Lucky Christmas (2011) - full transcript

Lucky Christmas is the story of Holly Ceroni, a single mom trying to get back on her feet, but who is crushed to learn her winning lottery ticket is in the glove compartment of her recently stolen car. Mike Ronowski, the construction worker behind Holly's missing property, goes along with a master plan to befriend Holly and coerce her into giving him half of her winnings. Mike unexpectedly falls in love with Holly and learns there are more important things in life than quick money in time for the holidays.

[Door chimes]

- Hi, Vijay.

- Hey, Holly.

How was Thanksgiving?

You make big money?

- Oh, zero money.

I did, however,

make a giant turkey,

which Max and I will be eating

for the next three years.

- Oh, no! They cancelled?

- Yeah, it turns out no one can

afford a personal chef

these days.

- Sorry, Holly.

- Yep, looks like

I'll be waitressing again.

Ticket, please.

- You want to try

the special Christmas lottery?

A million-dollar winner

each week from Thanksgiving

till Christmas Eve.

- Yeah, why not?

It seems right to get

in the Christmas spirit.

Maybe it'll change my luck.

- Let's hope so.

- No kidding.

- Same numbers?

- Same numbers.

- [Both]: ♪ Twenty-one,

seven, twelve, eleven ♪

♪ Six, fifteen

[Holly laughs]

- There you are.

- Thank you.

[Smooch!]

- Good luck, Holly.

- Thanks, Vijay.

Oh, uh, happy Leon.

- What?

Ugh...

Noel!

[Door chimes]

[Car beeping]

[Car starting]

- ♪ Deck the halls

with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la

la la la la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season...

- It'll burn.

- No, no, no, melt, melt, melt.

Ahhh. Points.

- No.

- Good night, boys.

- Good night, guys.

- That might melt.

- Probably explode.

- You said

nothing would explode.

- I'm kidding.

- Oh!

- Jeez.

- I can't believe

you got her this.

- It was her birthday.

She, she...

needed something

to put her jewellery in.

Definitely burn.

- You know, burning

all the stuff you gave her is

not gonna take the sting

out of getting dumped, pal.

- Hey, she didn't dump me, OK?

She threw me out of the house;

told me never to come back.

So I broke up with her.

Melt.

- Why don't you just

ask her to take you back?

- She doesn't want me back.

What am I supposed to do? Beg?

- Well, true. The last thing

you want to do is be honest

and apologize to a woman.

- That's right.

- Especially when they've

dumped you for being a slop.

- There's such a thing

as a guy's pride.

Melt, burn, or explode?

- Burn, and can we not

use the word "explode"?

- Why, is your brother around?

Why is he on your case?

- You tell me. I guess that's

what I get for coming home.

- Look at the bright side:

we get to hang together,

like the old days.

- Yes, that is bright.

But, uh, I really do think

it's time to get your own place.

- I'm working on it, Mikey.

I'm in mourning right now.

I'm sensitive.

- Love: it always burns.

- Hey,

this might melt.

[Explosion]

[Yelling]

- [Man]: Can I help you?

- Is it OK if I look around?

- Sure, go ahead.

- Oh, the, um, sign said

there's an apartment upstairs?

- Go on up. It's open.

- OK. Thank you.

[Radio chatter]

- Might as well stuff

these pillows with gasoline.

If you're filing charges,

I can radio the police for you.

- Nah. He's my brother.

But you...

I should have arrested.

Nice work, college boy.

Dad would be so proud.

You idiot!

You burned off

your eyelashes.

[Coughing]

- [Boy]: This the Green Flash's

brother, the Green Bean.

And look, he's bald!

Tony, Rose, it works!

- What sort is this? Look.

That was a great idea, buddy.

- [Holly]: Hi!

- Mom, we're making

Christmas decorations.

- Mmm! Let me see.

Oh, that's so interesting!

- Tony helped me get the lights

in the Green Flash,

and in his power ring too. See?

- Yeah, I see.

That's really cool!

Thank you both for watching him.

- Hey, when else

would I get a chance

to make a Christmas hotrod?

- I see it has

your special touch.

- Look, the Christmas lights are

headlights.

- Yeah.

- Hey, Tony, you want

to go get some cookies?

- I'd love

to get some cookies.

- So? How'd it go?

- Oh, the interview

for the waitress job went great;

the hostess job,

not so great.

Um, but I've got

another lead.

- I hate

to see your talent wasted

serving someone else's food.

- Oh, speaking of which,

I found the most

perfect apartment

over on College Avenue.

It's right on the second floor

above an empty commercial space.

I was thinking it would be

so amazing to have my café

downstairs,

and Max and I living upstairs.

- Christmas is the time

for dreaming.

- I guess it is a dream,

isn't it?

- I didn't mean it like that.

- Mmm...

Hello. You, go get ready

for your sleepover.

- These cookies are great.

- Oh, good.

- You and Max can stay

here as long as you need.

- Thank you, Tony,

but here I am cooking for you

because I can't pay the rent.

What kind

of role model is that for Max?

- You're showing him life

doesn't always work out exactly

as you want, but you don't stop

trying to make it better.

- I don't know what we'd do

without the two of you.

How about some Sicilian soup

with four-cheese focaccia

for dinner?

- You don't have to cook

tonight. I'll cook.

- I'm not sure

I can handle that. I'll cook.

- I'll cook. A deal's a deal.

Besides, I've got a great new

dessert recipe that'll put you

right in the Christmas spirit.

- Is something wrong?

- Nothing at all.

Other than the fact

that Max evidently told

his Scout leader

that his dad would take him

to the Christmas Eve

Pinewood Derby.

- I thought his father hadn't

been in touch for years.

- Exactly.

Hey.

- Hey, Mom.

This is my derby car.

- I like it. I like it.

- This is what

it's gonna look like.

- Oh, cool! But, um...

but listen,

I want to just ask you

what... what is this?

"Dear Mr. Ceroni, we're happy

you and Max are entering

the Pinewood Derby

on Christmas Eve."

Why did you say

that your dad would be coming?

- It's a dads-and-sons derby.

I can't go unless he comes.

- What made you think

that he was gonna

show up now?

- Because maybe he will.

Maybe he'll come back

for Christmas.

- I'm so sorry, honey,

but that's just...

that's not gonna happen. I just

think maybe he's just really,

really busy.

- You don't know that.

Maybe we'll get lucky.

- Max...

Um, did you finish packing

for Ben's?

What's wrong?

- Last time I went to Ben's,

his dad asked me

what my dad did.

- And what did you say?

- That he's an astronaut.

[She laughs]

- OK, I like that.

Or, the next time someone asks

you what your dad does,

you could say he's

a magician...he's got a great

disappearing act.

- That's a good one.

- Right?

All right, let's go.

You're gonna have fun tonight.

OK? All right,

I'll help you pack.

[Man coughing]

[Coughing]

- One little fire,

and the insurance company ups

our premiums by 50 grand?

- We're lucky

they didn't cancel us.

And they want it up front.

You got 50 grand? I don't.

We might have had it if you

didn't burn down the house.

- I'm sorry.

- Dad didn't hand me the company

so I could run it to the ground.

What am I gonna tell him?

- Look, why don't you just

let me try and bring him

some outside business?

