Santa Clause, Human Clause Chapter 7

I don't own the Santa Clause. Disney does. I am only borrowing the characters.

Scene 1: A visit with Charlie

December 17, 2003 dawned at the North Pole. A certain elf breathed a sigh of relief as he wrote in his private journal. 'Entry. December 17, 2003. Its been three days since I found myself in this torture chamber. The Doctor is due to give me my release papers any minute now.'

The door to his room opened and he gazed at the figure standing in the doorway. 'Its. Charlie. He's gotten so tall. Duh you goof. Charlie is now 17.'

"Hey Bernard. I am sorry that I haven't been here to see you before now. I've been helping Dad and Carol with the big Christmas Rush. Oh. Dad also told me to tell you He's sorry that he & Carol haven't been able to visit the last few days. You know how busy he gets with all those last minute emergencies that always pop up."

Bernard tried to put on a smile for the other boy but it never reached his face. "Can you tell them I understand. I remember those emergencies. I loved those emergencies. I lived for those emergencies."

Charlie laughed at the Bernard's sour mood. "Stop being so negative, Bernard. You've had a nice vacation with elf girls at you beck and call. I even understand that they threw in some nice massages."

This statement earned Charlie a dark look from the elf. "Charlie just forgot those sick fantasies that just popped into your head. It was not anything like that. It was more like. 'Hello welcome to torture an Elf. Your victim today will be Bernard. Have a great day.' Contrary to what you may have heard, Charlie I was not having FUN."

Charlie continued to laugh at the elf's antics. His laughter was so infectious that the elf could not keep a smile off his face. But the revelry didn't last when Charlie turned to other matters.

"Well anyway I have a few hours left before Dad has to take me back home. This may be the last time I get to see you this year. You see I can't go with Dad this year on the trip. The whole family is visiting with Neil's sister."

Bernard frowned. "Charlie, your Dad lives for those trips together."

"I know he does but what can I do. This is first time Neil has been able to visit his sister. Mom is insistent that the family stay together on Christmas. It will be kind of hard to sneak off this year. I will be rooming with Cousin Jack."

"Oh you have my sympathies there Charlie. Jack is bad boy. I mean really bad. You may want to help Lucy bake her cookies this year. Jack put laxatives in the cookies his little sister baked for Santa. Of course your Dad already knew this and only pretended to eat them. Watch yourself."

"Don't worry I'll watch myself." He paused. "I've got to get back. I promised Curtis that I would help him on a new invention of his. Hey, when you get sprung from here meet me at the workshop and will get some cocoa."

Bernard smiled. "Thanks. I'd really like that idea. "

Scene 2: Freedom at last.

Bernard had finally completed a battle of physical and physcological tests and was resting. Doctor Edward bent over the readout before him. He glanced back at his eager patient then shook his head.

"Bernard, I have some good news and some bad news. Which news to you want first."

"Hey Doc. Could we skip the bad news altogether."

"I am afraid that is not how it works." said the doctor.

"Ok. Give me the bad news first. That way I will still have the good news to look forward to."

"The physical tests show that you have accepted your new body. The physcological tests are not as good as I hoped. I have come to the conclusion that the panic attacks are not going to be a one time thing. You will have to monitor your stress levels when you leave the pole."

"I see. So in other words. I going to be a basket case out there. Thanks a lot Doc." he snapped angrily

"Bernard, calm down. I am going advise Santa to find a place for you that will have a good counseling service. These counselors will be there to help you with any physcological problems that may arise. " the doctor said gently. He saw Bernard breathing was becoming erratic.

"Remember your breathing exercises that we taught you."

Bernard nodded and started the exercises. "Okay Doc. You said that you had some good news."

"Good news is that I am going to release you. I see no reason to keep you confined any longer. You are free man."

"Hey Doc. The good news is kind of a let down."

"Oh I'm so sorry Bernard. I didn't know that you enjoyed your stay here so much. I can let you stay for a couple of days longer if you like. " The doctor joked.

"Did I say let down. I meant to say that was the greatest news I could possible receive. Believe me. I have seen all of this place as I can possible stand." He snorted back to the doctor.