9 Chickweed Lane by Brooke McEldowney for December 24, 2000

Transcript:

A reindeer's head appears. Another reindeer's head appears. Gran asks: "Are you sure?" Thorax, in a Santa Claus outfit, replies: "Absolutely. I've cleared my schedule...We can spend all Christmas Eve by a roaring fire." Gran asks: "No icicles in your hair, no hoarfrost on your bifocals." Thorax, who is taking off the Santa suit says: "Nothing but hot chocolate and marshmallows." Gran asks: "But who will make your deliveries?" Thorax replies: "Ralph...He likes a change of pace." The reindeer and sleigh are outside. The Grim Reaper approaches the sleigh with Santa's bag. One of the reindeer says to another: "I understand the sugarplums have filed a formal protest."