Question

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    Topic
  • #2152150

    12 days of Christmas…

    Locked

    by boxfiddler ·

    The game:
    Using TR as a backdrop, create a Christmas Eve narrative.

    The rules:

    1. Christmas Eve in the village of TR is the subject.
    2. Minimally, your portion of the narrative should involve you, and the member to whom you respond.
    3. Other characters should be limited to TR members, and tidbits of information we know about you, and them, via TR posts.
    4. The disappearing ?traditional spirit of the season? message should come through to some degree.
    5. The entirety of the posts should be somewhere near coherent as one story when viewed in Print/View All.
    6. It could be a good idea to leave room to expand in order to carry on for awhile. B-)
    7. Should be a third-person narrative, please.
    8. [b]Only[/b] entries to the ongoing narrative will be awarded thumbs, and [b]only[/b] those entries that meet the above listed requirements.

    Commentary is welcome, as are emoticons, Christmas music, pictures, references to posts made by members; all within the context of the storyline.

    It was Christmas Eve in the frequently fussy but magical village of Tech Republic. A hard, cold winter had set in. The kind that brings things to a grinding halt with lots and lots of snow. By mid-December major thoroughfares were closed to travelers. Villagers were restless.

    The sky glowered, periodically sputtering snowflakes big as a fist. After an hour or two during which not much more than conversation and coffee with a few of the townsfolk took place, the local boxfiddler closed shop early and headed home. No sooner had she locked the door than snow began to fall slowly and steadily.

    As she walked, she grinned broadly at the beauty the snow brought. When she thought no one was looking, she danced about a bit with her tongue out to catch the snowflakes, dim memories of childhood broadening her grin.

    She stopped at NickNielsen?s shop for groceries, having invited some folk for dinner Christmas Day. Then, on to ScummyCands for TheScummyOne?s world famous homemade toffee. Plenty to do this afternoon, including some baking of her own. She still hadn?t finished with Christmas cookies, and had promised the local welder some homemade raisin bread.

    Afternoon settled into evening. As dusk came on the snow began to fall in blizzard like fashion. Having completed her baking, as well as prep for Christmas dinner, boxy settled in for a peaceful Christmas Eve. The fire glowed warmly. She added a log to the fire, poured a snifter of blackberry brandy, and shut off the lights. Basking in the fire to her back, awed by the raging blizzard to her front, she quickly fell into deep reverie.

    edit: fix NickNielsen, and a couple redundancies while I was at it. 😀

    edit again: it might be worth noting that TR members are residents of Tech Republic village. B-)

All Answers

  • Author
    Replies
    • #2981441

      Clarifications

      by boxfiddler ·

      In reply to 12 days of Christmas…

      Clarifications

    • #2981437

      Christmas Eve in the village of TR

      by tig2 ·

      In reply to 12 days of Christmas…

      Thinking back on the days before, when she was more an observer of life in the village than a participant, she compared then and now- an active member of the community. She considered that, while at first she had been reluctant and felt vulnerable, she had grown to love the people of the village in a new way. Many of them had stopped being faces in a crowd and had become, in a fashion, family. The thought of a large and loving family contented her.

      Suddenly out of the whiteness of the heavy snow came a knock on the door. “Who in the world would be out in such weather?” she wondered as she hurried to see who was on her door step.

      Wrapped from head to toe in scarves, hat, and mittens stood Tigger. “i couldn’t believe how quickly the snow started!” she exclaimed as she shook the snow off and removed her furry boots. “I had to stop by, I was afraid I would miss the crowd tomorrow and I couldn’t let Christmas come and go without giving you a gift.” Tigger dug deep into a pocket and pulled out a small box. “Merry Christmas, boxy!”

      • #2981430

        Simultaneously

        by boxfiddler ·

        In reply to Christmas Eve in the village of TR

        giving Tigger a big hug and dragging her to the fire, boxy exclaimed, “Merry Christmas to you too! Stay a bit. At least warm up before you head back out into the weather. Good grief, but it’s not the kind of night to be out and about. Let me get you a brandy. Now, you warm up, while I rummage about under the tree. I’ve something for you here.”

        Tigger and boxy chatted and sipped for a bit, reminiscing about past Christmases, wondering about villagers who had moved… The sort of thing friends do on Christmas Eve.

      • #2981425

        Just as the conversation started to die off

        by nicknielsen ·

        In reply to Christmas Eve in the village of TR

        in favor of observing the fire, there came another knock at the door. Boxy answered the door to discover nickniels[u][b]e[/b][/u]n, his arms full of boxes and bottles.

        “I saw Tigger stop in, and hoped you might like some more company,” said Nick. “I also thought you might enjoy some of the German Christmas cookies from the store with a bottle of Gluwein. I picked some up from JDClyde’s liquor store. It’s a German mulled wine and it’s delicious; all you have to do it heat it. There’s also plenty of hot chocolate for anybody who doesn’t drink.”

