Original subtitles

[theme music]

[Man 1] it looks good at NASA One.

[Man 2] Roger. BCS Arm switch is on.

[Man] Okay, Victor.

[Man 2] Landing Rocket Arm switch is on.

Here comes the throttle. Circuit breakers in.

- [Steve] We have separation. - [Man 2] Roger.

[Man 3] Inboards and outboards are on.

I'm coming forward with the side stick.

- [Man 1] All looks good. - [Man 2] Uh, roger.

[Steve] I've got a blow out, damper three!

- [Man 2] Get your pitch to zero. - [Steve] Pitch is out!

[Steve] I can't hold altitude!

[Man 2] Correction, Alpha Hold is off.

Turn selectors... Emergency!

[Steve] Flight Com, I can't hold it! She's breaking up!

She's breaking...

[explosion]

[Rudy] Steve Austin. Astronaut.

A man barely alive.

[Oscar] Gentleman, we can rebuild him.

We have the technology.

We have the capability to make the world's first bionic man.

Steve Austin will be that man.

Better than he was before.

Better. Stronger. Faster.

[theme music]

[dramatic music]

Hi, Steve.

- Merry Christmas, Oscar. - Oh, hi. Thank you.

I'm sorry I got you here so early, Steve. I--

Well, that's okay. We're still having lunch today, aren't we?

Lunch?

I'm afraid we have a conflict for lunch, Steve.

Oscar, it's our Annual Day before Christmas Lunch.

I mean, you re-confirmed it yesterday.

Uh, how could you have a conflict?

Well, I don't have a conflict, Steve.

You do.

The Budge Company has been developing an extended range

life support system for a landing on Mars.

Yeah, I know. I read about it in the papers.

Yes, but the papers don't mention the problem.

Little things seem to be going wrong all the time.

We think it might be sabotage.

Well, that's very interesting, Oscar.

But, uh, tomorrow morning I'm leaving for Ojai

to have Christmas dinner with my folks.

With a few minutes to pack

you could be at the Budge office in say, two hours and 45 minutes.

Why doesn't Budge shut down on Christmas like everybody else?

Because it costs money.

And between money and sentiment with Mr. Budge,

it's no contest.

Hey, that package. Is that for me?

Oh, yeah, Oscar, it's your Christmas present.

- See. - Oh, you're gonna love it.

That's terrific!

Thanks very much, pal.

[whirring]

[metal creaking]

You once told me how much you like modern art.

Merry Christmas, Oscar.

[engine revving]

There you are, Crandall.

- $650. - Thank you, sir.

That's $50 more than last year's Christmas bonus.

Should cover inflation.

That's very thoughtful, sir.

Mm-hm. Now, if you'll just endorse it back to the company.

Um.

Well, this one time, sir.

Uh, c--could I keep just a part of it?

Y--you see the children haven't had a real Christmas in--

You see, Crandall. That's your problem. You're soft.

Worrying about Christmas instead of trying to get this debt paid off.

Yes, sir.

What does this bring it down to, sir?

Mm...

[typewriter typing]

That's $8,725 and 37 cents.

Well, well, well, we're really starting

to come out of the woods.

When do I get out of the woods, sir?

Mm...

Figuring to continue at the same rate

and throwing in your next two Christmas bonuses

a bit over two years.

There's no way of clearing it up before then?

I don't see how.

You're barely retaining enough to live on, now.

Yes, sir.

Uh, um, w--would it be all right

if I went home early this evening, sir?

Uh, it's Christmas Eve and--

Sorry, Bob.

- I'll see Colonel Austin now. - [Secretary] Yes, Mr. Budge.

Bring the car around to the testing grounds

and standby, hm?

Yeah. Yes, sir.

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[Mr. Budge] Sorry, I couldn't give you a heartier welcome, Colonel Austin.

But I resent the fact that the OSI

sent you to look over my shoulder.

