Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
A journey into the realm of the strange and terrified.
I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will till.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
You a little and kill you a little.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
So settle back, get a good grip on your nerve.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Where are we going?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You'll find out when we get there. Theater presents come in. Welcome.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
I'm a g Marshall. This is a very special occasion
for me. I'm to be a little more than your host.
This time I will not only be introducing the story,
but telling it to you, acting it out. The Mystery
Theater special Christmas story this year Charles Dickens the Immortal
(01:12):
classic of Christmas Carol with Guess who has Scrooge ah
Humbug Our mystery drama A Christmas Carol was adapted from
(01:32):
the Charles Dickens classic, especially for the Mystery.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Theater by Ian Martin. I'll do that shortly with that one.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Time Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol begins like this. Marley
was dead to begin with, there is no doubt about that.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Whatever.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
The register of his burial was signed by woman, the clerk,
the undertaker.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
And the chief mourner.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Screw sided Old Marley was dead as a doornail, ebony's
a screwge Oh, he was a tight hissy hand at
the grindstone, hard and sharpest splint from which no steel
had ever struck out, generous fire, solitaires, an oyster.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
He iced his office in the dark.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Days and didn't throw it out one degree even at Christmas.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
A merry Christmas? Uncle? Can't say? What old you, nephew?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
What brings you here on a mirrable cold, windy night
like enough cold and winter yes, and the snow falling
softly up perfect Christmas eve?
Speaker 1 (02:53):
To say? Merry Christmas? Uncle? Abug? Christmas a bug? If
you don't mean that, I'm sure I do. Marry Christmas?
What right have you to be married? Or the world
at large?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
What reason have you yourself to be married? You're poor enough?
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Come then, what reason of you to be dismal? What
reason of you to be morals? You're rich enough? Don't
you ta't be fred dah?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Don't indulge yourself in expectations, humbug?
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Take me as I am, uncle, and as the season is,
and don't be cross? What else can I be when
I live in a world of fools? Christmas? Holy? What
Christmas time to you?
Speaker 3 (03:40):
But the time for paying bills without money, time for
finding yourself 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 should be boiled
in his own bumpudding and buried with a stake of holly.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Who is uncle?
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Can you not let down? For once that enjoy your net?
You keep Christmas in your own way, and me keep
it in mind.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
But you don't keep it leave me alone? Man? Much
good it me? Do you make good? Has it ever done? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
There are a lot of things onco from which I've
never profited. Christmas among the rest, except that when it
comes around, who could resist it? A kind of forgiving
time of year, when men and women seem by one
consent to open up their hearts freely. So then I say, uncle,
Though it never put a scrap of silver or gold
in my pocket, I believe it has and will do
me good. And so I say, God, blessings?
Speaker 1 (04:40):
All right? What's told her better?
Speaker 4 (04:43):
I'm sorry, mister Scrooge.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
It's says that it is a holiday, and and my
hands were so cold. Shall let me hear another word
from you?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Bob Crediting you keep your Christmas by losing your employment.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Please, sir, I humbly beg your pardon. It was just
a an action on the spur of the moment.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Just apply the spur to goad you into finishing your work.
Creget and let's hear no more from you, Yes, sir,
well have you? Why are you here to ask you
to dine with us tomorrow?
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Dine will you? Ever?
Speaker 3 (05:17):
There's nothing more ridiculous than all of us and expense
over Christmas dinner?
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Oh uncle, I want and ask nothing from your work.
Han'tingly friends, afternoon, with.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
All my heart, I'm sorry to find your whole resolute.
At least I wish you were meddy Christmas, surd after
and the happy you're it afternoon, and be sure to
make the front door.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Fast, oh wasting of eager and no it's the logs
on the fire, Yes, uncle, mister.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Yes, sir may I wish you were meddy Christmas and happy.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
The first time I'm sure of, and I thank you
the other who knows what the future holds, be a
good hope.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Unnerve of all of them.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
My love you of westfal and Bob precious on fifteen
shillings a week with a wife and family talking about
a merry Christmas car enough to make a man retired
to wedlam.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
We're all mad, mad, begging your pardon, mister Scrooge, A
gentleman to see you. Scrooge and Marley's I believe, have I.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
The honor of addressing mister Scrooge or mister Marley. Mister
Marley has been dead for seven years. He died seven
years ago this very night. Ah sad, sad. Indeed, still
I have no doubt his liberality is well represented by
his surviving partner liberality. At this testive season, it is
(06:55):
more than usually desirable if we all make some slight
provision for the poor. Institution, you may make your pledge.
Here are there no prisons? We speak of the needy.
The union workhouses are not still in operation. They are
I wish I could say they were not. A few
(07:17):
of us private citizens are endeavoring to raise a fund
to buy the poor some meat and drink and means
of war.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Now what shall I put you down for all, mister Scrooge. Nothing?
Of course, you wish to be anotomous.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
I wish to be left alone by tax I hope
to support the establishments.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
We have mentioned they cost enough more. Yet those who
are badly ought go there. Many can't go there, and
many would rather die.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
They would rather die than let them do so and
decrease the surplus population.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Good afternoons, sir, wherever your name is, I find you
hard to believe. Mister Scrooge, get it. Let him out
rose the door cratchet, which distinguish what cold wimain? Yes, sir, No, sir,
come here coming, mister Scruge. You'll want all day tomorrow
(08:11):
morse balls. It's quite convenience. It's not convenience, and it's
not fair.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
If I wish to stop half a crown for it,
you'd think yourself you're used. I'd be bound else I
hear you don't take me if you when I pay
a day's wages for no work, I would not presume to.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Have an opinion. But then it is only one day
a year.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty
fifth of December.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
I have no choice. You must have the whole day.
Just make sure you are here earlier. The following morning.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I died my usual melancholy dinner and the usual melancholy tower. Afterwards,
climb the stairs to my living quarters in the gloom,
saying about my door knockers stopped me as I was
about to put key in lock. For one strange moment,
it looked like Marley ghostly spectacles turned upon its ghostly forehead.
(09:14):
To say that I was not startled would not be
strictly true. And even after I was entered and locked
in and my candle it, I did pause irresolutely before
I dismissed it with mumble. Still I was uneasy turning
my candle. I walked through all my rooms to make
sure all was well. See you home, bed room, lumber room,
(09:39):
or as it should be, small fire in the grate,
spawn and base already little saucepan of gruel since I
had a cold.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Was that the front door, the side door, the fell
by my bed, the one on the mantel, and on
the sideboards. What did they herold? Who wrings them? The
cellar door? That noise? I won't believe it? Things of
(10:11):
his humbles too, grim spector what do you want with me?
Who are you? Scre who I was? Who were you? Then?
Why I was? Nor baer? Take molly, you don't really remark?
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Don't why doubt because a little thing of hexton.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheese. You
may be a bund to, just a beef brought mustard
cub of cheese, right, mad potato.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
There's more gravy about you than the green wherever you are, umber.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Believer, So I are wrecked that.
Speaker 6 (11:04):
It is good about my head to reveal the rotting dress,
the draw.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Fallen selectly into my breast, the musc who's eaten long
since my words.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Now you believe me for who and what I am?
O mercy, dread apiss. Why do you trouble me? I
must while you fettered and.
Speaker 7 (11:30):
Bound and changed. Where the trail I forced in life?