- Oh, please. Don't give me

that green crap right now...

- It's not crap, Bob!

It's the future. It's a pre-fab

modular kit will all recycled

materials.

- We build houses

out of wood and nails.

That's what we've always done.

It was good enough

for Dad and Gramps.

It's good enough for us.

- I'm just saying, people are

looking for other options.

- People are looking for someone

to build their homes,

not burn them down!

[Coughing]

- Are you catching a cold?

- I think so.

- Try these.

It's homeopathic. Just put

a few under your tongue

and let them dissolve.

- I should fire you

and your dufus friend.

But I need the manpower,

so I'm just gonna fire Joe.

- You can't fire Joe!

Come on. You know he's going

through a rough time.

- When isn't he?

- Fine, I'll take care of Joe,

all right? And we'll get

the house back on track

by Christmas.

- And the 50 grand?

- I don't know, Bob!

I don't know.

I'll think of something.

- And don't break your neck,

'cause the insurance won't

cover it.

- Don't worry! I'll be sure

to break my neck off-site!

- Shut the door!

[Music playing inside]

- Oh... I'm sorry.

- Hi, Katie!

- Hi, sweetie!

- Hi!

- Two glasses of white wine?

- Mm-hmm.

- Ah, those guys look

like fun.

- No. Not for me.

Not now.

- I know, I know.

Can't trust 'em,

can't count on 'em.

Who needs 'em?

- Don't forget can't afford 'em.

Max is the only guy

in my life I need.

- OK, I got it: no man.

- No, I'm just saying,

right now I need to just

get my life back on track.

I need to stay focused,

and men just

complicate things.

Oh, you know what I got today?

- No, what?

- A "Mr. Ceroni" letter.

- Well, that must have

made you feel feminine.

- It was

from the Boy Scouts.

Some sensitive jerk decided

to have a father-son

Christmas party.

What about the boys

who don't have a father?

- You didn't show it to Max,

did you?

- Oh, Max was the one

who told them

his dad would love to come.

That's why they sent the letter.

- What have you told him?

- About his dad?

- Yeah.

- That he moved

when he was a baby; he had

an important job far away.

- Well, he's old enough

now to hear the whole story

so he doesn't romanticize it.

- What am I supposed to say?

"Your dad was a liar

and a thief, and cleaned out

our bank account,

took the car, split,

never to be heard from again"?

- OK, maybe not

in those words.

Well, if it'll cheer you up,

I think you got

the hostess job at Marzano.

They're calling you tomorrow!

- Seriously?

- Yes!

[Laughing]

- You're the best. I...

I don't know what I'd do

without you.

- Hey, let's grab a table.

- OK.

- [Joe]: Who knew

pillows would explode?

- [Mike]: Yeah,

I've never seen Bob so angry.

- You should have let him

fire me.

- Yeah, well, if we don't get

the house back on track

by Christmas,

he'll fire us both.

- You should call your dad.

Isn't he still the Big Kahuna?

- No, he's retired. Plus,

he hasn't returned my calls

in six months. Otherwise,

it's a great idea.

- What?

- Come on, eat your fries

and let's get out of here.

- I'm all over it.

[Coughing]

- Hi, Mike.

- Hey.

- This always helps me

when I have a cold.

Tonic water

with fresh orange juice.

- Thank you, Jenn.

- Bye.

- Bye.

- How do you do that?

- Come on,

let's get out of here.

- Hey, you OK, man?

- Oh, I think I took

too many of Kelly's pills.

Phew...

- Hey, Mike, you OK, man?

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm just not feeling right, man.

I feel dizzy.

Let's just get home, man.

- I paid those tickets!

That's unbelievable!

Argh!

[Mike coughing]

- [Mike]: Phew...

I don't feel good

at all, man.

Phew...

Phew...

[Mike coughs]

[Car beeps]

- I'm on it, Mikey.

We'll get you home

right now.

Let's go.

- Whose car is this, man?

- It's a loaner.

I'll take you home

and put her right back.

Take it nice and easy.

We'll be home in a flash.

[Laughing]

- Don't you like that?

- It was... it was inventive.

- [Laughing]: I'm serious!

If you think...

W-wait a minute.

My car... was right here.

Right here.

- Well, it's not here now.

- No, I parked it right here.

My keys...

my keys are gone.

- I'm thinking

they're with your car.

- Somebody stole my car.

They stole my frickin' car!

- [Man]: All right,

we've got all the information.

We'll call you

if we hear anything.

- Just try

to get some sleep, OK?

- I will.

- We won! Mom, we won! We won!

- No, no, not too much.

Shh, shh, shh.

You're gonna wake Rose and Tony.

What? What?

- Twenty-one, seven, twelve,

eleven, six, fifteen!

- What? Let me see.

Twenty-one...

Oh, my God! We won!

[Laughing hysterically]

- We're zillionaires!

- We won the lottery!

No one wins the lottery!

- But we did!

- We did! Yes!

- Where's the ticket?

- The ticket...

is in my car.

[Mike coughing]

[Sniffling]

[Coughing]

- [Mike]: Joe.

[Door closing]

Hey.

Wake up!

Whose car is that outside?

- Oh, yeah.

I sort of borrowed it.

- What do you mean,

you sort of borrowed it?

- Well, I meant to take it back.

I must have fallen asleep.

[Police siren]

You don't think someone called

the cops, do you?

- Of course

they phoned the police!

You stole a car!

Aw...

OK, you're gonna

take it back.

Right now.

- It's light out.

Someone will see me.

- I don't care!

It's a stolen car.

- We'll stick it in the garage

for a few days. I heard cops

only look for stolen cars

for, like, 48 hours,

and then they give up.

- We're not keeping the car

for 48 hours. We're not keeping

the car for 48 minutes.

Pick up your stuff!

- This is Devon Hart.

I'm outside the lottery office,

where the state of Michigan is

making Christmas extra special

for four people this season.

Each week until Christmas Eve,

one lucky person will win

a million dollars

in the Christmas lottery,

which kicked off this week.

Will you become

a Michigan millionaire?

- But I've played the same

numbers for four years!

- She buys them from my store.

I get one percent of the payout.

- It's possible someone else is

playing those numbers.

- OK, but what are the chances

that someone else kisses the

front of every ticket?

- And wears Romantic Rose

lipstick?

It's not even

a remotely attractive colour.

I don't even know why I wear it.

- No, no, I like it on you.

- You do?

- I'm sorry,

but without the ticket

you can't collect.

- But what am I supposed to do?

- Find the ticket.

By Christmas Eve, midnight.

- You want a story?

I've got a story for you.

My car was stolen with a winning

lottery ticket in it.

- Really?

- Holly, what are you doing?

- My car could be in a chop shop

by now.

- But think this through.

- If we let the world know

about it, then whoever's got

my car won't be able

to cash my ticket.

[Ruckus]

- How could you

lose the car keys?

- Uh, have we met?

- I wish we hadn't.

- This is the ultimate

good news/bad news story.

Meet Holly Ceroni: single mom,

personal gourmet chef.

- I'm not...I'm not working

as a chef right now.

I hope to open my own café...

- She's a chef at Marzano,

with plans to open her own

café.

