(Christmas music)
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What about this one for my husband?
You do know that you're not married, right?
You're not even dating anyone.
Well, there's three weeks until Christmas, there's still time.
Oh, so you're going to meet a guy, fall in love
and get married in the next three weeks?
Yes. If Santa got my letter.
(laughing)
You know, maybe you should be writing one of your own.
It's been almost a year since you broke off your engagement,
maybe it's time you put yourself out there.
Eve, I haven't even had time to get my own place yet.
I need a minute.
Okay, okay, I get it
but maybe Santa can bring you something else you've been missing.
- Like? - I'm going to show you; come with me.
No. I've got to get these sprinkles to my mom and get to work.
It'll only take a moment, I promise.
(car door shutting)
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas.
Why did you bring us here?
Uh, hard to believe the Mendozas closed this place down, huh?
Yeah, Santa's village, the light festival.
The town has lost a lot of Christmas traditions.
Mm-hmm. Camila Mendoza is a client of mine
and she needs your help.
Does she need a law professor to give a lecture?
Camila and her brothers signed a contract to sell the land
to a company that's not doing what they said they'd do.
Sounds like she needs a lawyer.
Oh, wait, you're a lawyer.
I do family law not property.
Eve, I don't practise anymore.
Oh, come on, you love this stuff.
You were one of the best property law attorneys around.
You did cases for legal aid,
you brought in pro bono work to your law firm,
you fought for the little guy, David versus Goliath.
Well, now I teach future Davids to fight future Goliaths.
Okay, I had to give it a shot.
Okay, I saw cars parked outside the drive-in on our way over here,
do you know what that's about?
Holden!
Ooh, there he is, the man of the hour, huh?
Hope you don't mind, some of the snow cleared this morning.
No, thank you, it was good thinking.
Last thing I want is for the COO of Excelsia
to be trudging around here in knee-deep snow.
You know, once Excelsia builds their distribution centre,
think of all the presents that are gonna pass through here,
you're making holiday dreams come true, Holden.
Yeah, right, I'm just like Santa Claus.
How long do we have with their COO?
We have about an hour,
she just wants to take a tour of the property
before we sign the contracts.
Anything you want me to cover?
You're the mayor, Bobby,
just talk to the town like you always do.
- Hey, I'm good at that. - You are.
Feeling nostalgic?
No, not really. I mean, this was my dad's place, not mine.
Hm, you know this distribution centre is a huge win for Brennington,
but people are going to miss the drive-in.
Yeah, not enough people, okay? Nobody comes here anymore.
I've looked at the books; my dad was keeping this place afloat with his savings.
You should take a look at the town's anniversary exhibit,
there's a great picture of you and your dad down there.
Okay, where's that?
The library at the college.
Today's the last day before winter break
so you should probably hurry if you want to see it.
Okay, great, I'll take a look once we're done here.
Oh!
Show time.
(♪)
Mom, I got your sprinkles.
Those are for Luke.
Wow, this is how I imagine Santa's kitchen must look like.
Thanks, I'm catering a Christmas party for 150 people tonight
and the profiteroles won't make themselves.
Can you get the lumps out of that?
Uh, and what's wrong with your kitchen?
It caught fire.
It didn't catch fire,
the oven overheated just a tiny little bit.
A fire extinguisher was used, ergo it caught fire.
Sadie, please, Charlie Decker is going to let me use the food truck
that he doesn't use in the winter
but until then, Mom's kitchen is all I've got
and everything is taking twice as long as it should.
Okay, but I have to get to work, I... you got this.
What?
Hey, don't give up before the miracle.
No, no, you showing up was the miracle.
(sighing) - Two minutes.
Thank you. (rattling)
Have you guys heard anything about the drive-in?
There were cars parked outside this morning and the gate was open.
Oh, maybe Holden's back in town.
Do you think he's selling it?
Holden, you know she was in love.
Luke--
He was the first boy that she ever kissed.
How would you know that?
You did, didn't you? You read my diary, I knew it.
I was your bratty little brother, of course, I did.
Come on, come on, come on.
I remember you and Holden being an item, and then?
And then he went off to college.
- Well, let me ask around. - Thank you.
Okay, look, I'm- I got to go, I'm sorry.
- Profiteroles! - Not a creature was stirring,
especially sisters whose little brothers read their diaries.
I... I'm never going to get this all done.
I believe in you.
(♪)
Lots of space to expand, Kendra,
14 beautiful, beautiful acres,
easy access to the highway,
long driveway, like you needed, huh?
And the centre of town is just a mile from here.
- Relax, Mr. Mayor, I think it's perfect. - Oh.
You do have other properties, though, right, Holden?
We do, our company has holdings all over the Northeast.
Hm, well, we're in a very aggressive growth mode.
This works out, I think I could keep you very busy.
Sounds good to me, I like busy.
(laughing)
This uh, historic designation isn't going to be a problem, is it?
Oh, no, no, no.
The state local government sets the rules, but it's different everywhere.
Here, being registered historic
doesn't mean that it can't be sold or even torn down.
It just means that the local historic commission has to approve the plans.
And the local commission is?
Is meeting this afternoon,
and I'm on the commission,
so uh, it's just a formality really.
Hm.
Just a formality.
I think we have some contracts to sign.
- I think we do. - Let's do it.
(chuckling)
Okay, let's say the abominable snowman wanted to sue Santa over who owns the North Pole.
Now, Santa could hire an elf to be his lawyer,
but the snowman couldn't.
'Cause the elf would want Santa to win, it's a conflict of interest.
In fact, even if the elf just drew up the contract,
it could be voided and thrown out completely.
You know, I think the moral of the story is:
property law saved Christmas.
(laughter) I mean, I'm just saying.
Have a good break, guys,
Merry Christmas.
(soft music)
Hey.
(soft music)
(gasps)
(clatter)
(clears throat)
Sadie.
- Holden. - Hi.
Hi!
Wow.
(He chuckles.) How are you?
I'm, um, uh... wow, what has it been, like 20 years?
Uh, that sounds about right, yeah.
Sorry, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Chicago.
I was. How did you know that?
I, you know, might've looked you up on social media a couple times.
My dad would tell me things, so yeah.
Oh, of course.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thanks.
I was very fond of your dad.
Uh, I wanted to make it back for the funeral
but I had a court case and couldn't get out of it and...
It's alright, he would've understood. He was very fond of you too.
Um, and he told me that you were like this big-time lawyer
and like, you know, you got engaged.
- Oh, I'm not anymore. - Oh.
Either of those things, actually.
- Ah. - Yeah, no,
I gave up my law practise about a year ago
and um, I moved back here to Brennington over the summer, I'm teaching here now.
Wow, okay, well, that's great.
Yeah, oh it's great, it's good.
- Good. - Yeah, I love it. Yeah...
Okay.
I may have looked you up once or twice also.
(chuckles) So, you are a big-time
hotshot real estate developer now, huh?
- Yeah, that's right. - Yeah.
No, no, not a big shot by any stretch of the imagination,
but yes, real estate.
So, what brings you to town?
Oh, I'm just here to settle up some stuff with the estate and so...
I saw this great picture of you and your dad.
Oh, yeah.
How old were you in that shot?
Uh... I don't know... four?
I went to the drive-in as often as I could,
but growing up there from such a young age,
that must've been magical.
When it reopens this spring, I will be first in line.
Good. I should get going.
Me too.
Yeah, but it was good seeing you.
Yep, you too, I mean, I'd say we should catch up
but uh, I'm leaving tomorrow.
- Next time you're in town. - Yeah, next time.
Merry Christmas.
You too.
(soft music)
(sighing)
(phone ringing)
Hey, Mom.
