Some already drunken revelers are starting to file through the door, not noticing that it was already unlocked. Sheepishly chagrinning, they refile their rasps back in their pockets......

A call comes in from The Hairy Simian Chorale to tell us they can't come back and reprise "The Little Drummer Boy" this year, but will send the Benedictine Chip Monks to act as our designated Yule Gibbons if we're willing to take the chants. I hope Chongo gets along with these guys.....

The alligator is stuck with both the bar and the kitchen until Mmario shows up, hopefully with some supplies, as stocks are low in quite a few items. It's the gator's misfortune to have his first customer order the special Christmas Burger and he's already had to improvise by substituting ground Oryx for the usual Auroch. On finding no decent fromage, he's sings "a little lard Cheese-Wiz laid down as cheese spread" to himself and thanks his lucky stars that this particular dish is billed as "the chef's secret recipe" "If Mmario doesn't get here soon, we're going to have a reptile dysfunctional here REAL soon before too many questioned .............

The only ornament they've found yet is one for the top of the tree with a picture of Joseph on it, so we'll have to settle for the Co-Star Of Bethlehem, nor quite the leading light we've come to expect. Where are the rest of them, or what can we use? The candy canes from past years look like can-decayings. And where are the lights?........