All language subtitles for The 5-Year Christmas Party 2024 WEB-DL 1080p_english

*

* Counting down
to Christmas Day *

* Find the magic along
the way *

* Getting closer to cozy hour *

* where we light a fire,
and reunite *

* Feel the joy
in your heart *

* you're never alone, you'll
always have Christmas, joy *

* near or far *

* 'cause wherever you are *

* yeah, we'll always
have Christmas, *

* joy in your heart *

* Oh, what fun
it is to ride, *

* in a one-horse open sleigh. *

[all] Hey!!!
-Hi!

Everyone friends, revelers.

Fellow theater kids
and cater-waiters.

May I present the director
of Burton College's stunning

and deeply weird production
of A Christmas Carol?

The smartest person...

Always wearing
the smartest outfit.

A woman who doesn't
like parties,

but is always, the most
fun at those parties.

I think this is
only true to you.

Our dearest friend.

And my favorite roommate,

-[all] Alice Mitchell.
-[cheering]

Hey Max!

How are you?

Max is here.
Who invited Max?

He saw the show tonight.

And we cater
together sometimes.

I told him you've had
a huge crush on him

for three years now.

No, you didn't?
No, you didn't.

He did not.
I was there.

You just told him where
the cast party was.

How many times do you think
he's going to mention

he's playing Hamlet
next semester?

So many.

Yes.

I'll go find out.

So, are you, uh...
gonna go talk to him?

Max? No.

Why not?

Why should I?

He chose that side of the room.
He made his choice.

Do you think people
liked it?

The show?

-Yeah.
-Of course.

Alice, people loved it.

You made the Ghost of
Christmas past a lobster, So...

Mabel!

Solid work, buddy.

I am really proud of that.

[Lisa] As well
you should be.

Lisa, hi. I didn't know
you were here.

Well, I usually try to come
to cast parties.

As faculty, you know,
we usually only stay
a few minutes.

And with that, I'm off.

Lisa, Lisa, sorry.

I just wanted to tell you
I learned so much from you

during this experience.
Thank you.

And I will be sure to come
and talk to you about assisting

after graduation.

Alice... you are at
a Christmas party

your senior year of college
after a smashing success.

Enjoy it.
It's a gift not everyone gets.

Sure.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

[all] Merry Christmas.

Good night, Lisa.

Oh. Good night.

I love her.

[exhales]

[gentle music]

There you are.

Hey, Max. Hi.

Hey.

Uh, is the party
still going on?

It's dying down.

I just... I could not
get out of here

without telling you
how great your show was.

-Really?
-Yeah, yeah.

A Christmas Carol, that's
an indictment on capitalism.

Come on, and that's also
funny and smart.

Oh, thank you, thank you, Max.
That's incredibly kind.

I wish I would have auditioned
now, you know. [laughs]

Yeah, well...

I wouldn't have been able
to anyway, you know,

I'm doing--
I'm playing Hamlet in,

uh, the main stage production
next semester, so just the--

I've got so much to memorize,
so many monologues to--

Yeah, yeah. You know,
you really don't owe me

any kind of explanation.
Don't even worry about it.

Right.

Do you, um, plan on staging
it again, A Christmas Carol?

Yes. Yeah, I would like to.
I think, um--

I mean, I'd love to get
it up as soon as possible.

I'm really eager to sort of
have some more space

to explore the idea of
whether he's actually dreaming

or if it's sort of a critique

of post-industrial London
and how it,

you know, comparatively,
it's, um--

Comparatively, it's--

No, I just... I am
actively geeking out

over A Christmas Carol,

and then I'm hearing myself
doing that

and it's coming out
of my mouth.

No, no, no. You're actively
geeking over smart things.

It's... it's nice.

[tender music]

You know, I might go and just
help them clean up inside.

-Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
-There's a lot.

-I gotta go.
-Make some rounds anyway.

Talk to the beautiful people,
your subjects.

I don't know what
royalty does.

Can I ask you a question?

How is this the most
that you've talked to me

over the course of an
entire three-year program?

This is not the most
I've spoken to you--

Max, it absolutely
is the most, like...

We had classes together.

We did that one really horrible
scene in freshman year,

and then you just, uh,
ignored me from then on,

and now...
and now you're here.

I just...

I really like your show.

Do you really?

I do.

I thought you should know.

Um...

I'm-- I don't know
if this is the thing.

Ooh.

I don't think that--
I wasn't.

I'm so sorry.

I fully... I must have
misread it entirely.

No, no, but not sort of--
not all the way.

But... but listen,
I... I am sure it's fine.

I'm sure it works on
tons of girls

and that... that didn't
come out right. I'm...

Yeah. I'm just going to--

This conversation?
Let's call it, let's call it.

We don't even have to have it.

-Um...
-Great show.

Thank you.
Thank you so much.

Thank you for...

[sighs]

Hi Alice.

[Alice] Hey, what's going on?
Are you okay?

I'm fine.
I've been busy.

Tell me how the play went.

Mom, no. Come on.

You canceled your
flight last minute.

You sounded really stressed.
Just tell me what's going on.

Oh shoot, Alice.
I don't want to.

Mom, you're going to tell me
anyway, so just tell me now.

Peanut, the bookstore closed.
It's over.

Mom, I'm so sorry.

What happened?

I lost a business... again.
I'm still breathing.

Oh, Mom, I wish
I could give you a hug.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

I didn't want to mess up
your show.

I canceled the flight
so that I could work

right up until Christmas and
see if I could save it, anyway.

Well, what do you...
what do you need?

Do you want me to come there
and help out or--

No, no.

You're going to need
that money.

For my last semester.

I'm sorry, Alice.

I'm not going to be able to
help with the rent for a while.

No, it's okay, Mom,
I've got it.

I can do it, I promise.

I love you.

Yeah. I love you too.

Bye.

[exhale]

Oh, boy. Okay.

Be careful it's hot.

I mean, it's not
like it's new, right?

She's been like this
my entire life.

It's one of my favorite
things about her.

She'll be this huge success,
and then poof,

it all goes up in smoke

and she'll just start
something new.

So your Mom will be fine,
will you?

I'll figure it out.

Okay. Here's what
you should do.

You should ask Pam.

We are always looking for
extra help around here.

I don't know, you guys are
always talking about

how difficult catering is.

Yeah, but in a fun way.

Yeah, you'll love it.

You got to go to a million
different parties

that basically feel like
one long party, huh?

Plus the pay.
Oh, it's really good.

First of all, I hate
parties anyway,

so that's kind of a wash,

but I have a couple
of other options

that I would like to explore
I feel quite positive about.

So I'm going to do that.
You have a wonderful shift.

You should still most
definitely tell him about her.

Good call.

Yeah.

[cheerful music]

Knock, knock.

Keep away from
the ghost lights.

You break that thing and
we'll have all kinds of curses

dropping in here.

Hello. Hi.

I actually came by
to see if you're hiring.

I think that I may need

to find something faster
than graduation.

Oh, and you think theaters this
size have a budget for staff?

We can barely afford
to pay for heat.

Why do you think I also teach?

What? But this company
gets written up in like...

national press
all the time, Lisa.

Yes. And we are broke
all the time.

That's how theater goes.

Lisa, respectfully,
I want this.

There is a line-up of
ex-students who also want this.

Why you?

Honestly, because I work
incredibly hard

and I'm willing to do
pretty much anything it takes

to make it happen.

And I would like to start
as soon as possible.

Ideally, uh, today, now,
five minutes from now,

if you if you need me, but...

All right. We could use
a volunteer

in the box office
in the evenings.

Done.

It's not paid.
It's a long road, Alice.

You understand that, right?

Absolutely, I do.

I... I just really think
I can do it.

Okay, well welcome aboard.

Let me give you a
little bit of advice.

-Sure.
-Get yourself a job.

Doesn't have to be one that
you take home each day.

Just something. Okay?

This... this takes time.

