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(Christmas music)

(Christmas music)

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- Hi! I was wondering if you were hiring

any holiday help this season.

Could I at least leave my resume?

Just in case you change your-- OK.

Happy holidays.

Becky's teacher!

Mrs. Laurence, so sorry I'm late. - Oh, Nicky, no problem.

Hi, nice to see you. Have a seat.

Unfortunately... (laughing) - I promise

not to stick my gum under the desk.

So, how's my daughter doing? - Well, Becky

is a great girl. She's smart

and she always participates in class. She's good at math

and she's really artistic, except that she's having

a little trouble keeping up with the other kids in reading and spelling.

- I have noticed she's not very comfortable reading out loud, which is weird

because she's normally so confident.

Maybe the problem is with the spelling? - Exactly,

that's why I think that a tutor would really help her. She just needs a little extra push.

- Mrs. Laurence, I lost my job a couple of months ago.

Tutoring is really expensive. I can't afford that right now.

- No, I understand. - But I'm going to get another job, and as soon as I do,

you can rest assured I will make sure that Becky gets all the help she needs.

- I know you will. (bell ringing)

Why don't you just wait here for Becky? - OK.

Thanks.

- Mom! What are you doing here?

- Hey! Having a little talk with your teacher.

She says you're a great girl. I told her she has to get to know you better.

- You did not! - I did not!

Get your stuff, we'll walk home.

Thanks.

- Has anyone seen my lunch box? - I moved it.

It was in the way.

Good luck finding it.

- So, how's school? - Good. - Yeah? No problems?

- No. - You're getting along with everybody?

- Yep. And something exciting

happened at school today. - Really. What's that?

- Taylor told the whole class her mother is getting remarried

this New Year's Day! Isn't that cool? - That is cool.

- And Taylor gets to be the flower girl and their dog gets to be the ring bearer.

Isn't that awesome? - That's pretty awesome.

Hope the dog doesn't eat the rings.

- I want... you to get married again.

- What? Why?

- Because I want you to be happy. - I am happy!

I have you.

Besides, there is one little tiny problem.

Nobody's asked me.

- Mama, you're too picky.

The check-out guy at the market likes you. He asked you out

and you said no. - Well,

he's not my type. Besides, he knows I clip coupons.

That's embarrassing. - So what?

He's really nice, except for the twitch. - That's not a twitch, Becky,

I think that's his idea of a wink.

Anyway, he's not for me.

I don't like his name either.

- What is wrong with his name? - Arthur? I couldn't marry an Arthur.

- What guys' names could you marry? - That's a silly question.

- You're the one who's being silly, so answer the question. - I am not...

OK, fine, Bill.

Bill's a good name, it's Grandpa's name.

I could marry a Bill. - I'm gonna find you a Bill,

and when I do, you're marrying him. I'm gonna make you!

- Rebecca Jane!

- Snowman! - (both): I love snowmen!

- We said it same time. Gotta make a wish.

What'd you wish for? - You know the rules, Mom.

Can't say or the wish won't come true. - Oh!

Well, you are absolutely right about that.

Look at the polar bears, look how cute they are!

- He just moved his head!

Hey, what's that? - What?

What is it? - Wow!

Look, Mom! It's a pocket angel.

One of those little angel coins.

It's supposed to be good luck. - Oh yeah?

- Isn't it beautiful? - Sure is. - I want you to keep it, Mom.

- No. You found it, you get to keep it. - No,

you have to keep it. Maybe it'll help you get a job.

(laughing) - OK, well,

I'll tell you what. If it means that much to you,

in my pocket it goes.

These earmuffs! I'm going to buy you some new earmuffs.

They keep falling off.

- Ah, I can deal. - Can you?

Oh, that's Mrs. Rositani right there. Let's go visit Liz instead.

We'll play a little game of hide from the building manager. She's gonna talk my ear off. OK?

- Mom, isn't this just because you're late on the rent? - Shh! Let's go.

- And the next... yeah, just... OK.

- Liz and Grace should be home.

We'll go around the back.

Hope the door isn't locked.

Hey, Liz!

- Hey! What are you doing here?

- Oh, Mrs. Rositani... I think I just gave her the slip. - Becky,

come on!

- Ms. Talbot! I know you're in there!

- Are you kidding me? What did she do, follow me?

- Looks like you're not so good at giving people the slip.

- Mrs. Rositani, I am

so sorry I haven't given you the rent I owe you yet. I will bring it to you

very soon, I promise. - Well, it is the holidays for everybody, you know,

people still have to pay their way.

Oh, just get it to me as soon as you can.

I'm too old to chase you around the neighborhood.

- Oh, you don't have to chase me. And you're not old.

Are you kidding? You don't look a day over fifty.

- Really? Well, I do try

and take care of myself. I joined a water aerobics class at the Y.

- Did you? - Yeah. - Well, you know what?

That is working for you. - Oh, thank you.

- Anyway.

You should go.

- Becky, what are you doing?

- You'll see.

That's where our tree

will go when we get it. We're going to have

a great Christmas, Mom. - Yeah, you bet we are.

We always do. - Right! Where's that angel coin?

- Let's see, I think it is in...

my coat pocket. Here it is.

- Mr. Angel!

Get down here and start helping my mom find a job!

- Miss Becky, you are gonna wake the entire building up.

- I was just trying to wake up a certain angel. - I know you were.

I think you did your job.

Now let's get you ready for bed, come on.

How about if you read the first two lines

and then I'll read the next two lines?

No? You sure?

OK.

"'Twas the night before Christmas,

"when all through the house,

"not a creature was stirring,

"not even... a mouse. (giggling)

"The stockings were hung

"by the chimney with care,

"in hopes that St. Nicholas

soon would be there."

Breakfast for you. - Nicky!

Hi! - Oh, hi! - I just heard that Cartwright's

Department Store is hiring holiday help.

A lot of it. Today! So you need to pull yourself together

ASAP and get downtown by 9AM. - To Cartwright's?

Oh, come on! They would never hire someone like me. I mean, I don't even have

anything to wear that they wouldn't laugh at. - Stop.

Where's the never-say-die girl that I know and love?

You can do this! I've got it all wired. I've got the perfect thing

for you to wear, for the interview. - Are you kidding me?

That's the dress we picked out for your anniversary dinner with Ralph.

I couldn't wear that. - Yes, you can. Ralph's been married to me

eleven years. I already got that job. I'll take Becky to and from school,

you don't have to worry about a thing. What do I need to hear?

- I can do this! - Yes!

- For luck.

- I'm so sorry, it'll be just two more minutes.

- Ms. Talbot? - Yes? Oh!

- I think you dropped this. - Thank you!

- Sorry for spying, but I can't help but notice

you worked at Millie's Discount Dress Mart? - Yeah.

- Oh, then you must be good. - Well, I like to think so. (laughing)

- I was so sorry to hear that they closed. - I know, it was a bummer.

- And you volunteer at Rush Children's hospital, too.

