Chapter 7: Introducing Robert L. May
(Cuts back to the present with Sam the Snowman and the Sprites)
Sam the Snowman: And so, time passes. Christmas comes and goes on schedule-
Glitter: Uh, Sam. Hate to interrupt, but it's obviously another year passing.
Sam the Snowman: Oh, yes. (Clears throat) Thank you, Glitter. Of course, the rest of the story is about how the book on Rudolph was written. Ladies, think you could take us there?
Aurora: With pleasure. (The Sprites fly up and form a beam out of the Northern Lights teleporting them and Sam to 1930s Chicago, with Sam under the sign for Michigan Avenue)
Sam the Snowman: (Walking down Michigan Avenue and stops at the Montgomery Ward entrance under May's office window) We are now in Chicago, Illinois, the "Windy City" itself. Now, this is way before attractions like the Willis Tower were even built, but the one place we are here to visit is the Montgomery Ward Department Store. It's here that we will meet a man named Bob. (We now see Robert L. May though his office window, then his notepad with him tapping his pencil till his telephone rings)
Bob: Hello?
Ms. Mason: (Over phone) Mr. May, Mr. Crookshanks wants to see you.
Bob: Okay. I'll be right over. (Hangs up and walks over to his boss's office)
Ms. Mason: (Notices Bob and lifts up her telephone's receiver) Mr. Crookshanks, Mr. May is here.
Mr. Crookshanks: (Over phone) Thank you, Ms. Mason. Send him in.
Ms. Mason: You may go in, Mr. May.
Bob: Thank you. (Opens the door and enters Mr. Crookshanks' office)
Mr. Crookshanks: Hello, Bob.
Bob: George. (Both shake hands and sit down)
Mr. Crookshanks: (Hands Bob a cup of coffee with a candy cane in it) Can you believe Christmas is already on its way?
Bob: You're telling me. (Sips on his coffee)
Mr. Crookshanks: Have you come up with anything on that children's story I assigned to you yesterday?
Bob: I'm afraid I'm suffering a little writer's block.
Mr. Crookshanks: Don't worry. I'm not rushing you. The reason I sent for you is because of an idea I just came up with. You know how we sell comic books for children?
Bob: Sure. Don't forget my own daughter even gets some.
Mr. Crookshanks: (Laughs) Yeah. I know. Anyway, my idea is that we make our own comic books for children. I also need you to write the story.
Bob: Me?
Mr. Crookshanks: Yes, Bob. You. Part of the reason I want our own comic book is to save money. You know how it is with the Depression.
Bob: I know. My family used to be real wealthy until the Stock Market crashed. But I will work on the story.
Mr. Crookshanks: (Shakes Bob's hand) I knew you would do it.
Bob: What do you want the story to be about?
Mr. Crookshanks: As I said a few seconds ago, I want it to be set around this time of year. I'd also like the main character in the story to be an animal. Whether it'll be a dog, cat, or hamster, I expect it to be as good as it gets.
Bob: I'll try to have it complete by Christmas.
Mr. Crookshanks: No need. Just have it completed whenever you can. Who knows? We might start selling them next Christmas. Speaking of which, Mary asked me if you and Sara are still doing your annual Christmas get-together?
Bob: Don't worry. We're still doing it. Speaking of which, Sara and Barbara and I are planning to get our tree at the Lincoln Park Zoo after work.
Mr. Crookshanks: You mean, you still hadn't gotten a tree?
Bob: (Shrugs) Just hadn't gotten around to it.
Mr. Crookshanks: All right. (Stands up and shakes hands with Bob) Like I said, work on that comic book story whenever you can. Take a few notes and I'll give you my approval.
Bob: All right, George. See you in the morning.
Mr. Crookshanks: Bye, Bob. Give Sara my best.
Bob: (Leaves his boss' office) Will do. You do the same with Mary. (Enters an elevator and goes all the way down to the store's lobby, the elevator door opens and revealing a woman and a little girl standing outside)
Barbara: Daddy! (Runs into her father's arms)
Bob: Hey, sweetheart. (Lifts Barbara up and hugs her, puts her down) By the way, there's someone here if you want to see him. (Gestures to a man dressed up as Santa Claus greeting some children)
Barbara: That can't be the real Santa Claus.
Bob: What do you mean?
Barbara: I think the real Santa hires actors to impersonate him at Department Stores. (Her parents laugh)
Mrs. May: You might be right, Sweetie.
