“Listen up everyone,” the old stern man yelled, “there are a few things you should know.” In the back you can hear a man mumble loudly; are you Santa? He stops talking and looks annoyed… “No… I’m Father Christmas” A look of confusion came over the crowd, but no one was brave enough to ask what he meant. He claps his hands: the door behind him opens and a parade of other people who are dressed similarly to him walk in. A much wider man steps in front “Hey, everyone. I hope Father Christmas didn’t turn you off too much from this experience thus far. I’m Kris Kringle but you can call me Kris for short.” He turns, pointing to the line of other jolly red men, “this is Saint Nicholas, Mr. Claus, and Sinterklaas. Presents are delivered to over two billion children each year, how can one magical man do that? He can’t. We have a team of S.A.N.T.A.’s delivering toys each year. We are the heads of the main 5 departments, we will explain that later in the evening though. To keep a long story short, we need a new guy by this Christmas as we are short staffed. You all have been chosen by some completely selfless act that we observed at some point in your life and we feel you embody what a Santa is and, as they say, Santa sees all.” One candidate falls over, making sure he's okay, another candidate in the crowd does as well. The Santa introduced as Sinterklass steps up, he’s much calmer than the first two, “I see you've all had your cocoa, good. One of the important things about being a Santa is the ability to handle your magic,” a few more men fall over, “the cocoa is treated with a light sedative, no stronger than melatonin. This is a litmus test, really. If you can’t handle this, then there is no point in going further in this S.A.N.T.A. competition.” After a few minutes there are 16 candidates left standing. “Each of us department heads will hold our own individual contests, congratulations to those left standing for making it through mine.” He pulls out a brightly colored walkie talkie: gedaan he says into it. Behind the department heads comes short creatures no taller than 3 feet and what can only be described as elves walk in and pick up the sleeping men and drag them out. “Stay tuned as we will give you more information and the night goes on.”
It's been about an hour since we last saw a Santa, Vince thought. The 16 men stood silent in the room, trying to make sense of what's happening. All of them stopped eating and drinking the refreshments in the room, scared of what they might do. Vince waited but he couldn’t help his thirst. His nervousness has always caused his mouth to dry and this was a stressful situation. He got up to get one of the pre-poured glasses of water. A tall guy with short curly blonde hair approaches him. “I’m Nick what's your name?” Nick? This guy already has the same name can’t they just pick him and let everyone else go home? Vince thought to himself before speaking up. “I’m Vince. What do you think of all this?” “I think I’m dreaming but everything points towards that not being the case. Multiple Santa’s? How is that possible. How is one Santa even possible? You would notice if your child got a toy that you didn’t buy, wouldn’t you?... but all that being said… I am honored to be here. From all the information we were told, it is an achievement to even be standing here it seems.” Out of the corner of his eye Vince saw a scrawny red-haired man walking towards them. “Blaine’s the name and giving is the game.” He said with a slight southern accent, “I don’t know what I did to be here right now but it has to be my calling. What do the two of you call yourselves?” Vince and Nick answer Blaine and make small talk for an awkward amount of time.
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After a couple hours half a dozen elves walk in “change of plans” one addresses to the group. “There was a miscommunication that needed to be addressed. The department heads will speak to you in the morning. Here are a pair of pajamas for each of you, now please follow us.” When they exited the room the only thing out there was a long hallway that seemed endless. It only took them a few minutes to reach each of their rooms though. “Everyone will need a roommate for now” they were told. Blaine pushed his way between Vince and Nick. “Let’s go buddy, we can share a room.” Blaine said to Vince before pulling him away from Nick. They went to their respective rooms for the night.
In the middle of the night Vince woke up thirsty. Trying to find a cup for water, he looked up and down the room, but there was nothing. Well, that room wasn’t too far, I can just go there and back for one. Leaving the room, the hallway was quiet but had a certain warmth to it. A feeling of familiarity that he couldn't remember. Taking off in the direction towards the room Vince started walking but he was unable to see the end. It was only a couple minute walk to the rooms but he has to have been walking for 10 minutes now. Coming to a room, he thought he would see what’s in it and just ask for a cup. When he opened the door though it was his room. Blaine was still in as deep of sleep as when he left. I just walked for ten minutes. Did I go in a circle? He sees the room Nick went into for the night. It was on the opposite side of the hall but had a small red dot on the door the other rooms didn’t have. Slowly opening the door to the other room he was stunned when he saw it was his room, Blaine fast asleep. Starting to panic, he ran down the hall opening every door he came across. Blaine sleeping, Blaine sleeping, BLAINE SLEEPING. Every single room was Blaine sleeping and his empty bed. Giving up he went into the room and on his bed was an empty cup with a note. “He sees you when you’re sleeping, He knows when you’re awake. Next time just ask, it makes things easier. – Santa” How could I have not seen him? The hallway was empty the entire time. Oh.. and.. ‘Santa’? None of the men were introduced as ‘Santa’. Unable to comprehend what just took place Vince filled his cup with water and settled in bed. Tomorrows going to be a long day.