All language subtitles for mke.or.bake.christmas.2024.720p.webrip.aac.x264-portalgoods

Christmas, a time for family, friends,
and those unforgettable feasts that

our hearts and fills our tummies.

And it all begins right here in the
kitchen.

So, darling, as you all gather around
your tables this Christmas, remember

holiday joy is just one treat away.

Because when you're spending your
Christmas with Leslie Lake, one bite

story. Merry Christmas.

And we're clear.

Can someone please tell me why my
competitor's cookies are on this plate?

Huh? Where's my operations manager?

Emma! Emma!

Yes, Leslie.

How many times do I have to tell you?
The art director said... Leslie Lake is

household brand. Do you know why?

Because my cookies are actually pretty.

Look at that.

How do you expect to get a promotion
when you can't even follow the simplest

detail? I reminded them multiple times.

Walk with me, please.

So tell me, what would you do if you
were in my shoes?

Eat the cookie?

Exactly. See, you would allow everyone
and your employees to just walk all over

you. Now, is there any way how to run a
multi -million dollar brand?

Well, I wouldn't say that.

Guess it's a good thing we'll never find
out.

Nick Wake? Yes.

No. No.

No, no, no. No way.

Come back when you get some taste.

Now, where were we? Oh, yes, your epic
fail.

Today is your lucky day, Emma, because I
have an opportunity for you. For a

promotion? No, to keep from getting
fired.

Right.

Check this out.

Sweet D Sugar Bakers? Mm -hmm. Small
family -owned company.

Relatively successful.

Loyal fan base.

And they have a limited -run product
that is so popular, retailers can't even

keep it in the box.

I mean, it's no wonder. Look at that
cash flow. They can barely afford their

demand. Exactly.

They can't.

Leslie Lake, on the other hand.

So you want to acquire a bakery?

No. Last thing I need is another bakery.

But I want to require the name. Take it
nationwide.

Your thoughts?

I think this sounds like a job for
mergers and acquisitions.

I already called the owner.

And? And I quote, It'll be a frosty day
in July before I ever sell my family's

legacy to some highfalutin big city
corporation.

You find that funny?

No. I mean, not really.

Because I need someone to get in there,
find out their operational weaknesses,

and convince Denise Sugarbaker to sell
me her company.

Wait, her name is actually Sugarbaker?
Yeah.

So perfect you could almost puke, right?

And what if this Denise Sugarbaker won't
sell?

That's where you come in.

You're uniquely qualified to evaluate
their operations and help me strategize

aggressive acquisition.

So you want me to go undercover.

Exactly. Places like this, they love
seasonal employees.

That is, unless you don't want to keep
your job.

Leslie, it's Christmas.

Emma, you always work on the holidays.

I told you, I promised my mom I'd spend
it with her.

Christmas is what, two weeks away?

Yes. So, that'll be perfect. You can
finish this up and then fly to Oklahoma

see her on Christmas Eve.

Indiana. Same thing.

Listen, the board gets together first of
the year.

I need this closed by then.

The thing is, I don't know a thing about
baking.

Oh, come on.

You work for Lovely Lake.

Does that mean you're going to give me
some pointers?

Sure. How about watch some of those
cooking videos on social media?

You don't think you can bake?

Ha!

I'm about to prove you wrong.

I'm Butterfingers, and we're going to
make my legendary sugar cookies. They're

quick and easy. All you need is 1250
cups of flour.

Wham! Wham!

One cup of raw sugar is my preference.

Wham! Two free -range eggs.

You've got to be nice to the chickadees.
One teaspoon of vanilla, three or four

shakes of cinnamon, and you mix that all
up until it gets nice and doughy. And

then you pluck that dough off into
these.

Wham! Look at those babies. They are all
ready to go into the oven,

and in 15 minutes... Oh, look at that!

Wham!

Are you ready to dig in? Just give
yourself a pat on the back. And if you

this recipe, just click the link below
and follow.

Butterfingers!

And the market jumped this morning after
reports that retail stores are

forecasting very strong sales for the
upcoming Christmas holiday.

And other news, several families in a
Southern California neighborhood

experienced...

Oh, boy.

you sneaking?

Hi, I'm here about the... That's my
heart. Where my manners?

Welcome to Sweet D's Sugar Bakers, where
our favorite ingredient is family.

I'm Denise.

Oh, uh, Emma.

I got into a little kerfuffle with a
batch of scotcheroos in the back.

How can I help you?

Oh, uh, I applied for the job online, a
seasonal floater.

Oh, let me look.

Yeah, name, experience, whatnot.

What's wrong?

I never heard of any of these bakeries.

Yes. They were just small family
businesses, you know.

So tell me, how long have you been
baking?

How long have I been baking?

Uh, a long time. Since I was a kid. I
used to bake with my mother on Sundays.

mom and I, we used to bake checkerboard
cookies for the church every week.

What was your mother's favorite recipe?

Oh, well, we baked a lot. I just
couldn't tell you. There's so many.

Mm -hmm. Don't I know it.

Wait.

So that's it?

Yeah, I can call about the references
later, but you look like an honest, hard

-working employee to me.

You are honest, aren't you?

Yes. Of course. Definitely.

Well, then, welcome to Sweet Tea
Sugarbakers.

Oh, this bakery has been in my family
for three generations, founded by my

mother, Eugenia, way back in 1962.

My son, David, he pretty much runs
everything around here. He got a fancy

Not that I need somebody to tell me how
to run my bakery, but like my mama

always said, we are sugar bakers. We got
flour in our veins.

Speak of the devil. Good morning.
Morning. Good morning.

Morning.

You two know each other already?

No.

Wait,

I thought I saw you earlier.

This is Emma, our new seasonal floater.
Oh, welcome aboard the Sugar Baker

Express. You wouldn't mind showing her
around, would you?

Those are sweet, these Sugar Baker
butter brownies, they are not going to

themselves. They would if you would
modernize, like I told you. Poppy

It was lovely to meet you.

All right, come on.

Let me show you how I prefer to run
things.

Okay. Come on.

All right.

Everybody, listen up.

