Merry Magic Christmas (2023) Movie Script
Hey, Mindy, play "Business News Radio."
This is "Business News Radio,"
your business, all the time.
The Dow Jones is up again
for the fifth week in a row.
Whoo.
Hey, Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for five minutes.
Yes, Mr. Morgan, your retirement plan had
another very strong year, and
as your financial planner,
I can tell you I'm
extremely excited about it.
Absolutely, and tonight at market close,
I will have the final figures for you.
Oh, no, it's been my pleasure, really.
Thank you so much.
Merry Christmas.
He calls this a financial report?
- Yep.
- All right,
well, I gotta get going.
Ooh, hot date?
Ha, ha, no, I'm meeting Coley
at that new, um, Chinese restaurant.
Oh, yeah, a few of the nurses
from the ward went there.
They said that it is a vibe.
- Okay.
- Mm-hmm.
All right, bye, I love you.
Bye, love you more.
Oh, uh, before you go,
come to the kitchen.
Why?
You'll see.
What are you doing?
Kat.
Come on.
It's not even Christmas yet.
It's a thank you gift for volunteering
with the children's theatre.
Oh, wow.
An angel ornament.
I love it.
It's a Christmas angel
to watch over my sister.
Well, we know that I could
use all the angel power
I could get this time of year, so.
Ah, who couldn't?
Thanks, Kat.
Thank you, Beth.
Do you want some help with that?
- Oh, I got it.
- Okay.
Uh, so about your meeting
tomorrow at the theatre.
- Yeah.
- There's probably
a few things that I should
catch you up on, um-
- Okay.
- Hey, Auntie.
Hiya.
Hi.
Hold on a second, are you
getting taller than mom?
Yep.
Moving on.
Congratulations on your starring role.
- Thanks, Auntie.
- Yeah, "Scrooge."
December 18th?
Yep.
So excited for opening night.
And I think Miss Scrooge
here has some homework
she needs to finish before rehearsal.
Bah humbug.
Bye, Auntie.
Bye.
- Oh, my gosh.
- Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
What happened to our shy little Riley?
It's the children's theatre.
I mean, I think it's brought
her out of her shell.
- So great.
- I know,
which is why I joined the board
and why you have to get
its finances in order.
I got it. I got it.
All right, despite the possible hurdle.
Hurdle?
Yeah, the guy you have to meet tomorrow.
Mm-hmm, Nate Matthews?
What, the founder
of the theatre doesn't
wanna keep it solvent?
Solvent, okay, yeah, I
think we should probably tone
down the CPA chat because
it might reinforce
his opinion of you as a...
As a?
A bean counter.
Bean counter?
He called me a bean counter?
Yeah, or was it a pencil pusher?
- I can't remember.
- A pencil, okay.
- But you know-
- Why am I meeting this guy?
Because the theatre's finances are a mess,
and Riley and all those
other kids are depending
on you to fix it.
Okay, okay, I got it.
Better take this with me, though.
Why?
Angel power.
It is important to warm
up before every show.
You do it with me now, you ready?
Let's get our shoulders
going and our faces going.
And let's shake our shoulders.
And get your face going.
Get your cheeks going.
Awesome work.
Okay, take five.
We'll, uh, grab some cookies
in the meeting room, nut free.
All right, high-fives.
Boom, boom, totally meant
to do that, boom, all right, wreaths.
Thank you.
Well, how's it going?
It's great.
I love those kids.
And you've loved
working with all the kids.
Yeah, yeah, kids are the best.
They just, uh, they're just,
there's no egos, you know?
No attitudes, they're just there.
Oh, okay, oh, great,
like I need a reminder.
What?
That meeting with the
financial planner tomorrow,
board mandated, it's, uh, Kat
McKay's sister, Riley's mom.
And that's a bad thing?
Yeah, what do I need
with some paper shuffler?
Uh, maybe because the theatre's
running an annual deficit,
though what are we paying them?
Nothing, she's working pro bono,
which only proves that
you get what you pay for.
Nate, just give her a chance.
Look, I know it's Christmas,
but we can't be in the red all year.
Come on, Phil, our classes are sold out.
The, the Christmas show is great.
Nate, our finances are a total disaster.
Look, nothing's computerised,
everything's crammed in boxes,
and you keep your bills in a goblet
from the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Just the unpaid ones from the
Ghost of Christmas Past Due.
Nate, you are a man of many talents.
Well, thanks, Phil.
But financial planning isn't one of them.
- That's fair.
- Mm-hmm.
Coley, thank you so much for suggesting-
this place.
It is so good.
I knew you'd like it.
It's so your vibe.
It is my vibe.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Beth, this year is going to be my year.
Last year, I focused way too much on Leo.
Who's Leo?
My astrological match?
Oh, that Leo.
This year, I'm only gonna date Pisces.
- They're easygoing-
- Mm-hmm.
affectionate and loyal.
Well, if that's the case,
then why don't you just
get a cocker spaniel?
Very funny.
I can see love in your future.
You're, like, glowing in this aura.
Okay, that is just,
it's not my focus right now.
I'm busy.
Okay, but maybe if you
made time in your schedule
to go on some dates.
Coley, I don't have time.
Christmas is in 15 days.
That's exactly 360 hours away.
Do you know how much I
have to do in that time?
I have seven dozen cookies to
bake, I have 23 gifts to wrap,
I have 34 snowflakes I need to cut out,
and I have 68 cards I need to send.
I don't have time.
Wow, you are like a calculator in heels.
Thank you.
Ooh, yay.
Fortune cookies.
What have you got?
Don't let statistics do a number on you.
Oh, I think this is your fortune.
What does yours say?
Um, oh, mine's like a poem.
Oh, "That dream you long for can come true
with some Christmas magic just for you.
So make a wish for what you lack.
Your heart's desire in on the back."
Oh, what's on the back?
Oh.
I know you like numbers, but
your heart's desire is 62-
No.
Oh, my gosh, Beth, the time.
It's 6:24.
Well, huh?
Beth, quick, make a wish.
What? No.
Right, everyone?
- Make a wish.
- No, no, no.
Make a Christmas wish.
I'm not making a wish.
Beth, it's a sign.
It's a sign that it's time to go, okay?
I have a meeting in the
morning to prepare for.
Ugh, just one sec, I am cold.
Can you see if my gloves are in my bag?
Oh, yep, they're in there.
Okay, okay, let's get going.
That's one handsome hurdle.
Coley.
Did I?
"That dream you long for can come true
with some Christmas magic just for you.
So make a wish for what you lack.
Your heart's desire is on the back."
Wish for what I lack.
Hmm, okay, fine.
Mm, it's silly.
What?
All set.
Hey, Mindy, play "Business News Radio."
Hey, Mindy, play "Business News Radio."
Hey, Mindy, play, it's fine.
Okay, I don't, oh, okay.
Hey, Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for 6 minutes, 24 seconds.
No, Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for 6 minutes, 24 seconds.
Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for 6 minutes, 24 seconds.
Ugh, okay.
Oh, hello there.
Hi, I have a meeting with Nate Matthews.
Oh, you must be the financial planner.
- Yes, I am, Beth McKay.
- Hi.
Phil Davis, house manager,
I handle everything
off the stage except the finances.
Oh, great, who handles that?
Good luck.
Okay.
Whoa.
Oh.
Oh.
- I'm so sorry.
- It's hot, it's hot.
Okay, uh.
No, no, no, no, this is Scrooge's wig.
So sorry, I just was trying
- to help.
- Now, it's gonna look like
a bad dye job.
- I was just trying to help.
- Look just, okay.
Nate Matthews.
- Beth McKay.
- Hmm.
Okay, so, um, where do we start?
Um, I'd love to start
with your financial records.
Financial records, okay.
Sure, um, you know what?
I think I have some invoices over here.
You don't have them in a computer?
Yeah, no, we never got around to that.
- Um-
- Okay.
You don't have a finance person?
Never got around to that either,
- actually.
- Uh, okay.
Maybe they're in this box marked invoices.
Oh, no, no, that's for,
those are for clown practise, sorry.
- Yeah.
- Uh, you know what?
I think the invoices are over,
whoa, I'm sorry.
These were supposed to be tied together.
Let me guess, never got around to that?
Aha, here are some receipts.
Hamlet?
No, that's actually our
last financial planner.
And here are some bills, yeah.
These are all the bills that I have.
Nate, this is all very entertaining,
but I think it's a complete waste of time.
Oh, you know what? I completely agree.
Great, so why don't you
just box everything up
and send it over to me tonight?
- Everything?
- Everything,
your expenses, your receipts,
your invoices, your 1090s, 1091s.
You know what? I'll just text you a list.
Okay.
Beth, um, I know to someone
like you this may seem a little-
- Unhinged.
- unorganised.
But, uh,
it always works out.
It's the magic of theatre.
Just send me everything.
You got it.
And I'll keep this because, you know,
us financial planners
have to stick together.
Okay, have a good, uh,
have a good day, Beth.
Bye.
Ho, ho, ho, okay.
- A skull?
- A skull.
It's his bizarre filing system,
which is not a system at all, by the way.
It's just this chaotic mess.
Oh, hold on, hold on.
Is this the guy?
Oh, yeah.
Hottest mess I've ever seen.
Okay, don't let
that face fool you.
Oh, my gosh, Beth, look, 6.24,
the number from your fortune cookie.
Does keep popping up.
Oh, so you've still been
seeing the number then.
Maybe.
Beth, have you made your wish?
You know, I put the fortune in
your bag when we were leaving
- the restaurant.
- Yeah, no,
I know you did.
I saw.
Can we please just keep shopping?
Okay.
What if I were to give
you a spiritual reading?
You're a web designer.
And a certified medium.
A what?
I did an online course.
Okay.
Listen, this whole numbers thing,
it's just a statistical
coincidence, that's all.
Beth, it's a sign.
You need to make your wish.
Okay, I wish to get a good sleep tonight,
but I don't think that's gonna happen
if I'm going through
this theatre's finances
and they're anything like his office.
Okay, well, I'm buying
this 'cause it's a sign.
Fine.
Okay.
You need to get it
through your thick skull
that your theatre's about to go under.
Yes, Mr. Morgan,
you're in great financial shape
to retire early.
In fact, you have built
up quite the nest egg.
I have a couple numbers
I'd love to share with you.
Um.
Sorry.
Okay, you know what, Mr. Morgan?
I'm having a couple of
technical difficulties.
Um, could I give you a
call back this afternoon?
Great, thank you.
Yes, merry Christmas to you, too.
Okay, fine.
Uh, yeah, it's, no, it's a strong cast.
We have kids who are really into it.
Oh, should be a great show.
- Hey, guess what.
- What?
Opening night is sold out.
Nice work.
Yeah, hey, how did your meeting
with that financial planner go?
Oh, you know, she's all doom and gloom,
but, uh, I don't think we'll
be seeing her for a while.
Why is that?
Well, I gave her enough paperwork
to keep her busy until next Christmas.
Yeah, yeah, I think
she's probably drowning
in paperwork right now.
Fortunately, I'm great
at wading through paperwork
and taking inventory.
Oh, hi, Beth.
Uh, Phil, this is-
Okay, uh, yeah,
I'll let you two go at it, I mean,
- get, get at it.
- All right.
Sorry about that, uh.
So, as you can see,
the theatre's expenses have
been steadily increasing.
"Without a doubt."
While the theatre's income
has been steadily decreasing.
"Cannot predict now."
Am I boring you?
Sorry, what was that?
I said the theatre's income has been
steadily, steadily decreasing.
Well, our ticket sales are strong.
Our classes are sold out.
Yes, but you need to boost advertising,
um, merch sales, uh, sponsorships,
and, and, uh, rent out the
venue for special events,
movie screenings, and,
um, birthday parties.
No, we had a kid's party once.
I spent a week scraping
gummy bears off the stage.
Ugh, what I'm saying is that-
Okay, I got it.
I do.
You need to increase the theatre's income
if you want to stay in business.
Business?
Just look at this pie chart.
Oh, wow, a pie chart.
Did you bake that yourself?
Do you wanna take this seriously?
Well, the pie chart is
very, very pretty but, um-
- Okay, listen.
- Beth, look.
Uh, I appreciate all of
the time that you spent
creating these graphs and
charts, and they're all,
I mean, they're all very
colourful, but the thing is,
the arts, they're not about making money.
Oh, that's obvious based
on looking at your numbers.
What's obvious is that
you don't understand
the magic of theatre.
The only magic that's happening is
how quickly your income disappears.
Uh, we're non-profit.
More like no profit.
You're like Scrooge.
Well, at least he knew how to make money.
Money, money, money, this
is all that matters, huh?
I didn't say that.
Look, as I said,
somehow it always seems to work out.
The magic of theatre?
You wouldn't understand.
Beth, appreciate all that,
but if you'll excuse me,
I have rehearsal.
I'll let myself out.
Thanks again, and, uh, merry Christmas?
Merry Christmas.
Is there a chance this
theatre can survive?
"Absolutely."
Well, that'd be magic.
I'm sorry, Kat, it's
just, it's not gonna work.
Okay, but did you
explain the consequences?
Oh, I tried, but he just wouldn't listen.
Here, let me just-
- Okay.
- get this, okay?
- Yeah.
- We need to plug it in first,
and we can figure things out.
You know he has his stuff
in all these random boxes
labelled with nothing, and
there's no system in place.
- Bet you love that.
- Okay,
- will you give this to me?
- Uh, yes, thank you.
Okay, well, what did he say
when you explained the situation?
Oh, he said that I didn't understand
the magic of theatre,
like his negative P&L
will somehow just magically
turn into a tangible ROI.
You didn't actually say
that to him though, did you?
Because...
- No.
- Uh-huh.
I just showed him some very
clear and colourful graphs
that a child could understand.
So how bad is it?
I think that there's just
- this one knot here that-
- No.
