Be patient, Bob Cratchit!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Dear Mr. Cratchit,

      Yes indeed, I have heard of this man Ebenezer Scrooge. He has a reputation for being tightfisted, stingy, and as secret and solitary as an oyster. Don't you love my simile? I have this job as the editor of an advice column, but I like to exercise my literary muscles every now and then. Sorry - back on topic!

     Well, I would NOT advise you to ask your boss for an entire week off at Christmas. No, that would be a terrible idea. Remember, your employer's name is MR. SCROOGE and not something lighthearted like, for example, MR. FEZZIWIG. If you worked for somebody with a name like that, you could probably try to ask for a week off. In fact, somebody named Fezziwig would probably even give you a huge Christmas party and BEG you to take the week off! 

     But with a guy like Mr. Scrooge, you risk not only losing your job, but jeopardizing your entire family's welfare and ending up living like those destitute people on the street that we see all over London. I wouldn't want you to end up in a poorhouse, or worse, a workhouse! I just can't see your son Tiny Tim hobbling around on his crutch trying to work for his food. 

     My advice is to WAIT. I'm not supposed to be telling you this, but let me give you a bit of foreshadowing: your boss Mr. Scrooge is in for a night of surprises. Just you wait. Things are going to be happening to him, things like chains, pictures from the past, sad scenes of regret, shocking scenes of guilt and remorse. After a night like that, there is no way that he is going to be the same man he was before. 

     I know you don't believe me, but your boss Mr. Scrooge just might experience a turning point (I told you I was literary, didn't I???). 

     I am not allowed to tell you anymore! But don't worry, Bob Cratchit! Just be patient. Things are going to turn out all right! 

     Merry Christmas! (I promise, it will all be OK),

     Ethel