A Christmas Fever

      "No, well…" A hoarse, nasal voice rang out, followed by a cough, snapping at the throat. "Well, how is that?! I’ve already prepared everything: packed a suitcase, booked everything I need for a vacation, but no, damn! Flu, damn you…!"       The sore throat quickly reminded of itself, and Gnoose, swallowing painfully, fell silent and took a lying position from a sitting position, his faithful patients in medical masks stood next to him and they had to listen to all this.       The man himself looked very deplorable: slightly reddened eyes with a glassy look, red cheeks and a nose full of snot, even the ever-tousled hair on his head slightly drooped down. This appearance was also accompanied by a bouquet of existing symptoms: severe fatigue, fever up to 39.5, dry cough, runny nose, wild pain in the throat and head, breaking almost all the muscles in the body. The sick man had to put on warm socks, two pairs, a sweater and house pants, but he was still shaking, even under a thick blanket.              Next to the bed was a tower of recently purchased packs of pills and potions. Gnoose only cast an indifferent, narrowed look of disgust at this “Leaning tower of Pisa” and looked indifferently at the ceiling.              "Well," sighed he, "at least the money was returned, it’s already a little pleasing. Assistants, tell our idlers that their holidays are now stretching for an indefinite time, and do not say a word about my health!"                    During the voicing of the request, the sick man coughed every now and then.              The ladies nodded and left their boss’s bedroom, leaving him alone. Gnoose lethargically laid his head on a crumpled pillow, then clapped his hands, and the light in the room went out, deciding that now sleep would be the best action.               “F*ck, so I celebrated Christmas Eve…” With this thought, disappointed Doc fell into the realm of Morpheus, hoping that his torment would pass faster.       

***

      Noon on December twenty fifth. It’s a real blessing outside - only -14 degrees Celsius. It will be the warmest Christmas Eve.       The test subjects were in a real New Year’s paradise. Little yellow girls arranged a holiday in a real Russian style.              The bathhouses were built in advance and started to be heated, a couple of large one-story buildings and a whole field for a skating rink were cooked up, and test subjects were finishing the construction of ice slides, igloo, and sculptures for selfies.       Several huge tents were put up, where they installed a bunch of tables and everything necessary for preparing salads, snacks, drinks, both non-alcoholic and with alcohol.              But the most important thing was that there were five barbecues in each tent and a large amount of pickled meat, which was temporarily installed in the coldest places of the tent, where the temperature is the same as in a regular refrigerator.       Oh, from such a sight, many already began to salivate, even just imagined the sound of sizzling coals and roasting meat over the fire. This is not a holiday — it’s a fairy tale!       While the cooks were preparing food and dishes, the others decided to quickly install a Christmas tree in the middle of their festive yard. Ten, so to speak, “brave guys” found a real fluffy “Spruce Princess”. Not very huge, of course, but incredibly fluffy and beautiful!       When some of the consumables firmly installed it in the center of the festive courtyard, they began to decorate it. The whole yellow fraternity rejoiced not only about the upcoming holiday, but also because “Doctor Gnoose finally left for his long-awaited New Year’s vacation and will return only in three weeks.” And they were fine, and so was Doc, some would say “Awesome, as usual”.              Several test subjects ran into a building that stood nearby to get from there to another sector, where Christmas decorations for a Christmas tree from many years ago are usually stored. Having reached the place they need quickly enough, they quickly distribute Christmas tree garlands, toys and lush shiny tinsel among themselves. One of these consumables even took the most magnificent of the whole bunch and threw it over his shoulders, parodying some kind of star, which caused others to laugh.              Having loaded their pens with high spirits, the test subjects finally run back with joyful pups, imagining how they will dress up the main decoration of the holiday in a friendly crowd, but suddenly two assistants blocked their way, who were clearly loitering here without any purpose and did not even pay attention to the cheerful consumables, passing by them with indifferent and unperturbed faces. At first they wanted to invite the girls to their holiday, but when they noticed their loaded suitcases on wheels, they quickly changed their minds. Moreover, they immediately realized that their girlish whims and wishes would not give their holiday a real brotherly spirit and fun.              As soon as the girls passed by, the yolks quickly tiptoe past them from behind, however, the last one who passed from the whole group stopped when one of the assistants sighed sadly and together with him begins to talk about something. The others also pulled up to eavesdrop on the conversation.       

