Call Me Claus (2001) - full transcript

When Lucy Cullins, a successful but cranky producer at a home shopping network, hires an actor named Nick to play Santa Claus on the network she gets more than she bargained for. Nick really is Santa Claus, and he faces mandatory retirement after 200 years on the job. Nick must find his replacement by Christmas Eve or the world will face dire consequences and he has his sights set on Lucy.

¶¶ [ Drum Roll ]

¶ Is that you

Santa Claus ¶

¶¶ [ Swing ]

¶ Gifts I'm preparin'

for some Christmas sharin' ¶

¶ But I pause because ¶

¶ Hanging my stocking

I can hear a knocking ¶

¶ Is that you

Santa Claus ¶

¶ Sure is dark out

Not the slightest spark out ¶

¶ Pardon my slackened jaw ¶

¶ Who there, who is it

stoppin' for a visit ¶

¶ Is that you

Santa Claus ¶

¶ Are you bringin'

a present for me ¶

¶ Something pleasantly pleasant

for me ¶

¶ That's what I've been

waitin' for ¶

¶ Would you mind slippin' it

under the door ¶

¶ Four winds a-howlin'

Maybe there'd be growlin' ¶

¶ My legs feel like straw ¶

¶ Oh, my, my, me, my

Kindly, would you reply ¶

¶ Is that you

Santa Claus ¶

Yeah !

¶ Oh, hanging my stocking

I can hear a knocking ¶

¶ Is that you

Santa Claus ¶

¶ Yeah, I say now

Hey there, who is it ¶

¶ Stoppin' for a visit ¶

Perfect.

Mama ! Come see !

¶ Is that you, Santa Claus ¶¶

Lucy, where are you ?

Lucy, we gotta get a move on.

Someone you really want to see

is coming to the Five and Dime.

Is it Daddy, Mama ?

Well, almost as good.

Well, then I hope

it's James Brown.

All right. Here we go.

[ Chattering ]

[ Man ]

So that's one

G.I. Joe action set.

We won't forget.

Merry Christmas, young fella.

Right on, Santa !

Right.

Little girl,

welcome to Santa's Village.

Hello. What's your name,

young lady?

[ Chuckles ]

Well, my grams calls me Frankie,

'cause everybody wanted a boy...

and they were really surprised

when I wasn't.

Whenever I'm in really

big trouble with my mama,

it's Lucille Francis Cullins.

Then I know I'm in really

big trouble, because she

never uses my full name.

- You can call me

whatever you like.

- Thank you.

I think I'll just call you Lucy.

[ Chuckles ] What do you want

for Christmas ?

Well, I want

an Easy-Bake Oven

and a Tressie doll.

Her hair pulls out when

you push her stomach.

Oh, yeah.

And something for my brother

Dwayne, and a nice dress

like that one over there,

it'd be fine for Mama,

'cause we can't afford it.

What I really want is

for my daddy to come home.

Oh ! Well,

where is your daddy ?

Vietnam.

How would you like

a nice dolly ?

Lucy, can I let you

into a little secret ?

Even if your daddy can't

be with you in person,

do you know how you can have him

with you all the time ?

No. How ?

As long as he's

right here,

in your thoughts,

in your dreams,

he'll be

with you always.

As long as you have

someone that you love

on the inside,

you get to know how

to live on the outside.

The outside.

Yes, but I'd rather have

my daddy. You can do it,

can't you, Santa ?

Santa can do anything.

[ Mouths Words ]

My friend Bobby over there

double-dog dared me two bars

of Bonamo's Turkish Taffy...

to ask you if I could

put on your hat.

[ Laughs ]

No, no, no.

You can't put on Santa's hat.

Well, we can't have

Lucy backing down from

a double-dog dare, now, can we ?

Heh heh !

Jumping jingle bells !

It's glowing !

My--

Thanks, Santa.

I gotta go.

Oh--

Merry Christmas,

Santa.

This one...

is going in the book.

[ Whispers ]

Merry Christmas, Lucy.

I bet Santa loves his job.

Making kids happy on Christmas

would be the coolest job

in the whole world.

[ Chuckles ]

He let me put on his hat.

Did you see that, Mama ?

Oh !

Did you see how I looked ?

He gets to fly in a sleigh.

He sees Rudolph all the time.

He's just the nicest man

in the whole world.

Wait here, Lucy.

Ma'am, are you

Mrs Dwayne Cullins ?

Yes, I am.

On behalf of a grateful nation,

I'm afraid I have

some bad news for you.

- [ Mrs Cullins ]

Oh, no. Please, no.

- ¶¶ [ Woman, Indistinct ]

- We're certainly sorry.

- Mama, what is it ?

What's wrong ?

It's Daddy.

I'm afraid he really is

coming home for Christmas.

¶ I can hear

the angels singing ¶

¶ I can hear

the angels singing ¶

¶ I can hear

the angels singing ¶

¶ Bless my soul ¶

[ Car Horn Honks ]

[ Man On Radio ]

Hey, Southern California.

What's with this warm weather,

folks ? Eighty-two degrees

on December 1 ?

If we keep this up,

we're on track for the hottest

L.A. Christmas on record.

Uh-uh, uh-uh !

Come on now ! Come on now !

[ Car Backfires, Sputters ]

450,000 miles is no reason

to crap out on me now !

Come on !

[ Honks Horn ]

Hey, fool !

Don't you see what that says ?

What ? Okay, calm down.

Don't get out of your car.

I will hurt you.

How long do you think it took me

to get that sign, fool ?

Oh, Miss Cullins.

The casting director

wanted me to remind you...

that the Kristmas Korner

auditions will be

this morning...

in your office.

Yes, I'm thrilled about it.

I can't wait.

Give me strength.

Shop-A-Lot channel.

Good buys. Hello ?

Hey, Lucy. Big day.

Fun day. You ready to see

the Christmas set ?

Where is my vanilla latte ?

Here I am ! The espresso

machine broke down, Luce.

I had to go down the street

to get this.

You know,

I gotta have my morning latte,

or I get really, really crabby.

Oh. You're welcome.

Isn't it great ?

It redresses for

the other holiday shows.

No fuss, no muss.

Lose the tree !

Drop the menorah !

Easy, easy !

Okay, we're hot !

I hate everything about it.

Other than that, it's perfect.

Watch this.

- Oh !

- We're consistent.

We exploit all religions.

So I'm up at the North Pole,

bumpin' uglies with the missus,

when all of a sudden

she remembers, we forgot

to flock the tree.

So I grab my

trusty can of Frosty Flock

and bada-bing, bada-boom !

I do the deed.

You know what I mean ?

Interesting choice.

I never saw Santa

as Teamster before.

[ Grunting ]

Did I need to see that

this early in the morning ?

Get-- Next. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next.

- Ho ho ho ! Ha ha ha !

- Next.

Next !

- Merry Christmas.

- Next.

Thank you very much.

Next. Next !

All right. Thank you very much.

Okay, thank you. Next.

Next. Great.

Thanks very much. Next !

Thank you very much. Next !

Next. Next. Next.

Next. Next.

Lucy Cullins !

Just the woman I wanted to see.

How's the best little producer

in the home-shopping biz ?

[ Laughs ] Hi, Cameron.

So have you found

my Santa Claus yet ?

No, but if you need

someone's knees broken,

we've got just the guy--

although I do think

Miss December might

be a callback.

Well, I'm not the least bit

worried, even if we do go

on the air in 24 hours,

and the holidays are

our biggest cash cow.

If anyone can fake a warm, fuzzy

Christmas and make those couch

potatoes cough up their bucks,

it's you, Lucy.

And how.

Now, I know how much

you hate the holidays,

but this is our year

to knock off QVC...

as king of Christmas

home shopping.

If you can help me do that,

the minute we wrap

Christmas Eve,

I will put you on an aeroplane

that will take you as far away

from here as you want to go.

- Bora Bora ?

- Anywhere you want.

Two cabana boys,

lots of lotion.

[ Chuckles ]

If you play your cards right,

maybe I'll go with you.

- [ Laughs ]

- [ Low Chuckle ]

Now, you know the only cards

I play are solitaire.

[ Laughing ]

She wants me, Tyler.

Oh, how she wants me.

It's Taylor.

Whatever.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Man ]

Hey, old timer.

I've got a North Polar

sausage here. It's got

your name on it.

You leave me alone !

Now you do the right thing,

Pops. Armageddon is comin'.

The clock is tickin'.

"'Twas the night before

Christmas, and all

through the house...

not a creature was stirring,"

because they were all dead !

All right !

Summon the Inquisition.

But we must be

inconspicuous.

Don't worry.

I'm way ahead of you

on this one.

