Growing up, Karen had been to the Christmas Village to visit Santa Claus plenty of times. She always loved sitting on Santa's lap, and getting the little trinket toy. Then she and her family would visit the reindeer and toy room with the elves in it. For some reason, all those years, she never really paid attention to the elves. She had never noticed that it was real guys and girls playing them, moving about the room, moving props back and forth, looking useful. Then one day, in her last year of high school, the park and rec. department came into school looking for that years elves. She had always been into acting, and an active member of the drama club, so she jumped at the chance. Plus, they were paying $50 a night. Talk about big money.

Karen was happy the next day when she got a call from the park and rec. department and they told her that she had gotten a position! She of course accepted the job and counted days in her head. There was 2 weeks to Christmas, and that would mean big money for her fashion budget.

The next day after classes, Karen went to the building that housed the village. It was an older looking brick building, with different rooms for the different exhibits. She hadn't been to it in at least 5 or 6 years. She had given up on Santa around that time, and never saw the point in just going to see the animals or the lights. When she got there, there were 5 other people, 2 guys and 3 girls waiting in the Santa room. They were all supposed to be there for their costumes. It took about 2 hours while they measured each person and made the costumes right then. She didn't realize they had to start that night for the opening festivities. After everyone had an outfit, they where told they had to get dressed right there. She removed her sneakers and socks, then her baggy jeans and blouse. She was hesitant to remove her underwear until an assistant came over and told everyone that they should. So, she got naked and put on her outfit. It was really simple, just a green lycra catsuit and a felt dress. Then they needed accessories, so they all got cute little hats, and pointy shoes. Then two women came around and did their make up to look childish. It was the same for the guys as well. She couldn't help but giggle when she saw them all gathered there dressed up life elves. Before she knew it they were being ushered into the toy room where they had to perform. It looked exactly as she had remembered it. A couple workbenches with half made toys, and lots of classic 1950s tin and wood toys filling up the room. Most were battery operated, with lots of noise and lights to attract attention. She figured they had probably all been there since the 50s when the place was originally built. Apparently at random the two women picked people and told them were to stand or sit. Karen got was told to sit on a stool in the corner of the room where a bunch of paint cans and half-painted toys sat. She quickly wondered how long she would be able to fake paint a toy before being totally bored. She had never given any thought to how repetitious her job would be. After the last guy was placed in the room, the two women opened the door and started to leave. She was about to speak up and ask what they should do to perform when her world went black. She felt her body slip away from her and a fog fill her mind.

It was only a few minutes before Karen awoke. She had no idea how long she was out of it for, but she was suddenly aware of the fact that she was awake. She tried to look around the room to see how everyone else was, but she quickly realized that she could not move a muscle. She couldn't even bat an eye. All that she could see was the door where people entered and a bunch of toys in her peripheral vision. She gradually became aware of her body. She was still sitting on the stool. One hand was holding some type of wooden toy, and the other held a paintbrush. She could tell there was an overly cheery smile on her face. Why would they turn us into elf statues, she thought to herself. There was no one in the room with them right then, but soon enough the door to the toy room opened and a small red light bulb came on, above the door. All of the sudden she detected movement as people came into the room. She felt her arms begin to move so that she appeared to be painting the toy. She had no control over her body, her arms just moved on their own, while the rest of her body remained rigid. She felt like an animatronic doll instead of an actress. After a few moments the people were ushered out of the room by the guide. The light above the door shut off, and they all remained still once again. This continued for another 5 hours while people went in and out of the room. At the end of the night, her world once again went black. When she awoke she was back in the Santa room. The two women were there with them. One of them as speaking to her, which suddenly made her wake up. "Would you like me to take your makeup off, miss?" she asked Karen. Of course I do, she replied. She looked down at herself and realized that she had already taken off her elf uniform, so she picked her clothes up and began dressing again. "That went by really quickly" she heard one of the other girls say. Karen had to agree, she didn't remember anything from the evening, she hoped the rest of the nights would be as uneventful.

The End.

OK, in case you are wondering, this is supposed to be a hanging ending. Does Karen remember what really happened? Why does she keep coming back? I don't know. That's why it's hanging. Make it up yourself.

-Dosman!