All were stirring -- even that little mouse,

Whilst others were planning in an abandoned warehouse.

Three villains schemed -- pure evil each one.

Some reason in agreement that. . . "Christmas is no fun!"

(Medium shot of all three looking at reader. Their names appear on their shirts -- Jake's the leader, Otto's just a two-bit criminal & Benny's a doofus)

PAGE 8 & 9:

Not far away, a happy family: on the door a wreath.

In the warehouse: these men did plan grief.

Not far away, two kiss beneath mistletoe.

PAGE 10:

"Let's be original about this!" The leader chimed

PAGE 11:

"If all goes well, Santa is ours on Christmas eve."

PAGE 12:

So the bad men began to discuss their plan.

While North, the elves wondered what's wrong with their favorite fat man.

PAGE 13:

PAGE 14 & 15:

So there he sat in his small, modest house.

Santa stirring hot chocolate -- and so was that mouse.

But I know who is bad and these are bad, bad men!"

But Santa ignored Mrs. Claus and grabbed some more food.

PAGE 16:

PAGE 17:

'Twas two days now, only two 'til Christmas,

People sang, people danced, a Mister kissed his Misses.

PAGE 18 & 19:

It was that chilly, wintery time when noses grew bright,

And the Christmas magic made snowmen come to life.

While at this time, throughout the world,

Expectations built in all the boys and girls.

PAGE 20:

The adults, be they Scrooge or be they Guh-rinch,

Had to get to the toy stores and get there in a pinch.

PAGE 21:

While elsewhere three men prepared, each one a louse,

All kept their eye on that little stirring mouse.

PAGE 22:

But then the time came, everyone was ready.

All children smiled: Gene, Lisa, Joey, Angie, Davey, Jenny, Deanna, Elsa, Shmendrick

Dilly, Billy, Allan, Tan, Moby. . .and oh yeah, Eddie.

PAGE 23

'Twas now the night before Christmas and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring -- not even that darned mouse!

The three men were merry, smiling with glee,

Certain that soon, they'd control Christmas Eve.

PAGE 24:

They traveled from town to town as quick as they could,

Grabbing the children and scaring them good!

PAGE 25:

Rushing from state to state, finishing in a flash;

Already planning how to ruin Times Square's New Years Eve bash!

PAGE 26:

They flew from country to country with the speed of light,

Finishing long before Santa even began his flight.

PAGE 27:

They found the perfect place -- a deserted isle.

Figured they'd wait, chat with some natives for a while.

(Children behind the men, some natives have spears pointed at the nervous bad guys)

PAGE 28:

They unloaded the children from a massive barge. . .barge. . .barge. . .

Uhhh, Benny ate a burger that was real. . .large!

(A-hem.)

PAGE 29:

On the dirt the kids were thrown with little care,

The villains hoping St. Nicholaus soon would be there.

They waited for hours, just waited around.

Wondering what time Santa'd arrive from Christmas town.

PAGE 30:

The Children began to squeal and a few even cried.

Benny offered them his burger and some of his fries.

PAGE 31:

Then from the sky all heard the familiar "Jingle, Jingle."

PAGE 32:

The reindeer flew down and landed their sleigh.

Through the crowd of children Santa made his way!

PAGE 33:

Firstly, why do the elves follow you, make all those gifts?"

But Santa ignored him, no interest in answering

Then Otto grabbed a child -- good little Mary!

PAGE 34:

With a snap of his fingers, Mary did disappear.

Emerging next to Donner -- her favorite reindeer.

PAGE 35:

The men looked nervously at each other, avoiding Santa's stare.

But then Jake stepped forward, having his own anger to vent,

Not really knowing what it was he was up against.

PAGE 36:

Seeing danger ahead, Santa Claus suddenly be-came great,

And most assuredly not 'cause of a fruitcake he ate!

I don't mean simply large or obese either,

I mean huge, gargantuan -- monstrous even!

PAGE 37 & 38:

His nostrils flared and his mittens grew sharp!

He breathed in deep, and his buttons popped!

He stood high above, towering over all.

The bad men? Away they started to crawl!

Santa, it seems, had come out of his shell.

The reindeer, who'd seen it before, lazily hummed "Jingle Bells."

page 39:

I am most powerful on this day, Christmas Eve!!"

"I am no weakling, no coward, no dope,

I am power, a physical incarnation of all children's hope!"

PAGE 40:

His large hand reached down -- the villains thinking they'd bought the farm.

Then the children disappeared, out of the way of harm.

PAGE 41:

Santa smiled wide at the 3 evil, little men.

He warned them never to try something like this again.

(Santa's holding the men, shaking a mittened finger at them)

PAGE 42:

Back on the ground, their fear was immense.

Santa back in his sleigh -- Jake, Otto & Benny each held presents.

PAGE 43:

Otto opened his: found Skates, and the blanket he loved and lost as a child.

PAGE 44:

Then Jake began to open one, removed the paper, the tissue and smiled.

A ducky, bubble bath and a submarine -- a 30-foot submerger.

PAGE 45:

Benny was thrilled with his fries, rings, and another greasy burger.

PAGE 46:

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, and Blitzen!"

PAGE 47:

The sleigh took off, Santa held tight,

As he yelled, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

PAGE 48:

Then he leaned in to Rudy, using the red-nosed deer's lesser-known moniker,

And said, "By the way, my friend, Happy Belated Chanukah!"

"HO-HO-HO!!!"

- The End -