Once it was rumored that the Big Guy was going to announce a sporting event pitting the various departments of elves in the North Pole against one another, I knew I had to be team captain for Prep & Landing. That's just what I planned to propose at our department meeting New Years' Day. Of course, the event hadn't been announced yet, and no one was exactly sure what it was or when it was going to take place, but I decided to take the glass-half full approach to this situation. The Prep & Landing team needs someone who can lead them. Someone who can keep the team spirit up. Someone who can bring home the trophy in the end. They need me, an experienced elf by the name of Wayne. I've worked in Prep & Landing for over 227 years. When it comes to naming a team captain, there is no one more qualified . . .

"Wayne . . .WAYNE! Earth to Wayne! Are you even paying attention?"

"What . . . umm . . .yeah . . . what were you saying?" I returned to reality only to realize that I had been in some sort of conversation with Lanny, my current Prep & Landing partner. We were walking in town, down by the shops. Lanny seemed awfully excited for some reason.

"I heard that there's a new model of the Giftbox Datapad! You know, one of Mr. Thistelton inventions? You think I should get one? Or maybe I should get a Sledway Personal Transport!" Lanny exclaimed. I really don't even remember why we were out shopping, to be honest. It might have been because Lanny had saved up some money, or maybe he had wanted to start Christmas shopping really early this year? It was only two days after Christmas.

"What's a Sledway Personal Transport?" I asked. I didn't recall ever hearing about some stupid Sledway whatever. I don't care much about technology that doesn't specifically apply to me or Prep & Landing.

"It's that thing that Mr. Thistelton is always riding around on . . . it's green and red . . . " Lanny offered, trying to spark my memory.

"Oh! That thing. Yeah, I need to get myself one of those," I exclaimed. I knew exactly what he was talking about. A Sledway Personal Transport might prove itself useful when I'm chosen as Prep & Landing team captain. I need something to ride around on if I'm going to be in charge of the whole department; that way I can move much faster than if I was just running around checking up on the team!