Read A Christmas Carol - Drama Script Page 1

A Christmas Carol

  By

  Charles Dickens

  Adapted by

  Daris Howard

  A Christmas Carol

  Copyright 2014

  by Daris Howard

  All Rights Reserved

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  Cast List

  Scrooge - Old, miserly man.

  Dickens - Middle aged, well-dressed man.

  Ms. Dickens - Middle aged, well dressed woman.

  Fred - Man, late 20's to early 30's.

  Mrs. Fred - Woman, late 20's toe early 30's. Fred's wife.

  Cratchit - (Bob Cratchit). Middle aged, poorly dressed man.

  Portly Man - Chubby man. Business like.

  Thin Man - Thin man. Business like.

  Marley - Ghost. In chains at first in white at end.

  Past - Ghost of Christmas Past. Angel like, with wreath (lighted if possible)

  Present - Ghost of Christmas Present. Dressed to look like Santa Claus. Has a torch.

  Future - Scary ghost dressed in dark robe. Never speaks.

  Boy Ebenezer - Boy of about 10.

  Girl Fan - Young girl, just younger than Boy Ebenezer.

  Young Ebenezer - Late teenage to early 20's version of Ebenezer.

  Young Fan - Teenage version of Fan

  Fezziwig - Jolly, portly, loud man.

  Dick - Young man, late teens to early twenties.

  Belle - Young woman, late teens to early twenties.

  Mary - (played by same actress as Belle)

  Older Belle - A middle aged version of Belle

  John - A middle aged man married to Older Belle

  Mrs. Cratchit - Middle aged, poorly dressed woman.

  Martha - (Martha Cratchit) - Beautiful young woman, not well-dressed, but energetic.

  Peter - (Peter Cratchit) Teenage boy. Not well-dressed.

  Belinda - (Belinda Cratchit) Teenage girl. Not well-dressed.

  Tiny Tim - (Tim Cratchit) Small boy with simple crutch, struggles to walk.

  Small Cratchit Boy - A small boy.

  Small Cratchit Girl - A small girl.

  Mrs. Fred - Young woman late 20's to early 30's.

  Topper - Jolly middle aged man.

  Thin Sister - Mrs. Fred's sister. Woman late 20's to early 30's.

  Plump Sister - Mrs. Fred's sister. Woman late 20's to early 30's.

  Poor Girl - Young street girl Fred invited to his home to have dinner.

  Poor Boy - Young street boy Fred invited to his home to have dinner.

  Want - Small girl, dirty and in rags, looks thin and hungry.

  Ignorance - Small boy, gloomy looking.

  Merchant 1 - Man or woman on the street.

  Merchant 2 - Man or woman on the street.

  Merchant 3 - Man or woman on the street.

  Joe - Older, scary looking man.

  Charwoman - Middle aged woman.

  Laundress - Woman, early 30's to mid 40's.

  Undertaker - Middle aged man, dressed in black.

  Debtor Wife - Middle aged woman.

  Debtor - Middle aged man.

  Boy - Boy on street who runs to get Poulter

  Poulter - Man who sells poultry. Could easily be one of the merchants.

  Tim - Older version of Tiny Tim. Tall and healthy.

  Extra children (some are Older Belle's children) and towns children

  Extra Town's People

  To those reading and/or performing this play:

  One Christmas season I was asked to play Scrooge in a community theatre production. I read through Dickens's book and spent some time researching to understand more about life in the day he wrote it. I also read about his life. As I did, a deeper understanding came to me about what Dickens might be trying to share with us.

  As I wrote this adaption of his work, I tried to bring all of what I learned and felt into it while staying as true to Dickens's own words as possible and trying to stay true the his language style with any additions. I tried to bring out his humor while presenting the seriousness of the subject. I hope you enjoy it.

  Daris Howard

  Act I Scene 1

  {The curtains are closed. Carolers come out in front and are singing. People are walking along the streets greeting each other with Christmas cheer. Charles Dickens walks in with his wife holding onto his arm. The carolers sing quieter as the dialogue starts. Fred comes hurrying by and lightly bumps into Dickens.}

  Dickens: My goodness, Fred. Where are you hurrying to on this wonderful Christmas Eve?

  Fred: {With a laugh} Oh, my goodness, Mr. and Mrs. Dickens. How are you? I'm sorry for my clumsiness. I was quite caught up in the thoughts of the season, and I was on my way to invite my uncle, Ebenezer Scrooge, over for Christmas dinner.

  Dickens: {Quite shocked} Ebenezer Scrooge is your uncle? Well, I thought I had heard everything. That old miser is quite the contrary opposite of yourself.

  Fred: {Laughing} I take that as a great compliment. Well, I must be off.

  Dickens: {To the audience} For this story, it is important to understand that Marley was dead to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief and only mourner, Scrooge. And Scrooge's name was good upon change for anything he chose to put his hand to.

 
Mrs. Dickens: Yes, Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

  Dickens: {Laughing} Mind! We're not particular to doornails nor do we know anything about their decease. The thing is, Scrooge knew he was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and Marley were partners for I don't know how many years. Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and, as I said, his sole mourner.

  Mrs. Dickens: And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event, but that he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised it with an undoubted bargain.

  Dickens: Scrooge never painted out Old Marley's name. There it stood, years afterwards, above the warehouse door: Scrooge and Marley. The firm was known as Scrooge and Marley. Sometimes people new to the business called Scrooge Scrooge, and sometimes Marley, but he answered to both names. It was all the same to him.

  Mrs. Dickens: Scrooge was hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out fire; secret, self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.

  Dickens: Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, 'My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?'

  Mrs. Dickens: No beggars implored Scrooge to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o'clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place. But what did Scrooge care? It was the very thing he liked. To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance.

  {The curtains open slowly, and Scrooge enters. He puts his coat and hat on a coat tree, then prominently, and carefully, puts his scarf on the coat tree as well. He then sits at his desk. On the desk is a candle that he lights, and he starts writing figures in his ledger.}

  Dickens: Our story starts at Scrooge's counting house. Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge. A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!

  {The city clock starts striking. Scrooge gets up, annoyed that Cratchit is not there. As the bell continues to toll, Cratchit, wrapped in his worn blanket, dashes in. He quickly wraps his scarf over the coat tree and rushes to his desk, arriving there just as the final (9th) bong of the clock bell sounds. Cratchit quickly starts entering numbers in his ledger. Scrooge scowls but says nothing. As he goes back to work, he keeps an eye on Cratchit. There is a very small fire close to Scrooge's desk, but if Cratchit ever tries to go to it, Scrooge clears his throat, and Cratchit quickly retreats back to his ledger. Sometimes Cratchit tries to warm his hands by the heat from his candle, in which effort, not being a man of strong imagination, he fails. After a brief time of work, Fred enters.}

  Fred: A merry Christmas, Uncle! God save you!

  {Scrooge, annoyed, tries to ignore him and keeps working}

  Fred: A merry Christmas, Uncle! God save you!

  Scrooge: Bah! Humbug!

  Fred: Christmas a humbug, Uncle! You don't mean that, I am sure?

  Scrooge: I do mean it. {Sarcastically} Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? You're poor enough.

  Fred: Come, then. What right have you to be dismal? You're rich enough.

  Scrooge: Bah! Humbug!

  Fred: Don't be cross, Uncle.

  Scrooge: What else can I be? I live in a world of fools! {Sarcastically} Merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer? If I had my way, every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, would be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

  Fred: Uncle!

  Scrooge: I mean it, Nephew. Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine!

  Fred: Keep it! But you don't keep it.

  Scrooge: Let me leave it alone, then. What good has it done you?

  Fred: There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say. Christmas, among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good, and I say, God bless it!'

  {Cratchit applauds}

  Scrooge: {To Cratchit} Let me hear another sound from you, and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your job! {Turning to Fred and speaking sarcastically} You're quite a powerful speaker, Nephew. I wonder you don't go into Parliament.

  Fred: Don't be angry, Uncle. Come! Dine with us tomorrow.

  Scrooge: I'd rather die.

  Fred: But why? Why?

  Scrooge: Nephew, why did you get married?

  Fred: Because I fell in love.

  Scrooge: {Sarcastically} Because you fell in love! That is a stupid reason.

  Fred: Why?

  Scrooge: Because love gets a person nowhere. It muddles a person's thinking by silly, ridiculous emotions.

  Fred: I quite like it.

  Scrooge: Humbug!

  Fred: But you never came even before I was married. So why give it as a reason for not coming now?

  Scrooge: {Indicating he is done} Good afternoon.

  Fred: I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be friends?

  Scrooge: Good afternoon.

  Fred: I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute against me. We have never had any quarrel, to which I have been a party. But I have made the offer in homage to Christmas, and I'll keep my Christmas humor to the last. So a Merry Christmas, Uncle!

