If I Only Had Christmas (2020) - full transcript

Mm...

Good morning, bobo.

M'wah.

Best alarm clock ever.

Do you know what today is?

That's right,

it's the office
Christmas party.

Yeah!
Come on. Come on...

Hang the stocking.

Do a snow angel.

Ho! Ho! Ho!



Come on.

Oh, yes, you're a good girl.
M'wah!

Hey!

Have a Santa hat.

Darcy,

this is too much...

And you baked Christmas cookies?

You realize there's a buffet.

Let her have this.

Headquarters announces

creative campaign
of the year today.

She is nervous.

Oh, come on, Darcy,
you're a shoo-in.

Of course, but she is
the first Kansas City publicist



to be nominated.

I'm nervous, and I'm not even
the one who's nominated.

I'm not nervous,

and, Gary, you can never have
too much Christmas.

Watch and learn.

"Evergreen bean casserole"

"stocking stuffers."

"Let it snowballs."

What, we were all
emailed the menu.

Okay, I'm nervous.

Distract me.

-Um...
-Just...

Oh, Darcy,

do you have
the press release for...

Singular technologies
is in your inbox.

-Genesis will be there by 4:00.
-Amazing.

Now, before we get
this party started,

have they announced
the award yet?

Right on time.

Darcy, I'm sorry.

That's okay.

It was a competitive year.

Yeah.

Well, you took a tiny
Kansas City medical start-up,

and put them
in the national spotlight.

They raised millions more
because of you.

You may not have won
some fancy award,

but you helped save
countless lives.

-Don't forget that.
-Thank you.

Really, all of you.

I'll be back in a minute.

Are you seeing this?

The Austin inc. Piece?

What's going on?
It's blowing up.

It's a wrecker of an article.

They accuse William Austin

of virtually disappearing
as CEO.

That there's no vision,
no leadership

ever since his father George
passed away.

Man, I feel bad
for whoever is in charge

of their communications
department.

I told you
to stop reading it.

"One would think
growing up the son

of one of the world's
most famous tech gurus

would make him
a natural industry leader,

but all he seems
to have learned to do

is play with his father's toys."

It's getting out of control.

I've got calls from CNN, NBC,
business insider.

Tell them we have no comment.

Glen Goodman's office.

We have no comment.

Thank you.
Goodbye.

Also, the economist, bloomberg,

they all want to hear from
the head of communications.

No comment.

It'll blow over.

And winona.

No comment?

Right.
Good luck with that.

Yeah.

As CFO, I'm telling you,

it is time to hire
an outside PR firm.

Absolutely not.

They want a CEO

who will double as a puffed-up
celebrity frontman.

That's not an option.

Well then, we tell them
it's not an option,

and we see what else
they come up with.

We've never needed
outside PR before.

The world doesn't know
what we're doing.

They can't see the vision.

Customers don't need
to see the vision.

They will see the genius
in the product.

Investors
need to see the vision.

They were already nervous.

This article
shook their confidence.

Look, I agree with you.

We don't need
a flashy CEO-led strategy,

but what we do need
is an outside voice

to shake things up.

Hiding isn't working anymore.

I still don't like it.

You'll retain full veto power
over pitches.

Fine.

How are you doing?

Really?

I just wish I knew

what I could have done
differently, you know?

Work in New York
or Chicago.

Have a client whose name
rhymes with "carbucks".

It's late.
You've had a long day.

Why don't you go home

and do something
that recharges you.

I will.

What is all this?

I'm doing some research.

After that disaster
of an article,

Austin, inc.
Put out a call for pitches.

I saw.

I wouldn't give that request
too much stock.

It is still
William Austin's company,

and he's notoriously
anti-publicity.

Get some sleep, Darcy.

But...

If someone from this office

were to land ai's business,

I'm sure headquarters

would need them
to move to New York

and run the account.

Do we know anyone
who might be interested

in something like that?

I don't know.

Well, if you know anyone,

tell them to send me
a pitch deck by Monday.

Goodnight, Darcy.

Goodnight.

And five, four, three...

Two...

-Hi, Darcy!
-Hello!

-How are you?
-Hey!

-We've got salad
and garlic bread.

Oh, great!

Do you mind if I just
pop this in the oven?

Yeah, top rack is fine.
Thanks, Clara...

What's the deal
with the lights outside?

You having trouble hanging them?

Oh, hi, Huck.
Yeah, no, it's really, it's...

Don't worry about it.
I got it.

Hey, sis, did you know
your lights were out?

Oh, yeah, I was just
telling Huck

it's not a big deal...

We brought Christmas cookies.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, honey, sorry we're late.

Oh, no, you're just in time
for Christmas cocoa.

This looks like heaven.

Yeah.

Sugar-free for you, dad.

And paradise lost.

Ah, you can get started,

I'm gonna take these
to the wonder twins.

Okay.

You know, normally,

I don't allow strange men
on my roof

unless they're accompanied
by nine tiny reindeer.

Brothers
are not strangers, Darcy.

I said "strange,"
not "strangers."

Hey, uh, Emma told us
about the award.

You doing okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

You know, it happens.

I'm... I'm fine.

Did she do the thing
where she...

Yeah, she did the eye thing.

What?
No, I'm fine.

Who's the cutest dog
in the world?

Bobo.

Who broke my Walkman in 1993?

Huck.

How do you feel
about losing this award?

I'm fine.

Listen, sis,

sometimes, the first step

is admitting
that you have a problem.

What...

I just feel so defeated

and small.

It was crazy to think
I could compete on that level.

Maybe it's time to finally
take a real vacation.

You, my dear,

have a gift.

You're stifled at work,
and that's hard,

but when one corner
of the world

tries to dim our light,

we don't hide it under a bushel.

We find someplace else
to let it shine.

It's Christmas,

and there are so many people
in need

who could use your talent.

Yeah, you're right,

I just need
to get out of my head.

Maybe I'll find a great charity,

do some pro-Bono work.

If you're looking for options,

Zeke and I love
the emerald educational trust.

Oh, yeah, yeah,

they donated a bunch
of computers

to our school system last year.

They mentor teachers,

connect at-risk schools
with resources,

run outreach programs.

They're awesome.

Honestly,
after last year's budget cuts,

I don't know
what we would have done

without them.

I'll definitely check them out.

Okay, everybody,
dinner is ready!

Why am I the only one
decorating the tree?

Dinner!

Emerald education trust.

Well, well, well, bobo,

would you look at who it is?

William Austin.

Where are my highlighters?

I got this for you.

Oh, thank you.

I'll just have a sip.

I've got so much adrenaline,

I could pull Santa's sleigh
myself right now.

Give me the news.

Headquarters loved your pitch.

Digging up William Austin's
charity work,

and leaning into that
really humanizes him.

-But...
-I knew they'd get it.

But?

Unfortunately,
they loved it so much,

they sent it to ai right away,

and we received a response

from their vice president
of communications

this morning.

Mm-mm!

No, no, no, no, no!

He's completely
misinterpreting my pitch.

I'm sorry, Darcy...

No.

This is a misunderstanding.

If I could talk to him,

I'm pretty sure I could get him
to come around.

Well, you're welcome to try.

I will.

Okay.

Uh...

I'll see you
back at the office.

Bye.

Hey, what's going on, Jade?

I've got Darcy Gale
from gumm PR for you.

The Kansas City pitch
we passed on?

Just, uh... I don't know,
tell her I'm not available.

She's very... persistent.

