Trooper Station, Thursday

[craftyladyparts.livejournal.com]

It was the day before Christmas and throughout the Trooper Station, things were pretty quiet. There were some decorations hanging up, including trooper boots hung like stockings, just in case some higher ups wanted to give them anything, wink wink.

The troopers were waiting at guard or at the desks, imagining what kind of crazy calls they might get today. While Ralph made some coffee, Jessica settled in for what she thought would be a simple day.

Until the phone rang, at least, and she had to answer it to find out what the hell was going on. The caller sounded frantic. They needed help right away. When they looked through their window earlier, they saw an intruder on the property.

Jessica called over a trooper and together they jogged to the house in question through the constant snow. As soon as they arrived on the scene, they saw the intruder immediately. It was a giant snowman. (The caller kind of undersold it on the phone.)

The snowman turned around to see the cops on the scene, then shambled uneasily toward them looking to attack. It moved slowly and it swayed, but it was menacing in its growl.

"Hey, do you have a concussion grenade?" Jessica called to the trooper. After a nod of confirmation, she continued, "Toss it at the snowman. I think I recognize that growl."

The grenade landed flush in the snowman's chest. Within seconds it exploded, causing a brand new snowfall. But it wasn't just white stuff... gremlins were tossed to the ground, too.

"Okay guys, I don't known what your game is today, but trespassing in a giant snowman to menace people is specifically called out as a crime in the town's municipal code. You're coming with me to the station."

Jessica read them their rights, then webbed their mouths shut to keep them from biting, then she and the trooper dragged them back to the station where they would spend the day in lockup.

"In, Dasher. In, Dancer. In, Prancer and Vixen. And this cell is for Comet, and Cupid, and Donder and Blitzen. Cool it in there until tonight, then you'll get out with time served and a minimal fine. Okay?"

Jessica settled back at her desk, where a cup of Ralph's coffee waited for her. "Merry Christmas, guys. Let's take the night off and go to a bar or something."

Luke's, Thursday Afternoon

[geniuswithasmartphone]

Hardison was drawn downstairs by the delicious scents emanating from the kitchen. He was probably going to make his boyfriend mad by gorging himself on whatever they were cooking and not having enough room for whatever Eliot was whipping up for Christmas Eve dinner, but whatever. This smelled too good for him to pass up.

Heading downstairs, however, his plans were thwarted by the staff who were all working with terrifying efficiency in the kitchen. "You can have one plate!" Cook told him while the busboy and dishwasher ignored him in favor of packing a shocking amount of food into large bins.

"Uhhh, if I'm only allowed one plate then why'd y'all make so much?" Hardison asked, reaching out to filch some stuffing.

Without even looking, Cook whapped his fingers with a ladled. The dishwasher snickered openly. At least the busboy answered. "This is for tomorrow," he explained. "We're closed, but we want to make sure people have a good dinner available if they want one. So we're making a bunch of dinner baskets for people on the island and shipping the rest off to some shelters on the mainland, along with the rest of the stuff we got from the food drive."

"Well...hell," Hardison said, impressed in spite of himself. "Here, lemme finish up my plate an' then I'll help pack, a'ight?"

"Fine," Cook replied. "But we catch you stealing food and Dishy here gets to decide your punishment." The dishwasher finally acknowledged Hardison by giving him a distinctly unsettling grin.

"This whole diner is staffed by creepers," Hardison muttered before settling down with a plate.

Today's Specials!
Preview Christmas Dinner!
Roast Goose
Hazelnut, Pancetta, and Orange Stuffing
Marscapone Mashed Potatoes
Brown Sugar Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Baby Carrots
Peart Tarte Tatin With Red Wine Caramel

[OCD-free! And feel free to mod that a holiday dinner basket was delivered to you tomorrow if you'd like!]