This is our brand -new seasonal floater,
Emma.

I'll be helping all of you out. Hey,
Emma.

Emma, this is Sally, our cake decorator.
This is Patty, operations manager who

keeps everything humming.

Clark, our shipping clerk who makes sure
everything gets to where it's supposed

to go. And Maggie, our longest running
employee and the best gift wrapper east

or west of the Mississippi. And don't
forget calligrapher. Wait, you write all

those by hand?

Yes. And our custom card.

Efficient.

Well, it's very nice to meet you all.

I'm here to help, so just let me know.

Oh, actually, did you go down to the
warehouse?

We just got an order for 20 black forest
cakes from Julio's Market.

Wait, who is supposed to wrap all of
those orders? Hold up, hold up. I need

help frosting the Christmas cookies for
my daughter's school. No, no, I need her

help to make sure we're fully stocked.
Remember last year when all the butter

spoiled? Remember, how could I forget?
You didn't let me live it down for two

weeks. And that reminds me, Maggie, did
you talk to Jane about her anniversary

cake? Jane, Jane, Jane Johnson or Jane
Thomas?

Jane Bullock. Jane Bullock, Jane
Bullock, Jane Bullock.

Oh, oh. Yeah, got it, got it. Come on.

Guys, wait.

Tell you what. How about I go to the
storeroom, get what you need, drop them

at the warehouse, get the boxes, get
those wrapped, and help you frost those

cookies.

You're an angel.

Thank you.

I think we're in good hands.

I know.

Okay, so this is the kitchen, and it's
also where we usually need the most help

during the holidays.

And do you bake?

Oh, you know, I dabble.

You know, like my mom always says, we
sugar bakers. Have flour in your veins.

Oh, okay.

Yeah.

Um, you know, we still use all of
Grandma Eugenia's original recipes, and

as her famous gingerbread cookies go, we
have all been sworn to secrecy, okay?

So no one outside the family, ever.

Let me guess, you also have a vault with
General Sanders' recipes?

Yeah. And me and my mom have the only
kid, so.

Wait, really?

No, no. No, but that vault thing?

That's a good idea. I mean, we should
look into that.

All right, come on. Let's continue.

So, you survived your first day.

What were you expecting?

Anxiety attack or nervous breakdown.

It was actually fun.

Try harder tomorrow.

Relax. I got a good sense of the bakery
and how it works. Good, because tomorrow

you are actually going to start baking.

Baking?

Yeah, is that a problem?

No, it's just that, you know, your mom
being the mastermind and all. It doesn't

mean she doesn't get overwhelmed.

Look, hey, relax, okay?

I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake for
someone with your experience.

Piece of cake, right.

If there's anything you're going to
learn here, that we're all family.

And family takes care of family.

Besides, I'm sure that you are a much
better banker than you let know.

You're not late.

See you tomorrow.

Hello?

Have you learned their weaknesses?

It's only my second day.

And?

What have you learned?

Besides the fact that they're severely
understaffed, it's quite a charming

place. The people are really nice and...
Have you not learned anything from me?

People are expendable.

Today, it's all about the IP and who
controls more of it.

I don't think they're going to share
their family secrets.

Then you'll have to make them
interested.

You do know what's going to happen when
they find out I lied on my application,

right? Oh, please.

Small businesses never check references.

But don't you worry.

You just put on your apron and get in
there and shake a leg.

Gotta go.

Emma, look, I want to talk to you about
your application, specifically your

references. Uh, what about?

You don't think that you have, like,
some explaining to do?

Uh -huh.

I just thought, um, with understaffed
small businesses, it would take more

to check them.

Right, and you would be correct, which
is why I was so happy to hear from one

your former employers this morning.

Huh? Yeah, man, she had nothing but
wonderful things to say about you. In

she said...

You were the best baker since Leslie
Lake.

Oh, yeah, of course she did.

Which leads me to ask, why in the world
are you working as a seasonal floater?

Um, I just think that I wanted something
to do for the holidays and

stuff. Uh -huh.

Copy? Uh, no. I already got mine.

Oh, that's because you have not tried
mine yet.

I'll have you know, this right here,
Sugar Baker's award -winning coffee.

Mmm. Mmm.

What's your secret?

Six years studying for college exams.

My turn.

Ooh.

It's not bad.

Not bad.

What's your secret?

Find a demanding boss who has issues
with work -life balance.

Mmm, small price to pay for a great cup
of coffee.

All right, ready to roll up your
sleeves?

Ready. Good.

I'll holler at my mom and she will get
you going.

Okay. All right.

We'll start off easy -peasy. Seven dozen
gingerbread men. You got the chops for

that?

Seven dozen is... Eighty -four.

Gingerbread men.

That ain't a hitch, is it? No. No hitch.

Mm -hmm.

I'll kill Leslie.

What? What was that? I'm excited to
begin.

Ah.

God, this is your life.

Is this... The recipe?

Touched by the hands of Mama Eugenia
herself.

Wow. Mm -hmm. We only make these six
weeks out of the year, mid -November

through Christmas, and then that bad boy
goes right back in the office. Ooh,

imagine a hullabaloo if the competition
got their mitts on that bad boy.

Ooh. Yeah, imagine.

Mm -hmm.

Oh, you know what? You can go in the
kitchen and sauce the mixer, okay?

I'll be right back.

What are you doing, Emma?

You having trouble?

Nope. Not at all.

Glad to hear.

Okay.

20 minutes should be good, right?

Mm -hmm.

Why do they need all this stuff?

Yeah, they make that bread flour instead
of cake flour, if you can believe that.

Emma.

What are you doing?

Uh, I was taking a break.

Letting the cookies cook.

Checking out our stock.

I was just getting familiar with the
inventory.

Learn anything interesting?

Yeah. Actually, do you always cut the
expiration date so close?

I order based on projections, and if
others have trouble meeting those

projections, that's not my problem. Hey,
come on, Patty.

It's the holidays.

Okay. Dave, do you have issues meeting
those projections?

Okay, look.

Here's the thing you've got to learn
about my mom, okay?

She prizes quality over quantity.

But it's quantity that makes a business
successful.

