A few minutes later, another visitor came to Babbit's office. This time, it was Babbit's nephew, Fred. He was about the same age as Micky, and unlike his uncle, was always a cheerful person. Fred was carrying a wreath under his arm.
"Hello, Micky, and Merry Christmas to you!" Fred said.
"Oh, hi, Fred!" Micky replied, "And the same to you."
"Is my uncle in?" Fred asked.
"I'm in here, Bob!" Babbit shouted. Fred smiled and shrugged his shoulders and went into Babbit's office.
"Hello, uncle!" Fred exclaimed, "And Merry Christmas to you!"
"Bah, humbug!" Babbit retorted, "What brings you here?"
"First I want to do this..." Fred said, as he placed the wreath on his uncle's door, "Then I would like to invite you to my house Christmas day for supper!"
"No thank you." Babbit snarled, "You know I don't like to eat at other people's houses. Too many germs."
"But it's Christmas, uncle!" Fred exclaimed.
"Yes, so you keep telling me!" Babbit said angrily. "Let me keep Christmas in my own way."
"But you don't keep Christmas, Uncle Ebenezer!"
"Then let me NOT keep Christmas if you don't mind!" Babbit shouted.
Fred sighed. Every year he tried to get his uncle in the Christmas spirit and every year he failed. He started towards the door.
"Well, if you change your mind, uncle, you know where I live."
"Goodbye, Fred." Babbit said slowly.
"Goodbye, uncle Ebenezer and Merry Christmas!" Fred said with a smile.
"BAH, HUMBUG!" Babbit shouted at him.
Fred walked over to Micky. "So, how are things with you, Micky?" Fred asked.
"As well as can be expected." Micky said a little sadly, "The Monkees aren't getting much work and Davy..." Micky hung his head. The Monkees were a rock band that Micky drummed for. He shared his pad with the other three members of that group, Mike, Peter and Davy. However, Davy was always sickly and needed an operation, but nobody had the money for it.
Fred put his hand on Micky's shoulder. "Let me know if I can help in any way, Micky."
"Thanks, Fred." Micky smiled. "Merry Christmas to you."
"Same to you, Micky." Fred replied. "Tell the others I wish them the same."
"I'll do that. Goodbye."
"Goodbye." Fred said as he left the office.
As soon as Fred left, Babbit got off his chair and walked over to the wreath. Without stopping, he yanked the wreath off the door and threw it into the garbage. Just then, the clock struck five. Babbit looked at his own watch to make sure it was indeed five, then looked at his employee.
"You may go now, Dolenz." Babbit snapped.
Yes, sir." Micky said and began to clean up his desk.
Babbit walked over to Micky.
"I suppose you'll be wanting the whole day off tomorrow." Babbit said.
"If it's not inconvenient, Mr. Babbit."
"It IS inconvenient, Dolenz." Babbit retorted. "But you'd think yourself ill-used if I didn't pay you for that day off, hmm?"
"It's only once a year, sir." Micky said.
"Poor excuse to pick a man's pocket every December 25th." Babbit said. "Very well, you may have the day off, but I expect you here at 9 a.m. sharp the day after!"
"Yes, sir, I'll be here." Micky said, relieved.
"Then be off with you." Babbit replied.
Micky nodded his head and quickly exited the office before his boss changed his mind. Babbit gave a disgusted sigh and went to make sure all the lights were turned off. Satisfied, that they were, Babbit left the office, locked the office door and went to the supermarket to buy himself a TV dinner. After buying the cheapest one he could find, he slowly walked home.
Chapter 1
Chapter 3
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