"Yes, mother," Egon said into the phone. "Yes, mother." He sighed and
leaned against the back of his desk chair. "Yes, mother." He turned around
when there was a knock at the open door of his lab. A familiar red-headed
woman stood in the doorway. The scientist waved her in. "Yes, mother. I
understand. However, we did decide driving would be the better option."
"The stupid option," Janine muttered as she walked up to the man. The Ghostbuster gave her a look.
"Yes, mother. I will see you and Uncle Cyrus soon," Dr. Spengler replied. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Dani is very excited. And I'm sure whatever you give her for Christmas she'll adore, mother." Janine stifled a laugh as the blonde made a few more noises of agreement after putting his glasses back on. "Mother, as much as I'd hate to end this conversation I really must be going. Janine is signaling me."
"Egon, we have work," the secretary said a bit loudly. The physicist gave her an okay sign.
"Yes, mother, we are still dating," Dr. Spengler sighed. "She's unable to come because she already made plans with her family." Egon glanced at Janine who smiled. "Mother, I really must get going now. Good-bye." He quickly hung up the phone.
"Is your mother alright?" Janine inquired.
"She is driving herself crazy over the prospect of having Dani come for a visit," Egon answered. "I don't know what to do."
"Just take it easy on her," the secretary replied. "Your mother is meeting her niece again for the first time in a very long time. She's allowed to go a bit hair-brained."
"I suppose so," Dr. Spengler responded. He sighed. "Perhaps driving was a bad idea."
"Well, it's too late to buy plane tickets," Janine told him. "Maybe you should take one of the guys with you."
"They all have plans," Egon said. "Raymond wished to come, but his Aunt Lois asked him to come with her to Sam's and Dani told him to go. Practically ordered to be more accurate. Winston is going to be spending Christmas with his family as well. And Peter, well, I'm not exactly sure, but he didn't seem like he was free."
"Dr. V., doesn't have any plans," Janine informed him. "Peter was going to spend time with his father, but Mr. Venkman had something suddenly come up. Peter's just hasn't told you guys because he doesn't want to impose on anyone."
"How do you know this?" Egon inquired.
"I accidentally picked up the phone," Janine said. Her boyfriend gave her a doubtful look. "The line was blinking and I wanted to make sure I hadn't put someone on hold and forgot about them. I ended up listening to the conversation. I honestly didn't mean to, but I couldn't help it. Peter's going to spend Christmas here alone just because his dad is skipping out on him again."
"Perhaps I will ask him. You are quite positive about this, Janine?"
"I wouldn't be telling you this if I wasn't, Egon."
"You did a very good thing, Janine." Dr. Spengler kissed the red-head on the lips.
"Hey, save that for under the mistletoe." The couple broke apart to find Dr. Venkman standing in the doorway. He pointed above his head where the sprig hung. "I didn't put these in every doorway just for you two to ruin my fun. At least Dani and Ray understand the use for them." Peter made a bit of a face. "Of course, they abuse the privilege and stand in the doorway not allowing anyone to get by."
"Jealous, Peter?" Janine inquired.
"Yes and no," Peter answered. "Ray's like my little brother and I'm happy that he has a girlfriend. On the other hand one of my best friend's has the girl I wanted. This is the second time a woman has passed over me and went straight to Ray."
"Peter, would you be interested in going to Cleveland with Dani and myself?" Dr. Spengler asked to steer the conversation in another direction. He didn't mind his young friend dating his cousin, but he'd rather not think about it longer than necessary. Egon realized they were two consenting adults. However, the thought of them doing anything either than talking, playing a board game, working, or whatever else people did on a normal basis was more than the physicist wished to think about.
"I don't know, Spengs," Dr. Venkman said. "I've got plans with my dad and stuff. Besides I don't think you want me intruding upon a family reunion. I'm not exactly a favorite of your uncle's."
"My mother does adore you for some reason," Egon responded. "And you would not be intruding. I'm asking. I actually insist that you come."
"You're insisting?" Peter repeated. "What did I do to deserve insisting?"
"I just believe it is important to share the holidays with family and I consider you family," Egon told him. "I would suppose Dani feels the same about you."
"Well, I suppose it would be alright," Peter said. "My dad called recently to see if he could meet me on New Year's because he's stuck in Sweden and won't be back in the states for Christmas."
"What is your father doing in Sweden?" Egon asked. Peter shrugged.
"He didn't tell me," Dr. Venkman replied. "Probably the usual thing. You know my dad."
"Of course," Dr. Spengler said.
"I guess I ought to go see if I can slip some of my dirty clothes into Dani's load. She hates it, but for some reason decides to be really nice and fold everything. I should probably be careful because one of these days she might starch my underwear or put itching powder in my boxers." Peter looked at Egon. "Like someone did back in college."
"You took my notes and tossed them into the bonfire."
"Only because school was over."
"They were for summer classes."
"Who takes summer classes for fun?"
