[CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO]
[SIGHS]
# Take some time to look around you #
# Take some time to understand #
# That you built this road You're walking ##
MAN [OVER RADIO]: WKHO. Yesterday's hits from 1982.
Coming up, a little holiday tune...
...requested by Adrian and Seth from Franklin, Tennessee.
They're on their way to the annual holiday pageant...
Christmas.
Boy, that Matthew Peyton throws a heck of a party every year.
What a great time that's gonna be.
JEFF [OVER RADIO]: Hi, this is Jeff...
...and I'll be coming to you live tonight from inside the festivities...
...bringing you all the great music.
Don't forget to help those bell ringers out there and give up that spare change...
...and help us spread the love.
[MUSIC]
Hello, doctor.
Hey, you made it to your own party. Take a walk with me.
MAN 1: Baby Jesus' first dental check-up.
- NANCY: Big turnout. - MATTHEW: Not bad.
- Oh, before I forget, I got you these. - WOMAN: Christmas tree earrings!
Ha! You saved humanity.
And I got you this.
Oh, you saved me. Thank you.
MAN 2: Reindeer permits here! For fish and game.
- Hey, Merry Christmas. - What's Christmas without Elvis?
Ah, Christmas?
MAN 3: Angel halos for your little ones.
WOMAN: Elves on a shelf, come get them!
NANCY: Are you sure you don't want to hold onto these?
MATTHEW: If I eat one of those baby Jesus hotdogs...
...I'll need more than two.
NANCY: I always love to see how you spend your money.
# Want someone to call my own #
# That's all I really need This Christmas #
"Sometime during the night, Mary's child was born.
He was a boy, and she called him Jesus, just as the angel said."
# Find our way again #
# Back to that place #
[SOBBING]
MATTHEW: Here you go, buddy.
MAN: Asher? Asher?
Buddy, where are you?
There you are.
I've been looking for you. I told you to stay put.
# This Christmas #
# Is there someone for me This Christmas? #
# So tired of being all alone #
# I want someone to call my own #
# That's all I really need This Christmas ##
MAN: And let's give it up for Mr. Matthew Peyton.
This guy knows how to throw a party, doesn't he?
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[ENGINE STARTS]
[MUSIC]
[TRAIN HORN BLOWING]
[SIGHS]
That's just great.
[GROANS]
[TIRES SCREECH]
[GRUNTING]
Hey, what are you doing?
Who are you? What do you want from me?
Shut your mouth, you piece of trash.
[GRUNTS]
How does it taste, Mr. Bigshot? Huh?
Does it taste like poverty, huh?
Well, taste it good.
- Let's go. - Someone's coming.
Guess you'll get to find out what it's like to sleep in the gutter now, friend.
[MUSIC]
Oh, no.
Does anybody need any help?
MATTHEW: Help me.
[GASPS]
Whoa!
[GASPS]
Hey, are you okay?
Help me.
Please, I need help. He's hurt.
[COUGHS]
Oh!
I'm gonna go get help. I'll be right back. I promise.
Please, somebody, anybody.
He's hurt.
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
[MUSIC]
MAN: No pay cut.
If you're gonna lay off 50 workers this close to Christmas, that's suicide.
There's no way you're gonna make your deadline.
Albert, you're the accountant. How'd this happen with no warning?
Last time, you said things might get tight toward the end of the year.
- But this? - The mine shut down, Flandry's closed...
...what do you want from me? It's all here.
[SIGHS]
- The reserves? - Tapped out.
The note for the new machinery is due at the bank.
What are my choices?
Cash.
Start charging money for the Christmas pageant.
You downright own everything, man. It's a goldmine.
Either that, or take the offer from Tomatsu people.
It's the only tangible asset that you have left.
No, I can't.
Everybody makes money on this.
I'm well aware of that. Something I can't change.
You don't have a choice here, Matt.
If they won't accept the cut, then I'm forced into the layoffs.
We'll meet our deadline with who's left. Work nights.
Then you have to shut your own doors. There is no more room for concessions.
My guys already took a pay cut this year...
...and as their union rep, I'm not gonna ask them to take another one.
They will vote to shut you down.
Bob, it is not my intention to lay people off.
Tell your people to accept a temporary cut.
- I can't recommend that. - Do not hang another "closed" sign...
- ...on a business in this town. - I'm not the one who's hanging the sign.
[MUSIC]
Where am I supposed to come up with that money?
I don't know, pal. They'd much rather see you shut down than work for less.
They see the car you drive, the house you live in.
I mean, it's the way of the American worker.
Big business, big profits don't sit well in hard times.
Albert, whose side are you on? You know it's not like that.
You, of all people, know I am fair. I always have been.
Fair? Okay, perhaps.
But what you've done in the past does not put food on the table today.
- I gave them a job, so they could do that. - It doesn't matter. You are an example.
An example. You don't have money for a Christmas pageant.
And you have volunteers ready to walk out the door right now.
When you tell this town that you're not putting one on this year...
- ...I would hate to see what happens next. - What is that supposed to mean?
Consider the offer. It's the only way we're gonna survive.
- No. - BOB: All right. Listen up, everyone.
Gather around.
- I'll tell you what's going on. - Wow.
We're not gonna work for unfair labor practices anymore.
[WORKERS YELLING AND CHATTERING]
Providing all of you agree to walk.
Pay cuts, not fair.
[WORKERS CLAMORING IN DISTANCE]
We're walking, you got that? You agree? We're all gonna walk?
- WORKERS: Yeah. - BEN: Let's go.
[OBJECTS BANGING]
# They took it all #
There he is now.
# But they want more #
Let me get your car for you, Mr. P.
That's okay, Charlie.
I think I'll walk.
# These scars are all I've got to show #
# Of the place I used to call my home #
# I've been betrayed by my own kin #
# Accused of having a lost soul #
MAYOR [ON RECORDING]: Yeah, Matthew, it's Mayor Harris.
It's about 5:30.
Look, I just spoke to Albert Bagley.
If what he says means what I think it does...
...the entire town's going to go berserk.
You better be at the town council meeting tomorrow.
Call me when you get in. This better be just a misunderstanding.
[PHONE RINGING]
Locals.
Yeah, he's here.
He said to call this.
- But who was it? - Do I look like your secretary?
Something about a job.
WORKERS: No pay, no work. No pay, no work.
No pay, no work. No pay...
- How'd you get in, Mr. P? - Slipped in through the back.
- Oh, okay. - It's quite the crowd.
Seems like more folks show up today for this than they do for real work.
I had my brother Wendell spend the night in your car.
It's still in one piece, we made sure of that.
Wendell.
CHARLIE: He ain't got no real place to stay anywho.
He worked as a machinist at Flandry's until they went belly.
Looks like I'll be swimming in that same boat real soon, right, Mr. P?
No, no, no, Charlie. Don't you worry about that, okay?
Listen, here's...
Here's something for you and your brother.
Well, thank you, Mr. P.
I believe in you, sir.
- You believe in me, Charlie? - Yes, sir.
You're in trouble right now, but your heart is right.
I can tell. I can tell these things.
You'll find your path.
I believe in you.
[MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
CHARLIE: You'll find your path.
I believe in you.
[CHATTERING]
WORKERS: No pay, no work.
[MUSIC]
Mr. Peyton, my friend, how are you?
- I'm good, Nick. How are you? - That's a good question.
Let me tell you a little story. I'm good some days.
Some days, not so good.
This, you know...? This wet weather makes my bones ache.
- You're too young for that. - Yeah. Well, my wife...
...she wishes it would snow. Me, I like the weather warm.
- My wife, not so warm. - Ha-ha-ha.
- What's the special today? - That's another good question. Meatloaf.
- Well, let's do that and some coffee. - Ha, ha. Bring your plate right away.
[BLUES MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
Some coffee and bread to start you off.
Ha, ha!
You know, I must tell you, my little ones are so excited.
This is the first year they're actually old enough to be in the Christmas pageant.
And they might even march in the parade too.
They cannot stop talking about it.
You know, "the pageant" this, "the parade" that.
That just makes my wife so proud.
You must have had some fine parents.
I'm gonna get you that meatloaf, and you are going to love it.
Thanks, Nick.
NANCY: You can run, but you can't hide.
- Hey. - Hey.
Oh, last night.
- Oh. - I forgot. I am so sorry.
- How did it go? - It's all right.
We gave out about 15 flu shots. Nothing too serious.
I don't know where you get the time.
- I find the time. - Sorry.
Listen, I hear you're not the most popular man in town right now.
- That's just a bad rumor. - What's going on?
Debt, layoffs, greed. Sounds like good television, right?
Sounds like bad television. What happened?
I thought we had enough to get through the first quarter.
Out-of-state business is good. Internet sales are up.
- Doesn't make much sense. - Well, what is it then?
Well, everybody's got their hand out, especially this time of year.
- Oh, come on. - No, I'm serious.
They can't expect me to take care of this town's problems.
I'm in business to make money.
And your people are in business to work for you, work hard, earn money...
...pay their mortgages, feed their families.
- You have your own bread plate. - I know.
Feed the hungry, house the poor. Isn't that the government's job?
That's not the government's job. That's your job and my job.
Have compassion on those less fortunate than you.
The Bible says, "Help the poor and the less fortunate"...
...not "pay the government to do it for you."
