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♪ With a partridge
in a pear tree ♪
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00:00:14,666 --> 00:00:16,842
♪ Lots of golden rings ♪
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00:00:16,973 --> 00:00:21,543
♪ The snow is coming down now
and I know what that means ♪
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00:00:21,673 --> 00:00:25,895
♪ My true love you're coming
been waiting way too long ♪
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00:00:25,982 --> 00:00:27,897
♪ Oh those turtle doves now ♪
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00:00:27,984 --> 00:00:30,421
♪ Are gonna sing
their pretty song ♪
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00:00:30,552 --> 00:00:35,078
♪ Home and snow
and mistletoe-oh-oh ♪
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00:00:35,165 --> 00:00:39,604
♪ Stars and bells and candles
have it all up in a bow ♪
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00:00:39,735 --> 00:00:44,131
♪ Home and snow
and mistletoe-oh-oh ♪
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00:00:44,218 --> 00:00:48,439
♪ Sweet warm apple cider
and little hearts aglow ♪
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00:00:48,570 --> 00:00:52,443
♪ Wrap it all up
in a bow-oh-oh ♪
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00:00:52,574 --> 00:00:55,620
♪ Whoa ♪
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00:00:55,707 --> 00:00:57,622
♪ Drummers drumming
good songs ♪
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00:00:57,753 --> 00:01:00,060
♪ Pipers pipin' ♪
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00:01:00,190 --> 00:01:02,105
♪ Boughs of holly up now ♪
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00:01:02,192 --> 00:01:04,673
♪ Fa-la-la go trim the tree ♪
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00:01:04,803 --> 00:01:08,416
♪ Mid-winter at midnight
woodland beauty ♪
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00:01:08,546 --> 00:01:13,377
♪ Get the wreath and stockings
ring the bells merrily oh ♪
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00:01:13,508 --> 00:01:15,292
I'm sure, over the years,
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00:01:15,423 --> 00:01:18,382
a lot of you have heard
that whole writer's rule,
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00:01:18,513 --> 00:01:22,299
don't write about your life,
because no one cares about that.
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00:01:22,430 --> 00:01:27,522
But on the same token,
you get that whole
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00:01:27,652 --> 00:01:29,741
"Write what you know."
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00:01:29,828 --> 00:01:32,831
So what's the difference?
27
00:01:32,962 --> 00:01:36,792
I think the idea is that,
at a general glance,
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00:01:36,922 --> 00:01:40,665
our lives are kind of boring.
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00:01:40,796 --> 00:01:44,930
But it's what we learn
along the way,
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00:01:45,017 --> 00:01:48,586
in all of those
hundreds of little moments
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00:01:48,673 --> 00:01:50,458
in our life story,
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00:01:50,588 --> 00:01:55,637
those things turn out to be
brilliant when put to the page.
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00:02:00,250 --> 00:02:01,295
So your
Maya Takes The Town books,
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00:02:01,425 --> 00:02:04,515
those are not at all based
on you?
35
00:02:04,602 --> 00:02:07,083
And why ever
would you think that?
36
00:02:07,214 --> 00:02:09,607
Well, besides
the name similarities,
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00:02:09,694 --> 00:02:13,742
Maya, Mikaela, I mean,
you both live in the same city,
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00:02:13,872 --> 00:02:16,875
you're both single,
and you're both holiday-spiced,
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00:02:16,962 --> 00:02:19,965
latte-loving workaholics,
right?
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00:02:21,358 --> 00:02:23,317
What is your name, Mr. Back-row?
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00:02:23,404 --> 00:02:26,407
- Levi McGuire.
- Well, Mr. McGuire...
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00:02:26,494 --> 00:02:30,672
While I appreciate
your knowledge of my taste
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00:02:30,759 --> 00:02:33,544
in holiday-spiced lattes
as seen here,
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00:02:33,675 --> 00:02:36,156
my relationship status
is not public knowledge.
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So how do you even know
I'm single?
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Um, are you not?
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00:02:45,904 --> 00:02:48,646
The character in my books, Maya,
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00:02:48,733 --> 00:02:51,040
is still single, yes.
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00:02:51,127 --> 00:02:54,217
But who knows,
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00:02:54,304 --> 00:02:58,917
that could always change in
the last book. Guess we'll see.
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00:02:59,048 --> 00:03:01,877
Now I think that does it
for our writer's workshop.
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00:03:01,964 --> 00:03:04,532
Anyone else have any questions?
53
00:03:04,662 --> 00:03:06,316
Okay, great.
Well, happy holidays.
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00:03:06,403 --> 00:03:09,101
And thank you so much
for coming. Thank you.
55
00:03:13,628 --> 00:03:16,283
Mikaela, hi, I...
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Sorry, I-I don't mean to pry,
but I had to ask.
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I mean, what's the hold-up
with the book?
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00:03:19,938 --> 00:03:21,201
Everyone's dying to read.
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00:03:21,331 --> 00:03:25,161
It's, um,
it's still in the works, so...
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00:03:25,292 --> 00:03:28,643
- May I ask you what it's about?
- Actually, no.
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That is top secret information,
but rest assured,
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00:03:30,384 --> 00:03:33,169
it will be out very soon.
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Uh, Mr. McGuire, my agent Gigi,
and my assistant Keifer.
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Nice to meet you both.
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And I'm so glad to hear
that you're almost done.
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I mean, I know how anxious
fans have been.
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Yes, yes.
Thank you for the reminder.
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Yeah, so I was wondering
if I could ask you
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a few questions, maybe pick
your brain a little bit,
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00:03:49,664 --> 00:03:53,711
about your mother's renowned
old holiday writers' retreat.
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Are you, like,
some kind of reporter?
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00:03:56,192 --> 00:03:59,587
No, no-not exactly.
I'm, I write non-fiction.
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00:03:59,717 --> 00:04:02,198
I'm more so just a really big
fan of her works.
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00:04:02,329 --> 00:04:04,374
I mean, she was brilliant,
especially in her last book.
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00:04:04,505 --> 00:04:09,249
Well, thank you. I, um...
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00:04:09,336 --> 00:04:12,164
Actually, she's super busy
finishing the book still,
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but leave your card
on the credenza if you like.
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And please do grab a bag
of yummy vegan sugar cookies
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00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:18,475
on your way out.
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00:04:18,606 --> 00:04:20,216
Right. Okay.
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00:04:21,870 --> 00:04:23,872
- Happy holidays.
- Happy holidays!
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00:04:24,002 --> 00:04:26,527
- Merry Christmas!
Happy holidays.
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00:04:29,921 --> 00:04:32,446
Hey, uh, you should think about
reviving those retreats.
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00:04:32,533 --> 00:04:35,231
From what I've heard,
they were something special.
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00:04:39,540 --> 00:04:43,718
Um, I cannot believe the nerve.
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I think he was cute.
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00:04:46,111 --> 00:04:48,505
And it kinda seemed to me
like he was flirting.
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Oh!
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00:04:54,598 --> 00:04:57,079
Well, he was right
about one thing.
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00:04:57,166 --> 00:04:58,733
A lot of people are asking
about this book,
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00:04:58,820 --> 00:05:00,604
even the publishers are
calling me every other day now.
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00:05:00,691 --> 00:05:04,129
Yeah, I know, and trust me, I
have been going back and forth
93
00:05:04,260 --> 00:05:06,349
over and over
about the last 50 pages.
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00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:08,786
I think you just need to decide
on an ending.
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00:05:08,873 --> 00:05:11,746
- Maybe one with Ben, hm?
- No.
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00:05:11,876 --> 00:05:15,315
Maya cannot end up with Ben.
I don't care what the fans want.
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00:05:15,402 --> 00:05:17,360
Maybe you just need a break,
to take some time off
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00:05:17,447 --> 00:05:19,928
for the holidays,
clear your head.
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It's going to be fine. I'm going
to finish it soon, I promise.
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00:05:23,932 --> 00:05:26,891
Great, just go home
where there are no distractions
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00:05:27,022 --> 00:05:28,806
and figure it out, hm?
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00:05:28,937 --> 00:05:30,678
This workshop was good for you,
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00:05:30,765 --> 00:05:33,376
and now it's time
to get back to Maya.
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00:05:33,463 --> 00:05:35,378
Anyway, I have to run now.
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00:05:35,465 --> 00:05:37,728
I have a holidate with a hunky
nonprofit owner tonight,
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00:05:37,859 --> 00:05:40,035
so I have to go buy
something conservative.
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00:05:43,081 --> 00:05:47,042
It's gonna be great, all right?
Just write it.
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00:05:47,129 --> 00:05:49,087
Merry Christmas!
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00:05:49,218 --> 00:05:51,263
- Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
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Decline all holiday invites
and anything holiday-related
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I have left.
I have got to figure this out.
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Got it.
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Hey, dad.
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00:06:08,977 --> 00:06:10,544
Is that my beautiful,
successful star of a daughter?
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00:06:10,674 --> 00:06:14,243
More like
your down-trodden daughter
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00:06:14,374 --> 00:06:15,592
at the moment.
What are you up to?
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00:06:15,723 --> 00:06:17,594
I'm making a little steak
and stir-fry for the last
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00:06:17,725 --> 00:06:20,380
of my guests
before they head out tomorrow.
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00:06:20,510 --> 00:06:23,948
Mm. Steak and stir-fry.
Sounds yummy.
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00:06:24,079 --> 00:06:27,038
It is, and I hope
you're doing more for dinner
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00:06:27,125 --> 00:06:30,912
than that tofu takeout
and the glass of pinot noir.
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00:06:30,999 --> 00:06:33,131
Not everyone can cook
like you, dad.
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Well, then you need to get home,
so I can
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feed you good and proper.
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00:06:37,092 --> 00:06:41,313
Yeah. Um, that's actually why
I was calling.
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I think I might need to stay
home a bit longer for work.
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00:06:46,057 --> 00:06:48,538
Maybe you need to just come home
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00:06:48,669 --> 00:06:50,975
and work out here at the lake
like your ma used to.
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00:06:51,106 --> 00:06:52,194
Cured her
writer's block every time.
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00:06:52,324 --> 00:06:55,371
Funny enough, this guy there
today at the workshop
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suggested that I revive mom's
old holiday writers' retreats.
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That's not the worst idea
in the world.
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00:07:01,943 --> 00:07:04,206
What? Daddy, no!
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00:07:04,293 --> 00:07:05,773
- That's ridiculous!
- Why is it ridiculous?
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00:07:05,860 --> 00:07:09,298
We can do it here at the chalet
like your ma used to.
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00:07:09,429 --> 00:07:12,127
Oh, and you would be
a great host.
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00:07:12,257 --> 00:07:13,433
But, dad...
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00:07:15,304 --> 00:07:15,957
that was mom's thing.
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00:07:16,044 --> 00:07:18,960
And it can be your thing.
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00:07:19,047 --> 00:07:21,223
Just think about it, will you?
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00:07:21,353 --> 00:07:23,443
Love you. Hope to see you soon.
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00:07:30,362 --> 00:07:33,104
Okay, I actually have no idea
what I'm doing here,
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00:07:33,235 --> 00:07:36,020
but I am going to try to revive
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my mother's annual
holiday writers' retreats.
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What? That's amazing, Mik. When?
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This next coming Monday,
I think?
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Wow! Okay.
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00:07:49,556 --> 00:07:50,774
So we have a lot of work to do.
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00:07:50,905 --> 00:07:52,863
Yes. Exactly. That we do!
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00:07:52,994 --> 00:07:54,952
But we are both single
and have no lives.
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00:07:55,083 --> 00:07:56,954
So, are you with me?
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00:07:57,041 --> 00:07:57,868
More than any man
I've ever loved.
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00:07:57,955 --> 00:08:00,654
Wonderful!
- Any pre-reqs?
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00:08:00,784 --> 00:08:04,222
Nope, just resume
and cover letter
155
00:08:04,309 --> 00:08:06,790
on why
they should get the invite.
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00:08:06,877 --> 00:08:07,617
- Okay.
- Oh!
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00:08:07,704 --> 00:08:11,360
And if Gigi calls, not a word.
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Copy that.
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- I am the face of silence.
- You know what?
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00:08:16,191 --> 00:08:20,021
Maybe this is exactly
what I needed after all.
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- I'm feeling inspired already.
- Aww!
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00:08:23,328 --> 00:08:25,156
Okay, we got work to do.
Let's go.
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00:08:29,378 --> 00:08:31,293
So definitely Sharon Samuels.
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00:08:31,380 --> 00:08:33,991
She's a great writer and she's
working on a holiday cookbook.
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00:08:34,078 --> 00:08:37,734
- Total shoe-in, right?
- Yup. Sharon Samuels is in.
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00:08:37,865 --> 00:08:38,953
Who else?
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00:08:39,083 --> 00:08:43,044
Uh, I know you weren't crazy
about this one,
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00:08:43,174 --> 00:08:46,569
but I feel like
Olive Olsen is a must.
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00:08:46,700 --> 00:08:48,789
Keifer, I told you
she's difficult.
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00:08:48,919 --> 00:08:49,746
And the only reason you want her
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00:08:49,833 --> 00:08:52,488
is because
you love her musicals.
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00:08:52,619 --> 00:08:53,663
And that is not a good enough
reason to invite her.
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00:08:53,794 --> 00:08:57,362
She's writing
a new holiday musical!
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00:08:57,449 --> 00:09:00,540
Hello, relevant.
- Okay.
175
00:09:00,627 --> 00:09:03,412
I do like that, sure, but...
176
00:09:03,499 --> 00:09:05,370
Plus, she even offered to plug
your retreat on her next
177
00:09:05,457 --> 00:09:08,199
musical's press tour
right here in her letter. Aww...
178
00:09:08,330 --> 00:09:11,463
Yeah, providing it's a success.
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00:09:11,551 --> 00:09:14,684
But what if she hates the
retreat and bashes it instead?
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00:09:14,815 --> 00:09:18,906
Mikaela, you are New York Times'
bestselling book author.
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00:09:19,036 --> 00:09:21,125
I wouldn't worry about it.
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00:09:21,256 --> 00:09:23,475
Plus, look at all these
applications we got.
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00:09:23,606 --> 00:09:24,999
These are more
than just your mother's fans.
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00:09:25,086 --> 00:09:29,264
They're your contemporaries, and
now they want your inspiration.
185
00:09:29,351 --> 00:09:33,877
Well, good, because I'm
counting on this inspiring me
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00:09:34,008 --> 00:09:37,098
the way it did my mother
as well.
187
00:09:37,185 --> 00:09:40,971
If this retreat doesn't cure
my block,
188
00:09:41,058 --> 00:09:42,886
nothing will.
189
00:09:42,973 --> 00:09:45,672
I have complete faith,
190
00:09:45,802 --> 00:09:48,370
but we still need to choose
two more scribes,
191
00:09:48,500 --> 00:09:51,112
besides Olive Olsen, of course.
192
00:09:51,242 --> 00:09:52,722
Oh, actually,
we just need one.
193
00:09:52,853 --> 00:09:55,507
I told an old family friend
194
00:09:55,595 --> 00:09:57,161
who works for my dad
that he could have a spot.
195
00:09:57,248 --> 00:10:00,469
He's trying to write
his very first screenplay.
196
00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,646
Oh! Cool!
That sounds right up my alley.
197
00:10:03,733 --> 00:10:05,082
I think you two
will get along great.
198
00:10:05,169 --> 00:10:06,562
Uh-huh.
199
00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:11,523
Okay, um,
how about your inspiration
200
00:10:11,654 --> 00:10:14,265
for this whole retreat,
Mr. Backseat Buddy?
201
00:10:14,352 --> 00:10:16,093
How about not a chance?
202
00:10:16,180 --> 00:10:19,009
- Mikaela, just hear me out.
Hm?
203
00:10:19,140 --> 00:10:21,882
This guy is a great
published non-fiction writer
204
00:10:22,012 --> 00:10:24,275
and he even edits.
205
00:10:24,362 --> 00:10:28,410
Dabbles in political writing
and some biography pieces.
206
00:10:28,540 --> 00:10:30,325
Oh, he's kind of a genius.
207
00:10:30,455 --> 00:10:32,719
Okay, just,
let me see the resume.
208
00:10:34,024 --> 00:10:35,852
Mm-hmm. Not bad.
209
00:10:35,983 --> 00:10:38,115
Still a no!
210
00:10:38,246 --> 00:10:41,858
- Face of silence, remember?
211
00:10:41,989 --> 00:10:43,164
Uh, mm.
212
00:10:53,087 --> 00:10:54,175
Tracy, hi.
213
00:10:54,305 --> 00:10:56,220
So did you get that interview
214
00:10:56,351 --> 00:10:56,917
with Ms. Leighton
for that big holiday piece
215
00:10:57,004 --> 00:10:59,006
you promised me at the Happy?
216
00:10:59,093 --> 00:11:02,226
I left my card.
I'm just waiting for a call.
217
00:11:02,313 --> 00:11:03,184
The holidays aren't
waiting for her to call
218
00:11:03,314 --> 00:11:05,012
you back.
219
00:11:05,099 --> 00:11:06,666
Did you heard
that she's going to revive
220
00:11:06,753 --> 00:11:08,363
her mother's old retreat?
221
00:11:08,493 --> 00:11:10,147
I did, yes.
I applied last night.
222
00:11:10,234 --> 00:11:11,453
Just crossing
all my fingers now.
223
00:11:11,583 --> 00:11:12,889
You can't write a retrospect
with your fingers crossed.
224
00:11:13,020 --> 00:11:16,371
Get over there
and make sure you get a spot.
225
00:11:16,501 --> 00:11:19,330
This is exactly the angle
that we need.
226
00:11:19,461 --> 00:11:20,680
The Christmas Queens'
bestselling author's daughter
227
00:11:20,767 --> 00:11:23,900
revives a legacy.
228
00:11:23,987 --> 00:11:28,165
See, Levi? It's practically
written itself already.
229
00:11:28,252 --> 00:11:31,081
I hear you. I will get us that
in-depth biography you need.
230
00:11:31,212 --> 00:11:32,474
Promise.
