Snow fell outside of Scott's window, adding to the ever growing lump on the windowsill. He watched flakes as they twirled, dancing with their partners as they descended. Two dancers in particular whirled around each other in their mortal waltz, encircling one another, until finally they grasped each other. Their fragile crystals enveloped the other, and they continued their plummet downward until they landed upon the piled snow. It was then that they disappeared, unseen in the blinding white, forever intertwined after their lifelong dance. The beauty of this, the romance of this, caused a deep sense of yearning in Scott's heart. Fear began to enter his mind, that he would not find the right partner before his dance was over, and he was lost in the snow.
Before the frost painted borders on the window panes, and the hollering of the workshop was only a whisper, Scott had been happy. This was during the summer season, his second favorite season, and his easiest. Though the sun didn't bring enough warmth in the North Pole, he found no issue going on vacation in the short time he had to do so. It would give him time that he would spend with his son, Charlie. It would give him time to spend with his wife, Carol. It would give him time to unwind after the harrowing Christmas season passed.
What he found on this vacation, however, was anything but relaxing. Scott left home with his wife, and returned by himself.
Carol was unusually quiet on the sleigh ride to Charlie's house, which was something that Scott noticed immediately. Countless tries to find what discontented her so were unsuccessful. Scott's attitude about the entire trip then started to shift.
Seeing his son once more allowed his spirits to rise, however. It was always a surprise to Charlie how his father would arrive. It was a gamble whether he would be seen with his signature white beard and rotund frame, or his thin clean shaven face. It could also be anywhere in between, depending on how long after the holidays it was.
This time, Scott still held on to some weight, but mostly maintained the same appearance he had during Charlie's childhood. Instead of his bright red suit, he instead dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans. It was sometimes hard for Charlie to process the change his father went through from his jolly gift-giving persona, to his regular, Scott Calvin self. He definitely thought that Santa should at least be able to afford better shoes, than the ones Scott wore with tears along the sides.
Scott was welcomed with warm embraces, even from his ex-wife Laura and her husband Neil. The only person who wasn't smiling was Carol, who still sulked and stayed silent throughout the stay.
After many dinners and celebrations, Scott knew it was time to go back home. His home and work, intertwined and one. Though Christmas lay many months ahead, preparations must begin early to meet the deadlines set by Bernard. So, everyone said their goodbyes, and Scott loaded up his sleigh once more. Only this time, Carol was hesitant to board.
"Aren't you coming?" Scott asked, implying some sarcasm in his tone. Of course she would be coming, where else would she go?
"No, Scott. I'm not going back with you. Not this time. Not anymore" Carol spoke coldly. Scott could only stand there, her words barely making sense in his mind, twisting into knots and falling into pieces.
"What- What do you mean?" His face dropped, leaving any jolliness to fade away.
"I can't do it anymore" Carol began, wrapping her arms around herself and turning away from Scott. "Your work. You're always working. I can't do it like you do, Scott, and it's not fair to either of us if I stay."
"Carol, I deliver toys to kids all around the world in one night, there's going to be a lot of work to do. But even then, I make time for you. I brought us down here on vacation."
"And it's one week a year that I leave the North Pole. One week a year that you're not out of your mind, worrying about broken machinery or low elf employment. If I can only have you, the real you, for one week a year, what's the point?" Tears gathered in her eyes.
"You knew I was Santa when you married me, what changed?" Scott asked.
"I don't know. Maybe I did." She replied, refusing to meet his gaze. Scott could see in her eyes that she was hiding something in her words, closing something inside a chest and locking it away deeper into her mind.
"There's something else. Isn't there?" He questioned. Carol bit her lip.
"Yes. Something I haven't been telling you. Scott, I think I've fallen in love with someone else." Her words launched from her mouth and pierced Scott's chest. He could have fallen to his knees, stunned and broken. She was a hunter and he was a deer, with an arrow ripping into his heart. With his bleeding wound, Scott gripped all his strength and turned to Carol furiously.
"Who?" He asked, though it sounded more like a demand.
"Scott, please…" Carol started.
"No, I deserve to know who. What's his name?" Scott yelled. Carol attempted to gather herself together, wiping tears from her cheeks.
"His name… His name is Inigo Montoya." This information hung in the air, solid and dark like a storm cloud.
"Who the Hell is that?" Scott flung his arms up in a questioning motion. He almost laughed, as if this had all been the worst set up to a joke, and that was the punchline.
"I met him during our last trip. We hit it off, and before I knew it we were talking even after you and I went back home. I think I've fallen in love with him, and I want to be with him. He also has a sexy hot accent."
"I can't believe this," Scott muttered.
"I'm sorry, Scott," Carol said. "I really am. I wish things could be different, but I can't ignore how I feel." Scott wished things could be different too. Maybe if he were different. Maybe if he had done something better, maybe she would have stayed. Maybe she wouldn't have been able to fall in love with another person in the first place. Maybe.
