This article is classified "Fictional"
Inexperience tends to be the initial problem when anybody partakes in a new
job. This is especially true when the job, itself, is completely new; the
problem being that there hasn't even been anyone to test the metaphorical
water, before another is asked to take a huge dive into it.
Mr Stephen Claus-Santana was no exception. On the advice of his late wife,
Margaret, he applied to the newly set up International Generosity Committee
for the new, and therefore currently vacant, position of present
distributer. This title was later amended to Public Distributer of Gifts,
though it was later slang-titled "Mr Freebies".
It was because of his new position and status, and the progressive increase
in his personal fortune, that he moved from his quiet two-bedroomed flat in
Hamburg, and bought himself a little castle somewhere outside Paris. This
was the first step in a property chain that would take him to his final
location, and eventual resting place, in Lapland.
His arrogance increased, of course. Hiring more and more people to do more
and more of his work, he began to believe he had a divine right to do
what-the-hell he liked. It was at this point that he formally changed his
name to Santana (later, Santa) Claus.
Investment soared, and he managed to extend his empire across
three-quarters of the world. The popularity of the service he offered was
soon recognised as absolutely essential in the modern world, and a
fantastic way of controlling unruly children, who would otherwise have run
riot.
Possibly, the last act he performed in consultation with his advisers, was
to formally move to force his existence into the realms of rumour and
fiction. Not an easy task with such a grand well-known public figure [1].
Shortly after this, his helpers were required to sign a portion of the
Official Secrets Act, and all physical signs of Santa and Co., were
obliterated from public view.
Christmas continued, of course, but the people forgot...
[1] Though not as impossible as you might think. A simple documentary on
television, showing how it is theoretically possible to simulate the
physical appearance of any individual, coupled with the confessions of
his so-called "closest friends and family" to the effect that they were
"living a lie" could cause the general public to change their minds.