Max Stint

The magical, sparkling air of New Year's was just around the corner—a time of family gatherings, enchanting performances, and the anticipation of Father Frost. The holiday was a week away, and Kolya's pockets were empty. Fortunately, in early December, he'd found a job as an entertainer: the job provided a modest but sufficient income to bring children a miracle.

His constant companion was his friend Max, who wryly recalled how Kolya, dressed in a bunny costume, would calm a crying toddler. Max himself didn't work as an animator, but he loved watching his friend carry an entire children's world on his shoulders. Although unforeseen circumstances often arose (a replacement didn't show up, an actor got sick), Max always remained on the sidelines—until one special moment.

On December 28th, at the peak of the New Year's frenzy, the mail was overflowing with requests to throw a party. Among them, Max (or Stint, as his friends called him) noticed a letter with a hefty sum for a simple service. Kolya, without hesitation, agreed.

That morning, Max's phone vibrated with frantic messages from his friend asking for help. After a lazy preparation, generously laced with mental curses, Stint stood at the customer's entrance, nervously waiting for Kolya. A red Santa Claus suit appeared from around the corner. Max burst out laughing, but the smile faded when Kolya, breathing heavily, began begging for help with the order.

The sum for both of them turned out to be incredibly tempting. And now Max was dressed as Snegurochka, feeling the caustic gaze of his friend, barely holding back his laughter. Inside the house, saturated with the anticipation of a miracle, there was no turning back. The child, beaming, recited a poem, oblivious to the inconsistencies. And Max, through a painted-on smile, glared at Kolya with a cold, furious gaze, unequivocally promising that after the show he would get what he deserved—and it wouldn't be confetti.