Original subtitles

[♪]

[TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICKING]

[CARRIAGE RETURN BELL DINGS,CARRIAGE SLIDES]

[♪]

HO, HO, HO.MERRY CHRISTMAS.

THANK YOU.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.THANK YOU.

[IMPATIENTLY] EXCUSE ME.

EXCUSE--EXCUSE YOU!

MERRY CHRISTMAS.THANK YOU.

EXCUSE ME.

THANK YOU.MERRY CHRISTMAS.

YOU'RE SO KIND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.MERRY CHRISTMAS.

I DON'T THINK SO.[CONDESCENDING CHUCKLE]

IT'S CAROL. GET ME KENDRA.

[♪]

NO, I DON'T NEED TO CHECKWITH CAROL ON THIS, ED.

I'M THE SENIOR EDITOR,

SECOND IN COMMANDAT SPRINGWOOD,

AND THIS IS MY CALL,SO YOU'D BETTER START LISTENING.

[WHISPERS]CAROL'S ON THE PHONE FOR YOU.

THAT'S MY FINAL OFFER, ED.SO YOU'D BETTER START LISTENING.

LET ME KNOW. [CLICK]

THIS IS KENDRA.

IT'S ME.

CAROL? WHERE ARE YOU?

WAIT,ARE YOU ON FOOT?

TRAFFIC WAS AWFUL,

AND SITTINGIN THE CAR SERVICE

WAS JUST EATING THE DAY AWAY.

I HATE THE HOLIDAYS.

ARE YOU OKAY?

I KNOW HOWTO WALK, KENDRA.

LISTEN, MY CALL TO BERLINFELL THROUGH.

I WANT TO PUSHTHE 11:00 MEETING UP.

UH... SURE.

WHAT TIME WERE YOU THINKING?

NOW. HAVE EVERYONE READY.

[DIAL TONE HUMS]

OKAY, UH...

FOLKS, MAY I HAVEYOUR ATTENTION,

PLEASE?

QUICKLY, EVERYONE,STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

OKAY, PEOPLE,

TWO QUICK THINGS.

ONE, FOR THOSE OF YOU

WHO REQUESTEDCHRISTMAS OFF TOMORROW...

CAROL HAS DENIEDONE, FOR YOUR REQUESTS.

AND TWO, THE 11:00 MEETINGHAS BEEN PUSHED UP.

DON'T WORRY,WE'LL BE READY!

IT'S NOW.

OH, GOD HELP US.

[GROUP PROTESTING, PANICKING]

OKAY, GREAT.

[AGITATED MURMURING]

WHICH OF THESE SUBTITLESSHOULD WE GO WITH?

"LOSE WEIGHT FASTER"OR "GET SLIMMER QUICKER?"

�

OH, THEY'RE BOTH BAD.

- THEY ARE?- YEAH.

OH, GOD,CAROL WANTS A NEW SUBTITLE.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

UH... IMPROVISE.

IMPROVISE...

OH, KENDRA.

- DO YOU HAVE JUST--- NO, TANYA.

- I REALLY WOULD JUST--- NO, TANYA.

OH, OKAY, THANK YOU.

SHH. QUIET!

SHE'S COMING.

[HIGH-HEELED FOOTSTEPSMARCHING CLOSER]

[GASPING IN FRIGHT]

LOOK ALIVE,PEOPLE.

COME ON, GO, GO, GO, GO!

OH, YOUR HAIR...

LET'S GO. OKAY.

BREATHE, BREATHE.

LET'S GO.

GOOD MORNING,MS. HUFFLER.

WE'LL SEE.

UM, OKAY, UM...

CHRISTMAS NUMBERSARE GOOD,

BUT MAINLY DUE TO A SURGEIN ONLINE SHOPPING.

AND WHAT ABOUT RETAIL?

THE BIG THREE AREN'T MOVINGAS MANY VOLUMES

AS WE HAD HOPED.

TELL THEM IF WE DON'TGET BETTER PLACEMENT,

WE'LL PULL OUR STOCK.

[CHUCKLES IN DISBELIEF]UH, REALLY?

[CHUCKLES MOCKINGLY].

YES.

NEXT.

UM, THE PRINCESS DOESN'T LIKEHER NEW GHOST WRITER.

PRINCESS POPOR PRINCESS ROYALTY?

PRINCESS ROYALTY.

WELL, THEN,GET HER A NEW WRITER.

BUT THIS ISTHE FOURTH ONE.

THEN FIND HER A FIFTH.

FRED, LET'S HEAR ITFOR THE "THE 59-SECOND WORKOUT."

�

[CLEARS THROAT]

WELL, UM...

YOU-- YOU SEE, UH...

UH...

WELL, UM...

FRED?

UM...

DIDN'T YOU TELL ME,"FITNESS THE FAST WAY?"

- GREAT.- YEAH--

THEN WE CAN FOLLOW IT UPWITH THE FAST "ER"

AND FAST "EST."

HELL, WE CAN BUNDLE ITWITH E-BOOKS--

"FRY YOUR LIFE AWAY,"AND THEN YOU GOT SOMETHING.

FAT AND FITNESSAT THE SAME TIME? LOVE IT.

ANYTHING ELSE?

NO.

LOVELY.

CAROL, IF-- IF I COULD JUST--

TANYA,I DON'T THINK THAT'S--

MS. HUFFLER,IT JUST TAKES A MINUTE.

THAT'S ALL I--

YOU'VE GOT 10 SECONDS.

- OH, UH, OKAY--- 10, NINE, EIGHT--

OKAY, HERE IT IS.

PAM JACOBS HAS SUBMITTED

THE BEST DEBUT NOVELI'VE READ IN YEARS, AND...

I THINK WE SHOULD MAKE AN OFFER.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG,

BUT YOU'RETHE CLASSICS EDITOR, RIGHT?

YES.

THAT'S STRANGE.

I WASN'T AWARE THATDEAD AUTHORS MADE SUBMISSIONS.

IS IT A LONG-LOSTMASTERPIECE?

[STAMMERING] UM, NO--I MEAN, NOT YET, BUT--

SO, IT'S A NEW BOOK?

YES--

THEN THE LOGICALQUESTION WOULD BE,

WHY IS SOMEONE IN CLASSICSPITCHING ME A NEW BOOK?

BECAUSE...

IT'S A SEMINAL WORK.

IT'S... IT'S A ONE-OF-A-KIND.

IT'S A TRUE VOICE.

AND IF--

IF YOU DON'T GIVE IT A CHANCE...

YOU'LL BE MAKINGA... HUGE MISTAKE.

REALLY?

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME.

THIS BOOK IS THE REASONTHAT WE'RE ALL HERE

DOING WHAT IT IS WE DO.

IT'S WHAT LITERATUREIS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S WHAT PEOPLESHOULD BE READING, AND, WELL...

IT'S WHATWE SHOULD BE PUBLISHING.

YOU REALLY MEAN IT, DON'T YOU?

I DO.

YOU'RE FIRED.

WHAT?

YOU BROKE THE FIRST RULEIN PUBLISHING.

IT'S NOT ABOUTWHAT BOOKS SHOULD BE READ.

YOIT'S ABOUT WHAT BOOKSEICAN BE SOLD..

[STAMMERING IN INDIGNATION]WH...

CAROL HUFFIER, YOU KNOW...

YOU ARE A HEARTLESS TYRANT,

AND-- AND

YOU WOULDN'T KNOWA GOOD BOOK

IF IT BIT YOUON THE... BUTT!

BEAUTIFUL CHOICEOF WORDS, NO LESS.

YOU WILL GETWHAT'S COMING TO YOU.

I ALREADY HAVE.

LONG LIVE THE NOVEL!

NOT A GREAT EXIT LINE.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

- SHH!- SORRY.

ANY MORE PITCHES TODAY?

I DIDN'T THINK SO.

WAS THAT REALLYNECESSARY, CAROL?

SHE'S A SINGLE MOTHER

WITH TWO KIDS.

I DIDN'T MAKE THAT MISTAKE.

SHE LOVES THE BOOK.

SHE WAS JUST FIGHTINGFOR WHAT SHE BELIEVES IN.

[SIGHS]

I MEANT ABOUT HAVING KIDS.

WELL...

UH, WAIT, KENDRA?

"TALK TO KENDRA."

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TOTALK TO YOU ABOUT?

TODAY WAS THE DAYYOU WERE GOING TO...

MAKE YOUR DECISION.

DECISION?

ABOUT WHAT?

THE TRANSFER?

TO LONDON?

MY BOYFRIEND, ZAC,

HAS A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

IN LONDON,

AND I REQUESTED A TRANSFER.

WHEN?

A YEAR AGO,

THE DAY HE WON HIS BID.

WE'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONSABOUT THIS, CAROL--

AH, AH, RIGHT, RIGHT,NO, I-- I REMEMBER,

AND, UH...

I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT A LOT.

I JUST DON'T THINKIT'S THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU.

YOU KNOW I WANT TO GET INTOFOREIGN RIGHTS.

IT'S THE PERFECT FIT.

WHAT, YOU DON'T YOU THINKI CAN DO IT?

WELL, IF I DID, YOU WOULD.

LISTEN, KENDRA,

YOU'RE MY SENIOR EDITOR,MY RIGHT-HAND WOMAN.

EVERYTHING YOU'RE GOING TO LEARNABOUT PUBLISHING

YOU'RE GOING TO LEARNRIGHT HERE.

EVER SINCE EVEPASSED AWAY,

I'VE MANAGED TO TURNTHIS PLACE AROUND,

AND NOW I'M COUNTING ON YOUTO SUPPORT ME.

LISTEN.

LET ME GIVE YOUA LITTLE PIECE OF ADVICE--

NEVER PLAN YOUR LIFELISTEN.AROUND A MAN.

THEY'D NEVER GIVE YOUTHE SAME COURTESY.

NEVER PLAN YOUR LIFELISTEN.[DOOR SLAMS]N.

GLORIA, IT'S WORK.

SOMEONE HAS TOKEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

BUT MS. HUFFLER,IT'S CHRISTMAS.

TRUST ME,

MY MOTHER OF ALL PEOPLEWOULD UNDERSTAND.

SHE WORKED EVERY HOLIDAYWHEN I WAS A KID.

BUT IT WOULD JUST MEANSO MUCH TO HER.

YOU MISSED LAST YEAR,AND I JUST THINK--

GLORIA--

[SIGHS]

AND THERE MIGHT NOT BE THATMANY MORE CHRISTMASES LEFT.

GLORIA!

PLEASE, JUST STICKTO YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION,

AND KEEP AN EYEON MY MOTHER, NOT ME.

PLEASE, JUST STICKTO YOYOU UNDERSTAND?ION,

YES, MA'AM.

GOOD.

SO, GOODBYE, GLORIA.

MERRY CHRISTMAS,MS. HUFFLER.

