The Santa Clause, Human Clause

Author's notes. I just realized that I forgot the disclaimer. I don't own the Santa Clause. Disney does. I am just borrowing the characters.

I also want to thank all of you who have reviewed and added me to your story alerts. I am glad that you are enjoying it.

Scene 1: Home of Neil And Laura Miller, December 14, 2003.

The door to the Miller residence opened and 17 year old Charlie Calvin came bounding in with his report card shouting with joy.

"Mom, I just got my report card. I've exempted all of my finals and therefore I am getting off 4 days early for Christmas Vacation. I know that we are leaving in 5 days to visit Neil's Sister, Pat, out in Nevada. Well I was wondering if I can go to visit with Dad and Carol before we leave on the trip. Please Mom, I would be back on December, 17th. I will have plenty of time to pack for the trip to Aunt Pat's."

"Ok. It's a deal. You've been a good sport in agreeing to go on the trip to Pat's. I know that a desert location is not your ideal Christmas Vacation Locale. "

"Yeah. I go get my snow globe right now. Thanks Mom."

Charlie ran into his room to retrieve the snow globe. He spied his little Sister, Lucy, staring at the item on the shelf.

"Charlie. Can I please hold your snow globe? I want to see its Christmas magic again." She pleaded. Charlie consented. The little girl shook the globe up and gazed upon the ball trying to see her heart's desire.

The snow swirled and flashed and showed her the moving picture of Santa Claus flying on top of Comet, his favorite Reindeer." Lucy laughed and clapped her hands. "Look Charlie. Its Uncle Scott and Comet. You're so lucky, Charlie. You get to help Santa out every year. Mom and Dad wont let me go. They think I'm still too young."

Lucy turned over the snow globe and saw an inscription engraved on the bottom that read. Globe by Bernard. On the 6th day of Month of December, in the year 500 A.D.

"Who's Bernard, Charlie." The little girl asked.

"Bernard is Dad's head elf. He helps make sure the toy factory runs smoothly. If you're lucky one day you may get to meet him." answered Charlie.

Lucy handed the globe back to Charlie and ran out of his bedroom. Pausing at the door she turned back to her older brother. "Thanks Charlie for showing me your snow globe."

"Sure thing Lucy. I am going on a trip for a couple of days but I will see you later in the week."

"You're going to see Uncle Scott aren't you?"

"Yeah. I really miss my Dad. I know that you want to spend time with Santa but I want to spend time with my Dad."

"I understand Charlie."

Charlie packed his things in his backpack. He took the Snow Globe and headed out in his backyard. He shook the globe with all of his heart. "I want to be with my Dad." He looked into the globe and saw a moving picture of Comet flying over the Chicago skyline.

"Romph. Ruter." Called out the reindeer before landing at his feet.

"Hey Comet. Merry Christmas to you too. I am going to the North Pole to see Dad. You want to fly me." Comet gurgled with joy. Charlie gave Comet the carrot that he had snagged from the kitchen. Soon both were flying over the icecap.

Scene 2: Charlie's here.

"Dad. Dad. I have a surprise for you." Charlie ran toward his Father's office brandishing his straight A report card.

Carol watched as her husband opened the door and took his son in his arms shouting with joy. "Carol, I have a straight A's scholar on my hands." The elves looked up as their jolly boss began to dance around the room.

Charlie looked at his report card and started laughing . "Dad, I haven't even shown you the card yet. I keep forgetting that I can't surprise Santa Claus."

Scott stopped and pondered Charlie's words. "Oh yeah. I'm sorry Sport. I am just not the kind of dad that can be surprised."

"Its Ok, Dad."

Charlie turned to Carol. "Most of this report card was due to your tutoring that you gave me this summer, Carol. I really appreciate it."

"My pleasure Charlie. I know that you are a hard worker. You would be able to apply to any college that you choose."

Charlie blushed as he looked down at his watch. "Dad. Shouldn't you be on your Santa toy inspection rounds with Bernard by now. We don't want any flawed toys to go out."

"Bernard is in the infirmary." Scott filled his son on all of the events that had transpired due the last few days.

"You know Charlie, I think you right. I should have begun the inspections by now. I wonder why Curtis hadn't reminded me."

Scene 3: The infirmary.

Bernard woke up and looked down at the watch on his left arm. My arch elf watch. He smiled and read the time. '12:00 P.M. reminder notice. Santa needs to began his daily toy inspection. The Research department needs to begin its final safety checks on the sleighs. Wrapping needs to make more of the little teddy bear drummer print.'

He remembered fondly the first time he received the watch from the retiring Arch Elf, Linus. "Bernard. This watch will help you guide Santa and all of the elves in their assigned tasks. Failure to head this watch can have dire consequences. Be ever vigilant, Bernard.'

A thought suddenly occurred to him. 'Wait a minute. I am no longer the arch elf. This watch by rights no longer belongs to me. It belongs to Curtis. My keeping the watch can be causing untold delays at the plant at this very moment.'

Bernard pushed his call button to the nurses station and hoped it would not be Olga who answered the call.

Bernard frowned when he heard the voice on the other end of the intercom. 'No such luck Bernard. Its Atilla out there.'

"I hear you. I will be there as soon as a finish typing up my report."

"NO WAY WILL I WAIT THAT LONG. I HAVE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION HERE." He screamed into the intercom.

Soon Olga appeared in the doorway. "OK. What's the big emergency."

"You must let me out of here so that I can see Curtis on a very important matter." Bernard gulped.

"NINE" Olga yelled at him reverting to her native German. "The Doctor was quite clear. You are not to even think about work for the next three days. You can read a book. Listen to music. Watch a movie. BUT YOU CAN NOT TO DO ANYTHING WORK RELATED."

"Olga please. I must get the arch elf watch over to Curtis. He wont be able to help Santa without it."

Olga's face softened. "I remember that watch. It used to be my Papa's watch."

Bernard looked up at her in surprise. "I should have remembered. You're Linus's little girl."

He mused about the situation. He found himself removing the watch and handing over to the nurse.

"Olga. I know that I can't leave the infirmary for three days. Would you please take the arch elf watch up to Santa so that he can give it to Curtis."

"Ya. That I can do. I used to think you were a pain in the neck. But I think I was a little harsh in my judgement. You can be nice when you want to be."