Yeah.

Wow, you are not like other seasonal
floaters.

Oh? You know, usually they're college
students home for the holidays, but... I

better watch out.

What do you mean?

Because you might be after my job.

Well, I... May I?

Oh, that... Oh, my God.

I've never seen anything like this
before.

Okay, look, we'll clean her out and have
her back on track in no time, all

right?

Emma, are you sure you followed the
recipe exactly?

Yeah, I mean, I think so.

I guess maybe I mixed up the
ingredients.

Maybe too much baking soda, powder,
yeast fermentation.

Look, Emma, I'm not sure how you did
things at those other bakeries, but here

Sweet D's Sugar Bakers, We never
improvised, ever.

Truthfully, I'm not really much of a
baker.

I thought I was going to be doing
operations.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, honey,
this is not your fault now. Baking, it

comes second nature to me, and sometimes
I forget that it's not the case for

everybody. So let's go and find
something less destructive for you to

Well, I guess you're not going to lose
your job after all.

Hi, Mom.

Do I need to start making appointments
to talk to my own daughter?

Sorry, I've been busy.

You tell that Leslie woman I'd like to
speak to my daughter once in a while.

Cute.

What's she got you doing this time?

Corporate espionage.

Oh.

Okay.

That's, um, not illegal.

Is it? Oh, gosh, no.

I mean, I don't think so.

Sometimes I think that Leslie woman just
needs to hear the word no from your

lips to God's ears.

Just so long as I get to see my daughter
for Christmas.

About that, I... I'm really looking
forward to it, just the two of us

We'll see what I can do. Just remember,
at the end of the day, nobody ever said

they'd wish they spent more time at the
office.

Thanks, Mom.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Bye. Bye, Mom.

I know that

look. What look?

A little bit of amusement, a little bit
of...

Overwhelm -ness?

Is that a word? I don't know, but I know
exactly what you mean.

You'll get used to it, trust me.

I just thought I was going to be working
in a bakery, not a Christmas emporium.

Well, that is how the business started,
and baking is still at the core of

everything we do. But when Denise took
over, we really expanded.

I can tell.

Everything you need for Christmas is
here. I can't imagine going anywhere

That's the idea.

I'm starting with Maggie today.

Well, good. You'll get to see how each
package is personalized and beautifully

wrapped. Is that the most efficient use
of time?

Maybe not, but it matters.

Year after year, season after season,
our customers come back to us because of

the way our gift packages make them
feel.

You really buy into all this, don't you?

You bet.

And you will, too. Trust me.

Come on. Let's get back to work.

Welcome to the wrapping paper area that
I like to call the North Pole because I

prefer to think of us as Santa's little
helpers, don't you?

Oh, you were serious?

Well, yes. Here at Sweet Deep Sugar
Bakers, we believe that a first -rate

product deserves first -rate
presentation.

Right? So look, I'm going to hand you a
box of peppermint Teddy Fours, and it's

all wrapped up.

You know that a lot of care and effort
went into them, right?

I mean, don't get me wrong, it's
definitely first rate, but it's just

costly. Oh, my goodness. I mean, they're
just going to rip it apart and throw it

out anyway.

Yes, but don't you see people?

They love our wrapping paper.

And it sets us apart from our
competitors.

That's your part, all right.

Okay, so I want you to watch and learn.

See?

And perfection.

Wow.

Okay. Now, it is your turn.

Here you go.

Okay.

Good.

Perfect.

Voila. What do you think?

I think that the next one will be
easier. How

many of these do we have to do?

Oh, today, I believe we have 200.

And you do them all by yourself? Oh,
gosh.

Oh, gosh, no. Of course not.

That's why you're here.

Here we go. Okay.

Yep.

Are we keeping you from something?

Oh, no, not at all.

Hmm.

How was your day with Maggie?

Well, I learned everything there is to
know about... Christmas wrapping.

Trust me, by the time you're done,
you'll have a PhD in ribbon curling.

Hungry?

Trying to buy all this?

Starving. Good.

Well, then you wouldn't mind joining me
for dinner.

Doesn't involve cookies, does it? No,
no.

Next best thing.

Okay. All right.

I just have a couple of things to finish
up in the kitchen, and I'll meet you

there.

Excuse me. Hi.

I came in the front door, but no one was
there.

Oh, that's probably because everyone
left.

Can I help you with something?

Well, I hope so.

Adam Olson. I'm a real estate broker.

My office is right down the street just
off Juneway.

Emma Donovan. Nice to meet you.

This is a nice piece of property you
have here.

Yes, it's very festive, that's for sure.

Well, I'm not talking about the store
and the bakery.

I'm talking about the property.

The property?

The land.

The site.

It's worth a pretty penny.

You're probably right. I am right.

I make it a point to know the value of
all these lots.

Mind you be interested in selling?

I think you'd be surprised at what this
place could bring in.

Oh, this isn't my store. I just started
here. I'm not even a full -time

employee. Oh, well, I'm sorry.

I just figured you said since everyone
was gone that... Oh, yeah, and I should

probably be too. I just had a few things
to finish up.

Well, can you tell me who I should talk
to then at another time?

Denise Sugarbaker. She's the owner.

You're pulling my leg.

Trust me, I thought the same thing when
I heard her name.

Well, that will give you a leg up in the
competition, I'm sure.

I mean, have you tried her cookies? She
doesn't need a gimmick. I have,

actually. Another broker had a box in
his office.

Mmm, delicious.

Oh, and it's not just the cookies or the
baked goods.

I mean, this is a one -stop shop for
everything Christmas.

Mmm, it is impressive.

Well, I won't keep you any longer. Just
give this to Denise, if you wouldn't

mind, and tell her to call me anytime.

Have a nice night.

Will do.

Shoot.

I've never had an evergreen aperitif
before.

So, quit.

Tell me what you think.

That's really good.

Look, I'm telling you.

Look, my dad, like, he would order one
of these every single Christmas. Huh.

I wanted to ask you about yesterday.

Oh, don't worry about that. Um, handyman
came by this morning, fixed the oven

up, so, like... Oh, no, no, not about
that.

