Yeah, just.

Hey buddy, a little bit over to
the left. That's it.

- Who asked you.

- Ah.

- How is Marie doing?

- Doc wake her up yet?

- Not yet, but
they say she's stable.

So we just
have to wait.

- She's going to be okay Bert.

- Adam's right about that.

- I hope so.
Thank you.

- Roxie tells us
that Rebecca can sing.
- Hey

- When are Adam and I
going to meet her?

- Oh soon, soon I'm sure.

- Didn't want to feed her to
the lions all at once huh?

- Are you kidding?

She'd have you for
breakfast

and gnaw on your
bones between meals.

- Takes after her grandmother
huh?

- Her mother too, I think.

- It doesn't matter who she
takes after.

- You're getting a
granddaughter for Christmas,

she's getting a Grandpa, and
you should count yourself lucky.

- What are you guys ganging up
on me or something?

-Well, I'm not ganging up.
What about you Roxie?

- I think so.

Carl?
-Mm hmm, Jack?

- Did I say something I don't
remember?

- Oh good, now I can order
breakfast, right? Alex!
- Hm?

- My usual.
- Sure.

- So your Grandpa was
a movie star?

- Um, not exactly.

He wanted to sing and dance in
musicals,

but he was too ugly, so they
made him a bad guy.

- Can you sing?
- A little.

- You should try out for the
Christmas Pageant.

It's a good way to
meet a lot of kids.

- Hm?
- You got your homework okay?

- In my backpack.

- See you in the morning.
- Thanks for doing my braids.

- Any time.

- Rebecca, the doctor just
called, your mother's awake!

- Is she okay, is
she coming home?

- No, but you'll be able to
talk to her.

- Mama?

-Hey baby.

Oh, I've been
waiting for this.

- Me too.

- I miss that face.

- You don't have to anymore.

- You okay honey?

- Sure.

- The doctor said that you are
staying with Bert.

- Yeah.

- Is he here?

- Um, he didn't want
to come in.

- That sounds like Bert. How
you doing with him honey?

- It's not as
bad as I thought.

- Mr. O'Riley.

Aren't you going in?

Rebecca, I hate to break this up

but I'm going to have
to chase you out.

- She just got here.

- Your pain meds should be
kicking in about now.

- Yeah they are.

- Then you really need to rest.

- I'm sorry baby.

- It's okay.

- In a day or two you
can stay longer, okay?

- Okay.

Bye.

I love you.

- I love you honey.

- Bye.

Thanks.

- She looks better
don't you think?

- A lot better than before.

- Yeah.

- You should have come in.

- Ah ha, good.

- Yeah?

- I uh, I washed your clothes.

And and this one seems to have
changed color a little bit.

- Uh. You've got to
be joking. That
blouse is my favorite.

- Well it's it's pink,
it's a girls color.

- It's streaky pink.

- What's wrong with that?

- I wouldn't be
seen dead in it.

- Oh boy I guess we got a
problem because

all of the rest of your whites
are streaky pink too.

- I can't believe this.

- Well sorry, I tried.

- Looks like you're going
to have to pony up and
buy me some new clothes.

- Me buy girls clothes?

- I don't see anyone
else in the room.

Hi!

- Hey. Ha ha ha. I owe you big
time young lady.

- We're going to have a great
time spending your money. Right?

- Right.
- Just don't bring anything
home that's streaky pink.

- See ya.

- Careful! Ha ha ha.

- Bye.

- I like everything we got you.
Especially the shoes.

- Yeah. Everything is way cool,
especially the shoes.

Thanks Roxie.

- Hey it was fun.

- My school is having a
Christmas Pageant.

- Are you going to be in it?

- You have to try out first.

- I think you should.

- I've never sung in public
before.

- Ah you'll knock em dead.

- You think?
- I know.

- I was wondering, maybe you
could help me pick out a song?

Um, I mean if I decide to do it.

- Sure. I'll help you with
the song.

I think you should ask Bert too.

That is if you decide to do it.

