All language subtitles for lessings of Christmas 2023

* We wish you
a merry Christmas *

* We wish you a merry
Christmas *

* We wish you
a merry Christmas *

* And a happy New Year

[***]

* Glad tidings we bring

* To you and your kin

* We wish you
a merry Christmas *

* And a happy New Year

[***]

[studio audience applauding]

* Now bring us
some figgy pudding *

* Now bring us some
figgy pudding *

* Now bring us
some figgy pudding *

And that is how you make

the perfect French onion soup.

[sighing]

As many of you know,

uh, today is my last show,

so I just wanted
to say thank you

to everyone here

for making
the last 12 years possible.

[studio audience applauding]

You have literally
been my family,

and, uh, to everyone out there,

I just want to say thank you

for going on
this journey with me,

but it's time for me to embark
on my next chapter.

There are 142 three-star
Michelin restaurants

in the world,

and I plan on dining
at all of them.

[audience ooh-ing]

[chuckling]

I want to experience

all the best culinary creations,

and delve into the lives

of the chefs
who came up with them.

It'll be a two-year endeavor,

which I will be chronicling
in a book.

[audience cheering
and applauding]

Whoo-hoo!

Thank you for watching,

and always remember,

when it comes to cuisine,

there's a world of food
out there.

[audience applauding
and cheering]

Whoo!

-[applause continuing]
-Oh...

[chuckling]

Thanks.

Thank you so much.

I'm gonna miss you guys.
Thank you all.

Who's gonna make me laugh
every day?

[laughing warmly]

[sighing]

[***]

Take me with you.

[chuckling]
Have you forgotten

you have a husband and two kids?

I'd send 'em postcards.

So, where to first?

Rome?

Madrid?

Hong Kong?

Milwaukee.

M-Milwaukee?

You remember
when my aunt passed away?

About three months ago.

You gave her a beautiful
on-air tribute.

Aw.

Well, she left me

a piece of property I'm selling.

I'm going to fly there
in the morning

and sign the documents,

and then take the red-eye...

to Paris.

Paris?

Seriously, take me with you.

[both chuckling]

I'm gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you too.

[elevator dinging]

-Bye.
-Bye.

Au revoir!

[***]

Hey!

Oh, watch it, watch it.

Uh, black ice.

Very slippery.

Oh! Okay, thank you.

Hi. Are you the seller?

Yeah, are you the buyer?

Yeah, I'm the buyer.
I'm Adam Carraway.

Oh, hi. Mandy Gilmore.

So you own all this?

Yeah, yeah,

but there never seems to be
enough room.

Ah.

This extra space
will be a godsend.

Okay, well, I have the deed.

Are you ready
to do the walk-through?

Yeah. Oh, um...

Yeah, let me get the paperwork.

I'll meet you inside.

Yeah.

[***]

[humming]

Seller's here!

Yes! Now I'll finally get
my own office.

[Adam]
Oh, yeah, yeah, sure, Jim,

that's why I'm doing it!

I'm doing it so you can
get your own office!

No, you're doing it

so you can forge into
the top echelon of couriers,

which is next-level stuff,
by the way, man,

but I just happen to get
my own office out of the deal.

Which--
Uh, where's the paperwork?

I didn't take it.

Well, it couldn't have
walked off on its own.

Okay, let's retrace our steps.

Okay, uh, let me think,
I walked up to here...

-Yes.
-...set it down right here...

-Okay.
-...where it's not anymore.

[***]

Susie?

[Mandy] I'm sorry...

You are?

Oh, I'm Otto.
I'm here to volunteer.

Oh...

Otto, I'm so sorry,

but Susie passed away
about three months ago.

Oh, no, I...

I didn't...

I've been away.

And you are?

Mandy, her niece.

Yes.

Susie spoke highly of you.

My condolences.
She was a great woman.

She was.

Thank you.

Yeah, she helped me
through some hard times

quite a while back,

and I have been volunteering
every holiday ever since.

That's nice.

Well, it was nice
to meet you, Otto.

You take care.

Lotta great memories here.

[chuckling]

[sighing] Hey, do you mind
if I just take a few minutes,

just look around?

Oh, um, no, certainly,

take your time.

-Ah.
-Yeah.

Do you hear what I hear?

Excuse me?

Said the night wind
to the little lamb.

[chuckling]
Christmas music.

-Ah.
-Yeah.

[Adam] Oh, sorry.

Took me a minute to find these.

Uh, this is Otto.

He used to volunteer here.

Oh, hi.

Uh, you ready
to do the walk-through?

Yes, let's start back here.

Is he, uh, following us?

I think it's fine.

This kitchen is magnificent.

This is where Susie
would prepare all the big meals

for all the festive occasions.

Yeah, Easter,
Fourth of July, Thanksgiving...

Ah, it was always such a feast.

But Christmas was by far
her favorite holiday.

Yes, it was. Yes.

That's why all the decorations
are still up, year-round.

Well, I don't really need
a kitchen,

so it's probably
all going to be torn out.

That's a shame.

Maybe add some walls
and offices.

It's still a shame.

[***]

Hey, oh!

Careful.
-Oh.

Ladder...

Can't be too careful.

I'm used to seeing this place
buzzing with more activity.

Well, it will be again
when I move in.

Ah, that's Susie's office.

Yeah, it's locked.

[Otto] Yes.

I do know
where there's a spare key.

I'll fetch it.

Oh--

Sort of an odd fellow.

Ah, he seems nice enough.

You have to be somewhere?

Oh, I have a plane to catch,
but we're fine.

Okay.

Here we are.

Oh. [chuckling]

Thank you.

You're welcome,

and I'm out.

Yes, again, condolences.

Susie is a wonderful soul.

-She was.
-Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah. [chuckling]

* Deck the halls
with boughs of holly *

-* Fa-la-la-la-la...
-[chuckling]

* La-la-la-la

He's, uh, kinda growing on me.

Yeah, he's a character.

[***]

[stumbling] Oh--

Oh!

Sorry.

What's that?

Um...

Oh, it looks like a box
of my aunt's mementos.

I'll just take them with me.
-That's a weird place for it

right there.
-Yeah, well,

the packers probably
left it behind.

I'll just... take it with me.

Um, okay.

Uh...

I'm ready to sign.

You?

Oh, yeah.

-Yeah?
-Yeah, sooner the better, yes.

Really? Okay, here we go.

I had my lawyer
draw up this contract,

and your asking price
right there.

Um, the address here
is 465 Lupine Street.

Yes. Yes, correct. 465.

But this says
456 Lupine Street?

Wait? What?

Uh, my lawyer must have
transposed the numbers.

Um... Um...

Well, do you want
to cross it out,

and we'll write
the correct address?

Let me call my lawyer
and figure it out.

Give me a second?

Sorry.

One minute.

[clearing throat]

[phone dialing]

[Adam conversing quietly]

[***]

Uh, okay.
Hey, just spoke to my lawyer.

Uh, he was just headed
into a meeting,

but he said he was going
to revise the documents

and bring them to us.

When?

Um, well, I told him

you had to catch a plane,

so he suggested

that he meet us
closer to the airport.

[sighing]

Sorry.

It's okay.

[***]

Ah...

Huh.

You looking for something?

Oh, just a little
light reading for the plane.

Light reading about food?

