"Okay, I got a plan all figured out," Judy said, "and just in time for the doors to be opened. Come on, you two. Huddle up."

The fox behind her snickered at her remark. "Huddle up?" he muttered. "What are we, in a football team?"

Nick and Jack got closer to Judy as she started to tell them about the plan she had concocted.

"So this how we're going to shop," the doe told them. "I think we can knock everything out of the park and score what we planned to if we do it like this..."

"Hang on a minute," the tod interrupted. "You mean you got a whole strategy and everything?"

"Yep," replied Judy with a smile. "The best thing you can ever do when you're shopping is have a strategy. That's what my mother always says."

"Well, let us in on it, Fluff."

"Firstly, I'll go solo and find some deals on some things I can get for my parents. I normally just get them both a gift card so they can get what they want, but want to try to find something different." She then turned her head towards Nick. "You're job, Slick, is heading over to the toy section and try to get those action figures everybody's talking about for my youngest brothers. Got it?"

"Roger that, Carrots," Nick remarked in reply, nodding his head. "I will do whatever it takes to get them."

Judy turned away from the fox and over towards the striped buck, who was awaiting his instructions. "Jack," she said to him, "you said Skye wants that new HayStation console more than anything, right?"

"Yes," Jack answered. "She's been talking about it for quite awhile now."

"Well, you're going to head towards the electronics section and pick one up before they're all out of stock. Then we'll meet back up near the clothing section."

"Anything for my Skye," the buck replied, determined to get what he set out to.

After a momentary pause between the three, Nick said, "Just hope we can get the deals in time, though. There's a ton of mammals in front of us already."

The line stretched all the way to the front entrance, and everyone was packed tightly together, ready to grab what they came to buy once the store opened for business. They weren't going to be the first ones through the doors, but they were still lucky they got in line when they did. Others who arrived just a little bit ago were starting to line up from behind the three.

"There is," Judy replied. "But we're just lucky we got here when we did."

"You think the lines at Buy 'N' Large are any better?" Jack inquired to the two.

"I doubt that," Nick said to the buck. "With how much they've been advertising their specials, I'm pretty sure the lines are five times more than this one."

"Yeah," Judy added. "I remember last year they said it was crazy."

"Wait a minute," Jack said to the others, peering his head to the side. "I think I someone coming out to let the shoppers in."

And he saw correctly. A young dingo, presumably in his early twenties, came into view, holding onto a set of keys. He unlocked the shop's doors, ready to welcome the anxious crowds that were waiting to get the deals inside. Those that were standing directly in front of them started chattering amongst each other as they watched.

"The store is open for business," said the dingo in a somewhat-bored tone of voice, letting out a sigh. "Please-"

As soon as the canine opened the doors, however, the mammals standing closest to the entrance immediately started pushing their way inside the store, like athletes sprinting down a course.

"Remember what we talked about, guys," Judy said to Nick and Jack as the crowds started rushing in. "Stick to the plan."

"Got it," Nick quickly replied.

With that, the three mammals followed as those in front of them started darting forward, straight into the war zone that was the store during the very start of the holiday shopping season.

Author's Note: With Black Friday just being the other day, I decided to write this little story out. While holiday shopping isn't exactly the same this year, I still thought it would be nice to write something about that concept. Hope y'all enjoyed it! :)

'Til next time, everybody!