Section 10 of 12 - Table of Contents
FIRST SPIRIT (_gazing at him_). Something, I think.
SCROOGE. No, nothing; only this, I wish I could say a word or two to
my clerk just now. That's all. Poor fellow. I'm afraid I've been a
little hard on him. Poor Bob Cratchit!
FIRST SPIRIT. My work is thriving, but my time grows short. Quick, I
have another picture for you.
_Soft music. The curtains part, showing the scene as before, but only_
EBENEZER _and_ BELLA _are discovered. Soft music plays all through
this scene._
BELLA. It matters little to you, very little. Another idol has
displaced me, that's all. If it can comfort you and cheer you in time
to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.
EBENEZER (_irritated_). What idol has displaced you in my heart?
BELLA. An idol of gold.
EBENEZER. Well, I must make money. You know that. Poverty is the
hardest thing in the world.
BELLA. I have seen your nobler instincts fall off one by one. Now
nothing remains in your heart but the love of gold. Therefore, I am
releasing you from your engagement. (_Offers ring._)
EBENEZER. Have I ever sought release?
BELLA. In words, no; but in everything else, yes. I am penniless. If
you married me, you would probably regret it. So I release you with a
heart full of love for the noble man you once were.
EBENEZER. But, Bella--
BELLA. You will soon forget me. Your time and your mind will be full
of business, seeking after gold. The idol of gold has driven love
from your heart, but may you be happy and contented in the life you
have chosen. (_Rear curtains are drawn._)
FIRST SPIRIT. And are you happy and content in the life you have
chosen, Ebenezer Scrooge?
SCROOGE. No, a thousand times--no. I threw away her love, the one pure
thing in my life, for gold. And now I'm alone, alone. (_Sinks at desk
and sobs._)
FIRST SPIRIT. I have shown shadows of times that are passed. Have you
learned a lesson from the Spirit of Christmas Past?
SCROOGE. I have, I have; a bitter, bitter lesson.
FIRST SPIRIT. And will you see more?
SCROOGE. No, no. Show me no more. Torture me no longer.
FIRST SPIRIT. Remember the lesson you have learned. Remember the
kindness of your old master. Remember the love of your old sweetheart.
Your life is barren and bitter, but there is yet time for repentance.
(_Bell tolls twice._) The signal! My hour is past. On the stroke of
six my brother, the Spirit of the Christmas Present, will visit you.
Remember! Repent! Believe! Farewell, farewell, farewell!
FRONT CURTAIN SLOWLY FALLS.
STAVE II.
_Same scene as Stave I. Lights half up, but candles are not burning.
Rear curtains closed._ SCROOGE _is discovered asleep at his desk. The_
SPIRIT _of_ CHRISTMAS PRESENT _sits at R., a red light shining on him.
He carries a torch in which a red light burns. The bells toll six
times._ SCROOGE _suddenly awakens and gazes at_ SECOND SPIRIT.
SECOND SPIRIT. Arise, arise, Ebenezer Scrooge, and learn to know me
better.
SCROOGE (_frightened_). I don't believe I ever met you before.
SECOND SPIRIT. Probably not. I am the Spirit of Christmas. The Ghost
of Christmas Present.
SCROOGE. The Ghost of Christmas Present?
SECOND SPIRIT. I am a brother of the little Spirit of Christmas Past
who visited you before.
SCROOGE. And are you going to show me all my past misdeeds?
SECOND SPIRIT. Not me. I am going to show you your present misdeeds.
It is my mission to show you the love and comradeship of Christmas of
today. I travel among the common people. My torch is their
benediction. If there is a slight quarrel or any misunderstandings on
Christmas Day, I simply throw on them the light of my torch. And then
they say it is a shame to quarrel on Christmas Day--the Day of Peace
and Love. And so it is! God bless it! God bless Christmas Day!
SCROOGE. And what do you intend to show me?
SECOND SPIRIT. I intend to show you the House of Happiness.
SCROOGE. Is it a wonderful palace of gold?
SECOND SPIRIT. It is a humble little kitchen. In fact, the kitchen of
your poor clerk, Bob Cratchit. Bob, with his fifteen shillings a
week--with his wife and six children--with his shabby clothes and his
humble, shabby manners--Bob, with his little four-roomed house, and
his struggle to keep the wolf from the door. The Ghost of the
Christmas Present blesses his abode. Behold!
_Bright, cheerful music._ SCROOGE _and_ SECOND SPIRIT _cross to R. The
rear curtains open, showing the interior of the Cratchit kitchen.
Everything neat, but showing extreme poverty. Fireplace C. rear.
