Notes: So, if you're still here after the last chapter's closing number: this is the final chapter of the story! The songs here are A Christmas Carol (reprise) from the 1997 film, and Oh, What a Merry Christmas Day (reprise) from Mickey's Christmas Carol.
Chapter 7: Curtain Call
Scrooge howled in terror, the maniacal laughter of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come following him as he went...
"I'LL CHANGE! I SWEAR, I'LL CHANGE...!"
THUD!
Scrooge looked around...
He slowly felt a smile creeping over his face...
He had fallen face first...on his own bedroom floor.
"I'm home!"
He jumped to his feet, and grabbed the curtains of the bed.
"They are not torn down, rings and all...they're still here! I'm still here! Oh, heaven and the Christmastime be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Maurice! Do you hear me?! On my knees!
"I've lived a tale of a Christmas
"That caused my spirit to burn:
"My past, my present, and my future
"All taught me I've so much to learn!
"I've lived a tale of a miser,
"Who spoiled every joy that he could...
"Then, he got older, and wiser,
"And only yearned to be good!
"Once, my memories
"Brought me nothing but pain...
"But, now, it's Christmas!
"I've new, precious memories to gain! "I'll sing a song about wonder,
"Like snow from the heavens above!
"I've a new song about Christmas!
"Ha Ha Ha Ha! I'VE A NEW SONG
"OF LOVE!"
Scrooge paced around excitedly, chuckling to himself the whole time.
"I...I just don't know what to do! I'm as happy as an angel, as merry as a schoolboy, as giddy as a drunken man!"
Without thinking, he threw open his window.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYBODY!" he called out to the people passing by on the street below. "HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE WORLD!"
Just then, he realized something, and shut the window quickly.
"I don't even know what day of the month it is...I don't know how long I've been among the spirits! Ha Ha, I don't know anything, really! I am practically a baby!"
He reopened the window, and shouted to the first person he saw: a small, elephant-like creature with the wings of a tropical bird.
"Hello, hello!" called Scrooge. "What's today?"
Morton, the elephant-bird, flew up closer, so he could hear.
"I'm sorry...what did you say?"
Scrooge chuckled again.
"An intelligent boy...a remarkable boy...I asked, 'what's today?'"
"Oh...well, it's Christmas Day, of course!"
Scrooge laughed aloud, and looked down, into space, running a paw through the fur on top of his head.
"It's Christmas Day! I haven't missed it...the spirits have done it all in one night! Well, they can do anything they like...of course! Um...my fine young fellow?" he said, raising his eyes once more to meet the confused elephant bird's.
"Er...yes, sir?"
"Do you know whether the poulterer's shop on the corner is still open?"
"It is, sir."
"And do you know if they've sold the prize turkey hanging in the window? Not the little one, the big one!"
"What, the one as big as me?"
Scrooge laughed harder.
"It's a pleasure talking to you, lad! Yes, that one!"
"It's still there!"
"Is it? Go and buy it!"
The elephant bird snorted, and began to fly away.
"Oh, go on!"
"No, no, wait! Stay, please! I am in earnest! Go and tell them to bring it here, so that I can give them the money and directions on where to take it. Come back in less than five minutes, and I'll give you half a crown!"
"Yes, sir!" said Morton, and flapped away as fast as his wings could carry him.
"I'll send it to Oswald's house," Scrooge mumbled, as he quickly put on his coat, hat, trousers, etc. "He shan't know who sent it...it's twice the size of Lucky! What a surprise this will be!"
It WAS a turkey, to be sure: he never could have stood upon his own two legs, that bird! He might have snapped them off in an instant, like old candlesticks! Scrooge chuckled as he paid for the bird, chuckled as he told the Turkey-carrier to take it to Oswald's place on Camden road, chuckled as he gave some money for a cab, chuckled as he paid Morton for his troubles...
"I think we get the idea."
Filled with more joy than he could remember ever feeling, Scrooge grabbed his cane and took to the streets, his heart set on wishing the entire planet a merry Christmas. Everyone was out and about this fine morning, and it wasn't long before he came across two familiar faces...
"Ah! My dear gentlemen!" called Scrooge, quickening his pace before the two could evade him.
"M-Mr. Scrooge?" stammered the White Rabbit as the black cat took his paws and shook them firmly, while the March Hare let out a short yelp and tried to hide behind his ledger.
"Yes, that's my name, and I fear it isn't pleasant to you. But, allow me to ask your pardon, and about that charity of yours..."
"Y-y-yes?"
"Put me down for..."
Scrooge whispered in the rabbit's ear, while the Hare listened in.
Both gasped in surprise.
"Lord bless meh!" squeaked the March Hare.
"My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you...are you SERIOUS?"
"And not a penny less...plus a great many back-payments included, I assure you."
"I...I don't know what to say..."
"Then don't say anything! I am much obliged to you; will you come and see me?"
"Yes, yes!"
"Aye, we will!"
"Bless you...fifty times, thank you! Merry Christmas!"
