Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Hello.
00:00:01Oh.
00:00:02Hi.
00:00:03I'm looking for Mr. McCoy, the landlord.
00:00:06He's not here.
00:00:07Did you call about the apartment?
00:00:09Yes, I did.
00:00:10I'm Sophia Meyer.
00:00:11I'm the caretaker of this old place.
00:00:13Name's Ernst Theodore Amethyst.
00:00:16But everyone just calls me Ernie.
00:00:18Mr. McCoy told me to show you the place.
00:00:21Just you?
00:00:22Yeah.
00:00:23Just me.
00:00:24It's just the apartment's on the tiny side.
00:00:28Well, I'm just looking for a place to land for the holidays,
00:00:30so tiny is just another word for cozy.
00:00:33Cozy.
00:00:34I like that.
00:00:35Well, let's go take a peek at your cozy apartment.
00:00:47Wow.
00:00:48Wow.
00:00:49This building has beautiful vintage bones.
00:00:52It was built over a hundred years ago.
00:00:55We're like a big family here,
00:00:57so feel free to use this common area.
00:01:00Hey, guys.
00:01:01I'm a bit of a baking nut.
00:01:03I share my latest creations with tea every afternoon.
00:01:08Ernie, these are delicious.
00:01:11I think they're giving me a little edge in this card game.
00:01:14Hi, Esther.
00:01:16Hi.
00:01:17Let's go get some tea.
00:01:19I think they're giving me a little edge in this card game.
00:01:21Hi, Esther.
00:01:23Hi.
00:01:24Let's go check out the apartment.
00:01:25Great.
00:01:27Lovely to meet you all.
00:01:28See you around.
00:01:32You know, it's fully furnished.
00:01:34Oh, that's actually great, because I don't even own a chair.
00:01:40Wow.
00:01:42It is so legitimate cozy, not just tiny cozy.
00:01:50How soon can I move in?
00:01:52You can move in now if you want.
00:01:54Okay.
00:02:02Nancy.
00:02:03Hi.
00:02:04I want you to meet Ernie, the caretaker of the property.
00:02:06Ernie, I want you to meet Nancy, one half of my two best friends.
00:02:09My other half, Laura, is away on business.
00:02:12Hi, half of besties.
00:02:14Okay, so I love it.
00:02:17But what do you think?
00:02:24Be honest.
00:02:25So great.
00:02:27I'll be right over with the rest of your stuff.
00:02:29Okay.
00:02:32But I do want to go on record, again,
00:02:34as saying that Laura and I didn't want you to move out.
00:02:37We love having you with us.
00:02:39I know, but you guys have family coming in for the holidays,
00:02:42and besides, this is the perfect place for me to land
00:02:45while I look for an apartment.
00:02:47I know.
00:02:48I know.
00:02:49I know.
00:02:50I know.
00:02:51I know.
00:02:52I know.
00:02:53I know.
00:02:54I know.
00:02:55I know.
00:02:56I know.
00:02:57I know.
00:02:58I know.
00:02:59I know.
00:03:00So, including you,
00:03:01I will go look for an apartment.
00:03:03And I know I've said it before,
00:03:05but I really cannot thank you both enough
00:03:07for just taking me in after everything with, uh, Brad.
00:03:11Brad is in the past.
00:03:13You're making a new present here
00:03:15that will lead to a happy ever after future.
00:03:18Well, cheers to that.
00:03:20Thank you.
00:03:21Wow, you guys work fast.
00:03:25Ernie, would you like some wine?
00:03:27Never touch the stuff.
00:03:29Got it.
00:03:30Uh, here's your keys.
00:03:32Uh, this one is to the basement storage room.
00:03:35You're welcome to put things down there.
00:03:37I live in the apartment next to the laundry, if you need anything.
00:03:40Great. Thanks.
00:03:46Oh, it's my boss.
00:03:48I gotta run, but you feel free to stay and enjoy the wine.
00:03:52Oh, I will for a few.
00:03:53I can put away the housewarming gift Laura and I got for you.
00:03:56Stop. You didn't have to do that.
00:03:59Love you. Break a pencil.
00:04:10Mm-hmm.
00:04:12Hi, Diane.
00:04:13Mm-hmm.
00:04:15Oh.
00:04:17This cocoa's delicious.
00:04:19I got you one.
00:04:20Oh.
00:04:22You never treat.
00:04:24I always treat. Myself.
00:04:26But it's the season, so here you go.
00:04:28Thank you.
00:04:29Uh-huh.
00:04:30Uh, what's going on, Diane?
00:04:34As you know, our numbers keep dropping, subscriptions to the paper are down, even our online views are down.
00:04:39With everything going down, we need to downsize.
00:04:44I don't need to be a savvy investigative journalist to figure that since I'm one of your more recent hires, I'm one of the downsized?
00:04:52You're a damn good reporter, Sophia.
00:04:55You've made such impressive strides since you started working here.
00:04:58That piece you did on the social influencer whose dog was kidnapped was fantastic.
00:05:02Uh, yeah, well, people just love stories about dogs.
00:05:07I don't want to lose you entirely. If you're willing to continue to work here, I can pay you per story.
00:05:13Oh, would that mean that I get to pick what I want to write instead of you assigning me stories?
00:05:18Exactly. No more running off to town halls to cover another city council meeting.
00:05:22You remind me of myself when I started out. Minus the glamour.
00:05:26But you've got gumption and hustle, Sophia.
00:05:29Go find me a good story. One for Christmas would be ideal.
00:05:35A good Christmas story. Got it.
00:05:38I will go snooper on Santa and his elves.
00:05:42You never know what you'll find.
00:06:23Oh, excuse me. I am so sorry.
00:06:34No, it's okay. My gingerbread man needed a bath.
00:06:39Can I buy you a new one?
00:06:41No, thank you, actually.
00:06:44Oh, I coffee so much merrier now.
00:06:48Okay, uh, well, good. I'm so glad that I could be of service.
00:06:52Yeah, I'm glad I could be of service to you as well.
00:06:56Oh, really? How's that?
00:06:58Um, well, you could have bumped into him.
00:07:04Oh, and what? That would have been worse?
00:07:06Oh, yeah, he's big and has a wide girth and probably has bad breath.
00:07:16Okay, well, you better be nice or you're going to end up on this naughty list.
00:07:20Oh.
00:07:38Hi.
00:07:39Hey. What happened with your boss?
00:07:42Looks like I'm going to have another box to unpack my belongings from my desk at the paper.
00:07:47You've been fired?
00:07:49Downsized. I can still work as a freelancer, though.
00:07:53Well, that to me is actually good news. You should be writing for bigger publications.
00:07:57Oh, well, thank you.
00:08:00Oh, on the bright side, I did actually get myself a Christmas tree, though.
00:08:03Oh, it's so adorable.
00:08:06Wait, do I spy the Brad ornament?
00:08:10Uh, I just found it in the Brad box.
00:08:14I want you to close that box and dump it in the storage room like Ernie suggested.
00:08:19That box should be taped and forgotten. Brad box. Storage room. Now.
00:08:26Okay, okay. I'm going right now, okay? Bye.
00:08:41Hmm.
