Our Christmas Mural

* I've been working harder and more efficient *

* Stepping up, searching for inspiration *

Channeling your inner Pollock?

Hey, Hayden!

No, this is just good old fashioned rage.

I got tired of the blank canvas staring back at me.

Do you need me out front? I'm just finishing my lunch break.

No, no, we got you covered.

Just wanted to chat with you when you have a sec.

Come up to my office when you're done.

Take your time.

Good progress.

Progress.

What I'll do is send it over to you...

Let me call you right back.

Olivia, hi. Come in.

Just close the door behind you there.

Have a seat.

Look, I know I have been saying this every week,

but you've been absolutely killing it.

I'm serious, you are one of the best curators

the NYGYA has ever had.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Which is why this is so difficult.

I found out that our grant hasn't been renewed

and unfortunately, we're not going to be

able to keep all of our staff.

-I don't have a job? -No, no, no, I didn't say that.

I live in Williamsburg and it's Christmas

and I don't have a job?

Olivia, you still have a job.

You have a job for now,

but I don't know what next year is going to look like.

And I'm sorry 'cause I know that this isn't the news you wanted

to hear before you went back home for your Christmas break.

It's just that I wanted to give you plenty of heads up

as a friend in case... you wanted to start looking.

Come on, Parker, let's get going.

What are we gonna do about this?

Can I keep it?

You really like it?

I think it looks like one of those...

What's her name? Jackie Pollock?

Jackson Pollock.

He's a dude.

Are you sure Santa won't get confused

that we'll be in New Hampshire this year instead of New York?

Well, the guy does deliver presents to the entire world.

I doubt this is the first time that's come up.

Okay.

How about I ask grandpa to text Santa

and tell him that we'll be at their place this year?

-Does that sound good? -Can you have grandma do it?

Grandpa really doesn't know how to use his phone.

Good call. Watch your head, kiddo.

* It's Christmas time

* Can you see all the snow falling? *

* We got to have a good time together *

Do you see the lights, buddy?

Yeah, so nice.

Pretty beautiful, huh?

Here they are. My early Christmas presents.

-Hi! -Grandma! Grandpa!

Ah, come here sport. Ooh.

Oh, there's a fresh batch of cookies

someone needs to taste test for me.

- I'll do it for you, grandma. - Okay, have at it.

Have you guys been waiting out here the whole drive over?

A couple hours, give or take.

And still getting used to this retirement thing.

That sounds like a lovely problem.

Go give your mama a hug. You know how she gets.

-Oh, good to see you. -Hmmm.

We're so excited you came up for Christmas this year.

Us, too. Sorry, I...

-I know it's overdue. -And how's Parker?

I saw that he had Tom's plate with him.

Is he still having trouble in school?

Well, his grades are better,

but he's still having a hard time making friends.

Aww.

I think it's gonna be really

good for him to be back here.

I know I'm excited to take a couple weeks off work

and have a nice, relaxing Christmas.

Parker, you can have one more cookie, okay, bud?

Then it's time for bed.

Okay, mom. Coming!

-Morning, everyone. -Hey!

-Hey, morning! -Hey, bud.

Have you brushed your teeth yet?

No.

Perfect timing, kiddo. Just made a fresh pot.

You sleep okay?

Yeah.

It's always a little weird sleeping in there.

It's like a time capsule to my awkward teenage years.

Uh-oh.

I think the only thing that's different

is seeing my painting on the wall.

Well, it's only right

that the painting hangs in the artist's room.

We're hanging on to it to sell, when you make it big.

So hurry up.

Uh, so, are you painting anything new?

Trying. I'm just, um...

I guess you could say inspiration's been

a little dry the past couple years.

Oh, give it time, honey.

You'll feel that spark again. I know it.

Yeah, actually, I was thinking

maybe I'll use my time while here to give it a go.

Oh.

Does this town have a proper art store yet?

Sure. Aisles eight through ten at the Wellington Hardware.

Thanks, man. Appreciate it.

We need all the entries we can get.

Yeah, of course. Happy to help.

So, uh, we still on for tonight?

Tribune night is literally

the only social event in my calendar.

See you there.

You in town for the Winter Walk?

-Sorry? -Saw you eyeing the poster.

It's a big deal around here, people come from all over

to walk Wellington Drive.

Taking the decorations.

Oh, yeah. I-I know.

I grew up here, so I used to go every year with my parents.

Well, shoot. Look at me blabbing on like you're a tourist.

No, it's okay.

I haven't been back for the

past couple of Christmases.

It looks like things have changed, though.

I don't remember a mural being part of the celebration.

That's a new addition, thanks to yours truly.

This will be the first year we try it.

I wish there had been something like it when I was a kid.

I might have stuck around a little longer

rather than hopping on the first train to New York.

New York?

You're Mack and Betty's daughter.

That's right.

I forgot how small this town is.

Cody, nice to meet you.

You're an artist, right?

Your mom talked my ear off about you when she saw the poster.

Of course, she did.

Never misses an opportunity.

But, um, yeah. I paint.

Though not as much lately.

Any interest in entering?

Application's easy. Just submit a piece.

We're choosing an artist tomorrow.

You can make it just under the wire.

Oh. Um...

I'm okay, thanks.

I've been trying just to paint more for me lately.

No-no need to explain. I just had to ask.

But if you change your mind, I'll be here, okay?

Sounds good. Thanks, Cody.

See you around.

You okay over there?

-Yeah, I'm fine. -Here, let me help.

Thank you.

Did I just see you outside town hall?

Oh, yeah. You might have.

I was admiring the view.

Of the Christmas trees.

Trees. Yeah.

-I'm Will, by the way. -I'm Olivia.

Nice to meet you.

-Um... -Oh, yeah.

-Oh, no, you don't... -That's okay.

-You don't have to help me. -That's all right.

I was coming back to this section anyway.

I was hoping to find.

Oh, there it is.

-There it is. -Oh. Um...

Actually, I was hoping to snag that one.

It's-it's the last Mistletoe Green.

I know. I realized I was one short.

The good news for you

is you've still got some

Chartreuse and some Shamrock to choose from.

I don't want Shamrock. I'm not painting a leprechaun.

I'm pretty particular about my colors.

Okay.

I think I have a solution.

Now, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret.

Something pretty magical happens

when you mix these two together.

You're serious?

You're not gonna give me one of your tubes?

-You've got like a dozen. -I have ten.

And ten is exactly how many I need.

Believe me, if I could spare one, I would, but...

Tell you what. I'm just gonna leave these here with you.

And I'm gonna be on my way.

You have a great day.