REVERSE as Cratchit walks away. We see a whole gaggle of
Spirits looking in the window at Scrooge’s efforts.
Satisfied, they disperse.
PULL OUT to show a bird’s eye view of the Spirits who walk
London, now leaving Scrooge’s presence and looking for new
lost souls to bemoan.
PULL OUT FURTHER to the Lone Spirit on the spire of St.
Paul’s Cathedral. Beneath him London is coated in a hazy,
coal-burning smog, yet he sits in the sunlight. Shading his
eyes, he looks off.
SPIRIT-POV. In the distance, leaving the city, is a train,
its engine sending steam into the blue.
EXT. TRAIN DEPOT. SUSSEX. DAY.
Scrooge and the Cratchit family step off the train. Cratchit,
who’s ended up with most of the picnic gear, can’t decide
what to do about Tim.
Stopping Tim at the train step, Scrooge offers himself.
SCROOGE
Master Tim, I’m a bit of an old nag
— not a fine thoroughbred like
your father — but I would be happy
to trot you out to the water.
How comfortable does Tim feel with Scrooge?
TIM
Will you be Robinson Crusoe, like
in the story you told me, and I’ll
be the parrot on your shoulder?
SCROOGE
If you like.
A connection!
As Scrooge lifts him up, Tim SQUAWKS like a bird.
TIM
(flapping his “wings”)
Look, mother, I’m flying!
The family follows them away from the depot.