Chapter 1-Winter Blues

Mr. Mumbles curled upon Dan's chest, quietly purring away the night until she was awakened by Dan's typical winter schedule. He would do nothing but watch old reruns of monster movies, B-movie remakes and sophisticated history and art shows while draped in a Snuggie. His favorite companion was a carton of Chubby Hubby, and it was almost gone. That would mean he'd have to exert the effort to head to the nearest supermarket. Dan just didn't have the energy. Ah, how he loathed the holidays. Especially that wretched, terrible Christmas music. If he heard one more Christmas carol, he'd flip out.

A gaggle of carolers began singing 'Ding, Dong Merrily on High' outside of his apartment complex. Annoyed, he lifted his windowsill and started berating them.

'Why don't you take your ding dong merrily little tuchuses somewhere else ? You're lucky I don't start throwing things or calling the police for disturbing the peace.', he bellowed.

'Fine then, Krampus. We will take our Holiday spirit elsewhere.', the leader of the group said, as she pivoted away in a huff. Mr. Mumbles sat at Dan's feet and rubbed against his legs affectionately.

'Go away, Mr. Mumbles. I'm not in the mood. Just...leave me alone.', he said, morosely and drew the Snuggie around his head to the point he resembled something akin to a blue-hooded antisocial monk. What he didn't realize is that an outerspace gypsy was about to change his life, and for the better, too.