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Wondery subscribers can listen to every episode of Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast Ad free. Join Wondery to get exclusive Christmas mystery bonus content. Start your free trial in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
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Did you guys hear that? The thing that just happened earlier? Mr. Grinch was pouring himself a bowl of cereal, and out fell one. One of the missing letters to Santa. I did not see that coming, but maybe I should have. I'll explain. Something strange happened last night. I got here to my secret studio, and right there, next to my podcast mic, there was a package. No, Max, it wasn't your new bark to speak device. I don't think that's ever coming in the mail. I think we got scammed. No, this package was labeled just for me. To Cindy Lou who, Top of Mount Crumpet, Whoville. Also, just for the record, I don't live here, you guys. I just work here and eat lunch here and sometimes take a nap here, which sometimes happens to be overnight. Max, I think I need some work life boundaries. But not today, because I can't wait any longer. Let's open up this mysterious gift. I'll just peel off the tape and. Now that's one way to pack a box. Oh, Max, how cool. It's a cuckoo clock. And look at all the little figurines of elves. When the clock strikes on the hour, they'll all scurry around in circles. And see, up at the top, that little door. At certain times of day, that door will pop open and a special little figure will come out. I bet it's a little Santa. I can't wait to see it happen. But wait a second. This clock isn't set to Whoville time. It's ticking backwards, Max. It's a countdown. But a countdown to what? Oh, Max, you brilliant pup. There's something carved into the back of the clock with doors that clang and keys that cling. I'm not a place where freedom rings. What am I with guards at night keeping watch in the merry moonlight? Well, that was weird. It's a riddle. Of course. But why would someone send me a riddle? And why add a clock? Max, normally your theories are, no offense, totally useless, but I think you have a point. I think when the clock times out, we'll be too late to solve the riddle. If we solve it in time, the Santa figurine will come out of his little door, and I bet he's harboring the next piece of this puzzle. But if we're too late and his door won't open, this clock is nothing. But a tacky timepiece. Did I say tacky? I meant tasteful. Okay, Max, let's figure this out. I'll say the riddle again. With doors that clang and keys that cling I'm not A place where freedom rings what am I? With guards at night Keeping watch in the merry moonlight Am I the moon? Oh, am I now? Am I school smells like Am I? Oh, A place where freedom does not ring Freedom does not ring A place where freedom does not ring I've got it. Max, are you thinking what I'm thinking? Clanging doors. No. Freedom. Guards keeping watch. It's a prison. The little door. It's opening. There it is. But look, Max. This Santa is carrying an empty mail pack. He should have a big sack of letters over his shoulder, but instead, there's nothing in there. And this Santa doesn't look jolly at all. In fact, he looks confused and miserable. Max, this is a very strange clock and definitely the most stressful gift I've ever received. But it's an amazing clue. Someone out there knows something about this case, and they want us to find them. And I think we both know where to find that person. Let's go. We're off to find whoever made this clock and finally get some answers.