Sweaters for Big Bucks (Preview)

Every year, JD always got the love of his life a huge Christmas package of various things Rachel would like. He already got a movie, a video game, a book, some “special” treats, and a gift card. Perhaps a cozy sweater would round things out nicely?

With some time to kill, JD decided to take a look, lugging the bags with him. Inside, the store was rather cozy with its wood paneling walls and shelves & racks of various sweaters. It felt like some small, old-timey, niche shop he would've seen on a show from the 50’s or 60’s.

However, he didn't have much time to really appreciate it or even look around. Only a few steps in, a large mass jumped in front of him. “Helllloooo!”

JD nearly jumped back himself by the sudden arrival. It was a big, cartoony gray reindeer with a large smile. He had a big blue nose that jutted out at the end of his snoot and wore a blue collar with jingle bells attached. The big, cartoony part came from his pantless, null, lower half, sporting the same big bottomed, pear-shape that the mannequins possessed. It made him wonder if the cervine was the model for them.

“Umm… h-hello…” JD, put off but trying not to show it, looked down at the deer's red sweater. It read, “Feliz Navideer”, and had a name tag. “…Silver?”

“Silver Bell, at your service!” The deer declared proudly, putting his gloved mitts on his wide hips and giving him a polite, dramatic bow. “I'm your salesdeer for today, and I'm ready to help you with all your sweater needs!”

Silver inched a little closer, his pearly white smile looking vast. “Sooo, what can I do for you today?”

JD unconsciously stepped back despite not wanting to. The positive, aggressively friendly manner and forwardness were a tad much to his sensitive self. However, as a fellow retail employee, he understood and sympathized. He wasn't going to put down a fellow comrade or be all annoyed with what surely was an act required by management.

He took a deep breath and released it, settling down. “Well, yes… I'm just here to browse. I was thinking about getting my girlfriend a gift and-”

“Girlfriend, eh? I know all about that, buddy!” A new, goofy, chipper voice had entered the scene, coming from behind. A glove slapped down on his left shoulder a second after. “That's awfully sweet of ya!”

JD flinched and quickly turned. There was yet another big bottomed reindeer. This one had burnt orange fur and a black, much smaller nose. His sweater was green and red with the phrase, “Oh deer! XMAS is here!”

The deer had the same aura as Silver. He was just incredibly pleasant and forward, sporting the same grin that was almost equally a little unnerving. His name tag read, “Bucky”.

“Buuuuuut,” Bucky said now that JD was looking at him, “Gotta say, that gift idea could be a little better.” He gently nodded, stroking his chin. “Why not a matching sweater to go with hers? You two can be a pair then!”

JD blinked a few times, gently trying to pull himself away from the salesdeer as he processed his sudden arrival. “Ummmm, no thank you? I’d rather just get one for her.”

“No no!” Silver jumped in, putting a gloved hand on JD's other shoulder and holding him in place, “I think Bucky is right! I think you would rock one of our Christmas sweaters!”

“But…”

“Come on!” Silver winked, playfully nudging him, “They reeeaally grow on a fella!”

“Yeah,” Bucky chuckled, nudging him as well, “Totally a lot of growing!"

JD couldn't help but frown. Their turn of phrase and emphasis on certain words was making him very suspicious of the duo. They were definitely up to something

That hardly mattered though. It was very clear to him from the way the toony salesdeer were acting. They weren't going to be easily brushed aside or turned down.

Well, it's not like another sweater is gonna hurt. “Okay, fine. Let's see what you have.”