"I was working on my ancient languages degree. It was simpler to focus on it alone during the summer."
"Yeah, just so you can constantly remind us why you have an IQ that's almost off the scales."
"My IQ has nothing to do with this."
"You're right," Peter agreed. "Let's arm-wrestle."
"Arm-wrestle? Peter, that's a bit primitive"
"You're just scared I'll beat you. And in front of your girlfriend."
"Egon doesn't need to prove to me that he can beat you at arm-wrestling," Janine said. Egon smiled at the comment. "However, it would be interesting to see who would win." Dr. Spengler's smile became a frown.
"We could even make it interesting," Dr. Venkman added. "I win and you can't do anything in the lab for a week unless it's absolutely necessary. Like the end of the world. And if you win you can run all those tests to figure out why ghosts are constantly sliming me even when I don't provoke them." Egon considered the offer a moment.
"Very well," Egon said. Peter looked around the lab.
"Alright let's find an even and fair flat surface," Peter said. He pointed a table off to the side. "Let's grab that." The two men pulled it away from the wall, grabbed two chairs and sat down across from each other. They both put their hands and locked them in a tight grip.
"Start on the count of three," Janine said. "One, two, three." The Ghostbusters started to push against the other. Peter's face was contorted as he pushed against his friend's hand while Egon maintained his normal composure as he pushed the other way. Janine looked back and forth between them. She had always wondered how strong her thin and wiry boyfriend actually was. He never worked out like Dr. Venkman did, but lugging a fifty pound nuclear accelerator on one's back and chasing ghosts down the streets of New York must do something for the physique. The secretary had also seen Egon eat quite a few Twinkies, but never gain any weight. This would actually prove quite fascinating.
"Come on, Spengs," Dr. Venkman labored. Egon's arm started going down. "Is that all you got?"
"I believe I'm doing quite well," Egon replied with a slight strain evident in his voice. He pushed back and they ended up back in the middle. The phone rang and Janine ignored it as she intently watched the two men. It rang a second time than stopped. The secretary hoped someone picked it up. Egon and Peter continued to both waver a bit from side to side. The alarm in the firehouse rang startling both and Egon managed to push Peter's hand down. Peter broke away from Dr. Spengler's grasp. Egon smiled. "I win."
"No," Peter protested. "That wasn't fair. The alarm rang. It was a draw."
"You could have just as easily pinned me," Dr. Spengler responded. "I win."
"No," Dr. Venkman repeated. He looked at Janine. "It's a draw, right?"
"Egon won," Janine said. She patted the scientist on the shoulder than followed Egon as he walked out of the lab.
"It was a draw," Peter grumbled as he followed them.
"The stupid option," Janine muttered as she walked up to the man. The Ghostbuster gave her a look.
"Yes, mother. I will see you and Uncle Cyrus soon," Dr. Spengler replied. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Dani is very excited. And I'm sure whatever you give her for Christmas she'll adore, mother." Janine stifled a laugh as the blonde made a few more noises of agreement after putting his glasses back on. "Mother, as much as I'd hate to end this conversation I really must be going. Janine is signaling me."
"Egon, we have work," the secretary said a bit loudly. The physicist gave her an okay sign.
"Yes, mother, we are still dating," Dr. Spengler sighed. "She's unable to come because she already made plans with her family." Egon glanced at Janine who smiled. "Mother, I really must get going now. Good-bye." He quickly hung up the phone.
"Is your mother alright?" Janine inquired.
"She is driving herself crazy over the prospect of having Dani come for a visit," Egon answered. "I don't know what to do."
"Just take it easy on her," the secretary replied. "Your mother is meeting her niece again for the first time in a very long time. She's allowed to go a bit hair-brained."
"I suppose so," Dr. Spengler responded. He sighed. "Perhaps driving was a bad idea."
"Well, it's too late to buy plane tickets," Janine told him. "Maybe you should take one of the guys with you."
"They all have plans," Egon said. "Raymond wished to come, but his Aunt Lois asked him to come with her to Sam's and Dani told him to go. Practically ordered to be more accurate. Winston is going to be spending Christmas with his family as well. And Peter, well, I'm not exactly sure, but he didn't seem like he was free."
"Dr. V., doesn't have any plans," Janine informed him. "Peter was going to spend time with his father, but Mr. Venkman had something suddenly come up. Peter's just hasn't told you guys because he doesn't want to impose on anyone."
"How do you know this?" Egon inquired.
"I accidentally picked up the phone," Janine said. Her boyfriend gave her a doubtful look. "The line was blinking and I wanted to make sure I hadn't put someone on hold and forgot about them. I ended up listening to the conversation. I honestly didn't mean to, but I couldn't help it. Peter's going to spend Christmas here alone just because his dad is skipping out on him again."
"Perhaps I will ask him. You are quite positive about this, Janine?"
"I wouldn't be telling you this if I wasn't, Egon."
"You did a very good thing, Janine." Dr. Spengler kissed the red-head on the lips.
