By Tracy Krauss. Copyright 2010, Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.

Transcription

1 By Tracy Krauss Copyright, Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that a royalty must be paid for every performance, whether or not admission is charged. All inquiries regarding rights should be addressed to Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., PO Box 4267, Englewood, CO 801. All rights to this play including but not limited to amateur, professional, radio broadcast, television, motion picture, public reading and translation into foreign languages are controlled by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., without whose permission no performance, reading or presentation of any kind in whole or in part may be given. These rights are fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and of all countries covered by the Universal Copyright Convention or with which the United States has reciprocal copyright relations, including Canada, Mexico, Australia and all nations of the United Kingdom. COPYING OR REPRODUCING ALL OR ANY PART OF THIS BOOK IN ANY MANNER IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN BY LAW. On all programs, printing and advertising, the following information must appear: 1. The full name of the play 2. The full name of the playwright 3. The following notice: Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado

2 EBENEZER S CHRISTMAS CAROL By TRACY KRAUSS CAST OF CHARACTERS* (In order of appearance) # of lines JACOB MARLEY...Ebenezer s former assistant; 18 now a ghostly narrator EBENEZER SCROOGE...cranky miser 3 BOB CRATCHIT...Ebenezer s mild-mannered 2 and loyal employee WOMAN ONE...collects donations for the poor WOMAN TWO...another 7 FREDDIE...Ebenezer s nephew 6 SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST...mischievous spirit 27 YOUNG BOY EBENEZER...Ebenezer as a young boy 3 SCHOOLMASTER...headmaster of Ebenezer s 1 former school FANNY...Ebenezer s sister 3 YOUNG MAN EBENEZER...Ebenezer as a young man BELLE...Ebenezer s former girlfriend SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT...boisterous spirit 17 TINY TIM...Cratchit s son; needs a crutch to walk CRATCHIT CHILDREN (3 or 4)...Bob Cratchit s children 11 MRS. CRATCHIT...Bob Cratchit s wife 4 SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME...ghostly and menacing 17 HOUSEKEEPER...Ebenezer s housekeeper 8 PEDDLER...purchases items from 7 Ebenezer s housekeeper EXTRAS...CAROLERS, PARTYGOERS, MR. and MRS. FEZZIWIG, SPRITES, SHOPPERS *Signifi cant doubling possible. Please see PRODUCTION NOTES on page 17 and 18 for suggestions. ii

3 SETTING The set can be simply accomplished by using a few moveable furnishings and area staging. In the original production, a large desk remained STAGE RIGHT for Ebenezer s offi ce and doubled as a table for the scenes taking place at the Fezziwigs and the Cratchits. Another small desk and stool were also in the offi ce. The stool was moved DOWN CENTER for the schoolroom scene. STAGE LEFT remained set as Ebenezer s bedroom, including a bed, a chair and a dressing screen. The street scenes and the cemetery scene took place on a bare area of stage DOWN CENTER. They could also be played in front of the curtain. The addition of a raised platform or two-tiered stage is a great asset for all the scenes where EBENEZER and the SPIRIT are watching events take place. If this is not feasible, EBENEZER and the SPIRITS can hover to the RIGHT or LEFT of the main action. SYNOPSIS OF SCENES Scene breaks indicate a change of location only. Action should fl ow continuously with only brief blackouts or a shift in lighting to indicate the change of location. Scene One: A street. Played on a bare area of the stage or in front of the curtain. Scene Two: Ebenezer s offi ce. Scene Three: Ebenezer s bedroom. Scene Four: A schoolroom when Ebenezer was a young boy. Scene Five: The Fezziwig house when Ebenezer was a young man. Scene Six: Ebenezer s bedroom. Scene Seven: The Cratchit home presently. Scene Eight: Ebenezer s bedroom. Scene Nine: A street. Played on a bare area of the stage. Scene Ten: A cemetery in the future. Scene Eleven: Ebenezer s bedroom. Scene Twelve: A street. Played on a bare area of stage. iii

4 Ebenezer s Christmas Carol - Set Design iv PHOTOCOPYING THIS SCRIPT BREAKS FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS

