Ok, everyone ready to redeem Scrooge and enjoy ALL of the surprises in store this Christmas? ;)

Mike: As long as no ghosts are involved, yeah.

Peter: I'm ready! :)

Micky: Me, too! :D

Lauren: And me!

Davy: Same 'ere, mates. :)

Micky: *reappears stage right, a slight look of smugness on his face* After three spirits, Scrooge finally finds himself in his own bedroom once again. But the question is, has he learned anything from his experiences? Let’s watch. *grins* ;)

Mike: (Glares at Micky again as he looks around his bedroom, then tugs at the curtains) Wha...(holds up the sheets) M...my sheets? (Tugs at the curtains) And my curtains! They haven't been torn down, rings and all! They're here! (Feels himself all over) And I'm here! (Grins and jumps out of bed) And I can start over again! (He starts running to and fro, laughing and doing something that sort of looks like dancing) I will live in the past, present, and future. (Turns to the "audience") Oh Jacob Marley, heaven and the Christmastime be praised for this! I say it, Jacob! (Gets down on his knees) I say it on my knees! :D

Mike: I...(gets up and rubs his knees with a slighly sheepish smile) I gotta stop salutin' Christmastime on my knees on a bare wood floor. I'm gonna have to buy a rug for that. (Grins) The shadows of the things that may be will be dispelled! I know they will! (Mike dances around again, reprising a rather fractured and mixed up "Holly Jolly Christmas") Why, I don't even know what day it is! I don't know anything at all! I'm a perfect baby! (He runs to his "window" and opens it as we see Danny of the Four Martians in ragamuffin dress wanders out, holding sheet music and picking up "Holly Jolly Christmas") You there, boy!

Danny: (Looks at him, surprised; bad Cockney accent) Wot, me, guv'nor?

Mike: What day is it?

Danny: Today? (Raises his eyebrows) Why, it's Christmas Day, sir!

Mike: YEEEHAWWW! (Dances around again) I haven't missed it! The spirits did it all in one night! Of course they did. They can do anything they like. Of course they can!

(Danny turns to the audience as Mike goes on about the ghosts and gives them a "this guy is off his rocker" look and gesture. ;) )

Mike: Do you know the prize turkey in the poulterer's window? Not the little one, the big one?

Danny: Wot, the one as big as me?

Mike: Yes, that's the one. A marvelous lad! A most intelligent fellow!

Danny: (Blushes, then adds) It's hanging there now.

Mike: Go and buy it!

Danny: You're kidding!

Mike: No, I am in earnest. Go and buy it and tell them to bring it here, so I can tell them where to take it. Come back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. Come back within five minutes, and I'll give you a half a crown! :D

Danny: Groovy! :D (He's almost literally off like a shot; Mike starts running around again)

Mike: (As the set starts to move) It'll go to Bob Cratchit's house. They shan't know who sent it. It's twice the size of Tiny Tim!

(Mike goes backstage as the backdrop changes again; he comes back onstage, dressed and still dancing, now singing snatches of "December the 25th." He continues to dance, even as he gives a piece of paper to Marcus and Chris, who have joined Danny to deliver a huge turkey that takes all of Marcus and Chris' effort to carry. He dances past them as they stagger off-stage, then dances down the street, singing snatches of various songs, until he - quite literally - runs into Davy, Jack, Nyles, and a woman in a large bonnet that shadows her face.)

Micky: Well, whadaya know, Scrooge seems to have learned something after all! Off he goes to Fred’s house, until he runs into three familiar faces, plus a fourth. *grins knowingly* ;)

Mike: (Gets up as the others do and dusts himself and them off rather clumsily) Oh, terribly sorry... (Looks at them; his eyes widen) It's you! The spirit! (Points at Nyles) And you! (Squints at Jack) And you're tall enough to be him...

*The three exchange looks like they think Mike's gone crazy.* ;)

Davy: (Grabs Nyles' arm - he's gnawing on a turkey wing) Where did you get that, man?

Nyles: *mouth full* Found it. ;)

Jack: Does it really matter where he got it? If it's edible, he'll eat it. ;) :P

Mike: (Squints) Wait, I know I've seen you guys somewhere else, besides last night...

