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(lively music)
♪ Ah ah ah ah ah ♪
♪ On the first day of Christmas ♪
♪ My true love gave to me ♪
♪ A partridge in a pear tree ♪ - Ah.
Good morning. Ooh.
- Ah ah ah ah ah. Don't touch.
- Oh, Jen, come on. It's okay.
I don't mind if they're not iced yet.
- There are 24 people in my office, Carla.
If everyone has two,
and Neil in Accounting will totally have three,
there won't be enough.
To thank my boss Tony for recommending me
for the Head Game Creator position.
- Or you could tell Tony that you got up at 4 AM,
showered, got dressed,
nailed your grandmother's sugar cookie recipe,
all before 7 AM.
I mean, they should give it to you
for just organizational prowess alone.
Except my friend Jennifer Holloway
doesn't exactly speak up at work.
- I speak up.
- When? (timer dings)
♪ Turtle doves ♪
♪ And a partridge ♪
- Today.
(both giggling)
(upbeat holiday music)
(horns honking)
(light knocking)
- [Aidan] Shannon!
- In the kitchen.
- Hi.
- Thank goodness.
Oh no!
You look so nice.
- It's okay, okay. - You must have somewhere
important that you're supposed to be.
- It's fine, it's fine.
- Sorry, I just couldn't afford to call a plumber
for the 10th time.
- That's not a problem, Shannon.
Just gimme the thing.
What am I gonna do with a hammer?
- Haven't had a coffee yet today
or a shower because the house decided
it was more important for it to have a shower than me.
And the water heater is making weird noises again
so that's probably gonna- (wrench clanging)
- Okay it's done.
- Done? Really?
- Yeah, it's okay.
I got ya.
(lighthearted music) (water hissing)
- Let's go get you one of Dad's shirts.
(lively festive music)
I won't keep calling.
- Stop. Call any time, seriously.
- You have a job.
- And you have a full-time business and a child.
Speaking of that child...
- Uncle Aidan.
(Aidan growling)
- Emma, you were supposed to be dressed 10 minutes ago.
We're gonna be late.
- Why are you here, Uncle Aidan?
Did something else break down?
- No.
Your house is perfect and beautiful just like you.
Why? You wanna go break something?
- Okay, that's enough. Let's go.
Come on, missy.
- Have fun, you little tiny human.
- But you're coming back to do the wreaths tonight.
- And whatever else needs doing, yeah.
(light upbeat music)
Hey, wait.
You're not the only big deal in this family.
I'm also a big deal.
I have a very important meeting today.
Wish me luck.
- [Both] Good luck.
(light knocking)
- You didn't get my email?
- What email?
- The one I sent this morning to everybody
announcing that Tony quit.
(people chattering) (phones ringing)
- What?
- That company in Minneapolis called on Friday
and offered him the job.
Alastair was so ticked that he paid Tony's severance
and let him go on the spot.
Do I smell cookies?
Grandma Sue's sugar cookies. My favorite.
- Tony's too.
They were supposed to be his thank you
for putting in a good word with Alastair.
- But, you know, you should talk to him yourself.
- And say what?
- Since you've started, you've worked really hard.
I mean, you're detailed, people love you
and your scavenger hunts,
and, I mean, you would be the perfect person
for that Game Creator position.
- Oh, Anne, can you just talk to him?
I mean, say exactly what you just said.
- Hey, there is nothing wrong with standing up for yourself
and asking for what you want.
- See, that rolled perfectly off your tongue.
- Jennifer, you're a people person.
I mean, you're so good in front of people
until they're in charge of you.
(light upbeat music) You've told me over and over
how much you want this job
and Alastair is gonna make his decision before Christmas
so it's speak now or forever hold your peace time.
- You're right. I don't need Tony.
I'm going in there right now.
- That a girl.
Oh, I will hold onto those.
- Okay. (chuckles)
I'll just send an email.
(lighthearted music)
- Big Bill, are you ready to go?
- No, honey. Just try to stay comfortable.
And hey, if anything changes, just text me, okay?
I love you too.
Goodbye. (phone beeps)
- Everything okay?
- Heather's due any day.
She's having Braxton Hicks contractions
so I don't even know (upbeat music)
if she's in labor.
Should I go home?
No, presentation's important.
And she's not actually in labor.
Right?
- I don't know anything about what you just said.
But do you wanna go to this meeting?
- Yeah.
Can't believe I'm gonna be a dad.
- None of us can.
- What?
- I'm kidding. You're gonna be an incredible father.
Can't think of a better Christmas gift.
You good? - Yeah, absolutely.
- Good. - Do I look okay?
- Yeah, you're a superstar, just a little bit distracted.
- No, no, I'm 100% focused. (message alert rings)
Hold on. It's Heather.
- What are you doing?
Are you up for this or not?
- Yeah, I'm good, don't worry.
Diapers are my specialty.
- What?
(lighthearted music) - Huh?
- Diapers are your specialty?
- No, clients. Clients are my specialty.
- [Alastair] Aidan, Bill.
- Good morning, Alastair.
- [Men] Good morning.
- Great.
Wanda Simler, VP of marketing for Devonshire Hotels.
- Pleasure to meet you, Wanda.
- You too. - Bill and I are very excited
to hear about the event.
- I look forward to hearing what you got.
- Absolutely. (message alert rings)
(lighthearted music) Oh, I'm sorry.
Gotta get this.
- Ah.
Well, shall we get started then?
- Please.
(people chattering) (phones ringing)
You're better than this. Come on.
(keyboard clacking)
- I'm writing because I would like you to consider me
for the Head Game Creator position.
The reason I should be
Head Game Creator is... (gentle music)
I should just go talk to him, right?
(lighthearted music)
- So the way an online scavenger hunt works
is the participants download an app
that we create on their phone.
On the day of the hunt-
- On the day of the hunt, they receive an alert
the game is going live and a clue pops up.
I've been down this road.
The head of the Devonshire has also been down this road.
She fired our last game company on Friday
and our event goes live this Saturday.
- Yeah, why don't you guys walk Wanda
through some of our biggest campaigns
so she can get a feel of what kinda hunt she's after
and then we can dive right in.
- Great, we're gonna run you
a demo of one of our recent successes.
If you just open up the app on that...
(message alert rings)
phone.
- Do you need to go?
(lively music)
- Oh, my wife!
- Uh, Bill, how 'bout you step outside.
Aidan, perhaps you could-
- Walk Wanda through the rest of the app?
Absolutely.
Here, why don't you take mine?
Hardly ever pings at all.
- [Bill] What?
You sure?
Oh, God, okay, I'll be right there. Don't worry.
- If you'll excuse me.
Aidan, you got the room.
- [Bill] Yeah, I'm coming, yeah.
I gotta go.
- Bill, Bill, stop.
- [Bill] She's having contractions at two minutes apart.
- [Alastair] It's gonna be fine.
- I gotta go. - Go!
- Thank you.
Excuse me.
- Jennifer.
(people chattering) (phone ringing)
So the woman in my office (lively music)
is the marketing director
of the newly restored Devonshire Hotel downtown.
They've already spent 18 months restoring every inch
to preserve its history
and now they wanna open with a big splash.
They've already fired two companies
for not meeting their standards
and now she has the impossible deadline
of a Christmas scavenger hunt
to promote the opening this Saturday.
(Jennifer chuckles)
Jennifer, this is our shot to finally attract luxury brands.
If we rescue this campaign for Wanda,
we get a chance at the entire chain.
That's 86 hotels across the country.
Any reason you can't step in?
- Me? Uh...
(tense music) - Personal commitments?
- No.
- Going on a trip? - No.
- Ghost in the house? - No.
What?
- Any reason at all you can't work with Aidan
this week and help make this happen?
- No, I mean, yes. No and yes.
- Bingo, you're in. Let's go.
So Bill's gone home. Meet Jennifer.
- What?
- Since our brand already appeals to tourists,
our goal is to focus on locals and broaden our clientele.
- Staycations.
Let Chicagoans enjoy their time off
in the comforts of the city they know best.
That's great. - Or introduce those
who think they know the city
to places they didn't know before.
(light music) - What's that?
- Who, me?
Well, it's just that Chicago
is filled with incredible neighborhoods
that not everyone's had a chance to explore,
each with its own history and holiday traditions.
Little Italy, Greektown, Andersonville.
We could design the clues so that people get to know
the city better with the last clue bringing them
to the Devonshire.
Unless you all had a different idea.
- It's terrific.
- It is terrific.
- The last clue can bring everyone to the soft opening
where they can join our Christmas party.
- Where the winner gets a prize
which you can wrap as a present
under your giant Christmas tree.
- Great idea.
Maybe we give away a weekend stay at the coming year.
- A real staycation.
They get the prize that you want them to want.
- Great.
Is there a theme for this party?
- I thought we'd tie it in to the scavenger hunt.
So-
- A winter wonderland.
White snowflakes and fur trees (tense music)
covered in snow.
- We've seen that before.
Jennifer?
- Uh... could it be "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?
Each clue could correspond with a line in the song.
Five golden rings, a partridge in a pear tree.
- Well, partridges aren't really native to the Midwest but-
- The riddles don't have to be literal.
