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Sort of a content warning for mild death themes.

Escape pod. Episode 816. Milly players. Biaric Grove.

Hi there. Welcome to escape pod. I'm your host and co-editor, Merlafiti. Today we bring you

Milly players by Eric Grove. Eric Grove is a writer, marathon runner, little dog owner,

husband, and plucky rabble ralzer from Portland, Oregon. You can find them on Twitter at Eric Grove.

That's Eric with a K. And you can check out Ericgrove.com where he mostly blogs about running for far

too long. It's read to you by Carlo Yegger Rodriguez, who is originally from the enchanting

island of Puerto Rico, but moved to Baltimore some years back. This story has appeared in nature's

futures, galaxies, edge, and several other venues. He lives among the rolling hills of rural

Maryland with his partner and one very odd dog. To read his sporadic posts, go to alineofink.com.

This is an escape pod original. I hope some jingle bells onto your seat belt because it's festive and it's story time.

Milly players by Eric Grove narrated by Carlo Yegger Rodriguez.

Jester stopped his bicycle in front of the thrift store window and looked through the glass

at the plastic fat man with a jaunty red hat and an army surplus gas mask.

He'd been Santa Claus once, a long time ago before the world ended and everyone died.

He could still do a Santa Claus laugh like a bowl full of jelly.

Holly Jolly, he said and engaged the kickstand with his foot. He took a crowbar from his backpack

and smashed the glass. He tossed the gas mask aside and went for the white beard on the mannequin

underneath. He pulled it on and leaned back. The trick to a perfect Santa Claus laugh is leaning.

Digby wagged skeptically.

...