Davy: We came to your office yesterday, sir.

(The woman watches them, the bonnet still disguising most of her face.)

Mike: Oh, yeah. You're the poor collectors, aren't ya?

Jack: *a little uneasy* Uh, yeah, we are.

Mike: (Shakes the hands of the three men - or at least Nyles' empty hand) Well, I'm Mr. Scrooge. You may remember me from yesterday (makes a face briefly), though I'm sure the memory isn't a pleasant one. ;) :p

Jack: Not really pleasant, no. :P

Woman: Scrooge?

Mike: (Frowns) Ma'am?

Davy: (Grins, a bit wickedly) Oh, I see you don't know Mrs. Randolph, Mr. Scrooge. Mr. Scrooge, this is...

(The woman takes off her bonnet...and reveals Emma in slight aging make-up, her brown hair streaked with gray and pulled back in a loose bun.)

Mike: (Catches his breath) Em...um, Belle? Belle, what are you doing here? (Leans over her head and whispers) Em, what's goin' on? This isn't anywhere in the script or the original book! Belle ain't supposed to reappear after the past sequence! :o

Emma: (Whispers back) This is how MY script ended, Mike. Just go along. (She nods cooly) Hello, Mr. Scrooge. It's nice to see you again.

Mike: (Whispers) I want to talk to you when the act is over. (Out loud) Belle, what have you been doin' all these years?

Emma: (Indicates Davy, Jack, and Nyles) I'm in charge of their charity, Mr. Scrooge. I inherited the job from my late husband and found that I enjoyed helping people in need.

Mike: Em...Belle... (he takes her hand) Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? (Lopsided grin) Let's just say I've seen the light...in many different ways. ;)

Emma: Will you contribute to our charity, Mr. Scrooge? I know you're a busy man, with so many other things on his schedule and other places you could be. This isn't your stud...countinghouse.

Mike: I've learned that doesn’t matter so much, Belle. (Goes to Jack) Put me down for... (whispers in his ear)

Jack: *eyes widen* Sir! *grins widely* Thank you, sir! :D ;)

Emma: What did you do, Scrooge? (Turns to Jack) Mr. Hillman, what did he do?

Mike: Donated more money to your charity than you've probably seen in years. ;)

*Jack nods mutely, still grinning.* ;)

Davy: (As Jack whispers it to him and Nyles) Wow! Do you really mean that, sir? :D

Mike: (Nods) And there's a great many back payments included in that, I assure you. :D

Emma: (Frowns) Mr. Scrooge...why? You haven't cared about the poor, or anything besides your mus...money, since we were in the earliest days of our courtship.

Mike: As I said, Belle, I've seen the light. I learned a precious lesson last night, and I plan on taking it to heart, starting today. (Sighs at Emma's stony face) Em...Belle, I can't change what I did to you and others in the past, but I can make amends, and maybe make our future a bit brighter. (Smiles and puts out his arm) May I have the pleasure of taking you to dinner, Mrs. Belle Randolph? ;) :X

Emma: Well, my children live too far away to get to by tonight, and I had no plans, so...(smiles and takes his arm) Why not? You DID just donate all that money to my charity. :)

Mike: (Grins at Jack, Davy, and Nyles as they walk off) Don't wait up, boys. ;)

Emma: (As the Fred's house set rolls out and the boys walk offstage) Where are we going?

Mike: Oh, we're just gonna surprise a few reletives of mine. ;)

(Mike and Emma do a happy, slightly clumsy duet as "Thank You Very Much" bursts from the Fred's house set. "Holly Jolly Christmas" is starting as they stumble up to the door, laughing, and Mike knocks on it. :D)

*The door opens moments later, Micky holding it open. His eyes widen for a brief second before he grins widely.*

Micky: Why, Uncle Scrooge, to what do I owe this honor? ;)

Mike: Merry Christmas, Nephew! (Grins) My friend and I felt like a home-cooked meal tonight. ;)

Belle: It's nice to meet you, sir. :)

Micky: *nods to Emma* Nice to meet you. *to Mike* Really? You mean it? That's fantastic! :D

Mike: Oh, sorry, forgot the formal stuff. (Nods) This is Mrs. Belle Randolph, a very old and dear friend of mine. Belle, this is my nephew Fred and his lovely wife Lauren. :)

