Chapter 10 "Taking Care of Business" (July 27, 1984)
(Song suggestion-"Taking Care of Business" by BTO)
Janine
As I reread the New York Post's article about the Ghostbusters catching a ghost in Chinatown, the guys debated the Yankees' chances to win the pennant in October. We were having our morning meeting until Ray changed the subject to baseball.
"Oh, I have to call channel nine back later to set up an interview for Peter," I reminded myself inwardly as I scribbled a note on my blue notepad.
Recently, local and a few national newspapers, magazines, and TV people desired to schedule an interview with the Ghostbusters. Dr. Peter Venkman, the spokesperson for the business, usually did the interviews because he adored the attention and delighted in doing them. I decided that this article from a few weeks ago in the New York Post would be good to put in a memory box to display on my mantle. Besides, I was proud of the guys' work and wanted to showcase their accomplishments.
"No Ghost is too big, no fee is too big," Dr. V. was caught on camera recently saying. This memory diverted my attention from the meeting as I giggled to myself.
"Ms. Melnitz, the interview from — is tomorrow afternoon, but it's not for me. I spoke to Paige Platt, the City's talk radio show interviewer, and she wanted to speak to the person who knows the Ghostbusters the best," Dr. Venkman mentioned, staring at me intently.
All of my bosses sat around the kitchen table. Promptly, everyone's eyes were on me. I felt like I was caught in class not paying attention when a teacher asked me a question in high school while I daydreamed about my boyfriend.
"I'm sorry, would you repeat that, please," I requested, chagrinned, feeling a flush of heat upon my cheeks.
"Tomorrow at noon, Paige Platt will interview you," Peter informed with an obnoxious smile.
"No way, I don't do interviews. I'm not a Ghostbuster," I argued, feeling incandescent and tapping my pen on my notepad anxiously.
"Why not? It's better than us answering the same questions over and over, J. Besides, it gives them another perspective," Ray countered. To my horror, I didn't expect him to agree with Venkman.
"Blasphemous, Ray Stantz," I retorted, my voice rising as I turned to face him," you of all people know I don't want to do interviews or like doing them."
His face flushed for a moment at my reprimand.
"Janine, you aren't as shy as I am. I have done them, although I admit I do not like it," Dr. Spengler protested, giving me a sheepish half-smile.
"You are all ganging up on me," I declared skeptically at first. Then I scowled at my former boyfriend and demanded, "is this a joke?"
The Ghostbusters' theoretical physicist blushed at my inquiry, and everyone watched our interaction. Swiftly, I turned my attention away from him.
"Yeah, butter her up a little, Spengs; it's not like you don't love each other still or anything," Peter sarcastically joked.
"No, I won't do it," I stated determinedly. Standing from the chair, I didn't want to endure Dr. Venkman's teasing.
"Come on," Dr. V. persuaded, blocking me from leaving the kitchen table area as he made humorous faces at me to reduce the stress of the situation.
"Peter knows better than to use Egon against me," I contemplated irately and lowered myself back down in the chair.
"Sit, Janine, please sit," Peter requested calmly.
"Sorry, Brooklyn, old habits are hard to die, but I don't want an ass whooping from Iggy, so I profusely apologize."
When I turned around, Dr. Spengler gave the balding Ghostbuster a threatening glare, and I realized the reason that Venkman requested my forgiveness.
"Besides, you have a different relationship with each of us because you aren't a Ghostbuster," Ray added.
With restraint I didn't know he had, Peter managed to hold back a snide comment when the youngest Ghostbuster spoke, but he smirked knowingly at me then Egon.
"Don't. Say. A. Word. Venkman. Or. I. Won't. Do. It," I hissed at him murderously.
"Come on, Pete," Ray reapproached him, coming to my defense rapidly. I observed that Dr. Spengler cracked his knuckles and sternly eyeballed Venkman.
"Don't you remember? I went on a couple of busts, and those terrified me," I confessed, peeking at my notes.
"They aren't going to ask you anything about it or, if they do, just be honest," Dr. Stantz insisted, smiling.
" What about the proton packs? I don't know much about the equipment," I protested with a bit of a nasally whine.