About meeting projections.

What about it?

You have a lot of loyal customers, but
it seems like you're struggling.

Like, things have gotten better since I
came on board, but it was still

stretched pretty thin.

But you have more employees, so does
that mean more sales?

Look, we are not one of those big
corporations like Leslie Lake.

Like, the margins are thin.

Always, we've always kept our overhead
down.

Have you ever considered joining forces
with...

a bigger company?

You mean selling the bakery?

Have you ever thought of it?

Sweet D's Sugar Bakers has been in the
family for generations.

Like my mom, you know her. She would
never hear that.

And you?

I respect my mom's wishes.

Are we ready to order?

Ooh!

Let me guess.

Never.

Yeah. Can we do two more of these?

You got it. Appreciate it.

Never.

Really good. I'll

tell you.

Like, the best.

Hello?

Hey, any progress?

What if this isn't the right company for
you?

Have you ever tried their famous
gingerbread cookies?

Have you? I only eat my own products.

But everyone that I've talked to says
that they're fabulous.

They're not wrong.

Then this should be a setch. After all,
they're just a mom and pop bakery.

Actually, pop's been out of the picture
for quite some time now.

So it's just a mom bakery.

Even better.

Mom likes the way things are.

You know what mom would like even
better?

I give up. That fat check that I'm going
to write her when I buy her company.

And what if I can't make her interested?

Maybe your photo position there will be
more permanent.

Right. Remember, Emma, the sooner you
finish, the sooner you can get to your

in Illinois.

Indiana. Same thing.

I've heard Illinois is better.

Gotta go.

Ooh, that looks good.

So, how was dinner?

It was fine, Mom.

Just fine?

Okay.

I had a good time.

I knew it. Mom, give me a second.

I'm not judging you, honey. You're an
adult.

She's an adult.

Very attractive adult.

Don't think. I don't know what you're
doing. Oh, David James Sugarbaker, what

are you talking about?

Well, what is it? What are you talking
about? What is it?

I don't know. It's just, it's like
something about her.

Well, she might be more experienced than
our other floaters. But, no, that's the

thing, though. She's not experienced,
like, at all.

Don't get me wrong. She's smart and
she's driven, but, like, why is she

you know?

You know, all I hear every year is how
overworked everybody is. So you can

believe the last thing I'm going to do
is, look, this gift rained in the mouth.

Okay? I hear you.

That's good, though. Fine.

Okay. Just fine.

You're going to be done with this job,
and that's it.

Do not get distracted.

Do not.

Oh, good morning.

Good morning.

For you.

For me.

Well, you've been so patient with me, so
I figured I'd remind you what real

coffee tastes like.

Oh, wow.

Thank you.

You know, I'm not going to pretend that
I won't enjoy it.

Well, um, Sally needs my help, so...
Yeah.

Hey, Emma?

Yeah? Are you wearing makeup?

Well, a little, yeah.

Looks nice.

Thank you.

Yep.

Now I want you to picture the cookie.

The icing.

What are the colors?

What is that cookie saying to you?

It's telling me to stop looking at it.

Okay, now there are three types of
piping.

You have the dots, you have the stars,
and then you have the lines.

Okay. You just have to be patient.

And you're going to outline first.

And then flood.

Yeah, you try it.

Outline.

And line.

Oh, okay.

Well, you said flat. I did? I did.

Look, your mother trusts you. And the
last thing I want to do is overstep.

I just don't understand how we're
supposed to increase productivity

help. Patty, my mom has run the bakery
for 30 years.

Have faith, all right?

It's the faith we need.

All right. There we go. All right.
Lightly. Yes. You're getting the hang of

Very good.

Do you have a daughter?

I do. Yeah. She's in fourth grade. Her
name is Jackie.

Oh. What about you? Any kids?

No. Not yet, at least.

Well, mine is the center of my world.

You know, I honestly don't know what I
would do without Sweet D's Sugar

Breakers. What do you mean?

Well, Jackie has... severe asthma, and
her insurance wasn't covering her

bills, so Denise went ahead and changed
providers. No questions asked.

Even though it cost the company more
money.

She really did that?

Yeah. Yeah, it's really special to have
a boss that cares so much about her

employees.

Imagine that.

Take it from here. Okay, I got it.

Nice. You really think so?

Yeah, I mean, I've never seen abstract
impressionism on a Christmas cookie

before.

Ha ha.

You know, you could buy machines to do
this. It would be a lot faster and more

efficient. And expensive.

Like, do you have any idea how much
equipment like that would cost?

I mean, of course not. You're a floater.

I'm so sorry that it came out so harsh.

No, no, you're right. I don't.

Let's just say it would be more than we
can afford.

Listen, Dave, I didn't mean to overstep
the other day.

Doesn't mean you're not right.

But in case you ever noticed, my mom is
very old -fashioned and stubborn.

Sometimes it feels like I'm trying to
keep this company together with glue and

Popsicle stick.

I imagine you're swimming in debt. But
the good thing to focus on is your

market, position, and brand strength.

Have you been looking at the company
financials?

No, because that would be ridiculous.

But if I were to look at the financials,
hypothetically, I would imagine you

have a lot of room for expansion.

Well, then you are in luck.

How do you mean?

Because apparently you flunked at a
cookie decorating.

Tomorrow, I'm going to have you shadow
the corporate raiders.

That was a joke.

Very funny.

What? I thought it was funny.

You okay?

What? Oh.

Yeah, of course.

Did Dave say something?

He can be tough, but he has a good
heart.

Hello?

Hi. Oh, my gosh. Does it smell good in
here?

I'm sorry. I just was in the area, so I
decided to pop in.

Sally, this is... I'm sorry.

Adam Olson.

Sally. Sally.

Enchanté.

So, did you speak to the owner?

Sorry again. I must have slipped my
mind.

Well, is she here now?

Afraid not.

Is there anything I can help you with?

I stopped by the other day hoping to
speak to the owner. I don't know if

aware, but in this real estate market,
this property could be extremely

to a developer.

Our bakery and shop?

The land.

Whoever buys it will probably tear down
the bakery.

