Chapter 2

Later that afternoon, Gomer and Duke sat side-by-side at the table in the barracks. Neither of them spoke a word. They were each too busy musing over what had happened. Gomer finally broke the silence.

"What're we supposed to do, Duke? I don't want Lou-Ann livin' underneath a spook if it really was a spook. I still don't believe in spooks, you know."

"Well do you wanna go back up there and prove me wrong?"

"Not necessarily."

"Lou-Ann'll be fine as long as she stays out of the attic. I don't think ghosts move around that often." Sergeant Carter interrupted their conversation as he walked through the door. Glancing around to find the barracks empty other than the two privates, he asked,

"Is Hummel here?"

"No, he's out on pass," said Duke. Carter nodded and started to turn when he noticed something unusual.

"What's the matter with you two lamebrains? Don't you have anything better to do than sit there staring at the wall?"

Duke jumped to his feet and nodded, hoping the sergeant would leave them alone. Gomer had other ideas.

"Hey, Sergeant? Maybe you could help us."

Carter winced inwardly.

"What is it this time, Pyle? What could you possibly be getting into now?"

Duke tried to pull Gomer away.

"I don't think so, Gomer. The Sarge has enough to worry about."

Carter nodded.

"That's right. The Sarge has plenty to worry about. So, if you don't mind…"

He again tried to turn away, but Gomer stopped him again.

"We ran into this problem, Sergeant, and we could really use your advice."

Carter sighed.

"Okay, Pyle. Just what is your problem?"

"It's really nothing, Sarge," Duke cut in.

"But it is, Duke," Gomer insisted. "It goes like this, Sergeant. Me and Duke, we were helpin' Lou-Ann move into her new apartment, see? And we come across this old staircase. Well, we went up the staircase and found this attic with all sorts of furniture and paintin's and purty thangs. But then we heard this rather unpleasant sound, and there was this breeze that hit us, and somebody started laughin'. And after we seen the white shader, we didn't wanna be up there no more."

All the time Gomer spoke, Carter stared at him with a semi-interested expression.

"So, what are you trying to say, Pyle? That there are ghosts in Lou-Ann's apartment?"

"Naw, not in her apartment, but above it. At least that's what Duke here thanks. As for me, I'm not quite sure, seein' that I didn't get a very good look at the thang."

Carter's expression morphed into total scorn.

"I don't believe it. I just don't believe it. Just when I thought I've heard it all, you knuckleheads come to me with some crazy story about ghosts in the attic? How stupid can you be?"

"Well if you'd been there, Sarge, you might change your mind," said Duke.

"I might change my mind? To say that ghosts exist? Is this some crack, Slater?" Carter demanded.

Gomer gasped.

"Of course not, Sergeant. You know I'd never lie to you. Never in my born days."

Carter snorted.

"Yeah, well, in that case, come on."

"Where are we goin'?" asked Gomer.

"You're taking me back to that apartment and I'm going to prove to you knuckleheads that ghosts are nothing but a bunch of tall tales!"