Chapter 7: The Heist Before Christmas, Part 1

Sparky the Elf sprinkled a little sugar into his coffee. Next to the bag of sugar, he laid out a line of Christmas Spirit and used a small coffee stirrer to suck it up through his nose. it was a big day of work for him. He had just gotten a promotion of sorts. He’d come a long way from being a pesky teen running off in the woods to smoke with his friends.  

When the work bell rang again, Sparky followed the rest of the Elves out the door, before splitting off with a few select workers and going down to the basement. It was empty, for now, minus the dozen or so Elves that were exclusively asked to come down. Jack Frost, the newly appointed CEO of Amazing Co., eagerly awaited their arrival. 

“What a strapping team we have here,” said Frost. “As you all know, we have some big changes coming to Amazing Co. and I have chosen you, the best of the best, to help build and run our Christmas Spirit division.” Sparky was really excited to hear this.

“I love Christmas Spirit,” shouted one Elf to a series of laughs. 

“Some of you are familiar with our product,” laughed Frost with a wink. “Now, let’s talk shop for a second, fellas... this is privileged information I’m giving you. You are not to tell the other Elves what is going on down here. I wouldn’t have chosen you if I couldn’t trust you, so do I have your word?” 

The other Elves nodded in agreement, standing up straight with pride. Over the course of several months, the Elves worked in secret to build a giant freezing system that would house the Christmas Spirit. It was a grueling process, not quite like putting toys together, and some of the Elves found themselves a little tired. However, as a perk of the job, they had an unlimited supply of Christmas Spirit to get them through. 

One day, Sparky came into work only to find that half of the Elves on Frost’s special project had not come in. Apparently, they’d been hospitalized due to extreme fatigue and malaise. He figured it was because they were older than him, as the younger Elves were still working hard. By the time the job had finished, they were all hospitalized. 

“I think it was the Christmas Spirit,” said Sparky as he lay in a hospital bed. He coughed a ton, only interrupted by the red discharge that he spit into a handkerchief. . “It’s taken all of us. But it won’t take me. I’m strong, right Buddy?” 

Buddy the Elf looked at his older brother with worry, trying his best to keep his emotions at bay. Sparky gave him a smile and closed his eyes. He would never open them again. When it came time to put Sparky to rest, Buddy held his two younger siblings, Gimbel and Holly. He was all they had left. 

                ***********

“Once Bailey gives us the signal, Rudy will fly me up to the roof of Amazing Co. and I will make my way down to the basement,” explains Kringle to the team.

“It’s gonna be tough,” chimes in Buddy. “The basement can only be accessed through the lobby, and it’s surrounded by guards.” 

“Then we’ll need a diversion. Distract them, get their attention somehow. Bailey will give me the passcode, and once I have the suit, I’ll make my way back up to the top and wait for Frost to return.” 

“And then what,” asks Noelle with a slight bit of confusion. “Why don’t you just leave?” 

“I want the sleigh. Rudy and I are gonna ride away in style, right back here to pick you up and then back to Amazing Co. to liberate the rest of the Elves.” 

“Where is Rudy, anyway? Shouldn’t he be listening to this plan?” 

        Kringle looks around for the young Reindeer but he’s nowhere to be found. Out back, Rudy smokes a cigarette on one of the trash cans in the alley. Kringle steps outside with a look of shock. 

“That’s gonna knock you off the Nice List,” says Kringle with some paternal bass in his voice. 

“I’m just a little nervous about tomorrow,” says the Reindeer, taking a final puff before putting it out in the snow. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.” 

“I know, but smoking isn’t going to solve your problem. It’ll only make it worse.” 

“I’ve done worse,” he says with a sigh. “But I promise I won’t do it around you anymore.” Kringle leans up against the wall and slides down to meet Rudy’s eye level. 

“I know what you’re feeling,” he says taking off his beanie. “I have no idea how this is going to go either, especially without the full team. But you helped me pull off a miracle once... if there’s anybody I can count on, it’s you.” He smiles and puts his arm around Rudy. “Now come on, the kids want to hear you sing your song.” 