- Well, when I have time. - That's amazing.

- Thanks. - So, what job are you applying for here?

- Holiday help. - Hey,

you. - Hi.

- Mr. Cartwright is looking for you. - Yes, right. Um...

- Who is this? - This is a very qualified

job applicant and you should hire her. - Really? Alright, well,

I'll see what I can do.

- William! - Ah, Mr. Cartwright, sir!

I didn't know you were in town. You wanted to see me?

- I did. I just wanted to check up

on one of my star employees.

I just wanted to congratulate you on the numbers

in your department. Highest in the chain.

- Thank you very much, sir. - Outstanding, William. - Appreciate it.

- May I have a word with you in my office? - Yeah, of course.

- Hope you get the job.

- Thank you.

- Go on in. - Hi.

It's so nice to meet you.

I've been a big fan of this store for a long time.

Everything here is so beautiful.

- Yes, well, Cartwright's is a very elegant store

and we like our permanent full-time staff

to reflect that.

I'm assuming you're here for a temporary position

as holiday help. (door opening)

- Sorry to interrupt, Fiona, but the agency just called to say that they found a replacement

for the "bad" Santa.

He was making the toddlers cry, scratchy beard. Anyway,

I'm happy to report that a new one is on his way and I hear he's really good.

Just thought you'd want to know. - Well, he better be good. Thank you, that's all.

- So, if you'll take a look at my resume right here,

you'll see I'm very experienced in sales.

I've worked a ton of Christmases.

I'm also very good with people.

Usually. - I noticed that out in the waiting room.

You made quite an impression on one of our department heads,

though I'm not sure exactly why.

Oh, I see here that you spent

years working at Millie's Discount Dress shop. - Yep.

- For years. That's great.

That's great.

Well, thank you for coming in.

- Um, did you have any questions

for me? - Oh no, I have all the information I need.

Thanks so much.

- I hope you'll just... - That's all.

- OK...

Hello?

Is anyone there? I'm trapped in here!

- Um, are you in the Santa suit yet?

You better hurry!

The children are down there waiting.

This is a good job, you know. It pays well,

plus store discount,

bonuses, benefits.

Hello?

- Yes?

- What was that? - (deep voice): Yes.

Just a minute!

- Alrighty. Hurry it up, then.

Our store is very busy.

We keep things at a fast pace here.

You better hurry it up.

Are you ready?

How long does it take to put on a beard? Ha!

We don't wanna keep the little ones waiting

one moment longer.

Oh ho...

You will do nicely.

Now, we haven't been formally introduced. Harry Osbourne,

Christmas consultant from corporate headquarters.

Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Now, may I call you Santa?

- (deep voice): Santa or Nicky

will do. - Yes, of course.

Nick from Old Saint Nick.

That's a nice touch, but to me, you're gonna be Santa.

Now, hurry up.

Follow me. We have work to do

and dreams to make come true.

(people chattering)

(children cheering)

- Peg Habershaw, numero uno Santa's helper.

You must be the new Santa.

What a relief! I thought these kids were going to riot!

(children screaming)

And, uh... oh!

Christmas consultant from corporate, huh? - Indeed.

- Well, that's a new deal. Very nice to meet you, sir.

- Pleasure. And Peg Habershaw,

meet your new Santa, Santa Nick.

- Great outfit. Very...

colorful. - Thank you. I pride myself on authenticity.

I don't like to brag,

but I am a first class number one Santa's helper

and I've been praying to work with a Santa who really knows his stuff.

Not to put any pressure on you,

but your job is a huge responsibility.

But I'll show you the ropes.

We'll be working

pretty closely together. It's all about team work, sir.

- Wow. There sure are a lot of children waiting.

- You can handle it. You'll see. You'll have a lot of help. - And by the way,

wait till we get closer to the big day. This place will be a madhouse.

- Look, Mommy! Santa! Hi, Santa!

- Hey, Santa! - Somebody's calling you, Santa.

Sell, sell, sell. It's all about dollars.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

What's going on here? - Didn't you get the memo?

- What memo? Who are you?

- I guess you're a little slow on the uptake, Fiona.

This is Harry Osbourne. A bigwig from corporate.

New deal. Christmas consultant.

(laughing) - Peg, dear,

don't you have some candy canes to give out or something?

- Well, what Miss Habershaw is saying is correct.

And this is the new Santa

we'll be using here at Cartwright's. - Not gonna happen.

Because this is the Santa that my office hired.

- This is a new day, Miss Aldrich.

Your Santa looks like a linebacker

for the Bears. My Santa is a new modern

healthy-looking Santa,

a nice role model for the children. No offense.

- None taken.

- I think you should check your email for the message. - Ha! What message?

Look, mister, I don't know who you think you're talking to,

but I check my email constantly.

I pride myself on being on top of everything. Just you wait.

Email! - I love this.

I haven't seen Fiona lose it like this

since we started together years ago as holiday help.

- I knew it. No corporate memo! - I think you might be mistaken. - Hey!

- Oh, well, probably

because you're, uh... receiving too many personal emails.

Now, Miss Aldrich,

confirmation

of a mani-pedi appointment...

- Would you just put that down? - Oh, and your shoes

are gonna be delivered-- - Alright, stop it.

- Oh, here it is! The corporate email is right here.

- Oh, give me that.

How did this get there?

I don't understand. Mr. Cartwright was just here

this morning. He would've mentioned it. - So do I stay or do I go?

- Oh, just go. Go, go, go. I'll find you something in shipping.

Alright.

Your Santa better be good.

- Oh, this Santa

will be the best Santa

we've ever had at this store.

- Well done, Harry.

(children screaming)

- Hello! Now, tell me,

what would you like for Christmas?

- Not only do I want a new sled,

but I want a pink snow suit. - My goodness!

Well, um...

You don't want a sled

or a new snow suit in California!

You want a new bathing suit

and brand-new beach toys.

Ho, ho, ho! - Am I going

to California? - Well,

wouldn't that be fun? - Yes!

But how do you know I'm going?

- How do I know? - It's Santa magic.

- Duh! Of course, because you're Santa.

- That's an amazing Santa. I didn't know I was going to California

until a minute ago. My husband just texted me this message.

- Now you have a merry Christmas. - You too, Santa.

- Next spring, you're going to get a little sister.

And you, young man...

Oh, big fellow you are!

Let's take a picture right over there.

Ho, ho, ho!

And what would you like for Christmas?

(cell phone ringing)

- The eagle has landed.

All systems go.

Thank you, sir.

Alright, talk to you soon.

- Hi. I just wanted to say I really like

the way you handled Fiona.

I'm not a big Fiona fan. - You don't say.

- But I am a fan of our new Santa.

He's very unusual. - Our new Santa

really is unusual. - The way he is with kids

is just incredible, you know? He really gets

into their little heads. It's like he's reading their minds.

You sure know how to pick the perfect Santa. - Well,

I've learned...

from the master.

- Shark, s-h-a-r-k.

