- 25/11/2022
Lea and Mark are a copy editor and reporter respectively at the Denver Post. Mark pays little notice of her due to the difference in their status, and Lea doesn't much like Mark in his moodiness - he is even referred to as "Moody Mark" by their colleagues - and because he is a little too loose in the way he uses the English language which she always has to correct in his pieces. Their editor is looking for the feature story for their holiday edition, so Lea proposes one on the new post-war French painting at the Museum of Modern Art by an anonymous artist signing it solely by "F" with an enigmatic unknown female figure in the painting only being called Ma Fleur by the artist. Lea recently came into possession of a musical jewelry box from that era in which she found in a hidden compartment an incomplete journal written by F in 1959 outlining his forbidden love affair with Ma Fleur. They had met at a Christmas market in the French town of Petit Marchon, with legend being that true love is found at such markets. The incomplete nature of the journal is that neither F or Ma Fleur is fully identified by their real names and what happened between them was probably mentioned in the missing pages of the journal. Their editor okays the piece, but Mark and Lea are both dismayed that their editor assigns this story to Mark who is to investigate in Petit Marchon. Mark sees this assignment as a Christmas fluff piece that is beneath him as a hard hitting journalist, and Lea believes the story hers and what could have been her big break. Lea is able to convince their editor to allow her to go along with Mark to cover the story together. Equally exciting for Lea is that she is a romantic at heart, and this is her first ever international trip, none other than to one of the most romantic areas of the world where she can test out the legend of love being found at the Christmas market. As they go about the story sometimes individually in their different working styles and different levels of experience, and sometimes together, they may find that the story and the Christmas market work their magic with who they least expect.
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00:00:00The story takes place in a charming little French village at Christmas time.
00:00:12In this idyllic setting, our heroine lives, a shy, hard-working maid with dreams as expansive
00:00:19as the starry winter sky and a heart as pure as the fresh-fallen snow.
00:00:25She moves through her days with a secret wish tucked deep within her.
00:00:29A wish for a love as deep as the rivers, as enduring as the old stone bridges of her village.
00:00:36But such a love seems elusive.
00:00:39And then the hero comes in.
00:00:41He's perfect.
00:00:42He's a doctor, rides horses.
00:00:47The poor maid locks eyes with him across the crowded market and everything else melts away.
00:00:54And they know, in that perfect moment, they're meant to be together forever.
00:01:01Leah?
00:01:03Leah?
00:01:05Leah?
00:01:07Honey, I know the story.
00:01:09The doctor and the maid.
00:01:11You made your father read it to you every night.
00:01:13Yeah, well, it's my favorite.
00:01:15Yeah, well, you're not gonna find a husband in a fairy tale, I'm afraid.
00:01:19And I hate to say it, but honey, you're not getting any younger.
00:01:23Thanks for the reminder, Mom.
00:01:25What about Alexander from church?
00:01:28I've always thought he was very cute.
00:01:30Well, cute.
00:01:31Well, tall.
00:01:33Can you stop trying to set me up with every single man in the city?
00:01:38And Alexander is way too tall.
00:01:40I would have neck pain my entire life.
00:01:42Besides, I will know it when I see him.
00:01:48He'll lock eyes and everything else will melt away.
00:01:54Sounds lovely.
00:01:57But I don't think it always works like that.
00:02:00And, oh honey, I just think you could be waiting a long time for something like that.
00:02:07It's not waiting, it's being patient.
00:02:09There's a difference.
00:02:11And I remember Dad reading me those stories when I was small.
00:02:15When he passed, someone else read it to me.
00:02:18You did.
00:02:20You told me stories about how you met and how amazing he was,
00:02:23and I don't want to settle for anything less than that.
00:02:26Mom, I'm bored.
00:02:29Hey, this is cute.
00:02:32But I don't want to leave with anything that isn't on my list.
00:02:35Okay, okay.
00:02:36All I'm looking for is a jewelry box.
00:02:38Wooden, simple, and elegant.
00:02:43Wow, would you look at that?
00:02:45It looks just like the one your father gave you when you were little.
00:02:48Exactly, it's perfect.
00:02:51Good eye.
00:02:52We just got that in from France.
00:02:54It used to play a melody, but the mechanism's broken.
00:02:58Do you know how old it is?
00:02:59No idea.
00:03:00By the condition, at least 50 years.
00:03:04Great, I'll take it.
00:03:06And, uh, this as well.
00:03:10I thought you weren't getting anything that wasn't on your list.
00:03:14Yes, but the list is subject to change.
00:03:18Yeah, exactly.
00:03:21Hey, someone to keep you company.
00:03:24Merry Christmas.
00:03:25Merry Christmas.
00:03:27Oh, cute.
00:03:29So, tell me again how you and Dad met.
00:03:32Ah, we were young.
00:03:34Much younger than you are now.
00:03:37It's the doctor and the old maid, I get it.
00:03:43Yes, we're here at the Museum of Modern Art.
00:03:45We're there moments away from unveiling the brand new Christmas exhibition.
00:03:50The highlight of the collection, undoubtedly, is a piece from an artist in post-war France
00:03:55and has been causing quite a stir with its enigmatic subject.
00:04:04It's a painting.
00:04:06What's the big deal?
00:04:07It's the mystery of it.
00:04:09An unknown artist?
00:04:10It's romantic.
00:04:12It brings up so many interesting questions.
00:04:14Who is this woman?
00:04:15Where was it painted?
00:04:16Why?
00:04:17When is she?
00:04:18Lunch.
00:04:19Exactly.
00:04:20Come on, Mark.
00:04:21You don't feel anything when you look at this?
00:04:23I feel like we both should be covering something more important.
00:04:28Wow, we saw it.
00:04:29Come on, Brian.
00:04:30Let's go.
00:04:35Now, while we don't know the artist's name,
00:04:37the painting is dedicated to someone named Mafleur,
00:04:41which translates from the French to My Flower,
00:04:44and come on, what a dedication.
00:04:48So romantic.
00:04:50The only identifying information we have is the signature of the artist
00:04:53with just the letter F.
00:04:57Alongside its story is sure to be the talk of the new exhibit.
00:05:20Do you know what Marche de Noël means?
00:05:23It's Spanish in high school, and I don't even remember that.
00:05:26It means Christmas market.
00:05:28They pop up every winter in various towns across Europe.
00:05:31There are quaint romantic festivals with twinkling lights and cozy drinks,
00:05:37and this journal is all about finding love, true love,
00:05:42at the Christmas market in a French village called Petit Marchand.
00:05:47It's a love story.
00:05:49Well, the drawing does look similar to the painting.
00:05:51Right?
00:05:52Look at the signature.
00:05:57Hmm.
00:05:58You have my full attention.
00:06:00What does it say?
00:06:01Okay, so F recounts the story of falling in love with Mafleur
00:06:06on the first night of the Marche de Noël, right?
00:06:10And he talks about the legend of the town,
00:06:12that you're destined to meet your soulmate at the Marche de Noël,
00:06:17and he's sure that he's found his.
00:06:21And him and Mafleur both know that her parents wouldn't approve,
00:06:24so they meet secretly every night at the market,
00:06:29and after he proposes, they decide to elope.
00:06:33Very Romeo and Juliet.
00:06:35Without the tragic ending, I hope.
00:06:36It actually doesn't even have an ending at all.
00:06:38The last few pages are missing.
00:06:40Sounds like the kind of human interest story the Post would love.
00:06:43Except I am not a journalist.
00:06:45Yet.
00:06:46Yet.
00:06:47I think this story could bring you up to the majors.
00:06:50You know, maybe I should buy a ticket to France and visit that magical town,
00:06:54find my perfect soulmate,
00:06:56and finally finish a writing sample that I am proud to submit.
00:06:59Leo, you're passionate, articulate, driven,
00:07:03more optimistic than anyone I know.
00:07:06You'd be a great journalist.
00:07:08But waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect writing sample
00:07:12to fall into your lap isn't going to get you anywhere.
00:07:14Well, hey, biding my time to get what's right isn't always a bad thing.
00:07:19If you're happy being a copy editor.
00:07:21Hey, copy editor. Finished proofreading the Johnson article?
00:07:25I am. It should be in your inbox.
00:07:28Great.
00:07:29Oh, but I did notice a couple of times that you have misused the word disinterested.
00:07:33It's a common misconception.
