The chill of autumn hung in the winds as displays of skeletons and ghouls were laid to rest as the Big Apple bade its goodbye to Halloween and prepared itself for the holiday rush. The sounds of the city were all alive and well, and they rang throughout every building. It was no different at the top of one of New York's skyscrapers, where the Wonderdream Toys offices were located. Inside the art department, the transition was happening for the anticipation of the holidays ahead. People were bobbing and weaving through all the decorations being transitioned leaving no one unscathed, especially poor Holly Day.
Holly was pin-balled between decoration and person all morning long. First, a skeleton dropped on her scaring her out of her wits. Then she got tangled up in some tinsel like some kind of cattle being tied up. Not to mention her wrecking a stray jack-o-lantern as she was trying to carefully make her way past the hall. To say Holly was clumsy was an understatement but things usually go her way. People find her endearing, her high spirits get her out of tough situations, and her belief in miracles always pushes her to be the best. Nothing could stand in her way. All except an ornament in her path making her slip and fall right in front of the elevator.
Right as the elevator opened up, a chill was suddenly felt in the air. Holly looked up to see the one person who always seemed to stand in her way, Noel Winter AKA the Ice Queen of Wonderdream. Her round appearance and warm skin reminiscent of warm cocoa may seem inviting but it's anything but. She stared down at Holly with a scoff and rolled her emerald eyes as she said her trademark,
"Typical..."
Holly stands to her feet feeling suddenly embarrassed by her unsightly appearance.
"Sorry Noel," she starts, "All this transition stuff is getting hectic but it's fun!"
"Yes fun," Noel starts. "It would be more fun and appropriate if it was done overnight and not cause a ruckus."
Before Holly could say anything Noel walked past her, easily ducking under a large plastic candy cane and marching straight toward her desk. Saying that Noel wasn't fond of the holidays was an understatement. She downright would be her meanest during this time. Her glares would be sharper, her tongue would feel like poison, and some say icicles would form around her desk. No one knew or dared to even ask why Noel was so vexed during the holidays but it was best not to cross her path.
As Noel settled in her chair she took a look around at everyone giving her a look before going back to work themselves or at least pretending to. She was used to people staring at her especially after she talked to Holly. To be fair, it's not like Noel thinks very highly of Holly to begin with. Holly is a clumsy unprofessional that tends to always make things worse yet gets all the glory when she fixes the thing she broke in the first place. Every time Noel points this out, everyone looks at her with dislike in their eyes. The Ice Queen is at it again. What kind of logic is that?
However, this year might be different.
Noel was so busy stewing in her frustrations that she didn't notice her boss, Carol Bell, calling everyone's attention. As the crowd formed around Carol, Noel quickly got up and made her way into the crowd. People parted away from her like they might turn into solid ice if they touched her. The sight made Carol look concerned but put a smile on her aging face and took a deep breath preparing herself.
"Well everyone, we have made it to the home stretch! We are officially in the holiday season!" her words met with grand cheering and clapping.
"As we know the holiday season is one of our biggest and busiest seasons. Our artists always bring out the best and I want this year to be our best one yet. It brings me a heavy heart to say that this holiday season will be my last. After more than 40 years seeing each one of you grow into something special has been the best 40 years of my life. I don't want to leave here with someone who doesn't know all the talent that I know this department has. So, I've got a fun idea to get everyone motivated. I am willing to give the position of Lead Designer here at Wonderdream Toys to the person who can impress our greatest investor! Each of you will have an opportunity to present so be sure to bring everything you've got!"
The room was immediately in a buzz with excitement from all corners of the office with the news. This could make or break a toy designer's idea. No one could even walk into the same room as the investors. Now everyone has a chance to present an idea to one of the top investors in the toy industry. Throughout the offices, little hiveminds of brainstorming sessions arose discussing and researching what would impress the investor.
