{"id":397,"date":"2014-12-30T07:51:35","date_gmt":"2014-12-30T07:51:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=397"},"modified":"2021-12-20T11:26:58","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T17:26:58","slug":"part7","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode11\/part7\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 00Carter Christmas<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Act II: \u00a0How Dr. Rough Stole Christmas<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

The brisk air whipped Dr. Rough\u2019s face as he surveyed the New York skyline from above in his high-tech sleigh. \u201cWhat a perfect night to dash the hopes and dreams of all the families sleeping soundly in their beds,\u201d he remarked fondly, and a soft chuckle escaped his lips. He continued to gaze out into the night sky, looking for the perfect house to begin his raid. \u201cEureka!\u201d he shrieked as he spied the perfect house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All the windows were dark.\u00a0 All the doors were locked.<\/em><\/span>
\n All the New Yorkers were dreaming sweet dreams and nice thoughts,<\/em><\/span>
\n When the FANS agents came to the new house on the block.<\/em><\/span>
\n “This is stop number one,” the evil Dr. Rough hissed,<\/em><\/span>
\n And he sent Donnie to the roof, empty bags in his fist.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The minion slid down the chimney, a rather tight squeeze,<\/em><\/span>
\n But if fat Santa could do it, so could little Donnie.<\/em><\/span>
\n He got stuck only once, for a moment or two,<\/em><\/span>
\n Then he stuck his head out of the fireplace flue,<\/em><\/span>
\n He brushed himself off, then scurried to the door<\/em><\/span>
\n To let in the others, tracking soot on the floor.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pushing the coughing Donnie aside, Santa Rough strode in to inspect the room. The tree glistened with twinkling bulbs of red and green; ornaments obviously made by children adorned the branches. The lights reflected on the presents below — boxes wrapped neatly with big, shiny bows. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation of ruining this family\u2019s Christmas.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so beautiful,\u201d Donnie sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know your jobs!\u201d Santa Rough snapped, glaring at the underling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then we slithered and slunk, with smiles most unpleasant,<\/em><\/span>
\n Around the whole room, and we took every present!<\/em><\/span>
\n Barbies and Furbies and flat-screen TVs!<\/em><\/span>
\n Legos and iPads and Nintendo Wiis!<\/em><\/span>
\n And we stuffed them in bags, till they’d hold no more.<\/em><\/span>
\n Then we hauled all our loot, bag by bag, out the door!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He giggled with glee as he threw all the toys in his bag, inspired by his own dastardly deeds. Once he had emptied all the presents from the tree, he glanced around, looking for what else to take. He spied the stockings hung from the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nick would soon be there. A snort of laughter escaped his lips as he unhooked the first stocking and shoved it in his bag. \u201cBah, humbug!\u201d he yelled and dragged his arm across the mantle, knocking in the stockings and ivy and the little porcelain Christmas village that looked like The North Pole.<\/p>\n

Into his bag, he threw the cookies and milk, no doubt set out by some children, hoping to bribe the big fat man enough to give them more of the toys made by his slave labor. He growled as he added the carrot left out for the reindeer. \u201cThey leave something for the dumb beasts, but do they think to leave anything for those who made the toys!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Rough, Dr. Rough!\u201d Donnie came running into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust he go yelling my name during every operation?\u201d Dr. Rough muttered to himself as he reeled around to face the culprit, almost knocking the silicone elf ears off the minion. His anger flared more when he noticed that Donnie was munching on a turkey leg. He raised his hand, ready to strike a blow of annoyance, when another thought crossed his mind. Stealing the toys and gadgets stuffed under the tree would certainly hamper the Christmas spirit, but taking the food meant for the feast would crush them.<\/p>\n

Snickering sinisterly, he tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and started to fill his bag to the brim. Up to the roof he went, and even the sight of his elves and Drumzy the Red-Eyed Reindeer sitting around in the sleigh could not cause the smile to fade from his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In his tricked-out red sleigh, Rough packed it with glee.<\/em><\/span>
\n“And NOW!” grinned the Doc, “We will go steal the tree!”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Carefully, Dr. Rough made his way back down the chimney to steal the last remnants of Christmas in this house before moving on to the next. He stood in front of the tree, realizing what a large undertaking putting it up the chimney would really be. The clock chimes reminded him just how little time there was and how much Christmas there was to steal, so, bending with his knees, he started to lift the tree. Unable to stand upright again once he had it, he decided to drag the monstrous fir to the chimney and then shove it up, where, surely, one of his subordinates would notice and help pull it the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

Wrapping his arms around the middle of the tree, he started to drag it but stopped short when he felt a poke in his back. \u201cDonnie, I thought you were supposed to be on the roof, waiting to help with this tree,\u201d he growled and turned to face the insubordinate elf. Instead, he saw a little girl with black hair bobbed right below the ears, carrying a stuffed monkey and wearing a backpack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dr. Rough grabbed the tree, and he started to push,<\/em><\/span>
\n ‘Til he felt a small hand poke him hard in the tush.<\/em><\/span>
\n He turned around fast, and he saw a small ni\u00f1a,<\/em><\/span>
\n Little Dora the Explorer, who cried, “Papa Noel!\u00a0 Nice to meet ya!”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSanta?\u201d the little girl spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanta?\u201d the little girl spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes, it\u2019s me, the jolly man in a fat suit, here to deliver gifts to good little boys and girls.\u201d He let out a \u201cHo, Ho, Ho!\u201d for good measure. \u201cAnd what are you doing up so late, my dear? You know that you do not get any toys made by underpaid and overburdened elves if you are awake when Santa\u2026 er, I<\/em> come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was thirsty,\u201d the little girl replied, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. As if to prove her point, she lifted her glass of water high for Santa to see. She did not want her thirst to be the reason Santa thought she was one of the naughty children who tried to peek early. \u201cSanta?\u201d she asked as she looked around the room. \u201cWhere are you taking the Christmas tree?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dr. Rough had been caught by this cute Latina daughter,<\/em><\/span>
\n Who’d gotten out of bed for a cup of cold water.<\/em><\/span>
\n She stared at Dr. Rough and said, “Papa Noel, why?<\/em><\/span>
\n Why are you taking our Christmas tree?\u00a0 Why?”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Rough looked at the young girl and thought for a minute or two, and before long, he knew just what to do. \u201cAh, you see, little one, there is a light on the tree, just there, you see, that won\u2019t light anymore. I am taking it back to my shop for the underappreciated elves to fix so that, on Christmas morning, you will be able to fully enjoy your gift-opening experience under the glow of all the lights on the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