00:07:35You know, while most people think it means just simply not interested,
00:07:37it actually refers to a lack of bias or being fair and impartial,
00:07:41such as a disinterested judge.
00:07:45Or a disinterested journalist.
00:07:48Did you fix it?
00:07:49I did.
00:07:50Well, you always fix it.
00:07:52So to be honest, I am rather disinterested.
00:08:02I would think that a journalist would care about the English language.
00:08:06I find it hard to believe that Moody Mark could care about anything.
00:08:10Company meeting.
00:08:14Now.
00:08:16So, bad news.
00:08:18Our annual holiday issue headliner has fallen into the abyss.
00:08:23So we need something new and we need something fast.
00:08:25Who's got a lead?
00:08:27How about a story on the soup kitchen?
00:08:30We aren't just writing about businesses in peril.
00:08:33Where's the heart?
00:08:35Tell me the story about the woman who quits her job,
00:08:38moves back to her hometown,
00:08:40crosses paths with her high school sweetheart who volunteers at the soup kitchen
00:08:44and now they keep it open together.
00:08:46Now, I want that story.
00:08:50Really, people?
00:08:51Nothing?
00:08:53Need I remind you this is our biggest seller?
00:08:55This is important to the Post's bottom line.
00:08:58You know that new painting at the Museum of Modern Art?
00:09:01The one the whole city's been buzzing about?
00:09:03Leah found the diary of the painter.
00:09:05Oh.
00:09:06Well, I'm listening, Leah.
00:09:08What is Christmas about?
00:09:11If not bringing people together.
00:09:15The year's 1959.
00:09:17In the French village of Petit Marchand,
00:09:20where local legend has it you're destined to meet your soul mate.
00:09:24It's a love story between two young lovers,
00:09:27forbidden from being together.
00:09:30But under the twinkling lights of the Marché de Noël,
00:09:33they promise each other their future
00:09:35and they make a plan to escape.
00:09:39And together they create this painting
00:09:42and also a love that still inspires the public decades later.
00:09:49But what happened to them since then?
00:09:52Did they ever find their happily ever after?
00:09:55That's what I'd like to find out.
00:09:58Mystery.
00:10:00Romance.
00:10:03Christmas.
00:10:06I love it.
00:10:08So is this couple still together?
00:10:10I don't know, but based on how he writes about his love, I'd bet on it.
00:10:15Well, I hope you're right.
00:10:17Nobody wants a tragic ending at Christmas.
00:10:20Emilio, start looking at flights to Petit Marchand.
00:10:23You're really going for this?
00:10:24Oh, no, Mark, you are.
00:10:26Now, you need to get to France in the morning, so you better get packing.
00:10:30What?
00:10:43You're assigning me a Christmas puff piece?
00:10:46Yes, I am.
00:10:47I have been on the ground in refugee camps.
00:10:49I have covered places other reporters refused to go.
00:10:52You're underutilizing my skills.
00:10:54Mark, you are the best reporter that we have here.
00:10:58You know how to go overseas and work out a story,
00:11:01and I need someone of your caliber to drive this story home.
00:11:04Am I the only one available?
00:11:05You're the only one available.
00:11:08Fine.
00:11:10Fine.
00:11:21Oh, hey, good pitch back there, Leah.
00:11:23Will you make sure Mark gets a journal to take with him?
00:11:25Actually, I'd like to talk to you about that.
00:11:29I want to write the piece.
00:11:30You're a copy editor, not a journalist.
00:11:33No, not yet.
00:11:34Noted.
00:11:35But this is a big seller for the Post.
00:11:38Look, I can't assign a story to someone who hasn't written for us yet.
00:11:42What if I flew myself out?
00:11:44I could use my vacation days.
00:11:46This piece is important to me.
00:11:48I've been reading the Post my entire life,
00:11:50and to see my name on the page would mean the world.
00:11:53Give me this chance.
00:11:55And technically, the journal belongs to me.
00:12:04Okay.
00:12:05Okay?
00:12:06Okay.
00:12:07Yes?
00:12:08Go.
00:12:09Okay.
00:12:10Mark, Leah's going with you.
00:12:12Work with her.
00:12:14I look forward to working with you.
00:12:17No, you don't.
00:12:18You're right, but I do look forward to being in France
00:12:21and unearthing a beautiful love story.
00:12:24Find your enthusiasm concerning.
00:12:27The proper word you're looking for is disconcerting.
00:12:30You're speaking to me concerning my disconcerting enthusiasm.
00:12:35Wow.
00:12:37So much fun already.
00:12:45I've never even left the country before.
00:12:47What am I supposed to pack?
00:12:49Does my hair dryer work in France?
00:12:51Do they even have hair dryers in France?
00:12:53I mean, they must, otherwise the French people are just walking around with wet hair,
00:12:56which seems...
00:12:59What?
00:13:01I'm just proud of you, that's all.
00:13:03Finally getting the shot you deserve.
00:13:08Now the legend says you meet your soulmate in this Christmas market, yeah?
00:13:13So should I plan for a plus one at Christmas dinner?
00:13:17There happens to be a doctor.
00:13:19Who's not too tall.
00:13:20Right.
00:13:30Ah, the sad eyes.
00:13:32Don't you dare.
00:13:34I'm only gone a week.
00:13:36And besides, you get to hang with Emma next door.
00:13:39I know she seeks you scraps under the table.
00:13:42Come in.
00:13:44Hi, Mark.
00:13:48Thanks.
00:13:49You'll take good care of my boy, right?
00:13:51I will.
00:13:52We're having spaghetti tonight.
00:13:54Wait.
00:13:55No spaghetti.
00:13:56Bye.
00:13:58Buddy, get special food.
00:14:00I made enough to last a week.
00:14:28So...
00:14:52I put together a strategy so we can hit the ground running.
00:14:55I came up with a comprehensive multi-point plan.
00:14:58Totally.
00:14:59I was thinking we could use the journal as our guide and recreate the activities that F and MaFleur did the night they met at Le Marché de Noël.
00:15:06You know, see things from their perspective, discover every little detail that brought them together.
00:15:12I scheduled it by day.
00:15:14I also scoured the journal for clues.
00:15:17That list is here.
00:15:19There's just one thing I can't figure out.
00:15:21F mentions that he would hide notes for MaFleur under a loose stone behind a glass, which translates to behind the ice, which doesn't even make sense.
00:15:30Neat.
00:15:31Can you at least pretend like you care about this?
00:15:34Look, I get all that.
00:15:36Really, I do.
00:15:38That's actually really well put together.
00:15:41But the way you're going about it, it makes you seem green.
00:15:45New.
00:15:46Fresh.
00:15:47I know what green means.
00:15:49Besides, I am all those things.
00:15:51Okay.
00:15:52So, how would you approach it?
00:15:56You know, being so wise and what's the opposite of green?
00:15:59Uh, ripe or spoiled?
00:16:02I prefer to let go of the plan.
00:16:05Wing it.
00:16:06Yeah.
00:16:07Uh, winging it isn't exactly my style.
00:16:09Clearly.
00:16:10Look, in this line of work, you need to develop a skill for adapting.
00:16:14Starting by adapting to your time zone.
00:16:17We're jet lagged and you didn't sleep at all on the plane, so...
00:16:20I was too excited on the plane.
00:16:21It was my first flight internationally, so I couldn't sleep.
00:16:25You're exhausted.
00:16:26I'm exhausted.
00:16:28A journalist who's falling asleep isn't any good to anybody, so let's close our eyes and get some rest, yeah?
00:16:35Okay.
00:16:36So once you have your beauty sleep, how do you suggest we find this couple?
00:16:40We find what we can online.
00:16:43And then we go boots on the ground.
00:16:45Someone in this town has to know what happened to the couple, so we play to the hearts and minds of the locals.
00:16:50Hearts and minds?
00:16:51It's a military term. We get them working for us.
00:16:54Gee, you don't have any experience working for the military?
00:16:57No.
00:16:58But I have nothing but respect and admiration for them.
00:17:01That was a rhetorical question.
00:17:03And I use rhetoric in my answer.
00:17:09For the record, the glass doesn't mean ice, it means ice cream.
00:17:13Behind the ice cream.
00:17:14Doesn't even make sense. Besides, words can have multiple meanings, you know.
00:17:19But which one will be right for this situation?
00:17:23It'll be ice cream.
00:17:45Christmas
00:17:54All this Christmas kitsch.
00:17:57Haven't been much, don't you think?
