A Fantasmic Kingdom Christmas Carol

[Donald Duck]

A Fantasmic Kingdom Christmas Carol
Based on the novella A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

Marley and Scrooge were partners, cutthroat accountants in London circa the 19th century. Together, the duo practically robbed the rich and swindled the poor. They were greedy, miserly, avaricious, and even those words were too kind. But now Marley was dead, and Scrooge was the sole proprietor of his English counting house. Years of greed rendered Scrooge's heart colder than ice.

This story begins on the exact seventh anniversary of Marley's death, seven years to the day. It was the 24th of December, Christmas Eve. Except it wasn't the evening at the time; it was still morning. Children out of school happily challenged each other to snowball fights on the streets. Amicable men and women nodded their heads and blessed each other as they passed. It seemed that the only soul not in a merry mood on this snowy yet beautiful morning was none other than Scrooge...

[Scrooge McDuck]

As usual, Scrooge was at his counting house, going over paperwork at his desk there. It was always business with him. A glower seemed to be permanently etched on his face. Occasionally, he would stop to tend to the small fire that he had going nearby.

He kept the door to his office open, so he that could keep an eye peeled on his clerk, who was in a small room adjacent to Scrooge's own. If he caught him being lazy or not working hard enough, there would be hell to pay. The chill in the aged bird's heart could give the cold outside a run for its money.

[Mickey Mouse]

Bob Cratchit had spent many years working for the old miser Ebeneezer Scrooge, and considering how stingy the old duck really was, he felt blessed to still have his job and was an extremely loyal employee as a result. Still, he struggled at his work sometimes, due to Scooge's behaviour, especially now that the weather had gone cold. Scrooge was very particular over the amount of coal that was used during these chilly times and one time when Bob was trying to thaw out his frozen ink, Scrooge refused to allow him the warmth in order to do so. And so he went back to his desk, bundled up tightly in a comforter that did not provide enough warmth for the poor mouse and continued to scratch away at his letter copying, never once complaining.

Now that Christmastime was here, Bob was chipper than ever and full of holiday spirit. Oh, he could not wait to be at home with his family on Christmas which was only a day away- that is- if he were given permission. All day Bob cautiously peered from his work to steal a glance through Scrooge's door, summoning up the courage to go and speak to him. At last he felt he was ready and after finishing up a letter, he shyly made his way over to Scrooge's office door and knocked quietly.

"Uh- uh, Mr Scrooge? I was just wondering, since tomorrow is Christmas... if- if I might have..." Bob gulped down his anxiety, "A h-half a day off?"

[Scrooge McDuck]

Scrooge glanced up sharply in his clerk's direction, mulling over the request before grudgingly answering. "Christmas, eh? I suppose so... but I'll have to dock ye half a day's pay. Now, get back to work."

After a moment, he gruffly added, "Oh, and don't forget to get my shirts cleaned." He indicate the burlap bag beside his desk that contained a bundle of shirts that needed washing.

[Donald Duck]

Just then, another chirpy soul full of the holiday spirit (if not a short fuse) burst into the dreary counting-house. It was Fred, Scrooge's feisty yet mostly jovial nephew. Fred, donning a blue Victorian jacket, a red scarf around his neck, and blue flat hat darker than his blue jacket, threw open the door and jumped inside, holding a holiday wreath in his left hand. He thrust his hands in the air as he loudly exclaimed to the counting-house accustomed to the bleak and bitter cold. Only Bob Cratchit made it a habit to keep some warmth and compassion in Scrooge's domain.

"Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge!" he shouted to his miserly uncle. He then looked to Bob Cratchit and offered him no less a greeting. "And to you, Bob!"

[Mickey Mouse]

"And a very merry Christmas to you, Master Fred!" Bob squeaked, a smile springing to his lips as he hopped off his high stool and going over to shake the cheery mallard's hand!

[Scrooge McDuck]

Scrooge was in the midst of what he considered to be not only his lifeblood, but a great pastime as well - balancing his books as he went over business for the day. It was evident that he took great pleasure in doing so, as it was one of the rare few times one could see him genuinely smiling.

When his nephew Fred suddenly barged in, Scrooge glanced up, his face furrowed into a cranky frown, especially when Fred had the nerve to say "Merry Christmas" of all things! Bob Cratchit was caught up in his glare as well.

"Bah humbug!" The old duck snarled at Fred. "Christmas should be just like any other day -- a working day! What have you got to be so merry about anyways? You're poor!"

[Donald Duck]

Ah, the sweet, compassionate sentiments of Uncle Scrooge. Every year, it was the same old routine with the stubborn curmudgeon: Fred bursts into the dreary office to enthusiastically invite his uncle over to his house for Christmas dinner, only to have his enthusiasm crushed, bagged, and thrown in the Thames to drown. It was painful, yes, but every Fred was confident that--for once--Scrooge would take him up on the offer.

Of course, in all of his kindness, Fred was not above arguing with his uncle. He furrowed his eyebrows and approached Scrooge's desk. Fred intended to rest the wreath he carried on a clear area of the desk's surface, but the desk was covered with money and money-making papers, so that idea went. Fred clutched the wreath as he, closer to his uncle, began to argue.

"Aw, phooey! What have you to be so gloomy? You're rich enough!" Fred shook his head and continued, "You can be rich and poor, it doesn't matter. Anyone can have a merry Christmas! Christmas is about joy, family, and food! And wreaths." He raised the wreath he carried to signify its existence, before continuing: "I'm inviting you to Christmas dinner tomorrow, Uncle Scrooge. Will you come? It's about time you paid attention to family for a change!"