This is my own personal competition with Damian Kindler- who writes the best version of next week's episode. All I have seen of this episode is the preview so it's completely fair (I have no inside info). On Friday, please share whose story you think is better.

Brendon James

Chapter one

Beep…beep…beep. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," he covered his face with his forearm before slamming the button on the alarm clock. John rolled out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. After relieving himself and showering he walked to the bedroom closet.

He pulled out dark blue jeans and his restaurant tee-shirt. After putting on a watch and grabbing his cell phone, John walked out of his basement apartment upstairs to the Mexican joint he worked at.

"John," Stephan called in a heavy Mexican accent. "You get the grills going,"

John nodded. He walked into the kitchen and fired up the grills. A crowd poured in expecting breakfast. Keiko, the waiter, bustled about the dining hall before bringing John the orders. Breakfast burrito, breakfast burrito… all the orders were the same. He threw seven tortillas on the grill and dumped a whole package of chorizo on a skillet.

Fifteen minutes later, he had finished the last of the orders. This is why you get paid well John, you meet the fucking quotas. He grabbed a bucket of soapy water and a rag and busted tables with Keiko. They'd gotten all the tables busted long before the lunch crowd came.

Keiko grabbed John and pulled him to the radio. "Feliz Navidad," Keiko grabbed the nearest mop and danced around the restaurant. John shook his head as he ran down stairs, back to his apartment, and grabbed a Pepsi.

John sat calmly at the bar tapping his foot as he drank his soda. "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock…" Keiko came up behind him and grabbed his shoulders. John rolled his eyes and sang along, "Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring. Snowing and blowing are bushels of fun,"

Stephan came up behind them and smacked the backs of their heads. "You two'd better be working, iv not, you find new job. Si?"

John and Keiko nodded, "Si." As soon as Stephan left the dining hall, John sauntered into the kitchen. He pulled out the local newspaper and worked on the crossword. MOTHER-OF- PEARL SOURCE, hmm, oyster? No…abalone. He grinned for he knew the answer.

"John," Keiko called, "We've a got customer."

John sighed as he turned the grills back on. Lunch, which means it's abnormal time. John peered over the bar to confirm his assumption. What he saw did not surprise him, in the dining hall sat abnormals of many kinds-he didn't know the name of the species' to which the members of the group belonged.

He returned to the grills and started on the first order. Thank God the Mexican food is easy to make. John became serious as he deep fried many tortillas. I shall never understand the American fatuation with deep-fried foods.

"I'll be home for Christmas…" "You can count on me," John continued until he realized the radio had been turned off. The sound of tables being flipped and dishes breaking became audible.

John set down the spatula and leisurely walked into the dining hall. He snorted at what he saw before him. The abnormal crowd was up in arms against one woman. "Helen," John smiled.

Her eyes widened, "I did not expect you to be working at such a dump John."

John gave her a half nod, "This is not the worst way I can think of to make money."

Helen placed her gun on the floor and the entirety of the dining hall did the same. "I need your help John."

John cleared his voice, "That will complicate things. I have signed a contract promising my employment for the next year. Unless you have a protégé that is willing to trade with me I am afraid I must offer my apologies."

Helen shrugged, "Will is in the car, I shall send him straight in." Helen strutted out the door and retrieved Will.

John rolled his eyes as he stood the tables upright and made an effort to clean them. He scrubbed them with a rag not noticing when Helen dragged Will into the restaurant. Will knocked Helens hand away. "I am not doing that!"

"Will," Helen raised her eyebrows, "I believe we have discussed this, I need John's help. You will stay here until I retrieve you."

Will whined, "But I don't even know how to work a grill."

John smirked, "You will learn."

Helen grabbed John's hand and he teleported them to the Sanctuary.

Sorry it's not complete yet…have to make time to eat. This will be finished before Friday…r&r and after Friday, let me know who has won.

-BJ