The Christmas Train
Part 1
March 4, 2021, 10:22 a.m.
Good morning, Washington!
Only four days until Christmas,
and it's a cold one out there!
But to warm us up,
here are the soothing sounds of Mr. Michael buble!
Sleigh bells ring
Are you listenin'?
In the lane
Snow is glistenin'
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the blue bird
Here to stay is a new bird
To sing a love song
While we stroll along
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman...
Tom. Hey, Helen.
Can you take us with you?
With a family like yours,
I would never want to go anywhere.
These go under the tree.
Oh, you shouldn't have.
And here's this guy.
Well, we'll take good care of her for you.
You always do.
Thanks, Helen.
I loved that article on sofas you did
in the Ladies' Weekly .
Oh, you're too kind.
Merry Christmas, Helen.
Thank you.
You too, Tom.
Do you really need all that stuff?
You know I'm an over-packer.
I know you're an over-spender.
Uh, Mr. Powers?
You're Max Powers, the movie director, right?
Guilty as charged.
Wow. I've seen every one of your films.
Can I get a selfie?
Sure.
Are you anyone?
No.
Thanks!
I still cannot believe
you talked me into flying all the way from L.A.
just to ride the train back home with you.
How else are you going to write a script about a train?
Look, I really appreciate the opportunity,
But I think you should probably find somebody else.
I mean, I'm a script doctor.
I help fix other people's movies.
I don't think I'm ready to write one myself.
Eleanor...
You know you're the daughter that I never had.
You have four kids.
All boys,
and since you're like a daughter to me,
I can tell you,
you have confidence issues.
Max...
You're too good
to be re-writing other people's stories.
It's time you put your name on something,
And what a better way to start
than romance on a train?
Okay...
I feel something magical happening for you
this Christmas Eve.
That's our wedding day!
Is it?
How did you know? Oh, my goodness!
Looks like we'll be leaving right on time.
That's good.
Yes, certainly is.
People rely on us, you know.
You work for the trains?
Did,
for most of my life.
I'm just a passenger now.
You ride often?
Well, it's been a while...
10 years.
Oh, that is a while.
Yeah.
Actually, I thought I'd never get on one again.
Ah. Too many stops?
Too many stops, you might say.
Tom Langdon.
Herrick Higgins.
My friends call me Higgins.
Higgins it is.
Excuse me. Yeah.
Higgins.
Hi, Lelia.
I was just about to call you.
Please tell me you're not canceling.
No, no, I'll be there.
Christmas day, just like we planned.
In fact, I'm leaving now... on a train.
What?
I'm taking the train.
All the way to Los Angeles?
You can't be serious.
It's for a story.
So you need to be on a train
to write a story?
Yes, it's a story about Christmas on a train.
I'll be there. I promise.
I hope so.
Relationship problems?
Excuse me?
I'm sorry, I just...
I couldn't help but overhear.
Was that your wife?
No.
Girlfriend, then.
How much did you actually overhear?
Oh, you know, just... like, a tad.
A tad?
Everything.
Everything.
But don't worry.
It'll all come out on the train.
It always does.
All aboard!
There's a guy down there writing a story
about the Christmas train!