Sh!!
Four, three, two, one.
Here I come.
Sophie, I see you behind Henry.
You have to tag me
or I'm not caught.
She always changes
the rules to win.
That she does, Sammy.
That she does.
Now, who can tell me
what's the best
type of maple tree
for making syrup is?
I'll give you a clue.
It's what makes
the syrup taste sweet.
A sugar maple?
Yes.
Do you really have
to go tomorrow?
My mom says I have to
get back to the city.
Why don't you come?
You can have Christmas
dinner with my family.
I can't.
Your great-uncle Henry
would be all alone.
I'm glad he has you, Sammy.
And I'll be back
next year, I promise.
Let's not talk about it.
Tell me one of your
stories instead.
I've been thinking of a new one.
It was Christmas in the town
of Bramble Hollow.
The Lady Soph and her
dashing knight, Sir Sammy
were riding on the back
of his trusty steed
through a snow-lit field
toward the old stone church
with the candles in the windows.
The implication that our clients
at Agromerge International
are happy about the
disappearance of family farms
is completely... delusory.
To characterize it
in any other way
is just another example of how
our system has gone to seed.
And that's all the time we have.
Thanks for the insight, Sophie
Marlow and Congressman,
as always, a pleasure
having you here.
Thank you so much,
Merry Christmas.
Delusory is definitely
a word, right?
I didn't just make that
up on national television.
No, it's definitely
a word, I think, yeah.
I particularly like that part
about "gone to seed."
That was good.
Yeah. I didn't plan that.
It just came out.
And that is why they're
gonna partnerize you
with the next board meeting.
Oh, don't jinx it.
And partnerise is
definitely not a word.
Oh, speaking of words,
the messages are coming in
from the execs at Agromerge.
They loved what you said.
Well, that's encouraging, but...
I'm still not comfortable
not telling the truth, Layla.
- Thank you.
- What's not true?
I just told those viewers that
Agromerge isn't taking over
family farms and turning them
into factories.
No, no, no, what you said,
very tactfully, might I add,
is that they're not happy
about taking over
the family farms.
You didn't lie.
You're not lying.
They're not happy about it.
It's just a necessity
of progress.
Uh... it still doesn't make me
feel any better.
Mmhmm.
What'll make you feel better
is when that merger
with Brixxton goes through.
Brixxton.
That's in Washington.
Hm.
I have family there.
This could end up
affecting them.
Progress, Sophie.
It's big business.
It's not a movie.
It doesn't end
well for everyone.
Although you'll probably
make a few million from it.
So, you know, happy ending
for you and me and Agromerge.
Are we still on for
that working weekend
to go over the
acquisition contracts?
Got to make sure we're ready
for the meeting next week.
Yeah, I'll be here.
I want to get it hammered
out before the holiday break.
That's why I got my Christmas
shopping done early.
Awe, who are you
Christmas shopping for?
Your houseplant.
I gotta take this.
Jessica, can you
look up delusory?
I want to make sure
it's an actual word.
You're not Jessica.
No, I'm Gordon.
I'm filling in for Jessica.
By the way, you were fantastic
on the news just now.
Thank you.
You also had some calls
this morning
from Waynesbridge, Washington.
- Waynesbridge?
- Mmhmm.
It sounded urgent.
There's the number.
And what was that word
you wanted me to look up?
Delusory.
It was peaceful.
He went in his sleep.
I spent every Christmas with
Uncle Henry until I was 14.
I know Sophie, I'm sorry.
I understand this is
difficult news to hear.
But according to your
great uncle's will,
you are the majority interest
beneficiary of his estate.
Marlow Maple Meadows?
Henry didn't want
a funeral service,
but transferring over the deed
will need to be notarized
in person.
Okay. We have
a notary in the office.
In the State of Washington.
Probate laws differ
from state to state.
Unfortunately, posthumous
transfer of property
need to be done within
the same calendar year.
How soon could you be here?
How soon are we talking?
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
Um. Yeah.
Yeah, I guess I have to.
And just out of curiosity,
when you say majority
interest beneficiary.
Your great uncle left
you 60 percent of his estate.
Who got the other 40?
This better be important, Chris.
I'm working.
I'm hearing water droplets
hitting the phone.
Are you doing that thing
where you dunk your head
in a bucket again?
It's a sink.
And I told you, sometimes I
need to change my environment
to get a little inspiration.
Isn't that why you bought
the Airstream?
So you could change
your environment
whenever you wanted?
What do you need, Chris?
I'll give you a hint.
It starts with an S.
I have no idea what
you're talking about.
It's s-s-s-script.
It's your script, Sam.
I really, really
need that third act.
Can't direct a movie
unless I have an ending.
Look, I know you're
getting antsy.
No. Antsy would have been
about four months ago.
Now it's...
Well, it's worse than antsy?
Disquieted.
No, no, no.
Worse than that.
Distraught.
This is great!
See, this is why
you're the writer!
I'm having a little
trouble with the ending.
Yeah, but you've already ended
four wildly successful movies
perfectly so far.
And every time you say
the same thing.
Every time, they're hard.
And this one...
this one's got to be better.
It's got to be better
than the others.
Why don't you get Richard Gere
to help you with it?
For one thing, he doesn't
have opposable thumbs.
Do you, Richie?
But you're still my best friend
in the whole world.
Yes, you are.
Look, Chris,
this is me hanging up.
My dog needs a little
bit of love,
and I need a little bit
of inspiration.
Besides, you're not
going to sh**t anything
before Christmas, right?
If you get me the script
before the end of the week,
I will start sh**ting the day
after Christmas, if I can.
The studio pivoted.
They want it for a
Christmas in July release.
Look, Sam, you are
very, very good at this.
You have a worldwide fan base
that just want to see
your next movie.
It's time to take
over Christmas.
So get your head out of
the bucket and start writing.
Okay. Love you.
Ciao.
Ciao, Chris.
Okay.
Still haven't finished
the script, Chris.