Please take the call.

Okay, put her through.

Glen Goodman.

Mr. Goodman,
Darcy Gale from gumm PR.

I believe we had
a small misunderstanding.

No, there was
no misunderstanding.

Mr. Austin felt
the exploitation of his charity

was in poor taste.

That's why we passed
on your proposal.

No, I would never
exploit emerald.

I think
it's a wonderful foundation.

I just thought it showed
a crucial difference

between Mr. Austin's vision
and his father's.

No, we don't want
the public focusing

on their differences.

We want our customers to trust

that the legacy will continue.

But it's not.

Oh, well,
if that's how you feel...

But I don't think
it's a bad thing.

Mr. Austin has changed
ai's focus fundamentally

to how it can make the world
a better place,

and the media wants
stories like that,

well, that's a lovely spin,
Ms. Gale,

but investors aren't inspired
by human interest pieces.

They care about cold,
hard bottom lines.

You're choosing
to see the worst in them.

Investors are still people.

And most people are usually out
for their own self-interest.

That's business.

That's a pretty cold worldview
at Christmas.

Well, isn't that
what you're doing?

I mean, this is a lovely story

meant to appeal
to our CEO’s ego,

with just enough to get you
the job of a lifetime, no?

My personal connection
to emerald

is what inspired this pitch,

not the other way around.

What do you mean, personal?

My brother and sister-in-law
are teachers

and work with emerald.

I was looking to do
some pro-Bono work.

Why?

Because it's Christmas,

and I have a gift for this,

and when you have a gift,

you don't hide it
under a bushel,

you shine it wherever
it can do the most good.

Okay, come.
Make me a believer.

What?

Come work for emerald
in Connecticut

for the next few weeks.

Let's me what you can do
with our busiest season,

and then,

if by some Christmas miracle,

you can convince me
I was wrong about gumm PR,

I could probably be persuaded

to get you a meeting
with Mr. Austin.

Did the call drop?

Hello?
are you still there?

Oh, sorry, I was pausing
to take it all in.

Well, it's a relief to know
you have a pause button.

Listen, just let me know
in the next 24 hours,

and Ms. Gale?

Merry Christmas.

What if I get this job,
and I have to move to New York?

Or what if I fail epically,

and no one ever
wants to hire me again?

What if I come back, and...

These are good people

who work tirelessly
at helping students in need,

and you're going there
to help share their story.

Focus on that.

One step at a time,

and it will lead you

exactly where
you're supposed to be.

Oh, but I'm gonna
miss the holidays

with you guys,

and Zeke and Huck, and...

And we'll all be here
when you get back.

But if I get homesick,

you have to promise
to send me bobo updates.

You got it.

You better get going.

Looks like
there's a storm coming.

Well, see you in three weeks.

Okay, wish me luck.

You're not gonna need it.

You're gonna blow them all away.

Now, let's get you
to the airport.

Her flight
was delayed by weather.

Yeah, no worries.

I actually came down
to the hotel bar instead.

I'll just, uh,
I'll get some work done.

Yeah.
Keep me updated.

Wow, this is something, huh?

People talk about Christmas
in new England,

and you see it
in those TV movies.

I always assumed
it was Hollywood magic,

but this really
lives up to the hype.

What brings you in?

Business.

And you?

Same.

Good.

I wasn't trying to eavesdrop,

but I was worried
you got stood up.

Not that you look like someone
who gets stood up often,

or ever, really.

By friends, I mean...

I...

Seems like
you could use a drink.

Yeah, uh...

Pinot, please?

Sorry, I'm a little bit nervous.

Big meeting.

I came here a little early

to have a drink
and calm my nerves.

The guy I'm meeting
is a tough nut to crack.

He's gruff,

maybe even
a little curmudgeonly.

Curmudgeonly?

Should I scan the lobby

for guys wearing top hats
saying, "humbug"?

Maybe.

Honestly, I don't even know
what the guy looks like.

Thank you.

Really?

Oh, yeah, it's a whole thing
with this company.

Uh, excuse me.

Mm-hmm.

Hey, how's it going?

She never got on the flight.

You don't say.

Well, I'm sure she'll turn up.

Where are you in from?

Kansas City.

Oh, wonderful town.

Mm-hmm.

Tell me something,

how does somebody make
a curmudgeonly first impression?

This, uh...
What's his name?

Glen.

Glen...

Did he snarl on the phone?

Did he threaten to shut down
the building and loan?

Does he end his text messages
with a period?

'Cause that is very
passive aggressive.

No.

Although he is curt,
that's for sure.

It's...

He's a "no" guy.

A "no" guy?

Yes.

I understand playing it safe,

but this guy's instinct

is just say "no"
right out of the gate.

I can be a "no" guy.

Oh, you are no "no" guy.

-No?
-No.

A "no" guy doesn't engage
in a charming conversation

with a stranger at the bar.

Oh, let's not
breeze past that.

You think I'm charming?

Honestly, I wish my client
were more like you.

I would...

-Excuse me, I have to get this.
-Mm-hmm.

Hi.

Oh, I sent you
the updated itinerary.

-Sorry.
Yeah.

Oh, no, it didn't send!

I'm so sorry,

I got to the airport early
and took an earlier flight.

I'm already at the hotel.

Oh, that's so nice of you,

and Mr. Goodman,

will he be meeting me
at the restaurant or...

You don't say.

Okay, thank you.

Glen Goodman.

VP of communications,
Austin, inc.

Local curmudgeon.

Yeah.

Whoa, hang on,
where are you going?

I don't know,

to dye my hair?

Slip out the back window,

re-introduce myself
as Carmen San tropez

because, apparently,
we're playing a game

where we pretend to be
other people.

In my defense, I never lied.

No, you just let me do
circus-worthy contortions

of foot-in-mouth syndrome

before you said anything.

I love the circus.

Very entertaining.

We curmudgeons,
we enjoy so little.

Also...

Do I really sound that old
on the phone?

Be honest.

Why didn't you just
introduce yourself?

How often do you get to hear

someone's unfiltered
first impression of you?

You'd have done the same thing.

In my line of work,

we earn an unfiltered opinion
through trust.

Fair enough.

Start again.

Do you want to grab
some dinner?

No.

Oh, now who's a "no" guy?

Come on, ai's treat.

We should probably
go over the schedule

for the next few weeks.

That's not the way.

Okay, I don't know
where I'm going.

Do you know what you want?

Yes.

Reciprocity.

Mm, suit yourself,

but the chicken is excellent.

You said
we should start fresh,

so tell me something about you.

Where'd you grow up?

I don't see
how that's relevant.

The work I do is about
building relationships.

You already know a lot about me,

where I grew up,
that I have siblings,

my aspirations...

All completely unsolicited,
by the way.

The caprese salad is excellent.

So you're a caprese fan?

I like
this restaurant's caprese.

Have you ever been to Italy?

There's this quaint little...

Good evening.

Hi.

I'll start
with the caprese, please.

I'll start with the bruschetta.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

Now, as you know,

emerald has three
Christmas events to promote.

A partnership with the troutman
Christmas tree farm,

a children's Christmas pageant,

and our annual donor gala.

I've been looking into

the Christmas-tree-farm
partnership,

and I think there's
a lot of room for expansion...

No, no, no, no.

No, everything is set.

Your job is simply
to generate media attention.

My job is to find
the story in the event

worth sharing.

If you really want to capture
the magic of emerald,

sorry, but your events
need an upgrade.

