Christmas Unwrapped

hey, when did you do this?

I got up early. I was too excited.

It's officially two weeks until christmas day,

which means now I am allowed to put up decorations.

A deal is a deal.

Wait. Two weeks until christmas?

Ooh, that means that janet's gonna pick who gets to write

the holiday feature today.

It's always work with you.

Ugh, what I would give for a full-page spread

in the times square journal.

It will come.

Don't you believe in a christmas miracle?

Mm...

charity, tisha! Good morning, ladies.

Hey, tom, we miss anything earth-shattering

while we were recharging?

Uh, most people call that sleeping.

-Most people aren't charity. -You didn't miss much.

Uh, the financial district held their

annual christmas tree lighting last night.

Oh, even wall street loves christmas.

-How's that for a twist? - oh.

And, uh, the mayor is preparing for the city's

annual christmas eve gala.

Oh, what a dream it would be to get on to that guest list.

Why, it's just a party.

I'd rather be out uncovering the next watergate

like a real journalist.

Hey, you are a real journalist.

Your blog gets more and more hits

every time you publish a new post.

No one takes blogs seriously.

That's not true. Hold on.

I'mma grab a poppy-seed bagel before they run out.

totally.

-Morning, tom! Hey. -Erik, how are you?

Would you mind if I slide some flyers into today's paper?

The kickoff event is tomorrow.

-Anything for erik gallagher. -You're the best.

You know, you're supposed to go through the proper

application process to advertise in the city's newspapers.

Well, shoot. I've been caught.

You're not gonna tell on me, are you?

Yeah, I guess I can keep this to myself.

Information is power, after all.

Nice. I'm erik.

-Charity. -Charity?

oh, wow, that's, that's funny.

-Why is that funny? -Uh, I run a charity.

Your name is charity. It's, it's kinda funny...

Oh, yeah, a real wisecrack. Okay.

Um, here, why don't, why don't I give you one of these...

You can drop by.

Oh, uh, I don't skate.

It's really easy. I could teach you.

Thanks. Really not my thing.

All right. Well, um...

-Hey, ready? I'm all set. -Yeah. Yeah, let's go.

Um, good luck with your charity event.

Merry christmas.

-ah, good morning, everyone. -Good morning.

Well, as you know, for the next two weeks we are going to be

in full holiday swing, and that means

that our christmas feature article is going to be assigned.

And this year we are going to stand out

and we are going to uncover something so juicy

that this entire city is going to be lined up at the newsstand

on christmas eve to buy a copy of the times square journal.

That being said, this feature article

is going to be focused

on 33-year-old erik gallagher.

He's the founder of the non-profit, nsb foundation.

Nsb stands for never stop believing.

Oh, my... That's him.

The nsb raises money year-round

to put on his 12 days of christmas event.

Each of the 12 days leading up to christmas,

he does a different event to get people in the holiday spirit.

Isn't this the guy that has personalized gifts

for hundreds of people on christmas day,

everything from a train set to a brand-new car?

-And no one can figure out how? -That's the one.

It's crazy. How would he know what they all want?

Do you think he hacks our phones or something?

I don't know, what I do know is

that everyone calls him santa's number-one helper

because he gives away thousands of dollars' worth of gifts

on christmas morning in the park

to deserving people who believe.

And some people even say that these gifts could add up

to be in the millions.

Where does he get all this money?

It can't just be from donations throughout the year.

Is he a real-estate tycoon or something?

That's the story.

We need to find out who is funding him.

-Ask if he's single. -Stop.

Because when asked, he says,

"everything comes from santa."

-you still want me to ask? -Did she say santa?

He may have good intentions, but we need to uncover the truth

and that is going to take real skill.

All right, who's assigned the article?

Well, it was going to be christine,

but she had a family emergency

and she had to go to chicago.

So this year the article is going to...

Charity jones.

-me? -It's a christmas miracle.

- -

I don't know what to say. I'm speechless.

thank you.

Well, christine suggested you for the job.

She said you have a real eye for seeing the truth in a story

and your research skills are impeccable.

Oh, and she sent me your blog. You have talent.

Wow. Thank you.

I will do anything and everything

to write the best piece imaginable.

Now, listen, erik doesn't do interviews,

let alone a big article like this, so this is your chance

to prove you're a real reporter.

And erik only agreed to do this if the journalist chosen

participates in all 12 of his christmas events.

That's a lot of christmas.

-Is that a problem? -No, of course not.

I mean, if diane sawyer can go to war-torn countries

for a story, I can do this.

- I like that. -

okay, you start tomorrow. I want updates every day.

Thank you.

can you believe it? Oh. My first assignment.

-Finally. -Honey, I'm so proud of you.

I always knew that your curiosity

and passion for justice would do you well one day.

Remember when your rachel the reporter doll went missing?

You interrogated mom and I for over an hour

until you realized you left it at school.

So it's gonna be hard to take this guy seriously.

Apparently, he still believes in santa.

Don't write him off so quickly.

We all believe in things that others might think are silly.

Like that the knicks are the best sports team in history?

Exactly.

-Hey, it's not funny. -

so, uh, how's, how's the cookie? Same recipe?

Is that your mother's favorite christmas carol I hear?

- -wow.

Remember how she would sing it with the church choir

every christmas eve?

Yeah, I remember.

Your mother, she had the most beautiful voice...

Yeah.

Hey, listen, so I should get back to work.

I'll give you a call later, okay?

Break a leg, honey. Can't wait to read it.

Okay. Love you.

Love you, too,

charity robin roberts jones.

a new home? How?

Time to find out.

[instrumental "joy to the world"]

oh! No cutting, ma'am.

Oh, I'm here to see erik gallagher.

I'm charity from the times square journal.

Do you have a media pass?

Thank you. He should be on the ice with my daughter caitlin.

But you could get a pair of skates from the lady

behind the counter over there and join them.

Uh, I was hoping that I could just wear my boots.

When erik says he wants you to participate, he means it.

Okay.

oh. Okay, watch out.

Look who it is. I thought you didn't skate.

-oh. -Uh...

-You okay? -Yeah, uh, yeah.

Just never been great at balancing.

You mean, your personal and professional life?

Yeah, I have the same problem.

-Is it that obvious? -

oh. Okay. Hold on to me.

so you're charity jones? All right?