A Christmas Carol Page #5

To my uncle Scrooge.

It seems a shame to waste a toast

on a man like that.

But, darling, think how happy

he makes everyone feel, by contrast.

- To my uncle, Scrooge.

- To Uncle Scrooge.

- Come along now, Tom. You're it.

- Come on, Tom.

You'd best catch us.

Tie it tight.

- Are you sure you can see?

- Perfectly.

That's good.

One, two, three.

Come on, quick.

Quick, he might catch you.

Please, let me stay, just until they finish.

But you don't like Christmas.

It's a time for fools.

I won't go with you. I'm going to stay.

I'm going to stay, I tell you.

Don't be a fool, man.

You don't like Christmas.

But I do. I do like Christmas!

I love Christmas!

You are the Ghost

of Christmas Yet To Come?

You are about to show me things

that have not happened...

but will happen in the future.

Is that so, Spirit?

Ghost of the Future,

I know you are here to do me good...

and as I hope to be another man

from what I was...

I'm ready to accompany you.

Won't you speak?

Lead on.

I shall follow gladly.

No, I don't know much about it either way.

I only know he's dead.

- When did he die?

- Last night, I believe.

- What was the matter with him?

- Who knows? Who cares?

- What has he done with his money?

- I haven't heard.

He hasn't left it to me. That's all I know.

It's likely to be a very cheap funeral.

Upon my life,

I can't think of anybody to go to it.

Suppose we form a party and volunteer.

I don't mind going, if a lunch is provided.

I'll offer to go if anybody else will.

Now I come to think of it,

I'm not sure I wasn't his best friend.

We used to stop and speak

whenever we met.

Goodbye.

- How are you?

- How are you?

I know them. I know them both.

Business associates.

So Old Scratch got his own at last?

Yeah, so I've been told. It's cold, isn't it?

Seasonable for Christmas.

- You're not a skater, I suppose.

- No time for it. Business on my mind.

- Well, good morning.

- Good morning.

Is death always like this?

Is it never followed

by sorrow and weeping?

It must be getting near your father's time.

Past it, Mommy.

Though he has walked home slower

these last few evenings.

I've known him walk with Tiny Tim

upon his shoulder very fast indeed.

And so have I, often.

But he was very light to carry,

and his father loved him so.

It was no trouble. No trouble.

There's your father at the door.

There you are, my nippers.

Dear.

Here, Father, sit here.

I saw Mr. Scrooge's nephew today.

You did?

Yes, he is a nice fellow.

He saw I looked a trifle down.

Just a trifle, you know.

He asked me what was wrong.

Thank you, dear.

I told him about Tim.

He's such a sweet fellow,

somehow I didn't mind telling him.

"I'm heartily sorry for it, Bob," he said.

"And heartily sorry for your good wife."

By the by, how he ever knew that,

I don't know.

Knew what, my dear?

- That you were a good wife.

- Bob.

It really seemed that he knew our Tim

and felt with us.

- I'm sure he's a good soul, Bob.

- He is.

And I'm sure that...

when we remember

how gentle and patient Tim was...

we shan't quarrel among ourselves...

and in doing it, forget our Tim.

No, Father.

I'm very happy.

I am.

Poor Tim. Poor Tiny Tim.

Everyone who knew him must feel sorrow.

Sorrow they'd never feel for me.

Spirit...

tell me the name of the man

we saw lying dead.

Tell me!

Answer me this, Spirit.

Are these things you've shown me...

are they the shadows of the things

that will be, or of the things that may be?

Men's lives lead to certain ends...

but if those lives be changed,

will not the ends be changed?

Tell me that is true! Tell me!

Then I was the man who lay upon the bed.

No!

Why show me this if I am past all hope?

I shall change my way of living.

I will try to keep Christmas all the year.

I will live in the past, the present,

and the future.

The spirit of all three shall be in my heart.

I shall never forget the lessons

that they teach.

Tell me that this will change my future.

Tell me that this is not my end.

Please!

Hello!

Hello, there. What's today?

- What's today, my fine fellow?

- Today?

Why, Christmas day.

Do you know the poulterer's

at the next street but one, at the corner?

- I should hope I do.

- An intelligent boy.

A remarkable boy.

Do you know whether they've sold

the prize turkey that was hanging there?

Not the little prize turkey, the big one.

- It's hanging there now.

- Is it?

- Well, go and buy it.

- What, sir?

I'm in earnest. Yes, I am. Go and buy it.

Come back in less than five minutes,

and I'll give you half a crown.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

My dear sirs, how do you do?

How do you do?

A merry Christmas to you.

Mr. Scrooge?

Yes, that is my name.

It may not be pleasant to you.

Let me ask your pardon.

And will you have the goodness to take...

Why, bless me, Mr. Scrooge.

Are you in earnest?

If you please. Not a farthing less.

There are a great many back payments...

in that amount. Will you do me that favor?

My dear Mr. Scrooge,

I don't know what to say. Such...

Such generosity.

Don't say anything, please, but come

and see me. Will you come and see me?

We will, Mr. Scrooge.

Thank you. Bless you.

Hello, my love.

- Would you tell Mr. Fred I wish to see him?

- Yes, sir.

Fred!

- Who is this?

- Your uncle.

Your uncle Scrooge.

Uncle, I didn't know you.

The smile changes me, doesn't it?

But, what are we doing out here?

Come in, Uncle, come in.

This is my uncle. My uncle Scrooge.

How do you do?

Fred, you dog. Who is this fellow?

Not your uncle, I'll be bound.

He'd never have a smile like that.

- He said that...

- That Christmas was a humbug.

- That people who celebrated it were fools.

- Yes, that's what he said.

It was stupid of him.

He won't say it again, mark you.

He won't say it again, ever.

And this is Bess.

May I tell you a secret?

Here, I say. Now what is this?

- No.

- You tell him.

Fred!

Darling!

That's wonderful.

Uncle, thank you so much.

- Merry Christmas, Bob.

- What?

Merry Christmas, Bob!

Here, give this to your wife.

Your good wife.

- Where's Tiny Tim?

- He's out in the back with the others.

Well, get him. Bring him here.

- Bring them all here.

- Yes, sir, I shall.

It's Scrooge. It's Mr. Scrooge.

He's crazy. Quite mad.

Off his top. Lost his buttons.

- Don't be stupid, Bob.

- Look, he gave us this, and more besides.

- Gave it to us?

- Yes.

Then he has gone mad.

Bob, what shall we do?

Our children, Bob. Save them!

Thank heaven, Mr. Fred. You've come

for him, of course. Poor fellow.

Did you think he'd gone barmy, too?

No, we haven't come for him.

He told us to wait outside. He said he had

some presents he wanted to give you.

- Then he's all right?

- I hope so.

He made me his partner.

We're to be married, Bob.

Isn't that wonderful?

- It is wonderful.

- Yes.

My wife.

My dear.

- Has he gone?

- He's all right.

- Come along, you must meet him.

- No.

- Bob Cratchit.

- Yes, sir?

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