        “Shall we start the party early?”

        • #2981423

          boxy laughed delightedly.

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Just as the conversation started to die off

          Such a night for visitors!

          “Get your butt in here Nick. There’s plenty of room by the fire.” She relieved him of his packages, took his hat and coat, and offered him a brandy. Giving Tigger the cookies to open, she asked Nick if he minded her saving the wine for the morrow. Being the kindly sort he is, he graciously said, “Not at all. I’d rather a brandy on a night like this anyway.” boxy put the wine away, and got to rooting around under the tree again.

        • #2981416

          As Boxy was checking under the tree

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to Just as the conversation started to die off

          Nick glanced at Tigger, placed a finger over his lips, and carefully retrieved a box from the bottom of the bag of cookies. He showed the box to Tigger, who on reading “Aplets and Cotlets” raised her eyebrows and smiled in anticipation. Nick then slipped it under the tree on the other side from Boxy.

          Unfortunately for Nick’s surprise, Boxy chose that moment to emerge from under the tree…

          Product link (blatant plug, these things are [b]awesome[/b]!) http://www.libertyorchards.com/product/Aplets_and_Cotlets/Aplets_and_Cotlets

        • #2981415

          In the warm glow of the fire

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Just as the conversation started to die off

          Three friends reminisced about their first Christmas in the village. The times that new friends introduced themselves, the times that they had had to bring the law down on miscreants. Tonight, even the miscreants were somehow endearing, washed as they were in the perspective of time and good company.

          “Has anyone seen OzMedia? Or that new guy that just moved in- dhutton is it?”, Tigger asked. “With all the snow, I can’t see as far as the street”, Nick replied. “But I thought I saw them earlier today”. “I had hoped to see OnTheRopes today”, Boxy said. “But it seems there is never enough time to do all the things there are to do in a day. I wish it wasn’t that way.”

        • #2981413

          Nick excused himself from the room

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Just as the conversation started to die off

          Boxy leaned over and whispered to Tigger, “Just what was Nick putting under the tree?” “I have no idea, dear. I thought he just had to tie his shoelace or something. He did need to leave the room.”

          Boxy started to stand up and thought the better of it. She could wait until morning to see if Nick had put something under the tree. To her, the real gift was spending an evening chatting with friends.

        • #2981406

          Outside, as the snow continued to fall…

          by michael jay ·

          In reply to Nick excused himself from the room

          Michael steped out of his store, “Michael’s Computers and Things”. As he locked the doors he muttered to himself, “that dang Ropes, he said he would come and pick up that Nikon P80, guess the old coot went to Lynn’s “The Gadget Girl Shop” for that”.

          As he walked thru the snow he reflected on the past year, not a bad one he thought.

          Remembering the invite to Boxy’s Christmas eve party he turned right, skating across the street like a kid and onto Republic Blvd where Boxie lived.

        • #2981280

          Closing the Gadget Girl shop, GG pulled down the shutters

          by gadgetgirl ·

          In reply to Outside, as the snow continued to fall…

          and looked down at the snow under her feet. Knowing it would be a long hard slog, she gingerly started slipping and sliding along to Republic Boulevard.

          Of course, three steps later, she found herself sat on the floor muttering “oh no. Not again!” Wishing snow had never been invented, she wondered how she was going to get to Boxys’ place in one piece.

          As luck would have it, and, knowing how accident prone she was, a very thoughtful Dawg, not sleeping at all, pulled up in his car. “I knew you’d be in trouble! Hop in!”

          After putting her numerous goody bags in the back, GG got in and had a safe and warm drive to Republic Blvd. Getting her safely out of the car and up the drive, Dawg left, saying he’d be back later after running a few errands.

          GG hovered around the drive for a while till he’d gone. Then, taking out the MP3 player, and a set of mini speakers, she giggled to herself and turned the volume up to full.

          A few seconds later, “Here come the Girls” blasted around the area: inside, Tig and Boxy laughed, stating it could only be one person doing that….. 😀

          With squeals of delight, GG ran up to the door to be greeted by Boxy and Tigs. Massive hugs all round! A great start to the night!

          After getting rid of her numeous layers of outdoor clothing, GG popped into the kitchen to make a quick check up call on Pa, who fell on the ice and broke his shoulder the previous week. (Yeah, sorry, that bit IS, sadly, true 🙁 )

          Boxy remembered that GG didn’t like brandy, so passed over a small but appropriate gin and tonic, with a large chunk of lime – just the way GG liked it.

          The girls were getting on Nick and Michaels nerves as they wouldn’t stop giggling and talking! After 10 minutes of not being able to get a word in edgeways, Michael reminded GG she’d offered to make some good old fashioned English mulled wine.

