Original subtitles

Listen up, people.

I just wanna thank y'all for doing such a good job this year.

I mean, y'all been busting your butts to make "Flavor" work.

We're still struggling, but we're still here.

[cheering and applauding]

Now to show how much I appreciate you all

everyone is getting a Christmas bonus.

[all cheering]

A phat "Flavor" baseball cap.

Who wants a job next year?

♪ Check check check it out check check check it out ♪

♪ What you want? No free position ♪

♪ We are living ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Single ♪ ♪ Hey ♪

♪ Yes we're living the single life yeah ♪

♪ We are living ♪ ♪ Hey ♪

♪ Single ♪

♪ Ooh and in a '90s kind of world ♪

♪ I'm glad I got my girls ♪

♪ Keep your head up what? ♪

♪ Keep your head up that's right ♪

♪ Whenever this life gets tough you gotta fight ♪

♪ With my home girls standing to my left and my right ♪

♪ True blue it's tight like glue ♪

♪ We are living ♪ ♪ Check check check it out ♪

♪ Single ♪

♪ And in a '90s kind of world ♪

♪ I'm glad I got my girls ♪

♪ Haa ♪

So you have nothing available on any Christmas Eve flight?

Well, what do you suggest I do now?

Well, I'm desperate.

Oh, alright. I'll fly coach.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, season's greetings.

Well, you did get a seat on the plane

and there's nothing like spending

Christmas with your family.

Exactly. That's why I'm going to Aruba alone.

Well, I love spending the holidays with my family.

Christmas brings back so many memories.

Leaving cookies for Santa

rushing to see what was under the tree

getting my first Barbie.

And the Barbie Corvette.

And the Barbie dream house.

Ooh, and the Barbie evening wear.

You got all those?

No.

I wanted all those.

What I got was a scrawny little no‐name knock‐off

that had nothing to wear, nothing to drive

and no place to live.

Aww, would you like a pat?

Please.

You know, honey, I'll get my Corvette

and my dream house.

And my Ken dipped in chocolate.

Oh, Synclaire, this is from you.

[Instrumental "Joy to the World"]

It plays "Joy To The World."

Yeah, it does.

[music stops]

Thank you.

Merry merry, everyone. Flashing Santa pin.

Oh, Synclaire, I appreciate your Yuletide spirit

but this is the second day you left the office early.

Now if we don't get this magazine ready for the printer

neither one of us is going home for Christmas.

Good, you can keep me company.

I thought you were going away with Michael.

Yeah, I thought so, too

but I was just assigned a new case.

My client found his wife in a changing room

knocking boots with the department store Santa.

Oh!

Santa Claus was going to town.

Santa having sex?

Christmas just isn't what it used to be.

Synclaire, we didn't all grow up in a snow globe.

Oh, come on, Christmas is supposed to be a magical time.

Oh, bah humbug!

You know, the last time Christmas was magical for me

was in the fifth grade.

I starred in "The Nutcracker."

I got a standing ov..

No, stop. Please.

[laughs]

I was the best rat king that school ever saw.

[knock on door]

‐ Hi. ‐ Yuletide, ladies.

Hey, can I hide out here for a while?

Of course.

Would you like to have some non‐alcoholic nog?

Well, put a shot of rum in there.

I'll take a mugful.

Christmas has got to be

the handyman's busiest time of the year.

I had to leave my beeper upstairs.

When will people learn you just can't flush a fruitcake?

[knock on door]

‐ Hey, Kyle. ‐ Hey, baby.

[beeper beeps]

Not another fruitcake.

The worst kind. It's Kyle.

And the bad news just keeps on comin', buddy.

I forgot to tape that show you wanted.

My favorite Christmas special?

‐ Yep. ‐ Which one is that?

"The Little Elf That Could."

See, they kept telling him he couldn't

but in a surprising plot twist, it turns out he could.

Oh, you bought us Christmas presents.

(Kyle) 'No, I didn't.'

