The Santa Clause, Human Clause

Chapter 4.

Scene 1: The infirmary

Santa, Mrs. Clause, and Judy all stared with concern at the door to the infirmary. Santa whispered to Judy. "Do you have any idea why he fainted like that?"

"Yes. I think that his body is not used to all of the new human emotional signals that he is receiving. It still needs time to adjust to his new emotions. The doctor should have more information. I'm sorry Santa." whispered back Judy.

Santa groaned. "Oh great. I just wish we knew more details on this human clause and all of its effects. That we could have warned the elves in advance what would be happening."

"Santa. Its not your fault. The Human Clause effects each elf in a different way. For Bernard, it has effected his emotional control."

Soon the doors to the infirmary opened and Doctor Edward walked out to the group. "Santa, I checked all of Bernard's vital signs and they are now stable. Do any of you know what caused the blackout."

Santa shook his head. "All I know was that Bernard was yelling at the housing foreman about his bedroom. His body began to shake then he suddenly collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut. Then we got him up here. "

"I see. I also understand he is also under the Human Clause. My opinion is that he had a panic attack brought on by too much stress on his body. When Bernard wakes up I am ordering him on full bed rest for the next three days. I don't want him to be under any stress. His body can not handle it right now. "

"We understand Doctor. Can we see him now?" asked Mrs. Claus.

"Sure thing Ma'am. He should be waking up anytime now."

The trio followed the doctor into the private room where the body of the pale elf was laid.

Scene 2: Waking up

'I am all tied up. Why am I tied up. Who tied me up. I feel just like a Christmas present. Christmas. I must get loose so that I can help Santa get ready for Christmas.'

Bernard began to struggle in his nightmarish dream that he now found himself. Suddenly he felt a strong hand grip his shoulder and give it a small shake.

"Let me go. I have to get untied. I must help Santa." He yelled out.

"BERNARD!" A voice whispered into his ear. 'I know that voice. ' He opened his eyes. "Mrs. C. Is that you. Your back from your little trip. I'm sorry I must have dozed off there. Wait a minute this is not my workshop."

He struggled to sit up in the hospital bed and then remembered everything that had happened to him that day.

"Where am I. This is not my bed." his voice croaked.

"Bernard, you are in the infirmary. You had what looks like panic attack. Doctor Edward has placed you under immediate bed rest to give your body the time it needs to adjust to your new emotions." Santa explained. "Now can you explain as calmly as you can what led up to the incident."

"Well Santa. I was feeling tired so I went up to my bedroom to take a short nap." He paused and began to breath heavily as he remembered the incident.

"Woah now Bernard. Take it easy. Breathe nice long breaths. We don't want you to a repeat performance."

Bernard readjusted his breathing pattern and soon began to calm down just as Santa had hoped.

"I got to my bedroom and found its not my bedroom anymore. A certain little weasel has decided to move his stuff in."

Santa shook his head wearily. "I am going to take a wild guess that the weasel is named Curtis."

"Yep. Your number one weasel." Quipped back his elf.

"Bernard. I know that your upset about this but don't worry. I'll straighten Curtis out. He will have all of things moved back to his room by tonight." Santa paused in his talk and took a deep breath himself. "I just have just one favor to ask of you."

"Yes Santa. I'll do anything for you."

Santa looked deeply into his chief elf's eyes. "I really don't like it when my elves start referring to each other by names of animal. So drop the weasel from your vocabulary. Ok Bernard."

Bernard blinked his eyes several times before he dropped his head in shame. "Yes Santa. I promise. No more weasel."

Santa relented after he saw Bernard's woeful expression. He grabbed the elf in a hug. "You're a good elf Bernard and I know you will keep your promise."

Soon the Head Nurse of the infirmary, Elf Olga, entered the room. "I am sorry. Doctors orders. This patient needs his rest. Everybody out. You can all come back tomorrow morning."

As they left the trio could all hear Bernard's very loud voice complaining about the poor treatment that he received at the hands of the medical staff.

"Poor Olga. I wouldn't wish Bernard as a patient on anybody." Said Carol.

Her husband nodded in return. "Yeah, she is definitely going to get her hazard pay bonus this year." Scott joked back.

Judy just laughed. "Don't worry about Olga. Worry about Bernard. Olga is one of the only elves that can scare Bernard. I have heard him call her the Atilla the Hun of the elf world."