I made it link by link.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
I girded it on of my own free will in
its patterns. So strange do you, oh, you learn the
way and length of the coil you wear yourself?
Speaker 4 (11:55):
It was full and as heavy.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
And as long as mine these seven Christmas eves ago,
and you have labored on it since.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
I once part of the life. What a ponderous thing
you have built to drag you down in death? No, no, Jacob, oh,
Jacob Morley, speak to some comfort to me. I have
none to give. I cannot stay. I cannot linger anywhere.
Speaker 6 (12:29):
My spirit never walked beyond our counting house in life.
So in ten we read Jurney's life before me, seven
years dead and traveling all the time, no rest, no peace.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
The incessant talk. Sure of remart.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
I am here tonight everydsa toward.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
You that you have had a hope of escape my faith. O.
You were always a good friend, Sankie. You will be
auded by three speeds. That is the hope you mentioned.
Speaker 8 (13:10):
It is.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I think I'd rather him not without their physics. You
have no hope but the sun the path I tread.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Expect the first tomorrow when the bell tolds what? But
couldn't I take them all at once and have it over?
Expect the second or the next night, at the same hour,
the third, when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Vibrate on your battle clock.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
And for your own sake, remember what has passed between us,
pass between us.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Take him, do not leave me. It right.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
He was gone as if he had never been, And
yet he had been and never needs a scrooge would
never be the same man again. He fell asleep without
undressing upon the instant, a sleep that was destined to
be disturbed, as I shall relate when I return with that.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Two. When Scrooge awoke, it was dark.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
And the shimes of a neighborhood church were striking the
four quarters.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
To his amazement.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
They were followed by twelve strokes of the bell. Twelve impossible,
it was true. When he went to bed, it isn't possible.
I could have slept a whole day and far into
(15:11):
another night. As I lay, I suddenly remembered that Molly
had said a ghost would visit me at one.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Who are you? I am the ghost of Christmas past,
long past? Yeah past. Don't you recognize me? A strange figure,
almost like a child.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
The outlines dimly seen were a tunic of purest whites
and a brash of fresh green holly in his hand,
in a singular contradiction to the dress, which was trimmed
with summer flowers. But strangest of all, above its crown
sprang a bright, clear jet of light which illuminated the
darkest corner but obscured the face.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Arm a cap which.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Looked for the world like a candle snuffer. For some reason,
I wanted to put on his cap. The light is blinding.
Would you not put on your cap?
Speaker 9 (16:12):
Would you so soon put out with worldly hands the
light I shed?
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Is it not enough that you have a man who fashioned.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Me this cap and.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Forced me to wear it low upon my brack? What
business brings you here? Your welfare?
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Because you would regard my welfare, you would leave my
sleep unwoken?
Speaker 9 (16:32):
Door reclamations, Take heed, rise and walk with me.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I cannot resist your command. But I am an old man,
lightly clad and using a cold to boot.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Do not deny me.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Come follow me.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
All of a sudden I was frying, floating on air.
The night had vanished as the city were on me,
and I was looking down.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
On the country, and it cleared all light of.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Day, the snow dusting the ground. Good, Heavens. I was
bred in this place. I was a poor here.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Let us candle. What is that on your cheek? Nothing?
The wind makes my eyes water? Leave me where you will?
Do you not remember the way? Remember it? I could
walk it blind forward. Strange to have forgotten so many years.
Let us set out on the road.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I will not tell you most of where we wandered.
As time stood still raced ahead a whim.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
The school where I was a child, the house.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
I grew up in an orphan, A terrible rush of tears,
remembering another outcast, a foreigner, and a food in our
mutual low meiness at once befriended me, bather.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
I story. Now, why is too O hear nothing? There
was a boy seeing a Christmas carol at my door
last night. I should like to have given him.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Something of her?
Speaker 1 (18:19):
What might have him? Let us see another Christmas? What's
that Your aunt who brought her up passed away?
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (18:37):
No, picture whom my breath might have revered. But she
had a loud heart. Amen to that. I will not
gainsay e spirits. When she died she had I think children,
one child, children. Yes, we traveled further.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Scenes flashing by like slides in a magic lantern, Old
fizzy Wig in his Welsh wig, my first employer, his
Christmas parties with a groaning table, and everyone dancing with
a light foot and heart to the vest of music,
his kind wife, and the joy of working at a desk.
One wasn't nailed too.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
And then someone I had shut away so long ago?
What is it, schood, that girl whom you shall sit aside? No? Oh, yes,
this shadow most of all, don't you Remember I told
you the light blinds me, And remember me as I
(19:41):
was before you put my light out. No tears I
beg you none.
Speaker 10 (19:49):
If the idol who has replaced me can cheer and
comfort you, I must not grieve what idle, a golden one.
Nothing but gay engrosses you.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
So if I have grown wiser, I am not changed.
Told you our.
Speaker 10 (20:07):
Marriage contract was made when we were both poor.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
You are changed. When it was made you were another man.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
I was a boy.
Speaker 10 (20:16):
Whatever you were, I freely offer you your release.
Speaker 9 (20:20):
Have I ever sought it in words? Never ower then
in a changed nature, in everything that made my love
of any word or value in your sight?
Speaker 10 (20:32):
And so I release you with a full heart for
the love of what once you were. May you be
happy in the life you've chosen.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
No, I recognize your spirits and why you have come
back to haunt me.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Taught you me no more. Some shadows still to see.
No I can bear it no longer, haunt me no longer.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
The light you shine is too bright for my eyes
to bear. Give me your capsule, I may extinguish it
and you in a puff of smoke.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
The figure was gone, and I had barely time to rail.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
To my bed, exhausted from the long night's travels, where
I fell into a heavy sleep.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
What's that?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
The clock taking away a week in the night of time?
Almost one? When the second messenger Molly sends me from.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
The grave will arrive the word gustly shape? Might he take?
What hideous om? What torture?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Might this one plan for me?
Speaker 1 (21:46):
At least? I am prepared for anything, well prepared for anything.
But but nothing well over there? For it? Are you
invisible to me?
Speaker 3 (22:05):
A great light beneath my sitting room the door. He
is a fearful waste of light.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
A shocking extravagance. I'm just going to douse these candles.
I'm afraid to answer O. Every health crowd stops. How
can have I'm your madroom?
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Now? And and uh? Why he has a prodigal spending
of the light with a great roaring blaze, God enough
to set the chimney flu on fire.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Look well on me? Have you ever seen the like
of me before? Never?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
This time?
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Her eyes were opened to this another thing, Spirit, I
will be no trouble.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Conduct me where you will.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I went forth last night on compulsion, and I learned
a lesson which is working now.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Tonight. If you have ought to teach me, let me
prop it by it. Hold fast to my old.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
In the brink of an eye we were transported to
a mean and shabby little house, threadbare.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
But he is a new wahed shirt and ridol until
the mouth watering smelled.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Goose basking in sage and onions, and a roamer is
an eating house and pasty cooks next together, which came
from the Christmas pudding?
Speaker 9 (23:33):
What Kenna has got, your precious father of them?
Speaker 1 (23:36):
And your brother tiny Tim? I never remember him?
Speaker 9 (23:40):
Now is lady day on Christmas?
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Dear?
Speaker 1 (23:43):
What a place is this? Half of your clock?
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Bob crutch it see here he comes now, the child
he carries on his shoulder, with a little crutch.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
In his hand, and his lower limbs bound in an
iron cage, the youngest of the direction him.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
Why look at him struggle after the others as his
father sits him down?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Where are they off to?
