A Different Kind of Christmas 1996

Although admitting, if confronted with the information, that he is also known by the name Robert George, a man moves into the town of Greendale in June purporting to be Santa Claus, everything about him which is Christmas every day, including having a reindeer in his yard, wearing the recognizable red suit all the time, and outfitting his house with all the Christmas accouterments, among which is a machine that blows snow bombs. While some, especially his immediate neighbors, complain to the authorities including to city hall for the continual disruption he is causing as Santa, he does bring much joy to just as many, some who truly see him as a savior in their life. And the majority of the town’s young people really do believe he is Santa, even initially skeptical ten year old Tommy Gates, otherwise how would Santa have known so much about him probably in preparation for his naughty/nice list for Christmas. All of these issues, especially the latter, cause a problem for Elizabeth Gates, Tommy’s single mother, the city attorney and a mayoral candidate in the next election, many who see the mayor’s chair as only the first stop for her in a long and successful political life in her community activism. The issue of Santa is on top of the delicate negotiations she is having with developer Alan Schaefer for the historic train station property, what she is able to negotiate which will affect her political campaign. Reporter Frank Mallory, who usually covers the political beat, largely, on his own choice, in he long having tried to woo, so far unsuccessfully, Elizabeth, is assigned a more in depth story about Santa. If Frank is able to uncover the story, he will find that it goes deeper, especially for Elizabeth and by association Tommy, with what Elizabeth deciding to do in the matter perhaps in needing a little faith in all that is Santa for the situation to turn out positively for all concerned.