At Santa's Workshop

"I don't know whether this was a very good idea." I say to Bev as we trawl through the snow.

"Sure it is, Jean-Luc" she replies, "This'll be heaps of fun, "We set a holodeck program where we could go to Lapland and meet Santa Claus at his workshop. Isn't that what you always wanted to do?"

"Well, actually no." I comment.

"Oh don't be a spoilsport!" she says, "Look, there is Santa's house in the distance."

We see a little cottage in the distance, , with smoke coming out of the chimney. The snow is coming down heavily. Eventually, we reach the door, and knock.

"Come on in!" says a voice.



"I'm Santa Claus." he tells us, "You must be the two new elves I advertised for in the Lapland Chronicle. I had to fire the last two because their productivity rate on toymaking wasn't up to standard for the job"

"There must be some mistake, Mr Claus." Bev answers, "We only came to visit. and.."

"I might have known it!" Santa says disgustedly, "Another pair of idlers who want to quit rather than work with their hands."

I get annoyed at this. "Not at all." I tell him, "We'll do any job."



"Are you crazy?" Bev whispers, "He is a dictator."

"It's just a bit of fun, Beverly, "Let's go along with it for now."

We go downstairs to the workshop, where some elves are working tirelessly. We are shown two spaces and told to start making toys as fast as possible or we'll be out on our ears.



"You've picked the wronmg place to come for a job, mate." says a tiny voice sitting next to me, "That Santa ignores the Elf Work Practices Charter. He'll have you working morning, noon and night to nget these toys out"

"I see what you mean." I reply, and then see a shapely woman monitoring everybody.



"Who is she?"  I ask.

"You want to stay clear of her." the small elf answers, "That's Selina, Santa's favourite elf."

"I wonder why?" Bev comments drily.

"Yeah, she knows what Santa likes, "Any wrongdoing, and Selina reports to Santa and he chucks us into the snow."

"Jean-Luc." Bev whispers, "I think this holodeck program needs some adjusting."

"I agree, Beverly, "Computer, change to Picard Program  01Christmas."

The scene changes. Bev and I are in a warm log cabin, miles from anywhere. Snow is outside, with a roaing log fire in the centre, a Christmas tree up, with lots of gifts to open. There is also a bottle of champagne with two glasses on the table.

"Ah, Jean-Luc." says Beverly with a smile, "This is MUCH better than my idea."

We pour the drink and toast each other.

"Happy Christmas, Bev"

"Happy Christmas, Jean-Luc"

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Editor's Note:


I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas. Peace and goodwill to all.