Are you the spirit whose coming was foretold to me?
I am.
Who, and what, are you?
I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Long past?
No. Your past.
What business brings you here, Spirit?
Your welfare.
I am much obliged, however if I might make so bold, a night of unbroken rest might be more conducive to that end.
I am here here for your reclamation! Take heed! Rise and walk with me.
Spirit! I am a mortal and liable to fall. Besides which, the thermometer is below freezing and I am dresses poorly.
Bear but a a touch of my hand, and you shall be upheld in more than this.
Good heaven! I was bred in this place! I was a boy here!
Do you recollect the way?
Remember it? I could walk it blindfolded! Look, there is my old school!
These are but shadows of the things that have been, they have no consciousness of us. The school is not quite deserted. A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.
Yes, I know.
Do you recognize this child, Ebenezer Scrooge?
It is I.
Why are you left here alone?
The other boys have gone home for the holidays to be with their families.
Not you?
No. My father...he...he was...no. I stayed at school.
How sad to be all alone on Christmas Day.
...Never! Never. Poor boy.
Let us see another Christmas.
I had forgotten how beautiful she was
Is that all you have forgotten?
Fan! Fan.
Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered. But she had a large heart.
So she had. You are right Spirit, I'll not gainsay it.
She died a woman, and had, as I recall, children.
One child.
True. Your nephew, Fred.
Yes.
Well, I am sure that Fan, wherever she is, must be comforted with the knowledge that her son has someone to look after him, as she looked after you.
I...
Come, we have another Christmas to visit. Do you know this place?
Ha. Old man, the only place these ladies will take you, is to the graveyard! Now why don't you stop talking for once in your long life and dance with me!
What an old fool, Fezziwig!
What?! Spirit, what ever possesses you to say that?! Why Fezziwig was a wonderful man! Perhaps the greatest man I have ever met! He was like a father to me!
Look at him. Dancing like a monkey. Spending a very few pounds of your mortal money. Three or four pounds at most. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?
...And yet, with his good humor and kindness, the happiness he gives us is quite as great as if...as if it had...cost a great fortune!
What is the matter?
Nothing.
Something, I think.
No. I should just like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk. That's all. It's nothing!
My time grows short. Look and see. Do you remember this Christmas Day Ebenezer Scrooge?