I found this writing prompt online, and desperately needed something to break my writer's block. Sorry :) Here this is.
John Petty was a college student at Brickmore College, in upstate New York. The college had mostly rich students, but John was admitted on a scholarship, and his parents had very little money. He desperately needed a new computer, but he didn't have any money, so he looked at the Help Wanted ads in the local Brickmore Gazette. One ad was intriguing:
John sat down at his roommate's laptop with a sigh. "Thanks, Able. I promise, I'll make it up to you somehow."
Able shrugged. "Just, if mine breaks, let me mess around with yours. It's no big deal," he said, flopping onto his bed and picking up his heavy law book. "And poke me if I start to snore. I need to finish studying for the LSATs."
"I thought you were taking them next semester." John quickly opened up the browser, opening it to the local newspaper's website and clicking on the Help wanted section.
"Changed my mind. Figured I had enough time this semester."
"Ah."
Able fell silent as he opened the book, and John knew better than to interrupt. He glanced through the ads one by one, sighing.
Babysitting, cleaning out gutters, dogwalker... what's this?
John clicked on the link and pulled it up larger so he could see it.
I need a house sitter for one night. I have a large empty house on top of Brickmore Hill, which I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to sell since 1995. It used to be a fraternity house for members of the Brickmore College baseball team, but on October 31, 1995, the boys at the frat had a Halloween Party that ended tragically. I prefer not to say anything about that party because the details are extremely gruesome. The sad fact of the matter is that, for 13 years, I have been unable to sell the house, and I am trying to keep it from falling into disrepair. On past Halloweens, the local kids have broken windows, and worse, so I need someone to stay there the whole night to make sure no harm comes to my building. I will pay $3000 for anybody willing to do this, but I must be completely honest and disclose the fact that previous house sitters have run out of the house in the middle of the night because they were convinced the house was haunted by ghosts. Some of them were so scared that they went completely crazy and had to be committed to a mental institution. If you have the courage to accept this job, please call me. –Dick Shore, 917-555-1221
"Yes!" John cheered, much to Able's annoyance. "Oops, sorry, but you were starting to drift off, anyways."
"Are you going to tell me what is so exciting?" he asked.
John just smiled. "Don't make plans for Halloween. I have to make a couple phone calls." John grabbed his cell and quickly typed in and saved the number on the screen. "Be right back."
He ran into the hallway and down into the unoccupied study room, then quickly called the number. "Dick Shore?" he asked, excitedly.
"Yes, who is this?"
"I would be happy to accept that job that you posted in the paper. Just one question, though."
"Name it," he said, sounding very relieved.
"Can I bring one friend and the Ghostbusters with me? I'm being perfectly serious," he amended quickly. "I have a couple of friends-"
"Yes, yes, of course," the man hurried on. "I'll meet you there on the 31st, bright and early."
John frowned. "I don't get out of class until three on Friday."
The man paused, then spoke quickly. "I'll see you no later than three thirty!" There was a click, and John stared curiously at the phone.
"That was weird," he muttered, dialing another number. As the ringing stopped and someone answered the other line, he responded promptly.
"Remember how I saved you from the Chem T.A. back in our freshman year? You owe me one, and I'm calling in to collect a favor." As the voice protested, he shook his head and talked over her.
"Don't pull that on me. You owe me, and this will be fun. It involves a mystery." He smiled at the silence on the other end. "What are you doing for Halloween?"
"We were planning on having a small mystery dinner party," the girl said with a sigh, "But you are lucky. Three of our guests just cancelled on us. What can I do for you?"
"I have a job offer in a haunted frat house. I need the money, you need a mystery, and the guy was desperate enough to hire me he's allowing me to bring you. Say yes?"
There was a long pause, followed by a sigh. "Who do I bring?"
John smiled triumphantly. "Your brothers, definitely. and if you know any other amature detectives, bring them too."
"Yeah, I'll call up Mystery Inc. and the Bobbsey twins."
"Haha. I'll see you on the thirty first. Four o'clock. Brickmore Hill." As he moved to hang up, he remembered. "Oh! Alicia! Bring Ghostbusters with you! All of them!" There was a resounding click, and he smiled.
"Best job ever," he muttered, walking back to the room. Not to mention he'd get to see Alicia again. Any excuse was good enough for him. Opening the door to his room, he smiled and grabbed a pen from his desk. "Able, you really shouldn't fall asleep studying."
Stay tuned for Halloween!