Kettle boiling on crane. Table down L.C. with red cloth and lighted
lamp. Cupboard up R. Old chairs around stage. Several pots of bright
flowers in evidence. A bird in a cage is singing over the mantel._
PETER _discovered watching the potatoes boiling in the kettle at the
fireplace. Enter_ MRS. CRATCHIT _and_ BELINDA _from L._
MRS. CRATCHIT. Hurry, Belinda; we must set the table right away. How's
the taters, Peter?
PETER (_peeks in the kettle_). Boiling, mammy, boiling.
MRS. CRATCHIT. Here, carry the lamp over there.
BELINDA. Yes, ma'am. (_Puts lamp on cupboard._)
MRS. CRATCHIT. And now where's the white table cloth?
BELINDA (_getting it from cupboard_). Here it is, mammy. (_They place
castor, plates, knives, etc., on table during the following scene._)
MRS. CRATCHIT. Whatever has got your precious father, I wonder? He and
Tiny Tim's been at the church these three hours.
_Enter_ BOB _and_ BETTY _from R. They run down and kiss_ MRS.
CRATCHIT.
BOB. Oh, mumsy, we saw the goose, we did. We peeked in through the
bakery window and we saw the goose, we did.
BETTY. And we smelled him, too. And we went inside, we did. And the
baker asked us what was wantin'. And Bob said he wanted to know which
goose was the Cratchit goose.
BOB. And he pointed to the very biggest one, mumsy. Didn't he, Betty?
BETTY. And it was all nice and browny on top. And he said it 'ud be
ready in 'bout twenty minutes. Didn't he, Bob?
BOB. And it was the best looking goose I ever saw, it was. It just
made me hungry to see him and to smell him baking.
BETTY. And it had sage and onion stuffing, mumsy, didn't it, Bob?
MRS. CRATCHIT. I'm sure there never was such a goose before, and I'm
sure there never will be such a goose again. How's the 'taters, Peter?
PETER (_looks in kettle_). Boilin', mammy, boilin'.
BOB. Oh, Peter's got on pa's shirt collar, he has. Peter's got on pa's
shirt collar.
PETER. If I didn't have to mind these 'taters, I'd show you!
MRS. CRATCHIT. I can't think what's keeping your father, and your
brother Tiny Tim. And Martha wasn't as late last Christmas Day by half
an hour.
_Enter_ MARTHA _from R._
MARTHA. Here's Martha, mumsy.
BOB (_dragging her down to Mrs. Cratchit_). Here's Martha, mumsy.
BETTY. Oh, Martha, there's such a goose! Isn't there, Bob?
MRS. CRATCHIT (_hugging and kissing_ MARTHA). Why, bless your heart
alive, my dear, how late you are! (_Takes off her bonnet and shawl._)
MARTHA. We'd a deal of work to finish up last night. I was on my feet
all day. Oh, why won't people learn to do their Christmas shopping
early. If they'd only stop to give a moment's thought to the poor
clerks.
MRS. CRATCHIT. There, there, my dear, sit ye down. Here's the big
chair, Martha. (BOB _has been sitting in the big chair at R., but_
MRS. CRATCHIT _simply turns it forward, letting_ BOB _slip to the
floor, and seats_ MARTHA _therein._) Well, never mind, as long as
you're home at last, Martha. Draw your chair up to the fire and have a
warm. God bless you. How's the 'taters, Pete?
PETER (_looking in kettle_). Boilin', mammy, boilin'.
MARTHA (_sitting in front of the fire_). Oh, mumsy, ain't this
Heavenly? Be it ever so humble there's no place like home.
BETTY (_at door R._). Father's coming, father's coming.
BOB. Hide yourself, Martha. Here, here. (_Pulls her to L._)
BETTY (_helping her_). Hurry up. Hide, hide! (_Exit_ MARTHA _at L._)
_Bright music. Enter_ CRATCHIT _carrying_ TINY TIM _on his shoulder._
TINY TIM _carries a little crutch._
CRATCHIT (_down C._). Why, where's our Martha?
MRS. CRATCHIT (_down L._). Not coming.
CRATCHIT. Not coming? Not coming--on Christmas Day?
MARTHA (_rushing in from L._). No, father, it's only a joke. Here I
am, father, here I am. (_Rushes into his arms._)
BETTY (_taking Tiny Tim_). Come on, Tiny Tim, out to the wash-house.
We've got something to show you, we have. Ain't we, Bob?
BOB. You bet we have, Tiny Tim. Come and hear the Christmas pudding
singing in the wash boiler. Come on! (_Exit_ BOB, _followed by_ BETTY
_and_ TINY TIM, _at L._)
MRS. CRATCHIT (_taking Cratchit's hat and muffler and hanging them
up_). And how did Tiny Tim behave in the church, father?
