Chapter Two: The Blairman Project

"Everyone wants some of me, and I've got the creepy fan letters to prove it!" - Hazbin Hotel

The ghost before me is one I've never seen before. He has sky blue skin, pointed ears, and human-like eyes with yellow irises. He wears a black trench coat, gray fingerless gloves, dark gray pants, black dress shoes, and a black bucket hat. A bit of dark blue hair peeks out from under that hat. It's an ensemble that my gothic best friend, Sam, would approve of…except for the hot pink feather boa wrapped around his neck. No, I'm not kidding.

"Relax, good people. I mean no harm," the ghost assures. He pats the big blocky camera he's holding. It's the kind with film reels attached to the top that they used back in, I don't know, the fifties or something. "All I wanted was some action shots. And boy, did I get them!" He points a finger gun at me. "You have real star quality, my friend!"

"Uh, thanks?" is what I say because what else do you say to that? "And, you might be…?"

The ghost purses his lips then laughs off my question. "You silly child. Does the name 'Hutch Blairman' mean anything to you?"

"Hutch Blairman?" He raises his chin proudly at my response. I turn to the crowd. "Hey, everyone! It's Hutch Blairman!"

"Who's Hutch Blairman?" someone asks.

"Apparently, someone we're supposed to know," I answer, dropping the charade. That gets a few chuckles out of the onlookers.

Hutch Blairman scowls. Then, he throws his hands in the air in resignation, letting his camera float beside him. "Whatever. I suppose you do spend most of your time in this realm."

Did he mean to sound condescending? If I wasn't already suspicious of him, I definitely don't like him now. I cross my arms and don't mask my irritation. "So, Blairman, what makes you so special, and why were you filming me from the bushes like a creep?"

"Try not to frown so deeply. It causes wrinkles." Did he just say that? To a ghost? "As for who I am," he cocks his hip, places his hand there, and puts his other hand demurely under his chin, "I am the greatest filmmaker in the Infinite Realms," somehow I doubt that, "and I'm here because I want you," I points to me with a wide grin, "Danny Phantom, to star in my latest production! A documentary about one of the most famous ghosts in either realm. Danny Phantom: The Movie! The creative title can come later."

"Wait, what?" I say.

While I try to make sense of all this, the crowd around us starts murmuring excitedly. "Phantom's getting a movie?" "A documentary? Like, an origin story?" "You know I'm there opening night!"

No one hears the alarm bells ringing in my head. I wave my hands in front of me. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! There is no movie. You got that, Blairman? You are not making a movie about me." I try not to let the resulting disappointed sounds get to me.

But, Blairman makes that hard. He pouts and spreads his arms out, indicating everyone around us. "Aw, listen to your poor fans. You don't want to disappoint them, do you?"

"Of course not," I say truthfully. "But, my desire to please people is trumped by my desire to not have my face plastered all over a big screen. My answer is no. Find someone else to film from the bushes."

"But, Danny- Can I call you 'Danny?'"

"No."

"Eh, we'll get there." We won't. "I thought you liked attention. What with the whole superhero schtick and all."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, wondering if anyone would think less of me for stuffing this guy in his own camera. "I'm not a superhero. And, I'm not some glory hound either. I just want people to see that not all ghosts are evil."

There's a flash of irritation on Blairman's face before he brightens once more and claps his hands together. "My, what a noble endeavor! And, quite a coincidence." He rushes over to me - this guy's speed might rival my own - and drapes an arm over my shoulders like we're old friends. "You see, Phantom, I too wish to show the world what ghosts are really like. I want to assure the humans that ghosts are people too."

Against my will, the tiniest bit of suspicion melts away. "Really?"

He tenderly pats my cheek, and I fight the urge to bite his hand. "Of course. I think you and I both used to be humans, so I think we both want them to not run away screaming when we appear. By the way, your skin is so soft. It's almost as if you're still alive. Do you moisturize?"

"And, walls are back up," I announce as I take a long step away. "If you're gonna keep being creepy, can we at least finish this conversation away from the public eye?"