While some were talking to Carol wishing her the best, Noel's mind was already turning. She had her secret weapon. Carefully walking back to her desk trying not to seem too excited to burst into a trot, she thought how finally it was a great opportunity to share her prized possession. Her special book of designs. Given how much spare time she had on her plate, it gave her the space she needed to put everything down onto paper. Years of pure imagination from Noel's mind was in that notebook and almost no one else has seen it. Being the Ice Queen of Wonderdream, no one goes to you for any ideas to make something happy or cheerful, but this was going to be different.
Everyone peered over their shoulders watching Noel stride confidently into Carol's office before whispering behind her back about trying to get ahead or the ice queen is at it again. Let them talk. Whatever they said didn't matter because Noel knew she had the stuff to get that promotion. She was a hard worker, she never missed a deadline, she always was proactive in meetings, and not to mention she always knew what to do in a crisis. A couple of quick knocks led her into Carol's office which was talking to one stray person about her retirement.
"Carol," Noel started catching Carol's attention, "Do you have a minute?"
Carol nods before dismissing the person she was enjoying the conversation with and gesturing for Noel to come in with a hearty smile.
"Sure, Noel. Come on in, I've been meaning to talk to you."
The person slowly creeps out of fear of Noel's stare but it doesn't matter. Noel always had respect for Carol and her work ethic. For 40 years she managed to put Wonderdream Toys on the map with her own doll line "Lil Tootie and her Gal Pals" back in her prime. Lil Tootie was the it toy for decades before it faded into obscurity right after Carol started as lead designer. Noel only had one of the dolls when she was younger but it was all she needed to find her calling. And now here she was, standing in front of the woman who created her reason for doing what she loves.
Noel held onto her notebook protectively before stepping closer to Carol's desk keeping her composure and ensuring not to show too much excitement.
"Carol, I first want to congratulate you on your retirement and you truly made Wonderdream what it is today," Noel says as Carol folds her hands on her desk.
"Why thank you, Noel-"
"Which is why I want to talk to you about why I would make a candidate for the next lead designer." Noel begins flipping her notebook with vigor as Carol's expression shifts from welcoming to uncomfortable.
"Noel I-"
"First, it's no secret that I am a hard worker and always on top of my work no matter what."
"I know, Noel, but-"
"Second, I am always proactive in meetings with every discussion."
"Noel-"
"And third I-"
"NOEL!" Carol shouted making Noel freeze in place, stopping on a page in her notebook.
Carol smoothed out her desk with a deep sigh and bit her lip turning her gaze away from Noel. That wasn't good. Why was she looking like she was going to give bad news? Oh God. She was, wasn't she?
"Look Noel," Carol began, "I don't doubt what diligence you have in this job. I've seen you..." Carol gestures her hands around trying to find the right words to say, "....you do the work and that's what we need here. Someone who does the work well. And that's you."
Noel gives her a look of confusion before slowly closing the book and holding it close to her chest, "...I... I don't understand. What are you trying to say?"
Carol sighs a bit in defeat before standing up, "Look. I'll level with you." she says walking over to Noel. "While you do good work, you... Don't have... the greatest mind..." she finishes her sentences biting her lip.
"Mind...?" Noel says, trying to process what was being said to her, "...Are you saying that I'm stupid?"
"What? No!" Carol panics.
"Because it sounds like you're calling me stupid," Noel says, narrowing her eyes.
"No! No. No. You are not stupid- FAR from stupid even. It's just... you don't give that sort of ... attitude when you're at work?"
"...Attitude?"
"You know that sassy kind of attitude that everyone loves to be around and it's always funny! That kind of attitude!"
"....So... I'm not sassy enough...?" Noel says, looking at her sideways. What does that even mean? Does she want Noel to snap her fingers in her Z formation?
"Yeah! In a fun kind of way. Ya know girlfriend." Carol says snapping her fingers in a Z formation which was met with silence.
A very long and awkward silence.
She clears her throat and puts a hand on Noel's shoulder, "When you're leading a team like this you need to have an attitude where people feel comfortable turning to you for help. And... well... I've noticed that people... find you... well..."
"...Cold?"
