(We open back in the auditorium. The curtain pulls back to reveal Slip on a bare, foggy stage.)

Slip: Spirit? Where are you, spirit?

(That's when a tall spirit in a long black robe seemingly glides onstage. His familiar hands are all we can see of him.)

(The fog is beginning to dissipate, revealing the Fezziwig's Tavern/Cratchits' House set.)

Slip: Spirit, are you the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?

(The spirit merely nods.)

Slip: So yer gonna show me my future, right?

(The spirit nods again as we see people come onto the darkened Cratchits' House set.)

Slip: *Sighs* Spirit, I fear you more than any others, but I'm not the man I was. I realize yer purpose is to do me good. I am prepared to bear yer company. *pauses* But will you not speak to me?

(The spirit just points to the Cratchits' House set. We see Rachel, Jane, and most of the kids sitting around the fireplace. Rachel and Jane are sewing. The kids play with small, hand-made toys. Peter reads.)

Slip: What gives, Spirit?

Jane: (Frowns when we hear a sob escape from Rachel's lips) Mother, are you crying again? :(

Rachel: (She sniffles and shakes her head) No. It's just that sewing in this dim light hurts my eyes. (Sighs) Where is your father? He's late getting home.

Peter: He's been walking very slowly these past few weeks.

Belinda: He always seemed to walk so quickly when...when... (She frowns, and her eyes fill with tears, too.)

Chuck: *Enters quietly through the door and closes it behind him.* Hello, family.

Rachel: Bob. (She and the children immediately hurry to him) Did you go...see him again?

Chuck: *nods sadly* I did go see Tim. I spoke a few words, then sat beside... him.

Belinda: Is he...in a good place? (She's starting to cry; Rachel puts her arms around her.)

Chuck: I would say so.

Slip: *Turns to the ghost* Spirit, is Tim...gone?

(The spirit just nods again. Rachel takes Chuck in her arms.)

Slip: Oh no...

Rachel: He...he was always such a good boy. We'll miss him terribly. And you...I know how you felt about him...

Chuck: A part of me is gone forever.

Rachel: Oh Bob... (She sobs into his arms, and they cry together as the children and Jane gather around them. The lights dim, and they walk off, their arms around each other.)

Slip: Spirit, this can't be right! There must be some way to avoid this!

(The spirit leads Slip back into the London street set. There are several people - including Scruno, Butch, Bobby, Whitey, and a group of kids - gathered around the front of the countinghouse set.)

Bobby: (Nods) Yup, it happened. He's dead.

Butch: That means we don't owe him money for Fezziwig's anymore!

Kid #1: Or our parents' homes!

Kid #2: He won't throw us into the streets!

Kid #3: Or try to kick us for singing carols near him!

Butch: Or try to get out of payin' for his dinner.

Bobby: (Sighs) I'll miss him...but not the him who just died. That wasn't anyone I ever knew.

Slip: Spirit, of whom do they speak?

Bobby: (He puts his arms around Scruno and Butch's shoulders) Come on, guys. Let's go celebrate. Drinks are on me.

(As they head off-stage, the set goes with them. We see fog again, and a backdrop representing a graveyard. A grave rolls in. The spirit points to the shadowy grave.)

(Slip slowly creeps up to the grave...but he stops before he gets to it.)

Slip: Wait, Spirit, tell me one thing before I look at the grave. Are these shadows of things that WILL be, or MAY be?

(The spirit continues to point at the grave.)

Slip: A life can be changed, spirit. If one changed the way they live, the end result will be different. And it must be so for what you've shown me. This can all be changed.

(The spirit just points as the spotlight shines on the grave...and the name on it.)

Slip: *Sighs* Fine. Be that way. *Kneels in front of the grave; his eyes widen* Ebeneezer Scrooge... *falls back onto his rear end* Spirit! This can't be! *pauses* Those men... were speakin' of me.

