SIDE 1

MR. DICKENS

That's a tombstone. A gravesite. Why - do you show me this scene of grief?

(The BLACK GHOST points to MARY.)

MOURNER #1

There, there, Miss Dickens.

MR. DICKENS

"Miss Dickens??" Is that Mary? Is that my daughter? All grown up?

(The BLACK GHOST points to the tombstone.)

MR. DICKENS

It's my name! My name is on that tombstone!

(Thunder.)

MARY

Poor Papa. How sad that he stopped writing when he was so young…He had so many stories inside of him…stories of hipe and love and goodness… it seems almost selfish to leave so many tales untold…If he'd given his gifts to the world he might have touched the hearts of millions.

MR. DICKENS

Stop! Stop! I can't bear it!

(The GHOST CHORUS makes a whooshing sound.)

MR. DICKENS

(to the BLACK GHOST)

Wait! You must answer me this! Is what you show me the shadow of what will be, or... merely what might be? Do I... have the power to alter this dreadful fate?

(The BLACK GHOST nods solemnly.)

Then yes! Yes! Tell Mary I've changed my mind! I will keep writing! I WILL KEEP WRITING!!!

(JACK and ANNIE give each other a joyful "mission accomplished" thumbs up.)