Nanny for Christmas, A (2010) Movie Script
Man over radio:
Expect typical December weather
with highs today in the mid 50s
across the Southland.
On the business front,
it's the last week before Christmas
and retailers are reporting
a 50% increase
over sales figures
from last year-
a sign that the economy
is rebound-
Mom, I can't find
my pink hair-clip!
I can't find my other shoe. It's missing!
- Where are my hair-clips?
- What did you do with it yesterday
when you got home from school?
You're always losing the pink ones
so wear the blue ones.
I wore the blue ones last week.
So wear the fuzzy ones.
- What fuzzy ones?
- The fuzzy pink ones.
- Those are uncool.
- I don't know.
Then just wear your hair down.
It looks very pretty.
Just brush it.
Put it behind your ears.
I know you're just saying that.
I'll wear a headband!
Mom, where's my other shoe?
Oh wow.
You two better not be
on the computer.
You don't want to be late the last day
before winter break.
Where's the phone?
Hello?
Oh hi, honey.
The kids?
Oh, perfect angels as always.
- Girl: Mom!
- Mother's on the phone with Daddy!
So...
did you have a chance to think
about what we talked about?
Getting a nanny.
Well, it's just really tough
without you here, Carl.
And I could use the help, you know?
Speaking of which, how are things
in the New York office?
Ally Leeds.
Hi, Mr. Halligan.
The Danny Donner Chocolates pitch?
Don't worry-
it's all under control.
Did you hear? Danny Donner is
looking for a new ad agency.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, he wants to
take his image in a new direction.
Yes, I spent all night going over
the statistics
and I am confident that Mr. Donner
is going to love what we have to offer him.
Of course. I've got Justin's team
working on new ideas right now.
You know, Carl,
if we could get this account,
we could totally turn things around.
Hold on. Breakfast!
He would be a fool not to
sign with Halligan Ad Consultants.
Okay.
No, I've got everything handled.
All right, I'll see you then.
Bye.
Really? So I guess you're not
coming home for Christmas then?
Mom, Jonas flushed my hair-clips
down the toilet!
It wasn't her hair-clips,
it was her hairbrush.
- What?
- Your action figures are going down!
Um, yeah...
No, of course I understand, Carl.
I do.
I, um, just...
call me when you
think about it, okay?
Hold on.
Which toilet?
Jackie, Jonas, have you
seen my handbag?
Yeah, love you too.
Okay, you ready?
- Mm-hmm.
- Where's your backpack?
Come on.
Ahem.
Talk to me.
Mr. Donner, we realize that you're unhappy
with your current advertising agency.
And we appreciate the fact that
you're taking time off to come here.
We feel confident Halligan Ad Consultants
will be the best fit for your company.
Okay, let's go.
All right, allow me to introduce
my associate, Ally Leeds.
Ally, take it away, please.
When you sign with
Halligan Ad Consultants,
you're not just signing with
an ad agency;
you're signing with
a specialized team-
a team formed around your product.
That means a team of high-level
executives that are working 24/7,
coming up with creative ideas
with one purpose in mind:
to boost the sales of the single
best brand of chocolates
on the marketplace today.
Because at Danny Donner Chocolates,
you're not just selling chocolate;
you're selling life.
Your birthday...
the birth of your first child...
...your parents' 50th anniversary...
and of course...
your wedding.
My wedding?
My wedding?
My wedding?!
Is there something wrong
with weddings?
Mr. Donner, I wonder if we just-
Mr. Halligan, I appreciate your hospitality,
but I will be taking my business elsewhere.
- Mr. Donner, please-
- My wedding!
We don't have to do weddings.
We'll forget the weddings.
My fingers are in my ears now.
I can't hear anything.
He probably just needs a little
time to think about it.
Can we talk?
Ally: How was I supposed to know
he got left at the altar?
Woman:
Didn't you read the headlines?
"Donner bride bolts. "
Jeez, did you not even
Wikipedia him?
I mean, this is the thanks I get.
Ally: Maybe I should have done
more homework,
or gone with a Christmas theme
like everyone else.
You're a creative genius.
I'm sure you'll get
another job.
In this economy? They're not even
giving unpaid internships.
I don't think you understand
the severity of my situation.
Oh, I do. It means I'm not getting
a Christmas present from you.
- And I already got yours.
- You did?
A day at the spa.
If I don't get another job soon,
I am not gonna be able to afford
to pay my mortgage
and the bank's gonna
foreclose on me
and I'm gonna have to move back in
with my parents in Ohio.
Do you have any idea how cold
it is in Ohio right now?
I know. I wish there was something
I could do to help you.
I mean, I'd hire you myself
but our promotional contracts
are a little slow right now.
Wait.
Actually maybe there is something.
Doesn't your cousin work for Samantha
Ryland- does her taxes or something?
Oh no, I-
I don't think that's a good idea.
I'm sure you could get me
an interview.
I've heard she's really demanding.
Well, she's one of the best
execs in the ad game.
Surely she'd recognize my talents.
But what if it didn't work out?
My cousin would kill me.
I'm desperate, Tina.
Foreclosure, Ohio- remember?
Look, just an interview-
that's all I ask.
I'll take care of the rest.
Okay. Okay, I'll call him
after I get off.
You're the best.
Now cheer up. Have a Danny Donner
chocolate candy cane.
Traitor.
All message playback.
Hello, this is Mr. Thompson
from United Collections calling.
This is my third attempt to notify you
of an outstanding balance due.
Please return my call immediately
at 800-5-
- Tina: Hello, Ally?
- Please tell me you have good news.
Tony talked to Samantha
and she wants to meet you.
Thank you, thank you!
Candy cane?
Danny Donner Chocolates.
So the interview is scheduled for
tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM
- at the Ryland Agency.
- That- that's perfect.
- What's the position?
- He didn't say.
All he said is she's desperate to
fill it as soon as possible.
Thank you so much.
You are a lifesaver.
It's all up to you now.
Good luck.
Oh, candy cane?
Danny Donner Chocolates.
Don't forget to buy 'em.
Hi. Ally Leeds.
I have a 9:00 with Samantha Ryland.
Yeah. Have a seat right over there
and she'll be right with you.
Can I get you anything?
A raspberry scone?
No, thank you.
I'm allergic to raspberries.
Okay.
- Oh oh.
- Oh my- I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
You've got a little something on-
I have insurance if you want to
exchange information.
You've got- you've got a little
something on your chin.
Uh, let me.
Justin, Dolan's waiting for you
in the conference room.
I'll be right there.
- Good?
- Yeah.
I gotta go.
Okay, these are your messages.
And that's Ally Leeds.
- Your 9:00.
- Oh.
Mm, 10 minutes early.
Promptness is a virtue today.
- How do you do? Samantha Ryland.
- Ally Leeds.
Perfect. Follow me.
Hold my calls... unless it's Donner.
I just wanted to say what an incredible
honor it is to finally meet you.
I mean, what you did with
the Fiora Perfume line was genius.
Yeah, it smelled like wet dog.
Well, Edwin Land used to say
that marketing is what you do
when your product's no good.
Mmm, you did your homework.
Have a seat.
Is that the original
Pumpkin Patch Doll?
Sure is. Put the Ryland Agency
on the map. But that was a long time ago,
when men were men
and ads were ads.
Let's talk-
What's your name?
Ally- Ally Leeds.
Let me give you a copy
of my resume.
Uh, keep it. References are much
more important in this line of work.
Tony vouched for you.
That's all I care about.
So how do you feel about
personal fitness?
I jog three miles a day.
And Shakespeare?
Well, actually I played the Courtezan
in a college production
of "A Comedy of Errors. "
I believe in incorporating
a little dramatic flair-
What about homework?
I'm a big believer of
always being prepared.
Terrific. Can you be available
at a moment's notice?
I'm very dedicated.
Also I'm looking for
a disciplinarian.
I ran my division for two weeks
when Johnson went on vacation.
Hmm. Good.
I believe in being honest
so I'm gonna be straight with you.
My husband has been back East
for the last two months
opening our New York office.
Meanwhile I am here
desperately trying to balance
being a mother, being a father,
and running an entire
advertising agency.
I have come to
the inevitable conclusion
that I need help.
Excuse me. Yes?
Woman:
Mr. Donner's on line 1.
Oh, uh, thank you.
Excuse me.
- Hello, Mr. Donner.
- Susan.
- Well, it's Samantha, actually.
- Susan,
two weeks ago I was hunting
buffalo in the Adirondacks
and my annual sales report
came through on my phone.
In the 25 years since I started
this company from nothing,
I have never posted a single financial loss-
not one- until now.
- So you know what I did, Susan?
- No, sir.
I tossed my shotgun to the ground.
I immediately shut down my facility
and I started flipping through my phone
book for someone to hold responsible.
And you know who
I came up with, Susan?
Uh, your former advertising firm?
Bingo! I hear they
have product-placement people
handing out samples
at ice-skating rinks.
Ice-skating rinks, Susan!
- Oh.
- I want something new.
I want something bold.
And I hear you people are doing
some pretty amazing stuff, Susan.
Thank you, sir.
Actually it's- it's Samantha.
And after my meeting with
those boneheads over there at Halligan,
I can use a little bit of amazement,
Susan, believe you me.
I want a fresh start going into
the new year, Susan.
So I want to make a decision
by Christmas Eve.
Valentine's Day
is rapidly approaching
and it's the biggest day of the year
for a chocolatier.
So there's not a moment to lose.
You understand, Susan?
- Of course.
- Set it up.
Uh, thank you, sir.
The Ryland Agency is very-
Sir?
Yeah, call the team.
Assemble an emergency strategy meeting,
five minutes. Thank you.
Look, I'm really sorry to
cut this short,
but this is a really big
opportunity for us.
Believe me, I understand.
This is what I'm offering per week.
Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 6:00,
maybe as late as 7:00 sometimes,
weekends- overtime, of course.
- Dollars?
- What do you say?
When can I start?
Perfect.
I know you'll make a great nanny.
Ally:
A nanny?
Tina:
Ally, I swear I had no idea.
Tina, I'm an ad executive.
Look at the bright side: it's top dollar
and it'll get you through the holidays.
I don't know about this.
I don't know the first thing about nannying.
What's there to know? It's like babysitting,
only you get paid a lot more.
I don't know about this.
Beggars can't be choosers.
And who knows?
Maybe a real spot will open up.
I don't know.
# It's Christmas time of year #
# Everybody swing #
# Well, it's Christmas time
of year again #
# And there's ribbons
on the tree #
# 'Cause everybody here
loves Christmas #
# Here we go, let it snow,
ho ho ho! #
# Whoo #
# Well, it's Christmas time of year #
# Everybody swing #
# Yeah, it's Christmas time
of year again #
# Hang the trimmings on the tree #
# Does everybody here
love Christmas? #
- # Yeah #
- # Here we go, let it snow #
# Ho ho ho #
# Here we go, here we go,
ho ho ho #
# Here we go, here we go,
ho ho ho #
# Here we go, here we go,
ho ho ho. #
Miss Leeds.
Please come in.
Children?
Ah.
Come meet your new nanny.
This is Miss Leeds.
- Pleased to meet you.
- You must be Jackie.
- Mm-hmm.
- You're very pretty.
- Why thank you, Miss Leeds.
- You can call me Ally.
- And this is Jonas.
- Very nice to meet you, Miss Leeds.
Oh, that's quite the grip
you've got there, Jonas.
Mother says a man's handshake should
be as firm as his character.
All right. Well, I'd love to stay and show
you around, but I've got a meeting.
Here is a schedule of the children's
errands, activities, et cetera.
Please don't deviate
from the regimen.
- Of course.
- Happy to have you onboard.
Oh, uh, Miss Leeds?
I play by the rules.
I expect the same from you.
As long as you play by the rules,
we should be just fine.
The rules- got it.
Good.
Children, come give me a kiss.
Uh, don't spread germs.
Air kiss.
Good luck.
Aren't you a little old
to be a babysitter?
I'm a nanny.
There's a difference.
- What's the difference?
- Money.
Loosen up, guys.
We're gonna have some fun.
You're not a real nanny, are you?
Don't be silly.
Of course I'm a nanny.
Okay, so what's next
on the agenda?
A little game of freeze tag, maybe?
- What's freeze tag?
- You're kidding.
You've never played
freeze tag before?
Never.
Okay, moving right along.
Yoga, Shakespeare...
flax shake for breakfast?
Okay.
Mother sprinkles
protein powder on top.
- It's in the back room.
- Okay.
Here she comes.
Okay, I see how it's gonna be.
Here you go.
You guys actually eat this stuff?
Mother says the cornerstone to
any successful day
is a nutritious breakfast.
How about something with, you know,
a little flavor?
Maybe a little color.
How about pancakes?
Oh no, Mother
forbids those these days.
But it wasn't always like that.
When we were younger,
she used to make them every Sunday.
Dad too.
Will your father be coming home
for Christmas?
He's a busy man.
I'm sure he's not too busy
for his family.
We used to spend every Christmas
together when I was little.
- Yeah?
- We'd throw a big party in the house
and everyone in the neighborhood
would come.
I wish we could do it again.