[exhales]

I can do that.

-Okay?
-Okay.

Bye. Thank you.
Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

[upbeat music]

Hi.

-Hi.
-Hi.

So, um, if I did want to get
a part-time job here

for the holidays,
what would I need?

Do you own comfortable shoes?

Not since you stole my loafers.

Oh, you're Alice?

Hi. I own many pairs
of comfortable shoes.

Daniel says you're looking for
some part-time catering work.

Yes, yes, I am.
Or full time.

Just any time that
you happen to have.

Any waiting or
catering experience?

No, but I love people.

Can you start tonight?

Yes, absolutely.

All right, great.
Let's go.

Yes!

[jazzy music playing]

Most of the job is staying
a little bit invisible,

but observant.

-While serving sliders?
-Mmhmm.

Beef mini burgers
with rosemary, arugula,

and blood orange compote.

-They will ask.
-Oh dear.

Mm.

[jazzy instrumental
Christmas music]

*

Oh, hey.

Can you take those mugs over
to ye old-timey mulled wine?

-Sure.
-Mmhmm.

Uh... Pam, what is this party?

Well, it's hard to say.

Best we can tell,
it's a holiday party

for either a group of bird
watchers or a hiking club.

I don't know nature types.

Cool.

*

Last party of the year,
Coat Drive Brunch.

Yeah. We just don't eat
the space, cater a fundraiser.

-Round of glasses to the bar.
-Sure.

-Thank you.
-Okay.

-I'll. Take this one.
-Thanks.

Excuse me.

Sorry. I brought you
some of these.

Um, do we have
any more of the--

Max! Hi.

Hi.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas back.

Um... more of what?

Uh, the eggnog martini.

The drink with the little
guy on the top.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Got it.

Do you work here?

Is that a trick question?

Okay, I'm--

I just... I didn't know,
I didn't know.

No, no, no. It's...
it's, uh, my sister.

She said she was
short-staffed,

and I need money for my
parents' Christmas gift.

Pam, Pam is your sister.

-She is.
-There you go.

She is for quite a while now.

Yeah, I would imagine
most of your life.

-That's how it works.
-Yeah.

Yeah. [laughs]

All right. One eggnog
martini, cinnamony.

That looks amazing!
[laughs] Thank you.

Enjoy. Just--

Thanks. I got-- I'm fine.

I can hold a glass,
thank you so much.

Okay. Bye.

See you guys later,
Merry Christmas.

You too.

Hey, gang, thanks for another
fantastic holiday season.

-Hey.
-Hey.

Thanks for
joining us this year.

Of course. I can't believe
there's this many parties

this time of year.
It's crazy.

Yeah. Over the holidays,

we do a party
almost every day,

but the rest of the year

we cater maybe four
or five a month.

Hey, if you want to stay on,

we would absolutely love
to have you.

Okay. I would really like
to actually.

Amazing. Well,
welcome aboard.

Hey, you should take that tree.

Uh...

Oh, no, no, that's--

It's got to go.

Otherwise it's just going to
stay here dying over Christmas.

It is you or that alleyway.

That's so sad.

Exactly. Take the tree.

Take the tree.

Don't look at us.
We're going out.

I can help.

Well, then... it's settled.

-Bye.
-Bye.

Bye.

Have fun... without.

-Hi.
-Hi.

Want to try.

Okay. Let's try.

All right.

Just a fully decorated tree.

Yeah, we really... we really
stuck them on there.

I don't think
we have options.

You know, you really
don't have to help.

It's like six blocks. I can
drag it. I can drag it.

-Oh, wait. Stop
-Yep, yep.

-Hold on.
-Yeah.

Right here.

[grunts]

Wait.

Oh, isn't that the... theater
that Lisa--

Yeah, Lisa's the
artistic director.

Yeah.

And that is going to be me
one day, mark my words.

-That specifically.
-Yeah.

Very detailed planning.

How dare you?
What's your plan, huh?

You know, go to LA, you're
going to spend five summers

in eternal sunshine.

And then what, are you gonna
win an Oscar?

Is that the plan?

No.

Oh, Max, that is the plan.

[laughs] No, no, no,
it's just... it's, um...

I think...
really it's all luck.

You also have to show up
on time and be prepared

and be somebody people
like working with.

I can't just be famous and
people bring things to me.

I can make some calls.

-Would you mind?
-I would love to.

That would be really lovely.

Cool. I have to get this
in my apartment.

-Right, yes. The tree.
-Thanks so much.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-All right. On three.
-Yeah.

-One, two.
-[both grunt]

I feel like I have
the heavier side.

Does it feel like
that to you?

You said you could do it like
pivot, pivot, pivot.

Pivot!

Thoughts? What do you think?

Good, good thoughts, yeah.

At least it's decorated.
You know, you don't have to.

Oh, remember this little guy?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, this little
runaway Christmas... bell.

-Expertly done.
-Thank you.

Ah!

Hey. So...

I was, um... I was rude
to you, I think, before.

When? Like, just now.

When you were here last time,

I feel like I may
have been rude

Um, I'm not apologizing,
per se.

-I just want to acknowledge.
-Yeah.

You did. You were kind of--

I thought that I kind of was
coming on a little too strong,

but I kind of felt
in the moment.

I felt like there was
something between us, so I...

Right. But it's not... it's
not completely wrong, per se.

It's just not, not--

There was something
between us?

You know what, can we--

Could we just run it again?

You want to reenact it?

Yes, I do. I need it
to leave.

And so if I go
through it again--

I get it. It's
the artist's process.

-Yeah. It is.
-Thank you, thank you.

-Let's go, let's go.
-It's really thoughtful.

-100 percent.
-It's up there.

Okay.

All right. Good.
This is good. So...

Oh, no, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no.

If we're doing this,
I'm going to be you.

You're going to be me, okay?

-You? I'm gonna be you.
-That's how it works.

Okay, well, let's listen.
Don't tell me what to do.

No, no, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no.

Directorial choice.
Stay standing.

Really kind of energizes it.

-Here we go.
-Here we go.

Okay. Max. Max. Max.
Max. Max.

Merry Christmas,
little lady.

Okay. All right.
I like that swagger.

I felt like I couldn't leave
without saying that

you're Christmas Carol,
while clearly brilliant,

was mostly an excellent road
to parlay our conversation

into, like, a demonstration

of some very excellent kissing
skills, of which I have.

Is this John Wayne?
Is this your John Wayne?

Do you know who
John Wayne is?

Have you ever seen
John Wayne?

Okay. So, you you don't
even speak to me.

You... you... you've never
even spoken to me.

Even though I have never
even made an effort

to try to speak to you.
-How dare you?

And which is probably

because I'm, you know,
just at the top of my game.

As a matter of fact,
I've got a speech

that I got to go make
very soon,

that's all on how theater

helps sustain a community,
you know.

I did give that speech.

I know...
and it was brilliant.

Okay, so if I did
kiss you.

You can kiss me.

I know. Um, I need you
to understand that,

uh, we will not be... dating.

Um, okay. I got one semester
left until graduation,

and then I got some some big
real world stuff to do, so...

-I know.
-You do?

Yeah. Oh, you didn't think

that you were the only
one with big plans?

I'm just saying I kiss you,
it leads to kissing,

which could lead to, like--

-Feelings?
-Yes.

Oh...

That's kind of fast there,
Mitchell.

Cool it. All right.

I am... I am fine.
I am normal. I am not a nun.

And I want to kiss you
and I should.

-You should?
-So yeah. Great.

[romantic music]

Okay. So, that's something--

[both] that
we're really good at.

Now that's something that
we're aware of.

...you and I,
in the same space.

That's-- no, no, no,
no, no, no, no.

I can't afford
any distractions.

I will come see Hamlet.

And then...

We graduate and we put
our plans into motion.

Can we be friends then?

Can we be friends without
kissing, is my question?

No, no, no, nope.
No, no, nope, nope, nope.

