Start the Bells

CAROLERS

Start the Bells

Keep them ringing

Bring us Christmas as soon as you can

We need the spirit

To light the friendships

Only the Holidays can start again

Start the Bells

Keep them ringing

Bring us Christmas as soon as you can

DAD

Wow! You OK? What was that all about?

E.M. BEZZLEMENT

(pulls out a business card and offers it to DANNY.)

Nobody’s perfect. E.M. BEZZLEMENT, at your service.

(taking card back)

Full banking and financial services.

(grandiosely)

We’re looking for a possible spot for a new 24-hour automatic teller machine. However, I’m optimistic. A shortfall in the the long haul.

(aside)

More lambs to fleece.

(aloud)

There’s a world of opportunity just around the corner.

PEGGY

Small world.

ELF S

Short but wide.

E.M. BEZZLEMENT

(He pulls a newspaper from his overcoat pocket and

tosses it into the nearby trash can.)

Maybe I’ll be newspaper magnate.

(He pulls a beer can from his coat pocket and tosses it

in the can.)

Or a brewing magnate.

ELF S

No wonder he took everybody’s loose change. It’s his magnetic personality.

3RD ANGEL

Well, what do you want to be?

E.M. BEZZLEMENT

(snickering)

Rich!

(Three SANTAS walk by ringing bells and accepting donations. DAD contributes as E.M. BEZZLEMENT dusts off his coat)

E.M. BEZZLEMENT

(When it’s his turn to give.)

Mmmmmm. Got change for a fifty? Sorry.

DANNY

I thought you were broke.

ELF S

Be careful he doesn’t ask you for a loan.

E.M. BEZZLEMENT

(Excited.)

Eureka!

ELF S

I do not

E.M. BEZZLEMENT

What a splendid idea!

ANGELS

We don’t have any money to lend you, either.

E.M. BEZZLEMENT

Good heavens, no. Why, those two have just given me an idea for a marvelous way to raise capital. A red coat. A wig. A hearty laugh. Ho, ho, ho!