Disclaimer: This story was written for entertainment purposes only!

_____________________________________________

   She worked quickly. The bow, the tape, the handcrafted gift tag. On to the next present. The bow, a red one this time, then the tape, and yet another handcrafted gift tag. Everything was color coordinated and perfectly wrapped. The gifts, ten to be exact, were each carried out and placed carefully in the trunk of a small, white vehicle. The young woman then took her seat behind the driving wheel. Twenty, thirty, forty-five miles per hour down her old dirt road. It was still dark, but she could see the moonlight reflecting off patches of ice that were scattered across the road.

   Suddenly, a deer sprinted across the road. She tested her brakes, but let up when she saw that the deer was alone and had made it safely to the other side of the road.

   Perfect, she thought. Just what I need when I'm on an important mission—a deer across my windshield. I had better grab one of my sugar cookies. She dug deep into her red velvet bag and pulled out one sugar cookie, shaped as a star. She popped it into her mouth and continued driving.

Not two seconds later, her car hit a patch of ice and began twirling uncontrollably. Around and around again, she began to feel ill. All of the sudden it stopped, and she looked out of the window. It was quiet and dark, but she could tell that she had definitely made her way into the ditch. After unsuccessfully attempting to budge the door, she unrolled the window and climbed out to examine the situation. The car actually began sinking into the snow as soon as she exited. Oh bother, she thought. 
   "I knew it!" someone hollered at her from across the road. "You wouldn't heed the speed limit signs and with that attitude of yours, how could you think that 'ol Jack wasn't going to get you at some point tonight?"

   "If you don't mind," she snapped back, "can we get down to business? I'd like to get this done and over with as quickly as possible." By this time the car had been completely submerged by snow. 
   "Very well," was the reply. The same deer that she had seen cross the road earlier stepped out from across the way and trotted over to where she stood. He had a large bag hanging from his mouth and a full set of antlers. Upon closer observation, she realized that this wasn't just any deer, this was a reindeer.

   "This is going to be worse than I thought," she mumbled, obviously annoyed. Still, she stepped over to the deer and stuck out her chin. "What's the damage?" she asked.

   "Hard to tell. Let's see," he said as he circled the area where the car had sunk. "Obviously a case of chaos here. Suffering from being overwhelmed, general grumpiness, as well as…" he trailed off as he stepped nearer to her, sniffing as he did so.
   "Sugary substance abuse" she volunteered. "Just say it. I'm unfit to be driving in this condition."

   "Well, at least you're not in denial; that will save us a few hours. So what is it that you need, Miss…Miss…?"

   "Christmas. Eve Christmas," she said with pride. "And what I need is my vehicle back so that I can complete my mission."
   "Exactly why do you need this vehicle to complete your mission, Miss Christmas?" inquired the reindeer, which had pulled out a notebook by now and was scribbling away.

   "I have no other vehicle." she said blatantly.

   "I see." he replied. He continued writing for a few seconds and then put his pen away and began to read in a drone, monotone sort of voice.

   "On this evening, the twenty-fourth of December, the vehicle of Miss Eve Christmas was confiscated by a Mister Jack C. Frost. It was seized on the grounds that the aforementioned Miss Christmas was overwhelmed and excessively grumpy and in short—an unfit driver in the wonderful land of win…uh, Winter Wonderland, that is.

Do you have anything to add?" he asked the woman impatiently.

   "The sugar."

   "Of course, the sugar. Now then, do you have any excus…I mean, explanations for this behavior?"

   "Well," she said smartly.

   "No explanation," he cut in as he put his notebook away. "You must come with me now." He got back down on all fours and picked up his red bag, which was setting on a pile of snow. A dark green blanket appeared on his back and the young woman went over and sat it. 

   A moment later they were both in front of a huge ice castle. There was nothing but snow and pine trees as far as the eye could see. The castle stretched before them like a looming vessel, and by the gate there stood two huge polar bears, fully clothed in blue and silver uniforms. The reindeer said something to the polar bears and they opened the gate. The two visitors walked in to a huge room, a truly great room! It was long and filled with ice sculptures of every kind. Overhead, icicles hung from gold thread, and as the wind brushed through the open windows, the icicles brushed against each other, sounding like hundreds of harmonious wind chimes. They even seemed to be chiming a particular tune, though it was an unfamiliar one.

