Christmas Plays

A CHRISTMAS CAROL : ACT ONE
Adapted for Reader’s Theater
by M Ryan Taylor
from the novel by Charles Dickens
Copyright © 2008 by M Ryan Taylor
Permission to copy for home or classroom use granted.
Please contact M Ryan Taylor for rights to perform publicly.

SCENE ONE : OUTSIDE SCROOGE AND MARLEY’S

EXCHANGE BOY

You say Marley’s dead?

EXCHANGE CLERK

There’s no doubt whatever about that. Old Marley’s as dead as a door-nail.

EXCHANGE BOY

An’ Scrooge knows that ‘ee’s dead?

EXCHANGE CLERK

Of course he does. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and he were partners for I don’t know how many years. Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole friend, and sole mourner. And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by it.

EXCHANGE BOY
(in wonder)

Bloomin’ ‘ell.

EXCHANGE CLERK

Watch your mouth, boy.

EXCHANGE BOY

Sorry . . . but why hasn’t ‘ee never painted out ol’ Marley’s name ‘en. "Scrooge and Marley" ih says, large as life.

EXCHANGE CLERK

Scrooge is a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone; he probably never had the inclination to pay a schilling to have the sign repainted.

EXCHANGE BOY

S’awefully confusing.

EXCHANGE CLERK

What’s confusing? I already told you that Scrooge is a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel has ever struck out a generous fire! What’s more to know? You be sure to keep clear of him.

EXCHANGE BOY

No need to get all blustery! I’m not the only one ‘ats confused.

EXCHANGE CLERK

What do you mean?

EXCHANGE BOY

I jus’ now ‘eard one uh the buyers call ‘im "Marley" to ‘is face as ‘ee took ‘is leave. ‘Ats all I meant.

EXCHANGE CLERK

He’ll answer to Marley if you call him by it, but Marley’s dead. Dead as . . .

EXCHANGE BOY

I ga’ it . . . a door-nail.

EXCHANGE CLERK

Now you listen to me. Nobody ever stops Scrooge in the street to say, "My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?" No beggars implore him, no children ask him what it is o’clock, no man or woman ever inquires the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. And he likes it that way. So don’t give him the chance to give you his cane. When you have a message from anyone at the exchange for Mr. Scrooge you just deliver it to his clerk, Bob. He’s a good sort. You understand me?

EXCHANGE BOY

Yessir.

EXCHANGE CLERK

Enough time wasted. The next stop on your message route is Bromley’s. Come on.

SCENE TWO : INSIDE SCROOGE AND MARLEY’S

(Scrooge sits busy in his office. The door is open so he can keep an eye upon his clerk, Bob, who is in a dismal little cell beyond copying letters. Scrooge has a very small fire, but Bob’s fire looks as if there is only one coal. Bob, wrapped in his white comforter, tries to warm himself at his candle.)

FRED
(entering)

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. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.

FRED

Come, then, What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.

SCROOGE

Bah! Humbug!

FRED

Don’t be cross, uncle!

SCROOGE

What else can I be when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon 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; a time for balancing your books and having every item in ‘em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you? If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!

FRED

Uncle!

SCROOGE

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. Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever 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, when it has come round–apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that–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! (Bob involuntarily applauds and becoming immediately sensible of the impropriety, pokes the fire, and extinguishes the last frail spark.)

SCROOGE
(to Bob)

Let me hear another sound from you and you’ll keep your Christmas by losing your situation! (to Fred)You’re quite a powerful speaker, sir. I wonder you don’t go into Parliament.

FRED

Don’t be angry, uncle. Come! Dine with us tomorrow.

SCROOGE

I think not.

FRED

But why? Why?

SCROOGE

Why did you get married?

FRED

Because I fell in love.

SCROOGE

Because you fell in love! Good afternoon!

FRED

Nay, uncle, but you never came to see me before that happened. Why give it as a reason for not coming now?

SCROOGE

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. We have never had any quarrel, to which I have been a party. But I have made the trial in homage to Christmas, and I’ll keep my Christmas humour to the last. So A Merry Christmas, uncle!

SCROOGE

Good afternoon!

FRED

And A Happy New Year!

SCROOGE

Good afternoon!

FRED

Merry Christmas to you, Bob. Remember me to your charming wife.