00:08:52Maybe a good Christmas story.
00:08:55Hmm.
00:09:25To Abigail, love forever, your secret Santa.
00:09:56Hi, my name is Sophia. I just moved into apartment 15.
00:10:00I put this in the storage room. Are you Abigail?
00:10:03Oh, no, I'm Margie. And this is Abigail.
00:10:07No, I do get my baby Christmas presents, but they're for me, not from Santa.
00:10:12Okay, thank you.
00:10:14Oh, and have a very meowy Christmas.
00:10:19Oh, like we haven't heard that one before.
00:10:26Oh.
00:10:32Who is Abigail?
00:10:35Why didn't she receive the present?
00:10:38Who's her secret Santa? Someone she knows?
00:10:41Or a secret admirer?
00:10:43What is the present?
00:10:56Could this be my story?
00:11:05Hey, Ernie. Morning.
00:11:07Good morning, Sophia. How was your first day?
00:11:10It was rather interesting. I found this in the storage room.
00:11:15To Abigail, love forever, your secret Santa.
00:11:19Do you have any idea who Abigail is?
00:11:23I'm afraid I can't help you.
00:11:25Oh.
00:11:27I'm thinking that Abigail's somebody from the past.
00:11:31This present was dusty, like it had been sitting in the storage room for a long time.
00:11:37And look how fragile this tape is.
00:11:41And the wrapping paper, it just smacks of 1970s groovy.
00:11:461970s groovy, it does indeed.
00:11:49How long have you worked here?
00:11:52I came here in 81.
00:11:54Oh, okay. And were there any Abigails during that time?
00:11:57Not that I recall.
00:11:59Tenants sometimes leave stuff down in the storage room.
00:12:02This present's probably long forgotten.
00:12:05I'll put it back for you if you want.
00:12:07Oh, actually, I'd like to hold on to it.
00:12:09Why?
00:12:10Well, I'm a journalist, and I think this could make an interesting story.
00:12:15I would like to find out who Abigail is and deliver this present to her.
00:12:19Maybe try Esther. She's been here the longest.
00:12:22Right. Thanks, Ernie.
00:12:26I don't remember any Abigail.
00:12:28But if there is an Abigail, she would be right here in my binder.
00:12:33See, every year I send out Christmas cards, Hanukkah cards, greeting cards to all the residents in the building.
00:12:41And I've been updating my list ever since I moved in.
00:12:46So if there's an Abigail, she'd be right here.
00:12:49Oh, wouldn't you like a cup of tea?
00:12:53Please. Thank you.
00:12:55Oh, of course.
00:12:57Here, you take this.
00:12:59Oh, great. I will start looking.
00:13:09Well, no Abigail.
00:13:12Oh, sorry.
00:13:14Maybe we can narrow down the timeline by this gift card and this wrapping paper.
00:13:19Hmm. Let me take a look.
00:13:21It does look very old.
00:13:23It really does.
00:13:25Oh, such a sweet little note, isn't it?
00:13:30M.H.
00:13:32M.H., of course.
00:13:35Marcy Harris.
00:13:37Oh, Marcy Harris used to run a gift store down by the Christmas corner.
00:13:43She used to design all her very own gift cards, greeting cards, wrapping paper.
00:13:49Oh, well, do you know if she's still around?
00:13:51Oh, no. She retired years ago.
00:13:54She moved to Arizona.
00:13:56Her store is now an antique shop.
00:14:00Timeless Treasures.
00:14:02Maybe they can help.
00:14:07Hmm.
00:14:31Excuse me.
00:14:34Oh.
00:14:36Well, out of all the gingerbread joints in all the towns in all the world, she comes walking into mine, huh?
00:14:45Here's looking at you, Santa.
00:14:49Welcome to my shop.
00:14:51Your shop?
00:14:52Yeah, well, me and my sisters.
00:14:54Knick-knacks and collectibles from yesteryear.
00:14:57You come by looking for something in particular, or did you just want to bump into me again?
00:15:01Well, I'm actually looking for Marcy Harris wrapping paper and gift cards.
00:15:04Did you carry that here?
00:15:06Yeah, I sure did.
00:15:08Right this way.
00:15:19Oh, oh.
00:15:22And that's definitely Marcy Harris wrapping paper, Abigail.
00:15:25Oh, no, I'm not Abigail. I'm trying to find Abigail.
00:15:29I'm trying to discover when this present was supposed to be given to her.
00:15:32Oh, well, Marcy Harris would design a new paper every season, and she would always discreetly work the year into the design.
00:15:39It's, oh, right there.
00:15:41Oh, wow, 1972. Great. Thank you so much.
00:15:45Yeah, welcome.
00:15:47Is that all you needed, or?
00:15:49That's it.
00:15:51Oh, okay. Well, I guess we'll always have Harris.
00:15:56You get it, right? Right?
00:15:58Cool.
00:15:59I figured out the year that Abigail was supposed to receive the present, 1972.
00:16:04Esther moved in in 1973, which means Abigail could have lived here in 1972 and just moved out before she ever received the present.
00:16:12I believe that this present is from somebody who was in love with Abigail.
00:16:16How do you figure that?
00:16:18Well, love forever is definitely more of a romantic greeting, and I don't know, the handwriting seems masculine.
00:16:26Are you really going to write a story about this?
00:16:29I want to. I want to find out who Abigail is, or was, and I want to find her secret Santa.
00:16:38Maybe after all this time it's meant to stay a secret.
00:16:42No, I don't think so. I think that there's a story here that needs to be told.
00:16:48I mean, knowing what the present is would help, but I don't know.
00:16:55What the heck? Open it.
00:17:09I've got to be really gentle with this paper. I want to preserve it.
00:17:25It is so romantic.
00:17:49You really think so?
00:17:52Are you familiar with the story of The Nutcracker, the whole Christmas ballet by Tchaikovsky?
00:17:57The only thing I watch every Christmas is Die Hard.
00:18:00It's a great movie, but this story takes place on Christmas Eve, and a young girl gets a nutcracker from her beloved uncle,
00:18:10and that night the nutcracker turns into a prince.
00:18:13And the prince takes the girl to a wondrous world where they spin around on their tippy-toes.
00:18:18That much I do know.
00:18:23This nutcracker is handcrafted. It's a work of art. It feels antique.
00:18:30It's got to have value.
00:18:32You mean money kind of value?
00:18:34Well, I mean, now it has sentimental and monetary value, so this story has just gotten so much more interesting.
00:18:44Wait, do you have any files on tenants prior to 1973?
00:18:47In the storage room. Keep digging if you feel so inclined.
00:18:52Good luck finding Abigail.
00:18:56Thank you, Ernie.
00:19:09Who are you, little guy? Huh?
00:19:12What's your story?
00:19:28That was fast. What you got for me?
00:19:30Okay, I have a Christmas mystery that is just going to blow your stockings off.
00:19:34Well, my silk stockings are very expensive, so this better be good.
00:19:38Let's hear the pitch.
00:19:39Okay, so the story is about an undelivered Christmas present to a woman named Abigail from a secret Santa who loved her.
00:19:45And, get this, the present, yeah, it's an antique nutcracker covered in jewels.
00:19:52Costs some.