All of these 'maybe's, all of the possibilities flooded his brain in a storm that raged on even after Carol was long gone, fading into a distant memory. Even while he watched the snow gracefully falling past his window. Some say that December snow holds magic in it; leaving breadcrumbs leading to Christmas. That if you catch a snowflake on your tongue, you might just have one of your wishes granted. This snow, however, didn't feel like magic to Scott. It felt like the pouring sand in an hourglass, and he was running out of time.
He had to get to work, since he was already late. If he waited any longer to lift himself out of bed, he knew a crowd of elves would gather outside his window calling for him. With a sigh, he stood and stroked his long white beard in contemplation. There would be only nine more nights until Christmas Eve. Nine more sleepless nights for Scott, and all of the anticipating children.
After dressing in his red suit, making sure that the white fur trim laid just right, Scott headed out for the factory. Upon entering, the elf in charge, Bernard, approached him. He spoke rapidly, discussing progress reports, updates on which materials have run out, and comments of the latest elf labor strike. Bernard complained of low numbers, and how production was weeks behind schedule. This whirlwind of information blew past Scott's head, since his head still remained foggy from his sleep.
Bernard was right, of course. Things were not looking good on the factory floor. That is, if one could still see the floor. Wrapping paper and boxes, gadgets and gizmos littered the ground. Scott had to watch his step, or his foot could land on little Sally's freshly built doll. The elves were frantic, running about from station to station, filling empty spots and picking up the work left to be done.
"How did it get this bad?" Scott wondered aloud.
"Well, it's hard to remain organized when Santa has been depressed for months, not even leaving his house." Bernard snapped. Attitude wasn't unexpected when speaking with Bernard, but this was something different. Scott found traces of what he thought to be annoyance, and feared to be resentment.
"I know, I'm sorry that I haven't been around-"
"No, I don't think you do know," Bernard interrupted. "Maybe you would know if you've been here for the last several months. Maybe you would know if you dealt with the thousands of complaints from the faculty about working twenty-three hours a day! You haven't gone to the store in weeks. All we have is candy and cookies, the elves are on a sugar high and you'd think that would increase productivity, but the sugar crashes are grisly. We are running out of supplies. . ." Bernard looked at his feet, then at Scott. His eyes, honest and desperate. Scott paced back and forth, his fingers lightly brushing against his lips in thought. Scott's eyes went wide, he turned to Bernard with a smile
"Curtis could go! He has been to Illinois before, he could go-"
"Santa!" His voice cracked, Bernard pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath, "You! You need to get out of here!" His voice was sharp and high pitched. His eyebrows were so furrowed they could have morphed into one if they tried. Scott tried looking away but Bernard followed his gaze. "Go." He patted his shoulder and gave Scott a quick smile before walking away yelling at elves to get back to work. Scott could feel his stomach in his throat. His face felt like fire.
"What if this is the end?" Scott thought to himself. The end of Christmas, a doomsday event for the people of the North Pole. For people like Scott. This was his entire life, and he was distraught thinking he might have just blown it.
"Santa," the elf named Judy called. She was carrying a silver tray with hot cocoa, and desperately tried to maneuver through the mess without spilling any.
"Hot cocoa, Santa?" She asked, as sweet as ever. Scott nodded, finding an empty workbench to sit at. Judy precariously brings the streaming cocoa over to him.
"I heard your… discussion with Bernard. I'm sure he's just in a mood with all that's been going on. He'll cool down."
"No, he's right," Scott began. "I haven't been here and it's my fault that we're so behind. Maybe I should leave." Judy frowned.
"I don't think you should leave," She stated. Judy tried a comforting smile, but to no use. Scott just sipped from his mug, and burnt his mouth in the process. He didn't so much as flinch, however. He deserved it, he thought. He deserved a burnt tongue.
"Don't get so down," Judy urged. "We can't have a Santa without spirit." As she said this, Scott finished his cocoa, leaving a brown mustache above his lip.
"Maybe it's time for a new Santa, then. I'm obviously of no use to anyone." Scott cleared his throat, ridding the bubble forming in it, and any sadness that could be heard in it.
"Is this still about Carol?" Judy questioned.
"I haven't been the same since she left," Scott said. Judy looked away, almost in remembrance of his recent behavior.
"It's not the same without a Mrs. Claus," Judy nodded. Wiping the 'stache from his lip, Scott rose from his seat.
"Not Mrs. Claus. Not to me. She was Carol. She was beautiful, and sweet, and lovely. And I lost her. My snowflake-" Scott pauses when he feels Judy's hand touch his arm.
