Chapter 7 "Getting to Know You" (July 15, 1984; 2 weeks later)
"Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you,
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me..."
Julie Andrews, "Getting to know you."
Winston Zeddemore
Help Wanted:
Ghostbusters Inc is searching for a highly motivated and dedicated individual with a strong work ethic to help capture and eliminate the supernatural entities in the five boroughs. A qualified candidate must exhibit the following: good problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, practical communication skills, willingness to work/act as a team, manage stressful situations, work under pressure well; work unconventional hours; technical experience is a plus—full-time position with benefits and competitive pay. Only serious inquiries, please: call 212-897-1964 to schedule an interview with Dr. Peter Venkman or stop by today at 14 North Moore Street, Tribeca Manhattan, New York.
With my desk job with the Army ending in April, I had taken a couple of months off to visit with my friends in the area and live with Maura, my fiancee. Since I was one of those who needed to keep themselves occupied, I spent most of my time helping my parents make renovations on their house for the past two months.
Finally, Maura insisted that I search for a job when the Fourth of July came around because she was tired of me sitting on the sofa, not moving a muscle until she returned from her long shift at the hospital. Initially, I thought about applying for the CIA as a military strategist, but I didn't want to live in the capital. I didn't like that area too much because of the politics. Plus, my heart was in New York and my family. Also, I pondered law enforcement, but Maura was afraid it was too dangerous. I kind of agreed with her on that point.
The Ghostbusters' ad was the first one that caught my attention, and Maura and I had recently seen an interview with them for a local television news story. It had been engrossing, and I began to contemplate the actions one would take to apprehend a ghost. Before I knew it, I found myself taking a taxi to Manhattan the day after seeing the ad.
One evening, I held a newspaper ad and stared up at the Ghostbusters logo sign tentatively before walking into the company's headquarters. A dainty attractive lady with reddish-brown hair on the phone with a bright smile and an overtaxed look in her eyes was the first individual I met. After the secretary completed her call, the woman returned the phone receiver to its cradle and gave me a fetching smile as I approached the reception area.
"Good Evening, how may I help you," the secretary inquired in a nasally Brooklyn accent.
"Hi, I am Winston Zeddemore; I am interested in the open position as a Ghostbuster," I introduced myself, grinning.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Zeddemore; I am Janine Melnitz, the company's secretary. Would you care to sit down, and I will ask you some questions in just a moment," she offered, rising from her chair, revealing her cute petite figure as she went behind her desk into an area where more offices were located. Janine wore a knee-length black leather skirt and a red blouse with a chain-link belt around her waist; the latter explained to me by Maura as the fashion of the day.
I shook my head, wondering when I had become interested in women's fashion, but realized that I hadn't.
"Maura," I thought, grinning, "The things that we do for love. Damn, I love that woman!"
As I sat down in the chair in front of her desk and glanced around the firehouse, Janine returned frantically with a piece of paper in her hand when the phone started to ring off the hook.
"Just one moment," she responded to me, grabbing the phone and sitting down hurriedly, "Ghostbusters, how may I help you?"
For the next five to seven minutes, I watched the auburn-haired lady speak on the phone until I was distracted by a loud bang from a car entering the building.
"Do you believe in UFOs, astral projection, telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trans-mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis," the secretary suddenly questioned me in a nasal intonation, with her hands on the side of her face and her big blue eyes wide open.
"If there's a steady paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you say," I replied, then stopped speaking as two of my potential employers strolled into the reception area. I pretended to examine their "help wanted" advertisement in the paper while eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Boy, I've gotta get some sleep. I'm dying," the shorter heavy-set Ghostbusters stated as he walked with a slightly balder man towards the secretary's desk, and he had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
"You don't look good."
"I don't," the shorter Ghostbuster inquired.
"You've looked better. You didn't use to look like this," the former Ghostbuster added, then he handed the secretary a paper," Here's the form for the woman out in Brooklyn. She paid with Visa."
"Here's tonight's worksheet," Janine enlightened her bosses.
"Oh, great! Two more free repeaters," the chubby man said sarcastically. The taller one blew smoke in the direction of their secretary, who coughed for a second then introduced me," This is Winston Zeddemore. He's here about the job."
"Beautiful. You're hired. Ray Stantz, Pete Venkman. Congratulations. Can you help me, please?" The one name Stantz remarked quickly. He looked like death warmed over because he was so tired. and gave me some traps, then announced, "Welcome aboard!"
The black boxes with yellow stripes on them had a thick layer of smoke protruding from them and had a funny sulfuric smell so I wrinkled my nose as I accepted them from Ray. He gave me a wry grin as he motioned for me to follow him and the other GB.
"Did I make the wrong decision," I wondered to myself as I walked carrying the smoldering traps, "do they actually catch ghosts?"
Three days later
Janine
As I reread the New York Post's article about the Ghostbusters catching a ghost in Chinatown on the table, the guys were debating about the Yankees' chances to win the pendant in October, so I had found myself daydreaming while I hummed with it.
"Oh, I have to call channel nine back later to set up an interview for Peter," I reminded myself inwardly and scribbled it on a blue notepad where I was taking copious notes from the morning meeting.
Local and a few national newspapers, magazines, and TV people desired to schedule an interview with one member or all of the Ghostbusters' team as they began to receive recognition for their devotion to eliminating the paranormal in NYC. Peter, the spokesperson for the business, usually did the interviews because he adored the attention and delighted in doing an interview. I decided that this article from a few weeks ago in the New York Post would be a good one to put in a memory box to display on my mantle in my apartment because I was proud of the guys' work and wanted to showcase their accomplishments.
"No Ghost is too big, no fee is too big," Dr. V. was caught on camera recently saying, and this memory diverted my attention from the meeting as I giggled to myself.
"Ok, Janine, the interview from — is tomorrow afternoon, but it's not for me. I spoke to the interviewer, Paige Platt, from the City's talk radio show, and they wanted to interview the person who knew the Ghostbusters the best," Dr. Venkman mentioned as all of my bosses, plus Mr. Zeddemore, the rookie, sat around the kitchen table. Suddenly everyone's eyes were on me, and I felt like I was caught in class not paying attention when a teacher asked me a question in high school while I daydreamed about my boyfriend.