231
00:11:32,604 --> 00:11:35,651
All right,
this retreat is officially on.
232
00:11:35,782 --> 00:11:37,914
Oh, and I almost forgot,
gift shop up at the lake wants
233
00:11:38,001 --> 00:11:40,569
to know if the book signing
is still on for tomorrow.
234
00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:43,224
I guess, I just can't believe
they still wanna have a signing
235
00:11:43,311 --> 00:11:45,356
of my book
that's two years old already.
236
00:11:46,357 --> 00:11:47,924
Oh, come on.
237
00:11:48,055 --> 00:11:51,623
It's your hometown.
All of your biggest fans.
238
00:11:51,754 --> 00:11:54,104
You're practically a legend
up there.
239
00:11:54,191 --> 00:11:55,453
And if they're not getting
a new book,
240
00:11:55,540 --> 00:11:58,108
more signings of the old one
will do.
241
00:11:58,195 --> 00:12:01,459
You're wrong.
Maya is the legend.
242
00:12:01,590 --> 00:12:03,200
She's the one
they keep coming back for.
243
00:12:03,331 --> 00:12:05,420
And after this delay,
I'm surprised
244
00:12:05,507 --> 00:12:06,943
they don't all hate Mikaela
by now.
245
00:12:07,074 --> 00:12:09,598
No.
246
00:12:09,685 --> 00:12:11,034
- Hi there.
Hi.
247
00:12:11,121 --> 00:12:14,864
Mikaela, hello.
Um, may I come in?
248
00:12:14,995 --> 00:12:17,954
Mr. McGuire, back again already,
though I can't imagine why.
249
00:12:18,085 --> 00:12:22,567
Uh, well,
I saw that you're hosting
250
00:12:22,698 --> 00:12:25,962
this incredible holiday retreat
this weekend like I suggested,
251
00:12:26,049 --> 00:12:30,140
and I was just curious
why I didn't get an in...
252
00:12:30,271 --> 00:12:32,273
I mean, you-you did get
my application?
253
00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:36,538
Yes, I'm aware that you applied,
but, Mr. McGuire, we can't jus--
254
00:12:36,625 --> 00:12:38,714
Levi is fine.
255
00:12:38,801 --> 00:12:41,456
Okay, so then let me ask you.
256
00:12:41,543 --> 00:12:45,721
Levi, have you even read
one of my books?
257
00:12:45,808 --> 00:12:48,202
I-I didn't know
I was required to be a fan.
258
00:12:48,289 --> 00:12:50,770
You're just a fan
of my mother's work then.
259
00:12:50,900 --> 00:12:53,424
I-I do appreciate
her works, yeah.
260
00:12:53,555 --> 00:12:55,426
So then what you applied for
261
00:12:55,513 --> 00:12:58,560
is more intel on my late mother,
262
00:12:58,690 --> 00:13:00,736
rather than the actual retreat.
263
00:13:00,867 --> 00:13:03,086
That's not true.
Look, I am in awe of you both.
264
00:13:03,173 --> 00:13:06,742
I mean, yes, your mother's
retreat is, well, historical.
265
00:13:06,829 --> 00:13:09,266
What writer wouldn't leap
at a shot to attend?
266
00:13:09,397 --> 00:13:12,748
My mother started this retreat
not only to help cure
267
00:13:12,879 --> 00:13:15,577
seasonal writer's block,
but even more so
268
00:13:15,664 --> 00:13:19,146
to help fiction writers
expand their creative horizons.
269
00:13:19,276 --> 00:13:21,713
It wasn't made to give
some non-fiction writer
270
00:13:21,844 --> 00:13:24,934
material for his next satirical essay.
271
00:13:25,065 --> 00:13:27,676
I wanna prove to myself
that I'm more than all that.
272
00:13:27,763 --> 00:13:29,721
Heck, I'll even come help people
with their edits
273
00:13:29,809 --> 00:13:32,333
if you need me to. I mean...
274
00:13:33,595 --> 00:13:36,293
Please, I-I'm begging you.
275
00:13:36,380 --> 00:13:39,340
T-this'd be a dream come true,
and it's my only Christmas wish.
276
00:13:39,427 --> 00:13:41,733
I'll think about it, all right?
277
00:13:41,864 --> 00:13:42,952
So that means you have a spot?
278
00:13:43,083 --> 00:13:44,954
I might have a spot.
279
00:13:45,085 --> 00:13:49,567
Right. Okay. Thank you, really.
280
00:13:49,654 --> 00:13:52,788
Well, okay. Buh-bye.
281
00:13:52,875 --> 00:13:53,963
- I'm gonna leave.
Yeah, okay, buh-bye.
282
00:13:54,050 --> 00:13:56,009
See you, man.
283
00:15:08,690 --> 00:15:11,693
- Hey, hey!
- Oh, Mitchy!
284
00:15:14,696 --> 00:15:17,307
You always have this, like,
Hollywood glow about you.
285
00:15:17,394 --> 00:15:19,527
- How do I get some of that?
- Oh, stop.
286
00:15:19,657 --> 00:15:21,268
The only thing glowing is
the shimmer in my foundation,
287
00:15:21,398 --> 00:15:24,880
which trust me,
is hiding all the bags
288
00:15:25,011 --> 00:15:26,795
that I'm rocking under my...
289
00:15:26,926 --> 00:15:28,753
Oh, please.
290
00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,582
Give me all of that glow,
because you are a goddess.
291
00:15:31,669 --> 00:15:34,498
Okay, okay, coming from
your handsome, flawless face?
292
00:15:34,585 --> 00:15:36,239
- I'll take it.
- And I'm gonna take that.
293
00:15:36,326 --> 00:15:38,415
Oh, thank you.
294
00:15:38,502 --> 00:15:40,852
So you excited?
295
00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:42,767
Are you kidding me?
I am thrilled!
296
00:15:42,854 --> 00:15:45,379
And thank you, by the way,
for reviving the retreat,
297
00:15:45,466 --> 00:15:47,337
for letting me join.
298
00:15:47,424 --> 00:15:48,730
Your mom would be
so proud of you.
299
00:15:48,817 --> 00:15:50,166
Well, I hope so.
300
00:15:50,297 --> 00:15:52,908
I hope that this retreat
can do her
301
00:15:52,995 --> 00:15:54,692
the slightest bit of justice.
302
00:15:54,823 --> 00:15:57,347
Uh, but, hey, you need
to let me pay for joining.
303
00:15:57,478 --> 00:15:58,392
I'm not even an accomplished
writer like the others are.
304
00:15:58,479 --> 00:16:00,176
I'm not gonna have anything
to contribute.
305
00:16:00,263 --> 00:16:04,050
Accomplishment and contributions
are relative, Mitchy.
306
00:16:04,180 --> 00:16:09,229
You are a brilliant
undiscovered writer. No.
307
00:16:09,359 --> 00:16:11,796
And this whole retreat
308
00:16:11,927 --> 00:16:14,190
is in the gift
of the season of giving,
309
00:16:14,277 --> 00:16:19,848
so it is free of charge
to all of our guests,
310
00:16:19,935 --> 00:16:22,416
just the way
that my mom started it.
311
00:16:22,503 --> 00:16:23,069
Well, I'm still gonna take
your bag up to your room
312
00:16:23,199 --> 00:16:25,593
because I've got a job to do.
313
00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,465
Okay. Thank you.
314
00:16:28,552 --> 00:16:31,816
Oh, it is so good to be home!
315
00:16:31,903 --> 00:16:33,209
Oh, and something smells
so good.
316
00:16:33,296 --> 00:16:37,300
If that is my dad's turkey
po' boys, I am gonna flip!
317
00:16:37,387 --> 00:16:39,085
Come on! Dad!
318
00:16:47,049 --> 00:16:49,704
So, what do you think?
319
00:16:49,834 --> 00:16:52,576
Dad, you cannot
make these again.
320
00:16:52,707 --> 00:16:55,014
I mean, I want you to,
but you just can't.
321
00:16:55,101 --> 00:16:56,232
I'll make the healthy stuff
for your guests, too,
322
00:16:56,363 --> 00:16:59,757
but I had to have your fave
for your arrival.
323
00:16:59,844 --> 00:17:01,629
Not my fault you didn't
come home Turkey Day.
324
00:17:01,716 --> 00:17:04,023
Oh, I'm sorry.
325
00:17:04,153 --> 00:17:05,850
You know, coming up
with an ending
326
00:17:05,937 --> 00:17:08,418
put a ton of pressure on me.
327
00:17:08,549 --> 00:17:10,638
My editor said
that if I don't finish soon,
328
00:17:10,768 --> 00:17:11,900
she's gonna drop me.
329
00:17:11,987 --> 00:17:14,946
So what? You haven't found
the proper ending.
330
00:17:15,077 --> 00:17:16,818
Your fans want it to be perfect,
don't they?
331
00:17:16,948 --> 00:17:19,473
Yeah, I know, but at this point
332
00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:21,040
I'm just not sure
I'm gonna be able to find
333
00:17:21,170 --> 00:17:24,086
the happy ending
everyone's looking for.
334
00:17:24,173 --> 00:17:26,001
Well, you know
what your mom used to say.
335
00:17:27,742 --> 00:17:30,484
"Find your story
in magic moments."
336
00:17:30,571 --> 00:17:31,398
Right.
337
00:17:32,921 --> 00:17:35,837
Yeah, well...
338
00:17:35,967 --> 00:17:39,188
I just haven't had a lot
of those in a while, you know?
339
00:17:39,275 --> 00:17:42,583
Maybe that's why you're here.
340
00:17:42,670 --> 00:17:44,324
Oh, don't think
I haven't thought about
341
00:17:44,454 --> 00:17:46,326
my daybed book corner.
342
00:17:46,456 --> 00:17:50,417
I plan on taking full advantage,
just like in school.
343
00:17:50,547 --> 00:17:53,550
Good. Now how about real life?
344
00:17:53,637 --> 00:17:56,031
You're not seeing anyone,
are you?
345
00:17:56,162 --> 00:17:58,033
I don't know, dad. Are you?
346
00:17:58,164 --> 00:18:00,905
Fine.
Let's not talk about it.
347
00:18:12,917 --> 00:18:15,224
Thank you so much,
and happy holidays!
348
00:18:21,187 --> 00:18:23,276
I'd like to get signed, please.
349
00:18:24,842 --> 00:18:26,714
No? I can't get signed?
350
00:18:26,844 --> 00:18:28,150
What are you doing here, Levi?
351
00:18:28,237 --> 00:18:30,674
I told you.
I came to get signed.
352
00:18:30,805 --> 00:18:32,981
You said you haven't even read
one of my books.
353
00:18:33,068 --> 00:18:34,678
Now's a good a time as any
to start, right? I mean...
354
00:18:34,809 --> 00:18:36,550
I've got nothing better
going on.
355
00:18:36,637 --> 00:18:38,204
This is the fourth
in the series.
356
00:18:38,334 --> 00:18:39,379
And it's a year old,
and by now you should be
357
00:18:39,466 --> 00:18:42,773
having a new book signing,
yet here we are.
358
00:18:42,904 --> 00:18:45,254
- I mean, who's counting?
- Okay.
359
00:18:45,341 --> 00:18:46,255
And what would you like it
to say?
360
00:18:46,342 --> 00:18:52,174
- Dear Levi, Merry Christmas.
- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
361
00:18:52,261 --> 00:18:54,655
And since you jingled
all the way here,
362
00:18:54,785 --> 00:18:56,352
you are now invited
to my retreat.
363
00:18:56,439 --> 00:18:59,312
Oh, but that would be
a disingenuous signing.
364
00:18:59,442 --> 00:19:03,925
Well, let's make it ingenuous.
365
00:19:04,012 --> 00:19:04,969
Okay, then...
366
00:19:08,582 --> 00:19:11,498
Dear Levi, Merry Christmas.
367
00:19:11,628 --> 00:19:13,587
And since you jingled
all the way here,
368
00:19:13,674 --> 00:19:16,285
on your way out, don't let
the door hit you on your rear.
369
00:19:16,372 --> 00:19:18,331
Mikaela.
370
00:19:20,811 --> 00:19:21,595
Next!
371
00:19:25,903 --> 00:19:27,601
Hi! Which one would you like?
372
00:19:27,688 --> 00:19:29,168
Oh, wonderful.
373
00:19:47,969 --> 00:19:48,752
Do you really think
that reading my book
374
00:19:48,883 --> 00:19:51,538
is gonna get you
a spot on the retreat?
375
00:19:51,625 --> 00:19:55,106
You know, I hear fans are hoping
for her to end up with Ben,
376
00:19:55,194 --> 00:19:57,283
this guy
she's on and off again with.
377
00:19:57,370 --> 00:20:00,155
But he's clearly wrong for her.
378
00:20:00,242 --> 00:20:01,287
- Wow.
- See.
379
00:20:01,374 --> 00:20:03,289
You really are a fast reader.
380
00:20:03,376 --> 00:20:04,290
Aren't all writers
fast readers?
381
00:20:04,420 --> 00:20:06,379
- I'm not.
- Oh.
382
00:20:06,509 --> 00:20:09,338
See, I'm learning so much
already.
383
00:20:12,036 --> 00:20:14,604
You are very lucky that
I never filled that last spot
384
00:20:14,691 --> 00:20:19,914
and I am feeling filled
with the holiday spirit today.
385
00:20:20,044 --> 00:20:21,481
W-wait. D-does that mean I'm in?
386
00:20:21,568 --> 00:20:25,180
Let's just call it a trial phase
in the event
387
00:20:25,311 --> 00:20:28,966
that I don't find out
you're crazy in the next day.
388
00:20:29,053 --> 00:20:31,012
Sweet!
That'll do just fine for me.
389
00:20:31,099 --> 00:20:33,232
So! Whoa, where are we headed?
390
00:20:35,364 --> 00:20:36,539
Don't you need to go home, pack?
391
00:20:36,626 --> 00:20:39,412
It's two days
before the retreat.
392
00:20:39,542 --> 00:20:43,807
Nope. I brought all my stuff
with me. I'm ready to rock.
393
00:20:43,938 --> 00:20:47,942
Ugh. Okay, well,
I guess you can follow me.
394
00:20:51,902 --> 00:20:53,643
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
395
00:20:53,730 --> 00:20:54,775
You're very welcome.
Here, darling.
396
00:20:54,862 --> 00:20:56,646
- Thanks, dad.
- Come on.
397
00:20:56,777 --> 00:21:00,041
So, Levi, um,
you live in LA, too, right?
398
00:21:00,171 --> 00:21:01,782
Yes, sir. I'm on the East Side.
399
00:21:01,869 --> 00:21:03,087
- Silver Lake.
- Silver Lake?
400
00:21:03,218 --> 00:21:05,481
Oh, Mikaela's just up the way
in Toluca Lake, right?
401
00:21:05,612 --> 00:21:08,615
And, uh, what kind of writing
do you do?
402
00:21:08,702 --> 00:21:10,660
Oh. I'm a yawn.
403
00:21:10,791 --> 00:21:11,574
- I write non-fiction.
- You kidding?
404
00:21:11,661 --> 00:21:13,968
Back in school
I wrote non-fiction.
405
00:21:14,098 --> 00:21:15,622
- He writes non-fiction.
- Oh, wow.
406
00:21:15,709 --> 00:21:17,406
You ever do any true crime?
407
00:21:17,493 --> 00:21:19,452
No crimes here,
except this cocoa.
408
00:21:20,583 --> 00:21:23,673
- He likes my cocoa.
- Aww.
409
00:21:23,804 --> 00:21:25,545
I'd love to read your writing
someday.
410
00:21:25,632 --> 00:21:28,330
- Of course. It'd be my pleasure.
Fantastic.
411
00:21:31,768 --> 00:21:33,117
- Mm.
- Don't touch that.
412
00:21:34,641 --> 00:21:36,425
Hickory-smoked ham.
413
00:21:36,512 --> 00:21:38,079
And a cranberry
cornmeal dressing.
414
00:21:38,209 --> 00:21:40,037
- Mm...
- That smells amazing!
415
00:21:40,168 --> 00:21:43,432
Feel free to park that
right over here.
416
00:21:43,519 --> 00:21:46,479
And I wasn't expecting a full-on
holiday menu this weekend.
417
00:21:46,566 --> 00:21:49,917
Oh, I love hosting.
It was what I was born to do.
418
00:21:50,047 --> 00:21:52,963
And this casserole is proven
to cure writer's block, right?
419
00:21:53,050 --> 00:21:56,837
Yes, it is.
- Ah. So it is writer's block.
420
00:21:56,967 --> 00:21:58,795
That's why you haven't finished.
421
00:21:58,882 --> 00:22:01,145
Fine. Yes.
That is why I am not done.
422
00:22:01,276 --> 00:22:03,844
I just don't know
how it ends yet.
423
00:22:03,931 --> 00:22:07,804
Well, maybe ask Maya
what she wants.
424
00:22:07,891 --> 00:22:11,634
- Ask Maya what she wants?
- Yeah. You should talk to her.
425
00:22:13,593 --> 00:22:16,857
She's in my head, Levi.
426
00:22:16,987 --> 00:22:18,032
Exactly.
427
00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:22,384
So, uh, when do
the other guests arrive?
428
00:22:22,471 --> 00:22:25,474
Uh, Keifer arrives tomorrow
afternoon with Ms. Olsen,
429
00:22:25,561 --> 00:22:27,737
and the others arrive
Monday morning.
430
00:22:27,868 --> 00:22:29,348
Wonderful.
We will have the rooms ready.
431
00:22:29,435 --> 00:22:30,784
Thank you. Ugh.
432
00:22:30,871 --> 00:22:33,613
It is going to be
an exciting week.
433
00:22:33,700 --> 00:22:36,355
- Dude.
Ham, anyone?
434
00:22:50,543 --> 00:22:52,240
What do you want, Maya?
435
00:22:53,459 --> 00:22:54,373
What's next?
436
00:23:00,944 --> 00:23:02,816
- How's the food?
- It's good.
437
00:23:02,903 --> 00:23:04,905
Great. Good morning.
438
00:23:05,035 --> 00:23:06,515
- Morning!
