Christmas in Wolf Creek (2022)

[bunniefuu]

Another year

coming to an end

I'm thinking bout my

family and my friends

And you out there

so far away

There's something

that I wanna say

Sending you my love

With this season's greeting

Sending you my hope

just in case you need it

May you find comfort and joy

In every word you're reading

[Austin] I thought you and I

had an understanding.

You were going to stay put

while I put this saddle on you.

Now, you can't go anywhere.

[song ends]

Now you know Austin,

Rain here wants nothing

to do with that saddle.

Yeah, I am starting

to get that feeling.

Yeah, they told us at auction

that it'd be a few months.

Now I am a patient man but

this one here is starting

to push me to my limits.

She broke two fences last week.

You know, that's what

I love about your work.

Sheer determination and

well crafted stubbornness.

You're one of the

best, you know that?

Careful now.

My head's not going to fit

through this stall door.

And who's going

to feed this lot?

[JASON LAUGHS]

Now seriously, you're one of

the best wranglers we know.

Thank you.

But I do feel like I'm not

doing my best work these days.

Like I should be spending

a little more time

here at the ranch.

Well, I'm glad you

brought that up

instead of waiting

for me to do it.

Because, there's

been some things

since you've been spending

more time in Wolf Creek,

and less time here on the ranch.

Yeah, I know, we lost

those two steer last week.

But, you do know I got

to spend some time

in Wolf Creek for a while.

Yeah, your grandmother...

You know, she's

lucky to have you.

And my girlfriend...

We're spending

Christmas together.

You? [LAUGHS]

I bet you've never even put

a Christmas tree up before.

Oh I did once, with my Dad.

When I was nine.



Austin. Listen...

You know I love it

here, it's in my blood.

The simple fact is, I need

you full time on the ranch.

If you can't do that I'm

gonna have to replace you.

Look, I'm going to

help you find someone

that's going to fit

in here part-time.

That ain't gonna work.

I need a full commitment from

you son, 'cause right now

you got one leg in the saddle

and one leg on the ground.

Now think about it.

Okay?

Yup.



[WOLF HOWLS]

[CHICKENS CLUCKING]

[DIALING]

[PHONE RINGING]

Hey Sam.

Hey, glad to hear your

new phone is working.

You know, my old phone

got reception here too.

Okay. Just wait until

you're in the backcountry

and then you'll

see the difference

that a satellite

phone makes.

Maybe that's the

point of backcountry,

being out of cell

phone reception.

Spoken like a true cowboy.

[LAUGHS]

How are the horses?

[Austin] They say they miss me.

[Sam] Humans, animals...

Seems you are loved by all.

Do you have any idea when

you're going to be back?

Yeah, I just got one more

drive to do, then I'll be back.

Okay. See you soon.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

[Sunny] It's freezing out here.

Come on, open the door.

[Sam]

Okay Sunny.



[Sam]

Uh! Not again!

They even got out of the

new cages that we got them.

We've wrangled worse.

All right. Let's focus.

One at a time.

Oh what fun it is to ride

in a one horse open

sleigh...

[Sam]

Nice try bunnies!

They are cute little

escape artists.

[Sam] Thanks for all

the work you've done

getting these guys ready

for adoption, Sunny.

I really appreciate it.

That's what little

sisters are for.

What about the rescue dogs?

Do you think they'll be

adopted by Christmas?

I can't think of a better place

to have an adoption booth than

Christmas Town Festival.

I know a rescue dog isn't on the

top of every family's

Christmas list, but

fingers crossed,

a few of them find

a happy home.

I can help you with

the adoption booth.

Oh, that would be great because

I am so swamped right now.

I've got the night checks and

then paperwork for the adoptions

and then costumes for

Christmas Eve show.

I know the show is

super important to you.

Tomorrow is dress rehearsal

and then it's Christmas Eve...

Showtime!

Showtime!

[INSTRUMENTAL,

"DECK THE HALLS"]





Hey!

Hey!

Oh, thank you.

I needed this.

You been at it all night?

Yeah, but I feel a

second wind coming on.

I'm a little worried you might

have taken on a bit too much.

Not at all! It's fun.

It's Christmas.

Yeah, but you know you

can't win Christmas

by doing the most work.

It's not work, it's my life.

Helping people and

animals, and being busy,

it's what I love to do.

I can see that.

[SAM LAUGHS]

So, ah, are you going

to go check on Mariana?

She's in a good place.

I just want to spend

some time with you.

Oh, well, I'm very

glad to hear that.

That means you

can help me set up

the stage at Christmas Town.

You know, Christmas Town

is not really my thing.

In case you

haven't noticed,

I'm not really the

most festive guy.

And I'm actually

not staying long.

I actually got to head back

to the ranch pretty soon.

Ah... Again?

We just keep missing each other.

Austin, I promise you,

spending time with you

is on the top of my

Christmas list this year.

Hey. We rescued a wolf together.

- Yeah.

We'll figure out Christmas.

Yeah.

Thank you for the coffee.

Have fun!

[Felix]

Welcome to Christmas Town!

Join the tradition and

celebrate family,

fun and the Christmas spirit.

[Felix]

Welcome everyone!

Merry Christmas, Felix!

Great to see you doing well.

Next year, I'll be

back on my feet

and doing the

Festival with you!

[Felix]

Thank you for coming.

[RINGING BELL]

Candy canes!

Who wants candy canes?

h*, h*, h*.

Are you here for candy canes?

Here you go.

Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

[Child]

Merry Christmas to you too!

Please tell me you're not

giving those candy canes

out for free, Grandpa.

Oh, come on, they're

just candy canes.

Where's your Christmas

spirit, Terry?

Sorry Grandpa, but Christmas

Spirit doesn't pay the bills!

I asked for your help

because I'm getting older,

and I don't have the

energy I used to have.

But I need your help out

on the festival grounds,

not in the books!

