Staging Christmas

Okay, will you call them back and tell them

that if they want staging for upstairs and downstairs,

it'’s gonna be a higher quote?

Great. Yeah, I'’m just grabbing coffee,

and then I'’ll be right in.

Thanks, Bye.

- Hey. - Hi.

- Usual? - Yes, two today, please.

These Christmas decorations are new.

- Yeah, new company policy. - Two lattes comin'’ up!

These garlands are beautiful.

Super high quality.

Do you know where you got them from?

I don'’t.

They were just in a box when I got to work.

Beautiful. They'’re really pretty.

Yeah, I guess.

Sorry.

Christmas decorating is a big part of my job.

Oh, I thought you were just unusually into garlands.

That too. Don'’t even get me started

on how many different kinds of tinsel there is.

Don'’t worry, I won't.

Thanks for the coffee.

Always. Have a jolly day.

- You too. Bye. - Thank you. Bye.

Next. Hi!

- It'’s looking great in here. - Thanks.

- Here, I got this for you. - Oh, thank you.

King Roasters. It'’s my favorite.

I know how daunting the first week in a new job can be,

and I just want you to know you'’re doing a terrific job.

Lots to learn, but really liking it all so far.

Well, let'’s finish fixing it up.

Sure.

Okay, how is the wreath delivery going?

Good. They just hit some traffic on their way down the mountain.

Okay, then let'’s push back the client viewing.

But everything'’s looking really great.

I mean, I doubt they'’ll notice a couple of wreaths missing.

Oh, without the wreaths, the look is incomplete.

Complete Christmas. Got it. I'’ll push it back.

I know it sounds crazy, but our marketing team discovered

that houses that are staged for Christmas

from October to the end of the year

have a 60% higher sell rate.

Oh, that high?

Yeah, people wanna picture what their home

is gonna look like at Christmas.

We'’re not just staging a house.

We'’re staging the idea of how that house makes them feel.

But won'’t they be kinda disappointed when they got here,

and the house is actually empty?

Never really thought about it.

They can decorate it themselves.

You know, I didn'’t realize that staging an open house

required this much knowledge of Christmas decorating.

Don'’t worry. The more you do it,

the better you get at it.

I bet you go all out for your own Christmas.

I used to when I was a kid.

But now I'’m so busy staging houses

that my Christmas gets put on the back burner.

You don'’t do anything to celebrate? Visit family?

My dad'’s retired, and he travels at the holidays.

I do go to our annual Christmas party.

- Hey, that'’s something. - Yeah.

Mr. Lexington rented out the Deller Art Gallery.

Should be fun.

Speaking of the boss.

Oh.

Oh, good.

You'’re looking over the projections for next quarter.

Yes, riveting stuff.

Oh, wait, here.

Try this new blend I'’ve been working on.

I like it.

I was thinking we could try it out at the Larimer store.

That'’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.

Oh, good. More charts and graphs.

As you know, we'’re on track to open up

three more King Coffee Roasters in Colorado,

with the goal to expand out of state.

Oh, I know. That'’s why I've been working

14-hour days nonstop for this past year.

Well, in order to stay on track,

we'’re gonna have to be a little more selective

with our bean supplier.

As in something cheaper?

If we want this franchise to grow,

it'’s the only choice.

Yeah, of course. The whole reason I started this company

was to serve good quality coffee at a reasonable price.

I know, and you have, and we can continue to.

We just have to make some changes for the greater good.

This is why you hired me, big brother.

Oh, and apparently, also to implement

Christmas decorations in all our stores.

Yes, special project initiative.

And so far, people are responding well to it.

All right, I'’ll have a look at our supplier options.

How'’s unpacking going?

Hmm, it'’s going.

I mean, of course, there'’s still boxes everywhere

and hardly any furniture.

You know, I thought this new house would help Maddie,

but so far, it'’s not working.

Well, I didn'’t just move back here for this job.

If you or Maddie ever need anything, I'’m here.

Thanks.

King Roasters in every state.

That'’s the goal.

Yup, that'’s the goal.

No, no, no, no, no, no, we sent you the correct dates.

My assistant CC'’d you.

I'’m looking at the email right now.

Well, never in all my years have I witnessed

this poorly handled of a situation.

Oh, don'’t think I won't.

Everything okay?

The Deller Art Gallery double-booked us,

so we no longer have a venue for our company Christmas party.

That'’s terrible.

Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?

Oh, no, no, no.

I wanted to talk to you about something much more upbeat.

I am happy to announce that we are opening up

a branch of Lexington Staging in New York City.

That'’s incredible. You'’ve wanted that for so long.

Indeed. Ever since I started the company.

Now all that'’s left is...

finding the perfect person to put in charge.

Lori, you do amazing work.

I mean, you'’re ambitious, you'’re dedicated.

I think you would do wonders

staging penthouses and luxury hotels.

And that is why you are one of three senior-level stagers

that I am considering promoting

to director of our New York City branch.

One of three?

Yup. You know, I'’m still reviewing portfolios

and crunching numbers, but I wanted you to know

you'’re in the running.

Thank you so much.

Mr. Lexington, I would love to help you find someplace

for our Christmas party.

I have a few venues in mind.

You know what I loved about the Deller gallery?

It reminded me so much

of my family'’s magical storybook home.

You know, it just had that elegant but homey feel

that'’s always so welcoming.

I think we can find someplace with the same feeling.

This close to Christmas?

Of course.

Well, that would be an incredible help.

Listen, I will email you a list of all the things that we need,

but if you can pull this off, ooh!

Thank you.

This is really good, thanks.

Then just find a local wreath maker.

There'’s gotta be someone nearby.

Okay.

I am so sorry. I did not see you there.

It'’s fine. I wasn't looking where I was going.

- Here, please take this. - Thanks.

Waiter, may I get some club soda, please?

You carry a handkerchief with you where you go?

Well, yeah, you never know when you'’re gonna

dump your takeout all over someone, right?

Right.

- Thank you. - Thanks.

Sorry about your soup.

No, don'’t be. Soup'’s replaceable.

I'’m sorry about your shirt.

Replaceable too.

Oh, smells good.

Oh, yeah, it'’s minestrone, my daughter'’s favorite.

I highly recommend it.

I'’ll keep that in mind.

Oh, see?

All good. Thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah, of course.

Well, enjoy your dinner.

You too.

- Hey. - Hey.

So what was that all about?

Minor spill.

He was cute.

Oh, no. Is that why you brought me here,

to pry into my nonexistent love life?

Can'’t a friend just, like, catch up with a friend

who works way too much and needs to take more breaks,