Santa Clause, Human Clause Chapter 9
Scene 1:
Charlie sat as his desk and listened to music on his Ipod.
Bernard sat in a beanbag chair and gazed out of the bedroom window toward the North Star. A knock was heard on the bedroom door.
Lucy entered.
"Charlie. Mom, Dad, Uncle Scott, and Aunt Carol are having a family meeting in the kitchen. They told me that you and Bernard need to be there too. I can't go to the family meeting. I have to go to bed." said Lucy pouting. She pointed at Bernard. "Its not fair Charlie. He gets to go to the family meeting but I don't."
Charlie sighed. "You wouldn't want to be in Bernard's shoe's right now. He's the reason that they are having this meeting in the first place. Also didn't my Dad tell you its not polite to point at people. "
"Yes he did. I'm sorry I was pointing at you. Bernard."
"Its okay Lucy. You better get onto bed before your Mom and Dad find out that you're still awake. Or better yet my Boss." Bernard said knowing that the threat of getting on the naughty list would soon have the kid scurrying to bed.
Lucy let out a little eek and rushed toward her own bedroom.
Bernard sighed. "Well Charlie, I guess its time to face the music."
"Its going to be fine. You'll see." He said as he slapped the elf on the shoulder as they made their way to the kitchen.
Scene 2:
As the two boys entered they noticed that it was only Neil and Scott sitting at the table. Charlie noticed his mom and Carol were standing by the coffeepot with cups in their hands. The two boys went over to them.
Carol put down her cup of coffee with a grimace. "I sorry Laura. Coffee used to be my favorite beverage. Now that I'm Mrs. Clause its either milk or hot cocoa."
Laura nodded. "Carol, It must be tough for you to give all the things you like to move to completely different environment."
"Yes it has been hard. But its worth it."
Bernard sighed. 'I never realized that it would be hard for her to go to the north pole. Santa at least got 11 months to adjust. I just wished I had more time to adjust to going out in the mortal world.'
Laura turned to the boys. "Bernard, Neil and Scott want to talk to you at the table." She pointed towards the table.
Neil studied the elf/boy as he sat down at the table. 'There's something he's clearly trying to repress.'
"Hello Bernard. My wife and I have agreed to take you in for a couple of weeks. Scott will then pick you back up on Jan. 12th of next year."
"I thought that I would be staying here for the time I'm under the human clause." Inquired the elf.
Scott frowned. "I've been reading the 18th chapter of the book Judy gave me. The elves go out in pairs or threes into the world. Your time with Neil will have to be limited."
The elf absorbed the news and smiled with relief. "I thought I would out here all alone. I really wished I had read that book now." He noticed Neil studying him with an intense expression on his face.
"I've decided that it would be beneficial that my first session with you would be as a group. I am including Scott and Carol in the session also."
Scott Calvin grimaced at those words but said. "Fine with me. I just want my old Bernard back."
Carol nodded. "Yes I agree with Scott. We want our calm Bernard back." Carol was about to say cheerful but stopped herself. Bernard's disposition as an elf could not really have been labeled as cheerful.
"I don't really have a choice in this matter. Okay when do we start." said the elf.
"The session is at 10:00 o'clock tomorrow morning in my den. Scott and Carol you will be staying in the guest room tonight. Don't worry Scott I put in a larger bed for you and Carol." Neil rambled on.
Scott blushed. "Thanks Neil. Doesn't if feel weird for the ex and the new wife staying with you."
Neil shook his head and smiled. "It was weird when the ex thats is Santa. I sometimes have a hard time getting past that issue. But I'm getting there."
At the mention at the name of Santa, Bernard became alert. "Sir you can't possible stay the night. There are still toys to make."
"You know that we are on schedule this year. We've been caught up before the clause ever hit. Curtis will get me if there is any problems at the factory."
Bernard shot his boss a sour look at that.
"Bernard. You have to let go of the ToySanta business. Curtis learned his lesson. Actually I think having you gone for awhile will help Curtis mature."
"I doubt it." Scoffed the elf.
"Just today he was saying he wished that you hadn't been hit with the clause. He said he didn't know how you handled all the pressure."
"Come on he didn't really say that."
"He was talking to himself and didn't know I was in the room." Scott admitted.
"Figures." said Bernard.
Scene 3:
The session began with Neil asking Scott and Carol questions first.
"So how is the new Bernard different from the old Bernard?"
Carol took the question. "The new Bernard is too emotional. Too excitable. He is also having these panic attacks. The old Bernard is a lot calmer. " She turned to her husband. "Would you agree dear."
Scott looked over at Bernard. "I agree to a certain extent. I've seen the old Bernard become excitable during every Christmas Rush. I would say that the new Bernard is just a more intense version of the old Bernard. The new human emotions coursing through his body adding to that problem. Also as Carol said there is also the panic attacks he is now getting."
"I see. Bernard is there anything you would like to add." the Neil asked.
