The scene begins with a wealthy family preparing for Christmas Eve dinner, awaiting the arrival of the patriarch, who is abroad on business. The mother, Beth, is anxious to impress her husband and has arranged a lavish dinner party. Guests include the family's friends, Raj and Rhubarb, and their acquaintances.
As they wait for the patriarch's arrival, the group engages in conversation, gossip, and petty squabbles. The daughter, Cinnamon, is excited to see her father and has prepared a special outfit for the occasion. However, just as they are about to sit down for dinner, the patriarch's assistant calls to inform them that he has boarded a flight to Japan for an important business meeting and will not be able to make it for Christmas.
The group is disappointed, but the mother tries to salvage the evening by suggesting they eat anyway. As they sit down to dinner, the conversation turns to the patriarch's absence and the family's history of not spending Christmas together. The evening ends with the guests leaving, and Cinnamon feeling sad and alone.
The scene then shifts to Cinnamon's cousin, Luciana, who arrives unexpectedly and is let into the house. The episode ends with a plug for a merchandise website, which seems out of place in the context of the scene.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The plane leaves at 6.
2. The weatherman said there's going to be a storm tonight.
3. The trip to Hawaii was cancelled.
4. Cinnamon's father is coming home for Christmas.
5. Cinnamon's father has lots of presents for her.
6. Christmas Eve dinner is back on.
7. The chef is preparing a braised duck with a cranberry glaze for dinner.
8. The dinner is a five-course meal, excluding the palette cleanser.
9. Cinnamon's mother was a Playmate of the Year in 1973.
10. Cinnamon's father is working on Christmas Day.
11. Cinnamon's father boarded a flight, but it was going to Japan, not home.
12. Cinnamon's father is going to try to come home for New Year's.
13. The meeting in Japan is very important and Cinnamon's father is going to make 50 million dollars.
14. Cinnamon's father has not been home for three Christmases.