Holly's car was stolen

last night outside

Bo Ding's Bar and Grill,

but the thieves got more

than they bargained for,

because there's a winning

lottery ticket inside the car...

a ticket worth $1 million.

- The ticket was bought

at Vijay's Mini-Mart

on Winston Street.

- You must be devastated.

- Devastated?

I feel like my guts have been

ripped out and put through

a meat grinder.

- I can't believe this. J...

[Car starting]

- It's a '91 silver Volvo...

[Tires screeching]

- Joe! Joe!

- HV5...

- Joe? Whatcha doin'?

- I found it! We're rich!

- Put the ticket down.

It's going back with the car.

- Why would we

give the ticket back?

- Uh... because it's not ours.

- Well, technically it is...

that whole "possession is

nine-tenths of the law" thing.

- Yeah, the law, right?

We've already burnt down a house

and stolen a car. All right,

why not add robbery

and fraud to the list

of charges? At this rate,

we're gonna be on death row

by the end of next week.

- Come on, Mikey!

We're talking

about $1 million here.

- But it's not ours.

I mean, you heard the TV...

she's a single mom.

- She's a chef!

They make a tonne of money!

She's probably got her own show

on The Food Network.

- She drives a '91 Volvo.

- Rich people do that...

makes them feel

like us little people.

[Mike scoffs]

OK, think about it: this money

could pay off the insurance;

it'll keep the family business

afloat. Think of you dad.

You'd be a hero.

Not to mention

we could totally use

a 55" flat screen TV.

Did you hear

anything I said?

- Yes, I heard,

and I'm not stealing

somebody else's money.

Now, get in the car,

you drive, I'll follow.

- Whoa, cool car!

- One hundred percent

Detroit muscle.

[Engine revving]

Remember now,

ease the clutch in

and let it out slowly.

- Oh.

- This isn't a Swedish car;

it's American.

- Thank you, Tony.

- Yeah, just don't wreck it.

- Mm-hmm.

[Tires screech]

- Are you sure you know

how to drive this car?

- Yes, I'm sure I know

how to drive this car.

[Tires screech]

Oh...

[Laughing]

- Well, I think we need

somebody to keep us safe.

- Um, I think that's one too

many superheroes for one car.

- It's a big car.

- OK, well,

can't we just pick one?

- But if we're driving

to the water, I need Surf Man.

And if we run off a cliff,

I need the Silver Hook.

And if we get buried

in a landslide, I need

Captain Courage.

- OK, OK, I get it.

How about we change every day?

Like, Silver Hook

on Mondays, Surf Man

on Tuesdays. Like that?

- OK, but we should keep

the others in the glove box.

Just in case.

- OK.

Ready? Here we go.

[Tires screech]

Oh.

All right, now, remember, don't

tell anyone about the lottery

ticket...not even your teacher.

- But you blabbed it

all over TV!

- I know, and now I'm thinking

it wasn't such a good idea.

- Tony said this if we get the

money, all kinds of weirdos will

come out of the woodwork.

- That might be an exaggeration.

- "Money-grubbing freeloaders!"

That's what Tony calls them.

- All right, come on.

I don't want you to be late.

You got it?

And here's your lunch.

Here you go.

You OK, sweetie?

- Yeah. See ya.

- OK, I love you.

- You too.

- Stay safe.

- Stay safe.

- Hm.

Hey!

[School bell rings]

[Other car honking]

[Car starting]

[Other cars honking]

- I got a message

for Devon Hart...

Yeah, the newscaster.

Tell her

we spotted the dame's car...

Yeah, the one who lost

the lottery ticket.

It's at 3rd and Talbent.

[Phone hung up]

- "Dame"?

- I didn't want her

to recognize me.

- That's brilliant. Brilliant.

Come on, let's go. We're gonna

be late for work.

- Maybe we should take...

this home first.

- What is wrong with you?

- I just want a bigger TV.

- I ought to call the cops

on you myself.

- Whoa.

- I'm bringing the ticket back.

- Why don't we just put it

back in the car?

- No, I'm giving it

to her myself.

- No, Mikey!

- What's the name

of the restaurant she owned?

- Thank you so much.

I hope you enjoyed the food.

Good night.

- Hey, sweetheart.

I saw you on the news.

You're a real celebrity,

aren't you?

- Excuse me?

- Listen, if there's two things

I know, it's money

and the ladies.

I could, for a reasonable fee,

protect you from the jerks

that will be

swarming around you.

- You mean the jerks

that are swarming

around me right now?

- Hey, I'm just...

- How dare you come

to my place of business

and try to con me

out of my own money!

I should just call the police.

Yeah, go! Go, you cockroach!

Can you believe that?

That's the fourth guy

who saw the news and came

sniffing around here

for the lottery money.

What did I tell you about men?

A bunch of lying cheats.

I'm sick of all of them.

I could see the tan line

where he had taken off

his wedding ring.

- We're good here.

Why don't you go home and hide?

- Yeah?

- [Kate]: Yeah.

- [Holly]: I'll see you soon.

[Holly sighs]

- Can I help you?

- Uh, actually no.

I'm not hungry. Thank you.

- Hi, Mom!

- Hi, sweetie. Oh!

Oooh! Mmm!

- She was scary.

Man, she was seriously scary

the way she treated that guy.

Beautiful, but scary.

- Sounds like a real man hater.

- I couldn't do it. I mean,

I knew if I gave her

the ticket back,

she'd call the cops right there.

- So, you kept the ticket?

- I followed her.

I don't even know why.

She was driving

a classic Camaro, though.

- I knew it. She's got money.

She's a chef. She's got

a food empire!

- She did pull over

into a nice house in Plymouth.

- I'm thinking maybe she doesn't

need the money at all?

- Yeah, well, I'm thinking

the ticket's hers, whether

she needs the money or not.

- No, no, no, no, no.

You're not thinking clearly.

Do you want to watch

your family business go under?

Do nothing as 40 years

of Ronowski and Sons gets

wiped off the face of the earth?

- Look, I just want to give

the ticket back, but I don't

want to go to jail for it.

- OK, wait, wait, wait, wait.

I... I just got an idea.

We don't have

to give her the ticket.

There's a way to do this

so everybody wins.

- [Radio chatter]: 70-25, code

check, 105 northbound, Route

52.

- [Officer]: Is this your car?

- Yes.

It's not here!

My ticket!

- Excuse me?

- They took my lottery ticket!

- It's OK.

- [Joe]: So, when people lose

something valuable,

what do they do?

Offer a reward, right?

- She didn't lose it;

we stole it.

- OK, well, just,

just put that aside for a sec.

Hey, she got her car back,

didn't she? And she'll

get her ticket back.

All she's gotta do is put up

a small reward...say,

60 grand...just enough to cover

the insurance and a few...

electronic necessities?

- Yeah, and who's gonna convince

her to offer this "reward"?

[Nail gun firing]

Ah-ha-ha,

no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Clicking]

- Of course,

the lowlife was thrilled

to return the car

after he found the ticket.

- Well, you've made

pretty darned sure

he's not going

to be cashing it in.

The manager from the Dandy Diner

called here. Did he reach you?

- Yep. He hired me

for the breakfast shift:

three mornings a week.

- Oh.

- Now if I can just get a couple

more dinner shifts at Marzano's

or a catering job...