Shark. - Very good, Sophie.

Does anyone else want to have a go?

Becky?

You ready to try? OK.

Spell "blue".

- B-l-u.

Blue.

- So close. But there's an 'e' at the end.

B-l-u-e.

The 'e' is silent. But it's very important

to keep trying. Good job.

- Dummy.

- Merry Christmas! Mr. Osbourne,

your Santa

just convinced that little boy to get a ball and a mitt

rather than a game console.

- My Santa is spreading good will for the store.

That's something money can't buy.

- Aw, that's very sweet and that may be true, but that is not

how you grow a business. Christmas is about profit and numbers.

- I couldn't disagree more.

- Talk some sense into your Santa.

- Hello!

Oh, what a pretty little girl!

- Book me a massage. And I need the revised guest list by the end of the say.

- There's been great feedback on Santa. - Really? Well, I think

there's something off about this guy. I want you to get me a background check on him

as soon as possible. - OK.

I'll get right on it. - Go.

- Hey, slow down! And no more cookies. Dinner's almost ready!

- Hello! - Hey! You got a job!

Congratulations! - Thanks. - You don't seem too happy.

- Oh, I'm happy alright.

It is an amazing job. - Mama!

You got a job! I told you

the lucky pocket angel would help. - Oh boy,

did it ever help. Because trust me,

it is a Christmas miracle that I got this particular job. - So?

- What do they have you doing at Cartwright's?

- They... have me... doing stuff.

Like for the holidays.

Holiday stuff. - Tag! You're it! - What? No! Wait!

- So what do they have you doing?

Wrapping Christmas presents or something? - Liz,

I am the store Santa.

- You're kidding. - No! - You're Santa?

There has never been a female Santa Claus

in any department store that I know of, ever.

- I have no idea how it even happened.

It was too crazy for me even to explain right now.

Oh, and this boss, says his name is Harry,

he's so special!

And the other thing, Liz, is that I'm actually a good Santa!

Can you believe it? I'm good at it.

It's like I know this stuff about the kids

before anyone has a chance to even tell me,

like I'm psychic or something.

I don't even understand how it works.

- Not crazy. Women's intuition. There's no mystery to it.

- I'm not sure that's all

that's going on there. Harry calls it Santa magic.

This man Harry, boy,

he's a real godsend. - You deserve it.

You and Becky deserve a nice Christmas. And it's a cool job, right?

And who would make a better Santa than a great mom?

I'm so happy for you.

- Thank you!

(jazzy music) - Medium soy latte?

- Oh! Is that for Nicky?

Thank you. - Hey you!

- Hmm!

- How are ya? - Hi! I'm good, how are you?

- Good, good. Join me, please, take a seat. - That's OK.

I don't wanna bother you. - Oh, come on, I insist. Look,

you start walking around and trying to eat and drink that coffee

and I'll lay odds you're gonna end up wherever you're going

with indigestion and coffee spilled on something. And coffee

is a notoriously hard stain to get out. Unless of course you're wearing stain-free fabrics,

which we sell exclusively at Cartwright's, by the way.

(laughing) - Wow, well,

you make a good point, I guess.

I can see why you're head of sales

in your department. You must be very good

at your job. - I'm very, very good. (laughing)

Hey, speaking of jobs, what happened at the store the other day?

Did you get the job you applied for? - I did not get that job, no.

I got another job, though.

So, yeah. - OK, well,

that's clearly our loss. But good for me,

because I get to see you again, which is great. - Oh, thanks.

It's nice to see you, too. What a surprise.

- I love this time of year.

Makes me feel like a kid again.

- Yeah, it's really

the most magical time of year, isn't it? Especially for kids.

- Yeah. You know, I almost ruined it once.

- How did you do that? - I told my dad that I didn't believe in any of it.

Told him that I thought the parents did it all.

- And then your dad said something like: "What, you think I ride around

"on a sled all around the world

and I somehow wedge myself down the chimney with armfuls of toys?"

- Yes. - "How could I possibly do that?"

- Yes! And then I said: "You're right, Dad,

how could parents possibly do that?" (laughing)

How did you know? - It was just a guess.

That's how my little brother got three more years of believing.

- Magic. - Bill!

Hi. I am so sorry that I'm late.

I got caught in that awful construction. - OK, well,

hey, it was great to see you again.

- Oh, you too. I was just leaving, so...

- Hopefully I'll see you again. - Yeah. Yeah.

Bye! - See ya.

Why didn't you hire her?

- She wasn't qualified. Why?

- She's nice. - Well, there are a lot

of nice people around, Bill. - Um,

what do we have to discuss again?

- There are gonna be some changes to your department,

but I don't wanna worry about that right now. I wanted to let you know

that I'm free this weekend,

and I just thought I'd ask you if you had any ideas

of anything fun to do or... - Whoa,

there's gonna be changes to my department?

Hey, how's it going, Santa? - (regular voice): Hi!

(deep voice): Haven't had my coffee yet. Morning.

It's showtime.

Ho, ho, ho!

- Thank God you're here!

The kids have been making such a fuss!

Here he is, guys! Just like I told ya! (screaming)

Wow! You're good!

Must have had a lot of practice. - Oh, like riding a bicycle.

(laughing) - OK!

- Why, hello there!

- Have you noticed how incredible this Santa is?

- Mm-hmm. I noticed he looks like he's been on a diet.

He could use some lifts in his boots, you know.

- Shame on you! This is Mr. Christmas! It doesn't matter what he looks like,

it matters how he does his job, and this Santa is killing it. - You're taking this

just a little too seriously. - Oh, too seriously?

- Yeah. - Really?

After Santa, one month of every year,

I am the number two living, breathing representative

of all things North Pole in this store. - And for the rest of the year,

they stick you on the fifth floor in gift wrapping.

You're lucky they don't put you in the closet.

- That is Zen prep time for the big show. And this, my friend,

is the big show. And don't you forget it.

- Uh, you're gonna put that back, right? - Yes.

- They're all named Bill. The one on the left is Ben's dad and he's divorced.

The one in the middle is Katie's dad. He's a widow.

And the one on the right,

he's the janitor. He's a bachelor,

but he says he's looking.

Bills, this is my mom.

- Hi.

Um, Becky, could I speak with you a moment, please?

So you have a hard time reading,

but you can make out the name Bill on a name tag.

- I've been practicing. - Mm-hmm. Becky,

this has got to stop, OK?

I will find my own Bill, thank you very much.

- Let's go.

- Let's get this up on the cart.

- Yeah.

- Perfect! Nice work.

Alright, let's pay for this.

We'll decorate it...

- Hey! - Oh, hey! - Nice to see you again.

Oops! Let me help you with that.

- Oh, thank you.

- This way. - Oh, that's much better.

- Here you go. - So, do you live in the neighborhood?

- Yeah, not too far. I was just out for a run

and I just thought I'd check out the trees on my way home, and I'm so glad I did,

'cause... - Well, me too. - We haven't been introduced,

which is crazy. I'm Bill. - Hear that, Mom? His name

is Bill!

