William said, “I haven’t heard from Mr. Claus at all. Did you get an answer back when you pinged him, Mrs. Claus?”
“Nada, zip,” she answered.
“Okay, J.J. let’s get one of those sleighs ready and get in touch with Leroy.”
J.J. smiled and said, “Cool. I just put one together from an older Volvo station wagon. It’s that special blue color and with huge fog lights up front like they have in Sweden. There is lots of room and no one will pay any attention to one more Volvo in Berkeley.”
A common misconception was that it was the reindeers who powered the sleighs by magical powers. They were magical, and could indeed fly, but they were too slow for a one night trip around the world. The sleigh technology was based on pure elven magic and the reindeers were really only for style points.
J.J. and his predecessor, Alfred, had a whole garage of different sleighs that they used to travel fast. When they chose an outer shell it typically looked like something that wouldn’t stand out where they were going.
William smiled and gave him a high five.
“And, I already sent a text to Leroy in Copenhagen. I have briefed him and he’s ready to go,” said J.J.
William laughed and said, “Same procedure as last year, J.J.”
J.J. answered back in a mock serious tone, “Same procedure as every year, William.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” said Mrs. Claus from the other end of The Boardroom.
“I want you guys to be careful. I have a bad feeling about this,” said Liz and brought the tone back down a level.
“Don’t worry, Liz, we’ll be careful,” said William as he walked toward her.
William took her hand up in his and gave it a gentle kiss.
“We’re just being cautious, here. We don’t have any evidence of any wrongdoing,” said William.
“I know, but still,” said Liz hesitantly.
“There’s still time for him to muck it all up,” said Mrs. Claus.
“Well, yes, if we’re being honest. Yes,” said Liz.
“Let the boys go out and play soldier, dear, we’ll hang here and do the real work. Now off you two go to Copenhagen and then Berkeley. And send my regards to Leroy,” said Mrs. Claus.
