A very covid Christmas Part two. Wow. Emily looks around the cobblestone street
in wonder. It is alive with the sounds of children's laughter, of villagers
greeting each other in passing on their way home, of crinkling bags of fresh
oranges and breads from the local corner store. I don't see any bags,
you said, crinkling bags. But the corner store must have like closed early
for the holiday or something. I only see gift boxes and fruit baskets,
bottles of wine and toats. Nope, no bags here. Perhaps you stepped
on some rubbish. No, I don't exist, remember, Well, maybe
it was the merry sounds of crunching snow beneath someone's unfortunate looking galoshes. Do
you think we can all agree a crinkle and a crunch or two distinctly different
sounds. Well maybe it doesn't quite matter. Oh my god, what are
you eating right now? Maybe cranola bar and old twinkie? You have some
class man. Well, if we had some bloody commercial breaks, perhaps I
wouldn't have had to stave off low blood sugar in this horrid manner. Well
maybe if you would pardon me, chaps, But do you mind if we
continue on a magical journey? But of course, please splendid. Emily looks
around at the cobblestone street in wonder. It is alive with indescribable sounds.
She takes a deep breath of fresh frosted air. A tiny snowflake lands on
the tip of her nose. What is this place? This doesn't look like
my neighborhood at all. Everyone is laughing and talking to each other. Are
both children playing croquet? Yes, they certainly are. The old man smiles
to himself, a twinkle in his eye. Fancy little buggers. Confused,
she lifts her gaze to the window of a flat across the street, flickering
with the warmth of candlelight. A small family can be seen by the modest
Christmas tree, popping crackers and doubling over with laughter as the contents cascade to
the floor. Oh I know where I am? You do, he asks,
in pleasant surprise. Yes, I'm in a Christmas movie. Oh,
good grief, this is so fun. Okay, which movie is it?
William raises his face to the heavens. You couldn't have given me a thief,
a harlot, a psychopathic killer? What did I do to deserve this?
Emily skips around in excitement, utterly oblivious. Well, it can't be
Miracle on thirty fourth Street because of that takes place in New York. Obs
kill me again, And it can't be elf because I wouldn't be caught dead
in those tights. L O L. Perhaps this isn't the between at all,
but hell, right here on earth, it's a wonderful life. I'm
George Bailey of Bedford Falls and your Clarence, and I'm gonna help you get
your wings. This all makes perfect sense. Oh my. Williams succumbs to
momentary defeat, while Emily performs her best James Stewart impression with unrivaled enthusiasm.
What does it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say
the word. I'll throw us all around it and pull it down. Do
make it stop. My mouth's bleating, Bert, my mouth's bleating the off
switch. Unfortunately not technology hasn't advanced quite that far. Blast. On second
thought, this really doesn't pan out, William. I mean, seeing as
I don't have my own family yet at all, don't worry. They said
you really should have put me in the holiday. I mean, it's like
the obvious choice. Not only does it take place in England, duh,
but I was practically Kate Winslet with my head in the gas stove when you
showed up. It'll be easy, they said, through you an underhand man.
Get your head in the game. Maybe if we go back, I
can start over again so I can meet you last. Emily Grace. Emily
halts, stunned by the unexpected use of her middle name. Sit down.
He stares at her with unwavering intent. Um where She gestures to the street
where they stand. Oh, good question. Perhaps just crouched down a bit?
Crouched down? Yes, crouch down? Okay, okay, crouching.
She lowers herself rather awkwardly. Look around you, Emily, really look.
Emily squints at the sights before her. Jolly folks are going to and fro
family's clasp pants and sway while singing Christmas Carol's neighbors exchange pleasantries and homemade goodies
on stoops. I have no idea where we are, but it's beautiful except
for this weird hairstyle. Let's put the rat tail hanging down the back.
I gotta get a picture of us. She reaches into her pants pocket,
but is stunned to find her phone missing. What that your iPhone doesn't exist
here? Wait what I just spent like a small fortune to get it in
Row's goal. It doesn't exist because it wasn't invented yet. This is December
of nineteen eighty seven, just before you were born. Dumbfounded, Emily is
frozen in a crouched position, mouth agape. It's not the most attractive visual.
Um. Excuse me, I've just heard some mind blowing information. Okay,
it looks as if you could use a prune. Dear get banned.
Sorry, quite all right. We Englishmen like to carry on as if nothing
putred has been said, So if you don't mind, Emily look again.
