Hello and welcome to meet as pod I'm your host de minas. As far
back as I can remember, I have loved A Christmas Carol by
Charles Dickens and its many many forms Scrooged starring
Bill Murray and Muppet Christmas Carol, the stage play the radio
drama all of it. Well, on this episode, we have a full cast
production of Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol,
starring Kyle a bear as Ebenezer Scrooge. Stay tuned after the
story for a full cast list. Without further ado, A Christmas
Carol by Charles Dickens.
Molly was dead to begin with. There's no doubt whatever about
that. The Register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the
cleric, The Undertaker and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it
and screwed his name was good upon change for anything he
chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was dead as a doornail.
Scrooge knew he was dead. Of course he did. Scrooge and
Marley were partners for I don't know how many years but he was a
tight fisted hand of the old Grindstone was Scrooge
squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous
old sinner, and once upon a time, of all the good days in
the year, on Christmas Eve, old Scrooge that busy in his
counting house, at grim, cheerless place, if there ever
was one. The door of Scrooges counting house was open that he
might keep an eye on his clerk Bob Cratchit who and a cold and
dismal sell beyond worked on his Ledger's.
2021 22 Rushing Merry Gentlemen lead nothing new this May 2326
to nine nine carry to on Christmas Day. 11 1317 Seven
project Yes, Mr. Scrooge. Stop that in fertile caterwauling.
Yes sir. No. 1517 21 Carry the one
all the impudence singing their idiotic Christmas carols at my
very door go on Get away from my door go somewhere else and
bellow your blasted Carol's I'll give you in charge.
Sorry, Governor. Easter no customer at Christmas time you
know? Yes.
And I don't want any of your old customs. Take your fellow fools
and go away. Christmas. Yeah. Oh, right. say Merry Christmas
anyway. So now you get that letter from Higgins and
blackthorn Cratchit and then I want you to finish posting this
ledger. And after that you can pop over to foster girls and
tell Heath Rumford. You You've come after the 17 shillings and
six pence he's owed me since micromass and tell him I shall
have a constable over there. If he doesn't pay up at once.
Mr. Foster Gil's wife has been ill sir.
What do I care about his wife? I want my 17 and six.
I just thought it being Christmas.
Christmas Christmas. You mentioned that word to me once
more Bob Cratchit. And Merry Christmas uncle. Merry
Christmas, Bob.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Fred.
God save you Uncle umberg Christmas a humbug uncle. Now
I'm sure you don't mean that.
I mean, just that exactly that Merry Christmas. What right have
you to be merry? What reason have you You're poor enough?
But what right have you to be dismal about Christmas uncle?
You're rich enough? Yeah. Now don't be cross uncle.
Well, what else can I be when I live in such a world of fools?
What's Christmas to you? What a time for paying bills with our
money. Merry Christmas a time for finding herself a year older
and not an hour richer. If I could work my will. Every idiot
who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips would be
boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stick of holly
through his heart. He shouldn't call now nephew. Keep Christmas
in your own way. And let me keep it in mind.
Keep it but you don't keep it uncle.
Well, let me leave it alone. Then. What do you want a
Christmas gift? No doubt.
I came to wish you a Merry Christmas. Uncle,
Merry Christmas much good make Christmas Do you, much good and
ever has done you.
There are many things from which I derived Good buy which I have
not profited materially I test say uncle Christmas among the
rest. But I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time
a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time. And therefore,
uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my
pocket. I believe it has done me good and will do me good. And I
say God bless it.
God bless Christmas hora.
Let me hear another sound out if you project that you'll keep
your Christmas by losing your situation. Yes. And as to you
nephew. I wonder you don't go into parliament. You talk enough
nonsense. Oh,
don't be angry uncle. I want nothing from you. I asked
nothing of you. Why can't we be friends? Good afternoon. I'm
sorry. You feel that way? Well, I've tried a Merry Christmas to
you, uncle. Good afternoon. And a happy new year to bah humbug.
And a Merry Christmas to you, Bob. And the Mrs. And to Tony,
Tim.
