Santa's Boots

Mom, you'll hardly miss me at Thanksgiving.

Dad will be busy at the store and I'm swamped.

I do take time off.

I'm coming home for Christmas.

Yes, I have a life outside of work, mom.

I actually went on a date this weekend.

Nobody special,

I haven't found my Sleepless in Seattle yet

but I'm still looking.

Yes, when I'm ready to introduce someone you will know, ok?

I'm at work, mom.

I gotta go.

I gotta go. Bye.

Ok. Not so fast.

You didn't call me yesterday.

It is way too early to be interrogated.

No it's not.

If I tell you will you let me go to work?

Dish.

It wasn't exactly a love connection.

Oh. So?

I don't like boats and we went sailing.

Ok, I didn't know that you don't like boats.

I didn't know that I don't like boats but it was a lot of boats.

Like sailing and stories and pictures and trophies.

Ok, that is too bad.

I just don't think I could ever compete with his boat.

Ok, alright, look.

Forget Boat Guy,

we just gotta get you back in the saddle pronto.

Get you a few more swings at bat before the clock runs out.

Woah, take it easy on the metaphors.

It's a bit of a problem, I'll work on it.

Addison, it's ok.

Really.

Is it?

Have you been conspiring with my mother?

Not saying anything.

Mmmhmm.

Holly, can I have a word?

You know, once a year I get a report on employee's

unused vacation time.

Did you know that you have 41 days of unused vacation time?

Wow, I must really love working here.

Holly, if you don't use your vacation time you'll lose it.

Look, I get it. You wanna be the best.

You are the best.

I got you.

But you don't need another bonus,

you need a vacation.

So take one.

Starting tomorrow.

Wait, what?

Hand things off to Addison and your team,

come back in January refreshed.

And Holly, say "thank you".

Thank you?

Welcome to Montell's.

Oh, it's Holly Montell.

Welcome home!

Hi honey!

Hi dad!

Excuse me, I have a complaint.

It is way too early for Christmas carols.

It isn't even Thanksgiving yet.

Come here, girl!

Are you here to spell me?

Because I have a plane to catch to the Bahamas.

Oh, you wish.

Did you seriously just fly here?

You look amazing.

You are too kind.

My mom doesn't even know that I'm here yet,

but I had to come by and say hi to my bestie.

So how was your boat date?

Oh, I can't talk about it.

But how about you?

How's Jay? How's the kiddo?

The kiddo is this big.

No.

My dear daughter!

Well, she's been here three and a half minutes

and she's already running the store.

Uh, nope, she's here on personal business.

Exactly.

Uh-huh.

Just don't stay too long.

We'll never hear the end of it from your mother.

I promise, dad.

So?

Looks good out there, right?

It does.

Why are you hanging them out here?

They'll get all beat up by the weather.

Because I like 'em, Uncle Ralph.

Plus it's Christmas time.

Nick, shouldn't those be at the counter

so we can sell them?

Huh.

When you're finished that come and help me in the field.

Ok.

So Jenny was thinking about putting the Doug firs up front.

Yeah?

Well, maybe she's right, Nick.

Really?

Whatever happened to "if it ain't broke don't fix it"?

Well, you know, this is my last year.

Are you gonna threaten me on the day before Thanksgiving,

Uncle Ralph?

What, you thought I was joking when I said

I'd turn the business over to you when you turned 35?

I wasn't joking.

I know.

Do we have to talk about that now?

Why not now?

You know, your father and I started this business

42 years ago when I was 26.

I know.

So when are you gonna be ready?

You should take the rest of the afternoon off.

Come on, Uncle Ralph-

In fact, take all the time you need,

and don't come back until you're really ready.

There's a lot to do.

We gotta hang the lights and-

Look. Just go home, Nick.

I ran this business for 36 years without you,

I think I can manage a few lights.

Nick, where are you going?

Home.

Why?

Babe, what's going on?

Ask Uncle Ralph.

Holly, I'm glad you made it home.

Me too, Grammy.

Ok, that needs to be turned.

Ivy, darling, can you ask Kyle to come to the kitchen?

I do need a man to do that job.

Oh, yes. Sure thing.

And perhaps next year it'll be your young man

that I summon to turkey duty.

Really, mom?

I just got here.

Elaine, she didn't go to Wharton

so she could chase a bunch of kids around the house.

She could have done that without spending two hundred grand.

You always take her side.

I always take the right side.

Chef Rob has arrived.

You scared me but you're a lifesaver.

Yeah, you're welcome.

For both.

Day?

Don't ask.

Too much trees, not enough dirt?

Ha ha.

Couldn't have been worse than my day.

Yeah? Spill it.

Four.

Count 'em, four Santas quit.

What?

Yeah.

And two elves.

How does that happen?

Let me tell you.

Hip replacement, lower back pain,

uh, the flu- that's actually good that he quit,

that would have been bad- and oh, get this.

Hearing aid not working properly.

He didn't think he was gonna be able to hear the kids.

That would be a problem.

That is a problem.

Maybe that's what I get for only hiring old Santas.

What about the elves?

Uh, I couldn't get a hold of one,

the other one got in a fight with her boyfriend

so she was too upset to work.

That's what you get for only hiring young elves.

Ahhh!

Ugh. What am I gonna do?

I can play Santa for you.

Don't you have a ton of trees to sell?

Like, literally a ton of trees?

No, 'cause uh, Uncle Ralph sent me home today.

What do you mean, he sent you home?

You're almost 35.

Did you get grounded, too?

What're you talking about?

Can we watch tv later, or is that off the table?

He wants me to take over the business and insisted

that I make a decision on it today.