Holiday in the Wild (2019)

[bunniefuu]

[wistful instrumentals]

["Wild at Heart"
by Anthem Academy playing]

♪ I never used to take it slow ♪

♪ Now I feel the air
And take the long way home ♪

♪ This place is all I've ever known ♪

♪ No longer scared of the open road ♪

♪ 'Cause tonight is our night is our night
To be wild and free ♪

♪ We could take on the world,
We could be anything ♪

♪ Are you in? Are you out? ♪

- ♪ Are you coming with me? ♪
- [car horn]

♪ Let's take on our fears from the start ♪

♪ 'Cause we're wild at heart ♪

♪ We're wild at heart ♪

♪ We're running wild and free,
Be who we want to be ♪

♪ We're wild at heart ♪

♪ We're wild... ♪

- [man] Nice. Nice!
- [camera shutters]

Okay, let's get you a little bit more...

about there. You look great.

Okay, folks. Let's hold it right there.

- [phone buzzing]
- Oh...

- I gotta take this.
- [phone buzzing]

No, you promised.

- It's work.
- Yeah, it's tradition.

It's August!

- I don't get the rush!
- [phone buzzing]

Well, we have to send out the Christmas
cards the first week of December,

and we only have Luke for another day
before he goes to college.

You guys could just Photoshop me in.

- [laughing]
- [photographer] That's perfect. Hold it.

And big smiles.

- [phone buzzing]
- Love that. And over here.

- [photographer] Awesome.
- There you go. We good?

- [phone buzzing]
- Yeah.

We're good.

- [phone clicks]
- Yeah. I am in the car.

Can you just hold a sec?

- What's Nelson's wife's name again?
- Terry.

- Terry.
- And Lola's in law school,

and Jake just got married.

[Kate] Mm-hm.

Yeah, Lola a lawyer,
and Jake just married?

Hey, have a good day, guys.

["Girls Gone Shopping"
by Alan Menken playing]

[sirens wailing in the distance]

[indistinct chatter]

[whoosh of a passing car]

[woman] So that's it, huh?
Tomorrow you've got an empty nest.

[Kate] Yes. And I was thinking, you know,
with Luke out of the house,

maybe I should go back to work.

[Tabitha] Well, you always did love
being a vet.

Who says you've gotta re-enter
the workforce anyway?

Well, I do!
I mean, what else am I gonna do?

- [silverware clinking]
- You're doing it.

But I'm just eating lunch.

To us.

The ladies who lunch.

- [gasps] The ladies who lunch.
- Thank you.

- [glasses clink]
- You guys, don't ever call us that again.

- [Trish] Come on.
- [laughing]

[pleasant instrumentals]

[Luke] Trunk's almost full.
This is the last load.

Did you pack your toothbrush?

I did.

Toothpaste, too, Mom.

[zipping]

Thanks so much for letting me drive him.

[Kate] Aw.
I'm sure you have a lot to talk about.

And you be careful on the road, okay?

We will.

- [Drew] You good to go, kiddo?
- Yup! We're outta here!

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

- [Luke sighs]
- [Kate] You promised.

[Luke] This is the last time, though.

Oh, come on!
Surely it's not the last time!

- [poignant music playing]
- [gasps] You're so tall.

- [marker scrapes]
- It's gonna be okay, Mom.

Remember what you used to tell me,
that I could be

an astronaut,
or the president of the United States?

Well, how's that supposed to happen
if I stay here?

It's just something that
parents tell their children.

Come on.

Let him get on the road
before it gets dark.

Love you, Pops.

Get good grades,

and next summer you'll intern at the firm.

Okay.

Okay, so we are gonna
FaceTime everyday, right?

- Once a week. I love you guys.
- [Kate sighs]

And don't forget to eat.

I'll eat, I'll breathe,
I'll even wear a sweater.

Don't worry.

Mom, I'm gonna be okay.

I know you'll be okay,
I just... I love you so much.

I love you, too.

[Kate sighs]

- [poignant music continues]
- [door opens]

[Kate, whispering] Bye.

[door closes]

[Kate sighs]

[Kate] And just like that...

it's an empty nest.

So,

I have a proposal.

Since it's just us now,

and I know we haven't been spending
a lot of time alone,

and I know things aren't great,

so I booked us
to go on our second honeymoon.

- [sighs] Kate...
- To Africa!

Look, I... I waited until Luke was gone

because I didn't want to upset him...

Why? [stammering] What's wrong?
Are you sick?

No.

Are you happy?

[Kate] Um...

[stammers] I'm not... I'm not unhappy.

That's not the same thing.

- Well, no one's happy all the time.
- Kate...

I'm not in love with you anymore.

And I'm pretty sure you feel the same.

I'm moving out.

[stammers] What?

I'll be at the Carlyle
if you need to reach me.

I don't understand, I don't understand.

Are you involved with someone else?

[scoffs] No.

So,

you're just leaving me
like this with... with no discussion?

We had a lot of good years.

I think in the long run,
you'll see this is better for both of us.

I'll send for my things.

[mellow music playing]

[door slams]

[pants]

[sighs]

[mellow music continuing]

[sharp inhale]

[plastic bag rustling]

[car horn]

[rumble of traffic]

- [uptempo music playing]
- [roar of plane engine]

- [flickering]
- [thud]

[indistinct announcement over PA]

- [woman] Hey!
- [woman 2] Hey!

[indistinct chatter]

[driver] And... Mr. Conrad?

- Just me.
- Okay, let's go.

Thank you.

[cars rushing]

[indistinct chatter]

[door opens]

[Kate sighs]

[suitcase thuds]

Thank you, sir.

[ice rattles]

[packaging tearing]

[bottle cap rattles]

- [pop]
- [gasps]

- [cheery music playing]
- Mm!

♪ Left foot, left, right,
Gonna do this for me ♪

- ♪ You've got to live your best life ♪
- [relieving exhale]

♪ Set your spirit free ♪

♪ Feel it in every part of me ♪

- [indistinct chatter]
- ♪ It's in the air... ♪

[waiter] And here we are.

What's this?

Dinner for two.

It's part of the meal plan.

Could I have another one of these, please?

- [waiter] Yes, ma'am.
- [Kate] Thank you.

- ♪ Making me feel all right ♪
- [man] Hey, gorgeous.

