Quote of the book, “But this is Luke Cage, and he and relaxation haven’t yet exchanged business cards.”

This book is set on Christmas Eve at the clinic of Dr. Burstein and Dr. Claire Temple. Outside the clinic Luke sees a man dressed like someone out of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol beating a kid. After a short fight and disarming him Luke Cage finds out that this guy was Marley. In a Christmas Carol, Marley is Scrooge’s deceased business partner who haunts him. This version of Marley is hitting a kid because he thought he was cheating him on a newspaper. Marley disappears into the snowy evening while Luke carries the paper boy, Timmy, into the clinic. (not Tiny Tim but close)

We find out from Dr. Burstein that a journalist named Phil Fox wants to do a story on the clinic but Doc doesn’t want his past and Luke’s past uncovered. In a rare moment away from the seriousness of their lives Luke and Claire take a walk together. They are playful and romantic in the snow until a kindly cop interrupts their make out session.

As Mr. Cage and Miss Temple continue to walk they see a homeless Vietnam veteran begging for change. They stop to give him change only to have him flashback to his days of war. He pulls out a weapon and starts shooting at the “enemy”. After taking a few bullets that bounce off, Luke crushes the weapon. Believing the man to be genuinely sick from serving in Vietnam Luke gives a speech but doesn’t hurt the man. We find out that this vet is actually Marley in costume and that there will be another round of deception.

After an evening filled with laughter Luke and Claire start to make their way home. An insane man in a futuristic outfit (Marley again) jumps out and threatens Luke and Claire with a laser. They fight and then Marley tries to run away. When the police arrive they take Marley into custody. Marley escapes and somehow changes into a Santa costume. He catches Luke unaware and clangs him on the head.

When Luke wakes up, Marley explains that this was a test. Luke passed the test but society lost anyway. Marley explains about being in the O.S.S. and how he was able to smuggle an atomic bomb out so that he could kill mankind. Marley seems to genuinely like Luke but detests the world. When he is about to detonate the bomb someone is coming down the chimney. Luke breaks free of his bonds and stops Marley. The person in the chimney isn’t old St. Nick, it was a burglar who inadvertently saved the world.
- Ron C.

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