***

             Test subjects, cheerful and satisfied, begin to sing famous New Year’s songs: old and new, funny and kind, and even with swears. It doesn’t matter, the main thing is that everyone had fun and no one was going to complain.              In tent kitchens, they begin to bring in all the necessary fresh products for cooking delicious traditional dishes for the Christmas table in the Russian style, in the hope that they will be able to save until the evening.              One of the test subjects, who was engaged in decorating the slide, came to warm up, noticed a large handful of ripe grapes without seeds and decided to eat one small twig that looked right at him. The cook notices this crime that has not yet been committed and lightly hits the fingers of the would-be thief with a long wooden spoon. He instantly pulls his hand away from the pain and looks guiltily at the cook, who mumbles disapprovingly, but at the same second makes a caring, kind face and gives the hard worker a banana lying next to him for a snack. The worker accepts it and jokingly publishes the word “Banana” in a funny voice! They both laugh.              Suddenly, some sad voices are heard behind the tent, from which the consumables, leaving everything and turning it off, ran to the cool, throwing blankets for warmth. Those who arrived with Christmas toys and tinsel began to report that they had just overheard from the system. It turned out that Doctor Gnoose did not go on any vacation, but stayed at home because of the flu that had fallen on him.       Now, the test subjects were divided into many camps: some believed that he deserved it; others showed that they did not care about his condition, although in fact it was not so; others anxiously imagined him lying in bed with compresses on his head and legs, and the bedside table was strewn with medicines and medicines, prescribed by prescription, and so on.       There was no smell of a holiday in this huge company, which had recently been having fun and laughing loudly. Instead of happiness and smiles, excitement and dejection were read on their faces.       Suddenly, one of the test subjects stood on the nearest barrel and began to broadcast his speech to the others. With each of his loud, never stuttering words, the disgruntled test subjects began to look at him with interest, and after that, one by one, smiles began to appear. And at the end of his speech, the rest of the consumables cheered up and happily cheered, clapping their hands.

