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♪
Going once, going twice.
[gavel slams]
Sold to Mr. Charles Whitley.
This beautiful antique Christmas clock.
[polite applause]
Our next item up for bid, this magnificent chaise lounge.
Perfect for the home.
We'll start the bidding at $10.
Do I see $10?
Woman: $10.
$10- $20.
$20?
$20. Yes, ma'am up front.
-$30? -$30!
The gentleman in the hat.
Well done, Whitley. That's a one-of-a-kind piece.
True love will find you soon.
Certainly you've already found true love.
You have a beautiful fiancée in Miss Eliza Parker.
Indeed.
And it is to be her Christmas gift.
Very romantic, Whitley.
I'm surprised you didn't try to steal it
out from under me, Moran.
That is your preferred method of operation, I believe.
Now, now, it's almost Christmas.
Can't we let bygones be bygones?
I hear through the grapevine you're having trouble
with this new modern milling system you're working on.
Why don't we team up?
I wouldn't work with you if you were the last engineer
on the planet, Moran.
Charles, you and I are cut from the same cloth.
Surely we can find some common ground.
I've seen the way you look at my fiancée.
It appears you are already trying.
But I can assure you, you will fail on all counts.
Merry Christmas to you, sir.
Auctioneer: $40? Do I hear $40? $40, yes, up in front.
You know, I don't believe he means that.
Auctioneer: Do I hear $50?
♪
[hooves clopping]
[horse whinnies]
Welcome home, sir.
How was the city?
It was... the city.
Two wreaths, Fredericks?
Isn't that a bit excessive?
Rosie's idea, sir.
You know how people are during the holidays.
They do like to celebrate.
I assume you've already arranged the annual Christmas Eve party
for the household staff?
It'll be in the kitchen, as usual.
You're always welcome to join us of course, sir.
Well, I appreciate the invitation every year, Fredericks.
But I'm afraid merrymaking is a luxury I can't afford
with so much work to do and so little time to do it.
Now where have I heard that excuse before?
Eliza, Fredericks didn't tell me you were here.
Don't blame Fredericks. I wanted to surprise you.
Well, the smiling face of my fiancée
is the perfect welcome-home gift.
I'm afraid my visit isn't entirely innocent.
Do I hear an ulterior motive in your voice?
It's about my mother and father's Christmas party.
You know it's the social event of the season.
All of the most important people are going to be there.
Won't you please just reconsider?
Eliza, I'm sorry, but I just can't.
I simply have too much to do
to go parading off to Manhattan for a party.
Christmas or otherwise.
Is it the party, Charles? Or is it me?
You know I've been busy modernizing the mill.
I have an entirely new system to put into place,
and I need it operational by next year.
Hmm. Next year.
Next year.
You're always living for the future, Charles.
And why not?
The future's an exciting place.
It's... it's full of possibilities and new ideas,
and new inventions.
I've even heard a rumour of two brothers in North Carolina
who are working on a flying machine.
What about the present?
What about being here with me now?
I am here with you now.
You're not with me here.
Rosie: Pardon me, Mr. Whitley.
I took the liberty of making you both some hot cocoa.
It's terribly cold outside, and I thought...
[sharply] Thank you, Rosie.
But I'm afraid I'm not really in a hot cocoa mood today.
If you need me, Charles,
I'll be at my parents' townhouse in the city.
That is, if you have the time.
♪
[knocking at door]
Rosie: Mr. Whitley?
Come in, Rosie.
Fredericks has retired for the evening,
and I'm about to do the same myself.
Will there be anything else?
No, that'll be all.
Thank you, Rosie.
Oh, that's lovely, sir.
-You think so? -Mm-hmm.
It's for Eliza.
For Christmas.
Foolishly, I didn't check to make sure it was working
at the auction house.
I was too distracted by that imbecile, Moran.
It's broken?
That's what I thought at first,
but it appears that one of the springs has been cut.
Like someone deliberately wanted to stop the clock.
Hmm.
Oh. You've had it engraved.
"Wind once at Christmas moon, true love will find you soon."
A very sweet sentiment, Mr. Whitley.
You know me well enough to know
I didn't have it engraved myself, Rosie.
It came that way.
I don't even know what a Christmas moon is.
Well, one can always hope.
I hope that I can have it fixed in time.
Eliza certainly deserves something that works.
As do you, sir.
Is this about to become one of your infamous lectures?
No, no sir. I wouldn't dare.
I'm just a maid.
Rosie, you have been in my employ nearly 10 years.
You are anything but just a maid.
You're my friend.
Well, forgive me, sir.
You're both such fine people, but if I may say,
a more mismatched pair I've never seen.
I think Eliza and I get along very well.
But sir, there's more to marriage
than just getting along.
And I would hate to see the both of you make a mistake.
There's no mistake to make.
I have considered the situation
from all possible vantage points,
and the truth of the matter is
that a man of my age and position
is expected to be married by now.
But sir, don't you think that true love is worth waiting for?
Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't.
Either way, how is one to know when it shows up?
[sighs]
Time will tell, Mr. Whitley.
Time will tell.
Goodnight, sir.
Goodnight.
[door closes]
♪
[clock ticking]
[sighs]
[aggressive ticking]
And this, of course, is the owner of the mansion
and my employer, Mr. Charles Whitley.
He was born in 1870.
When he was 14, his parents died
and he was sent to work at a steel mill.
Fortunately, Mr. Whitley was a very smart inventor.
So by the time he was 21, he was a millionaire.
Then, 10 years later, he just disappeared.
Where'd he go?
Nobody really knows.
A week before Christmas, December 18th, 1903,
Mr. Whitley just mysteriously vanished.
And nobody has been able to figure out the mystery
of where he went, or why.
♪
Rosie?
What was in that sherry?
♪
What the deuce?
Would any of our guests care for a homemade cookie,
freshly baked from our kitchen?
Fredericks, you are indeed the finest butler in this county.
Hmm.
