Daniel T. Sidlik (S.B.DOW) 48 South Rd Londonderry, NH 03053(603) 434-2674 Email:stk@rcn.com

Chapter I: The Beginning

“Surely there must be some sort of an error.” Bob Cratchit gasped. His eyes were wide at the sight of the large turkey held out before him.
“ None that I am aware of.” The poultry man said as he balanced the bird upon the paunch of his chest. “Are you not Bob Cratchit?”
“ I am.” Bob wheezed out. The two youngest of the Cratchit family wiggled their way between their father’s legs to witness the affair. Their mouths hung open in disbelief at the sight of the large bird.
“ Is this not Camden Town, and is this not your address?” The poultry man asked. He produced then held out the piece of paper addressed by Ebenezer Scrooge not more than an hour earlier.
“ It is as the paper reads.” Bob confessed as he closely examined the piece of paper. “But who would send such a gift?”
“ I am not at liberty to say.” The poultry man replied. “It is enough to say that I have been well paid to deliver it and to say nothing more.” He pushed by an excited family, squealing and jumping about him in delight as they surrounded him on his trek to the kitchen. As he placed the oversized bundle down upon the closest table, he eyed Bob pulling a coin from his purse. “That will not be necessary, my good man.” The poultry man said with a wave of his hand. “As I said earlier, I have been well paid for my efforts.” He made his way to the outer door where he turned to face the still excited family. Then with a broad smile and arms stretched out wide and in a voice that could only be regarded as genuine, cried out. “Have a very Merry Christmas!” Leaving a bewildered Cratchit family eyeing the oversized turkey in awe, the poultry man, with his cheers of joy crying out to all who would hear, drove away.
“ Who could have sent such a delight?” Bob asked as he examined the turkey closely. He could feel his head swoon over the excitement of the moment.
“ I have not the slightest notion.” Mrs. Cratchit said. Then, in a whisper, added. “Surely Robert there must be some sort of an error.”
“ It could be nothing less my dear wife.” Bob said. “But you yourself heard the poultry man. And he did produce the paper upon which was written our very name and address.”
“ But how can we afford such a treasure? We can scarcely afford what we have now?” Mrs. Cratchit replied in a troubled whisper. She glanced toward the door with expectations of a constable appearing and charging them with the crime of theft.
“ The poulterer did say that he had been well paid for his efforts to deliver it to us.” Bob reminded her as well as himself. “Besides, I know of no other Cratchit family here in Camden Town, aside from what we have here.”
Mrs. Cratchit studied her husband’s expectant face, and then looked down at the excited faces that stared back with breathless anticipation. Not knowing what else to do, she sighed. “Well, if this turkey was delivered to us in error, and we are to be marched off to prison as a result of it all, then we may as well go with our stomachs full!” A large smile found its way to her lips and then like a sergeant besieging a town, she began issuing commands and tasks to be completed by the family.
In a flurry of arms and legs, the Cratchit family went to work as one laying out the Christmas feast. As if possessing some magical power each member of the family was drawn to observe the cooking turkey on numerous occasions as if to be assured that the event did indeed occur and they would soon be feasting upon such a scrumptious delight.
At last the dishes were set upon the table, and grace was said. It was succeeded by a breathless pause, as Mrs. Cratchit, ever so slowly and carefully plunged the carving knife into the breast of the oversized bird. When she did so, and when the long expected gush of stuffing issued forth, one voice of delight arose all round the table. Even Tiny Tim, excited by the two young Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife, and feebly cried, “Hurrah!”
When at last the dinner was completed, and she was sure the feasting frenzy upon the turkey had ceased, Mrs. Cratchit, as she viewed the half-eaten bird, asked. “Will there be room for pudding?”
“ Not I.” Rang out voices whose owners had stomachs stuffed from the miraculous meal and who were now slumped down in their chairs.
“ We will save it for later then.” Laughed Mrs. Cratchit. “So now, let us clear the table.” In a whirlwind of excitement the cloth was cleared, the hearth was brushed clean, and the fire made up then crowned with a shovel-full of chestnuts. A short time later, all the members of the Cratchit family drew round the hearth in a half circle to partake in drink of apples and oranges. While the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily, Bob raised his glass upward, and proposed:

"A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us."

