Jingle bells jingle
bells jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells jingle
bells jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
One horse open sleigh
- Wow, you've been busy.
- Yes.
And you look great.
- Thank you.
- [laughs]
Oh, that's where that's been.
Yeah.
That part of my life is over.
Well, we can still
eat the treats.
I mean, these are the
literal fruits of your labor.
Oh, great.
My entire career summed
up in apricot preserves.
Are you gonna be
okay at the house?
I mean, I know you
cleaned the place
from top to bottom last week,
and, you know, if
you're bored...
No. I signed up to volunteer
with the Christmas committee
at the Chamber of Commerce.
Our first meeting
is this morning.
Sounds like a good time.
I'll see you after.
Love you.
Love you too.
In a one horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob-tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is
to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Huh!
The meeting started at 9:00.
Hm.
[quirky music]
Oh! Barb?
Hi, I'm Kath.
- It's Barbara, actually.
- Oh.
You know, per your
e-mail, it said
that the meeting
started at 9:00.
Oh, well, it's a loose 9:00.
Oh. Okay.
Okay.
[instrumental music]
Welcome to my happy place.
- h*, h*, h*, everybody.
- Hi, Doug.
Start of another season.
Oh, I didn't get the memo about
the ugly Christmas sweaters.
[Kath] Ugly?
Ugly. W-what do you mean?
Just that, you know,
people sometimes call
them that when, you know,
because they're so festive.
Oh, well, we like to
get into the spirit.
And I made mine.
And it's-it's-it's adorable.
Morning, Kath.
Hi, Jim.
- Hey, Doug.
- Hey, buddy.
What's he doing?
Oh, Jim likes to
get his steps in.
You'll get used to it.
Oh, you guys, this is Barb-ara.
She's a retired accountant.
Barbara Harrison. Hi.
Yolanda recruited her.
Although I don't know why
because I think we're doing
a great job. But what
do I know? [chuckling]
Oh, Barb-ara, this is our
scrappy little family.
This is Doug and Jim.
And our motto is "We
deploy Christmas joy."
And how do we do that,
you might be asking.
Through Brooklyn's
ABC's of Christmas.
Attract people downtown,
boost local business,
support our charities.
[Doug] Now I spearhead
general events.
That's Santa's village
and the holiday market,
both going up this weekend.
A-and the holiday
market, of course,
[taps] boosts businesses,
which as a former marketing
guy, is my area of expertise.
And I head up
charities which include
trolley caroling and
our grand finale,
Brooklyn's Christmas Ball.
Anyway, I like to
start off the season
with a team building activity
where we all
volunteer as a group.
So, this year we're going to
make turkey supper sandwiches
at a local nursing home.
I love turkey supper
sandwiches, yum.
Me too, nothing
kicks off the season
than a little bit of teamwork.
Okay, well, great.
I will be there.
So really, between
the three of us,
there's nothing that
we don't know about
Christmas in Brooklyn,
and we really are...
Yolanda?
How is my favorite
Christmas committee?
You must be Barbara Harrison.
- Guilty as charged.
- Yolanda Sharp.
President of the
Chamber of Commerce.
We are so lucky to have you
on the Christmas committee.
Oh, well, I am so
happy to be here.
Barbara was head of accounting
for Genesis, for how many years?
- Well, I'd prefer not to say.
- [chuckles]
Oh, Kath, do you have the
next year budget outline?
I was expecting it on
my desk this morning.
Oh, I'm sorry, I thought
you said that you...
- I will get it to you ASAP.
- Thank you.
Maybe we could teach
Kath a thing or two
about the business world.
[chuckles] Nice meeting you.
Kath, her e-mail said
that budgets weren't
due until next week.
Yes, I know that, but I
couldn't tell her that.
Why not?
Because she's the boss.
And now, I have to
make a budget ASAP.
Well, I'd be happy
to spearhead it,
it is my area of expertise.
All right, then.
- That'd be a big help.
- What is this?
Those are my receipts
from last year.
I've never met anyone
who keeps their
business receipts
in an actual shoe box.
Well, they're in
chronological order,
so try not to shake them.
Oh, no, I'll be very gentle.
Wouldn't want to
disrupt the system.
[chuckles]
Really appreciate your help.
Really, you seem to need it.
- Hmm. [chuckles]
- See you tomorrow.
[instrumental music]
[Barbara] Hey.
Hey, hon. How
was your meeting?
[Barbara] You know, I was
used to things running
in a pretty orderly
fashion at the office.
And it turns out the world
doesn't really work that way.
Some people operate
in pure chaos.
Well, they're lucky they have
you to set them straight.
Uh, new open house?
Yeah. Last one of the year.
And I'm adding a little extra...
[grunts]
Christmas magic to this one.
- Oh, that's so nice. Oh!
- [clattering]
Uh, Shane is here.
Shane, honey,
everything all right?
I'm okay. Yeah. Ugh...
I got some repairs
to do at the theater,
so I figured I could look at
some of granddad's old tools.
Do you know how to
use any of those?
That's what YouTube
is there for, mom.
You know, that's my fault.
I mean, I sell houses.
I don't fix them. I never
taught you and your brother.
It's okay. So, you guys
have got it all figured out.
I mean, slow season
in real estate,
can enjoy time with family.
But you know what?
I've got a staple
g*n and a dream.
[chuckles] But you could always
get your real estate license.
- Mom, I'm not a businessy guy.
- I know.
So, you think I need
help moving more houses?
Couldn't hurt. You know that
our son Shane is very charming.
Yeah, dad, The Sunday Times did
say my charisma is infectious.
We'll never forget that review.
Well, you know, infectious
can be a bad thing.
I mean, diseases are infectious.
- Ohh!
- He's teasing you.
- Stop. You were wonderful.
- Thank you.
Go staple whatever
it is you staple.
I will see you both
Friday for dinner.
Okay. Love you.
Looking forward to it.
[chuckles]
I think he's lonely.
Oh, no, not this again.
What, did you hear
all that stuff about
family and Christmas?
I know you're retired
and you're itching
for a project,
but Shane is not your project.
Who said anything
about a project?
[man 1] Do you know someone
who is unlucky in love?
Merry Matchmaker allows
friends and families
to play matchmaker.
Here are today's matches.
Mom, hi, I'm so sorry I'm
late. Works been crazy.
That's okay, honey.
- Thanks for coming to get me.
- Hi.
I should get the van out
of the shop next week
and then maybe we can go wrangle
ourselves at Christmas tree.
Yeah, yeah, I just have
to check my schedule,
but I'm sure I can
make that work.
Oh, I have had such a day.
There's a new woman on the
Christmas committee,
an accountant.
And she is such a piece
of work. And you know me.
- I get along with everybody.
- Mm-hmm.
But there's just
something about her that
really busted my biscuits.
But you would have
been very proud of me.
I stayed non-reactive and
I k*lled her with kindness.
- I am proud of you.
- [phone chimes]
Oh, you got a match?
A what? A match?
Honey, remember
I signed you up for
that matchmaker app?
Well, I said I
wasn't interested.
Sweetheart, wouldn't you
like some holiday romance?
I don't want you to be
lonely at Christmas.
I'm not lonely. I have
friends. I have you.
Plus, it's okay to be
by yourself sometimes.
- Okay. Mm-mm.
- Okay, great. This yours?
You will not hear
another word out of me.
- What about this guy?
- No.
[instrumental music]
This committee has too
many matching outfits.
[chuckles] Well,
give them a chance.
They might surprise you.
Oh, what have you here?
This is a jolly julep.
- Hmm...
- Uh, wait.
Forgot the garnish.
Oh, you cannot forget that.
[both chuckle]
- Mhm...
- What do you think?
Delicious.
[chimes in laptop]
Oh, boy.
An e-mail from Kath.
