I think what I'm going to do for every day that ends in the number one (December 1, 11, 21), I'll be doing a story that features a character within the Archie universe that isn't Archie or his friends. On December 1, I did a Sabrina story. And today, I'll be doing a feature on Josie and the Pussycats.
This story is called Gift-Rapped, and the scans for this story come from "Archie Comics Super Special #7". It was a short lived collection of stories that ran for seven issues with most of them having beautiful silver foil covers.
But the original tale appears in "Laugh #12". But it's not the original Laugh. It was the second version of the "Laugh" title. The first one ended in 1987 with issue #400 and was rebooted with a new #1 issue along with the Jughead and Betty and Veronica titles. In actuality though, this is the only Laugh #12 in existence, because the original Laugh title was known as "Jackpot Comics" for the first nine issues, and then it changed to the "Jolly Jingles" title until issue #16. The first issue of the original Laugh was #20. Confused? Don't be. Whatever the case, the "Laugh" title was kind of like the PEP title in that it featured a variety of different comic stories, but in later issues, they usually inserted Sabrina, Josie, That Wilkin Boy, and Katy Keene stories within.
So, as you can see in the first page, it appears as though Josie, Valerie, and Melody have stopped by Cabot Mansion to drop off their presents to Alex and Alexandra Cabot. In the most recent tales of Josie, Alex Cabot acts as the manager of the Pussycats, and Alexandra is Alex's twin sister who just happens to be jealous of Josie and longs to be a member of the Pussycats. And like Veronica Lodge, the Cabot family is extremely rich.
And, I think they might even be more obnoxious and snobbish than Veronica could ever aspire to be. I mean, instead of one Cabot family Christmas tree, Alex and Alexandra each have their own trees to decorate. That's a bit extravagant. But if you think that's where their extravagance ends, think again.
Melody has noticed that the presents that they brought are not underneath Alexandra's tree, and Alexandra tells them that there is a very good reason for this. Well...a good reason for HER, that is.
You see, Alexandra's got this obsessive desire that everything in her life has to be the very best. And this includes her Christmas tree. The very best lights, the very best tinsel, the very best ornaments...and the very best wrapped presents.
Valerie - ever the most sensible of the Pussycats - is appalled when Alexandra says that she put her gifts underneath Alex's tree because she only wanted gifts wrapped in the finest wrapping paper, the most expensive bows, and tagged with only the most expensive gift tags written with the most expensive fountain pens. So, basically the Pussycats gifts wrapped in Target wrapping paper and dollar store stick-on tags simply doesn't cut it.
I guess the Cabot kids never got the lesson on never judging a book by its cover...or the gift by the wrapping paper. Seriously, I hate people who are like this. Of course, the Pussycats are a little bit miffed by this sentiment, but Josie wonders if Alex won't notice that there are a few extra gifts underneath his tree.
Oh, he noticed all right. And not only did he notice, but he takes all the gifts underneath his tree that were meant for Alexandra, and shoves them in her face! Rude! Seems as though Alex has a very high opinion of his tree as well, and he doesn't want "ordinary gifts" underneath his tree. You know, the Cabot kids were always obnoxious, spoiled brats, but this story really paints them in an ugly materialistic light.
Fortunately, I'm not the only one that notices this.
By this point, the Pussycats have realized that the Cabot children are talking about how the gifts that they gave them were the ones that both Alex and Alexandra are too ashamed to have underneath their Christmas trees, and they decide that if neither Cabot twin want their gifts, they will happily take them back. After all, Alan M, Pepper, Sock, and Albert would appreciate them more.
Needless to say, Alex and Alexandra are shocked at the Pussycats taking back their gifts, and they run after them to try and make amends. It's going to be pretty hard to do so, since both Cabot kids were being jerks, and insulted all three of them rather terribly. But Alex comes up with a unique...and stupid...solution.
Yeah, there's an idea. Put up a separate "shabby" tree with Walmart ornaments, Dollar Tree tinsel, and lights from the local hardware store. That would be the perfect place to put Josie's presents, Melody's presents, and Valerie's presents. I suppose that they plan on putting up this shabby tree in the basement, or in the laundry room, or in a broom closet - you know, so it doesn't take away from the beauty of their own perfect trees.
After all, Alexandra says that it's the thought that counts. And Alex says that the contents of their presents can't help the cheap boxes and wrap that they come in.
And you know, you can't help but laugh at the Cabot twins. They are so pampered that they appear so incredibly sheltered to how the world works, and it's absolutely fascinating to see two people so completely out of touch with things. I almost kind of feel sorry for them. And it looks like the Pussycats sort of do too. Melody - soft-hearted, but dumb as a box of rocks - is touched by the Cabot's "generosity", Josie shakes her head and wishes them a Merry Christmas, and Valerie announces that she has to go home and wrap some more shabby presents.
(Did I mention that Valerie is my favourite Pussycat?)
But you know...we'll just leave poor Alex and Alexandra thinking that their holiday ideas were in the spirit of Christmas, and we'll let poor Melody freeze her legs in the cold winter air. Here's hoping that Josie, Valerie, and Melody gave the Cabot twins a clue for Christmas and that Santa leaves them both a lump of coal wrapped up in the finest tapestries that money could buy.
Still...despite the Cabot twins obnoxious behaviour, I like this tale - mainly because it exposes their true colours...and how they turn into sniveling toads when Josie and the Pussycats call them out on their snottiness. Valerie is especially hard on them, which is always appreciated.
Tomorrow on Day #12 - a more heartwarming tale about the snowy weather - courtesy of Moose and Dilton!
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