- Why won't he put up a
Christmas tree?

- Who?
- Bert.

- Been that way ever since
I've known him.

- Rebecca? Breakfast is ready.

Is that outfit your
idea or Roxie's?

- Both.

- I'll be ganged up on.

- I like scrambled eggs.

- I forgot eggs.

- All right. Then I'll just
have a glass of milk,

- All right. Then I'll just
have a glass of milk,
unless you forgot that too.

unless you forgot that too.

- Madam, your milk,

and here's your
bologna sandwich.

- You know,

I like peanut butter and jelly.

- You're going
to love bologna.

He he he.

You know the more I look at that
outfit the better I like it.

It it looks - awesome!

- Thanks.

- Yeah.

You know Karl,

she's always asking me questions
she already has answers to.

- Maybe she's not
so sure that she does.

- Ah well what do you mean?

- The answers that she has uh
came from somebody else.

Now she's just double checking
with you.

- Grandchildren are really
different huh Karl?

- How so?

- When I look at her,

A kid that I had nothing
to do with creating

and yet I had
everything to do with it.

- Gives you a sense of
continuity.

- Yeah. I kind of like it.

Ooh, ooh I got
to go pick up Becca.

- We're in the middle of a
chess game.

- So steady the board and
I'll be back in a few minutes.

And don't you dare change
anything on that board.

Believe me I'll
know if you did.

- Come on.

- It's great you're going
to do it.

- Yeah, I just hope I don't
freak out and bite it on stage.

- You'll be cool. What are
you going to sing?

- I don't know yet. How about
you?

- Me? In front of all those
people? Are you crazy?

- I thought that you
were going to...

- I help with the lights and
things.

- Oh.

- Catch you tomorrow. We'll
trade lunchs again.

- See ya.
-Bye

Hey Bert.

- Just testing you.

- Yeah, sure, uh huh.

- Ooh, that's using the old
noggin'.

- You've been grinning ever
since I picked you up.

Wh -what's going on?

- I'm going to try out for my
school Christmas Pageant.

- Singing?

- Well duh.
- Excellent.

- When?
- This Friday after school.

- Well that's not much time.

- Well, I asked Roxie if
she'd help me pick out a song.

- Great, that's great. Roxie,
yeah.

- I was wondering if maybe
you'd help me too.

- Once upon a time your
grandfather had an excellent
singing voice.

- Grandma didn't think so.

- Well your Grandma never saw
all those wonderful musicals

he put on when he was teaching
at Glendale College.

- You directed musicals?

- You didn't know that
already?

- No. So you'll help me,
maybe teach me a move or two?

- I'd love to.

- Awesome.

- Ha ha ha.

- It's your move Bert.

- Um, oh.

- It doesn't look good for
you Mr. Sugarman.

- No it never does, never does.

- We'll see uh.

- Check.

And mate.

- Yeah and it took two of you
to do it.

- I didn't say a word.

- Didn't say a word.

What's that?

- Do you remember that show
Manhattan Lights?

- All I remember is it closed
after a week. Ha ha ha.

- Ha. Well this song is from
that show.

- Oh? Huh.

Hey, Roxie just found
a fun song for ya.

- Oh ha ha ha.
- She thinks it'll show off
your voice.

- What do you think?

- Give it a try. The lyrics are
in the book there.

- Okay.

- Okay, here...

- I'll show you, hm.

They say, why try,

- Okay?

- Okay now you try it.

- They say, why try,

- I - I -I'm confused.

- Don't worry
we'll work on it.

- Yeah and in the interlude you
know you can always do a little
soft shoe.

- I don't know
how to do that.

- Ah, I'll teach you.

- Grandma said...

- I can't dance a lick I know.

Don't believe
everything you hear.

- You just have to sell it.
Have a lot of fun.

- Yeah. You know give it that
old personality.

- You guys really think I can
do this?

- Oh yeah.

- They say why try,

ending.

walk away while you can.

