Emily: "Better than slurping a mug full of pine-sol is what I always say."
Mary: "Infinitely more effective, too."
Emily: "Though somewhat less portable..."
Mary: "Details, details. How was your day? Get all your shopping done?"

Emily paused, trying to work out how much to tell Mary about her experience in town. After debating for a few seconds, she decided not to mention it just in case she'd imagined the whole thing. The last thing she wanted was for Mary to get worked up over something that was more likely than not just her overactive imagination.

Emily: "Almost. You?"
Mary: "I'm good to go, I finally found the perfect thing for James today."

Emily raised an eyebrow.

Emily: "You got a gift for James?"
Mary: "Yes, he's going to be at the party, right?"

Emily nodded.

Mary: "Then he gets a gift. You can't go to a Christmas party without gifts for everyone."
Emily: "According to who?"
Mary: "According to me. On no other holiday do you have complete permission to go completely insane buying things. I like buying things. And if they're for other people, it's much easier to justify maxing out the credit cards."
Emily: "Always the traditionalist, you were."

Mary: "Damn skippy. And there had better be eggnog at the party tomorrow."
Emily: "I'm sure there will be. My arteries hurt just thinking about it. "
Mary: "Don't be silly. Every Christmas, Santa Clause's elves run around taking the calories out of everything bad for you and put them into broccoli and brussels sprouts for just one night. That's why kids hate vegetables. Kids know things. They see things."
Emily: "Check. No traditionally nutritious foods on Christmas. Mary, can I ask you something?"
Mary: "Sure."

Emily: "Are you high?"
Mary: "What? "
Emily: "Seriously. Are you on something? Do we have a carbon monoxide leak? Should I call a repairman?"

Mary smiled to herself.

Mary: "Just the Christmas spirit, I guess."
Emily: "Okay. But let me know if your fingernails turn blue or anything. The party starts at 5, don't forget."