Yeah.

Okay.

Why?

Oh, no, just,

like, who reads a cookbook
on a plane?

Oh, maybe someone

who's writing a book
about food herself.

Really?

Yeah, it's always been
a dream of mine.

Travel the world,

eat at the best restaurants,

write about the cuisine
and the people behind it.

[chuckling]

[cell phone ringing] Oh!

That's, uh, that's my lawyer.

Hey, Simon, we're here
at the book store.

Wait, where you at?

What?

Is everything okay?

No, it's good.

Uh... w-what?

Well...

[whispering] Uh, no.
No, no, no.

She does.

She has a plane to catch.

What?

I don't care
that you're doing this for free.

What? That's not cool.

Simon, that's not cool.

[call disconnects]

Um, so he, uh...

He's not coming.

Yeah, he's my cousin,

and he has a hiccup

with his other
multi-million-dollar deal,

so apparently, paying customers,

they come first.

Ah, well, right.

Um, okay.

Well, I guess I'll just
rebook my flight,

and, I'll, uh, get a hotel,
and then extend my rental car--

[Adam] I'm so sorry.
I'm-- I--

That's okay.

Um...

It's just
a little rescheduling,

but I got it.

[Adam] I'm really sorry.

That's okay. Yeah.

[sighing]

Sorry.

[Mandy] Bonjour. Oui.

Uh, je veux changer
ma réservation.

Oh, you speak English.

Thank goodness.

Uh, yes, uh,
when is your next availability?

Oh, no.

Well, can you tell Jacques
it's for Mandy Gilmore?

I'm gonna be in Paris
later than I anticipated.

Merci.

Au revoir.

[sighing]

[***]

[***]

Otto, right?

Yes.

Spelled the same forwards
as it is backwards.

What are you doing here?

Oh, uh, just came to have
one last look.

Well, why don't you
come inside

and say a final goodbye.

That'd be wonderful.
Thank you.

[exhaling]

So strange
seeing this place empty.

Adam, the buyer,
will be here any minute.

You were really close
with your aunt, weren't you?

Yes.

She told me about Berlin.

That's where
she taught me how to cook.

Really?

Yeah, my dad
was career military,

so we moved around a lot
when I was a kid.

When I was 14,
she came to visit.

We spent almost the whole time
in the kitchen.

So she taught you
her love of cooking.

Oh, yeah, we started out
with chicken, lasagna,

roast beef,

and then we moved into French,

Thai, Indian cuisine,

and when we weren't
in the kitchen,

we were in town

searching for exotic spices
and herbs.

Susie once told me
about her love for cooking,

and how it changed
into her love for feeding,

whether it was
her grocery bag giveaways

or holiday feasts.

Yeah. That sounds like Susie.

Yeah.

Is everything okay?

Honestly?

I worry about the people

who are going to show up here
on Christmas day,

looking for a hot meal,

and instead find closed doors.

I mean, do you think
fast food restaurants

give away gift certificates?

[Mandy] I wouldn't know.

What if I just came back
on Christmas Day

and just handed out
certificates?

I mean, something
is better than nothing, right?

Well... yeah.

And what better way
to honor Susie

than to just give back
to the less fortunate

just one more time?

[Adam] Hello! Hi.

Uh, do you have the deed?

I-I do.

Great. I have
the corrected address.

Oh, great.

So, uh, yeah,
let's get to signing,

get you on the road.

Yeah, okay.

-Oh!
-What the--

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Your shirt!
-There it goes again.

Your, uh, pen exploded.

Yeah, I see that.

I can't say I'm surprised,
you know...

it's the holidays, after all.

What does that mean,
"it's the holidays"?

Uh...

Long story.

Yeah.

Do you have a pen?

Um...

let me check.

Oh.

Here you go.
-Thank you.

That's mine, and then you...

Um...

Is there--
is there a problem?

No, no.

[chuckling nervously]

Why does it seem like
there's a problem?

Can you give me a minute?

Yeah, yeah, sure. Yeah.

[sighing]

We agreed on the price.
Is it the price?

No, it's not the money...

Oh.

What is it, then?

I will sign this
if we can add one condition.

Condition?

That the sale not become final

until the day after Christmas.

What? Why?

Because I would like
to reopen Angel's Fare

one last time,

hand out food,

and finish up with
a big Christmas feast

in honor of my aunt.

-Yes!
-No, no, no.

Yes!

No, no...

No, uh, we had a deal.

Well, you made me wait
one extra day.

You would only be waiting
six extra days.

It's no biggie.

No, it's a biggie

because I rented
all these pallet jacks,

and there's so much work
that we have to do here

to get ready to move in.

Adam, what's a few extra days?

I...

I don't--
Time is money, and I...

How do I know

that you're not going
to change your mind again?

Fair enough.
I'll make you a deal.

I will sign this document
right now,

and you can start
moving in here,

doing what you need to do,

while I run Angel's Fare
for the next six days.

On Christmas night,
I will sign over the deed.

[chuckling]

What do you know
about running a food bank?

Otto, will you help me?

Absolutely.

There!

Deal.

Yeah.

[***]

-Here.
-Oh.

[Mandy] There you go.

-Okay.
-[sighing]

Here.

That one won't leak.

All right, thank you.

Oh, what have I done?

[Otto chuckling]

Yes.

[***]

Why did you agree to it?

Uh... [chuckling]

Don't think I had much choice.

Okay, but don't take this
the wrong way,

but sometimes you can be
entirely too nice.

Remind me of that

the first time
you ask for a raise.

Oh, see? You see that?

That is not what I meant.

I don't think we really have
anything to worry about.

How so?

Mandy has never run
a food bank.

How much do you think
she can really get accomplished

in six days?

Ah, ha ha.

I was sorry to hear
about Susie's passing.

She was a wonderful woman.

She was.

My condolences.

Thank you.

So can I count on you
for your normal donation?

The problem is,

I didn't think Angel's Fare
was still in business.

Oh, we are,
until this Christmas.

Ah...

It's too late.

Why? What do you mean?

I already made
our allotted donations.

[Mandy] You were
my aunt's biggest donor.

Can't you give
just a little more?

I'm given a number
by our policymakers.

I can't exceed it.

Can I talk to them?

The board isn't meeting again
until January.

Well, maybe
you could talk to them.

Here's my card
with my cell number.

Come back to me in January,

and maybe we can
work something out

for the next fiscal year.

No, we're only open
till this Christmas.

Then I'm truly sorry.

[phone vibrating]

Oh, excuse me.

Hi, John.

Otto, we might be too late
to start up again.

No, it's never too late
to do a good thing, right?

Besides, I already
put the announcement out

on the Angel's Fare website.

You know what,

Susie, she would often struggle
with donors as well,

but she never gave up.

[sighing]

Stubbornness,

it runs in the family.

[laughing]

Well, I do know
all of her contacts.

Well, we are bound to find
someone who will donate.

Come on.

Yes.

[***]

That's five places
and five "no"s.

Honestly, how many more people
can say no to me?

Well, Susie had
a long list of donors.

Someone will come through.

How do you know that?

I believe in the basic
goodness of people.

Susie did.

Well, I'm not Susie.

No, Susie wasn't Susie...

until she was.

What does that even mean?

People change.

For example,

you aren't the same person
you were 10 years ago.