The theatre's finances.
If they don't get an
influx of cash by the end
of the year, then the
theatre's gonna have to close.
What?
The children's theatre?
It's closing?
Oh, Riley.
Look, Aunt Beth is
doing everything she can
to keep it open.
You can't let it close, Auntie.
I won't.
You're the best.
Do you want me to?
Yes, please.
Okay, I'm gonna take these up to my room.
Thank you.
I'll be back, love you.
Oh, I knew that you would never give up.
I have never known you
to give up on anything.
I just need to figure out
how to get him to take it seriously.
'Kay, well, why don't
you change up your tactics?
You know, Nate's into
theatre and the arts.
Maybe it's time you put away
your pretty little charts and graphs
and talk to him like an artist.
Okay, yeah, I can do that.
Right, like, think outside of the box.
He's directing "A Christmas Carol," so-
So send him three ghosts?
So send him one ghost.
No, we're not talking
- about-
- I have to get
back to the theatre today.
Okay, I forgot this is not your forte.
- Riley.
- No.
- I figured it out.
- Nope.
You got those?
Yeah, I told you I could untangle them.
- Ah, so smart, too.
- All right,
- you, you got it.
- You know that?
I don't even know how you did that.
Perfect.
Ghost of Christmas
Yet to Come, I fear you.
That's there and,
I fear you more than
any spectre I have seen.
Whoa.
I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
How, how, how did you-
Listen to me, mortal.
I'm here for the theatre's welfare.
Missteps in the past have
forged a heavy chain of debt,
dooming the theatre's future,
hair-raising expenses,
deteriorating income,
decrepit filing systems.
- You know, you're not bad.
- I said listen.
Okay.
You must amend your ways.
If you want to have a chance
and a hope to escape your fate,
the only way is to listen
to the spirit I sent to guide you,
me.
Bravo, okay, I'm in.
Wait, what?
Yeah, when do we start?
- Now.
- Sure, let's do it.
Okay, I'll, I'll be right there.
Sit right here.
The floor?
Yeah.
Okay.
Try and keep that one to yourself.
So.
Oh, more charts and pies, huh?
Okay, it's just a tool, Nate.
Don't be so dramatic.
Well, haven't you heard?
That's what we do here.
Yeah, and according to
reviews, you do it very well.
Wow, is that a compliment?
But you can't survive on reviews alone.
Well, I know that.
Do you?
Sort of.
'Kay.
Okay, so what, uh, you
draw up some financial plan
with lots of, uh, colour-coded charts?
Yeah, eventually.
I mean, I would like to learn more
about the theatre business, so.
Really?
But first we need a quick influx of cash
before the end of the year.
- What, this year?
- Yeah.
Beth, we have a show to put on.
I know, you're gonna have to walk
and chew gum at the same time.
Are you equating staging a show with-
Okay, yeah, bad analogy.
But you can't wait till next year.
I mean, Christmas is the
best time for fundraising.
Oh, we're doing this before Christmas?
If you pay your debt
before the end of the year,
it'll just save you money.
Huh, okay, you see, wasn't that easy?
Yeah, about as easy as
hiding my unpaid bills
in a giant beer mug.
That was a goblet.
It's called sweeping your
problems under the rug.
Can you understand that?
Maybe you should understand
that, uh, whoa, saved by the bell.
Time for rehearsal.
Okay, but we're not done.
Well, you did say you wanted
to learn about the theatre business.
Stay here and watch Riley in action.
Can't say no to that little Scrooge.
Let's do it.
Who are you?
In life, I was your partner, Jacob Marley.
Ugh, why you, you could be anything,
a slight disorder of the stomach.
You could be an undigested bit
of beef, a blot of mustard,
a moulding cucumber, a rotten tomato,
a crumb of cheese,
a fragment of an underdone potato.
You're likely more gravy than grave.
Great work, guys.
Look, you already got an
audience who loves you.
Nice work.
Okay, take a break.
Bye.
I get it.
Right?
Have you always wanted to work with kids?
Uh, no, I dutifully
followed my parents' advice-
and got a job
in an office selling pet supplies.
What?
Yeah, I was the Willy
Loman of pet products.
I cannot see you as a salesman.
Well, neither could my boss.
I lasted six weeks, and
then I used all my savings
and leased an old theatre that
was about to be bulldozed.
And that was about, what, seven years ago.
Been 24/7 since, but,
yeah, labour of love.
So why a children's theatre?
Well, kids have an endless
imagination, you know,
this sense of magic
that we lose as adults.
- Magic?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I also like teaching
kids because I remember
what acting did for me
growing up, you know?
I was a pretty shy kid.
- You?
- Mm-hmm, oh, yeah, oh, yeah.
Wow, you sound like Riley.
Uh, she was painfully shy,
and now she's all bah humbug on stage.
- She's come a long way.
- Yeah.
They all do.
Ooh.
Cold?
Yeah, I'm, oh.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Well, I'm that way.
I'm this way.
Good night.
Good night.
I don't know, Aunt Beth.
I guess I just always thought
of Scrooge as, you know, mean.
Well, he was at first.
But do you think that in real life
people like Scrooge can change,
you know, learn from their mistakes?
Um, well, it's hard,
but you know, your grandma used to say
that only love can truly change people.
All right, Riley, we have
some Christmas shopping to do
- before I go to work.
- Ooh.
You just about finished?
Wait, we have two more.
Okay, fine, two more.
I will be back in a minute.
I know.
What do you think of Mr. Matthews?
Mr. Matthews?
Yeah, I mean, he's, he's nice.
He likes you, you know.
He likes everyone.
No, you know, he likes
you how a boy likes a girl.
He mirrors you.
He mirrors me?
That's how you know if a boy likes you.
Oh, okay.
Mom told me about it.
You'll see it the next
time you're with him.
- All right.
- You will.
All right, Riley, why
don't you go get ready?
- Go.
- Okay, Mom.
And don't forget your jacket.
- It's cold outside.
- I know, Mom. I will.
It's very cold.
No, it's not.
- Gloves, too.
- Ugh.
She's such a great kid.
Oh, she is.
Oh, by the way, Beth, thank you so much
for giving Nate a second chance.
Oh, yeah, no, for sure.
I mean, um, we went for
this walk yesterday,
and, um, yeah, he can
be charming, I guess.
Oh, okay.
Oh, okay, what?
Well, just oh.
You know, the last
time you gave me that oh,
you set me up
with um, Johnny Gasoway.
Hmm, who's that?
The guy with the, the squirrel nest hair,
and the man bag,
and the, the distressed jeans.
Oh, but he was so sweet.
Oh, yeah, he lived with his parents.
I mean, you're not wrong.
Anyway, um, he's a client so-
Mm-hmm, and you're a volunteer, so-
It's just better to keep it professional.
Mm-hmm, yeah.
You know he mirrors you, right?
Oh, not you, too.
Mommy, I'm ready to get Aunt Beth's gift.
What are you getting me?
- What are you getting me?
- Hmm, yeah, nothing.
I think it is time to go.
- Let's go, honey.
- I'm sorry.
- All right.
- I'm sorry.
I wanna know.
- Yeah, I'm sure you do.
- I have a list.
Okay, okay, okay.
Bake sale.
No, no, no, overdone.
Um, Christmas, white, white
Christmas, white Christmas.
Yes, white Christmas.
Um.
Okay, it's gonna work.
It's fine.
Okay.
Okay, you're changing
up your morning routine.
You dragged me out on a power walk.
What's up?
Well, you know how I bike
five miles every morning.
Yes, I know you do, every
morning like clockwork.
Bike has a little bit of a glitch.
A glitch?
Yeah, you know the reader
where it usually says five miles.
Right now, it just keeps saying-
Wait, wait, wait don't tell me.
It always reads 624.
No, 6.24.
I knew it.
Okay, I was doing a bit of
research, and it turns out
that 624 is an angel number
from a Christmas angel.
An angel number.
Yes, it's a number that
you see again and again.
And you, my friend, have hit
the lotto of angel numbers,
the mega millions of numbers.
Okay, Coley, what does it mean?
Okay, okay, sorry, 624 is an angel number
associated with your spiritual
soulmate, your life partner,
your heart's desire.
Your heart's desire, like in
the poem from your fortune?
Beth, did you ever make that wish?
I did.
You did?
Well, well, what was it?
- I am-
- No, wait, wait, wait.
You can't tell me because
then, if you tell me,
it won't come true.
But then again, maybe
it's already coming true
because you're already seeing the number.
But then, if you tell me,
- then maybe you'll still-
- Coley.
- Then, if you tell me then-
- Coley.
maybe it won't come-
What, uh-
- Can we keep-
- Sorry.
Okay, you'll continue to see the number
until you fulfil your heart's desire.
Okay, fine.
I admit this is, this recurring number is
beyond the realm of
statistical coincidence.
Your first breakthrough,
how did that feel?
Suffocating.
- It can be.
- Mm-hmm.
I know.
I need your help.
Ooh, a spiritual reading,
energy cleansing?
Something a little more down to Earth.
But you'll get to meet Nate.
The cute theatre guy?
- Yeah.
- Okay, let's go.
- Come on.
- I'm coming, okay.
A white Christmas sale, mm-hmm.
- I think it's clever.
- Yeah, okay.
- Yeah.
- It's fun.
Sure.
Okay, so I figure we
need to raise about $25,000
to cover your expenses, unpaid bills.
25,000?
Yeah, well, obviously,
this'll get, like, 2,500.
But, um, I figure we just
need another fundraiser
before Christmas, and we're good.
- Before this Christmas?
- Yes.
Oh, do you know that, uh,
Christmas is in, like, uh-
11 days.
So how do you plan to do this in 11 days?
A little help from my friend.
Hello.
I am here.
I have arrived.
Consider it done.
Coley, Nate. Nate, Coley.
- Pleasure.
- Hi, hi.
He's cute.
Um, okay, before Christmas?
I can have the site up
and running by tomorrow.
All we need now is a domain
name and an e-commerce platform.
I can help you with that.
And banking info where
they can send the money to.
Oh, yeah, I can, I can help you with that.
Oh, and, uh, administration, um,
a list to send out to theatre-
people so that they know
about the white Christmas sale.
Mm-hmm, Phil can help you with that.
Great, well, then that's it, really.
All we need now is content.
Content?
Yeah, you know, like what you wanna sell.
Oh, I can help you with that.
No, no, I can help you with that.
No, I can help you with that.
- I'll help you with that.
- I got it.
I'm selling all my stuff?
You don't have to sell everything.
Seems a bit drastic.
Because your
financial situation is drastic.
Hey, we always find a way to get by.
Not this time, Nate, not this time.
I have crunched the numbers.
You and your numbers.
Where's the passion?
- The passion?
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay, I have an idea.
- Mm-hmm.
Why don't we discuss this over pizza?
Is that a bribe?
Yes, it definitely is.
Well, it's working.
I'm very hungry.
Let's go.
She said what?
She asked me if,
um, people ever truly change.
And Riley's how old?
Right?
So what did you tell her?
I told her what my mom used to say,
that only love ever truly changes anyone.
Oh, wow, that's a, that's a wild fold.
You're a folder, huh?
- A folder?
- Mm-hmm.
You fold your pizza.
The way you eat your pizza
says a lot about a person.
- Oh, it does?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, there's three kinds
of people that eat pizza.
Got your folders like you,
a little unconventional.
But then, you've got your traditionalists,
who eat it tip to crust, and then,
there's the other people
who eat it crust to tip.
And what about the knife-and-fork people?
Well, that's just wrong.
Okay, so if I'm a folder,
what does that say about me?
Well, that means that
you're efficient, neat,
a little multitasker.
You like to take charge and,
uh, you know, get things done.
- Okay, I'm a folder.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, that's so funny, Riley
actually said that you, um...
I what?
No, nothing.
So what kind of pizza eater are you?
Well, I'm, I'm, I'm crust to tip, always.
That's how you know if it's a good pie.
So you, you like to try things first?
Hmm, no, no, I'm more
of a non-traditionalist.
Do-your-own-thing kinda person.
What is so funny?
Nothing, nothing.
Nothing.
Um, so white Christmas sale.
Uh, okay.
What's the next step?
We have to price everything out.
Together?
I mean, I'm happy to do it by myself.
No, no, no, you will lowball everything.
We will have to compromise.
Hmm, okay, this will be interesting.
To you compromising.
Well, howdy, pardner,
how much you think this
10-gallon hat'll fetch?
- $10.
- Why? Why?
What? This is a great hat.
- It has sweat stains.
- That adds authenticity.
Okay, next, move on.
Robin Hood, here we go.
Uh, you know what?
Why don't we just, instead of fundraising,
why don't we just steal from
the rich and give to the poor?
Yeah, at this rate, we're gonna have to.
Uh, er, $20.
Wait, you let your kids
play with real swords?
Hmm, no, no, no, no,
this is, uh, this is fake.
- Oh, then $5.
- What?
7.50, next.
Oh, oh, I must grant
you three wishes, master.
Hmm, just what I need, more wishes.
- What's that mean?
- Nothing, um.
I would love an electric car.
Zap, done.
'Kay, second, I would love
a million dollars for the theatre.
Yeah, well, I wish.
And third, I would love
if you would stop acting out
everything that we have to sell.
Well, I'm just trying
to have a little fun.
Is this your way of procrastinating?
No.
Yes, a little.
I'm just having second thoughts.
Again?
It's just this stuff has a history.
Yeah, but your theatre's
about to be history.
The memories.
There's debt.
All you think about is money, huh?
Just trying to save your theatre.
It doesn't need saving.
You're in denial.
Oh, what, so now you're my psychologist?
You're gonna need a psychologist.
I might need a little
therapy after dealing with you.
'Kay.
Ooh, time for class.
All right, well, um,
Coley's gonna be here soon,
so we'll just get this stuff organised.
