Chapter 30
Song Suggestion: "She Works Hard For Her Money" by Donna Summer
Early February 1984
Janine
This morning, I overslept because the electricity went out overnight during the colossal ice storm the City suffered through. Last night, of course, was the only time Egon hadn't spent the night at my apartment this week because of the threat of inclement weather.
Under the thickest and most heat-insulated blankets I owned, I was in the middle of an appealing dream. Egon and I were drifting in the Atlantic Ocean at the beach, floating with the waves as they crashed on the shore. We were also splashing around in the refreshing water and holding onto each other tightly as they transported us there. In reality, the ice storm caused the electricity to blow a fuse. I woke up at nine in the morning, fifteen minutes before I had to be at work, and I checked my watch on my nightstand.
"Oh no! I'm going to be late," I groaned, and I immediately leaped out of bed to run to the bathroom to relieve myself. After I started the shower, I swiftly grabbed the first outfit out of my closet that appeared to be ironed, a cotton blue ankle-length skirt, and a long v-neck blue sweater. Still, I knew that I needed to layer my clothing with the freezing temperatures, so I also took out a long-sleeved cotton white t-shirt.
I took a quick shower, mostly to wake myself up and clean the areas on my body that needed it the most. My teeth were chattering while I put on my clothes quickly to avoid freezing to death because it was freakin' frigid.
"Grrr," my stomach growled, but I knew I didn't have time for breakfast.
After I put on my watch, I noticed that it was already 9:13 a.m. and ran into the living room to sit on the sofa to put on my black ankle-length boots. I reached over for the phone and called the Firehouse to let my bosses know that I would be late. Luckily, Peter was understanding and informed me not to hurry.
My stomach was very grateful for Dr. V.'s mercy this morning, and I began to make oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. Since I had some additional time, I went into my bathroom, flipped on a light, fixed my hair, and applied makeup on my face.
Thus, I ate my breakfast and drank a steaming cup of black coffee, but I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as I did. Something felt out of place today, probably because I woke up much later than average. I disregarded the odd feeling, put my dishes in the sink, and then filled them with water and soap to soak.
When I spoke to the taxi service, the operator reported it would take thirty-five minutes to one hour. As a result, I sat down on the sofa for a few minutes, and I fell right asleep. Now it was ten fifty when I awoke, meaning that I had missed my taxi. I jumped off the sofa to grab my heavy coat and snow boots. Facetiously, I would have to take the subway after all, and I knew the next one left at eleven oh-five.
"Guess I will be working eleven-thirty to eight-thirty tonight. Oh, and Egon and I were supposed to go to see a movie tonight at seven," I whined as I put my black snow boots on my feet, then my winter gloves. Grabbing my purse, backpack, and keys, I walked as swiftly as I could to the subway station.
"It was so freezing outside," I moaned as I braved the elements, "Why couldn't I be off today?"
The walk to the station was only seven minutes, but it felt like an eternity with the wind blowing into me. It was one of those windy days in New York City like you saw in the movies, and the wind chill froze me to my bone even though I used my red scarf to cover my mouth and nose while I soldered onto the station.
As I sat on the subway train into Manhattan, I persisted with my earlier dream. Egon and I were in each other's arms in the comfortably warm ocean water, carefreely laughing and smiling. He was wearing blue swim trunks and me in my dream, a red one-piece high cut in the leg and a low cut in the breast area. Wrapping my legs around his waist, he bent down to kiss me and then…
"Canal Street," an automated voice announced. It aroused me from a pleasant dream of me and my boyfriend canoodling with each other in the middle of the ocean with the roasting day's sun blazing down on us.
"Maybe one day," I groaned, opening my eyes and preparing to exit the subway car.
After reciting a quick prayer, I braced myself for the cold while I sped walked through the subway station and rubbed my gloved hands together to warm them. My key for the Firehouse was in my purse, and I fished for it in front of the door for what seemed like forever until I discovered it. Half frozen, I unlocked the door and quickly entered the warm building and quickly removed my jacket, scarf, and gloves when I made it inside the warm building. Next, I detached my feet from my wet snow boots then I strode to my desk to see Peter's note for my day.