5 1 2 3 EBENEZER S CHRISTMAS CAROL Scene One LIGHTS UP on a street, played on a bare area of the stage or in front of the curtain. A group of CAROLERS ENTER singing any familiar Christmas carol. MARLEY ENTERS OPPOSITE as the CAROLERS EXIT. MARLEY: (To AUDIENCE.) Hmm very nice. I always did like Christmas carols. Not that I would have admitted it, mind you. Allow me to introduce myself. (Bows.) Marley s the name. Jacob Marley. But I don t suppose you ve heard of me, since I ve been dead now for quite some time. That s right I said dead. But don t worry. We spirits don t really enjoy haunting people. It s part of the job. What we re supposed to do. And usually it is for your own good. Usually. (Grins slyly.) Which brings me to my point. I m here to tell you a story. A Christmas story, actually, about a particular man named Ebenezer Scrooge. He was my partner when I was alive, that is. And a stingier, more hard-hearted man never did live. Well except, perhaps, for yours truly but I m dead now, as I already told you. In any case, Old Ebenezer was the stingiest creature I ve yet to meet. Until, that is, one Christmas Eve (LIGHTS FADE as MARLEY backs OUT.) End of Scene One Scene Two LIGHTS UP FULL on Ebenezer s offi ce. EBENEZER sits at a large desk working. BOB CRATCHIT sits on a stool at another desk, writing, frequently blowing on his hands and rubbing them together. He fi nally approaches EBENEZER S desk and clears his throat. CRATCHIT: Excuse me, sir. EBENEZER: (Gruffl y, not looking up.) What is it, Cratchit? CRATCHIT: I was wondering, sir that is, if it s all right with you, sir, if I could put another lump of coal on the fi re, sir? EBENEZER: (Looks up.) What?! Do you know how much money an extra lump of coal costs? Next thing you ll be asking for two lumps and then three! Where will it end, Cratchit? Where will it end?! As it is, I m going to have to deduct all this time you re wasting from your next paycheck. Now get back to work! (Goes back to work. SOUND EFFECT: KNOCKING. CRATCHIT hurries to answer the door. TWO WOMEN ENTER carrying donation baskets.) WOMAN ONE: Good day to you, good sir! WOMAN TWO: And a Merry Christmas! CRATCHIT: Good day, ladies. And a Merry Christmas to you, too! 1

6 1 2 3 EBENEZER: (To himself.) Bah, humbug! WOMAN ONE: We re collecting donations for the poor. Perhaps Mr. Scrooge would care to make a donation? CRATCHIT: Well I m not sure if WOMAN TWO: The accounting fi rm of Fezziwig and Sons has been most generous. EBENEZER: (Stands. Angry.) What? How dare you mention the name of the competition on my premises! WOMAN TWO: Oh! So sorry, Mr. Scrooge. I only thought EBENEZER: You only thought! That, madam, is highly unlikely! WOMAN TWO: (Insulted.) Well! EBENEZER: I will not give one penny to those who don t earn it. WOMAN ONE: But, Mr. Scrooge, all money collected goes directly to the needy. To homeless orphans and widows. WOMAN TWO: That s right. EBENEZER: A worthless bunch the whole lot of them! CRATCHIT: (Timid.) But, Mr. Scrooge, if I may say EBENEZER: Nobody asked you, Cratchit! Now get back to work! (CRATCHIT bows and scurries back to his desk.) It s so hard to fi nd good help these days. WOMAN ONE: I would think an upstanding businessman like yourself could fi nd it in his heart to give a little something. After all, it is Christmas. WOMAN TWO: Yes, Christmas. EBENEZER: Christmas? Humbug on Christmas! A waste of a perfectly good working day. I m amazed you ladies have the nerve to go begging money from honest people like myself. WOMAN ONE/WOMAN TWO: Well! EBENEZER: Now please leave these premises before I throw you out! (WOMEN EXIT haughtily as FREDDIE ENTERS.) FREDDIE: My, those two seem in an awfully big hurry. EBENEZER: Not fast enough for my liking. FREDDIE: Uncle! Don t tell me you were rude to those two women? EBENEZER: Nothing they didn t deserve. FREDDIE: Really, Uncle. You could have a little compassion. After all, it is Christmas. EBENEZER: Humbug on Christmas! I despise all the pretense. (Mocking.) Merry Christmas! Happy holidays! Makes me sick, I tell you! FREDDIE: I m sorry to hear it, Uncle. I was hoping you would join Anna and me for Christmas dinner. 2

7 1 2 3 EBENEZER: Join you for Christmas dinner? Hah! I would sooner starve! Join you for Christmas dinner, indeed. Ridiculous. FREDDIE: What s so ridiculous about it? You are family, after all. And that s what Christmas is about family. EBENEZER: You may be my sister s only son, but you can take your leave along with those two ladies, before I throw you out. FREDDIE: (Good-naturedly.) Good thing I m not afraid of you, Uncle. The offer still stands if you change your mind. (Tips his hat to CRATCHIT as he leaves.) And a Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Cratchit! (EXITS.) CRATCHIT: (Calls after him.) Merry Christmas, sir! EBENEZER: Cratchit! CRATCHIT: Sorry, sir. EBENEZER: (Grumbles to himself.) Christmas humbug on Christmas. And look at the time. Closing time already. With all these interruptions the entire day has been wasted. (To CRATCHIT.) I suppose you ll insist on going home? CRATCHIT: Yes, sir. I mean, the family is waiting (Puts on his scarf and hat.) Um, excuse me, sir. EBENEZER: What is it now, Cratchit? CRATCHIT: Well, sir. Seeing as tomorrow is Christmas, sir, I was wondering EBENEZER: (Sigh.) You expect the day off, do you? CRATCHIT: Well, sir, if it s not too inconvenient EBENEZER: The entire day? CRATCHIT: If possible, sir. EBENEZER: See what I mean? Christmas! What a waste! (Pauses while he drums his fi ngers on the desk.) Well all right. You can have the entire day off. But without pay, mind you. I will not pay a man if he s not here to work. And come in early the next day. You ll have lots of work to catch up on! CRATCHIT: Thank you, sir. And uh Merry Christmas, sir! (EXITS quickly.) EBENEZER: Bah! (BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Two Scene Three LIGHTS UP on Ebenezer s bedroom. EBENEZER ENTERS, still wearing his offi ce clothes. EBENEZER: What a day! (Removes his jacket and tie.) All this Christmas nonsense is making me sick. (Sits down and takes off his shoes.) MARLEY S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE, ghostly voice.) Scrooge 3

