Title: Frame-Up 1/?
Author: Susan Owens Beta read and suggestions by: LN
Rated : PG13
Disclaimers: I do not own The Real Ghostbusters. DIC does. They were created by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis.
Author notes: I am doing Stantzman's challenge. This is actually my first RGB fan fiction
Archive: Yes, please
Copyright 2003 Susan Owens
The opening of the new restaurant was in full swing, as elegantly clad dinner guests pulled up in even more elegant cars outside. The proprietor, Mr. Thomas Spenser, welcomed his guests with the practiced graciousness of a professional restauranteur.
"Welcome to The House of Roses. I hope you have a wonderful time this evening." Spenser was in full Maitre d' mode, shaking hands with everyone. The place was crowded; opening night was going to be a hit. Suddenly he noticed a strange man walk in. He carried himself with an air of self-confidence, thumbs looped in his work belt, appraising the restaurant with a keen eye. He wore a tan jumpsuit, unzipped practically to his belt-buckle, and a pair of scuffed army boots. His auburn hair was a mess, and perched on top, as if to flatten it, the strangest pair of goggles Spenser had ever seen. On his back seemed to be a backpack of some kind. Mr. Spenser stared at the man. His guests also stared. Some were muttering.
"Look after the guests," Spenser whispered to a waiter who was standing close by. "I'll deal with this." He quickly intercepted the man at the door.
"Sir, we have a dress code here. You can't just walk in here dressed . . . " he gestured with disdain at what the man was wearing. "...like that." There was a distinct air of distaste in his voice and on his face.
The man smiled at Mr. Spenser and held out his hand. "Ghostbusters. Ray Stantz at your service." Suddenly alarmed, Spenser pulled Ray aside. "I didn't call for you guys."
The owner watched with growing alarm as Ray nonchalantly took out a PKE meter and conducted a sweep of the restaurant. As quickly as he took it out, he replaced it. "Well Mr. Spenser, looks like you're wrong. You've got a ghost here, and by the looks of my reading, a real nasty one. Don't worry. I'll take care of it."
Before Mr. Spenser could say any more, Ray unsheathed his thrower from his pack and fired into the crowd. People screamed as tables and chairs were blasted to pieces. Pandemonium broke out as people panicked trying to get out. Mr. Spenser was now yelling above the noise. "GET OUT! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!"
Ray lowered his weapon and smiled innocently at Mr. Spenser. "I scared away your problem, Mr. Spenser. That'll be $5000."
"$5000? I won't pay it. I didn't hire you."
Ray's innocent smile turned malicious. "You know this baby can do more than catch ghosts. It would really be a bad thing to see your place go up in smoke."
Mr. Spenser turned white and backed away. "You're out of your mind."
"No, I just want to be paid for a job well done."
"I'm calling the police."
"You do that," Ray leered as he walked out. As he reached the door, he abruptly turned and fired again into the restaurant, leaving the back wall a pile of rubble. "Have a nice day."
Shaking, Mr. Spenser called the police.
********
It had been quiet all day at the firehouse. Peter Venkman and Winston Zeddemore were sitting at Peter's desk playing poker. Peter's feet were perched up on the desk. Egon Spengler was upstairs in his lab working on a new invention, and Janine Melnitz sat at her desk, filing her nails and popping her chewing gum.
Suddenly, the front door was thrown open, and police detective Walter Frump stormed in.
"Venkman!" He barked. "Where's Stantz?"
Peter looked up casually from his card game, and adopted a carefully-rehearsed neutral _expression. "Well hello to you too, detective," he drawled.
The detective's scowl deepened. "I 'm not in the mood, Venkman." he spat. "Where is Stantz?"
With concern on his face Winston got up and walked over to Frump. "Ray's not here at the moment. Anything we can do?"
Frump stared sharply at them. "Look, if you are trying to protect him forget it. I'm taking him down for questioning."
Egon was coming down the stairs and heard Frump's words. "Taking who down for questioning?" he inquired mildly.
Peter came over to him. "It seems as if Ray is in some sort of trouble."
Egon looked at Frump. "What happened?"
"He wrecked the opening of the new restaurant The House of Roses. He came in claiming there was a ghost and opened fire. He trashed the place." Frump snarled. The proprietor figures he did over $10,000 worth of damage. He's got a list of charges against him as long as my arm.
Peter scowled as he faced Frump. "You're out of your mind! Ray would never do anything like that!"
Frump smiled with relish at Peter's anger. He'd been waiting for a chance to see Venkman try and sqirm out of a sticky situation like this one, but now Frump had him over a barrel. "We have eye witnesses and it was recorded on the restaurant's surveillance camera. That was the only thing he didn't destroy. Now, where is he?"
"We honestly don't know," replied Winston, trying to defuse the tension between the two men. "He went out for a walk. Said he needed to clear his head."
******
Ray rounded the corner of Varick street, returning from his walk, to see a proton pack lying in front of the firehouse door. Frowning, he shook his head, picked it up, and walked inside.
"Hey guys, which of you . . . "
Ray suddenly found himself facing the barrel of detective Frump's gun, and the bulk of detective Frump himself. "You're coming down the station with me. I got a few questions for you."
