A CHRISTMAS CAROL Script SCENE ONE Katherine: You were so amazing on stage, Eden.

Everyone simply loved your voice! Eden: Of course they loved my voice, Katherine. Whats not to love? Katherine: Well, Im very sure that you were the best among the rest! Eden: They should have made this a contest because I surely would have won! Katherine: Its not about winning, Eden. Its about sharing your talent with others on Christmas Eve. Eden: Rubbish! Katherine: Christmas is rubbish, Eden? I hope that was meant as a joke. Eden: Well it wasnt, Kathy. Paolo: Eden! Katherine! Katherine: Hello, Paolo! Eden: What is it that you want, Paolo? Paolo: I just wanted to tell you how amazing you were, Eden. Eden: I already know how amazing I was, Paolo! Paolo: Oh, and I just wanted to wish you Merry Christmas. Your voice sounded so angelic when you sung those Christmas carols! Eden: Ive never understood the point of Christmas carols. Katherine: Theyre songs that were made to spread the joy of Christmas! Paolo: Kathys right. Christmas carols are meant to share the Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas! Katherine: Merry Christmas to you, too, Paolo! Paolo: Merry Christmas, Eden! Eden: Whats so merry about Christmas? Merry Christmas! Out with Merry Christmas! Whats Christmas to you but a time for finding yourself a year older but not an hour richer. Katherine: Eden! Eden: Kathy, keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine. Katherine: But you dont keep it. Eden: Let it go then, Kathy. I havent got all day to discuss how you spend your Christmas and how I spend mine. Ive got to run, alright? Katherine: Wait, Eden! Would you like to come over for dinner tonight? Eden: No, thank you. Your family would be too Christmas-y for my liking, Kathy. Paolo: What are you doing tonight, then, Eden? Eden: My father promised to have dinner with me because hell be busy all Christmas long. Katherine: Oh, okay. Merry Christmas again! Paolo: Merry Christmas, Eden! Eden: Yeah, sure, Merry Christmas.

SCENE TWO Eden: Daddy? Im home! Uncle John: He isnt home yet, kiddo. Eden: What? But he promised wed have dinner together tonight! Uncle John: He said that hes going to be very busy because its Christmas Eve and everyone is looking to buy decorations. Eden: Why couldnt he have left the store to his workers for the night? Just one night! Uncle John: Its Christmas Eve, Eden. Theyre off to their families and loved ones. Eden: But what about me? Doesnt Dad want to be with me during Christmas? Uncle John: You know that its the busiest time of the year, Eden. You also know why he cant be here early to have dinner with you tonight. Please try to understand him, darling. You can have dinner with me. Eden: We have dinner every night already! I just wanted to have my daddy with me for one night! Uncle John: Eden! Where are you going? Eden: Im going to bed! (The first spirit appears in Edens bedroom.) Ghost of Christmas Past: Eden Starling, wake up. Eden: W-What? Whats going on? Ghost of Christmas Past: Dont be afraid. Eden: Who are you and what are you doing here?! Ghost of Christmas Past: Dont be afraid of me. I have not come here to frighten you, Eden. I have come here to help you. Eden: Who are you? Ghost of Christmas Past: I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. Eden: Ghost? What is this, some kind of joke? Ghost of Christmas Past: Do I seem like a joke to you? I am here to help you, Eden Starling. As I have said before, I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. Eden: Long past? Ghost of Christmas Past: Your past. Come and rise. Walk with me. Eden: I am mortal, unlike you. I cannot pass through air. Ghost of Christmas Past: My hand. (Eden grasps the spirits hand tightly and hears a bell ring softly. The spirit motions for Eden to turn, and she sees a young girl practicing on the piano with her mother standing behind her with an unimpressed expression on her face.) Eden: I remember this. Ghost of Christmas Past: Of course you remember this, Eden. This is your past. Eden: Thats my mother.