"Oh, no no no," he says, wagging his finger. Then he holds his hands in the air and addresses the crowd. "I want everyone's opinion! Teenagers are the toughest critics. That is why I invite all the students of Casper High to be the focus group for my movie! What do you say, kids? Wanna be the first people to see your hero's movie?"

Cheers break out, and my stomach drops. As much as I want to prove that ghosts can be good, assuming Blairman really does want that as well, I also don't need that kind of attention. There was a brief time when I would get chased down by paparazzi for my "fame." It just so happened that one of my parents' inventions had messed up my powers - including my ability to transform - during that time, so escaping wasn't easy. It got to the point when I was so fed up that I made a public announcement that I would leave Amity Park if people didn't give me space. I didn't mean it, but the attention was that bad. I can't go through that again. I still can't unsee some of those "fan letters." Or, that guy who wanted my autograph shaved into his chest hair. He looked so surprised when instead of doing that, I flew away with a declaration of, "Um, ew."

I have to raise my voice to be heard over the crowd. "Need I remind everyone that I haven't agreed to anything?"

"Come on, Phantom," Blairman begs. "We have the same goal: proving that being a ghost doesn't make someone a bad person. That's why I picked you. You so selflessly throw yourself into danger for humanity, yet there are still people who fail to realize that some of us are nice. I've heard that some ghost hunters live in this town. Do they ever go after you?"

My hand brushes against my side, my fingers grazing over the long scar hidden under my jumpsuit. My father gave me that scar. My parents didn't believe Jazz when she told them that Danny Phantom was the one who saved her life. No, Mom and Dad could only focus on the fact that Phantom was the one who put her life in danger in the first place.

Not that I blame them. The image of Jazz lying in a hospital bed, pale and thin and hooked up to so many things, flashes in my mind. I still haven't forgiven myself, and I'm not sure if I ever will.

Blairman takes my silence as confirmation. "If you do this, Phantom, we just might be able to convince them to give you a break. And if things go well, this could set something in motion. What is that something? True acceptance for ghosts, that's what it is!"

True acceptance for ghosts…

Another memory surfaces, a happier one. Me sitting at a dinner table with a family in Nebraska. The parents were humans. Their daughter was a newly-formed spirit. Two ghosts and two humans were eating dinner together like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Blairman sees my walls starting to crumble and holds out his hand. "What do you say, Phantom? Ready to be a star?"

I stare at his hand, considering. This guy has given me no reason to trust him. But, if there's even a chance of making the human realm safer for all the good ghosts in the Ghost Zone, I'm willing to take it. Even if it means dealing with crazy fans again.

If nothing else, this would give me an excuse to keep an eye on Blairman. The man gives off serious predator vibes.

"I get full control over what's shown," I demand. "This is not an origin story. I just want people to see the 'Danny' part of Danny Phantom. Know what I mean?"

"Absolutely," Blairman assures.

"Then, I guess I'm on board." I shake his hand.

Blairman's grin is so wide I'm amazed his face doesn't split in half. "Excellent! Everyone, we're making a movie!"

Cheers break out once more, even louder this time. I hope I don't regret this.

When the applause dies down, Blariman claps his hands together again. "But of course, a main character is nothing on his own. Since humans are such a big part of your life, I was thinking we'd throw in one or two to be your co-stars."

Thank God. I don't have to do this alone. "Can I make some suggestions?"

"No need," Blairman says. "I know exactly who you're going to suggest."

I'm about to question that, but Blairman makes a beeline for-

Oh no.

Blairman has his arms around the shoulders of Dash and Paulina and asks them, "How would you kids like to co-star with your favorite spirit?"

"Us?" Paulina gasps, her voice high with excitement. "In a movie with the ghost boy?"

Dash pumps his fists. "Awesome!"

"No, no," I stammer, "that's not who I was gonna suggest."

Blairman chuckles. "Don't be coy, Phantom. I saw how chummy you were with them after the fight. They obviously mean a great deal to you."