[SIGHS IN DISAPPOINTMENT]

THIS IS MYFAVORITE MOVIE,

"SCROOGE."

I WATCH IT EVERY YEAR.

AND SO DO I.

YOU SHALL BEHOLD VISIONSOF A CHRISTMAS PAST,

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT,DO I.

AND A CHRISTMAS YET TO COME!

EXPECT THE FIRSTWHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT.

[♪]

[JAZZY VERSION] ♪ OH, DASHINGTHROUGH THE SNOW ♪

♪ IN A ONE-HORSE OPEN SLEIGH ♪

♪ OVER THE FIELDS WE GO ♪

♪ LAUGHING ALL THE WAY... ♪

REMEMBER WHEN EVERAN THINGS?

WE GOT TWO WEEKS OFFFOR THE HOLIDAYS.

ISN'T WORKINGON CHRISTMAS ILLEGAL?

YEAH.

SOMEWHEREIT'S GOT TO BE.

WELL, WHAT ARE YOUGOING TO DO?

REVOLT.

WELL, WHAT ARE YOUGONO, I'M SERIOUS!

WHAT IF THE WHOLE OFFICESTAYED HOME?

WHAT WOULD SHE DO,FIRE ALL OF US?

YES.

SHE'D HAVE NOTHING.

WE'RE THE BACKBONEOF SPRINGWOOD.

I MEAN, WE'RE THE ONESWITH THE POWER.

WE SHOULD ORGANIZEOUR FORCES,

GET TOGETHER, AND REBELAGAINST CAROL HUFFLER

AND PUT AN ENDTO HER TYRANNICAL RULE.

COME ON,WHO'S WITH ME?

SHE'S HERE.

YOU LOOK SPECTACULARTONIGHT, MS. HUFFLER.

I HATE HER.

[WENDY]: WAY TOGIVE IT TO HER, FRED.

[QUIETLY] POWERTO THE PEOPLE.

AMEN, SISTER.CHEERS.

[WENDY]:YOU TOLD HER.

[CHUCKLING QUIETLY]

I LOVED YOUR LAST BOOK.

WHAT WAS THE GENESIS FOR THAT?

AND HOW MUCH INPUTDID YOUR WRITING PARTNER

HAVE IN THIS ONE?

KENDRA!

THERE YOU ARE.

OH, HI, CAROL.

WOW, YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU.

YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL,TOO, BABY.

CAROL, YOUREMEMBER ZAC,

DON'T YOU?

I, UM...

ONE MORE TIME?

MY BOYFRIEND?

THE ONE WHO'SGOING TO LONDON

FOR TWO YEARS?

OH, RIGHT,

THAT ONE.

THE FOOD'S TERRIBLE.

HAVE A WONDERFUL TRIP.

UH, OKAY, THANKS FOR THAT.

CAN I GET YOUANYTHING TO DRINK?

WATER.

NOT TOO MUCH ICE.

GOTCHA. WATER.

CAROL,HOW ARE YOU?

YOU HAVEN'T RETURNEDANY OF MY CALLS.

I'M COMING WITH YOU.

HELLO, PAM.

SO I HEARD YOU FIRED TANYAFOR PITCHING MY WRITER.

IT'S NOTHINGPERSONAL.

OH, I BELIEVE THAT.

HOW COULD IT EVERBE PERSONAL WITH YOU?

THERE'S A HUNDRED OTHEROHPUBLISHERS HERE TONIGHT, PAM.

WHY DON'T YOU TALK TO ONEWHO WANTS TO LISTEN?

BECAUSE I'M NO FOOL.

YOU HAVETHE LARGEST MARKET SHARE,

AND I WANT YOUTO MEET THE AUTHOR.

OH, BEN!

YOU BROUGHT HIMHERE TONIGHT?

BEN WOODLEY!

WHAT DID YOUJUST SAY?

COME HERE.

NOT ONLY IS HE BRILLIANT,HE'S CUTE,

A MARKETING SLAM DUNK.

BENJAMIN WOODLEY,CAROL HUFFLER,

PRESIDENT OFSPRINGWOOD PUBLISHING.

HI, CAROL.

BEN.

HOW ARE YOU?

I'M GOOD.

HOW ARE YOU?

OKAY.

WAIT A MINUTE, HOLD THE PHONE.

YOU TWOALREADY KNOW EACH OTHER?

YEAH, WE DO.

YEAH. WE DO.

OH.

[AWKWARD CHUCKLE]WHO KNEW, RIGHT?

WELL, YOU DON'T NEED ME HERETO MESS THIS UP.

- EXCUSE ME.- PAM!

[SIGHS AWKWARDLY]

SO, UM...

FUNNY SEEING YOU HERE.

OH, I'M NOT AN IDIOT, BEN.

I KNOW YOU PLANNEDTHIS LITTLE SURPRISE.

WHAT ARE YOU-- WHAT?

THIS AMBUSHSO I'D BUY YOUR BOOK.

NO, NO. HANG-- HANG ON.

I SPECIFICALLY ASKED PAMNOT TO SEND YOU MY BOOK.

WHAT? THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

YOU'D BE A FOOLNOT TO SEND IT TO ME.

[STAMMERS]UH, EXCUSE ME?

I THOUGHT YOU JUST SAID

THAT YOU...

UH, I'M CONFUSED.

AM I STILLNOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU?

IS THAT WHATYOU'RE TRYING TO SAY?

YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME?

[SCOFFS]

LOOK, CAROL, I DON'T CARE IFYOU READ MY BOOK OR NOT, OKAY?

OBVIOUSLY.

I MEAN...

LOOK, I WOULD LOVE

FOR YOU TO READ MY BOOK, OKAY,

BUT I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO,

NOT AFTERWHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH.

THAT'S ALL I MEANT.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

THE LAST 10 YEARS OF MY LIFE.

STARTING THE DAY YOU LEFT?

I LIKE TO THINK OF ITAS THE DAY YOU STAYED.

I HAD A JOB, BEN, REMEMBER?

SOMEBODY HAD TO KEEPTHE LIGHTS ON.

THAT'S RIGHT. RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, I NEVER ASKED YOUTO TAKE CARE OF ME.

BUT I DID,BECAUSE THE WAY I REMEMBER IT,

YOU COULDN'TTAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

I TURNED OUT JUST FINE,THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, THEN, YOU'RE WELCOME.

HOW'S OUR REUNIONCOMING ALONG?

IT'S OVER.

THIS WHOLEHEARTLESS THING

IS JUST A PHASEWITH HER, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.

[CHATTING QUIETLY]

WHAT'S HAPPENINGOVER THERE?

[FRED]: OH, MY...

THIS IS GOOD.

MM...

SHE'S HAVINGA BAD DAY.

- OH, MY GOODNESS.- TELL ME ABOUT IT.

SHE'S HAVINGDID YOU SEE THOSE SHOES?.

[SNEERING LAUGHTER]

CHEERS.

[SIGHS]

YOU OKAY?

I'M FINE.

YOU DON'T SEEMFINE.

THANKS. VERY NICE.

YOU LOOK LIKE YOU COULDUSE A LITTLE HUG.

THYOU KNOW WHAT,E.

I'M NOT BIG ON HUGGING STRANGERSIN BATHROOMS.

WHO SAID ANYTHINGABOUT STRANGERS?

NOW, TURN AROUNDAND GIVE YOUR OLD BUDDY

A LITTLE SQUEEZE.

[GASPING IN TERROR]

EVE?

EVE MAILER?

IN THE FLESH.

WELL, MAYBE NOT IN THE FLESH,BUT YEAH, IT'S ME.

WHAT-- WAIT, WAIT,WHAT'S GOING ON?

IT'S OKAY.

NO, IT'S NOT OKAY.

YOU'RE DEAD!

MAYBE, BUT YOU'RE RUDE.

NO, I'M HALLUCINATING.

IT'S FINE.

THEY DID SAY

THAT YOU MIGHT HAVESOME TROUBLE WITH THIS.

THEY? WHO ARE THEY?

MY BOSSES.

BOSSES?

THE SPIRITUAL ENTITIES

WHO OVERSEETHE BALANCE OF THINGS.

WE CALL THEM

"THE BOARD OF CORRECTORS."

WHAT?

IT-- IT'S FUNNIERIF YOU'RE DEAD.

OH, SOMEBODY MUST HAVEPUT SOMETHING IN MY DRINK.

YOU'RE NOT REAL.

NONE OF THIS

IS REAL.

WHAT THE...E OF THIS

[BEATBOX POUNDING]

WHAT'S GOING ON?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

WHERE AM I?

YOU GONNA THROW UP?SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY THROW UP.

WHY IS IT DAYTIME?

WELL,A BETTER QUESTION MIGHT BE,

WHY IS IT 1985?

IT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

NO...

IT CAN'T BE.

OH, MAN...

YOU'RE GONNA VOMIT,AREN'T YOU?

I AM GETTING THE HECKAWAY FROM YOU.

YOU'AND DON'T YOU FOLLOW ME.AREN'TJUST LEAVE ME ALONE!

YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE LAMPPOST

ON YOUR FACE.

[GASPING IN PANIC]

LOOK, LOOK,

YOU ARE FREAKING OUT,AND THAT IS TOTALLY NORMAL.

YOU NEED TO STOPTALKING TO ME.

I KNOW THIS IS HARD

FOR YOU TO WRAPYOUR BRAIN AROUND,

BUT IF YOU'LL JUSTGIVE YOURSELF OVER

TO THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE--

WHOLE EXPERIENCE?

YOU MEAN THE FACTTHAT I'M DREAMING?

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENINGRIGHT NOW, THAT'S IT.

I'M DREAMING.

THIS IS NOT A DREAM.

YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT'S A NIGHTMARE.

COME TO THINK OF IT,

MAYBE IF I STOP TALKING TO YOU,IT'LL ALL GO AWAY.

LOOK, CAROL,YOUR LIFE IS OFF COURSE,

AND I'M HERE TO HELP YOUGET IT BACK ON--

[HUMMING LOUDLY IN DENIAL]

LISTEN TO ME...

CAROL HUFFLER!

I'VE ONLY GOT ONE NIGHTTO MAKE THIS WORK,

SO YOU'VE GOT TO WISE UP

AND REALIZE IT'S TIME FOR YOUTO MAKE A CHANGE.

LOOK, THIS COULD BETHE BEGINNING

OF A WHOLE NEW LIFE FOR YOU,

BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT IT.

IN THE END,

THE CHOICE IS YOURS,AND YOURS ALONE.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

MAYBE I'M IN A COMA.

[MAN, OVER P.A.]:JUST A REMINDER, SHOPPERS,

WE HAVE A SPECIAL ON LEGWARMERSON THE THIRD FLOOR--

BUY TWO, GET ONE FREE.

WHAT THE...?

IS THIS...?

I HAVEN'T THOUGHTABOUT THIS PLACE SINCE...