You're lucky I looked

at those books!

Christmas Town is

losing money, fast.

You put on plays for free,

you don't charge the local

vendors enough to rent a booth!

They can't afford

to pay more.

They need the Christmas

revenue to survive

until summer tourist season.

Your "Christmas Spirit"

is putting this business

deep in the red.

I like red!

Just like Santa's suit.

No one is going to

be feeling festive

if we have to shut this

place down next year.

Please, keep your voice down.

We are providing a seasonal

entertainment experience

and people need

to pay for that.

I am not charging

people more money!

Every activity has

to pay for itself.

Even the candy canes!

They're friends.

And neighbors.

They're customers.

If they don't spend money,

Wolf Creek is going to

lose Christmas Town.

Grandpa, this will

be our last year

if we don't start

charging for things!

That's enough Terry.

You should go rest.

It's only been a few

days since your surgery.

Fine.

But not even you can put a

damper on our fun, Terry.

Christmas Town is the

happiest place around!

[George]

Okay, and smile!

[George]

Smile!

There's a good one there.

Are you sure that

even takes pictures?

My phone is old but

it works perfectly.

Just look! See.

[Annie laughs]

There it is! A smile!

Grandpa...

- I'm just glad

to spend

Christmas with you this year.

I just want us to have fun.

I wish Dad was here too.

You know he wishes more than

anything he were here with you.

No he doesn't.

He chooses to stay

home and work.

He doesn't care about Christmas.

What if we send him

this photo of you

and remind him about

Christmas magic.

I just need to

figure out how to...

Oh Oh...

I think I deleted it.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION,

LAUGHING]

Oh, look who it is!

Annie, this is Sam

and her sister Sunny.

They run the animal

refuge where I volunteer.

Cool!

- We even saved a wolf together.

And this is my

granddaughter, Annie.

She loves animals.

Welcome to the club!

You have to come to

the Dog Adoption

and the Christmas Eve

play tomorrow!

We will! We will!

My fingers are

about to fall off! Sorry.

Okay. We should

get to the stage.

I'll see you tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!

It'll be fun watching all

those animals, won't it?

Can I call my Dad?

Would a candy cane turn

that frown upside down?

Oh, yes please!

That'll be fifty cents.

Candy canes are always free.

They're candy canes.

Not anymore.

I'm the manager of

Christmas Town now.

This is absurd.

It's Christmas time!

Candy canes are a

staple in the community.

Everyone loves free candy canes.

So free candy canes

equal Christmas spirit?

No! But free candy

canes are the gateway

to peace, joy and

goodwill toward men.

Hey!

[George] Sam can settle this.

[Terry]

There's nothing to settle.

[HORSES NEIGH]

[Austin]

What am I going to do, girl?

[HORSE NICKERS]

Austin.

Have you put in some more

thought on your decision?

Lots of thought,

not much for decision.

What seems to be

holding things up?

Concerned about

your Grandmother?

About her store?

Yeah, I was thinking I was going

to have to take over running it,

but Mariana, she doesn't

want me to feel obligated

to stay or to help her.

Well then the

decision seems simple.

Unless, there's something, or

someone holding things up.

I have somehow managed to fall

in love with a woman who is even

more independent and

stubborn than I am.

I see.

Well, I'm no expert on romance

and such but I do know a thing

or two about ranching, and I

know you're the best ranch hand

in the county.

But you should

know that I put in

an ad for a full

time replacement.

You can't do that just yet...

Unless I hear from you by

5 p.m. on Christmas Eve...

Well I just have to say that

there's a lot of ranch hands

out there looking for work.



I'm stuck between a woman

and a hard nosed rancher.

Oh yeah, I know girl.

It sucks to be me.

At least I got you.





[Sunny]

Why are these boxes so heavy?

Are they full of coal?

No, that's for your stocking.

Wait, where's that handsome

cowboy of yours Sam?

I feel like he'd love to help

you carry these heavy boxes.

Ah, he is at Jason's ranch.

He'll be by in a bit

to help, though,

I'm not sure if he wants to.

What do you mean?

I don't know where his

head is at right now.

Anyone with eyeballs can tell

the guy's madly in love

with you.

Yeah. We had a weird talk.

He's not happy

here in Wolf Creek.

Just give him some time.

It's not easy moving

from one life to another.

Yeah...

I wish Mom and Dad were here.

It was always so fun watching

the play every

Christmas Eve with them.

This play reminds

me of simpler times.

It's just so important to me.

I would usually sneak away for

treats at the Sugar Plum Shack.

[LAUGHTER]

I know it meant a lot to you.

Okay, I'm going to go

set up the dog adoption.

Good luck with the rehearsal.

And I'll be back to take some

photos for Wolf Creek's socials.

Oh, great! Because we need

some photos with the reindeer.

I know. I'm on it.

It's going to be amazing!

You are a great hype woman.

I know. You do all the hard

work and I make you look good!

Bye!





[Mariana on phone message]

Hi Austin, it's your Nana.

I was just calling to make sure

you received a

package I sent you.

It should have arrived by now.

Now I know you're pretty

much opposed to Christmas,

and all the expectations it

brings, and I don't blame you.

But you can still find

reasons to celebrate, Austin.

I thought this might help.

It's an heirloom, and one

of my favorite things.

Which is why I am

giving it to you.

When Jack proposed,

he made me the happiest

woman in the whole world.

I hope when the time is right,

it'll bring you

great happiness too.

I know your heart's

with the ranch

and with Sam in Wolf Creek.

But in the meantime, maybe

you'll find the holiday spirit.

I know Sam would love

to share it with you.

Talk to you soon.

Love you.

[CHRISTMAS MUSIC

IN BACKGROUND]

[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]

[Terry]

Christmas Town is ours!

So we should be able to

charge anything we want!

Yes, but I take care of all of

the animals at the Petting Zoo

free of charge.

I handle the reindeer

all the time!

