Chapter #5: Christmas Future
Tortimer looked all around for the Spirit, but he was gone forever. He shrugged and began walking wearily in the direction of his home. Suddenly fog started to form all around the woods. Then, a silent, cloaked form slowly glided through the fog toward the mayor, who shivered at the sight of this Phantom.
"A-are you the Ghost of Christmas Future?" stammered Tortimer.
The Ghost gave a small nod and pointed a pale finger to the turtle's right. Tortimer got the point (pun intended) and followed the Phantom through a particularly packed bit of trees. Some thorn bushes tore at his nightgown, and he found himself clinging to the Ghost's black cloak.
Then the woods parted to reveal the Museum. The Spirit glided inside and went down into the basement/café, where, in the corner where the piano normally stood, a casket sat. Inside was a covered corpse, and at the sight of it Tortimer shrank back in terror. Then a group of respected gentlemen came down to look at the casket.
"I don't understand why the government is weeping for this animal. He wasn't as great as they claim," said a fat bulldog.
"They are crying over him," objected a cat with gold eyepiece, "because he was rich and served them well, is why."
"I wonder where all his money has gone?" a bald eagle (the type of bird, mind you) wondered.
"I don't know," said a grey mouse. "But he certainly didn't give it to anybody!" This sent the party into laughter.
Tortimer was confused. "I know all of these people. Who have they come to see?"
The Ghost didn't answer; instead he pointed back up the stairs. Reluctantly, the mayor followed him out of the Museum. Then they walked to the back, where there was a small cemetery. Tombstones lay all around, some adorned with dying flowers.
"Why did ya bring me here, Spirit?" Tortimer asked. The Phantom pointed to one particular tombstone, and the tortoise beheld a sorrowful sight.
They were not alone. Tom Nook stood solemnly in front of a tombstone marked with Nook's symbol (you know, the leaf), with Mrs. Nook and Tommy behind him. The clerk kneeled down and set a small object onto the grass before the stone—a tiny, wooden crutch. As he stood up, Tommy burst into tears. The three walked away without a word.
Tortimer rushed up to the tombstone. "The poor kid," he said, his voice cracking into a sob. "This shouldn't have happened." He turned to the Ghost. "Spirit, before I go, can you tell me who that animal in the casket was?"
Once again, the Phantom did not answer but let the mayor to another tombstone with an open, empty grave. He pointed to the words carved on the stone: TORTIMER TORTOISE, MAYOR OF HOLIDAY.
Tortimer recoiled in horror. "Me! I'm the dead animal in the casket!"
The Ghost nodded silently and, without warning, removed his hood. He was revealed to be a red fox. And for the first time he spoke. "This will be your fate if you continue your greedy, selfish ways. Repent and honor Christmas and its meanings, and this future will cease to exist."
Tortimer fell on his knees and cried, "I will! I will not shun these lessons! From this day forth, I will be a kind, honest tortoise!"
"Then be at peace, and worry about your evil deeds no longer! They are forgiven!"
With that Tortimer fainted.