Ray took a few steps back. "What's going on, detective?" He protested. He stared at his friends. "Peter, Egon, Winston, Janine? What's going on?"
Peter looked at Frump. "Is this really necessary? "
"I'm not taking any chances of him blasting me to pieces."
Ray looked at them his eyes full of confusion. "Guys, what's going on?"
Peter placed his hand on his shoulders. "Frump just needs to ask you some questions kid. That's all."
"Why? What did I do?" Ray looked bewildered. Since when had the police ever held him at gunpoint? And since when had his friends not defended him?
Frump didn't answer him. Instead, he grabbed Ray by the arm, pulled him around, cuffed him, and read him his rights. Seeing no point in provoking the detective further, Ray remained silent.
"Frump, we're going with you," said Peter. The other three nodded. Egon looked at Janine. "Janine, you stay here in case we get a call. We'll have the cellphone will us, in case you need to reach us."
Janine nodded. She watched the guys follow as Frump led Ray out. Slimer came down through the ceiling. "Where going? Ray all right?" he burbled.
"To the police station, Slimer, and I'm not sure." Janine replied.
*********
They all sat in the interrogation room, staring at the television. It was always the same no matter how much they wished it were otherwise: arcs of proton beams crackling across the screen as Ray destroyed The House of Roses restaurant. Ray looked in dismay at his friends.
"You guys don't really believe that's me? Do you?" He asked in alarm
Winston looked at him. "Ray, cameras don't lie."
"It's not me!" he protested.
Egon placed a hand on his arm. "This is my fault. I've been working you too hard."
"You guys do believe it." Ray felt betrayed. This can't be happening. Why were they so ready to believe this, to buy in to the detective's side of the story? Where was the critical thinking that had made their busting technology so successful? Ray put his head in his hands, and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to collect him self.
"Ray, we don't want to, but it's there on the television."
Ray looked up at Peter, feeling more and more like a cornered animal. "Look, I didn't do it! You have to believe me. That video could be a forgery! Why won't you listen to me?"
"Raymond, when my lab blew up this morning, you were knocked out for a while. I think you did this, but you just weren't yourself when you did it."
Ray's eyes took on a hard edge, as he tried to make his friends understand. "I didn't do it!"
Winston looked at him. "Ray, where did you go on your walk?"
Ray stared at him, suddenly taken aback. "I don't remember."
Peter threw his hands in the air. "Oh come off it Ray. I can think of a better excuse then that."
Ray had no response. He felt lost and helpless, like a little child being reprimanded by his elders.
Mr. Spenser walked into the room, with Frump following behind. The detective looked at them. "I don't know why but Mr. Spenser not going to press charges as long as you pay for the damages."
Peter nodded his head. "We'll take care of it. Thank you for not pressing charges."
Mr. Spenser nodded. "Just keep him on a leash."
Peter gave Mr. Spenser a sour look. Winston grabbed Ray's arms to prevent him from lunging at the man. "This is wrong! I didn't trash your restaurant! Peter, don't listen to them! I didn't do it!" He tried to wriggle free of Winston's grip. But Peter just game him a warning look.
"Get in the car, Ray." he replied as he wrote out a check. Overruled, Ray looked at his friend and shook his head. He wrested his arms free from Winston, and stomped out of the police station, slamming doors behind him as he left. He sat in Ecto-1, trying his best to remember what happened during his walk, but he couldn't remember a thing. Could that mean that he did actually trash that restaurant? What could he have been thinking?? How was it that the guys let him walk out of the firehouse with a pack on his back, if he was in such bad shape? Suddenly exhausted, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he vanished and then reappeared. He opened his eyes . The other Ghostbusters came out of the police station and got into Ecto-1. Ray sat in the back of Ecto-1, smiling at them. His eyes, devoid of their usual warmth, were hard and cold."
Egon climbed in front with Winston and turn around toward Ray. "Raymond? Are you okay?" He asked with concern in his face.
"Just fine Egon, couldn't be better." Ray's voice was flat and devoid of emotion.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
Egon turned back around and looked at Winston, who just shook his head. Peter placed his hand on the youngest Ghostbuster's shoulder. "Ray, when we get home, I want you to go lay down for a while."
"Anything you say." Ray leaned back again and said nothing else the rest of the way home. Once they got to the firehouse he got out without saying a word, and walked inside, brushing past a concerned Janine as though she weren't there.
"How'd it go down at the police station?"
Peter came up to her. "He's a little upset with us, Janine."
Janine nodded and turned back to her work wondering just what had happened down at the station to make Ray seem so out of sorts.
********
Later on that evening, Egon was in his lab tinkering with his latest invention. Ray had joined him after a long afternoon nap. "Just one more adjustment, Raymond, and my new invention will be ready," Egon declared, his eyes shinning with excitment.
Ray watched with a stony _expression as Egon made his final adjustment. Egon stood back wiping his forehead with the back of his hand "This took me forever. I'm so glad it's finally done."
Ray walked around the machine. "Pretty special, huh, Egon?"