But, you know, Dr. Rough is so smart and so slick,<\/em><\/span>
\n He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!<\/em><\/span>
\n “Why, mi dulce ni\u00f1a,” the fake Santa Claus lied,<\/em><\/span>
\n “There’s a light on this tree that won’t light on one side.<\/em><\/span>
\n So I’m taking it home to my workshop, my dear.<\/em><\/span>
\n I’ll whip my elf slaves till they fix it and bring it back here.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The little Latina looked up at Santa\u2019s face and back to the tree. She thought about it for a moment and thought some more. She whispered to her monkey friend and then said, \u201cBut there aren\u2019t any lights out on that tree. Liar!\u201d Fixing Dr. Rough with an accusatory stare, she pointed her bony, little finger straight in his face. \u201cWhy would you have to take it all the way back to the North Pole to fix one little light? My dad keeps an extra string or two in the basement for such an occasion. But if you were the real<\/em> Santa, you would know that already.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned to the monkey again like it was speaking to her. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Boots; he doesn\u2019t have a white beard. Why don\u2019t you have a beard? Why is your skin so dark? And what is up with your eye<\/em>?\u201d She pointed to his eye that was starting to twitch with irritation. \u201cYou aren\u2019t even fat, and everyone knows Santa has a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly. Not to mention your height. You are much too short to be the real Santa!\u201d the girl exclaimed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dora stared up at him and said, “That’s a lie!<\/em><\/span>
\n If there’s a bulb that’s burnt out, just get a new string of lights!<\/em><\/span>
\n You’re not the real Santa; you don’t have a white beard!<\/em><\/span>
\n Your skin is too dark, and your eye twitches weird!<\/em><\/span>
\n Santa’s s’posed to be fat, with cheeks like a cherry torte,<\/em><\/span>
\n But you’re much too skinny, small, and SHORT!”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShort? Short?!<\/em>\u201d Dr. Rough threw the tree a full half an inch across the room and stormed closer to the girl.<\/p>\n

The girl with the bobbed hair backed up only slightly as the short Santa approached.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou and that blond brat Carter will be the first on my naughty list when I rule the world. You should bow to me now, and I might be forgiving.\u201d Dr. Rough stood with his hands on his waist, waiting for the girl to literally bow to his whim.<\/p>\n

The girl did not hesitate. From her backpack, she whipped out a can of mace. \u201cSanta, no swiping!\u201d she yelled and sprayed the mace in his face.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Ohh bitches, it was on!\u00a0 Rough drew back with a scowl.<\/em><\/span>
\n “You insolent brat!” he hissed. “Watch your mouth!<\/em><\/span>
\n When I rule the world, those who mock me shall suffer!<\/em><\/span>
\n Starting with you and that meddling Carter!<\/em><\/span>
\n You’ll pay for all your tormenting and sniping!”<\/em><\/span>
\n But Dora just screamed, “SANTA, NO SWIPING!”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOw!\u201d screamed the evil Claus.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanta, no swiping!\u201d The little girl turned to an imaginary audience. \u201cHelp me keep Santa from swiping. Say it with me: Santa, no swiping!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho the hell are you talking to?\u201d Dr. Rough screamed, rubbing his eyes. \u201cYou are a crazy little bitch!\u201d Eyes streaming, he turned to Donnie, who had managed to sneak back down the chimney to see what was taking his leader so long. \u201cThe tree, the tree!\u201d Dr. Rough shouted and, half-blinded, managed to follow his minion elf back up the chimney.<\/p>\n

\u201cHa!\u201d he yelled down the chimney at the girl, who continued to screech.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanta, no swiping! Santa, no swiping! Santa, no swiping!\u201d she wailed, her eyes closed and her hand outstretched, palm open flat towards the chimney. Dr. Rough could see lights turning on in the house, as well as a few turning on across the street.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“NO SWIPING, SANTA!” she continued to shriek.<\/em><\/span>
\n Doors opened, and lights flipped on across the street.<\/em><\/span>
\n “Bail!” Dr. Rough cried as he fled to his sleigh.<\/em><\/span>
\n In piled the minions, and we raced away,<\/em><\/span>
\n Leaving Dora’s family in their empty house,<\/em><\/span>
\n With nothing but a crumb too small for a mouse.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Back in the living room, the girl sat down, a single tear trickling from her eye.\u00a0 Nothing was left in the house for the celebration on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 8<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A 00Carter Christmas Act II: \u00a0How Dr. Rough Stole Christmas   The brisk air whipped Dr. Rough\u2019s face as he surveyed the New York skyline from above in his high-tech sleigh. \u201cWhat a perfect night to dash the hopes and dreams of all the families sleeping soundly in their beds,\u201d\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more<\/span><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":147,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"templates\/template-onecolumn.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-397","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5xaHX-6p","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=397"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":955,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/397\/revisions\/955"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}