Original subtitles

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[Applause]

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Sarah hello Merry Christmas Mrs

Christmas Sarah's home now it's

Christmas hey there kiddo hi Mom hi Dad

I'll catch up with you later Mrs God

bless you H you go on give me a hug miss

you of course your mother wouldn't let

us decorate the tree until you got home

M but I've got hot chocolate on the

stove perfect one

silly huh it's a little this spes de

there it's awful

slippery oh it's so nice to have you

home and I can't believe that it's been

3 years since we spent Christmas

together neither can

I sounds like that law firm really kept

you hopping up there that's how they do

things at Chandler Abbott and Jonas

always on call 24/7 even holidays you

know we're really sorry to hear about

you and Richard you two seem so happy

together Richard's a very nice guy just

turned out we wanted different things in

life so what's that truck supposed to

get here with the rest of your stuff day

after tomorrow you know you could always

stay here I mean your old room's just

sitting up there thanks Mom but I'm

pretty sure my old room isn't the best

place to start my own practice just got

a point Abby well you can't blame me

fine but I found a great place right in

town it's not far and it even has a

spare bedroom I can use as an office

until I get things going that's going to

be quite a change for you that hot shot

law firm in DC believe me Dad I've had

enough swimming with the sharks to last

a lifetime all you got to do is sit back

relax relax and let us spoil you a

little bit thank you at least until

you're ready to hang out your single so

what do you

think I think we're ready all

set 1 2

3 it's

beautiful Merry Christmas kiddo

[Applause]

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Merry Christmas Mr

Lis remember me Sarah

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right merry

Christmas here we go again he's still

doing this a week before Christmas like

clockwork it's the same thing every year

I used to love it when I was little from

my bedroom at night it looked like the

tree was floating up there like some

sort of

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Beacon should I help him since when has

Dale land has ever let anybody help him

put up that tree Dale you're going to

break your full neck one of these

days should have bought that man a nette

years ago either that or a

trampoline I think it looks nice oh what

I don't understand is why he keeps doing

it year after year I mean he knows darn

well what's going to happen it's like he

doesn't

care he

doesn't should

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where did all these people come from

Dale's become a bit of a Christmas

tradition around rosale sometimes have

Christmas pageants I just have Cy Kan

Lane we've got Dale Andis

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great job great job d

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[Applause]

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[Applause]

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[Applause]

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Sarah welcome home gosh feels like

forever I know it has been way too long

but look at you you look great and this

place is amazing that's right you

haven't been home since we opened M but

I've been reading awesome things about

it online Lord love the internet did you

ever think when we were in school that

I'd end up being a chef when we were in

school who knew that you could

cook so good to have you for Christmas

your parents must be over the moon you

have no idea come on so like how's it

going tell me everything you okay yeah

yeah you know no regrets leaving that

FastTrack law firm of yours it was time

you hear from Richard let's just say

that ship has

sailed then maybe I'll keep an eye out

to find you a new ship maker uh I'm

actually on an extended leave of absence

from the rocky world of romance so

thanks but no thanks okay I'll just have

to cook you a festar meal de I like

where this is going if you need anything

anything at all just ask thanks

Jess come on let's sit

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down I have seen you stare at that

courthouse in exactly the same way since

you were a little girl judge Conor for

all these years I wondered what

Mysteries were hitting behind those

Bright Young eyes of yours no Mysteries

just the same question questions as long

as you're never satisfied with the same

old answers you haven't changed a bit

you're a py for Sor eyes how are you

judge well I'm okay except I seem to be

the last person on Earth to find out

that you're moving home oh I was going

to come by yeah and that you've left

Chandler evid and Jonas to open your own

practice I see my parents have been

talking to you well as a matter of fact

I got a call from Carl Jonas your old

boss asked if I would try and talk you

out to leave him Mr Jon has called you

himself well he seemed to think you've

got a promising future with his firm a

according to him they were going to

renew your contract with the promotion

was a good offer which you

declined what did you tell him well I

told him that my favorite young Protege

turned down his offer she must have a

pretty good reason it wasn't about the

money with you it never was now look I'm

doing Court why don't you come by in my

Chambers tomor and we'll talk some more

I'd like that all right I'll get Marcy

to phone over to the diner and order

some sandwiches you still like tuna

salad how do you

remember how many times did you come and

visit me when you were in law school huh

you never at in

else hey don't forget the

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[Applause]

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pickle I know you're in there Mr Mr

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Landis this doesn't change anything Mr

