A Christmas Carol is a classic written by Charles Dickens. It addresses social ills, spiritual matters, Holiday traditions, and all done in a very pleasing literary package. The book causes one to laugh and cry and learn to hope for the good in humanity. I will be using this story to tribute the genius of this man and will be using the same chapter titles and major story beats (in my own way of course). Instead of chapters, Dickens called them staves as in sheet music and in support of the title. This will be a combination of the classic book, various adaptations of it preceding this one, and my own imagination. I have struggled over certain plot points and I apologize over any inadvertent inaccuracies. I hope this turns out well in the end.

I hope that my retelling can do the class tale of Ebenezer Scrooge justice and that it will be a tale that all who read it can enjoy. I also ask God's blessing on this task. He is the One who gave me my talent and I'm planning to use many Biblical ideals in my narrative.

And now on with the story!

Stave One

Marley's Ghost

"Marley is dead"

"What?"

"I said that Marley is dead. As dead as a doornail"

"Oh yes. Although I don't know what's particularly dead about a door nail. Maybe a coffin nail should be used in the phrase instead?"

"Possibly

The speakers were a pair of men who were sitting at a table on a street corner. It was Christmas Eve and they had just set up there to collect money from the early morning crowd for their church charity drive. There were many such groups sent out to strategic points around the city but these two men felt they had drawn the shortest straw of all. The corner building behind them was a law firm with the words "Scrooge and Marley" displayed on the door despite the fact that Mr. Marley had been dead for several years. Mr. Scrooge could easily afford to move to a more prestigious location but didn't seem to want to use the money that would be involved.

"The cheapskate doesn't even want to shell out to remove his late partners name from the door. I guess that's what made me mention Marley. I was just sort of thinking out loud, you know." He shuddered and turned his back to the door in question "Why did we get sent here? Is the Lord testing us?"

"Shush. I'm sure Scrooge isn't all bad…deep, deep, down that is."

"Are you kidding? Some of his so called court victories still send shivers down my spine. I mean that man will take any case, literally anything that comes along as long as the price is right. I can't believe that abortion related lawsuit even came to court and then to have Scrooge guide things to that despicable sentence!" The speaker shivered and his friend put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know…I know. Look, it's Christmas Eve. Instead of talking about evil why don't we try to do some good to counter it?"

And they began to do just that. Business was a bit slower than they might have hoped but the day was still young and those who did stop to give were generous. One man who came walking very swiftly up the street gave a small amount with a guilty smile as if he wished he could give more. Then, to the interest of the charity collectors, he began to unlock the door of Scrooge and Marley.

"Excuse me sir but…do you work for Mr. Scrooge?"

"I'm sad to say that I do. My name is Bob Cratchit and I am Mr. Scrooge's Administrative Assistant. It basically means I'm his secretary but my way sounds a little better don't you think?" Bob was a pleasant looking man with a kind face but subtle worry lines around eyes. He was a little below average height and there wasn't much spring in his step "My job includes typing, filing, answering phones, sweeping the office and anything that pops into Mr. Scrooge's head." He chuckled and joked "I guess I'm a glorified slave."

"I am so sorry" the first man said before his friend stepped on his foot

"I…I need this job. I had a hard time finding one and am very grateful to Mr. Scrooge for giving me an opportunity. And now, as much as I hate to cut off this conversation, I really need to go…Good morning, Mr. Scrooge."

The two charity men turned in shock to see they had been joined by Edward Scrooge himself. He was a tall man with a permanent scowl on his face. His true age was very hard to guess; there was grey in his hair but his face was rougher than it was wrinkled. He was a thin man and his eyes were cold and dark. They seemed to actually shoot a chilly aura out of them that could make a man shiver if he dared look Scrooge in the eye.

"And what is this?" His voice was soft but commanding. The two charity men had to collect their nerves before answering.

"We are from the New Hope Community Church and we are collecting donations for those who are poor and needy." Behind them, Bob Cratchit gulped and quickly ducked inside the office "There are many of us all over the area hoping to collect a generous amount for those so desperately need it."