- Want some breakfast?
439
00:23:06,602 --> 00:23:08,735
Oh, I am still stuffed
from last night's feast,
440
00:23:08,822 --> 00:23:11,172
but I will take this coffee.
441
00:23:11,302 --> 00:23:13,130
- Oh, okay, where are you headed?
- Oh, into town.
442
00:23:13,261 --> 00:23:14,784
I have to do some last-minute
Christmas shopping
443
00:23:14,871 --> 00:23:16,873
before our guests arrive
for tomorrow's retreat.
444
00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:18,527
I'm-I'm done here.
I can take you.
445
00:23:18,614 --> 00:23:20,964
I kind of need a gift myself.
446
00:23:21,095 --> 00:23:23,489
All right, then.
Uh, are you ready now?
447
00:23:23,576 --> 00:23:25,708
Sure. I just need to get
my jacket.
448
00:23:25,795 --> 00:23:29,320
Irv, thank you
for this yummy breakfast.
449
00:23:29,451 --> 00:23:30,757
- You got it.
- Yeah.
450
00:23:34,587 --> 00:23:36,719
Did he just call you Irv?
451
00:23:36,806 --> 00:23:39,418
Uh, yeah. He just called me Irv.
452
00:23:41,420 --> 00:23:42,290
Oh, no.
453
00:23:47,295 --> 00:23:48,557
Shopping for a new boyfriend?
454
00:23:50,994 --> 00:23:53,344
Anyway, didn't you claim
455
00:23:53,432 --> 00:23:56,086
you knew I was single
at my workshop?
456
00:23:56,217 --> 00:23:59,568
- Nah. Just a good guess.
- Why?
457
00:23:59,655 --> 00:24:01,440
Well, I mean,
the engagement you broke off
458
00:24:01,527 --> 00:24:04,312
with the basketball player
was kind of a public affair.
459
00:24:04,399 --> 00:24:06,140
- That was a year and a half ago.
- I know.
460
00:24:06,227 --> 00:24:07,533
Then you finished the book.
461
00:24:07,620 --> 00:24:09,665
It came out,
and then you toured.
462
00:24:09,752 --> 00:24:13,016
Wow! You just know so much
about my life, huh?
463
00:24:13,147 --> 00:24:14,017
I don't know
why you two broke up.
464
00:24:14,104 --> 00:24:15,715
Good, because that doesn't
concern you.
465
00:24:15,802 --> 00:24:19,066
Is that why Maya's still single?
466
00:24:19,153 --> 00:24:21,851
Is Ben sort of based on her ex?
467
00:24:21,938 --> 00:24:22,635
I already told you.
468
00:24:22,722 --> 00:24:27,553
Maya's not based on my life.
469
00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:30,947
So, what kind of chocolates
did you get?
470
00:24:31,034 --> 00:24:33,559
They're not for me,
they're farewell gifts
471
00:24:33,689 --> 00:24:35,865
for all of you writers
at the end of the retreat.
472
00:24:35,952 --> 00:24:37,388
Yeah, but surely
you got something
473
00:24:37,476 --> 00:24:38,868
you think someone would like,
474
00:24:38,955 --> 00:24:42,481
which means you probably like
them, too. So what'd you get?
475
00:24:42,611 --> 00:24:44,526
Caramel pecan milk chocolates,
476
00:24:44,657 --> 00:24:47,007
dark chocolate
peppermint bark, and--
477
00:24:47,094 --> 00:24:50,532
- Cinnamon-spiced truffles.
- How'd you know?
478
00:24:50,663 --> 00:24:51,751
Well, those are
my favorites, too.
479
00:24:51,838 --> 00:24:55,450
Also, I heard you
talking to the chocolatier.
480
00:24:55,537 --> 00:24:59,193
So, we finally agree
on something.
481
00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:00,673
Wow. Who'd have thought?
482
00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:04,067
You know, I always knew
I had good taste,
483
00:25:04,154 --> 00:25:06,896
but you just confirmed it,
though.
484
00:25:06,983 --> 00:25:09,508
But I also
just proved you wrong.
485
00:25:09,595 --> 00:25:11,858
- How so?
- Maya doesn't like chocolate.
486
00:25:11,988 --> 00:25:15,775
And I do. So see? There you go.
She's more of a candy girl.
487
00:25:15,905 --> 00:25:20,867
So, there goes your theory
about me being her.
488
00:25:20,954 --> 00:25:23,304
All right, maybe.
489
00:25:23,391 --> 00:25:26,699
Or maybe Maya hasn't had
good chocolate yet.
490
00:25:28,701 --> 00:25:32,356
Okay. Maybe.
491
00:25:34,794 --> 00:25:38,972
Anyway, all this talk
about sweets has me hungry.
492
00:25:39,059 --> 00:25:43,324
Is there any good places
around here for us to eat?
493
00:25:43,411 --> 00:25:45,108
I think I might know a place.
494
00:25:45,195 --> 00:25:47,720
- Hm.
- Come on. Up and up we go.
495
00:25:56,076 --> 00:25:58,469
- Thank you.
Thank you, man.
496
00:25:58,557 --> 00:26:00,689
Thanks. Mm.
497
00:26:03,387 --> 00:26:05,259
Thanks for the help
with the gift.
498
00:26:05,389 --> 00:26:06,652
I am the worst shopper on Earth,
499
00:26:06,739 --> 00:26:09,655
and my grams has,
well, everything.
500
00:26:09,742 --> 00:26:12,701
Well, it's nice of you
to think of her. You close?
501
00:26:12,788 --> 00:26:14,747
Oh, yeah.
She raised me, actually.
502
00:26:14,877 --> 00:26:18,446
My parents, well,
they passed away
503
00:26:18,577 --> 00:26:20,448
when I was a freshman
in high school.
504
00:26:20,535 --> 00:26:25,279
Oh. Wow. I'm...
I'm so sorry.
505
00:26:25,366 --> 00:26:27,498
My grams was great, though.
506
00:26:27,629 --> 00:26:29,588
She let me get away
with anything
507
00:26:29,718 --> 00:26:31,807
as long as I got good grades.
508
00:26:31,894 --> 00:26:34,157
She still says
I'm the center of her universe.
509
00:26:34,288 --> 00:26:36,246
Oh, well,
I can definitely see that.
510
00:26:36,377 --> 00:26:37,944
- She live in LA?
511
00:26:38,074 --> 00:26:41,469
Yup. Um,
off of 3rd and Robertson.
512
00:26:41,556 --> 00:26:43,993
She's in this really fancy
assisted-living situation.
513
00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:47,170
Has all these
bridge-club friends.
514
00:26:47,301 --> 00:26:49,738
They're throwing
a whole Christmas party.
515
00:26:49,825 --> 00:26:52,393
It's gonna be lit, and I'm not
just talking about the lights.
516
00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:55,439
Sounds like a fun party.
517
00:26:55,526 --> 00:26:57,572
I had to forfeit all of mine
518
00:26:57,703 --> 00:27:00,444
because I need to focus
on the book situation.
519
00:27:00,531 --> 00:27:04,361
Right. The situation. Hm.
520
00:27:04,448 --> 00:27:06,494
♪ Season to be ♪
521
00:27:06,581 --> 00:27:09,453
This chestnut soup, wow!
522
00:27:09,540 --> 00:27:11,891
It was my mother's favorite.
523
00:27:11,978 --> 00:27:16,809
Actually, this was
her favorite restaurant up here,
524
00:27:16,896 --> 00:27:20,856
so I'm glad we got to come.
525
00:27:20,943 --> 00:27:25,208
Aww. I didn't realize.
She ever do any writing here?
526
00:27:25,339 --> 00:27:29,778
Oh, yeah.
In fact, this was her table.
527
00:27:32,346 --> 00:27:33,216
- What?
- Yeah.
528
00:27:33,303 --> 00:27:36,611
- This is insanely surreal.
- Yes.
529
00:27:36,698 --> 00:27:39,788
So you are, like, really
a fan of my mother?
530
00:27:39,919 --> 00:27:42,878
- Mm.
- Huh. Funny.
531
00:27:42,965 --> 00:27:46,316
You didn't strike me
as the romantic-drama type.
532
00:27:46,403 --> 00:27:48,841
Well, your mother's books
were so much more than that.
533
00:27:48,928 --> 00:27:52,975
It's like comfort food,
534
00:27:53,106 --> 00:27:55,282
but intensely profound.
535
00:27:55,412 --> 00:27:56,892
They just have,
they just have a epic feel.
536
00:27:57,023 --> 00:28:02,158
I hope that I can be
half as good as her one day.
537
00:28:02,245 --> 00:28:03,769
She was...
538
00:28:03,899 --> 00:28:07,033
She was the best.
539
00:28:07,120 --> 00:28:09,775
♪ 'Tis the season ♪
540
00:28:09,862 --> 00:28:14,605
Well, based on the reading
I've done the last few days,
541
00:28:14,693 --> 00:28:17,696
I'd say
you're not too far behind her.
542
00:28:28,532 --> 00:28:31,274
Good afternoon.
You must be, um...
543
00:28:31,361 --> 00:28:33,624
Keifer.
I'm Mikaela's assistant.
544
00:28:33,755 --> 00:28:35,104
Ah, Keifer, Mitchell.
545
00:28:35,235 --> 00:28:36,627
I usually fix things
around here,
546
00:28:36,758 --> 00:28:38,673
but I think I've been promoted
to greeter duty.
547
00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:41,415
Oh, well,
seasons greetings, then.
548
00:28:43,460 --> 00:28:45,941
Look at this place!
549
00:28:46,028 --> 00:28:49,249
Be still my heart.
550
00:28:49,379 --> 00:28:51,599
Oh, I love the wilderness.
551
00:28:51,730 --> 00:28:55,211
Well, Mitchell,
this is Ms. Olive Olsen.
552
00:28:55,342 --> 00:28:56,560
You might know her
from her musicals.
553
00:28:56,647 --> 00:28:59,172
- Oh.
Olive!
554
00:28:59,259 --> 00:29:01,740
It is so nice
to finally meet, meet you.
555
00:29:01,827 --> 00:29:02,871
I am a, a big fan
of your work.
556
00:29:02,958 --> 00:29:06,527
- Oh, well, likewise.
- Yeah.
557
00:29:06,614 --> 00:29:10,226
Your books are top tier,
and that's why we're here.
558
00:29:10,313 --> 00:29:12,446
- And you are?
559
00:29:12,576 --> 00:29:14,013
- Hi. Levi McGuire. Oh.
- Hi.
560
00:29:14,100 --> 00:29:18,104
Non-fiction writer
in fictional recovery.
561
00:29:18,191 --> 00:29:21,237
Oh, but funny.
562
00:29:21,368 --> 00:29:23,849
- So, who'd like some tea?
- Me!
563
00:29:23,979 --> 00:29:27,591
Oh, well, only if we can
spill the tea at tea-time.
564
00:29:27,678 --> 00:29:29,811
All right.
Well, let's see what we can do.
565
00:29:29,898 --> 00:29:32,553
- Right.
566
00:29:32,640 --> 00:29:32,901
Thank you.
Yeah.
567
00:29:32,988 --> 00:29:34,860
Whoa.
568
00:29:36,862 --> 00:29:40,082
Wow! And you chose her over me?
569
00:29:40,169 --> 00:29:42,868
Maybe you'll learn
a thing or two.
570
00:29:44,565 --> 00:29:47,437
So, Mikaela,
I almost forgot to ask.
571
00:29:47,568 --> 00:29:50,745
How is the book
coming along, then?
572
00:29:50,876 --> 00:29:54,575
Mm. Probably not the best
question for the dinner table.
573
00:29:54,705 --> 00:29:56,055
Or any other table.
574
00:29:56,142 --> 00:29:58,405
Actually, it's fine,
575
00:29:58,492 --> 00:30:01,364
because last night
576
00:30:01,451 --> 00:30:03,105
I started working
on the second half of my book.
577
00:30:03,236 --> 00:30:08,937
I mean, I don't know where
it's going, but it's going.
578
00:30:09,068 --> 00:30:10,591
- Aww, Mik, that's great news!
579
00:30:10,678 --> 00:30:13,724
Yeah. Please, do tell us more.
580
00:30:13,855 --> 00:30:15,291
And please tell me
she ends up with that
581
00:30:15,422 --> 00:30:17,467
sweet hunk of a doctor, Ben.
582
00:30:17,554 --> 00:30:19,905
Mm, I'm not so sure she will.
583
00:30:21,384 --> 00:30:23,822
Oh. Okay. Well, uh...
584
00:30:23,952 --> 00:30:28,478
I guess not every book
needs a happy ending, does it?
585
00:30:28,609 --> 00:30:31,394
Or maybe
the ending will be happy
586
00:30:31,481 --> 00:30:33,396
and happiness
is just perspective.
587
00:30:33,527 --> 00:30:35,921
That's silly.
588
00:30:36,008 --> 00:30:38,575
If not Ben, then who does
she fall in love with?
589
00:30:38,662 --> 00:30:39,402
Does she need to find love
in the end?
590
00:30:39,533 --> 00:30:42,492
- Is that like a requirement?
- No.
591
00:30:42,579 --> 00:30:46,192
But I guess
if it's just left open-ended,
592
00:30:46,279 --> 00:30:49,586
we can all just assume
it's Ben, right?
593
00:30:49,673 --> 00:30:51,545
Like a kinda choose-
your-own-adventure ending?
594
00:30:54,722 --> 00:30:57,159
Well, cheers,
to choosing your adventure!
595
00:30:57,290 --> 00:30:59,640
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
596
00:30:59,727 --> 00:31:02,077
There you go. Oh, didn't get ya.
597
00:31:02,164 --> 00:31:03,035
Oh.
598
00:31:09,737 --> 00:31:11,870
And as Maya pulled in
past the dilapidated
599
00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:14,307
welcome sign to her
quaint little hometown again
600
00:31:14,394 --> 00:31:16,613
for the first time
in over ten years,
601
00:31:16,700 --> 00:31:18,964
she pulled on to the shoulder
of the road
602
00:31:19,051 --> 00:31:21,009
and climbed out
into the falling snowflakes,
603
00:31:21,140 --> 00:31:23,925
glistening all around her
604
00:31:24,012 --> 00:31:27,624
like a thousand tiny memories
of her childhood.
605
00:31:27,755 --> 00:31:30,236
Then she spun around,
welcoming them in
606
00:31:30,366 --> 00:31:32,760
to rain and melt
upon her open arms.
607
00:31:44,076 --> 00:31:46,034
Good morning and welcome,
Sharon.
608
00:31:46,121 --> 00:31:48,689
It is so wonderful
to have you here.
609
00:31:48,776 --> 00:31:52,345
And my dad is a huge fan
of your cookbooks,
610
00:31:52,432 --> 00:31:53,259
so it is lovely to have you.
611
00:31:53,346 --> 00:31:55,174
Well, thank you
for having me here.
612
00:31:55,304 --> 00:31:57,045
And you know what,
I happen to be a huge fan
613
00:31:57,132 --> 00:31:59,395
of your mother's work as well.
614
00:31:59,482 --> 00:32:01,223
I mean, this retreat, I mean,
615
00:32:01,310 --> 00:32:03,008
what an amazing legacy
616
00:32:03,138 --> 00:32:05,532
for her to leave
such a beautiful black woman.
617
00:32:05,662 --> 00:32:07,926
And speaking of you, young lady,
618
00:32:08,056 --> 00:32:10,450
I am a huge fan
of your work as well.
619
00:32:10,580 --> 00:32:11,712
I've read every one
of your books,
620
00:32:11,842 --> 00:32:14,280
and I am particularly excited
about this next one.
621
00:32:14,367 --> 00:32:18,284
Wow. Thank you. Coming
from you, I'm, I'm flattered.
622
00:32:18,371 --> 00:32:19,633
- Oh. It's okay.
- Oh.
623
00:32:19,763 --> 00:32:21,287
And this is my assistant,
Keifer.
624
00:32:21,374 --> 00:32:22,810
And he will help you
with your things.
625
00:32:22,897 --> 00:32:25,682
Hi, so nice to meet you. How was
your drive up from San Diego?
626
00:32:25,813 --> 00:32:27,641
Nice to meet you, too,
and thank you very much.
627
00:32:27,728 --> 00:32:29,948
Well, the drive,
it was just beautiful.
628
00:32:30,035 --> 00:32:33,125
It has been such a long time
since I've seen snow.
629
00:32:34,865 --> 00:32:36,693
Wow! My gracious!
630
00:32:36,780 --> 00:32:39,131
This place is even more magical
than I imagined.
631
00:32:41,698 --> 00:32:43,700
- Here.
- Here you go.
632
00:32:43,831 --> 00:32:46,877
- Yeah.
633
00:32:46,965 --> 00:32:49,706
Well, good morning, everyone.
This is Sharon.
634
00:32:49,837 --> 00:32:52,492
Sharon, Olive, Levi, Mitchell,
635
00:32:52,622 --> 00:32:54,494
and, of course,
my father, Irving.
636
00:32:54,624 --> 00:32:56,104
Ah. Thank you.
Ah, welcome, guests!
637
00:32:56,191 --> 00:32:59,542
Uh, as most of you know,
I will be your host
638
00:32:59,629 --> 00:33:02,458
for the next three days, so if
there's anything that you need,
639
00:33:02,545 --> 00:33:04,678
please do not hesitate to ask
640
00:33:04,765 --> 00:33:09,335
unless it's what time
Santa stops by Christmas Eve.
641
00:33:09,422 --> 00:33:12,164
That is top-secret information.
642
00:33:12,251 --> 00:33:15,254
He usually reserves that one
for the visiting kids.
643
00:33:15,341 --> 00:33:19,171
As well as the adults,
because we are never too old
644
00:33:19,258 --> 00:33:22,696
to believe in Santa
and a little Christmas magic.
645
00:33:22,783 --> 00:33:25,003
- True, true.
- Now, please have a seat.
646
00:33:25,133 --> 00:33:27,005
- Dig in and enjoy the food.
- Wow.
647
00:33:27,135 --> 00:33:29,050
Oh, um, may I help you
with your coat?