Landis you've got 48

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Hours Mom this is so delicious I forgot

how much I missed your cooking wait to

see what's on the menu for Christmas

dinner I assume you've invite the entire

town again your mother cut back this

year she's only inviting half the town

haha you

too I saw someone posting a notice on

Dale landis's door today he had a police

officer with him they didn't waste much

time did they what's going on from the

city he was serving Dale with a court

order to take the tree down what why

they say it's a building code violation

a serious fire hazard which makes it a

danger to him and everyone else in the

neighborhood Dale Landis has been

putting that tree on his roof every year

since I was 9 years old a lots changed

since the last time you were home for

dinner sweetie changed how well when you

were growing up nobody minded Dale put a

tree on his roof you know it looked nice

and didn't hurt anyone back then

everyone in the neighborhood newale so

even if he didn't talk about it much we

all had a pretty good idea of just how

difficult it was for him around the

holidays without his family I remember

that night when his family left I felt

so sad for him he just looked so so

lost yeah he was honey he still is what

do you

mean D's had less and less to say the

last few years he hardly leaves that

house and it's starting to fall down

around him the only time that we're sure

to see him is when Christmas comes

around and he puts that tree up the man

just wants to be left alone we've had a

lot of people move into the neighborhood

and they're nice and cordial but you

know they don't really know Dale every

year that tree goes up and it starts up

all over again someone complains and

even if they don't I'm pretty sure that

Dale is on the City's radar by now they

show up with that Court ordering

Clockwork and he has to take the tree

down not

exactly what he won't take it down but

it's the court order either he takes the

tree down or he's going to wind up in

yep wait seriously mhm for the last 3

years Dale Landis has spent Christmas in

jail and by the sounds of it that's

where he's headed again

over a Christmas

tree but why well nobody knows well has

anyone asked him oh sure I mean every

year when he appears in court San Connor

asks him the same question and he gets

the same answer because he likes the way

it looks that makes absolutely no sense

it does to D

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[Applause]

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yeah come on Barney yeah he admitted he

was in the car yeah exactly doesn't

matter if he was sleeping he woke up

when his buddies Got Back second yeah

give me a break of course they knew each

other they went for burgers afterwards

yeah oh we got him with the surveillance

camera I know cameras

everywhere yeah what's the world coming

to yeah all right yeah nothing's R the

stone I'll talk to you later no now hey

you give up now he set in a great Pace

really in sync there see

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you yeah Steve we both know I can't take

that offer to my boss

excuse me excuse

me yeah yeah no I know well because he'd

make Santa Claus put coal in my

stockings EXC I'm just m there yeah yeah

all right call me later yeah I need an

offer I can work with those Steve okay

excuse me just yeah hi there let see up

here what are you doing what you mean

I'm buying a cup of coffee no you're not

you're cutting in line uh look just work

with me here I'm running a little late

excuse me

look everything's on me the muffins are

really great they make them fresh here

you know it's bad enough with guys like

you your phone calls are so important we

all have to listen me guys like me but

heaven forbid you should have to wait in

line like everybody else wait wait a

second hi what can I get for you singled

home on fat latte please and you sir oh

no no we're not

together no we are we're no we're not

we're not together we're not together

yeah thank

you I'm believe it one

hey Dad hey

kiddo your mom's out said she had to run

some errands which is code for Christmas

shopping she back in a couple

hours I just wanted to say hi I'm

meeting judge Connor for lunch ah like

old times man he just finishing that

up yep just about there

hey Dad do you ever miss being a lawyer

I think that was 20 years ago I know but

do you ever regret leaving

law I suppose if I miss anything it's

that feeling when everything comes

together you know when the system works

you feel like it really made a

difference

yeah something on your mind

Sarah I was just thinking about

something you said I must have been

9 or 10 it was

Christmas and I asked you if you didn't

like being a lawyer

anymore you

said you said that you found something

you likeed better something that made

you

happy yep that was a big leap of

faith what do you

mean I wanted to build Furniture this is

what makes me

happy you

know being a lawyer was well

I didn't have the passion for it not

like you

do so there I was walking away from a

job your mother and I had to start over

again risking our home our future were

you nervous I was petrified I'm not

going to kid you times were tough for a

while I really had to tighten our

belts a lot of people thought I was

crazy when I set up out

here but how can you be

sure you made the right

choice you can't not

completely but that's when you need to

look in your heart and Trust what you

feel

there yeah it's beautiful

Dad thanks

honey okay I got to get

ready all right I'll see you later on

see you

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I'm a little early oh that's fine he's

got somebody in there but they'll be

done soon I understand we're going to be

seeing a lot more of you around here

looks that way well if I hear of anybody

needing a good attorney I'll be sure to

send them your way thank you

Mercy okay okay keep me posted we'll get

to the bottom of it okay I will I will

Sarah good someone I want you to meet

this is John Keon John this is Sarah

right we have got to stop meeting like

this will you two know each other no but

not for lack of

try it's a pleasure John is the Deputy

prosecuting attorney for the county been

with us almost a year doing a Dandy job

thank you judge Sarah is the pride and

joy of rosale top of her class at Law

School four years with Chandler abbit

and Jonas wow running with the big dogs

but we have the great Good Fortune of

having her back home now oh I look

forward to seeing you at

work nice meeting you judge Marson

Deputy prosecuting attorney well he

knows his stuff I don't doubt it but

what is a guy like that doing an our

little town oh I didn't ask but whatever

brought him here he seems to like it

which is just fine by me that dog can

hunt believe me I know the type he's all

about the job first one in last one out

and it's the only thing he really

loves shall we go in

[Music]

