Farewell Mr. Kringle (2010) Movie Script
1
Mistletoe,
I want you to join me
in giving a special shout out
to the donor of
this year's Christmas tree,
Mr. mark Stafford!
Yes, mark!
Thank you, mark.
And as soon as our guest
of honor arrives,
we can light this tree, huh?
Yes!
Ha ha ha ha!
Ho ho ho!
Seasons greetings, kris!
I had to deliver your mail
after hours,
there was so much
addressed to Santa.
How's Martha?
Ah, ornery as ever.
She made a special batch
of cookies for you.
I'd feed 'em to the reindeer
if I were you.
- Give her my regards.
- Ah, will do, will do.
Well, the whole town's
waiting for ya.
On, comet, on, cupid,
on, donner and blitzen.
To the top
of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
- Now...
- Dash away, dash away...
Dash away all!
That's great.
- There he is!
- Uh-oh!
Ladies and gentlemen,
here he is...
Our very own kris kringle!
Yes!
Yes!
Thank you.
Ooh.
Yes!
Yes!
Hello, hello, hello!
I suppose a Christmas tree
isn't really a Christmas tree
without lights,
now, is it?
No!
So... let's count down
together.
Five... four...
Three... two...
One!
Anna, Zoe wants to see you.
- Oh, great.
- I'll be there in a sec.
Thanks, carly.
Knock, knock.
You rang?
Anna, check this out.
Look at this guy.
He really knows
how to milk a moment.
- Mm.
- Ho ho ho.
Oh, come on, Anna.
This is good stuff.
Oh... there's more.
Of course there is.
A guy named Phil
sent me the link.
Says he's the mayor
of, uh... mistletoe.
- How quaint.
- Says this old guy's
been playing Santa
every Christmas for 50 years.
Wow.
And you'll love this part.
He changed his pedestrian name
from John Wilson
to kris kringle.
Okay. Well, now he sounds
like he needs to be fitted
for a straitjacket.
Why are you telling me this?
No. No!
Zoe, please, you know
I'm not a Christmas person.
Exactly.
That's what makes you perfect
for the story.
Story? What story?
This guy sounds like
a glorified mall Santa.
- Oh...
- But he is so much more.
This Santa is the real deal.
Or so he says.
This guy really
thinks he is...
"The real" Santa claus?
According to mayor Phil.
Our readers
are gonna eat this up.
Oh... I feel like
I'm getting indigestion already.
Anna.
We are a family magazine.
Stories like this
are our bread and butter.
- Okay... you win.
- What do you want me to do?
I have an inspired idea.
- Here it comes.
- Okay.
It's the holidays, so why not
make this story special?
I mean, 50 years?
That's quite an accomplishment.
I want you to go down
to mistletoe,
find out what makes
Mr. ol' kringle tick,
then I want you
to blog about it.
You want me
to blog about it?
- Kris kringle...
- 50th anniversary.
Our readers
are gonna love it.
Okay, am I being punk'd?
It's gonna make
a wonderful feature story.
And I've arranged for carly
to house sit for you.
You'll leave
first thing in the morning.
You really want me to blog
about a crazy old man
who thinks he's Santa claus?
I'm sorry,
but I don't even think
Quentin Tarantino
could make that interesting.
I have faith in you,
Anna.
I know you do.
- Oh, Anna!
- Yes.
How'd the blind date go
last night?
It didn't.
I canceled.
Honey... it's been
three years.
You really need
to get back out there.
I know, and I love you
for caring, but...
I'm just not ready yet.
Dear blogosphere,
from now until Christmas,
I will be reporting from
the recently renamed town
of mistletoe.
Why, you ask?
Because my editor thought
it would be a good idea
to banish me to,
of all places,
northern California,
where it snows.
My task at hand...
To uncover what makes
the great mall Santa
of the north tick,
a man affectionately known
as kris kringle
who resides in a town
called mistletoe.
Good to see ya.
Good! Good to see you.
Aah!
What?
All right!
Uhhgh!
Okay, okay, I'm moving,
I'm moving.
Perfect.
It is funny.
It is a laugh.
This is good.
I'm in a parade.
I'm in a parade.
Hello.
Oh! Happy holidays!
Welcome to the holly inn.
Oh, thank you.
Uh, I believe I have
a reservation.
Anna wahl.
Family now magazine.
- All right.
- Anna wahl.
Mm... no.
Uh, no.
Wait! Here we go!
Oh, Anna wahl with an "l".
- Yeah.
- That's what I said.
Oh, I thought
you said walls.
Well, it's a little
noisy in here.
Just need your
Jane hancock on the line.
Uh, what's going on in here
anyway?
- What do you mean?
- Well, all the construction...
Oh, yeah!
Well, uh, our new owner's
doing a remodel.
- Wonderful.
- Yeah.
Uh...
- How's room number five sound?
- Great.
Uh...
I just have, uh,
these two bags.
Oh, um...
I hope you don't mind
lugging your own bags.
I, uh, strained my back
bowling.
- No problem.
- Oh, thanks.
- All right.
- Just... here?
- Just... yeah.
- Just, uh, down that way
and up the stairs.
Make a left.
It's the one
with the big sitting room.
Would you be
the Anna wahl
from family now magazine?
You made a grand entrance
in our parade today.
The one.
Mayor Phil green
at your service.
- Oh, excellent!
- If you're the mayor,
- then you're the reason I'm here.
- Indeed.
- I hope that's a good thing.
- Too early to tell.
I'm actually here
to check out your, uh...
Your kris kringle,
aka John Wilson?
- Hear he's quite an extrovert.
- Oh, yes, ma'am.
Kris is some piece of work.
11 months of the year,
he pretty much keeps to himself,
spending his time gardening
or fiddling
in that workshop of his.
But come December... poof,
like a butterfly
bursting out of his cocoon,
there he is.
7:00 P.M. December 1st
without fail,
kris shows up in this square
driving that ridiculous
car of his.
Then when the holidays
are over,
he goes back to his cave.
- Cave?
- His house on Santa claus Lane.
Used to be maple drive
before the change.
- Change?
- Yeah, this town
was called summerville
till about 30 years ago.
Christmas of '79, to be exact,
the change took effect.
Summerville became mistletoe
and all the street signs
took holiday theme names.
Lloyd, our postmaster,
nearly went insane.
What about the holly inn?
Yep. Used to be called
the summerville inn.
And all of this...
For Mr. Wilson?
Well, he goes by kringle now.
He hasn't answered
to Wilson in years.
See, the change came about,
Anna,
'cause folks
wanted to show kris
just how much they appreciate
all he's done for our town.
What exactly has he done?
Let me take you
to the St. Nick's
to meet a few folks.
Oh, you're gonna love
this place.
St. Nick's cafe.
People are great.
You're gonna love it,
I promise.
Ahh.
Mr. mayor.
Zelda.
How are we today?
- Well, Zelda.
- How are you?
- I'm good.
- We've got company.
This is miss Anna wahl,
parade interloper.
Oh, my goodness.
A celebrity.
Well...
- Welcome to St. Nick.
- Thank you.
Miss wahl, this way.
I'll take you
to booth number one.
We usually save it
for the president,
but I'll give it to you.
Mayor Phil beat me out
by only seven votes
in the last election.
That was despite my "free donuts
Wednesday" platform.
But I forgave him.
Well, you were
a worthy opponent, Zelda.
- I know it.
- Special's on the board.
- Enjoy.
- Thanks.
- Trust me?
- Sure.
- Yo, harley!
- Yes, sir, Mr. mayor.
Let me get
two phantom specials.
Yes, sir, Mr. mayor.
- On the taxpayer.
- You're the boss!
No, you don't
have to do that.
I have an expense account.
- No, no, no.
- No problem at all.
We're just happy you're here.
Hey, you were quite a hit
in the Christmas parade.
Yes. Famous
for my entrances.
By the way,
what is this phantom special?
- You tell her.
- I gotta work.
Well, it's not
on the regular menu.
It's on the secret menu.
You're gonna enjoy it.
When my mama was dying,
God rest her soul,
every evening,
he would read to her.
He was there when she passed.
Back in the '80s
when the plants
started downsizing,
I was one of the first
of the lucky ones
to get laid off.
Kris helped me
get back on my feet.
Loaned me the down payment
for this diner.
Mm.
What about you, mayor Phil?
Well, sometime back,
the missus and I
were having problems,
decided to call it quits.
Kris sat us down,
gave us a good talking to,
convinced us to give
our marriage a second chance.
That was nearly 20 years ago,
and we've been happily married
ever since.
You see, miss wahl,
kris kringle has touched
pretty near
every life in this town.
And that's why
you changed the name.
- Yes.
- And we just wanna
give him a great big
thank-you card.
With a big kiss
on the bottom,
and that's from me.
Well, I'll admit...
Your Santa certainly is
versatile.
Oh, yes, he is.
And you'll see,
once you get to know him.
I look forward to it.
I was thinking about
stopping by his house
sometime tomorrow.
Well, um...
You see, kris is kind of,
uh, particular
about who he lets inside.
- Yeah!
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah.
Personally, I've never
seen the inside of his house.
- No, neither have I.
- No! Are you kidding me?
Okay. This is fascinating.
Well, all the folks
around here,
we're accustomed to kris's
eccentricities.
Oh, wait one...
Oh, you know what?
That's my editor.
I should go.
- Thank you, guys.
- Miss wahl?
Can I call you Anna?
- Of course.
- Well, then, come on, Anna.
I'm done with my shift.
I'm gonna walk you down.
- Oh, great.
- Good night, ladies.
- See you later.
- Thanks, mayor.
- Thank you, harley.
- Oh, you too.
This is a letter from
a little girl called Virginia.
And she says,
"please tell me the truth.
Is there a Santa claus?"
"Yes, Virginia,
there is a Santa claus.
"He exists as certainly
as love and generosity
"and devotion exist,
"and you know that they are
bound to give to your life
"its highest beauty
and its joy.
"How dreary it would be
if there were no Santa claus.
"It would be just as dreary
if there were no virginias.
"So... a thousand years
from now,
"there will be
another Santa claus.
He'll continue to make glad
the hearts of childhood."
Do you believe?
- Mm-hmm!
- Yeah!
- Zelda, tell me...
- How did all this happen?
How does John Wilson,
ordinary citizen,
become kris kringle?
It's a real tearjerker,
this story.
I think I can handle it.
- It was Christmas Eve...
- 1960.
Only three days prior,
John had married
his high school sweetheart,
Betty Clark.
She couldn't stand the thought
of anyone being alone
on Christmas Eve.
And this was to be their
very first Christmas
as husband and wife.
You see,
she wouldn't leave the hospital
until the last of her patients
had drifted off to sleep.
Betty was on her way home
to John
when her car hit a patch
of ice near the old road.
There was an accident?
Yeah.
- She didn't make it.
- No.
Oh... that's so sad.
Oh, I told you.
So losing his wife...
- That's what made him go crazy.
- Oh, no, now, wait now.
Who... who's to say
that he's crazy?
He changed
his name to kris kringle.
He thinks he's Santa claus.
I would say that's a little
more than just eccentric.
Well, I suppose that
there's a lot of people
with a couple doses
of crazy in 'em.
I like ketchup
with my pancakes.
I sleep
with mittens on my feet.
And harley...
He likes to get up on the roof
in his underwear,
and he talks to the moon.
Cuckoo!
Well?
Those are quirks.
This has been going on
50 years with him.
Do you know what I think?
I think you need
to get around town
and you need to talk
to as many folks as possible,
and you gotta get to know
kris...
And then you make up
your mind.
- That's very good advice.
- I know.
- I'll take you up on that.
- Okay.
- Thank you for the walk home.
- Toodle-oo!
Good night.
Ohh...
Ah...
Oh, you're kidding me!
Hello! Front desk!
- Hi. Hello.
- This is Anna wahl in room five.
- Oh, Anna, I can't hear.
- The noise in the background...
Yes, I realize there's a loud
sound coming from my room.
You hear that?
You hear it?
It sounds like
an army of gremlins
making horseshoes in here.
Oh, we already got somebody
to fix that.
- Love to have it fixed.
- First thing in the morning.
- Morning!
- Oh, fantastic.
Sounds perfect.
You have a good night.
You too!
Oh... this place.
- Morning, Jake.
- Morning. How's it going?
- Good. Morning, guys.
- Hey, man.
Looking good.
Hello?
Aah!
Oh! Oh... oh!
- What are you doing here?
- I'm so sorry!
- I was just...
- Just get out now!
- I don't care... go!
- Of course. Uh...
- Go!
- Hank told me
there was something
wrong with your heater.
- I don't... go!
- If it makes you feel better,
- I didn't see anything.
- Please leave!
What is it with this place?
I don't believe that you sent
some strange man into my room
without calling me first?
- I'm real sorry, miss wahls.
- I didn't see him come in.
Well, yeah, sure,
like Johnny handyman's
just gonna come strolling in
off the street
walking right past you
without checking with you first.
Well, actually, he's more
than just a handyman, he...