Okay, but just don't do
anything until I get back, okay?
You hold off.
Yeah, sure.
Yeah, Beth, are you sure about this?
I thought that Nate
said we should hold off.
Uh, there's no time.
Okay, I think this is
everything, um, yeah.
Let's just price it out and get it online.
When he sees the site, he's
gonna wanna move forward.
Okay, I'll take pictures of everything
and make the backdrops Christmasy.
Oh, no need, I hired a model.
Really?
Hey, Auntie.
Our model.
You.
Yeah.
Oh, Coley, it looks great.
Riley is so adorable.
You ready to go live?
No, wait.
We gotta show Nate first.
I think he's gonna like it, mm-hmm, smart.
Oh, hey, no.
- Can't believe it.
- Oh, Nate.
You went behind my back.
Oh, wait? What?
No, no, we were waiting for your okay.
No, I asked you to hold off.
- I know but-
- You took everything
from my office, and now
it looks like a mausoleum.
Nate, just look at the site.
I know what's on it,
memories from every production
that we have ever had here.
Okay, but you have photographs
from those productions, right?
You just, you don't get it.
I mean, how could you?
I was just trying to
make the numbers work.
Yeah.
Yeah, you and your numbers.
I can put it back.
Yeah.
Just take me a minute.
No, no, I just, I, I blame myself.
I should have known
how much those items
would have meant to him.
Okay, so what now?
I have no idea.
I mean, the white Christmas sale is off.
And I was really counting on that money.
All right, well, what about
direct mail or sponsorships?
I, honestly, I just don't know
what Nate would even be
up for at this point.
He still doesn't think
that there's anything
wrong with the theatre.
You know, I bet if people knew
that the theatre was in
trouble, they'd wanna help.
Yeah.
Wait, yeah, yeah, they would, right?
Okay, I have a question.
How many people would
you say have, um, had
their kids enrolled in
programmes, in classes?
I mean, hundreds,
probably even thousands
throughout the years.
Oh, wow, that's a lot.
Yeah.
So we'll just reach out to them.
We'll ask for their support.
Right, yeah, and, and ask for donations.
Yes, and, um, uh, what's
something more personal?
Like, we could have a, a
holiday, a holiday fundraiser.
Okay, yes, I, I love that idea.
Okay, but do you have the time?
Oh, I will make the time.
My Christmas list can wait.
But do you think people will show?
'Cause I know it's Christmas,
and there's a lot going
on for everybody, so.
Well, if they're like me, they will,
people who know how much the
theatre has helped their kids.
- Let's do it.
- Yeah, let's do it.
- Let's do it.
- Let's do it.
- Yeah, let's do it.
- Okay, all right,
and you know, I know
Riley would love to help.
Yeah, okay, I'm gonna,
I'm gonna talk to Phil-
- Okay.
- and see
if we can use the theatre.
Well, I think it's a fabulous idea, Beth.
I'm just not sure when we'd do it.
Anytime before Christmas.
Well, that's the thing.
I mean, this is our busiest time of year.
You know, the kids are off school,
and, well, the stage is
booked every day except
tomorrow night.
Tomorrow?
I can make that work.
24 hours, but will people come?
Oh, I'm sure they could
always donate online.
Right, but I just, I don't know.
I want it to be more personal, you know,
just something that, um, could show Nate
how much he's meant to the families.
Well, I think people will come.
You know, it may not
be a cast of thousands,
but I'm willing to give
it a shot if you are.
Okay, let's do it.
Wait, what about Nate?
Let's surprise him.
Yeah, I don't think he likes surprises.
No, but he'll love seeing
the parents and the donations.
Okay, let's do it.
- Okay.
- 24 hours.
- Let's do this.
- That was terrible.
- Let's do that again.
- Let's do it.
Yes.
- Hey, buddy.
- Hey, buddy.
- How's it going?
- Oh, no.
Nate, wait, what are you doing here?
Just teaching a class.
What are you doing?
Oh, oh, your class with
Sam and Alexis on stage.
Where it always is.
Yeah, did, didn't you get my email?
No, what?
Well, their parents called.
They need to reschedule
to 6:30 tonight, so.
Well, that's the first
I'm hearing about it.
So 6:30 tonight on stage.
You're acting very weird.
- Am I?
- Yes.
You got red paint on your hand.
Do I? Well, I was painting.
Painting what?
- The sleigh.
- Why?
Yeah, well it was touch-ups
and you know, dots.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah, you're being weird.
Yeah, um, would you
mind grabbing a coffee?
Okay, I'll get you a coffee.
Thank you.
You're being weird.
I'll see you at 6:30, though.
Oh, thank goodness.
Oh, my gosh.
It's a good sign.
Beth, 6:24.
That's because it is 6:24.
All right, okay, all right.
- Phil?
- Hmm?
It's almost 6:30, and no one's here yet.
Maybe this was too short notice?
Um, okay, you told Nate to be here at 6:30
and everybody else to
be here at 6:00, right?
Yeah, that was the plan.
And, and Nate's never late or
at least not notoriously late.
I mean, this is notoriously late,
and I mean, I sent out the emails,
and I'm sure everybody
is supposed to be coming,
but maybe it went to the junk emails.
- I don't, I don't-
- Okay, hi.
You're making it a little bit worse.
Um, you know what?
This was probably a terrible idea, so can,
is there any way that
you can just call Nate,
and, uh, cancel, and just,
and I will go to his office,
and apologise tomorrow, and
tell him it was all my fault.
So it was your fault, huh?
Shoulda known.
Someone locked the doors.
There was a bunch of
people waiting outside.
Come on in.
They came.
Nice to see you.
Hey, how are you?
Hey.
- Hello, hello.
- So good to see you.
Hi.
- Welcome.
- Hi, come on in.
- Uh, thank you.
- Welcome.
- Thank you.
- Come on down, everyone.
- This is, this is-
- Here we go.
It's nice seeing everybody.
- Hi.
- Thanks for coming.
Here we go.
Hello.
Good, hi, welcome.
- What's going on here?
- Welcome.
Good job.
Okay, this worked.
Um, thank you for this.
This is, this is incredible.
Yeah, well, it was a team effort.
I mean, the real stars
are your supporters.
They showed up within 24-hour notice.
- Twenty, what?
- Yes.
Um, I also wanted to apologise
for the whole white Christmas thing.
No, no, no, I overreacted.
- I did.
- No, I should have known
how much those items meant
to you, and I'm sorry.
You were just trying to help, really.
I, I'm, I'm, I, honestly,
I'm the one who should
be apologising to you.
Come on, Nate, this is your party.
Come out and dance.
Uh, what?
Don't look at me like that.
Yes.
You were saying?
Yes, I was saying that I, uh, have been
pretty horrible to you.
And acting like a child.
Well, you do work in a children's theatre.
Yeah, that's true.
Okay, that's, so that's fine then?
Well, no.
That's my excuse.
That's a good excuse.
What?
All of this time, I have been seeing you
as this bookish number cruncher.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
But now I see you as this...
Hey, maybe you should
make a little speech.
I'm not, I don't-
All right, these people showed up
on 24 hours' notice, during Christmas.
I'm not good at speaking.
- Bearing checks.
- Yes.
- I don't wanna do a-
- Please.
No, I don't, I don't wanna do a speech.
- Speech, speech.
- All right, guys, I'm not-
- Speech, speech.
- Okay, okay,
- I'm gonna do a speech.
- Speech, speech.
- Okay, I'm gonna do a speech.
- Speech, speech.
- Okay, I'll, I'll do a speech.
- Speech, speech, speech,
speech, speech.
Uh, okay, sure.
Uh, oh, I generally don't like surprises,
but for this I will make an exception.
You are all amazing parents
with, uh, equally amazing kids.
I am humbled and extremely
grateful for your support.
With your help, I mean,
we, we can keep this going for
years to come, so thank you.
I'm told all of this came
together in 24 hours.
I'm sure there were a
lot of helping hands,
but I would like to give a special thanks
to the woman that spearheaded it,
our amazing financial planner, Beth McKay.
It's appropriate that we're
doing "A Christmas Carol"
because I, like Scrooge, uh,
didn't want a visit from her.
But she showed me the error of my ways,
and I am a better man for it.
So thank you, and thank you for coming.
Let's party.
Um.
Well, um, thanks for walking me home.
Oh, no problem, it was my pleasure.
Uh, well, Beth, that is going
to be a tough act to follow.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
Having the parents tell me
what it meant to their kids,
I mean, that was extremely
gratifying for me.
Well, you earned it, so congratulations.
I know tonight was a hit,
but we are gonna need
one more fundraiser before Christmas.
Hmm, well, seeing
those kids there tonight,
maybe we could get them involved.
Sure.
Yeah.
You know, make 'em sing for their suppers.
Yeah, right.
Yeah, right.
Yes, make them sing for their suppers.
We could have them do, like,
a, a, a carolling fundraiser.
And they could wear their costumes.
Yes, this is a great idea.
We could call it Christmas
carol-grams, maybe?
Nate, I love it.
Yes, I will get Coley
to put it on the site.
Okay, well, then it's a, it's a plan.
We should make a plan.
Yeah, we should make a plan.
- Yeah, let's make a plan.
- All right.
- I mean, not tonight, though.
- No.
You...
No, no, not, I didn't mean...
You're giving me that look again.
Am I?
Ah, oops.
- Anyway.
- Okay.
I bid you adieu.
We will see you later.
Okay, bye.
Hey, Mindy, play "Business News Radio."
So carolling, huh,
adding a little jingle to your tingle?
What is that supposed to mean?
You know.
I saw you dancing with Nate last night.
- Mm, yeah.
- Oh,
and the speech he gave you, like, well.
It was a thank you.
Oh, here is the perfect book for you.
Are you still seeing that number?
Oh, yeah, every morning,
like "Groundhog Day."
Hmm, the angels must like you.
Well, then I really
wish they'd fix my timer
because it's still stuck at six minutes
and 24 seconds.
Oh, here is the perfect gift
for your heart's desire.
Oh, wow.
Oh, look at the detail.
It says this is a 1914
edition, gold-gild cover.
The plates in the book
are all hand coloured.
A one-in-a-million find.
Sounds like your kind of odds.
Okay, I'll take this one.
And I will take this one.
- Of course, you would.
- Let's go, 624.
God bless us, everyone.
Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.
I see an empty seat at the table
and a crutch without an owner.
Oh, no, kind spirit,
say he will be spared.
If he's going to die, he'd better do it
and decrease the surplus population.
Is that not what you said?
Oh, no, no, no.
Yes, nice work.
That was awesome.
What a great rehearsal, you guys.
Here, high-fives, here we go.
Okay, um, we're ending a
little bit early today.
For those of you who are doing the, uh,
what are, what are they called again?
Carol-grams.
Carol-grams, right, of course.
If you are, go get in your costumes,
and we'll see you in a little bit.
That was awesome work.
Nice job.
- Let's go.
- Whoo-hoo.
Yay.
That was amazing.
They're the best.
- Yeah.
- Come on.
So, um, here is the
carolling schedule for tonight.
Yeah, all the homes are
within a few blocks.
Hmm, ooh, very colourful.
Are we doing all of these tonight?
Oh, no, just the ones shaded in green.
- Okay, good.
- Yeah.
Uh, are you ready to go?
- Oh, I'm not going.
- Why not?
Because I don't sing.
You don't sing?
You don't sing?
You don't, you don't sing,
not at birthday parties?
Little karaoke, rocking karaoke?
- What?
- Come on.
Little birthday party stuff?
No, everybody sings "Happy Birthday."
Aunt Beth, you used to sing to me.
Busted.
But you're all going
in costume anyway, so.
Uh, well, I'll find you one.
What?
I'm pretty sure I won't
fit into a child's costume.
No, no, I've got the perfect one for you.
- Oh, really?
- Yep.
Okay.
Was this seriously the
only costume you had?
Well, it was either that or the monkey
from "The Wizard of Oz," so.
Okay, fine.
You look cute as a cat.
I like this.
- Oh, thanks.
- Cute as a cat.
Well, merry Christmas, everyone.
Thank you so much for coming.
Did you remember my request?
We did.
"Silent Night."
Okay, here we go.
One, two, three.
'Kay, sh, sh, sh.
Okay, great job, everyone,
that's the end of the night.
Uh, your parents are just
picking you up right over here.
Great work, woo-hoo.
- Yeah.
- Whoo.
Whoo-hoo.
- Yeah.
- Nice work.
- High-five.
- Bye, bye.
- Bye, Auntie.
- Bye.
Thank you, that was wonderful.
Thank you.
- Have a good night.
- Good night.
Holy moly, guess she
liked our singing, $1,000.
Oh, wow.
It's great.
- What's the matter?
- Hmm?
You don't seem enthused.
No, I am.
I really enjoyed tonight,
and I wanna do more,
but I get so wrapped up in work.
Okay, so why don't we make the time?
What'd you have in mind?
Um, well, I could put together some ideas,
like a spreadsheet for
you, and I could send them-
Can we just, uh, not be so regulated?
Oh, you mean like, go with the flow?
Oh, wow, I love when
you say go with the flow.
I can go with the flow.
- I am in a cat costume.
- True.
I can go with the flow.
Okay, let's go with the flow.
- All right.
- Let's do it.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
Oh, glad you took time off work.
Must be important.
Well, um.
Did you win the lottery?
What? No.
Nothing like that.
Kat, would you say that
I'm sensible, rational,
um, of sound mind?
What, are you writing your will?
Kat.
Yes, you are very rational,
like Spock without the pointy ears.
- Thank you?
- You're welcome.
'Kay, so I've been seeing this number.
Like, it pops up everywhere.
Okay, like a recurring number?
Okay, so say I set my alarm for 6:30.
Goes off at 6:24.
I bike for five miles, it reads 6.24.
My timer, it's stuck at-
6:24.
Yeah, crazy, right?