That's not my concern!

Felix agreed to this weeks ago.

I'm running Christmas Town now!

All I'm saying is we charge

a few dollars per ticket.

No! The play has always

been free to anyone

that wants to come to...

- Okay well,

maybe I don't want

my reindeer to participate.

You can't be serious!

I've already advertised

that everyone will meet

a real reindeer on their

way into the show.

Yeah, free selfies does

nothing for my bottom line.

It's more profitable to keep my

reindeer in the petting zoo.

Please, we've got to be able to

find some middle ground here.

You can forget

about the reindeer.

Make other plans.

I'm just trying to

modernize the experience!

[Terry]

Too late!

Has anyone seen Annie?

Um, no. I haven't.

[George] I thought she

was right behind me.

Oh! Check the

Sugar Plum Shack.

I used to hang out there

all the time as a kid.

I'll go with you.

Great idea.

She's a good kid;

she can't be far behind.

[Annie]

Whoa!

Are you really

Santa's reindeer?

You don't want to be

here either, do you?

[REINDEER SNORTS]

If I let you out, can we

go find my Dad in New York?

If he saw you,

he'd have to believe in

the magic of Christmas!

He wouldn't want to work,

he'd want to be with me!

[REINDEER SNORTS]

Okay, come on.

We don't have a lot of time.



Come on!

Are you sure New

York is this way?





Annie?

Annie!



So it sounds like my replacement

isn't working out at the ranch.

Jason isn't too happy with him.

Well of course!

You are the bestest, most

handsomest Cowboy around!

[SAM GIGGLES]

He wants me to come

back full time.

Oh. Wow. Umm...

Well that's a nice

offer, but ah...

You're considering it?

I don't know. Maybe.

Umm... Okay, stop, stop.

Put down the stockings down!

It is against the rules to hang

stockings when you're upset.

Well, how do you see me

fitting into your life?

I'm mean, besides helping with

the adoptions and the plays

and the Refuge?

Austin, I want to

make time for us.

Sure, but you love what you do.

And I don't want to

take that away from you.

You would resent me.

I love ranching. I make

a real difference there.

Okay, so you move back

and then...

we do long distance?

What?

We break up?

I don't know what it means!

How can you not know about us?



Sam!

[Terry] These pellets cost

more than my dinner!

No wonder Pops is exhausted.

Has anyone seen my reindeer?

[Terry]

Has anyone seen Cupid?

Sam!

Sam!

Sam! Just wait a

minute and talk to me!

What? What do you

want me to say?

I'm not going to twist your arm

and force you to be with me.

I do want to be with you.

I'm just trying to

figure out how we fit

into each other's lives.

You mean if we fit

into each others lives.

Just excuse me, I've got

to go save the play

that me and my family

dreamed about.

What did you do with it?

With what?

Christmas Town's

main attraction!

The reindeer, Samantha.

She's missing?

Did you think I

wouldn't find out?

All right. Everybody just hold

on a second. All right.

She just didn't just

vanish into thin air.

Animals leave tracks.



[Sam]

I'm grabbing my coat.

Here. Footprints follow the

tracks into the forest.

They're small. Child sized.

There's another second set.

Adult.

A coordinated reindeer heist!

I'm calling Sheriff Munn.

Someone's going to pay for this!

There must be some explanation.

Do you have any idea how much

money that reindeer's worth?

Enough Terry.

I just want her

back safe and sound.

Did you do this because I

don't want it in the play?

Of course not!

Look, the longer she's

in the nature reserve,

the more danger she's in.

Won't she just wander

back when she's hungry?

No. She was raised in captivity.

She's never had to find food

or deal with predators before.

Hey...

Is this what you're been

feeding her? Pellets?

Caribou need greens, vegetables.

Maybe you don't shouldn't be

looking after animals after all.

Who's this guy?



[PHONE DIALING]

[SAM'S PHONE RINGS]

Hello?

[George]

[STATIC] Hello. Sam?

Sam? Hello?

George? George?

I can't quite hear you.

George?

[George] I'm in the woods

with Annie!

We followed the

reindeer out here.

[Sam]

Did you say reindeer?

George took the reindeer?

[Sam]

[STATIC] Where are you?

Sam? Can you hear me?

I'm with Annie in the woods.

I tried to grab hold

of the reindeer,

but I lost it and now we're

completely turned around.

Stay where you are.

I'm coming to get you.

George?

[STATIC]

[DISCONNECT BEEPS]

They'll find us.

Where are they?

With George's old phone I

barely had a connection,

but he's with Annie,

somewhere in the woods.

Well that's not helpful!

Well, I can follow the trail.

Sam, you're going after them?

What about the rehearsal?

No, no, no, no, no!

Not again!

I will be back

before you know it.

The kids won't be arriving

for a couple of hours. So...

Kids?

Do it for Mom and Dad.

Please.

Fine.

Thank you.

Sam! Wait.

Yeah?

It's going to be

dangerous out there.

It'll be icy under the snow.

Temperature is going to

drop after it gets dark.

Yeah, I know. That's why I

have to get to them asap.

So I'm coming with you.

Please. I want to.

Take my snowmobile.

[KEYS JINGLE] It's all

gassed up and ready to go.

- Thanks.

- Thanks.

What do you feed your reindeer

when they're not eating pellets?

I don't know, uh,

carrots sometimes?

How long is this going to take?

It's going to take as long

as it's going to take.

Christmas Eve is tomorrow.

It's our busiest

night of the year!

I need that reindeer

back here ASAP.

Well, we're going to

make sure that everybody

makes it back here safely.

I promise you that.

- Thank you!

If I don't have my reindeer

for my paying petting zoo,

your money pit

play is off!

You can't do that.

I have to recoup

my loses somehow.

That little girl might

have even done me a favor.

I'll get you your reindeer.

You stay away from my play!

[Felix] Wait! Christmas Town

is about more than money!

