Eugene Krabs breathed heavily as he looked around to see he was back in his own bedroom. He was no longer the focus of a Dickens novel, just plain ol' Mr. Krabs.

Once he calmed down a good lot, he said, "A dream, it was all a dream."

Mr. Krabs got out of his bed and rushed over to his bedroom window to see the sun shining in Bikini Bottom with snow everywhere. "It really was all a dream." He said with a relieved smile. "I'm back home and I'm alive. But there's just one thing I don't get."

He rushed out of the room and saw Pearl walking by. "Pearl! He called. "Me loving daughter, Pearl. Tell me what day it is."

"What day do you think it is, Dad?" Pearl answered. "It's Christmas Day."

Mr. Krabs shouted in joy. "I really didn't miss it! There's still time to redeem my ways!"

"Dad!" Pearl shouted in annoyance. "You're acting weirder than usual. Don't embarrass me! (A/N: She keeps saying that, have you noticed?)"

"Hold on a sec, lass." Mr. Krabs then dug in his pocket and pulled out a couple of dollars. "Go buy yourself those fancy snow boots you be wantin', and then have a merry Christmas."

Pearl gasped in shock and smiled as she took the money. "Oh, thank you, Daddy." Then she gave him a kiss in appreciation.

"Now there's one more thing I gotta do." Mr. Krabs said as he scuttled out of his house as fast as his legs could carry him.

On his way to wherever he was going, Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy were standing outside, shivering, with the little money they collected in the jar.

"We already got as much as we can get." Barnacle Boy bitterly said to Mermaid Man. "So we might as well go home."

"This is home?" Mermaid Man asked.

"Gentlemen!" Mr. Krabs shouted as he approached them. "You still collectin' money for them poor folk, aren't ya?" the two just stared at him until Mr. Krabs pulled out a large sack with a dollar bill sign out of his pocket. "Well, here! Take it."

Mermaid Man held the large sack of money and struggled not to fall over. "Oh goody." He said in joy, "Bran flakes and prune juice for everyone!"

"You're really giving us all that?" Barnacle Boy asked in shock, "What's wrong with you this time?"

"Of course I am. I'm not sick and have nothin' in me head" Mr. Krabs said as he pulled out another sack and gave that to them as well. "And here's a little extra so they could celebrate New Years as well." Then he walked away. "See ya around, gents" Krabs then proceeded to laugh in his traditional pirate-y way.

Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy then smiled at each other for all the money they collected for the poor. They didn't know what the change in heart was all about, but hey, he changed, and that's all that matters.

--

Meanwhile, Squidward and SpongeBob were on their way to work with Gary sitting on top of SpongeBob's head as he tagged along with SpongeBob.

"Another day, another extra hours of relaxation gone." Squidward groaned as he slumped.

"Look on the bright side, Squidward." SpongeBob said, trying to sound positive. "At least we get to spend Christmas with each other."

"Don't remind me."

Once they reached the Krusty Krab, they were unprepared for when they walked through the front doors. The lights in the restaurant turn on and their eyes widen to see the restaurant all decorated for Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, boys!" Mr. Krabs shouted merrily. "You ain't seriously thinking of working on this special holiday are ya?"

"You mean I got out of bed for nothing?" Squidward asked still in shock.

Suddenly, a bunch of customers rushed in as they cheered to start partying, lighting the room up in an instant.

When Mr. Krabs approached the two, Squidward asked, "Mr. Krabs, are you feeling alright?"

"I'm better than ever, Mr. Squidward." Mr. Krabs answered cheerfully. "I did a lot of thinkin' last night and I've come to realize that Christmas isn't about all the money and profits. It's about celebratin' with all your friends and family. Now let's get to that celebratin'! You're free to go if need be!"

When he walked away, SpongeBob turned to Squidward happily. "It's a miracle, Squidward. Mr. Krabs isn't acting like a Scrooge or a Scrudge."

"For once in my life, SpongeBob, I agree with ya." Squidward admitted with a sigh, "I'm going HOME to enjoy myself." He then walked away humming to the tune 'The Christmas Song' (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...).

"Meow?" Gary asked.

"I agree, Gary." SpongeBob said reaching up on his head to pat his snail, "Let's go. Can't keep Patrick and Sandy waiting, can we?"

"Meow, meow." Gary said in a matter that sounded like "no way".

French Narrator: And Mr. Krabs was as good as his word. He did not force his employees to work on Christmas Day...but he did charge them an entire month's paycheck. Squidward was not pleased.

(Picture of Angry Squidward)

French Narrator: And to Gary, who was never sick or dying to begin with, Krabs became like a second father. But that cheapskate gave up the rights to Patrick for sixty-two cents.

(Mr. Krabs holding Gary and handing a will to Patrick for a few coins)

French Narrator: But to be put simple, SpongeBob and Squidward no longer worked on holidays, so all was well. And as Gimpy Gary would say it...

"God bless us, everyone." Gary said in his British accent.

French Narrator: This has been "SpongeBob's Christmas Coral", we hope you enjoyed it. Because I did not get a single role in the story. Hope you have better luck next year...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT! I enjoyed writing this fic as much as you enjoyed reading it.

D-Dude