Gordon Grounded in Reindeer Mutiny

NORTH POLE, Arctic Circle -- In alarming news, KNN has just learned that Professor Ebenezer Gordon, Chairman and Grand Poobah of Gordon Industries, Inc., has been placed under house arrest and confined to his North Pole complex by a contingent of heavily-antlered reindeer.

This latest incident brings to a head the bitter industrial dispute between Gordon's loss-making Santa Claus business and his reindeer. The squabble originated four years ago with Gordon outsourcing his logistics to Bajaj in a bid to check rising supply chain costs. The move was widely condemned at the time by both his reindeer and environmental groups.

In a conversation with Kahuna a few weeks ago, Gordon revealed that no progress was made in resolving the dispute and hinted that the situation could take a turn for the worse:

Kahuna (K): Ho ho ho!
Gordon (G): Ho ho ho!
K: Have you settled with your reindeer?
G: No, we are using Segways this year.
K: So, you've been grounded?
G: Indeed. We're in talks with Virgin Atlantic, though.
K: To what end?
G: Segways have a limited range you know X-(
K: Isn't it simpler to settle the industrial dispute with your reindeer? X-(
G: I'm also in talks with a venison supplier X-(
K: Have you added yourself to your list of coal recipients? X-(
G: Not yet.
K: The Reindeer Union may well arrange a stampede across your person.

A spokesdeer for the Reindeer Union confirmed reports that last-minute talks broke down over the contentious matter of Gordon's ballooning girth requiring the sleigh to be classified as heavy according to FAA regulations. The spokesdeer admitted that matters had also turned ugly during Rudolf's recent performance review leading to several derogatory postings on Facebook.

North Pole sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that an extraordinary general meeting of the Reindeer Union was in session. It is reliably understood that the reindeer will take matters into their own hooves and report back to work in time to make tonight's delivery run. However, this is expected to be minus Gordon, who will remain sequestered for the time being with a steady supply of donuts and cat videos.

On that festive note, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

PS: More of Scott Metzger's holiday cartoons are available on his website.