You won't be same person
you are 10 years from now.

Otto, I wish I could say
your optimism was contagious.

[chuckling]

Maybe it is.

I'm not giving up.

Wait, are you?

No, I'm not a quitter.

No,

of course not.

[Adam] Careful there.

Be, uh, be deliberate
with your movements.

[Jim] I'm a professional.

Hi.

Oh, hi, hi.

Hey, how's it going?

Oh, well,
I didn't get any takers...

Oh.

...or I guess
I should say "givers."

Yeah, yeah.

That's too bad.

It's, uh, yeah, sorry.

[Mandy] Well,
it's late in the season.

They don't have any money left
in their budgets.

It's not surprising.

Looks like you were right

about her not getting it done.

Yeah.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...

What?

You're falling for her.

No!

Why would you say that?

I can see it in your eyes.

No.

She's leaving in six days,

and besides,

what did I say
about the holidays?

That you were going to give us

substantial Christmas bonuses
this year.

Did I actually say that?

Yeah.

That, and you're worried

something bad
is going to happen to you.

That's right.

Told you
I do not fall for people

this time of year.

Well, good,

because the sooner she leaves,

the sooner I can
get my own office.

-Yeah.
-Yeah.

Let's check on her.

You're playing with fire.

Uh, I am not disturbing you,
am I?

Oh, no, not at all.

Come on in.

Otto just sent me
a list of donors

to contact tomorrow,

but I'm not sure the results
are going to be any different.

Well, I mean,

you won't know until you try.

I guess that's true,

but they don't know me
like they knew Susie.

I don't have
any credibility with them.

We all have
our strengths, right?

So right here, right now,
tell me,

what are yours?
Give them to me.

I know about the preparation
of great cuisine.

Not sure
that's super relevant,

but, um, what else?

Anything?

No, no, wait, wait, no.

The preparation
of great cuisine

requires improvisation,

trial and error,

substitution.

It sometimes even requires

dealing with failure
and uncertainty

in an innovative way.

Okay.

I know great food,

and people who know great food

sometimes know me.

Oh, that's it!

What? What!

What, what are you doing?

I'm looking up
five-star restaurants

in Milwaukee.

Uh, Angelo's, no.

Carolyn's Corner, no.

Tumbler's Table...

Bingo.

Yes!

How would you like to have
dinner with me tonight?

[chuckling awkwardly]

Possible.
[chuckling]

I'm free. I think I'm free.
Wait a minute.

[laughing]

[***]

Can't believe
I've lived here all my life,

and I've never been here.

What do you think?

Wow!

Golden beet
stuffed with quark,

salted apple,

puffed barley and dill...

Mm.

Mm...

Mm.

[Mandy] Oh...

The complexity is amazing.

Is that a fancy word
for delicious?

Well, food can be complex
and work,

and food can be complex
and not work.

Mm...

Well, this absolutely works.

Mm, incredible texture.

I-I gotta tell you,

I've never had
anything like this.

See, that is
the beauty of great food.

It's like tasting
a work of art.

Excuse me.

Oh, thank you so much.

This was delicious.
Thank you.

Thank you.

Mm...

Oh, here's the main course.
Oh, wow.

Beautiful presentation.

My compliments to the chef.

You're gonna love this.

Roasted beef coulotte
with celtuce,

bitter greens,

and a sauce bourguignon.

Here we go.

[Mandy] Here we go!

Mm.

Oh, that's...

-Mm!
-That's really good.

Oh!

[Adam] I love it,
but I gotta ask you...

[chuckling]
how is coming here

going to help you
get food donations?

What's going on?
You got work to do?

Wait for it.

Wait for what?

[laughing]

Mandy Gilmore?

Chef Louie!

This is Adam.

Oh, no, no, no, please,
sit, sit, sit.

How do you do?

Hi. Uh, your food's great.

Delectable.

Wonderful.

That makes me so happy,
I could do a backflip!

-Oh, don't do that.
-Remember, I can do it.

-I know.
-I can. I can do one.

Oh, that's the...
Tumbler's, uh, Table.

[Mandy]
Louie used to be a gymnast.

[laughing] I get it.

So how-- how do you two
know each other?

I was a guest chef
on her show.

What show?

What show?!

"A World of Food," of course!

[Mandy] What has it been?

Seven, eight years?

Eight years in March.

Wow.

I still remember

that incredible butternut
squash souffle you made.

Which you made even better

when you suggested
adding fermented cabbage.

[chuckling]

It was already great.

You know, my restaurant
really took off

after I was on your show.

Well-deserved.

What are you doing
in Milwaukee?

Oh, well, my aunt
used to have a food bank here

called Angel's Fare.

Sadly, she passed away
a few months ago.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Well, I was hoping
to keep the food bank open

through Christmas,

and I ran into a little trouble.

Um, would you happen to know
a food supplier

who would make a donation?

For a fellow chef?

For the woman who helped
put me on the map?

You bet I know people!

Okay. Of course, sit, sit.

Eat, eat. Good to meet you.

Enjoy. We'll talk.

[chuckling]

This is so good.

How did that just happen?

[***]

[chuckling]

I got you as much as I could.

Thank you for all your help.

How does your operation work?

Well, we're going to start
with a grocery-bag giveaway,

and then I'm going to make
a big Christmas Day feast.

Need a sous chef
for this feast?

Oh, Louie,
I couldn't ask you to do that.

You're not. I'm offering.
It would be an honor.

Really?

I owe my career to you,

and you're doing
a good thing here.

Well, in that case,
yes, absolutely. Yes!

[laughing]

[***]

Wow.

She's really doing it,
isn't she?

[chuckling]
Well, you know what they say.

"The unselfish act
of bringing cheer to others

is the beginning of
a happier life for ourselves."

Who says that?

I just did.

[chuckling]

Hey, careful!

I'm fine.

Yes, well, I--
I thought perhaps

because you donated before,
you might...

Yes, I understand.

Thank you for taking my call.

[sighing]

[knocking]

Hi! My name's Janet.

I read on your website

that Angel's Fare is going to--

Wait a minute.

You're Mandy Gilmore.

I am.

I'm-I'm a big fan
of your show,

"A World of Food."

I just saw your last episode

where you're going to go
to all those countries

and eat at all those
amazing restaurants?

That's right.

[laughing in delight]

Wow.

Um, I've been watching
your show, like...

well, before I even
started volunteering

at Angel's Fare.

Oh, you volunteered here?

Yes, that's actually
why I'm here.

I thought I would offer
some help,

if you could use it.

Oh, thank you, Janet.

I could use
all the help I can get.

Okay.

Um, so, you know your aunt

Susie,

she was so proud of you.

She used to host viewing parties
for your show here

all the time.

Oh...

She never told me that.

Um, so it also mentioned
your website

that Angel's Fare is only
going to be opening again

for a limited time.

Oh... yes, that's true.

I wanted to start

with a couple days
of grocery giveaways,

and then end with a big dinner
on Christmas.

Are you going to be
cooking the dinner?

-I am--
-Oh!

--and Chef Louie
from Tumbler's Table,

he's agreed to be my sous chef.

That's going to be
a real treat. [laughing]

Um, but in terms of
the grocery giveaway,

you're gonna need
a lot more food

than what's out there right now.

Believe me, I'm working on it.