00:19:55They look pretty real to me.
00:19:57Keep going.
00:19:59So, I believe that this present was supposed to be delivered in 1972.
00:20:06This guy has just been in the storage room collecting dust for 50 years until I discovered him.
00:20:11Wow, not bad. Do you have any idea who Abigail is or the secret Santa?
00:20:15Not just yet, but, I mean, a mystery is half the fun, right?
00:20:20Well, that's not an article, Sophia.
00:20:23Oh, it's not?
00:20:26No, it's a series of articles. Get me part one ASAP.
00:20:29Okay, great, yeah, I definitely will. Thank you.
00:20:47A search for a secret Santa.
00:21:00Coming.
00:21:06Hey, sweetie, how about Chinese for dinner?
00:21:08Yeah.
00:21:11I just gotta keep it quick, because I am on assignment.
00:21:14You've lined up an article since yesterday? Way to hustle.
00:21:17Well, taking your advice landed me a contract to write a series of articles for the paper.
00:21:22I share so much sage advice, you're going to have to elaborate.
00:21:25Well, I dumped the Brad box in the storage room, just like you ordered.
00:21:28It wasn't really an order.
00:21:30Well, I found a Christmas present addressed to an Abigail from a secret Santa.
00:21:36He looks fancy. Like, antique fancy.
00:21:41Yeah, I know, and so now I have this whole other mystery to solve besides who Abigail is.
00:21:45Who is this guy? You know?
00:21:49Right, what are you grinning at me like that for?
00:21:53I'm just glad to see you've got your spark back.
00:21:57Wait, I actually have a first draft of the first story. Do you want to read it?
00:22:01Let's go.
00:22:07Bravo! This isn't just a mystery, this is a story about community,
00:22:12a forever love, a giving, a Christmas, the Nutcracker legacy.
00:22:18It's beautiful. Thank you.
00:22:21And this is only part one.
00:22:25You best get cracking.
00:22:38Okay, looks good.
00:22:42Save and send.
00:22:55Hmm.
00:22:58Why didn't Brad ever get me a present as cool as you?
00:23:03Probably because I always pick the wrong guy.
00:23:09Don't worry, little buddy. We'll find your Abigail.
00:23:24Okay.
00:23:47Welcome back. Not Abigail.
00:23:51So, I opened the present.
00:23:56The Mystery of the Antique Nutcracker, written by Sophia Meyer.
00:24:01So now I just need to find out about the Nutcracker's history and his origin.
00:24:05Well, let's say you've come to the right place.
00:24:08You're talking to Professor Jackson Hawkins.
00:24:11I happen to teach German history and a class on Christmas folklore and legends at the university.
00:24:16Mind if I have a look?
00:24:17Certainly.
00:24:22Whoa. He's extraordinary.
00:24:25Yeah.
00:24:26You see how different he is than all the other ones?
00:24:31Wait, you made all of these?
00:24:33Yeah, you could say I'm nuts about Nutcrackers.
00:24:36I've never seen one with two-carat diamond buttons before.
00:24:40Wait, real diamonds?
00:24:41Yeah, I don't kid about treasure.
00:24:43Treasure hunting used to be a bit of a hobby.
00:24:46Oh.
00:24:48Mind if we go get a cup of hot cocoa?
00:24:52Sure.
00:24:53Well, he wasn't made for sale, that's for sure.
00:24:55His staff and his crown are made of 24-carat gold.
00:24:59The fur on his cape is from the Eastern Alpine mink. It's now extinct.
00:25:03Feel it.
00:25:05Poor guy. Killed for a Nutcracker.
00:25:08Yeah. These rubies, they're from the Mongok stoke tract mine in Miramar.
00:25:13Look at their clarity. It's just absolutely extraordinary.
00:25:16Can you tell when he was made?
00:25:18World War I era, if I had to guess.
00:25:20Look at this crest at the bottom. It means it was made by royalty or for royalty.
00:25:24Well, if he's associated with royalty, does that add to his value?
00:25:28Yeah, you bet.
00:25:31Where'd you say you found him?
00:25:33In the storage room.
00:25:35From the secret Santa?
00:25:36Yeah, emphasis on the secret.
00:25:38Look, if you want me to make any inquiries into this wooden fellow, I'd be happy to do that.
00:25:43You really landed yourself an epic mystery here.
00:25:47I'd really appreciate that.
00:25:49Mind if I take some photos?
00:25:50Go ahead.
00:25:53One more thing.
00:25:55This Nutcracker, it's worth somewhere between super valuable and priceless.
00:26:00Can you be a tad more specific?
00:26:02If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say there's seven figures in that number.
00:26:07Holy wow.
00:26:09Yeah, just be careful about the information you share with the public and keep him in a secure location.
00:26:15Secure location as in locked up?
00:26:19He's treasure.
00:26:21There's treasure hunters out there.
00:26:23You sound like you know that from experience.
00:26:25I do.
00:26:27I learned the hard way.
00:26:33Hey, boss, I got your text. What'd you need?
00:26:49Look at the Ashford Times.
00:26:51Page three.
00:26:55I want that Nutcracker.
00:26:57Get it for me.
00:26:59Where is it?
00:27:01The journalist Sophia Meyer has it.
00:27:05This Nutcracker is priceless.
00:27:07It doesn't matter how.
00:27:09Doesn't matter who gets in your way.
00:27:11Get him for me.
00:27:19How did the Secret Santa come into possession of such a valuable Nutcracker?
00:27:25Did the Secret Santa know of the value when he wrapped the present for Abigail?
00:27:31The wrapping paper and gift card suggest that this was a gift from a man very much in love.
00:27:52Men I like are like stuffed animals.
00:27:56Sweet, cuddly at first.
00:28:01But then they're ultimately just spineless and full.
00:28:07Full of stuffing.
00:28:14Hey, Ernie.
00:28:28This guy needs a little patching up and Esther can't find her sewing kit.
00:28:32So is there any chance that you have one I could borrow?
00:28:34Sophia, I am the caretaker.
00:28:36I have everything.
00:28:37Oh, great.
00:28:40Oh, wow.
00:28:41I thought I heard music playing.
00:28:42Did you?
00:28:43I loved your article.
00:28:44Can't wait to see what happens next.
00:28:46Oh, thank you.
00:28:49Wow, someone's scoring big this Christmas.
00:28:51No, those are for loved ones.
00:28:52Oh, so you have family.
00:28:54Do you have any grandkids?
00:28:55I don't know.
00:28:56Tenants are my loved ones.
00:28:57There might be a present with your name on it.
00:28:59So no peeking.
00:29:01Well, lucky me.
00:29:06Whoa, it's just me.
00:29:08Oh, I'm sorry.
00:29:09You just got the stuffing out of me.
00:29:10Sorry.
00:29:11I'm just trying to keep quiet.
00:29:13What are you doing here?
00:29:14How did you even find me?
00:29:15I found the golden arrow of Aramith, all right?
00:29:17Finding you is a piece of cake.
00:29:19Okay, well, I'm figuring that you have important information for me.
00:29:23No, I have crucial information about your nutcracker.
00:29:26Abigail's nutcracker.
00:29:29You left him out in the open like this?