Terry! Terry!

If conditions stay the same,

we should be able to follow

the tracks all the way

to George and Annie.

All right. Let's get going.

- Yeah.

I wouldn't want to keep you away

from the ranch for too long.

Sam! That isn't fair.

I'm sorry, I didn't...

If we have any chance of

bringing everybody back safely

we're going to have

to work together.

Fine. Agreed.

[KEYS JINGLE]

[ENGINE STARTS]

[ENGINE RUMBLING]



[Terry] I hope Austin and your

sister know what they're doing.

Are you kidding me?

The day they met, they went into

the forest to rescue a wolf

and they came

back as a couple.

No way they were

in love that fast.

I'm serious.

Spontaneous animal

rescues are their "thing".

Dangerous too.

Not as dangerous

as falling in love.

Trust me. It is expensive.

What are you doing Terry?

Taking out every

second lightbulb.

Electricity's expensive too.

Wow.

[SNOWMOBILE ROARING]

Sam, look at this!

Lots of tracks here.

Lots of movement.

Something happened here.

Yeah, this must be

where George and Annie

met up with the reindeer.

She doesn't look too impressed

with George's rescue attempt.

Looks like she ran off

to the woods this way.

George and Annie followed her.

Yeah, this is where

George lost the trail.

[ENGINE STARTS]

Hold on tight. Snow's

getting deeper through here.

[ENGINE RUMBLES]



[Sam] You might want to slow

down a bit on the turns.

[Sam screams]

Sam! I'm sorry.

I'm used to riding solo!

Are you okay?

- Yeah, sure, but...

I slow down

when I'm off the trail.

This has never

happened to me before.

I'll take it from here.

[ENGINE STARTS]

Ha! "Santa had a belly

like a bowlful of jelly".

Ha! That's hilarious!

I don't remember that as a kid.

[Sunny]

[quietly] Showtime...

Okay Sunny, you got this.

They're just kids.

It's no big deal.

Can't be nearly as bad as

taking care of animals

at a refuge, right?

Hi everyone!

Hey! What's your name?

No name?

Okay, what's your name?

Cassie.

All right. Why don't we

all head up on stage

and get this thing started.

Shall we?

All right.

Well,

"The Night Before Christmas"

was first published in 1823.

Okay! Who wants a treat

from the Sugar Plum Shack?

[Annie] Grandpa, those weren't

Santa's real reindeer.

There's no such thing

as magic reindeer.

Because if they were

real we wouldn't be lost.

[George] I'd say she's given us

quite the Christmas

adventure out here.

Well, she were supposed

to go to New York.

New York? Today?

But she's supposed to be with

the others in the North Pole

on Christmas Eve.

Well, I asked her

to go there first.

My Dad wanted to see me

in the Christmas play,

and I thought if he

saw her he'd remember.

Oh, Annie...

[SNOWMOBILE SOUNDS IN DISTANCE]

Grandpa! Do you hear that?

[George]

They found us!

[Sam]

I see smoke up ahead.

[Annie] We're here!

[George] Hello!

[Annie] We're over here!

Over here!

[Sam]

Hey!





[George]

Sam, Austin!

Thank goodness!

How are you guys doing?

A little chilly thanks to

my sorry excuse for a fire.

I'm down to my last two

matches, but you showed up.

So thank goodness.

Can we go home now?

Sure thing. Let's just

get you warmed up first.

So we tracked you guys here.

When did you guys

lose the reindeer?

About 20 minutes ago.

She went off that way.

Yeah, looks like you're right.

She went off this way.

Probably looking for food.

You guys head back now.

Just tell Felix that we're

tracking the reindeer

and we'll be

right behind you.

Just drive slowly and

follow our trail.

And be careful.

The snow is deep out there.

What about the two of you?

We'll carry on on foot.

All right.

Take these matches.

You never know when they

might come in handy.

Thanks.

Hey...

If you need to reach me you

call me on the satellite phone,

all right. I've got it.

Oh, and tell Sunny not to panic.

Just have her follow the

notes in the script.

All right. Great.

Thank you so much.

[Austin]

Let's make sure this is out.



Two people down,

one reindeer to go.

Technically it's a caribou.

Well it escaped from a pen that

said Santa's Reindeer, so...

So it's a deer.

[KIDS GIGGLING]

Hey!

"Not a creature was stirring..."

That includes you two!

Let's try this again?

"Twas the night before

Christmas..."

[Sunny]

"And all through the house..."

"And all through the house..."

Hey! Hey you, Mr. Silent.

Come on.

[Sunny]

Let's try your lines again.

You play Santa Claus, right?

Yeah, the star of the show.

And you have the last line,

which is a really big deal.

And I want to make

those our viral moments

so I need you to make

them stand out. Okay?

Okay, go for it!

Come on. Are you really not

going to give me anything here?

Did you even memorize

your lines, little dude?

Sam is really not going to be

happy with me if she realizes

I've ruined her dream play.

[Sunny]

At least give me something.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Mariana!

My Christmas Miracle!

Look, can you help me? Please?

Sam was supposed

to be back by now

and I have no idea

what I am doing.

Well, what seems

to be the problem?

The kids wouldn't listen

until I brought them to

the Sugar Plum Shack,

but now they're even sassier

than they were before!

And this one kid, he

won't even talk to me.

Total silent treatment.

He's so rude!

Oh, I doubt he's

trying to be rude.

He's probably trying

to tell you something.

That's great. I'd love

to know what that is.

He just needs to speak up!

Come on, Mariana.

You've directed this play

like a hundred times before.

You must have it

totally memorized.

Can you just tell me what to do?

No I can't.

Your sister made it perfectly

clear that she's taking the play

in a new direction this year.

Yes I know but Sam's notes all

revolve around live reindeer.

I don't even have a reindeer!

Well you'll have to adapt.

I was supposed to

be on dog adoption!