8 1 2 3 EBENEZER: What s that? I thought I heard something MARLEY S VOICE: Scrooge EBENEZER: There it is again! Must be indigestion. MARLEY S VOICE: Ebenezer Scrooge. EBENEZER: (Jumps up from chair, looks around in fear.) Who s there? Who is calling me? MARLEY: (ENTERS, dragging a heavy chain with money boxes attached.) Ebenezer Scrooge. It is I, your old partner, Jacob Marley. EBENEZER: What? Who who are you? MARLEY: (Drops the ghostly voice.) You hard of hearing or what? It s me! Marley! SCROOGE: Marley? MARLEY: In the fl esh! Well, maybe not exactly in the fl esh I mean, a few years in the grave doesn t exactly do much for a guy s complexion. But, like I was saying EBENEZER: But but you re dead! MARLEY: (To AUDIENCE.) Wow! This guy s really on the ball! (To EBENEZER.) Of course I m dead! What do you think I ve been trying to tell you! EBENEZER: But how can it be? MARLEY: Well, you see, it was like this. I was eating this tuna fi sh sandwich one day when a bite of the sandwich went down the wrong way EBENEZER: No! I mean, if you re dead, then how can you be here? How is it that I can see you? (Turns away.) Wait a minute! I m talking to a dead guy! I must be dreaming or something. Maybe it was something I ate MARLEY: Scrooge! I m here to warn you! EBENEZER: Warn me? About what? MARLEY: Don t make the same mistakes I made. There s more to life than money. EBENEZER: Ha! Like what? MARLEY: Like family friends helping others. EBENEZER: Humbug! You sound like that sappy nephew of mine. Or that lazy employee, Cratchit. MARLEY: My fate is sealed. I m destined to carry these weights with me for all eternity. But it s not too late for you. You can change! EBENEZER: Change? Why would I? I like things just as they are. MARLEY: Tonight you will be visited by three spirits. Listen closely to the lessons they come to teach you. 4 PHOTOCOPYING THIS SCRIPT BREAKS FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS

9 1 2 3 EBENEZER: Three spirits? Ridiculous! (Steps behind dressing screen and quickly changes into nightclothes.) It must be that bowl of leftover gruel talking! All I need is a good night s sleep. (Gets into bed.) MARLEY: (Backs OUT.) Scrooge! Heed the lessons of the spirits! EBENEZER: (Mutters to himself.) Imagine! Jacob Marley! I wonder what made me think of him. I used to catch him humming Christmas carols at this time of year. Humbug! (As he drifts off to sleep.) Yep, a good night s sleep, that s all I need (SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST ENTERS, skips to EBENEZER S bed mischievously and shakes him.) EBENEZER: (Wakes with a start.) Wha what? Where am I? Who are you?! CHRISTMAS PAST: I m the Spirit of Christmas Past. EBENEZER: (Rubs his eyes.) The Spirit of Christmas Past? (Mocking.) Oh, right, like Marley said. CHRISTMAS PAST: That s right. EBENEZER: (Sarcastic.) Yeah. Actually, you re just some bad porridge that I ate before bed, so if you don t mind, I m just going to go back to sleep. CHRISTMAS PAST: (Offended.) You doubt my existence? EBENEZER: Well, really. You don t expect me to believe that you re actually some paranormal sent here to teach me a lesson? CHRISTMAS PAST: (To self.) Marley warned me he was a tough customer. EBENEZER: Marley? Him again? CHRISTMAS PAST: Listen. I have a job to do, and I m not leaving until I do it. EBENEZER: And then will you leave me alone to get some sleep? CHRISTMAS PAST: Promise. EBENEZER: I can t believe I m negotiating with a fi gment of my imagination. All right, then. Do whatever it is you came to do. CHRISTMAS PAST: I m supposed to take you on a journey. EBENEZER: A journey? To where? CHRISTMAS PAST: I m the Spirit of Christmas Past, remember? We re going back in time. EBENEZER: Whatever you say. This is all a dream anyway. CHRISTMAS PAST: Okay hang on! (Takes EBENEZER by the hand and leads him OFFSTAGE as LIGHTS BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Three

