The plan was too easy, leave the cookie out on a plate for Santa and he'll scarf it down like the greedy pig he is. Then he'll be too fat to fit back up the chimney and Declan could take all his presents! Declan went out and bought some similar looking cookies and scarfed down half the packet. He piled half a dozen cookies onto the plate, topping it off with the AlterTech cookie and leaving them next to his stocking with a glass of milk. He even sweetened the deal by writing a little note next to it.
"Dear Santa Claus,
I know I've been a naughty boy and don't deserve any presents this year, that's okay. I'm going to try be a nice boy from now on and hopefully by this time next year you will change your mind. Please enjoy the cookies and milk I have left out for you as a gesture of good will!
Love Declan Theodore Hall"
On the night of Christmas Eve he slept in a sleeping bag in the hall next to the lounge room. At midnight he was awoken by a thump as though something large had dropped down his chimney. He slowly crawled to the doorway and peaked around the corner. There he was, larger than life, with his big red suit and his big sack of presents, illuminated by the blinking glow of their Christmas tree lights.
"HoHoHo," Laughed the man with his gut jiggling "I better check this one twice"
He pulled out a long trail of paper from his pocket.
"Lets see here Decker Theseus Hall, wants his son to learn to be a good boy" Santa read aloud. "Sorry old fella, can't help you there, that's something he'll have to work out on his own."
Santa gave deep sigh of genuine regret.
"And Declan Theodore Hall...Tsk Tsk Tsk, a repeat offender on the naughty list it seems." Santa continued to comment to himself "Looks like it'll be another lump of coal for you this year my boy"
He walked over to the stockings and as just about to drop in his yearly lump of coal when he spotted the cookies and the note. After reading it, he let out a hearty laugh "HoHoHo! Maybe there's a chance for the boy after all!"
Santa retracted the coal and rubbed his hands together, eager for some cookies.