648
00:33:29,137 --> 00:33:31,531
Oh, thank you.
- Of course.
649
00:33:31,661 --> 00:33:32,923
You know what,
I really have to say that
650
00:33:33,011 --> 00:33:34,360
this cranberry baked oatmeal
651
00:33:34,447 --> 00:33:35,752
is really something special.
652
00:33:35,839 --> 00:33:40,844
Oh, thank you. Um, coming
from you, that means everything.
653
00:33:40,931 --> 00:33:43,804
And, hey, if you give me the
secret recipe of one of yours,
654
00:33:43,934 --> 00:33:47,112
I will definitely give you
the secret recipe for that.
655
00:33:47,199 --> 00:33:48,896
Okay. All right, thank you.
656
00:33:48,983 --> 00:33:51,899
- You got yourself a deal.
- Okay.
657
00:33:51,986 --> 00:33:55,033
Well, maybe we should start
by introducing ourselves.
658
00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:58,079
Maybe everyone go around and
share why they are here today.
659
00:33:58,210 --> 00:34:01,952
And, Sharon,
would you like to go first?
660
00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:04,477
Oh. Uh, sure, okay.
661
00:34:04,564 --> 00:34:06,174
Hi. Sharon Samuels.
662
00:34:06,261 --> 00:34:10,178
My favorite thing to do is cook.
663
00:34:10,309 --> 00:34:13,312
Yes, my, my mother,
she was this amazing Creole cook
664
00:34:13,399 --> 00:34:15,227
and she ran her own restaurant
in New Orleans
665
00:34:15,314 --> 00:34:18,621
for most of her life,
so naturally,
666
00:34:18,752 --> 00:34:20,232
I became quite
the adventurous cook myself.
667
00:34:20,362 --> 00:34:24,062
Right, so I decided,
you know, why not?
668
00:34:24,192 --> 00:34:28,153
Why not write our family's very
first Creole Christmas cookbook?
669
00:34:28,283 --> 00:34:30,459
Right, and then, but then,
then I thought, you know what,
670
00:34:30,590 --> 00:34:33,506
these recipes,
they, they really need to embody
671
00:34:33,636 --> 00:34:36,378
the, the spirit of the season.
672
00:34:36,465 --> 00:34:39,381
So, here I am.
673
00:34:39,512 --> 00:34:40,469
- Wow.
674
00:34:40,556 --> 00:34:42,515
Ooh-ooh, me next, me next!
675
00:34:42,645 --> 00:34:45,779
I am here because I am still,
676
00:34:45,866 --> 00:34:49,826
still, uh, two songs short
of my new musical,
677
00:34:49,913 --> 00:34:52,655
and I just really needed
to escape the Hollywood
678
00:34:52,786 --> 00:34:56,050
holiday bustle,
which I normally live for,
679
00:34:56,181 --> 00:34:59,053
um, to focus and finish it.
680
00:34:59,184 --> 00:35:01,403
Well, seems like
you've come to the right place.
681
00:35:01,490 --> 00:35:02,187
I think I am.
682
00:35:02,317 --> 00:35:06,147
And now, um, Levi.
683
00:35:06,234 --> 00:35:08,367
Okay. I write non-fiction.
684
00:35:08,497 --> 00:35:13,807
I started in journalism.
Sometimes political satire.
685
00:35:13,937 --> 00:35:17,637
Sometimes bios, edit.
Copy edits.
686
00:35:17,724 --> 00:35:20,118
Boring things float my boat.
687
00:35:20,248 --> 00:35:21,641
- Yeah.
Okay, great.
688
00:35:21,728 --> 00:35:24,600
And my little Mitchell.
689
00:35:24,731 --> 00:35:25,732
Hello, my name is Mitchell.
690
00:35:25,819 --> 00:35:28,126
I work here,
so feel free to still call me
691
00:35:28,213 --> 00:35:30,911
when your hot water
goes out, uh...
692
00:35:31,041 --> 00:35:33,218
Mikaela was so gracious
for letting me join you guys
693
00:35:33,305 --> 00:35:35,655
as I am
an aspiring screenwriter.
694
00:35:35,742 --> 00:35:38,048
I'm still working
on my first script,
695
00:35:38,136 --> 00:35:40,703
uh, rewriting it and rewriting
it and rewriting it,
696
00:35:40,834 --> 00:35:42,444
so I'm hoping with this retreat,
it will help me finish it.
697
00:35:42,531 --> 00:35:45,273
Keifer, would you like to share
something about yourself?
698
00:35:45,360 --> 00:35:47,319
Yes, I am also on the job
as everyone knows,
699
00:35:47,449 --> 00:35:51,453
um, but I'm also stellar
with creative development
700
00:35:51,540 --> 00:35:55,588
and planning
to partake in the festivities.
701
00:35:55,675 --> 00:35:59,374
And I'm also here to help
you guys hone your craft, so...
702
00:35:59,505 --> 00:36:01,463
Also I've worked
in script development
703
00:36:01,594 --> 00:36:05,075
and I would really like
to take a look at your script.
704
00:36:05,206 --> 00:36:08,557
Wow! Uh, can I think about it?
705
00:36:08,644 --> 00:36:10,777
- Sure.
Yes.
706
00:36:10,907 --> 00:36:14,607
But let's remember
what this retreat is about.
707
00:36:14,694 --> 00:36:17,566
You're here to bare
your creative writing souls
708
00:36:17,653 --> 00:36:18,611
and get back to why
you fell in love with writing
709
00:36:18,698 --> 00:36:23,137
in the first place,
so, with that being said,
710
00:36:23,224 --> 00:36:26,662
at noon we will be meeting
in the sunroom
711
00:36:26,793 --> 00:36:28,403
for our first retreat workshop.
712
00:36:28,490 --> 00:36:31,493
Okay, so do not forget
to bring your journals.
713
00:36:31,624 --> 00:36:32,755
- Okay.
- All right. Great.
714
00:36:40,415 --> 00:36:42,939
Gigi, hi, sorry
I missed your call earlier.
715
00:36:43,070 --> 00:36:46,987
- We were having breakfast.
- Well, hello. How's the retreat?
716
00:36:47,074 --> 00:36:49,946
-Uh, wait, how did you...
I'm at your office.
717
00:36:50,033 --> 00:36:52,688
I was sitting at your computer,
going through your inbox, duh.
718
00:36:52,775 --> 00:36:54,734
Look, I know it sounds crazy,
719
00:36:54,821 --> 00:36:57,563
but I've already started
getting all new ideas
720
00:36:57,650 --> 00:36:58,955
since I've gotten here.
721
00:36:59,042 --> 00:37:00,609
Any ideas for a new editor?
722
00:37:00,740 --> 00:37:03,830
Because Sabrina is
officially out, and I think that
723
00:37:03,917 --> 00:37:06,136
your publishing deal isn't too
far behind her at this point.
724
00:37:06,224 --> 00:37:09,575
If Sabrina has to move on,
I get it.
725
00:37:09,705 --> 00:37:11,707
But I really think
that this retreat
726
00:37:11,838 --> 00:37:13,753
is going to be good for me.
727
00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:16,669
And I promise,
I will have something
728
00:37:16,756 --> 00:37:18,061
for the publishers
to look at soon.
729
00:37:18,192 --> 00:37:21,630
Fine, before the ball drops
on my life and your career,
730
00:37:21,761 --> 00:37:24,764
come New Year's Eve, hm?
I'm counting on you.
731
00:37:36,254 --> 00:37:38,081
Who here is ready
for some of my creative cocoa?
732
00:37:38,168 --> 00:37:39,866
Guaranteed to ignite the imagination.
733
00:37:39,953 --> 00:37:41,433
- Wow!
- That's nice.
734
00:37:41,563 --> 00:37:43,913
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
735
00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:44,784
Excuse me,
I'm gonna get lunch started.
736
00:37:44,914 --> 00:37:47,656
- Aww, thank you, dad.
- All right.
737
00:37:47,743 --> 00:37:51,094
Wow! I'm feeling
creative already.
738
00:37:51,181 --> 00:37:52,531
So are we ready
to get started then?
739
00:37:52,618 --> 00:37:55,534
So what is our line-up
of events, anyhow?
740
00:37:55,621 --> 00:37:59,189
Yes, so today we start
741
00:37:59,277 --> 00:38:02,149
with our Two Turtledove Tales
742
00:38:02,236 --> 00:38:04,151
and tomorrow will be
743
00:38:04,282 --> 00:38:08,155
our Prancer's
Fireside Poetry Hour
744
00:38:08,286 --> 00:38:11,811
and on our last day
we will have
745
00:38:11,898 --> 00:38:16,294
our Jack Frost's Frozen
Freehand Writers' Challenge.
746
00:38:16,424 --> 00:38:19,819
Sounds like
we got our work cut out for us.
747
00:38:19,906 --> 00:38:23,388
- I may need more cocoa.
748
00:38:23,518 --> 00:38:24,650
Don't worry, it won't be
all work and no play
749
00:38:24,737 --> 00:38:28,480
because true to the season,
we will be hosting
750
00:38:28,610 --> 00:38:32,135
our 'Twas The Treasure Hunt
751
00:38:32,222 --> 00:38:34,224
Before Christmas Event
Wednesday night.
752
00:38:34,355 --> 00:38:36,662
Ooh! Exciting!
I live for the hunt.
753
00:38:38,011 --> 00:38:42,624
Oh, and lastly,
if you don't already have plans
754
00:38:42,711 --> 00:38:45,801
and you wanna stay
for Christmas Eve,
755
00:38:45,888 --> 00:38:49,283
my dad makes a mean feast
for Christmas Eve.
756
00:38:49,414 --> 00:38:51,111
So you are all welcome.
757
00:38:51,241 --> 00:38:53,548
- Yes!
- That's very cool.
758
00:38:53,635 --> 00:38:56,508
Okay, so let's get started
on our first workshop.
759
00:38:56,638 --> 00:38:58,858
Two Turtledove Tales
is something we created
760
00:38:58,988 --> 00:39:00,468
to get that creative cocoa
761
00:39:00,555 --> 00:39:02,775
flowing freely
for this retreat.
762
00:39:02,905 --> 00:39:04,994
I challenge each of you
to write not one,
763
00:39:05,081 --> 00:39:07,475
but two short stories,
764
00:39:07,606 --> 00:39:10,173
about two characters
in the same scenario.
765
00:39:10,260 --> 00:39:13,481
It can be any genre,
but each story will be told
766
00:39:13,568 --> 00:39:15,962
from each character's
perspective.
767
00:39:16,049 --> 00:39:18,965
Can be first or third-person
narratives, doesn't matter.
768
00:39:19,095 --> 00:39:21,707
What does matter
is that we're able to see
769
00:39:21,837 --> 00:39:22,664
two versions of one story
770
00:39:22,795 --> 00:39:25,885
through
two very different lenses.
771
00:39:25,972 --> 00:39:27,365
♪ Alone ♪
772
00:39:28,975 --> 00:39:29,889
♪ I hope you know ♪
773
00:39:30,019 --> 00:39:35,460
♪ I've been
counting down days ♪
774
00:39:35,590 --> 00:39:41,466
♪ Till you're in my arms
and I'm home ♪
775
00:39:41,596 --> 00:39:43,163
♪ Yeah I'm getting
all the presents ♪
776
00:39:43,293 --> 00:39:44,991
♪ Rudolph will be jealous ♪
777
00:39:45,121 --> 00:39:48,168
♪ Lighting the tree
and we can dance ♪
778
00:39:48,255 --> 00:39:51,084
♪ Kiss you in the moonlight
holding you so tight ♪
779
00:39:51,171 --> 00:39:55,349
♪ Yeah I'm comin' home
tonight ♪
780
00:39:55,436 --> 00:39:58,526
♪ I'm gonna be with you
for Christmas ♪
781
00:39:58,613 --> 00:40:01,399
♪ Ain't no way
I'm gonna miss this ♪
782
00:40:01,529 --> 00:40:03,792
♪ Baby wait up for me ♪
783
00:40:03,879 --> 00:40:07,622
♪ Wait up for me me ♪
784
00:40:07,753 --> 00:40:10,538
♪ I'm gonna be with you
for Christmas ♪
785
00:40:10,625 --> 00:40:13,933
♪ You're at the top
of my wish list ♪
786
00:40:14,020 --> 00:40:17,197
♪ Baby wait up for me
♪ Wait up for me ♪
787
00:40:17,327 --> 00:40:20,592
Hey! Figured I shouldn't eat
all our chocolate alone.
788
00:40:20,722 --> 00:40:23,682
Did I catch you mid-sentence?
789
00:40:23,769 --> 00:40:28,164
Thank you. You caught me
at the end of a paragraph.
790
00:40:28,295 --> 00:40:30,602
Impeccable timing.
791
00:40:30,689 --> 00:40:33,213
So are you done
with your story or what?
792
00:40:33,300 --> 00:40:35,694
Actually, I had to fake a break.
793
00:40:35,781 --> 00:40:38,523
Olive wanted to swap stories,
and I think it was
794
00:40:38,653 --> 00:40:41,395
just an excuse to sit
next to me, I-I think.
795
00:40:41,526 --> 00:40:44,703
Well, she is a beautiful,
smart, strong woman.
796
00:40:44,790 --> 00:40:47,401
Take it as a compliment.
797
00:40:47,532 --> 00:40:49,838
Only problem is, between us,
798
00:40:49,969 --> 00:40:52,275
I am, sadly,
not a fan of musicals.
799
00:40:52,362 --> 00:40:55,235
Ah. Mm. Oh.
800
00:40:55,322 --> 00:40:57,411
Sunken before you even set sail?
801
00:40:57,542 --> 00:41:00,109
And also story of my life
in relationships, actually.
802
00:41:00,240 --> 00:41:03,199
Let me guess, you're the kind
of guy who falls for women
803
00:41:03,330 --> 00:41:04,723
who want more from you
than you're ready to give.
804
00:41:04,810 --> 00:41:07,639
N-nah, I actually fall for women
805
00:41:07,769 --> 00:41:12,382
whose emotions are awake,
yet unavailable.
806
00:41:12,513 --> 00:41:14,559
So when was
your last sunken ship?
807
00:41:14,646 --> 00:41:18,432
Last date?
Ever so occasionally.
808
00:41:18,563 --> 00:41:19,825
Last relationship?
809
00:41:19,955 --> 00:41:21,827
- Five years ago.
- Yikes.
810
00:41:21,957 --> 00:41:26,309
Ended so badly that it warranted
a half decade worth of repairs.
811
00:41:26,396 --> 00:41:29,922
But even that one
never met my grams.
812
00:41:30,052 --> 00:41:32,620
Oh, well, maybe
she should have met your grams
813
00:41:32,707 --> 00:41:34,143
'cause then
she would've told you that
814
00:41:34,230 --> 00:41:36,276
she was all wrong for you,
you think?
815
00:41:36,363 --> 00:41:39,497
Touche. You could be right.
816
00:41:39,584 --> 00:41:42,369
All right,
I spilled my heart to you.
817
00:41:43,370 --> 00:41:45,503
Your turn.
818
00:41:45,590 --> 00:41:49,332
- My turn to what?
- You gotta tell me.
819
00:41:49,419 --> 00:41:53,554
Why the break-up with
the tall hunky, B-ball boy?
820
00:41:53,685 --> 00:41:55,295
He loved me
when things were good.
821
00:41:56,992 --> 00:41:57,732
Like, a lot.
822
00:41:57,819 --> 00:42:00,692
And things were good
823
00:42:00,779 --> 00:42:05,044
until my mother passed.
824
00:42:05,131 --> 00:42:07,873
And he just, he just couldn't
handle me at my worst.
825
00:42:08,003 --> 00:42:08,830
Well, I guess
it's better to know now
826
00:42:08,917 --> 00:42:12,834
than ten years
down the line, huh?
827
00:42:12,921 --> 00:42:16,229
Because if he can't handle
the first worst moment,
828
00:42:16,316 --> 00:42:20,233
then what about the rest? 'Cause
life's full of those roadblocks.
829
00:42:20,320 --> 00:42:22,409
Yeah. Well, I thought
the same thing.
830
00:42:22,496 --> 00:42:24,672
That's why I ended it.
831
00:42:24,759 --> 00:42:27,066
- I just need someone that--
- Gets it?
832
00:42:35,596 --> 00:42:38,556
Ooh. Ah.
833
00:42:38,643 --> 00:42:41,515
So how's your two turtledove
tales coming along then?
834
00:42:41,646 --> 00:42:43,430
- My turtledove tales?
- Uh-huh.
835
00:42:43,517 --> 00:42:45,563
I am in the middle
of finishing my book,
836
00:42:45,650 --> 00:42:46,781
or trying to, at least.
837
00:42:46,912 --> 00:42:52,526
And Maya is finally headed
towards the finish line,
838
00:42:52,657 --> 00:42:54,920
just not sure
where she is headed exactly.
839
00:42:55,007 --> 00:42:59,054
Mm, what is she doing
at the moment?
840
00:42:59,141 --> 00:43:01,361
- I'm not telling.
- Oh, come on. Tell me.
841
00:43:01,491 --> 00:43:05,104
Ugh, fine.
842
00:43:05,234 --> 00:43:06,366
She's headed home
for the holidays.
843
00:43:06,496 --> 00:43:09,064
Oh, not unlike her author, huh,
844
00:43:09,151 --> 00:43:10,849
who is nothing like her
whatsoever.
845
00:43:12,285 --> 00:43:15,070
Okay, fine, yes, of course!
846
00:43:15,157 --> 00:43:17,333
There are parallels, of course,
847
00:43:17,420 --> 00:43:22,121
but mostly it's because it was
time for her to come home.
848
00:43:22,251 --> 00:43:26,342
She had talked about it
way too much.
849
00:43:26,429 --> 00:43:29,432
You know, I am currently reading
the digital version
850
00:43:29,519 --> 00:43:31,913
of the first book now,
and I gotta say,
851
00:43:32,000 --> 00:43:35,700
what happened
to that Jerome guy?
852
00:43:35,787 --> 00:43:39,007
That civil attorney
who she always fights with.