Oh, I'm sorry. This business has been in
our owner's family for generations.

If you two would excuse me.

Anyway, you'd be surprised.

About what?

Well, I've seen a lot of business owners
change their minds once they get an

offer.

You've never met Denise?

No chance, huh?

No chance, sorry.

Oh, well.

So, tell me about yourself.

Oh, well, I don't even own my own home.
Wait, rent.

You and your husband?

Me and my daughter.

Oh.

Um, how long have you worked here?

Oh, forever.

And you live nearby?

Yeah, not far.

You know, I'm surprised I haven't run
into you around town. I just live right

over off Chaucer. Well, between work and
my daughter, I don't really get out

much. I get it. I, uh, I also... You
know, I don't mean to be rude, but it's

Christmas season. I have so much work to
do. No, no, no, no. I understand. I

just, I talk so much in this job, I
rarely find somebody I enjoy talking to.

Well, it was a pleasure, Sally.

Maybe I'll see you around town?

Yes, maybe.

Sally?

What? What? He was totally into you.

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

He just took an announcement.

Sally, wake up.

When was the last time you've been on a
date?

You need to call him.

No, actually, I think I still have his
card.

No, you need to focus on work and not my
love life.

So what you got?

My evaluation.

Nice work.

And the owner?

At that debt level, she will have no
choice.

The board won't wait for a Chapter 11.

They may not need to.

Oh?

Denise owns the bakery, but it's manned
by her son Dave. David.

Undergrad from the University of
Chicago.

MBA from Stanford.

He should be on Wall Street or Silicon
Valley, not in his mother's kitchen.

He is loyal, but he is practical.

Seems I may have misjudged you, Emma.

Perhaps you are a promotion material
after all.

Wait, so does that mean you're going to
have mergers and acquisitions give him a

call? Why would I do that?

I've got my inside woman right here.

Don't you think that's a little above my
pay grade?

Above the pay grade of my operations
manager, but not the pay grade of my

director of brand management.

Wait, are you offering me a promotion?

Ben, you ready to earn it?

You know, I've been rattling my noggin
about the other day, and it hit me like

crate of chocolate chips.

Baking has always been second nature to
me, but sometimes I forget it's not easy

as pie for everyone else.

So I figured today we should have
something simple.

Sugar cookies.

Oh, great.

Milk, butter, sugar.

Now, we can't mess that up now, can we?

Right.

Oh, okay. So tell me, tell me, how did
you make them at your other job?

Oh, um, I just...

Can you give me a second?

You waiting for Butterfinger's butter
cookie?

I am. All it's going to take is two cups
of flour.

Wham! Of course, we're going to add the
raw sugar, but most importantly, the

butter!

Oh, please. They can't be... Oh, come
on.

Bad.

Did you use the white container in the
storage room?

Yeah, they look perfectly fine.

Oh, it is perfectly fine.

Perfectly fine salt.

They're unique, though. I'll give you
that.

Hey, this is not funny.

I mean, it's a little funny. No, we got
the Edgemore Resort that just ordered 75

boxes.

Okay. Why don't we offer them...

80 boxes of our brand new salted caramel
cookies for the same price.

Um, we don't have salted caramel
cookies.

We do now.

Come on, let me show you what a caramel
says.

Cheers, caramel.

Sally Martin?

Sally, it's Adam.

Oh, sorry, Adam who?

Adam Olson.

The realtor from the other day?

Oh, Adam, of course.

Sorry, I was distracted.

Can I help you with something?

Well, actually, yes.

I was hoping for a date.

With me?

Who else?

Oh, well, I don't know.

No, come on. What's the worst that could
happen?

You're not having fun? I'll bring you
home early.

Come on, I usually don't have to beg.

I'll tell you what. A bunch of us are
going to the watering hole tonight.

Why don't you join us?

You know, I know exactly where that is,
and I'll be there.

Okay. And Sally.

Yeah?

I'm looking forward to it.

See you then.

I could apologize again, but I think
I've used up all your goodwill. What?

Emma. Clark says he has not been able to
keep our brand new salted caramel

cookies in stock.

I mean, do you think you could do it
again because we could use some for our

famous Christmas party on the 23rd?

I think I should stay away from anything
edible.

What are you doing right now?

Besides going home to hang my head in
shame, nothing.

Today is Thursday.

Do you know what that means?

Tomorrow's Friday.

Karaoke night.

Oh, no.

No. You really want to miss the
opportunity to celebrate your culinary

Listen, the caramel is enough meth as it
is.

I mean, I could put a boss card, tell
you it's mandatory.

But come on, I promise you, none of us
sing nearly as good as we bake.

Especially Patty and Sally.

Fine, okay.

Cool.

It's the time of year.

But we're getting together to share some
cheer.

I'm Santa, Santa, and there's eight
reindeer.

Because all I want for Christmas is to
have you here.

Come on, Santa.

Good feelings are all around.

The fire's blowing everywhere just now.
Getting those golden pipes ready.

Denise, I wanted to apologize.

Karaoke is no place to apologize.

Sorry.

I know what it's like to be the new kid
on the block.

Think I've been doing this all my life?

Shoe store, bookstore, drugstore, you
can name it. I've probably been fired

it. Oh, you're serious? I just assumed.

No point in this, baby.

Everybody is good at something. Just,
you take the time to find out what it

Like karaoke?

I don't know who they do. I'm definitely
no good at karaoke.

God, me neither.

Good. So, you, you know, you wouldn't
mind picking one?

Pick a song.

Oh, no, no, no. I just, I just came to
watch.

Nobody comes to karaoke to watch.

But I'll embarrass myself.

I hope you do.

Hey, Dave.

Oh, son.

Come on. Hey.

Christmas songs.

What's wrong with Christmas songs?

Oh, Emma, she don't like Christmas.

Huh? That is not true. Really?

Because I seem to remember a certain
someone who didn't like that I was

Christmas music.

That, that doesn't mean I don't like the
whole holiday.

Okay. Prove it.

And how am I supposed to do that?

All right, give it up for Charlotte,
Maggie, and Patty.

Okay.