I just talked to Marie Cunningham, remember Marie?
She's the one who puts all the dancing elves out on her lawn at Christmas.
(chuckles) - Yeah, hard to forget that.
Well, she heard from Adele Meyers
that the drive-in's being sold and it's going to get torn down.
What?
Um, wait, wait, wait, Adele Meyers from the bakery?
Well, she's also the head of the Brennington historic commission.
Anyway, they're meeting about it this afternoon
and, uh... Holden's supposed to be there.
Oh, I bet he is.
Um, I'm gonna call you back.
(♪)
(sighs)
(indistinct chatter)
(♪)
Hey.
Adele, Merry Christmas.
Mr. Mayor, Merry Christmas.
Should be a rather quick meeting, I think everyone on the committee's on board here.
It's a great opportunity for the town,
all those jobs it'll create.
Lots of new residents I'd imagine.
Absolutely.
You know I'd bet they'd love,
a nice outdoor dining patio at my bakery
where they could enjoy some freshly made goodies.
Adele, I've told you that's up to the planning commission to approve.
But they don't meet until February.
It'll be too late to get the patio done by spring.
Now, if the mayor encouraged them to call a special session.
You know how Tom runs that commission.
He's not going to change it just because I asked him to.
Alright.
(gavel banging)
Okay.
Should the historic commission approve the demolition of McCarthy drive-in?
Speaking in favour?
Good afternoon, uh, my name's Holden McCarthy.
My father was Cole McCarthy.
Look, I'll be brief.
By now you've all seen the proposal for the Excelsia distribution centre.
Unfortunately, this region has suffered an economic downturn lately,
but I firmly believe that can be the thing that turns that all around.
This will provide hundreds of jobs
and while I know that losing the drive-in might be sad for some of you...
I truly believe that this will be a good thing
for Brennington, so, thank you.
Thank you, Holden.
Uh, are there any speakers against the proposal?
Hi, I'm Sadie Walker.
I'm an attorney and professor specializing in property law.
In fact, I'm the one who secured the historic designation for the drive-in two years ago,
at the request of Cole McCarthy.
Look, I could stand up here and talk to you things like
equitable conversion and restraint on alienation,
but we'd be here all day and nobody wants that.
What I'd really like to talk to you about is...
Christmas.
(both): Christmas?
Yeah, Christmas.
It's all about friends and neighbours coming together in a shared experience
and creating memories that last a lifetime.
The McCarthy drive-in is like Christmas.
It's a place where the community comes together,
there's people laughing together, getting teary eyed together
or holding hands and falling in love.
Our traditions are the people and the places that bind us.
Christmas is a beautiful tradition
and so is the drive-in.
If that goes away,
how could that possibly be a good thing for Brennington?
Thank you.
(clapping)
Thank you, Miss Walker.
That was very inspirational.
I move we take a recess to confer and uh,
grab some dinner. We'll reconvene afterward.
(gavel banging)
(indistinct chatter)
Thank you.
Can I talk to you for a sec?
So... what are you doing?
What are you doing? Trying to tear down the drive-in?
I'm not tearing it down, I'm selling it.
To someone who wants to tear it down.
Holden, the drive-in is important to this town
and by the way, it meant everything to your father.
Okay, look, this is a business decision, okay?
I don't live here, right.
I can't run it and even if I did,
this place hasn't been profitable in years, so it...
Sadie, it doesn't make any sense to keep it open.
Wow, you were really just going to bail on it, huh?
Break everyone's heart and just run off to the next big thing.
Well, history repeats itself.
Well, if it does, uh,
then I guess you'll just be chasing after the next shiny thing
that comes along, won't you? - What?
Look, this is not gonna happen.
I'm pretty sure it is gonna happen, Sadie, the contact's already been signed.
That's irrelevant. (Holden sighs.)
I think it's pretty relevant
and the commission's gonna rule in my favour.
The commission's gonna rule in my favour,
did you see their faces when I was talking?
No, they care about this, unlike you.
I-I think they're all on my side.
- Wouldn't be so sure. - I'm pretty sure.
- Don't think so. - Get ready to void those contracts.
Okay.
David, Goliath.
(soft music)
(gavel banging)
Well, uh, I'm sorry to say, we have not reached a decision.
So, we have a new motion.
Miss Walker.
Since the commission is split,
it's gonna be up to you to make your case.
If you believe the drive-in is more important to the town
than the distribution centre would be,
you're gonna have to prove it.
Oh, okay, um... how?
You equated the drive-in to Christmas
and that's coming up in three weeks.
So, in the spirit of the holiday,
you'll have until then
to show Brennington why it shouldn't be demolished.
Well, uh... w-wait you, you want me to do what?
Prove that the drive-in is the important gathering place
that creates... uh, how did you put it?
Um, memories that last a lifetime.
Yes, yes, uh... but, it um... it's winter. (laughing)
So it's really cold outside and the drive is covered in snow.
We can't delay this decision until next summer, Miss Walker.
We're giving you a chance here.
Yeah, yes, yes and I-I... I truly appreciate that.
Um, you know what I would like to suggest is
a committee be formed to study this issue
as it pertains to defeasible estate
and the doctrine of worthy retitle--
I thought you said this wasn't about property law?
It's about Christmas, remember?
Yes, I did say that.
Besides, we're not going to fund a study
or the operation of the drive-in.
That's going to be up to you and Mr. McCarthy.
What? No, I'm trying to sell it.
Yes, but if she has to prove that the drive-in has value,
then you have to prove it doesn't.
You need to put in a good-faith effort to make the business work.
Otherwise, how do we know that you have the town's best interest in mind?
It could impact our vote on whether to allow the Excelsia plan to proceed.
All in favour of giving Miss Walker and Mr. McCarthy three weeks
to prove their cases, raise your hand.
Okay, against?
There you have it.
See you in three weeks, good luck.
(gavel banging)
(sighing)
Adele, you're just doing this to get back at me, aren't you?
Oh no, Mr. Mayor.
I was genuinely moved by what Sadie Walker said.
Anything else is just a bonus.
(♪)
Alright, have you seen Holden?
We're supposed to meet here soon and go to the drive-in.
You're still coming later, right?
Yeah, yeah, you're really going to try to open tonight?
Well, apparently it's the only way to make sure
Holden can't sell to Excelsia, so, the sooner we start the better.
You're sure you can't just talk him out of it, reason with him,
bat your eyes as you pretty please?
I wish.
No, I-I don't even know him anymore.
But it doesn't matter, it's not up to him.
He's signed his deal. Now it's up to the historic commission, that's who we're gonna impress.
Okay, but even if you can somehow prove to them it's worth saving,
he could still just sell it, right?
Yeah, but not to anybody who could tear it down.
His father wanted this drive-in to be here for future generations
and that is what I'm gonna do.
You uh, sure that's the McCarthy you're doing this for?
Hi, hi.
Santa passing out candy canes in a parking lot,
this is the big Brennington Christmas event?
Well, the Mendoza tree farm used to do everything so we didn't have to.
By the time we found out they were closing,
we didn't have the time or the budget to do anything else.
You know what, just go with it? - What choice do I have?
- Hey, oh, have you talked to Kendra? - Yeah.
- Yeah? - She's not happy.
I don't know why Sadie's getting involved with this.
Is this about when you two dated in high school?
Because it seemed pretty serious at the time.
Yeah, well, it was, you know.
We'd known each other since we were kids
and then we finally got together our senior year and it was just the best.
Went to the Christmas dance, the prom...
there was all that magic the first time you fall in love.
So, why did you and Holden break up?
Uh...
I was going into my senior year, he was going off to college.