- Right. - Uh, I'm Nicky, and this is my daughter Becky.

- Hey, Becky, how are ya? - Good.

- Nice tree you got there. Excited about decorating it with Mom and Dad?

- Just Mom. - Just Mom?

Oh good, good.

I mean, not... it's good because...

because moms are the best at decorating trees, obviously. - Yep.

She always does the lights, then she and I do the ornaments,

but my favorite part is-- - Wait, let me guess.

Stringing up the popcorn but eating most of it

before you're done? - Hey! How'd you know?

- Everybody knows that! 'Cause it's the best, that's why!

- Alright, let's get this tree up to the front. - Alright.

You like this one? - Yeah.

- You sure? - Yeah.

- Good. (laughing)

- Thank you so much for your help. - Yeah, absolutely.

It was great to see you again. - You too.

- Becky, very nice to meet you. You have a lovely tree,

and good luck with the popcorn, OK? - Thank you.

- And you,

be careful stringing up those lights.

And if you ever need any help with the tree or, you know,

anything at all, just give me a call.

- OK. - Alright. - Thanks.

- OK, see ya.

- He just asked you out, Mom.

- No, he didn't.

He was just being nice. He's a nice person.

- Mo-om, he was not "just being nice".

And his name is Bill. You're going to call him.

- No. - What? - I'm not gonna call him,

because he has a girlfriend.

- What? How do you know? - I just know.

Let's get this tree home before it's next Christmas.

Come on.

Here we go.

- Nicely done.

Need help? - Thank you. Got it.

Well, should we try out the lights and see if they work?

- Yeah! - OK.

- Let's do this.

- Ready?

(cheering)

- Amazing! - That's a work of art.

- So should I just let Grace sleep over

or haul her home? - Oh, let her stay. It'll be fun

to have her stay over. - Everything about you

getting that job sure turned out great.

- I know, it's kind of incredible, right?

I can hardly believe it.

There is one little thing, though.

I haven't told you about it yet. There's a guy

at work... He's so cute.

I think I'm really attracted to him. - Nicky, that's incredible.

I haven't heard you say you were really attracted to anyone in ages.

- He is the manager

of the men's department. (sighing)

He has a girlfriend, though.

He's dating the head of Special Events.

- Ah. The one you can't stand.

- She can't stand me. I'm not that crazy about her, but...

Also, the other thing is he doesn't know I'm Santa Claus.

- And he hasn't figured it out?

- I mean, I can't tell him I'm Santa,

so I get all awkward whenever I'm around him,

because if he finds out, I'm gonna lose my job.

- So you wait until after Christmas to tell him. Hmm?

That way, if there's something real between you two,

it'll keep until then.

- Oh, that's Mr. Cartwright. Mr. Jack Cartwright.

He's the owner of the store

and the whole chain.

- Exciting new additions: we have living candy canes and-- - Peg!

How are ya?

How's your mom doing? - Cranky and impossible.

- Ahh! Say hello to the family, will you?

- Well, I'll try. (laughing)

- Santa! - Hello.

- How are you doing? - Ho, ho, ho! (laughing)

- OK, Santa. - You work on those "ho, ho, hos"!

- Back to work.

I think you're gonna be very excited about... Hurry up, please. We have changed...

- Hey, there he is!

How you doing, Santa? - Good.

You? - Good, good. Got a question for ya.

I'm out at the tree lot by my house the other day, right?

- Oh? - Yeah.

And I see all these people,

they're struggling with their trees and everything, and I started thinking,

it's such a hassle, right, with all the needles falling everywhere

and everything? - Yes?

- So here's my question. Fake trees...

Are they just completely anti-Christmas

or what? - Ho, ho, ho!

Of course not.

It's the Christmas spirit that counts.

- Thank you.

It's a very Santa-like answer, by the way. It's great, I appreciate it.

I don't know what I was worried about. - Well,

I am Santa. - Yes, you are indeed.

So, is there a Mrs. Claus in the picture there, Santa, or just you?

- Oh... Santa always has a Mrs. Claus.

You? - Me? No.

No, single still.

- Good-looking fellow like you? Ho, ho, ho!

(laughing) - Yeah, I don't know about that.

I actually did just meet someone, though.

- Well, that's always fun.

- Yeah.

Yeah, she's... she's pretty great.

She's a...

single mom...

She's real pretty.

I'm interested, you know?

Ah! Back to work. I'll see ya.

- Mrs. Rositani! - Mm-hmm?

- Here is the rent that I owe you.

- Oh! What happened?

Santa come early this year? - You know what, truer words

were never spoken. - Thank you.

- Mom?

- Yeah? - How do you spell 'camping'?

- C-a-m-p-i-n-g.

How did you spell it?

- I got it right. - You did? - Thanks for getting me

this spelling game. - Of course. We're gonna work together on this, Becky.

Your teacher says it's gonna take you a little while to catch up,

but as long as you work hard and you know it's not gonna--

- Happen over n-i...

...h-g-t. - So close!

N-i-g-h-t. - Oh yeah.

See what I mean?

It won't happen quick. (laughing)

- I don't understand. I swear

I got that background check on Santa Nick and put it on your desk last night.

- Yes, Sarah, I saw it there, but I didn't have time to read it.

Please tell me you at least read it? - I didn't get a chance to.

We have been so slammed around here with all the extra holiday help. I can't do everything.

- Apparently, you can't do anything. How does something like that just disappear?

- I'll see that you get a new one as soon as I can.

(school bell ringing)

- Mrs. Laurence, I had something I wanted to tell you.

- That's funny, Becky, because I have something

I want to tell you too. But you go first.

- My mom got a job. - That's great news.

- Yeah. And she bought me a spelling and reading game.

I think it's helping. - That's great.

You know, I was actually thinking about you

and it turns out that I have a little extra time at lunch.

I would like to help with some free tutoring.

Kind of like a Christmas present for a very deserving student.

- Wow, Mrs. Laurence.

Thank you. This is so cool!

- You're welcome.

- But I don't want to tell my mom, OK?

- Oh? - I want to get better at reading, then surprise her,

kind of like a Christmas present for her.

For a very deserving mom. - Deal.

- Hey Nick, it's Peg.

Would you like to join me and the elves for drinks?

Hello?

Nick?

Nick? Hey, have you seen the Santa guy?

(exhaling) - OK.

This is crazy.

We are running into each other way too often.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say there was more than just coincidence

at work here. - You would? - Yeah. You must be

one of the Cartwright's Friends and Family members here for the 20% off sale.

(laughing) - Well,

you already know me way too well.

I try never to pay full price for anything.

- A bargain hunter, huh? - Oh yes. - I love that in a woman.

- Really? Well, I hesitated

to mention that, but I'm on a first name basis

with all the employees at the 99-cent store. (laughing)

- Well, that seals it then. You're definitely the woman

of my dreams.

(laughing)

Do you want to go out with me some time? - Yes!

