Now even though others have celbrated their feast days we move into ours. This year lets go multinational. Everyone brings something to a potluck dinner. So for Thanksgiving here at the cafe I'll see to my traditional delights. Anyone want to chip in?

To start I'll bring;

2 Roasted 25lbs Turkeys with onions and sage gravy on the side.
1 Bowl of cranberry sauce.
1 Bowl of breaded stuffing.
4 Traditional pumpkin pies
3 Apple pies (1 Dutch, 1 Lattice & 1 tradional deep dish).
3 Cherry (1 cranberry-cherry, 1 Lattice & 1 tradional deep dish).
1 Bowl fresh whipped cream.
3 pitchers of fruit juices.
2 pitchers of Mull Wine. (Light on the cloves, heavt on the cinammon).
8 Gallons of Fresh brewed coffee.

Choices of Christmas movies are up for grabs

Back by popular demand. From 2 years ago.

Merlin was dead for 7 years. This must be clearly understood otherwise nothing wonderous can come from this tale.

As conciousness returns I find myself in the back of the Hammick room. second level. My head hurts and as I check my cellphone. Dec . 21! . . .the last thing I remember it was Nov. 29?! Ouch! my head hurts in 2 places. . .
There was a pie fight. . . But as I move to the dining area the place is spotless. clean as a whistle.

As I stood behind the bar a lone burdened figure walked through the door. And I mean walked through the closed door. He was loaded down with bearing hundreds of unopend model kit boxes each one heavily taped to the other. Lightning ripped across the winter sky outside. As the apparition moved to the bar I stood as if rooted to the floor unable to move. He didn't look too good either. A bit knackered and floating about two inches from the cafe floor.

Me - Who are you?

Ghost - Ask me who I was. . .

Me - Merlin?

Ghost - Follow directions will you?!

Me - Ok, ok who were you then?

Ghost - In life I was you managing Editor. MERLIN! (More lightning.)

Me - So your out for a stroll?

Ghost - No! I suffer because I can't get these kits off my back. By the way your going to suffer the visits of three other ghosts. It will all happen in one night and whatever you do don't tick off the last one. He's always a bit edgy round this time of the year. Expect the first at 1AM the second at 2am and the 3rd at 5AM his schedule is really full this time of year. And oh! Did I mention whatever you do don't tick off the last one. Thats important.

Me- You want a beer?

Ghost - Yeah sure.

As I handed him a pint of Guiness dark he took it and drank it down to the last drop. But as it passed his lips it poured straight through him. Nother rmess to clean up. Then he was gone. I got the mop bucket and mop out. The clock chimed quarter past, half past then the hour itself. I I had just finished mopping up. As I looked over into the corner booth where Terri usually nests I see someone resembling Terri. But its not Terri. A tremendous bright light shines about. The flame on the top pf the spirit's head pierced the darken cafe.

Me - Could you turn down that spot light over there?

2nd Ghost - Hey! I don't see any other lights on. You forget to pay the light bill?

Me - Are you the ghost I was supposed to meet with at 1AM?

2nd Ghost - You catch on pretty quickly eh, Hoser?

Me - Great a Canadian ghost of Christmas long past. . .

2nd Ghost - No your past. Now touch my robe and that is not a free pass to grope!

The night gave way to the coming dawn and I was transported back to 1964.

End of Act I