PICKINGUPTHETAB

TWELVEHOURSHIFTIt's half a day's work? SPHEREOFCONTROLWhat you have direct authority over SOCIALBUTTERFLYPartying personified ICECREAMPARLORSWhere split decisions are made MIDDLEOFTHEROADTroubling time for odd lad - he's moderate SANTACLAUSMELONFruit named for how long it's said to last (until Christmas) DELAYEDREACTIONWhat a joke may get eventually ASOLDASTHEHILLSTall lad - his shoes turned out to be ancient THATSMORELIKEIT"Now we're talking!" IHAVETOWORKLATEOvertime alert COSTSCASTSCASTE...See 44-Across, (to) WASTE OFNOCONSEQUENCEIrrelevant old female never against series NOMOREMRNICEGUY"The gloves are off!"