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[ film reel spooling up ]
[♪♪♪]
WOMAN: Hey.
I'm just in the limo on the way to the airport.
Don't you think this is a little much, Ethan?
ETHAN: Oh, come on.
You're worth it.
I showed the partners your proposal, and they
loved your design.
They want you back permanently.
WOMAN: Are you serious?
ETHAN: They want you back at the Manhattan office
right after the New Year.
WOMAN: Wow, that's so soon.
ETHAN: Well, they're eager for you to get started.
So why don't you take a couple of days, and then
you can figure out what you need to do to get
back here quicker.
Then we can make some plans.
That sound good?
WOMAN: That's great.
That is totally great.
ETHAN: Ah, I knew you'd be excited!
This is such an excellent opportunity for us.
I am so proud of you, sweetheart.
WOMAN: Thank you.
ETHAN: And with the pay raise, we can afford that
place on the Upper West Side that you've been
loving so much.
Honey, I know we've only been official for
three months, but if this isn't the universe telling us
we're on the right track, I don't know what is.
WOMAN: Uh, Ethan, I'm just, I'm not sure that I could...
ETHAN: Okay, I gotta run.
You have a safe flight.
I'll talk to you soon.
WOMAN: Okay.
[♪♪♪]
♪ Oh it's Christmas.
♪ Oh oh oh oh
[♪♪♪]
WOMAN: Hello?
MAN: Hello.
WOMAN: Hello?
MAN: [chuckles]
Cassie.
You look great, sweetheart.
CASSIE: Hi, Dad.
WALT: Oh, it's so good to see you.
I missed you, kiddo.
CASSIE: I missed you too.
The last few weeks it's all I could think about
is coming home.
WALT: Well has work been that hard?
CASSIE: No.
It's a great job, it's just...
Um...
WALT: So you remember that old Aberthany place.
It's for sale now.
You know that one that you had your eyes on
all the time?
CASSIE: [chuckles]
WALT: Now that you're back, it's perfect timing.
CASSIE: Speaking of perfect timing, how are the plans for
the Winter Festival coming?
WALT: Um...
Uh, Cassie.
[sighs]
We're not doing the Winter Festival.
CASSIE: Dad!
WALT: I'm sorry.
I just didn't have the heart to call you.
CASSIE: But it's tradition.
[♪♪♪]
[door rattling]
MAN: Your highness!
Blast.
Reginald!
REGINALD: Is that you making all that racket?
MAN: Yes, it is.
REGINALD: At this hour?
Really, Arthur, it's entirely unorthodox.
This is a place of decorum, not disruption.
ARTHUR: Yes.
You don't understand.
The prince is...
REGINALD: Probably sleeping and doesn't appreciate you
galavanting about shouting all through the halls.
ARTHUR: That may be correct if he were here.
REGINALD: Pardon?
ARTHUR: That's what I've been trying to tell you.
The prince is...
missing.
REGINALD: Missing?
He can't be missing.
What about the coronation?
ARTHUR: The coronation is not our only problem.
REGINALD: What do you mean?
ARTHUR: Someone's going to have to tell her.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Yeah, why don't you put the taller one
in the back?
There we go.
Perfect.
And put the smaller one up here.
WOMAN: Mmhmm.
CASSIE: Nice.
And then this one you can put on the other side behind
the glass ball.
I think it'll really balance it out nice.
Perfect.
WOMAN: Yeah?
CASSIE: Mmhmm.
Looks great.
WOMAN: So good to have you home.
CASSIE: [chuckles]
Oh, thank you.
It's good to be home.
WOMAN: [chuckles]
CASSIE: It does look pretty nice.
WOMAN: Yeah.
I only wish your mom could see it.
CASSIE: Me too.
WOMAN: Your displays always draw the biggest crowds.
And it's not bad for business either.
WOMAN: She's right, you know.
CASSIE: Hey!
How are you, Madison?
David.
DAVID: Cassie, welcome home!
CASSIE: Thank you!
[gasps]
Is this...?
Oh my goodness, look at you!
I cannot believe how big she is!
MADISON: I know.
I can't believe how the time's gone?
CASSIE: Do you remember me?
DAVID: How could she forget her favorite aunt from
New York?
GIRL: Mama.
CASSIE: Yes, that is your mama, you are correct.
MADISON: Unfortunately we can't stay.
We've got to go.
DAVID: But you gotta come over real soon.
CASSIE: Yeah!
DAVID: Tell us all about New York.
CASSIE: That would be great.
Bye bye!
MADISON: Bye!
CASSIE: Good to see you.
WOMAN: Bye!
CASSIE: See you.
Oh my gosh, they're so cute.
WOMAN: I know, adorable.
Now, you help yourself to anything you want.
On the house.
CASSIE: Okay.
WOMAN: [chuckles]
CASSIE: So, dad.
What'll it be?
WALT: [laughing]
You're going to have to explain the
holiday drinks again.
WOMAN: Definitely.
So the Holiday Latte comes in a medium and a small,
and then there's a Christmas Latte which only
comes in a large.
CASSIE: What is the difference?
WOMAN: Um...
WOMAN: Nutmeg, maybe?
WOMAN: Yeah.
CASSIE: You know, I'm just gonna let you decide.
WALT: [chuckles]
[phone chiming]
WALT: Who's Ethan?
CASSIE: Hmm?
WALT: Well, on your phone just now.
Gentleman caller, maybe?
CASSIE: Dad, please.
No, it's someone from work.
WALT: Oh, oh.
Well, I thought you were done with New York.
CASSIE: You know what, enough about me.
What are these errands you're supposed to be doing?
WALT: I'm getting my morning mocha.
CASSIE: Mmhmm.
WALT: Which is the most important meal of the day.
CASSIE: Oh boy.
WALT: And then I'm going to go and meet Melinda at the library.
CASSIE: You're volunteering again?
WALT: I do it for the free books.
CASSIE: You do know that they're all free, right?
MAN: Of course I know.
CASSIE: It's a library.
That's how this works.
This is your most important meal of the day?
WALT: Looks good, thank you very much.
WOMAN: Of course.
CASSIE: Surprised.
Thank you.
Dad, I want to talk to you about the Winter Festival.
WALT: Oh, Cassie.
CASSIE: No no, I know.
But it's almost Christmas, and it just doesn't feel
right without it.
WALT: I know honey, but it was a lot of work, even before
your mother passed.
Times have changed.
Things are different.
Sometimes it's better to move on.
CASSIE: I know, but it wasn't just a festival.
It was Christmas.
I mean seeing the whole town get together knowing that Mom
was a huge part of it?
Just, those are some of my best memories.
WALT: Well, mine too, honey.
But it just got harder and harder to pull together.
It took everything your mother had just to give us
that one last Christmas.
And without her on the Festival Committee
I really don't...
CASSIE: No, Dad, we can do it.
We need to do it, because if we don't do it, this'll be
the first year that it hasn't happened.
How does that feel?
WALT: Well, things don't always work out, kid.
You know, life's not a fairy tale.
CASSIE: But what if it was?
WALT: [laughing]
What if it was?
[laughing]
[♪♪♪]
MARY: I will not accept that.
This is how it has always been and how it will
always be.
REGINALD: I just thought, your Highness, that if you
could postpone the Royal Christmas Ball until after
the prince returned to the castle.
MARY: We can't postpone the Royal Christmas Ball,
Reginald.
It must be on Christmas Day.
It's tradition.
The Varovian Royal Family has observed this practice for
centuries, and once more, it is Nicholas' 35th year and
you know the significance that has on the proceedings.
REGINALD: Yes, Ma'am, of course.
MARY: And you!
I don't understand.
How could he just go missing?
You're his attendant.
How can you attend him when you don't even know
where he is?
ARTHUR: We've been trying, your Highness.
It appears his telephone has been switched off, and a
search of his quarters gives no indication, exactly,
of where he may be.
MARY: Try harder.
ARTHUR: Yes.
MARY: It's absolutely crucial to Crown and Country
that Nicholas is here for the coronation on Christmas Day.
REGINALD: Yes, Ma'am.
ARTHUR: Yes, Ma'am.
MARY: Don't disappoint me.
REGINALD: [sighs]
[♪♪♪]
[card rustling]
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Hey!
WOMAN: Oh, Cassie!
It's so good to see you!
CASSIE: I missed you!
And I missed this place.
WOMAN: Oh, well, have a look around.
You must be so glad to have her back home.
WALT: Oh, you bet.
It's very nice.
[♪♪♪]
WALT: [chuckles]
You know, you can do that with computers these days,
Melinda.
CASSIE: Dad.
MELINDA: I prefer to do it the old fashioned way.
WALT: Oh, well.
A lot of that going around today.
CASSIE: Don't even.
MELINDA: Hmm?
WALT: Never mind.
I ran into the mailman on the way in.
Here you go.
There.
[♪♪♪]
WALT: Oh, it's here?
MELINDA: Yeah.