Well I'm afraid, I'm not in a

position to direct a play

with my health being

the way it is.

[SNOWMOBILE SOUNDS IN DISTANCE]

Was that a snowmobile?

You go. I'll look

after the children.

[Sunny]

They're back!

[SNOWMOBILE ROARING]

[Felix]

They're back!

Where's the reindeer?

Sam and Austin are

in hot pursuit.

They won't be far behind us.

They haven't found it yet?

George, Annie!

Thank heavens you're okay!

We're fine.

Sorry about all the

commotion, Felix.

I'm just happy

everyone's all right.

I'm sorry for losing

your reindeer.

How could you do such a thing?

- How could you?

The sign says Santa's Reindeer!

That's false advertisement.

I thought she had

Christmas magic.

Wrong.

I wouldn't be so sure, Annie.

Anything can happen

this time of year.

At least they brought the

snowmobile back in one piece.

[Terry]

Wonder how much gas they used.

[Sunny]

You're back!

What a relief.

Things were starting to get

real crazy in that rehearsal.

Where's Sam?

- I'm afraid

you're going to

have to carry on without her.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Sam promised me she'd be

back for this rehearsal!

She cannot do this to me again.

She and Austin are still out

looking for the reindeer.

So, I have no reindeer

for my play and no Sam.

Just kids.

My Christmas nightmare

is coming true!

Well, I studied theater

in high school.

I could be an animal wrangler.

Listen to me.

Do you speak "kid"?

And if so, can you figure

out a way to communicate

with the other

kids in there?

I can try.

Or if you need someone to watch

the dog adoption for you, I can.

The dog adoption!

That's how I can adapt!

Annie, you are a genius.

Thank you so much!

[Sunny]

I'll be at the stage in ten!

You see now this, this

is Christmas to me.

What? With a reindeer in danger

and a town on the brink

of losing their festival?

[SAM LAUGHS]

No, I mean, this...

Fresh, undisturbed snow.

The stillness. The quiet...

So...

Not Christmas Town?

Okay. I know.

Look, I know you

like being alone,

but it's really nice being a

part of the community too.

If you open yourself up

to new experiences and

open yourself up to people,

they might surprise you.

I'm not too big on surprises.

Surprise!

Whoa!

Why would you do that?

Because, surprises are

going to come at you

whether or not

you want them to.

- Ah!

[SAM LAUGHS]

[LAUGHTER]

Look at us, you

know, having fun.

Yeah, not so bad.

You know, if it wasn't

a rescue mission,

it's one of the best dates

we've had in a while.

I didn't mean it like that.

[CARIBOU SNUFFLING SOUNDS]

Did you hear that?

- Yeah.

[CARIBOU SNUFFLING SOUNDS]

Over there.

Shhhh!



[Sam] Now we just

have to figure out

how to get to the other side.





[Austin] Looks like she went

down that bank

and across the river.

Yeah, it's the easiest

way to get across.

And the wettest.

And the coldest.

- I hear you.

And the easiest way for

us to get hypothermia.

Oh, there's that old

bridge down here. Come on.





The bridge is close by.

It's not that much further.

I have a better idea.

Austin...

You see this tree?

And you see that tree?

If we can loop the

rope around a branch...

No. That is way too risky.

Let's keep going.

No, no, no. We can do this.

We just need to be careful.

That, and no more mishaps.

Mishaps? Are you

talking about when you

just threw me off

the snowmobile?

Because that was

entirely your fault.

You were going too fast

and you should have listened

to me from the beginning.

Look, I need to tie this line

before I change my mind.

Either that or we take our

chances that that caribou is

going to stick around long

enough for us to continue

running around looking

for a bridge to cross.

Oh! I thought you

liked running.

It seems to be the answer

to everything these days.

Okay, that is not fair! I am

not running from Wolf Creek!

Oh, so it's just me.

All this for a caribou?

For a Christmas play?

You can go whenever you want.



[Sam]

Well, here it is.

[Austin]

You were right.

Sam look, I'm sorry, okay?

I just got a lot

on my mind lately.

But I do, I do want

to be with you.





I want to be with you too.



[Sam]

Let's go get this reindeer.





[Sam]

The trail's gone cold.

There's no more tracks.

She probably continued

down the river.

I think it might be

faster if we split up.

I'll go downstream,

you go upstream.

If one of us sees it,

we just use our phones.

And we meet back

at Christmas Town.

I don't, I don't like the idea

of you being out here alone.

You don't know the woods like I

do. What if something happens?

Remember how we separated

and we helped the wolf?

Don't worry about me.

We've got to find her.

If we don't it could

really destroy everything.

Terry said that he would...

- Yeah, I get it.

You weren't thinking about me,

you were you're thinking about

the festival, the town...

Well, of course I was

thinking about them!

They're important to me.

See, this is what

I'm saying Sam!

Ever since I decided to

move here, you just,

you never make

any time for me.

What is going on with you?

Is there something you're not

telling me? Because I...

I just want to feel like

I'm a part of your life,

not that I'm being scheduled

around events. In it.

You never put me first.

Okay, you're the one who's

always talking about how much

you love your alone time, so...

Yeah, I do.

I do like to be alone.

So, maybe you should

move back to the ranch.

You really mean that?

I don't know what

you want me to say.

Yeah, well I don't know either.

Okay, well, we're wasting

daylight. We should get going.

[Cassie] "When out on the lawn

there arose some clatter."

[CLATTERING]

I'll get it.

I did very well with this

in high school, you know.

You might need to work

on your clatter, Grandpa.

We may not have a reindeer

to greet everyone,

but we do have Morty!

Oh, he's so cute!

[Sunny]

Pretty cool, right?

This is such a good idea.

It's going to be so fun!

[whispers]

Thank you!

[whispers]

I got you.

Santa, why don't you come take

your reindeer to the wings

and we will rehearse

your entrance.