Now you're calling me Scrooge. Good time of year for that. Thank you.
Well, if the Santa hat fits.
You're such a hard-case.
- "A hard-case"? - Yeah. You're a hard-case.
- Wow, how am I a hard-case? - Well, for starters, you're materialistic.
Well, I don't drive an old pickup with a gun rack, so maybe so.
You're a workaholic.
Those who want things have to work for those things.
- You work harder than your employees? - Not fair.
- You don't have any friends. - I have you.
- Not after you didn't show up last night. - Oh! Ouch.
I don't have time to socialize.
- I'm trying to run a business here. - We've circled back to workaholic.
I'll tell you what I do have.
I have enemies now. That should count for something.
But are you charitable? Because that's important.
That is important. Great question. Let's think about that.
Am I charitable? Hmm.
My company puts on a huge picnic every summer.
I go to church, put money in the offering. I help you on occasion.
On occasion. Oh!
- The Christmas pageant. - Yes.
That Christmas pageant that doesn't help me in the least.
Everybody else in this town makes tons of money, not me.
My company loses money.
I thought your grandfather's trust helps with it.
That may have been true by the standards he lived.
Nowadays, it wouldn't even cover liability insurance.
Things are a lot more complex now.
The only thing that stayed the same are his conditions.
The company has to put it on every single year.
Gratis. I can't sell it unless I sell the business.
I'm not selling the business.
The company has to put it on every year? I thought you loved the pageant.
I just don't see the benefit anymore.
Oh, well...
...for you or everyone else?
I don't know.
All I do know is it's gonna take a miracle to put that thing on this year.
Last time I checked, I can't afford one.
So, what you're saying, Mr. Peyton, is that your company can no longer...
- ...afford to put on the Christmas...? - Ahem.
- Holiday pageant? - That's correct.
It's been your responsibility since 1990 when your grandfather died, is that right?
He started this for the financial well-being of this community.
No, he started it as a gift to this community...
...to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Christmas.
It was never intended to generate profit for this town or for any other...
...and certainly not for itself.
And that's why I'm here tonight to tell this community that, as of last Wednesday...
...the doors to Peyton Automotive were temporarily closed.
While this has put such a strain on my business...
...I cannot continue this tradition.
[CHATTERING]
- I don't think we can accept that. - Excuse me?
I have a contract here signed by your grandfather...
...committing to the city of Grundy, Virginia, that a trust has been set up...
...to bring a Christmas pageant to Peyton Park every year.
This is a legal document.
You think you can just come in here last minute and say:
"I'm not keeping up the tradition just because"?
- There's no money left in the trust. - Where did it disappear to?
It paid for the pageant every year.
Did you borrow against it to keep your business going? You buy a new house?
What are you trying to say?
You may have had the funds to keep this going, and they've been misappropriated.
And we are all being duped.
[CHATTERING]
- I wasn't aware this was a witch hunt. - I wasn't aware you had so much to hide.
I have nothing to hide. I am here of my own will.
Just answer my question.
- I can't. - Can't answer my question?
No, I can't sell the pageant. I can't sell it, and I can't charge admission.
- Why is that? - It's in the company bylaws.
Isn't it because the penalty for selling it was you'd lose your inheritance?
So if, let's say, your company went under...
...you closed your doors, could you then sell it?
[MUSIC]
Yes.
And you'd still keep your inheritance? All other contracts will be null and void.
You'd be a richer man than you are.
You'd be rid of a company that's in financial ruin.
You'd dump a money-draining promise made by your deceased grandfather...
...for a lot of cash that would set you up for several lifetimes.
Except for one thing, Mr. Blackhorn, I'm not gonna just walk away.
I helped my grandfather rebuild this business...
...through some very difficult times.
I worked every job.
I pushed a broom across the production floor seven days a week.
I worked every tool and die and machine, working my way up.
I spent countless hours organizing this Christmas festival year after year.
My grandfather and I poured money into it for you...
...and you, and all of you to enjoy.
And then I watched as it became a spectacle of commerce...
...instead of the celebration of Christmas that my grandfather intended.
Every year, I thought things would be different.
That maybe people would embrace it...
...and somebody would help out. That never happened.
Even when these funds that you're talking about finally ran out...
- ...I personally kept this festival alive. - Oh, please.
Did I ever think about letting my company go?
Never.
Did I ever wish that I could get rid of this festival? Well...
Can it go on this year?
I believe that is not possible without the help of this community.
Sir, I stand before you...
...a man of circumstances...
...with issues that I cannot resolve at this point...
...and I am sorry.
I'm not sure, under these weak arguments and this contract...
...we can just let this matter go. Mayor?
I see no alternative but to bring forth legal counsel in this matter...
...and to reconvene one week from tonight.
[CROWD CHATTERING]
[MUSIC]
# There's nothing you can do It's out of your hands #
# From the look of your palms You did all that you can #
# Calloused and bleeding #
# All as you're pleading, Wasn't your plan #
# Now you're gripping the wheel 'Cause the rain's falling #
# Nowhere to go So you keep on driving #
# Hoping maybe somewhere #
- MAN 1: Thanks. - MAN 2: You should be ashamed.
- WOMAN 1: Nice car. - MAN 3: Serves you right.
- WOMAN 2: You deserve it. - MAN 4: Shame on you, Peyton.
You ruined Christmas for a lot of people.
# Didn't know it But you were on your way somewhere #
# Somewhere down the road You'll make that change #
# You'll buy that ticket, You'll catch that train #
# Going somewhere And you won't be going back ##
[RINGING]
- NANCY: Hey. - Working late?
What else? How'd it go?
I don't think I'll be Grundy's Man of the Year.
- You okay? - Sure. Yeah.
You don't sound okay.
This is ridiculous. They think I planned this.
- I didn't want any of this to happen. - I know.
I've lived by myself for nearly 25 years.
Tonight, I found out what it truly feels like to be alone.
- You wanna come by? - Maybe later.
I'm just gonna drive around a bit. Clear my head.
Hey, hey, cheer up.
Things will look brighter in the morning. They always do.
Always the optimist.
Well, I could've said "Take two aspirin."
Ha. Right.
Be safe, all right?
Remember, sometimes, things happen for a reason.
I'm here if you need me.
Thanks.
Bye.
[MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
Whoo! They had extra cinnamon thingies today. I...
Shh, shh. shh! Baby, he's still asleep.
CJ: They had extra cinnamon thingies today.
I grabbed a few more, just in case.
Good.
[SIGHS]
He's gonna be all right, Mom.
I said a special prayer last night.
I'm sure you did, sweetheart...
...but, it's pretty bad. I think it's time we get him some real help.
[GROANS]
Mom.
[GROANING CONTINUES]
- Sir? - Ah...
SHARON: Sir.
I'm sorry...
[COUGHS]
- ...but who are you two? - We're your guardian angels.
- We're here to help. - Ahem. Clarence.
- CJ: Sorry. - Hi.
My name is Sharon. My son Clarence, he found you.
You were pretty beat up.
- You can call me CJ. - We think that you were mugged.
- They beat the crap out of you. - SHARON: Ahem.
I don't think they liked you very much.
We brought you up here. We don't have a phone, and...
No cell service. Mom's a doctor.
Nurse. Almost. I went to school. I just didn't quite graduate.
CJ: I brought you some rolls.
Kind of crunchy, but I like them.
Yeah, yeah. Kind of crunchy.
We've been praying for you, and we don't even know your name.
Praying for me. Oh, that's good.
My name is Matthew Peyton, last time I checked.
"Peyton"? Like the Christmas pageant "Peyton"?
I'm gonna be in it this year. Mom says I'm the best angel she ever saw.
- Ow. - Sorry. He...
He doesn't get to meet strangers very often.
- I see that. - Yeah.
Mr. Johnson's daughter drove us last year...
...and I've never seen anything like it. Well, except when I sleep.
I dream about it all the time.
I'm on that stage, looking out, seeing the faces of everybody...
...as I, Angel Gabriel, fly over the manger.
I'm talking to Mary, mother of Jesus, bringing her tidings as the choir sings.
And then I fly back out way over the crowd.
The people, they stand, they clap, they cheer.
Some even cry.
They cry, do they?
I don't remember them having any flying angels...
...I mean, you know, when I saw it.
I said it was just a dream, but that's why I found this.
You saw all this in a dream?
Yeah. This year, I'm gonna be the big guy.
Gabriel, okay.
All things are possible to those who believe.
If you believe in your heart and pray long enough, it'll come true.
That's how God answers prayers. Right, Mom?
Just like how I found you all beat up, and then I prayed for you to wake up.
Well, that's some faith you have there, CJ.
Well, everything does happen for a reason, Mr. Peyton.
Maybe you're here for a reason. Hey, wait.
What was the pageant like when you saw it?
Was there cotton candy, and kids, and thousands of lights...
- Okay, okay, okay, little man. - ...cars, and...?
Go find Mr. Johnson, see if he can get us some heat in here, huh?
I promise you Mr. Peyton will be here when you get back.
You must know I know that you know that if your last name's "Peyton"...
...you've got to have some connections. Hook your boy up.
- All right. - No? I'm your friend.
- Fly like the angel you are. - You're not going anywhere, right?
- I'm not going anywhere. Right. - That's good. Watch it.
- I'll be right back. - Okay.
