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Merry Christmas to all of y'all! Hope you are happy and healthy! Best wishes going into 2024.

Stave VI SCROOGE'S DEATH SCROOGE was dead to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The difference in his death and that of his former partner, Jacob Marley, was that Ebenezer Scrooge was surrounded by many that he had inspired in his later life. Scrooge found redemption on Christmas Eve night and set out to spread joy rather than continue his life of greed. Scrooge was surrounded by family and friends in his death. The chief mourner was his nephew, Fred but a great many others had come to mourn. Oh yes, a great many others came to be by his side to celebrate the life of Ebenezer Scrooge. Ebenezer Scrooge was as dead as a door nail. There was no doubt about that. He was as dead as Jacob Marley. The mention of his funeral brought a great many emotions through all that had known him. Scrooge had found peace and redemption in his later life. While Marley was bound by chains to wander the world in his death, Scrooge was at peace. As mentioned, he was surrounded by family and friends in his death. He was not lonely in the end. His nephew, Fred signed the burial of the register along with the clergyman, the clerk, and the undertaker. The funeral of Ebenezer Scrooge saw Bob Cratchit along with his family. Even Tiny Tim came to pay his final respects. Scrooge had left a great deal of his estate to his nephew, but he had spread out the remainder of his wealth among a great many. From Bob Cratchit and his family to the those less fortunate, the old Scrooge had left a great bit for everyone after he passed away. While a great many gathered to mourn Scrooge's passing, they were overcome with joy that he had found peace later in his life. A joy that many that had known him prior to his redemption found rather inspirational. Even the ghost of Jacob Marley came to see Ebenezer Scrooge be laid to rest. The mention of Scrooge’s funeral brings me back to point that I started from. There is no doubt that Ebenezer Scrooge was dead. While a great deal of his life was like that of another man that had died, Scrooge and Marley had different paths in the end. This must be distinctively understood that Scrooge was in fact dead or nothing wonderful would come from the story that is to come. The story that was the life and death of Ebenezer Scrooge had followed the ghost of Jacob Marley. Fred was left in charge of Scrooge's manor, the young man only wished to continue to bring honor to his uncle's legacy. The former home of Ebenezer Scrooge became a warm haven for widows and the fatherless. Even in his death, Scrooge continued to impact the lives of many. His contributions and impact in his later life brought hope to the city around him. There were more than family and friends that came to mourn him in his passing, the city came to pay its respect the man that found redemption on Christmas. With Scrooge Manor becoming a haven for the widows and the fatherless, Fred also set out to make it lively and festive around the holidays. Surrounding trees were decorated with ornaments that caught the eye of all who sauntered by. Carolers lined up to sing the glorious songs of the Christmas season while the former home of Ebenezer Scrooge became a beacon of hope and holiday joy. Bob Cratchit continued the business that Scrooge left behind. Rather than become overwhelmed with greed, Cratchit sought to use the business for the good of mankind. After Scrooge's redemption, Bob was delighted to see his young son grow into a young healthy man. The generous Ebenezer Scrooge even became a mentor of sorts to the young Tiny Tim. Despite Scrooge's final wishes for those that he left behind to donate their money to those in need rather than spend it on his funeral, Tiny Tim saw it fit to leave a single rose on his mentor's coffin. Hymns were sung as Ebenezer Scrooge was laid to rest. There were many tears that were shed for the old Scrooge. The stone that was placed over his grave became a reminder of his life's journey. His gravestone was a reminder to all that came to visit that redemption is possible for ages. After the mourning crowds had departed, the young Tiny Tim stayed behind to look over the gravestone of Ebenezer Scrooge. The young man shivered as he wrestled to find the right words to say. His voice trembled and shook as he muttered a fitting line that he had shouted all those years ago on Christmas Day. "God bless us everyone..." Stave VII THE HAUNTING OF JACOB MARLEY MARLEY'S ghost watched as the friends and family of Ebenezer Scrooge paid their respects to his old business partner. Still bound in the chains and locks that he had forged in his greedy life; the ghost of Jacob Marley felt a single lock come undone after Scrooge's passing. In Scrooge's redemption, Marley found that there was a chance for him to find peace even after death. Underneath his locks and chains, the ghost of Jacob Marley listened to the muttering words of Tiny Tim. With those muttering words of Tiny Tim, who was not so tiny anymore, Marley continued his journey around the world. Traveling far, wide, high, and low; the ghost of Jacob Marley sought to right the wrongs that were done to those in need. From as far as the east is from the west, and the north is from the south, Jacob traveled all over the corners of the Earth. In these endless travels, Jacob saw the worst that mankind had to offer but also saw glimmers of hope in different people. As he had offered a chance to his friend all those years ago, Marley offered the same for others in his travels. Little by little, more of those cursed locks had come undone. Time became a stranger to the old ghost of Jacob Marley. Days had become weeks, and weeks turned to years. After a while, Marley had all but forgotten the days and weeks. Despite the passing days, Marley always remembered the coming of Christmas. In his endless travels across the globe, he would often find himself at the foot of Scrooge's grave. The constant reminder of that gravestone gave hope to the tortured spirit. In his journey for peace and redemption, the wandering ghost of Jacob Marley had encountered many corrupt men and women. Cries of terror from kings and queens followed Marley all throughout the world. The evils of greed from all corners of the world became