A Christmas Carol Page #5

and benevolence...

all these were my business.

It is at this time of the year

that I suffer most.

To see the want I could have stopped,

the suffering I could have solaced.

The hunger I could have satisfied.

Hear me.

My time is nearly gone.

If you must go, Jacob,

don't let me keep you.

I have sat invisible beside you

many and many a day.

I am here to warn you that you have

one chance of escaping my fate.

- One chance, Ebenezer Scrooge.

- What is it?

You will be haunted by three spirits.

Is that the chance you mentioned, Jacob?

It is.

I think I'd rather not.

Unless you suffer these three visitations,

your fate will be the same as mine.

Jacob. Don't leave me yet. Jacob!

Expect the first when the bell tolls 1:00...

the second on the stroke of 2:00...

the third on the last vibration of 3:00.

Couldn't I take all three at once

and have it over?

Remember, the first at 1:00...

the second at 2:
00, the third at 3:00.

Humbug.

- Are you the spirit I was told to expect?

- I am.

- Who are you?

- I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.

The light. It hurts my eyes.

- It blinds me.

- I'm not surprised.

It's the warming light of thankfulness...

the light of gratitude to others.

- I've never seen it before.

- Of course not.

It's men of greed like you

who have long forgotten gratitude.

What's your business with me?

Your welfare. Your reclamation.

Rise and walk with me.

- We spirits have no fear.

- But I'm not a spirit.

Bear but the touch of my hand

on your heart, and you shall be safe.

Good heaven! This is my old school!

I was a boy here.

Merry Christmas!

Harry, Joe, Tommy, Percy and Dick!

Dick Wilkins!

These are but shadows

of things that have been.

They have no consciousness of us.

You knew them?

I went to school with them, all of them.

- Your lip is trembling.

- The cold.

- Let's continue. You remember this way?

- Remember it?

I could walk it blindfold.

Strange to have forgotten it

for so many years.

- That is myself.

- Was yourself.

Was.

What is that upon your cheek?

Nothing. The cold.

Listen.

Goodbye, young Scrooge.

Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas, Jack.

- Your parents coming for you?

- No. I'm staying at school for the holidays.

- You are?

Always do, you know?

Father and I talked it over.

We decided that some extra swatting at

my studies would do me more good than...

Christmas at home.

Christmas, plum pudding and turkeys...

that's just for children.

I say,

your governor must be a crusty old bird.

- He knows what's best.

- Jack, hurry!

Right-o. I didn't mean anything

against your father, Eb. Good luck.

Merry Christmas!

- Master Scrooge.

- Yes, sir?

Your sister's come to see you.

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