Thank you, Mr. Crate. Same to you, sir. Good day, sir. Good
day, Bob.
Nonsense. Quite all farmerie Talking of Christmas and not to
six pence to jangle together in his trousers pocket. Hey, you,
Bob Cratchit. Come here. What are you doing there?
I'm only putting a bit more coal in the fire. Mr. Scrooge. See,
it's so cold in this.
You will put that call back into the scuttle a fire a fire
indeed. I can tell you if you use coal at that rate. You and I
will soon be parted company. Bob Cratchit. You understand that?
There's many a young fellow that would like your situation, you
know.
I'm sorry, sir. My fingers. Were getting a little stiff with the
cold.
Well then put on your mittens. Someone at the door. Go on. See
what is.
Yes, sir.
Good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon. This is the firm of
Scrooge and Molly. Yes, sir. I should like to see the head of
the firm if I may. Oh,
very good, sir. What is it? A gentleman to see you, Mr.
Scrooge?
Have I had the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge or Mr.
Molly?
Ma has been dead the seven years tonight. I'm Scrooge. Well, now
Mr. Scrooge at this season of the year. It's only fitting that
we who are more fortunate should raise the funds to buy the poor
some meat and drink and means of warmth. You may not believe it's
many 1000s are now in want of common necessities. And hundreds
of 1000s are unwanted simplest comfort.
Are there no prisons? Well, there
are plenty of prisons, sir.
And workhouses. They're still in operation I trust.
I wish I could say they are not. But they are sir.
The treadmill and the poor law are in full vigor that are both
very busy, sir. Ah,
I'm glad to hear it. I was afraid from what you said at
first that something had occurred to stop them in their
useful course.
No. So all these institutions you mentioned are flourishing.
But it's nevertheless true that some additional provisioning for
the poor and destitute must be made of few of us upon change
are endeavouring to raise such a fund you see, and what should I
put you down for? Nothing. Oh, I see. You wish to remain
anonymous. I wish to be
left alone. I don't make marry myself Christmas time and I can
afford to help make a lot of idle people. Mary, I helped to
support the establishments that take care of the poor they cost
enough. Let those who are badly off go there.
Many can't go there, sir. And many would rather die.
Well, then my advice to them is to do so and decrease the
surplus population. Besides, I've only your word for it
that all this is so it's the truth, Mr. Scrooge?
Well, so be it then. 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, sir.
I quite understand Mr. Scrooge. Good afternoon.
crotchet show this gentleman out.
Yes, sir. This way, sir. Please. Sir. I couldn't help
overhearing. I should like to contribute topics Karachi. Yes,
sir. It isn't much, but it's all I can afford. But there are
others in worse situations than I
hear a generous fellow. No, I wish I might say so. Of your
employer. crotch out. Yes, sir. Good afternoon, sir.
Good afternoon.
cron jobs. Mary Christmas.
Merry Christmas. Yes,
sir. Close the door.
Yes sir. 2431 one carry three. A new scallop tip if attorney Tim
cone from Arthur 33. Three and carry three. A haven for Belinda
for 712 15. Project 50. Yes, sir.
still like to have you got to forfeit girls. You'll be closed
up for Christmas like those other fools. We may as well
close up the place now.
Yes, sir. It is getting a little dark, hard to see the figures.
I suppose you'll want the entire day tomorrow. If it's quite
convenient. It's not convenient. And it's not fair either. But I
suppose I can't do anything about it. If I was to stop half
a crown of your wages. You'd think you're so very ill used
I'll be bound. Well, sir, is but you don't think me ill used when
I pay a day's wages for no work. It's only once a year, sir. Once
a year, once a year indeed a fine excuse for picking up man's
pocket every 25th of December. But I suppose there's no good
talking. You must have the whole day. Well see that you're here
all the earlier the next morning, you understand?
Oh, I will, sir. I will indeed. Good notes, and Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas ah.