BOB

A merry Christmas to you as well, sir!

SCROOGE
(to himself)

There’s another fellow; my clerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas. I’ll retire to Bedlam. (Bob lets Fred out and two gentlemen enter with books and papers in their hands. They bow to Scrooge.)

FIRST GENTLEMAN
(referring to his list)

Scrooge and Marley’s, I believe. Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?

SCROOGE

Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago, this very night

SECOND GENTLEMAN

We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner.

SCROOGE

Hmph!

FIRST GENTLEMAN

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 at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.

SCROOGE

Are there no prisons?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Plenty of prisons.

SCROOGE

And the Union workhouses? Are they still in operation?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

They are. Still, I wish I could say they were not.

SCROOGE

The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Both very busy, sir.

SCROOGE

Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course. I’m very glad to hear it.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude. a few of us are endeavouring 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!

SECOND GENTLEMAN

You wish to be anonymous?

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.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.

SCROOGE

If they would rather die they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides–excuse me–I don’t know that.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

But you might know it.

SCROOGE

It’s not my business. It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen! (The gentlemen withdraw and Scrooge resumes his labours.)

A YOUNG CAROLER

God rest you, merry gentlemen! Let nothing you dismay! (Scrooge seizes a ruler and makes for the door with such energy of action, that the singer flees in terror. Scrooge doesn’t return to his seat, but instead faces Bob.)

SCROOGE

You’ll want all day tomorrow, I suppose?

BOB

If quite convenient, sir.

SCROOGE

It’s not convenient and it’s not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it, you’d think yourself ill-used, I’ll be bound? And yet you don’t think me ill-used, when I pay a day’s wages for no work.

BOB

It’s only once a year, Mr. Scrooge.

SCROOGE

A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December! But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning.

BOB

All the earlier.

SCROOGE

See that you do! (Scrooge storms out.)

BOB
(to himself)

I shall go down the slide on Cornhill some twenty times in honor of old Christmas!

SCENE THREE : SCROOGE’S HOME

(Scrooge steps quickly in, closing the door behind him and leaning back against it.)

SCROOGE
(muttering to himself)

Marley’s face. Marley’s face! Spectacles and all! Dismal glowing, hair stirring as if it was alive. Eyes motionless and that livid colour . . . Horrible! (Scrooge shakes himself) Bah! (he begins to bolt, lock and double lock the door) Just a trick of the shadows . . . darkness is the price of being thrifty! (he takes off his cravat; puts on his dressing gown, slippers, his nightcap and moves to sit down before the fire place, but on looking upon it starts) Marley! (he turns and walks across the room) Humbug! (after several turns pacing about the room, he sits down and one of the chamber bells begins to swing and ring, Scrooge begins to rise) Impossible! That bell doesn’t go . . . (all the bells in the house begin to ring and Scrooge looks about sinking back into his chair, as if to find a place to hide in it, then all at once they stop again, but in the distance the sound of chains being dragged across the floor replaces them and Scrooge sits bolt upright and stares at the door) Humbug . . . Humbug! Humbug!!! (the door flies open with a booming sound, and Scrooge shrinks from it, the sound of chains grows louder) It’s humbug still! I won’t . . . I won’t believe it.

SCENE FOUR : MARLEY’S GHOST

(Marley’s ghost enters)

SCROOGE
(whispering)

I know him . . . (Scrooge screws up his courage and puts on his cold and caustic business tone) How now! What do you want with me?

MARLEY

Much!

SCROOGE

Who are you?

MARLEY

Ask me who I was.

SCROOGE

Who were you then? You’re particular, for a shade.

MARLEY

In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.

SCROOGE

Can you–can you sit down?

MARLEY

I can.

SCROOGE

Do it, then.

MARLEY

You don’t believe in me.

SCROOGE

I don’t.

MARLEY

What evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your senses?

SCROOGE

I don’t know.

MARLEY

Why do you doubt your senses?

SCROOGE

Because, a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheat. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There’s more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are! You see this toothpick?

MARLEY

I do.

SCROOGE

You are not looking at it.

MARLEY

But I see it, notwithstanding.