[COUGHING]
Sorry. The nights get a little drafty here, that's all.
- I really need to... - Oh, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey.
No, no, no. That's... That's gonna hurt.
Oh...
[GROANS]
[MUSIC]
You're okay.
You live alone? Or is...?
It's just me and CJ.
His father lost his job when the mine shut down.
He went out of town looking for work.
We found out I was pregnant, never came back.
It's been hard, but that little kid, he's my angel.
- I wouldn't change it for the world. - He seems like a good kid.
Yeah.
He's the one true blessing that God has left me.
All right, Mr. Peyton, you are safe.
Close your eyes, get some rest. Clarence is gonna be back soon.
Trust me. You're gonna need it.
[SHARON COUGHING]
[MUSIC]
[DOORBELL RINGING AND TAPPING ON DOOR]
[LINE RINGING]
MATTHEW [ON RECORDING]: Hi, you've reached Matthew Peyton.
I'm not available. Please leave a message, and I will...
Ah, come on.
- Okay. Which one is this? - Hello?
- Oh! - Oh.
Ah. Heh. Hey, Dr. Nancy. Hi. You startled me.
I was looking for Matthew. Have you seen him?
No, I thought he was gonna be here.
I stopped by to grab my things and see if he needed help with anything.
- You haven't seen him? - I haven't seen him since Wednesday...
...down at the city hall.
The way they treated him, I don't blame him for lying low.
That's what you think? He's just lying low?
Sure. I mean, probably.
Well, if I see him, you want me to pass along anything?
- Just tell him to call me. - That's it, you sure?
I'm sure it's just what you said, he's lying low.
Right.
Let me get my things.
[MUSIC]
- It's good to see you. - Good seeing you.
All right.
[MUSIC]
Hey, are you awake?
Are you an angel?
- No, it's me, CJ. - SHARON: Clarence.
I told you not to wake him.
I didn't. I was just standing here.
- He woke up on his own. - SHARON: Mm-hmm.
It's okay, Mom.
I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Oh!
I'm just glad to be alive.
So wait. You thought I was a real angel?
I could tell by the halo. Gabriel, right?
- Gabriel's always leaned to one side. - How do you know?
Because Gabriel was the coolest angel of all.
And all the cool guys wear their hats off to the side, right?
Yeah, right.
Are you feeling any better? You took an awfully long nap.
You were snoring, really loud sometimes. Like:
[IMITATES SNORTING]
[CHUCKLES THEN GRUNTS]
- Is that what I sounded like? - Kind of.
- Okay. - Oh, hey. No, no. Go slow.
You gotta take it easy.
Let me help you.
I, um... Ahem.
I need to use the facility.
Oh. Oh, yes. Um... Ahem.
Hold on. You just...
You're gonna wanna take this with you.
No, I don't need that.
It's not for reading.
Oh. Oh, yes.
We don't have money for the real stuff.
Yeah. I'm sorry. I...
Yep.
[LAUGHING]
- SHARON: We got him good. - He thought...
- You... You're joking. Okay. - BOTH: Ha-ha-ha.
Angel Gabriel. Ahem.
Sir, will you please escort our guest, Mr. Peyton, to the "facilities"?
Of course, the "facilities."
- That's really funny. - Mm-hmm.
Oh, wait. Hold on.
You should probably use this.
Your scepter.
And what is this for?
To help you walk.
Right. Yes. Yes, of course. Ha, ha.
- You two are funny. - SHARON: Ha, ha.
Okay. Off we go, milord.
Just fly this way.
You fly, I shall walk.
- Slowly, please. - Mm-hm.
Very slowly.
MATTHEW: You're funny.
[MUSIC]
- Let's go. - Okay.
Come on.
You'll come back and visit us?
Of course.
Promise?
Sure.
I like your Beemer.
- Ha, ha. - You got a big house?
Well, that is a good question, CJ.
Bathroom.
Why don't you just stay right here?
Yeah, just...
I saw a big rat in there a couple times.
MATTHEW: Really? How big?
Big.
Uh...
Were you coming to see someone?
- MATTHEW: What? - That night, in your car.
MATTHEW: Oh, no, I... I just took a wrong turn.
My mom always says my dad took a wrong turn.
I wonder if he got beat up like you.
MATTHEW: Well, let's hope not.
How long have you and your mother lived here?
Uh...
Long time, I guess.
I don't remember any place else.
Just use your pants.
That's what I always do.
[CHUCKLES]
- Hey. - MATTHEW: Hey.
- Where's CJ? - I told him I needed a phone.
He said...
...Mr. Johnson goes somewhere to use a phone or something.
That kid knows everything...
- Watch your arm. - Thank you.
...about everybody around here.
So I need to get back soon.
My life is in a little turmoil right now.
Yeah.
[MUSIC]
You probably think a guy with a decent car and house...
...what could be so bad, right?
Well...
I can see that you're, obviously...
...in a little bit of trouble right now.
You do know that...
...losing a car, it's not the end of the world, right?
Unless that's what you make it.
I mean, the world, it's here.
It's inside. That's what you gotta live for.
You can't worry about what's going on out there.
Whatever trouble you're in, I just...
...don't know you well enough, and I'm gonna stop talking.
So, you don't want?
Yeah. Of course, I...
Yeah. I want. I want...
...lots, but I've learned to live with what I need.
Besides, all the true blessings in life are for free.
I mean, you're a blessing.
- Clarence is a blessing. - Then why accept these surroundings?
Why don't you strive to give him something better?
[MUSIC]
Better.
Better?
Better than love, strength, courage?
Because that's what I give him every single day.
I might not have a big fancy car or live in a giant house.
I don't even have a paying job right now.
But let me tell you something.
When that mine shut down and his father left, he left us right here.
I had to quit nursing school.
Lost the only job I could get.
Things got worse, and worse and worse.
And they got worse because people like you...
...forgot about people like us.
And now I strive...
...to help these people.
Because these people need me, and they don't have any money...
...and they don't have any jobs, and they can't afford to pay me.
So they do what they can.
They keep a roof over our heads. They give me food to feed my son.
[DOOR OPENS]
Mr. Peyton.
Mr. Johnson's waiting downstairs for you.
He said you can make a call as long as he gets to use the phone first.
But you have to pay for the minutes, he said.
Okay, okay. We'll figure it out.
What's wrong, Mom?
Nothing. Ahem.
Mr. Peyton, you should probably have that looked at by a real doctor...
...when you get to wherever it is that you're going.
Yeah.
- Keep it. - Here.
No.
You're gonna need it.
It'll keep you warm.
Inside.
So are you gonna come back and visit us?
Sure.
I'll be back.
Well, I want you to look out for me in the pageant.
And if you got any connections, "Mr. Peyton..."
I'll see what I can do.
I bring you good tidings, for I am angel Gabriel.
[MUSIC]
Whoo-hoo!
Merry Christmas.
Slow, take her easy.
- Take her easy. - What happened?
Where have you been? Oh, Matt. Let me get my bag.
MATTHEW: Thanks again for picking me up.
Is there anything else I can do you for, Mr. P?
No, I'm good. Thanks.
Matt, what happened?
- Took a little road trip. - What?
- Are you all right? - Yeah. I got mugged. Beaten up.
They burned my car.
I think they said they wanted to teach me a lesson.
Left me for dead.
A little boy found me and took me in.
His mother took care of me until about an hour ago.
Why didn't they call someone?
They don't have a phone.
Who doesn't have a phone?
All right. Come here. Let me take a look at you. Have a seat.
It doesn't matter.
- I'm fine. - You're not fine.
It's just my ribs.
NANCY: Oh, good grief.
We are calling the police and find out who did this to you.
What difference does it make? If I press on, it'll make matters worse.
- Well, what are you gonna do? - See if I can get everybody back to work.
Take the heat off this pageant thing.
You think it's the pageant and not the layoffs that have everybody...
- ...so upside down? - There's more at stake with the pageant.
Why don't you just sell it then?
- You know, this is crazy. - I can't.
- What do you mean, you can't? - I can't, because...
Because?
[MUSIC]
That's not true, is it?
- What? - What people are saying?
That this is tied to your inheritance?
- No. - And that's why you don't wanna sell it?
You don't understand. It's more complicated than that.
No, I don't understand. Why don't you explain it to me?
Since when do I have to explain myself to you?
Wow. You don't.
Wow.
I had no idea how self-centered you were until right now.
Come on, that is not fair.
Why am I the bad guy in all this?
Because I work hard?
Because I wanted to make something out of myself?
And now what? I have to give it all away?
- Is that what this town wants? - Who says life is fair?
You know what, you're fine.
You'll live.
- I'm glad to know you're safe. - Listen, Nancy.
I'm glad you're safe.
I'm not Scrooge.
Ow.
[MUSIC]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
What are you two doing here?
Hey.
Matthew, I was worried about you.
- Worried? - ALBERT: Yeah. We...
We called several times and thought you'd end up here sooner or later.
How about you, Bob?
Were you worried about me?
Or were you just hoping I would cough on enough water...
...to choke up some pay raise with all my hidden millions?
Matt, whatever happened to you, I'm not to blame.
No, you're right, Bob. You're not to blame.
It's my fault the economy is terrible and my business is failing.
It's my fault that workman's comp and health insurance...
...are at an all-time high.
