(All the workers turn their heads and cover their eyes as Bob
carefully opens the trunk wearing fireproof gloves. The lid is
hinged on the audience side so the audience can't see the contents.
A sickening green glow emanates from the box. Bruno turns away
and shields his eyes. Carole puts her arm across her face
dramatically.)
CAROLE: It's … it's … horrible!
BOB: Thank you. Take it away, Bruno.
(The lid is quickly closed and Bruno exits with the trunk.)
SAM: Humbug?
HUMBUG: Yes?
SAM: Do you think we can get this order out tonight?
HUMBUG: (swiping on her tablet) The order is for 8,104 and we have 278
ready. All systems are go, Boss. Are you worried?
SAM: Well … maybe a little. No one in my family has ever …
HUMBUG: I know … has ever missed a deadline, failed to deliver an
order, or dropped a stitch in one of our world-famous ugly
Christmas sweaters. You won't either.
(At that moment, lightning and thunder occur simultaneously, and
for a few seconds, the lights are off.)
SOUNDFX – "Lightning and Thunder 1"
HUMBUG: The power is out!
(The lights then immediately come back on.)
HUMBUG: Never mind! It's back on!
BELLE: No, it's not, those are the emergency lights. They are battery
powered.
19
