Two Weeks Later
"Cleanup of Loraine Court and the rest of San Francisco continues in the wake of the cataclysmic incident that occurred two weeks ago," the news reporter said. "This incident could have been worse for both the city and the rest of the world if it wasn't for the combined efforts of San Francisco's very own team of Ghostbusters."
Stephanie and the Ghostbusters watched the news report as they sat at a table in Panchito's Bar and Tavern. A large pizza sat in the middle and had several slices missing from it.
"I owe you guys my thanks," Stephanie told them, "and so does the rest of the city."
"Well, we brought your son back alive, as promised," Constance replied. "It was the least we could do to thank you for getting us out of lock-up."
"And I'm grateful for that," Stephanie said as she wrapped her arm around Hogarth's shoulders and kissed him on the side of his head.
"Come on, Mom," Hogarth complained as he reached for another slice of pizza. "Not in front of the others. I'm seventeen years old!"
"You'll always be my little boy," Stephanie said as the other Ghostbsuters struggled to keep themselves from laughing. "I'm so proud of you."
"Gee, thanks, Mom."
"So, I guess this means you're going to be out of business?"
"What are you talking about, Steph?" Constance asked.
"Well, with Morgana gone, doesn't that cause all the paranormal activity to go down?"
"Actually," Jefferson said, "even with Morgana gone, there's still all those ghosts that escaped the containment unit that we have to round up, and the spiritual energy created by the Order of Morganians still has the ley lines charged. We still have to clean up this town, or else it's gonna descend into chaos again."
"So what are you gonna do now?" Stephanie asked.
"We'll figure that out," Constance said, "if the Mayor's assistant ever gets here."
"Yeah, where is she?" Gordon asked. "She was supposed to be here half an hour ago."
At that moment, a young woman in a black and white pantsuit hurried up to them. She was Asian, and her jet black hair was grouped into a ponytail behind her head.
"I am so sorry I kept you waiting for so long!" she said, quickly taking an empty seat at the table. "I'm Layla Chong, Mayor Grange's assistant. On his behalf, I want to say thank you for saving our city."
"All in a day's work," Jefferson said.
"No, you have no idea how much this means to all of us. We owe you a debt of gratitude that we cannot hope to ever repay."
"That won't be necessary," Constance said, "but I don't think you wanted to meet us here just to thank us in person."
"Mayor Grange wants you to continue your services as paranormal exterminators here in San Francisco. He said that your work has proven to be valuable to our fair city, and he does not want it to go away any time soon.
"In addition," Ms. Chong continued, "the Mayor would like to provide you with anything you need to continue your work into paranormal eliminations."
"Anything?" Hogarth asked, leaning forward.
"Anything."
~GB~
Hogarth pulled Ecto-1SF up to the corner of Stockton and North Point Street, and the Ghostbusters got out. Across the street stood a large, two-story firehouse with a garage. The building was made of bricks with several glass windows along the sides, and the metal door was a bright scarlet.
"This is definitely an upgrade," Constance said.
"Absolutely," Jefferson agreed. "I'll be able to have much more room to work."
"I wonder if we can get a burger stand in there," Hogarth said.
Constance, Jefferson, and Gordon went across the street and opened the garage door, allowing Hogarth to pull Ecto-1SF into the firehouse. The ground floor was massive. A row of lockers stood on one wall, and on the other, a brass pole went up through the ceiling.
"With a little remodeling, I think this place could become a perfect headquarters," Constance said.
"We'd still have to deal with large numbers of tourists," Jefferson said. "We're not far from Pier 39."
As Constance, Jefferson, and Gordon continued discussing their plans for the firehouse, Hogarth turned around and spotted Sam standing in the garage door opening. She held a large box in her hands.
"Sam!" Hogarth said, hurrying over to her. "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you in weeks!"
"Just to drop off this," Sam said, indicating the box she was holding, "and say goodbye."
"Goodbye? What are you talking about?"
"My parents and I are moving to Los Angeles. That's why you haven't seen me since Morgana attacked. We've been spending the last two weeks packing everything up and getting ready to move."
"Sam, I don't understand."
"After learning I got possessed by an evil ghost who was also my Medieval ancestor, they decided that it was best if I lived somewhere without that many ghosts."
"Wha-? Come on, Sam, let me talk to them. I can convince them to stay."
"You can't. My parents are waiting outside with the U-Haul and our car's all packed. We're leaving for L.A. as soon as I'm done here. This is probably going to be the last time I see you for a while."
"Sam, I can talk to my mother. I think I have family living in Los Angeles. I can live with them and we can still be together."
"I can't let you do that, Hogarth. It's too much effort. Besides, you have a good job here, and your work is helping so many people."
"But Sam, you have no idea how much you mean to me. You're worth the whole world to me."
Sam smiled and averted her gaze. She was flattered by what Hogarth said to her, and it made her regret having to leave him and San Francisco. But it was not her choice to make, and she knew that this was going to be her last day here.
"But your work is more important, whether you know it or not," she said. "That's why I wanted to drop this off before I left."
She held up the box she had to Hogarth.
"What is it?" he said, taking it and putting it on the nearby table.
"It's something for you and your friends," Sam said.
Hogarth looked up and called the others over. Constance, Jefferson and Gordon gathered around the table Hogarth had put the box on and watched as he opened it. Their eyes widened when they saw what was inside: Brand-new Ghostbusters uniforms, each one a different color. Hogarth's uniform was a dark hunter green; Constance's was navy blue; Jefferson's was black; and Gordon's was dark gray.
"Sam, I don't know what to say," Hogarth said.
"They're made of polyethylene, so they're not as easy to tear as your old uniforms were," Sam explained. "Plus, they should keep any slime stains from getting into places they're not supposed to be."
"That will definitely prove beneficial in our work," Constance said. "Thank you, Sam. We really appreciate it."
At that moment, a car horn sounded from outside. Sam turned in the direction it came from and sighed.
"I gotta go," she said. "My parents are getting impatient. To them, the sooner they get out of San Francisco, the better."
She quickly turned back to Hogarth and kissed him goodbye on the cheek before turning and hurrying out of the firehouse. Hogarth stood there and watched as a Toyota Camry drove past the open doors, followed by a twenty-six-foot U-Haul. Constance walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I don't know," Hogarth said. "Sam was the first person at school I ever actually connected with. But now that she's gone, I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Well," Constance replied, "you still got us, and we're not going anywhere. Now, let's see if Sam's handiwork paid off."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we got a job to do. A couple of Class Five phantoms are causing havoc on Lombard Street."
Hogarth smiled, shook his head, and grabbed his new uniform and headed towards the Ecto-1SF.
"You know what, Constance?" he said. "I love being a Ghostbuster."