Ghost of Christmas Past: Yes, that was your mother and that was you when you were a little girl. Eden: She died the year after this, on Christmas Eve. Edens mother: Eden, why cant you just get it right? Start again! Young Eden: Im sorry, Mommy. Edens mother: You need to keep practicing the piano and singing. Young Eden: Mommy, when were done practicing can I please go over to Kathys house? Her family asked me over and said that they were going to get me a gift! Arent they just the nicest, Mommy? Edens mother: Done practicing? Eden, youre not even close to being done ! You have to work on this all day because the caroling contest is three days away! You have to learn to sing and play the piano perfectly. I dont want to be embarrassed in front of everyone! (Eden turns away from her past self and her mother and turned to the First Spirit.) Eden: My mothers dead now. Ghost of Christmas Past: I know, child. Eden: I remember how she made me stay home the entire day to practice. Kathy never got to give me the gift her family promised. Ghost of Christmas Past: You spent Christmas practicing the piano and singing? Eden: Of course I did. I won the contest! That was how hard I worked and how determined I was to win. I remember how proud my mother and father were of me. Ghost of Christmas Past: Poor child. What a poor little girl. Eden: Why was I poor? We were one of the wealthiest families in town! I was the talented little girl who showed everyone how great the Starlings were! Ghost of Christmas Past: You never got to enjoy Christmas Eve. Eden: Of course I enjoyed! I was overjoyed when I won. Ghost of Christmas Past: But Christmas is not about winning and receiving and being greedy and proud. It is about sharing our blessings and being with our families. Christmas is about being united. Eden: Whatever. I want you to take me back now. Ghost of Christmas Past: Alright then, Eden. If thats what you want. Eden: When I wake up in my bed, this will be all a weird dream. Ghost of Christmas Past: Oh no, the next ghost will be visiting you afterwards. Eden: The next ghost? Ghost of Christmas Past: Yes, the next ghost who is the Ghost of Christmas Present.

SCENE THREE

(Eden and the First Ghost arrive back at her bedroom.) Ghost of Christmas Past: This is when I leave, Eden. Eden: Wait, you cant just leave me! I wanted to ask you one more thing. Ghost of Christmas Past: Eden Eden: No, just a few questions! Why is this happening? Why are you visiting me and who is this Ghost of Christmas Present? Ghost of Christmas Past: The Second Ghost will introduce himself to you, Eden. This is happening so that you will see the true spirit of Christmas. Eden: Whats the point? Ghost of Christmas Past: The point is that you will realize the true meaning of Christmas. (The First Ghost disappears and the Second Ghost appears in front of Eden.) Eden: Oh my goodness! Ghost of Christmas Present: Did I frighten you? Eden: Obviously! Ghost of Christmas Present: I apologize, Eden Starling. Theres no need to be frightened by me. Eden: Are you the Second Ghost? Ghost of Christmas Present: Yes, I am. Eden: Youre the Ghost of Christmas Present? Ghost of Christmas Present: Indeed I am. Take my hand and let me take you somewhere. Eden: The First Ghost took me back in time. Where are you going to take me? Ghost of Christmas Present: I am going to take you to reality. Eden: What does that mean? Could you please talk in English?! Ghost of Christmas Present: Just come and walk with me, you may or may not want to see what I will be showing you, Eden. (Eden grasps the Second Spirits hand tightly and they arrive at where Edens classmates were hanging out.) Eden: Why are we here, Second Spirit? Ghost of Christmas Present: I wanted to show you the reality. Eden: You wanted to show me whats real? Ghost of Christmas Present: I wanted to show you the truth. Eden: The truth of what, exactly? Ghost of Christmas Present: The truth about everything you believed in. This is going to make you believe that Christmas is most certainly not rubbish. Eden: How did you know I said that? Ghost of Christmas Present: I know lots of things about you, Eden Starling. Eden: Youre kind of creepy.

