The biggest tragedy of not getting Season 3 is that we will never get to see Ollie's chairman arc. Heck, there was a lot about Ollie the show didn't get a chance to explore. That's where this fic comes in, to shine the spotlight on this sweet, swoopy-haired boy.
Each chapter will explore the relationship with Ollie and another character or two, while also diving more into who he is and his time as the Chairman of the Ghost World. We're going to start by seeing his relationship with Molly from his POV.
Taking place in a third season between 'JVTHW' and 'The End', the majority of the unused scripts are canon with a small handful of exceptions (like 'Dead and Breakfast' which was confirmed to have already been cut, and anything that followed finding the lunchbox as in this timeline they do not uncover it) This chap specifically takes place after the 'UpROOTing the Chens' episode.
Knock Knock
The swoopy-haired boy looked up from what he was doing, hearing the knock on his door. "Come in, June." He could always tell when it was his sister. She's the only one who knocks politely, not like his dad who bursts in or his mom who calls out from the other side of the door.
Opening the door, June popped her head into her brother's room. "Ollie, have you seen my jumper cables?"
"Not lately, did you pack them back up when we were going to move?" Now that the Ghost Chaser Chen's no longer chased ghosts, they had to shut down their MeTube channel. His dad was offered to work at the family rubber glove factory (despite his latex allergy) and the family had gotten packed up and nearly moved out of Brighton. Why didn't they move? The same reason Ollie learned to trust ghosts, Molly. She came up with turning Ruben's root beer into a business and got them working with the Davenports. They got to stay in Brighton with a new root beer pub and everything was back to normal… though they had to unpack everything that had been re-packed.
June tried to think if there was still a box unaccounted for. "Hmm, it could have gotten mixed in with the filming equipment…" She almost left the room, now having a new lead to follow, until she noticed that her brother was intently focused on his daily planner. "What are you up to?"
"Oh-" Ollie turned the book so that it was facing June, the page for today was covered in writing of various colors and several post-it notes and scribbles of correction. "I've got a date with Molly today and I can give my utmost guarantee that it will be the most perfect date in the history of perfect dates!"
His sister read over his messy handwriting, noting how often things were scribbled out and replaced or corrected with notes. "Wouldn't it have been easier to do this in pencil?"
She had a point, but it was too late for that now. "In hindsight, yes." Ollie agreed. "But it doesn't matter, I've got our day all planned out. First, there's a crepe truck that stops by the school at noon. Molly mentioned that she hadn't tried them yet, so I figured it'd be the best way to start. After that, we'll go to the movies at one thirty, arriving fifteen minutes early to allow for bathroom breaks and any additional lines for tickets or snacks. And to top it all off, there's a mixed music showcase at the Bandshell this evening. We'll dance under the twilight, and it's going to be so magical!"
That sounded like a lot for one date, but June supposed that was what couples did when they were together. "I'm sure Molly will like it. How long have you been planning this?"
"Since 4:30 this morning." Ollie shrugged, he'd made the preliminary itinerary last night before bed but the final draft came when he woke up and triple checked on everything they could possibly do today. He had to account for any last minute changes that could pop up the morning of, such as a pack of wild raccoons commandeering a hot dog cart and closing off a section of the park that they may have casually strolled through.
June paused with a blink. "You know, statistically speaking, it is very likely there will be unaccountable obstacles to these sorts of plans." Since when has anything they and their friends have ever done gone completely according to plan?
Regardless of what June said, Ollie was still optimistic, "But it's only 'very likely' not completely certain. Which means there's a chance that everything will go perfectly!" He was going to give his girlfriend the best date ever and no probability facts would get in his way!
His sister shrugged. "Sure. Hope challenging the universe works out for you." She sincerely meant that. June left to continue her search and left her smitten brother to get ready for his date.
OXOXOXOX
Soon after, Ollie arrived across the street at the McGee house. After knocking on the door, he straightened his shirt and jacket while he waited for Molly. He could hear the sound of footsteps getting louder and the door swung open to reveal his girlfriend, "Ollie! Hi!" She made a tiny wave with a lopsided smile.
