The Singing Santa - Part 6 - A Conclusion - A Craven Danger Mystery

Craven Danger took a corner seat near the band stand and waited.

“Just cool your heels right here, daddy-o," said the bandleader. “You’ll be on during our breaks.”

“Thank you,” said Craven. “Say, where can a guy get a glass a water around here?”

“I don’t know about water, Jack,” said the bandleader. “But help yourself to some egg nog. There’s a bowl of it right behind you. It helps keep the boys in the band going.”

“That’ll be swell,” said Craven. “Thanks.”

I never had no egg nog before, thought Craven. But how bad could it be if the band’s drinkin’ it?

Moments later Craven sat with his cup of egg nog and watched the audience from the wings.

“Pretty good egg nog, huh?” said a stagehand.

“Sure is,” said Craven. “What’s in it?”

“Milk and eggs,” said the stagehand. “And plenty of Turkish delight to spike it up a bit. The band swears by it. Really puts them in the groove.”

“Turkish delight, huh?" said Craven. “Never heard of it. What’s that? Some kinda spice or somethin’?“

”Oh, it‘s some kind of spice all right,” said the stagehand.

”And all the way from Turkey, ya say,” said Craven. “Boy, wait'll I tell Betty. She's always sayin' I’m afraid ta try anything new."

“You might not want to drink too many of those,” said the stagehand. “You’re going on in a few minutes.”

I think the band’s onto something with this egg nog, thought Craven. All my fears seem ta be washin’ down the drain. I feel like I don‘t gotta care in the world.

“You’re on, Santa," said the stagehand. “Remember. You do one song, then you go out on the floor and schmooze with the audience until the band comes back to play. Good luck, pal."

Craven looked out over the audience and couldn’t wait to show them his stuff.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” said the band leader. “We twelve cats are going off to stretch our paws for about twenty minutes. But, in the mean time, We’re happy to leave you in the good hands of someone you all know and love. Especially tonight, when he’ll be leaving all those cushy minks and glittery things under your Tiffany Christmas trees. Please give a warm hand for the coolest cat in the North Pole, Santa Claus!"

Look at all them swells out there, thought Craven. One money bag bigger than the next.

Craven Danger stood center stage and greeted the audience.

“Good evening,” said Craven. “My name is Santa Claus. And I’m feelin’ about as loose as jelly on warm toast. Speakin’ a which, I got a sudden cravin’ for sweets. Anybody out there got a chocolate bar or a few scoops a strawberry ice cream with whipped cream and nuts? No? Well, maybe later. First I gotta do a song. And I want ya all ta sing along when the chorus comes around. I know ya all know it. It’s called Jingle Bells.”

Craven cradled his ukulele in the nook of his arm and started singing.

“Dashing through the snow. In a one horse open sleigh. O'er the fields we go. Laughin’ all the way, ha, ha, ha. Ho, ho, ho. Hee, hee, hee. Oh, boy. It seems ‘ol Santa’s got a case a the giggles. Whooo! Ha, ha, ha. Hee, hee, hee! Whooo! All this dashin’ through the snow is makin’ me feel giddy. Hmmm. Okay, let me calm down a bit, folks.

“Bells on bob tails ring. Makin’ spirits bright. Oh, what fun ta laugh and sing a sleighing song tonight. Now everybody! Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells. Jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is ta ride in a one horse open sleigh! Hey! Ho, ho, ho! Hee, hee, hee! Ha, ha, ha! Hooo, brother! Hey, look at the lights on those chandeliers. There like little lights from heaven, callin’ me home.”

Betty Fletcher and Sidney Green stood in the back of the room and shook their heads.

“Ya want I should go up there and smack him?” said Sidney.

“Nah,” said Betty. “I’ll do it.”

As Betty crossed the dance floor, Craven caught sight of her and hopped off the stage.

“Hi, ya Betty,” said Craven. “How about a dance?”

Craven put his arms arms around Betty’s waist and Betty replied by wrapping her arms around his neck.

“What’s gotten into ya?” said Betty.

“Egg nog,” said Craven.

The band started playing and Craven and Betty held each other a little tighter, as they swept across the floor.

Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's. New Year's eve?