Jackie:
I asked, but Mother said no.
Ally:
"Recite Shakespeare. "
Mother says a person who can master
the rhythm of the iambic pentameter
can master the English language.
You guys actually
do this stuff?
- Every day.
- Is it fun?
Mother says fun is something
we can have after we retire.
In that case, you've got
another 50 years or so.
You're up.
"From fairest creatures
we desire increase,
That thereby beauty's
rose might never die,
But as the riper
should by time decease,
His tender heir might
bear his memory... "
How much longer?
We have to cycle through about
How long is that gonna take?
Mmm, not long.
About an hour, you know, give or take.
I graduated summa cum laude from
one of the top schools in the country.
Now I'm nothing more than
a glorified babysitter.
I don't know how much more
of this I can take.
Do I need to remind you
that that starter home
you worked all those years for
could be taken away
at a moment's notice if
you don't pay your mortgage?
You don't understand.
These kids, they're- ugh!
They're so repressed.
Great. That's your specialty.
Unrepress them.
Get them to open up.
And remember you're rubbing elbows
with one of the biggest names
in the ad industry.
You're right.
Besides, a little yoga
might do you good.
Take the edge off.
I like the edge on.
# Now the ground is white... #
"Master, here's the gold
you sent me for.
What, do you have the picture of
old Adam new-apparelled?"
- Hold on.
- Was my pentameter off?
- This is a play, right?
- Yes.
Then you should be playing it.
Where are the set pieces
and the props?
What do you mean?
- Okay, are you guys ready?
- Yeah.
We're gonna start with
the classic tale of mistaken identity.
- Cool.
- Follow me.
Okay, we're gonna start with when
Dromio Syracuse
mistakes his boss for
his boss's twin brother.
Jackie, it's your job to get
this gold coin to Jonas.
- That sounds easy.
- Well, there's a catch.
I'm gonna try to stop you.
I'm the Courtezan.
You have to start from down there.
Jonas, you stay up here.
Okay, here are your swords.
Jackie, follow me.
- You ready?
- Yeah.
Action!
"Master, here's the gold
you sent me for.
What, do you have the picture of
old Adam new-apparelled?"
"What gold is this?
What Adam does thou mean?"
"Not that Adam that kept the Paradise
but that Adam that keeps the prison:
he that goes in the calf's skin that was
killed for the Prodigal lamb;
he that came behind you
like an evil angel,
and forbid your liberty. "
"I understand thee not. "
"No? Why, 'tis a plain case:
he that went,
like a bass-viol, in a case of leather;
the man, sir, that,
when gentlemen are tired,
gives them a sob and 'rests them;
he, sir, that takes pity
on decayed men
and gives them suits of durance;
he that sets up
his rest to do more exploits
with his mace than
a morris-pike. "
- Here comes the Courtezan!
- Ahh!
Give me the gold coin.
"Well met, well met, Master Antipholus.
I see, sir, you have found
the goldsmith now:
Do you have the chain you
promised me to-day?"
You've met your match, Courtezan!
Now that's what I call Shakespeare.
- I think that was so fun.
- That was awesome.
Ally: Shakespeare, check.
Hmm, yoga's next.
I have a better idea.
What are we doing? Our schedule
says it's time for yoga.
Are you telling me you'd rather
be doing yoga on a day like this?
Come on, follow me.
I don't know if Mother would approve.
You guys ready?
Follow me.
Let's do it again.
- Okay.
- Okay, ready?
First one down to
the bottom wins.
Whoo!
Okay, how about
we sing a song?
- "Jingle Bells"?
- Yeah.
# Jingle bells, jingle bells,
jingle all the way #
- # Oh, what fun- #
- # Oh, what fun it is to ride on a... #
May I talk to you for a minute?
Children, go up.
Wash your hands.
Ally: So I didn't exactly have
a lot of time to clean up
after Shakespeare today.
Uh, Miss Leeds?
I do not understand.
I specifically asked you
to follow the rules.
I did. Shakespeare-
that was on the list.
It said nothing about
destroying my house
in the process.
Jackie:
I'm sorry, Mom. That was my idea.
- It won't happen again.
- Never again.
I guess we got a little carried away.
That's an understatement.
Yes?
Okay.
I've got to go back to the office
for a few hours. I need you to stay here.
Of course.
And children, this house better be
spotless when I get back here.
- Thanks for covering for me.
- It's okay.
- It was fun.
- Lots of fun.
Okay, guys,
it's story time.
And I've got a good one for you.
It's perfect for Christmas.
But I have to warn you,
it's a little scary.
I'm sure we can handle it.
I mean, we're all adults here,
except for Jonas.
You're not an adult;
you just try and act like one.
Have you ever heard of the legend
of the Christmas ghost?
Christmas ghost? No.
The Christmas ghost comes around
once a year
to scare all the naughty children
that didn't listen to their parents
or their nannies.
Children were so afraid of him
that they made a chant to keep
the Christmas ghost away.
And it went like this:
"He comes around
on Christmas night
With eerie sounds
that start to fright.
The tall thin man
with skin of scales
Leads to children's screams
and wails,
Makes it hard
for you to swallow.
His eyes are black
and cheeks are hollow.
Boo!
But if you've been nice,
no need to fear.
Just spread goodwill,
some love and cheer. "
That wasn't scary.
That was silly.
I would be careful what you say
if I were you.
Christmas is only two weeks away
and the Christmas ghost
might pay you a visit.
I think parents just made that up
to make their children be good.
Are you sure about that?
Mwah ha ha ha ha ha!
What are you doing, Jonas?
I'm making a list for Santa.
I wouldn't get your hopes up.
What if Miss Leeds is right?
I'm gonna ask Santa if he could
bring Dad home for Christmas.
What does Miss Leeds know?
She's just a nanny.
- I like Miss Leeds.
- I like her too.
She reminds me a little bit
of how Mother used to be.
Maybe she'll take us
to see Santa.
I wouldn't count on it.
How else are we gonna tell Santa
what we want for Christmas?
Did you hear that?
Is that the ghost of Christmas?
Don't be a cowardly custard.
there's no such thing as
the silly Christmas ghost.
Ooooh!
Boo!
I gotcha.
I wasn't afraid.
I was just playing along.
- Jonas was the one that was scared.
- No I wasn't.
It's fine to be afraid, guys.
It happens to the best of us.
Mother says that strong women
are never afraid.
Well, I always say
it's fine to be scared
as long as your courage
outweighs your fear.
Come on, let's go get
some milk and cookies.
Where are we going?
Look over there.
Santa:
How did you put me out here?
Santa's on his cell phone.
Santa doesn't need
a cell phone.
- He makes magic calls.
- Mm-hmm.
- That's not the real Santa.
- Yeah.
You're right,
it's not the real Santa.
'Cause the real Santa's making cookies
with his elves in the North Pole.
Jackie: If Santa's so magic,
then why does he need a helper?
Yeah.
I don't know.
Let's just go see him.
Okay, hold on.
- Ho ho ho ho.
- Hi.
Merry Christmas, honey.
What do you want for Christmas?
- A computer.
- A computer? Wow, that's pretty good.
But you know you've got to be good
to get a computer, right?
- Yes.
- Okay. All right, sweetie. You go.
Bye bye. Merry Christmas.
Hello.
Hi!
I guess not. Ho ho ho!
I'm sorry.
- Merry Christmas.
- Hi!
Hi, sweetie. Oh my goodness,
what do you want for Christmas?
- A bunny.
- A bunny? Wow.
You know you got to be good
to get a bunny, right?
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
- Very good.
- Woman: Merry Christmas.
Well, what's your names,
little ones?
- I'm Jackie and this is Jonas.
- Well, Jackie and Jonas,
- what do you want for Christmas?
- You tell him.
We want our dad to come home
for Christmas.
Your dad to come home?
Well, let's see what we can do, okay?
Um, how about anything else?
Like maybe a toy or something?
- Something?
- Uh, well, we do want a puppy.
- Yeah, a puppy.
- A puppy. Ha ha. Yeah.
Well, how about we start out
with just the books right now, okay?
- Thank you, Santa.
- Ho ho ho! Okay.
Thank you, Santa.
Ho ho ho, you...
Oh God! Oh!
Okay.
- They don't have flax.
- Or oats.
- Or goat's milk.
- That's okay.
We're gonna try
something new today.
But we need our flax to give us
our omega-3s and our fiber.
Horses eat flax.
Are you a horse?
- No.
- How old are you anyway?
- I'm 12.
- Then you should eat like a 12-year-old.
Hey guys, what can I get for you?
Three orders of pancakes
and three large hot chocolates.
You got it.
- Oh, and extra powdered sugar.
- Got that.
But...
that's loaded with
fats and sugars.
You're right. But when was
the last time you had pancakes?
- I can't remember.
- So you're due.
A little fat and sugar
never hurt anybody.
And what my grandpa
used to always say
is that moderation is
the key to life.
Oh.
It's your phone.
It's your daddy.
- Hi, Daddy!
- Hey.
- How's my little munchkins?
- Both: Good.
- What are you guys doing?
- We're having brunch with Miss Leeds.
- Who's Miss Leeds?
- Jonas: Our new nanny.
Nanny? I didn't think your mother
would really go through with it.
Merry Christmas, Miss Leeds.
Hi, Mr. Ryland.
Don't worry, they're in good hands.
Are you coming home
for Christmas?
Sweetie, you know I'd love to,
but I'm in the middle of closing
a big client right now
and this could be really important
for the company.
But it's Christmas.
I know. I'm doing
the best I can.
Man:
Carl, we're ready for you.
All right, listen,
I gotta go.
I love you both very much.
And kiss your mother for me, okay?
Love you, Dad. Bye.
Okay, bye.
So much for Santa Claus.
You know what? Your mother's office
is just up the block.
I've never been to
Mother's work before.
Never?
She doesn't like to mix business
with her personal life.
Mm-hmm.
- I have an idea.
- For you.
And for you.
- Okay?
- Thank you.
- Now this is what I call breakfast.
- Agreed.
Don't tell your mother.
- Hi.
- Oh.
You probably should have called first.
She's in meetings all day.
I don't think this was
such a good idea.
It's all good, guys.
Oh, you know what?
I think I hear her coming.
Mother!
Oh.
Uh, what a nice surprise.
Since they've never visited you at work,
I thought, they're on holiday break.
Well, it- it would have been nice
if you had called me first.
They just think so much
of what you do.
They'd love to spend a few minutes
seeing what it is
that their mother does
all day at work.
Uh, okay. Um...
well, let me take my little executives-
in-the-making on the grand tour.
Uh, will you hold my calls
for 20 minutes?
And Ally, help yourself to coffee.
- Okay.
- Come on, guys.
Well, this must be my lucky day.
Hey, it's the raspberry-scone guy.
Yeah, well, otherwise known
as Justin Larose.
Ally Leeds.
Also known as Ally Leeds.
Are you busy right now?
Me?
I was just dropping off
some pens and papers
and a couple proposals.
Well, I was about to grab
an espresso. You want to join me?
- Now?
- Yeah.
I- I don't know.
- I've got to wait for-
- Samantha?
Yes, for Samantha.
I- you know what?
On second thought,
- I've got 20 minutes till my next meeting.
- That's great.
Hold all my calls.
I'll be back in 20.
Hey, what can I get for you guys?
Uh, two espressos
and two chocolate-chip scones.
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
So what exactly is it
that you do for Samantha?
I'm a consultant-
a freelance consultant.
Mm-hmm.
Let's just say I take care
of two of her most important assets.
Wow. It's weird because I've never
seen you around the office.
Well, I work mostly with Carl
out of the New York office.
- Carl. How is he?
- Good good.
He was planning on trying to
get back for the holidays,
but it's just been so busy.
What about you?
Any holiday plans?
Actually I wanted to get home to
visit my parents in Ohio,
but it looks like I might
have to work.
- Mmm.
- Um, thank you.
- You're welcome.
- What about you?
What are your plans for Christmas?
Thank you.
I was gonna go home to New Jersey
to visit my family,
but I haven't been able to get the time off.
I'm trying to nail this Donner account.
I haven't even gotten a tree yet.
I'd love a real tree.
It just reminds me of Christmas as a kid.
You know, I just never
have time to deal with it,
so I just have a fake one.
My mom would never
let us have a real tree.
She said the pine needles would
get all over the house.
Kind of a clean freak.
Mmm, sounds like
someone I know.
Ever since I've been on my own,
I make sure to get a real tree.
The only problem is
I always pick the wrong one.
Last year I got one
that dried up in a week.
Well, maybe you need
someone to come along with you,
make sure you get a good one.
Tomorrow night, we could have dinner
and go pick out a tree or...
- Or just pick out a tree.
- Here's the thing though:
Samantha doesn't really like coworkers
mingling outside the office.
- So...
- Oh yeah, of course.
...we're gonna have to keep it
between you and I.
- Mum's the word.
- All right.
Oh, I remember you. You ready for
a second round of those pancakes?
By the way, your kids are two of
the cutest kids I've ever seen,
and so well-mannered.
Thanks.
Ki- you're- do you have children?
Uh, no, I have a big family-
lots of kids.
I- I help out.