It's my fault that employee wages keep going up while sales are going down.
It's my fault, Bob, that my workers are guaranteed an eight-hour work day...
...and three 20-minute breaks and a 40-minute lunch...
...and two-weeks' paid vacation and six sick days.
You see, I don't get to clock out at 3:30 every day.
I come in when I'm sick.
I don't get to take a magazine off to the restroom...
...and read for 20 minutes at a time.
I don't get the luxury of taking off in the middle of the afternoon...
...to go coach little league or go see my daughter in a school play.
I don't get six-months paid maternity leave.
You know what? I don't have the choice to leave my work behind...
...at the office every night.
Because, at the end of the day, it's my responsibility...
...to make sure those people get those things.
There is a difference between people who sign the check on the front...
...and people who sign the check on the back.
If there isn't anything you two need...
[MUSIC]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[BELL TOLLING IN DISTANCE]
Hey.
Heard you left town for a couple of days.
Things always become more clear with a fishing pole in your hand.
[TRAIN HORN BLOWING IN DISTANCE]
- You want some friendly advice? - Well, I've had the other, so go ahead.
Sell this thing, son.
Let someone else manage it. Let's get this town back to work...
...and on with their Christmas and be done with it.
All the local businesses, they're gonna lose their shirt...
...if this pageant doesn't go on.
Not to mention all the retailers and suppliers...
...within a couple of hundred miles.
You keep going in this direction, you will get crucified.
- I haven't done anything wrong. - Oh, son.
If it were that simple.
Even if you are right...
...you won't survive what they'll throw at you.
Well...
...thanks for the advice, Mr. Mayor.
Good luck, son.
So it seems from your financial statement...
...that last year, you lost money.
The last two years have been in the red.
Well, that's just a result of Mr. Bagley's accounting practice.
- Show a little profit, right? - Yes, well...
How much did you wanna borrow?
Um... Enough to cover overhead and payroll.
- Three hundred thousand? - That's a lot of money...
...for an unsecured loan, Matt.
After the bailout, loans like this...
You have a lien on your company from other loans you've made.
Help me a little. What other assets do you have to secure this?
- A home, property, stocks? - My home.
I was in your wedding, Bill.
I helped you get this job.
It's not good sense, financially, for us.
Especially after everything that's happened these last few days.
I am sorry, Matthew.
I really am.
[MUSIC]
MAN [OVER TV]: Cold, cold, cold.
That front we've been tracking all week is about to hit us hard.
And I mean hard.
The arctic blast is gonna move through our area...
...driving temperatures down to the single digits.
The wind chill, the wind chill is gonna be minus 20.
Now that... That's cold.
So cold, there's a health advisory out, and you're gonna wanna stay inside.
We should have some relief come mid-week, but in the next few days...
...if you're not a polar bear...
...do that last-minute Christmas shopping online.
Seriously, it's gonna be cold.
Get some blankets, folks. You'll need them.
Dave and Jessica, back to you.
[MUSIC]
Excuse me, I'm looking for a boy, CJ.
Clarence and his mother.
She's right over there.
Oh, I could really use one of these.
- Are you here from the church? - No, ma'am.
Yes, take some.
- And no, I'm not here from the church. - Thank you.
MAN: Oh, can I have one of those?
Thank you.
Hey.
Well, you sure do look a lot better than the last time I saw you.
Well, I wish I could say the same.
How are you?
I've been better.
I'll be fine though.
- Hey, before, when I said... - Hey.
You came back.
Here.
[COUGHING]
- Mr. Peyton. - Hey, CJ.
So did you get me a part in the pageant?
[LAUGHS]
You know what? It is freezing in here.
- Yeah. - Is the heat on?
Only in summer.
SHARON: Mr. Johnson's not so good about getting it fixed.
I think you need to see a doctor.
I'll be right back. Okay?
You watch over your mother.
I do.
[MUSIC]
- Ho! Oh. - Oh.
- I'm here. - You came.
- Yeah. I came. - Good. I need your help.
MAN 1: Can I have one of those blankets?
MAN 2: I'll take one. Thanks, miss.
CJ: Mr. Johnson said the heat was up. He thinks the mayor shut the gas off.
Great. CJ, this is Dr. Wells. She's here to help your mom.
That's great, but I gotta go.
Excuse me.
Mom, there's a doctor here to see you.
Oh, baby, I...
- I'll take one. - Hi.
God bless you.
NANCY: Oh, I had no idea.
- Thank you. - Appreciate it.
Thank you very much.
Hi, I'm Dr. Nancy Wells. I'm a friend of Matthew's.
He says you're not feeling too well.
[COUGHING]
I'm fine. Really, I'm... I'm...
It's okay, Mom. I think she's free.
Oh, boy, you are burning up.
[COUGHING]
And that cough doesn't sound too good either.
CJ, I need your help.
Got any cold water around here?
- That's all we got. - Okay.
I want you to put some cold water on that rag to help your mama. All right?
- Thank you, baby. - All right.
Matthew, she can't be here.
None of these people should be here They're probably all sick.
MATTHEW: Is there a shelter close by?
The closest shelter's over an hour away...
...but it's not nearly big enough to handle this situation.
How about my factory?
We have bathrooms. There's heat.
I'm sure we can find some cots.
That's a great idea.
How do we get everybody there?
I'll take CJ and his mom.
We'll have Charlie circle back for the others.
Okay. I'll hang back here and check these folks.
- Okay. - Okay.
Thanks.
- Sharon. - Hey, I...
Everything's gonna be just fine.
You took care of me.
Now it's my turn to take care of you.
[MUSIC]
- Wow, Nick, that was quick. - Yeah. Slow night.
Where did all these people come from?
Oh, these are just a few of my friends.
Popular guy.
Anything else you need, you know where to find me.
Thank you.
Mr. P, where would you like me to set up all them tables?
- Put them in the break room. - Oh, uh...
It's all full up.
- Break room is filled up? - All full up with folks.
I think we need more cots.
- How many do we have? - Thirty or so.
- And we need more? - They just keep coming in.
MATTHEW: How are they getting here?
I saw about 10 getting out of a big old station wagon.
It barely got up the street.
All right. Let's set up an area by Fabrication.
Well, no one's working in there anymore, I'll set up those tables in Shipping too.
- Do you have any more blankets? - Is there a toilet?
I got some blankets. Follow me.
- Yes. - What about toilets?
Bathrooms are that way.
Mr. Peyton, can I help?
This is fun. I wanna help.
Yeah. Why don't you fly around the room and let everyone know there's food here?
Got it. Oh, Mr. Peyton, Dr. Miss Nancy Wells is sitting with my mom.
I think she's asleep.
I mean my mom. Not Dr. Miss Nancy Wells.
I'm gonna go.
There's food here.
Hurry up and get some food. It's ready for you to eat.
Get some food, people.
There's some food here.
I finally got Sharon settled in for the night.
- Good. - There's some food here.
- NANCY: Wow. - How do you feel about that?
He should sleep well too.
This place is just awesome, isn't it? And there's food.
MATTHEW: Makes me tired just watching him.
All right. So, what's your plan?
What do you mean?
What do you hope to accomplish?
I just wanted to help these people.
They helped me.
But do you know what that means?
You know, feed a hungry man, he's hungry tomorrow.
Teach him to fish, he'll never be hungry again.
You want me to teach these people how to fish?
No, I just want you to realize...
...tomorrow, they'll still be homeless and hungry no matter what you do tonight.
Yeah.
Just wanted to get them out of the cold, feed them.
That's a good thing.
I'm just asking if...
...you know, you thought about tomorrow.
That's the hard part, you know? They'll always want more.
[MUSIC]
[COUGHING]
[SOFTLY] Ow.
You okay?
- Well, it's tomorrow. - No, it's today. A new day.
Semantics.
I spent the entire night thinking about what you said.
And?
And...
And I am no closer to an answer than I was at 3:30 this morning.
[SIGHS]
Well, what are your thoughts?
What are my thoughts?
Well, my thoughts are, I really want to help these people.
Okay.
I just don't know what to do about those two.
Well, that's a good start.
So today, you'll help these people.
And then it'll get harder.
And you'll have to figure out what to do next.
That's it? That's your advice?
Yeah.
Thank you.
You're always good for that little silver-lining zing.
- I appreciate that. Heh. - One day at a time.
Mr. Peyton. Dr. Miss Nancy.
Guess what today is.
- A new day? - A great day.
- Has he been to bed yet? - I don't think so.
This place is great. You work here, right?
I own this place.
There are so many cool machines all around.
Do you run them by yourself?
I know how to run them all, but no.
I have some men and women who do that for me.
Is it their day off?
Um... They are on strike, so they will not be coming in today.
Then who's gonna run all these machines?
No one, I guess.
Then you're not gonna have anything to sell.
Hey, how about I show you how to run one of the machines later?
- Really? - Sure.
That would be awesome.
I have to practice my Gabriel for the pageant first.
Then I'll be back.
I think you have a new friend.
My new friend thinks if he believes hard enough, he's going to be in the pageant.
I wish I had that kind of faith.
Don't you?
Mr. Peyton. Dr. Miss Nancy Wells.
My mom. She's awake. I think you fixed her.
- Hello. - Hi.
- How are you feeling? - Oh...
[COUGHS]
- Better. Much better. - Aww.