Goodbye.

Go... go somewhere else.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Max.

-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.

I have to say that I was not
sure about the giant tree,

but am loving it.

And I do think that we
should keep it all year.

What do you think?

-Sure.
-Good.

So, how'd it go with
Max last night?

Oh, it was fine.

-And...
-There's no and.

There doesn't always have
to be an and.

And... and... and, uh, Merry
Christmas, handsome human.

Thank you.

Um, actually, just checking.

We are still doing
thought-that-counts Christmas.

Not actual spend-money
Christmas, right?

Yes.

Okay. Continue. I'm sorry.

[gasps]

Fortieth anniversary
Rainbow Bright.

This... this is a good
thought that counts.

Right?

Oh.

What are these?

Find a show you want to see
and we're going... eventually.

Eventually.

-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.

Coffee?

Yes. Please go.

Hey, all this stuff that we do,
all of this,

like hard work and sacrificing,
we're going to be okay, right?

Alice Mitchell, are you
questioning yourself?

No. I'm okay, I'm fine.

[exhales] I'm just getting
the Christmas maudlin's.

It's okay.

We are good. We are just going
to keep on keeping on, right?

[celebratory music]

*

*

It is deceptively freezing
out there.

-Oh!
-Oh my gosh!

Alice!

Max! Hi!

-Hey.
-Hey. Hi.

Good to see you.

You look...
you look great.

Thanks, so do you.

All right, team, listen up.
It's a big night.

We've got two parties.

The first one is here and it's
the law firm office party.

[all groan]

[chop]

Thank you, Richard,
but good news.

This year there are costumes.

No Pam. No, no.

Second party is smaller.
We only need two people.

That's the Devine's
annual Christmas dinner.

All right.
Can I get two volunteers?

Double pay!

Well, there we go.

Okay.

Oh, the van's
parked out back.

You two will also
pick up the costumes.

And this year's tree,
a great big one!

Alice, I trust you to pick
one out more than him.

-Okay, let's get to it.
-What?

Uh, Pam, Pam....

Sister.

Pam... Pam, I can't drive.
I can't drive.

-I can.
-Great.

Okay. All right.

[cheerful music]

How about you?

[sniffing]

Did you... you're
smelling that tree.

-You're smelling this tree.
-Oh, yeah.

Is that a part of the process
of picking a Christmas tree?

Well...

It is a holdover
from the Yule Log,

which is meant to
symbolize warmth.

So, I think it just
has to be a tree.

But I also think it should make
the room smell nice

because scent is important.

It sure is.

You were very good
in Hamlet, by the way.

Thank you.

You know, surprisingly,

it has not helped
with my TV auditions.

Hollywood is so different
from Hamlet.

But, I mean, I have booked
a couple of small things.

-Good.
-Yeah, we'll see.

What about you?

Oh, same.

Yeah. Oh, yeah.
Yeah. Right on track.

I'm a staple at
the Overton Playhouse.

They love me there, obviously.

So, you know, it's,
uh, all going to plan, yeah.

So you were just back um--

Yeah. Um, headed back tomorrow.

-Right.
-Yeah.

Pam said that she needed
some help tonight, so.

Oh. So you descended to the
lowly level of the caterers

at Fable and Feast?
That's very charitable of you.

Do I act like
I'm better than everyone?

What are you talking about?

I mean, like, just now
you said, um,

descend to the level of...

I don't... I don't see it
that way.

I think I just never
really understood

why you always ignored me
at school.

That wasn't ignoring.
That was terror.

Yeah, you were kind
of dangerously smart.

Wow. That is really not
how I see myself.

I think this one's good.

Yeah... Oh, yeah.

Um. So I'll just, um...

...get this on the van.

Well, that was great.
He even gave me $5 off.

And you have done this.

All right, so we're going
to have to ride

with the windows open.
-I see.

But there are blankets
in the back.

Pretty smart, huh?

So that's how you thought
this one.

What do you mean?

Try it for me,
would you?

So what...
what had happened was,

I think when I was over here,
I was on top.

You didn't see this part.
I was--

I feel like
this is doable.

Okay.

Uh...

Okay.

I wish I was just a couple of
feet shorter sometimes.

Okay. My turn.

[car horn]

Right.

-See now what she did there.
-Yeah.

-You've lost your momentum.
-No, see I got it.

...which is the most
important part.

[jazzy Christmas music]

You know, I really did think

other people would be in
costume, but it's just us.

I'm furious, I look this good,
but feel this silly.

Agreed.

[sighs]

The contract clearly
says carolers.

No, it says dressed
as carolers.

Which would imply caroling.

Be ready right away.

Uh...

I made it strong.
Good luck.

Thanks.

Is it over yet?

I wish.

So Daniel and the new guy, huh?

I like this for them.

They're cute together.

Um. Not to ruin this moment.

Do you know that
we have to sing?

Why? When?

Everyone. Hey, everyone!

Can I have your attention,
please?

I just like to take
this opportunity

to thank everybody for coming
out again this year.

It's been a great year
here at...

Okay, so yes, it does seem
we need to sing a few carols.

Anyway, with that, I would
just like to hand it over

to the fine folks in costume

who are going to be taking
some requests for carols.

Why don't you get us
started off

with some, uh,
"Deck the Halls".

Yeah. "Deck the Halls".

You got it.

It's already decided...
here goes.

We got this.

Yeah, we do.
We got this. Come here.

We're gonna have some fun.

Uh, five, six, seven, eight.

[singing off key] * Deck the
halls with boughs of holly. *

* Fa la la la la
la la la la la. *

* Tis the season
to be jolly. *

* Fa la la la la la
la la la la la. *

[everyone singing wrong words]

* ...Yuletide treasure. *

* Fa la la la la la la la *

[high-pitched] * la la la . *

Yeah, I think we're done
with carols for tonight.

Thank you.
Thank you.

I didn't actually know
that I could sing that high.

I've never had
a reason to try it.

I didn't know I could sing
that bad.

When you get to
the Devines, serve these.

Take the cocktail orders,

but make sure you get these
in the oven immediately, okay?

Okay. Uh, Pam, could I change
really quick, my clothes?

No, no, there's no time.
Change there. Go!

I'll get you bag.

-Can I put my stuff?
-Of course, you can.

Pam, don't worry about it.

Max!

Oh.

Here. Go, go, go,
go, go, go, go.

Finally you're here.

I thought maybe
you weren't coming,

but the guests are arriving
in five minutes.

You're absolutely right,
Mrs. Devine, we are so sorry.

We will have this
in the oven,

drinks prepped
lickety-split, Okay?

I promise.

-That's that.
-This is not--

-Okay. We need to change.
-Right, right, right.

Where's the clothes?

Um, they would be...
back at the place.

-Okay.
-Yeah.

We can't do this.
We can't do this.

We're dressing like a Muppet
Christmas carol.

Talk bad about Muppets.

I'm not talking bad
about Muppets--

That is the best Christmas
movie of all time.

Okay? Okay, listen, we, um,
we say nothing.

We we just serve
and hope for the best.

Hey, you know what we're
supposed to blend

into the background of
these, right?

We're supposed to be
invisible... invisible.

It's not going to be
happening too much here.

[doorbell]

Oh, yeah.

I got an idea.
Go, go, go, go, go.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Oh, Merry Christmas,
one and all.

-Hello. Hi.
-Hey.

Do we have a show for you?

Yeah? All right.

Hey, Alice.

[singing circus music]

Ladies and gentlemen,
like so many bumblebees

soaring through the air
for the first time,

oranges everyone's favorite
citrus fruit

Ta-da!

[laughter]

Mimosas, anyone?

Just kidding,
it's just champagne.

It's fine.
I am just trying...

-Woah!
-Okay.

[laughing]

Yeah. Who's thirsty?

Did we hire a...
dinner theater?

I didn't think so,
but now I sort of hope so.