So, you know, I guess that kind of thing happens, right?
It was kind of weird.
You know, we... we dated most of my junior year
and we had this like, amazing summer, you know,
he was my first real boyfriend.
The night before he left for college,
we were supposed to meet at the drive-in actually.
Yeah, but um, he didn't show, he stood me up.
And when I get there, she's kissing another guy.
Oh, ouch.
- Yeah. - Wow.
- Donald Kopeki. - Oh man, I remember him.
Yeah.
Uh, what'd you do?
Ah, nothing, I chickened out, I couldn't face her and I...
(sighing) I just felt so betrayed.
I tried calling but she never picked up.
Yeah, he didn't return any of my calls, my texts,
he just left for college and left me behind.
- Clearly, I'm over it, right, right? - Clearly.
And what she doesn't understand is... none of this is important right now.
What is important is that we get this Excelsia deal done for the town.
Sadie has to make the drive-in work in the dead of winter,
you got nothing to worry about.
This drive-in thing is going to be a challenge
but I, you know, I really think the town will turn out for it.
Just do the bare minimum, hire a snow plow,
uh, show Sadie how to turn on the projector and... oh!
(bells jingling) - Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!
Okay, but uh, just in case,
maybe make that your Christmas wish to Santa.
(jingle bells, applause)
Luke.
Holden.
Sadie.
Holden.
(♪)
Okay, okay.
Alright, so we'll just need to clear some snow.
Yeah, uh, Bobby says he knows a guy.
Okay, great.
Um, alright, the equipment;
projector, FM transmitter, is it all in good working condition?
- As far as I know. I'll check it out just to make sure. - Okay, uh...
I know people listen to the movie in their car radios, but these are so great.
Is there any way to get one of these things up and running again?
I doubt it.
Okay, alright, uh, okay, the snack bar.
- Uh-huh. - We need popcorn, hot dogs,
I want all the usual suspect. I want to try to make this as much like,
you know, a normal drive-in experience as possible.
Only, on ice!
Right, well, that's okay,
we'll serve hot beverages like you know, coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider.
Uh... we don't have a coffee maker or a hot chocolate fountain thing
and whatever you make a cider in, I don't know.
We can get those things by tonight, it's not a big deal.
Okay, it's just... (mumbling)
Look, Adele said you have to put in a good-faith effort so...
This is what good-faith effort... what?
Okay, fine, fine, fine, okay.
(sighing)
I'll meet you in the middle; we'll get a coffee maker
but I'm not getting the hot chocolate or the cider maker.
I'll let the cider go, but the hot chocolate is non-negotiable.
Okay, fine, fine, fine, fine, hot chocolate.
Okay good, so, marketing.
Uh, in terms of getting people here for the opening tonight,
I've made some calls, my mom's made some calls,
but I was thinking to drum up business for the next few weeks,
maybe we could run a commercial on local TV.
No, no.
Uh, how about we pass some flyers around town?
That's not going to be enough.
Sadie, look,
I'm just trying to be realistic about costs,
I realize you want to make this place a success,
but that also includes turning a profit, okay, that's just basic business.
So, unless you have some grand plan
of having a bunch of people work for free.
Uh, I do actually, they'll be here in about 20 minutes.
Thank you so much for coming out to help.
This is a really long list, we only have like, what, seven hours?
It's a lot but I think we can do it.
Luke, thank you so much for this hot apple cider.
- No, no, I'm good. - To Christmas at the drive-in!
(everyone): To Christmas at the drive-in!
(laughing)
We're not getting a cider maker.
Hey, come on, if we're going to open this up, we got some work to do.
(♪)
So, I guess you're extending your stay.
Yeah, for about three weeks thanks to you.
Right, so where are you living now?
I'm not.
Never mind.
You know, I-I was just trying to make conversation.
No, I just mean I don't have a full-time residence anywhere.
A real estate developer without real estate, how does that work?
I just mean that my company has residential and commercial properties
all over the Northeast,
so I stay in whatever one of those is convenient.
- But, like, you don't have a house, or apartment, or? - No.
I mean our offices are in New York, so, that's my North Pole, so to speak.
So then I guess... no Mrs. Claus?
No, I've never been all that good at sharing my workshop.
Why does that not surprise me?
And you, any jolly old fat man in your life?
(laughing)
Uh, no, no.
I thought found one, but it turns out
he was not the right guy to fill those particular boots.
Ah, I wonder why.
So you like being back in Brennington?
- I do, yeah, it's different. - Different?
Good, you know, good different.
Why'd you give up practising law?
I just thought it was time for a change.
Hm, I mean, it's what you wanted to do when we were kids.
You said you wanted to be a defender of justice, right?
Yeah, but you know, that's just 'cause I thought I'd look good in a cape.
I think the first time I ever saw you, you were wearing a cape.
I think you were nine years old.
Yeah, the school costume parade.
- Mm-hmm. - I can't believe you remember that.
Are you kidding me? Tough thing to forget.
(hissing)
Did I do that?
Yeah, and you made that noise.
(laughing) - I did not.
You did, you totally made a noise, you went... (hissing)
No, I...
When I asked you about it, you said,
"'Cause that's what defenders of justice sound like."
And I was like, "They sound like static?"
That's what you said. - I was nine, okay!
Right, with a very active imagination.
- Very good memory. - Yeah.
So, do you miss it, being a lawyer?
You know, teaching is actually very fulfilling.
I'm preparing the next generation of cape wearers.
- Oh. - Oh.
Uh... hot dogs all clean?
- Yes. - Pop corn is clean?
- Good. - I should go check the projector.
- Yeah. - This is clean.
Great, good.
(Christmas music)
All set? Okay, good, good.
Hey! See? Just like summer.
- Yeah, just like it. - Yeah.
(shuddering) - You realize it's way too cold for anybody to show up, right?
It's not that cold. (panting)
(car horn tooting)
Oh! Sounds like they're anxious to get in,
we should open those gates, huh?
Alright, okay.
(panting)
(♪)
Welcome to the McCarthy Drive-in!
- Wow... three cars. - Woo-hoo! Let's do this!
- Yeah. - Yeah!
(♪)
You know what the problem was?
Opening a drive-in during the winter?
No, I mean, I did some research but not on the right things.
I would never walk into court unprepared.
Well, court is rarely held outside at night when it's 14 degrees.
Okay, we were thinking that drive-ins were just a summertime thing, right?
But I called around and it turns out that there are drive-ins that are open all year round.
In places where it snows so hard, you can't see the street?
Yes, yes, Pennsylvania, Michigan
and I called them and they gave me great ideas on how to adapt to the weather.
Okay, such as?
Well, there's a lot of things, like um...
electric heaters, blankets to snuggle under.
We can upgrade the projectors
so that it's brighter and you can more easily see the movie in the snow
and concessions.
I mean, theatres make a huge profit on concessions,
so we are gonna up our food game.
In that tiny little snack bar?
Well, Luke said he has a friend
who can lend us a food truck he doesn't use in the winter.
You know, that sounds like a lot of work
that's not exactly in your wheelhouse, but you know what is?
(sighing)
A property law case for Camila Mendoza.
Eve, I just... I just don't have time.
(sighing)
I mean, I, there's, there's so much stuff I have to buy.
Wait, are you putting your own money into this?
Maybe.
Even if this crazy plan works,
the drive-in isn't yours to keep.
I know, I just I... I believe in this.
This town needs the drive-in and I want to save it.
I have to try.
Besides I'm going to get Holden to pay for at least part of it. - Yes.
Now, he's all about business, right?
So, I made a presentation
and the numbers look pretty good.
He won't say no to that.
No.
