I DON'T OWN GHOSTBUSTERS OR ANYTHING AFFILIATED WITH IT. I AM MAKING NO PROFIT OFF THIS
Chapter 4
Peter had caught up with Ray and Rose and was laughing. Luckily, he was oblivious to the moment that Ray and Rose had just had.
If only he hadn't caught up when he did, Rose thought sadly. Who knows what could have happened?
"Hee, hee, hee. Get her! That was your whole plan. Get her. It was scientific," Peter teased Ray. Rose tried not to get annoyed with her brother, but she couldn't help it. She didn't say anything this time though, because she knew if she spoke, Peter would look at her, and then Ray would look at her, and she wouldn't be able to stop herself from jumping on Ray and kissing him senseless.
And that couldn't happen. Well, at least not in front of Peter...
"I just got overexcited. But wasn't it incredible Pete? I mean, we actually touched the etheric plane! Do you know what this could mean to the University?"
"Yeah, it's gonna be bigger than the microchip. Ray, I'm very excited," Peter said. Rose couldn't tell whether or not he was actually being sincere but she decided not to question him on it. Egon, who had been calculating something, walked up and said, "Well, I wouldn't say the experience was totally wasted. According to these new readings, I think we have an excellent chance of actually catching a ghost and holding it indefinitely."
Ray and Rose looked at Egon's readings and Peter seemed so shocked that he stopped walking altogether.
"Well, this is great! If this ionization rate is constant for all ectoplasmic entities, we could really bust some heads!"
Rose raised her eyebrow at Ray and he added on, "In a spiritual sense of course." Rose nodded and winked at Ray. He smiled shyly and looked away. Peter caught up with the other three and said to Egon, "Spengs, you serious about this catching a ghost?"
Egon looked at Peter and said, "I'm always serious."
Rose giggled softly at Egon's expression and Peter said, "Egon, I'm gonna take back some of the things I said about you."
He took a candy bar out of his coat pocket and held it out to Egon, whose serious expression turned into one of childlike wonder. "You...you've earned it," Peter told him.
Ah, so Egon's weakness is candy. I'll have to file that away for future reference, Rose thought. Ray looked at Egon and the candy bar, and the most adorable smile spread across his face, making Rose's heart go wild. She breathed slowly, trying to calm herself down.
They walked back to the lab, talking about all the things that these new readings could mean. As they finally got back into the lab, Ray was telling Rose, "The possibilities are, are endless!"
But then Rose noticed people in the lab and Ray said, "Hey, Dean Yeager!"
A man turned around and smiled at the guys...and Rose. But this time, Rose didn't bother to act like she was flattered. The other guys in the lab were moving stuff out.
"I trust you're moving us to better quarters on campus?" Peter said. Rose wasn't sure that was the case, but she hoped she was wrong.
"No, you're being moved off campus. The board of regents has decided to terminate your grant. You are to evacuate these premises immediately," Dean Yeager told them, looking way too happy about it.
Egon, as usual, was expressionless, Ray looked confused, Rose was getting rather angry, but Peter just said, "This is preposterous. I demand an explanation."
"Fine," Yeager said. "The university will no longer continue any funding of any kind for your group's activities."
"But the kids love us!" Peter protested. Yeager's expression turned sour and he said, "Dr. Venkman," like he thoroughly detested having to use Peter's professional title.
"We believe that the purpose of science is to serve mankind. You, however, seem to regard science as some kind of dodge or hustle. Your theories are the worst kind of popular tripe, your methods are sloppy, and your conclusions are highly questionable. You, Dr. Venkman, are a poor scientist."
Peter nodded and said, "I see," just as another guy came in and took the camera and video camera.
"And you have no place in this department, or in this university."
And with that, they were kicked out. However, Dean Yeager stopped Rose before she left and said, "Perhaps, you and I could go to dinner sometime?"
Rose was furious but that question was the straw that broke the camel's back for her. "All right, listen up, you stuck up dick; after what you just said to my brother, I would not go anywhere with you, even if there was a zombie apocalypse and you were my only means of survival! Are we clear?"