[ Santa ]

Could've picked a place

with a bit more atmosphere.

You said "blend in," boss.

I think six guys in lederhosen

would've stuck out at Hooter's.

- [ Laughing ]

- Get on with it.

This is an official

elf intervention.

I know, I know.

Here.

[ Clears Throat ]

"We, the board of directors...

"of the Worldwide Christmas

Corporation, hereby charge

one St Nicholas, A.K.A. Nick,

with wilful failure

to abide by the terms

of his employment contract."

Now just you wait a moment !

Just because I have

been methodical,

[ Coughs ] Procrastinating !

careful and orderly

in my last duties,

there is no reason for

maligning my entire term

in office.

You have to face it, Nick.

You have been a slacker.

I have been no such thing !

You know the rules.

Yes, I know the rules.

Every 200 years, a new Santa

has to be recruited and trained.

You're supposed to be ready

to make the switch...

by midnight,

this Christmas Eve, or--

- Or the "or else" factor

kicks in.

- [ Murmurings ]

You do remember that

little item in the fine print

about the end of the world...

because of

the North Pole melting.

- The Waterworld clause.

- Did that slip your mind ?

Oh, it has not

slipped my mind.

It's not just

my love of Christmas.

My dilemma is who.

There is no name on our list

that has those very special

qualities we're looking for.

There is... one other name.

Now, Ralph, you know as well

as I do that there's a reason...

why her name is last

on the list.

And you have four weeks

to make her number one,

or we're going to be

cutting up your workshop

to make little lifeboats.

[ Groaning, Muttering ]

[ Phone Ringing ]

[ Receptionist ] Shop-A-Lot

channel. Good buys. Hello ?

[ Man ] Hey, where have

you been ? You're late

for check-in, you know.

Uh, excuse me--

Hey ! Nice beard.

Looks almost real.

Thank you.

Um, I'm looking for

Miss Lucy Cullins.

Fill this out and go with

the other Santas...

and wait until

you're called.

Shop-A-Lot channel.

Good buys. Hello ?

I saw the best elves

of my generation

destroyed by madness,

dragging themselves through

the angry yuppie streets

at midnight...

looking for a fix

of Christmas glee:

an eggnog spiked

with the screams...

of a million

unhappy children.

Mm-hmm.

It's part of a one-act

play I've written.

I call it Kafka Claus.

- Kafka Claus ?

- Yes.

What kind of lame-ass audition

was that ?

- Yeah, fine. Okay.

- What was that ?

Fine. I know when my gifts

are not appreciated.

Appreciated ?

Get yo' ass outta here !

- What are you tryin' to say ?

- I'm sayin' get out !

I've auditioned

for off-off-Broadway !

- Don't make me

come over there !

- You don't scare me !

- Don't make me-- Just--

- How about a change

of scenery ?

Why are you bringing

these people to me ?

Come on.

- What's the matter

with you ? Crazy.

- Just relax, okay ?

Oh. Here's Her Majesty.

What, what ?

Oh, yes !

Yes, I'd recognize

her anywhere.

Oh, this is cute. The next guy

on the list put down

St Nicholas as his real name.

[ Nick ]

Actually, that's only one

of my many names. [ Chuckles ]

In Mexico,

they call me Papa Noel.

In Holland,

they call me Kris Kringle.

Germany, Weinachtsman.

Even in Siberia

I've got a name.

They call me Father Ice.

[ Chuckling ]

Great.

Another Froot Loop.

But my friends

all call me Nick.

Lucy, it's wonderful

to see you again

after all these years.

[ Chuckles ] I'm sorry.

I don't know who you think I am,

but I don't know you at all.

I was hoping

you'd remember me.

Well, I don't.

So if you're here

to audition, I suggest

we get on with it, okay ?

Audition ?

Yeah.

See, you want a job,

you need to make people

buy this crap.

If you can do that and you

don't piss her off, she might

hire you to play Santa Claus...

for the next four weeks

on her television show,

Four weeks ?

so you're auditioning.

Where do I stand ?

Right this way, Mr. Claus.

Right over here.

Hey, Jake. Put this up on

the monitor for us, will ya ?

You got it.

Why don't you just ad-lib

with one of the products

on the set ?

- Ad-lib ?

- Improvise. Make it up as you

go. Lenny, give me something.

Ad-lib, huh ?

Yeah. Here you go. Just

talk right into the camera.

Whenever you're ready,

you go ahead.

[ Bell Rings ]

Whenever you're ready.

Oh ho ! Well, everybody,

welcome to Kristmas Korner.

Christmas spelled with a "K" ?

That's going to take

a bit of getting used to.

I've been spelling it with a "C"

for the past 200 years.

[ Scoffs ]

So let's get down

the business--

Of course, Santa would never

endorse the use of tobacco.

But I guess this little lighter

would come in handy for lighting

the candles on Christmas Eve.

Nick, it's not a lighter.

It's a sock warmer.

A sock warmer ? Ha ha !

Jumping jingle bells.

How about that ? What an

ingenious little gift idea.

I think I'm gonna buy one

for each of my boots.

You have no idea how chilly

it gets on your toes--

[ Continues, Indistinct ]

Lucy, where did you get him ?

He is terrific.

He is a natural.

The public is going

to eat him up.

Makes me want to buy

one of those sock warmers.

I don't even wear socks.

Book him, Danno.

[ Taylor ] Terrific !

- Thank you.

- All right, Santa.

You're hired.

Way to go, Nick.

Congratulations.

[ Bell Rings ]

I just can't believe

I passed your test, Lucy.

Ah ! Jumping jingle bells.

Okay, let's start

with that.

What ?

The "jumping jingle bell"

thing ? It's really annoying.

Secondly, I don't have a test.

You passed my boss' test.

[ Chuckles ]

I can't wait to get to

know you better, Lucy.

You know what ?

I don't think we are

gonna get to know

each other better.

The last person I want

in my life is Santa Claus.

Excuse me.

[ Chattering ]

[ Lucy ]

Cameron, you know I would never

turn down a free meal,

but this is $50 a plate at a

sushi joint when we could've

had a 50-cent hot dog.

What am I doing here ?

Ah !

You know how I've been

looking for just the right item

to fill our final product slot ?

Yeah.

I've been keeping it

under wraps,

because I didn't want the people

at Home Shopping Network

to steal it out from under us.

[ Whispers ]

But I think it's gonna

be big-- very big.

Lucky number 13.

Say hello to

the little fella...

that's going to help us

kick Home Shopping butt

this Christmas.

We put these on TV,

every kid in America's

gonna want one.

Cameron, I have never

complained, ever,

about the crap

that we sell

on our network.

We all know it's crap.

If people wanna buy crap,

they can buy crap.

But this--

this is the crappiest crap

you have ever come up with.

Okay. Talk to me.

You have

crapped out on this.

Pay the cheque.

Uh, Lucy, the--

Check, please.

Oy !

So all the words I'm supposed

to be saying appear on this

little screen ?

Uh-huh.

Oh ho !

That's absolutely ingenious.

One of these would come in

very handy next time

I have to speak...

at the Elves Hall

of Fame Banquet.

You really like

staying in character,

don't you ?

In character ?

Yeah, just being Santa

all the time.

Ah, not all the time,

sadly. Only 200 years.

Oh, well.

Whatever floats your boat.

Hmm ?

You got my vote.

Excuse me, Nick.

My queen awaits.

Okay.

Hey, Luce.

Hey.

What don't I need to know ?

Let's see--

The vending machines

have Little Debbies,

our interpreter translating

the seven principles

of Kwanzaa from Swahili...

quit for a gig

at the U.N....

That's amusing.

and your brother Dwayne and his

daughter have been waiting

in your office for over an hour.

Mm-hmm.

Morning, Lucy.

Who's this stranger in my

office ? Somebody in security's

gonna lose their job.

- You know who I am, Aunt Lucy.

- Iesha, is that you ?

Ah ! Iesha, give me a hug.

I didn't even recognize you,

girl ! [ Laughs ]

Look, you brought a big,

old ugly man with ya.

What a surprise, baby brother.

Mm-wah !

You know good and well

this is no surprise, Lucy.

You never return

any of our phone calls

at Christmastime.

- Daddy's right.

But guess what.

- What ?

I'm singing a solo at

the church on Christmas Eve.

You've gotta get your butt

over there to support me.

That is such a low blow.

Bringing my own niece here

to work my conscience.

- If you had a conscience--

- I will do my best

to get there, okay ?

But it's quite possible that

I may be going to Bora Bora,

because the company

I'm working for is expanding.

And what I really need

you both to help me with...

is a present for Ma.

Right.

Now who's playin' who ?

I am not playing you !

I do need your help.

