The Midnight Dance 5

Hearth's Warming

Rumble danced on, followed by Scootaloo, they began the dance gracefully as the audience watched in awe, as did many of their relatives 

Tender Taps whispering to his wife: Got to admit: they're not bad 

They kept with the dance until they reached the end, the audience cheered and applauded as Scootaloo and Rumble took a bow, the curtain closed on them as Twilight once again came on 

Twilight: And now, I present to you that Nickens' classic, 'A Hearth's Warming Carol', and we begin with Scrooge sleeping in his bed, where he is about to receive a visit from a pony he once knew in life 

There was applause as Twilight got off and the curtain parted to reveal a bedroom set, Discord was in the bed, snoring away, whether he was acting or not, it was hard to say, suddenly, a voice moaned in a ghostly wail 

the ghostly wail: Scrooge, Scrooge 

Discord grumbled in his sleep and started to toss and turn, the voice kept getting louder 

the ghostly wail: Scrooge, Scrooge, Scrooge 

Discord woke with a startle and saw before him a ghost, he let out a yell and crashed out of the bed, Fancy rolled his eyes just as Discord came back up shivering and quaking 

Discord: Who, who are you 

Fancy Pants: You don't recognize your old partner, Jacolt Marley 

Discord: Marley, Marley, is that really you, old boy, I thought you were dead, and what's with the chains 

Fancy Pants: That I am, Scrooge, that I am, and I've come to bring you warning, change your bad ways or else, you'll share the same fate as me 

He held out the chains 

Discord scoffed: Oh, come on, when have I been ever bad 

Fancy Pants: Let's start with this afternoon, shall we 

He pointed to his left, where half the stage lit up to a counting house set, Discord sat at a desk while Flash sat in a small one close by, being hard at work, Discord looked at the colt 

Discord: Coltchit, have you used another piece of coal, it feels warmer in here 

Flash Sentry: I'm sorry, Mr. Scrooge, but when I came in this morning, it was freezing, I had to add coal 

Discord: That's the third time this week, you're lucky that you're the only bookkeeper I have who's willing to work at a low wage, or else I'd fire you right now 

Flash Sentry hung his head: Yes, sir 

He resumed his work, just then, Spike came on stage carrying a wreath 

Spike: Happy Hearth's Warming Eve, Uncle Scrooge 

Discord: Hearth's Warming Eve, bah humbug 

Spike: Hearth's Warming Eve a humbug, Uncle 

Discord: Just what right do you have to be happy, nephew, you're poor enough 

Spike: And what right do you have to be dismal, Uncle, you're rich enough 

Discord: Just keep Hearth's Warming in your own way and let me keep it in mine 

Spike: If you say so, but surely you wouldn't object to having Hearth's Warming dinner with me and my wife tomorrow 

Discord: Oh, and what would you be serving at this dinner 

Spike: Oh, lots of stuff, and desserts that make your mouth water at the sight