I'm... I'm sorry,
I'm sorry, what?
Oh, no. Henry.
Oh.
You're just going
to quit everything
and become a maple farmer?
Hardly.
I'm going to catch the 6 a.m.
flight to Burlington.
I'll be in Waynesbridge
by 9 a.m.,
going to meet with the real
estate agent at 11:00.
The estate lawyer at...
1:00 p.m.
tomorrow confirmed.
1:00 p.m.
I'll wrap everything up
by 5:00,
and then I'll be back
on a flight
in time for the
company Christmas party
tomorrow evening.
Well, leave your Brixxton notes.
If you decide to stay in
the country for the holidays,
I can fill in for you
at the meeting next week.
Christmas in Waynesbridge.
No, we have a deal to
firm up with Agromerge.
I need the notes.
I will see you tomorrow.
Do you want to make
a wager on that?
Five blowouts.
You're on.
Get back to work.
- Thank you.
- Here you go.
Thank you.
And this is for you.
Bye.
Hi, Erin.
Hi, Sammy.
Hi, Sophie.
Two maple candy canes, please.
Thank you.
Going back to the city today?
Yeah.
If you want someone to help
you out here, Sam,
you can always count on me.
You coming?
It's not looking good, is it?
Okay, you stay here?
Hm.
Hey!
Whoa, whoa!
Grab the ladder! Grab the...!
No, no!
Oh!
Careful. This ladder is
not meant for two people.
- Careful.
- Oh, ow!
- Hold on.
- You're on my foot.
Your foot is in my shin.
Oh!
Hi, Sammy.
Hey, Soph.
You shouldn't have sneaked
up on me like that.
How could I have
sneaked up on you?
I didn't even know
you were here.
You didn't see my red
sports car in the driveway?
No, no, no, I parked
on the lower road.
Why are you renting a sports car
in winter?
Well, it's all-wheel drive.
And why didn't you drive up
to the house?
Well, I don't...
I don't fit.
You don't fit?
What do you drive,
an 18-wheeler?
It's an Airstream.
Oh, you... you live in
a trailer?
It's an Airstream.
Oh.
It's good to see you again.
You too.
How long has it been?
Thirty years?
No.
Well, 29 and 11 months.
Oh, really?
Pretty much.
I mean, it was right before
Christmas when you left.
Well, this place is still here.
Yeah, yeah.
It's the last place I saw you.
I came back a few times,
but it just wasn't
the same without you.
When did you move away?
About ten years after you did.
I worked on the farm right
up until the day I left.
Hm.
I come here every day after
school and on weekends.
And Henry taught me everything
there is to know
about tending the trees
and keeping the farm.
He was a true artist.
Hm.
Remember when he would say
the craft of making
maple syrup is as
delicate and
intricate as making wine.
Oh, remember his maple
candy canes?
Oh, they were the best.
People would drive
for miles around.
We could not make enough
of them at Christmas.
Why did he stop making maple
syrup do you think?
He was just such
a traditionalist?
Always insisted on doing
everything the
old-fashioned way.
He was fed up with seeing how
obsessed the world became,
doing everything faster,
bigger and cheaper.
Everybody's buying
artificial trees.
And he hated how other farms
turned maple syrup production
into processing plants.
Processing plants is for sewage.
He definitely had his fair
share of offers
for companies coming over
and taking over and
modernizing the farm,
but he wouldn't have anything
to do with that.
I could have stayed
here forever.
Why didn't you?
I got an opportunity
to teach at Berkeley,
so I took it.
It was a job that still
allowed me
to write scripts on the side.
On the side?
Like, what do you have,
two Emmys and an Oscar?
You have always been
such a great storyteller.
Henry would always
talk about you.
And he would say how proud
he was of you.
God has big plans
for that one, Sammy.
I should have been here.
When we spoke on the phone
only a few months ago,
but... still.
You couldn't have known.
Neither of us could.
Plus, he was in the place
he loved most in the world.
Marlow Maple Meadows.
So are you married or kids?
I... You go first.
No. No, neither.
Still waiting for the day
God brings me the right
person to love.
You?
No kids.
But I did get married.
Oh.
It ended... awkwardly.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
No, don't be sorry.
The awkward part was that
we probably shouldn't
have got married
in the first place.
It didn't last very long.
I wonder who that is.
Oh. Hi there.
I'm Vera King with
Green Mountain Realty.
You must be Sophie.
I spoke to your assistant
on the phone,
and you must be the mister.
Oh, no.
I'm... I'm the Sam.
Oh, Sam Stackhouse,
I love your movies.
When's the next one coming out?
Maybe July.
Well... Vera King,
Green Mountain Realty.
Hi. Nice to meet you.
Your assistant indicated you
wanted to get this property
on the market as soon
as possible
seeing as it's so close
to Christmas and all.
Yeah, I think so. Mhm.
You shouldn't have any problems
selling this property.
You'd be surprised
how much the value of
this land has gone up
to companies these
last few years.
Companies?
Yep.
Corporate agriculture.
I've got a few companies
lined up right now
who are grabbing up all
the land around here.
They'll take down the house,
clear the land
and set up factory farms.
They'll pay top dollar.
They'll take down the house.
Oh, trust me, this house
and everything in it,
it's as old as this town.
It's just in the way
of progress.
The house actually looks like
it's in pretty good shape.
Well, you know what?
I will draw up a letter
of intent for you to sign.
I'll write up the listing
for you.
You'll be here tomorrow?
Oh, tomorrow?
Oh, you know what?
I have an open house
that I have to get to
on the other side of town.
It was lovely to meet you all.
I'll talk to you soon.
Hm.
I guess we're selling.
I mean, I wanted to talk
to you about that, of course,
because he left the place
to both of us.
Right. But it's...
I mean, it's really
your decision.
You were... you
were actual family,
and... and you're
the majority...
beneficiary owner,
but... but I don't see
it that way.
You were like
family to him, too.