Ollie waved back and chuckled as he returned the gesture. "Hey Molly, ready to go?" he held out his non-waving hand to her. Molly nodded and placed her hand in his, the action sending butterflies in their stomachs.
"Izzat Ollie?" A voice that was somewhat muffled by potato chips asked from the living room. The couple looked back and saw Scratch sitting at the living room table with his tablet and a bag of chips. He looked intensely focused on his screen for some reason.
"Yup! We're going on our date now!" Molly reminded her BFF.
The ghost nodded, not looking up from his tablet. "Have fun you crazy kids, I'm in the middle of a hot debate. Some stupid city kid thinks fireworks are better than pizza and I WILL PROVE HIM WRONG!" Scratch shouted before stuffing another handful of chips into his mouth.
Leaving Scratch to his own personal battle, Molly and Ollie walked away holding hands. It was a relaxing walk to their first destination. They chatted about whatever came to mind as their arms lightly swayed by their sides. Molly had a bit more bounce in her step and was so animated when she was talking, her presence was both calming and energizing simultaneously to the boy connected by her hand. Whatever they had been chatting about was interrupted when a tiny grumble came from the girl's stomach. Embarrassed, she let go of her hand and wrapped her arms around her torso while she turned away. "Heh, heh… guess breakfast is wearing off…"
Ollie saw this as the right moment to reveal the first part of their perfect date. "Then it's a good thing our first stop is at that new crepe truck."
That got Molly to turn back to him, embarrassment now forgotten and replaced with excitement. "I've been wanting to try that place! I can't wait!" She grinned with glee at the prospect of sweet crepes and imagined how many different choices there would be.
In Ollie's eyes, he saw golden rays of sunshine and sparkles surrounding her figure as everything around them slowed down just a bit. The bright beams were still not as bright as her smile, one beaming with pure joy. Ollie's got hearts in his eyes and a lovestruck grin plastered to his face while he watches her, letting out a gentle sigh.
The couple arrived at the school parking lot and spotted the truck. It was kind of weird there wasn't anyone in line, but they chalked it up to good luck. They sped up their pace and approached the counter. "Hi, we'd like-" Ollie tried to order, but the lady in the truck held up a hand and had him stop.
"Sorry kids, we're all out of ingredients for today." The crepe lady regretfully informed them.
"What?! How can you be out?" Ollie asked.
The crepe lady had a haunted stare in her eyes: "Kindergartners. A whole field trip worth of them." In the back of her mind she could still hear their screams. Their loud, unceasing screams.
There couldn't have been a way to plan for this. But Ollie figured there could still be a way to salvage this. "Don't you have any ingredients left?"
"I got ice, and I got strawberry syrup. Can't make crepes with those." The crepe lady shook her head sadly.
And so Ollie's idea of the perfect date was crushed at the starting line. Maybe it hadn't been wise to challenge the universe? Fate loves a good challenge. He turned to his girlfriend, hoping she wouldn't be too disappointed that he couldn't get her the crepes she'd wanted. But Molly wasn't upset at all, rather the gears in her head seemed to be formulating an idea. "Do you have any way to crush the ice?"
The crepe lady was confused but nodded. "Yes."
A smile grew on Molly's face. "Can you use the ice and syrup to make snow cones?"
"Yeah! I can do that!" The lady liked her idea and set to work making the new treats for the couple.
"Great idea Molly!" Ollie praised his girlfriend. She always amazed him with her creativity. She was flattered by the praise and giggled. Why did this girl have to be so darn cute!?
Two strawberry snow cones inside crepe wrappings were placed on the counter. The crepe lady wiped her brow. "Whew, had just enough for two cones!"
The duo paid the regular price for two strawberry crepes and looked for a spot to enjoy their frozen treats. "This looks great!" Couldn't wait to try a bite. Ollie had his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth as he placed his spoon in the ice.
"WAH!" The sound of a little kid crying stopped Ollie in his tracks. There was a little boy nearby kneeling beside a colorful mush on the ground.
Approaching the small child, Ollie could tell that colorful mush had been a popsicle based on the popsicle stick pointing out of the side. "Did you drop your ice pop?" Ollie knelt down to the boy's level. The little kid sadly nodded, his lip quivering as he tried not to cry. The older boy gently smiled and offered his snow cone without a second thought. "Here, you can have mine. It's strawberry." The little kid gratefully accepted the snow cone and spoon and happily went on his way.