How long have you been
seeing the number for?
You remember when I went to
that restaurant with Coley,
- that Chinese restaurant?
- Yeah.
It was on the back of the
fortune in the fortune cookie,
along with a poem.
Okay, your fortune cookie had a poem?
"That dream you long for can come true
with some Christmas magic just for you.
So make a wish for what you lack.
Your heart's desire is on the back."
And on the back it read 624.
I mean, it is a little crazy.
Coley thinks it's an angel number.
She also thinks it might be
connected to my soulmate.
So what was your wish?
I wished for the fairy tale,
fall in love, have a family.
Is it Nate?
I don't know. Maybe?
Oh, my gosh, Beth,
you are falling for him.
Kat.
Okay, I have an idea.
Why don't you and Nate come
over for dinner tonight?
- Tonight?
- Yes, tonight,
impromptu, I know.
Oh, come on.
- Be spontaneous.
- Okay, okay, okay.
It smells spicy.
What is it?
It's mulled wine.
You're drinking mouldy wine?
No, not mouldy wine, mulled wine.
I still like hot chocolate better.
Um, a toast.
Yes.
To the best production of
"A Christmas Carol" ever.
Aw.
Hear, hear.
And to the best Scrooge ever.
And to the best Scrooge ever.
Best.
- I hope it's not too scary.
- Mom.
Okay, this is exactly how
your mom got her nickname,
- Scaredy Kat.
- Oh, my gosh, no, no.
The ghosts are the coolest part, Mom.
Okay, well they're a little creepy.
No.
Just that recurring
number Kat keeps seeing.
You're seeing a recurring number?
Oh, um.
Well, what number is it?
Yeah, what's the number, Auntie?
It's nothing, really.
Can we just go inside and eat, please?
Come on, enlighten us.
Apparently, it's an angel number.
- Ooh.
- Wait, are the numbers
- from angels?
- They must be.
- No, they're not.
- Yes.
- They're not.
- No, no, I love this.
This is great.
I mean, we all need a
little magic in our lives.
- Yeah.
- Sometimes you just need
- to, you know, believe.
- Hmm, to believing.
- Believing.
- Oh, yeah.
To believing.
Wow, these lights.
Really is a magical time of the year.
I think we've had
enough magic for one night.
Oh, come on, you should feel honoured
that the angels chose you.
Nate, don't.
Look, I'm not saying that I believe
in any of that angel business.
- Good.
- But I'm also not saying
that I don't believe in it.
You know, whether you
believe in it or not,
I'm just saying that maybe
you should stop fighting it,
you know?
Just go with the flow.
See where it takes you.
All right, I like that.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Oh, I thought of something that
we could maybe do together,
uh, to help me enjoy the
season like you had suggested.
Okay.
How do you feel about
taking the day off tomorrow?
- Tomorrow?
- Mm-hmm, me and you,
tomorrow, no work, what do you think?
Oh, what do you have in mind?
Do you like surprises?
About as much as you do.
Great, okay, um, dress warm.
- Okay.
- Mm-hmm.
- I'm that way.
- I'm, uh, that way.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, okay.
- Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night, Nate.
- See you tomorrow.
Hey, Mindy, play-
Okay.
All right, this is a lot of snow.
This is how you wanna spend
the season, manual labour?
Mm-mm, random act of kindness.
- I love it.
- Good,
because this is only the first stop.
What, we're shovelling driveways all day?
No, you will see.
It is a surprise.
I thought, what, I thought
you liked surprises?
I mean, I like planning them.
But for you...
You'll make an exception?
- Yeah, I guess so.
- All right.
Whoo.
Christmas pop quiz, what's
your favourite Christmas song?
Ooh, um, Nat King Cole,
"Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire."
Nice.
Uh, I'd have to go Springsteen,
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town."
- Okay, yeah.
- Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Um, favourite Christmas movie?
Mm, "Single and Ready to Jingle."
- Good one.
- Mm-hmm.
Favourite scene?
Well, the end,
when they get together
and kiss, of course.
Ah, a hopeless romantic, okay.
You're full of surprises.
You, too.
- Hey.
- Yeah?
Whoa, hey.
What? What?
This was your idea.
What? No, no, no.
Okay, listen, I, truce, I was,
oh, my, oh, my goodness.
Whoa.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Don't.
I will, look, what is that?
Is that a?
You're going in the snowbank.
- I'm throwing you.
- No.
Um.
Not bad.
So that was our first stop
on our random-acts-of-kindness tour.
'Kay, so what's our next stop?
It's a surprise.
Follow moi.
All right.
Hi.
- Thank you.
- Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, hi.
Merry Christmas.
Oh, thank you.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
- Hello.
- Come get
your gift wrapping for charity.
Merry Christmas, oh, oh, oh, sorry.
That's, one.
Here, there you go.
- Merry Christmas.
- That one.
This one, this one.
Thank you, and a merry Christmas.
Nice.
Thank you for today, it was-
- Magic?
- magic.
I would love to end today
with a random act of eating.
But, uh, tomorrow, the show opens, so.
Yeah, no, it's fine.
I have an early morning, too.
So I'll see you at the show tomorrow?
Yeah.
'Kay.
Good night, Beth.
Good night, Nate.
Okay, we're giving Santa a black beard.
Yeah, why not?
I mean, he wasn't always old and grey.
Might give him an eye patch, too.
Is this the last batch?
Uh, I don't know.
I might make one more.
Might?
I don't know, we'll see, go with the flow.
- Okay.
- Hmm.
Um.
What?
What is going on with you?
You always make an
exact number of cookies.
And now, it's go with
the flow, smiley faces.
And since when do you whistle?
Okay, I, you know, I mean,
I had a good day.
Okay.
Maybe it's because you spent it with Nate?
Maybe.
You, girl, are finally
making time for a relationship.
Sorry.
It's okay.
I see what you mean about the timer.
Oh, yeah, it is stuck.
Remember what they
said about angel numbers.
You won't stop seeing it
until you fulfil your heart's desire.
Hello, it's Nate.
Nate is your heart's desire.
That was your wish.
Okay, listen.
I, um,
I didn't wish for Nate specifically,
but, um, I wished for love.
There, I said it.
Beth, your wish is coming true.
Let's, let's not pop the champagne yet
'cause Nate is, he's-
He's what?
We're very different.
Okay, different is good.
Yeah, it can be.
I agree, but my concern is that
he's, he's still not taking
the theatre's finances seriously.
You can help him with that.
Beth, you're so smart.
Thanks.
But he needs to take it to
heart himself first, you know?
Maybe talk to him.
I'm sure he'll agree.
You're right.
I know. I just talk to him.
I'll talk to him.
Thanks.
I don't know why I
didn't think of that myself
but I, I will, yes, I'll talk to him.
Hey, did you ever figure out
what 624 has to do with Nate?
No, I have no idea about any of that.
And can you please put that down?
Hey, what-
are you doing?
I earned this.
Hey.
Hi.
Christmas cookies, as promised.
Oh, yum, thank you.
I know you're swamped, so.
Yeah, no, but, um, we should
hang out after the show.
- Yeah, for sure.
- Okay.
- Break a leg?
- Oh, thank you.
What?
Nothing, I'll see you after the show.
- Okay, see you in a bit.
- 'Kay.
Jacob, just leave me alone.
Tonight, you will be
haunted by three spirits.
Is that the hope and chance you mentioned?
It is.
I think I'd rather not.
Ooh.
Okay, guys, go,
go, go, go, go, go, across the stage.
Bah humbug.
Bah humbug.
We did it, Mr. Matthews, we did it.
Riley, you're still in your wardrobe.
You were fantastic.
Thank you.
- We think so, too.
- Yes, we do.
You are such a star.
- Thanks, Aunt Beth.
- Yeah.
All right, Riley, I think it's time for us
to get to the after-party.
After-party?
I didn't know there was an after-party.
Oh, uh, right.
The, the, um, the, the thing that-
I knew.
I'll get you a swag bag.
Thank you.
- Come on, Scrooge, let's go.
- Let's go.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Oh, Phil, come on, man.
Guess Phil's shutting it down.
I think so.
Nate, that was really great.
- Ah, the kids.
- I know.
Weren't they so,
didn't they do such a good job?
Yeah, they really did.
Riley.
She was so amazing.
- I'm so proud of her.
- Me too.
What?
Is something wrong?
Uh, no, it, it can wait.
What?
Oh, come on, tell me.
Yesterday you were so up,
and now you're, I mean,
I don't know what, what is it?
Uh, okay.
I was in your office before the show,
and I saw a bill on your desk for $3,500,
and it said final notice.
Right.
It's just I hadn't seen it before, so-
I didn't give it to you.
- Why?
- Well, I didn't have it.
I didn't have the bill,
and then, when I got it,
I was just, I knew that
you would freak out so-
Nate, $3,500, that's a lot of money.
What's it for?
The lease.
Oh, Nate.
But Beth, it's, it's not,
they're not going to evict us.
I mean, we go through the
same charade every year.
No, you don't get it, Nate.
You put on the most amazing
shows, but next year,
you're not gonna have
a stage to put them on.
- Beth, you don't understand.
- No, I do understand.
I understand that your
theatre is going to fail.
It's gonna work out. It always does.
And what if it doesn't?
What if the theatre goes under?
- You worry too much.
- No, it's not about worrying.
It's about taking ownership.
A lot of people depend on you.
- Beth.
- Do you think about,
if this theatre fails,
think about all the kids,
all the awkward, shy kids
that are never gonna have a
chance to find themselves.
Do you ever think about them?
Of course,
and not just in terms
of dollars and cents.
No, that is not
- what I'm saying.
- Oh, come on.
That's all you think about is money.
And I get it.
Okay, I get it. It's your job.
Where's the passion?
Nate, I, I tried.
I really did, but I can't do this.
Do what?
This.
You.
Good luck and, um,
merry Christmas.
And one other thing,
don't ever accuse me
of not having passion.
Uh-huh, I thought I'd find you working.
Hey, Coley.
"Hey, Coley"?
What about "Merry Christmas"?
Didn't you get the memo?
It's Christmas Eve, girl.
Merry Christmas.
Okay, that's it.
I forbid you to work on Christmas Eve.
You forbid me?
What are you, my mom?
Are you gonna just ground me next?
- And, hey, Coley.
- It's closing time,
Grinchy-poo.
You have been moping,
you have been moping,
you have been moping around all week
ever since your little spat with Nate.
- I haven't been moping.
- Moping and working.
You've been working.
I'm not working now, and neither are you.
So let's go.
Let's get this Christmas Eve started.
Aren't you coming to Kat's later?
Yeah, that's later tonight.
The day is young, and
so are we, so let's go.
Wait, wait, wait,
where do you even wanna go?
To your favourite spot, of course.
Come on, you'll find out.
- Get changed.
- I just,
okay, I just have like,
two more, maybe three,
- actually like 39-
- Beth, no, come on.
- Let's go.
- Okay, all right, okay,
- just one more-
- Come on.
- Get changed.
- Okay, okay.
Okay.
There you go.
Merry Christmas, Beth.
Merry Christmas, Coley,
and thank you so much.
You know, you were 100% right.
This is exactly
- what I needed.
- Mm-hmm.
You're very welcome.
Hey, are you still seeing
that number everywhere?
Oh, yeah.
Hmm, I guess you haven't
filled your heart's desire yet.
- Coley, can we not?
- You know, I was so sure
- that Nate was it.
- Okay,
no more angel numbers for today.
A toast.
To only believing in things I can prove,
like math solutions.
Cheers.
You're on your own with that one.
- Hmm, thank you.
- Oh, not again.
My favourite part.
"If you want the rainbow, you
have to put up with the rain."
Not with these umbrellas.
Okay, now open yours.
No, no, you can have mine.
Oh, no, no, no, Beth, come
on, you have to be strong.
Hey, maybe it's a new number.
Exactly, and then, I'll be waking up
at 4:24 every morning?
Beth, just open it, please,
- please, please, please-
- Okay, okay.
- please, please, please.
- Okay, okay.
There.
Okay, hold on, hold on.
I can't believe you.
Oh, it's Kat.
Oh, we are late.
How did we get so late?
Hey, no, you can't go
until you read your fortune.
Oh, yeah, I can. Watch me.
Beth.
Oh, and I've got this.
Oh, no, no, no, you got the last one.
No, it's mine. Give it to me.
Merry Christmas.
Okay.
- Come on, we're late.
- Merry Christmas, oh.
- Come on.
- Okay.
- We're late.
- You're so fast.
Okay, just, uh, oh,
- oh, okay.
- Come on.
Coley.
Okay, I'm coming.
- Did you see this?
- Yes, I know.
So another hit.
- Yes.
- Yeah.
A sell-out and a standing
ovation, right, Riley?
- Mm, yep.
- Well, it was so well acted.
Oh, and directed.
Oh.
Yeah, speaking of which,
Phil's been directing
the show all week, and Nate,
well, actually I don't know
what Nate's been...
He's been, like, in his
office with the door closed.
Isn't that funny?
Okay, does anybody need anything?
Uh, actually, you can
heat up my hot chocolate.
Yes, you bet.
Everybody enjoy. I'll be back.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
How?
Oh, my.
Oh, wow.
Like Scrooge, I hope you'll
give me another chance.
A wise person once told me
that only love truly changes people.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Nate, I am shocked to see you here.
Mm-hmm, merry Christmas, Nate.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Matthews.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Why didn't you tell me?
We wanted it to be a surprise.
I know you liked surprises.
Okay.
Okay, I think we need to get
back to my fabulous charcuterie.
- Come on.
- Yeah, that, okay.
Um, can you help me drink this?
I think I could do that,
pro bono, of course.
Um, yeah, it's, it's to help
celebrate my half birthday.
Your birthday's June 24th, 6-24?
Wow, how did you put
that together so fast?
A little help from a Christmas angel.