Belle: Any reletive of Mr. Scrooge's is a friend of mine. :)

*Lauren gives a wave, smiling from behind Micky, who has forgotten to move over to let Lauren shake their hands. So she improvises.* ;)

Mike: (Pulls Lauren from around Micky) Hey, Freddie, stop hidin' your good woman. (Eyes widen; then he smiles fondly) You know, Lauren, you remind me a lot of someone...of someone who was very dear to me once. I was reminded of just how dear last night. :)

Lauren: *blushes* Awe, Mi...uh, Uncle Scrooge! ;)

Micky: Sorry! *makes a bit of a face at the screw-up* ;) :P

Mike: (Turns to Micky and grins) Hey, Fred, no one's perfect! ;)

Micky: *scratches at the back of his head* Yeah. ;)

(Mike takes Emma's arm as more and more "guests" arrive, and we do a quick reprise of "Holly Jolly Christmas," this time with Mike and Emma taking part. :D)

Mike: (Grins) Hey, Freddie, how would you and Lauren like to join Belle and me to see the outcome of a little surprise I set up this morning? ;)

Belle: Why just them? Why not bring everybody? :)

Mike: (Grins wider) Hey, that's not a bad idea. Does anyone know if there's a place where you can get a tree on Christmas Day, too, and a toy shop that's open?

Micky: I think there's one down the street.

Emma: Scrooge, what's going on?

Mike: Darlin', I'm going to prove to you that I'm serious about changin'...and help my clerk and his poor family in the process. (Grins and gets on a footstool) Hey, everybody, listen up! We're gonna take this little party down to Camden Town, to the home of my clerk, Bob Cratchit...and give him a Christmas surprise he and his family will NEVER forget! ;)

Micky: *turns away from the group as the set begins to change* And so the entire group packed themselves up and did indeed go to the Cratchits' home. What was Bob's reaction, you ask? Let’s find out. ;)

(Micky steps up to the center stage as the Fred's party set rolls off and the Cratchits' house set rolls on. Everyone from the party sequence puts on hats and coats and walks offstage, singing and laughing. John and Marcus carry a decorated Christmas tree.)

(Cut to the Cratchits' house set. It's Christmas night again, and we see the twins come running out as Valerie and Jenny sets dinner on the table...but this time, it takes Jenny, Valerie, and Little Peter to get the gigantic turkey on the table.)

Jenny: I still can't believe the size of this turkey! :D

Little Peter: Who could have sent it?

Valerie: I don't know. The card only said "From a friend."

Little Mick: Big birdie! :D

Valerie: (Laughs and hugs Mick) VERY big birdie, Georgie! Big enough for all of us to have seconds...and even thirds! :)

(Peter comes in with Tim on his shoulder, once again singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Both break into huge grins on the sight of the turkey.)

Tim: Oh, wow! That's the most amazing turkey I've ever seen! :D

Peter: (Sniffs the air) And it smells wonderful. You all did a splendid job. :)

(He sets Tim on his chair and goes to the head of the table. He's about to carve the turkey when there's a knock at the door.)

Peter: Now, who could that be?

Tim: (An almost Peter-like grin) Father Christmas? :D

Little Peter: (Makes a face) Probably some poor beggar who smelled our turkey. :p

Peter: If it is, we shall offer him some. (What the Cratchits DON'T see is the crowd of people carrying boxes standing outside their window, as they are shooed away as the door opens. Mike stands on the other side, looking as forbidding as he can) Mr. Scrooge!

Mike: (Growls) You weren't in at nine o'clock, as we discussed yesterday, sir. X( ;)

Valerie: (From "inside") Who is it, Bob?

Peter: Um, just...someone. (Turns back to Mike) But, sir, you said I could take the full day!

Mike: I did? I said YOU could take a full day off? I'd never do such a thing!

Valerie: (Let's out a roar and goes to the door) Is this Mr. Scrooge? Good. I want to tell him what I think of him. X(

Peter: (Flustered) Emily, Mr. Scrooge, please both of you, remember the day (indicates the kids, all of whom are straining to hear) and the current audience. :o

Mike: Bob Cratchit, I'm not going to stand for this any longer.