The entire family in unison echoed the toast.

"God bless us, everyone!" said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
In the bustle of the festivities, Bob Cratchit raised his glass once again. "Mr. Scrooge!" he said; "I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!"
" The Founder of the Feast, indeed!" cried Mrs. Cratchit, reddening. "I wish I had him here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope he'd have a good appetite for it."
" My dear," said Bob with hurt in his eyes, "The children. Christmas Day."
" It should be Christmas Day, I am sure," seethed Mrs. Cratchit. "On which one drinks the health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge! You know he is, Robert. Nobody knows it better than you do, poor fellow."
" My dear," was Bob's mild answer, "Christmas Day."
" I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's," growled Mrs. Cratchit, "Not for his-- long life to him. A merry Christmas and a happy New Year! -- He’ll be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!"
The children drank their toast after her and each, in their manner, displayed as much heartiness towards the benefactor of the toast. Tiny Tim drank it last of all, but he didn't care two pence for it. From what he had seen and heard in his few years, it was clear that Scrooge was the Ogre of the family. And this was true, for throughout the family, why the mere mention of his name cast a dark shadow upon the party, one, which was not dispelled for five full minutes. But like the rain that falls upon the ground, in time it will seep away leaving no trace of its existence. And so, too, it was with the disparity over Ebenezer Scrooge and his heartless ways. Soon, Bob had his youngest son Tim sitting upon his shoulders as he danced about the room in song and merriment. Caught up in the gaiety of the moment, they were joined by the rest of the family. In song and dance they all circled about the room laughing with cheerfulness over the miracle of the night.
Time had seen the passage of many winters since the house of Bob Cratchit had been so alive with so much energy, vitality, and joy as there was this night. While the children embraced the gifts from a Christmas miracle, Bob and his wife busied themselves placing what remained of the turkey and fixings upon the table for any passerby in a need of a meal. The sounds of Christmas joy radiated from within and without, as the Cratchits opened their home for all to share in the festivities of such a magical time.

In another part of town, not so far away, the gusting snows of this Christmas evening fell upon the celebrating and bustling masses. The biting cold and fierce winds were not so noticeable to those who accidentally came upon the unexpected sight of one Ebenezer Scrooge. Being known as a man whose heart and soul were as cold as the coldest of winters, they found it strange that he would be out on such a night. They found it even stranger when he warmly fell upon them with a firm handshake amid giggles of delight in a sincere wish for a Merry Christmas. To those who had nothing, he gave coins that they might purchase food or a warm night’s lodging. To those who were affluent, he gave of himself freely and sincerely. Flabbergasted by such a sight of sights, many found themselves in doubt of their sanity as they mindlessly continued upon their journey questioning their sobriety over what they had just witnessed.
And as this night passed off into history, little did Bob, his family, or the world know that many a winter would pass before such a fresh spirit lived within them all again.