"Yes. This is one of my greatest works, if I do say so myself." Egon replied proudly. "It's going to take ghostbusting to a new level."
"Oh I don't know. I mean, if you take a sledge hammer to it, it might not stand up."
Egon chuckled. "I don't plan to take a sledge hammer to it, Ray. I plan on taking a shower. I can't wait to show Peter and Winston."
Ray nodded as Egon left the room. He then looked at the machine, a malicious grin coming over his features. "Yes, I think a sledge hammer will do nicely." He left and soon returned with the hammer. He rolled up his sleeves, swung the sledge high over his head, and brought it down as hard as he could on the machine.
BANG. BANG. BANG. The firehouse reverberated with the sound.
Egon heard the noise and ran out of the shower wrapped with only a towel. He was greeted with the sight of his invention lying in ruins, Ray standing victoriously over it, sledgehammer in hand.
Egon stood in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock. "Raymond ! How could you do such a thing?!"
Ray blinked as things began to focus. He looked from the sledgehammer in his hands to Egon's invention and back again, as though he couldn*t believe what he was seeing. He turned and looked at Egon as the awful realization dawned in his eyes. Suddenly, he dropped the sledgehammer as though it was on fire, and began backing away from his friend. Egon's blue eyes were blazing as he lurched at him. Ray tried to pull away but Egon held him tight by the collar, and was shaking him furiously. "Do you know how long this took me? How dare you destroy it!"
Ray was frightened. The blond physicist rarely showed emotion, much less emotion this extreme, so Egon*s outburst hit home hard. He felt like his head was going to explode, Egon was shaking him so hard. "Egon ! Stop! You're hurting me! Stop! Let Go!"
Strong arms dragged an enraged Egon away from the hapless engineer. "Egon, calm down.! Let go of Ray!" Egon huffed, and shook Winston's arms off, as he collected himself. Ray was looking more confused by the minute.
Peter arrived at the door of the lab, drawn by the commotion. He quickly assessed the situation, Egon bristling with anger, Ray bewildered but ready to defend himself, and Winston standing between the two.
"Ray? Are you okay? What happened? " Peter turned to Egon. "What's the matter with you? Why were you attacking him?"
"Is he okay?" Egon*s voice registered incredulous outrage. "Look at what he did to my Ecto-meter." Egon glared at Ray.
Peter and Winston looked at the machine, or what was left of it, and then back at Ray. Ray responded by looking at them like a cornered animal. Peter kept his voice calm, in an effort not to provoke the already tense situation. "Ray, did you do this?"
Ray turned his eyes to the machine. "I don't know. I...I woke up...or I came to, and I was holding the sledgehammer." He sat down on the bed, his head in his hands. "I don*t understand it, guys. First this business with the restaurant, and now Egon*s machine. D*you think maybe there might be something wrong with me?"
Winston looked at Egon. "Egon, why don*t you run a scan on Ray. Maybe he*s possessed."
Egon suddenly felt like a heel. He nodded and walk out soon returning with a PKE Meter. Stooping down beside Ray and Peter, he held it to his young friend then spoke calmly. "Ray, let me take a reading."
Ray nodded. Egon's reaction had surprised and frightened him, but Winston*s suggestion offered hope. Egon slowly ran the PKE Meter up and down Ray. He mumbled to himself. "So, Egon, what's the reading?" Peter asked.
Egon slowly stood up, shaking his head. "It's clean. I*m afraid there are no signs that Ray was possessed."
Winston looked over Egon*s shoulder and looked at the reading too. "That can't be right. There must be some explanation for this."
Ray pulled himself together and stood up. "The explanation is, I'm going crazy. I 'm doing things I can't remember." He stared at the sledgehammer. "Egon, I could have attacked you with that."
Peter grabbed Ray by his shoulders. "You would not have attacked Egon."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know you."
Ray pull away from Peter. "Peter, you need to call Frump and tell him to put me away before I hurt one of you guys."
Egon shook his head . "No, Ray. Winston*s right. We can*t jump to conclusions on the basis of one preliminary test. We*ll get to the bottom of this. Come on, I'll run a few more tests."
Ray shook his head. "No. I'm not going to stay here and take a chance on hurting you."
Winston pulled himself to his full height and blocked the doorway. "And how are you going to leave?" he asked.
"I have to go, Winston."
Peter gazed at his friend, his arms akimbo. "Well, your not. Slimer!"
Slimer appeared at the sound of his name. "Yeah Peter?"
"Egon is going to run a few tests on Ray. I want you to make sure he doesn't leave."
Slimer gave Peter a mock saute. "You got it."
Ray sat down and looked at Slimer. He really wasn't in the mood to get slimed. Egon laid his hand on Ray*s shoulder. Ray stiffened and Egon felt bad. "I*m sorry I frightened you, Raymond. I'll get the equipment ready, then you can come in."
Ray nodded, staring at a spot on the floor. Peter look at him."Egon is sorry, you know that, right ?"
Ray didn*t respond, only nodded again. Peter stood up. "Winston, I'm going to take Egon's clothes in to him, I think he forgot something."
