Night 20: Intercom, Dusk
It was quickly after the patients had finished their meals that the intercom crackled back on with a vengeance.
"And a very Merry Christmas to all you poor souls! Or Happy Hanukkah! Jolly Kwanzaa! Winter solstice, Turkey Time! Whatever the hell else you people called it where you come from."
The Head Doctor's voice had gone back to its usual nighttime tone of carefree condescension, and he seemed to be chewing on something hard and crunchy--perhaps potato chips--as he spoke into the microphone.
"Now, I don't like this one quite so much as Halloween, but those two boys from that story from before... wow! They had quite a blast that Christmas night, but only one of them got his presents, it seems, because the other one had been a very, very naughty boy. He got some especially nasty coal in his stocking, one that smelled of rotting flesh and treachery..."
The voice on the intercom paused and then chuckled.
"Of course, now he's trying to get other kids to subscribe to his slander, but keep in mind that Santa keeps a very close eye on all of you boys and girls, and tonight, there are some very special nice ones who will put the naughty kids back in their places. Ah, yes, the children who will get the good presents under this Institute's proverbial tree are..."
The Head Doctor stopped, and one could almost hear him pursing his lips.
"But I'd be ruining the fun, then, wouldn't I? After all, you boys and girls aren't supposed to peek before Santa has given the big surprises! You'll have to see the gaps in the ranks, the missing link, the ones who didn't fall in with your plan..."
A low, long laugh. A crackle and pop. Then, silence.
"And a very Merry Christmas to all you poor souls! Or Happy Hanukkah! Jolly Kwanzaa! Winter solstice, Turkey Time! Whatever the hell else you people called it where you come from."
The Head Doctor's voice had gone back to its usual nighttime tone of carefree condescension, and he seemed to be chewing on something hard and crunchy--perhaps potato chips--as he spoke into the microphone.
"Now, I don't like this one quite so much as Halloween, but those two boys from that story from before... wow! They had quite a blast that Christmas night, but only one of them got his presents, it seems, because the other one had been a very, very naughty boy. He got some especially nasty coal in his stocking, one that smelled of rotting flesh and treachery..."
The voice on the intercom paused and then chuckled.
"Of course, now he's trying to get other kids to subscribe to his slander, but keep in mind that Santa keeps a very close eye on all of you boys and girls, and tonight, there are some very special nice ones who will put the naughty kids back in their places. Ah, yes, the children who will get the good presents under this Institute's proverbial tree are..."
The Head Doctor stopped, and one could almost hear him pursing his lips.
"But I'd be ruining the fun, then, wouldn't I? After all, you boys and girls aren't supposed to peek before Santa has given the big surprises! You'll have to see the gaps in the ranks, the missing link, the ones who didn't fall in with your plan..."
A low, long laugh. A crackle and pop. Then, silence.