Finding Father Christmas Page #3

Dad's probably about ready

to knock off.

- I'll be right back.

- Okay.

(Andrew)

'"Soon, Scrooge was overcome'

'"by an irresistible

drowsiness.'

"And further of being back

in his old bedroom.

'"Awaking later

as the clock struck 1:00'

'"Scrooge could see a ghostly

light from an adjoining room.'

'"As soon as Scrooge came

peeping around the door'

'"he was greeted

by a booming voice.'

'"I am the Ghost Of

Christmas Present!'

Come in and know me

better, man."

[applause]

[door closes]

"Soon Scrooge was overcome

by an irresistible drowsiness.

Miranda!

"And further of being back..

'"Awaking later

as the clock struck 1:00'

'Scrooge could see a ghostly

light from the adjoining room."'

[instrumental music]

Weatherman says there's more

snowfall on the way.

I'm afraid that Seattle jacket

won't do you much good.

I don't have much experience

with New England winters.

Well, we'll have to see

what we can do about that.

Sorry, about leaving.

I just needed some air.

- It's probably jet lag.

- Mm-hmm

Though you're not the first

person to go running off

into the night

after seeing our rendition

of "A Christmas Carol."

There are parts I'm sure

that even Mr. Dickens himself

wouldn't recognize.

Well, I'm sure it's wonderful.

Well, I will say

what we lack in talent

we make up for with volume.

I'm not exactly what you'd call

a theatre person.

Well, then come see

the show with me.

Maybe it'll change your mind.

I think maybe

this was a mistake.

What do you mean?

Coming here.

I don't think I'm gonna find

the answers I'm looking for.

I'm not sure what brought

you here, Miranda

but I'm glad it did.

And while you are here,

you might as well enjoy it.

After all, it is Christmas.

All those questions you have

they'll still be

waiting for you.

I bet that's pretty amazing

when it's all lit up.

You have no idea.

Okay, now, I'm getting cold.

Ian, no, no, no, no.

- What about you?

- I'll be fine.

You can talk to my dad tomorrow.

Right now,

we should get back to the inn

before we both freeze.

- Thank you.

- Yeah.

Um, we, uh, we maybe, kinda,

walk a little faster?

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

- Good morning!

- Hi!

- Hope you slept well.

- Great. Thank you.

Good! Um, I have a table

for you right there.

Come on in, and, uh,

continental breakfast.

- So, please, help yourself.

- Thank you.

Alright, Katherine, off we go.

Oh, before you go.

Ellie, um, I'd like

to introduce you, Miranda.

Uh, this is Miranda Chester,

she's visiting our little town

for the first time ever.

Welcome to Carlton Heath.

I'm Ellie Whitcomb.

This is my daughter, Julia

and my son, Mark.

It's very nice to meet you.

We had hot chocolate with

a candy cane to stir it with.

- Oh, that sounds delicious.

- 'It is.'

We have it every Christmas

before we go shopping

for presents.

A little

Whitcomb family tradition.

Whitcomb? I saw a plaque

at the theatre yesterday.

Are you related

to James Whitcomb?

Yeah, that's

my husband's father.

Mm-hmm, wonderful man.

We wouldn't have a theatre

if it wasn't for him.

Oh, speaking of which,

I hope you plan on attending

the Christmas show

while you're here.

I'm not sure

how long I can stay.

Aww! That's a shame.

Well, you must come to

the tree lighting tonight then.

- Oh, yeah!

- Yes, you should.

Yeah, we have a fire and we sing

carols, it's a lot of fun.

And a certain someone makes

a special appearance every year.

She means Santa Claus.

Yes, she does. Well, I hope

we see you tonight.

It was a pleasure

to meet you, Miranda.

- You too.

- Bye.

- Bye.

- Bye.

- Bye.

- Merry Christmas!

[instrumental music]

What?

[chuckles]

Oh, someone looks nice and cozy.

It's perfect. Thank you.

Yeah, we can't have our

guest getting frostbite.

I have a question.

Is there somewhere in town

I can get internet?

Library or something.

Well, you could use my office.

- Your office?

- Uh-huh!

Yeah, it's just inside here.

I'll show you.

- Thanks.

- Yeah.

I'll be running around

most of the day

but you can work in here

as long as you want.

This is nice.

Oh, it's not

what you were expecting?

Not unless you're Batman.

[chuckles]

No, I just do the books for

the inn. Bills and inventory.

You know, stuff like that.

And that set of law books,

discreetly in the corner?

Oh, those..

- Yeah, I'm also a lawyer.

- Excuse me?

I mean, I have my degree

and passed the bar.

I even practiced for a couple

of years in Burlington.

But not any more?

I still know my way around

tort in a pinch.

But mainly I just help people

with estates.

You know, wills,

reading contracts

and adoptions.

Those are the best.

- Adoptions.

- Hmm.

You are Batman.

Well, let me know if you

need anything else.

[instrumental music]

[knocks on door]

- Miranda.

- Hi!

Hi, this is my husband, Andrew.

[chuckles]

Miranda, such a pleasure

to meet you.

- And welcome to Carlton Heath.

- Hi. Thank you.

Um, Catherine's told me

a bit about your quest.

Sounds like a real mystery.

So, may I have a look?

Oh, sure.

Oh, yeah.

[chuckles]

Now, that's Father Christmas,

alright, yeah.

Do you recognize the boy?

No. No, he doesn't

look familiar.

Katherine thought you might know

how to reach the Halversons.

To see if they can remember?

Well, it hasn't been that long.

I'm sure somebody in town still

sends some Christmas cards.

So, I'll ask around.

Thank you.

Well, I'll leave you to it then.

- Thanks.

- Yeah.

It's such a beautiful day.

It seems like such a shame

to come all this way

just to sit in my son's office.

[instrumental music]

(Ian)

'You're welcome.

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Harris.'

'We'll, see you tonight.'

- Well, hey.

- Hi.

- How did the computer work out?

- Good. Thank you.

You're playing Santa Claus?

Oh, another one

of our holiday traditions.

Tea and Christmas cookies

for some of the locals.

Wow, looks like a lot of work.

Well, it's not work

when you're doing it

for someone you care about.

And these folks are like family

to us. Especially at Christmas.

- Big family.

- The bigger the better.

- Sounds noisy.

- That's half the fun.

I should let you get back

to your Santa Claus-ing.

Why don't you come with me?

- What?

- Yeah.

We'll make the rounds, I'll

introduce you to the locals.

- Really?

- Really.

So, what do you do

for the holidays anyway?

Um, my mother was an actress.

So we spent most of our

Christmases in hotel rooms.

Well, that's not

exactly festive.

[chuckles]

Don't get me wrong.

She was a really good mom.

And she did whatever she could

to make Christmas special.

But even now, after all

these years on my own

I still don't really see

what all the fuss is about.

It's about life and love

and sharing it with those

who are dear to you.

It's the sleigh

that's swinging ding-a-ling..

Merry Christmas, Ruth.

[Ruth screaming]

Everybody's

Feeling happy

It's Santa's jolly

ho-ho-ho

Yeah?

Streets are filling

Up with snow

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