Well, Mr. Budge, there have been reports of several problems.

Minor bugs. Always happens with new projects.

Shakedown time. Things will work out.

Yeah, sir, but it's just that anything

less than 100% safety factor

on a, uh, life support system is unacceptable.

Colonel. I know that.

I'm not a stupid man.

- I didn't say you were. - Nor am I insensitive.

I know you didn't say that either.

But what people say and what they think

are often times completely different.

And you've got where you are by learning to assess the difference.

I see you've developed the knack yourself.

Guessing what people have on their minds,

even though they don't say it.

Well, we seem to have a bit in common.

I think we'll probably get along very well.

You don't think that at all, colonel.

You're thinking the quicker you can get

your business over with,

and get away from this boring old wind bag...

[Christmas music]

Ah, what do you think you're doing?

Oh, uh.

Well, uh--we, uh--we figured

that, uh, Fred's gonna have to spend Christmas in the tank, uh,

we gave him something to look at.

I have thoroughly studied the specs

on our current contract and I fail to see

where it called for pine needles and tinsel.

This isn't off the budget, Mr. Budge.

We, uh--we paid for the tree ourselves.

Did you now?

And you decorated it on your own time?

I thought as much.

Get it out of here, tinsel and all.

And, now, gentleman, may we get back

to what is laughingly known as work?

Merry Christmas, Mr. Budge.

I suppose you'll want to see our monitoring room.

[machines beeping]

Shouldn't this read 0.0053?

0.0049 is within the acceptable limit.

Yeah, but just barely. I mean, it cuts down the safety factor--

Colonel Austin, the government engineers set the standards.

I am operating within them.

A fact which you are perfectly free to check.

[machine whirring]

Budge.

Listen.

[machine whirring]

Charlie.

Yes, Mr. Budge.

I can, perhaps, forgive the fact that you are unable to read.

But can't you hear the difference in pitch?

When was the last time you monitored that?

Well, I checked it personally at, uh, at 4:28.

Alright, that was 22 minutes ago.

Now, the specs clearly call for a check every 15 minutes.

Get back to work.

We were a bit shorthanded because of the holidays.

I told the men every half hour would handle it.

Well, does the equipment run any differently on holidays?

I mean, does-- were the specs changed?

Does it need less supervision?

I can't keep a full crew on double time

for the holiday weekend.

Well, I think we better scrub the test

and do a step-by-step analysis.

No, Colonel Austin, I will not.

In the interest of safety.

I'm interested in safety, sir.

I'm also interested in keeping my plant operating at a profit.

If we scrub now, there'll be a five day lag for start-up.

Plus the wasted six days of the current test.

I realize there's an expense involved.

But you're thinking that I can afford it.

You're thinking I probably have enough money right now.

Something like that.

What does the word enough mean, colonel?

What are its limits? Its parameters?

Just how much is enough of anything?

[alarm]

- Get that hatch open, quick! - It's jammed.

Clear out. I'll have him blow it.

Blow the hatch!

[coughing]

[explosion]

[whirring]

[dramatic music]

[coughing]

[alarm blaring]

[indistinct radio chatter]

Thanks, doctor.

[siren wailing]

Well, the doctor said he had a lot of smoke inhalation,

but he's got a chance.

It looks like you're gonna have to shut down anyway, Mr. Budge.

No, sir.

Crandall, get me some water.

Get the maintenance crew down here immediately.

And I want four sheet metal men, three welders,

the entire electrical crew.

Yes, sir.

And tell'em to be prepared to work through the night.

All night?

Are you sure that's necessary, Mr. Budge?

I mean, one day won't matter that much.

It's Christmas Eve, Mr. Budge.

Is it? How do you know?

- The calendar. - Which calendar?

The Julian or the Gregorian?

Did you know that the date wasn't picked until hundreds

of years after the beginning of Christianity?

Well, now that it has been picked, uh--

By whom?

Some churches celebrate Christmas 13 days later.