***

      How did the test subjects managed to get inside the house? They themselves will not be able to tell. But right now, a small crowd is walking down the dark corridor on tiptoe so as not to attract attention. Then, one of them started looking into the keyholes where the lights were on. Five doors later, they came across a door from which very faint rays of light were peeking out, and the crowd stopped at it. The test subject who quietly shushed the others as they began to hum, looked inside. At first he squinted, but then he smiled, because they found the right door. Carefully turning the door handle, test subjects opened the door and found themselves in the bedroom. However, out of curiosity disappears the second they hear a muffled groan out of the corner of their ear.       The test subjects, coming closer, quickly noticed Doc breathing heavily and making the same moan, who was sleeping sideways with an open blanket and nervously jerking his head, muttering something unintelligible to himself. They were horrified by what they saw from the next second, because Gnoose now looked as if he was in agony and was strangling him like a bloodthirsty snake.       While the others put everything they had brought with them on the nearest table, the consumable with free hands put his palm to the forehead and cheeks of the scientist. It feels like the temperature has risen a lot. The test subject, who was next to Gnoose, called another one to him and together they carefully shifted the martyr on his back, and then ordered the others to bring a basin of cold water, a rag and a sponge.       Then, they finally felt that the bedroom was unbearably stuffy, and the yolk left in the room ran to the window and opened it slightly, thereby letting in some cool air. On the bed, both consumables looked at the bedside table and the closest one on his knees went up to her and found an antipyretic in the medicines, but he quickly notices that the bottle is completely empty, and then he found the thermometer lying around. He handed it to another, and the second realized that he was asking him to take Doc’s temperature.       The test subjects returned with a basin, a cloth and a sponge, and five of them gathered next to the suffering scientist. The test subject, who most likely has some experience in medicine, first pulled out a heated thermometer and saw that the temperature of Gnoose jumped slightly above forty and a half degrees. Then he soaked a rag, wrung out the excess ice water and gently put it on Doc’s forehead, from which he winced and twitched a little, but then he began to slowly let go: heavy breathing gradually turned into a uniform sniff.       With a wet sponge, the consumable doctor began to rub the scientist’s cheeks, and then, with the help of other consumables, he carefully took off his sweater so that he did not wake up, leaving him in one T-shirt. Then, with a cold sponge, he rubbed the madman’s arms, shoulders and neck. And so he did three times for one hour, until Gnoose finally calmed down in his sleep and slept a peaceful sleep. The medical test subject measured the sick man's temperature again and now it was at the level of thirty-eight degrees exactly. He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled with the thought that everyone could do it. Then they covered the man with a blanket and sat down on the floor to drink some tea after the incident. Yes, they took tea with them in a thermos and mugs with it. They are quietly sipping their own berry tea with a tart and sweet taste, charmed by the weak light of the nightlight looking at the stars that appeared in the clear sky, and they were joined by sparse dancing snowflakes.       — I didn’t understand, what are you…?       The test subjects turned around when they heard a nasal, hoarse voice, from which a nasty cough immediately sounded.       Gnoose, having just woken up, raised himself on his elbows and noticed the test subjects in his bedroom, removing a damp warm rag from his forehead. One of them got up from the circle and pulled out another clean mug and poured tea into it. He walked over to Doc’s bed and handed him a mug. The human himself, putting the rag on the bedside table, at first looked in surprise at the mug holding out to him, but then with a little reluctance carefully took it, as he was very thirsty at that moment.       “Have you decided to poison me while I’m sick?” — Gnoose looked suspiciously at the tea, then at the test subjects, then at the tea again, but still drank a little of the cooled drink and winced slightly from the berry sourness burning his sore throat, however, instead of any sign of poison in the tea, he felt sweet and the tart taste of berries that made him smile slightly. — M-m-m, — he looked into the mug, — awesome tea!       Throwing away all the bad thoughts, the Doctor returned the mug to the test subjects with a rush of sadness and lay down on the bed.        — Oh, guys, — sighed Gnoose, coughing into his fist, — I’m sick of lying here like a boulder, that’s honest! Y-yeah, it just can’t be worse than the New Year.       The test subjects saw the disappointed eyes of the scientist and they felt really sorry for him, even though he was the source of their, to put it mildly, restless life. However, they did not support his melancholy for a long time: having gathered in a bunch and discussed something, they rushed somewhere from the bedroom, leaving Doc in bed, who obviously lost his agility due to illness and did not have time to ask them.       “And what else have you come up with, restless?” — thought Doc briefly.       But they immediately return with winter clothes in their hands and put them on the bed, from which Doc indignantly pulls his legs to himself. Gnoose immediately recognized his clothes and was still hoarsely indignant:       — What are you?! Where am I going now in this state? Moreover, judging by my aching head, I was completely f*cked off recently!       Suddenly, the cheerful voices of other test subjects and some sound resembling the ringing of bells were heard outside the window. Five of them began to gesticulate, as if telling Gnoose to get dressed faster, but warmer!        Indeed, despite his condition, it seemed as if it was very important to them. Doc looked at them in disbelief…

