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Bad Santa - A Murder Mystery

In the quaint and often whispered-about town of Christmas Hollow, the enigmatic Christopher Clause has extended an invitation for a mysterious holiday celebration at his grand mansion, nestled on the town's fringe. This gathering is set to bring together a vibrant tapestry of guests—from those who share mutual disdain to strangers and even rivals bound by a thread of animosity. Despite the undercurrents of discord, the allure of attending the year's most anticipated festivity is irresistible.

You, too, have received this coveted invitation. As you step across the threshold of Christopher's abode, you won't be entering a party but into the heart of a mystery waiting to unfold. Your adventure begins here, at the crossroads of celebration and intrigue. This is where your story begins.

Guest List​

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MADELINE MCKENNEY

Domestic Engineer, Volunteer

Madeline, a mother of two girls, is a housewife who volunteers at the local community theater.  Madeline’s husband is a website designer for big corporations. They have done well thus far and live in a huge home overlooking the lake.

Madeline is known as a gossip, so be careful about what secrets you share with her.

Madeline is the president of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Christmas Hollow High, and she volunteers at the local dog shelter in her spare time.  A dance, cheer, and softball mom - she hardly has time for herself. However, she makes time to chat with friends all over town.

Madeline isn't the most warm or friendly soul in the neighborhood. She is contemplating whether or not she wants to file a lawsuit after a neighbor's palm tree damaged the roof of her pagoda. She also doesn't make friends by leaving people off the invite list to exclusive dinner parties at her home. 

 Suggested attire: trendy casual Christmas attire, such as a fitted suit with a Christmas theme or a fashionable Christmas sweater (aka an ugly sweater). You are bold, bright, and not afraid to take risks with fashion.

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JON SLEET

President, North Industries

Jon Sleet is the president of North Industries, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Christmas Hollow. Its diversified business includes iron and steel, gaming, and custom luxury furniture.

Jon is currently acquiring many other companies. Some people are thrilled about it, and others are not. Business is business, he says. 

Jon is one of the more controversial figures in Christmas Hollow. A former high school bully, he does what he wants and doesn't think twice about it. Jon is bluntly honest without apology. Danny Targaron is Jon's adoptive sibling, and Jon is Walter Heidelberg's nephew and J.R. Pritchett's second cousin. The family relationship hasn't stopped Jon from taking over the company for which his uncle works. The question is—will Uncle Walt receive special treatment with Jon as his ultimate boss?

  Suggested attire: fun Christmas suit. You are a CEO, but you love to have fun and have a Christmas spirit.

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JOYCE BRIERS

Retail Clerk, CBC Pharmacy

A single mother of two boys, Joyce works as a retail clerk at a local pharmacy in Christmas Hollow. Joyce is obsessed with Christmas lights and always has the best-lit house in the neighborhood. Many of her neighbors seem to be jealous of her decor and have called the police on a few occasions due to the excessive lighting at night. Joyce doesn't allow the negativity to dampen her Christmas spirit.

Being a mother of two and struggling financially, Joyce is often stressed out and sometimes allows her foul moods to get in the way of her work. Some say shopping at the CBC Pharmacy isn't pleasant because of Joyce's attitude. 

Joyce is actively seeking a better-paying position but hasn't been lucky to date. She doesn't know if she isn't interviewing well or maybe - people are spreading dreadful rumors about her.  She has recently resorted to bribery to acquire a coveted position, but this isn't working thus far. She has spent nearly all of her savings on lavish gifts for a potential employer who has already told her no. 

 Suggested Attire: a lab coat with a Santa hat.  Or, make it festive and wear a Christmas suit or fun ugly Christmas sweater. 

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DON DRAPIER

Creative Director, Sterlong & Coop

A prior fur salesman before it was considered taboo, Don Drapier has hustled his way into a top advertising agency, Sterlong & Coop, as the creative director. He is the best at pitching ideas to clients and one day hopes to become a partner.

Don has had recent troubles at work, including losing one of the top clients. Will Don overcome the obstacles, or will Sterlong & Coop fly the coop? Is Don seeking employment elsewhere? If so, let's hope he doesn't go back to being a fur salesman. 

Don mandates what his employees will do in their free time. This doesn't make him easy to work for, and this could prevent him from advancing in his career one day. 

    Suggested attire: Christmas suit or ugly Christmas sweater. You are professional but Christmas-spirited - even with the turmoil in your life. 

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MICHONNE GRIMES

Public Defense Lawyer

Michonne Grimes is a public defense lawyer for the city of Christmas Hollow. She has worked on many high-profile cases but always seems to lose to the prosecutors. In addition, Michonne is a national fencing champion and Olympic hopeful.

Michonne is mysterious, and nobody knows why she has late nights and secluded business meetings in dark parking garages. Could she be involved in some shady business dealings? 

Michonne is respectful and supportive of most people in town. She is a good person to have at your side.  She is a terrible person to double-cross for many reasons that must not be mentioned. 

   Suggested attire: a Christmas suit or ugly Christmas sweater. 