A bird in a tree-
- Or it could be a hawk,
the Chicago Black Hawks hockey team.
- Which isn't named after a bird.
Are you even from here?
- I'm from Iowa.
- Oh.
- Do you have a counterproposal?
- Do I have a...
Yeah, I have a counterproposal.
Um... since the song is (gentle music)
about gifts from a true love,
we choose romantic locations in each of those neighborhoods.
- The 12 dates of Christmas. (lively music)
- There it is!
The 12 dates of Christmas.
I like her, Alastair.
Good call.
I'll need 24 Christmas clues for the 12 dates of Christmas
in my email by end of day Wednesday.
- 24 clues?
- They won't all be winners.
We wanna have plenty to choose from.
- You got it.
Here, let me walk you out.
- Jennifer, walk me out.
- [Alastair] Of course. Jennifer.
- Okay.
(phone ringing)
(Aidan chuckling)
- That is a win.
- You can't take Bill off this project,
not with this kind of turnaround.
- Bill is on paternity leave as of 30 minutes ago.
And you need to learn to partner with other people.
- Don't like other people. Like Bill.
- Listen, Bill might be your work husband
but he's actually Heather's real husband
and probably somebody's father right now.
And if I was you, I would take this opportunity
to get comfortable with other people.
- You know I work better alone.
Let me just, I'm gonna handle this myself.
(light upbeat music) I got it. Don't worry.
- No, you will team up with Jennifer and not leave her side
until you guys come up with at least 36 good ideas.
- 36?
- They won't all be winners.
- All right.
(people chattering)
(Aidan sighing)
- Hey.
So that was a surprise.
- Yes it was.
- But I'm really glad to have this opportunity.
- Listen, Iowa-
- Jennifer.
- What'd I say? - Look, I know
we haven't worked together before
but I assure you I've come up with some great stuff.
- Uh huh. - Jerome's Hardware.
I did their team-building hunt
and they had so much fun- - Right.
- they wrote me a thank you card
and all the employees signed it.
- Is this your thing, you blurt things out?
- Oh, well, to tell you truth,
sometimes I just get really nervous
and I can't help it.
But Wanda seemed
to like the idea. - Jerome's Hardware
was an in-person hunt, yes?
- Yes, around the bean.
- For what, like 20 people?
This one's online for, I don't know,
hopefully a few thousand.
- You know, why don't we just meet
in my office to brainstorm.
I can put on the song for inspiration
and we can- - As lovely as that sounds,
and it does sound lovely,
Bill and I usually work at our own desks
and we come up with our ideas.
Usually I like to just work in, what's the word, quiet.
So maybe we just reconvene tomorrow
and we compare notes.
Is that okay?
- Um, fine.
- Okay.
Okay, great. (upbeat music)
I'm looking forward to it.
(lively holiday music)
- Hey, Mr. Romano.
(light tense music)
You need some help?
Okay then.
- Tell me everything.
I'm gonna go make tea.
(gentle music)
- So there's one bow.
- Yeah?
- Then there's two bows.
- Two bows.
- Three bows.
- Slow down. - Four bows.
- Four, quadruple bows? It's way too many bows.
(Emma giggling)
- You excited to come to the craft fair?
- I'm so excited.
We're gonna sell so many wreaths.
We're gonna be so rich.
- It's a fundraiser.
- That's right, that's right.
- Dad says we need to promote it more this year.
Last year we almost didn't make enough money
to keep the music program going.
- You know your dad would be here if he could, right kiddo?
- Yeah.
He was deployed at Christmas three years ago too.
Remember that?
- I do, did you know your mother was your age
when we spent Christmas in Okinawa?
That's where our dad was stationed.
- Actually, when I was her age, we were in Belgium.
Okinawa was later.
- Oh yeah, that's right.
Your mother's smarter than me. Remember that.
- Is it true this house is going to be condemned soon?
- I take it back. What are you doing?
- She heard me and Dave talking on Skype.
I was joking.
Do you remember when I said I was joking?
- It is falling apart.
- It has its challenges.
But your Great Grandpa Jack bought this house
long before you or I were even born
and he restored it with his own hands.
He would never let anything happen to it.
All right, Emma, it's time for bed.
Say good night to Uncle Aidan.
- [Aidan And Emma] Good night, Uncle Aidan.
- Jinx. Make a silly face.
Yes, there it is.
Okay, perfect.
These wreaths are amazing.
Your fair's gonna be a huge success
and we're gonna make so much money.
I mean, be generous.
- Better be.
They chose a super lame theme this year.
Winter wonderland.
(comical music)
(dough thuds)
- I think my work partner hates me.
- Who could hate you? (dough thudding)
- This guy, Aidan.
He's all like, don't bother me.
I'm so busy.
Look how grumpy I am.
- Uh, maybe Aidan just doesn't enjoy this time of year.
- Who doesn't enjoy this time of year?
- Look, maybe you should bake him something like...
oh I see that plan is already in action.
Meltaways.
Now, that'll warm him up.
- (sighs) This is the shot that I've been waiting for.
So if I blow it and I don't get promoted
to Head Game Creator, my family's for sure gonna say
it's time to go back to being an Iowa Hawkeye,
which is also not a bird.
- Really?
(phone ringing)
- Grandma Sue.
I'm making your Meltaways
right now. (gentle music)
- [Carla] Hi, Grandma Sue. Muah!
- And I just finished your ornament.
Will you be back home for me to give it to you?
- Are you kidding?
I wouldn't miss Christmas at the farm for anything.
- You know, I just happened to have a batch
of Meltaways dough waiting in the fridge.
Roll 'em out together?
- I'd love that.
- The sink today, tomorrow who knows.
Who would have guessed that Grandpa Jack
was an architecture professor.
- The house is 120 years old.
- Happy birthday to the house.
I know I probably shouldn't say this out loud
but are we gonna have to sell?
- We're not selling the house.
- I know I don't want to.
I'm just worried we might have to.
Can't afford to keep fixing it
and the foundation issues.
Maybe the historical society is interested.
- Shan.
No. - Or one of his students.
Remember how he used to have them over for Sunday salons?
They worshiped him.
- Stop.
- We could call Dad.
- We are not calling Dad.
All right, I'm not gonna stress him out.
He's got enough to worry about as it is.
We are just going to fix the house.
He's going to retire here
just like we talked about.
- I know.
- And I'm gonna keep doing everything that I can
until I get the promotion
to Head Game Creator, (gentle music)
which should be any day.
Then I should be able to make everything right, okay?
- Okay.
(Aidan chuckles)
- Okay, I gotta run.
I gotta come up with 18 clues for a scavenger hunt
from "The Twelve Days of Christmas".
Great.
- That sounds like six clues too many.
- Exactly right.
And I got a new partner to micromanage.
A talker.
- Oh, I know how much you love those.
Didn't Alastair say you need to be more open
to working with others, you know,
so you can actually be considered
for the Head Game Creator job?
Be more of a people person?
- You don't have to remember everything I tell you.
- Actually, as your sister I do. (chuckles)
What happened to Bill?
- Bill's wife had a baby.
- That's nice. An early Christmas present.
- It's nice for him but I'm stuck with a green partner.
- What's the new guy's name?
- Jennifer.
(lighthearted music)
Don't make that face.
- What? This is just my face.
- Right.
- Give her a shot.
You never know.
She might surprise you.
- Yeah. (sighs) (lighthearted festive music)
Okay.
Good night.
- [Grandma Sue] You said you were loving that job.
- I do.
It's just hard to stand out.
- Well, you never had trouble with that before
or at your old job.
- It's different in Chicago.
- Then come home. (gentle music)
- Grandma.
- Plus your ornament is waiting.
Jenny, there's nothing in Chicago you can't have here.
- I have a big day tomorrow, Grandma.
Can I call you back?
- You can call me any time.
Love you.
(phone ringing)
- Good morning.
I brought you coffee.
- Wow, that's really nice. Come on in.
- Wow, you really go for the minimalist vibe, huh?
- [Aidan] Yeah.
(people chattering)
- Although that wreath is cute.
Did you make it? (phones ringing)
- No, it's my niece's.
She made it for a fundraiser for her school.
You can take a seat.
(lighthearted music)
(intercom beeps)
Yeah.
- Hey, Aidan. I've got Wanda from the Devonshire Hotel
on line one.
- Are you ready?
- I mean, I did some work but I thought we had until-
- Tomorrow. She's probably just checking in.
Wanda, hi.
- Hey, you two. How's it going.
- Great. - It's going good yeah.
Really good.
We've got a great list (people chattering)
of possible places and clues to get us started.
- Perfect.
Why don't you two come down to the hotel,
get a feel for the place,
and pitch me your ideas over lunch.
- Lunch? Right.
Um... we were actually hoping that we could have more time
to combine our lists.
We thought we had a day or two.
- Uh, restaurant's not open yet but I'll let the chef know
we wanna do a late lunch.
See you at two. (light upbeat music)
- No, no, not 2:00.
Aidan was saying...
We have five hours.
- Yeah. (tense music)
Better get to work.
I think you'll find a lot more inspiration
working from my office.
- Where is your office?
- [Jennifer] Here.