Can I talk to you for a minute?
WALT: You bet.
Cassie?
Do you mind if Melinda and I have just a minute.
CASSIE: Sure, yeah.
WALT: 'Kay.
CASSIE: Is there anything I could maybe help you with
in the meantime?
MELINDA: Well, actually, do you mind?
CASSIE: Nope.
[laughing]
I got it.
MELINDA: 'Kay.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Encyclopedia of Aquatic Animals.
Is that reference or is that wildli...
[thud]
CASSIE: Oh my gosh!
MAN: My book!
CASSIE: [scoffs]
I think you should be apologizing, or like
"Hey, I'm sorry, you're not hurt, are you?"
MAN: You're clearly not hurt.
CASSIE: Well, you don't know that.
MAN: You're complaining about formalities rather than pain.
You're not hurt.
CASSIE: Okay, excuse me, but at least you could apologize
for all this.
MAN: You should have watched where you were going.
CASSIE: You bumped into me.
MAN: Certainly not.
It's you who bumped into me.
CASSIE: No, you couldn't even see that I had a stack of
books, because you were reading and not paying
attention.
MAN: And?
Don't you work here?
It's your job to pay attention.
I'm the patron and the patron's always right.
CASSIE: Okay.
I'm sorry.
First of all, who says... Please don't touch that.
MAN: Thank you!
CASSIE: What?
MAN: You know what?
Let this be a lesson in committing to a task and the
importance of taking responsibility
for one's work.
Good day, and good luck.
[thud]
[♪♪♪]
[typing]
REGINALD: Any luck?
ARTHUR: No.
I've tried everything.
Calling, emailing, texting.
REGINALD: Make no mistake.
The prince's absence also reflects poorly on you.
Even if the prince returns in time, the job that may still
be in jeopardy is yours.
ARTHUR: But... but-but-but wait, wait, wait.
My family has served the [indistinct] Home for
generations.
It's my duty to one day be the right hand of the king.
REGINALD: Correction.
The right hand of the would-be-king.
Who's currently missing.
Missing on your watch.
ARTHUR: Reginald...
REGINALD: It's not negotiable.
Both your future and the Crown's depends on it.
[♪♪♪]
MELINDA: Merry Christmas.
MAN: Thank you.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: [sighs]
MELINDA: Oh, trouble reshelving?
CASSIE: No.
Um, who is that guy that you were just helping?
MELINDA: I don't know, a tourist?
CASSIE: A tourist in Wintervale?
For what?
MELINDA: Why?
You interested?
CASSIE: Hardly.
Why is everyone so interested in my love life?
It is honestly the last thing on my mind.
I just wanted to know if you knew what he wanted.
MELINDA: Well, he took out a book on town history.
Didn't have the proper ID, so I had to write down his room
and phone number at the BnB.
So he could bring the book back.
Not that it matters.
You sure you're not interested?
CASSIE: Yeah, I'm positive.
We just had a run-in in the stacks.
It was less than pleasant.
I was just curious if you knew what he wanted.
Wait, what do you mean, not that it matters?
WALT: I think we should tell her, Melinda.
CASSIE: Tell me what?
MELINDA: The letter we received earlier?
The allotment of funding for the library
has been cut in half.
CASSIE: What does that mean?
WALT: Well it means that if the library doesn't find an
alternate form of funding, we're going to have to close.
[paper crinkles]
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: What are you gonna do?
MELINDA: Well, there's nothing we can do.
The town's resources are pushed to the limit.
And any grants we could apply for wouldn't arrive until
well after we need them.
CASSIE: Okay, you can't just close the library.
MELINDA: We don't have a choice.
Unless you're in the business of miracles, this Christmas
is probably going to be our last one.
[♪♪♪]
[snow crunching]
[phone ringing]
MAN: [sighs]
[phone ringing out]
NICHOLAS: Hello?
ARTHUR: You answered.
NICHOLAS: Of course I answered.
Why wouldn't I?
ARTHUR: Where are you?
Everyone in the palace is worried.
And your mother is insistent you return at once.
NICHOLAS: Where I am is of no concern.
I'm an adult.
I'm allowed to go out on my own.
ARTHUR: And you're also a prince.
Which comes with certain expectation of protocol.
You could at least tell someone where you're going.
Now.
You must return to the palace at once.
The Royal Christmas Ball...
NICHOLAS: Is just another ceremony in a long line
of many.
There will be more occasions to show off the palace.
ARTHUR: But sir...
NICHOLAS: I had to do this.
For me.
As a reminder of what Christmas is actually about.
ARTHUR: Prince Nicholas.
The Ball.
NICHOLAS: Can wait.
Goodbye, Arthur.
REGINALD: Well?
ARTHUR: I'm not saying we should panic, but...
we should panic.
REGINALD: [sighs]
[♪♪♪]
[door squeaks]
[door shuts]
♪ Light up the stockings.
♪ Hang the mistletoe.
♪ Gonna let the magic out.
♪ 'Cause it flows wherever you go. ♪
♪ Light all the candles.
♪ Brighten up the night. ♪
♪ I can feel my heart is burning. ♪
♪ And I know it's just a matter of time. ♪
♪ It's Christmas.
♪ Oh-oh-oh, it's Christmas. ♪
♪ And miracles happen at Christmas. ♪
WOMAN: Hi, Sarah.
The usual?
SARAH: No, just swinging by with some news.
The library's in danger of closing, and they're trying
to call a town meeting there tonight to save it.
WOMAN: Closing this close to Christmas?
SARAH: I know, right?
WOMAN: That's terrible.
WOMAN: If they need anything, just let me know.
SARAH: Try to ome if you can.
WOMAN: They'll probably need some coffee.
[♪♪♪]
MELINDA: Alright everyone, take your seats, please.
Thank you so much for coming and supporting the library.
WALT: Hi folks.
I just really don't know what we're going to do.
MELINDA: The town's resources are finite.
Maybe an outside benefactor?
WOMAN: This close to Christmas?
I think even the most charitable folks are pretty
tapped out by now.
WALT: Well, maybe we can make an appeal to the government?
MELINDA: Well I think, like the first option,
the holidays are going to complicate that as everyone
is probably already on break.
CASSIE: What if the holidays are the answer?
MELINDA: What do you mean, dear?
CASSIE: Well you said earlier today that you needed
a Christmas miracle.
MELINDA: Mmhmm.
CASSIE: And the holidays keep coming up, so what if
the miracle is actually Christmas itself?
WALT: I'm not following.
CASSIE: This could be a great time to bring back the
Winter Festival.
WALT: Cassie!
CASSIE: No no, hear me out, Dad.
I mean, everybody, hear me out.
Cassie, by the way.
The Winter Festival always brought the entire
community together.
Games, wears, treats.
Everybody put forth their best to make it more loving,
more fun.
And the economy definitely did not suffer.
I mean the idea of togetherness, it really
reminded us of what the holidays are all about.
MELINDA: Oh, yes.
Lovely times.
What does that have to do with the library?
CASSIE: Well, think of this.
What if the Winter Festival became the Winter Fundraiser.
MELINDA: Oh, yeah, go on.
CASSIE: Okay, great.
We can take the money from the different activities
and put it right back into the library.
And when you think about it, it makes sense, because we're
using our own traditions to preserve our town's history.
WALT: That's not a bad idea.
But it took your mom months of planning.
I mean we're a week and some change out from Christmas.
It's going to be an uphill battle, Cassie.
CASSIE: Dad, I know.
I know.
Time is not on our side.
But I mean come on, dad.
It's Christmas.
It's Christmas!
That's what this entire holiday is about.
It's taking what's impossible and making it possible.
This is exactly the right answer.
I can feel it.
WOMAN: I hate to say it, but this close to the holidays,
I can't take time away from my store.
CASSIE: Of course.
SARAH: I'll spread the word all over town.
CASSIE: Thank you.
MAN: I can contribute a little.
Just, the timeline.
WOMAN: I could set up a donation box, but I can't
take on a project of this size.
Your mom worked months to pull this off.
DAVID: We're leaving in the morning.
MADISON: We'll do what we can when we get back, but.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Anyone?
Come on.
There's got to be someone.
WALT: It was a lovely idea, Cassie.
NICHOLAS: I'll do it.
CASSIE: Excuse me?
NICHOLAS: Uh, I volunteer for the Winter Festival.
CASSIE: Uh, who are you?
NICHOLAS: I'm Nicholas.
I'm visiting.
Hey.
CASSIE: No no, this is a meeting for residents
of the town only.
NICHOLAS: I'd love to get involved.
CASSIE: What does that even mean?
NICHOLAS: You can't do this yourself, and you know, based
on the organizational skills I saw earlier today,
you're going to need all the help you can get, right?
[chuckles]
CASSIE: [chuckles]
Are you being serious right now?
NICHOLAS: More than you'll ever know.
CASSIE: Okay.
My mother built this from the ground up.
This Festival is about kindness and community, and
I would rather do it on my own than work with you.