Duke: (He pulls down the hood of the robe to reveal him smoking a cigar) Yeah, it was you. You're real popular, ain't ya? The richest man in the cemetery...with the least friends.

Slip: *Swallows hard and tugs at his collar* Du...Spirit, please... I'm not the man I was! Why show me this if I'm beyond hope?

Duke: This is it, pal. Your future. Like the Ghost of Christmas Past said, that it what it is, don't blame me. It's your choices.

Slip: *Pulls a handkerchief from an inside pocket and mops his brow* Yes, I can change. I HAVE changed! I'm not the man I was. I WILL honor Christmas.

Duke: You will, huh?

Slip: *Mutters* When'd it get so hot in here? *normally* I will, spirit! I'll live in the past, present, an' future an' I won't forget what I've learned tonight.

Duke: Yeah, sure. (He starts laughing...and keeps laughing as Slip desperately grabs his robe. Duke ducks out of the robe as the grave rolls out and the Scrooge's bedroom set rolls in.)

Slip: Spirit, I... *looks around* I'm back in my room...

(Slip realizes he's holding his bed curtains. He pushes them away, then goes to the "window." He opens it to reveal one of the kids from the last scene in the now partially-revealed London set, making a paper-mache snowman.)

Slip: You, boy! What day is it?

Kid: What day is it? Why, it's Christmas Day, of course!

Slip: I didn't miss it after all! *calls out again* Boy, do you know the prize turkey in the store window a few doors down?

Kid: What, the one as big as me?

Slip: Yes, that one. Buy it for me!

Kid: Go on. Pull the other leg.

Slip: Go an' buy it an' I'll pay you twice as much as it costs!

Kid: Wow! Thank you! (He's off like a shot)

Slip: That's a good lad. *Grins, then rushes about the room, throwing a scarf and his hat on haphazardly, before dashing out the "door"*

(Slip is in such a hurry, he doesn't see the same three charity-collectors - Whitey, Duke, and Butch - that we saw in the beginning of the play, along with the woman in the cloak and bonnet whose face we couldn't see in the first part.)

Butch: Oh, we're sorry, sir, we weren't looking where we were... (his eyes widen) Mr. Scrooge!

Slip: *His eyes widen as he glances along the three men* I'll be...

Duke: I'll be what?

Butch: Sir, you look as if you just saw a ghost!

Slip: *His voice goes up a few octaves* Me!? No, there's no such thing! *clears his throat* Uh, yer the three men who came into my counting house lookin' for a donation yesterday...

Whitey: *Nods* Yes, sir, we are.

Slip: *Eagerly shakes each of their hands* I must apologize for yesterday! That wasn't an overly pleasant meetin' yesterday. I assure you, I'm much better now.

Woman: Scrooge? (She turns around and pulls off her bonnet...to reveal Sally in a gray wig, glasses, and aging make-up similar to Slip's)

Duke: (Smirks) Oh, you haven't met our Mrs. Hamilton, the owner of our charity.

*Slip's eyes widen, not having expected to see Sally among the group.*

Whitey: *Notices Slip's slack-jawed expression and leans over to him* Slip? You okay?

Slip: *Slowly nods* Uh yeah, I think.

Sally: (Cooly) Hello, Mr. Scrooge. It's been a long time.

Slip: Ye...yeah. Sa...Belle. *manages a slight smile, but he's flustered*

Butch: You were sayin' something about being better, Mr. Scrooge?

Sally: Yes, what brings you outside so early on a day when there's no business to be done?

Slip: I... *pauses, suddenly at a loss for his lines: closes his eyes* Yeah, there is. I still got some wrongs to right. *Opens his eyes again to look at Sally*

Sally: Such as?

Slip: My donation to yer charity. Put me down for... *leans over to Sally, but doesn't give her an "amount"* We need to talk later. Please.

Sally: (Nods) Fine. (Her eyes widen when she pulls away.) Really? That much?

Butch: How much is he giving?

