(Inside the ugly Christmas sweater factory, it's beautifully
decorated with Christmas trees, lights, stockings, etc. To one side
of the stage, slightly secluded, is Sam Ebenezer's office area.
Sam's office has a door to the outside on one wall and on the
opposite wall a door into the factory part of the set. As the song
begins, the factory workers happily congregate on the stage.)
(music begins to "It's the Busiest Time of Year")
(dialogue at meas. 52)
(Carole wanders downstage looking a little confused. She is
holding a piece of paper and a small briefcase. She sees Bob
Cratchit is walking across stage purposefully, head down, reading
a clipboard. Carole steps in front of him to ask him a question and
he almost bumps into her.)
CAROLE: Hello! I'm starting work here today, and I'm looking for my
new boss, Bob Cratchit.
BOB: You must be Carole! I'm Bob, the head of the weaving
department. We really need you, we're up against a major
deadline tonight.
(They shake hands.)
CAROLE: Good to meet you, Mr. Cratchit!
BOB: Actually, for legal reasons, my name is pronounced Crochet.
Welcome to the family!
CAROLE: Thank you! I can't believe I get to work at the world-famous
sweater factory!
BOB: That's us … Unique Gifts from Luxurious Yarns.
CAROLE: (thinking) U … G … L … Y … that spells … ugly.
BOB: That's right, we're the biggest manufacturer of ugly Christmas
sweaters in the world!
SONG: "It's the Busiest Time of Year"
4