When Ollie stood back up, Molly was watching him with a loving, sparkling gaze. She ceased her swooning and made a quick run back to the crepe truck, coming back with an extra spoon and handing it to Ollie. "It's a little smaller than a banana split, but I think there's enough artificially flavored strawberry ice for both of us." Molly held the remaining snow cone between them.
Her boyfriend beamed. "I'd like that." They each took a spoonful of snowcone and tasted its cold sweetness together.
OXOXOXOX
After salvaging their first stop, Ollie led the way to their next destination. "Alright Olliepop, what's next on the agenda?" Molly leaned against his side as they walked.
Ollie quickly checked the time on his phone, they were right on schedule and the theater was only a block away. "There's this new movie out that I think you'd like. I've got tickets for the next showing."
Molly's eyes lit up. "You mean that animated musical one?"
"Yeah!" The boy knew he'd made the right choice. Who wouldn't love a cartoon where the characters burst into song?
"Fifi! Where are you Fifi?!" The couple noticed a frantic lady on the other side of the street. She kept shouting for a 'Fifi' and was searching around in a panic.
Not one's to leave someone in distress, Molly and Ollie crossed the street and approached the woman. "Excuse me ma'am, are you looking for someone?" Ollie asked.
"My dear puppy Fifi has run off!" The lady wailed. She held up an empty leash that looked like it had snapped at the collar. "She's so young and out there in the big, scary world all by herself!"
Molly and Ollie shared a look of resolve and nodded to each other, they could see the movie later. There was a puppy in trouble that needed their help. "Hey, hey, don't cry, we'll help you find Fifi!" Molly assured the distraught lady.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" The lady profusely thanked the two, shaking their hands with a little too much force.
Shaking some feeling back into his arm, Ollie prodded for more information. "Can you tell us where Fifi ran off and how long ago it happened?"
"It was a few streets back, around a half hour ago. I tripped running after her and lost sight of where she went." The couple were given some exposition. Minutes later, I didn't have time to write, the lady led them back to where she lost sight of her dog. The whole walk the lady went on and on about her precious Fifi "-and she always tries to go after crows that get too close! So I wasn't worried until she pulled her leash so hard it snapped!" she blew her nose into a handkerchief.
Molly and Ollie searched high and low for a clue to where the dog had gone. The hyperactive girl weaved through the alleys between shops and around various public structures, even searching under a literal rock, while Ollie asked anyone close by if they had seen anything. Another forty minutes had passed by and Fifi was still nowhere to be found, so the couple and lady regrouped. "Alright, so we've covered the surrounding three and a half blocks." Molly was slightly out of breath as she spoke. "There's still a whole lotta Brighton left to cover, and we need a way to narrow it down before Fifi gets too far away."
She was right, they needed a lead soon. Brighton was a small town, but it was still a big place for a tiny dog to get lost. Ollie recalled what they knew about Fifi, where she ran off, why she ran- "Miss, you said Fifi went off to chase some crows, right?"
The lady nodded. "Yes, they keep bothering her on walks. Whenever she sees one, she lets out her adorable growl and tries to jump at them."
"... How good of a jumper is Fifi?" Ollie followed up.
"Very good, she loves leaping onto the couch to watch late night talk shows with me." The lady sniffled, missing her beloved nightly routine with her pooch.
Ollie snapped his fingers, he knew exactly how to narrow it down. "Molly, we've been searching for a dog on the ground. But what if Fifi was higher up-"
"Like if she had followed the crow back to its nest!" Molly gasped, finishing Ollie's thought. "Sweet baby corn! I think I saw a bird's nest near the candle store!" The enhappifier led the way back to where she thought she'd seen the nest, and sure enough, there was one perched on the side of the roof. There was a ball of white fluff beside it, occasionally moving and making a deep growl. "Up there!" Molly pointed up at the missing dog.
Fifi's owner was near hyperventilating when she saw her dog up that high. Ollie's mind raced to figure a way to get up there. "There could be a ladder or some stairs inside the building, so maybe-MOLLY!"
