Retribution of Rudolph

"Thank you for coming Mr. Rudolph, I know you are still recovering from the horrendous incident. I would like to add that we are all pleased that you seem to be recuperating."

"No worries and thank you."

The chairman looks upon the mix of elves and humans in attendance and announces.

"Now to be clear this is not a trial it is only a hearing by the Safety Air Navigation Transport Agency, to hear your side of the story. Do you understand Mr. Rudolph?"

"I do, and please call me Rudy."

"Okay Rudy. In your words can you tell us what happened on the night between December 24th and the morning of the 25th this past year?"

"Yes, well as you know I am not one of the regular reindeer pulling Santa's Sleigh. I am called into action when there are severe weather conditions making visibility unmanageable and dangerous to fly. "

"So, technically you are not one of Santa's main reindeer, how does this make you feel, angry?"

"What? Most certainly not, it's an honor to be called upon."

"Well, it says here in my report that just days before there was a confrontation with you and one Mr. Blixen?"

"It’s pronounced Blitzen, and it was all in good fun. The team likes to razz me about my unusual nose."

"Really? Even after all these years?"

"As I said, all in good fun."

"Ok, so in other words you don't hold any grudges against all of the other reindeers for laughing and calling you names?"

"Most certainly not."

"Is it true, they still do not allow you to play in any reindeer games?"

"I'm sorry, what does this have to do with the incident?"

"I am getting to that."

"Please do, I feel that I have been more than cooperative."

"You have."

“Then why is this the sixth 'hearing' that I had to attend. You have my statement, why continue asking me. I am, after all, still recovering from a serious injury."

"Hardly serious. I would like to address your injuries, how is it that you alone escaped with only minor bruises, while the others..."

"Hardly Serious? I laid unconscious, and delirious for hours waiting for the Emergency Life Force rescue unit to arrive."

"Yet to date you have been unable to provide any medical documentation of your injuries."

”Would you say this to one of the original members if they were sitting here?”

”Well, unfortunately that is highly unlikely, given the circumstances.”

”Yes, most unfortunate, yet here I am, feeling disrespected. After all, I almost suffered the same fate they did.”

”True, but you are the only one who is here. You had one job to do, and because you failed….”

"This is an OUTRAGE."

"The outrage is that we have lost all our beloved reindeer due to your negligence. Santa is still recovering, under the care of Mrs. Claus. What we need to...what we demand to know ……"

”Demand?”

”Yes, demand. Because as of right now you are the only one who knows the answer about how this happened, and why.”

”We took a different route home and it was extremely foggy, that’s how. We were heading back to the village, having finished our final route. All the gifts delivered to all the good boys and girls. But we had to land before Santa and his sleigh came home to close off another successful year.”

“Land? If you were finished why did you not just fly back to the pole, what possible reason would you need to stop?”

Leaning back Rudolph smiled. “Now that is the one question no one asked?”

”I’m asking now, Mr. Rudolph, why did you not come straight home?”

“You don't want the answer to that question.”

“We are entitled to the answer.”

“There are certain facts, we at the North Pole, do not divulge.”

“I wanna know the facts Mr. Rudolph.”

“You can’t handle the facts.”

“We can handle the facts.”

“Not this, you can’t.”

“We want the FACTS....we NEED the FACTS”

“YOU WANT TO KNOW?”

“WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW.”

“YOU THINK YOU DO, BUT…”

“MR. RUDOLPH DID YOU GUIDE SANTA’S SLEIGH INTO THAT MOUNTAIN ON PURPOSE?”

“I DID WHAT I HAD TO…”

“ANSWER US DID YOU…”

“I DON’T ANSWER TO YOU…”

“YOU WILL ANSWER THIS HEARING.”

“I DID MY BEST.”

“THEN WHAT HAPPENED.”

“THE EIGHT WERE INEPT…..THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED....”

Gasps from everyone in attendance was so sharp and distinct, almost all the oxygen was sucked out of the room.

