Original subtitles

Christmas. I love Christmas.

Like a comet streaking across a winter night sky, it fills us with the joy and

spirit of the season, if only for a short time.

I just wish Christmas in L .A. looked more like, well, Christmas.

Everybody back to work.

Except Niecy.

Come on, Eddie. It's Christmas.

Bah humbug.

Dang.

Eddie's even got me working in my dreams.

It's me.

It's me.

It's me.

It's me.

Christmas tree is here.

Ho,

ho, ho.

It's about time to get another tree.

Is it beginning last year's? It is last year's.

Here, Pop came through for you, son. What do you think?

I think it's a fire hazard.

Is this the same tree that's been sitting in the dealership showroom since

day after Thanksgiving?

Yeah. That looked pretty good, too, didn't it?

Why would you bring home a used tree?

No, no, no, no, baby. Don't think of it as used. Just previously decorated.

Frank, you know that I've invited Andell over to help us decorate. I would like

a fresh tree.

Oh, honey, as soon as I hit this bad boy with a couple of cans of flock, nobody

will know the difference.

Well, anyway, it's not about the tree.

It's about the spirit of... giving, right, Dad? That's my boy.

And the cool stuff you guys are gonna be giving me.

Like that Dino dirt bike, fool sneakers, and that WCW versus NWO game you didn't

get me for my birthday.

Miles, that seems like a really long list. Are you sure Santa thinks you've

a good little boy?

Well, yeah, if you throw out that little drug problem.

Oh, son, I think you made big points with Santa when you got Moesha to come

home.

What's the matter, baby? It's Christmas Eve. Where's your Christmas spirit?

Eddie the Grinch stole it.

Who did?

Last night he called me and told me I had to work today.

Well, weren't you supposed to be off since you're working New Year's Eve?

that's what I thought, but Eddie said we're too busy.

Dang, I was supposed to get the rest of my presents. What came in there?

We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas. Yeah, I came to Merry Christmas. One for you.

Now, I hope this is not a plate with your name on it.

And one for you.

Thank you, Hakeem. That's really nice.

You've forgiven somebody, dog.

No, no, no. I already took care of Big Mama.

Ah, sight, boy. Merry Christmas.

Thanks, Hakeem. I hope there's a G -Shock watch over here. If it is, I'll B

-Shock. There you go.

Oh, just in case anybody's tripping and wants to get me for Christmas, here's a

new suggestion.

Any extra Saturns laying around taking up space?

A key.

That's easy.

Nope.

Cash is always a good backup.

Here,

honey.

A dollar.

Merry Christmas from the Mitchells.

Are you ready to go? Yeah, I guess.

I can't believe Eddie got us working on Christmas Eve.

I know. I have to think of an excuse so he can let me off early. I've got to get

to those stores before they close.

Not going to happen. Unless you got somebody standing over you going, Clear!

Y 'all take care, guys. Bye.

Okay,

Antonio, once more from the top.

Merry Christmas and welcome to Class Act. Now you got to make them feel it.

it more sizzle. It's hey there. How you doing?

Merry Christmas. Welcome to Class Act.

Don't forget to throw in a few happy Hanukkahs, happy Kwanzaas, Feliz

Donkey Shane, you know, whatever's appropriate.

Eddie, family, emergency. Dee just called me and said that Mal drank some

eggnog. Her and my dad have to deliver some dinners to some sick chuttons, and

really have to go. That's a good cause for bad timing.

Eddie! Okay, but don't ever say Eddie Belk doesn't have a heart.

You can leave.

Oh, thank you, Eddie.

After I eat lunch.

So, uh, she'll ring you up, and, uh, Merry Christmas.

So, whoa, whoa, whoa. Did it work?

Merry Christmas, Class Act. Manager Eddie Belk speaking.

Hey, Frank, how you doing?

She's here.

How's little Mom?

Oh, you say you just finished stringing lights on the front porch and the roof?

Must be some slamming egg, Mom.

Here's Moesha.

Rookie. Excuse me.

Clifford Brown. I'm here to check on the status of my job application.

I filled it out two months ago. Oh, well, Mr. Brown, we're kind of busy

now. You think you can come back later? Well, I'm afraid not. When I get off my

temporary job downstairs, you'll be closed.

Oh.

Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo. Can you handle him while I handle her?

Hi. You looking for something for your grandkids?

No, I'm looking for the manager.

Oh, yeah.

And a good morning to you, too, sir. I just stopped by to see... I know, but

like I told you before, when hiring freeze, haven't hired anybody since

Day.

Thanks anyway, and Merry Christmas.

Please, tell me you carry suspenders.