“I hate that song,” Rudy groans. “You know it started as a joke, right?” 

“Ah, come on! They love it! It would really brighten everyone’s mood.” 

“I’ll think about it.” Kringle tussles his hair and stands back up. Rudy sits on the trash can as the Big Guy goes back inside. 

        *********

The Elves sit around their tables at the bar, having just one more round before taking off to go home. The dancing Elves have stopped, yet the music plays on anyway. Everyone is talking about what they hope to get for Christmas, at least when this is all over at least. 

“I want some new shoes!” 

“I want a new television!” 

“I want my boyfriend to stop elfing around and propose to me on Christmas with the ring I already picked out and showed him months ago.” 

“And I want my girlfriend to understand that everyone proposes on Christmas and I want to be original. Plus that ring is, like, mad expensive, bro.” 

“What about you, Buddy,” asks one of the Elves as Buddy comes from the back room. “What do you want for Christmas?”

“I don’t want anything,” he says as he grabs himself a glass of egg nog.

“There’s gotta be something you want!” 

“What I want I can’t get back,” he says softly. 

“And what’s that?” 

“Time. More time I could’ve had with my brother. More time to hear him tell me stories about my parents. More time to learn from him. One last time to tell him I love him and I miss him every single day that he’s not here.” He fights back tears as the room falls silent. 

“All he ever wanted was for us to be happy. He loved Christmas so much it killed him. So I don’t care about gifts or presents or whatever...” Buddy walks to the front of the room and raises his glass. “I want Christmas Town to go back to normal. I want people to spend more time with their families. I just want people to stop fighting.”

Kringle stands by the back with Noelle, watching as the Elves gather around Buddy for a warm embrace. He walks into the break room. “He seems like a good kid.” 

“His brother used to come in quite a bit,” says Noelle, peering out at the Elves from the doorway. “He’s taking care of those kids all by himself, so I try to send him home with some food from time to time.” 

“You always were a very giving girl,” he says with a chuckle. 

“Guess I learned from the best, huh?” She closes the break room door and sits down next to him on the couch. “Would be nice if I could get a gift, though.” 

“Maybe Santa will bring you one for Christmas.”

        “I’ve been asking Santa for the same gift for years,” she says. “Something tells me I won’t be getting it, no matter how much I want it.” They gaze into each other’s eyes. It’s been a while since they’ve seen a spark in either one of them.

        “I’m sorry—”

        “No, I’m sorry,” says Noelle, getting up from the couch. “You’ve got a big day tomorrow. Probably best you get some sleep. I still gotta close the bar down.” She leans in and gives him a kiss on the cheek before quietly exiting the break room. He lies down on the couch and sighs, while she leans up against the other side of the door doing the exact same thing.

***********

It’s two days until Christmas Day. Dozens of Elves roam the streets of Christmas Town hanging wreaths on all of the doors of the shuttered businesses. There’s a feeling of anxious delight as the city inches closer to one of the most chaotic Christmases in history. 

From his office window up in Amazing Co., Jack Frost watches some cranes hang ornaments on The Great Tree, a tradition that will go on forever. Bailey looks over papers, his leg shaking underneath the table. 

“What is the deal with these people and Christmas,” asks Frost with disgust. “They’re all dying, yet they’re happy about everything smelling like peppermint. I’ll never understand it.” 

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year, sir,” says Bailey. “It’s a time for reflection, a time for recollection. Of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. It’s a time of giving and a time for healing. It’s the season of love—” 

“This is the gayest thing I’ve ever heard,” quips Frost. 

“Well, if by gay, you mean merry and jolly and cheerful, then yes, it’s very gay, sir.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be working? I didn’t pay for a dictionary!” Bailey gets back to work as Frost walks over to his desk and grabs his stuff. “You wanna be gay? Fine. I’m gonna go screw your wife. How gay is that?” 