I don't know what Mr. Whitley would do without you.
Well, let us hope he never has cause to find out.
Hmm Fredricks?
Oh, Miss Eliza.
I do believe you're teasing me.
[laughs]
Rosie?
Fredericks?
What is all this?
And who are all these lovely people?
These are some very special visitors
who have come to see the mansion at Christmastime.
They're hoping to catch a glimpse
of Mr. Whitley himself.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm afraid my fiancé is unable to be here today.
He was called away on business.
No he wasn't, he's standing right there.
Excuse me.
What are you people doing in my house?
Um...
I would appreciate an answer, please.
[camera shutters going off]
Well, hello Mr. Whitley.
[laughs awkwardly]
We didn't expect you today.
You weren't expecting me in my own home?
And who are you?
[laughs] Oh!
You're having fun with me, sir.
You know, I'm your maid, Rosie.
You most certainly are not.
[laughs nervously] Charles, you're such a tease.
You know this is Rosie.
Just as you know I'm your fiancée, Eliza Parker.
[giggles]
How forward, my goodness. Control yourself.
[giggles]
Megan: Kenny never told me about a new Charles.
He looks just like him.
He does.
Where did all these Christmas decorations come from?
I did not authorize this expenditure!
Fredericks!
What, is it my cue already?
Who's this guy?
I mean, good morning Mr. Whitley.
This is madness.
What have you done with Fredericks?
Hey, can I get a selfie?
I beg your pardon?
[camera clicks]
Thanks.
Enough! I demand that you people leave my home,
or I will inform the authorities.
[awkwardly] All right, everyone.
If you'd like to follow me,
we have some lovely Christmas ornaments for sale
in the gift shop.
Go get Kenny.
Yeah.
♪
When did this arrive?
Uh, that painting has been here over 100 years.
It most certainly has not.
I just sat for it last week.
Okay, just between you and me,
you're coming on a little strong with the visitors.
Why don't you just relax a bit?
I come downstairs to find my home full of strangers,
and I am told to relax?
Kenny: You've already put so much on my plate.
I haven't got time for this today, Megan.
Wow.
Yeah. The resemblance is amazing.
Where did you find him?
I didn't find him.
The agency must have sent him over here last minute.
Well, they could've given us a heads up.
He completely ruined my timing.
What are you people talking about?
Didn't they tell you?
Our last Charles Whitley quit.
Your last.
The actor who played him. The one you're replacing.
I'm not replacing anyone.
[laughs] We've all been there.
No shame in recasting.
Unless you're the one being recast.
I've had enough of this madness.
Where are you going? The tour is not over yet.
I'm going to find my driver,
and we are going to find the sheriff.
♪
What are... What are these?
What? What is this?
You mean the cars?
The what?
[airplane engines roaring]
A flying machine.
I don't think he's from the agency.
Of course I'm not from the agency.
Then who are you?
I am Charles Whitley.
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪
♪ And a happy New Year
Thank you so much for coming.
Don't forget about our Christmas Eve party.
Thank you.
Well, he's definitely not from the talent agency.
They just called me.
The guy that they had lined up for us had to cancel.
Well, so who is he?
No idea.
You think I should call the sheriff?
Oh, we can probably just ask him to leave.
He seems harmless.
He also seems convinced that he's the real Charles Whitley.
♪
Dan, honey.
You were a little slow on your entrance.
You need to pick up the pace a bit.
Amber, it's not Shakespeare.
And these run on some form of electricity.
And the bulbs, they're not Edison.
They don't generate any heat.
I got to hand it to the guy, he is committed to the part.
Well, that's because I'm not playing a part.
Whatever you say, "Charles."
[beeping]
Well, that costume you're wearing is absolutely perfect.
Look at all the detail work. All hand sewn.
Well, I did have it made by the finest tailor in New York City.
What is that sound?
My tea.
And it's hot.
This device, it heats things with some form of radiation.
Yeah. Makes pretty good popcorn, too.
Remarkable.
Have I really travelled through all this...
Uh, excuse me?
Excuse me.
Hi.
It looks like there was some sort of a misunderstanding here.
So, I think it'd be best if you'd just leave.
Why would I leave my own house?
Um, well, maybe because it's not your house.
Look, who exactly are you people?
I'm Megan Turner.
I'm the museum director.
That's Amber and this is her husband Dan.
Fredericks, at your service.
He's still here?
And this is my assistant director, Kenny.
I'm also operations manager.
Call the sheriff?
I think I left the front door open.
Excuse me.
[door closes]
And so all of this is some sort of performance?
We do a re-enactment of
Christmas at the Whitley Mansion,
just like it was back in 1903.
Megan is actually related to the real Rosie.
You?
In fact, she was my great-great-grandmother.
She was?
She was.
May I ask what year is it, exactly?
What year do you think it is?
Well, it's... it's certainly not 1903.
Where are you going?
To my study.
Your study?
Yes, my study.
If I retrace my steps,
I can figure out how I went to sleep last night
and woke up 100 years later.
Wait, you actually think you're from the past.
Oh, I don't think so.
I know so.
I hate to break it to you, but you're not Charles Whitley.
He vanished December 18th, 1903 and was never seen again.
I'm very flattered that you think you know so much about me.
I wrote my PhD dissertation about you...
About him.
And you're really kin to Rosie?
Yes, we're kin.
On my mom's side.
Well then, you've very lucky to come from such a family.
She's a very wonderful lady.
Was... a very wonderful lady.
Look, the thing is,
I have responsibilities waiting for me back in 1903.
I have people counting on me, and I have a business to run.
You know how this sounds, right?
Of course I know how this sounds.
That doesn't stop it from being the truth.
I was right here at my desk, trying to repair a clock
that I bought for Eliza for Christmas.
Rosie brought me some sherry, and then she left.
And then I started to feel very dizzy.
It was probably the sherry.
And then I fell, and that's the last thing I remember
before waking up here.
You don't believe me.