Holden, it's all right there in the presentation,
it's some heaters, some blankets, it's not that much.
Are you kidding me? This is like 20 pages long, Sadie.
It's five pages.
Okay, then it's still four and a half pages too long.
I... it's Christmas, don't be a Scrooge.
- I'm not being a Scrooge. - Yes, you kind of are.
- Hi. - Hi. - Adele! Hi.
Is this all for the drive-in?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah, there's... - You've been busy.
(both): Yeah.
- How's it going? - Uh, great.
I mean, we just got a little, minor little things that we're gonna go over and--
- Working it out. - Working it out.
Yeah.
Well, I can't wait to see what you come up with.
(laughing) - Yeah, thanks.
Okay, look, Sadie, I am not being a Scrooge.
What I am saying is you have to start treating this like a business
because you know, it is one.
Okay, first of all, Mr. Scrooge,
if you read the research,
you'll see that it does make sense financially.
It actually does!
But the truth is, it is so much more than that.
Oh, okay, I get it, so it's more than a business.
It's a movie theatre,
it's all about the fantasy, you know,
it's like not knowing what's going to happen
but imagining the possibilities and then the surprise when you find out.
Oh, so it's like a Christmas present?
Yes, it is like a Christmas present.
(sighing)
What's the best Christmas present you ever got?
Snorkle.
I was eight, I wanted to be a marine biologist
but then I saw way too many shark movies as a kid.
Huh.
What?
- Uh, nothing. - What?
I just, there was a movie like that playing
when you kissed me for the first time.
Look, I remember the movie but...
let's get it straight, you kissed me.
Uh no, no, no, you definitely kissed me.
- What? - Wait, I got scared
and you put your arm around me and then you kissed me.
Okay, you can remember this however you want, but you're wrong.
- No, I'm not. - Well...
The point is,
going to a movie at the drive-in,
is like Christmas morning, you never know what might happen next.
Oh, it's like a box of chocolate.
(♪)
(Christmas music)
(Holden sighs.)
Okay, it actually frightens me to say this,
but I agree with some of what you've written in this business proposal,
especially the stuff about the concessions.
Yes, yes, it's a huge opportunity.
Alright, my brother can get a food truck and I was thinking,
in order to attract more attention to the concessions,
we could decorate it, you know, with a few strings of lights.
Okay, whoa, whoa, how many is a few?
We're gonna need a bigger basket.
(laughing) - Yeah, I see what you did there. No, okay, look,
I don't agree with everything you have in this business proposal
but the stuff I do agree with, I'll pay for those upgrades.
Okay, I was going to talk to you about this.
So I'm willing to put my money where my big ideas are-- - Sadie, no.
These are investments to my property, I will pay for these upgrades.
Investments you wouldn't be making if it weren't for me.
So, let's split it 50/50. - Sadie, you earn a teacher's salary, okay.
There's no reason for you to spend your money on dumb stuff
like a cider maker, no.
First of all, it's a professor's salary
and I have savings so I can pull my own weight on this.
Okay, fine 80/20.
60/40.
70/30,
and when the historic commission rules in my favour,
I reimburse you for your expenses.
70/30, when the historic commission rules in my favour,
every time I go to the drive-in, I get free apple cider.
(wheezing, then chuckling)
Okay, I will get the permit for the food truck
and you can hand out flyers to anyone who comes by
and remember, it's Christmas,
so be merry, smile,
sing Jingle Bells or something.
I'm not going to sing.
You know, you used to love to sing,
you used to love Christmas. You dressed up like Santa.
Yeah, when I was kid, okay?
Well, what happened to that Holden anyway, huh?
Where did he go?
(chuckles) - What do you want me to be like you all of the time,
just happy, always in the Christmas spirit?
Not always.
I mean, I got away from it for a little while
but you know, I'm here in Brennington now living at my mom's and it's just...
So, you moved home home.
Yeah, it's just temporary till I find my own place.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
How's that?
You know, it's actually really, really nice living with my mom.
(soft music)
I bet.
Thinking about your dad?
Yeah.
You know, he loved Christmas.
He was... he'd always ask people like,
"What are you doing for the holidays?"
and "Hey, what'd you ask Santa for?"
He was just really good at connecting.
He was really good at connecting with people no matter who they were.
That's one of the things I love about Christmas.
It's like this through line that connects us all.
Yeah.
Come on, you got to go get that permit thing
before the office closes, alright.
Yes, okay, I will and um... remember: be merry.
Okay, looks good.
This is good.
(sighing) - Alright, come on out to McCarthy drive-in!
You're going to love it. Come on out.
McCarthy drive-in. Here you go, McCarthy drive-in.
She's got you handing out flyers?
Yeah, but look, Bobby... Hey!
They said, "Make a good-faith effort." Remember?
Besides, you're the one who said this is going to be a slam dunk.
I am doing what I can here. Come on out, McCarthy drive-in.
- Are you having second thoughts about selling? - Of course not, Bobby!
Even if I was, we've signed the contracts, there's no way I can get out of that.
We've got to be careful here, alright?
Is she gets enough of the town excited about this, we're in trouble.
Look, it is still a drive-in movie theatre in the middle of winter,
that's a pretty tough sell. There you go, sir. - You are selling it.
Bobby, relax, the historic commission wants me to make a good-faith effort, okay?
Here I am.
Besides, Sadie's got a few wacky ideas
that are kind of hard to say no to.
There you are sir, McCarthy drive-in;
we're showing a good movie tonight.
The ideas are hard to say no to or Sadie is?
McCarthy drive-in, you're gonna love it!
They're not gonna love it.
(flyers rustling)
Okay, we got the heaters, we got the blankets.
Yeah, ready and waiting.
Alright, we got warm and toasty goodies at the snack bar.
Yeah, we got gourmet hot chocolate and warm cookies and cobblers,
I've been in the food truck over at Charlie's place all day
but it'll be easier tomorrow once the truck's here on the grounds.
Okay, good, good.
Hey, look, guys, we took out a big ad,
we passed out flyers, we put up posters,
let's see if this does the trick.
(car horn honking)
Oh! They open the gates.
(soft music)
- Hi. - Hi.
It's better than last time. - There's only six cars.
It's double than what it was, that's not nothing.
That's not enough.
Well, why did you put up even more Christmas decorations?
I figured you'd go full out with the holiday cheer.
That's a good point.
Thank you.
Uh, hey uh, Holden,
remember what we were talking about
how Christmas creates this immediate connection with people?
Yeah.
Ah! Okay, I know that look.
It means I gotta go get my check book, doesn't it?
Christmas is coming to the drive-in.
(♪)
What? Hey!
How many trees did you get?
All of them.
Can you maybe help explain the uh...
the forest theme we've got going on?
We're embracing Christmas.
See, our problem was that this town doesn't understand
the concept of a drive-in during the winter
but now, we've giving it an identity.
Hm, a national park.
No, a place to celebrate Christmas.
People used to go to the tree farm before but now all they have is--
The Santa passing out candy canes in a parking lot.
Exactly, so we can make this the holiday central for the entire town.
I mean with some Christmas lights, Christmas food at the snack bar.
I got Christmas movies for tonight.
We could... we could host holiday events here.
You really are a dreamer... (chuckling)
Just like my dad.
That's high praise.
So, at what point do I get to complain about how much this is all going to cost?
Oh, that is the brilliance of this plan, my friend,
you see, if everyone comes here to celebrate Christmas,
it'll be very good for business.
(chuckling)
Alright, tell the truth,
you were never a lawyer, you were always in marketing, weren't you?
(laughing)
Actually, they're not so different if you think about it.
Except for much bigger stakes in law, I mean, if you lose a case.
