[ WP ] On Christmas , all the good boys and girls get a present , but all the naughty ones get a lump of coal . Your family is hungry , and cold on Christmas Eve , and you 've got 24 hours to get on the naughty list to get as much coal as you possibly can .

`` All right Gentlemen and Ladies, do we understand the score?'' 
 
 I glanced around the treehouse at the worst of the worst, the ultimate scum of the playground: Nathan Bommers, Kelly Sue Green, Big Fat Eddy and Lindsey `` The Tantrum'' Lienikie. 
 
 Last year, between the four of them, they had secured enough coal to host a Dallas BBQ competition. Instead, they had set the middle school gym on fire. Like I said, they were pros. 
 
 I needed coal and I needed a lot. I knew ignoring my chores and talking back to the rents was n't going to cover it. It was time for me to enter the big leagues. I did n't have their experience, but I do have something they wanted: the keys to an automobile. 
 
 Nathan Bommers, dressed to the 9's in a Punisher shirt and brand new Sketchers, walked over to the blackboard. 
 
 `` The plan is as follows: Now, that the new fish has secured us a submarine we're going deep my friends. We'll start by cruising down the yellow brick road until the wizard gets wise. From there we pull an OJ through a farmers market. We make salad the old fashioned way while our Lee Majors makes an emergency exit. Finding Nemo and Little Girl Bluth add a little ham to the salad bar to draw eyes away from a preemptive Fourth of July Celebration. We follow suit to the Fall Guy so City Hall can enjoy The Crash Test Dummies' greatest hit. From there, it's snap, crackle and pop until Dawn's Early Light and we pin the tale on our baby dolphin.'' 
 
 It was all so simple. The diagram detailed every step. It was perfect. 
 
 `` Stick with us kid, and you'll be so flush with coal, you'll need a lobbyist in Washington.'' 
 
 Suddenly, from behind us, their came the unmistakable sound of slow sarcastic clapping. We turned and saw him. 
 
 Richard Alberto Worthington the III. He sauntered past all of us grinning with disdain. The twinkle in his eye complemented by his light up sneakers. 
 
 `` So you little Einsteins think you can con the fat man?'' 
 
 Kelly Sue jumped to her feet. `` It ai n't no con, Ricky! It's business as usual for us!'' 
 
 `` What about Flounder, here?'' He asked pointing directly at me. 
 
 `` Come on, man. I need the coal.'' I was able to sputter out but I remained staring at my big brother's hand-me-down Reeboks. 
 
 `` Why?'' He was close now. If he had cooties, then I was in trouble. 
 
 `` I got my reasons...'' 
 
 This caused him to laugh so loud his voice cracked ( for the first time ever ). 
 
 He looked over our plans. Then back at me. 
 
 `` Sure, on paper this all looks naughty. But my man Krissy K. He do n't care about actions as much as motives. If you were doing this because you were mad or you're developing feelings you do n't understand and you're channeling your confusion into violence....that's one thing, but if you do stuff like this for a good reason....you ai n't naughty. You're as nice as they come.'' 
 
 The room went silent. What he said made sense. Like when you flip to the back of the text book and finally see the answers so clearly. 
 
 I was heart broken, but the gang was determined. 
 
 Big Fat Eddy stood. `` Yeah, his family needs the coal. He might be a good kid, but we're not! We can just give him our coal!'' 
 
 `` Then that would make you nice too!'' Richard shot back. `` Listen, you ca n't trick the Claus. He sees when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake.'' 
 
 `` So we should just give up!'' I said through tears. 
 
 `` No.'' Richard said and pulled out a piece of paper. `` You just need a new mark. You know your dad's boss?'' 
 
 `` Mr. Scrooge?'' I asked. 
 
 `` Yeah, we're going to need some ghost costumes....''