***

      “Damn, I probably went cuckoo from illness, once, after everything that happened to me, I got dressed and went after them…” — Gnoose, dressed up as in a thirty-degree frost, went after the consumables that led him to the exit. As soon as they found themselves on the street, Doc immediately saw a large sledge painted for the holiday, pulled by six of white young stallions, and two waving hands of a test subject driver, dressed in blue sheepskin coats and ear-flapped hats, were holding on to the reins. They invited everyone to the sleigh, and five test subjects immediately ran to them. Gnoose, still not believing in what he saw, cautiously approached and asked: — Um, guys, where did you get the horses?       Surprisingly, one of the two consumables for the reins pulled out a piece of paper from under the sheepskin coat and handed it to Doc. It was a letter to Morozko from the consumables, in which they asked Grandfather Frost to give the jaundice their spare white horses for the time of their holiday.       — Okay, let’s say.       Later, Doc felt a little pull on his warm jacket. It was two of the five consumables who got out of the sleigh and invited him to sit in them. The human, with caution and with the same distrust, still decided to get into the sleigh, and this couple sat down next to him. As soon as the two behind the reins made sure that everyone was seated, they ordered the horses to rush with one wave of the reins, and the sledge quickly with a small jerk went forward.       — Where are we going? — Gnoose asked his subordinates, but they only smiled, inducing a little mystery.       The half-hour sleigh ride began to seem endless. The patient gradually began to fall asleep. After all, an untreated organism makes itself felt. Fortunately, it was quite warm outside—minus twelve Celsius. The consumables, seeing that the scientist slowly began to close his eyes, put the fallen hood on Gnoose’s head, so as not to freeze.

***

      The two coachmen cheered joyfully when a bright light appeared in front of their eyes, coming from behind the forest. The others were also happy, but quieter so as not to wake the sleeper. However, Gnoose still heard their cheerful voices, but only after a couple of minutes he opened his eyes slightly when he heard loud music even through a tight hat.       — What the…? — Gnoose finally woke up and widened his eyes in surprise when he saw what his consumables had done.       The sleigh drove up to the festive courtyard, looking magical! Multicolored lights of garlands are burning everywhere, and due to the absence of a strong wind, New Year’s paper lanterns are also present in the yard. The first consumables ran out of hot Russian baths, who only had their belts wrapped in a towel and immediately jumped into prepared barrels with cold water.       An ice slide ten meters high is overflowing with consumables with ice boxes and sleds, so as not to roll alone. And at the end of the slide there is a snow springboard, behind which funny consumables land in fluffy snow.       Ice sculptures are also gaining popularity. Each has a small pile of test subjects. To the right of the decorated spruce-princess is a large skating rink, which is most decorated with paper lanterns, and where test subjects try themselves in figure skating, or just want to learn to skate. Behind the New Year’s green beauty is a real consumable DJ, who put on a popular and cool podcast and music for everyone’s mood. To the left of the Christmas tree are two large wooden houses that look more like airplane hangars, but are also beautifully decorated from the outside. In addition to everything that is happening, other test subjects are running around, throwing snowballs at each other, and the rest are making snowmen.       Not only was Doc speechless, but of course, he wanted to find out how his idlers spend the New Year without him, but he clearly did not expect to see this. Everything looks charming, especially when there are so many people here who are not used to seeing so happy.       Then, the sleigh stopped at a place where other test subjects were already waiting for them to ride them. The first consumable jumped out of the sleigh and whistled loudly, so much so that the whole festive yard heard it! Later, other test subject got out of the sleigh, and then, the very first one held out his hand to Doc. He felt a little insecure, but still, with a little difficulty, he got out of the sleigh. Removing the hood from his head, he looked at the surprised faces turned towards him, which caused a feeling of awkwardness that he rarely experiences.        — Um… hello, guys, — forcing a smile on his face, Gnoose said, suddenly feeling superfluous on this holiday. — Happy Christmas to all…       Doctor was about to get back into the sleigh and ask the coachmen to take him back, thinking that he would not be welcome here, but suddenly the consumables unexpectedly changed their surprised looks to joyful ones and with their faces directly told him: “Welcome to our holiday!”, coming closer to the Doc. As if everything he did with them had never happened, but this is the New Year — a time when everyone has fun and does not remember the bad!       Suddenly, a crowd of consumables began to call the scientist after them, pointing into the depths of the festive courtyard and asked him to close his eyes.       — Well, you know that I don’t like unexpected surprises, — croaked slightly Doc. — Okay, but quickly.       Gnoose covered his eyes with one hand, and the The culprits should get what they deserve, and the rest should live a quiet lifes led him with his free hand. Then they went to the right, then to the left, and very soon they came.       — Already? — Gnoose couldn’t wait to take his hand away, because he had mittens on his hands and you couldn’t look through his fingers until they got there.       Suddenly, he was gently pulled by the elbow, and Doc took his hand out of his eyes. There were a lot of ice sculptures around, some of which had painted parts in them. Who just wasn’t there: Mermaids, fabulous creatures and even Heracles running away from a lion.        — Listen, it turned out beautifully, by the way, but… — suddenly Doc stopped the presentation of his criticism when he saw one sculpture.       A work of art that fascinated even the most Gnoose was this: seven ice test subjects joyfully hugged a happy and smiling he. All the details are done very well, and the ice Doc turned out to be very similar to the real one. And at the bottom of the inscription: “Our dear Doctor, we miss you…”. Gnoose looked at this miracle and suddenly realized after a moment that he had shed tears. His eyes were wet, and the corners of his mouth lifted.       — G-guys, — after this word, the Gnoose turned to face them and in their eyes, lifting his glasses, removed a tear with a mitten, — thank you!       The test subjects couldn’t believe their ears! Gratitude from the scientist became a real miracle for them and, having shed tears in response, they came closer.       But suddenly, Gnoose, almost bent in half, began coughing violently. The disease has not gone away and has made itself felt again. The consumables instantly remembered about her and quickly took Doc to one of the big tents, where the kitchen was located, because it’s the warmest there.

