Clinton1118web

The
Time
COIN
Camille Anding
The air wreaked of a
noxious odor as the foul
creatures slinked into the
dimly lit room.
“You know why I’ve called this
meeting,” Maelstrom bellowed as he
shouted for everyone’s attention.
“That season is rapidly approaching,
so I’m checking on everyone’s plans
and preparations. It’s a prime holiday.
There are no limits to what we must
do to rob it of its joy and celebration.
Who wants to be first?”
“I’ll go,” Busyness boomed from the
corner. “The calendar is our #1 asset,
and I’m prepared to fill every waking
moment with parties, banquets, Sunday
School socials, cantatas, musicals, movies,
nativity scenes – everything that people
who believe and don’t believe in the
Christmas season will want to schedule.
It’s too good to be true; we just help
them cram their calendars with all those
things they call good, and in a smoking
streak the month will be gone, and they
will have been too busy to actually enjoy
any of it!” Busyness smirked with pride.
“That’s not enough,” another voice
squealed. All eyes turned to Chaos who
straightened from his slumping posture.
“I’ve got my crew assigned to the traffic
and crowds. Both will be everywhere!
Stress, we haven’t heard from you,
but I know how you’ll have the shoppers
in a panic mode, searching to fill their
Christmas gift list. We add that to the
chaos of traffic jams and long lines and
WHAM! It’s the perfect storm and a
snuffing out of the Christmas spirit.
Shrieks filled the room as the sinister
set announced their plans. “Don’t forget
me,” Nostalgia whispered. The room
quickly turned to his cloaked figure.
“It may be a joyful season for some,
but many struggle with the heaviness
that Loneliness brings and his reminders
of past Christmases. It’s the easiest of
times to shroud the lonely and the sad
with memories.”
Greed interrupted Maelstrom just
before he adjourned. “I’ll do what I can.
A lot of the celebrators get generous
with their benevolent giving, but it’s
also a prime time for Selfishness to
exploit shoppers.
“Good plans! Now go to work,”
Maelstrom roared as the conniving
crew exited to inflict their tactics.
“What’s that music I hear?”
Maelstrom halted in alarm. “Why –
I think it’s ‘Silent Night,’ one of those
Christmas carols the celebrators sing,”
Chaos answered.
“Yes, that’s it, and look who’s leading it
– PEACE! Hurry, we’re all doomed if
He gets to the people first.” ●
66 • November 2018