Private Princess Christmas (2024)

[bunniefuu]

- Princess Violet.

Princess Violet!

The queen would like

you to represent her

at several Wingravian

Royal Christmas events.

- Oh, I would

if my hands weren't

completely full.

Mostly of chocolate.

- The Queen insist, ma'am.

So we'll begin with

a Christmas concert

by the Wingravian Hoopty Doos.

- If we must.

- Do they know instruments

have been invented?

- Oh, we were able to shift

my mother's schedule today

to include our

Christmas festoon bake.

- Actually, you highness...

- I just can't wait

for some alone time with her.

You know how hectic

this year has been and...

- Shhh!

- We can discuss that later.

Next up, the Sacred

Christmas tradition.

High tea with the Sisters

of Perpetual Grace.

- Can't wait.

- So tell us, Princess Violet,

what are your plans for the

country once you're queen?

- Oh,

so many plans.

Like

far too many.

I don't even know

where to begin.

- Well, I have several

very exciting suggestions

regarding infrastructure.

So if we were to pick

the bicycle lanes,

and widen them so they

could accommodate tricycles

and also...

- Oh, they must be getting

ready for festoon with mother.

- I'm not sure that's the cake.

- Filled in with some

organic material...

- I'm sorry sisters, but

royal business calls.

The queen and I have

important baking to do.

- Let's not jump to conclusions.

Your Highness!

Your Highness,

I am sorry to be the

bearer of bad news, but

the Queen's schedule, it's,

it's very full and...

- And what?

- She won't be joining

you for the festoon bake.

You see, other Queenly

duties have taken precedence.

- She's probably just

lost track of time.

I'll remind her.

Mother?

Hmm.

- I believe she's on a

palace tour with dignitaries.

- And why wouldn't she move

that from her schedule?

You know, when I'm Queen,

baking the festoon

will be the first thing

on my holiday timeline.

Ooh!

Looks good on me, right?

- Perfectly fine,

if you have no

respect for the crown.

Did you really walk out on the

Sisters of Perpetual Grace?

- I may have,

but I was more excited

for our festoon,

and for decorating it

with painted pine cones

like father liked it.

- Of course, he would darling.

But we don't always

get to do what we want.

Sometimes we must

do what is required.

- And quality time with your

daughter is not required?

Can we just bake

the festoon later,

just the two of us?

- If time allows.

Now sweetheart,

take off my crown and go

train with Sir Bafalis

for the Christmas tree ceremony.

If you are serious about

being Queen, then show me.

- All right, but when I'm Queen,

I'm doing away with all

these antiquated ceremonies.

- If.

- What do you mean if?

- If you are queen.

- Of course, I'm going

to become queen, mother.

Who else would be?

- Someone who takes the

responsibility seriously.

Do you have a royal mission yet?

- Does looking regal count?

- Every royal must

have a mission,

a focus that drives their reign.

For your father, it was

helping the less fortunate.

For me it is public health.

What is it for you?

Any ideas?

- Lots of ideas.

Many.

But uhm.

- But uhm?

What?

Where is the action?

Where is the follow through?

Violet, I don't have

doubts in your ability

and I know it's been a

difficult year for us both,

but please do try to

rise to the occasion

and if you want to be queen,

you must put in the work.

- Yes, mother.

I will go train

with Sir Bafalis.

- And ready for

tomorrow's Christmas tree

selection ceremony?

- Of course.

We'll be there bright and early.

- Late again is she?

- She's simply unreliable.

You are her uncle.

Can't you say something?

- I've tried.

How I have tried.

I love her dearly, but

it just doesn't

get through to her.

- Mm.

- Sir Bafalis.

Sir Bafalis, stop

being stubborn.

This way.

Nope, no, no.

This is not behavior becoming

of an honorary knight.

Come on.

Sorry for my t*rd, mother.

Sir Bafalis refused

to follow my orders.

Seems he does not respect

the chain of command.

- Nevermind dear.

Let's just get to the

matter at hand, shall we?

- By order of the

Queen of Wingravia,

Sir Bafalis, the

royal soothsayer

shall select the Christmas

tree for the town square.

- Right, Sir

Bafalis, that's you.

Right, this way.

Nope.

Nope, this way.

This way.

Come on, Sir Bafalis,

stop pulling.

Wait!

Um.

Oh, good choice.

Wait.

No.

Sir Bafalis, not

that little one.

Sir Bafalis, that's a mistake.

That's not our Christmas tree.

- By order of Queen Winifred,

Princess Violet and

Sir Reginald Bafalis,

the royal Christmas

tree has been chosen.

- Oh no wait, he's

still choosing.

- Sorry love, it is done.

- I will not tolerate

the lack of regard

for the secret ceremony.

Not to mention you

abandoning the nuns

or talking during

the whoop-di-doos,

and don't even try to tell me

that you trained Sir Bafalis.

- Alright, I thought

I could wing it...

- For goodness sakes, Violet,

you are next in

line to be queen.

Do you even know

what that means?

What that entails

to be a true leader?

There is no easy way out.

No blaming others.

No cutting corners.

It is difficult

and involves difficult

decisions like.

- Like what?

- Like looking for a new

successor to the throne.

- Father would have never

even considered that.

- Unless he thought

it necessary.

- But I want to be queen mother.

I do.

I,

I don't know why

I keep messing up.

- Winifred,

may I offer a teensy

suggestion for dear Vi?

- Go on then, Felix.

- This year has been tough.

I can see it in both your faces,

but watching your two

butt heads as it were,

perhaps that's not the solution.

You know, when I was

younger, I struggled.

