Mishap In Manchester

First of all... don't panic. Everything is fine now. But... wow.

We had already made a couple of stops in Manchester earlier tonight when I set down next to a row of flats. The elf scout team had already been in... about half an hour earlier. They were able to gather alarm codes, unlock doors & windows, and verify everyone was asleep. Just like normal, everything was prepped and ready for me to get in and get out undetected and on schedule. Except we were hoodwinked!

I opened the door to the second flat in the row and BOOM! Spotlights came on, cameras flashed, and the red light on two different cameras lit up. Standing at the opposite end of the room was a reporter, who introducted himself by screaming "Gotcha!". I'm not going to mention the name of the network he was with as I now have reason to believe he was operating independent of his employer. I hit my panic button (I always have a remote panic button with me on Christmas Eve) and jumped back out the door. The sleigh alarms went off and within seconds my elf security detail was closing in on the house. I stumbled down the front steps with the reporter and his cameramen chasing after me. As I hit the bottom (on my bottom), the elves tackled all three men. But the alarms startled the reindeer. They immediately took to the air. Two other members of the security detail whisked me into their sleigh. All I could think about was whether or not they got my awkward stumble on the steps on tape.

Fortunately, everything was secured and a plausible explanation was given to all of the neighbors that had gathered outside prior to the police arriving. I was transported to a predetermined site where I met up with my reindeer team and we resumed our schedule. I am very happy to report that all of the tapes and pictures were confiscated & destroyed by the security detail. We are fairly confident the reporter & camera men won't risk talking about the incident with no physical evidence to back up their story.

I'm back on course now and looking forward to heading to South & North America soon. Rudolph also wants me to tell you that the reindeer team is feeling good thanks to all the apples you all have been providing. Thank you!