I just don't want
anyone in my room
unless you're absolutely sure
I'm not there.
- Is that too much to ask?
- No, not at all, miss wahls.
Good. And it's wahl.
No "s".
Just wahl.
Oh. Don't worry,
miss walls... wahl.
We'll get that heater
fixed for ya.
Thank you.
Oh, miss walls!
Congrats on makin'
the front page!
That fateful
Christmas Eve phone call
forever altered the life
of the small-town
furniture maker.
It's gonna make ya type faster.
Thanks, Zelda.
Kids would line up
around the block
for hours ahead of time,
waiting for a chance to be
the first one on his lap.
It was a real badge of honor.
It was 1973.
I was first that year.
Probably one of the biggest
days of my childhood.
I was first once, 1984.
I was four years old.
I tugged on his beard
to make sure it was real.
I was the last kid once,
Christmas Eve, '65.
Kris gave me a ride home.
Said he was
off to the north pole.
Didn't anyone find this
a little bit... weird?
Weird? It was Santa claus.
Ho ho ho! Ha!
You know,
when I was a little girl,
December 1st
was the biggest day of the year.
Even bigger than my birthday.
Because that was the day
kris kringle
came out of his house.
You like some popcorn,
Anna?
- No, thanks.
- Yeah, by the late '50s,
our little town
had pretty near dried up.
You know, people
were starting to lose hope.
Then one December,
kris put that suit on...
And before you know it,
we had families
coming from Miles around,
just so the kids
could sit on Santa's lap.
Kris had become like
our very own
- economic stimulus package.
- Mm.
Yeah, our little town
had become synonymous
with all things Christmas.
My dad, Phil senior,
he started the name change
petition.
He said it just
didn't seem right,
kris kringle
living in summerville.
Our local radio station
started a name-picking
contest.
Mistletoe won by two votes.
Noel came in second.
- Noel!
- Noel.
Ah, the kids used to
line up around the block.
Not so many anymore.
I mean, some days,
we hardly have any at all.
Ah, the young families,
they've moved to the cities.
Lots of malls and game stores
and food courts.
Well, why do you think
kris still does it?
Let me tell you something
about kris.
He's the most
unselfish man I've ever met.
And the little ones,
they take to him
because he's got this essence.
- What essence?
- Yeah... goodness.
And they can feel it.
He's... he's genuine.
Genuine?
Little kids can spot
a phony Miles away.
But with kris, they know.
He's the real deal.
Here he comes!
Oh! Ha ha ha!
I've gotta get
a shot of this.
- Here he is, kids!
- Ha ha, boy!
Merry Christmas, kris.
- They all been waitin' for ya!
- I know.
There we go, there we go.
Hello!
Ah... excuse me.
All right, kids, come on.
Let's go.
Come on.
There ya go.
Hey.
I'm sorry I'm a bit late,
but there ya go.
Come on.
Don't be tardy.
Ha ha.
- Merry Christmas.
- Yes.
Hi! Hi, excuse...
Hey, no cutting.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Sorry.
Hello, Joshua!
I hear you scored a goal
the other day.
- My first.
- Oh, well.
As long as
you're enjoying yourself,
that's all that counts.
Now, Josh, you promised
your mother
that you would keep your room
spick and span this year.
So how's that going?
Oh, well, I suppose
nobody's perfect.
Now, what would you like
for Christmas?
A pair of new cleats,
please.
- Right!
- A pair of new cleats.
I'll see what I can do.
If you remember
to be nice to your sister,
you might just get them.
I'll try.
Oh? Good.
Excuse me, Mr. Wilson,
I'd love to do...
You misunderstand, miss.
There's no Mr. Wilson here.
- Is there, kids?
- No!
- No.
- We have a doubter here.
No. No. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Mr. kringle.
- Mm-hmm.
- As I was saying, um,
- I'm Anna wahl from...
- Oh, Anna wahl
from family now magazine.
I saw your picture
in the paper.
- Oh.
- I love your magazine.
I make my elves read it
all the time.
That... that's great.
Um... I was wondering
if I could interview you
- for a story?
- Hey, kris, how you doing?
- Ho ho ho!
- Merry Christmas.
Uh, story.
What... what is the subject
of this story?
Well, you, actually.
- Me?
- Yes!
About how this is
your 50th year playing Santa.
Playing... Santa.
Oh, children, it seems
we have a doubter.
Oh, no, no, I-I...
Didn't mean playing...
Santa.
What I meant to say
was that...
That the story, um...
You know what, can I just
buy you a cup of coffee
and we can talk,
I can ask you a few questions?
- All right.
- That should be all right.
Uh, give me a few minutes,
and we'll go to
St. Nick cafe.
- Great. Perfect.
- Thank you. Thanks.
Oh, one more thing, uh...
I prefer eggnog.
Hmm?
So are you enjoying...
Our little town, Annabelle?
Do you mind if I call you
Annabelle?
- Hi, kris!
- I guess not.
Nobody's really called me
that in a long time.
- So are you?
- Am I...
- Enjoying our town?
- Oh, right.
Uh... I guess.
I'm... I'm definitely
more of a city girl.
I try to avoid
the city, myself,
except for Christmas Eve,
of course.
Of course.
I detect a hint of skepticism.
Oh... you don't believe
in Santa claus.
I've always had more trouble
with the whole time/space thing.
Mistletoe's a long way
from the north pole,
so... if you're here
Christmas Eve,
how could you possibly
make it back for your rounds?
You must remember
that the ordinary rules
of time and space
don't apply to Santa claus.
Silly me.
- Here's your usual, kris.
- Thank you.
- Do you mind if I...
- No, no, not at all.
Okay. So you've been
playing Santa...
Mm?
Let me rephrase that.
You've been the local
Santa claus here
for 50 years.
- Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.
- Sounds about right.
- And how does it feel
now that there aren't
so many children anymore?
You used to believe,
didn't you, Annabelle?
- A long time ago.
- What about the beard?
Is that real?
Ah, yes, all there.
What's left of it.
Feel for yourself.
Come on.
No. I'll take
your word on it.
- Come on, I won't break.
- Come on, I dare you.
Oh. Well...
Yeah.
That's real, all right.
Good for you.
So... would you like to see
where I live?
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
I thought you'd never ask.
Wow. This is really
somethin'.
Yeah?
My home away from home.
Oh, right, right.
'Cause you live
at the north pole.
Now you're catching on.
Well, uh...
Good day, Annabelle.
What... aren't you
gonna invite me in?
Oh, perhaps, when I get
to know you a little better.
Well, can you at least
give me a quote for my blog?
"If there's any kindness
I can show
"or any good thing I can do
to any fellow being,
"then let me do it now,
"not deter nor neglect it,
as I shall not pass this way
again."
Or you can just write
ho ho ho, merry Christmas!
Oh, he's a fruitcake,
all right,
with extra nuts.
Better not blog about that.
He wouldn't let me
in his house.
Who knows what
he's hiding in there.
Focus on the charming,
not the crazy.
By the way,
your first blog got more hits
than all of our other stories
combined.
Oh, right, yes,
"coming this spring
to family now...
The story of the plumber who
thinks he's the easter bunny."
Check in later.
Ohh...
So enough about the world's
noisiest b&b.
Back to the reason you're here...
Mr. John Wilson.
Alias, kris kringle.
First a little background
on mistletoe
beginning with
a trivia question.
What was mistletoe's
original name?
A... whoville,
b... bedford falls,
or c... summerville?
If you chose "c",
congratulations.
You've just won
a free trip to the north pole.
Oh! I am... not looking.
Ha ha. Very funny.
- It's, uh...
- It's all finished.
Ah. It's about time.
- Mark Stafford.
- Anna wahl.
- Oh, right.
- The Christmas parade crasher.
Yes! The world-famous
parade crasher.
I also hear you're a writer.
You're, uh, working
on an assignment?
You have good sources.
Mark Stafford... where...
You know,
you know, there's a divorce
lawyer named mark Stafford.
Represented one of my friend's
ex-husbands.
There used to be.
No. No!
- You're that mark Stafford?
- I was that mark Stafford.
I heard he was a real shark.
And now you're
a handyman in mistletoe?
Yeah, well, I'm not
exactly a handyman.
It's... more my hobby.
I work pro Bono exclusively
for the holly inn.
And sometimes
for my neighbor mabel.
She's got
some plumbing issues.
And why do you do this?
I bought the inn
a couple months back.
Ah! So you're the guy...
Hey, listen, you mind
if I ask you
a couple questions
while you're here?
No. Shoot.
Mark Stafford,
erstwhile divorce lawyer.
Do you have any...
Fond childhood memories
of kris kringle?
Let's see...
I remember the first time
I crawled up on Santa's lap.
I was terrified.
And then he spotted me.
And the first time
he said my name,
it was like...
I already knew who he was.
Like I'd always known
who he was.
I don't even remember
what he said to me.
Just that he made me feel...
Safe.
Kris has this rare gift.
He can make anyone believe
they're the most important
person in the entire world.
Okay. Thank you.
You're welcome.
Should I... tip you or...
I don't think so.
Question... what does
one do around here
after hours?
- Well...
- Funny you should ask that.
We wish you
a merry Christmas
we wish you
a merry Christmas
we wish you
a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
good tidings we bring
to you and your kin
we wish you
a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
so bring us a figgy pudding
so bring us
a figgy pudding
Hi, Anna!
- Hey!
- Want some hot chocolate?
- It is on the house.
- Sure. Thank you.
- And a yummy cookie?
- No cookies.
- No!
- You're watchin' your figure.
So you made it.
Yeah. I have to admit,
it got a little lonely
back at the inn.
- Well, how's the story coming?
- Good. Good.
Just... waiting for
the pulitzer people to call.
This is nice.
A family gathering.
What about you?
- Wife and kids?
- No. Not married.
Uh, to Santa claus?
Okay.
- You believe in Santa claus?
- Well, I believe in kris.
You think that's good for him,
enabling his delusion?
Oh, it's not a delusion
to him.
See the blazing
yule before us
- You, uh, care to sing?
- Uh...
No. There won't be
any singing.
- Trust me!
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- Well, then...
I'm afraid I'm gonna
have to ask you to leave.
- Really?
- Fat chance.
Fa LA LA LA LA LA
LA LA LA
while I tell
of yuletide treasure
My family spent Christmas
in airports, mostly.
Always traveling somewhere...
London, Paris,
Tahiti one year.
My dad loved flying
on Christmas
'cause he said
it was never crowded.
- Mm.
- When I was four...
This is great...
My mom told me,
"Santa claus is a myth
created to stimulate
retail sales."
Well, there must have been
one Christmas gift
that stood out...
The easy-bake oven, the tea set.
When I was seven,
I begged them for a puppy.
I wanted a dog more than
anything in the world.
What I ended up with that year
was a little stuffed schnauzer
that they picked up
at an airport gift shop.
We won't go
until we get some
we won't go
until we get some
so bring it right here
so did you ever get
the dog?
- No.
- Why not?
Never got around to it.
So what about you?
Why would you leave all that
divorce money for... this?
Ha ha. You wouldn't
believe me if I told you.
Oh, try me.
I, uh, had this
really big case.
It was a nasty divorce.
Two parties.
Couldn't agree on what
time it was
much less
anything that mattered.
It was the last day of court.
I had just finished
what I thought
was a brilliant
closing argument.
I was getting a coffee
at the vending machine
feeling really good
about myself
when I started to have
this feeling
that I was being watched.
Watched?
Turned around,
and there was this little girl
just... staring at me.
I assume that she wants
something out of the machine,
so I ask her,
"what would you like?
It's on me."
And she didn't say anything.
She just kept...
Staring at me with these
penetrating green eyes.
Finally, she says,
"mister, why are you
tearing apart my family?"
Ow. That's intense.
What did you say?
- Nothing. I was...
- Floored.
Didn't have an answer
for her.
Hotshot lawyer
with a silver tongue
rendered speechless
by a ten-year-old.
Then, I had this...
Wave of nausea come over me.
I knew I had to get
out of here,
so I walked out of
the courthouse
and got in my car
and just... drove.
Had no idea
where I was going.
I ended up here.
My hometown.
The place
I thought I had outgrown.
Hmm.
- And you never went back?
- Nope.
I was fined.
My license suspended.
My partners bought
my shares out of the firm
and asked me for my key
to the executive washroom.
That's quite a story.
- Yeah. Funny part is...
- I didn't care.
I knew at that moment
my old life was over.
I was no longer a lawyer.
I was just some guy stumped by
a little girl's question.
So... here I am back home
in a town
formerly known as summerville.
My family's all gone,
so there's no real reason
for me to stay here.
It just... feels right.
And now you're
remodeling your inn.
I like staying busy.
What about the answer
to the little girl's question?
Still workin' on it.
Oh, well...
Good night.
Good night, Anna.
Hello again, and welcome
back to mistletoe,
faithful bloggers.
So far, it's been a most
interesting week
trailing after Mr. kringle.
Tuesday, I won a $17 pot
at mistletoe retirement home
bingo night.
B-10!