853
00:43:39,094 --> 00:43:42,141
Jerome? Oh, yeah.
- Mm-hmm.
854
00:43:42,228 --> 00:43:44,578
Yeah, he was in and out
of the first three books,
855
00:43:44,665 --> 00:43:47,189
but when she started working
in divorce,
856
00:43:47,276 --> 00:43:49,757
there just wasn't much
of a need for him anymore.
857
00:43:49,844 --> 00:43:50,889
Too bad,
'cause I liked her for him.
858
00:43:50,976 --> 00:43:54,240
Wondering what
he's doing lately.
859
00:43:54,327 --> 00:43:55,371
No idea.
860
00:43:55,458 --> 00:43:58,679
And I'm not sure
I like him for her.
861
00:43:58,766 --> 00:44:02,422
- Oh.
- But maybe I'll ask him. Hm.
862
00:44:05,164 --> 00:44:06,818
- Okay.
863
00:44:11,736 --> 00:44:14,739
There it is. Yup.
864
00:44:14,826 --> 00:44:17,263
- Oh, hey.
- Wow! What is all this?
865
00:44:17,350 --> 00:44:20,483
This is my dark chocolate
Chex Mix.
866
00:44:20,570 --> 00:44:21,441
Wouldn't have got chocolates
in town
867
00:44:21,528 --> 00:44:22,747
had we known you were baking.
868
00:44:22,834 --> 00:44:24,183
Oh, well, this is for all
869
00:44:24,270 --> 00:44:25,271
the kids down at the theater
870
00:44:25,401 --> 00:44:26,576
doing a dress rehearsal
871
00:44:26,664 --> 00:44:28,535
for A Christmas Carol.
872
00:44:28,622 --> 00:44:30,798
- You have to try these, though.
- Oh, yes.
873
00:44:32,539 --> 00:44:33,671
There you go.
874
00:44:40,329 --> 00:44:41,461
- Well? Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
875
00:44:41,591 --> 00:44:44,072
This is dangerous.
876
00:44:44,159 --> 00:44:46,901
His entire menu is.
Uh, can we help?
877
00:44:46,988 --> 00:44:48,860
Yeah, let's put this
in some bags.
878
00:44:48,947 --> 00:44:51,210
Ugh.
879
00:44:54,779 --> 00:44:55,910
I always knew we were gonna
have another great writer
880
00:44:56,041 --> 00:44:59,131
in the family
just like her mother,
881
00:44:59,261 --> 00:44:59,958
even when she was a kid.
882
00:45:00,045 --> 00:45:02,961
- How'd you know?
- Well...
883
00:45:03,048 --> 00:45:06,704
She used to sneak into her
mother's office, late at night,
884
00:45:06,791 --> 00:45:09,707
and not only read the books
she was too young to read,
885
00:45:09,794 --> 00:45:11,273
but she'd also read
her mother's book.
886
00:45:11,360 --> 00:45:14,146
And back then Tanya was
still typing her books out
887
00:45:14,276 --> 00:45:16,235
on an old-school typewriter,
and she kept the pages
888
00:45:16,365 --> 00:45:18,541
in a thick folder on the desk.
889
00:45:18,672 --> 00:45:22,807
But we knew she was sneaking in
because in the morning,
890
00:45:22,894 --> 00:45:27,028
some of the pages had a little
fold on them, not so subtle.
891
00:45:27,115 --> 00:45:30,379
I thought
I was being surreptitious.
892
00:45:30,510 --> 00:45:34,514
- Sadly, you still think you are.
So what about you?
893
00:45:34,644 --> 00:45:38,257
When did you know
you were gonna be a writer?
894
00:45:38,344 --> 00:45:41,390
Actually, it was in third grade
when we lost our family dog.
895
00:45:41,521 --> 00:45:45,525
Hm, Jessie. I was crushed.
896
00:45:45,612 --> 00:45:47,483
We had a writing assignment
and I had to write a eulogy
897
00:45:47,570 --> 00:45:50,095
for the dog,
a long, emotional one
898
00:45:50,225 --> 00:45:51,487
about her life and her legacy.
899
00:45:51,574 --> 00:45:56,014
So, my third-grade teacher
called my parents and said,
900
00:45:56,144 --> 00:46:00,279
"This kid needs to write.
This is his calling."
901
00:46:00,366 --> 00:46:03,630
So my parents, they got me this
box-looking word processor,
902
00:46:03,717 --> 00:46:06,154
and I just started
writing everything. Well...
903
00:46:06,241 --> 00:46:09,462
I still got that story
of Jessie somewhere, though.
904
00:46:09,549 --> 00:46:12,987
Well, I would pay good money
to read that story now.
905
00:46:13,074 --> 00:46:15,773
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't notice.
Is it 4:00 already?
906
00:46:15,860 --> 00:46:20,952
I have to go and start dinner
for the rest of the crew.
907
00:46:21,039 --> 00:46:23,781
Well, I can go into town
and drop these off for you.
908
00:46:23,911 --> 00:46:26,566
Could you do that for me? It's
not gonna interrupt you, is it?
909
00:46:26,696 --> 00:46:29,482
- No, no, no. We'd be happy to.
Thank you.
910
00:46:29,569 --> 00:46:31,876
Uh, don't you have a story
to finish?
911
00:46:32,006 --> 00:46:34,574
Oh, I'm-I'm as fast of a writer
as I am a reader.
912
00:46:37,490 --> 00:46:38,796
- All right.
Thank you. All right.
913
00:46:48,457 --> 00:46:50,503
- Can you get the door?
- I got it.
914
00:46:52,374 --> 00:46:53,462
Oh.
915
00:46:53,593 --> 00:46:55,116
Let's try the other side. Yeah.
916
00:46:56,074 --> 00:47:00,165
- Oh.
- Oh, no! My book!
917
00:47:00,252 --> 00:47:01,166
Oh, no. Oh, no.
918
00:47:01,296 --> 00:47:04,822
I can't believe
they flew so far.
919
00:47:04,909 --> 00:47:08,042
Sheesh! Why do you still
print your pages?
920
00:47:08,173 --> 00:47:10,479
Seems a little outdated,
doesn't it?
921
00:47:10,566 --> 00:47:12,264
Hey, I use 100%
922
00:47:12,351 --> 00:47:17,704
post-consumer recycled paper,
chlorine-free, okay, buddy?
923
00:47:17,791 --> 00:47:20,054
Yeah, I just,
just don't see the need for it.
924
00:47:20,141 --> 00:47:22,970
I don't know, it-it's just
something romantic,
925
00:47:23,057 --> 00:47:25,538
you know, having a hard copy,
and I can easily skim through it
926
00:47:25,625 --> 00:47:27,409
and make changes and notes.
927
00:47:27,540 --> 00:47:30,935
Maybe it reminds me
of when my mom
928
00:47:31,022 --> 00:47:33,372
would write her books and I
would sneak in and read them.
929
00:47:33,459 --> 00:47:35,635
Guess that's a good reason,
you know?
930
00:47:35,722 --> 00:47:38,159
I'm jealous of the relationship
you have with your parents.
931
00:47:39,552 --> 00:47:40,596
And the whole writing thing...
932
00:47:40,683 --> 00:47:42,772
My grandpa, he didn't want me
to be a writer.
933
00:47:42,860 --> 00:47:44,818
He said it wasn't practical.
934
00:47:44,905 --> 00:47:46,733
Yeah, well, that's not uncommon.
935
00:47:46,864 --> 00:47:48,996
I hear that a lot
at writers' workshops.
936
00:47:49,083 --> 00:47:52,695
And to be honest, you know,
some, uh, writers
937
00:47:52,826 --> 00:47:57,483
could use their parents' advice,
but you, you're a great writer.
938
00:47:57,570 --> 00:47:59,398
- Thank you.
- Well...
939
00:47:59,485 --> 00:48:03,358
You know, this was
my mom's favorite spot
940
00:48:03,489 --> 00:48:07,232
to write on the property.
Her own little secret garden.
941
00:48:07,319 --> 00:48:10,539
- It's beautiful.
Yeah.
942
00:48:10,626 --> 00:48:12,106
When I was little,
she used to say
943
00:48:12,237 --> 00:48:15,240
that if you listened
closely enough,
944
00:48:15,370 --> 00:48:20,332
you can hear the little
woodland creatures and fairies,
945
00:48:20,462 --> 00:48:23,117
and they will give you
magical ideas for free.
946
00:48:23,204 --> 00:48:26,599
And so I would be out here
947
00:48:26,729 --> 00:48:29,602
waiting for hours, listening.
948
00:48:29,689 --> 00:48:32,910
But sometimes, sometimes
949
00:48:32,997 --> 00:48:35,825
I thought I could hear them.
950
00:48:35,913 --> 00:48:38,306
Did she have, like,
a place she sat?
951
00:48:38,393 --> 00:48:40,004
Oh, yeah,
there's a rocking bench there
952
00:48:40,091 --> 00:48:42,963
and a little tea table there
953
00:48:43,050 --> 00:48:46,227
and a little bird feeder
and water feeder there.
954
00:48:46,358 --> 00:48:48,664
- Yeah.
- What happened to it?
955
00:48:48,795 --> 00:48:51,058
I don't know.
I, I guess it just got old.
956
00:48:51,145 --> 00:48:53,495
- You know, my dad replaced it.
- Hm.
957
00:48:53,582 --> 00:48:57,195
I, I think it hurt him
to come out here, so...
958
00:48:57,325 --> 00:49:02,722
He prefers the lakeside
where we spread her ashes.
959
00:49:02,809 --> 00:49:05,725
You know, it's crazy to think
960
00:49:05,855 --> 00:49:10,730
that fairies and woodland
critters are responsible
961
00:49:10,860 --> 00:49:13,689
for the books we've come to love
over the years.
962
00:49:13,776 --> 00:49:14,864
Hm.
963
00:49:14,995 --> 00:49:17,650
Yoo-hoo! Hello, you two!
964
00:49:20,392 --> 00:49:22,655
- Oh. Hm.
- What?
965
00:49:22,742 --> 00:49:24,222
- What is up?
- Uh, oh.
966
00:49:24,352 --> 00:49:28,617
Oh, this, my, my book just flew
all over the place
967
00:49:28,748 --> 00:49:32,317
and-and he was helping me get
it, and it was quite the ordeal.
968
00:49:32,447 --> 00:49:34,667
Well, I have to say,
969
00:49:34,754 --> 00:49:36,886
this is just such a cozy little
970
00:49:36,974 --> 00:49:39,150
cute snow-angel chalet out here.
971
00:49:39,280 --> 00:49:42,022
You know, I am just gonna slay
972
00:49:42,153 --> 00:49:45,156
those Prancer fireside poem
vibes, okay?
973
00:49:45,243 --> 00:49:48,420
Oh? Uh, a-a-and did you two
finish your short stories?
974
00:49:48,550 --> 00:49:52,380
I did. I did.
Like a fox to your inbox. What?
975
00:49:52,467 --> 00:49:53,555
- Oh! Oh!
- Oh!
976
00:49:53,686 --> 00:49:57,385
So, yeah, I was just gonna
take a long walk.
977
00:49:57,516 --> 00:50:00,301
Uh, anybody, anybody,
um, wanna join me?
978
00:50:00,388 --> 00:50:02,129
Oh, actually,
we have to get a basket
979
00:50:02,260 --> 00:50:04,566
to the kids in town, so...
980
00:50:04,653 --> 00:50:06,699
- Oh.
- We probably should get going.
981
00:50:06,786 --> 00:50:08,135
- Oh, yeah.
- I'm-I'm...
982
00:50:08,222 --> 00:50:08,788
I'm gonna take
the basket to the car.
983
00:50:08,918 --> 00:50:10,268
- Okay.
- Where'd you leave it?
984
00:50:10,398 --> 00:50:12,009
- Oh, there.
- Okay.
985
00:50:13,923 --> 00:50:14,881
Well...
- Well...
986
00:50:14,968 --> 00:50:17,927
Actually...
987
00:50:18,015 --> 00:50:19,538
he is single, right?
988
00:50:20,669 --> 00:50:22,236
Uh...
989
00:50:22,367 --> 00:50:23,890
Tsk. Hm.
990
00:50:25,022 --> 00:50:26,023
Hm?
991
00:50:37,817 --> 00:50:41,299
Hm. Oh, my goodness, you are
cooking with Creole tonight.
992
00:50:41,386 --> 00:50:43,040
You know, I could smell it
all the way across the chalet.
993
00:50:43,127 --> 00:50:44,345
Yes, I am.
994
00:50:44,432 --> 00:50:47,957
- Did you finish your homework?
- I did.
995
00:50:48,045 --> 00:50:50,656
And, yeah, I have to admit,
I really enjoyed the assignment.
996
00:50:50,743 --> 00:50:52,049
It has been a long time
since I've written
997
00:50:52,136 --> 00:50:54,790
anything fun and fictional.
998
00:50:54,877 --> 00:50:56,966
A toast to your imagination.
999
00:50:57,054 --> 00:50:58,881
May it never grow too old
1000
00:50:58,968 --> 00:51:01,623
for a little fun
and a little bit of fiction.
1001
00:51:01,710 --> 00:51:05,627
Oh. Cheers. I like that.
1002
00:51:05,714 --> 00:51:07,977
Oh. Would you like to try
some of this?
1003
00:51:08,108 --> 00:51:11,764
Mm. Absolutely.
Yes, please, okay.
1004
00:51:11,894 --> 00:51:13,592
Okay. All right, here we go.
1005
00:51:16,595 --> 00:51:18,423
Mm, mm!
1006
00:51:20,251 --> 00:51:24,472
Oh, my gosh! That is heavenly.
1007
00:51:24,559 --> 00:51:25,908
- You like it?
- Oh, my G... Abs...
1008
00:51:25,995 --> 00:51:27,997
That is definitely
going into my cookbook.
1009
00:51:28,085 --> 00:51:31,044
Yes, Irving's
herb-crusted rib roast,
1010
00:51:31,131 --> 00:51:33,046
guaranteed to bring
your holiday guests
1011
00:51:33,177 --> 00:51:34,439
right up to your doorstep.
1012
00:51:34,526 --> 00:51:35,614
Thank you. You can have it.
1013
00:51:35,744 --> 00:51:37,355
And, um, if you don't mind,
1014
00:51:37,485 --> 00:51:41,228
what are some of your
featured cookbook cuisines?
1015
00:51:41,315 --> 00:51:44,275
Wow, um,
1016
00:51:44,362 --> 00:51:46,233
that's kind of a tough one,
but, uh, I'd have to...
1017
00:51:46,320 --> 00:51:48,279
Don't let me interrupt you.
Come on, come on.
1018
00:51:48,409 --> 00:51:51,064
Uh, let's see, I would have
to say that one of my favorites
1019
00:51:51,151 --> 00:51:54,546
is my crawfish
cornbread dressing,
1020
00:51:54,676 --> 00:51:58,767
my bourbon-butter sweet-potato
halves, all topped off with
1021
00:51:58,898 --> 00:52:03,946
a humongous slice of my praline
caramel-pumpkin loaf. Ha-ha!
1022
00:52:04,077 --> 00:52:06,688
Yes, you know, just a, just a
little tee nine chee bit, right?
1023
00:52:06,775 --> 00:52:09,300
You know, to kickstart
the hibernation. Hello.
1024
00:52:12,216 --> 00:52:14,131
I just decided.
1025
00:52:14,218 --> 00:52:16,916
I wanna cook that for the
Christmas Eve feast this year.
1026
00:52:17,003 --> 00:52:19,266
Is that all right?
Can I do that?
1027
00:52:19,353 --> 00:52:22,791
I'm-I'm honored,
but I, I, I, don't know
1028
00:52:22,878 --> 00:52:24,619
if I'll be able to stay
for Christmas Eve.
1029
00:52:24,750 --> 00:52:26,708
Oh, uh, that's okay.
1030
00:52:26,795 --> 00:52:31,583
You can invite your husband,
boyfriend, wife up here.
1031
00:52:31,670 --> 00:52:33,846
I appreciate that,
but I actually
1032
00:52:33,976 --> 00:52:36,109
don't have any of those. Yeah.
1033
00:52:36,196 --> 00:52:38,459
Well, I was married once,
just many moons ago,
1034
00:52:38,546 --> 00:52:42,028
to a man whose name
shall not be repeated.
1035
00:52:42,115 --> 00:52:44,813
And what-what about you?
Any love on the mountain?
1036
00:52:44,900 --> 00:52:48,861
No. Nah, well, I mean, uh,
not since my wife left us.
1037
00:52:48,948 --> 00:52:50,558
Ah, it's, I don't know,
it's just not something
1038
00:52:50,645 --> 00:52:51,733
that I wanted to pursue.
1039
00:52:51,864 --> 00:52:53,213
Oh, okay.
1040
00:52:53,300 --> 00:52:56,999
But I do hate to cook for myself
alone, so a lot of times
1041
00:52:57,086 --> 00:52:59,741
I'll book discounted rates
to, uh, you know,
1042
00:52:59,828 --> 00:53:02,831
get warm bodies up here.
1043
00:53:02,918 --> 00:53:07,227
Cheers to a full house
this Christmas.
1044
00:53:07,314 --> 00:53:08,707
Full house this Christmas.
1045
00:53:12,493 --> 00:53:13,668
Hey, guys!
1046
00:53:13,799 --> 00:53:14,713
- Hey, you're back.
- Hey!
1047
00:53:14,800 --> 00:53:18,107
- How was the drop?
- The kids loved it.
1048
00:53:18,195 --> 00:53:19,979
And we even stayed
for a little of the rehearsal.
1049
00:53:20,066 --> 00:53:21,937
- Aww.
- Ugh.
1050
00:53:22,024 --> 00:53:24,070
I remember playing
the Ghost of Christmas Future
1051
00:53:24,157 --> 00:53:27,116
when I was a kid.
I need to recreate that look.
1052
00:53:27,204 --> 00:53:28,509
Ooh! Maybe I should even do that
for Christmas Eve?
1053
00:53:28,596 --> 00:53:33,340
Yes, oh, please.