Speaker 11 (24:09):
What one of the merrier sights of this merriers of seasons?
The golden goostern on this pitch.
Speaker 9 (24:17):
Liason, howly you are, my dear, and how cool it
will come? Come hit you down with the fire of
a warm.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
Lovel after I've had a look at that ghost through.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Asked, tell me how did tiny team behave to the
heavy as good as gold and better? Somehow he gets
thought while sitting by himself so much, and thinks the
strangest things you ever heard? And now what was it?
Speaker 12 (24:44):
This tine?
Speaker 1 (24:45):
He told me? Coming home?
Speaker 3 (24:47):
He hoped everyone in the church saw him because he
was a cripple, because it might be pleasant to them
to remember upon Christmas.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Daily who it was made blame beggars walk and blind
can see if it is so much fun.
Speaker 8 (25:07):
No, no, no, no, you must not, my dear, remember
the day. Come, let's join others. Tell me spirits where
tiny tim live.
Speaker 11 (25:17):
I see a vacant seat in the poor chimney corner,
and a little crutch without an owner. If these shadows
remain on order by.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
The future, the child will die. No kind spirit spare
him that from you. Recall your own words.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
If he be like to die, had better do it
and decrease the surplus population.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
A machine and should be man if you be man
at heart, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered
what the surpose is and where it is.
Speaker 13 (25:59):
A toast before we eat to mister Scrooge to me,
I'll give you mister Scrooge, the founder of the feast,
the founder of the feat.
Speaker 9 (26:09):
Indeed, oh I wish I had him here. I'd give
him a teaching in mind to feast upon. And I
hope you have a good appetite for it.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Oh, my dear children, Christmas Day.
Speaker 9 (26:21):
Well, I've been to myself for your sakes in the days,
not for him, long life to him. A merry Christmas
and a happy New Year.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
Oh, you'll be very merry. I'm very happy, I have
no doubt.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
And now a merry Christmas to us all my DearS.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
God bless us for every one my very name, cast
a pall upon their happiness.
Speaker 11 (26:48):
But mark you on the wealth of spirit among them,
which not kindly on a man with his little spirit
as yours.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
In particular that poor lad, tiny Tim.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
Did you notice how generous he was to end the
toast with God bless us everyone, including even me. What
a valiant little soul in spite of all his handicaps.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Perhaps your eyes are opening at last, But come, we're mortal,
And where now your nephew's house? But he said, he
said that Christmas was a humbug. As I really believed
it too. Shame for him. Fred is my uncle in law.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Where is a comic glow fellow, and not so pleasant
he might be. However, his offenses carry their own punishment,
and I have nothing to say against him, and I
will have no downturn valves of this season. So here's
a glass of mouth wine to our hands.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
Let's drink to the old man.
Speaker 9 (27:52):
Well, he has given a plenty of merriment at that, So.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
So uncle's cruel.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
A merry Christma, the happy New Year to the old man.
Whatever he is, he wouldn't take it from me, but
may he haven't never the best? Do uncle?
Speaker 4 (28:08):
Screw your uncle? Screw?
Speaker 1 (28:10):
No? No, wait wait, let me go to them.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
May explain too late for me. We all grows too late.
Hurry Where stand we now? This open place, a crossroads
where I must leave you and forgive me what I asked.
But I see something strange protruding from the skirt of
(28:35):
your robe that.
Speaker 11 (28:36):
Might be a claw for all the flesh there is
upon it. Yes, then see what you must see.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
From the sanctuary.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Came forth a boy and a girl, yellow, meager, ragged, scowling, wolfish,
the frustrate tu in their humility, I started back a pole, excite.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Are these yours? They are man's.
Speaker 11 (29:06):
The boy is ignorance, the girl is wont aware of
them both.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
And all of their degree.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
But most of all, beware this boy.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Or on his brow as he written doom.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Unless the writing can be he rid. My time is sun.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Have these pitiful creatures no refuge or resource? I answering
your own words?
Speaker 11 (29:32):
Are there?
Speaker 1 (29:33):
No prisons?
Speaker 4 (29:35):
Are there? No work houses?
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Old for one moment, help me where should I turn?
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Rnon paid?
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Your future?
Speaker 3 (29:46):
The black phantom that approaches you now, hey, your future?
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Your future.
Speaker 3 (30:05):
As the last stroke of the bell struck twelve, Scrooge
turned to face a dread figure, a solemn phantom, draped
and hooded in blacks and deep grays, coming creeping like
the mist.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
About it towards him. Our return with Act.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Three, the last phantom silently, slowly, gravely approached. It was
(30:46):
shrouded in a deep black garment which concealed its head,
its face, its form, and left nothing of its visible
save one outstretched hand, which served as his only voice.
For the spirit neither spoke nor moved. I am in
(31:09):
the presence of the ghost to Christmas yet to come.
Your answer not, but point where we are to go
head on spirit, and I will follow. The great black
cloud gathered me and carried me willing lilly.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
To the streets, his shroud like to figure that stood
by me? What about me? Is? I listened to two
gentlemen talking in the street.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
So, mister rhymes old scratch has got his.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Own at last. I have been so informed, mister goodfellow.
When did he die last night?
Speaker 11 (31:50):
I e?
Speaker 1 (31:51):
What on earth could he have caught? I thought he'd
never died? God nerves? Why did I get? What has
he done with his money? Heaven nerves lead to charity?
It's ely not to me.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
Letter is company about who God knows.
Speaker 1 (32:05):
He appears not to have had any sort.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
Of personal tie by which token It's like to be
a very cheap funeral rout my life.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
I cannot think of anybody to go to it.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
How its more and awful to dismiss another human being
in such terms. Will you meet, great ghost? I did
not mean to diverge. You wish to review something to me?
You have my full attention.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Said the news is bad, bad, Well, queen all his
hope cross.
Speaker 9 (32:51):
If you're a lens, yeah, there might have been how
but it is too late for the miracle?
Speaker 3 (32:59):
Who old miserable boy, he's past relenting, he's dead. No,
who wait, spit wait, I'm not ready to leave.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
What else would you have me look on? Tell me
again about today? About them?
Speaker 14 (33:25):
It would have done you good to see how green
a place it is. But you'll see it often, I
promised him. I would walk there every other Sunday, my last.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
Born, all little broken child.
Speaker 15 (33:39):
Not please, I shall break down with you, Oh my darling.
We can all try to be brave, but how can
we hide our sorrow? What is more final and dreadful.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
Than I want to help? Spector? What's something in homs
me that our parting moment is at hand? Tell me
what man? Was it?
Speaker 5 (34:06):
I saw?
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Lying? Dead? Very well? One point? Where to this time?
A churchyard? And here we are.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
The headstone she would have me read it. But tell
me are these the shadows of things that will be?
Speaker 1 (34:31):
Or maybe only Oh my own name Evaniza scooge spirit
hear me.
Speaker 3 (34:43):
I am not the man I was, I will not
be the man I must have been from all this intervals?
Speaker 1 (34:49):
Why show me this? If I am past? Or?
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Hoop for once you make no emotion. Your nature intercedes
for me in pities me good spirit. I will honor
Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all
the year, that three spirits shall strive within me. I
will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh
(35:12):
tell me, I may sponge away the writing on the stone.