Valerie: (Narrows her eyes) Neither am I, pal. X(

Mike: So, therefore, I'm going to raise your salary! (Bursts into a wide grin)

Valerie: And I'm going to... (Valerie's eyes widen; Peter pales) What?

Peter: (Barely gets it out) Wha...what did you say, sir?

Mike: I'm going to raise your salary,and endevour to assist your struggling family. (Puts an arm around Emma she joins him, smiling) With the help of this wonderful lady, a good friend of mine who specializes in bringing aid to the poor and sickly. :)

Peter: (Eyes widen further) Em?

Little Peter: Father, what's going on?

Peter: I...I... (he faints dead away)

Valerie: Oh, goodness, I think this has all been too much for him. (She gathers him in her arms as the whole group enters the house with boxes, stockings to hang by the fireplace, and a huge tree, which they place in the center of the room.)

Emma: (She and Jenny go to help Val with Peter as Mike sings "Ringle Jingle" to the children, this time talking about giving away money instead of keeping it) Mrs. Cratchit, is he all right? (Looks at Jenny and grins) Does the fellow make a habit of fainting like that? ;)

Jenny: Only when overly excited. ;)

Valerie: I don't think any of us were expecting such generosity. Certainly not from (indicates Mike, who is now letting the twins and Tim "ride" him horse-back) HIM. :p

Emma: I don't know what brought on this change, Mrs. and Miss Cratchit, but it seems to have done profound good. He actually took me to a party at his nephew's tonight. It's the first time we've done anything together since...(blushes)...well, in many years. ;) :">

Peter: (He starts to come to) Val? Am I dead?

Valerie: BOB (loudly emphasizes that name), you're fine. You just had a bit of a shock. I think we all did.

Peter: (Watches Mike; he and Micky are now chasing the twins around as the "Ringle Jingle" reprise ends and they pick up "We’ll Have the Brightest Christmas," now singing about having the presents and the tree...AND being together) Are you sure we should allow him to play with the children? He's not himself at all. Maybe we ought to hold onto him and call for a good, stout constable. :o ;)

Emma: (Watches as Mike bounces Tim on his knee and the twins open boxes of toys and oranges and apples) He doesn't seem to be doing any harm. I think he's just enjoying the first good thing he's done for someone other than himself since he was a young man. :)

Mike: (As the song finishes) Hey, folks, come and join the party! The kids are! ;)

Emma: (She goes to Mike as he stands, with Tim on his arm) Mr. Scrooge...

Mike: (Grins) Don't be so formal, Belle. Call me Ebeneezer.

Emma: Well, Ebeneezer, do you really mean...well, are you truly turning over a new leaf?

Mike: I most certainly am, Belle. I found out last night just how precious life is. My old partner Jacob Marley let it slip away from him, and I don't want that to happen to me...or anyone else. (He pulls Emma to him with his open arm and kisses her passionately) Emma...Belle, my feelin's about you have never changed. I tried to forget you, to forget love. I made the mistake of lettin' you and Dick and Fred and everything I once prized get away once, and I will not repeat that mistake. :) :X

Emma: (She blushes furiously under her aging make-up and is so flustered, she can only murmur) Uh - huh. :X

Katie: (She runs onstage after the twins, once again holding a make-up puff) MAKE-UP!! ;) :D

Mike: Not this time, cowgirl! (Takes the powder puff and lets Emma go as she picks up Katie)Enough with the running gag. ;)

Katie: 'Kay. Da, over? :)

Mike: Not quite. (Looks at Micky) Hey, Fred, why don't you take us to the big finish? ;)

Micky: *nods* Gladly! ;)

Micky: *steps up to center stage* And that's the story. I should know, I was there for some of it, I heard about some of it, and I made up the rest. *grins* Scrooge never saw the ghosts again after that memorable Christmas night, but he really did keep his word! He did everything he said he would, and so much more. He became like a second father to Tiny Tim, who did not die. In fact, he got much better, with the help of Scrooge. Sure, people laughed and didn't believe Scrooge had changed, but he proved himself. After that, it was always said that if there was one person who knew how to keep Christmas alive, if any man ever possesd the knowledge... *grins* No, it wasn't Fred. It was Scrooge. May that be said of us, and of ALL of us! *smiles* And that's all, folks. *nods* Merry Christmas! *waves and goes back to the others, still onstage*

Mike: And god bless us!