- How're ya doing?
- [host] Derek, welcome back.

My friend, the usual?

[Derek] Rafi!

Thanks.

You ready for poker?

- I hope you bring cash this time.
- My IOU's aren't good enough anymore?

Why are you asking questions
you're afraid of the answer to?

[Derek chuckles]

[Rafi chuckles]

- [utensils clatter]
- Thank you!

Studying hard?

[Kate] Mm-hm.

That's no way to vacation.

I like to be prepared.

Eating alone?

Yes.

Alone is good.

Also guarantees the best company.

Let me guess...

LA?

No.

[Derek] Hm.

New York?

Yes.

I knew it.

What does that mean?

No, you're just very...

Put together!

Okay, thank you.

I guess.

Oh, it's Mr. and Mrs. Conrad.

Um. [stammers] Actually... Actually, no.

[Derek] I take it Mr. Conrad
won't be joining us?

Nope.

Jet lag.

- No.
- Business call?

No.

What, did he fall down a well?

[hand thuds]

Do you actually want to know
where Mr. Conrad is?

- Uh...
- Two days ago,

he told me that our marriage was over.

Two hours ago, I landed here

on what was supposed to be
our second honeymoon, by myself.

In two weeks,
I will be in a lawyer's office,

trying to get back the decades I spent

putting him through grad school,
raising our son,

entertaining his clients, and somehow
becoming one of the ladies who lunch.

Is there anything else
that you would like to know?

I was just wondering if
you were gonna eat all that food

- ♪ Start to move my feet ♪
- [plate scrapes]

- Thank you!
- ♪ Feel it in the air ♪

♪ Every part of you ♪

- ♪ It's in the air you breathe ♪
- [Rafi laughing]

You have lost your touch, my friend!

[Rafi chuckles]

- ♪ You're starting to believe ♪
- [crab leg cracks]

[hopeful music playing]

[woman] Housekeeping!

Someone in the room?

[sighs]

[birds cawing]

[engine humming]

Thank you.

[driver] Thanks, ma'am.

[Kate sighs]

[Kate] Oh.

You're coming on this, too?

Yup.

But I thought it was supposed to be a...

Luxury couples safari.

Complete with air transport.

[hollow knock]

- Oh, you're the pilot.
- [Derek] For today.

Who is Kirk?

[Derek] Captain Kirk.

From Star Trek.

Because we do boldly go
where no tourist has gone before.

Derek Holliston.

Two L's, in case you want
to write my name down on a complaint form.

- Okay.
- All right, Mrs. Conrad.

- [suitcase wheels rattling]
- [Kate] Oh.

[stammers] Oh, it's... it's Ms. Conrad.

You know, Kate's just fine.

Kate.

Is that short for Katherine?

Just Kate.

So I thought it was good luck
to name your plane after a woman.

- Actually it's a woman you love.
- [belt rattles]

Truth is, this one was already named
"Kira" when I got her,

so I only had to paint over one letter.

It's about a 40-minute flight.

- [gear cranks]
- to the lodge.

[engine rumbles]

Don't let the name "lodge" fool you.

You'll be surrounded by five-star luxury.

- [cranking]
- Lusaka traffic,

Cessna Mike India Alpha, East tie-down,
departing runway 35, Lusaka.

[man over radio] Clear for takeoff.

- [engine rumbling]
- [hopeful music playing]

We're flying over the oldest and largest
game Reserve in Africa,

home of the big five.

Lion, leopard, rhino,
cape buffalo, elephant.

Oh. Two o'clock, buffalo.

[Kate] Wow.

[Derek] Some people say it's the most
dangerous animal out here.

But it's not.

What is?

We are.

[hopeful music continuing]

[plane engine wailing]

Hang on a minute.

I'm gonna make a stop.

[engine roars]

Wait, what? A stop? Where?

[engine rumbling]

[motor puttering]

What are we doing?

I need you to stay in the plane.

Stay here? [stammers]
What if you don't come back?

I'll come back.

[birds trilling]

[seat belt clicks, rattles]

[birds chirping, cawing]

[indistinct rumbling]

[twittering, flapping]

[buffalo grunting]

[indistinct trilling]

[elephant trumpeting in the distance]

[mellow instrumentals]

[insects croaking]

[elephant groans, grumbles]

- It's Derek. You read me?
- [man on walkie] Yes.

We have an orphan five kilometers
southwest of N'goma.

You'll find us just north of where
I landed the airplane. We'll need a truck.

[walkie beeps]

[hushed] What happened?

Poachers.

- [elephant wails]
- k*lled the mama for tusks.

If we don't do something to help
that baby, he'll be dead in two days.

Take off your shirt.

What?

You wanna help or not?

[elephant grumbles]

I need you to talk to him,

stay right in front of him,
keep his attention.

- [groaning]
- Hey, hey!

[trumpets]

[Kate] It's gonna be okay.

All right? Just be calm.

It's gonna be all right.

- [elephant brays]
- You're very brave.

Don't be scared. Everything's fine.

Everything's gonna be okay.

[elephant trumpets]

We gotta get him on his side,
so he doesn't charge us. I got this.

- Let me help!
- I've got it.

- [Kate] Oh!
- [grumbling]

Okay. I'll keep him calm,
get some water out of my backpack.

[Derek shushing]

[tin clanking]

It's okay.

Here you go.

[Kate] Here, baby. Drink up, sweetheart.

- Let's wet down his ears.
- [elephant exhaling]

He needs to know
that we're here to help him.

- [grumbling]
- All this for ivory?

Nobody in the world needs ivory,
except an elephant.

[wildlife workers chanting in Nyanja]

[worker] Okay! Slow, slow, slow!

- [Kate] Careful, gentle!
- [worker] Going up.

Is he okay?

What's going to happen to him?

We'll take him back to the shelter
and nurse him back to health.

We didn't have great luck
with the last one,

but he looks like
he's in a little better shape.

All right.

Let's get you to the lodge.

[Derek] You'll be sipping martinis
before sunset.

[mellow piano music playing]

I'm going with him.

Listen, I know this is very emotional,

but there's nothing you can do.

But I'm a vet!

[stammers] I haven't practiced in a while,
and I mostly worked on dogs and cats,

but I really want to help.

What do you know about elephants?

Almost nothing.

