The end is relative due to that little thing known as the Earth’s rotation. As you read this, the struggle is over for the year for our friends in places such as New Zealand and Australia. (And I know we have some because I see where those who visit this blog are from. But don’t worry—I can’t see who you are or anything intrusive like that.) The dark time just expired in the Middle East, too.
But here in the U.S.? It’s hours to daylight—or, if you want to be overly literal—midnight.
As I type this, 961 people have reported in as having been taken out by the dreaded Boy. And there are plenty more who haven’t had a chance to let us know yet, I’m sure. Mrs. LDBC and I are stone dead, having been laid low in two separate incidents. Desperate cries of, “Don’t drum me, bro” carry no weight with The Boy.
When it’s your moment, you’re gonna get it.
Billy Joel slaughtered thousands—including LDBCers the Peckmans (no relation)—at The Garden a few days back, and the Piano Man probably doesn’t even know what he did. Probably. Kay Morris went down right in front of my old office building, which makes The Boy’s evil feel even more personal. Justin Fermenich‘s downfall was such a tragedy that a press release was issued.
Yet there is hope. And it’s that hope, a small flame in all this darkness, that allows us to go on.
He’s seen the lights go out on Broadway. As have his victims.
Midnight. Just a word—a word so distant, though brimming with relief. Yet it will arrive all the same.
But the nail-biting hours we have left feel much like, as a friend of mine pointed out today, Henry Hill‘s cocaine-fueled day of paranoia. Sure, the drug made him jumpy and nutty. Still, the helicopter was real. And Lois, despite all her yeah-yeah-yeahs, did made the call from the house.
Meanwhile, here are the LDBC-elfies submitted since the last go-round. May their sacrifice not be in vain.
Ever vigilant, people. And remember: if midnight your local time hits and you’ve survived, report your victory via the form. Then post a victorious LDBC-elfie on the Facebook page. If you’ve lost already and haven’t reported it yet, there’s still time to do that, too.
For Joyce!
Little Drummer Boy Challenge 
After playing this game since year one and losing every single year, I finally won. My joy is indescribable. 💩🎅🎄