00:29:30Didn't you hear a word I said?
00:29:32Words are my living.
00:29:33Why is he just sitting out here for anybody to grab?
00:29:36Okay, well, the poor guy's been boxed up for decades,
00:29:38so I just figured, you know, give him a little freedom.
00:29:40And besides, I mean, he is really helping me craft my second article.
00:29:43Please, just be careful, right?
00:29:49Yeah, okay.
00:29:53Okay, so what's your crucial information?
00:29:58I did a little research.
00:30:00The royal crest that's painted on the base of the nutcracker is from the House of Leopold.
00:30:04It was a small kingdom in the Alps between Germany and Austria.
00:30:07Now, the kingdom dissolved in 1912, and the castle is privately owned.
00:30:12Oh, that's a dead end.
00:30:14Not so fast.
00:30:16I did find a distant relative.
00:30:20She's a third cousin twice removed, but she happens to live on the edge of town.
00:30:24Okay, wow.
00:30:26You really are a treasure hunter.
00:30:28Do you think you could actually get me her contact information?
00:30:30I think I could probably do one better than that.
00:30:32What are you doing tonight?
00:30:35Oh, tonight, like tonight.
00:30:38Yeah, she might be expecting us between 6 and 8.
00:30:41I'm sorry, did you just say us?
00:30:43Yeah.
00:30:44Sophia, come on, I'm a treasure hunter.
00:30:46This is my jam.
00:30:48Yeah, I don't know.
00:30:51Oh, come on.
00:30:53I've got to admit, I've been a little helpful.
00:30:57Maybe.
00:30:59Uh-huh.
00:31:01Okay, first, a test.
00:31:02I need to go back to the scene of the crime, which is?
00:31:05The storeroom.
00:31:07Let's go now.
00:31:09Right.
00:31:11Oh.
00:31:23We need to look for file boxes and see if there was an Abigail who lived here in 1972,
00:31:28and we need to look to see if there were any single men who were also living in the building at the same time.
00:31:37Bless you.
00:31:39Thanks.
00:31:43So you're really into nutcrackers, huh?
00:31:47Yeah.
00:31:50According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring luck and to protect the home from evil spirits.
00:31:58Ah.
00:31:59So when do they originate?
00:32:01Well, the ones that look like soldiers and royals first appeared in Germany around 1800.
00:32:05They were crafted in the Erzgebirge region.
00:32:07That's the mountain region of the country.
00:32:09Oh, near the Leopold Kingdom.
00:32:11Yeah.
00:32:13Then isn't it the Nutcracker Ballet by Tchaikovsky that linked the nutcracker to Christmas?
00:32:18Yeah.
00:32:20Right again.
00:32:22The ballet first premiered in 1892, but the original story, written by E.T.A. Hoffman, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, was published in 1816.
00:32:30Ah.
00:32:32E.T.A. is an estimated time of arrival.
00:32:36I'm so sorry.
00:32:38Just please continue.
00:32:41The original story was darker and spookier than the ballet version.
00:32:47It's the Mouse Queen casts an evil spell on a prince and turns him into a hideous beast.
00:32:53A nutcracker.
00:32:55Ah. Tale as old as time.
00:32:57Men always try to act like they're prince charming when in reality they're rats.
00:33:01Okay. Uh, not all men.
00:33:04Some men are just...
00:33:06cursed.
00:33:09Anyway, there's an epic battle between the Cursed Prince and the Mouse King.
00:33:18The Cursed Prince fights valiantly, but the Mouse King gets the upper hand.
00:33:24He's going to kill the Cursed Prince, but just then...
00:33:30It's the young girl.
00:33:32Yes, Clara.
00:33:33She grabs her slipper and tosses it at the Mouse King.
00:33:41Killing him.
00:33:47And lifting the curse.
00:33:50It was Clara's love that turned the cursed beast back into a prince.
00:33:55Her love or her slipper?
00:33:57The slipper killed the Mouse King, and her love lifted the curse.
00:34:02I'm sorry, that? That's rat poop.
00:34:05You don't believe that the love of a good woman can turn a rat into a prince?
00:34:08No, I believe that it's a man's personal responsibility whether he's a prince or a rat.
00:34:12What about the magic of love?
00:34:15I mean, love inspires.
00:34:17Provides comfort and support.
00:34:21It catalyzes change and inspires growth.
00:34:24Love spreads joy and compassion.
00:34:31I think that love can cure curses.
00:34:36Especially ones that we put on ourselves.
00:34:44Wow.
00:34:45Oh, wow.
00:34:46Tony.
00:34:49Love and magic.
00:34:51Magic?
00:34:53It's pretty magical that we just found this, don't you think?
00:34:55Yeah.
00:34:56Yeah.
00:34:58It's a tale as old as time.
00:35:06Maybe we should get out of here.
00:35:08Yeah?
00:35:09Yeah.
00:35:10Yeah.
00:35:19So, to recap, her name is Leonie Leopold.
00:35:22Oh, that's a great name.
00:35:23I know, right?
00:35:27Thank you.
00:35:28Okay.
00:35:41All right.
00:35:55Wait, what is the third cousin of royalty?
00:35:58Twice removed.
00:35:59So, wait, is she a duchess or a dame?
00:36:09Ms. Leopold, hi.
00:36:10I'm the Professor and the General.
00:36:22We were hoping you could tell us about him.
00:36:25Get that thing away from me.
00:36:27That thing is cursed.
00:36:37I'm going to go put him in the car.
00:36:42Ms. Leopold, we apologize.
00:36:45The Nutcracker is part of a much larger mystery that we would like to understand and we need your help solving that mystery.
00:36:53You're safe now.
00:37:00Okay, that's charming.
00:37:01It's the only reason I'm letting you in.
00:37:06Thank you.
00:37:20Thank you.
00:37:42Thank you.
00:37:44Why is the Nutcracker no longer with your family?
00:38:03How is the Nutcracker responsible for the pain and the sorrow?
00:38:12Why is the Nutcracker still fighting the Germans, including two princes?
00:38:22There were only three royals left, King Leon, Queen Nora, and their youngest son, Prince Peter.
00:38:30The king and queen were long past their ability to have children, so the king hoped for the continuation of it.
00:38:37The royal dynasty was with his 21-year-old son, but Peter was not the marrying type.
00:39:07Peter loved Finn, a commoner, a male commoner.
00:39:26Peter showered Finn with extravagant gifts and Finn took some of the gems and made a Nutcracker for Peter.
00:39:35Nutcrackers were considered empowerment and protection for those who owned them.
00:39:42It's 100 years later and we're still struggling to accept people for who they are and who they love.
00:39:48Well, King Leon cared nothing about love.
00:39:52The only thing he cared about was the continuing of the royal line.
00:39:57When the king discovered his son's love affair with Finn, he banished Finn from the kingdom and forbid his son to ever see Finn again.
00:40:08Peter was so distraught, he died of heart attack.
00:40:13A broken heart?
00:40:15And the king was so guilt-ridden that he saw the Nutcracker as a sign, a reminder of his own tragic blindness.
00:40:25But the queen couldn't get rid of the Nutcracker, could she?