[applause]

Hey!!!

Okay, okay, okay, okay,
okay, okay.

[doorbell]

Oh, boy!
How do you think that went?

Our best work?

That's great, yeah. Okay.

Welcome!

Hello, Virginia.

Alright.

Lisa?

Alice?

Lobster puff?

Are you two acquainted?

I... you could love a drink,
I bet.

I can get you a drink.

Oh, remember, we have
that cranberry punch.

I can't catch
a break today...

Oh, hey.

...catch a break.

Oh, oh.
Do they not like the...

Uh, Lisa's out there, so.

Oh. That's great.
That's not great.

Why? Why is that...
why is that not great?

I may have lied to you

just like the tiniest
little bit earlier.

About what?

Well... when I said
that I was making myself

valuable at the theater,
what I should have said

is that it was a...
a spectacular failure.

So...

Hello.

Hi.

I was wondering--

Yes. Cranberry punch.

And I will bring it
out here with me.

After loving the place so much,

we contacted the director, Lisa.

Turns out she's also
the artistic director

at that theater.

Thank you.

Yes and well...
I have been trying

to convince these two
to join the Board.

That poor place, everything
falling apart at once.

Shame.

Excuse me.

Yes.

That costume, is it part
of the catering service?

Bob, don't be nosy.

We're running late
from another catering gig

that required these, so.
[laughs nervously]

Yes.

Hey, Lisa.

Hi, Max.

Now, how do you two
know each other?

You know, we don't have
to interrupt your party.

We can go.
We can go made dinner.

No, no, no, I teach
at the theater program

that Max and Alice
graduated from.

What do people learn
in theater school?

Theater school really is...

it's paying a lot of money
to learn how to play games.

Can we play one?

A game?
You want to play a game now?

[crowd is in agreement]

Okay. There's a game
called Santa's lap.

-Oh, yeah, yeah.
-Santa's Lap, so...

-Is that a good one?
-Yeah.

Here's how it works. So...

You take turns being Santa
and someone sits on your lap.

Uh, and you would ask, what
do you want for Christmas?

I might say... diamonds.

And you would try
to guess who it is.

Uh... Elizabeth Taylor!

Um, okay.

A baseball player
and a president.

Marilyn Monroe.

There you go.

Virginia...

Oh, I love this game!

My turn.

Bob, you're Santa.

-Oh!
-Come on, Bob.

Here we go.

Ho, ho, ho!

What would you
like for Christmas?

Do they cater
a lot in Dickensian?

Whoa!

I don't even think
they knew

what Dickensian
actually meant.

They probably thought
they were just them.

Wait, wait a second.

Earlier you said something
about... failing.

What did you mean?

Okay. Um... Lisa...

Lisa asked me to do some
volunteer work at the theater,

and I did,
and then, um, it got hard.

It got really involved,
which is fine.

You know, I don't... I don't
mind hard work at all,

but they raised our rent,
and and my student loans

are really intense, and I just
I took more catering shifts,

and I just kind
of stopped going.

Well, it sounds like you made
the reasonable choice.

It feels like a failure.

And I know that Lisa's
disappointed in me,

which is just...

I haven't booked a thing. Okay?

Like, a lot of auditions,
you know?

Yeah.

That part's
pretty consistent, but...

It's bartending.
That's pretty much it.

That's okay.

So there we are, right?

We both told some lies,
but like...

We're fine.

And since when is lying
caused trouble for anyone?

Famously never.

Yeah. It's like not going
to start now.

Not a single time.

-Okay. So I'm going to go...
-Probably could.

I am going to go change.

-I'll see you--
-Okay.

I'll see you later.

-They're back.
-Yes!

We did it!
We're alive!

Oh, and that concludes
the end of our winter season.

Thank goodness.

Oh, yeah.

Are you, um, going to take
the tree home this year?

Oh, no, no. Um...

Maybe next year. Daniel's going
home for a few days, so.

So you're just going to not
have a tree at all?

Just a small one.

Neither my Mom or I could
afford to travel this year, so.

You're not spending
Christmas alone, are you?

Why do people do this
every time I say it?

Maybe we care.

It's fine.
I'm fine.

It's not a big deal.

I'm looking forward
to it, actually.

Good job team.

Thanks for another
great season.

All right. I'm going to stick
around and shut down.

But have a great Christmas
with Mom and Dad.

Tell them I love them.

Okay. Love you.

Merry Christmas, Pam.

Merry Christmas darlings I
love each and every one of you.

-[kissing sounds]
-Merry Christmas, Claire.

-Alice, I'll see you at home.
-Bye.

Claire, why don't
you ask Claire?

Just see what she's up to.

Maybe she'll be up for--

I let this go and
you should let it go.

Can I at least walk you out?

Yeah alright.

You know what I mean?
Yeah, no idea.

It's cold.

Yeah, they think that...
they think that it's cold.

-Oh, oh. Thank goodness.
-Lisa.

-Hi.
-Hi.

I thought you might
still be here.

I took a chance.

Congratulations you two.

You successfully charmed the
Devines into joining the Board.

What?

Yes. They thought it was lovely

to see such a happy young
couple pursuing their dreams.

Oh.

Oh, okay.
That's kind of funny.

We're really not,
there's not--

Oh, well, either way,
they are now donors.

And while there is not enough
money for a full-time position.

There is enough
for a part-time one.

You want me? Lisa,
I... I disappeared.

All you did was not return
a few emails

and try to make a living.

Next time, just let me know...
I get it.

Just don't do it again.

I will never do it again,
I promise, Lisa.

Then you come and see me
the first of the year...

and Max... break a leg!

Thank you.

Thank you. Lisa.
Good night, bye.

[Lisa] Good night.

[laughs]

-What?
-What?!

Oh, congratulations.

Thanks.

Wow.

I mean, I have to go back
to LA for so many reasons.

I just... I wish I could spend
Christmas with you here.

Are we friends now?
Did we make it?

I think despite
our best efforts,

we have made it

and we should keep in touch.

Merry Christmas, Max.

Merry Christmas, Alice.

And I am having fun
watching Ashley Williams

magically restores hope
at Christmas.

She is bottled charm,
that woman.

She should be in everything.

Oh, next week I start part time
at the theater

and I'm still catering.

Oh, I'm sorry that
I couldn't fly you home.

It's okay. Mom,

we, uh, we make tough
choices some years, right?

Are you happy?

Yeah, I think I am.

Merry Christmas, peanut.

Merry Christmas, Mom.

*

* I *

* Thought I'd said the words. *

* Felt the way love works *

* Seen it standing
in the star. *

* Now I know I never knew. *

* Till I was telling you. *

* Till I was telling you. *

* I felt the sky
but never flew *

* Till I was telling you. *

* Till I was telling you. *

*

Do we have to hang
this up here?

I should make you
autograph this.

You... no.

Come on.
It's a national commercial.

Let me be proud of
my baby brother.

'Cause Mom and Dad aren't.

They are.

They just don't really know
how to show that they're proud

or really how to deal with
either of us in general.

Well, I mean, their daughter
got into med school

and then started
a catering company.

[laughs] So there's that part.

And then they're
extraordinarily handsome son

is an actor, so I wouldn't
know what to do either.

Okay. Tonight is
that crafting party?

Mm. Yes. With the,
um, stove. Okay.

That's the one.

I'll load this up.

Hi.

Wow. Hi.

Hi.

Congratulations on your--
on the ad and the print thing.

Thank you.
Thank you, thank you.

Listen, I'm sorry. I really
should have been better

about responding to your texts.

Yeah. You kind of ghosted me.

-I kind of did, didn't I?
-Yeah, you did.

I'm sorry.

It's really.
It's... it's okay.

It really is fine.

Like, we we agreed that
we should just be friends.

I still think that that's,
you know, the--

It's like the smartest
thing to do.

Yeah. Friends?

Yeah. I'm sorry.