They love the pancakes here.
- That's sweet.
- Mm-hmm.
Mmm! You know what?
I'm gonna be late for my meeting.
- I've got to go.
- Okay.
But wait.
Uh, so I'll see you tomorrow?
It's a date. Or a tree.
You know what I mean.
# Up on the housetop
reindeer pause #
# Out jumps
good old Santa Claus... #
Man: So tell me what kind
of Christmas tree you're looking for.
No, a Hanukkah bush!
All right, I got a great idea.
Tell you what: we'll take a small one,
we'll turn it upside down like a dreidel
and we'll take a little off the bottom.
A little sacrilegious,
but I like where your head's at.
We take a big one and
we take a snip from the top.
- What about this one?
- Aw, it's too skinny.
Vegetarian tree;
you need a meat-eating tree.
- All right, this one.
- Too husky.
Ah, the smell of pine needles
is my favorite memory.
Mine's ice skating.
My family and I- we used to all go
down to the pond and ice skate.
- Really? Me too.
- Really?
Yeah.
Oh, wait.
Now this- this is the one-
tall dark and handsome,
just like you.
Sold.
Now what?
I, um, wanted to
tell you at dinner
but I couldn't get up the nerve...
You look beautiful tonight.
Thank you.
Oh oh!
A fir tree-!
- Let's go.
- What about your tree?
- We'll get one tomorrow.
- Okay.
Whoa whoa whoa
ah ah ah!
Oh!
Every year at the pond, huh?
I think it's these skates.
They're too tight or something.
Sure.
Here, let me help you.
What a cute couple.
Follow my lead.
If I could just take
a few moments of your time
to give you samples
of one of the most elegant chocolates
- in the entire world.
- Justin: Thanks.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Now how about a picture
to capture the moment?
What- what is it that
you do here exactly?
Product placement.
It's part of the promotion.
Then I'll email you the picture
of this moment being captured,
and you'll be able to remember
Danny Donner Chocolates.
Okay.
Wait, you're gonna-
you're gonna take it with your cell phone?
Well, the batteries died
on my digital,
- so I'm just gonna use this, okay?
- Okay.
Now get together, closer.
- Say "Danny Donner. "
- Both: Danny Donner.
Perfect. Okay.
- Thanks, guys.
- All right.
Wait, she didn't even get
our email address.
Oh. Oh, she probably forgot.
Huh.
Strange- this little chocolate
is keeping me away
from going home this year.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Oh.
- Sorry.
- That's all right.
Hello?
- Hi, Miss Leeds.
- Ally: Yeah, uh...
Miss Leeds, it's Jackie.
Mother just wanted us to tell you
that she has a meeting and she wants
you to come an hour early tomorrow.
Uh, I have an 11:00 open.
She wants us to spend the extra
hour doing yoga poses,
but we'll really play freeze tag, right?
I think I can
accommodate that.
Okay. Bye.
- Get off.
- Oh!
- Good?
- Good.
Now where were we?
- Sorry.
- Go ahead.
Hello?
Hey, Samantha.
Yeah, I'm working on
the pitch right now.
Uh-huh.
All right, you got it.
I'll be there.
I gotta go. She said that Donner wants
to make a decision by the 24th
and she called
an early-morning meeting.
I understand, you're busy.
- We should-
- We should do this again.
- You go ahead.
- No no no, you go.
- You were about to ask me out again.
- I was not.
You were-
it sounded like it.
- I'll race you to the exit.
- All right.
Wait, that's not fair.
Tina: It's funny.
In all the years I've known you,
you've never had
a live Christmas tree.
What happened to,
"I don't have time for a real tree"?
I don't know.
I was just in the mood.
Right.
Sounds like someone's starting
to fall for Mr. Executive.
Oh, come on.
Are you serious?
I mean, he's kind of cute
and funny.
Listen to yourself.
You're totally falling
for this guy.
Maybe. I mean,
we just connect on so many levels,
like personally
and professionally.
He doesn't know you're a nanny.
- Not exactly.
- What do you mean, "not exactly"?
Well, I maybe kind of
told him that I was a consultant
working with Samantha.
You can't lie to this guy,
especially if you like him.
It's not a lie.
I mean technically I'm her consultant.
No, technically you're her nanny.
And you're gonna have to
tell him eventually.
Eventually.
He's a high-level exec.
I don't know how he'd take it.
He should like you for who you are,
not for what your job is.
You know what?
You're absolutely right.
- So you're gonna tell him?
- Eventually.
It would just be easier
if I had my old job back
or something like it.
Right?
Oh, Ally.
Hi. Come in.
I've got your check here.
Ah, here we go.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
I really appreciate everything
that you've been doing.
It's allowed me more time
to focus on my work.
And it's been important 'cause
things have been tough lately.
You know, it's the end of the year
and I've got this big account
I'm trying to close.
Actually that's what
I wanted to talk to you about.
What's that?
If there was a possibility of working
on your advertising team.
What's your interest?
I graduated summa cum laude
from Cornell; I have 10 years' experience;
and I really feel like I would have
something to offer
on your advertising front.
If you would just give me a chance,
- I- I am sure that I-
- Look, Ally,
I've got one rule
I've never broken:
I don't mix my business life
and my personal life, ever.
I'm sorry.
I understand.
Let me offer a little advice:
the advertising business is crazy.
You don't want to do that.
Stick with nannying.
You're good at it.
Great.
Speaking of which, I need
some OT from you on Friday night.
It's the annual agency
Christmas party and-
and Carl and I have always tried
to be inclusive
when it comes to families.
So it would be a tremendous help to me
if you could bring the children
and look after them, because
I'm going to be busy that night.
Besides, the whole company's
going to be there.
- The whole company?
- Mm-hmm.
We'll see you in the morning.
All message playback.
Hello, this is Gerard Muldooney
from Exact Mortgage.
This is a courtesy call
to Ally Leeds
to let you know that
your mortgage-
Hey, Ally, it's Justin.
You know, you ran off so quick today,
I was wondering, maybe we could
grab a cup of coffee in the morning
and continue the conversation?
Ally: What's your favorite
Christmas story?
Um, "The Fir Tree. "
Have you heard of it?
"Out in the woods stood
a nice little fir tree. "
"The place he had was
a very good one. "
- You too?
- Yeah.
Our dad used to read it to us
every Christmas Eve
by the fireplace
in our flannel pajamas.
It's one of the first books I remember
reading as a little girl.
"The Fir Tree"
by Hans Christian Andersen.
I just- I never met
anyone like you.
And I don't understand
how you could be so...
perfect.
Justin, I've been
meaning to tell you something.
I haven't been
completely honest with you.
You've been using me for my witty
charm and dashing good looks.
- Just your dashing good looks.
- I know, I know.
Oh, hold on one second.
Samantha.
- Hello.
- Donner's coming.
- Yeah yeah, okay.
- I really need the pitch.
- Yeah.
- Can you get here?
I'll be right there.
You're never gonna believe this:
she just called an emergency meeting.
I gotta go into the office.
Anything I can do to help
with the big Donner pitch?
Not unless you can weave some magic
and come up with a great pitch.
I've been known to
cast a few spells.
Really? Interesting.
I may have to take you up on that.
- Talk to you later?
- You bet.
- Hi, Samantha.
- Ally, I need you to come over now.
Okay, I'll be right there.
Ally: Hey, Jackie? Jonas?
It's just me, Ally.
Man on TV:
My merry band of reindeer
are sending you
right to the naughty list.
- Hello?
- Ally.
Look, my associate Justin Larose is
coming by the house to pick up a file.
- Please let him in.
- Of course, Miss Ryland.
It's in my bedroom.
Thank you.
Man on TV:
The laser beam, jumpin' jolly!
Man #2:
Quick, to the getaway sleigh.
Donner, Blitzen...
- Justin.
- Hey, I hope I'm not disturbing you.
No, not at all.
What's up?
I was wondering if you
wanted to come over tonight.
You know, make it up to you
for cutting out early.
We could watch some
old Christmas movies,
- eat candy canes.
- That sounds great.
- Um, I'll- I'll see you then.
- All right, see you tonight.
Okay.
I need to hide.
Why?
I'll explain everything later.
I know, it's a tough door.
Just don't tell him
I'm here.
Okay.
Samantha, hey.
Yeah, it's not here.
What do you mean, "It's not here"?
Of course it's there. Look again.
I looked.
The right side?
The bed's right?
The other one.
All right, I'll check the other side.
I'll check.
Wait wait wait wait.
All right, I got it.
I'm on my way.
Is he gone?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
I'm gonna let you guys in
on a little secret, okay?
Justin and I
have been dating.
Gross.
He's cute.
Very. But you have to promise me
you won't tell your mother.
- Why?
- It's complicated.
Because Justin and I both
work for your mother,
it's a conflict of interest.
Just promise me you won't
say anything.
- Promise.
- Jackie?
But why can't you tell him
you're our nanny?
I just can't right now.
Are you afraid he won't like you?
Lying is bad.
It's just a little white lie.
Mother says there's no such thing
as a little white lie.
Santa's gonna put you on the top
of his naughty list.
Santa will understand.
Do you want some ice cream?
Boing boing boing boing!
- Tag!
- Tag, you're it.
- Ally! Ally! Ally! Ally!
- You're supposed to freeze.
Ally, Ally, come on, let's dance.
- Ally, Ally!
- Come on, Ally. Come on.
- What is it?
- What's what?
Something's bothering you.
I can tell.
Is it Justin?
No. It's just that
Justin and your mom
have a really important
meeting coming up
and I want everything
to go really well.
- Then help them.
- I wish I could.
Anyways, enough about me.
Jonas, why don't you read us a story?
"'Twas the night before Christmas... "
Mother used to read us this story.
Remember, Jonas?
And Dad used to sneak us
chocolate candy canes.
Hang on, what-
what did you say?
Dad used to sneak us
chocolate candy canes.
Mother has read us this story?
You know what?
My mother used to
do the exact same thing.
Wait, start reading it again.
"'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse. "
"The stockings were hung by
the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas
soon would be there;
The children were nestled all
snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums
danced in their heads. "
You guys are geniuses! Oh!
Thank you.
# Joy to the world,
the Lord is come... #
# Let earth receive her king... #
Justin: Hello?
Ally: Hey, Justin, I've got
something big to tell you.
I'll meet you outside
your apartment in 10 minutes.
Yeah, okay.
# And heaven and heaven
and nature sing... #
- Hi.
- Hey!
Sorry.
I have an idea
that'll save Donner.
Listen, it's kinda late.
You asked me to weave some magic.
Let me weave some magic.
All right, what do you got?
One word: Christmas.
Seems kind of obvious,
doesn't it?
Think about it: Danny Donner
isn't just selling chocolates;
they're selling memories
of Christmas youth.
I mean, everyone young and old
always remembers
the magic
that Christmas brings-
the anticipation,
the joy, the love.
With every bite of
Danny Donner Chocolates,
you get to relive those memories
over and over again.
It's pretty good.
What was the first thing you said
about, uh, memories and-
This is unbelievable.
Nothing.
Justin.
- I got it.
- Where have you been?
- I have been trying to call you.
- I know.
- You can't leave Danny Donner-
- I came up with the perfect pitch.
I've been working
on it all night.
We've been working on
the pitch for days.
I know.
This is a winner. Trust me.
You're three and a half
minutes late.
I know, Mr. Donner. I'm sorry.
LA traffic.
It takes 45 minutes
to go five miles in this town.
You should know that, son.
Hell, I once herded an elephant from
the outskirts of Johannesburg
to the city center in less time
than it would take you
to go from the valley to the hills.
That's why I hate coming to this town
unless I absolutely have to.
But enough chit-chat.
Why don't you tell me how your company
is gonna help me
sell more chocolate?
Danny Donner isn't
selling chocolate.
Ha! And we're done.
Danny Donner is selling
the memories of Christmas youth.
Everyone both young and old
remembers the magic that
Christmas brought into their lives-
the anticipation, the love, the joy.
And with every bite
of Danny Donner Chocolates,
those memories can be relived
over and over again,
coupled with a timeless poem
we all know and love.
A poem?
I like- I like poems.
All right, I'm listening.
Go on.
People will be brought back
to the magic of their childhood.
And they'll want to share
that experience with their kids.
It's an interesting concept,
but how do you propose
we execute that?
With a little bit of creativity.
"'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care,
In hopes... " they were filled
with Danny Donner chocolate bears.
The kids-
the kids nestled all snug in their bed,
while visions of Danny Donner
candy canes danced in their heads.
That's it?
That's it.
Well, I like it.
Perfect for next Christmas.
Now get on Valentine's Day.
You got the job.
- Oh my God. You did it.
- I did it. I did it well.
You did it so well.
And you would have been
so fired if you hadn't.
- Thank you. Thank you very much.
- That's a promise.
I can't believe he won
everybody over with my pitch.
But that was the goal,
wasn't it?
To save Donner
and everybody's job?
Yeah, but I didn't think
it'd actually work.
Look, you should be happy.
After all, this proves you do have
what it takes.
It proves Samantha wrong.
Yeah, but what about me?
I'm still just a nanny.