10 1 2 3 Scene Four SPOTLIGHT UP on EBENEZER and SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST as they ENTER. YOUNG BOY EBENEZER sits on a stool DOWN CENTER, alone and dejected. EBENEZER: This is a cold and dreary place. What are we doing here? CHRISTMAS PAST: Ah, you remember it, then? EBENEZER: Remember it? How could I forget? It was my school. I spent many long years here as a child. CHRISTMAS PAST: Yes. It s where you learned what it meant to be alone. EBENEZER: Bah! CHRISTMAS PAST: Look! Who s that over there? (FULL LIGHTS UP on YOUNG BOY EBENEZER. He is crying.) EBENEZER: Looks like a sissy to me. CHRISTMAS PAST: I wonder what s the matter? EBENEZER: (To YOUNG BOY EBENEZER.) Quit your crying, boy, and act like a man! CHRISTMAS PAST: He can t hear you. No one else can see or hear us. But listen. Here comes someone else. SCHOOLMASTER: (ENTERS. Not very sympathetic.) I m sorry, young man, but your father has already sent word. You ll not be going home for the holidays, I m afraid. But buck up! It s nothing new, now, is it? (EXITS.) EBENEZER: I always hated the headmaster. Very smug individual. No wonder that boy won t say anything! FANNY: (ENTERS. Goes to YOUNG BOY EBENEZER and puts her arm around him.) Please don t cry anymore. The Christmas season will be over before you know it, and all your friends will be returning for school. YOUNG BOY EBENEZER: My friends? What friends, sister? Even you re leaving me. EBENEZER: Wait a minute I recognize that girl. That s that s Fanny, my sister! But if that s her, then the boy must be CHRISTMAS PAST: Yes. It s you as a boy, Ebenezer. Listen! YOUNG BOY EBENEZER: It s not fair! Why do you get to go home, and I don t? FANNY: Silly Ebenezer! Because I m getting married, remember? But once Bill and I make enough money, we ll send for you every Christmas. I promise. YOUNG BOY EBENEZER: You promise? 6

11 1 2 3 FANNY: Of course! Cross my heart and hope to die! (Hugs YOUNG BOY EBENEZER. They FREEZE.) CHRISTMAS PAST: Did she keep her promise? EBENEZER: (Flatly.) In a way She died just a few years later, giving birth to my nephew, Fred. I ve seen enough! Take me away from this place! I never want to set eyes on it again! CHRISTMAS PAST: All right, but our journey isn t over yet. EBENEZER: You said you d let me sleep! CHRISTMAS PAST: We have one more place to visit. Come on! (EXITS with EBENEZER. BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Four Scene Five LIGHTS UP DIM on the Fezziwig house. Serving trays of food are on a table. EBENEZER and SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST ENTER. EXTRAS as MR. and MRS. FEZZIWIG and the PARTYGOERS are ONSTAGE, FROZEN in place. YOUNG MAN EBENEZER and BELLE are off to one side of the party, also FROZEN. CHRISTMAS PAST: Do you recognize this place? (As the LIGHTS COME UP FULL there is OLD-TIME DANCE MUSIC. PARTYGOERS UNFREEZE and begin to dance, chat and clap. As we watch, MRS. FEZZIWIG gestures for all to come and eat. YOUNG MAN EBENEZER and BELLE stay off to the side as the PARTYGOERS move to the table. MUSIC FADES before EBENEZER speaks.) EBENEZER: Why, it s old Fezziwig! He gave me my fi rst job at his accounting fi rm! (Points.) And there s his wife Mrs. Fezziwig! CHRISTMAS PAST: It looks as though everyone is having a good time. EBENEZER: Yes! The Fezziwigs certainly knew how to throw a party! Especially at Christmas. Why, they would give each one of us a Christmas bonus, plus put on a huge feast all at their own expense! CHRISTMAS PAST: That was very generous. EBENEZER: Very stupid, if you ask me! It makes not one bit of business sense. CHRISTMAS PAST: But it did make people happy. EBENEZER: True. CHRISTMAS PAST: All except that couple, perhaps. (CHRISTMAS PAST points to YOUNG MAN EBENEZER and BELLE, who are off in a corner alone.) They don t look very happy at all. (MUSIC FADES as PARTYGOERS and FEZZIWIGS FREEZE. LIGHTS DIM on the PARTYGOERS and UP on the couple.) Do you recognize them? EBENEZER: Why, it s Belle and is that me? 7

