"Humbug!"

   Ebenezer is absolutely glowing      this morning; his hand is      gentle on the brim of his hat,      tipping it off in the other's      direction. A proper English      greeting!

bless you, sweetest!! ;; you are fantastic, and this means a whole lot to me. thank you.

w   hat;;Iokay ; n ;

g o od b      ye;;;

     "Young woman! I am your e l d e r.        The state of my emotional affairs        matters naught, and I am afforded        the right to the extension of your        c o u r t e s y, whether or not you        agree."   Ebenezer lays a firm fist upon his desk,     rising in his lanky, joint-groaning     way to meet this woman's eyes with     his stern, furrowed gaze.      "I have no faith your manners, however.        The American way has all but tarnished        you, girl. I would think that proper        titling means l i t t l e to you, much less        paying respect to those who came        before you. Really, the gall you have to        come in, to not even say 'hello--',"

  She's got him there, certainly. Perhaps,     though, they may wait in earnest for     this couple's arrival. Surely a few minutes     from their expected time wouldn't be of     harm?   Upon support of the weight against his     breast, Ebenezer turned his love to face     him, precariously backing her to rest     against the side of their carriage. Square     over her body, he leaned in to brush his lips     beneath her earlobe,      "--not nearly enough, my sweet Belle."

whispers thaNK YOU;;;; I literally had to work on it and tease it for an hour for it to even try to stand up. there's at least three ounces of super-mega-stick hairspray in there now and it doesn't move.

going out! I'll be here till 10 EST.

     "--investments, sir."   Ebenezer has come in search of     a new home-- a place to grow     and enrich his stocks and create     new connections for his private     investing practices. Mister Tesla     seemed a budding entrepreneur,     --Scrooge wanted to catch him     prior to anyone else's intervention.      He extends a hand, "My name is      Ebenezer Scrooge. And what may      I call you?"     

  He is toying, Belle! Ah, the fool      hasn't been convinced of your      affections (though, in earnest,      he has); he quirks a brow of his      to a height on his head never-      before attained, taking up her      hand in his leather-clad one.      "I am not satisfied with your word,        darling--! Prove to me where your        heart lay, and then my conscience        shall know its peace."   Ebenezer must hide a smile, for fear     Belle may box his ear.