We should decide together.
Okay.
Because I'm sure you need
to get back to your life.
Yes, right. My life,
of course.
Yeah.
And I need to get back to mine.
Yeah. It's not like
we're going
to become maple sugarists.
Is that a word?
No, I made that up.
No.
One of the benefits
of being a writer.
Right.
So sell?
I guess so. Just...
What?
I don't know.
I just feel like
it would be so sad
to see them tear the house down
and then turn the farm
into something that is not.
I mean, Henry built this
place with his bare hands.
I know.
I know, but there's not much
we can do about that,
is there?
No.
I guess we just got to sign
the papers and get on with it.
Oh. Reminds me, we need to get
to the estate lawyer's office.
Oh. Do you mind riding
with me?
In the trailer?
It's an Airstream.
And no, in the truck.
I got to plug it in.
I got to let Richard Gere out.
Richard Gere?
Richard, meet Sophie.
Sophie, meet Richard Gere.
Oh, I like your Christmas
collar, Richard.
But you don't look very
much like the actor.
Are you kidding me?
Look how handsome he is.
Plus, he's an officer
and a gentleman.
Hm.
And he clearly likes
a pretty woman.
I don't remember a law
office around here.
Well, this is the address.
It's a place called Barista
Barristers Coffee Council.
So it's a coffee shop.
So not a law office.
Council with your coffee.
Lawyer with your latte.
Ah, coffee shop
and a law office.
Huh. Seriously?
Afternoon.
May I interest you
in a gingerbresspresso
or a christmacchiato?
Oh, actually, we're here for...
Eggnogaccino.
Oh, I'll have one of those.
Make that two.
Okay.
We're here for a meeting
regarding the Marlow Estate.
Hey!
Sam. Oh, and Sophie!
It's Erin.
- Oh.
- Good to see you.
- Hi.
- Wow.
Sorry to make you guys
come all this way.
It's just Washington state's
probate laws are quite strict
and with Christmas here,
it's better to just get
it all squared away.
Yeah. It's okay.
It's nice being back.
You look really great, Erin.
Thanks.
You do too.
Um. And Soph, gosh,
I don't think we've seen
each other since we were kids.
I know, right?
So this is your place?
Yeah. You know, after I passed
the bar after college,
I was trying to figure out
what I was going to do.
And, you know, I thought about
going to Chicago or New York,
but I just... I wanted
to know the people
that I was working with.
I didn't think that
fancy corporate law
was really for me.
So although I've been doing
a lot more of it these days
with all these huge companies
trying to come into town
from all sides.
You know, all our staff
are paralegals or law students,
and they give affordable
advice to locals who need it.
It's really cool.
And I'm a bit of
a coffee aficionado,
so I just decided to put two
and two together and voila.
Sorry. Enough of this
chit-chat.
A occupational hazard of
owning a coffee shop
so I get a little
over-caffeinated sometimes.
Okay, so you should find that
everything here is in order.
Okay.
Henry left the entire estate
to the two of you.
The estate being the farm
and everything on it.
Which, as you know, is a
considerable piece of property.
Marlow Maple Meadows.
A cornerstone of our community.
Have you decided what
you're going to do with it?
Oh, I'm so sorry.
That is none of my business.
It's just so many of
the family farms
are gone these days.
It would just be such a
shame to see another one go,
especially the Marlow.
It might need some work.
I know a few contractors,
but... but of course,
it's up to the two of you.
Uh, so yeah, if everything
looks okay, you can sign.
Uh, have you decided
how long are you going
to stay in town, Sophie?
I'm hoping to leave tonight.
Oh.
Yeah, but in retrospect,
that might have been
a little ambitious.
Well, if you do end up staying
and you need a place to work,
you're more than
welcome to come here.
We're the only place
in the entire county
that has secure,
high speed Wi-Fi.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Sam, are you planning
on sticking around?
I don't know, I'm just, um.
I'm kind of playing it by ear.
Well... Um, let me know if
you want to get together
for a catch-up Christmas drink
or something.
Okay.
You too, Soph.
Yeah, that'd be great.
Mmhmm.
So, yeah, as you're aware,
Henry specifically stipulated
in his will that he
did not want a funeral.
So you can pick up his cremains
at the funeral home down
the street.
His cremains?
Well, that's a lot to process
in less than 24 hours, isn't it?
You said it.
Um,
do you... do you have plans
for dinner tonight?
Well, the mayor of Waynesbridge
is throwing a holiday gala
in my honor.
The Governor is flying in.
Mariah Carey is performing.
You didn't get an invite?
Oh, I did, I did, but
I'm going to take a pass.
Mm.
Now, if the Muppets
were performing,
I'd be there with bells on.
Hey, what do you say
I make us both dinner tonight
at the house
for old time's sake.
Oh, like the time you tried
making mac and cheese
and he overcooked it,
and it became a mushy bowl
of orange noodle soup.
My culinary skills have
improved since then.
Slightly.
Okay, well, if you're
gonna cook,
then let me buy the groceries.
And I want to do a little
clothing shopping.
Okay.
It's just so strange.
You live 89 years,
and all that's left
is an urn of ashes and a will.
It seems so unceremonious.
Henry wouldn't have
had it any other way.
He wasn't exactly
the most sentimental guy.
And yet he was such a romantic.
Now, he would say those are
two very different things.
Do you remember his
love of literature?
Hemingway, Dickens.
James Joyce.
Yes. He introduced
all that stuff to me.
If it wasn't for Henry,
I wonder if I ever would have
become a writer.
And somehow he managed to make
the art of getting sap
from maple trees poetic as well.
Do you remember that old
typewriter he used to have
in the living room?
The Underwood?
Yeah. I wonder if
that's still around?
It's definitely still around.
It's in the Airstream.
He gave it to me for Christmas
before I left for college.
I'll never forget it.
When he gave it to me, there
was a piece of paper in it
with one sentence
typed on it and said,
"One day you'll write
something perfect with this."