00:40:28I would assume that she saw it as a representation of Finn and Peter's love, not only for each other, but her love for her son.
00:40:38Yes, she did.
00:40:41But the king, he thought that the Nutcracker was cursed.
00:40:46And as long as it existed, the curse would prevail.
00:40:51The queen gives the Nutcracker to her maid for safekeeping.
00:41:13And that Nutcracker passed from the queen's sister, to a cousin, to another cousin.
00:41:22And it did stop. Tragedy hit whomever has it.
00:41:29Oh.
00:41:31And finally, sometime in the 1960s, it was donated to a ballet company from Minsk that will perform the Nutcracker.
00:41:42Do you happen to know the name of the ballet company?
00:41:46I do not, and I don't care. I want nothing to do with that Nutcracker or its journey.
00:41:58It's so nice to meet you.
00:42:01Thank you very much, Miss Leopold.
00:42:04Leone, please.
00:42:09Um, Miss Leopold, I was, I was actually wondering if you would allow me to tell Peter's story and honor his love for Finn.
00:42:21It's never been told before.
00:42:24Well, I believe that it's time.
00:42:28I think you're right.
00:42:33Oh!
00:42:45You know, it's just a shame Peter and Finn's love couldn't have been...
00:42:48Been what? Like the love that Leone had for you?
00:42:53I was gonna say honored, but yeah, sure, that too.
00:42:59The Nutcracker's a piece of Austrian history. Should be in a museum somewhere.
00:43:03Yeah, I agree with you.
00:43:07As a treasure hunter, did you hunt treasure for personal profit or for museums?
00:43:13Listen, Sophia, there's something I should tell you.
00:43:15Wait!
00:43:16What?
00:43:17I think I see a light in my apartment.
00:43:26Maybe you left a light on.
00:43:27No, it looks like it was a flashlight. It was moving.
00:43:57I think somebody's been here.
00:44:07Or is still here.
00:44:26You know, you really gotta get this Nutcracker to a museum sooner rather than later.
00:44:30No way! We are so close to cracking this thing wide open.
00:44:34Is this story really more important to you than your safety?
00:44:36Oh, I'm an investigative journalist. Risk is on my resume.
00:44:39All right, well, at least let me camp out on your couch tonight. Just to be safe.
00:44:44What, are you afraid to be alone?
00:44:50I don't know. What do you think?
00:44:53Should we let him?
00:45:23Love.
00:45:40What are we willing to do for it?
00:45:43To sacrifice for it?
00:45:45To give for it?
00:45:47Is the distortion of love a curse?
00:45:50If love breaks us, can love fix us?
00:46:09Hello?
00:46:10Oh, hey, Phib.
00:46:12I'm still on duty. That's Detective Phib to you.
00:46:16I know. I'm sorry to call so late.
00:46:19What do you need?
00:46:20Does it have anything to do with the stories you're writing for the Ashford Times?
00:46:23Oh, you read my stories?
00:46:25I skimmed them.
00:46:28I'm kidding. They're great, kiddo.
00:46:31Thanks, Phib.
00:46:32Well, I just need help finding out about what happened to the Nutcracker.
00:46:36The Nutcracker from your story?
00:46:37Yep, the one that is allegedly cursed and undoubtedly priceless.
00:46:42Okay, well, I'll see what I can do.
00:46:45Thanks, Phib. You're great.
00:46:47Okay, bye.
00:47:00Good morning.
00:47:04Coffee.
00:47:12Oh, good coffee.
00:47:13A journalist's panacea.
00:47:18Did you pull an all-nighter?
00:47:20No, no, no. I got two hours of sleep.
00:47:22But I have information for you. Crucial information.
00:47:25Okay, let's hear it.
00:47:26The Nutcracker was stolen.
00:47:29What?
00:47:30Yeah, it was stolen from the Pembroke Playhouse on December 14, 1972.
00:47:34How'd you find that out?
00:47:35I have a friend in law enforcement.
00:47:37Okay, impressive.
00:47:39Isn't the Pembroke Playhouse just the next town over?
00:47:42Yeah, yeah, I'm actually going there today.
00:47:44Oh, you mind if I go with you?
00:47:46Go with you?
00:47:47Yeah, I was kind of hoping...
00:47:49Hey, what's that?
00:47:51Oh.
00:47:58I have answers to your questions.
00:48:01Meet me at the corner of Elm and Rosedale Roads.
00:48:04Bring the Nutcracker. Noon sharp.
00:48:13We should call the police.
00:48:14No. No.
00:48:15I need to get the entire story and I don't have it yet, so I'm going.
00:48:18Okay, let's just...
00:48:19At least let me come with you.
00:48:22Well...
00:48:23Okay, just as long as you keep your distance.
00:48:25Because I don't want to scare this guy off.
00:48:27All right. Aye-aye, Captain.
00:48:29I want to wish you Merry Christmas
00:48:33From the top of every mountain
00:48:37From the middle of the ocean
00:48:41And the bottom of my heart
00:48:52Play it again, Rizzo.
00:48:54You just got yourself fired.
00:48:56Looks like I gotta do everything myself.
00:49:09Hey!
00:49:11Are you okay?
00:49:12Yeah, I think so.
00:49:14Which way to go?
00:49:16Uh...
00:49:17The Ashford Lounge.
00:49:19Let's split up. I'll meet you there.
00:49:20Okay.
00:49:21Come on.
00:49:39Come on.
00:49:40Come on.
00:49:52Tracker.
00:49:55Little sneak.
00:50:08Oh!
00:50:09Happy holidays.
00:50:10Thank you.
00:50:11You should.
00:50:16Excuse me.
00:50:22Sophia.
00:50:23It was him.
00:50:26But he's gone.
00:50:33That was a close one.
00:50:34I was really hoping we were going to catch him.
00:50:36Thank you.
00:50:42I'll be right back.
00:50:43Oh, yeah, sure.
00:50:44Hold on one second.
00:50:45You must be Sophia.
00:50:46Hi.
00:50:47Hi.
00:50:48My brother is Peter.
00:50:49Hi.
00:50:50My brother has been having a blast helping you with the stories.
00:50:52He's really into that nutcracker.
00:50:54Or maybe it's not just the nutcracker.
00:50:56Oh.
00:50:57Well, your brother's been a really big help.
00:50:59I'm glad.
00:51:00He really needed something to pull him out of his funk.
00:51:02His funk?
00:51:03I shouldn't share any more,
00:51:04but just as much as he's been helping you,
00:51:06you've been helping him more.
00:51:08You two make quite a team.
00:51:10Oh, uh...
00:51:11Well, I just...
00:51:12I can't believe that he made all of those nutcrackers.
00:51:16It's, uh...
00:51:17They're wonderful.
00:51:18Excuse me, miss.
00:51:19Excuse me.
00:51:21That was wild.
00:51:22You okay?
00:51:23Oh, yeah, I'm good.
00:51:24You're a woman of surprises.
00:51:26Tracking device?
00:51:27Well...
00:51:28Well, look, I gotta go to my class, but, um...
00:51:31See you later?
00:51:32Yeah.
00:51:33Okay.
00:51:46You have got to be more careful, Soph.
00:51:48I am being careful.