- It's Christmas,

for heaven sake, Holly.

Wonderful things can happen

this time of year.

If you let them,

your luck will change.

- I don't need luck;

I need work.

- You meet her,

you do your puppy thing.

- My puppy thing?

- Yeah, yeah.

She'll be

all over you, man.

Oh, she'll confide in you

about losing the ticket.

You know, you suggest

a reward, we collect,

you save

your family business,

she gets her ticket back.

Everyone's happy!

- And then what?

I just walk away?

- Or you could marry her,

and I live

in the guesthouse.

- This is so wrong.

She's got a kid, Joe.

- Well, fine. The kid can live

in the guesthouse.

I'm not fussy.

- Best nachos in town.

You enjoy.

- Hey, Vijay.

- Hey, Holly!

Don't tell me

you want another lottery ticket.

- No, uh, a job.

Do you need an extra hand

on the Slurpee machine?

- Well, I could use some help

during the holiday rush,

but you don't belong here.

You're a chef.

- I can be a chef later.

["Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

playing on stereo]

- Well...

can you start today?

- Absolutely. Thank you.

Thank you, Vijay.

- Happy Leon!

[Grunting with effort]

- Phew!

It's a no-brainer, Mikey.

- That's an understatement.

How would I even meet her?

- Well, you saw the ice skates

in her car, right?

- Why, you want

to steal those too?

- There was a flyer

in the back seat...

grammar school hockey flyer.

- And?

- The kid plays hockey;

you play hockey.

They're at the rink;

you're at the rink.

He shoots; he scores;

crowd goes wild. Done deal.

- I can't even believe

I'm considering this.

- High five!

It's bad luck

to keep a guy hanging.

- Everything go OK

at school today?

- Yeah.

- Yeah? What about that kid

that shoved you?

- Nobody shoved me.

- Want me to call the principal?

- No.

- His parents?

- Nope.

- You go have fun. Stay safe!

- Stay safe.

- [Rink announcer]: Attention

patrons, attention patrons:

free skate is now over.

The ice is reserved

for league hockey only.

Senior and junior

league hockey only.

Free skate will resume

in two hours. Thank you.

- Try it.

Nice, nice,

nice, nice.

Like this.

Through and around. Go.

Yeah!

Like this.

Ready? Through, around.

Got it? Ready?

Puh-puh-puh-puh, through.

Got it? Go.

Yeah!

[Mike laughing]

There you go.

There you go.

OK, here,

you take it.

Keep practicing.

I'll be back in a bit.

Oh, that's a lively bunch.

Any of them yours?

- Yeah, just one.

Uh, #89.

- Ah, yeah, I was just showing

him some moves. He's got skills.

He kinda looks like you.

I mean, if you were wearing

a helmet and a mouth guard

and I couldn't see your face.

- Yeah, I get that a lot.

- I'm Mike.

So, uh, do you skate?

- Yeah.

- Me too.

- Hence the skates.

- Right.

OK, well, I'll, uh,

just, uh...

get back to it, then.

Ugh!

- You OK, mister?

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah. Absolutely.

[Mike groaning]

Well, that was fun, huh?

We should do it again sometime

when I've regained

the feeling in my legs.

- We'll see.

Oh, this is us.

[Mike grunting with effort]

- Ahhh. Well, actually, uh,

you know, I'm here Saturday

with my team

if you guys wanna pop by.

- You're on a hockey team?

- Yeah, well, not really...

just a bunch of old guys

trying to relive

their glory days.

- Well, um, thanks

for being so nice to Max.

- My pleasure. Uh...

Well, uh, I hope

to see you guys again soon.

Um...

- Holly.

- Holly.

All right, I'll see you

later, buddy.

- See ya.

- Goodbye.

- I think

Max has been getting bullied.

- What?

- Yeah, it's awful.

I'm not sure whether to step in

or just let him handle it

himself.

If Max had a father,

like the other boys

in the troupe,

then at least I'd have someone

who could help me deal

with things.

- You're not thinking of trying

to find his dad, are you?

- Oh, I'm desperate,

but I'm not stupid.

- OK, good.

- Although, I have to admit,

sometimes I do wish he had

an adult male in his life.

- It'd be nicer

if both of you had one.

- I did meet a cute guy

at the ice rink.

- What?! And you waited till now

to tell me about it?

Details immediately!

- Um, well, he asked me and Max

to come watch him play hockey

on Saturday.

- And you're going, right?

- I don't know.

- Not every guy is out

to break your heart, Holly.

- No, they're just after

my non-existent lottery ticket.

- But this guy doesn't know

about your ticket, does he?

- No, no. I don't think so.

- Well, then, go to the rink.

What have you got to lose?

- I don't want to look

like I'm chasing him.

- Oh, no it won't.

It'll look

like Max wants to skate.

[Cheering]

[Game buzzer]

[Cheering]

- Game over!

- Woo!

- Ow-Weee!

- [Joe]: Mikey.

- [Mike]: Yeah.

- Is that her?

Wow, that didn't take you

very long.

- It's not like that, Joe.

- What's it like?

- Look, she's a nice girl

with a nice kid, and I'm

starting to feel like a loser.

- [Rink announcer]: Attention,

patrons: it's free-skate time

at the Plymouth Arena.

- Hey, you guys made it.

- Yeah, well, we wanted to make

sure you regained the use

of your legs.

- Nice pass, Mike.

- Thanks, pal.

- Go have fun.

- Have fun!

"Dear diary, I'm being forced

to have trivial conversation

with a complete stranger."

- This is a recipe book.

I'm a chef.

- A chef! Well, that's great.

I love to eat.

- You're not a food critic,

are you?

- No. I'm in the family biz...

Ronowski and Sons Construction.

- Catchy. What do you build?

- Ah, you know, just standard

stuff...wood-frame traditional

houses, that sort of thing.

- Hm.

- Look... I know

that we just met,

but would you guys like

to go out to dinner tonight?

I mean, nothing fancy.

Just, if you're a foodie,

you'll love this place;

it's got the best pizza in town.

- We'd love to, right, Mom?

- Yeah, we'd love to,

right, Mom?

- Um... I guess, yes.

We can do that.

- Great.

I'll pick you guys up. Uh...

Six-thirty?

- Six-thirty.

- Don't you want our address?

- Yes, I do.

- This helps, right?

See you then.

- Got it.

Nice move, Michael.

- ♪ And Christmas is going...

[Knocking at door]

- Hi. Uh, I'm Mike.

- Rose. Come on in.

Max and Holly will be

right down.

- Wow, this place is

beautiful.

You don't see

too much of this anymore.

Look at these wood built-ins;

they're gorgeous!

How long has Holly

owned the place?

- Oh, Holly doesn't own it;

my husband and I do.

Nearly 40 years now.

- Oh.

- Holly's the best tenant

we've ever had, though.

Have you tried

her cooking?

- I can't say I have.

- Hey, Mike.

- Hey.

- My mom's upstairs trying

to make herself look pretty.

- Well, she shouldn't have

too much trouble doing that.

- Hey, you want to see my tent?

- Uh, yeah, sure. Sure.

Uh, nice to meet you, Rose.

- You too.

- This is my tent.

It has a whole bunch

of action figures in it.

- Oh, hi.

- Hi.

