Scrooge. No, no. Show me no more. Torture me no longer.
First Spirit. Remember the lesson you have learned. Remember the kindness of your old master. Remember the love of your old sweetheart. Your life is barren and bitter, but there is yet time for repentance. (Bell tolls twice.) The signal! My hour is past. On the stroke of six my brother, the Spirit of the Christmas Present, will visit you. Remember! Repent! Believe! Farewell, farewell, farewell!
Front Curtain Slowly Falls.
Stave II.
Same scene as Stave I. Lights half up, but candles are not burning. Rear curtains closed. Scrooge is discovered asleep at his desk. The Spirit of Christmas Present sits at R., a red light shining on him. He carries a torch in which a red light burns. The bells toll six times. Scrooge suddenly awakens and gazes at Second Spirit.
Second Spirit. Arise, arise, Ebenezer Scrooge, and learn to know me better.
Scrooge (frightened). I don't believe I ever met you before.
Second Spirit. Probably not. I am the Spirit of Christmas. The Ghost of Christmas Present.
Scrooge. The Ghost of Christmas Present?