Amidst all this opulence,

it's not always easy to build

the leadership qualities

required of our roles.

And so father sent me

to an American Military

Academy bootcamp,

but it was quite good for me.

I could find an academy for

Violet over the holidays.

- Oh, but I have plans with

Prince Scott over Christmas.

So.

- If Prince Scott truly cares,

he will wait for you.

We are putting Uncle Felix's

bootcamp plan into action.

- A bootcamp?

I mean a stiletto camp I

could consider, but boots?

- Prove to me

that you can be the strong

leader Wingravia needs,

not just for me darling,

for your father.

- I may be the

first princess ever

whose reign was

derailed by a goat.

- Not derailed yet.

You'll be Queeny someday.

- If I ace this

American bootcamp.

- I'm surely your commanding

officer will go easy on you.

Americans love to

fawn over royals.

- True.

But I am going to miss you.

- Of course you are.

Which is why.

- Scotty

Oh, a phone.

- So we can chat

without that Royal operator

monitoring our calls.

Now, how long will you be away?

- It's a 10 day bootcamp, so.

- We'll be sipping eggnog

in Ibiza Christmas morning.

- Whew.

This castle, always so chilly.

- Sure is.

- How bad can this be?

Chesterfield Military

Academy hosts a bootcamp

for future world leaders

and influential individuals

who want to develop

leadership skills

with immersive workshops.

Oh, immersive and holidays.

This could be amazing actually.

Oh, it will.

- I've heard the Americans

really go all out

with the Christmas cheer

and we'll be under the tutelage

of a prestigious

military commander.

So basically it's 10 days

of Top g*n meets

Oprah meets Santa.

I'm in.

I will miss you Sophie.

- Hmm.

- I wonder

who our esteemed

commander will be.

- I just put the pie in the

oven and heard a giant crash

and there is Bing Crosby

way up in my Christmas tree.

Every ornament was shattered.

So I'll be needing a refund.

- With all due respect, ma'am,

it's not Haney's

fault that your cat...

Can I get

someone in aisle four please?

We need customer

service on aisle four.

- Let me get my manager.

Mindy.

Yeah, welcome to Haney's.

Can I help you?

- Yes.

This mistletoe says

affection guaranteed.

But I totally struck out

at my holiday work party.

- I can't give you

a refund, sir, but

I think you might

have some better luck

on aisle 13.

Mouthwash.

Yeah, just that way.

Welcome to Haney's.

Can I help you?

- I bought a bunch of MREs

and none of them

have candy inside.

- Colonel Yates, what

are you doing here?

- Just checking on my troops.

The bigger question is,

what are you doing here?

I know it's been a minute since.

How you holding up?

- Just getting through.

- Now what'd you call this?

Whatever happened to your

plans to teach at West Point?

- Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm

not gonna be teaching anymore.

- You're kidding?

Half the eight years of your

service was as an instructor.

It's why I'm here.

Your alma mater

Chesterfield needs help

with the holiday

leadership bootcamp.

We're talking powerful

wealthy recruits,

many facing their final

opportunity for redemption.

An instructor dropped down

for duty reasons last minute.

I couldn't think of a

better replacement than you.

- I appreciate that sir.

I'm just not ready to go back.

But thank you for coming by.

Good seeing you, Ryan.

Aisle four please.

We need customer

service on aisle four.

- Actually, Colonel,

tell me more about those cadets.

- All the way from India.

Duke Sateane of Jalandhar.

Set to lead his home state,

this wealthy young man

needs to take a good

long look in the mirror

and not the way that

he normally does.

Marlena Li,

K-pop star whose second album

was expected to be as

big a hit as her first

until she rage fired

her entire staff.

Tucker Finch,

of the Falcons Fame.

- Your big Falcons

fan, if memory serves,

- I've lost a lot of friends

over my love of the Falcons,

which made it worse because

when this wide receiver

was benched for insubordination,

oh there went the championship.

Here's Noelle Latrel.

She's the daughter of a

billionaire tech guru.

All seems well with her, but

still waters run deep.

Now meet Bobby Bofa,

known as Bitcoin Bobby.

- Crypto bro who swindled

billions from investors?

- That punk owes

my nephew $6,400.

- Thank you.

- And who's this?

Princess

Violet Bell of Wingravia.

She's here to prove to her

mom that she can be queen.

- Get in line, all of you.

Welcome cadets.

I'm your commander

for the next 10 days.

During that time, you

will address me as captain

and I will address you as cadet.

This is former Army

Captain Juniper Squibb.

- You can call me Squibby.

I will be your cook, your

nurse, and your counselor.

You need anything,

you let me know.

And if you don't tick me off,

you'll have three square a day.

- You may be influential

in your specialist fields,

but you have each faced

challenges in self-control.

During your time here, I

will mold you into leaders

through three core components.

Class study on the

basics of leadership,

community service to remind

you why you choose to lead,

and finally, through physical

endurance and teamwork

by completing the Academy

Schooling obstacle course,

AKA, the shredder.

Do the work and

you will succeed.

Grab your things and let's move.

Hundreds of successful

leaders have emerged

from Chesterfield Academy.

Hopefully by the end of

this course, you will too.

- I don't mean to interrupt,

but this looks nothing

like the website.

- This way.

Your luggage will

be stored in here.

Everything you need

is in your dorm.

Phones, tablets go in this bin

to be behind lock and key.

- But without my tablet,

I'll lose my power

shopping status.

- For the next 10 days,

you will go without

your creature comforts

to focus solely on

your leadership skills.

- Thank you.