          Taking one of her bags of goodies, GG commandeered Boxys’ kitchen, humming the old song http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=62eTq8ErUOQ

          to herself……

        • #2981403

          A knock at the door and

          by michael jay ·

          In reply to Just as the conversation started to die off

          Boxfiddler answers, it is Michael Jay, “O what a beautiful Christmas tree Boxie” exclaims Michael, and all eyes turn to the tree.

          Michael gives Boxie a big Christmas hug and then realizing that he has left the gifts back at his store says; “Holy Crap Boxie, I left the presents back at the store, gotta run be right back, hang in there Nick and Tig”.

        • #2981401

          boxy just shook her head and smiled at Michael Jay

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to A knock at the door and

          assuring him that presents aren’t the big thing. He, however, was insistent, so she bade him hurry back to cozy up in front of the fire with the rest of the group.

          etu…

    • #2981402

      Glancing at the emptying snifters of her guests

      by boxfiddler ·

      In reply to 12 days of Christmas…

      boxy rose to go to the kitchen for another bottle of brandy, and some snacks she had on hand.

      The snow was still falling heavily, what clouds could be seen backlit by a full moon. After refilling snifters, she added a log to the fire (good lord, can’t have cold guests on a night like this), then settled back into the conversation wondering who would turn up next.

      • #2981399

        Meanwhile, on the outskirts of TR village …

        by older mycroft ·

        In reply to Glancing at the emptying snifters of her guests

        Old Mycroft was stuck in a snowdrift. He wasn’t used to driving on the WRONG side of the road and his Hire Car, which he’d only just collected from the airport, seemed to have a mind of its own.

        “Why can’t Americans build decent cars with steering wheels on the right side of the car?” he thought to himself. Prodding and jabbing at the SatNav screen, he set about entering the digits to Boxie’s house on Republic Blvd. He hoped he wouldn’t miss the party…

        • #2981384

          OnTheRopes is driving into the village in his GMC Sierra 4WD

          by ontheropes ·

          In reply to Meanwhile, on the outskirts of TR village …

          and sees OldMycroft stuck in the drift. After asking if he’d like a tow out, to which OM grumbles “Hell yes, Sherlock,” OnTheRopes laughs and hooks up a snatch strap to both vehicles and easily pulls OM out of the snowdrift.

          While unhooking the snatch strap OnTheRopes asks OM where he’s going on such a night.

        • #2981319

          Perfect

          by santeewelding ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes is driving into the village in his GMC Sierra 4WD

          Utterly perfect.

        • #2981245

          OM tells Ropes that he’s heading for Boxie’s party …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes is driving into the village in his GMC Sierra 4WD

          Ropes replies that it might be the same party that he was heading towards.

          OM has developed an intense dislike of the SatNav in the Hire Car, so he agrees to Ropes’ suggestion to “Just take it slow and follow me to Boxfiddler’s address!” The two vehicles trundle off into the snow-laden night.

      • #2981398
        Avatar photo

        While boxy ponders…

        by Tammy.Cavadias ·

        In reply to Glancing at the emptying snifters of her guests

        ..lost in her thoughts… who should appear but the Grinch (aka Tammy) coming to remove all the good cheer – it breaks TOS after all didn’t you hear?

        Out goes the tree with all its pretty lights, presents oh no, replace with coal to delight..

        Just as Tammy removed everything in sight.. you could hear her mumble (heck with TOS tonight).. Tammy puts it all back leaving more in its place – and as Tammy heads out the door she hollers – Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

        -Tammy 🙂

        • #2981393

          As Tammy hit the road,

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to While boxy ponders…

          She was ushered on her way with a loud chorus of “Merry Christmas, Tammy! Thank you!” from all assembled.

        • #2981388

          Too, as she headed out the door,

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to As Tammy hit the road,

          boxy slipped an envelope into her coat pocket; a donation to the local constabulary for purpose of equipment upgrade. Whispering in Tammy’s ear, boxy said, “Don’t forget to stop by for dinner tomorrow.”

        • #2968259
          Avatar photo

          Donation appreciated…

          by Tammy.Cavadias ·

          In reply to Too, as she headed out the door,

          .. upgrades were done – but afraid it appears the upgrades broke the pages… now poor Hal is locked out 🙁

          Tammy comes back for dinner but sits in the “Green” corner, as it matches the shade of her skin tonight – “no hugs” she states I might be catchy as she dashes for the bathroom to give homage to that porcelain God.

          Boxy notices as Tammy dashes by – a big ole blue bag sitting close by. Boxy peeks in to see what it could be and gleefully shouts – TR swag for all! TR mugs to be filled with Hot cocoa, TR frisbees to hang on the TR tech tree, TR computer squeezies to keep Scummy entertained, TR Bouncey balls with their red flashing lights, TR cameras to remember this night.