"Yes! No- What I mean is that maybe warming up a bit with everyone wouldn't hurt... This job doesn't need someone who not only works hard but inspires people. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"....Of course," Noel says her energy drained.
The words Carol said hung tight on Noel's neck feeling a bitter lump refusing to go down. She slowly walked out of her office with her head held high but her stride was slow and heavy. All those comments about her being cold and an ice queen didn't bother her too often because she always knew she did good work. But hearing those words from Carol, the woman who inspired her to even be in this space, hits differently. All the effort and work that she put into her notebook with all those designs she created over the years felt like a waste.
Noel leaned on the wall once she got outside Carol's office clutching onto her notebook for dear life. Her body felt empty at that moment, just an empty husk floating in space. The voices around her didn't seem to enter her mind at all. It all felt like white noise to her. A heavy sigh escaping from her mouth pulled her back to the harsh reality of circumstances until she heard a familiar voice coming from Carol's office. That high-pitched trill could be recognized anywhere.
No, it could be. Noel couldn't help but peek inside to see Holly happily talking with Carol.
"Carol I am going to miss you after you retire," Holly says sitting comfortably on the love seat next to Carol.
"Oh my dear, I wish I could stay forever but the hubby and I want to spend more time together and all," Carol says with a dreamlike sigh. "But I do have a good feeling about you, Holly."
"You do?" Holly says shocked.
She does? Noel thought.
"Of course I do. The way you stepped up and took charge after Paula and Zeke got stuck out in Oklahoma City."
That was because Holly was the one who messed up the itinerary in the first place, they were supposed to go to Los Angeles for the annual LA Toy Expo. Even so, Noel managed to gather everything together and send a contact of hers out in LA to the expo to help out.
"Or the time you managed to come up with a presentation after the entire department got wiped and all the concepts here lost."
Holly decided it was a good idea to mess with the filing system while a storm was going on and everyone else went home. She pressed a button she wasn't supposed to and corrupted everything. Luckily Noel was there to put everything back together after working all night.
"And those summer designs you made for the Beach Betty line? You know the one with the solid color and polka dots? It was our top-selling one that quarter."
Solid color? Polka dots? Why do all of that sound familiar? It couldn't be. Noel immediately went through her notebook flipping through the pages with urgency. Her eyes darted through each page in a panic trying to convince herself that it wasn't the case at all. Her eyes widen in shock as she sees the same design Carol was talking about. The Beach Betty summer fun design Noel doodled one day at a coffee shop. The one with the wrap design where the top was a solid color and the bottom was polka-dotted. How did she not notice this before? This is how Holly does it. Everyone praised her for everything Noel did. Need a hard worker my ass!
Noel stood up sending a cold breeze through the office and grabbed the door handle fully ready to bring everything to light but something stopped her. Would anyone even listen to what she has to say? Here comes the ice queen to rain on Holly's parade again. Even Carol, the one person who Noel thought would see her value, sees her the same way everyone else does. No one will believe her even if she tried and she tried. Her grip tightened on the knob frustrated about what to do. What could she do?
Slowly she peeks behind her and looks at all the people giving her glares or little peeps of trembling fear. Alone on her little glacier, she made for herself looking at everyone else from a far distance. All of this shouldn't matter like before because that's how people have always been with Noel since she was little, but now it feels different.
The world seemed like a huge blur and Noel couldn't recognize anything around her. What was this feeling? Is she feeling anxious? No. No, she always has a plan. She's a hard-working person and if she works harder then... people will take her work for granted. Okay, no she can fix this. She just needs a plan. She needs... to get the hell out here.
Noel immediately went to her desk and grabbed her purse and coat before making her way towards the elevator. Things felt disorienting, weird, strange, upside down even. She was so out of it she didn't notice the giant nutcracker in front of her and walked face-first right into it knocking her off her feet. The whole office immediately looked over to see the commotion with little stifled chuckles slowly filling the space. Noel looked up at the people staring at her like she was some sort of clown. She was played like a fiddle this entire time and everyone stood by and watched. No. She needed to get out of here.