Winston nodded but his mind was on his friend. Janine came up the stairs. "You guys got a call."
"Okay Janine. Winston? Do you think we can handle it?"
Ray stood up. "Peter I want to come."
"No. Egon needs to run some tests on you. Winston and I can handle it."
Ray*s eyes suddenly became cold as he stared at Peter. "Do what you want, Venkman."
Winston exchanged glances with Peter. "Come on, Winston." Peter replied as he walked out.
Once in Ecto, Winston glanced at Peter. "Did you see how suddenly Ray's face changed?"
"Yeah I did. I hope Egon finds out what*s going on. Winston, I think we 're losing Ray."
********
Ray looked up at Slimer with eyes devoid of emotion, abruptly pulled a trap out from under his bed, trapped the unsuspecting little ghost, heaved the smoking trap on the floor, and walked out of the firehouse.
********************
Ray Stantz walked along the lonely dark streets, avoiding streetlamps and brightly lit places. He looked furtively around, as though he thought he was being followed. As he walked, he grinned evilly, his eyes fairly glowing in the dark. As he walked, he mumbled to himself.
"You ruined my life, Stantz .You made me a laughing stock, and you will pay."
Ray disappeared down a subway staircase like a wraith. Normally, the youngest of the Ghostbusters was affable and friendly with fans, despite his natural tendency towards shyness. He had never dreamed as a youth that he might be famous one day, but had always idolized other famous people. So when people recognized him in the streets, he always made an effort to shake their hands or sign autographs. But today, he avoided people's glances on the platform, and fairly scowled at the other passengers as he boarded his train. One child examined at him at some length, and then approached.
"Aren't you a Ghostbuster?"
Ray looked down at him, his eyes narrow and his upper lip curling into a snarl. "Go away, brat."
The child backed away, and other passengers averted their eyes from the auburn-haired man. Ray just turned towards the window and stared out into space.
His train took him west to Brooklyn Heights. He walked up the dingy stairs to the street and looked around. He then took out a slip of paper, and examined the address he had written down. He smiled maliciously and hailed a taxi.
The taxi dropped him off in front of Janine Melnitz's apartment building. He took the elevator to Janine's floor, and found her apartment. Janine was a savvy woman; she had installed numerous locks on her door. But she didn't know whom she was dealing with. This would be a piece of cake. Ray gazed steadily at the locks on the door, raised his hand, and quietly uttered a few words under his breath. The locks unlatched by themselves, one by one, including the massive deadbolt, and the door swung open on its hinges.
He could hear the shower running as he sat down on the couch and waited. An hour later Janine came out with only a robe on and a towel around her head. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Ray sitting on her couch.
"Ray? What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"
He stood up and turned towards her, a crooked smile on his face. "I came to see you Janine." His voice had a curious sing-song quality, reminiscent of Norman Bates from the movie Psycho.
"You could have called."
"I wanted to surprise you."
His eyes gleamed as he grabbed her roughly and kissed her on the mouth.
Janine struggled to free herself of his grip. As soon as he let her go, she struck him hard enough in the face that the apartment echoed with a resounding slap. He wiped the blood from his mouth and snarled at her.
"You've lost, Melnitz."
Janine was terrified. She had never seen Ray like this before. Ray had been down lately, yes, and he had ignored her earlier on today after the guys had gotten back from the police station. But Ray was not a violent man, nor would he have ever threatened her. But now, Janine wasn't so sure.
She began backing away. Her hand brushed against the lamp on her end table. She grabbed it and brandished it like a club. "Get out of here, or I'll call the police!"
Ray didn't seem the least bit perturbed; he just smirked evilly at her. He turned, as if to leave. Then he wheeled around, pulled a handgun out of his jacket pocket, and pointed it at her. "See you around Janine."
But Janine was already one step ahead of him. In one smooth motion, she brought the lamp down on his head. Ray fell to the floor with a thud.
Suddenly anxious that she might have done more damage than she intended to, she knelt down beside the unconscious man.
"Ray?"
No answer.
"Ray? You OK?"
Shaking, she reached out to check his pulse.
Suddenly, his eyes shot open. He grabbed her, pulling to the floor and pinning her underneath him. Janine looked into dark and evil eyes, so far removed from the gentle brown eyes she knew. Suddenly, she didn't care how much she hurt him. Whoever or whatever this was, it wasn't Ray. She brought her knee up without warning and made contact. He uttered a strangled scream and rolled off of her.
She got up and retrieved his dropped gun. She pointed it at him, and got at least a couple of feet of distance between them. Eyes filled with pain, Ray looked up at her. "Janine," he gasped, "why did you do that?"
She stood there pointing the gun at him. "Don't you move! Don't you dare! I'm calling the guys." She retreated to the other side of the room, and picked up the phone.
Ray sucked in his breath. "Witch," he thought venomously. "She wasn't as easy as I thought she would be. I've got to get out of here. I won't let them to spoil my plans again."
He heaved himself to his feet and made a break for the door, ignoring the pain. By the time Janine saw him and reacted, he was gone. Janine sat down in her armchair and waited for the guys, her heart pounding and her mind racing. What was going on?
