As Christmas approaches, Elonald Scrooge’s grip on power tightens—until the ghosts of the season arrive to challenge the cost of his greed, and the Christmas of the Unseen Future.
In the heart of Industrytown stood the sprawling factory of Elonald Scrooge, a man whose fortune was as vast as his disdain for those who labored beneath him. His factory hummed with life, driven by the tireless efforts of union workers who fought long and hard for fair wages. This year, thanks to a hard-won union contract, the workers anticipated a brighter holiday season. Christmas Eve meant time-and-a-half pay, and Christmas Day offered double.
No one was more eager than Bob Cratchit. His young daughter, Hope, required a costly operation, and the holiday wages would finally provide the means. As the snow began to fall on December 23rd, the workers left the factory with hope in their hearts and holiday lights in their eyes.
But that evening, as Elonald Scrooge reviewed the payroll, his face twisted in horror. “Time-and-a-half?” he growled. “Double pay?” The figures gnawed at his profits like moths to cloth.
By dawn, Scrooge had taken decisive action. The workers arrived to find the factory gates locked and a cold notice posted:
"All union positions terminated. Non-union laborers wanted. Apply within."
Cratchit pleaded with Scrooge. "Sir, my daughter—she needs this money."
Scrooge sneered. "Perhaps you should have considered that before demanding more than your worth."
That night, the first ghost appeared. It was the Spirit of Christmas Past, showing Scrooge his younger self, once driven by ambition but not yet consumed by greed.
"Remember when you celebrated alongside your workers?" the spirit whispered.
"Nonsense," Scrooge scoffed. "I was naive. They’re fortunate to have work at all."
The Spirit of Christmas Present followed, revealing Cratchit's home. The fire burned low, and Hope lay in bed, her face pale as the snow outside.
"They should have saved more," Scrooge muttered, averting his gaze.
Finally, the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come emerged from the shadows, cloaked in black. It led Scrooge to a bleak future: abandoned factories, families shattered by poverty, and streets devoid of cheer. In this future, Industrytown was ruled by fear, and Christmas joy was but a forgotten memory.
Scrooge woke, yet his heart remained hardened. Rather than restore the workers' jobs, he redoubled his efforts to crush any whispers of unionization.
He bought his way into local government, ensuring policies bent in his favor. Laws against union organizing tightened, and surveillance of workers increased. Christmas in Industrytown became a season of silence. The holiday lights dimmed, and the joyous carols were replaced with the dull hum of machines operated by exhausted hands.
For years to come, Scrooge's influence spread like frost over the land, chilling the spirit of the season. Families like the Cratchits scraped by, but the warmth of Christmas faded, replaced by the cold grip of corporate greed.
It was said that the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come continued to visit Scrooge, not to warn, but to watch, patiently waiting for the Reaper and the day Scrooge's iron will would crack beneath the weight of his own making.
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