- Sorry. Uh, I thought

this was Max's cave.

- Uh, we share the cave.

- You guys live up here?

- Um, well, why use the house

downstairs when you can have

an attic like this?

You guys ready to go?

- Yeah,

yeah.

- Pizza!

- After you.

- Oh. All right.

- But Silver Hawk can kick

Surf Man's butt any day.

I mean, yeah, Surf Man can stay

underwater forever,

but then the Surf Man could just

swoop down, catch him in his

death claws, and then...

- OK, OK, OK, but what about

Captain Courage and Surf Man?

I mean, I say

Surf Man totally wins that.

- Um, sweetie, you have

pizza sauce all over your face.

You want to go grab

some napkins?

- Yeah, Surf Man wins.

Totally.

- Totally.

- You have a friend for life;

you know that, right?

- I could use one of those.

[She laughs]

So, a chef, huh?

At your own restaurant?

- I wish. Uh...

it's been a bit rough lately,

so I'm back to waitressing.

- Oh.

- But my dream is to own

my own café.

I have the most amazing

Sicilian recipes

from my mother.

She passed

a few years ago.

Whenever she would cook,

you couldn't help

but feel happy.

- That sounds great.

Whenever my mom cooked,

you couldn't help but feel sick.

[She laughs]

- I found

the most perfect building.

You're a builder.

Can I show you this place?

- Yeah.

Oh, yeah, yeah,

I know that spot.

It's got the tree growing

in the middle of it.

Right over on College Avenue.

Yeah, that would make

a terrific spot for a café.

- Plus, there's

an apartment upstairs.

I just hope

it's still available

by the time I get

the down payment together.

Well?

- Well, what?

- Well, I told you my dream.

Now you have to tell me yours.

- My dream? Wow. Uh...

I haven't really had

that much time for dreaming.

- How come?

- Well, I went away to grad

school instead of staying

in the family business.

I always wanted

to be an architect.

So I got my degree,

moved to Chicago

to start my own business,

but, before I could

get it off the ground,

My father had some health

problems, and he had

to retire last year,

so my brother needed

some backup.

I came home

to help out.

- Ah. The good son.

- Mmm... I'm not so sure

my brother would agree with you.

[She laughs]

- What kind of architecture?

- Sustainable building...I got

really, really jazzed about it.

It's creating new houses

with all all-green strategies.

- Oh, that sounds great.

- Yeah.

- So, why not use your ideas

in the family business?

- Well, my brother believes

in doing everything

the old-fashioned way.

He thinks if we change

anything, it's going

to offend our old man.

- Well, don't let his fears

hold you back.

When your family needed you,

you came home,

you did the right thing.

It doesn't mean you have

to put your dreams on hold.

- You are something,

Holly Ceroni.

- I certainly hope so.

- Mike's gonna help me

with the derby car, right?

- Oh, uh, no, sweetie,

I don't think

he has time for that.

- Ah, ah, ah, are we talking

the Pinewood Derby here?

- Yeah.

- Yeah, I won it one Christmas.

- You won it?

- Yeah, totally.

No, I would love to. I mean,

if it's OK with your mom.

- Uh... uh,

you don't have to do this.

- No, I want to.

And I want to get this.

My treat.

- Thank you.

Hey, hang on a sec.

- I thought your mom

already had a job as a waitress.

- She's got three jobs.

- Oh. She sounds

like a really hard worker.

- She's always working.

- You've got a great kid, Holly.

- Mmm, yeah.

- Well, I should, uh,

I should get going.

- Stay for a moment.

[He sighs]

Have you ever seen

the Christmas lights

over on Roosevelt Street?

- Mm.

- I've always wanted to do

something big like that

for Max...just cover

the whole yard with lights,

show him how much he's loved.

- I think

he already knows.

I should really go.

- You know, I want to ask

your advice about something.

Um, can I trust you?

- Yeah, I think so.

- I won the lottery.

Um...

And...

my ticket was in my car,

which was stolen,

and the creep that took it is

still hanging on to it

even though he knows

he can't cash it in.

- That's awful, Holly.

- I try not

to think about it,

but the ticket has

to be cashed in Christmas Eve.

That money would get us

that café, our own place...

What do you think

I should do?

- About what?

- The ticket.

Should I offer a reward?

- I think, um...

I think

you should not give up.

It's Christmas, right?

I think that you should trust

that this creep will realize

he made a terrible mistake

and return it.

- Thank you.

That...

actually makes me feel better.

- I'm sorry,

I gotta go.

[She sighs]

[Door closing]

- Hey, how'd it go?

Whatcha doin'?

Talk to me, Mikey.

What's going on?

- It's over, Joe.

I'm sending the ticket back.

- What happened?

- She doesn't live

in a fancy house;

she rents in an attic,

and she works three jobs.

And I really like her, man.

God, I feel like

the Grinch who stole Christmas.

[Door opening and closing]

- Wait, Mikey!

She's about to be a millionaire,

she likes you,

and I want that TV!

- Get off me.

- You could save the family

business. You could be

a hero for once.

- I don't want

to be a hero!

- You're gonna lose her

anyway.

When she finds out,

she'll hate you.

- Don't even try

and go after it.

For once in my life,

I'm gonna do the right thing.

- Eight o'clock.

See you then. Bye.

OK, how was it?

- Started good,

ended in disaster.

One minute he was

about to kiss me,

and the next he went running off

like I punched him

in the stomach.

- But you didn't punch him?

- No, no. I told him

about the lottery ticket.

- And he ran away?

- Mm-hmm.

I open up with someone,

and this is what happens.

I have no luck,

especially with men.

- But you liked him.

- Yeah, I'll get over it.

I always do.

- Whoa.

You've got some serious

trust issues, sweetie.

He might be working through

something that has nothing to do

with you. You should call him.

Find out what's going on!

- No, I... I can't call him.

[She sighs]

Unfortunately, he told Max

that he'd help him build

a derby car.

- Oh, well, then you have

the perfect excuse: Max!

Poor, sweet Max waiting

with his unfinished derby car.

Just call him.

- You think?

- I do.

- So, you walked when we could

have closed the deal?

- It's not like that, Joe.

- Ugh...

What happened

to my Mikey?

The one I've looked up to

ever since Mr. Dow's 4th grade

science class

when you kissed Suzy Markham

in the greenhouse.

Hey, I just had

a thought: that's probably

what got you started

on greenhouse

development.

- Hi, guys. Wow,

it's really coming along nicely.

- You must be pulling in

some heavy overtime. Good thing

you're not on the clock.

- I told you we'd get this thing

back on track, and we did.

- I'm not sure it's gonna

matter. I can't come up

with the 50 grand.

I thought we had another job,

but I got outbid.

- Wait, Bob, Bob, Bob.

What about my eco-housing plans?

I mean, they could help.

- No.

Enough of that green garbage.

- Hey, hey, cut him some slack.

- Cut HIM some slack?

- I'm gonna tell you something,

and if you tell your brother,

I'll murder you.

[She sighs]

Your dad hoped

that you would

take over the business.

- No, Bob said that Dad

wanted him to do it.

- I know. It's just the way

he dealt with it

when he found out.

He was jealous.

- Why didn't he say anything?

I mean, Dad didn't even

return any of my calls.

