Knight Rider 2020: Karr Doesn't 'Do' Christmas

As Chase and Maddock brought in the Christmas tree, Kitt noticed that his brother looked a bit agitated. The 5000 seemed to sit back on its haunches in unspoken disapproval.1

“What’s the matter, Karr?” Kitt asked, turning to face the metallic midnight Camaro. “’Tis the season to be jolly, you know.”2

“I don't do Christmas,” Karr flatly replied. “I'm Jewish. Why do you think I kept an oil lamp running since the 25th of Kislev to the 3rd of Tevet?”3

“But didn’t you have Corey change the oil about three and five days in?”4

Karr growled as Kitt, having gotten the last word, pranced away. So Karr was supposed to be Christian because the humans told him to be? He might tolerate the inferior treatment, but forcing him to believe something so important he wouldn’t.5

Karr sighed as he passed by the Foundation’s estate. The lights of the Christmas tree twinkled brightly through the frosty plate glass windows, and the entire Foundation crew (except those who were home for the holidays) was gathered in the rotunda, sharing gifts and chatting about life instead of numbers and data. Kitt was even there, parked right in front of the overhead door. Karr had been welcomed, but he just didn’t feel…comfortable.6

He felt so outcast.7

“Hey,” Koda greeted him, speeding up beside him. “What’s wrong, Karr?”8

“Nothing.”9

“Is it because you don’t celebrate Christmas?”10

“Yes.”11

“But you do celebrate Chanukah, don’t you?”12

Karr nodded. At least Koda said it right.13

“Why didn’t you tell me? Brett’s Jewish, so am I!”14

Karr stopped dead in his tracks. “Really?”15

“Of course! Come on, let’s get back to the warehouse.”16

As Karr and Koda pulled into the Redwin Racing warehouse, he felt welcomed by the warm smell of charoset – a dish Karr’s primary driver used to make so well that only the angels could do it better. From the delicious aroma, it seemed as though Brett could challenge the angels themselves.17

“Merry Christmas, Karr,” Brett greeted from the workstation next to Koda’s stall.18

“Shalom,” Karr greeted.19

Brett dropped his wrench and turned around to give Karr a look that made him a bit uncomfortable. “Did you say shalom?”20

“Yes…shalom.”21

“I had no idea…Happy Chanukah, then, my friend!”22

As Brett walked by him, he kissed the fender and patted the roof. For perhaps the first time in his life, Karr felt accepted. It was a small group, but would nonetheless come to be a tight one.23