A Christmas Carol - Dramatic Reading

Fifteen dollars sounded a bit high, but I liked the idea so I made a plan. I had to work on an essay for school (still trying to get my coveted BA) so I took that to the library for a serious sit down. I never know what is about to part take at home. I suppose anyone who lives with teenagers feels the same. What are the about to come home with? A friend, a project due tomorrow, an crisis, or in our case drama from their mothers house. It is hard for sure, and more so because I have no "right" to have an opinion on it or come up with solutions to solve it. I just am expected to smile, embrace and play female head of the household. In my case I am more like the Governor General. No real power, just an honorary title. The only real thing I could do... end the whole thing. So instead I leave for peace.

The library was quiet, I got my work done. So off I went to the reading, just a few blocks from the library. A lovely lady saw me looking for parking and stopped me to tell me about her shop across the street "I am closed and there are several spaces". Merry Christmas I replied!

As the woman in front of me paid she asked if they took interact. The little old church lady laughed. Apparently this women’s friend (husband, lover ?) had no money so she directed him to pick her up in 2 hours. She was all alone and didn’t like it. As we went into the massive church she motioned for me to sit next to her. I nodded politely at the seat behind her and sat down. She immediately got up and sat beside me. It was odd, kind of like an empty movie theatre and the only other person there sitting next to you. Why would you sit with me? I smiled politely. After it started she moved to back, saying she wanted to watch straight on, not from the side. I watched the people next to her move away. They were as surprised as I. Did this woman not like her own company.

The reading was done in 5 parts by 5 different readers. All of the good in their own right. In between there was a choir who sang a few hymns that I was not familiar with. A few times the whole congregation was invited to join int. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" was a good choice, everybody sang out and I loved it!

The first reader created the scene of the bank with the small coal fire, just freezing. The line "are there no work houses, are there no prisons" was perfect! The audience laughed a little. I hadn't noticed so much comedy in this story before.

The lady reading about Christmas dinner at the Cratchits with all the happiness but little food was really enthusiastic too. She had me so excited about my upcoming dinner. I can't wait, in fact I think I might even make a good Christmas pudding this year.

The last reader was best, his voice deep and sinister as he read through the ghost of Christmas future. I could picture the dark ghost with his hand extending for Scrooge to follow. I wondered about my future at the same time. What would I be doing by Christmas day what about next Christmas Day?

While sitting there, I filed my nails, ate some chocolate and being up on the balcony was able to sit quietly by myself with nobody around. I was even able to put my legs up on the pew. A great Day 2.