- Wow, it's like Santa's workshop.
- I know.
Fun, right? (giggling)
- Very fun.
What's that?
- Mulling spices.
In a few minutes it's gonna smell like apple pie in here.
(upbeat music)
Uh, let me take the board.
- Sure.
- You want a cookie?
- No thank you.
Excuse me, pal.
So is it like this all the time
or just in December?
- It wouldn't be special if I left it up all year.
(sighs) So how do you wanna do this?
(people chattering)
- Uh, well did you wanna start?
- Sure.
Well, for starters, I thought the app
could have a fun Christmas tree design
with 12 ornaments representing each hidden clue.
So the players open the clue and once they've solved it,
they take a picture and post it online.
If it's correct, they get sent the next clue.
And everyone can monitor the game on our social media page.
- Yeah, it's very good. It's good.
(lighthearted music) - Thanks.
- So did you come up with any clues?
- Uh, sure, yeah.
18 clues.
Should I... I can read them out loud.
- No, no. Oh that's fine.
Why don't I just take a look?
- Oh, okay.
(Aidan sniffles)
(lighthearted music)
Right.
I can see you put a lot of thought into it.
It's just that some of them are impossible.
For instance, 11 pipers piping,
you suggest people take a photo of Piper's Restaurant.
- Best pecan pie ever.
- Closed about a month ago. Owner retired.
- Oh.
(lighthearted music) Just cross that off.
What else?
- Nine ladies dancing.
- Yes, so the Radio City Rockettes do nine shows a week
at the Chicago Theater till Christmas Eve.
- Sold out.
Since September, yeah, every year.
Look, I know you don't really live here-
- I live here. What do you mean?
- Oh, for the last few months or whatever-
- A year and a half.
- [Aidan] I was close.
- You're a native so you know the city better.
I just thought I might have
a good outsider perspective, that's all.
Did you like any of them?
- Yeah.
Egg nog milkshakes for eight maids a-milking.
That's clever.
- Yes, yes, so we send them to Old Granor Farm
because egg nog originated from farms
when farmers had overages.
And that little farming community off 94
is one that not many people ever get a chance-
- Yep, that's okay, I got it, I got it.
You can...
- Anything else?
Uh, should we read yours?
- Yeah, no, I'm just gonna take the white board
back to my office.
- But we're supposed to work together.
- [Aidan] Yep, you did your part. Thanks for that.
- No, those were just early pitches.
I can actually do this job.
- Not saying you can't.
Just saying I might wanna go back to my office
and maybe I have more experience.
All right.
- So let's read yours so I can learn.
(tense music)
- Yeah, I'm sorry, sure.
(Aidan sighs)
That's it. Go ahead.
- Oh, you've got some pretty good ones here too.
Five golden rings,
the onion rings at Portillo's. (light upbeat music)
- Yeah, that's one of Chicago's great treasures.
- It's not exactly a date though, is it?
Eating onion rings together.
Onion breath.
- Yeah, sure.
- And none of the Portillo's locations
are in out-of-the-way or historic neighborhoods
like we promised Wanda so...
Aidan, you don't have to-
- Let's just regroup in an hour or two
or at the hotel.
- But shouldn't we be working together?
- There's just so much decorations
and music and cinnamon.
- Who doesn't like cinnamon?
- An office shouldn't smell like pie.
Look, I've been doing this for a long time, okay,
and I just, I know that I work better alone.
- You know, I've actually done
some really great things here.
- Jerome's Hardware, I know.
- And the Nurses Association and Sprinter Scooters.
- Sprinter Scooters? That was you?
(phones ringing) (people chattering)
I've heard good things.
- So one good thing I did.
- I'll see you at 1:30.
- At least take a cookie.
(tense music)
- Thank you.
(suspenseful music)
(Aidan sighs)
(tin top clattering)
(lively music)
Hey. Wow.
Luxury brand. Alastair was not kidding.
- This place is incredible.
- Yeah.
- These gingerbread houses are real
made from pastry chefs from all over the city.
Who wants a staycation now?
(message alert rings)
Oh.
Wanda's meeting is running over.
- Wanda's texting you. (message alert rings)
- Yeah.
(light upbeat music)
- Is she rescheduling?
- 20 minutes.
Walk the property, meet you in the restaurant.
Chef's testing the party menu.
Hope you're hungry.
- Okay.
- Hope there's no cinnamon.
- [Aidan] It's only cold when I start biking.
- With the ice and the snow.
It is Chicago and it's supposed to be in the teens all week.
- Ah, I avoid traffic.
Never have to dig my car out. - Okay.
- And it's quiet, especially in the morning
when no one's around.
- Ah. There it is.
- What?
- You like it best when no one's around.
"I prefer to work alone.
Bill and I go back to our own desks.
You do your thing..."
Should I go on?
- No, you've made your point plenty.
(Jenny sighs) Well, I don't mind people
who bake cookies.
- In general or...
- Yours are very good. (gentle music)
I ate 'em. Thank you.
- I think that's the first nice thing you've said to me.
- Is that true?
I'm sorry. That's terrible.
(Jennifer chuckles)
Okay.
(Aidan chuckles)
That is one beautiful blue spruce.
- (chuckles) Wait. You know trees?
- (chuckles) Every Christmas, my Grandpa Jack
would take us to a tree farm up in Lake County.
We got pretty close with the owners
and I would always pick the tallest tree I could find
and we would chop it down together.
He would always pick the blue spruce
because his house was made from it.
He put his heart and soul into that place.
- Sounds like a special home.
- Yep, over a hundred years old.
Acts like it too.
We used to always put the tree right in the front window
so everyone could see in the early mornings.
I'm sorry. I'm rambling.
I just miss the guy sometimes.
- Well, count on me getting a blue spruce
from now on.
- That's nice. (chuckles)
- Hey, speaking of ornaments...
- Yeah? (gentle music)
- Did Wanda say what kind of entertainment
they were having at the party?
- I don't think so no.
- That 12th clue, the one that's meant to bring them here...
- 12 drummers drumming.
- I bet there's a school in Chicago
with an amazing drum line.
Maybe one with some kids that need an extra boost
around the holidays?
Could make some calls.
- Get some little drummer boys.
- And girls.
And their last clue cannot just bring them to the hotel...
- But bring them to the room where the party is at.
- That's a good idea.
- I know. I'm full of them.
(Aidan chuckles)
- Can I ask you something?
Why is it the ideas (lighthearted music)
that you came up with on your own were-
- So lousy?
- Not quite as good as the ones you came up with with Wanda
or say here now with me?
- I work better when I collaborate.
(inspirational music)
- Hm.
I can't believe I've done it. (upbeat music)
I found the one thing you don't have in your office.
A giant lantern filled with ornaments.
- You're right.
Now you know what to get me for Christmas.
Oh, this is more your speed.
A quiet little nook.
Away from any other human being.
- Yeah, you know what, you're right, it's nice.
It's quiet. It's intimate.
Can actually sit, focus on the person sitting across from...
You. (gentle music)
You know, whoever that is.
You can hear what they're saying.
You know, I've been here before with my dad.
He took me to the roof.
It's beautiful. It was before they restored it.
Can see the city.
I was maybe 14 or 15.
But I remember thinking that um...
one day I wanna bring my girlfriend here.
- You should get Wanda to set you up.
- Yeah, I would if I had someone to bring.
I don't have a girlfriend.
Okay. It's about that time.
You wanna head to the restaurant?
- Yeah, let's do that.
Wow.
Oh, you don't have to do-
- Wanda wanted me to give the two of you
the full Devonshire experience.
What do you make of the ambience?
Romantic, yes?
- Very.
But also great (light upbeat music)
for a business lunch, like this one.
- Little work, little play.
May I bring you the wine list?
- No, I think we're okay for drinks.
Just work today.
- Exactly, he usually works with Bill
but Bill had a baby so here I am.
No baby, just two coworkers meeting the client.
How much longer will Wanda be?
- Soon.
I'll be out with the food.
- So do you wanna... - Do you wanna go...
(Jennifer chuckles)
- Sorry.
- You first. - Do you wanna tell me what...
(both laughing)
- You first.
- Look, believe it or not,
the very first turtle race in the United States
was right here in Chicago.
- Seriously?
- Deadly serious.
1902, Chinatown.
The "Chicago Tribune" called it
"the strangest race ever run."
There's a mural on Wentworth Avenue
on the side of a Chinese candy store
depicting those two turtles in that fine race.
- Two turtle doves. Amazing.
Plus dove rhymes with love for when we're making the clues
so that's brilliant. (lighthearted music)
- Why are you here?
- Excuse me.
- I'm sorry, I mean in Chicago instead of Iowa.
- Well, if I said pizza or sports teams.
- Very good answer but...
- You really wanna know?
- I do.
- Well, they don't have much of this in Clear Lake, Iowa.
I mean I love it there.
I love my family, all 80 bazillion of them,
practically all on the same street.
- But...
- They don't understand (gentle music)
what I'm doing here in the big city
and why I'd leave everything behind to play games.
That it makes people happy or helps them grow
as a workforce.
Tony had faith in me.
He said I'd advance within a year.
He was even gonna put me up for the Head Game Creator job
but he didn't do it before he left so...
