The End of It (A Christmas Carol (Full Cast))

01V.

02The End of It Yes, and the bed-post was his own, the bed was his own, the room was his own, best and happiest of all, the time before him was his own, to make amends in.

03V.

04I will live in the past, the present, and the future, Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed.

05V.

06The spirits of all three shall strive within me.

07O Jacob Marley, heaven and the Christmas-time it prays for this.

08I say it on my knees, old Jacob, on my knees.

09V.

10He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call.

11He had been sobbing violently in his conflict with the spirit, and his face was wet with tears.

12V.

13They're not torn down, cried Scrooge, folding one of his bed-curtains in his arms.

14V.

15They're not torn down, rings and all, they are here.

16I'm here.

17The shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled.

18They will be.

19I know they will.

20V.

21His hands were busy with his garments all this time, turning them inside out, putting them on upside down, tearing them, mislaying them, making them parties to every kind of extravagance.

22V.

23I don't know what to do, cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath, and making a perfect laucon of himself with his stockings.

24V.

25I'm as light as a feather, I'm as happy as an angel, I'm as merry as a schoolboy, I'm as giddy as a drunken man.

26A merry Christmas to everybody, a happy new year to all the world.

27Hello here!

28Hello!

29V.

30He had frisked into the sitting-room, and was now sitting there, perfectly winded.

31V.

32There's the saucepan that the gruel was in, cried Scrooge, starting off again and going round the fireplace.

33V.

34There's the door by which the ghost of Jacob Marley entered.

35There's the corner where the ghost of Christmas present sat.

36There's the window where I saw the wandering spirits.

37It's all right, it's all true, it all happened.

38Ha!

39Ha!

40Ha!

41Really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh, the father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs.

42V.

43I don't know what day of the month it is, said Scrooge.

44V.

45I don't know how long I've been among the spirits.

46I don't know anything.

47I'm quite a baby.

48Never mind, I don't care.

49I'd rather be a baby.

50Hello!

51Hello here!

52V.

53He was checked in his transports by the churches, ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard.

54Clash, clang, hammer, ding, dong, bell, bell, dong, ding, hammer, clash, clang.

55Oh, glorious, glorious!

56Running to the window, he opened it and put out his head.

57No fog, no mist, clear, bright, jovial, stirring cold, cold piping for the blood to dance to, golden sunlight, heavenly sky, sweet, fresh air, merry bells.

58Oh, glorious, glorious!

59V.

60What's to-day?

61cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.

62Eh?

63returned the boy with all his might of wonder.

64V.

65What's to-day, my fine fellow?

66said Scrooge.

67V.

68To-day?

69replied the boy.

70V.

71Why, Christmas-day!

72V.

73It's Christmas-day, said Scrooge to himself.

74V.

75I haven't missed it.

76The spirits have done it all in one night.

77They can do anything they like.

78Of course they can.

79Of course they can.

80Hello, my fine fellow.

81V.

82Hello!

83returned the boy.

84V.

85Do you know the poulterers in the next street but one?

86At the corner?

87Scrooge inquired.

88V.

89I should hope I did, replied the lad.

90V.

91An intelligent boy, said Scrooge.

92V.

93A remarkable boy.

94Do you know whether they've sold the prized turkey that was hanging up there?

95Not the little prized turkey, the big one.

96V.

97What?

98The one as big as me?

99returned the boy.

100V.

101What a delightful boy!

102said Scrooge.

103V.

104It's a pleasure to talk to him.

105Yes, my buck?

106V.

107It's hanging there now, replied the boy.

108V.

109Is it?

110said Scrooge.

111V.

112Go and buy it.

113V.

114What care?

115exclaimed the boy.

116V.

117No, no, said Scrooge.

118V.

119I'm in earnest.

120Go and buy it and tell them to bring it here that I may give them the direction where to take it.

121V.

122Come back with the man and I'll give you a shilling.

123V.

124Come back with him in less than five minutes and I'll give you half a crown.

125V.

126The boy was off like a shot.

127V.

128He must have had a steady hand at a trigger, who could have got a shot off half so fast.

129V.

130I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's, whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands and splitting with a laugh.

131V.

132He shan't know who sends it.

133It's twice the size of Tiny Tim.

134V.

135Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to Bob's will be.

136V.

137The hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one, but write it he did somehow, and went downstairs to open the street door, ready for the coming of the polterer's man.

138V.

139As he stood there, waiting his arrival, the knocker caught his eye.

140V.

141I shall love it as long as I live, cried Scrooge, patting it with his hand.

142V.

143I scarcely ever looked at it before.

144What an honest expression it has in its face.

145It's a wonderful knocker.

146V.

147Ah, here's the turkey.

148Oh, hello.

149How are you?

150Merry Christmas.

151V.

152It was a turkey.

153He never could have stood upon his legs, that bird.

154He would have snapped him off short in a minute, like sticks of sealing-wax.

155V.

156Why?

157It's impossible to carry that to Camden Town, said Scrooge.

158V.

159You must have a cab.

160V.

161The chuckle with which he said this, and the chuckle with which he paid for the turkey, and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab, and the chuckle with which he recompensed the boy, were only to be exceeded by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless in his chair again, and chuckled till he cried.