"I'm sorry, would you repeat that, please," I requested, chagrinned, feeling a flush of heat upon my cheeks.
"Tomorrow at noon, you are interviewing with Paige Platt," Peter informed, with an obnoxious smile.
"No way, I don't do interviews. I'm not a Ghostbuster," I argued, feeling incandescent and tapping my pen on my notepad anxiously.
"Why not? It's better than us answering the same questions over and over, J. Besides, it gives them another perspective," Ray countered. I didn't expect him to agree with Venkman.
"Blasphemous big brother," I retorted, my voice rising as I turned to face him," you of all people know I don't want to do interviews or like doing them."
"Janine, you aren't as shy as I am. I have done them, although I do admit I do not like it," Dr. Spengler protested, giving me a sheepish half-smile.
"You are all ganging up on me," I declared skeptically, looking at my former boyfriend and then back to everyone else, " Is this a joke?"
The Ghostbusters' theoretical physicist blushed at my inquiry, and everyone watched our interaction. I purposely had turned my attention away from him.
"Yeah, butter her up a little, Spengs; it's not like you don't love each other still or anything," Peter joked, rolling his eyes.
"No, I won't do it," I stated determinedly, rising from the chair, not wanting to endure Dr. Venkman's teasing until I felt a hand on my arm, which I yanked away immediately.
"Come on," Dr. V. persuaded, blocking me from leaving the kitchen table area and making humorous faces at me to generate laughter.
"Peter knows better than to use Egon against me," I contemplated, irately, and sat back down.
"Sit, Janine, please sit," Peter requested calmly," Sorry, Brooklyn, old habits are hard to die, but I don't want an ass whooping from Iggy, so I apologize."
When I turned around to see Dr. Spengler give the balding Ghostbuster a threatening glare, I realized the reason that Venkman requested my forgiveness, but I didn't care.
"Besides you have a different relationship with each of us because you aren't a Ghostbuster," Ray added.
With restraint I didn't know he had, Peter managed to hold back a snide comment when Ray spoke, but he smirked knowingly at me then Egon.
"Don't. Say. A. Word. Venkman. Or. I. Won't. Do. It," I hissed at him murderously.
"Come on, Pete," Ray reapproached him, who came to my defense rapidly, and I observed that Egon was cracking his knuckles and eyeballing Venkman.
" I have been on a couple of busts, and those terrified me," I confessed, peeking at my notes to conceal my blush, pleased that both of them came to my defense.
"They aren't going to ask you anything about it or, if they do, just be honest," Dr. Stantz insisted, smiling.
" What about the proton packs? I don't know much about the equipment," I protested with a bit of whine.
"Neither does Peter," Dr. Spengler retorted, causing Ray to laugh, and Venkman gave him the middle finger.
"They are going to ask things like 'what is it like to work for three scientists?', 'which ghostbuster do you get along with the best, ' How long have you worked for the company? Probably ask questions about your responsibilities, maybe about our first bust," Dr. Venkman explained.
"Do I include babysitting you, Pete?" I inquired sarcastically.
"Ha, ha. This is a good opportunity for you, Janine. You don't get the recognition you deserve for all that you do here," he replied earnestly.
The other Ghostbusters agreed vocally.
"But I don't want to be recognized. I know that you all are appreciative of all the work I do, and that's enough," I defended, "what if you gave me tomorrow afternoon off for it?"
The conversation went on for a few more minutes, and Peter relented to letting me have extra time off before I got up to answer the first phone call of the day.
"Oh, hi Lucy, how are you? Good, yes, we are still on for tomorrow afternoon after my interview. Oh, Ray's here, " I spoke into the phone and waved at my big brother.
I waited until he came over and handed him the receiver.
"It's also an audio interview," Pete noted, touching my arm to gain my attention.
"Are you trying to sleep with this woman," I inquired suspiciously.
"Of course," he admitted, turning pink.
"I thought you were seeing someone," Dr. Spengler inquired, raising his right eyebrow in a question. His mouth almost formed into a sneer as if he knew something that Peter didn't want him to admit.
"I was; it didn't work out."
"Yes, we know you sulked for two weeks less than a month ago. Who was it?" I pressed curiously. We were tag-teaming Peter.
"Oh, just some woman I know," Dr. V. replied, and straight away, his expression fell to a gloomier one, generating a guilty feeling in my body. It was evident that he felt horrible about the situation, and I decided to drop it anyway.
Dr. Spengler gave me a suggestive glance to encourage me to probe Peter, but I turned away. I didn't want to encourage him because he had his chances with me. There weren't anymore.
The Next Day
On the day of the interview, I made sure that my dress was immaculate despite being July and the possibility that I would be sweating excessively.
"Why are you doing an interview again," Wendy asked at breakfast. She had taken the day off because she and her Mom were searching for wedding dresses today.
"It is an audio interview with Paige Platt from talk radio 880. She wants to speak to someone who knows the Ghostbusters the best," I answered, bringing the coffee pot to the table to fill my roommate's cup and then mine. After returning it, I lowered myself into a chair in the kitchen and noticed a small blue box on my plate along with eggs, bacon, and toast. I picked it up cautiously and questioned, "Wendy? Is this from you?"
She nodded and urged me to open it.
"Wendy, you don't have to..."
"Shut up, Janine, and open it! I did it because I wanted to," Wendy demanded, running her hands through her blonde shoulder-length hair.
Carefully, I opened it to reveal a small white horseshoe that was gold plated good luck charm.
"Oh, Wendy, this is very thoughtful." I picked it up gingerly and felt a few tears emerge from my eyes.
"Do you like it," she asked excitedly, " I know you are nervous about the interview and thought this might help."
"I love it! Oh, thanks, Wendy!"
I jumped from my chair to hug her, and we embraced for a short time before I sat down again. Electrified, I put the charm on my bracelet. Wendy had been such a great friend of mine for years now.