They say

bad break

tough luck

your plan fell flat

but I say hey,

we'll see about that.

If I put one foot

in front of the other

I know I'll find my way.

Put your money on me

I'm a long shot

who's going to pay.

Why can't they see it.

They say give in, get out

failure is looking at you.

They say give up,

slink away while you can.

They say hapless, hopeless,

your dream went flat,

but I say hey,

we'll see about that.

I'll make good,

there's no doubt

cause I'm too dumb to give up

say.

I say hey,

I say hey,

we'll see about that.

-Woo!

- Bert please.

- Bert stop it.

- All right, all right. I know
I know.

- Hey. It's about time.

- Hey.
- Hello.

- Rebecca, this is Mr. Johnson.

- You just call me Adam.

- Yeah, he danced in the movies
you know.

But he was so bad they made him
a choreographer.

- Get out of town.

- And this is Mr. Jack Fast.

He was a leading man on stage.

Ah now that is when he was a
handsome man.

- I was good-looking? When was
that I forgot.

- Roxie told us all
about your audition.

- She said it was a smash.

- I don't know about that.

- When are we gonna hear?

- Oh sometime this morning.

I - I knew we'd all be here
so I left word we...

Oh I better go tell Alex.

- You need any help with your
dancing, I'm your guy.

- He is too.

- Now um Karl, you've known
Bert for a long time right?
- Oh yeah.

-Then maybe you can tell
me why he won't put up a
Christmas tree?

- Well uh, I think it has
something to do with the fact

that it was Christmas Eve when
he and your Grandma separated.
- Oh.

- All I know is he hasn't put
up a tree since then.

- Very nice.

- Well, all we got to do is
wait for the call.

- And no matter what happens
this time

I want you to know I am very
proud of you.

- You bet. You had a lot of
courage to do what you did.

- Diner. Yeah let me get him.

Bert phone.

- Talk about timing huh, wow.

Hello?

Rebecca, I'm sorry.

But you're in.

And not only that but you got a
solo number.

- Yay!
- You need any help with that
dancing.

- A toast a toast to Rebecca.

- Yay!

- To Rebecca!

- Hello.
- DR. BURNEY.

- Yes doctor.

- They're releasing Marie
from the ICU.

- That's wonderful doctor.
- I'll see you then.

- Yes doctor. Thank you very
much.
- All right.

- Oh boy.

Oh Rebecca,

- What?
- Guess what?

- Your mom's out of intensive
care.

- Really?

- I'm sure she'd
love to talk to you.

You can tell her
about the pageant.

- Yeah.

- Huh? Ha ha ha.

What room did they say she was
in?

- 2125.

- Oh. Oh here. You go ahead in,
I'll wait here.

- All right.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Where's Bert?

- He's just outside.

- Tell him to come in.

- Okay.

She wants to see you.

- Me?

You - you're looking...
- Terrible. I know.

- No but you're here.
That's that's what counts.

- Guess I almost wasn't.

Listen I want to thank you.

- For what?

- For taking in my little girl.

- She's family.

- Don't even go there Bert.

- Oh yeah, well...

- But I meant it
when I said thank you.

- Oh, she's gonna be in a
school Christmas pageant.

- You singing?

- Yeah.
- And dance.

- That's great honey.

- Look I know she wants
to tell you all about it

so I'll just skidoo and
I'll be back in a bit.

- So listen I want you to tell
me everything that's going on.

- Okay.

- I'm afraid the brain
bleed has caused some motor
nerve damage.

- Well what does that mean?
- She has trouble using her
left leg.

And her balance is a bit
unsteady.

- Will that be permanent?

- Well we'll know more when
she gets into therapy.

But she's going to need some
help when she leaves here.

- That's wonderful...

Your grandma would
be so proud of you.

- The shows on Christmas Eve,

do you think you'll
be able to come?

- Dressed in silver bells.

- I couldn't have
done it without Bert.

He, he's really not a bad man
like you and Grandma said.

- Just be careful honey.

- You said that before.
What do you mean?