Oh, bingo!
Bingo! Whoo!
Don't worry, bloggers.
I put it all back
in the kitty.
Ho ho ho ho!
It'll soon be Christmas!
Here's some goodies
for the tree.
Here we go!
Wednesday found me at
the local children's hospital.
Ah... all right.
Thanks.
Hey, harley.
Hey, mark.
- Hey.
- Hi.
- Sit?
- Sure.
I'll eat over here, Zelda.
Got it, Mr. staff.
Hey, you do know...
Phil told me
about the special menu.
I wouldn't believe
everything Phil tells you.
- Thanks for the tip.
- He also said you're a nice guy.
Well, you can believe
some of the things Phil says.
Mistletoe gotten
under your skin yet?
You mean that in a good way?
- Yeah.
- This town has a way of...
Growing on people.
Well, not this people.
- City girl.
- Oh, here you go, darlin'.
That was fast!
- Well, they know my...
- Routine.
- He's a growing boy.
- Nice!
So... I saw your blog
yesterday.
You're a good writer.
Thank you.
Any, uh...
Novels in the works?
Close. Unfinished play.
It's probably
gonna stay that way.
Really? Why don't you
finish it?
Oh, hit a wall.
Maybe I will...
Someday.
- Good.
- I'd like to read it.
Hey, Anna.
- Oh, hi!
- Hi.
Mark, I am really
looking forward to
your party tonight
at the inn.
- Oh, great, Nora.
- I'll see you there.
- Okay.
- Take care.
Bye.
Party?
Actually, I was just about
ready to invite you.
Sure, you were.
It's my annual
Christmas party.
- I would love for you to come.
- Mm...
All the eggnog
you can drink.
I'll think about it.
- Great.
- I gotta go.
Duty calls.
Maybe I'll see ya later?
- Great.
- Enjoy that breakfast.
- I will.
- Bye.
Bye.
- Do ya feel it?
- Do I feel what?
Christmas? Yeah.
- No, no, don't you feel it?
- No! What are you
- talking about, Hank?
- Romance!
Romance is in the air!
- Romance is in the air?
- What do you mean by that?
Yeah, yeah, you know
that reporter Anna
that's been around town.
- You and Anna!
- Are you kidding me?
- What about your back?
- No, no, not me!
Mark!
Mark Stafford.
- Oh, okay.
- They're perfect together.
All right, now I get it.
Mark and Anna, okay.
That makes a lot more sense.
- Yeah, yeah.
- All right, now, uh...
- Ya got the stuff?
- Yeah, yeah.
- Made up last night.
- Yeah, give 'em to me.
Give 'em to me.
All right, quickly.
Good!
- Beautiful!
- Thanks.
Now, listen,
if kringle finds out
that we're padding
the letters to Santa,
I'm telling ya, he is gonna
put us on the naughty list
like he did last year
for opening up
all those big presents
under the tree!
- Oh, yeah.
- No, he's not gonna find out.
- That was a bad idea.
- He'll never find out.
All right, he better not.
- Zoe, please...
- Stop trying to play matchmaker.
He's a nice guy.
End of story.
Good guys don't grow
on trees, you know.
Hey, why don't you take
a photo of him?
Email it to me
so I can check him out.
- Yeah, that's not happening.
- Try and use your imagination.
- All right.
- Have fun tonight, Anna.
I'll try.
Please do.
When the snow
lay round about
deep and crisp and even
brightly shown the moon
that night
though the frost
was cruel
when a poor man
came in sight
- Anna! I felt you!
- Come in! Oh!
Well, look at you.
You look lovely.
Could use a little more red,
but...
You do.
You do, you look beautiful.
Lay round about
deep and crisp and even
Gonna introduce you
to all these people.
Yoo-hoo!
Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
Thank you.
This is Anna.
You know Anna.
Give her a hand.
Give her a hand.
Make her feel welcome.
...decorating for hours!
'Scuse me.
Whew.
- Happy holidays.
- Hi!
I see that you made it.
You're just another stop
on my party-hopping tour.
- Great party, by the way.
- Thank you.
I didn't know kris
was musical.
Mm-hmm. He's a man
of many talents.
I brought wine.
So you have.
Thank you.
Well, I'm gonna...
Go back out there
and mingle.
Anna...
I'm really glad you came.
Whoa!
- Sorry.
- I'll see ya out there.
Thank you, thank you.
Ah.
Might I have the pleasure?
Well, of course!
You're a wonderful dancer.
Why, thank you, Annabelle.
My, uh, wife taught me
very well.
You must have
loved her very much.
- Must have?
- I still love her very much.
Mrs. kringle
is the light of my life.
Brian didn't really
like to dance.
Brian?
My husband.
He passed away.
I'm so sorry.
It was three years ago,
Christmas Eve.
I imagine you miss him
very much.
I think
I'm gonna get some air.
Thank you for the dance.
You really scored big
with the, uh, with the antlers.
Didn't I?
- What about your snowman boxers?
- Oh, yeah.
- I hear those are in this year.
- Oh, yeah.
I had a great time tonight.
- Thanks.
- So did I.
Hey, you two.
The night is young,
but I'm off to my cave.
I'm ready for my hot chocolate
and cupcake.
Good night!
- Lovely party, mark.
- Good night. Good night.
Feel like a cup of coffee?
It's midnight.
Yeah, well, the...
Holly inn is still open.
Okay.
And the phone rings...
Just like it's done
a thousand times before, but...
Something feels different.
Somehow you just know.
And in a moment, everything,
your... hopes, your dreams,
they're just...
Gone.
Can't imagine.
Most people don't make it
back from something like that.
But then there's kris.
He could be mad
at the whole world
for the lousy hand
he was dealt...
But he goes the other way.
Decides to dedicate
his whole life to the...
Memory of his wife...
To live as if Betty's
still here.
Watching him.
It's true love.
It's been an interesting
evening.
Good night,
mark Stafford.
Good night, Anna wahl.
Bye.
Morning, Jake.
Morning, Jim.
Morning, Anna.
- Hello! Front desk!
- Hey, Hank.
Can you do me a favor
and get the guys
some coffee and donuts
on me?
- Sure thing!
- Thanks.
Hey, thanks, Anna.
- My pleasure.
- Don't work too hard, boys.
- Hey, Anna.
- You got a sister?
- Sorry, Jake.
- She's married.
- And your point is?
- Ah ha ha ha ha!
- Thanks, Anna.
- Have a good day.
Thanks again!
And why am I in
such a good mood today?
I don't know, bloggers.
Maybe it's just
the silly season.
Or maybe kris kringle's magic
is beginning to have
an effect on me.
Can I get you
anything else, Anna?
- Oh, no, I'm good.
- I'm just, uh, finishing up.
You mind if I take
the weight off my dogs?
- They're barkin'.
- Of course! Have a seat.
Is something
on your mind?
Well... let's not
pussyfoot around.
I know all about you
and mark Stafford.
Oh! Jeez,
does everybody know?
- Pretty much.
- Yeah.
Oh, okay.
Thank you very much, Hank.
Oh, come on, he's a real
catch, if you ask me.
I see the way
you look at him.
- Oh, really?
- And how do I look at him?
Like you just tasted
your first chocolate truffle.
I love truffles.
Exactly!
Oh...
Now that man is the reason
that they invented jeans.
Stop it.
- Yeah!
- All right!
So, Owen, did you tell Santa
what you want for Christmas?
- A new Wii game.
- Cool. What'd he say?
Santa said I should
always tell the truth,
especially about dropping
my big sister's iPhone
in the toilet.
- Oh!
- How did he know about that?
Uh, duh!
He's Santa.
- That's right, I'm sorry.
- I forgot.
My mom made me
come here today
'cause she felt sorry
for him
'cause hardly any kids
come here anymore.
Well, it's very nice
that you did.
- Thanks for talking to me, Owen.
- Don't mention it.
- Happy Christmas.
- You too.
- Thank you.
- Okay, you ready?
It's all right.
There's nothing to be
afrai...
Oh, honey!
It's all right.
He's a very nice man.
I'm so sorry, kris.
Amber was so excited
to meet you.
- Oh, that...
- That's all right.
Perhaps Mrs. rutherford
would like to sit here?
That sounds like
a very good idea.
What do you think, sweetie?
Should we have Mrs. rutherford
sit on kris's lap?
I think it'll be all right.
Okay? Do you
want me to give her to him?
Okay.
Here you go, kris.
Well, hello there,
Mrs. rutherford.
I am happy to see you.
What's that you say?
She does?
Amber,
Mrs. rutherford says
that you want Santa
to bring you a doll's house
for Christmas.
Is that true?
She also says that sometimes
you sing to her at night
when she's afraid of the dark.
Let's see...
Now, how does that song go?
Angels watching
ever round thee
all through the night
in thy slumbers
close surround thee
all through the night
would you like to sing
with me?
Yeah? Come on.
And so...
Angels watching
ever round thee
all through the night
in thy slumbers
close surround thee
all through the night
look, she's smiling.
Yes. Look.
She's smiling.
Ha ha.
This is what it feels like,
Annabelle.
What what feels like?
Oh, riding my magic sleigh
way up in the heavens.
- Must be nice.
- Oh, it is.
It really is.
- I'll take you there someday.
- I'd like that.
Don't you want to put
the top up?
What top?
Kris, are you okay?
Kris.
What is it?
This is where it happened.
She was hurrying home.
It was a cold,
rainy Christmas Eve.
Aah!
Betty never liked
to keep me waiting.
If only she knew...
I'd have waited forever.
My Betty
was one-of-a-kind.
Beautiful inside and out.
She'd give her last dime
to a stranger and...
And not think about it
twice.
She loved everybody and
everybody loved her in return.
That was my wife.
And she loved Christmas.
It was her favorite holiday.
And she loved it all...
The baking, the wrapping.
But especially, she loved
the giving of gifts.
My Betty loved Christmas.
She used to say,
"if only Christmas could last
12 months a year."
That's why you do it.
That's why you're Santa claus.
You do it for her.
You do it for Betty.
Well, maybe this old man's
not so crazy after all.
I just wish she could be here
to see what you've done
with your life.
Oh, I think she is here.
Right now.
How do you know that?
- Well...
- I see my Betty's light
reflected in
the children's faces.
That's how I know
she's still with me.
Love never dies, Annabelle.
I wish I could believe
like you.
Maybe someday you will.
It's never too late
to have faith.
Best be going.
People will start to talk.
- Oh, stop it.
- Ha ha ha ha.
Oh, my, I do believe
I have a dead battery.
You don't have a spare one
in your purse, do you?
No, I don't.
But I do...
Have a cell phone.
Oh!
Okay, give her a try!
Hey, it started right away.
Well done, mark, my boy!
You'll get a little something
extra in your stocking
this year!
Perhaps you'd see miss wahl
back to the square?
- Of course.
- Bye, Annabelle.
Thank you, kris.
- Good-bye, kris.
- Bye-bye!
Bye-bye.
Nice work.
Okay!
- Dear bloggers.
- Okay, so I know you're all eager
to read the latest
about kris kringle.
But before I get back
to his heartwarming story,
I'd like to take you with me
on a short diversion.
Are you sitting down?
Tonight I have a date.
What's that, you say?
You want details?
Oh, sorry.
That's for another blog.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have to go get ready.
Ciao.
Anna wahl.
Mark, huh?
- At last, a name.
- Relax, Zoe.
- He's just a friend.
- A friend?
Come on, Anna.
You've been holding out on me.
What's he look like?
He's fairly good-looking.
On a scale of 1 to 10.
Scale of 1 to 10.
I would say he's in the...
9.5 range.
Wow! I've never even seen
a 9.5.
He's here.
- I gotta go.
- Okay, call me later.
- And give me all the details.
- Okay.
Hello?
Okay, I'll be right down.
Wow.
Well, thank you.
- So where are we going?
- It's a surprise.
I love surprises.
Good.
- All right.
- Explain.
Kris's idea.
He, uh, wanted to show off
his cooking expertise.
But I thought
only special people
were invited inside.
Exactly.
Oh. Okay.
Welcome, friends.
Dinner's almost ready.
It's amazing.
Oh, wow.
It's amazing.
Ah.
Dinner is served.
Mm! Gingerbread.
Come, come.
Have a seat at the table.
Thanks.
I never knew Santa claus
was such an accomplished cook.
Oh, bless you
for saying so, my dear.
Mrs. kringle was a...
Wonderful teacher.
Living in this place
must feel like Christmas
all year long.
Well, that is the idea.
You see, to me
Christmas is not just
a date on the calendar.
It's a...
It's a feeling.
Like the smile you get
from a long-lost friend,
the joy you feel
when you've chosen
just the right gift
for a special someone.
And Christmas
is the season of romance.
- Oh, really?
- Yes!
And, if I might be so bold,
I...Think you two
have potential.
Now, kris,
maybe you should
leave the matchmaking
to cupid.
Oh, it doesn't take a cupid
to see that you two go together
like matching Christmas
stockings on a mantle.
Okay.
It's wonderful, isn't it,
being in love at christmastime?
