The Twelve Trees of Christmas

"He spoke not a word,

"but went straight to his work,

"and filled all the stockings,

"then turned with a jerk.

"And laying his finger aside of his nose,

"and giving a nod,

"up the chimney he rose.

"He sprang to his sleigh,

"to his team gave a whistle,

"and away they all flew

"like the down of a thistle.

"But I heard him exclaim,

"'er he drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all

"and to all a good night."

You are going to be sick of that poem

by the time Christmas comes.

I know, but it's the one they keep choosing.

It's one of my favorites too.

Hey, Emily.

Did you start reading without me?

I was trying, Miss Jamison.

Good for you.

Is that Emily's Sky World Adventure?

You know this story.

It's my favorite.

You read it to us a while ago.

Well, a little pixie dust

certainly does stir the imagination.

Okay, let's get started.

First--

I have something for you.

Oh, wow!

What's this?

It's kind of a Christmas and a thank you gift.

I'm really happy that you're tutoring me.

Go ahead, open it.

Okay.

Oh, wow.

She's so beautiful.

To soar above the clouds

one must have faith.

It's my favorite quote

from Emily's Sky World Adventures.

Well, I think she's beautiful.

I'm going to put her on the very top of my tree.

All right, let's get reading.

There's no such thing as a child who can fly,

or is there?

Emily asked her mom every minute

of every day of every week,

"but why can't I fly?"

Perhaps if you try, you may learn to fly.

So, off Emily went, every minute

of every day of every week,

she would run and jump, and flap her arms.

That was great.

Oh, hey, Mac.

Hey.

How are ya?

All right. How are you?

Great!

Would you mind changing a couple

of burnt out bulbs in my office?

Yeah, sure.

I just gotta do some photocopying first.

Is that your resume?

Yeah.

Are you looking for a new job?

Have you... checked your email?

No.

Bette, what's going on?

I take it you read the memo.

But, this building has been a library for half a century!

The foundation can't just suddenly shut it down!

They can and they will.

Believe my, I've been burning up the phones

for months trying to stop them.

Wait, you've known about this for months?

Sit.

I haven't told any of the staff yet,

because so far it's only been rumors

and I didn't want to upset people unnecessarily.

This is a public library in a private building.

The Shaughnessy Foundation gave the city a 50-year,

dollar a year lease, which expired last month.

They've decided not to renew it,

but to instead redevelop this property as part

of a new condominium and apartment complex.

So, what about a library for the neighborhood?

Well, I doubt that's a priority for them.

But, it's not right!

No, but it's legal.

This is more than just a library,

it's a watering hole for the community.

Do you know what happens in Africa

when a watering hole dries up?

Everything dies.

I've been head librarian for ten years,

and I've dealt with the city on hundreds of issues.

I know how to get things done,

but I need a few good cards to play

and we've got nothing.

The thing is, they've got all

the legal advantages on their side.

The Shaughnessy Foundation is exercising

a right that is very clearly theirs.

We could do a fund-raiser.

Cheri--

The community would support us!

People love this building!

I-- I grew up here.

This building, it's a landmark in the neighborhood.

It doesn't matter.

The Foundation doesn't need community approval.

They can do whatever they want.

There has to be a way that we can change their minds.

Well, their plans are pretty far along already.

Rosaleen Shaughnessy.

Hm?

She took over the Foundation when her husband died.

Her grandson lives in my building.

Do you know him?

Prince Tony?

He's got the penthouse, I live in a rent-controlled

cubby hole on the third floor.

We might as well live on separate planets,

but we do occasionally run into each other in the lobby.

In fact, this morning we even nodded at each other.

Oh-- Hey! Hi!

Hi, I'm Cheri Jamison from 3A.

We've seen each other in the lobby before.

Right.

Yeah, hi, I'm Tony Shaughnessy.

I know.

Uh... I was just wondering if I could speak

with you for a moment.

Sure, sure.

But I kind of have my hands full here.

Do you mind coming up?

Don't worry, I'm harmless.

Of course.

Yes, great!

Oh...

I can't believe all this exists just a few stories above my head.

Come on, I'm sure your apartment's just as nice.

Yeah, Architectural Digest has just been nagging me

for that interview.

Did you decorate it yourself?

What, are you kidding me?

No, no, I leave that to the professionals.

A woman named Cordelia does my decorating.

Cordelia, no last name, Cordelia?

Yeah.

I see her name in magazines all the time.

She's a really big deal.

She does all the movie star homes, right?

Yeah, that's the one.

Well, she did a really nice job.

Do you, uh... do you want something?

Some tea or coffee, or...

Uh, just a water would be great.

Water.

Okay.

It's funny that we never really met before.

You know, since we live in the same building.

Well, that's New York for you.

Not this neighborhood.

I've always felt a real sense of community here.

Ever since I was kid, but you know that.

I mean, you grew up here, too.

Well, not really.

I spent most of the year at boarding school.

My grandfather kind of insisted on it.

Yeah, but you're-- You're Tony Shaughnessy.

Your grandfather's name is on every other building.

You're a part of the first family of this community.

Yeah.

It's an honor.

I guess it is.

Your grandfather created something wonderful.

That's, um, that's actually why I'm here.

I'm the children's librarian at the Shaughnessy Library.

I came to talk to you about what a humongous mistake

it is for them to tear it down.

Thought maybe I could talk to you and you could speak

with your grandmother and get her to reconsider

extending the lease.

Silly me.

I thought I was just being hit on by a very pretty girl.

But, uh... you're just trying to save your job.

No! Yes!

I mean, no, it's not-- it's not just the job.

You don't need to worry.

You're not going to lose your job.

The city is going to reassign everybody

to other libraries. Your job is secure.

We went to great lengths to ensure that.

We?

I work for Charles Harris.