Hey.
This is "Business News Radio,"
your business, all the time.
The Dow Jones is up again
for the fifth week in a row.
Whoo.
Hey, Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for five minutes.
Yes, Mr. Morgan, your retirement plan had
another very strong year, and
as your financial planner,
I can tell you I'm
extremely excited about it.
Absolutely, and tonight at market close,
I will have the final figures for you.
Oh, no, it's been my pleasure, really.
Thank you so much.
Merry Christmas.
He calls this a financial report?
- Yep.
- All right,
well, I gotta get going.
Ooh, hot date?
Ha, ha, no, I'm meeting Coley
at that new, um, Chinese restaurant.
Oh, yeah, a few of the nurses
from the ward went there.
They said that it is a vibe.
- Okay.
- Mm-hmm.
All right, bye, I love you.
Bye, love you more.
Oh, uh, before you go,
come to the kitchen.
Why?
You'll see.
What are you doing?
Kat.
Come on.
It's not even Christmas yet.
It's a thank you gift for volunteering
with the children's theatre.
Oh, wow.
An angel ornament.
I love it.
It's a Christmas angel
to watch over my sister.
Well, we know that I could
use all the angel power
I could get this time of year, so.
Ah, who couldn't?
Thanks, Kat.
Thank you, Beth.
Do you want some help with that?
- Oh, I got it.
- Okay.
Uh, so about your meeting
tomorrow at the theatre.
- Yeah.
- There's probably
a few things that I should
catch you up on, um-
- Okay.
- Hey, Auntie.
Hiya.
Hi.
Hold on a second, are you
getting taller than mom?
Yep.
Moving on.
Congratulations on your starring role.
- Thanks, Auntie.
- Yeah, "Scrooge."
December 18th?
Yep.
So excited for opening night.
And I think Miss Scrooge
here has some homework
she needs to finish before rehearsal.
Bah humbug.
Bye, Auntie.
Bye.
- Oh, my gosh.
- Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
What happened to our shy little Riley?
It's the children's theatre.
I mean, I think it's brought
her out of her shell.
- So great.
- I know,
which is why I joined the board
and why you have to get
its finances in order.
I got it. I got it.
All right, despite the possible hurdle.
Hurdle?
Yeah, the guy you have to meet tomorrow.
Mm-hmm, Nate Matthews?
What, the founder
of the theatre doesn't
wanna keep it solvent?
Solvent, okay, yeah, I
think we should probably tone
down the CPA chat because
it might reinforce
his opinion of you as a...
As a?
A bean counter.
Bean counter?
He called me a bean counter?
Yeah, or was it a pencil pusher?
- I can't remember.
- A pencil, okay.
- But you know-
- Why am I meeting this guy?
Because the theatre's finances are a mess,
and Riley and all those
other kids are depending
on you to fix it.
Okay, okay, I got it.
Better take this with me, though.
Why?
Angel power.
It is important to warm
up before every show.
You do it with me now, you ready?
Let's get our shoulders
going and our faces going.
And let's shake our shoulders.
And get your face going.
Get your cheeks going.
Awesome work.
Okay, take five.
We'll, uh, grab some cookies
in the meeting room, nut free.
All right, high-fives.
Boom, boom, totally meant
to do that, boom, all right, wreaths.
Thank you.
Well, how's it going?
It's great.
I love those kids.
And you've loved
working with all the kids.
Yeah, yeah, kids are the best.
They just, uh, they're just,
there's no egos, you know?
No attitudes, they're just there.
Oh, okay, oh, great,
like I need a reminder.
What?
That meeting with the
financial planner tomorrow,
board mandated, it's, uh, Kat
McKay's sister, Riley's mom.
And that's a bad thing?
Yeah, what do I need
with some paper shuffler?
Uh, maybe because the theatre's
running an annual deficit,
though what are we paying them?
Nothing, she's working pro bono,
which only proves that
you get what you pay for.
Nate, just give her a chance.
Look, I know it's Christmas,
but we can't be in the red all year.
Come on, Phil, our classes are sold out.
The, the Christmas show is great.
Nate, our finances are a total disaster.
Look, nothing's computerised,
everything's crammed in boxes,
and you keep your bills in a goblet
from the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Just the unpaid ones from the
Ghost of Christmas Past Due.
Nate, you are a man of many talents.
Well, thanks, Phil.
But financial planning isn't one of them.
- That's fair.
- Mm-hmm.
Coley, thank you so much for suggesting-
this place.
It is so good.
I knew you'd like it.
It's so your vibe.
It is my vibe.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Beth, this year is going to be my year.
Last year, I focused way too much on Leo.
Who's Leo?
My astrological match?
Oh, that Leo.
This year, I'm only gonna date Pisces.
- They're easygoing-
- Mm-hmm.
affectionate and loyal.
Well, if that's the case,
then why don't you just
get a cocker spaniel?
Very funny.
I can see love in your future.
You're, like, glowing in this aura.
Okay, that is just,
it's not my focus right now.
I'm busy.
Okay, but maybe if you
made time in your schedule
to go on some dates.
Coley, I don't have time.
Christmas is in 15 days.
That's exactly 360 hours away.
Do you know how much I
have to do in that time?
I have seven dozen cookies to
bake, I have 23 gifts to wrap,
I have 34 snowflakes I need to cut out,
and I have 68 cards I need to send.
I don't have time.
Wow, you are like a calculator in heels.
Thank you.
Ooh, yay.
Fortune cookies.
What have you got?
Don't let statistics do a number on you.
Oh, I think this is your fortune.
What does yours say?
Um, oh, mine's like a poem.
Oh, "That dream you long for can come true
with some Christmas magic just for you.
So make a wish for what you lack.
Your heart's desire in on the back."
Oh, what's on the back?
Oh.
I know you like numbers, but
your heart's desire is 62-
No.
Oh, my gosh, Beth, the time.
It's 6:24.
Well, huh?
Beth, quick, make a wish.
What? No.
Right, everyone?
- Make a wish.
- No, no, no.
Make a Christmas wish.
I'm not making a wish.
Beth, it's a sign.
It's a sign that it's time to go, okay?
I have a meeting in the
morning to prepare for.
Ugh, just one sec, I am cold.
Can you see if my gloves are in my bag?
Oh, yep, they're in there.
Okay, okay, let's get going.
That's one handsome hurdle.
Coley.
Did I?
"That dream you long for can come true
with some Christmas magic just for you.
So make a wish for what you lack.
Your heart's desire is on the back."
Wish for what I lack.
Hmm, okay, fine.
Mm, it's silly.
What?
All set.
Hey, Mindy, play "Business News Radio."
Hey, Mindy, play "Business News Radio."
Hey, Mindy, play, it's fine.
Okay, I don't, oh, okay.
Hey, Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for 6 minutes, 24 seconds.
No, Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for 6 minutes, 24 seconds.
Mindy, set timer for five minutes.
Timer set for 6 minutes, 24 seconds.
Ugh, okay.
Oh, hello there.
Hi, I have a meeting with Nate Matthews.
Oh, you must be the financial planner.
- Yes, I am, Beth McKay.
- Hi.
Phil Davis, house manager,
I handle everything
off the stage except the finances.
Oh, great, who handles that?
Good luck.
Okay.
Whoa.
Oh.
Oh.
- I'm so sorry.
- It's hot, it's hot.
Okay, uh.
No, no, no, no, this is Scrooge's wig.
So sorry, I just was trying
- to help.
- Now, it's gonna look like
a bad dye job.
- I was just trying to help.
- Look just, okay.
Nate Matthews.
- Beth McKay.
- Hmm.
Okay, so, um, where do we start?
Um, I'd love to start
with your financial records.
Financial records, okay.
Sure, um, you know what?
I think I have some invoices over here.
You don't have them in a computer?
Yeah, no, we never got around to that.
- Um-
- Okay.
You don't have a finance person?
Never got around to that either,
- actually.
- Uh, okay.
Maybe they're in this box marked invoices.
Oh, no, no, that's for,
those are for clown practise, sorry.
- Yeah.
- Uh, you know what?
I think the invoices are over,
whoa, I'm sorry.
These were supposed to be tied together.
Let me guess, never got around to that?
Aha, here are some receipts.
Hamlet?
No, that's actually our
last financial planner.
And here are some bills, yeah.
These are all the bills that I have.
Nate, this is all very entertaining,
but I think it's a complete waste of time.
Oh, you know what? I completely agree.
Great, so why don't you
just box everything up
and send it over to me tonight?
- Everything?
- Everything,
your expenses, your receipts,
your invoices, your 1090s, 1091s.
You know what? I'll just text you a list.
Okay.
Beth, um, I know to someone
like you this may seem a little-
- Unhinged.
- unorganised.
But, uh,
it always works out.
It's the magic of theatre.
Just send me everything.
You got it.
And I'll keep this because, you know,
us financial planners
have to stick together.
Okay, have a good, uh,
have a good day, Beth.
Bye.
Ho, ho, ho, okay.
- A skull?
- A skull.
It's his bizarre filing system,
which is not a system at all, by the way.
It's just this chaotic mess.
Oh, hold on, hold on.
Is this the guy?
Oh, yeah.
Hottest mess I've ever seen.
Okay, don't let
that face fool you.
Oh, my gosh, Beth, look, 6.24,
the number from your fortune cookie.
Does keep popping up.
Oh, so you've still been
seeing the number then.
Maybe.
Beth, have you made your wish?
You know, I put the fortune in
your bag when we were leaving
- the restaurant.
- Yeah, no,
I know you did.
I saw.
Can we please just keep shopping?
Okay.
What if I were to give
you a spiritual reading?
You're a web designer.
And a certified medium.
A what?
I did an online course.
Okay.
Listen, this whole numbers thing,
it's just a statistical
coincidence, that's all.
Beth, it's a sign.
You need to make your wish.
Okay, I wish to get a good sleep tonight,
but I don't think that's gonna happen
if I'm going through
this theatre's finances
and they're anything like his office.
Okay, well, I'm buying
this 'cause it's a sign.
Fine.
Okay.
You need to get it
through your thick skull
that your theatre's about to go under.
Yes, Mr. Morgan,
you're in great financial shape
to retire early.
In fact, you have built
up quite the nest egg.
I have a couple numbers
I'd love to share with you.
Um.
Sorry.
Okay, you know what, Mr. Morgan?
I'm having a couple of
technical difficulties.
Um, could I give you a
call back this afternoon?
Great, thank you.
Yes, merry Christmas to you, too.
Okay, fine.
Uh, yeah, it's, no, it's a strong cast.
We have kids who are really into it.
Oh, should be a great show.
- Hey, guess what.
- What?
Opening night is sold out.
Nice work.
Yeah, hey, how did your meeting
with that financial planner go?
Oh, you know, she's all doom and gloom,
but, uh, I don't think we'll
be seeing her for a while.
Why is that?
Well, I gave her enough paperwork
to keep her busy until next Christmas.
Yeah, yeah, I think
she's probably drowning
in paperwork right now.
Fortunately, I'm great
at wading through paperwork
and taking inventory.
Oh, hi, Beth.
Uh, Phil, this is-
Okay, uh, yeah,
I'll let you two go at it, I mean,
- get, get at it.
- All right.
Sorry about that, uh.
So, as you can see,
the theatre's expenses have
been steadily increasing.
"Without a doubt."
While the theatre's income
has been steadily decreasing.
"Cannot predict now."
Am I boring you?
Sorry, what was that?
I said the theatre's income has been
steadily, steadily decreasing.
Well, our ticket sales are strong.
Our classes are sold out.
Yes, but you need to boost advertising,
um, merch sales, uh, sponsorships,
and, and, uh, rent out the
venue for special events,
movie screenings, and,
um, birthday parties.
No, we had a kid's party once.
I spent a week scraping
gummy bears off the stage.
Ugh, what I'm saying is that-
Okay, I got it.
I do.
You need to increase the theatre's income
if you want to stay in business.
Business?
Just look at this pie chart.
Oh, wow, a pie chart.
Did you bake that yourself?
Do you wanna take this seriously?
Well, the pie chart is
very, very pretty but, um-
- Okay, listen.
- Beth, look.
Uh, I appreciate all of
the time that you spent
creating these graphs and
charts, and they're all,
I mean, they're all very
colourful, but the thing is,
the arts, they're not about making money.
Oh, that's obvious based
on looking at your numbers.
What's obvious is that
you don't understand
the magic of theatre.
The only magic that's happening is
how quickly your income disappears.
Uh, we're non-profit.
More like no profit.
You're like Scrooge.
Well, at least he knew how to make money.
Money, money, money, this
is all that matters, huh?
I didn't say that.
Look, as I said,
somehow it always seems to work out.
The magic of theatre?
You wouldn't understand.
Beth, appreciate all that,
but if you'll excuse me,
I have rehearsal.
I'll let myself out.
Thanks again, and, uh, merry Christmas?
Merry Christmas.
Is there a chance this
theatre can survive?
"Absolutely."
Well, that'd be magic.
I'm sorry, Kat, it's
just, it's not gonna work.
Okay, but did you
explain the consequences?
Oh, I tried, but he just wouldn't listen.
Here, let me just-
- Okay.
- get this, okay?
- Yeah.
- We need to plug it in first,
and we can figure things out.
You know he has his stuff
in all these random boxes
labelled with nothing, and
there's no system in place.
- Bet you love that.
- Okay,
- will you give this to me?
- Uh, yes, thank you.
Okay, well, what did he say
when you explained the situation?
Oh, he said that I didn't understand
the magic of theatre,
like his negative P&L
will somehow just magically
turn into a tangible ROI.
You didn't actually say
that to him though, did you?
Because...
- No.
- Uh-huh.
I just showed him some very
clear and colourful graphs
that a child could understand.
So how bad is it?
I think that there's just
- this one knot here that-
- No.
The theatre's finances.
