| A Christmas Carol Play
Act Two | 
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A Christmas Carol Play Act Two
Written by: Walter Ben Hare
Adapted from the famous story of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens ACT TWO The stage is now in darkness. A musical bell tolls off L. After a pause another bell tolls
off R. The clinking of chains is heard. When the stage is completely darkened the Ghost of
Marley slips in and sits at R. He is entirely covered with black, face and all, as he slips
in, so as to be quite invisible.
Mysterious music. Sudden clap of thunder heard. An auto light from the wings at R. is thrown
on the Ghost's face. This light should be green. The thunder dies away. Clanking of chains
heard.
Ghost (groans).
Scrooge (starts up, looks at Ghost, pauses). How now! What do you want with me?
Ghost. Much.
Scrooge. Who are you?
Ghost. Ask me who I was.
Scrooge. Well, who were you, then?
Ghost. In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley. It is required of every man that the spirit
within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and if that spirit goes not forth in
life, it is condemned to do so after death.
Scrooge. You are fettered. Tell me why.
Ghost. I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, yard by yard, the heavy
chain of avarice. Now I must make amends for the opportunities I neglected in life.
Scrooge. But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.
Ghost. Business? Mankind should have been my business. Kind actions, charity, mercy,
benevolence, love—all should have been my business. I am here tonight to warn you, to warn
you, Ebenezer Scrooge, that you have yet a chance of escaping my fate.
Scrooge. You were always a good friend to me.
Ghost. You will be haunted by Three Spirits.
Scrooge. If it's all the same to you, I think I'd rather not.
Ghost. Without their visits, you cannot hope to escape my fate. Expect the first when the
bell tolls one.
Scrooge. Couldn't I take it all at once and have it over, Jacob?
Ghost. Remember my warning, heed the message and you may yet be saved. My time is over.
(Chains rattle.) Farewell, farewell, farewell! (Loud crash of thunder. Light is quenched and
Ghost exits unseen by audience.)
Pause. The bell tolls one. Enter Spirit of Christmas Past from R. She comes down R. Strong
white light on her from R.
Scrooge (trembling). Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to me?
First Spirit. I am.
Scrooge. Who and what are you?
First Spirit. I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Scrooge. Long past?
First Spirit. No, your past.
Scrooge. Why have you come here to me?
First Spirit. For your own welfare. I must teach you the first lesson of consideration.
Scrooge. But I am considerate.
First Spirit. Are you a kind master to your clerk?
Scrooge. Well, I'm not unkind.
First Spirit. Do you remember your own first master? One Fezziwig by name?
Scrooge. Indeed, I do. Bless his dear, old heart. He was the kindest master that ever lived.
First Spirit. Then why haven't you followed his good example? Would any of your clerks say
that you were the kindest master that ever lived?
Scrooge. Well, times have changed, that's it—it's all the fault of the times.
First Spirit. It's all the fault of a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching,
covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel has ever struck out a
generous fire. No wind that blows is more bitter than he, no falling snow is more intent
upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. And his name is Ebenezer Scrooge.
Scrooge. All I ask is to edge my way along the crowded path of life. I want to be left
alone. That's all—left alone.
First Spirit. I have come to save you, Ebenezer Scrooge. I have come to kindle into life the
stone that once was your heart. First I will show you the kind heart and generosity of your
old time master. Behold the warehouse of Fezziwig and Company.
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