Mrs. Cratchit drops her work and puts her hand over her face.
MRS. CRATCHIT
The color hurts my eyes.
SEWING-CLOSE. Every garment is black.
PETER
Mother —
She allows herself one sob, then buttons her emotions back
in.
MRS. CRATCHIT
They’re better now again.
SCROOGE
(comprehending)
Oh, Spirit, no.
When Mrs. Cratchit is again sewing the mourning clothes,
Cratchit comes in the door.
The children hug him. He kisses them, but moves on to the
little bedroom in the back. The room is well-lighted and
decorated for Christmas.
Cratchit separates himself from the family. Only Scrooge
follows him.
Scrooge stands in the doorway with Cratchit. Bob’s mourning
armband droops and Scrooge adjusts it: a small tenderness
before he looks at the room.
INT. SMALL BEDROOM. DAY.
Tiny Tim lays in state on the bed.
SCROOGE
No, Spirit! I have changed! Why is
this still happening?
Cratchit sits in the chair at the bedside and breaks down.
CRATCHIT
My child! My little child.
Scrooge, unseen, puts a hand on Cratchit’s shoulder. Together
they keep vigil.
SCROOGE
The loss of a precious innocent. It
is an unbearable burden.
(MORE)