Chapter II: The Revelation

Bob Cratchit scurried along the streets darting and dashing between and around snowdrifts as well as pedestrians as he hurried to the firm of Marley & Scrooge. Haste was the word of the moment as, by his watch, he was already fifteen minutes late. He would be docked if Scrooge was in a favorable mood, dismissed if he was not. He held no stock in his only hope that Scrooge might also be late this day. Panting heavily as he sought to catch his breath, Bob stopped by the outside window of the firm of Marley & Scrooge, and in a watchful anticipation, hesitantly peered inside. What there was of a fire was lit, giving all indication that his goose was cooked. At the sight of the fire, he let his thoughts drift back to the previous evening and the unexpected gift of the turkey from the unknown benefactor. From these visions a heartwarming smile formed on Bob’s lips. Suddenly, realizing where he was and what stood before him, he fought off the feelings of the previous evening and quickly devised a plan. His hope was that Scrooge would be so focused upon his work that he would not hear his arrival. This would allow him to slip in quietly and take his station without anyone being the wiser. . With a deep breath and body tingling with high hopes, Bob slowly turned the handle of the front door. Each creak and groan was an explosion in his mind. When the door was opened just enough for him to pass through, Bob tiptoed in. In an instant, and as silently as he could, he removed his hat, coat and comforter. In half that time he was at his station deep into his work as if trying to recapture the minutes lost.
" Hallo," growled Scrooge, in his customary gruff voice, as near as he could feign it from the other room. "What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?"
" I'm very sorry, sir," Bob replied as he tried to keep his trembling voice steady. "There is no doubt that I am truly behind my time."
" You are?" repeated Scrooge. "Yes. I think you are. Step this way, if you please."
" It's only once a year, sir," pleaded Bob upon wobbly legs as he entered the den of the heartless Ebenezer Scrooge. "It shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir."
" Now, I'll tell you what, my friend," said Scrooge wearing a deep scowl, "I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer. And therefore…” Realizing he could no longer keep up with his charade of anger, Scrooge leaped up from his stool, and gave Bob such a dig in the waistcoat, that it caused Bob to stagger back to the outer office again. Wearing a smile that Bob had never seen before, Scrooge continued on in a giggle. "And therefore, I am about to raise your salary."
Unsure of the words he had just heard, Bob trembled, spied then moved a little nearer to a ruler lying on Scrooge’s desk. He had a momentary idea of knocking Scrooge down with it, holding him, and calling to the people in the court to bring a strait-waistcoat.
" A Merry Christmas to you, Bob," said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. "A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year. I'll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of Smoking Bishop. Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another ‘i’ Bob Cratchit!" Grabbing his hat and coat, Scrooge giggled and pranced about as he headed for the outer door. “I have a few errands to run, Bob, me boy! Mind the business.” With a heart-felt wave of his hand and a smile to match, Scrooge departed leaving behind a bewildered Bob Cratchit. With mouth agape, Bob remained staring at the door long after Scrooge had left. “Mad is what I am.” Bob mumbled to himself at last, as he had no idea what to make of it all. “If not mad, then asleep for sure.” He had followed Scrooge into the outer office like an obedient puppy where he remained unmoving. When at last he could summon his legs to action, he peeked into Scrooge’s office to insure the man had indeed left and the whole affair had not been some residue from too much Christmas cheer. Satisfied that this was not the case, he looked outside to insure he had entered the correct firm. Bob was tempted to ask a passerby to pinch him that he would know himself awake. Fighting off the urge he closed the door, looked around, then pinched himself. The pain of reality sunk in and Bob realized, for what it was worth, that he was awake. Suddenly, a cold chill swept over him. “A trap! That is what it is!” Bob gasped with arms out wide to his sides. “Scrooge will walk in at any time now and see that I am not toiling over my work! He will dismiss me for sure!” With winged feet Bob flew over to his station and buried himself in his work. The morning passed quickly and soon the afternoon was unknowingly upon him. It was the opening of the door that caused Bob to break his concentration with his work and, to his dismay, he saw that his delirium had returned; for before him stood the toothy grin of a smiling Ebenezer Scrooge.