  Scrooge: Good afternoon.

  Fred: And A Happy New Year!

  Scrooge: Good afternoon!

  {Fred turns to leave. He stops at Cratchit's desk.}

  Fred: Merry Christmas to you, Bob Cratchit.

  Cratchit: And a Merry Christmas to you, too.

  {Fred leaves.}

  Scrooge: {Muttering} There's another fellow. My clerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas. I swear I'll retire to Bedlam.

  {Two men enter. Cratchit goes to meet them. He visits with them briefly, and then brings them over to Scrooge.}

  Cratchit: There are two men to see you, Sir.

  {The two men are carry books and papers. They bow to Scrooge.}

  Portly Man: Scrooge and Marley's, I believe. Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?

  Scrooge: I doubt addressing Mr. Marley would be much of a pleasure, as he has been dead these seven years. Come to think of it, he died seven years ago this very night.

  Portly Man: We have no doubt his generosity is well represented by his surviving partner.

  Scrooge: {Quickly suspicious} State your business.

  Thin Man: At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute who suffer greatly. Many thousands are in want of common necessities; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, Sir.

  Scrooge: Are there no prisons?

  Portly Man: Plenty of prisons.

  Scrooge: And the Union workhouses. Are they still in operation?

  Portly Man: They are. I wish I could say they were not.

  Scrooge: Oh. I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to them.

  Thin Man: A few of us are endeavoring to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when want is keenly felt, and abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?'

  Scrooge: Nothing!

  Thin Man: You wish to be ano
nymous?

  Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned-they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.

  Portly Man: Many would rather die than go there.

  Scrooge: {Advancing menacingly, the men back away} Then they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. {Aloof} But it's none of my business. And, as mine occupies me constantly, {pointing to the door} good afternoon, gentlemen!

  Thin Man and Portly Man: Merry Christmas.

  {Scrooge just scowls and points threateningly to the door again. The men glance at each other and turn to leave. They wish Cratchit a Merry Christmas on the way out, and he returns their greeting. The lights begin to fade slightly, showing it is evening. As the clock starts to strike six o'clock, Cratchit prepares to leave. He pauses, hoping to ask for the day off. Scrooge notices.}

  Scrooge: You'll want the day tomorrow, I suppose?

  Cratchit: If quite convenient, Sir.

  Scrooge: {Angrily slamming his hand on his desk} It's not convenient! It is not convenient to pay a day's wages for no work!

  Cratchit: It is only once a year, Sir.

  Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December! {Pause} Be here all the earlier next morning.

  Cratchit: Yes, Sir, and merry... {As Scrooge glares, Cratchit stops and reconsiders his words} Goodnight, Sir.

  {Cratchit leaves. Scrooge speaks angrily to himself.}

  Scrooge: Christmas is nothing but a time for people to think they can get something for nothing, a scam, a humbug.

  Act I Scene 2

  {Scrooge walks from his counting house dressed back up in his coat, hat, and scarf. (This could be in front of the stage or in front of a closed curtain.) He is wearing his scarf clearly for the audience to see. Mr. and Mrs. Dickens are there. Some groups of people are caroling on the street. Cratchit, smiling, has stopped briefly to listen to one group that is made up of children. But as Scrooge approaches, Cratchit continues on his way. The children partially surround Scrooge singing Good King Wenceslas, hoping for some money. Scrooge scowling, stares at them narrowly as they continue, and then lets out a loud growl/roar, menacing the children. The children run off, screaming and crying. Everyone moves out of his path and away from him.}

  Mr. Dickens: No one liked Scrooge, except his nephew, Fred, who couldn't seem to find it in his heart to dislike anyone.

  Mrs. Dickens: But there was no one else. No one at all.

  Mr. Dickens: No child liked Scrooge. No man. No woman. Not even dogs liked him.

  {Scrooge continues on. As he walks, the stage is being changed to his bedroom scene. He comes to his door. As he reaches for it, Marley's face appears. (This can be accomplished by having a cut out segment of the door with some soft fabric, like a nylon, that Marley can stick his face into.) Scrooge backs up in shock.}

  Scrooge: It's Marley's face.

  {The face disappears, and the door is normal again. Scrooge looks at it closely. He shakes his head and steps through the door. He lights a candle and looks cautiously about.}

  Scrooge: It must have been my imagination. Surely it was caused by the shadows. It was just silly.

  {Scrooge goes behind a screen and prepares for bed, dressing in his nightshirt. He talks as he dresses to keep the scene moving.}

  Scrooge: My door knocker is casting strange shadows. I think I need to get a new one. That one scared the Dickens out of me.

  {When he finishes, he comes out and sits down on his bed and blows on the candle, but it doesn't go out. He does this a few more times when the chamber bell starts to ring. Scrooge stares at it. Other bells and other sounds could join in. Finally, they all cease, and it is quiet.}

  Scrooge: Humbug!

  {He lies down. A door slams. A light flash effect occurs. Marley, a ghost, enters, dragging his chains. He pauses at Scrooge's bed. Scrooge sits up angrily.}

  Scrooge: Can a man not have any peace and quiet? {He looks up and sees Marley.} How now. What do you want with me?

  Marley: Much.

  Scrooge: Who are you, and why do you intrude in my house?

  Marley: Ask me who I was.

  Scrooge: All right, then. Who were you?

  Marley: In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.

  Scrooge: {Doubtful and sarcastic} Jacob, you don't look at all well. {Patting a chair} Have a seat?

  Marley: You don't believe in me.

  Scrooge: I don't.

  Marley: Why do you doubt your senses? You always considered yourself a sensible man, if I recall.

  Scrooge: But little thing affects my senses. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats. You may be a bit of undigested beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. {A slight sarcastic laugh to quell his nervousness} There might be more of gravy than of the grave about you!

  {At this Marley raises a frightful cry, and shakes his chain with a dismal and appalling noise.}

  Scrooge: {Trembling in fear} Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me?

  Marley: Worldly man, do you believe in me?

  Scrooge: I must, for I can no longer doubt my senses. But why do you come to me?

  Marley: It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world and witness what it might have shared on earth and turned to happiness.

  Scrooge: But, Jacob, why are you fettered so?

  Jacob: I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link and yard by yard. Of my own free will, I girded it about me in life, unknown of its burden, and in death it continues with me. Is its pattern strange to you? {Scrooge leans close to look at it, nodding his head, realizing the chain is made of money, money boxes and the like. Instantly, Marley throws a strand of the chain about Scrooge's neck and its weight drops him to his knees.} You have your own chain, Ebenezer. It was as heavy as mine the day I died, heavily binding your soul to that which is of no worth, and you have labored on it seven more years. Yours will be heavier, more pondorous, and harder to bear.

  Scrooge: {Choking from the weight of the chain around his neck} Jacob, Speak comfort to me.

  {Marley, emotional, speaks with compassion and falls to his knees beside Scrooge, and leans his head against him.}

  Marley: I have none to give, for compassion was a stranger to me in life and is not my companion in death. {A clock dongs. Marley unwraps his chains from Scrooge, who stands, and still holds his hand to his throat as if still feeling their weight.} Little time is left to me here, Ebenezer. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere. In life my spirit never roved beyond the narrow confines of our money-changing hole; now weary journeys lie before me.

  Scrooge: You must travel slowly, weighed down by chains. Where do your travels take you?

  Marley: Captive bound and double ironed I travel quickly on the wings of the wind, and yet it is never enough. I travel through incessant torture and remorse where there is no rest or peace, seeing what good I could have done in my little sphere of life. I have learned too late that mortal life is too short for its vast means of usefulness, and that no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused! I see those I could have helped if I would, but the power to do so is no longer mine. Blind to value of life. Yet such was I! Oh, such was I!

  Scrooge: But, Jacob, you were always such a good man of business.

  Marley: {Howling} Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business! At this time of year I and those like me suffer most. The misery we feel as we would seek to interfere, for good, in human mat
ters, but we have lost the power forever. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me? {Marley pauses briefly as if thinking. Suddenly, bells start to toll eleven as if his thoughts return to the present} Hear me, Ebenezer, my time is nearly gone!

  Scrooge: I will. But don't be hard on me.

  Marley: Know that, though you cannot see me, I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day. That is no light part of my penance, as I watch you building your own chains day after dismal day. I am here tonight to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate. A chance and hope I have procured for you, Ebenezer.

  Scrooge: You were always a good friend to me. Thank you.

  Marley: You will be haunted by three Spirits.

  Scrooge: {Trembling and fearful} Haunted? Oh, please Jacob, not haunted, I...

  Marley: {Interrupting and speaking forcefully} Without their visits you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first to-morrow, when the bell tolls twelve. Expect the second...

  Scrooge: Couldn't I take them all at once, and have it over with, Jacob, so that...?