Grabbing the note from my desk, I read it as I climbed the stairs to retrieve a cup of coffee from the kitchen. Peter requested that I run some personal errands for him and pick up Greek food for everyone for lunch in the early afternoon. For my "extra" work, he generously offered to pay for my meal.
I savored every drop of the hot liquid in my mug as I drank my coffee. At full tilt, I cleaned up the kitchen, the landing, and the lab areas. I then descended the stairs to start my "extra" work for the day. Dr. Venkman left me an envelope of money on my desk for a taxi for the chores and to pay for everyone's meal.
On a blank piece of paper, I wrote "Ok, thank you, Dr. V., Janine" and the name of my favorite salad for my lunch order. I took his list of errands for me to complete with the envelope of money, and then turned on the answering machine to do my job during my absence. Sighing heavily, I didn't want to go back outside, but I had to so I bundled back up.
Opening the door swiftly, I grabbed my keys out of my jacket pocket and locked the building. The first errand was to go to one of Peter's ex-girlfriend's houses in the Bronx to retrieve some of the clothes that he left there. Hailing a cab with a quick whistle, one pulled up to the curb, almost splashing me with icy water that melted from the snow.
"Come on," I groaned, jumping away from the curb before it hit me, and the driver asked my destination by rolling down his window. As I answered him, the Indian man with a mustache smiled and politely opened the door for me. I gratefully entered the car and sat down while closing the door.
"Which girlfriend is this," I wondered to myself, rubbing my gloved hands for warmth, but before I left the taxi, I checked Dr. Venkman's notes for the woman's name.
"Melanie?"
When we arrived in the Bronx, I told the taxi driver I would be back in five to seven minutes, and he should run the meter while I was gone. It was Peter's money, after all, and he gave me plenty.
His ex, Melanie, resided in the Bronx Commons, an apartment complex, on the fourth floor. Conscientiously, I chose to take the steps because I had neglected to attend some of my early morning aerobics classes due to dating Egon. We had plenty of steamy sex in many different positions, which was good exercise, and we would play racquetball once or twice a week together. I was thrilled that he allowed me to teach him my hobby and that even he liked it a little. Somehow I hadn't gained any weight even though Egon insisted on spoiling me by taking me out to dinner about three times a week. I did cherish cooking homemade meals for us on the other days.
"Melanie, the girl from the Christmas party when I was dating Lloyd, mostly to make Egon jealous. Didn't Venkman invite her to the New Years' party then end up having sex with someone else? Shoot," I thought, "that brunette was going to be displeased to see anyone associated with the Ghostbusters."
Anxiously, I knocked on the apartment labeled 41 C and awaited an answer.
"Hello, Melanie? I am Janine from the Ghostbusters. Do you remember me?"
Blushing, I felt awkward about the situation that Peter put me in.
The tall skinny brunette ballet dancer with high cheekbones answered, looking peeved at viewing me answered in a calm voice,
"Yes, I remember you, Janine. How can I help you?"
"Oh, uh, hello, Melanie. Dr. Venkman asked me to pick up some of his clothes and books from here," I anxiously stated, looking at my feet. I didn't blame her for being angry.
She glared back at me with her piercing green eyes and furrowed black brows.
"Oh really? That jackass doesn't dare to come to get it himself," Melanie incredulously demanded.
Shaking my head side to side, I fiddled with a string on my black coat.
"Come on in, Janine, please sit down on the sofa, and I will find Peter's things," Melanie offered politely, allowing me entrance after a long awkward minute of silence.
I followed her and lowered myself on her cream-colored sofa in the middle of the apartment. The TV was on a news channel, so I focused my attention on that for several minutes.
"Here it is," Melanie grumpily stated, returning to the room with a folded paper bag. She first stopped at her kitchen table to scribble a note for me to give Peter then put the letter in the bag before handing it to me. Standing, I accepted the package and excused myself expeditiously.
Habeeb, my friendly taxi driver, drove to Rutgers University, the Newark campus, specifically the Social Science building, in the warm taxi cab. We were becoming quite cordial as we spent a little time in traffic. He dotingly spoke about his four children and a wife he supported. I made a mental note to give Habeeb an extra-generous tip as he deserved it being the nicest cabbie I ever knew in the City.
