[Emma]--Merry Christmas! Happy belated Hanukkah, or... whatever it is that the people of the future celebrate! 

Tonight, the Hybrid Partners Group celebrates the holiday season the old-fashioned way--by bringing two perfect people together in front of all of their friends and co-workers in a moment of triumph for their matchmaker.

Or, at least, that was the plan until one of the two perfect people came down with a cold that turned out to be the flu.

So, how could I possibly achieve my moment of triumph, you might ask?

I can, because I am Emma Woodhouse, and tonight, we prove the old adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

[intro music]

Pretty much everyone is here. The Hybrid group is a conglomerate that finances a lot of boutique businesses, and since we're all on the smaller side, we pooled in our resources for one big Christmas party.

My father's here--bestest dad ever, Perry, Cole, even the Bates's financial planning team. I've already gotten an earful from Maddie Bates about having brunch before the new year. And if that wasn't enough she kept going on and on about her niece Jane and how well she's doing in London. Good thing Alex was around, he's always good Bates fodder.

I just wish Harriet was here, not only because of the impending union of awesomeness, but because she put so much work into putting all of this together. Curse the small child that sneezed on her! But we'll carry on, and if I work me magic properly there will still be a moment of triumph in it for me.

[Annie]--Talking to yourself?

[Emma]--Annie! And the elusive Mr. Weston!

[Ryan]--Hello, Merry Christmas

[Emma]--Same to you. Say hello to the people.

[Ryan]--Okay. [waves at camera]

[Emma]--How's married life?

[Ryan]--Better than I ever imagined, and I'm told I have your deviousness to thank for it

[Emma]--Always happy to help!

[James Elton]--I believe that is the Emma Approved motto

[Emma]--James!

[Ryan]--Looking good. For a politician

[James]--You too, glad to see those cupcakes didn't go straight to your waist.

[Emma]--Annie have you met state Senator Elton?

[Annie]--No I haven't.

[James]--Emma raves about you both.

[Annie]--So Senator how long are you in town?

[James]--Please, call me James, and just here for the party

[Annie]--Must be something special to bring you down for just one day.

[James]--Oh it is, where are my manners? This is for you.

[Emma]--Oh!

[James]--And this is for Harriet, where is she anyway?

[Emma]--Why don't you two go enjoy the party? Alex is around, probably talking spreadsheets with the Bateses.

[Annie]--Great! I have to set up desserts. Honey, why don't you help me?

[Emma]--I have terrible news. Harriet has the flu.

[James]--Oh no.

[Emma]--I'm afraid it's true. She won't be able to join us this evening. And she was so looking forward to it, too.

[James]--I can imagine. It won't be the same without her.

[Emma]--If only there was a way we could make her feel better and cheer her up.... There is a place that has the best matzo-ball soup in the city. I suppose someone could run over there and grab some for her.

[James]--Oh, there's no need for that.

[Emma]--There's not?

[James]--If she's anything like me, she won't want anyone around when she's sick. Harriet's probably curled up on the couch watching musicals.

[Emma]--I guess?

[James, interrupting]--And, since I flew all the way down here, I think we should do our level best to enjoy the party, don't you?

[Emma]--But, Harriet...

[James]--It's what she would want. I'm certain. Shall we? I was hoping I could meet your father? My colleagues speak so highly of him.

[Emma]--I- I'd be happy to.

[scene change]

[Annie]--Come on, it'll just take a second.

[Ryan]--Great. Let's do it.

[Annie]--Be adorable.

[Ryan]--With you, that's easy.

[camera click]

[Ryan]--Okay, now we have to take a silly photo.

[Annie]--From the man who insisted on having a shot luge at our wedding, I'd expect nothing less.

[Ryan]--That was a big hit.

[camera click]

[Emma]--Annie, Annie.

[Ryan]--Emma, shot luge--big hit, yeah?

[Ryan and Emma make exploding noises]

[Ryan]--And I have great news. Frank is coming to visit New Year.

[Emma]--He is? That's wonderful!

[Annie]--He's taking a whole month out of his schedule, so I finally get Weston family bonding time.

[Ryan]--I keep telling you, you're all the Weston family I need.

[Annie]--Aw! The two of you are still not building a microbrewery in our basement.

[Emma]--Ah, as adorable as this is, Annie, I need you to do me a favor.

[Annie]--I am not baking any more tarts! I am tarted out.

[Emma]--No, no, no. Harriet's phone is off, so I need you to text me this in five minutes?

[Annie]--Why?

[Emma]--Because James is having a good time, and I need to fix it!

[Ryan]--Yeah, I see what Alex means about you not always making sense.

[Annie]--Um, speaking of... the Senator is headed this way, drinks in hand.

[Emma]--I don't understand. He should be devastated that Harriet's not here.

[Annie]--Emma! From what I can tell, Harriet's not the one he's interested in.

[James]--Mind if I even out your ratio?

[Ryan]--Cramp my fantasy, James.

[camera clicks]

[James, to Emma]--Just us?

[Emma]--Actually, would you excuse me? I have to grab something in my office for Harriet.

[camera clicks]

[scene change, knocks on door]

[Alex]--Emma? What are you doing in here?

[Emma]--Waiting for a phone call. You do know there's a party going on. Parties are events where people gather to have fun.

[Alex]--I am aware. I was just showing Maddie Bates the latest update to our accounting software.

[Emma laughs]

[Alex]--She's interested in that stuff.

[Emma]--No one is interested in that stuff.

[Alex]--Forget about that! You have a cell phone. You have a watch with a phone. You are not waiting on a phone call. So why are you in here?

[Emma]--Because my moment of triumph will be recorded for posterity.

[Alex]--Is this about Harriet and James Elton? Emma!

[Emma]--Don't "Emma!" me, because I am right! I have read the signs, I have dropped the hints, and any minute now James Elton is going to walk through those doors asking me about Harriet.

[James]--There you are.

[Emma]--Hello! Just conferring with Alex, here, on businessy stuff.

[James]--I thought you stepped in here to get something for Harriet?

[Emma]--Oh, I did! You're right. Thank you for reminding me.

[James]--I have to tell you, Emma. I'm very worried about Harriet.

[Emma]--I know. But I'm sure there's a way we could cheer her up. Oh, look! It's from Harriet. Oh, she's run out of flu medicine. You know, I might just run over there and grab some for her.

[James]--And that's exactly what I'm worried about. You are entirely too close to Harriet. How long has she been sick?

[Emma]--It's just been a couple days.

[James]--In a couple of days, she could have infected this entire office, you most of all.

[Emma]--You don't need to worry about me. I never get sick. I'm always well.

[James]--Still, I must insist that you not go over to Harriet's, and you should get vaccinated. This whole office should. I could pull some strings and get a visiting nurse down here.

[Alex]--You know, James, you're absolutely right. I'll take care of it, but if you could just let us finish up our "businessy stuff," we'll be right back out at the party.

[James]--Of course. I don't mean to intrude. But, Emma, please do come out and enjoy the festivities. You deserve it.

[Emma]--Don't say it.

[Alex]--I didn't say anything.

[Photo transition]

[Emma]--Bye

[Annie]--Bye. Thank you. Happy Holidays.

[Emma]--Yeah, Happy Holidays, guys.

[Ryan]--Great party.

[Emma]--Thank you.