11. December 4–19, 2020

Summary

• On December 4th, Bell College's President announces the transition to remote classes due to Covid infections, upsetting Roddy Harris who's concerned about the lack of lab access.
• Emily is resigned to the changes and is preoccupied with missing the annual Christmas party and potential negative press from The BellRinger if they proceed.
• A week later, Emily shares an idea with Roddy in their garage where he is working on their cars, which he finds ingenious.
• They go ahead with the Christmas party scheduled before Christmas—it's a Zoom party with an innovative twist.
• The Harrises hire “Santa's elves” via the college department websites to deliver food and drinks to local participants.
• At the party, people from various locations including other states and Bangladesh join, with no need for masks.
• An elf arrives at the Harrises' to deliver canapes and beer. The Harrises undergo polite exchanges with her.
• The elf, Bonnie, who is also a former student and an aspiring writer, is recruited for potential future work by Emily.
• Roddy and Emily enjoy the success of their virtual party and add Bonnie to their list of potential candidates for an unspecified plan, hoping she's not vegan.