I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster.
I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster, I'm the Master Trickster.
No problemo, tis the season.
And?
There's still time before Christmas.
I figure if a certain local prankster is super nice instead of super naughty, then he might find a Z-sphere under the tree.
Mom will be more inclined to grant her only son's Christmas wish in a prank-free holiday environment.
Ah, but what about your annual Yuletide Prankfest?
Fret not, my fine friend. I'll still spread my Yuletide prank love around East Gackle.
I'll just be good at all.
This year, it's mine. Mine! Mine! I can smell it.
Christmas flatulence?
Worse.
What is all this stuff?
This, my friend, is my father's Christmas obsession.
Of course!
It's East Gackle's annual Christmas display competition.
It's sad, really. Every year, Dad is convinced he's gonna win.
And every year...
He loses to his nemesis, the meanest neighbor on the planet, Mr. Snodgrass.
Yeah, remember when he poured hot maple syrup on our skating rink?
What a cruel, yet delectable thing to do.
What do you think is in those boxes?
I know what you're thinking, but just stop right there.
If we want Mom to buy me a Christmas present, I'm gonna have to buy her a Christmas present.
If she's gonna buy me a Zed Sphere, I'll have to resist the urge to prank.
Even with such easy targets as Mr. Snodgrass.
Not to mention Dad.
Goodbye, my dear stink bombs. It's only for a little while.
But a prank-free holiday isn't worth...
as much if no one notices.
Mom, can I store this stuff in the basement?
Sure, what is it?
It's just my pranking gear.
Oh?
Yeah, I don't know. Maybe Christmas is getting to me.
I just don't feel much like pranking right now.
Really?
Yeah, you know, I feel like doing nice things for people for a change.
Hmm, that's sweet, if a little out of character.
Oh, by the way, I have to go shopping.
Shopping later? Is there anything special you want for Christmas?
Actually, Mom, there is.
But Mom!
I don't know, Andy. Abattoir of Evil, Corpso-tronic, it just doesn't sound like a very nice game.
But it's the only thing I want!
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please!
Yes, please! We'll see.
Andy lost in dreamland no I was just thinking of how I was gonna rescue dad
good idea it looks like you can use your help yeah that's what sons are for no matter how
freezing it is outside that's my boy one hand dad oh hi son yes yes I do dad aren't these lights
on
a little old I don't think they even make these bulbs anymore they may be old but they're bright
and we're gonna need everything we've got if we're gonna win that prize this year victory is ours
whatever you say dad yeah I think this is the last box dad yep good work son now
all we need are the bags okay we're ready to get started started oh yes son we have hours
of work left to do there we go the last lights in place who needs a bucket truck anyway hey
show off thank you son no problem dad now if you'll just excuse now we move on to the decorations
decorations dad wait a second now what's he up to he's pulling something out of a box oh dear sweet
Christmas it's a slump and burger
Oh
you know slump and burger is known throughout the holiday display world for producing the
highest quality inflatable Christmas decorations they're very hard to get I've only been able to
lay my hands on one slump and burger in all these years you have a slump an burger and
his name is likey oh right oh I forgot about Lucky I've a slump and burger display oh that's gonna be hard to beat we'll have couple of
bags laid out
to Jan thank you
Research Factor
pro
from a
get out
your
dagar
get teens
get all
have to go all out. We'll need every last bit of holiday spirit. Are you with me, son?
Are you with me? Do you want to beat Snodgrass's schlumpenburger?
Uh, Dad? I'm not sure I'm the best person to beat Snodgrass's schlumpenburger.
Sure you are! It's in your blood! Now, get over there!
Huh?
Recon, son. I need to know the details of the enemy's artillery. Go spy on Snodgrass.
See what you can learn!
Get out of my yard, you lousy larkin!
So, what did you see?
He has a big machine with a giant fan that sounds like a plane engine!
It's about to take off!
Oh, an industrial turbine! He must have something really big to blow up!
But the contest rules clearly state that industrial equipment is prohibited!
First the bucket truck, now this!
This means war, Snodgrass!
Man, I've been up a ladder all day freezing my buns and dying of boredom!
Honey! Have you seen Lucky?
Not since he came back from the cleaners last year.
Oh, right. Covered in maple syrup.
Who would do such a thing to a poor, defenseless elf?
I gotta get out of here.
Come on, son. It's time.
I'll meet you in half an hour.
All right. We've got strings of fairy lights, icicles, the two spruce trees in front are done in classic blue,
then we have frosted, extra-large bulbs all along the roofline for color, and floodlights, spotlights, accent lights, and of course, lasers.
Uh, sure. Sounds about right.
Now, I've connected them all to this sound-activated sequencer, which will make the entire display pulse in time to music, a real sound-and-light show!
Okay! Cue the audio!
Huh?
What do you think?
Whoa! That, that's, uh, totally...
Yikes! Bummer.
You can say that again.
And then the whole thing just blew up!
Whoa! Cool!
Oh, man, you should have seen it!
The only problem was, it was a complete accident!
But it got me itchy, I tell ya.