Okay. All right, all right, all right,
all right. So for our next vocalist, she

can absolutely just not wait to share
her favorite Christmas song with you all

tonight. Emma Donovan, In The House.

Come on.

Okay, Emma, what song will you be
singing for us tonight?

You'll see.

Okay, then take it away, Emma.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

I had a showing. It took forever.

A showing this late?

Unfortunately, the holidays are our busy
season.

Well, if that makes sense, with everyone
off of work and school.

Well, there's that, and then there's all
that end -of -year optimism.

Everybody wants a fresh start at
something.

So, you know, I'm sorry I'm late.

It's okay. Yeah, I tried to call, but I
don't have your cell phone number. I

have the number for the store, and I
figured you wouldn't be there, so...

meant. Just... a bunch of us
embarrassing ourselves with karaoke.

Listen, I know it's late and I know you
probably want to get home, but can I

take you for a cup of coffee?

Sure.

Thank you.

You know,

for someone who doesn't like Christmas
music, I could do pretty good of it.

I never said I didn't like Christmas
music.

You never said you did.

Okay, well, kind of hard to get into the
spirit when you work long hours for a

demanding boss.

Well, previous boss.

Uh -huh.

What's wrong?

I'm just saying, like, if they have any
pastries to go with these.

Have you ever thought about selling our
products at a place like this?

Our products?

Well, you know what I mean. At Sweet D's
Sugar Bakers. Oh, no, no, I know what

you mean. It's just, like, the last time
I checked.

There was one sugar baker sitting at
this table.

It's just an idea.

You know, increase more streams of
revenue.

That is not how we do things here.

Well, not how you do things now, but
what if the company goes out of

What do you mean?

What would you do?

Doesn't matter.

Why?

Because I would never let that happen.

I mean, the way you, the way we run
things, the ingredients are overpriced,

system's outdated, and most of all, that
enormous warehouse that's just too much

overhead. There you go again, aiming for
my job.

Aren't you worried?

About what?

Um, aggressive acquisition?

That's a big time for a seasonal
flutter.

Well, it just so happens that I have
experience in business because of the

last place I worked at, Cookies and
Cakes.

Cream.

Huh?

You worked at Cookies and Cream.

Yes, right. Of course.

Hey, Emma, can I ask you a serious
question?

How are you spending Christmas?

Uh, well, I was supposed to spend it
with my mother.

Where does she live?

Indiana.

What?

What things may change.

Such as?

I may have to stay.

Like, in town, or?

At Sweet D's Sugar Bakers.

That's the problem with seasonal
floaters.

Like, they tend to be seasonal.

They sure do.

Well, um, guess we better make the most
of the season.

Oh, and you better not leave before
Sweet D. Sugarbaker's famous Christmas

party.

Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Good.

Cheers to that.

You're late on that, too.

Hey.

Hey. You okay?

I'm fine. What's going on? I called you
a bunch of times last night.

Oh, yeah.

Sorry, I was out.

Out?

My director of brand management is
supposed to be working.

Well, it turns out I actually was
working.

Rome wasn't built in a day, you know.

No, it wasn't. But it was built faster
than you're going.

Oh, hey, I gotta go.

Dave. Big.

Uh -huh.

Dave.

Okay.

Who are you talking to?

No one.

I heard someone talking.

Oh, that was a podcast.

Huh.

Hey, look, um, I got something serious I
want to talk to you about, or ask you.

Oh?

Um, and I want you to answer honestly.
Can you do that?

Yeah. Cool.

How, what are you doing for brunch
tomorrow?

What did you think I was about to ask
you?

I don't know. That, I don't know,
something to do with an oven?

Mm, right. Because, I mean, why would we
ever need one of those in a bakery,

right?

Why did you want to ask me?

Oh, just you wait and see.

I didn't know what to bring. I hope you
like mimosa.

Honey, I like champagne.

Oh, my goodness.

That sweater is adorable.

Thank you. You know, it being the
holidays and all.

Yeah, my son was telling me that you
were a big scoop.

She's lying.

But I knew you were a softie.

Hey, don't you listen to a word this
woman says.

Well, I hope you brought an appetite.

Sure did.

Come on.

You were right. That brunch was
delicious.

I'm telling you, that woman was born
with a blanket in one hand and a spatula

the other.

I've never had a Christmas meatloaf
before.

Just wait until you try her eggnog.

Homemade? Well, we don't grow the cows,
but close enough.

And?

It is pretty good.

I'm telling you, we take Christmas
pretty serious around here.

Says the guy with the roasted chestnuts
and eggnog.

Don't you mean like you have never done
this with your family before?

I've never even had a chestnut.

It is like a cooked sweet potato.

You made that up.

Did I?

What do you think?

I don't think.

It... Tastes like a cooked sweet potato.

All right.

Okay, I will get us some more. Well, no,
no.

Next one's on me.

It's been a long time since he bought a
lady friend one.

I can't believe that.

Not for my lack of trying, of course.

Well, your favorite ingredient is
family.

You remember.

Here's the thing about my son.

He's very particular.

I noticed.

Not his fault. He happens to come from a
long line of perfection.

My mother... Eugenia.

Sweet as pie, but one tough cookie. Must
be where he gets it from.

He's a tough cookie.

Especially on himself.

What can I say? He's married to the
business.

I know the feeling.

Only problem is...

Everything will give me no grandkids.

Well, you do make a lot of children
happy, so in a way you can say you have

lot of grandchildren.

Hmm, never quite thought of it in that
way.

You're a very perceptive woman, Emma.

Now, I just have one request for you.

Anything.

Make him happy.

You know, some astronomers believe that
the star of Bethlehem, the one that

three wise men saw, was actually a comet
or a meteor.

Yeah, everybody already knew that.

Okay.

So, what were you and my mom talking
about earlier?

That you were particular.

And she wants a grandkid.

From you?

She wasn't really specific.

I guess y 'all don't.

Why has it been such a long time since
you had a girlfriend?

No reason. It's just been busy, I guess.

Is that a mistletoe?

Wow.

My mom has really thought of everything,
hasn't she?