Emily looks around her for the millionth time like a great big dummy subtle you'll
rubber, I'm glue. Now what do you see? She pauses. You
know I didn't notice it before. But no one's looking down at a device
in their hands. Everyone's content to be just where they are. It seems
nice, doesn't it. Yeah, it kind of does. No iPads,
no text alerts, no Tinder Swipey's wipes. Wow, you're really up to
date. There's not much to do in eternity. Stop setting my expectations so
high, William, I'm bound for a letdown. No, I'm saying it's
really boring. Yes, I gathered that I can watch my programs all day
if I want to, But I will never get back the real life moments
I missed. Well, you didn't have cell phones back then, so what
kept you from being in the moment? Look a total dove? What where?
Oh bother? You just missed it? He gives an innocent smile accompanied
by a short shrug, and begins to walk merrily down the snow trodden street.
William, this is a great workout and all, But may I stand
now? I can't quite feel my bum William. Seriously, I'm starting to
cramp, and so are Emily's tiptoed to the precipice of a great awakening.
But will she learn her lesson in time to make it back to the here
and now? And just what is William hiding find out? After this very
short musical interlude told your moments later. Literally, William is keeping a steady
pace ahead while Emily limps behind in a pitiful attempt to catch up. It's
a sorry sight to behold. Indeed, William. She calls to him,
William, way up. I can't believe I'm pegging an elderly man to slow
down right now? What has happened to me? That quarantine fifteen really sneaks
up on you? Tell me about it. Realizing the old man is out
of a line of vision, she quickens to speed to a labored trot William
Aye. Her voice trails off as she turns the corner, stopping dead in
her tracks. Suddenly everything appears in black and white, as if she has
stepped inside the landscape of an old photograph. WHOA where am I? Her
eyes widened as she takes a few steps into the scene that unfolds before her.
Double decker trolleys lie in the busy streets, offset by the occasional sputtering
by of an old antique car. Mustached men call to each other in three
piece suits and tall top hats. Elegant women click past insensible heels, curls
bouncing atop their shoulders. It can't be Emily looks down in amazements to find
her go to chocolate stained sweatsuit of yore has been replaced by a smart dress
with a delicate trail of pearl buttons down the front Christmas Miracle. Dumb struck,
she tries to make sense of it all. Okay, Emily, you
just be realistic. You know, deep down there could only be one reasonable
explanation for all of this. Heroine pauses as she begins to process this jarring
new information with the utmost prudence. I'm inside British Vogue. Oh for crying
out loud. I didn't think it was possible. I mean really I didn't,
But somehow I've made it. I need a new profession. I want
to thank all the little people who helped me get here today, William and
the weird news anchorman, without whom I never would have electrocuted myself. And
wait, where is William? Miss Emily twirls around to find a striking young
man before her blessed be the fruit. I beg your pardon. You're excused.
You know it's difficult to watch, and yet I can't look away.
Sorry, I must be mistaken. I thought I heard you call my name.
Oh no, sorry, I'm just looking for my old pal William about
yeay, high glasses, little nick cap. I was just with him,
but he seems to have disappeared. She casts a quick glance about so as
to give off the impression that she is not in fact gacking stupidly over this
most handsome fellow, which, of course she entirely is. No William here.
I mean you are definitely not William. Nope, you are far too
young and strong. The man gives a polite nod of slight understanding. I
mean you seem strong, obviously, I don't know that. Why would I
know that? She laughs, just a bit louder than intended. Oh my
goohead, right right, well, I'm so sorry to have bothered you.
I'll just be going now. She turns, eager to nurse the stinging wounds
to her ego and private. Are you from out of town? He calls
to her. Emily turns back in surprise. Your accent sounds American. He
gives a flash of the most devastated smile. It's almost enough to make a
man question his ways. Do you mind what I love? Women? Ah?
Yes, I'm quite far from home. Actually, must be hard to
be in a new place during the holidays. You have no idea. There's
a great spot on the corner there where you can get yourself a cuppa and
a hearty meal for a few shillings, Thank you so much. She peers
through the window of the cozy restaurant with sudden longing. A cup of tea
sounds pretty nice, heard about. Now you're most welcome, miss. They'll
treat you well. Tell them Billy sent you will do. Wait, the
wheels within her teeny tiny mind begin to turn. Billy, that's why he
answered to William, A genius stands before us. I am actively ignoring you
very well. She checks to see if anyone is watching, and she begins
to follow Billy down the street and into the nearest alleyway. Oh God,
is this how I die? This could be how I die? She uses
the brick qual to steady herself as she continues on against her better judgment.