Scrooge's eyes narrowed and looked more closely at the sign on the front of the table. His eyes grew even colder as they landed upon the collection tins "Need, eh? If they need it so badly then why can't get jobs and stop cluttering our streets and welfare offices? Why don't they get off of their backsides instead of just waiting for others to give them what they should be earning themselves?"

"Sir, with the current job market…"

"They are what is wrong with the current job market. They're lazy and weak, giving a bad image to employers and screwing up the entire system. That's why I don't give to so called charities: I would only be enabling idleness and often my money doesn't even reach them but goes into the pockets of the collectors."

"That, Mr. Scrooge, is an unfair stereotype…"

"Life is unfair. What about the soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and places of that sort? They seem to be adequate establishments considering the money picked from my pocket as part of my taxes. Anyone who is that badly off should go there."

The two men looked horrified at what they were hearing and that it was being said in such cold seriousness. Scrooge never raised his voice but there was a building intensity all the same. They were seeing a fraction of the magic he often worked in courtrooms and in business meetings. He didn't think highly enough of the situation to waste all of his corrupt talents on these two men but they were still getting an accurate read of him.

"Well sir" one man said as he began to slowly recover "Those establishments are temporary solutions at best and many times are unable to meet everyone's needs. In fact, many die in the streets due to the lack of resources alone."

Scrooge displayed a falsely dramatic shrug and responded "I don't see how that's really my business. There are too many people in the world anyway these days and it's what the losers probably deserve for not putting more effort into their own pathetic lives. If anyone is in a bad situation it is their own fault. I'm done with this conversation; I'm going to work" his eyes flickered significantly to the table at this point, conveying his opinion of their chosen occupation for the day "and am going to try to recover the valuable time I was robbed of my speaking to you." He turned towards his door but added one final remark "I realize that this is a public sidewalk and that you may waste your time as you wish but should you disrupt my business in anyway, I will not hesitate to call the police."

Leaving two very stunned men in his wake, Scrooge entered his orderly but chilly office. A cold office was cheaper than a warm one and he used the thermostat sparingly.

"Get to work Cratchit. Get those letters from yesterday typed up and clean your workstation. I honestly don't know how you function in that clutter."

"Of course Mr. Scrooge; shall I brew some coffee for you as well?"

"Yes do so but be sparing, Cratchit. The price of coffee is rising."

"Yes sir"

Scrooge sat at his own impeccably organized desk and booted up his computer. He soon accepted a cup of weak coffee from Bob, added something to it from his well stocked liquor cabinet, and settled in to his work for the day. Soon, he was distracted by an incoming Skype call on his computer.

"Hmm…I don't recognize the screen name although I have known associates to change them. I suppose I should check this out" Scrooge clicked the "Accept" icon and groaned when the screen was filled by his nephew's grinning face "I'll give you points for shrewdness Fred. I must admit, I didn't expect to see you today."

"Is that anyway to wish your favorite relative a Merry Christmas?"

"Christmas is a load of nonsense."

Fred looked wounded "How rude. What if someone said that about your birthday?"

"Oh please Fred, I'm not drunk enough to have this conversation again. Why should I care about some fairy tale character that was not even born in December?"

"I would come to my Lord's defense but He doesn't need it and you might switch me off."

"Since you like miracles, you may consider it one that I haven't already. I've already had my fill of Christmas for the day."

"What about this holiday offends you so, Uncle Scrooge? I've always loved Christmas."

"And I think you're an idiot; you and everyone else who celebrates this stupid season. If it wasn't for all of the lovely lawsuits and other profits it gives me, I'd have some very choice rewards for the Christmas fanatics for the world."

"Boiled in pudding and buried with holly in their heart?"

"You did pay attention last year" Scrooge responded with a weak smile "I'm mildly impressed but it does raise the question of why you keep trying to change my mind."

"I do it because I care, Uncle Scrooge. I tell you, Christmas and the One whom it represents have both been very good for me. I don't make money off of it like you do but I do gain far richer rewards. I've always seen this time of the long and weary year as a time when mankind becomes kinder and more understanding. When we sinful children of dirt find that we actually have hearts and that our fellow citizens of Earth do as well. We look at each other and see actual people with actual feelings and dreams and hopes instead of pawns in our own schemes. For these and other reasons I could list, I believe that Christmas has done me good and will do so in the future and I say God bless it!"

