Summary
Overview
This American Life presents a Christmas special featuring two classic stories from the show's first year. The episode explores how people reveal their true selves during the high-stakes holiday season, from desperate last-minute shoppers at Toys R Us to David Sedaris's experiences working as a Macy's elf, concluding with David Rakoff's surreal stint impersonating Freud in a department store window.
Last-Minute Christmas Shopping at Toys R Us
On Christmas Eve at closing time, the world's largest toy store becomes a stage for desperate parents making final runs to create the perfect Christmas. Mark Nemes and his son Ricky race through the aisles searching for a $90 twins doll after Mark's four-year-old daughter asked three times if Santa was bringing it. The scene captures the pressure and sacrifice parents endure to maintain their children's Christmas magic.
- Mark Nemes frantically searches for twins dolls at Toys R Us on Christmas Eve, just minutes before closing
- The doll costs $90, significantly more than expected, causing Mark visible concern
- Mark's four-year-old daughter had asked three times if Santa was bringing the twins doll
" I never thought I'd be doing this at 7.30 on Christmas Eve. I've seen it in movies. I swear to God, I never thought I'd be doing this. But here I am. "
" I better be for 90 bucks. "
Becoming an Elf at Macy's Santaland
David Sedaris recounts his experience applying to work as an elf at Macy's Herald Square at age 33. After filling out extensive paperwork, taking personality tests, and submitting to a drug test he failed, he's hired anyway because he's short. The absurdity of a grown man applying to be an elf sets the stage for his satirical observations about Christmas retail theater.
- David Sedaris applies for a job as a full-time elf at Macy's at age 33
- He undergoes extensive screening including personality tests and a drug test which he failed
- Despite failing the drug test, he's hired because he's short enough to be an elf
" I am a 33 year old man applying for a job as an elf. "
" That's when you know you're a failure. When you couldn't even find work as an elf. "
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