From: "Sekihara Tae" Mister Santa Song by Pat Ballard Performed by Amy Grant "In Germany," Yutarou explained to his wide-eyed and innocently credulous audience, "all of the children believe that Chriskind - or Santa Claus as the Americans call him - brings them presents on December twenty-fourth." He showed the threesome of little girls gathered around him a drawing of a round, jolly-faced man dressed in red. "He drives a magical sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer. The presents are a reward for being good during the year." "Does he come to Japan?" Tiny Kiriko-chan removed her thumb just long enough to ask the question, the comforting digit returning to her mouth immediately after the words emerged. All three children turned expectantly to Yutarou for the answer. He swallowed nervously, thinking that maybe telling them about Santa Claus wasn't such a great idea after all. Damn Yahiko! "I suppose he might," the young man conceded, "but only if you believe he will." The little girls considered this. It seemed too good to be true. "Honto?" Ayame-chan finally demanded. A year or so older and wiser, she had to look out for her younger sisters. Yutarou nodded. "What kind of presents does he bring, Yutarou-nii?" Now that was one he could answer. Grateful to be on firmer ground, Yutarou smiled at Suzume-chan as the little girl snuggled closer under the curve of his arm. "Toys, mostly. Toys and sometimes candy." His audience once more pondered in silence. "I believe in Santa-san," Ayame-chan finally announced, nodding for emphasis. "Suzume-chan mo!" "Kiriko-chan is going to be very very veryveryveryvery good!" A soft laugh carried from the hallway at that, Kenshin's slim form appearing in the open doorway a moment later. "I'm sure Okaachan will be glad to hear it, koneko." "'Touchan!" the little girl crowed, practically throwing herself across the room to her father. "Do you think Santa-san will be happy if Okaachan is?" Kenshin blinked. "Santa-san?" "The round man with the red suit who brings presents to children who are good," Suzume explained in a rush, joining Kiriko in glomping onto the one-time rurouni's legs. "Yutarou-nii said he'll be coming in a few days, and that since we believe in him, we'll get presents, too!" "But we have to be good," Ayame added, "ne, Yutarou-nii?" Watching Kenshin's face as understanding slowly dawned, the young man nodded, realizing he was in a lot of trouble. "Aa." [Music starts, panning around Kenshin, Kaoru, and Kiriko as the little girl drags them over to peer through a shopwindow in town. She begins to sing in a Shirley Temple-esque way. Even though her little nose is pressed to the glass, her piping voice carries clearly to the passersby; beside her, Kenshin and Kaoru sweatdrop as people stop to stare.] Mister Santa Bring me some toys Bring Merry Christmas To all girls and boys And every night I'll go to sleep singing [Kenshin and Kaoru look at each other over her head, each of them thinking the same thing:] And dream about The presents you'll be bringing [Slight scene change to Kiriko kneeling in the snow to cuddle a puppy, laughing as it licks her face.] Santa Promise me please Give every reindeer A hug and a squeeze [Running back to her parents, she announces with all the enthusiasm a child can muster (particularly one who's seen something he/she wants):] I'll be good As good can be Mister Santa Don't forget me! [Kenshin and Kaoru accost Yutarou in the dojo and quiz him about this whole Santa thing. Armed with the necessary details, they embark on a frenzy of shopping throughout the musical interlude. Yutarou, Yahiko and Sano are left at home to babysit. They sing the next verse as Kiriko's eyes get wider and wider, more and more worried.] Mister Santa Dear old Saint Nick Be awful careful And please don't get sick Put on your coat When breezes are blowin' And when you cross the street Look where you're goin' [Scene change to Ayame, Suzume and Kiriko 'helping' around the house: washing dishes and only breaking a few, making the beds as neatly as little hands can fold a futon, taking a bath and only splashing a little.] Santa We've been so good We've washed the dishes And done what we should Made up the beds And scrubbed up our toesies [Sudden closeup of the girls making disgusted faces, then a fast pan to Yahiko wiping his face on his sleeve.] We've used a Kleenex When we've blown our noseies! [Kiriko sitting with eyes scrunched closed, still singing with all her might as Kaoru washes her hair:] Oh Santa Look at our ears They're clean as whistles We're sharper than shears [Split screen to all three little girls getting into bed the night of the 24th:] Now we've put you on the spot Mister Santa Bring us a lot! [They snuggle down under the covers as the music winds down, then sit bolt upright for one last plea:] Mis-ter San-ta bring me some toys... bring me a lot! [As the music ends with a flourish, they flop back down in their beds... waiting for Santa.] -Tae http://sekihara.dreamhost.com/Akabeko/ --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU! Tired of filling out forms and remembering passwords? Gator fills in forms and passwords with just one click! Comes with $50 in free coupons! Click Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------