Ryan led Richard through a side door at the abc studios; getting past security was the easy bit, having an excuse for searching the building for stage clothes was not.
          "Now Rich, just leave all the talking to me," Ryan announced.
          Richard nodded and followed Ryan down several flights of stairs and into the basement.
          "If I remember correctly it should be one of the far doors on the right," Ryan breathed.
          Richard was about to say something but was cut off by Ryan. "You want to know how I know right…well…it can get pretty boring during filming…especially as Drew has most of the scenes anyway…so sometimes I go a wandering."
          Ryan stoped outside the door marked "STORE" and was reaching for the handle when a female voice piped up.
          "Ryan Stiles what are you doing?"
          It was one of the wardrobe girls.
          "Ahh showing my cousin from England around," Ryan lied.
          "I'm sure there are more interesting things than the stores," the wardrobe girl said matter-of-factly.
          "My cousin is a set designer…isn't that right Tricky Dicky Ricky," Ryan chirped putting his arm around Richard.
          Richard smiled and nodded.
          The girl looked unconvinced and crossed her arms. "Oh really."
          "Yes really, what do you want his CV?" Ryan sarced.
          The girl let out a sigh. "Oh ok…. Just don't be long."
          "Hey that's what my wife always says," Ryan jeered.
          The girl laughed and walked off.
          Ryan waited until she was out of sight before he opened the door, muttering "bitch" under his breath.
          Ryan and Richard scanned the large room that was crammed with old props and costumes.
          "Ok, you go right, I'll go left," Ryan instructed.
          Richard nodded and began scouring his side of the room.
          It seemed to take forever to wade through everything and the longer it took the more cursing Ryan did.
          "Ah, Jesus Christ," he spat as one of his big feet was squashed by a falling prop. "Rich if we don't find the bloody things soon I'm leaving." he added.
          Ryan turned back to exploring a rack of costumes when 'THUNK' he was whacked in the head by a fluffy lampshade.
          "What the fuck did you do that for?" he hissed glaring at Richard.
          Richard motioned to several large garbage bags he'd found.
          "You found the stuff," Ryan said, suddenly excited.
          Richard grinned and gave Ryan the thumbs up.
          Ryan hurried over the best he could, shoved Richard out of the way and tore open one of the bags. An array of brightly coloured shirts fell at his feet.
          "Good work buddy," Ryan grinned and slapped Richard on the back.
          Richard smiled and pointed to a smaller bag jammed behind the others.
          Ryan pried it out and tore it open, his eyes widen with glee…it was his shoes. He turned to Richard, teary eyed.
          "I love you," he sniffed, grabbed Richard and planted a kiss on his lips.
          Richard looked mortified.
          After several minutes of staring at the contents of the bags and reminiscing, Ryan looked back at Richard.
          "Now all we need is a plan to get the clothes outta here."
          Once again Richard opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Ryan.
          "You're a genius Rich…no one will ever guess," he enthused.

          Brad and Steve had been waiting at the studio doors a long time…a long, long time. Chip had left hours ago and things were starting to get mind numbing.
          Brad lazily looked down the corridor for the millionth time and found himself squinting to look at what was fast approaching.
          "Steve…am I'm going crazy or is Santa and his elf walking toward us?"
          Steve looked up. "Blimey it is Santa," he gasped.
          "Santa looks a lot like Ryan Stiles," Brad mused.
          "Please tell me Richard doesn't have tights on," Steve groaned.
          "Is he Jewish?" Brad asked.
          Before Steve could answer 'Santa' and his 'elf' bounded over with their 'sacks.'
          "Hohoho we got the clothes," Ryan perked.
          "Yeah…ah…is there a reason you're dressed like novelty Christmas ornaments?" Brad asked.
          "Yeah…we had to get the stuff without being caught," Ryan replied.
          "People weren't suspicious?" Steve said disbelievingly.
          "No we said we were extras in a Christmas special," Ryan huffed.
          "In February!" Brad gasped.
          "Hey, I never said my plan was fool proof," Ryan hissed. "Now open up," he added.
          Steve tapped the access code in and then turned to Ryan and Richard. "Stand back," he ordered.
          Steve and Brad began to race toward the doors when they clicked open. Neither man could stop and then ended up tripping over each other and landing in a heap on the floor.
          Ryan turned to Richard and grinned. "And that my friend is why we dressed as Christmas characters."