You need more spectacle,
more heart,

and definitely more Christmas.

More...

It's a Christmas-tree farm.

I would think
on the spectrum of Christmas,

that's pretty high up...

Thank you.

A Christmas tree...

I don't think it really gets
much more christmasy

than a Christmas tree...

What are you doing?

You like caprese, right?

I just didn't expect
to be stonewalled like this.

Well, you're just used to
charming everyone immediately,

that's all.

Oh, that's not...

Well, okay,
there's some truth to that.

He's a bigshot vp.

He's not gonna be around
every day, right?

Oh, for sure not.

You're right.

Today, it's just about me
and my new colleagues.

A whole horizon of yes.

That's our girl.

I miss you guys already.

How's bobo?

You're not giving her treats

first thing in the morning,
are you, dad?

No...

Yes,

-but just one.
-Dad...

We love you, Darcy.

Now, you go in there

and you show them
what you're made of.

I love you, too.

Wow,

you're a bad laugh

and a hairless cat away

from being
an action-movie villain.

What are you doing here?

Oh, I'm just here to make sure

everything runs
as smoothly as possible.

Hmm.

Suspicious ai can spare
their vp of communications.

Although you guys don't do
that much communicating.

Mm.

Well, it is very important
to Mr. Austin.

Feels more like
you're babysitting.

Well, this pays better,

but you don't get to watch
nearly as much TV.

Ooh, coffee.
Thank you.

Okay...

"Hi, I'm Darcy Gale!

I'm so excited to be here!"

No.

"Hi, Darcy Gale, gumm PR.

Good to meet you."

The second one conveys power,

but it's a little cold
and formal.

Yeah, that's what
I was thinking...

-Wait, what?
-But then again,

it's best to start professional
and trust a rapport will come.

Or you could try a bit of both.

Hi.

I'm Darcy Gale from gumm PR.

That was great.

Jackie Crowe.

Oh, head of development?

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Is that how people
greet each other

in Kansas City?

No, I just brought them
as gifts.

Oh.

Well, it should be.

Wouldn't that be great
if everywhere you went,

people said hello with coffees?

I'd never stop trying
to make new friends!

Anyhoo.

Follow me.

No, put 'em up.

There.

Perfect.

Honestly, my back
is too stiff for this.

Next year, you're hanging them.

You know
I'm scared of heights!

Hello, everyone!

I'm Darcy Gale from gumm PR.

Pleased to meet you.

Hey, there you are.

I don't know who this is.

Oh, uh, Glen Goodman,

vp of communications
at Austin, inc.

Oh!

Jackie Crowe, development.

Dr. Bridget tinsley,
policy director.

We are so glad to have
someone from corporate here.

Riley lyons,
arts outreach director.

Great to meet you.

Wait, you've never
met them before?

You know, we are
so very, very proud

of the work you guys have done,

and we're very excited

because Darcy here
has stepped up

and offered to help us
get the word out.

Uh, all due respect,

isn't it a little late

to bring someone new
into the mix?

Oh, rest assured,
I have done my research,

and I am ready
to hit the ground running.

In fact, good morning greenwich
wants to do a spot

for the kids' Christmas pageant,

and Riley, as arts director,

I thought you would be
the perfect fit

for the interview.

Me? On TV?
No, no, no, no...

I don't...
I don't think I could.

Oh, don't worry.

We'll work together,

and I'll make sure you feel
totally comfortable.

Media training
is a big part of what I do.

I also have a reporter

that would love to interview
some of emerald's students,

to talk about how the foundation
has helped them.

Dr. Tinsley,
with your connections...

Apologies, Ms. Gale,

we are very protective
of our students,

and we have a hard policy

against using them
in media campaigns.

Using them?
I... no, I...

They would be sharing
their hardships,

surrendering their story.

This is tricky territory.

Yeah, agreed.

Once you share
your story publicly,

it's not yours anymore.

It belongs to the audience.

These are kids.

I don't mean to be a naysayer.

We just, we love these kids.

We're pretty protective
of them.

Oh, I think
that's very admirable.

Yeah, don't worry.

There are plenty more ideas
where those came from.

Jackie, perhaps we could start
with the partnership

with the troutman
Christmas-tree farm?

Sure.
What did you have in mind?

Actually, would you mind
taking a walk outside with me

to brainstorm?

I find I get my best ideas

with a little fresh air.

Great, we'll leave you to it.

Actually, while we have
someone from corporate,

we would love to ask you
some questions.

Oh, you could give them
the treats I brought.

See you later.

Bye.

You are
a lot more graceful than me.

I don't know how you did that.

I was just being professional,

but inside,

immediately, there was
a small voice in my head,

saying, "I told you, Darcy.

You were foolish to think
you could do this."

I know that voice.

And that's all it is.

A voice.

It's only as real
as you let it be.

So, let's talk about
the Christmas-tree partnership.

What's there to say?

10% of the sales at
troutman Christmas-tree farm

are donated to the charity,

and that's that.

You don't sound very enthused.

Well, I feel like
we could do better,

but we always do
the same thing every year,

and whenever I pitch new ideas...

They say no.

So, you figure out
how to break through.

This event just needs
more of a media hook.

I know there's a maze
of traditions to navigate...

A maze!

What if we had
a Christmas maze?

Yes!

We could make it part of a whole
family-friendly experience.

-We could do s'mores...
-Ooh, we could get a Santa!

I love it.

Now we just have to figure out

how to make the story special
to emerald at Christmas.

Darcy,

may I speak with you?

Jackie, would you
give us a minute?

I want to apologize.

I should have had
your back in there,

even if I didn't agree with you.

I appreciate that,

but why does it seem like

no one from ai has been
at the foundation?

Mr. Austin has full confidence
the charity is running...

Ooh!

We could ask people

to donate school supplies
for teachers.

Families could put them
into cute, little Santa bags

at the event.

Yes, we could call it

"Santa's secret
classroom helpers."

We could use this as a model
all over the country.

First, we should talk to...

I'll get that set up.

-Wait, what are you doing?
-Pivoting.

Did you grow up
around horses, Glen?

Can't say that I did.

Well, we have a saying
in Kansas City.

What do you do when you get
thrown off a horse?

People say that everywhere.

You coming or what?

Enjoy, guys.

Mr. Troutman?

Please, call me Bryan.

Bryan, good to see you again.

This is Darcy Gale
and Glen Goodman.

-Hi.
-Your farm is lovely.

Oh, thank you.

We're very proud of it.

How can I help you?

We are so appreciative

that you've agreed to donate
10% of sales to emerald

on December 10th.

Of course.
It's a great tradition.

Can you feel it?

It's coming from the midwest.

There is a "but" coming.

Uh-oh.

Jackie and I had some ideas

to expand the partnership

into a bigger
family-friendly event.

Oh, jeepers, I...
I don't know.

We're spread pretty thin here.

Oh, well, you wouldn't
pay for a thing.

Well, except for overtime
for employees, if required,

and some permits might...

You would pay for
very few things.

Jackie was thinking a maze,
s'mores stations, Santa...

Look, that all sounds fun,

but that's not
the kind of enterprise

my grandfather established.

The other guys down the road,

they have all kinds of
flashy gimmicks.

We respect your commitment
to your family's vision.

Darcy, a word?

A maze?
S'mores stations?

We can't empty the coffers
for one event.

We've still got
the Christmas pageant

and the donor gala to promote.

And Jackie knows that.