Yeah. No, it's--

What is that?
What are you doing?

It's, uh.
It's mulled wine.

It's all the headache
without any of the buzz.

It's perfect.

-So...
-Finally.

I've got to... I've got
to load it into the thing.

Yeah, yeah.
Do you need, um...

[cheerful music]

What are...
what are these?

Orange pomanders.

In the olden days, they used
to decorate oranges

with cloves to avoid scurvy
or I don't know...

bandits or something like that.

Scurvy?

Bandits?

Okay. Just go. Leave.
Go. Get out of here.

What are the odds that
I can tell you something

just sort of intense?

I would say that odds
are pretty good,

but I do require it
to be good news,

because this party is very
busy, and I'm bad at this.

I'm moving to New York.

What did I just say to you?

I know, I know...

With my mouth when I
said good news, I said.

I got the job with Naidre Lee,
she only takes on one sous chef

like every two years,
blah, blah, blah.

A chance of a lifetime.
Da da da da.

Sh, sh, sh. I am
so proud of you.

I'm so proud of you.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

So... I was thinking maybe
you should come with me. Huh?

Huh?

-Yeah. Okay.
-What?

You know, I got a lot of...

I got a lot of stuff
keeping me busy here.

-I got a pretty hefty--
-Shush now, child.

It is New York.

It is where we keep
theater like as a nation.

I'm fine here.

I'm happy, I like it,
and I have a plan.

I have a plan.

Oh, I forgot about
these oranges.

Please take them over
to Max.

Yeah.

Congratulations, Claire.

-Hi.
-Hey.

You know, it never really
occurred to me how many ways

you can turn nature into decor,
but here we are.

Well, if you needed
50 extra oranges.

-Oh, yeah.
-You're in luck.

For 40 or so, so 10 extra
is good. Thank you.

[gentle music]

Look at you, what, were you
in the scouts or something?

I was actually.

Yeah, yeah, no scouts.
Space camp.

It drove my parents crazy.

We're in a good place now.

It's probably all
the Christmas.

-Sure.
-Yeah.

What about you?

Is your Mom coming home
for Christmas?

No, no, not this year.

She had kind of a tough couple
of years financially,

so she tends not to let me in
on her plans until they happen.

I'm trying to not...
not be too worried, but...

You're not spending
Christmas alone... again.

Actually, I am spending it at
the flophouse with everybody

and you should come.

That's... I...

Maybe. Yeah, maybe.
Can I, um, tell you later?

-Oh, yeah.
-Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's not like a deal.

I'm gonna actually...

I need to go help Claire
with the pots.

Yeah.

Pots?

*

I'm... really starting
to love this tree

being here every year.

It's nice to have somebody
to count on, isn't it?

Last party tomorrow.

Yup.

All right.

[Jazzy Christmas music]

Hey, Max.

Hey, do you think you could
cover for me

for, like, an hour?

Lisa asked me to swing
by the theatre.

I'm just gonna throw my--
on and run.

Yeah.

You okay?

I'm going to tell
you something,

and I need you to
keep it between us.

Yeah. Of course.
You okay?

My agent called, and I
am going back to L.A. tomorrow.

Two days before Christmas?

Yeah. Um, that elf commercial,
that... yeah.

Well, paycheck.

And it got me
a lot of auditions.

One of them happens to be
a really big movie,

and they liked me a lot,
and they kept asking me back.

I have one more meeting.

-Max?
-[laughs]

That's amazing!

Wait. What's the...
what's the movie?

What's the movie?

-I can't tell you.
-Shut up!

But, it's... I don't
want to jinx it. So...

-That means it's huge.
-Possibly.

If you can't say anything,
that means it's huge!

Possibly. I mean...

I'm so proud of you.
I'm so proud of you.

-I'm so proud of you.
-Thank you.

[romantic music]

You... I will see you
in an hour.

-Yup.
-In a minute.

-Here. Cool. Bye.
-Okay.

*

Hi.

Hi. How was it? How was
it? How was the show?

Did you manage to get the kid

to stop calling the reindeer
her dad?

Oh, I wish.

No, not once
the entire run of the show.

-Not at all.
-No, I wish.

Wow.

But that's okay.
It doesn't matter.

Another Christmas show
down for the books

and an offer.

Wait? For us?
For the theater?

For you.

What do you mean?

Well, Alice, you made

some great suggestions
this last run.

The Santa swing,
the Christmas tree dance.

Everybody's favorite moment.

Well, I can tell you

that my mother will be
thrilled to hear that.

And with the endowment increase
from the Devines,

how would you like
to assist and direct

for the whole season
next year for me... paid.

Paid?

It's not a lot of money,
but--

No, no, no, it's enough.
The money is enough.

Yes, yes!

Are you kidding?
Absolutely, of course!

Thank you!

Merry Christmas, Alice.

Merry Christmas, Lisa.

[laughs]

I gotta go. Bye.

Bye Alice.

[cheerful music]

[laughter]

There she is.

Alice, your first
for Secret Santa.

What? Why?

First one I picked up.

Okay.

Open it and then guess
who got it for you.

Okay.

Ah, let me see.

Okay. Ooh!

It's Christmas in... space.
[echoing] Space, space, space.

[laughter]

Thank you... Micah.

Obviously.

It's an instant classic

and rumors is they're
making it into a movie.

Great.

Okay, okay. Who's next?
Who's next?

-Claire.
-Oh, that's a big one.

-Oh, boy.
-Yeah, no kidding.

Okay, here we go.

[Claire] I love this.

-Max!
-What?

That's for you.

[Max] Got it.

Okay. Thank you.

I've needed something like this,
actually. Thank you.

I'm gonna get a drink.

-That's a great idea.
-Drink?

That's a great idea.
Let's do it.

-Yep. You guys want to--
-Anyone want a drink?

What?

Christmas in Space is the
movie that you're up for?

-It's Christmas in Space!
-I'm up for it.

Hold on, hold on. Focus.
Sh, sh, sh!

This is going to be huge,
this movie.

They already cast Daphne Day.

-[Alice] What?!
-[Max] Shh!!!

-Daph!
-Sh, sh!

I don't... I don't
want anyone to know. Okay?

Don't honestly don't even
talk to me about it

because I don't want
to jinx it.

I have something,
I have something.

Lisa, she asked me
to assist and direct

the entire season... paid.

Alice...

And including the Christmas
the Christmas play.

-Alice!
-Isn't it everything
that you wanted?

-I get to do my Christmas.
-Oh my God!

[romantic music]

We should...

-We should--
-So...

Um...

Yeah.

-In... yeah.
-Mmhmm.

Okay.

-Um...
-Yeah. It's...

Okay.

-Hey.
-Hey.

-Hi.
-Hi, guys.

You don't have any drinks?

Uh...

-No.
-Right.

No. Didn't get any of
those this time around. Um...

You're the only one
that knows

how to get a tree
up the stairs.

He has a flight
in the morning--

-He has to get on a plane.
-You can make that.

Come on, guys,
it's Christmas.

-You're coming with us.
-Come on!

This doesn't change planes.
I mean, I think that--

Whose idea was this again?

Branch and face.
Branch and face.

You guys look so good.

-Why is Claire in the middle?
-[laughing]

You guys are gonna want
to keep going straight.

The hills to the right.

They're just going to do it.
Okay.

So we... we... we...

So we got a little
a little bit carried away.

-Yeah.
-And that's okay, that's fine.

-Spirit of the season.
-It happens.

Listen there's excitement
in the air.

Sugarplum fairies dancing
in my head.

Sugarplum what?
In your who? What?

I...

Listen, I just mean that
I feel like being friends

was really working for us.
Right?

We're both doing really well
in our...

in our respective fields.

-Right?
-Yeah. Except for the fact

that we can't stop
making out.

Kissing, right?

Well, no, of course that's...
and that's...

and that's we're not good
at that but it's...

Well...

No, no, I mean we are good.
Obviously we're good.