"Hey committee fam,
this is an extra
special reminder
for everyone to show
up on time tomorrow
for turkey supper,
sandwiches..."
Whatever those are.
"Wouldn't want anyone to
stress out about punctuality."
So what exactly is a
turkey supper sandwich?
Turkey supper in a sandwich.
It's a big hit with
our local seniors.
Ahh...
Oh.
Just remembered.
I brought festive headbands
for you and for you and you.
Ah, no, I'm not wearing that.
Oh, don't be so uptight.
I am not uptight.
Oooh. Suit yourself.
Hm.
Oh, wow-wow-wow what are you
doing? That's a family recipe.
- I made that.
- It's just a bit of salt.
Are you trying to give
everybody high blood pressure?
Or maybe make the
food taste good.
Oh, it tastes
good. Give me that.
- No. No.
- Yes. Yes.
- No.
- Yes.
[clinking]
That's a bad omen.
Do we really have to serve all
these in less than an hour?
- That's not much time.
- Oh, we'll get it done.
Oh, I have an idea.
What about a little
friendly competition?
Me and Doug versus you and Jim?
Sure. Okay.
Whoever makes the most
sandwiches before 5:00, wins.
You're on.
And go!
[instrumental music]
Good King Wenceslas
looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
Our sandwich
are almost done
Then I will be even
Okay, well, obviously
those aren't the words.
That's not even
how the song goes.
Oh, who cares?
Well, maybe the Good King.
The Good King Wencelas?
- Wenceslas.
- Wenceslas.
[Barbara] We're
going to win, Jim.
Benefit of an organized system.
That's the spirit.
[music continues]
- Time's up.
- Oh.
We won.
Well, most importantly, we
got all the sandwiches made.
Oh, people are probably
getting seated by now.
- Everybody grab a tray.
- Well, it's only 4:55.
Well, you, of all
people I thought
would appreciate being early.
No, no way. Doug, you take it.
I got you some bubbly to
celebrate your first big design.
Well, it's not done yet.
Oh, come on, honey,
you gotta celebrate
the little wins along the way.
I don't want to get
too ahead of myself.
Okay, well then I
am celebrating you.
I am so proud of you for
running your own firm.
Co-running.
Okay, can you just
take a compliment?
And I'm, I'm sorry
that I tried to
fix you up earlier.
Thanks.
I'm really overwhelmed with
this project right now.
Though it would break my heart
if you missed out on
meeting the right guy
because it wasn't
the right time.
But I know that you are very
busy with your work right now.
And even if I did find the
most perfect handsome guy
who is exactly right for you,
then I know that you wouldn't
be interested in meeting him.
You're still on the app?
He is so cute.
He's so handsome and he's funny
and he owns his own
business and he's a Scorpio.
Checks all your boxes.
You think he's perfect for
me and I have to meet him.
Yes. I think you're
going to love him.
And if I do meet him and
he's not perfect for me,
then we can agree that maybe
you're not going to find
Mr. Right on this app
and we can stop talking
about it forever?
Forever is a long time.
- Mom?
- Okay. Yes.
If you meet him and
he's not the right guy,
you will not hear
a peep out of me.
Promise?
Ish. Prom-ish.
Mom, what are you doing?
Oh, just fluffing the tree.
We already fluffed it.
Well, not the way I like it.
Oh, I forgot, nothing is right
until you do it yourself.
- That is not always true.
- Mm-hmm.
You should have seen the
dreadful receipt system
for the Christmas committee.
It was in an actual shoe box.
Thank goodness I've made them
a clear, concise spreadsheet.
Thank goodness. However,
do they survive without it?
You know, I could take
over your payroll.
- It's, it's fine.
- But I know you hate doing it.
Well, I don't think I would love
you being all up in my finances.
- Why? Is everything okay?
- Yes.
I'm glad you're keeping busy.
Speaking of...
I found your dream girl today.
Oh. Is she a retiree on
the Christmas committee?
No, silly. She's your age,
and she's very pretty.
- Okay, mom...
- Just because you think...
we don't have the same taste.
I know we don't
have the same taste.
Well, this one is different.
I don't... I just
have a feeling.
Okay.
Where'd you meet her?
- I found her online.
- Oh, we are done here.
Uh, uh, uh, uh, I'm just
asking you to meet her.
But if you don't
want to honor your
mother's wishes, I understand.
Okay, we don't have
to go straight for the
guilt trip. Mom, please.
Look, I know I
wasn't around as much
when you were a little kid.
I was working all the time.
I, I just want to
make it up to you.
Be more involved in your life.
Okay, mom.
No hard feelings, okay?
Meet her please...
for me.
[sighs]
- You know you want to.
- I don't.
Hey, Danielle, I
just emailed you
a couple mock ups of the design.
Let me know what you think.
I have to go to a drinks thing
with some guy my
mom set me up with.
Knowing her, he won't be my type
at all, but I'll
suffer through it.
I don't think it'll
last more than an hour.
Wish me luck.
You must be Lauren.
- You're Shane.
- Yeah.
Only an hour, huh? I guess
I better make it count.
I'm sorry. I didn't...
Don't worry about it.
[instrumental music]
Thank you.
Okay, so it was a sold out crowd
and we had tested this
yellow brick road like,
I don't know, a dozen times.
But of course, on opening night,
it decides not to rotate.
So what did you do?
Pretend that was
part of the plan.
Well, hiring an improv
troupe comes in handy.
[laughs]
So, what show do you have next?
Uh, we're actually launching
a holiday improv show.
But after that, I'm...
planning on selling the theater.
What? But it seems like
you love performing.
Performing, yes. Payroll,
building maintenance, sales...
- Hard no.
- Yeah.
You own your own
business, right?
I co-own it with my best friend,
but I'm definitely more
of the details person.
She's the dreamer.
What brought you
to architecture?
I love the permanence of it.
Some buildings have stood
for thousands of years,
way outlasted the
people who built them.
You want to leave your
mark on the world?
Yeah. And a building
sticks around,
which is more than I could say
for some people in my life.
Oh.
Yeah, um... my dad
left when I was little,
but I'm gonna need something
stronger for that story.
[laughs]
You know, if you need any
work done on the theater,
I could recommend some
really good contractors.
Are you gonna try to
solve all my problems
in the first hour we've met?
- I'm a people pleaser.
- Hmm.
And let me guess, you also
have a hard time saying
no to your mom.
Ugh! Yeah, this app thing.
I don't know why she thinks
she's going to find my dream
guy on an app for parents.
No offense to present company.
- You seem cool.
- I get it.
If you knew my mom, she
thinks she always knows best.
Sounds like our moms
have a lot in common.
And you know we're never gonna
hear the end of it, right?
Ugh, you think so?
I have an insane couple
of weeks before Christmas.
I cannot keep
fending off suitors.
I have a crazy idea.
We both need our moms off our
case until Christmas, right?
Yeah, if that's even possible.
Though my mom did promise
if this one didn't work
out, she'd lay off.
[chuckles] You think
that's gonna stick?
[laughs] Absolutely not.
Okay, hear me out.
What if we pretend to date?
At least until December 25th.
Look, it's up to you, okay?
I know we're almost at
the end of our hour here,
but think about it, okay? We
don't have to see each other.
We just tell people
we're dating.
Though if you do have a holiday
event you need to attend,
you have a built in date
who's not terrible at dancing.
Not terrible at dancing.
Wow, your resume is
really impressive.
[chuckles]
Then after Christmas,
we just tell everyone
it didn't work out.
Go our separate ways.
What do you think?
- Okay.
- Yeah?
- Yeah, let's fake date.
- Okay.
[clinks]
Look at all the fun we have
when we work as a team.
Hey!
Watch where you
point that thing.
Oh, sorry, sorry.
Really great work everybody.