Whitey: Yeah?

(Sally leans over Butch and whispers in his ear. His eyes widens, and he passes it onto the other two.)

Butch: Wow!

Duke: Whoa.

Whitey: Oh my!

Kid: (He shows up...well, he might, if there's a kid behind the massive fake turkey) Here's that turkey you ordered, sir!

Slip: *Drops some coins in the boy's shirt pocket* Deliver that to Bob Cratchit's home, please, boy.

Slip: *Turns to Sally* Sa...Belle, would you like to accompany me to my nephew Fred's house for dinner?

Boy: Thank you! (He hurries off, delighted.)

Sally: Well, you did just donate all that money to my charity. My children are out-of-town, and my husband passed away three years ago. (Takes Slip's arm) Why not?

Slip: *Smiles* Thank you.

Sally: You're welcome. (Mutters to Slip as the Scrooge's Countinghouse/Fred's House set rolls out) How are you feeling now?

Slip: *Mutters back* I know there's som'en wrong, an' I wanna talk about it. I ain't pushin' any of you away anymore.

Sally: We'll discuss it off-stage. (She takes his hand as we hear a burst of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas.") Shall we dance?

Slip: Yes, let’s.

(The two laugh and dance right up to the "door." Slip knocks. Sach opens. His eyes widen when he sees who's on the other end.)

Sach: Ch...uh, Uncle? What brings you here? I thought you'd be busy countin' your money.

Slip: What for? *grins* Merry Christmas, nephew!

Sach: Uh, Merry Christmas! Who's your female friend?

Cynthia: (Joins him) Fred, who... (Her eyes widen on seeing Slip) Uncle Scrooge? What are you doing here?

Slip: This is Belle, a good friend of mine I haven't seen in too long. *smiles at Sach and Cynthia* Why, Fred invited me!

Slip: Can we come in?

Fred: Sure!

Cynthia: (Smiles) Any friend of Uncle Scrooge's is a friend of ours!

(They enter. Everyone is finishing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas.")

Sach: (He turns to the group as they swarm around them) Everyone, I want you to meet my Uncle Scrooge an' his lady friend Belle.

Cynthia: (Smiles at Scrooge) I'm very glad you were able to come. You seem much happier than...well, than you've ever been.

Sach: Yeah! What gives, Uncle? What made you change your mind?

Slip: It's a long story, but lets just say I had a change of heart.

Sally: Do you mean it?

Slip: I mean it an' I can prove it, but only if you'll all join me in a visit to someone special.

Sach: Oooh, a trip!

Cynthia: Who?

Sally: Well, let's go find out!

(Everyone goes across the set. As they do, the Fezziwig's Tavern/Cratchits' House set rolls out. It takes Peter, Belinda, Jane, and Rachel to get the turkey on the table. Chuck arrives with Tiny Tim just as they do.)

Tiny Tim: Wow! That's the biggest turkey I ever saw!

Rachel: Someone sent us a turkey with all the trimmings...but we don't know who!

Chuck: Who would do such a kind deed?

*There's a knock at the door.*

Rachel: Who could that be?

Tim: (Grins) Father Christmas?

Peter: Probably some beggar who smelled our turkey.

Rachel: Well, Bob, why don't we see?

Chuck: *Opens the door; his eyes widen upon seeing Slip and the others outside* Mr. Scrooge!

Rachel: (Narrows her eyes) Boy, do I have some choice words to say to you! (Mutters angrily to Slip) In real-life, too. You leave Chuck the hell alone!

Slip: *Mutters back* Rachel, I was wrong. We already talked an' he set me straight.

*Chuck gives a slight nod, hearing what Slip said.*

Rachel: (Frowns) Well, all right. (Out Loud) What brings you here, Mr. Scrooge?

Slip: Well, I wanted to see how ya liked the turkey I sent over. I brought a party. *motions to everyone who came with him; then puts an arm around Chuck's shoulders* An' Bob's now my partner. My good friend Belle's charity's gonna help you out.