Oh, is that why you did this?
For you?
No.
Maybe.
I don't know.
Well, you'd better think about it.
Justin:
So I was thinking,
I want you to be my date
for the annual Christmas party.
Uh, well, what about
Samantha's rule
about not mixing business
with personal?
Yeah, I just saved the woman's company.
I think she'll get over it.
Besides, since when
is work personal?
I don't know. I just- you know how
Samantha is about her rules.
You don't want to go with me?
- Of course I do.
- Then I'll pick you up at 8:00.
I-
You know what?
I have a meeting right before.
- Why don't I just meet you at the party?
- All right, sold.
So I'm gonna go get a pretzel and a soda.
Do you want anything?
- Ditto.
- All right.
Are you crazy?
Aren't you supposed to take
Samantha's kids to that party?
Were you eavesdropping on
my conversation?
A little.
I'm just gonna have to be consultant/
girlfriend/date to Justin,
and nanny to Samantha
and the kids.
If Justin finds out you've been
lying to him this whole time,
he's not gonna forgive you.
It's over.
If Samantha finds out I've been
dating Justin behind her back
and feeding him pitch ideas,
there's no telling what she'll do.
This is the last time
I'm recommending you for a job.
Get out of here.
He's coming back.
# When the Christmas lights
are twinkling #
# And the glistening snow
has fallen... #
Ally: Okay, guys,
Operation Incognito is in effect.
I'm going in.
You guys wait for me at the bar.
If I'm not back by the stroke of midnight,
- burn my stocking.
- Jonas: Good luck.
Now remember,
you guys are the lookouts.
You've got to keep your eyes
on your mother at all times.
- Jackie: Good luck, Miss Leeds.
- Thank you.
No, I skinned the rhinoceros.
And that's the end.
Endless.
Expression was stone-cold
till the very end
when he told us
we had the account.
Look look look.
Ah, look who's here.
Hi, my princess.
- Hello, my prince.
- Hello.
- Meet Jeff, Peter.
- Hey, guys. How you doin' there?
- This is Jonas and Jackie.
- Looking sharp.
Guys, why don't you go
get something to eat?
I think there's
a vegetable platter over there.
Go try it- broccoli,
carrots, celery.
Ally, I'd like to
introduce you to some people.
This is Jeff from Accounting.
Miss Ally Leeds, my nanny.
- Nice to meet you.
- Good to meet you.
- And Peter from Operations.
- It's a pleasure.
- Good to meet you.
- Did Justin get here?
Not yet.
Fashionably late as usual.
- There he is.
- Ah, Justin.
- I have to go to the bathroom.
- Hold on.
I want to introduce you to someone.
The man of the hour,
Justin Larose.
Miss Ally Leeds.
- It's a pleasure.
- Nice to meet you.
- Pardon me one moment.
- Mm-hmm.
You okay?
No, I- I need to
tell you something.
- What?
- I'm not really-
We heard you really rocked
that Donner pitch.
Yeah, good work.
Yeah. Do you guys know Ally Leeds?
She works for Samantha.
- Yeah, she's Samantha's-
- Jeff and Peter, of course,
from Accounts and Operations.
How's everything adding up over there?
You guys having fun?
Excuse me. I need to
step away for a second.
Huh.
She usually doesn't act
mentally disturbed.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I'd like to take you back in time,
back to when Danny Donner
was just a little boy-
a little boy
who like to eat chocolate,
especially around Christmas time.
And it was around that time
where young Danny Donner
had a big dream-
a dream to be the biggest
chocolatier
in the world.
People made fun of me.
They laughed.
Some people say that dreamers
walk around this earth
with their head in the clouds.
Well, I say it's better to walk with
your head in the clouds dreaming
than with your feet
on the ground sleepwalking.
Right now I'd like to take this moment
to recognize a gentleman
whose pitch brought me back
to the memories of my youth.
Justin Larose, come on up here.
Come on up and say a few words.
Thank you.
Um, wow, this is unexpected.
For as long
as I've worked here,
I've worked very hard
to come up with dynamic pitches.
And- we all have.
And when our backs
were against the wall,
we all- we all dug deep.
To be quite honest,
I had some- some trouble
finding the right pitch
for Donner.
But then something
happened to me.
I met a beautiful girl
who not only won my heart,
but came up with
a great idea that inspired my pitch.
So all of this praise
actually belongs to her,
a consultant who's worked
for the company for quite some time
in the New York office-
Ally Leeds.
Ally?
Where are you, Ally?
Huh, I don't know where she went off to.
But anyway, merry Christmas,
happy Hanukkah
and drink all night.
# Joy to the world,
the Lord has come #
# Let earth receive her king #
# And every heart #
# Prepare... #
Ally?
Where you goin'?
Uh, I'm taking the kids home.
I'm not feeling well.
Really?
Are you okay?
Yeah, I-
Hey, Samantha.
So you two have been
seeing each other
behind my back?
Yeah.
And I'm sorry, Samantha.
I wanted to tell you. I-
Justin, look, just because I don't
believe in mixing business and pleasure
doesn't mean that you have to.
I mean, one never knows where
Cupid's arrow might land.
But before you fall too deeply,
you might want to know that Miss Leeds
has never been a consultant here.
What are you-
what are you talking about?
You tell him.
I am-
I'm her nanny.
What?
Is that true?
Jonas, Jackie,
we're going back to the party.
Oh, Miss Leeds, don't bother
coming to work tomorrow.
You're fired.
You've been lying to me?
I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you.
I just-
Miss Leeds?
I know what you're going through.
Don't let him get away.
Justin, wait.
- Justin: Are you okay?
- Ally: I'm fine.
You've got a little something
on your chin.
- Good?
- Yeah.
- # You can't control... #
- I gotta go.
# The way of the world so #
# Live in the moment #
# With love in your hearts #
# And all of our memories
frozen in time... #
Justin:
Well, this must be my lucky day.
Ally:
Hey, it's the raspberry-scone guy.
- Yeah, otherwise known as Justin Larose.
- Ally Leeds,
also known as Ally Leeds.
Justin: It's just
I've never met anyone like you.
And I don't understand how you
could be so perfect.
# Better than this #
# Better than this. #
- Are you awake?
- Yeah.
I miss Miss Leeds.
She was the best nanny
we ever had.
I don't understand why
Mother had to fire her.
She helped everyone.
It was a rotten thing to do
around Christmas time.
Breakfast!
- Pancakes?
- Yeah.
I remember they used
to be your favorite, right?
Aren't they unhealthy?
Come in, it's open.
Good morning.
So everybody was worried when you
didn't come into the office today.
Mmm. There are gonna be
some changes around here.
Fantastic.
But I still need your signature
for these Donner account files.
Mmm.
So should I tell everybody
that you won't be coming in today?
Yeah sure. We can talk about it
more at the Christmas party.
- Christmas party?
- We're having a party?
Yeah. I decided it just doesn't
feel like Christmas around here
without having a party
like we used to, you know?
- Will Daddy be coming?
- Yeah, will Daddy be coming?
I'm really not sure.
- You look terrible.
- Thank you, but I'm fine.
You should have some pancakes.
Um, ahem, did your mother
just offer me pancakes?
So will you be coming
to the Christmas party?
- I wouldn't miss it.
- Will you be bringing a date?
Miss Leeds?
Um, I don't think so, no.
- Well, it would be nice to see her.
- Yeah.
It would be nice
to see her again.
Listen, I'll talk to you guys later.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Bye, Samantha.
- Bye, Justin. Oh!
Almost forgot-
dessert.
But we haven't finished breakfast.
It's upside-down day.
You do everything backwards.
So that's it?
You're just gonna pack up
and run back to Ohio?
I put the house up for sale.
Now that I'm jobless,
I can't afford to pay the mortgage.
You were never a quitter.
I finally meet a guy
that I really care about
and now he hates me.
You're right.
I should have never lied to Justin.
I ruined everything.
I'm going home.
Hello?
- It's me, Jackie.
- Jackie, is everything okay?
Everything's fine, but Mother told me to
give you a very important message.
She did, huh?
She wants you to come to
our Christmas party tonight.
Christmas party?
I don't know, I-
I'm leaving town.
Please. She really really
wants to see you there.
I'll see what I can do.
Great. See you there.
Are you crazy?
This is a chance to redeem yourself.
I can't go to that thing.
- You're afraid.
- Don't be silly.
What's that classic saying
you always preach to everybody?
"It's okay to be afraid
as long as your courage
outweighs your fear. "
Samantha obviously
wants to make amends.
You have to go.
I can't face them.
It's embarrassing.
Justin will be there.
And that's exactly why
I definitely can't go.
Everybody makes mistakes.
All you have to do is apologize.
If it's from the heart,
he'll forgive you.
I can't do it.
Fine.
Merry Christmas.
A day of beauty on me.
I'm gonna miss you, Tina.
Make sure you dress warm.
It's freezing in Ohio.
- You need help?
- Yeah.
Samantha:
Oh my goodness, we've got elves.
We've got a lot of elves
in our house.
- Hi, beautiful.
- Hi, Mama.
Look at all of you.
Oh my goodness,
so nice to finally meet you.
- You have a beautiful home.
- Oh, thank you so much.
- You remember Hannah?
- Hi, sweetheart.
- Hello.
- How are you?
Ho ho ho.
Pardon me.
Hi, guys.
You need cookies.
Somebody get them some cookies.
Hey, merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Justin.
So am I imagining this,
or is Samantha Ryland
being festive?
Uh, you're imagining it.
I thought so.
Thank you for coming.
Thanks for having me.
Listen, I- I know
I don't say it very often,
but I'm really proud of you.
It means- it means a lot,
especially coming from you.
Thanks for being here.
Ah, have you met my neighbors,
the Edelsteins?
Hi. Hi, darling, how are you?
- Merry Christmas.
- This is my right-hand man.
Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
- Great recommendation.
- Nice to meet you.
- Aren't these great decorations?
- Thank you so much.
Pardon me,
the doorbell's ringing.
Justin:
So is she a good neighbor?
Hey, Samantha.
Uh, Ally.
What are you doing here?
You invited me.
Jackie.
There's been a mistake.
But before I leave,
I'd really like to take
this chance to apologize.
Um, look, Ally...
you broke the rules
of my house.
And you broke the rules
of my office.
And then on top of all that,
you lied about it.
The truth is that
you saved my company.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
It's Christmas.
Come on in.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Justin, words can't...
describe how sorry I am
for deceiving you.
It started as a little white lie
and then
it spiraled out of control.
And I've learned that there's
no such thing as a little white lie.
Did you really think that I would care
if you were a nanny?
Yes, I did.
You were a big-shot executive.
I thought you wanted more.
All I ever wanted was you.
It didn't matter what you were.
Not to mention the fact that I babysat
my nieces till I was 25.
- It's what paid my way through college.
- No you didn't.
I didn't. I'm lying.
Look there- now we're even.
Can we start over?
I'm Ally Leeds,
currently unemployed.
And I'm Justin Larose.
It's a pleasure.
Look where you're standing!
I wonder who put that there.
Daddy! Daddy!
- Ha ha ha! Sweetie!
- Daddy!
Hey, sweetie. Hi.
- I missed you.
- I missed you.
What are you doing home?
I didn't think you were coming.
Well, I wasn't, but then
somebody sent me that email
about how you and the kids couldn't
stand to have Christmas without me.
What email?
You know what I learned
while I was gone?
That family is more important than
any company or anything else.
We're so happy to
have you back.
Oh, and you know what?
I don't know,
but Santa must have left this outside.
Let's take a look.
- Oh, a puppy!
- Oh!
You must be Ally Leeds.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Ryland.
Oh please, call me Carl.
Great job with Donner.
You are a hero
in the New York office.
Thank you. Thank you.
So you threw a party, huh?
- It just didn't feel like Christmas.
- Yeah?
And now it does?
Jonas:
What should we name him?
I've made a decision that I want
to discuss with the two of you.
I'm going to take
a year sabbatical.
I want to spend more time
with my family.
Ally, you opened my eyes to
the kind of mother that I was
and helped me realize
the kind of mother I want to be.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Now I'm not comfortable leaving
the agency shorthanded.
And although I once said
that you weren't boardroom material,
I was wrong.
So since Justin will be
taking over for me-
I am?
- I need somebody to
fill in his position.
I'd be honored if you'd accept.
I've already talked to Donner about it.
He thinks it's a great idea.
What about your rule about-
I've realized some rules
are meant to be broken.
Thank you.
And I accept.
So skedaddle.
Merry Christmas.
# In my heart #
# Merry Christmas #
# Chocolate candy canes #
# And peace on earth #
# Oh, it's Christmas #
# In my heart... #
# Holiday cheer #
# Kids everywhere #
# I wonder if he'll
ever get here #
# Naughty or nice,
snow-covered ice #
# And then my brother
said to me #
# Santa was here,
Santa was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
# Santa was here,
he was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
# All through the night #
# Reindeer in flight #
# I wonder if they'll ever get here #
# Tinsel and lights,
snow-covered ice #
# And then my sister
said to me #
# Santa was here,
Santa was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
# Santa was here,
he was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here. #
Expect typical December weather
with highs today in the mid 50s
across the Southland.