I will be back later to
check on your progress.
The line for Santa
goes in this direction.
Okay, well you never gave me
the layout that I asked you for
because you keep saying
it's all in your head.
But what if you
get hit by a bus?
Are you manifesting?
It makes more sense for it
to go in that direction.
Well, it's going to go
in this direction.
Fourteen years,
never been a problem.
That doesn't mean it's right.
Okay, Miss Bossy Pants.
- I am not.
- Are too.
- I am not. I am not.
- Are too. Are too.
Just because I had a real
job in the real world.
Excuse me?
Being an administrator at
the Chamber of Commerce
is a real job. You know what?
If this committee is not for
you, why don't you just quit?
I will not quit this committee
until after the Christmas season
because I am not a quitter.
Only quitters quit.
But after that, if I never see
you again, it'll be too soon.
Not if I don't see you first.
That doesn't make any sense.
- Does too.
- Does not.
- Does too.
- Ugh!
Quitter.
[Danielle] So you're not
really dating this guy,
but you're telling
your mom that you are?
Yes.
But you said he was cute.
That's not the point.
I think that's
relevant information.
You know what's
relevant information
that we have three weeks
left to submit this project
to the architectural
review board.
Yes. Uh, speaking of,
I spoke with the team at
Apres and they want to remove
the coffee shop and
put in a restaurant.
How are we supposed to fit
that in the square footage?
I did a mock up.
It could fit if we
removed the gift shop.
- See.
- Yeah.
And we'd have to adjust
the check in desk.
We could build the
kitchen out through here.
We can still submit it to the
review board in the new year.
Yeah, except new zoning goes
into effect January 1st,
and that would mean a
massive square one redesign.
I'm sure it'll all work out.
Well, things don't
just work out.
They're the result
of careful planning.
And this is our
first major client.
If we don't get this right...
I'll happily set expectations.
No, I can get this done before
we close for the holidays.
- You sure?
- Mm-hmm.
[soft chuckle] All right.
- Just have to start now.
- Okay.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
[instrumental music]
I think I got
enough mini trinkets
to decorate the model hotel.
Honey, you got enough to
decorate several hotel models.
I want it to look festive.
With all the changes
to the design,
I haven't had time to make any
of the little figures
I normally would.
Are you gonna be able to see
Shane again or are you too busy?
Ha?
Oh, yeah, definitely.
Honey, if he's not your type,
I will just go back on that app
and rustle you up a new guy.
Not necessary. Shane's great.
We're gonna see each
other again, and we don't
need to keep talking about it.
All right, I'll back off.
But if you're really into
Shane, I need to meet him.
[instrumental music]
You don't have to do
all this volunteering.
- Well, what else would I do?
- I don't know.
I, I just want to
make sure you're okay,
that this committee is
something you want to do
and not just filling some void.
It is what I want to do.
Okay. I will take
your word for it.
- Hmm.
- Hm.
And I want to get some old wine.
- Okay. Love you.
- I love you.
[exhales]
Thank you.
I'm here for my shift.
Well, that means it's
time for me to go
check out the candy
cane selection.
- Okay, bye.
- See ya.
Just so you know, I'm not
quitting the committee.
Somebody needs to be here to
hold some people accountable.
Since when was Christmas
about accountability?
We create all of these events
so people can experience
spontaneous moments of joy.
When was the last time you had
a spontaneous moment of joy?
If you're going to be rude,
we don't have to talk.
Oh, we don't even need
to sit here together.
One of us can man the table,
and the other one
can take photos.
Oh, this camera is
extremely technical.
- So I should probably...
- Yeah, yes.
I'm very familiar with it.
I worked in a dark
room in college.
- It's digital.
- Smile.
Mm-hmm.
See ya.
Thanks for doing this.
Of course.
What's the use of
having a fake boyfriend
if you can't use them
to fake out your mom.
Yeah, I don't think
she'd buy it otherwise.
Here, try this.
Okay.
Hmm...
It's delicious. What is it?
Hokifli.
My grandma used to make
them every Christmas.
Now my mom and I have
taken over the tradition.
Well, mostly my mom.
I'm a terrible baker.
Bad at baking. Deal breaker.
Guess we should call
off our fake dating.
[both laugh]
Ready to sell this?
Let's do it.
- Lauren.
- Mom.
Oh, hi. This must be Shane.
- Hello.
- Hi.
Shane.
You know Shane?
Um, Kath,
Lauren, this is my
mother, Barbara.
Oh, Lauren is your...
Oh, no.
"Goodtimegal." I should have
known. Such a silly handle.
Oh, really? "BNumbers99."
Oh, Barbara is the new member
of the Chamber of Commerce.
And you didn't realize...
- Oh...
- Could you excuse us?
We have some official
Chamber of Commerce business.
- Yes.
- Hot chocolate?
- Oh, I'd love one.
- I'd love one.
- Great.
- Right.
[chuckles]
You must be very
proud of yourself.
What are you talking about?
Oh, that your son
landed my daughter.
You're the one
that swiped on him.
Now, that was before
I knew this...
Knew what? That he comes
from a good, solid family?
As opposed to what?
It doesn't really matter now.
[sighs] The damage is done.
- Uh!
- Argh!
[banging]
Hey, honey.
I brought you some lunch.
Thanks.
You were just in the area?
Yeah, I just thought I'd
stop by, see how you're doing.
[chuckles] Thanks.
So, uh, how's Lauren?
- Good.
- Good, good.
There's not like
a, you know, like
any kind of a serious
commitment thing
or anything. Is it? Right?
Why do you ask?
Oh, no reason, you know,
commitment's never
really been your thing.
But if you like this Lauren,
then I am... truly
overjoyed for you.
Hmm.
Having your support means a lot.
Hmm.
Love you.
Love you too.
- Hey, hey, Barbara.
- Oh, hi.
We always do a Secret
Santa gift exchange
at the last Chamber
of Commerce meeting.
We have a little potluck
and do a little gift swap.
Oh, well, that sounds like fun.
- Thanks, Doug.
- No problem.
Ugh!
Well, you have to see this.
Shane posted a
photo with Lauren.
[Kath] This is bad. Very bad.
Well, I guess we have to let
this relationship run its course
unless we want to go, you know,
full sabotage and
try to break them up.
[instrumental music]
What if we did try
to break them up?
I mean, they barely
know each other.
Huh!
I mean, if Shane knew I wanted
him to break up
with Lauren, he'd
probably double
down and marry her.
But let's think this through.
I mean, there is no way that
my son is compatible
with your daughter.
[chuckles] Well, there's
no way that my daughter
is actually compatible
with your son.
I mean, this relationship
is going to end
in a heartbreak. It's
just a matter of when.
So if we do break
them up, it's like
we're doing them a favor.
A huge favor.
They will thank us.
They'll be so happy.
Okay.
Good morning. You want to see?
That's actually,
hm, not terrible.
I'm full of surprises.
Oh, you know, I used to
buy my boys a new ornament
every year at Christmas.
Well, then the tree got
too full and I had to stop.
Not that they ever noticed.
I used to get Lauren a
new Santa doll every year.
And of course she didn't like
them anymore, so they're all
at my house and it looks
like a Christmas convention.
[laughs] I'll bet.
Have you talked to
her about Shane?
She didn't have one bad
thing to say about him.
Uh, well, it's the
beginning of a relationship.
You know, when
everything is magical,
the other person
can do no wrong.
True, but then they will
really get to know each other,
and they're gonna see
how different they are.
- And then it'll be over.
- Yeah.
You and I could not
be more different.
Oh, agreed.
All right, well,
tell me about Shane.
What makes him tick?
Well, he's very passionate.
A bit of a free spirit.
He loves his art. The
business side, not so much.
And his theater is in
need of a lot of repairs,
which, between you and me,
it's not his strong suit.