"Neither does Peter," Dr. Spengler quipped, causing Ray to laugh, and then Venkman gave his eldest friend there the middle finger in annoyance.
"They are going to ask things like 'what is it like to work for three scientists?', 'which ghostbuster do you get along with the best?' ' How long have you worked for the company? Probably ask questions about your responsibilities, maybe about our first bust," Peter explained.
"Do I include babysitting you, Peter?" I inquired sarcastically.
"Ha, ha. This is a good opportunity for you, Janine. You don't get the recognition you deserve for all that you do here," he replied earnestly.
The other Ghostbusters agreed vocally.
"But I don't want to be recognized. I know that you all are appreciative of all the work I do, and that's enough," I protested.
"Maybe I can get something I return if I do it," I cunningly thought.
"What if you gave me tomorrow afternoon off for it?"
The conversation went on for a few more minutes, and Peter relented to letting me have extra time off before I got up to answer the first phone call of the day.
"Oh, hi Lucy, how are you? Oh, Ray's here, " I spoke into the phone receiver and I waved at him to come over.
"It's also an audio interview," Pete noted, touching my arm to gain my attention when I sat down at the table.
"Are you trying to sleep with this woman," I suspiciously questioned, narrowing my eyes.
"Of course," he admitted, his cheeks reddened.
"Weren't you seeing someone," Dr. Spengler inquired, raising his right eyebrow in a question. His mouth almost formed into a sneer as if he knew something that Dr. Venkman didn't want him to admit.
"I was; it didn't work out."
"Yes, we know you sulked for two weeks less than a month ago. Who was it?" I pressed my boss, curiously. Dr. Spengler and I were tag-teaming Peter to discover information about the mysterious woman.
"Oh, just some woman I know," Dr. V. replied, and straight away, his expression fell to a gloomier one, producing a guilty feeling in my body.
Dr. Spengler arched an eyebrow to encourage me to probe Peter, but I turned away.
On the day of the interview, I ensured that my dress was immaculate despite the possibility that I would be sweating excessively because it was July.
"Why are you doing an interview again," Wendy asked at breakfast. She had taken the day off because she and her Mom were searching for wedding dresses today.
"It is an audio interview with Paige Platt from talk radio 880. She wants to speak to someone who knows the Ghostbusters the best," I answered, bringing the coffee pot to the table to fill my roommate's cup and then mine. After returning it, I lowered myself into a chair in the kitchen and noticed a small blue box on my plate along with eggs and toast. Astonished, I picked it up and questioned, "Wendy? Is this from you?"
She nodded and urged me to open it.
"Wendy, you don't have to..."
"Shut up, Janine, you know you are like a sister to me. I did it because I wanted to! Now open it," Wendy bossily explained, running her hand through her blonde shoulder-length hair.
Carefully, I opened it to reveal a small white horseshoe with a gold-plated good luck charm.
"Oh, Wendy, this is very thoughtful." I picked it up gingerly and felt a few tears emerge from my eyes.
"Do you like it," she asked excitedly, " I know you are nervous about the interview and thought this might help."
"I love it! Oh, thanks, Wendy!"
Electrified, I put the charm on my bracelet. Wendy had been such a great friend of mine for multiple years now.
"I'm glad! You are welcome. Don't be nervous; you will do well. I'm glad you convinced Peter to give you the afternoon off for this favor. I am assuming he is trying to screw this woman?"
"Thank you. Yes, of course," I answered happily and began digging into my eggs with gusto. Wendy and I discussed his angle for a while as we ate. She inquired if I was still interested in playing racquetball tonight at our club.
"Yes. Still at seven-thirty tonight?"
My wardrobe choice was a smart-looking blue and white striped knee-length dress with shoulder pads, which was the fashion trend. Other radio stations or newspapers might pick up this interview since our business had grown popular, and I needed to appear my best.
"I'll meet you at the club at seven-thirty for racquetball."
Cautiously, I added my lipstick and then put it back in my purse.
"Good luck," Wendy called as I walked out of the apartment.
"You too; I hope you find the right dress."
At eight-fifteen in the morning, the temperature was already in the seventies as I strolled to the station, and I willed myself not to sweat. Fortunately, I managed to perspire just slightly.
