One by one their heads popped up over the tops of the gingerbread and licorice walls of their cubicles to watch him storm through their midst. The ones unfortunate enough to be in his way froze when his gaze crossed theirs, an uncomfortable mix of fear and amusement on their features for the second before they recovered and stepped to the side or pretended to go back to their work. Casper nearly snorted. “Work,” in this particular department meant countless elves seated in front of gaming systems, or on the floor playing with bits of brightly painted wood and plastic. Until he’d stepped off the elevator, the sounds of jingly jangly chiming bells and laughter had filled the air, all of it in time to the beeps and clashes from the computer screens as games were tested and new equipment was designed. Sticky notes and sketches were stuck to the walls, filing cabinets were left open, and the files in them were labeled so haphazardly, Casper could see at least six that were out of place as he walked by.