Her whole job
is to create partnerships

without eating into the budget.

She's got this.

Hmm...

Jackie, you've got this.

Bryan, did you know
that your competitors

are outselling you by 11%?

11%?

If you want to boost
your sales,

you need more marketing.

This would be free promotion,

and Darcy has
a whole media plan.

We could set up
potential partnerships, or...

Or those might be bad ideas.

Sorry.

Whatever you want, we'll do.

Bryan, we know it's a lot

to trust us
with your family's farm,

but you can give
these teachers and students

something no one else
can give them...

A real touch
of Christmas magic.

Like... Santa
collecting donations here.

A hot-cocoa stand,
and a s'mores station.

Families making memories,

and making a difference.

And this would
become the model for emerald

nationwide,

and your family
would have started it.

We trust you.

Do you trust us?

I do.

You won't regret it.

Now, let's look at that budget.

Okay.

I feel an apology
coming from the northeast?

It's a lot to promise.

I just hope you can deliver.

Oh, I can deliver,

I'm like the Santa of...

Oh, come on,
I had a whole comeback.

Excuse me.

Winona.

I'm gonna have to reschedule.

I know, I just, uh...

I gotta see how this plays out.

I'll have Jade
move some things around.

Yeah.

Bridget...
May I call you Bridget?

I would prefer Dr. Tinsley.

Absolutely.

You've earned that.

These Santa bags would be
directly meeting teacher needs.

Notebooks, glue sticks, pencils,

that usually
come out of their pockets,

but with a Christmas angle
and a family-friendly event.

It's, um... it's cute.

Great!

Hmm...

What's the matter with cute?

Cute initiatives
capitalize on Christmas

to check the "spread
the goodwill and cheer" box.

Now, I am concerned

that givers
would feel good temporarily,

but there is so much more work
to be done.

Sure, but we should
encourage giving,

no matter how small,
don't you think?

I think that supplies
are needed,

but that's not going to stop
teacher burnout

in rural
and inner-city schools,

and it's not going
to hold together

after-school tutoring programs
that keep getting cut.

Wow, tell us
how you really feel.

Okay.

I think that your boss

is so out of touch
with his own charity,

that he keeps throwing
a bunch of computers

at low-income students

who don't even have access
to stable Internet.

Look, I'm sorry.

That was a little too humbug.

We are fighting
for big changes,

and in my experience,
most people stop at cute.

This work we do,
it's massive.

It is relentless,
and exhausting.

Look, if you believe in this,

and in her,

I believe in you,

but I'm going to keep
a very close eye on the budget.

Thank you.

Jack-frost levels
of cold in here.

I feel horrible.

What are you talking about?

That was a huge win.

But she didn't like the idea.

Jackie, she said yes.

She said a lot of other things,

but the important thing
is she did say yes.

You are a miracle worker.

I'm officially a believer.

You say you work with
on-camera stage fright?

Riley, a couple
of training sessions with me,

and you'll be ready to host
your own talk show.

Deal.

Let's keep the ideas flowing.

What else can we do?

Oh, something Bridget said
did spark another idea...

Oh, no.

Do you remember
that part outside

where I said goodbye,

because I was already
running late

for this business lunch
as it is?

Yes, but you haven't said
"yes" yet,

and if you say yes now,

we could have the press release
done for you

by the end of your lunch.

-No.
-No?

The foundation is your client,
not ai.

But a story about ai

boosting Internet access
across the nation

would give you
and your foundation

much-needed positive press...

Which, given
our current situation,

feels a little desperate.

You do know

that if you don't take control
of the narrative,

someone else will.

Glen, I was starting to worry.

Fiyero PR is waiting.

Fiyero PR?

That's gumm's
biggest competitor.

Darcy, this is our cfo,
winona west.

Winona, this is...

The famous Darcy Gale
from Kansas City.

I'm so sorry we had to pass
on gumm PR's pitch,

but thank you
for your gracious offer

to help the foundation.

Now, if you'll excuse us,
please.

Of course.

Lovely meeting you.

She's very pretty,

and charismatic,
wouldn't you agree?

I don't know what you mean.

Shall we?

So, pop-up Christmas events
nationwide like this

are the goal,

assuming all goes well.

This all looks great.

Yeah, it is great,

but, frankly, it's not enough.

As Dr. Tinsley was saying,

we are really grateful
for the donations,

but it's just
a drop in the ocean

compared to what's needed.

Yes.

Our most recent analysis

shows that material shortages
are the least of our problems.

You know what would be
a great Christmas angle?

Dr. Tinsley is delivering
Christmas bags

to some of the local schools
this week.

You should go together.

Interview some of the teachers.

She'll give you
the inside scoop.

That's the second story

you've cracked for me
today, Darcy.

You're the best.

Dr. Tinsley,
I'll be in touch.

Thanks.

Alumni network database.

We Kansas folk
have to stick together.

I cannot believe
that you did that for me.

Thank you.

Well, the other day,
you had me thinking

about the end
of "a Christmas Carol,"

when scrooge learns
to really engage.

Christmas changed his heart
year-round.

You certainly made me see
the big picture.

So I know if anyone
can get people to care,

it's you.

Thank you.

Look, I know that I came across
as cold and hard, and I...

You've had
a lot of uphill battles.

Do not apologize

for fighting
for the things you love.

Thank you.

I'll see you later.

Our arts outreach program

instills
much-needed confidence...

It helps some people

to picture the audience
in their underwear.

Okay, not everyone.

Uh, sometimes
I like to practice

while doing something relaxing,

like cooking, or dancing, or...

Dancing!

Dancing relaxes me.

Great!

Then try that again
with a little movement.

Okay.

Our arts outreach program

instills
much-needed confidence.

Like James Johnson,

who spent hours
mastering his dance moves,

proving to himself
that he can focus.

Great!

Keep practicing just like that!

Thanks so much, Darcy.

Hey.

Where have you been, stranger?

Just putting out
some fires at the office.

I wanted to make sure

you hadn't given away the farm
in my absence.

Oh, and here I thought

you were starting to trust me.

Surely, you could delegate this.

Well, maybe fiyero PR

doesn't like to get
their hands dirty,

but that is not my style.

Besides, decorating?

That's the reward.

I see someone
wasn't on garland duty

as a kid, huh?

More of a carry-the-tree guy?

More of a...

"Came home from school

and the house was
magically transformed" guy.

Aw, decorating's
the best part of Christmas

growing up.

Taking out the ornaments,

hearing my parents
share the same stories.

Zeke and huck arm-wrestling

over who would place the angel.

Sounds like fun,

but that would require siblings.

Ah, only child.

Yeah, makes sense.

Why does that make sense?

You don't seem
like you had to negotiate

hostage French-fry situations
in the back of a minivan.

Oh, yeah.

Now, is that something

you would list
under special skills

on a resume, or...

So, what were your traditions?

We weren't very traditional.

Oh, come on,

there had to be
something you loved,

or want to pass on.

Books on Christmas Eve.

I got to open one present.

It had to be a book.

My mom would make gingersnaps
and cocoa, and...

Yeah, we'd just stay up
reading in the living room.

-Sounds amazing.
-Yeah.

Gingersnaps were a must,
but they had to be mom's.

Oh, my mom made
the best snickerdoodles.

They were so good.

She would decorate them
with our initials

so my brothers and I
wouldn't fight over the extras.

She passed away
when I was in college.

Um, I'm sorry, I didn't...

No. Oh, no, it's...

