Chapter 14 - Escape or Capture

As the day enters its final stages, the crowds are thinning and Gammelnok prepares for his escape. He slowly moves with the crowd in direction of the exit. 

There is a rigid exit control to ensure everything taken out is paid for. Every now and then though the alarm goes off which brings security personnel running towards the exit and retaining the unfortunate culprit for questioning.

Gammelnok sees his opportunity and scurries to the exit gate under his Chameleon Cloth. He is nearly out, when the exit gate comes crashing down just in front of his nose.

It appears a gang of cave robbers have been apprehended and nobody is allowed to exit for the time being. Gammelnok is caught for another night, as of course the entrance gate has been closed for quite a while by now.

Resigning himself to another night in this place, full of artificial Christmas things, has him feeling very nostalgic about the time he spent with Santa, his helpers and the reindeers at the top of the world.

He wanders the cave tunnels feeling sad, seeing all these mass produced meaningless items in gaudy colours. It makes him sick to his stomach and he suddenly longs for the reality and sincerity displayed by his former friends. They embodied the real spirit of Christmas as far as he is concerned.

He comes to a stall filled with beautiful individually carved wooden bowls. No mass production here. 

"Can I help you", someone says in a mixture of GammelDansk and DoubleDutch. 

An old gnarled wood carver wearing a leather apron and a floppy hat appeared from behind a curtain at the back of the stall.

After looking at each other for a short while, they realise that despite the difference in height and origin, they instantly like each other. 

Gammelnok relates his difficulties regarding understanding where he is and how to get out of the cave. He also explains how he thinks he got here and his longings for the spot he has selected for himself in the United Kingdom, complete with garden, pond and friendly animals to keep him company.

Finally he also compliments the wood carver on his products.

The wood carver has an idea. In the early morning he is expecting a delivery of seasoned wood from his home country. He suggests that Gammelnok sneak on to the waggon, hides himself and escapes the cave that way.

While they are talking, the old craftsman has been working away and now presents Gammelnok with a carved image of a smiling face with a beard and a hat made of the bark of a cork oak.

"This is how I see you; old, wise and friendly. I am sure that is not always so, as I can also see you can be cantankerous and quarrelsome. Take this and guard it well. It will be your passport when you arrive in my old country.