http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/19991224/aponline145015_000.htm

Los Angeles Santa Suffers Meltdown The Associated Press Friday, Dec. 24, 1999; 2:50 p.m. EST

LOS ANGELES  A shopping mall Santa Claus had a meltdown after refusing to cuddle a bawling toddler, calling the mother evil and ripping off his beard and costume in front of startled children.

Kelley Fornatoro, 33, said she told Santa her 19-month-old son, Brian, would stop crying if he put his arm around the child. According to her, he balked and told her, "I will not imprison your child."

"When I went to pick up the baby, he said: 'Was it worth it? Was it worth it for you to torture your child for a picture? You must be an evil person,'" Ms. Fornatoro said Thursday.

The woman told Santa she planned to file a complaint. She said he leaped from his throne and said: "You can complain about me if you want, but I am Santa Claus. I am the best person in the world. I am good."

Ms. Fornatoro then told Santa he should not be around children.

"With that, he got really angry," she said. "He started to rip off his clothes. He took off his beard, his wig, his coat, his belt."

Parents and children in line were stunned. Some mothers and fathers covered their kids' eyes.

Santa was led away by security guards and a replacement was brought in immediately. The suburban Westfield Shoppingtown Promenade Mall and Cherry Hill Photo, suppliers of the Santa, wouldn't give the irate Santa's name.

"Although we do provide a person to be the character of Santa Claus, we cannot always be responsible for their behavior," said Jonah Sullivan of New Jersey-based Cherry Hill Photo.

-- Santa's little helper (OH!@NO!.com), December 25, 1999

Answers

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he is a perv.

-- (KrisKringle@reindeer.games), December 25, 1999.

A perv? Is that what you got from the story? How sad . What I see is a person working long hours on THEIR Christmas eve so they can support their family. Perhaps this was one rude pushy customer avec screaming kid too many. Everyone has their limit of the crap they will take. And apparently he had reached his. It does not make him a perv OR a bad person. People are human. Just because you work with the public, doesnt mean youre always going to tolerate everything that monstrous people will throw at you. And I am speaking from experience. PS...don't be so surprised when your waitress tells you to stick it where the sun don't shine.

-- yea yea (...@.......), December 26, 1999.

A perv? Is that what you got from the story? How sad . What I see is a person working long hours on THEIR Christmas eve so they can support their family. Perhaps this was one rude pushy customer avec screaming kid too many. Everyone has their limit of the crap they will take. And apparently he had reached his. It does not make him a perv OR a bad person. The guy is human. Just because you work with the public, doesnt mean youre always going to tolerate everything that monstrous people will throw at you. And I am speaking from experience. PS...don't be so surprised when your waitress tells you to stick it where the sun don't shine.

-- yea yea (...@.......), December 26, 1999.

A perv? Is that what you got from the story? How sad . What I see is a person working long hours on THEIR Christmas eve so they can support their family. Perhaps this was one rude pushy customer avec screaming kid too many. Everyone has their limit of the crap they will take. And apparently he had reached his. It does not make him a perv OR a bad person. The guy is human. Just because you work with the public, doesnt mean youre always going to tolerate everything that monstrous people will throw at you. And I am speaking from experience. PS...don't be so surprised when your waitress tells you to take your lousy 8 percent tip and stick it where the sun don't shine.

-- yea yea (...@.......), December 26, 1999.