"What they said pretty much covered it. " replied Bernard.
The session continued with Neil, Scott, and Carol doing most of the talking with Bernard occasional agreeing.
Neil whispered to Scott.
"He is not really participating. I feel he is hiding something. Let me try something."
" Bernard. Last night you said something that puzzled me. You said that you are more at ease with going out in the mortal world knowing that you won't be going out alone. Were you ever alone before."
The boy gasped. "I really don't want to talk it. Thank you very much."
"What happened? You can tell us. " Neil indicated Scott and Carol. They leaned forward and looked at Bernard.
" We're you friends here."Neil persisted. Scott and Carol both agreed.
"It happened a long, long time ago. At a time when many types of elves lived on the earth."
"What happened?"
"Jack Frost happened. He froze the earth. You call it the Ice Age. Only the Christmas elves had survived."
Scott studied his elf.
"Bernard, I know the legend that is handed down about Jack Frost. Jack Frost was suspended from the council for a period of time for freezing the earth. Mother Nature has been doing his duties while he is on suspension. Actually, his suspension should have been up by now." He paused. "I need to get back on track. According to the legend they say that a member of the Trivoly Elf tribe did in fact survive."
Neil interrupted. "What's a Trivoly elf."
"Neil, Trivoly Elves were known for their somewhat larger size. They were also the most powerful elves. They have even longer lives than the Christmas elves. Jack Frost tried to take over their community. They revolted. Jack sent the ice age. According to the legend , One Trivoly Elf princess brought her elf son to a ice cave in Alaska. She cast a 5000 year sleep upon him. She sealed him there so that Frost couldn't find him."
Neil whispered back. "It is just a legend right."
Scott ignored him and turned back to his elf. "I never believed in legends as I do now. Since becoming Santa I know that is foolish to dismiss them. Bernard I always suspected that you are related to the boy in the cave. Your Father perhaps."
"Santa, He wasn't my Father. I was. I mean I am that elf in the cave. Fathertime found me after my little nap. He took me to north pole and the Christmas elves. I've been there ever since."
Neil nodded after Bernard's finished talking. "Bernard, You have clear signs of abandonment issues."
"Neil, even I can see that after Bernard's revelations." Scott said shaking his head.
" Well, I will continue to l work with him on these issues Scott. Rest assured. When you see him in a few weeks you will see a great change."
"Thanks Neil. I am counting on you to do just that."
Scene 4: Departure
Bernard was helping Scott and Carol load up the sleigh for their return trip home when they suddenly heard a noise. Carol all looked up and saw a falling star.
"Oh Scott look a shooting star. It looked like it fell among those bushes in the back yard." exclaimed Carol.
Bernard just shook his head. "That's not a falling star, Mrs. C. Its Curtis. He knows hes not been qualified to fly the elfjetpacks yet. I go see if the little guy is hurt."
He paused at the bush and called out. "Hey Curtis. You okay in there?"
Curtis jumped up. "I meant to do that. Just a few scratches. I'm fine."
"Why would you be worried about me anyway?" Curtis asked.
"Curtis. I used to be arch elf. Its the arch elf's job to be worried about the elves under his command." He told the little elf.
Curtis smiled. "Thanks Bernard." He suddenly hugged the larger elf. "Your not going to believe this but I miss you nagging me all the time."
Bernard smiled back. "Thanks Curtis. That makes me feel better. "
He shook his finger. "I don't nag."
Curtis smiled. "Yes you do."
"No I don't" Bernard complained.
Scott walked up to Curtis. "Curtis, what are you doing here? I was getting ready to go back to the pole. What's so important that you had to rush here."
"Oh sorry sir. There is an emergency session in the council. You are needed back at the pole in 15 minutes. Jack Frost is demanding that he be allowed back on as his suspension was over eighteen years ago."
"Okay Curtis get aboard the sleigh." Scott said in his Santa voice.
"But sir I have my rocket pack." He smiled.
"Curtis, I've seen the way you fly that thing. Get in the sleigh."
"Yes sir."
"Santa, I need a few words with Curtis. It will only take a minute." Bernard informed his boss.
"Okay but only a minute."
He pulled Curtis aside.
Curtis smiled at him. "You want to nag me some more."
"No. Now stop that. I want you to watch Jack Frost carefully. If he gets back on the council, he'll try anything to ruin this world. Mark my words. You do know why he was suspended in the first place."
"That was years ago. Besides it was only a legend wasn't it." Curtis asked fearfully.
"No it wasn't a just a legend. It really happened. Don't let your guard down around Jack. My mother told me that it wasn't that Jack didn't have a heart. He does have a heart but its frozen solid like him. He can't feel any of the warmth that a snowfall. Tell Santa. What I told just told you. "
"Okay Bernard. I tell him. I just hope your wrong about Jack"
"Oh Curtis. I wish I were. I wish I were."
