Daily Dialogue — March 26, 2015

Ghost of Christmas Present: [kicks him in the groin] Hello Frank, I’m the ghost of Christmas present.
Frank Cross: I had a funny feeling. Why did you do that?
Ghost of Christmas Present: Sometimes you have to *slap* them in the face just to get their attention!
Frank Cross: Fine, slap me in the face. But you kicked me in the b…
Ghost of Christmas Present: [grabs his lip] Hush Frank, it’s time to begin your journey. Now, close your eyes…! And think of …
Frank Cross: No, you close your eyes. I’m through…
Ghost of Christmas Present: Oh no…[grabs his ear] Don’t you talk back. Close your eyes…! And think of snowflakes and moonbeams and whiskers on kittens…
[She notices Frank peeking and goes to jab his eys with two fingers]
Ghost of Christmas Present: Nooooo peeking!
[Frank blocks the jab and closes his eyes]
Ghost of Christmas Present: Of rainbows, forget-me-nots… of misty meadows and sun-dappled pools. Oh, look! There’s Mr Hedgehog. I wonder where he’s going? Perhaps to HARLEM!
[She punches Frank]
Frank Cross: Oh God, my jaw!
Ghost of Christmas Present: Sometimes the truth is painful, Frank.
[She slaps his face]
Ghost of Christmas Present: But it’s made your cheeks rosy and your eyes bright as stars!
Frank Cross: If you TOUCH ME AGAlN, I’m gonna rip your goddamned wings off! Okay?
Ghost of Christmas Present: You know I like the rough stuff, don’t you, Frank?

— Scrooged (1988), screenplay by Mitch Glazer & Michael O’Donoghue, novel by Charles Dickens

The Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Ghost. Today’s suggestion by James Schramm.

Trivia: When the Ghost Of Christmas Present (Carol Kane) grabbed Bill Murray’s lip she tore it so badly that filming was halted for several days.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by James: “Ghosts with an attitude. How come they never find ghosts like her on those ghost hunter shows?”

If you have a suggestion for this week’s theme, please post in comments.