  Marley: {Glaring and interrupting as he continues} Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next night when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate. {As Scrooge turns away and contemplates this scary proposition, Marley gathers his chains and moves to the edge of the stage. He stops and turns around.} And, Ebenezer, look to see me no more, but look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us!

  {Marley leaves the stage with a flashing light effect. Scrooge turns and sees nothing.}

  Scrooge: Bah, Humbug!

  {He climbs back into his bed, closes the curtains, then peeks out and looks around before closing them again.}

  BLACKOUT

  Act I Scene 3

  {A slight light comes up on Scrooge's bed. The clock starts to toll. At about the fifth dong he opens his curtains a little and looks out. As it continues, he sits up.}

  Scrooge: Ten, eleven, twelve. But it was after 2:00 when I went to bed. Why, it isn't possible that I could have slept through a whole day and far into another night. It isn't possible that anything has happened to the sun, and this is twelve noon, even in the thick smog of London. It's either the clock got some ice in it, or it's just... Oh, bah, humbug. All that Marley's ghost nonsense must have been a silly dream and got me all flustered.

  {Scrooge climbs back in his bed and closes the curtains. There is a ticking of clocks and watches growing incessantly louder until a bright flash of light, and the ghost of Christmas past (Past) appears. She is unearthly, but beautiful. She wears a crown of holly, and a dim light emanates from the crown. She stands with her back to Scrooge. All of her movements are slow and deliberate. Scrooge opens his curtains and sees her.}

  Scrooge: Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to me?

  Past: {In a soft, gentle voice} I am.

  {She turns to him. He steps forward and looks at her.}

  Scrooge: Who, and what, are you?

  Past: I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.

  Scrooge: Long Past?

  Past: No. Your past. I am your courier, your timekeeper, your diary, your memory, and your history.

  Scrooge: What is that light that comes from your crown?

  Past: It is the light of life and living. Its glow grows brighter when life is lived with the purpose for which it is meant.

  Scrooge: You should put a hat on so as not to bother those who desire to sleep.

  Past: What? Would you so soon put out with worldly hands what little light I give, what little light you have found in your life? Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made me, through whole trains of years, to wear it low upon my brow so that my light is dim and almost nonexistent?

  Scrooge: I mean no offense. Please tell me, what brings you here?

  Past: Your welfare, your happiness, your education, your salvation.

  Scrooge: {Suspicious, but thinking about what Marley said} My salvation? And just how much will this salvation cost me?

  Past: Take heed. Come with me. Quickly.

  Scrooge: But, Spirit, I am mortal. I'm liable to fall.

  {He puts on his slippers and his scarf.}

  Past: {Touching a hand to Scrooge's chest} Bear but a touch of my hand there and you shall be upheld in more than this!

  Scrooge: {Suspicious} Is that so?

  Past: {Holding out her hand} Take my hand.

  {Scrooge cautiously, slowly, reaches out and takes her hand. As soon as he does so, the bedroom fades away.}

  Act I Scene 4

  {The bedroom disappears, and a bench is brought on. A boy is sitting on the bench.}

  Scrooge: Good Heavens! I know this place. I was a boy here!

  Past: Your lip is trembling. And what is that upon your cheek?

  Scrooge: {Quite emotional} It is a pimple.

  Past: You recollect the way?

  Scrooge: Remember it? I could walk it blindfolded.

  Past: It is strange to have forgotten it for so many years!

  Scrooge: {Looking around himself} It is my old school, and it is deserted.

  Past: The school is not quite deserted. A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still as all others have gone home for Christmas

  Scrooge: {Sees the boy on the bench} Spirit, the boy?

  Past: It is you, Ebenezer. {Scrooge waves his hand in front of the boy} No, he can't see you. These are but shadows of the things that have been. They have no consciousness of us.

  Scrooge: {Hardly able to hold back tears} Every Christmas at the boarding school, all of the other children would go home and leave me alone in the cold with very little to eat.

  Past: Every Christmas?

  Scrooge: Yes. Every Christmas.

  Boy Ebenezer: {As if the middle of singing} ...to save us all from Satan's power when we have gone astray. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. Oh tidings of comfort and joy.

  {Boy Ebenezer bows his head and cries softly out of loneliness.}

  Scrooge: {Putting his hand in his pocket and muttering} I wish...but it's too late now.

  Past: What is the matter?

  Scrooge: Nothing. Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something, that's all.

  Past: No one ever came?

  Scrooge: No one.

  {The bench is taken off. Boy Ebenezer leaves, and Young Ebenezer replaces him, standing on the stage. Fan comes in from behind Young Ebenezer and puts her hands over his eyes.}

  Fan: Guess who?

  Scrooge: Fan!

  {He turns around and they embrace.}

  Past: Did you forget?

  Scrooge: It's Fan! It's my little sister, Fan. Spirit, do you see her?

  Fan: I've brought a present for you, Ebenezer.

  {She holds out a package, and he unwraps it. He pulls out a hand knitted scarf identical to the one Scrooge is wearing, but new. Scrooge looks down and fingers the one he is wearing and looks back at the one Young Ebenezer has.}

  Young Ebenezer: A scarf. It's beautiful.

  Fan: {Taking it and wrapping it around Young Ebenezer's neck.} I knitted it myself, just for you. When you wear it, you can think of it like I am hugging you, and it will always keep you warm.

  Young Ebenezer: Thank you, Fan. I will treasure it always.

  Fan: I have another surprise. I have come to bring you home for Christmas, dear brother! {She laughs} To bring you home, home, home!

  Young Ebenezer: Home, Fan? But Father hates me. He sent me away to boarding school and has never let me come home since I was young.

  Fan: Father is so much kinder than he used to be; that home's like Heaven! He spoke so gently to me one dear night when I was going to bed, and I asked him if yo
u might come home for Christmas.

  Young Ebenezer: Were you not afraid to speak to him about me?

  Fan: I love you, Ebenezer, and love is stronger than fear. And Father said yes, and sent me in a coach to bring you. And you're to be a man and be apprenticed and never come back here again. But first, we're to be together all the Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world.

  Young Ebenezer: You are quite a woman, Fan!

  {She laughs, and hugs him, and then grabs his hand and eagerly drags him toward the side of the stage. As they go off, Scrooge follows them to the side of the stage, then pauses briefly. Finally, he turns and speaks with great emotion.}

  Scrooge: She was always a delicate creature, was Fan.

  Past: But she had a big heart.

  Scrooge: So she had.

  Past: She died a woman, did she not? And had, as I recall, children.

  Scrooge: One child.

  Past: Your nephew. Fred, isn't it?

  Scrooge: Oh, that stupid, overly cheerful, lovesick fool. {Scrooge's voice fades at the end.}

  Past: And why do you despise him so?

  Scrooge: Who says I do?

  Past: You know you cannot fool me, for I am your past. You can only fool yourself.

  Scrooge: Perhaps I dislike him because he is so simple and happy over silly things.

  Past: Like Christmas? But when he was young, you loved him. You played with him and he adored you.

  Scrooge: But that was before...

  Past: Before what?

  Scrooge: {Thinking as if to himself} Before Fan died.

  Past: And you blame Fred for her death?

  Scrooge: {Speaking rapidly as the painful memory returns} When he was fourteen he became sick. Fan took care of him night and day until her own health failed. {Scrooge starts to cry} She gave her life to save his.

  Past: And you blame Fred because she loved him enough to give her life for him?

  Scrooge: I haven't thought about it before.

  Past: It is not her son's fault she died. And the goodness of her heart yet lives in her son's. If you truly love her, can you not love him for whom she gave her life?

  {Scrooge stands there for a moment, but does not answer. When he does speak, it is to change the subject.}

  Scrooge: Please, Spirit. I'm ready to go home. I've seen enough.

  Past: Enough! You don't know the meaning of the word. {She grabs his arm and forcefully drags him with her.} Come!

  Act I scene 5

  {The stage is set with a small table. Scrooge and Past walk around the stage and as they do Scrooge looks around him and starts to smile. Young Ebenezer is there sweeping and then takes the broom off. Scrooge sees his younger self, Ebenezer, and others who start to come in.}

  Past: You know this place?

  Scrooge: {Smiling} Know it! This is old Fezziwig's. I was apprenticed here.

  {Fezziwig comes in.}

  Scrooge: Why, it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart; it's Fezziwig alive again!

  Fezziwig: Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!

  {Ebenezer and Dick, the two apprentices, come in.}

  Scrooge: Bless me, it is Dick Wilkins. He was very much attached to me, was Dick.

  Fezziwig: Yo ho, my boys! No more work to-night. Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer! Clear away, my lads, and let's have lots of room here! Hi-ho, Dick! Chirrup, Ebenezer!