Oh.
I wonder what he used
that typewriter for.
I've got no idea.
So how long were you married?
Four years.
Was it tough when it ended?
It was tough, but not as
tough as you might think.
We're still friends.
We just came to realize that
she wasn't the one for me.
I wasn't the one for her.
And we set each other free.
How about you?
Did you ever come close?
Not really.
Like I said, I'm still waiting
for the day
God sends me the one
I'm supposed to be with.
The all-elusive one.
The last time, I talked to
him he said he hadn't been
into the sugar bush in
a couple of seasons.
Yeah, he was starting to have a
little trouble getting around,
but he was determined
that everybody wanted
a Maple Meadows candy cane
at Christmas
would get a Maple Meadows
candy cane at Christmas.
I love that he had
the place decorated.
First to the month every year.
Wait. Wait here.
Okay.
It's perfect.
I had a service come in
and help him out a little bit.
Just with general maintenance
and keeping the place tidy.
I guess they didn't get
the general maintenance part.
Well, at least it's tidy.
You know, I used to tell
great-uncle Henry
how much I loved this house.
And he would just smile at me
and he'd say,
"I wonder if it's
the house you love
"or the love that fills it."
Mm.
Can't imagine a company coming
in here and buying this place
and feeling the same way.
I don't like the idea of
someone knocking it down.
It's a little outdated,
but it's got great bones.
Time for dinner.
Mm.
Dinner's gonna be ready soon.
Okay.
Oh!
Maybe not that soon.
These pipes.
Not good.
I owe you five blowouts.
I knew it.
Actually, I think
we said six, didn't we?
And I want them from
that nice place on Rodeo.
Fine.
So what are you
doing for Christmas?
Hold... hold on, let me call
you back from a landline.
Okay. Oh, okay.
I got this.
Sorry. The... the Wi-Fi
and cell reception
is practically
non-existent here.
Are you staying
there for Christmas?
Oh, no. I'll definitely
be home by Sunday.
You want to make another bet?
Double or nothing?
No. And besides,
you're a lawyer.
You should not be engaging
in felonious ill*gal gambling.
I'm sorry I had to bail
on our work weekend.
No, no, no, don't be silly.
The meeting next week is
going to be a cakewalk.
I prepared.
I know what we're doing.
I only suggested
we work the weekends
so we can sip Chardonnay
and write it off
as a business expense.
Thank you.
This is harder to do than
I thought it would be.
It's no problem.
But, Sophie, I do need your
notes on the merger contract.
Yes, I will send those
as soon as everyone in
the state of Washington
gets off their phones
and gives me
enough cell reception to
send a file to the server.
I hope.
Okay, well, be sure to send me
some of those
maple candy canes
you keep talking about.
They're gluten free, right?
Goodbye.
Look at all that red ink.
That reminds me of my grade
school math test
coming back from the teacher.
I love this farm, but the
cell reception is terrible.
And forget about the Wi-Fi.
Pretty sure Henry didn't
know Wi-Fi was a thing.
Well, thankfully, I brought
hard copies of everything
so I can work the
old-fashioned way.
Henry would be very proud.
So...
You ready to eat?
Yes.
That's just like the one we had
in the treehouse.
Yeah.
Yeah, I bought that one at
an antique shop years ago, and
now it's got a year-round home
in the Airstream.
To Henry.
To Henry.
Oh.
Did I mention that that
one is battery-powered?
Yes. And then you said,
and you said.
I'm just here to help my
great-uncle milk the trees.
That's the way you said it.
And the look on that
poor woman's face.
I was six years old.
And that's a pretty
accurate description
of how you get maple syrup.
Fair enough.
Oh, little maple sugarists.
That word.
Henry would have loved it.
I wonder why he never married.
I don't know.
He never even talked about it.
I mean, he was the most open
person I ever met,
and like I learned
so much from him.
But I always got the sense
that there was a part of him
that was off limits, that was
locked away only for him.
He was so full of life.
But yeah, there was always
a little sadness in him.
It's amazing that you saw that
because he was always so happy
when you were here
for Christmas.
But yeah, you're right.
I mean, sometimes he had this...
this faraway look in his eye
like he was missing
something or...
someone.
Maybe it was because
he was estranged
from my entire family.
I mean, except for me
and my mom.
They didn't like him?
It wasn't about dislike.
It was just he was an outlier.
They didn't understand him.
The rest of the Marlow family,
they're very pragmatic,
practical people.
Very boring, myself included.
You are not boring.
I followed in my
parents' footsteps
and went to law school.
A fallback, they called it,
which great Uncle Henry loathed.
Fall forward, my dear.
Always forward, never back.
And here I am, another lawyer,
just what the world needs.
I think you're selling yourself
a little short.
I should probably get
some work done
before I go to bed.
Now? You don't take a break
for the holidays.
Oh, the demands of my job
knows no boundaries.
And what about you?
You screenwriters,
don't you, uh,
burn the midnight oil
working on your opuses?
Yeah, we certainly do.
I'm just not feeling
very oe-pic tonight.
Another new word.
It's a gift.
I probably should get
some work done, though.
I got a deadline.
I have a director friend
who keeps reminding me
I'm well past.
It's too bad, though.
What? Did you have something
else in mind?
Three. Two. One.
Ready or not, here I come.
Five, four, three, two, one.
Ready or not, here I come.
Gotcha!
You didn't get me.
You have to tag me.
This is not reindeer tag.
This is elves in the trees.
Those are two totally
different games.
No, but it's round five
and in round five,
the rule is, the game changes
to Santa's hide and tag.
It's an amalgamation
of the two games.
Don't you remember?
I remember that you always
changed the rules.
What? No, I don't
change the rules.
I just know them better
than anyone else.
And I remember that you always
have to win.
I tagged you.
I really missed you, Soph.
I missed you too, Sammy.
Tag. You're it!
You're it!
That was fun.
Hey, the electricity's back.