***

       Going inside, two consumables took off a hat and jacket from the Doc, under which a warm knitted sweater, and a turtleneck under it, and sat on a folding stool. One of them threw a large warming blanket over his shoulders.       Seeing what was happening, one of the consumables-cooks poured the same berry tea from a thermos and added a little meadow honey to it. While walking to the newcomers, the cook stirred the honey in a cup to dissolve, and then, being next to the Gnoose, handed the mug. Noticing the consumable cook who came up, Doc accepted tea from him and drank, remembering this tart taste, but already with sugary honey notes. Both pleasant and delicious. Even the lack of sense of smell did not upset!       — Thank you, the tea is nice, — the scientist’s voice stopped wheezing so much, but still sounded painful.       Then Gnoose looked around and noticed how busy work was here. The last freshly prepared salads are sent somewhere outside, now the chefs are starting to prepare everything necessary for hot dishes.       “It’s a good thing I don’t smell, otherwise I would definitely throw up.” — Doc thought, remembering that the last time he ate only this morning, and then it was muesli on water, since he had no appetite at all, and to starve because of such nonsense, too not an option.       While Doc was drinking seagulls, a couple of consumables were watching him and seeing his sour face, they realized that they needed to cheer him up somehow. One of the The culprits should get what they deserve, and the rest should live a quiet life cooks, noticing the others and the Doctor with them, treated them a little. From the refrigerator, he took out prewashed red apples, large and liquid, and quickly cut into slices. After putting the fruit in a beautiful ceramic bowl, he called one of the working consumables to him and asked everyone else to treat them with apples. The worker ran up to the others, and everyone began to take a slice of juicy fruit for themselves and others. Gnoose, distracted from the drink, looked at a group of apple-eating consumables and thereby attracted them to himself. The test subject who has a bowl only handed it to the scientist with a smile.       Doc pulled his other hand out from under the blanket and took the largest slice and took a bite.       — Thank you!       The apple turned out to be no less delicious than tea: the crispy, not hard pulp is downright overflowing with sweet juice with a certain sourness. And so, until there are no slices left in the hand.       — Wow, what apples you took! — admired the scientist, taking another slice.       The test subjects were embarrassed and smiled, seeing how the Doc, like a small child, sits and eats an apple. Suddenly, the rest of the consumables from the street look out from behind the tent door and call everyone outside. The consumables that were with Gnoose began to get dressed, when suddenly the Doctor himself, having already put down an empty cup, began to dress too, despite the surprised and worried faces of the consumables.       “I hope there’s something important in there” - thought Doc, pulling his hood up.

