Somehow the Christmas spirit had evaporated since that time, probably because I got just a little sick and disgusted when I had to put up the plastic trees with their cheap ornaments and made-in-Japan lights in the middle of September; when I went partially deaf from people yelling in my ears; when I became accustomed to hearing the same shrilling Christmas carols three times an hour over the public address system. No, Christmas didn't mean much any more, except more work and headaches. I dismissed these thoughts temporarily when I saw an irate customer heading my way. I adjusted my pre-tied tie, my plastic pocket protector with the red "K-Mart" printed on a Christmas tree background, and my plastic smile, and I was ready to meet her ...