Scrooge went to church, and waved to people to and fro, and patted children on the head, and threw several coins into the cups of several beggars...he had never thought a walk could bring him so much happiness. Very soon, he turned his footsteps toward his nephew's house...
Scrooge knocked on the door. A creature with white skin, fuzzy blue hair, and dressed in a red suit opened the door. On its chest was an insignia reading "Thing 1."
"Excuse me...is the Cat in the Hat at home?" Scrooge asked, tipping his hat.
"Yes, sir!"
"Thank you...he knows me. I'll show myself in."
Scrooge moved to the dining room, and, very carefully, eased his head in.
"Nephew?"
The Cat started; he and three of the Little Cats were setting the table for the party later on.
"Well, in the name of Ted Geisel! Uncle Scrooge?"
"Yes...I've come to dinner, if you'll have me..."
"Have you?!" gasped the cat, appalled at the idea of doing otherwise. "Of course, you're always welcome! Come in, uncle!"
Scrooge was at home in five minutes!
"It was a mercy the Cat didn't shake his arm off..."
Wonderful party, wonderful games, wonderful food...wonderful happiness!
"Still, Scrooge was early at the office the next morning..."
Indeed, he was, Mally...to catch Oswald coming in late...it was just what he'd set his heart on. And so he did: the clock struck the hour. No Oswald. A quarter past...still no Oswald! He was a full twenty minutes late...
Oswald bounded into the office, and headed for his desk, praying that Scrooge was not...
"Mr. Oswald!"
...There.
Oswald gulped, and turned around, the familiar, burning red eyes set on him as usual.
"G-good morning, Mr. S-Scrooge..."
"'Good morning,' indeed," Scrooge growled. "And what do you mean by coming here at this time of day, hm?"
"I...I'm very sorry, sir. I know I'm behind my time-"
"Yes. I think you are," Scrooge hissed, and then beckoned the rabbit over. "Step this way, sir, if you please."
Oswald gulped, ears going back, fiddling with his hands, nervous beyond belief.
"It's only once a year, sir...it shall not be repeated...I...I was..."
"You were what?"
Oswald took a deep breath.
"...I was making rather merry yesterday, sir."
Scrooge sniffed.
"Well, I'll tell you what my friend," he purred, smoothly, rising in his seat. "I am not going to stand for this sort of thing any longer...and therefore..."
Oswald closed his eyes...
"Therefore..."
Oswald whimpered.
Scrooge allowed a smirk to trace his lips.
"...THEREFORE...I am about to raise your salary!"
Oswald blinked, and said nothing.
Scrooge paused, and then giggled wildly.
The giggle turned into a chuckle...
And that chuckle changed into a loud, wild laugh.
"Merry Christmas, my dear Oswald!" he roared, and leapt from his desk. Oswald backed away, and quickly grabbed a ruler, holding it out like a sword.
This only made Scrooge laugh louder, and he backed away, hands held up placatingly.
"A merrier Christmas, my friend, then I have given you for many a year. I WILL raise your salary, and endeavor in every way I can to assist you and your family...Lucky will get better, I promise you."
Oswald blinked, lowering the ruler slowly.
"Are...are you quite...yourself, sir?"
"No! No, thank the day, I'm not myself, and I've never felt better! I presume you liked the turkey I sent you yesterday? Well, if you did not, I'll find an even bigger one, and we shall discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a nice bowl of smoking bishop! Now, away with you, and buy a new scuttle of coal..."
Here Scrooge tossed a small purse of coins at Oswald, who caught it fast.
"...Before you dot another 'i,' Oswald. Hilly ho!"
Oswald, dazed, ran out of the room...
Then after a few minutes time, reentered, helpless to do anything but stare at Scrooge, who just smiled at him...
Then gasped in shock as the rabbit ran up to him and hugged him.
Uncertain, the black cat pushed him back a bit, smirking.
"One step at a time, Oswald," he purred.
The rabbit laughed, and ran back out...
But not before calling out a joyous, "Merry Christmas!"
Scrooge smiled to himself.
"Merry Christmas, Oswald...and God bless us everyone."
Scrooge was better than his word; he did all he promised, and more...and to Lucky, who did not die, he became a second father. He was said thereafter that old Scrooge knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. Some people laughed at the change in him...but he let them laugh, for his own heart laughed, and that was good enough for him. May that truly be said of us all...and, so, as Lucky and Scrooge both observed, "God bless us, everyone!"
Mallymkun sighed, and turned to her companion with a smirk, which was matched by the man's own sly smile.
"Well? How was that?"
"I'm still going to kill you...but it can wait. Good story, J."
"Thank you...shall we join Tarrant for some tea?"
"Why not?"
Joy to the children, far and near!
What a wonderous time of year!
Isn't it just grand to say,
"Merry, Merry Christmas...
(Merry, Merry Christmas...)
"Merry, Merry Christmas...
(Merry, Merry Christmas...)
Oh, what a merry Christmas day!