Now, if any of you would like to pick your own day, well...

♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay ♪

♪ Remember Christ our savior was born on Christmas Day ♪

♪ To save us all from Satan's power ♪

♪ When we were gone astray ♪

Crandall, who are those people and how did they get in here?

Well, they're all from the mail room, sir,

but they're finished for the day.

This on their own time, sir.

Well, get'em out of here, get'em out of here.

And you tell anyone who thinks there's something sinful

about working on Christmas not to come back at all!

Okay, kids. Load it up.

[singing trails off]

Sorry, kids. Yeah, you better go home.

Thanks, anyway.

Merry Christmas.

Get back to work, guys.

There's not much more you can do, Colonel Austin.

If you like, Crandall will drop you at your hotel.

I'd like to check back when the men show up.

Whatever you say.

Come back after you drop the colonel off.

I want you on standby tonight.

Yes, sir.

The, uh, the car is this way, Colonel Austin.

You can drop the military title.

- Where to? - The Hotel Belvedere.

Where are you gonna have Christmas dinner?

Well, does the Belvedere have room service?

Of course.

Well, then, I guess that's it.

[Crandall] You mean, you're gonna have Christmas dinner

in a hotel room alone?

Well, I tell ya, it wouldn't be the first time.

Well, you're gonna do no such thing.

You're coming home with me.

I thought you have to get back to the plant.

Oh, I have to, but there's no reason why

you can't enjoy my wife's cooking.

[engine revving]

[Christmas music]

I hope you don't mind.

I want to pick up a couple of last minute things

for the kids.

Are you sure it's the last minute?

According to Budge, you still may have 13 days.

[chuckles] Mind if I tag along?

Of course, not.

How old are your youngsters?

Oh, Elise is nine, Bob Jr. is seven,

and, uh, Cissy's five.

May, uh, may I ask you a favor, Mr. Crandall?

On one condition, that you drop the civilian title.

Okay, Bob, but would you permit me

to buy some presents for your youngsters?

- Oh, that's not necessary, Steve. - Oh, now, wait a minute.

You know the single nicest thing about Christmas

is, uh, looking at the kids' faces

as they open up their Christmas presents.

You wouldn't want to cheat me out of that, now, would ya?

I wouldn't think of it.

But, uh, would you mind keeping it simple?

I don't want the kids to lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas.

Sure.

[bell dinging]

[indistinct chatter]

[cash register dings]

- Thank you. - Mm-hm.

- You see that, Mickey? - Hm?

- What Crandall got his kids. - Yeah.

He's got to be the slowest guy with a buck in the world.

You'd think at least on Christmas he'd open up a little.

It can't be that he has no money.

That job as Budge's chauffeur must pay pretty good.

Oh, yeah.

Good afternoon, sir. Merry Christmas.

Uh, Merry Christmas to you.

- Could you wrap these for me? - Sure.

[mellow music]

[Christmas music]

[engine revving]

[dog barking]

[birds chirping]

Kids.

Nora.

Where is everybody?

[gasps] Daddy!

- Daddy! - Daddy!

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Now, calm down here.

Now, say hello and, uh, Merry Christmas

to Colonel Steve Austin.

[Children] Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you.

Nora, Nora?

Oh, I have the feeling that she's in the kitchen.

I, uh, also have the feeling I should have called

her and told her I was bringing home a guest.

Now, if I could just put these under your tree.

Don't you have a tree?

We could you have one if we wanted.

Daddy say Christmas trees are a waste of money.

There's a big one in the town square.

There's no reason to have your own.

You know, kids.

Sometimes Christmas trees don't really have to cost anything.

Did you know that on Christmas more wishes

come true than at any other time?

Sure, everyone knows that.

I'll tell you what. You come sit on the steps over here.

Come on.

Now, you close your eyes and you wish real hard.

You wish for two minutes.

And no peeking.

Because if it isn't a surprise, then the wish doesn't work.