Well, it just seems kind of impossible.
Don't you think I know that?
I feel like I'm in that book, "The Time Machine".
I love H. G. Wells.
Well, you wouldn't love him if you met him.
He's a great writer, but he has terrible table manners.
Wait, you met H. G. Wells?
Um... just uh...wait...
Hi, Megan.
Look who dropped by.
Sheriff Conway.
Merry Christmas, Megan.
Sheriff. Good, you're here.
I'm sure you were called on my account?
A strange man shows up, claiming to be Charles Whitley,
claims that this is his home?
I'm sure you have questions,
I may as well take care of that now.
If there's one thing I hate, it's wasting time.
Shall we?
[clears throat]
Okay then.
Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Whitley.
We really appreciate you coming down to the station.
Oh, wait.
It's cold out here.
Thank you.
You, you still don't believe me, do you?
You said that most of the house has been preserved.
I think so, why?
Under the rug beneath my desk,
there's a hidden compartment in the floor.
Look inside.
Uh, Mr. Whitley?
You might find your proof.
Right this way.
So what's going to happen to the new Charles Whitley?
I don't know.
He was pretty cute, huh?
I hadn't really noticed.
[teasingly] Megan.
How long has it been since you broke up with your ex?
Six months.
Don't you think it's time you started noticing again?
[laughs]
♪
[stomps on the floor]
[hollow clunk]
[hollow clunking]
[knocking]
♪
[laughs breathlessly]
Name?
Charles James Whitley.
Birthdate?
June the 6th, 1870.
Look, Mr... Whitley.
I appreciate your cooperation here,
but it's not going to do you any good
to falsify an official county document.
I'm not falsifying anything, sir.
I'm telling you the truth.
Hmm.
So, you expect me to believe that you're 150 years old?
Uh, excuse me, Sheriff.
I think I can help with that.
♪
So, why didn't you people just tell me
he was an actor in the first place?
Well, uh, we didn't know
that he was from the talent agency at first.
But then after that, later,
we found out he was from the talent agency.
Why didn't you say anything?
Because it's an immersive theatre experience.
Part of the program we offer at the museum.
You see, he was hired to portray Charles Whitley
and he has to remain in character throughout the day,
no matter what happens.
His real name is Ch... Charles...
Garland.
Is this true?
Every word of it.
Why did you make up that ridiculous story?
Because if I tried to tell him the truth,
they would've locked us both up.
I thought you didn't believe me.
I didn't at first, but then I saw the scar on your hand.
Charles Whitley got into an accident
when he was 18 years old at a steel mill
and it left a horseshoe-shaped scar on his hand,
but he didn't want anybody to know about it,
so it didn't show up in any pictures or paintings of him.
You really did study me, didn't you?
And then, I found this.
What happened to my notebook?
I think it looks pretty good
for something that's been under the floor for 100 years.
I realize it's crazy and I cannot believe I'm saying this,
but it is very nice to meet you, Charles Whitley.
What is the name of this fantastic dish we've just eaten?
[laughs] Oh. Pizza.
It's delicious.
You know, this establishment used to be the blacksmith.
I took my horses here.
Um, maybe just keep that between us for now.
Until we figure out what happened,
the fewer people who know the truth about you, the better.
I suppose you're right.
No one would believe me anyway.
Actually, I'm afraid they would.
Your disappearance is one of the greatest mysteries
of Cutter Springs.
I mean, the last thing you want
is a bunch of reporters chasing you around
or a scientist sticking you in a lab
to find out what makes you tick.
Well, then I shall be the very picture of discretion.
$23! This is highway robbery!
Uh, don't worry. No, it's my treat.
No, no, no, no. Please. Please, I insist.
A gentleman always pays.
It appears that I have come away without my billfold.
Honestly, it's okay.
Times have changed.
They certainly have.
I should thank you, you've been very kind to me,
a total stranger.
Oh, you're not a stranger to me.
I've read all of your journals and your letters.
All of them?
I had to be thorough for my dissertation.
Well, then you must certainly have an affection for history.
Actually, I'm going to teach it at the university.
I have my final interview for the position next week.
You're not happy at the museum?
Oh no, I love my job at The Whitley.
It's so rewarding and I'm making history come to life for people.
May I?
Oh, yeah. Thank you.
So then why leave?
Well, I come from an academic family.
Both my parents were teachers.
My grandfather was a professor at the university.
So I guess it's just always been part of the plan.
For them or for you?
[whispers] Thank you.
All this electric lighting must cost a fortune.
Actually, most of it is solar powered.
You mean someone finally figured out how to
harness the power of the sun?
Mmmhmmm.
That's amazing.
They decorated the streets like this back in 1903,
didn't they?
I suppose.
To be honest, I never paid much attention.
I always thought Christmas was quite a bit of bother
for just a few weeks of the year.
Eliza loves it, though.
What is it, Mr. Whitley?
I was just thinking of the... of the last time I saw Eliza.
We had a bit of a row.
What about?
Inconsequential, really.
Her parents' Christmas party.
She wanted me to attend, I said no, of course.
I hope she's all right.
I hope she was all right.
It feels strange to speak of her in past tense.
You studied my life.
Do you know what happened to her after I disappeared?
I don't know exactly.
I recognize this street.
Come on.
What is this?
This can't be.
My building, the Whitley Steel Building, was right here!
What happened to it?
It's been gone for years.
When you disappeared,
there were no instructions for your financial holdings.
I planned to leave it all to Eliza, of course, as my wife.
But you weren't married, and you had no heirs.
Your company went to receivership and it closed.
What?
The building, and all your assets, were liquidated.
The city even took your mansion and turned it into a museum.
So I have nothing?
You have your name.
Charles Whitley means something here in Cutter Springs.
But you said I can't tell anyone who I really am.
I can't let this happen.
I have to go back to 1903 and stop this.
Miss Turner, I need your help.
I have to find a way back.
Uh, what's happened to my bedroom?