"They do not!" I say too loudly. People stare in shock at my tone, and I amend, "I mean, it's not that I don't care at all, it's just-"

"Then, it's decided!" Blairman shouts. Everything I say is going to go in one ear and out the other with this guy, isn't it? He lets go of my…co-stars and levitates slightly, his camera returning to his side. "Production on the documentary to be named later begins tomorrow after your school lets out. I'll meet you all here to take you to the set. Until then, my darlings, stay beautiful!"

What have I gotten myself into?

As Blairman flies away, everyone crowds around Dash and Paulina, offering congratulations, some less jealous than others. I use the distraction to fly away, myself. It looks like the ambulances left during that whole scene. A twinge of guilt hits me. I know I can't protect everyone, but I can't help feeling somewhat responsible when the people I try to save get hurt. I'll have to head down to the hospital to check on them later.

I land invisibly beside the school and switch back to human-form. When I walk back to the courtyard, I am greeted by my human friends coming out of the building.

"How'd it go?" I ask.

"We didn't find any more of those rats," Valerie reports, resting her hand, still holding the ecto-gun, on her hip.

Sam continues. "We helped with the less serious injuries, but some people did have to be taken to the hospital. Though, I'm sure you figured that out."

There's that twinge again.

"What about you, dude?" Tucker asks. "How are you holding up?"

After the bite and the Healing Touch, he means. I just realized these guys missed the second wave of craziness.

"Um," I start.

I register my friends' warning looks before I register the hard flick to the temple. I rub the offending spot and glare at the tall, surly blond guy who gave it to me. There's a self-satisfied grin on his face.

"Guess what, Fen-tater-tot," Dash never was good at name-calling. "While you were off hiding like a coward, Paulina and I scored the gig of a lifetime."

"Did you, now?" I say, playing dumb even though I want to shove my "cowardice" in his stupid face.

Dash puffs out his chest and addresses all four of us so-called-losers. "That's right. This ghost-guy is making a movie about Danny Phantom, and Paulina and I are gonna be the co-stars."

"You're joking," Valerie deadpans.

"No joke, Gray," Dash brags. "Too bad none of you are cool enough to work so closely to a fearless hero like Phantom." I am physically holding myself back from slugging him. "Have fun in the nosebleed seats. If you can even get in the theater!"

As he saunters away, laughing at us, my temper gets the better of me. "Blairman wants everyone at Casper to be the focus group, Dash!"

"Whatever," is his response.

Asshole.

Sam loudly clears her throat, and I blow out a breath and tell them what happened with Blairman. When I'm finished, all three of them look equal parts concerned and wary.

"Are you sure about this, Danny?" Sam asks.

"Not really," I admit. "But, it could be a good chance to show that not all ghosts are like ecto-rats. Besides, I don't know if Hutch Blairman really is on the up and up. I swear, the man spits out a red flag every time he opens his mouth. If I do this, I can stay close to him without arousing suspicion."

"But, Dash and Paulina?" Tucker points out. "Isn't that gonna be, you know, beyond awkward?"

I recall Blairman assuming that those two are my dear, dear friends. "Are you kidding? It's already awkward! But, at least if I'm in ghost-form they won't pick on me the whole time. I just hope this movie doesn't take too long to make."

Suddenly, Eileen phases through the wall, cups her hands around her mouth, and calls out to everyone, "Attention, students and faculty! I just spoke with Principal Ishiyama, and for obvious reasons, school is being let out early today. Buses should be arriving shortly. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here, so scoot along."

Everyone cheers again, but this time it's for a reason I can agree on.

Paulina sees Eileen and runs up to her with a nervous grin. "Ms. Mae, have you seen Danny Phantom? I really want to talk to him about the movie."

"Movie?" Eileen says with a glance at us. We'll have to fill her in too, though I'm sure word will be all over town soon enough.

I decide to bite the bullet. Maybe Paulina wants to tell me that she changed her mind about the movie because the director's a creep? Probably not, but a kid can dream. "Oh, he went inside to double-check for rats. I can go get him for you."