“You don’t have to tell me that, you know,” says Bailey, but Frost can’t hear him. He’s already out the door. Bailey counts to ten and then listens for the jingle bells on the sleigh. He pulls out an earpiece that Kringle gave him and puts it in. “Ok, Frost has left the building.” 

Bailey walks over to the window and sees Rudy pulling Kringle up to the roof. He takes a seat at Frost’s desk and turns on the computer, accessing the security feed. He places a drive into the computer. “Santa’s Little Helper, do you have eyes?” 

“Affirmative,” Noelle says over the ear piece. “I can see everything.” 

“Ok, good.” Bailey goes over to his computer and pulls up the freezer software. “It’s gonna take some time to turn on the machine from my end, Kringle, but when I give you the signal, type in Mistletoe on the keypad.” 

On the roof, Kringle exits the small sleigh and walks over to the staircase with a small bag in tow. “Alright Rudy, keep an eye out for Frost” 

“You’re not taking the chimney,” asks Rudy sarcastically. 

“I’d take the elevator if it wasn’t guarded by Toys,” says Kringle. “I may not be fat anymore, but I’m still old, ya know!” He puts the bag over his shoulder and makes his way down the staircase. “Noelle, what’s it looking like?” 

“You’ve got forty stories to go,” she says looking at a series of computers in the break room of Silver Belles.

“How’s the lobby look?” 

“The Toys look like they have nothing going on.” 

“Not for long,” says Kringle as he descends down the steps. “Buddy, let’s get these boys off their feet.”

“You got it, Kringle,” Buddy puts on a pair of sunglasses and walks into the lobby of Amazing Co. pushing a large cart of food crates. He stops in front of the front desk. 

“I’m here to drop of the food for the Christmas party,” he says in a disguised voice. The Toys exchanged confused glances. One of them picks up a clipboard and scans the cart up and down.

“Mr. Bailey,” radios one of the toys. “We got an Elf here with some food—“

“Yes,” answers Bailey. “Please help him set up, both of you. It should only take a minute. It’s a surprise party for the boss.” The two Toys shrug their shoulders and mosey around the desk. 

“I guess we’re having a party,” says one of the Toys. Buddy looks back at the empty desk in the lobby, giving a thumbs up to the camera. 

“Coast is clear,” says Noelle. “Be careful down there.” Kringle quickly moves down the hall of the lobby to a separate set of elevators, carefully monitoring his surroundings. 

“Uh, guys,” says Rudy hiding on the roof as his nose starts to glow. “We’ve got a problem.” He sees a sleigh land onto the roof from behind a wall. “Frost is back.” 

“You’re shitting me,” says Kringle, as the elevator doors close in front of him. “Bailey, how much longer until it’s ready?”

“It’s almost finished, only a minute or so,” he says frantically, his eyes darting from the screen to the door. He jumps to his feet and when Frost bursts into the room, his hands shake droplets of sweat onto the table. 

“You know what, I gotta be honest,” Frost says as he sits down in a chair. “I was kind of a dick to you back there. It’s just, you know, with this whole Kringle thing going on, I’m really stressed out and, well, Trixie has been telling me I need to work on my anger issues and I kind of forgot where I was for a second, but like, I wanted to apologize for it.” 

“Um,” Bailey says nervously, “you’re apologizing for sleeping with my wife?” 

“Oh, no! No, no, no. I want to thank your for that, honestly. I mean that. She really gets me, you know? Like, she gets my kinks and that’s kind of a big deal to me. I didn’t think it would be, but then you get a little older and you’re like, maybe this is just who I am.” 

“I’m glad you’re happy, I guess—” 

“Actually, we were talking about maybe adding another person to the mix and, I don’t know, maybe if you’re interested...” 

“Are you asking me if I want to sleep with my wife,” asks Bailey. “With you?” 

“I mean, if you’re up for it,” says Frost, getting up from the chair nonchalantly. “It’s on the table is all I’m saying.” 

“Mistletoe,” says Bailey, looking at the screen.

“What?” 

“Oh, um, nothing. I was just saying, mistletoe... I think it’s hot, you know, that people kiss under it.” 