[clicks tongue]

Jonathan.

Kate.

[engine turns over]

- [engine rumbling]
- Didn't see that one coming.

[inspirational music playing]

[truck bed squeaking]

[Kate] It's gonna be okay.
It's gonna be all right, little baby.

Right?

[trunk bed rattles]

[inspirational music continues]

[Jonathan] Yeah. Straight.

[Kate] Is he gonna be okay?

He's in shock.
The grief of losing his family.

What can I do to help?

We have to make sure
that he's hydrated and stays warm.

Okay.

[Jonathan] We'll get this
into his ear right here.

- [grumbles]
- [Kate] Here's some tape.

Tape...

[Jonathan] Right.

Should I open?

Open.

- Okay.
- [clicking]

- [Kate] Is it going?
- [Jonathan] Yeah.

If he doesn't get up in a day's time,

he probably never will.

[elephant grumbles]

[cheery music playing]

We try and replicate life in the herd.

Each baby has a keeper,
making sure they are never alone.

We also trade off, so the calves
don't get too attached to one person,

and vice versa.

When the elephants are ready
to leave the nursery,

they spend their nights there,

and at their own pace,

which sometimes does take years,

they gradually make the transition
back into the wild.

And these are our living quarters,

but most of us prefer
to sleep with the elephants.

How do the older elephants
react to the babies you rescue?

- I'll show you.
- [trumpeting in the distance]

Kalama! Olare!

Chuma!

[elephants braying, chuffing]

Right now we have three babies,

four teenagers and three adults.

- [trumpeting]
- Everybody!

This is Dr. Kate.

- Hello!
- Hi!

Bwanji!

[Jonathan] That is Chuma.

She's practicing
to be a matriarch.

- Wow.
- [keeper] Come on, Chuma! Move, move!

- She's very curious and very bossy.
- [grumbling]

[laughs] Well, Chuma,
you have some New York in you!

[Jonathan] Elephants have all the emotions
of humans.

A sense of humor and a sense of family.

- The children want attention,
- [elephant vocalizing]

and the teenagers rebel.

Come. It's almost suppertime
for the little ones.

Okay.

[trumpeting]

[cheery music continues]

This is it.

We feed the babies
separately from the adults.

That's Kasewe. We rescued him last week.

And that's Multisani.

Oh, my gosh.

Amazing.

He's our oldest toddler.

- Very demanding.
- [wailing]

Why don't you get some rest?

This way.

The first tent on the end is yours,

and we take supper in the boma.

[relieving sigh]

[zipping]

[exhales]

Hey, New York.

Oh.

Sorry,

Jonathan said the tent on the end.

The other end.

This one's mine.

You mean,

you live here, like, all the time?

Yeah, I fly the tourists
to help us pay for the plane.

Oh, I put your suitcase in your tent.

Forgive the mess.
I'm not very good at folding.

Kinda opened up
when I threw it on the bed.

- So you just went through my stuff?
- No.

But I don't think you're gonna need
those high heels here.

All right.

Oh, zip the tent, please.

I don't want any more visitors.

I'm not coming back!

- I meant the baboons.
- Oh.

[South African woman] No, no, no, no.

Tell him that Leslie Van Der Mere-Jones
called, exclamation point!

[curious instrumentals]

Hey.

[zipping]

[sighs]

[hopeful instrumentals]

Hey!

Hey.

- [Kate] These are beautiful!
- [Derek] Come on, grab a plate.

[fork scraping]

This is good!

Great, 'cause we're having it tomorrow.

And if you stay long enough,

the day after that, the day after that,
and the day after that.

[utensils clatter]

Why'd you quit?

Quit what?

Being a vet.

I don't know.
I didn't really mean to, but...

[stammers] I guess...
I guess life just happened.

So you supported your husband
through school,

helped him build his business,

raised the kid, and then

he left you?

Did I tell you all that?

Yeah.

And a lot about the ladies who lunch.

The thing about elephants...

they read your soul.

So you never get
any of those type of surprises.

You don't wake up one day
and someone doesn't love you anymore.

Well, clearly,

I'm with the wrong species. [laughs]

- Aren't we all?
- [pouring]

- Mind if I have that?
- [clank]

Be my guest.

Mm!

Ugh.

I thought Africa was known
for its good coffee.

It is.

That isn't it.

[chirping, hooting]

[Derek] Your first time
under the southern sky?

- [Kate] Yeah.
- [serene music playing]

[Derek] There's Sirius, Canopis...

Alpha Centauri.

Tourist guidebook?

[Kate giggles]

Amateur astronomer's reference book.

We have a telescope at home

because Luke really loved it
until he fell in love with music.

[grumbling in the distance]

How far away is that?

About five kilometers.

What keeps them
from coming into camp?

[Derek] The night watchman.

[Kate] Ah...

All right.

Good night, New York.

Good night.

[zipping]

[serene music continues]

[distant braying]

[hooting]

- [crickets chirping]
- [grumbling]

[elephants trumpeting in distance]

[light clicks on]

[continued trumpeting]

[sighs]

[gate creaks open]

[elephant snoring]

- [light braying]
- [Derek] Midnight stroll?

Are you everywhere?

Yup, tonight's my shift
with the orphans.

[Kate] I was worried about him.

Here, make yourself comfortable.

Oh.

Next time,
don't walk alone out there. It's not safe.

I mean, it's safe, but not so safe.

Especially for a tourist.

Thanks, I guess.

[serene music continuing]

- [hay swishes]
- [indistinct chatter]

[insects trilling]

[elephants trumpeting]

[trumpeting continues]

[rustling]

- [baby elephant vocalizing]
- [birds chirping]

You're up.

You're up!

[gasps]

You have made me
the happiest woman in the world!

Thank you! I hear that a lot.

Thank you!

Look!

Welcome back, little man.

[grumbling]

[liquid thumping]

I think we're gonna need more milk.

Thirty-five pints a day.

Wow.

[man over walkie] Derek, you got a pick-up
from the lodge. Private tour.

- [walkie trills]
- I'm on my way.

Take good care of my elephant.

Our elephant!

He's really hungry. So beautiful.

Nice to see you on your feet, young man!

It appears that you have brought us
good luck.

I did nothing. I did nothing.

- [Jonathan] Hm.
- [laughs]

I think this little calf would disagree.

