Bob Calls Santa (Quality Control Check)

 

Bob doesn’t usually make phone calls.

Bob prefers eye contact, street corners, and standing slightly to the left of things until the light looks right.

But this was important.

With Christmas approaching and street photography friends roaming Toronto with cameras, scarves, and questionable caffeine habits, Bob felt a responsibility. A civic duty. Possibly a journalistic obligation.

Bob had to make sure his friends were on the Good List.

So Bob went straight to the source.

Santa Office #1: The Cozy Setup

Bob found Santa sitting in a small, classic setup. Tree. Lights. Nutcrackers. A chair that looked like it had heard many confessions.

Bob asked the big question:

“Santa… just checking… photographers who stand in the cold for hours waiting for one good moment—good list, right?”

Santa smiled. A knowing smile. The kind of smile that says:

yes

but also maybe stop taking photos of hot-dog vendors mid-bite

Santa nodded. That was encouraging.

Santa Office #2: Head Office

Bob didn’t stop there. You don’t trust one source. Bob doesn’t do “split news.” Bob does verification.

So Bob visited another Santa. Bigger setup. Corporate Santa. Red carpet. Trees arranged with perfect symmetry (definitely approved by elves in charge of visual balance).

This Santa waved like he already knew Bob.

Bob pointed at the sign:

North Pole

Santa’s Workshop

Elf Village

Bob asked the follow-up question:

“What about Bob’s friends? The ones who:

walk photo walks instead of malls

shoot with older cameras

look like tourists on purpose

and always say ‘just one more shot’?”

Santa didn’t even check the book.

Santa waved again.

That’s when Bob knew.

The Verdict

Bob can officially report:

Street photographers are mostly on the good list

Waiting patiently counts

Carrying a camera everywhere counts

And telling stories about Toronto definitely counts

Bob’s friends are cleared for a Good Christmas.

Maybe not a quiet one.

Definitely not a tripod-free one.

But a good one.

Bob packed up his camera, thanked Santa for his time, and headed back into the city—confident that the elves were watching, the light was fading nicely, and somewhere out there was one more photo worth waiting for.