Bob: Come on, let's get our tree. (They walk to the store's entrance and we see some carolers to the left of the May family as they had for their car)
Carolers: (Singing) Joy to the children far and near
What a wonderous time of year
Isn't it just grand to say
Merry, Merry Christmas
Merry, Merry Christmas
Merry, Merry Christmas
Merry, Merry Christmas
Oh, what a Merry Christmas Day (As the song ends, we cut to the Mays arriving at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, which also has a Christmas Tree lot, a zoo employee notices them and walks over to greet them)
Juan: Senor Bob!
Bob: Buenes Tardes, Juan.
Juan: Senora Sara, Senorita Barbara. Have you come to get your tree?
Mrs. May: That's right.
Juan: Ah, bueno. This way, por favor. (Walks over to the tree lot with the May family close behind, points out a spindly-looking tree) How about this one?
Bob: What do you think, sweetheart?
Barbara: Nah. Too spindly.
Juan: I figured you wouldn't. (Reveals a better-looking tree) How about this one?
Barbara: Perfect. Even prettier than last year's.
Juan: You're a real judge of character, Senorita Barbara.
Bob: Looks like that's the one we're looking for.
Juan: I'll round up some boys to help tie this to your car, eh?
Bob: All right.
Barbara: (Notices some reindeer in an enclosure nearby) Juan, what are they?
Juan: Ah, those are real reindeer. We just got them from a herder from Lapland. I admit I'm not good at geography, but it's one of those countries way over in Europe.
Barbara: Can I see them, Mama, please?
Mrs. May: All right. Only until the tree's tied to the car. (Barbara runs over to the reindeer as Juan whistles to some other zoo workers to bring the tree to the May family's car)
Bob: Who doesn't love this time of year?
Mrs. May: Who wouldn't?
Juan: Okay, Senor Bob, your tree's ready!
Bob: All righty. Come on, we better get Barbara.
Barbara: Oh, how cute. (Reindeer snorts as Barbara pets it)
Mrs. May: Barbara, time to head home!
Barbara: Aw, Mama, do we have to?
Mrs. May: Yes, we have to. You don't want to be on Santa's naughty list, do you, young lady?
Barbara: (Gasps) Coming! (Her parents and Juan chuckle)
Bob: You sure got her. How much do we owe you?
Juan: Eh, let's see. (Looks at the tree's price tag) An even $22.
Bob: (Pulls some money out of his wallet) All right. Here's an even 25. Keep the change.
Juan: Gracias, Senor Bob. Feliz Navidad.
Bob: Feliz Navidad. (The Mays climb into their car, we now see the outside of their house with Sam the Snowman walking up to the window)
Sam the Snowman: Once Bob and his family got their tree home, they immediately started putting on the decorations. Little did they know that something comes up that will change their plans. (We now look through the window with Bob holding Barbara in his arms as she puts the star on top of the tree)
Barbara: Looks like that's it, daddy.
Bob: I think so, too. (Puts Barbara down and we now see his wife in the kitchen looking through the mail)
Mrs. May: Bob, here's something for you from Washington.
Bob: Washington? (Walks into the kitchen with Barbara) Let me see. (Opens the envelope and reads the letter aloud) "To First Sergeant Robert L. May, this is to inform you that you are being promoted to the rank of Captain as of the time you receive these orders." Orders? (Continues reading) "You and a company of 10 men, including yourself, are to meet with some Russian troops near Nome, Alaska, for an Arms Deal that President Roosevelt arranged with the Russian government to anticipate trouble between Germany and Poland. If successful, your mission should be completed by the 24th of this month and we will arrange for immediate transportation for you and your men. Signed Harry H. Woodring, Secretary Of War."
Mrs. May: The 24th? Bob, that's Christmas Eve.
Bob: I know that, but orders are orders.
Barbara: Does that mean you aren't gonna be home for Christmas?
Bob: (Kneels down to Barbara) Well- (Tears form in Barbara's eyes and she runs up the stairs) Barbara! (Sighs) I'll go talk to her. (Walks upstairs to Barbara's bedroom door) Sweetie? (Slowly opens it and walks in, we see Barbara lying on her bed softly sobbing) Look, I know it's hard, but I'm afraid that's how it is sometimes.
Barbara: Why does it have to be now, of all times? Does anyone in the Military deserve to be with their families for Christmas or any other holiday? (Continues sobbing)
Bob: (Pulls her over, hugs and kisses her) Sssh. It's okay. I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try to be home by Christmas.