“Bob me boy!” Scrooge laughed as he entered the work place of Marley & Scrooge. With a light step governing his motion, he walked over and good heartedly slapped Bob upon the shoulder. “Still toiling over those books I see.”
“ It is what I am salaried for, Mr. Scrooge.” Bob smiled nervously.
“ Indeed you are!” Scrooge laughed. “But not so much that you cannot enjoy the day. Come, we’ll close up for the day. Join me at the pub across the street that we may discuss your future.”
Taken back and still very much lost in bewilderment, Bob mindlessly climbed from his stool, dressed himself with coat and scarf, and then found himself behind Scrooge marching across the street. He obediently paraded one step behind the man who claimed to be Ebenezer Scrooge as they crossed the snow covered streets out of routine. Seated at a table near a frosted window, Bob felt his hands begin to sweat. Never before had he sat across from Scrooge except when he was being scolded and, never, anywhere outside of the office. His disjointed and rambling thoughts were shattered as Scrooge broke the silence. “Now what do we talk about?” Scrooge smiled after ordering food and tankards of rum for the two of them.
Bob found his mind awhirl over the many strange events that were unfolding so quickly before him. So quickly, in fact, were these events happening, that he found himself feeling faint. His heart pounded with anticipation as he studied his employer, who, right before his eyes, had become as different as night is from day. As he sat silently waiting for whatever his employer had to say, Bob felt beads of sweat forming on his brow. Looking Bob in the eyes and still wearing the same wide, toothy grin, Scrooge began. “Bob me boy, I think it is time you left that station of yours.” In an instant Bob realized he was being given the sack.
Reading the frantic look on Bob’s face, Scrooge broke into a fit of laughter. “It is not what you are thinking my dear Bob Cratchit, you are not being terminated, no, by no means! My meaning is that I am thinking that you must sit behind my desk from now on.”
“I-I-I cannot sir, it is your station.” Bob stammered uneasily.
“Nonsense my boy! Where else would a partner sit?” Ebenezer Scrooge cackled as he slapped his bony leg.
“A partner, Mr. Scrooge?” Bob asked with eyes wide and his mouth dry with shock. So much in so little time had occurred that Bob felt his head swooning. It was good the drink had arrived at that time, for Bob took hold of the tankard and drank a long drink, but it failed to relieve the dryness in his throat.
“Of course!” Scrooge laughed. Placing a curved finger under his chin he continued. “Did I fail to mention that?” Without waiting for an answer, he laughed and went on. “Curse this old memory of mine, can’t remember a thing. Of course a partner!” giggled Scrooge. “Went to the sign maker this very morning, paid him well, should have it here this afternoon.” Scrooge raised his hands to his eye level with palms outward then slowly moved them away from each other as he spoke. “Yes sir, the sign will read ‘Marley, Scrooge, and Cratchit’! A fine name for a firm, I must say!”
Scrooge continued to flitter about as they dined on the Smoking Bishop, a collection of oranges and grapefruit smothered in red wine and port. The wine mixed with the rum tankards should have left Bob in an intoxicated state, but his mind was nowhere for the liquors to infect, so he remained in control of his senses. His delirium was sent spiraling deeper with Scrooge looking at him and speaking. “Take the rest of the day off, Bob. I have other matters to attend to. No sense wasting a beautiful day locked up with receipts and ledgers!”
Bob instinctively glanced through the window and took in the gray day with the snow piled high. Meanwhile Scrooge had tossed a few coins on the table, had gotten up and was in the midst of putting on his hat and coat. As he began to leave, he stopped then faced Bob once again. Flashing his big toothy grin and with a tone of sincerity, he whispered in a gentle voice. “Merry Christmas Bob Cratchit, Merry Christmas!”