- Head Game Creator?
You want that position.
- Yeah.
- Well, you know, even if you don't get
that specific promotion, there'll be other ones
that'll come up, you know.
- I suppose but if I don't make a show of progress
and soon, my family's just gonna keep asking
what the point was of leaving home,
my grandmother especially.
Her whole purpose in life is keeping her family close.
Maybe if I don't get the job she's right.
I mean, I love the energy here.
And the creative work? I love it.
But sometimes I do miss home.
And sometimes I feel like I don't completely belong here.
- Right.
- Cranberry brie tartlets.
Roasted Brussels sprouts.
We have candied walnut.
Beef Wellington.
And toasted lobster ravioli.
- Thank you. This all looks amazing.
(Jennifer laughing) - Enjoy it.
- I mean, I wanna dive in and eat every last thing.
But shouldn't we wait for Wanda?
(lighthearted music)
- What?
- Wanda.
We only talked about turtles.
We didn't compare notes on any of the other clues.
- It's okay.
You've got the drummer corps and the eight maids a-milkin'.
- Yeah, and you nailed the turtle doves
so that leaves us with-
- Nine, nine more and, Wanda, hi.
- Here I am. (upbeat music)
Doesn't this look amazing?
(Jennifer laughing)
Been looking forward to this all day.
- Oh good. Us too.
- (sighs) Ready?
Let's dive in and hear what you got.
- I think the nine ladies dancing
turning into couples dance class-
- With samba or tango or folk.
- Or belly dancing is my new favorite.
(women giggling)
- All right, I think we'll just flesh out the final four.
Does that sound good?
- Sounds good. - Okay.
I'm gonna go get the coats.
- [Jennifer] Okay.
- You're good at this.
- Well, Aidan and I have gotten in a rhythm
of working together
and it's been- - No, you.
You're good at this.
- Thank you.
- So why don't you speak up more?
- What?
- Can I tell you a secret?
When I started in this business,
there weren't too many women at the top of my field.
I didn't speak up, not because I didn't have confidence
in my ideas.
I did.
But because I was intimidated into staying silent.
But you know what? That was on me.
You don't lack confidence in your ideas.
- No, I, I know I'm good at this.
- Then why aren't you
claiming that? (gentle music)
- All right, so the ones we have left
are three French hens, five golden rings,
11 pipers piping...
♪ And a partridge in a pear ♪
(Jennifer laughing)
Not doing that again.
- Well, why don't we get a jump on it,
head back to the office?
I can work late.
- Tonight is actually Skype night at my sister's.
- Skype night?
- Yeah, my brother-in-law's deployed.
It's his one time on the computer.
It's time difference.
It's a whole thing. - Oh, that's fine.
Of course.
- Thanks. (tense music)
- We can regroup later, maybe tonight?
- Why don't we do it first thing tomorrow?
Does that work?
- Okay.
Sure.
(gentle music)
Well, have a safe ride.
- Okay.
Safe drive.
- Thanks.
Hi.
Alastair.
- Oh (chuckles).
You caught me.
Your cookies are here.
I made those for Aidan.
- Next time make enough for the rest of the class, will ya?
- You bet.
Alastair?
- Yeah.
- I just wanted to let you know
that I'm interested in the Head Game Creator position.
- Jennifer, I already have four candidates.
Why should I throw you in the mix?
- Well, in addition to coming up with fun scavenger hunts,
I connect easily with people.
All kinds of people.
It's important when you're managing teams.
- Yeah, uh...
Okay, I'll put you on the list.
(light upbeat music) Thanks, Jennifer.
- Wait.
(Jennifer sighs)
I also love this job.
I love everything about the way we inspire people
to connect with others and have fun.
And I know that fun isn't a big metric
in the corporate world, but you know what it's worth
just by the titles (gentle music)
you've given everyone.
Wizard of this and lord of that.
Because fun allows people to relax and be fully themselves
which makes them productive and more engaged
and that affects the bottom line.
Look, I know that I'm from a small town
and I know that some might consider that a disadvantage,
but, you know what?
Actually, that's just the opposite.
Because I know the value of a tight-knit community.
That feeling of being a part of something special
no matter how big or small.
Something personal,
inspiring,
fun.
- Good night, Jennifer.
(upbeat music)
- See, the tree looks good, right, Dad?
- Well, it looks great, Em.
- I put the star on myself.
- [Dave] I wish I could see it in person.
- Me too.
We got you presents.
We're gonna ship 'em out this week.
- [Dave] Aw, thanks, Em.
I can't wait to open them.
You ready for the next chapter of "A Christmas Carol"?
- Yes!
- [Dave] "Merry Christmas, Bob."
- He is a good dad.
- He is.
- "On the back. I'm merrier."
- Just like our dad used to read to us.
- I talked to Dad today.
He's been walking the halls of the hospital every day
getting his strength back.
I think he's really excited about coming back here
in the new year.
- Yeah, of course he is.
That's really good news.
- I wish we could've gotten
all the repairs done (light emotional music)
around here before his return though.
- It'll work out, Shan.
Maybe not by New Years but it'll-
- Mom!
There's something wrong with the Wi-Fi.
- I'll check the router.
- I'll do it.
I've done it before. - No, stay, stay, stay.
Just holler when it works again.
(light upbeat music)
Everyone remain calm.
I'm gonna fix everything.
- I've got French fries, best in the city,
French bulldogs, French language lessons.
Though one doesn't really seem effective.
Could romantic though.
- I got French bread, French pastry,
French wine, French cheese.
There is far too much eating in French.
None of these are the one.
- Well, we could try it from the hen side.
Chickens, poultry, clucking.
- Fried, breaded, fricasseed.
- (chuckles) What is fricasseed?
- I don't know. You're the cook.
- Baker. Very different.
Also it's more eating.
Maybe we're just hungry.
I know I didn't eat breakfast.
Oh, hello, Anne. - Hey.
We just got this great gift basket
from our happy clients at the opera.
- Ah, I remember them.
- Yeah, artisanal Christmas cider
from that new distillery up in Lincoln Square.
Vogelhaus.
Got cinnamon apple cider.
Pear cider.
- Pear cider?
- Yeah, supposed to be delicious.
And they make it there too. (gentle music)
They actually just opened a new tasting room.
- What kinda bird would you say that is?
- Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
- Only if it involves partridges in pear trees.
- Well, Lincoln Square's
in that old German neighborhood, right?
- That's exactly where it is.
- What are you guys talking about?
- Talking about an early lunch.
Don't tell Alastair.
- [Jennifer] It's really nice.
- [Aidan] Good atmosphere.
("The First Noel")
- Hi, can I help you? - Hi.
A colleague told us about your pear cider.
We thought we'd come check it out.
- Yes, you are in luck.
For Christmas, we offer it mulled
with our signature spices.
Let me give you a little sample.
- She does enjoy herself a good mulled spice.
- My sister and I, we actually make it ourselves.
Our last name is Vogel which means bird in German.
- Bird.
- Partridge.
What's that over there?
- Ah, that is our cider and brush class.
It just started.
- Let's do it.
- What's that?
Paint? - Yeah.
- I don't paint.
- Well, me neither.
That's actually a great date.
For the 12 dates.
You know, paint a canvas, have a nice glass of pear cider.
- You know, it's totally okay for beginners.
You'll have so much fun.
- Come on.
- Well, I guess we're leaving.
Do you mind if we...
- By all means.
- Thank you.
- So you being from Chicago, you must have family here.
Your sister and your niece.
- Oh, my sister's here, yeah.
Mother passed many years ago
and my dad's been stationed overseas most of our life.
My sister, Shannon, and I were army brats.
Grew up all over the world.
- So how'd you wind up settling here?
- All of our best memories are in Chicago.
(Jennifer chuckles)
The one thing that was consistent in our childhood
was spending every Christmas
at my Grandpa Jack's big old house on the South Side.
He was a professor at Chicago University.
- So that was home.
Oh, but that's not the house has-
- Falling apart, yep, that's the one.
Shannon moved in after my grandfather died
and the upkeep has been brutal.
- Hey, great work on your tree.
- Mine?
- Yeah, well, both of you.
- [Jennifer] I think she meant yours.
- She did mean mine, she did.
Who woulda known.
(Jennifer laughing)
I wasn't even paying attention.
- Well, that's the secret from now on.
- Okay.
- Hey, we should take a selfie.
If we have pictures of all the locations,
we can put it in the presentation for Wanda
to help her visualize
what our participants will do. - Yeah.
- Okay and we should probably...
get close, make it look an actual date.
- Sure, lean in, of course. (Jennifer laughing)
Should probably get the art in here, huh?
- Oh, yeah. No, yours.
- Mine? - Yours, yeah.
- My Picasso, hey, thank you.
Oh wait, the partridge cider. (light upbeat music)
- Pear cider.
- Pear cider. What did I say?
- I don't know. - Okay.
- Smile.
(camera clicking)
- Lunch? - Yeah.
Starving.
(Aidan clears throat)
- So just up this block, there should be a bunch of places
we can grab a quick bite.
Thinkin' maybe steaks?
What do you think, steaks?
How you feelin'?
- Aidan.
