It has now been two weeks of this personal Rhine front of busting, busting, and more busting. While I was used to this workload in my previous life, sleep was rarer than a warm meal. Though my spirit was used to it, the only preparation this particular body had was late-night studying. However, it was still better than the guys' night routine since it had been a while since they were studying.
As professors, they had considerably more than their previous colleagues since I was their only student. Overall, everyone was beyond tired and needed a break, which is where the other benefit of being younger than the rest allowed me a full day of rest and relaxation with my classes whenever I wasn't getting chased by my classmates and a few of the professors of the university on how everything works.
The other guys were not faring well except for Egon, who was thriving more than usual. The search for Dana Barret's ghost had started yielding some results. After finding Zuul in Tobin's Spirit Guide, while searching for basic-level information, we, as good scientists/historians, needed to find more details about the demigod who followed Gozer, whoever that is.
What little we could gather from the books present at the fire station could have given a better picture. So, during the past two weeks, we began finding any reference we could while busting and attending class. I started by asking all the professors in the history and archaeology departments with no results since they kept referring to other gods of Sumerian and Hittites, either close to the name or description from the spirit guide.
Then, I searched the college text archive, checking the index to see if Zuul or Gozer was in the text of ancient civilization, with no luck. We then checked with the New York Public Library with no luck and no sign of the Library ghost either. We then called several libraries across the world and museums with any idea of the information. From the ones that called back, there was no such luck.
This confused us, and it confused Ray the most since if Tobin had it, it should exist; otherwise, where did Tobin get it? After a break, Egon realized we were spending too much on one part of the mystery. We then began checking into every part, but not too deep. The first was the fridge, and after seeing that from the information given by Dana, it should not have had anything to do with it. Then, we began looking more into the building, and while we were waiting to get the plans for the building, the man who built it was more interesting since he seemed to be the key to it all, so I went back to all the areas and began looking in sections about one Ivo Shandor.
While the investigation continues, I am with Egon in the basement with the Storage containment.
"So when do you think we can build the permanent storage facilities that we'll need to build so we don't have a nuke in downtown New York," I asked, going through reports I had the guys write after jobs and requests of new devices to be built so that we don't have too many untested devices at one time currently I was looking at a request to create a Proton Bazooka.
"It's not going to nuke the city. It's stable for now." Egon said while recording the weight of a Twinkie.
"I don't like the sound of that. I feel we need a more permanent location, and maybe a laboratory that isn't where we live seems like an OSHA violation, and if it isn't, it should also be. I do not want to risk anything to chance when the government starts regulating us," I said while reading a request for Ghost Knife, a knife that only hurt ghosts.
"I concur, but it's gonna need to be soon. We may need to get another mortgage on Ray's home," Egon said before eating the measured Twinkie.
"That's not good. Have we picked any new locations, or why are we so busy," I said, reading about a Super Slammer trap for the ecto 1.
After approving the Super Slammer, I heard Ecto doors close. It's Peter and Ray getting back after a bust. That must have been bad because I could smell the smoke from here. I may have attempted to ban smoking since the public finally realized the dangers of smoking, but that didn't mean that they stopped entirely. They smoked, especially if I wasn't at the firehouse on Wednesday or when they thought I wasn't around.
Next was the sound of Ray coming down the stairs, but not Peter with him. His footsteps were different. Did someone apply for this job? Sure enough, after a moment, Ray stumbled down, followed by a well-dressed black man, not too overdressed but casual. The man was behind Ray, holding two ghost traps and trying to avoid touching them.
Ray told the man about the job and the benefits, stopping his spiel from taking a drag on his cigarette when he noticed me. He looked like a deer in headlights as I walked over as he reached the final step. Before he could say a word, I took the cigarette out of his mouth and slapped him.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop smoking? It'll kill you one of these days, and I don't want to put you in the containment unit, but so help me, I will put you in there before these ever do," I said, throwing the cigarette on the ground and stomping it out.
"And here is Tanya Degurechaff, our student turned ghostbuster," Stantz said, looking at the man behind him.
"Sorry about that, here, let me help you," I said, taking the traps out of his hands, removing the cable from them, and throwing them into the cable box.
"Well, thank you, uh … Tanya, I am Winston Zeddemore," He said, offering his hand.
"Pleasure, what made you take the job? If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious about what methods of advertising work. I said, shaking his hand.
"Well, I don't think it will help but a little bit of my mother and a bit of the newspaper." He said with a chuckle.
This was surprising, but not entirely. The ad we took out in the paper was not what you would say is "great," but when they put me in charge of writing the ad, I decided to take a similar version I did with the 203rd because that had the opposite effect I wanted, so I thought it might work this time in favor of me. However, this time was better since I could offer good pay.