- [Kate] Aw...
- [grumbling]

This is the biggest baby I've ever fed,
definitely bigger than the last one.

Oh, you have children?

I do. I have a son.

Then we shall call this one Manu.

Manu?

It means second son.

- Aw.
- [elephant vocalizes]

[Kate] Oh, Manu, I hope you like
your new name!

How long have you lived with them?

My whole life, really.

I grew up on the reserve.

Derek, too, pretty much.

He moved here when he was 16.

Our fathers were game wardens together.

He's like my annoying brother.

I wish I could stay longer.

Of course, Dr. Kate.

Oh, you know what?
No one really calls me that.

Did you not earn the title?

[stammers] I did.

The local vet comes around
once a month, if we're lucky.

So, you're Dr. Kate.

Okay!

- ["Send Me On My Way" playing]
- ♪ On my way, on my way ♪

- [elephant trumpeting]
- ♪ On my way ♪

♪ On my way ♪

♪ I would like to reach out my hand ♪

♪ I may see you, I may tell you to run ♪

♪ On my way, on my way ♪

♪ You know what they say about the young ♪

[elephant grumbles]

♪ Well pick me up with golden hand ♪

- [Kate laughs]
- ♪ I may see you, I may tell you to run ♪

♪ On my way, on my way ♪

♪ You know what they say about the young ♪

♪ Well, I would like to hold
My little hand ♪

♪ And we will run, we will,
We will crawl, we will... ♪

♪ I would like to hold my little hand ♪

♪ And we will run, we will,
We will crawl... ♪

♪ I would like to reach out my hand ♪

♪ I may see you, I may tell you to run ♪

- ♪ On my way, on my way ♪
- [pouring]

♪ You know what they say about the young ♪

♪ Now pick me up with golden hand ♪

♪ I may see you, I may tell you to run ♪

- [chuffs]
- ♪ On my way, on my way ♪

♪ You know what they say about the young ♪

♪ Well, I would like to hold
My little hand... ♪

- [blanket swishing]
- [elephant grumbling]

♪...and we will crawl, we will... ♪

- [Kate laughs]
- [elephant grumbles]

Good morning, Manu!

- [trumpets]
- Oh, yes, yes, I know.

You're hungry for your milk.
I'll go get it.

- [Kate giggles]
- [brays]

- Good morning, Jonathan!
- Good morning, Dr. Kate. Shift change.

Okay.

[Kate] Um...

You know, I could stay a little longer.

Better not. We don't want him missing you.

You are leaving tomorrow.

Wait, tomorrow?

Your return ticket
is for September 28th, right?

Yeah. That's tomorrow?

Time flies when you're out here.

- [mellow music playing]
- [liquid swishing]

[grumbling]

[insects, birds trilling]

Lookin' at your fancy African vacay pics?

No.

[birds chirping]

Ah. Last Christmas?

This Christmas.
It was supposed to be our Christmas card.

Hence the staged glamour of it all.

Now you're an art critic. [exhales]

Listen, I was thinking.

Since you're leaving,

and you didn't get to go on
your fancy five-star safari,

let me take you on one.

With... a little less stars.

- What are we talking, like, three?
- Mm...

Thinking more like two.

But with the value of five.

[Kate] Well, okay.

["Mbilo Mbilo" by Eddy Kenzo playing]

[singing in Swahili]

[singing in Swahili continues]

- [song fades]
- [engine rumbles]

[gearshift cranks]

- Wow.
- Right?

Here we are.

[Kate] It's beautiful!

[metal door clanks]

[thud]

- [sheet rustles]
- [Kate gasps]

- You're the artist.
- [chuckles]

These are really good!

- [serene music playing]
- Well, thank you.

- Keeps me outta trouble.
- [laughs]

- [insects trilling]
- [grumbling]

[chorus of wildlife]

- Sometimes I come out here to paint.
- Mm-hm.

Sometimes I just come here.

[birds chirping, cawing]

- Falling in love?
- Hm?

With Africa.

So...

the orphans...

[Kate] Mm-hm...

...when they're old enough,

- will start mingling with the wild herd.
- Mm.

And then they might start staying out
for one or two nights at a time.

- Like a sleepover?
- Yeah.

Pretty much like that.

[distant trumpeting]

Chuma over there has been wandering off.

One night she's just gonna decide
she's not coming home,

and from that time on,
she'll be a wild elephant again.

- Don't you get sad when they leave?
- I used to.

But they're meant to live in the wild.

It's the empty nest syndrome.

I guess it's everywhere.

[sighs] My son just left for college.

[Derek] Mm.

The real wild.

Mm-hm.

In a dorm room one state over,

but definitely wild.

Just because we don't see them

doesn't mean that they're not
still a part of us.

- And us them.
- [distant barking]

Did you ever want kids?

I did.

But it wasn't in the cards.

How long have you been divorced?

Actually, she died.

- Oh.
- [buffalo grunts]

[stammers] I'm so sorry.

No, it's okay.

It's been 15 years.

Another lifetime ago.

She had a gallery in town.

And then she got ill,
and when she passed...

[buffalo grunting]

I came back home.

[Kate] Isn't it funny?

When you first get married,
you think, "Well, that's it.

Everything is just gonna be fine now."

- [birds cawing]
- Little do we know.

Now I've gotta go back home, and I don't
know what I'm supposed to do with myself.

Maybe you're doing it here.

Taking a second honeymoon with myself?

Who better?

[chuckles]

[hopeful instrumentals]

[elephants trumpeting]

[birds chirping]

[braying]

[birds trilling]

[ringing]

[ringing]

- [ringing]
- [indistinct chatter]

- [chime]
- Hey, Luke! Can you see me?

Hi, Mom. How are you?

I'm good. How are you? How's school?

Great.

How's safari?

Safari so good.

Wait, where are you?

Well, I took a little detour,

and now I'm in this place
surrounded by wild animals.

Me, too.

- [student] Hey, go long! Go long!
- [laughing through screen]

[giggles]

- [crickets chirping]
- [hopeful music continues]

[Kate] All right!

And finally,

I have

chapati with tomato and goat cheese,

a.k.a. New York thin crust pizza.

Now this makes me
wanna be a lady who lunches.

- [laughing]
- [Kate inhales sharply]

And I just wanna say to all of you,

thank you,

because these last few weeks have meant
more to me than you can ever know.