Scrooge's retort was preempted by Bob Cratchit's enthusiastic clapping. His head snapped up and he glared at his now cowering assistant "I don't butt into other people's private conversations but I do fire impertinent employees." Bob dropped into his seat and began to work with new vigor. Scrooge turned back to the screen and said "Not a bad speech Fred. I don't know why you waste my money attending that college for a physical education degree when you could join me at the bar or even enter politics."

"I considered politics but I am unqualified due to still having a soul. You know that my dream is to be a teacher and my passion is health of both the mind and body which makes me think of your personal habits, Uncle. Your alcohol addiction is one such cause for concern…"

"Did you call me for a reason, Fred? If so, please make your point as I do have work to do."

"I wanted to invite you to come see me and my friends here at school tomorrow. It's just a couple of hours down the road for you and I'm planning a Christmas party. My girlfriend, Clara, would be, er, interested to meet you."

"Girlfriend…if there is anything in the world I find sillier than Christmas its sentiment and romance. I don't feel the need to drive all that way when I can already see you perfectly well via the internet and I also don't wish to subject myself such idiotic notions as the ones I mentioned previously."

Fred look genuinely hurt and his usual smile was absent as he said "But…we're family. Doesn't that count for anything when we only have each other?"

"Not when I have better uses for my time and money. And with that, I don't believe there is anything else to say but good bye."

"I suppose there isn't Uncle. Merry Christmas"

"Merry Christmas" he responded in a very unkind tone "What nonsense! Good day, Fred." He disconnected the video call and blocked Fred's new screen name thus preventing further communication from his nephew. He poured himself a tall drink and glanced at a photo of Marley, his late friend and partner "You always knew how to deal with such morons better than I, Jacob. These past years have been harder without your sanity to sustain me." He toasted the photo before draining the glass and returning to his desk. As he settled into his chair, he glanced back at the photo of Marley because it seemed to have smiled at him but he dismissed it quickly and got to work

The day wore on with few other incidents. Scrooge made several important phone calls, prepared papers and speeches for the cases he was currently working on, checked his stocks and investments several times, and grumbled a few times about the men who kept right on collecting money and spreading their Christmas cheer outside his door. At lunchtime, he had a simple meal that he had prepared at home. Bob also had a packed lunch but it was even more meager than his boss's.

At one point, in the middle of the afternoon, the door opened and Bob was heard saying "Hello Mr. Flint. We weren't expecting you today."

Scrooge groaned as Joe Flint, his only true rival in whole area, entered the office with a smirk "Hello Scrooge. Are you working today of all days?"

"Money is money and I like to stay on top of things. That's how winners act, Flint."

"Winners? Oh you must mean me, the man so rich that he can work whenever he wants and can actually enjoy Christmas. Oh that right, you consider all to be nonsense, right?"

"Indeed. Do you have business here or are you just wasting my time?"

"I happened to be walking by and I wanted to drop in on my dear rival in business. I must always be grateful to the one who helps pave the path for my greatness. And besides, Scrooge, there's no shame in second place."

"You'll have to tell me about that after I win my next case" Scrooge slid a file into view and Flint's eyes got big

"You're the one who stole the factory case from me?" Might need to put more details in here

"Yes I am. They wanted the very best in handling the unfair sanitation complaints being lobbied against them. And now, as pleasant as crushing your spirits has been, I think I'll now ask Cratchit to show you to the door." Flint left with a scowl and Scrooge chuckled to himself as he took a sip of his hard coffee. "I may despise that man but he's always good for a laugh."

"If you say so, Sir" Bob said as he pulled his coat tighter around himself and huddled back over his desk. His eyes fell longingly upon the forbidden thermostat. He felt Scrooge's eyes on the back of his neck and he returned to his typing. Bob continued slaving away for Scrooge for the next couple of hours until the clock on the wall chimed quitting time. "Is there anything you wish me do to before going, Sir?"

"No, Cratchit, that will be all for today. I'll see you the day after tomorrow I suppose" his already dark eyes clouded over at the thought of giving Bob another Christmas Day off of work.