Hi

Marilyn there you go lunch all right I

remember the first time you came in here

skinny little thing you sat right there

and you told me you were going to be a

lawyer and I thought you were here for

my sage advice that was part of it no

what you really wanted from me was for

me to ask you why you were going to

become a

lawyer even back then you weren't afraid

of the hard questions yeah as I recall

you didn't pull any punches either well

from that day forward I never have not

with

you something tells me we're not just

taking a walk down memory lane here are

we if you tell me you've thought this

through that you're clear in your head

about coming home I'll mind my own

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business seems like these days I'm not

very clear about much of anything what

do you

mean I never set out to change the world

judge I just wanted to make a difference

for the best

but you have made a difference you gave

your clients their day in court helped

them find justice but that's just it the

longer I do this the more I realize it

isn't about Justice or what's right it's

about

winning sometimes can feel like that

yeah what are we supposed to do

I I'm not naive I know the law is never

black and white but that gray area just

keeps getting

bigger we keep trading off and

compromising making these deals that

sometimes they don't even make

sense how am I supposed to explain that

to someone who has put their faith in me

how am I supposed to just sit back and

watch while these good people are made

to feel that their day in court was just

a lot of

hling it's not

Justice and it's not

right and I'm tired of

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it why' you leave Chandler rabbit

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a woman and her children were being

kicked out of their apartment the owner

wanted to convert the building into a

co-op she couldn't afford it and I

wanted to take the case I thought I

could stall him at least long enough so

they wouldn't be out on the street for

Christmas was the eviction legal it's

Christmas judge she had three kids and

nowhere to

go

counselor of course it was

legal the owner was our client huh

you want to take a case against your own

Law Firm

technically yes but I would have done it

on my own

time pro bono and of course they said no

so you quit it wasn't just that case

judge I've been feeling this way for a

long time and I couldn't stay there

anymore I don't even know if I can if

you can

what I don't even know if I can do this

anymore I don't know if I can be a

lawyer

oh I see

you I hope I hope that you're not too

disappointed in me you've been blessed

with a rare gift Sarah a good heart and

a legal mind and that's what makes you a

very fine lawyer and even better person

you could never disappoint

me but the hardest part of what we do is

to finally admit to ourselves that we

can't save

everyone right now I would be happy with

saving just

one maybe that's what brought you home

again

what looking for that one case that one

client to restore your faith I wish I

could believe that but it's a season for

believing what better time to find

out who knows maybe you'll change the

world after all or maybe just our little

corner of

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it of course CL should have thought that

before start taking a joy ride oh come

on

Sid see I got to call you back

[Music]

it's off you can

check I thought you threw that away uh

yeah no that was just for a dramatic

effect just to show you that I was

listening very convincing so are you

really absolutely you know you're right

I should be more considerate towards

other people yeah no Doo sincere a

little bit yeah I can never get that

right listen you seem like a very nice

guy I'm sure and you're even funnyish in

a cocky sort of way thank you not really

a compliment anyway the point is you

don't have to work so hard because this

right here it's not going to happen

so oh okay good to know

uh though actually I just wanted to

share your

table

what right but I'm glad we got all that

other stuff out of the way first you

know just be

clear

sit thank

you I'm listen I'm sorry I should

shouldn't have said that

I it's been a bit of a tough

week tough

year does that have anything to do with

why you moov back

home let's just say this is the one

place that's still make sense to me oh

well that would explain a lot it would

yeah well I mean people don't just walk

away from Chandler Aban Jonas I mean

that place is Mythic people are lined up

around the block to get so why would

anyone leave all of that just to move

back

here I don't know why would anyone trade

all this to go work there what yeah I

mean don't get me wrong I I can see the

appeal you know huge career bump and

perks like crazy but it's not for

everybody hang on a second are are you

doing that sincere thing again because

I'm getting all turned around here no no

no I'm I'm serious you know I I like it

here

this is It's kind of town I used to be

curious about when I grew

up

[Music]

why well when I was a kid my my parents

moved around a lot they never really set

up Roots anywhere don't ask me why it's

like they were always looking for

something did they ever find

it yeah you can't really find what you

don't

know but the whole

time I kept imagining a place like

rosale

a place where people knew each other and

just helped each other

out

yeah yeah this must have been a great

place to grow up especially at Christmas

and this is going to be my first

Christmas here I heard they D it up

right oh we have a big tree lighting

ceremony right in the Square the whole

town comes out we sing carols trink hot

cider Santa always makes an appearance

that sounds

beautiful it really is

[Music]