***

      Going outside, Gnoose saw a huge crowd of consumables surrounding the skating rink. Some sat on their comrades' shoulders, and some even climbed on poles! He understood that he would not be able to look at what was happening at the rink through such a horde, but noticing a large devastated slide, he looked at the rink, then at the slide. It was at the perfect angle so that the Christmas tree did not block the skating rink. It remains only… Suddenly, a crowd of consumables ran past the Doc and dropped the binoculars.       — What you need!       Gnoose picked up his binoculars from the snow and, within the limits of his strength, began to quickly climb the hill.       Despite the pain in his muscles that had subsided for a long time, Gnoose, a little out of breath, managed to climb to the top with a little difficulty and rejoiced that he was right! The whole skating rink is perfectly visible from the slide, it remains only to sit comfortably in front of the wooden railing and attach binoculars to the glasses.       Gnoose began to look out for the skating rink and noticed a group of consumables dressed in blue and white figure skating suits. They were still staggered in their starting positions, but as soon as the DJ test subject turned on the music from the ballet “Swan Lake”, the consumables on silver skates began their number. For the first time, Gnoose was able to see something that he had never seen before: test subjects, if they want, will be able to perform not only complex techniques and movements in figure skating, but also do it synchronously with others. Their movements were as clear as a clock, smooth as brush strokes by an experienced artist, and most importantly, they moved beautifully and gracefully, as if they were swans on a crystal-like lake.              At the end, Doc even let out a tear from the amazing number and when it was over, he began to applaud the speakers along with the rest, jubilant with overflowing delight. He looked not at the skating rink, but at a point that did not exist in space and thought that maybe he was ill for a reason, as if some New Year’s miracle wanted to present him with a simple but very sincere holiday that is shared only with the closest.

***

      Gnoose trembled slightly, feeling a slight push on his shoulder, and it turned out to be just consumables who wanted to ride the slide again, and ringing chuckles rang out behind him. Doc didn’t notice it at first, but it turned out that the slide was divided into three parts and the other two went on inflatable bagels the fastest.        — Oh, I'm sorry, guys. — The scientist stood up, hiding the binoculars under his jacket, and looked down, seeing a long queue of consumables, which he blocked the slide. — Damn, I understand that I have to go down through the other side.       Then, in front of Doc’s eyes, the queue of consumables began to lift the inflatable bagel up to him. Putting it in front of Gnoose, the consumables indicated with gestures that it was he who needed to get into it.       Gnoose was a little scared, but still carefully sat down in the bagel, and suddenly, a group of consumables in front of everyone else completely sat on their bagel and rolled down laughing. They quickly moved out and at the end flew up on a snowboard and plopped into the snowdrifts.       While Gnoose was looking at this, a group of test subjects from his branch smiled maliciously among themselves and quickly attacked him from behind, catching on a bagel. Because of such a push, the bagel went down with a given acceleration.       — Scarecrows! — Gnoose screamed in a sore throat from surprise, instantly clinging to the bagel so as not to fly off.       Having quickly passed the slope, the vehicle rushed to the springboard, thereby forcing everyone to fly up. Gnoose realized that he had detached himself from the bagel and with a short cry flew down with his back. However, a snowdrift made him a soft landing. Violently jubilant test subjects give each other a high five, but suddenly they heard something they had not heard before. Doc was laughing, lying in the snow, and his laughter was somehow there, but real, from the soul!       — Haha, I haven’t done this since I was a kid! — Doc was delighted, and with the help of consumables he got out of the snowdrift, cleaning the jacket from the stuck snow. — How nice it is!