The office was closed in a twinkling and Bob Cratchit with
the long ends of his white comforter dangling below his
waist, for he boasted no gray coat, went down a slide on corn
Hill 20 times in honor of it being Christmas Eve and then ran
down home to Camden Town as hard as he could Pelt to play with
his family at blind man's bluff. Scrooge on the other hand, took
his melancholy dinner and his usual melancholy tavern. And
having read the newspapers and spent the rest of the evening in
his bankers book went to his dismal house. Darkness is cheap,
and Scrooge liked it. The yard was so dark that even Scrooge
who knew it's every stone had to grow up with his hands through
the fog and frost to find the door. Scrooge walked through his
rooms to see that all was right. sitting room, bedroom, lumber
room all as they should be. Nobody under the table. Nobody
under the sofa. Nobody under the bed. Nobody in the closet.
Closed the door. He locked himself in. He double locked
himself in, took off his robot put on his dressing slippers and
nightcap and sat down before the fire to take his Google
Marley, Marley, Marley. I could have sworn I saw old bah humbug.
Molly's been dead the seven years humbug all humbug. What I
need is a good night's What's that? Someone's in the place
where the door's locked and double locked. It's, it's
coming. Something's coming closer. outside my door. I won't
believe it. It's humbug. Still,
Ebenezer Scrooge, Ebenezer Scrooge?
Marley. Oh, no. What do you want to be?
I want much of you Ebony's. Who who are you? Ask of me who I
was.
You're very particular for a ghost. All right, then. Who were
you?
In life? I was your partner, Jacob Marley. Jacob Marley.
But you're dead. You died seven years ago.
Seven years ago. This very night. You are a ghost then?
What's wrong, Ebenezer? Don't you believe in me?
I do not.
You doubt your senses. Ebenezer
bear? Yes, because a little thing affects me a slight
disorder of the stomach makes them cheats. You can't be a
ghost. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard,
a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato that may be
more of gravy than of gray. Eve about you wherever you are. Bah
humbug, I tell you humbug.
Oh, excuse me, excuse me. I do believe in you. You are a ghost
Jacob. Thank you. Why do you walk the earth Jacob? Why do you
come to me?
It is required over every man that the spirit within him
should walk broad among his fellow men and travel far and
wide to witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on
Earth and turn to happiness.
But tell me Jacob did what is that chain you wear around you?
I
wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link and yard
by yard by my own free will. Is its pattern strange to you
Ebony's
cash boxes, keys and padlocks, Ledger's and parses
yours was as heavy and as long as this seven years ago. You
have labored on it since Ebony's hace
come? Speak comfort to me, Jacob.
Comfort I have none to give. I cannot rest. I cannot stay I
cannot linger. Weary journeys lie before me. You travel fast.
Yes, Ebony's on the wings of the wind.
Seven years dead and traveling all the time.
Seven years Ebenezer seven years of remorse. Ebenezer? Do you
know that no space of regret can make amends for one life's
opportunities miss you.
But you are always a good man of business. Jacob
baseness. Mankind was my business, charity, mercy,
benevolence. They were all my business. The dealings of my
trade were bought a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean
of my business.
Not Jacob, Jacob to take on. So now. Jacob, listen to me,
Ebenezer. I'm listening to you, Jacob. Go on Jacob. Now, speak
to me. But don't be so flowery.
Ebenezer. I am here to warn you that you have yet a chance of
hope of escaping my fate. Do you hear that? Ebenezer?
Yes, Jacob, who? You always were a good friend to me, Jacob.
Thanks, Jacob. But, but go on. Go on. Go on. Go on. How shall I
escape? Oh, I'm afraid
Jacob. You will be haunted by three spirits? Is that the only
chance and hope Jacob? It is your only chance and hope? Well,
then I think I'd rather not. Without their visits, you cannot
hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first tomorrow when
the bell tolls one.
Could I take them all at once and have it over Jacob,
Ebenezer? Look but for your own sake, you'll remember what has
passed between us. And remember, when the bell tolls one, look
for the spirit.
