A.N. So after watching the Santa Clause Trilogy hundreds of times, an idea sprang into my head. I hope you enjoy the story.
The company Christmas party was finally getting interesting. People began to dance and sing, coworkers were chatting it up and it was finally turning into a fun party. Doug Whittle couldn't have cared less. In fact, the only reason he was throwing this holiday shindig for his workers was to keep their morale up as they shifted into their slowest time of the year. It was also a little thank you gift to his workers, whose Do It All For You Dolly idea transformed into one of the most profitable toys the company had ever released. It broke several records and was continuing to sell like hot cakes. I suppose it's time to remind everyone why we're here. Doug grabbed a microphone and turned to face the crowd.
"Could I have everyone's attention please? This year has been an enormous success thanks in part to Do It All For You Dolly. And we owe it all to Scott Calvin and Susan Perry! Come on up here!"
The crowd applauded as he handed the microphone to Susan and stepped aside. Scott came shortly after her and the two turned to face the crowd.
"Thank you everyone! I'd like to thank everyone here..." Susan began.
"But we don't have time for that now do we?" Scott cut her off. The crowd chuckled mildly. Doug was not amused by such shenanigans, but was glad that Scott was able to click with a crowd. He appreciated that about Scott, even if he couldn't imagine himself acting like that. Scott wrapped it up and the party resumed.
"Aren't they wonderful? Scott Calvin and Susan Perry everyone!" he said into the microphone. The party flared back up again and Doug excused himself to talk with another of his high executives: Phil Barton, who was in charge of the mechanical aspect of building toys and having them shipped out.
"Well Doug, the slow time of the year is here again" Phil grumbled in his low voice.
"Don't remind me Phil. We have to work extra hard to sell toys after Christmas. But hopefully we'll get a few more sales on other people's returned toys."
"If they don't return ours sir."
"I think Dolly's impact on the market is clear Phil. Now are we still on for tomorrow's meeting?"
"But sir, it's Christmas! I was planning on spending it with my kids. Besides, you gave everyone the week off!"
"That may be true but I expect to see you sometime tomorrow to discuss our plans for expanding our retailers."
"Sir, you know they're closed! There's nothing we can do tomorrow except plan who we may want to call!" Phil said in a panic.
"...I suppose you have a point. We'll meet on the 26th at 8 AM. Don't be late."
"Sure thing sir."
Doug walked back out to the party and grabbed the microphone in his hand again. He didn't want to appear as though he was in a bad mood, even though the news of not meeting and getting some work done unsettled him a bit. Can he even talk to me like that?
"Thank you everyone for coming out tonight. I hope you enjoyed yourselves but it's time we wrapped things up. Drive safe and enjoy your holiday!"
The crowd moved gradually towards the exit, saying their goodbyes and exchanging holiday wishes with everyone. Finally, as the last person exited the room, he surveyed the thrashed office. The Janitor crew will be here in a few moments. Let them deal with it. I don't pay them for nothing. Doug locked the door tight and got into his car, ready to go home and sort out some of his ideas on how to increase the company's profitability.
There was a loud rumble on the roof. Scott slept through it as he dreamed about the newest sports cars he saw in a lot. It was a pleasant dream. He drove the Ferrari Enzo with the top down, his hair flying back as he pushed the gas pedal down further, testing out the engine's horsepower. But he was quickly shaken awake by his son Charlie. He turned to face him, slightly agitated.
"Dad I heard a clatter!" Charlie whispered.
"A what?"
"There came a big noise! It's coming from outside!"
Scott wiped the sleep from his eyes as he drifted his legs over the side of his bed. He looked at Charlie, who seemed to be in a big panic. I suppose I should calm him down.
"It was probably the wind or something. C'mon, let's go back to bed!"
As Scott pushed off to get to his feet, a large rumble came from above him, startling him. Someone's breaking into MY house? He stopped for a moment before getting onto his feet quickly.
"Someone's on the roof!" Scott proclaimed.
"Maybe it's Santa!" Charlie suggested.
"Not now Charlie. Do you know the number to 911?"
"Sure. 911."
"Right. Stay here."
Scott ran outside in a panic, eager to confront the would be burglar and ignoring the fact that he was dressed in nothing but a baggy shirt and his black boxer shorts. As soon as he got outside, he saw a man dressed like Santa walking across his rooftop. Trying to use the holidays to rob someone? Not on my watch!
"Hey you!" Scott shouted.
To his surprise, the would-be burglar slipped off his roof and slid down, falling directly into a pile of snow. Great. Now I may be liable for a burglar's medical bills? As he went to check the fallen thief, he heard his door open and Charlie ran outside to greet him.
"It IS Santa! ...You killed him!" Charlie said, disappointed.
"Did not!" Scott said, getting defensive. If he is dead, I could be in a LOT of trouble! I guess I should see who this guy really is. Scott began to search through the man's coat for his ID but unfortunately found nothing more than a business card.
"Put on my suit. The reindeer will know what to do. Yeah right." Scott read aloud skeptically.
"Dad, you gotta see this!" Charlie yelled.
Scott rushed over to his son to see what he was staring at and his jaw dropped. Sitting on his roof was none other than a full size sleigh and eight reindeer. This has gotta be a practical joke of some sort...
Doug finished drawing up a few presentation ideas to present to the marketing team to build and set up a tentative agenda for the next day's meeting, where he planned to expand his business to several small retailers around the globe by offering them slightly lower prices. He figured that the break will interest small, up and coming businesses while still earning him quite a bit of profit. He glanced over at the clock and was shocked to see that he got all this accomplished in a mere ten minutes. How did this happen? I normally take an hour to do this! I must be in the zone today. Guess I'll do a few more!
Scott couldn't believe he let his son talk him into this. I'm in a Santa suit, breaking into people's houses to leave presents for them? And somehow I'm able to fly AND the bag is refilling itself? I must be sleeping still. Scott pinched himself to see if he was still asleep and was surprised when he found out he wasn't. He hopped down into the chimney and walked over to the Christmas tree, taking out the presents and putting them haphazardly under the tree. He heard a loud crash and flinched, hoping it wasn't another security system or hazardous animal coming to investigate. It took him several moments before he realized that it was the present that smashed. Well, at least this is all in my imagination.
He turned to exit and saw a clock hanging on the wall, the arrows indicating that the time was merely 2:53. It's only been fifteen minutes since I left the house?! There's no way! That clock must be off! Scott climbed back into the chimney, where his magic bag lifted him into the air and back to his sleigh. With a slap of the reins, he was at his next house and his magic bag had refilled itself. Well, 23 down, a billion to go!
Unknown to everyone, a mysterious figure was watching over Scott using his other worldy powers to watch his progress. Well John, it appears as though your successor isn't doing so well. At this rate, he'll be done by 11:00 AM and expose all of us! He stroked his long white beard and pondered. ...Well, I could...but it's against the rules! I'll face an inquiry for sure! ...Oh well, I suppose it doesn't matter anymore. He waved his arm and with the blink of an eye, a weird sensation overtook the Earth. Clocks began to slow to a crawl all around the Earth and the mysteroius figure sighed. I hope that helps him. It may very well be my last use of time magic!
A.N. I hope you enjoy it so far. I know most of this chapter was recapping events from Santa Clause 1 but the next few chapters will be original content. Also, the story of John will be explained in a second story (which I already outlined and began to write when I thought up this story). Hope you stick around for the remaining 9 chapters!