1985?

IT MUST BE AN OLD MEMORYFROM MY SUBCONSCIOUS.

HAPPENS ALL THE TIMEIN DREAMS.1985?

REALLY?

I TALKED TO GLORIAABOUT MY MOTHER EARLIER,

I MUST HAVE FALLEN ASLEEPTHINKING ABOUT HER,

AND HERE WE ARE.

ALL RIGHT, THEN,

LET'S SEE HOW THISGRABS YOU, THEN.

MOM?

MOM!

SHE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

YOU'RE A SPECTATORTHIS TIME.

[TALKING SOFTLY]

IS THAT...

ME?

WELL, IT'S NOT ELVIS.

SHE WAS A HARDWORKER, WASN'T SHE?

SHE ALWAYS USED TO SAY,

"WORK TO LIVE,

DON'T LIVE TO WORK,"

BUT SHE NEVER HADA DAY OFF.

EXCUSE ME, MISS HUFFLER?

YOUR SHIFT IS OVER.

YOU CAN PUNCH OUT NOW.

OH, IS IT TIME ALREADY?

HERE'S YOUR FINAL CHECK,

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELPTHIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

UM, SIR? EXCUSE ME...

DO YOU REMEMBERLAST WEEK

WHEN I ASKED ABOUTANY FULL-TIME POSITIONS

OPENING UP?

I'M SORRY, BUT THE JOBWAS TEMPORARY.

WE DON'T HAVEANYTHING RIGHT NOW.

OKAY, BUT IT'S JUST,

I REALLY LOVEWORKING HERE,

AND I'LL WORKIN ANY DEPARTMENT.

I'M SORRY.

COME ON, HONEY.

LET'S GO.

DON'T WANT TO BE LATE.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

SHE PICKED UP SHIFTS

WAITING TABLESAT A DINER.

HOW DOES THATMAKE YOU FEEL?

[DISDAINFULLY]HOW DOES THAT MAKE ME FEEL?

ANNOYED.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST A SILLY,HSAPPY, IRRELEVANT DREAM,L?

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS WHOLE THINGIS INSANE.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHYI'M STILL TALKING TO YOU.

WE'RE NOT DONE YET, CAROL.

YEAH, WELL, I AM,

SO YOU CAN DOWHATEVER THE HECK YOU WANT,

BUT I'M OUT OF HERE.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

ABOUT 15 YEARS.

OKAY, I'LL GIVE YOU THIS,

THIS IS THE REALEST DREAMTHAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

HOW MANY TIMESDO I HAVE TO TELL YOU,

THIS IS NOT--

OH, NEVER MIND, I GIVE UP.

WAIT A SECOND.

IS THIS...

JIM'S BOOKSTORE?

HEY, IT'S YOUR DREAM.YOU TELL ME.

I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUTTHIS PLACE IN YEARS.

WHY AM I THINKING ABOUT THIS?

YOU USED TO LOVECOMING HERE.

IS THAT ME?

I LOOKED GOOD.

THIS PLACE WASYOUR SANCTUARY.

I MEAN, WHEN WASTHE LAST TIME

THAT YOU GOT LOSTIN A REALLY GOOD BOOK?

YOU KNOW, I GOT TOHAND IT TO MYSELF,

EVEN IN MY DREAMS,

YOU'RE STILLTHE SAME OLD EVE.

OH, WHAT'S THATSUPPOSED TO MEAN?

IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT

"GETTING LOST"IN THE PAGES OF GREAT NOVELS,

OR GOINGON LITERARY ADVENTURES.

YOU WERE ALWAYSSUCH A SENTIMENTALIST.

THIS IS WHAT WE DO, CAROL.

WE PROVIDE THE WORLDWITH THESE GREAT STORIES.

THAT IS WHAT PUBLISHINGIS ABOUT.

NO, IT'S NOT, EVE.

IT'S ABOUT MONEY.

THAT'S WHATYOU NEVER GOT.

IT'S ABOUTMOVING PRODUCT,

AND THAT'S HOW I TURNEDYOUR QUAINT LITTLE SHOP

INTOTHE GLOBAL PUBLISHING EMPIRE

THAT YOU SEE TODAY.

BIGGER DOESN'T ALWAYSMEAN BETTER.

REALLY?

GIVE ME ONE EXAMPLEWHERE THAT'S THE CASE.

JUST ONE?

UH, TUMORS,

HOLES IN THE ROOF,

BUDGETS, COCKROACHES--

OKAY, FINE.

YOU LACKED VISION, EVE.

IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

I CREATED A FAMILY

AND PEOPLE WHO CAREDABOUT EACH OTHER

AND THE COMPANY THEY WORKED FOR.

THAT'S VISION.

YOU NEVER COMPETED.

YOU NEVER PUSHED THEM

TO BECOME ANYTHING MORETHAN THEIR AVERAGE SELVES.

WE WERE HAPPY!

HAPPY? HOW CAN YOU BE HAPPY

WHEN YOUR COMPANY'SON THE BRINK OF FAILURE?

WE HAD INTEGRITY.

FINE, YOU DIEDWITH INTEGRITY.

AND A MOUNTAIN OF DEBT

THAT I'VE TURNED INTOA MOUNTAIN OF PROFIT.

BEST THINGYOU EVER DID, EVE...

WAS HIRE ME.

[SCOFFS]

I KEEP HOPING.

SO WE'RE JUSTGOING TO SIT HERE

AND WATCH ME READALL DAY?

IF THIS IS YOUR SHOW,

HOW ABOUT SHOWING ME SOMETHING?

THIS WAS THE FIRST DAYYOU CAME HERE.

SO WHAT?

YOU DON'T REMEMBERWHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY?

NO...

YOU DON'T REMEMBERWHWHAT COULD BE SO IMPORTANT

OTHER THAN...

PICKING UP A GOOD BOOK OR...

[ENTRY BELL JINGLES]

HEY, MAN.

IT'S THE FIRST DAY I MET BEN.

HEY.

LISTEN, YEAH,GOOD TO SEE YOU.

HOW'S IT GOING?

YEAH, I PICKED UP THISOLD COLLECTION OF TWAIN

FROM THIS ENGLISHPROFESSOR AT DePAUL.ING?

WOW.

YEAH, IT'S ALLBOXED UP IN THE BACK

IF YOU WANTTO TAKE A LOOK.

- OKAY, YEAH.- YEAH? WICKED.

- OKAY. THANKS, JIM.- CHEERS.

WOW...

IS HE EVER CUTE.

HE'S AVERAGE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHATYOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

HE WAS MY BOYFRIEND.

YES. YES, HE SURE WAS.

HE'S THE ONLY PERSONYOU EVER LOVED.

HE TAUGHT YOUTHE MEANING OF THE WORD.

HE'S THE ONLY PERSONYYOU'RE RIGHT..

HE TAUGHT METHAT IT WAS JUST A WORD.

YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

HI.

HI.

YOU SEE THAT?

NOW, THAT'S MAGIC.

MAGIC?

IT'S A CRUSH.

A CHEMICAL REACTIONIN THE BRAIN.

THE PERFECT STORMOF LUST, YOUTH,

AND INEXPERIENCE

COMINGCRASHING TOGETHER.

WHAT DO YOU WANTFROM ME, I'M HUMAN.

REALLY?

'CAUSE I WAS STARTINGTO WONDER.

GOOD BOOK.

OH.

IT CHANGED MY LIFE, ACTUALLY.

UM... ME TOO.

REALLY?

BUT I HAVEN'TREAD IT IN YEARS.

WELL...

WHO ELSE DO YOU LIKE READING,

IF YOU DON'T MIND MY ASKING?

UH...

IF YOU HUGO, DICKENS,ASKING?

DOSTOYEVSKI...

[TOGETHER]: TOLSTOY.

[BOTH LAUGH]

AM I THAT OBVIOUS?

NO, NO.

NO, I JUST, UH...

WELL, YOU JUST LISTED

ALL OF THE GREATEST WRITERSEVER.

HEY, IF YOU LIKE THOSE GUYS,HAVE YOU READ THIS?

GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ,

"ONE HUNDRED YEARSOF SOLITUDE?"

NO.

IT'S...

I MEAN, TALK ABOUT ROMANTIC.

IT'S MYSTICAL,

KIND OF A HISTORY OF...

A HISTORY OF...

LIFE?I DON'T KNOW--

[SHUDDERS IN DISGUST] UGH.

SERIOUSLY?

"A HISTORY OF LIFE?"

THAT'S THE CORNIEST THINGI'VE EVER HEARD.

DO YOU SEE THIS, HUH?

I MEAN, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME

YOU HAD THAT LOOK IN YOUR EYES?

THE LOOK OF A NAIVE GIRL?

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

AND WHAT ABOUT HIM, HUH?

CHECK OUT HOW MUCH LIFEHE HAS INSIDE HIMSELF.

HE'S TRULY INSPIRED!

IS THAT WHAT YOU SEE?

BECAUSEI SEE A DREAMER

WHO WILL NEVER BEWILLIAM FAULKNER.

THIS IS A BOY WHO BELIEVESIN WHAT HE LOVES.

AND THAT'S A GIRL

WHO LOVESWHO SHE BELIEVES IN.

[SCOFFS]

WHO LOVESWHO SHESORRY.VES IN.

NOT BUYIN' IT.

AGAIN?

COULD YOU WARN ME

NEXT TIMEYOU'RE GONNA DO THAT?

NO.

WAIT A MINUTE.

I KNOW THIS PLACE.

THIS WAS...

OUR FIRST APARTMENT,

AND IT HASA HUNDRED STAIRS.

WELL, YOU WANTED PRE-WAR,

AND THAT MEANSNO ELEVATOR.

I MEANT WORLD WAR II,NOT CIVIL WAR.

SERIOUSLY?

THERE WAS NOTHINGON THE GROUND FLOOR?

NOPE.

BESIDES, THEN WEWOULDN'T HAVE OUR VIEW.

WELL...WELCOME HOME.

SAME TO YOU.

WHAT'S THAT?

REMEMBER?

I DON'T KNOW,

MAYBE THE LAST TENANTSLEFT IT BEHIND.

[CHUCKLING]

WHAT IS THIS?

DID YOU, UM...

WHAT DID YOU DO?

IT'S A HOUSEWARMING GIFT.

WOW...

REMIND ME, IS THATHOW YOU SPELL "CRUSH"?

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NOW NOTHING THAT'S STOPPING YOUFROM WRITING THAT NOVEL.

[♪]

[LAUGHS]

LOOK HOW GENEROUSYOU WERE.

AND WHEN YOU GAVE BEN A GIFTTHAT CHANGED HIS LIFE,

YOU ENCOURAGED HIMTO PURSUE HIS DREAM.

OH, RIGHT.

THE GLORIOUS DREAM

OF BECOMING A POOR,UNRECOGNIZED GENIUS.