***

      The sound of bells was heard from the hangars — the consumables realized that it was time to sit down at the common table, which means that there was an hour left until the New Year. The yolks went to the hangars at different rates. Someone flew like a bullet because of the desire to taste delicious dishes, and someone, thanks to snacks, endured on an equal footing with the hungry.       Completely cleared of snow, Doc walked slowly to one of the two hangars. But then, I stopped halfway, right at the decorated Christmas tree. Lifting his head, he looked up at the sky dotted with stars.       When Gnoose was lying at home, then, for the most part, the sky was obscured by clouds and it was always snowing. And now, in the clear night sky, the stars were shining in all their glory, as if the gloomy snow clouds had specially dispersed for the sake of today’s holiday.       Suddenly, like a bright arrow, a white streak flew across the sky and went out somewhere in the center.        — Of course, it’s not a shooting star, — Doc doubted and looked around, — but still…       He closed his eyes for a couple of seconds, and then opened them. Suddenly someone took his hand, Gnoose looked to the side, and then down — it’s just a consumable, with a plaid plaid on his shoulders and white rabbit ears.       — What, dressed up in honor of the symbol of the upcoming year?       The test subject nodded to him, and then pointed to the nearest of the hangars. Doctor understood without words that he was being invited inside. But then, a hoarse insidious cough burst out of him again — the flu was again reminding him of itself, saying that he was still here and had not gone anywhere. The test subject got scared and slowly led him inside.       Bright, warm light came from the windows located above, right under the edges of the roof. Approaching the entrance, the test subject opened the heavy door and let the scientist inside. It is very bright and cozy inside. When the eyes got used to the light a little, you can see that inside there are two long tables filled with various food: salads, hot, snacks, sliced fruits, smoked sausage with fish and cheese, cold and hot drinks. However, due to a stuffy nose, Doc could not smell a single smell, although this is probably for the best. In any case, he was called and it’s too late to refuse, otherwise it won’t be very nice on his part, even though it was his consumables sitting at the table in headbands with animal ears, stars on springs and for the sake of laughter in blue and white kokoshniks. Even provided for the availability of hangers for outerwear.       Gnoose took off his hat and scarf, stuffing them into the sleeve of his jacket. The consumable took off the blanket from his shoulders and, standing on a bench next to him, threw it over Doc’s shoulders, since it was not very warm in the hangar. The madcap looked around to find an empty seat, but a consumable with rabbit ears walked past and pointed to two empty seats with his hand. Doc walked up to him, sat down at the table between the consumables and looked around. But his gaze is not on the food, but again on the happy and enjoying the holiday faces with funny hats, which he constantly considered stupid. Maybe they’re not so stupid…       Of course, this is not the New Year’s party with holidays that he had been waiting for for a month and a half and was fully preparing for, but only now he thought about it. After all, he has enjoyed such parties quite often in recent years, not only New Year’s. And now he is sitting, one might say, at a simple, house party, where no one is waiting for something bigger and grandiose, but just having fun until the cherished twelve at night and will have fun after them. Everything is simple … And this is the beauty of the festive courtyard created by his subordinates.       Coming out of his thoughts with an unpretentious smile, Doc glanced at the table and decided to get himself some salad with red fish.

***

      And now, there are only two minutes left until the New Year! Everyone has already gathered next to the Christmas tree to count down the seconds to midnight and see a surprise after the twelfth stroke.       — Ten seconds left, — a woman’s voice was heard from the speakers followed by the ticking of the clock.       Suddenly, the long-awaited chimes began to beat from the speakers…

First, second, third…

      — It’s not as bad as I thought…

…fourth, fifth, sixth…

      — Just a few hours ago I thought it would be the worst New Year in my life…

…seventh, eighth, ninth…

      — But now… I am standing here surrounded by those who have been by my side and supported me all the time…

…tenth, eleventh, twelfth!

      — I take my words back — this is the best New Year I’ve had!       After the last chime, fireworks began to fly out in front of the festive courtyard. A lot of bright and colorful sparks filled the starry sky, making it more beautiful and magical. The DJ test subject at this time turned on his New Year’s playlist with hit songs and music from the previous year. And the fun started again, where Gnoose began to take part slowly, as if the flu was no longer a problem for him…