It's wonderful, isn't it,
Annabelle,
being in love
at christmastime?
Thank you for dinner.
I'm gonna get going.
- But you...
- So soon?
But you haven't tried
my strudel.
- Is everything all right?
- Yeah. Yeah.
I'm just not feeling
very well.
Well, I can give you
a ride home if you like.
No. No. I just...
I'm gonna walk.
I just need a little bit of air.
- Thanks, kris.
- 'Twas my pleasure.
Well, don't just stand there,
my boy, go after her!
Go!
Anna!
Anna.
I'm not ready for this.
You're a really nice guy,
mark, but I just can't.
What? T-there's nothing
to be afraid of.
We're just two people
getting to know each other,
becoming friends.
- Yeah, then what?
- What happens next?
- I don't know.
- Yeah, see, I can't...
Live like that,
all right?
I-I can't do that anymore.
I need to know.
I need to know
what happens next.
- I need certainty!
- I-I can't give you that.
- Nobody can.
- I know that.
And that's why I can't
see you anymore, I'm sorry.
Can you believe it's been
50 years, sweetheart?
If it's all right with you,
I'll come see you today.
- There we go.
- And if you sign right here...
Here's your card.
And initial here...
And sign down there.
There you go.
Oh, and if you fill out
our online customer
satisfaction survey,
you get 20% off
your next stay.
There won't be
a next stay.
Oh.
Holly inn.
Hank speaking.
Oh, really?
You're kidding.
No. I haven't seen kris
all day.
But I-I'll keep my eyes
peeled.
Thank you.
What's going on?
Oh. Uh, well, uh...
It's just kris.
What about kris?
He's missing.
What do you mean, missing?
Well, he didn't show up
to the ladies'
auxiliary breakfast.
He hasn't missed one
in 40 years.
Last time I saw him,
I don't really know what...
- Oh, here she is.
- Oh, Anna, Anna, Anna.
Here's Anna.
- Any word?
- No. Nothing.
- No, not at all.
- Weird. It's bizarre.
It's almost like he disappeared
into thin air.
No idea where
he could have gone?
No. It's anybody's guess.
- Well, I'm here if I can help.
- Oh, good, good.
We need all the bodies
we can get.
Now, I say we split up
into search teams.
Sheriff ward and I,
we will take
the South and the west
into town.
Doc, why don't you go
with harley and Zelda?
You guys go east.
And mark, why don't you
and Anna take a look north?
And we'll stay in touch
via cell phone.
First team to find him
gets lunch on the taxpayer.
Good thing I don't pay taxes.
- Come on.
- All right, guys.
Keep a sharp eye out.
- Listen, I'm...
- Sorry about last night.
It's okay.
Thought you'd be...
Long gone by now.
I would have been,
just...
I heard about kris
and wanted to be here.
I'm glad.
- Wait, wait.
- Pull over, pull over.
Oh, of course.
Today's their anniversary.
John basil Wilson
married Betty Anne Clark
50 years ago today...
December 21, 1960.
They were only married
three days before she died.
Okay.
- So you know where he is?
- Yes. I think I do.
Happy anniversary,
sweetheart.
I imagine some people
are all in a dither.
- A little.
- You okay?
We had plans to grow old
together, Betty and I.
That was the dream.
I suppose
it was not meant to be.
She'd be very proud of you.
You're a good person,
Annabelle.
That's why Brian
loved you so much.
Advice from an old man...
Looking in the rearview mirror
is no way to live one's life.
And... you want to know
when it's time to...
Exit gracefully.
What do you mean?
I overheard a boy
the other day,
the one
you were interviewing.
The only children that come
to see Santa these days are...
Forced to do so
by their mother.
They feel sorry for me.
- No, kris.
- That was...
It's all right, Annabelle.
It's time to face the music.
I...I should have quit
years ago.
Kris, what are you saying?
Alert the media.
Santa's decided
to hang up his cap.
This is my last year.
No!
No, you can't, you...
You can't quit.
You can't do this.
No, not... not after everything
you've done for this town,
for the children.
Yeah,
I know what the boy said,
but I also saw
what you did for Amber...
How you touched her heart.
I've made up my mind.
It's what I came
to tell Betty.
And I think she'd agree
that all good things
must come to an end.
50 years is a long time.
Time for Santa to return
to the north pole.
But for now,
there are still
four days till Christmas...
And even an empty post
needs to be manned.
Wonderful all year round.
Mistletoe won't be
the same.
- Come on, you're a lawyer.
- Can't you convince him to stay?
I've never been able
to convince kris of anything.
I should go.
Oh, yeah.
I can't wait to see it.
So Anna,
so you know...
When you're ready.
Thanks.
You know, I think this town
is beginning to grow on ya.
I think
you might be right.
Which is why I have to go.
Hey, will you do me
a favor?
- Give this to kris for me.
- Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
Dearest kris,
sorry to leave
without saying good-bye,
but good-byes are especially
hard for me.
I know you'll understand.
Besides, how does one say
good-bye to Santa claus anyway?
How do you tell him thanks
for restoring a cynical girl's
faith in humanity,
for helping her to realize
that there's still people
who know how to love
just for the sake of loving,
who give unselfishly,
expecting nothing in return?
Well, kris, I'm running out
of card space,
so let me just say in closing
that if a man's life
is measured
by the joy he brings
to others,
then yours is a life
that knows no bounds.
Farewell, Mr. kringle,
and godspeed.
Love, Anna.
Good blog.
Love the Christmas card
motif.
If only you had
finished the assignment.
We all know
how the story ends.
Man dedicates
50 years of his life
to making other people happy,
and then poof...
One day it's over.
Santa retires.
- It's a shame.
- I don't know.
I mean, maybe mistletoe
will...
Turn back
to plain old summerville.
What happened, Anna?
Nothing happened.
Got the story,
and now I'm ready
for my next assignment.
- It's the guy, isn't it?
- Mr. 9.5.
Mark is a very nice guy
who I have absolutely
nothing in common with.
He's why you ran away,
isn't he?
- I didn't run away!
- Uh-huh.
What?
Isn't life funny?
What do you mean?
Love.
Love shows up in the most
unusual places.
Can we please
get back to business?
Sure.
Congratulations.
Because of you,
our website hits
have increased 150%.
- Our readers love the story.
- Good.
I'm glad.
Now, what's next?
- Next?
- Yes, next.
I'm ready for
my next assignment.
- Hello!
- Three days until Christmas.
We are shutting down.
Besides, I think
you've earned a break.
But... what if
I don't want a break?
And you know
I don't celebrate Christmas,
so put me to work.
Assign me something.
I'll take anything.
I won't be picky.
Isn't, uh, Frida the food critic
on maternity leave?
You owe me one more blog
on the kringle story.
After that,
you are on vacation,
like it or not.
Fine.
- Anna.
- Yes.
He called here
looking for you.
- Who?
- Mark Stafford.
I wasn't supposed
to tell you that,
- but I thought you should know.
- What'd he say?
Just wanted to make sure
you were okay.
What'd you tell him?
I told him
that you were far from okay.
Thank you.
- I'm gonna go back to work.
- Mm-hmm.
Okay, so if there's
nothing else...
No, I'm good, carly.
Go home.
Just finishing up.
Some of us are headed
over to O'Malley's
for happy hour
if you wanna come.
- No, thanks.
- I'm pretty wiped.
Looking forward to a hot
bubble bath and early to bed.
- Okay, well...
- Merry Christmas.
You too.
Anna.
Please go home.
You can finish your blog there.
I'm almost done.
Why don't you come over
Christmas Eve?
My family will be there.
We'll have a nice time.
Thanks, Zoe, but, uh...
I already have plans.
Plans.
- Really?
- Yes.
Okay. Well,
if your plans fall through,
we'd love to have you.
Okay.
- Merry Christmas.
- You too.
Oh, leave it alone, wahl.
Hello.
So do you wanna know why
I don't have a dog?
Why don't you
have a dog, Anna?
- 'Cause I'm afraid.
- Afraid?
Afraid of getting
too attached.
And then, um...
One day, you know,
no more doggie.
It's scary,
loving something.
Yeah. How would you know,
Mr. noncommittal?
- Because I...
- Am exactly like you.
I'm afraid of putting
my heart out there,
- afraid of...
- Getting it broken.
Yes.
I've seen too many
heartbreaks,
too many families torn apart,
the pain it's caused.
Look at us, a couple of, uh,
commitment phobes.
What do we do about it?
Well, I guess we...
Weigh the alternative.
- Which is?
- Being alone.
Letting fear of losing love
keep us from ever loving.
"Better to have loved
and lost
than never to have loved
at all," right?
Something like that.
It's just hard to change,
you know?
Yes, it is.
But the truth is...
We don't have a choice.
So what do you say
we change together?
- I'll think about it, okay?
- Fair enough.
- Okay. I should go.
- Uh...
I still have a lot of
Christmas wrapping to do.
Well, then... merry Christmas,
Anna wahl.
Merry Christmas.
Dear bloggers,
tomorrow, Christmas Eve,
the town of mistletoe
will bid a final farewell
to their beloved St. Nicholas.
- Come on, boy!
- Come on.
What are you doing
with the dog?
- None of your business.
- This is city business.
Well, where are you
taking him?
- Back to the pound.
- Todd here's escaped three times.
- Todd?
- The dog's name's Todd?
- Come on, boy.
- Uh-huh.
Personally,
I think it suits him.
Well, I'm looking for
a dog.
Uh-huh. So what kind of
dog you looking for?
The kind of dog
that nobody wants to take.
Then he's the perfect
candidate.
Nobody even looks
at Todd here.
Well, I'll take him now.
- You're too late.
- He's gonna be put down tomorrow.
- What?
- On Christmas Eve? No!
Can't I just take him now?
- You can't.
- It's against the rules.
You're gonna have to come
back to the office.
- Okay, fine.
- I'll come to the office.
- Can I ride with you?
- That's against the rules too.
Please.
Please!
Okay. But it's worth more
than my job.
- Just for you.
- And for Todd.
- And for Todd.
- You're a good man.
- Hop in.
- Thank you!
Christmas...
Yes! Yes!
It's exciting!
Hey, cute dog.
- Oh, no, no, no.
- It's exciting.
Yes. So,
this is it, eh, old boy?
Give 'em one last show...
For old time's sake.
Mark, what on earth
are you doing here?
Well, this being
your last run,
I figured you could use
a chauffer.
Well, I... accept.
Mark...
My dear boy,
could you do me a favor?
Anything.
It's Christmas Eve,
and I expect
some of the children
will be with their families.
If there are none
waiting in the square,
just don't bother stopping.
- Just... keep on going.
- Sure, kris.
Anything you say.
"The top of the porch!
"To the top of the wall!
"Now, dash away, dash away,
dash away all."
Kris! Kris! Kris! Kris!
You really had me!
Kris, kris, kris, kris!
Thank you, thank you.
Ah, bless you.
Kris, kris, kris, kris!
Oh... thank...
Please, no.
Thank you, thank you!
Oh, goodness!
You mustn't.
- Go on, children, go on.
- Go on, go on, please.
Go on!
Excuse me!
Anna wahl,
the most famous blogger
around?
I am!
Sorry I'm late.
Traffic was a bear.
- Uh, because of you.
- No.
No. I can't take credit.
It's all about kris.
They want him to come back.
Oh, my goodness.
Look at all these people!
Hey, listen,
I figured it out.
What?
The meaning of Christmas.
- I missed you.
- I missed you too.
Oh! Ha ha ha!
Well... oh.
Santa's back!
I want you
to meet someone.
Oh ho ho aw...
Mark, Todd...
Wow. He's so...
- Homely?
- I was gonna say friendly.
Hey.
You know, he actually
reminds me a little bit
- of you.
- Oh, really?
- Not the homely part.
- He's got a good heart.
So do you and Todd have
any plans this Christmas Eve?
We actually
might just be free.
Really?
What a coincidence.
So am I.
So loyal readers,
before I close,
I'd like to put out
my own Christmas evite
to all the good citizens
of mistletoe, past and present.
If kris kringle has a special
place in your memory,
then join us tomorrow
in the square.
And remember once more
how wonderful it felt
when you still believed
in Santa claus.
Oh!
- Here they are.
- Oh!
Sorry that we made you wait.
There was a little bit
of a brouhaha
down at the toy shop.
They elves are...
Preparing to organize.
Thank you
for giving me away.
And for changing your mind.
Oh, the honor is mine,
my dear.
What kind of Santa
would I be
if I abandoned the children
at Christmas?
You make a lovely bride,
Annabelle.
Thank you.
- Shall we?
- Yes!
Who gives this woman
in marriage?
I do, Mr. mayor.
And who are you, sir?
Well, some call me
Santa claus.
Others say father Christmas
or Saint Nicholas.
Take your pick.
- Very well.
- I prefer plain old kris.
Now, who has the rings?
Oh, uh...
Oh, of course, I...
Oh. Here we are.
Ah.
Thank you.
You may kiss the bride.
- Whoo!