haunted by the wandering ghost of Jacob Marley. Little by little, the chains that Marley had created in life continued to loosen their powerful grip. The Ghosts of Christmas followed the wandering Jacob Marley in his long journey. The tools of the corrupt varied in each place that Marley traveled to, but the greed was all the same. At the turn of the century, the tools of the greedy changed drastically. The world saw wars that spread across the globe and the horrors only grew worse with the passage of time. Jacob Marley was nearly free from the locks and chains that bound to this purgatory. The old ghost of Jacob Marley visited the grave of Ebenezer Scrooge for what he had hoped would be the final time. He hoped that he could break the final lock to the cursed chains and finally find his own redemption. While the years since his own death has become a blur, Marley still remembered the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us everyone..." even though, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim had long passed away, Jacob Marley remembered them in the Christmas Carol of Ebenezer Scrooge. During his many travels, the wandering spirit had heard of a town that was under the control of an evil man. Even though this despicable man controlled it with an iron grip, the residents stood together with the hope of a better tomorrow. There was a rich history amongst the people in the town. The town was full of many people with wonderful lives. Jacob Marley traveled across the seven seas to and to the upper parts of the United States. Up ahead he could see the sign for the town that read, "Welcome to Bedford Falls." While roaming the snowy streets on Christmas Eve, Marley heard the sweet melody of Auld Lang Syne from within one of the homes. A large crowd gathered to help a man in need. From within the singing crowd, the wandering ghost could hear the soothing jingle of a ringing bell followed by a young girl exclaiming to her father, "Look daddy, teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings!" The ghost of Jacob Marley soon realized that an angel helped the man in this home realize that he had a wonderful life as he was surrounded by wonderful friends. He also realized that his journey did not end here at the home of George Bailey. No, this Christmas Eve night was far from over for the town of Bedford Falls. Jacob Marley set his sights on the miserable Mr. Potter. Stave VIII IT'S A MISERABLE LIFE POTTER was furious over the news that he had received on that late Christmas Eve night. The town of Bedford Falls came together to help George Bailey. For Mr. Potter, George Bailey had been a thorn in his side for far too long. His hope was that warped, frustrated young man would find himself in jail before the year's end. These hopes and plans ultimately failed with the residents of this town banning together for that idealistic young man. The old man Potter was angry indeed. His plans crumbled before his very eyes on that dark and snowy night. He spat and grumbled under his breath once he heard the sweet tune of Silent Night playing on his radio. The richest and meanest man in the country threw a paper weight from his wheelchair to destroy the radio. He had no desire to hear the joyful Christmas songs that played on the radio. In fact, Mr. Potter would see to it that this would not be a Merry Christmas for the town of Bedford Falls. His mind started to run once again to form a new plan on shutting down Bailey Brothers Building and Loan once and for all. The old man Potter wheeled himself over to his desk. His desire to obtain more wealth was no longer the only thing that was driving him. His heart now desired complete control over this town, and to see the fall of George Bailey. The old man planned out a scheme that would for sure give him what he wanted. After feeling the cold chill of the winter air pushing against his neck, Mr. Potter screamed for his assistant to warm up his office. Despite hollering for his assistant, Mr. Potter's eyes did not move away from the papers that were piled on his desk. The cold winter air slowly crept over to the old man's arms and legs. Mr. Potter hollered again for his assistant to turn on the heater in his office. Once again, his eyes did not leave the papers that he had on his desk. Soon after, the cold chill had completely taken over all parts of Mr. Potter's body. He looked up and screamed at the top of his lunges for his assistant. Spit and drool ran down his lips as he looked around his office. There was no sign of his assistant anywhere in sight. Mr. Potter was all alone in that cold office, or so he thought. The warped, frustrated old man found himself looking around in all directions. There were no sounds or carols that could be heard from the outside. In fact, there were no lights shining outside at all. The lights in his office had started to grow dim and the only sound that Mr. Potter could hear came from a faint knocking at the door. Mr. Potter's voice became a faint whimper as he called out to his assistant once more. The only sound that could be heard was from that knocking which became louder and louder. The old man's eyes widened as the door tore open and he saw the ghostly image of terror itself wander into his office. A grisly image of a tired soul that was bound in chains and locks came before him. This tormented spirit dragged along money boxes and padlocks that were forged in a life that had been wasted on greed. The old banker leaned back in his wheelchair with his eyes widened with fright. "What are you?!" Mr. Potter cried out. "In life, I was a lot like you. In life, my spirit never rose beyond the limits of money-changing holes! In death, I was doomed to wander without rest or peace, incessant torture, and remorse. I have seen your greed and evil for far too long. I am here to right the wrongs of your evil deeds! I am here to stop your pursuit of senseless power!" Jacob Marley screamed. "I... I… I will never stop!” Mr. Potter stuttered. The old man raised up his head and stuck out his chest in defiance. “I will have control of this town!" Mr. Potter yelled with confidence. ******************* Can the ghost of Jacob Marley either stop Mr. Potter from destroying Bedford Falls or even find a way to redeem him? Or will Mr. Potter continue his life of greed in his pursuit to take over Bedford Falls?