00:51:49I'm not just talking about the strange men trying to rob you.
00:51:53What about this Jackson guy?
00:51:55What about him?
00:51:56You let him sleep over.
00:51:58The professed treasure hunter you just met?
00:52:02Come on.
00:52:03Okay, look, I'm not being stupid, okay?
00:52:06I put the nutcracker in a secure location,
00:52:08and besides Jackson,
00:52:09it's actually been really, really helpful.
00:52:11Treasure hunters hunt treasure.
00:52:14What if he's using you to get to the nutcracker?
00:52:16Nancy, I...
00:52:17You said the thing's like seven figures in value, right?
00:52:20I doubt there's a treasure hunter on this planet
00:52:22who wouldn't do anything for that,
00:52:24including acting like a prince of Othello.
00:52:27Fair point.
00:52:32I don't want to sound harsh, Soph, but...
00:52:35you don't exactly...
00:52:37What, have the best track record when it comes to choosing men?
00:52:40Yeah.
00:52:41I know.
00:52:42It's your nature to snoop.
00:52:44Have you snooped him yet?
00:52:47Not yet.
00:52:48Snoop him, Soph.
00:53:03Thanks, Dan.
00:53:07What is going on?
00:53:09Trying to figure that out.
00:53:11Oh, my gosh.
00:53:12Ernie, are you okay?
00:53:13Yeah, you should see the other guy.
00:53:15Yeah, yeah, I'd like to see the other guy.
00:53:17What did he look like?
00:53:18He's wearing a face mask.
00:53:20Solid build.
00:53:22Looked like he was in his early 30s.
00:53:25I'm so sorry.
00:53:27It's okay.
00:53:28We're okay.
00:53:30This is about your stories, isn't it?
00:53:32Yeah, I believe so.
00:53:34There's treasure hunters that want the nutcracker.
00:53:37Poor thing's had a rough enough life already.
00:53:40Keep telling your story.
00:53:43Call me if you think of anything else.
00:53:51So this is about your story.
00:53:52Yeah, I think so.
00:53:54I need you to find out about a guy named Jackson Hawkins.
00:53:57Hawkins.
00:53:59Yeah, I arrested him three years ago.
00:54:01He was a treasure hunter.
00:54:03Avoided jail time by turning in his fences and returning some stolen artifacts.
00:54:06I think he may still be doing community service.
00:54:09Can you get me that arrest report?
00:54:11Sure.
00:54:12It's part of the public records.
00:54:14So you think he's involved?
00:54:41December 1972.
00:54:43Karen and Mark Levi abruptly vacated apartment 5 on Christmas Eve with their daughter, Abigail, age 17.
00:54:51I wonder why on Christmas Eve.
00:54:54Wait.
00:54:55Apartment 5 is Margie's apartment.
00:54:57That means that Margie moved in right after Abigail moved out.
00:55:00Okay.
00:55:01Abigail.
00:55:02Nicknamed Twirly.
00:55:04Twirly.
00:55:05That sounds like a good name.
00:55:06Twirly.
00:55:07Twirly.
00:55:08Twirly.
00:55:09Twirly.
00:55:10That sounds like a nickname for a ballerina.
00:55:13Maybe.
00:55:14Abigail was a dancer and Tony wanted her to have her own nutcracker.
00:55:19So if they left on Christmas Eve, that could explain why Abigail never actually received the present.
00:55:38But then how did Tony come into possession of something so valuable?
00:55:44And why would he give it to Abigail?
00:55:49Did she know that it was stolen?
00:55:51And therefore refuse the present?
00:55:53And knowing that her great love was a thief and a rat caused her to flee with her parents?
00:56:19Hello, Ivana.
00:56:48Bingo.
00:57:08Any directions to the Pembroke Playhouse?
00:57:32Oh, happy holidays.
00:57:35Another rat.
00:57:44Been a long time, Jackson.
00:57:45Yeah, not long enough.
00:57:48Your sister's lovely.
00:57:50Shame many things shouldn't happen to her.
00:57:52Leave her alone, all right?
00:57:53Only if you help me.
00:57:55I'm still on probation.
00:57:57And I still have dirt on you that can lock you up.
00:58:20Hi, excuse me.
00:58:21I'm looking for Ivana Sorokin.
00:58:23She's right over there.
00:58:26I'm Ivana Sorokin.
00:58:27Hi, I'm Sophia Meyer from the Ashford Times.
00:58:33Is this you?
00:58:35Oh, such a long time ago.
00:58:38Yes, that is me.
00:58:40What do you think happened to the nutcracker?
00:58:42I don't care what happened to it.
00:58:45I'm glad it's been gone all these years.
00:58:47Why do you believe that it's cursed?
00:58:48Without a doubt.
00:58:49How so?
00:58:50That nutcracker was given to our valet company back in the 1960s.
00:58:55The next day, our lead ballerina broke her ankle.
00:58:58It ended her dancing career.
00:59:00Oh, yikes.
00:59:02It didn't stop there.
00:59:04Sets, film, and crew members' performances were cancelled.
00:59:09After Tony, the custodian, stole it, all the bad things stopped.
00:59:14We realized it must be cursed.
00:59:16Tony?
00:59:17Yes, Tony.
00:59:20Oh, he was such a nice young man.
00:59:23Everyone loved him.
00:59:25But...
00:59:28One December night,
00:59:30Tony and the nutcracker disappeared.
00:59:33A gunshot was heard on the stage that night.
00:59:35The police were called.
00:59:37Was anybody hurt or killed?
00:59:38Not that we know of.
00:59:40There was no body here when police arrived.
00:59:43What do you think happened to Tony?
00:59:45Some in our troupe believe he had been murdered,
00:59:47and whoever killed him hid the body.
00:59:50But you don't believe that, do you?
00:59:54I had a little crush on Tony,
00:59:57but it didn't last long.
01:00:00Tony was in love with a girl in a local ballet class.
01:00:05After that night, I never saw that girl again.
01:00:09I always had hope.
01:00:12Tony and she had run off together.
01:00:15What if I told you that I could return the nutcracker to you?
01:00:18I'd tell you to flush it, trash it, keep it.
01:00:21Keep it away from my dancers.
01:00:23It's worth quite a bit of money.
01:00:25Then please, donate it somewhere where it can do some good.
01:00:29We don't want it.
01:00:41Oh, thank you.
01:00:44Hey, Diane.
01:00:46Oh, hey there.
01:00:48What's the latest with their story?
01:00:50Oh, I found out where the nutcracker was stolen from.
01:00:53Oh, good job.
01:00:56Did you get help from that Jackson guy?
01:00:58Uh, no, not this time.
01:01:01At the risk of prying,
01:01:04is there anything going on there?
01:01:06You've been spending lots of time with the guy.
01:01:08Uh, well, I am working solo now.
01:01:11Really?
01:01:12Yeah.
01:01:14Yeah, it turns out he's a scoundrel,
01:01:16just like every other man I bump into.
01:01:18Um, but this time I thought, I don't know, I thought...
01:01:22Sounds like you've been thinking too much.
01:01:24Well, I mean, it would be kind of reckless for me
01:01:26to not assess his past and his motives.