[Janet] Okay.

You're also gonna need
to have a few tables,

so that you can work
from those--

Oh, yes, not to worry.
I've ordered those.

They should be here today.

Okay.

Good.

Um, I should also mention,

I know a lot of the people

who used to volunteer here.

I'd be happy to reach out
to them, if you'd like.

Janet, you are now in charge
of the volunteer program.

Great. I'll get on the horn.

[chuckling]

[Janet squeals excitedly]

Okay.

Okay.

[Mandy] It's nice to have
a Béarnaise sauce

around the holidays.

I'm gonna add
a little white wine,

because what is French food
without a little white wine?

-Okay.
-Duh...

Béarnaise is a play
on hollandaise sauce,

which is another great sauce,
and another great option.

Béarnaise. Béarnaise...

Hollandaise has lemon.

Béarnaise has a strong reduction

of tarragon,
shallots, and vinegar.

[Adam] Béarnaise...

Béarnaise sauce has lemon.

And we're just going to stir
that over the heat here.

Starting to get
a little bit thicker now.

If you were to add tomato puree
instead of tarragon vinegar,

then it would become a--

-Sauce choron.
-[yelping] Ah!

[laughing nervously]

Oh, hey.

I'm so sorry. I, uh...

This is going to be
delicious...

I got curious.

Oh, it's okay.

I'm-I'm flattered.

I didn't know that
I was buying my building

from a celebrity.

Oh, please,
I'm hardly a celebrity.

Well, 10 million views
says otherwise, so...

Well, no, I'm--
I'm not much of one, anyway.

Uh, do you have a box cutter?

Uh, yeah, I think so.

Uh, be careful with this...

very careful.

You're a very cautious guy,
aren't you?

No, no, I'm...

I'm a throw-caution-to-the-wind
kinda guy.

Uh-huh.

Wait, you--

you don't believe me?

As they say
in my line of work,

"The proof is in the puddin'."

Wait.

[Adam sighing]

It's just the holidays.

The holidays?

Yeah, I'm Mr. Carefree
11 months of the year,

and then come December, I'm...

Yeah, I just drive
a little bit slower,

you know?

I just, uh, kinda watch
where I'm walking,

and generally avoid most people.

So you become paranoid?

No, no, no. Paranoia
is an unreasonable suspicion.

In my case,

I know that
the Christmas season is...

[quietly] it's out to get me.

And you think
that's reasonable?

Well, no.

When I was seven,

I caught measles
on Christmas Day,

and then when I was 17,

I had a fender-bender
in my dad's car

on Christmas Eve.

Ooh.

Then when I was 24,

my girlfriend broke up with me
on Christmas Day

as I was giving her a present.
-Ow.

And then I had that thing
with the ink stain,

and that's just an appetizer,

because every year, you know,

the holidays
is ready to serve up

a fresh course
of bad luck for me.

[car honking outside]

[Janet] What on earth?

-[honking]
-Hey, hang on!

Hang on, hang on.

Um, what is going on here?

This is unacceptable.

You can't
leave your truck here.

What are you talking about?

Are you new here?

Sort of.

Okay, well,

I've been volunteering here
for nine years,

and I've never had a problem
like this happen before.

What's up? What's going on?

[Janet] So our tables
finally arrived,

but the driver
has nowhere to pull in.

Okay, why don't we go
on the street and unload them?

Yeah, we can--
We can help them do that.

Come on.
-Whoa, "we"?

Yeah, let's go.

Where's Otto?

I don't know.

[***]

[quietly]
She's decided to stay for now.

Yes.

I don't know.

I guess it worked.

[chuckling]

Well, you know.

She does have her dreams.

[chuckling]

Hi.

Hi.

Um, who are you talking to?

Oh, uh, just--

just my special lady.

Yeah, excuse me.

Um, yeah,
I am gonna have to go.

Okay.

Yeah.

[chuckling]

Were you talking about me?

Excuse me?

You said, "She decided
to stay for now,"

and, "I guess it worked."

Was that about me?

Uh, no.

No, my niece.

Yeah, she wants
to quit her job,

start a new career in music,
move to Nashville.

[chuckling]

Poor girl can't carry a tune.

[chuckling]

I'm going to go see
if there's someone I can help.

Okay.

[panting]

Told you it wasn't a good idea
to let 'em stay an extra week.

Oh, come on, a little bit
of exercise is good for you.

You know what,
if I strain my back,

I don't think your insurance
is going to cover for this.

Does he always moan like this?

This is him
just getting warmed up.

I should have warmed up.

Can I help?

Yeah, come on, come on.
Come on.

[sighing]

Janet...

Can I talk to you for a second?

Yeah, sure.

Have you ever met Otto before?

Uh, no.

I thought
he was a friend of yours.

No.

He said

he's been volunteering here
for years.

I don't recognize him.

[***]

Really, you've got to work
on that focus.

Okay, ready? Here we go.

In three, two--

-[phone rings]
-Oh!

One sec, one sec.

Mm-hmm.

Hello, Donna Peters.

Miss Peters,

a producer at your studio
yesterday

told me that you cover
local human-interest stories?

Uh, yes.

I left you a message.

I didn't get that.

Oh, about Angel's Fare?

Angel's what?

Angel's Fare. "F-A-R-E."

It's a local food bank

here in Milwaukee.

It was closed for a few months,

but we're going to reopen
for the holidays.

Oh, that's nice.

I thought maybe you could do
a news story about it

and get the word out there.

Uh, I'm sorry, Ms...

Mandy Gilmore.

Ms. Gilmore,
what you're talking about

sounds wonderful.

Uh, it's just not newsworthy.

Providing food for people
in need over the holidays?

Please don't get me wrong.

I think it's lovely,
it's just not...

Newsworthy.

That's right.

Oh, uh, I have to go.

[***]

* ...Noel
The angel did say *

* Was to certain
poor shepherds... *

Thank you.

Mandy, we have
new volunteers today.

Oh, I see that.

Thank you so much.

Well, tomorrow is the first day

of our grocery bag giveaway.

Unfortunately, I have not
been able to get any press,

so it's on us
to get the word out there,

but I printed up these flyers.

We can put them
all over the city,

and also post on social media.

Okay.

We're going to need
some more volunteers, I think.

Well, you think you can
wrangle some more up?

Leave it to me.

You're the best.

Can't get
one of your volunteers

to do that?

Cleaning relaxes me.

Ah, because starting
a food bank in six days

is stressful.

[chuckling]

Well, I didn't know
what I didn't know,

which turns out to be
quite a lot.

[chuckling]

But you're learning
on your feet.

Mm, I guess.

Uh, is that it?

That's all that...?

[sighing]

It's probably nothing.

What? Spill it.

It's Otto.

He said he knew my aunt,

but Janet, who has
volunteered here for years,

she doesn't recognize him.

Maybe their paths
never crossed.

Mm, but that's the thing.

They should have.

How long
have you been next door?

Almost seven years.

Have you ever seen him around?

No, but I was focused
on running my business,

not your aunt's.

Mm.

Do you want
to un-volunteer him?

Oh...

no, he seems like
such a nice guy.

He's a bit odd.

Says the man who thinks

the holidays
are out to get him.

[chuckling]
No, that's not--

It's based on fact.

Like, it's based on
empirical evidence.