"It would be a hot day in the city today," I muttered as I followed a group of people down the stairway to the underground station.
When I arrived at my workplace, I commenced my morning routine without thinking. It was quiet upstairs as Peter and Ray slept in sometimes, and it was my responsibility to wake them up by 9 a.m. I ascended the steps in need of some more coffee.
"Might as well wake them up since it is time," I thought out loud, " hopefully, Dr. Spengler will be..."
At the top of the stairs, I watched my ex-boyfriend eating breakfast while working on some notes. Egon didn't hear me, which I was thankful for, and the tension between us was still palpable since the Victor incident. I mumbled a "good morning" to him then hurried to Ray's bedroom first to wake him up. Dr. Spengler did not glance up from his notepad, lost in thought, which was typical.
"Ray, it is nine," I shouted through the door, pounding my right fist on the wooden door. I repeated my action one more time and then waited a minute to open the door slightly. The last thing I wanted to view was Ray in his underwear or even worse with a woman.
"Get up, Dr. Stantz," I yelled, making as much noise as I could, and strode into the room. I pulled the covers off of the heaviest set Ghostbuster.
"Ok, Ok, Jesus," he moaned, rolling over to sit up.
"Wakey, wakey, eggs, and bakey," I cheerfully sang as I left his room.
Spinning on my heel, I stepped to Peter's bedroom, where the door was shut. I knocked softly and called for him, and there wasn't a reaction. Gradually, I turned the door handle, peaking my head in the room, shouting, "Dr. V? It's nine, time to wake up."
"Janine?"
When I walked into the room, Peter and a woman laid on their sides on his bed, kissing intently without clothes.
"Oh sh-," I muttered.
"Janine," he mumbled, "this is a bad time."
Swiftly, I apologized in a babbling sort of way, backing my way out of the room. I made sure I didn't see anything, and I focused on the ceiling as I backed my way out.
"You assholes," I shouted as I marched out of the room and to where Dr. Spengler sat at the kitchen table, chuckling with Ray. The youngest was still in his red PJs and didn't seem awake yet. They both awaited my reaction anxiously, and I glared in disbelief at them.
"Why didn't one of you tell me that he had someone in there," I forcefully demanded because I felt betrayed by my bosses' joke.
"It's like I just walked into my older brother having sex."
"No, I think they are done for now," Dr. Spengler drily mentioned, not looking up from his notes, " but if you had come here earlier, you might have witnessed it."
"I didn't know she was still there," Dr. Stantz mentioned innocently, turning red, pointing at my ex, "blame Spengler."
Dr. V. wasn't my brother, of course in reality, but just thinking about him screwing a random woman made my stomach turn. I thought of all of my bosses sans Dr. Spengler as a brother.
"Payback is a bit-, huh, Brooklyn" Peter yelled sarcastically from his room.
"You are all jerks," I stormed out of the kitchen and sat on the sofa in the adjoining room. Pouting, I crossed my arms across my chest like a child who wasn't getting their way. Dr. Venkman naturally referred to the one time he walked in on Egon and me having sex in the lab earlier this year.
From the couch, I admonished my former boyfriend, " You know better than to go along with Venkman's pranks, Dr. Spengler."
Absent-mindedly, Egon gazed up from his yellow notepad to consider the annoyed expression I gave him, appearing shocked.
"You didn't know that it was a bad idea to send me into the room where he had a woman in with him," I contemptuously verbalized.
Lately, I caught Dr. Spengler gazing upon me with a grin but a preoccupied expression, which pissed me off greatly after he broke up with ME!
Perplexed, I walked to the kitchen to refill my coffee mug. I didn't have time for games and didn't allow myself to scrutinize the reason for these glances. Ever.
Ray asked me to know who Peter had in his bed. However, I declined since I was still fuming due to their overall immaturity. Casually, I sipped my coffee disregarding everything around me.
"Is that a new charm," the physicist implored, viewing the charm bracelet on my wrist from across the table with interest. He tapped his pen on his notepad as he spoke.
"Yes, Wendy gave me a horseshoe charm for luck with the interview," I reported automatically, admiring it with a grin. I always felt jocular when I observed my bracelet and fingered the charms on it.