01:01:28Look, I don't know what you think his motives are,
01:01:30but in these matters, I've always found
01:01:32it's best to listen to your heart.
01:01:34What does your heart say?
01:01:37I don't know.
01:01:40I don't know.
01:01:42Sometimes it's hard to be brave enough to listen,
01:01:45but as a reporter, you've always been intrepid, Sophia.
01:01:49Thanks, Diane.
01:01:52Follow your heart.
01:01:55And get me that next-door installment.
01:01:58Okay, I will.
01:02:01Bye.
01:02:10Where'd you put all my nutcrackers?
01:02:12We sold them all, every single one.
01:02:16Man, I, uh, really don't deserve a sister like you.
01:02:22Are you in trouble again?
01:02:25Yeah.
01:02:28I don't know how to get out of it this time.
01:02:31Is this about Sophia?
01:02:34Sort of, but, um...
01:02:37It's not really like that.
01:02:45Mary Mary!
01:02:48Come on in.
01:02:50How you feeling?
01:02:52Pretty darn good for my age and my stage.
01:02:55Good. Brought you a gift. Would you like some?
01:02:58Only if you'll join me.
01:03:08What's on your mind, Sophia?
01:03:11I think you and I have a lot to talk about...
01:03:14Tony.
01:03:22I figured we'd have this talk sooner than later.
01:03:25How'd you figure it out?
01:03:27Ernst Theodore Amadeus, ETA, as in ETA Hoffman,
01:03:31the owner of the company,
01:03:33Ernst Theodore Amadeus, ETA, as in ETA Hoffman,
01:03:37the author of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
01:03:40I couldn't be Tony anymore. I wanted a man.
01:03:44But I wanted a name.
01:03:46If Abigail came back, she'd know.
01:03:49She'd know it was me.
01:03:52I bet this plays something from The Nutcracker, doesn't it?
01:03:55Mm-hmm.
01:03:57Yeah.
01:03:59All these presents are for Abigail, too, aren't they?
01:04:02One for each year we've been apart.
01:04:05So you left The Nutcracker wrapped in the storage room because it was stolen?
01:04:10I didn't want anybody to find it and make the connection.
01:04:13But it would still be there even if she...
01:04:15If she came back.
01:04:17See, the storage room was where we would meet,
01:04:20where we could be alone, away from her parents.
01:04:25So what happened the night at the Pembroke Playhouse?
01:04:30The night I stole The Nutcracker, I killed a man.
01:04:35I was young, scared.
01:04:39I ran.
01:04:40No, no, Tony. You didn't kill anybody. There was no body.
01:04:45I was confronted by someone.
01:04:48I panicked. I hid it.
01:04:51I saw him fall into the orchestra pit.
01:04:54I mean, even if I didn't murder someone, I stole The Nutcracker.
01:04:58But why? Why did you steal it?
01:05:02I met Abigail in 1971 at the theater.
01:05:07It was love at first sight for both of us.
01:05:12I was a high school dropout and a janitor.
01:05:16My parents forbid her to see me.
01:05:19I wasn't good enough for her.
01:05:22I figured those were real diamonds on The Nutcracker.
01:05:27I thought we could use it to run away together.
01:05:30The night I stole it, I wrapped the present and left it where we used to meet,
01:05:34hoping she'd find it.
01:05:36Figuring I murdered somebody, I couldn't bring that shame on Abigail, so I ran.
01:05:42I tried to send her a message, but her parents had found out
01:05:45that we were planning on running away together, so they moved.
01:05:49When you came back, you were hoping that she might return one day.
01:05:53I searched for her for years with no luck.
01:06:02I still love her.
01:06:04Every moment of every day.
01:06:09Don't give up, Tony.
01:06:12I know.
01:06:1550 years ago, a real-life love story never got a happy ever after.
01:06:21True love doesn't die.
01:06:23True love endures whether it's 50 minutes or 50 years.
01:06:28This Christmas Eve, Tony will be waiting,
01:06:32his love for Abigail as strong today as it was 50 years ago.
01:06:3950 years ago.
01:06:41A love more valuable than any bejeweled, priceless nutcracker.
01:06:48Abigail, if you are reading this, your prince awaits your arrival.
01:07:01Bye, Brad.
01:07:05You no longer hold any power over me.
01:07:10Jackson, what are you doing here?
01:07:12Shouldn't you be finishing up your community service?
01:07:17Look, I never lied to you, okay?
01:07:19You withheld pertinent information.
01:07:21And I don't know what's more offensive,
01:07:23the fact that you just didn't tell me about your past,
01:07:25or the fact that you think so little of my investigative skills
01:07:27that you didn't think I would figure it out.
01:07:29Look, I'm embarrassed about what I did, okay?
01:07:31Really, I am.
01:07:33You're right. I was a rat.
01:07:36But I'm not one anymore, okay?
01:07:38I don't believe you.
01:07:39I tried to tell you, I did.
01:07:41In the car on our way home from Leonie's, I tried to tell you.
01:07:44Oh, there was plenty of time that night when you could have told me
01:07:47when we were sharing a bowl of popcorn.
01:07:51Wait.
01:07:54Hey, Jackson, what is going on?
01:07:57Everything's gone wrong. I don't know what to do.
01:08:03Where's the nutcracker?
01:08:04It's in a safe place, like you said.
01:08:06Where's the nutcracker?
01:08:07It's in a safe place, like you suggested.
01:08:09I'm sorry, Sophia, but I need it.
01:08:11Well, you know I can't do that.
01:08:13Please, Sophia, I'm begging you.
01:08:16No, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to feed your criminal habit.
01:08:19Sophia, I can't leave here without it.
01:08:22Well, then I'm going to have to call my detective.
01:08:24Please don't.
01:08:26Wait, I can explain everything.
01:08:30Did you buy all my nutcrackers?
01:08:33Yeah.
01:08:34Yeah, that was before I discovered that you're a rat.
01:08:37No, you're right, Sophia. I am a rat.
01:08:40But right now, I'm a cornered rat.
01:08:43What do you mean?
01:08:44I have to get that nutcracker to Simon or he's going to hurt my sister.
01:08:48Wait, is Simon the guy with the eye patch?
01:08:51Yeah. Yeah, that's him.
01:08:55Yeah. Yeah, I saw you with him yesterday.
01:08:58How long have you been playing me?
01:09:00I'm not playing you, Sophia.
01:09:03Look, I was a treasure hunter and Simon was my boss.
01:09:06I got arrested and I was afraid of Simon,
01:09:08so instead of giving his name to the police,
01:09:10I gave him the names of everybody else that I worked with.
01:09:12And now he's threatening my sister.
01:09:15And if we don't give him that nutcracker, then...
01:09:19I don't know what's going to happen.
01:09:26It's him. It's Simon.
01:09:29You have it?
01:09:31Not yet.
01:09:33Tick tock, tick tock.
01:09:35Andrea, don't hurt my sister.
01:09:37Bring me the nutcracker and she'll be fine.
01:09:40Say okay.
01:09:41Okay.
01:09:42In one hour.
01:09:43In one hour.
01:09:47At the Pembroke Playhouse.
01:09:50Deja vu.