"There's still someone out there for you, I know it. You just need to find them." Judy's appeals still didn't get through to him. He shook his head, and pulled his arm from her grasp. None of his predecessors had to find another Mrs. Claus. They had all lived long, happy lives, for their entire lives. Scott had failed them, in more ways than one, he figured.
"You don't just find someone like that. She was one of a kind."
"It's not about finding another Carol, it's finding someone for you. Carol wasn't for you. If she was, she wouldn't have left. That alone should tell you it wasn't meant to be. But there's someone out there." Judy reassured him. Scott pouted, contemplating her words.
"Where do I start trying to find someone?" He finally asked.
"First, you just need to get out of here. Go somewhere nice. Relax a little bit. I mean this in the best way possible, but you need some TLC before you can jump back into dating."
"Like the TV channel?" Scott raised an eyebrow.
"Like 'Tender Loving Care', Scott. You need a vacation." Judy shook her head.
"You're right," He responded. "You're right. I have to go get my mind off things. Thank you for all of your help." Judy smiled warmly. She picked up the now empty cup of cocoa and placed it back on her tray.
"That's what I'm here for." She took her tray and headed back through the factory, again placing caution in each step to keep herself from tripping.
Scott thought long and hard about his conversation with Judy. A vacation did sound nice. Of course, it was also what brought this mess in the first place. What if it only sets everyone back even further? They've missed his absence so far, he thought, they're probably better off without him in the way. Especially when his mind is still clouded.
The only issue that remained was the decision of where he should go. He had seen the whole world when he would do his job every year. The grand sights that would once have put him in awe were now views that he was used to. The Northern cold was home to him, so any place too tropical would be far beyond his comforts. So what would be a place that wasn't too warm, not too special, and not too familiar, but calming enough? After pondering for a while, Scott had come to a conclusion.
So, with that, he prepared his flight to England. He would be allowed one reindeer to make the trip, and a smaller model of his signature sleigh.
The reindeer was one still in training, but he was sure to make the trip easily. His name was Juno, and his antlers curved in a peculiar way, which proved to be a hassle when his reins were to be strapped around his head. As Scott was walking toward the reindeer, Juno was bouncing and jumping like a revving engine ready to fly. The elf tasked to rein him was dragged and dropped with every pull from Juno.
"You should be all set," Bernard stated, scanning over his checklist for the fifth time.
"And this won't put everyone too far behind?" Scott worried.
"It will be difficult, especially without a Santa, but it wouldn't be the first time." The arch elf reassured him.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Bernard sighed. "You think with all the Santas we've gone through, they've never taken a year off? That is just usually the year that kids get more socks than toys." Scott raised his eyebrows, now suddenly understanding all those childhood years of opening packages of socks Christmas morning.
"I'm sorry I gave you a hard time for it, though" Bernard said.
"No, don't apologize, Bernard."
"I just… I didn't want you to end up like some of the other Santas we've had. There have been once or twice where one of them decides he doesn't like the job so he just leaves. But the thing is, I've been indifferent all those times, and I didn't really care when they left and a new one started, but with you… I think you're a great Santa. It would be a great loss to the world if you quit. And an even bigger loss for us." Bernard looked down, shyly. Scott beamed, having never gotten such a compliment, especially from someone like Bernard. He placed a hand on the elf's shoulder.
"I'm not going anywhere, I promise. I mean- Well, I am going somewhere right now, but what I mean is I'll be back. I'm not going to quit on you." Each word Scott said acted more as reassurance to himself than for Bernard. He hadn't admitted what his intentions were for keeping his job, but now he was sure of it. He was Santa. He has been Santa from the moment the last Santa fell from his roof, and he will be until he eventually falls off some poor sap's roof.
Bernard smiled, taking his hand and using it to grip Scott's, and promptly dropped his smile and flung Scott's arm away.
"Now get out of here, there's important work to do." He snapped, his tone balancing the line between teasing and serious.
Scott lifted himself into the sleigh, adjusting to the size difference from his usual one. He grabbed the reins, which whipped and jostled from Juno's excitement. After the runway was cleared, and Bernard gave him the okay, he snapped the reins which cued Juno to take off.
The elves waved goodbye, and Scott heard their voices become faint as he made more and more distance. The arctic cold then surrounded him, feeling comforting rather than freezing. It acted as one last embrace, a farewell from his home, before the factory lights became pinpoint stars behind him.
Juno, still bursting with enthusiasm pulled the sleigh in jagged motions; flying in twirls that left Scott holding onto his seat in fear of falling off. The ride would be long and bumpy, very bumpy, but it would be worth it. At least, that's what Scott tried to convince himself in an attempt to hold down the contents of his stomach. He felt as though he was on the world's worst roller coaster, and he never did have the best relationship with amusement parks.