Yeah, I mean, yeah, it can a huge effect on someone's life.
(♪)
Sounds like you know what's that like.
(♪)
Is that why you left Chicago?
No, it was just time for a change, you know.
Sounds like there's a bigger story there, Sadie, to be honest.
I mean, come on, you dropped the guy, you dropped the cape,
what happened?
Have you seen the food truck yet?
(soft music)
Ta dah!
Oh wow, it looks so good, I love it.
Yeah, nice work, Luke.
If you like this, wait until you see the Christmas menu.
Christmas cookies, popcorn balls,
cider, snowman cake pops?
Those sound amazing.
Good, because I have a catering gig
so you two are gonna be making them.
- What? No, I don't cook. - You build things, right?
- Yeah, build things. - Same basic concept, you'll be fine.
- Not really, no. - Yeah, and we have so much to do.
Aren't you the one who told me that concession sales make up
over half the profits? - Yes.
Well, these costs about five cents to make
and we're going to sell them for two bucks.
I like your thinking, sir.
Where's my apron?
You are totally forgiven for that whole diary thing.
Milady.
- Thank you. - Uh-huh.
(♪)
Hey, that's not so bad, good job.
- Oh. - There we go.
Okay, thank you.
Hey, I'm...
I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to touch a nerve or anything.
It's okay, I just... it's just...
You don't have to tell me.
No, it's okay.
About a year ago, I did a case for legal aid
for a woman against the city and a big company.
David versus Goliath.
Something like that.
In this case, Goliath won.
(♪)
Is that because of something you did, or didn't do?
No, I put on the best defence I could and I tried everything
but at the end of the day, she, uh... had to leave her home.
The place where she raised her family, celebrated Christmas.
She had to watch the place she loved get torn down.
(♪)
Well... I'm sorry.
I mean I'd lost cases before but this one just...
it just hit different
and it also happened around the time my engagement ended, so.
I...
it just felt like everything was off track.
Sounds like you needed a course correction.
Yeah.
You know, my dad loved this town
and he always loved drive-ins.
So... this place really was his dream
and I watched him just toil away every single day
trying to make it work and for a while, he was really successful.
Then the world changed but my dad didn't.
And I watched him love a dream that never quite loved him back.
So when I left home I thought, "Well...
dreams sure don't pay for themselves."
I never knew that.
Well, that was my course correction.
And I think ever since then I've just been so focused
on building things out in the world I kind of forgot about building a life.
(soft music)
And now...
here I am,
my dad's literally left me his dream
and for the life of me I can't figure out
if the best way to honour him is to preserve it
or to help the town he loved to prosper.
Maybe you can do both.
Can you?
I don't know.
Do you ever wonder if you over corrected?
(chuckles) - Maybe we both did.
Hey, but look where it landed us.
Snowman cake pops.
(♪)
(laughing)
Oh, they're frosty.
(♪)
(Sadie laughing)
(Sadie): Hey, hello, welcome.
Welcome to the drive-in.
Merry Christmas.
Hello, welcome, welcome, come on in.
This is great!
Welcome.
(♪)
It's a pretty good turn out.
It's not good enough
but it's not over till the historic commission votes in two weeks so we still got time.
You never wanted the movie to end.
What does that mean?
(chuckles)
We'd sit here underneath the stars holding hands,
watching the big screen
and just as the credits were rolling,
you'd get so disappointed.
It was like you never wanted the movie to end.
I guess that's true.
Hey, can I ask you...
...why did you let us end?
What? Um, no, you...
you're the one who stood me up and you didn't return my calls.
Sadie, it's because I saw you kissing another guy.
Excuse me? Um-
We were supposed to meet right here,
it was the Labour Day weekend, the night my dad was doing the fireworks
and then I see you over by the snack bar
kissing Donald Kopeki, come on.
What? Yes, we were supposed to meet that night
but here at your dad's truck and I was here
and I waited for you for hours alone.
Come on, you were wearing the jacket you always wear.
- What jacket? - The one with the yellow flowers, Sadie.
No, actually I lent that jacket to Kathy and she never gave it back to me.
What?
You saw her kissing Donald Kopeki, not me.
You got to be kidding me.
Why didn't you ever talk to me about it?
Look, because, because seeing you
or who I thought was you, broke my heart.
That night broke my heart too.
That's um...
...that's weird.
I mean, obviously, it doesn't matter now,
it's ancient history, it's...
It's ancient history.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
Yeah...
Well, uh, anyway,
we have to figure out how to fill up these empty parking spots, don't we?
Okay, how do you want to do that?
More Christmas.
(sighing)
More Christmas.
Hey, look, it's just...
I think we're maybe overdoing it with the Christmas decorations.
I can't believe you thought I would kiss another guy.
What?
Wait, we're not done talking about that?
No, no, we are, look, it's fine.
Anyway there's no such thing as too much Christmas.
Are you kidding me?
They knew you by name in there, they offered us a line of credit.
At zero percent interest.
And by the way, I did call you afterward.
So, you do want to talk about it.
No, no, I just needed to say that, so...
Okay.
Now you know.
Anyway, um, we're doing great with the Christmas theme
so if we go bigger, we'll get a bigger crowd.
(Holden): Okay. (Sadie sighs) - A month later.
Well, we don't have a month.
No, I mean, you... you called me a month later.
Oh, yeah and you didn't pick up or return my call.
By then...
I mean, I figured, you know, you were at college
and you were probably calling me to get closure or whatever
and I just, I didn't need that. I did not wanna...
I just didn't... I had moved on.
Well, it sounds to me like you'd given up.
Well, maybe we both did.
Maybe.
Anyway, we're not giving up on the drive-in, so look,
I just think, you know, it requires a little more creativity.
We need to find some new ways to connect with the community
and I really think that the toy drive today is going to help with that.
Uh, I don't... you know, to be honest,
I don't really understand
how the toy drive is connecting us to the community.
I mean, it may be one thing if they, I don't know,
got like, something related to the drive-in
for dropping off a toy but-- - Well, give them a free ticket.
That's kind of gonna defeat the goal of trying to sell more tickets, isn't it?
- Yeah, sorry, yeah. - Yes.
Um, okay, fine, then what's your big idea, Mr. Bottomline?
What if we...
...gave them an ornament with their name on it
and then they could put it on one of the trees along that main drive?
Or... or what if we give them an ornament
with the drive-in's name on it
and then they can go home and put it on their own tree,
and then that reminds them of why they love seeing movies there in the first place.
- That is brilliant. - Yeah?
Yes.
You know they make custom ornaments here in under an hour,
although we might have to open that line of credit after all.
I'll tell you what, I'll take care of this one for the community.
Are you sure?
Yeah, you're the one who said we're not giving up.
- Yeah, wow, thank you. - Come on! - Okay.
Hi, thank you so much for your donation, don't forget to come tonight.
(laughing) - This was a brilliant idea.
If I do say so myself.
I've heard so many stories from people who loved coming here.
Yeah, the love and the free samples,
I think people will come back for the food alone. (laughing)
This is what an engaged community looks like, right?
And you can't tell me you'd get this from an Excelsia distribution centre.
I'm sure the community would be engaged with the jobs it'll provide them.
You're right. He is a Scrooge.
Hey! I paid for the ornaments, okay.
Has the ghost of Christmas past visited you yet?
You know what, I'm going to get some Christmas paper out of the car,
I don't need this abuse.
Okay, as fun as this is, I need to get back to work.
Oh, no, no, Eve, please, we need you.
- Sadie, I really can't. - Please? Pretty please?
Okay, I'll make you a deal.
If I stay and help you with your work,
you'll come help me with mine.