Dominique's Cafe, the home of-
- [Aidan] Chicago's famous coq au vin.
- Which is chicken.
- Which is hen.
- French hens.
- You're a genius.
(people chattering) (dishes clicking)
- That is the greatest lunch
I've ever had. (gentle music)
- That was really good.
- They offer cooking classes at both their locations.
That's romantic.
Learn to make coq au vin together.
- Coq au vin might be a bit complicated.
What about a chicken leg to go?
- You wanna pitch Wanda a chicken leg to go?
- Three chicken legs then,
three French legs.
- I hope everything is to your liking.
- Oh, it was delicious. We loved every bite.
- It was excellent, Dominique, thank you so much.
- Glad to hear it.
- Actually, we were just wondering
about your cooking classes.
- Actually, they just started,
but they haven't been as successful as I'd hoped.
People are intimidated by French cooking
like you have to be some sort of master chef.
- Well, we're creating a scavenger hunt
which will take people to cultural and romantic places
around the city and we would love
to include your restaurant.
- It would be great promotion for you guys.
- Yes, that sounds interesting.
- Question, for your cooking classes,
do you have anything a bit simpler than coq au vin?
- Something that a couple could make together on a date.
- Maybe a French Christmas cookie, something-
- Well, there's always La Buche de Noel.
It's quick and doesn't have many ingredients.
(Dominique speaking in French)
- Oh wow.
That's fun.
- Are we sure that's not harder than chicken?
- We can't overfill.
If we do the buttercream squirts out the sides.
- Listen to your girlfriend.
She knows what she's talking about.
- No, no, no, we-
- We're not uh-
- We just work together. - We're colleagues.
- I like to cook so.
- Well, it shows.
Bon. Ready to roll?
It works better with two pairs of hands.
- Come on.
It's the perfect experience for a couple.
We have to show that.
Mm-hm. - Okay.
So we just go?
- Yeah. - Just roll it?
- [Dominique] Yes, have fun.
- Okay (chuckles). - All right, hold on.
- Go for it. - Don't break it.
Feel like I'm breaking it.
- [Dominique] (chuckles) It's okay.
We cover it with icing. It's fine.
- [Aidan] Okay, not bad.
- Not bad at all.
- Bravo. - There.
Either that was quick or I'm very good at this.
(Dominique chuckles)
- Hey, is it bad if the clues
are around the corner from each other?
We don't wanna bring people back to the same neighborhood.
- Dominique, where's your other location?
- Pine Street, Ukrainian Village.
- [Aidan] All right.
- Now we just have to turn French hens
into a Buche de Noel clue.
- What rhymes with Noel?
Cell, tell, bell.
Bell could work.
- Smell.
Does smell really good in here.
- It smells really, really good in here.
They could take the L to where the swell hens dwell.
- Roll up their sleeves for a spell.
- And make a Buche de Noel.
That's good. - (laughing) Well.
- I think we got it. (gentle music)
- Excellent.
- Thank you.
- Are we ready to taste?
- Yes. - Oh, hold on, wait.
Let's take a photo, right?
A selfie.
- Yeah, okay.
- How do we do this?
- All right, well... - Do I do this with...
Can we just have her do it?
- Yeah, that's okay. - Yeah, okay.
Do you mind? - Of course.
No, I don't mind.
- Thank you so much. (women chuckling)
All right. - Great.
- How do you say fromage in French?
Fromage. There you go. (Jennifer laughing)
(Aidan laughing)
- One more. - Sure.
(camera clicking)
- [Dominique] Excellent.
- Thank you so much.
Let me see.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, Mr. Romano.
Did you go for a hike?
(comical music)
Okay, bye.
(light upbeat music)
What do you think?
- Looks pretty darn good for a Chicago cake.
- Ha.
- I thought you had to be at work all day.
- This was my work today.
- I will never understand your job.
- We're putting together a scavenger hunt.
It'll take people all over the city.
You should follow it on Saturday when we launch.
See a little more of Chicago. (gentle music)
- Sounds like things are going well.
- Uh, Grandma, the things I ate today,
the new parts of the city I saw.
I think you'd really love it here.
Like this guy I'm working with, Aidan.
I thought he was one thing but he's actually something else.
(Jennifer chuckles)
It's just different here.
And Chicago is amazing but sometimes I just...
I feel a little lost with people.
- You just follow your heart, kiddo.
That is the only compass you will need.
(upbeat music)
("We Wish You A Merry Christmas")
- Thank you. - Yes.
- Thanks. - Big fundraising.
Hey.
- Oh wow.
Fun.
Which one is he?
- That one. (clears throat)
- Like a top. Boom.
Now we're both silly.
- You did not tell me he was so cute.
- It's, no, it's not like that.
He's my coworker.
- It's not?
Then why am I here at his niece's middle school
trying to check him out?
- Because you're musical and this is a fundraiser
for the music department.
- Jennifer, I write jingles for an ad agency.
- That's musical.
- So what, is he taken?
- No. He told me he didn't have a girlfriend.
- Lemme just get this straight.
So you know how the other day
you told me that you two had a great time
eating and drinking and painting and baking
and you've been getting along tremendously
at work lately, and he went out of his way
to tell you that he doesn't have a girlfriend?
- No, it-
- Yeah.
No. - No, you're taking this
the wrong way. - I think you-
No, you come with me, let's go.
- No, what?
- [Carla] Come on.
- Also the electrician came by.
He thinks it'll be about 10 grand.
He also found wood rot,
which is usually caused by plumbing problems.
- Lovely.
- [Shannon] Mm-hm.
- Excuse me, sir, how much is this wreath?
- What are you doing here?
- Just thought I'd come show my support.
- Thank you.
- I'm Carla.
- Hi, Carla. (light upbeat music)
- I'm here because I'm a big supporter of music
and for no other reason whatsoever.
- Yep.
- Okay.
- Oh, I'm going to go and find
musical inspiration among the children.
- Don't bother introduce me.
Hi, I'm Shannon. - Sorry, yes, of course.
- I'm Aidan's sister.
- I'm Jennifer, Aidan's coworker.
- Oh.
Nice to meet you.
- Look, Mom.
It's styrofoam pipe cleaner snowmen.
- Oh, nice score!
- Well, this must be the young artist herself.
- Yes, this is the tiny, talented Emma.
- Hi, Emma. I'm Jennifer.
- Hi.
Do you like the wreaths?
- I do. They're beautiful.
How much are they?
- They're $5.
- Sold.
- [Aidan] Wow.
- Thanks.
Do you wanna come see my friend Riley's reindeer ornaments?
- I'd love to.
- He made 'em with real tools.
- Wow. Okay. - Follow me.
- Have fun. (Jennifer chuckling)
- Come on.
(lively Christmas music)
- So that's the new Bill.
- All right, stop.
- I'm gonna go raid the snack table
while Emma upsells Jennifer.
- Okay, I'll be here doing all the fundraising.
- Yeah, you will.
- Enjoy yourself.
- Emma's uncle, right?
- That's right.
- I'd recognize Emma's designs anywhere.
I'm her art teacher Miss Taylor.
- Miss Taylor, you've done an excellent job.
Emma has been gluing and sticking things
all over the house for a long time now.
- She told me about her house.
Sounds like you guys have your hands full.
- She told you about the house?
(chuckles) Yeah, a little bit.
- You know, your grandfather taught my older sister.
She still talks about those Sunday dinners at Jack's place.
- Yeah, I remember those.
What was your sister's name?
- Cori Taylor.
She now runs a contracting business.
Taylor Custom Remodeling.
Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
(people chattering)
Shannon.
- Yeah.
- Grandpa used to have those salons at his house
with all his students, right?
- So...
- So, they were architecture majors.
One runs a contracting business that I just found out
and the others must be architects or designers
or at least in construction
and they all loved Grandpa
and his hundred-year-old house.
(gentle music)
- They might be able to help us out.
- I mean, it's worth a shot, right?
(slow somber music)
(doorbell ringing)
(people chattering)
I have a call into Grandpa's old student Cori Taylor.
Hopefully she can connect us with some of her classmates.
Yeah, thanks, Shannon.
I'll talk to you later. Bye.
(somber music)
Are you an ice skater?
- (chuckles) My Grandma Sue's farm has a pond.
I couldn't wait till it froze up every year.
I got good enough to do an axel.
- Oh, I would pay a lot of money to see that.
(Jennifer chuckling)
11 pipers piping?
That couldn't be
halfpipe bobsledding, could it (upbeat music)
and the five golden rings could be the Olympics
and we'd be done.
- That's actually kinda brilliant
but nothing to do with Chicago.
(light upbeat music)
- Yeah, you're right.
- [Jennifer] Yeah. (chuckles)
- So what are we doing here?
- Well it's a Christmas market.
There's inspiration on every corner.
♪ Here is a hammer and lots of tacks ♪
Do you hear that?
♪ Also a ball and a whip that cracks ♪
Come with me.
♪ Ho ho ho, who wouldn't go ♪
♪ Oh, up on the housetop ♪
♪ Click, click, click ♪
- Thank you, very kind of you. ♪ Down through the chimney ♪
♪ With good Saint Nick ♪
♪ Ho ho ho, who wouldn't go ♪
♪ Oh up on the housetop ♪
♪ Click, click, click ♪
♪ Down through the chimney ♪
♪ With good Saint Nick ♪
(audience applauding) (Jennifer giggling)
- [Caroler] Thank you.