And women, just like elephants,

always remember.

So even though I'm gonna be far away,

I want you to know that
I'm never gonna forget any of you.

Asante Sana!

[all[ Asante Sana!

[Kate] Thank you.

- [mellow instrumentals]
- [chirping]

[Derek] You really have a telescope
on the 15th floor?

Yup.

What do you see?

The flickering lights
of about a million TVs. [chuckles]

- Sounds exciting.
- Yeah.

Come on. I wanna show you something.

Oh, I've already seen your tent.

I think you were looking at
more than the tent.

- [zipping]
- [Kate] Mm-hm!

[zipping]

So, when you're at home,

you can look through your telescope
at all the fabulous televisions,

but tonight...

you're gonna look at this.

Okay.

- Wow.
- [Derek] Right?

I mean, it's... it's amazing.

[kisses]

- [zipping]
- Knock, knock! Derek!

[wind whirring]

This is Leslie Van Der Mere-Jones.
She's with the foundation

that keeps us afloat.

We've met.

[puckering]

And this is Kate. The...

- The...
- Tourist who's still here.

There's a lot to see.

- [wind rustling]
- Apparently.

Well, it's late so I'm just
going to head back to my tent.

I'll walk you back.

[Kate] No, I know the way.

I'll wait.

Sorry about that.

I never met someone with five last names.

It's complicated.

[scoffs] Your tent's a busy place.

Now hang on!

No, it's fine.

It's on me. I just should've
stuck with my first impression.

Which was?

[Kate exhales]

You're lonely but you don't know it,

so you just use all your thing

to get what you need in the moment
and you don't think about anybody else.

Good talk.

[zipping]

[zipping]

[sighs]

[mellow music continues]

- [thud]
- [zipping]

[birds, insects trilling]

- [indistinct chatter]
- [chuffing, braying]

[grumbling]

Hey, Manu!

[chuckles]

[grumbles]

[kisses]

- [grumbles]
- [gasps]

Oh...

[giggles, kisses]

[brays]

I love you, too!

Mwah!

[Jonathan] Well, someone doesn't want you
to leave.

[scoffs] I know.

- And so it begins.
- [chuckles]

- [pleasant music playing]
- [birds trilling]

How long does it take her to pack?

- [Jonathan] She's not going.
- What do you mean?

She's in love.

She told you that?

Don't flatter yourself. It's not you.

He has a gray trunk, weighs 600 pounds

and he has a drinking problem.

Yeah, I guess I never saw that coming.

Dear Luke, I know I've exceeded
my weekly FaceTime allotment,

so I'm writing this email to tell you that

I have decided to stay out here
a little longer.

I love you.

Mom.

- [inhales deeply, exhales]
- ["sent" notification]

- [laptop clicks]
- [inspirational music playing]

[relieving sigh]

- [upbeat Christmas song playing]
- ♪ Santa's coming to town, town ♪

♪ And he's bringing joy
For all the kids around, 'round ♪

- [indistinct chatter]
- ♪ Santa's coming to town, town ♪

♪ And he's bringing joy
For all the kids around, 'round ♪

♪ Oh, Christmas, where've you gone?
We've missed you ♪

♪ What took you so long?
I needed you ♪

♪ And now that you're here... ♪

- [Kate] Hi, sweetheart!
- [elephant grumbles]

♪ Oh, Christmas, where've you gone?
We've missed you ♪

[exhales] Hi, little baby!

[grumbles]

How are you today?
Are you ready for your check-up?

[grumbling]

Good! Here I come.

- [birds chirping]
- [Jonathan] Come on. It's Christmas week!

Our families are almost here.
Cheer up!

- Hey, Jonathan!
- Dr. Kate!

Is your family here yet?

No, not yet.

But you will hear them.
They are very loud. [chuckles]

[chuckles] I can't wait to meet them.

One day maybe we can meet
your family, too.

Oh, that would be nice,

but my son is gonna stay at college
this year with his friends.

Dr. Kate, I realize that you're away
from your family this Christmas,

but I want you
to know that you're a part of ours now.

Thanks, Jonathan.

- [cheery music playing]
- [indistinct, excited chatter]

[car door slams]

[Jonathan]
Hello, my beautiful little princesses!

[child] Daddy!

[Jonathan] How are you? Ah.

Go say hi to Uncle Derek.

[together] Uncle Derek!

You guys have gotten so big.

And you are a giant!

[child giggles]

[child] I'm too heavy!

Hey, I wrestle elephants for a living.
You're just a little rabbit to me.

[Jonathan] Dr. Kate,

this is my wife, Aliyah.

Hi! Jonathan has written much about you.

So nice to finally meet you.

Oh, is that Dr. Kate?

I'm Lulu, and this is my sister, Nia.

Merry Christmas, Dr. Kate!

Oh, you guys are adorable!
Let's get some treats! Let's go!

- [Aliyah] Hi, Derek!
- Good to see you! How are you?

- [Aliyah] Good. And you?
- [Derek] Good, good.

- [tin slides]
- [acoustic Christmas music playing]

[Nia] Now you can look at this.

Ooh, I see this is a tent.

[Kate] This is a rhino.

[Lulu] What's that?

[Kate] A warthog!

[Nia] Mm...

- [Kate] Who are these?
- Oh, this one is you.

- [Kate] Oh!
- And this one is Uncle Derek.

I see.

Well, I like it,
but there's just one problem.

[laughing]

Is that handsome fellow
supposed to be me?

And why is he missing a hand?

It's a secret!

A Christmas delivery for you.

- From you.
- [Kate] Ah.

Well, it isn't actually for me.

- Well, you know, maybe just a little bit.
- [paper tears]

Boys'll love it.

[high-pitched whirring]

I see you've done this before.

[chuckles] Only about twice a day
for the last 20 years.

That's 14,000 cups of coffee.

Oh...

He does math, too.

- Thank you a latte.
- [laughs]

Oh.

You have a letter.

- Mm?
- From So-and-so and So-and-so Partners.

Oh, and did you read it, too?

- No, the envelope was too thick.
- [exhales]

- Hm. Does not look like a Christmas card.
- [paper rustling]

[inhales, exhales deeply]

Mr. Conrad is filing for divorce.

