Imagine something precious.
The priceless gift you've been waiting all your life
to give to the one you love.
You wait for the right time, you wrap it carefully,
you pack it in a box,
and you place a few stamps on the outside
and hand this wonderful thing over to a complete stranger,
absolutely confident that your irreplaceable gift
will find its way to the one you love.
That is the miracle of a postage stamp.
The stamp is the smallest contract in the world.
A promise that if you believe in it
we will deliver it, somehow, some way,
because we know that if that contract is broken
hearts can be broken, too.
♪
♪ It's all good, and getting even better ♪
♪ Blue skies only sunny weather. ♪
♪ It's a perfect day, ain't nothing wrong ♪
♪ Cause everything is alright ♪
♪ It's all good and when we get together ♪
♪ Why not make it last forever ♪
♪ When you got what matters ♪
♪ It's all good and getting even better. ♪
♪ Tu, tu, tu du. ♪
♪ Tu, tu, tu, du ♪
Happy Monday, Miss Haywith.
Oh, what is that?
Open it.
Oh, no. I should wait for Norman.
Oh, it's not a wedding gift.
It's a "last week of being single" present.
Oh. Alright.
"Shane and Rita's Girl's Night Out".
Thursday after work we start with a little shopping
for a little something... slinky.
Slinky?
Steamy.
Steamy?
You know, something to wear post-wedding.
Something hot.
Oh.
Mmmhmm!
Then it's margaritas at Chez Ramon's,
and then it's on to the salon for mani's and pedi's,
and we'll follow that up with a completely
self-indulgent dinner and show at Montaldo's.
Oh, that's nice.
Can Norman and Oliver come too?
Can Norman and I come where?
Uh, on our girl's night out, but no,
you can't, because it's, well, for girls.
Not to mention it's Thursday and...
And?
Thursday is...
[phone rings]
Ooh.
Dead Letter Office, Oliver O'Toole.
Yes, she is.
Rita?
Oh.
Rita Haywith.
So you were saying it's Thursday and...
Oliver, don't tell me that you forgot about
Norman's surprise bachelor party.
Norman!
Oliver and I were just talking about,
uh, the employee parking caucus at 10:30.
We're not going back to head-in only, are we?
Not if I can help it.
I'm a diagonal girl myself.
I did not know that.
Wait, what is today?
Uh, it's the 30th.
No.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
Norman, we just lost our florist.
What?
She fell in love with the groom from last week's wedding
and then they eloped.
Ah, love is in the air, hmm?
What're we gonna do?
Norman, surely you have a cousin?
Think, think, think, Norman.
Six foster families, one forever home, 37 cousins-
Uh, yes!
Uh, uh, cousin Arthur.
Arthur, the convicted cow tipper?
That was overturned.
The conviction, not the cow.
Anyways, uh, Arthur has a sister-in-law
who is a wizard with zinnias.
Or is it amaryllis?
Whatever, let's just go!
Norman!
Everything on that shelf, where is it?
Well, it's the last day of the month.
I just took it all down for the unclaimed items auction.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
Norman, let's go!
Coming!
Poppies!
Penelope's Petals and Poppies.
Thursday.
Come on.
Oh, come on.
Come on.
[gasps]
Oliver.
Oh, well in case you're wondering
I have Thursday under control.
You forgot.
[gasps]
Well, let's just say, uh, Norman's surprise bachelor party
will be a bit of a surprise to everyone.
This is very unlike you, Oliver.
I know.
I- I just think the wedding has us all a bit...
Distracted?
Contemplative.
Yeah.
Well, why don't you contemplate asking someone to help you?
I am certainly capable of handling this.
Oh.
Uh, what do we have here?
Um... just um... an undeliverable scheduled for auction today.
Uh, why is it heading in the opposite direction
of the auction?
I was hoping that I could just buy it outright.
Uh, that's highly-
It's just an old piece of clothing. It's used.
Miss McInerney.
I cannot bend the rules simply because you and I are, uh...
Are...
Especially because you and I are um...
I love it when you get all Miss McInerney on me.
I'm late for the parking meeting.
Have fun.
Oh, and remember, diagonal.
Contemplative.
Hmm.
Hey.
Oh, Hazel.
How's Rita holding up?
Oh, she's doing better.
How could she be doing better?
She just told me her florist quit.
Oh, right.
Well, at least it's keeping her mind off of um,
you know, her mother.
[sharply inhales]
Shh.
I was um... just um...
Contemplating?
I just thought that the material was so nice.
I could alter it and make it a cocktail gown
or use the train to make a - I don't know - make a...
Shawl?
A table cloth?
I just hate to see something so beautiful
end up on an auction block.
I wasn't seriously expecting to need...
What?
There's a pocket.
And a letter.
"My darling girl, the last time we were together
"I wasn't sure when we would see each other again,
"but I never thought it would take so long.
"I am still out here fighting the good fight
"but what keeps me going is knowing that I kept you safe.
"It's still too dangerous
"to attempt contact with you directly
"but my sources tell me you've gotten engaged
"and I've never forgotten my promise to pass this on to you
"when you were ready.
"It was your grandmother's,
"it was mine, and now it is yours.
"When I wore it I had it taken out a little.
"You're tall and slim like your grandmother so you may need
"to have it taken back in.
"Life is like that, too, sweetheart.
"Sometimes you just need to alter it a little
"to make it fit better.
"Maybe someday you'll have your own daughter
"to pass this dress on to,
"along with all the adventures we shared,
"all those Sunday afternoon teas when you were growing up.
"I'm so proud of you and your own bold,
"brave life, sweet girl.
"I can never be the mother I wanted to be
"but I'm trying to be the hero I hope you still believe I am.
"I know you will always be mine.
"Have a cup of 1892 Darjeeling for me
"and think of me on your wedding day.
"I'll be there with you.
"Love forever, Mommy."
[sighs]
Who puts a pocket in a wedding dress?
I mean, and how did we miss it?
I mean, I'm sure we followed protocol,
we did everything that we always do with these kind of things.
Everything but uh, try it on.
I haven't bought it yet.
I wrote the cheque but uh, I didn't give it to you.