Oh, this I have to see.
1054
00:53:33,427 --> 00:53:36,213
So what have you all been up to?
Did you finish your shorts?
1055
00:53:36,300 --> 00:53:38,563
We did, and we decided
to reward ourselves
1056
00:53:38,693 --> 00:53:39,520
with a little hot toddy teatime.
1057
00:53:39,607 --> 00:53:42,175
- Oh?
- Would either of you like one?
1058
00:53:42,262 --> 00:53:44,046
- I would. You?
- Uh, well...
1059
00:53:44,133 --> 00:53:46,179
I'd love to, but I can't.
1060
00:53:46,310 --> 00:53:48,616
I actually need to get started
on reading those shorts
1061
00:53:48,703 --> 00:53:53,882
before dinner, but if you'll
excuse me. Um, have fun.
1062
00:53:53,969 --> 00:53:56,102
Aww!
- See ya.
1063
00:53:56,189 --> 00:53:57,712
So, Olive, tell us everything
about the musical
1064
00:53:57,799 --> 00:54:00,759
that you're almost done writing.
1065
00:54:00,846 --> 00:54:02,804
Uh, Keifer says
it's Christmas-themed?
1066
00:54:02,935 --> 00:54:04,806
It is.
1067
00:54:04,937 --> 00:54:06,982
Ooh, we plan to open on Broadway
next year.
1068
00:54:07,113 --> 00:54:10,290
It's called
Sleigh Belles Of The Ball.
1069
00:54:10,377 --> 00:54:12,336
Here you go.
- Oh, thank you.
1070
00:54:12,423 --> 00:54:15,730
You're welcome. It's about these
three very different sisters
1071
00:54:15,817 --> 00:54:17,950
all competing
for the love of this
1072
00:54:18,037 --> 00:54:19,995
salt-of-the-Earth-type
groundskeeper
1073
00:54:20,082 --> 00:54:22,911
who works on the family ranch,
at Christmas time!
1074
00:54:22,998 --> 00:54:25,392
Oh! I'm all into that, too. Yes!
1075
00:54:25,479 --> 00:54:26,872
You work so much in New York,
1076
00:54:26,959 --> 00:54:28,656
I'm surprised
you just don't live there.
1077
00:54:28,787 --> 00:54:30,702
Oh. Oh,
it's funny you should ask.
1078
00:54:30,789 --> 00:54:36,316
See, I have a place there, too,
but much like a songbird,
1079
00:54:36,403 --> 00:54:38,666
I prefer to fly south
for the winter.
1080
00:54:38,753 --> 00:54:42,017
Especially this year,
because I just went through
1081
00:54:42,104 --> 00:54:46,370
this awful off-Broadway breakup,
and am now totally single.
1082
00:54:46,457 --> 00:54:49,155
Oh, no. So sorry to hear that.
1083
00:54:49,242 --> 00:54:51,505
Oh, don't be.
1084
00:54:51,636 --> 00:54:54,595
Oh, it was all my undoing.
Anyway, I'm fine.
1085
00:54:54,726 --> 00:54:58,077
I've met more than enough
catches during my migration.
1086
00:54:58,207 --> 00:54:59,644
- Is that so now?
Mm-hmm.
1087
00:54:59,731 --> 00:55:03,387
- I just need to pick one.
- Well, good for you.
1088
00:55:03,474 --> 00:55:04,997
Who doesn't love
a little Christmas romance
1089
00:55:05,084 --> 00:55:06,477
at a winter retreat?
1090
00:55:06,564 --> 00:55:08,653
I'll cheers to that.
- Cheers.
1091
00:55:10,481 --> 00:55:11,830
Cheers.
1092
00:55:11,960 --> 00:55:13,875
Cheers.
- Yes.
1093
00:55:27,846 --> 00:55:30,022
Good morning,
early-bird bookworm.
1094
00:55:30,109 --> 00:55:32,067
Mm, morning.
1095
00:55:32,154 --> 00:55:37,029
Wow. Halfway through
my second book. Impressive.
1096
00:55:37,116 --> 00:55:40,249
What can I say? I mean,
Maya takes my mornings, too.
1097
00:55:40,380 --> 00:55:44,993
Oh.
Reindeer Romances.
1098
00:55:45,124 --> 00:55:48,214
"The tale of the little male
reindeer pining for the love
1099
00:55:48,301 --> 00:55:50,608
of the most beautiful
and regal reindeer of them all."
1100
00:55:50,695 --> 00:55:53,828
Yup. Did you enjoy it?
1101
00:55:53,959 --> 00:55:55,352
I did.
- Huh.
1102
00:55:55,439 --> 00:55:57,615
But I did have some issues
1103
00:55:57,702 --> 00:56:00,835
with her side of the same story.
1104
00:56:00,922 --> 00:56:01,575
There was a few places
that were off.
1105
00:56:01,662 --> 00:56:03,708
Yeah? How so?
1106
00:56:03,795 --> 00:56:06,145
I think
she's a lot more vulnerable
1107
00:56:06,232 --> 00:56:08,103
than you've made her out to be.
1108
00:56:08,190 --> 00:56:10,541
I mean, maybe she loves
to roam ahead of the herd
1109
00:56:10,671 --> 00:56:15,110
because she's been hurt
and afraid to open up again.
1110
00:56:15,197 --> 00:56:17,069
Mm.
1111
00:56:17,156 --> 00:56:19,724
Well, it is my first time
writing from the POV
1112
00:56:19,854 --> 00:56:22,988
of a complex lady reindeer,
1113
00:56:23,118 --> 00:56:27,819
so I appreciate any additional
insight you could give.
1114
00:56:27,949 --> 00:56:30,430
It's hard to open yourself up
to love again
1115
00:56:30,517 --> 00:56:32,911
when you've lost the person
you love the most.
1116
00:56:33,041 --> 00:56:36,131
My mom was everything to me.
1117
00:56:36,218 --> 00:56:40,962
And I lost her and my fiance...
1118
00:56:41,093 --> 00:56:43,704
seems like
in the blink of an eye.
1119
00:56:43,791 --> 00:56:47,926
You know, I know what it's like
to lose people you love
1120
00:56:48,013 --> 00:56:50,102
in the blink of an eye.
1121
00:56:50,189 --> 00:56:52,931
I lost my parents
at the same time as well.
1122
00:56:54,933 --> 00:56:56,413
But if you choose
not to love again,
1123
00:56:56,500 --> 00:56:59,067
we're only missing out
on the very thing
1124
00:56:59,154 --> 00:57:02,244
that makes life worth living
to start.
1125
00:57:02,375 --> 00:57:06,553
You're a lot sweeter than
I originally pegged you to be.
1126
00:57:06,684 --> 00:57:10,122
There's something about you
that's just comfortable...
1127
00:57:10,905 --> 00:57:13,604
except when
you're trying to be funny.
1128
00:57:16,215 --> 00:57:17,825
It's been nice having you.
1129
00:57:17,912 --> 00:57:20,915
It's been nice being here.
1130
00:57:21,002 --> 00:57:24,266
But look, there's something
that I wanted to talk--
1131
00:57:24,353 --> 00:57:27,400
Look, I know, I know
you're a fan of my mom
1132
00:57:27,487 --> 00:57:30,055
and that that's the real reason
you came.
1133
00:57:30,142 --> 00:57:32,274
It's okay.
You know, it's a good reason.
1134
00:57:32,405 --> 00:57:36,627
Right, but I wanted to ask if...
1135
00:57:36,714 --> 00:57:39,717
if-if you're okay with it,
I-I don't know if,
1136
00:57:39,804 --> 00:57:42,676
if I maybe write a bio or
a piece about your mom's legacy.
1137
00:57:42,807 --> 00:57:46,506
We'd need to discuss it
some more,
1138
00:57:46,593 --> 00:57:50,075
but I think that if anyone
would be good at sharing
1139
00:57:50,162 --> 00:57:53,818
how wonderful she was,
you'd be a good fit.
1140
00:57:59,388 --> 00:58:00,215
You've reached Tracy.
1141
00:58:00,302 --> 00:58:02,261
Leave me a message.
1142
00:58:02,391 --> 00:58:07,092
Trace. Hey, it's, uh, Levi.
1143
00:58:07,222 --> 00:58:10,138
I-I just wanted to say
that this isn't the year
1144
00:58:10,269 --> 00:58:11,531
for this whole retrospect.
1145
00:58:11,662 --> 00:58:12,750
I have so many amazing things
to share
1146
00:58:12,837 --> 00:58:17,581
and it's just not
the right time right now.
1147
00:58:17,668 --> 00:58:19,191
Things, they move
a little slower up here
1148
00:58:19,278 --> 00:58:23,238
and I'm actually learning
to be thankful for that.
1149
00:58:23,325 --> 00:58:26,241
Anyway, look, I'm-I'm sorry.
1150
00:58:26,328 --> 00:58:28,374
And I understand if you don't
wanna commission me anymore
1151
00:58:28,505 --> 00:58:31,029
for leaving you hanging
like this,
1152
00:58:31,116 --> 00:58:34,728
but I really hope you'll let me
have another shot next year.
1153
00:58:34,815 --> 00:58:37,775
All right, um, well,
call me back when you can.
1154
00:58:49,177 --> 00:58:52,093
Oh. Wonder what that was about,
do you think?
1155
00:58:52,224 --> 00:58:53,399
No idea.
1156
00:58:58,143 --> 00:58:59,492
Wow, those look amazing!
1157
00:58:59,579 --> 00:59:01,189
That's homemade cinnamon Graham.
1158
00:59:01,276 --> 00:59:03,148
That tastes even better
than it looks.
1159
00:59:03,278 --> 00:59:05,672
A little bit of mallow magic.
Please enjoy.
1160
00:59:05,803 --> 00:59:10,590
- Yes.
- Ooh. Oh.
1161
00:59:10,677 --> 00:59:12,810
- Oh. You sound so cold.
1162
00:59:12,940 --> 00:59:15,987
- Ooh, I am a little bit.
- I got you. I got you.
1163
00:59:16,074 --> 00:59:19,773
Oh. Thanks. Such a gentleman.
1164
00:59:19,904 --> 00:59:23,298
Uh, and-and we can pass
this candy cane
1165
00:59:23,429 --> 00:59:25,736
for whoever would like
to go first.
1166
00:59:27,781 --> 00:59:30,349
- Okay, I'll go!
- All right.
1167
00:59:30,436 --> 00:59:33,918
Okay. Um, all right, okay. Okay.
1168
00:59:34,005 --> 00:59:38,879
- So, my poem is called Imagine.
Ah.
1169
00:59:38,966 --> 00:59:43,144
"Imagine a place
where wild things are,
1170
00:59:43,275 --> 00:59:47,714
imagine this place,
imagine how far.
1171
00:59:47,801 --> 00:59:50,151
Imagine falling down
a white rabbit's hole,
1172
00:59:50,282 --> 00:59:53,154
only to find out
it has swallowed you whole.
1173
00:59:53,241 --> 00:59:56,723
Imagine mining through caves
with dwarves never seen,
1174
00:59:56,810 --> 00:59:59,204
or diving with scaly mermaids
1175
00:59:59,291 --> 01:00:02,511
in lagoons of deep green.
1176
01:00:02,599 --> 01:00:03,861
Imagine Father Christmas,
1177
01:00:03,991 --> 01:00:08,692
Jack Frost and me,
1178
01:00:08,779 --> 01:00:10,998
calling kids upon a sleigh.
1179
01:00:11,129 --> 01:00:14,219
Hey, kid, come to this world
and see!
1180
01:00:14,306 --> 01:00:16,613
Imagine riding
1181
01:00:16,743 --> 01:00:20,312
the largest long-gone dinosaur
1182
01:00:20,399 --> 01:00:24,098
and finding out
that your imagination
1183
01:00:24,185 --> 01:00:27,232
is but a key without a door..."
1184
01:00:31,105 --> 01:00:34,718
- Wow. Nice job.
- Amazing.
1185
01:00:34,805 --> 01:00:37,198
All right, all right,
all right, uh, who's next?
1186
01:00:37,329 --> 01:00:39,287
- You.
- I'm not going after that.
1187
01:00:39,374 --> 01:00:40,158
- No way! Nope!
- Oh, come on!
1188
01:00:40,288 --> 01:00:43,857
- And, uh, Levi, your turn.
- Yeah.
1189
01:00:43,944 --> 01:00:47,339
Uh. I'll hold your mallow
for you.
1190
01:00:47,426 --> 01:00:48,514
Let's go.
Come on, somebody's got to go.
1191
01:00:48,645 --> 01:00:51,169
- Come on.
1192
01:00:51,256 --> 01:00:53,171
There you go.
Take your candy cane.
1193
01:00:56,217 --> 01:00:58,742
Ooh.
1194
01:00:58,829 --> 01:01:03,529
Um, so my poem
is called Blue For You.
1195
01:01:03,616 --> 01:01:08,229
"There was once the black to run
my hand through above your neck,
1196
01:01:08,360 --> 01:01:09,840
and the brown gaze
that pierced me
1197
01:01:09,970 --> 01:01:13,234
from across our crowded parties.
1198
01:01:13,321 --> 01:01:15,410
But there was a blue tint
to everything you wore...
1199
01:01:16,150 --> 01:01:18,587
blue even if it
didn't have blue,
1200
01:01:18,718 --> 01:01:22,200
because in my eyes
you were always a little blue.
1201
01:01:24,245 --> 01:01:25,986
My heart used to tell me
all lies.
1202
01:01:26,073 --> 01:01:30,034
Your life is full.
Your job is full.
1203
01:01:31,426 --> 01:01:34,473
Your heart is full.
1204
01:01:34,560 --> 01:01:36,170
Now I know my life is too light,
1205
01:01:36,257 --> 01:01:39,478
my job is too easy,
my heart is too empty.
1206
01:01:42,568 --> 01:01:45,571
But now they are all blue
to me, too.
1207
01:01:45,658 --> 01:01:47,355
There is blue
consuming the empty space
1208
01:01:47,442 --> 01:01:50,271
where you used to stand
next to me,
1209
01:01:50,358 --> 01:01:54,449
covered in colors, but blue,
and glowing from head to toe,
1210
01:01:54,580 --> 01:01:56,756
There is blue on the walls
where our love once hung
1211
01:01:56,843 --> 01:01:58,932
in pictures of you and me.
1212
01:01:59,063 --> 01:02:03,850
There is even blue noise in the
sounds of our favorite songs,
1213
01:02:03,981 --> 01:02:06,592
unfamiliar now and harsh,
1214
01:02:09,551 --> 01:02:11,640
And there's blue in my eyes.
1215
01:02:11,771 --> 01:02:13,077
All I can see...
1216
01:02:14,643 --> 01:02:16,254
is that I'm empty without you."
1217
01:02:18,430 --> 01:02:22,390
Well, uh, that was beautiful.
1218
01:02:22,477 --> 01:02:23,478
Thank you.
1219
01:02:28,614 --> 01:02:31,182
- Oh.
- Ooh. Uh, who's next?
1220
01:02:32,705 --> 01:02:36,622
- Sharon?
- Uh, oh, um, okay.
1221
01:02:36,709 --> 01:02:39,494
Fine, 'cause I sure enough
do not wanna go last.
1222
01:02:39,625 --> 01:02:41,192
- You got this.
- Here. Can you hold that for me?
1223
01:02:41,322 --> 01:02:42,410
- Sure.
- All right.
1224
01:02:42,541 --> 01:02:47,415
All right, here we go. Okay.
1225
01:02:47,546 --> 01:02:48,939
And just how did you know
that my favorite color is blue,
1226
01:02:49,026 --> 01:02:51,289
aside from powder pink?
1227
01:02:57,904 --> 01:03:00,689
- Oh. Wow. Okay.
1228
01:03:00,777 --> 01:03:03,040
Uh, what's all this?
1229
01:03:03,127 --> 01:03:06,173
Well, I tried to find the best
that I could find in town.
1230
01:03:06,304 --> 01:03:08,828
They didn't have a lot
of Creole options,
1231
01:03:08,959 --> 01:03:12,440
but I did buy everything
that I could find.
1232
01:03:12,527 --> 01:03:14,834
You did say that you wanted
to make my cookbook menu
1233
01:03:14,921 --> 01:03:16,575
for the Christmas Eve feast,
right?
1234
01:03:16,662 --> 01:03:18,707
- Yes, I did.
- Okay, well...
1235
01:03:18,795 --> 01:03:20,187
I figured I've still got
so much work left to do
1236
01:03:20,318 --> 01:03:24,017
on the cookbook,
that if it's okay with you,
1237
01:03:24,148 --> 01:03:25,279
we would just jump
right around in there
1238
01:03:25,366 --> 01:03:29,980
and try to perfect
some of these recipes together.
1239
01:03:30,067 --> 01:03:32,417
But the only problem is
is that there weren't a lot
1240
01:03:32,504 --> 01:03:33,461
of Creole spices left in town.
1241
01:03:33,548 --> 01:03:36,856
Well, you're in luck
because I pre-ordered
1242
01:03:36,943 --> 01:03:40,294
just about everything
that you're gonna need.
1243
01:03:40,425 --> 01:03:43,210
Look at you.
1244
01:03:43,341 --> 01:03:45,647
My secret sauce.
1245
01:03:45,734 --> 01:03:48,825
Okay, well, I guess this means
it was meant to be.
1246
01:03:48,912 --> 01:03:49,956
I guess it was.
1247
01:03:50,087 --> 01:03:50,348
We got our work cut out
1248
01:03:50,435 --> 01:03:53,003
for us then.
1249
01:03:53,090 --> 01:03:54,482
Wait, so does that mean
that you're gonna
1250
01:03:54,613 --> 01:03:56,049
stay through
the Christmas holidays?
1251
01:03:56,136 --> 01:03:59,313
I, I suppose so.
1252
01:03:59,444 --> 01:04:02,012
I really don't have anywhere
else to be, so why not?
1253
01:04:06,451 --> 01:04:06,973
Good morning, everyone.
1254
01:04:07,104 --> 01:04:09,106
Oh. Has anyone seen Levi?