That's not what I mean.

Um, I... I need to do
a good job for Lisa.

And you have this audition
and it's huge.

And if you messed it up

because you were distracted
or you were...

Yeah. No, no, you would
never be a distraction, Al.

You're such an inspiration.

What?

Yeah. You driven you're...
you're hard-working.

You're kind, you're smart.

You don't take no
for an answer.

I wish I could do that better.

I think that we just
keep being smart.

Are you helping or what?

Yeah, yeah.

Merry Christmas, Max.

Merry Christmas... Alice.

*

[Alice] Why did they put you
on this end?

Yeah.

[exhales]

-Pretzels?
-Thanks.

You okay?

-Yeah, I'm okay.
-Okay.

*

Yeah. It was a nice Christmas,
Mom, we had fun.

Yeah.

No, Max. Max had to go back.
Yeah.

Yes. We all wish him luck.

* This is not the end. *

Hey, Max. It's me.
I just, uh...

just calling to see how you are
and see how the movie's going.

Uh, I'm sure that you're
very busy,

so you just give me a call
back if you have time, okay?

* Just have a little
faith in me. *

I think Max has done
this movie, actually, Mom.

No, I have not heard from him.

* ...Spring comes
after winter. *

It... Mom, it's fine.

I have to focus on
the show anyway, it's fine.

Because he can do his own
thing, whatever.

Uh huh.

* Spring comes after winter. *

[voicemail] Hey, this is Max.
Leave a message.

* ...so please don't
give up now. *

*

* Spring comes
after winter. *

* Never mind
the weather. *

* Keep your head up high. *

I'm just heading into work,
Mom.

I know, I know,
it's your busy season.

* Nothing lasts forever.
Keep your head up high. *

It feels a little lackluster
this year, honestly.

I guess so.

Okay. I'm just--

Sorry. I'm just
coming into work, Mom.

So I got to let you go, but
I'll call you later, okay?

All right.
I love you, too. Bye.

Have we heard from all those
people that called in sick?

It's really hard being
short-staffed this time of year.

Where... Max's party?

Are we throwing a party
for Max?

Oh, he didn't tell you?

Our parents are
throwing him

a holiday/congratulations

on your space movie /you're
our new favorite... party.

I'm sorry.

I can't believe he's doing
a movie with Daphne Day.

Daphne Day.
I love Daphne Day.

She's amazing.

Yeah... she's great.

[photos snapping]

[clears throat]

Could you make sure somebody
collects a few more glasses?

Yes, absolutely.
Yeah, of course.

Hey, Mom, can you--

No, not right now.
No, no.

Oh, hey, honey.

She is on a mission today.

She needs to be stopped.

[exhales]

Hi.

You must be freezing,
you want my jacket?

No, no, no. I'm okay.
Please, please don't do that.

Please don't... don't,
I'm fine.

I ghosted you.

It was never even my intention.
I'm sorry.

Max, I really don't want
to do this right now.

We're at a party for literally

all of your hopes and dreams
coming true, and that's great.

But I am also at that party
as a waiter, so.

And my friend.

We haven't said hello
in a year.

I wanted to give you space,
so I didn't text.

No, it's okay.
I got to read about you

on the internet.

And that-- like, I should have
picked up the phone

and I should have
told you about the experience.

And like things that you
probably see on social.

That's... that's okay.
That part's fine.

It's... it's crazy.
It's amazing.

I'm really--
I'm really proud of you.

I didn't I didn't want you
to feel like

you had some kind
of hanger on.

You know,
you don't need me.

You got a really fancy,
cool life,

and you're in magazines,
which is amazing.

And so I just didn't want to...
I didn't want to bother you.

-Max...
-Oh!

I'm so sorry.

Uh, Alice, this is Daphne.

-Alice.
-Hi.

You're Alice.

Alice is me.
Yes, hi.

I'm Daphne.

I know, I know who you are.
I'm a huge fan.

I'm a huge fortified fan.

I can fix this, I can.
I can fix this.

Come. Please come with me.

Okay. This is fixable.
I can do this.

This is fine.
This is doable.

Hi, Richard.

Okay. You need
a change of clothes.

Daphne Day.

Be cool, Richard.

They're back at Max's
parents' place, the guest room.

Yeah.

Um, okay. How fast
do you think

you could get out there
and back?

An hour... more.

Alice, we need you out
on the floor.

We're absolutely swamped.

Sure. Pam, I was
going to ask you.

Just a little tiny problem.

What happened
to your dress?

There are photographers
out there.

I know, but...

maybe this will make me look
more down to earth.

All Christmas cheers.

You know, in case we've ruined
a story for beloved fans.

What do you mean?

The reviews are getting
posted tomorrow

and we're a little nervous.
-Yeah.

You know what?
I think I have an idea.

*

[camera shutters snapping]

What's happening here?

They're really short-staffed.

Figured we could
all pitch in.

Grab a tray, it's fun.

And now Daphne Day
is serving drinks.

Huh. [exhales]
She was on a soap opera.

Mom, if your main concern
is whether or not

the service is good,
you're missing the point.

Hi.

Max. When you hire a caterer.

You're at a Christmas party...

with your friends
and your family,

who happen to be working,
Okay?

Just be kind.

That's it.

Hey.

It's delicious.

That's ridiculous.

Look at this:
A sweetheart work party.

What does that even mean?

Doesn't matter.
Publicists are thrilled.

You think it'll save the movie?

Nothing can save that movie.

But I think our little game of
are they or aren't they

could help
get people to see it.

Very good looking, Max.
[laughs]

[tender music]

So we really don't
have to do it anymore.

I think we're done.

[sigh of relief]

You're right about Alice.
She's spectacular.

Yes, she is.

So it's impossible?

You really saved that party
back there.

Thank you, Alice.

Yeah. I wasn't about
to let your girlfriend

go walking around--

Oh, she's not my girlfriend.

Okay, whatever... whatever
you want to call it.

No, no, truly, we didn't
even get along

for most of the shoot.

Yeah, then people started
seeing us together

and promo and stuff,

and it made them want
to see the movie more.

So we kind of just...
never confirmed or denied it.

Max, that is like...

-I know.
-Just impossibly glamorous.

What are you talking about,
Hollywood?

Tell me.
Tell me things.

'Cause I want to hear about it.
Tell me.

-No, no.
-Why?

I want to-- I want
to hear about here.

You know, I miss...
I miss all of you.

I don't really know
what to tell you.

It's all the same here.
It's just...

work and catering and
hoping for more, you know?

It takes a while, I guess.

Not for you, apparently,
but I'm joking.

I'm kidding,
I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

I'm so proud of you.
I am jealous.

I'm jealous like I have never
known in my life.

But I'm still very
proud of you.

Thank you, Alice.

You're further along
than you think.

Yeah, maybe.

It's fitting that
you're here.

You kind of are...

I don't know, you kind of are
Christmas to me now, so.

I feel the same.

Yeah. You're right, I mean...

Every year... somehow we're
right back here, aren't we?

Listen, come by for
Christmas Eve, okay?

If you can get away.

I would love that.

Okay.

-Alright.
-Bye.

-Bye.
-Bye.

*

If you have any
other questions,

you can come back
and ask, okay?

Merry Christmas.
Have fun.

The critics reviews for
Max's movie are not good.

It's just the critics.

See what happens when
it actually comes out.

Poor Max, hope he's okay.

Hi. Here for the wreath-making.

This one's cool because you
can weave your wishes right in.

-Ooo.
-I'll show you.

Oh, you're doing
the wreath thing.

All right.

Hi.

Hi.

Are you okay?

I'm just not thrilled at
the idea of my career ending

before it even started.

Yeah, I hear you.

Okay, well...

There's not a lot that
I can do, but...

You can make it your
Christmas wish?

-For real?
-Yes.

Hey, you're at the booth.
Respect the booth.

Okay, okay.