00:18:02Charming.
00:18:05You know, there's no way this F and Mothler are still together, right?
00:18:08Don't put that out there.
00:18:10What we say or do or think now isn't going to change what happened to this couple decades ago.
00:18:15Not with that attitude.
00:18:18So, clearly we have different approaches to this.
00:18:21You know, we don't necessarily have to work side by side on this.
00:18:26Yeah.
00:18:28Maybe it's more efficient if we split up, do things our own way, we cover more ground.
00:18:32Yeah, and I'm sure it'll be a more pleasant experience for the both of us.
00:18:36Okay, so where's your first step?
00:18:39Bed and breakfast. Specifically, the bed part.
00:18:42Perfect. You can take my bags.
00:18:44Okay.
00:18:53Go team.
00:19:10Ah, bonjour. I am Camille. Welcome to my inn.
00:19:16This is Sophie.
00:19:18Ma petite fille.
00:19:20My granddaughter. Checking in, monsieur?
00:19:22Yeah, hi, for Mark Webber and Leah.
00:19:28My colleague, Leah.
00:19:29Ah, the American reporters.
00:19:32You must be very tired after your long trip, no?
00:19:36Absolutely exhausted. Thank you for asking.
00:19:39Room 3.
00:20:06Bonjour.
00:20:07Bonjour.
00:20:09Vous voulez un chocolat chaud?
00:20:12Chocolat, chocolate.
00:20:14Chaud...
00:20:17Hot, hot chocolate. Yes, oui.
00:20:19Merci.
00:20:20Des marrons chauds pour vous?
00:20:22Ma... Okay.
00:20:25Oh, chestnuts.
00:20:26Oh, hot chestnuts. Okay, yes. Oui. Merci.
00:20:29Oh, madame avec un bonnet blanc là-bas, je sens que vous aimez le pain d'épices.
00:20:32Yeah, sure, whatever that is.
00:20:35Wow, Mark is really missing out.
00:20:40Non, merci.
00:20:43Hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts?
00:20:45It's, uh...
00:20:47Very kind of you. You could just sleep.
00:20:50Is it fun being a reporter?
00:20:54Yeah, sometimes it can be.
00:20:56I want to be a reporter when I grow up.
00:20:58Really?
00:20:59I'm very observant.
00:21:02I'll tell you what, I'll give you your first mission, okay?
00:21:05You be my eyes and ears here.
00:21:08And right now that means...
00:21:11Letting me sleep.
00:21:15And what if I find anything important?
00:21:19Well, if it's really important...
00:21:24You tell me...
00:21:27Later.
00:21:29Way after I wake up.
00:21:31Yes, sir. You can count on me.
00:21:36Au revoir.
00:21:38Records...
00:21:43Excuse me?
00:21:44Bonjour.
00:21:45Do you speak English?
00:21:46Yes.
00:21:47Yes, okay, good.
00:21:48Um, do you know where the Hall of Records is?
00:21:52Les Archives Départementales?
00:21:54Yes.
00:21:55Burned down in 1977.
00:21:57Anything prior to that was lost in the fire.
00:22:02Merci.
00:22:08Alright.
00:22:12Why?
00:22:17Hello, Sophie.
00:22:18Again?
00:22:20Sorry to bother you, but you told me to wake you up if I found anything important.
00:22:26I don't recall wording it exactly like that.
00:22:29I noticed your work partner still has not arrived.
00:22:32Then that's really important to you.
00:22:36It would be if I was in a new country with another reporter and she had not checked in for hours.
00:22:42And I cared about her well-being.
00:22:45I did a good job, no?
00:22:47Yeah.
00:22:48Sure.
00:22:49Good job, ghetto.
00:23:07Oh!
00:23:09Mademoiselle!
00:23:10Pardon.
00:23:11C'est n'importe quoi, ça!
00:23:12Monsieur!
00:23:15Oh, pardon.
00:23:17Pardon.
00:23:36Pardon.
00:23:58There you are.
00:24:00Come on, sleeping beauty.
00:24:02Let's get you back to the inn.
00:24:07Okay.
00:24:08Yeah.
00:24:09Come on.
00:24:10This way.
00:24:11This way.
00:24:12You alright?
00:24:17Did you find your perfectly average-height doctor?
00:24:20No, but the setting is perfect.
00:24:23The quaint stalls and the cobblestone streets.
00:24:26Whoa.
00:24:27Who's that?
00:24:28He's handsome.
00:24:29Oh, nothing.
00:24:30I gotta go, Mom.
00:24:31I love you.
00:24:32Bye.
00:24:34What's this I hear about the hunt for an average-height doctor?
00:24:37Bonjour.
00:24:40Would you like a pain au chocolat?
00:24:42Some coffee for me, please, Camille.
00:24:44Yeah, mine was delicious.
00:24:45Thank you, Camille.
00:24:46I see you've left no gifts for the gnomes last night.
00:24:50No, we have not.
00:24:53Should we have?
00:24:54If you don't leave any gifts, the gnomes, they will play tricks on you.
00:24:59What kind of gifts should we leave?
00:25:02Chocolates, toys, a macaron.
00:25:06Just leave it outside your bedroom door at night.
00:25:09And these gnomes, do they give good luck as well?
00:25:13If they're feeling friendly.
00:25:16Okay, that's about enough of that.
00:25:19We should get to work.
00:25:20Yes.
00:25:21Thank you for breakfast, Camille.
00:25:22Thank you too, Sophie.
00:25:24Oh, one more thing.
00:25:26What is the most common meaning of la glace?
00:25:31Ice cream.
00:25:33Si.
00:25:40So, I already looked at the Hall of Records.
00:25:43It's a dead end. Burned down before 1977.
00:25:45Wait, how did you know that?
00:25:46Well, while you were running yourself ragged yesterday, I got some rest and simply looked it up online.
00:25:51Because you could just Google things like a reporter.
00:25:54Okay, but maybe the records are archived regionally.
00:25:57Nope. Party check.
00:26:00What else is there on your agenda?
00:26:05Look, I know I said yesterday that we should work separately, but you are more experienced, so maybe there's a thing or two I could learn from you.
00:26:21Well, that was very brave, yet embarrassing of you to admit. I respect it.
00:26:27All right, well, don't make me regret it. Where do we start?
00:26:31With the tangible clues. Let me see the music box.
00:26:34F hired a woodworker to custom make this for ma fleur, right?
00:26:38And there's a symbol here on the top. If we can figure out what this means, maybe we can get somewhere with the story.
00:26:43I'm guessing you already Googled it.
00:26:45Hey, you're learning. Well done.
00:26:47Unfortunately, there's nothing available online.
00:26:50I had the tech department at the Post run some photo recognition software on it, which turned up exactly nothing.
00:26:55Which is why we are starting with an interview here.
00:26:58This is your first one, so you let me do the talking. I'll show you how it's done.
00:27:14Bonjour, monsieur.
00:27:16Parlez-vous anglais?
00:27:19Oui, I certainly do. Always happy for a chance to practice my English.
00:27:23Well, that's lucky for you, because my francais is pretty terrible.
00:27:28Hi, I'm Mark. This is Leah.
00:27:31Bonjour.
00:27:32Your work is beautiful.
00:27:33Merci. Bernard Dubois. Welcome to mon atelier.
00:27:37So this box was made here in Petit-Morchon sometime in the 1950s.
00:27:45Do you recognize it? Do you know anything about it?
00:27:49Excellent artisana. The English escapes me.
00:27:55Craftsmanship.
00:27:56Oui, voilà. Merci.
00:27:59I can't not tell you much.
00:28:03This symbol is likely the mark of the woodworker who made it, but not one that I recognize.
00:28:11Do the names F and Muffler mean anything to you?
00:28:17I apologize. I can not be of more aid.
00:28:23Aid, aid. You're apologizing for not being able to help.
00:28:26Help.
00:28:27Help.
00:28:28Merci beaucoup, mademoiselle.
00:28:30Oh, one more thing.
00:28:31Do you believe in the legend that you're destined to meet your soulmate at the Marche de Noël?
00:28:37I have seen many people fall in love here.
00:28:40My parents fell in love at the Marche de Noël.
00:28:42My brother.
00:28:44I haven't found my love yet, but I believe she's on her way.
00:28:48I'm always late, so it makes sense that she would be too.
00:28:53Ah, time to go.
00:28:54Thank you so much, Bernard. Nice to meet you.