Give me your hand, You give me your hand.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
I hold you to me. You cannot disappear it. You
cannot disappear it.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Who It's my soul. What I claim to is my
own bed post. And wait, wait, perhaps my time is
my own to make amends in. Yes, I will live
in the past, in the present, and the future. The
spirits of all three shall strive within me. Old Jacob, Molly,
(35:50):
Heaven and Christmas Time be praised for this. I say
it on my knees, Old Jacob, on my knees.
Speaker 1 (35:58):
I don't know what's to do.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
My as a feather, and I am as happy as
an angel. I'm as smelly as a schoolboy. I was
giddy as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to everyone,
A happy New Year to all the world. Oh oh hello,
there's the saucepan, the bulls in there's the door by
which the ghost Jacamarley, And there's the corner where I
(36:20):
saw the Wangue spirits.
Speaker 1 (36:22):
It's all right, it's true.
Speaker 4 (36:23):
We all happened, all.
Speaker 1 (36:26):
Right.
Speaker 6 (36:26):
I don't know among the spirits.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
I'm a baby. I don't know what monks. Go open
the window and rejoin the world. Hey, mister Rhymes, what's today?
Speaker 8 (36:39):
Why?
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Christmas Day?
Speaker 4 (36:42):
Christmas Day?
Speaker 1 (36:43):
I haven't missed it. The spirits had done it all
in one night. They can do what they like, of
course they can. Hallo, my fine.
Speaker 3 (36:51):
Fellow, Hello, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you?
Speaker 1 (36:58):
Do you still run the poulter Is shop in the
next street for one at the corner?
Speaker 3 (37:03):
And I should hope I did on my way to
open up or pray? Then, mister Grimes, do I dare
hope you have not yet sold the.
Speaker 1 (37:11):
Prize turkey that was hanging up there? Not the little
prize turkey.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
The big prize turkey, Ah, the one as big as
an oscrat. Forward to Life's man of pleasure to talk
to him. Yes, mister grind it is hanging there.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
Now what are we waiting for?
Speaker 3 (37:28):
I want to buy it three here that I may
give directions where to take it. Send back your boy,
and I'll give him a shilling, have him bring.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
It back in less than five minutes. And here you
have a crown. Better still, here's a five pound Nope.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Send him to deliver the turkey to mister crackit my
can at the address I give you, and what's left
to be your Christmas present? And his shaving was not
an easy task, for my hand was shaking and shaving
the man's attention. At last the precediously, and I dressed
(38:02):
myself to all.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
My best and issued forth to the streets.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
The first person I met was a portly gentleman who
had walked into my counting.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
House the day before, saying Scrooge and Marley's I believe
I hasten to intercept him. My dear sir, how do
you do?
Speaker 3 (38:19):
Do I beg your pardon? I hope you succeeded yesterday.
A merry Christmas to you, sir, mister Scrooge, that is
my name. I fear not pleasant to you. Allow me
to ask your pardon? And will you have the goodness
to allow me to contribute?
Speaker 1 (38:38):
May I have your ear?
Speaker 3 (38:40):
Sirtain Lord bless me so much, My dear mister Scrooge,
Are you really serious.
Speaker 1 (38:49):
If you please, not a farthing less? Will you do
me that favor? Oh, my dear sir, I don't know
what to say. What don't you anything? Come and see me?
Will you come and see me? I windy, thank you,
I thank you fifty times, bless you.
Speaker 4 (39:19):
Marry Christmas. I'll buy all that's holy?
Speaker 1 (39:22):
Is it you? Uncle me? Fred? You did ask me
to dinner? Am I too late to take up the invitation?
Too late? Will you let me?
Speaker 4 (39:32):
Will I let you in?
Speaker 3 (39:34):
Here's the merriest turner Christmas can take darling wife.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
Here's Uncle Scrooge to share our Christmas?
Speaker 4 (39:41):
Isn't it a present for this day?
Speaker 1 (39:42):
You couldn't have brought Fred a better one? Will come
to our home? Uncle, were only the first or many times?
Speaker 3 (39:51):
I hope it's a whole new year, and you may
spend it all with us if you will only.
Speaker 1 (39:58):
Today, for I must be in the office as early
as can be. No, no, no, no, don't steal glances
at each other. It isn't business on my mind, but recompense.
Speaker 3 (40:10):
Since at last I have learned to laugh, I want
to have my first joke with the man I have
perhaps wronged.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
Most all of these years.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
My faithful Bob Cratchitt, A wonderful day, an evening with
my nephew, A deep sleep that might have lasted for days,
except that I was bound and determined to be earlier
than my clerk at the counting house that Monday morning.
I was as pleased as a child when I beat
(40:40):
him there, even more pleased to find that, for once
he was mate. When the door opened and he came in,
he was a full eighteen and one half minutes behind
his time. His hat and scoff were off before he
opened the door. In terror of the man I had been.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
He was on his stool in jiffy his pins.
Speaker 3 (41:00):
If you were trying to overtake the last minute, morning,
missus Scrooge, morning.
Speaker 1 (41:06):
Late for that? What do you mean by coming here
this time of day? I am very sorry, sir, I
am behind time. You are really I think you are
now step this way, sir. If you pay, it's only
once a year, sir, it shall not be repeated. I
was making rather merry yesterday, sir. And I'll tell you what,
my friend, I'm not going to stand by this sort
(41:28):
of thing any longer.
Speaker 3 (41:29):
And therefore I feel myself forced to raise your salary uh.
Speaker 1 (41:38):
By, mister Scrooge, sir, do you feel all right on
my merry Christmas? Bob? A merrier Christmas than I have
given you for many a year.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
Not only raise your salary, but discuss your affairs and
endeavor to help your struggling family over a Christmas bowl
or smoking bishop. So make up the fires till they
haunt us right out of the country house before you
got another eye, Bob cretchit. It's not only a new year,
for a whole new world for both of us. As
(42:22):
we all know, Scrooge was better than his word.
Speaker 1 (42:26):
He did it all.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was
a second father, and he made a good new will
for his nephew and his future partner. Bob cretchit. One
thing after a long life, he took to his grave
that he knew how to keep Christmas well. May it
be truly said of all of us, and as Tiny
(42:50):
Tim observed, God bless us everyone. What more is there
to say after Dicken's Christmas Carol except the eternal message
(43:13):
he brings a merry Christmas and a happy new Year.
Our cast included Marion Seldy's Ian Martin E. Vjester Robert
Dryden and William Redfield. The entire production was under the
direction of Pymond Brown.
Speaker 1 (43:33):
A preview of our next tale. Okay, listen here the.
Speaker 12 (43:43):
Singing, of course, it's a Carole concept. That's where everyone
must be.
Speaker 2 (43:49):
Oh, let's see if we can find them. I give up.
I don't know where that music is coming from.
Speaker 12 (44:03):
We covered so many streets and nothing.
Speaker 2 (44:07):
Yeah, no one. Oh hey, honey, you're sugar, you're.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
A little I'm scared.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Well, there's no hotel across the street. Let's go there
and use the phone. There's got to be one there.
Speaker 1 (44:17):
This is a ghost town.
Speaker 12 (44:20):
There's no use bonding about anymore. It's a ghost town,
Little of Oho.
Speaker 1 (44:25):
This is E. G.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for
another adventure in the macabre.
Speaker 1 (44:33):
Until next time, pleasant dreams,
A journey into the realm of the strange and terrified.
I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will till.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
You a little and kill you a little.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
So settle back, get a good grip on your nerve.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Where are we going?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You'll find out when we get there. Theater presents come in. Welcome.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
I'm a g Marshall. This is a very special occasion
for me. I'm to be a little more than your host.
This time I will not only be introducing the story,
but telling it to you, acting it out. The Mystery
Theater special Christmas story this year Charles Dickens the Immortal
(01:12):
classic of Christmas Carol with Guess who has Scrooge ah
Humbug Our mystery drama A Christmas Carol was adapted from
(01:32):
the Charles Dickens classic, especially for the Mystery.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Theater by Ian Martin. I'll do that shortly with that one.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Time Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol begins like this. Marley
was dead to begin with, there is no doubt about that.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Whatever.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
The register of his burial was signed by woman, the clerk,
the undertaker.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
And the chief mourner.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Screw sided Old Marley was dead as a doornail, ebony's
a screwge Oh, he was a tight hissy hand at
the grindstone, hard and sharpest splint from which no steel
had ever struck out, generous fire, solitaires, an oyster.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
He iced his office in the dark.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Days and didn't throw it out one degree even at Christmas.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
A merry Christmas? Uncle? Can't say? What old you, nephew?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
What brings you here on a mirrable cold, windy night
like enough cold and winter yes, and the snow falling
softly up perfect Christmas eve?
Speaker 1 (02:53):
To say? Merry Christmas? Uncle? Abug? Christmas a bug? If
you don't mean that, I'm sure I do. Marry Christmas?
What right have you to be married? Or the world
at large?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
What reason have you yourself to be married? You're poor enough?
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Come then, what reason of you to be dismal? What
reason of you to be morals? You're rich enough? Don't
you ta't be fred dah?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Don't indulge yourself in expectations, humbug?
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Take me as I am, uncle, and as the season is,
and don't be cross? What else can I be when
I live in a world of fools? Christmas? Holy? What
Christmas time to you?
Speaker 3 (03:40):
But the time for paying bills without money, time for
finding yourself 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 should be boiled
in his own bumpudding and buried with a stake of holly.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Who is uncle?
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Can you not let down? For once that enjoy your net?
You keep Christmas in your own way, and me keep
it in mind.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
But you don't keep it leave me alone? Man? Much
good it me? Do you make good? Has it ever done? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
There are a lot of things onco from which I've
never profited. Christmas among the rest, except that when it
comes around, who could resist it? A kind of forgiving
time of year, when men and women seem by one
consent to open up their hearts freely. So then I say, uncle,
Though it never put a scrap of silver or gold
in my pocket, I believe it has and will do
me good. And so I say, God, blessings?
Speaker 1 (04:40):
All right? What's told her better?
Speaker 4 (04:43):
I'm sorry, mister Scrooge.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
It's says that it is a holiday, and and my
hands were so cold. Shall let me hear another word
from you?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Bob Crediting you keep your Christmas by losing your employment.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Please, sir, I humbly beg your pardon. It was just
a an action on the spur of the moment.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Just apply the spur to goad you into finishing your work.
Creget and let's hear no more from you, Yes, sir,
well have you? Why are you here to ask you
to dine with us tomorrow?
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Dine will you? Ever?
Speaker 3 (05:17):
There's nothing more ridiculous than all of us and expense
over Christmas dinner?
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Oh uncle, I want and ask nothing from your work.
Han'tingly friends, afternoon, with.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
All my heart, I'm sorry to find your whole resolute.
At least I wish you were meddy Christmas, surd after
and the happy you're it afternoon, and be sure to
make the front door.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Fast, oh wasting of eager and no it's the logs
on the fire, Yes, uncle, mister.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Yes, sir may I wish you were meddy Christmas and happy.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
The first time I'm sure of, and I thank you
the other who knows what the future holds, be a
good hope.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Unnerve of all of them.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
My love you of westfal and Bob precious on fifteen
shillings a week with a wife and family talking about
a merry Christmas car enough to make a man retired
to wedlam.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
We're all mad, mad, begging your pardon, mister Scrooge, A
gentleman to see you. Scrooge and Marley's I believe, have I.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
The honor of addressing mister Scrooge or mister Marley. Mister
Marley has been dead for seven years. He died seven
years ago this very night. Ah sad, sad. Indeed, still
I have no doubt his liberality is well represented by
his surviving partner liberality. At this testive season, it is
(06:55):
more than usually desirable if we all make some slight
provision for the poor. Institution, you may make your pledge.
Here are there no prisons? We speak of the needy.
The union workhouses are not still in operation. They are
I wish I could say they were not. A few
(07:17):
of us private citizens are endeavoring to raise a fund
to buy the poor some meat and drink and means
of war.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Now what shall I put you down for all, mister Scrooge. Nothing?
Of course, you wish to be anotomous.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
I wish to be left alone by tax I hope
to support the establishments.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
We have mentioned they cost enough more. Yet those who
are badly ought go there. Many can't go there, and
many would rather die.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
They would rather die than let them do so and
decrease the surplus population.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Good afternoons, sir, wherever your name is, I find you
hard to believe. Mister Scrooge, get it. Let him out
rose the door cratchet, which distinguish what cold wimain? Yes, sir, No, sir,
come here coming, mister Scruge. You'll want all day tomorrow
(08:11):
morse balls. It's quite convenience. It's not convenience, and it's
not fair.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
If I wish to stop half a crown for it,
you'd think yourself you're used. I'd be bound else I
hear you don't take me if you when I pay
a day's wages for no work, I would not presume to.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Have an opinion. But then it is only one day
a year.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty
fifth of December.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
I have no choice. You must have the whole day.
Just make sure you are here earlier. The following morning.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I died my usual melancholy dinner and the usual melancholy tower. Afterwards,
climb the stairs to my living quarters in the gloom,
saying about my door knockers stopped me as I was
about to put key in lock. For one strange moment,
it looked like Marley ghostly spectacles turned upon its ghostly forehead.
(09:14):
To say that I was not startled would not be
strictly true. And even after I was entered and locked
in and my candle it, I did pause irresolutely before
I dismissed it with mumble. Still I was uneasy turning
my candle. I walked through all my rooms to make
sure all was well. See you home, bed room, lumber room,
(09:39):
or as it should be, small fire in the grate,
spawn and base already little saucepan of gruel since I
had a cold.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Was that the front door, the side door, the fell
by my bed, the one on the mantel, and on
the sideboards. What did they herold? Who wrings them? The
cellar door? That noise? I won't believe it? Things of
(10:11):
his humbles too, grim spector what do you want with me?
Who are you? Scre who I was? Who were you? Then?
Why I was? Nor baer? Take molly, you don't really remark?
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Don't why doubt because a little thing of hexton.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheese. You
may be a bund to, just a beef brought mustard
cub of cheese, right, mad potato.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
There's more gravy about you than the green wherever you are, umber.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Believer, So I are wrecked that.
Speaker 6 (11:04):
It is good about my head to reveal the rotting dress,
the draw.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Fallen selectly into my breast, the musc who's eaten long
since my words.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Now you believe me for who and what I am?
O mercy, dread apiss. Why do you trouble me? I
must while you fettered and.
Speaker 7 (11:30):
Bound and changed. Where the trail I forced in life?