12 1 2 3 CHRISTMAS PAST: Yes. It is you as your younger self. But why aren t you happy? The party seems to be going on without you. YOUNG MAN EBENEZER: (He and BELLE UNFREEZE.) But Belle! You know I just need a little more time! I want to be able to provide for you, not just scrape by. BELLE: You ve been saying the same thing for too long, Ebenezer. You know that I love you, but I m tired of your excuses. You ll never make enough money to be satisfi ed. YOUNG MAN EBENEZER: And what s wrong with wanting to make money? BELLE: Nothing. As long as it doesn t take over your whole life! YOUNG MAN EBENEZER: And you think that s what s happened? BELLE: I see it coming, Ebenezer. And it makes me afraid. You re not the man I used to know. YOUNG MAN EBENEZER: And what s that supposed to mean? BELLE: I won t wait around forever. Which is more important to you? Money or love? (He doesn t answer.) Either marry me now, Ebenezer, or say good-bye! YOUNG MAN EBENEZER: I m sorry, Belle I just need more time to become fi nancially secure BELLE: Then good-bye forever, Ebenezer! (RUNS OFF crying. LIGHTS DIM on ALL but EBENEZER and CHRISTMAS PAST.) EBENEZER: Dear, sweet Belle she was very beautiful CHRISTMAS PAST: You made the choice. And what of your kindhearted employers, the Fezziwigs? EBENEZER: I left the company and started my own business. CHRISTMAS PAST: And took half of their clients with you! EBENEZER: Business is business! I ve seen enough! Can you take me back now? CHRISTMAS PAST: As you wish. (EXITS with EBENEZER. BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Five Scene Six LIGHTS UP on Ebenezer s bedroom. THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT is sitting in a chair eating from a picnic basket of food. EBENEZER is back in bed. EBENEZER: (Sits up in a fright.) Oh! What a nightmare! First I saw Fanny and then I dreamt I was back working for the Fezziwigs! And Belle was there Humbug! Nonsense! All a dream! A drink of water is what I need! (As he gets out of bed, he sees the SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT for the fi rst time.) Ahh! Who are you? 8 PHOTOCOPYING THIS SCRIPT BREAKS FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS

13 1 2 3 SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT: I am the Spirit of Christmas Present. EBENEZER: Another spirit! Where s my water? CHRISTMAS PRESENT: How about some turkey? (Holds out a drumstick.) Some fruit? Maybe a little Christmas pudding? EBENEZER: I m not hungry! CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Hmm. Your loss. It s quite good. Besides, you look a little lean (Stands and scrutinizes EBENEZER.) like you could use some fattening up! EBENEZER: What? Say, you look kind of familiar. Have we met? CHRISTMAS PRESENT: You probably have me confused with my cousin from the past. Kind of a good-looking sort? EBENEZER: (To himself.) Hmm so if this is just another dream, I ve got nothing to fear, right? (Addresses CHRISTMAS PRESENT.) So, Spirit, I suppose you re here to show me some more miserable scenes from the past. CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Of course not! Weren t you listening? I m the Spirit of Christmas Present. EBENEZER: Presents? Humbug! I don t believe in giving presents! A complete waste of money! CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Not presents. Present, as in the here and now. Get it? EBENEZER: Oh, I see. Well, there s nothing interesting about the present that I haven t seen already. CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Don t be too sure about that. Come on. (Grabs EBENEZER S sleeve.) EBENEZER: Oh, no! Not this again! (SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT drags him OUT. BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Six Scene Seven LIGHTS UP on the Cratchit house. More chairs have been added around the table. The CRATCHIT CHILDREN are playing, reading, etc. BOB CRATCHIT is playing checkers with TINY TIM. A crutch lies on the fl oor beside him. EBENEZER and the SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT ENTER. EBENEZER: Where have you taken me now, Spirit? CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Don t you recognize this place? EBENEZER: No. Should I? CHRISTMAS PRESENT: It s the home of Bob Cratchit. You mean you ve never seen how your loyal employee lives? 9

14 1 2 3 EBENEZER: (Embarrassed.) Well I uh haven t had time for social calls! I m a very busy man! How Cratchit spends his leisure time is not my concern! Besides, they look happy and healthy enough. CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Perhaps you should have a closer look. TINY TIM: Look, Father! I beat you at checkers! (Does a victory skip around the room, leaning on his crutch.) CRATCHIT: Hmm so you did. We ll have to have a rematch. (A CHILD gets up and sets the table.) CHILD PLAYING: Father! Come play with us now! CHILD READING: Or tell us a story! CHILD SETTING TABLE: Yes! Tell us about Old Mr. Scrooge! How mean and nasty he is! CHILDREN: (Ad lib as they gather around their father.) Yes, please. (Etc.) CRATCHIT: Now, now, children! That doesn t sound very kind. It s Christmas, remember? Besides, Mr. Scrooge is my employer. Because of him we re able to have this wonderful Christmas celebration. TINY TIM: God bless Mr. Scrooge! CRATCHIT: That s the spirit! TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! MRS. CRATCHIT: (ENTERS with a small covered platter, followed by another CHILD carrying small serving bowls.) Make way! Here comes the Christmas feast! (CHILDREN Ooo and Ahh as they make their way to the table.) CHILD 1: Look at all this food! CHILD 2: We must be the luckiest children alive! CHILD 3: Thanks to Mr. Scrooge! TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! CRATCHIT: Yes. Very good, Timmy. And now, let s see that lovely Christmas bird, Mrs. Cratchit! MRS. CRATCHIT: Voilà! (Uncovers the platter to reveal a minuscule turkey. CHILDREN Ooh and Ahh. ) EBENEZER: What? Why, that bird is hardly big enough to satisfy one person! Certainly not a large family like Cratchit s. What s wrong with that man?! CHRISTMAS PRESENT: It s all they could afford on the salary you pay. CRATCHIT: Now, children, make sure you all say a special prayer of thanksgiving for Mr. Scrooge tonight. After all, he s the one who has provided us with this Christmas meal. CHILDREN: Yes, Father.