On the business front,
it's the last week before Christmas
and retailers are reporting
a 50% increase
over sales figures
from last year-
a sign that the economy
is rebound-
Mom, I can't find
my pink hair-clip!
I can't find my other shoe. It's missing!
- Where are my hair-clips?
- What did you do with it yesterday
when you got home from school?
You're always losing the pink ones
so wear the blue ones.
I wore the blue ones last week.
So wear the fuzzy ones.
- What fuzzy ones?
- The fuzzy pink ones.
- Those are uncool.
- I don't know.
Then just wear your hair down.
It looks very pretty.
Just brush it.
Put it behind your ears.
I know you're just saying that.
I'll wear a headband!
Mom, where's my other shoe?
Oh wow.
You two better not be
on the computer.
You don't want to be late the last day
before winter break.
Where's the phone?
Hello?
Oh hi, honey.
The kids?
Oh, perfect angels as always.
- Girl: Mom!
- Mother's on the phone with Daddy!
So...
did you have a chance to think
about what we talked about?
Getting a nanny.
Well, it's just really tough
without you here, Carl.
And I could use the help, you know?
Speaking of which, how are things
in the New York office?
Ally Leeds.
Hi, Mr. Halligan.
The Danny Donner Chocolates pitch?
Don't worry-
it's all under control.
Did you hear? Danny Donner is
looking for a new ad agency.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, he wants to
take his image in a new direction.
Yes, I spent all night going over
the statistics
and I am confident that Mr. Donner
is going to love what we have to offer him.
Of course. I've got Justin's team
working on new ideas right now.
You know, Carl,
if we could get this account,
we could totally turn things around.
Hold on. Breakfast!
He would be a fool not to
sign with Halligan Ad Consultants.
Okay.
No, I've got everything handled.
All right, I'll see you then.
Bye.
Really? So I guess you're not
coming home for Christmas then?
Mom, Jonas flushed my hair-clips
down the toilet!
It wasn't her hair-clips,
it was her hairbrush.
- What?
- Your action figures are going down!
Um, yeah...
No, of course I understand, Carl.
I do.
I, um, just...
call me when you
think about it, okay?
Hold on.
Which toilet?
Jackie, Jonas, have you
seen my handbag?
Yeah, love you too.
Okay, you ready?
- Mm-hmm.
- Where's your backpack?
Come on.
Ahem.
Talk to me.
Mr. Donner, we realize that you're unhappy
with your current advertising agency.
And we appreciate the fact that
you're taking time off to come here.
We feel confident Halligan Ad Consultants
will be the best fit for your company.
Okay, let's go.
All right, allow me to introduce
my associate, Ally Leeds.
Ally, take it away, please.
When you sign with
Halligan Ad Consultants,
you're not just signing with
an ad agency;
you're signing with
a specialized team-
a team formed around your product.
That means a team of high-level
executives that are working 24/7,
coming up with creative ideas
with one purpose in mind:
to boost the sales of the single
best brand of chocolates
on the marketplace today.
Because at Danny Donner Chocolates,
you're not just selling chocolate;
you're selling life.
Your birthday...
the birth of your first child...
...your parents' 50th anniversary...
and of course...
your wedding.
My wedding?
My wedding?
My wedding?!
Is there something wrong
with weddings?
Mr. Donner, I wonder if we just-
Mr. Halligan, I appreciate your hospitality,
but I will be taking my business elsewhere.
- Mr. Donner, please-
- My wedding!
We don't have to do weddings.
We'll forget the weddings.
My fingers are in my ears now.
I can't hear anything.
He probably just needs a little
time to think about it.
Can we talk?
Ally: How was I supposed to know
he got left at the altar?
Woman:
Didn't you read the headlines?
"Donner bride bolts. "
Jeez, did you not even
Wikipedia him?
I mean, this is the thanks I get.
Ally: Maybe I should have done
more homework,
or gone with a Christmas theme
like everyone else.
You're a creative genius.
I'm sure you'll get
another job.
In this economy? They're not even
giving unpaid internships.
I don't think you understand
the severity of my situation.
Oh, I do. It means I'm not getting
a Christmas present from you.
- And I already got yours.
- You did?
A day at the spa.
If I don't get another job soon,
I am not gonna be able to afford
to pay my mortgage
and the bank's gonna
foreclose on me
and I'm gonna have to move back in
with my parents in Ohio.
Do you have any idea how cold
it is in Ohio right now?
I know. I wish there was something
I could do to help you.
I mean, I'd hire you myself
but our promotional contracts
are a little slow right now.
Wait.
Actually maybe there is something.
Doesn't your cousin work for Samantha
Ryland- does her taxes or something?
Oh no, I-
I don't think that's a good idea.
I'm sure you could get me
an interview.
I've heard she's really demanding.
Well, she's one of the best
execs in the ad game.
Surely she'd recognize my talents.
But what if it didn't work out?
My cousin would kill me.
I'm desperate, Tina.
Foreclosure, Ohio- remember?
Look, just an interview-
that's all I ask.
I'll take care of the rest.
Okay. Okay, I'll call him
after I get off.
You're the best.
Now cheer up. Have a Danny Donner
chocolate candy cane.
Traitor.
All message playback.
Hello, this is Mr. Thompson
from United Collections calling.
This is my third attempt to notify you
of an outstanding balance due.
Please return my call immediately
at 800-5-
- Tina: Hello, Ally?
- Please tell me you have good news.
Tony talked to Samantha
and she wants to meet you.
Thank you, thank you!
Candy cane?
Danny Donner Chocolates.
So the interview is scheduled for
tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM
- at the Ryland Agency.
- That- that's perfect.
- What's the position?
- He didn't say.
All he said is she's desperate to
fill it as soon as possible.
Thank you so much.
You are a lifesaver.
It's all up to you now.
Good luck.
Oh, candy cane?
Danny Donner Chocolates.
Don't forget to buy 'em.
Hi. Ally Leeds.
I have a 9:00 with Samantha Ryland.
Yeah. Have a seat right over there
and she'll be right with you.
Can I get you anything?
A raspberry scone?
No, thank you.
I'm allergic to raspberries.
Okay.
- Oh oh.
- Oh my- I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
You've got a little something on-
I have insurance if you want to
exchange information.
You've got- you've got a little
something on your chin.
Uh, let me.
Justin, Dolan's waiting for you
in the conference room.
I'll be right there.
- Good?
- Yeah.
I gotta go.
Okay, these are your messages.
And that's Ally Leeds.
- Your 9:00.
- Oh.
Mm, 10 minutes early.
Promptness is a virtue today.
- How do you do? Samantha Ryland.
- Ally Leeds.
Perfect. Follow me.
Hold my calls... unless it's Donner.
I just wanted to say what an incredible
honor it is to finally meet you.
I mean, what you did with
the Fiora Perfume line was genius.
Yeah, it smelled like wet dog.
Well, Edwin Land used to say
that marketing is what you do
when your product's no good.
Mmm, you did your homework.
Have a seat.
Is that the original
Pumpkin Patch Doll?
Sure is. Put the Ryland Agency
on the map. But that was a long time ago,
when men were men
and ads were ads.
Let's talk-
What's your name?
Ally- Ally Leeds.
Let me give you a copy
of my resume.
Uh, keep it. References are much
more important in this line of work.
Tony vouched for you.
That's all I care about.
So how do you feel about
personal fitness?
I jog three miles a day.
And Shakespeare?
Well, actually I played the Courtezan
in a college production
of "A Comedy of Errors. "
I believe in incorporating
a little dramatic flair-
What about homework?
I'm a big believer of
always being prepared.
Terrific. Can you be available
at a moment's notice?
I'm very dedicated.
Also I'm looking for
a disciplinarian.
I ran my division for two weeks
when Johnson went on vacation.
Hmm. Good.
I believe in being honest
so I'm gonna be straight with you.
My husband has been back East
for the last two months
opening our New York office.
Meanwhile I am here
desperately trying to balance
being a mother, being a father,
and running an entire
advertising agency.
I have come to
the inevitable conclusion
that I need help.
Excuse me. Yes?
Woman:
Mr. Donner's on line 1.
Oh, uh, thank you.
Excuse me.
- Hello, Mr. Donner.
- Susan.
- Well, it's Samantha, actually.
- Susan,
two weeks ago I was hunting
buffalo in the Adirondacks
and my annual sales report
came through on my phone.
In the 25 years since I started
this company from nothing,
I have never posted a single financial loss-
not one- until now.
- So you know what I did, Susan?
- No, sir.
I tossed my shotgun to the ground.
I immediately shut down my facility
and I started flipping through my phone
book for someone to hold responsible.
And you know who
I came up with, Susan?
Uh, your former advertising firm?
Bingo! I hear they
have product-placement people
handing out samples
at ice-skating rinks.
Ice-skating rinks, Susan!
- Oh.
- I want something new.
I want something bold.
And I hear you people are doing
some pretty amazing stuff, Susan.
Thank you, sir.
Actually it's- it's Samantha.
And after my meeting with
those boneheads over there at Halligan,
I can use a little bit of amazement,
Susan, believe you me.
I want a fresh start going into
the new year, Susan.
So I want to make a decision
by Christmas Eve.
Valentine's Day
is rapidly approaching
and it's the biggest day of the year
for a chocolatier.
So there's not a moment to lose.
You understand, Susan?
- Of course.
- Set it up.
Uh, thank you, sir.
The Ryland Agency is very-
Sir?
Yeah, call the team.
Assemble an emergency strategy meeting,
five minutes. Thank you.
Look, I'm really sorry to
cut this short,
but this is a really big
opportunity for us.
Believe me, I understand.
This is what I'm offering per week.
Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 6:00,
maybe as late as 7:00 sometimes,
weekends- overtime, of course.
- Dollars?
- What do you say?
When can I start?
Perfect.
I know you'll make a great nanny.
Ally:
A nanny?
Tina:
Ally, I swear I had no idea.
Tina, I'm an ad executive.
Look at the bright side: it's top dollar
and it'll get you through the holidays.
I don't know about this.
I don't know the first thing about nannying.
What's there to know? It's like babysitting,
only you get paid a lot more.
I don't know about this.
Beggars can't be choosers.
And who knows?
Maybe a real spot will open up.
I don't know.
# It's Christmas time of year #
# Everybody swing #
# Well, it's Christmas time
of year again #
# And there's ribbons
on the tree #
# 'Cause everybody here
loves Christmas #
# Here we go, let it snow,
ho ho ho! #
# Whoo #
# Well, it's Christmas time of year #
# Everybody swing #
# Yeah, it's Christmas time
of year again #
# Hang the trimmings on the tree #
# Does everybody here
love Christmas? #
- # Yeah #
- # Here we go, let it snow #
# Ho ho ho #
# Here we go, here we go,
ho ho ho #
# Here we go, here we go,
ho ho ho #
# Here we go, here we go,
ho ho ho. #
Miss Leeds.
Please come in.
Children?
Ah.
Come meet your new nanny.
This is Miss Leeds.
- Pleased to meet you.
- You must be Jackie.
- Mm-hmm.
- You're very pretty.
- Why thank you, Miss Leeds.
- You can call me Ally.
- And this is Jonas.
- Very nice to meet you, Miss Leeds.
Oh, that's quite the grip
you've got there, Jonas.
Mother says a man's handshake should
be as firm as his character.
All right. Well, I'd love to stay and show
you around, but I've got a meeting.
Here is a schedule of the children's
errands, activities, et cetera.
Please don't deviate
from the regimen.
- Of course.
- Happy to have you onboard.
Oh, uh, Miss Leeds?
I play by the rules.
I expect the same from you.
As long as you play by the rules,
we should be just fine.
The rules- got it.
Good.
Children, come give me a kiss.
Uh, don't spread germs.
Air kiss.
Good luck.
Aren't you a little old
to be a babysitter?
I'm a nanny.
There's a difference.
- What's the difference?
- Money.
Loosen up, guys.
We're gonna have some fun.
You're not a real nanny, are you?
Don't be silly.
Of course I'm a nanny.
Okay, so what's next
on the agenda?
A little game of freeze tag, maybe?
- What's freeze tag?
- You're kidding.
You've never played
freeze tag before?
Never.
Okay, moving right along.
Yoga, Shakespeare...
flax shake for breakfast?
Okay.
Mother sprinkles
protein powder on top.
- It's in the back room.
- Okay.
Here she comes.
Okay, I see how it's gonna be.
Here you go.
You guys actually eat this stuff?
Mother says the cornerstone to
any successful day
is a nutritious breakfast.
How about something with, you know,
a little flavor?
Maybe a little color.
How about pancakes?
Oh no, Mother
forbids those these days.
But it wasn't always like that.
When we were younger,
she used to make them every Sunday.
Dad too.
Will your father be coming home
for Christmas?
He's a busy man.
I'm sure he's not too busy
for his family.
We used to spend every Christmas
together when I was little.
- Yeah?
- We'd throw a big party in the house
and everyone in the neighborhood
would come.
I wish we could do it again.
Jackie:
I asked, but Mother said no.
Ally:
"Recite Shakespeare. "
Mother says a person who can master
the rhythm of the iambic pentameter
can master the English language.