HEY, LOOK, HE WANTEDTO BE A WRITER.



YOU CAN'T FAULT HIM FOR THAT.

I FAULT HIMFOR NOT BEING REALISTIC.

WE WERE BUILDINGA LIFE TOGETHER,

AND HE WOULD'VE BEEN CONTENT

LIVING LIKE A PAUPERIN SOME BOHEMIAN FANTASY.

b

IT'S HARDLY A FANTASY

TO BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAM.

WITHOUT MONEY,

THERE'S NO POINT TO DREAMING,IS THERE?

HEY, WHEN DID YOU LOSEYOUR SOUL,

CAROL?

GOODBYE, EVE.

WHERE ARE YOUGOING?

AWAY FROM YOU.

AND THIS TIME,

DON'T FOLLOW ME.

OKAY, I WON'T.

LOOK WHO'S HERE.

[SLAMS DOOR]

WHAT HAPPENED,FORGET YOUR KEYS?

WOW,

HAVE I MISSED YOU.

YOU KNOW WHAT? STOP IT!

I HAVE HAD--

YOU KNOW,THERE'S ONE CONSTANT

IN EVERY GOOD STORY.

THERE'S A BEGINNINGAND A MIDDLE

AND AN END.

ALL I'M SAYING IS

THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOMAT SPRINGWOOD

FOR MORE PROFITABLE BOOKS.

WE CAN STILL HAVEGREAT LITERATURE

AND SELL MORE COMMERCIAL BOOKS

THAT HAVE A BROADER APPEAL.

WE CAN MAKE THE COMPANYMORE COMPETITIVE

INSTEAD OF SITTINGON THE SIDELINES.OADER APPEAL.

AND WHAT DOES EVE SAY?

THE SAME THINGSHE ALWAYS SAYS,

IT'LL RUINOUR REPUTATION,

AND WE'LL LOSE THE AUTHORSWE ALREADY HAVE.

- WELL, SHE'S GOT A POINT.- YEAH, WELL, SO DO I.

AND I'M GOING TOTAKE THAT POINT

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSNEXT WEEK,

WITH OR WITHOUT HER SUPPORT.

WHAT?

WELL, I MEAN...

EVE'S DONESO MUCH FOR YOU,

AND SO NOW YOU'RE JUSTGOING TO PUSH HER ASIDE?

SPRINGWOOD CAN BARELYKEEP ITS DOORS OPEN

BECAUSE EVE'S GOT YOU'RE JUSTHER HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.R ASIDE?

THE COMPANY NEEDSA NEW DIRECTION,

AND I HAVE A PLAN.

WOW.

IT'S BUSINESS, BEN.AND YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND.

REALLY?

YEAH, SERIOUSLY,YOU SIT THERE IN JUDGMENT,

BUT IT'S NOT LIKEYOU'RE THAT...

WHAT?

NOTHING.

NO, SERIOUSLY, I WANT TO KNOW.

WHAT?

[SIGHS]

IT'S NOT LIKEYOU'RE THAT AMBITIOUS,

BEN.

WRITING A NOVELYOUISN'T AMBITIOUS?US,

NO.

WRITING A NOVELWRITING A NOVEL ISN'T.S?US,

GETTING ONTHE BEST-SELLER LIST IS.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

THAT'S WHAT YOU THINKI SHOULD BE DOING?

I THINK ALL AUTHORSSHOULD BE DOING THAT.

OTHERWISE YOU'RE JUSTWALLOWING IN MEDIOCRITY.

SO, IN YOUR MIND,

RECOGNITION IS WHAT DEFINESA GOOD WRITER?

|

NO, SUCCESSDEFINES A GOOD WRITER.

IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR LIGHTS ON,YOU'RE DOING YOUR JOB.

YOU KNOW, I...

I KNOW THAT YOU HAD A ROUGH TIMEAS A KID, CAROL--

YOUR MOM WORKINGALL THE TIME

AND STILL NOT BEING ABLETO SCRAPE TWO NICKELS TOGETHER.

YOU DON'T KNOWANYTHING ABOUT IT--

NO, LISTEN.

BUT YOU MADE A CHOICE,

TO NEVER HAVE TOWORRY ABOUT MONEY.

I UNDERSTAND.

�

I MADE THE SAME CHOICE,

x

BUT THE DIFFERENCEBETWEEN US IS

THAT I DON'T NEED MONEYTO FEEL SECURE.

I DON'T NEED MONEYTO FEEL... HAPPY.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN US.

YOU'VE CHANGED.

IT'S CALLED GROWING UP, BEN.

CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT,BUT I MISS WHO YOU WERE.

I MISS THE GIRL

WHO USED TO LOVEREADING BOOKS,

WHO DIDN'T CARE SO MUCHABOUT PROMOTIONS

AND BOTTOM LINES.

I MISS THE GIRL

WHO GAVE METHAT TYPEWRITER.

I'M STARTING TO REGRETTHAT I EVER DID.

GOODBYE, CAROL.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING?

I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT.

WHAT?

ABOUT REGRETTINGGIVING HIM THE REMINGTON.

REALLY?

WELL, THE TRUTH IS,

IF I'D NEVER GIVEN HIMTHE TYPEWRITER,

WE MIGHT STILL BE TOGETHER,

AND MAYBE

I MIGHT NOT HAVE BECOMETHE WOMAN THAT I AM TODAY.

OH, YOU MEAN THE LONELY WOMANWITH NO FRIENDS

AND A HOCKEY PUCK FOR A HEART?

GOODBYE, EVE.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

TO DO WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONEA LONG TIME AGO.

END THIS.

OH, COME ON.

DO WE REALLY HAVE TOGO THROUGH THIS AGAIN, CAROL?

YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T JUST

WALK AWAY.

I'M NOT WALKING THIS TIME, EVE.

CAN'T DIE IN A DREAM, SO...SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE.

CAROL!

IT'S BEEN...

WELL, IT'S BEEN.

WAIT!

[SCREAMS, CRASHES]

[CAT MEOWS, CAN ROLLS]

IT WAS A DREAM.

[♪]

EVE MAILER.

NOW, THEREWAS A CLASSY LADY.

HEAR! HEAR!

TWO WEEKS OFFFOR THE HOLIDAYS...

A NICE LITTLE BONUSIN OUR STOCKING EVERY YEAR.

AND SHE HADIMPECCABLE TASTE.

MM, IT'S TRUE.

SHE COULD PICK A BEST-SELLEROUT OF THE SLUSH PILE.

NO, I WAS TALKINGABOUT HER WARDROBE.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE AN EYEFOR THAT SORT OF THING.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

CAROL HUFFLERIS GOING TO BE OUR BOSS FOREVER.

NO, NOT IF WE ORGANIZE

AND STAND UP TOTHAT STALIN IN STILETTOS.

PLEASE STOP WITHTHE REBELLION TALK, FRED.

I'M TRYINGTO ENJOY MY DRINK.

LOOK,WE WORK WITH THE AUTHORS,

NEGOTIATE THE DEALS,EDIT THE BOOKS,

GET THEM ON THE SHELVES,

AND THEN WHO GETSALL THE CREDIT?

[TOGETHER] CAROL.

EXACTLY.

I MEAN, WHAT'S SO SPECIALABOUT HER?

WHY DO WE EVEN NEED HER?

TO SIGN OUR PAYCHECKS.

WELL, WHAT IF WE SIGNEDOUR OWN PAYCHECKS?

FORGERY ISA FELONY, FRED.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT FORGERY!

I'M TALKING ABOUTSTARTING OUR OWN COMPANY.

DO YOU NEEDTO LIE DOWN?

LOOK, THE AUTHORS HAVEA RELATIONSHIP WITH US,

NOT THE COMPANY.

THEY DON'T LIKE CAROLANY MORE THAN WE DO,

SO WHY DON'T WE JUSTCALL THEM UP AND ASK,

AND THEN WE CAN BE THEMASTERS OF OUR OWN FATE.

AND RUIN CAROLIN THE PROCESS.

HMM.

WHAT WOULD WE CALL IT?

REVOLUTION PUBLISHING.

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

NOW WHAT?

WE SHOUT IT FROMTHE MOUNTAIN TOPS.

LET'S JUSTMAKE SOME CALLS.

THAT WORKS.

OKAY, COOL.

HEY, J.K.

HI, ANGELINA?

[SIGHING IN RELIEF]

HELLO!

[BREATHING SHAKILY]

OH, COME ON, NOW,DON'T FREAK OUT, PLEASE--

DON'T FREAK OUT?ARE YOU KIDDING?

I'M BEING HAUNTEDBY MY DEAD EX-BOSS,

AND YOU'RE TELLING MENOT TO FREAK OUT?

YES, BUT THE THING IS--

PLEASE!

I CAN'T DO THIS.

JUST LEAVE ME ALONE.

OH, COME ON,THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG.

JUSWAIT A SECOND.NE.

I KNOW THIS STORY.

YES? YOU DO?

YEAH...

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE,

AND YOU'VE COMETO WARN ME

THAT I AM SQUANDERINGMY LIFE.

OH, WHAT'S IT CALLED, UM...

MIRACLE ON 34th STREET?

NO.

IT'S AWONDERFUL LIFE?

NO!

NOT STAR WARS?

NO.

"A CHRISTMAS CAROL"

BY CHARLES DICKENS.

OH, WELL, YOU'RE RIGHT,

EXCEPT IN THIS CASE,"CAROL'S CHRISTMAS."

YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE?

I FLIPPED IT.

ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE RIGHT.

PEOPLE LIKE ME

HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN HERETO HELP PEOPLE LIKE YOU

FOR GENERATIONS.

CHUCK WAS JUST THE FIRST GUYTO WRITE ABOUT IT.

DID YOU JUST SAY CHUCK?

AS IN DICKENS?

INCREDIBLY SWEET GUY,

OBVIOUSLY AWESOME WRITER.

BUT HE JUST-- HE HAD A TENDENCYTO EMBELLISH A LITTLE BIT.

YOU KNOW, LIKE,

THREE GHOSTS INSTEAD OF ONE,

AND THEN TURKEY,

INSTEAD OF JUSTA SLAB OF MUTTON.

YOU KNOW,LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT,

BUT THEY DO ADD UP.

OKAY, WELL, FINE,

BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

I ALWAYS SAW SCROOGEAS THE VICTIM IN THAT STORY.

MM-HMM.

HE WAS JUST A MODEST,RESPONSIBLE BUSINESSMAN

WHO WAS BULLIED INTO BECOMINGA SENTIMENTAL SPENDTHRIFT.

WELL, TAKE HEART, CAROL,

BECAUSE YOU'RE HEADEDFOR A LONELY EXISTENCE

AND AN ETERNITY OF REGRET

IF YOU DON'T CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

I'LL TAKE MY CHANCES.

LET'S GO.

WHOA, AREN'T WEA LITTLE EAGER BEAVER NOW.