[mellow music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[tree creaking]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

[Christmas music]

The ornaments are five years old,

but, uh, they haven't gone out of style.

You're lucky you didn't throw'em out.

Have you ever heard of anyone throwing

out Christmas ornaments?

Cissy, I don't think you've thanked Uncle Steve.

Well, I uh, better be getting back to the plant.

Hey, I tell you what, why don't you stay here

and have Christmas Eve dinner with your family for once?

- And I'll pick up Budge. - Thanks, Steve, but, uh

that just won't work.

Well, don't be silly. Why would he care who drives?

I said no.

Bob, uh, children will you please

go upstairs at once and play?

Uncle Steve will be staying for dinner, no complaining.

Come on, you can talk to him later.

Up you go.

I--I'm sorry, Steve.

But, uh, this is the way it has to be.

You don't have to go to the plant anyway.

Why don't you at least let me call him?

Uh, Colonel Austin.

Let him go.

Please come and sit down.

I suppose we owe you an explanation.

You don't owe me anything.

Bob wasn't always Budge's chauffeur.

He used to be his accountant.

See, four years ago, I was very ill

and I needed very expensive medical care.

Much more than we could afford.

So, Bob went to his uncle for help.

He didn't tell you that Horton Budge was his uncle, did he?

- No. - Budge refused to help.

So, Bob helped himself.

Well, in his heart and mind, he thought of it as a loan.

But to be quite truthful, embezzled is the legal term.

And Budge found the shortage in the books.

Budge realized that it didn't make sense to send Bob to jail.

So, he made a deal with him.

He re-hired him as his chauffeur.

And now he deducts a major part of the salary

plus interest until the debts paid.

That doesn't explain why I couldn't drive for Bob tonight.

That's punishment for what Bob did.

Budge doesn't consider the mere repayment of the loan

makes up for the crime.

He keeps Bob on call constantly.

Whether he's going to be needed or not.

In spite of how he acted tonight,

he appreciated your offer, you know.

Well, it's way past dinner time

and I haven't got anything started.

You and the kids must be starving.

"Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point"

said Scrooge, "Answer me one question."

"Are these the shadows of the things that will be

or are they the shadows of things that may be, only?"

Still the ghost pointed downward to the stone by which it stood.

Whose grave is it, really?

It's Ebenezer Scrooge's own grave.

But how could he look at his own grave?

Because he's not really dead, silly.

Is he just dreaming?

No, it's not really a dream, either.

The ghost is just showing him what can happen

if he doesn't live a better life.

Now, come on down. Your mom has dinner ready.

[engine revving]

[frogs croaking]

Are you sure you're all right, sir?

Certainly. Certainly, I'm all right.

Just help me up the stairs.

I'll have some more of my medicine and...

and I'll be fine.

I really don't know how to thank you, Mrs. Crandall.

We thank you.

I can't remember when I've seen the children take

to anyone the way they have to you.

But kids, now it's time that you started taking your baths

and getting ready for bed.

Why?

Well, you want to look nice for Santa Claus, don't you?

- It's all right. He won't come. - Well, of course, he will.

Santa Claus comes to every house, every year.

Not to our house he doesn't.

Well, this year it's going to be a little different.

You really think so?

I just want to pull his beard.

Well, maybe he'll let you do that.

Yes, I think Santa Claus is gonna

visit you all this year.

You mean the Santa outside the store?

The guy who collects money for poor people?

He's not really Santa Claus.

He's old Mr. Webly.

He's a janitor at our school.

No, I have a hunch the real Santa Claus

is going to show up.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I better be getting back to the plant.

The crew will be starting up by now.

Why don't you wait until Bob gets back and he can drive you?

Oh, it's a lovely night for a walk.

A walk? It's over three miles.

Well, after a dinner like that, I need the exercise.

All right, kids. Off to take your baths.

- [all kids] Aw. - Come on.