"What does Peter need there," I grumbled, finally opening Melanie's bag because curiosity got the best of me. It contained a book on Kama sutra, a pair of khaki pants, a pair of tightey-whitey underwear, a pair of handcuffs, a blindfold, a bottle of lube, a cock ring, and a box of condoms.
Melanie's note read: "Burn in hell, Venkman!"
Bursting into laughter, I snorted through my nose, causing Habeeb to examine me suspiciously as he told me about his youngest daughter.
"Sorry, please continue," I replied, still giggling, covering my mouth with my hand.
Heavy traffic prevented us from arriving at the next destination promptly. When I checked my wristwatch, it was one fifteen when we arrived there. I checked the directions before going into the brown brick building.
"Office of Dr. Valentina Gaitan," I read aloud before grudgingly exiting the vehicle Habeeb had kept at the perfect temperature. I hurried to the building where Peter's friend worked, and ran inside.
By reading a brochure about the department faculty as I waited, I discovered that Dr. Valentina Gaitan was a psychologist specializing in Forensics. I heard a salubrious voice inquiring,
"Come in, Ms..?"
"Melnitz, Janine Melnitz, I am the secretary for the Ghostbusters, and Dr. Venkman sent me to see you," I explained.
Grinning, I shook Dr. Gaitan's hand and say when she offered me a seat. A middle-aged Hispanic woman who wore black slacks and a thick red turtleneck sweater that matched her lipstick sat in front of me. She wore a diamond ring that was two times the width of her slender fingers on her hand, indicating she was engaged. Since its luminosity almost blinded me, I had to peer away from it.
"Oh, hello. I am Dr. Valentina Gaitan; it is nice to meet you. How is Peter?"
"You as well, Dr. Gaitan. Dr. Venkman is well," I politely answered, maintaining a smile on my face as I attempted to figure out the relationship between the two as she spoke.
"Where are the files that I need him to review for me? And the ones to interview the client," Dr. Gaitan inquired out loud as she scooted her chair backward to pursue her filing cabinets in her desk.
"Here they are," she excitedly announced, retrieving three bulky manila letter-size envelopes then putting them on her desk. Dr. Gaitan wrote a letter to Peter on a sticky note before placing it on top and then slid them over to me.
"Peter is doing me a favor for me," she sneakily added, standing from her chair with a grin. That was my hint to do the same, so I thanked her for her time after taking the envelopes, and I left her office. When I arrived in the cozy warm vehicle, I pulled out Peter's note. I cheerfully apprised Habeeb about our next destination in Staten Island, Samantha's, another ex-girlfriend, house.
One very frosty day after we returned from a bust, I came across a couple of letters on my desk addressed to Dr. Egon Spengler that Janine had sorted incorrectly. I padded into the lab to give Egon his mail, discerning that a couple of them were from the American Physical Society.
Peter
"I hoped he wasn't in there with Janine," I muttered underneath my breath as I strolled into the lab.
Fortunately, I remembered that our sassy Brooklynite was running some personal errands for me. I signed a little in relief as I discovered my close friend working on an experiment alone. Also, I chuckled, realizing that Janine was doing some of my "dirty" work and that she would be agitated with me when she returned.
"But that's why I am buying her lunch," I recalled inwardly.
Oblivious to the world, I approached Iggy, sitting at the lab table. His head was down, shoulders hunched, focused on some calculation, and oblivious to the world around him as always.
"Yo, brainiac! Your lady gave me some of your mail. I guess Brooklyn forgot how to read since you started dating," I teased, punching his shoulder lightly.
"Huh?" my friend muttered, barely looking up from his work.
"Here's your mail," I sheepishly handed it to Egon. I knew that teasing Brooklyn was off-limits now that they were together.
"Thank you, Peter," the oldest Ghostbuster absent-mindedly remarked before taking the mail.
Egon could focus on his work like no one I had ever seen, so it took him a few seconds to readjust to the world around him. Nevertheless, he eagerly opened the letter from the APS first when he saw it with a slight half-grin on his long face.
"What is it?" I inquired, nosily, looking over his shoulder to read it.
"Dr. Spengler, we regret to inform you that we will not publish the article that you submitted in November regarding the paranormal containment. We don't recognize the supernatural as a discipline."
