Santa and the Jets

An elf named Lucky discovers Santa singing off-key in the workshop.

Lucky the elf prided himself on being one of the most efficient wrappers in Santa’s workshop. This year, he had promised himself he’d get an early start, folding and taping each present neatly for the children on his list. He had just finished smoothing the paper on a dollhouse when he froze, scissors dangling in his hand.

From the far end of the workshop came a sound he almost never heard before noon...Santa’s voice. The jolly old man usually reserved his visits for later in the day, checking progress after the elves had hit their stride. But now, he was strolling down the aisle of candy-striped tables, singing loudly, and very much off-key.

“Buh-buh-buh-Bennie...and the...cleats!” Santa belted, snapping his fingers and even twirling once, as if the toy hammers and ribbons were part of his audience.

Lucky’s eyes went wide. He nudged the elf beside him. “Bubbles. Look. Santa’s singing Benny and the Jets.”

Bubbles leaned over, trying not to giggle. “You’re driving me crazy,” she whispered, watching Santa warble without a care.

Santa, oblivious, kept going, “He’s got electric boots, a mohair...soup.”

Lucky couldn’t help it; he dropped his tape dispenser and hurried closer. “Uh, Santa? It’s electric boots, a mohair suit. Not...soup.”

Santa beamed, not the slightest bit embarrassed. “Ho ho ho! Suit, soup; it all warms the heart, doesn’t it?” And then, without missing a beat, he bellowed, “Electric boots, mohair stoop!”

The elves erupted in laughter, their productivity forgotten for the moment. Lucky shook his head, grinning despite himself. “Well, at least he’s having fun,” he muttered, returning to his pile of gifts.

And though Santa sang the words wrong every single time, the tune carried through the workshop, adding a new kind of cheer to the holiday rush.

Word Count: 295
Prompt: "Write a story that includes the line: “You’re driving me crazy.”
Written for: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"