Then we better not let her down.

What are you two doing?

We should probably go. Yeah, we should
go.

What

is

going on with those two?

I just work here.

Excuse me.

What is going on between you and Emma?

Nothing. You know. Oh.

Okay. Come on. I invited her to my mom's
for brunch.

Ah.

Did she have the Christmas meatloaf?

She did.

Uh -huh.

Uh -huh.

Okie dokie. Spill it.

What is the spill? Oh, please.

Everybody knows that she is sweet on
you. It is a bakery. Everything is

Please, that is a cop -out and you know
it.

It was just brunch.

And what happened after brunch?

We ate roasted chestnuts.

Uh -huh.

And then we had my mom's eggnog.

Uh -huh. And then it got dark and we
looked at the stars.

Uh -huh.

And then there was the mistletoe. Uh
-huh. Okay, no, no, no. That was it.

What? What do you mean? That was it. My
mom came out, and we called it a night.

Well, okay, then. There's still time for
us to fix this.

Fix what exactly?

This. You need to go and tell her how
you really feel. Okay, now? Now. Now.

Go. All right. Okay.

Cheers.

Hey, it's me. Why are you whispering?

Because I'm in the storage room. What
storage room?

Sweet D's Sugar Bakers. Listen, I have
to make a confession.

I may have crossed a line.

What line?

I almost kissed Dave.

Did he kiss you? We were getting close.
We sang karaoke.

He invited me over to his mother's for
lunch. Get to the point. The point is, I

can't let my feelings cloud my judgment.

It's called greasing the skids.

Actually, it's called greasing the
skids.

Whatever. It's clever.

It's wrong.

Me? Frankly.

I didn't think you had it in you.

I don't.

Listen, this isn't about the
acquisition.

Well, of course it is. You said that
Dave was a more practical one, didn't

That he was more receptive than his
mother? Yes, but... Then it seems like

you've positioned yourself perfectly.

But it's almost Christmas.

Well, didn't you say you wanted to get
out sooner to go see your mom in

I'm not going to do this.

I thought you wanted the promotion.

You do want the promotion, don't you? I
do.

I think.

What if we didn't need to buy the
company?

Sweetie, I'm Leslie Lake. I don't need
anything.

I know.

But what if you could incorporate their
most popular products without destroying

the company?

I'm listening.

You said it yourself. You just need IP,
not the people.

And? I'll get the recipes.

All of the recipes?

If it means these people can keep their
jobs, then yes.

Actually, it means I won't be the one
firing them.

Once I launch my own line of Leslie Lake
Sugar Baker Treat, I doubt they'll have

a job to keep.

Yeah.

Whatever you decide to do, just do it
quick.

Gotta go. Leslie! Leslie, wait!

Who's Leslie?

Oh, um... And why are you taking calls
in the storage room?

I just, uh, I needed some privacy.

Hmm. Since when and about what?

There's something we need to talk about.

Okay. There's no easy way to say this,
so I'll just... I just got a call from

the school nurse.

Jackie had another asthma attack.

Do you mind if I leave? No, of course.
You know, I'll drive. I still have all

those gift wraps to do for the hospital.

I'll take care of it.

Of course. Okay.

What were you about to say?

You should go.

Okay.

Wow. You are getting pretty good at
this.

Thank you.

How's Sally doing?

Um, Jackie just got home. You know,
she's tired, but she'll be fine.

Do you think they'll mind if I visit
her?

I think she would love that.

How about we go together?

Okay. Okay.

Hi, sweetheart.

You remember my boss?

Mr. Sugarbaker.

Oh, Mr. Davekittle. And this is Miss
Emma. We work together.

You decorate cakes, too? I try.

How are you feeling?

I'm bored.

Oh, yeah. She's definitely feeling
better.

I brought you something.

That is really good.

Can I have it, Mom?

Of course.

After dinner.

That was really sweet of you.

Well, Jackie is part of Sweet D.

Sugarbaker's family, and you always said
family takes care of family.

Hey, what's up?

I need to tell you something.

I should have told you earlier.

which I told you earlier, but I just
didn't know how to say it.

Okay.

I'm not a floater.

I mean, I am a floater. That's what your
mom hired me for, but that's not why

I'm here.

Okay, I'm lost.

I work for Leslie Lake.

Like the Leslie Lake. I'm her operations
manager.

Okay, I don't understand.

She wanted to take over 3D Sugar Bakers.

What my mom said is she already said no.

Yes, but Leslie doesn't take no for
answers, so she sent me here to... To do

what?

To spy on us?

To convince you.

You mean seduce me?

No.

So, all it is between me and you was
what? It was strategy?

No. I mean, did any of this mean
anything to you? Of course it did. Like,

you expect me to trust you, Emma?

I don't.

You're fired.

Dave, wait.

You haven't done enough damage yet?

It's just... Here.

You've looked better.

I didn't sleep last night.

Ah, spending a lot of time on your
special assignment?

More like regretting I took it in the
first place.

Well, if it was supposed to be fun, it
wouldn't be called work.

I'm not doing it.

Doing what?

I told David everything.

When you say everything, you mean?

Everything. Your interest in the
company, my involvement.

And I gave him back the recipes.

You gave them back?

If you want to destroy a family -owned
business, leaving employees unemployed

for the holidays, that's your decision.

But leave me out of it.

I see.

You do realize that I'll have to fire
you now.

You don't have to.

And why's that?

Because I quit the moment I walked
through that front door.

I just wanted to find out when you were
coming home for Christmas.

I don't know. I don't really feel like
celebrating right now.

Well, what happened to your boss's
espionage?

Ex -boss.

Uh -oh. Yeah, and that's just the least
of it.

Believe me. You know you can talk to me.

I know, but it doesn't make it any
easier.

Try me.

Okay.

I met someone under false pretenses, and
when the truth came out, they learned I

wasn't the person they thought I was.

That is a pickle.

Really? That's your words of wisdom?

Well, I suppose the real question is,
are you the person you

thought you were?

And...

Dip me in honey and call me a biscuit.

I need your help.

Okay. Can I come in?

I guess Dave told you what happened.