Quickly she gathered herself and made her way into the elevator feeling a sense of relief from the prying eyes of her co-workers. Her limbs trembling like some baby deer felt so weird to her. Why was she getting like this now? She's stronger than this. She's supposed to be stronger than this. She has to be stronger than this. She's the oldest of three, graduated top of her class, and worked her way through blood sweat, and tears. This cannot be happening but it is.
Noel snapped back to reality once the elevator doors opened and she slowly trudged her heavy feet out of the building into the cool autumn breeze of the city. She watched the leaves skate on the sidewalk and twirl into the air. She didn't have a reason to watch a stupid little leaf but she felt centered. Her feet slowly took her down the sideway in no particular direction as she just soaked in the sights of the iron giants towering over her. Her chest loosened enough to breathe as she took out her special notebook and gingerly went through the pages. Each design was different from the rest, some loose and sloppy, some colorful and polished, some covered in posted notes to cover mistakes but all of it was hers.
Her phone buzzed, taking her attention off her notebook and saw it was one of her only friends who tolerated her, Angel.
"Oh, I feel in my spirits that you were irritated," Angel's smooth voice rang through the phone.
"You and your astronomy bullshit..." Noel scoffs out, rolling her eyes.
"It's ASTROLOGY bitch. And maybe if you paid attention to it a bit more you wouldn't be so cold. ...What's got you down now?"
"Well my boss is retiring and there's this big competition to replace her."
"Oh well, that's good! About time to get some recognition in that damned place-"
"Then the boss basically said that I'm a good worker and I'm not sassy enough."
"....That sassy enough- What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"It means she wants me to act like the funny black girl who is sassy and takes no shit."
"...Oh what...? Did she snap her fingers-"
"In a Z formation, yes. She did." Noel sighs out heavily rubbing her forehead out of frustration. "That's not even the best part..."
"Tuh. Let me hear this..." Angel scoffed.
"Turns out the ditzy little lady in the office took credit for all of my work."
"..... RE-PORT-HER." Angel says, clapping his hands on each syllable.
"You know I can't," Noel shouts out, "Everyone in that office is under some kind of spell that they would practically lay down their lives for her."
"Babes, I don't see why you don't quit. You're talented! Any other company would love to have you."
"Probably I don't know..." Noel slowly deflates, "....WonderDream is the reason I wanted to get into designing toys in the first place. Probably the reason I even create anything at all. I... I just want to make something that people will love, like how Carol did when I was a kid. Maybe my family will see that this whole career wasn't a mistake and I can make it. I have to Ang..."
"Oh... Noel..." She can hear Angel sigh through the phone, "...Okay. I still think you should report the bitch but... you know I got your back. Who knows, maybe the stars will open a door for you so you can earn a little more. Can't have my sugar mama go broke."
"Oh ho, so that's your plan huh? Well, you can kiss that little tip goodbye when I get over to the cafe."
"Biiitch. Fine. I'm not putting in an extra pump of chai anymore."
"Oh you better-" Noel's words were then interrupted once she walked into something throwing her off balance.
Down she went onto the ground and her belongings scattered across the sidewalk. Luckily she managed to at least catch everything before anything ended up rolling into the sewer but whatever she walked into was hard. Maybe it was a brick wall or something like a pole. Nah, who would put a brick wall in the middle of a sidewalk? Plus was way wider than any pole she ran into and it was kind of plushy.
As Noel cursed under her breath as she sat up and brushed herself off a deep voice rumbled out. "I'm so sorry Miss. Are you okay?"
Noel huffed about to lay into the idiot who knocked her over until she saw him hold out his hand. By god that hand was huge. You could fit a baby in that hand if you wanted to. Her eyes slowly travel up the hand to the arm, observing the thickness of it, and finally up a face. A long white beard flowed from his face and covered his mouth but tickled against his nose with matching long hair inside of a hat, and a pair of tired wrinkled blue eyes staring down at Noel.
This was definitely not a wall.