You guys actually
do this stuff?
- Every day.
- Is it fun?
Mother says fun is something
we can have after we retire.
In that case, you've got
another 50 years or so.
You're up.
"From fairest creatures
we desire increase,
That thereby beauty's
rose might never die,
But as the riper
should by time decease,
His tender heir might
bear his memory... "
How much longer?
We have to cycle through about
How long is that gonna take?
Mmm, not long.
About an hour, you know, give or take.
I graduated summa cum laude from
one of the top schools in the country.
Now I'm nothing more than
a glorified babysitter.
I don't know how much more
of this I can take.
Do I need to remind you
that that starter home
you worked all those years for
could be taken away
at a moment's notice if
you don't pay your mortgage?
You don't understand.
These kids, they're- ugh!
They're so repressed.
Great. That's your specialty.
Unrepress them.
Get them to open up.
And remember you're rubbing elbows
with one of the biggest names
in the ad industry.
You're right.
Besides, a little yoga
might do you good.
Take the edge off.
I like the edge on.
# Now the ground is white... #
"Master, here's the gold
you sent me for.
What, do you have the picture of
old Adam new-apparelled?"
- Hold on.
- Was my pentameter off?
- This is a play, right?
- Yes.
Then you should be playing it.
Where are the set pieces
and the props?
What do you mean?
- Okay, are you guys ready?
- Yeah.
We're gonna start with
the classic tale of mistaken identity.
- Cool.
- Follow me.
Okay, we're gonna start with when
Dromio Syracuse
mistakes his boss for
his boss's twin brother.
Jackie, it's your job to get
this gold coin to Jonas.
- That sounds easy.
- Well, there's a catch.
I'm gonna try to stop you.
I'm the Courtezan.
You have to start from down there.
Jonas, you stay up here.
Okay, here are your swords.
Jackie, follow me.
- You ready?
- Yeah.
Action!
"Master, here's the gold
you sent me for.
What, do you have the picture of
old Adam new-apparelled?"
"What gold is this?
What Adam does thou mean?"
"Not that Adam that kept the Paradise
but that Adam that keeps the prison:
he that goes in the calf's skin that was
killed for the Prodigal lamb;
he that came behind you
like an evil angel,
and forbid your liberty. "
"I understand thee not. "
"No? Why, 'tis a plain case:
he that went,
like a bass-viol, in a case of leather;
the man, sir, that,
when gentlemen are tired,
gives them a sob and 'rests them;
he, sir, that takes pity
on decayed men
and gives them suits of durance;
he that sets up
his rest to do more exploits
with his mace than
a morris-pike. "
- Here comes the Courtezan!
- Ahh!
Give me the gold coin.
"Well met, well met, Master Antipholus.
I see, sir, you have found
the goldsmith now:
Do you have the chain you
promised me to-day?"
You've met your match, Courtezan!
Now that's what I call Shakespeare.
- I think that was so fun.
- That was awesome.
Ally: Shakespeare, check.
Hmm, yoga's next.
I have a better idea.
What are we doing? Our schedule
says it's time for yoga.
Are you telling me you'd rather
be doing yoga on a day like this?
Come on, follow me.
I don't know if Mother would approve.
You guys ready?
Follow me.
Let's do it again.
- Okay.
- Okay, ready?
First one down to
the bottom wins.
Whoo!
Okay, how about
we sing a song?
- "Jingle Bells"?
- Yeah.
# Jingle bells, jingle bells,
jingle all the way #
- # Oh, what fun- #
- # Oh, what fun it is to ride on a... #
May I talk to you for a minute?
Children, go up.
Wash your hands.
Ally: So I didn't exactly have
a lot of time to clean up
after Shakespeare today.
Uh, Miss Leeds?
I do not understand.
I specifically asked you
to follow the rules.
I did. Shakespeare-
that was on the list.
It said nothing about
destroying my house
in the process.
Jackie:
I'm sorry, Mom. That was my idea.
- It won't happen again.
- Never again.
I guess we got a little carried away.
That's an understatement.
Yes?
Okay.
I've got to go back to the office
for a few hours. I need you to stay here.
Of course.
And children, this house better be
spotless when I get back here.
- Thanks for covering for me.
- It's okay.
- It was fun.
- Lots of fun.
Okay, guys,
it's story time.
And I've got a good one for you.
It's perfect for Christmas.
But I have to warn you,
it's a little scary.
I'm sure we can handle it.
I mean, we're all adults here,
except for Jonas.
You're not an adult;
you just try and act like one.
Have you ever heard of the legend
of the Christmas ghost?
Christmas ghost? No.
The Christmas ghost comes around
once a year
to scare all the naughty children
that didn't listen to their parents
or their nannies.
Children were so afraid of him
that they made a chant to keep
the Christmas ghost away.
And it went like this:
"He comes around
on Christmas night
With eerie sounds
that start to fright.
The tall thin man
with skin of scales
Leads to children's screams
and wails,
Makes it hard
for you to swallow.
His eyes are black
and cheeks are hollow.
Boo!
But if you've been nice,
no need to fear.
Just spread goodwill,
some love and cheer. "
That wasn't scary.
That was silly.
I would be careful what you say
if I were you.
Christmas is only two weeks away
and the Christmas ghost
might pay you a visit.
I think parents just made that up
to make their children be good.
Are you sure about that?
Mwah ha ha ha ha ha!
What are you doing, Jonas?
I'm making a list for Santa.
I wouldn't get your hopes up.
What if Miss Leeds is right?
I'm gonna ask Santa if he could
bring Dad home for Christmas.
What does Miss Leeds know?
She's just a nanny.
- I like Miss Leeds.
- I like her too.
She reminds me a little bit
of how Mother used to be.
Maybe she'll take us
to see Santa.
I wouldn't count on it.
How else are we gonna tell Santa
what we want for Christmas?
Did you hear that?
Is that the ghost of Christmas?
Don't be a cowardly custard.
there's no such thing as
the silly Christmas ghost.
Ooooh!
Boo!
I gotcha.
I wasn't afraid.
I was just playing along.
- Jonas was the one that was scared.
- No I wasn't.
It's fine to be afraid, guys.
It happens to the best of us.
Mother says that strong women
are never afraid.
Well, I always say
it's fine to be scared
as long as your courage
outweighs your fear.
Come on, let's go get
some milk and cookies.
Where are we going?
Look over there.
Santa:
How did you put me out here?
Santa's on his cell phone.
Santa doesn't need
a cell phone.
- He makes magic calls.
- Mm-hmm.
- That's not the real Santa.
- Yeah.
You're right,
it's not the real Santa.
'Cause the real Santa's making cookies
with his elves in the North Pole.
Jackie: If Santa's so magic,
then why does he need a helper?
Yeah.
I don't know.
Let's just go see him.
Okay, hold on.
- Ho ho ho ho.
- Hi.
Merry Christmas, honey.
What do you want for Christmas?
- A computer.
- A computer? Wow, that's pretty good.
But you know you've got to be good
to get a computer, right?
- Yes.
- Okay. All right, sweetie. You go.
Bye bye. Merry Christmas.
Hello.
Hi!
I guess not. Ho ho ho!
I'm sorry.
- Merry Christmas.
- Hi!
Hi, sweetie. Oh my goodness,
what do you want for Christmas?
- A bunny.
- A bunny? Wow.
You know you got to be good
to get a bunny, right?
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
- Very good.
- Woman: Merry Christmas.
Well, what's your names,
little ones?
- I'm Jackie and this is Jonas.
- Well, Jackie and Jonas,
- what do you want for Christmas?
- You tell him.
We want our dad to come home
for Christmas.
Your dad to come home?
Well, let's see what we can do, okay?
Um, how about anything else?
Like maybe a toy or something?
- Something?
- Uh, well, we do want a puppy.
- Yeah, a puppy.
- A puppy. Ha ha. Yeah.
Well, how about we start out
with just the books right now, okay?
- Thank you, Santa.
- Ho ho ho! Okay.
Thank you, Santa.
Ho ho ho, you...
Oh God! Oh!
Okay.
- They don't have flax.
- Or oats.
- Or goat's milk.
- That's okay.
We're gonna try
something new today.
But we need our flax to give us
our omega-3s and our fiber.
Horses eat flax.
Are you a horse?
- No.
- How old are you anyway?
- I'm 12.
- Then you should eat like a 12-year-old.
Hey guys, what can I get for you?
Three orders of pancakes
and three large hot chocolates.
You got it.
- Oh, and extra powdered sugar.
- Got that.
But...
that's loaded with
fats and sugars.
You're right. But when was
the last time you had pancakes?
- I can't remember.
- So you're due.
A little fat and sugar
never hurt anybody.
And what my grandpa
used to always say
is that moderation is
the key to life.
Oh.
It's your phone.
It's your daddy.
- Hi, Daddy!
- Hey.
- How's my little munchkins?
- Both: Good.
- What are you guys doing?
- We're having brunch with Miss Leeds.
- Who's Miss Leeds?
- Jonas: Our new nanny.
Nanny? I didn't think your mother
would really go through with it.
Merry Christmas, Miss Leeds.
Hi, Mr. Ryland.
Don't worry, they're in good hands.
Are you coming home
for Christmas?
Sweetie, you know I'd love to,
but I'm in the middle of closing
a big client right now
and this could be really important
for the company.
But it's Christmas.
I know. I'm doing
the best I can.
Man:
Carl, we're ready for you.
All right, listen,
I gotta go.
I love you both very much.
And kiss your mother for me, okay?
Love you, Dad. Bye.
Okay, bye.
So much for Santa Claus.
You know what? Your mother's office
is just up the block.
I've never been to
Mother's work before.
Never?
She doesn't like to mix business
with her personal life.
Mm-hmm.
- I have an idea.
- For you.
And for you.
- Okay?
- Thank you.
- Now this is what I call breakfast.
- Agreed.
Don't tell your mother.
- Hi.
- Oh.
You probably should have called first.
She's in meetings all day.
I don't think this was
such a good idea.
It's all good, guys.
Oh, you know what?
I think I hear her coming.
Mother!
Oh.
Uh, what a nice surprise.
Since they've never visited you at work,
I thought, they're on holiday break.
Well, it- it would have been nice
if you had called me first.
They just think so much
of what you do.
They'd love to spend a few minutes
seeing what it is
that their mother does
all day at work.
Uh, okay. Um...
well, let me take my little executives-
in-the-making on the grand tour.
Uh, will you hold my calls
for 20 minutes?
And Ally, help yourself to coffee.
- Okay.
- Come on, guys.
Well, this must be my lucky day.
Hey, it's the raspberry-scone guy.
Yeah, well, otherwise known
as Justin Larose.
Ally Leeds.
Also known as Ally Leeds.
Are you busy right now?
Me?
I was just dropping off
some pens and papers
and a couple proposals.
Well, I was about to grab
an espresso. You want to join me?
- Now?
- Yeah.
I- I don't know.
- I've got to wait for-
- Samantha?
Yes, for Samantha.
I- you know what?
On second thought,
- I've got 20 minutes till my next meeting.
- That's great.
Hold all my calls.
I'll be back in 20.
Hey, what can I get for you guys?
Uh, two espressos
and two chocolate-chip scones.
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
So what exactly is it
that you do for Samantha?
I'm a consultant-
a freelance consultant.
Mm-hmm.
Let's just say I take care
of two of her most important assets.
Wow. It's weird because I've never
seen you around the office.
Well, I work mostly with Carl
out of the New York office.
- Carl. How is he?
- Good good.
He was planning on trying to
get back for the holidays,
but it's just been so busy.
What about you?
Any holiday plans?
Actually I wanted to get home to
visit my parents in Ohio,
but it looks like I might
have to work.
- Mmm.
- Um, thank you.
- You're welcome.
- What about you?
What are your plans for Christmas?
Thank you.
I was gonna go home to New Jersey
to visit my family,
but I haven't been able to get the time off.
I'm trying to nail this Donner account.
I haven't even gotten a tree yet.
I'd love a real tree.
It just reminds me of Christmas as a kid.
You know, I just never
have time to deal with it,
so I just have a fake one.
My mom would never
let us have a real tree.
She said the pine needles would
get all over the house.
Kind of a clean freak.
Mmm, sounds like
someone I know.
Ever since I've been on my own,
I make sure to get a real tree.
The only problem is
I always pick the wrong one.
Last year I got one
that dried up in a week.
Well, maybe you need
someone to come along with you,
make sure you get a good one.
Tomorrow night, we could have dinner
and go pick out a tree or...
- Or just pick out a tree.
- Here's the thing though:
Samantha doesn't really like coworkers
mingling outside the office.
- So...
- Oh yeah, of course.
...we're gonna have to keep it
between you and I.
- Mum's the word.
- All right.
Oh, I remember you. You ready for
a second round of those pancakes?
By the way, your kids are two of
the cutest kids I've ever seen,
and so well-mannered.
Thanks.
Ki- you're- do you have children?
Uh, no, I have a big family-
lots of kids.
I- I help out.
They love the pancakes here.
- That's sweet.
- Mm-hmm.
Mmm! You know what?