It was renovated a few years ago.
We use a couple of the rooms
for weddings and overnight visitors, so...
Excuse me.
What's wrong?
Well, I'm not sure that it's entirely appropriate
for me to be alone in my bedroom with a young lady unchaperoned.
It's okay.
Times have changed.
So you keep telling me.
How am I supposed to see myself in this mirror?
That is not a mirror.
-That's a television. -A what?
[chuckles]
I'll explain it to you tomorrow.
Is there anything else I can get for you?
No, thank you.
I found my toiletry case in a display cabinet downstairs.
Oh.
I... don't think you want to use this,
um, 100-year-old toothpaste.
Oh.
[laughs]
There's a fresh tube and soap and towels
in the bathroom down the hall.
Hmm.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Welcome to the 21st century.
I just hope I can learn to navigate it.
Don't worry, Mr. Whitley.
There... there's got to be a way to get you back to your time.
All we have to do is find it.
Well, in the meantime, I would ask a favour.
Sure.
Please stop calling me Mr. Whitley.
My friends call me Charles.
Okay.
Only if you call me Megan.
Agreed.
Goodnight...
Megan.
Goodnight Charles.
[TV playing Christmas music] ♪
Ho, ho, ho!
♪
On Donner, on Blitzen...
Ho, ho, ho!
♪
Merry Christmas!
♪
The Christmas Eve party
is our most important fundraiser of the year.
The day of, I'm going to need fresh pine boughs
here, here, and here.
Two wreaths there and two wreaths there.
I'm also going to need a champagne pyramid.
Well, actually, let's make it two champagne pyramids.
I want this to be the best Christmas Eve party
the Whitley Mansion has ever seen.
-Good morning. -Good morning.
Uh, what are you doing here?
I was just going to get a bit of breakfast.
The kitchen is still this way, or has that been moved as well?
Good morning.
Megan? What's going on?
Uh, turns out you were right.
Mr. Garland is from the agency.
Mr. Garland?
Yes. It was all just a misunderstanding.
These things happen.
He's from out of town,
so I told him he could stay in the guest room.
How nice for Mr. Garland.
Well, people do seem to enjoy your take on the role.
They really like it when you get all worked up
over having strangers in the house.
The first tour is at 11:00. Be ready by 10:45.
In costume, please.
What did he mean by that?
I think you just became the new Mr. Whitley.
You're telling me that I'm to be a part of the show?
I can't do that, I don't have time for that.
I have to figure out my...
[mutters] ...my situation.
These cookies need just a little more icing.
Uh-huh.
Well, what better place to do that than here,
where nobody's going to ask you any questions
about who you really are?
And besides, couldn't you use the 21st century money?
Well, what would I have to do?
Just... be yourself.
♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪
♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪
Merry Christmas.
Welcome to Christmas at The Whitley Mansion.
This wing has been kept exactly as it was for 120 years.
Ever since the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Whitley
in December 1903, a week before Christmas.
No one has been able to figure out the puzzle
of where he went, or why.
But... he's with us today,
so maybe we'll get to ask him ourselves.
[knocking] Mr. Whitley?
Come in.
We have some visitors to see you, sir.
Hello.
They've come a very long way to meet you, Mr. Whitley.
That's very nice.
So, what are you working on?
Uh, a new milling system.
That sounds very interesting.
Would you like to tell us more about that?
Well, it's um...
[clears throat]
It's for the mill.
[awkwardly] Okay.
I can see you're very busy, so we will be on our way,
and maybe next time you'll have more to say.
Oh, and by the way.
Don't believe a word that she says.
I beg your pardon, Mr. Whitley?
Oh, you heard me, Rosie.
She'll tell you all that
she deserves all the credit for my success.
I've said no such thing.
Nonsense.
You're always telling me how helpless you think I am.
Well, I wouldn't say completely helpless.
She thinks I can't even put on my shoes in the morning.
[laughing]
Of course you can, sir.
Especially after I wrote on the soles "left foot," "right foot."
[crowd laughing]
Touché.
Follow me, everyone.
Well, the Christmas Eve party was originally Frederick's idea,
but over the years it's taken on a life of its own.
All right, I think we have time
for one more question for Mr. Whitley.
Hey, I've got a question.
Who's smarter, you or Harold Moran?
Well, that's not even a question.
Harold Moran is a thief.
He steals ideas, he's a rapscallion and a rogue,
and he doesn't have an ethical bone in his body.
So, how did you feel when you found out he married...
[sharply] Okay.
I think we have bothered Mr. Whitley enough for today.
What do you say we all go to the gift shop?
Right this way.
Follow me.
Thank you for coming.
Well?
How did I do?
I have to say, you are the best Charles Whitley I've ever met.
[people chattering excitedly]
Awesome job.
Thank you.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Please, allow me.
Thank you.
I've got it.
I really am sorry.
Afraid where I come from,
actors are not held in very high esteem.
Just above horse thief.
That might have been a better choice.
You don't enjoy it?
Oh, I love acting,
but this isn't quite the career I'd hoped for.
How so?
Oh, Dan and I met in a show in Summerstock,
and after we got married, the work kind of dried up.
We saw an ad for this museum looking for performers
for the Christmas season, and well, here we are.
Not exactly Broadway.
More like off, off, off-Broadway.
Well, you're still an actor.
And they do say all the world's a stage,
no matter where it is.
You really think so?
I'm not in the habit of lying to complete strangers.
Besides, I think you're both quite good.
[typing]
Hello.
Hi.
What is this?
A computer.
Like a calculating device?
Kind of.
I'm checking on the RSVP list for the e-vite we sent out
for the Christmas Eve party.
And what is an "e-vite?"
[laughs]
It's a digital invitation.
I sent it out in an email blast.
[laughs weakly]
I'm not sure I understood much of that,
but I'm guessing it doesn't mean an engraved note
on the house stationery?
Afraid not.
That's unfortunate.
I always took a special pride
in our invitations to Whitley House.