[crickets chirping]

[bells ringing]

Well, merry Christmas.

Oh, Merry Christmas to you, sir.

Are you Mr. Webly?

Well, for the other 364 days of the year, yes.

I guess tonight's your last night, huh?

That's right.

How much you figure you'll take in

between now and closing time?

Well, if I'm lucky, lucky, I can pick up

another eight or ten dollars, why?

Well, I'd like to rent your suit for the evening.

Uh, would $25 cover it?

Twenty...

That'll buy it until next Christmas.

Tell you what. I got to buy some presents.

- I'll meet you inside. - Great.

Figure out what caused the malfunction?

I can't even figure out how you got the door off.

It's probably substandard metal.

It seemed to bend pretty easy.

Now, that's what I thought.

But this material is within the tolerance set

of this job contract.

- Well within? - Just barely.

Charlie?

I want a complete copy of the specifications laid out

for the materials that went into this project.

And I want a sample of each one of those materials.

Sure, Colonel Austin. Anything else?

Yeah, the most accurate mechanical and electronic testing equipment

that you have, and a place to work.

You got it.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Find the trouble?

Substandard material?

None. All the materials meet the standards.

Just barely.

If one or even several of the components had been built

to the lower level of specifications,

there wouldn't have been a problem.

But Budge used the lowest allowable standards

on every single component.

Well, that's old man Budge's operation.

Uh, he never tries to get away with anything

below contractual specs.

Uh, he's honest, but greedy.

Yeah, well, his honest greediness

almost killed a man today.

- Where is he? - Uh, he went home.

He wasn't feeling too well.

Yeah, well, he's gonna be feeling a lot worse.

[crickets chirping]

[dramatic music]

Steve. What are you doing here?

Well, I got to talk to Budge.

I just helped him get to bed.

- I'm worried about him. - Yeah, so am I.

He looks pretty sick to me. And he lives alone.

I didn't want to leave him, but well, he sent me out

to get his prescription refilled.

Well, that's all right. You go ahead.

I'll look after him. I got to talk to him anyway.

[doorbell ringing]

[car door closes]

[engine revving]

All right.

All right, I'm coming.

[doorbell ringing] Oh. Oh!

Oh.

Help me!

[Budge] Help me someone!

Help me!

Help me, someone!

[groans]

[dramatic music]

[mellow music]

[moaning]

[sighs]

[music continues]

Do either of you know if he took all of his medicine?

He's been taking it all day.

He drank the last of it just before he became really ill.

Uh, he just sent me out for a refill.

No more than a teaspoon a day, I told him.

You know, there's some patients who think that

if a little is good, more is better.

Is that's what wrong with him?

Well, from the symptoms, the, uh, delirium,

and the hallucination, I'd say that's his problem.

He keeps raving about falling off that railing down below.

Huh, yeah, well, just before you came he was mumbling

something about being dead.

Yeah, he's still talking like that.

He claims that when he fell, he, uh, landed

in the arms of the angel of death.

Is he gonna be all right?

He's gonna hallucinate pretty badly

for the next three hours.

The overdose was bad enough, unfortunately,

the antidote that I've given him

also contains a sedative.

- Can you stay with him? - Oh, no.

Holidays are a pretty busy time for me.

You know, people have a knack for, uh, getting into trouble.

I have to get back to the hospital.

Well, what do you want us to do?

Basically, I want you to keep him

from falling asleep for the next three hours.

He might go into a coma if he does.

Now, here's where I'll be.

After about 10 minutes, when the antidote takes hold,

get him up, and walk him for three hours.

Then you can let him sleep.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

[dramatic music]

[Budge mumbling]

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, why did I have to die?

I wasn't really bad.

Oh, oh.

Oh, I never cheated.

I never stole, I never lied.

Just an edge, an honest edge.

That's all I ever...

You can go, Steve.

He's my boss, my uncle

and my problem.

I'll stay with him.