He did.

And you still decided to sit down with
me? You try baking nonstop for 48 hours

straight and you see how comfy your feet
feel.

Then I should...

Get out of your way. Sit down, sit down.

I suppose I should be flattered that
some big -time muckety -muck like Leslie

Lake sent her operations manager all the
way down to try and trickle and load

me. What I did was a terrible thing.

Let me guess.

She dangled some kind of promotion in
front of your face?

Something like that.

Heck, if Leslie Lake offered me a
promotion, I'd probably follow me, too.

Oh, trust me.

It's so not worth it.

Are you trying to tell me that she ain't
all peaches and cream?

I'm telling you, she might actually be
the devil.

Shame.

I really didn't like her showing that
cookie, Jim.

Listen, I appreciate you taking time to
talk with me, but I just, I

don't think I deserve it.

Well, I suppose that depends on your
answer to my next question.

Which is?

When you said that you and your mother
baked together now, was that... The

truth? Yes.

Although I did more watching.

But a wise woman once said, Mama bakes
best.

I don't know about that.

I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for
you.

What do you mean?

Apparently, a little birdie told my...

Son, my bakery should sell some of our
products in retail stores.

So I decided to give you our very first
shipment.

Personally.

Our brand new salty caramel cookies.

You named this after me? Of course.
Gotta give credit where credit is due. I

don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything,
sweetheart.

But you can RSVP.

RSVP for what?

The annual Sweet D.

Sugarbaker's Christmas party. You didn't
forget, did you?

Oh, of course not. But, I mean, I'm not
an employee anymore.

Well, then I guess you'll just have to
come as my guest.

Uh -uh. Don't you say no?

Yes. Great.

See you tonight.

Thanks. What's that sour look?

What sour look, Mom?

That sour look.

You think I don't know when my own son
is down in the dumps?

No, it's just, it's been a hard year,
you know?

You know what the best part of a bad
year is?

I give up.

There's always a new year right around
the corner.

Nothing ever gets you down, does it? No,
Captain.

Cold showers, running out of gas on the
highway. Someone messing with your oven.

Penelope.

I'd forgotten about that one.

Yeah, I didn't.

You missed them.

She lied to us, Mom.

Like, she could have taken all this away
from you.

Yet she didn't.

Now, why do you suppose that is?

Oh,

you're plus one just arrived.

I'm a plus one.

I'm up.

How long since you didn't think you were
coming?

Well, I didn't think I was coming
either.

Come here. I'll grab you a treat.

Come here, John.

What are you doing here, Emma?

Your mother invited me.

Doesn't mean you had to accept it.

No, I didn't.

Aren't you supposed to be going to see
your mom? I was.

What?

But she asked me a good question.

Really?

She asked me if I thought I was the
person I was and if that was the person

wanted to be.

What was your answer?

At first, I didn't know.

And then I thought about it and I
realized, I don't want to be that person

anymore.

I don't want to be the person that wakes
up 10 years from now and the only thing

they have in their life that has meaning
is their career.

That their only purpose was to be
someone else's tool.

For the first time in my life, I found
something that gives me meaning the more

I do it.

And I fell in love with it.

And I realized the old stuff doesn't
matter anymore.

Like Leslie Lake?

Especially Leslie Lake.

So he fired you?

I quit.

Really?

Now, I know I don't deserve a second
chance, but maybe someday, one day,

we can go out to dinner or sing karaoke.

Don't you already got plans this week?

When I get back?

You know, we have to see if it fits into
your schedule.

What do you mean?

Well, you see, someone had all these
ideas about how we can maximize

and expand distribution.

Did they?

And now I got to actually go out there
and hire someone to manage all of it.

Imagine that.

What do you say?

I'd say the best ingredient is family.

Yeah, now we just need a job title for
you.

Ooh.

Director of Brand Management has a nice
ring to it. You know, I was thinking

more of Vice President of Brand
Management.

I can work with that.

Is that what I think it is?

My mom has really thought of everything,
hasn't she?

Then we better not let her down.

Here

you

go.

Actually,

can I?

Sir.

I... I didn't mean to deceive you all.

I was just doing my job.

Or what I thought was my job.

You guys were so kind and generous, and
you made me feel like I was a part of

something special.

Because 3D Sugar Breakers... is
something special.

When I was a kid, I loved Christmas more
than anyone.

And then something happened, and I had
to push it away.

But then I met someone who showed me the
love and joy of the holiday.

He made me fall in love with it again.

We must be the same.

Let the people become the same.

It's absolutely beautiful.

And who's this?

This is my daughter, Riley.

Hi.

She's going to hang out with Jackie.
Well, Jackie just got started on the

cookies inside, if you want to give her
a hand.

Can I help her with the cookies?

Sure, pump in.

So, how is everything with you two?

I would say, couldn't be better.

When's the wedding?

Oh, let's... Get through the holiday
season first. This is very special

it's our first Christmas together.

Some would say that would be a make -or
-bake Christmas.

Nice. But there is one thing, though.

We're going to need a good baker for the
wedding cake.

Oh, don't look at me.

Don't look at me. You got this job.

Business is good.

Better than good.

My mother would be so proud of what you
have done.

Thank you both.

Well, you know what, partners, I got to
get up out of here and I'll see you

later at the holiday party.

Oh, we would not miss that.

It is Christmas after all.

Is that Leslie Lane?

Leslie, what are you doing here?

Well, can a girl buy herself a box of
Emma's Caramel Crunchies? Well, I

you didn't buy your competitor's
merchandise.

That's normally because my competitor's
merchandise isn't any good.

But you, Emma, you really hit it out of
the park.

Or out of the bakery.

Hello, Dave.

Hey, Leslie.

Well, this one's for you on the house.

Thank you.

Emma, I realized that I was hard on you
and that I sent you here to do my dirty

work.

And I want you to know that I've seen
everything that you've accomplished.

And I'm proud to be your mentor.

Thank you so much, Leslie. That means a
lot.

You're welcome.

Well, I better get going before people
see me buying someone else's boxes and

you know them, they'll start talking.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, darlings.

Merry Christmas.