15 1 2 3 TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! CRATCHIT: Uh yes, Timmy. I believe you said that already. MRS. CRATCHIT: Mr. Scrooge provided the Christmas dinner? Hah! It s your hard work and mine that have provided it, I ll have you know! That miser wouldn t provide a fl ea to a dog if he thought it would be of any benefit! CRATCHIT: Now, my dear. We mustn t be ungrateful. Not in front of the children. TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! CHILD 1: Why does Tiny Tim keep saying that? CRATCHIT: Saying what? TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! CHILD 2: That! CRATCHIT: Oh, that. I suppose he s grateful. Right, Timmy? TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! CRATCHIT: Right (Changes the subject.) Who s for some turkey? CHILDREN: Me, me! (ALL CHILDREN hold their plates forward.) TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! (Repeats until sister CHILD clamps her hand over TINY TIM S mouth.) CRATCHIT: Mrs. Cratchit, dish up the food, please. MRS. CRATCHIT: (Counts out individual peas, etc.) One for you, and one for you (LIGHTS DIM and the CRATCHITS FREEZE.) EBENEZER: It s pathetic! And what s wrong with that little one? The one they call Tiny Tim? CHRISTMAS PRESENT: I don t know. Perhaps he s got a case of broken-itis recording-is. EBENEZER: No, no! I mean his leg! What s wrong with his leg? CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Oh! Nothing that an operation can t fi x. EBENEZER: So why is he still hobbling around with a crutch? CHRISTMAS PRESENT: They can t afford the doctor s bills. EBENEZER: (Blusters.) That s not my problem! I can t go throwing money at every cripple in the city. I d go broke. CHRISTMAS PRESENT: It s not every cripple in the city. It s your loyal employee s son. He ll probably be crippled for life if he lives that long. EBENEZER: You re just a gas pain! I m not listening to you! (Covers his ears.) CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Open your ears and your eyes, Ebenezer. The world is full of pain and sorrow, ignorance and want. (OPTIONAL: SPRITES ENTER in ragged clothing and masks. They dance 11

16 1 2 forebodingly around EBENEZER as he stands in fright.) Those who HAVE should help those who have NOT. EBENEZER: Ah! Take me home. I ve seen enough. CHRISTMAS PRESENT: As you wish (ALL EXIT. BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Seven Scene Eight LIGHTS UP on Ebenezer s bedroom. EBENEZER is back in bed. EBENEZER: Ah! (Sits up in bed panting.) I m still in my bed. What a night! (Gets up and begins to pace.) It all seems so real yet I must be dreaming. I ll have to pinch myself to make sure I m awake! (Begins pinching himself.) Ow! (Pinch.) Ow! (Pinch.) Ow! (As he continues pinching and Ow ing, he backs up into the SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME, who has ENTERED. EBENEZER S Ow turns to a scream of fright.) Wh wh who are you? SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: (Ghostly and menacing.) I am the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come! EBENEZER: (Frightened.) Whoa! Marley said there would be three spirits. (Changes to a normal tone.) Say you look kind of familiar. I don t suppose you re related to a couple of other spirits I ve seen lately? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: (Normal voice.) Oh, you mean the goodlooking ones? EBENEZER: I wouldn t exactly put it that way CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Silence! You must come with me. EBENEZER: But where? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: To that which is yet to come. EBENEZER: You mean the future? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: That s what I said! EBENEZER: Oh. CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Come! EBENEZER: Might as well get this over with (They EXIT. BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Eight Scene Nine LIGHTS UP on a street, played on a bare area of stage. EBENEZER and SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME ENTER. EBENEZER: Now where have you taken me? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Quiet! It s your job to watch. (A PEDDLER ENTERS and waits impatiently for a few seconds. HOUSEKEEPER ENTERS carrying a sack of goods and looks around suspiciously.) 12 PHOTOCOPYING THIS SCRIPT BREAKS FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS

17 HOUSEKEEPER: So? How much will you give me for the lot? (Gestures to the sack on the ground.) PEDDLER: (Digs in the sack.) Hmm let me see a couple of bedsheets, a nightcap, a candle holder hmmm (Digs around some more.) What s this? A gold watch and chain?! HOUSEKEEPER: (Looks around nervously.) Come on! I haven t got all day! I ve got other houses to clean (Elbows him in the ribs and laughs.) if ya knows what I mean! EBENEZER: Spirit! That woman seems familiar. Do I know her? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Shhh! I said watch! PEDDLER: I ve gotta hand it to ya, Meg! You ve got some nerve. Imagine, carryin off this booty before the poor fellow was even cold! HOUSEKEEPER: And why shouldn t I? I worked my fi ngers to the bone for 22 years, I did! Scrubbin and washin. Mendin and polishin. Kept his house spotless! And what did I get in return? Did I ever get any extra pay for all I done? Was there even a wee bit of Christmas cheer? No! Not so much as a thank you! PEDDLER: I don t normally like to deal in goods that have come to me in any sort of questionable manner. HOUSEKEEPER: Poppycock! Who s to know? The dreadful miser is dead, for heaven s sake! PEDDLER: What about relatives? Friends? HOUSEKEEPER: Friends?! Ha! That s a good one! That skinfl int didn t have any friends. I m sure the only one to show up for the funeral was the undertaker himself! PEDDLER: And he had no relatives? HOUSEKEEPER: Well, one nephew, I believe. Seems like a nice enough chap. He ll probably be as glad to see him gone as the rest of us! PEDDLER: Well, as long as you re sure. HOUSEKEEPER: Enough, already! It s Christmas Eve, and I ve got other things to do besides hagglin over a dead man s goods! PEDDLER: All right, then. (Holds up a small coin bag.) I ll give you this much, but no more. HOUSEKEEPER: (Snatches the bag.) Thank you, sir! It s been good doin business with ya! And a Merry Christmas to ya! (She scurries OFF in one direction while the PEDDLER takes the sack OFF in the other.) EBENEZER: What a disgrace! Some people have no respect for the dead! CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Perhaps some others would do well to have respect for the living. EBENEZER: Hmm I wonder who that poor, unfortunate man was. And that woman she certainly did look familiar 13

18 CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Come. There s more. (They EXIT. BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Nine 1 2 Scene Ten EERIE LIGHTING UP on a cemetery indicated with tombstones. EBENEZER and CHRISTMAS YET TO COME ENTER. EBENEZER: Where where have you taken me now? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: You ve got one guess. (Points towards a tombstone.) EBENEZER: Oh, Spirit! Do I have to look? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Look and read! (Forces him to do so.) EBENEZER: (Reads.) Here lies Timothy Cratchit God bless us, every one. Oh, Spirit, no! No! It can t be! Little Tiny Tim? Dead? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: (Nods, then points to another stone.) Continue! EBENEZER: Another one? I m really not enjoying this! (Reads.) Ebenezer Scrooge Ebenezer Scrooge! That s me! This is my grave! And that poor man they were talking about the one with no friends that was me, wasn t it? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Bingo. EBENEZER: (Falls to his knees and begs.) No! Please, Spirit, no! Say this isn t the way my life will end! CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: You do have a choice, Ebenezer. EBENEZER: I do? You mean it doesn t have to be this way? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: This will be your future if you continue on your present course. EBENEZER: If I continue on my present course? You said if! If what?! What must I do? CHRISTMAS YET TO COME: Search your heart, Ebenezer Search your heart (Begins to back away.) EBENEZER: Wait! Don t leave! Tell me what I must do, Spirit! I ll change! I promise! (BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Ten Scene Eleven LIGHTS UP on Ebenezer s bedroom. EBENEZER is thrashing in his bed. EBENEZER: No, Spirit! Don t let it end this way! Tell me how I must change! Spirit, come back! (Wakes himself up.) Wha what s going on? Was I dreaming? I am awake, aren t I? (Pinches himself.) Ow! 14

19 Yep, I m awake! But it all seemed so real Fanny Fezziwig and Belle the Cratchits... and the graveyard! Oh, dear! What was it the Spirit said again? If I continue on my present course. If! But what must I do? Search your heart, the Spirit said. It s not too late to change That s it! I can change! How revolutionary! Let s see what shall I do fi rst? I know! I ll send the biggest turkey money can buy straight over to the Cratchits. And I won t tell them who sent it. Oh! And a big bag of presents, too, for the children! And then I think I ll pay that nephew of mine a visit. Won t he be surprised! I can hardly wait! (Happy, he rushes behind dressing screen to put on business clothes. BLACKOUT.) End of Scene Eleven Scene Twelve LIGHTS UP on a street played on a bare area of stage. MARLEY ENTERS, without the chain and money boxes. MARLEY: (To AUDIENCE.) And now my tale is almost done. Ebenezer Scrooge was as good as his word. He did change. He spent the rest of his days spending money on others instead of hoarding it for himself. Bob Cratchit became a partner in the business. And with the extra money he made not to mention a little bonus thrown in by Ebenezer Tiny Tim was able to have the operation he needed. All ended happily, or so it would seem (STEPS BACK. SHOPPERS ENTER from both sides, crossing and greeting one another. [NOTE: Additional dialogue between SHOPPERS can be added here if more time is required for EBENEZER S costume change.] EBENEZER, dressed again in business attire, ENTERS from one side as CRATCHIT and TINY TIM, without the crutch, ENTER from the other side.) EBENEZER: Good day to you, Cratchit! And a Merry Christmas, too! CRATCHIT: Merry Christmas to you, sir. (They shake hands.) EBENEZER: And how is young Timothy, today? Looking forward to Christmas? TINY TIM: God bless us, every one! God bless us, every one! God bless us, every one! (Repeats until CRATCHIT covers TINY TIM S mouth.) EBENEZER: Cratchit, I ve been meaning to tell you about a psychologist friend of mine. Why don t you bring the family over later and I ll introduce you? CRATCHIT: Sounds like a good idea (They EXIT to opposite sides of the stage.) 1