- He wasn't there for
your Grandma and me when we
needed him the most.

- Are you ever going to say
anything to Marie?

- About what?
- Ah come on you know what
I'm talking about.

All Marie knows is what Brenda
told her which

in turn has been passed down to
Becca.

Don't you think it's about
time you broke the chain with a
little truth?

- I can't Karl. That
would be like stomping on her
mother's grave.

- Well what are you going
to do when Marie gets out of
the hospital?

- I don't know. I just
don't know. I gotta get going.

- Where you off to?

- It's a surprise.

- it's open.

- Come on, we're going
someplace.

- I can't.
I've got homework.

- Oh, so you don't want a
Christmas tree, huh?

- I haven't got
room on my dresser.

- I'm talking
about a big one here.

Big enough to go right up to the
living room ceiling.

- I get to pick?

- Absolutely.

- Awesome.
- Okay.

- You sure you like this tree?

- Yes!
- I kind of like the one I
picked out. It was fuller.

- No it was scrawny. Besides
you said I get to pick.

- You see it on top of the car
don't you?
- Thank you.

- Ha ha ha. Say have you given
any thought to what you'd like
for Christmas?

- I don't know yet.
- You better start thinking
about it young lady.

Ha ha ha. Hey! How about a tree
decorating party?
- Cool!

- Huh? Maybe we'll invite
Roxie and Karl, everybody!

- Ashley could sleep over and
maybe Heather.

- Have you talked to her yet?

- She's never home when I
call.

- Well. Huh.

Well as far as I'm
concerned you can invite

the queen of
England if you like.

All right.

- Blanch the carrots?

What the heck does that mean?

- Are you cooking?

- No I'm uh I'm getting
ready to wash a horse,

of course I'm cooking.

- Cool, I get to eat something
that hasn't been frozen
before.

- Don't get sassy with me. Ha
ha ha. Oh, Roxie and Karl are
coming too.

- Oh, and Ashley can come to
the party.

-Oh good. Did you get a hold
of Heather?

- No, but I'll
keep on trying.

- Oh Rebecca, I'm proud of
you, your own solo.

Cool man, woo hoo!

- Come in.

Whoa!

- See what I got for your mom?

- Cool. Can we bring it to her
right now?

- Oh I'm afraid she'll be
sleeping right now.

- Well, what about tomorrow
morning.

- Hey, good idea.
All right we'll do it.

I'll leave it right here. Eh?
Night night.

- Good night.

- Now listen.

You and your mom
need a little one on one.

So you go ahead in.

- Don't you want to come in?

- I'll wait in the lobby, okay?

- All right.

- Wow! Is that for me?
- Yeah.

- That is beautiful.
Thank you baby.

- Bert picked it out.

- Sounds like you two are
really hitting it off.

- Most of the time.

- Oh I talked to Sally
this morning.

- San Francisco Sally?
- That's the one.

She said as soon as I get out of
here that we can go up there

and bunk with her
until I get on my feet.

- Move back to San Francisco?

- Yeah, what do
you think about that?

You've got lots of
friends up there.

- What if I don't
want to go back?

- Well then Becca I don't
know what to do.

- Maybe I'll
just stay with Bert.
- That is not going to happen.

- I'm not going back.
- I told you to
be careful of him.

- And you told me that he was
never there for you when you
needed him

but he's been there for me.

- Becca.

- Hi, it's Becca. Heather
please call me back.

I want to invite you to our
tree-trimming party.

- Mom, I want to go.

- Heather I already said no.

- But Mom...

- Her grandfather was rude to
your mom Honey.

- Don't I get a vote in this?

- No.
- She's my best friend.

- And when Marie is feeling
better you'll see her.

Until then you can
keep yourself busy

by helping me setting the table.

- Heather!

- Heather!
- Sounds like it would be fun.

- Sounds like it would be fun.

- You've got to come.

- Mom won't let me.

- Why?

What did you say
to Heather's mom?

- What are you talking about?