Oh thankfully.
Do you think now somehow
there's Wi-Fi?
Never in Henry's house.
Well, now that it's our house,
do you think the rule changed?
Our house?
Wow.
Technically, I guess
that's right, isn't it?
You know, there's something
that I don't understand.
What's that?
Why Henry left the majority
of the estate to me.
Why didn't he split it
between us 50/50.
Because, like you said,
you were the only family
that was close to him.
Yeah, but I didn't come visit
for almost 30 years.
He still knew you cared
about him.
You stayed much longer
than I did.
And even after you left,
you still visited.
You were just as much family
to him as I was,
maybe even more.
I should get some writing done.
Thanks for dinner.
Anytime.
Oh, and thanks for
the lucky elf hat.
That one makes it really
easy to win.
Hm.
I just need a couple
of scenes. Okay?
I don't even
need the whole ending.
Just a few little scenes
so that I can get everyone
excited about it.
Chris, does a chef
serve cold soup?
Absolutely. Gazpacho.
Vichyssoise. Borscht.
There is a Turkish one.
I'm definitely gonna
butcher the name,
Yayla Corbasi.
Look, I don't know how many
times I got to tell you this.
It's not finished.
And when it is finished,
I'm gonna send it to you.
If you're blocked on the ending,
you just gotta find something
that inspires you.
Like a muse.
Yeah. A muse.
You're surrounded
by Christmas muses.
Just sit down and
write about it, okay?
You got this.
Love ya. Ciao.
Hm.
We got this.
So I've got some
good news for you.
Oh, let me guess.
You're at the office
Christmas party
and you just had a miso
shishito pepper appetizer.
Full disclosure, I had three,
and they are to die for,
but that's not what
I'm calling about.
Guess who I ran into.
Timothe Chalamet.
Alex Turnbull.
Alex Turnbull, the CFO
of Agromerge International,
is at our Christmas party.
He is a client after all.
I guess even corporate farming
execs need to blow off
a little steam once
in a while anyway.
Anyway, their in-house legal
are still doing
their due diligence for
the merger with Brixxton,
and they want to push
our meeting to Wednesday.
The day after Christmas.
Yeah, they just need
a little more time.
So they're going to call
our office
tomorrow morning to confirm.
Okay. That's great.
Yeah, that actually helps me
out a lot.
I've been scrambling to
get everything done here.
Great.
You don't have to stress.
By the way, you still need
to send me your notes
on the documents.
I'm so sorry.
I never got any cell service.
Well, can you find another way
because I need those notes.
Sure.
Bye.
Oh.
There you are.
I was hoping you were home.
Oh.
I guess phoning people isn't
really a thing around here.
We're big fans of the drop-by
in Waynesbridge.
Mhm. Well, it's a little
late, isn't it?
Oh. Real estate never sleeps.
I drew up the listing for you.
All you need to do is sign
and we can get this property
on the market.
Should sell in no time.
I put those little sticky arrows
in the spots
where you need to sign.
I find them super handy.
Do you need a pen?
Here have mine.
Oh, I have to discuss
this with Sam.
He's a co-owner.
Absolutely. Though you are
the majority owner.
I did a little research.
Technically, you can override
him if you have to.
I don't... have to.
And I'll need to read this
before I sign it.
Can't get past the lawyer
part of me.
I'll be in touch with
you tomorrow morning.
The sooner we can get it
on the market,
the sooner we can sell.
I have buyers lined up.
Oh, I'm sure you do, but
I'll be in touch tomorrow.
Thank you.
No problem.
Oh.
Hey, thanks for sticking
around for me.
No problem at all.
I live right above,
so I am here 24/7.
What can I do for you?
Well, I tried sending these
from the house, but...
Oh, there's only spotty
cell service
for the entire county.
Yeah, happens to everyone.
Do you mind scanning them for me
and sending them to Davenport.
Not a problem.
Back in a jiff.
Okay.
Your clients send
you Christmas cards?
Yeah and cookies and cakes,
and Christmas fudge.
It's one of the benefits
of knowing the names
of everyone who walks
through our doors.
Oh.
That sound means it's sent.
Oh. Thank you.
Hey, how's it going over there
with Sam?
He's a sweetheart, isn't he?
Yes. Yeah, he is.
If you guys do decide
to fix up the farm,
I might be able to find
a buyer for you.
Lots of people don't want
the family farms to disappear.
Just saying.
Okay.
Yeah. I'll keep it in mind.
Thank you.
No problem.
- Oh.
Hi.
Hi.
Oh.
Wow. You certainly have this
place decked out for Christmas.
Yeah. Try to live inside
Christmas so that I'm inspired
to write the perfect
Christmas movie.
Perfect. That's a high bar.
Well, I'm sorry I
interrupted your process.
It's fine.
I mean, I'm fine.
So the whole standing
on your head
immersive Christmas ornament
kind of thing is because...
If I'm having trouble coming up
with something,
say, an ending, I try
to completely change
my perspective as to kickstart
my creativity.
Like I dunk my head under water.
Or...
Or standing on your head.
Or standing on my head.
So what was on your mind?
Oh...
I couldn't stop thinking about
what you said about the house.
Was it the thing
about the water pipes?
Because you weren't
supposed to hear that.
No, no, no, it was when you said
you'd hate for the house
to be torn down
and the farm turned
into something it's not.
What if we decided to fix it up?
Fix it up to keep it?
No, no.
But to sell it to someone who
would agree not to change it.
I mean, you said yourself,
Henry...
he did so much for us.
Ever since I got back here,
I have had this feeling.
It's like...
I'm at home.
And I haven't felt that
in a really long time.
Maybe since the last time
I was here.
Me too.
Really like, I feel
like this place
was such an anchor for me
growing up.
But Soph, selling is selling.
No matter what,
we wouldn't be able to come back
here anymore.
Unless you're saying we both
give up everything
and become maple farmers.
Mm.
