The Merry Gentlemen

- Watch this car. - Okay.

We made it just in time.

And we are at places, folks.

Places, please, for the top of act one.

- Tickets, please. - Ready?

Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.

- Ready to shine? - Brighter than ever.

Hmm.

[orchestral rendition of "Joy to the World" playing]

[orchestral rendition of "Jingle Bells" playing]

Oh, okay.

[orchestral rendition of "Joy to the World" playing]

Oh!

Oh.

You are a legend.

Thank you.

Shelby just graduated from the Royal Ballet School.

Wow.

I think it's great that you guys are still at it after all these years.

Any advice for a newbie?

"After all these years."

Be nice. Um…

- All right, let's go. - Bye.

Oh, and, Ashley, Jodie wants to see you before you leave.

Sure.

You wanted to see me?

Come in. Have a seat.

Oh, okay.

Jodie, if this is about what happened tonight,

I just lost my footing, and it will not happen again.

Ashley, you have been a vital part of the Jingle Belles for over 12 years,

and we are forever grateful for your meaningful contribution.

Why's it sound like it's coming out of a handbook?

However, as with any long-running show,

we must keep things from getting stale.

Which means periodically refreshing the cast with new faces.

Are you aging me out?

No, of course not. That would be illegal.

You're simply being… replaced.

I literally got carded yesterday.

HR will contact you with all the necessary paperwork.

I still order off the kids' menu!

Please understand that there's nothing I hate more

than having to say goodbye to a member of our family.

Jodie, please.

I have dedicated my life to this show.

Could I please just finish off the season, you know, for old time's sake?

No.

Okay. Um…

In that case…

merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

You want advice?

Don't get old.

Why are they staring?

'Cause you look perfect.

Shall we?

Oh, great.

Hi, Mom.

Hi, honey. I hope it's not too late to call.

No, no, no. I'm just, uh,

watching the snow come down.

What's up?

Your father and I have been thinking about Christmas.

Mom.

I know. I know. You're too busy with the show and all.

But since you never have time to come to us,

we thought that maybe this time

we'd come to you.

What?

Your father has bought tickets

to see you and the Jingle Belles on Christmas Eve.

How great is that?

Oh.

Honey?

Ashley, are you there?

Mom, I've been thinking too.

Maybe it is time for me to come home for a visit.

Here we are.

The Rhythm Room.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

- Merry Christmas. - You too.

- Whoa. - Hey, whoa, hey.

- Watch it, watch it. Come on, hold on. - Okay.

- I think you're going the wrong way. - Maybe you should just let go.

- It should be fine. Ooh! - Okay, I'm gonna…

Ah!

Ah!

- Ah! - Okay.

- Are you all right? I'm sorry. -

Better.

I'm going in here.

Yeah, no. Of course.

I wouldn't wanna keep you tied up.

Yeah.

"Christmas desserts."

Nine letters.

Gingerbread.

Nope. That's 11.

- You sure? - Mm-hmm. I'm sure.

G-I-N-G…

It's fruitcake.

Yes. Fruitcake.

Thank you kindly.

Ashley Jean Davis!

Are my eyes playing tricks on me?

It's a holiday miracle.

Oh, my baby girl is home for Christmas.

I don't know if "miracle" is quite the right word.

I know this isn't what you wanted, baby girl,

but, hey, their loss is our gain.

Let me tell you something. Those folks do not know talent.

Thanks, Mom.

Oh, have you, uh, met Troy and Danny?

No, I don't think I have. Do you guys work here?

I work here.

This one just likes spending his pension on warm beer.

Hey, "Bright and festive, but not for dogs."

Poinsettia.

Hey.

Oh.

Uh-oh. Here's Frosty. That's my cue.

Ashley Davis?

The Jingle Belles let you escape for the holidays?

Uh, something like that.

Oh.

May I borrow my tenants for a moment?

Oh, sure. Yeah.

- We'll be right back, honey. - Okay, Mom.

Hmm.

- Whoa! Oh! Hold on. Let me… -

Whoa! Whoa!

- Hold on. I got it. - Everything okay?

Uh, I think you need a plumber.

Oh, you know, it-- it does that.

The one in the kitchen, that's the real problem.

- There's one in the kitchen? - And the men's room.

Okay.

What are you waiting for?

Uh, we've been prioritizing our funds a bit.

Look, the thing is, Denise keeps raising the rent,

so there's never any extra money to fix the place up.

So the acts aren't bringing them in like they used to?

- What acts? - Oh.

What he means to say is times have changed.

Most bands prefer the… the bigger clubs these days.

But there is a very nice young man

who stops by to help us with the repairs from time to time.

Don't worry, huh?

The Rhythm Room has always been a place for people to come together,

in good times and bad.

I'd say that's way more important than a leaky faucet, wouldn't you?

I guess.

Okay.

Hey, everyone.

So that pipe's still giving you a problem, huh?

Mm.

Let me guess.

This is the nice young man who helps with the repairs?

Also known as Luke.

Well, this is my youngest daughter Ashley.

- Ashley. - She's visiting from New York.