- He felt rejected

when you left the business

for grad school.

- And why are you

telling me this now?

- So you understand.

Your dad was too stubborn

to admit when he made a mistake.

Your brother seems

to have inherited that gene.

Bob needs you.

He just doesn't have

a very good way of showing it.

You can turn him around.

Hey, it's Christmas.

Stranger things have happened.

- Yeah, well, it's hard

to turn him around

when he won't even listen to me.

See ya.

- "Dad Wishes.

"Wished on a falling star.

"Wished on a lucky penny.

"Wished on a ladybug.

Wished Dad comes home

for the derby."

[Dialling]

- Hi, this is Mike.

Please leave a message.

[Beep]

- Hi, Mike. Um...

This is Holly.

I, uh, I don't know why

you ran off the other night,

but, um... you know, you...

you promised Max

to help him with his car,

so please don't run out on him.

Um, OK, well, call me.

- End of messages.

[Beep]

[Doorbell]

- Hi.

- Hi. I, uh,

I brought some supplies

to help Max with his derby car.

- Come on in.

- Thanks.

- Actually, Max is out

at a Scout meeting.

- Oh.

- Listen, I am so sorry

about the message I left you.

Max has just been going

through a really tough time...

- Look, I... No, no, no.

I told Max that I would

help him, and I will.

And, look, I'm the one

who should apologize.

You must think I'm crazy the way

I took off the other night.

[They chuckle]

The thing is

is that I like you,

and I like Max.

I just... I just wish

we could start over again.

- Are you hungry?

Because I've got some food

on the stove.

Follow me.

- Smells great!

Have you been getting

all your mail here lately?

- Um... yeah,

I think so. Why?

- Some of us at work are having

trouble with our mail delivery.

- Oh, well, it's Christmas.

Huh, it's a wonder

we get any mail at all.

- Isn't that true.

This so beats chilli fries.

- I hope so.

Seriously, this is delicious.

What is this?

- Uh, it's cassateddis;

they're turnovers

filled with ricotta.

- Mmm! These are great.

Oh, hey.

- Yeah?

- So, I stopped by

your dream building

on College Ave. the other day.

- Yeah?

- And I sketched out

some floor plans for you.

- What?

- Here, here, just take a look.

- That is amazing.

- It'll have an open concept,

and I can do it all

with recycled materials.

- OK, has anyone ever

seen your designs?

- Nah, I've been

a little distracted.

- You need

to create a website.

I think people will be

blown away by what you do.

Thank you. I just hope

I get to use 'em.

- You will.

[Doorbell]

- Excuse me.

Hi. Sweetie?

- He said he felt sick,

but...

I'm pretty sure it's because

of this new kid, Jackson,

who joined the troupe.

- Sandy-haired?

Bad attitude?

- Big time.

- Thank you, Marcy.

- No problem.

- Mmm! I'll see you soon.

- OK.

- Uh... I'd better get this.

- Yeah. Would you, uh, would you

mind if I gave it a shot?

You know, just a little

man-to-man stuff.

- Um... yeah,

by all means. Go for it.

- Great. I'll be back in a sec.

- OK.

Good luck.

[Knocking at door]

- Max?

How you doin', bud?

I hear that new kid

in your troupe's

a bit of a jerk.

[He sighs]

You know, my brother used

to pick on me when we were kids.

He was a REAL jerk.

It didn't help to fight back,

either, because he was

bigger than I was.

But then one day

my mom told me

the funniest thing.

She said that I should

kill him with kindness...

you know, just keep

being nice to him

and pretend

he didn't get to me.

- Is your brother

still a jerk?

- Yep, sometimes.

Hey, you know

who "Old" McDonald is, right?

- Yeah, he's a Hall of Famer

for the Red Wings. Why?

- Well, they're doing

a Christmas charity event

this weekend,

and he's doing a card signing.

How about if I take you and

a couple of your buddies?

- Awesome!

- You know, maybe you could

even ask that Jackson kid.

- Why would I ask him?

- So you can kill him

with kindness.

- And what if that doesn't work?

- Well, then we go to Plan B.

- Cool. Hey, guess what?

I'm asking Santa

for the Batmobile.

It's radio-controlled,

and the best part is...

it shoots little pellets.

Sweet, huh?

- Very sweet.

- Good night, Mike.

- Good night, Max.

Hey, sleep tight, buddy.

We'll work on the car

tomorrow, OK?

- All right.

- Hey.

- There have been a few people

I've wanted to kill,

but never with kindness.

Thank you.

- No problem.

- So, what's Plan B?

- You beat the snot

out of the bully.

[She laughs quietly]

Holly...

Listen, I want

to tell you something.

- Oh! Are we interrupting?

[Laughing]

- [Mike]: No. Ha-ha.

Nope, not at all. Uh...

Actually I have to go.

- OK.

- Um... But I'll call you

tomorrow about Max's car?

- Yeah, yeah.

- Great. Good night.

- Good night.

- Good night, Rose.

Good night, Tony.

- You really like him.

- [Whispering]: I do! A lot!

- Hey, what's up?

- It's almost Christmas.

It's supposed to be snowing.

- It's only the 18th;

we still have a week.

Just hold that wish, OK?

If we get lucky enough,

it'll snow on Christmas Eve.

-

Snow for Christmas.

Snow for Christmas...

- When you're done,

can you go grab the mail for me?

Thank you.

- OK.

Snow for Christmas...

Stupid rain.

- Wake up! Hey, you didn't break

into that mailbox, did ya?

- Huh? What?

- She didn't get

the ticket back yet.

- No worries;

she's got till Christmas.

- Yeah, a week.

- ♪ Good King Wenceslas

looked out ♪

♪ On the feast of Stephen

- So, did your mom get any, uh,

special Christmas cards

or anything?

- No, I don't think so.

- Max.

This totally rocks!

- Hey, Jackson.

- So, do you want to come

sleep over tonight?

I'm asking Ben too.

- Maybe.

- Cool.

- I'm killing him with kindness,

and he doesn't even have a clue!

- Right on!

Awesome. Thank you.

Thanks. Thanks very much.

- Thank you.

- ♪ "Hither, page,

and stand by me ♪

♪ If you know it, telling"

[Laughing]

- Come on, come on,

bring it. I dare you.

- I see they're getting along.

- Amazing.

- Hey, I'm just glad

we didn't have to go to Plan B.

- Oh, yeah.

- You know, if Max is hanging

with the bully

tonight, uh...

- Mm-hmm?

- How about I cook you dinner?

- I thought you said

your cooking made people sick?

- Well, that was my mother.

Although she did teach me

everything I know.

Is that a yes?

- Yeah. Yeah.

[Knocking at door]

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Wow, you look pretty.

- Oh, thank you.

- It's cold out, huh?

- Yeah. Yeah.

Is that your roommate

hiding in the bushes?

- Get lost, Joe!

- [Joe]: Bye, Mike!

- Sorry about that.

[She laughs]

He's an idiot.

And he's a slob. And he destroys

everything that he touches.

But we grew up together,

and he used to beat up

my brother for me.

- I thought you killed

your brother with kindness.

- Uh, yeah... Well, that was

only 50% of the time.

[She laughs]

- Thanks.

So, this is

the bachelor pad.