  {They quickly clear away and make everything ready, bringing in only a table to put food on. In comes a fiddler. Mrs. Fezziwig, smiling and happy, comes in with two or three daughters, and Belle can join them. The cook comes in carrying food, which people move to the table off and on to eat.}

  Fezziwig: It is time to dance.

  {Music starts to play. Fezziwig goes to Mrs. Fezziwig, and they start the dance, and others join. Young Ebenezer dances happily with Belle, and Scrooge dances along, too.}

  Scrooge: Old Fezziwig was the greatest.

  Past: Why? It is only a small matter to make these silly folks so happy.

  Scrooge: {Upset} Small!? It's not small.

  Past: Why is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves praise?

  Scrooge: {Angrily, speaking without thinking} It isn't that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. His power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count them up? The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.

  {Past looks at him, and suddenly Scrooge realizes what he has just said.}

  Past: What is the matter?

  Scrooge: Nothing.

  Past: There is something, I think?

  Scrooge: No. I should just like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That's all.

  Act I Scene 6

  {The stage is cleared, and a bench is put on. Ebenezer is sitting there now with Belle. As Scrooge watches Ebenezer and Belle, he begins to realize where he is and what is happening and he looks on with increased pain, shaking his head as if trying to stop what will happen.}

  Belle: What I have to say to you will matter little to you, for another idol has displaced me; and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.

  Ebenezer: What idol has displaced you?

  Belle: A golden one.

  Ebenezer: You speak the foolishness of the world. There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!

  Belle: You fear the world too much. I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until gain, alone, engrosses you.

  Ebenezer: Even if I have grown so much wiser, what of it? I am not changed towards you.

  Belle: When we committed to marriage, we were both poor and content to be so, until, in good season, we could improve our worldly fortune by our patient industry. But you are not the man you were then.

  Ebenezer: {Growing annoyed} I was a boy.

  Belle: We were young then and one of heart, but now we are two. I release you from our commitment.

  Ebenezer: {Angry} Have I ever sought release?

  Belle: Not in words, but in your desires of life. Marriage is not a business, Ebenezer. It is so much more, and to view it as such would be a poor bargain for both of us. What made my love of any worth or value in your sight is no longer there. If you did not know me and were to meet me now, you would not try to win me.

  Ebenezer: You think not?

  Belle: I would gladly think otherwise if I could, but I know if you were free today, you would not choose a poor girl like me, for you now weigh everything by gain. I release you, Ebenezer, with all of the love I have for the man you once were, but no longer are. May you be happy in the life you have chosen!

  {Bell reaches out and kindly touches him, then sadly turns and leaves.}

  Ebenezer: {As Belle leaves, almost sneering} I will.

  Scrooge: {Yelling at Ebenezer} Go after her! You stupid young fool, go after her! {Turning back to Past} Spirit, why do you delight to torture me so? {Then turning back to Ebenezer, in obvious anger and disgust.} You worthless young fool, go after her!

  Ebenezer: {Turning to Scrooge as if he senses him.} Bah, humbug.

  {Ebenezer exits, and Scrooge falls on his knees overcome with emotions, crying, and speaks as if the words pain him now as he remembers them.}

  Scrooge: Humbug. Humbug. {After a short pause, he speaks again, begging to Past without looking at her.} Spirit, please, please take me home.

  Past: I must show you one shadow more!

  Scrooge: No more, please! I can't stand to see more!

  {Past takes his arm and leads him around the stage, and he never looks up, struggling to deal with the pain. The bench is cleared away, and the stage is set with a couch, chair, fireplace, sitting chairs, or whatever is desired to make i
t look like a living room.}

  Act I Scene 7

  {In this living room scene, five or six children, the younger ones dressed in night gowns or night shirts, are running, playing, and making lots of commotion. The oldest girl is much calmer, played by the same girl that played Belle in the last scene, but this time her name is Mary. Older Belle is a middle aged woman, as close in looks to Belle in the last scene as possible or what an older Belle would look like. Belle and Mary are sitting, visiting, laughing, and happy.}

  Scrooge: {Looking at Mary} Belle?

  Past: No, she is not Belle. Her mother is Belle.

  {John, Older Belle's husband and the children's father, calls out.}

  John: I'm home.

  {All of the young children rush to the side of the stage and immediately come back on with John, who has his arms full of presents. They all start clamoring for them and wanting to know what is in them. He stacks his load on the floor.}

  John: No, I shall not tell. {The children groan.} There shall not be one present opened tonight. {The children groan again.} And there shall not be one present opened tomorrow by any child who stays up one moment longer. {He laughs.} Now, off to bed with all of you.

  {All of the children except for Mary rush off stage as if going to bed. He sits in a chair, and Mary lovingly leans against her father, something that tears at Scrooge's heart.}

  Older Belle: {Laughing} You big meany.

  John: We wouldn't want sleepy children on Christmas, now, would we? {Slight pause} Belle, I saw an old friend of yours this afternoon.

  Older Belle: Who was it?

  John: Guess!

  Older Belle: How can I? {Pause} I know, how about Mr. Scrooge?

  John: Mr. Scrooge it was. I passed his office window; and as it was not shut up, and he had a candle inside. I could scarcely help seeing him. His partner lies upon the point of death, I hear; and there he sat alone. Quite alone in the world, I do believe.

  Older Belle: I feel sorry for him. He has no one.

  John: That is true. He has had his partner, but once his partner dies, Mr. Scrooge will be alone.

  Older Belle: Even with his partner, he never truly had anyone. Marriage is so much better than just business.

  John: {Reaches his hand to her and she takes it} He can have his money. I'd rather have you.

  {As John and Belle continue to pantomime speaking, Scrooge turns to Past.}

  Scrooge: {Angry} Spirit, remove me from this place!

  Past: There is nothing worse than the regret of what might have been, is there? Belle could have been your wife, and the children could have been your children. But instead, you chose to bestow your affection on cold, unfeeling money. You love it, but does it love you in return?

  Scrooge: I can stand this no more!

  Past: I told you these were shadows of the things that have been. That they are what they are, do not blame me! You chose them.

  Scrooge: Remove me! Now! I cannot bear it!

  {Past nods, waves her hand, and the living room scene is taken away and Scrooge's bedroom scene is put back on. He goes to his bed and sits on the edge, obviously overcome with grief.}

  BLACKOUT

  INTERMISSION IF DESIRED

  Act II Scene 1

  {The bell starts to toll. As the twelfth dong sounds, the lights come up on Scrooge's bedroom. Present is there with baskets of food surrounding him as he sits on a stool.}

  Present: {Loud and boisterous} Ebenezer Scrooge!

  {Scrooge sits up on the edge of his bed, still wearing his scarf and slippers, and rubs his eyes and holds his head.}

  Scrooge: Oh, my head.

  Present: Come here. Come and know me better, man.

  {Scrooge steps out and stares at Present}

  Scrooge: {Staring at Present} Who are you?

  Present: I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me! You have never seen the likes of me? {Scrooge shakes his head.} You have never walked forth with any of my family?

  Scrooge: I don't think I have. Have you had many brothers, Spirit?

  Present: More than eighteen hundred.

  Scrooge: What lessons have you to teach me?

  {Present stands and puts one arm around Scrooge's shoulders and sweeps across with the other as if signaling the world.}

  Present: Today we shall travel the world and see the joys of Christmas. Touch my robe!

  Act II Scene 2

  {Scrooge touches Present's robe, and the bedroom scene is cleared from the stage as the two of them walk across the stage. Present waves his torch as people come in singing Christmas carols, greeting each other, acting like they are shopping, throwing snowballs, or any number of things. They can come up the aisles, around the front of the stage, across the stage, but the place is full of people. Most are happy. A couple of women start to argue, and Present sprinkles his torch over them. They immediately shake hands, then hug, and wish each other "Merry Christmas" before hurrying on their way. Scrooge is taking all of this in. Church bells chime, and the people hurry away to church. As the bells cease, Scrooge speaks.}

  Scrooge: Spirit, what sprinkles forth from your torch?

  Present: Peace and goodness. Kindness and goodwill. Happiness and satisfaction.

  Scrooge: Would it apply to anyone?

  Present: Yes, to any kindly given. To the poor most of all.

  Scrooge: Why the poor?

  Present: Because they need it most.

  Scrooge: {Thoughtfully} Spirit, there are those who use this day to take advantage of others. It is the scam or humbug of this day. In the name of He whom this day is to honor, and in your name, or those of your family, they press others to give, to buy, to spend. But it is done, not in the grace of goodness, but only for themselves.

  Present: There are some upon this earth of yours who lay claim to know us, and He whom this day honors, who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness. But are you worthy of every blessing He has given to you?

  Scrooge: I cannot say that I am.

  Present: Then would it not be better to give to one who is unworthy than to be found withholding from one who is, even as He whose day this is has done for all.