CRATCHIT. As good as gold and better. Somehow he gets thoughtful,
sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever
heard. (_Sits at L. surrounded by all._) 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
it was who made lame beggars walk and blind men see. (_Trembling
voice._) Little Tim is growing stronger and more hearty every day.
_Enter_ TINY TIM _from L._
TIM. I heard the pudding singing a song in the wash boiler, I did.
MRS. CRATCHIT. Everything is ready. Bob, you and Betty run across the
street to the baker's and fetch the goose.
BOB. Come on, Betty. (_Runs out R. with_ BETTY.)
MRS. CRATCHIT. I've got the gravy to heat, right away. Peter, mash the
potatoes. Belinda, sweeten up the apple sauce! Martha, the hot plates!
(_All bustle around, setting table._ CRATCHIT _with_ TIM, _on his
knee, sit before the fire._)
BELINDA. We haven't got enough chairs, mumsy.
CRATCHIT. This young shaver can sit on my knee.
MRS. CRATCHIT. Peter, set up the chairs.
_Enter_ BOB _and_ BETTY _from R. bearing a roast goose in a baking
pan._
BOB. Here it is, mumsy.
BETTY. Here's the goose. (MRS. CRATCHIT _puts it on plate on table._)
BELINDA. What a wonderful goose.
MARTHA. And how big it is! (_All take seats._)
BOB. And don't it smell good!
BETTY. Hurray for the Christmas goose.
TIM. Hurray! (CRATCHIT _makes signal, all bend heads for a silent
grace._)
CRATCHIT (_after pronounced pause_). And God bless Christmas Day.
TIM. God bless us all, every one. (CRATCHIT _and_ MRS. CRATCHIT _serve
the meal. All eat._)
CRATCHIT. I've got a situation in my eye for Master Peter.
PETER. A situation for me?
CRATCHIT. Yes, sir, for you. Full five-and-sixpence weekly.
ALL. Oh, Peter!
BOB. Peter will be a man of business, won't you, Peter?
PETER. What'll I do with all that money?
CRATCHIT. Invest it, invest it, my lad. It's a bewildering income.
MARTHA. Who do you think was in the shop yesterday? You'll never
guess. A countess and a real lord.
ALL. Martha!
MARTHA. A real, live lord, as fine as silk and just about as tall as
Peter here.
PETER (_pulls his collar up high and tosses his head_). As big as me?
(WAITS _outside sing two verses of Christmas Carol, as before._)
CRATCHIT (_goes to door_). Here's a sixpence for you, and God bless
you all.
WAITS (_outside_). Thankee, sir. Merry Christmas, sir.
BELINDA. And now the pudding.
BETTY. Oh, suppose it should break in turning it out.
MARTHA. Or suppose it isn't done enough.
BOB. Suppose somebody should have got over the wall of the backyard
and stolen it while we were in here eating the goose.
MRS. CRATCHIT. Nonsense. I'll get the Christmas pudding. (_Exits._)
BOB (_very much excited_). Oh, I can smell it, I can. I smell the
pudding.
_Enter_ MRS. CRATCHIT _bearing dish of pudding, decked with holly, and
blazing._
CRATCHIT. Oh, it's a wonder, mother, it's a wonder.
BETTY. It looks like a little speckled cannon-ball.
BOB. But just wait till you taste it; that's all. (_It is served._)
CRATCHIT (_rises_). I have a toast. Mr. Scrooge! I'll give you Mr.
Scrooge, the founder of the feast.
MRS. CRATCHIT (_indignantly_). 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 (_remonstrating gently_). My dear, the children! Christmas
Day.
MRS. CRATCHIT. He's an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man. You know
he is, Robert. Nobody knows it better than you do.
CRATCHIT (_mildly_). My dear, Christmas Day!
MRS. CRATCHIT. Then 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! He'll be very merry and happy, I've no doubt.
CRATCHIT. And now a Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us.
ALL (_rising_). A very Merry Christmas.
TIM. And God bless us every one!
(_The tableau curtains are slowly drawn._)
SCROOGE. Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.
SECOND SPIRIT. I see a vacant seat in the poor chimney-corner, and a
little crutch without an owner. If these shadows remained unaltered by
the future, the child will die.
SCROOGE. No, no, kind Spirit! Say he will be spared.