I mean, it was really hard,

especially being the only girl,

but then my dad met Emma,

and she's done
such a wonderful job

keeping
my mom's traditions alive,

and helping us make new ones.

We've rebuilt
a tight-knit family

because we don't take
one second together for granted.

-We have a problem.
-No Santa.

What do you mean no Santa?

He canceled.

We have to have Santa.

Feelin' okay?

You look different.

Bad different?

You're all flushed.

I'm fine.

I might need you
to move some things around.

Again?

I already consolidated
everything to tomorrow.

If you could just
free things up

the tiniest little bit.

Why don't we go over
some messages, hmm?

Winona,

Vince,

winona, John,

winona, winona, winona.

Please call her back,

or she'll sic
her flying monkeys on me.

Her assistants are relentless.

I'll handle winona.

In the meantime, I need a favor.

I need you
to get ahold of Santa.

Sure.

I've also got the president
on line one.

I believe in you.

Thank you all so much,

from the bottom of our hearts,

for being here tonight,

and agreeing to be interviewed.

Now please,
enjoy the evening,

teachers and students,

do not forget
your ticket vouchers.

All right, everybody,

who's ready to kick off

the first troutman tree farm
Christmas maze!

-Yeah!
-Whoo!

You know, I have been
so entrenched in policy work,

I'd forgotten how good it feels
to make a teacher's day.

Merry Christmas, Dr. Tinsley.

Please, call me Bridget.

Merry Christmas, Darcy.

You coming, curmudgeon?

Just might help you find
a little Christmas spirit

in there.

Yeah?

You think?

Hmm...
Well, anything's possible.

Hmm, all right.

You're lost.

No, i'm...

I'm a certified
Kansas-corn-maze master.

You could even say
a maize-maze master.

Get it?
Corn... maize...

You always ramble like this
when you're nervous?

I'm not rambling, i'm...

Lost.

No!

-It's this way.
-No.

There you go
with the "noes" again.

You literally
just came from that way.

Do you think they're gonna
send someone for us eventually?

Eventually.

I mean, there are
wild animals out here.

Lions and tigers?

No...

Definitely bears.

Oh, my.

See, I was right!

Because you asked
that kid for directions.

You have got to see this.

Come with me.

Come on, come on.

How did Santa get here?

Oh, you know,
dasher and dancer, and...

Where are you going?

It's Santa!

I don't get it.

Jackie said
she couldn't get Santa.

You did this.

I called in a favor.

Rudolph's a huge fan
of our cloud services.

Thank you.

Thank Santa.

Would you excuse me
for a minute?

Yeah.

Oh, Darcy!

We're almost finished
decorating the Christmas tree.

Hi, Darcy!

What do you think?

Oh, it's amazing, as usual.

I love it.

How's it going there?

It's going really well.

Henry, Darcy says
it's going really well.

-That's our girl.
-Hey, hey, sis.

Hey...

What's up, superstar?
How's your big event?

I'm happy
with how it's going.

Hmm, no,
she did the eye thing.

No, it's just...

A pang of jealousy

that I'm not there
decorating the tree

and eating snickerdoodles
with you guys.

I just miss you is all.

We miss you, too.

Go see if Clara and Maggie
need some help.

You want her
all to yourself, do you?

Oh, Emma...

Oh! Who is that behind you?

That's him.

Oh!

That's Glen?

Hey, Darcy?

Oh, you didn't say
he was so handsome.

Shh!

Emma, I have to go.

I love you guys!

So I booked
a morning-show interview

for the Christmas pageant,

still need an angle
for the donor's gala,

but I was thinking...

Whoa, whoa, no work talk
in front of Santa.

Today's been great.

You don't have
anything to prove right now.

What?

You said it's been great.

Well, yeah,
because of Santa.

Oh, of course.

I do have one question...

Have you been good this year?

Oh, I have been
very, very good.

Very good?

Well, let's go see Santa then.

All right, if you get
some spare time,

go over your words,

and don't forget the choreo
next rehearsal, all right?

We'll see you later.

Bye.

Perfect timing!

Rehearsal just ended,

and the last of our munchkins
were just picked up.

Oh, excellent.

So, Riley,

"good morning, greenwich"
is in t-minus three day away.

How are you feeling?

Do you want to run through
your anecdotes again?

Yes, please.

Okay...

"Our program instills
much-needed confidence.

"Uh, like last year's runner-up
for most detentions,

James Johnson,

who spent hours
mastering his dance moves...

...proving to himself

that he can, in fact, focus.

Or Katelyn latif,

silent as a mouse
for fear of her stutter,

stepping up and singing...

♪ 'O Christmas tree
o Christmas tree ♪

♪ how lovely are
thy branches... ♪

Wow, you are good.

So, the reporter
is gonna ask you

"why a Christmas pageant?

Why not a spring musical
or a summer show?"

Because what other genre

lets you bond with grandma

over music you both love?

Like our opening number.

A chorus of kids
in perfect Harmony...

♪ Jolly old Saint Nicholas ♪

♪ lean your ear this way... ♪

Ah, that's
the Christmas spirit, Darcy!

♪ Don't you tell a single soul ♪

♪ what I'm 'bout to say... ♪

Okay, okay,

come here, follow me.

Oh, okay.

Oh, here we go.

I gotcha.

It's a chasse
to the left, okay?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, that was so great.

You should do that
at the pageant.

Me?

No, no, I couldn't.

Oh, no, it's a great idea.

I think the kids would be
really inspired.

I'd be so nervous.

I can't let the kids
see me like that.

You have the chance
to show these kids

they never
have to stop dancing,

to lead by example.

Lead by example?

What a great idea.

Oh... no.

Now, a publicist

who just doesn't push people
into the spotlight,

but puts her own skin
in the game for a client?

I mean, that's somebody

we could pretty much
trust with anything.

No, no, no, no,
I'm not a performer.

Would you, please?

I would feel so foolish

as the only adult
up there by myself,

but with you...

All right, I will do it.

Yay!

Bravi tutti.

A word, Glen?

Explain your logic, please.

I am struggling to understand.

What we're doing here,
it feels real,

and connected.

Important.

We have hired an entire staff
to handle important work.

Honestly, if you need to take
a sabbatical,

or you want to go
and volunteer...

I am doing my job.

Now, I think Darcy's
onto something.

We're so focused on the work,

we've disconnected
from why we do it.

We can't be afraid
to get personal.

Right.

George wasn't afraid
to get personal,

and that's how he ended up
with so many tabloid headlines.

I made a promise with George...

George doesn't run
the business anymore.

Hiding isn't working.

You told me that.

Now, if we're going to shift
the perception of ai,

we've got to get to know

the people
who work for us again,

and I'm starting here.

That is my strategy.

Then I will send Langley p.R.
Your apologies.

Is everything okay?

Fine, yeah.

Just, um...

You still want to go over
the gala media strategy

tonight?

If that still works for you.

Yeah, of course,
no, it's great.

Come on, let's see that number
from the top again.

Are you in trouble?

Me? Why?

With your boss?

Oh, winona.

No, she's not happy,
that's for sure.

She thinks I've been
too distracted with the charity.

Oh, I could never
stand up to my boss that way.

The people-pleaser in me
shakes just thinking about it.

Ah, being a "no" guy
has its perks.

Especially when you feel like
something's worth fighting for.

Okay, I know you don't like
talking about yourself,

but the charity must mean
something personal

for you to be this involved.