Paulina regards me like the lowly peasant that I am. "Yes, make yourself useful, Unimportant Danny."

That's a new one, and I have a feeling I should start getting used to it.

Eileen gives her a hell of a stern teacher look. "Try that again, Paulina. This time, a little less catty."

I thought Eileen was going to use Compulsion to make Paulina just do it, but there's no telltale flash of blankness on the A-lister's face. The flash is one of fear because the ghost teacher isn't happy.

Paulina doesn't meet my gaze and looks weirdly submissive when she retries. "Danny, could you please tell the ghost boy that I'm looking for him?"

I mouth a thank you to Eileen and, feeling a sudden bout of my own cattiness, I bow dramatically to Paulina and speak in my best Vlad impression- I mean, posh voice. "Why, your royal highness, it would be my most humble pleasure."

Paulina glares daggers. My friends snigger behind me, and even Eileen is holding back a laugh. "Daniel," our teacher half-scolds.

I stand up straight and speak normally. "Yeah, I'll go get him."

Paulina makes a haughty noise and storms away to wait for her crush somewhere she won't be surrounded by the lower class.

When she's out of earshot, Eileen puts a hand on her hip and asks me, "So, what's this about a movie?"

"Apparently," Sam says, "some ghost named Hutch Blairman is making a documentary about Danny Phantom."

Eileen's thin eyebrows shoot up at that. "Hutch Blairman?"

"You know him?" I ask.

"I know of him. His work is pretty good - at least, his early work is - but I hear he has a bit of a 'my way or the highway' attitude."

"I've noticed," I lament.

"But, he's, like, a legitimate filmmaker?" Valerie asks.

Eileen nods. "Mm-hm. Though like I said, only his early work is any good. That movie with the fairies had way too many sequels." She sees that we don't know what she's talking about and moves on. "But, a documentary is a totally different thing."

"Well, here's hoping it turns out alright," I say, knowing it's too late to back out.

Tucker steps forward and rests his elbow on my shoulder. "And if the movie succeeds, we can say that we're friends with a movie star! Don't worry, pal. I'll split the babes with you."

"Har har," I say with a fond eye roll. "If you'll excuse me, I should probably see what Paulina wants."

As I head into the school, Sam calls to me, "If it's a kissing scene, tell her no."

Then Tucker adds, "Tell her yes and give me the details. Ow!"

I wonder who hit him. Probably Sam.

Students and faculty file out of the building, and I sneak into an empty classroom to transform. Then I fly up to the second floor and phase through the wall. I hover there, pretending to search for a moment. Then I fly down to the front corner of the courtyard where Paulina is waiting with Dash.

"Hey," I greet warily. "Uh, the Fenton-kid said you were looking for me?"

Dash nudges Paulina's arm with an eagerness that I don't like. "Tell him your idea."

"I'm getting there," she assures just as eagerly. To me, she says, "I was thinking. You don't really know us, and we don't really know you, ghost boy."

"So, you want out of the project?"

Paulina waves her hands in front of her. "No no no! That's not it." Darn. "It's just that if we're gonna be working so closely together, we should be more familiar with each other, right?"

I don't like where this is going. "I…guess…?"

"My parents are out of town. My house is empty. Except for the servants, but they won't bother us." Why am I not surprised that she has servants? "Since school's over now, why don't we all go to my house and hang out?"

If she'd asked me that two years ago, I would have thrown myself at her feet in thanks for even considering such a thing, Dash or no Dash.

"Come on!" Dash urges at my hesitance. "We wanna hang out with our hero. It'll make working with you even cooler because we'll already be friends."

Friends. With their hero. I cross my arms. "You guys just wanna say that you spent the day chilling with Danny Phantom, don't you?" They stammer out arguments full of hot air. I raise my hands. "But since I'm free and I may as well know what I'm in for, why not? But, I gotta get these rats back to the Ghost Zone first. And, I wanna check on everyone who was brought to the hospital. Can I stop by after? I'll try to be quick."