You can make it your
Christmas wish, and you
just pin it right there.

-Okay.
-All right.

Follow up. Do you
actually think

that you made the nice list
this year?

Oh, definitely not.

Not by any stretch
of the imagination.

No, no, no, no.

Listen...

Come and have Christmas dinner
with us, okay?

I'd be happy to.

Good.

[cheerful music]

[laughter]

Oh, I almost forgot.

Micah's family has this
adorable Christmas tradition.

So we put Christmas
conversation prompts

in a bowl every year
for after dinner.

Wow.

Um... Micah's family
sounds like a lot.

-[laughter]
-Yes, yes they are.

-You survived.
-In the best way, though.

So... I've collected a few
of the best questions.

Who's ready for
Christmas memories?

Man, do I love my
Christmas memories.

[laughter]

Okay, uh, if you could
spend Christmas

anywhere in the world,
where would it be?

Serious answer.

Right here.

Okay, whatever.

No, I'm not being--
Christmas is my favorite.

I always love Christmas.

But now it's usually
rushing around and doing
everything I can

to spend time with family,
which is lovely.

And I love my family.

But a Christmas with friends,
that's... it's special.

Hard to forget.

Yeah. Anyway.

Wow. Okay, I guess I have
to follow that.

-That's, uh.
-Well...

Thanks. Thanks a lot. [laughs]

Oh, man.

Uh, what was the first thing

that you asked Santa
for as a child?

Okay. I made Santa cry
when I was a child.

Aww.

Um... In his defense,

I was like five or six
and I got up onto his lap

and Mom says that I whispered
something in his ear.

Um, I was very cute and small,

and apparently he--
he started crying

and then he had to,
like, leave,

and the line got really long
and people were kind of,

you know, as I'm talking
about this,

I'm realizing this is
a deep wound.

So that that's--
that's my answer.

No. Come on.
You have to tell us.

Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay,
I... friends, friends.

I wished for friends.
I wanted friends.

Like the TV show.

What is happening here?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
That was... [laughs]

Um. No, I just, uh,

none of the other kids liked
the stuff that I liked.

And I felt really lonely

and kind of like
a weird person, and...

and I asked for friends
because I didn't...

I didn't know that I would
meet you guys

because you are also
very weird people.

Especially him.

I'm minding my own business.

To weird people

and people who are just
minding their own business.

-[laughter]
-Yeah, cheers.

To no more loneliness.

[sighs]

All right.
I think that's the last one.

Thank you so much
for staying to help.

I really appreciate it.

Yeah, it's my pleasure.
Are you gonna be good?

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Listen, Ashley Williams
is about to go and find love

in a small town that may or
may not be in a snow globe

or a painting or both.
I haven't figured it out yet.

That sounds like a great film.

-It is.
-Uh-huh. Right.

You, um...

You're more than welcome
to join me if you want to.

[laughs]

Okay.

You know...

-I would love to.
-You would.

I would.

All right, I'm gonna...
I'm gonna make some popcorn.

-Okay.
-Okay.

-I love popcorn.
-Great, good.

* O holy night, *

* the stars
are brightly shining. *

* It is the night *

* Of our dear Savior's birth. *

* Long lay the world *

* In sin and error pining. *

* til he appears *

* And the soul felt... *

[tender music]

Hi.

-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.

I didn't mean to fall asleep.

-Me either.
-[yawns]

Did Santa bring coffee?

I don't know. You want me
to go check?

Yeah.

Okay. Yeah, yeah.
You too. Merry Christmas, Mom.

How did that go?

Well, they decided to spend the
day at my worst uncle's house.

Oh, good.
How many uncles do you have?

-One. Um...
-[laughs]

-Merry Christmas.
-[both] Merry Christmas.

Aww.

I love Christmas time
in the city.

Yeah.

Everyone's so nice.

It's quiet too,
because everybody's...

everybody's at the movies
or at church

or with their family
or whatever.

We have it all to ourselves.

You hungry?

Perpetually, yeah.

Pam, gave me keys.

[gasps]

We're gonna go
that way... yup.

[cheerful music]

[laughing and chatting]

[guitar strumming]

Hi.

Hey.

That's Nice.

Just noodling.

Making it up as I go.
Sound familiar?

Okay, I'm going to say
something,

and I think that it might be
a little bit controversial.

Okay.

I think this is the best
Christmas I've ever had.

-Wow.
-Mm.

It's a bold statement there.

[laughing]

I like being seen the way
that you see me, Max.

It's really nice.

We're gonna be okay... Al.

Oh, you mean all the things
we've been working for

for four years suddenly
on our doorstep or...

Come with me.

To the premiere?

To the premiere, Los Angeles,
all of it.

You can...
You can work anywhere.

You can do anything there.

-Max...
-We can't keep doing this.

I have fallen so deeply
in love with you.

Come with me.

[Jazzy Christmas music]

And you said yes, right?

I said that I needed
to think about it.

And then I turned around
and I left... is what I did.

Um...

And then I called him
and I said, yes,

and I'm going to go meet him
in an hour, so...

-That's great.
-Yeah.

I'm glad.
I'm glad you said so.

I don't know, it feels...

Alice... it's brave.

Go.

-Yeah?
-Yes. Yeah.

Okay. You got this.

Oh, I love you.

I'm going, I'm going, I promise,
I promise.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Uh-huh.

Are you serious?

You really think
it's a good idea?

Of course it's a good idea.

Come here.

You two are about to take
over the world together.

-I love you.
-I love you.

-Hey.
-Hey, Pam.

Hey.

Hey, can I talk to you
for a minute?

Yeah, yeah.
Are you ready?

Where's your bag?

Kind of ready. Um...

Max, Lisa just called
and the school offered her

head of the department
and when they asked

who she wanted to run
the Overton...

She said you.

They already have the season
that I oversee, but, um...

I get to direct my
Christmas Carol next year?

Alice, that is...
that's awesome.

Wow. Okay. Well, then...
there's your answer.

Stay here and...

Yeah, but you'll be back.

You're going to come back,

and then we can figure out
how to do the thing.

If we-- if we really wanted to
make this work long distance,

we would have already, right?

Yeah, I know.

So, I guess...

We call it.

We go out in the world,

we... we do our thing,
we meet new people.

We don't need new people.
I don't want to meet people.

I don't either.

I don't...

Do we really want to keep
doing this, though?

Where we see each other
year after year,

and we feel more and more
for each other

and keep doing nothing
about it.

Not particularly, no.

We can't keep waiting
for each other.

Goodbye, Alice.

Bye.

* This time of year is always
felt its wonder. *

* and I wonder what you'd
say to save me now. *

* There's nothing
I could say *

* except I love you always. *

* And adorn you with your
favorite tinsel crown *

*

*

*

*

There she is.
So... opening night.

How are you feeling?

My Mom just got here,
and I think that she's going

to try to redecorate my entire
apartment before tonight,

and we're opening to a sold out
house, which is great,

except that we haven't
gotten the trap door

to work a single time.

Except for the one time
that we lost Tiny Tim,

which was a little bit
of a nightmare.

So I'm pretty sure that
the solution is

going to be more coffee.

I'm going to switch you
back to hot chocolate.

Why?

Christmas and all.

Oh, great. Everything
is all set for tonight.

The menu is gorgeous.
We've got extra help.

We are about to throw you
the best

opening night/Christmas party
you have ever seen.

Tonight we celebrate.

Okay. I can't believe you're
doing this to me.

Good brain.

Hey! That's mine.

You can come out now.

I... I was not hiding.

I'm just, uh...
doing tray stuff.

Max... just call her.
You've been home for two weeks.

Not yet.

Look, Pam, I appreciate

everything that you've done
for me.

Truly.

And if you want me
off of your couch,

I can find a new spot.

What? No, no.
Stay as long as you want.

Look, you traveled the world,

you've gone on all
these big adventures.

Now it is time for you

to stop making us tiptoe
around you and Alice.