  Scrooge: I suppose it would.

  Present: As for those who would take advantage of this day for their own greed, they are not of us nor of Him. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.

  Scrooge: I will try to do so.

  Present: Follow me.

  {As they walk around the stage, the Cratchit household is put on, a table with chairs and/or benches, a fireplace, and a few sitting chairs.}

  Present: We are here.

  Scrooge: Where are we?

  Present: This is the home of your 15-schilling a week clerk. That is Mrs. Cratchit at the table wearing the worn out gown made brave by ribbons. Ribbons make a good show for sixpence, Scrooge. That is Belinda, helping her, and that is Peter at the fire.

  Scrooge: You know them well.

  Present: I come here often.

  Scrooge: But why would you choose to spend Christmas at the home of one whose earnings are so small?

  Present: The true spirit of Christmas is quite often more plentiful in such a home than it is in the greatest palace, for that which is of true value is known here.

  Peter: The potatoes are done, Mother.

  Mrs. Cratchit: But where are Father and Tiny Tim? And where is Martha? She wasn't this late last Christmas!

  Martha: {Speaking as she enters} Here I am, Mother!

  {The two littlest Crachits come running in yelling, "Martha, Martha" and hug her.}

  Mrs. Cratchit: Why, bless you, my dear, how late you are.

  {Mrs. Cratchit kisses her and takes off Martha's shawl and bonnet and hangs them on a coat tree.}

  Martha: We had a lot of work to finish up last night, and had to clear away this morning.

  Mrs. Cratchit: Well, never mind, so long as you are here. Sit down before the fire, my dear, and have a
warm.

  Peter: {Looking at the side of the stage} No, no! Father is coming. Hide, Martha, hide!

  {She hides behind the table, and Cratchit comes in with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder. Tiny Tim, carries a little crutch, and has his leg supported by an iron frame}

  Cratchit: Where's our Martha?

  Mrs. Cratchit: Not coming.

  Cratchit: {Disappointed} Not coming! Not coming upon Christmas Day!

  Martha: {Coming from hiding} Here I am, Father.

  Cratchit: {Laughing and hugging Martha} So my family played a joke on me.

  Peter: Come on, Tim, Belinda, and everyone. Let's go see how the pudding is going.

  {Peter, Belinda, and the little Cratchits hurry off with Peter carrying Tiny Tim. Bob and Martha sit in chairs by the fire.}

  Cratchit: We are so rich.

  Scrooge: {To Present} Not on 15 schillings a week he's not.

  Mrs. Cratchit: And how did little Tim behave?

  Cratchit: As good as gold - no, better. He grows thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see. I do think he will grow up hearty and strong. Don't you think he looks better, Martha?

  {Martha and Mrs. Cratchit glance at each other but say nothing. Martha takes her Father's hand. The others come back in with Tiny Tim stomping along with his crutch to his father's lap by the fire.}

  Mrs. Cratchit: So how's the pudding coming?

  Peter: It's pudding on the last touches of flavor.

  Martha: Pudding on the last touches. Very funny, Peter. You are such a goose.

  Mrs. Cratchit: Oh, my goodness. We need to get our goose. Peter, run to the baker and get our goose. You other children, help me set the table while I make the gravy. {Martha starts to get up.} Not you, Martha. You stay and warm yourself and enjoy a day not having to work.

  {Peter grabs his coat and runs out. Everyone except for Martha, Cratchit, and Tiny Tim busy themselves getting the table ready. Peter comes back in with the goose.}

  Peter: It looks like our goose is cooked.

  {All laugh, and they congregate to the table.}

  Cratchit: We are so rich.

  Scrooge: {Unheard by anyone but Present} Not on 15 shillings a week, you're not. {Turning to Present} Why does he keep saying that?

  {They start eating or pretend to eat.}

  Cratchit: There never was such a goose.

  Scrooge: {To Present} But that goose is not enough for this many people. It is the size of a pigeon.

  {They visit as they eat.}

  Cratchit: Martha, tell us about your work at the milliner's shop.

  Martha: Making hats out of straw, ribbons, and bows 14 to 16 hours per day. I can't wait to lie abed tomorrow. I saw a lord and a countess some days ago. They bought many hats, each costing ten times what you make in a week, Father. And then, when they left, they would not even give as much as a penny to a hungry child that was singing there for money to buy something to eat.

  {Scrooge is bothered by this.}

  Present: Is something wrong, Scrooge?

  Scrooge: It is just that some poor, hungry, children also came singing to me.

  {As they eat, Mrs. Cratchit grows concerned about the pudding.}

  Mrs. Cratchit: I worry about the pudding. Suppose it should not be done enough! Suppose it should break in turning out. Suppose somebody should have got over the wall of the back-yard, and stolen it, while were busy with the goose.

  Cratchit: You might as well find out so you can stop worrying.

  Belinda: I'll help, Mother.

  {Mrs. Cratchit and Belinda exit and come back on momentarily with the pudding.}

  Cratchit: It is a wonderful pudding, just as they all have been from the day we married.

  Mrs. Cratchit: I must confess, I had my doubts about the quantity of flour.

  Scrooge: {To Present} But that is such a small pudding for this many people, yet they act like it is the greatest feast set before a king.

  Present: Quiet. You need to hear this.

  {They start to eat or pretend to eat their small pudding, and Bob Cratchit holds up his glass in a toast.}

  Cratchit: I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast.

  {Scrooge is embarrassed and Mrs. Cratchit is angry.}

  Mrs. Cratchit: Mr. Scrooge, The Founder of the Feast indeed! I wish I had him here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope he'd have a good appetite for it.

  Cratchit: My dear, the children! Christmas Day.

  Mrs. Cratchit: It should be Christmas Day, I am sure, on which one drinks the health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge. You know he is, Robert. Nobody knows it better than you do.

  Cratchit: My dear, Christmas?

  Mrs. Cratchit: I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's, not for his. Long life to him! A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

  {The children drink the toast after her, but the mention of Scrooge's name cast a dark shadow on the party. Cratchit tries to lighten things again.}

  Cratchit: A Merry Christmas to us all. God bless us!

  {All the family echo the toast.}

  Tiny Tim: God bless us, every one!

  {The scene goes dim as the family holds still and Scrooge and Present move downstage.}

  Scrooge: Spirit, tell me. Tiny Tim, he will live?

  Present: I see a vacant chair, a crutch without an owner. If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die.

  Scrooge: No, no. Oh, no, kind Spirit, no!

  Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my kind will find him here. What of it? {Looking forcefully at Scrooge and echoing his words} If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.

  {Scrooge hangs his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and is overcome with penitence and grief.}

  Present: Man, if man you be in heart, forbear your wickedness and discover what the surplus is, and where it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? God made you no different than he made your poor, hungry brother. It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions, more worthless than this poor man's crippled child.

  {Scrooge humbled before Present's rebuke, and, trembling, looks down.}

  Scrooge: They hardly had enough to eat. They have so very little.

  Present: On the contrary, they have far more than you.

  Scrooge: What do you mean?

  Present: We must go. The day is rushing on, and we still need to visit the surplus.

  Act II Scene 3

  {The stage is cleared of the Cratchit home. It is meant to be the world. It could be a street or anything similar. The light is dimmed to represent evening with a spot on Present and Scrooge. Many people in different groups come on singing and happily greeting each other. There could be groups singing, even singing different Christmas songs all at once, but all blend together. All the people are poor. Scrooge watches them as they are happy. Some are heading to church. Some are wistfully looking at goods in windows. But all are alight with the Christmas spirit.}

  Present: {Waving his hand across the people} Behold the surplus, oh Man.

  Scrooge: But they are all so happy.

  Present: What right have they to be happy, they're poor enough? {Scrooge is humbled at hearing his own words. There is a slight pause before Present speaks} They have all learned the same thing your clerk has learned. Money does not make a man rich, it only makes him wealthy. Riches come from loving and being loved. Compared to them, you are a very poor man indeed. Who do you have to love or that will love you? Your money. It cares nothing for you.

  {Fred comes on and sees some children. They congregate around him.}

  Scrooge: It i
s my nephew.

  Present: He loves the children. And see how the children love him. Perhaps there is no greater measure of a man than how children view him. Children are simple and not impressed or fooled by the sophistries of men. How do children view you, Scrooge?

  Scrooge: I dare not say.

  {Fred gives each of the children some money, and they scamper off to buy food. The last two are a little boy (Poor Boy) and a little girl (Poor Girl), each has little to wear to keep them warm. Fred takes his own scarf and wraps it around the boy's shoulders and puts his coat on the girl. Scrooge reaches up and touches his scarf, then holds the end up and looks at it sufficiently so the audience notices. Fred and the two children exit together. Others continue to sing and are happy.}

  Present: Compared to you, your nephew has little in the way of your earthly money, but what he has, he shares. I would dare say, that is what makes him so happy, even happier than those who receive of his generosity. Happiness is in the giving, not the getting, Scrooge. It is found in strengthening the weak, lifting the downtrodden, comforting those in sorrow and despair, and giving of yourself even more than of your means.