"Why am I responding to his questions?" I thought in vexation, then shut my mouth.
"It's lovely, " Dr. Spengler commented, then regarded me with his brown eyes pouring into mine. I could feel them, and I felt my patience waning. Without a moment's delay, I rose from the chair, which squeaked as I did so. I descended the stairs as quickly as I could. Meanwhile, I heard Ray chuckling.
Peter later approached my desk with his tail between his legs metaphorically. He had escorted his date home as I watered the plants in my employer's respective offices. The greenery livened the reception area up, and I loved taking care of them. About six months ago, I convinced Peter to give me a minuscule budget for upkeep and presentation of the reception area.
"I am sorry, Brooklyn, I thought one of the others would have informed you," he began uncomfortably, his forehead wrinkling into lines. Dr. V. ran his left hand through his balding brown hair.
"You wanted your revenge, so you got it," I asserted dismissively, waving my hand in the air. My stomach was fluttering uneasily from nerves about the interview, and my hands were beginning to sweat.
"Is this a new secret girlfriend," I playfully questioned Peter, trying not to think about the inevitable discussion with Paige Platt.
"No, I met Trisha at the bar a week ago, and we have been chatting on the phone. We met up last night there, drank too much, and ended up here," he explained, chagrinned, as a pinkish hue came to his cheeks.
"You seem stressed, Janine, and you just came back from your vacation. Are you ok," Dr. Venkman seriously inquired, studying my face out of concern.
"It has been a rough summer," I answered, honestly, "I haven't been sleeping well, and this paper is driving me nuts."
"Are you seeing the therapist that I suggested," he inquired, his eyes opening as wide as they could.
"Yes," I responded, "Dr. Smith thinks that the lack of sleep is directly related to the incident with Victor."
"No, duh," Peter remarked, knocking his fist on my desk. After a moment, he admitted,
"I am glad it is helping, Janine. You have been through a lot lately, Brooklyn, and I am not the only Ghostbuster that feels that way."
Dr. Venkman thought he was sneaky when he brought up Dr. Spengler, but he wasn't. The phone rang. Flustered by his comment, I picked up the receiver, snapping, "Ghostbustas, Whaddaya want?"
Opening their calendar on the computer to examine their schedule, I found a time for the client. Giving me an empathetic smile, Dr. V. went back upstairs quietly, and I realized he was genuinely concerned for me. My pulse quickened as I thought about the interview again and how I didn't want to do it. Regrettably, the phone immediately rang as soon as I put the receiver down, and I sighed,
" It was going to be like that this morning until my interview at noon."
Fifteen minutes to noon, a pretty pert brunette from a local radio station appeared at my desk, introducing herself as Paige Platt. Rising from my desk, I shook her hand warmly and took her into Dr. Stantz's office to complete the interview.
"Please sit down, Ms. Platt," I offered her a seat in the chair or the sofa against the wall, and I chose to sit on the couch, and she sat next to me.
"Relax, please call me Paige. Dr. Venkman disclosed that this is your first interview," she unveiled but then gave me a reassuring grin before adding, "Don't worry, You will do an extraordinary job. He also said that you were a first-class secretary and young lady."
"Ok, thank you, Paige. Please call me Janine," I said, feeling a little relaxed and pleased by Peter's compliments.
I read the paper with questions- Peter was right; many were questions about my background and my relationship with each Ghostbusters. She wanted me to share a story or incident about each one that showcased their personalities.
"Would you like some coffee, Ms.- I mean, Paige," I inquired politely, standing up, awaiting her answer. She nodded, and I walked out of the office to see the Ghostbusters present, Peter, Ray, and Dr. Spengler sitting around the leader's desk, attempting to eavesdrop on our conversation.
Giggling, Peter kneeled before me, beseeching me to say nice things about him.
"Don't you have enough sex," I hissed after rolling my eyes upwards.
"Didn't you tell me one time that I was envious because I wasn't currently getting any?"Peter inquired, not so innocently, and as a result, I attempted to kick him in his balls. He blocked it with his hands as the other two poorly concealed their howls of laughter.