"I'm glad! You are welcome. Don't be nervous; you will do well. I'm glad you convinced Peter to give you the afternoon off for this favor. I am assuming he is trying to screw this woman?"
"Thank you. Yes, of course," I answered happily and began digging into my eggs with gusto. Wendy and I discussed his angle for a while as we ate and inquired if I was still interested in playing racquetball tonight at our club.
"Yes. Still at seven-thirty tonight?"
My wardrobe choice was a smart-looking blue and white striped knee-length dress with shoulder pads, which was the fashion trend. This interview might be picked up by other radio stations or possibly a newspaper since our business had grown in popularity, so I made sure I represented them well.
"What are you and Lucy going to do this afternoon," she inquired as I slipped my black heels on my feet.
"Lunch, shopping and maybe a movie. Gossiping. She has been dating someone on the quiet, and I am going to find out about it. Then I have therapy," I stated excitedly.
"Ooh! Don't forget to tell me all about it. I'll meet you at the club at seven-thirty for racquetball."
I promised and then checked my appearance one more time in the mirror as I had to leave for my subway. Cautiously, I added my lipstick and then put it back in my purse.
"Good luck," she called as I walked out.
"You too; I hope you find the right dress."
At eight-fifteen in the morning, the temperature was already in the seventies as I strolled to the station, and I willed myself not to sweat as I did so. Unfortunately, it did not work, but I managed to perspire just a little.
"It would be a hot day in the city today," I muttered as I followed a group of people down the stairway to the underground station.
When I arrived at my employment place, I commenced with my morning routine without thinking about it. It was quiet upstairs as Peter and Ray slept in sometimes, and it was my responsibility to wake them up by 9 a.m. Sighing, I ascended the steps in need of some more coffee anyway.
"Might as well wake them up since it is time," I thought out loud, " hopefully, Dr. Spengler will be..."
I couldn't finish my statement because I was at the top of the stairs, and there was my ex-boyfriend eating breakfast while working on some notes. Fortunately, he didn't hear me, which I was thankful for. The tension between us was still palpable, and I mumbled a "good morning" to him then hurried to Ray's bedroom first to wake him up. Dr. Spengler did not glance up from his notepad, lost in thought.
"Ray, it is nine," I shouted through the door, pounding my right fist on the wooden door. One more time, I repeated my action and then waited a minute to open the door slightly. The last thing I wanted to view was Ray in his underwear or with a woman.
"Get up, Dr. Stantz," I yelled, making as much noise as I could, and strode into the room. I pulled the covers off of my big brother.
"Ok, Ok, Jesus," he moaned, throwing off his sheets, "Damn, little sister."
"Wakey, wakey, eggs, and bakey," I cheerfully sang as I left his room.
Spinning on my heel, I stepped to Peter's bedroom, where the door was shut. At first, I knocked softly and called for him. There wasn't a reaction, so I turned the door handle gradually, peaking my head in the room, shouting, "Dr. V? It's nine, time to wake up."
"Janine?"
Unexpectedly, I walked into the room and lifted the blankets revealing two people embracing each other laying on their sides next kissing and naked.
"Oh shit," I muttered.
"Janine," he mumbled, "this is a bad time."
Immediately, I apologized in a babbling sort of way, backing my way out of the room. I made sure I didn't see anything, and I focused on the ceiling as I backed my way out.
"You assholes," I shouted as I marched out of the room and to the landing where Dr. Spengler sat at the kitchen table, chuckling with Ray. Dr. Stantz was still in his red PJs and didn't seem awake yet. Both of them awaited my reaction anxiously, and I glared in disbelief at them.
"Why didn't one of you tell me that he had someone in there," I forcefully demanded because I felt betrayed by him, "It's like I just walked into my older brother having sex."
"No, I think they are done for now," Egon mentioned, drily not looking up from his notes, " but if you had come here earlier, you might have witnessed it."
"I didn't know she was still there," Dr. Stantz mentioned innocently, turning red, pointing at my ex, "blame Spengler."
Dr. V. wasn't my brother, of course in reality, but just thinking about him screwing a random woman made my stomach turn.
"Payback is a bitch, huh, Brooklyn" Dr. V. yelled sarcastically from his room.
"You are all jerks," I stormed off to the landing and sat on the sofa. Pouting, I crossed my legs and my arms like a child who wasn't getting their way. Naturally, Peter referred to the one time he walked in on Egon and me having sex in the lab earlier this year. We never heard the end of that, it seemed.
From the couch, I admonished my former boyfriend, " You know better than to go along with Venkman's pranks, Dr. Spengler."
Absentmindedly, Egon gazed up from his yellow notepad to consider the irate expression I gave him, appearing shocked.
"You didn't know that it was a bad idea to send me into the room where he had a woman in with him," I wondered irately, with my hands on my hips.
Lately, I caught Dr. Spengler gazing upon me with a grin but an absentminded expression, and it irritated me greatly. Perplexed, I walked to the kitchen to refill my coffee mug. I didn't have time for games and didn't allow myself to scrutinize the reason for these glances. Ever.
When I came back to the table with my coffee, Ray asked me if I wanted to know who Peter had in his bed but I declined since I was still fuming due to their overall immaturity. Instead, I sipped my coffee casually, disregarding everything around me.
"Is that a new charm," the physicist implored, viewing the charm bracelet on my wrist from across the table with interest. He tapped his pen on his notepad as he spoke.
"Yes, Wendy gave me a horseshoe charm for luck with the interview," I reported automatically, admiring it with a grin. I always felt jocular when I observed my bracelet and fingered the charms on it.
"Why am I responding to his questions?" I thought in vexation, then shut my mouth.
"It's lovely, " Dr. Spengler commented, then regarded me with his brown eyes pouring into mine. I could feel them, and I felt my patience waning. Without a moment's delay, I rose from the chair, which squeaked as I did so. I descended the stairs as quickly as I could.
Later, Peter approached my desk with his tail between his legs metaphorically after walking his date home as I watered the plants in my employer's respective offices. The greenery livened the reception area up, and I loved taking care of them. About six months ago, I convinced Peter to give me a minuscule budget for upkeep and presentation of the reception area.
