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The Butler Didn't Do It© Presents... Charles Dickens has probably written one the most influential and popular Christmas classics of all times…and this is "The Butler's" version:
The date ~ December 24, 1843 The place ~ The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, London, England The victim ~ Mr. Fezziwig, Lender of Money For weeks and weeks prior to Christmas, Mrs. Ona Fezziwig has been begging her husband, "Fezzie" as she called him, to give his three clarks the day off with pay and throw a huge festive ball. She pleaded to be able to invite all their family, friends, and also to include his employees and their families. Let it be known that Mr. Fen Fezziwig would be known today as a devious loan shark by trade, as well as heartless, clutching, penny-pinching miser with a most particular distaste for Christmas. "Day off with pay?...Are you mad? Why you may as well pick my pocket! Party? Why, that will cost a small fortune." Mrs. Fezziwig was persistent, "But Fezzie, it's been so long since we celebrated Christmas and my dear old, and extremely generous Uncle Scrooge and Auntie Belle have offered to pay all the expenses, and remember, I am their only benefactor." The wheels began to turn in Fen's head…ah, yes, he thought…my dear wife stands to inherit nearly a million pounds…must stay on old Scrooge's good side…and so, he agreed and allowed his wife to plan the affair. So what happened? On the evening of the party, and as preparations were under way, Fen informed his wife that he wanted to go up to his bed chamber for a quick nap. He said he would be fresh and full of energy for the evening's gaieties. Falling asleep almost immediately, Fen was awakened by his long departed father. Fen was aghast! "Why, father, whatever brings you here?" Mr. Fen Fezziwig, Sr. began howling and screeching, and his almost transparent body was wrapped in chains that he rattled against the walls. He then warned his son of ghostly visitors, soon on their way. "Pray tell, father, what do you mean ghostly visitors?" "They will teach you to change you ways, or you will end up like me, damned to walk the Earth for eternity bound in the chains of GREED!" Fen covered his head with his blankets and soon his father's unworldly guests materialized…one by one. And, yes, Fen did find Christmas in his heart in the end…it's just too bad he never lived to enjoy it. Who did him in? To find out you'll just have to join the many amusing partiers, including the Fezziwigs, the Scrooges, the Cratchits, Mrs. Dibler, Oliver Twist, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, Isabella Mistletoe, just to name a few, as well as the three spirits who will take you and Mr. Fezziwig on holiday adventure for all the family to enjoy. "Supplemental Guest Packet" is available Close This Window
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