You slept pretty hard through the night.
[IMITATES SNORING]
You should get something to eat. I had five donuts this morning.
And guess what. They weren't crunchy.
Well, how about we start her off on some toast?
Yeah.
Great. I'll go hunt down Nick.
Mom, there are all these cool tools and machines.
Mr. Peyton said he'll teach me how to run all of them.
One. I said one.
- One. - Right, one.
I love it here. How long can we stay?
Oh, honey, we shouldn't. This is a working factory.
But they went on strike. So he might lose his business...
...and be poor just like us. Isn't that great?
[MUSIC]
How do I ever thank you?
No need.
You've done so much for so many people here.
Hey, look, can I take CJ with me for a while?
- I could really use his help today. - He could use my help.
Oh, Ma. Can I go? Please, can I go? Please? He could use my help.
You sure he's not gonna be too much of a bother?
No trouble at all.
- You wanna go? - Yes.
- Okay. Go. - Yes.
He said he could use my help. I'm no trouble at all.
Oh, wait, Mom. I should probably go use the "facilities" before we go.
Oh, wait, Mom.
Mom, you should see, everything works.
I mean, towels, toilet paper, hot water.
Ah. This place is like paradise.
Mr. Peyton, you're the best.
- I'm the best. - You are the best.
- You heard him. - Maybe no more donuts.
All done.
I sure do like that machine that blows out hot air.
I can see that.
- Hop in. - Whoo-hoo!
Just got off the phone with Mayor Harris.
He does not want this to become a political quagmire.
Uh... Hold on. I got another call.
Yeah.
What?
This just keeps getting better and better.
[MUSIC]
Do you think it's ever gonna snow?
Well, it sure has been cold enough.
Hope so.
So, Mr. Peyton...
...is Dr. Miss Nancy your girlfriend?
Dr. Miss Nancy has been my best friend for a very long time.
I guess my mom has been my best friend.
There aren't a lot of kids around where we live.
What do you do for fun, CJ?
I go out searching for stuff.
I don't steal anything though.
I'm sure you don't.
Mom says you can go to jail.
I don't wanna go to jail.
Me neither.
She used to work for a guy who she said was stealing from people.
He didn't go to jail.
He fired her.
Was your mother his nurse?
No, she was a counter.
A counter?
Yeah. You know?
- She counted books. - Ah, an accountant.
Yeah. I guess so.
- He was a counter too. - Got it.
Me and my mom walked to town last year.
It took a long time.
I'd just pretend I was skating.
I would just slide on my shoes and believe I was skating.
Sometimes, you just have to pretend.
Is that...?
Is that Peyton Park?
Can we stop?
# A place in the clouds #
# All you find is broken love #
# I've been chasing my whole life #
# See the lights in the sky Change lanes just to follow you #
Wow!
I can see forever from up here.
Just like in my dream.
# See the lights in the sky #
[LAUGHING]
# Change lanes just to follow you #
Hey.
I wonder when tryouts are?
Can't be too long, right?
I can't miss them this year. I just can't miss them.
# See the storm inside you #
# Following you, following you #
Where'd you learn to dance like that?
No place.
I guess it's always been inside of me.
I just gotta let it all out. Whoo-hoo!
# Into light #
# Light, light #
BLACKHORN: Peyton.
Hey, Peyton.
- Whoo-hoo! - Peyton.
You just go from stirring up one hornet's nest to the next.
What do you got going on now, a little bed-and-breakfast?
- I'm afraid you're not zoned for that. - What do you mean, "zoned"?
MAYOR: What's going on here?
These boys interrupt my lunch and say there's some crisis at your place.
No crisis.
He's violating every civil code we have.
- What are you trying to pull? - Knock it off.
We're not gonna get anywhere with you two locking heads.
Why don't we just go inside and have a look around?
Now that's a good idea.
Fine.
These folks needed a place to stay warm last night.
So I gave it to them.
You can't just gather people when it's cold and put them in a room.
Why not?
Does the city turn its back on someone when they can't afford warmth?
Well, we have laws.
Heck, you probably put half these people out of work.
You got room for the rest of the town in here?
Because I sure don't see a forecast for any sunny days coming soon.
Especially for you.
Matthew, I'm afraid my hands are tied.
I understand what you're trying to do, son...
...but the law just won't allow this to go on.
City ordinance prohibits use of the factory for anything other than manufacturing.
Only way you can keep them here round the clock...
...is by putting them back to work.
Now, I suggest you get your affairs in order.
You have 12 hours to comply...
...or the city will be more than happy to see you in jail.
[MUSIC]
What about you, Albert?
Drumming up some city contracts?
I'm here to try to talk some sense into you...
...to see if you'll sell this whole thing.
Talk to the Tomatsu folks.
Their offer still stands, company and all.
You talked to them. They called you.
They know your position, and they're anxious to make a deal.
I think you know where I stand.
And the next time they call you, please give them my number.
NANCY: What the heck is going on?
You heard the man. Either I go to jail, or these people have to go away.
To tell you the truth, jail is looking pretty good right about now.
Wouldn't have people pulling me a hundred directions.
I wouldn't have to tell these people to leave.
Well, what did Albert have to say? Is he part of the lynch mob now?
He is pushing really hard for me to sell this thing.
You know, he was here when you were gone.
What? Why?
He said he was looking for you but I think he was looking for something else.
Did he leave with anything?
No, I think I startled him.
MATTHEW: It doesn't make any sense.
I have no cash there, and the only thing I have is a set of books.
It's in the safe, but he has his own set.
Would there be anything different in your set?
No, shouldn't be. He does them both.
Well, maybe you should have a look.
Just doesn't make sense.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
I guess it's time to tell these folks they have to go back to where they came from.
They'll go back to the way things were two days ago.
- This one. - Okay. All right.
MATTHEW: I'm not their savior, Nancy.
I know.
You still did a good thing.
Can't change things overnight.
[MUSIC]
What do I do about Sharon and CJ?
No.
NANCY: That you're gonna have to handle on a more personal level.
Right.
- Okay. - All right.
Can I have everyone's attention, please?
Looks like we're gonna have to take you all back to where you came from.
[CHATTERING]
The city will not allow you to stay here anymore.
MAN: What do you mean?
It's gonna be colder tonight, and my wife's not well.
Oh, please, don't throw us out.
We need a place to stay.
I don't have the proper facilities, and there's a city ordinance.
But you said we could stay a few days.
I'm sure the city will help you find something.
- The city ain't gonna help us. - Look...
[SIGHS]
...I'm very sorry.
My hands are tied on this one. They, uh...
They're threatening to throw me in jail.
If there were anything I could do at all, I would.
If we work, then can we stay?
- What? - CJ: I heard them say...
...you could keep the doors open if they came back to work.
[SIGHS]
CJ, they're not gonna come back to work.
What if we worked for you?
Some of us already know this equipment.
I mean, I used to work at Flandry's before it shut down.
And you said you knew how to run all the machines.
You could teach us.
Sure would be nice to do something like that again.
I used to work for you, Mr. Peyton.
- I'll help you teach these folks. - WOMAN 1: That's right.
- MAN: What do you say? - WOMAN 2: Come on.
Might stir up another hornet's nest.
Might be the answer to your prayers.
[MUSIC]
WOMAN 2: Come on.
What the heck.
[ALL CHEERING]
Get over here.
What have I got to lose, right, Gabriel?
He called me Gabriel. He called me Gabriel.
[MUSIC]
[INAUDIBLE]
# I don't want to miss this #
# I don't want to close my eyes #
The lathe area is over here. Punch press is on this side.
The most important thing is safety first, everybody.
I don't want any horsing around.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
[ALL LAUGHING]
- Hey, Mr. Peyton. Ha, ha! - Hello, CJ.
# Things are possible Come and see #
Interesting bullet point of an historical fact...
...that my grandfather actually used these same machines...
...when he started this industry.
This is a drill press. You're gonna pull it down like that.
You'll feel a click every time. Every time you do that. Now watch here.
You start at the very top, gonna pull it all the way down.
The production counter here's gonna roll over one time.
# I don't want to miss this #
Very specific.
Keep in mind these are on a canter.
We gotta make sure it's not tilted at all.
Make sure the parts are automatically lined up.
If you have any questions Mr. Giovonetti is here.
He's gonna handle all those questions, all right? All right. Very good.
# Knowing there's something more #
# Hope is here A miracle #
# Come and see #
MATTHEW: All right, it sounds basic...
...but when we're shipping out these small Model 33 carbs...
...the scanning end always goes in the truck first. All right?
We'll slap on these UPC labels like so. Make sure there are no wrinkles.
That's how our scanners read them.
Then we...
[ALL LAUGHING]
Just like that. That's how we ship them.
# Anything is possible #
# Come and see the mystery #
# You can believe That anything is possible #
# Believe #
# Believe ##
Looks like Blackhorn put the screws in him pretty good, huh?
[CHUCKLES]
Yup. I'll go back in a couple days and get the rest of his books.
I can't believe you're that careless. You can't leave that behind.
They're useless.
It's just a safety measure, man.
- He won't know one number from the next. - Let's hope so.
- Here you go. - Thank you.
Thank you.
Albert, I want my people back to work.
I told you, Tomatsu's coming in Monday. He's gonna finalize the deal.
Why are you so sure he's gonna sign?