- Heather can't
come over tonight

because you were
rude to her Mom.

Thanks Bert.

Thanks a lot.

- Oh brother.

Ma'am we've got to talk.

- Icicles, we got any
old-fashioned icicles?

- Bert's out getting them
right now.

- Here, you need a big one
up there.

- You got more ornaments here
than the tree in Central Park.

Bert doesn't need to go out
and get more.

- He doesn't know from
enough.

- I got it.

- Hey.

- Hi. Bye Mom.

- Bye Honey.

- Guys, this is Ashley.

- Hi.

- Hello. Hi Ashley.

- Come on, we'll put your bag
in my room.

- Anybody want any egg nog?
Nothing in it but egg and nog.

And a little nutmeg on the top.

- I'd love one.

- Me too, me too.

- Did you get the icicles?

- Ah, they were out of
everything.

- Great tree. Great tree.

- Oh yeah. Rebecca herself
picked it out.

Rebecca!

Come out and see who
came to see you.

- Heather you came!

- Yeah.

- Your grandfather is very
persuasive.

- I'm Ashley.

- Went out to get ornaments,
eh?

- So sue me. How about an egg
nog, huh?

- Oh no thank you I'm...

- You have to, please?
- Here we go.
- C'mon.

- All right, sure.
- Here, thank you Roxie. Here
we go right now. There you go.

- Thank you.

- Thank you. All right.

Hey fella's let me
help you with that tree.

- Come on everybody.

- Deck the halls with
boughs of holly,

ancient yuletide carols,

LA LA!

- There on my five, four,
three, two, one!

- Lights!

- Oh Christmas tree
oh Christmas tree,

oh Christmas tree.

when summer's here,

it's cold in here,

oh Christmas tree,

gaiety.

- Bravo! Ha ha ha.

- Good night.

- Thank you again. Terrific.
- It was great!
- Sure was.

- Thanks for help, huh? And
I'll see you for breakfast,
huh?

- See you tomorrow.

- All right all
right see you then.

- Pretty tree, huh?

- I wouldn't have any other.

- Thank you Bert.

- You're welcome Rebecca.

- Your face isn't ugly.

- Oh?

- It's just lived in.

I know what I want for Christmas
too.

- What?

- My own chimney, for Santa to
come down.

- Where's Becca?

- Oh ah, she and
Ashley went over to

Heather's place
for the weekend.

Those three they're like the
three musketeers.

Ha ha ha.

Boy she she really misses you
Marie. She sure does.

When you get out
of here why don't you
come stay at my house

until you get back on your feet?
You know?

And that way Becca won't have
to change schools.

She really likes
it where she's at.

And you why you you
can go back to your art

and start taking
pictures again.

- I don't know Bert.

- I just don't want
Becca to miss out on what you
missed out on.

That's all I want.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

What's this?

- A pre-Christmas present.
Go on open it.

- Cool.

Awesome!

- That's exactly what I would
have said.

- Thank you so much Grandpa.

- Where you going?

- I gotta call Ashley and
Heather.

- Of course. Grandpa. Grandpa.

la.

La la la la la la la.

- What's the matter don't
you guys here the phone?

- We knew it wasn't for us.

- I'm coming. I'm coming.
Hello?

- Mr. O'Riley? It's Mrs.
Ortiz from the school.

- Oh yes Mrs. Ortiz
what can I do for you?

- I'm afraid that Mrs.
Casterline,

our director for the Christmas
Show has had to go up

to Oregon on family matters.

- Oh well I hope everything's
okay.

Oh you're not going to cancel
the show are you ma'am?

- No, no.

Now from what I hear
from Rebecca you were a
terrific song and dance man.

- Who said that, Rebecca?

- She also tells me
that you directed a lot of
musicals when you taught.

- Oh.

- Well. Who was it?

- Yeah, who was it?

- Don't play
innocent with me.

- Okay so we knew. But not
until Becca told us about
a half hour ago.

- Did you say yes or no?

- It would give you a
chance to direct Rebecca.