Tim: God bless us every one! :D

(The cast sings "We'll Have the Brightest Christmas" as the curtains close and the groups take their bows - Millie, Larry, the Abbies, the Four Martians, the Angellettes, and Tilly; Jack, Nyles (who is now eating cookies), Davy, and Mr. Bennett; Lauren, Micky, and Emma with Katie; Peter, Valerie, Jenny, Little Peter, Tim, and the twins; and finally Mike alone. The entire cast then takes their bows, then the curtain falls.)

(The cast separates and goes off in different directions as the curtain closes. Emma turns to Mike.)

Emma: Mike...

Mike: Em, I've been lookin' for you all night! Where in have you BEEN?

Emma: Working on my surprise with the others, honey. ;)

Mike: Who ELSE knew about this?

Emma: Well, Lauren, and I had to tell Micky because he's the narrator, and Davy and Jack and Nyles because they were in that scene.

Mike: No wonder Micky's been grinnin' at me all night. ;) :p

Emma: Honey, I miss you. (Indicates Katie in her arms) WE miss you.

Katie: Miss you! (Holds out her arms to Mike) Dad! :D

Mike: Yeah, I'm here, Cowgirl. (He takes Katie) Em, I can't just ignore the music. I have to get this album finished.

Emma: Mike, there's plenty of time for albums, but what about us? Did you know that your daughter can open the doors to the bottom shelves on her own now? Did you know she can help me put away simple things, like Tupperware?

Mike: Em...I love you. I love you and Katie, but I love my music, too.

Emma: I know that, and I understand that the last album was a big hit and the next one is due in stores in a few months. (Sighs) I just want to know that there's room in your life for more than just selling albums, honey.

Mike: (Puts his other arm around Emma) You know, darlin', I think ol' Scrooge ain't the only one who learned a lesson. I've done a lot of thinkin’ tonight. Val booked us for a gig next month at a ski resort in New England before we come back here to finish up the album. She said we were allowed to bring guests. (Grins) :D

Emma: Really? A real New England ski vacation? (Hugs Mike) Oh, honey, this is the best Christmas present you could have given me! :D

Mike: Thanks, darlin'. I love you. (Kisses her)

Emma: I love you, too. (Kisses him as Katie makes faces) :X :p

Davy: (Grins and takes Daphne's arm) Would you do the honor of accompianing me, future Mrs. Jones? ;)

Daphne: Sure. Why not? Mike and Emma are occupied at the moment. (They go over to Micky, Peter, Valerie, Lauren, and the twins) Hey, gang. Everyone ready to head out to the Montgomery 'Ouse for the post-show party? ;)

Micky: I'm always ready! ;)

Valerie: I know I am! Sophie and Arnold should already be over there with the food. :)

Peter: I can't wait to see Jordan, too. Mrs. Purdy is babysitting him at our house. :)

Davy: We're gonna do Christmas Eve at your 'ouse this yeah, right, then go ovah to Mick and Lauren's to open presents and 'ave dinnah at the Pad?

Valerie: Chrissy will be there Christmas Eve, too, before she goes with Dad to our grandparents'. :)

Peter: This will be fun! We've never hosted Christmas at our house before. :D

Valerie: (Sighs) I'm just glad this show is over. Now we can rest. ;)

Peter: At least before we start working on the album again.

Micky: We should do plays more often. ;)

Lauren: *groans* Mick, don't push it. :P ;)

Davy: Not any time soon. This was really drainin'. :p

Micky: What? Awe, c'mon!

Lauren: Mick, not everyone has a steel trap for a mind like you do! :P

*Micky blows a razz.*

Lauren: *pretends to wipe her face off* Very nice, Mick. I liked you better as Fred. At least he had manners. ;)

Micky: *grins evilly* I'll show you manners... ;)

Mike: (He, Emma, and Katie join the group as they finish laughing) Hi, guys. :)

Emma: (Her costume is slightly rumpled; Katie is smirking a bit) Oooh... :X :D

Katie: They fun. ;)

*The twins giggle.* ;)

Mike: (Goes to Peter) Pete, look, I'm sorry I blew up at you yesterday. This whole thing with the special and the show and the album has really gotten under everyone's skin.

