Ah, Parents, Part 2

(I’m working as a seasonal cashier at a big-name retail chain. A mother and her whining 4-year-old come up to my register. The child is upset because the mother won’t buy him a specific toy.)

Mother: “I told you, Santa will bring it to you on Christmas.”

Kid: “But I want it now!”

Mother: “Keep whining, and you won’t get it at all.”

Kid: “Nuh-uh! Santa knows I’ve been a good boy!”

(The kid’s whining begins to irritate me, so some I do some quick thinking.)

Me: *to the kid* “Are you sure? You see that up there?”

(I point to one of our store’s eye-in-the-sky security cameras.)

Kid: “What about it?”

Me: “Well, that’s how Santa sees all the little boys and girls in the world. That’s how he knows if you’ve been naughty or nice.”

(The kid stops crying and doesn’t say a word for the rest of the transaction.)

Mother: *leans in, whispering* “Thank you so much!” *slips me a $20 and leaves*