  Act II Scene 4

  {As the people begin to leave, the stage is set as Fred's living room. There is a party going on. Fred laughs with a hearty laugh. There should at least be a couple of other women, Mrs. Fred's sisters, and a couple of other men. In addition, the two poor children that went off stage with Fred are there enjoying the food. All are merry and involved in the scene.}

  Scrooge: Why, it's my nephew. Why are we here, of all places?

  {Fred laughs again.}

  Fred: It's true, I tell you. He said that Christmas was a humbug. He believes it, too!

  Mrs. Fred: More shame for him, Fred!

  Fred: He's a comical old fellow. However, his offences carry their own punishment, and I have nothing to say against him.

  Mrs. Fred: You say he's very rich.

  Fred: What of that, my dear? His wealth is of no use to him. He does no good with it. He won't make himself comfortable with it. I'm sure he hasn't even the satisfaction of thinking {he laughs} that he could benefit us with it.

  Mrs. Fred: I have no patience with him.

  Fred: Oh, I have! I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself, always. Not only does he take it into his head to dislike us and miss out on a fine dinner, but he doesn't get to meet my wonderful wife.

  Topper: I agree Fred. A bachelor is nothing but a wretched outcast seeking where he can for bits of affection.

  Fred: Well, I think that the consequence of his taking a dislike to us, and not making merry with us, is, that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm. What pleasant companions does he find alone in his moldy old office, or his dusty chambers? I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for I pity him. He may rail at Christmas till he dies, but he can't help thinking better of it if he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying Uncle Scrooge, how are you. Perhaps it will do no more than put him in the vein to leave his poor clerk a few extra shillings.

  Mrs. Fred: Enough of your uncle. We should have some fun. How about a game?

  Fred: {Getting his pregnant wife a chair} Let's play a game where you can rest, my dear.

  Mrs. Fred: How about Yes and No.

  Fred: That would be wonderful.

  Mrs. Fred: You go, Fred.

  {Fred thinks a minute, then smiles.}

  Fred: I've got one.

  Topper: Is it vegetable?

  Fred: No.

  Thin Sister: Is it animal?

  Fred: That it is.

  Poor Girl: Is it a live animal?

  Fred: Yes.

  Poor Boy: Is it a disagreeable animal?

  Fred: Yes. Very.

  Plump Sister: A savage animal?

  Fred: I would have to say, yes.

  Topper: Does it growl?

  Fred: Yes, sometimes.

  Poor Girl: Does it live in Africa?

  Fred: No.

  Scrooge: {Excited and speaking though no one hears} How about Asia?

  Poor Boy: How about Asia?

  Fred: No.

  Topper: Europe?

  Fred: No, not the continent.

  Thin Sister: How about England, then?

  Fred: Yes, it is England.

  Topper: Is it a bear?

  Fred: No.

  Thin Sister: How about a bull?

  Fred: No.

  Scrooge: How about a horse? It must be a horse?

  Plump Sister: I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is!

  Fred: What is it?

  Plump Sister: It's your Uncle Scrooge!

  Fred: {Laughing} Yes.

  {They all laugh. Scrooge even smiles an embarrassed smile.}

  Topper: I think you mislead us. For when I said it was a bear you ought to have answered "Yes".

  {They all laugh again, even Scrooge.}

  Fred: He has given us plenty of merriment, this evening, and it would be ungrateful not to drink his health. Here is a glass of mulled wine ready to our hand at the moment; and I say, "Uncle Scrooge!"

  All: Uncle Scrooge!

  Fred: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, wherever he is. He wouldn't take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!

  All: Uncle Scrooge!

  Scrooge: Thank you.

  {The scene starts to fade away, and Scrooge complains.}

  Scrooge: Do we have to go? I was having so much fun.

  {Present laughs, then coughs or something to indicate his health is waning.}

  Scrooge: Spirit, are you quite well?

  Present: My life upon this globe is very brief. It ends tonight.

  Scrooge: To-night! Are spirits' lives so short?

  Present: The time is drawing near.

  Scrooge: Spirit, I see something strange protruding from your robe! It is some kind of claw.

  Present: It might be a type of claw. Look here.

  {Present opens his robe, and two wretched children step out, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable. They kneel down at its feet, and cling to his robe.}

  Scrooge: Are they your children?

  {As Present speaks, the two children start to circle Scrooge, clawing at him. As Present ends, they go back to hold to his robe.}

  Present: They are Man's. They cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their kind, but most of all, beware this boy, for on his brow I see written Doom unless the writing be erased.

  Scrooge: Have they no help, no refuge?

  Present: {With anger and disgust} Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? Are there no treadmills?

  {At hearing his own words, Scrooge falls on his knees, sobbing, and covers his head. Present leaves and the bell starts to strike twelve dongs.}

  Act II Scene 5

  {As the bell continues to toll, Future comes in, ghostly, hooded, and all in black. She approaches as if floating and stops a short distance away. As the last dong sounds, she raises her hand upward, and Scrooge's head is jerked up as if pulled by her power, and that is when he sees her. If possible, a mist should enshroud them.}

  Scrooge: Am I in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come? {Future nods. Scrooge stands and backs away, his voice trembling with fear.} Ghost of the future, I fear you more than any specter I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to learn what you will teach me, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?

  {The Spirit does not answer, but points onward with its hand.}

  Scrooge: Lead on, for the night is waning fast, and I now understand how precious time is.

  {The spirit points toward the stage wing. Men bearing a casket come out. Merchant1, Merchant2, and Merchant3 come out and watch the procession and seem happy
and jovial, uncharacteristically so for a funeral. Future points to them, and Scrooge moves over to hear them speak.}

  Merchant1: Do you know much about it?

  Merchant2: No. I only know he's dead.

  Merchant1: When did he die?

  Merchant3: Last night, I hear.

  Merchant1: I thought he would never die. What did he die of?

  Merchant2: The doctor said his heart just shrunk away. {Laughing loudly} That is if he ever had one in the first place.

  Merchant1: What has he done with all of his money?

  Merchant3: {Laughing} All I know is he hasn't left it to me.

  {They all laugh heartily and continue to do so during much of the following conversation.}

  Merchant2: It's likely to be a very cheap funeral. I don't know of anybody who plans to go to it.

  Merchant1: Suppose we volunteer?

  Merchant2: I don't mind going if a lunch is provided. If I go, I must be fed.

  Merchant3: I don't know if I'll be attending. I look terrible in black.

  Merchant1: I suppose I should go. I was one of his best friends.

  Merchant3: Really?

  Merchant1: Yes. I think he swore at me at least once per week.

  {They all exit laughing.}

  Scrooge: Who are they talking about, Spirit? Who died? It obviously it could not be my partner Jacob, for he died seven years ago. Please tell me, Spirit. Who died?

  Act II Scene 6

  {Future turns and points, and the lights dim, indicating moonlight. Joe, the owner of the beetling shop (pawn shop) is standing there. Two women and a man enter separately, all carrying large bundles. They are all surprised to see each other. Joe is a dark, eerie man.}

  Joe: What brings you all here in the moonlight?

  Charwoman: {Laughing} Look here, old Joe, here's a chance! If we haven't all three met here without meaning it! Unknown to us, we apparently all came to share in a bit of just reward.

  Joe: You couldn't have met in a better place. I will buy all that you bring, even old bones, though I'm sure there aren't any bones older than me own. {He laughs, but the others do not.} So who's first?

  Charwoman: {Pointing to herself} I was 'ere first. Let the charwoman be first. {Pointing to the other woman} Let the laundress be second; and let the undertaker be third.

  Laundress: {Nervous} I don't know if I should...

  Charwoman: What are the odds, Mrs. Dilber? Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He always did!

  Laundress: That's true, indeed! No man more so.

  Charwoman: Why then, don't stand there quaking. Who will be the wiser?

  Undertaker: No, one will be the wiser. We won't be speaking on each other.

  Charwoman: And the dead man won't be the worse for the loss of a few things.

  Undertaker: No, indeed.

  Charwoman: If he wanted to keep them after he was dead, he should have lived better in his lifetime.

  Undertaker: If he had, he'd have had somebody to look after him in death instead of lying gasping out his last all alone.

  Laundress: It's a judgment on him, isn't it?

  Joe: Enough! Let's get started. {He reaches out to the undertaker. The undertaker starts to hand him things, and Joe just jerks his bag away.} Let's see. A pencil-case, a pair of sleeve-buttons, and a brooch of no great value. {When the undertaker holds out his hand, Joe takes some money from his own pocket and puts it in the Undertaker's hand.} That's your account, and I wouldn't give another sixpence, if I was to be boiled for not doing it. Who's next?