***

      Gnoose opened his eyes, everything was cloudy in front of them, but even without glasses he recognized this place. His bedroom. And again this pain in muscles and bones and the same medicine-filled bedside table with his glasses. Somehow he saw that it was already beginning to get light outside the window. Suddenly, one frightening and undesirable thought came to his head, as if it was just a dream.       Funny test subjects, a sleigh with white stallions, a festive courtyard, the sound of chimes, which still, at the mere mention, is heard in the ears, fireworks… Really, none of this was in reality and was just a delusional fantasy from the temperature?       Gnoose, with grief in half, sat down on the bed and covered his face with his hands, trying to drive away the glimpses of his dream. But suddenly, he felt something soft and pleasant to the touch enveloping his neck. A scarf… a red silk scarf warmed his neck. Then he was wearing another sweater. Not the old one, but the new one, with beautiful patterns and a nice color. But the scientist was in no hurry to rejoice and reassure himself. Maybe he changed his sweater and wrapped a scarf around his neck, but he forgot about it.       Taking a deep breath, Doc flopped back onto the pillow with a bit of disappointment, spreading his arms out to the sides. He looked listlessly at the ceiling, but was able to smile sincerely with the thought that this was one of the best moments that could happen to him, even though it was just a dream.       A phone call prevented Gnoose from falling back into the realm of Morpheus. No shame, no conscience! Now who can call at such an early hour, especially on the morning of the First of January? The researcher decided that if it was Hercules who got into a feat or something else, then he would send him away unnoticed, especially since he is not in a position to help him now.       Putting on his glasses and picking up the phone, the Doctor picked up the receiver and put the phone to his ear, preparing almost immediately to stop talking to someone on the other side of the line, but the voice answered him first and the Gnoose recognized him.       — Well hello, Doc!       — Santa Claus? — Doc immediately changed his voice and his opinion. — Healthy!       — How is your health?       — Not really, but… wait, how do you know I’m sick? I didn’t tell anyone I was down.       — I will say briefly. When I briefly dropped by that New Year’s party where you wanted to celebrate the New Year, I didn’t find you there. After I distributed the gifts to everyone, at the request of Santa, I dropped by your consumables, because they borrowed horses from him for their festive yard.       Doc could not believe what he had heard and, with a surprised face, resumed a sitting position. What he had recently considered a beautiful fairy-tale fantasy turned out to be a reality after all.       — Have you… visited us?       — Yeah, at the beginning of the second hour, but you were fast asleep by that time. Your consumables had to take you home. Well, come on, get well, dear, and I have things to do right now. Merry Christmas!       The call stopped, but Gnoose was no longer listening to anything. Only one call pleased him.       Doc threw off the blanket and slowly got out of bed, simultaneously putting on last year’s slippers in the form of animal paws. Going to the window, he opened the curtains completely, letting in more dawn light into the bedroom. Then, going to the door, he went out the door and went into the room where his consumables put the Christmas tree. Curtains are pulled apart everywhere, completely illuminating the road with morning light.       Finally, Gnoose found himself at the door, which he immediately but lightly opened. He was greeted by a large, almost to the ceiling, decorated Christmas tree, and under it was already a gift from Santa Claus. But that wasn’t what caught Doc’s attention. Next to the main gift were seven other small gifts, which he did not expect to find. Kneeling down, he began to watch them.       The first thing that came into my hands was a small white box with a red ribbon. Inside there was a mug with Doc’s face, and on the opposite side there was an inscription “The best scientist in the Universe”.       Then there was a gift with an orange ribbon, inside a beautiful case for storing glasses with a cloth inside.       The gift, tied with a golden ribbon, contains a diary in a unique design, which the Doc, oddly enough, appreciated with dignity.       The gift with the green ribbon was elongated, and inside it lurks a bottle of expensive and good wine, which can be stored until full recovery.       A gift with a blue ribbon, which was the most, keeps a dark wooden platform, where a small wooden sailboat “floats” on blue-green waves made of epoxy resin, and on the sailboat there are pirate test subjects. A golden plaque “ is screwed on the platform Your pirate team”.       The box tied with an indigo ribbon is slightly smaller than the first gift. It contains a real four-leaf clover sealed in translucent greenish epoxy resin in the shape of a coin with a gold chain on top.       In the latter, with a purple ribbon, there are polaroid photos showing the Doc. Then on a slide with binoculars, then on a bagel down a slide with test subjects, then wrapped in a blanket in a kitchen tent and eating an apple. And at the very bottom is a large A5 photo from a Christmas photo frame. On it, Gnoose and the test subjects rejoiced with their hands raised, holding sparklers.       Doc peered at the photo, and then pressed his chest, as if hugging. He didn’t care anymore that it looked so strange, he was just happy…