These are Kwanzaa gifts, Synclaire.

You bought us gifts from that Australian airline?

Not Qantas, my sister, Kwanzaa.

It's a celebration of sharing

an alternative to the commercialism of Christmas.

‐ We emphasize handmade gifts. ‐ Thanks.

You know what, Kyle?

I decided to celebrate Kwanzaa this year too.

‐ Oh, that's cool. ‐ Mm‐hmm.

Particularly because it starts the day after Christmas.

See, this way I can see what people get me

and reciprocate accordingly.

Fifty cents on the dollar.

‐ That's beautiful. ‐ Yeah.

See, Kyle is the only one around here

that has any Christmas spirit.

Ooh, ladies, I've got to dash.

I have a hostile takeover to supervise.

Huh.

Oh, Synclaire, this is from you.

You'll thank me.

That one's for you.

What is that?

It's a paper‐clip star for the tree.

I see.

Oh, didn't you ever make a star for your Christmas tree?

Nope, but when I was little

I found a starfish I wanted to put

on top of our Christmas tree.

I loved that starfish.

My mother said we already had a star.

She was trying to tell me some story about honoring

the star of Bethlehem because it was sacred

and honoring that thing on our tree because it cost 24.95.

I think a starfish on a tree is a beautiful idea.

Starfish come from the water

and people are mostly water.

And starfish have five limbs

and people have five limbs if you count the head.

‐ You finished? ‐ I'm never sure.

Well, Khadijah, I was thinking..

Uh‐oh.

Well, since we're all going away for Christmas

I thought it would be wonderful if we got together tonight

for a tree‐trimming party.

Synclaire, I don't have time for a party.

Besides, what's the point of getting a tree

if we're only gonna be in town for three more days?

What's the point of snow if it only melts?

What's the point of sunshine if it only gets dark again?

You're right, Synclaire, make a note to get rid

of snow and sunshine.

Khadijah, tonight's the only time

we're gonna have to be together before Christmas.

I've already called Regine, Max, Kyle and Overton

and nagged them into coming, so do not make me beg.

Please, please, please?

Okay. Stop your whining.

God, where did you learn how to beg like that?

From Regine.

I have to tell her it works on women too.

Oh, uh, Synclaire, can you pass me

one of those Christmas cookies?

My, my, my.

How'd that mistletoe get up there?

I got you now, girl.

[indistinct chatter]

Merry three days before Christmas.

Well, if it isn't the ghost of Christmas pest.

Max, Max, this is a holy season

and I am not going to let your rancor

corrupt the goodwill that is in my heart.

So happy holidays, you despicable little Grinch.

‐ Let me tell you‐‐ ‐ Eggnog, anyone?

I made it myself.

‐ No, thanks, hon. ‐ It's got rum in it.

‐ Oh, cool, thank you. ‐ Oh, I'll have one.

Yes. I propose a toast.

Here's to Santa for giving me

the only Christmas present I wanted.

Celebrating with my favorite cousin

and best friends.

‐ Merry Christmas. ‐ And Happy Kwanzaa.

‐ Merry Christmas. ‐ Happy Kwanzaa.

Oh, I know. Let's have a sing‐along.

‐ I could get with that. ‐ 'Hm.'

♪ Sleigh bells ring ♪

♪ Are you listening? ♪

♪ In the lane ♪

♪ Snow is glistening ♪ ♪ Come on come on ♪

♪ A beautiful sight ♪

♪ We're happy tonight ♪

♪ Walkin' in a winter wonderland.. ♪

[beeper beeps] Oh, man!

That'd be Miss Meg up in 4B.

She got that cranky low‐flow American Standard.

This could take a while. Sorry, Synclaire.

I understand. Godspeed, Overton.

But hey, well, I always had a mistletoe.

Okay, from the top.

♪ Sleigh bells ring ♪

♪ Are you listening? ♪

[doorbell rings]

♪ In the lane snow's a glistenin'.. ♪

‐ Hi. ‐ Hey, is Max in?

‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ Michael!

Why don't you join our little sing‐along?

Whenever your mouth is free.

Look here, Synclaire.

I got to go, okay?

[laughs]

Well, um, all the more song for us.

One, two, three!

♪ Sleigh bells ring.. ♪

[phone rings]

Oh, jingle bells!

Hello?

Yeah, this is Regine.

What? Right now?

Come on, I just put in ten hours.

No, there's absolutely no way I..

Oh.

Fifteen percent commission?

Uh, I'll be down there in ten minutes.

I'm sorry, honey, the boutique is having a sale.

Gotta go. Smooches.

[watch beeps]

Ooh, I've got to get to the office.

I got some deals to close.

Stock market's about to open in Tokyo.

Sayonara.

Oh, Synclaire. Baby, I'm sorry.

Look, it's a great party. Thank you.

Yeah. Bye.

Well, cuz, I guess it's just you and me.

So why don't we go down to the office

and just chill with the rest of the crew?

You know, conversate, edit

get the layouts ready for the printer? Come on.

Well, why don't you go, Khadijah?

‐ I'm just gonna stay here. ‐ You sure?

Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. I'm out.

♪ Sleigh bells ring are you listening? ♪

♪ In the lane snow is glistening ♪

♪ A beautiful sight.. ♪

Oh, shut up!

[upbeat music]

[elevator dings]

[music stops]

Khadijah! Ha‐ha.

Why did you come back to the office?

I can handle gettin' these pages out.

Don't you trust me?

No. Let me see the lead page.

Oh, this is good. Let's go bigger with it.

How about a two‐page spread?

What the devil?

A starfish like the one I had when I was little.

"Merry Christmas past and present.

All my love, Synclaire."

That damn cousin of mine and her holiday cheer.

I see you're moved.

Malcolm, I'm going home. You're on your own, babes.

And, uh, you can take that eggnog

out of the file drawer now.

[upbeat music]

[indistinct chatter]

Uh, what can I get you?

‐ Give me a double. ‐ A double what?

I don't know. That's the extent of my bar talk.

Oh. Double ginger ale coming up.

‐ Keep 'em coming. ‐ Oh, they're coming. Double.

Let me guess.

Your lover left you, so he can shack up

with some sleazy secretary in Hoboken.

That's terrible.

Listen, it happens.

[man sobs]

Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

♪ Deck the halls with my commission ♪

♪ Fa la la la la la la ♪

Miss, I think this dress you showed me

is a little too revealing.

Excuse me, but this dress isn't seductive enough.

♪ Fifteen percent for me ♪

♪ Pa rum bum bum ♪

Regine, I'm out of gift boxes.

Okay. Well, excuse me.

Um, here we go.

What's this?

"For Regine. Merry Chris.."

‐ Kimberly. ‐ Well, don't look at me.

I don't like you that much.

[mumbles]

Oh, a Corvette.

"To Regine, hope you find your dream house

"and your chocolate Ken.

Merry Christmas. Love, Synclaire."

Um, I gotta go home.

What about the sale?

Kimberly, there are some things

that are more important than money.

And then when I was eight

I decorated the living room

with icicles and snow and a little snowman.

Oh, it was beautiful.

And when my father finished mopping up

we got some fake snow

and it actually worked out even better.

Yeah, but it's like Khadijah said

Christmas magic is for children.

She's right.

When you hit your 20s.

Rudolph's nose doesn't glow so bright.

Frosty's not a jolly, happy soul

and Santa Claus, he's just a big, fat loser

getting blitzed on beer.

No offense meant.

[sobs]

Maxine, you are the best Christmas present

any man could want.

When were you planning to unwrap your gift?

[both moaning]

Ooh, gunny, gunny.

‐ Mm. ‐ Yes, oh.

Oh, we're some noisy kissers, huh?

Ooh. How about a little music?

Sure.

