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| JUST WHAT DID SCROOGE SEE WHEN HE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW? READ ON AND FIND OUT |
INT. A ROOM - MORNING
Scrooge lies slumped on the floor, his hands locked around the bedpost. For a moment the reality of the situation escapes him; then, looking around, he realizes that he is in his own bedroom. There are the bedcurtains; they haven’t been torn down after all! The walls, the pictures – they’re all his!
SCROOGE
I’m alive! I’m alive! The Spirits have done it all in one night!(Beginning to dance around the room)
I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future! The Spirits of all three will live within me. I’m as light as a feather, I’m as happy as an angel, I’m as merry as a schoolboy.
(He staggers slightly, as if lightheaded)
I’m as giddy as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to everybody! But what day is it? I don’t know how long I’ve been among the Spirits. I don’t know anything!
Hearing the chimes of the church bells outside, he stops.
SCROOGE
Is it? Could it still be Christmas Day?He runs to the window and throws it open, and he is stopped in his tracks. His mouth falls open. If he was confused a moment ago, now he is utterly shocked.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE SCROOGE’S WINDOW. SCROOGE’S P.O.V.
Everything that is familiar to Scrooge is gone. Across from his home rises a large glass skyscraper. Below him are people walking on sidewalks lining the sides of paved streets, wearing clothes in a style he has never before seen. Moving across the scene from right to left is a red double-decker bus. As his eyes cast back and forth he sees a jet aircraft streaking across the clear blue sky, the sunlight glinting off its silver skin.
CLOSE SHOT SCROOGE
His lips are moving, but nothing comes out. He shakes his head, his hands pressed on either side. Finally he speaks.
SCROOGE
It…it…it must be the aftereffects from the Spirts. Well, yes, a shock to the system such as this is bound to cause confusion. Yes, that must be it.SHOT OF STREET OUTSIDE WINDOW. WE SEE SOMEONE WALKING PAST SCROOGE’S HOME.
CLOSE SHOT SCROOGE
SCROOGE
Here, let me ask that young woman out there.(Raising his voice)
Excuse me, miss. What is today?
MEDIUM SHOT PEDESTRIAN
(Voice of a young male)
What? You talkin’ to me?LONG VIEW YOUNG MAN, AS SEEN FROM OVER SCROOGE’S SHOULDER.
SCROOGE
Excuse me, I meant no offense. It’s just – it’s just...(Motions to head)
Your hair, I’m afraid, well I mistook you for a young lady.
YOUNG MAN
Whatever.(Under his breath)
Sod off, old man.
He begins to walk away.
SCROOGE
Wait!YOUNG MAN
(Impatiently)Yeah?
SCROOGE
Can you tell me what day today is?YOUNG MAN
Are you barmy?SCROOGE
(Insistent)Today? What day is today?
YOUNG MAN
Why, it’s Christmas Day. Whatdy’a think?MED. SHOT SCROOGE
SCROOGE
(As if to himself)Then it is still Christmas Day. I haven’t missed it. But – this?
(To young man)
What kind of place is this?
CLOSE SHOT YOUNG MAN
YOUNG MAN
What kind of nutter are you? This is London.CLOSE SHOT SCROOGE
SCROOGE
(Confused)London?
The young man begins to walk away.
SCROOGE
(Suddenly)Young man!
LONG VIEW YOUNG MAN, AS SEEN FROM OVER SCROOGE’S SHOULDER.
YOUNG MAN
(Exasperated)Now what?
SCROOGE
(Insistent)What year is it?
YOUNG MAN
What year is it? You really musta got rat-arsed last night!
CLOSE SHOT SCROOGE
SCROOGE
Never mind that. What year is it?CLOSE SHOT YOUNG MAN
YOUNG MAN
(Deciding he might as well humor him)Why, it’s 1993!
(Sotto voce)
Wanker.
CLOSE SHOT SCROOGE – HIS CONFUSED EXPRESSION GIVES WAY TO HORROR AS HE LISTENS TO THE VOICE ECHOING SUDDENLY IN THE ROOM.
Yes Ebenezer, it is Christmas Day, just as you wished. But you didn't say what year!
Presenting Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, the world’s most famous miser.
FAST PAN AROUND SCROOGE’S BEDROOM TO THE NARRATOR, IN SUIT AND TIE, HIS HANDS FOLDED IN FRONT OF HIM.
(Sotto voce)
Wanker.
CLOSE SHOT SCROOGE – HIS CONFUSED EXPRESSION GIVES WAY TO HORROR AS HE LISTENS TO THE VOICE ECHOING SUDDENLY IN THE ROOM.
VOICE OF GHOST
(Mocking)Yes Ebenezer, it is Christmas Day, just as you wished. But you didn't say what year!
NARRATOR
(Voice Over)Presenting Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, the world’s most famous miser.
FAST PAN AROUND SCROOGE’S BEDROOM TO THE NARRATOR, IN SUIT AND TIE, HIS HANDS FOLDED IN FRONT OF HIM.
NARRATOR
For over a century, every Christmas, his journey through his own personal reclamation has played out, in book and film, for millions of people around the world. But whenever you enter the ghostly fog of time travel, you’re apt to discover that the rules have changed without warning. Tonight Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge is about to find out that, this time, the road from ruin to redemption will take him through the Twilight Zone.