If they don't get an
influx of cash by the end
of the year, then the
theatre's gonna have to close.
What?
The children's theatre?
It's closing?
Oh, Riley.
Look, Aunt Beth is
doing everything she can
to keep it open.
You can't let it close, Auntie.
I won't.
You're the best.
Do you want me to?
Yes, please.
Okay, I'm gonna take these up to my room.
Thank you.
I'll be back, love you.
Oh, I knew that you would never give up.
I have never known you
to give up on anything.
I just need to figure out
how to get him to take it seriously.
'Kay, well, why don't
you change up your tactics?
You know, Nate's into
theatre and the arts.
Maybe it's time you put away
your pretty little charts and graphs
and talk to him like an artist.
Okay, yeah, I can do that.
Right, like, think outside of the box.
He's directing "A Christmas Carol," so-
So send him three ghosts?
So send him one ghost.
No, we're not talking
- about-
- I have to get
back to the theatre today.
Okay, I forgot this is not your forte.
- Riley.
- No.
- I figured it out.
- Nope.
You got those?
Yeah, I told you I could untangle them.
- Ah, so smart, too.
- All right,
- you, you got it.
- You know that?
I don't even know how you did that.
Perfect.
Ghost of Christmas
Yet to Come, I fear you.
That's there and,
I fear you more than
any spectre I have seen.
Whoa.
I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
How, how, how did you-
Listen to me, mortal.
I'm here for the theatre's welfare.
Missteps in the past have
forged a heavy chain of debt,
dooming the theatre's future,
hair-raising expenses,
deteriorating income,
decrepit filing systems.
- You know, you're not bad.
- I said listen.
Okay.
You must amend your ways.
If you want to have a chance
and a hope to escape your fate,
the only way is to listen
to the spirit I sent to guide you,
me.
Bravo, okay, I'm in.
Wait, what?
Yeah, when do we start?
- Now.
- Sure, let's do it.
Okay, I'll, I'll be right there.
Sit right here.
The floor?
Yeah.
Okay.
Try and keep that one to yourself.
So.
Oh, more charts and pies, huh?
Okay, it's just a tool, Nate.
Don't be so dramatic.
Well, haven't you heard?
That's what we do here.
Yeah, and according to
reviews, you do it very well.
Wow, is that a compliment?
But you can't survive on reviews alone.
Well, I know that.
Do you?
Sort of.
'Kay.
Okay, so what, uh, you
draw up some financial plan
with lots of, uh, colour-coded charts?
Yeah, eventually.
I mean, I would like to learn more
about the theatre business, so.
Really?
But first we need a quick influx of cash
before the end of the year.
- What, this year?
- Yeah.
Beth, we have a show to put on.
I know, you're gonna have to walk
and chew gum at the same time.
Are you equating staging a show with-
Okay, yeah, bad analogy.
But you can't wait till next year.
I mean, Christmas is the
best time for fundraising.
Oh, we're doing this before Christmas?
If you pay your debt
before the end of the year,
it'll just save you money.
Huh, okay, you see, wasn't that easy?
Yeah, about as easy as
hiding my unpaid bills
in a giant beer mug.
That was a goblet.
It's called sweeping your
problems under the rug.
Can you understand that?
Maybe you should understand
that, uh, whoa, saved by the bell.
Time for rehearsal.
Okay, but we're not done.
Well, you did say you wanted
to learn about the theatre business.
Stay here and watch Riley in action.
Can't say no to that little Scrooge.
Let's do it.
Who are you?
In life, I was your partner, Jacob Marley.
Ugh, why you, you could be anything,
a slight disorder of the stomach.
You could be an undigested bit
of beef, a blot of mustard,
a moulding cucumber, a rotten tomato,
a crumb of cheese,
a fragment of an underdone potato.
You're likely more gravy than grave.
Great work, guys.
Look, you already got an
audience who loves you.
Nice work.
Okay, take a break.
Bye.
I get it.
Right?
Have you always wanted to work with kids?
Uh, no, I dutifully
followed my parents' advice-
and got a job
in an office selling pet supplies.
What?
Yeah, I was the Willy
Loman of pet products.
I cannot see you as a salesman.
Well, neither could my boss.
I lasted six weeks, and
then I used all my savings
and leased an old theatre that
was about to be bulldozed.
And that was about, what, seven years ago.
Been 24/7 since, but,
yeah, labour of love.
So why a children's theatre?
Well, kids have an endless
imagination, you know,
this sense of magic
that we lose as adults.
- Magic?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I also like teaching
kids because I remember
what acting did for me
growing up, you know?
I was a pretty shy kid.
- You?
- Mm-hmm, oh, yeah, oh, yeah.
Wow, you sound like Riley.
Uh, she was painfully shy,
and now she's all bah humbug on stage.
- She's come a long way.
- Yeah.
They all do.
Ooh.
Cold?
Yeah, I'm, oh.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Well, I'm that way.
I'm this way.
Good night.
Good night.
I don't know, Aunt Beth.
I guess I just always thought
of Scrooge as, you know, mean.
Well, he was at first.
But do you think that in real life
people like Scrooge can change,
you know, learn from their mistakes?
Um, well, it's hard,
but you know, your grandma used to say
that only love can truly change people.
All right, Riley, we have
some Christmas shopping to do
- before I go to work.
- Ooh.
You just about finished?
Wait, we have two more.
Okay, fine, two more.
I will be back in a minute.
I know.
What do you think of Mr. Matthews?
Mr. Matthews?
Yeah, I mean, he's, he's nice.
He likes you, you know.
He likes everyone.
No, you know, he likes
you how a boy likes a girl.
He mirrors you.
He mirrors me?
That's how you know if a boy likes you.
Oh, okay.
Mom told me about it.
You'll see it the next
time you're with him.
- All right.
- You will.
All right, Riley, why
don't you go get ready?
- Go.
- Okay, Mom.
And don't forget your jacket.
- It's cold outside.
- I know, Mom. I will.
It's very cold.
No, it's not.
- Gloves, too.
- Ugh.
She's such a great kid.
Oh, she is.
Oh, by the way, Beth, thank you so much
for giving Nate a second chance.
Oh, yeah, no, for sure.
I mean, um, we went for
this walk yesterday,
and, um, yeah, he can
be charming, I guess.
Oh, okay.
Oh, okay, what?
Well, just oh.
You know, the last
time you gave me that oh,
you set me up
with um, Johnny Gasoway.
Hmm, who's that?
The guy with the, the squirrel nest hair,
and the man bag,
and the, the distressed jeans.
Oh, but he was so sweet.
Oh, yeah, he lived with his parents.
I mean, you're not wrong.
Anyway, um, he's a client so-
Mm-hmm, and you're a volunteer, so-
It's just better to keep it professional.
Mm-hmm, yeah.
You know he mirrors you, right?
Oh, not you, too.
Mommy, I'm ready to get Aunt Beth's gift.
What are you getting me?
- What are you getting me?
- Hmm, yeah, nothing.
I think it is time to go.
- Let's go, honey.
- I'm sorry.
- All right.
- I'm sorry.
I wanna know.
- Yeah, I'm sure you do.
- I have a list.
Okay, okay, okay.
Bake sale.
No, no, no, overdone.
Um, Christmas, white, white
Christmas, white Christmas.
Yes, white Christmas.
Um.
Okay, it's gonna work.
It's fine.
Okay.
Okay, you're changing
up your morning routine.
You dragged me out on a power walk.
What's up?
Well, you know how I bike
five miles every morning.
Yes, I know you do, every
morning like clockwork.
Bike has a little bit of a glitch.
A glitch?
Yeah, you know the reader
where it usually says five miles.
Right now, it just keeps saying-
Wait, wait, wait don't tell me.
It always reads 624.
No, 6.24.
I knew it.
Okay, I was doing a bit of
research, and it turns out
that 624 is an angel number
from a Christmas angel.
An angel number.
Yes, it's a number that
you see again and again.
And you, my friend, have hit
the lotto of angel numbers,
the mega millions of numbers.
Okay, Coley, what does it mean?
Okay, okay, sorry, 624 is an angel number
associated with your spiritual
soulmate, your life partner,
your heart's desire.
Your heart's desire, like in
the poem from your fortune?
Beth, did you ever make that wish?
I did.
You did?
Well, well, what was it?
- I am-
- No, wait, wait, wait.
You can't tell me because
then, if you tell me,
it won't come true.
But then again, maybe
it's already coming true
because you're already seeing the number.
But then, if you tell me,
- then maybe you'll still-
- Coley.
- Then, if you tell me then-
- Coley.
maybe it won't come-
What, uh-
- Can we keep-
- Sorry.
Okay, you'll continue to see the number
until you fulfil your heart's desire.
Okay, fine.
I admit this is, this recurring number is
beyond the realm of
statistical coincidence.
Your first breakthrough,
how did that feel?
Suffocating.
- It can be.
- Mm-hmm.
I know.
I need your help.
Ooh, a spiritual reading,
energy cleansing?
Something a little more down to Earth.
But you'll get to meet Nate.
The cute theatre guy?
- Yeah.
- Okay, let's go.
- Come on.
- I'm coming, okay.
A white Christmas sale, mm-hmm.
- I think it's clever.
- Yeah, okay.
- Yeah.
- It's fun.
Sure.
Okay, so I figure we
need to raise about $25,000
to cover your expenses, unpaid bills.
25,000?
Yeah, well, obviously,
this'll get, like, 2,500.
But, um, I figure we just
need another fundraiser
before Christmas, and we're good.
- Before this Christmas?
- Yes.
Oh, do you know that, uh,
Christmas is in, like, uh-
11 days.
So how do you plan to do this in 11 days?
A little help from my friend.
Hello.
I am here.
I have arrived.
Consider it done.
Coley, Nate. Nate, Coley.
- Pleasure.
- Hi, hi.
He's cute.
Um, okay, before Christmas?
I can have the site up
and running by tomorrow.
All we need now is a domain
name and an e-commerce platform.
I can help you with that.
And banking info where
they can send the money to.
Oh, yeah, I can, I can help you with that.
Oh, and, uh, administration, um,
a list to send out to theatre-
people so that they know
about the white Christmas sale.
Mm-hmm, Phil can help you with that.
Great, well, then that's it, really.
All we need now is content.
Content?
Yeah, you know, like what you wanna sell.
Oh, I can help you with that.
No, no, I can help you with that.
No, I can help you with that.
- I'll help you with that.
- I got it.
I'm selling all my stuff?
You don't have to sell everything.
Seems a bit drastic.
Because your
financial situation is drastic.
Hey, we always find a way to get by.
Not this time, Nate, not this time.
I have crunched the numbers.
You and your numbers.
Where's the passion?
- The passion?
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay, I have an idea.
- Mm-hmm.
Why don't we discuss this over pizza?
Is that a bribe?
Yes, it definitely is.
Well, it's working.
I'm very hungry.
Let's go.
She said what?
She asked me if,
um, people ever truly change.
And Riley's how old?
Right?
So what did you tell her?
I told her what my mom used to say,
that only love ever truly changes anyone.
Oh, wow, that's a, that's a wild fold.
You're a folder, huh?
- A folder?
- Mm-hmm.
You fold your pizza.
The way you eat your pizza
says a lot about a person.
- Oh, it does?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, there's three kinds
of people that eat pizza.
Got your folders like you,
a little unconventional.
But then, you've got your traditionalists,
who eat it tip to crust, and then,
there's the other people
who eat it crust to tip.
And what about the knife-and-fork people?
Well, that's just wrong.
Okay, so if I'm a folder,
what does that say about me?
Well, that means that
you're efficient, neat,
a little multitasker.
You like to take charge and,
uh, you know, get things done.
- Okay, I'm a folder.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, that's so funny, Riley
actually said that you, um...
I what?
No, nothing.
So what kind of pizza eater are you?
Well, I'm, I'm, I'm crust to tip, always.
That's how you know if it's a good pie.
So you, you like to try things first?
Hmm, no, no, I'm more
of a non-traditionalist.
Do-your-own-thing kinda person.
What is so funny?
Nothing, nothing.
Nothing.
Um, so white Christmas sale.
Uh, okay.
What's the next step?
We have to price everything out.
Together?
I mean, I'm happy to do it by myself.
No, no, no, you will lowball everything.
We will have to compromise.
Hmm, okay, this will be interesting.
To you compromising.
Well, howdy, pardner,
how much you think this
10-gallon hat'll fetch?
- $10.
- Why? Why?
What? This is a great hat.
- It has sweat stains.
- That adds authenticity.
Okay, next, move on.
Robin Hood, here we go.
Uh, you know what?
Why don't we just, instead of fundraising,
why don't we just steal from
the rich and give to the poor?
Yeah, at this rate, we're gonna have to.
Uh, er, $20.
Wait, you let your kids
play with real swords?
Hmm, no, no, no, no,
this is, uh, this is fake.
- Oh, then $5.
- What?
7.50, next.
Oh, oh, I must grant
you three wishes, master.
Hmm, just what I need, more wishes.
- What's that mean?
- Nothing, um.
I would love an electric car.
Zap, done.
'Kay, second, I would love
a million dollars for the theatre.
Yeah, well, I wish.
And third, I would love
if you would stop acting out
everything that we have to sell.
Well, I'm just trying
to have a little fun.
Is this your way of procrastinating?
No.
Yes, a little.
I'm just having second thoughts.
Again?
It's just this stuff has a history.
Yeah, but your theatre's
about to be history.
The memories.
There's debt.
All you think about is money, huh?
Just trying to save your theatre.
It doesn't need saving.
You're in denial.
Oh, what, so now you're my psychologist?
You're gonna need a psychologist.
I might need a little
therapy after dealing with you.
'Kay.
Ooh, time for class.
All right, well, um,
Coley's gonna be here soon,
so we'll just get this stuff organised.
Okay, but just don't do
anything until I get back, okay?