Ghost of Christmas Present: Dont talk. Be quiet and listen. Eden: To what? Ghost of Christmas Present: To the truth. Girl #1: I dont even see what Paolo sees in her. Girl #2: I know, right? Were much prettier than her. Boy #1: You two are prettier than Eden Starling? Wow, I never knew that. Girl #3: Dont be such a jerk. They mean that theyre personality is prettier than Edens. Eden Starling is nothing but a selfish spoiled brat! Boy #2: Paolos so in love with her, so she cant be all that bad, right? Girl #1: Of course she is! Paolos just too blind to see underneath her pretty little face. Boy #1: You guys dont even know her. How would you know? Girl #1: Everyone knows how selfish and greedy she is. Even her best friend Katherine admitted to dislike her at times. And Paolo will see that she isnt worth it, and then he will finally fall for Katherine. Boy #3: Katherine Poole? Girl #4: Yes, Kathy. Shes been in love with Paolo for years, but Eden just keeps ruining everything for everyone. Eden: How dare they?! Ghost of Christmas Present: You cannot touch them, Eden, and they cannot see nor touch you. Eden: Theyre saying lies about my best friend! And about me! How do you expect me not to strangle them? Ghost of Christmas Present: Calm down, Eden. Eden: Calm down? How can I calm down when these good for nothing losers talk about me like that? What theyre saying isnt even true! Ghost of Christmas Present: Take my hand. I want to show you something else. Eden: Good! I cant stand their faces any longer! (The Second Ghosts takes Eden to the Poole house, where Katherine and the rest of her family are decorating for Christmas.) Eden: And were here because? Ghost of Christmas Present: Just listen, alright? Eden: Whatever. Katherines mother: Kathy, honey, how was the Christmas Carol show? Katherines father: Was Eden amazing like always? Katherine: It was so amazing and there were so many talented singers there! Eden was one of the best, of course. She was simply wonderful! Paolo said that she sounded like an angel. Katherines mother: Paolo Anderson? Isnt he the one whos madly in like with Eden? Katherine: Yes, he is. Katherines father: And isnt he the one youre madly in like with, Kath? Katherine: Yes, hes also that. Katherines mother: Oh Kathy, does Eden know how you feel? Katherine: She wouldnt care.

Katherines mother: But shes your best friend. Eden: Yes, Kathy, Im your best friend! Ghost of Christmas Present: You didnt know how she felt? Eden: No! I mean, I knew she flirted with him sometimes but I never thought she ever had feelings for someone like Paolo Anderson! I always knew Paolo liked me, so I never thought shed crush on him when hes crushing on me. Ghost of Christmas Present: And she never told you how she felt about him? Even when you both knew he liked you? Eden: She didnt! I cant believe her! Katherine: I know shes my best friend, but sometimes I dont think she sees me that way. Katherines father: Whys that, Kathy? Katherine: Because shes just so self-centered sometimes, Dad. I love herI really do, but she can be so selfish sometimes! I dont know if I can talk to her about my own problems because its always just about her. Eden: Kathy! Dont say those things! Ghost of Christmas Present: She cannot hear you, Miss Starling. Eden: Take me back to my bedroom. Right now. Ghost of Christmas Present: What? Eden: You heard me! I dont want to hear anymore so take me back!