Well, it sounds more
fun than my job,
but not very practical.
So then what difference
does it make?
What happens to the farm
or the house?
When you were out living
your life,
did you think about
this place ever?
Did you miss it?
I've always called
this place home.
Me too.
And even though I didn't come
back for years and years,
I have always had a comfort
knowing that it was here.
Like a Christmas star
guiding you
to the place you need to be.
Mm.
Now, the practical
thing to do is sell it.
But wouldn't you like to know
that this place was still here
wherever we both end up
in the world.
You know...
you can be really convincing
when you want to be.
You should be...
What's the name of that job
where you talk to people
and you try to convince them
of stuff?
Oh, please.
I am a mergers and
acquisitions attorney.
Ah.
But I'm right.
You're right.
Okay, so we put a clause in
the deal that the new owners
have to preserve the farm.
We can do that.
Mergers and acquisitions
attorney.
I could still visit
every Christmas.
What do you say?
Okay, okay.
Hiya.
I'm Declan,
but folks call me Fitzy.
Oh, you're Erin's handyman.
Oh, I'm everyone's handyman.
So you like to fix up
the old farmhouse, is that it?
Yes, yes.
And the farm itself.
Just to get it up and running?
Yeah.
You think that's doable?
Are polar bears left-handed?
Fact, polar bears
are left-handed.
Do you like trivia?
Sure.
I love trivia.
Keeps me sharp.
General knowledge.
Oh, that's...
that's great, Mr. Fitzy.
Just Fitzy.
Fitzy.
Okay, well, getting back...
Of course, I think it's doable.
Shouldn't take more
than a few days to get
this place fixed up.
Just in time for Christmas.
Excellent. How soon do
you think you can start?
Oh, I don't do the actual work.
Oh, right.
'Cause you're the contractor.
Sorry, what we mean is,
when do you think
your crew can start?
I don't have a crew.
I'm a DIY contractor.
DIY?
DIY stands for do-it-yourself.
Yes, I know what...
Trivia.
The way I work is that
I'm your contractor.
I tell you what to do
and you do all the work.
Okay, but if we do all the work,
then what exactly do
we need you for?
My expertise.
And all that's because of
the Industrial Revolution.
Doorknob. Put that
on the list.
Doorknobs were invented in 1878.
Huh.
Oh, look at that.
That could come down
at any time.
Just like The Phantom of
the Opera by Gaston Leroux.
Chandelier canopy
needs to be tightened.
Put it on the list.
New electrical wiring
for the cooker.
A new cooker.
Put it on the list.
Electricity.
Nikola Tesla, 1887.
Don't let anyone tell you
it was Edison either.
That's an incorrect answer.
This will need a new
paint job, too.
I'll put it on the list.
I feel like I'm stuck in
an episode of Jeopardy.
Yeah, except we're not the ones
asking the questions.
Hinges.
On the list.
Do you know what damages
this wood more than rain?
What is the sun?
I know it may seem like a lot,
but it'll be a breeze.
You'll find everything you need
in the local hardware
store in town.
- Oh.
- Oh.
So I guess we're in charge
of getting the supplies too.
Yeah.
So we have all of our supplies?
Check.
Work clothes?
Check.
Are you sure this
is a good idea?
I am not even remotely
a handy person.
You're talking to
a writer here, so.
Yeah. Speaking of writing,
you still haven't told me
what your movie's about.
We weren't speaking of writing.
It's about Christmas and, uh...
and romance.
Yeah, I know that part.
It's a love story.
It's about long-lost love
that's found again at Christmas.
Mm. Sounds incomplete.
Sam Stackhouse.
It is incomplete, Sophie Marlow.
Marlow.
Yes, I'm a Marlow.
Henry was my great uncle.
Did you know Henry?
No.
We had a friend in common, though.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Who was that?
That's old George Wayne. His grandfather
who founded this town.
Waynesbridge was founded in 1919
by two very wealthy families.
Let me guess.
The Waynes and the Bridges.
That's what makes you
such a good lawyer.
Both families were huge
farming moguls,
and they, I guess, got tired
of competing against each other
because they decided to team up.
And eventually they started
marrying their sons and
daughters off to each other.
Kind of like a local version
of a royal family.
Oh.
And then there was Henry
the farmer in the middle of it.
Hm.
I wonder how he knew my name.
I guess he heard me
calling you Marlow.
Oh.
Yeah. I've seen him around
town a couple of times.
From what I understand,
he's quite a recluse,
and he only kind of comes out
to ward off the big industry
trying to buy out
this whole town.
Oh, interesting.
I think fixing this place
is going to be a cinch.
Huh?
You gotta be kidding me?
Okay, great.
Thank you.
Aha!
Looks like we're going
to have to update the entire
electrical system.
Put it on the list.
Oh.
Look at this.
Mm.
Check this out.
Let's watch it.
That's Henry.
Look how young he was.
Who do you think the woman was?
I have no idea.
But whoever she is,
one thing's for certain,
those two are in love.
Wait. Look it's us.
Look how young we were.
Awe. And how happy.
I want to point out
that you were taller
than me back then.
There was a time.
Okay, here we go.
Well, that was surreal...
- Mmhmm.
Seeing ourselves like that.
The best Christmases I ever had
were the ones I spent
here as a kid.
Why did you never come back?
I don't know.
Life got in the way, I guess.
One year turned into five.
And...
sometimes you find yourself
being led on a path
that takes you far
from where you started.
Why did you leave?
I think I just got to the point
where I felt like I was
missing out,
and I figured I owed it
to myself to get out there
in the world and
to find my place.
And yet we both found
ourselves back here
where we started.
It's nice to see you again,
Soph.
I was beginning
to think I never would.
Me too.
Well, thank you for gracing us
with your conscious presence,
Richard.
Hello?
- Morning.
- Oh, Fitzy.
Sorry to disturb.
This is a deep
well you have here.
Very deep.
Thanks.
Vera King asked me to come out.