Should I give her cold,

hard cash, or should I give her

a Shop-A-Lot gift certificate ?

Lucy, stop it.

I mean, that is pathetic.

Hindus give better

Christmas presents.

Come on, angel.

Say goodbye to Aunt Lucy.

- She's busy.

- Bye, Aunt Lucy.

You don't know anything about

the Hindu people. They don't

even celebrate Christmas.

I know you're gonna be there,

Aunt Lucy.

Hello.

You must be Iesha.

How do you know that ?

Well, I wouldn't be a very good

Santa Claus if I didn't know

your name, would I ?

Bye, Santa.

Bye.

Bye, honey.

Bye, Iesha.

Bye, Santa.

Bye.

Don't you have somewhere else

to be ? Like wardrobe ?

Wardrobe ? Oh, no, no.

I have my own Santa suit,

thank you.

Well, how about hair

and make-up then ?

Get the rosy cheeks

and cherry nose thing going on.

Lucy--

Excuse me.

Attention,

ladies and gentlemen...

and kiddies.

Once we get on the air tomorrow,

this won't be Shop-A-Lot.

This will be

"work till you drop a lot."

That's clever wordplay, people.

Always laugh at the boss'

clever wordplay.

[ Laughing ]

Now that's funny.

Anyway, we're gonna be working

awfully hard together. We won't

have much time to celebrate.

- So tonight is on me.

- [ Cheering ]

Yes, thank you.

Before we pop the cork,

it is my great pleasure

to introduce to you...

the man of our season...

our very own

Shop-A-Lot Santa Claus !

The camera. Smile.

The food's good.

[ Gasps ]

We're next.

Hello.

Santa, this is

my brother Jeff.

Hello, Jeff.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Thank you very much.

Now, what's your favourite thing

about Christmas ?

I like to give

my sister a present.

- That's my sister.

She's my buddy.

- Yeah ?

You're gonna give her

a present ?

So... you want something

rather special this Christmas,

don't you ?

Mm-hmm.

I think I know what it is.

Can I whisper ?

[ Gasps ]

How do you know my secret ?

[ Chuckles ]

'Cause I'm Santa. Remember ?

Yeah ! You really are !

I really am !

Mm-hmm !

I love you, Santa.

I love you, too, Jeff.

Oh, you're a wonderful boy,

eh ?

Over here, Santa.

Look this way.

There you are.

Do you want a present ?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Everybody gets

a present from Santa.

[ Nick ]

Good night, Lucy.

Oh.

It's you.

Listen, thank you

for what you did tonight.

It was very nice,

especially for

that kid Jeff.

Oh, Jeff taught me far,

far more than I taught him.

He reminded me that sometimes

it's the most innocent among us

who enjoy Christmas the best.

Well, you didn't have to do it,

it's not in your contract and

you're not getting extra money.

Well, actually,

I have another contract

which sort of requires it.

That's right,

'cause you are Santa Claus.

Lucy, I think the world

still needs what I stand for.

If people stop believing

in Santa, if all they see is

a funny old man in a red suit,

then maybe they'll stop

believing in things like

kindness, generosity--

You know, you don't have

to do all this right now.

You ain't on television.

Lucy, your daddy

would be so sad

to see you like this.

My daddy ?

You don't know anything

about my daddy.

Don't you remember me ?

Hmm ? All those years ago

at the Five and Dime store

when you were just--

Look, old man,

let me tell you something.

I don't know who you've

been talking to about me,

but you better stop.

My personal life

is none of your business.

Okay ?

Tick-tock, Nick.

Tick-tock.

[ Conversation Indistinct ]

[ Backfiring ]

Here you go.

Oh, thanks a lot.

Hey, Nick.

It's all about red lights.

Hmm ?

When a red light is on,

that's the camera you

want to make love to.

You know, in a "peace on earth,

good will toward men"

sort of way.

I think I understand.

Thank you, thank you.

All right.

Where is my vanilla latte ?

Why is it, after all this time,

I'm still begging for

a vanilla latte ?

Why am I latte-free ?

Sorry, Luce. I had to take

Cameron's dog to the groomer.

What does this have to do

with me having no latte ?

Nothing.

You're welcome.

Okay. Let's sell the hell

out of Christmas, people.

[ Bell Rings ]

In five, four,

three, two, cue jingle.

[ Chorus ]

¶ Fa la la, fa la la

fa la la la ¶

¶ Merry Christmas ¶

¶ And a happy new year ¶¶

Happy holidays, everyone.

I'm your host, you know.

Welcome to a brand new season

of Kristmas Korner.

My elves here at Shop-A-Lot

have been working overtime...

to bring you

the most exciting line-up

of holiday merchandise...

you've ever seen.

Let's have a look at one

of the gifts. Huh ?

A "12 Days of Christmas"

musical necktie.

Isn't that... handsome ?

Huh ?

Don't you agree ?

¶¶

Push a button and out comes

a favourite Christmas tune.

It's $15.95,

plus shipping and handling.

When the song hits

"ten lords a-leaping"--

[ Continues, Indistinct ]

Oh, he's a good one.

Grandma, that's the Santa I saw

at Aunt Lucy's I told you about.

He looks kinda familiar.

Almost like that one

years ago that-- No.

And what could be

more festive than--

[ Continues, Indistinct ]

No more eggnog for me.

So let's see what new item

we have on the agenda.

Oh, my goodness me.

Huh !

- I don't think this was made

in Santa's workshop.

- [ Laughing ]

I can feel my rosy red cheeks

gettin' even rosier.

Santa doesn't normally stock

adult items in his--

Now, mind you--

Is he ad-libbing ?

I remember once in the '80s--

1888, I think it was.

We got this mischievous elf.

He brought in cancan dancers.

Oh-- Is he--

Oh, no, no, no.

No ad-libbing on my show.

[ Continues, Indistinct ]

[ Over Headset ] Taylor,

get him back on prompter.

There were dolls in my sack.

[ Whispers ]

Nick ! Nick !

What ? I'm sorry.

The prompter !

Ladies, now you imagine

your husband coming home...

to find you attired

in this little number

made of the very best silk.

In comes in petite size one

to huggable size 22.

Twenty-two ? I guess

I might put one of these

away for Mrs Claus !

- Hmm ? [ Laughing ]

- [ Chuckles ]

[ Lines Ringing ]

[ Overlapping Chatter ]

[ Woman ] Shop-A-Lot channel,

your one-stop, nonstop,

shop-till-you-drop shop.

Excuse me. Please hold.

Shop-A-Lot channel.

Yes, ma'am.

A dozen musical neckties.

Yes, we love our Santa too.

Please hold.

Shop-A-Lot channel.

Si, senor. Feliz Navidad.

¿ Que desea usted ?

Ah, si, muchas gracias.

Please hold.

Shop-A-Lot channel.

The candy-cane negligee ?

No, sir, I'm afraid it does not

come in men's sizes.

Please hold.

- [ Nick ] ...when it's

all over. [ Chuckles ]

- Lucy !

I've been watching from

my office. He is gold !

What's next ?

What's next ?

I think number 13.

Lucky number 13. Ah !

The next item is

an authentic recreation...

of yours truly,

as you can see,

with a price tag of $29.95.

That's very expensive.

There must be something

special about this guy.

With one pull of his arm,

there's a lot more to

this fellow than meets the eye.

- Ho ho ho !

You hit the jackpot !

- Bingo.

Jackpot Claus.

Jackpot !

Jackpot !

- Uh-oh.

- Look, I-I-I can't sell this.

- Lucy ? What's he doing ?

- Yes. He's ad-libbing again.

I can't-- I won't sell it.

No. Look, Taylor,

I can't do this.

All right. This is bad.

This is officially bad.

I did tell you that

that doll was crap.

You--

You're the one that hired

this nut case ! Yes !

I'm the--

- I can't induce children to--

- Fix it ! I'm going

to telemarketing.

You had better hope that

the lines haven't gone cold.

Get rid of him !

Get rid of him !

All right.

Let's go to an infomercial.

[ Audio Indistinct ]

I don't care which one

you put up. Anything.

- Get him off the air.

- Isn't there another product--

[ Man ]

Okay, let's roll VTR-2.

[ Man On Tape ] Howdy. Say

hello to the Fishin' Ambition,

the all-in-one tool that--

- Nick, Nick--

- What is going on down here ?

Have you lost your mind ?

We have TelePrompTers

for him to read.

Why isn't anybody helping him ?

What the hell are you doing ?

Sorry, Lucy.

It's just that that

mechanical doll--

Do you realize...

it's not your job to decide

what we do and do not sell

on this show ?

No ! But I can't

in all conscience ask--

You know what ?

