My Harley rumbled as I guided it through the mall parking lot at a snail's pace. I was not so silently wishing these people would get the hell out of my way.
I was a little surprised at the amount of traffic, as it was close to closing time. I parked, entered, and quickly crossed the mall, as I wasn't sure where the specific stores that I was looking for were. With some help from the directory, I crossed the center of the mall, which featured the North Pole scenery, complete with Santa.
The line was dwindling with kids and their parents. I was looking at the scene as I passed, with the cute girls in elf costumes guiding the customers. This mall Santa did not need the fake beard and padding that many mall Santas used. He was a genuine older, jolly guy with white hair and beard. He seemed to watch me as I walked by, the little round spectacles perched on his nose followed my movements.
Finishing with one store and looking at another directory, I crossed by the North Pole again on the way to my next destination. The line had shrunken some more, and Santa seemed to watch me again as I passed.
Another purchase, another consult of the mall directory, and I was starting to get annoyed as I crisscrossed to another store again. The line for Santa was almost empty, and as I approached, Santa was waving me over. I kinda waved back and kept walking. I was not the type to get a photo with Santa.
The third store was the final stop, and I once again had to consult the mall map to figure out how to get back to my bike in the parking lot. I started across the mall towards my exit and was about to pass by Santa for the last time when I heard his voice call out.
"Ho, ho, ho... Merry Christmas, Brad! Come up here and visit old St. Nick for a moment." He said.
I stumbled slightly as my name was called out, almost forgetting how to walk. The line was empty and the girls in elf costumes were finishing packing up the supplies. The strap across the entrance to 'The North Pole' made it clear there were no more visits tonight, but the jolly man in red still beckoned me over.
"Just one more photo, Suzie." Santa directed the elf behind the camera.
Santa patted his knee to indicate where I was to sit. I walked over and dropped my bags off to the side before ascending the stairs and settling where I was directed.
Suzie the elf dutifully took the picture, and Santa waved her dismissively as he spoke.
"That's fine Suzie, you can go home. I can finish up here. Merry Christmas to you." He stated as we both still sat there on his chair."
The elf girl happily waved as she gathered her stuff and left with a couple of other similarly dressed girls. The North Pole was now empty except for Santa and me.
"How did you know my name?" I asked.
"Why, I'm Santa Claus. I know everyone. I make my list and check it twice. I know who's been naughty and who's been nice. You know the rest." He was clearly amused by my questions.
"Now Brad, you're kind of teetering on the edge of naughty and nice, and I'm not sure that you're going to make the cut this year."
Santa motioned to me and I got up from his knee. As he walked away, I felt obligated to follow him. Santa grabbed the camera and tripod and headed for the small shed labeled 'workshop'. Opening the door and ducking inside, Santa disappeared from view. I hesitated for a minute, but then I followed him into the small building and closed the door behind me.
Santa was sitting down on a small, cushioned stool and took a cookie from a plate on a shelf built into the wall next to him. Popping the small cookie into his mouth, Santa then pulled a bottle of milk from the mini fridge below the shelf and took a couple of gulps. After wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he eyed me up and down as I stood there, as there was no place else to sit.