Whatever you say.

Um, listen,

I have a friend
in the police department

that could do
a background check on Otto,

if you want.

Oh, no, I don't want
to hurt his feelings.

No, no, no, no, very discreet.

So, have you thought about
your Christmas menu?

Well, I want to stick with
all the traditional favorites--

the turkey, mashed potatoes,
stuffing, cranberry sauce--

but I also want to do
something extra.

[chuckling]

Porchetta with broccoli rabe,

stuffed chicken with pork belly,
truffle, and nuts,

rhubarb on meringue skewers,

Christmas pudding
with confit orange,

cream of pumpkin
with coconut ice cream

and sticky black rice.

-Mm-hmm.
-Ha ha.

I know it's ambitious.

And it's a world of food.

Italian, Spanish, French,

English, and Asian
Christmas dishes.

I just want
this Christmas dinner to be a--

a special treat.

Do you think it's too much?

I think your guests

are going to have
the meal of a lifetime.

[***]

[***]

[phone ringing]

Oh.

Oh, buongiorno.

Thank you. Grazie.

Thank you for calling me back.

Yes, I need to change
my reservation.

Yeah, una prenotazione.

[***]

We're gonna need more food.

Oh, have faith.

But how is faith going to
fill this place with food?

Well, you'd be surprised.

[cell phone ringing]

Thank you.

Oh, it's Mandy.

Hi, Mandy. What's up?

Hey...

it's buzzing with activity
in here, isn't it?

Yes.

Is this how it was
when, uh, Susie ran it?

Yeah.

Yeah, similar.

What's your last name,
by the way?

I don't think you told me.

Ah, just call me Otto.

Otto.

-Yes.
-Yeah.

But, like, what is your name?

I was just curious.

Yeah, it's, uh, it's Nessen.

Mm-hmm.

-Nessen?
-Yeah.

Spelled the same forwards
as it is backwards.

Nessen, yeah.

[Janet]
Hey, everyone, listen up!

Mandy just got
a donation of vegetables.

-[everyone cheering]
-Yeah, all right!

-Whoo!
-[all clapping]

There we go.

Yeah, uh--

Yeah, no, make that
your last stop on Water Street,

and then head it back here,
just get back.

Yeah, okay.

Um...

Yeah...

Oh, come on...

Stuck...

[Adam] Hey!

Hey, I can help you with that.

Oh...

Hey.

Here.

Thank you.

Um, oh, yeah.

Maybe one more?

[clicking]

That's good.

Perfect.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Oh, thank you, that looks--

-[Adam chuckling]
-That's great, thank you.

You keep doing this
on your own.

Oh, well, my volunteers
have been working so hard,

so I let them go home.

And what?
It's been a breeze for you?

No, to be honest,

I didn't know
what I was getting myself into.

[both chuckling]

Yeah.

If you had have known,

would it have made a difference?

Probably not.

It'll all be over soon.

Yeah.

Honestly, I'm just worried

that we haven't gotten
the word out to enough people,

or to the right people.

Oh, they--

they posted
one of your flyers on my door.

Your door?

-Yeah.
-Oh, no.

No, no, no, no,

that's exactly
what I'm worried about.

-What-- what--
-[sighing]

No, I'm sure they were
just being thorough.

What if nobody shows up,

and all that food goes to waste?

It's gonna be fine.

Before you know it,
you're gonna be in Europe,

starting
your world of food tour.

There's so much to do
between now and then.

Yeah, you gotta take it easy,
you know?

You've got a big day tomorrow.

You're right.

You deserve a break.

[chuckling] I could use one.

Are you, uh,

are you thinking
what I'm thinking?

I think I am.

A nice relaxing bath--

Nightcap?

-Oh--
-Oh, sorry.

Oh, no, that--
Totally-- [chuckling]

A bath sounds super relaxing.

Are you sure?

Because I can go for a nightcap.

No, no, no, absolutely fine.

It's a big day tomorrow.

Okay, good night.

Good night.

[Janet] All right...
they're almost ready.

[Mandy] Hey!

Oh!

Good morning.

-Ah! Good morning!
-Good morning.

Can you believe this lineup?

No. Wow,
we'd better get started.

Oh, um, I don't think
it's quite time yet.

-Oh, it's okay.
-Okay.

[loudly] Okay, everybody,
time to get started!

Where did you get that?

-From home!
-Oh, gosh.

It's really handy when
you're dealing with a line.

Uh-huh.

[gasping]

Oh. Here you go, sir.

I lost my job three weeks ago.

God bless you.

Merry Christmas.

[***]

Here you go. Merry Christmas.

There you go.

Merry Christmas.

Hey... hey, can I help?

Oh, absolutely.
Here's a bag.

Really?

All right,
let's keep the line moving.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas...

Hey, Merry Christmas.

Hey, guys, we have to get
our vans through here.

Oh, how the tables
have turned.

Janet, could you
ask a volunteer

to clear a lane
for Carraway Couriers?

On it.

-Thank you.
-[chuckling]

There she is, let's go.

Hi, Mandy!

Donna Peters.

We spoke on the phone
yesterday?

Mind if we get
that interview now?

Maybe over here? Um...

Please, get some of this action
in the background.

[Mandy]
Well, I thought you said

it wasn't newsworthy.

[Donna]
You didn't tell me

that you were
the Mandy Gilmore

of "There's a World of Food
out There."

-Oh. [chuckling]
-I love your show.

We're going live.

-Are you ready?
-What?

Hi, John,
we are here at Angel Fare,

where you can see,

there has been
quite the turnout.

I am live with Mandy Gilmore,

who is in charge of
this charitable food bank.

Now, did you expect
this many people to show up?

Oh, honestly,
I didn't know what to expect.

Okay, so you're surprised?

Shocked.

I've met a lot of good,
hardworking people today

who have fallen on hard times

for one reason or another,

and this holiday food giveaway

has been a real lifeline
for them.

[chuckling]

Hi.

Is there anything else
that you would like to say

to our audience out there?

Um, yes, if you're in need
this holiday season,

we are here
at 465 Lupine Street,

and if you're not
in need of any help,

but you can offer some help, um,

would you please consider
making a donation?

-Thank you, Miss Gilmore.
-Thank you.

So if you're looking
for the Holiday spirit,

you need not look any further

than Angel Fare
on Lupine Street.

Back to you, John.

-Oh, that was just wonderful!
-[everyone applauding]

-Congratulations.
-[applause and cheering]

[***]

-Congratulations.
-[all applauding]

[***]

Merry Christmas.

-Mandy!
-Yeah?

We have a problem.

[***]

That's it. We've run out.

Already?

Well, you saw
the line outside.

[sighing]

Yeah, we have no more.

We're gonna have to turn away
the people outside.

You want me to do it?

No, it should be me.

[sighing]

[sighing]

Hi, everyone.

Can I have
your attention, please?

Um, unfortunately--

[phone ringing]

Oh, excuse me. Hold on.

[Mandy's phone ringing]

[crowd murmuring in concern]

Hello?

Miss Gilmore?

Yes?

I'm calling
from Gentry's Foods.

We spoke a few days ago.

Oh, yes, I remember.

I've been authorized to make

a generous in-kind donation
to your organization.

Well, that's fantastic!

What changed?

I just got a call
from a board member

who saw you on TV.