"This is Dr Egon Spengler. He is the brain behind the equipment," Stantz said.
"Hey, Tanya, could you come up here momentarily!" Venkman shouted down the stairs.
"I'd like to talk to you more, Winston, but I gotta see what that's all about," I said before leaving.
When I reached the top, I saw Venkman putting out his cigarette before looking at me and shrugging a half.
"So, did you meet the new guy?" Venkman said as he swung the swinging door.
"Good, Good. We got a guy from the EPA. I'll lift my left finger when I want you to chime in," Venkman said with seriousness, so I nodded with understanding.
I followed Venkman into his office, and sure enough, there was a red-haired man in a suit and tie with a lapel pin.
"Can I help you?" Venkman said as I went and sat in one of the chairs in the office.
Standing up, the man put his hand out, saying, "I'm Walter Peck. I represent the Environmental Protection Agency in the 3rd district." As he realized that Venkman still had slime in his hand.
"Great, how's it going down there?" Venkman said as he slathered more slime onto Peck's suit.
"Are you Peter Venkman? I assume you are Tanya Degurechaff." Peck said quizzically.
"Yes, I'm Doctor Venkman," Peter said while I nodded my head.
"What exactly are you a doctor of, Mr. Venkman?" Peck said as if he was asking a child.
"Well, I have a Ph.D. in parapsychology and psychology," Venkman said, pointing to one of his doctorates. Pecked looked surprised that Venkman could even say parapsychology.
"I see. And you, Ms Degurechaff, why are you here? Peck said, turning his focus to me.
"She was one of my students at Columbia. She is finishing her degree this next month." Venkman said, pulling Peck's attention back to him.
"Okay, I get it, and now you both catch ghosts," Peck continued.
"You can phrase it like that," Venkman interjected.
"And how many of these ghosts have you caught, Mr. Venkman?" Peck said, staring straight at Peter.
"I'm not at liberty to say," Venkman responded.
"And where do you put these ghosts once you catch them?" Peck asked as he paced the office space.
"In a storage facility," Venkman answered.
"And would these storage facilities be located on these premises?" Peck asked.
"Yes" Venkman answered.
"And may I see this storage facility?" Peck asked.
"No" Venkman answered.
"And why not, Mr. Venkman?" Peck asked and sat in the chair opposite mine.
"Because you did not use the Magic word," Venkman said.
"And what is the magic word, Mr. Venkman?" Peck asked.
"I thought everyone knew it, don't you?" Venkman said, looking at me, knowing where he was going with it. I nodded. "Right there, even she knew it, it's please."
"May I please see the storage facility, Mr. Venkman?" Peck said with a chuckle.
"Why do you want to see the storage facility?" Venkman asked.
"Because I'm curious," Peck said, changing his tone. "I want to know more about what you do here. Frankly, there have been a lot of wild stories in the media, and we want to assess any possible environmental impact from your operation, for instance, the presence of noxious, possibly hazardous waste chemicals in your basement. Now you either show me what is down there-" I notice Peter Raise's left-hand pointer finger.
"Sorry to interrupt Mr. Peck, but if you don't mind, I'd like to dispel any of these rumors. First, it's Dr. Venkman; second, I'm curious as to why the Environmental Protection Agency would be interested in our business since we have not ordered any significant quantities of chemicals and do not produce anything but services to the public. If you have any questions on how our techs work, I'm sure the patent office would be more than willing to allow you to see our patents." I said as politely as possible, but near the end, it may have come out as yelling.
"Oh, it speaks. Maybe I should call the labor board and let them know that besides hiding possible chemicals, the Ghostbusters also put a minor in danger by simply having her presence. Now, this is the last time I will ask politely. Show me the storage unit, or I will return with a court order and shut you down.
"Do not talk to her like that. If you bring a court order, I will sue your ass for wrongful prosecution and Harassing a minor!" Venkman said, slamming his hand down.
"You can have it your way, Mr. Venkman," Peck said before storming out.
"By the way, you can get that slime out of your suit with some holy water. Careful not to get any on yourself," I shouted as he left.
"Say, is that true? Does Holy Water get this stuff off?" Venkman said, looking at his slime-soaked suit.
"Unfortunately, yes, Ray, Egon, and I have been trying to figure out the difference between regular water and Holy Water, but we haven't found any difference. There is not even a difference in Psychokinetic energy levels," I said disgustingly. Being X has somehow interfered with having a clean and dirty uniform, so does his interference have to be this obvious?
"Been wondering how they'd been cleaning these. Also, you probably should not have mentioned the patent office. I imagine we might have to deal with the NRC sometime soon." Venkman said.
