Sally though about fun & games with Catlin out Christmas shopping. [Sally: I just think we should get him the Dolphins shirt. Catlin: what do you mean? Sally: I like the colours better. Catlin: you're going to get a Bears fan a Dolphins uniform? Sally: I don't understand this thing about the Bears. I don't understand what's so important about a team that uses a refrigerator to win. Catlin: are you trying to drive me crazy? Sally: it's so easy. [It degenerated into an attack on Sally, natch.]] Sally told herself "I don't need you Catlin. I can live without you." Catlin came to the door [in his honeymoon sweater?]
Enter Rachel brandishing a stick of doweling. Rachel: how about this? I think this would be a perfect magic wand. Amanda: it's not gold. Rachel: well, yeah, I know that, but you didn't tell me that you lost the gold one until half an hour right now before the play. Amanda: I forgot. Rachel: I know. It's OK. But I think that from the stage this is going to look like the best magic wand ever. Amanda: where's daddy? Rachel: that's a good question. Amanda: he's coming, isn't he? Rachel: he gave his word. His word is pretty good, isn't it? [Telephone] hello. Mac: Rachel — Rachel: you bum. Already today I have repaired a pair of angel wings that got oatmeal on them. I have been to Matthew's play in which he made it up as he went along. And I have produced a magic wand and you're going to come sailing in here — Mac: Rachel — Rachel — there's a problem.
Marley in Barnesville dialed the Garrisons' number.
Mac's merger hit a snag. He's delayed in Chicago. Rachel told him he had to make it. "Mac this is not a fun phone call." she hustled Amanda off to cover the stick in aluminum foil.
Catlin is bearing gift. For Kevin. Sally was alarmingly civil to him right to the bitter end. He brought up the marriage counseling. She said he was pressuring her. He backed off and confessed he was getting desperate. She agreed to discuss it after the holidays. He asked her to bring Kevin up to the cabin after caroling. She submitted. She had him put the star on the tree and wished him Merry Christmas.
The Garrisons' phone is out of service. Marley's worried. Marley: I'm glad you're here with me. Jake: you have to get used to it because you're stuck for the long haul. Marley: the LONG HAUL? That's a terribly romantic way to look at it. Jake: what can I say, I'm just a romantic kind of guy. They decided to eat. The waitress was friendly to a fellow waitress until the name of Garrison was mentioned. She advised them to get out of town. Suddenly an old woman turned around and gave them directions, advising them to get out of town. Marley and Jake were perplexed and asked why she'd told them where the farm was. She said righteously "because I believe in freedom of choice." Marley left a tip and they fled.
Britt: can I help? Rachel: no, it's OK, I'm supposed to be the artist around here. Why does this just look like a stick that's covered with aluminum foil? Britt: what's it supposed to be? Rachel: a MAGIC WAND. It needs a star, that's what it needs, where am I going to get a star? Britt: the Christmas tree! [she bounded over and plucked a star from its boughs.] Rachel: hey, you can stick around, you're pretty good at this. Just watch, she's going to walk right in here and she's going to want eight reindeer. Britt: I know it's hectic, but it is real christmassy. Rachel: we're lucky. Britt: and if she DOES want eight reindeer I'll just put some antlers on the horses. Rachel: So what are you doing for Christmas this year? We always have MILLIONS of people here. Britt: well I'm going to go to Peter Love's. Rachel: oh, that's nice. Britt: I got an invitation straight from Donna. Rachel: from Donna? Well my gracious that Christmas spirit IS potent, isn't it? Britt: I was pretty surprised myself, but I think the only reason I'm invited is because Peter wants me there. Rachel: OH, NO, listen, I think that if you're spending the holidays with the Donna Love family it's probably pretty serious. Britt: no, no, no, we're just friends. Rachel: no, no, no, if you got an invitation from Donna Love, it IS serious. Are you nervous? Britt: seems kind of silly, don't it? Rachel: no it doesn't at all. I have a healthy respect for Donna Love, and I'm no shrinking violet. Britt: well I'm not really afraid to talk to her or anything, I just don't know about what to wear. That's silly. Rachel: no it isn't. Do you want some help? Britt: oh, I was so embarrassed to ask. Rachel: no, not at all, we'll have you looking to the manner born in no time, PRESTO [touching her with the wand]. Doesn't work, does it. Well the props don't work around here. They agreed to go shopping. Britt rhapsodized about Christmas being for kids. Rachel fled with Amanda for the play. Britt said NEXT YEAR, CATLIN.