“Yeah, it is,” says Frost, getting an idea. “I definitely think we can make some room for you—“

“Sir, you gotta come down to cafeteria,” says a Toy marching his way into the office with a few others. “Some of the guys downstairs have something you gotta see.” One of the toys gives Bailey a look as he wipes the sweat from his brow. 

“Do you know what they’re talking about,” Frost asks Bailey.

“I don’t know—“

“How bad is it?”

“You should come down and see for yourself,” says the Toy. “You’re gonna want to, sir.” Frost gets up from the chair with clenched fists and storms out of the room. Bailey scurries over to his Frost’s desk and pulls out the drive from the computer. 

        “Bailey! Let’s go!” 

“Coming, sir,” he says with a look of regret. “Sorry, guys. I have to sit this one out.” He takes out his earpiece and puts it in his pocket, walking out of the room. 

    **************

Kringle types MISTLETOE into the keyboard on the freezer, granting him access. He walks around the spacious room, finding everything neatly put away. In the center is a stack of giant snowballs in a metal contraption. He looks it up and down, not sure of what it is. He steps on a hat on the floor, brushes it off and gives it a puzzled look. 

       

        "Is this my hat," he murmurs to himself. He shrugs it off and places it on top of the snowman that springs to life. 

“Oh shit,” exclaims Frosty the Snowman. “Who’s there? Why can’t I see?” 

        Kringle turns around to see the snowball talking to him. “Are you talking to me,” he asks.

“Wait, who’s that? Frost?” 

“No, who are you?” 

“I’m Frosty. You know, the Snowman?”

“I thought you were a cartoon,” says Kringle, perplexed. He grabs two pieces of coal and places them on Frosty’s face. “How’s that?” 

“Oh, thanks man! Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere? Wait — hold on — holy shit! Aren’t you Santa Claus?” 

   

        “I’m Kringle.” 

        “Nah, man, you’re Santa. You’re tall, but like you’re buff for some reason.” 

        “Yeah, well, I had a long year.” 

        “Yeah dude! Everyone thinks you’re dead but you’re not, you’re like, hot! I’m afraid I’m gonna melt around you—“

“I’m not dead but I need to find my suit. Where does Frost keep it?” 

“Your suit? I don’t know man, why would he keep it in here? It’s, like, really cold in here, wouldn’t that mess it up?” 

“Then how is he using magic to make his weapons? I know it’s coming from down here.” 

“No weapons down here, man,” says Frosty. “Unless you count Christmas Spirit, in which case, yeah, there’s a lot that down here. Wait, you’re not trying to get anymore out of me are you? I gave a lot last time, more than usual—“

“You’re the Christmas Magic,” asks Kringle, noticing the tube that connects from the back of Frosty’s cage. 

“I mean, it’s been a while since I’ve been referred to as magic, but yeah. I guess you could say I’m pretty magical. I’d like to get out of this thing, though. It’s been a while since I’ve stretched my snowballs, you know what I’m sayin’?” Kringle looks at the contraption, rubbing the back of his head. 

“I don’t know how to open it,” he says. 

“You’re pretty jacked, dude, I’d say give it a shot, at least.” Kringle looks around the room and finds a crowbar in a pile of junk. He uses all of his might to pry the shackles from Frosty. The snowman busts out of the cage and stretches his arms as Kringle peers out of the freezer towards the elevator. “Man, it feels great to be out of that thing!” 

“Come on,” grunts Kringle with the bag over his shoulder, heading out of the freezer.

“Wait, where are you going! We can’t leave here! It’s too hot for me! It’s, like, impossible.” 

“Well, we’re gonna have to try.” Kringle heads for the door as Frosty sighs and grabs his pipe and scarf from his box of things. 

“Fine,” he says as he slides to the exit. “But if I melt, you better grab my pipe.” Kringle and Frosty make their way towards the elevator doors. Kringle picks up his walkie talkie. 

“Ok, I’m coming back up.” 

“Did you get it,” asks Noelle from the other line. 

