SIDE 1

GREEN GHOST

Well, well, well, Mr. Dickens! I understand you've recently decided to give up writing.

MR. DICKENS

Yes, it seems, it seems... pointless... and I want to help the world.


GREEN GHOST

And your books have no power to help the world?

(We see a small classroom. The teacher, MISS TWIGBY, stands before her class.)

MISS TWIGBY

So, class, what did we learn today from Mr. Dickens' book?

(A small girl, SARA, raises her hand. MISS TWIGBY points to her.)

SARA

We learned that (clearly quoting) "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another."


(More GIRLS eagerly raise their hands and begin giving answers before they are called upon.)

GIRL #1

I learned that "A loving heart is the truest wisdom."

GIRL #2

Oh, oh, I learned that "Happiness is a gift-"

GIRL #3

Yes! "And the trick is not to expect it-"

GIRL #4

"-but to delight in it when it comes."

MISS TWIGBY

Well done.

CLASS

Well done! Well done! Well done!

(The CLASS applauds.)

MR. DICKENS

Those are all things I wrote! And things I believe! And they learned them from my books?

GREEN GHOST

Yes - and now they believe them, too. Pity writing is so foolish and vain. But shhhh!