General Manager POV
Business is booming!
First day working with this new "Santa" and the number of customers within the store has just broken the old record.
Hiring him was the best decision Cole's department store has made this year!
"Excuse me. Are you the Manager?"
Turning around a women holding several shopping bags and a small child by the hand was speaking to me.
"Yes ma'am I am"
"Well my son just asked Santa for a Commando motorcycle, but here at Cole's it cost $16 and doesn't come with any batteries"
"I'm sorry to hear that ma'am, but we do carry batteries in store if you require any."
"Actually that won't be necessary. Toys "R" Us has the motorcycle for $12. They also throw in batteries for free"
"I find that hard to believe... Where did you get your information?"
"From your Santa Claus"
...
"What?"
"Yep! If you don't have it or it's too expensive, he's sending people where they can get it for less"
"What?!"
"I just wanted to say thank you. Any store that put the family before the almighty dollar before Christmas has earned my business. You tell Mr. Cole that his Santa Claus ought to get a raise."
...
What?
thirty minutes later
After numerous customers came forward, talking about the information Santa gave them and how grateful they were, I decided to visit Ms. Walker
After hearing all the gratitude, I came up with new strategy based on what Santa did. It is either the most insane plan ever or the most brilliant.
Either way I needed to talk with Ms. Walker.
Upon explaining the proposal to her and the inspiration. She looked at me like I was crazy
"Mr. Cole will never go for it"
"Why not?"
"Because it is insane! Sending customers to our competitors for a better deal!?! Why not just lower our prices to match theirs!"
"Because it isn't about who has the lowest price, but about which store has set aside their own profits for the sake of helping the average family during the holidays. Think about all the good publicity we will gain!
And if this works we can be expecting a big bonus."
... "I don't know... It sounds like a huge risk"
"I think it is wonderful and I hope you will back me up when I bring it up to Mr. Cole"
...
Ms. Walker took a moment of silence, but then she answered "Ok, but if he throws us out of the office I'm going to be upset"
"Noted"
Santa POV
Three Days Later
I knew that when I made that suggestion to the mother it would have an effect, but I never realized how big of an effect it would be.
Not only did Cole's and their competitor, Shopper's Express, adopt my plan, but several other businesses tried variations of the idea.
Furniture, clothes, perfume, even sporting good stores, as more businesses jumped onto the bandwagon, the more attention was drawn to Cole's and their Santa Claus.
a.k.a Me
Still I had a great time talking to the kids and socializing with others. Still I knew that the good times wouldn't last forever.
But for today the fated meeting occurred. As I finished speaking with a young girl another girl came up.
She wore a black bow headband along with a dark green stripped coat over her dress.
It was Susan Walker, the daughter of Ms. Walker, and one of the protagonist of our little tale. Before I could speak she stretched out her hand towards me and spoke formally.
"Hello Sir"
Shaking her hand I respond "Hello... here let me help."
"I am Susan Walker, what is your name?"
"Well I go by many names, but the one you know best would probably be Santa Claus"
"My Mother is Ms. Walker she is the one who originally hired you, so I know you are just an employee... Still you are the best looking Santa I have seen, the beard looks real"
"Because it is real. Go ahead... give it a pull"
As she gave my beard a small tug a look of surprise appears on her face.
"Do you believe me now and it is not just the beard, the suit is real too."
"It does look nice"
"Why thank you. Now is there anything you want this year"
"No thank you. My mother buys me all my gifts"
"O? and what about the gentleman who brought you here, is he your father?"
Susan pointing toward the gentleman "That is Mr. Bedford, he is my friend, I don't know where my father is"
"I see... well your mother is walk our way and she looks a bit displeased. It was nice meeting you Susan and I hope to speak with you again."
"Thank you sir, and have a pleasant day!"