So.
So, who needs another tablecloth?
You sure have a lot of poppies.
They were my mother's favourite perennial.
I'm so sorry, I didn't realize-
Oh, it's ok.
Uh, it was all very sudden,
and at least she went doing what she loved best.
Spelunking.
Spelunking?
Oh, she loved caves.
She was also a weaver and a farmer.
Oh, and a part-time hippy.
And a UFO activist.
Organic bartender.
But exploring underground caverns
was her greatest passion.
Nobody spelunked like Sunny spelunked.
She always dreamed of one day stumbling
on to some undiscovered, endless, bottomless abyss.
And then she did.
But it was the last thing on her bucket list so it all...
Worked out.
You're handling it awfully well.
Thank you.
Well, I think we can definitely help you out on Saturday.
Let me just check something real quick.
Oh, great.
I'm proud of you.
It's not easy planning a wedding without your mom.
Well, she'll be there in spirit.
And dad'll be there, and Oliver and Shane.
And grandma.
Yeah, she's always so hard to keep up with.
She wouldn't miss this for the world.
[laughs]
Norman?
Let's get some details down.
Time and location.
Ah, well, it starts at 4:00.
4:00 ok.
Washington Square...
Yeah, I think I recognize this box.
It got caught in a conveyor belt accident at terminal annex
eight months ago.
You remember this box?
Oh, sure.
Just look at those commemoratives.
Oh.
Bessie Coleman, Sacagawea, Amelia Earhart.
Yeah, why would somebody go to all that trouble
to only use stamps with famous women on them?
Yeah, not just famous, courageous.
Norman, I was thinking perhaps you and I might have um,
a quiet pre-wedding dinner at my place on,
say, uh... Thursday?
Uh, well, um, Rita's dad wants us to drop by the farm tonight
and then we have to pick up our tuxes tomorrow.
Uh, Wednesday we meet the minister,
so uh... yeah.
Thursday.
Sure.
Good.
And three Nellie Blys.
What's that all about?
Hmm.
What keeps me going is knowing that I kept you safe.
What do you think she means?
She talks about danger and adventure.
Fighting the good fight.
Maybe she's a soldier.
Or a spy.
My sources tell me you've gotten engaged.
An international woman of mystery.
[laughs]
Sounds like Norman's grandmother.
Yeah.
She's coming, right?
I don't know.
I can't find her, and I don't know how to tell Norman.
We've sent invitations to every crazy,
weird place she's ever been but they all get returned.
I must have missed one.
Wasn't she in Machu Picchu?
She was, then she went down the Amazon,
across the Sahara Desert, up Kilimanjaro,
and then I lost track.
Hmm.
Isn't she the honorary queen of something?
The Rainbow Tribe of the Sacred Biyami?
Yeah, where's that?
Oh, an archipelago 800 miles south of New Guinea.
[laughs]
She really gets around, doesn't she?
Yeah.
She would have loved my mom.
Don't give up yet.
Maybe the Biyami can help.
Does the Rainbow Tribe have internet?
Oh, I don't think so.
I think that's why they're so happy.
The button's just --
Hey, what is this?
Uh huh.
Alright.
Thank you.
Mmmhmm.
Otis in operations says the equipment that broke down
and damaged this was sorting incoming parcels,
not outgoing.
So that means the daughter must still live nearby and the mom...
She could be anywhere.
Oliver.
Oliver, there are initials sewn into the dress.
Look.
"E.R." Evelyn Rose.
Denver's most elegant wedding designer.
She sews her initials into every dress she makes.
It's like an artist signing her masterpiece.
"Society seamstress Evelyn Rose estimates she created more than
"2,000 wedding dresses for at least four generations
"of Denver brides."
"No two dresses were the same, recalls the bright-eyed..."
Wow.
"The bright-eyed 96-year-old,
"because every bride is unique and every gown has a secret."
96, wow.
Well, I've got an appointment with her after lunch.
You might wanna think about moving that up.
As for us, the letter says something about all those Sunday
afternoon teas.
Rita, teahouses in Denver, please?
There are 18 Denver restaurants that have
Sunday afternoon tea, seven of them have been open
for almost 30 years, but only one serves its own
1892 Darjeeling private blend and it's the Brown Palace Hotel.
Well, I hope you like scones.
What if the person who's supposed to wear this dress
is already married by now?
What if she isn't?
Then there still might be time to find her before the wedding.
But it's not about the dress, it's-
someone out there is missing a mom.
She may never see her again.
This might be the only thing that she has left of her.
Madam, one lump or two?
Three?
Uh, Mr. uh, Fry is it?
At your service, sir.
I imagine you've worked here for quite a number of years?
37, sir.
I have served kings, queens, presidents,
authors, explorers, captains of industry,
and the occasional ex-patriot prince.
The Brown Palace is the crossroads of the world,
their home away from home.
The flags in the lobby honour all the countries in the world
from which our guests hail.
Oh my goodness.
Well, we are from the United States Postal Service.
We are trying to deliver a very special family heirloom
that was, uh, lost in transit.
Lost by the post office.
Extraordinary.
A very rare occurrence, but we believe it was mailed by a lady
who regularly brought her little girl to tea here
every Sunday afternoon.
Sir, you have described half the population
of the metropolitan area as you can see.
Perhaps if you had a name?
Uh, sadly we do not.
Oh, but they liked to drink the 1892 Darjeeling.
Ah, well that might narrow it down.
1892 is an acquired taste.
Oh, but this is marvellous.
A rare white infusion, actually.
Do I detect a hint of musk with a floral top note?
You do, indeed, sir.
Oh yes, this is one of mine.
I knew it.
I recognize the lace.
It's from a bolt I bought in Belgium in the 1960's..
That would be about right.
I made quite a few dresses out of that
but I have no idea who I made this one for.
[sighs]
Hmm.
You see, the thing is is that you made this dress
for a lady who passed it down to her daughter
and then that lady tried to pass it on to her daughter
but it got lost in the mail.
And the lady that mailed it,
well, she hasn't seen her daughter in a long, long time.
I can't promise this will help but um,
do you know my motto?