I made it link by link.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
I girded it on of my own free will in
its patterns. So strange do you, oh, you learn the
way and length of the coil you wear yourself?
Speaker 4 (11:55):
It was full and as heavy.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
And as long as mine these seven Christmas eves ago,
and you have labored on it since.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
I once part of the life. What a ponderous thing
you have built to drag you down in death? No, no, Jacob, oh,
Jacob Morley, speak to some comfort to me. I have
none to give. I cannot stay. I cannot linger anywhere.
Speaker 6 (12:29):
My spirit never walked beyond our counting house in life.
So in ten we read Jurney's life before me, seven
years dead and traveling all the time, no rest, no peace.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
The incessant talk. Sure of remart.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
I am here tonight everydsa toward.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
You that you have had a hope of escape my faith. O.
You were always a good friend, Sankie. You will be
auded by three speeds. That is the hope you mentioned.
Speaker 8 (13:10):
It is.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I think I'd rather him not without their physics. You
have no hope but the sun the path I tread.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Expect the first tomorrow when the bell tolds what? But
couldn't I take them all at once and have it over?
Expect the second or the next night, at the same hour,
the third, when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Vibrate on your battle clock.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
And for your own sake, remember what has passed between us,
pass between us.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Take him, do not leave me. It right.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
He was gone as if he had never been, And
yet he had been and never needs a scrooge would
never be the same man again. He fell asleep without
undressing upon the instant, a sleep that was destined to
be disturbed, as I shall relate when I return with that.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Two. When Scrooge awoke, it was dark.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
And the shimes of a neighborhood church were striking the
four quarters.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
To his amazement.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
They were followed by twelve strokes of the bell. Twelve impossible,
it was true. When he went to bed, it isn't possible.
I could have slept a whole day and far into
(15:11):
another night. As I lay, I suddenly remembered that Molly
had said a ghost would visit me at one.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Who are you? I am the ghost of Christmas past,
long past? Yeah past. Don't you recognize me? A strange figure,
almost like a child.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
The outlines dimly seen were a tunic of purest whites
and a brash of fresh green holly in his hand,
in a singular contradiction to the dress, which was trimmed
with summer flowers. But strangest of all, above its crown
sprang a bright, clear jet of light which illuminated the
darkest corner but obscured the face.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Arm a cap which.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Looked for the world like a candle snuffer. For some reason,
I wanted to put on his cap. The light is blinding.
Would you not put on your cap?
Speaker 9 (16:12):
Would you so soon put out with worldly hands the
light I shed?
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Is it not enough that you have a man who fashioned.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Me this cap and.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Forced me to wear it low upon my brack? What
business brings you here? Your welfare?
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Because you would regard my welfare, you would leave my
sleep unwoken?
Speaker 9 (16:32):
Door reclamations, Take heed, rise and walk with me.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I cannot resist your command. But I am an old man,
lightly clad and using a cold to boot.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Do not deny me.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Come follow me.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
All of a sudden I was frying, floating on air.
The night had vanished as the city were on me,
and I was looking down.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
On the country, and it cleared all light of.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Day, the snow dusting the ground. Good, Heavens. I was
bred in this place. I was a poor here.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Let us candle. What is that on your cheek? Nothing?
The wind makes my eyes water? Leave me where you will?
Do you not remember the way? Remember it? I could
walk it blind forward. Strange to have forgotten so many years.
Let us set out on the road.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I will not tell you most of where we wandered.
As time stood still raced ahead a whim.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
The school where I was a child, the house.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
I grew up in an orphan, A terrible rush of tears,
remembering another outcast, a foreigner, and a food in our
mutual low meiness at once befriended me, bather.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
I story. Now, why is too O hear nothing? There
was a boy seeing a Christmas carol at my door
last night. I should like to have given him.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Something of her?
Speaker 1 (18:19):
What might have him? Let us see another Christmas? What's
that Your aunt who brought her up passed away?
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (18:37):
No, picture whom my breath might have revered. But she
had a loud heart. Amen to that. I will not
gainsay e spirits. When she died she had I think children,
one child, children. Yes, we traveled further.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Scenes flashing by like slides in a magic lantern, Old
fizzy Wig in his Welsh wig, my first employer, his
Christmas parties with a groaning table, and everyone dancing with
a light foot and heart to the vest of music,
his kind wife, and the joy of working at a desk.
One wasn't nailed too.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
And then someone I had shut away so long ago?
What is it, schood, that girl whom you shall sit aside? No? Oh, yes,
this shadow most of all, don't you Remember I told
you the light blinds me, And remember me as I
(19:41):
was before you put my light out. No tears I
beg you none.
Speaker 10 (19:49):
If the idol who has replaced me can cheer and
comfort you, I must not grieve what idle, a golden one.
Nothing but gay engrosses you.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
So if I have grown wiser, I am not changed.
Told you our.
Speaker 10 (20:07):
Marriage contract was made when we were both poor.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
You are changed. When it was made you were another man.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
I was a boy.
Speaker 10 (20:16):
Whatever you were, I freely offer you your release.
Speaker 9 (20:20):
Have I ever sought it in words? Never ower then
in a changed nature, in everything that made my love
of any word or value in your sight?
Speaker 10 (20:32):
And so I release you with a full heart for
the love of what once you were. May you be
happy in the life you've chosen.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
No, I recognize your spirits and why you have come
back to haunt me.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Taught you me no more. Some shadows still to see.
No I can bear it no longer, haunt me no longer.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
The light you shine is too bright for my eyes
to bear. Give me your capsule, I may extinguish it
and you in a puff of smoke.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
The figure was gone, and I had barely time to rail.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
To my bed, exhausted from the long night's travels, where
I fell into a heavy sleep.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
What's that?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
The clock taking away a week in the night of time?
Almost one? When the second messenger Molly sends me from.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
The grave will arrive the word gustly shape? Might he take?
What hideous om? What torture?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Might this one plan for me?
Speaker 1 (21:46):
At least? I am prepared for anything, well prepared for anything.
But but nothing well over there? For it? Are you
invisible to me?
Speaker 3 (22:05):
A great light beneath my sitting room the door. He
is a fearful waste of light.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
A shocking extravagance. I'm just going to douse these candles.
I'm afraid to answer O. Every health crowd stops. How
can have I'm your madroom?
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Now? And and uh? Why he has a prodigal spending
of the light with a great roaring blaze, God enough
to set the chimney flu on fire.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Look well on me? Have you ever seen the like
of me before? Never?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
This time?
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Her eyes were opened to this another thing, Spirit, I
will be no trouble.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Conduct me where you will.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I went forth last night on compulsion, and I learned
a lesson which is working now.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Tonight. If you have ought to teach me, let me
prop it by it. Hold fast to my old.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
In the brink of an eye we were transported to
a mean and shabby little house, threadbare.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
But he is a new wahed shirt and ridol until
the mouth watering smelled.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Goose basking in sage and onions, and a roamer is
an eating house and pasty cooks next together, which came
from the Christmas pudding?
Speaker 9 (23:33):
What Kenna has got, your precious father of them?
Speaker 1 (23:36):
And your brother tiny Tim? I never remember him?
Speaker 9 (23:40):
Now is lady day on Christmas?
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Dear?
Speaker 1 (23:43):
What a place is this? Half of your clock?
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Bob crutch it see here he comes now, the child
he carries on his shoulder, with a little crutch.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
In his hand, and his lower limbs bound in an
iron cage, the youngest of the direction him.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
Why look at him struggle after the others as his
father sits him down?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Where are they off to?