  Charwoman: Let the laundress be next.

  {Charwoman pushes the timid laundress forward. Joe takes her bag and looks in.}

  Joe: Sheets, towels, silver teaspoons, a pair of sugar-tongs, and a few boots. Not bad. {He hands her some money.} I always give too much to ladies. It's a weakness of mine.

  Charwoman: And now check out my bundle, Joe.

  Joe: {Joe, looking in it.} Bed curtains? You don't mean to say you took them down, rings and all, with him lying there?

  Charwoman: It didn't seem to bother him.

  Joe: You were born to make your fortune. {Reaching in, he pulls out a scarf that looks just like the one Scrooge is wearing.} An old scarf.

  Scrooge: {Seeing it - gasps} My scarf! {He now is beginning to understand and is angry.}

  Joe: Looks well used.

  Charwoman: Don't drop that oil upon the blankets, now, Joe.

  Laundress: His blankets? You stole his blankets.

  Charwoman: {Turning to her and pointing downward} He isn't likely to take cold where he's going. {Turning back to Joe, who just pulled out a shirt} That shirt is near perfect. You won't find a hole in it. They'd have wasted it, if it hadn't been for me.

  Joe: What do you call wasting of it?

  Charwoman: {Turns to Undertaker} Put it on him to be buried in, some fool did.

  {She and Joe roar with laughter as the other two look on a bit stunned.}

  Joe: You will be rich.

  Charwoman: He frightened every one away from him when he was alive, all to profit us when he was dead!

  {All of them exit the stage. As they do, Scrooge is angry and calls after them.}

  Scrooge: You, you, thieves! You scoundrels! {Turning to Future} Spirit, if there is any person in the town who feels emotion caused by this man's death, show that person to me, please!

  Act II Scene 7

  {Future sweeps her arm, and the stage changes to a set with just one chair. A woman sits there knitting. If children are available, they could be sitting around on the floor playing. A man walks in, and she speaks to him.}

  Debtor Wife: Is it good or bad?

  Debtor: Bad.

  Debtor Wife: We are quite ruined, then?

  Debtor: No. There is hope yet, Caroline.

  Debtor Wife: If he relents there is! Nothing is past hope, if such a miracle has happened.

  Debtor: He is past relenting. He is dead.

  Debtor Wife: {Shocked, but excited} Oh, that is so exciting! {Covering her mouth and shocked at herself.} That was very inappropriate. I pray for forgiveness.

  Debtor: What the half-drunken woman whom I told you of last night said to me, when I tried to see him and obtain a week's delay; and what I thought was a mere excuse to avoid me; turns out to have been quite true. He was not only very ill, but dying.

  Debtor Wife: To whom will our debt be transferred?

  Debtor: I don't know. But before that time we shall be ready with the money; and even if we are not, it would be impossible for his successor to be any more merciless. We may sleep tonight with light hearts, Caroline!

  {The set is cleared, and the stage is empty except for Scrooge and Future.}

  Act II Scene 8

  Scrooge: Spirit, my heart is dark. Please show me some mercy. Please, let me see some tenderness connected with a death.

  {The stage is set with Bob Cratchit's home scene. Everyone is quiet, sitting around the fire. Mrs. Cratchit and the oldest girls are sewing while the younger ones lean sadly against them. Tiny Tim's crutch leans against the fireplace. Peter is reading from a Bible.}

  Peter: {His voice cracking with emotion} And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them and sayeth unto them, except ye become as little children ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

  {Mrs. Cratchit lays her work upon her lap and puts her hand up to her face.}

  Mrs. Cratchit: {Laying her work on her lap} The color hurts my eyes. {She wipes them.} They're better now. The candlelight makes them weak. I wouldn't want to show weak eyes to your father when he comes home. Isn't it near time he should be home?

  Peter: {Closing the Bible} Past it, rather. But I think he walks a little slower than he used to.

  Mrs. Cratchit: I have known him to walk with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder very fast indeed.

  Peter: So have I. Often.

  Mrs. Cratchit: But he was very light to carry, and his father loved him, so that it was no tro
uble!

  {Cratchit comes in and speaks as he takes off his coat and kisses his wife as he speaks.}

  Cratchit: I'm sorry I am late.

  Mrs. Cratchit: You stopped by the cemetery, Robert?

  Cratchit: Yes, my dear. I wish you could have gone. It would have done you good to see how green a place it is. But you'll see it often. I promised him that I would walk there every Sunday. {He sees the little crutch by the fireplace. He picks it up. And breaks down crying, falling on his knees.} My little, little child! My little child!

  {The smallest children run to him, and he scoops them into his arms and cries as he holds them tight. Momentarily, he regains his composure.}

  Cratchit: I ran into Mr. Scrooge's nephew, Fred, today. He was so kind. When he learned of Tim, he said, "I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit, and very sorry for your good wife." I wonder how he knew that.

  Mrs. Cratchit: Knew what, my dear?

  Cratchit: Why, that you are a good wife.

  Peter: Everybody knows that, Father.

  Cratchit: Very true, Peter. Anyway, Fred gave me his card and said if he can be of service to you in any way, come to him. It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us.

  Mrs. Cratchit: I'm sure he's a good soul!

  Cratchit: You would be surer of it, my dear, if you knew him. {He pauses briefly, becoming emotional again.} My dear children, however and whenever we part from one another, let us never forget our Tiny Tim.

  Children: Never, Father!

  Cratchit: And when we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; let it remind us never to quarrel among ourselves. His sweet spirit, his childish essence, was from God.

  {The scene fades.}

  Act II Scene 9

  {The stage is cleared and left bare except for some headstones of a grave yard. One gravestone is large and prominent. Future points to it.}

  Scrooge: Spirit, before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point, answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of things that may be, only? {A short pause, but Future says nothing.} I know now that a man's course will foreshadow certain ends, but if the course be departed from, will the end not change? Say it is now thus with what you show me! {There is another pause, still Future says nothing.} Spirit, hear me. I am not the man I was. Why show me this, if I am past all hope? I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. The spirits of past, present, and future shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons I have learned. {Future once more signals to the stone.} Oh, Spirit, I cannot look upon the stone!

  {The stone with the name "Scrooge" prominently displayed on it is zoomed forward right in front of Scrooge. Future acts as though she is signaling his face toward the stone. Scrooge is acting as though he is fighting it, but he cannot keep from looking.}

  Scrooge: No!

  {Scrooge screams and runs away. The stage is cleared, and Scrooge's bedroom scene is put on.}

  Act II Scene 10

  {Scrooge runs to his bed. He kneels on it, breathing hard, hands over his face.}

  Scrooge: I will honor Christmas. I will honor Christmas. I will honor... {He stops, looks around him, and realizes he is in his bed.} In my own bed! I am in my own bed! {He laughs.} I will live, and I will honor Christmas. The Spirits of past, present, and future shall strive within me. Oh, Jacob Marley, Heaven, and the Christmas time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, Jacob, on my knees! {He grabs his bed curtains.} They are not torn down. They are here - I am here - the shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled. They will be. I know they will! The time is now mine to make amends, now, today. {He pauses.} Today. What is today? How long have I been with the spirits? {He runs off and down in front of the stage. His bedroom is taken off. He sees a boy there.} Hello, my fine fellow, what is today?

  Boy: Today? Why, Christmas Day.

  Scrooge: It's Christmas Day! I haven't missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Of course they can.

  Boy: {Doubtful} Spirits?

  Scrooge: Yes, spirits.

  {The boy starts to leave, thinking Scrooge is crazy. They work their way back on stage as he continue.}

  Scrooge: {Laughing slightly.} I don't know what to do! I hardly know how to laugh. It has been so long. {The boy starts to laugh and Scrooge slowly at first, but stronger and stronger breaks into a full hearty laugh and continues as he speaks.} I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world! {He finally slows down and stops laughing.} We are verging on a miracle here! {Scrooge breaks into laughing, the boy does, too. Suddenly, he stops as if he just thought of something.} Boy, do you know the poulterer's, in the next street, at the corner?

  Boy: I should hope I do.

  Scrooge: An intelligent boy! A remarkable boy! Do you know whether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there?

  Boy: What, the one as big as me?

  Scrooge: What a delightful boy! It's a pleasure to talk to you. Yes, that is the one.

  Boy: It's hanging there now.

  Scrooge: Go and buy it for me.

  Boy: You aren't serious.

  Scrooge: I am. Go and buy it, and tell them to bring it here, that I may give them the direction where to take it. Come back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes and I'll give you half-a-crown!

  {The boy takes off running.}

  Scrooge: {Laughing, then realizing} Oh, my. I do not have money. I must hurry and dress.