- That's you too, Bobby.

You got a phone?

- Does this dude even speak?

Oh look, if my agent calls,

tell him thanks for nothing

for putting me in here.

- You will have

separate barracks.

Squibby will help you settle in.

- Oh, I noticed a clear lack

of Christmas decorations.

Will they be put up soon?

- No.

- Oh, well can I add some?

Just a little Christmas cheer.

- I don't do Christmas cheer.

- Oof.

Someone's grinchy.

- Are you talking back

to a commanding officer?

- No, it's, it's

just that Christmas

is my favorite time

of year and I...

- Congratulations, princess.

You just landed your whole

crew in early morning doo-doo.

Instead of the 0500 wake up,

you will all

be getting up at 0415

for an early morning run.

- What?

- What?

- Rebelly, rebelly, fall out.

You want chow, get running now.

Let's go cadet.

Rise and shine,

time for that early morning run.

- I am a princess

and I command you to go away.

- Well, I'm your captain

and I command you to get up.

Let's go private Princess.

- Get away.

- Keep up, Princess.

Is that some sweat

I see forming there?

- Impossible sir,

because I don't sweat.

I glow.

Oof.

Grubs up.

- Finally, I'm starving.

- We stand for grace.

For this food and fellowship,

we are truly grateful

and we offer a special intention

for those who are

no longer with us.

In their honor, may we

not waste a single moment

of this good life we still have.

You may be seated.

- Um, is this the

breakfast spoon,

dessert spoon or coffee spoon?

- The spoon is a

spoon is a spoon.

You don't have to eat it.

- Its actually pretty good.

Bobby likes it too.

- Alright, listen up.

This is hallowed ground.

Some of the finest cadets

I ever had the

privilege of knowing

pass through these halls.

- You were a student here?

- Yes.

And after my military

service, also a teacher.

This place is like a home to me.

Now, some ground rules.

I'll keep it simple.

Trust is central.

No lying.

No outside calls or texts

and no guests on the property.

Failure to comply,

you fail the course.

Questions?

- Might I request a

different wake up system?

That cowbell was deafening.

And you know when my ladies

maid wakes me from slumber,

it's much more gentle.

- Whoa, hold up.

Ladies maids?

You're an actual princess?

- Oh yes.

And someday queen.

- Assuming she passes my course.

- Oh, I will, captain.

I'm capable and committed.

- Time will tell.

Eat up and clean up cadets.

See how y'all do when

we hit the books.

Leadership,

what is it?

- Oh, is this like one of those

charming American trivia shows?

I'll take I don't know

the answer for 500, Alex.

- This is not a game.

This is your life.

As a leader,

you are responsible for

those following your command.

That is not something

to be taken lightly.

It has consequences

of life and death,

as I know all too well.

- Excuse the

interruption, sir, but

what do you mean by that?

- This isn't about

me, it's about you.

How you perform here will

shape how you lead out there.

- My producer is the one who

should be taking this course.

I lead with my music.

He can handle the rest.

- You lead by example

and if this attitude

is your example

then you've got

a long way to go.

Now, turn your

text to page nine.

You'll silently

read this chapter

before we move on

to the next section.

- Sir,

I'm not quite familiar

with this whole

silent reading thing.

I generally listen to my books.

- You mean as in audio books?

- My aide, Cedric

reads all aloud to me

while I look at the pictures.

Oh, and mine's, mine's

missing pictures.

- Read the chapter, cadet.

- Welcome to your first

bout of community service.

Now this kitchen is

my hallowed ground.

Muck with it, answer to me.

Now today we are gonna

be baking cookies

for Chesterfield

Children's Hospital.

- That's wonderful.

What are we thinking?

A few dozen

- Try 500.

- I don't care for

baking, so maybe...

- We don't care

for your opinion.

- I think what the captain

here is trying to say

is that when you serve,

it is not about you,

it's about the community

you're helping.

Now I know that Christmas cheer

is not in the Captain's forte,

but this is for the kids.

Cookie cutters are here.

You got snowmen, Christmas

trees, candy canes.

And just keep in mind

that it's for a good cause.

- This is also an exercise

designed to teach you

to make something from

scratch working as a team.

I'm already on a team

and they're called the Falcons.

- Well then why didn't they

offer you a new contract?

Oh yeah, I know all about

your suspension for

insubordination.

And if you ask me,

no one cares a hoot

if you're on a team,

if you can't trust

the people around you.

- Well, the idea of

baking is very exciting.

- Great.

You're in charge.

- Me?

- Fresh ingredients

are in the pantry.

Get it done, Princess.

- It is good to

have you back, Cap.

It's a lot of water

under the bridge.

And I was sorry to

hear about Benji.

He was a good kid.

- And the great cadet,

the bench that Benji and I

built, is it still there?

- Yeah.

Seen better days.

And now let's gossip

about those cadets.

I know this ilk really

curdles your cheese.

- Half of them probably won't

even pass the course, but

what are you gonna do?

- They're flawed, but

at least they're trying.

- Fire!

- Oh my god.

What do we do?

What do we do?

- Don't do that, no.

- Stand back.

Stand back.

Squibbs, can you?

- Excuse me.

- We mis-set the temperature

in gradients of

Celsius, not Fahrenheit.

- Time of death, 1300 hours

- Pre-made cookie dough?

You raided Squibby

supplies and cheated?

- Don't look at us.

Princess power over

there was in charge.

- Well, they weren't mixing

like my royal chefs do, and

just seemed easier.

- That wasn't the exercise.

Create something from

scratch as a team.