“Not exactly, but right now I need an escape plan.” 

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but it seems like Bailey has gone rogue. He pulled the feed. You’re on you own...”

                          **********

Frosty sweats like a dog in heat as the lights in the elevator shine on him. The doors open to the lobby and Kringle pokes his head out. All of the Toys are still in the cafeteria. He moves quickly down the hall. 

“Just a little bit longer,” he says looking back at Frosty. Unfortunately, the snowman is melting a lot faster and is not moving as quickly. 

“You gotta go on without me,” says Frosty, dramatically. “I’m not gonna make it, man! Take the hat and the pipe and go!” Kringle grabs the pipe form Frosty’s dripping wet hand and takes the hat from his head, causing the snowman to slush onto the floor. He heads to the main elevator doors. 

“I’m heading back up,” says Kringle as he hops on the elevator. He doesn’t see the Toy walking around the corner. The Toy follows a trail of water over to the slushy puddle where two pieces of coal and a scarf sit. He looks up at the ascending elevator meter and runs back to the front desk, sounding an alarm. 

“We have a code red,” he shouts over a loud speaker. “I repeat, we have a code red.” Kringle braces himself as the elevator comes to a screeching halt above the eighth floor, trapping him inside.

Frost storms into the lobby with the other Toy Soldiers. The one who found the puddle points to the elevator. “Send everyone,” he barks. “Do whatever you have to do, just bring him to me!” 

The Toys run up the stairs to the eighth floor and stand outside of the elevator with their rifles drawn. Two of the toys move in and pry open the elevator doors. The carriage is halfway to the next floor and the Toys have to lift themselves up to get a good look inside. However, there’s no one in sight. “He’s not here, sir.” 

Kringle stands on top of the elevator shaft with the bag over his shoulder. He looks up at the door above him and pulls himself to the ledge. He uses his strength to pull the doors open just enough to slide out. He can hear footsteps coming his way and retreats into a nearby office just as a few Toys come down the hall. 

The Toys stand in front of the door and get in position. One of the Toys kicks it open and walks inside a conference room as the five or so other guards follow him in. They scan the room but no one is there. The door closes behind them as they turn around to find Kringle with two metal Candy Cane batons. 

“Ho Ho Ho,” mutters Kringle as he lifts the batons up. One of the toys shoots ice at him but Kringle volleys it back, going right through the Toy’s chest. He uses the other baton to knock the head off another toy. He deflects all of the ice bullets they shoot at him, ricocheting them into the walls of the office. He jumps over the conference table and kicks a toy into a chair, sending him flying through a window. 

A toy shoots at Kringle’s foot, freezing it in place. Kringle ducks down and takes the toy out as his knees, but not before the toy fires his rifle and freezes a fellow soldier in the process. Kringle crushes the frozen Toy to pieces with the baton before using it on his foot to release himself. Once free, he round house kicks the last toy through the door of the office. 

With all of the Toys in pieces, Kringle brushes himself off and picks up the bag, slinging it over his shoulder. He heads down the hall and towards the staircase. He looks up the stairs and sees a few toys a couple of floors above him. He stops and leans against the wall.  

“Sir, we got him,” says a Toy over the radio. Kringle slips his baton down his sleeves, ready to attack, however the Toys retreat out of the staircase. “We found him snooping around in your office.”

“Good,” says Frost, walking towards the elevators with his terrified assistant. “We’ve got some catching up to do.” 

         Two guards stand outside of Frost’s office doors, opening them for him as he marches his way towards them. Frozen in a block of ice from the waist down is Rudy, his nose glowing with anger. 

“Well, well, well,” says a surprised Frost. “After all this time, look who decided to show his bright little face.” He walks around the block of ice with a menacing look in his eyes. “I mean, you’re not Santa, but you’re sort of the next best thing. As a matter of fact, I think I figured out what to give our mutual friend Kringle for Christmas.” Frost lets out a maniacal laugh, filled with both glee and a touch of insanity. 

TO BE CONTINUED...