December 23, 8:30 A.M. North Street

Phoenix thought, "There is no such thing as a 'White Christmas' in California! The trees are bare, but no snow!"

However, he was seeing that there was snow dispersed far and wide around the street. Maya was especially excited, as she loved snow. Pearl, on the other hand, decided to stick to the horse-drawn carriage that they were seated in.

Pearl whispered, "Mr. Nick, I better not see Mystic Maya kissing Santa Claus."

Phoenix laughed and replied, "Mystic Maya wouldn't kiss Santa Claus! Plus, she is asleep when Santa is around!"

Phoenix then got off along with her and began messing around. After a period of making snow angels and throwing snowballs, Phoenix, Maya and Pearl got back in the carriage and continued on their way.

The three sang along with 20 or 30 other people around them. "Frosty The Snowman," they recited, "was a happy, jolly soul! With a corn cob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal!"

The tune soon shifted to We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

When the carriage came to a halt about a half hour later, the saw a band approach, and they played all sorts of familiar tunes.

Maya said, "Nick, I have all sorts of insurance!"

Phoenix asked, "Such as?"

Maya recited, "Life insurance, health insurance, toilet insurance, grass insurance, burger insurance, cheese insurance, calculator insurance, car insurance, ramen insurance, and clothing insurance."

She then asked, "Can I call you Nick?"

Phoenix replied, "Yes."

"Can I call you Nicholas?"

"Yes."

"Can I call you Nicky?"

"Yes."

"Can I call you Nicky Boy?"

"Yes." "Can I call you Nicolai?"

"Yes." "Can I call you Nicole?"

"No."

This continued until they got off and headed into the law office. Phoenix thought, "Please, don't tease me any more!"

December 23, 10:00 A.M. Wright and Co. Law Offices

Phoenix heard footsteps outside. When he opened the door, the wind blew it back. He managed to hold it still for a brief moment, and Detective Gumshoe entered.

"Merry Christmas, pal.", he said. "I just hope that we won't have any sort of trial this year."

Maya interrupted, "Trial? On the day before Christmas Eve? What if Santa forgets us because we are having a trial during the night?"

Phoenix replied, "I doubt we will have a trial today. If we do, it'll be at 11:00."

December 23, 10:00 A.M. ?

"Oh, and just to let you know, brother, have a Merry Christmas."

Gunshots rang out and gunpowder burnt.

"And a happy new year."

More bullets were fired.