December drabbles - 5

The first year wasn’t so bad; just a touch of black powder in the chimney, sides nice and clear; a good solid roof.

The soot got thicker with the years, of course, and one time a bird’s nest tangled in his beard. Still, it was all part of the job. Even the night they forgot to put out the fire wasn’t really a problem; he just asked the reindeer to do a little judicial watering.

Then they took the fireplaces out. He had to carry his sack through the front door, and left a trail of muddy footprints; Santa’s revenge.

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