Let me fix this for you,

okay ? You're fired.

What ?

You're fired.

Okay ? Taylor,

get him off my set.

Lucy.

[ Bell Rings ]

Where is he ?

Where's Nick ?

I want to kiss him

on his rosy, red cheek.

The phones are going nuts.

America loves our Santa Claus...

and so do I.

That old man did a

quarter-million dollars in his

first 20 minutes on the air.

I'll be right back.

Where's she going ?

Probably to

look for Nick.

Santa Claus has

left the building.

[ Bell Ringing ]

There you go.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Excuse me. You haven't seen

and old guy lookin' like Santa

go past you, have ya ?

What am I ?

Chopped liver ?

No, but I'm asking you--

There's one that

went just past me.

Hey, Nick ! Nick !

Hey, Nick ! Nick !

Nick !

Oh, not Nick. Sorry.

Nothing. Nothing.

Here's his audition sheet,

but I don't think it's

gonna do much good.

Why not ?

He put down his address

as the North Pole.

Oh, great. He's delusional.

Check all the bars, check all

the mental hospitals. Go.

Wait a minute. Why me ?

Why you ?

It's your fault I fired him.

How is it my fault ?

It's your fault because

this is television,

and that's the way

we do things.

Oh, makes sense. Sure.

¶ Happy little Christmas

and a very good new year

Uh-huh ¶¶

[ Man ]

Where's the beer, sweetheart ?

Keep your pants on, Paulie.

Hey, doll face, come on.

Why don't you come up

to the North Pole

and see my place ?

Or better still,

come up to my place

and check out the North Pole.

That's quite enough of that,

you lecherous boor !

Oh !

If it isn't the old geezer

who stole my job at

the Shop-A-Lot channel.

If you're gonna

wear that hat,

you're gonna have to

stop behaving like some

hormone-crazed schoolboy.

What are you gonna do about it,

Pop ? Pop out your choppers

and gum me to death ?

No, I'm gonna

teach you a lesson.

Prepare to defend yourself.

Why don't you have a drink ?

This one is on me.

Excuse His Majesty.

His crown is in a knot.

If he don't watch out,

he's gonna wind up with

his nose in a knot.

Please, let's go.

What were you thinking of ?

Trying to save

your Christmas cookies.

I'd have had that barfly

without breaking a sweat.

That's what I'm worried about.

Sit down. I need to

show you something.

Now.

The Gunnbjorn glacier

in Greenland.

Soon to be

the Gunnbjorn ice cube.

The "or else" factor.

It's begun.

We're running out of time.

[ Bell Ringing ]

Merry Christmas !

Ah, maybe people don't

need Christmas any more.

Merry Christmas, young man.

Yeah, whatever.

You see what I mean ?

Look what I've been

driven to--

selling the night of Christmas

as though it were some

cheap souvenir.

I can't even do that any more.

She's fired me.

With all due respect,

I'm not gonna stand here and

watch you throw everything away

and give yourself a pity party,

especially when I don't

know how to dog paddle !

Well, you're so smart.

You tell me how to do it.

I think we're looking at a

repressed memory with a touch of

the untransacted inner child,

along with some transference

of holiday and familial issues.

No wonder I'm

losing weight.

You know what

you need, boss ?

What ?

You need a nice

Christmas booster shot.

It'd better be good.

[ Children ]

¶ Go tell it on the mountain ¶

¶ Over the hills

and everywhere ¶

¶ Uh-huh

Yeah, yeah ¶

¶ Go tell it ¶

¶ On the mountain

that Jesus Christ was ¶

¶ Born ¶

¶ I said

Down in a lonely manger ¶

¶ The humble Christ

was born ¶

¶ God sent us

his salvation ¶

¶ That blessed

their Christmas morn ¶

¶ Go tell it ¶

¶ Go tell it ¶

¶ Yeah, yeah ¶

¶ On the mountain ¶

¶ On the mountain ¶

¶ Over the hills and ¶

¶ Everywhere ¶

¶ Everywhere ¶

¶¶ [ Continues ]

I can't give up now.

This is what Christmas

is all about, isn't it ?

¶ Born ¶

¶ Born ¶

- ¶ Go tell it, go tell it ¶

- ¶ Yeah ¶

¶ Yeah ¶

I've got to get Lucy

to see that.

¶ Mountain ¶

¶ Go tell it ¶

¶ Tell it on the mountain

Yeah ¶¶

Yeah !

All right ! Yes !

[ Woman ] Hallelujah !

You know how much trouble

you are gonna be in, Taylor,

[ Buzzing ]

if you don't find

that old man ?

Hold on.

Somebody's at the door.

Well ?

Well, what ? I'm talking to

Taylor. We haven't found him.

Listen-- No, Cameron just

arrived, which means that life

is gonna get hard for you.

You tell Taylor

if he doesn't track

Nick down, he's fired.

Tell him his whole

family is fired too.

Hold on.

His family doesn't work for you.

Then I'll hire them,

then I'll fire them.

Give me that.

Taylor. All right.

here's the deal.

If you find Nick,

I will give you

your own office--

even bigger than Lucy's.

[ Buzzing ]

Yes ! Well, just keep looking.

We go on the air in 12 hours.

Yes, I have to find

that old son of a--

Nick !

Hello, Mr. Dixon.

Ha !

Taylor, about that office ?

Never mind.

Nick, we are so happy

to see you.

Thank you.

I want to apologize

for that little...

misunderstanding we had.

Oh, you mean me

being fired.

Fired ? Tha-- Fired ?

Ha ha ! Is that what you

thought Lucy said ? Fired ?

No, no, no.

What she meant was "fired up."

Fired up, Nick.

Yes, we're fired up

by your performance.

America wants you back,

Nick, and so do we.

As a matter of fact,

I'm going to double your salary.

What ?

Oh, no, no, no.

All right, triple.

Oh !

Oh !

And I'm going to

put you up in L.A.'s

finest accommodations.

Ho ho ! Where ?

Here.

- Here ?

- Here.

- Here.

That way Lucy can show you

all the hospitality...

that a real Santa Claus

like you deserves.

- I'm-- I--

- Plus... you don't

get lost again.

[ Nick ]

Oh, well, I think that's just

a great idea. I'd love it,

if it's okay with Lucy.

[ Mock Chuckle ]

Hey, sure.

Ahh ! My Santa. My Lucy.

[ Chuckling ]

The only thing that would

make this moment any sweeter...

would be the actual smell

of money.

Ohh !

I'll leave you two.

- Ah !

- [ Door Closes ]

Don't think you're gonna

get into my bed tonight.

Oh, Lucy, please.

Don't "Lucy, please" me. I know

you have some sort of voodoo

that makes people buy stuff.

Now, Lucy.

What ?

We have far more important

things to discuss.

Like ?

I haven't been

totally honest with you.

What do you mean ?

I have been watching you for

many years now-- ever since you

were a little girl, in fact.

What ? Ooh !

Hm.

Ooh ! That is--

No, that's-- Ooh !

Lucy. Lucy.

My name really is St Nicholas.

I really am Santa Claus.

That makes me feel better

to know your name is Santa Claus

and you're a stalker !

What are you doing ?

Wait.

Lucy...

look.

Whoa ! Whoa ! Oh ho !

That is so cool !

Do you know how much money we

could make with those ? What ?

Lucy !

I didn't want

to have to do this,

but you have obliged me to.

- Close your eyes.

- No.

- Close your eyes.

- I have mace in my pocket.

Close... your... eyes !

And that one.

And the other one !

Both !

It's dark in here.

If I had a pair of ruby slippers

I could click myself

some place really cool.

Open your eyes, Lucy.

[ Elves Muttering ]

[ Giggling ]

- [ Startled Gasp ]

- Hello, Lucy.

I'm Ralph,

chief assistant

to Santa Claus.

- Welcome to the North Pole.

- [ All ] Hi !

Ooh !

[ Chuckles ]

I had the strangest dream.

I dreamt I woke up

and I was surrounded

by Munchkins, and--

Oh ! Oh ! Oh !

This is not funny

any more.

This is not real,

this is not real,

this is not real--

Open !

Okay, it is real.

It's getting realer

'cause my feet are cold--

I'm gonna get frostbite--

Why ?

Oh, maybe it's because

we're on a glacier !

It's not a glacier, Lucy.

It's the polar ice cap.

Duh !

Why didn't I know that ?

[ Inhales ]

Perhaps you can tell me

why I'm not at my house ?

- Why I'm surrounded by goblins.

- [ Gasping ]

Goblins ?

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

Okay.

- We're elves.

- All right ! Cool !

I mean--

What's the difference ?

Goblins are bad seeds.

