RED PARALLEL

Christmas Daddy (Intro)

Song: Papaoutai, by Stromae.

Traviz a was happy and mischievous kid, owner of loud noises and a great variety of laughs, runnings, jumps, cries, pranks, AND accidents. He was born in St.Vicent's downtown, son of the wealthy and influent Christopher O'Brien. His fortune was estimated over thousands of millions of dollars. The little boy did not know the quantity, though. All he knew was that his daddy barely appeared at home, and the little five-year-old once asked her mom, Beatrice, if daddy was actually Santa Claus, since whenever he came home, he always carried lots and lots of presents, in a great bag, just as big as the ones seen on TV. Though his mom said daddy was actually Santa's assistant, Traviz was convinced of his own idea: his dad was the real Santa Claus, who every year complied with his many toy-wishes. He was so privileged to have a Santadad, as he babbled the words to his friends. He always got the best and coolest presents, and all his friends quite fought against each other over who would play with his toys first. As if he would borrow them, anyway.

However, being son of Santa Claus had its downsides. His momma, who confessed later that she was the real Santa's assistant (Traviz cried for a whole evening, mad that she had lied to him over such an important matter; his mom promised she'd redeem herself and ask daddy to come earlier, that year), warned the boy that he should behave nicely, for Santa was watching him close. What a joke, Traviz thought. Daddy was working at the North Pole, busy with his things. He wasn't watching him. So the clever kid didn't bother with that. Of course it didn't work out, in the end. Traviz realized, later (to his revolt), that all the maids and butlers and drivers who worked in his house were also Santa's assistants, and that they were hired to spy Traviz's 'behavo'. That was so panicking. He had been betrayed! Stressed out, the boy did his best to 'behavo' nicely. He ate the green horrible food, he didn't cry when he had to go to school nor when his mom left his bedroom, he even tried to comb his hair. Traviz couldn't wait for November, 'cause yes, momma said he'd get the presents sooner!! And man, he was struggling. He couldn't even breathe properly, for he was so stressed in his present-mission. At least he could tell all his friends about the promising reward waiting for him.

So in November, his reward came, in a ginormous red sac! Traviz yelled through the corridor, saying 'daddy, I behavo nice!!'. But Santadad wasn't there. Instead, there were others Santa's assistants. 'where's daddy, mommaa?', Traviz yelled, disturbed, looking through the many employees smiling at him. His mother came walking, also smiling, and grabbed him in her arms. She whispered: 'Santadad came pretty early today. You were still sleeping, baby, but he made sure to bring all your presents, you see?' 'But where's daddy, momma??' 'Oh, darling, he's working very hard for Christmas, he got back to North Pole, by this time, I believe...' 'Nooo... I wanna see daddy...' Because frankly, how would he know for sure whether the presents were from his Santa or some fake Santa (like the ones on TV; people should stop imitating his daddy), if his daddy was not there? 'Oh, baby, I'm so sorry daddy is not here, but look, he sent you a big kiss, like this' and she affectionately kissed Traviz's cute cheekbones 'and a biiiig huuuggg!!!' she squeezed the boy, and he giggled. 'aaand, he said he loves you sooo much, he decided to hide a special present...' 'wheeere?'.

The next year Santa didn't show up, either. Traviz didn't understand. Daddy was so busy working, but all his assistants were still home, spying on him. It was pissing him off. He didn't like them, because they should be helping daddy, not cleaning his house. Daddy needed help to come back home!! He complained, indignant, to his mom, and she answered 'Oh, momma would love to help him, but it's a job only daddy can do!' 'Only daddy? Own... Noo, I don't want momma to go, I want him!' and he pointed at his least friendly assistant, who happened to be a fat cat he always fought with, 'cause the thing was always in front of his bedroom; Traviz even collected a few scratches along his arm.

One day, daddy appeared, out of a sudden! Traviz was running and jumping through his house, as usual, screaming the names of his superheroes, when daddy walked into the living room. 'Hey, buddy.' 'Daddyyy!!!!!' Traviz was so happy that he totally forgot that it was Christmas day and daddy brought no presents, this time. Traviz jumped at his knees, hugging him.

His dad had really came back home, and his assistants were finally gone, all of them. Except for the damn cat, who was fatter than ever. The house was so quiet he could hear mom and dad talking upstairs.