Molly, tricot Marley,
Scrooge awoke, he was laying in his bed fully dressed. Suddenly,
the curtains of his bed were drawn aside and screwed found
himself face to face with the unearthly visitor who drew him
as close to it as I am to you now. And I am standing in the
spirit at your elbow. It was a strange figure like a child yet?
Not so like a child is like a grown woman. Its hair, which
hung about its neck and down. Its back was white as it with
age. And yet the face had not a wrinkle in it. And the tenderest
bloom was on the skin. The arms were long and slender, the hands
the same. Yet it's as if it's hold were of uncommon string,
Ebenezer Scrooge? Who? Who such as Ebenezer Scrooge, I have come
for you.
Oh, you are hard you the spirit who's coming was foretold me.
I am that spirit.
Wow. What are you?
I am the Ghost of Christmas Past Just long past. No. Your past.
What do you want of me? What brings you here to haunt me?
Your welfare, Ebenezer Scrooge rice and walk with me?
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, not out of the window. I can't do
that I fall down. I'm not a spirit. I'm mortal and our fall,
but a touch of my hand upon your heart. And you shall be upheld
and more than this. Come follow me
where are we? What's become of the city? Snow upon the ground?
Where are we?
These are the shadows of the things that have been. You
recognize this country side?
Oh, I know every inch of it's every rock every tree.
And that Blake building over there.
Oh, that building? I was a boy there. Yes. I went to school in
that horrible
place. Do you recollect that path?
I could walk it blindfolded. Strange. You
should forget it so many years. Come let us go closer. Look
through the window into that cold, barren room. What do you
see Ebenezer Scrooge
see a boy?
A solitary child neglected by his family. Hello?
Yes, yes, I see. I know that boy. I was so lonely. Boy,
your lip is trembling Scrooge. What's that on your cheek?
It's nothing. Nothing at all. I wish I haven't. It's too late
now.
What's the matter?
Nothing. Nothing. The wifs came to my door singing Christmas
carols last night. And there was a boy like that among them. A
poor pale, thin little boy and ragged coat. I should like to
have given him something. That's all.
Is that all? Ebenezer Scrooge, let us see another Christmas. Do
you know this place Ebenezer Scrooge?
No it this is the old counting house where I was apprentice.
Listen. Well, it's my old master Bless his heart. old Fezziwig my
master alive again and host of one of his Christmas parties.
Listen to him.
Hold hands with your partner bow and face away called screw
thread the needle and back to your places.
And there's dead Wilkins. Or dear God. Yes. And look, there's
Ms. Fezziwig herself, looking younger than any of them. And
the tables all loaded with roast insider and mince pie and beer.
Oh, what a jolly time we used to have
that carefree young man the light hearted gay smile. Do you
recognize him?
Yes, yes, yes. Merciful. Oh, happy I was then
a small matter for orphans make to make those silly folks so
full of joy.
Small Matter. Small indeed,
isn't it? He has spent only a few pounds of your mortal money
is that so much that he deserves praise?
It's not that it's not that spirit. old Fezziwig has the
power to make us happy or unhappy to make our service
light or heavy. His power lies in words and looks at hidden
things so tiny that it's impossible to count them up. The
happiness he gives is quite as great as if it costs her.
Yeah. What is the madam?
Oh, nothing. Nothing at all spiritual.
Something, I think.
No, no. Speak. Well, only it's just that I should like to be
able to say a word or two to my clerk. Bob Cratchit. That's all.
Swearing to your partner addressed the entire bow and
curtsy thread the needle.
My time grows short. And we have yet another journey to make.
Where no. Come
This is our last visit to the past Ebenezer here in this
little room with a fair young girl by your side. Do you
recognize yourself up?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, it's very this.
You're older now. A man in the prime of life. Your face has
begun to weather signs of care. neveress Your eyes are greedy.
be eager, restless eyes have a miser No, no, no, please. She
knows that to that girl by your side. There are tears in her
eyes.
It matters little heaven Isa. You very little. I know that.
Well, have I changed towards you? When we were engaged? We
were both poor.
Was it better than better to be poor?