John

Keen I should I should take this side

very good okay we'll see you later see

you

later yeah uhhuh

[Music]

this place is so great Sarah now I just

have to figure out where to put

everything hi Jess hi Mrs

wri Mr right it's always a good sign

when Jessica shows up with food it's a

housewarming gift my Smoky butter not

squash Christmas soup perfect when do we

eat oh hey I passed your neighbor on the

way over here Mr Landis yeah it's been a

while since I've seen him on his bicycle

probably about a year what do you mean

remember when we said that Dale doesn't

get out much anymore so if he's riding

into town at Christmas he's headed for

the courthouse because of the tree Once

the order goes on his door he has 48

hours to take the tree down if he

doesn't he has to appear in court and he

always shows up and he always says no do

you mean judge Connor is going to put

him in jail today no Sam give him a few

more days to think about it not that it

makes any difference well what does his

attorney say Dale doesn't have a lawyer

says he doesn't need one wait what well

Sam tried to assign him a public

defender but he wanted no part of it how

can he understand what's happening

without an attorney that's like asking

to go to jail which some people believe

is the whole point that he's just a

lonely man looking for attention others

think there's really something wrong

with him he's not all there anymore well

what do you

think I think every Christmas Story

should have a happy ending I just don't

think that's the way this one's going to

turn

[Music]

out do you guys mind holding down the

forward for a little while where are you

going I think I want to hear this

Christmas story for

[Music]

myself going show up excuse me

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well sorry Mr Miller but we don't have a

lot of room to move here we're going to

have to ask you to pay the fine after

all all right well now let's see if we

can't move on to the next

case oh Mr Landis how are you my friend

I'm okay your honor thank you how are

you sir oh just fine and a Merry

Christmas to you huh

Merry Christmas sir wouldn't be

Christmas without a visit from you to

our courtroom would

it no sir I guess

not I see that you have again violated

the town's building codes by placing a

Christmas tree on your

roof yes sir and you received the

Court's order to take the tree down yes

sir I did H I take it you have no

intention of doing

so no sir I won't be doing that yeah

I gathered you have once again decided

to appear in court without benefit of

councel I'll be just fine you H I want

to remind you Dale that once these

wheels are set in motion we're obliged

by law to follow through on

this yes sir I

understand if you don't take the tree

down I have to put you in

jail oh yeah I stand there

okay all right Mr Keaton it's all

yours thank you your honor in the matter

of the town of Rosell versus Del Landis

defendant is accused of being violation

of the following town and uh County

codes uh M Mr Keaton uh most of us here

have been down this road a few times why

don't we just stipulate the violations

and we can move it along a

bit yes sir all right

for the past 3 years the defendant has

ignored identical court orders to comply

with the town's building and security

codes we don't think this is going to be

any different this year oh

agreed the people request an immediate

court date for Mr Landis and a find of

$5,000 for each day the tree remains on

his roof that's a little steep don't you

think your honor this has been going on

for 4 years now I think it's about time

the defendant took it seriously

Mr Landis you do understand that this

Christmas tree of yours could end up

being very

expensive I don't have any money you

well then I suggest you take the tree

down I'm sorry I can't do

[Music]

that why

not

yeah your honor I don't mean to be

disrespectful but

I just like the way the treat looks up

there your honor oh trust me nobody

would enjoy hearing and answer to your

question more than I would this is just

part of our annual tradition isn't it

Dale yes sir I guess it

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is in that case your honor I request the

court order a psychiatric evaluation the

defendant to determine his competency to

accept these charges it's it it's a

Christmas tree Mr Katon as a matter of

public safety your

[Music]

honor I'll take it under

advisement Mr Lis the clerk will assign

you a court date at which time I'll rule

on Mr Keaton's

Motion in the meantime I I think you

should think very carefully about what

you're going to do now it's not just the

matter of another night in jail anymore

Dale

[Music]

yes

sir I course to

J yeah okay hey hey I want to talk to

you hey Sarah what was all that about

excuse me a psychiatric evaluation

seriously oh I didn't know you were in

there no no no there is nothing wrong

with Dale dandis okay he's just a little

bit lonely and you know this because

because he lives across the street from

me wait you're actually neighbor neigh

with the Christmas tree guy you're

smiling why are you smile how is this

funny it's not no I just this is what I

mean about small towns I I think it's

great that everyone knows each other

it's not that small and I didn't say I

know everyone just him and there is

nothing wrong with him okay look I'm

sorry but I can't talk about an ongoing

case not out here like this it's not my

first Rodeo Cowboy don't try and pull

that can't discuss it lawyer brush off

line with me what you don't want to talk

about it because we both know you pulled

out your big guns way too fast all right

you want to discuss this counselor has

that in my office my

pleasure the fact that defendants your

neighbor doesn't change a thing look

there has to be more going on here I

know that Dale Landis isn't crazy he's

been breaking these laws few years it

doesn't seem to matter to him sure it

matters so he doesn't mind spending

Christmas in jail of course not he would

rather spend Christmas in jail then take

down his tree and this to you sounds

like the decision of a rational man it's

a zoning code okay it's not like he

robbed a bank it's the law and as long

as I'm at courtroom my job is to enforce

that law it's not that simple it

couldn't be simpler right is right and

wrong is wrong wrong it's just the way

it is Sarah whether we like it or not

about having faith in your fellow man

you know trying to look a little bit

closer at the things that they do so we

can understand them better especially

now at

Christmas how do you think he feels

being all alone like that when everyone

around you is celebrating with family

and

[Music]

