"Santa is the great equaliser. That's the idea, anyway- when I was a kid we were grateful to get an orange in our stocking, but back when I got drafted- you should've seen the displays in the department stores. By the time I'm old and grey they'll probably be selling parents on a pony under every tree."

Pause.

"Greyer."

He's collecting grey hairs the way his dad was at this age. But he takes a seat next to Gaeta and gives him a friendly touch on the shoulder.

"How're you holding up?"