No, no. I want you to spend Christmas Eve with your family.

Besides, I got an idea.

First, I got to make a phone call,

and a couple other things to do.

Just give me five minutes.

[Budge moaning]

I never really hurt anyone.

Never really helped anyone either.

[moaning] Huh?

[dramatic music]

[telephone ringing]

Yes, Steve.

Oscar, I think I found the problem.

- [Oscar] Sabotage? - No.

-[Oscar] Good. - Not so good.

There may not be anything we can do about it.

What do you mean?

[Steve] Well, Budge is cutting down on the specs,

but all well within his legal contract limits.

Well, how can that happen, Steve?

Well, the contract was drawn up a bit too soft.

I guess no one expected that every single spec

would be shaved to the lower limit.

Look, can we close him down or pay him off?

Start over with another company.

Well, not really, we're three months into this contract

and, uh, we're running out of time.

All right, then. Hang on, I'll see what I can do.

- [Oscar] You need any help? - No, I think I have help.

I ran into an old friend named Dickens.

He seems to have some bright ideas.

Dickens?

[dramatic music]

[crickets chirping]

[rumbling]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

How's he doing?

Well, could you give me a hand, Steve?

The doctor said he should be on his feet in 10 minutes.

Oh! Hey, what's all this about?

I was gonna play Santa to your children.

But I think Budge here needs it even more.

Oh.

[groaning]

Bob, why don't you go on home?

I can handle it from here on in.

Well, thanks, Steve.

- And Merry Christmas. - Oh, bah humbug.

Well, I hate to do this, Mr. Budge

but the doctor said it was important for you to stay awake.

[groaning]

[dramatic music]

You're trying to trick me.

There's no Santa Claus.

What... What...

There's no final date.

It's blank.

Am I dreaming?

Tell me, please.

Is this a warning?

Do I get another chance or...

Or am I really dead?

[crickets chirping]

[dramatic music]

♪ Oh come all ye faithful ♪

♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪

♪ Oh come ye oh come ye ♪

♪ To Bethlehem ♪

♪ Come and behold him ♪

♪ Born the king of angels ♪

♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪

♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪

♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪

♪ Christ the Lord ♪

♪ Oh come all ye faithful ♪

It is pretty, isn't it?

♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪

Where are we going now?

♪ Oh come ye oh come ye ♪

♪ To Bethlehem ♪♪

[dramatic music]

[crickets chirping]

[Bob] I'm worried about him, Nora. I really am.

About him? You think he's worth worrying about?

The doctor said I shouldn't leave him alone.

Well, you didn't leave him alone. Steve's with him.

Steve's a stranger. We're family.

He doesn't seem to remember that.

But he was sick. Very sick.

When I was sick, did he worry about me?

I didn't realize how sick she was.

Believe me. I would've helped.

I always thought women made too much of every little ache.

Do you really wish him ill?

No.

I think I pity him.

Whatever small meanness he possesses,

seems to carry its own punishment.

He's a lonely, unhappy man.

And tonight of all nights

we should wish him well.

You see? They carry me no grudge.

They wish me well!

[mellow music]

[music continues]

Why did Uncle Steve go away?

He had to go to work.

Does he work at night?

I think he's working at Uncle Horton's factory.

Is Uncle Steve coming back for Christmas tomorrow?

Maybe not. He's not our real uncle anyway, you know.

But he brought us presents.

Uncle Horton's our real uncle, but he never buys us presents.

That doesn't matter.

Sometimes someone loves you and they just don't buy presents.

[Bob] But he never comes to see us either.

Does Uncle Horton love us?

Of course, he does, Cissy.

He's our uncle, isn't he?

And we love him, don't we?

Oh, little Elsie.

I do love you.

I love you all.

And if this is a dream

and if I do ever wake up

I'll show you.

Please, God.

Let it be a dream.

[moaning]

Why did I have to die?

Why couldn't I've had one more chance?

