Sign Company Owners in Love Exchange the Perfect Gifts

CONNOR O’HENRY PACED the production floor of his shop, deep in thought. The owner of O’Henry Sign Co. in Santa Claus, IN, known for wearing a pocket watch, wracked his brain for a gift idea for his significant other, Pham Mai Chi, owner of May Ji Signs & Graphics across town. To keep things easy for the townspeople, Mai Chi went by “May Ji.”

The two had been dating since January and during the past several months, the relationship deepened. For Christmas, O’Henry wanted not only to impress May Ji but also to help her business.

Across town May Ji Signs’ laminator had recently given up the ghost, forcing the shop to subcontract her laminated printing. May Ji twirled a small part of her long black hair behind her ear — something she did while thinking. She, too, was searching her imagination for the perfect gift for O’Henry and his company.

May Ji knew his shop had recently taken a hit when his CNC router broke down beyond repair, leaving him unable to fully produce channel letters. She wanted her gift to help his business as well as show how much she cared for him.

Like her, he was currently using a wholesaler to cover his needs until he could replace the router. May Ji twirled that same lock of hair over and over as she wondered what to do. “The profit margins are down on our laminated print jobs,” she thought. “But we are still getting the work done with enough profit left for the time being.”

Back at O’Henry Sign the shop’s eponymous owner was checking his bank records. “I don’t have enough for a new or even a gently-used CNC,” he said to himself. He had been doing alright acquiring channel letters from a regional source. He wondered if he could keep it going a little longer so that maybe, maybe the idea that just sprang to mind might work.

May Ji Signs & Graphics’ sales manager Howard “Blitzen” Simmons was the last of the employees to leave the office. Before he went, May Ji asked what he and his wife Donna (aka “Donner”) were giving each other for the holiday. “Well, it’s always a surprise,” Blitzen replied. “A big unexpected surprise is always best.”

“Yes,” May Ji said to herself as he turned to leave. “A big unexpected surprise…”

Christmas morning arrived in Santa Claus, IN, with the requisite snow. At May Ji’s house, she and O’Henry sat together on the couch sipping tea and watching the lightly falling snow. What could be more peaceful?

Nevertheless, each felt anything but peaceful as both wanted more than anything to reveal their present for the other. However, neither wanting to go first, both waited for as long as they could until bursting out at the same time: “Let’s open our gifts!”

They exchanged shirt- or sweater-sized boxes, neither of which seemed to weigh enough for an article of clothing. As we all should, like children with no regard for cleanup they ripped open the wrapping paper and opened the boxes simultaneously.

“Oh!” each exclaimed in delight before, seconds later, “No…”

Inside O’Henry’s box were a picture and the printed specs of a new CNC machine. May Ji had sold her printer in order to buy the router. Meanwhile, O’Henry had sold his channel letter bender to buy May Ji a laminator. Both stared at the pictures and spec sheets presented to each other.
After a few moments the two looked at each other, smiled and hugged. After all, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Happy Holidays from Rolf L’mao!