          Picking up one of the cameras with a devilish gleem in her eye, Boxy creeps up to the bathroom door and stands just to the side…

          -Tammy 🙂

        • #2968247

          OnTheRopes says, “I, for one, do not want to see Tammy in the bathroom”.

          by ontheropes ·

          In reply to Donation appreciated…

          “Where’s my brain bleach?”

        • #2968239

          A slight outburst from MJ as he tossed his script on the floor

          by michael jay ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes says, “I, for one, do not want to see Tammy in the bathroom”.

          You are so right Ropes.

        • #2968238

          A not-so-slight outburst from boxy

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes says, “I, for one, do not want to see Tammy in the bathroom”.

          as she wrangles with serious disappointment.
          boxy wouldn’t snoop in anybody’s gift bag in the first place. And she sure as hell wouldn’t be messing with germy cameras from a sick person. And she sure as hell wouldn’t be lurking outside a bathroom door to snap a pic of the poor, sick person as they leave the bathroom.

          There’s crude, and then there’s rude and disgusting. It’s a Christmas thread for crying out loud.

          etfu

        • #2968228
          Avatar photo

          Whoops…

          by Tammy.Cavadias ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes says, “I, for one, do not want to see Tammy in the bathroom”.

          I could use a gallon (or two)… never meant to offend – was thinking more along the lines of a green face.. not that other thing … well I never claimed to be writer… but it is time for me to head back to bed.

          -Tammy 🙂

        • #2968226

          Tammy…

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes says, “I, for one, do not want to see Tammy in the bathroom”.

          I woulda let it alone, but it started going a bit south. Do get some rest – if you have the same bug I had, you need plenty. Sucker did me in for nearly a week.

      • #2981391

        A knock at the door and

        by michael jay ·

        In reply to Glancing at the emptying snifters of her guests

        Boxfiddler answers, it is Michael Jay, back from his shop, with a big bag of presents.

        Michael knows that it is not about the presents but knew if he re-entered Boxies house he would get a second hug, not a dumb dude at all.

        After another warm hug Michael says, “Let me put these gifts under the Christmas tree, we shall open them at midnight?”

        • #2981387

          “Would you like a brandy, Michael?”

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to A knock at the door and

          she asked as she took his coat and hat. As she ushered him to a seat near the fire, he replied, “Yes, thank you.” boxy headed to the kitchen for another bottle of brandy, checking the snifters of the remaining guests as she went.

        • #2981377

          Boxie returns with fresh drinks

          by michael jay ·

          In reply to “Would you like a brandy, Michael?”

          Michael thanks Boxie and passes her a memory stick, Michael says “here is one of those Christmas lights videos, it starts out slow but then really dances.”
          Boxie eyes the thumb drive with a look of, please not one of those videos, but it is Christmas eve and so she decides to be nice to the poor boy and plugs it in.

          After it plays Boxie, Tigger and Nick all agree that was alright, and at one and a half minutes, short enough.

        • #2981368

          “Way cool!”

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Boxie returns with fresh drinks

          shouts boxy, with a gleeful look on her face. And wouldn’t you know it, she pulls out her own favorite dancing lights.

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HxvqvHCBK0

          (The room goes momentarily silent at her exuberance, as she blushes.)

          etu

        • #2981354

          Nick, not to be outdone

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to “Way cool!”

          makes his own, less exuberant, contribution. 😉

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldluU0te0-0

        • #2981331

          Tig, on the other hand

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Nick, not to be outdone

          Just sings the Tigger song at the top of her voice.

          Sorry guys. You Tube drives me nuts.

          The wonderful thing about tiggers
          Is tiggers are wonderful things!
          Their tops are made out of rubber;
          Their bottoms are made out of springs!
          They’re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
          Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!
          But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is
          I’m the only one!

          Oh the wonderful thing about tiggers
          Is tiggers are wonderful chaps!
          They’re loaded with vim and with vigor;
          They love to leap in your laps!
          They’re jumpy, bumpy, clumpy, thumpy,
          Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!
          But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is
          I’m the only one!

          Tiggers are cuddly fellas.
          Tiggers are awfully sweet.
          Ev’ryone else is jealous.
          That’s why I repeat and repeat:

          The wonderful thing about tiggers
          Is tiggers are wonderful things!
          Their tops are made out of rubber;
          Their bottoms are made out of springs!
          They’re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
          Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!
          But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is
          I’m the only one!

    • #2981385

      On the other side of town

      by rob miners ·

      In reply to 12 days of Christmas…

      at the airport Jacky Howe is waiting for a shuttle bus that will take him to his Hotel room. While he is waiting he ducks into a Bar to settle his nerves after the long flight from Kickatinalong. He ponders the invitation from Boxie and is looking forward to meeting up with the TR gang……..

