Submission #12 to the New Yorker:

 

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE

By Kiersten Conner-Sax (as Charlie Spencer)           

 

Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer

For hundreds of years, red-nosed reindeer (not to mention drinker and ladies' man) Rudolf has been the leader of Santa's sleigh through fair weather and (mostly) foul. With another Christmas Eve on the horizon, the rough-and-tumble reindeer pauses to reflect on Judaism, Greek mythology, and parasites.

 

What is your most marked characteristic?

 

What the fuck do you think?

 

What are your favorite names?

 

Vixen,  J. Lo, and Teri Hatcher.

 

What is your motto?

 

Back off, shortie.

 

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

 

Sysiphus.

 

Which living person do you most admire?

 

Dick Cheney.

 

What is your greatest extravagance?

 

Well, there's some lichen that probably won't be on the Endangered Species List much longer.

 

Which living person do you most despise?

 

I don't want to be too specific, but he shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly.

 

What is your greatest fear?

 

Drunken hordes of elves.

 

What is your greatest regret?

 

Choosing flying lessons over tae kwon do.

 

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

 

A world filled with the joy of Chanukah.

 

On what occasion do you lie?

 

When I see the barometer falling.

 

What is your current state of mind?

 

Let's just say that the holidays are a difficult time for a lot of people, elves, and livestock.

 

What do you consider your most overrated virtue?

 

Honestly, the red nose. I saw a doctor at the University of Oslo, Dr. Halvorsen, who suggested that my "celebrated discoloration" is probably due to a parasitic infection of the respiratory system. Then he wrote it up in a medical journal, Parasitology Today. How's that for Christmas cheer?

 

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

 

I didn't ask to be born.

 

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

 

When that fat bastard feels like going out for a joyride in the middle of July.

 

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

 

"Prancer, seriously, twenty bucks says he isn't going to fit down the chimney this time."

 

Who are your heroes in real life?

 

Matt Drudge and Ann Coulter—she's got some sweet headshots of herself on her blog.

 

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

 

Listening to Rush Limbaugh with a bottle of oxycontin by my side. Dude knows how to live.

 

What is your most treasured possession?

 

An autographed copy of "The O'Reilly Factor for Kids." It's educational and keeps them quiet.

 

When and where were you happiest?

 

At the Pole, when I was a boy. Back before they'd let me play in any reindeer games.

 

Where would you like to live?

 

Disneyworld, maybe—I figure they trot me out once a day for one of the parades, and I spend the rest of my time kicking back by Typhoon Lagoon.

 

Which talent would you most like to have?

 

Knitting seems to be a craze right now.

 

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

 

A flightless bird.

 

What is your favorite occupation?

 

Clog dancing.

 

What is the quality you most like in a man?

 

Gravitas and a slender physique.

 

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

 

Hot knockers.

 

What do you most value in your friends?

 

An open bar tab and a sense of discretion.

 

Who are your favorite writers?

 

Clement C. Moore left me out of things, which I really respect. And I think David Sedaris captured the true spirit of the holiday. Otherwise, Flannery O'Connor, Faulkner, and probably Beckett.

 

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

 

Rabbit Angstrom.

 

How would you like to die?

 

At the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, of heart failure, after giving a ride to every sparkly, red-suited, high-kicking Rockette I can find.

 

 

 

©2004 by Kiersten Conner-Sax

From "50 Tries" at www.connersax.com