I was an at-risk student
in a low-income school system,

before I got very lucky
and was adopted when I was 10.

Things could have turned out
very differently for me.

Now, I...

I don't know, I just wanted
to share the luck.

That's a very
generous mindset.

Well, it comes with
a heaping side of guilt

and workaholic tendencies.

Here's to workaholic
tendencies.

Glen Goodman.

Generous champion
of the underprivileged.

Adoptee.

Friend of Santa.

It's a shame you're not ceo.

Making you the face of ai
would be a slam dunk.

What about you?

You talk so much
about Kansas City

and your family,

but here you are chasing a job

that would have you
relocate to New York City.

I made a choice
a long time ago

to root myself

while everyone else
was spreading their wings.

Wow, that's a lot of metaphors.

Anyway, I don't think
the rest of the world

sees my rootedness
as a strength.

They see it as small,

fearful.

Lately, I'm starting
to believe they're right.

So...

I guess you could say
I've got something to prove.

What?

Just hard to imagine

anyone describing you
as fearful.

You haven't had
the local Christmas experience

until you've had
the salted-caramel hot cocoa.

Mm, tourist-approved.

How long have you been a local?

Since I was adopted,

and I'm not about to divulge
how many years ago that was.

Fair enough.

Question retracted.

Although,

they're thinking about

opening a second
headquarters for ai,

which might mean a move for me.

Actually looking
at some mid-sized cities.

Oh, you should consider...

Kansas City?

Okay, I guess I should
pull back the hometown pride

two clicks.

Oh, I'm not sure
if that's possible.

So, Christmas in new england
still living up to the hype?

It's really beautiful.

But it's not home.

Silly, I know.

I'm just a little homesick.

I was gonna wait
until we got back to your hotel,

but I think
you could use this now.

A little taste of home.

Go on, it's not gonna bite.

I know it's not
your mom's recipe,

or baked by Emma,

but hopefully...

It's a little taste of home.

-Mm!
-Good?

Mm-hmm.

-Oh, that's good.
-Yeah, it's good.

I just don't know
what we can do.

Hey, what's going on?

The venue for the kids'
Christmas pageant

was double-booked.

They dropped us.

Well, find another venue!

Everywhere else
that I've called

is way outside of our budget.

All that rehearsing.

How are we going
to break it to them?

Maybe we could reschedule
for January?

Or we could divert
some of the funds

from the gala budget,
but that won't work because...

The gala!

Okay, one thing at a time.

No, no, no, that's just it.

We could do two things
at a time.

Have the kids perform
at the gala.

Let the donors see

exactly how important
their donations are.

We could let the donors
bring their kids

and make it fun
for the whole family.

Now, that is
the Christmas spirit!

We could have
cookie-decorating stations,

and a Santa photo booth.

Ooh, we could make snowflakes
out of paper...

Jackie...

This is a donor gala

with its heart
in the right place,

and I love it.

I love it.

Well, in that case,

I have another crazy idea.

I think William Austin
should speak.

Look, I know it's a big ask,

but Darcy has shown me
that if you ask,

the worst that can happen
is they can say no,

but we have to try.

It's the 10th anniversary.

We need a message
from our founder,

showing that our leadership

has their hearts
in the right place.

Have any of us even met him?

Jackie, you've been here
for 10 years.

Well, he should know you.

If William Austin

really got to know you
the way I have,

there would be no way
he could say no.

So you know what?

We're gonna take that invitation
straight to him.

You know, four's a crowd.

I could just wait in the car.

Excuse me.

We'd like to meet
with William Austin.

I'd love to play poker
with Rudolph.

I'll bet his nose is a tell.

Sorry, I thought
we were saying things

that were never
going to happen.

William Austin doesn't take
unsolicited meetings.

What are you guys
doing here?

Glen...

We have a pitch to run by you
and William Austin.

It can't wait.

I'd love to hear it.

I think it's a brilliant idea.

Really?

What a lovely opportunity
to embrace true holiday spirit.

Exactly!

And you think

William Austin would be
willing to speak?

If you don't mind,

I would love to have
a moment with Darcy

to talk through
Mr. Austin's availability,

but please,

don't hesitate to reach out

with anything else
the gala might need.

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

I'm staying.

I'm sorry, Glen,

remind me
what your role is again?

Vice president
of communications.

Fascinating,

and is that higher
than chief financial officer?

Please, have a seat.

You seem like a smart woman,
by all accounts.

You had to know

that there was no way
Mr. Austin would do this.

It is the 10th anniversary,

and it is Christmas.

You can't blame us for trying...

Frankly, I think it shows

a disappointing
lack of respect.

I'm sorry?

You leveraged the charity
to go above my head

to reconsider your firm
for Austin's PR work.

I was only thinking
of the charity...

You may have charmed
Glen Goodman,

but I see right through you.

You never saw this charity

as anything else
but a means to an end.

Now, hold on just a second.

It was my idea to approach
Mr. Austin about speaking,

not Darcy's.

Darcy has demonstrated
how much she cares

over and over...

I was scared to come today,

and I did it for Darcy,

but why should I be scared

to see my boss's boss?

What kind of culture is that?

I have fallen in love
with emerald

these past few weeks,

and when you love something,
you show up for it.

You don't abandon it
like Mr. Austin has.

Whether or not
you hire me or my firm

to do your PR,

please convince Mr. Austin
to show up

for the teachers and students

he claims to care about.

That was
what we in the stage business

call a mic drop.

Boom.

Darcy, wait!

Will you give us a minute?

What were you thinking?

I don't know, but it...

It felt great.

I feel like my whole body
is on fire right now.

I was assertive, and firm,

and honestly, thank you.

Me?

No, no, no,
I do not endorse this.

Yes, you!

I know, I called you a "no" guy,

but you're
a "take no nonsense" guy.

That's what you do.

You stand up for what's right,

even if it gets you
in trouble with your boss.

You should have run it by me
before you came here.

I wanted to take a big swing.

I struck out, but I feel great.

Darcy...

If you could meet
William Austin,

what would you tell him?

With no-nonsense
curmudgeonly energy?

I'd tell him

there are ways to uphold
his father's legacy

without being in the spotlight.

But the ceo
is the leader of the company.

Great leadership requires
empathy, vision,

and transparency.

Winona doesn't want your agency
representing ai...

But I will fight for you

to get a meeting
with William Austin

if you still want it.

I came here because I believed

he genuinely wanted to make
the world a better place.

Do you think that's true?

Deep down, yes.

At least...

That's who he wants to be.

I don't know how I feel
about William Austin anymore,

but... if you believe in him,

I trust you.

♪ choose for me
dear old St. Nick ♪

♪ what you think is right... ♪

Wait!

Wait, we have to do our bows...

I like confident Jackie.

...she got a glint in her eye.

She commanded the stage,

and now she exudes confidence
wherever she goes.

That change?

That's why we do
what we do here.

I can't believe
you put me up to this.

You could drop out.

Really?

Just admit

that putting yourself out there
isn't as easy as it seems.

Done.

It's not as easy as it seems.

Okay, now one for the camera.

No.

It's not the time.

Riley, you were incredible.

Really?

Thank you.

I'm so pumped, I feel like
I can do anything.

You ready to run this number?

-Yes.
-Oh, wow.

Oh!

-Uh...
-Stay right there!

-What size shoe do you wear?
-You're not hurt, are you?

No, no, no, I'm fine.

The strap just broke.

I'm a size seven.

I knew this was a bad idea...

