Christmas Eve was a strange day at the mall. There were lots of people frantically searching for those last minute gifts. There were very few small kids. There were a lot of young teenagers and pre-teens that seemed to take great joy in tormenting Santa. The pre-teens would invariably pull my beard and react in shock when it did not come off. The teenage girls would come in groups of three to six and squirm all over my lap and ask for all kinds of things. A few of them were things that would cause them to scream (if I really did produce what they asked for) and me to go to jail. Some were just innocent kids having fun. In any case, by 11:00, a security guard was nearby to keep the rowdier ones away.
At noon, as I was resting and eating a Big Mac and fries, there was a sharp knock on the workshop divider and one of the helpers said, "Come in." Mrs. Shattuck bustled around the partition and came right up to me.
"Lars, may I have a moment?" She motioned toward the back of the rest area.
I got up and followed her. "Now, the mall closes at 7:00 tonight. You can get some rest and get cleaned up. You may want to change into your clean costume. I'll make sure it is available over at the Shady Lady. At 8:00, you will find your sleigh in front of the Furniture Barn. The mall employees and many of the various store employees will be there. Some will bring their children. Rachel will help you hand out gifts for them. There will also be some gifts for employees. When the gifts are handed out, please feel free to enjoy the buffet."
"That sounds great Mrs. Shattuck. I'll be there with bells on."
"Oh, there is one more thing. That party will break up by 9:00 or 9:30. At 10:00, the mall's board of directors will be here. They have requested a little fashion show so they can select some last minute gifts for their wives." Then she leaned close and whispered, "Although, I really don't think their wives ever see what they buy." That confused me. She continued, "I would like for you to be the emcee for the fashion show. I have a script prepared. All you have to do is read it. Oh, and you will be compensated for the extra time."
"That's fine with me, Mrs. Shattuck. I've really enjoyed working here. Hopefully you'll have me back next year."
"You've been a marvelous Santa. If Mr. Olson does not decide to return, the job is yours. In fact, you are a better Santa, but he's been doing it for so long I have to give him first chance."
"Oh, sure, I understand. Thank you." I looked at the clock. "Well, I'd better get back out there. My public awaits."
The day dragged by. My 'customers' came in spurts. Everyone was in a hurry to get done so they would only have a couple of minutes before their parents ran out of patience and hustled them away. The teens were less problem with the guard hanging around, but a few still played their little games.
At last, 7:00 came and we closed up shop. I grabbed my things and headed straight for the Shady Lady. The door was locked and the shades were down so I knocked. I heard some movement inside and Liz came and opened the door just a crack. "Oh, Santa, I'm sorry. Old Lady Shattuck forgot we are doing the hair and makeup for the fashion show. I sent the suit back to the costume shop. They'll help you get changed. See you later." She gave me a little wave and bolted the door again.
I found my way to the costume shop and was a little disappointed to find Heidi was not there. Instead, there was a plump woman of about 50 dressed as Raggedy Anne. She was quite jolly and talked nonstop as she helped me out of my suit and into a clean one. Then she had me sit down in a chair and touched up my makeup. She did a competent job, but she was no Heidi, or not even a Liz for that matter.
Still having over half an hour to kill, I wandered through the mall just looking through closed storefronts. By the time I reached the Furniture Barn, buffet tables were already set up and food was beginning to arrive. My sleigh was already in place next to the gigantic mall Christmas tree and there were stacks of presents to be handed out.
I walked by and continued to look in a few other store windows then returned to the Furniture Barn just before 8:00. People were mingling and munching. Many others were still arriving. I looked but could not see Rachel or Heidi anywhere, so I went to the sleigh and had a seat. There was a list there and I began looking over the names. I didn't even see Rachel until she touched my hand. I looked up and smiled broadly. She turned and modeled her outfit for me.
Rachel was wearing a simple little dress of deep red satin. It had white fur (fake I'm sure" trim around a U-shaped neckline and around the hem which was about halfway between her knees and heaven. It fit tightly to her body on top and flared out from the waist down. She spun and I caught a glimpse of red sequinned panties as her dress rose. She also had on a Santa hat and ballet slippers to match the dress.
"Where were you all week while I was stuck with the old ladies?" I whispered and pulled her up into the sleigh. As she stepped up, I noticed the delicate silver snowflake ankle bracelet I had sent to her office with the "From Santa" tag on it.
"I'm sorry you had to work with them, but I've been thinking all day how to repay you for the gift, Santa." She leaned down and kissed me on the cheek and whispered, "Much more later." She gave my arm a squeeze and took the list to begin gathering kids and presents.
There were a couple of dozen small children who received dolls and trucks. A few older ones received other gifts. Then there were gifts for employees, mostly holiday food baskets or flowers, some with bonus check envelopes tucked inside. The kids all sat on my lap, of course, but I was surprised when most of the women employees and a couple of the men did as well. When the gifts had all been handed out, I helped myself to a few remaining goodies from the buffet table. Rachel slipped away for an unknown errand as the crowd began leaving with shouts of "Merry Christmas."
Mrs. Shattuck came up and latched onto my elbow. "Thank you, Santa. The children really enjoyed that. Now come with me into the Furniture Barn for the fashion show."
I let Mrs. Shattuck escort me into the store. The windows had been covered with draperies and the gate-like door was open only enough to allow passage. Inside, there was three tables, each about 6 feet wide and 18 feet long, had been set up in a U-shape. Large comfortable chairs sat along the outside. At the open end of the tables, some steps had been set up to allow access up and down so the tables could be used as a runway. Just inside the opening of the U was an overstuffed chair on a slightly raised platform. A microphone and my script were there waiting for me. I sat down and began looking over the first page of the script. About half way down I saw Rachel's name and smiled as I realized why she had left.
I looked around the room. Behind me, away from the table, were several large screens. I assumed this was the changing area for the models. To my right, in an area that had several dining sets, a bar had been set up and about a dozen people were mingling there and visiting. To the left was what was the regular living room furniture display section of the store and it was empty except for the furnishings themselves.
I had barely made it through the first page of script when the people who had been at the bar came over and began seating themselves around the table-stage. Mrs. Shattuck was flitting around the group, making small talk and ensuring they were comfortable. The people around the table were all men, ranging from one man of about thirty-five or forty to several in their late fifties or early sixties and one who had to be over seventy. There were seven men all together. A bookish looking woman of about 40 was seated at a small table with several charts and a laptop computer in front of her. I learned later that she was a bookkeeper. She had a list of clothing sizes of all the men's wives, daughters, 'nieces', and others they might be buying clothing for. At a signal from any of them, she would mark down the purchase and get the correct sizes wrapped and ready to go.
Two cocktail waitresses, probably from the steak house in the mall, were filling drink orders around the stage. Mrs. Shattuck cleared her throat for attention. "At the request of Mr. Donaldson" she began while nodding to the oldest man, "We are proud to present this special fashion show for our board of directors." There was mild applause around the table. "Santa was kind enough to stay and perform the emcee duties," she nodded toward me and I waved. "I hope you all enjoy the collection we have put together for you. Be sure to let Ms. Kiefert know if there are any items you wish to purchase. Instrumental Christmas music began playing softly in the background, which was my cue to begin, as Mrs. Shattuck exited toward the back dressing area.