to marry him. Tim returns and is terribly depressed. Rachael turned him down for marriage - saying he has no prospects. She even called him "worthless." Things really seem bleak for this family; however, a knock at the door suddenly brings them good fortune. Mr. Alfred Hargreaves, a lawyer, has come to announce that Father's long lost father has just died and has left his fortune to him. The Trotwood Family is finally rich! Rachael appears and excitedly announces that she would love to marry Tim after all. This Christmas, the Trotwoods are indeed the happiest family in London. Charles seems happy with this story, and decides that people will simply love it. The Young Woman (ghost) feels otherwise and confronts Charles - telling him that the story is "rubbish." This makes it look like money is the answer to everything. Charles ignores her, stacks up his papers and reads over what he has just written. Charles then proclaims that it is indeed "rubbish," tears up the story and collapses to the floor. Once again, he talks to the ghost and tells her that he can't write a Christmas story. He just doesn't know how. Charles has never gotten a Christmas gift. He's had to work for everything. The ghost calms him down and tells him to simply use the memories of his past to create a story that will be honest and true. Charles does as she asks and pretty soon the characters who have played Tim and the Father in previous story attempts - now play John and Charles Dickens twenty years earlier. It seems that Young Charles has gotten into an argument with his factory employer and was fired. He, in fact, was happy that he was fired since he didn't want to spend the rest of his life working there. His father agrees with his son. Charles' Mother on the other hand has spoken to Mr. Guildfeather, Charles' employer, and is happy to announce that he has agreed to give Charles his old job back. Charles refuses to go back there, but his Mother makes him feel very guilty by telling him he is the only hope they have right now. God knows when John will get another job, and without Charles working in the factory they may have to go back to debtors' prison. Charles finally agrees, and it all seems to be decided until John steps forward and argues with his wife. Charles will not go back to work at the factory! His son should go to school. In fact, he'll do anything so that this may be possible. Even though his wife argues, John has made up his mind. Thinking back on this memory, Charles realises just how much his father did for him. Because of what John did, Charles is the writer he is today. Charles realises that he has never thanked his father for all of this. He has been too angry about everything else to remember the sacrifice made many years ago. Talking once again with the Young Woman (ghost), Charles realises that he has been wrong about Christmas all along. With his new outlook, he's ready to write that Christmas story. The new Charles is bursting with happiness and tells Mrs. Furnival to prepare a Christmas party that evening - he'll pay for it all. Invite everyone: his father, publisher, the orphans, and anyone else she wants. Christmas is a time to celebrate! Mrs. Furnival is pleased to see Charles so happy. She begins the preparations. The new Charles tells his father that he loves him, and agrees to pay all the bills that will come his way for money isn't an issue. Mr. Chapman arrives to get the Christmas story, and Charles confesses that he hasn't even begun writing, but doesn't care if he ever writes again! There are more important things than writing! Mr. Chapman feels Charles has lost his senses; however, the young writer feels he finally has come to his senses. At last he realises what Christmas really is! Mrs. Furnival announces that the food has arrived and that the orphans have, too. The Mistress of the Orphan House (who resembles the ghost who helped him find his way) thanks Charles for his generosity. Charles is quite taken with her, and thanks her and everyone else. Hearing the smallest orphan say "God bless us every one" suddenly inspires Charles to go and begin writing, and soon Young Charles Dickens, himself having found the true spirit of Christmas, is writing the famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge. MUSICAL NUMBERS: 1. Christmas In London 2. I Have No Time For Christmas 3. Peddlers On Parade 4. My Son, Charles 5. Writing Sequence I - Beautiful Flowers 6. Writing Sequence II - Flattered
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODU3MzQ=