Says she needs a water
line here analyzed.
Okay.
Have fun.
Have a great day.
No.
Oh.
Uh...
Oh.
You see, that's why I said
what I said about the pipes.
- I'll put it...
- Don't say it.
Okay.
Richard and I'll go
for a little walk
and we'll give you a little
privacy, okay?
Hey, thanks for the shower.
Where did you and Richard
Gere go?
I looked for you,
but I couldn't find you.
I took him out to
the tree house.
He said he wanted to see
what the big deal was all about.
Oh, it is such a special
place at this time of year.
Do you remember those nights
right before Christmas
that Henry would get us
all dressed up
and take us out there
for Christmas picnics?
You put those little
lights on the tree
that he put in the center
of the clearing?
Yeah, we should do that
before both of us leave.
Yeah. We should.
We should get all dressed up
and everything.
Oh, I want to show you
what I found.
Okay.
Look, this was yours.
I remember it from
the treehouse.
I had dozens of these.
These were the inspiration
for so many of my stories.
I know, you could make
one up on the spot
and tell it for an hour
as if you were reading it
from a book.
And every time I tried
to tell you one...
I fell asleep.
Yeah, that's the antithesis
of the storyteller's goal.
I know, but it was just
so comfortable and safe.
You should tell me
one right now.
Right now?
Yes, yes. Anything?
Uh... your screenplay.
What's the first scene?
How does it start?
Um... Once upon a time.
No, seriously.
Is it a fairy tale?
No. Not really.
I mean, maybe a little.
Okay. What's the setting?
The setting is, um...
is medieval.
Ooh, I like it already.
Long ago, there was
a little village.
Hm.
At the base of a great hill.
And every Christmas, the snow
would cover the trees
and all the land, making it
a winter wonderland.
And the king of the castle
loved his cakes and his pies.
And would have his cook
every Christmas for everyone.
Every day a little boy down
in the village would climb
the great hill up to the castle
and collect some of the cakes
and pies
and bring them down
to the villagers.
But that wasn't
the only reason that he...
that he wanted to go
to the castle.
There was a little girl
that lived there,
but she could only
come out at Christmas.
The little boy was
in love with her.
And her name?
Oh, I did it again.
Like clockwork.
I'm sorry.
It's an honor.
What?
What else is in here?
Hey, look at this.
Love letters.
I guess we know
what Henry was using
that old Underwood
typewriter for.
Hey, look at this.
Wait, but that's...
that's the same dress.
My darling J.
So... so he was heartbroken.
Mourning his lost love.
That's why he never married.
Oh.
You know what?
I stand over here,
I get one bar on my cell phone.
Hey, check it out.
It's a newspaper clipping
from 1962.
"Local heiress to marry
magnate's son on Christmas Eve
"in a grand country affair.
"Jane Bridge."
J.
That's George Wayne,
the old man that we ran into.
Yeah. You're right.
The Wayne estate is literally
right next to this property.
So she left Henry
to marry for money.
Yeah. And judging
by that photo,
she doesn't look very happy
about it.
Mm.
So much for better to have
loved and lost
than never have loved at all.
May I help you?
Hi.
When you said that you
and my Uncle Henry
had a friend in common.
Was that person's name Jane?
Yes.
How did you know her?
She was my wife.
Both Jane's and my parents
were adamant
that we be married.
I suppose our fathers saw it
as good business
keeping the two families
even more intertwined.
What Jane or I wanted was...
beside the point.
It was all very Shakespearean.
Hm.
A tragedy, as it turned out.
When we started courting,
I fell in love with Jane,
truly and deeply.
She was such a kind,
luminous soul.
She loved me.
I knew she did.
But I also knew I didn't occupy
a whole of her heart.
There was a part of her love
that was hidden away,
untouchable to me.
As our wedding day neared
I could tell that Jane
was becoming
more and more distraught.
I said we should stop
the wedding.
I loved Jane enough
not to keep her from
the one she truly loved.
However, Jane came to me
begging to keep
our wedding plans.
Henry told her that his feelings
for her had changed.
She promised that
her heart was mine.
I believed her.
We had such a beautiful marriage
for several years.
Until the illness took her.
Far too young.
For a long time, I despised
your great uncle
until I realized that
he sacrificed his feelings
so that she could have
a better life.
That is the saddest story
I've ever heard.
At my age, I try not to see
things as sad or happy.
It's...
...it's all part of
God's greater plan.
And it's a gift.
I have something for you.
These should go with the
rest of Henry's belongings.
Thank you.
Hi, Gordon.
Merry Christmas.
Ms. Marlow,
shouldn't you be here?
No, we changed my flight
to Tuesday, remember?
The Agromerge meeting
is Wednesday morning.
The Agromerge meeting
is happening now.
What? What are you
talking about?
Layla's in the conference room
with the Agromerge board members
as we speak.
It's Christmas Eve.
They're on a Zoom
with Kevin Brixxton,
and I think she's using
your notes like they're her own.
Okay. Can you video
conference me in, please?
I can try.
This is Layla.
Leave a message.
There she is.
Sophie, I would like you to meet
your potential buyer,
Thomas Carlaw.
He'll be coming in with
an offer this afternoon.
Mr. Carlaw.
Merry Christmas, Miss Marlow.
I'm with Brixxton
Investment Trust.
Brixxton.
Your property is exactly what
our company is looking for.
Can I talk to you
for a moment, please?
Offer?
I haven't even signed
the listing yet.
Oh, I know.
I took the liberty of making
a few calls myself.
These corporate buyers
are very motivated.
They are prepared to offer you
25 percent over asking.
Why so much?
Oh, Fitz's report came in.
There's an aquifer
underneath this property.
These guys are big agriculture.
This is a huge selling factor
for them.
I'm sorry, Miss Marlow.
I tried to conference you in,
but the meeting has just ended.
That's her.
Layla.
What did you just do?
You're the one who decided
to take a vacation
during a huge merger.
