[ WP ] A budding young sociopath sits on Santa 's lap .

`` Nothing? What do you mean Nothing?'' I asked the Kid. `` Well now, Every little boy has to want something for Christmas!?'' I tried to sound jovial as I spoke through 
 the beard. 
 I loved the difficult ones.. I was great at these games kids play with their parents. 
 It was n't his response that caught me off guard rather the manner in which he said it. It was as if he had 
 calculated the answer but was n't really telling the truth. He really was an intense kid. 
 `` I do n't want any toys, nothing like that... I have little use for them'' he whispered. 
 He had my attention now. 
 
 You get like that working in a department store for hours on end. I liked listening to the bright ones, the shy ones made me laugh.. I took the 
 job because I really like kids and I had volunteered at the community hall one year and the manager here asked me to go full time as their store Santa Claus when he took his own kids to see me. 
 The extra cash was great and all I had to do was sit there and smile. 
 
 The pale little 8 year old on my lap went on `` Look I know you're not the real Santa, but I'm also clever enough to know that you work for him. I want you to arrange for him 
 to be at my house earlier than usual this year. I have a proposition for him.'' 
 At first I was offended, most kids his age thought I was the real deal... This little guy thought he had it all figured out. `` Whats your name son? I can tell you I AM the real Santa Claus and 
 if you tell me what it is exactly you want.... I can make it happen if you're EXTRA good this year.'' 
 
 He drew a breath and looked me straight in the eye through my sole `` OK. I need my parents murdered. Both of them. And I can pay you cash now. Fifteen thousand dollars.'' I did n't know where to look but right 
 back at him.. Come to think of it... I did n't see his parents anywhere either... 
'Damien is my name, I live 3 blocks away on Springfield avenue. Do we have a deal or do I have to tell your manager you touched me down there?''.... 
 
 [ Edit 1 - Formatting and Spelling. Apologies - `` manor'' - > `` manner'' ]