Crestfallen, Egon read in his deep voice. I put my hand on his back, trying to support him.
"Well, I expected that, honestly. I just hoped I was incorrect," he remarked bitterly. Consequently, Egon tore the rejection letter into two pieces and then, in half again, threw it away.
From experience, I knew that theoretical physicists didn't handle disappointment well. I detected that he braced himself by exhaling noisily before opening the second one from the American Physical Society.
"Dr. Spengler, the APS regrets to inform you that you did not receive the innovation grant you applied for due to the topic's frivolousness. As the APS does not recognize the paranormal, your work in this field is irrelevant. We suggest that you pursue a field more meaningful," the genius scientist read.
Again, Egon balled up the second rejection letter in anger then threw it in the trash can. He missed it, so I picked it up for him, and I also threw the first refusal letter away.
"Crumbs," Iggy growled frustratedly, trying to maintain his composure. He clenched his hands into fists tightly, and his face had transformed into a bright red.
Spengler was always skeptical whether his work with the Ghostbusters was Nobel-worthy, and the APS seemed to confirm it was not.
Janine
Finally, my last stop was at a family-owned Greek restaurant fifteen minutes away from the Firehouse. I gave Habeeb a handsome tip and left the vehicle with all of my bounties in my arms from my morning errands, barely able to carry it all.
"Help! Peter? Ray?! Would you be able to assist me?" I called.
I observed Dr. Stantz sitting in my desk chair, probably answering the phones in my absence. He rose and jogged over to where I stood to take two of the bags from my arms.
"Thanks, big brother. How did the bust go?" I inquired? My arms hurt a little from carrying those heavy bags, and I sighed in relief when Ray took them.
"You are welcome, J. It was a pain in the ass. I won't lie, and the case took over two and a half hours to capture the ghost," the youngest Ghostbuster good-naturedly answered with a boyish grin.
"At least it is done, Ray, over," I reminded, winking at him as I took my jacket, scarf, and gloves. He set the bags on my desk.
"True! I heard that you and Wendy lost power last night because of the storm."
"Yes, regrettably. Then guess what? I missed the taxi when it arrived because I fell asleep on the sofa," I disbelievingly explained and smacked my head with my now free right hand.
"Bummer! It was probably for the best; people can't drive on the ice. The streets were a zoo this morning," Ray informed.
As the smell of the delicious food wafted through the building, a deafening bang came from upstairs. The youngest Ghostbuster disregarded the noise as I awaited an explanation from him.
"Ooh, I'm hungry," he replied appreciatively, "thanks for picking up lunch. Where did you have to go for Venkman?"
Another door slammed, perhaps the one to the roof this time, and I answered Ray's question.
He chuckled at Venkman's audacity to ask me to do something so trivial. Still, my mind was on where Egon was at the time, so instead, I inquired, "Where is everyone? I am starving, too."
For a second, he nervously pretended to ignore my comment until I asked again as we ascended upstairs with the bags in our arms.
"Uhm, J, he was on the roof. Peter's talking Egon down because he received two rejection letters from the American Physical Society, and he is fuming, saying the least," Stanz sadly explained.
"What?" I exclaimed, feeling immediate gloom for Egon, and my heart dropped to my stomach. I knew that he desired to be recognized by the APS and recently wrote a grant to help pay for some of the new equipment he and Ray were designing.
Dr. Stantz seized my hand to stop me when we reached the top of the stairs and informed me that I should let Peter handle it first.
"Are you sure?" I inquired, wide-eyed.
"Egon doesn't take rejection well," Ray confessed, and I stated that I knew. However, the chubby Ghostbuster saw Egon in this mood a few times previously, saying it wasn't pretty.
Peter had just come in from the biting cold, evidenced by his bright red face. He now was sitting at the table, exhibiting a distressed expression. But Dr. V was quiet, too, and that in itself was an indication that something wasn't right. We put the bags on the kitchen table, and I concernedly questioned, "Where's Egon?"
Rubbing his hands together to warm his hands up, Peter shook his head at us.
"He's in the lab, Janine. Maybe you should talk to him. I spoke to him for ten minutes and got him out of the cold. Did Ray update you?"