TBC
Author: Susan Owens Beta read and suggestions by: LN
Rated : PG13
Disclaimers: I do not own The Real Ghostbusters. DIC does. They were created by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis.
Author notes: I am doing Stantzman's challenge. This is actually my first RGB fan fiction
Archive: Yes, please
Copyright 2003 Susan Owens
The opening of the new restaurant was in full swing, as elegantly clad dinner guests pulled up in even more elegant cars outside. The proprietor, Mr. Thomas Spenser, welcomed his guests with the practiced graciousness of a professional restauranteur.
"Welcome to The House of Roses. I hope you have a wonderful time this evening." Spenser was in full Maitre d' mode, shaking hands with everyone. The place was crowded; opening night was going to be a hit. Suddenly he noticed a strange man walk in. He carried himself with an air of self-confidence, thumbs looped in his work belt, appraising the restaurant with a keen eye. He wore a tan jumpsuit, unzipped practically to his belt-buckle, and a pair of scuffed army boots. His auburn hair was a mess, and perched on top, as if to flatten it, the strangest pair of goggles Spenser had ever seen. On his back seemed to be a backpack of some kind. Mr. Spenser stared at the man. His guests also stared. Some were muttering.
"Look after the guests," Spenser whispered to a waiter who was standing close by. "I'll deal with this." He quickly intercepted the man at the door.
"Sir, we have a dress code here. You can't just walk in here dressed . . . " he gestured with disdain at what the man was wearing. "...like that." There was a distinct air of distaste in his voice and on his face.
The man smiled at Mr. Spenser and held out his hand. "Ghostbusters. Ray Stantz at your service." Suddenly alarmed, Spenser pulled Ray aside. "I didn't call for you guys."
The owner watched with growing alarm as Ray nonchalantly took out a PKE meter and conducted a sweep of the restaurant. As quickly as he took it out, he replaced it. "Well Mr. Spenser, looks like you're wrong. You've got a ghost here, and by the looks of my reading, a real nasty one. Don't worry. I'll take care of it."
Before Mr. Spenser could say any more, Ray unsheathed his thrower from his pack and fired into the crowd. People screamed as tables and chairs were blasted to pieces. Pandemonium broke out as people panicked trying to get out. Mr. Spenser was now yelling above the noise. "GET OUT! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!"
Ray lowered his weapon and smiled innocently at Mr. Spenser. "I scared away your problem, Mr. Spenser. That'll be $5000."
"$5000? I won't pay it. I didn't hire you."
Ray's innocent smile turned malicious. "You know this baby can do more than catch ghosts. It would really be a bad thing to see your place go up in smoke."
Mr. Spenser turned white and backed away. "You're out of your mind."
"No, I just want to be paid for a job well done."
"I'm calling the police."
"You do that," Ray leered as he walked out. As he reached the door, he abruptly turned and fired again into the restaurant, leaving the back wall a pile of rubble. "Have a nice day."
Shaking, Mr. Spenser called the police.
********
It had been quiet all day at the firehouse. Peter Venkman and Winston Zeddemore were sitting at Peter's desk playing poker. Peter's feet were perched up on the desk. Egon Spengler was upstairs in his lab working on a new invention, and Janine Melnitz sat at her desk, filing her nails and popping her chewing gum.
Suddenly, the front door was thrown open, and police detective Walter Frump stormed in.
"Venkman!" He barked. "Where's Stantz?"
Peter looked up casually from his card game, and adopted a carefully-rehearsed neutral _expression. "Well hello to you too, detective," he drawled.
The detective's scowl deepened. "I 'm not in the mood, Venkman." he spat. "Where is Stantz?"
With concern on his face Winston got up and walked over to Frump. "Ray's not here at the moment. Anything we can do?"
Frump stared sharply at them. "Look, if you are trying to protect him forget it. I'm taking him down for questioning."
Egon was coming down the stairs and heard Frump's words. "Taking who down for questioning?" he inquired mildly.
Peter came over to him. "It seems as if Ray is in some sort of trouble."
Egon looked at Frump. "What happened?"
"He wrecked the opening of the new restaurant The House of Roses. He came in claiming there was a ghost and opened fire. He trashed the place." Frump snarled. The proprietor figures he did over $10,000 worth of damage. He's got a list of charges against him as long as my arm.
Peter scowled as he faced Frump. "You're out of your mind! Ray would never do anything like that!"
Frump smiled with relish at Peter's anger. He'd been waiting for a chance to see Venkman try and sqirm out of a sticky situation like this one, but now Frump had him over a barrel. "We have eye witnesses and it was recorded on the restaurant's surveillance camera. That was the only thing he didn't destroy. Now, where is he?"
"We honestly don't know," replied Winston, trying to defuse the tension between the two men. "He went out for a walk. Said he needed to clear his head."
******
Ray rounded the corner of Varick street, returning from his walk, to see a proton pack lying in front of the firehouse door. Frowning, he shook his head, picked it up, and walked inside.
"Hey guys, which of you . . . "
Ray suddenly found himself facing the barrel of detective Frump's gun, and the bulk of detective Frump himself. "You're coming down the station with me. I got a few questions for you."
