Headers at the bottom of the page.


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"Dear Santa,

I have been a very good boy this year.  I ate all my vegetables
and kept my room neat.  I did not kill any Presidents, civil
rights crusaders, or EBEs.  For Christmas this year I would like
a vaccine against the coming plague."

He smirked inwardly at his imagined request, maintaining his
stony facade as he paused in the mall's center court to watch an
awe-struck young boy sit on "Santa's" lap, no doubt pleading for
popular toys.  It was good to see parents teaching their
children to believe in -- to trust -- to capitulate to -- great
power, even if they were starting small with a fat man in a
cheap red suit and fake beard.

The shopping bag in his hand held the holiday gifts for his
staff: the requisite identical ties.  He might've bought himself
a carton of Morleys and stuck a bow on it, but he was trying to
quit.

Again.

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TITLE: 155 Words IV: CSM
AUTHOR: Forte
E-MAIL: Bjm1352@aol.com or Forte1354@aol.com
URL: http://www.thebasementoffice.com/
RATING: PG-13
CATEGORY: V
SPOILERS: Through "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man"
SUMMARY: Part of my 155 Words series focusing on various
characters from the show.  Written for the Haven's "Dear Santa
in 155 Words" challenge.
ARCHIVE: Gossamer/Ephemeral/M&S/Spooky awards site OK; anywhere
else please ask first.
DISCLAIMER: They belong to CC, 1013, and FOX; definitely not me.
FEEDBACK: Yes, please. :)
THANKS: To Musea, especially Diana Battis and Audrey Roget, for
beta and all manner of encouragement.  And to Sybil, since it
was her idea. *g*