Meet Me at the Christmas Train Parade

Rise and shine, Benny.

We gotta be on the road in half an hour.

Ugh, mom.

Morning, kiddo.

How'd you sleep?

Morning.

Cookie?

Just cereal, thanks.

Alright, here you go.

Do you ever sleep, grandma?

When I was young.

Social media, Grandma.

Oh, you and your social media.

Better get him in the shot.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Now what sounds better: "Nice to meet you, sir."

or "welcome to Snow Falls, sir."

When I was mayor, it was first names and a strong handshake.

'kay well, this is the governor, Mom.

It's not exactly a first name basis kind of thing.

Governor Mike?

Ooh, I like that.

Hello, Governor Mike, I'm Charlotte

the Mayor 'round these parts.

Okay, well, I don't deserve to be mayor

around these parts if I can't get you to school on time.

You almost finished?

Yeah.

Okay.

Good luck with Governor Mikey.

Thanks. It's just a simple meet and greet.

Should be fine.

It's never just anything with men like him

Oh, and don't forget to take your car in.

The engine light was on again.

Yes. Right. Thank you.

You almost ready?

Ready.

Okay, see you in the car.

Benny.

Take me to school.

Phone off during class like we talked about, right Benny?

Always.

Mr. G.'s stories are way more interesting.

- Smile, mom. - Oh.

Is it bad that I can't picture his face in my head anymore?

No, Benny, not at all.

That's why we cherish those photos that we still have of him.

Okay.

Look I Already have 100 likes.

100? What?

It's only been five minutes.

Benny, how did you do that?

You're a social media whiz, kid.

I'll pick you up this afternoon?

- Yeah. Thanks, Mom. See you later. - Okay. Have a good day.

Shoot.

Oh, not today. Not today.

Ugh.

Mom? Yeah, hi.

I just dropped Benny off at school and my car is-

Yeah, no, I know.

I know. I know. You did tell me that.

I've just been really busy prepping for this meeting, and-

Okay, can you get me and bring me to town hall?

Okay. Thank you so much.

Okay. See you in a second.

Okay bye.

Hey, buddy.

Everything okay?

Yeah, everything's okay.

It's just the car, but grandma's coming, so don't worry.

Do you want Mr. G. to look at it?

Who?

Oh, no, no, that's okay.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, just car troubles.

My mom's coming to get me, though, so...

Are you a new teacher here?

Yeah. Filling in for Mrs. Gaines while she's on maternity.

Oh.

Mr. G. is way better.

You can call me Zack.

I'm Charlotte, Benny's mom. Nice to meet you.

You're the mayor around these parts, I hear.

Mm hmm.

Well, I've got to teach a class, but I'll tell you what.

I could have a friend swing by, take a look at your car?

That's okay. I don't want to bother your friend with that.

I'm just going to call Rick's and have them tow it away.

It's okay to ask for help every now and then, Mom.

I mean, he's a great guy.

Much faster than Rick's.

You know what? You're right, Benny.

Thank you, Zack. That would be a huge help.

Yeah.

We're going to be late, Mr. G.!

- Right. - Right. Yes, me too.

Okay, well, bye.

And thanks again, Mr. G.

I mean, Zack.

Zack.

Thanks again for this, Mom.

Sorry about the car and everything.

I've just been really stressed about this meeting and-

Oh, no, it's okay.

I like spending time with you.

So...

You gonna tell me who that was back there?

Who?

The guy?!

The cute guy you were talking to.

Oh, that's just Benny's new teacher.

It's nothing.

Oh.

What?

That's weird.

Is something wrong?

Yeah, the Governor...

He doesn't want to meet at town hall anymore.

Oh.

Okay, where does he want to meet?

The train station.

Oh.

Yeah.

Okay.

He didn't say why he wanted to meet here?

No, but it is definitely not just a meet and greet anymore.

No.

Ahem.

Mayor Atkins.

Governor- Sir, it is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you.

This is my mother, Kathy the previous mayor of Snow Falls.

Nice to meet you, Governor Mike.

So as you can see,

this is Snow Falls' train station, but it hasn't been used in over a decade so...

Why did you want to meet here?

Ah, change, Ms. Atkins.

Tourists love coming to these little towns

It has a certain unpolished charm to it.

And let's be honest,

Money means taxes.

And taxes are good for both of us.

Okay, well, if you wanted to discuss tourist revenue we could have easily

done that in my office, Governor.

Now, this railroad track connects to how many towns?

Two?

Three.

So imagine five star hotels

right here in Snow Falls where people can go out and explore.

The tourists can go out and find these

art boutiques and very exclusive ski resorts and shopping districts.

All of that based right here.

Uh. Hmm.

Retire.

Have you spoken to the other mayors about this?

Nah, you're the first.

Now we are going to have to do a

major amount of renovations on these stations.

But luckily, we've got some very generous

state funds and I think Snow Falls

is going to get the lion's share of those

as sort of the central hub.

Well, I appreciate the offer, Governor,

but no, thank you.

Sorry, but what do you mean?

Well, please, I've seen this before.

You offer these funds and tourist revenue

in the short term, but these retirees?

They're going to want to live in condos away from hotels.

They're going to live in town with their familiar brands and their chain stores.

Then our local shops are undercut.

Our heritage buildings are torn down

and the families of Snow Falls, they're pushed out.

Listen, I am here as a courtesy to let you know what will be happening.

Not without permits signed by me,

Governor.

You know, you're absolutely right, Mayor Atkins, but,

fortunately, I've got three other mayors

in the mountain valley who would be happy to receive my funding.

And I hear none of you get along very well

Now, the contractors are ready to break ground right after the holidays,

and I think once the tourists start coming here and seeing some of these

horrible little places, I think all of you are going to realize the

profit potential of this place...

Including whoever is running against you

in the next election.

So if you change your mind, give me a call

Oh, can't say I was expecting that.

Yeah, me neither.

All right, so we've covered the gold rush.

Now, a little bit of local history.

Easy question.

What are the names of the three towns around Snow Falls in Mountain Valley?

Benny?

Green Valley, Rocky River, and Hart Junction.

Exactly.

And all four towns have a special history with the...

Railroad.