      • #2981359

        Well

        by rob miners ·

        In reply to On the other side of town

        eventually the shuttle bus arrived and he was on his way to the Red Roof Inn Discount Hotel‎. That didn’t take long, he could have walked if he had realised that it was so close and it wasn’t so bloody cold. He hasn’t seen this much snow since he was last in Perisher Valley. Now he’s off to find his room and stash his gear…………

        • #2981358

          Hint, hint..

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Well

          Make all those ‘I’s’ into ‘he’s’. 😉

        • #2981356

          Ooops not used to this

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to Hint, hint..

          .

        • #2981353

          At last he was settled and

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to Well

          he checked the time and realised that he had time to spare before heading over to Boxies. Miserable bloody weather he thought, no sense going site seeing in this. He cauaght a cab to 1222 Holsworth Ln to purchase some snowflakes as they are an exceptionally fine gift and everyone will have something to remember him by. Fitting he thought as he fondled one and looked outside……http://www.kentuckysnow.com/

        • #2981286

          Snow snow and more snow

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to At last he was settled and

          will it ever let up he wonders as he takes his trinkets back to the Hotel. He then goes through his list of friends that Boxie had invited and ticked them of for the trinkets that he would be giving them. Jimmy-Jam he thought, ever since Jimmy-Jams interview Jacky has had MargaritaVille humming away in the background. It will be good to meet up with him Jacky thought………….

      • #2981267

        Snow continued

        by rob miners ·

        In reply to On the other side of town

        Lost in thought Jacky thinks of the people that are going to be at Boxies tonight. It’s a long list and brings back fond memories

        http://techrepublic.com.com/5236-1-0.html

        Lucky that Boxie added the extension to be able to cater for such a gathering. Such a sweet girl Jacky thought. And that song came back

        http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=MUTf5qvS0Lo

        • #2981257

          but what?

          by .martin. ·

          In reply to Snow continued

          .Martin. HAD been invited to the festivities? Somebody had to stop him before he ruined Christmas!

        • #2981236

          It was an impromptu gathering

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to but what?

          silly fellow. Read the OP again, boxy had settled in for an evening alone (though she was secretly hoping for a visit from a certain someone).

        • #2968244

          but it then must seem

          by .martin. ·

          In reply to It was an impromptu gathering

          that you don’t know .Martin. too well, as he is not an impromptu kind of guy…

        • #2968241

          :D Coulda fooled me! :D :D

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to but it then must seem

          .

        • #2968231

          :D

          by .martin. ·

          In reply to :D Coulda fooled me! :D :D

        • #2981193

          Jacky

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to Snow continued

          was feeling a bit tired after the long flight and as he had plenty of time to spare he decided to relax and have a catnap on the bed. A short time later Jacky woke and looked around him, he was dressed in thongs, singlet and stubbies. He was in his recliner at home. Bummer I was only dreaming, thought Jacky what a wonderful dream.

    • #2981346

      The reverie ended.

      by santeewelding ·

      In reply to 12 days of Christmas…

      She was alone.

      A knock-knock knocking on her door stirred our puzzled Boxy all the more.

      “Who,” she thought. “Who in the village? Who afoot this magical hour?”

      The snifter of brandy at her hand was near untouched; the one sip was all. “Good stuff,” she grinned, this home brew from her apparatus out back. The snow, and the one before, had stilled the yard nazis next-door, in more ways than one. Best customers, now, they were, reveried all day and into the night, holiday libation and all. They fussed not about the puffing, clanking, hissing of Boxy’s cantankerous still, the one out back in their plain view.

      Another knock and she was up.

      It was Santee.

      “Merry Christmas — and here: I brought it. Fixed better than new, with RFID, to broadcast how much remains in the still!”

      At which he turned, hearking. Another presence made known.

      1) tinkering, still
      2), or is it 3): tempted to fashion it more with wild-ass metaphor into why Jennifer is so very rare.

      • #2981240

        santee attached the broadcast thingy (?! :D )

        by boxfiddler ·

        In reply to The reverie ended.

        to the still, at which point boxy begged him come in to warm himself. santee did just that, handing boxy his hat and coat on the way to the hearth. She stopped him midway for a humongous hug, then pointed him toward a prime spot by the fire and poured him a brandy. They chatted a bit, watching the fire and the snowfall. As the evening wore on they grew quiet, sitting comfortably together in sweet silence.

        edit: minor rewrite, less objectification hopefully.

    • #2981318

      Meanwhile on Mount TR

      by .martin. ·

      In reply to 12 days of Christmas…

      .Martin. was plotting (mwahahaha), “I shall get them all for not inviting me to their Christmas festivities, me, and THE BOOGIEMAN!” laughed .Martin.

      and with that the plotting started, for the biggest dose of revenge EVER.