You know, like meeting with a client
who has a property case and she's in need of some pro bono advice.
I'll talk to her, just talk, alright?
I don't practise law anymore, I'm not taking her case on.
- Okay. - Okay.
(trunk closing)
I used to love Santa's village here.
Yes, we had it dressed up to look like the North Pole.
Yeah, with that giant candy cane.
Yeah, people would pose with their trees and take pictures.
I think I still have one of those pictures in a photo album somewhere.
(laughing)
So...
So... this company came along with an offer we couldn't refuse.
What did they say they were going to build?
Houses on lots that would preserve most of the trees,
the rest was going to be a park.
They even said they'd name it after my dad.
But after she signed the contract,
she found out they're going to build twice as many houses as they said
and condos and a golf course.
Yeah, they're gonna clear-cut almost the entire property.
All these trees,
all this nature,
everything my family loved...
gone.
Did you have a lawyer review the contact before you signed?
Yeah, I did. A guy that was recommended to me
but he said everything was fine and cashed the check.
I've known Eve for years so I called her.
I went over everything but it's not my area of expertise.
We need someone who knows property law to find a way out of this.
We need you.
Sadie, I know you're not practising anymore
and I totally respect that but over the last week and half,
all you've been going on about is Christmas magic and memories and traditions and community.
Eve, she had me at North Pole.
(gasping)
Oh, thank you!
Oh, thank you so much.
(laughing)
The extra lights are a great idea.
Mm-hmm, very un-Scrooge like.
Yeah, just let me know how much my 30 percent of all this is.
Eh, consider it a Christmas present.
(soft music)
- Thanks. - Sure.
I didn't know we were exchanging gifts.
Well, you can get me some socks
and call it a day, how about that?
(laughing) - I'm not getting you socks.
I happen to really like socks.
That's what you get someone you don't care about.
(Christmas music)
Um...
hey, I got this thing tomorrow night at the town hall.
Oh, the mayor's Christmas party.
Yeah, you know about it?
Yeah. My brother's catering it.
It's the hottest ticket in town.
- Really? - Yeah.
Huh, I thought it was just some Christmas party.
You know, a bunch of people in gaudy sweaters singing carols around the tree.
No, it's a big deal with all of Brennington's movers and shakers.
- Movers and shakers? - Oh yeah, both. Mm-hmm.
Thank goodness I ran into you,
I was going to look seriously out of a place in my light up reindeer sweater.
(laughing) - And yet, I would pay to see that.
- Would you now? - I would.
Well, anyway, I got another ticket if you want to go.
(♪)
Well, come on, don't get all weird on me, I'm not asking you out on a date.
I'm just saying we can go, and you know, promote the drive-in, it's business.
Yeah. We would promote it?
Yeah, good-faith effort.
We're going to have to be sneaky about it, though, you know.
Probably can't pass out any flyers or anything.
Bobby still really wants that distribution centre, so.
Well, so do you, right?
Yeah, of course, I do.
(♪)
See you, thank you, have a goodnight.
Get home safe. (Sadie): See ya! Thanks for coming.
- Hey, goodnight. - See you tomorrow night.
- Bye, see you next time. - Hey, see ya.
- Yay! - Yay, yeah.
- We did it! - We did, yeah, okay.
Alright.
(phone ringing)
Kendra, hi, is everything okay?
I'm just calling to see if everything's alright and everything is still on track.
Yeah, of course it is, why wouldn't it be?
Nothing I should worry about, no second thoughts?
No, none whatsoever.
We're all good.
Excellent. I'll talk to you soon then.
Great.
Bye.
(♪)
(Christmas music)
Uh, make sure there's an equal number of sprinkles on each.
I don't think you're paying me enough for equal sprinkles.
All the people that I hired to work at the mayor's party
are already at the town hall, I am begging you.
You want me to count them?
I just love the fact
that both my kids are going to a fancy Christmas gala.
I am working, Sadie's the one who gets to get dressed up
and enjoy the biggest party of the year.
I'm also working, I'm going with Holden but for work.
It's not the same as being invited.
You're both going, it's a big deal.
So, Sadie, do you have a dress?
You need to look good for your first date with Holden as an adult.
You have to stop, it is not a date, it's business.
Sure, I'll remember that when I see you two twirling on the dance floor.
There will be no twirling.
I thought you said you straightened out that whole break up thing.
Well, we did
but that doesn't mean we're going to pick up where we left off almost 20 years ago.
No, that's... that's not going to happen,
besides, as soon as the whole drive-in issue is settled, I mean,
he'll go on to his next big project and I'll go back to teaching
and who knows when we'll even see each other again.
Aw, that's too bad. Second chances don't come along very often.
You know what, I have some work to do on Camila's case before the party,
so you guys good? - No, no, the sprinkles, sprinkles.
You're good. Yeah, you're good, they look good, you're good.
(♪)
There will be twirling.
Oh, absolutely, I'll take pictures for you.
(upbeat music)
I want you both to have a great time tonight, alright?
And I always appreciate all of your support, always.
Hey, hey, hey, there he is!
(laughing) Hey.
Good to see you.
You look great, what do you think?
Well, you certainly know how to throw one festive party, Mr. Mayor.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's why I keep getting re-elected.
- No, that's not the only reason. - Oh, thanks.
Oh, heads up, I invited Kendra Oldston. - Oh, she's in town?
Yeah, she called me this morning looking for reassurance.
About what? We already signed the contracts.
Well, yes but it's contingent on the historic commission
deciding that the drive-in isn't viable. - Mm-hmm.
She's worried that you're helping to make the case that it is.
I told her, everything's fine. You're 100 percent on board.
(chuckling)
Holden?
Please tell me that you're still 100 percent on board.
Yes, look, it's more like 98 percent.
- Holden! - I'm sorry!
Bobby, being back at the drive-in
makes it a little tough not to be nostalgic.
If you could only see this place with your own eyes, it's-
Are you sure the nostalgia is for the drive-in
and not the person trying to save it?
This has nothing to do with Sadie.
Okay, just as long as you realize that this is business.
Okay, you can't be all starry-eyed.
I'm not letting myself get starry-
(♪)
Yeah, definitely no starry eyes there.
- Hi. - Hi.
You look, um...
Is it okay if I just say, "wow"?
I mean...
Um, sure. Thank you.
I mean, you... you look pretty wow yourself.
Oh yeah, I just had this lying around, so.
(laughing)
Uh, so, so, so what's our strategy?
With what?
The... party?
Oh, well, I don't know, I just figured we'd get some food, some drinks,
general Christmas merriment or uh--
No, I mean, I mean for the drive-in, like,
who we're talking to, who has influence?
(laughing) - To be honest, I don't know.
I'm not really sure.
I figure our best bet is just to, you know,
start chatting with people and see who we can find.
- Okay. - Okay?
Okay so, where should we start?
(Christmas music)
What about the dance floor?
Seems to be a lot of people out there.
(Christmas music)
You want to start on the dance floor?
Sure.
Come on, let's take a twirl
and see if we can find some movers and shakers.
(♪)
Twirl.
♪ Wish you a Merry Christmas ♪
♪ And a Happy New Year ♪
Wow, it's a slow song.
Uh, maybe we can wait for something a little more up-tempo
before we start talking to people.
Yes, yes. There's some people at the buffet line, we could talk to them.
Well, we're here,
might as well make the most of it, you know.
♪ All the feelings ♪
♪ Racing in my heart ♪
♪ I could die this day I don't mind ♪
♪ Darling please be mine ♪
So Sadie...
what do you want for Christmas besides the light show I got you at the end of the driveway?
I'm sure I'll love whatever Santa gives me.