friends look I appreciate what you're

doing but I have faith in the law not

people La makes a lot more sense to

[Music]

me excuse

[Music]

me I can't believe he's up there

straightening the tray look it's leaning

to the right

well at least he put green on the bottom

what are you two doing out here it's

cold hi just in case yeah in case of

what in case we have to call 911 is he

taking it down don't be silly dear it's

crooked he can't have a crooked

Christmas tree on your roof what would

the neighbors

say oh how did the court go today not

good oh that man I hate to think of him

spending another Christmas in over to

try and talk to him good luck honey

hey why don't you two go back I will

call if there are any

emergencies okay

thanks Mr

Landis you okay up there

uhhuh your tree looks really nice

haven't seen it for a while it's just

the way I remember

it thank

you Mr Mr Landis could I talk to you for

a second about what happened in the

courthouse

today what about it well it's just that

um you see I I think

that this would be a lot easier if I

didn't have to

[Music]

shout

okay I can do

this I can do this

[Music]

so uh look straight to you yeah yeah

looks that looks

[Music]

great you uh used to have this shiny

blue soccer

ball used to kick it around in the yard

all the

time that was a long time ago yeah that

was his time across the street and in in

our yard you came over to to get it my

son

Danny we thought that b was

something and

well you played with him in that ball

for a long long

time I

remember I never did thank you for that

it's nice that you did

that how is

Danny he's

[Music]

fine Mr

Landis did did you understand what the

deputy prosecuting attorney said in the

court today you mean that part about

that he doesn't think my head's on

straight well

that's we all know that's not true but

he's not he likes to play hard ball so

just doing his

job it could get very complicated you

know you should really have an

attorney I'll be fine Mr Landis I really

appreciate you coming up here to talk to

me Sarah I'm doing just fine I don't

[Music]

need well maybe you could help

me how's that like I said I I've been

away for a while and I'm trying to set

up but you know get getting that first

client it's it's not

easy

mhm maybe if it would be all right just

sit with you in court and you know we

could tell people you're my client that

I'm representing your case but I

wouldn't have to do anything don't you

you figure that would help you with your

law

business it would be a big help but you

wouldn't drawn up with the with judge

and that other fell try to make me take

this tree

down not if you don't want to

[Music]

you were always nice to

Danny so it'll be all

right thank you Mr

Landis

[Music]

yeah Merry Christmas

[Music]

good

morning good morning it's beautiful day

yes it is think we'll have a white

Christmas it looks like

it isn't it great how we can baned like

[Music]

this do you really intend to give Dale

Landis a psych

evaluation okay that's not baned that's

more like shop talk because you know you

can have it both ways his competency and

charge him $5,000 a day for leaving the

tree up that doesn't wash either he

knows what he's doing or he doesn't

can't panal for their actions wow not

bad make up your mind

counselor hold on is this your way of

saying your re now that's right how'd

you get him to change his mind he still

doesn't want a lawyer was happy to have

a friend nice bantering with

[Music]

you you're telling me deal is G to this

he wants you to represent him let's just

say we've uh would this involve him

taking that tree down to St jail I think

first I need to figure out why he puts

it up oh I've been waiting a long time

to solve that little Christmas mystery

has he ever mentioned his family in

court he has a son doesn't he Danny he

moved away with his mother when he was

very young I tried to look him up online

but there's no record of knowing where

he is or even if he's alive or

dead why are you trying to find him this

man has no one judge Conor he's not if I

could just find someone a family member

someone he could trust he might listen

to

them hey Marcy yeah do me a favor will

you pull all the files on Dale Landis

for the past 3 years as soon as you can

I have a attourney to do thank you

[Music]

driver's license no credit card no email

no contact

person it's like outs he doesn't

exist hi hey um sorry I'm I'm just in

the middle of something here yeah I

figured

that hot fresh cider youve been here for

hours you work right through I did jeez

thought you might need a

break uh hang on a second how do you

know how long I've been here are you

following me now or something as

fascinating as you may be know I haven't

been watching you thought um

maybe

um never mind bad idea

and

I I just get a little cranky when I'm

hungry I had a feeling so hold

[Music]

