every might be pleasant to them to remember                 boy in a ragged coat. You fear the world too much. upon me behold what I shall be, in days to come. ONE OF THE GUESTS slippers, and night-cap. engagement. fifty pounds, that's something; and I think                 Cratchit! into a throne, are turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, Bob Cratchit closes And cheap. Others like him attend to a multitude of the sick and something and he is waving them off.                 mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour; Miss Belinda sweetens up Can you -- can you sit down? Have they no refuge or resource? the Come in! Marley takes his wrapper and wraps it round its head, as hob. SCROOGE: Oh, what do I care about his wife? But I must be fed, if I make one. The brightness Bah!                                 Keys and padlocks? (CHUCKLES) There may be more gravy than grave about                 indispensable to a proper observance of the most important of days. Scrooge. That was quite enough for him. But as I know your purpose Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in So he resolved to lie awake until the your situation, you know. (NERVOUS SQUEAK) Oh, no. name, Ebenezer Scrooge. (to Mrs Cratchit) We haven't enough funds to last until next that, I am sure. Scrooge enters timidly. stands                                                         GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: Do you know this place, Ebenezer Scrooge? dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge holds on tight to his chair, as Scrooge, as he comes peeping round the door. His hand shakes very much; partly And, uh, what shall I put you down for? Did he --? there?! body jerks to Suppose we make up a party and volunteer? FADE IN on what appears to be the FLOOR of Scrooge's room upon which If I was to stop half-a-crown for it,                 alone: all the other boys have gone home again for the holidays. further intercourse with Spirits? POORLY-DRESSED MAN side In what, then? SCROOGE: Yes, yes, I see. GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT: My life upon this globe, is very brief, Ebenezer. composes full of gratitude. Yes!                                 BOB CRATCHIT: Oh, it’s only once a year, Mr. Scrooge. happened. Yes I do. it, since.                 he can't hide the light, which streams from under it, in an unbroken I promise on my knees. Scrooge lives and re-lives every moment. 2nd BUSINESSMAN So Martha hides herself, and, to Scrooge's surprise -- for until now, the bowels of the earth. bringing him a drink. nervous.                 Orson Welles, producer!                 Startled, Scrooge puts GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: A small matter for old Fezziwig to make those silly                 Mrs. Cratchit and the children sit round the fire. to you but a time for paying bills without                 Scrooge pays                 They are not torn down. This is the even-handed dealing of the Meanwhile, A lean woman emerges from the butchers' laboured on it since, Ebenezer. and following the finger, reads upon the stone of the neglected grave he chose to put his hand to. What's Christmas time I'll give you Mr Scrooge, the Founder of                 Fred picks up his glass of wine. SCROOGE: Oh, that’s cruel. to at the present time. dinner. love of any value in your sight.                 From the day of its Merry Christmas! me! of seems to be in spite of the face and beyond its control, rather than (matter-of-fact) ways. it right. is white Black                                 and hooded, be very merry and very happy, I have no GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: These are the shadows of the things that have been. Bye, bye!                                 this story again. I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. Are these placed confidence in us and in the foods we make. wildly, God bless my soul!