00:28:56Bye.
00:28:57Au revoir.
00:28:59So, that's how it's done, huh?
00:29:03Every lead we check off is a step closer.
00:29:06Mm-hmm. Well, it seems like there might be something to this legend. After all, people do fall in love here.
00:29:11And how much tourism does that little legend bring to town? I'm sure they're all very happy to perpetuate it.
00:29:17Is that an act back there? Do you just pretend to be charming to get your way?
00:29:21No. I am charming, just when it suits me.
00:29:25I am charming, just when it suits me.
00:29:28Oh.
00:29:29There's a difference.
00:29:32Okay. If you say so.
00:29:44This music box, do you recognize it? Do you know anything about it?
00:29:47We work in a newspaper, and we are writing an article about Le Marché.
00:29:51No, no, no. We're not looking to buy. We're journalists.
00:29:54We were wondering if we could ask you a few questions about your show.
00:29:56We're looking for a loose stone below the glass.
00:30:00Can you tell us anything about, uh...
00:30:02We were hoping we could ask you a few questions about your...
00:30:05May we ask you a few questions?
00:30:06Do you mind if I take a look around?
00:30:09Look, I know you're the pro, but how do you feel about switching strategies?
00:30:13Hey, you know what? You think you could do better than establish protocol, be my guest.
00:30:18Really?
00:30:19Really.
00:30:20And you'll go along with it?
00:30:21I will go along with it.
00:30:24You won't regret it. You might actually have some fun.
00:30:26So, I'm thinking we go back to our original plan, do what F.N. Muffler did the night they met,
00:30:32see things from their perspective.
00:30:33I really think if we can recreate the night, you know, that perfect moment, we can unlock the story.
00:30:42Cool. I'm glad you're on board.
00:30:47Bonjour.
00:30:48Uh, so, F.N. Muffler met when he was dancing with his friends by the musicians,
00:30:53and, uh, she walked by and he accidentally knocked a pomme d'amour out of her hand.
00:30:58Pomme d'amour?
00:30:59Apple of love. That's what they call it. Can't eat apples here.
00:31:03Cute.
00:31:04I know. Do you want one?
00:31:05No.
00:31:07One, please.
00:31:10Merci.
00:31:11Okay, so now you, uh, you go and dance, and when I walk by, you knock this out of my hand.
00:31:19You said you'd go along with this.
00:31:21Okay.
00:31:23Go. Okay.
00:31:24Okay.
00:31:33Come on, I know you can bust a move. Just...
00:31:36Okay, what kind of dance do you know?
00:31:38I danced ballroom.
00:31:41Briefly. In high school. I will not explain further.
00:31:44Okay, uh, then ballroom, and knock this out of my hand.
00:31:51Okay.
00:32:01Toast.
00:32:02We should go.
00:32:03We should go right now.
00:32:06So that was the perfect moment. I can't eat apple.
00:32:09Not just. They went on a walk after a meeting to get to know each other better, and then they shared their first kiss in front of the big tree.
00:32:20It's beautiful.
00:32:21It's a tree?
00:32:23What's your deal with Christmas?
00:32:25What do you mean?
00:32:27Anytime anyone brings up anything about Christmas, you get all pessimistic, and not just, like, neutral. You become such a downer about it.
00:32:35There's something going on there.
00:32:36You know what?
00:32:38I'm gonna turn this around for you. I have faith.
00:32:41Okay.
00:32:42This is our perfect moment.
00:32:44Dip me.
00:32:45What?
00:32:47I have to dip my flirt in front of the big tree, and then they shared their first kiss, so dip me.
00:32:52No kiss necessary.
00:32:54Do you have to make fun of your ballroom dancing?
00:32:56Do I have to make fun of your quest for a short doctor?
00:32:59Average. I said average height.
00:33:01Come on.
00:33:03Get to dancing.
00:33:04Come on.
00:33:06Get to dipping.
00:33:25That's the symbol.
00:33:35See?
00:33:36I told you.
00:33:37It worked.
00:33:39It's the same woodworker symbol.
00:33:41Whomever made this stand must have custom-made the music box for our painter, right?
00:33:46Exactly.
00:33:48Except it's whoever, not whomever.
00:33:51Subject pronoun, not object pronoun.
00:33:53Um, I'm gonna take the lead on this one.
00:33:55I found the clues that brought us here, so...
00:33:58Bonjour.
00:33:59Bonjour.
00:34:00Oh, what a cute dog.
00:34:02Bonjour.
00:34:03Oh, what a cute couple you two are.
00:34:06I know.
00:34:07I have the perfect cookie for the perfect night.
00:34:09Tell me your names, I'll make one special for you.
00:34:11Yes, except we are not together.
00:34:13I mean, we are technically together as we are here together, but we are not a couple.
00:34:18Coworkers.
00:34:19Coworkers.
00:34:20I don't know.
00:34:21I can see the Christmas market at work here.
00:34:23Perhaps more than coworkers soon enough.
00:34:25Right.
00:34:26So, we work at a newspaper, and we are writing an article about the market.
00:34:29May we ask you a few questions?
00:34:31I don't.
00:34:32I would love to help, but Christmas is our busiest time of the year at the bakery.
00:34:36I'm afraid I'm out of time.
00:34:38Just, like, a few seconds.
00:34:40S'il vous plaît.
00:34:41Madame, je suis vraiment désolé.
00:34:42As you can see, it's crowded.
00:34:43There's so many people.
00:34:44I cannot do this.
00:34:45I'm sorry.
00:34:48I love that big one in the back.
00:34:50Could you personalize it for us?
00:34:52Leah and Mark with a K.
00:34:54Excellent choix.
00:34:55Mark with a K, right away.
00:34:58Say, mate, how long has this stand been around?
00:35:00Oh, we've had the bakery since just after the Second World War.
00:35:04Been in my family since my grandfather built this stand.
00:35:08He built it himself.
00:35:10That's impressive.
00:35:11Oh, he was an impressive man.
00:35:12Baker, woodworker, carpenter.
00:35:15You know, he loved working with his hands.
00:35:18And this symbol up here.
00:35:20Can you tell us anything about that?
00:35:22And here you are, Mark with a K.
00:35:24Sorry, very busy.
00:35:26That'll be each of us.
00:35:28You know, we forgot to get one for Sophie at the inn.
00:35:32Can we get another one for Sophie, please?
00:35:34Right away, sir.
00:35:35Sophie.
00:35:38Alors, le symbole.
00:35:41It was actually my grandfather's trademark.
00:35:43It was the best in town, you know.
00:35:45La crème de la crème, comme on dit ici.
00:35:47That's how people knew they were buying quality.
00:35:50Et voilà le travail.
00:35:51Here you are.
00:35:54Suivant.
00:35:55Actually, you know what?
00:35:56That one in the back looks really good.
00:35:59And your grandfather, did he put that symbol on everything that he made?
00:36:03Oh, yes, he did.
00:36:04Grand-père would hide the recipient's name on everything he sold for them to find.
00:36:08That was his little game, you know.
00:36:10If he made a gift for you, he would have hidden Mark with a K.
00:36:14You know what?
00:36:15We'll take this whole row right here.
00:36:19Your grandfather, he didn't keep sales records, did he?
00:36:22Oh, no.
00:36:23All gone years ago.
00:36:25That'll be 75 euros.
00:36:28Wow.
00:36:29It's so nice to meet you.
00:36:31Pay the man.
00:36:36You know, it's funny.
00:36:37Snow, the cobblestone streets, your doctor.
00:36:42Reminds me of this kid's book my mom used to read me when I was little.
00:36:45The Doctor and the Maid?
00:36:47You know it?
00:36:49Yeah.
00:36:50It's my favorite book.
00:36:52That was my mom's favorite, too.
00:36:55Hmm.
00:37:25Hmm.
00:37:57So...
00:37:59It took me a while to find.
00:38:01But do you remember,
00:38:03he said his grandfather would engrave the name of the person the piece was made for.
00:38:09And so...
00:38:11Voila.
00:38:13Ava Auclair.
00:38:14Our muffler.
00:38:16Well done.
00:38:18And just like you, I use the internet.
00:38:20And according to recent census records, there are no Auclairs currently living in town.
00:38:25But I did find this.
00:38:31A photograph labeled Ava Auclair, Petit Marchand, 1955.
00:38:37Photographer uncredited.
00:38:39You did good.
00:38:42Well.