You understand that I have him in so much debt right now...
...he'll do anything to stop the bleeding.
There is not one person, not one person on this Earth...
...that he can turn to for help.
I've got it covered, man. Relax. Ha, ha.
[SIGHS]
Hey, so since you want to be the angel, show me what you got.
# Hallelu... #
# Hallelujah #
# Hallelu... #
# Hallelujah #
# Hallelu... #
Are you sure you wanna do this?
Yes.
Oh, it feels so good to get my mind back to work.
Okay. Well, this should be everything from the last two years.
Tax returns, statements, union agreements, everything I had in my safe.
Nancy brought you some clothes.
- Yeah. - You look nice.
Thank you.
# Hallelujah ##
- Listen, I just wanna... - Matthew... Heh.
- You go first. - You go.
Okay. I'll go first.
Okay.
Listen...
...before you go any further, there's something I wanna tell you.
About this?
Yes. I am the Peyton in "Peyton Pageant."
I know.
- Small town. Yeah. - Yeah.
And all the trouble that I'm having is because of that.
You don't owe me an explanation.
I couldn't move forward. I didn't have the resources.
That's what's got this entire town ready to kill me.
- And sometimes, I wish they had. - Hey.
It's what brought you into our lives.
When Clarence saved you, he saved all of us.
You've given us all a tremendous gift.
You have to know that...
...things really do happen for a reason.
[MUSIC]
I should get back to work.
[SIGHS]
Well, this should be interesting.
Make sure you're around to drive me home this time.
Oh, I'll be around.
Mr. Peyton, thank you for coming.
Are there any new developments you'd like to address?
No. Regarding the pageant...
...everything is the same as the last time we were here.
Well, that's not quite true.
Once again, Mr. Peyton wants us to believe his lies.
Mr. Blackhorn, this is going to be a civil inquiry.
You are not Perry Mason.
- ALL: Ha-ha-ha. - BLACKHORN: Sorry, mayor.
Just want the folks here to know that...
...things are not status quo at Peyton Automotive.
Seems Mr. Peyton has no intention of getting his business up and running...
...or putting on the pageant this year.
In fact, today, the mayor and I had to shut down his latest...
...slap in the face to this community.
While so many of our friends and families have been put out of work...
...from this nonexistent holiday pageant...
...Mr. Peyton has turned his warehouse into a bed-and-breakfast.
We saw, firsthand, that Matthew Peyton's only interest is his own.
MAN: Shame on you, Mr. Peyton. Shame on you.
MAYOR: Order.
Mr. Peyton, you have anything else you'd like to add?
Yes. I would just like to say that Peyton Automotive is open for business.
WOMAN: What? - So...
...if there's anyone here who would like your job back, with conditions...
...I'll be happy to speak with you tomorrow.
As far as the festival goes, I can only provide what I can afford to provide.
And Mr. Blackhorn, there are no hidden monies, no secret inheritance.
If you wanna keep digging, go and get that subpoena.
You know where to find me.
And by the way, I won't be driving myself home alone tonight.
This is outrageous.
What do you mean, you're open for business?
We were there only a few hours ago, and you had over a hundred people...
- Are you telling me...? - I'm telling you and everyone else here...
...that while you slept in your nice, warm bed...
...Peyton Automotive housed and fed over 115 people...
...who needed food and warmth and had no place to get that.
Now trust me, I know...
...we're going through some very difficult times right now...
...but believe me, there are folks out there who have it much worse.
The mayor and Mr. Blackhorn did come down to my business...
...and told me I had to send those folks back where they came from.
But I refused.
So now, they're employees of Peyton Automotive.
BLACKHORN: You can't do this.
- Sir, you are not a shelter. - You're right, sir.
I am not a shelter, but I am a business, and these people are my employees.
And I am zoned to operate this business 24 hours a day.
BOB: Wait a minute.
You had a bunch of scabs cross our picket lines to save your business.
Now you're gonna ask these workers...
...to cross their own picket line to get their jobs back?
It's not gonna happen.
I'm sure these people don't appreciate you calling them names, Mr. Alexander.
But I'd like them to make up their own minds...
...as to what's best for their families and this community...
...and not get bullied into something that might affect them for a very long time.
- We're done here. - What about the pageant, Mr. Peyton?
We are far from finished here. We need answers.
MAYOR: Mr. Blackhorn, please sit down.
This meeting is adjourned.
MAN: We have no idea if we gotta talk to the union...
You need to fix this now.
"We're done here"?
Matt, where did you get that moxie?
I think a boy named Clarence has my back.
Oh, well, you might need an army of him to keep this town...
I'm out of work. Can you give me a job?
What time do I need to be back in the morning?
I'd like to have my job back.
If there's anything I can do to help out, the pageant means a lot to this town.
- Thank you. - Or maybe one of him is enough.
[MUSIC]
You two promised you'd have this wrapped up by Monday.
Now the whole town is going back to work for Peyton.
How is that even possible?
Relax. They'll all be standing in a picket line by morning.
Where's he getting money? You said you took care of that.
Yeah, I did. He might have access to a few personal accounts...
...but he can't sustain long term payroll.
You'd better have the deed for all this by Monday, or so help me...
Don't you threaten me, Blackhorn.
All right? Let us do our job...
...and you go on out there, and you keep stirring the old pot.
Then we don't have to worry about Peyton.
Just get it done.
[MUSIC]
[BANGING AND KNOCKING]
[CROWD CLAMORING]
- What's going on? - I wouldn't expect a turnout today.
Bob Alexander's got this whole place blocked with pickets.
- What are you doing here? - Well, I can't stay either.
I just wanted you to know, and that I understand what you're doing...
...but I can't take the risk. None of us can.
They own most of our homes.
I'm sorry.
Oh, and Mr. Peyton...
...there's a lot of us here that think what you're doing...
...you know, helping these folks...
...is a good thing.
[PICKETERS CLAMORING]
We just wish we could help.
[MUSIC]
[PICKETERS CLAMORING AND CHANTING]
[SIGHS]
NANCY: Hey.
Thought you went home last night.
And miss all this?
- Hmm. - Oh, boy.
I see the future of all the people who worked for me.
I see all the people you're helping, right now.
Have you told little Gabriel yet?
He still believes.
What do you believe, Matthew Peyton?
[MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
You're a righteous man.
You making fun of me now?
You know the definition of the word "righteous"?
It means right action...
...no matter the consequences.
You're a righteous man.
No, I'm not.
My grandfather, that was a righteous man.
Not me. I'm just selfish and weak.
And I think I proved that with...
...an inheritance that I never deserved in the first place.
- Now, how is that? - Hmm.
Well, contrary to what people have said...
...it never had anything to do with money.
When my parents were killed, my grandfather took it really hard...
...but he picked himself up, and he raised me...
...and he grew this business...
...and he showed an entire town that hope is never lost.
He buried his only son in September...
...and then lit the festival lights again in December.
That was his gift for this whole town.
For all of his successes and blessings, he had...
...hope.
But this inheritance...
My grandfather would say:
"Life is work and work is good.
God's work."
[CHUCKLING]
Before nightly prayers, he'd always tell me a story about a farmer and his sons.
A farmer was on his deathbed and gathered his sons around...
...to discuss the inheritance.
"I would have you know that in my vineyard, there is a hidden treasure.
Dig. Dig, and you will find it."
Shortly after his passing, the sons took all the garden tools...
...and turned the soil of the vineyard over and over and never found the treasure.
Never.
However, the vines, after so much digging...
...produced a crop such has never before been seen.
So, you see...
...the treasure is in the toil.
And that's what my grandfather left for me.
His work, unfinished.
This business, this Christmas pageant...
To share in what he would say is...
...the faith, hope and love that he had been so graciously given from above.
So, the bottom line is...
...Peyton Automotive owns the Peyton Pageant...
...and never the two shall part.
And that, Nancy, is my inheritance.
That's all.
Why didn't you say something to the council?
You really think it would've mattered?
I don't. I think their minds were made up.
And honestly, I have made a mess of both.
I have lived and worked my entire life for myself and not for others around me.
And I really wish that it would've worked out the way my grandfather intended.
[SIGHS]
But I don't believe that's possible anymore.
Thank you for everything.
# It's gonna be a heartbreak ##
- Hey, Matt, I wanted to drop this by. - What is it?
Well, it's several of the overdue loans for the business.
They... Well, they want their money. And they've put a lien on the property.
They're gonna foreclose.
MATTHEW: Just keeps getting better.
What does this all mean?
I've been telling you for months that we're in trouble...
...and you know, math is not your strong suit.
Listen, the...
The Chevy plant just canceled their order.
They weren't excited when they found out you had...
...scabs building parts for the vehicles.
So everything that you're doing here, it's meaningless.
How did they know about this if it weren't for one of you?
We're in a small town, Matt. Everybody knows everything.
- So that's it? - No, it's not it. If you sign this document...
- ...Tomatsu will take care of your debt. - Get out.
- Come on, man. - Get out. Now.
Oh, hey, if you change your mind, let me know, Matt. Okay?
MATTHEW: So, wait. Albert was your boss?
I worked for him when Clarence was very young...
...and he had me doing some things I didn't think were right.
He was stealing, and when I confronted him about it, he fired me.
Well, he couldn't pull this off by himself.
