Gentle readers, friends, and comrades,
The time has come. Shortcake is not returning to Santaland this year.
She always knew this day would come. When she started as an elf, she knew she would make it five years. Since then, she's been waiting to become too tired or bitter or disillusioned to continue. Or maybe she would receive a job offer that was just too good to turn down. It didn't happen, until now. Shortcake thought she would make it to year 10 - she was actively planning for it, as well as making theoretical plans for years 11-13.
It was not to be. Nine years was all she was meant to do. Three years as an elf and six years as a strawboss. As soon as Shortcake knew the strawboss position existed, she wanted it. She was born to be a strawboss. It was the perfect job. But now she's been offered something that's too good to turn down. Santa needs Shortcake to stay in Chicago this holiday season, bringing Christmas magic to children when they see Lookingglass Theatre's production of The Steadfast Tin Soldier. It also makes Puncake very happy to have Shortcake at home.
This will be a rough Christmas for Shortcake. She's spent every Christmas Eve with Santa since 2008.
Don't worry - Cider and Blissful will still be there to take care of Santa. And you can still e-mail Shortcake. She'll post here from time to time with Christmas tidbits and stories and photos.
Merry Christmas all, and to all a good night.