His girlfriend had a plan of her own. She hopped on top of a dumpster and hoisted herself up onto a ledge above. "I got this. It's just a little climb and I can grab Fifi!" she called down to reassure those below. She nearly lost her footing on the next step but quickly caught herself and recovered, flashing a smile that said 'forget you saw that, it won't happen again'.
Taking a look at Molly's intended path, Ollie had to agree that it would be easy enough to climb. The ledges were close enough together that she could easily latch on to the previous one if she mis-stepped. Ollie was awed by her determination. Molly didn't let anything stop her from rescuing a puppy. Even without a curse to remove her fears, she was incredibly brave, and unlike him, lacked a fear of heights to hinder her climbing ability. While he wished he could do something to help his girlfriend, there was someone else who needed his help more at the moment. Fifi's owner was in tears, scared that something would go wrong, and her canine companion could get hurt. "Fifi means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Ollie gently placed a hand on her shaking shoulder.
The lady loudly blew her nose into a tissue before answering. "She's my precious baby! I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to her!"
"Fifi is lucky to have someone who cares as much as you do." Ollie continued, his voice soft and understanding. "I bet she misses you as much as you miss her."
The lady's breaths were evening out while she talked, calming down as she thought about the love she and her Fifi shared. "She's such a mischievous puppy. She'd run off and get into some ketchup, then jump into my lap and give me kisses." Thinking of the positive was helping distract her from her worry.
Taking a quick look back at Molly, Ollie grinned. "I think she's ready to give you more of those kisses." His words caused the woman to look up and see Molly standing before them, a sweet expression as she locked eyes with her boyfriend and held up the tiny terrier in her arms.
"Fifi!" The woman and her dog were reunited and the puppy kisses commenced. "Oh, thank you both so much!"
Ollie proudly put an arm around Molly's shoulder. "You were great, Mollberry." The nickname earned a little blush on her cheeks. Sure they missed their movie, but they brought just a bit more good into the world instead.
"So were you." She returned the sentiment. Though there was still something on her mind. "Ya' know, I haven't seen any sign of that crow Fifi had been chasing."
Seen only by the couple, a larger ghost bird flew past them. The implications set in. "… I don't think that was ketchup she was getting into…" Ollie muttered with a wide-eyed stare.
OXOXOXOX
Nothing had gone the way Ollie had planned it today. But just because two out of three things went off the rails doesn't mean the last one would, right?
The canceled sign slapped over the poster for the mixed music showcase said otherwise.
"Canceled due to a freak elevator accident?!" Ollie read incredulously.
Cutaway to a hospital room where the musicians that were supposed to perform were lying in bed in varying states of body cast. Everyone glared at one guilty-looking guy. "'Ooh, what does this button do?' Apparently it sends us crashing down three floors, Keith!"
Back to our duo, Molly was bummed about the cancelation. "Aw, I was ready to bust a move." She'd already started thinking of which of her dance moves to show off on the way over. She glanced at her companion, noting that he was even more disappointed than she was.
It wasn't not having the musical showcase that had Ollie down. Folded neatly into his pocket, was the plan he had made for their perfect date. He tried so hard to make this the best date Molly has ever had, she was so special to him and seeing her smile was what he treasured most. But he let her down, he couldn't give her the perfect date she deserved.
"Ollie-" she called his name, getting him to gaze at her. That positive smile brighter than sunshine awaited him. "We may not have a live band, but if we find a radio or something, we could have our own private dance?"
There was that endless positivity and creativity of hers, always finding a solution in the darkest of moments. Although in terms of dark moments this ranked pretty low, more of an inconvenience really. "That sounds… perfect." Ollie pushed his bangs back unconsciously, making his girlfriend swoon. "First we need to find a music player."
Molly tapped a finger to her chin, deep in thought. "Hmm… (tiny gasp) I know!"
Across the park, Patty and some of the other seniors from the retirement home were showing off their new hip replacements with a free-style dance off. Patty pulled off an impressive and indescribable break-dancing move that earned her a round of applause. "Ha! Try and top that, Elbert!"
"Patty!" A young voice caught her attention.
The lively older lady saw two of her favorite kids heading towards her and her group. "Molly McGee and Ollie Chen, come to see me show the rest of these old timers how to bust a move?"
