John Grin's Christmas (1986 TV Movie)

Kevin Guillaume: Sam Oliver

Quotes 

• John Grin : Mr. Oliver, in case you can't read...

  [indicates a "DO NOT TOUCH" sign over the thermostat] 

  John Grin : ... If I've told you once, I've told you countless times to *leave the thermostat alone*.

  Sam Oliver : It's very cold in here, Mr. Grin. I wouldn't *need* to turn it up, if you...

  John Grin : It's 64 degrees. Anything warmer would be the tropics.

  Sam Oliver : [under his breath]  Perhaps to you.

  John Grin : [not amused]  I beg your pardon!

  Sam Oliver : Sir... Can't we all loosen up? Christmas IS just one day out of the year.

  John Grin : And for that, I'm extremely grateful. By the way, I want those accounts finished by tomorrow morning. And that means *all* of them.

  Sam Oliver : This is *Christmas Eve*! I'd be lucky to finish them ALL by the NEXT DAY.

  John Grin : So now we're not only celebrating Christmas but CHRISTMAS EVE, are we? What's next, Christmas *week*? You're not in grade school anymore, Mr. Oliver.

  [as Grin leaves, the thermostat turns itself up without being touched] 

• John Grin : ...Mr. Oliver, give me the specifics of the latest contract.

  Sam Oliver : ...The latest raise was three years ago; they got a 6% increase. The cost of living has gone up 15%, which is what they're asking, but they'll settle for 10%.

  John Grin : Six percent, Mr. Watson. Take it or leave it.

  Mr. Watson : Mr. Grin, that's unreasonable.

  John Grin : *Six percent*. Take it or leave it, I said...

  Ghost of Christmas Past : I've seen tough in my time, and I've seen *tough*. But THIS!

  John Grin : [to Xmas Past]  These people often seem to forget who the company belongs to.

  Ghost of Christmas Past : Yet they can't fool *you*, can they?

  Mr. Watson : ...Mr. Grin, we have to reach some sort of an agreement here. As a Union rep, I'm obligated to ensure that the workers are dealt with fairly.

  John Grin : Well, Mister Union Rep... Since you also work for *me*, I'd say you have a tremendous conflict of interest.

  Sam Oliver : Sir, even if you give them what they're asking, the Firm will save a lot of money with this contract.

  John Grin : Mr. Oliver... If I followed that kind of advice, I'd go bankrupt in less than a month.

  Mr. Watson : Every time we talk contracts, it's the same thing: You want to pay us workers less than we're worth!

  John Grin : Well, as of this second, that's no longer your concern. You're fired!

  Mr. Watson : That's a direct violation of a specific agreement between the Union and the Firm!

  John Grin : Mr. Watson! Do I look, or sound, like I care what it's a violation of?

  Sam Oliver : He's right, Mr. Grin; by State Law, it'll have to go through Arbitration.

  John Grin : Mr. Oliver... If *you* like YOUR job, then kindly refrain from telling me who this will have to go through. As for you, Watson... if we were under *your* roof, I would have invited you outside for the way you just spoke to me. However, this is MY roof. Your employment has been terminated. And you can tell the Union that, if they don't like it, I can send a goon squad to deal with them. Who knows? Perhaps they can hire my workers - starting with Mr. Oliver here - to fix their office back up again afterwards. Because they sure aren't making themselves useful with me...!

  Ghost of Christmas Past : ...Really, did you feel that was called for?

  John Grin : What choice did he give me?

  Ghost of Christmas Past : Couldn't you have told him you'd think it over?

  John Grin : *He* should've thought it over, before shooting off his big mouth.

  Ghost of Christmas Past : Good Lord! I'm most grateful I never had to work for anyone like you.

  John Grin : I'll have you know I've fired better workers than him over less than that.

  Ghost of Christmas Past : Should I be surprised?

  [Clearly, he isn't surprised at all] 

  Ghost of Christmas Past : I wonder if you've gotten anything at all out of this.

  John Grin : Oh, I've gotten something out of this all right: a splitting headache.

  Ghost of Christmas Past : Perhaps it's *heartburn*. Moreover, perhaps it's what you NEED. With any luck at all, you and I will never need to meet again. One last thing: I urge you not to overlook Sam Oliver; he's a far better fellow than you've given him credit for. On that note, I wish you well.

  [disappears]