I'm gonna be late for my meeting.
- I've got to go.
- Okay.
But wait.
Uh, so I'll see you tomorrow?
It's a date. Or a tree.
You know what I mean.
# Up on the housetop
reindeer pause #
# Out jumps
good old Santa Claus... #
Man: So tell me what kind
of Christmas tree you're looking for.
No, a Hanukkah bush!
All right, I got a great idea.
Tell you what: we'll take a small one,
we'll turn it upside down like a dreidel
and we'll take a little off the bottom.
A little sacrilegious,
but I like where your head's at.
We take a big one and
we take a snip from the top.
- What about this one?
- Aw, it's too skinny.
Vegetarian tree;
you need a meat-eating tree.
- All right, this one.
- Too husky.
Ah, the smell of pine needles
is my favorite memory.
Mine's ice skating.
My family and I- we used to all go
down to the pond and ice skate.
- Really? Me too.
- Really?
Yeah.
Oh, wait.
Now this- this is the one-
tall dark and handsome,
just like you.
Sold.
Now what?
I, um, wanted to
tell you at dinner
but I couldn't get up the nerve...
You look beautiful tonight.
Thank you.
Oh oh!
A fir tree-!
- Let's go.
- What about your tree?
- We'll get one tomorrow.
- Okay.
Whoa whoa whoa
ah ah ah!
Oh!
Every year at the pond, huh?
I think it's these skates.
They're too tight or something.
Sure.
Here, let me help you.
What a cute couple.
Follow my lead.
If I could just take
a few moments of your time
to give you samples
of one of the most elegant chocolates
- in the entire world.
- Justin: Thanks.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Now how about a picture
to capture the moment?
What- what is it that
you do here exactly?
Product placement.
It's part of the promotion.
Then I'll email you the picture
of this moment being captured,
and you'll be able to remember
Danny Donner Chocolates.
Okay.
Wait, you're gonna-
you're gonna take it with your cell phone?
Well, the batteries died
on my digital,
- so I'm just gonna use this, okay?
- Okay.
Now get together, closer.
- Say "Danny Donner. "
- Both: Danny Donner.
Perfect. Okay.
- Thanks, guys.
- All right.
Wait, she didn't even get
our email address.
Oh. Oh, she probably forgot.
Huh.
Strange- this little chocolate
is keeping me away
from going home this year.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Oh.
- Sorry.
- That's all right.
Hello?
- Hi, Miss Leeds.
- Ally: Yeah, uh...
Miss Leeds, it's Jackie.
Mother just wanted us to tell you
that she has a meeting and she wants
you to come an hour early tomorrow.
Uh, I have an 11:00 open.
She wants us to spend the extra
hour doing yoga poses,
but we'll really play freeze tag, right?
I think I can
accommodate that.
Okay. Bye.
- Get off.
- Oh!
- Good?
- Good.
Now where were we?
- Sorry.
- Go ahead.
Hello?
Hey, Samantha.
Yeah, I'm working on
the pitch right now.
Uh-huh.
All right, you got it.
I'll be there.
I gotta go. She said that Donner wants
to make a decision by the 24th
and she called
an early-morning meeting.
I understand, you're busy.
- We should-
- We should do this again.
- You go ahead.
- No no no, you go.
- You were about to ask me out again.
- I was not.
You were-
it sounded like it.
- I'll race you to the exit.
- All right.
Wait, that's not fair.
Tina: It's funny.
In all the years I've known you,
you've never had
a live Christmas tree.
What happened to,
"I don't have time for a real tree"?
I don't know.
I was just in the mood.
Right.
Sounds like someone's starting
to fall for Mr. Executive.
Oh, come on.
Are you serious?
I mean, he's kind of cute
and funny.
Listen to yourself.
You're totally falling
for this guy.
Maybe. I mean,
we just connect on so many levels,
like personally
and professionally.
He doesn't know you're a nanny.
- Not exactly.
- What do you mean, "not exactly"?
Well, I maybe kind of
told him that I was a consultant
working with Samantha.
You can't lie to this guy,
especially if you like him.
It's not a lie.
I mean technically I'm her consultant.
No, technically you're her nanny.
And you're gonna have to
tell him eventually.
Eventually.
He's a high-level exec.
I don't know how he'd take it.
He should like you for who you are,
not for what your job is.
You know what?
You're absolutely right.
- So you're gonna tell him?
- Eventually.
It would just be easier
if I had my old job back
or something like it.
Right?
Oh, Ally.
Hi. Come in.
I've got your check here.
Ah, here we go.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
I really appreciate everything
that you've been doing.
It's allowed me more time
to focus on my work.
And it's been important 'cause
things have been tough lately.
You know, it's the end of the year
and I've got this big account
I'm trying to close.
Actually that's what
I wanted to talk to you about.
What's that?
If there was a possibility of working
on your advertising team.
What's your interest?
I graduated summa cum laude
from Cornell; I have 10 years' experience;
and I really feel like I would have
something to offer
on your advertising front.
If you would just give me a chance,
- I- I am sure that I-
- Look, Ally,
I've got one rule
I've never broken:
I don't mix my business life
and my personal life, ever.
I'm sorry.
I understand.
Let me offer a little advice:
the advertising business is crazy.
You don't want to do that.
Stick with nannying.
You're good at it.
Great.
Speaking of which, I need
some OT from you on Friday night.
It's the annual agency
Christmas party and-
and Carl and I have always tried
to be inclusive
when it comes to families.
So it would be a tremendous help to me
if you could bring the children
and look after them, because
I'm going to be busy that night.
Besides, the whole company's
going to be there.
- The whole company?
- Mm-hmm.
We'll see you in the morning.
All message playback.
Hello, this is Gerard Muldooney
from Exact Mortgage.
This is a courtesy call
to Ally Leeds
to let you know that
your mortgage-
Hey, Ally, it's Justin.
You know, you ran off so quick today,
I was wondering, maybe we could
grab a cup of coffee in the morning
and continue the conversation?
Ally: What's your favorite
Christmas story?
Um, "The Fir Tree. "
Have you heard of it?
"Out in the woods stood
a nice little fir tree. "
"The place he had was
a very good one. "
- You too?
- Yeah.
Our dad used to read it to us
every Christmas Eve
by the fireplace
in our flannel pajamas.
It's one of the first books I remember
reading as a little girl.
"The Fir Tree"
by Hans Christian Andersen.
I just- I never met
anyone like you.
And I don't understand
how you could be so...
perfect.
Justin, I've been
meaning to tell you something.
I haven't been
completely honest with you.
You've been using me for my witty
charm and dashing good looks.
- Just your dashing good looks.
- I know, I know.
Oh, hold on one second.
Samantha.
- Hello.
- Donner's coming.
- Yeah yeah, okay.
- I really need the pitch.
- Yeah.
- Can you get here?
I'll be right there.
You're never gonna believe this:
she just called an emergency meeting.
I gotta go into the office.
Anything I can do to help
with the big Donner pitch?
Not unless you can weave some magic
and come up with a great pitch.
I've been known to
cast a few spells.
Really? Interesting.
I may have to take you up on that.
- Talk to you later?
- You bet.
- Hi, Samantha.
- Ally, I need you to come over now.
Okay, I'll be right there.
Ally: Hey, Jackie? Jonas?
It's just me, Ally.
Man on TV:
My merry band of reindeer
are sending you
right to the naughty list.
- Hello?
- Ally.
Look, my associate Justin Larose is
coming by the house to pick up a file.
- Please let him in.
- Of course, Miss Ryland.
It's in my bedroom.
Thank you.
Man on TV:
The laser beam, jumpin' jolly!
Man #2:
Quick, to the getaway sleigh.
Donner, Blitzen...
- Justin.
- Hey, I hope I'm not disturbing you.
No, not at all.
What's up?
I was wondering if you
wanted to come over tonight.
You know, make it up to you
for cutting out early.
We could watch some
old Christmas movies,
- eat candy canes.
- That sounds great.
- Um, I'll- I'll see you then.
- All right, see you tonight.
Okay.
I need to hide.
Why?
I'll explain everything later.
I know, it's a tough door.
Just don't tell him
I'm here.
Okay.
Samantha, hey.
Yeah, it's not here.
What do you mean, "It's not here"?
Of course it's there. Look again.
I looked.
The right side?
The bed's right?
The other one.
All right, I'll check the other side.
I'll check.
Wait wait wait wait.
All right, I got it.
I'm on my way.
Is he gone?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
I'm gonna let you guys in
on a little secret, okay?
Justin and I
have been dating.
Gross.
He's cute.
Very. But you have to promise me
you won't tell your mother.
- Why?
- It's complicated.
Because Justin and I both
work for your mother,
it's a conflict of interest.
Just promise me you won't
say anything.
- Promise.
- Jackie?
But why can't you tell him
you're our nanny?
I just can't right now.
Are you afraid he won't like you?
Lying is bad.
It's just a little white lie.
Mother says there's no such thing
as a little white lie.
Santa's gonna put you on the top
of his naughty list.
Santa will understand.
Do you want some ice cream?
Boing boing boing boing!
- Tag!
- Tag, you're it.
- Ally! Ally! Ally! Ally!
- You're supposed to freeze.
Ally, Ally, come on, let's dance.
- Ally, Ally!
- Come on, Ally. Come on.
- What is it?
- What's what?
Something's bothering you.
I can tell.
Is it Justin?
No. It's just that
Justin and your mom
have a really important
meeting coming up
and I want everything
to go really well.
- Then help them.
- I wish I could.
Anyways, enough about me.
Jonas, why don't you read us a story?
"'Twas the night before Christmas... "
Mother used to read us this story.
Remember, Jonas?
And Dad used to sneak us
chocolate candy canes.
Hang on, what-
what did you say?
Dad used to sneak us
chocolate candy canes.
Mother has read us this story?
You know what?
My mother used to
do the exact same thing.
Wait, start reading it again.
"'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse. "
"The stockings were hung by
the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas
soon would be there;
The children were nestled all
snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums
danced in their heads. "
You guys are geniuses! Oh!
Thank you.
# Joy to the world,
the Lord is come... #
# Let earth receive her king... #
Justin: Hello?
Ally: Hey, Justin, I've got
something big to tell you.
I'll meet you outside
your apartment in 10 minutes.
Yeah, okay.
# And heaven and heaven
and nature sing... #
- Hi.
- Hey!
Sorry.
I have an idea
that'll save Donner.
Listen, it's kinda late.
You asked me to weave some magic.
Let me weave some magic.
All right, what do you got?
One word: Christmas.
Seems kind of obvious,
doesn't it?
Think about it: Danny Donner
isn't just selling chocolates;
they're selling memories
of Christmas youth.
I mean, everyone young and old
always remembers
the magic
that Christmas brings-
the anticipation,
the joy, the love.
With every bite of
Danny Donner Chocolates,
you get to relive those memories
over and over again.
It's pretty good.
What was the first thing you said
about, uh, memories and-
This is unbelievable.
Nothing.
Justin.
- I got it.
- Where have you been?
- I have been trying to call you.
- I know.
- You can't leave Danny Donner-
- I came up with the perfect pitch.
I've been working
on it all night.
We've been working on
the pitch for days.
I know.
This is a winner. Trust me.
You're three and a half
minutes late.
I know, Mr. Donner. I'm sorry.
LA traffic.
It takes 45 minutes
to go five miles in this town.
You should know that, son.
Hell, I once herded an elephant from
the outskirts of Johannesburg
to the city center in less time
than it would take you
to go from the valley to the hills.
That's why I hate coming to this town
unless I absolutely have to.
But enough chit-chat.
Why don't you tell me how your company
is gonna help me
sell more chocolate?
Danny Donner isn't
selling chocolate.
Ha! And we're done.
Danny Donner is selling
the memories of Christmas youth.
Everyone both young and old
remembers the magic that
Christmas brought into their lives-
the anticipation, the love, the joy.
And with every bite
of Danny Donner Chocolates,
those memories can be relived
over and over again,
coupled with a timeless poem
we all know and love.
A poem?
I like- I like poems.
All right, I'm listening.
Go on.
People will be brought back
to the magic of their childhood.
And they'll want to share
that experience with their kids.
It's an interesting concept,
but how do you propose
we execute that?
With a little bit of creativity.
"'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care,
In hopes... " they were filled
with Danny Donner chocolate bears.
The kids-
the kids nestled all snug in their bed,
while visions of Danny Donner
candy canes danced in their heads.
That's it?
That's it.
Well, I like it.
Perfect for next Christmas.
Now get on Valentine's Day.
You got the job.
- Oh my God. You did it.
- I did it. I did it well.
You did it so well.
And you would have been
so fired if you hadn't.
- Thank you. Thank you very much.
- That's a promise.
I can't believe he won
everybody over with my pitch.
But that was the goal,
wasn't it?
To save Donner
and everybody's job?
Yeah, but I didn't think
it'd actually work.
Look, you should be happy.
After all, this proves you do have
what it takes.
It proves Samantha wrong.
Yeah, but what about me?
I'm still just a nanny.
Oh, is that why you did this?
For you?
No.
Maybe.
I don't know.
Well, you'd better think about it.
