#bergen_county

Connor was good, and Dagmar finished her math! So that means MOTORCYCLE and MALL.

"THE MALL THE MALL THE MALL!"

"Now, do you have your poop-scoopin' money?"

"I got my doo-doo-dollars!"

He giggles at that.

"Does that make me 'filthy rich'??"

"Maybe we need to launder the money first!"

"Awesome. So if you wanted to shop, you could do that, too. There's a five bel-..." She snorts at 'filthy rich'

SNERK.

Connor's tail flashes. The jokes were fun, but it's Dagmar's reaction that brings the most joy!

"I've never had money to buy presents before. Or anything! Things just show up. Like the magical fridge, food appears in there. But THIS Yule I'm gonna get something special for everyone I can."

"Yeah, I remember the first year I could get store-bought presents..."

He nods solemnly. "I might have to make some cards and nornoments still. But I can buy some THINGS."

"Yeah. There's a store where everything is under five dollars."

"And, of course, Santa is at the mall."

He nods, wide eyed.

"So you could go visit him. Now - sometimes it is Santa, sometimes it is one of Santa's squires."

"But, obviously, one of his squires would be honor-bound to tell Santa what you wanted."

"Of course. All Squires know the code!"

"Exactly." She checks his helmet before they go. Safety first!

He tries not to wriggle too much. "Who are YOU doing presents for?"

"I'm making some and buying some, too."

"Who for?" He asks, curiously.

"Well, my family, and then Chief, and Kerri, and Symon and Sylvi and Gerd and Siv and... jeez, so many people."

he holds his head! "Maybe we can bake some pupkin cookies? Everyone likes cookies?"

"Maybe we could! I bet Marigold might like some..."

"Ohhh. MORE presents." He nods, and then looks thoughtful.

"Would you want to go there on Christmas? I could take you up, or Gerd could."

"Don't you want to spend Crimbo with your Mama and Dad?"

"I do, but that doesn't mean I couldn't get you up there - it's a whole day."

He considers, "I don't know what presents. What do people buy? For... people?"

"Sometimes, you have to look around and see what's there."

"Cookies are a pretty good bet, though."

"I mean, for certain people? Like, what... um. What will you make for Mister Boss Jaymes?"

"Well, last year I made him a tool box..."

"Your dad likes horses, so maybe you could make him a model or painting of Spark?"

He blushes a bit, clearly it was obvious what he was asking after all. "I'm not artsy. I'm only fartsy, though?"

"Maybe some warm socks, or a good mug?"

"Everybody wears socks!" He perks up, then adds, "Well, not Jack. He has HOOFS."

"No socks for Jack!"

"We could put them on his horn-nubbins!"

"Or that..."

"Oh! Let's get leg warmers for Lane. She needs twice as many."

"Sounds like you have some great ideas!"

"Socks and cookies!"

"How can you go wrong?"

"Socks... filled with cookies?" He considers.

A soft laugh.

"Hot Sockolate?"

"No."