- Ah!
Mistletoe,
I want you to join me
in giving a special shout out
to the donor of
this year's Christmas tree,
Mr. mark Stafford!
Yes, mark!
Thank you, mark.
And as soon as our guest
of honor arrives,
we can light this tree, huh?
Yes!
Ha ha ha ha!
Ho ho ho!
Seasons greetings, kris!
I had to deliver your mail
after hours,
there was so much
addressed to Santa.
How's Martha?
Ah, ornery as ever.
She made a special batch
of cookies for you.
I'd feed 'em to the reindeer
if I were you.
- Give her my regards.
- Ah, will do, will do.
Well, the whole town's
waiting for ya.
On, comet, on, cupid,
on, donner and blitzen.
To the top
of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
- Now...
- Dash away, dash away...
Dash away all!
That's great.
- There he is!
- Uh-oh!
Ladies and gentlemen,
here he is...
Our very own kris kringle!
Yes!
Yes!
Thank you.
Ooh.
Yes!
Yes!
Hello, hello, hello!
I suppose a Christmas tree
isn't really a Christmas tree
without lights,
now, is it?
No!
So... let's count down
together.
Five... four...
Three... two...
One!
Anna, Zoe wants to see you.
- Oh, great.
- I'll be there in a sec.
Thanks, carly.
Knock, knock.
You rang?
Anna, check this out.
Look at this guy.
He really knows
how to milk a moment.
- Mm.
- Ho ho ho.
Oh, come on, Anna.
This is good stuff.
Oh... there's more.
Of course there is.
A guy named Phil
sent me the link.
Says he's the mayor
of, uh... mistletoe.
- How quaint.
- Says this old guy's
been playing Santa
every Christmas for 50 years.
Wow.
And you'll love this part.
He changed his pedestrian name
from John Wilson
to kris kringle.
Okay. Well, now he sounds
like he needs to be fitted
for a straitjacket.
Why are you telling me this?
No. No!
Zoe, please, you know
I'm not a Christmas person.
Exactly.
That's what makes you perfect
for the story.
Story? What story?
This guy sounds like
a glorified mall Santa.
- Oh...
- But he is so much more.
This Santa is the real deal.
Or so he says.
This guy really
thinks he is...
"The real" Santa claus?
According to mayor Phil.
Our readers
are gonna eat this up.
Oh... I feel like
I'm getting indigestion already.
Anna.
We are a family magazine.
Stories like this
are our bread and butter.
- Okay... you win.
- What do you want me to do?
I have an inspired idea.
- Here it comes.
- Okay.
It's the holidays, so why not
make this story special?
I mean, 50 years?
That's quite an accomplishment.
I want you to go down
to mistletoe,
find out what makes
Mr. ol' kringle tick,
then I want you
to blog about it.
You want me
to blog about it?
- Kris kringle...
- 50th anniversary.
Our readers
are gonna love it.
Okay, am I being punk'd?
It's gonna make
a wonderful feature story.
And I've arranged for carly
to house sit for you.
You'll leave
first thing in the morning.
You really want me to blog
about a crazy old man
who thinks he's Santa claus?
I'm sorry,
but I don't even think
Quentin Tarantino
could make that interesting.
I have faith in you,
Anna.
I know you do.
- Oh, Anna!
- Yes.
How'd the blind date go
last night?
It didn't.
I canceled.
Honey... it's been
three years.
You really need
to get back out there.
I know, and I love you
for caring, but...
I'm just not ready yet.
Dear blogosphere,
from now until Christmas,
I will be reporting from
the recently renamed town
of mistletoe.
Why, you ask?
Because my editor thought
it would be a good idea
to banish me to,
of all places,
northern California,
where it snows.
My task at hand...
To uncover what makes
the great mall Santa
of the north tick,
a man affectionately known
as kris kringle
who resides in a town
called mistletoe.
Good to see ya.
Good! Good to see you.
Aah!
What?
All right!
Uhhgh!
Okay, okay, I'm moving,
I'm moving.
Perfect.
It is funny.
It is a laugh.
This is good.
I'm in a parade.
I'm in a parade.
Hello.
Oh! Happy holidays!
Welcome to the holly inn.
Oh, thank you.
Uh, I believe I have
a reservation.
Anna wahl.
Family now magazine.
- All right.
- Anna wahl.
Mm... no.
Uh, no.
Wait! Here we go!
Oh, Anna wahl with an "l".
- Yeah.
- That's what I said.
Oh, I thought
you said walls.
Well, it's a little
noisy in here.
Just need your
Jane hancock on the line.
Uh, what's going on in here
anyway?
- What do you mean?
- Well, all the construction...
Oh, yeah!
Well, uh, our new owner's
doing a remodel.
- Wonderful.
- Yeah.
Uh...
- How's room number five sound?
- Great.
Uh...
I just have, uh,
these two bags.
Oh, um...
I hope you don't mind
lugging your own bags.
I, uh, strained my back
bowling.
- No problem.
- Oh, thanks.
- All right.
- Just... here?
- Just... yeah.
- Just, uh, down that way
and up the stairs.
Make a left.
It's the one
with the big sitting room.
Would you be
the Anna wahl
from family now magazine?
You made a grand entrance
in our parade today.
The one.
Mayor Phil green
at your service.
- Oh, excellent!
- If you're the mayor,
- then you're the reason I'm here.
- Indeed.
- I hope that's a good thing.
- Too early to tell.
I'm actually here
to check out your, uh...
Your kris kringle,
aka John Wilson?
- Hear he's quite an extrovert.
- Oh, yes, ma'am.
Kris is some piece of work.
11 months of the year,
he pretty much keeps to himself,
spending his time gardening
or fiddling
in that workshop of his.
But come December... poof,
like a butterfly
bursting out of his cocoon,
there he is.
7:00 P.M. December 1st
without fail,
kris shows up in this square
driving that ridiculous
car of his.
Then when the holidays
are over,
he goes back to his cave.
- Cave?
- His house on Santa claus Lane.
Used to be maple drive
before the change.
- Change?
- Yeah, this town
was called summerville
till about 30 years ago.
Christmas of '79, to be exact,
the change took effect.
Summerville became mistletoe
and all the street signs
took holiday theme names.
Lloyd, our postmaster,
nearly went insane.
What about the holly inn?
Yep. Used to be called
the summerville inn.
And all of this...
For Mr. Wilson?
Well, he goes by kringle now.
He hasn't answered
to Wilson in years.
See, the change came about,
Anna,
'cause folks
wanted to show kris
just how much they appreciate
all he's done for our town.
What exactly has he done?
Let me take you
to the St. Nick's
to meet a few folks.
Oh, you're gonna love
this place.
St. Nick's cafe.
People are great.
You're gonna love it,
I promise.
Ahh.
Mr. mayor.
Zelda.
How are we today?
- Well, Zelda.
- How are you?
- I'm good.
- We've got company.
This is miss Anna wahl,
parade interloper.
Oh, my goodness.
A celebrity.
Well...
- Welcome to St. Nick.
- Thank you.
Miss wahl, this way.
I'll take you
to booth number one.
We usually save it
for the president,
but I'll give it to you.
Mayor Phil beat me out
by only seven votes
in the last election.
That was despite my "free donuts
Wednesday" platform.
But I forgave him.
Well, you were
a worthy opponent, Zelda.
- I know it.
- Special's on the board.
- Enjoy.
- Thanks.
- Trust me?
- Sure.
- Yo, harley!
- Yes, sir, Mr. mayor.
Let me get
two phantom specials.
Yes, sir, Mr. mayor.
- On the taxpayer.
- You're the boss!
No, you don't
have to do that.
I have an expense account.
- No, no, no.
- No problem at all.
We're just happy you're here.
Hey, you were quite a hit
in the Christmas parade.
Yes. Famous
for my entrances.
By the way,
what is this phantom special?
- You tell her.
- I gotta work.
Well, it's not
on the regular menu.
It's on the secret menu.
You're gonna enjoy it.
When my mama was dying,
God rest her soul,
every evening,
he would read to her.
He was there when she passed.
Back in the '80s
when the plants
started downsizing,
I was one of the first
of the lucky ones
to get laid off.
Kris helped me
get back on my feet.
Loaned me the down payment
for this diner.
Mm.
What about you, mayor Phil?
Well, sometime back,
the missus and I
were having problems,
decided to call it quits.
Kris sat us down,
gave us a good talking to,
convinced us to give
our marriage a second chance.
That was nearly 20 years ago,
and we've been happily married
ever since.
You see, miss wahl,
kris kringle has touched
pretty near
every life in this town.
And that's why
you changed the name.
- Yes.
- And we just wanna
give him a great big
thank-you card.
With a big kiss
on the bottom,
and that's from me.
Well, I'll admit...
Your Santa certainly is
versatile.
Oh, yes, he is.
And you'll see,
once you get to know him.
I look forward to it.
I was thinking about
stopping by his house
sometime tomorrow.
Well, um...
You see, kris is kind of,
uh, particular
about who he lets inside.
- Yeah!
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah.
Personally, I've never
seen the inside of his house.
- No, neither have I.
- No! Are you kidding me?
Okay. This is fascinating.
Well, all the folks
around here,
we're accustomed to kris's
eccentricities.
Oh, wait one...
Oh, you know what?
That's my editor.
I should go.
- Thank you, guys.
- Miss wahl?
Can I call you Anna?
- Of course.
- Well, then, come on, Anna.
I'm done with my shift.
I'm gonna walk you down.
- Oh, great.
- Good night, ladies.
- See you later.
- Thanks, mayor.
- Thank you, harley.
- Oh, you too.
This is a letter from
a little girl called Virginia.
And she says,
"please tell me the truth.
Is there a Santa claus?"
"Yes, Virginia,
there is a Santa claus.
"He exists as certainly
as love and generosity
"and devotion exist,
"and you know that they are
bound to give to your life
"its highest beauty
and its joy.
"How dreary it would be
if there were no Santa claus.
"It would be just as dreary
if there were no virginias.
"So... a thousand years
from now,
"there will be
another Santa claus.
He'll continue to make glad
the hearts of childhood."
Do you believe?
- Mm-hmm!
- Yeah!
- Zelda, tell me...
- How did all this happen?
How does John Wilson,
ordinary citizen,
become kris kringle?
It's a real tearjerker,
this story.
I think I can handle it.
- It was Christmas Eve...
- 1960.
Only three days prior,
John had married
his high school sweetheart,
Betty Clark.
She couldn't stand the thought
of anyone being alone
on Christmas Eve.
And this was to be their
very first Christmas
as husband and wife.
You see,
she wouldn't leave the hospital
until the last of her patients
had drifted off to sleep.
Betty was on her way home
to John
when her car hit a patch
of ice near the old road.
There was an accident?
Yeah.
- She didn't make it.
- No.
Oh... that's so sad.
Oh, I told you.
So losing his wife...
- That's what made him go crazy.
- Oh, no, now, wait now.
Who... who's to say
that he's crazy?
He changed
his name to kris kringle.
He thinks he's Santa claus.
I would say that's a little
more than just eccentric.
Well, I suppose that
there's a lot of people
with a couple doses
of crazy in 'em.
I like ketchup
with my pancakes.
I sleep
with mittens on my feet.
And harley...
He likes to get up on the roof
in his underwear,
and he talks to the moon.
Cuckoo!
Well?
Those are quirks.
This has been going on
50 years with him.
Do you know what I think?
I think you need
to get around town
and you need to talk
to as many folks as possible,
and you gotta get to know
kris...
And then you make up
your mind.
- That's very good advice.
- I know.
- I'll take you up on that.
- Okay.
- Thank you for the walk home.
- Toodle-oo!
Good night.
Ohh...
Ah...
Oh, you're kidding me!
Hello! Front desk!
- Hi. Hello.
- This is Anna wahl in room five.
- Oh, Anna, I can't hear.
- The noise in the background...
Yes, I realize there's a loud
sound coming from my room.
You hear that?
You hear it?
It sounds like
an army of gremlins
making horseshoes in here.
Oh, we already got somebody
to fix that.
- Love to have it fixed.
- First thing in the morning.
- Morning!
- Oh, fantastic.
Sounds perfect.
You have a good night.
You too!
Oh... this place.
- Morning, Jake.
- Morning. How's it going?
- Good. Morning, guys.
- Hey, man.
Looking good.
Hello?
Aah!
Oh! Oh... oh!
- What are you doing here?
- I'm so sorry!
- I was just...
- Just get out now!
- I don't care... go!
- Of course. Uh...
- Go!
- Hank told me
there was something
wrong with your heater.
- I don't... go!
- If it makes you feel better,
- I didn't see anything.
- Please leave!
What is it with this place?
I don't believe that you sent
some strange man into my room
without calling me first?
- I'm real sorry, miss wahls.
- I didn't see him come in.
Well, yeah, sure,
like Johnny handyman's
just gonna come strolling in
off the street
walking right past you
without checking with you first.
Well, actually, he's more
than just a handyman, he...
I just don't want
anyone in my room
unless you're absolutely sure
I'm not there.