SCROOGE

Well! I have but to swallow this, and be for the rest of my days persecuted by a legion of goblins, all of my own creation. Humbug, I tell you! humbug! (Marley raises a frightful cry, and shakes his chains, Scrooge falls upon his knees, and clasps his hands before his face) Mercy! Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me?

MARLEY

Man of the worldly mind! Do you believe in me or not?

SCROOGE

I do. I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do they come to me?

MARLEY

It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; 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–oh, woe is me!–and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness! (again Marley raises a cry, and shakes his chains and wrings his hands)

SCROOGE
(trembling)

You are fettered. Tell me why?

MARLEY

I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you? Or would you know, the weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself? It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it, since. It is a ponderous chain!

SCROOGE
(imploringly)

Jacob. Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort to me, Jacob!

MARLEY

I have none to give. It comes from other regions, Ebenezer Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers, to other kinds of men. Nor can I tell you what I would. A very little more is all permitted to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond our counting-house–mark me!–in life my spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole; and weary journeys lie before me!

SCROOGE
(thoughtfully)

You must have been very slow about it, Jacob.

MARLEY

Slow!

SCROOGE

Seven years dead and travelling all the time!

MARLEY

The whole time. No rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse.

SCROOGE

You travel fast?

MARLEY

On the wings of the wind.

SCROOGE

You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years.

MARLEY
(crying and shaking his chains)

Oh! captive, bound, and double-ironed, not to know, that ages of incessant labour by immortal creatures, for this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed. Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness. Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused! Yet such was I! Oh! such was I!

SCROOGE

But you were always a good man of business, Jacob

MARLEY
(crying and shaking his chains)

Business! 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! (Marley holds up his chains and then flings them upon the ground again) At this time of the rolling year I suffer most. 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! Hear me! My time is nearly gone.

SCROOGE

I will. But don’t be hard upon me, Jacob! Pray!

MARLEY

How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may not tell. I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day. (Scrooge shivers and wipes the perspiration from his brow) That is no light part of my penance. I am here tonight to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate. A chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer.

SCROOGE

You were always a good friend to me.

MARLEY

You will be haunted by Three Spirits.

SCROOGE

Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?

MARLEY

It is.

SCROOGE

I–I think I’d rather not.

MARLEY

Without their visits you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first when the bell tolls One.

SCROOGE

Couldn’t I take ‘em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?

MARLEY

Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us! (Marley backs toward the window and with each step the window opens a little more so that it is completely open when he reaches it, he beckons for Scrooge to join him, but stops holds of his hand to stop him when he is within two paces)

SCROOGE

What are these confused noises on the air? (Marley begins to join the mourning chorus) Marley? (Marley floats out the window and Scrooge bursts forward to look out upon the chorus of spirits, chained and shackled as Marley, lamenting in regret a dirge of self-accusation and sorrow) Shacklebolt? Whimsley? Forgrimmst? How many I have known . . . That woman holding a child, lying in the snow. They try to help her . . . but they have lost their power. (Scrooge slams the window shut and turns away) Hum . . . (Scrooge goes straight to bed, without undressing, and falls asleep in an instant)

END OF ACT ONE

A CHRISTMAS CAROL : ACT TWO
Adapted for Reader’s Theater
by M Ryan Taylor
from the novel by Charles Dickens
Copyright © 2008 by M Ryan Taylor
Permission to copy for home or classroom use granted.
Please contact M Ryan Taylor for rights to perform publicly.

SCENE ONE : THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

(The clock begins to strike Twelve and Scrooge stirs and sits up on his bed)

SCROOGE

I must have dreamed it. I must . . . Marley said something about a visit . . . a visit when the clock strikes One. Was it a dream or not? (as if in answer, the clock begins the chiming prelude again before the clacker tolls One) Impossible! The clock just rang Twelve! Still there it is, the hour itself and nothing else! (the hour bell sounds and light flashes about and illuminates the room, a radiant child-like spirit holding a cap has appeared at Scrooge’s elbow) Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?

CHRISTMAS PAST

I am!

SCROOGE

Who, and what are you?

CHRISTMAS PAST

I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.

SCROOGE

Long Past?

CHRISTMAS PAST

No. Your past.

SCROOGE

I don’t know why, but I have a strange desire to see you don your cap. Please be covered.