The Chairmen continues. “Who was inept?”

“You don’t have to answer them Rudy.” An elf yells from the gallery

Pandemonium ensues, until the voice of Rudolph overrides the commotion.

“It’s okay, I want to answer, if you let me, but you must promise this information does not leave this room.”

“That depends on the …”

“Promise or I say no more.”

“If we can keep this from going to trial, I believe we can keep the information in house. Proceed.”

“The truth is how Christmas really works. All you people sleep peaceful at night knowing that we are out there. Doing what you can’t do. There are children all over the world needing toys, who’s going to deliver them… YOU Mr. Chairman?”

The chairman remains silent.

“You don't understand how time works for us. The nano moment when December 24th changes to December 25th , time pauses. For you it is a second for us it is equivalent to a year. How else do you think all the toys are delivered in one night. Santa does in fact leave before the strike of midnight. However, there are more than eight reindeer, more than one sleigh. We work in shifts around the clock. We come home load up go out again. We manage this all on a tight timetable through out ‘our year.’ There are days off and down time for all except Santa, he is always out there. He doesn’t have the luxury waiting for others to do what he does. You need us out there...you want us out there."

“How, is this relevant?”

“I’m getting to that. As I mentioned we rotate the teams of reindeer. The Original Eight have contracts that they negotiated every year. Better food, better stables, better gear etc. In fact, the truth is the Original Eight only do two flights. The first one to start Christmas off, and the final return trip home."

"If this is true , how do the toys..."

"It is true. The majority of the trips are covered by other teams of reindeers. Once the Original Eight return to the Pole, it signifies the end of another Christmas. The celebration begins, but their contract stipulates they are the only reindeer than may attend the final party as guest of honor, to maintain the illusion.”

“I am shocked. We had no idea, yet this still does not answer the question.”

“As you know I am only called out on certain occasions. It just so happened that the fog was extremely bad for the return trip, probably the worst in years. Therefore, I was dispatched along with the Originals for the final leg. As we approached the North pole, Donner reminded Santa that I could not be part of the team to arrive. So, he ordered us to set down, where I was to be disconnected and left on my own, while they returned victorious.”

“I see.”

“Unfortunately, I did not. That is until it was too late. That mountain just appeared, I veered up, however as I mentioned the Original team hardly flew anymore. They were unused to sharp changes and turns. I tried to warn them, but their reaction was slow. My harness snapped so I managed to avoid the collision. But they….”

Rudolph could not continue, his eyes brimming with tears, his shoulders shudder, and he collapses, exhausted. His head remains upon the table for a minute. When he raises his eyes once more he softly speaks.

“Do you see why we had to keep this a secret? It may destroy the image of the Original Eight, and that is one thing we must not do. We need time to heal and rebuild.”

The chairman, teary eyed as was everyone, nods his head. “I believe we can call the case resolved and be sure to seal all records. Thank you for your time Mr. Rudolph, you may go.”

The night air was crisp as Rudy walks the empty streets of the North Pole alone. Quietly making his way to the stables when a deep voice whispers through the dark.

“Well done Rudy, I think they bought it.”

“I believe so sir. What now?”

“Now, as you said, we rebuild. This time every team will be equal. We will rotate the honors of the first and final run, and everyone will be invited to celebrate. You can finally take your rightful place in the group if you choose.”

“Oh no, I’m comfortable with my role, thank you for asking. May I ask you…”

“Why this had to happen?”

“Yes sir.”

“The Original Eight were getting too powerful, their demands to extreme. Squeezing this organization for everything it had, causing dissention. In fact, they basically negotiated themselves out of a job. They had to go, and you did your part perfectly.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Well, I’m off. Goodnight Rudolph.’

“Good night Santa.”

The End.

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My wife does not care for the ending, she wished for the trial to be the final. I however, had an even darker ending, but am satisfied with this one.

*I welcome all opinions and views in the comment section.*

Thank you, and Merry Christmas,

Jason