"I am sorry, Brooklyn, I thought one of the others would have informed you," he began sheepishly, his forehead wrinkling into lines. Dr. V. ran his hands through his balding brown hair.
"You wanted your revenge, so you got it," I asserted dismissively, waving my hand in the air and then watered the plants on my desk carefully. My stomach was fluttering uneasily from nerves about the interview, and my hands were beginning to sweat.
"Is this a new secret girlfriend," I questioned Peter.
"Not a secret. I met Trisha at the bar a week ago, and we have been chatting on the phone. We met up last night there, drank too much, and ended up here," he explained, chagrinned, as a pinkish hue came to his cheeks. As Peter shrugged his shoulders, he elaborated, "She's a dental assistant from Staten Island."
"You seem tired, Janine. Are you OK," Dr. Venkman asked, studying my face, concerned.
"It has been a rough couple of weeks, " I answered, honestly, "I haven't been sleeping well, and this paper is driving me nuts."
"Are you seeing the therapist that I suggested," he inquired, his eyes opening as wide as they can.
"Yes," I responded, "I think talking about it with someone not involved in the situation is beneficial, too. Dr. Smith thinks that the lack of sleep is directly related to the incident with Victor."
"No, duh," Peter remarked, knocking his fist on my desk, "I am glad it is helping, Janine. You have been through a lot lately. I am distressed about you, Brooklyn, and I am not the only Ghostbuster that feels that way."
Dr. Venkman thought he was sneaky the way he brought up Dr. Spengler, but he wasn't. Flustered by his comment, I picked up the receiver, snapping, "Ghostbustas, Whaddaya want?"
Opening up their calendar on the computer to examine their schedule, I found a time for the client. Giving me an empathetic smile, Dr. V. went back upstairs quietly, and I realized he was genuinely concerned for me. My pulse quickened as I thought about the interview again and how I didn't want to do it. Unfortunately, the phone immediately rang as soon as I put the receiver down, and I sighed,
" It was going to be like that this morning until my interview at noon."
Fifteen minutes to noon, a pretty pert brunette from a local radio station appeared at my desk, introducing herself as Paige Platt. Rising from my desk, I shook her hand warmly and took her into Dr. Stantz's office to complete the interview.
"Please sit down, Ms. Platt," I offered her a seat in the chair or the sofa against the wall. I chose to sit on the couch, and she sat next to me.
"Relax, please call me Paige. Dr. Venkman disclosed that this is your first interview," she unveiled but then gave me a reassuring grin before adding, "Don't worry, You will do an extraordinary job. He also said that you were a first-class secretary and lady."
"Ok, thank you, Paige. Please call me Janine," I said, feeling a little relaxed and pleased by Peter's compliments.
"Here are the questions I'm going to ask you. Why don't you go over them as I get everything ready?"
I read the paper with questions- Peter was right; many of them were questions about my background and then about my relationship with each one of the Ghostbusters. She wanted me to share a story or incident about each one that showcased their personalities.
"Would you like some coffee, Ms.- I mean, Paige," I inquired politely, standing up awaiting her answer. She nodded, and I walked out of the office to see the Ghostbusters present, Peter, Ray, and Dr. Spengler sitting around the leader's desk, attempting to eavesdrop on our conversation.
Giggling, Peter kneeled in front of me, beseeching me to say nice things about him.
"Don't you have enough sex," I hissed after rolling my eyes upwards?
"Didn't you tell me one time that I was jealous because I wasn't currently getting any?'", Peter inquired, not so innocently, and as a result, I attempted to kick him in his balls. Peter blocked it with his hands. Meanwhile, the other two concealed their howls of laughter.
"I have had it with you three. Does Mr. Zeddemore know he will be working with the three most immature men on the island," I whispered and walked off?
When I returned downstairs, the guys were still guffawing at Pete, who managed to have an apologetic expression on his face for a little while. He said, "Janine, I am sorry. Really."
"Ok, Ok," I mouthed, walking into Ray's office with Paige's cup of coffee and shut the door halfway so they couldn't hear anything that I said, knowing that they would open it anyway.
"Are you ok," Paige probed, seriously, as I giggled at the guys' silliness after I handed her the cup.
"Actually, yes," I declared, chuckling a little more, " just a little nervous."
"Men can't live with them, can't live without them, " I thought as I sat down. Paige offered some more relaxation techniques as I sat down and closed my eyes.
"Sometimes, meditation helps. Do I have a few minutes?"
Paige nodded and drank her coffee as she made the final preparations for the interview. Meanwhile, I envisioned walking around in the Arboretum for my last birthday, viewing the magnificent flowers around as I did so. I could smell some of the blooming flowers, and that put a grin on my face.
My anxiety lessened considerably, and I opened my eyes then sighed inwardly.
"I hadn't let myself acknowledge that I was with HIM originally."
When Paige solicited if I was ready to begin, I gave her a beaming smile indicating my preparedness.
"Hi, this is Paige Platt from 880 Talk Radio. Lately, there have been stories regarding the City's lone supernatural elimination company, the Ghostbusters. Today, Ms. Janine Melnitz, the secretary extraordinaire from the Ghostbusters, joins me for an exclusive interview. Thank you for granting me this time to get to know them, Ms. Melnitz."
"You are welcome. Please call me Janine," I answered as friendly as I could. I felt my palms sweat as we started the interview and my heartbeat quicken.
"All three of your bosses have designated you as the person who runs the business inside and out in several interviews. What are your responsibilities here," Paige inquired.
"Well, that's an exaggeration to some extent. I coordinate their schedules, perform the accounting because I have a minor in it, and any other various things they need to be done."
"All three Ghostbusters have said you are part of the team. I'm curious, were you automatically accepted as a part of the team here, or how did you know when you were?"
