Once Upon a Christmas Wish

Well, good morning, Mrs. Johnson.

Keeping warm?

I am.

And hoping you are as well, Mr. Mayor.

Where's your scarf?

Wouldn't want you to get windswept, after all.

I appreciate the concern.

I'll have to wrangle one up.

Oh.

Now, you just take one of mine.

Aw.

We have plenty of extras this year at the store.

Very sweet of you. Thank you.

And you know what?

That reminds me, I haven't gotten my staff

anything for Christmas yet.

Would you please put a couple of these on hold for me?

I can.

OK.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Mayor.

Merry Christmas.

Hey, Mr. Mayor.

Hey, Sadie.

How's the bakery?

The bakery is great.

Outside the bakery, not as great.

Oh.

What's the problem?

There's a big crack in the sidewalk.

It's only gotten worse by the day.

Any chance...

Oh, I'm adding it to my list of city repairs right now.

Thanks, Mr. Mayor.

I'll save you a box of gingerbread muffins.

You spoil me, Sadie.

I got you.

Good morning, Mr. Reynolds.

What's the morning traffic report?

Mayor Ortega, look at this.

I'm looking.

At what, I'm not sure.

The traffic lights, they keep flickering.

We don't want it to cause any accidents.

Well, these gorgeous Long Grove winters

can wreak havoc on the bulbs.

Did you say "havoc"?

There's no place for havoc in Long Grove.

You're absolutely right about that, Mr. Reynolds.

I'll add streetlight maintenance

to the budget inquiry.

Until then, thank goodness you're

here to lend a helping hand.

And what about the tree?

The town tree.

It's on the docket for today's city council meeting.

We should buy a big one like Rockefeller Center.

Now, that's a tree!

Yes, sir!

Leigh, hey.

Did you hear from John?

Have we got the numbers yet?

He's here right now, actually.

He says he needs to talk to you.

And he seems... worried.

That bad, huh?

All right, tell him I'll be right there.

After you go to the school.

The school?

I'm headed to the office right now.

Oh, the interview's this morning.

You pushed it twice already.

What's this journalist's name again?

Joey Delucca.

And he is quite insistent on getting this time with you.

All right.

Heading to the school now.

Thank you.

Long Grove, huh?

Who knew this place even existed?

50 miles from New York, but a world away.

New York or not... oh!

- Oops. - Watch your steps.

Don't go busting anything.

You just got here.

Merry Christmas. - Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

Gami!

Nina!

Hi!

Oh.

- Oh, oh, oh, oh. - I'm sorry.

I forgot.

Oh, I forgot, too.

I am so sorry I couldn't make the trip to the city this year.

Oh, my goodness!

Don't be!

This is a wonderful excuse for me to come home.

It's been way too long.

It is so good to have you back.

- Oh, I'm so... - Oh, oh.

Oh, wait, my bag.

Yeah.

Good one, Pop.

- Penny. - Mr. Mayor!

Bravo.

Mrs. Colvin, I had to see what that joyous sound was.

I thought you had a professional choir in here.

Mayor Ortega used to stand on those very same bleachers

when he was in the Christmas show.

Actually, I was really working backstage.

Uh, it looks a little different back there.

You mind if I check it out?

Of course not.

You take a stroll down memory lane, while we rehearse.

Okay kids. Silent Night.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Nina Madden.

Wow.

My fourth grade Christmas list.

"Dear Santa, can you make

me dance like Fred Astaire?

My mom loves him."

Mr. Mayor, you must be looking for me.

I'm Joey Delucca.

Joey Delucca?

Yes, of course.

Joey Delucca.

I was looking for you.

For our interview, right?

Yeah.

Follow me.

OK.

Oh, nice!

Have a seat.

Thank you.

So, Mayor Ortega, I'm interested in doing

an article for our Christmas Day edition

about what makes you, you.

Snack?

I'm an open book.

And no, thank you.

Ah, maybe some juice.

Before we begin, I'll tell you what

I tell all of my interviewees.

It's best to speak from the heart

and not to think too much before you answer.

Think vulnerability.

Got it.

So, are you ready?

I hope so.

Do you believe in the spirit of Christmas?

I believe.

Go on?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah.

I believe in the spirit of Christmas.

And I love how this community comes together

to really show that spirit.

So what is the part of Christmas

that makes you the happiest?

It's making sure that every Long.

Grove resident enjoys the holiday

season as much as possible.

If they're happy, I'm happy.

Uh, why aren't you writing?

Trust the process.

So your family has a lot of history in Long Grove, correct?

Yep.

My grandfather opened the very first general store here.

And my dad painted a lot of the murals

that you see on Main Street.

As a matter of fact, he painted that one over there.

Nice.

And my mom...

Yes?

Well, anyway, uh, there's a lot of history.

I'm proud to be part of this special town.

So what makes this town so special?

What makes Long Grove so amazing?

Um, I'm sorry.

What was the question again?

What makes Long Grove so amazing?

Um, well...

Uh, well, because, uh...

uh...

Maybe you should think about it and get back to me.

Wait.

It's over?

That's it?

For now.

Hey, Joey.

Last call for letters for the big guy.

Oh, hey, Hannah.

Actually, just throw this in there.