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

Bey Jim, 
 
 This is my letter to let you know that I'm quitting. 
 
 It's nothing personal. I really appreciate you giving me this job and I know that things are especially rough for an old timer like me. But yesterday I saw something and I just do n't know how to deal with it. 
 
 I had a little boy come to me during the afternoon shift. Cute kid, must have been like six or seven. He had this little `` Grandpa's # 1'' shirt, and I think he was actually there with his Grandfather who had to be the saddest old man I have seen in a long time. 
 
 Anyway, I asks the kid what he wants for Christmas. Know what he said Jim? 
 
 `` Quiet'' 
 
 What the hell kind of answer is that? How do you come back to that? So I ho ho ho and say, `` What little boy wants'quiet' for Christmas?'' 
 
 Get this; he did n't answer. Not a peep. He just kind of sat in my lap, staring. He was n't even starting at me, or at his Grandpa. He was just staring. And I know that stare from anywhere, I saw lots of it in Fallujah. Little boys should n't have that stare. 
 
 Then he looks right at me. Fuck, I never wanted to look away from a kid so bad in my life. It was like something else was looking at me from behind his eyes. Shit I do n't know how to explain it, but something about that stare just made me so nauseous it took all my willpower to not blow chunks on his Pokeyman shirt. 
 
 `` They're so loud'', he says 
 
 And that was it. Grandpa comes and takes him and apologizes, something about medication, but I was n't listening. I had to have Bill take over for my shift because I spent a good two hours in the bathroom throwing up. 
 
 Whatever that was, I do n't want any part of it. I filed a report with the mall to investigate what's going on at home, so I did my duty. I'll be spending the next day or two with a bottle of rye. You're welcome to join, but I ca n't get back and that suit. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 Nick 