Ray took a few steps back. "What's going on, detective?" He protested. He stared at his friends. "Peter, Egon, Winston, Janine? What's going on?"
Peter looked at Frump. "Is this really necessary? "
"I'm not taking any chances of him blasting me to pieces."
Ray looked at them his eyes full of confusion. "Guys, what's going on?"
Peter placed his hand on his shoulders. "Frump just needs to ask you some questions kid. That's all."
"Why? What did I do?" Ray looked bewildered. Since when had the police ever held him at gunpoint? And since when had his friends not defended him?
Frump didn't answer him. Instead, he grabbed Ray by the arm, pulled him around, cuffed him, and read him his rights. Seeing no point in provoking the detective further, Ray remained silent.
"Frump, we're going with you," said Peter. The other three nodded. Egon looked at Janine. "Janine, you stay here in case we get a call. We'll have the cellphone will us, in case you need to reach us."
Janine nodded. She watched the guys follow as Frump led Ray out. Slimer came down through the ceiling. "Where going? Ray all right?" he burbled.
"To the police station, Slimer, and I'm not sure." Janine replied.
*********
They all sat in the interrogation room, staring at the television. It was always the same no matter how much they wished it were otherwise: arcs of proton beams crackling across the screen as Ray destroyed The House of Roses restaurant. Ray looked in dismay at his friends.
"You guys don't really believe that's me? Do you?" He asked in alarm
Winston looked at him. "Ray, cameras don't lie."
"It's not me!" he protested.
Egon placed a hand on his arm. "This is my fault. I've been working you too hard."
"You guys do believe it." Ray felt betrayed. This can't be happening. Why were they so ready to believe this, to buy in to the detective's side of the story? Where was the critical thinking that had made their busting technology so successful? Ray put his head in his hands, and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to collect him self.
"Ray, we don't want to, but it's there on the television."
Ray looked up at Peter, feeling more and more like a cornered animal. "Look, I didn't do it! You have to believe me. That video could be a forgery! Why won't you listen to me?"
"Raymond, when my lab blew up this morning, you were knocked out for a while. I think you did this, but you just weren't yourself when you did it."
Ray's eyes took on a hard edge, as he tried to make his friends understand. "I didn't do it!"
Winston looked at him. "Ray, where did you go on your walk?"
Ray stared at him, suddenly taken aback. "I don't remember."
Peter threw his hands in the air. "Oh come off it Ray. I can think of a better excuse then that."
Ray had no response. He felt lost and helpless, like a little child being reprimanded by his elders.
Mr. Spenser walked into the room, with Frump following behind. The detective looked at them. "I don't know why but Mr. Spenser not going to press charges as long as you pay for the damages."
Peter nodded his head. "We'll take care of it. Thank you for not pressing charges."
Mr. Spenser nodded. "Just keep him on a leash."
Peter gave Mr. Spenser a sour look. Winston grabbed Ray's arms to prevent him from lunging at the man. "This is wrong! I didn't trash your restaurant! Peter, don't listen to them! I didn't do it!" He tried to wriggle free of Winston's grip. But Peter just game him a warning look.
"Get in the car, Ray." he replied as he wrote out a check. Overruled, Ray looked at his friend and shook his head. He wrested his arms free from Winston, and stomped out of the police station, slamming doors behind him as he left. He sat in Ecto-1, trying his best to remember what happened during his walk, but he couldn't remember a thing. Could that mean that he did actually trash that restaurant? What could he have been thinking?? How was it that the guys let him walk out of the firehouse with a pack on his back, if he was in such bad shape? Suddenly exhausted, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he vanished and then reappeared. He opened his eyes . The other Ghostbusters came out of the police station and got into Ecto-1. Ray sat in the back of Ecto-1, smiling at them. His eyes, devoid of their usual warmth, were hard and cold."
Egon climbed in front with Winston and turn around toward Ray. "Raymond? Are you okay?" He asked with concern in his face.
"Just fine Egon, couldn't be better." Ray's voice was flat and devoid of emotion.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
Egon turned back around and looked at Winston, who just shook his head. Peter placed his hand on the youngest Ghostbuster's shoulder. "Ray, when we get home, I want you to go lay down for a while."
"Anything you say." Ray leaned back again and said nothing else the rest of the way home. Once they got to the firehouse he got out without saying a word, and walked inside, brushing past a concerned Janine as though she weren't there.
"How'd it go down at the police station?"
Peter came up to her. "He's a little upset with us, Janine."
Janine nodded and turned back to her work wondering just what had happened down at the station to make Ray seem so out of sorts.
********
Later on that evening, Egon was in his lab tinkering with his latest invention. Ray had joined him after a long afternoon nap. "Just one more adjustment, Raymond, and my new invention will be ready," Egon declared, his eyes shinning with excitment.
Ray watched with a stony _expression as Egon made his final adjustment. Egon stood back wiping his forehead with the back of his hand "This took me forever. I'm so glad it's finally done."
Ray walked around the machine. "Pretty special, huh, Egon?"