00:38:43I did well.
00:38:47Good is an adjective, well is an adverb.
00:38:49Just take the compliment.
00:38:52Good.
00:38:53I did good.
00:38:56Voila.
00:38:58And for you, Léa?
00:39:00A croissant au chocolat, s'il vous plaît.
00:39:06So.
00:39:07Do you see the townhome in the picture?
00:39:10It's a much less abstract version of the one in the painting.
00:39:14It looks like the townhomes by the cathedral.
00:39:17Well.
00:39:18The street with all the Christmas lights.
00:39:21Thank you, Sophie.
00:39:22That's actually very helpful.
00:39:24Observant.
00:39:25Sign of a good reporter.
00:39:27Merci.
00:39:28De rien.
00:39:29In France, we have chocolate for breakfast.
00:39:38The salt.
00:39:39That's salt.
00:39:41The silly gnomes.
00:39:44I'm guessing you didn't leave any gift for them.
00:39:48Hmm.
00:39:55It's like this building doesn't exist.
00:39:58I mean, none of them quite line up.
00:40:00Yeah, and we've been out all afternoon.
00:40:02So at what point do we just say it's a dead end and move on?
00:40:05You know what?
00:40:06Maybe the journal might help.
00:40:08Let's see.
00:40:09So.
00:40:10On the second day of the market,
00:40:12the two young lovers
00:40:15rode a horse-drawn carriage
00:40:18to see the Christmas lights.
00:40:19What do you say?
00:40:20Worked for us last night?
00:40:21No, last night was pure luck.
00:40:23And we checked every house in the area.
00:40:25It's not going to magically change if we take a carriage ride.
00:40:29Père Noël and Santa Claus.
00:40:35Why do these kids keep picking me?
00:40:37Minnie.
00:40:38Minnie.
00:40:39Minnie.
00:40:42Well, it's not exactly a horse-drawn carriage,
00:40:45but it'll do.
00:40:46At least I can practice my princess wave.
00:40:50You look like a homecoming queen.
00:40:52Yeah, well, my mom wanted me to be a homecoming queen.
00:40:54Imagine her disappointment when I ended up doing model UN.
00:40:57Nerd.
00:40:58Hey.
00:40:59No, no, no.
00:41:00I'm only saying that because you were talking to
00:41:02a delegate Mark Webber,
00:41:04UN ambassador to the United Kingdom.
00:41:06Hi there.
00:41:07How you doing?
00:41:08I went to a national conference,
00:41:09did a whole speech on nuclear non-proliferation,
00:41:12got ripped to shreds.
00:41:15Nuclear non-proliferation was my subject.
00:41:18I knew you were a nerd.
00:41:20And that you were my kind of nerd.
00:41:24I could see how this setting would be romantic
00:41:26under different circumstances.
00:41:29Different as in with a handsome doctor
00:41:32instead of your grumpy, butt-charming co-worker?
00:41:35Ideally.
00:41:36See, you're pretty sold on the whole love story thing.
00:41:40Mind if I ask where that comes from?
00:41:42Uh, my dad passed away when I was a kid.
00:41:46You know, and he left my mom with five children
00:41:49under the age of nine.
00:41:50It was really hard for her and really tough on us.
00:41:54I'm sorry.
00:41:56But he's the reason I believe in true love.
00:41:58The way my mom talks about him.
00:42:00But they never got their happy ending, so...
00:42:03I guess I've always been looking for it.
00:42:09Have you ever been in love?
00:42:12Once.
00:42:14Didn't work out.
00:42:16Why not?
00:42:19I always wanted a big family.
00:42:21She didn't.
00:42:22What an exploration day on things.
00:42:24I always kind of pictured you as a loner.
00:42:27With surprises.
00:42:30Excuse me, sir.
00:42:31Stop the trolley!
00:42:42Show me the picture.
00:42:44That's it, right?
00:42:45That's the door.
00:42:47Yes.
00:42:48Well done, Delegate Weber.
00:43:00Bonjour, mon chéri.
00:43:02Hi, my name is Mark.
00:43:04This is Leah.
00:43:05Bonjour.
00:43:06They call me Marguerite.
00:43:07We were hoping we could ask a few questions
00:43:09about your lovely townhome.
00:43:11Mon bijou.
00:43:13I'm not interested in selling.
00:43:14I'm sorry.
00:43:15No, no, no.
00:43:16We're not looking to buy.
00:43:17We're journalists from the U.S.
00:43:19Journalists?
00:43:20How intriguing.
00:43:21It's a very busy time for me, I'm afraid.
00:43:24I'm in the middle of wrapping Christmas gifts
00:43:26for my nieces and nephews.
00:43:28Oh.
00:43:29And there are many.
00:43:30So many.
00:43:32Au revoir.
00:43:33I'm actually really great at wrapping gifts.
00:43:36And we would be happy to help.
00:43:37Wouldn't we, Mark?
00:43:39I love it.
00:43:41It's my favorite pastime.
00:43:43So kind.
00:43:44So generous.
00:43:47Come in.
00:43:48Come in.
00:43:49Hearts and minds.
00:43:53I'm one of six children,
00:43:55and they have all decided to make many little babies.
00:43:58I'm the oldest of five, so I get it.
00:44:02So tell me,
00:44:03what brings two beautiful, fancy American reporters
00:44:06all the way to ma petite maison?
00:44:08Oh, well, a photograph of a girl in front of this townhome.
00:44:13Do you happen to know anything about Ava Eau Claire?
00:44:16Mais oui.
00:44:17Oui?
00:44:18My parents bought this home from a family Eau Claire
00:44:21a long time ago.
00:44:22I was not here yet.
00:44:23A star in heaven waiting to make my entrance.
00:44:27And did your parents happen to mention anything
00:44:31about the Eau Claires to you?
00:44:33Not much.
00:44:35I only know that they used to own the ice cream shop in town.
00:44:40Le Glacier.
00:44:41Ice cream shop?
00:44:43Mm-hmm.
00:44:44Because that's what I heard was ice cream.
00:44:46I just want to, seems like it was important.
00:44:48Yeah.
00:44:49You mind if I take a look around?
00:44:51Oh, feel free.
00:44:52Thanks.
00:44:53Each item was acquired over a lifetime of holidays.
00:44:58Is there anything left in the house from the Eau Claires?
00:45:01I cannot imagine anything but the walls, the windows,
00:45:04the floors beneath us.
00:45:06Do you believe in the legend, Marguerite,
00:45:10that you're destined to meet your soulmate
00:45:13at the Marche de Noël?
00:45:15Oh, mes filles.
00:45:18For me, it is not real.
00:45:21Every year, I sat on the bench in the middle of Le Marché,
00:45:25waiting for my prince charming to whisk me away.
00:45:29He never did.
00:45:32I haven't been in years.
00:45:34Perhaps Le Marché and perhaps love are not for me.
00:45:39But what if your prince is just around the corner?
00:45:43You shouldn't give up on love, especially around Christmas.
00:45:47Apologies, Marguerite.
00:45:49Leah has a very idealistic view of romance.
00:45:53Oh, my darling, so do I.
00:45:57Even as a little girl, I imagine that my love, mon amour,
00:46:01lived in this house here.
00:46:04And that this was my house, just over the bridge.
00:46:09Well, there's your problem.
00:46:11The bridge isn't big enough to go over the water.
00:46:13I have over many bridges over the years.
00:46:16Too big, too small.
00:46:18Not quite the right size.
00:46:20I actually think I know someone who can help you.
00:46:29What?
00:46:31You are full of surprises.
00:46:33Okay, I told you.
00:46:35So, what did F.N. Muffler do next?
00:46:38I'm not sure how to explain it,
00:46:40but I admit your strategy's been working for us.
00:46:43Okay.
00:46:45Well, after the vote,
00:46:47they danced to the music of the street musicians.
00:46:51Am I going to regret this?
00:46:53Come on, let's put your ballroom moves to good use.
00:47:04It was nice of you to set up Marguerite and Bernard.
00:47:09Eh, she needed a bridge.
00:47:12Now, Mark Webber, don't deny it.
00:47:14We knew what you were doing.
00:47:16Well, maybe, maybe your positivity
00:47:18might actually be rubbing off on me.
00:47:23Believe it or not, I did get into journalism to help people.
00:47:26Really?
00:47:27Was it that hard to believe
00:47:29that Moody Mark might actually care about something?
00:47:32Yeah.