No. No, no, Riley.

You know the old
show-business saying,

a bad rehearsal
makes for a great performance.

That's true...

That's true.

-Yeah.
-That's true...

Right?

What do you know
about dance shoes?

Is there a dance shoe store?

Just tell me her size.

She's a seven.
Thanks.

Okay.

Wait.

That obvious?

You were whistling.

All that's missing

is a course of cartoon reindeer

and misfit toys.

I don't know what you mean.

Just be careful.

I'm always careful.

You can't just
cut it off this time

if things get too close
for comfort.

This is a horse
of a different color.

So we keep it professional.

Yeah, good luck with that.

Thank you for taking care
of the kids' door prizes

for the gala.

Who'd have thought,

in the same hotel bar,

curmudgeonly scrooge
Glen Goodman

would be delivering toys
for children?

You mean the night

I almost had to have my foot

surgically removed
from my mouth?

Yeah, I'd say we've both
changed a bit since then.

Oh, yeah.

I've moved from proud "no" guy
to begrudging "maybe" guy...

And you are soon-to-be star
of the gala stage.

Ten blissful minutes
of not freaking out,

and you just popped 'em
like a balloon.

You really that nervous?

Every time I imagine
bolting for the Canadian border,

I remember Riley.

It's way easier to be brave
for the right person.

Yeah, I get that.

My work family is very close.

There's nothing
I wouldn't do for them.

And your family-family?

Well...

My wife and kids
don't talk to me so much.

Shall we?

Um... did you say...

Wife and kids?

Oh, right. Um...

Yeah.

We don't really talk so much...

On account of them
being non-existent.

Makes it hard.

No wife, no kids,

just me.

That is
what you were asking, right?

I just hadn't heard you
say anything.

I was curious.

Curious?

Well, obviously,
you care about kids.

Feel like it might have come up.

What about you?

Curious , are we?

I have a habit of calling it

before yellow cards
turn into red cards.

So you're a bit judgy.

No!

I just think small things
are an indication of character.

People like you
make me nervous to date.

What happens
when someone finds out...

I don't always make my bed?

Oh, I once turned around
in traffic

because I forgot
to make my bed.

Ooh.

Now who's judgy...

But like you said,

it's easier to be brave
for the right person.

Right.

I know I've given you
a hard time about dancing,

but...

I left you a good-luck token
at the front desk.

What is it?

Good night, Darcy.

Wait. It's bad luck

to wish someone good luck
before a performance.

Okay, it's not for luck...

It's for triumph.

Excuse me.
A package for room 415?

Thank you.

Why, why, why are there
so many people?

Yeah, it's a shame
to be so good at your job.

I heard that

and I have tucked it away
in my brain

and will review it

when my heart doesn't feel

like there's a tiny man

trying to punch his way
out of my chest.

May I have
your attention, please.

Friends of
the emerald educational trust,

thank you for coming tonight.

Every year,

you spread Christmas joy

to hard-working
teachers and students

across the nation.

Recently, a friend taught me

that we all have

a responsibility
to lead by example,

and I am going
to do my best tonight.

Ready, kids?

♪ Jolly old St. Nicholas ♪

♪ lean your ear this way ♪

♪ don't you tell a single soul ♪

♪ what I'm going to say ♪

♪ Christmas Eve is coming soon ♪

♪ now, you dear old man ♪

♪ whisper what
you'll bring to me ♪

♪ tell me if you can ♪

♪ when the clock
is striking twelve ♪

♪ when I'm fast asleep ♪

♪ down the chimney
broad and black ♪

♪ with your pack you'll creep ♪

♪ all the stockings
you will find ♪

♪ hanging in a row ♪

♪ mine will be
the shortest one ♪

♪ you'll be sure to know ♪

♪ Johnny wants
a pair of skates ♪

♪ Suzie wants a Dolly ♪

♪ Nellie wants a story book ♪

♪ she thinks dolls are folly ♪

♪ as for me ♪

♪ I must say ♪

♪ on this special night ♪

♪ choose for me
dear old Saint Nick ♪

♪ what you think is right ♪

That was
a once-in-a-lifetime experience,

and, Riley, you were amazing.

Thank you, Darcy.

I never would have been
brave enough to do this

without you.

Excuse me.

You were incredible!

Well, I had a little help
in triumphing.

Mm-hmm.

Not the only dancer, I see.

Credit where credit is due.

I could not have done
what you did tonight.

You put me up to it!

That doesn't mean
I could have done it.

I don't know about that.

You've been full of surprises
from the start, Glen Goodman.

Like what?

Like...

I didn't expect a "no" guy
to be the harbinger of Santa.

Well, your enthusiasm
is very infectious.

Or for the "no" guy
sent to enforce boundaries

to become
our biggest cheerleader.

You made it pretty hard
to stay impartial.

I know William Austin
wasn't ready,

but it's the 10th anniversary.

Somebody should speak.

It's a little late

for one more
high-profile guest...

Oh, I'm sure
we could invite someone

with charm, vision, charisma

closer than we think.

No, no, no, no. No.
Not happening.

Mm-mm.

Come on, when you told me
your story,

you are the perfect person
to speak for ai tonight.

You really believe in me
that much?

Absolutely.

Okay.

Yeah?

Yeah, yeah.
I'll do it.

Let me just go find Riley.

Amazing!

You are amazing!

For triumph.

It is my great pleasure

to introduce,
on behalf of Austin, inc.,

our vice president
of communications,

Glen Goodman!

You know,
for the past three weeks,

I have had the pleasure

of watching
this foundation at work.

And what I have seen
has absolutely blown me away.

I...

See, I was an at-risk student
in a low-income neighborhood

before I was adopted
at 10 years old.

I was personally saved

by the dedication
and the generosity of teachers

making twice the impact

with half the budget
of other schools.

Everything that I have now

is because of what
they so selflessly gave,

and I am so proud
to be here tonight,

celebrating teachers
and their students.

You know, I'd like
to pull the curtain back

and show you some of

the hard-working people
from emerald educational trust.

Jackie Crowe,
could you please come up here?

The brilliance of Jackie
cannot be overstated...

Or contained.

For the fun you had tonight,

you can thank
our director of policy,

Bridget tinsley.

Dr. Tinsley,
could you please come up?

She is the beating heart
of this foundation.

Mr. Riley lyons!

There's no doubting
Riley's talent after tonight,

but what has
impressed me most...

Would have been his courage.

He fights for these kids
with every fiber of his being.

Finally...

A big thank you
to miss Darcy Gale.

Darcy, could you come up?

She graciously offered

three weeks
of pro-bono work

during our
most important season,

Christmas.

Now, when she got here
from Kansas City,

we weren't really sure
what to expect.

But she helped
each one of us reconnect

with our sense of wonder,

heart,

and courage.

And I am so proud to announce

that gumm PR and Darcy Gale

will be handling

all of ai's publicity
moving forward.

Glen, they're gonna fire you.

No, they won't.

I'm sorry.

You know, Darcy once told me

that great leadership

requires empathy,

vision,

and transparency.

And in the spirit
of transparency,

I must confess that...

I am not Glen Goodman.

I am William Austin,
ceo of Austin, inc.

And founder of
the emerald educational trust,

and I could not be prouder

of this charity

and the students

and the teachers
that it supports.

Thank you all so much.

Merry Christmas!

Darcy.

Say something.

I...

Am upset...

I deserve that.

...at myself
for not catching on.

I thought
I was smarter than that.

