Flakes of virtual snow, in the size of your dream snow of the season, whether large and slow, or small and swirly, descend over the picturesque town of Mudcatville, where, due to the efforts of the elfin Max and Bert, a somewhat musical silence pervades each district. This seems to be due to the strange physical properties of the town that deflect all manufactured messages of Christmas buying and selling, as well as all versions of "The Little Drummer Boy". Instead, through most windows can be seen families and friends singing and playing instruments, and giving that most precious of all thoughtful gifts of pleasure and delight -- treasured company.

In certain corners of Mudcatville, various threads have already hinted at Christmas pleasures, and parodies of Mudcat Christmases portend amusement. But for some, the waning of the old year, and the expectation of the new, can only truly be appreciated at the Mudcat Tavern/Arms/Taverna/Cafe/Cantina/Bowling Alley/Pub/Malt Shop, whose various incarnations through the years have -- like some genie of the lamp -- transformed the common space into the needed shelter from the storms and travails of everyday life, in differing forms responding to direst need.

On this evening, snowsprinkled, we follow one denizen of that sacred Mudcat Tavern, as he wends his way through the darkening city streets. He seems not only to be bundled against the cold, but indeed bundled against life, so wrapped and parcelled is he. Upon closer examination, the somewhat dubious figure can be seen to be carrying a large box, daubed in green and red, in a gesture towards the season. Stencilled over the lid of the box is the following obscure signage: "SAD-O-METRIC CHRISTMAS JOLLIES GENERATOR -- AMAZE YOUR FRIENDS!"

After a further stroll, the bundled figure reaches a familiar door, over which the MUDCAT logo sways, in time, it appears, to the raucous noises that emanante from within. In short, the Mudcat Christmas Party 2000 is underway.

The laden-down figure gingerly opens the door -- the sounds of warmth hurtle out into the night -- and enters.