- That was great.
- Thank you.
We're in front of the church every afternoon.
- Merry Christmas.
- [Caroler] Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas. (light upbeat music)
Thank you for that. - Thank you.
Merry Christmas. (people chattering)
Thank you so much.
- Come on, I'll buy you a treat.
- Ooh, I like treats.
- This is for you. - Ah, thank you very much.
- And this is for you. - Thank you very much.
- [Jennifer] That's for you.
- Thank you, Jennifer, very kind.
- The best hot cocoa I've found in the city.
- This is the best hot chocolate I've had in my life.
(Jennifer chuckling)
- Hey, there's a tree lot somewhere in this area, right?
- Wait, you don't have a tree?
(Jennifer chuckles) Your office is the North Pole.
- I've been working so hard.
I haven't had the chance- (bell tolling)
Aidan! (light upbeat music)
- What?
Where at?
What, is it the church?
The bell?
Speak.
- A golden bell.
- That's not actually golden. (inspirational music)
It's steel and they painted it - No, no, Aidan, what does
the bell do at 5:00? - to protect it.
Rings.
Five rings, five golden rings.
- It's perfect.
(Jennifer laughing)
Yeah, but wait, what's the task?
People just go and listen to the carolers?
- Where they could sing along,
take a walk through the square,
have a hot chocolate,
take a selfie with the bell.
It's a good date, right?
- That's a good date.
- I think we have our clue number five.
- We might have (message alert rings)
our number five. - Oh.
And we have a reprieve.
Wanda's too tied up to meet with us today.
She'll see us tomorrow.
- Wanda texted you again.
(lighthearted music)
- Yeah.
So we have the rest of the day
and only 11 pipers piping left
and that shouldn't be too hard.
You wanna go back to the office, be in your own space?
- No, we're on a roll.
And I got just the place. Come on.
(lively upbeat music)
- [Jennifer] What?
- Yeah, this is it. (Jennifer laughing)
Put it in park and let's go.
(Jennifer gasps)
You said you didn't have a tree.
- Yeah, but...
- And you were gonna go to a tree lot in the city.
Really? An Iowa girl?
- Well, I didn't know about this place.
- What better place to get inspiration for our final clue?
Come on!
("Jingle Bells")
- All right.
♪ Jingle bells ♪
So what size are we looking for?
- Well, it's for my apartment so not too tall.
- Okay, well how are these?
- Yeah.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Well, find your tree.
♪ Jingle bells jingle bells ♪
- Well, I have to get a blue spruce, right?
(light upbeat music)
♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪ (Jennifer sighs)
That one. - That's the one?
- Yep. - Positive?
- Mm-hm. - All right, cut it down.
- Wait, (chuckles) I'm doing it?
- They don't have trees in Iowa?
- Well, sure but...
- Where I come from, if you don't cut down your own tree,
you get a good old fashioned Illinois shaming.
- Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?
- I'm just messin' around.
I can do it. - No, no, you sit back.
I got this.
Hold my purse.
(lighthearted music)
- Holding the purse.
(Jennifer grunts)
(saw scraping)
(gentle music)
What was that?
- Notched a hinge at the base.
Wouldn't want this old spruce to fall in your direction,
now would we?
(Aidan chuckles)
(saw scraping)
(gentle music)
(tree crackling)
- Wow.
Very nice, Iowa.
- Take it to go, Chicago.
(people chattering)
("We Wish You A Merry Christmas")
- And one for you too
'cause that one shouldn't be left out.
- Mr. Romano?
- Well, hey, neighbor.
- (chuckles) Are you here buying a tree too?
- No, no, this is my tree farm.
- Oh, so Triple R is for-
- Robert and Rachel Romano.
Rachel was my wife's name.
She passed a year ago.
That's when I moved into the apartment next to yours.
You know, I was gonna stop by and thank you
for that wreath you left.
I think you probably knocked
but I take my hearing aid out
as soon as I get home. (chuckles)
I don't really have anyone to talk with.
- That's okay, Mr. Romano.
- Robert.
- Aidan.
- Wait, so you two know each other?
- Yeah, my grandfather and I used to come here every year.
I told you that.
- Oh.
- How do you two know each other?
- Well, Mr. Romano's my neighbor.
- Well, your lumberjack neighbor here cut down
one of your best today.
- Well, that's good.
- How's business?
- Oh, busy as ever.
Here.
My cell number is on the card.
- Oh. - If you ever need anything,
you just gimme a call.
- Thank you.
- Merry Christmas, Jennifer, Aidan.
Give your sister my best.
- Will do.
- Merry Christmas.
- What? (gentle music)
- You're different than I thought.
You actually like people.
- Not everybody is who you think they are.
That's a good thing.
- Hey, would you wanna decorate this tree with me?
Well, it'd be me and my roommate, but...
- (chuckles) Will there be mulled cinnamon?
- No, but if you're polite,
you might get egg nog with nutmeg.
- Nutmeg? No, that's even worse.
(Jennifer laughing)
Okay, so we do have (jazzy festive music)
a few more holes left
and I can't believe I'm saying this,
but is it possible that you do not have any more ornaments?
- Those are the spots for the most important ornaments.
- Ah.
- The Grandma Sue specials.
- What is a Grandma Sue special?
- Every year, my grandmother makes salt dough ornaments
for each of her grandkids.
- Salt dough? What is that?
- They're all specially designed.
And the only thing is you have to go pick them up
from her house.
- Blackmail. Grandma Sue.
- She's crafty.
- And territorial.
♪ Nations rise ♪
♪ Join the triumph of the skies ♪
Think here's a spot.
♪ With the angelic host proclaim ♪
- So I have to go to my Christmas party
in an hour or so I have to get dressed.
But it was really nice seeing you again, Aidan.
Merry Christmas. - Yeah.
Merry Christmas.
- Yeah.
See ya around.
- Thank you.
That's for me? All right. - Oh yeah.
- So take a look at our handiwork.
What do you think?
- [Jennifer] Ah, it's great.
- I think we make a pretty good team.
Okay, let's put the skate right there.
Oh, I've actually gotta run to go see Shannon and Emma.
We're gonna go skating at the pier tonight.
- Great. Okay.
Um, thank you for your help.
- [Aidan] Was wondering if you wanted to come.
- Oh.
- If you have plans, that's okay,
you can- - No, no, no,
I can come.
(chuckles) For inspiration, right?
- Right.
(both chuckling)
(dynamic holiday music)
♪ Whoa oh oh ♪
You having fun?
- (giggling) Yeah.
- [Emma] Let me be free.
- So when we gonna see it?
- What?
- Oh, you know what.
Rhymes with shmaxel.
(Jennifer chuckles) I got a pain in my baxel.
- Okay, you asked for it.
- Oh, let's see it.
Look out, I'm coming for you.
- Oh.
- Get ready. She's gonna do something really cool.
So you watchin'?
- [All] Oh oh!
(Jennifer chuckles)
- Wow!
How do you do that?
- Well, the first thing you need to learn is the bunny hop.
- Bunny hop?
- Can you lift your knee really high like this?
There you go.
First level achieved.
Now let's try it with a hop.
You got it.
- She's a sweetheart.
Is she always looking out for everyone?
Hm?
- [Emma] Up.
(Emma grunts) - Oh!
- [Both] Oh! (Jennifer laughing)
- I'm good. - She's down.
- [Jennifer] Are you okay?
- She's all right. She's getting up.
Hey. - Yeah!
(all laughing)
- You did it. You're great.
- You were so good.
- You're a great teacher.
- Oh thank you.
- [Shannon] We're gonna go get some hot chocolate.
- All right. Get outta here.
- Okay.
- You realize, you just fully just dethroned me
as the funcle.
- (sighs) I really did,
didn't I? - I am no longer
the fun uncle.
- No. - Are you proud of yourself?
(Jennifer laughing)
You wanna go get some hot chocolate?
- Yeah.
- Okay. I'll race ya.
Bye.
Oh. (people laughing)
(gentle music) (people chattering)
- [Jennifer] Gingerbread?
- Why, how are you making all of these cookies?
- I like baking for others.
Hey, what if the 11th clue is doing something nice
for someone else?
- The song is about gift giving.
But what's a nice task for pipers piping?
- Bagpipes?
- I said nice not punishment.
(Jennifer chuckles)
- Well, you pipe icing on cookies.
We could get them to make cookies.
- I know you like cookies
but we already have the Buche de Noel.
Is that not similar?
- Yeah.
- What if... (upbeat music)
they buy a piping hot coffee for a stranger
in any of the historic districts
that we list?
- I love it.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, I guess it's pretty good.
- Are we finished?
- I mean, if you like it, yeah.
- I like it.
- Hey, we're gonna head out.
Thank you again for teaching Emma how to do the bunny hop.
- Of course. - Yeah.
- She's so excited.
She can't wait to go tell Pop Pop.
- That rhymed.
- Good luck with him.
(Jennifer laughing)
- [Aidan And Shannon] Bye.