CHRISTMAS PAST

What! Would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give? Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

SCROOGE

I’ve no desire to offend you spirit, but I’ve no knowledge of having wilfully bonneted you at any period of my life. What business brings you here?

CHRISTMAS PAST

Your welfare!

SCROOGE

I’m much obliged, but would not a night of unbroken rest be more conducive to that end.

CHRISTMAS PAST

Your reclamation, then. Take heed! (gently placing a hand upon Scrooge’s arm) Rise! and walk with me! (Scrooge rises and is led to the window)

SCROOGE

I am a mortal and liable to fall.

CHRISTMAS PAST

Bear but a touch of my hand there, (the Spirit lays a hand upon his heart) and you shall be upheld in more than this!

SCENE TWO : THE COUNTRY

SCROOGE

Good Heaven! I was bred in this place. I was a boy here!

CHRISTMAS PAST

A thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares long, long, forgotten! Your lip is trembling. And what is that upon your cheek?

SCROOGE

Uh . . . oh! A rash, nothing more. I beg you spirit, lead me where you will.

CHRISTMAS PAST

You recollect the way?

SCROOGE
(fervantly)

Remember it! I could walk it blindfold.

CHRISTMAS PAST

Strange to have forgotten it for so many years! Let us go on. (they walk along the road passing boys in country gigs and carts, driven by farmers - the boys are in great spirits, shouting to each other salutations of the season)

SCROOGE

My school mates. Jeffrey, Price, Gordon . . .

CHRISTMAS PAST

These are but shadows of the things that have been. They have no consciousness of us. The school is not quite deserted. A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.

SCROOGE

I know it well. (they enter the school, a lonely sits boy sits reading near a feeble fire; Scrooge sits down and weeps and all is still for a moment . . . the spirit touches his arm and Scrooge looks up and is surprised to see a man dressed in foriegn garments - other figures begin a sort of parade as well) Why, it’s Ali Baba! It’s dear old honest Ali Baba! Yes, yes, I know! One Christmas time, when that child was left here all alone, he did come, for the first time, just like that. Poor boy! And Valentine and his wild brother, Orson; there they go! And what’s his name, who was put down in his drawers, asleep, at the Gate of Damascus; don’t you see him! And the Sultan’s Groom turned upside down by the Genii; there he is upon his head! Serve him right. I’m glad of it. What business had he to be married to the Princess! (Scroog continues in an almost hysterical state between laughter and tears) There’s the Parrot! Green body and yellow tail, with a thing like a lettuce growing out of the top of his head; there he is! Poor Robin Crusoe, he called him, when he came home again after sailing round the island. ‘Poor Robin Crusoe, where have you been, Robin Crusoe?’ The man thought he was dreaming, but he wasn’t. It was the Parrot, you know. There goes Friday, running for his life to the little creek! Halloa! Hoop! Halloo! Poor boy! I wish . . . but it’s too late now.

CHRISTMAS 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.

CHRISTMAS PAST
(smiling thoughtfully)

Let us see another Christmas! (the spirit waves his hand and in a flash of light the young boy is gone and a young man is in his place who puts the book down and begins to pace the room, mournfully shaking his head - the door opens and a little girl darts in, putts her arms about his neck, and kisses him)

LITTLE FAN

Dear, dear brother. I have come to bring you home, dear brother! To bring you home, home, home!

YOUNG MAN SCROOGE

Home, little Fan?

LITTLE FAN
(gleefully)

Yes! Home, for good and all. Home, for ever and ever. 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, that I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home; and he said Yes, you should; and sent me in a coach to bring you. And you’re to be a man! and are never to come back here; but first, we’re to be together all the Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world.

YOUNG MAN SCROOGE

You are quite a woman, little Fan! (Fan claps her hands and laughs, tries to touch his head; but being too little, laughs again, and stands on tiptoe to embrace him - she begins to drag him toward the door)

CHRISTMAS PAST

Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered. But she had a large heart!

SCROOGE

So she had. You’re right. I will not gainsay it, Spirit. God forbid!

CHRISTMAS PAST

She died a woman and had, as I think, children.

SCROOGE

One child.

CHRISTMAS PAST

True. Your nephew!

SCROOGE

Yes. (the spirit places a hand on Scrooge’s heart)

SCENE THREE : AT FEZZIWIG’S

CHRISTMAS PAST

Do you know this place?