"I have a feeling that he isn't going to contact any other departments since he wouldn't get the credit for it," I said.
"Let's hope you're right, kid," Venkman said, ruffling my hair. It might have been a good moment if he hadn't wiped slime all over my head.
"You Ass," I said, smacking his hand away when I realized what he did.
We headed back down to the basement to both inform Ray and Egon about the situation as well as get to know Mr. Zeddemore before beginning his training in the field of work that he would be in for however long he would stay here, I imagine after his first bust if he doesn't quit after that or two weeks after then he will probably be sticking around for a bit.
As we passed by Janine, I got Winston's resume and the forms I had to fill out for his employment. From the information I saw on his resume, he seemed to be a near-perfect match for the company. He graduated high school, got a bachelor's degree, did construction work, and joined the Marines, where he spent many years until he transferred to the Air Force, where he went to Strategic Air Command ECM school only to leave and get a Master's degree.
After that, he did some odd jobs. I saw a cab driver and a fortune teller as other jobs. His certificates were numerous, though that was expected due to military training, but he was certified to handle computers and electrical repair. His physical appearance told me he maintained an athletic workout routine and could most likely carry the needed equipment.
Winston was the best we could get in human capital. Who knew we would luck out on our first applicant? Not only that, but he was black. As bad as it sounds, this was like the cherry on top of it. Not only did it show diversity in the company, but while it was good that I was in the company, the addition of a black man showed that anyone could be a Ghostbuster, which allowed for an expansion in marketability.
There was also the practical side of the addition of having a black man in the business since, for whatever reason, cyclical roaming vapors tend to respond better to those who are black. Why this is the cause is unknown to us and will probably be studied further after a while with Winston's approval. After glancing at Winston's resume, Peter and I arrive at the basement, where I smell a distinct terrible smell.
Looking up from the resume, I see Ray and Winston smoking, from which I glare at them, causing them to put their cigarettes in the ashtray. Peter meanwhile examines the Storage unit.
"We just had a visit from the Environmental Protection Agency. How's the grid holding up?" Venkman asked
"Not good," Egon responded.
"Tell them about the Twinkie," Winston said.
"What about the Twinkie?" I asked.
"Well, according to the readings we've recorded, if a normal-sized Twinkie were the regular PKE readings, this morning's Twinkie would be 35 feet long and 600 pounds," Egon said, holding a Twinkie.
"That's not good. If it's surging that much, when do you think the following disaster will occur?" I asked.
"Not sure, but I imagine before the end of next year at the latest if we go back to normal PKE levels," Egon said.
"That's really not good," I said.
"Seems like you chose the best time to join up," Peter said.
"Lucky me, I guess," Winston said sarcastically.
"You know, Peter, we ought to get back out there," Ray said, looking at his watch.
"What about his training?" Peter said.
"Tanya can handle it," Ray said as he and Peter went upstairs.
"Shall we get started then, Winston," I said as I smiled.
"I recognize that kind of smile. I don't like that," Winston said, looking at Egon.
"Nonsense, you don't have anything to worry about," I said with a cackle.
By the time Ray and Peter returned to the firehouse at sunset, Winston was exhausted and well-informed about the workings of the essential equipment. Winston was also shown to be athletic enough to move quite quickly, carrying the equipment. Now, all that was left was some practice using the equipment. Luckily, as part of his training, I had him move some pumpkins to the roof.
When we have a permanent storage facility and labs, I would like to create a practice location that is better for it than attempting to hit stationary targets like a setup that would allow us to release a ghost for training in a controlled environment because while a trial by fire is excellent for those that are quick to adapt, not everyone that we will hire as we expand would be great for that since we are still getting started up. However, blasting pumpkins on the roof will have to do.
"Hey, how's the training coming along," Ray said, opening the roof access door.
"I'd say great. We're just about to do some target practice," I said.
"Have you thought about being a drill instructor?" Winston said through some breaths.
"I used to, but I don't think I'll ever return to it. It really hurt my throat," I said, seeing Ray and Winston look at me confused. "Grab your stick!" I said as Winston shot up straight, grabbed the neutrino wand, and slid it off the back.
"Holding," Winston said.
"Heat 'em up."
"Smoking," Winston said as he turned the pack on.
"Make 'em hard."
"Ready," Winston said as he extended the barrel.
"Strike," I said, and Winston blasted one of the pumpkins without delay.
"And that's all there is to it, really," I said, patting him on the back.
"Good job, kid," Ray said. "we'll get you out there soon, but we'll need to get you the uniform before you can go out. It shouldn't take too long,"
"Say I've been meaning to ask how much this job pays," Winston asked.