Bob may be in on it, but there's gotta be someone else.
Someone on the outside that's pulling strings. Somebody with more clout.
Did you find anything that looks like the books may be cooked?
Ah. Some minor discrepancies on invoices, but nothing substantial.
I'm gonna head over to Mayfair, see if I can get this Chevy contract back.
I'll take CJ with me.
Good luck.
[IN UNISON] On both.
[MUSIC]
Hey, CJ, wonder if we'll get some snow tonight.
Okay, and while I pump, why don't you run in...
...and grab us a couple of drinks for the road?
- WOMAN 1: I cannot believe it. - WOMAN 2: I can't believe it either.
WOMAN 1: I heard he was stealing from his own business.
That's why there won't be a Christmas pageant.
My husband said he didn't care what happens to the town.
He's turned his business into some cheap hotel.
- He'll probably screw all those people too. - Oh, Lord.
Speak of the devil.
WOMAN 1: I can't believe he's showing his face around here.
WOMAN 2: The sight of him makes my stomach turn.
Maybe we can go skating tomorrow?
Huh? You said you like to skate.
Maybe get you some of those new titanium skates.
Guaranteed to keep you floating across the ice. What do you say?
You like music?
# It's not so bad when winter brings You and Christmas closer to me ##
[LINE RINGING]
You said you were gonna meet me down here today.
What pressure? From who?
I don't understand. Why can't I just have five minutes of your time?
Stop. Listen. My family has been doing business with you for over 50 years.
No, you don't understand. Kevin, I need this today.
[MUSIC]
Hello?
Why didn't you tell me?
- What? - There wasn't gonna be a pageant.
No decorations, no manger, no tree lighting?
No Christmas celebration?
- You tricked me. - No.
You didn't say anything. Kept it all a secret.
- Look, CJ, I never meant to hurt... - Don't call me "CJ" anymore.
- You're not my friend. - I am your friend. I didn't tell you...
...because I didn't wanna hurt you. I thought there'd be some miracle...
...and we wouldn't be having this conversation.
You have to believe.
- I believe. - That's just nonsense.
Okay? You can't just say the words, "I believe," and think it'll be okay.
I didn't wanna tell you, but life isn't like that.
The world is not like that.
All things aren't possible.
I am losing my business.
They're taking it all away.
There are no more miracles, son.
Nothing. I am sorry, Clarence.
There's no Christmas pageant.
There's no Peyton Automotive. It's over.
[MUSIC]
You said you believed once. When you were little.
I used to believe every year that my parents would be around for Christmas.
- Believing in that didn't change things. - Is that why you don't want it anymore?
I don't want it anymore because it still hurts.
Okay? And nobody cares.
I care.
I love you.
[MUSIC]
Chevy just called.
They wanna meet you at 8:30.
- What? - Here's the address. Yeah.
MATTHEW: "Love to catch up?" That does not make any sense.
- Unless... - Unless what?
Give me your keys.
- What? - I need to borrow your truck.
Uh...
- Okay. - Thank you.
Day four coming up.
Hope these people have learned to fish.
They're gonna need a big net.
There's one mistake I can try and fix.
Give these to Charlie.
He'll know what to do.
NANCY: I never really thought you were Scrooge.
[MUSIC]
Aw, he finally ran out of steam.
Last few days caught up with him. He is out.
Fair enough.
So is Matthew gone?
He went back to see if he could resuscitate...
...the Chevy contract one more time.
- Oh, that's great. - Yeah.
- I pray everything works out for him. - I do too.
You two seem close.
He's a special man.
Oh.
We're like brother and sister.
Oh.
He's very fond of you and your boy.
Clarence is very fond of him too.
Yeah.
It's not his fault, you know? The pageant and everything.
He told me how excited CJ is. I think it's shaken him a bit.
Oh, Clarence still believes it'll happen.
He does. He believes that God will find a way to help Matthew.
That's incredible strength of faith for a young man.
I just hope that same strength helps him accept things...
...if they don't happen the way that he wants.
But I believe it too.
I do. I believe.
Matthew has done something...
...that no one has done in a very long time.
He's given all of these people hope.
They have hope that they still matter to society...
...and it's renewed their faith that prayers really are answered.
And yeah, you're right.
They're not always answered in the way that you want, but, boy...
...they're always answered.
I hope your faith is enough.
I do.
It's gotta be. When you don't have anything in life...
...faith becomes your most valued possession.
[CJ SNORING]
Mind if I take him downstairs, put him to bed for you?
- No, go right ahead. - Thank you.
[MUSIC]
[SHARON HUMMING]
[HUMMING STOPS]
Heh. Well, well, well.
- We good? - Just shut up and drive.
I thought you fled town searching for your old deadbeat husband.
What are you doing here?
- What's going on? - Bob, get in the car, now.
- Matthew's not here. - Just as well.
- I know you're the cause of all of this. - Cause of what, huh?
Stop being so dramatic.
You know, your problem is...
...you don't know the value of a decimal point.
It's like your nose.
Just ends up in the wrong places at the wrong time.
- What happened? - Homeless kid got carried away.
Started a fire. No big deal. Insurance will cover full rebuild.
You're driving him out of business. Why?
It is temporary, sweetheart. Relax.
Peyton Automotive, it's gonna rise out of all these ashes.
It just won't be with Matthew Peyton. Ha-ha-ha.
I didn't sign up for this.
We gave him a chance to sell this place, and he didn't take it.
Are you getting soft on me? Huh?
So, sweetheart, now all I'm doing is getting rid of a little bit of paperwork.
[BOTH GRUNTING]
Come here.
Stop. Let go of me.
[ALBERT GRUNTS THEN SHARON SCREAMS]
Get in the car and drive. Now.
[MUSIC]
[GASPING AND PANTING]
[TIRES SCREECH]
MAN 1: See his car anywhere?
- Let's go inside. Check the other side. - MAN 2: Gotta be here somewhere.
MAN 1: What's that? Smell that? Smoke.
- Fire. - MAN 2: There's a fire.
[MUSIC]
MAN 1: You see a car anywhere?
MAN 2: We gotta look around. He's gotta be here.
MAN 1: Maybe he didn't show.
- MAN 2: No. He's gonna show. - You think?
Yeah. Just keep looking.
Check around back.
[CHATTERING]
[WOMAN LAUGHS]
[RINGING]
- Hello? - Matthew, are you okay?
They set me up, Nancy.
You gotta get back here right away.
- There's a fire. It's bad. - FIREMAN: Clear the area.
What? I'm on my way.
Yeah. He ain't here.
- MAN 1: Hurry up. - MAN 2: Hey, hey, hey. Was that him?
- Who was that? - MAN 1: I don't know. Probably him.
[SIRENS BLARING AND PEOPLE YELLING]
- Are you okay? Where's your mom? - I think she's inside.
- We have to go find her. - No, you stay here. Don't move.
- Sir, his mother is still... - FIREMAN: Hey, hey, come back.
Clarence, no. No.
- Clarence. - Mom.
[COUGHING]
Mom, where are you?
SHARON: Clarence.
Clarence, what are you doing in here? Get out.
Mom.
Get out of here, baby, get out.
- Mom, where are you? - Clarence, get out of here.
MAN: We got some hot spots on...
- Where's Clarence and Sharon? - Clarence went in after her.
- She never came out. - What?
The water's turning to ice. The sprinklers never came on.
- I gotta find them. - MAN: Let's get a ladder up there, boys.
MAN 2: Negative. That roof's gonna...
Mom.
Mom, I can't see you.
MAN: This way, over here.
Mom.
- Sharon. - Clarence is in here. We have to get him.
Stay with her. Do not leave her.
I'll find CJ.
- CJ: Mom. Mom. - MATTHEW: Clarence.
- Clarence. - Mom, help me.
MATTHEW: CJ...
[PEOPLE TALKING INDISTINCTLY]
MATTHEW: He's right here. Can you help me?
Help me.
[MUSIC]
# I'm stuck being broken #
# I'm frozen in time #
# I'm stuck being broken #
# Nearly out of my mind #
# Ever since that heart crush day #
# The future's slipped away #
# Now I'm trapped inside this moment Where sadness never leaves #
# I'm stuck being broken #
# And long for a sign ##
[MONITOR BEEPING]
How's she doing?
She's better.
She said if I saw you out here to send you in.
Thank you.
Hi.
I'm sorry.
How is he?
Matthew?
They tell me the smoke messed up his lungs bad.
- How is he? - He's stable.
He's...
He's just not awake yet.
He's gonna be fine.
Well, I wanna see him.
I know.
- Was anybody else hurt? - No.
Everyone got out safe.
- Oh, thank God. - Yeah.
He had this stuck in his shirt.
[LAUGHS]
[SNIFFLES]
Of course he did.
[MUSIC]
Albert Bagley.
Albert Bagley, Matthew, Albert Bagley set the fire.
It was Albert Bagley. He, um... He was trying to burn all the files.
- What? - Yeah, and...
...I think I hit him with one of your golf clubs.
And then, uh...
Oh, I don't remember. I just...
I woke up at the bottom of the stairs, and...
...that's when I saw CJ.
Oh, Matthew.
[MATTHEW SHUSHES AND SHARON SOBS]
- Tell me it's gonna be okay. - It's okay.
Tell me that he's gonna be okay. He's all I have.
