Read The Naughty List for Free Online

infraction of the rules.”
    “She used our bonuses to hire a cadre of snitches? Penrose’s doesn’t need spies. The only person who needs to work on customer service skills is the new store manager.” Rosalie punched the sofa cushion. “I’m thinking very bad thoughts right now, Marissa. They involve Stephanie under the wheels of my car.”
    Her friend smiled grimly. “You peel out and I’ll push her in front. I know at least a dozen employees who will alibi us.” She drew a shuddering breath. “Once she gave me the news, I had to get out of the store for awhile. You should have seen her—all smiles, convinced the board of directors will be impressed by her initiative to improve employee productivity. Not that the board cares about initiative.” Marissa dabbed at her eyes. “They turned down my new inventory control system. Stephanie said they decided implementation was too expensive.”
    “That’s ridiculous,” Rosalie sputtered indignantly. “A ton of money would be saved in the long run.”
    “They only care about the next spreadsheet.” Marissa rose to her feet. “I have to get back. My lunch break is nearly over, but I needed a shoulder to cry on.”
    Rosalie hugged her. “Anytime.”
    Word about Sneaky Shoppers spread through Penrose’s like a grease fire in a trailer. Stephanie didn’t waste any time. By the end of the week phony customers lurked throughout the store reporting lapses in customer service. In turn, Stephanie posted her Motivation Memo in the break room, a daily update of all employees with infractions. Since Sneaky Shoppers’ standards were impossibly high and Stephanie’s criteria ridiculously vague, Rosalie found herself constantly on notice.
    The one name never on the list was Anthony Pearce, not that he did a stupendous job as Santa. Out of curiosity Rosalie slipped over to Christmas Land several times to unobtrusively watch him in action. She hoped he’d be so awful customer complaints would force Stephanie to give Ross the throne back.
    To her disappointment, Anthony wasn’t terrible. He wasn’t great, either. With the padding, costume, and fake beard, Anthony certainly looked the part. No one would recognize the handsome young man from Central Receiving. He said the right things, too, but lacked Ross’s natural love for the children and boundless enthusiasm. Anthony was nothing but another shopping mall Santa. The kids forgot him as quickly as they finished the complimentary candy canes. Rosalie watched with a pang as Anthony hurried toward Stephanie. Srd Step’s office when his break started. She trudged back to the customer service counter. Dejection dogged her footsteps. Is this what Christmas comes down to? Santa in thrall to a she-demon?
    Her mood lifted as Mittens approached the counter. The elderly woman had kept a low profile since the run-in with Stephanie, only occasionally stopping in for coffee with Lu.
    “How are you, my dear? You look a little down.” Mittens’ eyes twinkled in amusement. “Lu said you’re at the top of Stephanie’s naughty list again.”
    Rosalie’s voice dripped sarcasm. “This morning I was dinged by a Sneaky Shopper for being firmly pleasant with a customer, instead of being pleasantly firm.”
    Mittens wrinkled her brow. “What does that mean?”
    “I have no clue. It’s one of Stephanie’s idiotic rules. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like being constantly spied upon to really crank up the paranoia. I size up every shopper passing by Customer Service, wondering which one will run squealing to the boss. I smile at everyone like a doper in a pot haze. I look creepy. People eyeball me as if they recognize my face from a wanted poster.”
    Mittens patted Rosalie’s hand. “You’re not the only one having a tough time. Lu is supposed to instruct the wait staff to hurry customers along by clearing up and wiping down the table as soon as the food is gone. She refuses, saying she’d rather be fired.” Mittens reached