00:47:34Don't worry, I know people call me that.
00:47:37In fact, I started it,
00:47:39so everyone would leave me alone and let me write.
00:47:42Interesting tactic.
00:47:46Okay?
00:47:47Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
00:47:48All right.
00:47:54I spent a lot of time over the years
00:47:56telling stories for people
00:47:58who were capable of telling their own.
00:48:01After all that, coming back to the office,
00:48:04taking small talk, it felt superficial.
00:48:08So I became Moody Mark.
00:48:11People don't bother Moody Mark.
00:48:13They let me come and go, do my work.
00:48:16It's easier that way.
00:48:20Yeah, I could see how a puff piece like this
00:48:24would feel frivolous in comparison.
00:48:26For me, it was beautiful stories like these,
00:48:28and it kept me going.
00:48:30When my mom was working,
00:48:32I would tell my younger siblings
00:48:34uplifting stories from the post,
00:48:36especially around Christmas.
00:48:38I've seen firsthand how a little joy
00:48:42and a little hope can make a difference in someone's life.
00:48:45I always dreamt of having my name printed next to them.
00:48:51My parents divorced when I was young,
00:48:53and I was an only child.
00:48:55I always wondered what Christmas would be like for a big family.
00:48:58Well, it may be a shock to your system,
00:49:01but you're always welcome to ours.
00:49:03I'm hosting this year.
00:49:05Okay, it just might take you a while.
00:49:07Yeah, okay.
00:49:14We should, uh...
00:49:16I mean, it's getting late, so we should go rest.
00:49:19Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:49:20After you.
00:49:34For the gnomes.
00:49:40Good night.
00:49:42Leah.
00:49:46Good night.
00:49:48Good night.
00:50:04Good night.
00:50:16Why does your face look like that?
00:50:20Shouldn't you be in sleep?
00:50:23I'm French. I stay up late.
00:50:28Tell me, Sophie, why do you want to be a reporter, anyway?
00:50:32To know why things are the way they are.
00:50:34And I like to ask questions.
00:50:36You know, that's actually a really good strategy.
00:50:40You ask why until you can't ask why anymore,
00:50:44and then you've gotten to the bottom of the story.
00:50:48You remind me of me when I was a kid.
00:50:51I liked to ask annoying questions, too.
00:50:54And now you don't like anything or...
00:50:59Touché.
00:51:01Thanks for the cookie with my name, by the way.
00:51:04It wasn't me.
00:51:05Leah said it was.
00:51:07Leah's wrong.
00:51:08Leah's nice and beautiful.
00:51:10No?
00:51:11Okay. Good night, Sophie.
00:51:13You should leave guilt for the gnomes.
00:51:16Maybe they can help you.
00:51:18Good night, Sophie.
00:51:29Did you see Samantha's e-mail?
00:51:31She wants to know if we have anything yet.
00:51:33What do we tell her?
00:51:34Don't worry about Samantha.
00:51:35She's like this on every article.
00:51:37We're fine. We're on the right track.
00:51:39Voilà.
00:51:40Oh.
00:51:41Chocolate croissant?
00:51:42Oui.
00:51:43Marc ordered it for you.
00:51:45In France, we eat chocolate for breakfast, right?
00:51:48Mm.
00:51:49And nothing for me, Camille. Thank you.
00:51:51Wouldn't want the gnomes to play another trick on us.
00:51:54And nothing for me, Camille. Thank you.
00:51:55Wouldn't want the gnomes to play another trick on me this morning.
00:51:59Mm.
00:52:00I don't usually only have coffee for breakfast,
00:52:03but you need to try this. It's delicious.
00:52:05I'm good, thank you, but I...
00:52:08I know you thrive on being no fun.
00:52:10Just try it.
00:52:12Trust me. Just try it.
00:52:14Mm.
00:52:18Oh, wow.
00:52:20Oh, wow. That is good.
00:52:22Sophie, I'm going to need like two or three dozen more.
00:52:26See, I knew you'd like it. Come on.
00:52:29Let's go for hot chocolate.
00:52:31Go ahead.
00:52:37Not the gnomes.
00:52:39How did they find me?
00:52:46Mm.
00:52:52You think the ice cream shop has pastries, too?
00:52:55Yeah. Yeah, I would think so.
00:52:57Mm.
00:52:59Maman, regarde, c'est le parfaitard.
00:53:05Why do kids keep saying that to me?
00:53:07I don't know. It's weird.
00:53:09Oh.
00:53:15Oh, bienvenue.
00:53:16Hello.
00:53:17Bonjour.
00:53:18Bonjour.
00:53:19Some ice cream?
00:53:20Or a crepe?
00:53:21Or perhaps a hot chocolate?
00:53:23I will have a hot chocolate.
00:53:24Me too.
00:53:25Okay.
00:53:26Sounds good.
00:53:29Actually, we had some questions about your shop,
00:53:32if you don't mind.
00:53:34No, we don't mind at all.
00:53:35It would be a pleasure.
00:53:37Can you tell us anything about the Eau Claire's?
00:53:40They used to own the shop previously.
00:53:42Oh, that was so long ago.
00:53:47They were nice people, I recall.
00:53:49I believe they moved away from Petit Marchand.
00:53:53Beyond that, I don't know.
00:53:55Did you ever know their daughter, Eva Eau Claire?
00:54:01I did not.
00:54:02No.
00:54:03But that takes me back.
00:54:05Do you remember, Vivienne?
00:54:06We were young and newly married when we bought this shop.
00:54:10We fell in love right there at Le Marché de Noël.
00:54:14And we wanted so desperately to own a piece of the town.
00:54:19Between everyone here,
00:54:21do you all believe in the legend of the town?
00:54:24Well, we have a first-hand account right here.
00:54:26What else do you need?
00:54:28Pierre and I had been at school together.
00:54:31He was, how you say, bookish.
00:54:36And I was a bit wild.
00:54:39I never gave him a glance.
00:54:41She was intimidating for a quiet boy like me.
00:54:46And it was there, at the market.
00:54:49He was working the pretzel stand for his uncle,
00:54:53and I saw him in a different light.
00:54:57The magic of the market.
00:55:00Is it magic, though?
00:55:05Who's to say you wouldn't have met and fallen in love someplace else?
00:55:09I believe there is magic.
00:55:11Or maybe there's a placebo effect.
00:55:15If you expect to meet your partner, the odds of it happening go up.
00:55:20Placebo or not, we are all very happy.
00:55:24Absolutely no argument there.
00:55:28Thank you so much for your time and this delicious hot chocolate.
00:55:31But before we go,
00:55:33since la glace means ice cream, and we all know la glace means ice cream,
00:55:38we're looking for a loose stone below la glace.
00:55:42Does that mean anything to you?
00:55:44No.
00:55:45I'm afraid not.
00:55:49Bummer.
00:55:54So, what do you think?
00:55:57Is this legend still a publicity stunt?
00:56:01They seem like the real deal.
00:56:03I think you may be cracking, Mark Webber.
00:56:05What is that? Is that a way out of this conversation?
00:56:13Hold on.
00:56:15This is Le Père Fruitard. This is what these kids keep calling him.
00:56:19I guess so.
00:56:21What even is Le Père Fruitard?
00:56:24In France, he is known for accompanying Santa and dispensing whippings to naughty children.
00:56:33Come on.
00:56:35I mean, you kind of give off a vibe.
00:56:37There is a vast difference between moody Mark and whatever that is.
00:56:43Here, try the cloak on.
00:56:45Do you mind? Thank you.
00:56:53It's way different.
00:56:56Yeah, you're right. I don't see it.
00:56:59Children! Children! Le Père Fruitard! Le Père Fruitard!
00:57:02You better be nice or you're all getting cold this year.
00:57:09Oh, okay. We got to go. We need to go right now.
00:57:12Oh, excuse me.
00:57:23Tourist!
00:57:36So, okay, it's right here, outside of this cathedral, after knowing each other for only three days, that F proposed to Muffler.
00:57:46Three days. You don't think that's a little quick?
00:57:49Do you have a timeline on true love? When you know, you know.
00:57:52No, I think true love takes time. Trust. Pragmatism.
00:57:57Ah, yes. The key to every woman's heart. Pragmatism.
00:58:02So, I'm not proposing to you, for the record.
00:58:04Understood. And agreed. When I get proposed to, I want it to be for real.
00:58:11So, what's next?