Speaker 11 (24:09):
What one of the merrier sights of this merriers of seasons?
The golden goostern on this pitch.
Speaker 9 (24:17):
Liason, howly you are, my dear, and how cool it
will come? Come hit you down with the fire of
a warm.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
Lovel after I've had a look at that ghost through.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Asked, tell me how did tiny team behave to the
heavy as good as gold and better? Somehow he gets
thought while sitting by himself so much, and thinks the
strangest things you ever heard? And now what was it?
Speaker 12 (24:44):
This tine?
Speaker 1 (24:45):
He told me? Coming home?
Speaker 3 (24:47):
He hoped everyone in the church saw him because he
was a cripple, because it might be pleasant to them
to remember upon Christmas.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Daily who it was made blame beggars walk and blind
can see if it is so much fun.
Speaker 8 (25:07):
No, no, no, no, you must not, my dear, remember
the day. Come, let's join others. Tell me spirits where
tiny tim live.
Speaker 11 (25:17):
I see a vacant seat in the poor chimney corner,
and a little crutch without an owner. If these shadows
remain on order by.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
The future, the child will die. No kind spirit spare
him that from you. Recall your own words.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
If he be like to die, had better do it
and decrease the surplus population.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
A machine and should be man if you be man
at heart, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered
what the surpose is and where it is.
Speaker 13 (25:59):
A toast before we eat to mister Scrooge to me,
I'll give you mister Scrooge, the founder of the feast,
the founder of the feat.
Speaker 9 (26:09):
Indeed, oh I wish I had him here. I'd give
him a teaching in mind to feast upon. And I
hope you have a good appetite for it.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Oh, my dear children, Christmas Day.
Speaker 9 (26:21):
Well, I've been to myself for your sakes in the days,
not for him, long life to him. A merry Christmas
and a happy New Year.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
Oh, you'll be very merry. I'm very happy, I have
no doubt.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
And now a merry Christmas to us all my DearS.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
God bless us for every one my very name, cast
a pall upon their happiness.
Speaker 11 (26:48):
But mark you on the wealth of spirit among them,
which not kindly on a man with his little spirit
as yours.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
In particular that poor lad, tiny Tim.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
Did you notice how generous he was to end the
toast with God bless us everyone, including even me. What
a valiant little soul in spite of all his handicaps.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Perhaps your eyes are opening at last, But come, we're mortal,
And where now your nephew's house? But he said, he
said that Christmas was a humbug. As I really believed
it too. Shame for him. Fred is my uncle in law.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Where is a comic glow fellow, and not so pleasant
he might be. However, his offenses carry their own punishment,
and I have nothing to say against him, and I
will have no downturn valves of this season. So here's
a glass of mouth wine to our hands.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
Let's drink to the old man.
Speaker 9 (27:52):
Well, he has given a plenty of merriment at that, So.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
So uncle's cruel.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
A merry Christma, the happy New Year to the old man.
Whatever he is, he wouldn't take it from me, but
may he haven't never the best? Do uncle?
Speaker 4 (28:08):
Screw your uncle? Screw?
Speaker 1 (28:10):
No? No, wait wait, let me go to them.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
May explain too late for me. We all grows too late.
Hurry Where stand we now? This open place, a crossroads
where I must leave you and forgive me what I asked.
But I see something strange protruding from the skirt of
(28:35):
your robe that.
Speaker 11 (28:36):
Might be a claw for all the flesh there is
upon it. Yes, then see what you must see.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
From the sanctuary.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Came forth a boy and a girl, yellow, meager, ragged, scowling, wolfish,
the frustrate tu in their humility, I started back a pole, excite.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Are these yours? They are man's.
Speaker 11 (29:06):
The boy is ignorance, the girl is wont aware of
them both.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
And all of their degree.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
But most of all, beware this boy.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Or on his brow as he written doom.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Unless the writing can be he rid. My time is sun.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Have these pitiful creatures no refuge or resource? I answering
your own words?
Speaker 11 (29:32):
Are there?
Speaker 1 (29:33):
No prisons?
Speaker 4 (29:35):
Are there? No work houses?
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Old for one moment, help me where should I turn?
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Rnon paid?
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Your future?
Speaker 3 (29:46):
The black phantom that approaches you now, hey, your future?
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Your future.
Speaker 3 (30:05):
As the last stroke of the bell struck twelve, Scrooge
turned to face a dread figure, a solemn phantom, draped
and hooded in blacks and deep grays, coming creeping like
the mist.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
About it towards him. Our return with Act.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Three, the last phantom silently, slowly, gravely approached. It was
(30:46):
shrouded in a deep black garment which concealed its head,
its face, its form, and left nothing of its visible
save one outstretched hand, which served as his only voice.
For the spirit neither spoke nor moved. I am in
(31:09):
the presence of the ghost to Christmas yet to come.
Your answer not, but point where we are to go
head on spirit, and I will follow. The great black
cloud gathered me and carried me willing lilly.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
To the streets, his shroud like to figure that stood
by me? What about me? Is? I listened to two
gentlemen talking in the street.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
So, mister rhymes old scratch has got his.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Own at last. I have been so informed, mister goodfellow.
When did he die last night?
Speaker 11 (31:50):
I e?
Speaker 1 (31:51):
What on earth could he have caught? I thought he'd
never died? God nerves? Why did I get? What has
he done with his money? Heaven nerves lead to charity?
It's ely not to me.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
Letter is company about who God knows.
Speaker 1 (32:05):
He appears not to have had any sort.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
Of personal tie by which token It's like to be
a very cheap funeral rout my life.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
I cannot think of anybody to go to it.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
How its more and awful to dismiss another human being
in such terms. Will you meet, great ghost? I did
not mean to diverge. You wish to review something to me?
You have my full attention.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Said the news is bad, bad, Well, queen all his
hope cross.
Speaker 9 (32:51):
If you're a lens, yeah, there might have been how
but it is too late for the miracle?
Speaker 3 (32:59):
Who old miserable boy, he's past relenting, he's dead. No,
who wait, spit wait, I'm not ready to leave.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
What else would you have me look on? Tell me
again about today? About them?
Speaker 14 (33:25):
It would have done you good to see how green
a place it is. But you'll see it often, I
promised him. I would walk there every other Sunday, my last.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
Born, all little broken child.
Speaker 15 (33:39):
Not please, I shall break down with you, Oh my darling.
We can all try to be brave, but how can
we hide our sorrow? What is more final and dreadful.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
Than I want to help? Spector? What's something in homs
me that our parting moment is at hand? Tell me
what man? Was it?
Speaker 5 (34:06):
I saw?
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Lying? Dead? Very well? One point? Where to this time?
A churchyard? And here we are.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
The headstone she would have me read it. But tell
me are these the shadows of things that will be?
Speaker 1 (34:31):
Or maybe only Oh my own name Evaniza scooge spirit
hear me.
Speaker 3 (34:43):
I am not the man I was, I will not
be the man I must have been from all this intervals?
Speaker 1 (34:49):
Why show me this? If I am past? Or?
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Hoop for once you make no emotion. Your nature intercedes
for me in pities me good spirit. I will honor
Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all
the year, that three spirits shall strive within me. I
will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh
(35:12):
tell me, I may sponge away the writing on the stone.
