Christmas film stories: Scrooge

Scrooge sat in his office frowning at the sounds of merriment coming from the factory floor. There was a knock and his foreman Cratchet looked in. “Won’t you join us, Sir, for a festive drink before we leave?” "It's still working time you know”, Scrooge said with a scowl, “All this slacking won’t do!” “Oh Sir! It’s Christmas. A time of good will.” “Bah!”, said Scrooge, “Humbug!” -and he waved him out.

Cratchet retreated and joined a colleague. “I’m sorry for the old boy, Tom.", he said. “Fancy being so rich and yet so miserable.” But Tom laughed. “Forget him and enjoy yourself. He’s raked in so much this year. Everyone is caught up in this new hobby. I think we must have sold all of our stock.”

Scrooge nodded over his desk and in his dream he saw Marley, his long dead partner,
 

who moaned in a frightening way. “You have made all this money,.” he said, “selling my invention! But it’s not brought happiness to you because of your meanness!!” The ghost wavered in front of him, glowing green and luminous, then disappeared.

He awoke at the sound of a knock and Cratchet looked in again. “Please do come over to the inn when you lock up Sir”, he said with a smile. “We will be very pleased to see you.” He closed the door, and Scrooge heard the sound of the men and office girls clattering down the stairs, shouting and laughing.

All was quiet again and he looked out of the office window. Snow was falling and the Christmas lights twinkled. The windows of the inn opposite gleamed in the dusk. It looked inviting. “Bah! “, he thought, “I suppose they would expect me to treat them
 

all to a drink.” He felt a chill in the air and heard the moaning voice again. “Go and bring some happiness to your staff Scrooge, or. I will haunt you again and again.” Scrooge shivered. “Go away, go away!”, he called, and the ghost faded.r>Trembling with fright, Scrooge opened his cupboard and took out a box containing the only item left unsold this Christmas. He. switched off the light, locked up, and went across to the inn. The warmth and sound enveloped him as he went in. His surprised staff cheered as he joined them and Cratchet pressed a glass into his hand. "I thought I might record the event”, Scrooge said as he opened the box and took out the camcorder. “After all”, he thought, "I can always pack it again and sell it after Christmas.”

John Woolmer