Uh, yes, sure. - Great.

Tomorrow night maybe? There's this place, Angelo's,

just around the corner. It's amazing. - Oh yeah,

I know that place. - OK.

Um, I can pick you up-- - Oh, I'll meet you there. That's easier for me.

How about eight o'clock? - Sure, sounds good.

- Yeah? - Awesome. - OK.

- Looking forward to tomorrow night. - Me too.

Alright, so that guy,

you know, I mentioned, the one that I really like?

He asked me out.

- Wait, he asked you out...

as Santa? - No! No,

he doesn't know that I'm the store Santa. He asked me out as me.

I ran into him again, as me, and one thing led to another,

and before I knew it, I was saying yes

to going on a date with him tomorrow night.

- But didn't you say that he had a girlfriend? - I thought he did,

but he actually doesn't.

And he told me he really likes me.

- He said that to you? - Well, to me as Santa.

- I'm really confused. - How do you think

I feel? Anyway, I can't go out on a date with him

without telling him the truth. I can't,

I just... That wouldn't feel right to me.

I don't know, though. It's a really big chance to take.

- I'll say. Why don't I call you

while you're on your date with him, like we used to do back in high school?

That way, if you chicken out, you can say

it's an emergency and leave.

- I'm a mature woman.

I'm not gonna chicken out. - Mm-hmm.

I think I'll call you anyway.

- OK, so I know that you have an adorable daughter.

I know you like to shop at Cartwright's.

I know you're a great mom... - Yeah, how would you know that?

- I just know. I knew as soon as I saw you and Becky together.

- Well, thank you. We are a team.

- Well, it shows.

And you clean up very, very well, I must say.

- Why, thank you.

- Um... I was actually raised

by a single mom myself, so I can appreciate your...

your challenges. - I really appreciate you saying that.

Thank you. Yeah,

I don't think everyone understands that

necessarily, but I mean,

it's been just me and Becky for such a long time now,

I don't really give it a second thought anymore,

but yeah, you're right, there are definitely

some challenges involved.

- Well, here's to new challenges. - Yes!

Santé. - You speak French?

- That's the only word of French I know.

- Well, it sounded great. - Thank you. (laughing)

- Um, so what about work? You never told me:

what job did you end up getting? - Oh!

I got this, um...

this... temporary holiday position.

It's not that interesting. It'll be gone

as soon as Christmas is over, so... um, anyway.

But we weren't done talking about you.

Have you ever been married? - Uh, no.

No, never married. I was engaged once.

- That didn't work out?

- No, um... Let's just say

that I tend to believe that once you decide to marry someone,

you should stop dating other people. Yeah.

- Ohh! That's terrible!

I'm so sorry. - That's OK.

I... kind of dodged a bullet.

- Yeah, I think you did. - Yeah.

Honesty, you know...

very important to me, so...

- Yeah.

- But back to you. Your turn again.

Tell me everything.

What's important?

(cell phone ringing) - Uh, that's my phone.

I just have to check it in case it's the babysitter.

- Go ahead.

- Oh, it is the babysitter. I'm sorry. Hello?

Yeah, no, that's OK.

OK, I'll be right there.

I'm on my way. - Everything OK?

- Bill, I am so sorry.

I'm gonna have to leave.

Something's come up, I have to... go.

- Is Becky OK? Is everything OK?

Can I give you a ride? - Oh no, Becky's OK.

It's a different problem. No, I don't need a ride,

I just... I'll be OK. - Are you sure? - I'm so sorry about this.

No, I can get a cab. I'll be good.

- Are you sure? It's no trouble. - No, it's alright.

I'm sorry.

Well, that was a disaster.

- Relax, Becky's asleep.

- You called at exactly the right time.

- What are friends for?

- The moment that you called,

he had just asked me about my new job,

and then right before that, he had been talking about honesty

and how important it was to him and that his ex-fiancée had--

- I believe that "I'm a mature woman and I won't chicken out"

were the last things that you said on the matter. - Yeah, they were,

but then I was sitting there across from him

and I just couldn't bring myself to tell him that I was Santa Nick

and I'd been deceiving him this whole time. It just didn't seem like the ideal way

to begin something. So I freaked out, I took off.

- Christmas is going to be over in a week, so why don't you try again with him then,

when you can just be yourself

and not have to worry

about this Santa Nick thing?

- I don't want any stupid toys for Christmas.

I want to move to Kansas.

Right now! - I'm sorry.

He's upset. We should just leave.

- Pst! Pst!

- No, no, you wait.

It's OK. Now,

I understand. You're upset

because your best friend moved to Kansas

and you miss him so much,

you cried yourself to sleep

last night. I know.

It's Santa magic.

When I was a little boy,

a very long time ago... Ho, ho, ho!

My best friend moved away too,

and I was so sad.

But then, the kid who moved in

became my new best friend.

That same thing is going to happen to you.

Santa knows.

- That's amazing. I can't thank you enough.

- Merry Christmas.

- Becky, here's last week's spelling test.

You did a lot better. Excellent.

- Mrs. Laurence, I brought this book.

I want to be able to read it to my mom

with no mistakes.

- Oh! 'Twas the Night Before Christmas!

That's one of my favorites. This is the Christmas present you want to give her.

- It's my mom's and my favorite, too.

Do you think I'll be able

to learn to read it by Christmas if I work really hard?

- I think so.

(laughing)

And do you think it's a good enough present to give her?

- Becky, I think it's a great present to give her.

In fact, I bet there's no better present you could give her.

(giggling)

- My goodness.

- So, Bill had a date last night and she ended up leaving

in the middle of the date. - Really?

- Yeah. She said it was an emergency.

- Oh, come on. - Let's ask Santa.

He's supposed to know stuff.

- What stuff? - All kinds of stuff. Bill,

go ahead, ask Santa. - Yeah... Alright, Santa,

what do you think?

Should I write her off or what?

- What do you think?

- Well, I think she left before the first course even got there,

so I wouldn't call it much of a first date, I'll tell you that much.

- Well,

do you want to see her again?

- Yeah, I do.

I know, it's crazy, right? - Well, if you wanna take it from an expert,

Bill, I think you can do better.

I have zero, and I mean zero, tolerance for bad dating behavior.

- No offense, Peg, but you have to have a date first

in order to be an expert.

- Point taken, Al.

- Well, I don't think it's crazy.

I haven't been able to figure out Mrs. Claus

since Lincoln was in the White House. (laughing)

- That's a long time!

- Wow!

Well, yeah, you're right, Santa.

Women are complicated.

- You think? Ho, ho, ho! - Hey! - Sorry.

- I'm going with Santa on this one, boys.

I'm gonna give her a second chance.

- That's right.

Santa knows.

- Gonna eat that? - No.

- "...night before Christmas".

- Becky, is your mom coming to pick you up?

- No, she's working. Our neighbor Liz is picking me up,

but she was going to be a little late

and asked me to wait inside because it's warmer.

