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Scene One
Narrator comes on stage with the storybook, talking to himself nervously. On stage left there is a chair for Narrator to sit in as well as a fireplace, and a bed with bedsheets. There is also a coat stand, and an end table with a lit lamp next to the bed. On stage right is the manger. To the left of the manger is a desk with money on it, and a sign on the front that says:
Bethlehem Inn
Owner: Nebachadneezer Scrooge
Price: 10 silver coins per night
No Room Service
No Breakfast
NO WIFI!
To the left of the desk is a doorway with a sign reading "Bethlehem Inn". Narrator sits in the chair on stage left.
Narrator: (reading from the book)
This is the tale of a very cruel man
Who lived long ago in a far-away land.
Now, Bethlehem wasn't a very big town (A Bethlehem backdrop comes up on the screen) And the kingdom of Israel was the smallest around. In this town lived a man who was nasty and mean As selfish a grump as ever had been Nebachadneezer. His name was quite huge. So everyone just took to calling him...Scrooge.
Scrooge enters slowly, clearly angry about something. He walks to center stage, wearing a top hat, a pea coat, and hobo gloves.
Narrator: Nebachadneezer was wicked and wrenching And squeezing and grasping and scraping and clenching. The cold deep inside him had shrivelled his toes And had stiffened his walk, and had pointed his nose.
Scrooge: Oh, get on with it.
Narrator: Right away, Nebachadneezer!
Narrator returns to the book. Scrooge walks over to stand next to his inn's welcome sign. As Narrator continues reading, a woman carrying a baby walks onstage to approach Scrooge.
Narrator: Now Scrooge owned the inn in the center of town No other hotels were nearby to be found. So when visitors came, they'd all flip their lid. He could charge them whatever he'd want...and he did.
Woman: Um, hello. I'm just stopping here for the night and was wondering how much it would be to stay at your inn.
Scrooge: How much have you got?
Woman: (reaching into her pocket) I've got 15 silver coins, but I need to make them last till I get to Jerusalem.
Scrooge: It's 15 coins to stay here. Either that or keep travelling.
Woman: But the sign says-
Scrooge: (covers up the sign with one hand) It's an old sign. We're updating it. That'll be 15 coins. (the woman grudgingly hands over her money. Scrooge takes a peek at the baby and grimaces) What an unpleasant baby. (The woman huffs and exits. Scrooge enters his inn through the doorway, and takes a seat at a desk. He removes his hat and gloves, and begins counting money.)
Narrator: No one liked Scrooge at all, but there was no other way. There were no other places for people to stay. He was unkind to visitors, that's plain to see. But Scrooge was cruel even to his own family.
Tiny Tim skips on from stage left to meet Scrooge. He is happy and boisterous.
Tim: Hello uncle!
Scrooge: (not happy to see Tim at all) Oh, what do you want?
As Tim meets Scrooge, he does not stop moving. He stops just outside of the inn, looking over the desk at Scrooge. He keeps bouncing and fidgeting.
Tim: Only to wish you a day that is merry and bright!
Scrooge: (waves his hand dismissively) Bah. Merriment. You mean happiness. Be happy in your own way and leave me to be happy in mine.
Tim: (stops fidgeting, tilting his head to one side) But you aren't happy.
Scrooge: Well, let me be grumpy then. As if being happy does you any good! Has being happy found you and your father a place to sleep? I heard you're getting kicked out of your home tomorrow morning.
Tim: Well, no. We haven't found a new place yet. But we'll find one! Don't you worry!
Scrooge: I wasn't worrying.
Tim: I'm sure you'll get lots of business tonight, uncle!
Scrooge: Oh, be off with you!
Tim: I hope lots of rich folks come by!
Scrooge: Be off with you! (Tim exits, skipping. Scrooge continues counting money)
Narrator: At this time, the kingdom was conquered by Rome. An enormous empire that many called home. The ruler had just made a royal decree To find out just how many people there'd be. "Go back to the place you were born," He did say. "We'll count you, and then you can go on your way." So plenty of visitors soon would be here And Scrooge was quite happy, for -
Scrooge: (interrupting) Humbug! Happiness is for children.
Narrator: (looking over at Scrooge) Well, isn't it good that you're getting business?
Scrooge: What business is it of yours?
Narrator: (rolls her eyes) I'm sorry I asked.
A blind person comes on stage right with a cup with a few coins in it and stands, begging. A little kid comes on stage left with an empty cup, also begging. While Narrator reads, Scrooge gets up from his desk and puts on his hat and gloves. He leaves his inn and walks across the stage towards Narrator. He reaches the kid first, and gestures rudely for him to go away. When he reaches the blind person, he takes a quick look around, and then takes some coins out of the man's cup.
Narrator: No warmth could warm him, no wintry wind chill him No story could calm him, no banquet could fill him. Yes, Scrooge was a bully, no matter the season. Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. But I think the most likely reason of all Was that old Scrooge's heart was two sizes too small.
Scrooge: I think they get it.
Scrooge has arrived 'home' now. He takes off his hat, gloves, and coat, and hangs them up.
Narrator: But what Scrooge didn't know as he crawled into bed, As he pulled the sheets right up and close to his head Was that something miraculous was 'bout to start And the world would be changed...and that he'd play a part.
Scrooge: Humbug!
Scrooge turns the lamp next to his bed off, and the stage lights go out.