III, Voice;

[malodorous]

Right, um. I have a question.

Is it lying to little kids if I get a job pretending to be Santa Claus?

I mean, I know it's lying, I guess I just... Is it a mean thing to do? 'Cause I have this reindeer, and somebody offered, and extra money's never bad, you know? But I'd feel bad if I was lying like that, and if it might be, like, morally questionable.

I didn't know people went around telling kids they're Santa, that's all. Is that just a thing they do here? A-okay?

Comments

audio

[boobwindow]

It's not mean. Kids love these stories and they need something to believe in.

Someone offered you a temp job?

audio

[malodorous]

Yeah. I mean, it's probably just 'cause of Sven, but... Yeah.

I didn't know lots of people dressed up as Santa.

audio

[boobwindow]

It's a big thing here. Kids love Santa and people love taking their kids to see him. It puts them in a good mood and the holiday spirit.

They've got Santas lined up all over Manhattan back home. Some of them have had territorial disputes.

audio

[malodorous]

Seriously? [ Territoral Santa fights. Wow. ]

Well, I wouldn't want to have to get into it with another Santa.

audio

[boobwindow]

Don't start asking for donations on someone else's corner and you'll be fine.

[ A brief pause. ]

Speaking of jobs, I wanted to talk to you about that.

audio

[malodorous]

Oh, uh... Okay.

Shoot.

audio

[boobwindow]

Mainly, how have you been on the job front?

audio

[malodorous]

I still take care of horses. I can't talk to 'em anymore, but... They're still pretty easy to handle. I help take care of the building, too.

audio

[boobwindow]

With all the talk about the housing and benefits a while back, I was wondering if you felt secure enough with your job. I know someone who might be able to help you with a job if you ever need it.

audio

[malodorous]

Oh, yeah... I didn't pay a lot of attention to that, honestly. Maybe I should have. I never registered, you know.

What kind of job would it be?

audio 1/2

[boobwindow]

You... should pay attention to things like that.

audio 2/2

[boobwindow]

How do you feel about construction?

audio

[malodorous]

[ Maybe he'll ignore that first bit, because WHOOPS... ]

Well. I haven't done it, but I don't see why I couldn't. It's been on my list before.

audio

[boobwindow]

You have a list?

audio

[malodorous]

Well, yeah. Sorta. In my head, I guess. I like to think about what else I could do here. Just in case.

audio

[boobwindow]

Not a bad idea.

You want me to talk to him?

audio

[malodorous]

Sure. Learning to build things a little better might be nice.

Do you think it pays better than taking care of the horses and the stable?

audio

[boobwindow]

Definitely. Plus you'll get better coverage since construction has safety hazards.

audio

[malodorous]

Ooh. Safety hazards.

audio

[boobwindow]

Nothing exciting about broken bones, Kristoff.

audio

[malodorous]

Probably not, but a little potential danger can make the work day a bit more exciting.

audio

[boobwindow]

Don't get any ideas now.

audio

[malodorous]

Don't worry. That's not really my forte.

Maybe I'm just missing something in my life without the near-daily threat of hypothermia.

audio

[boobwindow]

That doesn't sound fun, but have you considered moving out of Florida?

audio

[malodorous]

You mean since I tried to leave the first time? Not really. I mean, I guess I've thought about it, but... There's money, and jobs, and people, and all that stuff to consider.

I guess it's just easier staying here.