"What you see, Lon, is not at all how it was when we arrived. We really loved the whole process of making all this happen. You can't imagine the thankfulness in our hearts for how it came together so fast, right before our very eyes. The day it was completed, there was rejoicing in the streets. We created heat under the very coldest conditions! If only you could have been here for that awesome celebration.
"After the village was completely enclosed, I would watch Santa just standing there contemplating the snow melting off the dome. He was really intrigued with this whole idea. It truly was amazing how the sun's rays would heat up the inside of the dome. The upper part of the dome remained at seventy-four to eighty degrees, while the lower part stayed a comfortable sixty-eight degrees, a perfect temperature for us. The joints were sealed tight, so we never had to worry about snow melting and leaking inside the dome.
"Another great thing was how the sun shining through the glass caused our garden to grow hardy and rapidly. In fact, we could grow anything all year long in different areas of the dome. Often, we would reflect on how very fortunate we were.
"After we accomplished this invention together, I was fired up to get going on other improvements-I was on a roll. As I thought of new ideas, I would brief Santa on them, and then put
them into production. Santa always backed me on my ideas, and I thrived on making them come to life. I also created easier ways to accomplish not only my work, but the work of others when needed. I liked creating shortcuts for the elves so they wouldn't be overworked. But no matter what the invention, first and foremost the elves, including me, have always concentrated on making toys for the children of the world our top priority. That rule never changes.
"Well, Lon, as the years passed by, this village became more like home. It took about ten years to finish our main projects: the homes, the dome, the garden, the production floor, the lumber room, the kitchen, the dining room, the streets, the stables for the raindeer, and all the rest. Of course, I was honored when the dome was completed. One of the first things Santa said to me at the ceremony was, 'From now on, you can chew gum and blow bubbles anytime you want to. Ho-ho!' It never really bothered Santa to begin with. He liked to tease me about it from time to time is all.
"Santa and Mrs. Claus presented me with an award. Santa said, 'Bubbles, in honor of you, from this point on we will call the dome the 'Bubble Dome.' All the elves were there and they showed their appreciation to me. Every year after that, on the first of April, and during Carnivale, Santa makes a toast to me in remembrance of my first and biggest invention here at the North Pole, the great idea that changed all of our lives.