Better to at least be happy? You're changed. You were another
man
that was a boy, you blame me because I've grown wiser. If I
ever tried to break our engagement,
whites No,
never. It was in, in a change
nature, in an altered spirit in everything that made my love,
have any value in your sight. So I release you from this promise?
Bell. At first, it may cause you pain to lose me. A very brief
pain. But soon it will be dim. Like a half remember dream, an
unprofitable dream. And you will be glad to be awake from such a
dream. May you be happy him the life you have chosen Ebenezer
for the love of Him you want to
work? It's enough. Show me no more. Take me home.
These were shadows of things that have been that they are
what they are. Do not blame me. No, no more. No more. One shadow
more. Come.
See this man, Ebenezer Scrooge, this man might have been you and
the woman beside him. Your wife. And that girl? That girl might
have been your daughter, Ebenezer Scrooge. She might have
called you father. She might have been a springtime and the
haggard winter of your life.
Spirit. Let me go show me no more.
Listen now while they speak Ebenezer?
Well, I saw an old friend of yours today.
Who was it? abacus? How can I? It's I know. Mr. Scrooge.
Mr. Scrooge it was a pastor's office window. There wasn't
shadows. There was a candle inside so I couldn't help seeing
them as part of the Mali lights to the point of death, hi here.
And then through sat all alone. Quite alone in the world. I do
believe
spiritual spirit. I can't bear any more leave me haunt me no
more. Take me back. Take me back. Take me back. Take me
back.
From the stroke of one, Scrooge awakened suddenly and sat bolt
upright in his own bed. He remembered the words of Marley's
ghost and wondered from which direction the second Spectre
would appear. At that moment, nothing between a baby and a
rhinoceros would have astonished him very much. Now, being
prepared for almost anything he was not by any means prepared
for nothing. And consequently, when no shape appeared, He was
taken with a violent fit of trembling. Five minutes 10
minutes. A quarter of an hour went by. Yet nothing came. Then,
as he sat in his bed, he became aware gradually have a great
blaze of ruddy light. It seemed to shine upon him from an
adjoining room. He got up softly and shuffled in his slippers to
the door. It was his own sitting room, no doubt about that. But
it had undergone a surprising transformation. The walls and
ceiling were so hung with living grain that it looked a perfect
Grove, from every part of which bright gleaming berries glisten,
and such a mighty Blaze went roaring up the chimney as had
never been known in Scrooges time and for many and many a
winter season gone. heaped up on the floor to form a kind of
throne or turkeys, geese game poultry these great joints of
meat sucking pigs long reads of sausage mince pies, Plum
puddings, barrels of oysters, red hot chestnuts and the
seething bowl of punch that made the chamber dem with their
delicious steam. In easy state upon this couch, there was a
jolly giant, glorious to see. He bore a glowing torch and shape
not unlike glenties horn and held it up high up to shed its
light on Scrooge as he came peeping around the door. I
mean, come in Ebenezer Scrooge. I didn't know me better man. You
you I have no Ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me. You have
never seeing the light of me but
you're, you're different from the other spirit. You're tall,
almost a giant and that great torch you carry
it's light falls into the homes of the rich and the poor life.
Spirit. Take me where you will last time I went against my will
and learned a lesson which is working now. If you have
anything to teach me, let me profit by it.
Smile robe at Barney's us Rouge. Touch my robe
Where have you brought me spirit
and humbled dwellings on both Street?
It's miserable enough.
Yet? Where is happiness?
Who are these people? Who's that woman and the children?
Do you use all the family of your Cluck? Bob Cratchit
Bo
Missy is one wife dressed in a twice turn gown but brave in
ribbons lay the table for Christmas dinner. Well, cystic
is their daughter Melinda and the young man with a fork in the
stuffing. Well, that's master Peter Krafcik and the two little
graduates. Listen, Scrooge.
Here's Martha mother.
Children, children.
God bless your heart and live Martha My Dear. Merry Christmas
to you.
Merry Christmas, mother. Merry Christmas.
How late you are Madea
Oh, we had a great deal of work to finish up last night. And we
had to Caraway this morning.