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WALTER HEIDELBERG

Pharmaceutical Chemist

 An Ivy League graduate, Walter Heidelberg is an independent researcher at Rolling Pharmaceuticals. He spent two decades teaching high school chemistry but later discovered a love for pharmaceutical formulation. Walter is currently working on a cure for lung cancer.

Walter is Jon Sleet's uncle. It's rumored that Jon has loaned Uncle Walt a ton of cash in the past. However, this Ivy League grad hasn't paid a penny back to date. Does Walter feel threatened that Jon's corporate conglomerate is acquiring Rolling Pharmaceuticals?  For all Walter knows, Jon could garner his paychecks until all debts are paid off. 

   Suggested attire: a lab coat and any science-related props (beakers, flasks, Eppendorf tubes, etc.). Safety goggles are an optional prop.

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JUNE OSBOURNE

Book Editor, Fangtooth Press

Outspoken, rebellious, and loved by her friends and family, she is a dedicated book editor for Fangtooth Press. June isn’t happy at work due to intolerant and inflexible executives at the publishing company. June has been secretly meeting with the board of directors to oust the dictators in charge. June is the boss of her copy editor, Dolores Abernethian, and the two women have had their differences. June and Dolores both work from home after one too many office spats. This has made it more difficult to fight against the top executives. 

June and Dolores are currently working on publishing Jon Sleet's autobiography. Many people are upset that they would give Jon the time of day. Since both girls are receiving death threats, this has helped bring them together to work in harmony.

  Suggested attire: nerdy, Christmas–inspired attire, including the ugliest Christmas sweater, plaid skirt, and knee-high boots. You look like a librarian who has no clue about fashion.

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DOLORES ABERNETHIAN

Copyeditor, Fangtooth Press

A cattle rancher’s daughter, Dolores Abernethian, works for June Osbourne as a copyeditor at Fangtooth Press. She and June work together against the publishing house's authoritarian top executives. They are fed up with poor working conditions—long, mostly unpaid hours, freezing temperatures inside, and no breaks.

Even though Dolores and her boss, June Osbourne, have undergone recent spats at the office, they are currently working on Jon Sleet's autobiography. Jon isn't the most popular person around and has many foes, but most are involved with business dealings, and some are personal.  Since both girls are receiving death threats, this has helped bring them together to work in harmony.

   Suggested attire: nerdy, Christmas–inspired attire, including the ugliest Christmas sweater, plaid skirt, and knee-high boots. You look like a librarian who has no clue about fashion.

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PERRY SEINFELD

Comedian

 Usually the voice of reason among his quirky set of friends, Perry Seinfeld is a stand-up comic who dreams of one day being famous. Perry has traveled from coast to coast pitching his idea for a reality show, but nobody has taken the bait yet. Perry is a weekend regular headliner at the House of Slapstick, a local comedy club featuring comics from around the globe.

   Suggested attire: a funny Christmas costume (e.g., a Christmas tree, an A Christmas Story lamp, etc.) or an ugly Christmas sweater.

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DANNY TARGARON

 Four-Star U.S. Army General

 Danny Targaron is a ruthless U.S. Army General who recently achieved the rank of four-star officer. An orphaned child, Danny’s mother died during childbirth, and Danny's father was killed by his head of security in a failed plot to steal his fortune.

The wealthy Sleet family adopted Danny Targaron after living in an orphanage between the ages of four and ten. Jon and Danny have been estranged since entering adulthood, and Jon has spread nasty rumors about Danny in shared social circles.  Danny believes that the Sleet patriarch might have adopted Danny out of guilt - did Mr. Sleet have something to do with Danny's father's death? Nobody will ever know the answer to that question. There are too many powerful people with too much to lose for the truth to come out. 

  Suggested attire: military uniform (general, preferred). 

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MICHAEL SCOTTS

Branch Manager, Christmas Hollow Paper and Dog Crate Company

 Michael Scotts is a branch manager of the Christmas Hollow Paper and Dog Crate Company.  Michael worked for the paper division until the merger with the canine-focused company. Michael’s talents are now spread thin over two different types of products. Michael is a nightmare for the human resources department, as he is always doing the wrong thing.

Michael is related to the CEO of the company he works for, and there are speculations about why he still has a job as a branch manager. If something ever happened to the CEO, what would happen to Michael when a new CEO gets a look at his employee file?

    Suggested attire: a nerdy Christmas suit or an ugly Christmas sweater

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CELESTE WRIGHTMAN

Corporate Lawyer

 Exuding pure elegance when she glides into a room, all heads will turn to gaze at this stunning attorney. Sophisticated and understated, this beauty is always there for a friend in need.  Sometimes indecisive, Celeste leans on her support network for life decisions. Celeste is often in a foul mood because of her nosy mother-in-law and because most of her former friends have blocked her on social media due to being retained by a notorious client recently. Will Celeste choose money and status or friends? That is the question.

   Suggested attire: a trendy Christmas suit, evening gown, or ugly Christmas sweater. 

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DWIGHT CHUTE

Paper and Dog Crate Salesman

 Dwight Chute is the top salesman at the Christmas Hollow Paper and Dog Crate Company. He is a major kiss-up to anyone who could promote him, and the rest of the office cannot wait until the day he quits or is fired. 

