All participants are 21 and over,
This is fun for me, I'm far from an English major, so please don't expect perfection.
I hope you enjoy, thanks for reading.
The Naughty and Nice List;
The holidays were always stressful for me. Everyone so happy with their shit together, and me seeming to have things go wrong at every opportunity. The old Ford Escape I was driving already was starting to rust out around the wheel wells, the heat only blew air on setting 2 and 4, making winter even more miserable. Every time I got in it, I was waiting to see what was broke next. Nothing new today as I start it and head to the store to get a few things.
The big department store is busy, it's almost hard to find a parking spot for my white and rust colored suv. When I make it in the door, Christmas music assaults my ears, garland and big decorations draped around every possible post. " Humbug," I mutter under my breath as I grab a cart from the corral and hurry to get the needed supplies and get out of this holy jolly hell.
" Excuse me sir, " I hear from behind me. I turn and see a middle age, stocky man, with a manager name tag, with Henry on it. I'm confused as to why he's bothering me, I haven't done anything to warrant management attention.
" Can I help you?" I enquire in a short direct tone, trying to portray I'm not interested in general chit chat or a store credit card.
" I really hope you can, I'm Henry, the store manager, " he replied, stating the obvious.
" Yeah, I got that from the tag, " I say while pointing at his shirt, the same short tone to my voice.
"Oh yeah, sorry. I'm just a little stressed out, we're supposed to have Santa here for the kids a week from Friday, but all the agencies are booked solid. I know it's an odd request, but would you be interested? "
I didn't see that coming, I mean I know I've got a bit of extra weight on, and my beard is more salt than pepper, but what would give this guy the impression that I'm a festive fellow. I'm sure he can see the puzzled look on my face, and he continues, " I'll pay you $100 a day, and give you a 20% store discount card that you can keep after the season for 12 months. "
Wow, I wasn't expecting that. I could take the vacation time I have at work, get paid twice then, plus the discount will come in handy.
" Well, that does sound pretty generous, " my short tone now gone from my voice.
"I'm desperate, no time to mess around, so I figured I'd throw my best offer on to the table. So, stay do you think?"
I think for another second, mostly about the financial end of it, and reply, " Looks like you found a Santa."
"Really! Thank you so much. Come see me before you check out up front, we'll go over the basics and I'll get you the discount to start using it today, " Henry calls out as he's heading towards the front of the store.
I continued my shopping, wondering how I will put up with all the nagging kids, I want, I want, I want. Spoiled brats all want PS5 or Xbox now, no wagons or bikes like years ago. Christmas has become such a commercial holiday now. I guess I'm joining in, becoming a pawn for the store. Kids drag parents in, parents buy a few things and the stores profit soars.
As I get to the front of the store, I am for Henry, the cute young lady on the cash, picked up the store intercom and paged him. After the page, she pointed towards his office, "That's where he'll come out to meet you. "
"Thank you, " I say with a smile, and move over beside the door. As I'm waiting, I look back to the cashier as she's waiting on the next person. Probably about 21 years old, slim with perky little breasts, B cup at a perverted guess. As my eyes looked down to the stretchy yoga style pants, saying it was a perfect peach, wouldn't do her ass justice. I stare a little more, looking for panty lines,
" Sorry to keep you waiting, " I hear beside me, breaking me out of my trance.
" No worries at all Henry, I didn't mind waiting a few minutes here, "
He shows me where to park my cart, then leads me to a small office. A desk opposite the door with a small bookshelf behind it. A few company awards on top of the bookshelf. A printer in the corner and a few pictures of company events on the wall. I sit in the only chair in front of the desk, while he moves behind the desk to his well worn leather chair.
" I have printed out a basic contract here. It really just makes what I told you official. $100 per day and a 12 month discount card, there's an outfit in the corner, unless you have your own. Please give it a read over, then sign and date the bottom," Henry says as he slides the contract and a pen across the desk.
I give the document a quick scan, it really was pretty basic, then sign it and slide it back to Henry.
"Thank you .... Eric, " he says, getting my name from the bottom of the contract, and reaches over to shake my hand. After the hand shake, he reached into his desk drawer, and grabs my discount card.
After taking the card, I grab the box with the outfit in it. Opening the box, a musty smell hits my nose. Pulling out the Santa coat, I'm surprised it stays in one piece. The outfit is more worn out than the leather office chair Henry has. I stuff it back in the box and carry it out with me to my cart.
I look for the young cashier from earlier to buy my stuff, but she must've went on break, so I jump in the shortest line. After my purchase is all scanned, I hand the cashier my discount card, she looks at me funny.
" I'm the new Santa, I'll be here the end of next week, " I tell her.