Barbara: (Sniffs) Promise?
Bob: I promise. Who knows? Maybe I'll run into Santa while I'm there. I wouldn't be surprised if that's around his stomping grounds anyway. He may even give me and my men a lift in his sleigh. They probably hope to be with their families, too.
Barbara: Would you and your men have enough room in his sleigh, even with his sack of presents squashing you? Think of how he and his reindeer go around the whole world in one night.
Bob: I'm sure they might be able to take us. Just don't get your hopes up. I don't know if I'll be home by then. Come on. Your mother may need some help to start dinner. (They both walk downstairs)
Mrs. May: Well, Captain, what did you 2 talk about?
Bob: Well, we personally hope that Santa might bring me and my men home during his Christmas Eve flight. (All laugh)
Mrs. May: Anyway, dinner should be ready soon. Wouldn't want it to get cold.
Bob: (Walks over to candlestick telephone and dials as his family sit at the kitchen table) I'll be right there. First, I need to let George know that I may not be coming to work.
Mr. Crookshanks: (Over phone) Hello?
Bob: Hey, George. It's Bob. I just got orders for a new assignment from the Army and I wanted to let you know that I may not be working at the store for sometime.
Mr. Crookshanks: (Over phone) How long will you be gone?
Bob: According to the orders, the assignment's to be completed by Christmas Eve.
Mr. Crookshanks: (Over phone) Okay, Bob. Be careful and Merry Christmas again.
Bob: Thanks. Tell Mary I said Merry Christmas, as well.
Mr. Crookshanks: (Over phone) Will do. Bye.
Bob: Bye. (Hangs up and dials 0) Hello, operator? Would you please get me the Gold Bond Stamps Company?
Operator: (Over phone) Right away, sir.
Bob: Thank you.
Mr. Carlson: (Over phone) Hello, Gold Bond Stamps Company. Kurt Carlson speaking.
Bob: Mr. Carlson, this is Captain Robert L. May of the U.S. Army Reserves. I just received orders from Washington to head north and take command of a small outfit located near Nome, Alaska.
Mr. Carlson: (Over phone) Where would you like to start your trip to Nome, Captain May?
Bob: Uh, my hometown, Chicago, Illinois, the "Windy City?"
Mr. Carlson: (Over phone) Oh, yes. I've been there many times. (Continues talking as Bob takes notes for his reservations) Now, I recommend that you leave Chicago on the Santa Fe Chief leaving Dearborn Station tomorrow and when you reach Central Station in Los Angeles, you'll spend the night at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A., and then take the Southern Pacific Daylight to San Francisco. You've heard of these famous trains, haven't you?
Bob: Yes, I've heard of them.
Mr. Carlson: (Over phone) Once you've reached San Francisco, you'll spend the night at the Ambassador Hotel and take a plane to Anchorage, followed by another flight to Nome. Have you got it all?
Bob: I sure do. Thank you, Mr. Carlson.
Mr. Carlson: (Over phone) An absolute pleasure for the find defenders of this great country of ours. I'll call you as soon as your reservations are drawn up.
Bob: Okay. My number is 555-3208.
Mr. Carlson: (Over phone) Right. Thank you for calling Gold Bond Stamps Company and hope you have a Merry Christmas. (Laughs)
Bob: Thank you and Merry Christmas to you, too. Bye-bye. (Hangs up)
A/N: Sorry for the late update. Writer's block. Hopefully, you guys also noticed the "Merry Christmas Day" reference towards Mickey's Christmas Carol. Anyway, we now meet Robert L. May, who I made up is also in the U.S. Army reserves, which will be the reason of him being there during the foggy Christmas Eve, along with him still being a copywriter for the Montgomery Ward Department Store in Chicago. I was surprised that he lived in Chicago, since I've been to the "Windy City" several times. From the research I did on him, the story on Rudolph was partly based on himself since he used to be teased a lot when he was a boy. May also had a hard time as an adult. For 1 thing, he had 2 marriages. During the time he was doing the story on Rudolph, his first wife lost a battle with cancer and his boss wanted to give him some time off and give the story to someone else, but May insisted on working on it anyway. He also used to read his notes quite a bit to comfort his daughter, Barbara, who was only 5 years old when her mother died. Speaking of Barbara, the part of her petting that reindeer at the Lincoln Park Zoo also happened in real life and was part of her father's inspiration on his story. His wife in the story is another OC, and unlike his real first wife, she won't be battling cancer.