Bob remained sitting motionless as he watched Scrooge rush across the snow-covered street then disappear into the gray afternoon. Still bewildered by the day’s events, he downed the last of the rum from the tankard, and then tried to stand upon legs made wobbly from the afternoon’s announcements. Balancing himself against the edge of the table to keep from falling, he slowly and deliberately wrapped himself up in his winter attire and then left the pub. Those who remained in the pub and who thought Bob was intoxicated were educated that he was not as he walked out as straight as any arrow.
Standing outside the pub, he tightened his collar against the cold while he wondered what he was to do next. He was still encased in a fog of bewilderment and any thoughts of making his way home vanished as he felt himself too dazed to find the route. Spying the workman having replaced the sign Ebenezer Scrooge had spoken of and who were leaving the now firm of ‘Marley, Scrooge, and Cratchit,’ Bob found himself drawn across the street to it like a moth to a flame.
Standing beneath the new sign and gazing up at it, Bob’s overtaxed mind was on the verge of collapse. Gathering what strength he could from within himself, he mindlessly unlocked the door then entered the office feeling like a stalking thief in the night. He made his way slowly around touching and feeling each archaic piece until he found himself standing before the desk of his one time tormentor. Feelings of repressed suffering fought its way to the surface inviting his mind to relive those miserable days that he had been forced to endure over these many years. To help relieve the built up energy, he worked his way behind the desk to the chair whose dents and scratches showed that it had held the bodies of too many masters. In a trance-like state fueled from yesterday’s agonies, a besieged Bob Cratchit, his heart beating loudly, remained motionless behind the chair while his mind replayed its stories of suffering. As these memories vividly replayed themselves, he could feel his hands, which were now draped over the back of the chair, beginning to sweat. Under the weight of so much anguish for so many years, Bob found that his wobbly legs too weak to hold him up. Oblivious to his actions, he made his way around to the front of the chair that had served as Ebenezer Scrooge’s throne for many a heartless year. With a light hand upon the armrest, he just stood there quietly staring at it. As if waiting for lightning to strike him for even thinking of occupying the chair, Bob fought off these thoughts as he slowly eased himself down into the seat of power. The high pitched screams of squeaks and groans offered by the dilapidated piece of furniture caused Bob to nearly abandoned this action in place of running out to the outer office to occupy the desk that had been his prison for so many arduous years. Cowered into submission by Scrooge’s harsh tongue over the many ages convinced Bob that if he did not fulfill Scrooge’s wishes he could come to expect a wrath to envelop him should Scrooge return unexpectedly and not find him where he had instructed him to be.
Fighting his obvious fears, he completed his journey down into the chair. Once seated, he awaited the fury of the gods to befall him. When this did not happen, he slowly leaned back amid screeches that sounded as if they were casting an alarm. Fearful the chair would break should he remain in that position much longer, he fell forward where he rested his elbows upon the mounds of papers strewn all over the top of the desk. He lowered his face into open palms and slowly massaged his temples in the hope this action would relieve his over burdened mind. With his chin nearly in his chest, he opened his eyes and took note of the ledger book his elbows rested upon. Surrounding it was an assortment of charges awaiting their turn to be entered. Without thinking he grabbed hold of a nearby quill and began the task of fulfilling the obligation.

