Nobody seems to care about anyone else, except during the holidays. It’s so depressing. Guess I’ll pick up a snack to beat-the-blues. Hmmm... donut or ice cream binge. 

Oh my gosh, a Santa suit for sale in the Goodwill Store.

During the Christmas season, excited children play on the streets and everyone wears smiles.  Now, when I look around at the people rushing by, most of them wear scowls on their faces.

Where did all the happy people go? Makes me feel like crying.

I’ve got to have it.  Please let it be for sale, God.

“How much for the Santa Claus suit?” 

The sales clerk is looking at me like I’m nuts.  She probably can’t believe I came in here to ask about the Santa stuff.

“Twenty-nine dollars.”

“I’ll take it.”

“We didn’t expect to sell this for nine or ten more months. Are you getting a very early start on the season? Or maybe a costume party?”

That smug look on her face tells me she doesn’t believe I really want it. 

“Well, I’ve been feeling down since Christmas. People go from happy during the holidays and return quickly to old sourpusses. My Psych class requires a term paper this semester on the human condition. I think I’ll set up a scenario exposing people to usual events at unusual times. Then I’ll document their reactions.  Do you think it’ll force some smiles or confuse them when they see Santa on the street next week?”

The clerk smiled at me and placed the Santa suit in a bag. 

“Let me know how it goes--should be interesting.”

This experiment will make me feel happier than I have since early January. I won’t even need the donuts or ice cream today.

*

Today’s my free day from classes and the day of the study for my term paper. 

I think I’ll stuff the Santa suit with bed pillows so it will look more like jolly old St. Nick’s belly. The beard and mustache cover my face and I’ll tuck my long hair up in the red, fur-trimmed hat. 

Think I’ll take a minute to practice my ‘Ho-Ho-Ho.’ 

Guess that’s the lowest voice I can manage. 

I look pretty believable in this mirror, even for a girl.

Let’s see.  Car keys? Check. Lollipops and quarters for the kiddies? Check. Ho-ho-ho’s in my pocket? Check.  I’m outta here.

Glad I parked the car on a side street. The streets are pretty crowded today. I’ll just walk to the department store on Main Street. It’s not very far.

Oh my, I’m receiving many suspicious stares, but no smiles. I hope we do better when we get to our corner.

I’m cheerfully delivering a “Ho-Ho-Ho and Merry Christmas”  to each person passing by but getting no reactions yet.  They act like I’m invisible. Maybe when I get set up in a definite location and start passing out the goodies, it will be different.

Okay, here I am, people.  Santa’s here and ready for some smiles.

I just pulled a lollipop and quarter from my bag and handed it to a curly haired tot.  The child’s eyes danced with enthusiasm, but the mother tightened her grip on the child’s hand and pulled her far away from me. This is not going as I planned.

“Shame on you for getting a child excited and confused when it’s not Christmas.” 

That young guy, professional-looking in a three piece, gray pin-striped suit passed by with a nasty comment.

“Sales so low you have to start the season ten months early?”

Disapproving and disbelieving stares continue without a smile or friendly response.What’s wrong with these people?  No sense of humor? All a bunch of grouches?

Their rude comments sting.  This poor Santa is about to cry.

“What are you? A weirdo?”

“Hey Santa, ya got Alzheimer’s? This is February.”

Not one person or child will accept my lollipop or quarter.

I didn’t expect this kind of reception. I was positive people would laugh, stop being serious just for a minute, and smile for me. 

I’m going home. What? Why is this security officer from the department store grabbing my arm?

“You’re trespassing on our property and don’t have permission to solicit here.”

“I’m not soliciting. I’m not doing anything wrong, either.  I’m doing some research for a school project.”

“Yeah, yeah, tell it to the cops.”

Oh, no. Here come the police. What do I do now?

Both of those policemen are smiling.  Maybe they won’t be upset when I tell them what I’m doing. 

“Okay, Santa, what’s your story?”

At least, they understood.  They even thought it was a great idea.  I guess they’re right. I shouldn’t have done it right in front of a place of business, though.  

“Believe me, officers, you’re the only people who have smiled at me today.

Glad they let me off the hook so I can head back to campus.

Oh well, guess I have what I need for my term paper anyway. I even have the title for it.

“Don’t Mess with Tradition.”