John Jay wasn't having a very good night, not in the slightest; for three reasons. The first reason being, he was on graveyard shift in the middle of the castle grounds, alone as his partner called in sick. Second reason being that it was cold as balls that night, and sometimes the uniform just didn't cover it. And lastly, there was the ghost. The same ghost that has been showing up every night for the past two weeks and is probably the reason why his partner called in sick. Coward. Of course it wasn't any ghost either, it had to be the late King, George goddamn Washington.
Now naturally, when the ghost of the late King appears there's gonna be some squawking. The first time he showed up the guards decided they would lay off the booze before work, the second time he showed up, they decided they needed more sleep before shift, however, by the fifth time he'd shown up people were losing their shit. And continued to lose their shit for the next week and half until someone finally decided to do something about it. So they decided to get an outsider's opinion. And who better than to figure out if all the night shift guards are slowly losing their minds to a fast acting disease brought on from too many nights in the cold, than Prince Alexander Hamilton's questionably gay, university friend. That is to say there is probably many more qualified people than him. Speaking of which here he comes now.
"Hello, John."
"Hello, John," he mimiks back.
Lauren continues, "so I hear you have a ghost problem?"
John grimaces, most definitely regretting this already. "Well, yes, seeing as you are a scholar we thought that we would call you to see if the ghost was real."
"Well that's fucking stupid, I'm an art major in my third year, I could be on so much drugs right now, you could tell me anything and I would believe it. Have you considered calling the Ghostbusters or some shit?"
"Jesus Christ, Laurens."
Laurens shrugs, "whatever, man, so where's this ghost?"
John heaved a sigh before answering back plaintively, "he should be here soon." And just in some uncanny twist of fate or bad writing, he chose this moment to appear.
There was a moment where nothing was said and Laurens just looked on in the form of this divine beauty that seemed to shake one to one's very core before answering back a simple, "he looks pretty dead to me." Thanks, tips.
The ghost himself, stood in all his dead glory, not 5 feet away. The ghost of the most beloved King Washington, still wearing his brilliant pressed military dress. And gun still on his hip. Like a majestic eagle or something.
Lauren finally seemed to recover his wits, before turning fully to address the ghost. "Ay yo homeboy, what's good?"
John had long since lost his ability to cry after years and years of military work and the dealings with his wife. But if he could still to this day cry, then that is precisely what he would be doing right now.
Hell, even the ghost is even grimacing. And just like that King Washington's corporal body turns and leaves. John wishes he could go with him.
"Well, that was kind of fucked up. I'm pretty sure that was a real goddamn ghost."
One day, John was going to snap, so help him god. "You offended him."
"It's weird though ain'it? That our main man, G Wash, would suddenly appear before us like that. His appearance the same as it was days before his death, not a hair out of place. It almost seemed as if he was looking for something, or someone. It's very curious."
"Wow, Laurens, I'm surprised, and slightly impressed, that was probably the most insightful thing I have heard you say before." John was impressed, not even exaggerating in the slightest.
Laurens however, seemed slightly taken aback, insteading retorting with an indignant, "I told you, I am an art major." Laurens took another moment to collect himself before looking around at the barren and cold area around them, squinting into the darkness. "Isn't there supposed to be like more of you guys around? Where's your partner?"
"My partner took the night off sick but, in fact there are quite a few of us around. The king has had more of us stationed around the castle and more regularly as well, on top of that ammunition and weapon creation has increased as well. The reason however is beyond me."
Laurens seems perplexed for a moment before nodding slowly, "I forgot it wasn't common knowledge, but the reason for the gear up is that America is gearing up for war."
This didn't shock John, "well when are we not."
A laugh escapes Laurens, "point taken, but as I said, King George III is kicking up trouble in Britain. Ever Since King Washington was able to kick out the rest of British soldiers out of american territory, he has been looking for a fight, with or without his parliament's support. Form what we can gather he's been drumming up a strict off the books army of thugs and mercenaries under parliaments nose. Anyways, we are expecting a fight coming from them so we are just playing careful anyways.
"I'm not as surprised a-" John was cut off abruptly.
"Oh shit, he's back," Laurens intervenes pointing to the space behind him, his face totally deadpan. 'What do we do now?"
"Talk to him, Laurens," exhaustion setting back in. "Nicely."
"Ahh…." John trails off, collecting his thoughts for a moment before diving in. "Sir, if there is anything we can do for you, or if there is anything you have to tell us then please speak and say so. Especially if it's going to make this entire situation less weird in which case that would be greatly appreciated." John and John waited to see if the ghost would say anything, when he didn't Laurens continued. "Even if it's just a prophecy about the future of this country, that would be cool too."
Just then when it looked as if the ghost would say something, anything, a rooster crowed in the distance, and so left the ghost once more.
"Saved by the cock," Laurens so helpfully adds.
"Thanks, John," Jay rubbed his nose tiredly.
Laurens hums appreciatively, "you know, this night has been very weird and I'll be honest I don't know what to do with this new information, so I think I'm just going to pawn this little problem onto Alex. His dead dad, his problem."
For once John couldn't find problem with this logic but that just might be him wanting Laurens gone as soon as possible. "Yes, that does seem like a good course of action."
After a brief exchange of goodbyes Laurens finally leaves and John is left to finish his shift in peace.