They saw my interview?

Not by chance.

Someone by the name of Otto
called him

and convinced him
to turn on the TV.

The board member was moved,

says you epitomize
the Christmas spirit.

Well, we're trying.

We just have one problem.

Well, okay.

I'll figure that out.
Thank you.

[beeps phone off]

Everyone?

Um, can I have
your attention again?

Uh, well, there's been
a slight delay,

so please be patient,

and we will
start up again soon.

Okay.

[***]

Oh, Adam.

Yeah?

Hey!

Your voice really carries
with that thing.

Yeah.

I would like to engage
your services.

What's this?

Gentry's Foods.

They're going to make
a donation.

What, as in right now?

As in, that's the slight delay

that you just announced
out there?

-Yes.
-[chuckling]

No, sorry.

All my drivers
are booked solid.

But Gentry's can't deliver.

I-I need you.

Well, I mean...

There's a truck
in the warehouse

that I could drive myself,
if you...

Okay.

[chuckling]

[***]

[***]

Oh, thanks.

Oh, great,

they didn't even slice it.

I can help with that.

Oh.

Uh, well...

Don't worry,

I give it a good cleaning
after every use.

Oh, such a gentleman.

Once an Eagle Scout,
always an Eagle Scout.

Oh, I see.

A man in uniform, huh?

So would you help me
cross the street, then?

That is actually a myth,

but if you ever need
a campfire lit,

I'm your man.

I bet you are.

Thanks, Jim.

Is Adam back?

Oh, not yet.

Just hope that we don't have to
keep them waiting outside

for too much longer.

But I am creating
a Christmas playlist.

For what?

Well, for the Christmas feast.

Susie used to have carolers

standing around
the Christmas tree, singing,

and, well, since we don't
really have time for that,

I thought the next best thing

would be to create
Christmas music playlists

that we could play
the old-fashioned way,

through my phone.

Wait,

what-what Christmas tree?

-Hi.
-Hi.

Adam's here.

Oh, fantastic.

Yes.

Everyone listen up!

The truck is here!
Let's unpack it,

and start filling
those grocery bags.

[everyone cheering]

Thank you for your patience!

There you go.

Hey, come on, guys,
everyone, come on out!

We've got everything
back there.

Truck's full.

Hey!

We have frozen turkeys,
cranberry sauce,

potatoes, bread, yams,
you name it.

Everything!

A helpful man
is an attractive man,

don't you think?

Adam, I'm so sorry
to keep asking you for favors,

but I need another pickup.

Okay, I'm available.

Thank you.

[clearing throat]

[***]

[Mandy] That's beautiful.

We're going to need
more than one.

[Adam chuckling]

It's a good thing
I brought my truck.

[chuckling]

How long have you been
in the courier business?

All my life.

-Really?
-Yeah.

My father was a successful
dairy manufacturer,

and he used to say

that he made his cheese
making cheese.

[laughing]
That's kind of cheesy.

[Adam chuckles] Yeah.

But I've always been
really driven to make it,

so I started working delivery
when I was 15.

My first vehicle was a bicycle.

Oh!

Probably put 10 sets
of new wheels on that thing.

[laughing]
I still have it.

For sentimental values?

Ah, yeah, just to remember
how far I've come.

Well, your parents
must be very proud of you.

They are.

You know, what you're doing,

it's, uh, it's important,

and it's big-hearted.

Well, it's really my aunt Susie
who started it.

Well, you're running it now.

Only for now.

Still, how many people
touch that many lives?

I mean,

even if it's only
for one season.

Thank you.

The city of Milwaukee
has appointed me

to take you out
for a thank-you dinner.

Oh.

What did you have in mind?

They want me to take you

to my all-time favorite place
in the whole world.

Sounds good.

"Good" doesn't cover it.

It's gonna--

it's gonna blow out your palate.

[laughing]

Oh, will you excuse me
for one moment?

I'll be right back.

Yeah, sure.

Hi.

Just curious.

Um, after you collect
all the toys,

who do you typically donate to?

[chuckling]

This is
your favorite restaurant?

Yup.

This is the best hot dog
in the state, hands down.

Careful, you're
hyping it up a lot.

[both chuckling]

No, it-it lives up
to the hype.

Okay.

I'll be the judge of that.

-Wow.
-See? See? See?

Yeah.

This is the best hot dog
I've ever had.

[laughing] Oh, yes!

And you didn't have to go
to Europe to find it.

Mm-hmm.

[chuckling]

Oh, you have
a little bit of, um...

Where?

-Um...
-Oh.

Gone?

It's perfect.

[***]

[***]

Hey, whatcha doing?

Huh? Uh, nothing.

Is that the sales agreement?

Yeah.

Are you excited?

Uh, sure, yeah.

Well, hey, in a couple of days,

the place
is going to be ours, huh?

Great.

Well, I'm heading over.

You coming?

[***]

[exhales contentedly]

I need this ladder.

Stand in line,

but in the meantime,

you could help me
decorate this tree.

It's looking like it needs
a little something here.

Oh, if only I had an Eagle Scout
who could help me.

[chuckling]

Oh, thank you.

Hello, Mandy.

Oh, Donna! Hi!

Thank you so much again
for the interview yesterday.

It was so helpful.

Oh, I'm glad to hear that.

Listen, we don't usually
get personally involved

in the stories that we cover,

but everyone at the station

is just so touched
by what you're doing down here,

we wanted to help.

Oh!

Oh, I wish we could do more.

Are you kidding?

Every little bit helps.
Thank you.

Oh, you're welcome.

You know, tomorrow's
our Christmas feast.

If you have time,
you should stop by and say hi.

I might just do that.

-Great.
-Okay.

-Thank you again.
-Have a wonderful evening.

You too. Thank you.

[sighing]

Ow!

Ah! Ow! Great...

There it is. Look...

You okay?

Hi.

Yes, um...

Uh, yeah, just...

Yeah, holidays.

You can hardly notice.

Really?

Yeah.

Really? [laughing]

You'd make
a horrible poker player.

Hey, do you need, uh,
do you need something else?

No, but I would like
to pay you

for everything
you've already done.

What are you talking about?

Well, picking up
the food donations

and the Christmas trees?

Oh, no, no, consider that
a donation of ours

to Angel Fare.

Thank you,
that's very sweet of you.

Oh, I, uh, spoke to Otto.

I found out
his last name is Nessen.

And?

I talked to my friend
at the police department.

They said that there's no one
with a criminal record

under that name.

That's good, isn't it?

Yeah, but they said also
that there's...

[whispering]
...there's no record

of Otto Nessen at all.

Maybe he's not
from around here.

Yeah, maybe.

Maybe.

Otto is the reason

we got
that food donation yesterday.

Still, there's something

a little different
about the guy.

Come and join us tomorrow

for the Christmas feast,

prepared by two top chefs.

[Mandy] Um, hey, Janet...

Hi!

Oh, when are we going
to wrap the toys?

Oh, we're picking up the toys
tomorrow.

Have you seen Otto?

Uh, no, I haven't seen him
this morning.

Okay, thanks.

Okay.

Merry Christmas.
Thank you.

She's got quite the spirit

to take on such a task
without any previous experience.

[chuckling]

You've got to hand it to her.

Hi, Mandy.

On the phone again
with your special lady?

