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Santa Claus is real
Instructions
Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. You can also read the transcript.
Transcript
Presenter: We're driving out to Long Island today because we've found out there's a man out there who legally changed his name to Santa Claus. So, yeah. We're gonna go interview Santa. It turns out this Santa's not so traditional.
Santa: I drive a black Dodge pickup truck. With vanity plates. Oh, yes, I have vanity plates. It says 'SANTASLA' [Santa's sleigh].
Presenter: Before he was Santa, he was Frank.
Santa: I was born in Brooklyn but we lived here on Long Island. I've been married 23 years now.
Presenter: So, how do you tell your wife that you're changing your name to Santa Claus?
Santa: She said, 'As long as I don't have to change my name, go right ahead.'
Presenter: Santa has been Santa for almost two decades and he's good at it.
Santa: I'm probably on – and this is not an exaggeration – thousands of refrigerators.
Presenter: He's got the laugh ...
Santa: Ho, ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, ho. You know, that's my Santa laugh.
Presenter: ... the suit ...
Santa: I designed my suit.
Presenter: But here are some other things about Santa that might surprise you.
Santa: I have three tattoos on me, of me. I'm very into zombies. I love barbecuing. I have a smoker. It can fit 150 pounds of meat in it.
Presenter: He’s got this tiki hut, an above-ground saltwater pool in his backyard.
Santa: Yes, I'm that extreme when it comes to my idea of relaxation.
Presenter: So there's a little Frank left in there, but no question: he's fully committed to being Santa.
Santa: I want to look like the poem says. 'I'm the most loved person on the planet.'
Presenter: We totally met Santa.
© Great Big Story
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I think this Santa Claus is funny, but I suppose he might have some kind of mental illness, but you know, everyone is free to change their name and behave however they want, without violating the freedom of others. I will never change my name, I love it.