Oh, it was
a very carefully-guarded secret.

I am upset
that I allowed my heart

to get tangled up
in someone else's games?

Insecurities.

For once, I had the courage

to throw myself
out of my comfort zone,

and it was...

It was for nothing.

No, no.
It wasn't for nothing...

It was all a lie.

I have spent
the past decade hiding.

Trying to keep my head down

while I tried to keep
my father's legacy alive.

I think I've probably spent
my whole life hiding,

trying to shield myself

from a world
that didn't seem fair.

Or good.

Or trustworthy.

This is the first time
I've been just...

William.

But you weren't William...

No, it wasn't my name,
but it was me.

I hope the world
gets to know

the person I met
these past few weeks.

He's a person worth knowing.

And I'm very grateful

you think I'm worthy
of the job, but...

I'm referring the account
to the New York office.

Darcy, please,
please don't do this.

Do you want to know how I feel?

I feel hurt.

Merry Christmas, William.

If you have a secret
crime-fighting identity,

tell me now.

Not a chance.

Dogs are always genuine.

And in 5... 4... 3... 2...

The conquering hero returns!

-Hi!
-Hi.

Darcy, I'm so glad you're back!

Oh, thanks, Clara.

-Hey, you're back!
-Back!

Did you bring us
anything cool from Connecticut?

No!

You just sit back and relax.

You're so sweet.

Welcome home, honey.

Well? How was the trip?

Well, let's just say
there's no place like home.

Here, have a glass, everyone.

You're welcome.

You're awfully quiet.

I'm just tired from traveling.

If anything, there's no filter
when you're tired.

We saw the speech on the news.

He seemed like a nice young man.

Oh, he seemed like
a lot of things.

This can't be the first time

a client has withheld
information.

Oh, not something this large.

I just don't get it.

I mean, you were
so excited about this job,

and you put so much
on the line for it,

and you got it...

It's about client trust.

I knew that William Austin
was media-resistant,

but I didn't think he would...

I mean, if I had known
the whole time,

do you think I would have...

I just can't believe
I fell for that.

Fell for that...

Or him?

Welcome back!

How are you doing?

You feel good
about your decision?

Yes. I feel good.

Hey, Jackie!

Hi.

Can we talk through
a foundation p.R. Issue?

Of course!

Oh, hi!

It's so good
to see all your faces!

We miss you!
How are you doing?

I'm okay.

What's the p.R. Issue?

Oh, we have a problem

with you not taking
your dream p.R. Job.

And we know
that the reveal

must have really hurt you.

And I know it must be scary

to take the leap
to a big city...

But we refuse
to let William Austin

or anything else
stand in your way.

Thanks, you guys.

Yeah, I've been thinking about

why I was reaching
for that job.

I felt like
I'd been playing it small,

and I needed something big
to validate me.

I wish we'd been
friends before.

I would have told you

to speak more kindly
to yourself.

The real work,

the work that changes
the world for the better,

doesn't usually win
fancy awards,

and most of the world
will never see it,

but people like me
and Jackie and Riley...

And you...

We do it anyway.

That's who you are, Darcy.

You're right.

And I believe in ai's mission.

But the thought

of leaving home for good...

I don't know,
it just makes my chest ache.

Maybe you're scared to march

to the beat of your own drum...

But that doesn't sound
like the Darcy I know.

Mm-mm.

Maybe you could ask
to work from home,

or split your time
between there and here,

or partner up

with someone
from the New York office, or...

I should have known

you'd give me

a million possibilities
to consider.

But they are solutions
to the wrong problem,

am I right?

All in all,

I would say that we are
in an excellent position

closing out q4.

William?

Yeah. Sounds good.

Great work.

You know,

I don't think
I've ever been as nervous

as I was when you took
to the stage at the gala.

You were incredible,

and your father would have been
so very proud.

Thank you.

And I am happy to admit
that I was wrong about Darcy,

and I'm glad

that we are moving forward
with her.

Well, gumm will be
handling our PR,

but Darcy's turned down
the position.

Well, that's unacceptable.

You have to convince
her otherwise.

I had no idea she'd made
such an impression.

Well, you know how much

I respected and admired
your father.

Darcy helped me realize

I've worked harder
to uphold George's vision

than to help you find your own.

What vision?

The article was right.

I'm no George Austin.

No.

And thank goodness for that.

George saw the future
very clearly,

but he didn't see
how people fit into it.

But you do.

George was a visionary...

But you are a leader...

And it's time
to be true to yourself.

To lead how you want...

Wherever you want...

...and with whomever you want.

Thank you.
That means a lot.

Do I have to spell it
out for you?

Go. Go find her.

Win her back.

Go find her. Fly!

Fly!

I'm so sorry.

I shouldn't have lied to you.

I can't tell you
how lonely it has been,

being surrounded by people
who see my father's legacy

but don't see me.

It was safer to protect myself.

I have found a million reasons

to keep myself
smaller than I am.

I think you get that.

I was a "no" guy.

I didn't realize
what I was missing

until you dropped
into my life...

Treated everyone
like family...

With your ability
to see through it all.

And you did see through it.

You see a version of me
that I can't even see.

And that's the man
that I want to be.

Wow.

That was really sweet...

And...

I want to talk,
but it's Christmas Eve...

I thought it would be
kind of romantic...

No, no.

I mean, there is
a cavalry of relatives

that are gonna be here
any minute,

and you just...
You have to get out of here.

I'd love to meet your family...

No, no, no.

I want to talk,
and we will talk,

but you have to get out of here!
I want to talk, we will talk...

Oh! You must be Glen!

Or William, is it?

My gosh! How exciting
having you here for Christmas!

-Hello.
-Hi.

-It's very nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.

Do you need anything, gwilliam?

No, I'm great. Thanks.

Do you mind if I join you?

Please.

You know...

I thought you were

this mysterious,
larger-than-life figure.

The great and powerful Austin.

I was afraid,
if I ever met you,

I would feel so small.

But you didn't turn out to be
any of the things I thought.

Nope.

Just a man behind the curtain.

A very flawed man.

Yes.

But also a caring man.

You're very generous,

and stubborn,

and brilliant,

and compassionate,

and funny,

and all kinds
of other juxtapositions

that made me fall for you.

Well, let's not
just breeze past that...

But you're remaking ai
to be truer to your values,

and I have to stay true to mine.

It took going
all the way across the country

to realize
that I wasn't stuck before...

I was planted.

I love my roots,

I love what I've grown here.

And, yes,
the occasional adventure is fun,

but...

My home is here.

I'm sorry
if that's a deal breaker.

You know, we had all sorts
of great options

for our second headquarters,

but I just...

I couldn't get this voice
out of my head.

It kept saying,
"Kansas City. Kansas City."

You do have
a great tech-startup scene.

-Oh, we do!
-Mm-hmm.

And bringing jobs
to a mid-size city would be...

A brilliant PR move.
Mm-hmm.

That's what our gumm rep said.

Right?

Right.

Ai does have
a communications issue

I was hoping
you could weigh in on?

We need
a new vp of communications.

Last guy was a total flake.

Someone that has a relationship
with gumm would be good.

Doesn't mind traveling
now and again

to our global clientele.

Also, if...

If it's soon...

You just don't want
to work with me, or...

It would be based here, right?

Absolutely.

And you would be here?

Of course.

I've heard there's no place
like Kansas City.

There's no place like home.

Merry Christmas, Darcy.

Merry Christmas, William.