Yeager drew himself up to his full height and tried not to look offended as he nodded.
"And, furthermore, if you ever speak to me again, I will shove my foot so far up your ass, you will be tasting my shoes for years! Get it?"
Rose turned her back on Yeager and stormed off. When she got outside, she walked right up to where Ray was pacing worriedly and Peter was relaxing with a bottle of alcohol.
"This is a major disgrace. Forget MIT or Stanford. They wouldn't touch us with a ten-meter cattle prod," Ray said. Peter rolled his eyes and Rose patted Ray's shoulder comfortingly. She hopped up on the wall and sat near her brother.
"You're always so concerned with your reputation. Einstein did his best stuff while he was working as a patent clerk," Peter told Ray.
"Do you know how much a patent clerk makes?" Ray asked.
"No!"
"Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money, facilities. We didn't have to produce anything! You've never been out of college. You don't know what it's like out there. I've worked in the private sector. They expect results," Ray finished with a dejected look on his face.
Rose hopped down and hugged Ray. He just looked so sad. Ray smiled, actually didn't blush, and hugged her back.
Peter sat up and hopped down, placing the bottle of alcohol on the stone railing. "For whatever reasons, Ray, call it fate."
Peter grabbed his bottle of alcohol and walked Ray over to the stairs. Rose followed after them, listening to what Peter would say to cheer Ray up.
"Call it luck. Call it karma. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that we were destined to get thrown out of this dump."
"For what purpose?"
"To go into business for ourselves," Peter replied, offering Ray a drink. Ray accepted and took a swig before handing it to Rose, who also took a sip.
Then Ray said, "This ecto-containment system Spengler and I have in mind is going to need a load of bread to capitalize. Where are we going to get the money?"
Peter shook his head and took another drink from the bottle. "I don't know. I don't know."
They walked down the stairs and Peter said, "Ray, what about your parents' house?"
"What about it?"
"They left it to you! You could take out another mortgage on it!"
"I don't know, Pete."
"Come on, Ray. Come on, come on, come on," Peter begged. Ray rolled his eyes and said, "I guess we could do that."
"YES!" Peter cheered.
Rose started laughing at her brother's behavior and Peter grinned at her. "There we go. That's what I wanna see! What was up with you, anyway?"
"What do you mean, Pete?"
"You looked seriously pissed off when you came out of the University."
"Oh...that jerk Yeager had the nerve to ask me out!"
"WHAT?" Peter yelped.
"Don't worry, Pete, I turned him down."
"Well, good. But do you want me to go beat him for you?"
"No, Peter."
"I'll help you Pete," Ray said, looking angry.
"No...hey, no, no, no! The last thing we need is for you two to get arrested for assault and battery. Besides I put him in his place myself."
"Oh, all right. That's my little sister! Wish I coulda seen his face. Anyway, see you tomorrow, guys. Oh, Rose, are you gonna stay with me, or...?" Peter said.
"Thanks, Pete, but I have a room at The Roger Smith Hotel. I'll be looking for an apartment soon."
"All right. Love ya, sis!" Peter walked off and left Rose and Ray alone.
Ray smiled nervously and said, "Well, I should get home. Get some rest. I have a feeling that the next few days are going to be very...interesting."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
"Right, well. Night. See you tomorrow, Rose." Ray turned around and starting walking away. Rose nodded and said, "Yeah, see you."
Then Rose had an idea. She called after Ray, "Hey, Ray wait a minute!"
She ran up to him and when he turned around, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him quickly. It wasn't really a peck but it wasn't a deep kiss either. It was just...perfect, if you asked her.
Ray froze out of shock but then returned the kiss. Rose pulled away after a few more seconds and said, "Night, Ray."
She kissed him one more time, but this time it really was a peck, and then walked off. Ray stood there in shock, as though he couldn't quite believe what had just happened. He smiled and raised a hand to his lips.
"Night Rose."
He walked off, feeling light as a feather.
