Random Acts of Christmas

The city of Chicago, it seems,

has been taken over by Christmas elves!

There were barely enough volunteers to handle

the amount of winter clothes left at all of the shelters.

The city has never seen this level of charity,

as they are putting a smile on early commuters' faces.

Okay, so Grandma is gonna pick you up after school,

'cause I have a feeling I'm gonna be busy

with the story I just landed.

Ollie. Oliver!

Look, Mom. This is it!

Skyflier! Skyflier! Skyflier!

Skyflier and accessories sold separately.

Oh, yes, I know, sweetie.

You've shown me about a hundred times.

Come on. Pack it up!

We gotta go, or we're gonna be late.

Oh, yeah, Mom?

Yeah?

I forgot.

I need to bring in a treat

for the teacher/staff Christmas party.

Oliver...

Okay, here you go, honey.

You sure you got it?

Okay.

Mwah! Love you. Have a good day at school.

I love you too.

Free bus passes for everyone!

Merry Christmas! Free bus pass?

Oh... Thank you.

- Merry Christmas! - A free bus pass?

Enjoy a free bus pass, courtesy of Secret Santa!

Oh, this made my day!

I can't believe someone paid my fare.

Free bus pass?

There is still kindness out there.

Ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas.

Oh, thank you. -You're welcome.

Another free ride?

'Tis the season for giving.

Anyone? -Free bus pass?

I guess everyone's too busy to make a donation.

Yeah.

'Tis the season to be overwhelmed.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

That's not the story I want, Sydney.

I want the story about the Secret Santa.

The one who donated the clothes,

and who, I'm guessing,

is responsible for those elves giving away the bus fares?

That's the one.

Look, I know that is a feel-good story too,

but I really feel...

Look, Sydney, all I want is the name of the Secret Santa,

what he's gonna do next,

and I need it first.

Because, to be honest,

the last few stories you've brought me

were sweet,

but yawners.

So if you can't get me what I need,

I'll have to start looking for other journalists.

I'll crack who that Santa is and get you the story you want.

I've already got the groundwork interviews.

That's what I like to hear.

Sorry, Syd,

but all's fair game in the world of freelance journalism.

Andy, what groundwork interviews?

Do you mean the elves from this morning?

Spoke to them all,

and got the Secret Santa calling card.

Same one he left at the shelters.

Secret Santa.

"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, 'ere he drove out of sight,

'Happy Christmas to all'

"'...And to all a good night!'"

Mom, you're home!

Yeah, I made it home in time to tuck you in.

But first

do we need to find Harold?

He's been missing since I came home from school today.

Oh! Well, that is curious.

Should we go find him? -Yeah!

Come on.

Go get him.

I want to hear all about your day.

Okay.

Cold.

Oh, you're getting colder.

Oh, you're getting warmer!

Oh, not that warm. Like medium...

Now you're getting hot.

Oh! Now you're boiling!

Harold!

Ah, good.

Now both of you, hop into bed.

Gotta get down in there.

Love you.

I love you too.

Good night, Harold.

You didn't have to do this, Mom.

Oh, why not? You do enough.

I just packed some leftovers for Oliver's lunch tomorrow,

so you don't have to worry about it.

Thank you.

I do not know what I would do without you.

I feel the same way.

- Everything all right? - I don't know.

I spent the whole day looking for signs of the Secret Santa

that Perry wants to jump on,

but I didn't find any, and if I don't,

I lose my connection with the network,

and then I'm just like with everyone with a cell phone

trying to sell a story.

Except

not everyone else is able to spot the unusual

like you can.

I mean, even as a little girl,

you could spot the four-leaf clover

in a field of green,

or a smiling face in a sea of frowns.

That's a gift, Sydney,

and one you should never give up on.

I don't want to give up.

What kind of example would that set for Ollie?

That's right, that's why you're gonna keep trying,

because I know you, Sydney.

Whatever it is, you'll see it.

Thanks, Mom.

Oh, come on.

Really?

And it's slow going

on the main roads out there in Chicago,

as the worst traffic is at Carlaw and Fifth,

where vans in a parking lot distributing Christmas food

have attracted crowds of people

that has traffic at a standstill.

Wait a minute.

Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!

Excuse me. Who put you up to this?

Secret Santa again.

Thank you.

Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!

So, the Secret Santa strikes again.

Boy, you should've been here when the first truck arrived.

I thought people were gonna get out of their cars

and jump those Santas.

- Oh, Andy... - Oh, I wouldn't bother.

I already got all the footage, interviewed the Santas.

Perry's probably got it in Editing as we speak.

How did you know this was happening?

Oh, my sources have eyes and ears all over this city.

But you didn't get the Secret Santa yet, did you?

Not yet, but I will.

Not if I get him first.

Hey.

What are you doing?

Hi. Uh...

S-Sorry. Who... Who are you?

I asked you first... Secret Santa?

Oh, yeah. Right. I wish.

That means I'd have the scoop on the hottest story of the season.

So, you're just another journalist?

Afraid so. Sorry to disappoint.

Ah, no. It's okay.

I figured this place would be crawling with us.

So who do you work for?

I'm freelance, actually.

What about you?

Yeah, me too.

I'm trying to land a permanent position with BCN.

'Cause the freedom of freelance is great, right?

But being a single mom,

a permanent position would definitely be better.

Hey, you wanna... You want to try some of this?

I mean, it's like research for us reporters, right?

You know what?

I didn't eat breakfast, so, yeah, why not?

Yeah.

Uh... hey. Look at this.

There you go. -Thank you.

You're welcome.

Just... -Dive right in.

Yeah.

So, uh, how many kids do you have?

Just one.

My son, Oliver, he just turned eight.

Oh, wow.

That is really good.

But it'd be great with a little brandy cream.

Now you're talking.

So, you find it hard?

Juggling your career and being a single mom?

Mm. Sometimes.

But I try to make sure I have at least