  {He goes off and dresses while people come on singing Christmas carols to fill the void. As soon as Scrooge is back, he speaks and the carolers fade off stage.}

  Scrooge: {Laughing} This will be fun. I will send that turkey to Bob Cratchit's. He shan't know who sends it. It's twice the size of Tiny Tim.

  {The boy returns, followed by a man with a huge turkey.}

  Boy: We are back.

  Scrooge: Oh, my, what a bird. Why, it's impossible for you to carry that to Camden Town, You must have a cab. {He pulls out money, laughing and enjoying himself and putting money in the boy's hand.} Here, boy, for the turkey, and some more for a cab. It needs to go to 210 Camden road. The name is Bob Cratchit. {He pauses only a second, and then pulls out another coin.} Oh, and, Boy. For you. {Laughing as the boy and the man with the turkey} I wish I could see Tiny Tim's face when he sees it.

  {Scrooge gives the boy the last of the money, and the poulter and the boy go off. People are coming on, and he wishes them Merry Christmas. They are surprised. He turns and runs into the children he had scared earlier. They scream. He kneels down and starts singing.}

  Scrooge: Good king Wenceslas looked down... {He pauses and motions to them.} Help me.

  {The children start singing with them. He sings at the top of his lungs, only getting about half of the words and some of them wrong, and always a beat behind the children's singing because he doesn't know the words. He is also off key, monotone. He stands up behind them and they face the audience like a choir. When they finish, he wishes them Merry Christmas and gives them each some money. (We have used smarties instead, the children loved that, we never had to go collect the coins, and the audience didn't know the difference. Gold wrapped chocolate coins would work, too.) The children run off squealing with excitement. Scrooge then sees the two men who had come asking for donations. They are talking to someone. He sneaks up behind them and grabs them by the shoulders.}

  Scrooge: Boo!

  {The men are shocked.}

  Portly Man: Mr. Scrooge!

  Scrooge: Yes, that is my name, though I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to beg your pardon for how I have acted. I would like to make a donation. How about 50 guineas? No, a hundred guineas? {They nod in excitement, but he stops and
speaks sternly as if to himself.} No, that will never do. How about...

  {He whispers in their ears. The shock on their face is evident. The thin man just stares in disbelief while the portly man speaks.}

  Portly Man: Lord bless me! My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?

  Scrooge: Not a farthing less. There are a great many back-payments included in it, I assure you.

  Portly Man: I don't know what to say to such generosity.

  Scrooge: Don't say anything. Just come and see me. You will come and see me?

  Portly Man: We will!

  Scrooge: Merry Christmas!

  {He continues to greet people, wishing them Merry Christmas. Some are singing Christmas carols, among them are Mr. and Mrs. Dickens. Fred and Mrs. Fred come in, and Scrooge stops in front of them.}

  Fred: Uncle Scrooge!

  Scrooge: {Loud and obnoxious like he is angry} Nephew!

  Fred: {Timidly} Yes, Uncle Scrooge?

  Scrooge: {Breaking into a grin and laughing.} Merry Christmas. {He then pauses.} I have a present for you. {He takes his scarf off.} Your own dear mother gave this to me. She made it herself. She said that when I put it on, I was to feel as if she was hugging me to show her love. {He wraps it around Fred.} I now give it to you so you can feel her love for you.

  Fred: {Very emotional} Thank you, Uncle Scrooge. I don't think you could have given me a greater gift. I shall treasure it always.

  Scrooge: I do have one other question.

  Fred: Yes?

  Scrooge: {Turning to Mrs. Fred} Is that invitation to dinner still open?

  Mrs. Fred: {Smiles and hugs him} Of course, {she pauses briefly, then adds} Uncle Scrooge.

  {Mr. and Mrs. Dickens step forward and start speaking as Fred shakes Scrooge hand and then Scrooge, Fred, and Mrs. Fred exit together.}

  Mrs. Dickens: Come to dinner? It is a miracle Fred didn't shake his arm off. Scrooge was at home in five minutes. Nothing could be heartier. Wonderful party, wonderful games, wonderful food, wonderful happiness!

  Act II Scene 11

  {The scene changes to Scrooge's counting house.}

  Mr. Dickens: But Scrooge was early at the office next morning. Oh, if he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That was the thing he had set his heart upon.

  {The clock strikes all 9 tolls and another brief moment passes before Cratchit comes in. Scrooge laughs, then walks to the side of the stage and stands near where Cratchit will come in so Cratchit will have to pass him. He turns his smile to an obvious fake scowl. Cratchit, coming in, late, has to pass him. Cratchit goes right to his desk and starts to work. Scrooge walks slowly to his desk, pauses, then slams it with the palm of his hand making Cratchit jump. Scrooge speaks with his former meanness. }

  Scrooge: Bob Crachit, you are a full minute late!

  Cratchit: {Trembling} I am very sorry, sir. It's only once a year, sir. It shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.

  Scrooge: {Almost in a growl} I'm sure you were. But I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer. And therefore, {he advances toward Cratchit and Cratchit backs away} therefore, {Scrooge breaks into a laugh} I am about to raise your salary! {Cratchit stands there in shock as Scrooge laughs heartily.} Bob, you look like you've seen a ghost. {He reaches out his hand and shakes Cratchit's.} Ghosts cane be quite educational, you know. A merry Christmas, Bob! A merrier Christmas than I have given you for many a year! I'll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family. We will discuss it over lunch. Now, make up the fire, and let's warm things up in here. And buy another scuttle of coal before you dot another I, Bob Cratchit!

  {Cratchit, still dazed, leaves with the coal scuttle leaving Scrooge standing alone. Scrooge moves down stage.}

  Mrs. Dickens: Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all and infinitely more. He became as good a friend, as good a man as the old city knew. And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he became a second father.

  {Tiny Tim, now a tall young man, much taller than Scrooge, walks in, vibrant and healthy. (Note, at the director's discretion this could be played as most do with the same boy, just healthy, but the next line would need to be adjusted.)}

  Scrooge: Hello, Tiny Tim. {Scrooge laughs} I just love to say that. You are so big it makes me laugh.

  Tim: {Laughs} You can always call me Tiny Tim as long as I can always call you Uncle Scrooge.

  Scrooge: I like that.

  Tim: Anyway, Uncle Scrooge, I just came to see if you are ready to go to church.

  Scrooge: Of course. I couldn't miss going to church on Christmas. But I need just moment to do something first.

  {Tim nods and exits.}

  Dickens: Scrooge had no further direct dealings with spirits, but kept their lessons in his heart. But there was one thing that always bothered him.

  Scrooge: {Very emotional. Speaking as if to himself, but wishing he could speak to Marley. As he speaks, Marley comes in behind him, dressed in white, void of his chains, and hears Scrooge, though Scrooge cannot see him.} Marley, my friend, I don't know where you are, but I wish you could hear me now. What you did for me, I'm not sure you will ever know. In your death you taught me how to live. I learned that truly living is not found in what we can get, but in what we can give. Happiness cannot be found in seeking for it for one's self. But as I have sought to make others happy, I have found true happiness came back to me tenfold. Perhaps I will still have chains to wear, for a man can never fully undo his past, and there were many things I should have done and did not. I do not dwell on the past, other than to learn from it, but I have learned to live in the present and to look to the future. I now enjoy the days I have, and hope many more still lie ahead. Jacob, you have given me more than I can ever repay, because you have helped me learn to laugh, to share, and to really live and enjoy life. I don't know if one man can atone for another, but if I can, I would willingly take your chains upon myself that you might go free, and I would do it gladly as gratitude for what you have given me.

  Marley: {Stepping up and speaking, though Scrooge does not hear him.} Ebenezer, I, too, wish you could hear me. For it is possible for one man to atone for another, and, in fact, Christmas is all about one man who did that, not just for one, but for all. As you have lived a new life, I, too, have experienced it through you. As your heart has changed, so has mine. And as it did, the chains that bound me and my heart fell away, link by link and yard by yard. And now we are both free, Ebenezer.

  Marley and Scrooge together: All I can say is . . .

  {Marley and Scrooge speak at the same time}

  Marley: Thank you, Ebenezer, my friend.

  Scrooge: Thank you, Jacob, my friend.

  {They stand their quietly for a brief moment, and then Tiny Tim comes back in.}

  Tim: Are you ready?

  Scrooge: Yes, Tim, I am ready. Let's be off.

  Tim: And may God bless us, everyone.

  {Scrooge pauses and smiles, as Marley looks on, smiling and nodding.}

  Scrooge: {Chuckling and smiling} He already has, Tim. He already has.

  {Scrooge and Tim head off as Marley looks after them, smiling, and then he, too, exits the opposite direction.}

  BLACKOUT

  THE END.