"I have had it with you three," I resolutely stated and walked off.
When I returned downstairs, the guys were still guffawing at Pete. He managed to have an apologetic expression on his face for a little while. He said, "Janine, I am sorry. Really."
"Ok, Ok," I mouthed, walking into Ray's office with Paige's cup of coffee and shut the door halfway so they couldn't hear anything that I said.
"Are you ok," Paige probed, seriously, as I giggled at the guys' silliness after I handed her the cup.
"Actually, yes," I declared, chuckling a little more, " just a little nervous."
"Men can't live with them, can't live without them, " I thought as I sat down. Paige offered some more relaxation techniques as I sat down and closed my eyes.
Paige drank her coffee as she made the final preparations for the interview. Meanwhile, I envisioned walking around in the Arboretum for my last birthday, viewing the magnificent flowers around me as I did so. I could smell some of the blooming flowers, and that put a grin on my face.
My anxiety instantly lessened, and I opened my eyes.
"I hadn't let myself acknowledge that I was with HIM originally."
When Paige solicited if I was ready to begin, I gave her a beaming smile indicating my preparedness.
"Hi, this is Paige Platt from 880 Talk Radio. Lately, there have been stories regarding the City's only supernatural elimination company, the Ghostbusters. Today, Ms. Janine Melnitz, the secretary extraordinaire from the company, joins me for an exclusive interview. Thank you for granting me this time to get to know your employers, Ms. Melnitz."
"You are welcome. Please call me Janine," I answered in a tone of voice as friendly as I could. As we started the interview, I felt my palms sweat, and my heartbeat quickened.
"All three of your bosses have designated you as the person who runs the business inside and out in several interviews. What are your responsibilities here," Paige inquired.
"Well, that's an exaggeration to some extent. I coordinate their schedules, perform the accounting because I have a minor in it, and any other various things they need done."
"The Ghostbusters are a team. I'm curious, were you automatically accepted as a part of it here, or how did you know when you were?" She asked next.
" After their first bust at the —hotel last June, Dr. Venkman invited me to join them to eat pizza in a celebratory dinner. He likes to push people's buttons to agitate them for a joke if you know him. Dr. V. and I talked about the type of woman he liked to date, and he was asking about my best friend. I quickly put him in place, stating that she wasn't the type he wanted because she frequently spoke her mind. Later, Dr. Venkman jokingly said, 'well, I guess I'll take you two off the list', and I said, 'Oh, thank God,' then I realized the damage I had done. Quickly I backpedaled, trying to apologize. Dr. V. laughed it off, commenting that he knew that I would be a comical addition to the company since I was from Brooklyn. A little later, he said, 'you are in the club, kid," I laughed after I answered, remembering the moment fondly.
"What did the others say?"
"They were amused, but I was terrified that I was going to be fired, which I deserved of course. I later asked Dr. Spengler about Dr. Venkman's meaning of the 'you made it in the club, kid' statement. He told me I was accepted as a member of the group by standing up to Dr. V," I stated earnestly.
"You aren't afraid to speak your mind. Do you think that helps with your working relationship with the Ghostbusters?"
"Sure. Of course, I was totally out of line when I said what I did so I have apologized profusely to Dr. Venkman since then. Still, I do speak my mind more respectfully," I added dutifully and gave her a grin.
"Speaking of Dr. Venkman. How would you describe him?"
"He puts up a front of sarcasm to guard himself against being hurt, but he is a caring, thoughtful person when you are friends with him. Dr. Venkman can be pretty humorous, too," I responded truthfully.
"There, Peter," I thought to myself, " that was for you."
"Are you friends with the Ghostbusters outside of work?"
"Yes," I answered.
"What about Dr. Stantz? Is there anything that you think that maybe you see as someone who works for them that maybe we don't?"
"He is like an older brother to me, and I am closest to him. When I was interviewed for my job, Dr. Stantz and I spent twenty or thirty minutes talking about our personal experiences with ghosts or any psychic abilities in our families. In my case, I have some family members with certain supernatural aptnesses. Dr. Stantz's family is tremendously involved with ghost lore in Canada, especially. Also, we like the same type of music, like the Ramones and Kiss."