People kept them as a valued souvenir.
Times have changed.
Yes, they have.
Unfortunately, not always for the better.
We've been getting some great reviews on the website.
"Beautiful mansion.
"Loved the by-play between Charles and Rosie."
And this one, "The new Charles Whitley, is a hunk."
A hunk of what, exactly?
[chuckles]
Anyway, whatever you're doing, keep it up.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
What is this?
Money from the tip jar.
The cast splits it at the end of the day.
Oh.
Well, in that case, would you care to join me
for a meal of delicious pizza?
This time it will be my treat.
That would be my pleasure, Charles.
But first, you and I have something very important to do.
You really didn't have to do this, Megan.
But I will pay you back when I can.
Consider it an early Christmas gift.
Besides, we can't have you walking around
like you're in the road company of Hello Dolly.
I don't mean to sound ungrateful,
but are you absolutely sure
that these dungarees are appropriate attire?
They would be acceptable in one of my steel mills,
but a public street?
If the fashion police stop us, I will tell them it was my idea.
Wait, there's such a thing as that now?
So how did you like playing Charles Whitley today?
I must say, I enjoyed it. Especially our banter.
I don't recall ever having that kind of rapport
with a young lady before.
Not even Eliza?
Oh, no.
Eliza wasn't the sort to enjoy even a well-intentioned ribbing.
Well, she must've had many good qualities.
You two were engaged to be married.
When one achieves a certain financial status,
there are... expectations.
A grand house, a fine haberdashery,
and a young lady like Eliza by your side.
You did love her, didn't you?
I was very fond of Eliza,
but our marriage was to be one of a certain social purpose.
She deserved more than I could give her,
and I'm afraid love is something
I never really had much time for.
Why would you say that?
You know my history as well as anyone.
When my parents died, I was left pretty much entirely alone.
Since then, I've just never really let myself
get too close to anyone.
Why not?
So it wouldn't hurt so much if I lost them.
You can't let the past control your life.
Exactly. Which is why I live for the future.
[door bell jingles]
Well, I've talked more than enough about myself today.
Tell me about you.
Do you have a suitor?
A suitor?
Yes. Are you being courted?
Well, I don't know that I would call it courtship.
We broke up about six months ago.
You know what?
I always say that, but that's not exactly true.
What actually happened was that he left me for somebody else.
Well, that must have been difficult.
Well, let's just say I'm not in any rush
to start dating anytime soon.
Rosie always used to say true love is worth waiting for.
But how do you know when it shows up?
Time will tell, Miss Turner.
Time will tell.
All right, everyone. It's time.
Come on. They're about to light the Christmas tree.
Come on!
♪
Thank you.
Well, I still think it's a lot of bother.
Aw, I think it's a really special tradition.
You said you wanted to live for the future.
Maybe your future has Christmas in it.
And besides, thank you,
candy canes are good for the Christmas spirit.
Merry Christmas Cutter Springs, and welcome to the annual
Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
I'm so glad to see all of you here.
So without further ado.
Crowd: Five, four, three, two, one!
All: Merry Christmas!
[applause]
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪
♪ we wish you...
Sing along.
I don't know the words.
What? Everybody knows this song.
Not in 1903.
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪
♪ And a happy New Year
[applause]
Thank you again for these, and for showing me the tree.
It wasn't a lot of bother?
I've just never been one for tradition.
And it's like I said, I don't hold onto the past.
I don't think it's about holding onto the past at all.
I think it's about honouring our history
and celebrating the passage of time,
and then sharing that celebration
with the people we love.
That's what Christmas traditions mean to me.
All of them?
♪
We better get going.
We've got a big day tomorrow.
We do?
Mm-hmm.
Another tradition, Christmas shopping.
And you're going to help.
I am?
♪
Thank you.
How does one person have so many nieces and nephews?
[laughs]
Here.
Smile!
[shutter snaps]
That's amazing.
So that's a portable telephone device, and a camera?
It has internet access, too.
I keep hearing about this internet, what exactly is it?
Oh, the internet is... um... uh, the world wide web.
Um, it connects everything.
Like a roadway.
Oh, yeah, that was the idea.
We have access to all the world's information,
but we mostly use it to argue with strangers
and send each other pictures of cats.
[laughs]
The future's a very interesting place.
Megan!
[whispers] Prepare yourself. My parents.
-Hi. -Hi.
Are we interrupting something, Meg?
[whispers] I told you we shouldn't butt in.
Greg, for goodness sakes. It's Christmastime.
'Tis the season to butt in.
Are you going to introduce us, Megan?
I, I've been trying.
Hi.
I'm Sharon, I'm Megan's mom.
You must be the new Charles Whitley we keep hearing about.
Mrs. Turner.
A pleasure to meet you.
Such manners.
[laughs]
Mr. Turner.
I hear the museum's
Christmas re-enactment this year is terrific.
Oh, I must admit, that's all thanks to Megan's talent.
Now meeting her parents,
I can see where she gets it from.
Can we have him bottled?
[laughs]
So, you say you're from Cutter Springs?
That's funny, because we know almost everyone in town,
but we've never bumped into you before.
Charles travels a lot.
Uh... yes.
I've actually travelled quite a great distance to be here today.
Oh.
So Megan, any word from the university?
Not yet. My final interview's this week.
Oh, well honey, I wouldn't worry about it.
With your PhD, you're a shoe-in.
I'm just not so sure I'm ready to leave the museum.
Well, you've done a wonderful job there,
but don't you feel like it's time to spread your wings?
Turners have always been teachers.
Kind of a family tradition.
Hmm. So I've heard.
We'd better get going.
Still have a lot of planning to do for the Christmas party.
Oh well, we'll be there.
And it's going to be even more special this year
because of the Christmas moon.
I beg your pardon. Did you say a Christmas moon?
You know when there are two full moons in the same month,
they call it a blue moon?
Well, when it happens in December,
it's a Christmas moon.