- Hmm... - How about you?
Socks.
(Sadie laughing) Big sock guy.
No, I'm serious.
Holden McCarthy gets one Christmas wish, what is it?
Well, see, I was talking about Christmas presents,
now you're talking about Christmas wishes
and that is a whole different ball game.
How?
- Really? - I...
Okay, so...
Christmas presents, those are the things you want.
That's what you open up on Christmas Day.
Christmas wishes, see, those are the things you need.
Those are the things you want to open up every day for the rest of your life.
(soft music)
Then what's your Christmas wish?
It's a good question.
I mean if you asked me weeks ago I would've said,
uh... "continued success in business,
peace on earth." All that jazz.
Now you don't want success or peace on earth?
No, of course, I do.
It's just, I don't know if I'd put business at the top of my list anymore, you know?
Maybe it's something like, uh...
...the dream that loves me back.
(soft music)
Um, how about you,
what's at the top of your Christmas wish list?
I don't know.
I... I think it's time that I figure that out again.
Well, you got a week till Christmas, that's plenty of time to figure that out.
(laughing) - Yeah, plenty of time.
(upbeat music)
Do you remember... do you remember the Christmas school dance?
How could I forget? Wearing a green dress off the shoulder.
- Yes, I did. - Hmm.
Um, but do you remember how I was too nervous to dance to anything--
- Anything fast? - Yeah.
Yeah, I remember that night very well.
I was um, I wanted to ask you if you would--
What, lead you off the dance floor?
No, I was going to say, would you twirl me?
Oh, absolutely.
(♪)
(laughing)
♪ Christ is born in Bethlehem ♪
♪ Hark! the herald angels sing ♪
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
Kendra!
Welcome, Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you.
Who is that dancing with Holden?
I think I saw them at the drive-in together.
That's Sadie Walker.
Isn't she the one trying to stop the deal from going through?
- Well... - How concerned do I need to be about that?
Not at all.
No, they were friends in high school.
I think they're just reliving old times, huh?
If the historic commission is going to be a problem,
I'd like to know sooner rather than later
so that I can start looking at different towns.
What? No, no, no.
Brennington is the right place for you.
I promise there's nothing to worry about.
Oh, why don't you grab a drink and some food
and we'll catch up in a few minutes? Okay?
Adele!
Mr. Mayor, oh, what a fun party!
Thank you for the invitation. - Oh, you're very welcome.
You know, I've been thinking... maybe you're right.
Oh, I love to hear that.
(laughing) - About what?
How much Brennington needs an outdoor dining patio at the local bakery by the spring.
Bobby, I really was moved by what Sadie Walker said at the meeting.
Many of the other members on the committee were as well.
I would not hold the town's economic potential hostage over a patio.
I understand.
I'm sorry, but this is about the town's future.
I'm worried that it's at risk
because of nostalgia for the past.
(♪)
Then uh, let's see what we can make happen.
Okay. (Christmas music)
♪ Glory to the new born king ♪
(clicking)
(♪)
Hey!
Hey.
I come with good tidings.
Huh.
For a toast to success.
Aw, wow.
The historic commission approved the plans for the distribution centre.
How could they do that?
The meeting's not for another week.
Well, Adele realized they were in danger of losing the Excelsia plan
so we moved up the meeting.
Bobby, why wasn't I involved?
Kendra was talking about pulling out of Brennington altogether.
I mean, I couldn't let that happen.
It's too important to the town.
Bobby, look around.
This drive-in is important to the town too.
You know, we ran out of room last night?
We ran out of food.
Okay, there is something special happening in here but we need another week.
I understand you got a lot going around here,
but you already made a deal with Kendra Oldston, alright?
We had one little hurdle to clear and she's thrilled.
- You told her already? - Yeah.
Bobby.
Holden. Holden!
(soft music)
Hey.
Thank you for meeting me. - My pleasure.
I have to admit, I was getting a little worried.
I saw what you and your friend were doing at the drive-in
and I thought you might be having a change of heart.
Well... to be honest, I am.
Look, Holden, I get it.
It's part of your history, it's part of the town's history.
It's natural to feel nostalgic at the thought of it going away.
Kendra, I know I told you
that this drive-in wasn't important to the town or to me.
These last three weeks have shown me that...
I was just... I was wrong.
The fact is I think Brennington just got distracted
by the newest and latest and the greatest
and they forgot how important this place was to them.
I think I forgot.
I understand.
You do?
Yeah, absolutely,
I'm not some heartless corporate type who doesn't have any feelings.
I'm a wife and mom and daughter.
I understand what it means to hold on to things you love,
especially at the holidays.
Thank you.
At the same time,
I'm the COO of a multi-billion dollar company
who already told her bosses this was a done deal.
I don't know how we get out of that.
(Holden sighs.)
Well, look, there is a breakup clause in the contract, right?
Well, yes, but it comes with a very hefty breakup fee.
Can you really afford all that
just to save a drive-in movie theatre?
There's got to be something else we can do.
Well, if you can come up with something I'd be happy to hear it
but until then, I'm sorry, Holden.
(sighing)
(carollers): ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas we wish you a merry Christmas ♪
We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ♪
♪ Good tidings to you wherever you are ♪
♪ Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year ♪
(muffled carolling)
Hey! There you are.
I was afraid you were going to miss the carolling.
If we get any more Christmas in this place,
I think we're going to have to change the name to the North Pole drive-in.
(chuckling) - Looks like a lot of fun.
It is.
I need this kind of merriment right now.
I have been working on Camila's case all day
and I still haven't found a solution.
Maybe there isn't one?
I mean, you know,
sometimes no matter how hard you work on something,
things don't always turn out the way you want them to.
I know, believe me, I know, but property law is tricky.
Just when you think there's no hope,
you find something small like a comma in a sentence
that you can argue changes the meaning of the whole thing.
So even done deals could be undone?
Absolutely, it happens all the time. Yeah.
(chuckling)
You're really enjoying yourself, aren't you?
You know, fighting for Camila.
I am, yeah.
Helping her and all this...
makes me feel like I have purpose again.
Sadie, uh, there's something I have to tell you.
Me first.
I've been thinking a lot about my Christmas wish list
and...
I'm loving this too much to let it go.
I will figure out a way to make it work, help run it somehow.
Sadie, the historic commission--
They're going to rule in our favour.
They have to, look at this!
Look at this.
Come on, let's sing.
(♪)
Well, the contract is pretty clear.
Regardless of what they told you they would do with the land, they can do whatever they want.
And there's no way out of it?
I mean, a good lawyer would usually include a loophole
or an exit clause in case something changes but...
- But not this contact? - I'm afraid not.
Now this is totally in the other company's favour.
But there may be other options for us to explore.
- Such as? - I'm not sure yet but...
the important point is, I am not giving up
and neither should you.
Thank you.
(Christmas music)
(laughter and chatter)
- Oh! - Oh, hey, Holden!
Get this, a drive-in diner.
A drive-in diner?
(Luke): Huh?
If Luke opens a restaurant here during the day,
we keep it as a drive-in theatre at night,
we've solved the what to do if we win problem.
- Great. - Yeah.
Hey, another busy night.
Yeah, yeah, it feels like the whole town showed up.
- Last one! - Oh, um, can you take this to the mayor?
- Oh, Bobby's here? - Yeah, row four.
Uh... is everything okay?
Yeah.
- Okay. - He liked it?
Yeah, he did.
(soft music)
Hey.
So, what do you think?
Can I have my food before I tell you?
No.
I'm impressed.
How about now?
Hm, still impressed
and I'm sorry about not letting you know about the meeting
but I still think we did the right thing.
Bobby, you've known me since I was a kid.