Chapter III: The Announcement

“Have you forgotten dinner this evening?” a voice rang out from the darkness. The unexpected disturbance caused Bob to fall back in a panic.
“ Dinner?” he stammered out not realizing he had said the word as he looked through the darkness for the owner of the voice.
“ Yes, dinner.” the voice echoed back with laughter. “It’s that time of the day when families join together to relive the days events.”
Bob squinted out into the darkness where he took in the smoky shape of his wife. “Surely it cannot be dinner already,” he protested as he regained his composure.
“ Upon my word, you are well behind your time, I half expected to find you frozen in the streets someplace.” She said with increasing relief from the fears her mind had generated with his lateness. Without awaiting a reply, she changed the subject. “I swear if this place were any darker it would be a tomb.” She sighed. Then suddenly remembering where she was, she quickly looked around herself. In a quiet voice that showed signs of a tremor and as if not wanting to bring down the wrath of the gods upon her, she whispered, “Scrooge, is he not here?” As these words left her lips, she for the first time took note of where he sat. With eyes wide she gasped out. “And why is it that you are sitting at his station?”
Bob forced a discomforting laugh as he stood up. “Welcome to my nightmare my dear. Allow me to gather my coat and I shall inform you of this day’s strange happenings.”
“Surely it can be no stranger than the other night.” his wife replied referring to the mysterious benefactor of the huge turkey. She followed Bob into the outer office where he collected his winter wear and she continued her questioning. “Have you any further clues that could explain such an affair?”
“I have an idea where it may have originated.” Bob thought out loud accompanied with a slow shake of his head. “As for today’s events being stranger than that I shall let you be the judge!” He put on his outer clothing, shut then locked the door to the firm that now read ‘Marley, Scrooge, and Cratchit’. Bob looked up at the sign and pointed to it. “Let us begin with that.” He said to his wife. He took in the look of bewilderment that stretched across her face.
“I don’t understand.” She said weakly.
“As I said my dear wife, welcome to my nightmare.” Bob said with a deep sigh. The breath from his words formed a cloud around his head then quickly faded into the night. “Come I shall tell you what I know or suspect as we walk. “ The couple hunched over against the cold winter night then proceeded home while Bob’s wife, whose interest in what he had to say kept her pace step for step with his. “Not only has he made me a partner and insists that I occupy his station, ‘as he now has other matters to attend to’, but he would like us to move in with him.” Bob eyed the bewildered look overcoming his wife’s face as she came to a complete stop. Sensing from her expression that she felt she had not heard his words correctly, he repeated himself. “Truly, those were his words exactly, he wants us to move in with him, ‘that he may assist us’.” Bob declared with a hand over his heart. He continued relaying the day’s events as they made their way home upon the snow-covered streets and the bitter cold night.
Doing his best imitation of Scrooge, a game he had performed many times in the past while in the closed quarters of their home, he hunched over, waggled a finger about then said in a scratchy voice. “Too much room in my place for one person Bob me boy, needs fresh voices to bring it to life! Have your wife remove the drab furnishings and decorate it to her tastes.”
His wife laughed at his impressions then in a serious tone added. “There is no doubt that the man is mad,” she declared in a hushed voice. She quickly looked about herself to be sure her words were not being overheard.
“ It was he, I believe, who sent us that turkey.” Bob confessed.
“ Him? Ebenezer Scrooge? Part with his money for the benevolence of another?” She mocked in disbelief at the revelation. Realizing that the expression on her husband’s face had not changed, she changed her questioning. “If you are so sure of this, then to what do you attribute such a thought?” She asked.
“ Only a mad man would do such a thing. We know of no others affluent enough to offer such a kindness. And then to have such a delight delivered and then not to show up to enjoy the gift with us could only be the work of a madman.” He stated. Then in a hushed voice, added. “From what I have experienced today it is just strange enough to be part of his purpose, whatever that may be.”
She thought about his words for a moment. “Perhaps.” She said at last with an agreeing nod. “And from what you have told me of the day’s events thus far, I could not in good faith deny the possibility.” She questioned him further in the hopes of bringing some of the loose strings together. “You are too fine a fellow to jest with me to this extreme, so I feel what you have observed has the merit of truth. But about his strange behavior, have you learned anything that will clue us as to what has caused this amazing change in him? We know he frequents the local taverns, could it be that he was filled with drink?”
“ None that I could detect.” Bob said as he considered the possibility. “He seemed in control of his bodily senses, but of his mind, I cannot be so sure.”
“ You know Robert, we have dreamed of days such as these,” his wife sighed as she looked down at the snows swirling about their feet. “But I fear,” she said in earnest as she looked Bob squarely in the eye, “That until we understand the nature of this dream, it could well hide the demons of a nightmare!”
“ I must agree with you my dear wife,” Bob said with a reflective nod. “One could easily adjust to the changes in another over time, but how does one manage such a change in so short a time? And without reason?”
“ Truer words have never been spoken, Robert.” His wife said as a frightening thought suddenly occurred to her. “Who is to say that this Scrooge will remain? Who is to say that the heartless Scrooge will not be toiling at his station tomorrow while the remnants of the sign announcing your partnership lies burning in the hearth?” She paused for a moment as these thoughts danced about in her head. “It would be a nightmare Robert, it would be a nightmare.”
“ I feel the nightmare is already upon us." Bob said without hesitating. His wife looked up and studied his face as she sought for a clue to his meaning. She didn’t have to wait long, for he continued on in almost a whisper. "Just before he rushed out the door this morning, it seemed to me he was talking to someone, and I am quite sure he was alone and equally sure it was not directed at me.”
“ How can you be so sure.” She asked hungrily.
“ Quite easily,” Bob snorted an uneasy laugh. “It was the content of the words that had me convinced that it was not to me he referred.”
“ Are you sure there was no one else accompanying him when he left?”
“ None that that I could see as I was in the outer office facing the door.” Bob said as he closed his eyes with the hope of remembering anything of the encounter that could have signaled the existence of another in the office. Remembering nothing, he shook his head slowly. “Unless my mind was so overwhelmed I did not see his companion.”
“ What was he saying?” His wife pressed.
Bob was silent for a moment as he tried to remember the exact wording. “From what I could make out." He said at last, "He was saying that he felt good and was glad they did everything the one night and hoped that he was pleasing them.”
“ Them who?”
“To that I have not a clue.” Bob said with a shrug of his shoulders. The worried look upon his wife's face echoed the feeling that had enwrapped his body since the mysterious man who claimed to be Ebenezer Scrooge first appeared.