Every bride is unique and every gown has a secret.
Well, the secret is that it's not just a motto.
It's the truth.
Oh.
"For Jane: Bless the bride who wears this dress.
"E.R. 1964"
I sewed a secret prayer in the dress for every bride I made.
I sewed a prayer for every bride that came through that door.
So I must have made this dress for a lady called Jane.
Does that help?
She didn't happen to tell you what she was gonna name
her first child, did she?
[laughs]
No idea.
Well, thank you anyways.
And no matter what happens, I'm just so glad I met you.
You know, when I was growing up I always dreamed of
one day wearing an Evelyn original.
Well, you still can.
I'm not officially retiring until the end of the year.
Oh, I don't think there's enough time.
I get married on Saturday.
Oh.
Well, I could never afford a gown like this
on a postal service salary.
Well, tell me about your dress.
My dress?
Mmm.
Mmm. Uh, oh, it's long, really long,
and it's got a lot of bows,
uh, and some ruffles, and it's a western theme.
Hmm.
Yep.
Yeah.
I borrowed it from a friend in international shipping.
She married a sheep rancher.
But you know what?
It fits great and uh...
I'm only gonna wear it once, right?
Hmm.
These are the best cucumber sandwiches I've ever had.
The egg salad is unparalleled.
My goodness, do you think it's too late to ask them
to cater Thursday night?
[laughs]
What are you talking about, Oliver?
It's a bachelor party.
It's a bunch of guys drinking beer
and eating Cheetos out of the bag.
They don't want finger sandwiches,
they want hot wings and ribs and red plastic cups.
Hot wings?
Does that involve sauces?
Because I just had the carpets professionally-
Oh, for heaven's sakes.
Uh, what're you doing?
I am texting your father to tell him that his son
is hopelessly lost somewhere in the 20th century
and could he meet us at your house for an intervention.
Pardon me.
Regarding your search for the lady,
it occurs to me that our reservation books
have been archived since 1901.
Would that be helpful?
It might.
I've taken the liberty of writing down the direct line
to the kitchen if I can be helpful with introductions
to our archivist.
Oh, why thank you.
That is very kind of you.
Happy to be of assistance
to a fellow connoisseur of the leaf, sir.
[chuckles]
[sniffing]
[whistling]
Cloud Consciousness Retreat?
Butterfly Barefoot Bay?
Undelivered? Undelivered?
Norman? I met Evelyn Rose and she did make the dress.
She made it for a lady named Jane in the '60s
which doesn't help us much, I know.
But you're not gonna believe this.
She is making me a dress and practically for free.
I can't believe it.
I mean, can you imagine me in an Evelyn original?
Oh, no.
I tried to tell you earlier
but I was just hoping that one of those
would catch up with her.
It's ok.
Grandma's always been a free spirit.
But you know she loves you, right?
And she would be here if she could.
I know.
I don't want you to worry about this anymore.
The only thing that matters is
I finally get to marry you on Saturday
and that makes this the happiest week of my life.
And nothing - nothing - can change that.
[phone rings]
DLO, Norman.
Uh-huh.
Thank you.
The minister has the measles.
[gasps]
Oh.
His face.
I'm not saying that it has to be a big, crazy blow-out,
but Norman needs a chance to let off some steam,
kick up his heels a little and, you know,
celebrate the fact that he's found the love of his life.
He has, hasn't he?
Not everyone can say that.
I meant, uh, I admire his perseverance.
Hmm.
I didn't mean to suggest that you-
I mean, that-
Oliver, look.
Weddings have a way of making people
who aren't getting married suddenly feel awkward.
It probably didn't help when you saw me trying on a wedding gown.
[laughs]
You were never supposed to see that.
Can you just forget that happened?
May I help you?
Hi.
I'm conducting an investigation
for the United States Postal Service.
I'm hoping that you might have a forwarding address on file
for a rather distinguished guest who often stays here
when she's in town.
Mrs. Ardis Parker Pennington Payne,
queen of the Rainbow tribe of the sacred Biyami.
It shouldn't be too hard to find someone to marry us.
What about your cousin, Serge?
Vow of silence.
What about your cousin, Larry?
Well, he converted to something-ism.
Has to do with spaghetti.
Oh, wait. What about Ramon?
Ramon?
Who could possibly qualify an ex-matador TV weatherman
ballroom dance teacher to perform our wedding ceremony?
It's bad enough he's catering it.
Doesn't he have one of those online minister licenses?
I think I saw one on his wall.
Yeah, probably right next to his medical degree
from South Central Delaware Community College.
At least call him.
We're running out of time and we still need to figure out
who sent this.
Yeah, about that.
I've been thinking about it.
Something Oliver said.
Look at this.
Amelia Earhart, Sacagawea, Bessie Coleman and Nellie Bly.
She broke the world record for travelling around the world.
And Clara Moss.
She sacrificed her life trying to find a cure for yellow fever.
All American women who helped change the world.
I think whoever mailed these stamps
identifies with these women somehow.
Oh.
And look at this.
This isn't just a piece of paper.
This is formal stationary.
It's good quality but the top has been cut off.
Like maybe there was a name on top.
Or an address.
Mmm. And here.
"It's still too dangerous to attempt contact with you."
Maybe we're looking for somebody who doesn't want to be found.
Oh.
I was thinking about a chocolate fondu fountain right there.
And if, uh, beer is absolutely necessary,
perhaps a craft beer station right over there in the corner.
And, since Norman's cousin Vernon
is making the wedding cake,
I thought he might throw in some specialty pastries, as well.
And Vernon plays the spoons so maybe we could have
a little after dinner musical, too.
Really?
(Both): No!
No, Oliver!
Would you please just let your father handle this?
I'm happy to do it, son.
Listen, do you mind if I move a little of the furniture around?
Only if it's absolutely, uh, necessary.
I don't-
It is.
I have yeses from all of Norman's cousins,
friends from the terminal annex, Ramon -
who offered to DJ -
and of course you and Joe and Rita's dad
is bringing the cigars.
Cigars.
Yeah.
Bill said it's a family tradition.