- I'll do it only
if the g*ng pitches in.

Roxie that means you on music.

- Well, how can I say no.

- Awesome.
- Well, I'll negotiate.

- And Adam has
already agreed to help us
with the choreography.

- Well then, I guess I'm your
new director.

- Sweet! Yahoo.

- Do I still get my solo.

- Well duh!

- Grandpa, you're aces.

- Ha ha ha ha.

- And kick, and kick...

All right guys.

God willing and
the creek don't rise,

this show will be
ready in three days.

- Yes!

-Oh

Becca.

- Grandpa? Grandpa. Grandpa!

Grandpa are you okay? Grandpa.

Help somebody.

Grandpa.

- Is he okay?

- Grandpa.

- Call 911.

- Thanks for letting me know.

- You're just a floor away
you know.

- Is there any news?

- No not yet.

- Hi I'm Roxie. A friend of
your dad's.

- Hi. Oh uh where's Becca?

- Oh, she ran to get a soda and
snack at the vending machine.

- He's doing okay.

They did an angiogram,

and found blockage of two of the
coronary arteries.

What they are doing now is an
angioplasty

that will open the blockage

and leave a mesh stent behind
that will keep them open.

We've done thousands of these
before so he's in good hands.

I'll come out as soon as
they're done, okay?

- Thank you doctor.

- Uh, I'll go find Becca. You
want a coffee?

- Sure.

- Your dad worships you you
know. He has since you were a
little baby.

- Well he had a funny way of
showing it.

- Marie, anybody ever told you
how uh he and Brenda split up?

- Well yeah he
walked out on Mom.

- Well they were working in a
dinner theater.

You were about two years
old at this time.

Anyway there was
this director Russell,

he had his eye on your mom,

and he fired Bert
from the company.
- So what are you saying?

- Your mom was twenty years
younger than Bert. She wanted to
be a star.

Russell said he'd make her one.

That's what she wanted to hear.

So, she took you and left with
Russell on Christmas Eve.

Well he kept you guys
around for about a year.

And then he split.

She tried to get
back together with Bert

but he had his
heart broken once,

and he wasn't going to
let it happen again.

She got damn mad and that's
when she took you and moved to
San Francisco.

- Wait a minute, my Mom
never said anything about a guy
named Russell.

- Well I'm sure she didn't.

- You know Karl, she
worked damn hard to raise me

without any help from Bert. Even
when we really needed him.
- When was that.

- Well, when we asked him to
help pay for my college tuition
and he refused.

- No, Bert paid for everything.
Everything.

He and I sat in the balcony at
your graduation.

- Hello.

- Is Grandpa going to be okay?

- He's going to be fine.

- Oh good.

- He's going to be in
recovery for a while

so I suggest you come back first
thing in the morning.

- Okay. Um hm.

- I'll have to
check you out of here.

But I want to see you in my
office tomorrow.

- Thank you doctor. Merry
Christmas.

- Merry Christmas to you too.

- All right sleepy head.
Let's go.

- Where are we going?

- Well for now we're going to
go to Berts.

- Will you chill out?

Karl and I can handle the
pageant without you.

- I worry about it.

- Bert. You got everything
ready to go.

All you got to do is watch. You
just stay here and rest.

- Yeah, I got a choice?

- We have to go. Don't get up.

- I mean it. Get some rest.

- Yes ma'am, thank you.

- Oh, hi.

- God help you,
he's all yours.

- Oh, come in come in. Wh -
where's Becca?

- She's having a play date
with the other musketeers.

- How, how's your leg?

- Uh it's okay.
I'm starting therapy
tomorrow so...

- And you're driving okay?

- You don't need your left
leg for that.

-Ah

How about you.
What'd the doc say?

- Oh no damage to the heart
thanks to Becca.

I just gotta stay here a couple
of days for observation.

- So you going to miss the
pageant?

- Oh, the g*ng'll take care
of that. Heh.

Nobody'll notice that
I'm not there.

What's wrong Marie?

