A Christmas Carolpage 3 / 4
Suddenly he was back in his bed, awaiting the next spirit – The Ghost of Christmas Present - He didn't have to wait long.
(Enter 2nd. ghost).
This spirit showed him things as they were now. He took him to Bob Cratchit's house. Mrs. Cratchit was preparing Christmas dinner. Even with the meagre pittance that Scrooge paid his clerk, they managed to fill a table with potatoes and vegetables – and a goose! Bob entered, with Tiny Tim perched on his shoulder (enter Cratchit and Tiny Tim).
Bob: A Merry Christmas to us all my dears!
Tiny Tim: God Bless us every one!
Narrator: Said Tiny Tim – Scrooge turned to the ghost:
Scrooge: Tell me Spirit – will Tiny Tim live?
Ghost: I see a vacant seat in the chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner. If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die! (Ghost exits)
Narrator: The clock struck again and the third spirit entered (enter third spirit), The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Scrooge was more fearful of this ghost than the others – with every reason!
It took him to a group of women who were arguing over a deceased person's belongings. Another group, this time of business men who were discussing the death of someone they knew. There was no sympathy in the discussion, just a simple exchange of news and speculation that there were unlikely to be any mourners at the funeral!
Scrooge was then shown a corner of a derelict, overgrown cemetery. There was a neglected gravestone and the name inscribed in cold letters was – Ebenezer Scrooge!
Scrooge: Oh Spirit, hear me. I am not the man I was – I will not be the man I used to be. Why Show me this if I am past all hope?
Narrator: The ghost dissolved (exit ghost) and Scrooge was once again sat in his bed! It was the morning. He pinched himself –then jumped out of bed, laughing and dancing around.
Scrooge: I'm alive! I'm alive! I must make amends.