No...

just talking
to myself this time.

I'm impressed.

Well, we both know

how much Susie loves
her Christmas decorations.

"It is more blessed
to give than to receive."

[chuckles]

That's beautiful.

It's also true.

Tomorrow's our last day here.

Seems like a lot of effort

for something
that's not going to last.

Hmm.

Well, I have
a personal philosophy

that time...

really has no meaning,

right?

However, love, grace, beauty,

the Christmas spirit,

well...

that does.

Hey, you want to try
something fun?

Fun?

Yeah. Just close your eyes.

Close my eyes?

Yeah, close your eyes,
count to five.

[chuckling]

Okay.

[clearing throat]

One...

two...

three...

four...

five.

[***]

[***]

[***]

Here we are.

Oh, thanks, Otto.

So, Otto, where are you from?

What do you mean?

Where did you grow up?

Oh, here and there.

What does that mean?

I moved around a lot.

Oh, was your father
in the military too?

No.

He just wanted
to see the world.

[chuckling]

Hey...

Is this the last day
of the great grocery giveaway?

Yes, it is,

and it looks like we're gonna
have some food left over.

Yeah, I mean,

what are you
going to do with it all?

Well, there are
other food banks.

This is the only one
on this side of the city.

Don't worry, I will put
this food to good use.

Do you need a hand?

Oh, yeah, will you help me
carry some of the bags?

-Yeah.
-Thanks.

Merry Christmas.

[quietly]
Oh, don't forget to remind them.

Oh, uh,
Christmas feast here tomorrow.

Prepared by two top chefs!

Merry Christmas.

-Oh!
-Four bags...

What are you doing here?

Well, I clocked out,
and I thought "why not?"

Well, thank you, Jim.

We appreciate your help.

How's it going here?

Good. Oh, but there was
a woman who was just here

looking for baby formula,

and unfortunately,
we've run out.

No, no, we--
I have some right here.

It's right here.

Oh!

W-Where is she?

She's right down there.

Oh, I see her. Okay.

All right...

-Oh!
-Oh!

Oh, oh!
Whoa!

Ooh...

You okay?

[clearing throat] Um, yeah.

I'm clumsy.

-Careful.
-Yeah, I'm okay.

-I'm okay.
-Okay.

-Here, um...
-Uh...

I got this.

Thank you.

Oh...

Hi. Uh...

[chatting quietly]

[***]

I cannot wait to taste

what Mandy and Chef Louie
are cooking up.

Where is this Chef Louie?

Oh, that's a good question.

[phone ringing]

Hey, Louie.

Hi, Mandy.

I'm afraid
I had a little accident.

What happened?

Fractured my wrist.

Oh, no.

Yeah, never do a backflip

near a patch of ice.
[chuckling]

I'll keep that in mind.

I won't be able
to be your sous chef.

I'm so sorry.

Oh, it's okay, Louie.

Don't worry about it.

You just take care of yourself
and feel better.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Bye.

[beeps phone off]

Oh, shoot.

Thank you.

Ah, so wonderful that Mandy
was able to receive

all of these donations.

Yeah.

[laughing]

[clattering,
toy makes siren sounds]

Mm, sorry.

I-I-I can replace it.

It's okay.

[toy making siren sounds]

What's going on with you?

It's my Christmas holiday
bad luck.

No...

You seem strange,

and as though your mind
is on something else.

I'm the one
that seems strange?

You seem like...

You seem like you're...

you know, you're not
telling us everything.

You're not
telling her something.

I don't know
what your angle is,

but I don't want to see Mandy
be hurt.

-[giggling]
-What does that mean?

That's the last thing
that I would want.

You like her?

I...

What makes you think that?

I see it.

Well, even if it was true,

Christmas is not the time

to just lay your heart
on the line.

Hmm.

Adam, do you know
what they say?

To everything,
there is a season,

a time for every purpose
under heaven.

Who said that?

A very wise man.

[chuckling]

Hey, what are you doing?

Oh, Chef Louie
fractured his wrist,

and he can't make it,

so I've had to modify the menu
a little bit.

You-- well, you don't
have to do it alone.

I mean, I can help.

I'm no Chef Louie,

but I can--

I can cut vegetables
and follow direction.

All right. You're right.

We can do this.
-Okay.

The preparation of fine food

sometimes requires dealing with
failure and uncertainty

in an innovative way.

What am I, am I the failure
or the uncertainty?

Well,
that is to be determined.

-Yeah, oh-- what-- okay...
-[laughing]

[clapping] Let's go.

All right,

let me find you a bowl
or something.

-[crashing]
-Oh! Oh, okay, wow.

Have you ever been
in a kitchen before?

-[laughing]
-Okay.

Okay, be careful,
that is really...

You'll slice your thumb.

Oh, thank you.

What, is it just us today?

It's Christmas.

It's my favorite day
of the year.

[chuckling]

I told the others
to go be with their families.

I just kept the essential crew.

Oh, so I'm considered
essential?

Don't let it go to your head.

Too late.

[chuckling]

-Oh, hi!
-Hi!

Can I help you?

Yes, I am here to volunteer.

Oh, that is great.

-Okay, come on in...
-Thank you.

...grab a toy
and some wrapping,

we'll get to work.

Okay, all right.

-I'll take this one.
-Great.

Are you sure
you know what you're doing?

Yeah, I mean,
cutting vegetables,

really, how hard can that be?

Do you know all the different
type of knife cuts?

Uh, what? The what?
The what now?

The high cut, the low cut,

the dice, the mince,
the julienne,

the bias, the rondelle,
the baton, the chiffonade?

The chiffonade? [laughing]

Um... [clearing throat]

No, I, um, I don't think I do.

Okay, we'll just start
with a few.

The high cut

is when you're chopping things
that are larger,

the low cut is for
rocking smaller items,

um, and the mince is just
a rough chop on a smaller scale,

but when you hold a knife,

grab the knife by the spine.

There you go...
-Okay.

...and then you take
your onion.

Is this the onion
you've been working on?

-Yeah.
-Okay.

Okay, so now,
take your knuckles,

bend your fingers back so that--
There you go.

That's how you protect
your fingers.

Then it's just nice,
long strokes,

like that.

-Oh, yeah.
-Mm-hmm.

Okay, easy.

There you go.

Mm.

Who knew that cutting an onion

could be so complicated?

Would a painter use one brush?

I would use one brush, yes,

and I would use one color.

[both chuckling]

Okay, oh, no, no.

Just use
that middle knuckle there

to guide the knife.

Okay.

I will.

I'd better
get back to the stove.

Yeah.

Um, do you think that I--
I've got it?

Well, if you have
all your digits

by the end of the night,
we'll call it a win.

That's the-- [laughing]

[Donna] You know, I have seen
all of Mandy's cooking shows.

She is just spectacular.

Oh, yes, I think
we're in for a treat.

Yes.

[Otto singing]
* God rest ye merry, gentlemen

* Let nothing you dismay

* Remember Christ our Savior

* Was born on Christmas Day

[background music playing]
* To save us all

* From Satan's power

* When we were gone astray

* Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy *

* Comfort and joy

* Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy *

[***]

* From God our Heavenly Father

* A blessed Angel came

* And unto certain shepherds

* Brought tidings of the same

* That there was born
in Bethlehem *

* The Son of God by name

* Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy *

* Comfort and joy

* Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy *

[***]

* Fear not, said the Angel...

