Me: Hey, guys. Here's the third chapter to CatDog and the Nightmare Before Christmas. In this part, Lola sees Sally's premonition.

Cat: And Lola tells us about the vision. But we won't get to the part where Sally warns Jack until next chapter.

Dog: Right. At the part with my favorite song, "Making Christmas". And this is the part where Jack checks on the Christmas stuff.

Me: Yes and they all go wrong. I'll write all the information on here. Enjoy!

Jack was getting information on Christmas with the Christmas books he got from Christmas Town. While he was reading, CatDog and Lola were sleeping next to Zero, who was in his dog bed.
"There's got to be something logical to explain this Christmas thing," Jack said. So he took out a book with the title, the Scientific Method.

The next day, Dr. Finkelstein was locking Sally in her room. He had an ice pack on his head. Lola looked out the window secretly but had no idea what the doctor was saying. When the door closed the doorbell rang.
"The door is open!" the doctor said.
"Hello?" Jack called.
"Jack Skellington! Up hear, my boy," Dr. Finkelstein said.
"Doctor, I need to borrow some equipment," Jack said.
"Is that so? Whatever for?" Dr. Finkelstein asked. "And who are those two?"
"This is CatDog," Jack said. "I met them yesterday. And I'm conducting a series of experiments."
"How perfectly marvelous," the doctor said. "Curiosity killed the cat, you know?"
"I know," Jack said. So Jack went to the doctor's lab to get the equipment he needs. Sally heard the conversation by putting her ear on the door. Lola felt bad for Sally being locked in her room.

