What to do?

Santa stewed and fretted for several days.  Brunie worried and worried, she didn't know what plans the fellow dressed in a white shirt, and red pants with wide, red suspenders had in mind for her.

She had held many jobs over the years, unfortunately, her wandering mind had eventually gotten her into trouble no matter where Santa placed her.  It wasn't that she couldn't do the jobs, it was her busy, creative thoughts that brought around her downfalls.  Oh, if only she could concentrate on her job, and not a new recipe for fudge, or how to cross-breed a poinsettia with a carnation, or a chrysanthemum with a geranium.  And she really thought soup on a stick was a very good idea. 

Finally, Santa summoned Brunie to his office.  She nervously fidgeted in her chair.
Santa told her she'd been assigned to the Gift Wrapping Department.  She would start out with simple square and rectangle boxes, and if she did well she would move up to more complicated shapes and sizes. 

She thanked the Jolly Elf and in middle aged elf fashion, skipped off the begin her new adventure.  The Gift Wrapping Department was bustling with activity, and oh, the marvelous colors.  The papers came in solid colors of bright red and green.  Some had sleighs and reindeer, others had ornaments and candy canes, still more had snowmen and elves.  She was beside herself with excitement to get started.

The Gift Wrapping Department supervisor led Brunie to her work station.  A huge roll of wrapping paper hung from the ceiling, beneath it was her large work bench.  She was taught how to cut the 'just right' length of paper from the roll, how to 'corner' the boxes, and how to apply the appropriate bows.  Before long, Brunie was whipping out packages at an amazing rate.  Everyone, including Santa was very, very pleased.

Years passed.

Eventually Brunie was promoted to more complicated wrapping.  Things like skate boards and skis.  It took her a while to get the hang of those, but she managed and became quite adept at 'pointy' things and rounded corners.  She enjoyed that the daily work was not monotonous, because she never knew what kind of gift would come across her work station.  She worked hard and did a great job.

Santa eventually took notice and promoted her again.  To, the most prestigious Adult Gifts Wrapping Department.  Okay, okay, Brunie knew this was going to be w-a-y over her head, but was willing to give it her all.  And, for a long time things went well.
But it was a dull, dull, dull job.  It was back to square and rectangular packages, and mostly it was gifts for women, things like blenders, toasters, slow cookers, robes, pajamas and slippers.  The presents for men were even more dull.  Things like tool boxes, ties, sweaters, cologne, bottles of wine, or jars of cashew nuts landed on her work bench.

Oh, occasionally there would be a tiny blue velvet box with a diamond ring inside, or more rarely there would be a brand new car on which she got to put a big red bow.
However, was Brunie bored?  You bet your singing fish picture, and grass growing statue.  Of course this led once more to Brunie's downfall.  Her mind wandered to all the things she could invent and every time she got a new idea, a gift slipped by without a bow or ribbon.  Her corners got sloppy, or the wrapping paper was just a tad to short that a hint of the gift within was exposed which was totally unacceptable.  As a result it was only a matter of time until the intercom announced that Santa wanted to see her in his office.

Sigh, here we go again.

Chapter 5 to follow.