NICHOLAS: You don't even know me.
CASSIE: I'm pretty sure you've made yourself known.
I don't need your help.
NICHOLAS: Okay.
CASSIE: Mmhmm.
NICHOLAS: Suit yourself.
CASSIE: Great.
WALT: Cassie, what was that about?
CASSIE: It's nothing.
It's a long story.
MELINDA: Well so much for that idea.
What are we going to do?
CASSIE: Melinda.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: I am going to make this happen.
I'm going to make it for you, for the library.
For my mom.
You want a Christmas miracle, I will figure this out.
WALT: Well, I think this is the last of them.
CASSIE: Whoo!
Good.
I do not think my back could handle another trip
to the attic.
WALT: Your back?
CASSIE: [giggles]
WALT: Well, she sure kept meticulous records.
CASSIE: Mmhmm.
WALT: You know the Winter Fest, that was her baby.
Present company excluded of course.
But this is something that she just loved to do.
CASSIE: Well, the Winter Festival was special
to you too.
I mean you could have kept it going.
WALT: I would have just missed her too much.
CASSIE: Why didn't you say that before?
WALT: Um, I don't know.
Um...
I guess because parents don't always have it all figured
out despite what their kids might think.
[laughing]
CASSIE: Okay.
I actually figured that out the first time that you made
a gingerbread with me and you couldn't get the smoke alarm
to go off for the first hour.
WALT: [laughing]
I still maintain that that was because of
a faulty battery.
CASSIE: Mmm.
WALT: I'm sorry I resisted you on this.
I avoided the Winter Festival because I missed your mom.
But I know that that's why you were drawn to it,
for the same reason.
CASSIE: I miss her too.
I mean she always had a plan.
Right now I don't have anything figured out.
WALT: Well, your mom didn't always have a plan.
But she could make things work.
She did a lot of traveling as a student.
Actually it was when she was abroad.
That's when she first came up with the
Winter Festival idea.
CASSIE: Really?
WALT: Oh yeah.
She used to see all these different people that would
adhere to all these traditions, but they somehow
just didn't seem to have the enthusiasm about it that she
thought they should, and so she wanted to create
something that people would just want to do and get
involved with year after year.
CASSIE: I know I did.
WALT: Me too.
Your mom would be honored to know that
you're doing this.
CASSIE: Thank you.
Hold that fanfare, because I don't even know if I can
pull this off.
WALT: We'll figure it out together.
CASSIE: Cheers.
[cart rattling]
REGINALD: The prince has been contacted, my Lady.
ARTHUR: But he won't be returning immediately.
MARY: You talked to him.
ARTHUR: Yes.
MARY: But he's not coming home.
ARTHUR: Yes.
MARY: Well did you tell him that I want him home?
REGINALD: That was communicated to the prince,
my Lady.
MARY: I see.
Does he remember that I am the Queen?
REGINALD: I'm certain he's aware.
[chuckles]
But with due respect, my Lady, he is also a prince
and it is a tendency of the crown to do as it pleases.
MARY: True, true.
Perhaps I've raised him just a little bit too well.
Be that as it may.
You've talked to him.
Which means you can find him.
And you can bring him home.
ARTHUR: Might you have any specific suggestions on how
we do that?
MARY: Yes.
You do it quickly.
ARTHUR: Thank you.
REGINALD: Do what you have to do.
ARTHUR: Must I?
Oh.
CASSIE: Hey, yeah.
I need 15 full sized Christmas trees.
And is there any chance you'd be willing to donate?
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Hi, yeah.
I was wondering how much fruit cake is actually
in a fruit cake unit?
Oh.
Wow.
That is, that's a lot of fruit cake.
People actually buy that?
No.
The mistletoe is not for eating.
Hello?
Oh, come on.
Oh.
Hey, I'm so sorry.
I think we got cut off.
But boughs of holly will be no problem what so ever
if you don't have mistletoe in a pinch.
ETHAN: What are you talking about?
CASSIE: Ethan?
ETHAN: What's with all the Christmas talk?
Boughs of holly?
Are you serious?
CASSIE: Oh yeah.
I'm just getting into the Christmas spirit.
ETHAN: Why?
We don't even like Christmas.
CASSIE: You don't like Christmas.
I love everything about it.
ETHAN: Oh my God, you are so cute.
Hey, listen.
They want to move the presentation up to the 24th.
CASSIE: But, that's, um... That's Christmas Eve.
ETHAN: I know.
But we are one step closer to that big promotion.
And, even better, we get to spend New Years together.
CASSIE: Yeah, you know what?
Yes.
Um, I gotta get going though.
I just, I got a lot to do.
ETHAN: Yeah, right.
Okay, I'll call you later.
CASSIE: Okay, great.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: [sighs]
[papers rustling]
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Hi, I was just wondering how much for
twelve dozen?
No, twelve...
[chuckles]
Yeah, I know what a dozen is but I need 12 of those.
[traffic whirring]
[door squeaking]
CASSIE: Yeah, I just was, if I could just get 12 dozen.
And could you drop those off this week?
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: [sighs]
[phone clacks]
NICHOLAS: Problem?
CASSIE: [groans]
She laughed and hung up.
Oh, it's you.
NICHOLAS: [grunts]
[sniffs]
[sighs]
CASSIE: I don't think I asked you to sit down.
NICHOLAS: No, you didn't.
Did you?
CASSIE: Do you just kind of do whatever you want?
NICHOLAS: I have been accused of that a time or two, yeah.
You want to talk about it?
CASSIE: Talk about what?
NICHOLAS: Whatever that was?
CASSIE: That was a, um...
Boutique bakery that normally does large pastry orders for
the Festival but because they normally get months in
advance and I've asked them too close to Christmas...
NICHOLAS: They laughed in your face.
CASSIE: Thank you for reminding me about
what just happened.
NICHOLAS: So, what are we gonna do?
CASSIE: [sighs]
I don't know.
The clock is running out and the closer it gets to
Christmas the harder it's gonna get.
I just think that maybe Dad and Melinda were right.
NICHOLAS: Okay, so the cookies can't be
bought in time.
But what if they could be made?
CASSIE: Are you crazy?
I cannot possibly make extra cookies and, and do
everything I need to do.
NICHOLAS: Maybe you can't, but we can.
CASSIE: Absolutely not.
I told you last night.
NICHOLAS: What is your issue with me helping you?
CASSIE: Because you're rude.
And you're arrogant.
To start with.
NICHOLAS: And, I'm the only chance that you've got.
You can't do this alone.
CASSIE: I have my dad.
I've got my dad.
NICHOLAS: Okay, you've said it yourself.
You're up against the clock, right?
And if you want to make this festival happen, you need
all the help you can get.
We can do this!
Together.
CASSIE: [chuckles]
Can I just ask you why?
NICHOLAS: Why what?
CASSIE: Why do you even care?
You're not from here.
I mean what is the Winter Festival to you?
NICHOLAS: Okay.
I come from a place where tradition is strictly
observed but often simply because that's the way
it's always been.
This, this...
feels like it has purpose.
I like that.
CASSIE: That was a very insightful answer.
NICHOLAS: Nicholas.
CASSIE: Nicholas?
Yeah, I guess we haven't been formally introduced.
NICHOLAS: Not in the traditional sense, no.
But you have made quite the impression.
CASSIE: Ah, Cassandra.
Cassie.
People call me Cassie.
NICHOLAS: Ah, Cassie.
What do you say?
CASSIE: I would say let's get to work.
NICHOLAS: Great.
WALT: So, what made you change your mind?
CASSIE: I don't know.
I'm still not convinced it wasn't a total lapse of
judgement on my part.
WALT: [chuckles]
Well, I for one think it's nice that he's helping out.
CASSIE: Dad, you're supposed to be on my side.
WALT: I am on your side!
But I, I think that it's great that he's volunteering
to help you.
That's what makes me like him.
CASSIE: Yeah, but don't get too attached.
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: [grunts]
[♪♪♪]
[ornaments jangle]
CASSIE: What is happening?
NICHOLAS: This tinsel's not working.
CASSIE: What do you mean it's not working?
NICHOLAS: Well, I showed up early to help Melinda
decorate, and she put me in charge of this tree.
CASSIE: I, uh, yeah.
I see.
And what's the problem?
NICHOLAS: Well, I'm trying to get it on here, but it won't seem
to stay properly.
It's like it's got a mind of its own.
CASSIE: Have you never decorated a tree before?
Or used tinsel?
NICHOLAS: No, I've, I've used tinsel, thank you.
I've seen it done.
CASSIE: Okay, okay, you know what?
Why don't you just step aside, and let me fix it.
NICHOLAS: You don't need to...
CASSIE: It's only one tree, so it'll be minimal damage.
[♪♪♪]
MELINDA: What happened to this tree?
NICHOLAS: Is there a problem?
MELINDA: I only gave you one job.
And you have hot chocolate in the library.
It clearly states on the sign...