How do you expect

to lead a country

if you can't even make

Christmas cookies?

- Because when I'm queen,

I'll have chefs on

hand at all hours.

- You're not going to be queen

if you don't do the work.

- I don't think

my future depends

on whether I burn

a snowman cookie.

- You're right, it depends on

a whole lot more than that.

Now you can all thank your

cookie dough princess once more.

You've all just landed

yourself in the shredder.

Buckle up cadets.

Day one of training is now.

- The shredder.

Zigzag through the

calf burning tire rung

of the rings of fire

before scaling the vertical

wall of Dante's peak.

Then fall backwards

in the fall from

grace trust exercise,

only to hit the deck,

the platoon belly crawl,

and finally seek resurrection

through the legendary ascent.

This is big kahuna.

You don't complete the course,

you don't pass.

Now let's move.

That's it, princess.

Go, go, go.

- Come on Bobby, you got this.

Can't you guide him in some way?

- Do better.

That's also financial advice.

This exercise, you

will each take turns

trusting your team to

catch you when you fall.

And fall you will.

Finch, you're up first.

- Ah, you, you know what?

I'm good.

I, I think I'll fall

from grace another day.

- Oh no.

This was designed for you.

- All right, okay.

- That-a-boy.

Easy does it.

- All right, come on Finch.

We are so ready.

- Yeah.

Who here don't you trust?

- This ain't happening.

- Okay, we'll work on that.

- You are one with the ground.

Dirt is beautiful.

And so are you.

- Whatever floats

your boat, Latrel.

Just keep going.

Move, move, move.

See,

it's easy.

- Any tips or tricks?

- Gravity's not your friend.

So who wants to go first?

Princess Violet, thank you

so much for volunteering.

You're up first.

- All right.

Yeah, I need a new rope.

Mine's not roping.

- Yeah, yeah, more

blah blah excuses.

- Excuse me?

- Just do the work.

- How dare you.

You keep telling

us to do the work,

but what exactly are you doing?

- I beg your pardon?

- You've just said

more blah blah excuses.

Is that you in your finest form

as a commanding officer?

- Cadet, it is not your place

to question my authority.

- Perhaps the Princess

has a point, sir.

- Is that right?

- You haven't exactly

been a ray of sunshine

and I hate sunshine.

- Your encouragement

is tepid at best.

Your enthusiasm

deserves a D minus.

I will grant you

your physique and

jawline are impressive.

But,

but, and perhaps worst of all,

you seem entirely

opposed to the idea

of spreading Christmas cheer

in this, the most

cheery of seasons.

- Okay.

Well I'm clearly out of line

and you all are just superstars.

I think we need a breather.

Hit the showers,

tomorrow's a new day.

- You said what we

were all thinking.

Well done.

- Alright, everyone in

and get yourself some rest.

Go.

Permission to enter?

- Come on in, Squibb.

- Apologies for not

interjecting there.

- Ah, none needed.

I'm fine.

- Well,

I always knew you

as an instructor

who was there for the cadets.

You went above

and beyond and now

you see me a little distant.

You know, Christmas cheer

was designed for

this kind of thing.

It brings people together

in an otherwise dreary season.

- We baked the cookies.

We know how well

that turned out.

- But that was coming from me.

Maybe it could come from you.

Look, all I'm saying is everybody

deserves a good Christmas.

Maybe we could look for

opportunities in that zone.

It'll help them.

Could help you too.

Dear mother,

I write to you all the way

from Chesterfield, Colorado,

where Christmas

dreams come true.

Bootcamp is more fun

than I ever expected.

You'd be so proud.

And the friends I make...

- Unhand me, peasant.

It's like they always say,

the real treasure is the

friendships we make along the way.

And I'm not just making friends,

I'm learning to lead by example.

And I'm so excited

to share more when I

return for Christmas.

We'll finally bake

father's festoon

and celebrate just

like we used to,

our happy family

together as it should be.

Soon enough. Mother, I love you.

Merry Christmas.

Violet.

- Who would like to do grace?

- I'll go.

Thank you all for this

opportunity to stay the course

and for Squibby's good

grub and no injuries.

And may my QB stop

overthrowing me on fade routes.

- Okay, thank you, Finch.

- Amen.

- Amen.

- Amen.

- Crushed it.

- Eat up.

And then thanks to an initiative

from our good

friend Squibb here,

today's community service

will be Christmas adjacent.

- Is that the same

as Christmas cheer?

- Baby steps.

We've been asked to

deliver Christmas trees

to the Chesterfield church.

- That sounds hard.

And I don't really like...

- Yeah, well that's life.

And

what is life without

a little holiday joy?

- Oh, I feel the joy

radiating already.

- No, I mean it.

Joy will be had.

I may even attempt to smile.

- Is that the best

you've got, captain?

Come on, you've got such

lovely pearly whites.

- Aww, that's it.

And how will this

community service work?

- There is a tree

for each pair of you.

You have your gloves.

Grab a tree.

You'll be carrying

them to the foyer

of the Chesterfield church.

- That's like three

miles from here.

Where's the cheer in that?

- Do you know how bark will

harm my French tip manicure?

- I do not.

- Carrying trees for that

long, that's unreasonable.

Even for you.

- Would it help if I gave the

command with a joyful smile?

- I don't mean to be

insubordinate, but...

- But.

No but, you wanted

Christmas, you got it.

Do the hard work, do it well.

Squibb and I are going

back to the academy,

then we'll all

meet at the church.

- I'll hand it to you,

at least you tried

to set him straight.

- That's all right.

If he wants to be like that,

we'll match fire with fire.