And it's happening on Christmas Eve,
just in time for your party.
I'd better be going. Merry Christmas to you both.
Okay. Love you.
Was it something I said?
Charles, what's wrong?
That telephone device of yours, can it look up dates?
Uh-huh.
December 18th, 1903?
The day you went missing?
It was a full moon that night.
Was it the second one in the same month?
A Christmas moon.
"Wind once at Christmas moon, true love will find you soon."
It was engraved on the clock I was fixing for Eliza.
Do you think the clock had something to do
with how you got here?
I know it makes absolutely no sense,
but none of this does.
I have a theory.
I think if I'm to make it back to my own time,
I have to do exactly the same thing again
on the night of the Christmas moon.
That's Christmas Eve.
That's only four days away.
I know.
I need to find that clock.
I don't see it anywhere.
Are you sure it's in here?
Yes.
Absolutely.
It was right there on the mantle the night of the Christmas moon.
Rosie must have moved it for cleaning or something.
Well, that was over 100 years ago.
I know.
And I, and I also know how ridiculous all this sounds,
with the magic moons and time travel clocks and...
I have lived my whole life according to logic and science
and things that you can actually hold in your hand.
Oh!!!
Oh!
[laughs]
I'm sorry.
I would hate to lose you.
I got great news. Tomorrow's tour is sold out.
Kenny, we were looking for something.
Should I ask if I can help?
We were looking for this.
A clock?
It belonged to Charles Whitley. It was in this room.
You mean it's missing?
Oh, this is terrible. When did you last see it?
1903.
Okay, we've got alarm clocks, shelf clocks,
weather clocks, grandfather clocks and cuckoo clocks,
but I don't see anything about a Christmas clock.
Are you sure, Kenny?
Maybe you're overlooking it.
[confidently] Megan. I don't overlook.
My first job here was cataloguing
the contents of the mansion.
I spent almost a whole year in this basement.
But you're welcome to look around if you want.
Why all the excitement about this clock now, anyway?
Is it that valuable?
Um, it is...
part of the Whitley legacy, and I thought it might be nice
to have it on display at the Christmas Eve party.
Well, it's not here now.
And if it ever was here, it probably got liquidated
in one of those auctions years ago.
Trust me. If it's not in my database, that clock is history.
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪
♪ And a happy New Year
[knocks]
Charles?
Come in.
You'd better get dressed.
The tour starts in a few minutes,
and it's a full house.
You'll have to do it without me.
What?
I've already wasted too much time.
I should've been focused on the task at hand,
which is getting myself back to 1903.
You heard Kenny. The clock is probably long gone.
Well then, there has to be some other way.
[melancholy music] ♪
"The Time Machine", "A Christmas Carol",
"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court".
They're all books on time travel.
Maybe they know something that I don't.
Would it really be so bad if you stayed?
Megan, I can't stay here.
I...I have a fiancée, I have a business.
I don't belong here.
And all the Christmas trees and candy canes in the world
are not going to change that.
That's the silliest thing I've ever heard.
I beg your pardon?
This isn't the Charles Whitley I studied.
The Charles Whitley I studied,
he didn't care about where he belonged,
because he made everywhere belong to him.
He was fearless, he was an adventurer.
He took on the world by the time he was 14 years old.
Stories in a history book.
And every story starts somewhere.
All of those started with you.
And, for the record, I think you do belong here.
If for no other reason than I... I like having you around.
So if you want to sit here
and worry about how to get back to the past, you go ahead.
But I have to live in the present,
and I have a museum I'm pretty proud of so...
I'm going to go show it off.
♪
[crowd chatting]
Merry Christmas.
Visitor: Merry Christmas!
Welcome to Christmas at the Whitley Mansion.
Unfortunately, Mr. Whitley won't be able to join us today.
[crowd sighs disappointedly]
I know. I'm sorry.
It's just that he's feeling a bit under the weather.
Now, Rosie.
You shouldn't be fibbing to these nice people.
I'm fit as a fiddle and ready to play.
[whispers] Now I know you're related to Rosie.
She's the only person on the planet
that spoke to me like that.
[cameras clicking]
♪
Dan: The gingerbread line.
But maybe if you try doing that line slower?
Amber, come on. It's not Shakespeare.
♪
Okay, so we have the game soup, cranberry dressing...
Hi.
And the plum pudding.
-Great, looks good. -Thanks.
What is all this?
This is a test run for the Christmas Eve party.
Here, tell me what you think about this gravy.
Not too thick?
I've never tasted anything like it.
Sure you have.
It's one of your chef's original Christmas recipes.
He used to serve it every year at your Christmas Eve party.
I... never went.
What?
Fredericks always invited me,
but I always came up with an excuse.
I'm not any good at parties.
I don't know what to do or what to say.
So you don't even know your own Christmas traditions?
No.
May I share one of my favourites with you?
Please.
Come here.
You're here!
Merry Christmas.
Hi, Mom.
Oh, hello.
Come in.
Hey everyone. Look who's here.
All: Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas.
[laughs]
I hope you enjoy the wine.
I still had one or two bottles left that no one found.
Am I reading this right?
1899?
Do I smell gingerbread?
-Oh, yeah. -Yeah.
Crowd: Oh!
[laughing]
So they're really wagering on a Christmas ornament?
Uh-huh.
It's a Christmas tradition.
Everybody pays for a chance to go,
and whoever actually puts the topper on the tree
gets to choose which charity the money goes to.
Time's up.
All: Ohhhhh!
[laughing]
You, my sister's friend. Gonna give it a go?
Yeah.
Uh, no. I really shouldn't.
Come on, it's Christmas. Have some fun.
I insist.
All right.
Oh, there you go!
Oh, he's such a gentleman.
It's like he's from a different time.
[laughs]
You could say that.
[whispers] It's nice to see that smile again.
So, are you and Charles a thing?
It's more complicated than that.
Well, do you like him?
I do.
Well, then it's not that complicated.