20 MARLEY: And there you have it. The end of my tale. I hope you learned something. And what, you may ask, did I get out of this? First, I lost the heavy burden of my shackles. (Gestures to hands and feet.) Next, I gained the chance to hang out with some newfound friends (THREE SPIRITS ENTER wearing party hats and carrying party noisemakers.) SPIRIT: Hey, Jake! What s happenin? The gang and I are havin a big bash down at the cemetery. It s outta this world! (THREE SPIRITS EXIT OPPOSITE.) MARLEY: (Calls to SPIRITS.) Okay, I ll be there in a minute! (To AUDIENCE.) And lastly, I ve had the opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. Good night! (BLACKOUT.) END OF PLAY 16 PHOTOCOPYING THIS SCRIPT BREAKS FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS

21 PRODUCTION NOTES PROPERTIES ONSTAGE: Ebenezer s offi ce and other locations: Large desk or table, chair, stool, small desk. Ebenezer s bedroom: Bed, chair, dressing screen. BROUGHT ON, Scene Two: Quill pens, notebooks (EBENEZER, CRATCHIT) Hat, scarf (CRATCHIT) Donation baskets (TWO WOMEN) ONSTAGE, Scene Five: Serving trays of food on table. BROUGHT ON, Scene Six: Basket of food, including a turkey drumstick (SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT) ONSTAGE, Scene Seven: Additional chairs around the table. BROUGHT ON, Scene Seven: Checkerboard, toys, books (CRATCHIT CHILDREN) Crutch (TINY TIM) Table settings (CRATCHIT CHILDREN) Very small roasted turkey on covered platter (MRS. CRATCHIT) Small serving bowls (CRATCHIT CHILD) BROUGHT ON, Scene Nine: Sack of goods (HOUSEKEEPER) Small coin bag (PEDDLER) ONSTAGE, Scene Ten: Tombstones. BROUGHT ON, Scene Twelve: Party hats, noisemakers (SPIRITS) SOUND EFFECTS Knocking, old-time dance music. COSTUMES The SPIRITS can wear plain white gowns with embellishments that differentiate each part. In the original production, one cast member played all three spirits. The actor wore a plain white gown and changed embellishments to show which spirit he/she was playing at that moment. MARLEY should wear old-fashioned business attire. Add a heavy chain with money boxes attached for Scene Three. 17

22 EBENEZER wears nightclothes and slippers except in Scene Two, the very beginning of Scene Three and Scene Twelve. In these two scenes he wears a suit or other business attire. Because fast costume changes are required between his business attire and his nightclothes (and then back again), simplicity is a must. SPRITES wear ragged clothing and masks. ALL OTHERS should wear clothes appropriate to their characters and to the period in which the play is being staged. SMALLER CAST POSSIBLE In the original production, the three spirits were played by the same person. FREDDIE and YOUNG MAN EBENEZER were played by the same cast member, as were YOUNG BOY EBENEZER and TINY TIM. JACOB MARLEY, SCHOOLMASTER, MR. FEZZIWIG and PEDDLER can all be played by one actor as well. Likewise, many female roles can be doubled. WOMAN ONE, FANNY and MRS. CRATCHIT can be played by one person, as can WOMAN TWO, BELLE and HOUSEKEEPER. MRS. FEZZIWIG can be played by an EXTRA. All the characters can be doubled except for EBENEZER and CRATCHIT. With the addition of three Cratchit children and two additional extras as carolers/partygoers/sprites/shoppers, the original production consisted of 13 cast members. 18

23 Thank you for your subscription This E-view script from Pioneer Drama Service will stay permanently in your Pioneer Library, so you can view it whenever you log in on our website. Please feel free to save it as a pdf document to your computer if you wish to share it via with colleagues assisting you with your show selection. To produce this show, you can order scripts for your cast and crew and arrange for performance royalties via our website or by phone, fax or mail. If you d like advice on other plays or musicals to read with your Pioneer E-view subscription, our customer service representatives are happy to assist you when you call during normal business hours. Thank you again for your interest in our plays and musicals Outside of North America Fax PO Box 4267 Englewood, CO

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