The merger is dragging on. Mac lapsed into a daydream. Mac: hello hello I'm home am I late? Ada: Lord bless and save you sir you did give me a start. Mac: well — have they left? Where is Rachel? Ada: you're not at work? It's Christmas Eve. You're always at work at 9:00 on Christmas Eve. Mac: Ada what are you talking about? Ada: you keep the store open you bump up the prices so the people will have to buy their presence with their last red cent at the last minute. Mac: will you knock it off Ada? Ada: not a body sir, not a body makes more money off Christmas than you do. Not a body sir. Mac: would you stop calling me sir? And will you stop acting as if I'm some kind of Scrooge? Ada: Oh yes sir anything you say sir and sir I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart sir for me Christmas bonus. I'm going to put it together with last year's and save them all up ALL UP and buy me a postage stamp. Mac: Ada would you stop this I want to hear about Amanda's play. Ada: OH, you remembered her name, sir. You remembered you do have a heart sir as big as a coal mine. Matt: well of course I have a very big heart and it's not my fault Ardesley is a very big bag of wind. [The French windows blew open and Rachel and Amanda and Matthew came in as poor folk singing God rest ye merry gentlemen.] Bravo! Bravo! Rachel: oh, thank you, kind sir. Mac: look, with everybody just kindly caught stop calling me sir. Rachel: why, I remember you. You're their daddy. Mac: of course I'm their daddy. Amanda sweetheart you look terrific. Amanda: 'ello Mr. daddy. Rachel: you see sir. I think she remembers you I really do. Mac: now look, this is getting to be ridiculous. I'm a perfectly good father and I'm not a Scrooge. Rachel: did I say that sir? Mac: well, you implied it. Rachel: Oh no sir, think again. This is your fantasy; This is your guilt. Mac: Rachel you know how important that merger was, and you know that it's not my fault. Rachael: oh, not at all sir. Matt: no, I would do anything to be here, you know that. Ada: [bursting into song] I'd do anything for you you anything for you. Rachel anything for you Amanda anything for you Matthew anything and do de do de do. Mac: well, anything within reason. Rachel: that's right sir. It's all a matter of priorities. It's this child's happiness or cold hard cash. Mac snapped out of it and declared something about a cash escrow fund before rushing out. Ardesley said he was no businessman. Peter said he was more than that.
Quinn offered help. Carter refused it. He's done everything. He intends to do a psych paper. A messenger came with his football trophy. Carter smashed it against a wall. Tom looked on horror-struck. He apologized. She called Quinn and asked her to take the baby. Carter was opposed. He stomped off to the library.
Every child in the play is a raving maniac except for Amanda. The teacher explained Amanda had written it and that was why she was so serious. She wants to impress Mac.
Mac is taking off.
No Garrisons at home. Marley and Jake went in and found the house empty. It worries her.
Rachel is in agonies. She can't stand to tell Amanda that Mac mightn't make it. She sent Ada to call Mac when Amanda balked at going on. Rachel went after Amanda.
MJ dropped in on Sally to talk about Cass. The DA is submitting as little as possible as late as possible. They're worried about Kathleen. MJ fell apart. Sally offered her eggnog and someone to lean on. MJ thanked her profusely. Tom is seriously worried about Carter. She confided in Quinn. Carter returned home. Quinn told him he was like his dad who was imperfect. He ordered her out. She advised him to share his grief and help others as well as himself. Exit Quinn. He doesn't know what to do.
A man appeared to get a bench he'd bought at an auction. He was unfriendly, especially when Marley identified herself as a relative. He advised them to be gone when he returned.
Daniel found Britt at the Corys'. She asked if he intended to give up Sally. He avoided the question. She answered the phone. It was Peter to say there was a blizzard and he hoped Mac was OK. She said she'd get him [Peter] back into the Christmas spirit when he came home. Daniel remarked on her switching horses in midstream [or is it number of irons in the fire?] she said he made her sound calculating. He denied it. She told him she'd make Catlin happier than Sally ever could.
Amanda is afraid Mac will never return. Rachael consoled her and promised Mac would hear all about the play or even arrive in the middle. Amanda wants to talk to Ada.
Britt met Joyce in Smiley's just wanting to talk about being pregnant. She's thrilled to death. She said the news would be the father's Christmas present. Joyce told her how much he [ Peter] loved her and how thrilled he'd be especially because of Emily. She told her not to worry. Britt has only to spread the news.
MJ and Sally had a cozy chat over eggnog. Sally said something about Christmas being the time to clear up misunderstandings and trailed off. MJ suddenly realized she was on her way to Lesoleil and she should be fasting. Sally's thrilled. MJ sent her love to Kevin and left. Sally sighed and said this was more than a misunderstanding.
Marley and Jake together to the bitter end. She can't think why everyone hates the Garrison so much. The house feels fine. Like good people lived there. He was silent. She "you're probably saying to yourself "oh oh, she's just gone right off the deep end."" She insisted houses could feel. He cautioned her not to get her hopes up. She's still determined. He thinks they'd be good at having kids. There was a horrible thumping sound off.
It's time for the play. Amanda has recovered. Ada told Rachel about the Chicago blizzard.
Britt put some ornaments in a box. "Well this should put Caitlin in the right frame of mind."
Marley and Jake went to investigate. They found themselves looking down the muzzle of a gun.