      • #2981304

        So he decided

        by .martin. ·

        In reply to Meanwhile on Mount TR

        upon a plan. what is Christmas without any lights?

        So .Martin. figured, the easiest way to do this, would be to go to the power plant, so off .Martin. snuck, to destroy the towns night.

        at arriving at the TR Solarplant (we are now environmentally friendly 🙂 ) .Martin. crawled to the back entrance, but oh no bighair1204 was guarding the way!

        • #2981299

          Oh dear Grinch

          by santeewelding ·

          In reply to So he decided

          Befuddled he is, not fluent in Chinese, and all.

          ..fixed by one equally befuddled, for fear of losing his “One”.

        • #2981284

          So quick as a flash

          by .martin. ·

          In reply to Oh dear Grinch

          .Martin. pulled out his Chinese for idiots book (he knew it would come in handy one day) and said to bighair1204 晚安 (good evening), 我在这里修复发电机 (I am here to fix the generator)

        • #2981277

          but bighair1204

          by .martin. ·

          In reply to So quick as a flash

          was too smart 我永远不会让你通过 (I will never let you pass),said bighair1204, pulling out a shotgun. .Martin. jumped, turned around, and ran into the bushes.

          I will have to find another way in, mumbled .Martin.

        • #2981218

          On good authority

          by santeewelding ·

          In reply to So quick as a flash

          The first is translated as, I am.

          The second as, Where is the bathroom?

        • #2981217

          :D :D :D

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to On good authority

          .

        • #2981237

          Little does .Martin. realize

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Oh dear Grinch

          that with the fire, and plenty of candles, the loss of power isn’t going to bother boxy or the other revelers. Silly .Martin. should have done as the others did, just stop on by. Impromptu parties don’t require invites.

        • #2981235

          not third person.

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Oh dear Grinch

          but then you know that.

        • #2981215

          This one

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Oh dear Grinch

          now hesitates to award another thumb…
          Gotta think about this.
          *smooch!*

        • #2981234

          mixed persons.

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to So he decided

          .

      • #2981231

        I don’t think .Martin. read the rules. :D

        by boxfiddler ·

        In reply to Meanwhile on Mount TR

        .

    • #2981213

      Driving slowly through the snow, OM and OTR make their way to the party.

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to 12 days of Christmas…

      Parking on the street OTR grabs a case of Guinness Extra Stout off of his passenger seat and makes his way to the door where he stomps his boots, leans against the door to grab the knob and shoulders his way inside.

      “Hi everybody. I brought the good stuff,” he says as all eyes turn on him while he sets the beer down to remove his hat, gloves and coat in the welomely warm room. Turning he looks through the door window and sees that OldMycroft appears ready to step out of his car parked across the street.

      OTR hangs his coat on the clothes pole, picks up the beer and heads over to where Boxie sits with Santee, nodding at familiar friendly smiles from those already gathered.

      “Where would you like the beer Boxie?” Santee answers for her and suggests the kitchen pointing to a door across the room. “Thanks Santee” OTR says as he makes his way past everyone into the kitchen.

      Setting the beer down on the counter OTR spies a vegetable platter on the kitchen table and grabs a few olives before opening the refrigerator and placing the beers in amongst the food one by one. It looks like there’s enough food to feed an army.

      Grabbing the last beer for himself OTR moves the empty carriers out onto the back porch, grabs another handful of veggies from the platter and rejoins everyone by just quietly standing against the wall, seemingly at peace among his friends.

      • #2968221

        OTR kept staring out the window

        by boxfiddler ·

        In reply to Driving slowly through the snow, OM and OTR make their way to the party.

        as though he were expecting someone. boxy’s curiosity was raised. She turned to him and asked, “What on earth has got you so antsy? You’re watching that window as though something were about to come through it!”

        • #2968220

          “I’m wondering when OldMycroft is going to come join us.”

          by ontheropes ·

          In reply to OTR kept staring out the window

          “He’s been out there awhile now,” OTR said. “I guess he’ll come in when he’s good and ready.”

      • #2968202

        OM’s battery was almost completely flat by the time …

        by older mycroft ·

        In reply to Driving slowly through the snow, OM and OTR make their way to the party.

        He’d figured out how to invoke the third tri-band option on his phone. Deftly he then negotiated the oddly formed number sequence for the hauliers’ truck, hopefully still parked at the airport.

        Standing on the airport ribbon, watching these professional neanderthals unload ‘The Beast’ had been a gut-wrenching, worry-inducing and altogether freezing cold experience. Worries of his Sonja-Virus making a sudden reappearance had not helped in calming his nerves.

        Prior to calling the haulage company, OM had sneaked up to Boxy’s front door and, peeking through the window had done a quick recce of the available floor space (he used to have a job where floor space and cargo-capability was paramount), hoping he’d not lost any of his loading-capacity expertise. “Nope – that’ll do nicely I reckon, I think!” he thought to himself and hastily double-timed it back to the welcoming warmth of his badly parked, wrongly-wheeled, ridiculously wide Hire Car.