I haven't been able to
get a Christmas tree yet
because my van is in the shop.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that,
but concentrate, we have a
relationship to break up.
No, no, go with me.
I'm working on a plan.
Does Shane have a big car?
Yes, an SUV. Why?
I am going to ask him and Lauren
to help me come and get a tree.
That's your plan?
Because my son is fully capable
of tying a dead plant to a car.
Just trust me. Okay?
Okay.
Thank you guys so much
for inviting me today.
I've never been
Christmas tree shopping.
We always had a fake
tree growing up.
Of course, Barbara
had a fake tree.
- Mom!
- What?
I-I meant it seemed very
put together of her.
Oh, this is it.
This is the one.
It's a bit big, isn't it?
No, it's perfect.
It's a real beaut.
Okay, well, I'll go get
someone to help us...
No, no, no, no.
Shane can do that.
He can trim it for
us, can't you, Shane?
We got this "big, strong guy."
You don't need another person
to help me carry that, do you?
No, no, I guess...
I guess not.
Okay, here you go.
Oh, um...
These are...
- What's gotten into you?
- What?
This big, strong guy thing.
We don't need a man to help
us do anything. We never have.
I mean, you always say,
it's us against the world.
I was just trying to
make him feel included.
By the way, a man will love it
when you talk to
them like this. Okay.
No, no, no, no, no.
You're doing it wrong.
- I am?
- Yes.
- Yeah, I guess I'm...
- Okay.
That's enough trimming.
I think it looks great.
- It looks great like that.
- No, you're right.
Whoa. Is there anything else
in there I should know about?
Well, I'm sorry I came prepared.
- [Kath] Here you go, champ.
- Um...
- Wrap it up.
- Thank you. Um...
Great. Um...
Yeah.
[quirky music]
- Haven't got all day.
- Okay.
Um, there.
[grunts]
Try that again.
Okay. Shane, just move it away.
- Bring it forward.
- Oww! Oww!
Why is it so sticky in here?
[Lauren] Okay, stop. Um...
How about we just
bring it forward
and then work
together to wrap it?
That would make
a lot more sense.
I'm so sorry. This
is my first time.
I have no idea what I'm doing.
It's okay.
[laughs]
[Shane] Um...
[Lauren] All right.
Okay. All right.
Oh, um...
Sorry, I just, um...
Well, no, that doesn't work.
I'm so sorry.
[both laugh]
- Ah! Sorry.
- Oh! No, yeah, nope.
- Good.
- [both laugh]
[Lauren] Are we done?
- Uh, sure.
- All right.
- Yeah.
- Wow.
We're terrible at
this, aren't we?
Yeah, we should probably
call somebody to come help.
[both laugh]
Good thing I'm an architect.
[Shane] It's not
too tall, right?
It's perfect.
All right. Perfect's
a bit much.
We'll trim it a little.
- What was that?
- I don't know.
The tree was just
settling, right?
- Trees do that.
- Uh, I don't...
- [gasps]
- No, no, no! No, no, no.
- Oh...
- Oh. Oh.
Look, it's a little
Christmas rat.
- What do you mean Christmas rat?
- Go, get it.
Me?
Yeah. Go and get it.
- Macho thing. Go.
- Okay.
No, don't...
Oh my... Okay.
- He's kind of cute.
- Just stop it.
He's not that cute. He's
kind of the size of...
- You got this.
- Okay, it's not a bull.
I know it's not a bull.
[yells]
I can do this.
Come here, you oversized
oversized domino.
Oh, God! Oh. Oh.
Oh, yep, yep, yep.
Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, he's
crawling on my arm. Oh, no.
Go, go, go, go, go. Go, door.
Bye-bye forever. Bye forever.
- Ugh! Yeah.
- You okay?
You're a regular Snow White.
Yeah, well, just wait 'til
you hear me sing and clean.
[laughs] Oh.
[Shane] I would
like to shower now.
Well, I guess your plan
flopped spectacularly.
Well, have you
got a better idea?
I do.
The overbearing mother.
I've invited Lauren to
come see Shane's play.
And what did Shane
say about that?
He doesn't know.
He's gonna hate it if he thinks
I'm forcing them together.
- Not bad, not bad.
- Mm-hmm.
So what should I
know about Lauren?
- She's shy.
- Ahh...
Then I could get Shane to
invite her up on stage.
Oh. And she's also
stubborn. She won't go.
Then he'll think that she
doesn't go with the flow.
And he hates it when people...
Namely me.
- Don't go with the flow.
- Hm.
Sounds like you have an A+
relationship with your son.
My son and I are fine.
We can't all be
mother-daughter chummy besties.
Well, I wouldn't say besties.
She's been work,
work, work lately.
Hmm. Except she did carve out
a night to attend the theater.
Hey, thank you for coming.
Of course, honey.
- You look very festive.
- Thank you.
I've only got a
few minutes, so...
Oh, Lauren. Hi, you came.
I want you to meet
my husband Mark
and my adorable son Aiden,
his precious husband Jeff.
Hi. Lovely to meet you all.
This is Lauren, everyone.
She's Shane's friend.
Are we saying friend?
We-we don't have
to label anything.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Oh.
I didn't realize
you were coming.
Oh, well, I invited her.
I might be a little
bit of a meddling mom.
I love my son so much.
I'm just sort of...
What do they say? I'm just
always up in their grills.
Mom, nobody says that.
I have to go backstage.
Jeff, do me a favor. Make
sure they don't scare her off.
It's a tall order,
but I'll do my best.
- Hey!
- We'll be nice.
Break a leg.
Oh, hey, honey.
I had an idea.
You know how you
sometimes bring...
- people up from the audience?
- Uh-huh.
What if you ask
Lauren to join you?
[instrumental music]
[applause]
Good evening, everyone.
Welcome to Brooklyn
City Troupe presents,
A Christmas Carol.
To start, I need a couple of
suggestions from the audience.
Number one, a job that
is not an accountant.
- Santa Claus.
- Okay, Santa Claus.
And now I need a method
for delivering information.
- A carrier pigeon.
- I heard carrier pigeon.
[laughs]
[clears throat]
'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the room,
Scrooge was counting his money,
cashing checks with his plume.
He grouched everybody
on his naughty list
because, surprise,
Scrooge is Santa
and he ain't giving gifts.
These confounded elves keep
adding people to the nice list.
Don't they know it's impossible
for anyone to be completely nice
Now that nights after Scrooge
was tucked safe in his bed,
visions of sugar plums...
[tongue clicks]
Knocked out of his head
and who should appear right
in front of his eyes...
but his old friend Jay Marley
in ghostly surprise.
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.
Oh, no, honey, maybe
she'd just rather not.
Hey.
It'll be fun, I promise.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we have our Marley.
Now, Santa Scrooge was knocked
from his miserly dreams
with a scare from Ole Marley
that made the bloke scream.
- Scream.
- Oh.
- Boo!
- [screams]
[audience laughs]
Now, Scrooge,
Marley has a message for
you via carrier pigeon.
[squeaks]
[audience laughs]
Ah, a ghost who only
communicates via pigeon.
Classic.
Well, ghosts of Marley,
you don't scare me.
- [rumbling]
- [screams]
Give it up for Marley.
[audience applauds]
[mouthing] Thank you.
- [sighs]
- You did great.
[indistinct chatter]
What's going on?
Where is Santa?
Doug said, he couldn't
take it anymore
and ran into the break room
and locked the door behind him.
Yolanda is going to flip out
if she finds out
Santa has gone AWOL.
I don't get it. This Yolanda...
You have no trouble
pushing back on me
or pushing your daughter around,
but you're terrified of her.
She's the boss.
Do you have a problem
with authority figures?
Oh, my God. What are
you, my therapist now?
I'm sorry, just
asking you a question.