(slow upbeat music)
Okay.
Ready to go?
- Yeah.
- And I'll take your cookies.
(people chattering)
- They're great.
- Yeah, they're the best.
They liked you a lot too.
- So is Pop Pop your dad?
- Yes, Pop Pop is my dad.
- Where is he now?
- He is overseas in Germany recovering.
He has hypertensive heart disease.
He had a heart scare a couple months ago and had surgery.
- Oh.
Is he okay?
- Yeah, yeah, he'll be fine.
And they should be releasing him from the hospital
just after New Years and retiring him.
He has lived all over the world
with the idea of being that eventually
he would come back here
and live with Emma and Shannon in Grandpa Jack's old house.
- The one with all the trouble?
- Yes, yes, that's the one.
It's falling apart to be honest.
- I'm really sorry to hear that.
- (chuckles) Yeah, me too.
Dad grew up in that house and my grandpa left it
to me and Shannon because he knew that we would love
and take care of it
and I'm just trying to figure out how to do all that.
Trying to give my dad his wish.
Which reminds me, Jennifer, um...
There's something I've been trying to figure out
how to tell you.
I also put in for the Head Game Creator promotion.
- Oh. (gentle music)
- Maybe I shoulda told you sooner.
I just didn't want you to think
that I presume that I would be getting the...
I know how much the promotion means to you.
And to be honest, at this point,
I can't think of someone who deserves it more.
- Oh, thank you. That's very kind.
- I just, of course, you know, I wanted to...
My dad coming back and the house being the way that it is,
the raise for the promotion was kind of a solution
for all of us.
I hope that's okay.
I hope you understand.
- Of course. You should fight for the job.
I understand.
But, hey, I should get you back.
Our presentation's first thing.
)
- Knock, knock.
- Hey, Anne.
- Just came to wish you luck.
- Thanks.
- I know you'll do great.
(both chuckling)
- Morning, morning.
- Morning.
- Hi.
- Okay, so break a leg, you guys.
- (chuckles) Thanks.
I got you a coffee. Black, two sugar, right?
- Yeah, that's right.
Look, Jennifer... - Aidan, look, I... (chuckles)
- Uh... (chuckles)
All right, can I? (gentle music)
- [Jennifer] Yeah.
- Just wanna say how good it's been
working with you.
I just hope whatever happens doesn't get in the way
of us doing that again.
- Course not.
- Good. (sighs)
All right, are you ready?
- Yeah.
- Let's do it.
Okay, we are very excited to show you guys
what we got.
Jennifer.
When the game goes live, it'll look like this
on people's phones.
- The first ornament will open,
bringing us to our very first clue.
Wanda, if you would be so very kind.
- "'Tis the season when pears overrun,
so head to the square of Illinois' favorite son.
Lincoln Square.
You can paint a Christmas scene
in a bird house of red and green
and sip a festive cider
with someone you admire." (soft upbeat music)
Haus, not H-O-U-S-E.
Vogelhaus in Lincoln Square?
- Yes!
After solving the clue and completing the activity,
players will upload a photo
that looks something like this.
- Fun. (gentle music)
- [Jennifer] And then they get sent the next clue.
- Which we already decided
is the two turtle doves (upbeat music)
at the Chinese candy store.
- Right, I loved how the rhyme for hunker down
leads you to Chinatown.
- Yeah, it's a good one.
That one was all Jennifer.
All right, next.
Three French hens.
- "Head to Ukrainian Village
where a heavenly smell leads you to a Christmas named street
where famous French hens dwell.
The class offered there has you bake for a spell
as you finish your date full of Buche de Noel."
Much be a French restaurant.
A street with a Christmas name.
- Pine Street?
- What's on Pine Street that has famous hens?
French chicken?
(gasps) Famous coq au vin.
- At Dominique's.
- Would you let the lady play the game?
(Dominique chuckling)
- I love it.
It's jun, interactive, cultural, Christmasy,
with a strong social media component.
You two have really knocked this one out of the park.
- (chuckles) Thanks.
- The CEO for the Devonshire Chain
will be at the gala Saturday night.
I'd love to introduce you both.
- Uh, yes! They will be there. (Dominique laughing)
- I see potential for international tie-ins with this thing.
She's gonna love it.
(jingling music)
- All right.
Next, we just need to nail down those specs
for IT to upload the hunt.
What do you think? Over lunch?
- Yeah, well, there's a new Greek place around the corner.
- Sounds good.
(phones ringing) (people chattering)
(Jennifer chuckles)
I'll see you at your office in 15.
- Okay.
- Aidan. - Yeah.
- So Wanda just left.
Well done! (laughing)
She's very happy and that makes me very happy.
- Okay.
- Can you meet me upstairs in my office in 15 minutes?
I wanna talk to you about that promotion.
- Yeah. - Yeah?
(gentle music) - Yeah sure, um...
(Aidan sighs)
Hey, sorry. Slight change of plans.
I won't be able to make lunch.
Alastair has asked to meet with me.
- Just you?
- Yeah.
- Did he say it was about the job?
- (chuckles) I, I don't know what to say.
- Uh, you don't have to say anything.
You're great at what you do.
You've been here longer and if Alastair chose you,
it's because he knows you'll do a good job.
I know you will too.
- Thank you, that's very nice to say.
I uh...
Maybe I shouldn't have told you.
I just didn't want you to think
we're meeting behind your back.
- I appreciate it really.
How about I put together the material for IT?
I'll send for your final approval.
- No, no, I can still do that, don't-
- It's fine, I got it.
Congrats.
- Thanks.
(somber music)
- Aidan, come on in, please.
So I wanted to-
- Before you say anything, um...
I want you to know that Jennifer worked really hard
on this account.
- Yeah, I know she did.
- To be honest, she came up with most of the clues.
- Really?
- Yeah.
I mean obviously, we worked together and that was great
but if you were to look at who did the heavy lifting,
it was, it was without a doubt her.
- I'm really surprised to hear you say that, Aidan.
- Yeah, me too frankly.
I don't mean to overstep but if it's between us
for Head Game Creator, I think it should be her.
- Good, good. Then I made the right choice.
(lighthearted music)
- What?
- I've decided to give the position to Jennifer.
(gentle music)
- So then this meeting is...
- To find out if you'd be interested in Tony's old position
Wizard of Operations.
I mean you won't be creating games anymore
but you'll have more involvement
with growing the business, increasing efficiency.
It does come with the same salary increase
as Head Game Creator.
It's just better suited for you.
- Did I not speak?
Yes, the obvious answer is yes, it's perfect.
- (laughing) Okay, great.
I'll announce the promotions
at the next staff meeting in January
so can you please keep it
to yourself till then? - Yeah, of course, of course.
Can I ask when you plan on telling Jennifer?
I know it would mean a lot to her.
- Yeah, I'll tell her at the hotel party tomorrow night.
- Tomorrow.
- Yeah, after her big success.
I thought it would be a nice moment for her.
- Sure you don't wanna
just go tell her now? (light upbeat music)
I mean, her office is very far
but we can just psst.
You and I.
- Totally yeah. (laughing) - Yeah, let's go.
- I mean 'cause your the boss, right?
- Okay.
- That's, that's, no, no,
no that's me? - That's you, yeah.
- Oh (laughing). - You're the one.
- Yeah. (tsking)
Congratulations, Aidan.
- Thanks, buddy. I appreciate it.
Okay.
(phone ringing) (people chattering)
- She went home for the day.
She's doing the IT work from there
but said you can call her if you need.
- Thanks, Anne. Yeah, I'll do that.
- Okay.
(somber music)
(phone vibrating)
- Hello.
- [Cori] Hi, is this Aidan Walsh.
- Yeah, that's me.
- [Cori] This is Cori Taylor
from Taylor Custom Remodeling.
- Thank you so much for getting back to me so soon.
- [Cori] Your grandfather was the best teacher
I ever had. (Aidan laughing)
- Yeah. Yeah, he was the greatest.
I'm glad you enjoyed his class.
- [Cori] Would you be able to come
to my office this afternoon? - Today?
Oh, this afternoon, yeah.
Okay, I can do that.
- [Carla] So did you take an Uber or did you take a Lyft?
- [Grandma Sue] I just came by taxi.
Hello, sweetheart.
- Grandma Sue?
- I just happened to be in the neighborhood.
(Jennifer laughing)
Oh.
- I don't understand.
What are you doing here?
- Honey, last we spoke, it sounded to me
like you could use some family right about now,
in-person family.
So I thought I would bring you this to hang on your tree.
(gentle festive music)
- [Jennifer] You brought my ornament to me?
- Don't look so surprised.
It's a puzzle piece
to reflect your work and your decisions.
I just thought it would be fun for you.
- It's perfect.
I love it.
- Well, I am just dying to try
this big city kitchen of yours out.
(both laughing)
- Egg nog shortbread?
- Pecan butter creams.
- You're on.
(both giggling)
(gentle music)
- Your granddad was a great mentor to me.
He's the reason I got into construction.
- Really?
- And you said his house is falling apart?
- Is that how I put it?
- Yeah. And that place means a lot to me.
I'd like to help you out (people chattering)
if that's okay.