Well, nevermind so long as you're here now. sit you down
before the fire Magdi and have a warm Lord bless you worse father
has been to church with Tiny Tim. There'll be a long directly
how
is Tiny Tim mother any better at all?
Sometimes I think he is. And sometimes I think Oh dear God,
if anything should happen to tiny tin
Mother, you mustn't even think of such a thing.
Oh, Mother,
I see father and Tiny Tim.
They're here. There's Tiny Tim.
Merry Christmas, everybody. Martha. Welcome, my dear.
Now we Christmas father and tear. Merry Christmas, Martha.
Oh, Tim.
you darling. Take
your coat off. Father. I'm
so glad to be home. Um, we're
so glad to have you, Martha.
And how did little Tim behave in church Bob?
Oh, as good as gold. I'm better. Oh,
I like church mother. Oh, they sing the nicest songs. I hope
people saw me there.
saw you there. And why, Tim?
Well, don't you see? Because I'm lame. And if they saw my crutch,
it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day. Who
it was the Maiden Lane beggars walk in blind men see?
Bless you, my son.
I'll be ready to eat
mother. Yes, children. We're already come take your places
now. And wait your turn. There's plenty of stuffing dressing and
plum pudding for all of you. Martha. You take care of Tiny
Tim. Yes, mother and see that he eats plenty. He must get strong
and well. Let's sit down and sit down everyone.
Ah, now my dad is shall we say grace? Our Father who art in
heaven. Hallowed retuning,
tell me if Tiny Tim will live.
I see. Great conceit, as it isn't her love horror chimney
corner and a crutch without an owner. carefully preserved.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no kind spirit say he will be spared. We
say you're live.
Emily's shadows remain on altered by the future Ebenezer
the child will die.
And now my dears with such a dinner, a toast. A Merry
Christmas to us all. And God blesses. God bless us, everyone.
Her now to Mr. Scrooge. I give you a toast to Mr. Scrooge, the
founder of the feast,
the founder of the feast indeed. Who pays you all 15 shillings a
week. Oh wish I hadn't here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to
feast on and I hope you'd have a good appetite for
it. My dear the children, Christmas Day,
it should be Christmas day I'm sure on which one drinks to the
health of such an odious, stingy and unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge
you know knows he is Bob. Nobody knows it better than you do.
Poor fellow,
my dear Christmas Day,
or drink his health for your sake, and the days, not for his
long life to him. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It'll be very merry and very happy. I have no doubt.
I say God bless him to mother and everyone.
That was nothing of hi Mark and all this. They were not a
handsome family these Cratchit they were not well dressed.
Their shoes were far from being waterproof. Their clothes were
scanty and had known very likely the inside of a pawn brokers.
But they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another and
contented with time. And when at last they faded, Scrooge had his
eye upon them, and especially on Tiny Tim, until the last many
calls Scrooge made that night when the Ghost of Christmas
Present down among the miners, to labor in the bowels of the
earth. And out to see among the sailors at their watch, dark and
ghostly figures in there several stations. Much they saw and far
they went and many places they visited, but always with a happy
end. The spirits stood beside sick beds, and they were
cheerful on foreign lands, and they were close at home by
poverty, and it was rich in ALMS house, hospital and jail where
vain man and his little brief authority had not made fast the
door and borrowed the spirit out. The spirit left his
blessings. It was a long night, if it was only a night. And it
was strange to that while Scrooge remained unaltered in
his outward form. The ghost grew older, clearly older,
my life upon this globe is very brief, Ebenezer. It ends
tonight. Tonight. Tonight at midnight Park. The hour is come.