" After their first bust at the —hotel last June, Dr. V. invited me to join them to eat pizza in a celebratory dinner. If you know him, he likes to push people's buttons to agitate them for a joke. He and I talked about the type of woman he liked to date, and he was asking about my best friend. I quickly put him in place, stating that she wasn't the type he would like because she spoke her mind. Later, he jokingly said, 'well, I guess I'll take you two off the list, and I said, Oh, thank God,' then I realized the damage I had done. Quickly I backpedaled, trying to apologize. Dr. Venkman laughed it off, commenting on how he knew that since I was from Brooklyn, I would be a comical addition to the company and said 'you are in the club, kid," I laughed after I answered, remembering the moment fondly.
"What did the others say?"
"They were amused, but I was terrified that I was going to be fired, honestly. Before I left that evening, I later asked Dr. Spengler about Dr. Venkman's meaning of the 'you made it in the club kid' statement. He told me I was accepted as a member of the group by standing up to Dr. V," I stated earnestly.
"You aren't afraid to speak your mind. Do you think that helps with your working relationship with the Ghostbusters?"
"Sure. Of course, I was totally out of line when I said what I did, and I apologized profusely to Dr. Venkman since then, but I do speak my mind more respectfully," I added dutifully and gave her a grin.
"Speaking of Dr. Venkman. How would you describe him?"
"He puts up a front of sarcasm to guard himself against being hurt, but he is a caring, thoughtful person when you are friends with him. Dr. Venkman can be pretty humorous, too," I responded, truthfully.
"There, Peter," I thought to myself, " that was for you."
"Are you friends with the Ghostbusters outside of work?"
"Yes, I think so. We have done some non-work-related things outside of work a couple of times," I answered.
"What about Dr. Stantz? Is there anything that you think that maybe you see as someone who works for them that maybe we don't?"
"He is like an older brother to me. When I was interviewed, Dr. Stantz and I spent twenty or thirty minutes talking about our personal experiences with ghosts or any psychic abilities in our families. In my case, I have some family members with certain supernatural aptnesses. Dr. Stantz's family is tremendously involved with ghost lore in Canada especially. Also, we like the same type of music, like the Ramones and Kiss."
"And Dr. Spengler, he doesn't do a lot of interviews and seems very private and grave about his work for the company. Any insight to him when he's not working," Paige proposed innocently.
"Well, I think Dr. Spengler is the most devoted to working on the ideas for equipment and solving problems for the team. His work ethic is unbelievably robust. However, Dr. Spengler does have a weakness for Twinkies and sugar. " I answered, trying to obscure the love in my voice and keep it airy and cordial. I felt my heart palpitate just speaking about him like a teenager in love for the first time.
"Damn it, Janine. Keep it impersonal. This isn't the time to declare your undying love for Dr. Spengler," I reprimanded, feeling a few tears come to my eyes, but I squeezed them in, keeping my focus on the interview. Either Paige didn't pick up on my feelings for him or wasn't interested in the possible relationship as a side story. Hopefully, I remained neutral enough.
"It's often said that Stantz is the heart, Spengler the brains, and Peter the mouthpiece of the Ghostbusters. Dr. Venkman stated that they just hired a fourth person, Winston Zeddemore. What is his role in the dynamic," she questioned earnestly.
"I am not sure because I think he is still learning the ropes. Mr. Zeddemore seems like a good fit for the team."
"How about your role in the dynamic, ," Paige asked, raising her brown eyebrow.
" As I stated earlier, I coordinate their schedules and do some accounting. I have a minor role," I replied, blushing.
"It doesn't sound like it. Venkman mentioned that you were also about to graduate from King's College with a degree in computer systems in December. Are you going to leave the company when you complete it?"
" I don't know. I love where I work and the team, plus I feel like I belong," I confessed, truthfully.
"Do any of the Ghostbusters share your interest in computers?"
"Yes, Drs. Spengler and Stantz because they design the equipment. Fortunately, I have been able to introduce and teach them a few computer applications that could assist them." I acknowledged, nodding at Paige.
"Have you been on a bust with your employers? And if so, what is that like," the brunette lady posed the questions.
"I have been on two or three, in fact, and it was terrifying. At the time, I did not know that I was scared of ghosts, but I am. I had nightmares for a while, but Dr. V. helped me through them," I refuted.
"Do you believe in luck, and do you think that plays a part in the success of the Ghostbusters?
"Well, yes, I do believe in luck. I have a lucky coin from the World's Fair in Flushing Meadows in 1965 that I carry around all of the time, and this morning, my roommate gave me this horseshoe charm for this interview," I responded, showing it to her, grinning. Paige feigned interest to keep the interview moving, but I was proud as a peacock of my pretty new charm.
"Do you think your employers believe in good fortune and use it to their advantage," Paige wondered.
"No, not at all. I don't think that the success of Ghostbusters' relies on luck. My employers are excellent at their jobs- catching, trapping, and eliminating ghosts and the paranormal, " I stated politely but firmly.
"Our time is up already. Thank you for this interview, Janine. This is Paige Platt, speaking with the coordinator of the Ghostbusters, Janine Melnitz. Signing out," Paige stated.
"Thank you," I replied.
Automatically, Paige turned the recording machine off, and I felt myself relax immediately. She inquired if she could take a picture, and I agreed. As she prepared the camera, I reapplied my lipstick with a compact mirror in my desk drawer.
Peter
The three of us gathered around listening to Janine's interview while in my office, curious to see what she would say. Overall, our secretary did a magnificent job, and I couldn't be happier.
"That was perfect," Ray admitted as Paige gathered her belongings in his office, " Janine earned her half-day."
"I knew she would do an excellent job; Janine's very professional," Egon divulged, watching her put her lipstick, longingly. He had been doing a lot of that last month with everything that happened this Spring/Summer.
"Egon quit staring; that's not helping your case. You don't want to creep her out," Ray advised, nudging his arm.
Regrettably, Iggy was too caught up in her to pay attention to his warning, and Janine gave him a dirty look. I went over to compliment her interviewing skills and continue my flirtation with Paige Platt, the beautiful curvy woman in a brown dress that matched her hair color and the star reporter of NYC's talk radio.