I did it!
[family cheering]
Nice try, dude! New champion tree-topper! Whoo!
Cool!
Did you see that?
[laughs]
Oh, I beg your pardon.
I didn't mean to be so forward.
No, it wasn't... it wasn't that forward.
I did it.
[laughs]
[reading] "T'was the night before Christmas,
"and all through the house, not a creature was stirring,
"not even a mouse."
"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
[whispers] Thank you.
"In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.
"The children were nestled all snug in their beds
"while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads."
"And Momma in her kerchief and I in my cap...
My parents read this to me when I was a boy.
"...for a long winters' nap."
Where do they live?
Oh. They passed on a very long time ago.
I'm sorry.
It's all right.
Thank you for inviting me into your home.
You're always welcome here, son.
"Now Prancer and Vixen...
"on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.
"To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,
"now dash away, dash away, dash away all."
[clapping]
Greg: And this was the Christmas
Nathan broke his leg tobogganing.
That tree came out of nowhere!
[laughing]
I'm sorry. This must be so boring for you.
On the contrary.
It's like time travel without having to leave the sofa.
Greg: Now here's a bit of history.
This is Megan's great-great- great-great-grandmother.
Rosie.
Greg: This was at the wedding of Harold Moran,
who you've all probably heard of.
At one time, he owned half the town.
Why was Rosie at Harold Moran's wedding?
My mother said she became very close to the bride.
She worked for her for years
after Charles Whitley disappeared.
But who was the bride?
The young lady who had been engaged to Whitley.
Her name was Eliza.
♪
Charles.
Charles, wait.
You knew this whole time and you didn't tell me?
I just didn't think you needed to know.
My fiancée marries my business rival,
my... my sworn enemy,
and you think I didn't need to know?
You said yourself you don't hold onto the past.
It was a figure of speech.
Of course I hold onto the past.
Everybody holds onto the past.
Then you should be happy for Eliza.
That she forgot me and married somebody else?
She didn't forget you, Charles.
When I studied you, I studied her too.
She waited for you.
She spent a fortune trying to find you.
But finally, she had to give up.
She had to move on with her life.
She and Harold Moran were happily married for 66 years.
They had four children together and 11 grandchildren.
And by the time Harold retired, they had travelled the world,
and they lived to a very healthy old age together.
So yes, you should be happy for her.
If you ever felt anything for Eliza,
you should be happy that she got to live
this full and wonderful life filled with happiness and love.
I'm going to go for a walk. I need to clear my head.
Charles!
Thank you.
For what?
Telling the truth.
♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪
♪ You can count on me ♪
♪ Please have snow ♪
♪ and mistletoe ♪
♪ and presents under the tree ♪
♪
Merry Christmas.
And to you.
Looks like you got your work cut out for you.
But a beautiful Christmas tree makes so many people happy.
Doesn't seem like work at all.
Can you hand me a bow?
Sure.
Thanks.
So how long you been at this sort of thing?
Since I retired.
Spent 40 years with Moran Steel.
Moran.
You have my deepest sympathies.
Why's that?
Working for a cad like Harold Moran couldn't have been easy.
Oh, he'd been long gone by the time I got there.
Did you say "cad?"
That's not a word you hear every day.
If the shoe fits.
I don't know about that.
I heard he was a decent, generous guy.
Generous?
Yeah. Apparently he made a whole lot of money
from some milling technique that he invented.
That he invented?!
Yeah, Mr. Moran was famous for his charity work.
We have Moran Community Centre, Moran University,
Moran Medical Centre.
He did a whole lot of good for this town.
In fact, we're standing on some of it now.
He and his wife donated the land for this park.
♪
So I don't know what you've heard,
but I'm afraid you're wrong about Harold Moran.
♪ I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams ♪
♪ if only in my dreams ♪
Hey Dan.
Hey Charles.
May I join you?
Can I ask you something?
Sure.
Have you ever found yourself somewhere
where you never thought you would be?
More than you could imagine.
See, Amber and I, we took this museum job for a season,
thinking it may lead somewhere.
And now, I'm thinking maybe we just give it up.
Quit the museum?
Quit acting.
I mean I studied Strasbourg, she went to Julliard.
We've been at it a long time.
We gave it our best shot, but maybe it's just...
time to try something else.
All I know is we're not happy where we are.
Well, I think that sometimes where we end up
is out of our hands.
But who we end up with, well, that's another matter.
Hmm.
I think that almost any journey can have a happy ending
if you're with someone you love.
What about your journey?
It's been a very long trip.
And I have a feeling that it isn't over yet.
♪
It's pretty quiet around here.
Most of the students have gone home for the holidays.
So you'll be joining the faculty I hear?
I hope so.
I'll let them know you're here.
Thank you.
♪
"Wind once at Christmas moon, true love will find you soon."
He'll just be a couple more minutes.
Excuse me, where did that clock come from?
Oh, the Christmas clock?
That's been here as long as I have.
I think it was donated to the university years ago
by someone who worked at the Whitley Mansion.
Apparently if you wind that clock just right,
you'll find true love.
I've wound that clock every week for years.
Nothing.
I wonder.
Can I ask you a favour?
♪
[sighs]
Megan, I'd like to apologize.
Megan, please accept my heartfelt apology.
Megan, I'm sorry.
[knocking]
Come in.
Tour starts in 10 minutes.
I'll be right there.
Nine.
[door closes]
♪
I hope that's the one.
Where did you find this?
Rosie gave it to the university.
Maybe she thought we'd need it someday.
Megan...
I should've told you the truth all along.
I guess this is my way of saying I'm sorry.
No, no, no.
I'm the one that needs to apologize.
You were only trying to protect me.
It's the Christmas moon tonight, so if you're right,
this will take you back to 1903.
Maybe. It's only a theory.
I know you, Charles.
You'll never forgive yourself if you don't try.
I'm not sure I'll ever forgive myself if I do.
The tour's about to begin.