WELL, SINCE I'M BEING FORCED

TO TAKE YOUR LITTLEMAGIC CARPET RIDE WITH YOU,

I MIGHT AS WELLGET IT OVER WITH.

SO...

LET'S NOT WASTEANY MORE TIME, SHALL WE?

WHAT YEAR ARE WE HEADED TO?

THIS ONE.

JUST SECONDS AWAY.

[CAROL SCREAMS]

[SCREAM ECHOES]

[SCREAMING]

OOF!

[GRUNTING]

ARE YOU HAVING FUN?

A TOTAL BLAST.

SWEET OF YOU TO ASK, THOUGH.

WHERE ARE WE?

HERE, FOLLOW ME.

I GOT SOMETHINGTO SHOW YOU.

OH, GOSH.

WHOSE HOUSE IS THIS?

WHERE ARE WE?

HAVEN'T YOU EVER BEENTO TANYA'S HOUSE?

I DIDN'T KNOWTANYA HAD KIDS.

THEY'RE PRECIOUS, NO?

"PRECIOUS,"FROM THE LATIN "PRETIOSUS"

MEANING "EXPENSIVE."

IT'S ALSO THE LATIN ROOTFOR "PRICE,"

AS IN "PRICELESS."

OF COURSEYOU'RE SHOWING ME THIS.

KEEP WATCHING.

[CHILD]: WHAT ARE THOSE FOR?

WELL, SANTA'S REINDEERNEED A SNACK, TOO, RIGHT?

CAN YOU READ THAT?

"DEAR SANTA, MAKE IT GOOD."

[GASPS IN SHOCK]

KIDDING!

[TANYA AND KIDS LAUGH]

ALL RIGHT, WELL,

YOU NEVER KNOW WHATTIME SANTA'S COMING,

SO IT'S TIMEFOR BED.

OKAY?

GIVE ME A HUG.

I LOVE YOU GUYS.

OKAY, OFF YOU GO.

SO WHERE'S DADDY?

DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENTTWO YEARS AGO.

SO WHERE'S DADDSHE'S ALONE NOW.

HOW WAS ISUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT?

EVERYONEIN THE OFFICE KNEW,

BUT DON'T WORRY.

KENDRA COVERED FOR YOU.

SHE SENT FLOWERS.

WHAT'S SHE DOING?

SHE HAS TO RETURNTHEIR PRESENTS

TO SAVE MONEY.

LOOK, SHE SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER

THAN TO PITCH ME A NEW BOOK.

SHE WAS JUST TRYINGTO DO HER JOB.

THAT'S NOT HER JOB!

SHE SHOULD'VE BEEN HAPPY

WITH THE ONESHE ALREADY HAD,

LIKE EVERYONE ELSEWHO WORKS FOR ME.

WHOA, WAIT, BACK IT UP.

BACK IT UP.

YOU THINK THAT EVERYONETHAT WORKS FOR YOU IS HAPPY?

WHY WOULDN'T THEY BE?

[LAUGHS]

I-- WAIT.

I JUST--

I HAVE TO CAPTURE THIS LOOKOF TOTAL CLUELESSNESS.

HANG ON A SECOND HERE.

ALL RIGHT, SAY CHEESE.

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[MUSIC AND LAUGHTER]

WHAT? WHAT'S THIS?

[ALL CHEERING] YES!

WAY TO GO, GIRLS!

SEE?THEY'RE HAVING FUN.

THEY'RE GETTING THERE.

[CELL PHONES RINGING]

SHH, SHH, SHH!

THIS IS FRED.

UH-HUH.

THE ENTIRE STAFF OFTHE CHICAGO GUARDIAN, IN!

[CHEERING IN TRIUMPH]

OH YES!

- ANOTHER ONE SCORED!- ANOTHER ROUND!

IN? IN FOR WHAT?

THEY'RE PLANNING A LITTLECHRISTMAS SURPRISE.

YOU KNOW, I NEVERTHOUGHT I'D SAY THIS,

TBUT I CAN'T WAIT TO SEEECTHE LOOK ON CAROL'S FACE

WHEN SHE COMES INTOMORROW.

I HOPESHE GETS A WRINKLE.

YES.

RIGHT WHEREEVERYONE CAN SEE IT!

RIGHT HERE.

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

DO YOU KNOWWHAT'S GOING ON?

WHEN I TOLD THE PRINCESS

WE WERE STARTINGOUR OWN PUBLISHING COMPANY,

SHE SAID,"DO ME A FAVOR

AND STICK ITTO CAROL FOR ME."

[LAUGHING]

THEIR OWN PUBLISHING COMPANY?

NO, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

OH, SO FUNNY.

IS THIS A COUP?

I MEAN, I WON'TSTAND FOR THIS.

STAND FOR IT?

YOU'D BETTER MAKE SUREYOU CAN SURVIVE IT FIRST.

I WANT YOUTO TAKE ME HOME RIGHT NOW.

AH, CAN'T DO IT.

I DEMAND IT!

4

OH, YOU DEMAND IT.

STILL, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

HEADS UP!

[CORK POPS, CAROL SHRIEKS]

THANKS FOR COMING WITH ME.

ALWAYS.

[SIGHING]

OKAY, SO WHEREARE WE NOW?

OH, WE'RE TRYING TO SEE

IF ANYONE'SSTILL LEFT IN YOUR CORNER.

I WONDER WHY CAROLDISAPPEARED FROM THE PARTY.

SERIOUSLY?

WE'RE HAVINGA PERFECTLY NICE TIME,

AND YOU HAVE TO BRING UPTHE MOTHER OF SATAN.

SHE'S JUST--

I'M WORRIED ABOUT HER,THAT'S ALL.

WHY?

IT'S NOT LIKESHE CARES ABOUT YOU.

WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?

UH, WELL, LET'S SEE.

UM, SHE TREATS YOULIKE DIRT,

SHE DIDN'T GIVE YOUTHE TRANSFER,

AND, WORST OF ALL,

SHE'S MET THE MAN YOU LOVEMORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES

AND SHE CAN'TREMEMBER MY NAME!

SHE'S NOTTHAT BAD, ZAC.

SHE'S JUSTLOOKING OUT FOR ME.

LOOKING OUT FOR YOU?

YEAH.

[SIGHS IN DISBELIEF]

LOOK, KENDRA,

I'M THE ONE WHO'SLOOKING OUT FOR YOU, OKAY?

I JUST THINK THATYOU SHOULD QUIT YOUR JOB

AND COME TO LONDON.

AND DO WHAT?

WRITE.

YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO,

AND NOW ISTHE PERFECT TIME.

I DIDN'T KNOW KENDRAWANTED TO BE A WRITER.

THERE'S A LOTYOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT KENDRA,

INCLUDING HOW MUCH INFLUENCEYOU HAVE OVER HER.

[KENDRA]:ZAC, DON'T YOU SEE

THAT I'M IN THE SAME PLACECAROL WAS

WHEN SHE WAS MY AGE?

[ZAC]: BUT CAROLNEVER WANTED TO BE

SOMETHING ELSE, KENDRA.

IT'S DIFFERENT.

WELL...

THINGS CHANGE, ZAC.

I HAVE A FUTUREAT THE COMPANY NOW.

THINGS FINE.E, ZAC.

WHAT ABOUT OUR FUTURE?

I DON'T KNOW.

AMAZING HOW HISTORYREPEATS ITSELF.

YEAH, BUT THE BIGDIFFERENCE IS,

UNLIKE YOU,

I DON'T PLAN ON GETTING HITBY A BUS ANYTIME SOON.

I DIDN'T PLANON GETTING HIT BY A BUS.

YOU KNOW, I'M NOT RESPONSIBLEFOR KENDRA'S DECISION,

OR ANYONE ELSE'S,FOR THAT MATTER.

YOU KNOW,

LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICES,

AND KENDRA'SGOING TO RUIN HER LIFE,

IRONICALLY ENOUGH,

WAITING AROUNDTO BECOME YOU.

WELL, THEN, KENDRASHOULD CHOOSE TO DO

WHATEVER IT ISTHAT SHE WANTS.

OR YOU COULD CHOOSETO GIVE HER THE TRANSFER

AND LET HER BE WITH ZAC!

WHY SHOULD I?

OH, GOD, LET'S SEE.

OH, BECAUSE SHE'S BEENINCREDIBLY LOYAL TO YOU.

TO MAKE HER HAPPY.

OH, HAPPY. HAPPY!

HAPPY. WHY?

WHY SHOULD I TRY?

I TRIED TO MAKE BEN HAPPY,

AND LOOKWHERE IT GOT ME.

WHY SHOULD I BOTHERMAKING ANYONE HAPPY?

LET ME SHOW YOU.

I'M...

I'M SCARED.

[BIG THUMP]

I CAN'T SEE--

HANG ON, HANG ON,I GOT IT.

WHERE ARE WE?

- OW! THAT'S MY FOOT!- SORRY, SORRY.

SORRY, SORRYABOUT THE CLOSET.WHERE ARE WE?

I WAS NEVERTHAT GOOD OF A DRIVER.

ARE WE BACKIN THE PAST?

NO, IT'S STILL YOUR ROOM,

JUST THE WAYYOU LEFT IT.

SHE... SHE HASN'T CHANGEDA THING.

YOUR MOM LIKED IT THIS WAY.

WAIT.

CHECK THIS OUT.

SHE REMEMBERED HOW IMPORTANTIT WAS TO YOU.

SHE KEPT THEM ALL.

YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER

WHEN YOU FIRST CAME INFOR YOUR INTERVIEW,

YOAND YOU WENT ON AND ON AND ON

ABOUT ALL THESE BOOKSTHAT YOU LOVED.

WELL...

HERE THEY ALL ARE.

I HAD NO IDEASHE STILL HAD THEM.

THEY'RE SORT OFPIECES OF YOU, RIGHT?

[DISHES CLATTERING]

[MOM]: GLORIA, YOU CANAT LEAST LET ME HELP.

[GLORIA]: NO. YOU JUST STOPARGUING WITH ME.

YOU KNOW, I CAN MANAGEALL THIS STUFF ON MY OWN.

WELL, MAYBE YOU CAN,

BUT MAYBE I CAN'T.

[CHUCKLING]

THANK YOU.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE,HASN'T IT?

NOW, I'VE GOTEVERYTHING WE NEED

FOR DINNERTOMORROW NIGHT.

GLORIA, IT'SCHRISTMAS TOMORROW.

YOU'VE GOT TO GO HOMEAND BE WITH YOUR FAMILY.

HUSH, NOW.WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

THEY'RE ALL OUT OF TOWN,AND BESIDES...

YOU ARE FAMILY.

I REALLY MISS HER, GLORIA.

I KNOW YOU DO, DEAR.

I JUST WISH SHE WOULDDROP BY TOMORROW, THAT'S ALL.

I KNOW.

BUT I UNDERSTAND.