"I didn't even realize I was doing it until Janine gave me that look," he admitted with a sigh, standing up from his chair and walking to the stairs. He probably was going to the lab to brood.
I noticed that Paige seemed to be swayed by the Venkman charm, and Ray and Janine quietly left when they realized it. When an older lady, the temp, arrived to take our red-headed secretary's place, answering the phones, I heard the youngest Ghostbuster introduce himself and explain her job. Meanwhile, Janine gathered her belongings and left.
Egon
Therapy- Later that day
"This would be easier if you would tell me what happened," the older man, Dr. Tate, my therapist, stated with a red mustache with gray mixed in. I was sitting in front of him in a very uncomfortable green leather chair, attempting to gather my thoughts in order. As a result, I stayed silent for ten minutes and couldn't form any words to speak. My anger was still extreme within me, even though this event occurred two weeks ago. Eventually, I was able to recall everything and relayed it to Dr. Tate.
"Spengler stop, he's not worth it," Ray warned, moving behind me to grab one of my arms as I was clenching my fists over and over again.
" If you want to hit someone, hit me, Victor, " I spitted out, moving towards him.
Both Peter and Ray managed to pull me away from him and restrained me from behind.
"You know the best thing about Janine, Spengler? She's so horny," he sneered, "but you can have her back. I have had better."
With strength I didn't know that I had, I managed to push both Peter and Ray away as his words degrading Janine rang in my ears. My heart thundered in my chest, and I felt a rage I had never felt in my life as I lunged at Victor with all of my might. He punched me in the mouth, and I fell back a second but managed to stay standing. He hit me again on the mouth, almost in a knock-out punch, and I fell to the floor. My world was blurry, but I could see Janine rushing over to me in that lovely red dress, concerned. The pain was overwhelming, and the room began to spin. I felt something oozing out of my nose.
"Victor, stop right now," Janine cried as he hit me the second time.
"I'm going to kill this bastard," I thought after I recovered from the shock of being hit, and I rose from the floor unsteadily. I felt ready to hurt Victor, smiling, and Peter and Ray tried to block him from going after me again.
"Egon, are you ok? You are bleeding," I heard Janine exclaiming from behind me, and I turned around to view her.
All I could discern was the cut that Victor had given her, making my perfect angel imperfect, and my blood boiled even higher. My blood pressure elevated, and I felt a hammering in my heart. Her face had a frightened look on it, and that pissed me off further. Before I knew what I was doing, Peter and Ray were trying to gang up on Victor and pushed them out of the way. Angrily, my hands gripped the man's thick neck as I seethed at him for hurting her. Victor was caught unaware, and his eyes bulged out of their sockets as I clutched his neck inordinately.
Precipitously, I felt a prick on my neck from a needle and fell to the floor.
"How did you feel when you saw Victor hitting Janine," Dr. Tate inquired.
"Enraged. Tremendously enraged- more so than when Venkman called her a bitch nine months ago. Instantly, I wanted to defend her. I don't know how to convey the depth of my hostility towards him when I saw that Janine had a cut on her face, but before that he...was emotionally...abusing her," I stated after a long pregnant pause and I clenched my fists as I spoke. Still, there were times that I still felt like I needed to remove the stress from the situation. Venkman suggested getting a punching bag, but I didn't feel like that was a good idea. Alternatively, I had been meditating still, and I even spoke to my Dad on the phone about the situation since he had met Janine earlier this summer.
"How do you feel," he questioned, "after telling me everything so far."
"A little drained. Infuriated. We haven't even gone through everything yet," I added, with a wry smile.
"How have things been between you and Janine," Dr. Tate asked.
"Strange. I guess that's been the normal since Janine began dating again, though," I stated and paused.
"But I know I need her in my life now more than ever. I want to be the one that loves, takes care of, and protects her," I conceded, starting to cry despite my attempts to stifle it. Consequently, I removed my glasses, put them on my knee, and held my head in my hands. I didn't stop the floodgates from opening and pouring out in a deluge as I sat there for a while.
"Our time is up today," Dr. Tate announced gently as a timer went off noisily behind his desk.
"Ok," I responded, wiping my face and reappling my glasses.
"Do you think you can make it back here in a few days, or would that be too draining," he requested.
"A week. It takes me a long time to process events," I revealed, "please."
Lucy Stantz
Janine and I met at a cafe by CUNY at one thirty because I had office hours until 1:15 in the afternoon as I taught an entry-level architecture class as I worked on my graduate degree, which I would complete in the Spring. It was a short walk to the trendy restaurant, and I secured a table for us. Janine joined me a few minutes later, and we placed our drink orders with the waiter.
"How was the interview," I questioned Janine, " you look very professional."
"Fine, Peter warned me of the type of questions that I would be asked, and those were it," she quipped with a smile, " It will be on the air tomorrow morning."
"I'll have to tune in."
"And then, get this, Peter picks up this chick, Paige Platt, right in front of Ray and me after I introduced them," Janine described exasperatedly.
Sighing heavily, I glared at the menu, attempting to focus. Janine and I were close friends, but I hadn't told her that he and I had been dating casually since the Spring. In Mid June, I broke it off with him because Peter was becoming too severe for my liking, which was the last thing I wanted. Especially after breaking it off with a man I thought was my soulmate and then finding him in bed with a work friend of mine. After all, Venkman was depressed. However, someone like him doesn't go long alone- Peter had charisma and charm with women. I hoped that he found the right person for him one day.
Honestly, I had always been attracted to Peter since I had met him through Ray six years ago. His magnetism allowed him to transfix the pants (literally) off of a woman effortlessly, and my big brother very protectively forbade me from dating him. For years, we flirted with each other whenever we met, and that was it until this year. Peter had some romantic feelings for me that I didn't have, and that caused our breakup.
"What's wrong," Janine inquired, carefully scrutinizing my face as I kept it covering it. A dark-haired waiter came back and took our orders.
"Chicken cobb salad with dressing on the side, please, " I requested, grinning at the man while handing him my menu.
"I'd like the club with a side of fruit, please," Janine asked sweetly as the waiter wrote down our orders.