- Is that too much to ask?
- No, not at all, miss wahls.
Good. And it's wahl.
No "s".
Just wahl.
Oh. Don't worry,
miss walls... wahl.
We'll get that heater
fixed for ya.
Thank you.
Oh, miss walls!
Congrats on makin'
the front page!
That fateful
Christmas Eve phone call
forever altered the life
of the small-town
furniture maker.
It's gonna make ya type faster.
Thanks, Zelda.
Kids would line up
around the block
for hours ahead of time,
waiting for a chance to be
the first one on his lap.
It was a real badge of honor.
It was 1973.
I was first that year.
Probably one of the biggest
days of my childhood.
I was first once, 1984.
I was four years old.
I tugged on his beard
to make sure it was real.
I was the last kid once,
Christmas Eve, '65.
Kris gave me a ride home.
Said he was
off to the north pole.
Didn't anyone find this
a little bit... weird?
Weird? It was Santa claus.
Ho ho ho! Ha!
You know,
when I was a little girl,
December 1st
was the biggest day of the year.
Even bigger than my birthday.
Because that was the day
kris kringle
came out of his house.
You like some popcorn,
Anna?
- No, thanks.
- Yeah, by the late '50s,
our little town
had pretty near dried up.
You know, people
were starting to lose hope.
Then one December,
kris put that suit on...
And before you know it,
we had families
coming from Miles around,
just so the kids
could sit on Santa's lap.
Kris had become like
our very own
- economic stimulus package.
- Mm.
Yeah, our little town
had become synonymous
with all things Christmas.
My dad, Phil senior,
he started the name change
petition.
He said it just
didn't seem right,
kris kringle
living in summerville.
Our local radio station
started a name-picking
contest.
Mistletoe won by two votes.
Noel came in second.
- Noel!
- Noel.
Ah, the kids used to
line up around the block.
Not so many anymore.
I mean, some days,
we hardly have any at all.
Ah, the young families,
they've moved to the cities.
Lots of malls and game stores
and food courts.
Well, why do you think
kris still does it?
Let me tell you something
about kris.
He's the most
unselfish man I've ever met.
And the little ones,
they take to him
because he's got this essence.
- What essence?
- Yeah... goodness.
And they can feel it.
He's... he's genuine.
Genuine?
Little kids can spot
a phony Miles away.
But with kris, they know.
He's the real deal.
Here he comes!
Oh! Ha ha ha!
I've gotta get
a shot of this.
- Here he is, kids!
- Ha ha, boy!
Merry Christmas, kris.
- They all been waitin' for ya!
- I know.
There we go, there we go.
Hello!
Ah... excuse me.
All right, kids, come on.
Let's go.
Come on.
There ya go.
Hey.
I'm sorry I'm a bit late,
but there ya go.
Come on.
Don't be tardy.
Ha ha.
- Merry Christmas.
- Yes.
Hi! Hi, excuse...
Hey, no cutting.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Sorry.
Hello, Joshua!
I hear you scored a goal
the other day.
- My first.
- Oh, well.
As long as
you're enjoying yourself,
that's all that counts.
Now, Josh, you promised
your mother
that you would keep your room
spick and span this year.
So how's that going?
Oh, well, I suppose
nobody's perfect.
Now, what would you like
for Christmas?
A pair of new cleats,
please.
- Right!
- A pair of new cleats.
I'll see what I can do.
If you remember
to be nice to your sister,
you might just get them.
I'll try.
Oh? Good.
Excuse me, Mr. Wilson,
I'd love to do...
You misunderstand, miss.
There's no Mr. Wilson here.
- Is there, kids?
- No!
- No.
- We have a doubter here.
No. No. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Mr. kringle.
- Mm-hmm.
- As I was saying, um,
- I'm Anna wahl from...
- Oh, Anna wahl
from family now magazine.
I saw your picture
in the paper.
- Oh.
- I love your magazine.
I make my elves read it
all the time.
That... that's great.
Um... I was wondering
if I could interview you
- for a story?
- Hey, kris, how you doing?
- Ho ho ho!
- Merry Christmas.
Uh, story.
What... what is the subject
of this story?
Well, you, actually.
- Me?
- Yes!
About how this is
your 50th year playing Santa.
Playing... Santa.
Oh, children, it seems
we have a doubter.
Oh, no, no, I-I...
Didn't mean playing...
Santa.
What I meant to say
was that...
That the story, um...
You know what, can I just
buy you a cup of coffee
and we can talk,
I can ask you a few questions?
- All right.
- That should be all right.
Uh, give me a few minutes,
and we'll go to
St. Nick cafe.
- Great. Perfect.
- Thank you. Thanks.
Oh, one more thing, uh...
I prefer eggnog.
Hmm?
So are you enjoying...
Our little town, Annabelle?
Do you mind if I call you
Annabelle?
- Hi, kris!
- I guess not.
Nobody's really called me
that in a long time.
- So are you?
- Am I...
- Enjoying our town?
- Oh, right.
Uh... I guess.
I'm... I'm definitely
more of a city girl.
I try to avoid
the city, myself,
except for Christmas Eve,
of course.
Of course.
I detect a hint of skepticism.
Oh... you don't believe
in Santa claus.
I've always had more trouble
with the whole time/space thing.
Mistletoe's a long way
from the north pole,
so... if you're here
Christmas Eve,
how could you possibly
make it back for your rounds?
You must remember
that the ordinary rules
of time and space
don't apply to Santa claus.
Silly me.
- Here's your usual, kris.
- Thank you.
- Do you mind if I...
- No, no, not at all.
Okay. So you've been
playing Santa...
Mm?
Let me rephrase that.
You've been the local
Santa claus here
for 50 years.
- Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.
- Sounds about right.
- And how does it feel
now that there aren't
so many children anymore?
You used to believe,
didn't you, Annabelle?
- A long time ago.
- What about the beard?
Is that real?
Ah, yes, all there.
What's left of it.
Feel for yourself.
Come on.
No. I'll take
your word on it.
- Come on, I won't break.
- Come on, I dare you.
Oh. Well...
Yeah.
That's real, all right.
Good for you.
So... would you like to see
where I live?
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
I thought you'd never ask.
Wow. This is really
somethin'.
Yeah?
My home away from home.
Oh, right, right.
'Cause you live
at the north pole.
Now you're catching on.
Well, uh...
Good day, Annabelle.
What... aren't you
gonna invite me in?
Oh, perhaps, when I get
to know you a little better.
Well, can you at least
give me a quote for my blog?
"If there's any kindness
I can show
"or any good thing I can do
to any fellow being,
"then let me do it now,
"not deter nor neglect it,
as I shall not pass this way
again."
Or you can just write
ho ho ho, merry Christmas!
Oh, he's a fruitcake,
all right,
with extra nuts.
Better not blog about that.
He wouldn't let me
in his house.
Who knows what
he's hiding in there.
Focus on the charming,
not the crazy.
By the way,
your first blog got more hits
than all of our other stories
combined.
Oh, right, yes,
"coming this spring
to family now...
The story of the plumber who
thinks he's the easter bunny."
Check in later.
Ohh...
So enough about the world's
noisiest b&b.
Back to the reason you're here...
Mr. John Wilson.
Alias, kris kringle.
First a little background
on mistletoe
beginning with
a trivia question.
What was mistletoe's
original name?
A... whoville,
b... bedford falls,
or c... summerville?
If you chose "c",
congratulations.
You've just won
a free trip to the north pole.
Oh! I am... not looking.
Ha ha. Very funny.
- It's, uh...
- It's all finished.
Ah. It's about time.
- Mark Stafford.
- Anna wahl.
- Oh, right.
- The Christmas parade crasher.
Yes! The world-famous
parade crasher.
I also hear you're a writer.
You're, uh, working
on an assignment?
You have good sources.
Mark Stafford... where...
You know,
you know, there's a divorce
lawyer named mark Stafford.
Represented one of my friend's
ex-husbands.
There used to be.
No. No!
- You're that mark Stafford?
- I was that mark Stafford.
I heard he was a real shark.
And now you're
a handyman in mistletoe?
Yeah, well, I'm not
exactly a handyman.
It's... more my hobby.
I work pro Bono exclusively
for the holly inn.
And sometimes
for my neighbor mabel.
She's got
some plumbing issues.
And why do you do this?
I bought the inn
a couple months back.
Ah! So you're the guy...
Hey, listen, you mind
if I ask you
a couple questions
while you're here?
No. Shoot.
Mark Stafford,
erstwhile divorce lawyer.
Do you have any...
Fond childhood memories
of kris kringle?
Let's see...
I remember the first time
I crawled up on Santa's lap.
I was terrified.
And then he spotted me.
And the first time
he said my name,
it was like...
I already knew who he was.
Like I'd always known
who he was.
I don't even remember
what he said to me.
Just that he made me feel...
Safe.
Kris has this rare gift.
He can make anyone believe
they're the most important
person in the entire world.
Okay. Thank you.
You're welcome.
Should I... tip you or...
I don't think so.
Question... what does
one do around here
after hours?
- Well...
- Funny you should ask that.
We wish you
a merry Christmas
we wish you
a merry Christmas
we wish you
a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
good tidings we bring
to you and your kin
we wish you
a merry Christmas
and a happy new year
so bring us a figgy pudding
so bring us
a figgy pudding
Hi, Anna!
- Hey!
- Want some hot chocolate?
- It is on the house.
- Sure. Thank you.
- And a yummy cookie?
- No cookies.
- No!
- You're watchin' your figure.
So you made it.
Yeah. I have to admit,
it got a little lonely
back at the inn.
- Well, how's the story coming?
- Good. Good.
Just... waiting for
the pulitzer people to call.
This is nice.
A family gathering.
What about you?
- Wife and kids?
- No. Not married.
Uh, to Santa claus?
Okay.
- You believe in Santa claus?
- Well, I believe in kris.
You think that's good for him,
enabling his delusion?
Oh, it's not a delusion
to him.
See the blazing
yule before us
- You, uh, care to sing?
- Uh...
No. There won't be
any singing.
- Trust me!
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- Well, then...
I'm afraid I'm gonna
have to ask you to leave.
- Really?
- Fat chance.
Fa LA LA LA LA LA
LA LA LA
while I tell
of yuletide treasure
My family spent Christmas
in airports, mostly.
Always traveling somewhere...
London, Paris,
Tahiti one year.
My dad loved flying
on Christmas
'cause he said
it was never crowded.
- Mm.
- When I was four...
This is great...
My mom told me,
"Santa claus is a myth
created to stimulate
retail sales."
Well, there must have been
one Christmas gift
that stood out...
The easy-bake oven, the tea set.
When I was seven,
I begged them for a puppy.
I wanted a dog more than
anything in the world.
What I ended up with that year
was a little stuffed schnauzer
that they picked up
at an airport gift shop.
We won't go
until we get some
we won't go
until we get some
so bring it right here
so did you ever get
the dog?
- No.
- Why not?
Never got around to it.
So what about you?
Why would you leave all that
divorce money for... this?
Ha ha. You wouldn't
believe me if I told you.
Oh, try me.
I, uh, had this
really big case.
It was a nasty divorce.
Two parties.
Couldn't agree on what
time it was
much less
anything that mattered.
It was the last day of court.
I had just finished
what I thought
was a brilliant
closing argument.
I was getting a coffee
at the vending machine
feeling really good
about myself
when I started to have
this feeling
that I was being watched.
Watched?
Turned around,
and there was this little girl
just... staring at me.
I assume that she wants
something out of the machine,
so I ask her,
"what would you like?
It's on me."
And she didn't say anything.
She just kept...
Staring at me with these
penetrating green eyes.
Finally, she says,
"mister, why are you
tearing apart my family?"
Ow. That's intense.
What did you say?
- Nothing. I was...
- Floored.
Didn't have an answer
for her.
Hotshot lawyer
with a silver tongue
rendered speechless
by a ten-year-old.
Then, I had this...
Wave of nausea come over me.
I knew I had to get
out of here,
so I walked out of
the courthouse
and got in my car
and just... drove.
Had no idea
where I was going.
I ended up here.
My hometown.
The place
I thought I had outgrown.
Hmm.
- And you never went back?
- Nope.
I was fined.
My license suspended.
My partners bought
my shares out of the firm
and asked me for my key
to the executive washroom.
That's quite a story.
- Yeah. Funny part is...
- I didn't care.
I knew at that moment
my old life was over.
I was no longer a lawyer.
I was just some guy stumped by
a little girl's question.
So... here I am back home
in a town
formerly known as summerville.
My family's all gone,
so there's no real reason
for me to stay here.
It just... feels right.
And now you're
remodeling your inn.
I like staying busy.
What about the answer
to the little girl's question?
Still workin' on it.
Oh, well...
Good night.
Good night, Anna.
Hello again, and welcome
back to mistletoe,
faithful bloggers.
So far, it's been a most
interesting week
trailing after Mr. kringle.
Tuesday, I won a $17 pot
at mistletoe retirement home
bingo night.
B-10!
Oh, bingo!
