Fiction

Share your works in progress with readers by emailing illustrations, creative writings and poetry to fiction@soprissun.com

The Resourceful Elf: Part Two

By Tom Mercer Former Carbondalian

Continued from Dec. 22, 2022 Work in Progress page

Snuffles the Elf was at a loss. He was no longer one of Santa’s helpers due to an error he had made on a needed sleigh repair. The repair — which had gone awry — forced Santa to make an emergency landing in a frozen Indiana cornfield. Santa’s delivery schedule was seriously impacted, which resulted in Snuffles dismissal.

And, suffice to say, opportunities were limited for unemployed elves. Snuffles was concerned about his prospects for future employment. He had spent most of his life performing various maintenance tasks at The North Pole, but he knew that his skill set was hardly appropriate for the world-at-large. Nonetheless, Snuffles the Elf decided to search for employment in a warmer climate, while his beloved wife remained at their home near the top of the world. He began his job search in sunny Los Angeles, California.

Every successful job hunt begins with a plan. So, soon after Snuffle’s arrival in Los Angeles, he sat down and made a list detailing his interests and skills. The list was short. Sleigh maintenance and repair had been his primary function in the frozen North, but he feared that particular skill would not be valued in The Golden State. He knew enough that no one commuted to work on a sleigh in Los Angeles.

Snuffl es created a second list that focused on jobs suitable for an elf, but that list was painfully short as well. It included toy making, sleigh maintenance, jingle bell tuning and sleigh runner repairs — frankly, none of which would be marketable in Los Angeles. So, Snuffl es made a third list comprised of alternative employment possibilities and it included the following:

1) Writing a book titled “Memoirs of an Elf.” 2) Teaching a course focused on wooden toy design and production. 3) Landing a role as a munchkin in a “Wizard of Oz” production. 4) Getting a job at the local “Santa Land” theme park. 5) Writing a newspaper column called “Short Person in a Tall World.”

Unfortunately, Snuffles had no experience in the entertainment industry nor as an author. Even worse, he had no “paid” employment history of any kind. Snuffles became discouraged (not a desirable quality for an elf) and he started visiting the reindeer at the local zoo where he would talk to them at length about his predicament. The reindeer were clearly sympathetic, but they were unable to offer any helpful advice. Still, Snuffles tried his best to maintain a good elf-attitude.

Then, one day, as Snuffles was leaving the zoo after talking to the reindeer, a man approached him with an incredible proposition. The man was a talent scout and he was searching for a “side-kick,” late-night television host. He believed Snuffles would be a “good fit” and asked the elf if he would be interested in the position. Snuffles spent all of 10 seconds considering the offer, after which he agreed to audition for the role.

To make a short story even shorter, Snuffles landed the side-kick job and that same week he joined the Screen Actors Guild, signed a two-year employment contract, made arrangements to bring Mrs. Snuffles to Los Angeles and rented a nice apartment overlooking the beach. Things were “looking up” — just as they always seem to do for diminutive elves — and anyone wishing to see a happy elf (with a great sun tan) only needs to tune into the right late-night TV show.

Art by Benny Blue

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LETTERS

continued from page 2

among us. Pat loves her community and had a decades-long agreement with SkiCo. She's the last one left in Colorado.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death now in America. Dan experienced the suicide of two his closest friends and moved to the mountains for solace. He was honest with his employer about his depression, his friends' deaths and about waking up every morning wanting to kill himself. Instead of empathy when he asked to be transferred within the company, he was met with abuse from the corporation. The problem for Vail was that the abuse didn't stop with his fi ring. Dan and Pat represent the marginalized in our communities and we should throw sunlight on their bannings.

Lee Mulcahy, Basalt

Mentoring Month

In honor of National Mentoring Month, I’ll shed light upon several Buddy Program (BP) off erings. Whether you’re a parent, volunteer, or community partner we hope one of the following avenues of mentorship speaks to you.

Ten years ago, I moved to the Roaring Fork Valley (RFV) and transitioned from Outward Bound instructing to teaching. I quickly observed that outdoor recreation, albeit ample in the RFV, wasn’t accessible to all per its cost. Subsequently, I began volunteering with the BP, as they off er group-mentoring programs free of charge. Through the LEAD Program, middle and high school students participate in activities including; backpacking, canyoneering, rock climbing, snowshoeing, etc.

The BP’s traditional forum of mentorship, community-based pairings, partners mentors with mentees. Over the past fi ve years, my buddy, Sonia, and I have had the opportunity to share our hobbies, watch one another’s families grow, support each other through diffi cult times and celebrate each others’ successes. Having a little buddy has enriched my life immensely. I recommend this route of mentorship for anyone looking to expand their sense of connection within our community.

Peer to Peer mentoring is another facet of BP mentorship in which I’ve been involved. This program connects high school mentors with elementary mentees for afterschool activities. It’s a meaningful way for high school students to give back to their community.

If these off erings pique your interest, visit www.buddyprogram.org to learn more. We’d love to have you join our community of mentors and mentees!

Meg Ravenscraft, Carbondale

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Dominique Wojcik, una residente local de Aspen, y sus hermanos hicieron "skinning" hacia arriba de Aspen Mountain para ver los fuegos artificiales y darle la bienvenida al año nuevo. Foto cortesía de Dominique Wojcik

Dominique Wojcik, a resident of Aspen, and her siblings skinned up Aspen Mountain to watch the fireworks and welcomed the new year. Courtesy photo by Dominique Wojcik WINDSHIELD SERVICE DIRECTORYREPAIR & AUTO GLASS WINDSHIELDREPLACEMENT REPAIR & AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT 970-963-3891 Mobile Service Available 970-963-3891 Mobile Service Available

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