The Naughty List

December Daily Writing Prompt Challenge (Day 13)

Bob went out and partied with his best friends. When he wakes the next morning on Santa’s couch.

Photo by Srikanta H. U on Unsplash

Bob’s head hurt like hell. Bits and pieces of last night and the fun he had flit through his muddled brain. It was so worth it. He remembered partying with a bunch of guys that were dressed for the holidays. Including one dressed as Santa. That guy could put away the drinks.

He sits up and runs his hands through his hair and tries to focus on the room around him. He wasn’t home, that was for sure. The amount of Christmas decorations was obscene but seemed to work in this large room. The couch was amazingly soft so he didn’t really mind. It wasn’t the first time he woke up in someone’s home not remembering how he got there.

“About time you got up. We have work to do.” The voice was familiar from last night. It was the guy who had dressed as Santa.

“Work?” Bob’s head throbbed and spun a little as he tried to focus on the guy. “I’m in no condition to work on anything buddy.”

The guy came over and touched his head. Everything cleared. The pain, the fog, the memories. Oh my god the memories of last night. The drinking, the party, the flight through the air in a sled with reindeer pulling it and rock music playing as they travel to a snowy part of the world.

“Holy shit. You’re actually Santa.” Bob had to sit down.

Santa laughed hard at his reaction. “Oh Bobbie, my boy. We established this last night. You even agreed to come work for me.”

“I was drunk. I have family and friends to get back to.” Bob stood and looked for the door. Strangely there wasn’t one. “Where’s the door?”

“There’s a door if I wish it into being. Nothing here exists without me.” Santa’s voice deepened and his face took on a dark look. “That includes you, Bob.”

Bob took a step back. “I’m still dreaming. This can’t be real.”

"It’s real alright. I’m a bit short on elves this year. You volunteered to come help. You don’t want to be put on the Naughty List do you?” Santa grabbed him by his arm and dragged him to a door that appeared out of thin air. “You wouldn’t like what happens to you, if you’re on the Naughty List.”

Santa dragged him through the door into a room full of people chained to tables full of toys. He hands him over to a burly looking guard.

“Put him at the Tech table. He knows computers.”