SCROOGE
There are so many!
PRESENT
Ignorance and Want have no choice
but to beget more of their own
kind.
SCROOGE
Have they no refuge or resource?
PRESENT
Are there no workhouses?
Again, Scrooge must hear his own words come back at him.
The children pull at Present’s sling, dragging it down.
Standing like a rock, she lifts out the infant and holds it
high against her shoulder, out of their reach.
Scrooge tries to pull the children away from her, but that
only leads to them turning on him.
They surround Scrooge, clambering on his legs.
SCROOGE
(to Present)
Run!
A child reaches for Present, and Scrooge yanks it away.
SCROOGE (CONT’D)
Save yourself! Save the babe!
PRESENT
Thank you.
But does she say that to Scrooge, or someone else?
After one last look, Present turns and walks slowly away.
Scrooge cowers on the ground, protecting his face, while the
children bury him.
He’s a goner.
Then bodies start flying away, tossed aside by SOMEONE.
All is silent, and a HAND reaches down and grabs Scrooge by
the collar.
Scrooge looks up . . . and screams.