I've always been about business and I'm not the type of guy who gets wrapped up
in things like Christmas magic or miracles or anything like that
but just look around.
You got to admit this is magical,
just look at what it's doing for this town.
Actually, Holden, you haven't always been about business.
You used to believe in things like Christmas when we were kids
and then you got your heart broken.
And I'd hate to see that happen again.
(phone ringing)
Hello? Yes.
Thank you for calling me back.
Hey, have you seen Holden?
- Yeah, I just saw him heading towards the ticket booth. - Oh.
What did he think of your grand plan for opening the drive-in?
We haven't had a chance to talk about the future yet, so.
Yours or the drive-ins?
Stop.
Look, Holden is not...
I mean, one way or the other, I'm sure he's still going to leave when this is all done.
Is that for him?
Yeah.
Shark socks?
(laughing) - Yeah, it's a long story.
- Okay. - Adele!
Hi, Sadie, Eve, hello, uh, merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas, Adele. - Merry Christmas!
I'm so glad you decided to come down and see what we've done.
Well, I must admit it is very merry.
And I'm so glad there are no hard feelings.
Over what?
That we moved up the meeting.
That we voted to tear down the drive-in
so they could build the distribution centre.
What?
Oh, no, I thought Holden would've told you.
Holden knows about this?
Um, I'm very sorry.
Excuse me.
Not even a comma or nothing, not...
What, so you're telling me this contact is just airtight?
Okay, yes, thank you, yes.
- Hey. - Hey.
I just ran into Adele.
- Oh. - How could you do this?
I didn't do this, okay.
This was Bobby and Adele, they made some sort of deal
and I didn't know anything about it until it was already done.
And when did you find out?
Yesterday.
And you didn't bother to tell me.
I was trying to.
I feel like you've could've tried harder.
Sadie, I'm sorry.
How much longer do we have?
Tonight.
Wow.
It's over.
All this was for nothing.
Sadie...
this was always going to be a long shot, right?
And we allowed ourselves to get caught up in the magic of the movies
and the spirit of Christmas but look, Excelsia was always going to win.
This is a fantasy.
I got it, loud and clear.
Merry Christmas.
(mournful music)
(Christmas music)
You're up early.
Sadie, you've been staring at Camila's contract non-stop since the drive-in closed.
(trickling)
It's three days till Christmas, honey, you need a break.
(trickling)
You're probably right.
I can't find anything to help anyway.
I can't save the tree farm just like I couldn't save the drive-in.
So have you talked to Holden?
No.
I mean, he called and texted a couple times
but I can't talk to him.
Sadie, aren't you doing exactly what he did to you when you were kids?
- This is different. - Is it?
Because Adele told Marie
that he really didn't know about the historic commission vote.
He was trying to find a way to save the drive-in just like you were.
Okay, but Mom he made it really clear
that it's over, all of it.
So I can't... I can't do some kind of big goodbye.
I just... I just need to take care of myself and let it go.
Are you sure you aren't giving up before the miracle?
(♪)
Mom, how do you know the difference between giving up and letting go?
That depends...
is there still a miracle to be had?
(soft music)
I don't know.
These are for the press conference tomorrow.
We'll have big ones to use as a backdrop.
- Ha. - Yeah.
I love it.
- Holden? - Huh?
Oh yeah, yeah, they look great.
And you want to do this tomorrow?
Uh, well, we want to do it before Christmas,
we're giving the entire town a huge present.
And you... need me there?
Yes, Brennington needs to see that you're on board with this.
Bobby, can I have a quick word with Holden?
Uh, sure.
So, where are we at?
I don't know.
You do realize that if you back out now, you will lose everything.
I know.
Kendra, I just still think I can find a solution here
that's going to make everybody happy.
It would take a miracle to make everyone happy
and it's a little late in the day for miracles.
(♪)
(upbeat music)
(sighs)
Hey.
Thank you for coming.
You turned the lights back on.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, I wanted to...
I just figured we should take one last look at it.
Yeah.
(soft music)
They're holding a press conference tomorrow
to announce the Excelsia deal.
- Two days before Christmas. - Yeah.
I really, really am sorry, Sadie.
- You don't have to apologize. - No, I do.
I didn't know anything about
what Bobby and Adele were doing but if I knew I would-
I know, I know, I believe you, and you were right.
I got caught up in some kind of fantasy, hoping for a miracle.
No, no, Sadie, don't say that.
You didn't get caught up in a fantasy.
You brought Christmas magic back to Brennington.
(♪)
You made me believe in this drive-in again.
My dad would've loved it.
- I think he would. - Yeah.
But I didn't just do it for him.
Holden, this drive-in was our place,
it was our movie.
It ended once and... I just can't bear to watch it end again.
Maybe it doesn't have to.
What do you mean?
I'm gonna call Excelsia and tell them the deal's off.
What? You can't, you can't do that.
- Why not? - Because I know property law,
it was one thing if the commission said "no" but they said "yes"
which means that if you break the contact
you could lose so much money, you could lose your business
Aw, Sadie, I don't want our movie to end either.
(soft music)
(car approaching)
Ooh! Hey!
What's going on?
Well, Camila and I saw the lights on and we called your mom.
Ah, I knew you were here so I made a few calls.
And then they made some calls.
We all wanted to say goodbye to the drive-in.
- Aw... - We know you did your best,
just like you're doing your best to save my land.
Well, guys, it's not over.
We're going to keep fighting to keep it open.
- What? - Yeah.
I'm going to keep fighting for you,
no matter how long it takes
and it might take a minute.
That contract is almost like your lawyer
was working for the other side.
I guess that's not surprising
considering they recommended him.
Wait, the company you sold your land to recommended your lawyer?
Do you know if he ever did any work for them?
He said he worked for them all the time,
so he was really familiar with their contacts.
He said that was a good thing.
That is a good thing for us, that's a conflict of interest.
That could void the contract.
(Holden laughing)
How much land does Excelsia need?
14 acres, long driveway, a lot of trees.
(♪) - And there's our miracle.
(laughing)
Uh, do you have the number for that lawyer?
I think it's time to give him a call and renegotiate your contract.
Do you think you can get me out of this?
He's not going to want an investigation by the state bar so yeah, I think I can.
This is great news!
You're brilliant.
(laughing) (Eve): Yeah.
(♪)
So, I am pleased to announce that Excelsia will be building
their brand new distribution centre right here in Brennington.
(applause)
This is their COO Kendra Oldston, and she's going to tell you more.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
We're very excited about this centre
and even more excited about where it will be built, Holden.
Yes, uh, thank you, Kendra.
I'm very excited to announce that the Excelsia distribution centre will be built
on a plot of land that is going to be very familiar to you all, but let Sadie explain.
It'll be at the Mendoza family tree farm.
(clapping and cheering)
Thanks to some quick thinking
and a last-minute miracle,
Excelsia will now build our centre there
and the rest of the land will be preserved for hiking trails
and picnic grounds
and will be called the Mendoza Family Park.
(applause)
And the McCarthy drive-in will remain open.
(cheering)
All year round.
(cheering)
Now who wants to go watch a Christmas movie with us tonight?
(cheering) (soft music)
Big day, huh?
Congratulations on your new deal with Excelsia.
It seems like Kendra was really impressed with you.
Shh, I'm trying to watch the movie.
(laughing)
(♪)
Congratulations to you too.
Oh, I'm getting my Christmas wish?
On finding your cape again.
(♪)
(breathing deeply)
Merry Christmas, Holden.
Merry Christmas, Sadie.
For the record, you did kiss me first.
Oh, I know. (laughing)
(soft music)
Subtitling: difuze