Oh, no, no, no, not yet. Not yet. There are still more things
I wish to learn
these you will learn from still another spirit. Still another
spirit, Ebenezer
Scrooge look about him for the ghost that had vanished and had
found himself once more in his bed in his dressing gown and his
nightcap. He heard the clock strike. And then he remembered
the prediction of old Jacob Marley. And lifting up his eyes
beheld the third spirit a solemn phantom shrouded in black draped
and hooded coming towards him slowly and silently like a mist
along the ground
I know you you you are the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. You'll
show me shadows of the things that have not happened but will
happen in the time before us. That's when the Spirit ghost of
the future I fear you more than any specter I've seen yet I know
your purpose is to do me good as I hope to live to be another man
from what I was lead on lead on the nights waiting faster times
precious spirit Why have you brought me here again? Here to
bum crutches home. But it's not the same way. Why is it so
quiet? So very quiet here
my son, my little son, Tiny. I loved him so
Oh, mother, dear, you mustn't. It's almost time for father to
be home. Don't let him see you crying
yes
Yes, ma'am. He's late tonight. He walks slower than he used to.
And yet I've known him to walk very fast indeed. With Tiny Tim
on his shoulder, so have I mother, but he was like to
carry. And his father loved him so that it was no trouble. No
trouble
it. Good evening, my dear Bob.
You're late, Bob.
Yes, I'm sorry, my dear. I went to the church here today. I wish
you could have gone with me. It it would have done your heart.
Good to see how sweet and greener place it is. But you'll
see it often. I promised him. Yes. I promised Tiny Tim we'd
walk there on a Sunday.
Father's here. It's God's will bob.
I'm trying to understand it my dear. My son, my little son,
Tiny Tim. And I loved him so
Oh, that's cruel, cruel spirit. Can you give me one ray of hope
that I may change all that. That Tiny Tim may live? Where are you
taking me now? Here on a common street spirit? What is there for
me to learn here? Who are those men?
Lie down too much about it. Either way, I only know he's
dead. Or indeed he doy last night I believe
it's likely to be a very cheap funeral for upon my life. I
don't know anybody to go to it. Suppose we make up a party and
volunteer. I don't
mind going if a Lunch is provided.
Come to think of it off. But I was best friend what we used to
not do each other when we met in the street.
Spirit tell me who is this man that died? Is there no one to
mourn this poor creature? No one to follow him to the grave.
Perhaps they'll give him a green grave at least like poor Tiny
Tim. Perhaps. Spirit where are we now? Merciful heaven
churchyard will run my grass and weeds choked up with too much
bearing desolate, lonely, crumbling gravestone. Spirit
before I draw nearer to that gravestone, answer me one
question. Are these shadows of things that will be or are they
shadows of things that may be only when you're not speak to me
spirit? What is that grave to which you point? out writing on
that stone? The name on the gravestone is Ebenezer Scrooge.
Ebenezer Scrooge. Oh, no. No spirit. No, no, no, no, no. Hear
me. I am not a man. I was why show me this. If I am past all
hope, telling me that I can change these dreadful shadows
you have shown me by an altered life. I will honor Christmas in
my heart. I'll try to keep it all the year. I live in the past
the present and the future. And I will not shut off the lessons
that they teach. Tell me spirit. Oh, go on. Tell me tell me that
I can sponge away the writing on the stone spirit. I beg you
spirit. I beg you. Spirit I promise. I promise on my knees.
I promise I promise. I once this hits my own bedpost, huh. I'm
home in my own bed in my own room
and a son a sunshiny it's clear. It's bright. No clouds. What a
beautiful day. Oh, glorious, glorious. A boy. Oh boy. Yes,
sir. What's today?
What's that, sir?
What day? Is it my fine fellow today? What why it's Christmas
Day. Christmas Day, then I haven't missed it. The spirits
have done it all in one night. All in one night. Heaven be
praised. How was that sir? Listen, my lead. Do you know
where the Poulter is in the next street? I should say I do. Ha an
intelligent boy. A remarkable boy. Tell me do you know if
they've sold the price Turkey that was hanging in the window?
The one is biggest me.
What a delightful boy. It's a pleasure talking to you. Yes, my
buck. It's hanging there now, sir. That's wonderful. Go around
with you. And tell them to send it to Bob Prichard and his
family on Broad Street and mind you they're not to know who paid
for it. Hurry hurry my lead. Here. Wait a minute. Here's half
a crown for your trouble.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. In a Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you, my boy. Oh, I don't know what to do if
it's light as a feather. I'm as happy as an angel. I Miss Mary
as a schoolboy. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to everybody. A
happy new year to all the world. My dear sir, how do you do?