- Someone's coming.

Hurry.

Hurry, Bobby.

Hurry.

Go. Go, go, go.

- Bingo.

Is the name of this

moving company?

- No, not moving for Christmas,

but moving Christmas itself.

Well, the trees actually.

Can you put me through to Bingo?

- Can I ask,

why all the silence?

A vow?

Of silence?

Why?

Those I defrauded had

no voice in my crime.

So why should I

have a voice now?

- Perfect, thank you.

All right, who knew asking

to move Christmas trees

would be so confusing

for the man.

But we're good now.

Come on.

Thank you so much.

When we get to the church,

I need you to park as

close to it as possible

without being spotted.

- You got it?

- Perfect.

Let's go.

- What do you know?

- Ah, my arms hurt.

- I can't do it.

It's so heavy.

- Great job cadets.

Bring 'em on up here.

Now stand 'em up.

- Whoa.

Nice one, Cap.

- Thanks Finch.

Dirty gloves go in here.

These gloves don't

have sap on them.

Either somebody tells me

right now what happened

or I fail you all.

- Okay, that job was

a no-win situation.

You've had it in

for us from day one.

It's almost like

you're hoping we fail.

- I wouldn't say hoping but

waiting for the inevitable.

- Well, the wait

is over, Captain.

I quit.

Hello palace switchboard.

- Amethyst 3509.

Put me through to my

mother right away.

- Violet, are you all right?

- No, I'm coming home.

I quit, and that's

just how it is.

- I had hoped that

you'd learn something.

- I did.

I learned to crawl through dirt

and burn snowman cookies.

- You understand dear,

this makes it difficult

to name you my successor.

- Mother, I'm trying here.

- Trying's not

enough for a queen.

Have you found your mission yet

or are you just cutting

corners as usual?

- Well, I...

- Have you?

Answer me Violet.

Just come home dear.

- Lemme call you cab.

- I'm fine.

Airport's only a few miles.

- But I could...

- I said I'm fine.

Bye.

Hello?

Are you okay?

Are you hurt?

You are okay.

- That was pretty impressive

you pitching in like that.

And you know ASL.

Where did you learn?

- When I was small,

my father got too close

to some heavy a*tillery

and gradually lost his hearing.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

That was a big problem

when I was in Iraq as well.

I'll, I'll drive

you to the airport,

but before you go,

I know you have it

in you to do this.

- It's very kind

of you captain, but

you and my mother were right.

I'm nowhere close to

finding my mission

and left to my own devices,

I choose the path

of least resistance.

- That's not what I just saw.

That man needed help

and you stepped up

without hesitation.

That was brave.

Tells me there's an incredible

leader inside of you.

- Well, unfortunately,

that leader never

emerged during bootcamp.

So.

- I think that

might have something

to do with my teaching style.

- Do you really think I

could be a great leader?

- I do.

- Well as a potentially

great leader,

I think it could

really help morale

if we could decorate the

academy for Christmas.

- Unselfish request.

I concur.

- Why the change of heart?

- I'm not entirely a Grinch.

Just Violet convinced me.

- Oh, interesting.

- What?

- Nothing.

- Alright, cadets

have at it.

- Thank you, Captain.

Everyone,

I want to apologize

for my behavior.

Cheating to pass this course

kind of defeats the purpose.

In fact, in order to

celebrate our differences,

what if we make ornaments

from our unique cultures?

- Well, we ate popsicles as kids

and then make ornaments

out of the popsicle sticks.

We still do it.

- That's perfect.

As for me, my father and I

used to decorate

our baked festoon

by painting pine cones.

I'm going to go find some.

Sir,

permission to interrupt?

- Permission granted.

- Thank you for letting

us do Christmas.

- Nah, I should've let

you do it on day one.

- What brings you up here?

- This bench.

It's my retreat from everything.

Started building it

when I was a student.

Just fallen trees

from the woods.

I then had some

help improving it

from a former cadet years ago.

His name is Benji.

Great kid.

- It's beautiful.

- It's my duty to honor it.

- Any exciting

plans for Christmas?

- Going home to Wyoming

to visit my folks.

What about you?

- This holiday

season's different

from all the others before.

We had a loss in the family.

Traditions are

different this year.

- What kind of traditions?

- Well, baking a

festoon for one.

When I was small,

we'd always watch my

favorite Christmas movie,

"The Sound of Music".

- "The Sound of Music"

is not a Christmas movie.

Now "Die Hard"...

- "Die Hard" is not

a Christmas movie.

- "The Sound of

Music" is a love story

between Captain Von Trapp

and a irresponsible nun.

There's not an ounce of

Christmas in the whole movie.

- Well, I dunno, my,

my dad loved the

song "Edelweiss",

and he associated

it with Christmas.

Perhaps because they got

the wish to be together.

It's chilly up here.

Thank you.

- Dear friends,

let us give thanks

for morning sun,

for the shelter above

and for the food before us.

It is often lumpy,

lacking in flavor,

kind of tastes like the nasty

gruel from Oliver Twist,

and you shouldn't really...

- Marlena!

- Apologies.

What I mean is

we're

fortunate

for the food we have

and this group that allows us

to choose the path of light

rather than that

of all consuming,

eternally burning, soul

crushing venomous rage.

Amen.

- Amen.

- Amen.

- Come on, Captain, you can

make it through the whole word.

- Leadership through

Christmas cheer.

All right, all right, all

right, hold the applause.

Doing my best on the

whole cheer front.

It helps that the

holidays are filled

with the Chesterfield ethos

of teamwork and community.

Which is why today

we'll test just that.

