A Lot Like Christmas

Success is a state of mind.

Every day is a chance to take one step closer

to where you want to be in your career.

Today is a gift.

-Make it happen! -Make it happen.

We are not in Manhattan anymore.

Huh.

Now, ain't that purty?

Excuse me.

There a Starbucks around here?

No, but there's a Dottie's around the corner.

Only two stars on Yelp.

Oh, it's the best place in town.

You gonna trust us

or you gonna trust your phone?

I guess I'll take

your word for it.

Can I get you guys anything?

I'll have a bear claw.

Make that two.

-And a cruller. -Okay.

And I'll have an orange juice...

no pulp?

Okay. Sure. You got it.

Well, he did say "anything."

There you go, hon'.

Hey, what can I get ya?

Um...

Do you have an Ethiopian roast?

No.

Sumatra?

I don't think so.

What do you have?

Coffee.

Sounds perfect.

Oh, you wouldn't happen to have soy...

Never mind.

Visiting family in the area?

I'm here on a job.

Till Christmas, probably.

Oh, before I forget,

um, could I get two bear claws,

a cruller,

and an OJ, no pulp, please.

You met Earl and Felix, huh?

Welcome to Hudson Springs.

And you are...?

Clay.

Well, Clay, I'll get you a to-go box.

Thank you.

Hey.

Oh, she's a beauty, Delaney.

Thanks, Boss Lady.

All right, Scott, you can smile.

The holiday season has officially begun.

Hey, Halloween was my thing.

Christmas was always yours.

Oh, I guess I get that from Dad.

Oh, he sure did love this season.

This first Christmas without him

is going to be a lot easier with you two here.

I'm so glad we're together.

I know you're just itching to get back at work.

Oh, no, Mom, I wanted to be here.

I mean, we all know how important this season is

for the farm's survival,

and... and I'd hate for us to have to sell the place.

Oh, come on, Scott, we'll be fine.

We always do well during the holidays.

I know, all I'm saying

is the bottom line is now my responsibility.

Well, people don't just come here

to buy a tree.

They come for the Christmas tradition,

the experience,

just like Dad used to say,

which is my speciality.

Art and commerce,

which is why I am so proud of you both.

Now, get to work.

-Yep. -Yes, ma'am.

Xavier Norris?

Clay Moore from Corporate.

Oh, no. What's wrong?

Nothing's wrong.

Oh. Okay.

Here, have a coffee.

HQ sent me up here last-minute to help with the launch.

Are you ready to help me

make this store a hit by Christmas?

Yeah.

Yeah...

but I'm not sure about anybody else.

People 'round here aren't exactly thrilled

about HGS opening up in Hudson Springs.

Another reason why I'm here.

I saw the market research.

There's some resistance we'll need to overcome,

but if there's one thing I know how to do,

it's get people in the door.

I hope so, because we open in two hours, and...

Trust me, the people of Hudson Springs

will come around when they realize

"Our wide selection and low, low prices can't be beat."

You know, you sound exactly like the commercials.

Yeah, that's what I was going for.

Follow me, Xavier.

Uh, what's all this?

Our first sales promotion.

Christmas trees?

Mm-hmm, you know it.

Let's set up a tree pen over here.

50 by 50 should do it.

Hey, can you line up the trees by size?

Small, medium, large, and jumbo?

Wow, those prices are so... uh... low.

These trees are a proven loss leader.

They bring in the customers, sales go up,

Corporate's happy, and we look like heroes.

Yeah, I don't think that's gonna work.

Yeah, it works all the time.

The proof's in the spreadsheets.

Let's put a dozen inflatable trees out front,

the ones that light up.

Now, where can I set up home base, Xavier?

Um...

Hi! So nice to see you.

I've got a cookie for you.

And some cider.

Hello there.

Got some hot cider.

Thank you very much.

Oh, my goodness gracious!

Oh, my goodness...

Jessica...

Jessica--

we can't pay the bills with farm animals.

Nobody likes free hot dogs?

I like free hot dogs.

It's a tree.

Just pick one and come on into the store.

Come on.

I don't get it.

Route 12's flowing with traffic.

Nobody shops for Christmas trees around here?

We do,

but mostly from local farms

where you can pick your own tree.

Like my friends, the Roberts family.

They own a farm three miles down the road

and grow the trees right on the property.

You know, I've been going there ever since I was a kid.

I can still remember the first time I helped my dad

cut our very own Christmas tree.

Cut?

-Like with a saw? -Yeah.

Because that sounds incredibly old-fashioned.

Why didn't you tell me about this before?

About my childhood? Well...

The farm, Xavier.

Oh, you didn't ask.

Huh.

This Roberts farm,

it's not in the marketing research.

All right.

Where are you going?

Well, if people around here

would rather buy their trees from some farm

than enjoy the low cost and convenience

of a pre-cut tree,

I need to know why.

Brr.

Need a hand?

Love one. Thanks.

Nice-looking tree.

They all are here.

Whoa!

Nice comes with a price.

It's a once-a-year thing.

The kids love it.

I just wish I didn't have to haul it home.

They don't deliver?

Small farm.

Guess they don't have the manpower.

Thanks again for the help.

Have a happy holidays.

You too.

So, when you were born,

your mom and dad

planted a sapling in our grove,

and guess what?

What?

Now that tree is all grown up,

just like you,

except it's grown into a big, beautiful Christmas tree.

Isn't that cool?

Yeah.

Do you still have the slip number?

I've been keeping it safe for eight years!

Okay, so this one is, uh, five rows across