"Please don't take these from us! Those gifts are all we can afford to give our kids a Christmas this year! PLEASE" A tearful older woman pleaded. It fell on deaf ears as the masked man who had ripped the packages from her arms took off.
Marvin Shadle sprinted full speed through backyards, hopping fences and shouldering people out of his way as he ran through the suburb of his town. The police kept losing him. He was being pretty quick and evasive for someone balancing a few packages in his arms while he ran.
Marvin ran into an alleyway and was half way down when an Officer appeared at the other end.
"Stop now!" he yelled.
Marvin spun around to run back but a couple other Officers were now blocking the other side.
"Drop the packages! Hands up now!"
Marvin followed instructions as they closed in on him.
He was unmasked, cuffed, read his rights, and transported to the jail for intake.
After being processed he sat in his cell worrying about the outcome.
"Fuck...I already have a lengthy record. The judge is gonna ream my ass..." he said to himself.
The next Morning came and Marvin was in front of the judge. She was an older lady. Marvin had been lucky with her before. Judge Penny was typically pretty lenient.
"Okay Marvin...you're 26 years old. It is time to grow up...package theft is a big deal. I could have you thrown in prison just based on the value of the items you stole alone. I'm going to give you one more chance. You will be on probation. As a condition I also want you to volunteer to help the Annual Family Christmas Drive. They are a non-profit organization that raises money to get gifts for families in need so their children can enjoy getting fun gifts their families unfortunately may not be able to normally provide. Do you agree to this Mr.Shadle?"
"Yes your honor. And thank you for the 2nd chance"
"Just don't let me down...you're free to go. The leader of the drive will meet with you in the morning."
Marvin exited the courthouse. He felt like he could finally breathe again.
Marvin was awoken by loud knocks at the door of his apartment. When he opened it a man, about 30 years old, was standing in the doorway. The man was very clean cut and friendly looking. He extended his arm out to shake Marvins hand.
"Greetings Marvin, I'm Jack. It's nice to meet you my friend! I run the Christmas family drive." he said proudly.
Marvin shook his hand. Jack had a very warm welcoming energy about him.
"So we're going to get started today. Will you need a ride to our building at all?" he asked.
"Uhh yeah if you don't mind?" Marvin replied.
"No problem at all! I'll be waiting in the car, just come out when you are ready" he said with a smile and nod before going back to his vehicle.
Once Marvin was dressed he came out and got in the car and the men were on their way.
"I enjoy getting people like you guys every year. I would rather get the opportunity to let someone do some good then have them sitting in a cell, especially around the holidays, right?"
"Yeah...of course. I appreciate you guys bringing me in to help join" Marvin replied.
They pulled up to a warehouse where about a dozen volunteers were. Inside were long tables full of items that would be given to the families. Marvin was impressed by how great the gifts were. Game systems, laptops, ipads, bikes, books, lots of designer clothes and brand name shoes.
"We are able to get this stuff because of super generous people who go out and buy to support our cause. Or they donate money and we can go buy things we think people will like." Jack said.
He continued, "would you like to stay in here and help wrap things or did you want to go door to door to try and get more donations?"
"I think i'll stay here and help wrap" Marvin said, he wasn't a big people person.
"Great! No problem! I'll leave you to it. Aj and Dj are already over there getting started. They are also here from judge Penny"
Jack left the room with the rest of the group and Marvin approached Aj and Dj at the table. They were both around his age. Both twins. Pretty hardcore looking guys. Skinheads, muscular and tattooed.
"You see this shit man?" Aj asked, "Do you think they would notice if we snuck our addresses on a handful of the packages?"
"Lets not get any stupid ideas" Dj replied.
Marvin was in no hurry to get in more trouble but he couldn't help but think it was pretty tempting. He could use a new laptop and being a big gamer a free ps5 system would be pretty sweet. He would just have to try to ignore that he is basically taking it from some poor kid.
"No seriously, we can keep the names and addresses to match the families on the list, the other half we can keep the names but just change the addresses to our houses or friends/families houses...I'm sure they will not even notice." Aj said.
"Hmmm it is true, the people working here are pretty aloof. Plus even the stuff I don't want could probably be resold at a decent price. What do you think?" Dj said as both of the twins looked up at Marvin.
Marvin tried thinking quickly. This was a chance for him to avoid bigger trouble and he ought to just do what he was brought on to do. He couldn't help thinking that their was something pretty thrilling about this kinda stuff. Marvin wasn't really someone that cared about Christmas anyways.
"Fuck it. I'm in" Marvin said.
"Yeahhhhh buddy!" Aj said reaching over to fist bump Marvin.
Marvin really hoped he didn't end up regretting his choice. He shared his address with the guys for where he wanted his gifts.
"You be the lookout and tell us when they're arriving back" Dj said to Marvin.
Marvin stood by the door poking his head out of the entrance while Aj and Dj packaged the gifts and switched the addresses on the shipping labels.
After some time had passed Marvin notices several cars pulling in.
"They're back guys!" he said running back to the group.
The trio played it off nonchalantly while the others came back in.
"Wow great job men!" Jack said, looking at all of the 'work' they had finished.
"What a great day. Everyone of you did a great job and because of you, many families are going to have a wonderful Christmas. You guys are all excused for the night"
Marvin was dropped off at his place by Jack. The whole side he was chewing his nails and his leg shook. He felt guilty and was now becoming paranoid they would be busted.
Before he got out of the car Jack reached over and placed his hand on Marvins upper thigh and looked right in his eyes. It was strange. Marvin felt paralyzed but at the same time very relaxed.