[mellow instrumentals]

I'm sorry.

I'm gonna go see my elephant.

Our elephant.

[braying]

[distant chuffing]

[trumpets]

He seems to be doing fine.

You know, I always wanted more animals,

but Drew didn't want pet hair
on his clothes.

I mean,
I just should've seen this coming. I...

It's just change.

Without change,
there would be no butterflies.

Who said that?

Someone should've said it.

Hey,

it's gonna be okay.

But is it?

[mellow instrumentals continue]

I gotta go check on those cookies.

What?

It's the holidays.

Yeah. Of course.

The holidays.

[tranquil music playing]

[distant trumpeting]

[indistinct, excited chatter]

- [chatter intensifies]
- [gate creaking]

[Kate] What's wrong?!

- [Derek] Manu's gone.
- What?

Chuma must've opened the gate somehow,
Manu followed.

Probably looking for the herd.

But he's too young.

- I'll fly out first light to look for him.
- First light is too late.

We have to go now.

I can't fly at night.

- [exhales]
- Chuma will take care of him.

- They'll take care of each other.
- You don't know that.

Sometimes you gotta let them wander.

It's their world out there.

But he's still just a baby.
Anything could happen.

All right. Come on.

Really?

- [suspenseful music playing]
- [engine turns over]

[engine revving]

Wait, what are you doing?
Why are we stopping?

We've been at this for a while.
Need to get some sleep.

- Here?
- [crickets chirping]

It's as good a place as any.

[Kate exhales]

But shouldn't we keep looking for them?

[Derek] We will.

At first light.

[Kate scoffs]

[insects trilling]

I lost Luke one time in a shopping mall.
Christmas time.

But you found him.

So it all worked out.

Yeah, but there weren't
any poachers in that mall.

We will find them.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Now you get some sleep.

[exhales deeply]

[chorus of wildlife]

[thud]

[gasps] Oh, my God!

[elephant grumbles]

- Roi?
- [chuffs]

Roi!

Happy holidays, old friend!

[Roi vocalizes]

Looks like you put on some pounds.

Give or take a thousand.

[grumbling]

- Was smaller than Manu when I found him.
- [door closes]

We didn't think he'd make it.

How long have you known him?

What's it been, Roi?

Nine, almost ten years?

I remember once
Jonathan's father walked into the park,

an elephant came out of the bush
to greet him.

It'd been 37 years
since they'd seen each other.

All right, buddy.

- Don't be a stranger.
- [brays]

[Kate] Bye!

It was so nice to meet you!

Hope to see you again!

[man over walkie] Hey, Derek, good news.

The rangers spotted our elephants.

They're at that pond south of Kadma.

I'm on the way.

- ["Happy Mbaqanga" by Alan Lazar playing]
- [door slams]

[engine rumbles]

[singing in Zulu]

[children playing]

[Jonathan gasps]

There!

- [elephant trumpets]
- [children yelling joyfully]

Now this is a merry Christmas Eve!

[man over walkie] Hey, Derek.
Got a last-minute pick-up for ya.

- Come on back.
- [static]

Copy.

Duty calls.

[continued singing in Zulu]

[indistinct chatter]

[children laughing]

[Kate] Ooh, that smells so good.

Well, it's not Christmas in Africa
without goat stew.

- Ah!
- And the key...

The peppers.

Color and flavor.

- [knife tapping]
- You know, Kate...

It's a well-known fact that

a man cannot resist a good goat stew.

I hear your friend Derek
loves a good goat stew.

[laughs]

- He and I, we're... we're just friends.
- Hm.

[stammers] Seriously, we're only friends.

- [Jonathan] Dr. Kate!
- Yes?

- Derek needs you at the air strip.
- Why? Is he okay?

He's fine.

But it is important.

- Excuse me.
- [mellow instrumentals]

[insects trilling]

[door closes]

I picked you up a little holiday cheer
for Christmas Eve.

Really?

[door closes]

[Luke chuckles]

Merry Christmas, Mom!

Luke!

I can't believe you're here!

Figured I'd check on you,
make sure you're wearing a sweater.

- Oh!
- [Jonathan laughs]

Jonathan, this is Luke!

Pleasure to meet Dr. Kate's first son.

"Dr. Kate"?

And I'm her only son.

Her only human son.

[Kate laughs]

What are you even doing here?

Dad got me a ticket.

- He did?
- Mm-hm.

What about that music festival?

Yeah, we had to drop out.
My finals schedule screwed everything up.

I'm sorry.

All right, I'm gonna take this stuff
back to the tent,

so you guys can catch up.
Next time you fly, one hand on the yoke.

Wait! You let him fly?

[Derek] He didn't crash.

Please tell me he's kidding.

He let me push a few levers.
Seems like a nice guy.

- [Kate exhales]
- [chuckles]

- [pleasant music playing]
- Are you ready?

[light trumpeting]

All right.

- This is Multisani.
- Oh, my gosh.

This is Makaliwa.

[Luke sighs in awe]

And then over here,

I wanted to name this one Sadie.

- She does kinda look like Grandma.
- Right?

- [grumbles]
- ["O Little Town of Bethlehem" playing]

[distant laughter, chatter]

♪ O little town of Bethlehem ♪

♪ How still we see thee lie ♪

♪ Above thy deep and dreamless sleep ♪

- ♪ The silent stars go by ♪
- [Derek] Yeah!

- [applause]
- [song fading]

[child giggles]

[Luke playing "Jingle Bells" on keyboard]

There you go!

[Nia] Thank you!

You know, I haven't seen you do that
in a long time.

Do what?

Let someone in.

[utensils clanking]

If I've learned anything here,
it's to not get too attached.

Not everything has to end badly.

It's not gonna end,
'cause it never really started.

[Kate] Ooh!

[Jonathan] She hasn't left yet.

She will.

They always do.

Okay, everyone,
let's take a picture together.

Let's take a Christmas picture!

Get together!

Come together, okay?

On three, everyone say Merry Christmas,
all right?

Ready?

Smoosh in!

One, two, three!

[together] Merry Christmas!

- [camera shutters]
- [laughter]

I think I just found
next year's Christmas card.

That beats the one we took in August.

[laughs] It certainly does.

Well, it was really nice of your father
to send you.

How's he doing?

He's okay, I guess.

Got an apartment near the office.