SECOND SPIRIT. If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease
the surplus population. Your very words, Scrooge. Decrease the surplus
population. (SCROOGE _hangs his head in shame._) Man, if man you be in
heart, forbear that wicked cant. Will you decide what men shall live,
and what men shall die? It may be that in the sight of Heaven you are
more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's
child.
SCROOGE. Forgive me, forgive me.
SECOND SPIRIT. You have seen the spirit of Christmas bless this poor
dwelling. They were not a handsome family, they were not well dressed;
their clothes were scanty and their shoes far from being
water-proof--but they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another,
and contented with the Christmas time. They are my children. Have you
learned your lesson? (_Chimes ring._) My hour is spent.
SCROOGE. I have learned the lesson, Spirit of Christmas. I have seen
happiness, in spite of poverty. A happiness that all my gold cannot
buy. I have seen the Christmas spirit. Forgive me that I ever dared to
utter a word against Christmas. Forgive me! Forgive me! (_The chimes
continue ringing, the_ SPIRIT _glides out._ SCROOGE _kneels in prayer,
muttering, "Forgive me! Forgive me!"_)
CURTAIN.
STAVE III.
_Same scene as before, the rear curtains drawn together._ SCROOGE _is
discovered seated at his desk, his head buried in his hands. The_
THIRD SPIRIT _stands at C. with green, ghastly light on him from R.
This is the only light on the stage. The bells toll six._
SCROOGE (_awakens_). I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas
Yet to Come.
THIRD SPIRIT (_inclines head_).
SCROOGE. You are going to show me the shadows of things that are to
happen in the future?
THIRD SPIRIT (_inclines head_).
SCROOGE. I fear you more than any I have yet seen. But I know you are
working for my welfare, so I will see your visions with a thankful
heart. Will you not speak to me?
THIRD SPIRIT (_points downward with R. hand_).
SCROOGE. No word for me. Well, have you anything to show me?
THIRD SPIRIT (_points to rear stage. The curtains part. Rear stage is
draped in white sheets, with bare trees at R. and L. A grave with
carved headstone is at C. Blue lights on this scene. Snow falls. Bells
heard tolling in the distance._)
SCROOGE. A churchyard!
THIRD SPIRIT (_goes to rear stage, points to tombstone._)
SCROOGE. 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 the shadows of things that May be, only?
THIRD SPIRIT (_points to stone_).
SCROOGE (_creeps tremblingly toward it, moving very slowly, bends
over, reads the name, screams_). Ebenezer Scrooge! My tombstone, my
grave! No, Spirit, no, no! (_Rushes to desk, sinks in chair._) I am
not the man I was. I am not past all hope. I will honor Christmas in
my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Save me, save me!
(_The rear curtains are slowly closed_)
SCROOGE (_rising_). I will keep Christmas in the past, the present and
the future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. Heaven be
praised for this Christmas warning. (_Laughing._) I don't know what to
do. I'm as light as a feather, I'm as happy as an angel, I'm as merry
as a schoolboy. A Merry Christmas to everybody. A happy New Year to
all the world. Hip, hurrah!
(_Christmas chimes heard outside. Waits singing in the distance._)
WAITS (_singing louder, music, page 169_):
Christ was born on Christmas Day,
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay,
Light and Life and Joy is He,
The Babe, the Son,
The Holy One
Of Mary.
SCROOGE (_rushes to the door_). Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. God
bless ye! (_Flings them a handful of coins._)
FIRST WAIT. Thankee, sir.
SCROOGE (_grabs him and brings him down C._). What day is this, my
merry lad?
WAIT. Hey?
SCROOGE. What day is this my lad?
WAIT (_loudly_). Today! Why, Christmas Day!
SCROOGE. Do you know the grocer's in the next street?
WAIT. I should hope I did.
SCROOGE. Do you know whether they've sold the prize turkey that was
hanging up there? Not the little prize turkey, the big prize turkey?
WAIT. What, the one as big as me?
SCROOGE. Yes, my buck.
WAIT. It's hanging there now.
SCROOGE. Is it? Go and buy it.
WAIT. Aw, go on!
SCROOGE. No, no; I'm in earnest. Go and buy it and tell 'em to bring
it here, that I may tell 'em 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.
WAIT. Watch me. (_Rushes out._)
SCROOGE. What a fine little fellow. See him run. I'll send the turkey
to Bob Cratchit's. He shan't know who sends it. It's twice the size of
Tiny Tim. He should be here by now.
_Enter_ CRATCHIT _from R._
CRATCHIT. Morning, sir. (_Takes off cap and muffler, goes to desk,
starts to work._)
SCROOGE (_at desk_). What do you mean by coming here at this time of
day?
CRATCHIT. I'm very sorry, sir. Very, very sorry.