00:58:13Well, to celebrate their engagement, they rode the carousel, but we could just skip that.
00:58:18That's it? You've made me do every activity so far, and you don't want to go to a carousel?
00:58:24Well, you're generally pretty opposed to the concept of fun, so we could just let it go.
00:58:29No, absolutely not. What would you possibly have against carousels?
00:58:33I just get terrible motion sickness, and I don't love horses.
00:58:38Wouldn't the doctor ride a horse in The Doctor and the Maid?
00:58:41You got to face that fear sometime. Come on, maybe it'll lead to a perfect moment.
00:58:47Come on. Let's go.
00:58:51Okay, I guess you've been a good sport, so it goes both ways.
00:58:56I think so.
00:58:58Hello. Hello.
00:58:59Can we ride?
00:59:01After you.
00:59:03Excellent choice.
00:59:11Okay. Wow. Wow.
00:59:17This is actually fun. Thank you for the extra push.
00:59:20Hey, you have been making me do things around town all week.
00:59:23Thinkin' how we're even.
00:59:25Fair enough. You can have this one.
00:59:28Oh, oh, what was that? Can I have this one?
00:59:32You may have this one.
00:59:34Ah, the student becomes the master.
00:59:42Okay. Merci.
00:59:47Okay.
00:59:51So, what next?
00:59:52Uh, well, F gave Mafler an ornament as a placeholder until he could get a ring.
00:59:59Okay. So, the ornament stand, then?
01:00:02Yes.
01:00:03Let's go.
01:00:04Yes.
01:00:06This reminds me of my mom. She's big into crafting.
01:00:09Oh, yeah?
01:00:10Mm-hmm.
01:00:11What would she craft?
01:00:12Everything.
01:00:13Um, jewelry, journals, dolls, sock monkeys.
01:00:17She would take us to thrift stores as children and help us sew beads and patches on our clothes to make them our own.
01:00:24I used to think that she was just encouraging our creativity, but then when I got older, I realized she was struggling to pay the bills.
01:00:32Anything she could DIY, she did.
01:00:35She sounds incredible.
01:00:37Yeah, she is. Don't let me fool you. She's a spitfire.
01:00:41Ah, we'll take this for your mother.
01:00:44And this as well.
01:00:47It should make the gnomes happy for once.
01:00:49Sure.
01:00:55Merci.
01:00:58Thank you. She'll love that.
01:01:00You're welcome.
01:01:01Thanks.
01:01:03It's pretty.
01:01:31Help a guy out, gnomes.
01:01:41Help a guy out, gnomes.
01:02:01Thanks for meeting me here.
01:02:04Well, you look festive.
01:02:06Thanks.
01:02:07I'm trying to get these kids to lay off me.
01:02:09Not sure how much more my shins can take.
01:02:11Well, I like it.
01:02:13So, uh, FMI Fleur decided to meet here at midnight to exchange vows before running away,
01:02:19and then he was planning on giving her his gifts, the painting and the music box, that night.
01:02:26But that is where the journal ends.
01:02:29Well, everything's been leading here, it seems.
01:02:31I guess so.
01:02:33No pressure, right?
01:02:36Hey, what's up?
01:02:41You okay?
01:02:43Yeah.
01:02:48Wow.
01:02:49This is amazing.
01:02:53Everything in the U.S. was built like yesterday in comparison.
01:02:58Sometimes I forget you're seeing this all for the first time.
01:03:01Really?
01:03:02No, you remind me constantly.
01:03:05Well, I'm still green, right?
01:03:08Maybe not as much as I thought.
01:03:11I'll admit, I doubted you, pretty much at every step right from the start.
01:03:17But, kind of hard to argue with your results, so.
01:03:20So you tell me, where do we go from here?
01:03:26Well, uh, there has to be something in this cathedral, right?
01:03:31Something that could help us break this story.
01:03:33Hmm.
01:03:38What does La Glace mean?
01:03:43Just, just do it.
01:03:46I think we all know it means ice cream.
01:03:49Yes, and?
01:03:52Oh, ice, wow.
01:03:54And?
01:03:57Mirror.
01:04:04Below the mirror.
01:04:13You're welcome.
01:04:34Can I help you?
01:04:37Um, actually yes, yes.
01:04:39I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me about the nativity.
01:04:47Over there.
01:04:48Yes.
01:04:49Yeah, yes, great.
01:04:50We'll just be a second, honey.
01:04:52Why don't you light a candle for me?
01:04:54Got it.
01:05:04Hmm.
01:05:08Uh, so I, I was hoping that you could tell me who these people are.
01:05:14Yes.
01:05:15Obviously that's Mary and the baby Jesus.
01:05:18Oui, and Joseph, ici.
01:05:20Oh, yeah.
01:05:23And, oh, uh, and who is, who is this?
01:05:28Uh, that's a shepherd, madame.
01:05:29Oh.
01:05:34And what's, what's he got there?
01:05:37That's a sheep, madame.
01:05:39Fascinating.
01:05:40And, uh, what, what's, uh, this?
01:05:44This is another sheep.
01:05:54And, uh, that guy in the back over there, that's?
01:05:57The third wise man.
01:05:58Oh, yeah.
01:06:00To my love, ma fleur, never showed up, waited for hours, broke my heart.
01:06:08Forever yours, F.
01:06:11F.
01:06:27Yeah, and then, obviously, that is?
01:06:29Joseph.
01:06:30Yep.
01:06:31Hey, honey.
01:06:32Are you, are you ready to hang out?
01:06:34Yes.
01:06:35Uh, thank you so much.
01:06:38Uh, yeah, uh, very informative.
01:06:42I've learned, learned a lot.
01:06:44Merci.
01:06:45Um, joyeux Noël.
01:06:47Joyeux Noël.
01:06:49So did you find it?
01:06:52Yeah.
01:06:53See, I knew it was the right way to go.
01:06:55Well, yeah, I have some bad news.
01:06:59Bad news?
01:07:00What, was it stuck?
01:07:03Was it empty?
01:07:05Yeah.
01:07:08Yeah, it was empty.
01:07:10Sorry.
01:07:12Well, okay, well, that doesn't necessarily mean anything, though, right?
01:07:15They would have gotten rid of it eventually and we can just find something else, that's all.
01:07:20Yeah, I'm not sure we're going to find what we're looking for in the next few hours.
01:07:23Yeah, but we haven't exhausted all of our resources yet.
01:07:26I mean, we can talk to some more people.
01:07:28Somebody's going to know something.
01:07:30Maybe, maybe our time is better spent regrouping.
01:07:36Uh, well, I'm not going to give up on their love that easily.
01:07:40Especially not now.
01:07:44Okay, look, I'm going to go find something else.
01:07:47You can come with me or not.
01:07:52I'm going to head back to the inn.
01:07:55See if there's something I can salvage.
01:07:59Great.
01:08:00Go team.
01:08:07I appreciate you letting me stop by.
01:08:11Well, I had no idea there was so much in the attic.
01:08:15Thank you for letting me look through it.
01:08:17My pleasure.
01:08:18So take your time and if you need me, I'm upstairs.
01:08:21Okay.
01:08:22Okay?
01:08:24Merci.
01:08:29That's a new face.
01:08:31I don't like it.
01:08:33Yeah, well, I don't think we're going to find the happy ending we've been looking for.
01:08:38Maybe I can help.
01:08:40I'll investigate.
01:08:42Why won't you find your happy ending?
01:08:46It says it right here.
01:08:49Eva stood him up, broke his heart.
01:08:52He waited for hours, but she never showed up, so he wrote her a letter on the last page of this journal.
01:08:58He waited for hours, but she never showed up, so he wrote her a letter on the last page of this journal.
01:09:03Left it for her to find, pleading for her to change her mind, but she never came.
01:09:12Why?
01:09:15Probably because she realized it would be ridiculous for two teenagers to run away together after just a few days.
01:09:21But it would have been a really good story.
01:09:26Why?
01:09:28Everyone loves a love story, right?
01:09:31I think Leah would have written it really well.
01:09:34I see.
01:09:36Why?
01:09:38I just know how much she cares about it.
01:09:42She believed this couple was together so much, she almost had me believing it.
01:09:48She must be really sad they broke up then.
01:09:51I haven't told her yet.
01:09:53I haven't had the heart to.
01:09:55She puts so much faith in the magic of this town, in true love.
01:10:02I guess I didn't want to break her heart.
01:10:04And why?