Um, I don't know. I just started yesterday.

But you know what? Take a look around. If you find some, let me know, because I

wear suspenders.

Uh, excuse me. Did I hear you say you started yesterday?

Yep. Do you mind if I ask when you apply?

Apply? More like I was abducted. I came in here yesterday to see my man, Hakeem.

That's him over there macking on that girl.

And the next thing I know, I got a gig folding clothes and greeting customers.

Excuse me. Merry Christmas and welcome to class.

You said you hadn't hired anyone since Labor Day.

Technically, I haven't. See, he's on what's called a T .E .S. T .E .S.? Yeah,

that's a temporary emergency status. Look, Pop, we have an application on

If something comes up, you ain't got to call us. We'll call you.

Now, have a candy cane on us, Gramps.

And a Merry Christmas.

I can't cover for me, please. I have to finish my shopping. Time for plan B,

huh? Yes.

Eddie,

I have... a serious migraine headache coming up. Unless I see a gunshot wound,

paramedics, or some old woman standing over your gut.

Oh, Lord!

Not my baby!

You're staying.

Hey, Santa.

Hope you didn't let the valet park your reindeer.

Everybody freeze!

Get down on the floor.

Which is it? Where do you have to get on the floor?

The floor. Now, just a minute, whoever you are. Dang, don't you recognize Santa

Claus? You don't think you ain't about to fall for that old hand in the pocket

trick, do you?

That guy in the face trick works every time.

You, shut this place down.

And don't get cute.

No problem. Me and cute never been using the same sentence.

Excuse me, can I have something?

Whatever it is, the answer's no.

Santa, if it's money that you want, why don't you just take it? Shut up, boy.

She didn't ask you for anything.

No, you shut up.

It's not about money anymore. It's about respect.

Respect? In that suit?

Why don't you let me show you something in pencil, right? Maybe they'd be pretty

quiet.

And we're going to stay here until my demands are met.

Okay, look, I can't keep an eye on all of you. I'll go.

I thought you said we were going to stick together.

Mo, codependency is unhealthy.

All the employees will stand over there.

Now!

And the rest of you, walk out slowly.

I'm sorry, Mo, but he said go and I'll always listen to my elders.

Especially when they pack it.

Hey, Eddie, I quit.

Yeah, me too.

You know quitting has been on my to -do list. Why are you telling me? I'm just a

customer. Thank you, Paul.

I said employees over there.

Hey, you were that guy looking for a job.

Yeah, well, you can have mine.

It's too late.

It's not about the job anymore.

It's about exposing injustices.

I want television coverage.

Now, it's about time people my age got some media attention.

When you pulled out the gun, you got my attention immediately.

You better hope they give me what I want, or I'm taking out one of you every

hour, starting with the youngest.

Sorry about that, Mo.

Guess that put you in the front of the line.

Uh -huh.

There.

Dee, time for the decorations.

Hey, Dad, this was fun. Can we build a snowman?

Boy,

you guys sure flocked up this tree.

Yeah, I told you it was going to turn out okay.

Yes, you certainly did, Scrooge.

I'll get it.

on the TV. I just heard on the radio that they had to evacuate the mall.

Where Mo and I came work? Yeah, some sort of hostage situation.

Oh, God, I hope they're all right.

Frank, come on. All right, all right, honey.

I'm Kenny Sargent, and we're live at Beverly in Lafayette, where a hostage

continues to unfold on this Christmas Eve. It has been confirmed that an

gunman is inside the Clash Act clothing store, a national chain headquartered in

Denton, Texas.

We also have information that the alleged gunman is holding four Clash Act

employees. And with me now is Ms. Kimberly Parker, who was released just

ago. I didn't want to leave my friends, but that mean old man had that big old

gun. I had no choice.

I'm too flabby.

Ms. Parker, can you tell us how you described the suspect to the police?

Oh, sure. He was like that smart, crazy killer in Die Hard, except he was

wearing this crimson suit with this white faux angora lapels and these black

wing tips.

All right, we have just been handed a composite sketch of the suspect.

Yes, that's him. That's the madman.

Good heavens.

It's the Santa Claus.

Oh, it was horrible. It was terrible.

Santa, for the record, that drawing doesn't do you justice.

Thanks. You'll be the last one to die.

The next piece of fruitcake I get, I'm using as a doorstop.

Can the lady find a seat?

What's wrong with him? I thought Santa's was supposed to be jolly.

We're being held hostage, Niecy.

By him?

Shame on you.

You're a disgrace to your profession.

Oh, big mistake. What, coming out of the restroom?

No, girl.

I'm letting all the white people go.