SCROOGE. Sorry? (_Sarcastically._) Yes, you are! Come here! Come here
at once! Understand!
CRATCHIT (_comes to Scrooge's desk_). If you please, sir--
SCROOGE. I'm not going to stand this sort of thing any longer. And
therefore (_rises, dances toward_ CRATCHIT, _digs him in ribs_), and
therefore I am about to raise your salary.
CRATCHIT. Heavens! The master has gone plumb crazy.
SCROOGE. I'm going to help you and your family. I'm going to be a
Godfather to all of 'em. The two girls and Master Peter, Bob, Betty
and to dear Tiny Tim. Home to your family, now. Home to them, Bob
Cratchit--and merry Christmas to you and yours. God bless you.
_Enter_ FRED _from R._
FRED. Here I am again, uncle. Merry Christmas.
SCROOGE (_rushes to him and shakes his hands heartily_). And the same
to you, my lad, and many of 'em. I'm going to eat Christmas dinner
with you this day. I'm going to honor Christmas in my heart, and keep
it every day in the year. I will live in the past, the present and the
future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. (_Stands C._,
FRED _on his R._, CRATCHIT _on his L. He takes their hands._) Merry
Christmas, boys, and God bless us!
FRED _and_ CRATCHIT. The same to you, sir. God bless us.
(_Rear curtains are drawn back, showing the Cratchit family at the
table._ TINY TIM _stands on table._)
TIM. God bless us everyone!
(_All unite in singing Christmas Carol to--_)
SLOW CURTAIN.
THE SCENERY.
[Illustration]
TABLEAUX ON REAR STAGE.
No. 1. A room. Barrel up L. for fiddler. Desk at R. Sign on wall
"Fezziwig and Company." Garlands of green.
No. 2. Ebenezer and Bella. Same scene as No. 1.
No. 3. Cratchit's kitchen. Table at C. and home-made fireplace at rear
C. are the only essentials, with a few stools or chairs. Fireplace
made of a few boards covered with red paper marked like bricks with
white chalk or paint.
No. 4. White sheets hang at back and sides. Two small evergreen trees
nailed in position, white cotton hanging from them. Grave at C.
covered with snow. Wooden headstone painted white and small footstone.
The headstone may be in the form of a cross or a slab.
COSTUMES.
SCROOGE--Should be played by a thin man of middle age, if possible.
Gray hair. Shabby dark suit. Face lined. No jewelry or colors. If
desired to costume the play in the middle Victorian period, Scrooge
should wear very tight dark trousers, brown low cut vest, shabby black
full-dress coat, soft white shirt, black stock tie, high collar made
by taking an ordinary turn-over collar and turning it up.
BOB CRATCHIT--Very shabby dark suit. Long white woolen muffler. Old
cap. Suit should be the same style as that worn by Scrooge, but much
shabbier. Clothing neatly patched. He wears a sprig of mistletoe or
holly in Staves 1 and 2.
FRED--Bright, cheerful young man of 22. Overcoat and top hat. Ruffled
shirt, stock tie and collar as for Scrooge.
MISSION LASSIES--Dark skirts, capes, blue poke bonnets with red ribbon
across front.
THE GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY--Long black robe. Black hood. Chains around
waist, with toy money banks on chains. Take a skeleton false face and
with gray and black and white grease paint make up your own face like
a false face. Or if desired, wear the false face. Speak in low
monotone.
FIRST SPIRIT--A little girl of 10. Long light hair. White Grecian
draperies trimmed with tinsel. Crown of tinsel.
SECOND SPIRIT--Man dressed in a red robe, trimmed with sprigs of green
pine. White cotton border to represent snow. Cap of white cotton.
THIRD SPIRIT--Use same costume and make-up as Marley's Ghost.
WAITS--White smocks, ragged trousers. Felt hats twined with red and
green ribbon. Carry branches of holly.
MR. FEZZIWIG--Low shoes with pasteboard buckles covered with tinfoil.
Short black trousers. White stockings. Fancy colonial coat and hat.
White colonial wig. A short, stout man of middle age. Always laughing,
moving around, etc.
MRS. FEZZIWIG--Middle-aged lady in gay colonial tuck-up dress. White
colonial wig.
EBENEZER and DICK--Two young men in colonial costume. No wigs.
THE FIDDLER--White wig and whiskers. Long white smock. Hat trimmed
with ribbons.
BELLA--Neat colonial costume of pink and white. Hair in curls.
THE CRATCHIT FAMILY--Old-fashioned costumes, faded and worn, but
bright with cheap lace and gay ribbons. Peter wears a large white
collar.
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