"Yes. This is one of my greatest works, if I do say so myself." Egon replied proudly. "It's going to take ghostbusting to a new level."
"Oh I don't know. I mean, if you take a sledge hammer to it, it might not stand up."
Egon chuckled. "I don't plan to take a sledge hammer to it, Ray. I plan on taking a shower. I can't wait to show Peter and Winston."
Ray nodded as Egon left the room. He then looked at the machine, a malicious grin coming over his features. "Yes, I think a sledge hammer will do nicely." He left and soon returned with the hammer. He rolled up his sleeves, swung the sledge high over his head, and brought it down as hard as he could on the machine.
BANG. BANG. BANG. The firehouse reverberated with the sound.
Egon heard the noise and ran out of the shower wrapped with only a towel. He was greeted with the sight of his invention lying in ruins, Ray standing victoriously over it, sledgehammer in hand.
Egon stood in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock. "Raymond ! How could you do such a thing?!"
Ray blinked as things began to focus. He looked from the sledgehammer in his hands to Egon's invention and back again, as though he couldn*t believe what he was seeing. He turned and looked at Egon as the awful realization dawned in his eyes. Suddenly, he dropped the sledgehammer as though it was on fire, and began backing away from his friend. Egon's blue eyes were blazing as he lurched at him. Ray tried to pull away but Egon held him tight by the collar, and was shaking him furiously. "Do you know how long this took me? How dare you destroy it!"
Ray was frightened. The blond physicist rarely showed emotion, much less emotion this extreme, so Egon*s outburst hit home hard. He felt like his head was going to explode, Egon was shaking him so hard. "Egon ! Stop! You're hurting me! Stop! Let Go!"
Strong arms dragged an enraged Egon away from the hapless engineer. "Egon, calm down.! Let go of Ray!" Egon huffed, and shook Winston's arms off, as he collected himself. Ray was looking more confused by the minute.
Peter arrived at the door of the lab, drawn by the commotion. He quickly assessed the situation, Egon bristling with anger, Ray bewildered but ready to defend himself, and Winston standing between the two.
"Ray? Are you okay? What happened? " Peter turned to Egon. "What's the matter with you? Why were you attacking him?"
"Is he okay?" Egon*s voice registered incredulous outrage. "Look at what he did to my Ecto-meter." Egon glared at Ray.
Peter and Winston looked at the machine, or what was left of it, and then back at Ray. Ray responded by looking at them like a cornered animal. Peter kept his voice calm, in an effort not to provoke the already tense situation. "Ray, did you do this?"
Ray turned his eyes to the machine. "I don't know. I...I woke up...or I came to, and I was holding the sledgehammer." He sat down on the bed, his head in his hands. "I don*t understand it, guys. First this business with the restaurant, and now Egon*s machine. D*you think maybe there might be something wrong with me?"
Winston looked at Egon. "Egon, why don*t you run a scan on Ray. Maybe he*s possessed."
Egon suddenly felt like a heel. He nodded and walk out soon returning with a PKE Meter. Stooping down beside Ray and Peter, he held it to his young friend then spoke calmly. "Ray, let me take a reading."
Ray nodded. Egon's reaction had surprised and frightened him, but Winston*s suggestion offered hope. Egon slowly ran the PKE Meter up and down Ray. He mumbled to himself. "So, Egon, what's the reading?" Peter asked.
Egon slowly stood up, shaking his head. "It's clean. I*m afraid there are no signs that Ray was possessed."
Winston looked over Egon*s shoulder and looked at the reading too. "That can't be right. There must be some explanation for this."
Ray pulled himself together and stood up. "The explanation is, I'm going crazy. I 'm doing things I can't remember." He stared at the sledgehammer. "Egon, I could have attacked you with that."
Peter grabbed Ray by his shoulders. "You would not have attacked Egon."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know you."
Ray pull away from Peter. "Peter, you need to call Frump and tell him to put me away before I hurt one of you guys."
Egon shook his head . "No, Ray. Winston*s right. We can*t jump to conclusions on the basis of one preliminary test. We*ll get to the bottom of this. Come on, I'll run a few more tests."
Ray shook his head. "No. I'm not going to stay here and take a chance on hurting you."
Winston pulled himself to his full height and blocked the doorway. "And how are you going to leave?" he asked.
"I have to go, Winston."
Peter gazed at his friend, his arms akimbo. "Well, your not. Slimer!"
Slimer appeared at the sound of his name. "Yeah Peter?"
"Egon is going to run a few tests on Ray. I want you to make sure he doesn't leave."
Slimer gave Peter a mock saute. "You got it."
Ray sat down and looked at Slimer. He really wasn't in the mood to get slimed. Egon laid his hand on Ray*s shoulder. Ray stiffened and Egon felt bad. "I*m sorry I frightened you, Raymond. I'll get the equipment ready, then you can come in."
Ray nodded, staring at a spot on the floor. Peter look at him."Egon is sorry, you know that, right ?"
Ray didn*t respond, only nodded again. Peter stood up. "Winston, I'm going to take Egon's clothes in to him, I think he forgot something."