162Shaving was not an easy task, for his hand continued to shake very much, and shaving requires attention, even when you don't dance while you are at it.

163But if he had cut the end of his nose off, he would have put a piece of sticking-plaster over it and been quite satisfied.

164He dressed himself all in his best, and at last got out into the streets.

165The people were by this time pouring forth, as he had seen them with the ghost of Christmas present, and walking with his hands behind him, Scrooge regarded every one for a long time.

166with a delighted smile.

167He looked so irresistibly pleasant in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, Good morning, sir, a merry Christmas to you.

168And Scrooge often said afterwards, that of all the blithe sounds he had ever heard, those were the blithest in his ears.

169He had not gone far, when coming on towards him he beheld the portly gentleman, who had walked into his counting-house the day before, and said, Scrooge amalice, a belief?

170It sent a pang across his heart to think how this old gentleman would look upon him when they met, but he knew what path lay straight before him, and he took it.

171My dear sir, said Scrooge, quickening his pace, and taking the old gentleman by both his hands.

172How do you do?

173I hope you succeeded yesterday.

174It was very kind of you.

175A merry Christmas to you, sir.

176Mr.

177Scrooge?

178Yes, said Scrooge.

179That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you.

180Allow me to ask your pardon, and will you have the goodness?

181Here Scrooge whispered in his ear.

182Lord bless me!

183cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away.

184My dear Mr.

185Scrooge, are you serious?

186If you please, said Scrooge.

187Not a farthing less.

188A great many back payments are included in it, I assure you.

189Will you do me that favour?

190My dear sir, said the other, shaking hands with him.

191I don't know what to say to such munifying.

192Don't say anything, please, retorted Scrooge.

193Come and see me.

194Will you come and see me?

195I will, cried the old gentleman, and it was clear he meant to do it.

196Thank ye, said Scrooge.

197I'm much obliged to you.

198I thank you fifty times.

199Bless you.

200He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down to the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure.

201He had never dreamed that any walk, that anything, could give him so much happiness.

202In the afternoon he turned his steps toward his nephew's house.

203He passed the door a dozen times before he had the courage to go up and knock, but he made a dash, and did it.

204Is your master at home, my dear?

205said Scrooge to the girl.

206Nice girl.

207Very.

208Yes, sir.

209Where is he, my love?

210said Scrooge.

211He is in the dining-room, sir, along with the mistress.

212I'll show you upstairs, if you please.

213Thank ye.

214He knows me.

215said Scrooge, with his hand already on the dining-room lock.

216I'll go in here, my dear.

217He turned it gently, and sidled his face in round the door.

218They were looking at the table, which was spread out in great array, for these young housekeepers are always nervous on such points, and like to see that everything is right.

219Fred!

220said Scrooge.

221Dear heart alive how his niece by marriage started!

222Scrooge had forgotten for the moment about her sitting in the corner with the footstool, or he wouldn't have done it on any account.

223Why, bless my soul!

224cried Fred.

225Who's that?

226It I, your Uncle Scrooge.

227I've come to dinner.

228Will you let me in, Fred?

229Let him in!

230It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off.

231He was at home in five minutes.

232Nothing could be heartier.

233His niece looked just the same.

234So did Topper when he came.

235So did the plump sister when she came.

236So did every one when they came.

237Wonderful party!

238Wonderful games!

239Wonderful unanimity!

240Wonderful happiness!

241But!

242He was early at the office next morning.

243Oh, he was early there!

244If he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late!

245That was the thing he had set his heart upon.

246And he did it!

247Yes, he did!

248The clock struck nine.

249No Bob!

250A quarter past.

251No Bob!

252He was full eighteen minutes and a half behind his time.

253Scrooge sat with his door wide open that he might see him come into the tank.

254His hat was off before he opened the door, his comforter too.

255He was on his stool in a jiffy, driving away with his pen, as if he were trying to overtake nine o'clock.

256Hello!

257growled Scrooge in his accustomed voice, as near as he could feign it.

258What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?

259I am very sorry, sir, said Bob.

260I am behind my time.

261You are?

262repeated Scrooge.

263Yes, I think you are.

264Step this way, sir, if you please.

265It's only once a year, sir, pleaded Bob, appearing from the tank.

266It shall not be repeated.

267I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.

268Now, I'll tell you what, my friend, said Scrooge.

269I'm not going to stand this sort of thing any longer.

270And therefore— He continued, leaping from his stool, and giving Bob such a dig in the waistcoat that he staggered back into the tank again.

271And therefore— I am about to raise your salary.

272Bob trembled, and got a little nearer to the ruler.

273He had a momentary idea of knocking Scrooge down with it, holding him, and calling to the people in the court for help and a straight waistcoat.

274A merry Christmas, Bob, said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back.

275A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year.

276I'll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop.

277Bob, make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another I, Bob Cratchit.

278Scrooge was better than his word.

279He did it all, and infinitely more.

280And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.

281He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old world.

282Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them.

283For he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset, and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms.

284His own heart laughed, and that was quite enough for him.

285He 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.

286May that be truly said of us, and all of us.

287And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, every one.

288End of chapter 5 End of a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens End of a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens