Bad to Worse?

Sometimes things just go from bad to worse.

It was bad that Santa Claus was popped away from the North Pole during a demonstration of the changes made to the Appendapulator (the magical machine that makes a lot of the toys kids get for Christmas). It was worse when the elves tried to get Santa back, but instead they got S. Alfred Pickles--a mean, greedy man who wants to change the Appendapulator from a toymaking machine to a device that makes, among other things, lima bean sandwiches--instead.

Sometimes things go from worse to downright terrible.

That seemed to be what was happening when Waldo Elf volunteered to show Pickles the newest changes to the Appendapulator--namely, the ability to pop things (and people) from the North Pole to anywhere in the world!

"Waldo, you can't be serious," shouted Toby Elf. "You're not really going to help this man, are you?"

"Now, now," said S. Alfred Pickles, an oily smile plastering his face, "let the young fellow have his say. You've always been my favorite elf, Wilfred."

"Waldo," said Waldo.

"Yes, yes," said Pickles, sliding his arm over Waldo's shoulders and guiding him towards the Appendapulator. "The others just don't give you much credit, do they Wildon?"

"Waldo," said Waldo.

"Still waters run deep, I always say," he continued, as if he didn't hear Waldo at all. "Now will you show me how the changed the Hoppydispilator, Warden?"

"Appendapulator, Waldo," corrected Waldo, "and they didn't do it--Gizmo and I did it. It's real easy--want to see?"

"Don't do it, Waldo," said Jiller Elf. "Don't help him!"

"That's right, Waldo--don't," said Gizmo Elf, but as he said it, he had a strange look in his eyes like he was thinking of something. He even stepped aside to let Waldo and Pickles get to the machine.

"This is what you do--you just flip the flaggle toggle, and then pull this lever. See that box of widgets on the floor there?" asked Waldo, and he started to pull the lever. Halfway down, Pickles arm shot out and grabbed the lever.

"Oh, no you don't!" shouted S. Alfred Pickles triumphantly. "I didn't just fall off the turnip truck! You were going to distract me, then pop ME away from the North Pole! Well, I'm too clever for that!" and Pickles pushed the lever back up again.

As he did, the Appendapulator hooted, let out a blast of steam, and S. Alfred Pickles went POP! right out of the North Pole!"

"Waldo, you're a genius!" shouted Jiller Elf, hugging Waldo. "You knew he wouldn't trust you, so you set the Appendapulator to pop him away when he pushed the lever back!"

"Incredible!" agreed Toby Elf. "I'm sorry I ever doubted you, Waldo!"

"What a great job of outhinking him!" added Gizmo. "I'm proud of you!"

Waldo just stared at the box of widgets. "Gizmo, I think there really IS something wrong with the Appendapulator," he finally said. "That box of widgets is still there."

There's still lots more things going on at the North Pole! Keep reading The North Pole TImes every day to keep track!