Hi Morty. Come on.

You know, I think we made

a little more progress

since you've been gone.

Okay, Cassie, let's take it from

"When what to my wondering

eyes should appear..."

"But a miniature sleigh

and eight tiny reindeer."

And cue St. Nick!

[DOG BARKING, MAYHEM]

[Sunny] No, no, no, no! Morty!

No Morty!

[Sunny] Oh, okay, I think

that's a great time

to wrap up rehearsal everybody!

And we will see you tomorrow.

And Sam will be back, I promise.

Go on now.

- Let's find your parents.

Yup...

"To all a good night",

or whatever.

Sorry.

Morty!



[AUSTIN BREATHING HARD]

I don't remember this.

[BIRDS SQUAWKING]

Ahhh! Ahh!





Ahhh ahhh ahhh ahh!

Perfect.









[AUSTIN PANTING, GROANING]







[AUSTIN GROANS]

[AUSTIN PANTS]





[MUNCHING GRASS]

Hey, girl.

You must be hungry.

Here.

I have got your favorite.

Gotcha.

Oh no.

[CARIBOU GROANS]

That looks deep.

Probably got it when you were

going down the riverbend.

It's okay.





Okay girl. Let's go.

Almost home.

I can see the lights of

Christmas Town from here.

Well, it's a new initiative.

If you sell more cocoa,

you shouldn't have any

trouble with the extra costs.

One marshmallow per cup.

Hey! What took you so long?

Where are you going?

To tell my sister I'm

headed back to the refuge.

Cupid is safely

back in the barn.

She's got a small

wound on her right leg

that's going to take

some time to heal.

But she seems to be

resting comfortably.

Wait! I said if anything

happens to my animal...

Okay, I heard you loud

and clear, Terry,

and you can save it!

I'm sorry but your star

attraction is going to have to

sit out of the

petting zoo this year.

Now if you'll excuse me,

I have some hungry animals

at the refuge that

I have to go feed.

Wait!

I'm not some sort of monster.

Of course I want her cared for.

I just also want to survive as

a festival for years to come.

When you've spent more than a

few days in Wolf Creek,

you'll understand how important

Christmas Town is to us.

And then you might actually have

some true Christmas spirit.

[CLAPPING]

Thank you.

[CLAPPING]

[Sunny] Don't worry, Sam. I've

heard that a bad dress rehearsal

usually means we're

in for a great show.

So we should be in for

a really great show.

Why didn't you just

follow my notes?

Believe me Sam, I tried! But

when there was no reindeer,

I thought a dog would

be great substitute.

Yeah, it's cute, but it's

not what Mom and Dad wanted.

Sorry to break it to you, but

you may need

to adjust those plans.

I've been working on this

for months, I just...

I want this to be

perfect for them.

Okay. You know what? Do whatever

you want then.

I don't care. I didn't even want

to do this in the first place!

Who knows, I might actually

even watch it this year.

Kind of curious to

see how it ends.

If there even is a show.

Guess tradition doesn't

matter to anyone else anymore.

Sam, is everything okay?

- Yeah. Yeah.

I just, ah, I need to

get back to the rescue.

Where's Austin?

He's taking his own way back.









Thank goodness someone

left this here.

[WOLVES HOWLING]





[PHONE RINGING]

Austin, where are you?

[DIALING]

[PHONE RINGING]

[Mariana]

Hello?

Hi Mariana. I was...

[Mariana]

Have you seen Austin?

No, I was hoping

he was with you.

[Mariana]

Why don't you come over?

Okay. Thanks.





[STRIKING MATCH]







[Sam]

Knock, knock!

[SAM CHUCKLES]

Ice cream for dinner?

Mariana, I could have

made you something.

Candy Cane ice cream is exactly

what I wanted for dinner.

I hope you're hungry!

Honestly, it's been nice not

having anyone fuss over me.

Bless his heart, Austin

is a thoughtful boy,

but he's no chef.

No word from him yet, huh?

No.

He should have been home by now.

Wonder if something went wrong?

Oh, Austin knows

what he's doing.

There's nothing we can do

until the morning anyway.

Mariana, I don't

know what to do.

We had a fight.

Hmmm...

I want to be with Austin so

badly, but he loves the ranch.

How am I supposed to

ask him to give it up?

I'm not sure I

make up for it.

Do you love him?

Yes. Completely.

Well, I've never seen him

more relaxed or happy

then when he's with you.

[CHUCKLES] Though we do drive

each other crazy.

Well, if you're going to

move forward as a couple,

you're going to have to

learn to grow together.

I don't know how to do that.

I can barely balance

everything in my own life,

let alone maintain

a relationship.

Ever since your parents died,

you've been balancing and

maintaining your own happiness.

And I am so proud of you.

I mean, look at the amazing

life you've built for yourself.

But now, you need to be

open to a new happiness.

One that you haven't

experienced yet.

The kind that comes

from sharing your life.

Now, I hope you know

that you're also allowed

to have ice cream for dinner.

[SAM LAUGHS]

Now Sam, I'm not asking you to

eat all this delicious ice cream

all by yourself.

I am asking you to

share it with me.

Yum. That is pretty good.

- I know.

[THEY BOTH LAUGH]

I may have lost my eyesight, but

I haven't lost my good taste.

Oh!

Mariana... Help me

direct the play.

I missed the rehearsal today,

and we're not going

to have the reindeer.

But I don't want to

disappoint the town.

I could use the help and I

know you know it so well.

I don't know if I

can be of much help.

I don't believe

that for one second.

You love this play and working

with the kids every year.

Don't, don't let it go because

your eyes aren't what

they used to be.

[OWL HOOTS]

[FIRE CRACKLES]

[WOLF HOWLS]





[WOLF HOWLING]







Well, you got what you wanted.

You're alone at Christmas.



[Mariana]

Hello?

Sam? Are you still here?