- Scary, huh?

Oh, would you, uh,

like a glass of wine?

- Yeah.

Thanks. Thank you.

Oh, is that your design?

- Yeah.

- It's fantastic.

- We shall see.

I've been working on it

forever.

I, uh, put up the website

last night.

- Can I see it?

- Yeah. Absolutely. Here.

- Wow.

- These are the solar panels.

And then...

these are the reusable

generators.

Right there. And all the

building products are,

of course, recycled.

And... we even use

old Styrofoam

for the wood.

- It's amazing.

- Oh, hey.

It looks like I've got

A couple of hits.

- To your dreams.

So, are you hungry?

- I'm starving.

It smells really good.

- Well, it's an old

family recipe.

Your appetizer, ma'am.

- Oh-ho-ho!

Old family recipe, huh?

I could swear

this is from Marzano's.

- Well, I didn't say

it was my family.

[She laughs]

- I want to thank you,

um, for being

so sweet to Max

and me. I just...

- Holly. Holly.

I j... I...

[Beep]

Let me just get that.

- OK.

How about some music?

- Yeah, yeah, sure.

Pick something out.

- You know,

you could use a bigger TV.

- So I've heard.

[Door closing]

Holly?

Holly?

Hey, you OK?

[Knocking on door]

Holly?

- You stole my car,

you stole my lottery ticket,

and you've been lying to me

since we met.

- Listen, I can explain.

I've been trying to figure out

a way to tell you, and...

Look, please,

just hear me out.

Joe's car had a boot on it,

and he found your keys

on the ground,

and borrowed your car to drive

me home because I was sick.

I didn't even realize I was

in somebody else's car

until I woke up.

Holly, I was an idiot

who listened to another idiot.

- Just, just give me

the ticket.

- I don't have it.

- What?

- I mailed it back to you

a week ago.

- You mailed it?

You mailed it to me?!

- In a Christmas card.

- Are you insane?

This is the US mail!

I could get it next summer!

- Look, I'm sorry, Holly. I...

- No, stay away from me

and my son.

- OK, look, it wasn't

the smartest move, but at least

I sent it back!

- If you sent it,

why didn't I receive it?

Oh, my God!

- OK, wait, wait, wait, wait!

Maybe your landlords found it

and they took it in and they

thought it was junk mail?

Look, I'll go

through your trash.

- Just stay away

from us!

- Are you sad?

- Yeah, I am a little.

I'm afraid we were wrong

about Mike.

- We're not wrong.

He likes you. I know it.

- It's a little more

complicated than that.

- No, it's not.

There's still a little bit

of time before Christmas.

The ticket'll get here.

You'll see.

- Hey, it's Mike again.

Look, I still want to help Max

finish his car.

I mean, you don't even have

to be there, OK?

All right, good bye.

- That was him, wasn't it?

- Mm-hmm. Yeah.

I just...

I can't even...

I trusted him.

Just like you said,

I tried.

And then...

Then I find out

that Max has been...

writing letters

to himself,

hoping that his father comes

home for Christmas.

My life is a disaster.

- Look,

you can't avoid it

any longer.

You've got to talk to Max

about his father.

- What do I say?

- Tell him the truth.

So both of you can move on.

- I don't want

to break his heart.

- I know, sweetie.

I know.

- Holly, hi,

it's me again.

Please call me back.

I am so sorry. I don't...

[Christmas carollers singing]

I don't what else to say, Holly.

[Christmas carollers singing]

- This one,

definitely!

- Oh, that's a little big.

- How about this one?

- We need it under three feet.

- Hey, look, it's a penny!

That's supposed

to be lucky, right?

- Yeah, I guess.

- I hope Mike comes over

tonight. He's supposed

to help me with the car.

The derby's in two days.

- Honey, I told you

Mike isn't coming over anymore.

- Then maybe Dad will come over.

- No, he won't.

- But he might.

- Max, stop it! OK?

I told you that your dad is not

coming back anymore,

so just stop

talking about it.

Max!

[Carollers singing]

Max!

- ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la

- [Holly]: Max?

[She sighs]

Max, I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have yelled.

I remember the first time

I saw your dad.

He was at the pool

over on Hill Street.

And... everyone was diving

off the high board.

But I was afraid,

so I would get in line

and let everyone else

go ahead of me.

Until this handsome guy

with a big smile...

just like yours...

came up in line, and I told him

he could go ahead of me,

but he said, "Nope",

and he just sat

right down next to me

and talked with me

until I finally

dove in.

He did a nice thing.

And then

I fell in love with him.

But, um...

I can't pretend that...

he stayed nice,

because he didn't.

He left us pretty high and dry

right after you...

were born,

and I don't know where he is.

I know that makes you sad;

it makes me sad too.

But we have each other,

and that is

the biggest blessing ever.

And no matter what,

I will always,

always love you.

Sweetie, come here.

- First my dad leaves,

and now Mike.

[Crying]: Everything is...

it's just stupid.

[He sniffles]

- [Softly]: I know.

I know.

[Door chimes]

- Two lottery tickets, please.

- Why,

so you can pick up your life

and tear it into a million

little pieces?

- Excuse me?

- The lottery will break

your heart. Spend your money

on something else.

- She's right.

Buy AA batteries.

We're having a super sale.

[Phone ringing]

- Rose?

I'll be...

I'll be right there.

- What's wrong?

- Max is missing.

[Tires screeching]

Rose!

Rose!

Any updates?

- No, no, I'm sorry.

Tony took the car. He's driving

around the neighbourhood.

- Ben's mom called to say

that she dropped him off

here over an hour ago.

- I didn't see him.

His bike's gone.

[Phone ringing]

- Max?

- It's Mike.

Max just showed up at the site

with his derby car.

- Is he OK?

- Yeah, yeah. He's fine.

Listen, I'll bring him home

in a bit, OK?

Maybe we could, uh,

stay here and finish it up?

- Uh... OK, yeah.

It's fine.

- Yeah, OK. Bye.

[Holly sighs in relief]

[Rose chuckles]

- Thank God.

Max, you are in big trouble.

- Look, it's done...

- Max, Max...

- It's really awesome...

- I see that. Max, look at me.

- Look at the wheel bearings...

- Look at me.

Don't you ever do that again.

You don't go anywhere

without my permission.

You got that?

- OK. Mike's taking me

to the derby.

- Oh, no,

that's not what I said, Max;

I said we'd have

to ask your mom first.

- Please, Mom?

- OK, if...

Mike has time.

- Yeah, no, absolutely.

- Yes!

- OK, go get ready

for supper.

[Mike sighs]

- I take it

you didn't find the ticket.

- No.

- I don't know

what to say.

- I can't believe it.

You actually

pulled this off.

- [Joe]: So,

we're good then, right?

- Yeah, we're good, Joe.

But I have to let you go.

- What? Why?

- You can't fire him.

- I can't afford him.

I can barely afford you.

- Bob, you're not gonna fire

anybody. Please. Please, just...

just listen to me

for once in your life,

and just don't open your mouth

until I'm done.

- OK.

What is that?

- That's my website. I built it

to sell my green kits.

- Mike, I told you...

- I am getting over

a thousand hits, and I've

already got three orders.

And whatever I bring in,

I'll put back into the company.