Jack came in with the scientific equipment. He started off with a holly berry with a microscope. But when he looked closer, the berry was crushed. Next, Jack looked at a candy cane. But when he dipped it into boiling water, the candy cane was nothing but a noodle. Then Jack tried to make a paper snowflake instead he made a spider. Then Jack looked at the stuffing in a teddy bear and the pieces of a Christmas ornament.
"Interesting reaction. But what does it mean?" Jack asked. Back at Dr. Finkelstein's lab, Sally was making some kind of green liquid. Then she put it in a basket and threw it out the window with string attached to the basket's handle. Then Sally jumped down from her bedroom window. When she landed, Lola, who was asleep outside, woke up. She saw that Sally fell apart but she was okay and sewed her body back together. Then Sally went to Jack's house while Lola followed her. At Jack's house, Jack was trying to solve an equation when he heard something hit the window. CatDog spotted a rag doll girl down bellow, holding a hook with a basket on its grip.
"Who is that, Jack?" Cat asked.
"That's Sally. She is one of the doctor's creations," Jack said.
"She looks pretty," Dog said.
"And it seems she brought me something," Jack said. He opened the bottle and a cloud shaped like a butterfly appeared. Jack was about to thank Sally but she was gone. So Jack continued and CatDog went to sleep. Sally was sitting next to the gate leading to Jack's house. Then she spotted Lola.
"Hola, miss," Lola said. "My name is Lola, friend of CatDog."
"Oh yes. The cat and dog that came here," Sally said. "My name is Sally and I'm one of the doctor's creations."
"Pleasure to meet you," Lola said. "What are you doing with that flower?"
"I love to pick flowers," Sally said. "They help make me think straight. And sometimes I see a premonition. Uh oh!"
"Huh? Why is the flower becoming a Christmas tree?" Lola asked. Then the little tree burst into flames, destroying it. This could be a sign that Jack's idea of Christmas could be really bad. Then the sun began to rise and everyone started to sing.
Vampires: Something's up with Jack, something's up with Jack. Don't know if we're ever going to get him back.
Wolf Man: He's all alone up there, locked away inside.
Corpse Mom: Never says a word.
Corpse Kid: Hope he hasn't died.
Citizens: Something's up with Jack, something's up with Jack.
Back in Jack's house, Jack was pacing the floor, pondering about Christmas. CatDog were still asleep as Jack began to sing.
Jack: Christmas time is buzzing in my skull. Will it let me be, I cannot tell? There are so many things I cannot grasp. When I think I've got it and then at last. Through my bony fingers, it'll slip. Like a snowflake in a fiery grip. Something's here I'm not quite getting, though I try I keep forgetting. Like a memory long since past. Here in an instant, gone in a flash. What does it mean? What does it mean? In these little bric-a-brac, a secret's waiting to be cracked. These dolls and toys confuse me so. Confound it all, I love it though. Simple objects, nothing more, but something's hidden through a door. Though I do not have the key. Something's here I cannot see. What does it mean? What does it mean? What does it mean? Hm...
Jack tossed a doll over next to Zero's bed, which woke Zero and CatDog. They watched Jack as he continued to sing.
Jack: I've read these Christmas books so many times. I know the stories and I know the rhymes. I know all the Christmas carols all by heart. My skull's so full, it's tearing me apart. As often as I've read them, something's wrong. So hard to put my bony finger on. Or perhaps it's not as deep as I've been led to think. Am I trying much too hard? Of course, I've been too close to see. The answer's right in front of me. Right in front of me. It's simple really, very clear like music drifting in the air. Invisible but everywhere. Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean I can't believe it. You know I think this Christmas thing is not as tricky as it seems. And why should they have all the fun? It should belong to anyone. Not anyone, in fact, but me! Why I could make a Christmas tree! And there's no reason I can find, I couldn't handle Christmas time. I bet I can improve it, too. And that's exactly what I'll do! Hee hee hee!
"Eureka! This year, Christmas will be...OURS!" Jack yelled. Then all the citizens cheered except Sally and Lola. CatDog were confused what Jack was saying.
"Jack, what are you talking about? What's going on?" Cat asked.
"I finally figured out Christmas," Jack said. "Now it's time to get ready for Christmas."
"Hi ho diggety! Can't wait. Do you, Cat?" Dog asked.
"Yes. I'm real excited," Cat said, sarcastically. Later that day, the Mayor was getting everyone jobs for Christmas. Lola flew into the town hall to warn CatDog about Sally's vision as Sally hid from her creator. Jack was showing the vampires a baby doll. Then as Jack showed Dr. Finkelstein's job, Lola came in.
"CatDog, I got bad news," Lola said. "Jack's idea of Christmas is not a good idea."
"Why? Jack is handling Christmas so far," Dog said.
"You see, the rag doll I met, Sally, saw a premonition of a Christmas tree bursting into flames," Lola said.
"I knew this was a bad idea," Cat mumbled. Then a bunch of objects hit the Mayor. Then three kids came in and said their names were Lock, Shock and Barrel. Lock wore a devil suit, Shock wore a witch suit and Barrel wore a skeleton suit.
"Ah. Halloween's finest trick or treaters," Jack said. "The job I have for you is top secret. It requires craft, cunning mischief."
"And we thought you didn't like us, Jack," Shock said and giggled.
"Absolutely no one's to know about it. Not a soul!" Jack said. So Jack told the kids the plans for their job. Cat just crossed his arms in suspicion while Dog watched the Mayor, who was bitten by his spider bolo tie. When Jack was done, he grabbed Lock's tail.
"And one more thing," Jack said. "Leave that no account Oogie Boogie...OUT OF THIS!"
"Whatever you say, Jack," Barrel said.
"Of course, Jack," Shock said.
"Wouldn't dream of it, Jack," Lock said. But Cat saw that the kids crossed their fingers. So Lola went to follow the kids to their hideout. It was an old tree house with a hole down below. Lola was hiding as the kids began to sing.
Lock, Shock and Barrel: Kidnap Mr. Sandy Claws?
Lock: I wanna do it.
Barrel: Let's draw straws.
Shock: Jack said we should work together.
Lock: Three of a kind.
Barrel: Birds of a feather.
Lock, Shock and Barrel: Now and forever! La lala lalala lala la la. Kidnap the Sandy Claws, lock him up real tight. Throw away the key and then turn off all the lights.
Shock: First we're going to get some bait inside a nasty trap and wait. When he comes a-sniffing, we will snap the trap and close the gate.
Lock: Wait, I got a better plan to catch this big red lobster man. Let's pop him in a boiling pot and when he's done, we'll butter him up.
Lock, Shock and Barrel: Kidnap the Sandy Claws, throw him in a box. Bury him for ninety years then see if he talks.
Shock: Then Mr. Oogie Boogie man can take the whole thing over then.
Lock, Shock and Barrel: He'll be so pleased I do declare that he will cook him rare! Wee!
Lola saw a pipe behind the tree house, leading down below to a basement. Then Lola heard evil laughter. Then the kids continued to sing.
Lock: I say we take a cannon, aim it at his door and then knock three times. And when he answers, Sandy Claws will be no more.
Shock: You're so stupid. Think now if we blow him up to smithereens. We may lose some pieces and then Jack will beat us black and green.
Lock, Shock and Barrel: Kidnap the Sandy Claws, tie him in a bag. Throw him in the ocean then see if he sad.
Lola: Because this Mr. Oogie Boogie is the meanest guy around. If I were on boogie list, I'd get out of town.
Barrel: He'll be so pleased by our success that he'll reward us, too, I bet.
Lock, Shock and Barrel: Perhaps he'll make his special brew of snake and spider stew. We're his little henchmen and we take our job with pride. We do our best to please him and to stay on his good side.
Shock: I wish my cohorts weren't so dumb.
Barrel: I'm not the dumb one.
Lock: You're no fun.
Shock: Shut up!
Lock: Make me!
Shock: I got something, listen now. This one is real good, you'll see. We'll send a present to his door upon there'll be a note to read. Now in the box we'll wait and hide until his curiosity entices him to look inside. And then we'll have him. 1, 2, 3.
Lock, Shock and Barrel: Kidnap the Sandy Claws, beat him with a stick. Lock him up for ninety years, see what makes him tick. Kidnap the Sandy Claws, chop him into bits. Mr. Oogie Boogie is sure to get his kicks. Kidnap the Sandy Claws, see what we will see. Lock him in a cage and then throw away the key.
So Lola followed the kids to the Hinterlands to get to the wrong door.

Me: Wow. Lola has a plan to stop Lock, Shock and Barrel. Anyway, I love "Kidnap the Sandy Claws". Including Korn's version.

Cat: I heard that version. I thought Jonathan Davis sounded funny when he said "Chop him into bits".

Dog: Cat heard the song from my headphones.

Me: I always loved it when you listened to your music, Dog. In fact, my brother said that in part of the song, the guitar sounds a little like Mike McCready's guitar in Pearl Jam songs. Anyway, don't forget to review.