SHE IS SO VERY BUSY.

SHE HAS SO MANYBIG THINGS GOING ON

AND PEOPLE TO SEE, AND...

I JUST MISS HER.

[CRYING SOFTLY]

OOH,

I ALMOST FORGOT!

THIS CAME FOR YOU TODAYWHILE YOU WERE OUT.

WHAT?

FROM...IS IT FROM CAROL?

I'M SO SORRYI FORGOT.

KENDRA.

AGAIN.

YOU SEE A PATTERNEMERGING AT ALL?

SHE'S ALWAYSLOOKING OUT FOR YOU.

OH...

OH, THAT'S...

OH...

I REMEMBER THAT CHRISTMAS.

YOU TWO LOOK SO HAPPY TOGETHER.

YEAH. YEAH.

YOU MISS HER,DON'T YOU?

OF COURSE I DO.

THEN WHY DON'T YOUGO SEE HER MORE OFTEN?

IT'S JUST BECAUSE--

IT COULDN'T BEBECAUSE WHEN YOU SEE HER,

IT'S JUSTIT REMINDS YOU

OF THE TOUGH TIMESYOU HAD

WHEN YOU WERE A KID?

LOOK, I JUST--I'M A BUSY WOMAN,

AND I...THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TIME.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE TIME

FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU LOVE.

WAIT A SECOND,

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

ARE YOU TRYING TO SAYTHAT I DON'T LOVE

MY OWN MOTHER?

OF COURSE NOT--

BECAUSE I PAY FOR THIS HOUSE,

FOR THE GROCERY BILLS,

FOR GLORIA'S SALARY.

- EVERYTHING!- YEAH, THAT'S GREAT.

BUT YOU ALSOHAVE TO GIVE HER TIME.

TIME IS EXPENSIVE.

ACTUALLY, NO,

TIME DOESN'T HAVE A PRICE.

YOU CAN'T BUY IT,

AND ONCE IT'S GONE,IT'S GONE FOR GOOD.

OH, HERE WE GO,THE REQUISITE LECTURE

ANABOUT HOW TIMENE,SLIPS THROUGH YOUR FINGERS.

EVERY MOMENTI DON'T SPEND WORKING

IS MONEY LOST.

REMEMBERWHAT YOUR MOTHER SAID?

"DON'T LIVE TO WORK.YOU WORK TO LIVE."

ALL SHE EVER DID WAS WORK!

YEAH, BUT SHE DIDN'THAVE A CHOICE.

YOU DO.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

GIVE THAT BACK.

THAT'S MY BOOK!

WAIT.

YOU DID IT AGAIN.

WHERE ARE WE?

WE ARE ATSUSAN JOHNSON'S HOUSE.

I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT IS.

[PLAYFUL GROWLING,THUMPING]

GUESS WHOCAN'T SHAKE ME.

TOP ROPE! [GRUNTING]

I GOT YOU!

BEN?

WAIT. HE'S MARRIEDWITH KIDS?

HE IS NOT MARRIED,YOU IDIOT.

WELL, THEN,EXPLAIN THIS.

OH, YEAH?

LAY OFF YOUR UNCLE, BOYS,

HE'S AN OLD MAN NOW.

AW, NOT THE CHICKEN WING!

GO BRUSH YOUR TEETHAND GET IN BED.

AW, FIVE MORE MINUTES.

NO. NOW, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

HEY, WHERE'S MY HUG?GOOD NIGHT.

- GOOD NIGHT, UNCLE BEN.- GOOD NIGHT.

I'LL BE UP IN A MINUTETO TUCK YOU IN.

- GOOD NIGHT!- GOOD NIGHT.

PHEW![SHE CHUCKLES]

FINE.

OR IT'S HIS SISTER.

LET'S MOVE ON.

THEY LOVEHAVING YOU AROUND.

SO DOES BILL.

HE GETS TO WAKE UP WITHOUTBLACK AND BLUE MARKS

ALL OVER HIS BODY.

THEY'RE GOOD KIDS.

I ENVY YOU GUYS.

I MEAN, WHAT GOOD IS CHRISTMASWITHOUT KIDS, HUH?

WELL, TRADE INTHE BACHELOR LIFESTYLE

I MEAN, WHAT GOOD IS CHRISTMASWITHAND HAVE SOME, THEN.

I'VE ALWAYS WANTEDTO BE AN AUNT.

GOT TO FIND THE GIRL FIRST.

AND YOU GOT TO GET OVERTHE OLD ONE

BEFORE YOU CANDO THAT.

COME ON, BEN.

I'M THE BIG SISTER.I KNOW EVERYTHING.

OF COURSE YOU DO.

I SAW HOW NERVOUS YOU WEREEARLIER TONIGHT

BEFORE THE PARTY, OKAY?

JUST THE THOUGHT OF SEEING CAROLHAD YOU ALL WORKED UP.

OH, COME ON.

YOU CAN'T LIETO ME.

I DON'T KNOWWHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

REALLY?

WELL, THEN, TELL ME THIS.DID YOU SEE HER?

OKAY, YOU WANT TO KNOW?

FINE.

YES, I SAW HER,AND IT DIDN'T GO SO GREAT.

I MEAN, WE SAID HELLO,

AND BEFORE I KNEW IT,WE WERE FIGHTING AGAIN.

RIGHT BACK WHERE WE LEFT OFF.

WAIT, YOU GUYS DON'TSEE EACH OTHER

FOR WHAT, 10 YEARS,

AND THE FIRST THING YOU DOIS HAVE AN ARGUMENT?

WHY?

AND THEWHY? BECAUSE YOU DOITHAT'S WHAT WE DO.?

LOOK, YOU KNOW,IT'S...

IT'S FINE, OKAY?

SERIOUSLY.

IT JUST PROVES THATI WAS RIGHT TO WALK AWAY

IN THE FIRST PLACE.

DON'T.

YOU STILL CAREABOUT HER.

- HANG ON--- BEN...

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET HURT,

BUT THE FACT IS

YOU GUYS WERE JUST KIDSWHEN YOU BROKE UP,

AND YOU DIDN'T TRY THAT HARDTO STAY TOGETHER.

AND IF YOU'RE STILL FIGHTINGAFTER ALL THIS TIME,

THERE'S FEELINGS THERE,

AND IF YOU'RE STILLIN LOVE WITH HER,

YOU'VE GOTTO TELL HER.

NO.

THE WOMAN I SAWTONIGHT

IS NOT THE WOMANI FELL IN LOVE WITH,

NOT ANYMORE.

SEE, NOW,I DID NOT KNOW

THAT HE WAS GOINGTO SAY THAT,

AND I'M NOT SURE

THAT THAT'S NECESSARILYHOW HE REALLY FEELS.

CAROL?

[ANGRILY]WHY WOULD YOU SHOW ME THAT?

WHERE DID YOU GO?

OH, IS THAT IT?

IS THAT WHATI'M SUPPOSED TO LEARN?

HMM?

IS THAT WHATYOU SHOW ME THAT I'M NOT ALONE,

TELL ME I DON'T CAREABOUT MY MOTHER,

AND THEN YOU SHOW ME THATBEN DOESN'T LOVE ME ANYMORE.

SHOW YOURSELF, YOU COWARD.

ANSWER ME.

PLEASE.

[LETS OUT A SHAKY BREATH]

OKAY,

WHAT'S IN STORE, EVE MAILER?

LET'S SEE HERE.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST,THAT'S OVER.

THEN WE'VE GOTA CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

A TON OF FUN.

SO, WHAT'S NEXT?

OKAY, HERE WE GO...

AH, CHRISTMAS FUTURE.

"IN THE ORIGINAL DICKENS STORYAND SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS,

"THE APPARITIONAPPEARS TO THE PROTAGONIST

"IN THE ORIGINAL DICKENS STORY"AS THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS

"OR THE GRIM REAPER,

"MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS...

DEATH"?

[STAIR CREAKS, CAROL GASPS]

EVE?

WERE YOU SCARED?

TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH.

I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT NEEDSOME TIME TO COOL OFF.

IT WAS BETTER IN REHEARSALS,BUT YOU GET THE GENERAL IDEA.

SO, THE FUTURE?

LISTEN, I DON'T WANT TO RUIN ITOR ANYTHING, BUT...

I KNOW I DIE IN THE END.

REALLY?

YEAH, EVERYONE DOES.

YOU CAN'T REALLYGET AROUND THAT ONE, CAN YOU?

YOU MIGHT JUSTFIND YOURSELF SURPRISED.

THIS DOESN'T LOOKVERY FUTURISTIC.

OH, YOU'RE COMING UP ON 40PRETTY QUICK, LITTLE LADY.

THIS IS BASICALLYNEXT WEEK FOR YOU.

I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT.

WHERE ARE WE?

IT'S CHRISTMAS MORNING,AND THIS IS YOUR FAMILY.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.

THESE ARE ALL MINE?

YEAH, YOU AND BENHAD THREE KIDS, AND...

ONE, TWO,

THREE GRANDKIDS SO FAR.

[SON]: YOU'RESPOILING THEM AGAIN.

WE'RE THE GRANDPARENTS.

IT'S IN OURJOB DESCRIPTION.

HOLD ON.

SO...

THIS IS MY FAMILY,

AND THAT...

THAT'S ME?

AND THAT'S BEN.

PRETTY BEAUTIFULVISION OF THE FUTURE, NO?

OH, MY GOD...

I THINK YOUR PRESENTIS THEIR FAVORITE ONE.

SWEET, ISN'T IT?

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[BOTH CAROLS TOGETHER]:NOT TOO SHABBY.

YEAH, NOTTOO SHABBY AT ALL.

[TEARING PAPER]

OKAY, SO WHY THREE KIDS?

I MEAN, DO I LIVEON A FARM NOW, OR WHAT?

GRANDMA, LOOK!

LOOK AT THIS.

�

WHERE DID YOU GET THIS, EMMA?

SANTA BROUGHT METHE DOLL I WANTED!

SANTA BROUGHT THIS TO YOU?

AS IN SANTA CLAUS

WHO DELIVERS PRESENTS

TO ALL THE LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYSWHO WERE GOOD LAST YEAR?

THEN YOU MUST HAVE BEENA VERY GOOD GIRL.

DOES SHE HAVEA NAME?

I LIKE "KATIE."

SO DO I, SWEETHEART.

AWW.

SHOW YOUR MOMMY.

WHAT HAVE YOUGOT THERE?

HEY, CAN ITELL YOU SOMETHING?

THANK YOU.

FOR WHAT?

FOR GIVING MEANOTHER SHOT.

AND WITHOUT MISTLETOE, FOLKS!

SO THAT'S IT?

A HAPPY ENDING?

WELL, YOU WERE RIGHT,BECAUSE I AM SURPRISED.

OH, THIS,THIS ISN'T YOUR FUTURE. ENDING?

YOU'RE TEASING ME?