SCROOGE
(excitedly)

Know it! I was apprenticed here! Why, it’s old Fezziwig! Bless his heart; it’s Fezziwig alive again! (Fezziwig lays down his pen and looks at the clock)

FEZZIWIG

Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Wilkins!

SCROOGE

Richard Wilkins, to be sure! Bless me, yes. There he is. He was very much attached to me. Poor man! Dear, dear!

FEZZIWIG

Yo ho, my boys! No more work tonight. Christmas Eve, Wilkins. Christmas, Ebenezer! Let’s have the shutters up before a man can say Jack Robinson! (they charge out and come back panting like race-horses) Hilli-ho! Clear away, my lads, and let’s have lots of room here! Chirrup, Ebenezer! (they prepare the room, a fiddler with a music-book comes in, Mrs. Fezziwig in smiles followed by three daughters and six young followers - then all the young men and women employed in the business, along with various friends - the fiddler tunes up and they all dance)

FEZZIWIG (stopping the dance and handing the fiddler a cup)

Well done! (the fiddler drains his cup and takes to fiddling once again - the company dances even more furiously)

SCROOGE

Ah! Fizziwig, amazing man. Look at him go!

CHRISTMAS PAST

Dances and forfeits. Cake and cold roast. Mince-pies and ale. More dances. A small matter to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.

SCROOGE

Small!

CHRISTMAS 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 this praise?

SCROOGE
(heatedly)

It isn’t that. 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. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ‘em up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune. (Scrooge glances at the spirit and then his gaze to the ground)

CHRISTMAS PAST

What is the matter?

SCROOGE

Nothing particular.

CHRISTMAS PAST

Something, I think?

SCROOGE

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

CHRISTMAS PAST

My time grows short. (laying a hand on Scrooge’s heart) Quick!

SCENE FOUR : A PARK

(an older Scrooge in his prime sits by the side of a fair young woman in a mourning-dress whose eyes are full of tears)

SCROOGE

No spirit, not this!

CHRISTMAS PAST

Watch.

BELLE

It matters little to you, very little. 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.

SCROOGE IN HIS PRIME

What Idol has displaced you?

BELLE

A golden one.

SCROOGE IN HIS PRIME

This is the even-handed dealing 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
(gently)

You fear the world too much. All your other hopes have merged into the hope of being beyond the chance of its sordid reproach. I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion, Gain, engrosses you. Have I not?

SCROOGE IN HIS PRIME

What then? Even if I have grown so much wiser, what then? I am not changed towards you. Am I?

BELLE

Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor and content to be so, until, in good season, we could improve our worldly fortune by our patient industry. You are changed. When it was made, you were another man.

SCROOGE IN HIS PRIME

I was a boy.

BELLE

Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are. I am. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart, is fraught with misery now that we are two. How often and how keenly I have thought of this, I will not say. It is enough that I have thought of it, and can release you.

SCROOGE IN HIS PRIME

Have I ever sought release?

BELLE

In words. No. Never

SCROOGE IN HIS PRIME

In what, then?

BELLE

In a changed nature; in an altered spirit; in another atmosphere of life; another Hope as its great end. In everything that made my love of any worth or value in your sight. If this had never been between us tell me, would you seek me out and try to win me now? Ah, no!

SCROOGE IN HIS PRIME

You think not.

BELLE

I would gladly think otherwise if I could. Heaven knows! When I have learned a Truth like this, I know how strong and irresistible it must be. But if you were free today, tomorrow, yesterday, can even I believe that you would choose a dowerless girl–you who, in your very confidence with her, weigh everything by Gain: or, choosing her, if for a moment you were false enough to your one guiding principle to do so, do I not know that your repentance and regret would surely follow? I do; and I release you. With a full heart, for the love of him you once were. (he is about to speak, but Belle, having her head turned away does not see it and resumes) You may–the memory of what is past half makes me hope you will–have pain in this. A very, very brief time, and you will dismiss the recollection of it, gladly, as an unprofitable dream, from which it happened well that you awoke. May you be happy in the life you have chosen! (Belle rises and leaves)

SCROOGE

Spirit! Show me no more! Conduct me home. Why do you delight to torture me?