I'm not going to do anything,
though until after her show.

It's a big deal and I don't
want to mess it up.

Oh, honey, you look amazing.

Thank you.

Here.
I want you to have these.

They were your grandmother's.
She hated them.

She hated them? Why?
They're gorgeous.

Complicated woman,
a real force.

No kidding.
Thank you.

I love you.

Hey.

I know you sacrificed a lot
for me when I was little.

I know, and I want you
to know that I get it

and I appreciate it.

And it really means a lot to me
that you were finally able

to be here for Christmas.

Peanut, are you okay?

Yeah. I'm okay.

I think that, um...

I'm finally starting to
understand how much it means

to have somebody here
this time of year.

I love you.

I love you, too.

[exhales] Okay.

I have to run by dinner
with somebody at the Board,

and then I will see you
at the theater.

Knock them dead.

[squeals]

[upbeat music]

[doorbell]

-Hi.
-Hi.

-How are you, Bob?
-Happy opening night.

-Thank you so much.
-Let me take your coat.

Sure. Yeah, I can only...

I can only stay for a
little while unfortunately,

but I wanted to swing by.

We have heard some very
strange things about your play.

You'll love it, I promise.

You're right, what could we be
fretting about... nothing.

You got it. Okay.

Hey, can I get you something?

You know, how about
for old-times sake?

I just pop in there,
I'll grab it myself.

I'll be right back out.

-Okay.
-Sure.

Max.

-Hi.
-Hey.

What are you...
what are you doing?

Doing what a lot of actors
do this time of year.

Catering a Christmas party.

Right. So, did you just get back
to town or?

Can we, um...
can we catch up later?

Max. Max...

Alice, Christmas standards,

Burt Bacharach
or Irving Berlin.

"White Christmas".
by Irving Berlin.

Max... I'm so sorry.

I had no idea that you
were gonna be here.

Lisa invited me,
I can leave.

Alice, it's okay, really.
I'm working so enjoy yourself.

Max, come on.
Are you sure?

Max...

Hi.

Can I just...
Can you just let me--

Yeah.

Um...

I made you feel second
to a job.

[teary] Because I was really,
really, really afraid

of what you would think
of me if I failed.

Which is stupid.

Because I love you.

I know that my timing
is horrible.

It could not be worse.

But I had to tell you because
if I fail tonight, then...

Then I will have wasted five
Christmases not telling you.

And... and if I succeed,
then I don't want you to think

that it wasn't true
in the first place.

Alice, I get it.

Break a leg tonight.

[melancholy music]

All right, everyone,
I'm sorry to run,

but, uh, I've got curtain
in a couple of hours,

so I'll see you all there.

-All the best.
-Cheers to you.

Thank you so much for coming.
Enjoy. Thanks.

Okay, suit. Hi.

Not... not hello,
goodbye, suit.

What is... Oh, My gosh!
No! Shut up!

Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi.
Oh my gosh!!!

How are you?

Claire is back.

-Wait. Back back?
-Back, back.

Why? Why?

We can talk about
all of that later.

I'm here for the spectacle.

Excellent.

Ready?

I'm so sorry.

Actually, uh, he can't come in.
He doesn't have a ticket.

There's been a terrible mix-up,

so unfortunately, I am going
to have to reissue these.

What is this?

Deepest apologies.

Oh, wow.

We never used these.

Mmhmm.

You can give them back
to me next Christmas.

Hey, you didn't see Max
outside by any chance, did you?

No. I haven't seen him.

Okay. That's okay.

Alice, it's your big night.

Let's enjoy it.

Yeah, you're right.

Oh, that is our cue.
It's starting.

Mom's inside.
She's holding seats.

-Okay.
-She'll see you.

Okay.

[emotional music]

[Christmas music]

-Alice!
-Hi.

-Everyone...
-Shhh!

may I present the visionary
behind tonight's

stunning production
of "A Christmas Carol".

[applause]

[crowd] Alice!

Thank you, thank you,
thank you so much!

Thank you.

-Wow.
-Hi.

It's about time the world had
a Scrooge with that spark.

Thank you so much, Virginia.

-Alice.
-Hi, Lisa.

Thank you so much
for coming.

Thank you, thank you,
thank you.

There are artistic
directors here

from other theaters
who would love to meet you.

Sure. Yeah.

I'm going to go see
if I can find them.

Okay. Thank you.

Hey.

Are you okay?

Um...

So-So.

What's the matter?

I can't breathe. I feel
like I can't breathe.

-Okay, come with me.
-Okay.

Hey. Just take a deep breath.

Yeah. It's okay.

It's okay, it's okay.
I worked for this.

It feels good to know
I worked for this.

I always thought I could do
it, and now I know that I can.

But something's missing.

Yeah.

This is my fault.

No it's not, Mom... You just...
You don't understand.

You and I,
we're not that different.

We both have that
go-getter gene.

Right. That's a good thing.

Well, it can be,

but it can also close you off
to other things.

I mean, all those goals
that we stay loyal to

and the successes
that we aim for.

They mean so much more

when you've lived
a life around them.

And the laughter, the struggles,
the adventure

and the love.

That's what makes you whole.

Without all of those things
success is just...

...hollow.

Let's tell that big brain
of yours to take a break

and let your heart
take the wheel.

I promise you...
it's going to be worth it.

It's really regular-sized,
but...

[laughter]

-I love you.
-I love you, too.

Oh, sorry.

-Came in for more sliders.
-Yeah.

-I'll see you back out there.
-Okay.

[exhales] Oh. Hi, Richard.

Nice job with the play, kid.

You were there?

Of course. Loved it.

Loved that handsome dude's
Christmas space movie.

You're all spectacular.

Richard. What?

Now, take this
out to the alley.

That's a weird thing to say.

You, um... you know that
I'm not... not working, right?

I know.

The alley.

[tender music]

-Hi.
-Hi.

Wow. Hi, hi. Um...

Slider?

Yeah, I think these
are, uh, mini burgers.

They're beef burgers
with rosemary.

-cranberry and cheese.
-Yeah.

Herbed mayo, yeah.

Al... I don't even know
where to begin.

I'm so proud of you.
You did it.

You finally did the show
that you've been dying to do.

You saw it?

Of course.

I snuck in right around the
time Ghost of Christmas Future

was doing that whole
speech on climate change

and how mistletoe's
going extinct.

Yep.

That one... uh, yeah.

[laughs] Thanks.

You did really well, Al.

How does it feel?

Like... like Christmas morning.

Yeah.

You never put your
job before me.

We both wanted something
so badly,

and we wouldn't let anything
get in the way of it.

It's just crazy...

because of that,
it finally happens.

And then you realize that it
would all be so much better.

It would be better
if you were sharing it

with the right person, yeah.

Like Christmas morning.

Christmas, it used to be
something I just kind of did,

and I'm realizing
now it's something

I don't know how to do
without you.

I don't know how I'm spending
Christmas this year.

With me.
Spend it with me.

Only if...

we can spend the rest
of the year together.

Yeah.

[romantic music]

Even, even, even...

Even if we're really busy
and we're in different places.

Especially.. especially then.

Okay.

I think we know we need
each other.

You want to be scared with me?

[laughs]

Yes.

[upbeat music]

When was the last time
you saw my commercial.

[laughs]

Alice!

Hi.

[both] Congratulations.

Thank you.

Good to see you.

And you, Max...

you were great in
that space movie.

I think you might be the
only one that thinks so.

I read the trades.

You just signed on
to that new TV series.

You'll never guess
who's my sister?

No.

[both] Ashley Williams.

What are you talking about?

Here, take a glass, everyone.

Thank you.

Pam, get in here.

Cheers.

Wooo!!!

Come on, it's a party.

-[cheering]
-[Pam] We're dancing!

Get in here.

[laughing]

Merry Christmas, Max.

Merry Christmas, Alice.

[cheerful music]