They're what happened

when gnomes and leprechauns

get drunk...

on a beach,

at night.

When leprechauns

and gnomes get drunk

on the beach at night ?

- Yes, that's right.

- Oh, I see. You're such

a fount of information.

You don't, sort of, fit

the elf mode, if you will.

- What's your problem ?

- Pituitary case.

[ Whispering ]

Oh ! Pituitary case.

Lucy, it's what I've been

trying to tell you.

You know, I can understand

it's all overwhelming,

but it's all true !

Everything that you've ever

heard about Santa is true.

- Okay, where is Rudolph ?

- Take another look

out the window.

[ All Chuckling ]

So the Rudolph thing

is together. I got tha--

Oh !

- [ Chuckles ] Mrs Claus ?

- Yes, I want you to meet

Helga, Lucy.

She'd love to say hello,

but she only speaks Norwegian.

Me too !

[ Speaking Gibberish ]

Boss, we are on a schedule,

so can we push this...

along ?

Lucy, would you like

to see my workshop ?

[ Elf ] Yes !

I don't suppose you'd take

"no" for an answer, would ya ?

Wow !

Oh ! When you said workshop,

I thought it was gonna be

some little guy...

you know,

with lots of tools !

You know, it's gonna be

kinda hard to say

goodbye to all this.

What do you mean,

"goodbye" ?

Yeah, I'll come

to that later.

[ Laughs ]

Right now I want to

show you something.

Come with me.

Evening, Santa.

Merry Christmas !

Wow !

Yeah.

Is this it ?

This is it.

This is the sleigh ?

This is the sleigh.

Yeah.

Ooh ! Can I touch it ?

You want to

climb on board ?

May I ?

Here we are.

[ Chuckles ]

Wow !

[ Laughs ]

Ho, ho, ho !

[ Laughing ]

Look at me "ho"-ing.

[ Laughs ]

Wow !

Oh, my God !

Look at the sound system.

Oh, this is really phat.

This has an

impulse-activated amplifier.

It puts out about

a thousand kilowatts

per channel.

There are seven speakers,

and a really bitchin'

powered subwoofer.

In case you want to listen

to Christmas carols.

Oh ! [ Laughs ]

Well, that's--

That's phat !

Wow ! Oh, wait ! I gotta

ask this question, because...

you know, I'm here.

How do you guys deliver

a gazillion Christmas presents

all in one night ?

Lucy, do you know anything

about quantum mechanics...

or the theory of relativity,

or the space/time continuum ?

- N-No.

- Well, we go fast !

We go really fast !

[ Laughing ]

Now, I have

one more question.

Let's say I believe

that you are Santa Claus.

What does this

have to do with me ?

Ah, Ralph, would you

and the boys excuse us

for a moment, please ?

Yeah. Sure, boss.

Okay, people,

eggnog break !

[ Elves ] All right !

[ Nick ] And hit the house

lights when you go out.

Thank you.

[ Light Switch Banging,

Transformer Humming ]

Lucy, as you know,

I have been Santa for...

very nearly 200 years.

But that's only

the half of it.

The Santa before me

also served for 200 years.

As did the Santa before him,

and so on...

right back to the original

St Nicholas in the 3rd century.

Right.

Now, sadly,

my term of office

is drawing to a close.

And the rules of Christmas

decree...

that I have to find somebody

to take my place...

before midnight

on Christmas Eve.

And if I don't,

the "or else" factor

takes effect.

The "or else" factor ?

Well, you've heard about

the great flood,

and Noah's ark ?

Yeah.

This time,

there's no ark.

Oh, get outta here !

I know you are not

trying to convince me...

that that flood happened

because you couldn't

find a Santa Claus !

Not that I'm puttin' it

down or anything, but-but...

but you don't have to worry

about it, because you're

looking for a new Santa, right ?

Right.

And you've come to me...

because you want me to help

you find one, because I know

so many people !

So what do you

want me to do ?

Close your eyes

and I'll show you.

[ Sighs ]

This eye-closing thing's

getting a little old, Nick.

[ Children Chattering ]

Open your eyes, Lucy.

Look closely.

What do you see ?

Is that my mother ?

My goodness !

And that's me !

Look at me !

I was cute !

[ Laughing ]

Look at my brother.

I used to call him

"Ol' Bighead."

[ Chuckles ]

My goodness !

It's the Five and Dime !

There's that nasty kid

Bobby with his finger

in his nose, as always.

What are we doing here ?

This is what

I wanted to show you.

What I need you

to remember.

...backing down from

a double-dog dare,

can we ?

There we are !

[ Chuckling ]

[ Nick ]

That hat only glows...

when it's worn by somebody

who believes in Christmas...

with every fibre

of their being.

It's you, Lucy.

Take it, Lucy.

You're the one

I've been waiting for.

[ Scoffs ]

No !

Lucy, I know you blame me,

but please, I promise you,

everything will become clear

if you just put this on.

No. No !

Just give it a chance !

I don't want it !

I don't--

No ! What do you

get about "no" ?

But--

I don't want the hat !

I don't want

the responsibil--

You know what I want ?

I want you to take me home.

I want you to take me

to my life; to my

real life, right now.

That's what I want.

[ Young Lucy Chattering ]

If that's really what you want.

[ Annoyed Sighing ]

Close your eyes,

and everything

that you've seen--

all this--

will have just

been a dream.

Whoa.

[ Chuckles ]

Oh !

[ Scoffs ]

I must have dozed off

or something.

Had the weirdest dream.

I dreamt that you were

trying to convince me...

you were the real

Santa Claus.

Do you think we ought

to talk about it, Lucy ?

No ! Nah !

Now, come on, please. Just--

No, no, I've had

enough Santa Claus...

to last me a lifetime;

I'm going to bed.

Good night !

Listen, if you get chilly,

there's, uh,

you know, pillows

and blankets and stuff.

They're under the stairs

here in the closet.

Hey, boss. Pardon my

goblin, but why didn't you

just put the hat on her ?

I can't force her

to accept her destiny.

If she won't acknowledge

who she is, it wouldn't

matter anyway.

The Inquisition was right

to challenge my affections,

I-I--

I bungled the whole thing

from beginning to end.

I waited far too long

to try to reach her,

and now that I have,

I've driven her

further away.

So, what are you

gonna do now ?

Well, I... just...

don't know.

[ Man On Radio ]

Better break out

the sun block today, L.A.

We're expecting a high of 92.

And if you think it's bad here,

scientists are now predicting

no snowfall anywhere in the U.S.

during the month of December.

[ 2nd Man On Radio ]

Imagine that !

Whoa ! You look like sh--

...Sheena, lovely Queen

of the Nile !

[ Scoffs ] Got no sleep

last night, and I hate

having house guests.

Well, your house guest is

quite the toast of the town.

All the papers were talking

about him this morning.

One even called him

"TV's must-see Santa."

Where's that girl with

my latte ? Why is she never

around when I need her ?

- Her name is Lillie !

- Fine.

And my car broke down !

God.

I don't get why

you're still driving

that bucket of bolts, Lucy.

Because it was

her Daddy's car.

Oh ! Family reunion !

I'll just, uh, leave

you two alone.

Taylor ?

Taylor, I--

Talk to you later.

You, okay.

Hi, Ma.

You're not

returnin' my calls.

No, I am.

It's not that I'm not

returning your calls, see ?

We put in this new

phone system--

Come on now.

- Don't try to run

a game on me.

- [ Chuckles Uncomfortably ]

Now, I know it's a scary

time of the year for you,

but you can't keep

livin' like this, Lucy.

What ?

Well, look

at your life.

You live alone

in that apartment,

You come, you go,

without anybody to love

or to love you back.

I know, baby.

I've got the same

scar as you.

And there's not

a Christmas that goes by

that it doesn't hurt.

But you know what helps ?

What ?

Seein' you.

I see your daddy

in you.

You know, I just really

can't do this right now,

because I gotta

get down to work.

All right, baby.

But I'll call you, okay ?

I'll-- I'll, uh--

All right.

You know, in a day or so,

I'll give you a call.

All right.

I'll be waiting.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Bell Ringing ]

Folks, one of

my favourite traditions...

is counting down

the days to Christmas.

And now, your family, too,

can enjoy this tradition

as well,

with your very own

Wise Men Advent Calendar.

Every day, your kids

will enjoy moving Baby Jesus--

that's Him--

one day closer to

His arrival in Bethlehem.

And, Mom, no need to worry

about your little ones...

breaking this

Holiday Collectible.

Baby Jesus is made out of

rugged, durable polystyrene.

Great.

Plastic Jesus.

[ Control Room Crew Chattering ]

- That's not too sacrilegious.

- Ah, we seem to be in the

final minutes of our show !

