The show was overdone to begin with. At least in Aaron Fox's mind.

"You want me to do what?" had been the composer's response
"Take Charles Dickens' Christmas classic and make it sing" was the response. "It's about time for the Great White Way to have an annual hit!"
"They already do enough straight plays of it"
"But this will be -different-, Aaron"
"Alright, alright, I'll see what I can do"
"Good."

With that, Aaron was payed half what he had been promised. Taking the check he went home.
Christmas Carol?!
Aaron slammed the door to his apartment and tossed his coat over the couch.
The world had enough of that tale!
Aaron wanted to write original things, not a rehashed old story - even if it was a classic. The problem with using such a famous story was that no matter what he did, some groups were going to cry foul.
Make it too dark and some would claim too dark for Christmas. To...'bouncy' and others would claim it took from the meaning behind it.
Aaron lay down on the couch. He really didn't want to start. Christmas hadn't been his holiday for quite some time. Christmas about family which he didn't have so he tended to just ignore the holiday. No celebration of any sort. It was a waste of time.
Eventually, he made himself dinner and sat down at his piano, picking up a copy of Charles Dickens' novel nearby. It was best to start where the music would be most bouncy
Hours went past as Aaron worked. There came a knock at the door so he got up from the piano and went to answer it: to find Oscar there.

"Hi there," Aaron greeted him
"Aaron" Oscar returned with a grin on his face.

"Come in?" the composer stepped out of the way with a smile, letting his friend in.
"Gladly. It's cold out there. Why is it the best holiday of the year fall on the coldest month?" Oscar chuckled.
"I don't know about that.." Aaron countered. "Can I get you anything?"
"A drink perhaps" Oscar asked looking at his watch, "to help warm me up." He then took a seat.
Aaron went into the kitchen and came back with a glass. "So what brings you here?"
Oscar smiled. "Why, you do of course. Or rather, you and your current project does and I must say, I'm rather excited"
"Why? You don't celebrate Christmas"
"Yes, that's true."
"So why are you excited about a Christmas play?"
"I enjoy the story myself."
"Christmas Carol?"
Oscar nodded then. "So much so, I've put in to produce it."
"... you're producing this?..." Aaron asked. "Really?"
"I'm also the one that requested you write it," Oscar added taking a sip of his drink
Aaron froze then. "You did?"
"I did. Who better to give it justice than Aaron Fox of Fox & Hendricks?"

"Fox and Hendricks doesn't exist anymore" Aaron muttered.

"Well..true.." Oscar hesitated.
"So... I'm working for you" Aaron chose to change the subject, trying to grapple with the idea.
"I suppose in a way, you are yes" Oscar chuckled.
"Was the hard deadline that they gave me your idea too?" Aaron asked, his annoyance slipping through.
"Well, no" Oscar replied almost apologetically.
"But... why me?"
"Because -you- have the ability to make this literary classic into a best-loved seasonal Broadway show"
"Well, I'll turn the literary classic into a Broadway show…" Aaron replied a little less sure about himself.
"One of the best! If only I had your talent. What a way to get into the Holiday spirit!" Oscar either didn't notice Aaron's attitude or he ignored it.
"You have such great expectations for me."
Oscar couldn't help but chuckle. "See? It's humor like -that-."
"I guess it -will- keep me busy during the holidays."
"Ah, but Aaron it won't be -all- work. Carmen and I will be giving a...Winter Holiday party I guess you could call it" Oscar replied with another chuckle.
"The same one you do every year?" Aaron asked.
"But of course"
"That you always invite me to?"
"Yes Aaron" Oscar answered with a slight sigh. He could see where this was going and he didn't want to go down this path. "Aaron, you've -got- to take time this year."
"Why?" the composer challenged. "You know I don't celebrate Christmas!"
"Because you've -got- to get out! You and your wife always..."
"I'm not married," Aaron interrupted before anything else could be said.

Oscar took a deep breath. "You always used to enjoy them. You and Georgia both."
"People change."
"Georgia will be there" Oscar tried.
"All the more reason for me not to come" Aaron retorted.
"It'll be like old times" he tried once more. "You playing carols, her singing..."
"It will not be like old times!"
"Sure it will!" Oscar said cheerfully

"I think you should leave now" Aaron nearly growled
"But Aaron..."
"I'll get the stupid play done!"
Oscar blinked and rose to his feet. "Look, Aaron if I've said anything..."
"You've said quite enough!" the composer cut him off.
"I see..."
Aaron sighed, trying to be amicable. "You've given me some ideas."
"I have?" Oscar blinked once more.
Aaron nodded, "An idea for a song."
"Well good. Aaron, -do- reconsider about the party" Oscar tried once more.
"I'll think about it"
Oscar nodded, going for the door.
"But I still won't come" the composer finished
Oscar sighed, turning back to him. "Aaron..."
"You really want me there?"
"Of course"
Aaron nodded. "Well, it'll be my usual rate per hour to play the piano for your party then."
The older man shook his head. "Clearly I've given you the wrong job, Aaron"
Aaron blinked, confused.
"Why, toss a 'Bah humbug' in there every so often and I'd have to reconsider casting Scrooge" Oscar explained with a slight smirk.
Aaron's eyes narrowed.
Oscar shrugged. "Too bad you won't come. Course, the door is always open to you" He opened the door to Aaron's apartment.
"I know," Aaron softened just a little. Oscar didn't hear that however. He was already out into the streets of NYC once more. Aaron flopped back down on the couch, alone again. "Bah!" he suddenly burst out, "Humbug!" That...actually had felt good...
He was feeling a great deal of empathy for Scrooge at present. Everyone always gave that old man a hard time at first... True, Scrooge did have his faults - he was rather cold hearted, but Aaron couldn't really see what the big deal about not liking Christmas was. It was another, over-rated holiday
Aaron lay on the couch, closing his eyes. He hadn't really been thinking when he had made that comment to Oscar. Two years ago, he had done the same thing, and Oscar actually had hired him to come play at the party.