I'm sorry, I thought I'd wait

for Austin until he got back,

but I guess he never did.

No I'm afraid not yet.

- Something's not right.

He wouldn't leave you all night

alone without contacting you.

Sam, do you think it's wise for

you to go out there on your own?

I don't care if it's wise.

I want to spend my

life with Austin.

So I'm going to find

him and fight for him.

Well then, go get him!

Can you please cover the

play until I get back?

I'll do what I can.

Take skis. You'll be

faster in the brush.

[upbeat music begins]



[male singing] These winter

months they creak along



They came to a stop since

you've been gone



Those presents hid

all season long



Kept upstairs till

Christmas morn



We'll count all the days

We'll count all the days

The nights and days

We'll count all the days



Till Christmas again



[female singing]

Mistletoe and sparkling minds



I left a note by the bedside



Out east is where

my home was made



Austin?



[Sam]

Austin!



[male and female singing]

We'll count all the days

We'll count all the days

The nights and days

We'll count all the days



We'll count all the days



We'll count all the days

The nights and days



I bet someone's missing this.

Till Christmas again



[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS CRYING]

[George]

Have you seen Sam?

She asked everyone to come early

for a last minute rehearsal,

but she hasn't shown up.

I haven't seen her since last

night when I explained to her

how I ruined her

vision for the play.

Do you think you could help

us until she gets here?

If we don't get something

together, we won't have a play!

I think I'm better

off with animals

than I am with kids, George.

[LITTLE DOG BARKING]

I don't see much

rehearsing going on in there.

Where's your sister?

It's 1:45.

Terry, I have no idea.

But Mariana has the play under

control. So not to worry.

It's going to be pretty

hard to sell tickets

to a disaster of a show.

Sam already said

there's no paid tickets.

Really, with false

advertising and all.

The poster said "live reindeer".

You call that a reindeer?

Terry, you're one to talk.

You didn't even want

the reindeers involved.

I'm just, I'm trying to

make the most of this.

Good luck with that.

Every kid wants a

dog for Christmas...

Nobody ever gets

what they want.

We still have some

rescue dogs available...

Nope! Dogs shed

and I'm allergic.

That's what my parents

told me all those years.

Are you sure?

Because we could...

Just let me know

when Sam gets here,

so I can tell her

the play's off!

So I wouldn't spend too

much time on those antlers,

if I were you.

[GROWLING]

[Sunny] Aw, Blitzen!

Not the antlers!



A fresh fire.

I'm on to you Austin Spencer.

Wolf tracks.

Looks like I'm not the only one.



Sam's not back yet? [SCOFFS]

Time's a ticking.

Terry, that's quite enough!

Are you feeling okay Grandpa?

You don't look so good.

Here. You should

put your foot up.

[Terry]

Let's get you home safely.

[George] Not to worry.

Sam will be back any minute!

[quietly]

I hope.

[Terry]

She better!

Looks like we've got a

lively bunch of actors here!

[George]

Mariana!

Yes! I hope you don't mind.

I'm filling in for Sam.

[George]

Mind? We'd love it!

We'll take all the

help we can get.

Marvelous!

Now tell me all about "The

Night Before Christmas".

Well they're having some

trouble memorizing their lines.

Oh? Well in that case,

listen up!

"Twas the night

before Christmas,

and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring,

not even a mouse!"

Hey, that's my line!

Now, who wants to hear

what happens next?

I do!

- Me.

All right!

Here we go.

"The stockings were hung by the

chimney with care..."

[Mariana] "In hopes that St.

Nicholas soon would be there.

"The children were nestled

all snug in their beds

while visions of sugar plums

danced in their heads."

"Happy Christmas to all,

and to all a good night!"

[GEORGE LAUGHS AND CLAPS]

That was incredible!

Oh well, muscle memory.

Okay, on your feet.

May I steal Santa quickly?

I just have something

that might help him.

Of course.

Okay, you stand there,

and you stand there.





[WOLF HOWLS VERY CLOSE NEARBY]

You told her you

didn't need her.

She's not coming back.

And, you're delusional.

And talking to

yourself in the woods.

[QUIET FOOTSTEPS]

Surprise!

[SAM LAUGHS]

Man, I hate surprises...

But I love you.

How'd you find me?

Ah, I know a guy who's

an excellent tracker

and he gave me some tips.

Okay, but how are you here?

What about the play?

Oh, well.

Sunny and Mariana and

George, they're on it.

Turns out I don't need

to do it all on my own.

I'm sorry. I know how much

your work means to you.

It's one of the reasons

I fell in love with you.

No, no.

I want to be with you, Austin.

And I'm willing to do

whatever it takes.

So, if ranching

makes you happy,

then we'll make it work.

And, did you say

that you love me?

Well...

[WOLF HOWLS VERY CLOSE NEARBY]

[OMINOUS MUSIC]

[Sam]

Step back. Now.

You know the rest of the

pack is around here, right?

Yeah.

Now that they know that we're

here, they're going to be on us.

They've been following

me since yesterday.

It's not their fault, though.

They're just hungry.

[Austin]

I know.

We're not really leaving

them much of a choice.

Get behind me.

No, no, look.

It's the alpha!

He's got to round up his pack.

He doesn't have time for us.





Well, that alpha

looked pretty healthy.

Well, it looks like you are

doing some good in Wolf Creek.

You are.

Look, it's Christmas Eve.

We got to get back

to Christmas Town,

before that Terry guy does

something crazy.

And your play...

- You don't have to

come to Christmas Town

if you don't want to.

I want to go with you.

No wonder you took

the long way around.

The flat trail must be

easier on your ankle.

Easy? I don't know if I'd

use that word to describe

the last twelve hours.

Feel better?

Yes. Yes, I do.

Okay, ah, let's get

a ride out of here.

Hey! Look at that.

He's happy to see you!

I saw you talking

to him earlier.

Do you like dogs?

Yeah, me too.