Apparently every father-in-law smokes a Cohiba
with the groom before the wedding.
Dad? Really?
It beats the ugly green tie.
I'm sorry, the what?
Back in the 1800's our great-great-something-
grandfather Randall Bartlett O'Toole was in love with
a lady of means named Leticia.
Leticia Hepplewhite.
Right.
She was the beautiful daughter
of a prosperous banker in Boston.
Um, but he was just a local postmaster
so Randall was insecure and he wasted a little too much time
deciding if he was gonna propose to the lady
so one day he's getting his horse shoed
and he sees a gentleman rival heading towards Leticia's house.
And Randall knows if he doesn't get there first
he's gonna lose her.
So-
So Randall borrowed a tie from the blacksmith,
runs up the hill, pounds on the door and blurts out
"don't look at my tie, look at my eyes."
"And listen only to my heart and if you marry me
"then I will love you forever
"and I'll never wear this tie again."
[laughs]
And?
And that's why an O'Toole never wears an ugly green tie.
Unless, of course, he's planning to propose.
I love that story.
So, Joe, did you wear an ugly green tie when you proposed?
I did.
And what about you?
Oh, uh, no.
Holly proposed to me
and three hours later we were married at City Hall.
Oh. So you never...
No, I didn't have a wedding.
And you've obviously never been to a bachelor party
so let's get this baby crankin'. What do you say?
There you go.
[laughs]
Please...
Relax, Oliver.
A prayer for every bride.
That's so sweet.
For Jane, 1964.
It's pretty amazing.
Mmmhmm.
Not helpful, no.
Norman thinks maybe Jane's daughter mailed that box
with all those stamps to send some sort of message like
"I can't tell you where I am, but I'm flying around the world
"doing dangerous and exciting things to keep the world safe."
So what do you think?
Ramon or no Ramon?
Yes.
Uh, yes, Ramon or yes, no Ramon?
Uh, I'm sorry?
Are you ok, Oliver?
Oh, it's just um... contemplating the preponderance
of archaic and mystifying wedding superstitions.
Why something old?
Or, why something new?
Or borrowed, or blue?
Then there's the tossing of the bouquet,
nothing more than,
really, a barbaric exercise in female wrestling.
Is this a part of the best man's pep talk?
I have a lot on my mind.
Me too.
What with me getting married this Saturday.
To Rita.
Without a minister.
You made it!
Hey Mr. Haywith.
You're gonna have to call me dad soon.
[laughing]
Daddy has a surprise for us.
Yes, I do. I do.
Follow me.
[gasps]
There!
Oh my.
This is a canoe.
It's your wedding gift.
I made it myself.
What?
Oh, isn't it just beautiful?
Wow.
Look at that craftsmanship, Norman.
Mmm.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I made the loom over there for your mother for our wedding.
This is a canoe.
Well, Rita doesn't weave.
[laughs]
So I thought you could, you know,
hitch it on top of your R.V.
and take it to Grand Lakes for your honeymoon.
Thank you, daddy.
This is just so... oh.
It's just so...
We brought sushi.
Yes, dinner.
I'm starving.
Me too.
Ok.
Norman?
Canoes, they go on water and I never... learned how to... swim.
Ah.
Well, that is certainly something that can be remedied.
You'll have plenty of time on your honeymoon to,
uh, get your feet wet.
I already have a lot to learn on my honeymoon.
[mooing]
Daddy, do you remember what mama wore
when you guys got married?
Oh yeah.
Uh, we were selling blackberry preserves
at the Renaissance Fair
in, um, Modesto, and she decided that she would trade in
the whole lot for this long, fancy get-up they were selling
in this Elizabethan booth that was right next to ours but,
see, the problem was, it was too big.
Now, your mother, she decided to do the alterations herself.
Oh.
[laughs]
And she kept taking it in and up
and in until it ended up no bigger than a postage stamp.
I think the veil ended up longer than the dress.
But she sure was beautiful.
Rita, what did the letter say about alterations?
Uh, "when I wore it I had to have it taken out."
Oliver, Norman.
We have to go.
Leave the canoe, take the sushi.
Norman, I need some little, itty-bitty scissors.
Uh, little-bitty or itty-bitty?
Norman.
See, the prayers aren't for the dress,
they're for the one who wears it.
So if Evelyn sold one for Jane when she made it...
Then perhaps she sewed one for Jane's daughter
when she altered it.
Excellent thinking, Miss McInerney.
Little, bitty, itty-bitty.
Is there another one in there?
"Bless this dress for Annaliese."
[gasps]
[chuckles]
Annaliese?
Yes, I do believe I know the lady of whom
you may be speaking.
For many years I had the pleasure of serving
a charming mother and daughter who always sat
at that table in the corner.
She would regale her daughter with the most enthralling tales
of bravery and danger and expedition.
(Annaliese): I had to face the monster right there in the middle of the sea
with the storm and the winds tossing the boat right to left!
(Elwood): The little girl alway carried a notebook with her
and wrote down every story her mother told.
At first they were drawings
but as she grew older she wrote them down.
(Annaliese): Sometimes the monster sneaks up behind you
and you don't see it coming until it's too late.
That's why I always carry my sword and my shield,
ready to face my enemy.
(Elwood): The stories were always different,
but always heroic, and always told as though
the mother herself was the heroine.
And the heroine's name was Annaliese.
As the little girl grew, the stories grew up, too,
and the character of Annaliese evolved into...
uh, let me see.
Um...
An aviator? An army nurse?
A war correspondent?
Yes.
Annaliese became something of a mysterious woman of fortune
who always seemed to risk her life
to do the right thing and to-
Keep her family safe.
Mmm.
Was the little girl's name Jessica?
Jessica.
My goodness, yes, that was it.
Rita, how on earth-
I think I know where to find her.
I walked by this yesterday.
"Meet the best-selling author of
"The Secret Adventures of Annaliese:
"The Flight to the End of the World",
"book five in the best-selling young adult novels
"by Jessica Gordon."
I've never heard of Jessica Gordon.
Probably because you're not a teenaged girl.
[laughs]
It makes sense.