- Karl told me
some things about Mom.

Some really rotten things.

- Oh brother.

He's my best friend you expect
him to say some nice things?

Marie, your mother and
I were at w*r.

And you were
caught in the middle.

- So if it's true, then why
didn't you fight for me?

- I did. I did for a long time.

And then...

- Okay, show time let's go.
Grab the door.
- Let's go.

- Hello everybody. Come on in.

- Hi!

- Here you go you can get a
program there.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- Mr. Lawrence hello.
- Hi, how are you?

- Good thank you.

Put your beard on.

Bert, we changed the lights just
the way you wanted.

- But what about Becca's
solo. Did Roxie go through it
with her again?

- Oh yeah yeah she did.
Now listen.

Everything is under
control, get well and we'll send
you the video.

- Don't ask.

- Don't hang up on me.

- Don't answer.

- Hello! Come on you
idiot pick it up!

Ohhhh!

Send me a video.

Huh! I don't
wanna see a video.

Yes!
- Adam

- Oh my... Places, places.
Everyone everyone places come on
let's go.

Please give a
big hand for our

pianist, Roxanne Famosa!

Ladies and gentlemen

Sugarman O'Riley
Productions presents

A Christmas Extravaganza.

- What is this?

A floor nurse said you're
checking yourself out.

- You're right ma'am.

- This is not very wise,
Mr. O'Riley.

- Well you know Doc,

you get to be my age sometimes
the wiseest thing to do

is not the right thing to do.
And this may not be good for my
heart.

But, my granddaughters
performing tonight.

And if I miss it it'll break
my heart.

Ooh.

- Break a leg.

- Is Becca next?

- Yeah she is.

- Yeah she is.

- Are you okay?
- I didn't know there would
be this many people.

I wish Bert was here.

- Yeah, I know. I know.
You'll be fine, you'll be
fine.

Go on.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Miss Rebecca O'Riley.

- Becca you're on.

- Where is she?

- What are you doing here?

- Don't ask. Heh heh heh heh.

Rebecca? That's your cue.

- Grandpa, I'm too
scared to go out there.

- Ooh, is your mouth all dry?

And your stomach's
all queasy like?

And your knees are trembling.

Oh you've got a
little stage fright.

- I do.
- Yeah! Oh your Grandma
used to get it all the time.

- She did?

- Yeah. You know
what she used to do?

She'd close her eyes and
imagine that everyone in the
audience

was her friend and just waiting
to hear her sing.

Now you go out and do the same.

- Okay. I love you Grandpa.

- I love you too Becca. Go
Becca, go get 'em.
- Okay...

- At the
first sight of snow drifting in
the sky,

song.

bearded guy,

to tingle.

Jingle.

And I'm tapping my toes
to a drummer boy.

melody.

eternal joy,

it's December

feel a song coming on,

strong,

a Christmas song.

uh huh,

no lie,

Woo hoo

- That was beautiful, you're
beautiful.

Ooh quick you gotta get changed
for the finale.

- Go tell it
on the mountain,

and everywhere.

watching,

looks by night.

- Yay!

- Oh, beautiful, beautiful.

- Thank you very much.

There Roxanne, Adam, Karl, come
on.

And this wonderful cast take a
bow, take a bow.

Bravo!

- A little libation?

- Oh, yes thank you.
- Thank you.

- Ever seen so many presents
under a tree?

- I think you've been helping
Santa.

- Elves, maybe it was the
elves. Didn't you represent
them?

- No no, just Santa.
- I danced with them.
Nice little fella's.

- Merry Christmas.

- There you are. Ha ha ha.

Oh what a beautiful night.

- Yes it is.

- What you thinking?

- How hard would it be to turn
the attic into another bedroom?

- Are you really serious?

- Well I know it
wouldn't be easy.

But we have so
much catching up to do.

That is if you, if you want us.

- Want you? I've
wanted you all my life.

I love you.

- Oh Dad.

- Come on everybody.

Christmas,

Christmas,