Here. Let me.
[knocking]
Doug, open this door right now.
[Doug] Go away.
[knocking]
Doug, we just wanna talk to you.
We're not gonna go away.
Remember, we deploy
Christmas joy.
[Doug] Well, I don't
want to talk to you.
Hey, there are a lot
of children out here
and you are making
some of them cry.
So I want you to come
out of there right now.
[Doug] No, I'm not coming
out. And that's final.
Should we call security?
No. Oh, I have an idea. Yep.
- Help me.
- Where are we going with this?
Just tip this. Just put
it down on the ground.
- Got it.
- All right. Here we go.
Oh. Okay.
[screams]
- Oh.
- [Kath screams]
Merry Christmas.
All right, stop. Okay.
I just remembered.
I'm not crazy.
- You do it.
- Okay. This one.
- Okay.
- That one.
- All right, here we go.
- Okay, here we go.
Oh.
Oh, Oh.
Oh. Ohh!
What the...
Oooh!
Okay.
Who are you? Catwoman?
Pilates.
I said, go away.
When someone acts like you are,
sometimes they're in
need of a big hug.
- I'm not in the mood, Kath.
- Look, I get it.
When you're having a hard time,
it's not a good idea
to push everyone away.
I-I-I-I can't-I can't do this.
I-it's too much pressure.
What if they asked
for something,
Christmas morning comes
and they don't get it?
One year when I was a kid,
I asked Santa for a
Commander Storm action figure
because all of my
friends had one.
And then Christmas morning came
and I got light logs.
I-I-I-I was, I
was so devastated.
I-I-I-I-I just, I-I can't,
I can't handle this kind
of responsibility, Kath.
- I can't. I can't...
- Okay, okay.
You can, you can,
you can. Deep breath.
[sharply inhales]
Yes, you can. Oh,
I hear you, buddy.
When I was six years old,
I wrote Santa a
letter every week.
All I wanted was a
little baker's oven.
And that Christmas morning,
I scoured under the tree
for the exact size box.
It wasn't there. Oh,
I was heartbroken.
But you know what I
eventually realized?
Christmas joy comes from
giving, not receiving.
She's right.
And life throws
us all curveballs.
What matters is how you react.
Now, if you can't see
these kids, I understand.
But if that's the case,
I'm gonna need to
get inside that suit.
And what a terrible
idea that would be.
- I can do it. I can do it.
- You can do it.
- Thank you, both of you.
- Okay, deep breath.
- [Doug breathes deeply]
- Go deploy Christmas joy.
Go get 'em, Santa.
[soft music]
Jim is gonna be Santa next year.
- For sure.
- Good idea.
[holiday music]
What is that expression?
"Teamwork makes the dream work."
You know, maybe we've been
going about this all wrong.
What are you talking about?
We just solved the problem.
No, not this problem. The
Lauren and Shane problem.
I mean, you tried, I tried.
Maybe we need to work together.
They're a united front, so
we need to be a united front.
Uh-huh. Could work.
[phone ringing]
[clanks]
- [Danielle] Hello.
- Hey, Danielle.
[Danielle] Hey, What's going on?
So I adjusted the
clearance of the
walkways in the restaurant,
but I wanted to go through
the numbers with you.
[Danielle] Um, sure I just
need to cancel my date.
What time is it?
- Oh, gosh, it's getting late.
- [Danielle] Let me cancel.
- Um. No, no, no, no, no.
- [Danielle] Are you sure?
Yeah. You enjoy your date night.
[Danielle] Okay.
Don't stay too late.
Okay. Bye.
[Danielle] Bye.
[soft music]
[chuckles]
[softly] Okay.
[phone ringtone chiming]
[Shane] Hey, Aiden.
Their offer on the
building is garbage.
- Do you wanna counter again?
- What are we countering?
Nothing. Small side thing.
Okay. Uh, I have the company
Christmas cards for you to sign.
[clears throat]
[Shane] Does dad
know I'm selling?
Because if he knows then
mom knows, and if mom knows
[inhales] she's either
gonna throw me a party
or I'm getting a lecture
for no follow through.
Nobody knows anything. What
number do you feel good with?
[sighs]
[chuckles]
No, you know what,
if they're givin' a lowball
offer, then sale's off.
Maybe this is the
universe trying to tell me
I'm not supposed to sell yet.
Great.
Except for the part where you
hate repairing the building.
I'll figure it out.
[soft music]
I gotta go.
[scoffs]
- Hey.
- Hey.
I was hoping to use my
charm to score a ticket.
Hmm. Oh, sorry me lady.
Tonight's show is all sold out.
[Shane laughs]
But I'm not in
tonight's show anyway,
so maybe we could take
a walk if you're game.
I am.
As long as hot coco's involved.
I think that could be arranged.
[Shane] So has your coco
fixation been filled?
So filled. This is exactly
what I was craving.
- Thank you.
- [both laugh]
You know anything about the
Chamber of Commerce grants?
Yeah, sure. What about 'em?
I think I might apply for one.
Use the money to
fix up the theater.
That's great. I'd
be happy to help.
Oh, I know you got
a lot in your plate.
It's Okay. I don't mind.
You're fun to hang out with.
You are not too shabby yourself.
[chuckles]
Is this weird? Us
hanging out just because?
It's not weird for me,
is it weird for you?
Well, it's just that we
have this arrangement,
so I don't know.
We can... we can hang.
[Lauren] Yeah.
Just friends hanging
out. [chuckles]
Just friends.
- Mmm.
- [glassware clinking]
Did you know that Shane is
thinking of selling his theater?
Really?!
And Aiden is helping him.
Yeah, they thought
they were being sneaky,
but I saw some
paperwork at the office.
Well, when is it
going to go through?
Hmm. Well, he changed his mind.
Maybe he wants to stick
around for Lauren.
Oh, this Lauren.
Do you think they're
good together?
I do, yeah.
She's nice. He's happy.
[inhales] What more
can we ask for?
Hmm, I just worry
they're from such
different backgrounds
and he doesn't always
know what's best for him.
Like, why is he holding on to
this dysfunctional theatre?
[sighs] Well, you got to trust
he knows what he wants, hmm?
Does he, though?
Barbara, what is this about?
I just want him to be happy.
[quirky music]
[phone ringing]
- Hello.
- Oh. Are you home?
Yes.
Time for Operation Besties.
Roger that.
[Barbara] Oh, is this the
Christmas Committee scrapbook?
Yes. I make one every year
to commemorate what we did.
Oh, it's just great.
You really are the perfect
person to run that committee.
Oh, start.
[chuckles]
Oh. Poor little Shane.
Oh, yeah,
that was the first time that
I took him to see Santa Claus.
Might have been the beginning
of our trust issues.
[gasps] Oh, the first
time I took Lauren
to see Santa, she had
just eaten a chocolate bar
and I thought that I
had cleaned her up,
but she smeared it
all over Santa's suit.
Oh, it was a very expensive
dry cleaning bill.
Plus, I had to send it all the
way back to the North Pole.
[quirky music]
I'm kidding.
- Oh.
- [Kath laughs]
Wait a minute. I have an app.
It's a babyface generator.
It shows what it would look like
if the two of them had a child.
Oh, good golly.
What kind of nightmare
is that gonna dream up?
Oh, look.
[Kath] Oh, actually,
they're so cute.
So cute.
- Shane's gonna hate it, though.
- Oh, Lauren too.
This could work.
I'm just worried that
they're gonna smell
something fishy a mile away.
We've got this.
Shane is terrified of
commitment, and if he thinks
that we're trying to push
the two of them together,
he will run in the
opposite direction.
Yeah, Lauren's gonna
hate the surprise of it
and not being in control
of the situation.
- Plus, embarrassing photos.
- Mmm.
[chuckles] It's totally
gonna throw off her game.
