Xmas in Florida

"If I hear 'Jingle Bells' one more time ..." Nick threw his wallet and phone into his locker and slammed it shut. As he struggled into his uniform, the heat was already getting to him. "And why don't they supply steel toecap boots; I get stood on a dozen times an hour."

"Hey, it's not all bad. We only work part time hours and we can enjoy Miami the rest of the time." Holly loved Christmas. She couldn't get enough of the holiday spirit.

As a drip of sweat ran down his nose and plopped onto his boot, Nick kicked the door open and went out onto the shop floor. It was three floors up to his work station; three floors of screaming kids, squabbling women and bored men, all determined to cause him the maximum injury. "OUCH!" His toes again. "Holly, how can you love this?"

Holly ruffled the hair of a six year old that was pulling on her skirt. "Have you lost your Mommy? Don't worry, I'll look after you." The brat kicked her and ran off. Holly just laughed.

"This is what I mean. These kids don't deserve nice things."

"Oh, do stop being a grumpy wart, Nick. It's Christmas."

When they reached their workplace, there was already a queue. "Where do they all come from? Shouldn't they be in school learning some manners?" Over the next two hours Nick got kicked, trampled, spat on ...

"That's it, enough is enough." Nick ripped off his uniform and threw it into the locker. He put on his shorts and t-shirt. "Come on, let's get outa here."

Holly changed into a similar outfit but she placed her uniform carefully on a hanger. "It's only three more days, Nick."

"I don't care. Fire up the reindeers, we're heading back to the North Pole. Christmas is cancelled, do you hear, CANCELLED!"

309 words