Santa's Best Helper Gets Around - Thomas Hanna - Bog

Joe Stempel, long a get-it-done guy, is recruited at the last minute to hand out gifts in costume at a city party for orphans. He insists in being referred to as Santa's helper, not the man himself. His work buddy Barnaby Hefner and young friend Leonard will act as costumed elf helpers. Because there will be no parking at the site at party time, Joe and Leonard must get there on public transportation, in costume and with a duffle bag. But this route will let Joe make two important personal business stops. That business is why low-lifes Tremblor and Quake are shadowing Joe from early on hoping to grab his bag that they believe holds something quite valuable.Barnaby misses the city bus the other two get on and spends a long time trying to catch up and join them.On the way Joe helps unsnarl a major traffic jam; deals with armed thieves who commandeer a city bus; avoids Tremblor and Quake; and takes the wheel when the brakes of the truck with a Santa sleigh float on top fail on a major city down hill street - among other incidents.Missing Joe (or his duffle bag) elsewhere Tremblor and Quake wait at the party site to rob him behind the scenes.The party for the orphans happens after multiple delays - during much of which those kids and half the city watched Santa's Best Helper's moves via a variety of live streamed videos.