WALT: Nicholas, why don't you just step over here with me.
NICHOLAS: Sorry.
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: Okay, break it to me gently.
It wasn't that bad, was it?
WALT: Well.
[laughing]
So, Melinda tells me that you checked out a book here on
Wintervail's history.
NICHOLAS: Wow, no secrets around here, huh?
WALT: No, no.
It's a small town.
NICHOLAS: Yeah, yeah.
I did.
WALT: Well of all the books here, how come that one?
I mean, not that I'm not flattered on behalf
of the town.
NICHOLAS: Honestly I was just looking for more information
on the Festival.
WALT: Oh?
NICHOLAS: Yeah, it's kind of the reason I came here.
WALT: You travelled here for the Winter Festival.
I-I-I didn't know that anybody knew about it
outside the area.
NICHOLAS: Oh yeah, no, don't be so modest.
I mean, it got a nice bit of attention.
I think there was even a magazine article that
called it "one of the Eastern seaboard's finest
Christmas celebration"?
WALT: That's right.
I recall.
Yeah.
But, but that was years ago.
You must have just been a child.
And, I don't know of any children that read
travel periodicals.
NICHOLAS: No, I guess not.
I mean, I guess I was just captivated with the story
of this place.
I mean, it's so different than where I grew up.
And I kind of wanted to see it, just once.
WALT: So you came all that way for this?
NICHOLAS: My family's in business.
And so much of our lives are centered around the details
and the protocol that comes along with that.
Moments that were purely sentimental were few
and far between.
I mean, based on the articles, the importance of
sentiment and taking those moments seemed to be what
the Festival was all about.
And so yeah, I guess I came here to find that and just
see a real Christmas.
WALT: Where did you say you were from again?
NICHOLAS: There's a little patch of land nestled between
the Swiss Alps and the North Sea.
Oh.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Hi.
Yeah.
Yes, it's me again.
I was just wondering if you have any Christmas trees
that...
No, you're still sold out.
Okay.
Yes.
'Kay.
How can we have a Winter Festival without
Christmas trees?
NICHOLAS: Is there anything I can do to help?
CASSIE: Unless you can grow trees in the next 12 days,
I don't think we're going to have any Christmas trees
for the Winter Festival.
This is a disaster.
We can't even find Christmas trees at Christmas, and the
one three that we do have we can barely decorate.
NICHOLAS: Well frankly, I'm just glad I'm not the only
one having tree related problems.
CASSIE: Woah woah woah.
The reason that that tree fell over is because you went
and clumped tinsel into these branches, and frankly,
I don't even know how that happened.
NICHOLAS: It seemed like a practical approach.
CASSIE: Well, I'm so... 'kay, woah.
Christmas is not about practicality.
It's about feeling!
NICHOLAS: Let's not knock practicality.
Rules and structure all the hallmarks of success.
CASSIE: And how did that go for you with the tree?
NICHOLAS: Sometimes there's trial and error.
But I don't think charging ahead without a plan is
necessarily a recipe for success either.
WALT: I know neither of you want any advice from me,
but how come it has to be one way or another?
CASSIE: What are you saying?
WALT: Good planning is always a mixture of practicality
and feeling.
CASSIE: Of course.
We've been going about this all wrong.
Rather than charging ahead and tackling everything
at once, we should be dividing and conquering.
Using our strengths.
Like Nicholas has already proven that he overthinks
most tasks.
NICHOLAS: And Cassie's good with leading with her heart,
and not her mind.
CASSIE: And normally, I would be offended by that.
I think.
But, you're right.
Which means our differences is what's actually going to
make this happen.
NICHOLAS: How so?
CASSIE: I am formulating a plan.
I just need to think.
And maybe take the tinsel out of my hair.
Why don't we meet at Dad's later on today?
[door shutting]
CASSIE: I will stay and talk to Melinda to make sure she
is over the tree incident.
NICHOLAS: And I will duck out for that exact same reason.
CASSIE: Thank you.
I will apologize for you.
NICHOLAS: Thanks.
CASSIE: Yeah.
Okay.
WALT: That's good, sweetie.
CASSIE: It is, it's great.
It's great.
I'm gonna grab this.
WALT: I think you're on the right path.
CASSIE: Thank you.
Thank you!
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: Oh, geez, I'm so sorry...
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: Arthur!
ARTHUR: Your Highness!
I found you.
NICHOLAS: What are you doing here!?
ARTHUR: Well, I thought that would be obvious,
your highness.
I'm here to bring you home.
NICHOLAS: How?
What?
Why?
ARTHUR: Yes, which of those questions would you like me
to answer first?
NICHOLAS: Okay.
First thing's first.
How did you find me?
ARTHUR: Do you remember when we spoke on the telephone?
NICHOLAS: Yes.
ARTHUR: Yes, well.
Since you answered, we used the GPS on your phone
to find you.
Your mother insisted.
NICHOLAS: She what?
She can't do that!
ARTHUR: With all due respect, she's the Queen.
Which means she very much can do that.
NICHOLAS: [sighs]
I can't believe my own mother hoodwinked me and then sent
someone to collect me like the parcel post.
ARTHUR: Yes.
Now, Prince Nicholas...
NICHOLAS: Shhh!
Don't call me that.
ARTHUR: I don't understand.
It's protocol to refer to you by your title.
Do they not know that you're the Royal Prince of...
NICHOLAS: [loudly] Shhhh!
Shh.
ARTHUR: This is highly unorthodox.
Do you mean to tell me that the people of this town,
of this hamlet, have been interacting with you as if
you're a-a-a common citizen?
NICHOLAS: Would you keep it down, Arthur!
It's a little more nuanced than that.
ARTHUR: Nuanced?
I don't see how.
You come from a prestigious lineage back from the pages
of history.
Your family name has input.
[shouting] Are you not proud to...
CASSIE: Nicholas!
NICHOLAS: Cassie, hey.
CASSIE: Hey.
NICHOLAS: Hi.
[laughing]
Great to see you again.
CASSIE: Good to see you too.
Is everything okay?
ARTHUR: No.
NICHOLAS: Yea... yeah, yeah.
Just peachy.
I was just, just catching up with my cousin, Arthur.
CASSIE: Cousin?
You have family in town?
NICHOLAS: Yeah, yeah.
No, he just decided to meet me here for the holidays,
right?
It's good to be with family for Christmas.
ARTHUR: Yes, I love a Christmas reunion.
NICHOLAS: That's right.
CASSIE: It's very nice to meet you.
ARTHUR: Yes, hello.
CASSIE: Uh, okay.
Well, I will expect you later at the meeting.
Are you going to be joining?
ARTHUR: I shan't.
We're leaving.
NICHOLAS: Oh, he'll be there.
CASSIE: Oh, okay, great.
Well, it's nice meeting you.
[♪♪♪]
ARTHUR: What's this meeting?
Why are you speaking that way?
NICHOLAS: [sighs]
My mother sent you here on a mission to bring me back,
right?
ARTHUR: Yes.
NICHOLAS: Well in order to complete that mission,
you must do one for me, first.
ARTHUR: No.
NICHOLAS: Don't tell me 'no'.
Let's go.
[♪♪♪]
[phone chiming]
CASSIE: Hey.
ETHAN: Cassie, the execs are starting to get really antsy
about getting you here on time.
CASSIE: Yeah, I know.
I'm just, I'm dealing with some family stuff.
If they could just give me a couple more days.
ETHAN: Look, I get it.
It's the holidays.
We all have family stuff to deal with.
I mean I can put them off a little bit longer, but we're
going to really need to figure things out pronto.
They won't wait forever.
CASSIE: Yeah, I know.
I know.
ETHAN: How are those new designs coming?
CASSIE: Uh, they're perfect.
ETHAN: You're the best.
Can't wait to see them.
CASSIE: What is this?
ETHAN: So if you can give me an approximate idea of when
I'm gonna see them, I mean...
CASSIE: Yeah, I'm gonna have to call you back.
ETHAN: Uh...
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Eleanor.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: "Dear Eleanore.
It's marvelous to see you took your dream and
made it reality.
Your Winter Festival looks to be everything you had
hoped and more.
Knowing you, I'm sure the photos don't do it justice.
Perhaps one day I'll get to see for myself.
I hope your husband and your daughter are well and that
you all know how truly lucky you are.
My regards at Christmas and always, M".
Wow.
Mom got fan-mail for the Winter Festival.
[chuckles]
I knew it was a big deal.
But who is 'M'?
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Hey, mom!
[chuckles]
I remember that photo.
That was right in the middle of planning the second
Winter Festival.
Oh, you could not have been busier.
But you came downstairs and said we were going to stay in
and have hot coco, and finally decorate our
own tree.
Even though dad said we did not have time.
But you were not having it.
You just said that if we can't celebrate Christmas
at home, how can we help everyone else celebrate?
After all, Christmas...
BOTH: Christmas starts with us.
CASSIE: Hey.
I really just want to get this right.