Peter: (Puts his hand on Mike's shoulder and smiles warmly) Oh, Michael, you truly mean what you say. You really do feel guilty and want to make things better. (He hugs Mike) I accept! You're my best friend, no matter what! :D

Valerie: Mike...

Mike: (Puts up a hand) No apologies needed, Val. You followed the script and got carried away. ;)

Valerie: Close enough. ;)

Mike: (Turns to Micky) Mick, you really did a great job on the sets and everythin'. Lauren, you did good, too. You were a nice Fan. :)

Micky: *grins* Thanks, Mike, I really appreciate that. :)

Lauren: *smiles* Thank you, Mike. *pauses* It didn't matter that I was scared out of my mind, then, huh? ;)

Mike: Nahh. Not TOO much. ;)

Emma: What did everyone think of my surprise? ;)

Micky: Nice work, Em. ;) :D

Peter: I was surprised!

Valerie: He really fainted! :p

Peter: I didn't expect to see so many people onstage! :o

Emma: Thanks. Even ol' Scrooge deserves some love in his life. ;)

Mike: Yeah, darlin'. He does now. ;)

(Jack and Nyles join the group. Nyles eats a slice of peppermint cheesecake. ;) )

Davy: There's one thing I want to know. Jack, 'ow did you do what you...did...onstage?

Peter: I was wondering that, too!

Mike: Yeah, that's a real good question, Dave.

Jack: *makes a bit of a face and glares at Micky* That madman made a trap door for me to slide through when it came time to "disappear." I've got about a half-dozen bruises from that. :P

Micky: It worked, though! :D ;)

Valerie: Jack, we have a very large first aid kit at the Montgomery House if you need anything for sore muscles and bruises. ;) :p

Jack: An ice pack would be nice.

Valerie: We'll get you one from the kitchen as soon as we can. ;)

Coco: *suddenly runs in* Oh, Jack, I heard about the trap door!

Jack: Gotta go! *waves after him* I'll see you at the house! *leaves, with Coco right behind him* ;) :P

Valerie: Maybe we'd all better get going. I doubt the twins and Katie will last much longer.

Mike: (Yawns a little) Or the adults, for that matter. I think I'm comin' off the adreneline rush from bein' onstage in front of that crowd. ;) :p

Lauren: *the twins are practically propped against each other; yawns herself* I'm done for the day. I-)

Micky: *puts his hands on his hips* You're all no fun! :P ;)

Emma: I think I'll leave Katie upstairs with Mrs. Purdy and Jordan. She's slept at the Montgomery House before.

Mike: (Puts an arm around Emma) Yeah, we've got a lot to talk about. (They smile at each other) :) :X

Daphne: I'm ready to party! ;)

Davy: As am I, luv. (Grins) Mick, you can join us, if you want.

Micky: *also grins* Gladly, man! ;)

Emma: Lauren, I'll call you tomorrow about Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. :)

Lauren: *nods* Okay, Em. :)

Davy: Nyles, you're welcome to join us, too. ;)

Mike: If you can tear yourself away from Millie's cookin'.

Valerie: Sophie is an excellent cook. She's made food for my father's dinner parties for almost thirty years. :)

*Nyles nods, his mouth full.* :D

Mike: (Shifts Katie from one arm to the other; she's fallen asleep) Ok, everyone. Merry Christmas! We're gonna get dressed, and we'll see all those who are going at the party. :)

Emma: (Hugs Lauren and the twins) Merry Christmas, guys! :)

Lauren: Merry Christmas, Em! *the twins grin sleepily* :)

Mike: (Puts his open arm around Peter's shoulder) Merry Christmas, Peter.

Peter: (Grins) And god bless us, every one! :D

Valerie: (As both men burst into laughter) Oh Peter! :)

Emma: You said it, Peter! (Grins as they all head to the dressing rooms, laughing and chatting. The camera takes a final look at a spotlight on the starry night, and one bright star in particular, as the stage goes dark and the scene fades out.)