Scott didn't care for heights either when he first started. That in itself took a long time to get over, and a lot of exposure therapy, prescribed and conducted by Bernard. It wasn't until one night in particular, when Scott witnessed a thunderstorm from his position above the clouds. He soared right over top, looking down into a magnificent lightshow. Lightning bolts lit in the sky like Christmas lights. The sight was beautiful, far beyond anything Scott had ever seen. It began then that he loved flying, and even looked forward to it.
The night wasn't like the one when it had stormed, and there was no lightshow to view, but Scott found it breathtaking anyway. The view was better than the one from his bedroom window, and that alone was enough to lift his mood.
The night had faded, slipping beneath the wispy clouds and allowing the sun to start it's journey over the horizon. Scott yawned, and so did Juno, who had finally calmed and tired himself. After what seemed like ten minutes Scott picked up his motorola brick phone from the side of the sleigh and dialed for the elf operator, which was just Curtis, the line rang only once before it was violently picked up. Curtis was breathing heavily and screaming at some elves.
"Hello Santa." He seemed eerily calm. Scott shook it off and checked his watch.
"Hi. . . Curtis. . . So I was wondering if you could give me the address of a hotel in London? I forgot to check before I left.
"Sure, sure. . . SHUT UP!"
"What?!"
"Sorry Santa, that was for, uh, someone else."
"Is everything okay? Do I need to come back?"
"No, no of course not. Everything is under control here…" Curtis trailed off.
"Are you sure?" Scott asked. "That didn't sound very convincing."
"Totally, everything is just fin- No! No! Don't pour water on the flames, you have to cover them!" Curtis began to yell again to someone in the background. Scott's eyes widened.
"Flames?" He exclaimed. Scott gripped his head in distress.
"Just small ones," Curtis claimed unconvincingly. "Not even a problem, they're already mostly out. You go relax now, boss. See you when you get back! No- No see this is why I said no water! Look, now the flames are even bigger! No, Jeff, it is your fault! Oh crap, I didn't hang up yet. Bye Santa." The line went dead, and Scott could only sit there bewildered. He wanted to turn around, reverse all of the progress he'd made and return to the factory and try to settle the situation. But the conversation with Bernard came into his mind, he knew he needed this and that for him to be a better Santa, he would need a break once in a while. He tightened his grip on the reins and shouted for Juno to go faster. Scott looked at the thriving city below them and tried to see any sign for a hotel near him, luckily there was a big building that had hundreds of windows. Scott lowered the sleigh a bit, not far enough for people to see him of course, but when he found out what it was his eyes widened and a smile slowly grew on his face.
"The Four Seasons…." The yellow glow of the lights made his eyes sparkle like golden stars. "See Juno, this is what I'm talking about. Perfect." Scott laughed and flew his sleigh down to the ground where no one seemed to be. He hopped off and covered Juno with a fur blanket that he had in the back. With a lively spring in his step he walked to the front of the fancy hotel. He was immediately taken aback with the sight he met past those doors. Scott has never been in an establishment quite like this! The walls, floors and columns were all made out of marble. The smell of money filled the air. "Wow." Scott whispered to himself.
He walked over to the concierge desk, but it didn't seem like anyone was there. His eyebrows furrowed and he hesitantly rang the bell. A bald man came running from the back. He greeted Scoot, but not until he noticed the piece of cheese he was holding.
"Oh….ha ha! I'm so sorry." He stuffed the cheese into his mouth and swallowed almost immediately. He cleared his throat and finally gave Scott his full attention.
"Hello! Welcome to the Four Seasons! My name is Wallace, how may I help you?"
"Err, I would like your best room please!" Scott's face lit up, he was hopeful for this vacation. It has been so long since the last one he took, which was before he met Carol.
"Oh, Carol." Scott couldn't help but think about his ex-wife. No! Scott mustn't think this! It's never good to feel sorry for yourself!
"Gromit . . . Gromit! Gromit!" Suddenly a small tan dog with brown ears walked out of the back room, sipping a cup of tea.
"Gromit, could you help this nice customer to the presidential suite?" The dog dropped his cup of tea, stood straight and saluted Wallace, and the bald man did the same. Gromit walked up to Scott and gestured for him to follow him. They both got on the elevator near the desk and Scott tried to make conversation, but the dog just looked at him expressively. After seven dings of the elevator doors opened and Gromit walked out and Scott looked confused. What the elevator doors unveiled was a huge room about the size of one of the floors. Scott couldn't believe it, he felt something in his chest. Happiness? Maybe. Scott's eyes glazed over and he walked through the room, touching the surface of everything. Then, he noticed the huge bed. He ran over to it and flopped on top of it causing the pillows and blankets to fly off. Gromit walked over to him and handed him a pamphlet of things you can do at the hotel. He saluted Scott and left.
"Oh my gosh, this is amazing!" He exclaimed to himself falling deeper into the soft bed. Scott had a feeling that this trip was going to help him forget Carol, he didn't know why, but he had a feeling.