Winston nodded but his mind was on his friend. Janine came up the stairs. "You guys got a call."
"Okay Janine. Winston? Do you think we can handle it?"
Ray stood up. "Peter I want to come."
"No. Egon needs to run some tests on you. Winston and I can handle it."
Ray*s eyes suddenly became cold as he stared at Peter. "Do what you want, Venkman."
Winston exchanged glances with Peter. "Come on, Winston." Peter replied as he walked out.
Once in Ecto, Winston glanced at Peter. "Did you see how suddenly Ray's face changed?"
"Yeah I did. I hope Egon finds out what*s going on. Winston, I think we 're losing Ray."
********
Ray looked up at Slimer with eyes devoid of emotion, abruptly pulled a trap out from under his bed, trapped the unsuspecting little ghost, heaved the smoking trap on the floor, and walked out of the firehouse.
********************
Ray Stantz walked along the lonely dark streets, avoiding streetlamps and brightly lit places. He looked furtively around, as though he thought he was being followed. As he walked, he grinned evilly, his eyes fairly glowing in the dark. As he walked, he mumbled to himself.
"You ruined my life, Stantz .You made me a laughing stock, and you will pay."
Ray disappeared down a subway staircase like a wraith. Normally, the youngest of the Ghostbusters was affable and friendly with fans, despite his natural tendency towards shyness. He had never dreamed as a youth that he might be famous one day, but had always idolized other famous people. So when people recognized him in the streets, he always made an effort to shake their hands or sign autographs. But today, he avoided people's glances on the platform, and fairly scowled at the other passengers as he boarded his train. One child examined at him at some length, and then approached.
"Aren't you a Ghostbuster?"
Ray looked down at him, his eyes narrow and his upper lip curling into a snarl. "Go away, brat."
The child backed away, and other passengers averted their eyes from the auburn-haired man. Ray just turned towards the window and stared out into space.
His train took him west to Brooklyn Heights. He walked up the dingy stairs to the street and looked around. He then took out a slip of paper, and examined the address he had written down. He smiled maliciously and hailed a taxi.
The taxi dropped him off in front of Janine Melnitz's apartment building. He took the elevator to Janine's floor, and found her apartment. Janine was a savvy woman; she had installed numerous locks on her door. But she didn't know whom she was dealing with. This would be a piece of cake. Ray gazed steadily at the locks on the door, raised his hand, and quietly uttered a few words under his breath. The locks unlatched by themselves, one by one, including the massive deadbolt, and the door swung open on its hinges.
He could hear the shower running as he sat down on the couch and waited. An hour later Janine came out with only a robe on and a towel around her head. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Ray sitting on her couch.
"Ray? What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"
He stood up and turned towards her, a crooked smile on his face. "I came to see you Janine." His voice had a curious sing-song quality, reminiscent of Norman Bates from the movie Psycho.
"You could have called."
"I wanted to surprise you."
His eyes gleamed as he grabbed her roughly and kissed her on the mouth.
Janine struggled to free herself of his grip. As soon as he let her go, she struck him hard enough in the face that the apartment echoed with a resounding slap. He wiped the blood from his mouth and snarled at her.
"You've lost, Melnitz."
Janine was terrified. She had never seen Ray like this before. Ray had been down lately, yes, and he had ignored her earlier on today after the guys had gotten back from the police station. But Ray was not a violent man, nor would he have ever threatened her. But now, Janine wasn't so sure.
She began backing away. Her hand brushed against the lamp on her end table. She grabbed it and brandished it like a club. "Get out of here, or I'll call the police!"
Ray didn't seem the least bit perturbed; he just smirked evilly at her. He turned, as if to leave. Then he wheeled around, pulled a handgun out of his jacket pocket, and pointed it at her. "See you around Janine."
But Janine was already one step ahead of him. In one smooth motion, she brought the lamp down on his head. Ray fell to the floor with a thud.
Suddenly anxious that she might have done more damage than she intended to, she knelt down beside the unconscious man.
"Ray?"
No answer.
"Ray? You OK?"
Shaking, she reached out to check his pulse.
Suddenly, his eyes shot open. He grabbed her, pulling to the floor and pinning her underneath him. Janine looked into dark and evil eyes, so far removed from the gentle brown eyes she knew. Suddenly, she didn't care how much she hurt him. Whoever or whatever this was, it wasn't Ray. She brought her knee up without warning and made contact. He uttered a strangled scream and rolled off of her.
She got up and retrieved his dropped gun. She pointed it at him, and got at least a couple of feet of distance between them. Eyes filled with pain, Ray looked up at her. "Janine," he gasped, "why did you do that?"
She stood there pointing the gun at him. "Don't you move! Don't you dare! I'm calling the guys." She retreated to the other side of the room, and picked up the phone.
Ray sucked in his breath. "Witch," he thought venomously. "She wasn't as easy as I thought she would be. I've got to get out of here. I won't let them to spoil my plans again."
He heaved himself to his feet and made a break for the door, ignoring the pain. By the time Janine saw him and reacted, he was gone. Janine sat down in her armchair and waited for the guys, her heart pounding and her mind racing. What was going on?
TBC