- So, that seems to be

the last product for today--

- Telephone !

- Hmm ?

- [ Whispering Intently ]

Telephone !

Oh ! One moment !

- They want me to take a phone

call from one of our viewers.

- No ! He's going to the phone.

Excuse me, please.

We're on the show,

you know.

[ Over Speakers ]

Uh, hello ?

[ Young Girl ] Hi, Santa.

This is Meredith,

from Dove Canyon, California.

Hello, Meredith. You want

to ask Santa a question ?

Not that phone, Nick.

Uh, it's coming

through the speakers.

Okay ?

Look, everybody's

a star now.

[ Meredith Over Speakers ]

I was adopted from Korea

when I was a baby.

I was wondering

if the Santa Claus there

is Korean.

- Oh, Meredith.

That is a wonderful question.

- Taylor ?

[ Under His Breath ]

No ! No ! Camera !

It reminds me of a poem I--

My good friend B.J. Wrights

once wrote about Santa.

It goes something like this:

"Dear girls, dear boys.

"Once a storyteller caught me

bringing you toys.

"The year he spied me

opening my sack,

My skin was white

and my boots were black."

You probably know

how this story goes.

"At the end of the year,

like a Christmas ghost,

"I take the shape

that's needed most.

"Sometimes my skin's red,

or yellow or brown,

"Sometimes my eyes are slanted,

or crossed, or round.

"One time, I was even a she.

"All these things

are a part of me.

"Now you may not believe

all this is true,

but that's okay, because

I believe in you."

And I believe in you, too, Lucy.

You have a wonderful spirit,

which I hope, one day,

you will show to the world.

Did he say something about--

Did he just say my name ?

He just said Lucy !

Um, no, I think it was,

uh, "little girl."

Uh-uh. Uh-uh.

He said Lucy.

- Play that back for me.

- [ Chirping In Fast Rewind ]

I believe in you, too, Meredith.

You have a wonderful spirit,

which one day,

I hope you'll show...

- to the rest of the world.

- [ Tape Machine Stops ]

Okay.

Let's just, uh...

call it the onset

of P.M.S., shall we ?

- Every day ?

- [ Bell Ringing ]

And we're clear.

Okay, it's a wrap, everybody.

Ready for the next segment.

That's the Chanukah music.

Let's go.

Good show.

Oy.

That was beautiful,

Mr. Santa Claus.

It was gold.

Thank you, rabbi.

I think Hurray for Chanukah

is going to have a tough act

to follow today.

Well, the way I see it,

we're both working

for the same boss.

So, mazel tov.

And ho, ho, ho to you, sir.

Uh, Lucy--

I'm not speaking to you.

No habla Ingles.

¶ Have yourself ¶

¶ A merry little Christmas ¶

Merry Christmas !

¶ Let your heart ¶

¶ Be light ¶

¶ From now on ¶

¶ Our troubles will be ¶

¶ Out of sight ¶

¶ Have yourself ¶

¶ A merry little Christmas ¶

Seven more days to shop.

¶ Make the yuletide gay ¶

¶ From now on ¶

¶ Our troubles will be ¶

¶ Far away ¶

¶ Once again ¶

¶ As in olden days ¶

¶ Happy golden days ¶

¶ Of yore ¶

¶ Faithful friends

Who are dear to us ¶

¶ Gather near to us ¶

¶ Once more ¶

¶ Through the years

We all will be together ¶

Got it. Perfect.

Put it there.

¶ If the fates allow ¶

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

¶ Paint a shining star ¶

¶ Upon the highest bough ¶

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

¶ And have yourself ¶

¶ A merry little Christmas ¶

¶ Now ¶

Hi, Luce.

Here's your latte.

Thanks.

You just said thanks.

Yeah, you did.

No, I didn't.

No. I didn't.

Yeah. You did.

Is everybody hearing things ?

I did not say thank you.

[ Chorus ]

¶ Hang a shining star

upon the highest ¶

¶ Bough ¶

¶ Oo-ooh, ooh ¶

[ Man ]

¶ Once again ¶

¶ As in olden days ¶

¶ Happy golden days ¶

¶ Of yore ¶

¶ Faithful friends

Who are dear to us ¶

¶ Gather near to us

Once more ¶

[ Man On TV ] Well, folks,

things continue to be very warm

here in Southern California,

but the weather is also

going crazy from pole to pole.

Here we see increasing storms

centred around the equator,

and no explanation

has been given by

the National Weather Center.

Ralph !

We have a problem.

What are those ?

Flood insurance.

I wish I hadn't

seen Titanic.

¶ Highest bough ¶

¶ And have yourself ¶

¶ A merry little ¶

¶ Christmas ¶

¶ Now ¶¶

So, here's a novel idea

for all you naughty shoppers...

who waited until

the last minute:

Now, you can send

a Shop-A-Lot virtual gift.

[ Sighs ]

A "virtual" gift.

Imagine that.

Your loved one will get

a little animated E-mail.

And when they click on it,

it will show them...

a picture of the gift

they will be receiving

after the holidays.

Well, that's it.

That's the final pitch.

[ Nick ]

Oh, and don't forget.

When next you call in,

ask about our special

Shop-A-Lot inflatable raft.

[ Nick Laughs ]

Who put the raft

on the list ?

He liked it.

He saw it in the catalogue.

I threw him a bone.

Before I sign off,

uh,

I'd like to--

just like to say

a few words.

If I may.

Um,

whatever hardships

may come your way...

in the years

which lie ahead,

don't ever lose hope.

If you just keep

the spirit of Christmas...

alive in your hearts,

you can survive anything.

Merry Chris--

Christmas.

God bless you.

Goodbye.

And good luck.

Why did he say

good luck ?

All right, everyone.

That's a wrap !

One hell of a wrap,

if you ask me.

[ Crew Cheering, Applauding ]

All right, people.

Gather round.

I have an announcement

to make.

Thanks to the very

best Santa Claus

in the business,

for the first time

in our history,

Shop-A-Lot has sold

more holiday merchandise...

than any other

home-shopping channel !

And as I'm sure

you all know, that means

a little something extra...

in all of our

Christmas stockings

this year !

[ Lillie ]

It's weird, but I'm

gonna miss all this.

Yeah. I don't know when

I've enjoyed sticking America

with more cheesy merchandise...

than I have this sea--

year.

Wow.

Who are you ?

Look, I know I'm just

a gofer, but--

[ Scoffs ]

If you're not doing

anything, maybe you can

help me trim my tree.

That sounds nice.

And possibly kind of nutty.

Ah.

Champagne, Lillie ?

Absolutely.

[ Giggles ]

So, Nick. What do you say,

you and I get together

after the holidays...

to discuss your future--

I see big things for you

and the Shop-A-Lot Channel.

Well, I appreciate that,

Mr. Dixon, but...

I am afraid that

my days as Santa Claus

are behind me.

Nonsense. You've got

what it takes, my friend.

For millions of people,

you are Santa.

Manny, congratulations !

Looks like you'll

get to keep that job

after all !

Lucy, I'm--

Nick, I-I'm--

[ Scoffs ]

Ladies first.

I know I gave

you a hard time

in the beginning.

'Cause I didn't believe

you were right for

Kristmas Korner.

But I was wrong.

I believe in you now.

I wish I could be sure

that was true.

What do you mean ?

I really hope you find

what you're looking for.

[ Cork Popping ]

[ Crew Cheering ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Engine Sputtering ]

[ Engine Stopping ]

[ Sputtering, Backfiring ]

[ Clattering ]

What is this new sound

you're making ?

[ Clicking Tongue, Sighing ]

I work my butt off

for you, and this is

how you repay me ?

Lucy ! Looks like

you're not going anywhere

in that classic tonight.

How about a lift ?

Sure.

I'll just leave it here till

I come back from Bora Bora.

[ Dixon Laughing ]

Well, Luce,

you did it !

Oh ! That reminds me.

You leave tomorrow.

[ Sighs ]

Plus, there is something

a little extra

in that envelope.

Oh, tell me it's cash,

so I have something to give

those cute little cabana boys.

Oh, it's better

than cash, Lucy.

It's me.

- [ Gasps ]

- Don't you see ?

We need each other.

[ Laughs ]

As individuals,

we're merely good.

But together,

[ Inhales Deeply ]

we could be magic !

I don't want to hurt

your feelings, or anything.

But,

[ Laughs ]

I don't love you.

I mean, I don't

love you at all.

Love !

There's better things

in the world than love !

Like what ?

Power !

Influence.

Having more money

than God !

- You shoulda called Oprah.

- I know you. You want

the same things that I want.

We want to win.

We want to dominate.

We want to be a juggernaut.