"Yes sir. It is traditional after all".

"Yes but some traditions are just plain stupid. Have the blasted day, Cratchit but be prepared to work flat out the next."

"Yes Sir. Thank you, Sir. Merry…" he quickly bit his lip to stifle that last one.

"You were saying something, Cratchit?"

"Never mind, Sir, it was nothing"

Scrooge growled and exited the office, leaving Bob to finish tidying and locking up. He marched around the corner to the small parking lot where his car sat waiting for him. The drive home was a foggy and miserable one but Scrooge was soon turning onto his street. He scowled and glared at the usual gang of boys loitering on the corner. They were a rough and very disrespectful lot and Scrooge had no patience for them. A small boy towards the front was one that Scrooge had not seen before; he looked rather uncomfortable with his new friends but Scrooge wasted no sympathy on him.

"If the brat can't find a more productive use of his time, then it's none of my concern."

Scrooge's house was a handsome dwelling further down the street. While every house around it was decked in lights and decorations, Scrooge's home proved to be a dark blot on the cheery road. It had once been shared by his now dead partner, Jacob Marley, but Scrooge wasn't thinking about him as he pulled into the garage and secured the garage door. He crossed the cold and dark room and began fumbling with his keys at the door to the house proper.

As the door opened, light from the neighbor's house streamed through the garage window and mingled with the shadows of Scrooge's laundry room. The effect was quite eerie and Scrooge jumped back as he thought he saw Marley standing in the small room draped in shadows. He rubbed his eyes and looked again but saw nothing but an empty room. "Nonsense" Scrooge muttered to himself as he entered and locked the door very securely.

Scrooge was trying not to admit to himself how rattled he was. It really had looked like his old friend was standing there and looking him right in the eye. It was the expression Scrooge couldn't understand as it had been so very sad.

"Get a hold of yourself, Edward. You're just…really hungry. Need food."

He carefully put away his coat, keys, and other personal items. Despite his self assurance of the whole incident at the door being a hunger hallucination, his hands shook and he dropped his wallet. He let out a few choice words and began gathering the cash that had slipped from it. His blood ran cold when he looked at a one dollar bill and saw Marley's face instead of Washington's. He straightened up, closed his eyes and took a deep, sobering breath. He looked at the bill again and it was once again the visage of the first president.

"It's all a load of nonsense. Spirits and imagination are both nonsense."

Scrooge put the money away with great care and prepared a simple meal in the kitchen. His cupboards were stocked with simple, cheap ingredients like noodles, rice, and inexpensive canned goods. The bulk of his grocery budget went towards the liquor cabinets, both here and at the office. He poured himself a drink from that selfsame supply and sat down at the dining room table to partake of his supper.

It was slightly unnerving to sit across from Marley's traditional seat but he could do little about that. He refused to disturb Marley's things any more than was necessary and now a simple action like moving a chair from the room was defeating him. He sighed at his own silly sentimentality and tried to focus on his food and nothing else. He soon fetched his tablet computer and began to check the news and stocks of the day. His thoughts quickly drifted from his late friend and he found a sort of contentment.

As he neared the end of the meal and was thinking about going to bed, he heard a strange sound. It was the faint jingling of bells and the alarm app activated depicting said bells. The sound grew louder and louder and he could turn the alarm off. The bells grew even louder and pummeled the power switch to no affect. It was quickly joined by the phones, alarm clocks, and any similar device in the house. Just as it reached a level he could no longer stand, the bells were silenced and the apps went blank.

"What on earth was that?" Scrooge asked as he stared at the inert tablet lying on the table

"That was my entrance. I didn't know it would be that…loud."

Scrooge's blood ran ice cold. He knew that voice very well. He very slowly raised his head and saw Jacob Marley sitting across the table in his old chair. His skin was extremely pale and his eyes carried deep sorrow but his clothes and hair and the rest were exactly the same as the day he had died. Scrooge's eye was drawn to the wound right above the heart where a street thug's stray bullet had once intruded. His own heart was beating very heavily and his head was spinning.

"How…what…who…?"