"While that sounds amazing-" Molly wished she'd seen the indescribable move previously mentioned. "We were actually wondering if we could borrow your CD player for just a little bit?"
"Sure! We're not even using it anyway, Bobby's been beatboxing this entire time." Patty revealed, gesturing over to her lover continuously beatboxing. He didn't stop. If he did, he'd lose the beat he'd built up. But he did give a thumbs up.
Molly gave a brief hug to the senior. "Thank you so much!"
Patty smiled fondly. "Of course. Now, what did you need that for anyway?"
Ollie began to explain "There was supposed to be this mixed musical showcase-"
"Say no more." Patty held up her hand. "We came out here for the same thing. We were all raring to get our groove on before the darn thing got canceled. We've been popping and locking our joints to fill the void."
"But it ain't filling anything!" Elbert shouted.
Patty was having none of this. "Quiet Elbert, everyone here knows you've been cheating anyway!"
A quick pan revealed Elbert was wearing a robotic exoskeleton atop his pants. "You have no evidence!"
Knowing that it wasn't just the two of them disappointed about the performance, Molly felt that this wrong needed to be righted. "Ollie… I know I suggested a private dance for just us…"
He knew what she was going to suggest, and his only objection was that he didn't think of it first. "The more, the merrier, right?" He confirmed that they were both on the same page.
Molly nodded and addressed the elderly. "Patty, would you all like to come with us? We could make our own music at the bandshell?" The young girl offered.
"That's the best idea I've heard all day." Patty accepted, rallying the seniors with her. "Bobby, you can take a break from beatboxing till we get there." Her man took the opportunity to stop and take in some deep breaths, he'd rebuild his beat when he could breathe again.
One of the other old ladies raised her hand with her phone. "Can my son come too? He's supposed to drop off an unwanted box of fairy lights for me."
Molly and Ollie shrugged, why not? They gave the lady the go-ahead and let her text her son. That lady's son was with some friends when he got the message. He showed them the message and took them all with him on his way to the bandshell. The group of senior citizens and the teenage couple were pleasantly surprised to see a few extra people come up to meet them. Upon seeing the excess fairy lights, Molly suggested stringing up one or two for lighting. The idea was accepted and soon she, Ollie and the non-elderly adults were setting up lights on the edges of the bandshell.
Their actions did not go unnoticed by other passersby who passed by and saw the group, more people came to join in on the fun. Molly and Ollie welcomed all who came by, and many had things to contribute to the impromptu get-together. One guy had a bunch of old towels for people to sit on, someone else had bought way too many snacks and passed them around, an older teen had some wires and cables to connect the CD Player to the Bandshell's sound system, and one really apathetic man brought cups.
Molly's positivity was infectious and soon there were dozens of people showing up to put on a spur of the moment dance party at the bandshell. It got to the point where Ollie had to get out his planner and start keeping things organized. He directed the pack of balloons to be placed by the side so they wouldn't get in the way of people dancing, towels and chairs were kept an ample amount of distance to be close but not squished, and the cups be placed on a folding table beside the snacks and some soda brought by their principal. As Ollie made sure everything was going smoothly, he kept sneaking glances over at his girlfriend, the reason everyone was here and having a good time was because of her. Her small suggestion grew until everyone was enhappified, and it was incredible to watch as the joy brightened up Brighton.
That was his girlfriend, bringing joy and happiness everywhere she went. Molly McGee was the most amazing person he'd ever known. Her hopeful spirit and boundless optimism captivated him from the start. Even when he was a ghost hunter, she kept pushing him to see things from a new perspective. They learned and grew from their experiences together, supporting and teaching one another through hardships and peace. His feelings and admiration for her only grew with time, and he could feel that it was mutual.
Realizing that he had been staring at her with a completely smitten smile etched into his face, Ollie resumed his focus on finishing the final touches to the snack table. A few newcomers looked to him for assistance afterward, and he gladly helped them, unaware that Molly was the one watching him with the exact same smitten smile as she held her hand to her heart.