I want to make her proud.
WALT: Oh, honey.
It doesn't matter what happens.
She already is.
CASSIE: Thank you.
[chuckles]
WALT: You know what?
I remember that day.
CASSIE: Yeah?
[laughing]
ARTHUR: She could not be more irate!
NICHOLAS: My mother is always upset about something.
ARTHUR: No, no.
Not like this.
She wants, no, needs you home for the Royal Christmas Ball.
NICHOLAS: And I told you I'm not going until I help these
people have their festival.
ARTHUR: How... are you listening to yourself?
I don't think you understand the urgency here.
NICHOLAS: Urgency is a matter of perspective, Arthur.
ARTHUR: With all due respect, your highness, but I believe
it is you who is lacking perspective.
Some small-town gathering pales in comparison to the
Royal Christmas Ball.
NICHOLAS: I disagree.
ARTHUR: [shouting] How could you possibly...
[collected] How could you possibly disagree?
NICHOLAS: Because, it's significant to me.
ARTHUR: Yes.
Right.
Well.
[clears throat]
Yes.
[sighs]
I did not want to have to do this.
But.
There's something you need to know.
NICHOLAS: And what's that?
ARTHUR: On the Christmas of the 35th year of the Heir of
[indistinct], which for you is this year, the Royal
Christmas Ball becomes a lawful right of passage in
the form of a Christmas Coronation, a legal event,
and official act which secures your place
on the thrown.
Now, if you're not present on Christmas Day to participate
in the Ceremony, then Ancient Law dictates that
you abdicate the throne, and the Royal Line will end,
dissolving the monarchy forever.
NICHOLAS: I know.
ARTHUR: Right, which is why it's precie... Wait, what?
What?
What do you mean?
What do you mean you know?
NICHOLAS: I mean I know, Arthur.
I'm the crown prince of the entire country.
What makes you think I wouldn't know that?
It's literally been part of my family's history
for centuries.
ARTHUR: But on the telephone, you said it was, it was
another celebration, for show.
NICHOLAS: Isn't it?
ARTHUR: This is not a game, Nicholas.
NICHOLAS: I know!
It's my life.
ARTHUR: With all due respect, your Highness, what is really
going on here?
Is this about that woman that you mentioned?
The one you're working with?
NICHOLAS: What?
No.
ARTHUR: Because.
If it is, your mother has already selected several
candidates from the royal lines of neighboring nations.
All of which would make a most amenable match
for a king-to-be.
You don't want to date just anyone, your Highness.
NICHOLAS: Yes.
Yes I do, Arthur.
I mean no...
I don't.
What I'm trying to say is that that is not what
this is about.
And yet, it is exactly what this is about.
ARTHUR: I'm afraid I'm not following, sir.
NICHOLAS: Everything in my life is decided for me,
to the extent that you're standing here telling me that
my mother is thinking about who I should marry without
even consulting me.
My world is dictated by centuries old rules
and traditions.
Every decision, every step has been part of some grand
plan decided by someone ages ago.
I live in a me-centric world that I actually have no
say in.
ARTHUR: Sir...
NICHOLAS: Let me finish, Arthur.
When I first heard about this place and their small town
gathering, as you called it.
I saw a group of people coming together to do
something good.
And I wanted to know if only once, what it was like to be
part of something like that.
Rather than have everything just be about me.
ARTHUR: Well it's a beautiful sentiment, sir.
The fact remains that time is of the essence.
NICHOLAS: Ah, now that is true.
And not just for me.
But for these people too.
When I got here and discovered that the Festival
was no longer, I was crushed.
Until I found this one woman.
This one insufferable woman who was trying to bring it
back for an even more normal cause than before.
So I agreed to help her.
And the clock is ticking for her too.
ARTHUR: Your Highness...
NICHOLAS: I'll make you a deal, Arthur.
If, and only if you help me help these people get their
festival into a workable place before Christmas, then
and only then I will return with you for the coronation.
ARTHUR: Your Highness...
NICHOLAS: If it's not for you, that's alright.
I understand.
You'll just have to go home and explain to my mother
why it is you passed up a chance to save the Crown.
ARTHUR: Do tell me how this Winter Festival works.
NICHOLAS: Good.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Okay.
Uh, attention.
If I could just get everybody's attention.
Thank you.
As you know, I have gathered you all here today to talk
about the revival of the Winter Festival which will
then use the proceeds to help keep the library
from closing.
Now, in past years, it has taken months to plan this
festival dealing with food vendors and other booth
vendors, and more!
From all over the state.
But as we've discovered, it's just not possible this
time of year, this close to Christmas.
MELINDA: I knew it.
CASSIE: But no, Nicholas came up with the idea that maybe
we could tackle some of these tasks ourselves.
NICHOLAS: It's true, I did.
ARTHUR: Shh.
CASSIE: But then we were defeated by a tree.
ARTHUR: You did that as well.
NICHOLAS: Shh.
CASSIE: But then I realized something.
I have been so worried about what this festival used
to be, I am completely missing what it could be.
WALT: What do you mean?
CASSIE: Think about it, Dad.
The festival is not about fancy booths or
five star vendors.
It's about community.
Which is kind of cool, because that means everything
and everyone that we could possibly need to put this
on is right here.
Because ultimately Christmas...
WALT: Starts with us.
CASSIE: Yes.
NICHOLAS: Great.
I like the sounds of that, but what does it mean?
CASSIE: Well, it's like what you told me at the coffee shop.
We all bring different things to the table, and if we work
really hard we can do this together.
[hushed mumbling]
CASSIE: No, guys, stop!
Dad.
Think about it.
How many times have you done this festival?
And Melinda, you work at the library!
You have access to pretty much everybody in the town,
and Nicholas is great at planning, and structure, and
I am really good at creating, and Arthur, I don't have
a clue, because we just met, but I really could use an
extra set of hands on this.
ARTHUR: Yes, peachy.
CASSIE: Oh, fantastic.
So, in order to do all of this, I need all of you,
and I cannot guarantee that it's going to be easy,
nor is it going to be successful, but...
[sighs]
What do you say?
NICHOLAS: Well, you know Arthur and I are already
on board.
WALT: For the library, of course.
For you, absolutely.
MELINDA: What he said.
CASSIE: Okay.
NICHOLAS: Okay.
Well.
Where do we start?
CASSIE: We probably get to work because we've only got
12 days until Christmas.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: No, we're good.
Thank you.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Mm!
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: Ta-da!
CASSIE: [gasps]
Oh my God!
[laughing]
CASSIE: Oh my gosh, Nicholas, you just saved Christmas.
NICHOLAS: Yeah.
Anything is possible at Christmas, or when you go
three towns over.
I'll get the rest.
CASSIE: Others?
NICHOLAS: Oh, there's others.
Here, buddy.
[grunts]
Thank you.
[♪♪♪]
♪ Christmas memories.
♪ Oh-oh-oh, la-da-da-da-oh-oh-oh. ♪
ARTHUR: [indistinct] was willing to donate dozen poinsettias
to Santa's booth.
CASSIE: Okay.
ARTHUR: Which means I just need a firm commitment from
the Mayor, who I swear, has been dodging my calls.
I also got a verbal contract from Mrs McNaulty for a dozen
of those ginger snaps, which really are worth their
weight in gold.
CASSIE: I told you.
Ginger snap.
NICHOLAS: If I didn't know any better, I'd almost think
you're enjoying this.
ARTHUR: Certainly not!
I'm merely doing my due diligence in service to the...
to...
to my favorite cousin.
CASSIE: Aww.
NICHOLAS: Mmhmm.
[phone ringing]
NICHOLAS: Aren't you going to get that?
ARTHUR: I shan't.
It's Dr Humphries, returning my call about the
Candy Cane Park.
CASSIE: Well that sounds pressing.
ARTHUR: No it's not.
It can wait.
It can't wait.
Dr Humphries, hello!
NICHOLAS: In that case, will you help me take a look at
these booth layouts?
I'm thinking it might be a bit of a mistake to put a
mistletoe display...
[♪♪♪]
MARY: Well?
REGINALD: [sighs]
No answer, your majesty.
MARY: That will not do, Reginald, that will not do
at all.
REGINALD: Christmas is less than five days away,
your majesty.
What do you suggest?
MARY: Well, I don't know.
You figure it out.
Soon.
[sighs]
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: I do think if we put the candy canes next to
the snow cones and that kind of gives us a chance to have
like a treats...
CASSIE: No, no.
[laughing]
NICHOLAS: No?
CASSIE: We talked about this.
NICHOLAS: [yawns]
Maybe you're right.
CASSIE: You look exhausted.
I think you need a break.
NICHOLAS: No no no.
We just finished the decoration layout,
now we have to do the scheduling for the...
CASSIE: No, you need a little fresh air, and I know the
perfect spot.
[papers crinkling]
NICHOLAS: 'Kay.
CASSIE: [giggles]
What about that guy?
NICHOLAS: Nah.
