| NARRATOR 1: | Scrooge was not a man to be frightened by loud noises. |
| SCROOGE: | Bah humbug. |
| (Sound of chains gets louder and louder) | |
| NARRATOR 2: | (ominously) But the noise came again, much louder this time. From the floors below, then coming up the stairs, then coming straight towards his door. |
| NARRATOR 1: | (ominously) And into the room, right through the closed door, came Marley’s ghost. His body was transparent and his face as thin and pinched and horrible looking as when he had been alive. |
| (sound of chains stops) | |
| SCROOGE: | (scared) What do you want? |
| MARLEY: | I have come to save you, Ebeneezer Scrooge. |
| SCROOGE: | Save me? Save me from what? |
| MARLEY: | You have yet one last chance and hope of escaping my fate: Wandering throughout the world, powerless to stop the miseries I could of healed when I was alive. You will be haunted tonight by three spirits. |
| SCROOGE: | I think I’d rather not. |
| MARLEY: | Without their visits you cannot hope to avoid the path I walk for all eternity. Expect the first when the clock strikes “one.” Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third on the next night when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate. Look to see me no more. |
| NARRATOR 1: | When it had said these words, the ghost of Jacob Marley disappeared leaving Scrooge in his room alone thoroughly frightened. He tried to say “Humbug” but couldn’t quite get the words out. |
| SCROOGE: | (squeaking) Huuu... (clears his throat). |
| NARRATOR 2: | Instead he went straight to bed without undressing and fell asleep in an instant. |
| (The clock strikes “one.”) | |
| SCROOGE: | Hunh? What’s this? What? Who are you? |
| GHOST 1: | I am the ghost of Christmas past. |
| SCROOGE: | Long past? |
| GHOST 1: | No. Your past. |
| NARRATOR 1: | The ghost took Scrooge’s hand and led him right out through the wall. The old man found himself standing on a country road. |
| GHOST 1: | Do you recognize this place, Ebeneezer Scrooge? |
| SCROOGE: | (excited) Recognize it?! I grew up here! |
| (Sounds of children’s voices) | |
| SCROOGE: | There’s my old school. |
| (School bell rings) | |
| CHILD 1: | Merry Christmas. |
| CHILD 2: | See you after vacation. |
| CHILD 3: | I hope you get lots of presents! |
| GHOST 1: | The school is closed for the holidays, but not quite deserted. A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still. |