        The guys at the airport cargo area were relieved when Old Mycroft had phoned them. “HEY! MR MYCROFT!!”, drawled the neanderthal head honcho, “WE WUZ JIST WANDERIN’ IF YOU’D EVER CALL!”

        “The names just Mycroft, OK? Just Mycroft, got it?”

        “OK, MY MYCROFT, WE GOTCHA!”

        It had turned out that SatNav data and/or a Zip Code + description of the drop hadn’t been necessary – Boxy was well known in the TR village, the haulage company (same truck, same team of drawling neanderthals) had made a delivery to the same address only a few days before.

        OM settled down for a much-needed snooze, in the warmth of this enormous car to await the arrival of the truck…

        • #2968196

          The Behemoth arrived …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OM’s battery was almost completely flat by the time …

          The unmistakeable rumble of the enormous truck, swathing the fallen snow out of it’s way as it bore down Republic Blvd, had woken OM from his slumbers almost before the truck was even visible.

          Yawning and wiping the snow-induced trans-Atlantic sleep from his eyes, OM stepped out into this TR Village winter wonderland scene just as the haulage behemoth crunched to a halt in the still heavily falling snow.

          “HEY MR..”

          “Ah! Ah! – It’s just.. ah hell it’s Christmas…”

          “..MYCROFT! MR MYCROFT! DINNA AH TELL YAH WE’D GETCHA!!”

          The unloading operation went ahead without a hitch and OM, closely followed by 4 neanderthals pushing ‘The Beast’ on bogey wheels, headed for Boxy’s door.

          Having witnessed OTR’s unceremonious method of entry, OM felt it better to knock first but decided that his puny knocking sound must be drowned out by the raucous laughter from within, so opened the door and helped the navigation of ‘The Beast’ into the room – there was more than ample space just inside the door.

          OM thanked the delivery blokes, gave them good cheer and bundled them out the door before they had any feeling of staying.

          The green tarpaulin covering ‘The Beast’ went remarkably well with the rest of Boxy’s Christmas decor.

          Suddenly overcome by the warmth OM hastily removed his coat, producing 15- and 20-year old Single Malts from its cavernous pockets. The Customs guys had paid more attention the ‘The Beast’ than OM’s greatcoat, obviously thinking he was a poor fashion victim wearing something in that odd shade of blue!

          OM headed for the kitchen to find somewhere suitable to hide his single malts but discovered the fridge to be full of Guinness. He decided to leave them on the kitchen worksurface, headed back into the now growingly-populated room and for the first time in many many hours, felt oddly at home – so many thousands of miles from home.

        • #2967913

          “Good grief, Old Mycroft!”

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to The Behemoth arrived …

          (or some variation thereof), the revelers shouted in near unison. boxy added, “What the heck are you up to, dragging that monstrosity of a box in here with you?” Laughing, she rose from her seat, hung Old Mycrofts coat and hat, and ushered him to a place near the fire. S

          “At least now we know why you were waiting in your car so long”, OnTheRopes said. “We really were beginning to wonder.”

          Folks laughed, and boxy offered him a brandy.

        • #2972782

          …Boxy could’ve sworn she saw a hand …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to “Good grief, Old Mycroft!”

          “It must’ve been, it simply had to be.”, she thought to herself.

          Old Mycroft had gone into the kitchen and appeared back out within a minute, carrying a couple of generous measures of one of his obscure single malts, and a heaped plate of finger food. He’d gone over to the far side of the room, knelt down and fiddled with what she had assumed was his shoelaces, but when he stood up again all the food and drink was GONE!

          It was at that point, only for the most fleeting of moments, that Boxy could’ve sworn she saw a flash of a human hand grabbing the booze and biscuits from under the green tarpaulin.

          “Hey Mycroft! come and join us here, by the fire”, said Boxfiddler – followed closely by “What happened to all those goodies I saw you carrying just now?”.

          “OH… erm … I ate and drank the lot, over by the door.”

          “So where’s the plate and the glasses then?”

          “Oh Boxie, y’know me – I forget. Don’t worry, they’ll turn up.”

          Old Mycroft sauntered over from ‘The Beast’ to the Boxie and the rest of the crowd, hastily glancing back at the green tarpaulin before settling into a conversation about American cars with Ropes, who by this time was on his nth unit of Guinness.

        • #2985809

          OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          by ontheropes ·

          In reply to …Boxy could’ve sworn she saw a hand …

          He’s been nursing a single beer since arriving at the party. After swearing off alcohol on a regular basis he doesn’t think that one beer, on a night like tonight, is going to hurt anything. It does taste pretty good though.

          After discussing cars and the automotive bailout with OM OTR asks him what’s in the package that was delivered. He has his suspicions but doesn’t feel up to guessing.

        • #2986162

          Partial disclosure …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          OM hadn’t counted on quite so many intelligent folks being at the party. He hadn’t factored in curiosity when he’d calculated whether the secret of The Beast would remain intact until Christmas Day. And of course there WAS the food and drink supply to be considered – he’d forgotten all about that completely!

          He leaned over to Ropes’ ear and whispered “It’s simple mate – it’s just like any other Christmas present really, just a bit bigger and maybe a bit better. Hopefully I can keep ’em quiet with nibbles and single malts and stuff until the unveiling.”

          OTR looked at OM in a puzzled fashion “WTF are you talking about?” he replied. “Keep who quiet with nibbles and stuff? Hey – have you got PEOPLE inside that thing?!”

          OM developed a look of resignation across his face, “Well, sort of well,… yeah – two that I put in there – but I’m getting suspicious that there might be more. Y’see Boxie just keeps on at me every time there’s a gathering of us geeks. She keeps telling me to bring them with me, but this is the first time I’ve ever actually done it!” He settled back in a chair with another Isle of Jura, rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of the opening of his present.

          Ropes had a curious feeling he’d been given an enormous clue by his Scots friend, but wasn’t quite sure. Not yet anyway.

        • #2986111

          Everyone in the room

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          had been trying to listen to OTR and OM as OM talked about the big, green tarp covered box. Suddenly, boxy squealed with delight. “Jools! You brought Jools Holland and his orchestra!”, she said excitedly. “Good grief and Holy Moses, let them out, let them out!”

        • #2986001

          “WTFD ??!!” thought OM …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          What To * Do??!! It was indeed a perplexing situation. The geeks, particularly Boxie; the sheer size of The Beast, imposing as it was – “Maybe it was too obvious!”

          OM asked Ropes to help him with the big green tarp, “Now just be a bit careful, I don’t know how many there are in there, I only put in the two of them!!” The tarp was removed and OM swivelled The Beast slowly round to the frantic wide-eyed gaze of Boxie…

          “OK Boxie, now don’t be TOO disappointed, please. I couldn’t afford to ship the entire R&B Orchestra over the Big Pond. Only a couple of extra seats… so I give you Mr Gilson Lavis and Mr Julian Holland – the original [b]JOOLS HOLLAND BIG BAND!!![/b]”

          Jools Holland Big Band – New Orleans-PartI
          =============================================
          http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=s8eZcpGkwjA

          Jools Holland Big Band – New Orleans-PartII
          ===============================================
          http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gl5tNblSoqo

          Jools Holland Big Band – New Orleans-Part III
          ================================================
          http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dCENKLrSdkI

          [i]This took me an age to find online. So it really is a Christmas present! [b]Recorded for the BBC in 1985, this was the first outing of the Jools Holland BIG BAND in the USA.[/b] By the by – part #3 WAS intact but I lost the link, so you’ll just have to settle for one that breaks mid-tune.[/i] 🙁

          *[i]There’s a few more gems that I found, but they can wait until Boxie has soaked up this set.[/i] 🙂

        • #2985993

          Adding Dr John to the mix …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

        • #2972147

          Hey OM!

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          That Dr. John and Jools kicks @ss! Thanks for that! 😀

          Yuppers, just kicks @ss! On my third listen.

          etu 😀

        • #2971980

          “THAT is flippin’ [u]AWESOME[/u]!!!”

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          enthused Nick.

          Edit: Yes, dear!

        • #2971963

          Ropes shouts, “Hell yeah! That was awesome!”

          by ontheropes ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          .

        • #2971955

          As all the folks yelled and screamed

          by michael jay ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          The shouts and cheers for Jools continued and then MJ called for some Christmas music from Jools, well Jools said “I do have this video from a few years ago and the band could use a break, so watch this while the band gets some food and drink”;

        • #2971934

          The kitchen was approaching bursting point …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

          With Jools and Gilson and Dr John and all the rest of the band eating and drinking their way through the range of comestibles.

          OM pulled an old video out of his greatcoat and slapped it into the video player. “Here, we’ve seen the ‘cover version’ so let’s hear it from the original Albert Ammons & Pete Johnson. If it wasn’t for Albert Ammons, Jools would’ve stuck with his trumpet and never learned to play piano!!”

          http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mIVJw8yX6GY

        • #2971927

          Some more Albert Ammons on his own …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OnTheRopes appears lit but truthfully he always looks that way. :^0

        • #2971932

          The place was rocking!

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to …Boxy could’ve sworn she saw a hand …

          boxy was half afraid the windows were going to rattle right out of their sills. Her guests were laughing, and dancing. By gosh, the spirit was flowing! TR Village had never seen a shindig quite like this.

          etu

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