[cups clink]
[Lauren] This is us.
[Shane] Thanks for the walk.
Thanks for taking
me to get my car.
My mom borrowed it for some
kind of Santa emergency.
It's not Christmas
without a Santa emergency.
[laughs] Yep.
So is your mom's van ever
gonna get out of the shop?
Who knows? [chuckles]
That's my mom's car.
What's she doing here?
Uh.
[car doors shut]
Up on the housetop,
the reindeer pause
Out jumps good
old Santa Clause
Down through the chimney
with lots of toys
All for the little
ones, Christmas joys
h*-h*-h*, who wouldn't go?
h*-h*-h*, who...
[both gasp] Oh!
You two are hanging out?
Yeah, well, Kath was telling me
about how she and Lauren have
this tradition of
Christmas karaoke.
She's never done
Christmas karaoke.
[Barbara] And since you
two are getting so close,
I thought we'd better exchange
Christmas traditions since
someday we're gonna be
one big happy family.
- I love Christmas traditions.
- [chuckles]
[Kath] You know what
else you're gonna love?
Baby photos.
Barb and I made you a scrapbook
because you look
so cute together.
That was really not necessary.
Oh, you're gonna have
some darn cute kids.
[Lauren] Okay, mom!
[awkward laughter]
[Shane] I think I'm
gonna leave now.
Wait, I meant to give
you my business card.
- Yes.
- Uh...
You can include it in
your grant application.
Direct them to me if
they have any questions
about your renovations.
Grant applications? Renovations?
Oh, well, Lauren inspired me.
If I really loved the theatre,
I had to put my
whole heart into it.
Go all in to make it work.
That's wonderful,
honey. It really is.
[soft music]
You know what I brought?
For us to watch
your junior high performance
of "The Nutcracker."
Actually, we maybe
should partake
in some of the Christmas
karaoke action.
Oh, Lauren doesn't like singing
in front of other people.
I could maybe try a duet.
- Yeah, great, great.
- Oh.
[Shane] That's
good. [Lauren] Um.
Oh, uh, wait, microphones.
Okay, what do we got?
[exhales]
Jingle Bells jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh
Hey!
[both laughing]
[Lauren] You're a natural.
[Aiden] Thank you
for coming to help.
No problem.
Dad always wants to
help with the toy drive,
but his gifts look
like they were wrapped
by a crazy raccoon.
Deranged woodland creatures
aren't the wrapping vibe
you were going for?
- I'll see myself out.
- Ha-ha.
So I hear you had
fun last night.
- With Lauren.
- Wow!
The gossip train never
ends in this family.
So is it serious?
I... I-I don't know.
No, no, don't do this.
Do not sabotage a good
thing because you are
commitment-phobic, okay?
Hey, it's not that. It's just...
[gift wrap rustling]
Can I tell you a secret?
Of course.
It's not real.
Lauren and I have been
pretending to date
over the holidays to keep
our moms off our backs.
What?!
So you're saying you
don't really like her?
I-I mean, that's the problem.
I think I kinda do.
I just don't know if
she feels the same way.
Well, um, call me crazy,
but there's a way that
you could find out.
You could ask her.
Oh. [groans]
Look, for somebody who makes
himself vulnerable on stage
every night, it wouldn't k*ll
you to channel a little bit
of that into your personal life.
What if I come on too strong?
Just start small.
Something to let her know that
you're thinking about her.
[gift wrap rustling]
[soft music]
[knocking]
- Hey. Um.
- Hey.
I know you're busy, but I
brought you some of those
cookies you like from
the holiday market.
The ones my grandma
used to make?
Yeah.
Thank you. Wow. I needed this.
- I'll let you get back to it.
- No. Stay for a minute.
- Have one with me.
- Sure.
Here.
How's the building coming along?
Uh, I don't know.
Honestly, I'm... trying to
give them what they want,
but they keep
changing their minds.
Sounds like they don't
know what they want.
Yeah, sounds like it.
Well, then you decide.
Show them something they
didn't even know they needed.
- You did all this?
- Yeah.
This is amazing. [chuckles]
Thank you.
How's your grant coming along?
Uh... You know, it's a lot
of paperwork. [chuckles]
Yeah, but it'll be worth it.
It's kinda like when you
go on a really tough hike,
but then you reach
the view at the top.
The effort is part
of the experience.
You have a knack for making
the mundane and boring
sound almost magical.
- Almost.
- [both chuckle]
Well, it's the life
of an architect.
It's kinda how all
that turns into that
and then turns into this.
[soft music]
To your business.
To your theater.
- Oh, wow. [laughs]
- The sugars.
Why, it's delicious.
Mmm. Mm. So good.
All right. [chuckles]
[Kath sighs] Really? Ugh!
What's going on?
They don't have a record
of us reserving the hall
for the dance, but I
know we paid for it.
- Give me a minute.
- Um, could you hold, please?
Got it.
Hello. To whom am I speaking?
Hi, Gerald. Yes, we paid
for the reservation in June.
June 13th to be exact.
Yes, the reference
number is 1-8-3-5-0.
Uh-huh. Might wanna
straighten out those books.
Well, no worries. We'll
see you then. Thank you.
That was all in
your spreadsheet?
Mm-hmm.
I digitized and uploaded
all of the receipts
and then I hyperlinked them
to the budget line items.
- It's like magic. Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- [Aiden] Hey, mom.
- Oh, hi, honey.
Oh, you are my savior.
Thank you for bringing this.
- I can't believe I forgot it.
- Well, you have a lot going on.
Have you talked to your brother?
Yes.
About Lauren?
Mother, you have to stop
with all of this meddling.
He is a grown man.
I know that. I just want
my sons to be happy.
Listen, I know that retirement
may not be the
easiest thing for you.
Why does everybody keep
saying that? I am just fine.
Okay, great, but you're
making Shane do crazy things
like this thing with Lauren.
What are you talking about?
Forget I said anything.
No, you said something, so I
can't forget you said anything.
What about him and Lauren?
Come on, spill the beans.
Okay, well, um, Shane told me
that he is just
pretending to date Lauren
to get you off of his back.
It's not real, mom.
But you didn't
hear that from me.
- I'll see you tonight.
- Okay.
[tense music]
Jolly old St. Nicholas
lean your ear this way
Don't you tell a single
soul what I'm going to say
Christmas Eve is...
Love trolley caroling.
I think this is the
best event you guys do.
- We'll save you some seats.
- Okay.
See you guys.
Kath, it is time to go.
Our events can't
all start as late
as your Christmas
Committee meetings.
- Oh, sorry about that.
- It's okay. Chop-chop.
Lauren isn't here yet.
Well, we just have to
tell Yolanda to wait.
I can't do that.
One of these days, you're
gonna have to stand up
to her, or she'll never
take you seriously.
Oh, gosh.
[instrumental music]
[Lauren] Wait!
[bright music]
- Hey.
- Hey.
[revving]
O Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree
How lovely are
your branches!
Tell me. Truly.
Why can't you stand
up to Yolanda?
After I got divorced,
I really needed
a job, and she gave me one.
I guess I'm just afraid that I'm
gonna say something that will
upset her and then
she can fire me.
It's not good to live in fear.
And you're such a tremendous
asset to the chamber.
I think she might surprise you,
and you might surprise yourself.
Okay, right now we have to
focus on Lauren and Shane.
Okay, I put off telling you this
because I don't
know how to say it,
but... my son Aiden told me
that Shane is just
pretending to date Lauren
to get me off his back.
What?!
Oh, she's gonna be devastated.
- I'm gonna k*ll him.
- No, no, no.
Before we commit any felonies,
what if you can get
Lauren to end it?
So if she walks away,
there's no heartbreak.
I'm going to talk to Lauren.
Good.
I'm really glad you came.
