Disclaimer:  "Early Edition and its characters and situations are the property of Sony/Tristar.  9-Lives cat food is a product of the Heinz Corp.  The Fox Family Channel and some Early Edition creators/writers are mentioned, but did not contribute to this story, other than being involved in one way or another with the show. This fanfic is for entertainment purposes only; no infringement is intended and no profit is being made."

Rating:  Utterly harmless
Spoilers:  None
Summary:  A re-write of Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas" with an EE twist.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Night Before Christmas...At McGinty's!
by Amy Russell

         Twas the night before Christmas…
         when all through the flat,
         Not a creature was stirring,
         not even friend Cat.

         The stockings were hung
         by the chimney with care,
         In hopes that Fox Family
         soon would be there.

         The fans were nestled
         all snug in their beds,
         While visions of Season 5
         danced in their heads.

         And Patrick and Vik
         and Ian in their caps,
         Had just settled their brains
         for a long winter’s nap.

         When down in McGinty’s
         there arose such a clatter,
         Gary sprang from his bed
         to see what was the matter.

         Across the floor
         he flew like a bat,
         Flung open the door
         and tripped over the cat.

         The lights at the back
         of the just polished bar,
         Gave the glow of goodwill
         to all, near and far.

         When what to Gary’s wondering
         eyes should appear
         But a van full of stars,
         (instead of reindeer).

         With the VP of Programming
         so fresh and pristine,
         He knew in a moment
         it must be Tom Halleen.

         More rapid than eagles
         his actors they came,
         And he whistled and shouted
         and called them by name:

         Now Chuck! Now Marissa!
         Now Crumb and Brigatti!
         On Lois! On Bernie!
         On Armstrong and Molly!

         To the top of the bar!
         To the top of the stairs!
         Now line up as one
         and let’s see how we fare!

         As fans who depend
         on EE to get by,
         When they meet with a cancellation
         rise with a cry.

                                       So into McGinty’s,
                                       the actors they flew,
                                       With a van full of scripts
                                       and Tom Halleen, too.

                                       And then in a flash,
                                       Gary heard in the flat
                                       The growling and meowing
                                       of his friend, Cat.

                                       As he drew in his head
                                       and was turning around,
                                      Up the stairs
                                       came Halleen with a bound.

                                       He was dressed in a suit
                                       from his head to his foot,
                                       And he hurried on up
                                       and gave Gary a look.

                                       A bundle of scripts
                                       he had in his case,
                                       And he looked like a man
                                       who had no time to waste.

                                       His eyes, how they twinkled!
                                       His dimples, how merry!
                                       “I brought back your friends,”
                                       he said to Gary.

                                       “Here’s Chuck and Marissa,
                                       Crumb and Brigatti,
                                       Lois and Bernie,
                                       Armstrong and Molly.

                                       All those cans of 9-Lives
                                       sent by your fans,
                                       From the U.S.,
                                       and some foreign lands,

                                       And Headlines for Hobson
                                       from their local papers,
                                       Made Fox Family think
                                       this was some kind of caper.

                                       So we thought and we talked
                                       and came up with a story,
                                       Then came here tonight
                                       so your fans wouldn’t worry.

                                      The Sun-Times is all ready
                                       and Cat is well fed,
                                       And it is time for Gary
                                       to go back to bed.

                                       For we’ll start filming soon
                                       with all new stories to tell,
                                       And bring back all
                                       the great cast as well.

                                       So fans of EE
                                       can go to sleep with delight,
                                       Patrick, Vik and Ian
                                       have more stories to write.”

                                       And we heard Tom exclaim
                                       ere he strode out of sight:
                                       “Happy Christmas to all,
                                       and to all a good night!”

Email the author:  amy_russell_55@hotmail.com
 

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