CHRISTMAS PAST

One shadow more!

SCROOGE

No more! No more. I don’t wish to see it. Show me no more! (the spirit places a hand on Scrooge’s heart)

SCENE FIVE : BELLE’S HOME

CHRISTMAS PAST

Another scene and place; a room, not very large or handsome, but full of comfort. See the beautiful young girl?

SCROOGE

Belle!

CHRISTMAS PAST

No, look! Sitting opposite the young lady.

SCROOGE

Belle? (a small crowd of children runs into the room playing and showing the motherly Belle their treasures - mother and daughter laugh heartily, and mingle in the sports - the door is heard, a father enters with presents and is mobbed by the brood as he distributes them - free of his load he comes to Belle)

BELLE’S HUSBAND

Belle, I saw an old friend of yours this afternoon.

MOTHER BELLE

Who was it?

BELLE’S HUSBAND

Guess!

MOTHER BELLE

How can I? Tut, don’t I know? (she laughs) Mr. Scrooge.

BELLE’S HUSBAND

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.

SCROOGE
(in agony)

Spirit! Remove me from this place.

CHRISTMAS PAST

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

SCROOGE

Remove me! I cannot bear it! (he turns to the spirit) I see in you all the faces of the past! Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer! (Scrooge grabs the cap the spirit has been holding this whole while and brutally presses it down on the spirit’s head - all goes dark)

END OF ACT TWO

A CHRISTMAS CAROL : ACT THREE
Adapted for Reader’s Theater
by M Ryan Taylor
from the novel by Charles Dickens
Copyright © 2008 by M Ryan Taylor
Permission to copy for home or classroom use granted.
Please contact M Ryan Taylor for rights to perform publicly.

SCENE ONE : THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT

(a light slowly begins to shine from underneath one of the doors in Scrooge’s apartment and we see his outline, standing there in the dark - he moves toward the door and the light and hesitatingly puts his hand on the handle)

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Scroooooge! Come in! Come in! (Scrooge obeys) Come in! and know me better, man!

SCROOGE

My room!? (Scooge enters timidly - the walls and ceiling are hung with living green from which bright gleaming berries glisten - a roaring fire is on the hearth - a kind of throne is heaped up of turkeys, geese, game, poultry, great joints of meat, pigs, long wreaths of sausages, mince-pies, plum-puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch : upon this couch, there sits a giant who bares a glowing torch shaped like a horn of plenty)

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me! (the spirit is clothed in one simple green robe, bordered with white fur and on its head a holly wreath set with shining icicles) You have never seen the like of me before!

SCROOGE

Never.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Have never walked forth with the younger members of my family; meaning (for I am very young) my elder brothers born in these later years?

SCROOGE

I don’t think I have. I am afraid I have not. Have you had many brothers, Spirit?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

More than eighteen hundred.

SCROOGE

A tremendous family to provide for! (the spirit rises at this, Scrooge continues quickly, but submissively) Spirit, conduct me where you will. I went forth before on compulsion, and I learnt a lesson which is working now. Tonight, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Touch my robe! (Scrooge does so)

SCENE TWO : ABOUT THE CITY

(Scrooge and the spirit walk through the town - people shovel snow, throw snowballs, shop for groceries, carry goods and dinners - the spirit sprinkles incense from his torch on them)

SCROOGE

Is there a peculiar flavour in what you sprinkle from your torch?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

There is. My own.

SCROOGE

Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

To any kindly given. To a poor one most.

SCROOGE

Why to a poor one most?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Because it needs it most. (they approach Bob Cratchit’s home and the spirit takes a generous helping of incense and spreads it across the doorway) Do you know this home?

SCROOGE

Should I?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Look! (the walls of the home part as the spirit waves his hand and they are inside - Mrs. Cratchit and Belinda make up the table - Peter tends a saucepan of potatoes - two smaller Cratchits, boy and girl, come tearing in, screaming that they smell the goose and dance)

MRS. CRACHIT

What has ever got your precious father then? And your brother, Tiny Tim! And Martha warn’t as late last Christmas Day by half-an-hour?

MARTHA

Here’s Martha, mother!

TWO YOUNG CRACHITS
(in unison)

Here’s Martha, mother! Hurrah! There’s such a goose, Martha!