They always make

me feel way better.

Especially when I'm nervous,

they really help me out.

Hey if you're nervous about

saying your lines in front of

other people, why don't we

try something different.

Why don't you try saying

your lines to Morty?

With a little extra

doggy power behind you.

Pretty good?

Would do say we say we

get back up on that stage

and get this show

on the road?

Sound good?

Let's do it!

Hope this works.

No, no, no.

There's no show tonight.

I didn't get my reindeer

so there's no show!

That was the deal!

I'm shutting it down.

But it's Christmas Eve!

Annie's Dad promised he

would watch her in the play.

If there's no play

she'll be devastated.

No... Show!

[AUDIENCE GASPS, MURMURS]

Sam! Sam! You were right.

Out there in the woods there is

something I didn't tell you.

Jason, he gave me an ultimatum.

Either come back and work

full time or be replaced.

He gave me till 5 p.m.

today to tell him.

Why didn't you tell me?

We could have figured

this out together.

Because I thought I could

handle it on my own.

But the pressure was k*lling me.

I was out there,

alone in the woods,

I didn't care

what time it was.

All I wanted to do was

to get back to you

and spend Christmas together.

But, what time is it now?

Wait. Why are the

lights off in here?

[AUDIENCE CHATTERING]

Hey Terry! What's going on?

- Show's canceled.

No. No, you said that if we

brought back the reindeer

that we could do the show.

I have no reindeer

for my petting zoo,

you've missed every dress

rehearsal for your play,

and the live reindeer

is a no show.

I'd say it's curtains

for this production!

People are leaving!

They're getting restless.

We need to start.

But Terry said we can't.

I've ruined Christmas!

Forget Terry!

He's not the boss of us.

We've got the

Christmas Spirit, right?

[Mariana] Okay everybody!

It's not over. Come back!

Ready?

[MARIANA STARTS PLAYING PIANO:

"SILENT NIGHT"]

[Annie sings]

Silent night, holy night

All is calm

All is bright

Round yon virgin

mother and child

Holy infant so

tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace



[APPLAUSE, CHEERING]

I'm sorry.

[CHEERING AND CLAPPING]

[Sam] Okay guys!

It's time to put on a show!

[Annie]

You saved Christmas!

[Mariana]

Okay cast! Places please!

We haven't had a turnout

like this in years!

It only took a few tweets to

get people excited about a play

with a dog dressed

as a reindeer.

[FELIX LAUGHS]

Terry, I meant to

tell you earlier,

we have some dogs

in the adoption

that are hypoallergenic.

So, I wouldn't be

allergic to them?

Not at all.

They're really cuddly too!

You mean, I could adopt a dog?

Me?

[Sunny]

You betcha!

A puppy for Christmas?

Even you Terry.

Hey! I hope you don't mind.

I adapted a few things.

Oh, an exciting new play for

the audience that promotes

the rescue dog adoption,

Mom and Dad would love it.

I love it.

I'm trying my best.

I am so proud of you.

After our carol we asked the

audience to help us keep

the lights on in Christmas Town,

and they were more

than happy to help.

Really?

Really. People love it here.

You should try it too.

Wolf Creek did this?

For Felix and me?

[Felix] And thank you Sam!

And Austin!

For risking your lives to bring

the reindeer back safely.

Glad we could help.

Austin, how would

you like a job?

I need a Manager of Animal

Operations, maintaining care of

the livestock and wildlife

here at Christmas Town.

[Felix]

What do you say?

We could expand the business,

start a breeding program,

become a real farm again.

A ranching job

here in Wolf Creek?

I would love that.

Excellent.

[Mariana] All right everybody!

Come along.

It's showtime!





Well if you'll excuse me,

I have a phone call to make.

Get out of here.

[Austin]

Jason?

Hey, yeah, about that job...

Good evening everyone!

Welcome to a very special

Wolf Creek tradition

that I will now forever

look forward to.

Tonight's performance

is brought to you

by Wolf Creek Wildlife

Refuge and friends.

And the dog you will see tonight

is just one of many that are

looking for a home

this holiday season.

They're all very excited

to meet you after the show!

Without further ado...!

[APPLAUSE]

"Twas the night

before Christmas,

and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring,

not even a mouse!"

[APPLAUSE]

On Prancer, On Vixen,

On Comet, On Cupid,

On Donner and Blitzen.



[APPLAUSE]



[CLACKING]



[Kai] Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night!

[APPLAUSE]

[Sunny] It was incredible!

There they are!

That was amazing!

Sugar Plum Shack?

Sure! I don't see why not.

I'd love that. Come on.

Great job, Annie!

You really do know

how to make a clatter!

Merry Christmas, Grandpa.

I'm so glad I'm here with you.

Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

But it's not over yet.

Someone else would like to

wish you a Merry Christmas.

Dad?

I put in a special request

with a reindeer I know.







Turned out to be a

pretty magical night.

It did didn't it?

You know, if it wasn't for you,

I'd probably still be limping

out there in those woods.

You'd probably be

half a snowman by now.

I had a lot of time to think

when I was out there alone,

just like I thought I wanted.

But you don't?

All I could think about is

how much better

everything is with you.

Rescuing wolves, snowballs,

making bows for caribou.

Rein...deer!

[SAM LAUGHS]

Reindeer.

I love you.

Just the way you are.

And I don't ever want to

be away from you again.

Austin-

- I mean...

Unfortunately, I don't

have a proper ring.

I mean, I did, but I lost

it out there in the woods.

A ring!

I found a ring when

I was tracking you.

You did?

That's it!

That's my grandmother's

wedding ring. How did you...?

I guess I got your back.

What are the odds?

I guess it's meant to be.

Definitely.

Samantha...

[together]

Will you marry me?

I mean, I have the ring, so...

[Austin] Yes!

[Sam] Yes.

Merry Christmas, Sam.

Merry Christmas, Austin.