Scene 4
(We are once again back in Scrooge's bedroom. He appears to be awake in his bed, and The NARRATOR walks slightly outward.)
Narrator: The visit from this first spirit had made Scrooge wary. He listened for the chime of the clock striking two, not daring to let himself fall back to sleep.
(Toll.)
Scrooge: One…
(Toll.)
Scrooge: Two. (He waits for a little while, in silence.) Nothing. Hehehehehehehe.
(As he tosses over to go back to sleep, the lights come on and the GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT arises from either behind or below the stage. He is surrounded by wine, spirits, meat, potatoes, and various other Christmas frivolities. He is a very tall man, it is recommended the actor stand on stilts, wearing a large red or green robe with white fur lining the shoulders and lapel. He has a very large torch which he carries with him, and a crown that seemingly has candles lit on top. He is laughing merrily as he enters, and begins the Boar's Head Carol.)
Present:
THE BOAR'S HEAD IN HAND BEAR I,
BEDECKED WITH MAYS 'ND ROSEMARY,
AND I PRAY MY MASTERS MERRY BE
AS MANY AS ARE IN THE FEAST.
(The Ensemble enters the aisles of the house, candles in hand. They sing the next part.)
Ensemble:
CAPUT APRI DEFERO
REDDENS LAUDES DOMINO!
Present:
THE BOAR'S HEAD, AS I UNDERSTAND
IS THE RAREST DISH IN ALL THIS LAND,
WHICH THUS BEDECK'D WITH A GAY GARLAND
LET US SERVIRE CANTICO.
Ensemble:
CAPUT APRI DEFERO
REDDENS LAUDES DOMINO!
Present:
OUR STEWARD HATH PROVIDED THIS,
IN HONOR OF THE KING OF BLISS,
WHICH ON THIS DAY TO BE SERVED IS
IN REGINENSI ATRIO.
Ensemble + Present:
CAPUT APRI DEFERO
REDDENS LAUDES DOMINO!
(The song ends, but the orchestra music continues the song. The GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT is once again, laughing, and he turns his attention to Scrooge. The ENSEMBLE exits.)
Present: Come in, and know me better man!
(Scrooge approaches.)
Present: Look at me! You have never seen the like of me before.
Scrooge: I'm not sure I see the like of you now.
Present: Ah, yes. Too stingy to purchase a pair of spectacles.
Scrooge: Who-what-are you, spirit?
Present: I am the Ghost of Christmas Present!
Scrooge: As in-
Present: The here and now. All that is and ever will be Christmas Day! This is the night before the dawn before the day of Christmas! Have you ever noticed how much love there is at Christmastime?
Scrooge: Er…in all honesty, spirit? No. I suppose I've never understood Christmas.
Present: Before our time is up, you will understand. Now come here, and touch my robe.
Scrooge: Very well.
(He touches the spirit's robe. The spirit laughs, and the set disappears, becoming once again the city. Sparks shoot out of the spirits torch as he laughs and looks around to the entering ENSEMBLE, hustling and bustling about the city.)
Present: I welcome you to Christmas morning!
(The ENSEMBLE go about city business; there are several merchants, and the ghost points at each one of them. GENTLEMAN 1 and GENTLEMAN 2 enter and bump into each other.)
Gentleman 1: Blimey, watch where you're going you brute!
Gentleman 2: Watch where I'm going?! How about you look where your bloody feet are taking you!
(The GENTLEMEN tense up. The spirit notices them , and waves his torch. Chimes should be played to signal the magic of the torch. The GENTLEMEN ease up at once.)
Gentleman 1: I'm terribly sorry, sir.
Gentleman 2: (throwing an arm around the other and walking offstage) I'm the one who should be sorry.
Scrooge: Spirit, what sort of flavor do you carry in that torch?
Present: A peculiar one. It is sweet to the taste and pleasing to the heart and mind.
Scrooge: Oh, please, do show me again.
Present: Very well! (He waves the torch, chimes play again. The entire town seems to be more cordial, and eventually, they form in a circle and begin to sing the "Apple Tree Wassail".)
Ensemble:
WASSAIL, WASSAIL A'OVER THE TOWN,
OUR BREAD SHALL BE WHITE AND OUR AIL WILL BE BROWN,
OUR LIQUOR WE MAKE FROM THE OLD APPLE TREE,
WHILE WASSAILING FORTH, WE DRINK UNTO THEE.
WASSAIL, WASSAIL, WHEREVER YOU BE,
WHETHER BE HOME OR LONG OUT TO SEA,
BLOSSOM AND FRUIT BOTH APPLE AND PEAR,
WELL YE MAY BLOW, THE TREE MAY BEAR.
WASSAIL, WASSAIL, LONG INTO NIGHT,
FAR PAST THE SUN AND FARGONE THE LIGHT,
FOR OUR WASSAILING HAILS FROM THE OLD APPLE TREE,
AND WASSAILING FORTH, WE DRINK UNTO THEE.
Present: (Laughing again, merrily) You see what such small gratitude can compose!
Scrooge: Indeed. Spirit, I wish to see friends. Kin. Show me family.
(The spirit waves his robe.)