Chapter IV: The New Command.

“Mr. Scrooge?” Bob asked timidly. Like a naughty child being discovered in the midst of some misdeed he quickly rose from Ebenezer’s chair. Beads of sweat appeared on his brow to give credence to the fact that he was a man caught in the middle of some violation. He had still not acquired any feeling of comfort sitting at Scrooge’s desk even though it had been almost a month since he had taken over the full running of the business. Since whatever it was that had changed Ebenezer Scrooge into the kind man he was today, he had not picked up a quill or examined a ledger book much less done a good day’s work at the business. Bob continued to await the return of the heartless Ebenezer Scrooge and this anticipation was wearing heavy on his nerves.
Ebenezer Scrooge bounded into his old office wearing a full smile. “Good morning to you Bob me boy! Good to see you here so early tending the business.”
“ It’s near ten in the morning Mr. Scrooge…”
“ Ebenezer, Bob, call me Ebenezer.”
“ Yes-s-s sir Mr. Scroo.. er Ebenezer.” Bob said as he choked over the words.
“ Fine, now what can I do for you my boy?” Scrooge chirped.
Bob found his voice as he produced a handful of receipts from atop the desk that he had set aside especially to bring to Scrooge’s attention. Clearing his throat, he warily asked. “I am having problems accounting for the figures upon these pages. They are marked complete and yet the ledgers reflect they are not. Have you additional ledger books some place that carry other received funds? Or is there another safe where funds may be stored? ”
“ No Bob, I believe those are the only ones.” Scrooge said with a wrinkled brow caused from thought.
“ Then perhaps there are other receipts placed someplace that I know nothing of.” Bob questioned.
“ Could be,” Ebenezer Scrooge said as he curled a finger under his chin. “But I think not.”
“ Then how can we mark these complete if we do not have the entire funds to balance the accounts?” Bob asked as he spread his hands apart.
“ Oh I do not know.” Ebenezer Scrooge laughed as he flipped a hand towards the receipts. “Besides, I have no time for that now. I have far more important matters to attend to.” He made his way over to the safe where he reached in and grabbed a handful of coins and dropped them into his purse. “I came for money to support an undertaking I am embarking upon.” He revealed while flashing Bob a wide, toothy grin. Upon finishing his task, Scrooge placed the purse in his waistcoat, closed the safe, stood up, and then rushed out of the room. From the outer office he called out. “You are doing a fine job Bob me boy, keep up the good work!” Before Bob could question him further, he heard the outer door close with a bang. Bob felt a heavy pressure push against his chest as his hands fell heavily to his sides. A few of the receipts fell to the floor and he cared not to pick them up. “What is the use?” he bemoaned to himself. “I try to keep this ship afloat and he comes to remove the sails.” Bob glanced down at the safe. “If he removes much more of the funds stored within, it’s only use will be that I will have additional storage for my ledgers!” Bob growled under his breath. Then, as an afterthought, added. “For that matter, the ledgers will be useless as I will have no business to keep track of!”
Bob plodded over and sat back down behind the desk where he just stared at the ledgers and receipts. The cold and dreary gray day that filled the sky outside reflected Bob's mood as he fought to maintain any essence of attachment to the tasks at hand. In order for him to balance the books, the ledgers now reflected a column solely dedicated to Scrooge and his mysterious ways. It pained him to see the books so haphazard but he needed to account for those items that he could not account for.
Deep within his mind he longed for the days when all he had to worry about were his meager wages and an occasional tongue-lashing. He thought back to the days when he would dream of a benevolent Ebenezer Scrooge. He now had his wish and wondered what magic would be required to undo it.