Bingo! Whoo!
Don't worry, bloggers.
I put it all back
in the kitty.
Ho ho ho ho!
It'll soon be Christmas!
Here's some goodies
for the tree.
Here we go!
Wednesday found me at
the local children's hospital.
Ah... all right.
Thanks.
Hey, harley.
Hey, mark.
- Hey.
- Hi.
- Sit?
- Sure.
I'll eat over here, Zelda.
Got it, Mr. staff.
Hey, you do know...
Phil told me
about the special menu.
I wouldn't believe
everything Phil tells you.
- Thanks for the tip.
- He also said you're a nice guy.
Well, you can believe
some of the things Phil says.
Mistletoe gotten
under your skin yet?
You mean that in a good way?
- Yeah.
- This town has a way of...
Growing on people.
Well, not this people.
- City girl.
- Oh, here you go, darlin'.
That was fast!
- Well, they know my...
- Routine.
- He's a growing boy.
- Nice!
So... I saw your blog
yesterday.
You're a good writer.
Thank you.
Any, uh...
Novels in the works?
Close. Unfinished play.
It's probably
gonna stay that way.
Really? Why don't you
finish it?
Oh, hit a wall.
Maybe I will...
Someday.
- Good.
- I'd like to read it.
Hey, Anna.
- Oh, hi!
- Hi.
Mark, I am really
looking forward to
your party tonight
at the inn.
- Oh, great, Nora.
- I'll see you there.
- Okay.
- Take care.
Bye.
Party?
Actually, I was just about
ready to invite you.
Sure, you were.
It's my annual
Christmas party.
- I would love for you to come.
- Mm...
All the eggnog
you can drink.
I'll think about it.
- Great.
- I gotta go.
Duty calls.
Maybe I'll see ya later?
- Great.
- Enjoy that breakfast.
- I will.
- Bye.
Bye.
- Do ya feel it?
- Do I feel what?
Christmas? Yeah.
- No, no, don't you feel it?
- No! What are you
- talking about, Hank?
- Romance!
Romance is in the air!
- Romance is in the air?
- What do you mean by that?
Yeah, yeah, you know
that reporter Anna
that's been around town.
- You and Anna!
- Are you kidding me?
- What about your back?
- No, no, not me!
Mark!
Mark Stafford.
- Oh, okay.
- They're perfect together.
All right, now I get it.
Mark and Anna, okay.
That makes a lot more sense.
- Yeah, yeah.
- All right, now, uh...
- Ya got the stuff?
- Yeah, yeah.
- Made up last night.
- Yeah, give 'em to me.
Give 'em to me.
All right, quickly.
Good!
- Beautiful!
- Thanks.
Now, listen,
if kringle finds out
that we're padding
the letters to Santa,
I'm telling ya, he is gonna
put us on the naughty list
like he did last year
for opening up
all those big presents
under the tree!
- Oh, yeah.
- No, he's not gonna find out.
- That was a bad idea.
- He'll never find out.
All right, he better not.
- Zoe, please...
- Stop trying to play matchmaker.
He's a nice guy.
End of story.
Good guys don't grow
on trees, you know.
Hey, why don't you take
a photo of him?
Email it to me
so I can check him out.
- Yeah, that's not happening.
- Try and use your imagination.
- All right.
- Have fun tonight, Anna.
I'll try.
Please do.
When the snow
lay round about
deep and crisp and even
brightly shown the moon
that night
though the frost
was cruel
when a poor man
came in sight
- Anna! I felt you!
- Come in! Oh!
Well, look at you.
You look lovely.
Could use a little more red,
but...
You do.
You do, you look beautiful.
Lay round about
deep and crisp and even
Gonna introduce you
to all these people.
Yoo-hoo!
Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
Thank you.
This is Anna.
You know Anna.
Give her a hand.
Give her a hand.
Make her feel welcome.
...decorating for hours!
'Scuse me.
Whew.
- Happy holidays.
- Hi!
I see that you made it.
You're just another stop
on my party-hopping tour.
- Great party, by the way.
- Thank you.
I didn't know kris
was musical.
Mm-hmm. He's a man
of many talents.
I brought wine.
So you have.
Thank you.
Well, I'm gonna...
Go back out there
and mingle.
Anna...
I'm really glad you came.
Whoa!
- Sorry.
- I'll see ya out there.
Thank you, thank you.
Ah.
Might I have the pleasure?
Well, of course!
You're a wonderful dancer.
Why, thank you, Annabelle.
My, uh, wife taught me
very well.
You must have
loved her very much.
- Must have?
- I still love her very much.
Mrs. kringle
is the light of my life.
Brian didn't really
like to dance.
Brian?
My husband.
He passed away.
I'm so sorry.
It was three years ago,
Christmas Eve.
I imagine you miss him
very much.
I think
I'm gonna get some air.
Thank you for the dance.
You really scored big
with the, uh, with the antlers.
Didn't I?
- What about your snowman boxers?
- Oh, yeah.
- I hear those are in this year.
- Oh, yeah.
I had a great time tonight.
- Thanks.
- So did I.
Hey, you two.
The night is young,
but I'm off to my cave.
I'm ready for my hot chocolate
and cupcake.
Good night!
- Lovely party, mark.
- Good night. Good night.
Feel like a cup of coffee?
It's midnight.
Yeah, well, the...
Holly inn is still open.
Okay.
And the phone rings...
Just like it's done
a thousand times before, but...
Something feels different.
Somehow you just know.
And in a moment, everything,
your... hopes, your dreams,
they're just...
Gone.
Can't imagine.
Most people don't make it
back from something like that.
But then there's kris.
He could be mad
at the whole world
for the lousy hand
he was dealt...
But he goes the other way.
Decides to dedicate
his whole life to the...
Memory of his wife...
To live as if Betty's
still here.
Watching him.
It's true love.
It's been an interesting
evening.
Good night,
mark Stafford.
Good night, Anna wahl.
Bye.
Morning, Jake.
Morning, Jim.
Morning, Anna.
- Hello! Front desk!
- Hey, Hank.
Can you do me a favor
and get the guys
some coffee and donuts
on me?
- Sure thing!
- Thanks.
Hey, thanks, Anna.
- My pleasure.
- Don't work too hard, boys.
- Hey, Anna.
- You got a sister?
- Sorry, Jake.
- She's married.
- And your point is?
- Ah ha ha ha ha!
- Thanks, Anna.
- Have a good day.
Thanks again!
And why am I in
such a good mood today?
I don't know, bloggers.
Maybe it's just
the silly season.
Or maybe kris kringle's magic
is beginning to have
an effect on me.
Can I get you
anything else, Anna?
- Oh, no, I'm good.
- I'm just, uh, finishing up.
You mind if I take
the weight off my dogs?
- They're barkin'.
- Of course! Have a seat.
Is something
on your mind?
Well... let's not
pussyfoot around.
I know all about you
and mark Stafford.
Oh! Jeez,
does everybody know?
- Pretty much.
- Yeah.
Oh, okay.
Thank you very much, Hank.
Oh, come on, he's a real
catch, if you ask me.
I see the way
you look at him.
- Oh, really?
- And how do I look at him?
Like you just tasted
your first chocolate truffle.
I love truffles.
Exactly!
Oh...
Now that man is the reason
that they invented jeans.
Stop it.
- Yeah!
- All right!
So, Owen, did you tell Santa
what you want for Christmas?
- A new Wii game.
- Cool. What'd he say?
Santa said I should
always tell the truth,
especially about dropping
my big sister's iPhone
in the toilet.
- Oh!
- How did he know about that?
Uh, duh!
He's Santa.
- That's right, I'm sorry.
- I forgot.
My mom made me
come here today
'cause she felt sorry
for him
'cause hardly any kids
come here anymore.
Well, it's very nice
that you did.
- Thanks for talking to me, Owen.
- Don't mention it.
- Happy Christmas.
- You too.
- Thank you.
- Okay, you ready?
It's all right.
There's nothing to be
afrai...
Oh, honey!
It's all right.
He's a very nice man.
I'm so sorry, kris.
Amber was so excited
to meet you.
- Oh, that...
- That's all right.
Perhaps Mrs. rutherford
would like to sit here?
That sounds like
a very good idea.
What do you think, sweetie?
Should we have Mrs. rutherford
sit on kris's lap?
I think it'll be all right.
Okay? Do you
want me to give her to him?
Okay.
Here you go, kris.
Well, hello there,
Mrs. rutherford.
I am happy to see you.
What's that you say?
She does?
Amber,
Mrs. rutherford says
that you want Santa
to bring you a doll's house
for Christmas.
Is that true?
She also says that sometimes
you sing to her at night
when she's afraid of the dark.
Let's see...
Now, how does that song go?
Angels watching
ever round thee
all through the night
in thy slumbers
close surround thee
all through the night
would you like to sing
with me?
Yeah? Come on.
And so...
Angels watching
ever round thee
all through the night
in thy slumbers
close surround thee
all through the night
look, she's smiling.
Yes. Look.
She's smiling.
Ha ha.
This is what it feels like,
Annabelle.
What what feels like?
Oh, riding my magic sleigh
way up in the heavens.
- Must be nice.
- Oh, it is.
It really is.
- I'll take you there someday.
- I'd like that.
Don't you want to put
the top up?
What top?
Kris, are you okay?
Kris.
What is it?
This is where it happened.
She was hurrying home.
It was a cold,
rainy Christmas Eve.
Aah!
Betty never liked
to keep me waiting.
If only she knew...
I'd have waited forever.
My Betty
was one-of-a-kind.
Beautiful inside and out.
She'd give her last dime
to a stranger and...
And not think about it
twice.
She loved everybody and
everybody loved her in return.
That was my wife.
And she loved Christmas.
It was her favorite holiday.
And she loved it all...
The baking, the wrapping.
But especially, she loved
the giving of gifts.
My Betty loved Christmas.
She used to say,
"if only Christmas could last
12 months a year."
That's why you do it.
That's why you're Santa claus.
You do it for her.
You do it for Betty.
Well, maybe this old man's
not so crazy after all.
I just wish she could be here
to see what you've done
with your life.
Oh, I think she is here.
Right now.
How do you know that?
- Well...
- I see my Betty's light
reflected in
the children's faces.
That's how I know
she's still with me.
Love never dies, Annabelle.
I wish I could believe
like you.
Maybe someday you will.
It's never too late
to have faith.
Best be going.
People will start to talk.
- Oh, stop it.
- Ha ha ha ha.
Oh, my, I do believe
I have a dead battery.
You don't have a spare one
in your purse, do you?
No, I don't.
But I do...
Have a cell phone.
Oh!
Okay, give her a try!
Hey, it started right away.
Well done, mark, my boy!
You'll get a little something
extra in your stocking
this year!
Perhaps you'd see miss wahl
back to the square?
- Of course.
- Bye, Annabelle.
Thank you, kris.
- Good-bye, kris.
- Bye-bye!
Bye-bye.
Nice work.
Okay!
- Dear bloggers.
- Okay, so I know you're all eager
to read the latest
about kris kringle.
But before I get back
to his heartwarming story,
I'd like to take you with me
on a short diversion.
Are you sitting down?
Tonight I have a date.
What's that, you say?
You want details?
Oh, sorry.
That's for another blog.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have to go get ready.
Ciao.
Anna wahl.
Mark, huh?
- At last, a name.
- Relax, Zoe.
- He's just a friend.
- A friend?
Come on, Anna.
You've been holding out on me.
What's he look like?
He's fairly good-looking.
On a scale of 1 to 10.
Scale of 1 to 10.
I would say he's in the...
9.5 range.
Wow! I've never even seen
a 9.5.
He's here.
- I gotta go.
- Okay, call me later.
- And give me all the details.
- Okay.
Hello?
Okay, I'll be right down.
Wow.
Well, thank you.
- So where are we going?
- It's a surprise.
I love surprises.
Good.
- All right.
- Explain.
Kris's idea.
He, uh, wanted to show off
his cooking expertise.
But I thought
only special people
were invited inside.
Exactly.
Oh. Okay.
Welcome, friends.
Dinner's almost ready.
It's amazing.
Oh, wow.
It's amazing.
Ah.
Dinner is served.
Mm! Gingerbread.
Come, come.
Have a seat at the table.
Thanks.
I never knew Santa claus
was such an accomplished cook.
Oh, bless you
for saying so, my dear.
Mrs. kringle was a...
Wonderful teacher.
Living in this place
must feel like Christmas
all year long.
Well, that is the idea.
You see, to me
Christmas is not just
a date on the calendar.
It's a...
It's a feeling.
Like the smile you get
from a long-lost friend,
the joy you feel
when you've chosen
just the right gift
for a special someone.
And Christmas
is the season of romance.
- Oh, really?
- Yes!
And, if I might be so bold,
I...Think you two
have potential.
Now, kris,
maybe you should
leave the matchmaking
to cupid.
Oh, it doesn't take a cupid
to see that you two go together
like matching Christmas
stockings on a mantle.
Okay.
It's wonderful, isn't it,
being in love at christmastime?
