Duration: 2 minutesGender: MaleAge: Young AdultGenre: Comedy

Context: Crouched backstage during the final moments of A Christmas Carol, a young actor has to take a call from his credit card company.

Young Man: Shuuuuush shush — whoever you are — please stop calling me. (About to hang up, then) Excuse me? Yes, this is he. I am in a most precarious position right now and I can’t — Yes, I will get back to you at a more appropriate juncture — what do you mean my Visa bill? You’re calling me because I’m behind on my —? Yes, I understand that I am in arrears — “arrears” — yes, it is a word. Okay, I know I am “behind” a month or two — okay, or eleven, and I know as a credit card company — look, I’m in the theatre, okay? We all have some ups and downs — Yes, I am still gainfully employed — kind of. That is where I am now in fact — that is why I am whispering — I am backstage — Cats? No, we’re not doing Cats. We’re doing A Christmas Carol — No, the play. We’re doing a theatrical dramatization of A Christmas Carol. No, not with Jim Carrey. That was a movie. I’m about fifteen feet from the stage — why does Visa care? Who is playing Scrooge? Well, if you insist, it’s Mr Hugh Pendleton. Hugh Pendleton. Well, your never having heard of him is not a reflection of his validity as a practitioner of the art. I must say, I find you most rude Mr Visa Card representative. Now as I said, I have to go — the show is coming to an end, and I’m expected to — yes, I shall pay it within the new year. Yes, I’m aware of the deleterious effect it may have on my credit rating — yes, it is a word. Goodbye Mr Visa Card representative, and regardless of your tone, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Link to Purchase Title

An Actor's Carol