- Well, I'm going downtown with my family

to see the Christmas decorations and they're going to be by any minute

to pick me up. - Oh, that'll be fun.

It's alright. I'll go wait in the office for my ride.

- Becky, if it's alright with your mom, would you like

to join us? We can take you home right after. - Yes!

(children screaming) - What's going on? - No idea.

I've never seen it like this before.

- Hello!

And what is your name? - Sophie.

And I want a Me doll for Christmas,

but I know I'll never get one.

- Why would you say that? - Because I have six brothers

and sisters and I always get hand-me-downs.

I never get new stuff. - Oh... Have you been a good girl

this year? - Yes.

- Have you really? - Well...

sometimes I get in trouble.

- Why do you get in trouble?

- I get mad at the kids the teachers are nicer to.

- Maybe it's because you have so many brothers and sisters

and you feel you don't get very much attention at home either?

- How did you know?

- Ho, ho... Santa magic.

Now, you know, sometimes those kids

don't want the extra attention.

Especially when it's because they aren't very good

at something.

So you should make friends

with kids like that.

- You're a great Santa! Will you be my friend?

- Oh, definitely.

Now you have a very merry Christmas, Sophie.

Bye-bye!

Ho, ho, ho! I can tell

that you are a good little girl and you will have

a very merry Christmas.

Ho, ho, ho! Bye-bye.

- Mom?

Mom?

- Stay here. Becky?

- I'll handle this. You can't leave your post. Some children

just get rattled by Santa.

Whoa! - You're the angel!

From the coin!

- At your service. Harry Osbourne.

Now, I know everybody calls you Becky, that's why

I'm gonna call you Rebecca. Is that all right with you?

You know, you really shouldn't make

a 311-year-old man

run after a young sprout like you. - That old?

- I am. Be 312 next month.

But thank you for thinking I look younger. I do try

to eat right and exercise.

- I didn't know that. There's so much stuff I don't know about you guys.

Like, where are your wings? - Let me put this

very simply. You see, Rebecca,

more or less as in the case of cars,

there have been a lot of improvements in angels over the years.

The newer models such as myself don't have wings any more.

They tended to get in the way.

And the feathers... - Allergies? - Exactly.

Smart girl. - Thanks! - So there've been a lot

of changes in the angel business, and the downsizing,

of course, so we're always shorthanded,

and that's why we are always all so busy.

But that said,

I think you and I should have a little chat about your mom.

Do you agree?

- She's about this tall. She's wearing a purple jacket, she has bangs.

She was sitting on Santa's lap and then she ran off and... - I brought you your charge.

Here she is! - Becky!

Thank you so much.

Becky, honey,

I was so worried about you. Are you OK?

- I'm fine. Can I just say bye to Santa?

- Oh honey, you can't... - Oh, sweetie,

you have to wait your turn. - Peg, it's alright.

- Well, that's the last one. Hey...

You are so good with those kids.

I mean, your Santa is really real.

- Must go home. - Oh, OK.

- To the North Pole! - Drive safe.

- Hey.

I guess I'll be getting home. - Thank you for watching Becky.

- Yeah, no worries. - Hey, did she tell you

that she saw me at the store? - She did.

It's OK, Nicky. You have quite a girl there.

Bye!

- Hey. - Hey!

- I'm so sorry you had to see me like that.

- Why didn't you tell me? - Well, to be honest with you,

it's kind of hard to imagine

what a little girl might think, seeing her mother all dressed up

like Santa Claus. I mean, especially when the real Santa isn't coming until Christmas.

- Mom, I know that Santa can't be at every shopping mall

in every town around Christmas time.

He can't do everything. (laughing)

Especially when he has the big day coming up.

You know he has to go around to every kid around the world

and give them that special gift. (laughing) - Yeah.

- That's why people get hired to dress up as Santa.

To help out. - You are so right.

(laughing) - I figured...

It's just that you and I are best friends and I thought you trusted me

and told me everything. I'm old now.

In just thirteen years, I'll be an adult.

- Hey, I saw that you got to meet Harry, my boss, today.

Does he know that I'm your mom?

- Nope.

- OK, cool.

- I have something important to tell you. - What's that?

- Angels are real. - They are?

You mean like the one on this coin? - Yep.

Just like that.

Mom, you have to promise me that you'll believe.

- OK. I promise.

- Hello?

- [Hey, Bill, it's Nicky.] - Hey, Nicky!

What happened last night? Is everything okay?

Are you alright? - [Oh, everything is fine.]

[My babysitter]

just... I... you know,

it's... it's kind of complicated.

[Let's just leave it at that.] - Complicated. Right. - [Yeah. Hey,]

I feel terrible

about running off like that. I just wanted to apologize to you.

- That's... sure, absolutely,

that's great. I was so worried it was something I said...

- Oh no, no,

not at all! I had a great time with you.

- Good, yeah. Me too.

- Can we... try it again?

- Yes, absolutely, I would love that.

Um... what works for you?

- [Well, you know, it's a little crazy right now,]

with Christmas... and Becky,

and holiday preparations and all that,

but how about right after Christmas?

Like the... 27th?

- That's a great number, 27. - [Yeah!]

It's one of my personal favorites. - [Yeah, I'm...]

I'm really looking forward to it. - [Yes.]

- Yeah, OK. 27th.

- It's the day after the 26th. - [I'm glad you cleared that up.]

Perfect. OK, I'm gonna hang up now. I'm gonna see you on the 27th.

OK, thanks for calling.

- Good night.

- Anything else?

(cell phone ringing)

Do you want me to surprise you?

- Yes, sir?

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, sir.

So you feel

it's absolutely necessary for me to attend?

Oh, well, this assignment

is going very well indeed.

A short absence on my part

will do absolutely no harm, I'm sure.

Yes, sir. Goodbye.

- You have a very merry Christmas, alright?

OK.

Bye-bye!

- Here you go. Would you like one?

- Santa, it seems I've been called away briefly on another assignment.

- Oh...

Do you really have to go? That Fiona...

she really doesn't like me. - Oh, nonsense.

What can she do? You're not under her jurisdiction.

And you have to understand, for a Christmas consultant,

this is my busiest time. And I'll be back before you know it.

- Well, what if I need you?

- If you really, really need me, I'll know about it.

You can count on me.

But I have complete faith in you,

you can handle this now.

Just keep up the good work.

You mean a lot to these little ones.

And their parents.

Alright, so long.

- Sorry, Tyler. Not quite right.

Would anyone else like to try?

Becky.

- Getting. G-e-t-t...

...i-n-g. Getting.

- Correct! - You got it right.

- That will do, Sophie.

I'd like you to see me after school.

- I was just gonna say good job.

- Alright, class. Time to get ready for our art projects.

Get your things out and get ready to sit at the tables.

- Mrs. Laurence, may I talk to you?

About Sophie? - Of course.

Becky, has Sophie been giving you a hard time?

I had my suspicions, but they were confirmed today.

Look, I don't want you to worry about it.