this tuna salad right how did you I

sometimes eat at the diner I ever heard

Marcy take your the other day apparently

you have a long history of tuna salad

sandwiches thank you

you um why are you doing

this those L

spil

yeah yeah about the other day

um I didn't mean to lecture you on the

law especially when it comes to Landis I

know he's more than just another case

for

you I got a little caught up I do that

sometimes I'm

sorry thank you

I get a little caught up sometimes too

really you

noticed

yeah you know when I'm in that courtroom

uh I have to do everything I can to win

that case you know that including this

one I do and you have to do everything

you can to help out your client so

things are going to get kind of sticky

before this is

over yeah and when they do I just want

you to remember that uh this sandwich is

a token of our professional

respect okay and that I envy your faith

in other people you

do yeah I might be a a pretty good

lawyer

but I don't have much luck in that

[Music]

department especially at Christmas

[Music]

you want

have on one condition we don't discuss

the

case read

okay can I sometimes they don't toast

the

[Music]

that I mean we were together all through

law school it was fine but I should have

seen it coming the signs were all there

such as oh such as she took a job in DC

after we graduated then stopped

returning my text and

calls yeah should realize at that time

our days were numbered as then since

then well it turns out not

everyone relates to my love for small

town life working in a place like rosale

doesn't exactly fit their visions of

success they don't know what they're

missing

how about you you want to keep the home

fires burning no I give up on that oh

please I mean not as a permanent

situation it's just dating in the city

is way too exhausting like the past four

years have been all about money and

titles and connections and winning

mostly winning no matter what guys like

me in other

words nothing like you you know that

maybe the nicest thing anyone's everever

said to

me well this is

[Music]

me so um guess I'll see you in court

tomorrow

[Music]

yeah good night good

night uh

Sarah and what for about the

sandwich I meant

[Music]

it I'm impressed you've got your first

case already yeah only on the condition

that I do and say nothing to keep my

client out of jail he'll change his tune

I wouldn't be so sure how can he say no

to the best lawyer in town who's doing

it for free I might ask the same way he

said no to everyone else and you know as

for being the best the deputy

prosecuting attorney is no slouch

believe me so you've met J oh you know

him not exactly he comes into my

restaurant sometimes so he has good

taste too I thank you it's all very

mysterious though what do you mean

whenever he comes in he's always with

the same attractive young woman really

mhm she must be from out of town I

assume that's the only time I ever see

her that would make sense he hasn't

lived in our little town very long and

he doesn't realize that people notice

these things I'm sure you're

right all

[Music]

right you

[Music]

seated this right I see you've joined us

welcome as always thank you your honor

well let's get right to it shall we Dale

I don't suppose you've given us an early

Christmas present by taking that tree

down uh no your honor I haven't and I

gather you still have no intention of

doing so no

sir Mr

Katon you're honor upon further review

the prosecution has decided to withdraw

the motion to find Mr L every day the

tree is on top of his house oh I like

the way this is starting out so you hear

that Dale the prosecution is dropping

the fine apprciate it however the

defendant continues to be in violation

of several building codes and in doing

so presents a clear danger to himself

and in the community uh I would never

hurt anybody you honor no one really

never

finish Therefore your honor we ask that

you rule on a request for immediate

psychiatric evaluation to determine the

competence

of the defendant as well as authorize

the immediate enforcement of the court

order to take the tree down D you

understand that one way or another that

tree is coming down I really wish you

wouldn't do that your honor with all due

respect your honor the defendants wishes

have no relevance here your honor the

wish is to keep it on his roof it must

have also been his wish to break that

this case is no longer just about the

law it is about the defendant's

understanding of the law I understand

the law just fine your honor I just

don't want to take down my

tree I I think they're on to something

else here Dale think about it oh yes

they

do your honor um I'm confused who am I

speaking to here is Mr Landis

representing himself or is Miss Wright

now arguing his case fair question Miser

right Mr Landis has agreed to let me

assist him your honor what does that

mean in the case of douly versus the

state of Washington Raymond douly

declined to be represented by an

attorney

what however when his competency was

questioned the Court ruled that while he

had the right to refuse representation

he could be assigned an adviser an

adviser you mean something like an

attorney they weren't there to represent

him they were there to interpret and uh

clarify the law so to speak what's the

difference it's right there read it for

yourself I don't have to read it you're

talking about semantics excuse me like

you're either his lawyer or you're not

doesn't make any sense it makes more

sense than putting him back in jail

doesn't it he knew he was going to go

there when you put the tree back up in

jail at least he didn't start making up

stories about his tree to try and

impress people excuse me you too in my

Chambers right now this Court's in

recess for 10

[Music]