Sally: (Nods) That's right.

Rachel: You... (she finally smiles) Thank you, sir. (Elbows Chuck) Say something nice, Bob. You just got promoted.

Chuck: *Smiles, dumbfounded* Thank you.

Slip: *Shakes Chuck a little* Yer welcome, partner.

Sach: (He turns to the audience) He did it all, and, well..a lot more. And to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was like a second father. He became as good a friend and as good a master as the good old city ever knew, and it was said that he knew how to keep Christmas well in his heart. May that be truly said of us, and of all of us. And so, as Tiny Tim observed...

Tiny Tim: God bless us everyone!

(Everyone sings "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" again before joining together for the curtain calls. Sally turns to Slip as the curtain closes.)

Sally: Slip, do you really mean what you said onstage?

Slip: *Nods and holds out his hand* Yeah, I did, Sally. *opens his hand to reveal the ring* Will ya take me back?

Sally: Do you promise to not mope around anymore?

Slip: How about I promise to let all of you help me out? *frowns* I do still have some things to sort out.

Sally: All right. (Takes the ring) Merry Christmas. Mr. Scrooge.

Slip: *Smiles at her* Merry Christmas.

(Sally takes Slip’s hand, and they and the others walk off-stage together. She turns to Slip, frowning.)

Sally: Slip...what's going on?

Slip: *Sighs* I finally realized I have been actin' like a jerk.

Sally: It took you long enough. What made you change your mind?

Slip: *Looks in Chuck's direction* My brother knows more than I do.

*Chuck turns to face Slip, his eyebrows raising. Who, me?*

Slip: An' playin' Scrooge helped me realize I'd BECOME Scrooge.

Sally: We were trying to tell you that earlier. (Puts a hand on his hand) I don't want to leave you, honey. I love you. I know you were hurt badly last month, but...you'll heal. We'll help you heal, if you'll let us.

Slip: *Nods* I will now. I just wouldn't listen earlier.

Butch: (He puts a hand on Slip's shoulder) We're glad you're feeling better.

Sally: (Nods) This all has to do with that play and what those women did, doesn't it?

Slip: Yeah.

Butch: Chief...I'm not happy about what happened with the play, either. But it was a month ago. I'm not gonna let it ruin my Christmas.

Slip: An' ya shouldn't, Butch. It weren't yer fault.

Sally: It wasn't yours, either. (Takes his shoulders) Believe that this time.

Slip: I know that.

Butch: I'm glad you do. This is supposed to be a happy time, Chief. You usually love Christmas.

Chuck: He's right, Slip. *Gently puts an arm around Slip's shoulders.*

Butch: (Puts his arm around Slip's other side) Maybe we can all do something fun together. Even Sach.

Slip: *Nods* I'd like that, fellas.

Sally: Just remember that we all love you, even if we're not here all the time. If you really feel down again, just come to us.

Butch: Or any of us. That means Gabe or Bobby or Duke or Scruno, too.

Slip: Yeah. I just don't know. I got so caught up...

Butch: That can happen at Christmas, Chief. A lot of people get overwhelmed.

Sally: When you do get stressed or upset, just remember...you have people here to talk to who want you to be happy.

Chuck: Slip, even if you aren't normally happy most of the time, anyway.

Butch: (Grins) That's true.

Slip: I ain't gonna disagree wit' that.

Butch: Why don't we head back to Louie's? He's having the cast party there.

Chuck: I think that's a great idea. Let’s have some fun.

Slip: Sure, fellas. *turns to Sally and takes her arm* Would you be so kind as to accompany me?

Sally: Of course. (She smiles at Slip) Merry Christmas, honey.

Slip: *Finally gives her a smile* Merry Christmas, Sal.

Butch: (Grins) And god bless us, everyone!

(The four laugh as they head off-stage. The camera focuses on the single light against a star over the London set as we fade out.)