An aviator, a pirate, a soldier.
She took her mother's stories
and she created a successful book franchise.
It's gotta be her.
I suppose we'll find out tomorrow.
Oh, I am late for my appointment with Evelyn.
Muah.
Bye. Bye guys.
[phone ringing]
We have a tuxedo fitting in 20 minutes.
Ah!
And I have a phone call. I'll see you guys later.
Bye-bye.
Hello, Shane McInerney.
Yes.
Yes!
Oh my goodness.
No, everything is fine.
But where are you?
It's not that I'm nervous.
Oh, no.
You know, I'm perfectly healthy.
Of course you are.
It's just I always, uh, thought uh...
I- I just always thought that, you know,
some things are meant to be saved
until you can do them with somebody special.
Like when you, uh,
both go to see a movie together for the first time.
You know?
It's more fun than if one of you has already seen it
and knows how it ends.
Does that make sense?
So far. Mmmhmm.
I've never really uh, been to the movies
so when Rita and I started going out
and getting to know each other,
you know, we were talking about everything,
and, well, one day finally we just admitted to each other
that we were, um... we were just waiting
for the right person to...
See the movie with.
Exactly.
What if... what if, um...
Norman, you're not going to the movies.
You and Rita are the movie.
You're the stars of your own love story,
and when the time comes you will know your lines.
And it will be... beautiful.
I feel a little awkward delivering this.
All I got 'em was a rice cooker.
You ok?
We were very blessed, you know that?
We're gonna miss her on Saturday.
She was weaving this before she left us.
Hey.
If that's the only thing she left undone,
my friend, then you're right.
We were blessed.
[door opens]
Hello?
Bill? Is anyone here?
Hey Shane!
Oh, perfect.
What's up?
How do you feel about building one more wedding gift?
Sure.
Here you go.
Hi.
Hello, Miss Gordon.
My name is Oliver O'Toole.
We're from the United States Postal Service
and we may have a delivery for you.
Mommy.
Mr. Fry, the tea master at the Brown Palace
remembered you and your mother.
Oh my goodness, Mr. Fry.
It was Rita, actually, who put two and two together
when he said that your mother
was quite an inventive storyteller.
She didn't actually invent them.
They really happened to her.
Or at least that's what she wanted me to believe.
My father left when I was a bab and it seemed like my mom
was always working six different jobs
just to keep things together.
But somehow she always made sure we had tea at the Brown.
She'd tell these fantastic stories
and I'd try and write them all down.
And then one day she told me they weren't just stories.
She said other kids' parents belonged to the PTA
but that she belonged to a government agency
that worked undercover to protect the world from danger.
Is that uh...
True?
It was true for a little girl who thought her mom was a hero.
Sometimes she'd leave me with my grandmother for a week
or even a month while she'd disappear
on these secret missions.
But she'd always come back with her mission accomplished
and another story to tell.
And then when I was 12, she told me she had to go
on the greatest, most dangerous mission of her life.
(Annaliese): They need me on Neverlost Island.
Now, I wouldn't leave unless I knew that it was absolutely
the most important thing I ever did to keep you safe.
And I promise I'll be back.
And I never saw her again.
But I kept believing in her for years because...
well, I guess I needed to.
But who knows what's true anymore?
What about your grandmother?
My grandmother promised me she'd tell me the whole story
when I was ready to hear it,
but she passed away when I was in college.
So as far as you know your mother is...
A secret agent?
The day I turned 21 I looked at myself in the mirror and said
"just face it, she dumped you."
You don't really believe that, do you?
I mean, look at these stamps.
They're all of amazing women who- who did change the world.
I think she wants you to think of her like that.
Like Amelia Earhart and Nellie Bly.
She really seems to like Nellie Bly.
Yeah, she does.
She always puts at least two Nellies on every envelope.
I'm sorry, there are other letters?
Mmmhmm.
From Alaska, Kenya, Beijing...
all over the world.
They started coming in when I published my first book.
They say she's still out there on some mysterious assignment
trying to come home.
I'd been angry at her for so long but writing her stories
was a good way to work through that.
But then when those letters started coming in
it was like finding a reason to believe again
that she really did wanna be with me.
But for whatever reason she just can't.
I guess I finally found a way to live with that.
How many letters were written?
Oh, maybe six or seven.
The one before came about a year ago.
They're all written on the same paper.
Are the tops of each page cut off?
Yeah.
Uh, I'm sorry, but it was necessary to read the letters
but we were quite inspired by your mother's stories.
Every story I've ever written was inspired by her.
But nobody knows that except you and my husband.
So we're too late for your wedding?
I was married five months ago.
We're so sorry.
No, no, don't be.
I... I didn't miss the dress.
I missed her.
But now I know she was there in spirit.
Miss Gordon, I wish there was some way that...
that we could make it up to you.
You found the dress.
You found me.
What more could you possibly do?
What if we were to find your mother?
I still can't believe you said that.
Maybe we could find your mother?
I'm just saying, I think we have an obligation
to make something good out of this.
Isn't that- isn't that what Postables do?
And to what corner of the earth might we have to go to find her?
Hmm?
I have a theory.
Oh, happy day.
The letter said
"you're tall and thin, like your grandmother."
How could she know that if she hasn't seen Jessica
since she was 12?
And what do people always say if they can't be somewhere
they wish they could?
It's always "I'll be there in spirit."
But what did Annaliese write about Jessica's wedding?
"Think of me on your wedding day."
"I'll be there with you."
Oliver, I think that Annaliese really was there
at Jessica's wedding.
I think that she's finally come home.
Uh, why hasn't she told Jessica?
Flowers, candles, reception menu.
Check, check, check.
Oh, I have a fitting at 3:00 and then I'm meeting Shane.
Check.
Oh, and I have my dinner with Oliver.
Ooh, we should get going.
We've got Ramon at noon.
Ramon?
Couple's counselling.
Don't ask.
Hi, Oliver.
Bye, Oliver.
Couple's counselling. Don't ask.
Good morning.
Yes, it is.
Oh, listen to this.
"Nellie Bly was not only a world renowned traveller,
"she was an investigative reporter most famous
"for posing as a mental patient in 1867
"to expose disturbing conditions
"in New York's infamous Blackwell's Island Asylum,
"resulting in major reforms in the treatment of mental health."
So I was thinking that maybe Annaliese
is an undercover human rights activist.
I don't know how you plan to, uh,
find this woman.
We don't have the dress anymore or the letter.
You can't find a single Annaliese Gordon
in any of those computer internet search things you do.
Are you ok?
Oh, I'm fine.
I just... have a lot of things on my mind.
I'll tell you what.
I'll do some more thinking about Annaliese
and you get ready for the bachelor party.
I am sorry I seem to be somewhere else these days.
Well, wherever that is, don't stay there too long.
[laughs]
[phone ringing]
Oh, I should get that.
It could be about the girl's night out.
Please tell me that we're a go.
Yes!
How did couple's counselling with Ramon go?
I had no idea how spiritual he was.
We met him at the Mailbox Grille and we ate enchiladas
and he prayed for our marriage.
It's not every day your caterer
and your minister are the same person.
He's taking this very seriously.
We went over the service and the music.
Oh, and the guest list.
The guest list?
Mmmhmm.
He said "when you invite God to the wedding
"he stays for the marriage"
"and a chord of three strands can never be broken.
You and Norman are strands?
Mmmhmm.
That's a metaphor.
Ah.
You see what I mean? Very spiritual.
Rita, I couldn't tell you before I knew it was for sure
but I have a surprise for you and Norman.
But it means skipping our girl's night out.
Oh.
Hmm.
Please.
[together] Surprise!
What? How?
It's your surprise bachelor party.
Hit it, Ramon.
[chanting] Norman! Norman! Norman!
Norman! Norman! Norman!
[pop]
♪
What the Sam Hill?
Surprise!
Grandma?
It's me!
I mean, it is I.
It's your grandmother!
Look.
I can't believe you came.
Well, of course, darling.
You're my little sliver of light.
Hey, so where are you, actually?
Patagonia, darling.
I'm detoxifying.
Now, you must introduce me to everybody.
Oh, uh, ok.
There we go.
It was the flags in the lobby of all the places that the artists
had travelled to and it got me thinking maybe she had left
a forwarding address
the last time she had been here and bingo!
She had left the number for her travel agent who had the number
for the private pilot that had just flown her to Pat-
Oliver?
Shrimp sauce. It is everywhere.
Oh.
And over there, that's my foster cousin Wade,
cousin Vernon... he's gonna make our cake.
Oh, it's gonna have owls on it.
I just love owls.
I can see that, dear.
[laughs]
Thank you.
Say hi to my grandma.
Oh. Grandma.
Oh, yes.
This is my dad.
Ah, pleasure to meet you.
Uh, you can call me Bill.
It's short for Bilbo, like in the-
The Hobbit. Of course it is.
[small laugh]
Oh, hi!
Oh, hi, if you'll excuse me.
Oh. Oh.
Now, for the first dance, you take the bride's hand like so
and you promenade on the floor.
You wait for the next one two three,
one two three, yes,
one two three...
Great party.
Ah, thanks to you.
I really dropped the ball, I'm afraid.
I know you've been uh, preoccupied recently.
And am I crazy or have you managed
to avoid looking Shane in the eye all night?
[laughing]
Dad, have you ever thought about somebody one way
for a long time and then one day they say something
or do something and you just... can't get it out of your head?
Where are you going with this, son?
[laughing]
You would have really gotten along with my wife.
She learned to meditate in Tibet,
she climbed the Himalayas,
Bravo!
and um... oh, she learned how to weave in New Guinea.
I weave.
I'm a weaver.
I spend three months of every year on a small island
just south of there during the sacramental sewing season.
Are we talking about the Rainbow tribe of the Sacred Biyami?
I'm their queen.
Oh, no!
Yes.
What was your wife's name?
Sunny.
Oh, no. For heaven's sake.
What? You knew her?
Knew her?
We learned to weave together 25 years ago.
We were loom buddies.
Amazing.
What that woman couldn't do with the hair
from the underbelly of a muskox.
Ardis, this is a miracle.
Are you busy, like, say 12 hours from now?
It's Patagonia, dear.
There is no busy.
Can we Skype tomorrow?
I'd like to show you something at my dairy farm.
A dairy farm?
Oh, I do love cows.
Really?
Well, you see, darling, back in the 13th century I was a cow.
And I must tell you once again
what an honour it will be to officiate your sacred union
on Saturday.
How many times have you officiated?
None.
You are my first.
And dip!
Well, if you're asking me, maybe it's time to uh,
face the music and admit that you are
two very different people and you don't see that changing.
No, I don't.
So then the question is...
There you guys are.
Ardis has something she wants to tell us.
Oh.
Everybody here?
Ah, we're all here, Grandma.
Well, now normally I wouldn't make such a production
out of a wedding gift
but I think Oliver and Shane should hear this, too.
Now, Norman, Rita, even though I'm hardly ever there
I'll always be here for you, even when I'm not here, there.
Especially if you ever find yourselves in need of anything-
anything at all.
So I'm giving you the email address of my accountant, Harry.
Oh, that's so beautiful.
Somebody write this down.
Anybody got a pen and paper?
Got it.
In the meantime, Harry is sending a cheque
to the O'Toole foundation to establish
the Haywith Dorman scholarship for students of postal history.
Oh my goodness.
Grandma, I- we- well, this is just so amazing.
It is so amazing, thank you so much,
Mrs. Parker Pennington Payne.
Well, I know how much being postal means to both of you.
Here's the paper, you can just write on the back of that.
Oliver, do you wanna give Norman your pen?
Ah.
Oliver, look.
The uh, the- the paper.
It- the stationary is from the Brown Palace?
I know.
That's the number that Mr. Fry wrote down.
Norman, the letter from Annaliese,
isn't this the same paper?
[sniffing]
Yes.
Nobody smells like my Norman.
Thank you, Grandma.
Are you sure you don't want us to come back
and help you clean up?
Ok, bye.
Oh, good. It's you.
Hey, you're the post office lady, right?
That's right.
I have another name for you.
Last name?
Oh, we don't have a last name but we have a unique first name
and we think she might be a regular here.
Um, Annaliese?
Annaliese?
She's right over there.
Oh.
Her?
No, her.
Oh.
Does she know that I'm here?
No, but she was hoping that we would find you.
Really?
I think she's just hoping
that maybe you're still out there being, well...
The amazing woman I told her I was.
Well, I am still out here, protecting her in a way.
Not from tigers or monsters.
From me.
The hallucinations began when she was about eight years old.
What do you mean?
Nobody knows why.
I just started to lose pieces of myself.
I'd lose track of time, forget things, get confused.
Some days it felt like nothing was possible.
Or everything was.
I've been called back into duty again, sweetheart.
It shouldn't be too long this time.
They need me again on Neverlost Island.
All those wild stories I made up to entertain Jessie
began to feel real, like memories.
As if I really was a hero and I had done all those things.
I was in and out of hospitals and clinics for years
but I just kept getting worse.
And I was so afraid that it wasn't safe for Jessie
to be around me so I looked for help.
And I found a live-in mental health program for women
so I left for six weeks on my new secret mission.
And I left Jessie with my mother again.
Six weeks turned into six months and then years.
And somewhere in all that time
my mother died and Jessie went to college.
And so, when the clinic lost its funding,
I ended up on the street.
But I started to believe that I wasn't really homeless,
I was actually an undercover reporter, like-
Like Nellie Bly.
And then one day
I saw a little girl reading a book.
It was one of my good days
when I could think clearly enough to realize
that I had found out what happened to my Jessie,
and that she hadn't forgotten me.
That was the day when I walked back into a hospital
and they put me into a free clinical trial
and found a drug that worked.
And so I started over.
I live in a therapeutic community in Washington Park
and I've worked here now for five years.
That's when I started writing the letters.
I thought that maybe Jessie could believe in me again.
How did you mail all those letters
from all those different places?
I made friends with some of the regulars who stay here
and they'd mail those letters for me
from wherever they're off to next.
To Asia, Europe, Africa.
When I read that Jessie was getting married
I had someone send the dress for me from Hawaii.
She got married just up there in the grand ballroom.
You really were there.
I watched from the kitchen.
I was hoping I might see her in the dress, but...
Oh, we are... we are so very sorry.
No.
It's actually a relief because this way I can tell myself
that she might have worn it.
Up until now I just thought that she hadn't wanted to.
She missed you.
She said so.
She should tell you that herself.
No.
I would be such a disappointment.
I want Jessie to remember her mother
as someone who was strong and brave
and did things that mattered, like the women on those stamps.
But you are strong and so brave.
You faced a terrible darkness
and you had the courage to ask for help.
If you think that you haven't made a difference in the world
think about the thousands of children who were inspired
to choose the more honourable, the kinder, the higher ground,
because they read Jessica's books.
And those books began with you
and the stories that you told her.
You've been on Neverlost Island for an awfully long time.
Maybe it's time to come home.
This is Zelda.
Our prize Holstein.
Oh, hello dear.
Have we met?
[mooing]
Well, you have a twin out there in the world
and I swear you could be her sister.
But this, this is what I wanted you to see.
Oh, look at that loom.
It's a work of art.
It was my wedding gift to Sunny.
That woman sure knew how to handle a heddle.
What- what has she got on there?
What is that?
Uh, I don't- uh, she was weaving this for Norman and Rita.
Oh, for heaven's sake, it's a Biyami wedding blanket.
It's a traditional gift from mother to daughter
on the day of her wedding.
Rita would have loved that.
Oh, let's see.
She's done the first rainbow, the symbol of unity,
the sacred seven fertility patterns,
the Biyami prayer for flexibility,
and she's just missing... oh... ah, if only I were there.
She was almost finished.
You know, we could do this together, Bilbo.
I don't know how to weave.
Oh, trust me, dear.
I'll have those little hands flying and warping
before you know it.
Now, you're going to need a muskox.
No muskox.
Oh, well... an alpaca will do in a pinch.
Oh, I got that.
Oh, wait. Wait.
I need the hour and place when Rita was born.
At 10:24 am in Sedona under the Pepsi Challenge tent.
That explains everything.
Now get a move on, this could take all night.
Alright.
Constantina?
A ceremonial cup of yak milk, please.
What kept you?
Thank you.
[chanting]
[spits]
I know it's a shock to hear words like
"homeless" and "mental illness" and-
No, the only thing shocking
is that I didn't figure it out before.
But I must have been so desperate
to believe anything but that.
I mean, of course that's what it is.
The- the stories, the crazy stories and- and the trips.
She knows you must have a lot of questions.
Like why she didn't want to find me when she knew she could?
All she did was mail me a dress.
Isn't that the question I should be asking?
She wants to answer all of them.
Well, maybe it's too late.
No.
Because I know what too late feels like.
I'm getting married tomorrow
but my mom won't be there because I lost her this year.
I'm sorry.
She didn't have to overcome the same challenges as your mom
but she was passionate like her,
and she dreamed of making the world a better place
the same way that your mother wanted to.
Sometimes she did crazy things
and she took chances that I just...
I just didn't understand.
But I always assumed that I would be able to talk to her
about it when I was ready.
Except now... now it's too late.
It's too late for answers.
It's too late to ask her for help with my wedding.
It's too late to thank her for all those wonderful things
that she taught me.
It's too late for me to just sit down and laugh
with her over a cup of tea.
If I could do just- just one of those things today
I wouldn't waste a second thinking
about the time that we lost.
She's your mother.
She loves you more than anything else in the world
and she did her best.
What other answers do you need?
Warp and heddle, warp and heddle,
warp and heddle.
[yawning] Warp and heddle.
Keep going. Keep going.
You're almost there.
I finished!
Bill, you're a natural.
Yeah.
Here's to Ardis, queen of the sacred Biyami
and hero of the Dorman Haywith wedding.
Well, I'm just glad I was there.
Here.
And as we say in Biyami, you never know
from where you sit which way the bird is go-
[laughs]
Thank you.