What's he doing for Christmas?

The usual, [sighs] working,
schmoozing clients. All that fun stuff.

[Kate] Hm...

You know, I get why
you don't want to come back.

Honey, I'm coming back.

Mom, it's okay.

You and Dad
never really liked the same things.

- But we liked you.
- [laughs]

The truth is, I'm surprised
you stayed together as long as you did.

- [sighs] Was it that bad?
- No,

it wasn't bad. It was just...

Remember when we brought home that
stray dog, and Dad made us give him away?

Well, now you get to keep that stray dog.

Only it's an elephant.

[Luke chuckles]

- [serene instrumentals]
- [light scratching]

[distant hooting]

What are you painting?

Oh.

Reindeer.

Reindeer?

Yeah, you know, Comet, Cupid, Blixen.

I don't usually let people
peek at my doodles.

Until they're done.

Many times, even after they're done.

Please.

Okay.

[fire crackling]

Um...

It's actually Blitzen, not Blixen.

- Really?
- Yeah.

It's Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer,

Prancer, Vixen,

Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen.

They teach you that in vet school?

Yeah. Advanced course.

Merry Christmas Eve.

- What is it?
- Eggnog.

- [liquid sloshes]
- [Kate gasps]

- [coughs, laughs]
- African eggnog.

Or whiskey.

Yeah, I've heard it called that.

[Kate exhales]

[Kate takes a deep breath, exhales slowly]

I like your boy.

I don't usually say that about humans.

And it hasn't gone unnoticed.

And while we're in the Christmas spirit,

I should say that it hasn't been
completely awful having you here either.

You know,

you're really not as terrible
as I thought you were at first.

I'll take that compliment.

Mm! Mm...

You know what that is?

What?

Mistletoe.

[laughs] That is most definitely

- not mistletoe.
- That is African mistletoe.

And even though we're in Africa,

we still celebrate the same worldwide
mistletoe traditions.

Maybe next year.

I'll be here.

[Kate] Okay. [sighs]

Good night.

Good night, New York.

[serene music continues]

[crackling of fire continues]

[light scraping]

["Twelve Days of Christmas" instrumentals]

- So, how's school?
- Eh.

You know, Freshman year
is always a huge adjustment.

I'm sure it's going to get better.

Eh.

I guess.

- How's Olivia?
- Huh?

- Your girlfriend!
- Right.

Yeah, it's been a bit rough
with the distance.

Oh.

I don't mean to pry, but...

Mom,

please...

Please tell me
those aren't what I think they are.

Of course they are!

How else am I supposed to measure
an elephant?

Come here. I'm so happy you're here.

Me, too.

It's the best Christmas present ever.

[ringing]

Hey! Are you still Christmas shopping?

Is there anything else?

[Trish] I'm having Christmas lunch
with Tabitha.

Why aren't you with us?

[sighs] I just could not face
that empty apartment for the holidays.

Isn't Luke coming home?

You'll never guess what happened.

He's here with me!

He flew in yesterday to surprise me!

Seriously?

This year, it's gonna be
Christmas in Africa.

And what is Christmas in Africa?

Well, I can't speak for
the whole continent,

but here at the elephant orphanage,

they celebrate all week,
and there's no shopping involved.

What about presents?

Home-made.

Sounds terrifying.

- You are coming home right?
- Yeah,

of course I'm coming back.

When?

Well, you know what they say here?

they say, "When the time is right."

Okay. Now I'm really starting to worry.

[chuckles]

[distant singing in African language]

[Luke] Wow. Christmas day in Africa.

- [crickets chirping]
- [fire crackling]

Time goes so slowly out here.

I'm proud of you, Mom.

[laughs] Thank you, honey!

I'm so proud of you, too!

Well, I hope you still feel that way
after I tell you what I'm gonna tell you.

What?

It's about school.

I'm really not into the business major.

That's okay.

What do you want to study?

Now, see, that's not exactly it.

[scoffs] I'm not going back.

What?

College is a waste of time for me.

[stammers] I wanna make music.

That's what I'm passionate about.

And please don't say anything to Dad,
I haven't told him yet.

Honey,

you cannot just drop out of college.

Well, you left for Africa with no return
date, and look at you! You're happy!

But that's totally different.

Yeah, because I'm not waiting


[distant laughing]

[mellow instrumentals]

[steadily exhales]

You left the party!

Well, my kid kinda got me
out of the Christmas spirit.

Oh. He's leaving tomorrow.

Why don't you wait till then to miss him?

The problem is that he just announced
that he's going to drop out of school,

play in a band, move in with his friends,
and then write his own music in Starbucks.

Isn't that how The Beatles started?

You don't understand!
You don't even have kids!

[sighs] I'm sorry.

[stammering] I'm just...
I'm terrible company. I'm gonna go to bed.

[Kate sighs]

- See ya in the morning.
- [zipping]

[birds trilling]

- [peaceful music playing]
- [door closes]

All right, I want you
to think about what I said, okay?

I love you, Mom,
but I'm not changing my mind.

[sighs]

- I love you so much.
- I love you, too.

[door creaks open]

I'll text you when I land in Newark.

Okay.

[Derek] Don't worry.

I'll keep your boy safe.

You better.

[engine rumbling]

["Silent Night"
by Ladysmith Black Mambazo playing]

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Silent night, holy night ♪

- ♪ All is calm, all is bright... ♪
- [zipping]

Hi. Just checking on you.

Hey. Come on in.

[Kate exhales]

I wouldn't worry about Luke.

He's a good kid. He's gonna be fine.

I just feel guilty, you know?

I feel like I should've
been there for him.

But I was here.

So it's time, huh?

- I never meant to stay this long.
- [exhales]

You can't run away forever.

So they tell me.

I...

I know. You're gonna miss me.

- That's not even what I was gonna say.
- Oh, you're not gonna miss me?

[laughs] Shut up.

[chuckles] It's okay,
'cause I'm gonna miss you.

A lot.

[romantic music playing]

[zipping]

[indistinct conversations]

Hi.

Merry Merry.

I was going to surprise you
with a Christmas present,

but now I'm not so sure.

I don't think I've seen you
paint anything but scenery.

Thought I'd give something else a try.

How's that turning out for you?

She's leaving.

So I guess not very well.

People come to see the animals,
and then they go home.