"Where, which, and when" Marley responded with a very hollow chuckle "Do you honestly not recognize me, Edward?"

"I…I feel sick…I must be sick."

"If you think you feel bad, imagine how I feel. I'm dead."

"No…I mean yes you are which means you can't be here."

"Oh boy, another product of the modern age refusing to believe what's right in front of him although, to be fair, I used to be like that. You are not having indigestion, you are not hallucinating, you are not drunk…although that's another miracle, my thirsty friend. I really am here."

"Can you prove that in some way?"

Marley gave a sad little roll of his eyes, pushed his chair back from the table and rose very stiffly to his feet. His movements were labored, as if he were carrying some great invisible weight. He walked around the table and laid his hand on Scrooge's shoulder. It was very cold and very solid. Scrooge shrugged it off and pushed his chair backwards from the apparition.

"Holy s…" but the second word died in his throat. "You're either real or I'm having the worst episode of my life. And as I'd hate to doubt my own sanity…" he took a deep breath and asked "How is this possible, Jacob?"

"I'm not entirely sure myself. I know that ever since my death, I have longed to warn you about what's on the other side…and I still can't." His eyes flashed in pain at these words but he recovered and plowed on "It seems the prayers of others have somehow brought about this miracle and I have been given the wonderful gift of being the messenger of the miracle that's still to come."

"You can't tell me anything about the afterlife? You've been there, how can that be?"

"For one thing, the true details are beyond the imagination and knowledge of any mortal. Another is that, for me, it's a place I'd never wish to describe to you, my one and only friend."

"Friend…yes, you are my friend Jacob so tell me something comforting. Stop this horror movie act."

"Comfort!?" the ghost shouted with a pained quality in his voice. "I'm surprised I can still even speak the word. It comes from places that I will never again have access to. However, you can. You can Edward Scrooge if you take advantage of the coming miracle. Oh" suddenly he dropped to his knees in tears of purest anguish and Scrooge awkwardly patted his friend on the back "Oh to look at you so full of life and potential! I was like that once. I had so much potential but I wasted it! Completely wasted it!"

Marley was getting hysterical and Scrooge was becoming frightened again "You did live up to your potential, Jacob, you did. Think of the money we made, the business we built, the cases we won…"

"And what do any of those empty shadows have to do with mankind's true purpose and potential, you arrogant moron! What do you know of potential when your life mirrors mine?" He drew some deep calming breaths and slowly climbed to his feet. Scrooge was paralyzed in fear by this time but Jacob looked more in control now "I apologize, Edward. I promised myself that I wouldn't do that. Another promise I broke…" he gave a weak, sad chuckle and stood completely erect.

"So" Scrooge said slowly "I gather I'm doing something wrong?"

"That's the understatement of century. Listen to me, Edward; I have very little time left. I can say no more except to tell you about those who will help you. You will have three more visitors tonight."

"Like you?"

"In a way."

"Then I think I have to say thanks but no thanks."

"You really can be an idiot sometimes. This is an extremely rare and precious gift. I suggest you accept it. Expect the first visitor tonight at one o clock and no, you can't have them all at once. It doesn't work that way." Marley flickered like a candle and winced badly "My time is up. As sad as it sounds, I honestly hope to never see you again. I hope you find something far better waiting beyond death. Goodbye my dear friend…goodbye."

And Marley was gone. Scrooge looked around the room in alarm but his old friend had returned to wherever he had come from. His eyes fell upon Marley's chair; it was back in its usual spot and Scrooge felt faintly groggy, as if he had just woken from a nap. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was after midnight.

"I…I must have fallen asleep. There's no such thing as ghosts, it's all…" Once again the word caught in his throat and he was shaken by how vivid the dream suddenly felt. He touched his shoulder but there was no chill there, no evidence it had been touched by a ghost. "I need to clear my head" he reached for the bottle sitting next to his plate but oddly withdrew his hand "Actually I think I've had enough of spirits for one night. Perhaps a drive will help me feel ready for bed. And besides" he joked "maybe the ghosts won't be able to find me" He stood and started walking to where he kept his keys "Midnight drives and talking to yourself…you're losing it, Eddie"