Once everything was all set up, there was only one thing left to do. "May I have this dance, Mollberry?" Ollie playfully bowed to Molly, offering his hand to her while they stood at the edge of the designated dance floor. The upbeat music from the eighties was different from the music they'd danced to before, but they were different from before too.
"It would be my honor, Olliepop." Molly took his hand with a goofy curtsy. They stepped into the crowd and contributed their own unique dance to the scene. It was silly and uncoordinated, but they might have been having the most fun out of everyone.
OXOXOXOX
The sun had set long before the spur-of-the-moment gathering winded down. After all the dancing and the subsequent cleanup, the only ones still remaining at the bandshell were Molly and Ollie. The couple sat on the edge of the stage, fingers interlocked while they leaned against the other. "Whew-" Molly wiped her forehead with her free hand. "I had no idea things would escalate like that. That showcase wouldn't have been nearly as much fun had it happened." At the mention of the original plan, Ollie let out a sigh he didn't even realize he'd been holding. Molly studied his expression, recognizing when he had something on his mind. "Everything alright, Ollie?"
Ollie opened his mouth to say something, then lightly shook his head and re-decided his words. "It's nothing big. I just… I planned this big perfect date for us and nothing went the way it was supposed to." Molly was going to interject and reassure him, but he continued on. "But you… you were so amazing today. You didn't let any setbacks get you down, and you turned every situation around with your positivity and determination." He earnestly went on, seeing the red color grow on her cheeks. "I feel so lucky to have you as my girlfriend."
"Awww, Ollie." Molly's eyes sparkled, placing her other hand atop the one already holding his. "Don't sell yourself short, you were incredible today too!" It genuinely surprised him to hear her say that. "You planned so much just to make me happy. When people were upset, it was your kind, empathetic self that brought their smiles back. And that party would have become anarchy without you there to keep things on track. Cob knows how crazy parties get when you have a pile of balloons. I'm the one that's lucky to have you!" She smiled brightly, resulting in Ollie's heart catching in his throat.
He was flattered by her words, his face reddening like a tomato. "Gosh, I-um… wow." he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to form a coherent sentence. He lightly giggled and looked Molly in the eye "That's a big compliment coming from the girl who enhappifies the whole town."
"That is my goal after all, to bring joy and life into my forever home!" Molly was so confident in the path she was on. It made her boyfriend stop and think, his eyes shying away so she wouldn't see the doubt hidden inside him. It didn't work, she still noticed the shift.
Wordlessly, Molly prodded him with the simple action of leaning her cheek against his shoulder. Her gentle smile assured him that he could tell her anything and she'd be there to listen. "I don't know what's next for me. I haven't figured out what my goal is right now." He admitted. He wanted to engoodify the world, and for years he believed he could do that by getting rid of ghosts. Things have changed recently. He and his family had given up hunting ghosts, and now he wanted to help them. His parents have the root beer pub, June has her gadgets, he was the only Chen that hadn't found a new path for himself.
If just Molly's presence was reassuring to him, then her words were more so. "That's normal isn't it? We're still young and have our whole lives ahead of us. Not even I know what I'm going to become, but if I keep doing what I love I know I'll find it someday, and so will you."
Ollie had already found one thing he was looking for, a partner who understood him right down to his soul. "Thanks, and at least there's one thing I'm sure of-" he hadn't even said anything yet and his face was already turning bright red. "I really, really like you Molly." His hands held hers just a little tighter.
"I really, really like you too." Molly bashfully replied. The blushing must be contagious, Molly's face was turning red too. They were content to simply sit there enjoying each other's company, listening to the quiet sounds of the night (and the distant screaming of Elbert as his exoskeleton pants caught fire) but an idea popped itself into the enhappifier's brain. "Y'know, I overheard that the local shelter has a surplus of adorable kittens right now."
Ollie connected the dots, seeing where her train of thought was heading. "Are you thinking of holding a kitten adoption in the park-"
"-And inviting kittenless kids whose homes are looking for a furry friend." Molly continued his sentence.
"Let's do it!" They shouted together, grinning and excitedly holding up their intertwined hands. As they walked on home they discussed their plans, Ollie would get the forms ready and Molly would contact pet-less households, and they'd get it all set up the day after tomorrow…
… and Ollie would never have believed the turn his life would take that day.