On a small island north of Scandinavia there is a man who is the patrimonial heir of the original St. Nicholas. His name is Jon-Carl Clausen. This interview addresses his life and the history of his family, and explains the mundane origins of many of the fantastic symbols that have come to be associated with Santa Claus, such as reindeer and elves. The most amazing thing revealed is that this living legend is more Joe Six-pack than Jolly Old Elf.