MRS. CRACHIT

Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!

MARTHA

We’d a deal of work to finish up last night, and had to clear away this morning, mother!

MRS. CRACHIT

Well! Never mind so long as you are come. Sit ye down before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless ye!

TWO YOUNG CRACHITS
(in unison)

No, no! There’s father coming. Hide, Martha, hide! (Martha hides herself, Bob enters carrying Tiny Tim who hold a crutch)

SCROOGE

THIS?! is Bob Crachits home?

BOB
(looking about in surprise)

Why, where’s our Martha?

MRS. CRACHIT

Not coming.

BOB
(incredulous)

Not coming! Not coming upon Christmas Day!

MARTHA
(coming out running into his arms)

Here I am father!

BOB

My dear girl!

TWO YOUNG CRACHITS
(in unison)

Tim, Tim! Come hear the pudding singing in the copper! (they go off)

MRS. CRACHIT

And how did little Tim behave?

BOB

As good as gold, and better. Somehow he gets 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. He’s growing strong and hearty, you know! (Tim and his little siblings re-enter)

MRS. CRACHIT

Everyone’s here, let’s put on the goose! (they all help in the finishing of setting the table)

PETER

Mashed potatoes and gravy!

BELINDA

Applesauce!

MARTHA

One goose, stuffed to the brim!

TWO YOUNG CRACHITS
(in unison)

Hurrah! Hurrah!

TINY TIM
(feebly)

Hurrah! (they begin to dine)

BOB

There never was such a goose!

PETER

Its tenderness!

BELINDA

Its flavor!

MARTHA

Its size!

TWO YOUNG CRACHITS
(in unison)

Onion and sage!

MRS. CRACHIT

And a good price I got for it too! I think it’s about time to check on the pudding. (she goes to fetch the pudding)

BOB
(to the little children)

Suppose it should not be done enough! (the older children take up the game)

BELINDA

Suppose it should break in turning out!

PETER

Suppose somebody should have got over the wall of the back-yard, and stolen it!

TWO YOUNG CRACHITS
(in unison)

Oh no! (they began to weep)

MARTHA

Now, now my dears, look! Here it is! (Mrs. Cratchit enters, smiling proudly, with the pudding all ablaze with a sprig of Christmas holly stuck into the top - she serves Bob first)

BOB

Oh, a wonderful pudding! I regard it as the greatest cullinary success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since our marriage.

MRS. CRACHIT

Now the weight is off my mind, I must confess I had my her doubts about the quantity of flour.

BOB
(raising a glass)

A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!

ALL BUT BOB AND TIM

God bless us!

TINY TIM

God bless us every one!

SCROOGE

Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

I see a vacant seat in the poor chimney-corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.

SCROOGE

No, no. "Oh, no, kind Spirit! say he will be spared.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race, will find him here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.

SCROOGE
(bowing his head)

My very words.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Man, if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. Will you decide what men shall live, 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. To hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust! (Scrooge bends over before the Ghost’s rebuke, and trembling casts his eyes upon the ground. But he raises them speedily, on hearing his own name)

BOB
(raising a glass)

Mr. Scrooge! I give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!

MRS. CRACHIT

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.

BOB

My dear, the children! Christmas Day.

MRS. CRACHIT

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, poor fellow!

BOB

My dear. Christmas Day.

MRS. CRACHIT

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 very happy, I have no doubt!

ALL CRACHIT CHILDREN
(glumly)

Mr. Scrooge.

BOB

I have some wonderful news that concerns our young Master Peter.

PETER

Father?

BOB

I have a situation in my eye for you, which would bring in, if obtained, a full five-and-sixpence weekly. You’ll be a right and proper man of business.

PETER

Five-and-sixpence?

TWO YOUNG CRACHITS
(laughing)

Peter? A man of business?

BOB

Enough of that you two. Come Tim, give us a song.

TINY TIM
(singing)

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about deep and crispt and even . . . (he continues)

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

It is time to go on.

SCROOGE

Can’t we stay a little longer to hear the end of the song?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Take hold of my robe (Scrooge obeys and they are transported through a series of scenes of Christmas cheer, yet Tiny Tim’s singing is heard still echoing in the distance through it all - fires, kitchen scenes, family reunions, dinners, children playing, and then to distant climes; miners celebrating on the moor, a lighthouse vigil, sailors tossed about on a windy sea singing carols, and then to Scrooge’s nephew’s home)

SCENE THREE : FRED’S HOME

FRED

Ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha! He said that Christmas was a humbug, as I live! He believed it too!