"Thank you, I will place your orders and bring you some fresh bread to nibble on," he informed, with a very bright smile. After the waiter left, I felt my friend's eyes on me, inspecting my face deliberately since my shield (or my menu) wasn't covering my it anymore. Her eyes felt like a laser penetrating on me, almost.
"Lucy," Janine said, tilting her head to the side, gradually. Since she was growing her hair out a little, I suggested using rollers to create more volume. It assisted in framing her face and in bringing her natural radiance out. The waiter brought a basket of bread to the table with two plates and some butter. Starving, I removed a warm piece and took my knife to butter it before I placed it in my mouth, happily.
"Mmmm, I love baked goods," I thought, grinning inwardly.
"Your hair is looking fabulous," I gushed, attempting to change the subject away from Peter Venkman.
"Lucy Stantz," she demanded, giving me a fierce glare that rivaled my Mother's when I misbehaved in church or a public place when I was younger. Janine's petite hands went to her side immediately, and she arched her eyebrows at me.
"Ok, Ok," I responded, guilty. I proceeded to tell Janine the details of my short casual relationship with Peter, and her tiny mouth fell agape at the information. Janine had a piece of bread in her hand, poised to eat it but almost dropped it with my revelation.
"Oh, my," Janine exclaimed dramatically, "Peter said he was seeing someone casually, but I never figured it out. Was that the reason you were at the firehouse so much visiting Ray?"
"Yes. Then last month, he started becoming too serious about me, and I broke it off," I admitted sheepishly.
"Like how? Is Peter Venkman in love with you," she whispered, leaning forward towards me incredulously.
"No, no, not that he said...Uhm...Pete wanted to be exclusive. I had a good time with him, but I don't want to date just him. I'm still scared to death from my asshole ex-fiancee, breaking off our engagement," I corrected, feeling irate at my ex.
"I didn't want to hurt Pete. I do care about him," I admitted after a period of silence, feeling sad a little.
Janine reached across the table for my hand and squeezed it.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Lucy. It just didn't work out. I am sure you told Pete about your reservations beforehand," she sympathized with me, giving me a small smile, then withdrew her hand.
"I did."
"Peter was a little down in the dumps for a couple of weeks last month. I guess I now know why," she commented, " You must have affected him, Lucy. Venkman's someone who doesn't allow women to do so normally."
Shrugging, I didn't answer but begged her not to tell Ray.
"Of course," she promised, sheepishly," however, I did walk into Venkman's room and a woman in his bed this morning no thanks to your brother and Dr. Spengler."
"Really? Oh, and I think Egon knows about Pete and me," I added, rolling my eyes, "in May, he gave me a knowing smile when I was visiting one time."
"Egon?" Janine exclaimed, in disbelief, then we waited as our food arrived, "He's not exactly observant outside of science, but he is improving."
"Indeed," I replied, using one of her beau's favorite phrases, and raised an eyebrow. Janine giggled at my impression of Egon. The waiter brought our food to the table and inquired if we needed anything else. Shaking her head, Janine divulged that we didn't. It didn't surprise me that Peter already had another woman in his bed nor did it bother me.
"Well, your Dr. Spengler noticed that," I confessed.
"Hmmm," my friend commented, taken aback, and took a bite of her sandwich, " oh, this is good!"
"Mmm, mmm, yes," I muttered, eating my salad with gusto as I had missed breakfast. We chatted casually as we ate, and Janine didn't ask me the big question until we were on the subway going to the shops at Union Square later.
"Why do you call Egon by his more formal name, now," I probed my friend as we silently ate.
Sighing heavily, Janine wiped her mouth after chewing her last bite of food.
"For two reasons, one it helps me remember that he is just my boss and not my boyfriend and second, it annoys the shit out of him," she disclosed, grinning slyly.
"Good girl," I approved, winking at her.
"Tell me more about Peter," she quickly changed the subject afterward.
"Pete is a sweet, caring guy underneath all of the sarcasm," I revealed, taking a sip from a water glass.
" Funny enough, I mentioned that in the interview today. He assisted both Egon and me, at different points last year, when we were falling in love," Janine affirmed, but her eyes were getting teary.
Janine and Egon's love was as potent as Cleopatra and Mark Antony or Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in one of my all-time favorite books by Jane Austen, "Pride and Prejudice." As one who has witnessed the phenomena of Janegon as a couple, all I could say is that it was transparent, they were meant to be together.
Although I didn't know Janine beforehand, I knew Egon before he met her. I can say that with certainty that he was a miser workaholic with an austere personality and one who didn't care about his social life. Janine brought out his livelihood, disposition, character, passion, love, and it was unmistakable that he was in love with her from early on last year and still was to this day.
"So, is Pete as good as he says he is in bed?" Janine interrupted my thought process as she played with the charms on her bracelet. Often she would involuntarily trace the outline of the gold plated sapphire heart with her fingertips, and a luminous smile would spread on her lips just like now when she thought about the person who gave it to her. I put a forkful of my salad in my mouth first and chewed thoughtfully.
"Yes, Peter knows how to push those buttons skillfully, and...Uhm... he can last a long time to wait for me to climax, unlike some others," I answered, blushing, and Janine giggled in response after swallowing a piece of her lunch. Her laughter seemed to be contagious, and I began to do the same. We sounded like school girls listening to a sex education talk during Health class for a while, and other patrons gave us dirty and unapproving looks as our laughter became noisy. Eventually, we were able to maintain our composures.
"On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest, I would say Peter is an eight in the sack. He's very creative when it comes to ensuring a woman's...satisfaction," I described, then took a sip of my water.
"What's holding him back to be a ten," Janine questioned, with a glint of mischievousness in her aqua eyes.
"Pete's...Uhm,... I mean, he's average size, but he's not very.. bulky, " I explained, attempting to be vague, "but he knows how to use what he's got!"
Janine raised an eyebrow as we waited for our checks and giggled. I burst out laughing, and she proposed that I dish some more. Subsequently, I gave in because that's what girlfriends did, talk about boyfriends.