He's gonna be just fine.
# It might look easy For someone else #
# Don't let your first glance Be the charge #
This year, I'm gonna be the big guy.
Gabriel, okay.
All things are possible to those who believe.
# Somebody to teach us #
# Children of God Are both young and old #
# It's never too late to believe it all #
# We all have a purpose #
MATTHEW: Gabriel was the coolest angel of all.
And all the cool guys wear their hats off to the side, right?
Yeah.
# He's always with us ##
MATTHEW: Clarence, you and your mother have given me...
You've given me something I haven't had for 30 years. You're...
I feel like you're my family.
[SNIFFLES]
[SIGHS]
What I'm trying to say is...
...I believe.
I believe in this unconditional love that you've...
You've shown me. I've never understood that.
I've worked my entire life, and I...
I don't know what I've been working for, and then you come into my life.
MAN: Mr. Peyton.
I have a warrant for your arrest.
What is this?
I'm sorry, but burning your business to the ground isn't gonna hide the truth.
You're right.
- It won't. - BLACKHORN: I don't think it'll be hard...
...to convince a jury what you did.
You raised your insurance coverage by $3 million a few weeks ago.
You had everything to gain by burning that business to the ground.
MATTHEW: Are these your thugs?
Same guys you sent to kill me the first time?
See, at first, I thought it was Bob Alexander, and then I realized, no.
- It was you. - What are you talking about?
What does that prove?
That I was nowhere around Peyton Automotive at the time.
You could've taken that photo at any time.
Except for that he sent them to me.
- Date and time. - Big deal.
Oh, and I also found this couple of hours ago.
This look familiar, Albert?
That doesn't prove I was ever in your office.
Sharon said she hit you across the arm with a golf club.
[BOTH GRUNT]
Maybe we should take a look, see if there are bruises.
Whoa, whoa, seriously?
Ha. Okay. If it's gonna prove a point, then how about this?
Ta-da. Look. Nothing. Are you happy?
SHARON: Wrong arm.
Remember, it was right before you pushed me down the stairs.
After you set the files on fire.
OFFICER: Let me take a look at that.
- Okay. Well, I can explain this. - And then there's also this.
Maybe this is exactly what you were trying to destroy.
A history of random payments to an outside account.
BLACKHORN: Now, that doesn't prove much of anything.
I think you setting fire to your company for the insurance money...
...after the Chevy contract was canceled says it all.
How do you know about the Chevy contracts?
Huh. Turns out they weren't canceled, Mr. Blackhorn. They were reinstated.
You see, it didn't ring a bell at first.
Then I was reminded how much property in this town that you own.
They own most of our homes.
Yes. I own a lot of property in this town.
You ever hear of a company called BLK Properties?
Turns out BLK Properties actually owns the building for TRB Parts.
Let me remind you, Peyton, I represent the city here.
- You're the one who's gonna be on trial. - Maybe not.
I told you I don't like being bothered, and this really bothers me.
These are the redevelopment plans...
...for your slum project for the start of the year.
They mysteriously landed on my desk a couple days ago.
Little angel must've dropped them off.
You were gonna tear down those buildings...
...and use it as a new holiday Christmas pageant...
A project that was started in partnership with Tomatsu.
Not only were you gonna send these people back to the streets...
...you were trying to steal the Christmas pageant from this town.
- Mr. Attorney. - I suggest we gather up your lawyers...
...and have a little chat downtown.
- You can't do this. - MATTHEW: I can and will.
Mr. Peyton, you're free to go for now.
I think we have a little more investigating to do.
[EKG FLATLINING]
MATTHEW: Clarence?
You're back.
Oh!
[SIGHS]
Hey, Mom.
Don't you ever, ever, ever not listen to me again.
You scared me so much.
I could've lost you.
I found your Bible.
I saved it for you.
You saved more than you know.
We should let him rest.
Right.
Hey, we're gonna be right here, okay?
I'm so proud of you for what you did, and I love you.
I love you, Mom.
I love you too, Mr. Peyton.
[MUSIC]
I love you, Clarence.
CJ.
Hey, look. The nurse cleaned it for me.
Almost like new.
I wonder if I can wear it tonight. I haven't been to the rehearsals...
...but I know what to do. I dreamed it while I was asleep.
There's no pageant.
Don't you remember?
But you said you believed.
- I did? - Yeah.
I heard you while you were sitting with me.
- Well... - Hey, Mom, we gotta go.
Gabriel can't be late.
Ahem. Honey, we're gonna...
We're gonna stay at Mr. Peyton's house till we get the heat straightened out.
All right, that's great, but we really have to go.
Matthew? Matthew, come on.
[MUSIC]
This is the way to Peyton Park, right?
- Honey, look. - I believe.
I believe.
Sweetheart, I'm so sorry, but it's not here.
There's no one here.
Keep going. Keep going.
I believe. I believe.
- Clarence. - It's okay, Mom.
I believe. Just keep going.
Okay. We have to get you to Mr. Peyton's house and get you settled in.
Don't go home yet. I'm not tired. Just keep driving.
I believe.
I believe. I believe.
- I believe. - Sharon.
SHARON: Matthew.
[GASPS]
Yes. I told you I believe.
I can't believe this. I mean, I... I believe.
- Ha! - This is amazing.
[MUSIC]
CJ: Oh, wait. I gotta go.
- I can't be late. - Wait... Clarence, wait.
I'm coming. I'm coming.
[MUSIC]
You taught them to fish.
You taught the whole town.
MAN: And the shepherds...
...they were in the field nearby, watching their sheep.
Well, they covered their eyes from the luminous explosion.
And they were frightened until the warrior angel appeared...
...and told them not to be.
I believe in the miracles of Christmas.
I bring you good tidings.
For tonight, on this night...
...a child is born in the city of David, called Bethlehem...
...tucked away in a manger...
...because there was no place for him to stay.
A savior is born.
Our Christ, our Lord is born.
As the shepherds who lived in the fields nearby...
...looked after their flocks in the night...
...I appeared to them, and they were terrified.
And I said, "Do not be afraid.
For I bring you good news of great joy for all people.
Go to Bethlehem and you will find a baby...
...wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger.
Glory to God in the highest."
If you believe in your heart and pray long enough, it'll come true.
"Peace, goodwill toward men."
MATTHEW: Where'd you learn to dance like that?
I guess it's just always been inside of me. I just gotta let it all out.
# Nothing stands in the way #
CJ: Merry Christmas.
All things are possible to those who believe.
I believe.
# Live in glory Glory #
# Let there be peace #
# Let it start in me #
# Let it start in me ##
Told you you'd cry. Ha-ha-ha!
[MUSIC]
# All right #
# Bringing all the cheer It's the best time of the year #
# Celebration turning up Chilling with my peers #
# Grandma made a cake She be acting all bad #
# You know I'm SpongeBob 'Cause I try to stay ready #
# I asked to play the drum Mary's mom said it was cool #
# I'm a boy, you're Mr. T Always pity the fool #
# Christmas town to town Where we all get fixes #
# What was born was a king And you can take it to the bank #
# Angels we have heard on high Beating our drum in this silent night #
# We got jingle bells For every boy and girl #
# Celebrating the king Bringing joy to the world #
# I showed you what I can do #
# I did things I wanna see what you can do #
- # I got you # - # Show me what you got then #
# I got you #
# Let's go #
# Yeah, I got my drum And ain't nobody gonna stop me #
# The light is where I'll be You know that this is coming #
# Back and forth and back again Something I ain't lacking in #
# Don't got a lot of riches But I made a metal, Mr. Tin #
# I hope I make them proud When I'm on this thing busting #
# My kicks so heavy Like the old Jennifer Hudson #
# I'm gonna play my dip I know my blessing's gonna come #
# Then I'm grabbing all these haters That be hating on my drum #
# One two, one two #
# Shall I play for you? #
# Bumping, bumping, Bumping in your trunk #
# My gift to bring Is this rhyme and my drum #
# To lay before the king While your hands go up #
# And you feel it deep down All you need is love #
# Well, they told me A poor boy rockin' #
# But I got my finest gift to offer him #
# Angels we have heard on high Beating our drum in this silent night #
# We got jingle bells For every boy and girl #
# Celebrating the king Bringing joy to the world ##
[MUSIC]
# I don't want to miss this I don't want to close my eyes ##
# A light in the darkness #
# Breaking through the night #
# We've been waiting #
# Knowing there's something more #
# Hope is here #
# A miracle #
# Come and see the mystery #
# Come believe That greater things are possible #
# Come and see the mystery #
# Come believe That greater things are possible #
# Believe #
# Oh, believe #
# I don't want to miss this I don't want to close my eyes #
# A light in the darkness Breaking through the night #
# We've been waiting #
# Knowing there's something more #
# Hope is here #
# A miracle #
# Come and see the mystery #
# Come believe That greater things are possible #
# Come and see the mystery #
# Come believe That greater things are possible #
# Believe #
# Oh, believe #
# Every heart is awakening #
# And we will rise like the morning #
# And this song of this city Is changing #
# And forever we will sing #
# Yes, forever we will sing #
# Come and see the mystery #
# Come believe That greater things are possible #
# Come and see the mystery #
# Come believe That greater things are possible #
# Believe #
# Oh, believe #
# Believe ##
Translated by: Shaun Ritter