THIS IS JUST ONEOF MANY POSSIBLE FUTURES.

THIS IS BASICALLYWHAT'S BEHIND DOOR NUMBER ONE.

AND I'M GUESSINGWHAT'S BEHIND DOOR NUMBER TWO

ISN'T GOING TO BESUCH A PARTY.

OH, NOT AT ALL.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

[RAIN PATTERING]

WHAT NOW?

TURN AROUND.THIS WAY.

UGH.

NO DATE?

WELL, I'D TELL YOU,

BUT THEN I'DHAVE TO KILL YOU.

HEY, IT'S JUST ANOTHER DOOR.

WELL, LIKE I SAID,

EVERYONE DIES.

TRUE,

BUT EVERYONE DOESN'T NECESSARILYDIE ALONE.

IT'S ALREADY OVER?

NO ONE CAME?

OH, SOMEONE DID.

SHE JUST GOT HERE LATE.

HOW ABOUT THAT...

I DIDN'T GET YOU FLOWERS

BECAUSE I KNOWYOU HATE THEM, SO...

SHE'S THE NEW PRESIDENT

�

AND, IN HONOROF YOUR MEMORY,

SHE DEEMED TODAYA WORK DAY.

SHE THOUGHT YOU'D APPROVE.

I WOULD HAVE.

BUT I THINK YOU KNOW

THAT NO ONEWOULD HAVE COME ANYWAY.

SHE LOOKSDIFFERENT.

SHE LOOKS...

SAD?

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

THIS IS KENDRA.

NO, NOW WORKS. I'M JUSTWALKING OUT OF A MEETING.

TELL ME...

THEN DUMP HIM.

HE'S COSTING US MONEY

AND WE NEED TOKEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

I'M IN CHARGE,AND IT'S MY CALL.

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK,

HUH?

SO THE COMPANY SURVIVED?

THERE WAS NO REVOLT?

OH, NO, THERE WAS A REVOLT,

AND PEOPLE HAD A TOUGH TIMEFOR A WHILE, BUT...

I WON.

YEAH, YOU FIREDEVERYONE BUT KENDRA,

AND YOU ESTABLISHEDYOUR REPUTATION

AS A WOMAN TO BE FEARED.

AND IN THE END...

I'M ALONE.

IS THEREA DOOR NUMBER THREE?

THAT'S ENTIRELYUP TO YOU.

EVE?

EVE, WAIT.

EVE!

I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

I WANT TO CHANGE!

PLEASE.

HELP ME.

I DON'T KNOW HOWTO DO IT!

[♪]

♪ FOR THE "SORRIES"OH, THE "SORRIES" OF YOUR SOUL ♪

♪ THEY ARE YOUR WORRIESARE YOUR WORRIES ♪

♪ OF MY HOUSEHOLD ♪

♪ I HEAR THE WIND A-HOWLINGAT MY SWINGING DOOR ♪

♪ BUT AT YOUR HOUSETHE WEATHER'S PLEASANT ♪

♪ NOTHING MORE ♪

♪ I AM BEHIND ♪

♪ I AM BEHIND ♪

♪ NEVER MINDI WILL NOT PINE ♪

♪ FOR I AM MINE... ♪

HI. I--

I DON'T NEED A NUMBER.

COULD YOU TELL MEWHAT DAY IT IS?

WELL, THEN,MERRY CHRISTMAS, GOOD SIR!

OH, SORRY.

HAPPY HANUKKAH.

♪ YOU DECIDEDYOU WOULD EDUCATE ME ♪

♪ WHILE CONVERSINGOVER A NICE SPOT OF TEA ♪

♪ I AM BEHIND ♪

♪ I AM BEHIND ♪

♪ WELL, NEVER MIND ♪

♪ I WILL NOT PINEFOR I AM MINE... ♪

NICE ONE, EVE.

[LAUGHS]

THAT'S FUNNY.

♪ I AM BEHIND ♪

♪ NEVER MINDI WILL NOT PINE ♪

♪ FOR I AM MINE ♪

♪ I AM BEHIND ♪

♪ I AM BEHIND ♪

♪ NEVER MINDI WILL NOT PINE ♪

♪ FOR I AM MINE ♪

HI.

IT'S GRACE, RIGHT?

HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?

UH... I, UM...

I'M YOUR MOMMY'S BOSS AT WORK.

WE WORK TOGETHER.

ARE YOU THE LADYWHO FIRED HER?

UM, WELL, I, UM--

[KNOCKING INSISTENTLY]

[KNOCKING]

[GASPS IN SHOCK]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

MERRY CHRISTMAS, TANYA.

OH!

THESE ARE FORYOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN,

AND THERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHINGIN THERE FOR YOU, TOO.

[KNOCKING PERSISTENTLY]

IT'S CHRISTMAS MORNING.

IS NOTHING SACRED?

I READ BEN'S MANUSCRIPT,

AND YOU WERE RIGHT.

IT'S...

IT'S AMAZING.

I CAME HERE TO TELL YOU THAT,

AND ALSO TO TELL YOU THAT...

I'M SORRY.

ARE YOU DRUNK?

YOU HAVEEVERY REASON, TANYA,

TO BE ANGRY WITH ME,

BUT I AM SERIOUSABOUT THIS BOOK.

I WANT TOPUBLISH IT IMMEDIATELY,

AND DO YOU WANTTO KNOW WHY?

BECAUSEIT DESERVES TO BE READ.

SO? PUBLISH IT.

WHAT DO I CARE?

BECAUSE I WAS WRONG,

AND I WANT TO TRYAND MAKE AMENDS.

[SIGHS HEAVILY]

I WANT YOUTO COME BACK TO WORK.

[SCOFFING]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

OKAY, LISTEN TO ME.

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING,AND I FELT LIKE A NEW WOMAN,

LIKE THIS BURDEN

HAD BEEN LIFTEDOFF OF MY SHOULDERS,

AND YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY?

NEW MATTRESS?

BECAUSE I WILL NEVER, EVER,HAVE TO WORK FOR YOU AGAIN.

WAIT, WAIT!

JUST...

GET OFF MY DOOR.

NO, WILL YOU--

I WILL CALL THE COPS!

JUST LISTEN TO ME!

FINE.

YOU'VE GOT 10 SECONDS.

ALL RIGHT, OKAY, 10 SECONDS.

NINE, EIGHT...

OKAY, OKAY!

[DEEP BREATH] HERE I GO.

TANYA, I WANT YOU TO BETHE EDITOR FOR THIS BOOK,

AND I WANT YOU TO HELP MEREBUILD SPRINGWOOD

INTO THE COMPANYTHAT EVE LEFT BEHIND.

I NEED YOU TO MAKE US BETTER.

I WANT A RAISE.

NO PROBLEM.

AND TWO WEEKS' VACATION.

YOU GOT IT.

AND FULL BENEFITSFOR THE WHOLE OFFICE.

WOW.

OKAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, UM...

WE HAVE A REALLY BIGOVERHEAD ALREADY, AND--

OH, HEY! WAIT.

DUT, DUT, DUT...

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

IS IT A DEAL?

[GIGGLES IN DISBELIEF]

[♪]

LADIES, LET'S DO THIS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, GUYS.

KENDRA.

EVERYTHING OKAY?

NEVER BETTER.

WE SHOULD TELL HER.

SHE'LL FIND OUTSOON ENOUGH.

TELL ME WHAT?

UH, WE'RE FORMINGA NEW--

WENDY!

SHE SHOULD KNOW.SHE'S ONE OF US.

OKAY,WHAT'S GOING ON, GUYS?

WE'RE REVOLTING.

WAIT, THAT DIDN'TSOUND RIGHT.

UH, WE'RE REBELLING.

AGAINST?

UH, CAROL?

WE'RE FORMING A NEW COMPANY,

AND TAKING ALL OFSPRINGWOOD'S BUSINESS WITH US.

EXCUSE ME?

THE ONLY QUESTIONYOU NEED TO ASK, KENDRA--

ARE YOU WITH USOR AGAINST US?

UH, HOLD ONA SEC, GUYS--

TIME FOR TALK'S OVER, KENDRA!TIME FOR ACTION!

BUT--

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

[OTHER TWO CHANT]:VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

CAROL HUFFLER,

YOUR ERA OF TYRANNY IS...

SHE'S NOT HERE.

WEIRD.

SHE'[SIGH]HERE.

HUH?WEIRD.

WHAT...?H]HERE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE.

OH, MY GOODNESS, IS HE OKAY?

OH, YEAH, HE'S FINE.

IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.HE'LL JUST BE A MINUTE.

WAKE UP.

OKAY, COME ON.WAKE UP.

HEY, SWEETIE.

I DON'T WANNA GO TO SCHOOL.

WAKE UP!

NOW, I KNOW

YOU'RE ALLA LITTLE CONFUSED,

SO I'M GOING TO CUTRIGHT TO THE CHASE,

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO KEEP YOUANY LONGER THAN NECESSARY.

YOU'RE FREAKING US OUT.

BELIEVE ME WHEN I TELL YOU

THE CAROL HUFFLERTHAT YOU'VE COME TO KNOW...

AND HATE...

IS A THING OF THE PAST.

I'M TURNING OVERA NEW LEAF.

I'M GOING TO BEA BETTER PERSON.

I REALIZE THAT I'M GOING TOHAVE TO EARN YOUR TRUST,

BUT I'M HOPING THATTHIS CAN BE THE FIRST STEP.

PASS THE REST OFTHESE OUT. THANK YOU.

WHAT'S THIS?

SOMETHING THAT'S LONG OVERDUE.

IT'S A BONUS!

NOPE,

IT'S AIT'S PROFIT SHARING,

BECAUSE FROMTHIS POINT ON,

YOU'RE ALLBOARD MEMBERS.

IT'S A NEW DAY.

EVE MAILER FOUNDED THIS COMPANYON ONE SIMPLE CONCEPT,

THE LOVE OF GOOD BOOKS.

AND YOU ALLENTERED PUBLISHING

FOR THE SAME REASON.

SO IT'S TIMETHAT WE GO BACK TO OUR ROOTS.

SPRINGWOOD, FROM NOW ON,

WILL NOT ONLY PUBLISHBOOKS THAT SELL,

BUT BOOKS THAT SHOULD BE READ.

[ALL SIGHING IN DELIGHT]

I PRESENT

THE FOLLOWING MOTIONTO THE BOARD.

TWO WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS VACATION,

PAID,

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY "AYE."

[EVERYONE]: AYE!

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

WE WON, FRED.

WE WON!

[EMPLOYEES WHISPERING]

AND I PRESENTANOTHER MOTION.

THAT CAROL HUFFLERREMAIN THE PRESIDENT

OF SPRINGWOODPUBLISHING.

AYE!

OF SPRINGWOODPU[CLEARING THROAT OFFICIALLY]

ALL IN FAVOR?

AYE!

