Chapter 3

It's five days before Christmas

And at Target, there was busy business.

Joseph walked to work that day.

And when he got there, he got a few surprises, I would say.

He walked by the first ledge and looked at it.

When he did, he saw Matthew barbecuing hamburgers and hotdogs

in his Santa hat, which was violet.

Joseph walked in and heard Cory, Sophia, and Chayce sing Feliz Navidad

And saw them wearing Christmas hats that looked a little odd.

Joseph started his work before things got berserk.

And when he read the signs on the door, he put on a smirk.

It was Monday Funday at Joseph's place of work

So every employee could wear a festive hat

No matter where they lurk.

Once Joseph got to work, he heard Tyree, Nicole, and Ed play Ring Little Bells.

And he sang with them while trying to keep his cart trains as parallels.

Joseph quickly stopped by Starbucks for a hot chocolate to keep himself warm.

And while he waited, he watched Cory, Sophia, and Chayce perform.

They sang Go Tell It On The Mountain.

And when they finished, they all went to the drinking fountain.

After Joseph got his hot chocolate and Water,

He went outside and became a cart spotter.

He collected the baskets and drove them in with the cart-pushing machine

He worked until his break for fifteen

And when he took his time off, he did his usual routine.

After Joseph finished his fifteen, he lost his sunglasses

So now the sun isn't something he bypasses

But he wouldn't have had to slouch

If he knew his sunglasses were in his hoodie's pouch

After a while, Hannah wearing a winter hat

walked out to Joseph, and they started to chat.

Hannah said, "Hey Joseph, a guest needs an ameba. Have you seen one out here?"

Joseph said, "Sorry, I haven't. But have you seen my sunglasses anywhere far or near?"

Hannah said, "You lost them? What do they look like, if you recall?"

Joseph stretched his fingers and said, "They're black and about this tall."

Hannah said, "I'll keep my eyes open for them. Don't look so glum."

Joseph said, "Sorry. I need to get these carts in, or at least some. Then I'll look for your ameba on the strip, and then maybe we'll have one in our grip."

Hannah went inside, and Joseph did too.

And he brought the carts in with him since they were past due.

Anjelica wearing a Santa hat, said, "Joseph, just like Hannah said. Have you seen an ameba outside that's either working or dead?"

Joseph said, "Hannah already asked me, and I told her no. But I also told her I would search the strip for one so that you know."

Anjelica said, "Ok, good. But you're also not allowed to use the cart machine until Matthew says you should."

Joseph said, "Sorry, I haven't seen him lately. Except when I first walked up. Was that him I saw barbecuing greatly?"

Anjelica said, "Yes, now you just push them in like you would at a gym."

Joseph said, "Ok. That was when I last saw him, but we didn't get to talk. I just continued to walk."

While talking, Joseph and Anjelica heard Cory, Sophia, and Chayce sing Angels We Have Heard On High.

Anjelica and Joseph weren't shy, so they smiled and listened to the music while looking at the sky.

Joseph walked down the strip and checked it once over once the song was over.

Joseph went back to Anjelica when he saw her at Guest Service.

Joseph said, 'I looked everywhere on the strip but couldn't find an ameba to serve us."

Anjelica said, "That's ok. We'll find it without being nervous."

The employees spent half their shifts looking for an ameba

Until Megan found it in pets and brought it up as fast as a cheetah.

On her way up, Megan listened to Tyree, Nicole, and Ed play He Is Born, The Holy Child.

Then she sang to it, and her laughter was quite wild.

Joseph then went on his lunch break and announced it on his walkie.

And even though he had already told her, Sheree got a little talky.

Sheree asked, "Joseph, are you on your lunch?"

Joseph went to his locker and got his walkie from it

Joseph said, "Yes, Sheree, I am. And for the next half hour, this is where I'll sit."

Joseph had a burger and two hotdogs, even though he didn't have to

And while eating, he got a hello from his friend and boss, Matthew.

When his lunch was over, Joseph only had an hour left on his shift

And saw they were all out of carts, so he had to be swift.

He brought in as many as he could

But the guests took them faster than they usually would.

Before 4:00, Joseph got a whole train in

Then his shift ended, and he got to leave with a grin.

After Joseph left, he walked home and started to lie on his bed

He was exhausted from his work and still had to get fed

Megan then got home and spoke with her brother.

They spoke friendly to each other and discussed Joseph's gift to their mother.

Megan said, "Send me the link for the pillow sacks you got for Mom, and I'll get her pillows in the same size if you show me where you got them from."

Joseph said, "That got accomplished. Don't be dumb."

Joseph showed his sister both links, and a little while after, they both got their dinner drinks.

They made their dinners separately, of course.

And how they think of each other is what they started to enforce.

Joseph had some Christmas cookies and cake when it was time for dessert.

And he ate them in his pajama pants and shirt.

Meanwhile, back at Target

Ron, in a Santa hat, was struggling in the market

Guests mostly wanted cookies

And ingredients to bake them too.

Ron said, "Can't I get some help? Because we don't have enough stuff for all of you."

Sheree, in a Santa hat, came to help, and they restocked the shelves

And after they did, the guests started thinking more about what they needed for themselves.

While the shoppers shopped, they heard Cory, Sophia, and Chayce walk by and sing Five Little Elves.

Sarah, in an elf hat, then brought over three glasses of eggnog

And when they drank it, they drank it as fast as a dog.

The store then started to slow.

And the shoppers started to go.

When everyone left, Sheree locked the doors.

And then went home herself, away from all the other stores.