Santa Clause, The Human Clause.
Chapter 2: Scene 1: A meeting between Santa and Bernard
It was the talk every where at the North Pole. "Did you hear about Mason. He's looks so Human. He has lost his Sparkle. Its Not only him. Judy and Beth both lost their Sparkles last night." The constant gossiping was getting on the nerves of Santa's Number 1 elf.
"Bernard. They're just worried. Its kind of scary for them to leave the North Pole and all of its magic. Even if the clause is only a temporary one."
"That's no excuse to be gossiping when there is work to be done, Santa. Its nearly December 13. We need to be ready for the Christmas rush." growled Bernard.
"Bernard look at me. They will calm down once the Clause finishes its course. I also know that we are way ahead of schedule. Admit it. You always push the elves to make more toys than is actually needed don't you." asking Santa with a grin.
"Hey Santa, I do not. We need every toy that is being made right at this minute." Argued back Bernard.
"Hey, Bernard. You don't want to end up on the Naughty list for lying to Santa would you." Said Santa while touching his nose.
"HeHe. Okay you got me big guy. Yeah, I always push them to make more. I just don't want any child to be left out on Christmas, Santa. It leads to some embarrassing moments."
"Like how."
"You see Santa, sometimes we mess up and don't get the kid what they really asked for. We have a rule that we try to get every kid for at least one thing on his or her letter. One time we had a letter from a girl who stated a doll like the little girl's best friend had. She also said she wanted a Mystery Date Game. We ran out of game but got her the doll. It seems she really didn't want the doll itself, she was just jealous of her best friend. She stopped believing in Santa because Santa didn't deliver the one present that really mattered to her. I don't want a child to stop believing because they didn't get what they wanted. Do you understand. "
"I understand Bernard. But children still lose their faith in me for other reasons. I know I lost my faith as a child of five when my Father died. I didn't get my faith back until Charlie believed in me and brought me back to the magic of the child in me. Sometimes true faith is not about presents Bernard. Sometimes it's a bit more."
"Not about presents. I just don't understand you humans. I don't think I ever will." Bernard shook his head trying to understand the concept.
"I think I now know why the north pole has a need for some of the elves to live as humans. I talked to Judy. She told me that she isn't scared about living a few years among the humans. Actually she said this would be her fourth time. She is actually looking forward to it."
"Better her than me." Said Bernard with a mock shudder.
Scene 2: An Meeting in the boardroom with the department heads.
"I've called this meeting to assure you that effected elves are alright. They are just going through a stage in their lives where they will go out into the world and learn more about the humankind. When they come back to the pole they will better well rounded elves. I've asked Judy from the Naughty and Nice department to explain her feelings to you so that you can understand." explained Santa.
"Thank you Santa." Judy smiled as she began her talk. "This will be my fourth time as a human data gathering elf among the humans. The first time I went out into the human world was eight hundred years ago. I discovered that not only the children have faith in magic but to some degree so does their parents. A mother and a father do not remember the Santa magic but they will fight tooth and nail for their children's believe in Santa and his magic. They want each children to keep their hopes and dreams for as long as possible. Some of these children have grown up to become authors who maintained some of the magic within them. They have gone on to inspire other children with works that deals with the childhood magic. The Oz series, Alice and Wonderland, and Mary Poppins, are just a few of the many works of adults who still believed in the magic. When I leave to go out in the mortal world for however brief of time, I will learn some of the newer authors that are out there. Tell any of the elves in your department who is facing the change to embrace it. It may have looked like we have lost our magic but actually we are gaining a better look at our magic through they eyes of the children we serve." Judy bowed before she sat down in her chair in the boardroom.
Santa stood back up and motioned for his head elf to stand. "Bernard will also like to make a small announcement as well."
Bernard blew out some air before he began his speech. "Ok guys. I spoke to Santa. We are actually way ahead of schedule for this Christmas. The only items that we need to worry about the last minute gifts that the good little girls and boys decide they suddenly want. As for next years production we will be hiring some new elves to take up any slack. I also want you to assure the elves in your department who are being deployed to the human world that their jobs here at the north pole are secure. The elves who will be out in the mortal world will come back as an asset to our work force. Is there any questions."
Curtis held up his hand. "What is it Curtis?" growled Bernard.
"Sir, do you feel alright? You are looking kind of pale. There is less sparkle in your cheek" asked the number two elf.
"I'm fine Curtis. I guess I always get kind of cranky this close to Christmas. You know that." Replied the elder elf who sat down at his seat at the table.
Santa cleared his throat. "I'm glad to hear it just your normally grumpy self, Bernard. ". Santa turned his attention once again to his department leaders. "Ok guys. That concludes the meeting. I want everyone of you to go back to your posts and reassure the others that being human isn't really all that bad. Hey look at me. I used to live as a human for nearly thirty-five years. Look at me now. I am a what the kids call a jolly old elf. Although I'm not really that old. Not when it comes to elves like Bernard here."
Shortly after the department heads had left, Santa studied his right hand elf more closely. Curtis also began to look more closely at his superior. "You know Bernard. I think Curtis may be right. Maybe you need a vacation from all this stress." Curtis nodded his head in approval. "Yes Santa. He definitely needs a vacation. I can fill in for him for him while he is away."
Bernard glared at the younger elf. "I'm fine Santa." He began to run his fingers in his thick curly hair and began to rub his ears. "I'm just a little tired is all. Read my lips I am fi..." He stumbled over the words as he looked up in shock at his boss.
"Bernard. What's wrong." Asked Santa frowning with concern.
A meek voice answered his question. "Its nothing. Its just my ears have lost their points. Santa. What am I going to do? I don't want to leave the North Pole." exclaimed the elf.