01:10:25I love you.
01:10:56It's kind of hard to write a feel-good story without a feel-good ending.
01:11:02How about you?
01:11:04Will the find-anything use your magic?
01:11:06Yes, about that.
01:11:09The name Phillip makes the F sound.
01:11:13When you say Phillip, you mean Phillip.
01:11:16Phillip.
01:11:17Phillip.
01:11:18Phillip.
01:11:19Phillip.
01:11:20Phillip.
01:11:21Phillip.
01:11:22The name Phillip makes the F sound.
01:11:25So, maybe they eloped and then got married later.
01:11:34This is a British army uniform.
01:11:36His last name is Bancroft, my painter's French.
01:11:38Maybe they moved to the UK and he changed his name.
01:11:41Okay, I think it's time to start being realistic here.
01:11:43We're talking about two teenagers from half a century ago.
01:11:47My parents got married as teenagers and they'd still be together if he hadn't...
01:11:51Look, I'm sure we have a contact in London, okay?
01:11:53We can find them.
01:11:54I'll call Samantha.
01:11:56Leah, it's not him.
01:11:59They didn't elope.
01:12:01They didn't end up together at all.
01:12:02And I'm sorry.
01:12:04I really shouldn't have let you take it this far.
01:12:07Let me.
01:12:10I found the missing pages to the journal.
01:12:14F wrote Ava a letter and left it for her.
01:12:17She stood him up.
01:12:22Where was this?
01:12:24I found it in the church.
01:12:27But you said it was empty.
01:12:30You were so enthusiastic about it.
01:12:32I didn't want to mess that up.
01:12:34I thought maybe you...
01:12:35So, you just lied to me?
01:12:37You know that I'm a journalist, right?
01:12:39And more than anything, I want the truth.
01:12:41God, it feels like we have been on a magical scavenger hunt for the last week.
01:12:45We are chasing some impossible dream instead of seeing what is right in front of us.
01:12:50What's in front of me is a jaded reporter who'd rather be dishonest than helpful.
01:12:54Look, I knew you were moody, okay?
01:12:56But I just... I didn't think you were manipulative.
01:12:59Okay.
01:13:02I'm the senior reporter here and I should have reeled this in a long time ago, so I'm calling it now.
01:13:06It is time to pack up and go home.
01:13:08Great, so you're just quitting?
01:13:10Better than sitting around and waiting for something that is literally never going to happen.
01:13:15You want to be a good reporter, Leah?
01:13:17Here's a tip.
01:13:18Expect the worst.
01:13:20It's always the worst.
01:13:40What are you looking at?
01:13:44What are you all looking at?
01:13:46There's no need to yell.
01:13:48Well, we're right here.
01:13:51Now's not the time, Sophie.
01:13:53It's not Sophie. It's the gnomes.
01:13:57That's enough, Sophie.
01:14:00I'm tired of games. I'm tired of fairy tales.
01:14:04It's over, gnome.
01:14:07It's only over if you say it's over.
01:14:10If you stop now, you're not even giving a happy ending a chance.
01:14:16That's actually pretty insightful.
01:14:19For a gnome.
01:14:22It was me the whole time.
01:14:23Oh, wow. No way.
01:14:27As your co-reporter here in Petit Marchand, I noticed something.
01:14:33You and Leah make a good team.
01:14:36And you smile more when you're with her.
01:14:39You're right. Leah and me.
01:14:41Leah and I, we do make a good team.
01:14:46And I do smile more when I'm with her.
01:14:49You're going to be a pretty good reporter one day.
01:14:52I'll tell you what, when you're older, I know an editor in Paris.
01:14:56And I'll set you up with an internship if you're interested.
01:15:12How did you do that?
01:15:14Do what?
01:15:16Move the music box when I wasn't looking. How did you do that?
01:15:20I didn't.
01:15:24The gnomes! They're trying to tell you something!
01:15:35Excuse me.
01:15:42Hi, Mom. I just wanted to show you the market before I leave.
01:15:48It's beautiful, sweetie.
01:15:50Hey, did you find your mysterious couple?
01:15:53No, Mom, I failed.
01:15:55I wanted to will myself into finding something perfect.
01:15:59You know, I find, like, a beautiful love like what you and Dad had, and...
01:16:03Turns out there's nothing out there.
01:16:06Oh, sweetie.
01:16:07I may have exaggerated our love story for you kids just a little bit.
01:16:12I mean, it made me happy to tell you stories about him, and...
01:16:17I don't know, have you seen him as some larger-than-life character, but...
01:16:21We had problems, just like any other couple.
01:16:24Really?
01:16:26Really. We fought from time to time, and it took years to get over certain things.
01:16:32And after all these years without him...
01:16:35It's the great memories that are strongest, but it's all still there.
01:16:39The good and the bad, and isn't that great?
01:16:42Because who needs a fairy tale when you can have something real?
01:16:51Hey, everything's shaking. Where are you going?
01:16:56To find something real.
01:16:58To find something real.
01:17:28To find something real.
01:17:45I'm sorry I lied to you.
01:17:52You are a good reporter.
01:17:55And we would not have gotten nearly as far without you.
01:18:00This job has... has worn me down over the years.
01:18:06Working with you has actually been really refreshing.
01:18:11I think I got so used to being Moody Mark, shutting people out, that I forgot what it was like to let them in.
01:18:18I have been happier this past week than I have been in a really long time, and that's because of you.
01:18:26So thank you.
01:18:28I think I'm finally ready to let go of Moody Mark.
01:18:33Wow.
01:18:35That was very brave, yet very embarrassing of you to admit.
01:18:43We wouldn't have gotten anywhere without you.
01:18:45And I shouldn't have clung so tightly to some ideal when it clearly wasn't helping us anymore.
01:18:53I just spent so long looking for something perfect that I was blind to what was real.
01:19:00So thank you for showing me how to do the job.
01:19:09Sorry you won't get your name in the post.
01:19:11Yeah, that's okay.
01:19:14You know, I don't have to wait until another journal falls into my lap to try again.
01:19:19You know, a very wise gnome told me once upon a time, and please follow my train of thought here,
01:19:25it's not over until you decide it's over.
01:19:31I think the magic of Le Marché de Noël might be rubbing off on me after all.
01:19:37I had to go and fix it for you.
01:19:52I know who the painter is.
01:19:55I'm sorry.
01:19:57I'm sorry.
01:19:59I'm sorry.
01:20:01I'm sorry.
01:20:03I'm sorry.
01:20:04I know who the painter is.
01:20:13There's a painting that's been the talk of the city lately.
01:20:16You know the one.
01:20:18And our journey to find the artist didn't quite go as planned.
01:20:22But not much in life does.
01:20:24We eventually did track down the mysterious F.
01:20:27Also known as François Reynard.
01:20:30And his grand plan to elope with Mafleur, Eva, Eau Claire, the subject of his painting,
01:20:37ended in heartbreak.
01:20:39She stood him up that night.
01:20:42François wrote her a letter and left it in their secret spot,
01:20:46but she never showed up to find it.
01:20:49Heartbroken, he tossed his journal, the music box, and the painting in the snow that night.
01:20:56How these items found their way across the world decades later,
01:21:01I guess we'll never know.
01:21:05François' story may not have played out like a fairy tale,
01:21:09but he did get his happy ending after all.
01:21:12He met Céline, a sculptor visiting Le Marché from Lyon.
01:21:18Their shared passion for the art blossomed into a deep love,
01:21:22and after a few years together, they married.
01:21:26Now, with generation of their family still living in Petit Marchand,
01:21:31I guess Le Marché worked for him, after all.
01:21:38But that's the thing about love.
01:21:40It's not just a fairy tale or something you build up in your head.
01:21:44It can be.
01:21:46But it's the magic of reality that makes it work.
01:21:53Sorry I didn't get your perfect ending.
01:21:57It's better.
01:21:59It's real.
01:22:23As for the legend of Le Marché de Noël, the jury is still out on that one.
01:22:29Maybe it's just a Christmas wish, born under the twinkling lights and the fallen snow.
01:22:37Or maybe it's the magic of being surrounded by people you care about during the holidays.
01:22:44Either way, I experienced firsthand what the magic of the Christmas market brings.
01:22:49And though life may not turn out exactly how you expect it to,
01:22:54that doesn't mean it can't be unexpectedly perfect.
01:23:19© transcript Emily Beynon
01:23:49© transcript Emily Beynon
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