[sighs]
Let him sleep.
He tuckered himself out and I think he definitely needs it.
NICHOLAS: I'll grab our coats.
CASSIE: Okay, I will add to the pile.
Aw, Wintervale.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: What is this?
NICHOLAS: You know how I told you that I had heard about
the festival and that's what brought me here?
CASSIE: Yeah?
NICHOLAS: This is how.
I found these letters in one of my mother's old books at
our house and they had these press clippings and these
photos, and I just, I fell in love with the idea.
I had to see it for myself.
CASSIE: These were in your house?
NICHOLAS: Yeah, yeah.
Long forgotten relics of my mother's school days.
It's unusual, I know.
But not unlikely.
Things get lost in old books at our house all the time.
CASSIE: No, this is very unlikely.
NICHOLAS: How so?
CASSIE: Well this writing.
It's my mother's handwriting.
CASSIE: It's crazy.
NICHOLAS: I know, but are you sure that it's your mother's
handwriting?
CASSIE: It's my mother, I grew up with her handwriting,
I would know it anywhere.
The question is how did the letters get in your house?
NICHOLAS: Well they're addressed to my mother but
she's not exactly the "keep in touch" type.
CASSIE: Oh, so making friends runs in the family.
NICHOLAS: Wow!
CASSIE: [laughing]
NICHOLAS: No, and honestly, she could have just put that
in some old book years ago and forgotten about it.
She reads a lot.
CASSIE: Does your mom want to buy a library?
NICHOLAS: Unfortunately she already has one.
[laughing]
CASSIE: I just, I think it's amazing.
To see what she wrote about my dad and I
in those letters?
I mean, and what are the chances that she could write
something that could actually bring somebody here?
Let alone somebody who's helping with the festival?
NICHOLAS: Maybe it was meant to be.
CASSIE: Maybe my mom did pull off one final
Christmas miracle.
[ice scraping]
NICHOLAS: Oh!
CASSIE: Oh my God!
[laughing]
NICHOLAS: 'Kay.
Thank you, Wintervale.
CASSIE: [laughing]
Should we?
NICHOLAS: Let's.
CASSIE: 'Kay.
CASSIE: This used to be my mom's favorite
Christmas place.
She was a beautiful skater.
NICHOLAS: You know, I really wish I could have met her.
Sounds like a wonderful woman.
CASSIE: She was.
We used to skate here for hours until you pretty much
couldn't feel your toes anymore.
And then we would just go to the library to warm up,
and have some of her special hot chocolate.
NICHOLAS: Hot chocolate?
In the library?
CASSIE: I know, don't tell Melinda.
Her nostalgia only goes so far without breaking
the rules.
My mom and I used to just read for hours, and I'm
pretty sure we looked at every book on every shelf.
Man, I miss her.
I just, I miss having someone who cares about all the stuff
that I do, you know?
NICHOLAS: Yeah, I know what you mean.
Back home, Christmas just seems like this big
formality, but it was never what I dreamed it could be.
'Til I read your mom's letters.
'Til I came here.
'Til I met you.
[ice scraping]
CASSIE: Uh, Nicholas?
When I went to New York, it was supposed to be temporary,
and you know, as much to follow a dream but also just
kind of a chance to get away, but they offered me a
full time position.
NICHOLAS: You're going back?
CASSIE: Yeah, on Christmas Eve.
NICHOLAS: But you're gonna miss the festival.
CASSIE: I know.
I want to stay here, it's just, I'm just wondering
if this is...
NICHOLAS: Once in a lifetime.
CASSIE: Yeah.
NICHOLAS: Let me ask you something.
CASSIE: 'Kay.
NICHOLAS: Is New York what you want?
CASSIE: Yeah, I... maybe.
It's what I thought I wanted, but now I just keep thinking
what if there's something...
NICHOLAS: Something more.
CASSIE: Yeah.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Yeah.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: [laughing]
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Went for it!
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: Okay, so we just got to do the booth layout,
then the decoration layout, then...
[sighs]
Schedule performers.
[chuckles softly]
CASSIE: [sighs]
NICHOLAS: Cassie.
There's something I must tell you.
You see the thing is, that I... am...
[sighs]
Cassie!
[laughing]
You know how when we first met, you thought I was a
royal pain in the...
Cassie.
[sighs]
I must confess to you.
That I have been withholding confidential information.
I, Nicholas, am the Regent and Crown Prince of Verovia.
Why yes, we all talk to ourselves in Verovia,
thank you for noticing.
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: [groans]
[tea pouring]
[teapot clinks]
MELINDA: You don't get that kind of community support
in NYC, eh?
CASSIE: [laughing]
No.
Certainly don't.
MELINDA: I love creating this Winter Festival with you.
Just like your mother used to with me.
Did you know?
We wanted to build it up to help out our community.
Oh, goodness.
The dreams we had.
CASSIE: I don't really know that I'm that
person necessarily.
MELINDA: What do you mean?
CASSIE: Can I confess something to you?
I love New York.
And... I've been dating somebody.
And now he wants me to move in with him.
And it's just all happening so fast, and I just kind of
think that the world that I'm living in out there is
his dream world.
MELINDA: But not what you imagined.
CASSIE: Exactly.
And all of a sudden there's Nicholas who I barely even
know, but there is definitely a spark, or fireworks,
or something.
MELINDA: Good things can take time.
Or feel like fireworks.
I remember what my husband used to say to me.
"You can't rush something unless it feels right".
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: He's a smart man.
Thank you, Melinda.
[♪♪♪]
WALT: Hmm.
How's it looking?
MELINDA: I honestly don't even know.
I've reached out to everyone on the library donor list.
Many people have offered to make something or help out,
but is it enough?
WALT: Well, we'll just have to hope that it is.
MELINDA: Hmm.
NICHOLAS: Okay, but the blankets, do the
blankets need to be...
CASSIE: No, but what I'm saying about the blankets is
if we give them a blanket at the snow cone station, then
they can warm up and enjoy hot cider before they move on
to the rest of the booths.
NICHOLAS: That is a wonderful suggestion.
CASSIE: Oh, see?
NICHOLAS: No, you're right.
We keep 'em warm, we keep 'em longer.
CASSIE: Did you just say I was right?
NICHOLAS: You're right.
CASSIE: Oh, that is the most business-y thing I have
heard you say yet.
NICHOLAS: Well, I'm slowly learning.
CASSIE: Oh, good.
NICHOLAS: I'm learning slowly but surely.
MELINDA: It's so nice, isn't it?
WALT: What do you mean?
MELINDA: [giggles]
Those two don't know how good they are for each other.
WALT: Sometimes Christmas changes people.
MELINDA: You would know.
WALT: [laughing]
CASSIE: I don't know if the snow cones was such
a good idea.
Like the cider makes sense.
It's freezing out.
What?
You okay?
You're not even listening?
NICHOLAS: There's something I want to talk to you about.
CASSIE: Okay, what?
NICHOLAS: [sighs]
Well, you see, the thing is...
[phone ringing]
CASSIE: Ah, oh my God, hold on.
Sorry.
[sighs]
It's work, I gotta take it.
Give me a second, 'kay?
NICHOLAS: Yeah.
Um...
[door opens]
[phone ringing]
CASSIE: Hey.
ETHAN: Cassie, the executives need an answer.
And I guess I do too.
CASSIE: Ethan, I don't know how to say this to you.
It's not working.
It hasn't been for a long time, and I think
we both know it.
I don't think New York is a place that I want to
call home.
ETHAN: Well what about everything we've been working on?
What about our dream?
CASSIE: Well, I kind of think that it's your dream, Ethan.
And I don't want to hold you back any more.
You are a great guy, and you deserve to be happy.
ETHAN: What about you?
Are you happy?
CASSIE: I am, here.
ETHAN: Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't see this coming.
CASSIE: I know.
I'm so sorry.
But I will send you the sketches and the notes, and.
You'll do fantastic.
ETHAN: Thank you, Cassie.
And...
Merry Christmas.
CASSIE: Merry Christmas.
[♪♪♪]
MELINDA: Walt.
I've got it split up like this to recognize...
ARHTUR: [loudly] Have either of you heard from
the florist?
It's as if she doesn't understand that an event
needs botanicals!
WALT: I can't say that we have.
MELINDA: Maybe that's Doris now?
ARTHUR: Please tell me you have my florals?
MARY: Please tell me you have my son.
ARTHUR: Your majesty.
MARY: Well who else would be calling you, Arthur?
I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me.
ARTHUR: Your Majesty.
You're using the telephone.
Yourself.
MARY: Yes.
And it's a fact I'm not very happy about.
However, desperate times call for desperate measures.
ARTHUR: Of course, your Majesty.
MARY: Where is my son?
ARTHUR: It's complicated, your Majesty.
Prince Nicholas committed himself to a
Winter Festival here.
MARY: Winter Festival?
ARTHUR: Yes, yes, and I've been aiding him in an effort
to bring him home to you expeditiously.