FRED’S WIFE

More shame for him, Fred!

FRED

He’s a comical old fellow, that’s the truth: and not so pleasant as he might be. However, his offences carry their own punishment, and I have nothing to say against him.

FRED’S WIFE

I’m sure he is very rich, Fred. At least you always tell me so.

FRED

What of that, my dear! His wealth is of no use to him. He don’t do any good with it. He don’t make himself comfortable with it. He hasn’t the satisfaction of thinking–ha, ha, ha!–that he is ever going to benefit US with it.

FRED’S WIFE

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. Here, he takes it into his head to dislike us, and he won’t come and dine with us. What’s the consequence? He don’t lose much of a dinner.

FRED’S WIFE

Indeed, I think he loses a very good dinner.

FRED

Well! I’m very glad to hear it, because I haven’t great faith in these young housekeepers. What do you say, Topper?

TOPPER

Oh, well, a bachelor is a wretched outcast, who has no right to express an opinion on the subject.

FRED’S WIFE

Do go on, Fred. He never finishes what he begins to say! He is such a ridiculous fellow!

FRED

Ha ha ha! I was only going to say, that the consequence of his taking a dislike to us, and not making merry with us, is, as I think, that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm. I am sure he loses pleasanter companions than he can find in his own thoughts, either in his mouldy 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–I defy him–if he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying Uncle Scrooge, how are you? If it only puts him in the vein to leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, that’s something. I think I shook him yesterday.

TOPPER

Ha ha ha! You shake Scrooge?!

FRED’S WIFE

Yes dear, you mustn’t indulge your fantasies now. Let’s play a game and forget this business.

FRED

I have a new game, it is called "Yes and No." I think of something and you ask me questions to find out what it is. I will, however, only answer ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

TOPPER

Come on then, have got your subject?

FRED

Yes.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

It is time to go, Scrooge.

SCROOGE

But they are just starting into the games.

FRED’S WIFE

Is it an animal?

FRED

Yes.

GUEST ONE

Is it alive?

FRED

Yes.

GUEST TWO

Is it an agreeable animal?

FRED

No.

TOPPER

Is it rather savage then?

FRED

Yes.

FRED’S WIFE

Is it led about by anyone?

FRED

No.

GUEST TWO

Does it live in a menagerie?

FRED

No.

TOPPER

Can you find it in London then?

FRED

Yes.

FRED’S WIFE

Is it killed at the market.

FRED

No.

GUEST ONE

Does it bark or growl?

FRED

Yes.

TOPPER

Is it a dog?

FRED’S WIFE

Is it a cat?

TOPPER

Is it a bear?

FRED

No, no and no.

GUEST TWO

I have found it out! I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is!

FRED

What is it?

GUEST TWO

Savage, disagreeable, growls and prowls the streets of London. It’s your Uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge!

FRED

Ha ha ha - ha ha! You are quite correct!

TOPPER

Quite good, but when I asked if it was a bear you should have replied, ‘yes!’

FRED

He has given us plenty of merriment, I am sure, 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 GUESTS

Uncle Scrooge!

FRED

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

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Come now, take a hold of my robe. (again scenes from far and wide are presented, beside sick beds where they were cheerful, in foreign lands by stuggling men, almshouse, hospital, jail - the spirit leaves a blessing on all, and all the while the spirit ages)

SCROOGE

Are spirits’ lives so short?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

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

SCROOGE

Tonight!

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Tonight at midnight. Hark! The time is drawing near.

SCROOGE

Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask, but I see something strange, and not belonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a claw?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT
(sighing)

It might be a claw, for the flesh there is upon it. Look here. (from the foldings of its robe, it brings two wretched children) Oh, Man! look here. Look, look, down here!

SCROOGE

Spirit! are they yours?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

They are Man’s, and they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!

SCROOGE

Have they no refuge or resource?

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? (the bell strikes twelve and the spirit is gone - a solemnly draped and hooded phantom approaches)

END OF ACT THREE