01:09:51I'll meet you there in one hour.
01:09:53What about my sister?
01:09:54Well, you bring me the nutcracker and I'll tell you where to find her.
01:09:58Okay.
01:09:59What are we going to do?
01:10:11Very clever.
01:10:12Mm-hmm. It's a good hiding spot.
01:10:15We're going to give the nutcracker to Simon.
01:10:19We can't trust Simon. He's a...
01:10:20Oh, he's what? A beast? A rat? A mouse king?
01:10:24Good you weren't a pirate.
01:10:28I have a plan.
01:10:31Who are you calling?
01:10:32He's going to need backup.
01:10:40I'm going to record this whole thing just in case we get a confession.
01:10:43Good idea.
01:10:44Yeah.
01:10:54Okay.
01:11:16Tony?
01:11:17Wait, Tony's your caretaker?
01:11:19You've been with him at the boarding house this whole time?
01:11:21Surprise.
01:11:22What are you doing?
01:11:23If I can help in any way, I'm game.
01:11:25You know what you're supposed to do, right?
01:11:27I know this theater like the back of my hand.
01:11:31Thanks.
01:11:34Okay, little guy, you are going to be in very good hands.
01:11:41Oh.
01:11:42Okay, we've got about 20 minutes.
01:11:44You know, I really wish you'd let me face Simon alone.
01:11:46This isn't safe.
01:11:47He's dangerous, all right? This isn't just a story.
01:11:50I know, I know, it's a group effort.
01:12:01Give it to me.
01:12:05You're a little early, Simon.
01:12:08What did you do to Jackson's sister?
01:12:10She's a little tied up right now.
01:12:13Give me the nutcracker if you ever want to see her again.
01:12:17Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
01:12:18You tried to steal this nutcracker 50 years ago.
01:12:21Now you're attempting to steal it again?
01:12:23I'm not stealing it.
01:12:25I was swacked in the face with a flashlight from the guy who stole it years ago.
01:12:30See?
01:12:31I think I'm owned.
01:12:33Give it to me.
01:12:35Not until you tell me where Andrew is.
01:12:37You're in no position to make demands.
01:12:40Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
01:12:41All of this, all of this really for a stupid doll?
01:12:43It's not just a doll.
01:12:46This doll is worth $25 million.
01:12:50$25 million and you're just, what, handing it over to this jerk?
01:12:54It's for my sister, all right?
01:12:56Oh, how sweet.
01:12:57A lover's quarrel.
01:12:58Oh, hardly.
01:12:59I mean, you know that whole prince story that you fed me about
01:13:03the love of a good woman turning a rat into a prince?
01:13:06What a bunch of rat crap.
01:13:07You men are all the same.
01:13:17Hmm.
01:13:25He's out.
01:13:27Shoot!
01:13:28Hey!
01:13:46Hey!
01:14:16Hey!
01:14:37Get out of my way.
01:14:39Not on your life.
01:14:41Oh!
01:14:45Sophia, run!
01:14:47Come on.
01:14:48Get over here.
01:14:49Come here!
01:15:04Jackson!
01:15:05Jackson!
01:15:07Come on!
01:15:11No!
01:15:14I see you started without me.
01:15:15Back up.
01:15:16Back away.
01:15:17Back away.
01:15:18Everybody okay?
01:15:19Yeah.
01:15:20Good job, Sophia.
01:15:21We'll take it from here.
01:15:22Come on, let's go.
01:15:27Did he hurt you?
01:15:28No.
01:15:29I'm okay.
01:15:31Quite a plan.
01:15:32Sherlock Holmes.
01:15:33Yeah, well, you make a pretty good Watson.
01:15:40Andrea!
01:15:43I'm so sorry.
01:15:44Are you okay?
01:15:45Yeah.
01:15:48Good job, Sophia.
01:15:50You too, Tony.
01:15:52Your friend's a really good guy.
01:15:55Yeah.
01:16:01Yeah, he is.
01:16:03Thank you so much for joining us today,
01:16:05especially because it is Christmas Eve.
01:16:09When I discovered this Christmas present in the storage room,
01:16:13I knew that there was an interesting mystery to solve,
01:16:17but I had no idea how big the story would become.
01:16:20And what do you do with the nutcracker?
01:16:22So, my dear best friends, Nancy and Laura,
01:16:26are actually going to be making a Christmas present
01:16:29My dear best friends, Nancy and Laura,
01:16:31are actually going to take this historic nutcracker to Austria
01:16:34next month on their honeymoon,
01:16:36and there it's going to be exhibited
01:16:38to honor the love of Prince Peter and Finn, a commoner.
01:16:42So what's next for you?
01:16:43For me?
01:16:44Well, some studios have actually approached me
01:16:48about optioning the story,
01:16:50and I've been approached about a book deal,
01:16:53and starting next week,
01:16:55I'm going to be a weekly columnist at the Ashford Times.
01:16:59Sophia!
01:17:00What about Tony and Abigail?
01:17:02There's no sign of her just yet,
01:17:04but with true love, hope never dies,
01:17:07and Tony's going to be here waiting.
01:17:09I am.
01:17:10And for the record,
01:17:11no charges will be brought against him
01:17:13now that the nutcracker's been returned.
01:17:15Hey!
01:17:16Folks, thanks for coming out,
01:17:18and have a merry Christmas.
01:17:20Thank you so much.
01:17:29Excuse me.
01:17:31Are you the woman who wrote those articles?
01:17:41Abigail.
01:17:46Oh, but you are not here to see me.
01:17:49Tony!
01:17:51Come here.
01:17:53Tony!
01:17:56Twirly!
01:17:59You're back.
01:18:00You're finally back.
01:18:02We were always together.
01:18:05And so love conquered all.
01:18:09A happy ending.
01:18:12I don't know.
01:18:13I think there's one more chapter.
01:18:23Really, Diane?
01:18:24I mean, how many treasures can this basement hold?
01:18:26You're the writer.
01:18:27I'm the editor.
01:18:28I know, and you never let me forget it.
01:18:30Your next story is down there.
01:18:32Okay, bye.
01:18:52Jackson?
01:18:54Are you defacing the beam?
01:18:58Well, yeah, I was in the process of defacing the beam.
01:19:02I just needed your final approval.
01:19:05My final approval for what?
01:19:09Well, this is a place of forever love,
01:19:12and I wanted to write Sophia and Jackson
01:19:16inside the heart.
01:19:19Can I?
01:19:21Can I?
01:19:25Oh, wait.
01:19:27Here.
01:19:30I made this for you.
01:19:34It is beautiful.
01:19:36Yeah.
01:19:39I know you're not a ballerina,
01:19:40but you've been dancing circles around my heart
01:19:42since the moment you bumped into me.
01:19:48You lifted my curse.
01:19:51Jackson, the real curse was me thinking
01:19:53that true love had to be like a fairy tale,
01:19:56when the fact is,
01:19:59real life and the real you are far better.
01:20:08Wait, I almost forgot a key element.
01:20:16Care to dance?
01:20:18You know I'm not a ballerina.
01:20:20Well, that's all right.
01:20:22I mean, like you said,
01:20:24I'm not much of a prince.
01:20:27Then we're the perfect match.