"Okay!" Paulina pipes. She pulls some paper and a pencil out of her bag and starts writing. "Here's my address," she says, handing me the paper.

"This is gonna rock!" Dash chimes in with stars in his eyes.

"Yeah," I say, barely trying. "Can't wait."

"A documentary?" Jazz says. "With Dash Baxter and Paulina Sanchez?"

I attach the opening of the Thermos to a panel on the Ghost Portal's control system and transport the ecto-rats back to where they belong. "I'm not crazy about it either." I pull off the now-empty Thermos and pop the lid back on. "But, if Blairman's sincere, this could do a lot of good for ghostkind."

"And, if he's not?"

"Then I'll beat him up and shove him in the Thermos." I put said Thermos back in pocketspace. "I know I'm taking a risk. But, if there's even a chance at showing the world that not all ghosts are evil, I have to take it."

Jazz is real quiet for a moment. "This is about Mom and Dad, isn't it?"

Maybe a little, but I'm not going to tell her that. She had a long, less screamy talk with them after Vlad lied about my threatening him. But, that was at my insistence and I know she only made up with them for my sake. I never, ever want her to hate our parents, and I fear that one wrong word is all it will take at this point. I try not to touch the long scar on my side, the one that I claimed came from a goblin-ghost.

Even when I first got my powers, I didn't walk on eggshells around Jazz, not to this extent.

"It's about equality, Jazz," I say. A lie by omission isn't technically a lie, right? "I'm sick of watching innocent ghosts be judged and feared and hunted down just because they exist. We both know there are ghosts who do deserve that, but there are humans who deserve it too, you know? If we're going to be hated, it should be for our actions, not our biologies. And, if all goes well," my voice lowers as sudden shyness creeps over me, "maybe it'll give me the guts to tell Mom and Dad the truth. Again, this isn't about that," I technically don't lie. "It would just be a nice little bonus."

Jazz looks like she doesn't believe me, but she smiles softly and kisses my cheek. "Alright, little brother. I trust your judgment. Just be careful, okay?" She puts her hands on her hips. "And, if anything goes wrong, the Ghost Getters will have your back," she adds with a wink.

A tolerant smile pulls at my lips. "You know you're the only one who calls us that, right?"

"Yep," she says proudly.

I laugh and shake my head. "Ah, my sister, the weirdo." Miss Adult-at-Sixteen sticks her tongue out at me. I point to her. "On that very mature note, I have some music to face."

As we walk out of the lab, Jazz says to me, "You're seriously going to spend the day with Dash and Paulina?"

I shrug. "I mean, I'm gonna be spending a lot of time with them. May as well have some idea of what it'll be like."

When we reach the living room, Mom and Dad are sitting on the couch, watching the news. They haven't noticed us yet.

"Can you believe this?" Dad says indignantly, turning off the TV. "A documentary about Danny Phantom. Who wants to see that?"

Oh great. It was on the news. I shouldn't be surprised. Any time something ghost-related happens, especially if I'm involved, it ends up on the news.

Mom surprises me. "I think we should go see it." When Dad looks at her like she's lost it, she adds, "Think about it, Jack. A documentary is all about the facts. Think of all that we could learn about Phantom."

Dad ponders that for a moment. "But, if Phantom's directly involved, you know he's going to police how much is revealed."

"True, but anything we can learn is helpful. He might even include facts about ghosts in general that we never knew, that no one ever knew."

"Good point, Mads. Maybe we should see it. What was the director's name? Hutch Blairman, right? You ever heard of him?"

"Can't say that I have. Maybe he's a fresh face in Hollywood."

So, they don't know the director is a ghost. That's probably for the best.

Jazz gives me a skeptical side-eye, but I smile at her, feeling optimistic. If the movie turns out well, this really could be the first step to true acceptance.

Of course, I can't rule out the possibility that Hutch Blairman is some hack or is just plain untrustworthy. But, there's only one way to find out.