You'll create a life

size Christmas tree

using nothing but this paper

and the supplies in this room.

And you'll do it together.

- Alright, team

locked and loaded.

Any ideas on where to begin?

We need a frame

to hold the paper.

What about the flag pole?

- I guess we could tape

the sheets together

to make stackable rings

for each level of the tree.

- Perfect.

Let's make it happen.

Watch where you're stepping.

- I can't help it, Finch's

elbow is in my face.

- It ain't my fault your

face is elbow worth.

- Oh, no, no, no.

You did not just say that.

- So what if I did?

What you gonna do about it?

- I'm gonna buy your team.

- I bet you won't.

- Stop!

- Whoa, the dude speaks.

- It's Christmas,

time where we shed

our petty differences,

forgive our minor foibles,

where even the crypto charts

take time off to rest,

where meme coins become merry,

Blockchains give

way to candy canes,

creating the warmth for a smile.

Grace of a kind gesture.

And the company of friends,

family,

even NFT hobblers.

Let's decentralize this and

work together to,

to add the final touch.

Now who's with me?

- I don't understand

what you just said,

but I'm in.

- Here, here, here, here.

Try this.

This.

It's a J hook.

Trap the rope.

Push down.

Hand over hand to climb.

Use the hook.

Wait on your feet.

- There must be an easier way.

- Easy?

That's not your way, is it?

- Right.

- Every inch at a time.

One inch at a time.

Hand over hand.

Keep going.

There you go.

You got it.

That's it.

Hey!

- I almost made it.

I can do this.

- Yes you can.

Keep working cadet.

- Sir, yes sir.

I'd love to be an elf.

- What are you doing here?

- Well, I hadn't heard

from you and I missed you.

Didn't you miss me too?

- I guess, but I've been busy.

- Sorry I didn't

reach out earlier.

But tell me, how

is this bootcamp?

- It's been tough,

but also amazing.

We've all come such a long way.

I mean, there's no way I

thought I could do Dante's Peak

and Ryan, Captain Ryan.

He taught me this J Hook.

But honestly, the belly crawl

is probably the hardest part...

- That sounds disgusting.

Which is why

I've come to rescue you.

- What?

No.

We graduate in two days.

I'm not going anywhere.

- Not even zo match

for a ski trip?

- Scotty, I need to

pass this bootcamp.

I want to be queen.

- And here I thought

you hated hard work.

- I did.

But now I may like it.

And I have a huge

day tomorrow, so

I think you should go.

- But I came all

this way to see you.

- Do you even care

that you being here

could get me expelled?

- But I thought you'd

want me to rescue you.

- I don't need to be rescued.

- All princesses

love to be rescued.

- Not this one.

And if you can't see that,

then you are dismissed.

- You'll regret this.

I'm the best thing that's

ever happened to you.

- Well, now I know for

sure I did the right thing.

All right.

- Hey mom.

- Ah, hi, Ry.

Oh, you look well.

Thanks.

Can you turn the camera

around so I can see your tree?

Ooh.

- No, he other way, Mom.

Oh, dad did such

a nice job of the lights.

- Oh hi, Mr. Bubbles.

- You know, I am so proud of you

for getting back on the

teaching saddle just the same.

Are the new cadets

being helpful?

- Help isn't really

their strong suit,

but they've improved for sure.

- Oh, don't get mad at me.

I just have to ask.

- No, I'm not seeing anyone.

- No one, oh.

Oh, well then who is

that stunning woman

crawling across your floor?

- Violet?

She...

- I was just

looking at the stars

and I, I got locked out.

- Oh.

Ryan used to spend

hours on the lawn

staring at the stars too.

And since Ry Ry here has

forgotten his manners.

Hello dear.

I'm Mrs. Douglas.

I'm Ryan's mother.

- Pleased to meet

you, Ms. Douglas.

- Did you just curtsy?

Gilbert, come quickly.

Ry Ry is dating

and she's lovely.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Princess, Cadet Violet

and I are not dating.

I repeat, we are not dating.

She is in training here,

and she's really cold

right now from her

stargazing adventures.

So we are gonna get

off the call now, Mom.

Oh, at the very least,

invite her to Wyoming

for Christmas.

- No, I'm her

commanding officer.

That is against the rules.

Okay, bye.

Oh.

- How did you get in here?

Let's get you by the fire.

- Okay.

- You climbed up the drain pipe?

- Yep.

Just like you showed me.

By the way,

I see you've been digging

into your advent calendar.

- Oof.

One of my few cheats.

I haven't been

able to resist 'em

since I was a kid, actually,

- You'll never believe it, but

I do the same.

- Hmm.

- Since I was small.

And I love how

during the holidays we

reach into our past and

bring forward all these

meaningful traditions.

- I wish when we

reached into the past,

we only brought the

good things forward.

- Why did you stop teaching?

- Remember that talented cadet

I told you about

from years back?

Benji.

- The one you built

the bench with?

- Yeah, that's right.

When he graduated,

I

Pulled a favor and asked

that he be assigned

to the Pacific division

to keep him out of Iraq.

Well, when Benji

found out I did that,

he was

very angry.

I was only trying to

protect him, but he

took it to mean that I didn't

think he could handle it.

I said some things I regret.

And

that was the last time we spoke.

Benji went to Iraq and

didn't make it back.

I quit teaching,

put the military behind me.

And

I haven't really been able to,

I don't know,

open up too much since.

- I know what it's like

to self-sabotage when

the alternative is just

terrifying.

That's probably

what led me here.

The family loss I went through,

it was my father last Christmas.