minutes okay what was that all about you

think I'm making up stories about

something I think you would do anything

to win this case I'm not the one pulling

rabbits out of my hands dly versus the

state of Washington please are you

questioning my citation I'm questioning

your cheap shot all right neutral

corners

you honor she's obviously trying to help

out her neighbor whether he wants it or

not do you even know what we're talking

about here have you even been to see the

tree what's that got to do with anything

your honor Dale Lis has been putting a

tree on his roof since I was a little

girl I used to look forward to seeing it

from my bedroom window every year wait

how long has this guy been getting away

with this the point is while what he

does may be technically illegal

technically it is also beautiful and in

some way that none of us can understand

it makes him happy but that does not

make him crazy and I will not let the

prosecution make him think he

is your honor the law clearly states

unfamiliar with the law Mr

Keaton but you're right the law is quite

clear on this point but your honor

however Miss Wright has also made a

point whatever the legal issues here Mr

Landis is harmless which leads me to

believe that we must be missing

something there must be a different

solution

such as no

idea which is why I'm putting you in

charge of finding that solution you are

M and you're going to help her John oh

wait wait you two are going to work this

out together and the next time I see you

I want to hear that you found a way to

satisfy the courts and Mr Landis dreams

for a happy and healthy Christmas wait a

second if you two put as much effort

into sorting this out as you do sniping

at each other you're going to bring a

lot of Christmas cheer and my courtroom

your honor I have a full case load for

which I will give you a full

continuance your only concern right now

is to create a Christmas miracle any

questions good tomorrow is Christmas Eve

I want this resolved before then

otherwise Mr Landis spends another

Christmas and jail and we don't want

that do we I really

sir no sir

[Music]

all

right off you go play

[Music]

nice plain nice he was talking to you

you want to tell me what I did let's

just get through this fine any ideas you

I'll get the files I'll get the coffee

[Music]

okay you want neighbors complaints or

building codes well it's your

neighborhood I'll take the building

codes okay

[Music]

nothing sec

can I have sorry sorry uh could you pass

me the critique of law sure there you go

I'm thank

you did you find the yeah can I can I

see that for a second yeah thanks

where's that coming

from I think it's a Town

Square no they're lighting the

tree that's tonight I completely forgot

about it I've been looking forward to

this for

years and now I'm going to miss

it come on but we haven't found anything

yet look it's all going to be here when

we get back you want to or

not come

[Music]

on it's just like I

remember this is

home this is where I learn to put my

faith in people

[Music]

you're

lucky we can't stay

[Music]

long as soon as they light the tree we

should head back well I thought you

wanted to we don't have

time so what like what's what's going on

I I don't understand I know we're off to

a rocky start but uh I thought I thought

you like the

sandwich it's a small town

John yeah I I figured so the restaurant

that you like the Boston beastro my best

friend is the chef

there okay it's good

food so so she remembers you coming in

okay I still don't uh am I bad Tipper

she also remembers there she is Sarah

honey hey there kiddo

we were looking all over for you oh yeah

sorry I uh I had to work late I told

your father that you wouldn't miss this

for the world no you're

right John Keaton hi hello Don is the

Deputy prosecuting attorney these are my

parents nice to meet you Katon judge

Connor tells me you're handling Dale

landis's case that's right you got your

hands full there yeah well we're

actually handling it together now try to

straighten things out Sarah did you

convince dalan to letting you be his

lawyer no not exactly it was the judge's

idea actually to try and keep Mr Landis

from spending another Christmas in

jail well I hope it works yeah so do

we uh you know I should there's

something I need to take care of excuse

me um I'll come by tomorrow love you

honey they're going to light the tree

what was that all

[Music]

about sir I should probably go help her

with that thing um it was really nice to

meet you both excuse

[Music]

me her name's

Emily

what the woman your friends saw me with

and the rest H probably not but just for

the record she's my little sister your

sister yeah she's a senior in college

it's really busy which is why I can't

see her that often but when she come

visit she loves your friend's restaurant

John I I thought

that I'm sorry

hey like I haven't lied to you

Sarah I never will

[Music]

come

[Music]

on you a Merry Christmas we wish you a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New

[Music]

Year 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

[Applause]

1ry Merry Christmas

[Music]

CH Merry

Christmas

chry

[Applause]

[Music]

christas this this is what brought me to

Rose Dale she was the reason I took the

job what do you

mean well since her family moved around

so much it was I was a big brother so

you I had to take care of what about

your

parents they how do you say

non-committal sort of

away

what I guess looking back on it lot more

than the actual

dated John that must have been so hard

for you and your

sister but it did give me a lot of time

to figure things out

and I figured out pretty quickly that if

someone says trust me you got to watch

your not always true you

know yeah maybe

not but when you're a little kid looking

after your little sister the first thing

you learn is that no one's going to hand

you what you need you got to you got to

go out there and get

it yeah guess it kind of stuck with me

over the years especially when it comes

Emily so you came here so she would know

what it felt like to have a real home

yeah you know you remind me of her

really she has a lot of faith

in well why wouldn't she she had you

[Music]

[Applause]

