(Strip Number 4100, Original Publication Date, 8 December 1981)
Panel 1: We continue on with the dress rehearsal as Mrs Hardacre tells the elves that despite their belief otherwise, they come in after Mrs Santa says "Mercy me, the sleigh is gone."
Panel 2: She next reminds the singing snowflakes to stay in line....
Panel 3: ....before telling any more reindeer she catches finding will be out of the show.
Panel 4: Mike's taking off his beard and asking her if they'll ever get this turkey off the ground unnerves her.
Summary: I'm going out on a limb here and saying that it's not just his reminding her that things aren't going well that's bothering her; she also seems to not much care for his tendency to want to get the attention he simply isn't getting at home. Sadly, Mrs Hardacre only sees a discipline problem, not a small, confused child who wants the acknowledgment his idiot parents don't give. The idea that he isn't setting out to make her miserable is as beyond her as it is Elly.
