Chapter 1 The Pleas
The year is 1984, and the place is Manhattan.
"Another secretary quit," Ray innocently inquired, lifting his Columbia coffee cup to his lips.
"I'd say that's safe to say," Egon quipped, not looking up from his calculations.
They were all sitting at the kitchen table upstairs as a woman shrieked in a shrill high pitched voice that collectively hurt the guys' ears.
" I can't work for you anymore," the womanly voice roared a few seconds later as her high-heel pumps pounded the gray concrete floor downstairs.
"Come on, Cindy, baby," Peter protested.
"I am Amy!" the lady angrily yelled.
"Ouch," Ray replied, grimacing.
"I guess Amy found out about Cindy," Winston drily lamented, putting the newspaper in his hand roughly to where the table shook.
"Mmm, not a total surprise," Ray admitted as he rose from the kitchen table to refill his cereal bowl.
A door slammed, indicating that Amy had exited the building. With a noisy sigh, Peter climbed the stairs.
Janine Melnitz was a petite yet lively redhead from Brooklyn with a quick wit and a dry sense of humor. Four months ago, she began working as a secretary at one of the city's many business firms. It was easy enough, and it kept her busy. On the weekends, she volunteered at the public library for an afternoon to read to children. Janine loved books and adored watching kids' faces while she read to them. Still, something was missing in her life.
Gregory, Janine's boss, was a little creepy and leered at her often. He made it clear that he desired her sexually even though he was married, and he often had short-lived affairs with other women. Janine hadn't quit because the pay was two dollars over the average pay for her occupation. Plus, she could handle his flirtatious manners just like any overly eager date she had been in the past.
"You have an interview with channel five in fifteen minutes," Janine reminded him in an overly saccharine tone.
"Thank you," Gregory sneered, staring at Janine's breasts. Rapidly, she pulled her soft red cardigan around her body. Janine's shirt was barely low cut, but apparently, it was just enough for her boss. Inwardly, she rolled her eyes upward at his action.
" Horny bastard," Janine disgustedly thought.
"Your welcome, sir," she responded in a sarcastic voice.
Nodding, Janine gave him a wry thin-lipped smile and continued filing her nails. The phone rang loudly next to her. Her best friend, Barb, was currently badgering her about going on a blind date with her new love interest's friend.
"No, I hate blind dates, Barb," Janine whined into the phone receiver, removing her thick pink glasses from her pretty face. Although she felt exasperated with her best friend, she eventually relented like always.
"Ok, seven at the Manhattan on Friday," Janine agitatedly repeated and hung up the phone.
"Awww, come on Spengs! Please!" Peter whined.
"Why is my accompanying you so important?" Egon asked a tone of annoyance heard in his voice.
"Cause I like this girl, and the only way she'll go out with me again is if I bring a friend for her friend!"
"So, a double date?"
"Yeah! But it'll be fun!"
Egon's eyebrow arched. "How do you know that? I don't recall your psychic abilities being that in tune. I don't recall your psychic abilities being in existence either."
"Give me a break, Big Guy! Please! Besides, you never know - you might have fun, too! You and this other girl might hit it off!"
Egon laid down his pencil and sat back in the chair, contemplating Peter's words.
Peter tried a different tactic. "Look, the last girl you went out with back in college broke your heart. But that was years ago, and that was a girl! These are WOMEN - grown-up, mature women! And it's just this once! I promise you won't have to go out again unless you want to!"
He then gave Egon the most pathetic look he could muster.
Egon sighed with a slight eye roll. "Fine, but just this once. I am not obligating myself any further - at least, not until I meet this woman."
Peter clapped his hands together. "Great! Thanks, buddy! I'll go call Barb and let her know!"
As he left the lab, Egon leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk and holding his hands up to his head. "I hope this goes well," he muttered.
The night of the double date finally arrived. Egon adjusted his tie for the tenth time. He was wearing charcoal grey pants, a matching jacket, a crisp white button-down shirt, and a baby blue tie. The colors enhanced his own blue eyes and hair.
Peter wore a pair of beige pants and a light blue polo shirt. He had left the buttons of the shirt undone. This has proven to serve him well with past dates because they preferred to see a subtle hint of the hair on his chest.
He saw Egon's nervousness and decided to have a little fun. "Oh, come on Spengs - loosen up a bit! Lose the tie and unbutton that shirt! Give the lady a little hint of what's underneath!"
Egon frowned. "I will do no such thing, Venkman! I don't even know this woman yet! Besides, my dating style is much different than yours."
"Yeah - I have one!"
"No, I prefer to properly court and woo a female - build up a certain amount of anticipation."
Peter rolled his eyes. "It's a wonder you EVER got laid in college!"
Egon smirked. "I have discovered that delayed gratification is extremely rewarding."
Peter gave his friend a light pat on the back. "Ok, if you say so. But I'm not gonna have a massive case of blue balls waiting for the right moment! Come on, let's get going!"
Egon looked at his reflection once more. "I hope this goes well," he whispered to himself.