Justin:
So I was thinking,
I want you to be my date
for the annual Christmas party.
Uh, well, what about
Samantha's rule
about not mixing business
with personal?
Yeah, I just saved the woman's company.
I think she'll get over it.
Besides, since when
is work personal?
I don't know. I just- you know how
Samantha is about her rules.
You don't want to go with me?
- Of course I do.
- Then I'll pick you up at 8:00.
I-
You know what?
I have a meeting right before.
- Why don't I just meet you at the party?
- All right, sold.
So I'm gonna go get a pretzel and a soda.
Do you want anything?
- Ditto.
- All right.
Are you crazy?
Aren't you supposed to take
Samantha's kids to that party?
Were you eavesdropping on
my conversation?
A little.
I'm just gonna have to be consultant/
girlfriend/date to Justin,
and nanny to Samantha
and the kids.
If Justin finds out you've been
lying to him this whole time,
he's not gonna forgive you.
It's over.
If Samantha finds out I've been
dating Justin behind her back
and feeding him pitch ideas,
there's no telling what she'll do.
This is the last time
I'm recommending you for a job.
Get out of here.
He's coming back.
# When the Christmas lights
are twinkling #
# And the glistening snow
has fallen... #
Ally: Okay, guys,
Operation Incognito is in effect.
I'm going in.
You guys wait for me at the bar.
If I'm not back by the stroke of midnight,
- burn my stocking.
- Jonas: Good luck.
Now remember,
you guys are the lookouts.
You've got to keep your eyes
on your mother at all times.
- Jackie: Good luck, Miss Leeds.
- Thank you.
No, I skinned the rhinoceros.
And that's the end.
Endless.
Expression was stone-cold
till the very end
when he told us
we had the account.
Look look look.
Ah, look who's here.
Hi, my princess.
- Hello, my prince.
- Hello.
- Meet Jeff, Peter.
- Hey, guys. How you doin' there?
- This is Jonas and Jackie.
- Looking sharp.
Guys, why don't you go
get something to eat?
I think there's
a vegetable platter over there.
Go try it- broccoli,
carrots, celery.
Ally, I'd like to
introduce you to some people.
This is Jeff from Accounting.
Miss Ally Leeds, my nanny.
- Nice to meet you.
- Good to meet you.
- And Peter from Operations.
- It's a pleasure.
- Good to meet you.
- Did Justin get here?
Not yet.
Fashionably late as usual.
- There he is.
- Ah, Justin.
- I have to go to the bathroom.
- Hold on.
I want to introduce you to someone.
The man of the hour,
Justin Larose.
Miss Ally Leeds.
- It's a pleasure.
- Nice to meet you.
- Pardon me one moment.
- Mm-hmm.
You okay?
No, I- I need to
tell you something.
- What?
- I'm not really-
We heard you really rocked
that Donner pitch.
Yeah, good work.
Yeah. Do you guys know Ally Leeds?
She works for Samantha.
- Yeah, she's Samantha's-
- Jeff and Peter, of course,
from Accounts and Operations.
How's everything adding up over there?
You guys having fun?
Excuse me. I need to
step away for a second.
Huh.
She usually doesn't act
mentally disturbed.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I'd like to take you back in time,
back to when Danny Donner
was just a little boy-
a little boy
who like to eat chocolate,
especially around Christmas time.
And it was around that time
where young Danny Donner
had a big dream-
a dream to be the biggest
chocolatier
in the world.
People made fun of me.
They laughed.
Some people say that dreamers
walk around this earth
with their head in the clouds.
Well, I say it's better to walk with
your head in the clouds dreaming
than with your feet
on the ground sleepwalking.
Right now I'd like to take this moment
to recognize a gentleman
whose pitch brought me back
to the memories of my youth.
Justin Larose, come on up here.
Come on up and say a few words.
Thank you.
Um, wow, this is unexpected.
For as long
as I've worked here,
I've worked very hard
to come up with dynamic pitches.
And- we all have.
And when our backs
were against the wall,
we all- we all dug deep.
To be quite honest,
I had some- some trouble
finding the right pitch
for Donner.
But then something
happened to me.
I met a beautiful girl
who not only won my heart,
but came up with
a great idea that inspired my pitch.
So all of this praise
actually belongs to her,
a consultant who's worked
for the company for quite some time
in the New York office-
Ally Leeds.
Ally?
Where are you, Ally?
Huh, I don't know where she went off to.
But anyway, merry Christmas,
happy Hanukkah
and drink all night.
# Joy to the world,
the Lord has come #
# Let earth receive her king #
# And every heart #
# Prepare... #
Ally?
Where you goin'?
Uh, I'm taking the kids home.
I'm not feeling well.
Really?
Are you okay?
Yeah, I-
Hey, Samantha.
So you two have been
seeing each other
behind my back?
Yeah.
And I'm sorry, Samantha.
I wanted to tell you. I-
Justin, look, just because I don't
believe in mixing business and pleasure
doesn't mean that you have to.
I mean, one never knows where
Cupid's arrow might land.
But before you fall too deeply,
you might want to know that Miss Leeds
has never been a consultant here.
What are you-
what are you talking about?
You tell him.
I am-
I'm her nanny.
What?
Is that true?
Jonas, Jackie,
we're going back to the party.
Oh, Miss Leeds, don't bother
coming to work tomorrow.
You're fired.
You've been lying to me?
I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you.
I just-
Miss Leeds?
I know what you're going through.
Don't let him get away.
Justin, wait.
- Justin: Are you okay?
- Ally: I'm fine.
You've got a little something
on your chin.
- Good?
- Yeah.
- # You can't control... #
- I gotta go.
# The way of the world so #
# Live in the moment #
# With love in your hearts #
# And all of our memories
frozen in time... #
Justin:
Well, this must be my lucky day.
Ally:
Hey, it's the raspberry-scone guy.
- Yeah, otherwise known as Justin Larose.
- Ally Leeds,
also known as Ally Leeds.
Justin: It's just
I've never met anyone like you.
And I don't understand how you
could be so perfect.
# Better than this #
# Better than this. #
- Are you awake?
- Yeah.
I miss Miss Leeds.
She was the best nanny
we ever had.
I don't understand why
Mother had to fire her.
She helped everyone.
It was a rotten thing to do
around Christmas time.
Breakfast!
- Pancakes?
- Yeah.
I remember they used
to be your favorite, right?
Aren't they unhealthy?
Come in, it's open.
Good morning.
So everybody was worried when you
didn't come into the office today.
Mmm. There are gonna be
some changes around here.
Fantastic.
But I still need your signature
for these Donner account files.
Mmm.
So should I tell everybody
that you won't be coming in today?
Yeah sure. We can talk about it
more at the Christmas party.
- Christmas party?
- We're having a party?
Yeah. I decided it just doesn't
feel like Christmas around here
without having a party
like we used to, you know?
- Will Daddy be coming?
- Yeah, will Daddy be coming?
I'm really not sure.
- You look terrible.
- Thank you, but I'm fine.
You should have some pancakes.
Um, ahem, did your mother
just offer me pancakes?
So will you be coming
to the Christmas party?
- I wouldn't miss it.
- Will you be bringing a date?
Miss Leeds?
Um, I don't think so, no.
- Well, it would be nice to see her.
- Yeah.
It would be nice
to see her again.
Listen, I'll talk to you guys later.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Bye, Samantha.
- Bye, Justin. Oh!
Almost forgot-
dessert.
But we haven't finished breakfast.
It's upside-down day.
You do everything backwards.
So that's it?
You're just gonna pack up
and run back to Ohio?
I put the house up for sale.
Now that I'm jobless,
I can't afford to pay the mortgage.
You were never a quitter.
I finally meet a guy
that I really care about
and now he hates me.
You're right.
I should have never lied to Justin.
I ruined everything.
I'm going home.
Hello?
- It's me, Jackie.
- Jackie, is everything okay?
Everything's fine, but Mother told me to
give you a very important message.
She did, huh?
She wants you to come to
our Christmas party tonight.
Christmas party?
I don't know, I-
I'm leaving town.
Please. She really really
wants to see you there.
I'll see what I can do.
Great. See you there.
Are you crazy?
This is a chance to redeem yourself.
I can't go to that thing.
- You're afraid.
- Don't be silly.
What's that classic saying
you always preach to everybody?
"It's okay to be afraid
as long as your courage
outweighs your fear. "
Samantha obviously
wants to make amends.
You have to go.
I can't face them.
It's embarrassing.
Justin will be there.
And that's exactly why
I definitely can't go.
Everybody makes mistakes.
All you have to do is apologize.
If it's from the heart,
he'll forgive you.
I can't do it.
Fine.
Merry Christmas.
A day of beauty on me.
I'm gonna miss you, Tina.
Make sure you dress warm.
It's freezing in Ohio.
- You need help?
- Yeah.
Samantha:
Oh my goodness, we've got elves.
We've got a lot of elves
in our house.
- Hi, beautiful.
- Hi, Mama.
Look at all of you.
Oh my goodness,
so nice to finally meet you.
- You have a beautiful home.
- Oh, thank you so much.
- You remember Hannah?
- Hi, sweetheart.
- Hello.
- How are you?
Ho ho ho.
Pardon me.
Hi, guys.
You need cookies.
Somebody get them some cookies.
Hey, merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Justin.
So am I imagining this,
or is Samantha Ryland
being festive?
Uh, you're imagining it.
I thought so.
Thank you for coming.
Thanks for having me.
Listen, I- I know
I don't say it very often,
but I'm really proud of you.
It means- it means a lot,
especially coming from you.
Thanks for being here.
Ah, have you met my neighbors,
the Edelsteins?
Hi. Hi, darling, how are you?
- Merry Christmas.
- This is my right-hand man.
Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
- Great recommendation.
- Nice to meet you.
- Aren't these great decorations?
- Thank you so much.
Pardon me,
the doorbell's ringing.
Justin:
So is she a good neighbor?
Hey, Samantha.
Uh, Ally.
What are you doing here?
You invited me.
Jackie.
There's been a mistake.
But before I leave,
I'd really like to take
this chance to apologize.
Um, look, Ally...
you broke the rules
of my house.
And you broke the rules
of my office.
And then on top of all that,
you lied about it.
The truth is that
you saved my company.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
It's Christmas.
Come on in.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Justin, words can't...
describe how sorry I am
for deceiving you.
It started as a little white lie
and then
it spiraled out of control.
And I've learned that there's
no such thing as a little white lie.
Did you really think that I would care
if you were a nanny?
Yes, I did.
You were a big-shot executive.
I thought you wanted more.
All I ever wanted was you.
It didn't matter what you were.
Not to mention the fact that I babysat
my nieces till I was 25.
- It's what paid my way through college.
- No you didn't.
I didn't. I'm lying.
Look there- now we're even.
Can we start over?
I'm Ally Leeds,
currently unemployed.
And I'm Justin Larose.
It's a pleasure.
Look where you're standing!
I wonder who put that there.
Daddy! Daddy!
- Ha ha ha! Sweetie!
- Daddy!
Hey, sweetie. Hi.
- I missed you.
- I missed you.
What are you doing home?
I didn't think you were coming.
Well, I wasn't, but then
somebody sent me that email
about how you and the kids couldn't
stand to have Christmas without me.
What email?
You know what I learned
while I was gone?
That family is more important than
any company or anything else.
We're so happy to
have you back.
Oh, and you know what?
I don't know,
but Santa must have left this outside.
Let's take a look.
- Oh, a puppy!
- Oh!
You must be Ally Leeds.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Ryland.
Oh please, call me Carl.
Great job with Donner.
You are a hero
in the New York office.
Thank you. Thank you.
So you threw a party, huh?
- It just didn't feel like Christmas.
- Yeah?
And now it does?
Jonas:
What should we name him?
I've made a decision that I want
to discuss with the two of you.
I'm going to take
a year sabbatical.
I want to spend more time
with my family.
Ally, you opened my eyes to
the kind of mother that I was
and helped me realize
the kind of mother I want to be.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Now I'm not comfortable leaving
the agency shorthanded.
And although I once said
that you weren't boardroom material,
I was wrong.
So since Justin will be
taking over for me-
I am?
- I need somebody to
fill in his position.
I'd be honored if you'd accept.
I've already talked to Donner about it.
He thinks it's a great idea.
What about your rule about-
I've realized some rules
are meant to be broken.
Thank you.
And I accept.
So skedaddle.
Merry Christmas.
# In my heart #
# Merry Christmas #
# Chocolate candy canes #
# And peace on earth #
# Oh, it's Christmas #
# In my heart... #
# Holiday cheer #
# Kids everywhere #
# I wonder if he'll
ever get here #
# Naughty or nice,
snow-covered ice #
# And then my brother
said to me #
# Santa was here,
Santa was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
# Santa was here,
he was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
# All through the night #
# Reindeer in flight #
# I wonder if they'll ever get here #
# Tinsel and lights,
snow-covered ice #
# And then my sister
said to me #
# Santa was here,
Santa was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
# Santa was here,
he was here #
# I got a nanny
for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # I got a nanny for Christmas this year #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # Santa was here #
- # Nanny for Christmas #
- # He was here. #