"And Dr. Spengler, he doesn't do a lot of interviews and seems very private. He seems grave about his work for the company. Any insight to him when he's not working," Paige proposed innocently.
"Well, I think Dr. Spengler is the most devoted to working on the ideas for equipment and solving problems for the team. His work ethic is unbelievably robust. However, Dr. Spengler does have a weakness for Twinkies and sugar. " I answered, trying to obscure the love in my voice and keep it airy and cordial. I felt my heart palpitate just speaking about him like a teenager in love for the first time.
"Damn it, Janine. Keep it impersonal. This isn't the time to declare your undying love for Dr. Spengler," I reprimanded, feeling a few tears come to my eyes. Still, I squeezed them in, keeping my focus on the interview. Either Paige didn't pick up on my feelings for him or wasn't interested in the possible relationship as a side story. Hopefully, I remained neutral enough.
"It's often said that Stantz is the heart, Spengler the brains, and Venkman, the mouthpiece of the Ghostbusters. I heard that the company is looking for a fourth person, is that correct," she questioned earnestly, and I swiftly agreed.
"How about your role in the dynamic," Paige probed, raising her brown eyebrow.
" As I stated earlier, I coordinate their schedules and do some accounting. I have a minor role," I replied, blushing.
"It doesn't sound like it. In December, Venkman mentioned that you were also about to graduate from King's College with computer systems degrees. Are you going to leave the company when you complete it?"
" I don't know. I love where I work and the team, plus I feel like I belong," I confessed truthfully.
"Do any of the Ghostbusters share your interest in computers?"
"Yes, Drs. Spengler and Stantz because they design the equipment. Fortunately, I have been able to introduce and teach them a few computer applications that could assist them." I acknowledged, nodding at Paige.
"Have you been on a bust with your employers? And if so, what is that like," the brunette lady posed the questions.
"I have been on two or three, in fact, and it was terrifying. At the time, I did not know that I was scared of ghosts, but I am. I had nightmares for a while, but Dr. V. helped me through them," I refuted.
"Do you believe in luck, and do you think that plays a part in the success of the Ghostbusters?
"Well, yes, I do believe in luck. I have a lucky coin from the World's Fair in Flushing Meadows in 1965 that I carry around all of the time. This morning, my roommate gave me this horseshoe charm for this interview," I responded, showing it to her, grinning. Paige feigned interest to keep the interview moving, but I was proud as a peacock of my pretty new charm.
"Do you think your employers believe in good fortune and use it to their advantage," Paige wondered.
"No, not at all. I don't think that the success of Ghostbusters' relies on luck. My employers are excellent at their jobs- catching, trapping, and eliminating ghosts and the paranormal, " I stated politely but firmly.
"Our time is up already. Thank you for this interview, Janine. This is Paige Platt, speaking with the coordinator of the Ghostbusters, Janine Melnitz. Signing out," Paige stated.
"Thank you," I replied.
Automatically, Paige turned the recording machine off, and I felt myself relax immediately. She inquired if she could take a picture, and I agreed. I reapplied my lipstick with a compact mirror in my desk drawer as she prepared the camera. Sighing, I felt a wave of relief overcome my body.
Peter
The three of us gathered around listening to Janine's interview while in my office, curious to see what she would say. Overall, our secretary did a magnificent job, and I couldn't be happier.
"That was perfect," Ray admitted as Paige gathered her belongings in his office, " Janine earned her half-day."
"I knew she would do an excellent job; Janine's very professional," Egon divulged, watching her put on her lipstick longingly. He had been doing a lot of that last month with everything that happened this Spring/Summer.
"Egon, quit staring; that's not helping your case. You don't want to creep her out," Ray advised, nudging his arm.
Regrettably, Iggy was too caught up in her to pay attention to his warning, and Janine gave him a dirty look. I went over to compliment her interviewing skills and continue my flirtation with Paige Platt. She was a most beautiful curvy woman in a brown dress and the star reporter of NYC's talk radio.
"I didn't even realize I was doing it until Janine gave me that look," Dr. Spengler admitted with a sigh, standing up from his chair and walking to the stairs. He probably was going to the lab to brood.