I'd like to stay...
For a little while tonight.
Come all this way,
I would hate to miss my first Whitley Mansion Christmas party.
You're the guest of honour.
Kenny: Megan, tour!
Just one thing.
If you do leave tonight,
make sure to say goodbye before you go.
♪
[jazzy Christmas music] ♪
Have you seen Charles yet?
He isn't down here?
No. And he's supposed to give his speech in five minutes.
He'll throw off my whole schedule.
♪
Sorry I'm late.
Had a little trouble with this tie.
Here, let me.
Thank you.
Feels like I haven't worn this suit in over 100 years.
How's it look?
Like it was made for you.
Waiter: Champagne sir?
Shall we?
Waiter: Champagne ma'am?
Oh, thank you.
Megan Turner,rector
I'd like to bid you
welcome to the Whitley Museum's Christmas Eve party.
[applause]
I hope you're all having a wonderful time tonight.
As you know, this is our museum's biggest fundraiser
of the year.
And thanks to a successful campaign
led by our director, Megan Turner.
I'm happy to announce that we have broken last year's record.
[applause]
And with your generous help,
this is going to be the Whitley Museum's best year ever.
[applause]
And now, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you,
the host of tonight's party,
the owner of the Whitley Mansion,
and the master of the house, Mr. Charles Whitley.
[applause]
Thank you very much.
And thank you all for being here tonight,
and making this a very special party at Whitley Mansion.
You know, for many years, members of my household staff
held a Christmas Eve party of their own,
and every year I was invited, and every year I never went.
Frankly, I didn't know what I was missing.
But now I do.
I even discovered a few things this Christmas season.
For example, did you know that people can actually change?
[laughs]
It's true.
Some of us, most of us...
Okay, me.
[laughing]
Hold onto things from their past
that keep us from moving on with our life.
Old rivalries, jealousies, disappointments.
And sometimes even things that are just too painful
to remember at all.
But maybe Christmas is about forgiving.
Forgiving each other, forgiving ourselves,
and maybe the only thing that's really, truly important,
is where we are now.
With friends and family, old and new.
People we love.
Cherishing Christmas memories we have,
and making new ones to share together.
And so, my Christmas gift to you is just this one thought.
Remember your past, because it's what brought you here.
But don't be afraid to embrace your present.
Because if you live in it with hope and kindness and love,
it's a great place to be.
[applause]
And now, as is the tradition here at Whitley Mansion,
Mr. Whitley will dance with his fiancée,
Miss Eliza Parker.
May I have this dance?
Why, Mr. Whitley. I'd be honoured.
[slow dance version of "O Christmas Tree" plays] ♪
[jazzy Christmas music] ♪
You were great out there.
Aw, thanks.
This is such a wonderful party, Megan.
Oh.
I thought Charles was with you.
Oh, um, I haven't seen him.
Excuse me.
She's right, you know.
You were great out there.
Well, it's not Shakespeare.
It is when you do it.
What are you talking about?
Look, I know that this isn't exactly
what we set out to do with our lives,
and I know that sometimes I make fun of what we're doing.
But the truth is, when I'm with you,
it always feels like opening night.
Aw, Dan.
Just thought you should know.
You're my favourite leading lady,
and I love you.
Oops.
Hope none of the guests saw that.
[phone buzzing]
Hello?
Hi, happy holidays.
Merry Christmas.
Oh, honey.
-Oh, hi! -Hi.
Oh.
Merry Christmas, Meg.
Merry Christmas.
Oh, what a wonderful party, sweetheart.
Thank you.
So, how did it go?
Did they offer you the job at the university?
Yes, they did.
Oh, congratulations, honey.
I didn't accept.
What?
It's not what I want to do with my life, Dad.
I love this museum.
I love being part of the living history of this place.
I know it's not your type of education,
but I... I think I can really make a difference.
I have so many ideas for the future here.
Interactive exhibits,
holographic characters from history...
Honey, are you sure about this?
I am.
And I know I'm disappointing you, and I'm sorry.
But I...
Disappointing? Hardly.
[laughs]
This is the best gift you could've given us.
Our daughter, happy?
Doing exactly what she wants?
No parent could ask for more.
Besides, we've got enough teachers in the family as it is.
[laughs]
Oh, but we still get a discount on tickets, right?
Always, mom.
Oh, guys.
Oh, um, excuse me.
Okay.
Enjoy the party.
-She looks beautiful. -I know.
[knocking]
Charles?
♪
I thought you were going to say goodbye.
Why?
But I, I thought...
I finally figured out
why that clock was broken in the first place.
Whoever had it before must've found their true love
and decided to stay put.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
A kind of insurance policy.
Have to think of the future, you know.
♪
Oh, and before I forget.
Traditionally, you're not supposed to open
Christmas presents until midnight.
But I've never been much for tradition.
Oh, Charles.
May I?
It sounds like Harold and Eliza had a very good life together.
She must have found a love with him
that if I'm being honest,
she never would have found with me.
If I'd gone back, I might have taken that from them,
and that's not fair.
They deserve their happiness.
And so do we.
♪
[Jazzy Christmas music] ♪
You're not going to believe this.
Our agent called, and we're booked to play the leads
in the road company of "Taming of the Shrew" this spring.
Congratulations!
What do you know? It is Shakespeare.
Shall we dance?
He's a pretty good Charles Whitley, isn't he?
You know, I'm the one that found him.
♪
You know, now that I'm going to stay,
I'll have to find some kind of way to make a living.
Hmm.
What about... your portable telephone.
Maybe I can invent a better one.
Or your computing device. I could make it work faster.
You can't help yourself, can you Charles?
What do you mean?
Always thinking about your future.
Ah. But there's a difference now.
It's not just my future anymore.
It's ours.
That is, if you'll share it with me.
Mr. Whitley, that's very forward of you.
[laughs]
You're right.
Let's just take it one step at a time.
What are you doing New Year's Eve?
♪