Mrs. Christmas (Natale senza Babbo)

Confrontation in a relationship is everything.

Because our goal is to mend things.

Dialogue is the solution.

Here we go.

These are two puppets who represent you.

Let's have them talk.

But not...

No. More like...

They'll have to keep calm. Here you go.

It's a serious thing. Trust me. Trust me.

No, no. It's fine.

Let's introduce ourselves.

Hello, my name is Margaret, and my husband is having a mid-life crisis.

My name is Nicholas, I'm not having a crisis, and I'm not middle-aged.

He always plays video games and has also bought a motorbike.

I'm unhappy.

But who is happy?

- Are you happy, Doctor? - I get by. The puppets, please.

Christmas makes me depressed.

- Unfortunately, though, he is Father Chr... - Tired.

She meant "tired."

You are tired? I manage everything.

I take care of our house and our kids.

I'm the assistant chief at our company.

I sort his mail, and let me tell you, in his case, it's no walk in the park.

- You want to do it all by yourself. - You've never thanked me.

- And you've never apologized! - And I've asked you to keep calm.

Let's breathe.

Let's relax.

He behaves like a child.

But I already have two other kids at home.

Do not listen to her.

She always wants the last word...

"Nicholas, do this. Nicholas, do that."

"Nicholas, come to therapy."

I didn't even want to come. No offense. God forbid.

Do you think I like doing your job?

I had other ambitions.

I didn't want to be the assistant of Father Christmas.

Why did you mention "Father Christmas?" Why did you say that?

When she is upset, she calls me Father Christmas.

And when... during our intimacy,

she calls me "Bear." You know? She has her own...

You can say anything here, you know?

It's called professional confidentiality. We're paying a fortune. Right?

So, we know we have to deal with Mr. Nicholas's burnout.

- Yes. - And with the slight psychotic delirium

- of Mrs. Margaret. - Bravo.

- Delirium? Me? - Yes, but you can get over it.

You called me "Father Christmas."

Doctor, do I look like Father Christmas to you?

He has to go through a transformation.

Well...

I didn't think about that.

Yes, because his heart lights up.

He grows a big belly, he grows a beard, his hair...

Turn into him. Show her!

Oh, what a shame. Time is up.

So, I guess you'll turn into him some other time.

- Okay, Nicholas? I'll wait for you. - Sure. Thanks again.

- Elfhonse, tell me. - Margaret.

Make sure to be on time tomorrow. We'll start with a bang.

Look, is Klaus XVI there with you?

Yes, he's here. Don't worry.

We wouldn't want Father Christmas to disappear.

MRS. CHRISTMAS

ALARM SNOOZE

Star, Flash, wake up!

Star.

Star, wake up.

Okay, okay, now I'm waking up.

Why do you have to kick me like that every morning?

Flash, are you playing video games first thing in the morning?

You're exactly like your father.

I have to beat his record, Mom. I can't be humiliated by a boomer.

Whatever. Now eat. Eat, please.

What's with that sweatshirt?

This sweatshirt is begging for mercy.

It's about to walk by itself to the washing machine.

- Shall we wash it? - I'm against wasting water.

I beat Father.

Right. Father is missing.

Get up, come on.

Nicholas.

MARGARET MORETTI INVENTOR OF THE YEAR

Nicholas.

The golden butterfly. Watch out for the black caterpillar.

What black caterpillar? I'm your wife. Here. Hey, hey. I'm here, I'm here.

Darling.

- Hi. - Kids are ready.

- Let's go. We are ready. - Can I use my motorbike?

Can't you see how scruffy you look? You can't use your motorbike.

This car is a garbage can.

Maybe I should wash it.

Well, yes. You have been saying it for... five years?

Yeah?

No!

You have choir at 5:30 p.m. today.

- Father, it's my turn. Come on. - Here.

- Star? - Yes.

Make sure you come back on foot.

If we had a mobile phone, maybe you wouldn't worry that much.

Not the mobile phone again.

We've grown up without it, and we were grand. Right, Nicholas?

- Nicholas! - Sure.

Yes, but I'm the only one at school not to have one.

And you can't ask Father Christmas for it. How fun.

You know what we think about it.

What difference would it make? We can't have friends either.

I've never said that. I'm just saying it is different for you, because...

Because your family is a bit different, you know?

Star, our favorite song.

It's cringe.

Mom! Mom!

Leave us at the corner.

- I don't want to make a bad impression... - Star!

...hand in hand...

I told you to leave us at the corner.

You never listen to me.

Come on, what difference does it make?

Flash.

I hate you.

Star.

- Bye, Mom. - Bye, sweetheart. Watch out!

Klaus, Assistant Chief. You are a bit late.

Coffee?

Thank you.

That's good. That's good. Come on.

Keep going. Keep going.

Come on, pass it. Spike it.

So, how is it going?

Everything is fine.

We've reached 2,357,000,000.

We just half a billion short.

Great.

Polish it up, okay? Thank you.

- Coat. - Coat.

- Chief. - Here comes the nagger.

- Chief. Chief. - I'll deal with it.

Hi, Elfius. Tell me.

Yes, I just wanted to tell him

we're very late with the yearly inspection of the reindeer.

I know.

So, there's hoof polishing, horn velveting,

crash tests, and a breathalyzer to check if they can fly.

So?

So, a simple workelf like me, even if awarded "Elf of the Year,"

can't approve such important procedures.

We need the chief's great Golden Stamp!

I know. I'll do it.

No! It's mine.

I said I'll take it.

I'll take it.

- I'll do it. - No, it's mine.

- Wait here. - I won't move.

I have no doubts.

What is happening here?

No, don't stop right now...

Darling.

Darling.

- You're wearing kajal. - No. Just a little.

What are you doing?

What am I... This is my new band. The Christmallica.

We could play tonight at the Christmas Village.

Yeah?

Since when does Father Christmas have a band?

I'm also the first one with wife and kids.

This is not a good time. It's not.

Where is the Golden Stamp?

I don't know. I don't know.

Could you help me find it? Elfius is breathing down my neck.

Ouch.

- Here it is. - Is that it?

Darling, darling.

Do I really have to come to the Christmas Village?

I'm having a burnout. The puppet therapist confirmed it.

- Listen. - What?

You work one month per year. One!

Yes, but on December 24th, I'll complete a world tour in just 12 hours.

It's stressful, isn't it?

You want to talk to me about stressful? I mean, I work.

I'm a working woman, and I have two young kids.

- Don't make me angry! - No.

Don't make me angry.

We also play other genres.

Go back to work!

How stressful...

What is this?

"Shine again."

It's wonderful.

BOOKED

It's really depressing, Nicholas.

- Who is it? - You're a shadow of yourself.

And I'll say... quite tipsy.

I could smell mead from a mile away,

even without my little pinched nose.

Hello, Befana.

Depressed, tired, sluggish...

Why won't you leave Christmas to those who still believe in it?

Because Father Christmas is at the top of the kids' approval ratings,