[music on tape]

What's this?

"To Max, the best rat king ever.

Merry Christmas. Love, Synclaire."

What is it?

It's just, uh, two tickets to the dance theater of Harlem.

"The Nutcracker."

Damn, Synclaire!

Just when I get a groove on.

Now I gotta go over there and give her a big hug.

In ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Hey, I can do it in ten.

Okay.

But, uh, for future reference..

That's not a good thing.

‐ Synclaire got you a gift too? ‐ Yeah.

A starfish.

Two tickets to "The Nutcracker."

What did she get you?

A Corvette. Open the door.

Overton, what are you doin' here?

Synclaire left this for me in my toolbox.

Videotape of "The Little Elf That Could."

Now I can enjoy this tale of trial

and victory all year round.

Hey, what's going on?

I just came back to thank Synclaire

for this handmade Kwanzaa gift

and to ask her exactly what it is.

‐ Where's she? ‐ I don't know.

When I got here, I found this note.

"To whom it may concern."

"Since you all have more important things to do"

"I'm going off to find the true spirit of Christmas on my own."

"Please don't try to find me.

Sincerely, Synclaire."

[sobs] She gone, Kyle. She's gone.

‐ Y'all, we gotta find her. ‐ How?

Well, we can try this map she drew at the bottom‐‐

‐ Oh, Obie! ‐ I got to find my baby.

♪ Gone away is the bluebird ♪

♪ Here to stay is the new bird ♪

♪ We'll sing a love song as we stroll along ♪

♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪

Okay.

♪ In the meadow we will build a snowman ♪

♪ And pretend that he is Parson Brown ♪

♪ He'll say are you married? We'll say no man ♪

Synclaire?

Well, well, well, if it isn't Ebenezer Khadijah.

Look, Synclaire, we're sorry we killed your Christmas spirit.

Now if you still want to, we can go home and trim that tree.

Not just yet, Miss Missy.

I want you all to take a good look at my new friends.

They a raggedy bunch, ain't they?

Oh, Synclaire, I think I can speak for everyone

when I say you're a very kind and giving woman

and you're very attractive.

Okay, that's speaking for me.

If it makes you feel any better

I damn near killed a man to get here.

‐ It that an apology? ‐ For me, yes.

Synclaire, you've reminded me that Christmas is about sharing.

You've also reminded me

that if you stand too long in some bars in one spot

your feet will stick to the floor.

Can we go?

Synclaire, we all let worldly matters

get in the way of what really matters.

He's right. Let's go home.

Okay, but first, can I get my old friends

and my new friends together for just one sing‐along?

‐ 'Sure.' ‐ 'Sure.'

Alright, from the top!

No, wait, wait, wait. Where's Santa?

Well, I didn't see him leave.

Oh.

Maybe he was supposed to bring us together.

Maybe his job here's done and he's just moved on.

Maybe it's all a part of the wonder and magic that is‐‐.

You know, what they say is true.

You don't buy beer, you rent it.

Everybody!

♪ Sleigh bells ring are you listening? ♪

♪ In the lane snow is glistening ♪

♪ It's a beautiful sight we're happy tonight ♪

♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪

(Synclaire) 'You were so right, Overton.'

' "The Little Elf That Could" is a true holiday classic.'

(Overton) 'That little fella is a toy‐building machine.'

(elf ♫1 on TV) 'I love being one of Santa's elves.'

‐ 'I'm gonna make the best‐‐' ‐ 'No, you can't.'

(elf ♫1) 'I'll show you.' 'I'll show all of you.'

(elf ♫2) 'No, you won't.'

(Overton) 'Look at him.'

'Facing adversity with a cheerful disposition'

'and the proper tools.'

(elf ♫1) 'Oh, maybe they're right.'

'I'm so little. Maybe I can't.'

(Synclaire) 'Don't you believe it, little guy.'

[sobs] 'Don't you believe it!'

(Overton) 'Oh, girl, now you got me started.'