I noticed that Paige seemed to be swayed by the old Venkman charm, and Ray and Janine quietly left when they realized it.
Later that evening..
Winston Zeddemore
Help Wanted:
Ghostbusters Inc is searching for a highly motivated and dedicated individual with a strong work ethic to help capture and eliminate the supernatural entities in the five boroughs. A qualified candidate must exhibit good skills in the following categories: problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical communication. He/She must be willing to work/act as a team, manage stressful situations,, and work under pressure well; technical experience is a plus—full-time position with benefits and competitive pay. Only serious inquiries, please: call 212-897-1964 to schedule an interview with Dr. Peter Venkman or stop by today at 14 North Moore Street, Tribeca Manhattan, New York.
With my desk job with the Army ending in April, I had taken a couple of months off to visit with my friends in the area and live with Maura, my fiancee. I spent most of my time helping my parents make renovations on their house for the past two months.
Maura insisted that I search for a job when the Fourth of July came around this year. I initially thought about applying for the CIA as a military strategist. All the same, I didn't want to live in the country's capital. I also didn't like that area too much because of the politics. My heart belonged in New York and my family was also there. I even briefly pondered law enforcement, but Maura was afraid it was too dangerous. I kind of agreed with her on that point.
The Ghostbusters ad was the first one that caught my attention as I scanned the newspaper, and Maura and I had recently seen an interview with them for a local television news story. It had been engrossing, and I began to contemplate the actions one would take to apprehend a ghost. Before I knew it, I found myself taking a taxi to Manhattan the next day.
Tentatively, I stared up at the Ghostbusters logo sign before strolling into the company's headquarters. The first individual I met was a dainty, attractive lady with reddish-brown hair on the phone with a bright smile and an overtaxed look in her eyes. After the secretary completed her call with a customer, she returned the phone receiver to its cradle. The woman then gave me a fetching smile as I approached the reception area.
"Good Evening, how may I help you," the secretary inquired in a heavy accent.
"Hi, I am Winston Zeddemore; I am interested in the position as a Ghostbuster," I politely introduced myself, grinning.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Zeddemore; I am Janine Melnitz, the company's secretary. Would you care to sit down, and I will ask you some questions in just a moment?" she offered, rising from her chair with a pleasant look on her face.
Ms. Melnitz revealed her cute petite figure as she went behind her desk into an area where more offices were located. Janine wore a knee-length black leather skirt and a red blouse with a chain-link belt around her waist; the latter was explained to me by Maura as the fashion of the day.
As I sat down in the chair in front of her desk, Janine returned frantically with a piece of paper in her hand when the phone started to ring off the hook.
"Just one moment, Mr. Zeddemore, please," she responded to me, and I nodded at her. Next, Ms. Melnitz grabbed the ringing phone and plopped down on her office chair hurriedly, "Ghostbusters, how may I help you?"
For the next five minutes, I watched the auburn-haired lady speak on the phone with customers until I was distracted by a loud bang from a car entering the building.
"Do you believe in UFOs, astral projection, telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trans-mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis," the secretary suddenly questioned me in a Brooklyn accent, with her hands on the side of her face and her big blue eyes wide open. Poor Ms. Melnitz exhibited fatigue.
"If there's a steady paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you say," I wryly quipped, and she snickered then gave me a wide smile.
"Here's tonight's worksheet," Janine announced to her bosses as the others padded by her desk three moments later.
"Oh, great! Two more free repeaters," the chubbier man said sarcastically after looking at the paper. The taller one blew smoke in the direction of their secretary, who coughed for a second then introduced me," This is Winston Zeddemore. He's here about the job."
"Beautiful. You're hired. Ray Stantz, Pete Venkman. Congratulations. Can you help me, please?" The one named Stantz remarked quickly. He looked like death warmed over because he was so tired. and gave me some traps, then announced, "Welcome aboard!"
The black boxes with yellow stripes had a thick layer of smoke protruding from them and had a funny sulfuric smell, so I wrinkled my nose as I accepted them from Ray. He gave me a wry grin as he motioned for me to follow him and the other Ghostbuster.
"Did I make the wrong decision," I wondered to myself as I walked carrying the smoldering traps.