Me too. Sorry I was almost late.
I have a hard time
taking a break from work.
You know you can set
boundaries. Say no.
That terrifies me.
[chuckles] Why?
I don't know, I guess ever
since I was a little kid,
I... always wanted to be
the best at everything,
so I got into this habit
of trying to be perfect
at the expense of
everything else.
- Call me a perfectionist.
- [Shane laughs]
I promise you all that
stress isn't worth it.
Otherwise one day you
might wake up and find
your whole life
has passed you by.
[soft music]
You're right.
And in the spirit of that...
what do you think about going
to the Christmas ball together?
- I will be honored, me lady.
- [chuckles]
I know it's not really
in line with our whole
fake date arrangement,
but I, uh...
I-I don't know, I just think...
I'm gonna level with you.
[music continues]
I've had more fun pretending
to date you than I ever have
actually dating anyone for real.
And I know that it's not
a part of our agreement,
but what if we just
stop the whole fake part
of this fake dating arrangement
and... actually did it for real?
I don't know.
I mean, my work is crazy
and I... I'm really
bad at boundaries
and prioritizing my social life.
I-I, I mean, you'd go
crazy trying to date me.
- [Lauren] I don't...
- Forget I said anything.
[lament music]
But... every part of
me wants to... try.
So that's a...
Yes.
[feel-good music]
Jingle bells, jingle
bells jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh
Hey!
I don't think you should
see Shane anymore.
What are you talking about?
Well, Barbara told me some
things about him and...
Barbara. Who you hate?
I don't hate her, but
he's not a good guy.
Why?
Honey, can you
please just trust me?
I don't want you to get hurt.
You've been all about me dating,
and now that I am, you
don't want me to get hurt.
Well, well, I don't think
he's being upfront with you.
Mom, I love you, but I've
been trying to tell you
this whole time. It's my
life, I can handle it.
Well, excuse me for
wanting to be a part of it.
I mean, can't a mom want
her daughter to be happy?
Of course. But maybe one
way for me to be happy
is to not have you on
my case all the time.
Stop using me as an excuse
to ignore your own life.
I am not.
Then how about you live
your very fulfilled
life and I'll live mine.
And you can please stay
out of my business.
Wait... mom, I...
[door shuts]
[instrumental music playing]
[clanks]
Please, have a cinnamon roll.
I'm trying out new recipes
for Christmas morning.
Carbs are the last thing
that I need right now.
Carbs are exactly
what I need right now.
- Oh.
- I completely understand.
Lauren is so mad at me.
She says that I put too
much effort into her
and not enough to myself.
Well, she's not wrong.
Okay, well, it doesn't
make it easy to hear.
Well, you don't have
to listen to me.
I'm not exactly the queen
of parenting advice.
Maybe if you were, like,
tad more vulnerable.
Hmm, it's just not my style.
Okay, but that still
doesn't solve the problem.
Shane is gonna break
Lauren's heart.
I mean, I tried telling her,
but she wouldn't listen to me.
Well... it's time for
me to talk to her.
Coming from me, she'll
have to believe it.
[phone ringing]
- Hey.
- Hey. I just emailed you.
They came back
with a fair offer.
Yeah, I saw it. That is
a lot of... oh, money.
Yeah. You could buy a house,
travel the world twice over, or
you could stay and fix it up.
[scoffs] I don't know
anything about construction,
and I don't think this grant
is gonna cover hiring someone.
Okay, is this about
your handyman skills
or about staying for Lauren?
[soft music]
I have to sell it, right?
I can't change my plans
for a girl I just met.
But do you want to?
[indistinct office chatter]
- Hey.
- Hey.
So the client wants to
have the coffee shop
back in the lobby
with the restaurant.
- Seriously?
- Yes.
But tell me if it's too
much to do before the pitch,
I can push back. Tell them it's
not possible for the timeline.
Look, think about
it and let me know.
[soft music]
[holiday music]
g*ng, we did it again.
We deployed Christmas Joy.
Another successful season.
We couldn't have done
it without you, Barbara.
Oh, oh, no, I'm
sure you could have.
Ah, you're part of us now.
- Group hug.
- Oh. Oh.
[indistinct chatter in the back]
[soft music]
How are you?
- How are you?
- I'm good.
[laughs] Hey, cut loose.
Have some fun. This
is a great party.
Uh-huh.
[sighs sharply] Is
this about Shane?
Honey, you have gotta
stop worrying about him.
Without my job what am I?
A wife? A mom?
I just wanna make sure
that my children are okay.
- Is that so wrong?
- No, it's not wrong. I...
Your job does not
define you. Okay?
And neither does
being a wife or a mom.
You are all those things
and the person you are.
- Mmm.
- Hmm.
- Oh, excuse me.
- Mmm.
[music playing]
- Barbara. Hi.
- Hi.
- I need to talk to you.
- Okay.
I'm afraid that Shane might be
using you to get back at me.
- Using me?
- Pretending to date you.
Oh, yeah.
- About that...
- Wait.
- You knew?
- Yes.
We were both pretending
to date each other.
- Both of you?
- Well...
we knew you and my mom
wanted to set us up,
so we decided to pretend
to date until Christmas.
Just buy some time.
But... I don't know,
I guess then we...
we really fell for each other.
So, we're gonna try
to make it work.
I see. Do you really
think it can work?
I mean, you're
both so different.
And now that Shane's
selling his theater, it's...
Wait, he's selling his theater.
Hey, everything okay?
Hey. Yeah. Uh, um...
Your mom just told me you
decided to sell your theater.
[tense music]
I was gonna tell you.
- Oh, gosh. I assumed you knew.
- Mom, can you not?
I'm sorry. I was worried.
I was trying to help.
Well, just stop. Just
stop trying to help.
- [Shane] You are unbelievable.
- Sweetheart, you must be upset.
I mean, we were just trying to
end it before it went too far.
- What?!
- You tried to what?
Well, honey, we knew it
was never gonna work.
I mean, you're so driven.
And he's an actor.
- Excuse me?
- You set us up.
Well, that was before I
knew he was playing you.
- I'm not.
- He wasn't.
We...
[breathes heavily]
You know what?
I can't with this right now.
Um, Shane, it's
been fun, really.
But this is just too much.
I... I can't date right now,
pretend or otherwise,
not with all this drama.
You and your mom clearly
can't communicate.
And it's pretty obvious
I can't trust mine.
Good luck with everything.
I have to get back to work.
- Lauren.
- No, seriously.
I have a lot to do, Shane.
Why did you get involved?
I thought it was the
right thing to do.
Contrary to popular belief,
you don't always know
the right thing to do.
Wait... he wasn't playing her?
Lauren was in on the ruse.
So they actually
like each other.
I guess so, it seems like it.
Oh, why did I ever
listen to you?
- You started it.
- What?
Lauren and I had a great
relationship before this.
Oh, really? 'Cause it seems to
me like she's got her own thing
going and you are
clinging on for dear life.
What, unlike you,
who forces yourself
into Shane's life because you
have got nothing else to do.
Nothing else to do except
rescue this Christmas Committee
from utter chaos
and disorganization.
We were doing just
fine before you.
You think so because
you have no idea
how anything in the
real world works.
[clears throat] Kath,
what's going on here?
Yolanda, you know that I
love the Christmas Committee.
Would do anything for
the Chamber of Commerce.
But I cannot continue
working with Barbara.
If she stays, I go.
Are you seriously gonna
make her choose between us?
Yeah, obviously
we can't lose you,
but I couldn't
possibly choose...
Oh, no, you, you
don't have to. I quit.
- You wanted to see me?
- Yes.
Yolanda, I wanna talk to you
about my role moving forward.
You're not trying to
quit again, are you?
- No. I love working here.
- Okay.
But I'm not your
assistant anymore,
and I have my own
way of doing things.