1255
01:04:09,193 --> 01:04:12,239
Uh, I saw him this morning.
1256
01:04:12,370 --> 01:04:13,023
He was headed into town,
I believe.
1257
01:04:13,110 --> 01:04:16,461
Oh, okay.
1258
01:04:16,591 --> 01:04:19,638
Uh, well then, today is
1259
01:04:19,725 --> 01:04:22,467
Jack Frost's Freehand Challenge.
1260
01:04:22,554 --> 01:04:27,559
Now that we have the creative
cocoa flowing from within,
1261
01:04:27,646 --> 01:04:31,519
you get to focus on yourselves
today, no matter what that is.
1262
01:04:31,606 --> 01:04:35,349
Now, I know that Sharon is
working hard on her cookbook
1263
01:04:35,436 --> 01:04:38,570
and, Olive,
you have songs to write,
1264
01:04:38,657 --> 01:04:41,094
and, of course,
Mitchell is writing
1265
01:04:41,181 --> 01:04:44,097
our next blockbuster
action flick.
1266
01:04:44,184 --> 01:04:47,666
So take the time to do you,
and we can discuss
1267
01:04:47,796 --> 01:04:51,539
the New Year's newsletter when
Levi gets back. Sound good?
1268
01:04:51,670 --> 01:04:53,759
- Yeah.
Great.
1269
01:04:53,846 --> 01:04:56,196
Okay, great.
Well, I will let you get to it.
1270
01:04:59,025 --> 01:05:00,157
♪ Hey ♪
1271
01:05:06,990 --> 01:05:10,645
We gonna put one and two.
1272
01:05:10,732 --> 01:05:12,734
Wait, wait, wait.
What-what-what are you doing?
1273
01:05:12,865 --> 01:05:14,388
- That's, it's just too much.
It's two tablespoons.
1274
01:05:14,475 --> 01:05:15,955
- That's the recipe.
- No, no!
1275
01:05:16,042 --> 01:05:17,348
- It's just too much. Yes.
- You wanna taste it?
1276
01:05:17,435 --> 01:05:18,436
Come on.
1277
01:05:19,872 --> 01:05:21,830
- Okay.
- There.
1278
01:05:21,918 --> 01:05:23,397
Try it. What do you think?
It's perfect, right?
1279
01:05:23,528 --> 01:05:26,009
- Um...
- What are you...
1280
01:05:26,139 --> 01:05:27,053
- Now it's perfect.
1281
01:05:27,140 --> 01:05:30,100
Okay.
1282
01:05:30,187 --> 01:05:33,973
♪ Eight to eighty
we're all just kids ♪
1283
01:05:34,060 --> 01:05:36,193
♪ We can't wait till the 25th ♪
1284
01:05:36,323 --> 01:05:39,326
♪ It's time now ♪
1285
01:05:39,457 --> 01:05:44,723
♪ For the countdown
to Christmas ♪
1286
01:05:44,853 --> 01:05:51,251
♪ Right now it's the countdown
to Christmas ♪
1287
01:05:53,123 --> 01:05:55,516
Hm, I think I know what
someone's putting in her
1288
01:05:55,603 --> 01:05:58,563
New Year's newsletter besides
wanting to finish her book.
1289
01:05:58,650 --> 01:06:00,086
What are you talking about?
1290
01:06:01,914 --> 01:06:04,743
Come on. Spill it.
1291
01:06:04,873 --> 01:06:07,093
- You two kissed?
1292
01:06:07,180 --> 01:06:07,789
Have you and Mitchell kissed?
1293
01:06:07,920 --> 01:06:10,488
No. I'm keeping it professional.
1294
01:06:10,618 --> 01:06:11,663
I'm not gonna ask him out
until the week's over.
1295
01:06:11,750 --> 01:06:14,318
Hm, well, then me, too,
I am not asking Levi out
1296
01:06:14,405 --> 01:06:16,973
until he asks me out first.
1297
01:06:17,103 --> 01:06:20,889
Aww, Mik, I'm so happy for you.
1298
01:06:21,020 --> 01:06:25,155
I haven't seen you like this
since... ever.
1299
01:06:25,242 --> 01:06:28,071
Well, I am just ecstatic
that the second half of my book
1300
01:06:28,158 --> 01:06:30,116
is finally coming to me.
1301
01:06:30,203 --> 01:06:31,944
Uh-uh. Right.
Oh, yeah, that's all.
1302
01:06:32,075 --> 01:06:33,554
Oh, yeah. Sure.
Oh, that's it. Yeah.
1303
01:06:33,641 --> 01:06:36,079
- Okay.
1304
01:06:36,166 --> 01:06:38,255
Oh, by the way, did he, like,
ever ask you the questions
1305
01:06:38,342 --> 01:06:39,386
he said he wanted
to pick your brain about?
1306
01:06:39,517 --> 01:06:43,042
Nope, I mean,
he asked me questions, sure,
1307
01:06:43,129 --> 01:06:46,524
but not like
an interrogation. Why?
1308
01:06:46,611 --> 01:06:48,526
No, no reason,
I just, I heard him on the phone
1309
01:06:48,613 --> 01:06:50,702
talking about some project
he was commissioned for.
1310
01:06:50,789 --> 01:06:53,444
But it's really
none of my business.
1311
01:06:53,574 --> 01:06:54,880
I was just wondering.
1312
01:06:54,967 --> 01:06:57,274
And what are you
working on over there?
1313
01:06:57,361 --> 01:07:01,365
I'm actually just finishing up
notes on Mitchell's script.
1314
01:07:01,452 --> 01:07:04,977
You know what, it's really
quite good, actually.
1315
01:07:05,064 --> 01:07:07,153
And I'm not even saying that
in a biased way.
1316
01:07:07,284 --> 01:07:09,938
Well then, I guess you'll have
to go tell him the good news
1317
01:07:10,026 --> 01:07:10,461
when you're done
working on it, huh?
1318
01:07:10,591 --> 01:07:12,289
Oh. If I must, I must.
1319
01:07:22,125 --> 01:07:22,864
Need some help with that?
1320
01:07:22,951 --> 01:07:25,563
- Oh, thank you kindly.
- Yeah.
1321
01:07:25,650 --> 01:07:27,565
It's gonna get
a lot chillier tonight.
1322
01:07:27,652 --> 01:07:28,914
- Oh, yeah?
- Might even see some snow.
1323
01:07:29,001 --> 01:07:31,090
Hm, perfect way to start
Christmas Eve.
1324
01:07:31,177 --> 01:07:32,700
- You bet.
- Yeah.
1325
01:07:32,831 --> 01:07:34,746
So I, um, finished your script.
1326
01:07:35,442 --> 01:07:38,532
- And?
- Well, you were right.
1327
01:07:38,619 --> 01:07:40,099
Technically there were some issues.
1328
01:07:40,186 --> 01:07:43,015
I mean, there's some
major structural flaws,
1329
01:07:43,102 --> 01:07:44,973
and a couple of plot holes
here and there
1330
01:07:45,061 --> 01:07:48,890
that need fleshing out,
and if I'm being honest,
1331
01:07:48,977 --> 01:07:51,110
the story is a bit formulaic
as well.
1332
01:07:51,197 --> 01:07:53,591
But all that aside,
1333
01:07:53,678 --> 01:07:56,246
the dialogue was great,
1334
01:07:56,333 --> 01:07:59,640
the characters
are rich, deep, complex,
1335
01:07:59,727 --> 01:08:01,468
and more so than anything else,
very likable.
1336
01:08:01,555 --> 01:08:06,125
And where the story
sits in a formula, God, you went
1337
01:08:06,212 --> 01:08:08,649
above and beyond to break the
mold with your hero's journey.
1338
01:08:08,736 --> 01:08:11,348
- Do you really mean that?
- Yeah.
1339
01:08:11,435 --> 01:08:13,524
I mean, I just thought,
the world's first gay superhero.
1340
01:08:13,611 --> 01:08:15,395
Am I crazy?
The world's not ready for that!
1341
01:08:15,526 --> 01:08:18,659
You know what, I thought
the exact same thing at first,
1342
01:08:18,790 --> 01:08:20,574
but I think they are.
1343
01:08:25,579 --> 01:08:27,929
Are you seriously
telling me you're
1344
01:08:28,016 --> 01:08:29,888
one chapter
from the finish line?
1345
01:08:30,018 --> 01:08:31,498
- That's what I'm telling you.
Oh, Mikaela.
1346
01:08:31,585 --> 01:08:35,807
You just made all
my Christmas wishes come true!
1347
01:08:35,937 --> 01:08:37,417
And here I thought
the retreat was going to be
1348
01:08:37,548 --> 01:08:38,766
a complete waste.
1349
01:08:38,853 --> 01:08:40,768
I guess what they say is true.
1350
01:08:40,855 --> 01:08:42,596
A mother always knows best, huh?
1351
01:08:42,683 --> 01:08:45,512
I guess so,
unless it's my mother.
1352
01:08:45,643 --> 01:08:49,125
- Merry Christmas, Geeg.
- Merry Christmas!
1353
01:08:56,001 --> 01:08:58,656
Hey, mister!
Where have you been all day?
1354
01:08:58,743 --> 01:09:00,832
Oh, I just had a few gifts
to pick up in town
1355
01:09:00,919 --> 01:09:01,963
for my fellow writers.
1356
01:09:02,094 --> 01:09:02,747
Oh, I see.
1357
01:09:02,834 --> 01:09:04,879
Well, you missed most of
1358
01:09:05,010 --> 01:09:07,578
Jack Frost's Freehand Session.
1359
01:09:07,665 --> 01:09:08,492
Ah, it's fine, I'm actually
1360
01:09:08,579 --> 01:09:12,800
all caught up
in my personal projects.
1361
01:09:12,931 --> 01:09:14,411
But I was thinking of a new one
if you might be game for it.
1362
01:09:14,541 --> 01:09:17,109
Oh, yeah? What's that?
1363
01:09:17,240 --> 01:09:20,025
I'd love to edit your new book.
1364
01:09:21,983 --> 01:09:23,594
I mean, it-it would be
an honor, really.
1365
01:09:23,724 --> 01:09:27,989
You did say your original editor
backed out recently, right?
1366
01:09:28,076 --> 01:09:31,776
Uh, I-I-I did, yeah,
but, um...
1367
01:09:31,863 --> 01:09:35,562
Wow. I mean, that's just...
1368
01:09:35,649 --> 01:09:40,915
It would just mean us spending
a lot of time together.
1369
01:09:41,046 --> 01:09:43,701
I mean, sounds perfect to me.
1370
01:09:48,227 --> 01:09:50,795
Um...
1371
01:09:50,882 --> 01:09:54,190
Can I, can I take a moment
to think about it?
1372
01:09:54,277 --> 01:09:57,541
Take all the time you need.
I'm not going anywhere.
1373
01:10:09,988 --> 01:10:11,772
All right, who is ready to play
1374
01:10:11,903 --> 01:10:12,512
'Twas The Treasure Hunt
Before Christmas?
1375
01:10:12,599 --> 01:10:14,688
Ooh, me, me, me!
1376
01:10:14,775 --> 01:10:18,126
All right, so, um, how exactly
do we play this again?
1377
01:10:18,214 --> 01:10:20,912
There's three notes
folded inside,
1378
01:10:20,999 --> 01:10:25,090
each one a clue to where
Secret Santa's stockings hide.
1379
01:10:25,177 --> 01:10:28,441
Whomever is brave enough
to reach in first
1380
01:10:28,572 --> 01:10:32,097
will pick a partner,
for better or for worse.
1381
01:10:32,184 --> 01:10:35,100
- Who's gonna be first?
- I'll go first.
1382
01:10:35,187 --> 01:10:37,711
- I love the enthusiasm.
- Okay.
1383
01:10:39,060 --> 01:10:41,367
- Oh.
1384
01:10:41,498 --> 01:10:43,369
- All right.
- Uh, stop, don't.
1385
01:10:45,763 --> 01:10:48,679
- What do we do now?
- Now you go find it.
1386
01:10:48,766 --> 01:10:50,681
- All right.
1387
01:10:50,768 --> 01:10:52,726
- All right, who's next?
- I'll go.
1388
01:10:53,988 --> 01:10:56,513
Um, all righty.
1389
01:10:59,124 --> 01:11:01,866
- You. Come on.
- Thank God.
1390
01:11:01,953 --> 01:11:04,347
All right, um, so, uh...
1391
01:11:05,957 --> 01:11:08,220
- You think?
- We-we could try it.
1392
01:11:08,307 --> 01:11:11,919
We'll give it a try.
All right. And we're off!
1393
01:11:12,050 --> 01:11:16,010
All right, there's one left
saved for the two of you.
1394
01:11:16,141 --> 01:11:17,708
Okay.
1395
01:11:17,795 --> 01:11:18,709
- Irv, do you mind?
- Sure.
1396
01:11:18,796 --> 01:11:19,971
Thanks. Thanks, man.
1397
01:11:24,454 --> 01:11:26,412
- Okay, let's go.
- Let's go.
1398
01:11:33,898 --> 01:11:38,119
Ooh. Whoa.
1399
01:11:38,206 --> 01:11:44,038
Okay, I'm gonna check in here.
No.
1400
01:11:44,169 --> 01:11:47,651
Why don't we check
the secret bookshelf?
1401
01:11:49,261 --> 01:11:50,436
- Secret bookshelf?
- Yeah.
1402
01:11:50,523 --> 01:11:52,482
What?
1403
01:11:53,874 --> 01:11:57,095
All right, come on, watch your
step, careful, all right.
1404
01:11:57,182 --> 01:11:59,140
Okay, um... Gosh, I don't know.
1405
01:11:59,227 --> 01:12:01,926
Maybe when this thing
says loft, do you...
1406
01:12:02,056 --> 01:12:06,322
Didn't actually mean the loft.
Okay, just... Uh...
1407
01:12:08,846 --> 01:12:11,065
I-I don't know.
What-what do you think?
1408
01:12:11,196 --> 01:12:12,806
Where else do you think
it could be?
1409
01:12:14,155 --> 01:12:15,983
Hello?
1410
01:12:16,070 --> 01:12:19,857
Oh, it has to be my
mother's secret garden.
1411
01:12:19,944 --> 01:12:20,988
- Hm.
1412
01:12:33,740 --> 01:12:36,177
Levi, did you do this?
1413
01:12:39,616 --> 01:12:44,185
I figured if you're going
to revive her retreat,
1414
01:12:44,316 --> 01:12:46,884
you might wanna revive her
favorite place to write, too.
1415
01:12:50,278 --> 01:12:52,890
Levi, I...
I don't know what to say.
1416
01:12:52,977 --> 01:12:55,588
- D-did my dad...
- Yeah.
1417
01:12:55,675 --> 01:12:58,025
I talked to him this morning
and he said I could.
1418
01:12:58,112 --> 01:13:00,593
He said you were ready,
and if you were, he was, too.
1419
01:13:00,724 --> 01:13:05,293
This is amazing, you know,
it's even more magical
1420
01:13:05,381 --> 01:13:06,947
than I remember it
when I was a kid.
1421
01:13:07,078 --> 01:13:09,776
And where did you find
two turtledoves?
1422
01:13:09,907 --> 01:13:12,823
Oh, um, you know,
Santa's secret stockings.
1423
01:13:12,910 --> 01:13:15,086
- Duh!
- Oh. Is that so?
1424
01:13:15,216 --> 01:13:17,305
- Mm-hmm.
- Wait, there it is!
1425
01:13:17,393 --> 01:13:18,263
Oh!
1426
01:13:19,569 --> 01:13:21,397
Ah!
1427
01:13:22,310 --> 01:13:23,311
All right.
1428
01:13:23,747 --> 01:13:27,315
- You do the honors.
- Hm.
1429
01:13:27,403 --> 01:13:32,103
Mistletoe?
Jeez, dad. How original.
1430
01:13:32,190 --> 01:13:35,106
You know, the moment
kinda writes itself already.
1431
01:13:35,236 --> 01:13:36,412
Your piece on her mother
1432
01:13:36,542 --> 01:13:37,674
certainly won't write itself,
though.
1433
01:13:37,761 --> 01:13:42,461
- I'm sorry?
- I'm sorry, Mikaela.
1434
01:13:42,548 --> 01:13:44,463
And I'm sorry
I read your journal,
1435
01:13:44,550 --> 01:13:48,772
but, honestly, I would've
expected more from you.
1436
01:13:54,604 --> 01:13:57,781
What is she talking about,
piece?
1437
01:13:57,868 --> 01:13:59,173
Look, you know
when I asked yesterday
1438
01:13:59,304 --> 01:14:00,871
if I could at some point
1439
01:14:00,958 --> 01:14:02,612
write a bio or a piece
on your mom's legacy?
1440
01:14:02,742 --> 01:14:06,442
Yeah, but I said
I would think about it.
1441
01:14:06,572 --> 01:14:08,356
Right, and when you said that,
1442
01:14:08,487 --> 01:14:10,358
I knew it wasn't
the right time, so I--
1443
01:14:10,446 --> 01:14:11,751
I-it wasn't the right time
for what?
1444
01:14:11,838 --> 01:14:12,578
What is in that journal?
1445
01:14:12,665 --> 01:14:16,364
Look, Mikaela,
1446
01:14:16,452 --> 01:14:19,759
when I first came
to your workshop,
1447
01:14:19,846 --> 01:14:24,416
I was contracted to do
a retrospect on your mother.
1448
01:14:24,547 --> 01:14:28,028
A little, a little holiday piece
in The Happy Angeleno.
1449
01:14:28,115 --> 01:14:29,203
And at the time it wasn't
something that I thought
1450
01:14:29,334 --> 01:14:30,727
I could write unless you answer
some questions.
1451
01:14:30,814 --> 01:14:34,687
So you had to get close to me
1452
01:14:34,774 --> 01:14:37,385
so you could get the real
inside scoop on her life.
1453
01:14:37,473 --> 01:14:41,085
Mikaela, you know
that site isn't some tabloid,
1454
01:14:41,215 --> 01:14:44,262
some, some gossip.
And I'm not even a reporter.
