A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

THE CHARACTERS:

SCROOGE

SCROOGE’S NEPHEW

SCROOGE’S SISTER

JACOB MARLEY

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE

BOB CRATCHET

BOB CRATCHET’S WIFE

2 VISITORS

NARRATOR

SCENE I

NARRATOR: It was Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge was in his office, the Office of Scrooge and Marley. His clerk, poor Bob Cratchet was working. The weather was cold and foggy.

BOB CRATCHET: My hands are so cold that I can hardly write. The fire is very small. May I put some wood on it?

SCROOGE: It’s warm enough for me here. I don’t like to spend my money. And don’t expect me to pay you more than a pound a week.

BOB CRATCHET: But it’s not nearly enough for my large family.

SCROOGE: That’s your problem!

Входит племянник.

SCROOGE’S NEPHEW: Merry Christmas, Uncle! God save you!

SCROOGE: Humbug! You have no right to be merry. You are poor.

SCROOGE’S NEPHEW: Christmas, a Humbug? You don't mean that, I'm sure! I’m poor, Uncle, but I’m a happy man because I’m married to a woman I love.

SCROOGE: I can’t understand it.

SCROOGE’S NEPHEW: Don’t be angry, Uncle. Come and dine with us tomorrow, my wife will be so delighted.

SCROOGE: I hate Christmas and I won’t come. Humbug! Get out!

SCROOGE’S NEPHEW: Goodbye, Uncle!

Племянник уходит в недоумении.

BOB CRATCHET: Hm-hm. Mr. Scrooge, may I ask for the day off? It will be Christmas tomorrow.

SCROOGE: All right! But be here early next morning!

BOB CRATCHET: Of course, Sir! Thank you, Sir! Merry Christmas, Sir!

Боб уходит.

SCENE II

NARRATOR: Later 2 men came to the office asking for money for the poor.

VISITOR 1: How do you do?

VISITOR 2: How do you do, Mr. Scrooge?

VISITOR 1: We are collecting money for poor people.

VISITOR 2: Thousands of people are in need of food and clothes.

SCROOGE: Money for the poor? Are there no prisons for these people? I don’t have money for the poor.

VISITOR 1: It’s useless to say anything more.

VISITOR 2: This man has no heart.

Посетители уходят.

SCENE III

Раздается звонок в дверь. Звучит зловещая музыка, появляется призрак.

SCROOGE: Who are you?

JACOB MARLEY: In life, I was your partner Jacob Marley. I’m wearing these chains and I can never be in peace because when I lived I only thought about money. But I am here to help you. You have a chance to escape my terrible destiny. Tonight 3 ghosts will visit you.

Призрак уходит.

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: I’m the Ghost of Christmas Past. I’ll show your past, Scrooge. Look! You are a young man. You are talking to your girlfriend. Do you remember her? You didn’t marry her because she had no money! And this young lady is your sister.

SCROOGE’S SISTER: Do you remember me, brother? You were so unhappy when you were a schoolboy. And I brought you from school on Christmas Eve many years ago and we were together and had the merriest time in the world. Don’t be cruel with my son and your nephew, Scrooge.

SCROOGE: Stop! Stop! Show me no more!

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT: I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. I want to show you your nephew’s home. Look! Your nephew and his wife are talking about you. They want to drink to your health. They love you in spite of everything. And now I want to take you to Bob Cratchet’s home.

BOB CRATCHET’S WIFE: Our Tiny Tim is a very weak child. I’m afraid he will not live long. We have no money to cure him.

BOB CRATCHET: Don’t say so. I think God will save our Timmy for us. He is much better today. Just listen, he is singing a carol.

BOB CRATCHET’S WIFE: God bless us, everyone.

BOB CRATCHET: Let’s drink to Mr. Scrooge who gave us this dinner. We are a happy family and he is alone. Long life to him! A Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT: They are not a rich family, they are not well dressed and their shoes are cheap. But they are happy, grateful and pleased with one another.

SCROOGE: Oh, I see now that Christmas is not a silly thing!

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE: I’m the Ghost of Christmas Future and I want to show you your future if you don’t change. This is a gravestone. Do you see your name? No flowers here. Nobody comes to remember you.

SCROOGE: No, Spirit1 I am not the man I was. I will always remember this lesson! I’ll send a turkey to Bob Cratchet! I’ll send money for the poor and I’ll visit my nephew!

SCENE IV

Звучит музыка. На сцене появляются 2 посетителя.

SCROOGE: Good morning, gentlemen! What day is it today?

VISITOR 1: Good morning, Mr. Scrooge. It’s Christmas!

SCROOGE: Merry Christmas, dear friends!

VISITOR 2: Merry Christmas!

SCROOGE: This is for you! (дает им деньги)

VISITOR 1: Oh, thanks a lot!

VISITOR 2: We’ll give your money to the poor.

VISITOR 1: Good-bye!

SCENE V

NARRATOR: The next day he went to his office early. He waited for Bob Cratchet.

SCROOGE: You are late!

BOB CRATCHET: Yes, I’m very sorry .., Sir!

SCROOGE: In that case, I’m afraid I’m going to … increase your salary! Merry Christmas, Bob!

BOB CRATCHET: You are so kind! God bless you! Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge!

BOB CRATCHET’S WIFE: Oh, Mr. Scrooge, thank you for the turkey and your money. Our Tiny Tim is healthy because of you, too.

SCROOGE’S NEPHEW: Dear Uncle! My wife and I are so glad you visited us yesterday. I had the best Christmas dinner in my life!

NARRATOR: Scrooge became a good friend and a master. The Ghosts did not visit him any more. And people said that he knew how to keep Christmas better than anybody else.

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