December 18th

**"December 18th"** is the second episode of the first season of the Christmas dark comedy drama series *Mall Santa*, and the second episode of the series all together.

## Summary

### Teaser

The manager of the Christmas operation at Dandruff Mall, Caroline Rousen, is overwhelmed by angry shoppers, as the date is 18th of December, the busiest day of the Christmas season at Dandruff. As she sits in her office, she gets a call from Derek, who tells her that he is not going to be able to come into work. Caroline says it's fine, but a few seconds later, she gets a call from Edmund. He tells her that he is also not going to be able to come into work, and seconds later, Stephanie calls to report the exact same situation.

Caroline becomes suspicious, as they all called her saying they couldn't come in on the busiest day of the year.

### Act I

Caroline tries to get angry parents and children to calm down and she promises that "Santa Claus" here shortly, but the shoppers tackle her to the ground and tramp on her face. She goes back to her office and desperately tries to call Derek, but he doesn't respond. Meanwhile, at Edmund's house, the trio have gathered round to drink Eggnog, revealing they faked calling in sick just to skip out on work on the busiest day of the season. After chatting about what they should do that day, Stephanie suggests they go to the nearby Christmas festival in the city. Derek enthusiastically agrees, but has to snap Edmund out of a trance-like state.

Caroline goes to the outside of Dandruff Mall and confronts Greg Mackerel, the owner of Greg's Coffee. Because Stephanie, Edmund, and Derek always drink at his store, she suspects he knows where the trio have gone. She also reveals that she knows Greg and Stephanie have past and possibly present relations. Greg says he doesn't know where they have gone, but Caroline stares him down and implies that she will kill him if he doesn't tell her. Greg doesn't budge.

### Act II

Derek, Edmund and Stephanie take the subway and catch a train to Philadelphia. When they get into the city, they spend most of the day enjoying the Christmas festivities before they go to the festival, including eating at a nearby Greg's Coffee. Back at Dandruff, Caroline has tied Greg upside down and is beating him with a crowbar. She tortures him for information on where to find Derek, Edmund, and Stephanie. Greg, despite immense physical pain and profuse bleeding, refuses to tell her where they have gone. However, Caroline pulls out a knife and threatens to castrate Greg. He immediately gives in and says that Stephanie loves to go to the Christmas festival during this time of year. Caroline thanks Greg and lets him down.

In the city, Derek, Edmund and Stephanie go into the festival. While Derek and Stephanie team up and enjoy themselves, Edmund is quiet throughout the whole ordeal and seems more absent minded. Derek, who is dressed in a Santa-like outfit, deals with demanding children whilst Stephanie fends off perverted old men. Simultaneously, a man dressed as an elf harasses Edmund, who is always dressed in his clown makeup. After back chatting, Edmund viciously physically assaults the man and threatens him. Stephanie immediately stops him and says that she'll speak to him about it later.

### Act III

Caroline takes the train into the city and when she gets there, she frantically searches for the trio. She finally finds Derek just as children are taking a photo with him as they are under the belief he is Santa. After a small conversation, Derek runs away from Caroline, however she chases after him. Stephanie watches the whole thing, and Derek manages to escape by getting into a nearby sleigh and going away. However, he tricks Caroline by getting off after the sleigh has disappeared and hiding behind a snowman.

As he peeks his head out, Caroline sees Derek. She chases after him again and tackles him to the ground. After some choice words, Stephanie tackles Caroline and the three of them go into a nearby photo booth. After learning how she found them and implying about her conversation with Greg, Caroline is threatened into submission by Stephanie, saying that she will "face [her] consequences" if she tries anything again. Caroline, scared, agrees and allows them to take the rest of the day off. Stephanie notices that Edmund has left. She goes back to his home and finds Edmund in his house. Stephanie confronts him on why he assaulted the man in the elf costume.

They get into a massive argument which leads to Edmund yelling at Stephanie, saying that he is "fucked up". Stephanie is left staring at him in stunned silence.