I don't have any juggernaut

in me. I don't even have

the juggernaut gene.

I've got it all

mapped out, Lucy. First:

I go to

the board of directors...

and get them to make you

my vice-president.

Then, we take

the Shop-A-Lot Channel

public,

and turn it

into a media empire.

By next year,

we'll rule the world.

By next year,

we'll own Christmas !

- [ Laughing Demonically ]

- Pull over.

What ? Is something wrong ?

Yes. Uh, yeah.

I-- I don't know

why I'm saying this.

'Cause, you know,

this is not my thing,

but...

uh... nobody--

nowhere, nohow, nobody--

Nobody can own Christmas.

[ Laughing ]

Why not ?

Why not ?

Because, I--

I-I can't let them.

You can't let them?

Yeah. I know that

sounds strange...

comin' from me,

but I can't let them.

And if you want to keep

your juggernauts,

I'd suggest

you pull over now.

All right.

All right, all right.

[ Door Opens ]

[ Door Closes ]

Well, that went

pretty well.

Hi, Ms Cullins, I--

Listen up, people.

Unless someone has a miracle

up their sleeve,

it looks like tonight

is gonna be our last hurrah.

So, here's the deal.

We'll do it the way

we always have.

Nick will be here

shortly, and we'll

start delivering gifts.

The only difference

will be, after Nick

delivers the last gift,

he will no longer

be Santa Claus.

[ Sorrowful Gasping ]

Can someone

get Helga a hanky ?

Look, whatever fate

awaits us...

Here ya go.

after tonight...

let's do it the elf way:

with chins held high.

Of course we're gonna

hold our chins up.

We'll be treading water.

Nick ?

You here ?

Nick !

Okay, you're not here.

What's this ?

[ Nick's Voice ]

"Lucy, if you're reading this...

"on Christmas Eve,

it may not be too late.

"Please, try on the hat.

"If you do, everything

will become clear.

"I'll be waiting

at the top of the world

for you.

Just in case.

Nick."

[ Scoffs ]

[ Ralph ]

Jumping jingle bells,

it's glowing !

Oh, my !

Jumpin' jingle bells,

it's glowing ?

I'm Santa !

I'm--

I am Santa.

I am Santa.

[ Elves Chattering ]

Jumpin' jingle bells !

It's snowing !

[ Excited Chattering ]

Okay, people.

We've been through it.

Put the heavy stuff

on the bottom; you have to put

the breakable stuff on top.

Okay ? No.

Sorry, boss.

Ralph ! I thought

you should see this.

¶¶ [ Indistinct ]

¶ I'm Santa Claus ¶

Hey, Ms Cullins.

You oughta bundle up.

It got cold all of a sudden.

Hey, maybe this heat wave

is finally over.

Yeah, maybe.

Are you feeling better ?

Yeah, kinda. I should

feel like I'm sittin'

on top of the world.

Except I'm not sure where it is.

The only "Top of the World"

I know is this hang-out...

where I have a beer

once in a while.

It's a bar ?

Yeah, on Sunset.

[ Laughs ]

It's in Hollywood.

Why am I not surprised ?

Do me a favour.

Call me a cab.

A cab ?

[ Chuckles ]

On Christmas Eve ?

In L.A. ? Are you nuts ?

[ Tyres Screeching ]

Hey, Ms Cullins !

All of a sudden

you look like Santa Claus.

[ Laughs ]

Already ?

Works fast.

It all works fast.

- [ Cabbie ] Where to, lady ?

- Listen, I gotta get to

a little dive on Sunset...

or all hell is gonna

break loose.

You're telling me.

Robespierre !

The name is Ralph, and we're

not too "tall" for time.

Well, okay, if you're gonna

pun me, let me pun you back.

You "sleigh" me.

- Ha, ha-- Whoo !

- ¶ Just dig those

sleigh bells jinglin' ¶

¶ Ring-ting-tinglin' too ¶

¶ Come on, it's lovely weather

for a sleigh ride together

with you ¶

You want a refill, Nick ?

No, Sally. I think

five hot apple ciders...

is plenty

for one evening.

Yeah.

- You owe me an explanation.

- Lucy !

Yes.

You got my note.

I got your note.

I put on the hat.

It glowed !

It glowed on my head !

Yes !

Does this mean what I think

it means ? Does this mean

I'm the real Santa Claus ?

Is this legit ?

The whole shebang.

Oh, my goodness !

What about-- What about

the, uh, "or else" factor ?

Is that real ?

It's real.

Oh, Nick.

What am I gonna do ?

I don't want to be

responsible for some little

kid's heart breakin'...

because I did

the wrong thing, like you--

Yeah, I know.

I hurt you.

I'm sorry you've had

so much pain over

so many years.

[ Groans ]

But, Lucy,

Santa Claus is not God.

Do you remember,

all those years ago,

when that

beautiful little girl

sat on my knee ?

Hmm ? Do you remember ?

Yeah. Yeah.

What I told her then

is still true today.

If you keep the love

your daddy gave to you...

in your heart,

and pass on that love

to other people,

your daddy's love

will remain alive

forever.

I hate to break up

this love fest, but we have

three billion gifts...

to deliver by sunrise,

so speed this up.

[ Scoffs ]

Merry Christmas, Lucy.

Merry Christmas, Santa.

¶ Sleigh bells ring

Are ya listenin' ¶

It's gettin' a little

chilly out here.

Ah, yes it is.

The "or else" factor

is reversing itself.

Do you guys want to speed up ?

I have the meter running, Lucy.

I mean,

"Santa."

[ Laughing ]

See, that's very funny.

Listen, uh, that's not

the toboggan you showed me

up at the North Pole.

How am I supposed

to deliver a gazillion gifts

in a taxicab ?

What cab you talking about ?

- Oh, you're good. You're good.

- [ Laughing ]

Hey, boss. I don't want

to be a nudnik, but...

I don't think kids are

going to recognize Santa

in the,,,

polycotton coat here.

I'm gonna smack you.

Now, wait !

[ Chuckles ]

Hate to make you nervous

or anything, but can we

talk about a couple things...

before we do that ?

Sure.

First, if you want to

scatter some white dreads,

I'm happy with that.

But not a whole head.

Okay ?

Mm-hmm.

Secondly, am I gonna be

sproutin' any facial hair ?

Lucy, for the next

two centuries, you will not

change one iota...

from what you are

right now.

Oh, well, come on with it !

I like everything

except for the belt.

I'm short-waisted.

It cuts me at the waist.

Must I ?

Ah ! So much better !

[ Nick Chuckling ]

- Shall we ?

- Oh, yes. I think we shall.

My, but your pants

are awfully short.

Guess you're too tall

for 'em, huh ?

Thank you.

Oh, Rashomon. I'm sure

you don't mind driving.

I'm just not ready yet.

Nick !

Hmm ?

- Where's your Santa clothes ?

- There's only room

for one Santa, Lucy.

Let's say I'm just coming along

for your training run.

Oh. All right then.

We'll talk about it later.

Uh, Rakiki ? You don't mind...

getting in the back seat,

do you, 'cause I know

it's so small and cramped,

'cause it's meant

for an elf, and you got

a pituitary problem.

[ Chuckles ]

So sorry to hear about it.

Boss ?

Hmm ?

Why don't you have

the honours, one last time ?

Thank you, Ralph.

I'd like that.

[ Nick ]

Ready, Rudolph ?

[ Snorts ]

Now, Dasher, now Dancer,

now Prancer and Vixen;

on, Comet, on Cupid,

on Donder and Blitzen.

Now dash away,

dash away all !

Ooh-yea !

[ Lucy ]

Yahoo !

[ Lucy ]

I can't believe I'm flyin' !

It's just too much !

[ Sleigh Whooshing,

Thudding ]

[ Lucy ] Oh !

[ Nick, Laughing ]

We made it.

[ Chuckling ]

Well, Lucy. Are you ready

for your first delivery ?

Uh--

Yeah, yeah.

Go on then.

Okay.

Are they gonna be okay

up here by themselves ?

The reindeer ?

Yeah. Fine, fine.

Oh, good.

You don't suffer

from vertigo, do you ?

Not any more.

Oh, thank you.

All right, children !

Merry Christmas !

- [ Shouts ]

- [ Toys, Clattering ]

[ Laughing ]

Oh, wait--

What, what ?

This is a real chimney !

Yes !

Why do we do it

in a real chimney ?

What did you expect ?

Well, I ju-- I didn't--

I thought it was just,

like a story !

[ Ralph ] No, no, no, no, no.

No, it's the rules,

and you have to go down.

[ Screams ]

No, wait !

Okay. Okay.

Wait till we get to England.

- Why ?