1455
01:14:44,392 --> 01:14:46,482
We just wanted to share
some fascinating facts
1456
01:14:46,569 --> 01:14:48,875
about your mom's legacy
because so many people love her,
1457
01:14:48,962 --> 01:14:53,489
and so many people wanna know
so much more about her.
1458
01:14:53,576 --> 01:14:56,404
We thought that it would be
something special for everyone
1459
01:14:56,535 --> 01:14:57,710
to hear and to enjoy
during the holidays.
1460
01:14:57,841 --> 01:15:00,931
But it wasn't
your story to tell!
1461
01:15:01,061 --> 01:15:03,281
I know, I know.
1462
01:15:03,368 --> 01:15:04,891
And that's why
I called my boss yesterday
1463
01:15:04,978 --> 01:15:06,327
to tell her
I couldn't do the piece.
1464
01:15:06,414 --> 01:15:09,417
- And that it just wasn't--
- And that what?
1465
01:15:09,548 --> 01:15:13,552
Oh, and that you had fallen
for her daughter
1466
01:15:13,639 --> 01:15:18,035
after using her to get
into the retreat for your piece?
1467
01:15:18,122 --> 01:15:20,559
I mean, w-was any of this real?
1468
01:15:20,690 --> 01:15:24,215
Of course.
Of course it was, Mikaela.
1469
01:15:26,173 --> 01:15:28,001
- I have fallen for you--
- No.
1470
01:15:28,088 --> 01:15:31,962
You are a great liar.
1471
01:15:32,092 --> 01:15:34,878
So how can I believe
anything you say is real?
1472
01:15:35,008 --> 01:15:36,532
Oh, my God.
1473
01:15:36,619 --> 01:15:39,535
You know, you should be
a fiction writer
1474
01:15:39,622 --> 01:15:43,234
because you definitely
had me fooled there.
1475
01:15:45,018 --> 01:15:46,019
Oh.
1476
01:15:53,810 --> 01:15:56,943
- So cute.
1477
01:16:01,469 --> 01:16:02,906
- Don't.
- Mikaela?
1478
01:16:04,472 --> 01:16:06,300
- Excuse me.
- What happened?
1479
01:16:06,431 --> 01:16:07,432
I don't know.
1480
01:16:46,427 --> 01:16:49,300
She didn't come down
for breakfast.
1481
01:16:49,387 --> 01:16:53,173
Right, when her mom left us,
1482
01:16:53,260 --> 01:16:57,221
she, uh, didn't eat for a week.
Couldn't get her to move.
1483
01:16:57,308 --> 01:16:59,832
She just sat and stared out
her window and...
1484
01:16:59,919 --> 01:17:03,140
I don't expect
this is gonna be any different.
1485
01:17:13,324 --> 01:17:15,152
I finished my songs yesterday.
1486
01:17:15,239 --> 01:17:17,502
Was this before or after
you blew up the entire retreat
1487
01:17:17,589 --> 01:17:19,809
because you were upset
over your little crush?
1488
01:17:28,731 --> 01:17:31,342
In her defense,
he was lying to us.
1489
01:18:01,981 --> 01:18:04,027
I'm guessing it's a long shot
to get you to eat,
1490
01:18:04,114 --> 01:18:08,945
but Sharon's recipes
are even better than mine.
1491
01:18:09,075 --> 01:18:11,034
Thanks, daddy.
1492
01:18:11,121 --> 01:18:12,339
- There you go.
- Mm-hmm.
1493
01:18:16,822 --> 01:18:18,563
You come out here
to talk to her?
1494
01:18:19,564 --> 01:18:21,392
Yeah. I guess.
1495
01:18:23,176 --> 01:18:25,178
Not much to say, though.
1496
01:18:25,265 --> 01:18:28,181
Maybe this was all
just a big mistake.
1497
01:18:28,312 --> 01:18:30,357
Oh, don't say that, honey.
1498
01:18:30,488 --> 01:18:35,449
This is some of the most fun
I've had since your mom passed.
1499
01:18:35,580 --> 01:18:37,625
Having all these amazing people
out here,
1500
01:18:37,756 --> 01:18:40,498
they didn't feel like
my normal guests
1501
01:18:40,585 --> 01:18:43,544
that I was giving a hot meal to.
1502
01:18:43,631 --> 01:18:47,026
It started to feel
like... home again.
1503
01:18:47,113 --> 01:18:52,031
- Yeah, it did, didn't it?
- Mm-hmm.
1504
01:18:52,162 --> 01:18:54,294
And this guy Levi,
1505
01:18:54,425 --> 01:18:58,211
I think his feelings for you
are real.
1506
01:18:58,298 --> 01:19:00,779
When he showed up
at the crack of dawn
1507
01:19:00,866 --> 01:19:03,434
wanting to revive
your mother's secret garden?
1508
01:19:05,349 --> 01:19:06,480
You can't fake that, honey.
1509
01:19:06,611 --> 01:19:08,395
But that doesn't change
where his intentions were
1510
01:19:08,482 --> 01:19:09,179
from the start.
1511
01:19:09,266 --> 01:19:11,747
But is it so bad he wants
1512
01:19:11,834 --> 01:19:13,749
to tell your mother's story?
1513
01:19:13,879 --> 01:19:18,101
I mean, you and I haven't been
the best at doing her justice.
1514
01:19:18,188 --> 01:19:21,757
Yeah. I guess
you're right about that.
1515
01:19:25,325 --> 01:19:27,763
I don't know, it's just,
1516
01:19:27,850 --> 01:19:30,809
growing up,
mom was always in the spotlight.
1517
01:19:30,896 --> 01:19:34,465
And then when I grew up,
suddenly I was in the spotlight,
1518
01:19:34,595 --> 01:19:39,078
and, and nothing
ever felt sacred.
1519
01:19:39,209 --> 01:19:41,777
So when we lost her,
1520
01:19:41,907 --> 01:19:44,605
I just wanted to protect that,
1521
01:19:44,736 --> 01:19:46,999
just that little part of her,
1522
01:19:47,086 --> 01:19:50,133
that little part
that we had left.
1523
01:19:50,263 --> 01:19:53,527
Yeah, I guess it's okay
to wanna protect
1524
01:19:53,614 --> 01:19:55,529
the little parts in between
1525
01:19:55,616 --> 01:19:59,664
and how hard it was
for you and me in the end.
1526
01:20:01,840 --> 01:20:04,103
But your mom's life
was so much more
1527
01:20:04,190 --> 01:20:06,062
than what she gave you and me.
1528
01:20:06,149 --> 01:20:09,935
She gave so much to so many.
1529
01:20:11,110 --> 01:20:13,678
Kind of like you're doing now.
1530
01:20:15,462 --> 01:20:17,508
All of those things?
1531
01:20:17,595 --> 01:20:21,120
The gifts that
you and your mother were given,
1532
01:20:21,207 --> 01:20:23,122
they're not just for you and me.
1533
01:20:27,997 --> 01:20:31,522
Thank you, dad,
for being the best.
1534
01:20:31,652 --> 01:20:32,523
Hm.
1535
01:20:39,878 --> 01:20:41,619
- Thanks, dad.
- Of course.
1536
01:20:42,185 --> 01:20:43,360
Mikaela?
1537
01:20:44,927 --> 01:20:46,058
- Hey.
Hey.
1538
01:20:46,189 --> 01:20:49,975
I'm sorry for being me,
sometimes.
1539
01:20:50,062 --> 01:20:53,326
But I think you should see this.
1540
01:20:55,720 --> 01:20:56,677
Okay.
1541
01:21:22,921 --> 01:21:25,663
Cheers to the retreat!
1542
01:21:25,750 --> 01:21:27,056
To the retreat!
1543
01:21:33,366 --> 01:21:37,196
So, what are the chances you
might come out again next year?
1544
01:21:37,283 --> 01:21:40,112
To write your next cookbook,
perhaps?
1545
01:21:40,199 --> 01:21:41,679
Well, I told Mikaela
when I arrived
1546
01:21:41,766 --> 01:21:45,988
that, uh, I would retire here.
1547
01:21:46,075 --> 01:21:49,426
So I'd say
it was very probable.
1548
01:21:50,906 --> 01:21:52,255
Oh.
1549
01:21:52,385 --> 01:21:54,083
No, but I really
do love Broadway.
1550
01:21:54,213 --> 01:21:56,259
- So I'm so excited. I know.
Well, I am too.
1551
01:21:56,389 --> 01:21:58,435
So you can come anytime.
I can't wait, it's...
1552
01:21:58,565 --> 01:22:01,917
Look at the two.
Look at Mitchell.
1553
01:22:02,047 --> 01:22:05,094
So, you two gonna write this
script together now or what?
1554
01:22:05,181 --> 01:22:07,879
Uh, I think so.
1555
01:22:08,010 --> 01:22:09,446
Keifer's just really good
with details in a way
1556
01:22:09,533 --> 01:22:11,535
that I am not.
1557
01:22:11,665 --> 01:22:13,667
I also think I might
be moving to Los Angeles soon.
1558
01:22:13,798 --> 01:22:17,193
I just have to figure out
a real job first.
1559
01:22:17,280 --> 01:22:19,151
Oh, don't worry about that.
We'll help you find something.
1560
01:22:19,238 --> 01:22:21,545
Oh, well,
I can help you with a job.
1561
01:22:21,632 --> 01:22:24,548
I'm looking for an
LA assistant myself right now
1562
01:22:24,678 --> 01:22:26,245
for when I go back to New York
in the spring
1563
01:22:26,332 --> 01:22:28,900
and I think that you would
just be perfect for it.
1564
01:22:28,987 --> 01:22:30,162
- Seriously?
- Yeah.
1565
01:22:30,293 --> 01:22:32,164
You say the words,
and it's yours.
1566
01:22:32,295 --> 01:22:34,950
- Just like Christmas magic!
1567
01:22:35,037 --> 01:22:36,473
See? Told you
this is how it works.
1568
01:22:36,603 --> 01:22:37,778
It's all about who you know.
1569
01:22:37,909 --> 01:22:39,302
Well, then to who you know.
1570
01:22:39,389 --> 01:22:41,869
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
1571
01:22:41,957 --> 01:22:44,089
Oh, and what are the chances
1572
01:22:44,176 --> 01:22:46,483
we can get you to sing
your new song for us?
1573
01:22:46,613 --> 01:22:49,703
Oh, please!
1574
01:22:49,834 --> 01:22:51,270
It would be an honor.
1575
01:22:51,357 --> 01:22:52,663
- Yes!
- Oh, yay!
1576
01:22:52,750 --> 01:22:56,058
- Now.
- Okay. All right.
1577
01:23:07,156 --> 01:23:12,074
♪ Counting down the days
for the seasons to change ♪
1578
01:23:12,161 --> 01:23:16,774
♪ I feel a love that's true
it makes the heart feel new ♪
1579
01:23:16,861 --> 01:23:21,692
♪ Years can fade away
but the memories will stay ♪
1580
01:23:21,822 --> 01:23:25,391
♪ No matter how far how apart ♪
1581
01:23:25,478 --> 01:23:30,875
♪ I know love will find a way ♪
1582
01:23:30,962 --> 01:23:36,228
♪ Love will find a way ♪
1583
01:23:36,315 --> 01:23:42,147
♪ Love will find a way ♪
1584
01:23:42,278 --> 01:23:45,498
♪ Love will always ♪
1585
01:23:45,585 --> 01:23:49,546
♪ Find a way ♪
1586
01:23:58,207 --> 01:23:59,208
So...
1587
01:24:00,948 --> 01:24:03,429
why are you back here, Levi?
1588
01:24:03,560 --> 01:24:05,605
Well, I didn't come back
for my folder,
1589
01:24:05,692 --> 01:24:08,434
which I honestly was planning
to shred when I got back.
1590
01:24:08,521 --> 01:24:09,392
You were just planning
to shred it?
1591
01:24:09,479 --> 01:24:11,394
Yeah, I was,
until your dad asked me
1592
01:24:11,524 --> 01:24:11,568
to come back 'cause I forgot it.
1593
01:24:11,698 --> 01:24:13,918
Oh.
1594
01:24:14,005 --> 01:24:15,659
So my father is the reason
1595
01:24:15,746 --> 01:24:18,662
that you returned.
1596
01:24:18,749 --> 01:24:21,534
It's only short-lived, I swear.
1597
01:24:21,621 --> 01:24:24,537
That is, unless
my one true Christmas wish
1598
01:24:24,668 --> 01:24:27,453
to be forgiven is in the cards.
1599
01:24:27,540 --> 01:24:31,588
So, you had one wish,
to be let in to the retreat,
1600
01:24:31,718 --> 01:24:33,068
and now you have another wish,
1601
01:24:33,198 --> 01:24:36,071
to be forgiven
and to be able to stay?
1602
01:24:36,158 --> 01:24:38,551
I never said anything
about staying,
1603
01:24:38,638 --> 01:24:40,771
but considering the snow
that's coming in,
1604
01:24:40,858 --> 01:24:43,295
that might be nice as well.
1605
01:24:43,382 --> 01:24:44,818
I read the retrospect.
1606
01:24:44,905 --> 01:24:48,909
Old-school
messy handwriting, too.
1607
01:24:48,996 --> 01:24:51,521
Impressive.
1608
01:24:51,651 --> 01:24:53,436
My mother would have been proud
of the story
1609
01:24:53,566 --> 01:24:55,351
you're trying to tell
about her life.
1610
01:24:55,481 --> 01:24:59,616
To be honest, I'm just sad
it's taken me this long
1611
01:24:59,703 --> 01:25:01,313
to be able to share it, too.
1612
01:25:01,444 --> 01:25:04,534
Look, I'm sorry for taking
advantage of that trust.
1613
01:25:04,664 --> 01:25:09,365
The things you shared to me
about you, her, the retreat...
1614
01:25:09,452 --> 01:25:12,063
Those were stories
that needed to be told.
1615
01:25:12,150 --> 01:25:14,805
So thank you
for bringing them back to life.
1616
01:25:16,023 --> 01:25:17,764
For bringing me
back to life, Levi.
1617
01:25:17,851 --> 01:25:19,940
Hey.
1618
01:25:20,027 --> 01:25:24,293
You finishing your book,
that's all you.
1619
01:25:25,903 --> 01:25:28,645
I'm in awe of you, Mikaela.
1620
01:25:31,648 --> 01:25:32,823
By the way,
did you, did you finish it?
1621
01:25:32,910 --> 01:25:34,912
- I did.
- Oh, yeah?
1622
01:25:34,999 --> 01:25:38,698
Okay, so look,
I got one question
1623
01:25:38,785 --> 01:25:39,873
because a lot of people
are gonna be asking...
1624
01:25:39,960 --> 01:25:41,005
Mm-hmm.
1625
01:25:42,398 --> 01:25:43,703
Did Maya finally find love?
1626
01:25:43,790 --> 01:25:45,923
She did.
1627
01:25:46,010 --> 01:25:49,056
And it was with that
pain-in-the-butt Jerome
1628
01:25:49,144 --> 01:25:51,668
that she never got along with.
1629
01:25:51,798 --> 01:25:55,846
The one that challenged her,
1630
01:25:55,933 --> 01:25:57,848
the one that made her
challenge herself.
1631
01:25:57,935 --> 01:26:02,418
But I am glad
that Maya finally got
1632
01:26:02,505 --> 01:26:04,289
her happily ever after.
1633
01:26:04,376 --> 01:26:07,988
So what about you?
Are you gonna find yours?
1634
01:26:10,382 --> 01:26:13,516
How about we start
1635
01:26:13,603 --> 01:26:16,823
by going to your grams'
crazy holiday party tomorrow?
1636
01:26:18,608 --> 01:26:20,262
And then, I don't know...
1637
01:26:21,088 --> 01:26:23,656
figure out the rest
as we go along.
1638
01:26:23,743 --> 01:26:25,658
I like that. Yeah.
1639
01:26:27,443 --> 01:26:29,706
Merry Christmas, Mikaela.
1640
01:26:29,793 --> 01:26:31,011
Merry Christmas.
1641
01:26:43,894 --> 01:26:45,896
You want some?
1642
01:26:56,080 --> 01:27:02,434
♪ Counting down the days
for the seasons to change ♪
1643
01:27:02,521 --> 01:27:07,874
♪ I feel a love that's true
it makes the heart feel new ♪
1644
01:27:08,005 --> 01:27:13,053
♪ Years can fade away
but the memories will stay ♪
1645
01:27:13,184 --> 01:27:15,752
♪ No matter how far how apart ♪
1646
01:27:15,882 --> 01:27:21,105
♪ I know love will find a way ♪
1647
01:27:21,192 --> 01:27:26,284
♪ Love will find a way ♪
1648
01:27:26,371 --> 01:27:32,247
♪ Love will find a way ♪
1649
01:27:32,334 --> 01:27:34,858
♪ Love will always ♪
1650
01:27:34,945 --> 01:27:39,776
♪ Find a way ♪
1651
01:27:50,439 --> 01:27:55,618
♪ I see the guiding light
within the winter's night ♪
1652
01:27:55,748 --> 01:27:57,010
♪ I found
what I was looking for ♪
1653
01:27:57,097 --> 01:28:00,231
♪ But almost lost much more ♪
1654
01:28:00,318 --> 01:28:06,281
♪ But now I see you there
with so much life to share ♪
1655
01:28:06,368 --> 01:28:08,108
♪ And no matter
how far how apart ♪
1656
01:28:08,195 --> 01:28:14,158
♪ I know love will find a way ♪
1657
01:28:14,245 --> 01:28:19,642
♪ Love will find a way ♪
1658
01:28:19,729 --> 01:28:25,648
♪ Love will find a way ♪
1659
01:28:25,735 --> 01:28:29,173
♪ Love will always ♪
1660
01:28:29,260 --> 01:28:33,482
♪ Find a way ♪
1661
01:28:43,927 --> 01:28:48,975
♪ Counting down the days
for the seasons to change ♪
1662
01:28:49,062 --> 01:28:51,674
♪ I feel a love that's true ♪
1663
01:28:51,804 --> 01:28:55,634
♪ I found it all in you ♪