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. The thoughts I have had
about this narrator alone are enough to incriminate me eternally. But God grant mercy
on my weary soul. Well that that was just hurtful. I'm sorry,
I'm sorry. Okay, Oh God, I don't want to go like this
and never see my family or friends again. Why have I wasted so much
time on my phone looking at other people's lives instead? Of living my own.
She raises her gaze to the heavens. Only I could have one more
chance. I swear I would change my ways. She grows hysterical and well
a bit sudden, I would change well why wow. Failing to notice the
shallow staircase underneath her, she missteps and plummets to the bottom. Ah,
son of a nutcracker. Excuse me, are you laughing? No, of
course not. Wow. You should have seen your face. You just he
just walked right into whoa, Yeah, I was there. I'm sorry.
I'm truly sorry. It was kind of funny, though, it really such
a dramatic moment to fall. Whoa. How She bumps against a cellar window.
Curious, she kneels down to peek inside. Oh my gosh, she
sees Billy hard at work in a makeshift basement studio, dimly lit by a
single light that hangs from the ceiling. The room is furnished with only a
wooden table, a chair, and the old TV that she recognizes from her
flat No way. Billy is hunched over the pieces of an antique clock,
placing them back together with careful attention. A phone rings, and he moves
to answer it. Entranced, Emily begins to notice the dozens of ant clocks
scattered throughout the space. Hello, he speaks into the receiver. Oh hi,
Peggy, I'd love to see a show tonight, doll, but I
have to work, you see. He listens for a moment. Emily strains
to hear her response. Well, that's just not fair, Peg. You
know how much my work means to me. It's all i've got. Emily's
eyes widened. No, I didn't mean it like that, darling. Of
course you're important to me. I h He looks back to his work table.
No, I I think I'll just stay here tonight. Well I'm sorry
you feel that way. Yeah, I understand. You Take care to Peggy.
He hangs up the phone in sullen defeat his kryptonite. It's his kryptonite.
This is his rose gold colored iPhone. Hearing something, Billy looks up
to the window. Oh no, Emily begins to back away from the pain
clap. I think he sees me. He's coming this true deform. Emily
whacks her head against a low hanging lamp. The impact her into a tailspin,
the world before her whipping round and round until she falls backwards. With
dizziness, she falls and falls, falls, seemingly forever. Finally she plops
into stillness. I cramber, we really need to get a helmet. Her
eyes flutter open. Whoa. Emily is bewildered to find herself back in her
London flat, atop her own sofa, bed, everything just as she left
it. She looks down at the tattered sweatsuit that has become her faithful quarantine
uniform. Ah hack. She holds her breath as she listens for sounds of
William, but he is nothing. With great sadness, she exhales, resigned,
goodbye, William. A tear comes to her eye, she wipes it
away. As there you are. I've been waiting so long, as William
piques his head from around the kitchen corner. Well yam, I lost track
of you somewhere and figured this would be a good meeting place. Fancy a
coppa? He offers her a war mug of tea. William, I'm just
so happy to see you. She throws her arms about him in an embrace.
I learned my lesson. You were right. I don't want to live
my life behind a screen. As soon as the pandemic is over. I'm
going to start investing in my relationships and really embrace the joy of being alive.
Well, my dear, that makes me very happy, because you see,
you were right about one thing. He places his mug beside the old
television set. I was hoping to get my wings. He smiles at her,
as angelic music appears from absolutely nowhere. William, you're floating. By
golly, I think I am the old man winks. Take care, Emily,
and know if ever you need a chat, I'm always here. But
if I'm not, I'm only one electrocution away. Goodbye, William, and
thank you, Thank you, my dear, and Merry Christmas. Emily looks
outside to see the sun is rising on Christmas Day. She feels a flash
of light behind her and quickly turns to find William has gone Merry Christmas,
William. Just then we hear the sound of a ring. What the heck
is that? It's a rather incessant noise my phone. Emily pulls her phone
out from between two sofa cushions. The word mom appears on the screen.
Mom, Hi, Merry Christmas. She bubbles in excitement. Listen, Mom,
As soon as it's safe, I'd really like to come home for a
visit, a nice long visit. Really, I'd love it too. Hey,
how's dad? Did he eat too much cheese again this year? And
thus concludes the telling of our Christmas story. If this were a film,
we would slowly zoom out from the picture window where Emily happily sits, and
pan over the city of London, sparkling under a fresh sprinkling of snow.
But it's not so. You'll just have to take my word for it.
You can't tell that I've just winked at you. Until next time, have
a happy and safe holiday, and remember, won't eat any wooden nickles.