Around the same time, or slightly afterwards, Mrs. Waitaweill was in the process of answering Martin, who was watching one of the tv's at the Waitaweill's home. "Mrs. Waitaweill, I think you better come watch this," came a call from the other room. I don't think you're going to like it!" came Martin's voice from the other room.
"What is it?" Mrs. Waitaweill asked, worried.
"I think you better come see for yourself," came Martin's voice, as Fabian's mother walked into the room.
"Today, hundreds of children turned up at the mall to welcome Santa Claus, as in years past," blared the voice from the television, "just this year has proved to be different. This year Santa Claus has been seemingly upstaged by a small boy with pointed ears." The camera panned to Santa, and confirmed Mrs. Waitaweill's worst fear. "Pointed ears that could probably convince his own mother, and, yes, you've got it, an impeccable green complexion." The camera zoomed in, and there, in the high definition was Morik's face, plastered across the screen.
"I told you that you wouldn't like it," said Martin, noting the look on Mrs. Waitaweill's face, which was about as pale as Morik's was green at the moment.
Just then, the telephone rang. Fabian's voice came mercifully on the other line. "Mom, I think we know where Morik might be."
"Fabian, stay right where you are," came Mrs. Waitaweill's response. I'll pick you up. I know where Morik is," she added, "and I'm afraid half the city does too.
"I'll stay right here. How can you be so sure you know where he is for certain?" Fabian asked.
"Oh, I'm sure. Is that a TV I hear where you're calling from?"
"Sure, it's right over th......... Oh my gosh! Mom, drop the phone, and let's hope you get here quick. It's on the way. I'll be waiting!"
"So where are the toys?" Morik asked, back at the mall, ignoring the surprised look on Santa's face, and pretty much everybody present.
Santa still just sat there with his mouth agape, not yet able to say anything.
"Hey, mommy, I didn't know elves were green!" came the voice of a little girl, breaking the silence.
"I didn't know either," came the mother's response. "I guess I haven't kept up on these things. That's the first green elf I've ever seen. In fact that's the only elf I've ever seen, now that I think of it. Maybe there supposed to be green now a days.
"What's wrong?" Morik asked Santa, ignoring the crowd around him. "Oh I get it," Morik postulated. "The elves already got here and finished. Can I at least see them?" Morik pleaded. "I"d give anything to talk with them. I speak their language. I thought there wasn't anyone like me left."
"I'm afraid you're the only elf around here," Santa stated, with a confused look on his face. "Who are you and what are you doing here??"
"I told you. I'm here to help with the toys. See, I'm little, I have pointy ears, I'm all red and green - Christmas colors!"
"Oooh. I see! I've been asking the mall for help for years, Santa observed. It's just that nobody actually told me they'd finally decided to send it this year. I can't get over how real you look.
"Of course I'm real!" Morik exclaimed, indignant.
"Did you hear that mommy?" a little boy said, somewhere in the crowd. "I told you he was real!"
"You really caught me off guard," Santa explained, directing himself to Morik, still stunned. "They took their time to give me the help I'd asked for, and now I know why! They really went all out this year! I was just expecting an attendant to help me with the kids, and they gave me Lucas Films."
"What's Lucas Films?" Morik asked.
"Don't worry about it," chortled Santa.
"So what should I do?" asked Morik. "Do you need me to go get the toys?"
"They'll all receive their toys later. I just need you to help with the kids. Especially if they're tired, scared, or crying. You know. Just try to help make them feel happy."
"I think I'm going to like this job," Morik stated. Needless to say, there wasn't much crying going on. All were too intent on looking at Morik, who was all smiles, now that he'd found Santa.
'Chuck, call the station! This is just the type of thing we've been looking for," a woman said somewhere in the crowd, who went unnoticed. "Tell them to get here pronto!"
"Can I sit on the elf's lap too? A pair of twins," a boy and a girl, could be heard to say. "He's a real elf. I heard him say so!"
"Yeah, I want my picture with the elf too!" another boy could be heard to say. From an obscure alien in hiding, to beloved helper of Santa, Morik not only felt for the first time that he belonged here. He felt like the most popular boy on the planet. He'd never received so many hugs, nor taken so many pictures in his life!
"Mom, I touched his hears. I tell you, and he's the nicest person I've ever met!!"
"Yeah, and he even has green freckles," another child cut in.
--End of chapter 4--
