Scene One - Scrooge’s counting house.
Bob is warming his hands over a candle and using a quill pen to write figures on a long scroll.

Narrator:

Welcome to Scrooge and Marley’s . Although not much of a welcome will you get here. And MARLEY is dead, though Scrooge has not had a new sign painted. He would not waste the money. This is poor Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s clerk. And it is Christmas Eve in London Town. Would Scrooge let him have an extra lump of coal on this freezing Christmas Eve?

Bob:

Sir? Mr Scrooge? Oh, he is off collecting debts. But wait- I think I hear him coming now.

Scrooge:

(entering from the street, with a flurry of snow [polystyrene chippings?] If possible) Working hard I hope Cratchit.

Bob:

Oh Mr Scrooge, my fingers are so cold I can hardly write. May I have another lump of coal sir?

Scrooge:

MORE COAL? You had a whole shovelful last week. You and I must part company if this carries on.

Bob:

Oh dear. I beg your pardon Mr Scrooge.

Fred:

A Merry Christmas Uncle!

Scrooge:

BAH! HUMBUG!

Fred:

Christmas a humbug Uncle? You can’t mean it!

Scrooge:

I do mean it. Merry indeed. What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough!

Fred:

Come then- why should YOU not be merry- you’re rich enough! (he laughs) Merry Christmas Bob.

Bob:

Oh thank you Master Fred. And- I wish you the same. (with a nervous look at Scrooge)

Scrooge:

Humbug! What’s Christmas to both of you but a time to pay bills with no money? You find yourself a year older and not an hour richer! Every fool who cries Merry Christmas should be boiled with his own pudding!

Fred:

Uncle!

Scrooge:

Nephew! Keep Christmas in your way and let me keep it in mine.

Fred:

But you DON’T keep it.

Scrooge:

Let me leave it alone then. Much good has it done you.

Fred:

I believe it HAS done me good! Christmas is a kind, forgiving, charitable time. A time when men and women open up their hearts freely and remember we are all fellow passengers on the way to the grave. And although it has never put a coin in my pocket I believe it has done me good and will do me good. And so I say - God bless Christmas!

Scrooge:

YOU may be silent if you wish to keep your job.

Fred:

Don’t be angry Uncle! Come and dine with us tomorrow.

Scrooge:

Nonsense! As to that- why did you ever marry when you have no money?