Bah! Humbug!

Winchester's Christmas Carol
Act One
Scene One:

London, 1843. A snowy street on Christmas Eve. Carolers serenade under a lamppost. An old man bustles past them on his way to his counting-house. He is stopped by two well-dressed people.

Well-dressed Person Number One: Mr. Scrooge? Winchester Scrooge, I presume?

Scrooge: Presume somewhere else. I'm in a hurry.

Well-dressed Person Number Two: We only need a moment of your time. On this festive evening, we wonder if you would like to make a provision for the destitute and poor.

Scrooge: By provision, you mean money?

Person Number One: Well--yes.

Scrooge: Everybody always has their hand out! Are there no prisons? No workhouses?

Person Number Two: Of course, but many can't go there. And some won't.

Scrooge: Tough. Stuff the prisons and workhouses to the rafters with those useless people and leave me alone! I for one have to work for a living!

Winchester Scrooge scurries down the street, muttering to himself, "Bah, humbug!"

End of Scene One