You hold off.
Yeah, sure.
Yeah, Beth, are you sure about this?
I thought that Nate
said we should hold off.
Uh, there's no time.
Okay, I think this is
everything, um, yeah.
Let's just price it out and get it online.
When he sees the site, he's
gonna wanna move forward.
Okay, I'll take pictures of everything
and make the backdrops Christmasy.
Oh, no need, I hired a model.
Really?
Hey, Auntie.
Our model.
You.
Yeah.
Oh, Coley, it looks great.
Riley is so adorable.
You ready to go live?
No, wait.
We gotta show Nate first.
I think he's gonna like it, mm-hmm, smart.
Oh, hey, no.
- Can't believe it.
- Oh, Nate.
You went behind my back.
Oh, wait? What?
No, no, we were waiting for your okay.
No, I asked you to hold off.
- I know but-
- You took everything
from my office, and now
it looks like a mausoleum.
Nate, just look at the site.
I know what's on it,
memories from every production
that we have ever had here.
Okay, but you have photographs
from those productions, right?
You just, you don't get it.
I mean, how could you?
I was just trying to
make the numbers work.
Yeah.
Yeah, you and your numbers.
I can put it back.
Yeah.
Just take me a minute.
No, no, I just, I, I blame myself.
I should have known
how much those items
would have meant to him.
Okay, so what now?
I have no idea.
I mean, the white Christmas sale is off.
And I was really counting on that money.
All right, well, what about
direct mail or sponsorships?
I, honestly, I just don't know
what Nate would even be
up for at this point.
He still doesn't think
that there's anything
wrong with the theatre.
You know, I bet if people knew
that the theatre was in
trouble, they'd wanna help.
Yeah.
Wait, yeah, yeah, they would, right?
Okay, I have a question.
How many people would
you say have, um, had
their kids enrolled in
programmes, in classes?
I mean, hundreds,
probably even thousands
throughout the years.
Oh, wow, that's a lot.
Yeah.
So we'll just reach out to them.
We'll ask for their support.
Right, yeah, and, and ask for donations.
Yes, and, um, uh, what's
something more personal?
Like, we could have a, a
holiday, a holiday fundraiser.
Okay, yes, I, I love that idea.
Okay, but do you have the time?
Oh, I will make the time.
My Christmas list can wait.
But do you think people will show?
'Cause I know it's Christmas,
and there's a lot going
on for everybody, so.
Well, if they're like me, they will,
people who know how much the
theatre has helped their kids.
- Let's do it.
- Yeah, let's do it.
- Let's do it.
- Let's do it.
- Yeah, let's do it.
- Okay, all right,
and you know, I know
Riley would love to help.
Yeah, okay, I'm gonna,
I'm gonna talk to Phil-
- Okay.
- and see
if we can use the theatre.
Well, I think it's a fabulous idea, Beth.
I'm just not sure when we'd do it.
Anytime before Christmas.
Well, that's the thing.
I mean, this is our busiest time of year.
You know, the kids are off school,
and, well, the stage is
booked every day except
tomorrow night.
Tomorrow?
I can make that work.
24 hours, but will people come?
Oh, I'm sure they could
always donate online.
Right, but I just, I don't know.
I want it to be more personal, you know,
just something that, um, could show Nate
how much he's meant to the families.
Well, I think people will come.
You know, it may not
be a cast of thousands,
but I'm willing to give
it a shot if you are.
Okay, let's do it.
Wait, what about Nate?
Let's surprise him.
Yeah, I don't think he likes surprises.
No, but he'll love seeing
the parents and the donations.
Okay, let's do it.
- Okay.
- 24 hours.
- Let's do this.
- That was terrible.
- Let's do that again.
- Let's do it.
Yes.
- Hey, buddy.
- Hey, buddy.
- How's it going?
- Oh, no.
Nate, wait, what are you doing here?
Just teaching a class.
What are you doing?
Oh, oh, your class with
Sam and Alexis on stage.
Where it always is.
Yeah, did, didn't you get my email?
No, what?
Well, their parents called.
They need to reschedule
to 6:30 tonight, so.
Well, that's the first
I'm hearing about it.
So 6:30 tonight on stage.
You're acting very weird.
- Am I?
- Yes.
You got red paint on your hand.
Do I? Well, I was painting.
Painting what?
- The sleigh.
- Why?
Yeah, well it was touch-ups
and you know, dots.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah, you're being weird.
Yeah, um, would you
mind grabbing a coffee?
Okay, I'll get you a coffee.
Thank you.
You're being weird.
I'll see you at 6:30, though.
Oh, thank goodness.
Oh, my gosh.
It's a good sign.
Beth, 6:24.
That's because it is 6:24.
All right, okay, all right.
- Phil?
- Hmm?
It's almost 6:30, and no one's here yet.
Maybe this was too short notice?
Um, okay, you told Nate to be here at 6:30
and everybody else to
be here at 6:00, right?
Yeah, that was the plan.
And, and Nate's never late or
at least not notoriously late.
I mean, this is notoriously late,
and I mean, I sent out the emails,
and I'm sure everybody
is supposed to be coming,
but maybe it went to the junk emails.
- I don't, I don't-
- Okay, hi.
You're making it a little bit worse.
Um, you know what?
This was probably a terrible idea, so can,
is there any way that
you can just call Nate,
and, uh, cancel, and just,
and I will go to his office,
and apologise tomorrow, and
tell him it was all my fault.
So it was your fault, huh?
Shoulda known.
Someone locked the doors.
There was a bunch of
people waiting outside.
Come on in.
They came.
Nice to see you.
Hey, how are you?
Hey.
- Hello, hello.
- So good to see you.
Hi.
- Welcome.
- Hi, come on in.
- Uh, thank you.
- Welcome.
- Thank you.
- Come on down, everyone.
- This is, this is-
- Here we go.
It's nice seeing everybody.
- Hi.
- Thanks for coming.
Here we go.
Hello.
Good, hi, welcome.
- What's going on here?
- Welcome.
Good job.
Okay, this worked.
Um, thank you for this.
This is, this is incredible.
Yeah, well, it was a team effort.
I mean, the real stars
are your supporters.
They showed up within 24-hour notice.
- Twenty, what?
- Yes.
Um, I also wanted to apologise
for the whole white Christmas thing.
No, no, no, I overreacted.
- I did.
- No, I should have known
how much those items meant
to you, and I'm sorry.
You were just trying to help, really.
I, I'm, I'm, I, honestly,
I'm the one who should
be apologising to you.
Come on, Nate, this is your party.
Come out and dance.
Uh, what?
Don't look at me like that.
Yes.
You were saying?
Yes, I was saying that I, uh, have been
pretty horrible to you.
And acting like a child.
Well, you do work in a children's theatre.
Yeah, that's true.
Okay, that's, so that's fine then?
Well, no.
That's my excuse.
That's a good excuse.
What?
All of this time, I have been seeing you
as this bookish number cruncher.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
But now I see you as this...
Hey, maybe you should
make a little speech.
I'm not, I don't-
All right, these people showed up
on 24 hours' notice, during Christmas.
I'm not good at speaking.
- Bearing checks.
- Yes.
- I don't wanna do a-
- Please.
No, I don't, I don't wanna do a speech.
- Speech, speech.
- All right, guys, I'm not-
- Speech, speech.
- Okay, okay,
- I'm gonna do a speech.
- Speech, speech.
- Okay, I'm gonna do a speech.
- Speech, speech.
- Okay, I'll, I'll do a speech.
- Speech, speech, speech,
speech, speech.
Uh, okay, sure.
Uh, oh, I generally don't like surprises,
but for this I will make an exception.
You are all amazing parents
with, uh, equally amazing kids.
I am humbled and extremely
grateful for your support.
With your help, I mean,
we, we can keep this going for
years to come, so thank you.
I'm told all of this came
together in 24 hours.
I'm sure there were a
lot of helping hands,
but I would like to give a special thanks
to the woman that spearheaded it,
our amazing financial planner, Beth McKay.
It's appropriate that we're
doing "A Christmas Carol"
because I, like Scrooge, uh,
didn't want a visit from her.
But she showed me the error of my ways,
and I am a better man for it.
So thank you, and thank you for coming.
Let's party.
Um.
Well, um, thanks for walking me home.
Oh, no problem, it was my pleasure.
Uh, well, Beth, that is going
to be a tough act to follow.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
Having the parents tell me
what it meant to their kids,
I mean, that was extremely
gratifying for me.
Well, you earned it, so congratulations.
I know tonight was a hit,
but we are gonna need
one more fundraiser before Christmas.
Hmm, well, seeing
those kids there tonight,
maybe we could get them involved.
Sure.
Yeah.
You know, make 'em sing for their suppers.
Yeah, right.
Yeah, right.
Yes, make them sing for their suppers.
We could have them do, like,
a, a, a carolling fundraiser.
And they could wear their costumes.
Yes, this is a great idea.
We could call it Christmas
carol-grams, maybe?
Nate, I love it.
Yes, I will get Coley
to put it on the site.
Okay, well, then it's a, it's a plan.
We should make a plan.
Yeah, we should make a plan.
- Yeah, let's make a plan.
- All right.
- I mean, not tonight, though.
- No.
You...
No, no, not, I didn't mean...
You're giving me that look again.
Am I?
Ah, oops.
- Anyway.
- Okay.
I bid you adieu.
We will see you later.
Okay, bye.
Hey, Mindy, play "Business News Radio."
So carolling, huh,
adding a little jingle to your tingle?
What is that supposed to mean?
You know.
I saw you dancing with Nate last night.
- Mm, yeah.
- Oh,
and the speech he gave you, like, well.
It was a thank you.
Oh, here is the perfect book for you.
Are you still seeing that number?
Oh, yeah, every morning,
like "Groundhog Day."
Hmm, the angels must like you.
Well, then I really
wish they'd fix my timer
because it's still stuck at six minutes
and 24 seconds.
Oh, here is the perfect gift
for your heart's desire.
Oh, wow.
Oh, look at the detail.
It says this is a 1914
edition, gold-gild cover.
The plates in the book
are all hand coloured.
A one-in-a-million find.
Sounds like your kind of odds.
Okay, I'll take this one.
And I will take this one.
- Of course, you would.
- Let's go, 624.
God bless us, everyone.
Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.
I see an empty seat at the table
and a crutch without an owner.
Oh, no, kind spirit,
say he will be spared.
If he's going to die, he'd better do it
and decrease the surplus population.
Is that not what you said?
Oh, no, no, no.
Yes, nice work.
That was awesome.
What a great rehearsal, you guys.
Here, high-fives, here we go.
Okay, um, we're ending a
little bit early today.
For those of you who are doing the, uh,
what are, what are they called again?
Carol-grams.
Carol-grams, right, of course.
If you are, go get in your costumes,
and we'll see you in a little bit.
That was awesome work.
Nice job.
- Let's go.
- Whoo-hoo.
Yay.
That was amazing.
They're the best.
- Yeah.
- Come on.
So, um, here is the
carolling schedule for tonight.
Yeah, all the homes are
within a few blocks.
Hmm, ooh, very colourful.
Are we doing all of these tonight?
Oh, no, just the ones shaded in green.
- Okay, good.
- Yeah.
Uh, are you ready to go?
- Oh, I'm not going.
- Why not?
Because I don't sing.
You don't sing?
You don't sing?
You don't, you don't sing,
not at birthday parties?
Little karaoke, rocking karaoke?
- What?
- Come on.
Little birthday party stuff?
No, everybody sings "Happy Birthday."
Aunt Beth, you used to sing to me.
Busted.
But you're all going
in costume anyway, so.
Uh, well, I'll find you one.
What?
I'm pretty sure I won't
fit into a child's costume.
No, no, I've got the perfect one for you.
- Oh, really?
- Yep.
Okay.
Was this seriously the
only costume you had?
Well, it was either that or the monkey
from "The Wizard of Oz," so.
Okay, fine.
You look cute as a cat.
I like this.
- Oh, thanks.
- Cute as a cat.
Well, merry Christmas, everyone.
Thank you so much for coming.
Did you remember my request?
We did.
"Silent Night."
Okay, here we go.
One, two, three.
'Kay, sh, sh, sh.
Okay, great job, everyone,
that's the end of the night.
Uh, your parents are just
picking you up right over here.
Great work, woo-hoo.
- Yeah.
- Whoo.
Whoo-hoo.
- Yeah.
- Nice work.
- High-five.
- Bye, bye.
- Bye, Auntie.
- Bye.
Thank you, that was wonderful.
Thank you.
- Have a good night.
- Good night.
Holy moly, guess she
liked our singing, $1,000.
Oh, wow.
It's great.
- What's the matter?
- Hmm?
You don't seem enthused.
No, I am.
I really enjoyed tonight,
and I wanna do more,
but I get so wrapped up in work.
Okay, so why don't we make the time?
What'd you have in mind?
Um, well, I could put together some ideas,
like a spreadsheet for
you, and I could send them-
Can we just, uh, not be so regulated?
Oh, you mean like, go with the flow?
Oh, wow, I love when
you say go with the flow.
I can go with the flow.
- I am in a cat costume.
- True.
I can go with the flow.
Okay, let's go with the flow.
- All right.
- Let's do it.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
Oh, glad you took time off work.
Must be important.
Well, um.
Did you win the lottery?
What? No.
Nothing like that.
Kat, would you say that
I'm sensible, rational,
um, of sound mind?
What, are you writing your will?
Kat.
Yes, you are very rational,
like Spock without the pointy ears.
- Thank you?
- You're welcome.
'Kay, so I've been seeing this number.
Like, it pops up everywhere.
Okay, like a recurring number?
Okay, so say I set my alarm for 6:30.
Goes off at 6:24.
I bike for five miles, it reads 6.24.
My timer, it's stuck at-
6:24.
Yeah, crazy, right?