Yuletide prank fest?
You got it!
YESSS!
Get it off!
All right!
Merry Christmas, buddy!
Merry Christmas to you, too.
Slump and burger deliveries, industrial turbines, commercial bucket trucks, all that I can handle.
But this, this is too much!
Dad?
What are you doing out here in the dark?
Look!
Wow!
That's amazing!
Isn't it, though?
It seems Snodgrass's power supply can handle 50 times our load, yet we have the same breaker panel.
Very interesting.
Dad?
But wait, there's more.
I've been checking out our equipment, son.
It seems the cords of all our lights are worn away in exactly the same spot.
Coincidence?
I don't think so.
It's sabotage, Andy.
Sabotage, I tell you!
Dad, I think you're being...
a little paranoid.
Come on, let's go inside.
Oh, for the love of Kris Kringle!
Andy, look!
Suffering St. Nick!
He's... he's... he's...
Corpsatronic, Dad.
That's what he is.
You mean Corp.
Woohoo!
Christmas Eve!
Come to me, oh abattoir of evil!
Naughty?
Nice.
Naughty?
Nice!
You betcha, nice!
Nicer than nicey-nice-nice!
Oh!
Good morning, robot Santa.
Oh!
Hope you're all rested and ready to deliver my Zed sphere.
Hiya, Mom!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, Andy.
And thanks for helping out your father yesterday.
He needs all the support he can get.
No problem.
Where are you heading?
Oh, nowhere.
What was the name of that video game you were so interested in?
A super deluxe Z-Sphere with Abattoir of Evil 8.
Featuring infrared x-ray vision, unlimited zombie powers, and corpse-a-tronic regeneration action.
Corpse-a-tronic regeneration action, right.
Got it.
It's in the bag.
Mom is on her way out shopping and I am this much closer to a corpse-a-tronic.
Ha-ha!
No! No! No!
It's not fair! It's not fair!
It gives us great pleasure to award this year's trophy to Seymour Snodgrass for the best holiday display in all of East Gackle.
Not to mention the cutest elf.
The display was fantastic, Seymour, but the green elf stole all our hearts.
It's just so original.
Oh, you're making a big mistake.
He's a saboteur, a cheater, and a thief.
Huh?
Dad, calm down.
His win is bogus! His equipment is stolen!
That's my elf!
Dad, listen to me. That's not Lucky.
I remember Lucky was dressed in blue. That elf is green.
He must have changed his clothes.
You stole my elf, Snodgrass!
Give me back my Lucky!
That prize was rightfully mine.
Ooh.
Uh, Mom, you can buy unshelled nuts, you know.
It's a Larkin family tradition.
Cracking nuts on Christmas Eve with my holiday nutcrackers and my holiday nuts.
Ah!
Oh.
Good one, Mom.
Huh? Not that cracker!
That one's for walnuts.
This one's for hazelnuts.
Who's the holiday nut around here?
I know it's you, Lucky.
I think we have a tie.
I can tell by the way your pointed ears are a little lopsided.
It's Lucky.
I know it's Lucky.
His pointed ears, his turned up shoes, his sparkly eyes.
Andy!
Huh?
Check the elf!
It is Lucky.
Danny, call Mush.
We have a code red.
I repeat, a code red.
That's it my stinky little friends, come to papa.
We don't have much time.
Kids will be waking up any minute, we're gonna have to work fast.
Let's roll!
Daddy!
Dad!
Daddy!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Eee! Let's open our presents!
I love this perfume!
A blender! Thank you, Andy!
Just one more present. Who's it for?
Oh, look! It's for Andy!
What could it be? What could it be?
Well, what do you know? It's a Zed Sphere! Just what I wanted!
Thanks, Santa!
You're welcome, Andy, and thank you for giving us a prank-free holiday.
For once.
Now to assume my rightful place as Master Butcher of the Abattoir with all the Corpsatronic rewards that entails!
Merry Christmas, Dad!
Oh, Merry Christmas, son.
Forget about Snodgrass, Dad. He's just full of hot air.
I know, son. I know.
So, did you like the nose hair trimmers I got you?
Sure, son. They were great. Best present ever.
Well, I do have one more present for you.
Oh, yeah?
Four, three...
Two...
Huh? Whatever could that noise be?
What's that awful noise?
Sounds like Santa's cutting the cheese.
What?
What is going on?
No! It smells like Santa's cutting the cheese.
This better not be your handiwork, young man, or that Zed Sphere is going straight back to the store.
Hey, Snodgrass! What's up? Santa have chili for dinner?
Good one, Dad.
Huh?
What is happening?
Power boosted his intake system.
Mmm, good thinking.
Woo-hoo!
Nice skivvies, Santa!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
My slumpin' burger!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
The Frosties!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Ha!
Do you like your present, Dad?
Oh, Andy, the best ones have always been the ones you made yourself.
Bruce!
You!
I knew it was you!
I'll get you for this, Larkin, and your sneaky son, too!
Uh-oh.
Come back here,
Brassoon!
I'M BACK HERE!