- I'm sorry.

- It rattled me,

left me lost,

messing up my duties,

not giving myself a chance to

successfully fill his shoes.

I think because I was afraid

to accept he's really gone.

Seems fear's been

keeping us both

comfortably numb.

I don't think my father

would've wanted that.

- I don't think

Benji would either.

- Thank you all for

this fantastic food

and for these new friendships.

Some loud,

some quiet,

but all meaningful.

And in conclusion,

thank you for Squibby and

her excellent cooking.

May it provide the

strength we need

to stand up for ourselves.

Amen.

- Amen.

- Amen.

- Amen.

- And by the way, fam,

anyone mucking in

my kitchen at night?

I saw some muddy tracks

on my freshly mopped floor

by the back door.

- Jacob Marley's

ghost strikes again.

- Well, whoever it is,

remember it's hallowed ground.

- Indeed.

Okay, cadets,

retired Colonel Jimmy Shepherd,

the man Vi saved days ago,

wanted to thank her by hosting

us for some Christmas cheer

at the old veteran's home.

Need to wear your holiday best.

I'll open up the luggage locker.

- I'm Lorna, the

veteran's home den mother.

You must be Captain Ryan.

- Yes.

These are the cadets.

This is retired

Captain Juniper Squibb.

- Hi.

- US Army Desert Storm.

- Thank you both

for your service

and it's a pleasure

to meet you all.

Which one is Violet?

We can't thank you enough

for helping Colonel Shepherd.

We call him Shep.

You can say hi.

- Let's give these vets

something to remember.

Page seven in your books.

- At ease, cadets.

I've got this next piece.

I know some may not consider

this next one a Christmas song,

but I've just learned

there are some that do.

So

Here it goes.

- Wake up.

It's December 23rd.

Time to conquer the

shredder and graduate.

- I would respond with an insult,

- but I'm working on myself.

- Did you fold my clothes?

- Folded and pressed.

Chop chop.

- I would like to thank

you all for reminding me

that despite my

power shopping status

perfectly groomed cuticles,

and alarmingly good looks.

- Okay, all right, come on.

- There's more to life

than just the superficial.

It's comradeship,

friendly competition,

and sometimes just

silent companionship.

On this day, shredder day,

I would like to give a

deep thank you to you all.

- Well said, cadet.

Now eat up all of you.

Lord knows you're

gonna need the energy

for what's coming next.

This is it.

The final challenge.

Each section must be fully

completed in order to graduate.

- I better graduate.

My mother flies in

for grad tonight

- On your mark.

Remember left foot over

right with the J hook.

Then hand over hand.

- Right?

I'm very nervous.

- I can tell.

Cadet,

you got this.

There's that smile, Marlena.

Better pace yourself, Finch.

Go, go, go, Princess, no wait.

High knees, Sateane.

Go, go, go.

- Yay, Bobby!

- That-a-boy, Bobby!

- Woo!

- We've got you, don't panic.

- You can do it.

- You can do this.

- Come on.

- Alright.

Believe in you, come on, man.

- Finch, Finch, Finch, Finch!

- We got you.

- I'm alive.

- You did it.

- Get it, buddy.

- Keep going, troop.

- Go, go, go, go.

Go.

- Hey, muscle through

the crawl, cadet,

muscle through the crawl.

- Go.

- Last section coming up.

Move, move, move.

Looking good.

All right.

- Come on, Vi.

- You got this, Vi

- Come on.

- Let's go, Vi.

- You can do it.

- You got this, Vi.

All you.

All you.

- There we go.

- Keep going.

- You can do it.

Come on.

- Come on, Vi.

- Come on, Vi.

- Let's go.

Just like that.

- Hang on, Vi.

- You got it.

- Good recovery.

- Eye on the prize.

Almost there.

Almost there, Vi.

- Congratulations, Cadet Violet.

You just passed bootcamp.

Yeah.

- Hey.

Are you okay?

- It's just my,

whole thing with my dad.

I mean, I'm so proud of

how far we've all come.

I want him to acknowledge it.

It's silly, but

I want him to be there for me.

Not just his work,

his new wife, his

new life.

That's why I'm here.

I thought if I learned

how to be a leader,

I could stand up

for myself for once.

- That's not silly.

You deserve that.

And maybe it's time

you let him know

how you really feel.

- I just get so nervous.

Confrontation's

never really been me.

- Call him,

invite him to grad.

- I couldn't.

What if he says no?

- Then you tell

him how you feel.

Tell him how it hurts you.

But maybe let's find

a more private spot.

Come on.

- It would just mean

so much to me, dad,

for you to meet everyone

and see what we've done here.

Oh, well, come on your own then.

Take the jet.

No, I understand.

If she needs you for

her bridge tournament,

then she needs you.

- Muscle through

the crawl, Cadet.

You can do this.

- Actually, dad, wait.

If I'm being honest,

I don't understand it.

I don't understand how

you've tossed me aside,

how you've spent your life

focused on spreadsheets,

board meetings, and

now your new wife,

but you've been blind

to what matters most.

If you wanna prioritize

a bridge tournament

over your own daughter's

graduation, then do it.

I am standing strong,

loud and proud,

the leader I know I am.

- You did it.

You did it.

- Oh, that's not good.

- No, you don't understand.

This isn't just any bench...

- Cadets.

- Are you holding a phone?

Back to your barracks, cadets.

That's an order!

- It was an accident, honestly.

I was helping Latrel...

- With a phone that was

forbidden on day one.

Is that how you ordered the

truck to move those trees?

What else?

What else aren't you telling me?