I want you to know I'm going to give her a serious talking to.

- Please don't, Mrs. Laurence.

- I don't understand. Why not? - Because Sophie has been

kind of mean to me in the past,

but today, she really wasn't trying to be.

I think she was trying to actually be nice.

- Nice? Are you sure? - That's what she said

and I believe her. Mrs. Lawrence,

don't you think sometimes people make mistakes

and then they learn something,

and then they want to do the right thing? Haven't you ever done that?

(chuckling)

- Hey!

What do you think you're doing in here?

- Fiona, I swear to you, I put that background check on Santa Nick Talbot

on your desk no less than five times. - Really?

Because every time you tell me it's here, it never is. You know, Sarah, something like that

just can't just get up and walk out on its own again and again.

I feel like the next thing I know, you're gonna be telling me that this is a Christmas miracle

and that Santa guy is the real deal. (knocking)

Who is it? - I caught this woman shoplifting,

Miss Aldrich. The perp's name

is Nicky Talbot.

- Nicky Talbot?

Nicky Talbot!

(knocking) - Fiona, I've got two guys out with the flu,

it's our busiest time. Can you get me a couple of part-timers to fill in for a few days?

Hi! What are you doing here?

I didn't think I'd see you again till our next date.

- You went on a date with her?

- Anybody seen Santa Nick? - Yeah,

she's right there! - What do you mean, she's right here?

- Whoa, whoa, wait. You're Santa Nick? - Ha, ha, ha!

That's right, folks.

She is Santa Nick! You know,

I knew that there was something off

about you from the very first time I laid eyes on you. You made fools of all of us.

- That was the last thing I ever intended. Please, if you could just give me

a chance to explain... - Oh,

I think it's a little late for that. - No,

wait a second Fiona, maybe we should let her explain. - Really?

Because unless you knew the truth the entire time,

I think she's made you the biggest fool of all. - No, he didn't.

He knew nothing about this, I swear. He had no idea.

- Is that true?

- Yeah. Yeah.

- I don't think our store needs the bad publicity,

so if I were you, I would just leave right now before I change my mind.

- Drink this tea.

It'll calm you down.

You've been pacing so much, you're wearing out a hole in the rug.

I know you didn't get any sleep last night. - I made a mess of everything.

Nothing is gonna calm me down. You should've seen

Fiona's face. She was practically over the moon

with glee that she got to legally fire me.

- What was she gonna do, throw you in jail? And where was your boss?

Where was he when you needed help? - Oh, Harry had to go

somewhere else, he was called away on some other Christmas business.

I feel terrible that I lied to him. He was so good

to me! - Mom, I know Harry will understand.

- How would you possibly know that, Becky? - I just know.

- Come, sit. Please.

- You didn't make a mess of anything.

- That's right. So you're a woman.

You did a great job.

They're idiots for firing you.

- I pretended to be something that I'm not.

I tricked everybody. I lied to everyone.

The kids, the parents, Peg,

all those people at the store...

and Bill.

- You really care about them all down there, don't you?

Especially Bill? - She likes him. I mean

likes him, likes him.

(knocking)

- Oh, don't get it. It's probably the real Santa

wanting to sue me for impersonating him.

- Mrs. Rosi-- - Ah! Turn on

your TV, Ms. Talbot. There's a story about you

on the evening news. - Oh, please don't. I'm sure

it's awful. - It's not. I now have a celebrity in the building.

Ooh, I think maybe I can raise the rents!

- Just yesterday there were lines

around the block here, outside Cartwright's

Department Store. Parents and children

waiting to see the store's great new Santa, because this Santa

touched their hearts and their lives.

Many wanted to thank him, but they're all gone now.

Santa has been fired, four days before Christmas,

because he turns out to be a she.

Our Santa is one Nicky Talbot, a single mom down on her luck,

unemployed at Christmas time, with an eight-year-old daughter, no money to pay for rent.

She looked for a job... - Could you turn that down, please?

- No. Turns out she was one of our regulars.

Who knew? - ...beside herself with worry,

not for herself, but for her daughter,

she took the job and pretended to be a man,

terrified of being found out. - How do they know all this stuff?

- I have absolutely no idea.

Maybe Liz can tell us something about it? - OK, fine.

So, I did a little work as an assistant at a PR firm

before I was married. I had to do something!

And I think I did a great job. I mean,

maybe when Grace is a little bigger, I'll put this on my resume,

and go back to work. (laughing)

So sue me, I'm a genius!

- Hi, sweetie.

Is your mom home? - She's in the kitchen. - Peg?

Peg!

- I, uh... brought pizza.

I still can't believe this.

- I can't believe you're here. Peg,

I am so sorry. I really am.

You are just...

a fantastic person and the very best

Santa's helper number one that anyone could ever ask for.

And I wanted to tell you so many times, I promise I did,

but I... I didn't want to lose my job.

- Well, I was a little mad at first,

but... I get it.

We made a really good team, and we're friends.

And the truest test of friendship is you gotta be there for each other,

even when things get a little weird,

and I think this qualifies.

- Oh, thank you! That means so much to me.

- Of course it does.

OK, I thought maybe some pizza and a little girl talk,

all of us. - I would love that.

I'm so glad to finally get to be a girl around you.

- Me too. OK...

- Hey, Bill... - Hey.

- I can only imagine how you must feel right now.

- Really? 'Cause I gotta tell ya,

I feel like kind of an idiot.

- I really, genuinely liked you.

So much.

I am so sorry,

I can't apologize enough.

I didn't think that I could be honest with you,

because-- - You don't have to apologize.

I know why you did it, now.

And I get it.

What I don't get is why you agreed to go out with me

in the first place. - Every time

we ran into each other, I liked you a little more.

And at first I thought you were involved with Fiona,

and then I figured out that wasn't the case, and...

And then when it seemed like you were actually

interested in me too...

- I was interested in you. - I just...

I should have said no when you asked me out on that date.

I don't mean no, I mean I should've just waited

until after Christmas so I could tell you the truth.

It was stupid and selfish of me

to agree to go out with you on that date.

- Nicky, I...

Honesty is important to me, but what I was telling you

about my ex that night was honesty in relation to someone

who was two- timing me, not...

a mother trying to do something for her child.

It's a little different, don't you think?

I just wish you'd had enough faith in me

to think I'd understand.

Yeah...

I wish you'd given me a chance to show you who I really am.

I don't know.

(Fiona and Mr. Cartwright talking)

- I understand,

but still, I can't imagine what you would expect me

to do differently in the situation, Mr. Cartwright.

Who would I fire

if I wasn't going to fire this impostor of a woman

who was pretending to be Santa Claus?

Who else was I supposed to fire? - Considering

the successful impact this woman was having on our customers,

I suggest you should have fired yourself.

- Ha, ha, ha! Well, that's just ridiculous.

Mr. Cartwright, I can't fire myself.

- But I can.

You're fired. - No.

- No?

(groaning)

I'll have someone come and get the rest of my things.