   The two visitors walked leisurely through the room, until finally amidst all of the sculptures they saw a throne. The throne was made entirely of ice and had a blue shade to it. Upon it sat one, Mr. Frost. Miss Christmas cocked her head to one side and then looked at the reindeer in confusion. The latter did not, however, notice anything amiss, but released the red bag that he was still carrying and stood at attention.
   "Well, come closer so we don't have to shout, if you will." squealed the old man on the throne. His voice was shrill, and although not too loud was high enough to be considered annoying. As the two drew nearer they observed his shining blue eyes and long curly beard, as white and translucent as snow. On his head there was a pointed blue and green cap, and in his hand he held a long, ice scepter.
   "Now," he continued. "what are the charges and excus…I mean, explanations and so forth?"

The reindeer proceeded to read the charges, while Miss Christmas and Mister Frost listened. After the reindeer finished his reading, Mister Frost beckoned him closer. The two whispered back and forth for some time before finally ending their conference. Mister Frost then addressed Miss Christmas.
   "It seems, my dear, that although you had no ill intentions you might have spoiled Christmas for a great many people if we had not intervened. Your vehicle has been confiscated and will be returned to you."
   "Oh good!" she exclaimed, "because I really must be going and…"

   "It will be returned to you," he interrupted. "only after I am convinced you will not ruin Christmas for yourself or anyone else this season. You will be sent to the Island of Misfit Toys, where you will partake in the Christmas festivities. Perhaps there is still time for you to escape this chaos that threatens to choke your Spirit. You will go tonight."

   She stood silent, amazed at the authority in his voice. He stood then, and exited the room, followed by the reindeer.

A few minutes passed and no one entered the room. Eve began to wonder if the reindeer or even the shrill ruler of the castle would return. Her questions were answered not a minute later, when a large sleigh entered the room, pulled by two white, oversized Clydesdales. The sleigh stopped in front of her, and she stepped in. In the sleigh she noticed the reindeer's red velvet bag that he had been carrying, but before she had time to look inside, the Clydesdales jolted the sleigh, knocking her back into the cushioned seat.

   A moment later she arrived at what appeared to be some sort of festival. Baby dolls were stacking bows, while Teddy Bears were making unique gift tags. Everything was color coordinated—the red bows in one pile, the green in another. A Jack-In-The-Box noticed Eve's arrival and welcomed her with a smile. As she walked around the island she noticed how everyone was singing or humming or chatting cheerily. There were candy canes growing up out of the ground, and once in a while she saw a little pink bunny that appeared to be in charge of harvesting them. A doll surprised her by throwing a red bow in her direction. Catching it, she laughed, and put it in the appropriate pile.

   "Here," said the doll. "Come over here and have some candy."

Eve followed the doll and was shown a huge pile of gumdrops. She ate one, and then another, and another. The doll laughed and so did Eve. They laughed and sorted bows, then laughed some more. The singing and humming got louder and louder. They ate some more candy. Then went back to the bows, putting them in the correct piles. Then they began wrapping gifts, putting bows on them and gift tags. They worked quickly, laughing as they went. First the bow, the tape, and then the gift tag. First the bow, and then the tape. The music grew louder, the toys merrier. Bows, tape, and gift tags. Eve began getting dizzy again. The bows went in and out of focus. She saw the reindeer, but wait…that couldn't have been the reindeer. Bows, tape and gift tags. A red velvet bag, a castle made completely of ice. The bag again. The singing grew louder and louder. She closed her eyes and shook her head in frustration.

   Eve awoke with a start. "Bows and tape, and gift tags!" she repeated.She quickly dressed and grabbed her red velvet bag of toys. As she struggled to don her coat and boots, she froze. She stood there for just a second and then walked over to the window. Fresh snow covered the ground and in the middle of the driveway, covered in fresh, clean snow was her little white car. She smiled and nodded. Everything was just as it should be. She began humming a Christmas tune and grabbed her large, red bag.

   Opening the door she stepped out into the brisk morning air with a smile on her face. After placing the bag of gifts in the trunk of her car she stood thinking for a moment. A mischievous smile spread across her face and she opened the trunk again, reaching into the bag. She laughed and pulled out a small star-shaped cookie. Before popping it into her mouth she shouted "What are you gonna do now? Huh?" Smiling like a fool, she plopped into the driver's seat and started down the dirt road. Ten, twenty, twenty-five miles per hour.

          ~The End

Dear Ms. Doe, Dear Sandy,
Sandy,

I regret that I will not be able to come in to work today. I woke up late this morning and stepped on my cat and now My cat is dead making horrible noises so I need to take him to the vet. I called the vet and the only time available is right in the middle of my work shift. The vet lives 50 200 500 miles up north so I have to leave right away and I won't be back until well after five o'clock. I would normally not worry, but since I love my cat so much my cat is the only family I have right now, I couldn't possible ignore his symptoms cries for help! Please send up a prayer if you remember to think of poor Clarabelle today, and I'll make sure to keep you posted.

Sincerely,

Andrea