"Yes, thanks, Peter," I sincerely thanked him with a small smile, "I know you did your best."
"Brooklyn, I don't think I have seen Iggy like this..."
Dismissively, I waved my right hand at him and strolled to the door of the lab, where I knocked. There wasn't a response, but the door wasn't locked, so I gingerly pulled on it. Egon wasn't anywhere to be seen until I checked the corner, the one where he sat after he busted his knuckles on the glass on the fire extinguisher case. He currently had his head against the wall, and mumbled to himself.
"Egon," I questioned worriedly. But there wasn't a response. I walked gradually to him and put my hand on the back of his shoulder.
"Dr. Spengler?"
Without warning, Egon spun around, and I stepped back. I was astounded to observe him red-faced and tears coming from his eyes. My heart dropped to my stomach, and my knee-jerk reaction was to console him. Cautiously, I approached him. We gaped at each other for a bit before I soothingly urged with open arms for Egon to embrace me,
"Come here, my darling."
I wrapped my arms around him tightly, feeling a mother-like instinct overcome me, and whispered up to him, "I know, my love. It will be ok."
Meanwhile, Egon muttered incoherently underneath his breath in between, taking large gulps of air.
"I love you," I informed him, "you will get through this and come out stronger. They are going to regret this decision when you create the next greatest invention."
Joyfully, I held my boyfriend in my arms for as long as he needed. I felt pleased to be able to comfort Egon as he did when I was upset or discouraged. As a result, I hugged him tighter, feeling the whiskers on his face coming in. Then, I kissed the top of his forehead gently.
"This isn't manly of me, I'm afraid," Egon gloomily spoke, taking his glasses off to wipe his face after pulling back from me.
"I don't care; I love you, Egon Spengler, for who you are," I reminded him with a bright grin. His expression was one of devastation, and I felt my heartache painfully.
We maintained eye contact for a while until I pulled Egon's head down to me with my arms, and I reassuringly kissed him. Afterward, my boyfriend questioned in a bewildered fashion saying,
"I love you so much, Janine Melnitz. What have I done without you all of these years?"
Then he kissed me.
Egon
Shortly, we joined Peter and Ray in the kitchen to eat our Greek lunch, shyly holding hands until we sat down at the table by each other. The other two Ghostbusters had commenced eating already, but Ray asked, hesitantly "You ok?"
I nodded at Ray and commented wryly, " Yes, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it. "
"Hear, hear," Venkman agreed, laughing and taking a drink of his tab cola, causing all of us to smile. I recovered Janine's salad from the take-out bag and placed it in front of her.
"What's with this wild goose chase you sent me on today, Dr. Venkman?" Janine wondered, inquiring about the resident Psychologist, thanking me with a smile.
"Oh, how did that go," Peter nonchalantly commented, but there was a sly glint in his eyes.
"Really? How did it go?" Janine asked incredulously, with her infamous Brooklyn attitude and accent making an appearance. Her facial expression was one of disbelief.
"Well, I deserve that. But, unfortunately, I also slept with her best friend and another friend later on," Dr. Venkman wryly smirked in sort of an apology for him.
Ray chuckled, "the master of relationships with women, Dr. Peter Venkman, lady, and gentlemen."
"Oh, wait, the best part is the item in the bag," Janine exclaimed to Peter's great embarrassment, putting down her fork for a second, and he gave her an irked glare.
"You looked?"
"Yes, sir, I did, Peter. When you send me into the lion's den, all privacy goes out of the window," Janine remarked, raising my eyebrow.
"What was in it," I curiously asked after chewing my delicious Greek food.
"A kama sutra book, a blindfold, handcuffs, underwear, a pair of pants, lube, and a COCK ring," Janine whispered conspiratorially. Still, she yelled the words "cock ring" part then laughed wildly at Peter's chagrin.
"The secrets to the life of a playboy," Ray jested, and Venkman gave us a withering look as his eyes moved upward toward the sky in disgust.
Fifteen minutes later, the phone rang and Janine answered it.
"Guys, you have a client in Staten Island," she recalled and handed Peter the details on a piece of paper.
That night at Janine's apartment, we happily laid in each other's arms.
Maybe rejection wasn't the end of the world after all.