- The chimney pots

start like this.

Oh, this is going to be

a long night, isn't it ?

Now the other foot.

Now, stand on the ledges.

What ledge ?

The brick ledge--

There's a wall !

O-kay !

Okay. Okay.

Right, one, two--

- Wait, wait, wait !

What if there's a fire ?

- What ?

There won't be a fire !

How do you know ?

- I've been doing this

for 200 years !

- I know, but...

you're you,

and I'm just me.

I'm smelling sugar cookies.

[ Softly ] I don't think that's

sugar cookies you're smellin'.

You know what,

I-I can't do that.

Come on, come on.

- Lucy, come on !

- It's gonna be so easy.

- It's fun, it goes like that !

- Like that !

Like that ? I just

want you to know,

Yeah.

I'm doing this

under duress !

[ Screaming ]

[ Lucy, Echoing ]

Whoa-ho, whoa-ho, whoa-ho.

Wait till we get to

the Kwanzaa huts.

That was so not fun.

So not fun !

Don't think I don't know

you did that on purpose,

Rakiki.

[ Child ]

Hello.

Hi. Hi.

- Now-Now don't you

be afraid, okay ?

- I'm not.

Well, I would be if I saw

some stranger in my living room.

But, not to panic,

because I'm what they call

a "Santa in training."

You don't look like Santa.

- Well, what do you mean ?

- Because you're a girl.

I am a girl.

And you are so sweet

to notice !

And because you're

so sweet, you know

what I'm going to do ?

I'm gonna give you

the bestest present I have

in my great, big bag.

Wow !

How'd that bike get in there ?

That's just what I wanted !

Whoo !

How'd I do that ?

- You're Santa.

- That's right.

I'm Santa.

- And you're... James.

- Right.

Now, how cool is that ?

I knew your name immediately !

Whoa !

[ Creaking ]

You better go now.

[ Door Closes ]

I think I hear

my dad coming.

- You landed kind of hard

coming down the chimney.

- Yeah, tell me about it.

The thing is, James, I can't

go back the way I came.

- Any suggestions ?

- Front door ?

¶¶ [ Sleigh Bells

Jingling ]

You know, Residue,

you could have been

a lot more helpful...

on how to get back

up that chimney.

If you knew my name,

I might.

[ Wheezing Laugh ]

Why, Risotto, I don't know

what you mean. And if you're

not careful, I could fire you.

It's a lifetime contract,

and elves age slowly !

Ah, but in your case,

they grow quickly !

[ Laughing ]

Oh, look, Rapscallion,

there's the Hollywood sign !

And over there's

the Staples Center.

Oh, if you fell out,

we might be able

to trade you for Shaq.

It's gonna be

a long night going up

and down those chimneys.

Oh, you just couldn't

wait to say that,

could you ?

Mm-hmm.

Well, all right.

In the spirit of Christmas,

and since I'm your new boss,

I'll call you Ralph.

- Thank you.

- So, Ralph, when are we gonna

get to China ?

Because I'm so peckish

for some Peking duck.

Lucy, do you think

there's one last stop

you'd like to make...

before we continue

with our deliveries ?

Yeah.

Yeah, there is.

[ Iesha ]

¶ A thrill of hope ¶

¶ The weary world rejoices ¶

¶ For yonder breaks ¶

¶ A new and glorious morn ¶

¶ Fall ¶

¶ On your knees ¶

¶ Oh, hear ¶

¶ The angel voices ¶

¶ Oh, night ¶

¶ Divine ¶

¶ Oh, night ¶

¶ When Christ was born ¶

¶ Oh, night ¶

¶ Divine ¶

¶ Oh, night ¶

¶ Oh, night ¶

¶ Divine ¶¶

Whoo !

Yes !

Yes ! She was

really great.

[ Cheering ]

How'd I do, Grandma ?

Baby, tonight you were

part of heaven's choir.

You rocked, girl.

Oh, yes.

- Merry Christmas, Mom.

- Lucy !

Yeah.

Oh, baby, you come

home for Christmas.

- Yeah.

- Hey, sis. Come here !

What's up with

the Santa suit, huh ?

I wish I could

explain it to you, but--

Lucy.

When tonight is over,

you'll have Christmas day to do

whatever your heart desires.

Now you're Santa,

anything is possible.

Great !

Lucy, what's goin' on ?

Do you have your

heart medication

with you ?

Hey, everybody, you're

not gonna believe it !

It's snowing outside !

[ Incredulous Chattering ]

This is amazing !

It hasn't snowed in

Los Angeles for-- never !

Hey, check it out !

It's Santa's sleigh

and Rudolph !

Not much to look at,

folks. Just a sleigh

with nine tiny reindeer.

Now, listen.

I can't explain

everything right now.

So I'm gonna drop by

for Christmas brunch.

And, Mom, when I say

I'm gonna drop in

for Christmas brunch,

don't stand anywhere

near the fireplace.

Lucy--

Uh, Lucy, i-is this

a reindeer doin' his

business on my leg ?

- Yeah.

- And... why is it snowin'

in L.A. ?

Oh, well, that's

a pretty long story,

my brother.

Jeez, Lucy.

I-I'm confused.

It's okay.

Daddy ? I don't know why,

but I think Aunt Lucy

might be Santa Claus.

Well, I think I'm ready

to rock 'n' roll.

Where's Nick ?

Come on, Nick.

We gonna be late !

Oh, I'm afraid this is

my stop, Lucy. From now on,

you're on your own.

What are you talkin' about ?

Well, Helga and I plan

to live in Saint-Tropez.

She likes the sun--

- Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.

- I need to settle down, Lucy.

No ! You are not

leaving me out here

by myself.

This is my first night

as Santa Claus ! I don't know

how to do this job !

I don't know how to go

up the chimney. I don't know

what to do about this bag...

that keeps throwin' all these

toys, and I don't know anything

about these reindeers !

Now Dasher, now Dancer,

now Prancer, now Vixen--

You know what I'm saying.

I need your help here.

You cannot leave.

And since you told me

that I'm the great,

mammy-jammy Santa Claus,

I'm makin' an edict:

I'm declarin' you

Santa Claus Emeritus.

Which means that you are

are gonna help me over

the next 200 years...

find the next Santa Claus

so I don't have to go through

what you went through...

looking for me.

Now, do we have a deal ?

Come on, Nick !

Please ? Please ?

Deal.

Deal.

All right.

Look, we're burning daylight

on the international dateline.

Okay, right now you are

burnin' my last nerve.

Get your behind in

the back of the sled, okay ?

[ Laughing ]

I'm ready for this.

Now Dancer and...

Prancer and...

Nixon and...

Blitzen and--

Dash away, dash away,

dash away all !

Now dash away, dash away--

We're not dashing at all.

Take up the reins, Lucy.

Oh, well, how am I

supposed to know that ?

This is just my first time

bein' Santa Claus.

You been Santa Claus

for 200 years !

All right.

Hee-yow !

Whoo !

¶ Just dig those sleigh bells

jinglin', ring-ting-tinglin'

too ¶

¶ Come on, it's lovely weather

for a sleigh ride together

with you ¶

¶ Outside the snow is fallin'

But your friends are callin'

yoo-hoo ¶

¶ Come on, it's lovely weather

for a sleigh ride together

with you ¶

¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap

Let's go ¶

¶ Let's look at the show ¶

¶ We're riding in a winterland

of snow ¶

¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap

It's grand ¶

¶ Just holdin' your hand ¶

¶ We're gliding along

with the songs

of a wint'ry wonderland ¶

¶ Our cheeks are nice and rosy

Comfy, cosy are we ¶

Merry Christmas !

¶ We're snugglin' close together

like two birds of a feather

should be ¶

[ Iesha ]

She is Santa, Daddy !

¶ Let's take the road before us

and sing a chorus or two ¶

¶ Come on, it's lovely weather

for a sleigh ride together

with you ¶

[ Nick ] Merry Christmas !

Bye, Aunt Lucy !

[ Nick Laughing

Uproariously ]

[ Lucy ]

Mer-ry Christmas !

[ Laughing ]

¶ Oh, call me Santa

Call me Kringle

Call me ol' Saint Nick ¶

¶ All those

have a beautiful ring ¶

¶ Pleasin' is the reason

And the season's a kick ¶

¶ When you're Santa, baby

You gotta swing ¶

¶ Swing ¶

¶ I dare ya ¶

¶ Hey, call me Santa

Call me Kringle

Call me 'ol St Nick ¶

¶ All those have

a beautiful ring ¶

¶ Pleasin' is the reason

and the season's a kick ¶

¶ When you're Santa, baby

You gotta swing ¶

¶¶ [ Fades ]