Dwight will cater to anyone who can benefit him. He is not ashamed of his behavior and refers to it as meticulous ladder climbing. 

  Suggested attire: a nerdy Christmas suit or ugly Christmas sweater. 

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MARGORIE BOUVIER-SIMMERTON

Housewife

Margorie is the doting mother of three children and the loving wife of her husband, Homer Simmerton. A former nuclear technician, Margorie left the rat race to stay at home and raise the kids. Margorie’s family does not approve of her husband, so she is often found bickering with her mother and sisters over the phone.

Margorie harbors disdain for Joyce Briers. Margorie is an old soul and thinks people in customer service roles should always remember that the customer is always right.  Joyce has made it clear she doesn't prescribe to that saying and will not allow any exceptions to the return policy at CBC Pharmacy.

   Suggested attire: 1960’s style stereotypical housewife costume. Hair in a beehive (blue, if you wish).

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DR. LEO HOFSTATLER

Experimental Physicist

An Ivy-League graduate who roller-blades to work and dresses up as Star Trek characters at Cosplay conventions on the weekend, Leo Hofstatler is the quintessential nerd. With a stunning IQ of 175, Dr. Hofstatler was a child prodigy who started working in laboratories on free-electron lasers as a teenager.  Dr. Leo works at Western Robotics on high-tech robotic soldiers for the military.

Western Robotics is a diverse company that creates robotic products for the military, service industry, amusement parks, and personal use. Being a top physicist and bio-mechanical engineer, Dr. Leo is highly sought after as an employee. He receives job offers from around the world, but he refuses to leave his lucrative salary and excellent benefits package. 

   Suggested attire: lab coat – mad scientist wig, if you wish.

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RUTH WILDMAN

Professional Wrestler

Ruth Wildman was once a struggling actress trying to land a break-out role. A method artist, Ruth will drive others mad by refusing to break character. Ruth is currently a cast member of the Gorgeous Girls of Wrestling (GGW). Her altered ego is that of a British spy named Gun Show Grace in Your Face.

Ruth is working on a new character, but things aren't progressing.  Ruth tested her new persona out at the mall, but was attacked by a group of teens for it. Luckily, there was a police officer nearby to save her.  Not everyone realizes that wrestling is fake!

  Suggested attire: any sequined dance-style costume that you’d wear in the ring.

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J.R. PRITCHETT

Owner, Pritchett Closets

      J.R. is the father of three kids and the owner of a closet design company. He’s the most well-off member of a huge family. He walks around with a sourpuss look on his face, as he’s likely to have just been asked for a handout. With a growing disdain for the human race, J.R. gets along best with his dog, Stellar.

J.R. Pritchett is the second cousin of the infamous Jon Sleet. Recently, J.R. revealed in Persons Magazine that he gave Jon the seed money needed for his first business—an iron company that created souvenir swords for medieval fairs. Jon quickly grew the business into the global conglomerate it is today, but he has never paid J.R. back. 

J.R. lurks around neighborhoods each night, putting marketing materials for his closet company on doors. Many people are disturbed by this and have asked J.R. to stop.  Others have pulled a gun on him, believing him to be a burglar. 

   Suggested attire: Christmas suit or ugly Christmas sweater. 

 

ELAINE BENNET

Catalog Editor

Elaine Bennet is the best friend of Perry Seinfeld, her ex-boyfriend. They both prefer living a single life. Elaine is intelligent and has a keen sense of humor. She considers herself one of the boys; her closest friends are all male. Elaine Bennet is an editor of a men’s catalog called the K. Simon Collection.

Many people say that Elaine does not get along with other women. It's funny that every female applying to the catalog never gets an interview. Some believe it's because Elaine throws their resumes in the trash. 

  Suggested attire: Christmas suit or ugly Christmas sweater. 

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JIMMY HOPPER

Chief of Police, Christmas Hollow

A cynical man who has trouble making connections with real people, this law officer of Christmas Hollow has serious life management problems. Always last to arrive at the police station and the first to leave, Chief Hopper rarely works any cases that are thrust upon his desk. For that reason, many crime syndicates have been formed in the city.

          Jimmy is known by his neighbors as the one not to be trifled with, as he will pull a gun on anyone who steps on his property at any hour of the day. 

Jimmy is best pals with Joyce Briers.  An enemy of Joyce is an enemy of Jimmy.

  Suggested attire: Policeman or Sheriff's costume. 

 

JOAN HOLIDAY

Office Manager

Joan Holiday is the bold and sassy office manager at the Sterlong & Coop Advertising Agency. She is currently torn between her fiance and her career. She wants to apply for an open Vice President of Operations position at North Industries, settle down, and start a family.

Joan was already looking for a new job, as she didn't like how her boss, Don Drapier, would make mandatory meetings and other functions during her time off.  But now - she must find a new position, as the ad agency is in deep trouble. She doesn't want to be last off the sinking ship!

  Suggested attire: trendy Christmas suit or ugly Christmas sweater. 

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