Give me your hand, You give me your hand.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
I hold you to me. You cannot disappear it. You
cannot disappear it.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Who It's my soul. What I claim to is my
own bed post. And wait, wait, perhaps my time is
my own to make amends in. Yes, I will live
in the past, in the present, and the future. The
spirits of all three shall strive within me. Old Jacob, Molly,
(35:50):
Heaven and Christmas Time be praised for this. I say
it on my knees, Old Jacob, on my knees.
Speaker 1 (35:58):
I don't know what's to do.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
My as a feather, and I am as happy as
an angel. I'm as smelly as a schoolboy. I was
giddy as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to everyone,
A happy New Year to all the world. Oh oh hello,
there's the saucepan, the bulls in there's the door by
which the ghost Jacamarley, And there's the corner where I
(36:20):
saw the Wangue spirits.
Speaker 1 (36:22):
It's all right, it's true.
Speaker 4 (36:23):
We all happened, all.
Speaker 1 (36:26):
Right.
Speaker 6 (36:26):
I don't know among the spirits.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
I'm a baby. I don't know what monks. Go open
the window and rejoin the world. Hey, mister Rhymes, what's today?
Speaker 8 (36:39):
Why?
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Christmas Day?
Speaker 4 (36:42):
Christmas Day?
Speaker 1 (36:43):
I haven't missed it. The spirits had done it all
in one night. They can do what they like, of
course they can. Hallo, my fine.
Speaker 3 (36:51):
Fellow, Hello, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you?
Speaker 1 (36:58):
Do you still run the poulter Is shop in the
next street for one at the corner?
Speaker 3 (37:03):
And I should hope I did on my way to
open up or pray? Then, mister Grimes, do I dare
hope you have not yet sold the.
Speaker 1 (37:11):
Prize turkey that was hanging up there? Not the little
prize turkey.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
The big prize turkey, Ah, the one as big as
an oscrat. Forward to Life's man of pleasure to talk
to him. Yes, mister grind it is hanging there.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
Now what are we waiting for?
Speaker 3 (37:28):
I want to buy it three here that I may
give directions where to take it. Send back your boy,
and I'll give him a shilling, have him bring.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
It back in less than five minutes. And here you
have a crown. Better still, here's a five pound Nope.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Send him to deliver the turkey to mister crackit my
can at the address I give you, and what's left
to be your Christmas present? And his shaving was not
an easy task, for my hand was shaking and shaving
the man's attention. At last the precediously, and I dressed
(38:02):
myself to all.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
My best and issued forth to the streets.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
The first person I met was a portly gentleman who
had walked into my counting.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
House the day before, saying Scrooge and Marley's I believe
I hasten to intercept him. My dear sir, how do
you do?
Speaker 3 (38:19):
Do I beg your pardon? I hope you succeeded yesterday.
A merry Christmas to you, sir, mister Scrooge, that is
my name. I fear not pleasant to you. Allow me
to ask your pardon? And will you have the goodness
to allow me to contribute?
Speaker 1 (38:38):
May I have your ear?
Speaker 3 (38:40):
Sirtain Lord bless me so much, My dear mister Scrooge,
Are you really serious.
Speaker 1 (38:49):
If you please, not a farthing less? Will you do
me that favor? Oh, my dear sir, I don't know
what to say. What don't you anything? Come and see me?
Will you come and see me? I windy, thank you,
I thank you fifty times, bless you.
Speaker 4 (39:19):
Marry Christmas. I'll buy all that's holy?
Speaker 1 (39:22):
Is it you? Uncle me? Fred? You did ask me
to dinner? Am I too late to take up the invitation?
Too late? Will you let me?
Speaker 4 (39:32):
Will I let you in?
Speaker 3 (39:34):
Here's the merriest turner Christmas can take darling wife.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
Here's Uncle Scrooge to share our Christmas?
Speaker 4 (39:41):
Isn't it a present for this day?
Speaker 1 (39:42):
You couldn't have brought Fred a better one? Will come
to our home? Uncle, were only the first or many times?
Speaker 3 (39:51):
I hope it's a whole new year, and you may
spend it all with us if you will only.
Speaker 1 (39:58):
Today, for I must be in the office as early
as can be. No, no, no, no, don't steal glances
at each other. It isn't business on my mind, but recompense.
Speaker 3 (40:10):
Since at last I have learned to laugh, I want
to have my first joke with the man I have
perhaps wronged.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
Most all of these years.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
My faithful Bob Cratchitt, A wonderful day, an evening with
my nephew, A deep sleep that might have lasted for days,
except that I was bound and determined to be earlier
than my clerk at the counting house that Monday morning.
I was as pleased as a child when I beat
(40:40):
him there, even more pleased to find that, for once
he was mate. When the door opened and he came in,
he was a full eighteen and one half minutes behind
his time. His hat and scoff were off before he
opened the door. In terror of the man I had been.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
He was on his stool in jiffy his pins.
Speaker 3 (41:00):
If you were trying to overtake the last minute, morning,
missus Scrooge, morning.
Speaker 1 (41:06):
Late for that? What do you mean by coming here
this time of day? I am very sorry, sir, I
am behind time. You are really I think you are
now step this way, sir. If you pay, it's only
once a year, sir, it shall not be repeated. I
was making rather merry yesterday, sir. And I'll tell you what,
my friend, I'm not going to stand by this sort
(41:28):
of thing any longer.
Speaker 3 (41:29):
And therefore I feel myself forced to raise your salary uh.
Speaker 1 (41:38):
By, mister Scrooge, sir, do you feel all right on
my merry Christmas? Bob? A merrier Christmas than I have
given you for many a year.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
Not only raise your salary, but discuss your affairs and
endeavor to help your struggling family over a Christmas bowl
or smoking bishop. So make up the fires till they
haunt us right out of the country house before you
got another eye, Bob cretchit. It's not only a new year,
for a whole new world for both of us. As
(42:22):
we all know, Scrooge was better than his word.
Speaker 1 (42:26):
He did it all.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was
a second father, and he made a good new will
for his nephew and his future partner. Bob cretchit. One
thing after a long life, he took to his grave
that he knew how to keep Christmas well. May it
be truly said of all of us, and as Tiny
(42:50):
Tim observed, God bless us everyone. What more is there
to say after Dicken's Christmas Carol except the eternal message
(43:13):
he brings a merry Christmas and a happy new Year.
Our cast included Marion Seldy's Ian Martin E. Vjester Robert
Dryden and William Redfield. The entire production was under the
direction of Pymond Brown.
Speaker 1 (43:33):
A preview of our next tale. Okay, listen here the.
Speaker 12 (43:43):
Singing, of course, it's a Carole concept. That's where everyone
must be.
Speaker 2 (43:49):
Oh, let's see if we can find them. I give up.
I don't know where that music is coming from.
Speaker 12 (44:03):
We covered so many streets and nothing.
Speaker 2 (44:07):
Yeah, no one. Oh hey, honey, you're sugar, you're.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
A little I'm scared.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Well, there's no hotel across the street. Let's go there
and use the phone. There's got to be one there.
Speaker 1 (44:17):
This is a ghost town.
Speaker 12 (44:20):
There's no use bonding about anymore. It's a ghost town,
Little of Oho.
Speaker 1 (44:25):
This is E. G.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for
another adventure in the macabre.
Speaker 1 (44:33):
Until next time, pleasant dreams,
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