MARY: Arthur, I sent you there to bring back my son.
It was a request that was meant to be fulfilled quickly
and with urgency.
What I did not do was send you have way across the world
to be taking part in some small town festival!
ARTHUR: I can explain...
MARY: I've heard enough.
I want Nicholas home within the next 24 hours or his
will not be the only job on the line.
[receiver clatters]
NICHOLAS: Hey.
CASSIE: Oh, hey, Nicholas.
Can I talk to you for a second?
NICHOLAS: Yeah, I gotta talk to you too.
CASSIE: No, really, I've been meaning to tell you,
and now...
ARTHUR: Hello.
May I talk to you?
CASSIE: No, can we just have one...
NICHOLAS: Just one second...
CASSIE: No, please.
ARTHUR: Please.
[clears throat]
NICHOLAS: Yeah, um.
Just give us a minute?
CASSIE: Yeah.
ARTHUR: So sorry.
CASSIE: [sighs]
WALT: Hey.
CASSIE: Hey!
WALT: So, you two set aside your differences?
CASSIE: Oh, dad.
Don't be foolish.
He is still stubborn and completely frustrating.
But he's charming and a little handsome.
WALT: Well, I'm just glad to see you smiling again.
CASSIE: You know, I found out something incredible
yesterday, and I cannot believe I haven't
told you yet.
WALT: Oh?
CASSIE: Yeah, we were working at Nicholas's
bed and breakfast, and he's got these letters.
WALT: Letters?
Well.
ARTHUR: I told you this would happen!
NICHOLAS: You need to calm down.
I just need a few more days.
ARTHUR: Yes, well we don't have a few more days.
My job is on the line.
My family's honor is on the line.
We have served the Crown of Verovia for centuries.
I cannot have it end because of someone who doesn't even
care about the throne!
NICHOLS: I care about the throne.
It is my family's throne.
You're letting my mother get to you.
ARTHUR: Yes, yes, of course I'm letting her get to me.
She could literally send an army to retrieve us.
An army.
Is that worth it to you?
For a Christmas party?
An international militaristic event?
NICHOLAS: I will not be bullied by you.
Nor my mother.
ARTHUR: [scoffs]
WALT: You don't give your mother the credit she
deserves, Nicholas.
From what I understand, she's not one to cross.
NICHOLAS: Walt...
WALT: Oh, I know who you are, your Highness.
NICHOLAS: What?
How?
WALT: I had my suspicious from the first time
you arrived here.
When Cassie told me about the letters, that confirmed it.
NICHOLAS: You know about the letters?
WALT: Of course I know about the letters.
My wife sent them to her friend from school.
Your mother.
Eleanore spent a lot of her student days abroad.
NICHOLAS: Why have I never heard about this?
WALT: They were quite close for a while.
But your mother's commitment to state and country soon
became all-encompassing.
Eventually, the letters home stopped.
NICHOLAS: I'm sorry.
WALT: I just mentioned to Cassie the other day that
life has a way of marching forward.
[chuckles]
Why didn't you tell us who you were?
NICHOLAS: Everything in my life is dictated by the title
in front of my name.
I wanted to do something once that was not about me,
not Nicholas, Crown Prince and Royal Regent of Verovia.
WALT: But that's who you are, Nicholas.
CASSIE: Oh, there she is.
Hey, where is everyone?
MELINDA: Oh, they just went outside.
CASSIE: Oh.
WALT: When Mary disappeared from Eleanor's life,
she was hurt.
The bond I see building between you and Cassie is
more than friendship.
And I don't want you to hurt her when you eventually
do the things that you have to do.
NICHOLAS: Do you think me that shallow?
WALT: Not at all.
But I also know that there's things put upon you by
other people that are beyond yourself.
NICHOLAS: Yes, there are.
And perhaps it is the demands of those people that should
be taken into consideration.
It sounds like my mother sacrificed the solace of
perhaps the only real friendship that she ever had
so that she could ensure the solace of many.
Now I am sorry that Cassie's mother was hurt.
But the responsibilities of the crown are more than
mere feelings.
The details of my life and my position are very
complicated.
I'm sorry that I wasn't forthcoming with you
or your daughter, but...
Everything I do must be given careful consideration.
I am a prince.
CASSIE: You hid this from us?
NICHOLAS: I didn't know how to tell you who I really was.
CASSIE: So you lied.
NICHOLAS: Cassie.
CASSIE: You knew what the Winter Festival meant to me.
You knew what the letters meant to me, you knew about
my job in New York.
You just watched me struggle.
No, you used me.
You used all of us.
For what?
Some weird experiment on what it's like to be
some kind of commoner?
You are not the person I thought you were.
NICHOLAS: Cassie, wait.
[door slams]
NICHOLAS: Cassie, wait.
Cassie.
Cassie, wait!
Cassie!
Wait!
CASSIE: Okay, look, your Highness, I am not one of
your subjects that you can just boss around!
Tradition has always been so important to me.
Look at you.
You've got a family where tradition is something that
most people could only dream of.
You're just throwing it away.
NICHOLAS: That's not fair.
CASSIE: All I've been trying to do is preserve the
history of my family, and of this entire town.
Both of which you are no longer a part of.
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: If that's how you really feel.
CASSIE: I do.
You should go.
[♪♪♪]
[snow crunches]
[♪♪♪]
[footsteps]
CASSIE: [gasping]
[door slams]
[papers rustle]
WALT: Cassie.
Dear.
CASSIE: We have so much left to do and I don't even know
if we're gonna get it all done.
WALT: Why didn't you tell me about that job in New York?
It's something you should celebrate, not keep secret.
CASSIE: It doesn't matter, Dad, because I'm not
going back.
WALT: Why not?
CASSIE: I don't know.
I just thought that if I did then that means that entire
chapter of my life and mom is gone.
You know how sometimes you just need to leave to realize
that everything you could have possibly wanted is right
there in front of you?
WALT: Just because something ends, it doesn't mean
it has to leave your heart.
In fact, what you've done here, what you and Nicholas
did, you've proved that you can take a memory and
turn it into something new and beautiful.
CASSIE: Yeah, right.
WALT: Have you tried talking to him?
CASSIE: He didn't do it for the right reasons, dad.
WALT: Maybe Nicholas wasn't forthcoming.
But think of all the reasons why he was here?
He spent time here.
He was excited to help you get all this going when
no one else would step up.
That was real.
CASSIE: Yeah well.
Gone now.
WALT: Oh, honey.
[pats]
[footsteps]
REGINALD: Your Majesty, presenting his Royal Highness,
Prince Nicholas.
MARY: [sighs]
You're finally home.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: Good morning!
WALT: Hey!
I just talked to Melinda, and the last of the booths
are getting set up in the library area.
Would you like some coffee?
CASSIE: Yes, thank you.
I'm so tired.
WALT: Well, I bet you are, honey.
You've been up for two days straight.
[chuckles]
But!
Look what you have done.
CASSIE: Oh.
Big shoes to fill.
Mmm.
WALT: Every new tradition starts with a good breakfast.
CASSIE: I'm pretty sure you just made that up.
WALT: I did.
CASSIE: Okay.
[giggles]
WALT: You grab a seat.
I'm going to dish you up some of Walt's Special here.
CASSIE: Yes!
WALT: Famous scrambled eggs.
CASSIE: Okay.
[giggles]
MARY: Nicholas.
I've picked a couple of options for the ceremony
tomorrow.
I just, I can't decide, because they're so different.
NICHOLAS: Whatever you think is best, mother.
MARY: That'll be all, Reginald.
Tell me.
Are you still thinking about that town and those people?
NICHOLAS: How could I not?
MARY: I know you think I don't understand why you went
on your escapade but I do.
Maybe even too well.
Sit.
NICHOLAS: [sighs]
MARY: You see.
When I was young, my friends would come back from
Christmas Break and they would tell me all these
marvelous stories of family and food.
Fun.
And don't get me wrong.
It's not that your grandfather didn't provide
all those things.
But it was understood, as with everything we did,
that ceremony came first.
NICHOLAS: Family trait, I see.
MARY: There was a part of me that wanted to have one of
those Christmases.
Where I got to wear cosy pajamas and eat too much.
Not have to worry about galas and presentation.
I think that's why Eleanore sent me all those letters.
It's like she knew deep down that I needed those stories.
NICHOLAS: So why didn't you make that happen
for yourself?
MARY: Mmm.
Traditions are very hard to break, Nicholas.
And they also make us who we are.
NICHOLAS: But do you ever regret not keeping in touch
with Cassie's mother?
MARY: Oh.
Of course I do.
She was a very good friend.
Outside of your father, she was the only one who saw me
for me instead of a princess or a queen.
Very dear friend indeed.
But that was a very long time ago.
We came from different worlds.
And I understood and respected what Eleanore did
for her family and her friends and her town.
And she understood what I needed to do for mine.
NICHOLAS: But...
It's sad though, don't you think?
