Yes, Jinker Boy, there is a Santa Claus

So the Jinker Boy wants a Wii for Xmas. He wrote a letter to that effect at school, but in French, which worried him.

JB: Does Santa Claus read French?
Me: Santa Clause is multilingual. And when he comes across something he doesn’t understand, he asks an elf.

So about the Wii. I can’t find one. I spent one day driving hither and yon following rumours from various store clerks, only to be finally told that they could not be had for love nor money east of Montréal. So I went home and tried to prepare JB.

Me: JB, there was an article in the paper about toy shortages.
JB: Toy shortages?
Me: Yes. Santa was interviewed and he said that he has not been able to get hold of all the toys that he needs. There was a list of shortages, and I’m afraid the Wii was on it.
JB: The Wii?
Me: Yes, there won’t be enough for everyone. So I don’t want you to be disappointed if you don’t get one. None of the other things on your list were in the article.
JB: But no Wii?
Me: Maybe not. But if you don’t get one, we will find one ourselves after Christmas, okay? When we are down visiting Nonna.
JB: Can I see it?
Me: Hmm?
JB: Where it says in the paper.
Me: Oh. Um, I didn’t save it.
JB: What paper?
Me: Pardon?
JB: What paper was the story in?
Me: Er. The Toronto Star [to which we have no subscription].
JB: Not the Globe [to which we do subscribe]?
Me: No.
JB: [after a moment] Wouldn’t it be in the other papers too?
Me: Look over there!