- You got three orders?

- Yeah, and I've got

a supplier lined up,

and a line of credit.

- When'd you do all this?

- At school, Bob.

I've always been doing it.

I mean, I put this together

the other night,

and I also figured out

a cost-effective way

to put green

into our houses.

- Let me think

about it.

- Thanks, man.

- Mike's here! Mike's here!

- OK. Have a good time, sweetie.

- Aren't you gonna come?

- Um...

this one,

this one's for guys only.

- Come on, you gotta come.

Please? Please, Mom?

Come on,

it's the derby!

♪ Mama Claus said: Santa

♪ Why do you look so down?

♪ Christmas is a-comin'

and you've just been

poutin' around ♪

♪ What'd you do with

the sleigh? Give me a wave ♪

♪ The boys and girls are

waiting on Christmas Day ♪

♪ What's the matter with you?

Turn that frown around ♪

♪ Go, go!

Go, Santa, go, go! ♪

♪ Go, Santa,

go, go, go! ♪

♪ Go, Santa, go, go!

♪ Go, Santa, go!

♪ Christmas is a-comin'

♪ So go, Santa, go, go! ♪

- Next year we'll win

first place, right, Mike?

- You got it, pal.

- Wait here.

I have something for you.

- Thanks for today.

It was really nice.

- Yeah, it was.

So, Christmas Eve, huh?

- Yep.

- Look, Holly,

I just want you to know

that the feelings I have

for your and Max are real.

[Footsteps approaching]

[She chuckles]

- This is for you.

- Thanks, pal.

- [Max]: I made it at Scouts.

- Wow!

- It's a tepee. Native

Americans used to live in it.

- Well, I love it.

And it's green, too.

- No, it's brown.

[Holly laughs]

- Hey, actually...

I got you

a little something too.

Merry Christmas, pal.

- Wow.

- Cool!

- That's the derby car

I used to race.

- Thanks!

Merry Christmas, Mike!

- That was sweet.

- I am truly sorry,

Holly.

All right,

I won't

bother you guys again.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- [Holly]: Max?

- [Max]: He isn't here!

- You had a good time

tonight, huh?

- I really like Mike.

- I know. Me too.

- But he's perfect

for us.

Why can't we keep him?

- How do we trust someone

that lied to us?

- But I lie sometimes

and you still trust me.

- Max, come here.

Wha...?

Oh, my gosh!

- The lottery ticket!

We won the lottery!

We're getting the Batmobile!

- You found the ticket?

- That's great!

- It was stuck on my boot

the whole time!

- Oh, what a wonderful

Christmas present!

- I knew Mike would come

through. Maybe we can

keep him now.

- Well, it's great to hear

he came through after all.

Hey, you guys should get going.

Look, it's almost 10 o'clock!

- Batmobile,

million dollars, Batmobile...

- Don't you have

to cash that in tonight?

- By midnight.

- You don't look

very happy.

- It just doesn't feel

like I thought it would.

- I understand.

You can have all the money

in the world, Holly;

it doesn't mean anything

without love.

He made a mistake.

Who hasn't?

You think you can be married

for 40 years with no mistakes?

Go ask Tony

if you want a second opinion.

It's Christmas.

Get over it.

Go find him.

- You're right.

You're right!

Max, go put on

your jacket.

We're gonna go find Mike.

[Knocking at door]

- [Rose]: Who's that?

- It's Santa!

- [Santa]: Whoa-ho-ho-ho-ho.

- Joe?

- Yeah, hi.

[Panting]

I'm the idiot

who got Mike into this mess.

Um...

He asked me

to send you a present.

I figured it was the least

I could do to say I'm sorry.

Follow me! Right this way!

- Let's go!

We're coming.

- [Joe]: Come on, here we go.

It's right out here.

Santa doesn't lie.

- What's going on?

- OK, ready? Here we go.

[Zap]

[Holly gasps]

- Whoa.

[Tony laughing]

Whoa!! Yeah!

Woo! Woo!

Yeah!

Yeah! Woo!

- [Holly]: Woo!

- Well done.

[Laughing]

- Yeah! Yeah!

Woo!

- Come get a hug.

Ooooh!

You love it?

- Yeah.

- Thank you so much, Joe.

All right, let's get your truck!

We're gonna go get Mike!

We're not cashing the ticket

without him.

- [Stereo]: ♪ Silent night

♪ Holy night

- So, who's up

for desert?

- ♪ Shepherds quake

♪ At the sight

♪ Glories stream...

- I looked

at your website.

And, um...

you may be onto something

with that green design stuff.

- Well, I've got

two more possible orders.

- I saw.

I'm sorry, Mikey.

- Hey, I'm just, uh,

I'm just happy you like 'em.

Let's hope they help, huh?

- Come here.

- You guys need a room?

[They chuckle]

You see?

It's all good.

- Yeah, yeah.

- Well, what's the matter?

- I'm sorry, guys.

I'm just not

very good company tonight.

It was a great dinner.

Thank you so much.

Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- I'll show you out.

- [Joe]: He's at his brother's

house for dinner.

- Well, step on it!

- I'll get you there!

[Tires screeching]

[Honking]

[Engine revving]

- [Bob]: Joe! I told you to...

- Sorry, we're here for Mike.

- He left.

- Where'd he go?

- He didn't say.

- Let's go!

[Tires screeching]

- He's not answering.

[Tires screeching]

- [Holly and Max]: Mike!

- Mikey, are you there?

[Holly and Max]: Mike!

[Tires screeching]

- It's past 11:30.

We should really go

to the lottery office.

- Wait, I know

where he is.

- Mike!

- Holly?

What are you doing here?

- We found the lottery ticket!

- You found it?

- It was stuck on my boot!

- Guys, that's amazing.

- It's gonna close! We gotta go!

- Wait, who's gonna close?

- We'd better go collect

our Christmas present. Come on!

- I... I paid.

- Let's take your truck.

- It's not here. I walked.

- We gotta go!

- ♪ The first noel

♪ The angles did say

♪ Was to certain

poor shepherds... ♪

- Out of the way!

Out of the way! Coming through!

- Merry Christmas!

- Merry Christmas!

- [Mike]: Joe, come on!

- Oh, wait.

[Grunting with effort]

- Come on, buddy!

- [Holly]: Hurry!

[Grunting with effort]

- It's snowing!

It's snowing!

I did it!

- You sure did!

- Did what?

- Long story.

Oh, hey. I'm so sorry

that I didn't trust you.

- Oh, no, no. I was an idiot.

- Me too!

And I realized

something tonight.

- Come on! They're gonna close!

- I don't care about the money...

I mean, I care, but...

it's nothing compared

to how I feel about you.

- How do you feel about me?

- You're my real

Christmas present. I love you.

- I love you too,

Holly Ceroni.

- Come on, Mom!

Ugh!

- [Joe]: Ugh!

- Wait, you're not just saying

that because I won the lottery,

right?

[Laughing]

- Aw, just kiss me.

- [Max]: Mom!

- [Joe]: Mikey!

- [Max]: Come on! Aw, come on,

it's almost 12! Come on!

- [Holly]: OK, OK. We're coming.

Let's cash this ticket!

Come on, everybody!

Let's go!

Closed Captioning by SETTE inc.