It's wonderful, isn't it,
Annabelle,
being in love
at christmastime?
Thank you for dinner.
I'm gonna get going.
- But you...
- So soon?
But you haven't tried
my strudel.
- Is everything all right?
- Yeah. Yeah.
I'm just not feeling
very well.
Well, I can give you
a ride home if you like.
No. No. I just...
I'm gonna walk.
I just need a little bit of air.
- Thanks, kris.
- 'Twas my pleasure.
Well, don't just stand there,
my boy, go after her!
Go!
Anna!
Anna.
I'm not ready for this.
You're a really nice guy,
mark, but I just can't.
What? T-there's nothing
to be afraid of.
We're just two people
getting to know each other,
becoming friends.
- Yeah, then what?
- What happens next?
- I don't know.
- Yeah, see, I can't...
Live like that,
all right?
I-I can't do that anymore.
I need to know.
I need to know
what happens next.
- I need certainty!
- I-I can't give you that.
- Nobody can.
- I know that.
And that's why I can't
see you anymore, I'm sorry.
Can you believe it's been
50 years, sweetheart?
If it's all right with you,
I'll come see you today.
- There we go.
- And if you sign right here...
Here's your card.
And initial here...
And sign down there.
There you go.
Oh, and if you fill out
our online customer
satisfaction survey,
you get 20% off
your next stay.
There won't be
a next stay.
Oh.
Holly inn.
Hank speaking.
Oh, really?
You're kidding.
No. I haven't seen kris
all day.
But I-I'll keep my eyes
peeled.
Thank you.
What's going on?
Oh. Uh, well, uh...
It's just kris.
What about kris?
He's missing.
What do you mean, missing?
Well, he didn't show up
to the ladies'
auxiliary breakfast.
He hasn't missed one
in 40 years.
Last time I saw him,
I don't really know what...
- Oh, here she is.
- Oh, Anna, Anna, Anna.
Here's Anna.
- Any word?
- No. Nothing.
- No, not at all.
- Weird. It's bizarre.
It's almost like he disappeared
into thin air.
No idea where
he could have gone?
No. It's anybody's guess.
- Well, I'm here if I can help.
- Oh, good, good.
We need all the bodies
we can get.
Now, I say we split up
into search teams.
Sheriff ward and I,
we will take
the South and the west
into town.
Doc, why don't you go
with harley and Zelda?
You guys go east.
And mark, why don't you
and Anna take a look north?
And we'll stay in touch
via cell phone.
First team to find him
gets lunch on the taxpayer.
Good thing I don't pay taxes.
- Come on.
- All right, guys.
Keep a sharp eye out.
- Listen, I'm...
- Sorry about last night.
It's okay.
Thought you'd be...
Long gone by now.
I would have been,
just...
I heard about kris
and wanted to be here.
I'm glad.
- Wait, wait.
- Pull over, pull over.
Oh, of course.
Today's their anniversary.
John basil Wilson
married Betty Anne Clark
50 years ago today...
December 21, 1960.
They were only married
three days before she died.
Okay.
- So you know where he is?
- Yes. I think I do.
Happy anniversary,
sweetheart.
I imagine some people
are all in a dither.
- A little.
- You okay?
We had plans to grow old
together, Betty and I.
That was the dream.
I suppose
it was not meant to be.
She'd be very proud of you.
You're a good person,
Annabelle.
That's why Brian
loved you so much.
Advice from an old man...
Looking in the rearview mirror
is no way to live one's life.
And... you want to know
when it's time to...
Exit gracefully.
What do you mean?
I overheard a boy
the other day,
the one
you were interviewing.
The only children that come
to see Santa these days are...
Forced to do so
by their mother.
They feel sorry for me.
- No, kris.
- That was...
It's all right, Annabelle.
It's time to face the music.
I...I should have quit
years ago.
Kris, what are you saying?
Alert the media.
Santa's decided
to hang up his cap.
This is my last year.
No!
No, you can't, you...
You can't quit.
You can't do this.
No, not... not after everything
you've done for this town,
for the children.
Yeah,
I know what the boy said,
but I also saw
what you did for Amber...
How you touched her heart.
I've made up my mind.
It's what I came
to tell Betty.
And I think she'd agree
that all good things
must come to an end.
50 years is a long time.
Time for Santa to return
to the north pole.
But for now,
there are still
four days till Christmas...
And even an empty post
needs to be manned.
Wonderful all year round.
Mistletoe won't be
the same.
- Come on, you're a lawyer.
- Can't you convince him to stay?
I've never been able
to convince kris of anything.
I should go.
Oh, yeah.
I can't wait to see it.
So Anna,
so you know...
When you're ready.
Thanks.
You know, I think this town
is beginning to grow on ya.
I think
you might be right.
Which is why I have to go.
Hey, will you do me
a favor?
- Give this to kris for me.
- Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
Dearest kris,
sorry to leave
without saying good-bye,
but good-byes are especially
hard for me.
I know you'll understand.
Besides, how does one say
good-bye to Santa claus anyway?
How do you tell him thanks
for restoring a cynical girl's
faith in humanity,
for helping her to realize
that there's still people
who know how to love
just for the sake of loving,
who give unselfishly,
expecting nothing in return?
Well, kris, I'm running out
of card space,
so let me just say in closing
that if a man's life
is measured
by the joy he brings
to others,
then yours is a life
that knows no bounds.
Farewell, Mr. kringle,
and godspeed.
Love, Anna.
Good blog.
Love the Christmas card
motif.
If only you had
finished the assignment.
We all know
how the story ends.
Man dedicates
50 years of his life
to making other people happy,
and then poof...
One day it's over.
Santa retires.
- It's a shame.
- I don't know.
I mean, maybe mistletoe
will...
Turn back
to plain old summerville.
What happened, Anna?
Nothing happened.
Got the story,
and now I'm ready
for my next assignment.
- It's the guy, isn't it?
- Mr. 9.5.
Mark is a very nice guy
who I have absolutely
nothing in common with.
He's why you ran away,
isn't he?
- I didn't run away!
- Uh-huh.
What?
Isn't life funny?
What do you mean?
Love.
Love shows up in the most
unusual places.
Can we please
get back to business?
Sure.
Congratulations.
Because of you,
our website hits
have increased 150%.
- Our readers love the story.
- Good.
I'm glad.
Now, what's next?
- Next?
- Yes, next.
I'm ready for
my next assignment.
- Hello!
- Three days until Christmas.
We are shutting down.
Besides, I think
you've earned a break.
But... what if
I don't want a break?
And you know
I don't celebrate Christmas,
so put me to work.
Assign me something.
I'll take anything.
I won't be picky.
Isn't, uh, Frida the food critic
on maternity leave?
You owe me one more blog
on the kringle story.
After that,
you are on vacation,
like it or not.
Fine.
- Anna.
- Yes.
He called here
looking for you.
- Who?
- Mark Stafford.
I wasn't supposed
to tell you that,
- but I thought you should know.
- What'd he say?
Just wanted to make sure
you were okay.
What'd you tell him?
I told him
that you were far from okay.
Thank you.
- I'm gonna go back to work.
- Mm-hmm.
Okay, so if there's
nothing else...
No, I'm good, carly.
Go home.
Just finishing up.
Some of us are headed
over to O'Malley's
for happy hour
if you wanna come.
- No, thanks.
- I'm pretty wiped.
Looking forward to a hot
bubble bath and early to bed.
- Okay, well...
- Merry Christmas.
You too.
Anna.
Please go home.
You can finish your blog there.
I'm almost done.
Why don't you come over
Christmas Eve?
My family will be there.
We'll have a nice time.
Thanks, Zoe, but, uh...
I already have plans.
Plans.
- Really?
- Yes.
Okay. Well,
if your plans fall through,
we'd love to have you.
Okay.
- Merry Christmas.
- You too.
Oh, leave it alone, wahl.
Hello.
So do you wanna know why
I don't have a dog?
Why don't you
have a dog, Anna?
- 'Cause I'm afraid.
- Afraid?
Afraid of getting
too attached.
And then, um...
One day, you know,
no more doggie.
It's scary,
loving something.
Yeah. How would you know,
Mr. noncommittal?
- Because I...
- Am exactly like you.
I'm afraid of putting
my heart out there,
- afraid of...
- Getting it broken.
Yes.
I've seen too many
heartbreaks,
too many families torn apart,
the pain it's caused.
Look at us, a couple of, uh,
commitment phobes.
What do we do about it?
Well, I guess we...
Weigh the alternative.
- Which is?
- Being alone.
Letting fear of losing love
keep us from ever loving.
"Better to have loved
and lost
than never to have loved
at all," right?
Something like that.
It's just hard to change,
you know?
Yes, it is.
But the truth is...
We don't have a choice.
So what do you say
we change together?
- I'll think about it, okay?
- Fair enough.
- Okay. I should go.
- Uh...
I still have a lot of
Christmas wrapping to do.
Well, then... merry Christmas,
Anna wahl.
Merry Christmas.
Dear bloggers,
tomorrow, Christmas Eve,
the town of mistletoe
will bid a final farewell
to their beloved St. Nicholas.
- Come on, boy!
- Come on.
What are you doing
with the dog?
- None of your business.
- This is city business.
Well, where are you
taking him?
- Back to the pound.
- Todd here's escaped three times.
- Todd?
- The dog's name's Todd?
- Come on, boy.
- Uh-huh.
Personally,
I think it suits him.
Well, I'm looking for
a dog.
Uh-huh. So what kind of
dog you looking for?
The kind of dog
that nobody wants to take.
Then he's the perfect
candidate.
Nobody even looks
at Todd here.
Well, I'll take him now.
- You're too late.
- He's gonna be put down tomorrow.
- What?
- On Christmas Eve? No!
Can't I just take him now?
- You can't.
- It's against the rules.
You're gonna have to come
back to the office.
- Okay, fine.
- I'll come to the office.
- Can I ride with you?
- That's against the rules too.
Please.
Please!
Okay. But it's worth more
than my job.
- Just for you.
- And for Todd.
- And for Todd.
- You're a good man.
- Hop in.
- Thank you!
Christmas...
Yes! Yes!
It's exciting!
Hey, cute dog.
- Oh, no, no, no.
- It's exciting.
Yes. So,
this is it, eh, old boy?
Give 'em one last show...
For old time's sake.
Mark, what on earth
are you doing here?
Well, this being
your last run,
I figured you could use
a chauffer.
Well, I... accept.
Mark...
My dear boy,
could you do me a favor?
Anything.
It's Christmas Eve,
and I expect
some of the children
will be with their families.
If there are none
waiting in the square,
just don't bother stopping.
- Just... keep on going.
- Sure, kris.
Anything you say.
"The top of the porch!
"To the top of the wall!
"Now, dash away, dash away,
dash away all."
Kris! Kris! Kris! Kris!
You really had me!
Kris, kris, kris, kris!
Thank you, thank you.
Ah, bless you.
Kris, kris, kris, kris!
Oh... thank...
Please, no.
Thank you, thank you!
Oh, goodness!
You mustn't.
- Go on, children, go on.
- Go on, go on, please.
Go on!
Excuse me!
Anna wahl,
the most famous blogger
around?
I am!
Sorry I'm late.
Traffic was a bear.
- Uh, because of you.
- No.
No. I can't take credit.
It's all about kris.
They want him to come back.
Oh, my goodness.
Look at all these people!
Hey, listen,
I figured it out.
What?
The meaning of Christmas.
- I missed you.
- I missed you too.
Oh! Ha ha ha!
Well... oh.
Santa's back!
I want you
to meet someone.
Oh ho ho aw...
Mark, Todd...
Wow. He's so...
- Homely?
- I was gonna say friendly.
Hey.
You know, he actually
reminds me a little bit
- of you.
- Oh, really?
- Not the homely part.
- He's got a good heart.
So do you and Todd have
any plans this Christmas Eve?
We actually
might just be free.
Really?
What a coincidence.
So am I.
So loyal readers,
before I close,
I'd like to put out
my own Christmas evite
to all the good citizens
of mistletoe, past and present.
If kris kringle has a special
place in your memory,
then join us tomorrow
in the square.
And remember once more
how wonderful it felt
when you still believed
in Santa claus.
Oh!
- Here they are.
- Oh!
Sorry that we made you wait.
There was a little bit
of a brouhaha
down at the toy shop.
They elves are...
Preparing to organize.
Thank you
for giving me away.
And for changing your mind.
Oh, the honor is mine,
my dear.
What kind of Santa
would I be
if I abandoned the children
at Christmas?
You make a lovely bride,
Annabelle.
Thank you.
- Shall we?
- Yes!
Who gives this woman
in marriage?
I do, Mr. mayor.
And who are you, sir?
Well, some call me
Santa claus.
Others say father Christmas
or Saint Nicholas.
Take your pick.
- Very well.
- I prefer plain old kris.
Now, who has the rings?
Oh, uh...
Oh, of course, I...
Oh. Here we are.
Ah.
Thank you.
You may kiss the bride.
- Whoo!
- Ah!