I beg your pardon?
You sir, aren't you the gentleman who came to my office
in regard to that charity?
Why yes,
sir. A Merry Christmas to you.
Yes, sir.
Allow me to ask your pardon, sir. And what do you want the
goodness to accept? I prefer to whisper this.
One Why, Lord bless me, my dear Mr. Scrooge. Are you serious?
If you please, now, not a father, unless a great many back
payments are included in it? I assure you. Will you do me that
favor?
My dear sir, I do not know what to say to such munificence.
Nah, don't say anything. Please come and see me. Will you come
and see me?
I will. I will, indeed.
Thank you. I am much obliged to you. I thank you. 50 times.
Bless you. Merry Christmas.
The next morning Scrooge was early at his office. He went
early for a reason. If he could only be there first and catch
Bob Cratchit coming late. That was the thing he had set upon
his heart. And he did it. Yes, he did. The clock struck nine.
No Bob. Quarter past. No, Bob screwed sat with his door wide
open that he might see him come in. And at last he came in his
hat was off before he opened the door his Comforter to he was on
his stool in a jiffy driving away with his pen. As if you
were trying to overtake nine o'clock.
Eight and 15 and 21. Six and carry the 124 and carry the 231
eight and nine. Hello? You
crush it? Yes, sir. Step this week, graduates if you please.
Graduate. What do you mean by coming in at this time of day?
I'm very sorry, sir. I am behind my time. You are yes, yes,
I think you are. It's only
once a year Mr. Scrooge. It shall not be repeated. I was
making rather than marry yesterday. So
I'll tell you what, my friend. I will not stand this sort of
thing any longer. And therefore Bob Cratchit. I'm about to raise
your salary.
Mr. Scrooge. Are you quite yourself, sir?
No, no, thank heaven. I'm not quite myself. Merry Christmas,
Bob. Merry Christmas, my good fellow, a Merry Christmas than I
have given you in many a year. I shall raise your salary. And
we'll see what we can do for Tiny Tim and the rest of your
family. Huh? We'll discuss it this very afternoon over a
Christmas Bowl of smoking Bishop. Bob, make up the fire,
make it up and buy another coal scuttle. Before you dot another
AI Bob Cratchit.
Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all and
infinitely more. To Tiny Tim who did not die. He was a second
father. He became as good a friend as good a master as good
a man as the good old city New, or any other good old city, town
or borough in the good old world. Some people laugh to see
the alteration in him. But he let them laugh and little heated
them. His Own Heart laughs mad was quite enough for him. He had
no further intercourse with spirits but lived upon the total
abstinence principle ever afterwards. And it was always
said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas. Well, If any man
alive, possessed the knowledge may that truly be said of us and
all of us. And so as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us. Every
one. Lady ladies and gentlemen at this point in the program,
it's my custom as you know to thank the voice talent that's
helping us tell our story. There will be full biographical links
in the show notes for this episode. We meet as Paul would
like to wish each and every one of you out there a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. And we would like to thank our
cast for their amazing performances. Scrooge young and
old, played by Kylie bear, Bob Cratchit and Fezziwig the caller
or played by Lee Beckett caroler and man on street were played by
West Haas nephew Fred was Kyle Jensen. Charity collector was
Ian Knowles. Jacob Marley was Oliver Smith. The Ghost of
Christmas Past was Nicole Good night. Bella was played by Thea
stone Bella's husband was played by Seamus Ghost of Christmas
Present was played by Nick the rat. Mrs. Cratchit was played by
Danielle's eye. Martha Cratchit was played by Finley Smith,
Belinda Cratchit was played by Robin Huff. Tiny Tim was Ariana
Cooper. And Matt on street number two Cersei Twitter. And
last but not least, Goose boy was played by Leila meet us. And
now, as Tiny Tim says,
bless us, everyone