Don't let any of the Neanderthals around here touch anything of mine!

- Didn't even get to give her a going-away party.

- Sarah! Would you come in here, please?

- Peg, do you have any idea

what's going on here? - Not a clue.

Sarah said Mr. Cartwright called you in

to talk about your firing. That's all I know.

Nobody knew he was gonna ax Fiona. - Nicky,

Mr. Cartwright would like to see you now. Go ahead in. - OK.

- Have a seat.

Now Ms. Talbot, I may be from the Midwest

and maybe I'm just a farm boy at heart,

and I've heard the stories about you

needing the job,

and I'm sympathetic to all that,

but there's something missing here.

How exactly did you bypass Fiona to get into the Santa suit

without anyone being the wiser?

- Well, honestly,

it all happened because of Mr. Osbourne.

If I hadn't gotten lost after the job interview

and stumbled into Santa's dressing room, then Harry wouldn't have assumed

I was hired to play Santa and none of this would have happened.

- Harry Osbourne? - Your Christmas consultant.

- We don't have a Christmas consultant.

- Sure you do.

Yeah, he's about...

so tall, he has blue eyes,

he's bald, he wears

three-piece suits... You know. Harry Osbourne. Your Christmas consultant.

- I honestly don't know who you mean.

- I don't know, he's got a...

really kind face

and this amazing smile...

- No.

No, not ringing a bell.

- Hang on a second.

He kind of looks... exactly like...

He looks exactly like this!

I... I have to go.

- Wait a minute, this meeting's not over. I have more to discuss

with you. - I'm so sorry,

I need to go talk to my daughter. I have to go.

I will get back to you, though, I promise.

So Harry... is really an angel?

- Yup! Isn't that great?

- Like a real,

honest to goodness... angel?

From... from up there?

And you knew all along?

- I knew for sure when I met him at the department store.

That's why I told you

you had to believe.

He told me that he was here to help us.

He told me that when he was finished helping us,

that he would have to go away.

But he said...

that we shouldn't miss him,

because he will always be there for us,

in our heart.

- So everything that happened was all because of Harry?

- Well, he was the one who put you in the suit;

you were the one who made it work.

- Ho, ho, ho! Tina Richards here in the heart of Chicago,

on Christmas Eve, to tell you that it's going to be

a very merry one for one particular person: Nicky Talbot.

The popular Santa who caused such controversy this Christmas season at Cartwright's

is back and in more demand than ever.

- She's really something,

isn't she?

- Yeah. She sure is.

- Does Santa have a thing for the head of the men's department?

Take over for a few, would ya?

Hi, Bill.

Can I talk to you for a sec, please?

It's about Nicky.

- No, Peg,

look, I know you're her friend

and you're trying to help her out and everything, OK, but I don't want to discuss Nicky.

At all. I'm a little embarrassed about the fact I didn't realize

she and Santa were the same person.

I'm usually a very good judge of character.

- Of course you are. Like the time when your fiancée

was cheating on you. You judged that real well.

And no, Nicky did not

rat on you. One of the primary jobs

of being Santa's helper numero uno is I need to keep my eyes and ears open.

You hear things in this store, believe me.

So why don't you and I have a little pow wow

so I can tell you the truth about a really good person?

- You'll need skates if you're going to get to the Olympics.

- Hey, Sarah. - Hey. Long day, huh?

- Oh, long several days. Boy! - Well, you made it through

Cartwright's biggest Christmas Eve ever and you did

a fantastic job! - Oh, thanks.

Now I just can't wait to get home to my own little girl.

- Well, that's actually why I came up to find you.

Mr. Cartwright wants to see you.

- It's Christmas Eve. Becky's home waiting for me.

- She won't be waiting long. - OK.

What's happening?

- There's something I wanted to say to you the other day,

but you left before I could.

Then I decided it might be nicer

if your colleagues could share it with you.

Ms. Nicky Talbot,

for all the great work you've done this season

in our store

and the exceptional qualities that you have

that you won't find

in the employee handbook,

I'm offering you the job as head of Special Events

right here at Cartwright's. Permanently. You'll have your own office,

secretary, benefits,

and a substantial hike in pay.

- And it's Fiona's old job!

Woo-hoo! (cheering)

- Seriously? - Seriously.

- So are you gonna take it? Tell the man!

- Are you kidding me? Of course I'm gonna take it! Thank you so much,

Mr. Cartwright! - Ah, you're welcome.

- I'm gonna be the very best

head of Special Events this store has ever seen!

- I know you will.

Christmas nog!

Everyone... to Nicky.

- (all): To Nicky!

- To Nicky. - Oh!

- Hey. - Hello!

- So congratulations, it's great.

Looks like you finally got a job equal to your talents.

- Oh, well... thank you.

I can hardly believe it. - You deserve it.

Got everything you wanted.

- So, full-time job, huh?

- Yeah.

- "Yeah"? You should be jumping for joy!

It wasn't so long ago, you couldn't pay the rent.

- I know. I am so happy

and so grateful.

I just can't stop thinking about Bill.

- I don't think he's going anywhere.

- I know, but he was so businesslike with me today.

You know how I feel about him.

- You will have plenty of time to connect.

You are working in the same place, right?

Hmm? - Yeah.

(chuckling) - More eggnog?

- Is this one from Santa? - I don't know.

- Oh ho! Oh, I can't wait

till tomorrow morning! (doorbell ringing)

Was that the doorbell? - I think so.

- Who could it be? - Hello? - Hi, Becky!

- Hello! - Is your mom here? - Come on in!

- Bill! - Hi.

- What are you doing here? - Uh...

I just... I, uh...

Can I steal your mom

for just one second? - Yes, please.

- Um...

I miss talking to my pal.

- Who? Santa? (laughing) - No. I mean, well,

yeah, talking to Santa

was fine, it was.

But I, uh...

I really loved talking to you.

- Does that mean you forgive me?

- I'm here, aren't I?

- Finally.

(laughing)

I have a surprise for you, Mom. - What?

Another surprise? - In honor of your promotion,

I have a surprise for you.

Pick a page.

- What? Uh... come,

sit with us. - Sure.

- OK... let's see.

How about this one?

- "His eyes, how they twinkled!

"His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses,

"his nose like a cherry. His droll little mouth was drawn up

"like a bow and the beard of his chin

was as white as the snow".

I'll read you the rest tomorrow, Mom.

You're crying too much.

- I... Becky, this is...

amazing! How did you do that?

- Mrs. Laurence and I have been working during recess and lunch.

She's been helping me.

- I'm... I'm... so amazed!

That's incredible, Becky!

I'm so proud of you.

You are such a great kid.

- And you are an amazing mom.

(laughing)

- She's a pretty great Santa, too, I think.

(laughing) You have to agree.

- Thank you.

- Sir, I'm happy to report our work here is done.

Thank you, sir. Oh, sir, by the way,

before I sign off, merry Christmas

to you too.

Closed Captioning by SETTE inc.