SCENE FOUR

(The Third Spirit arrives when Eden is sitting on her bed, looking outside her window.) Spirit of Christmas Future: Where is the Second Spirit? Eden: Hes left already. He told me that youd be coming, so I decided to wait for you. Spirit of Christmas Future: Are you ready? Eden: I dont know. Im not exactly sure. Which spirit are you? Ghost of Christmas Future: The Third Spiritthe Ghost of Christmas Future. I am the last ghost who will be visiting you tonight. Eden: After you, I can finally wake up from this awful dream? Spirit of Christmas Future: This is anything but a dream, Eden. Eden: Where are you going to take me, Third Spirit? Spirit of Christmas Future: To the future. Thats why I have the word future in my name. (The Third Spirit offers his hand and Eden takes it. Once again, she hears soft bells ringing.) Eden: Im supposed to be seeing the future me, right? Spirit of Christmas Future: Yes. Do you see Future Eden anywhere? Eden: No. Where is the future me? Spirit of Christmas Future: Future Eden is right behind you, actually. Eden: (turning around) You must be mistaken! I do not end up like that! Future Eden: Excuse me, maam, could you please give me something to eat? Woman: I dont have anything to eat, sorry. Ive gotta go! Future Eden: Sir, sir! Please, Im starving! Give me something to eat or drink. Man: Move out of my way! Im going to be late for a meeting. Future Eden: Excuse me! Man: Im sorry, but this food is for Christmas dinner my wife will be preparing. Next time, maybe? Future Eden: Why are these people so selfish? Im the one who is supposed to be having dinner with my family and ignoring beggars. But now I am the beggar! How did I end up becoming like this? Eden: What happened to herto me? Spirit of Christmas Future: She was selfish and greedy, therefore sheyoubecame this way. Eden: How did this happen? Im supposed to be rich and famous in the future! Spirit of Christmas Future: You do become rich and famous for your amazing voice, but your attitude made your fans turn away and you needed your fans to keep being famous. Eden: This cant be how my future turns out. Do something! Spirit of Christmas Future: Im afraid I cant do anything, Eden. Eden: What do you mean you cant do anything?! Youre a ghost! Spirit of Christmas Future: Im not going to be able to do anything. Its you who can change your own future. Eden: I dont know how, but I dont want to end up like her.

Spirit of Christmas Future: You make your own choices, Eden Starling. Whether you choose to be good or not, its your own decision and no one elses. Eden: I dont want to end up on the streets on Christmas Eve, begging for food in the cold. Spirit of Christmas Future: You know what you have to do, Eden? Eden: What? Spirit of Christmas Future: Change.

SCENE FIVE (Eden wakes up on Christmas morning on her bed, in her bedroom.) Eden: Oh my goodness! Uncle John: Oh, Eden, wake up! Eden: Uncle John! Good morning. Uncle John: Merry Christmas, my wonderful niece! Eden: Merry Christmas, uncle! Im glad to be able to spend Christmas with you, even if my father couldnt be here. Uncle John: Actually, Eden, your father is in fact here. Edens father: Eden, darling! Merry Christmas! Eden: Daddy! What are you doing here? Edens father: I decided to close up the shop. I wanted to be here with you and John. Eden: Todays moms death anniversary. Uncle John: Dont think of Christmas as the day your mother died, Eden. Think of it as the day everyone should be sharing love. Edens father: Your uncles right. We mustnt be feeling anything but happiness and love today! Eden: I know, Daddy, but I just miss her so much. Edens father: Oh, Eden, she never left you or me. Shes in our hearts forever a nd is looking down at us, making sure were both safe. Eden: Even though Moms not here, Im glad you and Uncle John are. Uncle John: Well always be here for you, Eden. Edens father: Alright, then! Since its Christmas, lets go eat breakfast so I can give you both your Christmas gifts! Katherine: Hey, Eden. Merry Christmas! Eden: Merry Christmas, Kathy! (Eden hugs Katherine tightly, which surprises Katherine.) Katherine: Oh, um, you seem like youre in a good mood. Eden: Of course I am, Kathy. Its Christmas, for crying out loud! Katherine: I thought you said Christmas was rubbish? Eden: I regret saying that now, Kathy. Katherine: Oh? Thats wonderful, but what changed your mind? Eden: Something happened last night that made me change my mind about Christmas. Katherine: And whats that? Eden: Ghosts. Katherine: Ghosts? Eden: Three of them! Oh, Kathy, youll never believe what a night its been. Katherine: Really? Three ghosts managed to convince you that Christmas was worth it after all? Eden: They didnt just convince me about Christmas, they convinced me to change! Katherine: Change?

Eden: Yes! Kathy, I know that sometimes I make you feel like you dont matter to me, but youre my best friend! Of course you matter to me. Youre one of the most important people in my life. Katherine: Oh, Eden. Its alright. I know that its just not you to show your feelings. Eden: But I swear that I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you. I will do whatever it takes to be an amazing best friend to you. Katherine: You really dont have to Eden: And Im going to start with Paolo. Katherine: Paolo? Eden: Yes! Merry Christmas!

THE END