Sounds like we may not make it out alive, little sugar.

Any last requests?

Yeah.

Shoot me now.

Oh, yeah, he's bugging. They're gonna have to take him down.

Turn that thing off.

I'm not crazy.

That's not what she said, okay?

I know what bugging means.

Who? I mean, since you talk the talk, then tell us, Mr. Dilley, why are you

jacking us?

Hakeem, he probably doesn't know why. How do you know what I know?

Dilley is information.

Jack is just truncated slang for hijack. And you keep on talking, you're going

to be the first one I 187.

Whoa.

It's a grand pop of hip -hop.

Grand pop.

Look.

For 35 years, I was a productive citizen.

I was an aeronautical engineer.

Then why are you doing this?

Because they laid me off.

After 35 years? That doesn't sound fair.

Excuse me, Moesha. I hate to break every little tip to our table. This may be a

good time to point out to Santa that he's definitely overqualified for the

position at Class Act. We don't build planes here.

Listen, you Dale Carnegie dropout. It's not about this job.

It's a...

It's about being disposable once you're over 50.

Suddenly you're nothing but a Social Security number, which means no one

to you anymore because you're not in the right demographics.

Hold that story, Pop. I got to get this. You touch that phone, you're going to

get this.

Here, answer it.

No heroics.

Merry Christmas, Class Act.

It's the police hostage negotiator. He wants to know if you're a postal worker.

No, no, he's a laid -off aeronautical engineer with real issues.

Now, I can speak for myself.

He wants to know your demands.

I want my dignity.

He wants dignified jobs for senior citizens.

What else?

And tell him I want people to stop acting like seniors are invisible.

And he wants to see more stories about people over 50 on television.

That's not what he said. Give me the phone. If you touch that phone, you're

going to meet Jamaica.

Don't just stand there. Keep talking.

What about some kind of party? What about some kind of pizza? Forget the

Look,

I want immunity from prosecution or I'm taking someone out every hour.

Oh, and one more thing.

Every male over 50, free Viagra.

How was that?

Not too demanding, was it?

No, that's too hard of a call for me to make.

Well, turn that thing back on. Let's see what's going on out there.

We're now with Frank Mitchell, the father of one of the hostages, Boetia

Mitchell.

Yes.

No, Pumpkin.

If you're listening, we just want you to know that we love you, baby.

Be strong.

And, Hakeem, don't annoy the man by asking for food.

I just want to say that, as the owner of Brother Saturn, I'm willing to offer

Santa a job at my car dealership if he'll just release my daughter and the

hostages. Thank you, sir.

Anything you'd like to add, Mrs. Mitchell?

I just want to say that we are... Praying for the safety of all the

their families, too.

That's right. That's right. And are you also a member of the Mitchell family?

Extended family.

Moesha's like a daughter to me.

Even though I'm single and way too young to have a daughter. Moesha's age.

However, I do all my own business located there.

Thank you.

We are now with Moesha's little brother, Miles Mitchell.

Please, Santa, I don't want the sneakers or the video game.

I don't even want that 20 -speed dyno dirt bike.

All I really want for Christmas is to let my sister

go.

He reminds me of my grandson.

Okay, okay.

I've just been told that the phone lines at the station are jammed with job

offers for Santa.

Hey. Hey, man. See, Santa? See, now you have your pick of jobs.

That's because you are somebody, and I respect you.

Can I go?

You know what, Santa? It sounds like if you let us go, you'll be able to spend

Christmas with your grandson.

We're in jail.

Then I negotiate.

Yeah, right.

He'll say anything to get me to let you people go.

Couldn't hurt to let me go as a gesture of goodwill.

Sit your country butt down.

Nobody's going anywhere.

What have I done?

I just wanted a job. I never intended for it to come to this.

But it's too late now. No, it's not.

What if they got the wrong Santa?

Oh, Lord, don't tell me there's another disgruntled Kringle in the back.

No, no, I mean, what if Eddie...

Put on the Santa Claus suit, and you dress like an employee.

Hold up, Ma. Ain't your head about getting put on no silly red suit and

bullet for Santa?

Is that suit of 40 too long?

All right, Hakeem, open the door.

This isn't even a real gun.

Well, Mr. Brown spent Christmas with his family before turning himself in.

I understand he's also waiting through some book and movie deals he's been

offered.

Unfortunately, I didn't have presents under the tree for Daddy and Dee.

But it's still a Merry Christmas.

You know, maybe Christmas isn't about presents, sleigh bells, or even fresh

Christmas trees.

Maybe it's really about opening our hearts to strangers and the simple joy

being with family and friends.