Letting protocol and rules dictate how things have to be?
MARY: No, no darling.
You mustn't think of it that way.
We still have our celebrations.
I mean this is a very joyous time.
It's just that they have their Christmas,
and we have ours.
NICHOLAS: Well, that's where you're wrong, mother.
MARY: Now so?
NICHOLAS: Because if I've learned anything from that
town and those people it's that Christmas starts
with us.
And I think it's time we both put that into effect.
[♪♪♪]
[snow crunching]
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: [chuckles]
Hey, hey Blaze!
Oh, Dad.
They're busy.
WALT: I know.
MADISON: This looks amazing.
CASSIE: Thank you.
MAN: You guys did a great job.
CASSIE: No, we all did a great job.
Everybody.
I'll get him out of here for you.
WALT: Merry Christmas, you guys.
CASSIE: Merry Christmas.
Oh, those lanterns look fantastic.
WALT: I know, they're great.
Oh, folks have really knocked themselves out.
CASSIE: Uh-oh.
WALT: Oh, popcorn!
CASSIE: [laughing]
WOMAN: Saved you your favorite!
WALT: Thank you very much, sweetie!
WOMAN: Merry Christmas, you guys!
WALT: You too.
Bye bye.
CASSIE: I cannot believe that this is happening.
WALT: Well it's happening because of you.
CASSIE: No, it's happening because of everyone.
I mean I had the initial idea, but it's because
everybody's chipping in, right?
Can I ask you a question?
WALT: Shoot.
CASSIE: What do you think Mom would have thought of
all this?
WALT: Oh, sweetie, Mom would have been proud.
You bet she'd have been proud.
Oh, I know.
Oh, look at this booth!
CASSIE: I know, isn't it great?
WALT: It sure is.
MELINDA: Hi!
WALT: Hi, Melinda.
MELINDA: Oh, hi, Walt.
Cassie.
WOMAN: Holiday Latte?
It's been our best seller.
CASSIE: Ooh.
MELINDA: Oh, it's Christmas.
Let's live a little.
I think it's far enough away from the books.
CASSIE: [chuckles]
How's it going?
MELINDA: Oh, too soon to tell.
But even if it's not enough to save the library,
it is worth it.
CASSIE: It has to.
MELINDA: You tried, and did this for us.
That in itself is a Christmas miracle.
And the whole town will never forget it.
CASSIE: Thank you.
MELINDA: Mmhmm.
CASSIE: Okay.
WALT: That's sweet, Melinda.
We'll talk to you later, okay?
MELINDA: Okay.
WALT: Okay, bye-bye.
MELINDA: [giggles]
WALT: Oh, this is great.
[♪♪♪]
MARY: I hate to interrupt, but I do believe that letter
belongs to me.
CASSIE: Who are you?
NICHOLAS: This is Queen Mary.
Sovereign Ruler and Royal Regent of Verovia.
My mother.
[♪♪♪]
CASSIE: I'm sorry.
NICHOLAS: I'm sorry too.
MARY: Alright.
CASSIE: Sorry.
[clears throat]
Do I curtsy?
NICHOLAS: No no no.
CASSIE: Okay well I've never met a queen before.
Okay.
Are one of you going to tell me what is going on?
NICHOLAS: Walk with me?
CASSIE: Um...
MARY: Yes, thank you.
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: The way we left things.
I simply couldn't bare it if that's how things ended
between us.
CASSIE: No, Nicholas.
The way I spoke to you was completely out of line.
NICHOLAS: I was out of line for not being completely
honest with you.
CASSIE: Well no.
You were a stranger and you worked day and night to give
us a truly magical Christmas.
NICHOLAS: Once I met you, I realized what was
truly important.
CASSIE: That's what Christmas is.
It's not about doing what's always been done.
It's about people coming together.
NICHOLAS: Yes.
Yes, and being here with you, with all of you, I've seen
the Christmas I've always dreamed of.
CASSIE: Thank you, for coming back.
NICHOLAS: I had to.
I had to be here with you for Christmas.
Even if it was just this once before I became king
and before you go back to your life in New York.
CASSIE: I'm not going back to New York.
NICHOLAS: You're not?
CASSIE: No.
I'm going to stay here and I'm going to build my mom's
legacy, and I'm gonna work on traditions in the community
that I love.
NICHOLAS: Cassie, that's...
CASSIE: No, it's great, because think about it.
The Festival's not gonna run itself.
What about your coronation?
And your crown?
MARY: That's where I come in.
You see, upon his return to Verovia, my son reminded me
that sometimes we get so set in our ways that we forget
what is truly important.
And then it made me think of a very dear friend of mine
who once told me that Christmas wasn't so much
about a place, but a feeling, and those you share that
feeling with.
So as Ruler of Verovia, I am exercising my powers and I'm
going to have the coronation right here in this town
with all of you.
CASSIE: You can do that?
MARY: Yes I can.
Now.
Prince Nicholas, kneel before me.
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: Wait, mother.
I came here to find a special Christmas.
But what I found was a special place.
And a special woman.
I grew up with a kingdom.
But it took coming here to know what it was like to
build one.
This town.
This woman.
They have my heart.
And I know I have much to do at home, but I have so much
to do here as well.
MARY: Nicholas.
What are you saying?
NICHOLAS: I would like...
I would like to stay.
If you'll have me.
CASSIE: Of course.
Yeah.
MARY: As your mother, I understand.
I really do.
But as your Queen, I must remind you of your duties and
commitment not just to the Crown but to your people.
NICHOLAS: But how can I fulfill a commitment to an
entire nation if I can't even fulfill a commitment
to myself?
MARY: I see.
The Royal Law dictates that a coronation must take place
in order to maintain the monarchy.
NICHOLAS: But, Mother...
MARY: But there is nothing that says you must begin your
reign immediately.
NICHOLAS: I don't understand.
MARY: Plenty of monarchs have left the kingdoms in the
capable hands of others while tending to matters abroad.
REGINALD: I believe the perfect candidate is standing
right before you, sir.
NICHOLAS: Mother, you would do that for me?
MARY: [chuckles]
Oh, my son.
Kneel before me.
NICHOLAS: [clears throat]
MARY: On this day, when celebration rings out across
all the lands, and the end of the year makes way for the
dawn of another, I declare by the powers invested in me by
Crown and State, that you rise into a new era.
King of Verovia.
[♪♪♪]
NICHOLAS: And my first order of business, reinstating you
to the thrown in my stead.
MARY: [laughing]
Already making such wise decisions, King Nicholas.
Oh, but you are going to need a Head of Affairs here to
advise and keep you abreast of all important matters,
so I...
NICHOLAS: If I may.
My Head of Affairs must be someone who has given their
very heart to Verovia and its crown, and someone who
travelled across the world to save it.
Someone who has done his due diligence for Her Majesty.
Someone who has become a great friend.
Arthur.
ARTHUR: Me?
MARY: A bold... and noble choice.
NICHOLAS: What do you say, Arthur?
Stay abroad with me and plan another festival or two?
ARTHUR: I... Thank you.
MELINDA: I can't believe it, oh I simply can't believe it!
Oh!
Oh, uh, your Majesty.
CASSIE: Melinda.
MELINDA: There are so many people here,
they're coming in droves.
No, we have to finish the final tally, but if the sales
keep going the way they are, we should have more than
enough to save the library!
MARY: Oh, well that's absolutely wonderful.
I'm happy for all of you, truly.
MELINDA: Oh, yes, thank you.
Bye!
[laughing]
MARY: Oh.
CASSIE: I don't even know what is happening.
MARY: You know, I would love to tell you all
about your mother.
When she and I were young and, oh, full of adventure.
Just like you.
CASSIE: I would love that.
I just wish she was hear to see it.
WALT: Cassie, dear, you bring out the best in everybody
and everything.
Just like your mother.
MARY: Well, you must be Walt.
WALT: Elsie told me so much about you.
It always felt like a fairy tale.
MARY: Well, clearly she found her own fairy tale here with
you, and this charming town.
WALT: Let me show you some of Ellie that you
don't know about.
Some of her life that she created here, and the world
that we built.
If you would do me the honour?
MARY: Oh, yes, I will.
[♪♪♪]
WALT: Do you like popcorn?
MARY: I've not tried it.
WALT: Well.
[chuckles]
You're in for a treat.
[♪♪♪]
[footsteps]
CASSIE: I can't believe that you're here.
Well, it just feels like a fairy tale I used to read
about in my books, and I just never thought that
it would come true.
Just...
You can't stay away from Verovia forever.
NICHOLAS: Well, we can stay away as long as we like.
You heard my mother.
She's had some practice at this.
Verovia is in very good hands.
Besides.
You and I have future festivals to plan.
CASSIE: Really?
For someone who overthinks things,
that a lot of planning.
NICHOLAS: Well, we'll need someone who leads with their
heart and not their mind to be my future Queen.
CASSIE: Queen?
[♪♪♪]