21st Century Santa

It’s Christmas with a twist at Jimmy’s out-of-date shopping centre

- Ali Loconte

‘WANTED: Santa for Brad hall Shopping Centre. Immediate start. Good pay offered to the right candidate.”

The advert had attracted 12 applicants. Jimmy Johnson, the centre manager, had started off the day with a detailed wish list.

But after a full day of interviews, he’d whittled the wish list down to three key qualities: a friendly manner, good with children and – most importantly – doesn’t have a laugh like a super-villain.

He mopped his brow as he waited for the final prospective Santa to arrive.

Unless you were under the age of 10, he reflected, Christmas was a highly stressful time of year. And this was especially true if you were the manager of a large and failing shopping centre.

“Bradhall’s days are numbered,” claimed the headline in the local newspaper today. “The centre is a relic of the dark ages with outdated décor and facilities . . .”

Jimmy knew his shopping centre needed a facelift, but the money simply wasn’t there. A new mall had recently opened out of town. Thanks to a huge advertising campaign, it had stolen most of Bradhall’s business.

Even now, in the lead-up to Christmas, Bramhall was half-empty and stores were closing down. His publicity budget this year? A big fat zilch.

Ah, here was candidate 12 – in full costume, fluffy white beard and all.

“You’re keen,” Jimmy said.

His candidate nodded and smiled.

“We normally supply the costume,” Jimmy said.