Well, it smells
delicious in here.

Oh, Donna, I'm so glad
you could make it.

I've been here,
doing all that I can.

Thank you for your help.

My pleasure.

So, how is it coming?

Oh, it's almost ready.

-Yeah.
-Hold on.

Just a few more minutes.

Uh... it's pretty good.

Wow...

[Mandy] Mm, that looks amazing.

Careful. Don't burn yourself.

[gasping] Oh...

Oh, my goodness.

-That smells so good.
-That smells heavenly.

[***]

All right. Ha, ha.

Please, everyone, come on in!

[***]

Hello! Hi.

Hi, good to see you.

Hello.

Ah, ha, ha, hello.
Merry Christmas.

[***]

Okay, now, we're gonna need
some names, okay?

Because I do have
a Christmas tree

right over there,

and there might be
some presents under it.

Ah, yes, ma'am.

Let me grab your name,
what is it?

Really?
Okay, thank you.

Ah, and how are you, sir?

Good to see you.

Seat just for you.

Now, what do we have here?

Well, we might have
some crayons.

[laughing]

[sighing]

[Adam chuckling]

Wow, you look--
you look amazing.

Thank you.

I-- I actually bought
this dress for Paris,

but I figured a special night
deserves a special dress.

I-- I--

Incredible.

Oh, thank you.

Wow!

I had to scale back
my ambition a little

without the help of Chef Louie,

but I think it turned out
pretty well.

It looks great.

Let's get to work.

Yes.

I think we should plate
everything individually,

and serve it...

[***]

[Mandy] Merry Christmas.

Welcome, everyone!

We're so glad
you could join us.

[Adam] Merry Christmas!

[Mandy] All right, everyone,
sit tight.

We're gonna get
everyone's plate

and serve everyone.

Merry Christmas.

[***]

Here we go.

[***]

Happy holidays to you.

For you.
Merry Christmas.

[***]

Oh, thank you.

Hello.

[laughing]

[Mandy] All right...

Everybody...

Well, shall we enjoy
the fruits of our labor?

Oh, yes, I am starving.

Um, do you mind if we join you?

Uh-huh.

Thank you.

Thank you, Adam.

Yeah.

Excuse me, Mandy?

Um, before we begin,

do you think maybe
it would be okay

if someone said some grace?

Yeah!

Mandy's aunt
would always do that.

Otto, that's a wonderful idea.

Why don't you do the honors?

Uh, yeah, thank you.

[chuckling]

Uh, excuse me, everyone.

If I could just have
your attention for one moment,

just bow your head with me
in prayer, please.

Dear Lord,
we thank you for this day,

and we thank you
for this amazing feast

that we are about to partake in

with so many of our friends
and neighbors,

and as we eat,

I just pray that
the blessings of Christmas

would fill us
with love and joy and hope.

Amen.

[everyone] Amen.

Oh, um, if I could just
have everyone's attention

and say thank you to our host

and our wonderful chef,
Mandy Gilmore.

[cheering and applause]

[applause]

Thank you.

Thank you, everyone.

I just want to say

that this has been
a wonderful experience,

but it wouldn't
have been possible

without the generous food
and cash donations

that we received,

and it wouldn't
have been possible

without
our dedicated volunteers,

so let's give it up for them.

[applause and cheering]

Yeah!

It's definitely been
a community effort,

so Merry Christmas.

Oh, and kids, listen up.

If you look under
the Christmas tree,

you might just find a gift
with your name on it.

Really?

[kids gasping]

Mom, look!

Look what I got!

[laughing]

[***]

Ooh!

[toy siren sounds]

That is cool!

-Whew.
-[both laughing]

Thank you.

I think that's everyone.

Now we can, uh, relax.

Yes.

Can I, uh...

can I ask you something?

Sure.

[Otto] Excuse me.

I'm sorry to interrupt. Um...

Listen, I was wondering

if maybe you wanted
to just have a look at that.

One of the kids drew it.

I thought you'd like it.

Get in there.

[Mandy] Oh, wow.

[chuckling fondly]

Thank you, Otto,
for showing me this.

Listen, if you have a moment,

would you mind
speaking with me in private?

Oh, Adam needed
to talk to me--

No, no, that's okay.

Okay, um, why don't we talk
in Susie's office?

Okay, yeah.

You got this.

[chuckling]

[knocking gently]

Otto,

what did you want
to talk to me about?

Well, it's time
for me to leave.

No!

Stay and enjoy the night.

I have already,

very much so, thank you,

but I do have
other obligations.

Otto,

before you go,

will you tell me
how you knew my aunt Susie?

Yes.

Well, we met...

it was quite some years ago
now... [chuckling]

and I don't know,

she was content,

but I believe
her life was unfulfilled,

so I led her down a path,

a narrow one, albeit,

that I believed

would bring her
to a profound happiness...

and for her, it did.

You seem to know her so well,

but you said you didn't know
she'd passed away.

Not entirely true.

Why did you say that?

I made a promise to Susie.

See, she felt
that the two of you

were very similar.

She just wanted you
to share in something

that she shared in,

even if it was just
for a short time.

Promise fulfilled.

It's time for me to leave now.

Otto...

Thank you...

for everything.

Yes, ma'am.

"Angel's Fare."

How did Susie
come up with that name?

Otto?

[exhaling]

Oh, excuse me.

Okay.

-Hey, Adam.
-Huh?

You okay?

Yeah, yeah.

Christmas is almost over,

and nothing bad has happened,

so you're in the clear.

The night is young.

Uh, yeah.

All right,
I'm gonna go get some air.

What was he so worried about?

Ah, it's a long story.

[Donna] Hi, Mandy. What's up?

[Mandy] Have you seen Otto?

[Donna] No, I haven't.

There goes another one
who can't relax.

Two peas in a pod.

Yes.

[***]

[both laughing]

[***]

[Adam] Hey...

Is something wrong?

Otto.

Yeah, he's an odd bird.

He is, isn't he?

But he's also sort of...

Insightful?

Yeah.

Yeah, he, uh,

he said something to me
that kind of, uh, stuck.

Oh? What's that?

He said

that there's a right season

for everything,

and I think, um...

this is my right time,

right here, right now.

So I'm throwing caution
to the wind...

and, uh... here.

Merry Christmas.

Your office Christmas card?

Oh, yeah, I didn't have time

to go and buy
a personalized one.

Oh, well,
it's the thought that counts.

No, it's not the thought.

It's what's inside.

Open it.

What...

What is that?

It's the purchase agreement.

Look, I know that you have
this dream

of going to restaurants
all over the world...

but...

maybe...

maybe you don't have to do that
all at once.

Maybe you can just do it
little by little, and...

maybe you don't
have to do it alone.

Maybe you could stay here
and run Angel's Fare,

and I know-- I know this isn't
Paris or London--

[***]

[chuckling]

Well, you were right, Susie.

Well, you know
what would make this

even more perfect?

[laughing]

Yes.

[snapping fingers]

[***]

* God rest ye
merry, gentlemen *

* Let nothing you dismay

* For Jesus Christ
our Savior *

* Was born on Christmas Day

* To save us all
from Satan's power *

* When we were gone astray...

[***]