"Hey, save that for under the mistletoe." The couple broke apart to find Dr. Venkman standing in the doorway. He pointed above his head where the sprig hung. "I didn't put these in every doorway just for you two to ruin my fun. At least Dani and Ray understand the use for them." Peter made a bit of a face. "Of course, they abuse the privilege and stand in the doorway not allowing anyone to get by."
"Jealous, Peter?" Janine inquired.
"Yes and no," Peter answered. "Ray's like my little brother and I'm happy that he has a girlfriend. On the other hand one of my best friend's has the girl I wanted. This is the second time a woman has passed over me and went straight to Ray."
"Peter, would you be interested in going to Cleveland with Dani and myself?" Dr. Spengler asked to steer the conversation in another direction. He didn't mind his young friend dating his cousin, but he'd rather not think about it longer than necessary. Egon realized they were two consenting adults. However, the thought of them doing anything either than talking, playing a board game, working, or whatever else people did on a normal basis was more than the physicist wished to think about.
"I don't know, Spengs," Dr. Venkman said. "I've got plans with my dad and stuff. Besides I don't think you want me intruding upon a family reunion. I'm not exactly a favorite of your uncle's."
"My mother does adore you for some reason," Egon responded. "And you would not be intruding. I'm asking. I actually insist that you come."
"You're insisting?" Peter repeated. "What did I do to deserve insisting?"
"I just believe it is important to share the holidays with family and I consider you family," Egon told him. "I would suppose Dani feels the same about you."
"Well, I suppose it would be alright," Peter said. "My dad called recently to see if he could meet me on New Year's because he's stuck in Sweden and won't be back in the states for Christmas."
"What is your father doing in Sweden?" Egon asked. Peter shrugged.
"He didn't tell me," Dr. Venkman replied. "Probably the usual thing. You know my dad."
"Of course," Dr. Spengler said.
"I guess I ought to go see if I can slip some of my dirty clothes into Dani's load. She hates it, but for some reason decides to be really nice and fold everything. I should probably be careful because one of these days she might starch my underwear or put itching powder in my boxers." Peter looked at Egon. "Like someone did back in college."
"You took my notes and tossed them into the bonfire."
"Only because school was over."
"They were for summer classes."
"Who takes summer classes for fun?"
"I was working on my ancient languages degree. It was simpler to focus on it alone during the summer."
"Yeah, just so you can constantly remind us why you have an IQ that's almost off the scales."
"My IQ has nothing to do with this."
"You're right," Peter agreed. "Let's arm-wrestle."
"Arm-wrestle? Peter, that's a bit primitive"
"You're just scared I'll beat you. And in front of your girlfriend."
"Egon doesn't need to prove to me that he can beat you at arm-wrestling," Janine said. Egon smiled at the comment. "However, it would be interesting to see who would win." Dr. Spengler's smile became a frown.
"We could even make it interesting," Dr. Venkman added. "I win and you can't do anything in the lab for a week unless it's absolutely necessary. Like the end of the world. And if you win you can run all those tests to figure out why ghosts are constantly sliming me even when I don't provoke them." Egon considered the offer a moment.
"Very well," Egon said. Peter looked around the lab.
"Alright let's find an even and fair flat surface," Peter said. He pointed a table off to the side. "Let's grab that." The two men pulled it away from the wall, grabbed two chairs and sat down across from each other. They both put their hands and locked them in a tight grip.
"Start on the count of three," Janine said. "One, two, three." The Ghostbusters started to push against the other. Peter's face was contorted as he pushed against his friend's hand while Egon maintained his normal composure as he pushed the other way. Janine looked back and forth between them. She had always wondered how strong her thin and wiry boyfriend actually was. He never worked out like Dr. Venkman did, but lugging a fifty pound nuclear accelerator on one's back and chasing ghosts down the streets of New York must do something for the physique. The secretary had also seen Egon eat quite a few Twinkies, but never gain any weight. This would actually prove quite fascinating.
"Come on, Spengs," Dr. Venkman labored. Egon's arm started going down. "Is that all you got?"
"I believe I'm doing quite well," Egon replied with a slight strain evident in his voice. He pushed back and they ended up back in the middle. The phone rang and Janine ignored it as she intently watched the two men. It rang a second time than stopped. The secretary hoped someone picked it up. Egon and Peter continued to both waver a bit from side to side. The alarm in the firehouse rang startling both and Egon managed to push Peter's hand down. Peter broke away from Dr. Spengler's grasp. Egon smiled. "I win."
"No," Peter protested. "That wasn't fair. The alarm rang. It was a draw."
"You could have just as easily pinned me," Dr. Spengler responded. "I win."
"No," Dr. Venkman repeated. He looked at Janine. "It's a draw, right?"
"Egon won," Janine said. She patted the scientist on the shoulder than followed Egon as he walked out of the lab.
"It was a draw," Peter grumbled as he followed them.