Mischief Makers 2023 Day 0: Prologue

Listen here!

In the heart of the North Pole, after all the Mischief Makers had flown to their assigned homes, Nim, Lil, Figgy, and Pixie, the Pole’s Top Shelf Elves, waited for Santa to send them off on their new assignment. 

The previous year,  Mrs. Claus and Glitter had brought an oversight to Santa’s attention. The Children’s Hospitals of the world had no assigned elves. Shocked and dismayed, Santa had immediately created a new task force and made Nim, Lil, Pixie, and Figgy the leads. They’d been training for the job all break and were full of ideas to bring some joy and fun to the kids and staff at the hospital. 

“Where do you think the big guy is?” asked Nim, craning his neck toward the workshop. 

“I don’t know,” said Lil. “But we have to get going soon, it’s a big assignment, and there’s a lot to do before the morning.”

“And I want to check out the cafeteria,” added Figgy as he rubbed his belly. “When we went last week to scope it out, ‘Broccoli Bites and Pizza Puffs’ were on the menu.”

“Figgy,” said Pixie. “You don’t even like broccoli.”

“I know, but ‘Pizza Puffs’, Pixie.” Figgy rubbed his belly again. “Pizza Puffs.”

The sound of galloping hooves filled the night. 

“Glitter!” The four elves cheered. 

“Yes, yes. Good to see you all as well. Santa sends his apologies for not coming to send you off himself. There was a…situation at the Grime and Goo section of the Toy Department.” 

“Yikes,” said Nim, eyeing shifty-eyed Glitter suspiciously. “That can’t be good.”

Glitter shook her head, pawed the ground nervously, and grumbled. “He sent me to deliver the news.”

Her tone put all four Mischief Makers on full alert.

Glitter sighed. “This isn’t going to be easy, but Santa could not talk them out of it. So…”.

“Spit it out, Glitter,” said Pixie.

“Yeah,” added Lil. “Spill the beans.”

“Rip the band-aid,” said Figgy.

“Cough it up,” joined Nim.

“Tell us the—.”

“Ok, ok!” brayed Glitter. “Your assignment this year is big news. An undertaking that no elf, gnome or sprite has ever tackled.”

All four nodded in agreement.

“As it is such a unique job, the Christmas Council feels it should have extra coverage, so…”.

“Glitter…,” prodded Pixie. 

“Bottom Line: Sparkly Sprinkles of the North Pole Gazette will be reporting on this story.”

“Ok,” said Pixie. “Why is that a big deal?”

“Yeah,” added Figgy. “It’s her job, right?”

Glitter nodded. “Yes, but she has asked to report from the field.”

Figgy asked. “Gumdrop Field?”

“No,” sighed Glitter and then let it all out in a rush. “She will be tagging along with you, every night, for the entire season and providing daily headlines to the North Pole Gazette.”

Nim and Lil gaped. “Every. Single. Night?”

Glitter nodded.

“Am I missing something?” asked Pixie. “This is good news, right?”

“Oh no, Pixie,” said Nim. “This is definitely not good news.”

“Why?” asked Figgy in confusion. “Won’t this be great publicity for the program?”

Lil sighed. “You know how they always say ‘There’s no such thing as bad publicity?’”

Pixie and Figgy nodded, their pointed ears perked with curiosity. 

“Well, they haven’t met Sparkly Sprinkles.”