"Ok, that's all you can tell me because this is my direct supervisor you are talking about," Janine remarked, turning red with embarrassment, "and I have never thought about Pete in that way or your bro."
"I don't ever want to hear about Ray, ever, ever" I repeated the last word twice, mortified as the waiter dropped off the check. She handed it to me, and I looked at it.
"You never told me about Egon, you know," I mentioned, curiously, causing her to blush.
"Oh, I didn't?"
I glared at her until she met my eyes and gave up.
"Tell us about the brilliant Dr. Spengler," I teased in a fake Freudian accent.
"What?! You just used Venkman's Sigmund Freud voice," Janine accused, laughing.
"Oh, damn Pete," I remarked with a giggle and encouraged my auburn petite friend.
"This is between you and me," Janine warned, and I nodded and leaned towards her, excited.
"Well,...he's about ...eight inches and hefty thick," she revealed, blushing heavily. Immediately, Janine Melnitz giggled.
"Really?" I was intrigued and chuckled to myself.
" Egon's very considerate and eager. It was beautiful like blooming flowers in the Spring when we made love and hotter than hell," Janine waxed poetically, and a few tears escaped her right eye.
" I'm sorry, J, I didn't mean to pry," I apologized as she wiped her right eye.
"You aren't because you are a dear friend of mine. It's fine," she insisted with a grin," I didn't realize I hadn't given you the details yet."
"Egon still loves you, J, and I do believe that you two are soulmates like Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of England," I informed her, squeezing her right hand.
"Why do people say that? Dr. Spengler had so many chances even before we started to date officially. Why does he deserve another," Janine demanded, emotionally, her blue eyes dull and sullen. Her pretty face twisted up into a frustrating mess, and I felt horrible for her struggle. It was real and tore her up inside.
"Because you two are in love with each other. Aren't his feelings blatantly obvious from his actions two weeks ago," I consoled her, rising from my chair to give her a side hug and when I returned to my seat, she thanked me earnestly.
"Yes," J admitted with a slight scowl on her face, slowly, "but love was never the problem between us. We have an ardent love for each other."
Sympathetically, I gave her a small toothless smile as she persisted in explaining as her aqua eyes held tears, "I can't have my heartbroken by him again. I don't know if I can trust him not to break up with me. No matter how I feel about him."
"I agree with you, J. Do you plan on dating again?"
"No, I'm taking a couple of weeks off. Maybe more, I don't know. I have to focus on this analysis paper that's due in a month. Regrettably, I am still missing a critical piece of research," Janine retorted, regaining her composure after a moment. She pulled a twenty-dollar bill from her wallet on the table with the check and stated, " My treat. You can pay for the next one."
"Thanks, Janine, I appreciate it," I remarked, grinning, " after all, I am a poor college student."
"Yeah, me too," she quipped with a smile.
"Not for too much longer, J. You almost have completed your Bachelor's," I declared, and her expression lit up her face like a little child getting the present that he asked for from Santa for Christmas. It made me happy to see that way since her life had been so tumultuous this Spring. Like Ray, I considered Janine part of my family, specifically, like the older sister I never had.
" I am having problems sleeping," the redhead beauty confessed after a yawn, " so much happened two weeks ago and this paper is driving me nuts."
Fifteen minutes later
"Next stop, fourteenth street Union Square," a voice announced through the speakers, and we rose from our seats on the subway train to leave.
We shopped for three hours in every store imaginable- clothing, a bookstore, shoes, purses, furniture, lingerie, and jewelry. Janine bought a new pair of brown work heels and a two-piece orange bikini for her upcoming one-week vacation with her best friend, Bree, and two other childhood friends at somewhere called Clegg's Hotel. I hoped that it gave my close friend the peace and energy needed to go through the rest of this challenging time.
"Is that a new charm," Lucy inquired, scrutinizing her gorgeous charm bracelet. I fingered a new one I didn't recognize.
"Yes, Wendy gave me the horseshoe one for luck during the interview this morning. Wasn't that sweet? She's on the hunt for her wedding dress today with her Mom," Janine replied.
"That was nice. No, what's this one," I probed, going through the charms on her wrist, "there's the sapphire heart, the horseshoe, the Rose, but this?"
I held up a golden charm that I realized was in the shape of an Angel, generating Janine's face to redden on the spot. I touched the charm's outline and remembered that Egon called her an Angel as a pet name.
"An Angel?"
Nodding, Janine fingered the charm and gave me a pleading look to halt any questions before she burst into tears on the spot.
"Egon...wouldn't...let...me...give...it back," she wept," He checks almost daily to...see...if I take it off."
Embracing her, I hope to provide comfort to her as I rubbed her back.
"He wants you to keep it because he loves you," I answered reassuringly.
"I know, but..."
"But you two aren't meant to be together, Huh," I teased, releasing her from my embrace and giving her a wry smile.
"Lucy," Janine warned as she drew out my name as she spoke it, her face was going back to her standard color as she calmed down, gradually. I told her that she had a great discerning expression that would scare the crap out of her future kids which made her laugh.
"Ok, ok. When are you going on vacation? You need it," I questioned, joyful that I made her giggle a little.
"Two Saturdays from now, in one and a half weeks. A full week of pristine beaches, wildlife, gorgeous sunsets, and walks along the shore sounds perfect," Janine divulged, dreamily, closing her eyes again, "Sitting on the beach, listening to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean sounds is exactly what the doctor ordered."
"Where is this," I inquired, baffled.
"Fire Island," she quipped back, wiggling her eyebrows, " forty-five minutes away from here. It's a quiet beach community. I can't wait!"
"Sounds like a great locale. Let me know if there are any hot-looking men there and we can go check it out," I requested and she smiled at me with her brilliantly bright one.
After we made it back to Union Square, we went our separate ways because Janine had a therapy appointment.
"Lunch, shopping, dinner, or drinks next week," I suggested before we said good-bye for the evening.
"Yes," Janine replied, her red lips stretching into a pretty smile.
"Which one?"
"Let's see how next week goes, maybe all three," Janine remarked drily and waved goodbye.