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right away the screen
lit up a bright blue. It came on so fast it startled me. From
somewhere inside came soft music. And then a bunch of little
pictures (I soon found out that they were called icons) popped up
all over my screen. I shook my head with wonder. It was hard to
imagine that kids all over the world did this sort of thing every
day.
    “Now what do I do?” I wondered aloud. All the
little pictures had settled down. The computer seemed to be waiting
for me to make the next move.
    “You get on the Internet, is what you do.”
The Missus’ voice came from behind me. Boy, I wish you could have
heard the sound of triumph in her tone. I wondered how long she’d
been standing there.
    But I had more important things to worry
about. I knew that she knew what my next
    question would have to be. I closed my eyes
and wrinkled up my face. I had to do it.
    “And just how do I do that?” I finally
asked.
    “Oh, Santa! I can’t believe my ears,” The
Missus cried and threw her arms around me. You’d have thought I had
just promised her a Caribbean cruise. The next thing I knew she had
snuggled into the chair next to me and was giving me a great big
kiss.
    Then she started tapping like crazy on the
computer keys. I couldn’t believe my eyes. In just about half a
second The Missus had not only gotten on the Internet, she had
downloaded all my backed up e-mail. All nine million, seven-hundred
fifty-three thousand, eight-hundred ninety-one messages!
     
     

Chapter 2
     
    THE METAL MONSTER
     
    I was flabbergasted. It was only October.
More than two months until Christmas. Suddenly I realized how many
more e-mails I might get. I don’t mind telling you, I started to
sweat!
    “I’d better start reading NOW,” I
mumbled.
    “Great,” said The Missus. She clasped her
hands together in happy anticipation. “I’ll help.”
    “You don’t need to bother,” I said with a
sniff. She was carrying things a tad too far. “I’ve got the hang of
this contraption now,” I added, before she could argue.
    The Missus went off to fix dinner (Thank
Goodness!), and I began reading the first letter.
    Dear Santa Claus:
    My name is Micah Mason and I have been a very
good boy this year.
    I chuckled. They always say that. Even if
they haven’t. But I have ways to check up on them. I read the rest
of Micah Mason’s letter.
    Don’t believe what my sister Ashley tells
Mom. She’s a liar! Anyway, I only want two things for Christmas
this year. One is my very own pizza restaurant. That way I can have
pizza anytime I want it and I won’t have to share with Ashley. The
second thing is an Electronic Spy Night Scope so that I can spy on
Ashley in the dark. Thanks. Have a good trip on Christmas Eve.
Love, Micah.
    I sighed so deeply that I could feel it all
the way down to my toes. A pizza restaurant was bad enough. But
what in blue blazes was an Electronic Spy Night Scope? Spy in the
dark? I’d never heard of such a thing. I could tell right now, it
was going to be an interesting year. I knew I’d better not waste
any more time.
    I got up to fetch my giant ledger. That’s the
book where every single boy and girl has a page of their own. On
that page I keep track of where they live and every toy they’ve
ever received at Christmas. Also whether they’ve been naughty or
nice. I couldn’t wait to see Micah’s page.
    I keep my giant ledger on top of the book
shelves across the room from my desk. The shelves are filled with
story books that the kids ask for every year. I scooted my
step-stool over to the shelves, reminding myself that I should find
some place lower to keep that book. I’m not a spring chicken
anymore, you know.
    The first step wasn’t so bad. The second one
made me feel a little bit wobbly. Only one more to go and I’d have
the ledger. I made it to the top and grabbed the book. As I swung
it out I remembered why I had meant to start a new ledger this
year. This old one weighed a TON.
    Suddenly my head was over the