I'm embarrassed to say that in five years I never noticed her.
Then again, night shift is something of another world.
Ah.
Ah, is that...?
It is.
Madam, what a pleasure to see you again.
Hello, Mr. Fry.
Let me just confirm that your table is ready.
I just wanna thank you all so much for doing this.
I never knew that strangers could be so kind.
We're not strangers anymore.
We're the Postables.
Right this way, madam.
I am so sorry.
It's ok, mommy.
I thought I'd lost you forever.
Me too.
I have a lot of questions.
But I don't need the answers right away.
How about we just have a nice cup of the 1892 Darjeeling?
[laughs]
You never did like milk in your tea.
No, thank you.
[phone ringing]
Shane McInerney.
Yes, uh, he's here with me.
Hold on.
Norman?
Hmm? Oh.
Hello?
Well, I guess the timing worked out after all, huh?
Yes, it did.
We make a good team.
I love us.
And I love-
[clears throat]
And I love you.
Oh, you do, huh?
And I'm still contemplating what to do about that.
I see.
Well, does it help if I mention that I love you so-
Oliver!
Skunks.
Angry skunks in the church.
They found skunks under the choir loft
and now the whole church stinks.
Skunks!
We can't get married there tomorrow.
What are we going to do?
[acoustic guitar music]
The guy with the guitar?
He wrote a love letter to the only lady he ever loved
and then it got lost in the mail and she got lost in a hurricane,
so he needed the Postables to help find her
and of course they did and now they need him and here he is.
Just think.
All the people in here who's lives would be different
without the U.S. mail.
It's so romantic.
♪
You ok, my friend?
Oh, I've been thinking about this day for so long.
I just never imagined farm animals.
Well, at least you get a nice cross breeze here
you wouldn't get at the church.
[laughs]
Got it.
Oh, thanks dad.
You might want to check the pockets just in case.
Sweetheart, you're breathtaking.
Thank you, daddy.
You look just like your mother.
[laughs]
I mean, the dress looks--
No bigger than a postage stamp?
Hmm-mmm.
[exhales]
Now, when you walk out there
you may notice that the loom is empty.
Well, that's- that's just because your mother's
last gift to you is waiting for you on the altar.
Ok.
[laughing]
This is it.
Whoo.
I love you.
[acoustic guitar music] ♪
♪ Every morning, ♪
♪ Every evening, ♪
♪ Every day I, ♪
♪ I think of you, ♪
♪ The way you love me, ♪
♪ Through and through, ♪
♪
♪ When I'm with you, ♪
♪ It feels like heaven, ♪
♪ You're an angel, ♪
♪ Holding me, ♪
♪ Sweet, sweet loving, ♪
♪ It sets me free, ♪
♪
♪ And in my wildest imagination, ♪
♪ I could never imagine you, ♪
♪ Loving me as much as I do you, ♪
♪
♪ In my wildest imagination, ♪
♪ I could never, never, never, imagine you, ♪
♪ Loving me as much as I do you, ♪
♪
♪ And it may be winter, ♪
♪ It may be fall, ♪
♪ Might have much, Or nothing at all, ♪
♪ But I'm always gonna be there, ♪
♪ Whenever you call, ♪
♪
♪ Whenever you call, ♪
♪ Whenever you call ♪
♪
Friends, family...
[mooing]
Other guests.
[crowd laughs]
We gather here today to celebrate the great truth.
That no matter where we find ourselves,
when two or more are gathered together
in the name of all that is sacred and holy, there is love.
And love is a profound mystery, that two souls can reach across
the great river that separates one solitary heart from another
and set out on a dangerous and thrilling journey
where, in an instant, in a miracle, two become one.
Love is the ship we build with compassion,
forgiveness, and faith.
To travel the river together.
It is the dance of life.
It is the greatest of contracts
It is the sweetest of promises
to keep each other afloat amid the storms.
To keep each other laughing amid the sorrow.
and faithful amid the darkness.
To rejoice together in the morning
and to honour each other in the evening.
It is a gift from God,
the source of this love and of the river itself.
The one who will carry and guid us from this shore to the next.
And now, by the power vested in me...
Of course.
I pronounce you husband and wife.
Yes!
May God bless your marriage.
[applause]
[laughing]
What?
An owl.
Oh, that's an owl!
[hooting]
[applause continues]
Are you wearing what I think you're wearing?
Don't look at my tie.
Look at my eyes.
And listen to my heart.
Oh, Oliver.
Marry me and I will love you forever,
and I promise I'll never wear this tie again.
[laughs]
It's pretty awful.
Uh, my father picked it out.
I probably would have gone with something a little more-
Yes, Oliver.
Yes, I- I will marry you and love you forever.
This was my grandmother's.
She was the finest woman I ever knew.
Until you.
[crying]
I hope it's not um...
I love it.
This is what all that contemplating was about.
Mmmhmm.
Um, what is it that you're contemplating?
[laughing]
Let me see it again.
[laughs]
So, we're married.
Really married.
To each other.
Just like we planned.
Well, not exactly how we planned.
It was a wonderful wedding, Norman.
It was, wasn't it?
It just went by so fast.
But, you know, now look at us.
Married Postables.
Engaged Postables.
And just enough champagne left for a toast.
The last toast of the night.
And the first toast of the rest of our lives.
Oliver, would you do the honours?
Well, when we began together as colleagues
charged with delivering so many lost things,
I believed that to everything there is a season
and to every lost letter
there is a divine purpose.
Only today, seeing you, Norman,
and you, Rita, so happy, and you, my Shane,
my love, promising to love me forever,
only now do I realize...
just how very lost I was, too, and that your friendship
and your faith have uh, delivered me as well.
So through the rain and snow and dark of night,
here we are, together, and I love us.
[laughs]
To the Postables.
[together] To the Postables.
♪
♪ Make someone happy, ♪
♪ Make just one someone happy,
♪ Make just one heart to heart, ♪
♪ You will sing to, ♪
♪ One smile that cheers you, ♪
♪ One face that lights when it nears you, ♪
♪ One girl you're everything to, ♪
♪