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The Christmas Getaway for Santa’s Elves
“Santa’s Workshop, Closed Till January 2nd”
Elda said I needed to take a break as of Christmas Eve.
I waved my arms helplessly. “But — but the toys — the quotas — ”
“All of those will be waiting for you when you get back, Archie,” Elda said, her eyes shrewd behind her half-moon glasses. “You’re very lucky, you know. Not everyone gets hand-picked by the big guy to go on his special Christmas retreat.”
“But, Elda, you have to understand — ”
“And you have to understand, Archie, that I don’t run on those productivity hacks your generation seems to love so much. I appreciate a good, hard worker as much as the next supervisor, but too much is too much. You need a break.”
I hung my head low and felt the tips of my pointed ears burn. “You’re the boss.”
“Good.” Elda sat back and folded her hands together neatly. “Now, go pack your suitcase and be ready for the next polar express to head out in the morning.”
How could I argue? I’d already tried to make my case.
In the morning, I waited outside with a handful of my coworkers for the train. Everyone else seemed to be in a cheerful mood, and I couldn’t help noticing how Lucy and Harold were holding hands…