- My ex-boyfriend,

he visited the

night before last,

but I broke up with him.

- Here on campus?

- In the kitchen.

Those were his muddy tracks.

How I got locked out.

- You had the chance to tell

me the truth the other night

and you didn't.

Trust,

loyalty,

they're pillars of

this institution.

After all this,

I simply can't pass you.

I'm sorry, but you're dismissed.

- Ryan, I...

- That's Captain Douglas, cadet.

I know this means

you won't be queen,

but you've made your own bed.

- Thank you, Captain Douglas.

- But Violet, I've

traveled all this way.

What do you mean

you're not graduating?

You were yesterday.

- I know, I know, and

I thought I was, but

it's not happening.

- Oh, Violet, I'm so...

- Disappointed.

I'm sure.

This time is different.

I have some really

exciting ideas about...

- Violet.

It is not different.

You are simply

incapable of change.

I should pack.

Sydnee, let's pack.

- I'd like to finish

what I was saying.

I did this bootcamp

as you wished,

and even though I didn't pass

and I'm not going

to become queen,

I found my mission.

I have some really exciting

ideas about opening a school,

a school for the deaf

to honor a father.

And I don't need to be

queen to do that, but

I was hoping that

we could do it together.

- Those are encouraging

words darling,

but sadly, that's all they are.

Words.

Tell the pilot to

get the jet ready.

I have an unheard of amount

of work to do on the flight.

- Would you stop?

Stop mom.

Stop masking your pain

with busyness and

just look at me.

This is our first

Christmas without Father,

a time that used to

mean the world to me.

And it's as if all you

see are my failures.

Do you not see that

I'm grieving here?

Can you not see that

you are grieving?

I need some air.

- I know it was the

right thing to do,

but I can't help but think

I could have done more

to set her up for success.

That's on me.

- Pardon me for saying so,

but I don't think

this is the first time

that you took

responsibility for something

that wasn't your fault.

You know, when I first

enlisted and went to overseas,

my mom so mad at me,

but nothing was gonna

stop me from serving.

Benji, he was a grown

man and I reckon

that nothing was

gonna stop him either.

You don't have to forget him,

but maybe the best way

of honoring his sacrifice

is by living your best life.

Since it is Christmas,

consider some grace for those

who aren't entirely perfect.

- Violet.

- Lorna, Merry Christmas.

- I'm surprised to

see you in town.

Aren't you prepping for

the graduation tomorrow?

- I'm afraid not.

I won't be there.

- Oh, what happened?

- How much time do you have?

- Actually, not a ton.

I'm doing a cocoa run

for Shep and the vets.

Our pipes burst and

the kitchen is down.

- On Christmas Eve?

That's awful.

What will you do for dinner?

- Good question.

I am out of ideas.

- But I may have one.

- What's going on in here?

Who's responsible for this?

- Sir?

I can tell you who's

responsible for this.

It's Vi.

- What are you doing?

- It's okay.

She asked me to tell Ryan.

- She did?

- And to tell you that

she'd like to talk.

That you'd know

where to find her.

- Didn't know you were

the handy woman type.

- Me neither.

Turns out I am,

just a wee bits of elbow grease.

- I,

I reacted harshly.

- Well, I did break the rules,

over and over and

then some more.

- I need to meet

you where you're at.

You did that for me time and

time again these past days.

Latrel told me why you

let her use your phone.

That was noble of you

helping a friend

and time of need.

And did a heck of a

job fixing the bench.

It means a world to me.

- I know it does.

Which is why I

didn't just fix it.

I also added a touch

I think you deserve.

- Thank you.

- I hope you don't

mind me inviting Shep

and the others to the dinner.

It's just their

pipes burst and I...

- Are you kidding?

Community service.

- It's why we choose to lead.

- Okay.

- All right, troop.

We're about ready.

- No meal is complete

without dessert.

Mother?

- Hello darling.

- Oh, the Queen.

- Oh no, no need.

Please rise, thank you.

One Juniper Squibby

Squibb called the pilot,

filled me in on the

good deed you are doing.

Well, if your father were here,

he would insist we top it

off with our classic festoon

and I have all the

ingredients right here,

including painted pine

cones for decoration,

if you'd let me help you.

- Squibby?

I think this belongs to

your nephew, Lawrence.

I'm sorry.

- I am very impressed

by how much you've grown.

At this mission you have in mind

with the ASL school,

it is truly an honorable one.

Your father would've

been so incredibly proud.

- You think so?

- Yes.

And I believe Wingravia

will be proud of you

when you are their queen.

- Before we dig in,

I just wanted to

say how grateful

I am tonight for all the cadets

and those loved ones

who can make it.

I'm especially grateful

to Princess Violet.

This dinner would not

have been possible

without your leadership,

humility and strength.

She accomplished what

she came here to do

and because of that,

I have decided to

graduate Princess Violet,

along with her fellow cadets.

- Captain Douglas, led us

in grace for our meals.

I'd like to do it tonight,

if that's all right, sir?

For this food and fellowship,

we are truly grateful

and we offer a special intention

for those who are

no longer with us.

In their honor,

may we not waste

one single moment

of the good life we still have.

- Amen.

- Amen.

Amen.

- It was a pleasure

meeting your mother.

- Guess now we've

both met the parents.

Isn't that right, Ry Ry?

- She offered me a royal

visit to Wingravia,

said there might be a

teaching opportunity available

at the Wingravian

Military Academy.

- Now there's an idea.

- May I have this

dance, Princess?

- You may, Captain.

Permission to kiss you?

- Permission granted.