Scrooge

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have played Scrooge over the years.

And, of course, Scrooge McDuck has played Scrooge, opposite Mickey Mouse’s Bob Cratchit.

Why just this year, The Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln played Scrooge from the stage of London’s Old Vic.

Bob Cratchit, the clerk who is the father of Tiny Tim and who meekly serves Scrooge, is paid fifteen shillings a week.

Finally, a score or so of films have been made of the story, some called A Christmas Carol and others, simply, Scrooge.

Scrooge is still with us, not just in print but embodied in the cold hearts and selfish calculations of misanthropes everywhere.

My favorite is the 1951 version starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge.

It took visits from the ghosts of Christmas for Scrooge to embrace generosity.

"I don't see what Democracy has to do with it," said Scrooge.

"If you are waiting for that, you will wait a long time," said Scrooge.

There it stood, years afterward, above the warehouse door: Scrooge and Marley.

At the ominous word "liberality," Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back.

"You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years," said Scrooge.