Elves at the North Pole

It was lunch time at the North Pole. Moe and Joe Jingle, two elves from the Nintendo division, slipped outside the toy factory and quietly raced behind the reindeer barn.

You got it? Joe asked. Moe pulled out a sheaf of papers and smiled slyly. Yep, he said. Got it. They huddled together as Moe unfolded the papers.

So who are we reading about today? Joe asked anxiously, trying to peer over Moe's shoulder. Santa had never installed satellite TV at the North Pole, which meant entertainment was mainly limited to watching reindeer games and playing hockey. Joe and Moe were tired of both. So the two had hacked into Santa's recently computerized Naughty and Nice list to read about the lives of the faraway people who awaited the red-suited gentleman's visit every year.

Let’s see. Today we’ got some folks from , Moe said.

Wow! They've got there! Joe said. Joe's dream was to live in . I bet this one’s gonna be good.

Moe's eyes skimmed the paper. Sorry. don’t think so. Doesn't look too exciting.‘

Joe's face fell. Well, might as well read it anyway. We don’t have anything better to do. He leaned against the reindeer barn and stuck his tongue out to catch the snowflakes that had started falling.

Let’s see, Moe said. are their names. Sounds like they lead a pretty normal life. has a few marks in the Naughty column, but still got an overall Nice rating.

Darn. Nice people are always so boring, Joe said. He had moved away from the building and was now leaning this way and that with his tongue out as he maneuvered to catch the falling snow.

Well, it's not all bad. Says here that they .

Hey, that's interesting. What else?

Moe's eyes continued down the page. They also .

What?!? Joe yelled, forgetting all about catching snow on his tongue. I've always wanted to do that!

Calm down, calm down, Moe said, motioning with his hand.

Joe went back to his snowflake catching. I guess these people aren't as boring as I feared. He leaned his head way back to catch a snowflake and his green elf hat fall into the snow with a soft jingle from the bell on top. What else?

.

Joe took a break from trying to catch snowflakes and looked at his watch. Hey, we better get something to eat before we get back to the toy factory. Anything else before we grab some grub?

Moe skimmed the list. Well, it also says .

Joe swiped at one more snowflake with his tongue. Think you can get another file tomorrow?

Sure. No problem. Santa will never know. He and Joe turned and headed off to the cafeteria to get lunch.

They never even saw the man in the red suit who was quietly adding names to his Naughty list.