I guess it's time to call in a night

huh actually it's morning when we

started we'll find

something I don't know you know this Lis

thing has been going along I can't

believe no one's tried this already and

and what if we do find some sort of

loophole I mean how do we with it John

real Christmas miracle Central Valley

Drug Mark vers Springfield had a

platform on their roof with some sort of

big promotional display including a tree

let's see the Tony asked them to take it

down said it represented Hazard right

and but the judge ruled they could keep

it up as long as the tree wasn't

attached to the roof show me this

[Music]

tree hey hey what what do you think

you're doing who are you I'm Mr Landis

to take down that tree H he says that he

doesn't follow the law and take it down

we can do it Deputy County prosecutor

and this case is still being heard in

court looks like we'll it for

it oh and uh counselor um if you could

REM your client that he's still get some

jail

[Music]

time we've come this far we can't give

up come on let's go

I suppose they were within the law well

what about the Court ruling on Central

Valley would it hold up in court does it

apply well but it's a moood point the

tree is no longer an issue it is if we

put it back up what the Court ruling

clearly stipulates that as long as the

tree isn't attached hold on Sarah now

look you did what I asked you both

worked together you found a solution you

made sure that Mr Landis is never going

to spend another Christmas in jail be

proud of that you made a difference and

Justice is has been served now Look

Tonight is Christmas Eve it's a time to

be with the people you care about all

right and that's want you to do both of

you with all due respect your honor I

don't think we've made any difference at

all I'm sorry this isn't about the law

or about serving

Justice this is about Mr

Landis he's still all alone in that big

old house he he doesn't have anyone to

spend Chris with the only thing he

wanted the only thing that means

anything to him they took

down it doesn't why he wants that tree

what matters is that that is his

Christmas

wish and I'm going to do everything I

can to make sure that wish comes

true do you know how much work it will

take to get that tree back up there to

code but there's still

time if I had a little he John is the

prosecutor's office ready to go along

with this

absolutely all right all right well

you're going to need a building

permit Marcy would you get me the County

permits office on the phone oh yeah tell

them we have a Christmas tree to put on

way up thank

you

thanks okay guys right in here

yes we got to go got to go thank you

Merry Christmas thank you this is

perfect sure

is hey want to grab this

[Music]

Mr

Landis it's Sarah can I talk to you for

a

minute Mr land

this I just want you to

know we're going to put your tree back

up

[Music]

hey there

kiddo I thought maybe you could use some

saw

horses hey thank

[Music]

you now grab the tree all right

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

we had a straight edge that would be

ideal

[Music]

John so

[Music]

cute judge

Connor well would you look at that help

come on boys let's get this done all

[Music]

right come on oh no no no come on honey

come on go you can do it that's can

watch it here I'll grab the ladder

[Music]

okay easy peasy there you go you're

good you trust

me

yeah here we

are are you

ready 3 3 2 1

[Applause]

[Music]

thank you it's all

you let's go tell Mr

[Music]

Landis Mr Landis we're ready

come and see your

[Music]

tree sirar come and take a

[Music]

look

[Music]

Christmas thank

you do you like it

yeah it's nice very

[Music]

nice good

[Music]

night I don't

understand like we may NE

understand but you something else

here you showed us all what a difference

it can make to show a little extra faith

in your fellow

man no one's going to forget this

anytime soon especially

me what's

[Music]

going so you don't want to come in for a

few

minutes I would love love to but my

sister's coming to the red

eye I think I'm going to go home okay

well listen um my parents throw this uh

Christmas dinner party and they invite a

few friends actually a lot of friends so

um maybe you and your sister should join

us I can meet her I'd love that

okay oh that's uh friend of yours I

don't think

so who is that I don't

know but whoever it is it's the last

thing Mr Landis needs right now I'm

going to go talk to

me can I help

[Music]

you can I help you oh uh sorry sry M I

was just uh stop the tree wanted to just

stop and look hope that's all right it's

okay do you happen to know who lives

here yeah that's that's him right there

dale

Landis

Lis

yeah

Danny hi Dad

Danny Danny

Danny my

[Music]

son

come Sir John

we this is my son

Danny Danny these are friends of mine

good friends very good

friends hi Danny it's been a long

time you always wanted to know why I put

that tree up there every Christmas this

is a reason right

here

D I was just a little boy my mother took

me

away I remember it was Christmas Eve

I've made my decision it's over no it's

already done we're leaving she said we

were never coming back here

just before we

left my dad he pulled me inside and told

me look for the Christmas

tree no matter

what no matter how long it

took if I ever wanted to find

him always look for the

tree on the roof to on the

rooftop so that tree really was a beacon

to show your son the way home it was my

only

hope when my mom got married again she

changed my name too so I knew there

wasn't much chance you'd find

me these last few years I've been in the

Army but I got leave this

Christmas and as soon as I got back I

started looking

and I found

you I finally found you welcome home

son God bless

you Merry

Christmas Merry Christmas

[Music]

it's a nice

tree it's very nice

tree yeah maybe next year we get one

just like

it

okay okay

[Music]

Merry

Christmas Merry

[Music]

Christmas for

for

e

for

for for

for

[Music]