Oh.

[moaning]

Colonel Austin?

What are you doing here?

Well, you were sick last night.

The doctor said you weren't to be left alone.

Oh. [groaning]

Ooh, I'll say I was sick.

Oh.

Do you know, do you know that I dreamt...

Huh, huh, I dreamt that I died.

At least, at least, I think it was a dream.

Yes, yes, a dream.

A silly dream.

Well, it was, it was good of you to sit up with me all night.

Oh, I had nowhere to go, anyway.

By the way, uh, Merry Christmas.

That's right.

Today is Christmas, isn't it?

Well, no matter.

There's a lot of work to be done today.

We'd best be getting down to the plant.

Mr. Budge, did you ever think about spending Christmas

with your family instead of working?

Family? I have no family.

What about Crandall, your chauffeur?

I thought he was related to you.

Distantly.

Well, your sister's son, I would say, that's pretty close.

And those three lovely children of his.

Sentimental nonsense, Colonel Austin.

One does not either like or associate with people

because of an accident of birth.

One should be able to choose the people, well, with one...

♪ Oh come all ye faithful ♪

[Nora] When I was sick, did he worry about me?

[Bob] Oh, now, Nora. Do you really wish him ill?

[Cissy] Does Uncle Horton love us?

[Elsie] Of course, he does, Cissy.

[Horton] Please, God. Let it be a dream.

- [Steve] Mr. Budge? - Yes?

Anything wrong, Mr. Budge?

Colonel Austin, we have a lot of work to do.

First, I have to call the hospital.

About Fred? Uh, the man who was hurt during the test.

Through no fault of mine.

I called, the doctor said he's gonna need

a lot of special treatment.

Good, we'll get right over and see that he gets

everything he needs for a speedy recovery.

And then we'll go to the plant.

Have you no Christmas spirit, sir?

First we call the plant, shut them down,

and send everyone home.

Then I have quite a bit of shopping to do.

What's this all about, Mr. Budge?

I think, Colonel Austin,

I've been given another chance.

[Christmas music]

Okay.

The rabbit, what is he saying?

Hello, Cissy. How are you, Cissy?

- What's your name? - Cissy.

That's right.

[bells jingling]

[knocking on door]

No, I'll get it.

[recorder switching off]

Thanks for lending me the suit, but I feel ridiculous.

- Oh, you look great. - Well--well, what do I now?

Oh, just ho, ho, ho and all that.

You sure kids today go for this?

I'll check.

Kids, we have a choice to make.

Of all the people who've never come to visit you

who would you like to see this very minute?

Uncle Budge or Santa Claus?

[Children] Santa Claus!

Oh, ho, ho. Merry, merry, merry Christmas.

Oh, boy!

Oh!

[Christmas music]

[music continues]

Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait.

I--I almost forgot.

Somethin' for mama and papa.

Don't even bother to open it.

Just tear it up. It's that kind of present.

[laughing]

[door closes]

[intercom buzzing]

Yes?

[Secretary] Colonel Austin to see you, sir.

Send him in.

[dramatic music]

[Oscar] Hello, Steve.

- Welcome home. - Thank you.

- It's good to be home. - Good trip?

- I know it was successful. - Oh, it's excellent.

But once I straightened Budge out, he even had his private jet

fly me home to Ojai.

I got a call from a man named, uh, Crandall.

He's Budge's new accountant.

He said since you upgraded the specs,

they're gonna lose money on that contract.

Hm, well, with what he'll save on medicine,

he'll probably break even.

[metal creaking]

There you are, Oscar. Good as new.

Wow.

Uh, by the way, I, uh, I don't remember getting

a Christmas present from you.

You know, that's right.

But, I, uh, I thought about it a lot.

Yeah, well, uh, it's the thought that counts, Oscar.

Merry Christmas.

[mellow music]

Merry Christmas, pal.

Thanks, Oscar.

[theme music]

[music continues]