[EVERYONE]: AYE.

[APPLAUSE]

THANK YOU.

WE DID IT!

I PROMISEI WON'T LET YOU DOWN.

NOW, THERE'S A TON OF FOOD,EGG NOG,

COME ON IN AND JOIN.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

[CHUCKLING AND CHATTING]

A LOTOF GOOD FOOD.

STILL A LITTLE HYPOGLYCEMIC...

- MERRY CHRISTMAS.- THANKS.

OH, LOOK AT ALL THIS FOOD.

[♪]

[SIGHING]

IF YOU'RE ON MEDICATIONS,

YOU NEED TO KEEP TAKING THEM

BECAUSE IF YOU SNAP OUT OF THISAND BREAK THEIR HEARTS,

THAT WOULD JUST BE CRUEL.

KENDRA, I'VE NEVERFELT BETTER IN MY LIFE,

AND DON'T WORRY,

I'M NOT GOING TODISAPPOINT THEM.

THIS IS GOING TOWORK OUT FOR EVERYONE,

SO YOU KNOW WHAT?

WHAT?

I'M LETTING YOU GO.

WAIT, YOU'RE FIRING ME?

NO, NOT FIRED.

OFFICIALLY,A ONE-YEAR SABBATICAL,

PAID.

I WANT YOU TO GO TO EUROPEAND START WRITING.

WHAT?

WAIT, HOW DID YOU--

IT'S NOT IMPORTANT HOW I KNOW.

WHAT'S IMPORTANTIS THAT YOU DO IT.

I THOUGHT I WASN'T SUPPOSED TOPLAN MY LIFE AROUND A MAN.

YOU'RE PLANNING A LIFEWITH YOUR MAN.

IT'S DIFFERENT.

[SIGHS HEAVILY]

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH FOR ME,KENDRA, OVER THE YEARS--

IT'S MY JOB.

NO, GETTING MY MOTHERA CHRISTMAS PRESENT

BECAUSE YOU KNEW I'D FORGET,THAT'S NOT YOUR JOB.

THANK YOU SO MUCH

FOR EVERYTHING.

I JUST-- I WANT TO MAKE SURE

YOU DON'T WIND UPANYTHING LIKE ME,

BECAUSE I'D NEVER BE ABLETO FORGIVE MYSELF.

I'M SO SORRY.

IT'S OKAY.

IT'S OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

NOW, IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME...

WAIT. WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

[SIGHS]

TO SEE IF I CAN FIX

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGIN MY LIFE.

[LETS OUT A BREATH]

IT WAS SO NICE OF THEMTO HAVE US OVER.

YES, IT WAS.

WHAT?

WHAT IS ALL THIS?

ARE WEIN THE RIGHT HOUSE?

HI, MOM.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

HI, SWEETHEART.

I'M SO SORRY, MOM.

IT'S OKAY.

IT'S FINE.

YOU'RE HOME NOW.

AND GLORIA,

I'M SORRY I WAS SO AWFUL

BEFORE.

REALLY?

WHICH TIME?

[ALL CHUCKLING]

YOU'RE A PART OF THIS FAMILY,

AND THANK YOU FOR TAKINGSUCH GOOD CARE OF MY MOTHER.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

NOW, YOU TWOGET CAUGHT UP.

I'M GONNA GETMY KITCHEN HUMMING.

THE DECORATIONS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

I'M GLAD YOU KEPT THEM ALL.

WELL, I ALWAYS HOPEDI'D GIVE THEM TO YOU ONE DAY.

WOULD YOU... LIKE SOME TEA?

I'D LOVE THAT.

I LOVED YOUR PRESENT.

YEAH, ABOUT THAT--

NO, NO, I LOVED IT.

MOM, I KNOW HOW HARDYOU HAD TO WORK

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

HONEY, IT MUST HAVE BEENHARD FOR YOU, TOO,

BEING DRAGGED AROUNDFROM JOB TO JOB.

BUT YOU ALWAYS MADE SUREI HAD A GREAT BOOK TO READ.

NOW, WITHOUT MY BOOKS,

I WOULDN'T HAVEMY WONDERFUL LIFE.

I OFTEN WONDER

WHAT YOU MUST HAVE THOUGHTABOUT ME BACK THEN.

I THOUGHT YOU WEREA DEVOTED MOTHER

WHO LOVED ME VERY MUCH.

I JUST WANTED YOU TO HAVETHE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I DIDN'T.

AND IF I'VE NEVERSAID IT BEFORE,

THANK YOU.

[SIGHS HEAVILY]

I'M SORRY I HAVEN'T BEENAROUND MUCH LATELY.

THAT'S OKAY, HONEY.

YOU'VE BEEN BUSY.

WORK TO LIVE, MOM,NOT LIVE TO WORK.

THOSE WERE YOUR WORDS.

WISE WORDS.

FROM A WISE WOMAN.

I...

I HAD THE STRANGEST DREAMABOUT YOU LAST NIGHT.

YOU DID?

YEAH.

IT-- IT WAS YOU,BUT YOU WERE OLDER.

YOU WERE ABOUT MY AGE.

IT WAS CHRISTMAS, AND...

YOU HAD YOUR FAMILY

ALL AROUND YOU.

ADORING CHILDRENLOOKING UP.

THERE WAS A MAN.

HE WAS...

IT WAS BEN.

DO YOU REMEMBER BEN?

THAT BOYYOU USED TO DATE?

HE WAS SO CUTE.

YOU TWO SEEMED SO HAPPY.

WE WERE.

AND THEN...

HE LEANED OVER

AND WHISPERED SOMETHINGIN YOUR EAR,

HE LEANED OVEAND...

WHAT WAS IT HE SAID?

IT WAS, UH...

[♪]

HE THANKED ME FOR GIVING HIM

ANOTHER CHANCE.

RIGHT.

WELL, THEN, MAYBE YOU SHOULD.

I THINK IT'S TOO LATE, MOM.

NO, HONEY.

IT'S NEVER TO LATE.

MEN NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY WANTUNTIL YOU TELL THEM.

[CHUCKLES]

[♪]

[SIGHS UNEASILY]

OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

I'LL BE BACK.

WISH ME LUCK.

OKAY.

I LOVE YOU, MOM.

I LOVE YOU TOO.

WHERE'D CAROL GO?

UM...

TO GET HER MAN.

[RINGS DOORBELL]

[SIGHS NERVOUSLY]

HI, SUSAN,

IT... IT'S ME, CAROL HUFFLER.

YEAH.

IT... II REMEMBER YOU.UFFLER.

UM... WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

WELL, I...THOUGHT BEN WAS HERE.

HE'S NOT.

OH.

HE LEFTTHIS MORNING.

REALLY?

I-- I THOUGHT MAYBE THAT--

HE ALWAYSSPENDS CHRISTMAS ALONE.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

WELL, HE DIDN'T ALWAYS DO IT.

HE...STARTED WHEN YOU GUYS...

WELL, YOU KNOW.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE HE WENT?

HE MIGHT BE GONE THROUGHTO THE NEW YEAR OR LONGER.

I COULDN'T SAY.

WELL...

THANKS.

IS THAT...?

YEAH.

HE, UM...

HE LEFT IT BEHIND.

SAID HE DIDN'TWANT IT ANYMORE, AND...

HE TOLD ME TO SELL IT.

MAY I?

OH, SURE.

CAN I GET YOUANYTHING?

NO.

CAN I GET YOUTHANKS. I'M FINE.G?

LISTEN,

I KNOW YOU AND BEN HAVE HADYOUR PROBLEMS IN THE PAST,

BUT IF I HEAR FROM HIM,

SHALL I TELL HIMYOU DROPPED BY?

NO, IT'S OKAY.

HE'S BETTER OFF NOT KNOWING.

I'LL JUST LET MYSELF OUT,

IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND.

TAKE YOUR TIME.

THANKS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

CAROL? UH...

I THOUGHT YOU LEFT.

WELL, I DID, BUT I, UH...

I CAME BACK.

WHAT FOR?

SOME THINGS YOU CAN'T JUSTWALK AWAY FROM.

BEN, I...

I'M SORRY.

I'M SORRY FOR EVERYTHING--

- WAIT, UH, CAROL--- LET ME TALK.

LISTEN TO ME.

I... YOU WERE RIGHT.I DID CHANGE.

I...

TURNED INTO SOMEONETHAT I'M NOT PROUD OF,

AND I DON'TWANT TO BE HER ANYMORE.

[SIGHING] LISTEN--

NO, I NEED TO BEA BETTER PERSON, BEN.

DON'T YOU SEE THAT?

AND I'M ASKING YOU

TO HELP ME GET THERE.

I KNOW WHO I WASAND WHERE I CAME FROM,

AND NOW I KNOWWHERE I WANT TO GO.

OH, CAROL...

BUT I CAN'TDO IT ALONE

ANYMORE, BEN.

WE'RE NOT MEANT TO BE ALONE.

I KNOW THAT NOW.

I PUSHED YOU AWAYWHEN YOU NEEDED ME THE MOST,

AND FOR THAT, I'M SO SORRY.

I KNOW NOW

SHARING LIFE IS WHATMAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING,

AND I WANT TO SHAREMY LIFE WITH YOU.OW NOW

[LETS OUT A BREATH]

I, UH, I THOUGHT YOU SAIDYOU COULDN'T WALK AWAY.

WELL, I MEANTFROM THE TYPEWRITER.

WHAT?

YEAH.

IN THAT CONDITION,

IT'S WAY TOO VALUABLEJUST TO SELL IT.

YOU SON-OF-A...

I REALLY,REALLY LIKED YOUR SPEECH.

[LAUGHING] YOU'RE MEAN.

NO, I LEARNED FROM THE BEST.

I READ YOUR MANUSCRIPT.

YEAH?

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

WELL, I THINK THAT, UM,

YOU NEED A COMPANY THAT CAN TAKEREALLY GOOD CARE OF YOU.

YOU THINKI NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF?

WE ALL DO.

[♪]

♪ AT THIS SPECIAL TIMEOF YEAR ♪

♪ I'M SO VERY GLADYOU'RE HERE ♪

♪ MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪

♪ MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪

♪ A FIELD OF FRESHLYFALLEN SNOW ♪

♪ AND WE'VE GOTNOWHERE ELSE TO GO ♪

♪ A FIELD OF FRESHLY♪ MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪

♪ MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU... ♪

THE BEST CHRISTMASIN A VERY LONG TIME.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

♪ AND SONGS SUNG BY A CHOIR ♪

♪ IT'S SNOWINGAND IT'S BLOWING ♪

♪ SO LET'S STAY HEREBY THE FIRE ♪

♪ MISTLETOE AND A FESTIVE TREE ♪

♪ THERE'S NO PLACETHAT I'D RATHER BE ♪

♪ MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪

♪ MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU... ♪

[♪]

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY.

♪ MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪

♪ MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ♪