Scrooge was rich as Croesus, but was so greedy he lived nearly as a pauper. He was heartless to his patrons and had already scammed some just like his late associate Jacob Marley. In fact, when the latter died a few years prior and gave him enough to pay him his funerals, Scrooge kept the money and had his body thrown in the sea ; plus he earned twice more now that he was the only boss. Scrooge also had one employee who worked more than he was paid. Good old Bob Cratchit who despite his poverty shone in goodness and loyalty towards his employer. He never asked him anything, he knew it would always be a "no". Nonetheless, it was Christmas Eve, and Cratchit intended to spend Christmas with his family. So he dared to ask, for once, for a break day. Christmas. Scrooge hated Christmas. "Humbug!" he always said about it. An excuse not to work, and time is money. Yet, for a reason he didn't know himself, he accepted that day to give him Christmas day... and take it from his salary

A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit © Charles Dickens
Drawing © me