Stupid dialog, free to a good home

[robkelk]

"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."

"Are there no food banks?" asked Scrooge.

"Plenty of food banks," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

"And the homeless shelters?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"

"They are. Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."

"The employment agencies and the minimum wage are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge.

"Both very much so, sir."

"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."


– A Christmas Carol, updated