[sighs] Of course you do.
Kath, you are extremely valuable
to the Chamber of Commerce,
and I'm sorry I keep treating
you like my assistant.
You were my right hand
for forever and...
I forget sometimes,
but of course,
you should run the committee
however you see fit.
I-I couldn't do
this without you.
- I know.
- [laughter]
Happy Secret Santa Day.
- Hi!
- Who's been nice?
Barbara wanted me to drop
off the Secret Santa gift.
It's for you. Is
she not joining us?
- Uh, no, she's not.
- Open it.
[rustling]
[soft music]
[sighs] Oh.
Here, honey.
Have you talked to Shane?
No.
Go ahead and say
it. You were right.
I should never have
meddled in his life.
Well, I want everyone to
be happy, especially you.
And... it seems like
after the stress of you
being newly retired,
hanging out with
Kath made you happy.
Oh, please.
I was pretty happy before
I ever laid eyes on that woman.
[door closes]
Oh.
What are you doing here?
Mark said you wanted
to talk to me.
It was the only
way I was gonna get
the two of you in the same room.
Okay, well, I don't
wanna waste your time.
Kath, hang on.
[instrumental music]
Okay, so maybe I
don't know much,
but... it seemed to me that
Shane and Lauren
were good together.
A-and maybe, just maybe,
you two liked hanging
out with each other,
so you kept plotting even though
maybe there wasn't so
much to plot about.
We're their mothers, we know
them better than anyone else.
- She's right.
- Yeah.
Or maybe you just think you do.
Look, whatever happens
with the two of you...
you need to make things better
between Shane and Lauren.
I mean, I think
you owe them that.
I'm sorry. I was so upset.
But I never meant for it to
be a me or you situation.
Oh, I'm sorry too.
And you're not
terrible at your job.
Oh, well, if you're trying
to make me feel better...
No, I'm not. I mean it.
Everyone on that
committee loves you.
I wish our kids felt
the same way about us.
I don't think they're even
speaking to each other.
I think that we can fix this.
- One last meddle?
- Mm-hmm.
Uh, uh, this is
not what I meant.
Ladies, please,
no more meddling.
[door opens]
We pride ourselves
on giving the client
what they've asked for,
but having designed
this lobby multiple
ways, I believe adding
a coffee shop in
addition to a restaurant
will leave the space
feeling cluttered.
Now we're supposed to
submit to the city's
Architectural Review
Board later today.
We'd like to submit this design
as is, but if you feel strongly
about the coffee shop, we can
postpone until the New Year.
We agree.
We love the restaurant
and this design.
So, um, let's present it today.
We appreciate all the work
you've done to get here.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Hopefully it hasn't
ruined your Christmas.
No, not at all. It's been great.
[chuckles]
[feel-good music]
- We did it.
- We did it.
[giggling]
[relief sighs] Oh.
I wanted to say thank you.
For what? You gave
the presentation.
I know, but you really helped me
see that we are better when
we put our minds together.
[laughter]
- Good news?
- Mom, why are you here?
Well, honey, it's your
big presentation day
and I wanted to support you.
You haven't returned
any of my phone calls.
Yeah, I've been busy...
Uh, the e-mail to
the review board is
written and ready to go.
I'll go send that.
Nice seeing you.
Honey, I want to apologize.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry
that I meddled.
I'm sorry that I
tried to fix you up.
I'm sorry that I
tried to break you up.
I'm sorry because at
the end of the day,
the only thing I want
is for you to be happy.
[soft music]
Mom.
I know. You're my best friend.
I just need to figure out the
whole life thing for myself.
I know. You're right.
I love you.
I love you too.
Do you have time to
come with me right now?
There's somewhere
that we have to be.
Where are we going? Mom? But
I thought we said no more...
Okay. Hey, can you check the
wiring and the light up there?
It's been flipping for a while.
Oh, and can you walk the stage?
There's a few cracks that need
filling in with black paint.
Thank you so much.
[lament music]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Aiden told me you
decided not to sell.
Yeah.
After a lot of back
and forth, maybe...
too much back and forth...
I wanna see it through.
After all that...
you decided to stay.
I feel like I've been running
from things my whole life.
Mom, and yeah,
this place needs...
[chuckles] a lot of work.
But some friends offered to
help me with the construction.
Well, I think it's
the right choice.
[soft music]
- You do?
- Yes, I do.
Because you made it.
You've always taken risks,
made the adventurous choices.
I... I truly am impressed.
You know, you impressed me, too.
Me?
- I do?
- Yeah.
You're so sure of your
job, your goals...
and now watching you navigate
the unknowns of retirement...
it's inspiring.
I'm sorry I've been
so hard on you.
You tackle life in a
way that scares me.
But I am learning
that sometimes it
is good to be scared
because it's taking me
out of my comfort zone.
[chuckles]
[music continues]
Thank you.
Now I know you didn't
come all the way down
here just to tell me that.
Oh, you know me too well.
- I need you to do me a favor.
- Always.
Mom, what's...
[Kath] Just trust your mother.
And... here.
What's going on?
We know we got way too involved.
- From setting you up...
- To breaking you up.
And we're very, very sorry.
Only you know what's
right for your lives.
Are you hearing
what I'm hearing?
I think I just heard
my mom apologize.
We're done meddling
and, uh, we're gonna go.
- I should have...
- I wanted to...
You go.
I'm not selling the theater.
I was tempted for a moment
because it's gonna be
a lot of work to fix it.
But some things are
worth fighting for.
Look, I-I've always gravitated
towards the fun things in work
in-in relationships, and every
time it gets hard, I-I...
I move on to something new.
But seeing how much dedication
you put into your work,
pushing through difficulties
because you love something,
it... it made me
realize that maybe
I'm missing out on some
things by cutting and running.
[soft music]
Some things like...?
Square dancing. Obviously.
[chuckling]
Obviously.
You know... there is such a
thing as working too hard.
Oh, is there?
Yeah.
This guy I fake dated made me
realize I might have been using
work as an excuse to ignore
other important things in life.
Well, he sounds really smart.
Oh, he's so smart.
I might keep him around
if he's interested.
I think he might be.
[music continues]
[chuckles]
I guess your
spreadsheets are out
of my hair till next Christmas.
Uh, except that I did volunteer
for the Valentine's Committee.
Are you trying to be the
death of me, Barbara Harrison?
I just can't stand the idea
of you filling yet another
shoe box with receipts.
I thought you liked a challenge.
Well, maybe I do.
You know, if you and Lauren
don't have plans for Christmas,
you should come over.
I'll check our
very busy schedule.
- Ah.
- Oh, I think we're free.
[Barbara laughs] Excellent.
[jolly music]
This is fake?
It actually doesn't
look horrible.
Well, there's a whole
fluffing process
that makes it look more natural.
Oh... a fluffing process?
Mm-hmm.
I told Yolanda that we will be
back the first week of
January starting up again.
- You told her?
- Yeah.
Absolutely no pushback.
Ah. Oh, I'm gonna miss
the first meeting.
I'm going to a silent retreat.
She's finally easing
into retirement.
I'm dipping a toe in, love.
Well, where's this place? I
hope it's somewhere sunny.
Oh, no, I don't do sun.
- What are you, a witch?
- Catwoman, remember.
[laughing]
Okay, who is ready to sing?
Heard a lot about this
Christmas Karaoke.
[soft music]
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you too.
We wish you a
Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Good tidings we bring
to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
and a happy New Year
The snow is falling
Christmas shopping
There's hardly a mistletoe
The lights are shining
The perfect timing, but you
don't hold me from the cold
It's Christmas time again
You can stop...
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Holiday Mismatch (2024)
Moderators: Maskath3, GabrielAlejo2341, sidolanters, Maskath3, GabrielAlejo2341, sidolanters