Vacation? Funny.
And that whole line
about the Agromerge CFO
just happening to be
at the Christmas party.
Oh, I can't believe
I fell for that.
Yeah, well, the miso shishito
peppers were to die for.
Didn't lie about that.
You used my notes as your own.
You know what kind
of violation that is?
I could have you disbarred
for sending sensitive documents
unsecured from what?
A coffee shop?
It's a lawyer's office
with a secure server.
You know what?
You would have done the
exact same thing, Sophie.
This is corporate law, okay?
It's not personal.
Besides, you should be thankful.
I am the reason that the
Brixxton Niagara merge merger
is going to go through.
It's a huge win for the firm.
You seem to have forgotten
the lesson
from law 101. Layla,
don't count your mergers
until they're signed.
I gotta go.
Gordon, I need you to send me
a full transcript
of what was said
in that meeting.
Of course, Miss Marlow.
Sure.
How do I do that?
Well, congratulations
and Merry Christmas.
You are selling this place
25 percent over asking.
We did?
Wait. I didn't even think
we signed the listing yet.
Oh, I saw Sophie earlier.
I explained the whole thing.
You did?
She was speechless.
And I think she was certainly
happy that it was
Brixxton Investment Trust
that came in to buy.
I think she knows them.
Does she?
- Vera?
- Oh.
That's Mr. Carlaw.
Brixxton acquisitions.
I'll introduce you
if you'd like.
No, no, no.
Thank you.
I, um... I got someplace
I got to be.
Well...
I just reviewed the transcript
from my office and now...
I don't know.
And the worst part is,
my confusion doesn't
just affect me, but Sam.
Ah, Sam will figure it out.
Were you and Sam... ever?
What? No. No.
No.
For some reason,
I always thought.
Nope. No.
Even if I did have a thing
for Sam,
I would never have a chance.
As long as I've known him,
he's only ever had eyes
for one girl.
Do you think I'm a horrible
person if I sell the farm
to a big company?
Horrible.
No. It does make me sad, yes.
You're going to be fine, Sophie.
And if all else fails,
you can come and be a barista
barrister with me.
My door is always open to you.
Thank you.
There may be one other option.
Hey, there.
Are you packing up?
Yeah. Gotta go.
I got everything I needed here
to finish the script.
You have to go.
Back to the city.
What about our plan, Sam?
What about your part
of the farm?
You can have my 40 percent, okay?
No, really. Just...
You can have it.
You can... you can.
You can give it to charity.
You can do whatever
you want with it.
It's just, um.
It was really good seeing you.
Merry Christmas.
This is fantastic.
I love the new scenes, Sam.
The producers love them.
Even the studio loves them.
And they don't love anything
that's going to cost
this much to make.
When can you send me more?
Well, the whole script is going
to be done by Christmas.
I just gotta figure out
the last scene now.
Amazing.
Look, Sam, I don't know
what has gotten into you,
but whatever muse you found,
don't give it up.
Merry Christmas.
Love ya.
It was a pretty slick move
you pulled today.
You'll have to help
me understand
why you did it like that.
What don't you understand?
I meet with Agromerge
and Brixxton.
They're ready to merge.
It's worth hundreds of millions.
Agromerge's due diligence
shows that Brixxton has
a water problem
in the area of the country
where they own most
of their property.
Waynesbridge, Washington.
Were you just so
conveniently happen to be.
Hm. Convenient isn't the word
I'd use here.
Brixxton finds a property
with huge subterranean
water reserves that'll satisfy
everybody's needs
once it's tapped.
They make an aggressive push
to buy the property.
And who happens to be
the owner of said property?
Your great uncle Henry.
It's just 100 percent dumb luck.
It's not luck, Layla.
It's Christmas.
And then you call the partners
and tell them
that you're going to block
the sale of the property.
Meaning Agromerge
and Brixxton get shut out.
I lose.
And the partners lose.
You lose, Sophie.
I just don't get it.
It's something you
taught me, Layla.
It's corporate law.
It's not personal.
Which means it
isn't about people.
Having merry Christmas, Layla.
Oh, Henry.
What am I going to do?
George Wayne, huh?
Yeah. He's gonna buy the farm.
On one condition.
That he also brings back
Marlow Maple Meadows syrup.
How'd you know?
Erin called me.
So what about the house?
We still get to keep it.
So I think I'm going to stick
around here for a little while.
What about your job?
She didn't tell you
the other news.
You are looking at the newest
barista barrister,
and I'll be on the front line,
keeping family farms out
of the hands of big business.
Falling forward, Sophie Marlow
And what about you?
Are you happy with your script?
I'm very happy with my script.
It turns out all I needed
was a muse.
So is that boy from the village
still in love with
the girl in the castle?
You weren't asleep?
Yes, he is.
Turns out she was
the one all along.
Sam, I think that we both had
to travel the path
God put us on to lose
each other,
just to find our way back.
Sophie, I should have told
you this a long time ago.
I love you.
And I have, from the very
first moment
I laid eyes on you
when we were kids.
And my biggest regret was
not telling you until now.
I feel the same way.
I was so heartbroken
that day that I left
and I never forgot about you.
Ever.
Well, we can't make
that mistake twice.
I agree.
Wait.
What?
Just... just one second.
I love you, Sophie.
I love you, Sammy.
How'd you know I was
going to be here?
I just came out here
to try to visualize the
last scene of my script.
And I really hope
that you hadn't left
before saying goodbye to Henry.
I think it's time
we set him free.
Goodbye, Henry.
Go be with your true love.
We'll take care of the farm.
And from now on,
whoever wants Marlow Maple's
Christmas sweets
We'll get Marlow
Maple's Christmas sweets.
Merry Christmas, Sammy.
Merry Christmas, Sophie.
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Home Sweet Christmas (2024)
Moderators: Maskath3, GabrielAlejo2341, sidolanters, Maskath3, GabrielAlejo2341, sidolanters