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I know we're all getting our holiday inventory in, and that's been prompting me to think of winters past spent in retail, hence this. My apologies if I burn out any retina's.
Twas the week before Christmas and all through the store
Not a customer could be pleased, no matter what they came in for.
The managers were busy with receipts and things to copy and paste;
The mess that they made with it couldn't be faced.
The cashier half frantic and almost in tears,
Had just settled down to work with his co-worker's jeers,
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter
up sprang the theft prevention to see what was the matter!
Away to the door they all flew like a flash;
The one who was leading went down with a crash.
Then what to their wondering eyes did appear
But a company holiday party invitation, shaped like a tree! (Which I fear is mandatory!)
When the cashier saw this, he almost grew sick.
He knew in a moment it must be one of corporates tricks!
He ran to the door (all his efforts were vain)
But management organized, read the volunteer sheets, and then called them by name;
"Now Tommy! Now Sandy, Now Judy and Harry!
And Billy! And Robert! And Donny and Sherry!
Now get to your places stocking the halls
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
The employees, pell mell, started scurrying by.
They ran to the backroom and skipped down the aisle;
Their faces were shining and each had a smirk,
for we all knew the holiday party meant extra work.
First came a basket of popcorn to string
Then came the Christmas tree (menacing thing).
As the tree was brought in there arose a great shout;
The cashiers were balancing it, to keep it from thrashing about.
The state they were in could lead to a riot;
The manager was sure, if allowed, they would try it.
Their nerves how they jangled! Their temples were throbbing!
The rush of their breath sounded almost like sobbing!
The lines of management's face were as fixed as a mask;
It was plain that they didn't feel up to the store's task.
The look in their eye would have tamed a wild steer,
But the corporate ignored it; they did every year.
A tear from cashier's eye and a shake of the head
Soon led me to think that he wished he were dead.
The store spoke not a word but went straight to their work,
Strung all the popcorn which broke with a jerk.
But at last it was finished and placed on the tree;
Then came the end of shift and the employees were free.
Their voices soon faded away
And peace was restored at the end of the day.
As cashier looked at the Christmas tree glistening and tall,
he smiled as he whispered, "Happy Holidays to all, and....aw no rum in my egg nog?!?"
Twas the week before Christmas and all through the store
Not a customer could be pleased, no matter what they came in for.
The managers were busy with receipts and things to copy and paste;
The mess that they made with it couldn't be faced.
The cashier half frantic and almost in tears,
Had just settled down to work with his co-worker's jeers,
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter
up sprang the theft prevention to see what was the matter!
Away to the door they all flew like a flash;
The one who was leading went down with a crash.
Then what to their wondering eyes did appear
But a company holiday party invitation, shaped like a tree! (Which I fear is mandatory!)
When the cashier saw this, he almost grew sick.
He knew in a moment it must be one of corporates tricks!
He ran to the door (all his efforts were vain)
But management organized, read the volunteer sheets, and then called them by name;
"Now Tommy! Now Sandy, Now Judy and Harry!
And Billy! And Robert! And Donny and Sherry!
Now get to your places stocking the halls
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
The employees, pell mell, started scurrying by.
They ran to the backroom and skipped down the aisle;
Their faces were shining and each had a smirk,
for we all knew the holiday party meant extra work.
First came a basket of popcorn to string
Then came the Christmas tree (menacing thing).
As the tree was brought in there arose a great shout;
The cashiers were balancing it, to keep it from thrashing about.
The state they were in could lead to a riot;
The manager was sure, if allowed, they would try it.
Their nerves how they jangled! Their temples were throbbing!
The rush of their breath sounded almost like sobbing!
The lines of management's face were as fixed as a mask;
It was plain that they didn't feel up to the store's task.
The look in their eye would have tamed a wild steer,
But the corporate ignored it; they did every year.
A tear from cashier's eye and a shake of the head
Soon led me to think that he wished he were dead.
The store spoke not a word but went straight to their work,
Strung all the popcorn which broke with a jerk.
But at last it was finished and placed on the tree;
Then came the end of shift and the employees were free.
Their voices soon faded away
And peace was restored at the end of the day.
As cashier looked at the Christmas tree glistening and tall,
he smiled as he whispered, "Happy Holidays to all, and....aw no rum in my egg nog?!?"
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