Christmas Time in the Mall, Arden Kelley

Christmas Time in the Mall

Christmas starts at exactly 12:00 a.m. The bustling, the faint aroma of waxy cinnamon candles that we associate with Christmas cheer that seemingly cling to every piece of clothing you own for people to smell for months. And at that time exactly, people working in shops for the holiday stand ready for the procrastinating present buyers, resentful as they wind themselves up like toy soldiers to brace the crowds. It is also exactly the time that groggy people roll out of their beds to squeeze into itchy, wool elf costumes, drive or take the bus over to shopping centers, outdoor celebrations and restaurants with coffee in their hands. I am a “snowflake”. I tried to be Santa but I didn’t have the credentials. My first day of work was on the first day of December at 6:00 in the morning. The lot of us were interviewed and given our costumes. I got the job of a snowflake. Not Santa and definitely not an elf. I got the part of a piece of snow. Pointy molded ears might have actually been good to conceal the overly excited chatter of the people at the mall. Why would anyone come to see an adult dressed in a life-sized flake costume? It’s no better than seeing adults in their mid 50s dressed up as witches on Halloween. I was then handed a piece of paper with my job description. My job was to stand at the entrance and wave. About two days in, I had to go buy an arm brace. Even then, I kept going. I enjoy the holiday season filled with family calls previously avoided throughout the year and watching elves with screaming children who are dismayed and resistant to sit on a strange man’s lap for a picture. I love watching the hurried, careless, last minute buyers because I think it shows just how unimportant you think giving a gift to that person is. In addition to the immediate shock when snow starts to come and you realize everything you forgot outside is now soggy, full of mildew, sticky and frozen. Frankly, I think I may be better off dressing as Scrooge.

Arden Kelley ’15

Pillars of Salt 13