- Yes, yes, that is okay. (gentle music)
Thank you.
- I'd be happy to devote resources from our offices.
And I contract out for plumbing and electrical
but Jim Edwards from West Electric,
he was one of your granddad's students.
I bet there are plenty more who would help out
if they knew about it.
- Well, you think?
- What if we posted about it
on our alumni website?
- If you're willing, I'm in.
(timer dings) ("Jingle Bells")
- Oh, I just love this oven.
- Please tell me we get to eat some of these.
And by some of these I mean all of these.
She's always giving them away.
- As long as we leave some for Mr. Romano.
- That's what I mean.
- Who's that?
- Our neighbor.
- He's actually quite lovely once you get to know him.
- (laughs) Here, take this one.
- Really? - Matches your shirt.
(both giggling)
- [Carla] Mm.
Mm, it's so good.
- You bet it is.
- Oh George, George. - Oh, Mary, oh.
- Well, I have never been
much of a city girl myself. (chuckles)
- I have a few acres in the country at my farm.
- You have a farm? And you live here?
- It's a Christmas tree farm.
(both chuckling)
(gentle music) - Jennifer.
Did you know that Robert has a Christmas tree farm?
- Yeah, you're looking (Robert laughing)
at one of his trees right now.
- Oh, that is a beauty.
- She cut it down herself.
(both laughing)
- I just have to send off this last set of specs
and I'll be all yours.
- [Grandma Sue] Okay, sweetie.
(faint shouting)
Oh, I love this part.
(Grandma Sue laughing)
(message alert beeps)
(phone ringing)
- [Jennifer] Hi.
- Hi.
Yeah, you can go and submit.
I'm sure it's fine.
If you feel good, just go for it.
Thanks again for doing that.
- Yeah, okay, I will.
- Hey, did you still wanna monitor the hunt together
when it goes live tomorrow?
- Actually, believe it or not, my grandmother
came to town so I don't think I can.
I'll have to do it remotely.
- Grandma Sue. That's exciting.
You guys must be happy to see each other.
- Yeah. It was a big surprise.
- A big surprise.
You're still planning on coming
to the party tomorrow night, right?
I mean, Grandma Sue's not whisking you away
back to Iowa tomorrow, is she? (tense music)
- No, of course I'll be there. (gentle music)
Good night, Aidan.
- You need to try
one of her cookies. (phone beeps)
- Oh, you know, I don't think
I could one- - I don't think
it's an option.
(both laughing)
(phone vibrating)
- Aidan Walsh.
Yeah, this is Jack Walsh's grandson.
(gentle music)
What's that?
Yes, I would love a plumber to come by and take a look.
Tomorrow?
Sure, yes, you just let me know what time works best.
That sounds great. Thank you so much.
We'll talk soon. All right.
(light upbeat music)
It's another one of Grandpa's students.
He saw the alumni post.
He wants to do the work pro bono.
- Are you serious?
- I am serious. (phone vibrating)
Hold on.
Aidan Walsh.
Yes, I am Jack Walsh's grandson.
- The electrician can start on Monday.
He says it'll take a week to get done.
- Which should take us to the 27th.
Cori is gonna be here this afternoon with her crew
to prep the walls.
- So plumbing can start Tuesday.
- Which should take us to the 31st
which means we may actually be able
to get all this done by the time Dad gets here.
- It's happening.
(Aidan chuckles)
- Okay, look, I gotta run and track this scavenger hunt
which went live four minutes ago.
- I wanna play.
Can I play too?
(upbeat festive music) - Mom?
- I can coordinate repairs if you take her.
- Run, before she changes her mind.
Thank you.
- Good luck. - Okay.
♪ On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me ♪
- You ready?
♪ A partridge in a pear tree ♪
♪ On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me ♪
♪ Two turtle doves ♪
♪ And a partridge ♪ - All right, come here.
♪ in a pear tree ♪ Thank you.
Make your face.
♪ On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me ♪
♪ Three French hens ♪ - Jenny.
Look what I found.
Isn't it just so cute?
- Oh I love it. - Excuse me.
I'm doing an online scavenger hunt.
Could I buy you two a coffee and maybe take a selfie?
- Come on, let's get a coffee to go.
We have a party to get to.
- Oh yeah, we gotta go.
(lively music)
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪
(people chattering)
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Hurry home and come round here ♪
♪ I really love this time of year ♪
♪ Making plans to get together ♪
♪ Memories that will last forever ♪
♪ Sharing laughter and sharing joy ♪
♪ Everyone is singing ♪
♪ All the girls and boys ♪
(gentle music)
♪ Somehow the magic ♪
- Excuse me, miss.
Wow.
Can I offer you an egg nog cocktail?
- With nutmeg?
- No nutmeg, some cinnamon.
(Jennifer laughing)
- I saw you and Emma did the hunt.
- And you and Grandma Sue.
- Mm-hm.
- Believe we beat you.
- I think that's debatable. (giggles)
- Ladies and gentlemen,
if you're here, you've solved the last clue
of our Christmas scavenger hunt.
Please welcome, from Lincoln Junior High,
12 drummers drumming. - All right.
(festive drumming music)
(audience applauding)
- Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the new Devonshire.
We're so glad to have you.
(audience applauding)
When you woke up this morning,
you had no idea you'd be
at Chicago's greatest Christmas party, did you?
(Grandma Sue laughing)
(audience cheering and applauding)
Christmas is a time to reflect on things that matter most.
And the Devonshire wants the people of Chicago to know
you matter to us.
We're not here only for out-of-town guests
but for the residents and local businesses as well.
And speaking of local businesses,
we do not do this alone.
Big City Quest organized our amazing scavenger hunt for us
and I'd like to call out the two people
who made it happen.
Jennifer, Aidan.
(audience cheering and applauding)
(Jennifer laughing)
Please show yourselves around the hotel
and enjoy your evening.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
- Merry Christmas. (audience applauding)
(light upbeat music)
- [Shannon] Congratulations.
- You guys wanna go raid the candy bar?
- [Shannon] Oh yeah. (giggling)
- Okay, have fun.
Congrats. - Yeah, you too.
- We did it. - I know.
- It's done. I can't believe it.
- Me neither.
- Okay, I'm gonna go have a chat
with this handsome gentleman.
I'll see you soon.
- [Jennifer And Aidan] Okay.
♪ Is waiting very patiently ♪
- So that was Aidan?
- (sighs) Yeah. (laughing)
- Jennifer, look at you.
Honey, just days ago you said you didn't know
if you belonged here or if you would ever catch your dreams.
Look how beautiful this all is.
It is magical!
Honey, I am so proud of you,
no matter what you decide or where you feel you belong.
- Grandma, I wanted to tell you that I actually didn't-
- Ah, Jennifer.
Congratulations.
- (sighs) May I introduce my grandmother, Sue Holloway.
This is Alastair Kelly, my boss.
- Nice to meet you.
- Pleasure's all mine.
- My granddaughter just loves working for your firm.
It's given me a great excuse to get to know your city.
- And we love having her.
(women chuckling)
In fact, do you mind if I steal her away from you?
- Oh, no, go ahead. (giggling)
- Shall we?
♪ Find a love for all to see ♪
I mean, wow!
(both laughing)
What a whirlwind, huh?
- Amazing. This has been such a great week.
- Listen, I wanted to speak to you
about the Head Game Creator job.
- Oh, it's fine. Aidan already told me.
- He did? I asked him not to.
- Oh, it's fine, honestly.
He deserves it and he'll do a great job.
- What exactly did he tell you?
- That you were giving him the promotion.
- I did to Tony's old position.
- Tony's?
(stammers) So the Head Game Creator job is-
- It's yours if you (gentle music)
still want it.
- Yes! I mean, yes, I want it! (laughing)
- Great, well, we'll make the announcement
in the new year so keep it under your hat till then.
In the meantime, I need to find the Devonshire CEO.
I have a feeling she's gonna keep us a lot busier
in the new year.
(Jennifer laughing)
Congrats, Jennifer.
- Thank you.
- You deserve it.
Oh, Aidan asked me to give this to you.
- Okay.
(Jennifer sighs)
"Where calling birds share our city view
and the memory of mine is your best clue.
(light suspenseful music)
Let's raise a glass and celebrate.
If you would join me on the 13th...
Date.
(light emotional music) (wind rustling)
You knew.
- Promised I wouldn't tell.
- Sneaky.
- Believe me, it was not easy.
You happy?
- Very.
- I know I got a reputation of being
a bit of a people person,
(Jennifer laughing)
but believe it or not I don't know quite what to say here
so I'm just gonna say it.
I like you a lot. (gentle music)
I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear at times.
I'm also sorry because I'm happy
that Grandma Sue doesn't get to take you back to Iowa.
(Jennifer laughing)
I've had a lot of good Christmases, Jennifer.
But this has been the best five days of Christmas
I've ever had.
- Me too.
- Good.
We made one French log cake,
one very bad, bad painting, two hot chocolates,
all those cookies you made that I ate,
and something else that rhymes
with partridge in a pear tree-
- Would you please just stop talking?
- Okay. (emotional organ music)
(gentle music)
Merry Christmas.
(dynamic festive music)
(dramatic music)