In the original illustrations, Scrooge is usually depicted as an old man, who looks miserly and miserable, with a face that would sour a lemon. Since The Scrooge Trilogy begins after his reformation on Christmas Eve 1843, it seemed necessary to improve that image. He was, after all, “renewed,” and he should no longer characterize a wizened old meanie who might not make it through the next week.

In “Scrooge, the Year After,” I describe him as a man in his fifties who is not unattractive. He has truly changed, and his new character is reflected in an improved countenance. In fact, one woman remarks, “Why, bless me, I never before realized what a fine figure of a man is our Mr. Scrooge.” So his disposition is not only improved, but he is now an eligible bachelor, which puts him in a position to embark on all of life’s adventure, which naturally includes romance, at some point.

Scrooge’s new character must also be tried, to see if it is true, and I did not want to make things easy for him. He had been vicious in his worship of money and some habits can be difficult to shed overnight. He needed to experience the angst of dealing with the man he had been, and to face new trials with a renewed outlook, but some habits don’t die overnight.

Added to all of that, I really wanted Scrooge to be likable. I wanted him to have courage, to be generous and to wrestle successfully with his old desire to look out for only himself. He also needed a sense of humor and the ability to be a good friend. Hopefully he is all that.