How long have you been
seeing the number for?
You remember when I went to
that restaurant with Coley,
- that Chinese restaurant?
- Yeah.
It was on the back of the
fortune in the fortune cookie,
along with a poem.
Okay, your fortune cookie had a poem?
"That dream you long for can come true
with some Christmas magic just for you.
So make a wish for what you lack.
Your heart's desire is on the back."
And on the back it read 624.
I mean, it is a little crazy.
Coley thinks it's an angel number.
She also thinks it might be
connected to my soulmate.
So what was your wish?
I wished for the fairy tale,
fall in love, have a family.
Is it Nate?
I don't know. Maybe?
Oh, my gosh, Beth,
you are falling for him.
Kat.
Okay, I have an idea.
Why don't you and Nate come
over for dinner tonight?
- Tonight?
- Yes, tonight,
impromptu, I know.
Oh, come on.
- Be spontaneous.
- Okay, okay, okay.
It smells spicy.
What is it?
It's mulled wine.
You're drinking mouldy wine?
No, not mouldy wine, mulled wine.
I still like hot chocolate better.
Um, a toast.
Yes.
To the best production of
"A Christmas Carol" ever.
Aw.
Hear, hear.
And to the best Scrooge ever.
And to the best Scrooge ever.
Best.
- I hope it's not too scary.
- Mom.
Okay, this is exactly how
your mom got her nickname,
- Scaredy Kat.
- Oh, my gosh, no, no.
The ghosts are the coolest part, Mom.
Okay, well they're a little creepy.
No.
Just that recurring
number Kat keeps seeing.
You're seeing a recurring number?
Oh, um.
Well, what number is it?
Yeah, what's the number, Auntie?
It's nothing, really.
Can we just go inside and eat, please?
Come on, enlighten us.
Apparently, it's an angel number.
- Ooh.
- Wait, are the numbers
- from angels?
- They must be.
- No, they're not.
- Yes.
- They're not.
- No, no, I love this.
This is great.
I mean, we all need a
little magic in our lives.
- Yeah.
- Sometimes you just need
- to, you know, believe.
- Hmm, to believing.
- Believing.
- Oh, yeah.
To believing.
Wow, these lights.
Really is a magical time of the year.
I think we've had
enough magic for one night.
Oh, come on, you should feel honoured
that the angels chose you.
Nate, don't.
Look, I'm not saying that I believe
in any of that angel business.
- Good.
- But I'm also not saying
that I don't believe in it.
You know, whether you
believe in it or not,
I'm just saying that maybe
you should stop fighting it,
you know?
Just go with the flow.
See where it takes you.
All right, I like that.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Oh, I thought of something that
we could maybe do together,
uh, to help me enjoy the
season like you had suggested.
Okay.
How do you feel about
taking the day off tomorrow?
- Tomorrow?
- Mm-hmm, me and you,
tomorrow, no work, what do you think?
Oh, what do you have in mind?
Do you like surprises?
About as much as you do.
Great, okay, um, dress warm.
- Okay.
- Mm-hmm.
- I'm that way.
- I'm, uh, that way.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, okay.
- Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night, Nate.
- See you tomorrow.
Hey, Mindy, play-
Okay.
All right, this is a lot of snow.
This is how you wanna spend
the season, manual labour?
Mm-mm, random act of kindness.
- I love it.
- Good,
because this is only the first stop.
What, we're shovelling driveways all day?
No, you will see.
It is a surprise.
I thought, what, I thought
you liked surprises?
I mean, I like planning them.
But for you...
You'll make an exception?
- Yeah, I guess so.
- All right.
Whoo.
Christmas pop quiz, what's
your favourite Christmas song?
Ooh, um, Nat King Cole,
"Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire."
Nice.
Uh, I'd have to go Springsteen,
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town."
- Okay, yeah.
- Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Um, favourite Christmas movie?
Mm, "Single and Ready to Jingle."
- Good one.
- Mm-hmm.
Favourite scene?
Well, the end,
when they get together
and kiss, of course.
Ah, a hopeless romantic, okay.
You're full of surprises.
You, too.
- Hey.
- Yeah?
Whoa, hey.
What? What?
This was your idea.
What? No, no, no.
Okay, listen, I, truce, I was,
oh, my, oh, my goodness.
Whoa.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Don't.
I will, look, what is that?
Is that a?
You're going in the snowbank.
- I'm throwing you.
- No.
Um.
Not bad.
So that was our first stop
on our random-acts-of-kindness tour.
'Kay, so what's our next stop?
It's a surprise.
Follow moi.
All right.
Hi.
- Thank you.
- Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, hi.
Merry Christmas.
Oh, thank you.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
- Hello.
- Come get
your gift wrapping for charity.
Merry Christmas, oh, oh, oh, sorry.
That's, one.
Here, there you go.
- Merry Christmas.
- That one.
This one, this one.
Thank you, and a merry Christmas.
Nice.
Thank you for today, it was-
- Magic?
- magic.
I would love to end today
with a random act of eating.
But, uh, tomorrow, the show opens, so.
Yeah, no, it's fine.
I have an early morning, too.
So I'll see you at the show tomorrow?
Yeah.
'Kay.
Good night, Beth.
Good night, Nate.
Okay, we're giving Santa a black beard.
Yeah, why not?
I mean, he wasn't always old and grey.
Might give him an eye patch, too.
Is this the last batch?
Uh, I don't know.
I might make one more.
Might?
I don't know, we'll see, go with the flow.
- Okay.
- Hmm.
Um.
What?
What is going on with you?
You always make an
exact number of cookies.
And now, it's go with
the flow, smiley faces.
And since when do you whistle?
Okay, I, you know, I mean,
I had a good day.
Okay.
Maybe it's because you spent it with Nate?
Maybe.
You, girl, are finally
making time for a relationship.
Sorry.
It's okay.
I see what you mean about the timer.
Oh, yeah, it is stuck.
Remember what they
said about angel numbers.
You won't stop seeing it
until you fulfil your heart's desire.
Hello, it's Nate.
Nate is your heart's desire.
That was your wish.
Okay, listen.
I, um,
I didn't wish for Nate specifically,
but, um, I wished for love.
There, I said it.
Beth, your wish is coming true.
Let's, let's not pop the champagne yet
'cause Nate is, he's-
He's what?
We're very different.
Okay, different is good.
Yeah, it can be.
I agree, but my concern is that
he's, he's still not taking
the theatre's finances seriously.
You can help him with that.
Beth, you're so smart.
Thanks.
But he needs to take it to
heart himself first, you know?
Maybe talk to him.
I'm sure he'll agree.
You're right.
I know. I just talk to him.
I'll talk to him.
Thanks.
I don't know why I
didn't think of that myself
but I, I will, yes, I'll talk to him.
Hey, did you ever figure out
what 624 has to do with Nate?
No, I have no idea about any of that.
And can you please put that down?
Hey, what-
are you doing?
I earned this.
Hey.
Hi.
Christmas cookies, as promised.
Oh, yum, thank you.
I know you're swamped, so.
Yeah, no, but, um, we should
hang out after the show.
- Yeah, for sure.
- Okay.
- Break a leg?
- Oh, thank you.
What?
Nothing, I'll see you after the show.
- Okay, see you in a bit.
- 'Kay.
Jacob, just leave me alone.
Tonight, you will be
haunted by three spirits.
Is that the hope and chance you mentioned?
It is.
I think I'd rather not.
Ooh.
Okay, guys, go,
go, go, go, go, go, across the stage.
Bah humbug.
Bah humbug.
We did it, Mr. Matthews, we did it.
Riley, you're still in your wardrobe.
You were fantastic.
Thank you.
- We think so, too.
- Yes, we do.
You are such a star.
- Thanks, Aunt Beth.
- Yeah.
All right, Riley, I think it's time for us
to get to the after-party.
After-party?
I didn't know there was an after-party.
Oh, uh, right.
The, the, um, the, the thing that-
I knew.
I'll get you a swag bag.
Thank you.
- Come on, Scrooge, let's go.
- Let's go.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Oh, Phil, come on, man.
Guess Phil's shutting it down.
I think so.
Nate, that was really great.
- Ah, the kids.
- I know.
Weren't they so,
didn't they do such a good job?
Yeah, they really did.
Riley.
She was so amazing.
- I'm so proud of her.
- Me too.
What?
Is something wrong?
Uh, no, it, it can wait.
What?
Oh, come on, tell me.
Yesterday you were so up,
and now you're, I mean,
I don't know what, what is it?
Uh, okay.
I was in your office before the show,
and I saw a bill on your desk for $3,500,
and it said final notice.
Right.
It's just I hadn't seen it before, so-
I didn't give it to you.
- Why?
- Well, I didn't have it.
I didn't have the bill,
and then, when I got it,
I was just, I knew that
you would freak out so-
Nate, $3,500, that's a lot of money.
What's it for?
The lease.
Oh, Nate.
But Beth, it's, it's not,
they're not going to evict us.
I mean, we go through the
same charade every year.
No, you don't get it, Nate.
You put on the most amazing
shows, but next year,
you're not gonna have
a stage to put them on.
- Beth, you don't understand.
- No, I do understand.
I understand that your
theatre is going to fail.
It's gonna work out. It always does.
And what if it doesn't?
What if the theatre goes under?
- You worry too much.
- No, it's not about worrying.
It's about taking ownership.
A lot of people depend on you.
- Beth.
- Do you think about,
if this theatre fails,
think about all the kids,
all the awkward, shy kids
that are never gonna have a
chance to find themselves.
Do you ever think about them?
Of course,
and not just in terms
of dollars and cents.
No, that is not
- what I'm saying.
- Oh, come on.
That's all you think about is money.
And I get it.
Okay, I get it. It's your job.
Where's the passion?
Nate, I, I tried.
I really did, but I can't do this.
Do what?
This.
You.
Good luck and, um,
merry Christmas.
And one other thing,
don't ever accuse me
of not having passion.
Uh-huh, I thought I'd find you working.
Hey, Coley.
"Hey, Coley"?
What about "Merry Christmas"?
Didn't you get the memo?
It's Christmas Eve, girl.
Merry Christmas.
Okay, that's it.
I forbid you to work on Christmas Eve.
You forbid me?
What are you, my mom?
Are you gonna just ground me next?
- And, hey, Coley.
- It's closing time,
Grinchy-poo.
You have been moping,
you have been moping,
you have been moping around all week
ever since your little spat with Nate.
- I haven't been moping.
- Moping and working.
You've been working.
I'm not working now, and neither are you.
So let's go.
Let's get this Christmas Eve started.
Aren't you coming to Kat's later?
Yeah, that's later tonight.
The day is young, and
so are we, so let's go.
Wait, wait, wait,
where do you even wanna go?
To your favourite spot, of course.
Come on, you'll find out.
- Get changed.
- I just,
okay, I just have like,
two more, maybe three,
- actually like 39-
- Beth, no, come on.
- Let's go.
- Okay, all right, okay,
- just one more-
- Come on.
- Get changed.
- Okay, okay.
Okay.
There you go.
Merry Christmas, Beth.
Merry Christmas, Coley,
and thank you so much.
You know, you were 100% right.
This is exactly
- what I needed.
- Mm-hmm.
You're very welcome.
Hey, are you still seeing
that number everywhere?
Oh, yeah.
Hmm, I guess you haven't
filled your heart's desire yet.
- Coley, can we not?
- You know, I was so sure
- that Nate was it.
- Okay,
no more angel numbers for today.
A toast.
To only believing in things I can prove,
like math solutions.
Cheers.
You're on your own with that one.
- Hmm, thank you.
- Oh, not again.
My favourite part.
"If you want the rainbow, you
have to put up with the rain."
Not with these umbrellas.
Okay, now open yours.
No, no, you can have mine.
Oh, no, no, no, Beth, come
on, you have to be strong.
Hey, maybe it's a new number.
Exactly, and then, I'll be waking up
at 4:24 every morning?
Beth, just open it, please,
- please, please, please-
- Okay, okay.
- please, please, please.
- Okay, okay.
There.
Okay, hold on, hold on.
I can't believe you.
Oh, it's Kat.
Oh, we are late.
How did we get so late?
Hey, no, you can't go
until you read your fortune.
Oh, yeah, I can. Watch me.
Beth.
Oh, and I've got this.
Oh, no, no, no, you got the last one.
No, it's mine. Give it to me.
Merry Christmas.
Okay.
- Come on, we're late.
- Merry Christmas, oh.
- Come on.
- Okay.
- We're late.
- You're so fast.
Okay, just, uh, oh,
- oh, okay.
- Come on.
Coley.
Okay, I'm coming.
- Did you see this?
- Yes, I know.
So another hit.
- Yes.
- Yeah.
A sell-out and a standing
ovation, right, Riley?
- Mm, yep.
- Well, it was so well acted.
Oh, and directed.
Oh.
Yeah, speaking of which,
Phil's been directing
the show all week, and Nate,
well, actually I don't know
what Nate's been...
He's been, like, in his
office with the door closed.
Isn't that funny?
Okay, does anybody need anything?
Uh, actually, you can
heat up my hot chocolate.
Yes, you bet.
Everybody enjoy. I'll be back.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
How?
Oh, my.
Oh, wow.
Like Scrooge, I hope you'll
give me another chance.
A wise person once told me
that only love truly changes people.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Nate, I am shocked to see you here.
Mm-hmm, merry Christmas, Nate.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Matthews.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Why didn't you tell me?
We wanted it to be a surprise.
I know you liked surprises.
Okay.
Okay, I think we need to get
back to my fabulous charcuterie.
- Come on.
- Yeah, that, okay.
Um, can you help me drink this?
I think I could do that,
pro bono, of course.
Um, yeah, it's, it's to help
celebrate my half birthday.
Your birthday's June 24th, 6-24?
Wow, how did you put
that together so fast?
A little help from a Christmas angel.
Hey.