I thought you knew that.

Come to Cape Town with me.
We'll see out the holidays there.

Whatever this is we've been doing...

I can't do it anymore.

I'm sorry.

Well, I regret to inform you

that the board has decided to terminate
funding as of the new year.

Don't do this.

This isn't about us.
This is about the elephants.

[Leslie scoffs]

It's not about the bloody elephants
for me.

[footsteps retreating]

[mellow music playing]

[crickets chirping]

[bed rattling]

[exhales slowly]

[heavy sigh]

[Derek] All right then.

- Jonathan will drive you.
- Oh. You're not gonna...

I have some tourists I have to fly out.

[birds trilling]

Okay.

Well, you'd better be nice
to those tourists,

'cause you just don't know
how they're gonna turn out.

- [sighs]
- I don't know what to say.

[laughs] I think that's a first.

We could FaceTime.

I'm not really a FaceType.

Yeah.

Hey, New York.

If you come back here, I'll be here.

Last tent on the end.

The other end.

[mellow music continues]

[engine turns over, revs]

[rumbling of engine]

I guess I did see that one coming.

[hum of passing plane]

[honking]

[mellow music continues]

[keys clank]

[light tapping]

What are you doing?

Painting.

Okay.

You heard from Leslie yet?

No. She's not returning my calls.

I'm thinking of flying down there,

talking to the board myself, see if I can
get them to change their mind.

You remember what happened last time?

I will think before I speak

this time.

- [plucky music playing]
- [car horns]

[indistinct chatter]

[continued honking]

I really love animals,
and I miss working with them so much.

Elephants?

[man] Well, that's a little different.

Yes, I know they're not
your typical clientele,

but I'm also familiar with antelope, rhino

and the occasional baboon.

When can you start?

How about now?

[man chuckles]

Welcome aboard, Kate.

Thank you. Everyone calls me Dr. Kate.

Just think about it.

I mean, you'd be getting a college degree,
and you'd be doing something you love.

I dunno.
It's not really what I had in mind.

And it'd be really
good for your musical career.

I dunno. It's a lot to think about.

I know.

Can I have a night to sleep on it?

Of course, of course! Let's go get lunch.

[Drew] A music degree? Really?

[Kate] It's the perfect solution.

He stays in college,
but he studies something that he loves.

You're really okay with our son being...

a musician?

You know, it's his passion!

I mean,
when else is he going to get to try it?

When he's 50
and he's in a job that he hates?

Drew...

he is never going to be you.

We just have to help him be himself.

Okay.

Really?

Yeah.

Thank you.

I just wanna know...

in Africa...

did you meet someone?

[inhales] Yes, I did.

I met me.

[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one...

- Happy New Year!
- [cheering]

- [fireworks]
- [cheering]

[celebrating in the distance]

[fork clanks]

[laptop chimes]

[keyboard clicking]

[ringing]

- ["signed on" effect]
- Dr. Kate!

Hi!

I know I said I wouldn't worry, but...

Your elephants are fine.

Good. [stammers] And how are you?
How is everyone?

Less so, I'm afraid.

Derek...

Derek wouldn't want me
to say anything. But...

What's wrong?

We're in real trouble.

Derek got some emergency funding
from another foundation,

but if we don't figure out something
long-term and soon,

I don't think we'll last
much past June of next year.

Well, no, no, no, that can't happen!

[upbeat music playing]

[keys jingle]

Derek, you have a package.

[upbeat music continues]

[laughs]

Looks like we don't need the foundation.

Not for a very long time.

[Jonathan]
At least not until next Christmas.

[music fading]

[insects trilling]

[latch creaks open]

- [hum of engine]
- [breaks hissing]

[tranquil music playing]

- [Derek] How are you?
- [man] Hi, how are you?

I'm Johnny, hey.

All right, what is this? Is it a thorn?

Oh! No.

It's a diamond!

No one missed this?

- [door opens]
- [woman] King Charles

in room needs a teeth cleaning,

and Missy's here.

Wait, that is the third time this week!

[phone ringing]

- Well, hello again.
- Hi.

And may I say that's a very nice sweater!

Oh, thank you.

What are you in for?

Just a nail clip.

Ah.

A mani-pedi.

And a refill on her antidepressants.

[mellow music playing]

Doctor?

Doctor, should we go in?

Um...

[stammers] Just give me one second, okay?

So sorry. Just... one second.

[woman cooing]

[bird chirping]

[elephant grumbling]

[instrument clanks]

[wood squeaking]

Is that how we're doing things now?

Well, it works.

And the elephants like it.

Maybe I should get you a bottle,
cheer you up a bit.

I'm fine.

I have a pick-up. You want anything?

Coffee beans, please.

Yes, ma'am.

[birds chirping]

[indistinct chatter]

- [door squeaks open]
- [Derek] Thanks.

Rafi!

Derek!

Are we up for some poker tonight?

[sighs] I wish I could.

I have an early flight.

Taking some tourist into the bush.

Ah, yes.

Here you go.

Enjoy.

What's this?

Lady bought it for you.

[romantic instrumentals]

Two weeks ago, I sold my apartment.

Two days ago, I bought a one-way ticket.

And two minutes ago, I walked in here
after a very long journey.

Well, I hope you're ready for another one.

[swelling instrumentals]

[typing]

[Derek] Hey.

You ready?

No.

You can do this.

- [wistful music playing]
- [Kate] Manu, I'm really gonna miss you.

I'm gonna think about you every day,

and I want you to know
not to be scared out there.

You're gonna do great because
you are smart

and you are strong

and you are brave. Okay, baby?

- [low grumbling]
- So go ahead.

Go.

Go live your life, all right?

[Kate sniffles]

[Manu vocalizes]

Make something of yourself.

[Manu braying]

[Manu trumpets]

[sniffles, exhales]

[Manu trumpeting]

And now I let him go just like that?

Just like that.

[trumpeting]

[grumbling]

[wistful music continues]

[Kate sniffles]

You think he'll remember us?

Of course he will.

He's an elephant.

[Kate sighs]

Come on, New York.

Let's go home.

[inspirational music fading]

["Ndicel'ikiss" by Berita playing]

[woman sings in Zulu]

[continued singing in Zulu]

[continued singing in Zulu]

[upbeat inspirational music playing]