Interpret What You Read – Scene 2

INSTRUCTIONS: Work with two partners. Imagine you are actors. Choose roles. Read aloud.

Scene 2 (Scrooge, Person One, and Person 2)

PERSON ONE: Scrooge and Marley’s, I believe. Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?

SCROOGE: “Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago, this very night.

PERSON TWO: At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessities; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.

SCROOGE: Are there no prisons?

PERSON ONE: Plenty of prisons, but there are those in need who have committed no crime. A few of us are trying to raise funds to buy the poor some food and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?

SCROOGE: Nothing!

PERSON TWO: You wish to be anonymous?

SCROOGE: I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas, and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the prisons and the workhouses — they cost enough — and those who are badly off must go there.

PERSON ONE: Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.

SCROOGE: If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.

PERSON TWO: But, Mister Scrooge!

SCROOGE: Goodbye!

PERSON ONE: Mister Scrooge!

SCROOGE: Goodbye!

PERSON ONE AND PERSON TWO TOGETHER: Mister Scrooge!

SCROOGE: I said, goodbye!

PERSON ONE: Merry Christmas, Mister Scrooge.

SCROOGE: Bah!

PERSON TWO: And a Happy New Year, too, Mister Scrooge!

SCROOGE: Humbug!