Ranger's Little Helpers by Jersey Girl in Oxford (Sue)
Xylia's Winter Wonderland Challenge
Ranger had worked long and hard to make Rangeman a success. When he opened to Trenton office, he was at a point in his career that he wanted to give back to the community. He would mandate community service for his employees. This Christmas would be no different.
Every year, there was a mailbox set up for Santa at City Hall. Children would place their letters to Santa in the box and get a handwritten letter from Santa mailed from the North Pole. This year, Rangeman was asked to help write the responses to the children. Stephanie picked up a box of letters that needed to be done. Later on, Ranger would gather his troops in the conference room to write the letters while providing lunch. Stephanie found Ranger in his office. "The plans that we've made all set, Babe?"
"Picked up the letters from the kids along with the stationary. This is going to be fun. Are you sure the guys are really into this? I mean…it's been a bad week, and everyone is a little crabby," she told him. There had been a few bad take downs, several break-ins, and dealing with all the holiday shoppers put the guys in a bad mood this week.
"This is for a good cause," Ranger explained. "As we go along, it should put them in the Christmas spirit. That…and they have no choice." Stephanie rolled her eyes.
Stephanie rounded up the Merry Men at lunch time to write the letters to the children. There were grumbles and gripes at first, but soon they were laughing. Stephanie breathed a sigh of relief as it appeared they were starting to have fun and enjoy themselves. She poked her head in to check on them. It was a beautiful site. Things seemed to be back to normal, and the mood had finally lightened in the office. "How are things going?"
"We're done, Beautiful," Lester told her with a wink.
"Yeah…you were right, Steph. This did get us in the Christmas spirit," Ram added.
"This was the most fun we've had all week," Bobby said as he handed her the box of Santa's responses for the children.
"Thanks guys. This will really mean a lot to these kids. I remember when I used to get my letter from Santa. It was so exciting!" She hurried to Ranger's office. "You were right! It did put them in the Christmas spirit. That's the first time I've heard them laughing all week. They worked so hard and got all the letters done…look!" She tipped the box over to show him all the letters.
"Babe, when you're in town, can you drop those off at City Hall?" he asked her. "I've got a meeting this afternoon." She nodded and kissed him before leaving. Stephanie dropped off the box of letters at City Hall to be mailed to the children.
A week later, Ranger got a call from Mayor Juniak. There was a problem that he wanted to discuss. Ranger agreed to stop by his office later that day. When Ranger returned to the office, he was not in a good mood. He immediately called everyone in the conference room for a meeting. The Merry Men exchanged nervous glances as they filed in the room.
"Okay. As you know, I started the community service program because I wanted to give something back. We have all been fortunate, and I think it's the right thing to do. I met with the Mayor today because he received several complaints about the letters from Santa that their children got in the mail this week." Ranger pulled a bunch of letters out of the large envelope he was holding. "Let me start with this one….
Dear Santa,
I have been a good girl all year, and the only thing I want is world peace and joy for everyone.
Love, Sarah
The response….
Dear Sarah,
You're tree-hugging parents smoked a lot of pot when they had you, didn't they?
Santa"
There were a few snickers that were immediately silenced with Ranger's death glare.
"Here's another one…..
Dear Santa,
I don't know if you can do this, but for Christmas, I'd like for my mommy and daddy to get back together. Please see what you can do.
Love, Teddy
Dear Teddy,
Look, your daddy is banging the babysitter like a screen door in a hurricane. Do you think he's gonna give up that hot piece of ass to come back to your frigid mom who nags and complains all the time. It's time to let that go. Why don't you let me send you some Legos instead?
Santa
And this one…
Dear Santa,
I really want a puppy this year. Please, Please, Please, Please, PLEASE, PLEASE can I have one?
Love, Timmy
Dear Timmy,
That whiney begging shit may work with your parents, but that crap doesn't work with me. You're getting a fucking sweater again.
Santa"
Ranger paused to look at the bowed heads before him. They had no idea what punishment they were going to face.
"This one really took the cake….
Dear Santa,
What do you do the other 364 days of the year? Are you busy making toys?
Love,
Thomas
Dear Thomas,
All the toys are made in China with lead based paint. I have a condo in Vegas where I spend most of my time drinking and squeezing the asses of cocktail waitress while losing money at the craps table. When I'm not doing that, I'm making low-budget porno films. Thanks for asking.
Santa
I'm sure that last one was yours, Santos." Ranger threw the letters down on the conference table, and they scattered about. "What the hell were you thinking? Do you know how much you've embarrassed me? Stephanie? Rangeman?" They guys were starting to feel guilty.
"Sorry, Boss," Hal muttered.
"So…I guess we'll have to meet you in the gym…right?" There were groans and grimaces around the table. They screwed up, and Ranger was going to make them pay.
"Lucky for you…that's not what your punishment is going to be," Ranger told them. There were sighs of relief and smiles. "Oh…it's not going to be that easy. Stephanie's going to decide what you will be doing." With that as her cue, Stephanie entered the room. She was furious when Ranger told her what happened. They all looked at her nervously.
"Okay, this was supposed to be about giving and community service. I think you need to be given another chance to help the community so I've arranged for you to serve lunch at the Senior Citizen's home." The Merry Men cheered. They all knew they dodged a bullet. This was going to be a hell of a lot easier than being called out on the mat by Ranger. "You will be serving Grandma Mazur and her friends on Saturday." The merriment died down. Dealing with Grandma Mazur struck fear in the hearts of the Merry Men. "And I picked up your uniforms."
"Uh….uniforms?" Bobby asked with eyes wide. Stephanie picked up a box from the hall.
"Yeah…uniforms." She began to toss each of the Merry Men a red Speedo. The men visibly paled. Before anyone could make a comment or protest, Ranger stood up.
"Does anyone have any problems?" he asked in a stern tone. They were too stunned to speak but all shook their head no. "Dismissed. And if this ever happens again, you will all be looking for other jobs." They glumly filed out of the room, shoulders slumped and heads down. Stephanie shut the door behind them before they burst out laughing.
"Oh my God, Ranger! Did you see their faces?" she laughed.
"It was a stupid thing to do, but some of those letters were hysterical," Ranger conceded. "Even the Mayor had to laugh." He pulled Stephanie to him and kissed her. "So what did your Grandmother say about the waiters she'll have for her holiday luncheon?"
"Ain't it thrilling!" she told him. They both laughed.
Word count 1344