Christmas
Disclaimer: The Equalizer is the property of Universal. Standard disclaimers apply.
December 18
"Mr. Equalizer. Feeling lonely during the holiday season? Expand your circle of friends with ReadyDate. We're here for you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Just complete our telephone survey and within hours new friends will be calling to get to know you better. Remember, there is no reason to be alone during the holidays. Call ReadyDate! 555-DATE."
“State your problem. Leave a message and I will return your call.”
“Robert, it’s Yvette. There’s someone I’d like you to meet. Perhaps I could being him for Christmas. If you have plans, we can make it another time. I think I should explain about Jacques—“
“Dad. Sorry, I won’t be able to make it for Christmas dinner, but I promised Mom I’d spend the day with her. I knew you’d understand. She’d going through a rough time with the new divorce.”
December 19
“Robert, it’s Yvette. I’m sorry my message was garbled. Jacques and I will be in New York on the 23rd. I’m looking forward to the quiet, family dinner on Christmas Eve.”
“Hey McCall. Sure I’ll go Christmas tree buying with you. You have to get a balsam so the tinsel will hang right. Do you think it will fit on the roof of the Jag or do you want me to bring the van?”
“Robert? It’s Pete. Do you mind if I have a small get together at the restaurant on Christmas day? Just a few friends and staff. If you’re not doing anything, why don’t you come along?”
December 20
“Hey McCall. I’ve got to leave town for a few days, but I’ll be back for the tree trimming party Christmas Eve. Oh, and Nick asked us to Midnight Mass. There’s a thing afterwards at the rectory. See ‘ya.”
“Robert. It’s Yvette. A Christmas Eve tree trimming sounds wonderful. It will give Jacques a chance to meet my godfather, too.”
December 21
“Dad? I can’t make it Christmas Eve after all. Jenny was going to come with me because her Dad was going out of town, but he’s now he’s not and I’ve promised I’d go to their place Christmas Eve. Tell Yvette I’m sorry I’ll miss meeting Jacques.”
December 22
“Robert. It’s Yvette. Our flight gets in at 3:30 at JFK. I’ve told my godfather about the tree trimming and he said he’d be delighted to come.”
December 23
“Dad. Mom’s canceled. She’s not feeling well. Can I come Christmas for dinner?”
“Robert, it’s Yvette. We can’t make it to New York today; something very important came up and Jacques has to work today. Couldn’t get a flight out on the 24th so we’re flying down Christmas morning. Meet us at Kennedy, the international terminal at 9:30. We’ll be there in plenty of time to help with dinner.”
“Robert! Kostmayer’s late checking in. As soon as I know something, I’ll let you know. I still plan on picking up Yvette at the airport. Have you found out anything about this Jacques?”
December 24
“Robert, it’s Pete. Sorry your Christmas Eve plans got canceled. Will the canapes keep until tomorrow? Join us for dinner. You’ll know everybody . . . Sterno, Jeremy and his wife, Jimmy and his ex. Don’t laugh, Robert. Bring the canapes and the glug. I haven’t had glug since Norway.”
“Thought you’d want to know. Kostmayer’ll be back, in one piece, early on the 25th.”
“Hi Dad. Too bad you had to cancel tonight’s tree trimming. Mom’s feeling better and I invited her to Christmas dinner. I didn’t think you’d mind. I knew you wouldn’t want her to be alone on Christmas. And Jenny and her Dad are coming, too.”
“Robert. I can pick up Yvette and Jacques and drop them off at your place. I’ll have to go back to the office and debrief Kostmayer. I’ll bring him to Pete’s with me. I have been unable to find out anything about Jacques. Have you?”
“Robert, how nice of you to offer to fix the turkey. I’ll just put the drinks on the bar and everyone can make their own. That way Jeremy and Elizabeth can enjoy themselves. The extra people won’t be a problem. See you tomorrow.”
“Dad. Jenny’s father can’t make it after all. See you tomorrow. Merry Christmas.”
December 25th
“I’m at the airport, Robert. They haven’t even left Montreal, yet. If they’re really late, I’ll drop them at Pete’s. I have to go back to the office and get Kostmayer. Oh, and Robert, Merry Christmas!”
