on an upper floor of chamberlain's the theme is "the desert as winter wonderland." cacti and tumbleweeds are wrapped with lights and flocked with snow, and a team of nine stuffed burros are hitched to a sleigh. rudolfo the red nosed burro is tended by several santa's elf mannequins. one in cowboy wear and another in a poncho and sombrero.
marcus leads a large heavyset boy over to the throne. the boy eats a chocolate ice cream cone which is smeared all over his mouth and t-shirt. marcus lifts him with effort and a groan onto willie's lap.
willie drops the bag with a loud thud.
marcus and willie go about the business of being a santa-elf team. willie sees off another child,
marcus checks his watch impatiently as the endless line of excited children and their parents impatiently murmurs.