We met Christina Eason stationed outside the Cozy Cloud Cottage on the fifth floor of Marshall Field’s downtown store, where the wait to whisper in Santa’s ear had ebbed to 30 minutes.
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Her sparkle-spangled suit caroled seasonal high spirits, though the rolled-up sleeves and cuffs conceded to the temporary, and corporate (one size fits most), nature of the job. Paired with high-gloss work shoes and pressed white button-down, her uniform squeaked equal parts spritely cheer and McDonald’s quick-serve, the consummate professional elf.
Their model Arlecchino, a crafty valet later known as Harlequin, started life in rags and patches, which were eventually stylized into diamonds. He too wore pantaloons, a doublet with falling (i.e., sloppy) ruff and fool’s cap. He clutched a sword, symbol of the trade, which Santa’s elfin helper has exchanged for her own professional totems, the crowd counter and the Saint Nick ID.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photos/Yael Routtenberg.