“Robert? Yvette. We’ve arrived and are going straight to the restaurant, but Uncle Peter has to go back to the office. He’ll join us later.”
“Robert. I dropped Yvette and Jacques at Pete’s. Jacob and Ginger are here at the office. They just got back into town. I told them they could come to Pete’s.”
“Hey McCall. I talked Nick into coming for dinner when he gets through serving at the homeless shelter. I hope that’s OK. Oh, and McCall, Merry Christmas.”
"You really know how to set a table, McCall. Great food. Next time put some chestnuts in the dressing. I don’t know why Jeremy wouldn’t let me mix the drinks. You’d think he’d appreciate a day off. Thanks for having me."
"Thanks for inviting us to dinner, Mr. McCall. Elizabeth says she’s never met such interesting and complicated people. If only she knew. I know I wasn’t supposed to tend bar, but I couldn’t let Sterno mix the drinks. He’d probably put mustard in the martini’s and ketchup in the bloody Mary’s. Thanks, again, for the bonus.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. "
"Robert. Thanks for the fixing the turkey and canapes and most especially for the glug. I think everyone had a good time. The damage shouldn't be too hard to repair though I wish the stool hadn't broken the mirror. It should be fixed in time for the New Year's Eve booking. Merry Christmas."
"I really don't understand why there has to be violence for Christmas dinner, Robert. I would think your friends could control themselves for just one day. I shutter to think what our son is learning from these people."
"Mr. McCall? Nick Kostmayer. I just wanted to apologize for crashing your party, even though Mickey said it would be OK. Thank you for the great meal and the good company. I also want to apologize for Mickey's behavior. Sometimes I think he’ll never grow up. If you're not doing anything New Year's eve, we're having a service at St. Christina's at 11:00 that night. You're more than welcome to attend; your friends, too."
“Robert. It’s Yvette. Thank you for the wonderful dinner. I appreciate your separating Jacques and Mickey. I can't imagine what Mickey said. Jacques is usually such a low key, quiet person. I don't know what got into him. Scott, Jenny, and I are going to see the Christmas decorations. Mickey’s coming, too. We'll be late."
“McCall? Ginger. Dinner was lovely. I never thought I’d say this, but I would have done the same thing Kostmayer did, but don’t tell him that. Jacques is obviously descended from a very superior branch of the primate family. I’ll have to have a girl to girl talk with Yvette about men.”
"Glad you’ve talked my goddaughter into staying longer. I can’t imagine what she saw in Jacques. I was sorely tempted to help Kostmayer take him down. If you want, I'll take the money for the damages from his paycheck! The surroundings were certainly more pleasant than other Christmas' we've spent. The food was better too."
“Thanks for the dinner, Robert. I’d’ve helped Kostmayer, but there didn’t seem to be anything left for me to do. Could have used him in Afghanistan, though. Happy New Year.”
"Hi Dad. What do you think Yvette saw in Jacques? Accountants are so boring. All he could talk about was how important he was. How many people depended on him. Sure didn't know who he was with, did he? I'm glad Mickey slugged him. Too bad about the furniture, though. Anyhow, dinner was great. I think Mom enjoyed it. At least she didn't put on her "I’m tolerating all this for you, Scott” face. Got to go. We're going to see the Christmas Tree. Oh, and we'll all be over to decorate yours tomorrow."
"Hey, McCall. Sorry I busted up the place a bit, but that Jacques is a real creep. He shouldn't of been so uptight. All I said to Yvette was "Hi Girlfriend" and kissed her and he copped an attitude and kept it up evening. Seemed to think he owned her. When he took a swing at me, McCall, he made me mad. Put the damage on my tab and collect when you can. See ya'."
"McCall? I got Jacques patched up and to the airport OK. His nose wasn't broken after all. Great dinner. And, Robert, could I stop by for the money tomorrow? My ex is talking to her lawyer again."
"Mr. Equalizer. Is the stress of the holidays overwhelming your? Do you find that you have no time for yourself? StressHelp, a holiday consulting service, is as near as your telephone. When you need assistance, call 555-HELP."